RFP 75N96022R00001_15Jun2022.pdf

- 1 -

SOLICITATION

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

1. Requisition or other Purchase Authority: Public Law 92-218 As Amended

2. Request for Proposal (RFP) Number: 75N96022R00001

3. Issue Date:

June 15, 2022

4. Set Aside:

[X] No

[ ] Yes See Part IV Section L

5. Title : Bioinformatics Support for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in DNTP &

DIR

6. ISSUED BY:

Office of Acquisitions National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences National Institutes of Health PO Box 12874

MD K1-05

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

7. SUBMIT OFFERS TO:

See Part III, Section J, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," ATTACHMENT 1 of this Solicitation.

NOTE-Proposals must be submitted via the electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website at https:// ecps.nih.gov. Proposals submitted by facsimile or e-mail will NOT be accepted.

8. Proposals for furnishing the supplies and/or services in THE SCHEDULE will be received at the place specified in, and in the number of copies specified in Attachment 1, "Packaging and Delivery of the Proposal," until 4:30 p.m.

local time on July 29, 2022. Offers will be valid for 365 days unless a different period is specified by the offeror on the Attachment entitled, "Proposal Summary and Data Record, NIH 2043.

9. This solicitation requires delivery of proposals as stated in ATTACHMENT 1, "PACKAGING AND DELIVERY OF

THE PROPOSAL."

IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER OR HIS DESIGNEE AT THE PLACE AND TIME SPECIFIED FOR THE OFFICE OF ACQUISITIONS, THEN IT WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE AND HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH HHSAR Clause 352.215-70, "Late Proposals and Revisions" LOCATED IN

SECTION L.1. OF THIS SOLICITATION.

10. Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award of a contract. Offerors must access the CCR through The System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

11. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Wanda Holliday at hollida1@niehs.nih.gov

Iris Merscher at iris.merscher@nih.gov

TELEPHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Submit all questions IN WRITING-VIA email no later than 4:30 pm EST on June 29, 2022. Telephone inquiries will NOT be accepted.

Questions should be submitted to the points of contact listed in Block 11 above.

Iris Merscher Contracting Officer OM/Office of Acquisitions

NIH/NIEHS

https://ecps.nih.gov https://ecps.nih.gov https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ mailto:hollida1@niehs.nih.gov mailto:iris.merscher@nih.gov

RFP Number : RFP 75N96022R00001

- 2 -

RFP TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

SOLICITATION ATTACHMENTS

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

BUSINESS PROPOSAL ATTACHMENTS

INFORMATIONAL ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION

b. NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD

c. TYPE OF CONTRACT AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

d. LEVEL OF EFFORT

e. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

f. COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD

g. RELEASE OF INFORMATION

h. PREPARATION COSTS

i. SERVICE OF PROTEST

j. LATE PROPOSALS AND REVISIONS

k. USE OF NON-GOVERNMENT REVIEWERS

2. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

a. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Contract Type and General Clauses

2. Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal

3. Proposal Summary and Data Record (NIH-2043)

4. Separation of Technical and Business Proposals

5. Alternate Proposals

6. Evaluation of Proposals

7. Potential Award Without Discussions

8. Use of the Metric System of Measurement

9. Non-discrimination for Conscience, HHSAR Clause 352.270-9

- 3 -

10. Specific Copyright Provisions Applicable to Software Development and/or Enhancement(s)

11. Privacy Act - Treatment of Proposal Information

12. Selection of Offerors

13. Institutional Responsibility Regarding Investigator Conflicts of Interest

14. CERTIFICATION REGARDING TAX MATTERS (OCT 2020)

15. Past Performance Information

16. Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Notice, HHSAR 352.239-73 (December 2015)

17. Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

b. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Technical Discussions

2. Other Considerations

3. Technical Evaluation

c. BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Basic Cost/Price Information

2. Proposal Cover Sheet

3. Cost and Pricing Data

4. Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other than Cost and Pricing Data

5. Salary Rate Limitation

6. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

7. Mentor Protege Program, HHSAR 352.219-70

8. HUBZone Small Business Concerns

9. Total Compensation Plan

10. Other Administrative Data

11. Qualifications of the Offeror

12. Subcontractors

13. Proposer's Annual Financial Report

14. Travel Costs/Travel Policy

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1. GENERAL

2. COST/PRICE EVALUATION

3. MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

4. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS

5. TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

6. EVALUATION OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY- SECTION

7. PAST PERFORMANCE FACTOR

- 4 -

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM, HEREIN CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANY OFFEROR INTERESTED IN RESPONDING TO THIS SOLICITATION.

ANY CONTRACT RESULTING FROM THIS SOLICITATION WILL INCLUDE IN ITS SECTION A - SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM, ACCOUNTING, APPROPRIATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE

CONTRACT AWARD.

THE CONTRACT SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN SECTIONS B THROUGH H, HEREIN, CONTAINS CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THIS SOLICITATION. IT IS NOT AN EXACT REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THIS SOLICITATION. THE CONTRACT COST OR PRICE AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS PERTINENT TO THE OFFEROR (i.e., those relating to the organizational structure [e.g., Non-Profit, Commercial] and specific cost authorizations unique to the Offeror's proposal and requiring Contracting Officer Prior Approval) WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RESULTANT CONTRACT. THE ENCLOSED CONTRACT SCHEDULE IS

INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE OFFEROR WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE RESULTANT CONTRACT.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

ARTICLE B.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

The purpose of this contract is to provide bioinformatic analysis in support of DNTP and DIR research initiatives at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The fields of study are diverse and include, but are not limited to, toxicology, genomics, structural chemistry, high throughput screening, data and text mining, high content image analysis, and downloading and use of large public data sources. Independently, and not as an agent of the government, the contractor shall provide all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to assist in the performance of the bioinformatics, data mining and computational activities described in the Statement of Work (SOW).

ARTICLE B.2. ESTIMATED COST - OPTION

a. The estimated cost of the Base Period of this contract is $ .

b. The fixed fee for the Base Period of this contract is $ . The fixed fee shall be paid in direct ratio to the level of effort expended; that is, the percent of fee paid shall be equal to the percent of total effort expended.Payment shall be subject to the withholding provisions of the clauses ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT and FIXED FEE referenced in the General Clause Listing in Part II, ARTICLE I.1. of this contract.

c. The total estimated amount of the contract, represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee for the Base Period is $ .

d. If the Government exercises its option pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in SECTION H of this contract, the Government's total estimated contract amount represented by the sum of the estimated cost plus the fixed fee will be increased as follows:

Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Base Period * * *

Option Periods: * * *

Option I – Year 2

Option I – Year 3

TBD

TBD

TBD

- 5 -

Estimated Cost

Fixed Fee

Estimated Cost Plus Fixed Fee

Option I – Year 4

Option I – Year 5

Option I – Year 6

Option I – Year 7

Option II: Optional Quantities: 5% Additional Level of Effort (Hours) Per Year

Option II – Year 1

Option II – Year 2

Option II – Year 3

Option II – Year 4

Option II – Year 5

Option II – Year 6

Option II – Year 7

Total

Base Period and Options

Option To Extend the Contract for a Period NTE 6 months in accordance with FAR 52.217-8

*TBD-Cost and Fee amounts to be specified at the time of award

For additional instructions regarding cost information for Option periods and Optional Quantities, See Attachment -Additional Business Proposal Instructions. See Section M. of the solicitation regarding evaluation of options.

ARTICLE B.3. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS

This article will prohibit or restrict the use of contract funds, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer. The following is a list of items that may be included in the resultant contract as applicable. 1) Conferences & Meetings, 2) Food for Meals, Light Refreshments & Beverages, 3) Promotional Items, 4) Acquisition, by purchase or lease, of any interest in real property; 5) Special rearrangement or alteration of facilities; 6) Purchase or lease of any item of general purpose office furniture or office equipment regardless of dollar value; 7) Travel Costs including Foreign Travel; 8) Consultant Costs; 9) Subcontract Costs; 10) Patient Care Costs; 11) Accountable Government Property; 12) Printing costs; and 13) Research Funding.

ARTICLE B.4. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS

Specific elements of cost, which normally require prior written approval of the Contracting Officer before incurrence of the cost (e.g., foreign travel, consultant fees, subcontracts) will be included in this Article if the Contracting Officer has granted his/her approval prior to contract award.

- 6 -

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

ARTICLE C.1. DESCRIPTION-STATEMENT OF WORK

a. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall be required to furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work, dated May 5, 2022, attached hereto and made a part of this Solicitation (See SECTION J - List of Attachments).

ARTICLE C.2. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All reports required herein shall be submitted in electronic format.

All electronic reports submitted shall be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Additional information about testing documents for Section 508 compliance, including guidance and specific checklists, by application, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html and at: https://www.section508.gov/create/ documents, "Create Accessible Documents."

a. Technical Progress Reports

In addition to the required reports set forth elsewhere in this Schedule, the preparation and submission of regularly recurring Technical Progress Reports will be required in any contract resulting from this solicitation. These reports will require descriptive information about the activities undertaken during the reporting period and will require information about planned activities for future reporting periods. The frequency and specific content of these reports will be determined prior to contract award. [Note: Beginning May 25, 2008, the Contractor shall include the applicable PubMed Central or NIH Manuscript Submission reference number when citing publications that arise from its NIH funded research.]

For proposal preparation purposes only, it is estimated electronic versions of these reports will be required as follows:

[X] Monthly [ ] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually [X] Annually [ ] Annually (with a requirement for a Draft Annual Report) [ ] Final - Upon final completion of the contract [X] Final - Upon final completion of the contract (with a requirement for a Draft Final Report)

Summary of Salient Results

The Contractor will be required to prepare and submit, with the final report, a summary (not to exceed 200 words) of salient results achieved during the performance of the contract. This report will be required on or before the expiration date of the contract.

b. Other Reports/Deliverables

1. Reporting of Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)

All reports and documentation required by 45 CFR Part 94, Responsible Prospective Contractors including, but not limited to, the New FCOI Report, Annual FCOI Report, Revised FCOI Report, and http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html https://www.section508.gov/create/documents https://www.section508.gov/create/documents

- 7 -the Mitigation Report, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer in Electronic format. Thereafter, reports shall be due in accordance with the regulatory compliance requirements in 45 CFR Part 94.

45 CFR Part 94 is available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-94. See Part 94.5, Responsibilities of Institutions regarding Investigator financial conflicts of interest for complete information on reporting requirements.

(Reference the INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING INVESTIGATOR FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Article in SECTION H of this contract.)

2. Source Code and Object Code

The Contractor shall deliver all source code and object code developed, modified, and/or enhanced under this contract to the Government according to the schedule established by the Government, as directed by the COR.

HHS SECURITY AND PRIVACY LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND IT PROCUREMENTS

INFORMATION AND/OR PHYSICAL SECURITY

Reporting requirements for HHS Security and Privacy Language for Information and Information Technology Procurements are applicable to this solicitation. See Section H. Article H.10. “HHS Security and Privacy Language For Information and IT Procurements” for a list of applicable deliverables and reporting requirements.

3. Section 508 Annual Report

The Contractor must submit an annual Section 508 report in accordance with the schedule set forth by the Contracting Officer (CO)/Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Section 508 Report Template and Instructions for completing the report are available at: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/ default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc.

4. Multiple Principal Investigators Leadership Plan The Contractor must submit a revised/updated Leadership Plan in the event of a change in any of the Principal Investigators named in the Key Personnel Article in SECTION G of this contract. The revised plan is subject to review and approval by the Contracting Officer.

ARTICLE C.3. INVENTION REPORTING REQUIREMENT

All reports and documentation required by FAR Clause 52.227-13, Patent Rights-Ownership by the Government including, but not limited to, the invention disclosure report, the confirmatory license, and the Government support certification, shall be directed to the Division of Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources (DEITR), OPERA, OER, NIH, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 310, MSC 7980, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7980 (Telephone: 301-435-1986). In addition, one copy of an annual utilization report, and a copy of the final invention statement, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer. The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b) (2)(ii)) shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer on the expiration date of the contract.

The first annual utilization report shall be due on or before ***. Thereafter, reports shall be due on or before the 15th Calendar day following the reporting period. The final invention statement (see FAR 27.303(b)(2)(ii)) shall be submitted on the expiration date of the contract. All reports shall be sent to the following address:

Contracting Officer https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-94 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/web/508/contracting/technology/section_508_annual_report.doc

- 8 -

National Institutes of Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Office of Acquisition 530 Davis Drive Morrisville, NC 27560

*** To be specified at award

If no invention is disclosed or no activity has occurred on a previously disclosed invention during the applicable reporting period, a negative report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer at the address listed above.

To assist contractors in complying with invention reporting requirements of the clause, the NIH has developed "Interagency Edison," an electronic invention reporting system. Use of Interagency Edison is required as it streamlines the reporting process and greatly reduces paperwork. Access to the system is through a secure interactive Web site to ensure that all information submitted is protected. Interagency Edison and information relating to the capabilities of the system can be obtained from the Web ( http://www.iedison.gov), or by contacting the Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources Branch, OPERA, NIH.

http://www.iedison.gov

- 9 -

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable condition.

- 10 -

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided.

b. For the purpose of this SECTION, *** (to be specified at award) is the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer.

c. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

NIH/NIEHS

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Acceptance may be presumed unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative within 60 days of receipt.

d. This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available.

FAR Clause 52.246-8, Inspection of Research and Development - Cost-Reimbursement (May 2001).

Alternate I (April 1984) is not applicable to this contract.

- 11 -

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

ARTICLE F.1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

a. The period of performance of this contract shall be from September 20, 2023 through September 19, 2024.

b. If the Government exercises its option(s) pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in Section H of this contract, the period of performance will be increased as listed below:

Option Option Period Option I – Year 2 September 20, 2024 through September 19, 2025

Option I – Year 3 September 20, 2025 through September 19, 2026 Option I – Year 4 September 20, 2026 through September 19, 2027 Option I – Year 5 September 20, 2027 through September 19, 2028 Option I – Year 6 September 20, 2028 through September 19, 2029 Option I – Year 7 September 20, 2029 through September 19, 2030

***The period of performance listed above is the anticipated period of performance but may be subject to revision before award.

ARTICLE F.2. DELIVERIES

a. Satisfactory performance of this contract shall be deemed to occur upon performance of the work described in the Statement of Work Article in SECTION C of this contract and upon delivery and acceptance by the Contracting Officer, or the duly authorized representative, of the Services specified in the Delivery Schedule which are described in SECTION C of this contract.

b. Deliveries required by the Contractor shall be made F.o.b. destination as set forth in FAR Clause 52.247-35, F.o.b. Destination, Within consignees Premises (April 1984) to the address/addressee listed below:

c. Delivery Address

NIH/NIEHS

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

d. Unless otherwise specified, deliveries shall be made to the Delivery Point specified above Mondays through Fridays (excluding Federal Holidays) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST only. Supplies or services scheduled for delivery on a Federal holiday shall be made the following day.

ARTICLE F.3. LEVEL OF EFFORT

a. During the period of performance of this contract, the Contractor shall provide *** direct labor Hours . The labor Hours Exclude vacation, holiday, and sick leave. These labor Hours Include subcontractor labor Hours .

**Exact amounts to be specified at award

b. The Contractor shall have satisfied the requirement herein if not less than 90% nor more than 110% of the total direct labor Hours specified herein are furnished. These terms and conditions do not supersede the requirements of either the "Limitation of Cost" or "Limitation of Funds" clause.

- 12 -

c. In the event fewer Hours than the minimum specified number of direct labor Hours are used by the Contractor in accomplishing the prescribed work and the Government has not invoked its rights under FAR Clause 52.249-6, TERMINATION (Cost-Reimbursement) incorporated in this contract, these parties agree that the fee will be adjusted based solely upon the quantity of Hours by which the number of direct labor Hours furnished is less than the number of direct labor Hours specified in this ARTICLE. The resulting adjustment shall be evidenced by a contract modification.

ARTICLE F.4. CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, FAR 52.252-2 (FEBRUARY

1998)

This contract incorporates the following clause(s) by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSE:

52.242-15, Stop Work Order (August 1989)

Alternate I (April 1984) is applicable to this contract.

52.247-35, F.o.b. Destination Within Consignees Premises (April 1984).

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

- 13 -

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

ARTICLE G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The following Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

To be specified prior to award

The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

The alternate COR is responsible for carrying out the duties of the COR only in the event that the COR can no longer perform his/her duties as assigned.

The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract

The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation.

ARTICLE G.2. KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (December 2015)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements). If the employee of the contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties.

(End of Clause)

The following individual(s) are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder:

Title

Principal Investigator

Lead Bioinformatician

Lead Biostatistician

ARTICLE G.3. INVOICE SUBMISSION/CONTRACT FINANCING REQUEST AND CONTRACT

FINANCIAL REPORT

a. Invoice Submission/Contract Financing Request, NIH(RC)-1 for NIH Cost-Reimbursement Type Contracts is made part of this contract. The Contractor shall follow the attached instructions and submission procedures

- 14 -specified below to meet the requirements of a "proper invoice" pursuant to FAR Subpart 32.9, Prompt Payment.

The invoice instructions will be provided prior to or at the time of award.

1. In accordance with HHSAR Clause HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic

Submission of Payment Requests, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). Information regarding IPP, including

IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov.

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the electronic invoice to the following Approving Official (Contracting Officer) and Contracting Officer Representative:

Approving Official: Contracting Officer

Name- specified at award

Contracting Officer Representative

Name- specified at award

For inquiries regarding the status of invoices, contact OFM Customer Service via email at ofm_customer_service@incontactemail.com or via phone at 301-496-6088. To send your inquiries via other available communication methods refer to the OFM Customer Service website at https:// ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx .

Note: The OFM Customer Service is open Eastern Standard Time Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2. In addition to the requirements specified in FAR 32.905 for a proper invoice, the Contractor shall include the following information on the face page of all payment requests:

a. Name of the Office of Acquisitions. The Office of Acquisitions for this contract is NIEHS .

b. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If the Contractor does not have a valid TIN, it shall identify the Vendor Identification Number (VIN) on the payment request. The VIN is the number that appears after the Contractor's name on the face page of the contract. [Note: A VIN is assigned to new contracts awarded on or after June 4, 2007, and any existing contract modified to include the VIN number.] If the Contractor has neither a TIN, DUNS, or VIN, contact the Contracting Officer.

c. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI is located in the System for Award Management (SAM) and replaces the Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. The UEI number must identify the Contractor's name and address exactly as stated in the contract and as registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. If the Contractor does not have a valid UEI number, it shall identify the Vendor Identification Number (VIN) on the payment request. The VIN is the number that appears after the Contractor's name on the face page of the contract. If the Contractor has neither a TIN, UEI, or VIN, contact the Contracting Officer.

d. Invoice Matching Option. This contract requires a two-way match.

http://www.ipp.gov mailto:OFM%20Customer%20Service mailto:ofm_customer_service@incontactemail.com https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx https://ofm.od.nih.gov/Pages/Customer-Service.aspx

- 15 -

e. Unique Invoice Number. Each payment request must be identified by a unique invoice number, which can only be used one time regardless of the number of contracts or orders held by an organization.

f. The Contract Title is:

Bioinformatics Support for NIEHS

g. Contract Line Items as follows:

Line Item # Line Item Description

b. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices shall be directed to the designated billing office, (301) 496-6452.

c. The Contractor shall include the following certification on every invoice for reimbursable costs incurred with Fiscal Year funds subject to HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of this contract.

For billing purposes, certified invoices are required for the billing period during which the applicable Fiscal Year funds were initially charged through the final billing period utilizing the applicable Fiscal Year funds:

"I hereby certify that the salaries charged in this invoice are in compliance with HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of the above referenced contract."

ARTICLE G.4. CONTRACT FINANCIAL REPORT

a. Financial reports on the attached Form NIH 2706, Financial Report of Individual Project/Contract, shall be submitted by the Contractor in accordance with the Instructions for Completing Form NIH 2706, which accompany the form, in an original and two copies, not later than the 30th working day after the close of the reporting period. The line entries for subdivisions of work and elements of cost (expenditure categories) which shall be reported within the total contract are listed in paragraph e., below. Subsequent changes and/or additions in the line entries shall be made in writing.

b. Unless otherwise stated in that part of the Instructions for Completing Form NIH 2706, entitled " PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS," all columns A through J, shall be completed for each report submitted.

c. The first financial report shall cover the period consisting of the first full Calendar Month following the date of the contract, in addition to any fractional part of the initial month. Thereafter, reports will be on a Monthly basis.

d. The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to submit detailed support for costs contained in one or more interim financial reports. This clause does not supersede the record retention requirements in FAR Part 4.7.

e. The following is a listing of expenditure categories to be reported:

Expenditure Category A Percentage of Effort/Hours

(1) Direct Labor

(a) Principal Investigator

(b) Co-Principal Investigator

(c) Key Personnel

(i) (ii)

- 16 -

Expenditure Category A Percentage of Effort/Hours (iii)

(2) Other Professional Personnel

(3) Personnel - Other

(4) Fringe Benefits

(5) Accountable Personal Property

(6) Materials/Supplies

(7) Patient Care Costs

(8) Travel

(9) Consultant Costs

(10) Premium Pay

(11) Computer Costs

(12) Subcontract Costs

(13) Other Direct Costs

(14) Indirect Costs

(15) G&A Expense

(16) Total Cost

(17) Fee

(18) Total Cost Plus Fixed Fee

f. The Government may unilaterally revise the NIH 2706 to reflect the allotment of additional funds.

ARTICLE G.5. PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS, FAR 52.232-40 (Nov 2021)

a. Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

b. The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the prompt Payment Act.

c. Include the substance of this clause, include this paragraph c, in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

(End of Clause)

ARTICLE G.6. INDIRECT COST RATES

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) Clause 52.216-7 (d)(2), Allowable Cost and Payment incorporated by reference in this contract in PART II, SECTION I, the cognizant Contracting Officer Representative responsible for negotiating provisional and/or final indirect cost rates is identified as follows:

Director, Division of Financial Advisory Services Office of Acquisition Management and Policy National Institutes of Health

6011 EXECUTIVE BLVD, ROOM 549C, MSC-7663

BETHESDA MD 20892-7663

These rates are hereby incorporated without further action of the Contracting Officer. Go to the Indirect Cost Submission web page: https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission for electronic copies of the Branch's information package documents.

https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission https://oamp.od.nih.gov/division-of-financial-advisory-services/indirect-cost-branch/indirect-cost-submission

- 17 -

ARTICLE G.7. POST AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

a. Contractor Performance Evaluations

Interim and Final evaluations of Contractor performance will be prepared on this contract in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.15. The Final performance evaluation will be prepared at the time of completion of work. In addition to the Final evaluation, Interim evaluations will be prepared Annually as follows on the anniversary date of the contract .

Interim and Final evaluations will be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted thirty days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to an individual one level above the Contracting Officer, whose decision will be final.

Copies of the evaluations, Contractor responses, and review comments, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions.

b. Electronic Access to Contractor Performance Evaluations

Contractors may access evaluations through a secure Web site for review and comment at the following address:

https://www.cpars.gov

ARTICLE G.8. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

If this RFP will result in the acquisition or use of Government Property provided by the contracting agency or if the Contracting Officer authorizes in the preaward negotiation process, the acquisition of property (other than real property), this ARTICLE Q, will include applicable provisions and incorporate the HHS Publication, entitled, "HHS Contracting Guide for Contract of Government Property," which can be found at: https://web.archive.org/ web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/ https://www.cpars.gov https://web.archive.org/web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/ https://web.archive.org/web/20111015044731/http:/www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/

- 18 -

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

ARTICLE H.1. HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is hereby understood and agreed that research involving human subjects shall not be conducted under this contract, and that no material developed, modified, or delivered by or to the Government under this contract, or any subsequent modification of such material, will be used by the Contractor or made available by the Contractor for use by anyone other than the Government, for experimental or therapeutic use involving humans without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

ARTICLE H.2. NIH POLICY ON ENHANCING REPRODUCIBILITY THROUGH RIGOR AND

TRANSPARENCY

Contractors shall adhere to the NIH policy of enhancing reproducibility through rigor and transparency by addressing each of the four areas of the policy in performance of the Statement of Work and in publications, as applicable:

1) Scientific Premise; 2) Scientific Rigor; 3) Consideration of Relevant Biological Variables, including Sex; and 4) Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources. This policy applies to all NIH funded research and development, from basic through advanced clinical studies. See NIH Guide Notice, NOT-OD-15-103, "Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency" and NOT-OD-15-102, "Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable in NIH-funded Research" for more information. In addition, publications are expected to follow the guidance at http:// www.nih.gov/research-training/rigor-reproducibility/principles-guidelines-reporting-preclinical-research, whether preclinical or otherwise, as appropriate. More information is available at http://grants.nih.gov/reproducibility/index.htm, including FAQs and a General Policy Overview.

ARTICLE H.3. NIH POLICY ON ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESS TO ARCHIVED

PUBLICATIONS RESULTING FROM NIH-FUNDED RESEARCH

NIH-funded investigators shall submit to the NIH National Library of Medicine's (NLM) PubMed Central (PMC) an electronic version of the author's final manuscript, upon acceptance for publication, resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH. NIH defines the author's final manuscript as the final version accepted for journal publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process. The PMC archive will preserve permanently these manuscripts for use by the public, health care providers, educators, scientists, and NIH.

The Policy directs electronic submissions to the NIH/NLM/PMC: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov.

Additional information is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-071.html and http:// publicaccess.nih.gov.

ARTICLE H.4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING

The Contractor shall clearly state, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money: (1) the percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money; (2) the dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; and (3) the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by nongovernmental sources.

ARTICLE H.5. DISSEMINATION OF FALSE OR DELIBERATELY MISLEADING INFORMATION

The Contractor shall not use contract funds to disseminate information that is deliberately false or misleading.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-103.html http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-15-102.html http://www.nih.gov/research-training/rigor-reproducibility/principles-guidelines-reporting-preclinical-research http://www.nih.gov/research-training/rigor-reproducibility/principles-guidelines-reporting-preclinical-research http://grants.nih.gov/reproducibility/index.htm http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-071.html http://publicaccess.nih.gov http://publicaccess.nih.gov

- 19 -

ARTICLE H.6. RESTRICTION ON PORNOGRAPHY ON COMPUTER NETWORKS

The Contractor shall not use contract funds to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.

ARTICLE H.7. GUN CONTROL

The Contractor shall not use contract funds in whole or in part, to advocate or promote gun control.

ARTICLE H.8. OPTION PROVISION

Unless the Government exercises its option pursuant to the Option Clause set forth in SECTION I., the contract will consist only of the Base Period of the Statement of Work as defined in Sections C and F of the contract. Pursuant to FAR Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services and FAR Clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract set forth in SECTION I. of this contract, the Government may, by unilateral contract modification, require the Contractor to perform additional options set forth in the Statement of Work and also defined in Sections C and F of the contract. If the Government exercises this option, notice must be given at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of this contract, and the estimated cost plus fixed fee of the contract will be increased as set forth in the ESTIMATED COST PLUS FIXED FEE Article in SECTION B of this contract.

ARTICLE H.9. SUBCONTRACTING PROVISIONS

a. Small Business Subcontracting Plan

1. The Small Business Subcontracting Plan, dated (specified at award) is attached hereto and made a part of this contract.

2. The failure of any Contractor or subcontractor to comply in good faith with FAR Clause 52.219-8, entitled "Utilization of Small Business Concerns" incorporated in this contract and the attached Subcontracting Plan, will be a material breach of such contract or subcontract and subject to the remedies reserved to the Government under FAR Clause 52.219-16 entitled, "Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan."

b. Subcontracting Reports

The Contractor shall submit the following Subcontracting reports electronically via the "electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) at http://www.esrs.gov.

1. Individual Subcontract Reports (ISR)

Regardless of the effective date of this contract, the Report shall be due on the following dates for the entire life of this contract:

April 30th October 30th Expiration Date of Contract

2. Summary Subcontract Report (SSR)

Regardless of the effective date of this contract, the Summary Subcontract Report shall be submitted annually on the following date for the entire life of this contract:

October 30th

For both the Individual and Summary Subcontract Reports, the Contracting Officer shall be included as a contact for notification purposes at the following e-mail address:

* to be specified at award.

http://www.esrs.gov/

- 20 -

ARTICLE H.10.1. INFORMATION AND/OR PHYSICAL SECURITY

A. Baseline Security Requirements

1) Applicability. The requirements herein apply whether the entire contract or order (hereafter “contract”), or portion thereof, includes either or both of the following:

a. Access (Physical or Logical) to Government Information: A Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) employee will have or will be given the ability to have, routine physical (entry) or logical (electronic) access to government information.

b. Operate a Federal System Containing Information: A Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) will operate a federal system and information technology containing data that supports the HHS mission. In addition to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 2.1 definition of “information technology” (IT), the term as used in this section includes computers, ancillary equipment (including imaging peripherals, input, output, and storage devices necessary for security and surveillance), peripheral equipment designed to be controlled by the central processing unit of a computer, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

2) Safeguarding Information and Information Systems. In accordance with the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS)199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, the Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall:

a. Protect government information and information systems in order to ensure:

· Confidentiality, which means preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure, based on the security terms found in this contract, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information;

· Integrity, which means guarding against improper information modification or destruction, and ensuring information non-repudiation and authenticity; and

· Availability, which means ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information.

b. Provide security for any Contractor systems, and information contained therein, connected to an HHS network or operated by the Contractor on behalf of HHS regardless of location. In addition, if new or unanticipated threats or hazards are discovered by either the agency or contractor, or if existing

- 21 -safeguards have ceased to function, the discoverer shall immediately, within one (1) hour or less, bring the situation to the attention of the other party.

c. Adopt and implement the policies, procedures, controls, and standards required by the HHS Information Security Program to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of government information and government information systems for which the Contractor is responsible under this contract or to which the Contractor may otherwise have access under this contract. Obtain the HHS Information Security Program security requirements, outlined in the HHS Information Security and Privacy Policy (IS2P), by contacting the CO/COR or emailing fisma@hhs.gov.

d. Comply with the Privacy Act requirements and tailor FAR clauses as needed..

3) Information Security Categorization. In accordance with FIPS 199 and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-60, Volume II: Appendices to Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories, Appendix C, and based on information provided by the ISSO, CISO, or other security representative, the risk level for each Security Objective and the Overall Risk Level, which is the highest watermark of the three factors (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) of the information or information system are the following:

Confidentiality: [ X ] Low [ ] Moderate [ ] High

Integrity: [ X ] Low [ ] Moderate [ ] High

Availability: [ X ] Low [ ] Moderate [ ] High

Overall Risk Level: [ X ] Low [ ] Moderate [ ] High

Based on information provided by the ISSO, Privacy Office, system/data owner, or other security or privacy representative, it has been determined that this solicitation/contract involves:

[ X ] No PII [ ] Yes PII

4) Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CUI is defined as “information that laws, regulations, or Government-wide policies require to have safeguarding or dissemination controls, excluding classified information.” The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) must comply with Executive Order 13556, Controlled Unclassified Information, (implemented at 3 CFR, part 2002) when handling CUI. 32 C.F.R.

2002.4(aa) As implemented the term “handling” refers to “…any use of CUI, including but not limited to marking, safeguarding, transporting, disseminating, re- using, and disposing of the information.” 81 Fed. Reg. 63323. All sensitive information that has been identified as CUI by a regulation or statute, handled by this solicitation/contract, shall be:

mailto:fisma@hhs.gov http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60-rev1/SP800-60_Vol2-Rev1.pdf http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60-rev1/SP800-60_Vol2-Rev1.pdf http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60-rev1/SP800-60_Vol2-Rev1.pdf http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/800-60-rev1/SP800-60_Vol2-Rev1.pdf

- 22 -

a. marked appropriately;

b. disclosed to authorized personnel on a Need-To-Know basis;

c. protected in accordance with NIST SP 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations applicable baseline if handled by a Contractor system operated on behalf of the agency, or NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations if handled by internal Contractor system; and

d. returned to HHS control, destroyed when no longer needed, or held until otherwise directed. Destruction of information and/or data shall be accomplished in accordance with NIST SP 800-88, Guidelines for Media Sanitization.

5) Protection of Sensitive Information. For security purposes, information is or may be sensitive because it requires security to protect its confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability. The Contractor (and/or any subcontractor) shall protect all government information that is or may be sensitive in accordance with OMB Memorandum M-06-16, Protection of Sensitive Agency Information by securing it with a FIPS 140-2 validated solution.

6) Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Information. Any information provided to the contractor (and/ or any subcontractor) by HHS or collected by the contractor on behalf of HHS shall be used only for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this contract and shall not be disclosed or made known in any manner to any persons except as may be necessary in the performance of the contract. The Contractor assumes responsibility for protection of the confidentiality of Government records and shall ensure that all work performed by its employees and subcontractors shall be under the supervision of the Contractor. Each Contractor employee or any of its subcontractors to whom any HHS records may be made available or disclosed shall be notified in writing by the Contractor that information disclosed to such employee or subcontractor can be used only for that purpose and to the extent authorized herein.

The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of such information shall be protected in accordance with HHS and NIH policies. Unauthorized disclosure of information will be subject to the HHS/NIH sanction policies and/or governed by the following laws and regulations:

a. 18 U.S.C. 641 (Criminal Code: Public Money, Property or Records);

b. 18 U.S.C. 1905 (Criminal Code: Disclosure of Confidential Information); and

c. 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, Subchapter I…