Amendment__7_RFP-NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2016059.pdf

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AMENDMENT #7 (Q&A)

RFP-NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2016059

“PRE-CLINICAL MODELS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES”

AMENDMENT No. 7

This Amendment provides notification of the removal of ARTICLE H.5. Restriction on Abortions from the solicitation. Additionally, the Amendment lists questions submitted by interested parties and the responses provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The responses are offered for information only and do not modify or become part of this solicitation.

Amendment Number: Seven (7)

Amendment Issue Date: June 28, 2016

Proposal Due Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 5:00 PM EST

(UNCHANGED)

Issued By:

Brian A. Madgey

Contracting Officer Office of Acquisitions, DEA National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 3D47

MSC 9821

Rockville, Maryland 20852-9821

Point of Contact:

Brian Madgey., Contracting Officer

Email: madgeyba@mail.nih.gov.

Offerors must acknowledge receipt of the final posting of Amendment #7, on each copy of the proposal submitted. Failure to receive your acknowledgment of this Amendment may result in the rejection of your proposal.

The hour and date specified for receipt of proposals HAS NOT been extended.

THE CUTOFF DATE FOR QUESTIONS IS HEREBY EXTENDED TO JULY 6, 2016.

mailto:madgeyba@mail.nih.gov.

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ARTICLE H.5. RESTRICTION ON ABORTIONS, is hereby deleted from the solicitation

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SOLICITATION REMAIN UNCHANGED.

THE FOLLOWING PAGES PROVIDE ANSWERS CONCERNING A NUMBER OF INQUIRIES WE HAVE

RECEIVED FOR THE ABOVE NUMBERED SOLICITATION:

Question No.

Reference Question / Response

1. Part III – Section J – Attachment 1: Packaging and Delivery of Proposal (R&D)

Question: Can you please tell us if Bio sketches are included in the page limitation.

Response: As stated in Attachment 1 of the solicitation, the technical proposal is not to exceed 125 pages (inclusive of all Attachments).

2. Part III – Section J – Attachment 1: Packaging and Delivery of Proposal (R&D)

Question: If sending the CDs via Federal express would proof of pickup on 7/13/16 meet the deadline or should the actual CD be received at the location specified by the 7/13/16?

Response: Please refer to Section II A.4. of Attachment 1 to the solicitation. “If both Disc and Online proposals are not received by the date and time specified in the solicitation, the proposal will be considered a “late proposal”, in accordance with FAR Clause 52.215- 1 Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisition located in Section L.1. of this solicitation.”

3. Part III – Section J – Attachment 4: Section K

– Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

Question: In the attached document itemizing the Reps and Certs we are to include with the Business Proposal there are two sections that indicate that the Contracting Officer will need to identify information for its completion (specifically Section 1 (C)(2) and Section 7(a)). Can you please let me know if there will be an updated version made available or how we should handle these sections?

Response: These items were not checked because they are not applicable.

4. Part III – Section J – Attachment 6a: Sample Task Order A01.

Question: On page 1 of Attachment 6(a): Sample Task Order, Section B- Supplies or Services and Prices / Costs: N/A. Does the N/A mean that for the Sample Task Order, no price costs for the proposed studies are needed?

Response: No. You must submit a cost proposal for each Sample Task Area you are applying for. The N/A for Section B simply means that for the sample task order this section is not applicable. If it were to be an actual task order awarded to your organization there would be information provided in Section B of the Task Order such as a Brief Description of the Service, the Estimated Cost, and any advanced understandings.

5. Part III – Section J – Attachment 6d: Sample Task Order C02

Question: Do we have to create cost information (Technical Proposal) as well as Basic cost/ Price Information (Business Proposal) for all the animal models we include in the technical proposal, or do we only create cost information (Technical Proposal) as well as Basic

RFP-NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2016059 Page 3 of 7 cost/Price Information (Business Proposal) for the animal model we chose to highlight in our Sample Task Order (C02).

Response: Please refer to the scope of Sample Task Order C02 in Attachment 6(d) of the solicitation. The language states “the refinement and use of one established non-traditional animal or animal replacement model to evaluate candidate product(s) to prevent or treat a disease caused by one (1) infectious agent or toxin of the Offeror’s choice.” The budget shall include the necessary costs to complete the work identified in the Statement of Work for the sample Task Order you are applying for.

6. Part III – Section J – Attachment 6d: Sample Task Order C02

Question: We have multiple disease models in several non-traditional species. Do we create a sample task order for each model? Or do we only create one sample task order using the model we choose?

Response: The scope of Sample Task Order C02 (Attachment 6d) is “the refinement and use of one established non-traditional animal or animal replacement model to evaluate candidate product(s) to prevent or treat a disease caused by one (1) infectious agent or toxin of the Offeror’s choice.” There is no added value in submitting for multiple scenarios in a single Task Area. The Offeror should be encouraged to submit its best proposal – i.e., the one for which it has the highest qualifications and capabilities.

7. Part III – Section J – Attachment 6d: Sample Task Order C02

Question: For Task Area C for the non-traditional animal models, does the pathogen need to be a human pathogen or a species-specific pathogen of a human pathogen?

Response: As stated in the solicitation description in FBO:

“Pathogens: infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, toxins, and other agents such as prions that cause clinical syndromes in humans (surrogate human pathogen/animal combinations may be used for diseases where human pathogens cannot be studied in animal models)”

8. Part III – Section J – Attachment 6a: Sample Task Order A01;

Attachment 6b: Sample Task Order B01;

Attachment 6c: Sample Task Order C01; & Attachment 6d: Sample Task Order C02

Question: Should our proposal limit the studies to one infectious agent or can we include multiple agents?

Response: For the sample task orders, it really should be one infectious agent. However, for overall capabilities, proposing multiple pathogens is acceptable. That said, how to structure the proposal is the Offeror’s decision. Please refer to the Sample Task Orders (Attachment 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d)) for the Task Area you are applying for.

9. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Under Attachment 7 it indicates for Sample Task Order B01 that the proposal should cover 18 months with a maximum 40 animals at BSL-3 containment. Elsewhere in the RFP though it says that the total duration of the contract will not exceed 7 years and the excel spreadsheet provided for proposed estimated costs covers 7 periods. We are not certain if we need to provide an example

RFP-NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2016059 Page 4 of 7 business proposal with costs over 18 months or 7 years. Can you clarify?

Response: The budget shall include the necessary costs to complete the work identified in the Statement of Work for the sample Task Order(s) you are applying for and not the entire contract period. The seven year duration is the period of performance for the base IDIQ contract. Therefore your business proposal for Sample Task Order B01 should provide estimated costs for a duration of 18 months.

10. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Can we request the purchase of scientific equipment?

Response: As stated in Attachment 7 – Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions – no Government Furnished Property (GFP) is offered for this acquisition. GFP is not a requirement in the Sample Task Orders.

11. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Can you confirm that we can request travel to attend scientific meetings as well as travel to attend an annual investigators meeting under our cost proposal.

Response: As stated in Attachment 7 – Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions – travel is not applicable.

Travel is not a requirement in the Sample Task Orders.

12. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: For Sample Task Order B01, it states that the containment level is BSL3. Is this just for cost assumptions or is the Offeror limited to proposing only a BSL3 model of infection for the non-human primate sample Task Order?

Response: It is just for the purposes of affixing cost. Offerors that only have BSL-2 facilities are still in scope and welcome to submit a proposal.

13. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Is it necessary to submit quotes and pricing for all of the models of infectious diseases to be offered or do we just submit the pricing/costs for the models that are provided in the Sample Task Order?

Response: Just the costs/pricing for the models in the sample Task order.

14. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: For the cost proposal, we would like to know if a Faculty member is currently making over the $185,100 limit, how do we include a request that will allow us to be awarded the additional amount of the limit is increased in subsequent years? Should we request their true salary and expect a cut in this line item if awarded? Additionally is there a limit on subsequent increases across the board for all categories?

Response: The cost proposal shall include the necessary costs to complete the work identified in the Statement of Work for the sample Task Order(s) you are applying for. The cost proposal is not associated with the seven year base Indefinite-Delivery / Indefinite- Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. Please note that the sample task orders will not be executed nor will awards be made for the Sample Task Order. The sample Task Orders are provided to assess the Offeror’s capabilities to conduct and fulfill the requirements of the Statement

RFP-NIAID-DMID-NIHAI2016059 Page 5 of 7 of Work for projects of similar scope and size to be issued. If selected for award from this solicitation you will be awarded a seven year ID/IQ contract for the Task Area(s) that you qualify for. During the seven year performance period you will be eligible to compete for task order awards in your specified Task Area(s).

15. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Just to confirm my understanding, in reference to the cost proposal are we only to submit a cost proposal that supports the Statement of Work on Attachment 6a sample task order A01, which would only be for an 18 month period?

Response: That is correct. The cost proposal shall include the necessary costs to complete the work identified in the Statement of Work (SOW) for the sample Task Order(s) you are applying for. Please refer to Attachment 6a Sample Task Order A01.

16. Part III – Section J – Attachment 7: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Question: Is my understanding correct in that the instructions in Attachment 7 override the instructions in Section L.2.c.3 b(pg. 72):

Response: In addition to the format requirements for the Business Proposal that are contained in Section L of the solicitation, the information presented in Attachment 7 of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is intended to provide uniform cost assumptions and business clarifications. Please refer to Attachment 7 – Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions.

17. Part IV – Section L.2.a.5 Alternate Proposals

Question: Sample Task Order C02 suggests 40 animals for 12 months for cost assumptions. Should we adhere to the 12 months or can we use a different timeframe with an explanation for the deviance from the Sample Task Order?

Response: The submission instructions are provided as a guideline so that all Offerors are able to develop proposals adhering to the same assumptions. As stated in the solicitation, Offerors, at their discretion, may submit alternate proposals, or proposal which deviate from the requirements; provided, that you also submit a proposal for performance of the work as specified in the Statement of Work. Such proposals may be considered if overall performance would be improved or not compromised and if they are in the best interest of the Government. Alternative proposals, or deviations from any requirement of this RFP, shall be clearly identified. Please refer to Section L.2.a.5 of the solicitation.

18. Part IV – Section L.2.c.3.b.b. Materials

Question: How detailed does the material list have to be? Can we put general headers such as molecular biology supplies, cell culture supplies, or do we have to provide more details such as item, vendor catalog number, unit price, quantity and total price?

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Response: The level of detail required for the materials is described in Section L.2.c.3.b.b. of the solicitation. Additionally, please refer to the excel spreadsheet in Attachment 13 of the solicitation.

19. Part IV – Section L.2.c.3.b.c.

Subcontracted Items

Question: Does section L.2.c.3.b.c. refer to the primary offeror providing a description / justification for subcontractor selected and receiving over $650,000? Is the $650,000 per year or aggregate through the duration of the project?

Response: Yes for each subcontract over $650,000 for the Sample Task Order(s) you are applying for.

20. Part IV – Section L.2.c.6 Small Business Subcontracting Plan

Question: Do foreign institutions applying for a ‘base contract’ need to include a small business subcontracting plan?

Response: In accordance with FAR Part 19.702(b)(3) Subcontracting Plans are not required for contracts or contract modifications that will be performed entirely outside of the United States or its outlying areas.

21. Part IV – Section L.2.c.6 Small Business Subcontracting Plan

Question: Part IV –Section L.2.c.6 requires a Small Business Subcontracting Plan and Question 12 of Amendment 4 indicates that the plan should be prepared using the $40 million max ceiling cited in the RFP. We are not sure how to prepare the plan when our IDIQ proposal will only be for the sample task orders. The plan requires that we include a dollar amount for subcontracting, but that will depend on what task orders are awarded to our institution. How would you recommend that we prepare the plan when it is unknown what task orders would be awarded and the amounts?

Response: The subcontract plan “base amount” shall include estimates of awarded task orders for specific task areas over seven

(7) years. Since Offerors can’t predict the number of task order awards this number is strictly a best guess. If selected for award, these plans will need to be modified in the future to capture actual obligations. The subcontract plans “total contract cost” shall be the maximum ordering value, (i.e. $40 million). Offerors should calculate the percentage of subcontracting opportunities commensurate to the base amount. HHS expects all proposed subcontracting plans to contain at a minimum the percentages identified in the RFP. These percentages shall be expressed as percentages of the total estimated subcontracting dollars.

22.

Part IV – Section L.2.c.9.

Total Compensation Plan

Question: Is the Total Compensation Plan supposed to be a separate document/section within the Business Proposal or is the information requested in this section covered within the cost proposal (excel budget provided in Attachment 13)?

Response: As stated in Section L.2.c.9. on page 77 of the solicitation

– All offerors as part of their business proposal will submit a “Total Compensation Plan” for these professional employees for evaluation purposes. It will be simpler to describe within the body of the business proposal.

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23. Part IV – Section L.2.c.9.

Total Compensation Plan

Question: Is the requested information for the specific personnel identified in the budget for the sample task order we are responding to or should we provide total compensation information of a more general nature, for example general job descriptions with salary ranges for a variety of personnel?

Response: The requested information is pursuant to the task areas and the associated sample task orders. Please refer to Attachment 5, “Additional Technical Proposal Instructions.”

24. Part IV – Section L.2.c.11.e. Pertinent Grants

Question: Should we mention only currently active grants?

Otherwise, how many years should we go back in this list?

Response: For consistency purposes it is suggested that you follow the same guidance listed for pertinent contracts – within the last three years or currently in process.

25. Part IV – Section L.2.c.12.f.

Subcontractors

Question: Is the cost proposal from the subcontractor included only if the subcontractor is part of the Sample Task Order?

Response: If you are not proposing a subcontractor in the sample Task Order you would not need to submit a separate cost proposal for the subcontractor.

26. Other: General Question: If we are awarded a base contract under the Indefinite- Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract program will any of our fixed expenses be paid as part of the base contract over the Term (e.g., clinical vets, animal technicians, and facilities maintenance) to be prepared for Task Orders or are expenses only paid for a Task Order (if we are awarded a Task Order)?

Response: If awarded a Task Order you will be reimbursed only for all allocable and allowable costs incurred during the period of performance of the order. No costs will be incurred under the base IDIQ contract. Please note that all offerors awarded a base ID/IQ contract shall be reimbursed by the Government in an amount not less than $3,500 for the guaranteed minimum. Please refer to ARTICLE B.2. (a) of the solicitation.

27. Other: Determination of Exceptional Circumstances (DEC) (Signed DEC released in Amendment # 5)

Question: Can you confirm that the NIH will be explicitly stating in each Task Order Request for Proposal (TORFP) that the DEC applies or not?

Response: The DEC will apply to the base ID/IQ contracts awarded under this RFP. Individual task orders awards will be negotiated separately. The terms and conditions of the base contract(s) are flowed down to task orders, therefore you should assume that the DEC will apply.