EVALUATE_EI_MASS_SPECTRAL_DATA_8-2013.doc

TITLE: EVALUATION OF ELECTRON IONIZATION (EI) MASS SPECTRA AND COMPOUND IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NO.: SB1341-13-RQ-0780

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6 – STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. FAR PART 13 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES ARE UTILIZED IN THIS PROCUREMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-69***

*** The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541712. This acquisition is unrestricted and all interested Offerors may submit a firm fixed-price quotation in accordance with the Statement of Work (SoW) defined herein***

CLIN 0001: The Contractor shall carry out quality control of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectral Data (MSD) and Compound Identification information, as outlined in the SoW.

QTY: 20,000 spectra CLIN 0002: The Contractor shall carry out quality control of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectral Data (MSD) and Compound Identification information, as outlined in the SoW.

QTY: 20,000 spectra CLIN 0003: The Contractor shall carry out quality control of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectral Data (MSD) and Compound Identification information, as outlined in the SoW.

QTY: 20,000 spectra

CLIN 0004: The Contractor shall carry out quality control of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectral Data (MSD) and Compound Identification information, as outlined in the SoW.

QTY: 20,000 spectra

CLIN 0005: The Contractor shall carry out quality control of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectral Data (MSD) and Compound Identification information, as outlined in the SoW.

QTY: 20,000 spectra

STATEMENT OF WORK

Evaluation of Electron Ionization (EI) Mass Spectra and Compound Identification Information

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This procurement is being conducted for the U. S. Department of Commerce (DoC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), Biomolecular Measurement Division (BMD) in Gaithersburg, MD.

The Mass Spectrometry Data Center (MSDC), a component of the BMD, is responsible for the development of the NIST/NIH/EPA Mass Spectral Library (the Library, http://www.nist.gov/srd/nist1a.cfm)

II. SCOPE OF WORK

a. OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

The goal of this effort is Quality Control of the NIST/NIH/EPA Mass Spectral Library.

b. TASK

The Contractor shall evaluate the quality of EI mass spectral data and the compound ID information attached to the spectra (such as the Main name, and synonyms) for inclusion in the commercially distributed Mass Spectral Library. For the assessment of mass spectra, the Contractor shall use the structure of a compound to determine that the spectrum is logical for a given structure by analyzing probable losses from molecular ions and well established rearrangements of ions in the gas phase, as defined by NIST in the document “The Critical Evaluation of a Comprehensive Mass Spectral Library”, published in the Journal American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 1999, vol. 10, p, 287-299. In addition the Contractor shall compare the spectra to the previously identified high quality spectra of similar compounds, such as, homologs, analogs, and derivatives. The assessment of the quality shall include the selection of the best from the choice of multiple spectra for a compound.

The assessment of the names/synonyms attached to the spectra shall include examination of the main name and of all the synonyms attached to the spectra. The name should be consistent with the structure and reflect stereochemistry. The evaluation of names/synonyms shall include the selection of the main name that will appear with the spectrum in the Library. The main name should be the most commonly used “trade” name when available. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry [IUPAC] (http://www.iupac.org) name shall be the main name when trade names are not available for a given compound.

The Contractor shall provide to NIST the justifications in electronic (Microsoft Word) format of any recommended changes to be made to the spectra and the chemical structures (when changes are suggested) in an electronically readable format (mol. Files, http://www.chemaxon.com/marvin/doc/user/mol-csmol-doc.html).

This requirement shall be considered satisfied by regular e-mail communications with NIST personnel.

III. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Period: September 30, 2013 through September 29, 2014

Option Year 1: September 30, 2014 through September 29, 2015

Option Year 2: September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016

Option Year 3: September 30, 2016 through September 29, 2017

Option Year 4: September 30, 2017 through September 29, 2018

IV. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All services shall be conducted at the Contractor’s facility.

V. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Government will furnish all mass spectral data to be evaluated, and any software needed for the spectra evaluation and for the entry of the evaluation comments, such as NIST MS search software, NIST MSDATA archive-editing system, Mass Spectrum Interpreter, and Mass Analyzer.

VI. DELIVERABLES AND DUE DATE(S)

The Contractor shall prepare a monthly technical report containing results of evaluations for ID number, covering mass spectral data, chemical structure, chemical formula, chemical abstracts registry number and instrumental conditions, and Contractor’s recommendations on solving any problems encountered during data evaluation. The report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) via electronic mail every second Tuesday of each month. The report shall include details of the prior period’s activities, status of scheduled performance, and/or any problems encountered, issues and/or risks identified during this period. It shall also detail any resolution on previously identified problems, issues and/or risks.

VII. INSPECTION/ACCEPTANCE AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The data will undergo the procedure of acceptance testing. A random selection of experimentally measured spectra and evaluated spectral data will be examined.

The guidelines for data examination are defined by NIST in the document “The Critical Evaluation of a Comprehensive Mass Spectral Library”, published in the Journal American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 1999, vol. 10, p, 287-299.

The COR will provide comments on each report within 3 calendar days from receipt. The Contractor shall make any needed changes to the report within 5 calendar days from receipt of electronic or written comments from the COR.

The criteria for acceptance shall be that over 97% of the data submitted to NIST are found acceptable.

VIII. MINIMUM CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall have a Master’s degree in chemistry or equivalent experience, and a minimum of two years of experience analyzing mass spectral data and finding errors and confirming structure/spectra consistency in a spectral database.

Experience with routine mass spectra analysis is not sufficient for this purpose.

***END OF STATEMENT OF WORK***

***INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS***

***All vendors shall submit the following:

Technical Quotation (Vol. I), Past Performance/References (Vol. II) and a Business/Pricing Quotation (Vol. III), as three (3) separate electronic files. Incomplete quotations may be considered non-responsive and removed from further consideration. Quotations shall be clearly and concisely written as well as being neat, indexed (cross-indexed as appropriate) and logically assembled. All pages of each part shall be appropriately numbered and identified with the name of the offeror, the date, and the solicitation number. A one-page transmittal letter signed by an individual authorized to commit the organization shall be transmitted with the quotation to the Government. Each quotation shall be on 8.5” x 11” paper, in a commercially standard font, not smaller than 12 point font. Each page in the quotation shall be separately numbered. The quotation shall be limited to fifteen (15) single-sided, single-spaced pages (excluding the letter of transmittal, resumes, cover letter, letters of commitment, and past-performance information).

***Overall Arrangement of Documents*** Technical Quotation addressing all technical subfactors (Volume I) - No pricing information shall be included in the technical quotation

Past Performance/References (Volume II)

Business/Pricing Quotation (Volume III)

VOLUME I: TECHNICAL

NIST will evaluate quotations, based on the information submitted in support of these subfactors:

Technical SubFactor 1 Technical Approach

The offeror shall provide sufficient information to demonstrate its understanding of the requirements, providing a concise, detailed, and thorough discussion of its technical approach to successfully conduct the tasks defined in the SoW, including the complexities involved in evaluating Mass Spectral Data and any potential risks and how these can be mitigated.

Technical SubFactor 2 Organizational Experience

The offeror shall describe its general background, experience, and qualifications of the organization in performing two (2) recent and relevant projects of a similar nature.

Technical SubFactor 3 Key Personnel The offeror shall demonstrate its key personnel have the qualifications, as noted in Section VIII of the SoW, to analyze Mass Spectral Data.

VOLUME II: PAST PERFORMANCE/REFERENCES

The offeror shall provide two (2) examples of past performance conducted within the last five (5) years of contracts for relevant work of a similar type and scope as the current requirement with federal, state or local governments and/or commercial customers. If the offeror has no relevant past performance it should include a statement to that effect in its quotation. If the offeror intends to use another firm for part of this requirement, that firm’s past performance must also be provided. The Government reserves the right to consider past performance data obtained from sources other than those provided by the offeror in its quotation.

The description of each reference described in this section shall not exceed a half page. For each of the contracts, the offeror shall provide the following information:

· Contract number

· Client’s name and address and point of contact, including telephone number and e-mail address

· Dollar value

· Period of performance

· Narrative describing the requirement and its relevance to the current requirement

· Name of contracting officer or point of contact, telephone number and e-mail address

The offeror may include: a) past performance information regarding any problems encountered on the contracts described above and corrective actions taken to resolve those problems; and b) Any quality awards or certifications, letters of appreciation, commendations, industry recognition of excellence or special awards received with respect to performance of services. The offeror shall describe when the award, certification, etc. was received, and may provide as an attachment to this part.

VOLUME III: PRICE

1. Price - firm, fixed-price for the required Mass Spectral Data analysis; the following tables shall be used for calculation purposes:

PROPOSED LABOR CATEGORIES

CLIN 0001 BASE PERIOD (09/30/2013-09/29/2014)

1.

2.

CLIN 0002 OPTION YEAR 1 (09/30/2014-09/29/2015)

1.

2.

CLIN 0003 OPTION YEAR 2 (09/30/2015-09/29/2016)

1.

2.

CLIN 0004 OPTION YEAR 3 (09/30/2016-09/29/2017)

1.

2.

CLIN 0005 OPTION YEAR 4 (09/30/2017-09/29/2018)

1.

2.

ALL OFFERORS SHALL PROPOSE A PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE DELIVERABLES SPECIFIED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK(SoW)

***PROVISIONS / CLAUSES***

The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html

The following provisions apply to this acquisition:

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items;

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items;

52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items;

52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Sanctioned Activities Relating to Iran – Representation and Certification

All interested offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov and must complete annual representations on-line in SAM in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following clauses apply to this acquisition:

52.204-99 System for Award Management Registration;

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options;

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services;

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract;

52.227-17 Rights in Data—Special Works;

52.232-99 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors;

52.245-1 Government Property;

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference;

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items;

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Items including subparagraphs:

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government;

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards;

52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment;

52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation;

52.222-3 Convict Labor;

52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities;

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity;

52.225-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans;

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities;

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans;

52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act;

52.223-18 Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging While Driving;

52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; and 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management The following Department of Commerce (CAR) provision applies to this acquisition:

1352.213-70 Evaluation Utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures

The following Department of Commerce (CAR) clauses apply to this acquisition:

1352.201-70 Contracting Officer’s Authority;

1352.201-72 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR);

1352.208-70 Restrictions on Printing and Duplicating;

1352.209-72 Restrictions Against Disclosure;

1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws;

1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest;

1352.237-71 Security Processing Requirements—Low Risk;

1352.237-75 Key Personnel;

1352.246-70 Place of Acceptance;

1352.270-70 Period of Performance; and Department of Commerce Agency-Level Protest Procedures Level above the Contracting Officer is also incorporated. It can be downloaded at www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/agency.htm ***This is an Open-Market Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for services as defined herein. The Government intends to award a Purchase Order as a result of this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation that will include the terms and conditions that are set forth herein. In order to facilitate the award process, ALL quotes shall include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

The Offeror shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition.”

OR

The Offeror shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:

Offeror shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s).

Offerors that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

***Please note that this procurement is not being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If an Offeror submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the Offeror’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation.

***EVALUATION***

The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quotation is the most highly rated, and conforming to the solicitation, results in the best value to the Government, non-price and price factors considered. NIST reserves the right to make award to other than the lowest-priced offeror or to the offeror ranked highest technically, if it determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government.

The Government intends to make a single award but reserves the right to make no award as a result of this solicitation.

The Government intends to evaluate quotations and award a purchase order without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial quotation should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any and or all quotations if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest price quotation; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in quotation received.

Relative weight of evaluation subfactors 1-2: Technical Approach and Organizational Experience are the most important non-price factors, and are slightly more important than non-price subfactor 3 and Past Performance. Subfactors 1-2 are of equal importance. Subfactor 3 and Past Performance are of equal importance. All non-price factors, when combined, are more more important than price. The relative importance of price will increase with the degree of evaluated equality of the non-price factors.

***EVALUATION CRITERIA***

***Technical ***Technical SubFactor 1 Technical Approach The Government will evaluate the offeror's technical approach based on the information contained in the technical quotation to determine the extent of its understanding of the requirements and its ability to successfully evaluate Mass Spectral Data.

***Technical SubFactor 2 Organizational Experience

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s organizational experience to determine the extent to which the offeror’s technical background, experience, and qualifications demonstrate an ability to successfully analyze Mass Spectral Data.

***Technical SubFactor 3 Key Personnel The Government will evaluate the extent to which the offeror’s proposed key personnel’s technical background, education, experience, and qualifications demonstrate its ability to perform similar evaluation/analytical efforts.

***Past Performance The Government will evaluate the offeror's past performance information, and if appropriate, its proposed subcontractor’s past performance information, to determine its relevance to the current requirements and the extent to which it demonstrates that the offeror has successfully completed relevant contracts in the past five (5) years. In assessing the offeror's past performance, NIST may evaluate the quality, timeliness, and ability to control cost and schedule of the past work to determine the quality of service, and the extent to which the offeror has performed work of a similar type, magnitude and complexity. The Government will assign a neutral rating to offerors with no relevant past performance in the past three years. Past performance will be evaluated by contacting appropriate references, including NIST references, if applicable.

***Price The Government will evaluate the offeror's proposed prices to determine whether the proposed prices comply with the instructions articulated above and are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements.

***Offerors shall e-mail their quotation to randy.schroyer@nist.gov so that it is received by the response date/time for this solicitation. It is the responsibility of the offeror to confirm NIST’s receipt of its quotation. Each quotation shall include sufficient data to allow the Government to determine the amount, realism and consistency of the quoted fixed price.

***All questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to the Contract Specialist, Randy Schroyer, at randy.schroyer@nist.gov no later than 5:00PM EST August 30, 2013.

***The due date and time for receipt of quotations is September 9, 2013 no later than 5:00PM EST*** ***Attachment*** “The Critical Evaluation of a Comprehensive Mass Spectral Library” published in the Journal American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 1999, vol. 10, p. 287-299.