Statement of Work_final.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SERVICES)

(SOW)

Section 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Title of Project:

Modeling and Computational Assessment of Face Emotion Tasks

1.2 Statement of Need and Purpose:

The goal of the Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit (NNT) is to develop brain-based treatments for children with serious psychiatric disorders. The research conducted in NNT is part of NIMH’s mission to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Specifically, NNT integrates brain-based studies, scalable mobile technology, and clinical trials of novel interventions for pediatric psychiatric disorders. Given burdens of pharmacology, coupled with the pathophysiological malleability of children through learning and social contexts, NNT focuses on developing psychological interventions for pediatric phenotype. Specifically, we use face-emotion labeling tasks with feedback to probe and modify threat-based learning.

As part of this mission, NNT requires a research authority who can assist us in developing novel computational and mathematical models to explain complex cognitive processes, specifically the relationship between learning and representation, and the encoding of information in the brain. NNT requires that the consultant has developed and evaluated innovative learning algorithms, including using incremental learning to analyze sequential effects, applying the temporal difference error of reinforcement learning to improve generalization, as well as current work looking at the kernel framework to explore human stimulus representation.

1.3 Background Information and Objective:

The overall goal of collaboration with the contractor is to develop effective accurate models to probe learning and attention in the context of threat-based face emotion tasks. The contractor has a leading role in all projects including overseeing the technical work of research fellows, data analysis, and writing of scientific reports. The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a contractor to oversee the methods and appropriate use of computational models.

1.4 Period of Performance:

The period of performance is one 12-month base period from the date of award and three 12-month option periods.

Proposed Base Year: 05/03/2021 - 05/02/2022 Proposed Option Year One: 05/03/2022 - 05/02/2023 Proposed Option Year Two: 05/03/2023 - 05/02/2024 Proposed Option Year Three: 05/03/2024 - 05/02/2025

Section 2: SCOPE OF WORK

2.1 General Requirements:

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall 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 below. Neither the contractor nor NNT have the goal of pursuing the contents of this work for intellectual property.

2.2 Specific Requirements:

The Contractor shall:

a. Provide expertise in computational models for assessing face emotion tasks;

b. Provide expertise in computational models for assessing learning;

c. Provide expertise in the use of cognitive training paradigms as potential clinical treatments; and

d. Provide expertise and prior work experience in a biomedical setting, with diverse types of scientists. The Contractor shall be familiar with multiple types of data and procedures for collecting such data.

2.3 LEVEL OF EFFORT:

During the period of performance of twelve months from date of award, the contractor shall provide approximately 1 hour per week, not to exceed 45 labor hours per year.

2.4 GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government shall provide, if necessary, workspace and access to EDB databases (if subscription-based) during regular operating hours.

The Government shall review activities and provide feedback. Reports generated shall be reviewed and approved within two weeks of submission.

2.5 DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES

1. Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables:

A progress report in electronic format will be submitted six months into the contract to Dr. Brotman.

2. Reporting Requirements:

A progress report in electronic format will be submitted six months into the contract. Reports in electronic format will be submitted every six months during the duration of the contract.

3. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 Travel:

The Contractor has the opportunity to visit NNT on the NIH campus between one and two times during each of the contract years. Given COVID traveling restrictions, these visits may occur virtually.

3.2 Key Personnel:

A contractor is needed who possess expertise in developing novel computational and mathematical models to explain complex cognitive processes.

The contractor employee providing services for this effort shall be considered key personnel.

Key personnel requirements are as follows:

· PhD in Psychology or Neuroscience

· A senior scientist with a minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:

· using novel computational and mathematical models to understand the relationship between learning and representation

· developing and evaluating innovative learning algorithms, including using incremental learning to analyze sequential effects, applying the temporal difference error of reinforcement learning to improve generalization

· knowledge of kernel framework to explore human stimulus representation

· Currently working within a University or scientific organization possessing a wealth of experience in Psychology and Neuroscience.

The key personnel specified in this contract is 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.

3.3 Information System Security Plan:

1. An Information system security plan is applicable to this requirement because contractor personnel are expected to have routine access to sensitive HHS data or information, whether in an HHS-controlled information system or in hard copy.

2. The information system security plan pre-solicitation has been completed by the cognizant program official and signed by the NIMH Information Systems Security Officer and attached to the statement.

3. The Contractor shall complete and submit a signed and witnessed "Commitment to Protect Non-Public Information – Contractor—Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement" form for each contractor and subcontractor employee who may have access to non-public Department information under this contract.

4. The Contractor will maintain compliance with NIH requirements for training and certification in the ethical conduct of research and the protection of participant information, as well the security of NIH computers and communications.

3.4 Data Rights:

The NIMH shall have unlimited rights to and ownership of all deliverables provided under this contract, including reports, recommendations, briefings, work plans and all other deliverables. This includes the deliverables provided under the basic contract and any optional task deliverables exercised by the contracting officer. In addition, it includes any additional deliverables required by contract change. The definition of “unlimited rights” is contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 27.401, “Definitions.” FAR clause 52.227-14, “Rights in Data-General”, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this contract/order.

3.5 Section 508—Electronic and Information Technology Standards:

The contractor shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220), August 7, 1998.

3.6 Publications and Publicity:

The Contractor shall assist the NNT staff in writing and preparing for publication the data produced in the performance of the statement of work.

3.7 Confidentiality of Information:

The Contractor will not disclose, publish, divulge, release, or make known, in any manner or to any extent, to any individual other than the authorized government employee, the content of any sensitive information provided under this contract. For this requirement, the government may provide to the contractor information or data of a personal nature about individual(s) or proprietary information or data pertaining to this project, which is confidential. This requirement is expected to generate information or data which is confidential. The Contractor shall handle all sensitive information or data in a secure manner and consult with the authorized government employee prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

3.8 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

1. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) contact information:

[To be specified at time of award]

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The Government may unilaterally change the COR designation for this contract.