Bus_Ops_RFI.docx

Subject: Business Operations Support Services primarily to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), the United States Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC), and its subordinate Commands

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITATED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

1.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained.

2.0 SUBJECT: The United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) is conducting market research to locate sources capable of providing business operations support. In line with the above goal, USAMRAA wishes to obtain information from sources that possess the capability to provide the above mentioned support services for current and future research programs.

3.0 BACKGROUND: The United States Congress directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to manage appropriations totaling over $9 Billion since fiscal year 1992 (FY92), for intramural and extramural programs directed toward targeted medical research initiatives. The United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is responsible for administering these targeted research program appropriations. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) is the lead office for all execution management for the USAMRMC.

Based on recommendations provided by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, a two-tier review process for evaluating and selecting research applications has become a cornerstone within CDMRP. This novel two-tiered process involves reviewing every research application for scientific merit as well as programmatic relevance.

The CDMRP directs the management of a number of medical research programs, including breast, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancer, defense health, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis complex, autism, psychological health/ traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury research, bone marrow failure, multiple sclerosis, and other medical research programs. CDMRP requires administrative and technical contractor personnel to assist in the internal management of CDMRP’s business operations to support the management of these programs. The anticipated level of support is dependent upon annual program funding but it is estimated that over the entire period of performance, roughly 10-30 support personnel could be required.

For more information on the office of the CDMRP, go to http://cdmrp.army.mil and review materials provided on the website.

4.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should address the following in their submission:

Name and address of company.

Any small business designation as certified by the Small Business Administration.

A thorough description of experience in managing support requirements of this nature.

A recruitment and retention strategy to confirm their capability to provide varying levels of support for the tasks listed below.

Management strategy which explains how acceptable supervision for contractor support personnel would be handled.

Responses to this positing shall be submitted via email NLT COB (INSERT DATE). All correspondence should be directed via email to the contacts provided in Section 5.0 (below).

5.0 CONTACT INFORMATION: All information regarding this posting shall be submitted via email to Courtney Chase at courtney.f.chase.civ@mail.mil.

6.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

Specific Tasks:

Objective 1: Provide Business Operations Support The contractor shall provide all business operational support to the CDMRP by performing the following Key Tasks:

Key Task: Financial Management and Analysis The contractor shall provide advanced level financial reporting and analysis of all funds within the CDMRP. Continually monitor the financial position of existing program funds including budget and actual data monitoring and reporting is crucial. Accurate and timely fiscal information reporting to the CDMRP Chief Financial Officer is critical to adequately direct, organize and monitor the program resources. Maintain the developed database of all past and present program funds. This shall include the capability to maintain and graphically present knowledge of the current budget status for past, present and projected extramural execution plans. Monthly reports summarizing funding status, commitments, obligations and comparison to budget will be required. Track all appropriations and withholds assigned to the CDMRP for management or execution. Track funding on all research assistance agreements awarded by the CDMRP and insure obligation by fiscal year end. Provide the necessary funding information for the preparation of contract funding documents to include service contract approval forms and any other forms necessary to initiate the acquisition. Initiate purchase requests in the General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) and monitor the flow of funding documents through the acquisition process to insure contract award and fund obligation by fiscal year end. Support the CDMRP’s Activity Based Costing model. Execute funding for all research and support requirements using GFEBS, EGS, financial databases, fund transfers, direct charges, and MIPRs.

Key Task: Contract Management and Analysis The contractor shall provide assistance to the CDMRP Acquisition Managers and Contracting Officer Representatives (COR) regarding all service contract administration in support of CDMRP. Maintain and monitor contracts regarding contract compliance, deliverables, contract expiration, and potential funding issues. Assist in the development of service contract Performance Work Statements. Assist CORs with contractor evaluation collection and collation and proactively remind CORs to complete their required monthly/quarterly evaluations. Monitor contract funding and coordinate with the appropriate personnel regarding excess funds and the recuperation and redistribution of funding on service contracts as often as required by the COR. Assist in the development of justifications for the manpower planning budget advisory council regarding contract actions. Meet with the finance staff periodically regarding status of contract funding and notify CORs of any funding issues, needs or requirements. Conduct market research. Assist the program managers in the development of assumptions for program task orders regarding specific requirements for contract support. Complete all required service contract documents such as the Service Contract Approval Forms. Assist all CORs with service contract file organization and updates.

Key Task: Senior Information Management and Information Assurance Services The contractor shall provide advanced level information technology (IT) assistance with tasks focused on DIACAP accreditations, information assurance (IA) documentation, security awareness training, maintaining certification records and general information technology support to the CDMRP personnel. Coordinate IT support for all CDMRP and provide consulting services for all IT and IA related efforts and taskers. Develop, as required, necessary IA documentation; a Contingency of Operations Plan, and Configuration Management plan. Coordinate IT support with demonstrated proficiency in the following areas: Complete understanding of Microsoft Group Policy to include policy testing and production system administration using the Microsoft Group Policy Management Console. Provide end-user support for Blackberry SMIME PDA’s, to include basic troubleshooting and reactivation. Coordinate and configure web meetings using the approved Army web collaboration tool. A complete knowledge of Symantec Ghost Server with the ability to push/receive images, create custom boot disks, and manage multiple organizational specific images. Implement information assurance vulnerability management (IAVM) dissemination, reporting, compliance and verification procedures. Report security violations and incidents following required USAMRMC reporting procedures. Ensure implementation of periodic security inspections, assessments, tests, and reviews, including STIG Compliance. Review the status of all Information Systems and networks at a minimum of semi-annually to ensure no relevant security changes have been made to invalidate the C&A. Ensure approved procedures are in place for clearing, purging, destroying, and releasing system memory, media and devices. Review all IA C&A support documentation packages, system fielding, operations, and/or upgrade requirements to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with minimal risk acceptance standards. Maintain, as required, a repository for all systems C&A documentation and modifications, version control, and management of GOTS, COTS, and non-developmental items (NDIs). Ensure that all CDMRP ISs, within the scope of responsibility, are properly certified and accredited in accordance with DIACAP and configuration management policies and best practices before operating or authorizing the use of hardware and software on an IS or network. Requires personnel to have system administrator level access and advanced clearances which will be further articulated in the Performance Work Statement.

Key Task: Human Resource/Personnel Services The contractor shall act as the primary point of contact for all CDMRP manpower, civilian personnel, and Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement personnel actions. Coordinate and facilitate with the appropriate offices within USAMRMC. Coordinate federal civilian personnel appraisals and ratings with the appropriate personnel. Complete all paperwork necessary for federal civilian personnel actions requiring renewal. Coordinate and process all IPA paperwork and work closely with universities and organizations to obtain certifications for the IPA program. Coordinate and facilitate all IPA actions with the appropriate offices within USAMRMC. Complete all IPA documentation as required and process miscellaneous payment documents in Wide Area Work Flow and the General Fund Enterprise Business System. Act as the primary point of contact for the CDMRP Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) and develop/process manpower survey documentation as required. Update the CDMRP TDA as required. Maintain monthly strength reports as required by USAMRMC and CDMRP. Ensure all staff and contractors complete the required training by established deadlines. Proactively identify training renewal when appropriate and coordinate with appropriate staff and contractors to ensure compliance with all regulations. Assist the CDMRP Internal Control Administrator with Internal Control requirements. Track all official taskers to ensure timely submission. Record all Executive Summaries submitted by CDMRP leadership on the tracking log. Serve as the CDMRP records manager for the Army Records Information Management System. Provide executive level administrative support to the CDMRP Director and Deputy Director.

7.0 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The CDMRP has categorized its requirements into three broad categories, as defined in Attachment I, for purposes of identifying, avoiding or mitigating against Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5.

The Organizational Conflict of Interest Category Designation for this requirement is: Category 1