Applicant Assistance Program

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Submit offers on this Request for Quotations (RFQ) NIAID-RFQ20-2028899.

This solicitation is a RFQ. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-07 August 31, 2020.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541611 with a small business size standard of $16.5M.  This is a small business set aside.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has a requirement for

Applicant Assistance Program Service.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is seeking Applicant Assistance Program Service that will enhance the program support and increase success for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs applicants.  See attached attachments for specifics.

Firm Fixed Price award is contemplated.

Period of Performance (POP). Anticipated period of performance is 12-month period.

The award will be based on best value to the government on the following:  capability of the services offered to meet the agency need; past performance; and price. Quotes that are not technically acceptable or that do not meet the material terms of this solicitation will not be evaluated on price or past performance. 

The Government intends to award without discussions, but reserves the right to conduct discussions should it be deemed in the Government's best interest.

FAR provisions and clauses are attached.

The applicable subparagraphs of FAR52.212-5 are included in the attachment to this posting.

Quoter must include the following provision in their quote and check the appropriate response.

52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015)

(a) Definitions. "Inverted domestic corporation" and "subsidiary" have the meaning given in the clause of this contract entitled Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (52.209-10).

(b) Government agencies are not permitted to use appropriated (or otherwise made available) funds for contracts with either an inverted domestic corporation, or a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation, unless the exception at 9.108-2(b) applies or the requirement is waived in accordance with the procedures at 9.108-4.

(c) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that- (check one)

____(1) It is not an inverted domestic corporation: and

____(2) It is not a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation

By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov).

This is an open-market combined synopsis/solicitation for Applicant Assistance Program Service 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 set forth herein. To facilitate the award process all quotes should include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion or addition." OR "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:" (Quoter shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s).)

Offers may be e-mailed to brad.engel@nih.gov by the date and time specified. Late submissions will not be accepted.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO OFFERORS

Offerors are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your offer, you will be consenting to disclosure of your offer to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation.