Chemical Structure and Data Support and Maintenance for NLM Web Applications (ChemIDplus)

Added: May 15, 2019 11:22 am.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, "Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items," as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and proposals are being requested.

This solicitation is a Request for Proposals (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-01/01-22-2019.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services, with a small business size standard of $27,500,000.

The National Library of Medicine is seeking to purchase professional services to provide support and maintenance of ChemIDplus and related databases and applications.

All interested companies shall provide proposals for the following:

Services

Labor Category - Types of Duties - Requirements

Project Manager - Manage project activities, deliverables, budget, and reporting -Graduate degree in a related science, experience with large-scale biological and chemical information databases

Programmer Data - maintenance and mining - Graduate degree, experience with xml, script language, Tomcat, Apache, and Oracle or similar databases

Chemist Structure - data entry, drawing, and editing - Graduate degree, experience with MDL AccelrysHost, AccelrysDirect, Tomcat, Apache, and Oracle or similar databases

The labor categories listed are not necessarily all inclusive. The contractor, with NLM approval, will determine what level of expertise is necessary for particular data tasks. For example, a junior or senior level programmer or chemist may be utilized depending on the specific needs related to completing individual task(s).

The replacement of major contractors needs to be approved by NLM.

The base task shall be 1,250 hours of services, with two optional tasks, each of up to 800 hours.

Period of Performance Hours

Base Year - 1,250
Base Year-Option for additional quantities - Up to 800

Option Year 1 - 1,250
Option Year 1-Option for additional quantities - Up to 800

Option Year 2 - 1,250
Option Year 2-Option for additional quantities - Up to 800

Period of Performance is 12 months from the date of award with options for two additional years.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

In determining which proposal represents the best value and results in the lowest overall price alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government's needs, the Government shall evaluate proposals using the following technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in the order of relative importance with weights assigned for evaluation processes:

Factor Weight

A: Technical Approach - 45 points

This criterion will be evaluated based on the organization's demonstrated ability to provide support for the development and maintenance of the ChemlDplus, Drug Information Portal and associated web applications with emphasis on chemical structure data and ability to analyze, maintain and update data elements using information technology (IT) skills. The technical proposal must demonstrate a logical and feasible approach to carrying out the tasks outlined in the statement of work with emphasis on integration and analysis of chemical structure data for ChemlDplus and associated web applications. Also, importance will be placed on the ability to assist web developers with complex code related to chemical structure data within the database. The ability to conduct and/or participate in application testing prior to public release and collect results to eliminate errors is required. A sound technical approach should include a quality control plan for data submitted to NLM.

B: Organization, Personnel, Facilities, Resources - 20 points

This criterion will be evaluated based on the organization's description of the organization, personnel, facilities, and resources. Adequate personnel and resources must be outlined to demonstrate ability to carry out the requirements of the technical approach. An advanced degree in chemistry toxicology or a closely related field of science is required. Personnel with experience in programming data analysis and process is preferred.

C: Chemical database support experience and past performance - 35 points

This criterion will be evaluated based on demonstrated past experience providing professional services in support of a chemical database that included chemical structures and related identifiers such as the International Chemical Identifier (lnChl) and lnChl strings and keys. Past experience must include assisting with complex chemical structure code and work with the following software and technologies: Oracle, AccelrysDirect, JDraw, JSDraw, JMol, CHIME, and XML, molfiles and SDfiles, and other software applications related to the support and maintenance of a chemical structure database that includes 2D and 3D structures. Successful past performance analyzing and integrating chemical structure data and data elements like those in ChemlDplus must be demonstrated. A positive past performance record is required, and specific prior contract information must be provided. Due to the complexity of the data, a minimum of 10 years of experience is preferred on similar database projects.

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.212-1, "Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items" [Oct 2018]
2. FAR 52.212-2, "Evaluation - Commercial Items" [Oct 2014]

3. FAR 52.212-3, "Offerors Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items" [Oct 2018]

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov 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 contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

• FAR 52.212-4, "Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items" [Oct 2018]
• FAR 52.212-5, "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders" [Jan 2019]

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 set forth herein. To facilitate the award process, all proposals must 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."

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) requires proposals to be submitted via eCPS.:

1) Electronic copy via the NLM electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) website at https://ecps.nih.gov. All submissions must be submitted by 12:00PM Eastern Time on May 15, 2019.
2) For directions on using eCPS, go to https://ecps.nih.gov and click on "How to Submit."

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the contract specialist, Aytaj Vily, Aytaj.vily@nih.gov.

.