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

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). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-01, effective January 22, 2019. The solicitation is being issued using FAR 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services. The business size standard for this NAICS codes is $27.5 Million. This requirement is being competed as a total small business set-aside.

The National Library of Medicine is seeking to procure professional services to provide support and maintenance of ChemIDplus and related databases and applications (see attached Statement of Work (SOW). The ChemIDplus database is a public web-based search system that provides access to structure and nomenclature to identify chemicals cited in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) databases and in other major government databases. The database contains over 400,000 chemical records of which over 320,000 include chemical structures.

The Government contemplates a single Labor-Hour (Firm Fixed Price) award resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer represents the best value in terms of technical capability and price. It is anticipated that the period of performance will be approximately 10 months from date of award with two successive 12-month options. It is anticipated that the award will be made on or around June 30, 2019.

The attached Contract Terms and Conditions shall be made a part of any contract awarded as a result of this RFP. The attached Addendum to Terms and Conditions of Purchase Order and Invoice and Payment Provisions shall be made a part of any purchase awarded as a result of this RFP. A final best-value analysis will be performed taking into consideration the results of the technical evaluation, price analysis, and adequate resources to respond to the Government's need. The Government reserves the right to make an award to the best value of the Government, technical merit, price, and other factors considered. The NLM reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no award at all as a result of this RFP. In addition, the RFP may be amended or cancelled as necessary to meet NLM's requirement.

List of Attachments to this solicitation are as follows:

1. Statement of Work
2. Technical Evaluation Criteria
3. Packaging and Delivery of Proposals
4. Contract Terms and Conditions
5. Addendum to Terms and Conditions
6. Invoice and Payment Provisions
7. Section 508 Compliance Instructions
8. GPAT

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, "Offerors Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items."

All questions regarding this requirement must be submitted in writing and directed to Aytaj Vily, Contract Specialist, at Aytaj.Vily@nih.gov, referencing "75N97019R00010AV. Chemical Structure and Data Support and Maintenance for NLM Web Applications (ChemIDplus)" in the subject line of e-mail, no later than 1:00 PM, Eastern Time, June 12, 2019. All responses to the questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract.

All quotations in response to this notice must be received no later than June 19, 2019 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). All responses to be considered by the agency must be submitted via NLM's Electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) system at https://ecps.nih.gov/nlm, no later than 1:00 p.m., (Eastern-Daylight Savings Time), June 19, 2019.

NOTE: For directions on using eCPS, go to https://ecps.nih.gov/nlm and click on "How to Submit." To submit your electronic proposal using eCPS, all offerors must have a valid NIH External Directory Account, which provides authentication and serves as a vehicle for secure transmission of documents and communication with the NLM. The NIH External Directory Account registration process may take up to 24 hours to become active. Submission of proposals by facsimile or e-mail is not accepted NLM will not be responsible for paying for any of the costs incurred and associated with the development of any responses submitted to this posting.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REQULATION (FAR) CLAUSES:
The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference. Full text may be found at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items
FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items
FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items
FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes and Executive Orders

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