Notice of Intent to Sole Source External Review of Ethical, Legal, Environmental, Safety, Security, and Societal Issues of Engineering Biology Research and Development

The National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to issue a Firm Fixed Price Contract Award to a single source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(i), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements on or about September 30, 2024 to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Washington, DC. The period of performance will be for twenty-four (24) months.

The scope of work requires executing the legislative mandate as set forth in Title IV (BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT) Section 10405 (External review of ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and societal issues) of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Pub.L. 117-167). NSF intends to award this requirement as a sole source contract to NAS. The services sought are those necessary to meet the requirements stated in Section 10405 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Specifically, NSF will enter into an agreement with the National Academies whereby the Academies will conduct an evaluation of ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development, and to make recommendations on research needs and best means for incorporating consideration of these issues in the development and conduct of research.

 A Request for Information has not been published via SAM.gov as the legislative mandate precludes such action. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is Title 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (1), Use of Noncompetitive procedures, as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 -- Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541720, with the size standard of $28M. This notice of intent is not a request for proposals or quotes; however, all responsible sources may submit a quotation and technical capabilities, which, if received within fifteen (15) calendar days of publication of this notice, shall be considered by NSF. All responses must be submitted to the Government point of contact at the email address shown below. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.