A -- The planning, design and construciton (including large-scale alteration, modernization and renovation activities) of high-level biocontainment research facilities

The Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID), of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking capability statements from qualified consultants to provide Construction Quality Management (CQM) services in support of the planning, design, construction and commissioning of multiple high containment bio-medical research laboratory facilities located in undetermined locations of the United states. The solicitation for the provision of these facilities is currently advertised under BAA-NIH-NIAID-NCRR-DMID-03-36 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/contract/archive/BAA0336-0.pdf). It is anticipated that four (4) to six (6) Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) and one (1) to two (2) National Biocontainment Laboratories (NBLs) will be funded and built in various regions of the United states in support of the NIAID Biodefense research Agenda. The RBL construction program, which will be funded through a grant mechanism, will provide support for building and/or renovating Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facilities and the associated BSL-2 laboratories, animal facilities, and research support space. The NBL construction program, anticipated to be funded through a contract mechanism, will provide support for constructing state of the art comprehensive facilities, including BSL-4 biocontainment laboratories and the associated BSL-3 and BSL-2 laboratories, animal facilities (including insectary), clinical facilities, and research support space. The purpose of this notice is to acquire capability statements from qualified CQM consultants that can fulfill the following requirements: Provide CQM services to support NIAID construction management oversight for construction grants/contracts at biomedical institutions awarded under BAA-NIH-NIAID-NCRR-DMID-03-36. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to participation in pre award activities associated with the award of the RBL/NBL projects; providing oversight during the planning, programming and design of the facilities assuring that all codes and design requirements are being fulfilled; validation of project cost estimates; project schedule monitoring and analysis; constructability review of all design documentation at each design phase; Quality Assurance (QA) inspections to each site bi-weekly (approximately 8 sites located throughout the U.S.) or more as necessary; review of construction contractor's Quality Control (QC) plan; monitor construction activities scheduled with emphasis on milestones, phasing/sequencing, efficient and balanced workflow, major tests and inspections, and any unique requirements relevant to construction of bio-safety needing special scheduling or tracking; review community relations plan and monitor community relations status; routinely inform NIAID on the status and progress of design and construction activities and immediately notify NIAID of any conflicts or concerns that may negatively impact the desired outcome of the project(s). The CQM will act as the liaison between the awardees of the RBL/NBL grants/contracts on all matters regarding the planning, design and construction activities of each project. Qualified CQM consultants are considered to have civil, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection engineers, architects, security specialists and safety officers with broad experience in the design, construction, and commissioning of high level biocontainment research facilities such as those described in BAA-NIH-NIAID-NCRR-DMID-03-36. The contractor must be able to site visit multiple facilities simultaneously and provide the above required services. See Numbered Note 22. No collect calls will be accepted. No facsimile transmissions will be accepted. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. BASED ON CAPABILITY STATEMENTS RECEIVED FROM THIS SOURCES SOUGHT, THIS ACQUISITION MAY BE SOLICITED AS A 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE, NAICS CODE 541710, WITH A SIZE STANDARD OF 500 EMPLOYEES.