B -- Scientific, Technical & Consulting Services

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the November 2006 Federal Acquisition Regulation revision, which includes the consolidation of all Federal Acquisition Circulars through 2005-16. This acquisition is a small business set-aside and the NAICS code is 541690. This announcement constitutes the formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) and a written solicitation WILL NOT be issued. Collaboration, Education, and Test Translation (CETT) Program for Rare Genetic Diseases: The Contractor will provide professional services in the implementation of the Collaboration, Education, and Test Translation (CETT) Program for Rare Genetic Disease. She/he will coordinate for the ORD Director the implementation of model pathways (models) to facilitate the translation of genetic tests from research laboratories to clinical practice. Using one of the CETT models, a collaborative group (i.e., a research laboratory, in collaboration with a clinician involved in the study of the disease, clinical laboratory, and patient advocacy group) may apply to ORD for funds to develop a new clinical test for a rare genetic disease. The contractor will coordinate all levels of review and implementation, including the Program Scientific Advisor and the Program Coordinator and a Review Board. The pilot CETT Program is supported in principle by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG), Association of Molecular Pathologists (AMP), Genetic Alliance, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The contractor will monitor the progress of the program, integrate them into plans for reaching overall goals and will report findings to the Director of the Office of Rare Diseases. She/he will evaluate progress and develop means by which this pilot program can be completed and translated into a larger, and more comprehensive NIH program. She/he will develop plans to expand the program that incorporate biomedical collaborations and resources and develop a clinical and genetic data base that will include genotype and phenotype information. Enhancement of Collaboration with Patient Advocacy Groups: The Contractor will provide guidance and advice on the necessary approaches for ORD to collaborate with rare diseases patient advocacy groups. She/he will develop approaches that facilitate the groups? efforts in navigating the NIH structure and function and coordinate collaborations between the groups, the ORD, and NIH Institutes, Centers, and/or Offices. She/he will assist ORD?s collaborative efforts with these organizations in determining strategies to establish and reach research goals and facilitate the integration of these goals into the rare diseases research as a whole. The Contractor will meet with the leadership of patient support organizations and their medical and scientific advisory boards, connect them with appropriate program staff across the NIH, and propose approaches for the ORD Director. The contractor will respond to patient advocacy inquiries and help them understand how to gain access to the NIH structure to reach their own program goals for research on rare diseases. The contractor will apply her/his experience with patient advocacy organizations and enable these organizations to grow towards participation in research activities in partnership with NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The contractor will advise ORD and NIH staff on areas to pursue towards developing research programs that will lead to new therapeutics. Conceptualization, Selection, and Implementation of National and International Scientific Conferences: ORD supports between 80 and 100 scientific conferences each year on rare diseases research and collaborates with NIH Institutes, centers, and offices, and patient advocacy groups. The contractor will provide professional services in assessing individual conference proposals in terms of their relevancy to ORD goals, determining possible collaborating institutions and organizations across the NIH and elsewhere, and working with NIH institutes, centers and offices, and other public and private sector entities. The contractor will work with professional organizations, patient advocacy groups and foundations, and other participants in the rare diseases research community to develop research agendas that respond to scientific needs and opportunities of rare diseases researchers, including how to best examine the state of the science, develop standardized terminology and research goals, translate basic research into clinical applications, as well as tools and measurements in clinical trials. She will also bring to bear her experience to focus on rare cancers as well as her activities to encourage research on the amyloidoses and the spinal cord tumors. Throughout the implementation of the ORD co-sponsored scientific conferences program, the contractor will advise on and/or participate in several national and international scientific conferences on rare neurologic diseases and conditions for FY 2007 and FY 2008 and will review resulting summaries and reports for needed follow-on activities. The contractor will provide advice on objectives for various scientific conferences, including the development and public circulation of standard protocols for the clinical analysis of patients with various rare diseases. Some workshops will focus on clinical measures, the neurologic, immunologic, and endocrinologic diagnostic criteria as well as laboratory and molecular biomarkers. The contractor will provide suggestions for appropriate speakers and chairs for breakout sessions, and will review background and discussion documents. At the completion of the conferences, she/he will recommend individual follow-on projects as required. The contractor is expected to work two and one half days a week. She/he will be required to travel approximately three times on behalf of the CETT program and scientific conferences in accordance with Federal travel regulations. All responses from responsible sources will be considered. The contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this order. Full text of clauses and provisions are available at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): http://www.arnet.gov/far/. The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition and may be obtained from the web site: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (September 2006); FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (January 1999); FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (November 2006) - with DUNS Number Addendum [52.204-6 (October 2003)]; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items) (September 2005); FAR 52.212-4, Addendum to Clause for Year 2000 Compliance (July 1997); and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (November 2006). Inquiries regarding this procurement may be made to the Office of Acquisitions Management,(OAM) 6011 Executive Blvd., Room 529V, Rockville, Maryland 20892, Attention: Lloyd Garnes, Contracting Officer, on (301) 402-3341. Fax: 301-480-3476 Email: garnesl@od.nih.gov