Chemical Database Support

GENERAL INFORMATION INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) is conducting a market survey to help determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, HUBZone small businesses; service- disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses capable of serving the needs identified below. Background: The Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS) at The National Library of Medicine offers a variety of toxicological and environmental health databases to the public through the web including the ChemIDplus database. The files are built and maintained by the National Library of Medicine. The database is updated every day, and new features and data are required to be kept in synchronization for the users. This is very important because the ChemIDplus points to over 100 internet resources, including Toxline and PubMed, and is heavily used. A specialized component of the ChemIDplus database is the chemical structure data and search capability. Specifically, 2D structures are entered and updated, and 3D chemical structures and structure identifiers must be generated from these structures for the database. Moreover, the loading of these structures must be incorporated into the database maintenance system to allow public access and searching of these structures by scientist, professionals and the general public. B. Purpose and Objective of the Procurement The Division of Specialized Information Services at NLM requires professional services for integration, analysis and development of chemical structure data and software with the ChemIDplus database system. The purpose is to generate 3D chemical structures and other chemical structure identifiers, including Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry Specification (SMILES) and International Chemical Identifier (InChI) and its corresponding InChiKey for incorporation into the database. Also, professional services are required to assist database web developers with complex code to integrate chemical structure software within the database maintenance system. C. Contract Requirements Tasks may include but are not limited to the following: 1. Maintain 3D structures using Corina for all compounds in ChemIDplus. 2. Maintain SMILES strings and InChI strings and keys for all compounds. 3. Maintain maintenance program to generate these data when a structure is entered or modified. 4. Modify maintenance and retrieval web pages as needed for new features in ChemIDplus. 5. Run the program Accelrys Cheshire to systematize the representation of chemical structures in ChemIDplus using a web interface. 6. Ensure proper editing and normalizing of chemical structures for accurate database querying and rendering. D. Qualifications and Skills The consultant will possess an advanced degree in chemistry, toxicology or closely related field of science. Extensive background and experience in chemical and biological information is required, including Oracle experience. The consultant must possess specialized knowledge and experience with chemical structure software and technologies including CORINA, Cheshire, Accelrys Draw, Accelrys Direct, JDraw, JSDraw, JMol, CHIME, SMILES, InCHI strings and keys, molfiles and SDfiles. SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE In accordance with FAR 39.2, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is implemented in this order. Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, all electronic and information technology (EIT) products and services developed, acquired, maintained, and/or used under this contract/order must comply with the "Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Provisions" set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the "Access Board") in 36 CFR part 1194. Information about Section 508 provisions is available at http://www.hhs.gov/od. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE It is anticipated that the period of performance shall be for a 12 month base year with two (2) 12 month option periods. It is anticipated that additional funding will be provided for each activity. An award is anticipated to be made on or around August 2018. It is anticipated that the contract will be a Labor Hour Type. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES The contractor will implement specific tasks as defined above during the period of performance. The contractor shall implement these tasks with minimal direction, but in close collaboration with the government. Interested firms responding to this Sources Sought Notice must adhere to the following: (a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills, and ability to fulfill the Government's requirement. The capability statement should be complete and contain sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding capabilities; however, the statement should not exceed 10 pages. (b) The capability statement must identify the responder's business type and size; DUNS number; NAICS code, and technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. c) The National Library of Medicine (NLM) requires capability statements to be submitted via eCPS.: Electronic copy via the NLM electronic Capability Statements Submission (eCPS) website at https://ecps.nih.gov/NLM. All submissions must be submitted by 1:00 PM Eastern Time on July 20, 2018. For directions on using eCPS, go to https://ecps.nih.gov/NLM and click on "How to Submit." NOTE: 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. Inquiries regarding this procurement may be made via email to Suet Vu, Contract Specialist, vus@mail.nlm.nih.gov. Please include the solicitation number "NIHLM201800079" in the subject line. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).