Clinical Support Services for Human Studies Projects (WHNRC) Davis, CA

Type of Notice: Sources Sought Title: 12905B24S0001 - Sources Sought for Clinical Support Services for Human Studies Projects (WHNRC) Davis, CA Description: This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. USDA intends to award a Firm Fixed Priced contract for commercial non-personal services. The contract period of performance will be for one (1) base year, and three (3) option years. The Unit of Measure (UOM) for each service CLIN will be WEEKS. The successful offeror will be required to submit a proposed quality assurance surveillance plan for the Government's consideration in development of the Government's plan. NAICS: 561320 -TEMPORARY HELP SERVICES PSC: Q401 - MEDICAL- NURSING The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Background and Purpose: The Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), which is located on the campus of the University of Davis, California, requires research vocational nursing support services for human studies in which subjects are housed within the Center (Domiciled). Except those specified as Government-furnished, the Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, principal tools/equipment, and materials, to furnish research and administrative support services for the USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Scope of Work: Clinical nursing assistant services will be performed for a total of 26 weeks during each period of performance. The contractor shall provide clinical support services from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) who will manage human subjects during the testing cycles. The contractor shall determine proper distribution of their staff and manage/supervise the schedules and operations of their contractor personnel during each human study cycle. Each clinical support service shall provide coverage for seven (7) days of 12-hour night shifts; and two(2) weekend days of 12-hour day shifts. See the attached sources sought notice for schedule details. The CNA/LVN contractor support shall provide a variety of health care and social services for both residential and non-resident study participants. Contractor personnel shall be licensed in the state of California, CPR certified, and provide basic nursing care for research subjects under supervision. The vocational nursing support services will include, but are not limited to, the assurance of the research subjects' health and safety, performance of procedures outlined by study protocols, dispensing medications and/or dietary supplements, charting and documentation, consultations with PIs, ordering and storing medical and nonmedical supplies, physical and social assessments of candidates, and planning and coordination of social/physical activities for residential subjects. The Contractor shall be responsible for organizing the records for each study and submitting them to the PI within 1 week after completion of the study. The resident nursing assistant tasks shall include but are not limited to the following: Monitor and chart nursing notes on subjects' health problems using a narrative format. Observation of signs and symptoms of illness, reactions to treatments or medications, and subjects' general behavior or physical condition. Dispense medications and/or dietary supplements and take verbal/telephone orders from the physician. Collect and record subjects' vital signs and chart collected research data into subjects' permanent medical records Perform routine blood sample processing, qualitative urine testing, and check fecal samples for occult blood. Administer qualitative tests on subjects' daily urine samples Maintain logbooks for transmission to PI or for other staff instructions between shifts, or for recording study protocol deviations and errors Supervise subjects' consumption of water, meals, and snacks Supervise recreational and social activities for resident subjects, escort subjects to off-site outings while safely operating Government issued vehicles. Outside activity with the study subjects such as daily walks, develop new activities, planning activities pertinent to age and sex of subjects, and monitoring subjects during activities. Prevent the introduction of contraband items into the research environment by performing routine room inspections Remove contaminated waste from the MRU and wipe down surfaces to prepare equipment for special procedures. During non-resident or free-living studies, subjects are free to go about their normal lives, except for days which require their presence at the Center for testing or evaluation. The clinical nursing assistant services shall also include similar procedures during non-resident studies. In addition, the required nursing assistant services in support of non-resident studies shall include, but are not limited to: Interview subjects on health-related issues Collect study specimens, i.e., blood, urine, feces, etc., and perform special procedures Monitor the use and safe administration of over-the-counter drugs in accordance with the study protocols and record information in the subjects' research records. Evaluate subjects' health or psychosocial problems to determine whether complaints are study-related, and, if so, refer them to the appropriate resources. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response. The capability statement should include: 1) Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested; 2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration; 3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.; 4) Observation of signs and symptoms of illness, reactions to treatments or medications, and subjects' general behavior or physical condition 5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their 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 review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received. Complete capability packages are due by November 8, 2023, at 4:00pm Pacific Time and must be e-mailed to: tonya.purce@usda.gov. All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the stated deadline. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. ****Do not submit pricing information in response to this sources sought request*****