Expert in Computational Psychiatry

SMALL BUSINESS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE 1. Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA(SSSA)SBSS-2017-234 2. Title: Expert in Computational Psychiatry 3. NAICS Code: 541990 -- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracting Office Address: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support Simplified Acquisitions, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 31, Room 1B59, Bethesda, MD 20892. Introduction: 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. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) CODE: The NAICS code applicable to this requirement is 541990 -- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Background Information: The purpose of this requirement is to provide the Emotion and Development Branch (EDB) of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) with an expert in the applications of computational approaches to behavioral and brain imaging experiments. The mission of the EDB is to study the pathophysiology, development, and treatment of pediatric mood and anxiety disorders. EDB probes pathophysiology using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) procedures and examines development by acquiring data over time on multiple behaviors, clinical indicators, and measures of brain function. EDB studies treatments in the context of randomized controlled trials. EDB is currently using state-of-the-art techniques to acquire data in each of these areas. This includes pathophysiology data from brain imaging, behavioral data from cognitive tasks, and data on treatment from clinical assessments. Given the amount of care that goes into the acquisition of these data, a consultant is needed who has considerable experience with novel, state-of-the-art computational modelling techniques for maximizing the yield of these data. Currently, EDB does not have access to experts in brain imaging data, behavioral paradigms, and clinical trials. However, EDB needs regular consultations from experts whose primary focus is on the use of computational models to enhance understanding of brain-behavior relationships. This requires expertise specifically in applications of computational modelling approaches to complex problems that arise in research on mental illness. Project Description: Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform the Statement of Work attached to this notice and referenced below: 1. The Contractor shall provide expertise in the following to EDB: o Applications of computational approaches to behavioral and brain imaging experiments in research on mental illnesses; o Analyses of brain imaging and behavioral experiments, using sophisticated computational modelling approaches. While various approaches are needed, specific expertise in reinforcement learning is required; o Use of latent variable techniques, applications of Bayesian statistical techniques, and other complex model building procedures; o Prior work experience in a biomedical setting, with diverse types of scientists; and o Multiple types of data and procedures for integrating such data. Anticipated period of performance: The period of performance is one 12-month base year from the date of award and one (1) 12-month option year. Base Year: 05/01/2017 - 04/30/2018 Option Year One: 05/01/2018 - 04/30/2019 Capability Statement / Information Sought: Contractors that believe they possess the ability to provide the required services should submit documentation of their ability to meet the project requirements to the Contract Specialist. Contractors should also provide their Company Name, DUNS number, Physical Address, and Point of Contact Information and if applicable, Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract number. Interested organizations are required to identify their type of business, applicable North American Industry Classification System Code, and size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration. The government requests that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in a response to this notice. However, responses that indicate the information therein is proprietary will be properly safeguarded for Government use only. Capability statements must include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives. Capability statements in response to this market survey that do not provide sufficient information for evaluation will be considered non-responsive. When submitting this information, please reference the solicitation notice number. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. All capability statements sent in response to this Sources Sought Notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Zenab Chowdhry, Contract Specialist, at zenab.chowdhry@NIH.gov and Sneha Patel, Contract Specialist, at sneha.patel@nih.gov in MS Word format within ten (10) calendar days of the date of this announcement. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. The response must be received on or before 03/18/2017 at 4:00 PM EST. Note: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your 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 review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. The solicitation release date is pending. The Government intends to negotiate a fixed-price contract. Place of Performance/Delivery: National Institute of Mental Health Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience Address 15K North Drive Building 15K, Room 110 Bethesda, MD 20892-2370 Contracting Office Address: 9000 Rockville Pike Building 31, Room 1B59 Bethesda, Maryland 20892 United States