Expert Studies Regarding Biomed Science and Tech Issues for NIH Programs/Staff

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Science Policy (OSP), intends to solicit, negotiate, and award a contract on a non-competitive, sole source basis to the National Academy of Sciences,500 Fifth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 for the purpose of performing In-depth studies which may focus on either issues of topical interest or long-range concerns of the biomedical research community and will result in specific findings and recommendations to the NIH, Congressionally mandated studies or reviews, Policy reviews, Evaluation studies and program assessments, surveys on topics of specific interest to the NIH, and conferences, symposia, seminars, or workshops on either general area of interest or specific issues of concern to the NIH. The NIH, OSP, intends to award an NIH-wide IDIQ Cost Reimbursement Task Order contract for a five (5) year period. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is the sole source for this requirement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source) because of the below: The previous task order contract (N01-OD-4-2139, September 1994 with a series of renewals through February 2012) was issued under Other than Full and Open Competition to NAS. Long-standing and well-established Forums, Roundtables, Boards, and core support essential to the NIH mission continue to operate under NAS' leadership and guidance. The Director of the NIH and/or its various Institutes and Centers often have a need for the expertise of the Academy, utilizing its subcomponents, the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for study of biomedical issues within a specified timeframe and may be congressionally mandated. The various subcomponents of the Academy represent the best collective expertise available in areas of concern. As an honorific society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, they are able to bring the highest caliber of scientific and technical capabilities, prestige, independence, and objectivity, all of which are essential to acceptance of the study findings and recommendations by the public and the scientific community and handle NIH's high volume of work. NAS was established by an Act of Congress signed by President Lincoln in March 1863 which calls upon the NAS to "investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art" whenever called upon to do so by any department of the Government. It has special standing per FAR 6.302-5. A standing contract with the Academy helps NIH to address congressional mandates quickly. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all capability statements received within 15 days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Responders should provide five (5) copies of their capability statement to Susan Apter (Ref. NIHOD2012326), National Institutes of Health, Office of Acquisitions, 6011 Executive Blvd., Room 537C (MSC 7663) Bethesda, MD 20892-7663. If you are using a courier service, Federal Express or UPS the city, state, and zip code should read Rockville, MD 20852). Please be aware that the U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" DOES NOT deliver to the Rockville, Maryland address AND delivery to the Bethesda, Maryland address will result in delayed delivery to our office in Rockville, MD (up to 3-5 days). ALL INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. THE CLOSING DATE FOR RESPONSES IS Friday, April 27 at 12:00 pm (NOON) Eastern Time. Email and facsimile copies will not be accepted.