The U.S Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Secretary (OS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Division of Acquisition Management, Contracts and Grants (AMCG), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, to facilitate a Forum on Medical and Public Health, provide a venue for members to exchange information and presenting individual views as well as allow for the opportunity for dialogue and discussion while scrutinizing critical scientific and policy issues. Representatives from government, industry, professional societies, foundations, academia, and other interested parties are expected to serve on the Forum, which will convene two to three times a year to confer on subject areas of mutual interest and concern. This award is being negotiated under the authority set forth in FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements under FAR Part 13. Please note, to the extent permitted by law and regulation and in accordance with the congressional charter of the Academy, the Institute of Medicine, a division within the Academy, shall receive no compensation whatever for any service to the Government of the United States. Further, when a department of the executive branch of the Government or agency of the executive branch determines that the Academy, because of its unique qualifications, is the only source that can provide the measure of expertise, independence, objectivity, and audience acceptance necessary to meet the department's or agency's program requirements, acquisition of services by the Academy may be obtained on a noncompetitive basis if otherwise in accordance with applicable law and regulations. (Please see Executive Order 12832) THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION ACTION IS FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SOLICIT AND NEGOTIATE WITH ONLY ONE SOURCE UNDER AUTHORITHY OF FAR 6.302-1. INTERESTED PERSONS MAY IDENTIFY THEIR INTEREST AND CAPABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENT OR SUBMIT PROPOSALS WITHIN 7 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. A DETERMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO COMPETE THIS PROPOSED CONTRACT ACQUISITION BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THE 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. All questions concerning this requirement shall be addressed directly to the contractual point of contact, Keith Johnson at keith.johnson@hhs.gov or by phone at 202-260-8532
