FTG7-Sources-Sought-for-Childrens-Health-Study

I. Purpose: This Sources Sought synopsis facilitates CDC's market research efforts to determine an acquisition strategy for a new requirement described below. This is not a solicitation and thus proposals are not requested and will not be accepted. Please do not request to be added to a "bidders list" because the contracting officer will not create such a list since any resulting solicitation will be posted to FEDBIZOPS for all interested and eligible offerors to respond. There is no incumbent contractor for this new requirement. II. Background: The CDC solicited comments via a Request For Information (RFI) posted to FEDBIZOPS on November 21, 2008. The RFI included a draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) to assess the potential health effects of environmental exposures to FEMA-provided temporary housing units and storm-damaged housing among children who resided in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Based upon comments received, CDC has prepared a final SOO (copy attached). The title of the contemplated acquisition is: Children's Health Study (CHS). Included as an attachment to this synopsis is a document titled: Questions & Answers to CHS RFI provided in .pdf format. This document is the CDC's response to the numerous questions, comments and recommendations received in response to the aforementioned RFI. III. Objective of Synopsis: Offerors interested in the contemplated acquisition are invited to submit a capability statement (in accordance with para. V. Capability Statement Preparation Instructions below) to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their professional and scientific capabilities to perform the services described in the attached SOO. The primary purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether or not adequate competition exists among small businesses (and other eligible socioeconomic entities described in FAR 19) to conduct a competitive set aside acquisition. Thus, small businesses, in particular, are encouraged to respond to this synopsis. Any solicitation and resulting contract awarded on the basis of a small business set aside will include Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting. This clause requires that "At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern." IV. Key features of the contemplated contract: 1. Contract type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee - Completion Form; 2. Single Award; 3. Duration: Base Period: 2-year Feasibility Study Option: One, 6-year Full Study V. Capability Statement Preparation Instructions (Page limit: 20): Prepare and submit the information below following the sequence in which they are listed: 1. Name and address of business and point of contact information (phone # and email address); 2. Identify your business size status relative to NAICS code: 541990 Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services $7.0M. The government will evaluate responses to this sources sought synopsis to determine the acquisition strategy (i.e. a "full and open" competition versus a competitive set aside authorized by FAR 19). Accordingly, offerors are requested to indicate any other applicable socio-economic business subcategory status (e.g. Qualified HUBZone Small Business, 8(a) certified small business, Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business). 3. Provide a one-page introduction of your company. 4. Discuss your experience, capabilities, resources (e.g., personnel, facilities, ability to subcontract services not otherwise available in-house), and technical knowledge for each of the following topics: a. Designing and implementing large-scale (?500 participants) epidemiologic studies of health effects related to environmental exposures (e.g., criteria air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, toxins); b. Preparing a scientific study protocol and obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearances; c. Conducting a longitudinal study that involves identifying and tracking participants over time, from multiple locations across the US; d. Using data management systems that track and consolidate information from the data collection tools and laboratories; e. Complying with federal regulations and policies regarding contractual procedures; human subjects protection; participant confidentiality; data security; and Section 508 compliance; f. Conducting public relations, health education, and health communication related to complex epidemiologic studies and potentially sensitive environmental exposure issues. 5. Additional Information: Identify relevant examples of past and/or current experience and include a brief explanation of the nature of the work, labor skill mix used and dollar value. Such examples should relate to the "Study Objectives" listed in the attached draft SOO. For each example, identify what dollar value of the work was performed by in-house employees versus subcontractor or consulting personnel (the "dollar value" information is only required from small business respondents). 6. Submit response to the contracting officer via email: FTG7@cdc.gov not later than the response due date and time stipulated in this synopsis. FAX responses are not acceptable unless otherwise authorized. 7. This sources sought synopsis does not obligate the government and is submitted as market research for acquisition planning purposes. Offerors responding to this synopsis do so voluntarily and assume all costs incurred in preparing and submitting such response. This synopsis is not a solicitation and therefore formal proposals are neither requested nor required. Thus the CDC will reject any such proposals received in response to this sources sought synopsis.