Management of the Primate Aging Database (PAD)

HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RDSS-12-167 SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE This is a Research and Development (R&D) Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential R&D requirement. Small Businesses are encouraged to respond. BACKGROUND The Primate Aging Database (PAD) is a searchable, web-based database developed to allow analysis of age-related traits in non-human primates (NHP). Currently, the database contains data from 20 species at 11 different institutions, comprising over 3000 individual animals and 1,000,000 data points. About 80% of the data is from rhesus monkeys. Current data fields are primarily lifespan, body composition parameters, and blood chemistry parameters, although addition of other parameters is possible. The PAD is useful for analyses of specie differences in normal aging processes, studies on biomarkers of normal aging and age-related pathologies, and determination of baseline levels in geriatric NHP colonies. In 2008, NIA awarded a 5-year contract for the maintenance of the PAD and this RFP is for development of a new contract to continue this resource. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this acquisition is to transfer PAD and the PAD customer database to a secure server at the Contractor's facility and maintain a back-up copy, provide all maintenance and repairs to keep the server functioning properly, provide the PAD to investigators in the research community via the password protected website, and evaluate all applications for a password to PAD to ensure the users are legitimate researchers. The Contractor shall provide technical assistance to investigators using PAD, through one-on-one consultations and refinements to the codebook, fix any reported problems with the PAD software and the hardware housing the database, and maintain viewer controls on access to data. In addition, the Contractor shall solicit new data from the research community, enter the data into PAD, and perform quality control analyses of the data. The Contractor shall maintain a back-up copy of the database, codebook and software to protect against accidental loss; provide security for all computers that contain copies of the database and all supporting information required by this statement of work; and advertise the PAD by demonstrations at scientific meetings. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS The primary requirements for this acquisition include: (A)Host and maintain PAD on the Contractor's server; (B) Provide PAD access to investigators in the research community; (C) Provide technical assistance and (D) Continue to add data on biological measurements in non-human primates. REPORTS/DELIVERABLES: The following reports will be required: (A) Semi-annual Progress Reports and (B) Final Report. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The anticipated period of performance is from 08/01/2013 through 07/31/2018 (base period of one (1) year with four (4) one (1)-year option periods). OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. (1) The Government is expected to use procedures in FAR Part 15, contracting by Negotiations and (2) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 518210 with a size standard of $25 Million. CAPABILITY STATEMENT/INFORMATION SOUGHT: Respondents to this notice must provide, as part of their response, a capability statement to include the following: (1) information regarding the respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of a similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and, (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information; (2) respondents' DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code; and, (3) any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirement. INFORMATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Respondents should provide responses accordingly: (1) submit information both electronically and by mail. No telephone or facsimile responses will be accepted; (2) format capability statements using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF including attachments, resumes, charts, etc. Use single space, 12 font minimum and 8 - x 11 size paper; (3) organize material in such a manner that clearly identifies and address capability requirements and provide an executive summary; (4) capability statement should not exceed ten (10) single sided pages including references; (5) respondents must send two original copies via mail and one electronic copy via email; (6) responses should be received no later than September 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM Local Time; (7) include respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; and (8) send responses to this notice via email to haynest@nida.nih.gov. The original statements mailed using the U.S. Postal Service should be sent to ATTN: Tawanda Haynes-Brown, National Institutes of Health, Office of Acquisitions - NIDA Neuroscience COAC, NIA R&D Contracts Management Section, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8154, MSC 9661, Bethesda, MD 20892-9661. If using a courier service such as the UPS, Federal Express, etc., change the City, State and Zip Code to Rockville, MD 20852. (Please be aware that the U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" DOES NOT deliver to the Rockville, Maryland address.) DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in 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 a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).