Modeling and Computational Assessment of Face Emotion Tasks

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is NIMH-CSS-21-002174 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13'Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5'Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12'Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-05, dated March 10, 2021. This acquisition is unrestricted and available for full and open competition. The associated NAICS code is 541690 and the small business size standard is $16.5M. Description of Supplies The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has a requirement for a senior researcher who possess expertise in developing novel computational and mathematical models to explain complex cognitive processes. Price Schedule Proposal must be accompanied with price for a one-year base period and three (3) one-year option periods as described in the attached Statement of Work. Background and Requirement The goal of the Neuroscience and Novel Therapeutics Unit (NNT) is to develop brain-based treatments for children with serious psychiatric disorders. The research conducted in NNT is part of NIMH's mission to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Specifically, NNT integrates brain-based studies, scalable mobile technology, and clinical trials of novel interventions for pediatric psychiatric disorders. Given burdens of pharmacology, coupled with the pathophysiological malleability of children through learning and social contexts, NNT focuses on developing psychological interventions for pediatric phenotype. Specifically, we use face-emotion labeling tasks with feedback to probe and modify threat-based learning. As part of this mission, NNT requires a research authority who can assist us in developing novel computational and mathematical models to explain complex cognitive processes, specifically the relationship between learning and representation, and the encoding of information in the brain. NNT requires that the consultant has developed and evaluated innovative learning algorithms, including using incremental learning to analyze sequential effects, applying the temporal difference error of reinforcement learning to improve generalization, as well as current work looking at the kernel framework to explore human stimulus representation. Contract Type and Period of Performance It is the Government's intent to issue a Labor-Hour purchase order with options to extend the term of the contract is contemplated.. The anticipated period of performance is a one-year base period from the effective date of award and three (3) subsequent one-year option periods. Place of Performance The primary place of performance shall be at the Contractor site. Conference calls and email shall be the primary mode of communication. KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (December 2015) The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements). If the employee of the contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties. (End of Clause) Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) The following Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract: [To be specified at time of award] The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers, in order of importance: See attached Technical Evaluation Criteria Technical evaluation factors are slightly more important than Price. Selection of the firm to perform work under this task order will be based on the Government's assessment of the best overall value. (b) Options - The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications'Commercial Items, with its offer. The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. Addendum to FAR clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions'Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. The additional contract terms and conditions are as follows. 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (Oct 2018) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020) 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020) 52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror (Aug 2020) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Oct 2020) The Offeror shall not complete the representation in this provision if the Offeror has represented that it - does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. (a) Definitions. As used in this provision - Covered telecommunications equipment or services, - critical technology, and - substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (b) Prohibition. Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Contractors are not prohibited from providing (1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or (2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles. (c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for - covered telecommunications equipment or services. (d) Representation. The Offeror represents that it ? will, ? will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. (e) Disclosures. If the Offeror has represented in paragraph (d) of this provision that it - will provide covered telecommunications equipment or services, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer (1) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment and services offered (include brand; model number, such as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable). (2) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this provision. (3) For services, the entity providing the covered telecommunications services (include entity name, unique entity identifier, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, if known); and (4) For equipment, the entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known). (End of provision) 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2020) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause Covered foreign country means The People's Republic of China. Covered telecommunications equipment or services means (1) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities); (2) For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities); (3) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or (4) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. Critical technology means (1) Defense articles or defense services included on the United States Munitions List set forth in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations. (2) Items included on the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled- (i) Pursuant to multilateral regimes, including for reasons relating to national security, chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear nonproliferation, or missile technology; or (ii) For reasons relating to regional stability or surreptitious listening; (3) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and components, materials, software, and technology covered by part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to assistance to foreign atomic energy activities); (4) Nuclear facilities, equipment, and material covered by part 110 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to export and import of nuclear equipment and material); (5) Select agents and toxins covered by part 331 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 of title 9 of such Code, or part 73 of title 42 of such Code; or (6) Emerging and foundational technologies controlled pursuant to section 1758 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817). Substantial or essential component means any component necessary for the proper function or performance of a piece of equipment, system, or service. (b) Prohibition. Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. The Contractor is prohibited from providing to the Government any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (c) of this clause applies or the covered telecommunication equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in Federal Acquisition Regulation 4.2104. (c) Exceptions. This clause does not prohibit contractors from providing (1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or (2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles. (d) Reporting requirement. (1) In the event the Contractor identifies covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, during contract performance, or the Contractor is notified of such by a subcontractor at any tier or by any other source, the Contractor shall report the information in paragraph (d)(2) of this clause to the Contracting Officer, unless elsewhere in this contract are established procedures for reporting the information; in the case of the Department of Defense, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil. For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer for the indefinite delivery contract and the Contracting Officer(s) for any affected order or, in the case of the Department of Defense, identify both the indefinite delivery contract and any affected orders in the report provided at https://dibnet.dod.mil. (2) The Contractor shall report the following information pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this clause (i) Within one business day from the date of such identification or notification: the contract number; the order number(s), if applicable; supplier name; supplier unique entity identifier (if known); supplier Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (if known); brand; model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number); item description; and any readily available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended. (ii) Within 10 business days of submitting the information in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this clause: any further available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended. In addition, the Contractor shall describe the efforts it undertook to prevent use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services, and any additional efforts that will be incorporated to prevent future use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services. (e) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items. (End of clause) 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. As prescribed in 4.2105(c), insert the following provision: Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020) (a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (b) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services". (c) (1) Representation. The Offeror represents that it ? does, ? does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument. (2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it ? does, ? does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. (End of provision) FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders'Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. The following clauses listed in FAR clause 52.212-5 that are applicable to the acquisition are: 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) 52.204-15 Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Jun 2020) 52.219-4 Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Nov 2020) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-19 Child Labor'Cooperation With Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2020) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities (Jul 2014) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) 52.223-11 Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) 52.225-1 Buy American - Supplies (Jan 2021) 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021)52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Oct. 2018) 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) 52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Nov 2020). 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) The following clause is incorporated by reference: FAR 52.227-14 Rights in Data-General (May 2014) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable to this requirement. All questions shall be received via email to Kim Stapleton at contact@example.gov before 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on April 21, 2021. Responses to this solicitation must include clear and convincing evidence of the offeror's capability of fulfilling the requirement as it relates to the technical evaluation criteria. In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must be received on or before April 26, 2021 by 11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time and reference RFQ number NIMH-CSS-21-002174. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Responses shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted. Solicitation Attachments Attachment 1: Statement of Work Attachment 2: 52.204-24 Representation Attachment 3: Invoice Instructions Attachment 4: Interim Electronic Invoice Instructions Attachment 5: Technical Evaluation Criteria