MR Imaging Technical Consultant

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 Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisitions (OA), for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to SciTrials, LLC., 22480 Lake Road Apt 5, Rocky River, Oh, 44116 to provide MR Imaging Technical Consultant Services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541711, and Size Standard 500 Employees is applicable to this requirement. The objective of this procurement is to provide an MR imaging technical consultant. The MR imaging technical consultant will report to Dr. Gayle Lester, NIAMS OAI Project Officer. The primary goal of the MR imaging Technical Consultant will be to facilitate and oversee 1) the maintenance, performance and quality assurance for the four magnetic resonance scanners used by the OAI Clinical Centers, 2) the upgrades and improvements to both hardware and software for these systems, 3) the implementation of new and revised protocols as ancillary studies are added or system upgrades are implemented, 4) the improvement and implementation of MR analysis methods as applied to OAI MR data. The Consultant will continue to define and monitor objective measurements to assess function of the MR system components, which might impact the MR imaging assessment by introduction of systematic or time varying errors. The Consultant will continue to provide answers to technical questions, review system validation measurements and maintain a program (technical) time line as tools with which to identify potential issues and to identify potential solutions to those issues. Contractor Tasks include: 1. MR System Oversight a. Oversee upgrades of 3 MRI systems b. Oversight of QC/QA analysis vendor activities c. Monitor relaxation times and other performance issues with MR systems. 2. Oversight of TIM upgrades for MR scanners at Memorial Hospital of Rhose Island (Pawtauket, RI), University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) and Ohio State University (Columbus, Oh) a. Insure pre and post calibrations and QA analyses are carried out b. Image volunteers and OAI phantoms on new system c. Provide feedback to sites and NIH on performance of new systems 3. Oversee and advise on methods for electronic transfer of data and to increase public access to imaging and clinical data from OAI a. Participate in reviews for new electronic image handling methods, including DICOM transfer. b. Monitor and document new process for MR image quality assurance and feedback to clinical centers c. Work with NBIA to provide feedback in regard to public data access and needs for data analysis options d. Provide guidance and oversight for maintenance of integrity of historic and current images i. Verify audit trails ii. Ensure archive and processing meets government needs for image data portability and integrity 4. Participate in Osteoarthritis Initiative Steering Committee, Imaging, MR 5. Work with Project Officer to evaluate systems for electronic transfer for OAI clinical sites, oversee the implementation of such methods, and monitor outcomes. The proposed contract action will be for One (1) Base year with One (1) Option period year. The sole source determination is based upon the fact SciTrials is uniquely and solely qualified to conduct these consulting services for NIAMS. SciTrials Inc has the specific experience of combining MR technology with clinical trials combined with the knowledge of NIH required to be able to provide this service. The reference number for this notice is NHLBI-PB-(AR)-2010-281-AMB. The resultant acquisition will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 05-44. The notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. The determination by the Government not to compete the 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 future competitive procurement. Responses to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB-(AR)-2010-281-AMB, may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisition Center, Procurement Branch. Responses must be submitted in writing to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 6701 Rockledge Blvd., Room Suite 6100, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, Attention: Aaron Blackshire. Emails will be accepted (aaron.blackshire@nih.gov). All responsible sources may submit a response, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency