NBAF OPTIC

INTRODUCTION: The Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology (DHS S&T) Directorate, previously requested and received responses from industry in order to refine procurement strategies and to gather input regarding best practices in performing the services for the stand-up, management and operations of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). DHS S&T has refined the scope of work and is currently requesting information from industry to identify qualified, experienced sources to support the Operational Planning and Technology Integration Contract (OPTIC). The OPTIC will be an indefinite quantity indefinite deliverable vehicle to support the Government in the development of operational planning, schedules, assessments, and acquisition. This information will be used by the Government in the development of the overall acquisition strategy. NBAF will be a state-of-the-art biocontainment facility for the study of foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans) diseases that threaten the U.S. animal agriculture and public health. NBAF will provide and strengthen our nation with critical capabilities to conduct research, develop vaccines and other countermeasures, and train veterinarians in preparedness and response against these diseases. For the past 50 years, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) has served our nation as the primary facility to conduct this research. However, PIADC is nearing the end of its life-cycle and needs to be replaced in order to meet U.S. research requirements and ensure the timely development of countermeasures in the event of an outbreak. NBAF meets that need and will serve as a replacement for the PIADC facility. Strategically, NBAF will boast of new and expanded capabilities, specifically, large animal biosafety level 4 (ABSL-4) containment for the study of high-consequence diseases affecting large livestock. The mission of NBAF includes: - Providing enhanced research capabilities to diagnose foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic diseases in large livestock - Providing expanded vaccine and countermeasure development capabilities for large livestock - Replacing and expanding research currently done at PIADC in New York, and continuing the partnership between the Department and the USDA Animal Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Additional information regarding the NBAF program, mission, site, facility and timeline can be found at www.dhs.gov/national-bio-and-agro-defense-facility. PURPOSE: DHS is issuing this Request for Information in order to gather input and identify qualified, experienced sources interested in performing the services identified for the NBAF OPTIC. This information will be used by the Government in the development of the overall acquisition strategy. PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES: NBAF is currently in the construction phase for site and infrastructure facilities and will soon be entering construction for the full laboratory. As construction progresses, it is DHS's intent to award two contracts: 1) a OPTIC, an indefinite quantity indefinite deliverable contract vehicle, and 2) a Management, operations & research support contract. The OPTIC will support the Government in the development of operational planning, schedules, assessments, and acquisition. The management, operations & research support contract will support the laboratory fit-out, Select Agent registration and other certification processes and provide the steady-state operations of the NBAF within a Government-Owned Government Operated (GOGO) operations model utilizing heavy contractor support. Figure 1 below provides an overview of the project timeline with respect to the two contracts described above. NBAF OPTIC: The NBAF OPTIC will provide management and coordination subject matter experts to ensure the efficient transition from construction to full laboratory operations. It is anticipated that the awardee of the OPTIC will have diverse capabilities including knowledge of scientific research facility planning, infrastructure performance, and operations of biological containment or biomedical Facilities; program/project management and oversight; biorisk and biological safety, health and environmental management; Information Systems architecture, security, acquisition and development; and transition management. It is also anticipated that the awardee of the OPTIC will be precluded from competing on the management, operations & research support contract. The scope of work on the NBAF OPTIC will include but is not limited to the following: a. Identify and work with key stakeholders to draft the NBAF Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The CONOPS will describe the operations of NBAF for individuals or organizational entities who will use, fund, and/or oversee the facility. b. Provide outreach and communications supporting including the developing of branding, messaging, graphic and video design and logistical support. c. Collect and document the IT system requirements from the appropriate stakeholders, design a system architecture that meets the requirements, identify the associated specifications for that design and then draft the procurement documentation to allow NBAF to start the procurement process to accommodate a number of different user types and software platforms. d. Provide on-going support during the IT system development effort e. Prepare a Request for Proposal (RFI) for the management, operations & research support contract. f. Update the Room Data Sheets to provide descriptions of the types of activities that will occur in each room in NBAF as well as the equipment expected to be installed in the space. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE RESPONDENTS: This is an RFI and is subject to the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 and is issued solely for information/planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals, a commitment to issue a solicitation for proposals, or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. This RFI shall not be considered as an obligation by the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. There is no entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government as a result of a Contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any Contractor's input submitted in response to the RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. The Government recognizes that proprietary information and data may be part of this effort and, if so included, such data should be clearly marked. PROJECT BACKGROUND/PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES: The attached MS Word file contains a complete discussion of the background and the programmatic objectives of both NBAF and OPTIC. Prospective Contractors are strongly recommended to review the attachment. RFI SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The attached MS Word file provides the requirements of the submission documentation in response to this RFI. Prospective vendors are reminded that the due date for the submission of a response to this RFI is 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on June 30, 2015. As specified in the detailed submission requirements in the MS Word file, the RFI response should be sent via email to Mr. Aaron H. Ford, Procuring Contracting Officer at Aaron.Ford@hq.dhs.gov. Any questions related to this RFI should be directed to the Procuring Contracting Officer at Aaron.Ford@hq.dhs.gov