NIDA Grants Review Support Services

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background: The Division of Extramural Research (DER) provides management and oversight on the development, implementation, and coordination of NIDA's extramural programs, research training, policies, reviews, and operations planning. Within DER is the Office of Extramural Policy and Review (OEPR) that is responsible for administering the peer and objective review of all Institute-based extramural grant applications; administering the concept and peer review of all NIDA research contract proposals; providing advice and guidance to the Director regarding the Institute's peer and objective review processes; providing scientific analyses of NIDA's extramural research program, assessing the breadth and scope of the Institute's research activities. OEPR also liaises with NIDA Divisions and the NIH Guide office to develop and publish NIDA lead Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) to award discretionary grants or cooperative agreements, usually as a result of competition for funds. Due to the unpredictable nature and level of Funding Opportunity Announcements' applications received to conduct scientific review, support is needed to help with OEPR Scientific Review Officers' reviews. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this purchase order is to provide professional and scientific support to the Office of Extramural Policy and Review (OEPR) for grants review functions. Support is needed in all areas of research funded by NIDA. Knowledge of the peer review process, applicable laws, policies and regulations, and NIH guidelines is critical. Project requirements: The Contractor shall provide the following grants and contracts review support services: 1. Conduct a careful administrative review of grant applications; check format and content of applications, review personnel and consultant lists and letters of collaboration to determine areas of potential conflicts of interest. 2. Assist in searches for potential reviewers with specific expertise to assist the Scientific Review Officer in developing rosters. The Scientific Review Officer will select from the list and develop the roster as s/he determines is best for the application(s) review. 3. Assist the Scientific Review Officer in preparing and updating information pertaining to grant applications by means of automated databases, such as IMPAC II, in accordance with established policies and procedures. 4. Provide administrative assistance to the Scientific Review Officer as required, including drafting notes on administrative issues such as human subjects, animal subjects, and budget. 5. Prepare drafts of written summary statements and technical evaluation reports and edit as necessary, for review, revision, and approval by the DFO/SRO to assist in timely preparation and release of high-quality summary statements. 6. Provide consultation on Extramural Program management and mechanisms. Other important considerations: None. Capability statement /information sought: Contractors must possess knowledge of the peer review process as well as the applicable laws and regulations of reviewing grant and contract proposals. Respondents must provide clear and convincing documentation of their capability of providing the products specificed in this notice. Also, information must be provided in sufficient details of the respondents' (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and other management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information. The respondent must also provide their 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 any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. Finally, respondents are also encouraged to provide a general overview of the respondent's opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement, and any other information regarding innovative ideas or concepts that may be applicable. Submission Instructions: One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing. The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Leon Wong, Contract Specialist, NIDA at leon.wong@nih.gov. The response must be received on or before August 31, 2018 at 12:00PM Eastern Time. 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 presolicitation 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)."