REQUEST FOR INFORMATION- Bioinformatics Support Services at The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

NIH-NIEHS-RFI-BIOINFO-2021-REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Bioinformatics Support Services For the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) And the Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP) At NIEHS In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), this is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This RFI is issued for the purpose of obtaining knowledge and information for project planning purposes. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is issuing this RFI to ensure two (2) primary goals: (1) facilitate early (pre-Request for Proposal [RFP]) engagement with industry, in accordance with FAR 15.201(e); and (2) improve NIEHS's understanding of market capabilities to provide the services as outlined in the Draft Statement of Work (See Attachment 1). BACKGROUND Investigators in the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP) at NIEHS conduct studies that produce large amounts of data, varying in size and complexity. Fields of scientific study are diverse and include toxicology, transcriptomics, genomics, image analysis, and high throughput screening (HTS) data that require innovative bioinformatics analysis and development of new software tools. The Government is seeking information relative to bioinformatics analysis support for the studies conducted at NIEHS. REQUESTED INFORMATION Interested vendors should furnish the following information to NIEHS: Business Information (Attachment 2) Completed Capability Survey (Attachment 3) OPTIONAL: White Paper (Attachment 4): Comments on the Draft Statement of Work (SOW) SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Responses should be submitted electronically to: hollida1@niehs.nih.gov. Responses are requested by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Responses received after the due date may not be included in the development of the acquisition strategy. All questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted via email to hollida1@niehs.nih.gov by 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 30, 2021. The NIEHS reserves the right to determine whether to respond to questions and may consolidate responses to similar questions. If NIEHS decides to publish questions and responses, they will be posted for visibility to the public on beta.sam.gov. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes to facilitate the acquisition planning process. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Quotation (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ in the future, nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. This notice does NOT obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. Further, NIEHS is not seeking proposals through this RFI and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this RFI will be the outcome of a competitive process. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted. Potential respondents should continue to monitor NIEHS announcements for additional information pertaining to this RFI. Please note that NIEHS will not respond to questions about the policy issues raised in this RFI. NIEHS may or may not choose to contact individual commenters. Such communications would only serve to further clarify written responses. CONFIDENTIALITY. Information obtained as a result of this RFI may be used by the Government for program planning on a non-attribution basis. Respondents should not include any information that might be considered proprietary or confidential. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.