Small Business RFI - Operational Infectious Diseases (OID) Research and Surveillance Support Services

RFI No. N6331624PR0001OID-1-Small Business Date: 15 November 2023 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SERVICES/SUBJECT This RFI is for non-personal research & development support services under NAICS Code 541715-Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) and PSC AN42, R&D- Medical: Health Services (Applied Research/Exploratory Development). THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ). IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUCNCEMENT. A. DISCLAIMER IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 15.201(E), RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND CANNOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. THIS RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KIND OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE ARE NOT OFFERS AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FORM A BINDING CONTRACT. ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI THAT IS MARKED PROPRIETARY WILL BE HANDLED ACCORDINGLY. RESPONSES TO THE RFI WILL NOT BE RETURNED. AT THIS TIME, QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION AND REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE RFPs WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. B. BACKGROUND As the Navy hub for the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Department (AFHSC-GEIS), the NHRC Operational Infectious Diseases (OID) Directorate conducts on-going, laboratory-based surveillance of US military populations in unique environments to quantify and study the etiology of infectious illnesses. Test specimens are collected from ongoing surveillance programs and from special investigations of febrile illnesses and pneumonia among military personnel or civilians (recruits, forces afloat, deployed forces, outbreaks of concern, and border populations). In addition to the utilization of portable, rapid assay technologies to identify pathogens in the field, test specimens and limited epidemiologic data, when approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), are provided to the NHRC laboratory where diagnostics and, in some instances, in-depth pathogen characterization is conducted. Results are provided to sponsors, the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, local investigators and collaborators and, when applicable, county health units in order to guide proper responses that ultimately affect both the readiness of US forces and the safety of public health. The OID Directorate supports NHRC's mandate as a Navy Medical Research and Development Command to conduct medical research, development, testing, evaluation, and surveillance to enhance deployment readiness of DOD personnel worldwide. OID researchers use existing administrative data to investigate deployment-related and operationally-relevant health, career, and occupational issues, as well as health care systems and processes, that impact Warfighter readiness. C. SCOPE/OBJECTIVE The contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, and other items necessary to provide laboratory technical services, statistical analysis, study coordination, fiscal analysis, quality control and assurance, safety and logistics, sample collection, administrative and program management support for operational infectious disease surveillance, accredited clinical laboratory testing, diagnostic evaluations, clinical research support and scientific research services as defined in the Statement of Work (SOW)/Performance Work Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in the contract. This acquisition will involve comprehensive scientific research and development services over the full period of performance. The required acquisition may involve, but will not be limited to: developing, refining, and executing the full spectrum of data-related tasking; examining the impact of case management services and source of delivered health care services on health care costs, patient outcomes, and health care system efficiencies; understanding injury prevention, injury identification, and injury reduction across a military career; investigating the longitudinal medical and career outcomes of en route care providers and patients; and identifying and then understanding other deployment health-related concerns. D. LOCATION OF PERFORMANCE NHRC headquarters in San Diego, California at 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA 92106. As directed by the Contracting Officer, work may also be performed at other Government installations and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) approved sites. E. TASK See Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement (PWS) F. REQUIREMENTS Contractor MUST be considered a small business under NAICS 541715. Contractor MUST have a current Federalwide Assurance (FWA) issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Respondents MUST indicate whether or not they have an active and current FWA. Reference: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/register-irbs-and-obtain-fwas/fwas/index.html. Also, see - Assurance Process Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the left hand side of the screen. G. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS Respondents MUST include the following documents/information in you response to the Government: 1. A cover letter on company letterhead including the company name, point of contact with phone number, email address as well company UEI and Cage Code. 2. Capabilities statement MUST address the following: Contractor's clear understanding and ability to perform the ENTIRE scope of this requirement. Contractor's clear understanding and ability to perform ALL the tasks described within the PWS. Contractor's confirmation whether or not they have a current/active Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) and date of expiration. Contractor's confirmation that the company is deemed - responsible in accordance with FAR 9.104-1. Contractor's confirmation of current/active registration in SAM.gov. All information regarding "capabilities" and/or proprietary information relative to this RFI MUST be submitted as follows: SUBMIT VIA: Email to Shaina Sollenberger, contact@example.gov RESPONSES DUE: 5:00 PM EST, 4 December 2023