Special Notice for Sole Source Intent - FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii) CMS OEDA Applied Research R&D

Synopsis of Proposed Contract Action (In accordance with FAR 5.2): THIS IS AN INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) for research and development services for advanced analytics within the Office of Enterprise Data & Analytics (OEDA). Authority for this sole-source negotiation is found under FAR Subpart 6.302-3, Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Development, or Research Capability; or Expert Services. Upon completion of the negotiation, the contract award is anticipated to have a contractual period of performance from September 28, 2023 - September 27, 2026 (inclusive of a base year and two (2) 1-year options). THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. A determination not to compete this requirement, 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 a competitive procurement. CMS will NOT be responsible for costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. Description: OEDA seeks to establish an Applied Research Team within CMS that will serve as a central hub to address research questions that are of utmost importance to the agency. Use-cases will be sourced from across CMS Centers/Offices, with the associated analytic units in each division partnering closely with OEDA to provide subject matter expertise. By focusing on answering specific data questions, this approach aims to create a structured process for using advanced analytics to meet mission needs, as well as bring internal stakeholders together to prioritize research questions that are of utmost importance to the Agency. There is currently no dedicated team at CMS focused on performing advanced analytics support. Today, the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA) fills most research and analysis needs by providing assistance using traditional analysis methods to multiple groups across CMS. This support is given as time allows. However, OEDA currently lacks staff with expertise in advanced analytic methodologies that may be sufficient to perform all the types of advanced analytics work CMS would like to perform going forward. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3), as implemented by FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), provides that full and open competition need not be provided for when it is necessary to "...establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center..." Based on market research, it was determined that a sole-source acquisition with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) is in the best interest of the Governent to procure the expertise that is needed to fulfill the requirements as identified in the Statement of Objectives as a nonprofit institution. APL is identified as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). As of 2020, there are 13 UARCs all sponsored by a DOD military service, agency, or component. UARCs provide an engineering, research, or development capability to the federal agency that supports them. UARCs are located within a university or college and typically receive funding in excess of $6 million per year on a noncompetitive basis from their sponsoring federal agency. APL is sponsored by the Department of the Navy (Navy). The characteristics of UARCs are very similar to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) (defined in FAR 35.017). The defining feature of UARCs, like FFRDCs, is the long-term strategic relationship they have with their sponsoring federal agency. This relationship is intended to allow for in-depth knowledge of the agency's research needs. Independence and objectivity, freedom from conflicts of interest, access to sensitive information, and the ability to respond quickly to emerging research areas. INSTRUCTIONS: All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Jennifer Davis by email at jennifer.davis@cms.hhs.gov not later than 5:00 PM EST on July 21, 2023. Fax inquiries will not be accepted. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.