SPECIAL STUDIES and analysis

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Division of Extramural Research Activities (DERA) has a requirement for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a non-competitive award to Ms. Margaret Grisius, 1206 Stable Gate Court, McLean, VA 22102, to continue to provide ongoing support services for NIDCR/Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch (MPTB). The Contractor will continue to conduct oral medicine evaluations required by the Sjogren's Syndrome Clinic (SSC) as specified on the statement of work. Statement of Work: Background: The MPTB conducts research to immune medicated salivary gland inflammatory disorders, especially Sjogren's syndrome (SS), which affects at least one million Americans. Women are affected nine times more frequently than men. The disorder results in damage to exocrine tissues resulting in decreased saliva production with attendant problems of caries, tooth loss, candidiasis and other oral complications. The disease also involves the other exocrine tissues resulting in dry eyes as well as general mucosal and cutaneous dryness. The disorder may be associated with systemic manifestations such as arthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, and renal tubular acidosis and is considered to fall within the spectrum of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It may occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic diseases and is then designated as secondary SS. When SS occurs alone, it is referred to as primary SS. In addition, there is a 44-fold increase in the risk of lymphoma in SS patients compared with the general population. The SSC, MPTB evaluates approximately 400 SS patients per year. These patients require saliva collection and, often, labial salivary gland biopsies to confirm the diagnosis or follow up on problems. SS patients often experience oral complications that require the evaluation of a dentist with substantial experience in the oral medicine as it pertains to dry mouth in general, and SS, in particular. Ms. Grisius, has the requisite experience in SS and its complications to evaluate and manage patients seen in the SSC. In addition, she understands well the procedures performed and the data collected in the Clinic. The assistance and consultation of Dr. Grisius is essential to the smooth running and productivity of the Clinic at this time. She has been providing this service for the past three years. Contractor Requirements: 1) The contractor will consult one to one and a half days per week, according to schedule and load of patient visits. 2) The contractor will conduct oral medicine evaluations, including screening examinations, saliva collection, labia minor salivary gland biopsies and other examinations and procedures required by the current and future SSC protocols. 3) The contractor will notify the Chief of the SSC and the Research Nurse Coordinator, or alternate at least two weeks in advance, if unable to consult pm schedule days, preferably by email, but if that is not possible, by telephone. 4) This contract may be terminated with 30 days notice, given in writing, by either the contractor or the Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, NIDCR, NIH. And 5) the contractor will provide consulting services, as specified above. Reporting Requirements: The contractor will produce a hand-written or computerized record of the evaluations and procedures as required by the Medical Records Department, Clinical Center NIH. In additions, the contractor will enter and manipulate clinical data as assigned. The contractor will report all findings to the Chief of the SSC to assure the best patient care and alert him of any problems. Inspections: The work will be observed and reports will be evaluated at the discretion of the Chief of the Sjogren's Syndrome Clinic, or other NIDCR or Clinical Center professional staff as needed. The contractor will be paid monthly from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009 for not more than one and a half days per week. Payment will only be applied for days of service actually provided. The Contract period of performance is from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. The facility is located at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. The sole source determination is based on the fact that the contractor has the experience, knowledge and is familiar with the NIDCR ongoing protocol. An award to any other source for the continuation of this project would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirement. This requirement is classified under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, size standard $6.5 Million. The Small Business Set-Aside applies to this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties shall review the above requirements, and submit a statement of interest which shall include: 1) a firm fixed hourly price; 2) documentation of the capabilities of meeting the government's requirements; 3) at least three (3) references documenting successful past performance in meeting the Government's specifications; and 4) a proposed service plan. The proposals will be evaluated on the submission of the above documents. The proposal is due on May 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The proposal must also include the prompt payment discount terms, the Dun & Bradstreet number (DUNs), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the Offerors Business size. The offeror must be registered in the Government's Contractor Registry System. Note: www.ccr.gov. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract 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 future competitive procurement. Responses to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB{DE}-2008-126-CDM, may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Contracts Operations Branch, Procurement Section, Building RKL2, Suite 6042, Room 6149, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention Ms. Cecilia D. Morales, Contract Specialist. All responsible sources may submit a quotation, which if timely received, shall be considered by the agency.