Structured Assessment of Youth Psychopathology Using an Algorithmic Approach

INTRODUCTION THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Nquire Services Inc. for a Structured Assessment of Youth Psychopathology Using an Algorithmic Approach. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 541910 - Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling with a Size Standard of $16.5 million. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13'Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13'Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6'Competition Requirements. FAR Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source provides that: For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting officers may solicit from one source IF the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name OR industrial mobilization). The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-07 dated September 10, 2021. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience (SDAN) elucidates pathophysiological mechanisms underlying anxiety, depression, and related mood disorders. An in-depth and efficient assessment of clinical symptomatology is the key to this endeavor. The Section requires a system that uses an online platform to collect such data as to allow for efficient data accrual. The system must use an algorithmic approach to provide automated diagnostic information to clinicians, based on results from the general population. Moreover, the system must be secure and have a track record of efficiency in such setups and security. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: The Government will direct subjects to the Contractor's website so they can securely log in and complete clinical questionnaires and interviews. These shall be made available for up to 2,000 subjects. This data shall then be processed by the Contractor and the output shall be raw data on answers to questions and the results of the algorithmic processing of the raw data, a process through which probabilities of diagnosis are estimated on the basis of normative data from general population samples. The Contractor shall provide all that is necessary which is the weblink, username, and password. This will be needed for the subjects to be able to complete questionnaires online and for the Section to receive the data as described above within minutes of completion by the subject. The Contractor shall provide the following: A secured web platform for online login of each subject. Username and logins as required for each subject. Storage on Contractor's server for the de-identified data. The Contractor shall provide the storage for the whole duration of the contract and shall also provide the opportunity for the data download by SDAN for local storage. Transfer of data shall take place in monthly intervals and be determined by SDAN's needs. Several formats for transfer should be available, including Excel and SPPSS. The algorithmic processing of the clinical data collected, with an output of the results in Excel or SPPSS. An online platform that allows for the collection of basic demographic information from the main psychiatric disorders as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th version as well as any questionnaire or other material (e.g., open-ended comments) that is relevant to the work of SDAN. These will be collected in the form of a structured interview with spaces for open-ended comments. The capacity for data to be collected on multiple occasions per individual, with appropriate identification of the occasion and date on which the data have been collected. The capacity to add, delete, and modify any of the questionnaires provided. The capacity for members of SDAN to remove data from the server. The technical support required for members of SDAN to use the software platform with reasonable independence. Unlimited technical support for the set-up, maintenance and troubleshooting of the web secure platform, questionnaires, and data mentioned above. This technical support shall be available Monday to Friday within working hours. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The expected period of performance will consist of one (1) base year with two (2) one-year options. CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION The determination by the Government to award a contract without providing for full and open competition is based upon the market research conducted. Specifically, Nquire Services Inc. is the only vendor in the marketplace that can provide the services required by the NIMH. The intended source is: Nquire Services Inc. 440 N. Civic Dr. #206 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 CLOSING STATEMENT THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIMH-22-000912. Responses must be submitted electronically to Sarah Adan, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov and Robin Knightly, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.