Subject Matter Expert for Sunsetting the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Moonshot 1.0 Activities

1.0 DESCRIPTION The Office of the Director (OD) plans to procure services, on a sole source basis, from CN Consulting, LLC, 3134 Moss Hammock Wynd, Southport NC 28461. The response close date of the notice for this requirement is in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i); and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code is 541611 and the small business size standard is $24.5 million. It has been determined there are no opportunities to acquire green products or services for this procurement. 2.0 BACKGROUND The National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) in 2016 to provide recommendations for achieving the Cancer Moonshot's goal of accelerating progress in cancer research, now called the NCI Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The BRP was charged with assessing the state of the science in specific areas and identifying major research opportunities that could uniquely benefit from the support of the Cancer Moonshot and could lead to significant advances in our understanding of cancer and in how to intervene in its initiation and progression. The BRP final report was approved by the National Cancer Advisory Board in the fall of 2016 and included 12 scientific recommendations for implementation by the NCI. The recommendations span the continuum of cancer research from basic to clinical to population science and are focused on areas in which a coordinated effort could profoundly accelerate the pace of progress in the fight against cancer and were not intended to replace existing cancer programs, initiatives, and policies already underway. With the authorization of the 21st Century Cures Act in December 2016, that funded the NCI's Cancer Moonshot Initiative, the NCI established implementation teams that align with each of the BRP's 12 recommendations. To coordinate all implementation processes of the BRP recommendations, the NCI established several committees tasked with overseeing various responsibilities and scientific development of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The Cancer Moonshot Implementation Teams (CMITs) that develop initiatives designed to achieve the goals of the BRP recommendations and ultimately provide oversight and management of those initiatives selected for funding. The NCI Implementation Coordinating Committee (ICC) consisting of select membership from the CMITs is responsible for reviewing initiative concepts, recommending to NCI leadership which should proceed to full proposals, and reviewing initiative funding plans and annual progress reports. The third tier in the implementation process is the Implementation Steering Committee (ISC), which is a subset of NCI's Scientific Leadership, who ultimately review and approve the CMIT concepts for full initiative development and oversee the entire Moonshot budget. Since 2016, the requirement included a Subject Matter Expert (SME), which provided executive-level cancer bioscience expertise to assess the state of the science and identify major research opportunities for the Blue Ribbon Panel, its working groups, implementation of the Panel's recommendations, the ICC, CMITs, ISC and all related assessment of outcomes and progress from each group. The SME's involvement across the spectrum of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and the unique experience in providing executive-level cancer bioscience expertise brings a coordinated approach and continuity to the critical aspects of the ongoing efforts to fully implement the BRP recommendations. The SME provides unique insight through knowledge and experience in a former leadership role directing NCI's bioscience strategic planning, program development, and evaluation. 3.0 SCOPE The Subject Matter Expert services needed for this task are unique due to the specialized nature of the Cancer Moonshot 1.0 Initiative. This is a one-time effort of special funding to accomplish the goals of the Moonshot. To support continued growth, coordination and evaluation needs of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, the Office of the Director (OD) requires the services of a Subject Matter Expert with the combination of skills to advise and assist NCI OD in the continuation of all planning, coordination, evaluation, and closeout objectives necessary for the success of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. 4.0 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS/ AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS 4.1 Task 1: Planning and Coordination - Provide Subject Matter Expertise on required timelines and deliverables in support of all implementation of the Cancer Moonshot. - Provide Subject Matter Expertise to organize and coordinate all implementation activities and committee meetings and documents; - Attend virtual meetings of the NCI and provide meeting minutes to document decisions made by leadership. - Participate in expert committees and major meetings designed to address national program and science policy issues, as needed. 4.2 Task 2: Evaluation - Provide Subject Matter Expertise on research and analysis of Moonshot implementation activities, identity gaps, and recommend direction to the NCI, as appropriate. - Provide Subject Matter Expertise on strategic planning and visioning, management and strategy development, priority setting, and program assessment, to the implementation teams and the NCI, as needed. - Collect and analyze program data, report on research accomplishments, emerging trends, and impact of research on science, medicine, and public health, to the NCI, as needed. - Study other aspects of this topic and provide recommendations. 5.0 TYPE OF ORDER This is a firm fixed price purchase order. 6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Base Period: 12 months from the date of award. Option Period One: 12 months from the expiration date of the Base Period. 7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The services shall be performed at the Contractor's facility. 8.0 REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE All written deliverable products shall be submitted in draft format for review, comment and approval by the TPOC. Final copies of approved drafts shall be delivered to the TPOC within five (5) business days after receipt of the Government's comments. All written deliverables shall be sent electronically to the NCI Technical Point of Contact, (TBD), at award, in a Microsoft-compatible format, such as Microsoft Excel or text file unless approved by the TPOC in accordance with the following deliverable schedule: DELIVERABLE DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION / FORMAT REQUIREMENTS DUE DATE 1 Monthly Status Report: The SME shall submit to the COR documentation the efforts performed in the completion of each task in a detailed Monthly Status Report. It is expected that this report will include, but not be limited to: - SME Name and Address; - Agreement Number; - Report Date; - Period Covered by the Report; - Notable achievements; - Issues or obstacles impeding progress and recommended solutions; - Issues and resolutions; - Resource planning/status; and - Description of work completed and plans for next month. Quarterly, within 15 days of each month end 2 Final Report: The SME shall submit to the COR documentation the efforts performed in the completion of each task. It is expected that this report will include, but not be limited to: - SME Name and Address; - Agreement Number; - Report Date; - Resource and files status and location of storage; and - Description of final work completed 30 days prior to end of the period of performance 9.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE Pursuant to FAR clause 52.212-4, all work described in the SOW to be delivered under this contract is subject to final inspection and acceptance by an authorized representative of the Government. The authorized representative of the Government is the NCI TPOC, (TBD), who is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all services, materials, or supplies to be provided by the Contractor. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use information and communication technology (ICT), it shall be accessible to people with disabilities. Federal employees and members of the public who have disabilities must have access to, and use of, information and data that is comparable to people without disabilities. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with the applicable Section 508 requirements as set forth below, shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. Products, platforms and services delivered as part of this work statement that are ICT, or contain ICT, must conform to the Revised 508 Standards, which are located at 36 C.F.R. - 1194.1 & Apps. A, C & D, and available at https://www.access-board.gov/ict/ Per Section 508 and as mandated under HHS Policy for Section 508 Compliance and Accessibility of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) (07/2020) all documents or electronic files provided to the NIH NCI under contract must be conformant with Section 508 standards and accessible to persons with disabilities. Conformance shall be confirmed by use of material provided at HHS OS Factsheets & Reference Guides and verified through the use of the HHS Checklist Documents (WCAG 2.0 Refresh); in addition, contractors and vendors are encouraged to make use of the instructional materials and checklists at GSA Section 508.gov's Create Accessible Digital Products 10.0 UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CONTRACTOR To coordinate all implementation processes of the BRP recommendations, the NCI established several committees tasked with overseeing various responsibilities and scientific development of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The Cancer Moonshot Implementation Teams (CMITs) that develop initiatives designed to achieve the goals of the BRP recommendations and ultimately provide oversight and management of those initiatives selected for funding. The NCI Implementation Coordinating Committee (ICC) consisting of select membership from the CMITs is responsible for reviewing initiative concepts, recommending to NCI leadership which should proceed to full proposals, and reviewing initiative funding plans and annual progress reports. The third tier in the implementation process is the Implementation Steering Committee (ISC), which is a subset of NCI's Scientific Leadership, who ultimately review and approve the CMIT concepts for full initiative development and oversee the entire Moonshot budget. Since 2016, the requirement included CN Consulting, who provided executive-level cancer bioscience expertise to assess the state of the science and identify major research opportunities for the Blue Ribbon Panel, its working groups, implementation of the Panel's recommendations, the ICC, CMITs, ISC and all related assessment of outcomes and progress from each group. CN Consulting's involvement across the spectrum of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and the unique prior experience and expertise brings a coordinated approach and continuity to the critical aspects of the ongoing efforts to fully implement the BRP recommendations. CN Consulting provided unique insight through knowledge and experience in a former leadership role directing NCI's bioscience strategic planning, program development, evaluation and implementation for more than 2 decades, which continuation at that level of knowledge and expertise essential to accomplish the tasks of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Continuation at the level of knowledge and experience in designing processes to develop measurable research goals and outcomes for cancer biomedical research is crucial for continuance of programs within the Moonshot effort. CN Consulting develops models and collaborative approaches to shape key goals and inciteful directions to fully implement the BRP recommendations. CN Consulting services required for this task are critical that they continue due to the specialized nature of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and that the program is a one-time special funding to accomplish the goals of the Cancer Moonshot. CN Consulting has been historically responsible for coordinating NCI's efforts in administration, congressional reporting, DHHS/NIH/NCI policy, scientific evaluation and planning, and continuity of coordination of the annual By-Pass budget, which required an extensive knowledge of scientific organization and management utilizing their unique knowledge and skills in the aforementioned efforts. It is critical for CN Consulting to continue providing the same level of knowledge and skill throughout their role in overall management of the Cancer Moonshot program. In particular, during these final years of the Cancer 1.0 Moonshot, an extensive evaluation of the program is being undertaken. CN Consulting is playing an instrumental part in conceptualizing and implementing the evaluation strategy. The combination of skills in scientific coordination, planning and evaluation are necessary for the successful completion of the Cancer Moonshot and are unique to CN Consulting. Failure to continue at the current level would jeopardize the success of the Cancer Moonshot to meet its goals within the allotted time frame. 11.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a proposal or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. All responses and questions must be sent via email to the Contract Specialist, Dana Summons, at dana.summons@nih.gov by no later than 3:00 PM EST on May 15, 2024, (5/15/24). A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.gov. Reference: 75N91024Q00091 on all correspondence.