Toxicology Services

The U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity (USAHCA), Health Readiness Contracting Office (HRCO), Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) - Fort Sam Houston, Texas intends to award a Cost Reimbursement-No Fee contract on a sole source basis to National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC, 20418-0007. The requirement is to obtain non-personal services to provide expert opinion advice and consultation to the Department of Defense (DoD) on the matter of toxicology and related issues by reviewing available literature, reports, and data culminating in a report to the DoD. The purpose of this contract is to obtain surveys, analysis and studies from leading experts in the field of Toxicology and related fields, as ordered by the Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The contractor will provide scientific support services in the form of a standing Committee on Toxicology (COT) and a Toxicology Information Center (TIC). A detailed description of the requested services is provided below: i. Evaluation of toxicity information: This service provides for an analysis of the quality and value of toxicological information. The COT and its staff will assemble and organize data and provide bibliographies for wide-ranging toxicologically related subjects requested by the sponsor. The COT and its staff will assess the appropriateness and applicability of the data in the individual studies to the problems identified in specific requests from the sponsors. Since the time frame of response will vary from subject to subject, the COT will notify the sponsor within 30 days of receipt of the request of the time that it is expected to respond to a specific request. ii. Toxicological advice: The forte of the National Research Council is its capacity to assemble groups of leading scientific experts to deliberate issues. The COT has functioned well in this capacity for more than 60 years. The scope of its work has expanded considerably in recent years, and is reflected in the wide expertise of the current membership. The COT is composed of internationally known experts in toxicology, medicine, occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, immuno-toxicology, pharmacokinetics, biochemistry, pharmacology, inhalation toxicology, neurotoxicology, epidemiology, and risk assessment. When needed, the COT also has been able to call upon additional scientists with expertise in particular areas to provide added strengths as appropriate. iii. Toxicology analysis: The role of the COT will be the in-depth analyses of requests for toxicological advice, including specialized safety evaluations for military personnel. The COT will plan symposia and workshops to consider specific topics of interest to the DoD which will result in proceedings or reports. The products of the COT's deliberations will be technical reports which are formally peer reviewed prior to transmittal to the sponsors. iv. Toxicology information collection: Collect and maintain toxicity information from published and unpublished sources on a wide variety of substances to which humans are exposed, occupationally and environmentally. v. Toxicology Coordination: Assist in coordination of toxicology programs within the sponsoring agencies. vi. Information Source: Serve as a medium of exchange; of toxicity information among the sponsors and between the sponsors and the scientific community. The resultant contract will have a 5-year ordering period from 29 September 2019 to 28 September 2024. The HRCO intends to solicit and negotiate only with the National Academy of Sciences under the authority of 10 United States Code 2304(c)(1) as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A solicitation will not be published. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency if received by 12:00 PM CDT on Monday, August 19, 2019. The HRCO reserves the right to amend this notice if needed. The Contracting Officer is Dawn Simington, (210) 221-3154, email: dawn.e.simington.civ@mail.mil. The Contract Specialist is Nicole H. Dorsey, (210) 221-4220, email: nicole.h.dorsey.civ@mail.mil.