Tuition Payment - University College London / NIMH Joint Doctoral Program in Neuroscience

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 on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Station Support and Simplified Acquisitions (SSSA) Branch intends to solicit by a request for quotation from University College London for award on or around February 27, 2017. The purpose of this purchase order will be to provide the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of Fellowship Training with tuition payment for five eligible students for the doctoral program. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under NAICS code 923110. This acquisition is NOT set aside for small businesses. 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) 2005-95 dated January 13, 2017. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The mission of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. For the Institute to continue fulfilling this vital public health mission, it must foster innovative thinking and ensure that a full array of novel scientific perspectives are used to further discovery in the evolving science of brain, behavior, and experience. In this way, breakthroughs in science can become breakthroughs for all people with mental illnesses. The National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH) Office of Fellowship Training, Division of Intramural Research (DIRP), is responsible for the administration of two graduate programs: NIH-Karolinska Institute (KI) and the University College London (UCL)-NIMH Joint Doctoral Program in Neuroscience. The office facilitates the process for eligible candidates to interview and gain acceptance into either of the two doctoral programs. Additionally, the office oversees all of the administrative processes involved with bringing accepted candidates on as fellows using Non-FTE appointment mechanism. The KI and UCL-NIMH programs are designed such that students complete requirements for their Ph.D. degree in four years, spending half their time overseas at KI or UCL pursuing research and the remaining time in an NIMH lab continuing their thesis project. The degree is awarded by UCL or KI. Purpose and Objectives for the Acquisition: To fulfill this tuition request, the NIMH requires the following: - Payment of the UCL tuition for 5 students currently enrolled in the graduate training program. The tuition payment for five (5) current students in the University College London (UCL) doctoral program to cover the school year expenses, as a provision of the MOU agreement between NIMH and UCL, NIMH must provide a scholarship for fee support at the permitted level for overseas study by the Federal Government. - Payment of the UCL tuition for 5 students currently enrolled in the graduate training program. - Timely payment of these funds is necessary to ensure that the graduate students remain in good academic standing and the relationship with the academic institution is upheld. Anticipated period of performance: From date of award until the end of FY17 (September 30, 2017). 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, University College London is the only entity eligible for award. In accordance with FAR part 10, extensive market research was conducted to reach this determination. Specifically, a sources sought notice was posted to FedBizOpps referencing the above detailed requirements and no responses were received from other vendors. Additionally, contacts with knowledgeable individuals both in industry and Government, as well as reviews of available product literature, revealed no other sources. Finally, a review of the GSA Advantage, and Dynamic Small Business Search returned no results that meet all of the requirements. Therefore, only University College London is capable of meeting the needs for this requirement. The Intended Source Is: University College London 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, HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-NOI-17-155. Responses must be submitted electronically to Keshia McDonald, Contract Specialist, at keshia.mcdonald@nih.gov. U.S. Mail and Fax responses will not be accepted.