Added: Jun 24, 2008 3:23 pm
Sources Sought Announcement SS-NCI-TSB-2008-1
Title: Collection and Taxonomy of Shallow Water Marine Organisms
This Source Sought Notice (SS) is for information and planning purposes only
and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the
National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The purpose of this SS is to identify qualified small businesses concerns
[including 8(a), woman-owned, HUBZone, small disadvantaged, or servicedisabled
veteran-owned] that are interested in and capable of performing the
work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract on the basis
of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted.
As a result of this SS, the NCI may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP). THERE
IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a
requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of
a response to this SS or the NCI s use of such information as either part of our
evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent
requirement. If this project is advertised, it is anticipated that one (1) costreimbursement,
completion type contract will be awarded for a period of five (5)
years.
The National Cancer Institute is seeking qualified small business concerns
[including 8(a), woman-owned, HUBZone, small disadvantaged, or servicedisabled
veteran-owned] to provide support to NCI s Natural Products Branch
(NPB), Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP), Division of Cancer
Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), NCI. The NCI is seeking a contractor to
collect a substantial number of marine invertebrate samples for extraction and
subsequent screening for antitumor activity. This project is to continue the
exploration of marine organisms from the Tropics and other areas where unusual
habitats may have well evolved more specialized organisms and to use these
organisms as a source of potential new agents (pharmacophores) which can be
developed for the selective treatment of cancers in humans.
The target is to collect, taxonomically identify to species level, and to ship up to
450-500 samples per year (on average) over the five year contract term, of
marine invertebrates (which may include up to 10% of algae/cyanophytes) with
wet weights of roughly 1 kilogram each, in a frozen condition from the collection
sites to NCI-Frederick. In all collections, the major objective of the program is
that the collected species be from as wide a diversity of phyla and classes as is
possible.
The major collection areas will be the tropical and subtropical areas of the
World s oceans from sea level to ~50 meters. Collections from both niche areas
and from depths exceeding SCUBA depths of ~50 meters may be considered
provided scientific rationales and access to suitable equipment are acceptably
defined and realistically feasible. Collections may be performed by
subcontractors/consultants to the prime contractor. Due to uncertainties,
collections need not be performed in every year of the contract, but the
contractor must have the capacity and requisite expertise to collect,
taxonomically identify to species level, and to ship up to 450-500 samples per
year (on average) over the five year contract term.
Tailored Capability Statements shall demonstrate a clear understanding of all
tasks specified in the draft SOW. Tailored Capability Statements for this
requirement shall address the following ten (10) areas:
(1) Personnel. Quality and extent of the Principal Investigator's (PI) recent
experience, scientific accomplishments, qualifications for organizing this project,
and demonstrated leadership abilities must be addressed. The PI must be
experienced in the organization of collection programs, and should have at least
5 years of direct experience in marine invertebrate collection. The quality and
extent of scientific accomplishments and recent experience of the marine
invertebrate/plant taxonomists either accompanying the collection expeditions
and/or being responsible for the final complete identification of the specimens
obtained must be addressed. Marine taxonomists must be trained in marine
invertebrate taxonomy or a closely related field, preferably Ph.D. level (6 or more
first author papers in taxonomic journals showing their expertise in a specific
phylum/phyla) who will accompany field collections (or receive voucher samples,
etc.) in order to identify the collected species. The proposed Personnel shall
demonstrate that your organization has the necessary expertise to perform the
requirements of this project. Capability Statements must demonstrate that the
personnel experience stated in the Capability Statement occurred in conjunction
with projects comparable in size and complexity. Capability statements must
address the proposed personnel s knowledge of marine invertebrate fauna and
marine flora of the areas proposed for collection; process for sample collection,
preparation, packaging and shipment from Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceanic
areas; taxonomy; familiarity with governmental and local customs of people in the
projected collection areas; knowledge of the regulations and procedures
necessary for operating in the project areas, and for the legal export and
shipment of samples [including knowledge of the Convention on Biodiversity
[CBD] and Convention on International Transport of Endangered Species (CITES
Convention) and their potential impacts]; demonstrated ability to successfully
negotiate and collaborate with authorities and officials on behalf of the project in
the countries of collection; collective recent [within last three years] collection
experience; and availability of all key personnel.
(2) Selection of the collection areas with documented evidence of projected
collaborations with suitable governmental/local organizations in the regions
selected for collections, the timing and scope of the collections, integration with
later large-scale recollections, possible safety hazards, and the advanced
planning required.
(3) Detailed methodology of collecting, minimizing of duplicate species
collections, preparation of samples including storage, preservation of voucher
specimens, taxonomy, labeling and documentation including photography.
(4) Documented experience in shipping of samples and voucher specimens, and
submission of data to designated facilities. Explain process for deep freezing
samples within 4-6 hours of collection, maintaining samples in suitable conditions
prior to freezing, and maintaining a frozen state until delivered to repository in
Frederick, Maryland.
(5) Documented experience in complete identification of samples to species
level.
(6) Enforcement of rulings concerning collections for entities other than NCI.
(7) Documented individual and organizational experience in/with: diving safety;
evidence of rescue diving and resuscitation training/methods; diving safety
manual; evidence of specialized diving including decompression and/or
rebreather diving if collecting below 50 meters depth or experience/safety
concerns in using small manned submersibles. Specify guidelines on safety
procedures and precautions used by the organization in conducting collections
and handling hazardous materials and collections and equipment.
(8) Availability, adequacy and quality of facilities and equipment, including:
library specializing in information on marine flora and fauna of the projected
collection areas; collection, preparation, storage and shipment of samples and
voucher specimens; and identification of specimens.
(9) Effective organizational lines of authority and responsibility for each stage of
the project. Discuss knowledge of local government regulations and
requirements and your firm s contacts with government officials, marine biologists
and collectors that qualify your organization to undertake collections in these
areas.
(10) Suitability of contacts or relationships with government departments,
officials, institutes or agencies that would facilitate obtaining permits and
collecting specimens.
For information purposes, it is estimated that 8,346 direct labor hours of effort will
be required on a yearly basis.
A copy of the draft Statement of Work (SOW), which is subject to revisions, may
be accessed on the NCI Office of Acquisitions Website at URL:
http://rcb.nci.nih.gov/ . Once there, click on Current Requests for Proposals.
Under the section entitled Sources Sought, click on number SS-NCI-TSB-2008-1
entitled, "Collection and Taxonomy of Shallow Water Marine Organisms."
Interested parties are expected to review this notice and the draft statement of
work to familiarize yourself with the requirements of this project; failure to do so
will be at your firm s own risk.
Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored
capability statement for this requirement not to exceed twenty (20) single sided
pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single spaced, 12 point
font minimum) that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice
described above and in the draft SOW. All proprietary information should be
marked as such. Capability Statements should also include an indication of
current certified small business status [8(a), woman-owned, HUBZone, small
disadvantaged, or service-disabled veteran-owned]; which should be clearly
marked on the first page of your capability statement. Responses will be
reviewed only by NIH personnel and will be held in a confidential manner. In the
event a RFP is issued, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
code 541712 with a size standard of 500 employees is being contemplated.
Capability statements are due no later than 2:00 p.m. eastern prevailing time on
July 8, 2008. Please submit one (1) original and three (3) copies in either MS
Word, WordPerfect or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) of your response
to: Robin M. Irving, Contracting Officer, Treatment and Support Branch, Office of
Acquisitions, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, 244 Miller Drive,
Room 110, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201. If courier service is
used, the address is the same except delete P.O. Box B, 244 Miller Drive, Room
100 and replace with Building 244, Room 100. Facsimile responses will not be
accepted. Electronic responses, via e-mail, may be sent in either MS Word,
WordPerfect or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) format to Robin Irving,
Contracting Officer, at irvingr@mail.nih.gov. All responses, including electronic
responses, must be received at the NCI by the specified due date and time in
order to be considered.
NOTE: Fort Detrick is a secure military base. To ensure timely receipt of your
capability statement, please contact Robin Irving on (301) 228-4220 to schedule
in advance a specific date/time in order to deliver your capability statement. If
Ms. Irving is not available, please contact Tim Crilley on (301) 228-4224.
A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement as a setaside
based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the
Government.
Point of Contacts
Robin M. Irving, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 228-4220, Email
irvingr@mail.nih.gov
C. Timothy Crilley, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 228-4224, Email
tcrilley@mail.nih.gov
