Added: Apr 16, 2008 9:36 am
This is a notice of intent, not a request for a proposal. A solicitation document will not be issued and proposals will not be requested. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Station Support/Simplified Acquisition (SS/SA) Branch, on behalf of the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) intends to solicit, negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive basis with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland for development of an instrument for assessing mental health systems and services in more than 190 developing countries. Ten countries will be selected based on geographic representation as well as the ability and readiness of the countries to implement projects to improve the mental health systems of their countries based on WHO results. A detailed project proposal will be developed for each of the 10 selected countries. The plan will describe specific activities to be undertaken, responsibilities for carrying out these activities, and an estimate of the needed resources. The action plan will be developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the local and regional WHO Offices. The plan will include an identification of the resources needed for strengthening the mental health system and services according to the plan. The period of performance is 8 months.
The WHO is the international public health agency with years of experience working to improve health and living standards for people around the world. They conducted the original assessments of the status of 190 countries policies, services, resources, and personnel in mental health and published and widely distributed this information in a document titled, Atlas: Country Profiles on Mental Health Resources (2001). In addition, they have already identified collaborators in designated countries to work with them on this project and have received support for the project from both the WHO organization and Council and the Ministers of Health. They have both the credibility and expertise to carry out this project in all six WHO regions of the world.
Therefore based on the aforementioned facts, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements FAR 6.302-1. The Government intends to select and evaluate and award the offer that represents the best value to the Government, price and all other factors considered. The acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition FAR 13 and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Comments to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NOI486136 may be submitted to the NIDA, SS/SA Branch, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, MD 20892, Attention: Susan A. Nsangou, Contracting Officer.
