EOC for Academic Drug Discovery Consulting Services

Federal Business Opportunities (FBO)SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE1. Solicitation Number: HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SS-2017-4832. Title: EOC for Academic Drug Discovery Consulting Services3. Classification Code: B - Special studies and analysis - not R&D4. NAICS Code: 541712 - Medical research and development laboratories or services5. Description:This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this

notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.Background: The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, a consortium of 15 NIH Institutes and Centers that support neuroscience research, established the NIH Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) as a pipeline between the typical endpoint of NIH-funded research and the beginning of industry drug development. The BPN provides neuroscience researchers with funding and access to a full range of industry-style drug discovery and development services and expertise.The BPN program is intended for projects requiring medicinal chemistry optimization and CRO support through phase I clinical testing. Each project is directed by a Lead Development Team composed of the principal investigator, industry consultants hired by NIH, and NIH staff. This team maps out a research strategy, including milestones, and oversees implementation by contract research providers. Bioactivity and efficacy studies are funded through an award to the principal investigator; other research services are provided without cost to the PI through NIH contracts.The BPN External Oversight Committee (EOC) was instituted in 2011 and will continue through 2027 or until all of the projects in the Network are completed. The NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) oversees the EOC. The EOC typically convenes monthly via web-enabled virtual meetings and teleconference calls. Additionally, the EOC meets once per year at NIH for a day long face to face meeting and on an ad hoc basis to evaluate BPN project specific issues. These additional meetings of the EOC are scheduled around EOC member availability and full participation in such scheduled events is expected.Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this requirement is to procure executive level small molecule drug discovery and development consultant services and expertise in Academic Drug Discovery center management to support the NIH Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network and associated BPN External Oversight Committee.Project requirements: The Contractor shall provide academic drug discovery center management consulting support services to the BPN EOC and NIH Leadership in relation to drug discovery and development programs as follows:• Apply executive level experience in small molecule drug discovery to provide recommendations regarding suitability and relevance of proposed BPN program milestones, recommend revised academic drug discovery milestones for BPN programs as needed, and evaluate project progress relative to established milestones.• Analyze opportunities and concerns for future BPN program and projects under consideration and provide expert insight into academic drug discovery center management.• Make executive level recommendations on potential solutions and assist in implementation of selected strategies to resolve programmatic challenges related to academic drug discovery and development as they arise.• Assist NIH BPN executive team and project leaders in scientific entrepreneurship, including but not limited to providing expert input on preclinical enablement of clinical first-in-human studies, and proof-of-concept, identifying and addressing recruitment challenges, and global regulatory regulations and guidelines, for continued development and improvement of the BPN programs• Provide feedback to assist in successful work towards scientific and business goals and aspirations of program projects• Participate in web-enabled virtual meetings and teleconference calls with BPN staff on both a monthly and an ad-hoc-as-required basis.Anticipated period of performance: The required period of performance is a one-year base period from July 7, 2017 through July 7, 2018 and four (4) subsequent one-year optional periods.Other important considerations: A Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order with Options to Extend the Term of the Contract is contemplated. The order shall be sourced via the Open Market and is not expected to exceed $150,000.Capability statement /information sought. Interested parties shall submit a capability statement that clearly addresses the ability to meet the needs of this requirement.Responses can include:• respondents' opinions about the difficulty and/or feasibility of the potential requirement or proposed acquisition, possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts;• information regarding respondents': (a) staff expertise, including their availability, experience, and formal and other training; (b) current in-house capability and capacity to perform the work; (c) prior completed projects of similar nature; (d) corporate experience and management capability; and (e) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information;• general information regarding the respondent's estimate or rough order of magnitude of the effort or time that may be required for completion of the work. (NOTE: This type of information may only be requested as part of an RFI. However, care must be exercised in requesting such information. Information requested must be: (a) necessary; (b) broad in scope; and (c) used for planning purposes only. Detailed estimates must not be requested.);The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2" x 11" paper size, with 1" top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.The information submitted must be must be in and outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.The response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.The response must be submitted to Keshia McDonald at e-mail address Keshia.McDonald@nih.govThe response must be received on or before 07/05/2017 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time."Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."Contact Information: Keshia McDonald, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-827-5301, Email keshia.mcdonald@nih.gov - Rachelle Trice, Contracting Officer, Phone 3015941928, Email rachelle.trice@nih.gov Office Address :6001 Executive BoulevardRoom 4211, MSC 9559 Bethesda MD 20892-9559 Location: National Institute on Drug Abuse Set Aside: N/A