This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. 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 newly formed Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD) is offering a unique, high-quality master's level program to enable healthcare researchers to grow their data science skills. The goal of this program is to cultivate the next generation of data science and bioinformatics professionals at CARD. Fellowship awardees will gain foundational knowledge in data analysis and data management through collaborative online, hybrid instruction and direct consultation with experts in the field. Beyond the coursework, Fellows will have the opportunity to utilize and refine new skills they have learned working with real data curated at CARD and its partner initiatives and ICs. Use of CARD data, or employment by CARD, is not a requirement for participation in the MPS. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is soliciting an organization to administer a Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) in Data Science Fellowship program. The program shall include application through a web portal that meets the graduate requirements through the regular admission process of the university and the MPS in Data Science. Application evaluation shall consist of student information, degree transcripts, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Admission decisions for the MPS will made by CARD and university data science staff. CARD will offer up to 4 fellowships per cohort. Purpose and Objectives: The contractor shall cultivate the next generation of data science and bioinformatics professionals. Fellowship awardees will gain foundational knowledge in data analysis and data management through collaborative online and hybrid instruction and direct consultation with experts in the field. Project requirements: Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government as needed to perform. The Contractor shall perform the following in order to establish and administer the MPS Fellowship Program: Establish application requirements, timelines, and reporting mechanisms Develop processes and standard operating procedures Develop, implement, and manage the fellowship website and application portal Manage data and prepare application package for submission to NIA Communicate with applicants and selected fellows Provide student support services with selected fellows Anticipated period of performance: The Government anticipates awarding an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with an ordering period of November 2021 – September 2025. Capability statement /information sought. Respondents must provide, as part of their response, a capability statement that clearly identifies information regarding: (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. Please note that NIA is particularly interested in small business sources. If you are a small business, please state the type of small business (small business; HUBZone; service-disabled, veteran-owned; 8(a); veteran-owned; woman-owned; or small disadvantaged businesses) and your size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. 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 in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirements 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) pages. 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. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted. The response must be submitted to Jeanette Russell, Contract Specialist , at e-mail address
[email protected]. The response must be received on or before July 13, 2021 at 9:00 am, 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 SAM.gov. 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).”