Description
SOLE SOURCE AWARDSHORT-TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH BIOSECURITY IN ASIA Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service intends to award a sole source procurement to Robert Heckert Consulting, for technical assistance with the agricultural component for the Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) activities in Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines between USDA/ARS and the U.S. State Department (State). Through scientific cooperation in agricultural research, the ARS program will support the Department of State?s Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) Mission to: ? Reduce the potential for dual-use application of biological sciences and technologies, particularly by terrorists and proliferant states; ? Support U.S. efforts to counter biological terrorism; ? Improve international bioscience laboratory capacity to conduct infectious disease surveillance, diagnostics and control; ? Build science, technology and research sustainability; and ? Support long-term proliferation threat reduction. The contractor shall work with the USDA/ARS Office of International Research Programs (OIRP), with Asian regional organizations and research institutions, as well as State. TASKS The contractor shall: 1. Biosecurity in East and South Asia Assist in the development of three projects beneath the BEP in Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This includes: a. Design and oversee regional activities to support the BEP. Estimated level of effort: 180 hours. 1) Coordinate between USDA/ARS researchers and foreign PIs on the development of Animal Health projects, which may include targets such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, anthrax, Brucellosis, Melioidosis, foot and mouth disease and Japanese encephalitis 2) Deliverable: monthly report, due by end of each month, emailed to USDA on status of implementation of this project. b. Conduct technical assessments of potential partnering research institutions in Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Estimated level of effort 140 hours. 1) Conduct in-country site visits to determine suitability of potential partnering institutions on predetermined specific animal disease projects. 2) Conduct meetings with potential partnering principle investigators to determine capability to meaningfully participate in joint activities. 3) Deliverables: a. Technical assessments of both research institutions and prospective PIs due to USDA within 30 days of return of trip. 2. USDA BEP Technical Support Assist USDA/ARS/OIRP with technical reviews of its strategies and programs. a. Provide technical assistance in development of BEP biosafety strategy. Estimated level of effort: 40 hours. 1) Deliverables: a. Participation in 1-2 strategic planning meetings in Washington, DC during 2007. b. Assist USDA/ARS scientists to develop appropriate BEP documentation. Estimated level of effort: 200 hours. 1) Review project documents to become familiar with program 2) Participate in meetings with USDA, State, project management, and other evaluation team members at start of evaluation; 3) Coordinate drafting of formal project recommendations to State. 4) Deliverables: a. Participation on technical development meetings in the Washington area and overseas site visits; b. Project recommendation report delivered to USDA within 30 days of completion of final meetings and/or travel. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of this contract will be 7/1/07 through 6/30/08, and not to exceed one year. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The tasks outlined above will occur predominantly at the contractor?s home location with the exception of the specified meetings in Washington, DC, Asia, and other overseas locations to be determined as necessary to execution of these tasks. This will entail both domestic and international travel. REPORTING The contractor will submit the reports specified in the deliverables above to OIRP, with copies to State. PAYMENT TERMS The contractor shall bill monthly.