NOTICE OF INTENT to Sole Source 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: NIMH-21-004141 TITLE: Journal supplement to be published in AJPH, entitled “Addressing HIV-Related Intersectional Stigma and Discrimination to Improve Outcomes and Inform Public Health Efforts” 2. CLASSIFICATION CODE: 7630– Newspapers and Periodicals 3. NAICS CODE: 511120 – Periodical Publishers 4. RESPONSE DATE: July 19, 2021 at 3:00 PM EST 5. PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT: Michelle Cecilia
[email protected] Phone: (301) 827-7199 6. DESCRIPTION: INTRODUCTION THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION NON-COMPETITIVE (NOTICE OF INTENT) SYNOPSIS TO AWARD A CONTRACT WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME). The National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) for a journal supplement that will consist of up to 192 pages. The primary responsibility for the proposed work will reside with the AJPH editorial staff. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE and SET ASIDE STATUS The intended procurement is classified under 511120 – Periodical Publishers with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees. REGULATORY AUTHORITY This acquisition is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Contracts awarded using FAR Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6—Competition Requirements. FAR Subpart 13.106-1 (b) Soliciting from a single source provides that: For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, Contracting officers may solicit from one source IF the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name OR industrial mobilization). The resultant contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-06 dated June 10, 2021. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF REQUIREMENT 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. Although the proposed AJPH issue will be co-guest edited, the primary responsibility for the proposed work resides with the AJPH editorial staff. The issue will include up to 192 pages. All articles submitted for consideration for the Issue shall be peer reviewed according to the Journal’s normal standards. Editorial decisions will be made based on the Journal’s normal standards including merit, scientific validity, methodological rigor, quality and scope. The Editors-in-Chief retain overall editorial control of the issue content at all times. The Editors-in-Chief may request changes, corrections, rejections or withdrawals where articles do not meet Journal standards, both prior to and post-publication. The Journal shall be responsible for all communications with authors submitting manuscripts for publication in the Theme Issue. Articles shall be prepared according to the “Instructions for Authors” as detailed on the Journal’s website. Specific Requirements: • The co-guest editors will serve as lead organizers and co-editors of the special issue and will meet all of the responsibilities that this implies. They will be charged with inviting, preliminarily reviewing, and providing feedback from reviewers on papers relevant to the supplement topic. Delivery Date: Delivery is expected within 60 days of the award of the contract. Period of Performance: August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022 CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL OR OPEN COMPETITION (INCLUDING BRAND-NAME) DETERMINATION The determination by the Government to award a contract without providing for full and open competition is based upon the market research conducted. There is a critical need for a dedicated journal issue featuring commentaries, editorials, original research, and systematic reviews to: (1) highlight innovative theory and research on intersectional stigma/discrimination in the context of HIV; and (2) encourage readers, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to consider more fully the implications of the intersectional stigma for people living with and most affected by HIV and for the programs that serve them. In line the special section on intersectionality in the January 2021 AJPH issue as well as previous articles on the topic, intersectionality is a critical framework for public health and the AJPH provides the editorial staff to publish these works. The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) is dedicated to publication of original work in research, research methods, and program evaluation in the field of public health. The Journal also regularly publishes editorials and commentaries and serves as a forum for health policy analysis. The mission of the Journal is to advance public health research, policy, practice, and education. Each month, national and international public health professionals turn to AJPH for the most current, authoritative, in-depth information in the field. The goals of both the online and the print versions of the Journal, published monthly by the American Public Health Association, are (1) To publish the best scientific research in the field of public health, (2) To serve as a forum for diverse viewpoints on major public health issues and policies, (3) To promote diverse public health practice models, (4) To increase public and professional understanding of public health problems and their solutions through delivery channels relevant to different audiences and their needs, and (5) To work in concert with the 3 main priorities of the American Public Health Association, namely to develop universal coverage, eliminate health disparities, and rebuild the public health infrastructure. Open Choice enables access by anyone with an internet connection, immediately on publication. The intended source is: American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) APHA Headquarters APHA Headquarters 800 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 CLOSING STATEMENT THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The information received will normally be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to proceed on a non-competitive basis or to conduct a competitive procurement. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirement and include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, the delivery period after contract award, the prompt payment discount terms, the F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. 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 response is limited to ten (10) page limit. The 10-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number, NIMH-21-004141. Responses must be submitted electronically to Michelle Cecilia, Contract Specialist, at
[email protected]. U.S. Mail and fax responses will not be accepted.