This Sources Sought Notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government. This notice is intended strictly for Market Research.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) is conducting a market survey to help determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and/or HUBZone small businesses capable of serving the needs identified below.

Background

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have established a collaborative relationship to enhance patient safety through the linking of digital images of prescription solid dosage form medications to the Structured Product Labeling (SPL) files and the substance information of those pharmaceuticals. The National Library of Medicine will use these images to create a resource for identification of pharmaceuticals through a search system. Software image processing of the digital images will aid in both of these objectives. Images created through this collaboration will be of a quality and resolution to support the objectives of this project and be a resource for further research.

Objectives

The National Library of Medicine will be seeking multiple contractors that shall 1) to implement a photography lab, at an FDA-provided location, capable of performing the imaging required for this project, 2) receive and photograph prescription and non-prescription solid dosage form medications (hereafter referred to as "samples") sent voluntarily by pharmaceutical manufacturers, or acquired by other methods which support the mission of the project those images, 3) to coorporate with FDA and NLM staff regarding disposal of the samples in an environmentally and legally appropriate manner.

Each Contractor shall have extensive knowledge required to execute the elements for which they are responsible. These areas include the following:

1.1 Macro photography
1.2 Computer control of photographic equipment
1.3 Microsoft Word 2003 (or later version)
1.4 Microsoft Excel 2003 (or later version)

Tasking will be performed primarily at the facility provide by the Food and Drug Administration located in Rockville, Maryland.

The proposed acquisition will be procured under FAR Part 12 in accordance with the policies and procedures under FAR Part 13- Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The period of performance will be for four months from the date of the award. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the National Library of Medicine. This Sources Sought notice is not a Request for Quotes (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available.

Interested firms responding to this sources sought notice must adhere to the following:

(a) Provide a capability statement demonstrating relevant experience, skills and ability to fulfill the Government's requirements for the above. The capability statement should contain enough sufficient detail for the Government to make an informed decision regarding your capabilities, however, the statement should not exceed 10 pages.

(b) The capability statement must identify the responder's small business type and size.

(c) All capability statements must be submitted electronically no later than 3:00pm eastern standard time on August 7, 2009 to Suet Vu [email protected].