**[NOTICE TO OFFERORS]{.underline}**

This solicitation is being processed under a Partnership Agreement (PA)
between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Small
Business Administration (SBA), under which the SBA has delegated to HHS,
authority to enter into 8(a) contracts directly with eligible 8 (a)
firms. The PA implements innovative and effective methodology designed
to streamline the acquisition process for awards under the 8 (a)
program.

Any solicitation and subsequent awards processed under the referenced
PA, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality will make the award
directly to the 8 (a) firm. SBA will not be signatory to the award
resulting from this solicitation. SBA will, however, retain
responsibility for 8 (a) certification, administer other eligibility
related issues under the 8 (a) program, approval of Novation agreements
submitted by the 8 (a) participant, and be available to 8 (a) firms for
counseling and assistance.

If you have any questions pertaining to the PA, please contact:

Debbie Ridgely

Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Department of Health and Human Services

Phone 202-690-7300

Fax 202-260-4872

E-Mail: debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov

OMB 0990-0115

**PART I - THE SCHEDULE** Request for Proposal

**SECTION A - SOLICITATION FORM** No. AHRQ-05-0003

(FORMERLY AHRQ-04-0007)

Date Issued: July 1, 2004

Date Questions Due: July 22, 2004

Date Proposals Due: August 17, 2004

Time Due: 12 noon local time

You are invited to submit a proposal to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) for Request for Proposal (RFP) No.
AHRQ-04-0007, entitled "Technical, Analytical and Logistical Support for
the Office of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations."
Your proposal must be developed and submitted in accordance with the
requirements and instructions of this RFP. A single award is
anticipated.

***[NOTICE OF 100% 8(a) SET ASIDE:]{.underline}*** This requirement is
set aside for competition among 8 (a) eligible concerns only (see cover
sheet) under NAICS Code 541611. 8 (a) concerns may enter into
subcontract arrangements with other businesses but the restrictions of
FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, which requires that at
least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel be
expended for employees of the 8 (a) concern will apply to this
requirement.

A performance based cost-plus-award-fee, incrementally funded contract
is contemplated for a four year period of performance with one option
year. You are expected to respond with technical and pricing proposals
for the entire period of performance. In addition to a cumulative cost
proposal, the offeror must submit separate cost proposals for each year
of the proposed contract.

If you intend to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation,
please inform the Contracting Officer of your intent by completing the
Proposal Intent Response Form (Attachment 5 to this solicitation) and
send it to the Contracting Officer no later than August 2, 2004. You may
send it to the address below or fax it to 301-427-1740.

It is your responsibility to monitor the web site where the RFP will be
posted to learn about any amendments to the solicitation. The RFP and
any amendments will be posted on two web sites. One is the Federal
Business Opportunities web site:
[www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/) and the other is AHRQ's
web site: [www.ahrq.gov](http://www.ahrq.gov/).

Offerors shall submit the following:

A.  Technical Proposal (See Section L.8) **Original and 12 copies**

B.  Past Performance Information (See Section L.9) **Original and 7
    copies**

C.  Business Proposal (See Section L.11) **Original and 7 copies**

Your proposal must provide the full name of your company, the address,
including county, Tax Identification Number (TIN), DUN and Bradstreet
No., and if different, the address to which payment should be mailed.

**YOUR ATTENTION IS CALLED TO THE LATE PROPOSAL PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN
SECTION L.3 OF THIS RFP. YOUR ATTENTION IS ALSO DIRECTED TO THE
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN SECTION L.8 OF THE
SOLICITATION.**

Questions regarding this solicitation shall be received in this office
no later than July 22, 2004 (See Section L.6). Your questions should be
submitted to the attention of Jessica Alderton, Contracting Officer,
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville,
Maryland 20850 and the envelope should be marked "Proposal Questions RFP
No. AHRQ-04-0007**." [Discussions with any other individual outside the
Division of Contracts Management, may result in rejection of the
potential offeror's proposal]{.underline}.**

The proposal shall be signed by an authorized official to bind your
organization and must be received in our Contracts Office no later than
**12 noon**, local prevailing time, on **August, 17 2004**. Your
proposal must be mailed to the following address:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

Hand carried proposals may be dropped off at the above location.
However, please allow ample time as proposals cannot be accepted until
they have gone through security. We will not be held responsible for any
delays that may be incurred getting your proposal through security.

NOTE: The U.S. Postal Service's "Express Mail" [does not]{.underline}
deliver to our Rockville, Maryland address. Packages delivered via this
service will be held at a local post office for pick-up. [The Government
will not be responsible for picking up any mail at a local post
office]{.underline}. If a proposal is not received at the place, date,
and time specified herein, it will be considered a "late proposal."

The RFP does not commit the Government to pay any cost for the
preparation and submission of a proposal. It is also brought to your
attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can
legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in
connection with the proposed acquisition.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2001-16, all
contractors must be registered in the central contractor registration
(CCR) database in order to conduct business with the government \[See
Section I -  FAR clause 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (OCT
2003), Alternate 1 (Oct 2003)\] .  As stated in paragraph (h) of this
clause, additional information can be obtained at
[http://www.ccr.gov](http://www.ccr.gov/) or by calling 1-888-227-2423,
or 269-961-5757.

Requests for any information concerning this RFP should be referred to
Jessica Alderton,

\(301\) 427-1783.

Sincerely,

Jessica Alderton

> Contracting Officer, Contracts Management
>
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

**[TABLE OF CONTENTS]{.underline}**

**[PART I]{.underline} [Pages]{.underline}**

Notice to Offerors 1

Section A Solicitation 2-3

Table of Contents 4

Section B Supplies or Services & Prices/Costs 5-8

Section C Description/Specification/Work Statement 9-20

Section D Packaging and Marking 21

Section E Inspection and Acceptance 21

Section F Deliveries or Performance 22-24

Section G Contract Administration Data 25-27

Section H Special Contract Requirements 28-35

**[PART II]{.underline}**

Section I Contract Clauses 36-40

**[PART III]{.underline}**

Section J List of Attachments 41

**[PART IV]{.underline}**

Section K Representations and Instructions 42-61

Section L Instructions, Conditions & Notices to Offerors 62-79

Section M Evaluation Factors for Award 80-82

**[Attachments]{.underline}**

1\. Performance Requirements Summary

2\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form

3\. SF LLL-A, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

4\. HHS Credit Release Form

5\. Proposal Intent Response Sheet

**[SECTION B-SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS]{.underline}**

**B.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES**

> "Technical, Analytical and Logistical Support for the Office of
> Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations." See Section
> C for a complete description.

**B.2. ESTIMATED COST**

**Note:** The Government estimates the cost of this procurement at
approximately \$8,000,000 inclusive of all fees for the 4 year period.

> a\. The estimated cost (exclusive of fees) for performance of the work
> under this four (4) year contract, including direct and indirect costs
> is \$ (TO BE NEGOTIATED)

b.  The fixed fee for this contract is \$ (TO BE NEGOTIATED). The fixed
    fee shall be paid in installments based on the percentage of
    completion of work, as determined by the Contracting Officer.
    Payment shall be subject to the withholding provisions of the Clause
    ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT and FIXED FEE incorporated herein.

c.  The maximum amount of award fee that may be earned for this contract
    is \$ (TO BE NEGOTIATED). Award fee earned shall be based upon an
    evaluation and determination by the Government as to the
    Contractor's level of performance in accordance with the following
    procedures:

    1.  The Contractor's performance shall be evaluated on a
        seimi-annual basis, during the performance of the contract. The
        award periods and maximum amounts for each are listed in Section
        H, Special Contract Requirements, H.1 Performance Evaluation and
        Award Fee.

    2.  The criteria set forth in the Performance Requirements Summary,
        Attachment 1, shall be used to evaluate the Contractor's
        performance.

    3.  The Contractor further agrees that the final determination as to
        the amount of Award Fee earned will be made by the Contracting
        Officer, taking into consideration an analysis and evaluation of
        the Contractor's performance made by the Evaluation Group
        described in Section H.1, and shall not be subject to the terms
        of the "Disputes" clause of this contract. The Contractor shall
        be advised in writing of the decision setting forth reasons why
        the Award Fee was earned or why it was not earned, in order that
        the Contractor may improve its performance during the next
        six (6) month period, if the latter is applicable.

    4.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this contract, the fee
        for performing this contract shall not exceed the statutory
        limitations prescribed in the first sentence of Section 304(b)
        of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act (41 USC
        254(b)) for services other than research, development or
        experimental work.

    5.  Authorization to claim and be reimbursed for award fee under
        this contract will be accomplished by a signed Contracting
        Officer's Authorization (COA) letter, issued when the award fee
        is determined to be due. The COA letter shall set forth the
        amount of award fee to be paid and shall indicate the
        performance period evaluated. Upon receipt of the COA letter,
        the Contractor may submit a public voucher for payment of the
        total award fee earned for the period evaluated. Payment of the
        award fee shall be subject to the withholding provision of the
        clause entitled "Fixed Fee."

d\. The Government's maximum obligation, represented by the sum of the
estimated cost plus the fixed fee and award fee obtainable for the
contract period is as follows:

(TO BE NEGOTIATED)

+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| Period of     | Estimated   | Fixed    | Maximum     | Total       |
|               |             | Fee      |             | Estimated   |
| Performance   | Cost        |          | Award Fee   |             |
|               |             |          |             | Cost Plus   |
|               |             |          |             | All         |
|               |             |          |             |             |
|               |             |          |             | Fees        |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| Year 1        |             |          |             |             |
|               |             |          |             |             |
| 10/01/04 --   |             |          |             |             |
| 09/30/05      |             |          |             |             |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| Year 2        |             |          |             |             |
|               |             |          |             |             |
| 10/01/05 --   |             |          |             |             |
| 09/30/06      |             |          |             |             |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| Year 3        |             |          |             |             |
|               |             |          |             |             |
| 10/01/06 --   |             |          |             |             |
| 09/30/07      |             |          |             |             |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| Year 4        |             |          |             |             |
|               |             |          |             |             |
| 10/01/07 --   |             |          |             |             |
| 09/30/08      |             |          |             |             |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
| TOTAL         |             |          |             |             |
+---------------+-------------+----------+-------------+-------------+

e\. Total funds currently available for payment and allotted to this
contract are \$(TO BE NEGOTIATED) of which \$ (TO BE NEGOTIATED)
represents the estimated cost, and of which \$(TO BE NEGOTIATED)
represents the fixed fee and \$(TO BE NEGOTIATED) represents the award
fee pool.

f\. It is estimated that the amount currently allotted will cover
performance of the contract through (TO BE NEGOTIATED) .

g\. The Contracting Officer may allot additional funds to the contract
without the concurrence of the Contractor. For further provisions on
funding, see the LIMITATION OF COST/LIMITATION OF FUNDS and the
ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT (AND FIXED FEE) clauses incorporated herein.

h\. COST AND PAYMENT (AND FIXED FEE) clauses incorporated into this
contract.

**B.3 OPTION PERIOD**

In the event that the option period is exercised, the total estimated
cost, fixed fee and award fee will be increased by the following
amounts:

(TO BE NEGOTIATED)

+--------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------------+
| Period of    | Estimated  | Fixed      | Maximum     | Total       |
| Performance  |            |            |             | Estimated   |
|              | Cost       | Fee        | Award Fee   | Cost Plus   |
|              |            |            |             | All Fees    |
+--------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------------+
| Option Year  |            |            |             |             |
|              |            |            |             |             |
| Year 5       |            |            |             |             |
|              |            |            |             |             |
| 10/01/08 --  |            |            |             |             |
| 09/30/09     |            |            |             |             |
+--------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------------+

**B.4 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DIRECT COSTS**

a\. Items Unallowable Unless Otherwise Provided Notwithstanding the
clauses, ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT, and FIXED FEE, incorporated into
this contract, unless authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer,
the costs of the following items or activities shall be unallowable as
direct costs:

\(1\) Acquisition, by purchase or lease, of any interest in real
property;

\(2\) Rearrangement or alteration of facilities;

\(3\) Purchase or lease of any item of general purpose-office furniture
or office equipment regardless of dollar value. (General purpose
equipment is defined as any items of personal property which are usable
for purposes other than research, such as office equipment and
furnishings, pocket calculators, etc.);

\(4\) Accountable Government property (defined as both real and personal
property with an acquisition cost of \$1,000 or more, with a life
expectancy of more than two years) and \"sensitive items\" (defined and
listed in the Contractor\'s Guide for Control of Government Property,
1990, regardless of acquisition value;

\(5\) Travel to attend general scientific meetings;

\(6\) Foreign Travel;

\(7\) Any costs incurred prior to the contract\'s effective date;

\(8\) Rental of meeting rooms not otherwise expressly paid for by the
contract;

\(9\) Any formal subcontract arrangements not otherwise expressly
provided for in the contract

> \(10\) Consultant fees in excess of \$500/day; and

\(11\) Information Technology hardware or software.

> b\. This contract is subject to the provisions of Public Law (P.L.)
> 99-234 which amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to
> provide that contractor costs for travel, including lodging, other
> subsistence, and incidental expenses, shall be allowable only to the
> extent that they do not exceed the amount allowed for Federal
> employees.
>
> The Contractor, therefore, shall invoice and be reimbursed for all
> travel costs in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
> 31.205-46.

**[SECTION C/ STATEMENT OF WORK]{.underline}**

SECTION C

**DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT**

**1.** **[Background]{.underline}**

1.1. The Public Health Service Act was amended in 1989 to add Title IX,
which provided for the establishment of the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) The purpose of AHRQ is to enhance the
quality, appropriateness, and effective­ness of health care services
through the establishment of a broad base of scientific research and
through the promotion of improvements in clinical practice and in the
organizing, financing, and delivery of health care services.

1.2. The Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority
Populations (OEREP) is charged with the support of the research and
research training grant programs and intramural research programs of
AHRQ by: (1) serving as the central point within AHRQ for coordinating,
communicating and analyzing policies, procedures, and priorities
regarding the extramural grant research program and providing liaison
with relevant external organizations such as the National Institutes of
Health (NIH); (2) planning, managing, and evaluating AHRQ's extramural
research education activities, such as the National Research Service
Award (NRSA) institutional and individual postdoctoral fellowship grants
and dissertation grants; (3) directing the scientific review process for
research grant applications and Small Business Innovative Research
(SBIR) contract proposals, the receipt of applications from the NIH, and
the referral of applications to AHRQ research offices and centers; and
(4) research integrity issues, research ethics training, and managing
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and activities for intramural
research.

1.3 To support the peer review process, several review groups have been
chartered, including the following:

! Health Services Research Initial Review Group (IRG).

--- Health Systems Research Subcommittee (HSR).

--- Health Care Technology and Decision Sciences Subcommittee (HCTDS).

--- ­Health ­­Research Dissemination and Implementation Subcommittee
(HRDI).

--- Health Care Quality and Effectiveness Research Subcommittee (HCQER).

--- Health Care Research Training Subcommittee (HCRT).

! Special Emphasis Panel (SEP).

Members of these groups advise and make recommendations to the
Secretary, DHHS and the Director­, AHRQ, with regard to the scientific
and technical merit of grant applications submitted to AHRQ to carry out
research, research training, applications submitted in response to
special requests, and policy studies. Each IRG/SEP operates under the
guidance of a Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) and Grants
Management Specialist (GMS), the responsible Government official.

1.4 Types of applications which investigators generally submit for
review include: R01 (re­search project grant application); U01
(cooperative agreements); R03 (small research grants); R36 (applications
for dissertation support); R13 (tradition­al small and large conference
grant requests to support national meetings, conferenc­es, workshops,
agenda/priority setting meetings); R18 (research demonstration and
dissemination projects); F32 (individual postdoctoral National Research
Service Award); T32 (institu­tional pre- and postdoctoral research
training in health services research); R25 (Education Projects); K
awards (Research Scientist Education Awards); and SBIR (small business
innovative research proposals to support research and development at
small business concerns). In selected instances (e.g., in response to a
Request For Applications (RFA), investigators may submit applications
for research project-cooperative agreements support­ing a discrete,
specified, circum­scribed project.

1.5 Membership of each IRG subcommittee includes approximately 18-25
persons, primarily from across the U.S. The five AHRQ subcommittees meet
regularly three (3) times per year for 2-3 days, generally in the
Washing­ton, DC, metropoli­tan area. Review rounds generally occur in
May/June, September/Octo­ber, and January/February); and selected members
of the SEP meet irregular­ly for specified solicita­tions (e.g., ­Requests
for Applications and­­ SBIR contract proposals­). The SEP may include up to
300 persons per year; however, only a selected number of these
individuals meet at any one time (e.g., 5-30 persons per meeting).
Groups of individ­uals who are members of the SEP may meet consecutively
or concurrently, or overlap to review different sets of applications.
SEP meetings typically run for 2-3 days.

1.6 OEREP is charged with coordinating responsibilities, processes, and
procedures for developing, codifying, and communicating extramural
research grants policies and evaluating their implementation and
effects. Additionally, technical assistance efforts are intended to
assist program staff in understanding the requirements of extramural
grant programs and junior and new investigators in understanding the
rigors of scientific peer review. OEREP plans to conduct three to four
offsite technical assistance workshops per year. The workshops will
usually be conducted in the Washington, DC, area for 15 to 60 persons.

1.7. OEREP is charged with coordinating responsibilities, processes, and
procedures in educating AHRQ staff about ethical research, research
integrity/responsible research, and human subjects protections.
Education and training are intended to assist program staff in
understanding the requirements of human subjects protection and research
integrity/responsible research for Federally funded intramural research.
OEREP plans to conduct four to five education/training events per year.
The workshops will usually be conducted at AHRQ for 12 to 50 persons per
event.

1.8. OEREP is charged with coordinating responsibilities, processes, and
procedures for review by an appropriately registered Institutional
Review Board (IRB) for all intramural research.

OEREP expects to require approximately 100 IRB reviews per year. Each
review must be conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal
regulations (45 CFR 46), and appropriate documentation must be
maintained and transmitted promptly to AHRQ and the Office of Human
Research Protections (OHRP), Office of the Secretary, DHHS, as required.

To support the IRB process, specific processes, procedures, forms and
documents will need to be developed, prepared for distribution;
maintained, and updated as necessary.

**2. [Purpose]{.underline}**

The purpose of this contract is to provide technical, analytic, and
logistical support services to OEREP in furtherance of its mission to
oversee AHRQ\'s initial review processes; to facilitate ethics review
procedures and education for intramural research; and to facilitate
general OEREP communication and analytic responsibilities. As directed
by the Project Officer, the Contractor shall (1) prepare appropriate
substantive pre-meeting information and background materi­als and manage
the logisti­cal, administrative, and other support required to conduct
regularly scheduled IRG meet­ings (five subcommittees/three times per
year); ad hoc reviews conduct­ed by the SEP; project site visits; new IRG
member orienta­tions; and study section members' annual meeting; (2)
facilitate and provide logistical support for education/training events;
(3) provide technical, analytic, administrative, and logistical support
for the provision of intramural Institutional Review Board processes,
procedures, and reviews; (4) assist in administrative and paper
management functions for the intramural IRB activities, as required; and
(5) provide support for other irregularly scheduled meetings.

Perfor­mance on this contract will require a thorough under­standing of
DHHS/AHRQ grant and contract review regula­tions, the peer review process
and its implementa­tion, the Institutional Review Board Process, and
Federal reim­bursement policy.­

In addition, because of the need for close interaction with the AHRQ
Project Officer and other technical staff, the lead Contractor staff,
including staff responsible for IRB activities, must be located within 1
hour from AHRQ headquarters.

**3.** **[Statement of Work]{.underline}**

3.1 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 Statement of Work as described in the following
sections.

3.2 The major tasks required for this contract are outlined as follows:

-   [Task 1]{.underline}- Project Orientation.

-   [Task 2]{.underline}- Provide Technical and Logistical Support for
    IRG/SEP Meetings.

-   [Task 3]{.underline}- Provide Technical and Logistical Support for
    Extramural Research

Workshops.

-   [Task 4]{.underline}- Prepare Summary Statements for IRG/SEP
    Reviews.

-   [Task 5]{.underline}- Prepare Analytic Reports.

-   [Task 6]{.underline}- Provide Technical and Logistical Support for
    Education/Training Events.

-   [Task 7]{.underline}- Provide Technical and Logistical Support for
    IRB Reviews.

-   [Task 8]{.underline}- Provide Project Reporting.

3.3 The above tasks and accompanying subtasks are described below.

**TASK 1- PROJECT ORIENTATION**

[Subtask 1.1- Meet with Project Officer]{.underline}

The Contractor shall meet with the Project Officer (PO) and other AHRQ
staff within 5 working days from the effective date of the contract to
refine the understanding of the purpose and scope of the contract, key
deliverables, and roles and responsibilities. Key Government and
Contractor staff will be introduced, communication channels will be
discussed, and relevant background materials will be identified.

It is expected that the Contractor's lead staff will attend this
meeting, including the Project Manager and staff members responsible for
IRG and IRB activities.

[Subtask 1.2- Review Relevant Background Materials]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall review relevant background materials obtained
> from the Project Officer, AHRQ Web site, and other sources.

[Subtask 1.3- Prepare Work Plan]{.underline}

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a detailed work plan within 10
working days from the effective date of the contract. The work plan
shall describe all planned activities (tasks), deliverables, schedules,
staffing, any anticipated problems, and recommended solutions.

The Contractor shall revise the draft and submit the final work plan
within 5 working

days after receiving the Project Officer's comments.

**TASK 2- PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR IRG/SEP
MEETINGS**

> The Contractor shall perform the following activities in support of
> IRG/SEP meetings.

[Subtask 2.1- Arrange Hotel Accommodations]{.underline}

The Contractor shall arrange hotel accommodations for non-Federal
IRG/SEP members.­ Rooms for non-Federal IRG/SEP members shall be paid for
by the Contractor. Rooms will be blocked for Federal reviewers, but will
not be paid for by this contract. The Grants Management Specialist (GMS)
will provide the Project Officer with a roster of reviewers who will
attend each meeting; the Project Officer will provide the Contractor
with a copy of each roster. The Contractor shall provide a copy of each
roster to the hotel. All reviewers are responsible for guaranteeing
their hotel room by faxing a registration form provided to them in the
logistics information back to the Contractor.

[Subtask 2.2- Arrange for Conference Room Facilities]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall arrange conference room facilities in the
> Gaithersburg-Rockville-Bethesda area, as directed by the Project
> Officer. The Project Officer will provide the annual schedule of
> meeting dates and recommended sites for meetings. IRGs generally
> schedule meetings 1 year in advance. The SEP will meet periodically at
> irregular intervals.

On-site support shall be provided by the Contractor for the morning of
each day of the meeting. (Meetings are generally 2-3 days.) A phone
shall be provided in the meeting room for incoming and outgoing calls.
Two flip charts shall be available in each meeting room. Morning and
afternoon refreshments shall be provided. The Contractor shall establish
a direct relationship with the hotel staff, and shall be available to
handle any issues that may arise at each meeting. In cases where the
meeting is held at AHRQ, the Contractor shall be responsible for
securing a caterer to provide beverage refreshments for the morning and
afternoon, lunch for the reviewers, and clean up at the end of the
meeting. The cost of the meals for non-Federal IRG/SEP reviewers shall
be paid for by the Contractor, and the Contractor shall deduct the cost
of the meal from the reviewers' per diem. Meals shall not be paid for by
the Contractor for Federal reviewers. Federal reviewers will be
responsible for paying for their meals at the meeting.

[Subtask 2.3- Arrange Shuttle Service]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall secure shuttle service for the reviewers to and
> from hotel, in cases when the meeting is being held at AHRQ. On the
> last day of the meeting, the Contractor shall arrange for limo/taxi
> service for reviewers to be transported to the airport/metro, etc.

[Subtask 2.4- Identify Travel Agency]{.underline}

The Contractor shall identify and secure, with approval from the Project
Officer, a travel agency that reviewers will use to make travel
arrangements. The Contractor shall obtain approval by the Project
Officer for any flight that exceeds \$700. The GMS or Grants Technical
Assistant (GTA) will provide a roster of reviewers attending each
meeting to the Project Officer. The Project Officer will provide a copy
of each roster to the Contractor, who in turn, shall provide the roster
to the travel agency.

[Subtask 2.5- Provide Logistics and Information Pertaining to
Reimbursement]{.underline}

The Contractor shall provide information explaining the Government
regulations for reimbursement for the reviewers for each meeting. The
Contractor shall pay all necessary consultant fees, upon approval from
the Project Officer, for all non-Federal IRG/SEP reviewers within 30
working days of receipt of a complete and accurate voucher. Travel and
per diem costs must be in accordance with current Federal Travel
Regulations. All requests for rental cars must be approved in writing by
the Contracting Officer prior to the rental of the car. Such approval
will be made only when it is advantageous to the Government, or in
unusual circumstances, such as if a reviewer has a physical handicap.

> The Contractor shall provide to the Project Officer a status report
> two weeks prior to each meeting indicating who has made travel and
> hotel arrangements for the meeting. The Contractor will contact the
> reviewer/s who have not made arrangements to inform them that they
> need to do so.

The Contractor shall reimburse for ground transportation and parking
expenses for non-Federal IRG/SEP reviewers in accordance with Federal
Travel Regulations. Non-Federal IRG/SEP reviewers who travel by
privately-owned vehicle shall be reimbursed at the current
Government-paid cost per mile, not in excess of the applicable air/train
travel rate. It is expected that in the majority of cases, the
Contractor shall have prepaid travel and lodging expenses for reviewers.

[Subtask 2.6- Provide Meeting Administrative and Logistical
Support]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall provide all necessary pre-meeting, meeting, and
> post-meeting
>
> logistical support. This in­cludes, but is not limited to: from
> original materials provided by the Project Officer, preparation of
> folders for IRG/SEP members and any special reviewers invited to
> partici­pate at the review meeting; copying of meeting agenda,
> guidelines for review, workshee­ts, schedule of reviews, reim­bursement
> materials, con­flict of inter­est forms, voting sheets, and other
> pertinent support­ing documents required for re­view; assuring
> appropriate arrangement of confer­ence room (meeting table, additional
> tables and chairs for AHRQ staff, extra materials, and boxes for
> discarding grant application review materials); copying and
> distribu­tion of handout materials for visitors (e.g., worksheets,
> ros­ters, agendas, schedules of review, seating plans); and preparation
> of tent name cards.

[Subtask 2.7- Provide Support for Site Visits]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall provide all necessary support (similar to that
> described in (Subtasks 2.1-2.6) for periodic project site visits
> (PSV). The Contractor should assume three site visits per year.
> Project site visits may take place in diverse locations throughout the
> United States, and may involve varying numbers of individ­uals (e.g.,
> three) from the IRG/SEP or special reviewers re­quired for review­­. The
> Project Officer will provide the date, location, and names of project
> site visitors as soon as possible after the IRG/SEP meeting. Travel
> arrangements, reimbursement, and logistical arrangements (such as
> rental of a small conference room in the hotel for an executive
> session of site visitors) are the responsibility of the Contractor.
> The actual site visit occurs at the applicant institution or his/her
> designated site; the grant applicant has responsibility for site
> selection and relevant meeting preparation.

[Subtask 2.8 - Provide Support for Orientation Meetings]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall [p]{.underline}rovide support (similar to that
> described in Subtasks 2.1-2.6)
>
> for 1-3 orientation meeting(s) for new study section members
> (potentially 15-25 individu­als). Such meetings generally will be held
> at AHRQ, or may take place in conjunction with other ongoing
> professional meetings, project site visits, or other official travel.
> The meetings are not expected to exceed 1 day. The Contractor shall
> duplicate and prepare orientation materials as requested by the
> Project Offi­cer. These materials may include, but are not limited to,
> meeting folders, grant appli­cation kits, slides, and trans­parencies.
>
> [Subtask 2.9- Provide Support for AHRQ Annual Meeting]{.underline}
>
> The Contractor shall provide support (similar to that described in
> Subtasks 2.1-2.6) for one AHRQ annual meeting, to be determined
> annually. Potentially 50-100 individuals will attend the meeting.
> Meeting attendees will typically be members of the review groups. The
> meeting will take place in the Washington, DC, area and possibly will
> be held in conjunction with the subcommittee meetings. The meetings
> are expected to last 1-2 days.

[Subtask 2.10- Provide Reimbursement for Special Reviews]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall reimburse non-Federal persons who will be
> preparing and submitting approximately 50 written collateral/field
> reviews (\$100 per review) or non-competing continuation reviews (\$50
> per review) per year. Collateral/field reviews are supplementary
> reviews that may be requested for certain applications.

[Subtask 2.11- Prepare Annual Reports of IRG/SEP Activities]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall prepare annual reports of IRG/SEP activities,
> which are required by the General Services Administration GSA) and
> DHHS­, following guidance provided by the Project Officer. The
> Contractor shall also prepare and distribute annual tax forms for
> reviewers in accordance with the IRS regulations.
>
> **TASK 3- PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR EXTRAMURAL
> RESEARCH WORKSHOPS**
>
> The Contractor, as directed by the Project Officer, shall arrange
> conference room facilities in the Washington, DC, area for workshops
> in support of AHRQ extramural research activities. Up to three
> workshops will be conducted each year with up to 50 attendees. These
> workshops could involve a range of attendees, including, but not
> limited to, junior and new investigators from the extramural research
> community, as well as Federal program staff. Topics would be selected
> by AHRQ and could involve new areas of research, process for
> submitting grant applications, nature of peer review processes , etc.
> It is expected that these workshops will not exceed 1 day.
>
> Support required of the Contractor for these workshops would be
> similar to that described in Subtasks 2.1-2.6.

**TASK 4- PREPARE SUMMARY STATEMENTS FOR IRG/SEP REVIEWS**

[Subtask 4.1- Provide List of Candidate Writers]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall provide to the Project Officer a list of writers
> experienced in writing summary statements and other Government
> evaluations and reports. Specifically, the Contractor shall provide a
> list of names of experienced, professional writers to draft,
> collectively, up to 150 summary statements per year. Potential summary
> statement writers shall have a working knowledge of scientific and
> health-related fields and a familiarity with general health services
> research. They should have demonstrated experience in producing
> written materials in related scientific, service provider, and public
> health fields.
>
> Within 5 working days of the Project Officer's request, the Contractor
> shall attach for each potential writer listed a complete resume (CV),
> documenting relevant writing experience, including samples of prior
> summary statements or related work. The Project Officer must approve
> all proposed writers.

[Subtask 4.2- Attend Meetings]{.underline}

> Writers shall attend orientation meetings with OEREP staff or grant
> application review meetings or both as determined by the Project
> Officer. A CD Rom containing the applications and reviewer guidance
> will be provided to the writers. The Project Officer will provide the
> required format which writers must follow along with other pertinent
> guidance related to the preparation of summary statements.

[Subtask 4.3- Prepare Summary Statements]{.underline}

> Summary statements shall be prepared from three written reviews per
> application. The assembled written reviews combined with the
> application abstract will be electronically transmitted to the writer.
> Summary statement writers must summarize the salient points of the
> review of each application, including a synthesis of the discussion at
> the meeting. The draft summary statements shall be prepared in the
> prescribed format provided by the Project Officer: resume,
> description, critique, investigators, facilities and resources,
> budget, human subjects and priority populations. The draft summary
> statements shall be submitted electronically.
>
> Writers shall submit, within 5 working days after the review and on
> all subsequent working days, a minimum of three draft summary
> statements for the Project Officer\'s review and approval in order to
> ensure that summary statements meet the qualitative requirements
> established by OEREP.
>
> All summary statements must be completed in final form and submitted
> electronically, incorporating all changes and corrections requested by
> the Scientific Review Administrator (SRA) and Project Officer, no
> later than 30 working days following the IRG/SEP meeting.

[Subtask 4.4- Monitor and Coordinate Work of Writers]{.underline}

> The Contractor shall be responsible for supervising, monitoring, and
> coordinating the work of the writers; and shall ensure that the
> specified time schedules, summary statement specifications, and other
> related support activities conform to specification, are complet­ed on
> time, and reflect high quali­ty.
>
> The privileged nature of the information in grant applications demands
> that the Contractor adhere to strict rules regarding confidentiality
> of information and take appropriate action to guaran­tee
> confidentiality.
>
> The Contractor shall not identify to anyone outside of the immediate
> contract project team the identity of any reviewer, or any applicant,
> or any information contained in an application. Applications are
> Government property and are provided to the Contractor for the sole
> purpose of preparing summary statements.
>
> The Contractor shall protect the contents of each application from
> unauthorized use, duplication, and disclosure and agrees not to use
> this information to compete or perform in the future on any Government
> or non-Government contract or grant.

**TASK 5- PREPARE ANALYTIC REPORTS**

The Contractor shall prepare two analytical reports per year, following
guidance provided by the Project Officer. It is expected that such
reports may provide statistics, indicators and analyses of grant
applications and awards, IRG/SEP activities, and other extramural
research activities.

> **TASK 6- PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR
> EDUCATION/TRAINING EVENTS**

The Contractor shall conduct and provide all necessary logistical
support for four to five education/training events per year. These
events will address research ethics, research integrity/responsible
research, and human subjects protections. Education and training are
intended to assist program staff in understanding the requirements of
human subjects protection and research integrity/responsible research
for Federally funded intramural research. The events will usually be
conducted at AHRQ, Eisenberg Conference Center, for 12 to 50 persons per
event. Attendees will be AHRQ staff. The events will typically not
exceed 1 day.

[Subtask 6.1- Conduct Substantive Training]{.underline}

The Contractor shall provide personnel expert in the areas of research
ethics, research integrity/responsible research, and human subjects
protection to conduct the training. It is envisioned that the Contractor
may choose to subcontract with an organization expert in these areas to
deliver the training.

[Subtask 6.2- Provide Logistical Support for Education/Training
Events]{.underline}

The Contractor shall provide logistical support similar to that
described in Subtask 2.6. It is expected that this will include:

! Preparation of training agenda.

! Preparation of invitation letters.

! Preparation of name cards.

! Organization and duplication of training materials.

! Arrangement of training room and audio visual equipment.

! Coordination with AHRQ facilities manager.

! Coordination with substantive training staff.

! Development, administration, and compilation of results of a training
evaluation/feedback form.

**TASK 7- PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR IRB REVIEWS**

The Contractor shall provide or subcontract for Institutional Review
Board (IRB) services for review of intramural research by coordinating
the necessary processes and procedures for review by an established,
accessible, professional, independent IRB, registered with the Office of
Human Research Protections (OHRP), Office of the Secretary, DHHS.

OEREP expects to require approximately 100 IRB reviews per year. Each
review must be conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal
regulations (45 CFR 46), and appropriate documentation must be
maintained and transmitted promptly to AHRQ and OHRP, as required. The
Contractor shall facilitate, expedite and assist this process, as well
as conduct the actual IRB reviews.

[Subtask 7.1- Conduct IRB Reviews]{.underline}

The Contractor must include an established, professional, independent
IRB to perform the actual IRB reviews. The IRB must be OHRP-registered.
The Contractor must be prepared for the IRB to review 100 research
protocols per year. The IRB performing the IRB reviews must be approved
by AHRQ.

[Subtask 7.2- Facilitate and Assist the IRB Process]{.underline}

To facilitate, expedite and assist the IRB process, the Contractor shall
develop and assist in the implementation of specific processes,
procedures, forms and documents to support efficient workflow. Some
forms will be for internal AHRQ use only, while some will need to be
prepared for electronic distribution. All will need to be maintained and
updated as necessary. Examples of Contractor support include: (1)
development of a form for summarizing information about the research
protocol for transfer to a cover sheet used by the IRB; (2) development
of a mechanism for tracking the flow of work, e.g., submission of
information to the IRB, completion of IRB review, IRB request for
additional information, preparation of IRB report, etc; and (3)
development of current reports and responses to requests from AHRQ on
the status of individual IRB reviews, number of reviews at various
stages of completion, etc.

As part of this subtask, the Contractor shall develop and submit
recommendations for improving the IRB process, as appropriate.

[Subtask 7.3- Prepare Annual Report on IRB Operations]{.underline}

The Contractor shall prepare and submit an annual report on IRB
operations, providing information on volume and workflow of activities,
following guidance provided by the AHRQ Human Protections Administrator
through the Project Officer. This report could include such information
as the number of IRB reviews conducted by AHRQ office/center, principal
investigator, or other variables; number of reviews involving requests
for additional information; number of new and continuing review
protocols reviewed; time to complete IRB reviews, etc.

**TASK 8- PROVIDE PROJECT REPORTING**

[Subtask 8.1- Prepare Monthly Progress Reports]{.underline}

The Contractor shall prepare and submit monthly progress reports
beginning 6 calendar weeks after the effective date of the contract and
every month thereafter. These letter-type reports shall include the
following:

! Activities and deliverables in the prior month and planned activities
for the upcoming month.

! Amount of time worked by each project team member.

! Summary of reviewer reimbursement activities by review committee.

! Brief description of actions taken to obtain the lowest travel cost
possible.

! Problems encountered and how they were (or will be) resolved.

! Summary of the status of funds (amount expended- monthly and
cumulatively, and amount remaining).

The reports shall be submitted within 10 working days from the end of
the month.

[Subtask 8.2- Prepare Draft Final Report]{.underline}

Not later than 30 working days before the contract expiration date, the
Contractor shall submit to the Project Officer for review and comment
two copies of a Draft Final Report. Appended materials may be attached
as appropriate. The report shall include a summary of work accomplished;
an evaluation of facilities; major problems encountered during the
contract period; and recommendations to avoid such problems in the
future.

The Contractor shall incorporate the Project Officer\'s comments on the
draft report and prepare the final report. The Contractor shall deliver
two copies of the Final Report to the Project Officer and one to the
Contracting Officer not later than 10 working days before the expiration
of the contract

**[SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING]{.underline}**

Not Applicable

**[SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE]{.underline}**

**E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE**

a\. The contracting officer or the duly authorized representative will
perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be
provided.

b\. For the purpose of this SECTION the Government Project Officer is
the authorized technical representative of the contracting officer.

c\. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**E.2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)**

> This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the
> same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request,
> the Contracting [Officer]{.underline} will make its full text
> available.

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

52.246-5 Inspection of Services-Cost Reimbursement (April 1984)

> **[SECTION F - PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY
> SCHEDULE]{.underline}**

**F.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)**

> This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the
> same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon
> request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

**FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES**

**FAR Clause No. Title and Date**

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989)

Alternate I (APRIL 1984)

**F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE**

> The Government anticipates the period of performance shall begin on or
> about October 15, 2004 and run through October 16, 2008 with one
> option year (if exercised) from October 15, 2008 through October 16,
> 2009.

**F.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE**

> The items specified for delivery below are subject to the review and
> approval of the Project Officer before final acceptance. The
> Contractor shall be required to make revisions deemed necessary by the
> Project Officer.
>
> The Contractor shall produce the following scheduled
> reports/deliverables in the amount, and within the time frame
> indicated. Deliverables shall be submitted to the Project Officer,
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road,
> Rockville, MD 20850. Draft deliverables are those submitted to the
> Project Officer for review. Final deliverables are those incorporating
> changes requested by the Project Officer.
>
> The Contractor shall submit the following items in accordance with the
> stated delivery schedule:

+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| **DELIVERABLE**   | **S      | **S      | **Q       | **DELIVERY    |
|                   | ECTION** | UBTASK** | UANTITY** | DATE**        |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Meeting with PO   | 3.3      | 1.1      |           | 5 working     |
|                   |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | effective     |
|                   |          |          |           | date          |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Draft Work Plan   | 3.3      | 1.3      | 5         | 10 working    |
|                   |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | effective     |
|                   |          |          |           | date          |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Final Work Plan\* | 3.3      | 1.3      | 5         | 5 working     |
|                   |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | receipt of PO |
|                   |          |          |           | comments      |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRG/SEP Reviewer  | 3.3      | 2.5      |           | Not later     |
| Reimbursement     |          |          |           | than 30       |
|                   |          |          |           | working days  |
|                   |          |          |           | after receipt |
|                   |          |          |           | of complete   |
|                   |          |          |           | and accurate  |
|                   |          |          |           | voucher       |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRG/SEP Meeting   | 3.3      | 2.6      | 1         | Draft: 15     |
| Packets           |          |          |           | working days  |
|                   |          |          |           | prior to      |
|                   |          |          |           | meeting.      |
|                   |          |          |           | Final: 3      |
|                   |          |          |           | working days  |
|                   |          |          |           | prior to      |
|                   |          |          |           | meeting       |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Collateral        | 3.3      | 2.10     |           | Not later     |
| Reviewer          |          |          |           | than 30       |
| Reimbursements    |          |          |           | working days  |
|                   |          |          |           | after receipt |
|                   |          |          |           | of complete   |
|                   |          |          |           | and accurate  |
|                   |          |          |           | voucher       |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Annual Report of  | 3.3      | 2.11     | 1         | 10 working    |
| IRG/SEP           |          |          |           | days after PO |
| Activities        |          |          |           | request       |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRS 1099 Tax      | 3.3      | 2.11     | 1         | Not later     |
| Forms             |          |          |           | than February |
|                   |          |          |           | 5 of each     |
|                   |          |          |           | year          |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| List of Summary   | 3.3      | 4.1      | 1         | 15 working    |
| Statement Writers |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           |               |
|                   |          |          |           | publication   |
|                   |          |          |           | of Request    |
|                   |          |          |           | for           |
|                   |          |          |           | Applications  |
|                   |          |          |           | (RFA)         |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Summary Statement | 3.3      | 4.1      | 2         | 5 working     |
| Writer Resumes    |          |          |           | days after PO |
| and Work Samples  |          |          |           | request       |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Three Draft       | 3.3      | 4.3      | 1         | Beginning 5   |
| Summary           |          |          |           | working days  |
| Stat              |          |          |           | after IRG/SEP |
| ements/Writer/Day |          |          |           | review        |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Final Summary     | 3.3      | 4.3      | 1         | 30 working    |
| Statements        |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | IRG/SEP       |
|                   |          |          |           | review        |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Analytical        | 3.3      | 5        | 1         | To be         |
| Reports           |          |          |           | determined    |
|                   |          |          |           | (TBD)         |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Training and      | 3.3      | 6.2      | TBD       | TBD           |
| Educational       |          |          |           |               |
| Materials         |          |          |           |               |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRB Letter of     | 3.3      | 7.1      | 1         | 2 working     |
| Determination     |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | IRB review    |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRB Review Forms  | 3.3      | 7.2      | TBD       | TBD           |
| and Procedures    |          |          |           |               |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRB               | 3.3      | 7.2      | TBD       | TBD           |
| Administrative    |          |          |           |               |
| System Workflow   |          |          |           |               |
| Tools             |          |          |           |               |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| IRB Annual        | 3.3      | 7.3      | TBD       | TBD           |
| Report\*          |          |          |           |               |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Monthly Progress  | 3.3      | 8.1      | 2         | 10 working    |
| Reports\*         |          |          |           | days after    |
|                   |          |          |           | end of month  |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Draft Final       | 3.3      | 8.2      | 2         | 30 working    |
| Report            |          |          |           | days before   |
|                   |          |          |           | end of        |
|                   |          |          |           | contract      |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+
| Final Report\*    | > 3.3    | > 8.2    | 3         | 10 working    |
|                   |          |          |           | days before   |
|                   |          |          |           | end of        |
|                   |          |          |           | contract      |
+-------------------+----------+----------+-----------+---------------+

**\* The Contracting Officer shall also receive [one copy]{.underline}
of each deliverable denoted by an asterisk.**

Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, MD 20850

Attention: Jessica Alderton

**[SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA]{.underline}**

**G.1 KEY PERSONNEL**

> Pursuant to the Key Personnel clause incorporated in Section I of this
> contract, the following individual(s) is/are considered to be
> essential to the work being performed hereunder:

[NAME]{.underline} [TITLE]{.underline}

**(TO BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)**

> The clause cited above contains a requirement for review and approval
> by the Contracting Officer of written requests for a change of Key
> Personnel reasonably in advance of diverting any of these individuals
> from this contract. Receipt of written requests at least 30 days prior
> to a proposed change is considered reasonable.

**G.2 PROJECT OFFICER**

> The following Project Officer(s) will represent the Government for the
> purpose of this contract:

**(TO BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)**

> The project officer is/are responsible for: (1) monitoring the
> contractor\'s technical progress, including the surveillance and
> assessment of performance and recommending to the contracting officer
> changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and
> any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical
> evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and
> acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the
> resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.
>
> The contracting officer is the only person with authority to act as an
> agent of the Government under this contract. Only the contracting
> officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the
> statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3)
> change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the
> contractor of any costs incurred during the performance of this
> contract; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this
> contract.
>
> The Government may unilaterally change its Project Officer
> designation.

**G.3 INVOICE SUBMISSION**

a\. INVOICE SUBMISSION

> Billing Instructions are attached and made part of this contract.
> Instructions and the following directions for the submission of
> invoices must be followed to meet the requirements of a \"proper\"
> payment request pursuant to FAR 32.9, and must be in accordance with
> the General Provisions clause 52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003).

Invoices/financing requests shall be submitted in an original and three
copies to:

Contracting Officer

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

**G.4 INFORMATION ON VOUCHERS**

\(1\) The Contractor agrees to include the following minimum information
on vouchers:

\(a\) Contractor's name and invoice date;

\(b\) Contract Number;

\(c\) Description and price of services actually rendered;

\(d\) Other substantiating documentation or information as required by
the contract;

\(e\) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and complete
mailing address or responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;
and

\(f\) The Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Identification Number.

\(2\) The Contractor shall furnish the following [minimum]{.underline}
information in support of costs submitted:

\(a\) [Direct Labor]{.underline} - include all persons, listing the
person's name, title, number of hours or days worked, the total cost per
person and a total amount of this category;

\(b\) [Fringe Costs]{.underline} - show rate, base and total amount as
well as verification/allowability or rate changes (when applicable);

\(c\) [Overhead or Indirect Costs]{.underline} - show rate, base and
total amount as well as verification/allowability or rate changes (when
applicable);

\(d\) [Consultants]{.underline} - include the name, number of days or
hours worked, a total amount per consultant and a total amount for this
category;

\(e\) [Travel]{.underline} - include for each airplane or train trip
taken the name of the traveler, date of travel, destination, the
transportation costs including ground transportation, shown separately,
and per diem costs. Other travel costs shall also be listed. A total
amount for this category shall be provided;

\(f\) [Subcontractors]{.underline} - include for each subcontractor, the
same data that is being provided for the prime contractor. A total
number for this category shall be provided.

\(g\) [Data Processing]{.underline} - include all non-labor costs, i.e.,
computer time, equipment purchase, lease or rental, data tapes, etc. A
total amount for this category shall be provided.

\(h\) [Other]{.underline} - include a listing of all other direct
charges to the contract, i.e., office supplies, telephone, equipment
rental, duplication, etc.

\(i\) [Equipment Cost]{.underline} - itemize and identify separately
from material costs including reference to approval in all cases;

\(j\) [G&A]{.underline} - show rate, base and total as well as
verification/allowability of rate changes (when applicable); and

\(k\) [Fee]{.underline} - show rate, base and total.

\(3\) Payment shall be made by:

PSC Finance

Parklawn Building, Room 16-23

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, Maryland 20857

Telephone Number (301) 443-6766

**G.5 INDIRECT COST RATES and FEE**

> In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR
> Chapter 1) Clause 52.216-7(d)(2), [Allowable Cost and
> Payment]{.underline}, incorporated by reference in this contract, in
> Part II, Section I, the primary contact point responsible for
> negotiating provisional and/or final indirect cost rates is the
> cognizant contracting official as set forth in FAR Subpart 42.7 -
> Indirect Cost Rates.
>
> Reimbursement will be limited to the rates and time periods covered by
> the negotiated agreements. The rates, if negotiated, are hereby
> incorporated without further action of the contracting officer.

**G.6 ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER**

> Pursuant to FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer -
> Central Contractor Registration (OCT 2003), the Contractor shall
> designate a financial institution for receipt of electronic funds
> transfer payments. This designation shall be submitted, in writing, to
> the finance office designated in the contract.

**SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS**

**H.1 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND AWARD FEE**

**1. [Performance Evaluation Factors]{.underline}**

The Government will evaluate the following factors of the Contractor's
performance:

  ----------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------
  **Performance Factor**                          **Related SOW  **Weight**
                                                  Tasks**        

  1\. Provide Technical and Logistical Support    Task 2         30
  for IRG/SEP Meetings                                           

  2\. Prepare Summary Statements for IRG/SEP      Task 4         15
  Reviews                                                        

  3\. Provide Support for Extramural Research     Task 3 & Task  10
  Workshops and Analytic Reports                  5              

  4\. Provide Technical and Logistical Support    Task 6         15
  for Education/Training Events                                  

  5\. Provide Technical and Logistical Support    Task 7         20
  for IRB Reviews                                                

  6\. Project Management                          Task 1 & Task  10
                                                  8              
  ----------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------

**2. [Performance Requirements Summary]{.underline}**

Attachment 1 summarizes the performance standards and Government
surveillance methods for each of the above performance factors.

3.  **[Award Fee Plan]{.underline}**

([Note to Offerors]{.underline}: The Government anticipates a
Cost-Plus-Award Fee (CPAF) contract to result from this solicitation. In
this type of contract, the Contractor will receive a small base fee. In
addition to the base fee, award fee will be tied to the evaluation of
specific products and services in accordance with Exhibit 1- Performance
Requirements Summary, presented above.

The Agency's decision to pay or not to pay Award Fee in no way alters
the Contractor's responsibilities to perform any services or produce any
deliverables required by this contract. The Agency's decision to pay or
not to pay Award Fee in no way alters the Agency's obligation to pay the
Contractor for satisfactory deliverables in accordance with this
contract.

Award Fee is available for services and products identified below.

> **Annual Amounts Available for Award Fee (to be evaluated
> semi-annually):**

**Each Contract Year**

+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| **          | **%  | **Award    | **Award  | **Award   | **Award   |
| Performance | of   | Evaluation | for      | for**     | for**     |
| Evaluation  | A    | Unac       | Eval     |           |           |
| Factor**    | ward | ceptable** | uation** | **Eva     | **E       |
|             | Fee  |            |          | luation** | valuation |
|             | Po   | Rating     | **Satisf |           | Outs      |
|             | ol** | score of   | actory** | **Exceeds | tanding** |
|             |      | below 60   |          | Expec     |           |
|             |      | reduces    | 60-79    | tations** | 90-100    |
|             |      | Base Fee   | score    |           | score     |
|             |      | by 50% for |          | 80-89     |           |
|             |      |            | 40%      | score     | 100%      |
|             |      | rating     |          |           |           |
|             |      | period.    |          | 80%       |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Provide     | 30%  |            |          |           |           |
| Technical   |      |            |          |           |           |
| and         |      |            |          |           |           |
| Logistical  |      |            |          |           |           |
| Support for |      |            |          |           |           |
| IRG/SEP     |      |            |          |           |           |
| Meetings    |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Prepare     | 15%  |            |          |           |           |
| Summary     |      |            |          |           |           |
| Statements  |      |            |          |           |           |
| for IRG/SEP |      |            |          |           |           |
| Reviews     |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Provide     | 10%  |            |          |           |           |
| Support for |      |            |          |           |           |
| Extramural  |      |            |          |           |           |
| Research    |      |            |          |           |           |
| Workshops   |      |            |          |           |           |
| and         |      |            |          |           |           |
| Analytic    |      |            |          |           |           |
| Reports     |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Provide     | 15%  |            |          |           |           |
| Technical   |      |            |          |           |           |
| and         |      |            |          |           |           |
| Logistical  |      |            |          |           |           |
| Support for |      |            |          |           |           |
| Education   |      |            |          |           |           |
| and         |      |            |          |           |           |
| Training    |      |            |          |           |           |
| Events      |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Provide     | 20%  |            |          |           |           |
| Technical   |      |            |          |           |           |
| and         |      |            |          |           |           |
| Logistical  |      |            |          |           |           |
| Support for |      |            |          |           |           |
| IRB Reviews |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+
| Project     | 10%  |            |          |           |           |
| Management  |      |            |          |           |           |
+-------------+------+------------+----------+-----------+-----------+

On a semi-annual basis, the Contractor's products and services will be
evaluated in terms of the above six performance factors by an Award Fee
Evaluation Group (AFEG). The AFEG will consist of the Government Project
Officer, the Contracting Officer or his/her designee, and, as
appropriate, other Government officials selected by the Project Officer
(depending on specific expertise) and approved by the Contracting
Officer.

Each member of the Award Fee Evaluation Group will evaluate the
Contractor's performance against the performance standards of quality
and timeliness listed in Exhibit 1.

A numerical rating scale of 0 to 100 will be used. The scale is defined
as follows:

  ------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -----------
  **Definition of Rating**             **Adjective    **Numerical   **Fee %**
                                       Rating**       Rating**      

  **[Outstanding]{.underline}**-       Outstanding    90 - 100      100%
  Contractor's performance exceeds                                  
  standards by substantial margin; the                              
  performance monitor can cite few                                  
  areas for improvement, all of which                               
  are minor.                                                        

  **[Exceeds                           Exceeds        80 - 89       80%
  Expectations]{.underline}**-         Expectations                 
  Contractor's performance exceeds                                  
  standards, and although there may be                              
  several areas for improvement, these                              
  are more than offset by better                                    
  performance in other areas.                                       

  **[Satisfactory]{.underline}**-      Satisfactory   60 -- 79      40%
  Contractor's performance is                                       
  generally satisfactory, and areas                                 
  for improvement are approximately                                 
  offset by better performance in                                   
  other areas.                                                      

  **[Unacceptable]{.underline}**-      Unacceptable   Below 60      Base Fee
  Contractor's performance is less                                  Reduced by
  than standards by a substantial                                   50%
  margin, and the performance monitor                               
  can cite many areas for improvement                               
  which are not offset by better                                    
  performance in other areas.                                       
  ------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -----------

Each member of the AFEG will give each performance factor a numerical
rating, and those ratings will be averaged. An average score of less
than 60 (Unacceptable) will result in a reduction in the base fee of 50%
for the performance factor for the rating period. An average score of
60-79 (Satisfactory) will result in award of 40% of the Award Fee for
the performance factor. An average score of 80-89 (Exceeds Expectations)
will result in award of 80% of the Award Fee, and an average of 90-100
(Outstanding) will result in award of 100% of the Award Fee for the
performance factor. **The Award Fee determinations are not subject to
the disputes clause.**

**H.2 RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIAL DERIVED
FROM WORK PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT**

> Section 903(c) of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), 42 U.S.C.
> 299a-1, states in part that \"No information, if the establishment or
> person supplying the information or described in it is identifiable,
> obtained in the course of activities undertaken or supported under
> this title, may be used for any purpose other than the purpose for
> which it was supplied unless such establishment or person has
> consented\...to its use for such other purpose. Such information may
> not be published or released in other form if the person who supplied
> the information or who is described in it is identifiable unless such
> person has consented\...to its publication or release in other form.\"
>
> To ensure compliance with these requirements and to fulfill the
> mandate of 923(b)(1) of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c-2(b)(1), to assure
> that statistics developed with AHRQ support are of high quality,
> comprehensive, timely, and adequately analyzed, except as otherwise
> provided in this contract, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
> Quality (AHRQ) must, prior to dissemination by the contractor, review
> all reports, presentations, or other disclosures that contain
> information, statistics, analytical material, or any other material,
> which is based on or derived from work performed under this contract.
> Accordingly:

\(a\) Except as provided in H.2(c), (e), and H.2(d), the contractor will
not publish, have published, or otherwise disseminate any material
resulting or derived from the work performed for AHRQ-funded research,
except in accordance with the terms or conditions required by the
Project Officer or until AHRQ has published the results of the research.

\(b\) AHRQ will, within three months of the receipt of any proposed
publication, presentation, or any other disclosure of materials derived
from information collected or produced for a particular task order, use
best effort to review the proposed report, presentation, or other text
to assure that (1) identifiable information is being used for the
purpose for which it was supplied; (2) the privacy of individuals
supplying the information or described in it is not violated; and (3)
the quality of statistical work meets the statutory standards cited
above.

\(c\) Except as provided in H.2(e)***,*** in the event no written
conditions or approval are received from the Project Officer by the end
of the three month period following submission of a request (that is
accompanied by the proposed text) to publish a report or to make a
presentation or other disclosure of material derived from work performed
for AHRQ-funded research, the contractor may publish, present, or
otherwise disclose this material subject to the restrictions of Section
903(c). However, the contractor must print prominently on the report or
any portion of it which is released, or state prior to any oral or other
disclosure of material derived from work performed under this contract,
the following disclaimer:

> \"THIS REPORT ***(or other appropriate description of publication)***
> HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
> QUALITY"

\(d\) Whether or not written approval of the Project Officer is
received, the contractor must:

**.** print the following statement prominently on written reports or
other forms of recorded data derived from work performed under this
contract which is to be released; or

**.** preceding any presentation or other oral disclosure of such
material make the following statement:

> \"IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ON WHICH THIS REPORT, PRESENTATION, OR
> OTHER FORM OF DISCLOSURE IS BASED, IS CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY
> FEDERAL LAW, SECTION 903(c) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, 42
> U.S.C. 299a-1(c). ANY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION THAT IS KNOWINGLY
> DISCLOSED IS DISCLOSED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT HAS BEEN
> SUPPLIED. NO IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUPPLYING
> THE INFORMATION OR DESCRIBED IN IT WILL BE KNOWINGLY DISCLOSED EXCEPT
> WITH THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THAT INDIVIDUAL.\"

\(e\) In cases where the Contracting Officer has given written notice
that the Government intends to retain all rights in any particular data
produced under this contract, the contractor shall have no right without
prior written permission of the Contracting Officer to publish any of
those data or analyses based on those data, depending on the scope of
the Contracting Officer's notice.

> \(f\) Whenever data or analyses are to be developed by a subcontractor
> under this contract, the contractor must include the terms of H.2.(a),
> (b), (c), (d) and (e) in the subcontract, without substantive
> alteration, and with a prohibition on the subcontractor engaging in
> further assignment of its obligations to the contractor. No clause may
> be included to diminish the Government's restriction on publication
> and dissemination of work or material derived from work performed
> under this contract.

**H.3 DEBARMENT**

> Violation of the special provisions of this contract entitled
> **RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF MATERIAL DERIVED
> FROM WORK PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT, and RIGHTS IN DATA - SPECIAL
> WORKS** will be viewed as a serious violation of the terms of this
> contract as the requirements in this provision reflect AHRQ statutory
> obligations and responsibilities. Such violations, as well as other
> violations, of the contract terms which are deemed serious, could
> result in the initiation of debarment proceedings in accordance with
> the Federal Acquisition Regulations and the Department of Health and
> Human Services implementing regulations.

**H.4 SUBCONTRACTS**

> The contractor must include in any subcontracts executed or used to
> provide the support specified in this contract the terms of
> requirements H.2, H.3 and H.4. These requirements are to be included
> without substantive alteration, and no clause may be included to
> diminish these requirements.
>
> Award of any subcontract is subject to the written approval of the
> Contracting Officer upon review of the supporting documentation as
> required by FAR Clause 52.215-12, Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data,
> of the General Clauses incorporated into this contract. A copy of the
> signed subcontract shall be provided to the Contracting Officer.

**H.5 LATE PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT**

> Late payment of debts owed the Government by the Contractor, arising
> from whatever cause, under this contract/order shall bear interest at
> a rate or rates to be established in accordance with the Treasury
> Fiscal Requirements Manual. For purposes of this provision, late
> payments are defined as payments received by the Government more than
> 30 days after the Contractor has been notified in writing by the
> Contracting Officer of:

a\. The basis of indebtedness.

b\. The amount due.

c\. The fact that interest will be applied if payment is not received
within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice.

d\. The approximate interest rate that will be charged.

**H.6 PRIVACY ACT**

> The Privacy Act clauses cited in Section I (FAR 52.224-1 and 52.224-2)
> are applicable to the consultant records kept by the Contractor for
> the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
>
> You are hereby notified that the Contractor and its employees are
> subject to criminal penalties for violations of the Act (5 U.S.C.
> 552a(i)) to the same extent as employees of the Department. The
> Contractor shall assure that each Contractor employee is aware that
> he/she can be subjected to criminal penalties for violations of the
> Act. Disposition instructions: Records are to be destroyed after
> contract closeout is completed and final payment is made and in
> accordance with IRS regulations.

**H.7 PRO-CHILDREN ACT of 1994**

> The Pro-Children Act of 1994, P.L. 103-227, imposes restrictions on
> smoking where certain federally funded childrens' services are
> provided. P.L. 103-227 states in pertinent part:
>
> "PHS strongly encourages all grant and contract recipients to provide
> a smoke-free workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco
> products. In addition, P.L. 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994,
> prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion
> of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day
> care, health care or early childhood development services are provided
> to children."

**H.8** **SALARY CAP GUIDE NOTICE**

> Pursuant to P.L. 108-199, no Fiscal Year 2004(October 1, 2003 -
> September 30, 2004) funds may be used to pay the direct salary of an
> individual through this contract at a rate in excess of the direct
> salary rate for Executive Level I of the Federal Executive Pay Scale.
> That rate is \$175,700 per year for the period of January 1, 2004
> through December 31, 2004. Direct salary is exclusive of overhead,
> fringe benefits, and general and administrative expenses. The salary
> limit also applies to individuals proposed under subcontracts. If this
> is a multi-year contract, it may be subject to unilateral
> modifications by the Government if any salary rate ceilings are
> established in future DHHS appropriation acts. P.L. 108-199 states in
> pertinent part:
>
> None of the funds appropriated in this Act for the National Institutes
> of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the
> Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shall be
> used to pay the salary of an individual, through a grant or other
> extramural mechanism, at a rate in excess of Executive Level I.
>
> Contractors shall absorb that portion of an employee's salary (plus
> the dollar amount for fringe benefits and indirect costs associated
> with the excess) that exceeds a rate of \$175,700 a year.

**H.8** **PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS**

**BACKGROUND**

The Office of Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget, Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), requires that all DHHS employees
and contractor employees (including subcontractors) who will be working
in a DHHS-owned or leased space and/or who will have access to DHHS
equipment, and non-public privileged, proprietary, or trade secret
information, undergo a background investigation.

**GENERAL**

Notwithstanding other submission requirements stated elsewhere in this
contract, the contractor shall appoint and identify a Contractor
Security Representative and submit the following information for each
employee to the Contracting Officer within thirty (30) calendar days
after contract award.

SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

HHS Credit Release (Attachment Number 3)

OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment

Current resume

*Note: Forms are available at:
[[http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/formslibrary.jsp]{.underline}](http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/formslibrary.jsp)*

Within thirty (30) days after contract award each employee will be
required to have electronic fingerprinting performed ---- Fingerprinting
services are available by appointment only through the Program Support
Staff (PSC) and will be arranged by AHRQ.

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES (05/04-DCM) (FAC 2001-23)

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A COST-PLUS-A-FIXED-FEE CONTRACT

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEBRUARY 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the
same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request,
the Contracting Officer will make their full

text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed
electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/

I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

CLAUSES

[FAR Clause No]{.underline}. [Title and Date]{.underline}

52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984)

52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fee (APR 1984)

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government

> (Jul 1995)

52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (JUL 1995)

52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal

or Improper Activity (JAN 1997)

52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (JAN
1997)

52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal
Transactions (JUN 2003)

52.204-4 Printing or Copying Double-Sided on Recycled Paper (AUG 2000)

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (OCT 2003)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government\'s Interest When Subcontracting With
Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUL 1995)

52.215-2 Audit and Records - Negotiation (JUN 1999)

52.215-8 Order of Precedence-Uniform Contract Format (Oct 1997)

52.215-10 Price Reduction for Defective Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

> (applicable to contract actions over \$550,000)

52.215-12 Subcontractor Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

> (applicable to contract actions over \$550,000)

52.215-15 Pension Adjustments and Asset Reversions (JAN 2004)

52.215-18 Reversion or Adjustment of Plans for Postretirement Benefits
(PRB) Other Than Pensions (OCT 1997)

52.215-19 Notification of Ownership Changes (OCT 1997)

52.216-7 Allowable Cost and Payment (DEC 2002)

52.216-8 Fixed Fee (MAR 1997)

52.217-2 Cancellation Under Multiyear Contracts (OCT 1997)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004)

52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting (DEC 1996) (Applicable to

> 8(a) awards or if any portion is set aside for small businesses)

52.222-2 Payment for Overtime Premiums (JUL 1990). The amount in

> paragraph (a) is \"zero\" unless different amount is separately
>
> stated elsewhere in contract.

52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2002)

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans. (DEC 2001)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers With Disabilities (JUNE 1998)

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of
the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans. (DEC 2001)

52.223-6 Drug Free Workplace (MAY 2001)

52.223-14 Toxic Chemical Release Reporting (AUG 2003)

52.224-1 Privacy Act Notification (APRIL 1984)

52.224-2 Privacy Act (APRIL 1984)

52.225-1 Buy American Act - Supplies (JUNE 2003)

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (DEC 2003)

52.227-1 Authorization and Consent (JULY 1995)

52.227-2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copy-

> Right Infringement (AUG 1996)

52.227-3 Patent Indemnity (APRIL 1984)

52.227-14 Rights in Data - General (JUNE 1987)

52.228-7 Insurance-Liability to Third Persons (MAR 1996)

52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments (APRIL 1984)

52.232-17 Interest (JUNE 1996)

52.232-20 Limitation of Cost (APR 1984)

52.232-22 Limitation of Funds (APR 1984) (This clause supersedes the
Limitation of Cost clause found in the General Clauses of this
contract.)

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 Prompt Payment (OCT 2003)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Central Contractor
Registration (Oct 2003)

52.233-1 Disputes (JULY 2002)

52.233-3 Protest After Award (AUG 1996) Alternate I (JUNE 1985)

52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime (Oct 1997)

52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996)

52.242-1 Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs (APRIL 1984)

52.242-3 Penalties for Unallowable Costs (MAY 2001)

52.242-4 Certification of Final Indirect Costs (Jan 1997)

52.242-13 Bankruptcy (JULY 1995)

52.243-2 Changes - Cost Reimbursement (AUG 1987) - Alternate II

> (APRIL 1984)

52.244-2 Subcontracts (AUGUST 1998)

52.244-5 Competition in Subcontracting (DEC 1996)

52.245-5 Government Property (Cost Reimbursement, Time-and-

> Material, or Labor-Hour Contract (MAY 2004)

52.246-5 Inspection of Services-Cost Reimbursement (APRIL 1984)

52.246-23 Limitation of Liability-(FEB 1997)

52.248-1 Value Engineering (FEB 2000)

52.249-6 Termination (Cost-Reimbursement) (MAY 2004)

52.249-14 Excusable Delays (APRIL 1984)

52.251-1 Government Supply Sources (APRIL 1984)

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms (JAN 1991)

II\. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION

REGULATION (HHSAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 3) CLAUSES

HHSAR

[Clause No]{.underline}. [Title and Date]{.underline}

352.202-1 Definitions (JAN 2001) Alternate h

352.224-70 Confidentiality of Information (APRIL 1984)

352.228-7 Insurance - Liability to Third Persons (DEC 1991)

352.232-9 Withholding of Contract Payments (APRIL 1984)

352.233-70 Litigation and Claims (APR 1984)

352.242-71 Final Decisions on Audit Findings (APRIL 1984)

352.270-1 Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars to

> Persons With Disabilities (JAN 2001)

352.270-6 Publication and Publicity (JUL 1991)

352.270-7 Paperwork Reduction Act (JAN 2001)

The following clauses are applicable to this contract and are provided
in full text:

**KEY PERSONNEL (APRIL 1984) (HHSAR 352.270-5)**

The personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential
to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to diverting any of the
specified individuals to other programs, the Contractor shall notify the
Contracting Officer reasonably in advance and shall submit justification
(including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit
evaluation of the impact on the program. No diversion shall be made by
the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer;
provided, that the Contracting Officer may ratify in writing such
diversion and such ratification shall constitute the consent of the
Contracting Officer required by this clause. The contract may be amended
from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or
delete personnel, as appropriate.

(End of clause)

**AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (Apr 1984) (FAR 52.232-18)**

Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government\'s
obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of
appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made.
No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may
arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this
contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability,
to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)

**PART III- LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS**

**SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS**

[Attachment]{.underline} [Pages]{.underline}

1\. Performance Requirements Summary 6

2\. Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance Form 5

3\. SF LLL-A, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 3

4\. HHS Credit Release Form 1

5\. Proposal Intent Form 1

**NOTE: ALL ATTACHMENTS ARE LOCATED AT THE END OF THIS REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL**.

(FAC 2001-23)

**PART IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS**

**SECTION K**

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 HHSAR 315.204-5 Representations and Instructions

K.2 FAR 52.203-2 Certification of Independent Price Determination (APRIL
1985)

K.3 FAR 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to
Influence Certain Federal Transactions (APR 1991)

K.4 FAR 52.204-3 Taxpayer Identification (OCT 1998)

K.5 FAR 52.204-5 Women-Owned Business Other than Small Business (May
1999)

K.6 FAR 52.209-5 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Proposed
Debarment, and Other Responsibility Matters (DEC 2001)

K.7 FAR 52.215-6 Place of Performance (OCT 1997)

K.8 FAR 52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations (MAY 2004)

K.9 FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999)

K.10 FAR 52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (FEB 1999)

K.11 FAR 52.222-25 Affirmative Action Compliance(APRIL 1984)

K.12 FAR 52.223-13 Certification of Toxic Chemical Release

Reporting (AUG 2003)

K.13 FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Act - Certificate (JUNE 2003)

K.14 FAR 52.226-2 Historically Black College or University and Minority
Institution Representation (MAY 2001)

K.15 FAR 52.230-1 Cost Accounting Standards Notice and Certification
(JUNE 2000)

K.16 FAR 15.406-2 Certificate of Current Cost and Pricing Data

K.17 P.L. 103-227 Certification Regarding Environmental

> Tobacco Smoke Use for Full and Open Competition

52.219-22 Small Disadvantaged Business Status

(Oct 1999) Alternate I (Oct 1998)

**[(Use only if price evaluation is being used)]{.underline}**

K.l REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

\(a\) Section K, Representations, certifications, and other statements
of offerors.

\(1\) This section shall begin with the following and continue with the
applicable representations and certifications:

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE OFFEROR: (The Representations and Certifications
must be executed by an individual authorized to bind the Offeror.) The
Offeror makes the following Representations and Certifications as part
of its proposal. (Check or complete all appropriate boxes or blanks on
the following pages.)

[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Name of Offeror) (RFP No.)

[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(Signature of Authorized Individual) (Date)

[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}

(Typed Name of Authorized Individual)

NOTE: The penalty for making false statements in offers is prescribed in
18 U.S.C. 1001.

K.2 CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE

DETERMINATION (APR 1985) (FAR 52.203-2)

\(a\) The offeror certifies that\--

> \(1\) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently,
> without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation,
> communication, or agreement with any other offeror or competitor
> relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to submit an offer,
> or (iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered;
>
> \(2\) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly
> disclosed by the offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other offeror
> or competitor before bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid
> solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated
> solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and
>
> \(3\) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to
> induce any other concern to submit or not to submit an offer for the
> purpose of restricting competition.

\(b\) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by
the signatory that the signatory\--

\(1\) Is the person in the offeror\'s organization responsible for
determining the prices being offered in this bid or proposal, and that
the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any
action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; or

(2)(i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as an agent for the
following principals in certifying that those principals have not
participated, and will not participate in any action contrary to
subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.

\[Insert full name of person(s) in the offeror\'s organization
responsible for determining the prices offered in the bid or proposal,
and the title of his or her position in the offeror\'s organization\];

\(ii\) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals named in
subdivision (b)(2)(i) above have not participated, and will not
participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through
(a)(3) above; and

\(iii\) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not
participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through
(a)(3) above.

\(c\) If the offeror deletes or modifies subparagraph (a)(2) above, the
offeror must furnish with its offer a signed statement setting forth in
detail the circumstances of the disclosure.

(End of provision)

> K.3 CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING
>
> PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (APR 1991) (FAR
> 52.203-11)

\(a\) The definitions and prohibitions contained in the clause at

> FAR 52.203-12, Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal
> Transactions, included in this solicitation, are hereby incorporated
> by reference in paragraph (b) of this certification.

\(b\) The offeror, by signing its offer, hereby certifies to the best of
his or her knowledge and belief that on or after December 23, 1989,\--

\(1\) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to
any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress on his or her behalf in
connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any
Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any
cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal,
amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or
cooperative agreement;

\(2\) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds (including
profit or fee received under a covered Federal transaction) have been
paid, or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to
influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an
officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress
on his or her behalf in connection with this solicitation, the offeror
shall complete and submit, with its offer, OMB Standard Form-LLL,
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, to the Contracting Officer; and

\(3\) He or she will include the language of this certification in all
subcontract awards at any tier and require that all recipients of
subcontract awards in excess of \$100,000 shall certify and disclose
accordingly.

\(c\) Submission of this certification and disclosure is a prerequisite
for making or entering into this contract imposed by section 1352, title
31, United States Code. Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited
under this provision or who fails to file or amend the disclosure form
to be filed or amended by this provision, shall be subject to a civil
penalty of not less than \$10,000 and not more than \$100,000 for each
such failure.

(End of provision)

K.4 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

(FAR 52.204-3) (OCT 1998)

\(a\) Definitions:

> \"Common parent,\" as used in this provision, means that corporate
> entity that owns or controls an affiliated group of corporations that
> files its Federal income tax returns on a consolidated basis, and of
> which the offeror is a member.
>
> \"Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN),\" as used in this provision,
> means the number required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be
> used by the offeror in reporting income tax and other returns. The TIN
> may either be a Social Security Number or an Employer Identification
> Number.

\(b\) All offerors are required to submit the information required in
paragraph (d) through (f) of this provision to comply with debt
collection requirements of 31 U.S.C. 7701(c) and 3325(d), reporting
requirements of 26 U.S.C. 6041, 6041A, and 6050M and implementing
regulations issued by the IRS. If the resulting contract is subject to
the payment reporting requirements described in FAR 4.904, the failure
or refusal by the offeror to furnish the information may result in a 31
percent reduction of payments otherwise due under the contract.

(c) The TIN may be used by the Government to collect and report on any
    delinquent amounts arising out of the offeror's relationship with
    the Government (31 U.S.C. 7701(c)(3)). If the resulting contract is
    subject to the payment reporting requirements described in FAR
    4.904, the TIN provided hereunder may be matched with IRS records to
    verify the accuracy of the offeror's TIN.

(d) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

    ( ) TIN:

    ( ) TIN has been applied for.

    ( ) TIN is not required because:

    ( ) Offeror is a nonresident alien, foreign

    corporation, or foreign partnership that does not have an income
    effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the
    United States (U.S.) and does not have an office or place of
    business or a fiscal paying agent in the U.S.;

    ( ) Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of a foreign government;

    ( ) Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of a Federal, state, or
    local government.

    \(e\) Type of organization.

    ( ) Sole proprietorship;

    ( ) Partnership;

    ( ) Corporate entity (not tax-exempt);

    ( ) Corporate entity (tax-exempt);

    ( ) Government entity (Federal, State, or local);

    ( ) Foreign government;

    ( ) International organization per 26 CFR 1.6049-4;

    ( ) Other\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

    \(f\) Common Parent.

    ( ) Offeror is not owned or controlled by a common parent as defined
    in paragraph (a) of this clause.

    ( ) Name and TIN of common parent:

    Name

    TIN

    (End of provision)

    K.5 WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS(Other Than Small Business

    (MAY 1999) (FAR 52.204-5)

    \(a\) Definition. \"Women-owned business concern,\" as used in this
    provision, means a concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one
    or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at
    least 51 percent of its stock is owned by one or more women; and
    whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one
    or more women.

    \(b\) Representation.\[*Complete only if the offeror is a
    women-owned business concern and has not represented itself as a
    small business concern in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.219-1, Small
    Business Program Representations, of this solicitation.\]* The
    offeror represents that it is \[ \] is not \[ \] a women-owned
    business concern.

    (End of Provision)

    K.6 CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT,

    SUSPENSION, PROPOSED DEBARMENT,

    AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS

    (DEC 2001) (FAR 52.209-5)

    (a)(1) The Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and
    belief, that\--

    \(i\) The Offeror and/or any of its Principals\--

    \(A\) Are \[ \] are not \[ \] presently debarred,suspended, proposed
    for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by
    any Federal agency;

    \(B\) Have \[ \] have not \[ \] , within the three-year period
    preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgement
    rendered against them for: commission of fraud of a criminal offense
    in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a
    public (Federal, state, or local) contract or subcontract; violation
    of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of
    offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery,
    falsification or destruction of records, making false statements,
    tax evasion or receiving stolen property;

    \(C\) Are \[ \] are not \[ \] presently indicted for, or otherwise
    criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with,
    commission of any of the offenses enumerated in subdivision
    (a)(l)(i)(B) of this provision; and

    \(D\) Have\[ \] have not \[ \], within a three-year period preceding
    this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgement rendered
    against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in
    connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a
    public (Federal, state, or local contract or subcontract; violation
    of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of
    offers,; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery,
    falsification or destruction of records, making false statements,
    tax evasion, or receiving stolen property; and

    \(E\) Are \[ \] are not \[ \] presently indicted for, or otherwise
    criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with,
    commission of any of the offenses enumerated in subdivision
    (a)(1)(i)(D) of this provision.

    \(ii\) (A)The Offeror, aside from the offenses enumerated in
    paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A),(B), and (C) of this provision, has \[ \]
    has not \[ \], within the past three-year, relative to tax, labor
    and employment, environmental, antitrust, or consumer protection
    laws -

    \(1\) Been convicted of a Federal or State felony (or has any
    Federal or State felony indictments currently pending against them);
    or

    \(2\) Had a Federal court judgement in a civil case brought by the
    United States rendered against them; or

    \(3\) Had an adverse decision by a Federal administrative law judge,
    board, or commission indicating a willful violation of law.

    \(B\) If the offeror has responded affirmatively, the offeror shall
    provide additional information if requested by the Contracting
    Officer; and

    \(iii\) The Offeror has \[ \] has not \[ \], within a three-year
    period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated
    for default by any Federal agency.

    \(2\) \"Principals,\" for the purposes of this certification, means
    officers; directors; owners; partners; and, persons having primary
    management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity
    (e,g., general manager; plant manager; head of a subsidiary,
    division, or business segment, and similar positions).

    THIS CERTIFICATION CONCERNS A MATTER WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF AN
    AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE MAKING OF A FALSE, FICTITIOUS,
    OR FRAUDULENT CERTIFICATION MAY RENDER THE MAKE SUBJECT TO
    PROSECUTION UNDER SECTION 1001, TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE.

    \(b\) The Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the
    Contracting Officer if, at any time prior to contract award, the
    Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted
    or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

    \(c\) A certification that any of the items in paragraph (a) of this
    provision exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an
    award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be
    considered in connection with a determination of the Offeror\'s
    responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish a certification or
    provide such additional information as requested by the Contracting
    Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.

    \(d\) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to
    require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in
    good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this
    provision. The knowledge and information of an Offeror is not
    required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent
    person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

    \(e\) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a
    material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when
    making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly
    rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies
    available to the Government, the Contracting Officer may terminate
    the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

    (End of provision)

    K.7 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

    (OCT 1997) (FAR 52.215-6)

    \(a\) The offeror or respondent, in the performance of any contract
    resulting from this solicitation, \[ \] intends, \[ \] does not
    intend (check applicable box) to use one or more plants or
    facilities located at a different address from the address of the
    offeror or respondent as indicated in this proposal or response to
    request for information.

    \(b\) If the offeror or respondent checks \"intends\" in
    paragraph (a) of this provision, it shall insert in the following
    spaces required information:

    Place of Performance (Street Name and Address of Owner Address,
    City, County State, and Operator of the Plant Zip Code) or Facility
    if Other than Offeror or respondent

    (End of provision)

    K.8 SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REPRESENTATIONS

    (APR 2002) (FAR 52.219-1)

    \(a\) (1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
    code for this acquisition is [541611]{.underline}.

    \(2\) The small business size standard is 6.0 mil.

    \(3\) The small business size standard for a concern which submits
    an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service
    contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not
    itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

    \(b\) Representations.

    \(1\) The offeror represents as part of its offer that it \[ \] is,
    \[ \] is not a small business concern.

    \(2\) \[Complete only if offeror represented itself as a small
    business concern in block (b)(1) of this provision.\]

    The offeror represents, for general statistical purposes that it \[
    \] is \[ \] is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined
    in 13 CFR 124.1002.

    \(3\) \[Complete only if offeror represented itself as a small
    business concern in block (b)(1) of this section.\]

    The offeror represents as part of its offer that it \[ \] is \[ \]
    is not a women-owned small business concern.

    4.  (Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small
        business concern in paragraph (b) (1) of this provision.) The
        offeror represent as part of its offer that it \[\] is, \[\] is
        not a veteran-owned small business concern.

    5.  (Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a
        veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (b) (4) of
        this provision.) The offeror repesents as part of its offer that
        it \[\] is, \[\] is not a service-disable veteran-owned small
        business concern.

    6.  (Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small
        business concern in paragraph (b) (1) of this provision.) The
        offeror represents, as part of its offer, that-

        \(i\) It ( ) is ( ) is not a HUBZone small business concern
        listed, on the date of this reprsentation, on the List of
        Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the
        Small Business Administration, and no material change in
        ownership and control, principal office, or HUBZone employee
        percentage has occurred since it was certified by the Small
        Business Administration in accordance with 13 CFR part 126; and

        \(ii\) It ( ) is, ( ) is not a joint venture that complies with
        the requirements of 13 CFR part 126, and the representation in
        paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this provision is accurate for the
        HUBZone small business concern or concerns that are
        participating in the joint venture. (The offeror shall enter the
        name or names of the HUBZone small business concern or concerns
        that are participating in the joint venture
        \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.) Each HUBZone small
        business concern participating in the joint venture shall submit
        a separate signed copy of the HUBZone representation.

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(7) (Complete if offeror represented itself as disadvantaged in
    paragraph (b) (2) of this provision.) The offeror shall check the
    category in which its ownership falls:

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black American

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Hispanic American

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Native American (American Indians, Eskimos,
    Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians).

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Asian-Pacific American (persons with origins
    from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan,
    China, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Vietnam, Korea, The
    Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic
    of Palau), Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of
    Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam,
    Samoa, Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru).

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Subcontinent Asian (Asian-Indian) American
    (persons with origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
    Bhutan, the Maldives Islands, or Nepal).

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Individual/concern, other than one of the
    preceding.

    \(c\) Definitions. As used in this provision -

    **Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern-**

    \(1\) Means a small business concern -

    \(i\) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more
    service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned
    business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by
    one or more service-disabled veterans; and

    \(ii\) The management and daily business operations of which are
    controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case
    of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability,
    the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

    \(2\) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38
    U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service connected, as
    defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

    **Small business concern**, means a concern, including its
    affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant
    in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government
    contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in
    13 CFR Part 121 and the size standard in paragraph (a) of this
    provision.

    **Veteran-owned small business concern**, means a small business
    concern -

    \(1\) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more
    veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any
    publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of
    which is owned by one or more veterans; and

    \(2\) The management and daily business operations of which are
    controlled by one or more veterans.

    **Women-owned small business concern**, means a small business
    concern \--

    \(1\) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women or, in
    the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the
    stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

    \(2\) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled
    by one or more women.

    \(d\) Notice.

    \(1\) If this solicitation is for supplies and has been set aside,
    in whole or in part, for small business concerns, then the clause in
    this solicitation providing notice of the set-aside contains
    restrictions on the source of the end items to be furnished.

    \(2\) Under 15 U.S.C. 645(d), any person who misrepresents a firm\'s
    status as a small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged or women-owned
    small business concern in order to obtain a contract to be awarded
    under the preference programs established pursuant to sections 8(a),
    8(d), 9, or 15 of the Small Business Act or any other provision of
    Federal law that specifically references section 8(d) for a
    definition of program eligibility, shall

    \(i\) be punished by imposition of a fine, imprisonment, or both;

    \(ii\) be subject to administrative remedies, including suspension
    and debarment; and

    \(iii\) be ineligible for participation in programs conducted under
    the authority of the Act.

    (End of Provision)

    K.9 PROHIBITION OF SEGREGATED FACILITIES

    (FEB 1999) (FAR 52.222-21)

    \(a\) \"Segregated facilities,\" as used in this clause, means any
    waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash rooms, restaurants
    and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage
    or dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or
    entertainment areas, transportation, and housing facilities provided
    for employees, that are segregated by explicit directive or are in
    fact segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, or national
    origin because of written or oral policies or employee custom. The
    term does not include separate or single-user rest rooms or
    necessary dressing or sleeping areas provided to assure privacy
    between the sexes.

    \(b\) The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain
    or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its
    establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its
    employees to perform their services at any location under its
    control where segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor
    agrees that a breach of this clause is a violation of the Equal
    Opportunity clause in this contract.

    \(c\) The Contractor shall include this clause in every subcontract
    and purchase order that is subject to the Equal Opportunity clause
    of this contract.

    (End of Clause)

    K.10 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS AND COMPLIANCE REPORTS

    (FEB 1999) (FAR 52.222-22)

    The offeror represents that\--

    \(a\) It \[ \] has, \[ \] has not participated in a previous
    contract or subcontract subject either to the Equal Opportunity
    clause of this solicitation;

    \(b\) It \[ \] has, \[ \] has not filed all required compliance
    reports; and

    \(c\) Representations indicating submission of required compliance
    reports, signed by proposed subcontractors, will be obtained before
    subcontract awards.

    (End of provision)

    K.11 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMPLIANCE

    (APR 1984) (FAR 52.222-25)

    The offeror represents that\--

    \(a\) It \[ \] has developed and has on file, \[ \] has not
    developed and does not have on file, at each establishment,
    affirmative action programs required by the rules and regulations of
    the Secretary of Labor (4) CFR 60-1 and 60-2,

    or

    \(b\) It \[ \] has not previously had contracts subject to the
    written affirmative action programs requirements of the rules and
    regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

    (End of provision)

    K.12 CERTIFICATION OF TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING

    (AUG 2003) (FAR 52.223-13)

    \(a\) Executive Order 13148, of April 21, 2000, Greening the
    Government through Leadership in Environmental Management, requires
    submission of this certification as a prerequisite for contract
    award.

    \(b\) By signing this offer, the offeror certifies that -

    \(1\) As the owner or operator of facilities that will be used in
    the performance of this contract that are subject to the filing and
    reporting requirements described in section 313 of the Emergency
    Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) (42
    U.S.C. 11023) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act of
    1990 (PPA) (42 U.S.C. 13106), the offeror will file and continue to
    file for such facilities for the life of the contract the Toxic
    Chemical Release Inventory Form (Form R) as described in sections
    313(a) and (g) of EPCRA and section 6607 of PPA; or

    \(2\) None of its owned or operated facilities to be used in the
    performance of this contract is subject to the Form R filing and
    reporting requirements because each such facility is exempt for at
    least one of the following reasons: (Check each block that is
    applicable.)

    \[ \] (i) The facility does not manufacture, process, or otherwise
    use any toxic chemicals listed in 40 CFR 372.65;

    \[ \] (ii) the facility does not have 10 or more full-time employees
    as specified in section 313(b)(1)(A) of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C.
    11023(b)(1)(A).

    \[ \] (iii) The facility does not meet the reporting thresholds of
    toxic chemicals established under section 313(f) of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C.
    11023(f) (including the alternate thresholds at 40 CFR 372.27,
    provided an appropriate certification form has been filed with EPA).

    \[ \] (iv) The facility does not fall within Standard Industrial
    Classification Codes (SIC) or their corresponding North American
    Industry Classification System sectors:

    \(A\) Major group code 10 (except 1011,1081 and 1094).

    \(B\) Major group codes 12 (except 1241).

    \(C\) Major group codes 20 through 39.

    \(D\) Industry code 4911, 4931, or 4939 (limited to facilities that
    combust coal and/or oil for the purpose of generating power for
    distribution in commerce).

    \(E\) Industry code 4953 (limited to facilities regulated under the
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Subtitle C (42 U.S.C. 6921,
    *et seq*.), or 5169, or 5171, or 7389 (limited to facilities
    primarily engaged in solvent recovery services on a contract or fee
    basis); or

    \[ \] (v) The facility is not located in the United States or its
    outlying areas.

    (End of provision)

    K.13 BUY AMERICAN ACT CERTIFICATE

    (JUNE 2003) (FAR 52.225-2)

    \(a\) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those
    listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product
    and that the offeror has considered components of unknown origin to
    have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United
    States. The offeror shall list as foreign end products those end
    products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as
    domestic end products. The terms "component," "domestic end
    product," "end product," "foreign end product," and "United States"
    are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy
    American Act- Supplies."

    \(b\) Foreign End Products:

    Line Item No. Country of Origin

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    (List as necessary)

    \(c\) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the
    policies and procedures of Part 25 of the Federal Acquisition
    Regulation.

    (End of provision)

    K.14 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND

    MINORITY INSTITUTION REPRESENTATION

    (FAR 52.226-2) (MAY 2001)

    \(a\) *Definitions.* As used in this provision-

    "Historically Black College or University" means an institution
    determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of
    34 CFR 608.2. For the Department of Defense, the National
    Aeronautics and Space Administration , and the Coast Guard, the term
    also includes any nonprofit research institution that was an
    integral part of such a college or university before November 14,
    1986.

    "Minority Institution" means an institution of higher education
    meeting the requirements of Section 1046(3) of the Higher Education
    Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1076k, including a Hispanic-serving
    institution of higher education as defined in Section 316(b)(1) of
    the Act (20 U.S.C. 1101(a)).

    \(b\) *Representation.* The offeror represents that it-

    \_\_ is \_\_\_ is not a Historically Black College or University;

    \_\_ is \_\_\_ is not a Minority Institution

    (End of Provision)

    K.15 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND

    CERTIFICATION

    (FAR 52.230-1) (JUNE 2000)

    NOTE: This notice does not apply to small businesses or foreign
    governments. This notice is in three parts, identified by Roman
    numerals I through III.

    Offerors shall examine each part and provide the requested
    information in order to determine Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
    requirements applicable to any resultant contract.

    If the offeror is an educational institution, Part II does not apply
    unless the contemplated contract will be subject to full or modified
    CAS-coverage pursuant to 48CFR 9903.201-2(c)(5) or
    9903.201-2(c)(6),respectively.

    I. Disclosure Statement - Cost Accounting Practices and
    Certification

    \(a\) Any contract in excess of \$500,000 resulting from this
    solicitation, will be subject to the requirements of the Cost
    Accounting Standards Board (48 CFR, Chapter 99), except for those
    contracts which are exempt as specified in 48 CFR 9903.201-1.

    \(b\) Any offeror submitting a proposal which, if accepted, will
    result in a contract subject to the requirements of 48 CFR Chapter
    99 must, as a condition of contracting, submit a Disclosure
    Statement as required by 48 CFR 9903.202. When required, the
    Disclosure Statement must be submitted as a part of the offeror\'s
    proposal under this solicitation unless the offeror has already
    submitted a Disclosure Statement disclosing the practices used in
    connection with the pricing of this proposal. If an applicable
    Disclosure Statement has already been submitted, the offeror may

    satisfy the requirement for submission by providing the information
    requested in paragraph (c) of Part I of this provision. Caution: In
    the absence of specific regulations or agreement, a practice
    disclosed in a Disclosure Statement shall not, by virtue of such
    disclosure, be deemed to be a proper, approved, or agreed-to
    practice for pricing proposals or accumulating and reporting
    contract performance cost data.

    \(c\) Check the appropriate box below:

    \[ \] (1) Certificate of Concurrent Submission of Disclosure
    Statement.

    The offeror hereby certifies that, as a part of the offer, copies of
    the Disclosure Statement have been submitted as follows: (i)
    original and one copy to the cognizant Administrative Contracting
    Officer (ACO) or cognizant Federal agency official authorized to act
    in that capacity, as applicable, and (ii) one copy to the cognizant
    Federal auditor.

    (Disclosure must be on Form No. CASB DS-1 or CASB

    DS-2, as applicable. Forms may be obtained from the cognizant ACO or
    Federal official and/or from the loose-leaf version of the Federal
    Acquisition Regulation.)

    Date of Disclosure
    Statement:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    Name and Address of Cognizant

    ACO or Federal official where filed:

    The offeror further certifies that practices used inestimating costs
    in pricing this proposal are consistent with the cost accounting
    practices disclosed in the Disclosure Statement.

    \[ \] (2) Certificate of Previously Submitted Disclosure Statement.

    The offeror hereby certifies that the required Disclosure Statement
    was filed as follows:

    Date of Disclosure
    Statement:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    Name and Address of Cognizant

    ACO or Federal official where filed:

    The offeror further certifies that the practices used in estimating
    costs in pricing this proposal are consistent with the cost
    accounting practices disclosed in the applicable Disclosure
    Statement.

    \[ \] (3) Certificate of Monetary Exemption.

    The offeror hereby certifies that the offeror together with all
    divisions, subsidiaries, and affiliates under common control, did
    not receive net awards of negotiated prime contracts and
    subcontracts subject to CAS totaling more than \$25 million in the
    cost accounting period immediately preceding the period in which
    this proposal was submitted. The offeror further certifies that if
    such status changes before an award resulting from this proposal,
    the offeror will advise the Contracting Officer immediately.

    \[ \] (4) Certificate of Interim Exemption.

    The offeror hereby certifies that (i) the offeror first exceeded the
    monetary exemption for disclosure, as defined in (3) of this
    subsection, in the cost accounting period immediately preceding the
    period in which this offer was submitted and (ii) in accordance with
    48 CFR, Subpart 9903.202-1, the offeror is not yet required to
    submit a Disclosure Statement. The offeror further certifies that if
    an award resulting from this proposal has not been made within 90
    days after the end of that period, the offeror will immediately
    submit a review certificate to the Contracting Officer, in the form
    specified under subparagraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of Part I of this
    provision, as appropriate, to verify submission of a completed
    Disclosure Statement.

    Caution: Offerors currently required to disclosebecause they were
    awarded a CAS-covered prime contract or subcontract of \$25 million
    or more in the current cost accounting period may not claim this
    exemption (4). Further, the exemption applies only in connection
    with proposals submitted before expiration of the 90-day period
    following the cost accounting period in which the monetary exemption
    was exceeded.

    II\. Cost Accounting Standards - Eligibility for Modified Contract
    Coverage

    If the offeror is eligible to use the modified provisions of 48 CFR,
    Subpart 9903.201-2(b) and elects to do so, the offeror shall
    indicate by checking the box below. Checking the box below shall
    mean that the resultant contract is subject to the Disclosure and
    Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices clause in lieu of the Cost
    Accounting Standards clause.

    \[ \] The offeror hereby claims an exemption from the Cost
    Accounting Standards clause under the provisions of 48 CFR, Subpart
    9903.201-2(b) and certifies that the offeror is eligible for use of
    the Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices clause
    because during the cost accounting period immediately preceding the
    period in which this proposal was submitted, the offeror received
    less than \$25 million in awards of CAS-covered prime contracts and
    subcontracts or the offeror did not receive a single CAS-covered
    award exceeding \$1 million. The offeror further certifies that if
    such status changes before an award resulting from this proposal,
    the offeror will advise the Contracting Officer immediately.

    Caution: An offeror may not claim the above eligibility for modified
    contract coverage if this proposal is expected to result in the
    award of a CAS-covered contract of \$25 million or more or if,
    during its current cost accounting period, the offeror has been
    awarded a single CAS-covered prime contract or subcontract of \$25
    million or more.

    III\. Additional Cost Accounting Standards Applicable to Existing
    Contracts

    The offeror shall indicate below whether award of the contemplated
    contract would, in accordance with subparagraph (a)(3) of the Cost
    Accounting Standards clause, require a change in established cost
    accounting practices affecting existing contracts and subcontracts.

    \[ \] Yes \[ \] No

    (End of Provision)

    ALTERNATE I (APR 1996)

    \[ \] (5) Certificate of Disclosure Statement Due Date by
    Educational Institution.

    If the offeror is an educational institution that, under the
    transition provisions of 48 CFR 9903.202-1(f), is or will be
    required to submit a Disclosure Statement after receipt of this
    award, the offeror hereby certifies that (check one and complete):

    \[\] (a) A Disclosure Statement filing Due Date of

    has been established with the cognizant Federal agency.

    \[\] (b) The Disclosure Statement will be submitted within the six
    month period ending months after receipt of this award.

    Name and Address of cognizant ACO or Federal Official where
    Disclosure Statement is to be filed:

    **(END OF ALTERNATE I)**

    K.16 CERTIFICATE OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

    (FAR 15.406-2)

    CERTIFICATE OF CURRENT COST OR PRICING DATA

    When cost or pricing data are required, the contracting officer
    shall require the contractor to execute a Certificate of Current
    Cost or Pricing Data using the format in this paragraph, and shall
    include the executed certificate in the contract file.

    This is to certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the
    cost or pricing data (as defined in Section 15.401 of the Federal
    Acquisition Regulation(FAR) and required under FAR subsection
    15.403-4) submitted, either actually or by specific identification,
    in writing, to the contracting officer or the contracting officer\'s
    representative in support of \* are accurate, complete, and current
    as of \*\*.

    This certification includes the cost or pricing data supporting any
    advance agreements and forward pricing rate agreements between the
    offeror and the Government that are part of the proposal.

    FIRM

    NAME Signature

    TITLE

    DATE OF EXECUTION\*\*\*

    \* Identify the proposal, request for price adjustment, or other
    submission involved, giving the appropriate identifying number
    (e.g., Request for Proposal number).

    \*\* Insert the day, month, and year when price negotiations were
    concluded and price agreement was reached or, if applicable, an
    earlier date agreed upon between the parties that is as close as
    practicable to the date of agreement on price.

    \*\*\* Insert the day, month, and year of signing, which should be
    as close as practicable to the date when the price negotiations were
    concluded and the contract price agreed to.

    End of Certificate

    K.17 ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant and contract
    recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote the
    nonuse of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the
    Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities
    (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or
    routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood
    development services are provided to children.

    [CERTIFICATION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE]{.underline}

    Public Law 103-227, also known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994
    (Act), requires that smoking not be permitted in any portion of any
    indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by an entity and
    used routinely or regularly for the provision of health, day care,
    early childhood development services, education or library services
    to children under the age of 18, if the services are funded by
    Federal programs either directly or through State or local
    governments, by Federal grant, contract, loan, or loan guarantee.
    The law also applies to children\'s services that are provided in
    indoor facilities that are constructed, operated, or maintained with
    such federal funds. The law does not apply to children\'s services
    provided in private residences; portions of facilities used for
    inpatient drug or alcohol treatment; service providers whose sole
    source of applicable Federal funds is Medicare or Medicaid; or
    facilities where WIC coupons are redeemed. Failure to comply with
    the provisions of the law may result in the imposition of a civil
    monetary penalty of up to \$1000 for each violation and/or the
    imposition of an administrative compliance order on the responsible
    entity.

    By signing this certification, the offeror/contractor certifies that
    the submitted organization will comply with the requirements of the
    Act and will not allow smoking within any portion of any indoor
    facility used for the provision of services for children as defined
    by the Act.

    The submitting organization agrees that it will require that the
    language of this certification be included in any subawards which
    contain provisions for children\'s services and that all
    subrecipients shall certify accordingly.

    Organization:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    Signature\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    Title\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    Small Disadvantaged Business Status.

    (Oct 1998) (FAR 52.219-22)

    \(a\) *General.*

    This provision is used to assess an offeror's small disadvantaged
    business status for the purpose of obtaining a benefit on this
    solicitation. Status as a small business and status as a small
    disadvantaged business for general statistical purposes is covered
    by the provision at FAR 52.219-1, Small Business Program
    Representation.

    \(b\) *Representations.*

    \(1\) General. The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that it
    is a small business under the size standard applicable to this
    acquisition; and either -

    \[\](i) It has received certification by the Small Business
    Administration as a small disadvantaged business concern consistent
    with 13 CFR 124, Subpart B; and

    \(A\) No material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has
    occurred since certification.

    \(B\) Where the concern is owned by one or more disadvantaged
    individuals, the net worth of each individual upon whom the
    certification is based does not exceed \$750,000 after taking into
    account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2);
    and

    \(C\) It is listed, on the date of this representation, on the
    register of small disadvantaged business concerns maintained by the
    Small Business Administration; or

    \[\] (ii) It has submitted a completed application to the Small
    Business Administration or a Private Certifier to be certified as a
    small disadvantaged business concern in accordance with 13 CFR 124,
    Subpart B, and a decision on that application is pending, and that
    no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has
    occurred since its application was submitted.

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(2) \[\] For Joint Ventures. The offeror represents, as part of its
    offer, that it is a joint venture that complies with the
    requirements at 13 CFR 124.1002(f) and that the representation in
    paragraph (b)(1) of this provision is accurate for the small
    disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint
    venture. (The offeror shall enter the name of the small
    disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint
    venture: [)]{.underline}

    \(c\) *Penalties and Remedies*. Anyone how misrepresents any aspect
    of the disadvantaged status of a concern for the purposes of
    securing a contract or subcontract shall -

    \(1\) Be punished by imposition of a fine, imprisonment, or both;

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(2) Be subject to administrative remedies, including suspension and
    debarment; and

(3) Be ineligible for participation in programs conducted under the
    authority of the Small Business Act.

    (End of Provision)

    Use Alternate I, when SDB concerns is authorized on a regional
    basis.

    Alternate I (Oct 1998)

    \(3\) Address. The offeror represents that its address \[\]is,
    \[\]is not in a region for which a small disadvantaged business
    procurement mechanism is authorized and its address has not changed
    since its certification as a small disadvantaged business concern or
    submission of its application for certification. The list of
    authorized small disadvantaged business procurement mechanisms and
    regions is posed at
    <http://www.arnet.gov/References/sdbadjustments.htm.> The offeror
    shall use the list in effect on the date of this solicitation.
    "Address," as used in this provision, means the address of the
    offeror as listed on the Small Business Administrations or a Private
    Certifier in accordance with 13 CFR part 124, subpart B. For joint
    ventures, "address" refers to the address of the small disadvantaged
    business concern that is participating in the joint venture.

**SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS**

**L.1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) (FAR
52.252-1)**

> This solicitation incorporates the following solicitation provisions
> by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in
> full text. Upon request, the contracting officer will make the full
> text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be assessed
> electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/

a\. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) Solicitation
Provisions

\(1\) 52.215-16 Facilities Capital Cost of Money (OCT 1997)

> \(2\) 52.215-20 Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information
> Other Than Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997)

**L.2 DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING (DUNS) NUMBER (OCT 2003) (FAR 52.204-6)**

\(a\) The offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on
the cover page of its offer, the annotation "DUNS" or "DUNS+4" followed
by the DUNS number or "DUNS+4" that identifies the offeror's name and
address exactly as stated in the offer. The DUNS number is a nine-digit
number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. The DUNS+4
is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the
discretion of the offeror to establish additional CCR records for
identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see
Subpart 32.11) for the same parent concern.

\(b\) If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun
and Bradstreet directly to obtain one.

\(1\) An offeror may obtain a DUNSnumber---

\(i\) If located within the United States, by calling Dun and Bradstreet
at 1-866-705-5711 or via the iInternet at
[*http://www.dnb.*com](http://www.dnb.com/); or

\(ii\) If located outside the United States, by contacting the local Dun
and Bradstreet office.

\(2\) The offeror should be prepared to provide the following
information:

\(i\) Company legal business name.

\(ii\) Tradestyle, doing business, or other name by which your entity is
commonly recognized.

\(iii\) Company physical street address, city, state and Zip Code.

\(iv\) Company mailing address, sity, state and Zip Code (if separate
from physical).

\(v\) Company telephone number.

\(vi\) Date the company was started.

\(vii\) Number of employees at your location.

\(viii\) Chief executive officer/ key manager.

\(ix\) Line of business (industry)

\(X\) Company Headquarters name and address (reporting relationship
within your entity).

(End of provision)

**L.3 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (MAY 2001)**

**ALTERNATE I (JAN 2004)(FAR 52.215-1)**

\(a\) Definitions. As used in this provision --

> "Discussions" are negotiations that occur after establishment of the
> competitive range that may, at the Contracting Officer's discretion,
> result in the offeror being allowed to revise its proposal.
>
> "In writing," "writing," or "written" means any worded or numbered
> expression that can be read, reproduced, and later communicated, and
> includes electronically transmitted and stored information.
>
> "Proposal modification" is a change made to a proposal before the
> solicitation's closing date and time, or made in response to an
> amendment, or made to correct a mistake at any time before award.
>
> "Proposal revision" is a change to a proposal made after the
> solicitation closing date, at the request of or as allowed by a
> Contracting Officer as the result of negotiations.
>
> "Time," if stated as a number of days, is calculated using calendar
> days, unless otherwise specified, and will include Saturdays, Sundays,
> and legal holidays. However, if the last day falls on a Saturday,
> Sunday or legal holiday, then the period shall include the next
> working day.

\(b\) Amendments to solicitations. If this solicitation is amended, all
terms and conditions that are not amended remain unchanged. Offerors
shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation by the
date and time specified in the amendment(s).

\(c\) Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals.

\(1\) Unless other methods (e.g., electronic commerce or facsimile) are
permitted in the solicitation, proposals and modifications to proposals
shall be submitted in paper media in sealed envelopes or packages (i)
addressed to the office specified in the solicitation, and (ii) showing
the time and date specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and
the name and address of the offeror. Offerors using commercial carriers
should ensure that the proposal is marked on the outermost wrapper with
the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) of this
provision.

\(2\) The first page of the proposal must show---

\(i\) The solicitation number;

\(ii\) The name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the
offeror (and electronic address if available);

\(iii\) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms,
conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to
furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set
opposite each item;

\(iv\) Names, titles, and telephone and facsimile numbers (and
electronic addresses if available) of persons authorized to negotiate on
the offeror's behalf with the Government in connection with this
solicitation; and

\(v\) Name, title, and signature of person authorized to sign the
proposal. Proposals signed by an agent shall be accompanied by evidence
of that agent's authority, unless that evidence has been previously
furnished to the issuing office.

\(3\) Submissions, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals.

\(i\) Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals, and any
modification or revisions, so as to reach the Government office
designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the
solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for
receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office
on the date that proposal or revision is due.

\(ii\) (A) Any proposal, modification, or revision received at the
Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time
specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered
unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer
determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the
acquisition; and -

\(1\) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method
authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of
entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one
working day prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals; or

\(2\) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at
the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was
under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of
offers; or

\(3\) It is the only proposal received.

\(B\) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful proposal
that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be
considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

\(iii\) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the
Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that
installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of
receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements
of Government personnel.

\(iv\) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal
Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the office
designated for receipt of proposals by the exact time specified in the
solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of
the solicitation, the time specified for receipt of proposals will be
deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the
solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes
resume.

\(v\) Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time
before award. Oral proposals in response to oral solicitations may be
withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile proposals,
proposals may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before
award, subject to the conditions specified in the provision at 52.215-5,
"Facsimile Proposals." Proposals may be withdrawn in person by an
offeror or an authorized representative, if the representative's
identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the
proposal before award.

\(4\) Unless otherwise specified in the solicitation, the offeror may
propose to provide any item or combination of items.

\(5\) Offerors shall submit proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation in English, unless otherwise permitted by the solicitation,
and in U.S. dollars, unless the provision at FAR 52.225-17, Evaluation
of Foreign Currency Offers, is included in the solicitation.

\(6\) Offerors may submit modifications to their proposals at any time
before the solicitation closing date and time, and may submit
modifications in response to an amendment, or to correct a mistake at
any time before award.

\(7\) Offers may submit revised proposals only if requested or allowed
by the Contracting Officer.

\(8\) Proposals may be withdrawn at any time before award. Withdrawals
are effective upon receipt of notice by the Contracting Officer.

> \(d\) Offer expiration date. Proposals in response to this
> solicitation will be valid for the number of days specified on the
> solicitation cover sheet (unless a different period is proposed by the
> offeror).

\(e\) Restriction on disclosure and use of data. Offerors that include
in their proposals data that they do not want disclosed to the public
for any purpose, or used by the Government except for evaluation
purposes, shall ---

\(1\) Mark the title page with the following legend:

> This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the
> Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed--in whole
> or in part--for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. If,
> however, a contract is awarded to this offeror as a result of--or in
> connection with-- the submission of this data, the Government shall
> have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent
> provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit
> the Government's right to use information contained in this data if it
> is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject
> to this restriction are contained in sheets \[insert numbers or other
> identification of sheets\]; and

\(2\) Mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the following
legend:

> Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the
> restriction on the title page of this proposal.

\(f\) Contract award.

\(1\) The Government intends to award a contract or contracts resulting
from this solicitation to the responsible offeror(s) whose proposal(s)
represents the best value after evaluation in accordance with the
factors and subfactors in the solicitation.

\(2\) The Government may reject any or all proposals if such action is
in the Government's interest.

\(3\) The Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities in
proposals received.

\(4\) The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract
after conducting discussions with offerors whose proposals have been
determined to be within the competitive range. If the Contracting
Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be
in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient
competition can be conducted, the Contracting

> Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to
> the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among
> the most highly rated proposals. Therefore, the offeror's initial
> proposal should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and
> technical standpoint.

\(5\) The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for
a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit cost or prices
offered, unless the offeror

specifies otherwise in the proposal.

\(6\) The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards if,
after considering the additional administrative costs, it is in the
Government's best interest to do so.

\(7\) Exchanges with offerors after receipt of a proposal do not
constitute a rejection or counteroffer by the Government.

\(8\) The Government may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if
the prices proposed are materially unbalanced between line items or
subline items.

> Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated
> price, the price of one or more contract line items is significantly
> overstated or understated as indicated by the application of cost or
> price analysis techniques. A proposal may be rejected if the
> Contracting Officer determines that the lack of balance

poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

\(9\) If a cost realism analysis is performed, cost realism may be
considered by the source selection authority in evaluating performance
or schedule risk.

\(10\) A written award or acceptance of proposal mailed or otherwise
furnished to the successful offeror within the time specified in the
proposal shall result in a binding contract without further action by
either party.

\(11\) If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the
Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

\(i\) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient
factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

\(ii\) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the
successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on
the debriefed offeror.

\(iii\) The overall raking of all offerors, when any ranking was
developed by the agency during source selection

(iv) A summary of the rationale for award

(v) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item
    to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(vi) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed
     offerors as to whether source-slection procedures set forth in the
     solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable
     authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of provision)

**L.4 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APRIL 1984)(FAR 52.216-1)**

> The Government contemplates award of a cost-plus award fee contract
> resulting from this solicitation.
>
> It is anticipated that one (1) award will be made from this
> solicitation and that the award will be made on/about October 15,
> 2004.

**L.5 SERVICE OF PROTEST(AUG 1996)(FAR 52.233-2)**

\(a\) Protests, as defined in Section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any
protests that are filed with the General Accounting Office (GAO) shall
be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining
written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Director, Division of Contracts Management

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

\(b\) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated
above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

**L.6 POINT OF CONTACT FOR TECHNICAL INQUIRIES**

> The technical contact for additional information and answering
> inquiries is the Contracting Officer. All questions regarding this
> solicitation shall be in writing and received by the Contracting
> Officer no later than **July 22, 2004**. (E-mail or fax 301-427-1740).

**L.7 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS**

[Introduction]{.underline}

> The following instructions will establish the acceptable minimum
> requirements for the format and contents of proposals. Special
> attention is directed to the requirements for technical and business
> proposals to be submitted in accordance with these instructions:

a\. [Contract Type and General Provisions]{.underline}: It is
contemplated that a cost-type contract will be awarded. In addition to
the special provisions of this request for proposal (RFP), any resultant
contract shall include the general clauses applicable to the selected
offeror\'s organization and type of contract awarded. Any additional
clauses required by Public Law, Executive Order, or procurement
regulations, in effect at the time of execution of the proposed
contract, will be included.

b\. [Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal]{.underline}: The
proposal shall be signed by an official authorized to bind your (the
offeror\'s) organization. Your proposal shall be submitted in the number
of copies, to the address, and marked as indicated in the cover letter
of this solicitation. Proposals will be typewritten, reproduced on
letter sized paper and will be legible in all required copies. To
expedite the proposal evaluation, all documents required for responding
to the RFP should be placed in the following order:

I. [TECHNICAL PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Technical Proposal Instructions
for recommended format (L.8). Please mark as original or copy.

> II\. [PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION]{.underline}: See Past Performance
> Information Instructions for format (L.9)

III\. [BUSINESS PROPOSAL]{.underline}: See Business Proposal
Instructions for recommended format (L.10).

c\. [Separation of Technical, Past Performance Information, and Business
Proposal]{.underline}: The proposal shall be in 3 parts:

> \(1\) Technical Proposal; (2) Past Performance Information; (3) Small
> Disadvantaged Business Participation Plan; and (4) Business Proposal.
> Each of the parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that
> evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of, and
> concurrently with, evaluation of the other. The technical proposal
> shall not contain reference to cost; however resources information,
> such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials,
> subcontracts, etc., shall be contained in the technical proposal so
> that your understanding of the Statement of Work (SOW) may be
> evaluated. It must disclose your technical approach in as much detail
> as possible, including, but not limited to, the requirements of the
> technical proposal instructions.

d\. [Evaluation of Proposals]{.underline}: The Government will evaluate
technical proposals in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section
M, [Evaluation/Award Criteria]{.underline}.

e\. [Rejection of Proposals]{.underline}: The Government reserves the
right to reject any or all proposals received. It is understood that
your proposal will become part of the official contract file.

f\. [Unnecessarily Elaborate Proposals]{.underline}: Unnecessarily
elaborate brochures or other presentations beyond those sufficient to
present a complete and effective proposal are not desired and may be
construed as an indication of the offeror\'s lack of cost consciousness.
Elaborate art work, expensive visual and other presentation aids are
neither necessary nor wanted.

g\. [Privacy Act]{.underline}: The Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law
(P.L.) 93-579) requires that a Federal agency advise each individual
whom it asks to supply information: 1) the authority which authorized
the solicitation; 2) whether disclosure is voluntary or mandatory; (3)
the principal purpose or purposes for which the information is intended
to be used; (4) the uses outside the agency which may be made of the
information; and 4) the effects on the individual, if any, of not
providing all or any part of the requested information.

Therefore:

> \(1\) The Government is requesting the information called for in this
> RFP pursuant to the authority provided by Section 301(g) of the Public
> Health Service Act, as amended, and P.L. 92-218, as amended.

\(2\) Provisions of the information requested are entirely voluntary.

\(3\) The collection of this information is for the purpose of
conducting an accurate, fair, and adequate review prior to a discussion
as to whether to award a contract.

\(4\) Failure to provide any or all of the requested information may
result in a less than adequate review.

\(5\) The information provided by you may be routinely disclosed for the
following purposes:

> -to the cognizant audit agency and the General Accounting Officer for
> auditing;

-to the Department of Justice as required for litigation;

-to respond to Congressional inquiries; and

-to qualified experts, not within the definition of Department employees
for opinions as a part of the review process.

In addition, the Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579, Section 7) requires
that the following information be provided when individuals are
requested to disclose their social security number.

> Provision of the social security number is voluntary. Social security
> numbers are requested for the purpose of accurate and efficient
> identification, referral, review and management of AHRQ contracting
> programs. Authority for requesting this information is provided by
> Section 305 and Title IV of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

h\. The RFP does not commit the Government to pay any cost for the
preparation and submission of a proposal. It is also brought to your
attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can
legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in
connection with this or any acquisition action.

> The Government reserves the right to award a contract without
> discussions if the Contracting Officer determines that the initial
> prices are fair and reasonable and that discussions are not necessary.

**L.8 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS**

> The technical proposal shall contain an original and twelve (12)
> copies. The technical proposal described below shall be limited to
> **100 pages** not including resumes or bibliographies, with no less
> than a 11 point pitch, with the majority of the text double-spaced
> (lists of deliverables, person loading charts, and similar materials
> need not be double-spaced, so long as they are legible). Resumes or
> CVs are only required for key personnel. Brief biographic sketches of
> other personnel may be provided. Lengthy proposals and voluminous
> appendices are neither needed nor desired as they are difficult to
> read and evaluate and may indicate the offeror's inability to
> concisely state their proposal.

a\. [Recommended Technical Proposal Format]{.underline}

> The offeror's proposal should present sufficient information to
> reflect a thorough understanding of the work requirements and a
> detailed plan for achieving the objectives of the scope of work.
> Technical proposals shall not merely paraphrase the requirements of
> the Agency's scope of work or parts thereof, or use of phrases such as
> "will comply" or "standard techniques will be employed." The technical
> proposal must include a detailed description of the techniques and
> procedures to be used in achieving the proposed end results in
> compliance with the requirements of the Agency's scope of work.

\(1\) [Cover Page]{.underline}: The name of the proposing organization,
author(s) of the technical proposal, the RFP number and the title of the
RFP should appear on the cover. One (1) manually signed original copy of
the proposal and the number of copies specified in the RFP cover letter
are required.

\(2\) [Table of Contents]{.underline}: Provide sufficient detail so that
all important elements of the proposal can be located readily.

\(3\) [Introduction]{.underline}: This should be a one or two page
summary outlining the proposed work, your interest in submitting a
proposal, and the importance of this effort in relation to your overall
operation.

> \(4\) [Technical Discussion]{.underline}: The offeror shall prepare a
> technical discussion which addresses evaluation criteria A, B, C, D, E
> and F below. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

A\) Methodology and Approach

B\) Personnel and Management

> C\) Experience of Offeror

D\) Understanding the Statement of Work

E\) Past Performance (See Section L.9)

> **[Technical proposals submitted in response to this RFP shall address
> each of the items described below, and shall be organized in the same
> manner and within the page limitations specified. Proposals shall be
> prepared in double-spaced format, with numbered pages.]{.underline}**

A.  **Methodology and Approach**

    1.  Demonstrate ability to achieve the delivery of performance
        requirements through the use of corporate management and other
        personnel resources as well as demonstrate that the
        organizational structure and capabilities will meet the
        project's milestones in a timely manner.

    2.  Provide evidence that offeror has extensive experience in
        conference planning, adequate meeting site selection, rate
        negotiation, contract negotiation, and meeting room set-up.
        Discuss experience working with hotel sales offices and solving
        problems encountered in conducting review meetings.

    3.  Discuss experience in working with travel agencies in arranging
        travel for reviewers and what measures are taken to ensure that
        the best possible travel rates are obtained by the travel agency
        for reviewers.

    4.  Discuss knowledge of government travel and reimbursement rules
        and regulations.

    5.  Discuss process in which reimbursement has been made to
        reviewers and what measures were taken to ensure that reviewers
        were paid in a timely manner.

    6.  Describe process in obtaining experienced summary statement
        writers who are knowledgeable in the field of health services
        research and describe process in ensuring summary statements are
        prepared and completed according to a prescribed schedule.

    7.  Describe what support is given on-site at review meetings.

    8.  Discuss understanding of the importance of confidentiality
        regarding the review process and what measures are taken to
        ensure that confidentiality is maintained.

    9.  Discuss knowledge of research ethics review and human subjects
        protection issues.

    10. Describe process for obtaining experienced registered social and
        behavioral science IRB capable of training staff about research
        integrity issues and human subjects protection as well as
        conducting IRB reviews.

    11. Discuss knowledge of preparing analytical reports.

> **Personnel and Management**

1.  Provide a description of the individual staff positions proposed to
    perform under this contract.

2.  Provide evidence that each key personnel proposed to perform under
    this contract has the experience and qualifications to perform each
    task outlined in the RFP.

3.  Provide CV's for each key personnel proposed to perform under this
    contract. A description of the experience and qualifications of each
    consultant is to be included in the CV.

4.  Provide narrative showing understanding of the requirements in the
    Statement of Work form a managerial perspective addressing personnel
    selecting and assignment and reasons for selecting each individual
    for a particular job.

5.  Indicate clear lines of authority and delineation of staff
    responsibilities.

6.  Explanation as to how services provided will be monitored as it
    relates to technical quality, responsiveness, cost control, and
    effective and efficient resource utilization.

7.  Describe ability and flexibility to respond rapidly to changes in
    budget, priorities, and schedule.

8.  Provide evidence that key personnel proposed to perform under this
    contract has the ability to perform multiple tasks.

> **C. Experience of Offeror**

1.  Provide a description of organizational structure, corporate
    services offered, and corporate facilities.

2.  Discuss organizational experience to include a description of
    projects and work performed that are similar in scope to this RFP.

3.  Provide references.

> **D. Understanding the Statement of Work**

1.  Provide discussion on understanding of health care research in the
    United States and a brief history of the Agency for Healthcare
    Research and Quality including the Agency's mission, the
    organization of the Agency, and how the Office of Extramural
    Research, Education and Priority Populations functions toward
    accomplishing this mission.

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2.  Discuss the grant review process.

3.  Discuss each tasks outlined in the Statement of Work including the
    function of each task, how each task are linked throughout the
    process, and goals and objectives on how these tasks will be
    accomplished.

**L.9 Past Performance** **Information**

> Offerors shall submit the following information (original and 7
> copies) as part of their proposal for both the offeror and proposed
> major subcontractors:

\(1\) A list of the last five (5) contracts and subcontracts completed
during the past three years and all contracts and subcontracts currently
in process. Contracts listed may include those entered into by the
Federal Government, agencies of State and local governments and
commercial customers. Offerors that are newly formed entities without
prior contracts should list contracts and subcontracts as required for
all key personnel. Include the following information for each contract
and subcontract:

> a: Name of contracting activity
>
> b: Contract number
>
> c: Contract type
>
> d: Total contract value
>
> e: Contract work
>
> f: Contracting Officer and telephone number
>
> g: Program Manager and telephone number
>
> h: Administrative Contracting Officer, if different from item f, and
> telephone number
>
> i: List of major subcontracts

\(2\) The offeror may provide information on problems encountered on the
contracts and subcontracts identified in (1) above and corrective
actions taken to resolve those problems. Offerors should not provide
general information on their performance on the identified contracts.
General performance information will be obtained from the references.

\(3\) The offeror may describe any quality awards or certifications that
may indicate the offeror possesses a high-quality process for developing
and producing the product or service required. Identify what segment of
the company (one division or the entire company) that received the award
or certification. Describe when the award or certification was bestowed.
If the award or certification is over three years old, present evidence
that the qualifications still apply.

\(4\) Each offeror will be evaluated on his/her performance under
existing and prior contracts for similar products or services.
Performance information will be used for both responsibility
determinations and as an evaluation factor against which offeror's
relative rankings will be compared to assure best value to the
Government. The Government will focus on information that demonstrates
quality of performance relative to the size and complexity of the
procurement under consideration. References other than those identified
by the offeror may be contacted by the Government with the information
received used in the evaluation of the offeror's past performance.

> The attached Past Performance Questionnaire and Contractor Performance
> Form shall be completed by those contracting organizations listed in
> (1) above. The evaluation forms shall be completed and forwarded
> directly to the following:
>
> Jessica Alderton
>
> Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
>
> Division of Contracts Management
>
> 540 Gaither Road
>
> Rockville, Maryland 20850
>
> FAX: 301-427-1740
>
> Evaluation forms must be received by **[August 17, 2004]{.underline}**
> in order to be included in the review process. It is the
> responsibility of the offeror to ensure that these documents are
> forwarded to the Contracting Officer.

**L.10 BUSINESS PROPOSAL**

> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal." The
> Business Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small
> Business Subcontracting Plan, and Other Administrative Data in
> accordance with the following:
>
> The offeror shall submit as part of the proposal a
> [separate]{.underline} enclosure titled "Business Proposal." The
> Business Proposal shall include the Cost/Price Proposal, the Small
> Business Subcontracting Plan and Other Administrative Data in
> accordance with the following:

A. [Cost/Price Proposal]{.underline}

A cost proposal, original and 7 copies, shall be provided only to the
extent that it shall include:

1\. Certified, unloaded, labor rates for individuals expected to work on
a project of this size and nature primarily on-site and full time (see
Section B.2, C.2 and L.8).

2\. Certified documentation indicating that the offeror has a cost
accounting system in place which allows for the collection, tracking and
reporting of all costs under a cost reimbursement-type contract.

3\. Certified documentation that the offeror has a current indirect cost
rate agreement in place with a federal agency or that is in the process
of obtaining or revising such an agreement. A copy of the indirect cost
rate agreement or the proposed rate agreement shall be provided.

> The business proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the
> Government to perform a basic analysis of the proposed cost or price
> of the work. This information shall include the amounts of the basic
> elements of the proposed cost or price.

As appropriate, cost breakdowns shall be provided for the following cost
elements.

\(a\) [Direct Labor]{.underline}

> The estimated cost for all personnel who will be assigned for direct
> work on this project shall be included. Give the name, title, percent
> of effort or time, salary and fringe benefits for each employee.
>
> Salary increases that are anticipated during performance of a
> resultant contract should be proposed as a cost. If escalation is
> included, state the degree (percent) and methodology, e.g., annual
> flat rate applied to a base rate as of a specific date or a
> mid-pointed rate for the period of performance. State whether any
> additional direct labor (new hires) will be required during the
> performance period of this procurement. If so, state the number
> required and anticipated date of hire. Also, specifiy the month and
> day on which your fiscal year commences.

\(b\) [Supplies and Equipment]{.underline}

> Include description, unit price, quantity, total price, justification
> for purchasing or leasing items and the basis for pricing (vendor
> quotes, invlices prices, etc.).
>
> \(c\) [Travel]{.underline}
>
> The amount proposed for travel shall be supported with a breakdown
> which includes purposes, destination, duration, and estimated cost
> (transportation and per diem) for each proposed trip. If travel costs
> are proposed on the basis of your organization's established travel
> policy, a copy of the policy must be provided.
>
> \(d\) [Consultants]{.underline}
>
> This element should include name(s) of consultant, number of days, and
> daily rate. The method of obtaining each consultant, either sole
> source or competitive, and the degree of competition or the rationale
> for sole source shall be explained.
>
> \(e\) [Subcontractors]{.underline}
>
> Subcontractor costs shall be broken down and supported by cost and
> pricing data adequate to establish the reasonableness of the proposed
> amount. Support documentation should include degree of subcontract
> competition and basis for selecting source.
>
> \(f\) [Other Direct Costs]{.underline}
>
> Any proposed other direct costs shall be supported with breakdown
> outlining the separate costs proposed and details supporting the
> formulation of the costs proposed. A signed agreement between the
> offeror and any personnel other than direct employees that includes
> dates of employment, salary, and specific tasks to be performed should
> be included.
>
> \(g\) [Indirect Costs]{.underline}
>
> Indicate how you have computed and applied indirect costs, and provide
> a basis for evaluating the reasonableness of the proposed rates.

B. Other Administrative Data

\(1\) [Terms and Conditions]{.underline}: The proposal shall stipulate
that it is predicated upon the terms and conditions of the RFP. In
addition, it shall contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for
a period of at least 120 days from the date of receipt thereof by the
Government.

> Minimum Bid Acceptance Period (April 1984)

\(a\) \"Acceptance period,\" as used in this provision, means the number
of calendar days available to the Government for awarding a contract
from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of bids.

\(b\) This provision supersedes any language pertaining to the
acceptance period that may appear elsewhere in this solicitation.

\(c\) The Government requires a minimum acceptance period of 120 days.

\(d\) A bid allowing less than the Government\'s minimum acceptance
period may be rejected.

\(e\) The bidder agrees to execute all that it has undertaken to do, in
compliance with its bid, if that bid is accepted in writing within (i)
the acceptance period stated in paragraph (3) above, or (ii) any longer
acceptance period stated in paragraph (4) above.

\(2\) [Authority to Conduct Negotiations]{.underline}: The proposal
shall list the names and telephone numbers of persons authorized to
conduct negotiations and to execute contracts.

> \(3\) [Property]{.underline}:

\(a\) It is HHS policy that contractors will provide all equipment and
facilities necessary for performance of contracts. Exception may be
granted to furnish Government-owned property, or to authorize purchase
with contract funds, only when approved by the contracting officer. If
additional equipment must be acquired, you shall include the
description, estimated cost of each item and whether you will furnish
such items with your own funds.

\(b\) You shall identify Government-owned property in your possession
and/or property acquired from Federal funds to which you have title,
that is proposed to be used in the performance of the prospective
contract.

\(c\) The management and control of any Government property shall be in
accordance with HHS Publication (OS) 74-115 entitled,
[Contractor\'s]{.underline}

> [Guide for Control of Government Property]{.underline}\" 1990, a copy
> of which will be provided upon request.

\(4\) [Royalties]{.underline}: You shall furnish information concerning
royalties which are

> anticipated to be paid in connection with the performance of work
> under the proposed contract.

\(5\) [Commitments]{.underline}: You shall list other commitments with
the Government relating to the specified work or services and indicate
whether these commitments will or will not interfere with the completion
of work and/or services contemplated under this proposal.

\(6\) [Financial Capacity]{.underline}: You shall provide sufficient
data to indicate that you have the necessary financial capacity, working
capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance
from any outside source. If not, indicate the amount required and the
anticipated source. (Financial data such as balance sheets, profit and
loss statements, cash forecasts, and financial histories of your
organization\'s affiliated concerns should be utilized.)

\(7\) [Performance Capability]{.underline}: You shall provide acceptable
evidence of your \"ability to obtain\" equipment, facilities, and
personnel necessary to perform the requirements of this project. If
these are not represented in your current operations, they should
normally be supported by commitment or explicit arrangement, which is in
existence at the time the contract is to be awarded, for the rental,
purchase, or other acquisition of such resources, equipment, facilities,
or personnel. In addition, you shall indicate your ability to comply
with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule taking
into consideration all existing business commitments, commercial as well
as Government.

\(8\) Representations and Certifications: Section K, \"Representations
and Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors\" shall be completed
and signed by an official authorized to bind your organization. **This
section shall be made a part of the original business proposal**

**L.11 SELECTION OF OFFERORS**

a\. The acceptability of the technical portion of each contract proposal
will be evaluated by the technical review committee. The committee will
evaluate each proposal in strict conformity with the evaluation criteria
of the RFP, utilizing point scores and written critiques. The committee
may suggest that the Contracting Officer request clarifying information
from an offeror.

b\. The business portion of each contract proposal will be subjected to
a limited cost review, management analysis, etc.

c\. The Contracting Officer will, in concert with Agency staff, evaluate
past performance of the technically acceptable offerors and decide which
proposals are in the competitive range. Oral or written discussions will
be conducted with all offerors in the competitive range, if necessary.
All aspects of the proposals are subject to discussions, including cost,
technical approach, past performance, and contractual terms and
conditions. Final Proposal Revisions will be requested with the
reservation of the right to conduct limited negotiations after
submission of the Final Proposal Revisions.

d\. A final best-buy analysis will be performed taking into
consideration the results of the technical evaluation, cost analysis,
past performance, and ability to complete the work within the
Government's required schedule. The Government reserves the right to
make an award to the best advantage of the Government, technical merit,
cost, past performance, and other factors considered.

e\. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple
awards, or no award at all to the RFP.

> **[SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD]{.underline}**

**[TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA]{.underline}**

**M.1** Selection of an offeror for contract award will be based on an
evaluation of proposals against three factors and award will be made to
that responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the
Government. The three factors are: technical, cost and past performance.
The technical proposal will receive paramount consideration in the
selection of the Contractor(s) for this acquisition. Offerors that
submit technically acceptable proposals will then be evaluated for past
performance. Following the evaluation of the offeror's past performance,
a competitive range will be determined.

**M.2** All evaluation factors, other than cost or price, when combined
are significantly more important than cost or price. However, cost/price
may become a critical factor in source selection in the event that two
or more offerors are determined to be essentially equal following the
evaluation of all factors other than cost or price. In any event, the
Government reserves the right to make an award to that offeror whose
proposal provides the best overall value to the Government. The
Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards,
or no award at all.

**THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE AN AWARD WITHOUT
DISCUSSIONS.**

**M.3** All proposals will be reviewed in accordance with the governing
regulations and AHRQ policies and procedures. The technical proposal and
past performance information will be evaluated in terms of the offeror's
responses to each of the evaluation factors. Each proposal will be
evaluated on the likelihood of meeting the Government's requirements.
The evaluation factors and assigned weights which will be used in the
overall review of the offeror's proposal are outlined below. The
technical proposal shall consist of the responses to evaluation criteria
A through D. The offeror should show that the objectives stated in the
proposal are understood and offer a logical program for their
achievement. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals
and will be weighed as indicated in establishing a numerical rating for
all proposals submitted. Factors facilitating the evaluation of each
criteria below are referenced in the corresponding criteria found in
Section L of this solicitation:

***OFFERORS PLEASE NOTE***: Evaluation Criteria A through D, for a total
of 100 points, will be evaluated by a technical peer review committee,
who will also recommend technical acceptability or unacceptability of
the proposal. Program staff and contracting staff will review and
evaluate Criteria E, for a total of 25 points. The total possible points
for Evaluation Criteria A through E is 125 points.

> **[Evaluation Criteria]{.underline} [Weight]{.underline}**
>
> A. [Methodology and Approach]{.underline} 20
>
> Appropriateness and soundness of technical and logistical methods.
> Plans, including milestones and scheduling, for securing meeting
> facilities, lodging and travel arrangements, reimbursement of
> travelers, scientific document preparation, correspondence processing,
> and assurance of confidentiality. Feasibility of carrying out proposed
> approach within time and budget requested.

B.  [Personnel and Management]{.underline} 40

> Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in Public Health Service peer
> review of grant applications, meeting preparation and implementation,
> scientific writing (particularly health services research), preparing
> analytical reports, and understanding of research integrity and ethics
> training, and human subjects protection as they apply to Institutional
> Review Board (IRB) operations. Experience in establishing and
> maintaining document distribution systems. Evidence of ability and
> commitment of project team to carry out all aspects of the contract or
> necessary understanding to subcontract for highly skilled delivery of
> these services. Adequacy of procedures to ensure the smooth and
> efficient operation and timely completion of project tasks.

C.  [Experience of Offeror]{.underline} 25

> Demonstrated experience in meeting management and support, scientific
> document preparation (especially as it pertains to Public Health
> Service peer review standards for grant applications), preparing
> analytical reports, research integrity and ethics training, and human
> subjects protection, document distribution, and in handling and
> resolving organizational problems that affect carrying out this
> project. Demonstrated experience in conducting multiple varied
> activities concurrently and with rapid turn-around

D.  [Understanding the Project]{.underline} 15

> Demonstrated understanding of the need for, nature of, and complexity
> of this project, including a statement of the problem, objectives, and
> long-range impact of the project.
>
> **TOTAL POINTS BEFORE PAST PERFORMANCE [100]{.underline}**

E. [PAST PERFORMANCE]{.underline} 25

> a\) The offeror\'s past performance will be evaluated after completion
> of the technical evaluation. Only those offerors determined to be
> technically acceptable will be evaluated. Each offeror will be
> evaluated on its performance under existing and prior contracts for
> similar products or services. Performance information will be used for
> both responsibility determinations and as an evaluation factor to
> compare relative rankings.
>
> b\) Evaluation of past performance will often be quite subjective
> based on consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances. It
> will not be based on absolute standards of acceptable performance. The
> Government is seeking to determine whether the offeror has
> consistently demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction and
> timely delivery of services at fair and reasonable prices.
>
> c\) The Government reserves the right to evaluate relevant past
> performance information not specifically provided by the offeror.
>
> d\) The Government will assess the relative risks associated with each
> offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror\'s
> likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as
> indicated by the offeror\'s record of past performance.
>
> e\) If the offeror or the proposed employees for the offeror, do not
> have a past performance history relative to this acquisition, or past
> performance not relative to this acquisition, the offeror will not be
> evaluated favorably or unfavorably on this factor. A neutral rating
> will be determined.
>
> f\) In evaluating past performance, the Government will consider the
> offeror\'s effectiveness in producing quality products or services;
> timeliness of performance; cost control; business practices; customer
> satisfaction; accomplishments in writing, editing, design, and
> dissemination of agency products; and, the past performance of key
> personnel in the areas of health services research and health care
> policy.
>
> g\) The assessment of the offeror's past performance will be used as a
> means of evaluating the relative capability of the offeror and the
> other competitors. Thus, an offeror with an exceptional record of past
> performance may receive a more favorable evaluation than another whose
> record is acceptable, even though both may have acceptable technical
> proposals.

h.  The Government will consider the number or severity of an offeror's
    problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the
    offeror's overall work record, and the age and relevance of past
    performance information.

+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| **ATTACHMENT 1** |                             |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
| **Performance    |                             |                     |
| Requirements     |                             |                     |
| Summary**        |                             |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| **Performance    | **Key Performance           | **Surveillance      |
| Factor**         | Standards**                 | Methods**           |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 1\. Provide      | a)  Contractor makes hotel  | Review of           |
| Technical and    |     and conference room     | deliverables by PO  |
| Logistical       |     arrangements that are   | and other AHRQ      |
| Support for      |     in the                  | staff.              |
| IRG/SEP Meetings |     Gaithersburg/Rockville  |                     |
|                  |     area, and convenient    | Surveys and         |
|                  |     and suitable for the    | comments of IRG/SEP |
|                  |     needs of IRG/SEP        | reviewers.          |
|                  |     reviewers and AHRQ.     |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | b)  Contractor arranges     |                     |
|                  |     convenient shuttle      |                     |
|                  |     service for the         |                     |
|                  |     reviewers between AHRQ  |                     |
|                  |     and the hotel; and      |                     |
|                  |     limo, taxi service from |                     |
|                  |     the hotel to the        |                     |
|                  |     airport/metro.          |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | c)  Contractor identifies   |                     |
|                  |     and secures an          |                     |
|                  |     effective travel agency |                     |
|                  |     for use by reviewers in |                     |
|                  |     making travel           |                     |
|                  |     arrangements.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | d)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     accurate and timely     |                     |
|                  |     (i.e., within 30 days   |                     |
|                  |     of receipt)             |                     |
|                  |     reimbursement for       |                     |
|                  |     travel and per diem     |                     |
|                  |     expenses and consultant |                     |
|                  |     fees for all            |                     |
|                  |     non-Federal IRG/SEP     |                     |
|                  |     reviewers.              |                     |
|                  |     Reimbursement is        |                     |
|                  |     consistent with Federal |                     |
|                  |     Travel Regulations.     |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | e)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     efficient and effective |                     |
|                  |     on-site logistical      |                     |
|                  |     support for IRG/SEP     |                     |
|                  |     meetings. This          |                     |
|                  |     includes, for example,  |                     |
|                  |     ensuring the provision  |                     |
|                  |     of a telephone, two     |                     |
|                  |     flip chats, and morning |                     |
|                  |     and afternoon           |                     |
|                  |     refreshments; assuring  |                     |
|                  |     appropriate arrangement |                     |
|                  |     of conference room;     |                     |
|                  |     establishing effective  |                     |
|                  |     relationships with      |                     |
|                  |     hotel staff to resolve  |                     |
|                  |     any issues; and         |                     |
|                  |     arranging with a        |                     |
|                  |     caterer to provide      |                     |
|                  |     lunch, morning and      |                     |
|                  |     afternoon refreshments, |                     |
|                  |     and clean up for        |                     |
|                  |     meetings held at AHRQ.  |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | f)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     efficient and effective |                     |
|                  |     logistical support for  |                     |
|                  |     the assembly, coping    |                     |
|                  |     and distribution of     |                     |
|                  |     meeting materials. This |                     |
|                  |     includes, for example,  |                     |
|                  |     preparation of folders; |                     |
|                  |     copying and             |                     |
|                  |     distribution of agenda, |                     |
|                  |     review guidelines,      |                     |
|                  |     worksheets, schedule,   |                     |
|                  |     reimbursement           |                     |
|                  |     materials, COI forms,   |                     |
|                  |     voting sheets and other |                     |
|                  |     pertinent materials for |                     |
|                  |     reviewers; copying and  |                     |
|                  |     distribution of         |                     |
|                  |     materials for visitors; |                     |
|                  |     and preparation of name |                     |
|                  |     cards. Meeting packets  |                     |
|                  |     are provided in timely  |                     |
|                  |     manner, consistent with |                     |
|                  |     Schedule of             |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | g)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     efficient and effective |                     |
|                  |     logistical support for  |                     |
|                  |     project site visits.    |                     |
|                  |     This includes, for      |                     |
|                  |     example, arranging      |                     |
|                  |     hotel accommodations,   |                     |
|                  |     making travel           |                     |
|                  |     arrangements,           |                     |
|                  |     conference room rental, |                     |
|                  |     reimbursing non-Federal |                     |
|                  |     reviewers, and other    |                     |
|                  |     support similar to that |                     |
|                  |     described for IRG/SEP   |                     |
|                  |     meetings.               |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | h)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     efficient and           |                     |
|                  |     effective. logistical   |                     |
|                  |     support for orientation |                     |
|                  |     meetings. This includes |                     |
|                  |     the preparation and     |                     |
|                  |     duplication of meeting  |                     |
|                  |     folders, grant          |                     |
|                  |     application kits,       |                     |
|                  |     slides and              |                     |
|                  |     transparencies; and     |                     |
|                  |     other support similar   |                     |
|                  |     to that described for   |                     |
|                  |     IRG/SEP meetings.       |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | i)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     efficient and effective |                     |
|                  |     logistical support for  |                     |
|                  |     AHRQ annual meeting.    |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | j)  Contractor provides     |                     |
|                  |     accurate and timely     |                     |
|                  |     (i.e., within 30 days   |                     |
|                  |     of receipt)             |                     |
|                  |     reimbursement for       |                     |
|                  |     consultant fees for     |                     |
|                  |     collateral/field and    |                     |
|                  |     continuation reviews.   |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | k)  Annual reports of       |                     |
|                  |     IRG/SEP activities are  |                     |
|                  |     well-written, thorough, |                     |
|                  |     complete and consistent |                     |
|                  |     with guidance from PO.  |                     |
|                  |     Reports are provided in |                     |
|                  |     timely manner,          |                     |
|                  |     consistent with         |                     |
|                  |     Schedule of             |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | l)  Contractor prepares and |                     |
|                  |     distributes annual tax  |                     |
|                  |     forms for reviewers in  |                     |
|                  |     timely manner (by       |                     |
|                  |     February 5 of each      |                     |
|                  |     year).                  |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 2\. Prepare      | a)  Contractor provides     | Review of           |
| Summary          |     list of experienced     | deliverables by PO, |
| Statements for   |     professional writers,   | Scientific Review   |
| IRG/SEP Reviews  |     capable collectively of | Administrator       |
|                  |     drafting 150 summary    | (SRA), and other    |
|                  |     statements/year.        | AHRQ staff.         |
|                  |     Contractor provides CV  |                     |
|                  |     for each writer,        |                     |
|                  |     documenting relevant    |                     |
|                  |     writing experience,     |                     |
|                  |     including samples of    |                     |
|                  |     related summary         |                     |
|                  |     statements. List and    |                     |
|                  |     CVs are provided in     |                     |
|                  |     timely manner,          |                     |
|                  |     consistent with         |                     |
|                  |     Schedule of             |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | b)  Summary statements      |                     |
|                  |     effectively summarizing |                     |
|                  |     the salient points of   |                     |
|                  |     each review, including  |                     |
|                  |     a synthesis of the      |                     |
|                  |     discussion at the       |                     |
|                  |     meeting.                |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | c)  Summary statements are  |                     |
|                  |     prepared in the         |                     |
|                  |     prescribed format, as   |                     |
|                  |     provided by the PO.     |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | d)  Three draft summary     |                     |
|                  |     statements are          |                     |
|                  |     submitted per writer    |                     |
|                  |     within 5 working days   |                     |
|                  |     after each IRG/SEP      |                     |
|                  |     meeting,                |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | > and on all subsequent     |                     |
|                  | > working                   |                     |
|                  | >                           |                     |
|                  | > days.                     |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | e)  Final summary           |                     |
|                  |     statements reflect all  |                     |
|                  |     changes and corrections |                     |
|                  |     requested by the SRA    |                     |
|                  |     and PO, and are         |                     |
|                  |     submitted no later than |                     |
|                  |     30 working days         |                     |
|                  |     following each IRG/SEP  |                     |
|                  |     meeting.                |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | f)  Contractor adheres to   |                     |
|                  |     rules on                |                     |
|                  |     confidentiality of      |                     |
|                  |     information in          |                     |
|                  |     applications.           |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 3\. Provide      | a)  Contractor provides     | Review of           |
| Support for      |     logistical support for  | deliverables by PO  |
| Extramural       |     extramural workshops    | and other AHRQ      |
| Research         |     that is efficient and   | staff.              |
| Workshops and    |     effective. (Support     |                     |
| Analytic Reports |     required is similar to  | Surveys and         |
|                  |     that described for      | comments of meeting |
|                  |     IRG/SEP meetings.)      | participants.       |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | b)  Analytical reports are  |                     |
|                  |     well-written, thorough, |                     |
|                  |     complete and consistent |                     |
|                  |     with guidance from PO.  |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 4\. Provide      | a)  Contractor provides     | Review of           |
| Technical and    |     training personnel      | deliverables by PO, |
| Logistical       |     expert in the areas of  | AHRQ Human          |
| Support for      |     ethical research,       | Protections         |
| Ed               |     research                | Administrator, and  |
| ucation/Training |     integrity/responsible   | other AHRQ staff.   |
| Events           |     research, and human     |                     |
|                  |     subjects protection.    | Surveys and         |
|                  |                             | comments of         |
|                  | b)  Training provided by    | training            |
|                  |     the Contractor is       | participants.       |
|                  |     comprehensive and       |                     |
|                  |     effective in terms of   |                     |
|                  |     content and delivery in |                     |
|                  |     presenting the          |                     |
|                  |     principles of ethical   |                     |
|                  |     research, research      |                     |
|                  |     integrity/responsible   |                     |
|                  |     research, and human     |                     |
|                  |     subjects protection.    |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | c)  Training logistical     |                     |
|                  |     support is efficient    |                     |
|                  |     and effective. Support  |                     |
|                  |     is similar to that      |                     |
|                  |     described for IRG/SEP   |                     |
|                  |     meetings and includes   |                     |
|                  |     preparation of training |                     |
|                  |     agenda, invitation      |                     |
|                  |     letters and name cards; |                     |
|                  |     organization and        |                     |
|                  |     duplication of training |                     |
|                  |     materials; arrangement  |                     |
|                  |     of training room and    |                     |
|                  |     equipment; coordination |                     |
|                  |     with facilities manager |                     |
|                  |     and substantive         |                     |
|                  |     training staff; and     |                     |
|                  |     development and         |                     |
|                  |     administration of       |                     |
|                  |     evaluation/feedback     |                     |
|                  |     form.                   |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 5\. Provide      | a)  Minutes of IRB review   | Review of           |
| Technical and    |     meetings are complete   | deliverables and    |
| Logistical       |     and accurate in terms   | IRB records,        |
| Support for IRB  |     of requirements in 45   | processes and       |
| Reviews          |     CFR 46.115 and          | reports by PO, AHRQ |
|                  |     guidelines in OHRP QA   | Human Protections   |
|                  |     Self Assessment Tool.   | Administrator, and  |
|                  |     Minutes show attendance | other AHRQ staff.   |
|                  |     at meetings, actions    |                     |
|                  |     taken by IRB, vote on   |                     |
|                  |     these actions, basis    |                     |
|                  |     for requiring changes   |                     |
|                  |     to or in disapproving   |                     |
|                  |     research, and a written |                     |
|                  |     summary of discussion   |                     |
|                  |     of controverted issues  |                     |
|                  |     and their resolution.   |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | b)  IRB records are         |                     |
|                  |     complete and accurate   |                     |
|                  |     in terms of             |                     |
|                  |     requirements in 45 CFR  |                     |
|                  |     46.115.                 |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | c)  IRB reviews are timely. |                     |
|                  |     Letter of determination |                     |
|                  |     is submitted within 2   |                     |
|                  |     working days after      |                     |
|                  |     completion of review,   |                     |
|                  |     consistent with         |                     |
|                  |     Schedule of             |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | d)  IRB is responsive to    |                     |
|                  |     requests for            |                     |
|                  |     information from AHRQ   |                     |
|                  |     Human Protections       |                     |
|                  |     Administrator.          |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | e)  IRB has no OHRP         |                     |
|                  |     determinations of       |                     |
|                  |     non-compliance with     |                     |
|                  |     DHHS regulations.       |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | f)  Records maintained and  |                     |
|                  |     reports provided by the |                     |
|                  |     Contractor on the       |                     |
|                  |     status of IRB           |                     |
|                  |     activities are timely,  |                     |
|                  |     accurate, thorough, and |                     |
|                  |     current.                |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | g)  Forms developed by      |                     |
|                  |     Contractor are          |                     |
|                  |     effective in            |                     |
|                  |     documenting and         |                     |
|                  |     disseminating           |                     |
|                  |     information required    |                     |
|                  |     for IRB reviews.        |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | h)  Processes developed by  |                     |
|                  |     the Contractor for      |                     |
|                  |     tracking the flow of    |                     |
|                  |     work are effective in   |                     |
|                  |     terms of providing      |                     |
|                  |     current and useful      |                     |
|                  |     information on the      |                     |
|                  |     status of completion    |                     |
|                  |     and results of IRB      |                     |
|                  |     reviews.                |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | i)  Contractor's            |                     |
|                  |     recommendations for     |                     |
|                  |     improving the IRB       |                     |
|                  |     process are useful and  |                     |
|                  |     well-supported.         |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | j)  Annual report of IRB    |                     |
|                  |     activities is           |                     |
|                  |     well-written, thorough, |                     |
|                  |     complete and responsive |                     |
|                  |     to guidance provided by |                     |
|                  |     PO and AHRQ Human       |                     |
|                  |     Protections             |                     |
|                  |     Administrator.          |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+
| 6\. Project      | a)  Work Plan is thorough   | Review of           |
| Management       |     and complete, reflects  | deliverables by PO  |
|                  |     discussions at the      | and other AHRQ      |
|                  |     project initiation      | staff.              |
|                  |     meeting, and includes   |                     |
|                  |     the following elements: |                     |
|                  |     technical approach to   |                     |
|                  |     tasks, deliverables,    |                     |
|                  |     schedule, management    |                     |
|                  |     and staffing, and any   |                     |
|                  |     anticipated problems    |                     |
|                  |     and recommended         |                     |
|                  |     solutions. Work Plan is |                     |
|                  |     submitted on a timely   |                     |
|                  |     basis, in accordance    |                     |
|                  |     with Schedule of        |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | b)  Monthly progress        |                     |
|                  |     reports are informative |                     |
|                  |     and complete and        |                     |
|                  |     contain the items       |                     |
|                  |     listed in the SOW.      |                     |
|                  |     Progress reports are    |                     |
|                  |     submitted on a timely   |                     |
|                  |     basis, in accordance    |                     |
|                  |     with Schedule of        |                     |
|                  |     Deliverables.           |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | c)  Contractor performs     |                     |
|                  |     effective schedule and  |                     |
|                  |     cost control.           |                     |
|                  |     Contractor promptly     |                     |
|                  |     identifies and alerts   |                     |
|                  |     the PO of issues or     |                     |
|                  |     problems impacting the  |                     |
|                  |     project schedule and    |                     |
|                  |     budget.                 |                     |
|                  |                             |                     |
|                  | d)  Contractor performs     |                     |
|                  |     effective quality       |                     |
|                  |     control of deliverables |                     |
|                  |     with respect to         |                     |
|                  |     accuracy and            |                     |
|                  |     completeness of         |                     |
|                  |     content, compliance     |                     |
|                  |     with SOW, and editorial |                     |
|                  |     accuracy.               |                     |
+------------------+-----------------------------+---------------------+

**ATTACHMENT 2**

**PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE**

**PART ONE: INSTRUCTIONS**

The offeror listed below has submitted a proposal in response to the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Solicitation No.
AHRQ-04-0007, entitled "Technical, Analytical and Logistical Support for
the Office of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations."
Past performance is an important part of the evaluation criteria for
this acquisition, so input from previous customers of the offeror is
important. This office would greatly appreciate you taking the time to
complete this form. **This information is to be provided to Jessica
Alderton, the AHRQ Contracting Officer and is NOT to be disclosed to the
offeror either verbally or in writing.** Please provide an honest
assessment and return to AHRQ to the address shown below, no later than
**August 17, 2004**. If you have any questions, please contact Ms.
Jessica Alderton at (301) 427-1783.

Ms. Jessica Alderton

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Division of Contracts Management

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, Maryland 20850

FAX: (301) 427-1740

NAME OF
OFFEROR:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

ADDRESS:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**[Contractor Performance Form]{.underline}**

1\. Name of
Contractor:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

2\.
Address:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

3\. Contract/Grant Number:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

4\. Contract/Grant Value (Base Plus Options):
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

5\. Contract/Grant Award Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

6\. Contract/Grant Completion Date:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

7\. Type of Contract/Grant: (Check all that apply) ( )FP ( )FPI (
)FP-EPA

( ) Award Fee ( ) CPFF-Completion ( ) CPFF-Term ( ) CPIF ( ) CPAF

( ) IO/IQ ( ) BOA ( ) Requirements ( ) Labor-Hour ( )T&M ( ) SBSA

( )8(a) ( )SBIR ( ) Sealed Bid( )Negotiated( )Competitive (
)Non-Competitive

8\. Description of Requirement:

**[CONTRACTOR'S PERFORMANCE RATING]{.underline}**

Ratings: Summarize contractor performance and circle in the column on
the right the number which corresponds to the performance rating for
each rating category. Please see reverse page for explanation of rating
scale.

+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Quality of       | Comments                                      | 0 |
| Product or       |                                               |   |
| Service          |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Cost             | Comments                                      | 0 |
|                  |                                               |   |
| Control          |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Timeliness of    | Comments                                      | 0 |
|                  |                                               |   |
| Performance      |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
| Business         | Comments                                      | 0 |
| Relations        |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 1 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 2 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 3 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 4 |
|                  |                                               |   |
|                  |                                               | 5 |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+
|                  |                                               |   |
+------------------+-----------------------------------------------+---+

Customer Satisfaction - Is/was the Contractor committed to customer
satisfaction? Yes No ; Would

you use this Contractor again? Yes No

Reason:

**NAME OF EVALUATOR:**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**TITLE OF EVALUATOR:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**SIGNATURE OF
EVALUATOR:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**DATE:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**MAILING ADDRESS:**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**PHONE
#:**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Rating Guidelines:** Summarize contractor performance in each of the
rating areas. Assign each area a rating 0(Unsatisfactory), 1(Poor),
2(Fair), 3(Good), 4(Excellent) 5(Outstanding). Use the following
instructions as guidance in making these evaluations.

+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
|            | **Quality** | **Cost    | **         | **Business     |
|            |             | Control** | Timeliness | Relation**     |
|            |             |           | of**       |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             |           | **Per      |                |
|            |             |           | formance** |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
|            | -Compliance | -Within   | -Met       | -Effective     |
|            | with        | bud       | interim    | management     |
|            | contract    | get(over/ | milestones |                |
|            |             |           |            | -Businesslike  |
|            | r           | under     | -Reliable  | correspondence |
|            | equirements | target    |            |                |
|            |             | costs)    | -          | -Responsive to |
|            | -Accuracy   |           | Responsive | contract       |
|            | of reports  | -Current, | to         |                |
|            |             | accurate, | technical  | requirements   |
|            | -Technical  | and       |            |                |
|            | excellence  |           | direction  | -Prompt        |
|            |             | complete  |            | notification   |
|            |             | billings  | -Completed | of problems    |
|            |             |           | on time,   |                |
|            |             | -Rel      |            | -Reasonab      |
|            |             | ationship | including  | le/cooperative |
|            |             | of        | wrap-up    |                |
|            |             |           | and        | -Flexible      |
|            |             | n         |            |                |
|            |             | egotiated | contract   | -Pro-active    |
|            |             | costs to  | adm        |                |
|            |             |           |            | -Effective     |
|            |             | actual    | -No        | small/small    |
|            |             |           | liquidated |                |
|            |             | -Cost     | damages    | disadvantaged  |
|            |             | eff       |            | business sub-  |
|            |             | iciencies | assessed   |                |
|            |             |           |            | contracting    |
|            |             | -Change   |            | program        |
|            |             | orders    |            |                |
|            |             | issue     |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 0-unsa     | Nonc        | Ability   | Delays are | Response to    |
| tisfactory | onformances | to manage | je         | inquiries,     |
|            | are         | cost      | opardizing |                |
|            |             |           |            | tech           |
|            | j           | issues is | the        | nical/service/ |
|            | eopardizing | jeo       | a          | administrative |
|            | the         | pardizing | chievement |                |
|            |             |           | of         | issues is not  |
|            | achievement | pe        |            | effective      |
|            | of contract | rformance | contract   |                |
|            |             | of        | req        |                |
|            | re          | contract  | uirements, |                |
|            | quirements, |           |            |                |
|            | despite use | requ      | despite    |                |
|            |             | irements, | use of     |                |
|            | of Agency   | despite   | Agency's   |                |
|            | resources   |           |            |                |
|            |             | use of    | resources  |                |
|            |             | Agency    |            |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | resources |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 1-Poor     | Overall     | Ability   | Delays     | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | to manage | require    | inquiries,     |
|            |             | cost      | major      |                |
|            | requires    |           |            | tech           |
|            | major       | issues    | Agency     | nical/service/ |
|            | Agency      | requires  | resources  | administrative |
|            |             | major     | to         |                |
|            | resources   |           |            | issues is      |
|            | to ensure   | Agency    | ensure     | marginally     |
|            |             | resources | a          | effective      |
|            | achievement | to        | chievement |                |
|            | of contract |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | contract   |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 2-Fair     | Overall     | Ability   | Delays     | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | to manage | require    | inquiries,     |
|            |             | cost      | minor      |                |
|            | requires    |           |            | tech           |
|            | minor       | issues    | Agency     | nical/service/ |
|            | Agency      | requires  | resources  | administrative |
|            |             | minor     | to         |                |
|            | resources   |           |            | issues is      |
|            | to ensure   | Agency    | ensure     | somewhat       |
|            |             | resources | a          | effective      |
|            | achievement | to        | chievement |                |
|            | of contract |           | of         |                |
|            |             | ensure    |            |                |
|            | r           | ac        | contract   |                |
|            | equirements | hievement | re         |                |
|            |             | of        | quirements |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 3-Good     | Overall     | M         | Delays do  | Response to    |
|            | compliance  | anagement | not impact | inquiries,     |
|            | does        | of cost   |            |                |
|            |             |           | a          | tech           |
|            | not impact  | issues    | chievement | nical/service/ |
|            | achievement | does not  | of         | administrative |
|            | of          | impact    | contract   |                |
|            |             |           |            | issues is      |
|            | contract    | ac        | re         | usually        |
|            | r           | hievement | quirements | effective      |
|            | equirements | of        |            |                |
|            |             | contract  |            |                |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             | req       |            |                |
|            |             | uirements |            |                |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+
| 4          | There are   | There are | There are  | Response to    |
| -Excellent | no quality  | no cost   | no delays  | inquiries,     |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            | problems    | m         |            | tech           |
|            |             | anagement |            | nical/service/ |
|            |             | issues    |            | administrative |
|            |             |           |            |                |
|            |             |           |            | issues is      |
|            |             |           |            | effective      |
+------------+-------------+-----------+------------+----------------+

5-Outstanding. The Contractor has demonstrated an outstanding
performance level that justifies adding a point to the score. It is
expected that this rating

will be used in those rare circumstances where Contractor performance
clearly exceeds the performance levels described as "Excellent."

**ATTACHMENT 3 0348-0046**

Complete this form to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C.
1352

(See reverse for public burden disclosure.)

+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+
| 1\. Type of Federal   | 2\. Status of Federal | 3\. Report Type:     |
| Action:               | Action:               |                      |
|                       |                       | > a\. initial filing |
| > a\. contract        | a\.                   | >                    |
| >                     | bid/offer/application | > b\. material       |
| > b\. grant           |                       | > change             |
| >                     | b\. Initial award     | >                    |
| > c\. cooperative     |                       | > For Material       |
| > agreement           | c\. post-award        | > Change Only:       |
| >                     |                       | >                    |
| > d\. loan            |                       | > year \_\_\_\_\_\_  |
| >                     |                       | > quarter            |
| > e\. loan guarantee  |                       | > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_     |
| >                     |                       | >                    |
| > f\. loan insurance  |                       | > date of last       |
|                       |                       | > re                 |
|                       |                       | port\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+----------------------+

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 4\. Name and Address of          | 5\. If Reporting Entity in No. 4  |
| Reporting Entity:                | is Subawardee, Enter Name and     |
|                                  | Address of Prime                  |
| G Prime G Subawardee             |                                   |
|                                  | Congressional District, if known: |
| Tier\_\_\_\_\_, if known:        |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| Congressional District, if       |                                   |
| known:                           |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 6\. Federal Department/Agency:   | 7\. Federal Program               |
|                                  | Name/Description                  |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | CFDA Number, if applicable:       |
|                                  | \_\                               |
|                                  | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 8\. Federal Action Number, if    | 9\. Award Amount, if known:       |
| known:                           |                                   |
|                                  | \$                                |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 10\. a. Name and Address of      | b\. Individual Performing         |
| Lobbying Entity                  | Services (including address if    |
|                                  | different from No. 10a)           |
| (if individual, last name, first |                                   |
| name, MI):                       | (last name, first name, MI)       |
|                                  |                                   |
| (attach Continuation Sheet(s)    | SF-LLL-A, if necessary)           |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 11\. Amount of Payment (check    | 13\. Type of Payment (check all   |
| all that apply):                 | that apply):                      |
|                                  |                                   |
| \$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ G actual  | G a. retainer                     |
| G planned                        |                                   |
|                                  | G b. one-time fee                 |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G c. commission                   |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G d. contingent fee               |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G e. deferred                     |
|                                  |                                   |
|                                  | G f. other; specify:              |
|                                  | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\         |
|                                  | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| 12\. Form of Payment (check all  |                                   |
| that apply):                     |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| G a. cash                        |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| G b. in-kind; specify:           |                                   |
| nature\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| v                                |                                   |
| alue\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+
| 14\. Brief Description of    |      |                                |
| Services Performed or to be  |      |                                |
| Performed and Date(s) of     |      |                                |
| Service, including           |      |                                |
| officer(s), employee(s), or  |      |                                |
| Member(s) contacted, for     |      |                                |
| payment indicated in Item    |      |                                |
| 11:                          |      |                                |
|                              |      |                                |
| (attach Continuation         |      |                                |
| Sheet(s) SF-LLL-A, if        |      |                                |
| necessary)                   |      |                                |
+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+
| 15\. Continuation Sheet(s)   | Yes  | No                             |
| SF-LLL-A attached:           |      |                                |
+------------------------------+------+--------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+
| 16\. Information requested through this | Signature:\_\_\_\_\_       |
| form is authorized by title 31 U.S.C.   | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| section 1352. This disclosure of        | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| lobbying activities is a material       |                            |
| representation of fact upon which       | Print                      |
| reliance was placed by the tier above   | Name:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_  |
| when this transaction was made or       | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| entered into. This disclosure is        | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| required pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1352.    |                            |
| This information will be reported to    | Title:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_   |
| the Congress semi-annually and will be  | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| available for public inspection. Any    | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
| person who fails to file the required   |                            |
| disclosure shall be subject to a civil  | Telephone                  |
| penalty of not less than \$10,000 and   | No.:\_\_\_\_\_\            |
| not more than \$100,000 for each        | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Dat |
| failure.                                | e:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ |
+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+
| **Federal Use Only**                    | Authorized for Local       |
|                                         | Reproduction               |
|                                         |                            |
|                                         | Standard Form\--LLL        |
+-----------------------------------------+----------------------------+

**DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES**

**CONTINUATION SHEET**

Approved by OMB

0348-0046

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Reporting
  Entity:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
  Page \_\_\_\_\_ of \_\_\_\_\_

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authorized for Local Reproduction

Standard Form\--LLL-A

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether
subawardee of prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a
covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing,
pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is
required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying
entity for influencing of attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress,
or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered
Federal action. Use the SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet for additional
information if the space on the form is inadequate. Complete all items
that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer
to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and
Budget for additional information.

1\. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying
activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a
covered Federal action.

2\. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.

3\. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a
follow-up report caused by a material change to the information
previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change
occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this
reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4\. Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the
reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the
appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it
is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier
of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st
tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants
and contract awards under grants.

5\. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks
\"Subawardee,\" then enter the full name, address, city, state and zip
code of the prime Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if
known.

6\. Enter the name of the Federal agency making the award or loan
commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name,
if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast
Guard.

7\. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered
Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements,
loans, and loan commitments.

8\. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for
the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal
(RFP) number, Invitation for Bid (IFB) number, grant announcement
number, the contract, grant, or loan award number, the
application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency).
Include prefixes, e.g., \"RFP-DE-90-001.\"

9\. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan
commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the
award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.

10\. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, state and zip code of the
lobbying entity engaged by the reporting entity identified in item 4 to
influence the covered Federal action.

\(b\) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and
include full address if different from 10(a); Enter Last Name, First
Name, and Middle Initial (MI).

11\. Enter the amount of compensation paid or reasonably expected to be
paid by the reporting entity (item 4) to the lobbying entity (item 10).
Indicate whether the payment has been made (actual) or will be made
(planned). Check all boxes that apply. If this is a material charge
report, enter the cumulative amount of payment made or planned to be
made.

12\. Check the appropriate box(es). Check all boxes that apply. If
payment is made through an in-kind contribution, specify the nature and
value of the in-kind payment.

13\. Check the appropriate box(es). Check all boxes that apply. If
other, specify nature.

14\. Provide a specific and detailed description of the services that
the lobbyist has performed, or will be expected to perform, and the
date(s) of any services rendered. Include all preparatory and related
activity, not just time spent in actual contact with Federal officials.
Identify the Federal official(s) or employee(s) contacted or the
officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) of Congress that were contacted.

15\. Check whether or not a SF-LLL-A Continuation Sheet(s) is attached.

16\. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her
name, title and telephone number.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Public reporting burden for this collection of information is       |
| > estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for    |
| > reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering  |
| > and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the   |
| > collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden       |
| > estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,     |
| > including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of    |
| > Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046),     |
| > Washington, D.C. 20503.                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Attachment 4

HHS CREDIT RELEASE

[Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as amended]{.underline}

> PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT ONE OR MORE CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTS MAY BE
>
> OBTAINED FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES PURSUANT TO THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING
>
> ACT, AS AMENDED, 15 U.S.C., § *1681, ETSEQ.* SHOULD A DECISION TO TAKE
> ANY
>
> ADVERSE A\~ON AGAINST YOU BE MADE, BASED EM-either IN WHOLE OR IN PART
> ON
>
> THE CONSUMER CREDIT REPORT, THE CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY THAT
>
> PROVIDED THE REPORT PLAYED NO ROLE IN THE AGENCY\'S DECISION TO TAKE
> SUCH
>
> ADVERSE ACTION.
>
> Information provided by you on this form will be furnished to the
> consumer reporting agency in order to obtain information in connection
> with an investigation to determine your (1) fitness for Federal
> employment, (2) clearance to perform contractual service for the
> Federal Government, and/or (3) security clearance or access. The
> information obtained may be redisclosed to other Federal agencies for
> the above purposes and in fulfillment of official responsibilities to
> the extent that such disclosure is permitted by law.
>
> I hereby authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HH S)
> to obtain such report(s) from any consumer/credit reporting agency for
> employment purposes.
>
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> (Print Name) (SSN)
>
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> (Signature) (Date)
>
> Your Social Security Number is needed to keep records accurate,
> because other people may have the same name. Executive Order 9397 also
> asks Federal agencies to use this number to help identify individuals
> in agency records.
>
> **ATTACHMENT 5**
>
> ***PROPOSAL INTENT RESPONSE SHEET***
>
> **[RFP No. AHRQ-04-0007]{.underline}**
>
> **Please review the attached request for proposal. Furnish the
> information requested below and return this page by August 3, 2004.
> Your expression of intent is not binding but will greatly assist us in
> planning for the proposal evaluation.**
>
> **\[ \] INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL**
>
> **\[ \] DO NOT INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR THE FOLLOWING
> REASONS:**
>
> **COMPANY/INSTITUTION NAME:**
>
> **AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:**
>
> **TYPED NAME AND TITLE:**
>
> **DATE:**
>
> **Please return to:**
>
> **Jessica Alderton**
>
> **Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality**
>
> **Contracts Management**
>
> **540 Gaither Road**
>
> **Rockville, Maryland 20850**