This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. The Government will not provide debriefs on the results of this research, but feedback regarding the decision to set aside or not set aside the procurement will be accomplished via pre-solicitation synopsis or solicitation for these services, as applicable. All information submitted will be held in a confidential manner and will only be used for the purpose intended. Points of contact listed may be contacted for the purpose of verifying performance.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; (2) whether the businesses are SBA certified HUBZone Small Businesses; SBA certified 8(a) Small Businesses; Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses; Woman-Owned Small Businesses; or Large Business and (3) the respective businesses size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The Office of Research Facilities (ORF), The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking capabilities from all categories of businesses for the purpose of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or Small Business subcontracting goals for a new requirement for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Architect-Engineer (AE) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) and a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

The AE MATOC contract has an anticipated composite value of $400M. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541330 (Engineering Services) and the small business size is $25.5 million. NIH anticipates awarding multiple contracts under the AE MATOC for the future professional Architect Engineering (AE) services, as well as multiple award blanket purchase agreements for other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature or service incidental there to  (including studies, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, program management, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, value engineering, construction phase services, soils engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals and other related services) that logically or justifiably require performance by registered architects or engineers or their employees. All services will be procured in accordance with the Brooks A/E Act (Public Law 92-582, as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.6). All capable Small Business Contractors are highly encouraged to respond to this announcement, so that NIH can properly evaluate your capabilities to properly develop our requirements.

The BPAs have an estimated composite value of $100M.  The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541330 (Engineering Services) and the small business size is $25.5 million. NIH anticipates awarding multiple contracts under the BPAs for future other professional services of an architectural or engineering nature.  Services will be procured in accordance with the Brooks A/E Act (Public Law 92-582, as implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 36.6). All capable Business Contractors are highly encouraged to respond to this announcement, so that NIH can properly evaluate your capabilities to properly develop our requirements.

BACKGROUND: As part of the U.S. Public Health Service under the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH is the Federal Government's primary biomedical research agency.  The NIH Office of Research Facilities (ORF) is the steward of NIH facilities and is responsible for the planning, design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, and operation of NIH owned facilities, which includes:

1) NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, Maryland

2) NIH Animal Center, Poolesville, Maryland

3) Fort Detrick Campus, Frederick, Maryland

4) Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

5) Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML), Hamilton, Montana

6) Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch, Phoenix, Arizona

7) Bayview Campus, Baltimore, Maryland

8) Rental Facilities maintained by NIH

DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUIREMENT: The NIH anticipates awarding multiple AEMATOC awards under a single solicitation utilizing a task order mechanism. Each IDIQ will be awarded for a five (5) year performance period with a cumulative maximum not-to-exc