Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics (STOMP)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-26-152) is for an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) titled "Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics (STOMP)". ARPA-H seeks proposals to better quantify micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in humans, understand their deposition mechanisms, and ultimately improve human health by developing means to limit uptake and remove MNPs from the body. The program is structured into two 30-month phases and three technical areas (TAs): TA1: Measurement, TA2: Understanding, and TA3: Removal. TA3 proposals are not currently solicited but will be in a subsequent solicitation.

Technical Area 1: Measurement

• Develop a best-in-class, standardized, validated MNP measurement technique for animal and human samples.
• Develop a novel, fast, cheap, and easy-to-use system for quantifying MNPs in clinical human samples at scale.
• Conduct a study to validate the correlation between MNP content in bodily fluids and tissue samples.

Technical Area 2: Understanding

• Define whole body and organ system bioaccumulation and health impacts of MNPs through acute and chronic exposure studies in animal models.
• Establish the mechanistic framework for MNP trafficking and toxicity at the cellular and subcellular level.

Technical Area 3: Removal (Future Solicitation)

• Develop technologies to minimize accumulation, remove, and/or degrade MNPs from living human patients.

• Anticipated awards are Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.

• The program is structured into two 30-month phases.

• Solution Summaries Due: May 6th, 5:00 PM

• Full Proposals Due: June 22nd, 5:00 PM

• Questions & Answers Due: May 4th, 5:00 PM

• Proposals will be evaluated based on three criteria: Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience, and Assessment of Proposed Cost/Price.

• Submissions must be made via the ARPA-H Solution Submission Portal.

• Eligible proposers include universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other than small businesses.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and other Government Entities are prohibited from participating as prime or sub-performers.

• ARPA-H prioritizes awards to entities conducting work in the United States.

• Proposers must have an active registration in SAM.gov.

• Commercialization plans are required for TA1 and TA3 proposers.

• Data sharing among awardees is a requirement.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for a Preliminary Task Description Document (TDD). It is intended to guide offerors in describing their proposed approach for tasks associated with the opportunity. Use of this template is strongly encouraged.

• The template outlines a structure for describing tasks, including an overall task objective and subtask descriptions.
• For each subtask, offerors are expected to provide a detailed description of their approach and associated milestones.
• Timeframes for tasks and subtasks are to be specified in months after award.
• Instructional text in blue font within the template may be deleted.

Bidders should use this template to structure their proposals, specifically detailing their technical approach for each task and subtask. It helps ensure that all required elements of the task description are addressed and presented in a consistent format, facilitating evaluation.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is an Excel workbook template designed for ARPA-H cost proposals, specifically for "Other Transactions" that do not involve Resource Sharing agreements. It provides a structured format for bidders to detail their proposed costs.

• General Tab: Collects proposer and prime proposer information, including UEI, Solicitation No., and Proposal ID. It also provides a summary of proposed total costs.
• Proposer Constants Tab: Allows selection of the proposer's business type (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, Academia) and associated details like Small Business Size Estimate. It also defines accounting periods and fiscal year dates.
• Labor Rates Tab: A critical section where bidders define ARPA-H Labor Groups, ARPA-H Labor Categories, proposer labor categories, personnel names, and burdened labor rates with escalation.
• Indirect Rates and Profit_Fee Tab: Details various indirect cost categories (Fringe, Overhead, G&A, F&A, Profit, Fee) and their associated rates.
• Phase # Costs Tabs (e.g., Phase 1 Costs): Break down costs by fiscal year for each phase of the project, pulling data from Labor Rates and Indirect Rates.
• Ph # Task $ Tabs (e.g., Ph 1 Task $): Further breaks down costs by task within each phase.
• Other Tabs: Include sections for Subproposers, Consultants, Travel, Materials/Supplies, Equipment, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), Expenditures by Month, Animal/Human Use, and Milestones/Deliverables.

This template is essential for bidders to accurately prepare and submit their cost proposals in the required format. It outlines the specific data points needed for direct labor, indirect costs, subcontracts, consultants, travel, materials, equipment, and other direct costs, broken down by phase and task. Adherence to the structure and instructions within this workbook is crucial for a compliant and evaluable cost proposal.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a sample Other Transaction (OT) Agreement template for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). It outlines the standard terms and conditions that may be used in an ARPA-H OT agreement. The template includes articles covering scope, term, management, points of contact, obligation and payment, disputes, intellectual property rights, foreign access, tangible property, public release, civil rights, security, applicable law, execution, survival, and prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment. It also references several attachments, including a Task Description Document (TDD), report requirements, a milestone payment schedule, and background intellectual property assertions.

This sample agreement provides potential bidders with insight into the contractual framework and key terms ARPA-H uses for Other Transactions. It highlights critical areas such as:

• Scope of Work: Defines the background, purpose, and goals of the project.
• Milestone Payments: Outlines a fixed-price, milestone-based payment structure.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Details how patent and data rights are allocated between the Government and the Performer.
• Foreign Access: Specifies restrictions and notification requirements for transferring intellectual property to foreign entities.
• Reporting and Deliverables: References requirements for technical status reports, program plans, and milestone reports.

Understanding these terms is crucial for bidders to assess the feasibility and implications of participating in an ARPA-H OT opportunity.