Washington, DC February 19 & 20

1. NCI caBIG Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract Basics for Cancer Center Participants Leslie K. Derr, Ph.D. Washington, DC February 19 & 20

2. NCI Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG) • Create a network that links organizations, institutions and individuals to enable the sharing of cancer research infrastructure, data and tools • Join the various fields of cancer research - from etiologic to prevention, early detection and treatment • Based on open federation of organizations common standards open source and open access

3. The Cancer Research Environment is changing • Explosion of information generated by new methods and technologies • Exponential growth in our ability to characterize and understand cancer • Push for trans-disciplinary team science

4. Current challenges:  Sharing and integration of data  Lack of common data standards for data sharing No unifying infrastructure

5. First steps • caBIG will create a community-based network that enables cancer researchers to easily share tools , data, and infrastructure according to agreed common standards. • caBIG will provide structure and resources to • Enable innovative research teams to be connected with other research activities and data sources • Facilitate connections between geographically dispersed groups and individuals in different scientific areas

6. How it works  Cancer Center Participants will guide the development evaluation and adaptation of the caBIG initiative throughout the pilot.  Cancer Center Participants will undertake projects and related activities according to agreed Statements of Work and will be funded via contract mechanisms.

7. caBIG Coordination and Oversight Domain WORKSPACE Domain WORKSPACE Domain WORKSPACE Cross Cutting WORKSPACE Workspace Working Group Workspace Working Group Workspace Working Group Architecture Adopter Developer Adopter Developer Developer Developer Developer Developer Cross Cutting WORKSPACE Developer Adopter Developer Vocabularies & Common Data Elements Workspace Working Group Developer Developer Developer Developer Developer Adopter Workspace Working Group Adopter Clinical Trial Mgmt Systems Integrative Cancer Research Tissue Banks & Pathology Tools Strategic Level Working Groups

8. NCI’s Master Contractor • Day-to-day oversight of caBIG operational activities • Provide funding to caBIG participant via contract mechanisms • Ensures programmatic/strategic guidance and priorities are communicated to and implemented by the workspaces and working groups • Facilitates communication and outreach activities at the Workspace and Working Group level to enhance consistency across caBIG

9. How does caBIG work? Refine specifications Refine specifications Generate Contract (SOW) Submit requirements, scope and sequencing for Developer and Adopter projects Negotiate Contract Negotiate Contract Workspace Working Group Monitor Progress Carry out project activities Contract complete Deliver and deploy products Closeout Contract Cancer Center NCI

10. Cancer Centers will be awarded contracts to support participation in caBIG • Contracts will be Firm Fixed Price (FFP) • NCI has developed a “Master Contractor” mechanism to facilitate and administer these contracts • Details will be provided once that “Master Contractor” award is made. • This is intended to provide a general overview of how the process will work, what you can expect, and allow you the opportunity to ask questions and field your concerns • FFP contracts are distinctly different from the grants you may be accustomed to

11. Specific deliverables/outcomes define FFP contracts • Who here has experience with FFP contracting? • FFP contracts are distinguished from other contract types based on expected outcomes and method of payment • Expected outcomes are well defined in terms of what is to be accomplished, when it is to be delivered and the fixed price you will be paid • Payment is based on the acceptance of firm deliverables or achieving specific pre-determined milestones, not hours or rates • All deliverables/milestones must be completed for the firm fixed price amount

12. Comparison of Grants and FFP Contracts

13. NCI’s Process for Awarding the participant contracts is established but flexible • NCI has developed a “Master Contractor” mechanism to facilitate the contract awards and administration with the Cancer Centers • NCI will identify the Statement of Work, Funding Available and major deliverables for each Cancer Center • The Master Contractor will send out a request for proposal whereby the cancer center will be required to provide both a technical and cost proposal All final decisions regarding contract award, modifications, and payment will be made by NCI not the Master Contractor

14. Contract Award and Administration • The Master Contractor will review the Cancer Center’s proposal with NCI • Any questions or clarifications will be discussed and resolved prior to the award of a contract • All status and financial reporting will be coordinated for NCI by the “Master Contractor” who will work closely with NCI and the Cancer Center to ensure that the caBIG objectives are achieved The Master Contractor will help each Cancer Center develop an appropriate deliverable/milestone schedule to allow for regular payment

15. Questions or Concerns … • Please e-mail me at • derrl@mail.nih.gov