SOLICITATION NOTICE
L -- Interrelated training, mentoring and networking for Phase 2
- Notice Date
- 4/13/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Nat'l Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, & Kidney Diseases, 2 Democracy Plaza, Suite 700W 6707 Democracy Blvd., MSC 5455, Bethesda, MD, 20892-5455
- ZIP Code
- 20892-5455
- Solicitation Number
- NIH-NIDDK-06-820
- Response Due
- 5/4/2006
- Archive Date
- 5/19/2006
- Description
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fogarty International Center (FIC), has a requirement to procure, on a sole source basis, the services from Flacso, Ayacucho 551 (1026) Ciudad DE, Buenos Aires, Argentina, which will provide to FIC Phase 2 of a continuing project. Phase 2 will develop ?Virtual Program for Career Development and Capacity Building for Latin American and Caribbean Junior Women Scientists?. The project will be based upon a series of interrelated training, mentoring and networking and capacity building activities delivered on a virtual platform co-directed by FOGARTY Program Director for Latin America and the Caribbean and the UNESCO Regional Chair Director and with the participation of experts in science and gender related programs. Its main purpose is to create a high quality, flexible and interactive virtual learning and exchange environment that may offer LAC junior women involved in scientific projects: Mentoring relations with senior specialists in this field in order to enhance their skills and capacities for career development, networking and leadership in their disciplines and institutions. Educational resources to encourage the integration of gender concepts and analysis in scientific research. Exchange, information and support for the creation of national, regional or international communities of practice working in science projects. Information and communication resources for different sectors involved in science projects in Latin America (researchers, institutions, NGOs, etc.). The design of this program will take advantage of the academic and technical expertise in using ICTs for educational and networking activities of both FOGARTY and UNESCO Chair. In particular, it will explore the potential of ?E-lluminate?, a Web conferencing and e-learning software currently used by FOGARTY, and the technological and pedagogical expertise of UNESCO Chair in producing and conducting e-learning programs on gender and science issues. It will integrate three virtual activities simultaneously or successive performed: training, mentoring and networking and institutional capacity building. TRAINING A1) Workshop on Career Development The contents and pedagogical strategies will be elaborated by a team of US and Latin American experts on this field based on the evaluation results of: ?Leadership and Career Development Workshop for Women Scientists in the Developing World? with women Fogarty GRIP grantees (May 30 to June 1, 2005) A Consultation of a Draft Curriculum Using creative and highly interactive tools, this workshop will include several activities in order to develop skills for: strategic planning, communication, leadership, problem solving and negotiation, networking, collaborative projects. A2) Series of video/audio lectures on cutting-edge research topics in selected areas of scientific research (3 to 5 lectures throughout a 7-month period). Those areas will be selected among priorities previously identified with GRIP researchers and consultations with LAC institutions. Prestigious international scholars and researchers from different countries and disciplines will be invited to give a lecture, followed by a discussion with participants. A3) Virtual forums (4 to 8 forums throughout a 7-month period) moderated by specialized tutors will be implemented for different purposes: Preparation of participants for active participation in the discussions following the lectures. Evaluation of the results of the lectures and their impact on their professional disciplines. Discussion of previously identified controversial issues. Sharing knowledge and information, etc. Networking Forums will be developed at scheduled dates and times (each of them will entail synchronic and asynchronic activities). The forum dynamics will be based on guidelines and proven methodologies. A4) Seminar ?Gender Perspectives in Biomedical Research? It will cover information about the latest developments in theory, methodology and impact on policy-making regarding international science projects based on gender concepts and gender analysis. It will encourage participants to ponder on the new knowledge that is being built on the basis of this perspective and its significance for their own field of work. Case studies, simulations and other challenging and interactive resources will be prepared to stimulate participants to explore the integration of gender issues and perspectives in their own projects. MENTORING A group of women and men senior scientists will be identified and trained to be mentors of junior women scientists from LAC. This activity will be planned according to the following definitions and objectives: ?Mentoring implies assisting, supporting, encouraging, guiding, modeling, challenging, and coaching. It is an intense, trust-building, supportive, positive and networking activity geared to make mistakes, gain feedback, accept challenges, and learn from each other (Sweeny, 2002). A central quality of mentoring is that it is intentional, nurturing, insightful, and supportive?. While the concept of mentoring has a long history, the virtual mentoring phenomenon started around 1995. The International Telementor Program (ITP) began in 1995 to facilitate electronic mentoring relationships worldwide between professional adults and students. Since 1995, with the ever-growing use of the Internet and electronic mail, virtual mentoring programs have developed into a variety of areas including education and business. Information technology enables mentoring relationships to occur and flourish where geography, time or financial constraints would otherwise prevent them. Our aim is to prepare a mentoring program whereby mentors and small groups of mentorees would meet at scheduled times, to achieve specific goals related to career development, aspirations and contributions to scientific research and programs in LAC within set timeframes. It will also include informal meetings between mentors and mentorees, either on a person-to-person basis or in small groups to deal with shared needs or goals. Mentoring relationships will pay special attention to: The specific problems and hindrances women face in their scientific career development to balance family, personal and professional needs, reach leadership positions and deal with gender bias in institutional cultures. Discussion of personal and collective strategies to overcome such hindrances. Envisioning and experimenting innovations aimed at creating gender-sensitive work environments. Providing access to a wide range of information and contacts associated with the mentorees? field of work. Supporting critical stages in women?s professional career such as return to their home countries, pregnancy and early child rearing, etc. Designing creative pedagogical tools to increase motivation, fluent and confident exchange, planning and evaluation of goals. NETWORKING AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING The creation of networks and regional or international communities of practice composed of junior and senior women in science projects in LAC will be encouraged along all the stages of the program. Some of the activities to be developed include the presentation of the program at USA and LAC Scientific Institutions, and at scientific events such as conferences, congresses and workshops. By Authority: 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as set forth in FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy agency requirements. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 22 days after publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries may be directed to Patricia Haun via email: haunp@mail.nih.gov.
- Record
- SN01027336-W 20060415/060413220342 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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