SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Sci. Writing/Elec. Content Dev.& Planning/Outreach Strategy
- Notice Date
- 8/23/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Office of Administration, 6011 Executive Blvd, Rm 538, Rockville, MD, 20892-7663
- ZIP Code
- 20892-7663
- Solicitation Number
- 263-2006-Q-DT-0193
- Response Due
- 9/1/2006
- Archive Date
- 9/16/2006
- Description
- NIGMS Science Writing, Electronic Content Development and Planning, and Outreach Strategy August 2006 Purpose The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) requires an on-site contractor for science writing, electronic content development and planning, and outreach strategizing. The contractor will function as the Institute?s expert advisor on electronic opportunities and trends, and will conduct outreach activities related to the NIGMS Web site and other communication products and events. These products include the NIGMS Feedback Loop electronic newsletter to grantees and approaches to promote two-way interaction with the scientific community. Background NIGMS is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the principal biomedical research agency of the Federal Government. NIGMS supports basic biomedical research that lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. With a budget of nearly $2 billion, the Institute funds more than 4,000 research grants at universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions across the country. Unlike most other NIH components, NIGMS does not conduct research in its own laboratories on the NIH campus. The NIGMS Web site (http://www.nigms.nih.gov) plays a critical role in supporting the Institute?s mission. The site currently receives more than 60,000 visits a month from a wide variety of users. University-level scientists and academics, including grant applicants and recipients, are a major audience. The site is also frequently visited by teachers and students; policymakers and their staff; NIGMS and NIH staff; staff of other government agencies and the individuals they serve; staff and members of professional societies, foundations, and organizations; print and broadcast journalists; library professionals; and the general public. The NIGMS Web site is hosted by the NIH Center for Information Technology (CIT) on two servers. The first, a Microsoft Content Management Server (CMS), contains the bulk of the Institute?s Web content, which is presented dynamically from a database via a collection of templates developed by CIT. The rest of the Institute?s Web content, consisting primarily of online publications and forms, is hosted on an Active Server Page (ASP) server. Most of the pages on this server are coded as static HTML files (with an ?.htm? file extension). Other types of documents on this server include a number of Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files and a few ASP scripts (mainly for user feedback forms and a publication ordering form). The templates on the Microsoft CMS use a horizontal banner graphic at the top of each page with links to a Google search box, the NIGMS and NIH home pages, a Site Map, and a Staff Contacts page, as well as tabs for accessing major sections of the site. Pages throughout the site also include ?breadcrumb? links that serve the two-fold purpose of indicating where pages are located within the site as well as allowing visitors to easily find contextually relevant content. Web Coding and Design Standards The contractor shall work with NIH/CIT Web developers and other NIGMS staff and contractors to maintain and extend the functionality of the NIGMS Web site in support of the Institute?s communications and outreach goals. The contractor should feel free to suggest other Web technologies, when appropriate, that enhance the capabilities of the NIGMS site. These include Macromedia Flash files, JavaScript scripts, and cascading style sheets (CSS). However, wherever these technologies are used, standard HTML equivalents should also be available as ?defaults? if a particular user?s Web browser does not support these technologies. For example, a Flash-enabled banner should have a standard GIF-image equivalent, and if there is a JavaScript-enabled image rollover (say, that provides a description of a graphic), there should be an ALT-attribute equivalent for that image. Other design considerations include the following: Accessibility and usability?All work by the contractor should adhere both to best practices in Web site usability engineering and to Federal standards (Section 508) regarding Web site accessibility for users of assistive technologies, as mentioned in the Web site design guidelines below. Screen size?The layout for all Web pages should be optimized for a screen size of 800 by 600 pixels, in order to make the best use of the space available in a typical Web browser window on today?s computer monitors. However, pages should ideally be flexible enough to expand or contract according to how a user resizes a browser window. File size?The total file size for each Web page?including graphics, linked files (e.g., cascading style sheets, JavaScript source files, etc.)?should be no more than approximately 50 kilobytes. This limit is to ensure that visitors connecting to the NIGMS Web site over slow dial-up connections can still access the site without unreasonable delays. Fonts?Web pages should be designed using standard fonts and font sizes, as would typically be found on most Windows and Macintosh systems. Colors?There is no required color scheme for either graphics or fonts used in Web pages. However, the contractor should take into consideration issues of colorblindness and other forms of visual impairment when selecting colors. For example, there should be adequate contrast between foreground and background colors so that icons can be clearly distinguished and text can be easily read. Color should not be used as the sole means to convey information. Cascading Style Sheets?Recommended CSS files should be used to control the attributes of text and layout elements as much as possible, in order to provide consistency across the Web site. Cross-browser, cross-platform compatibility?Web pages should look as identical as possible on commonly used Web browsers, on Windows and Macintosh systems alike. If needed, separate CSS files optimized for certain browsers should be provided. For older browsers, the templates should still be functional and pose no impediment to accessing the navigational aids or contents of the page. Contractor Requirements NIGMS requires on-site contractor support for science writing, electronic content development and planning, and strategic outreach for its Web site and other electronic communication activities and products. Specifically, the work to be performed includes, but is not limited to: Science Writing Writing and editing a variety of documents such as the NIGMS Feedback Loop electronic newsletter. Editing content for the NIGMS Web site for grammar, formatting, and scientific accuracy. Electronic Content Development and Planning Determine the need for new or updated material and solicit, write, edit, clear, and post such material as appropriate. Interact with technical, scientific, communications, and managerial staff and contractors at NIGMS and NIH, particularly CIT, to facilitate the involvement, input, and enthusiasm of all parties who are or will be involved in content development. These interactions may be in person, by telephone, or via e-mail. Work with NIGMS staff to consider and, when appropriate, implement their ideas regarding additions to and augmentation of Web site content and tools. Organize and present the content in effective and aesthetically pleasing ways. Identify appropriate uses of images, animations, and other multimedia technology on the site. Solicit, develop, or contract for such products. Obtain permissions to use and post this material. Work with other contractors and OCPL staff to ensure that content is up-to-date and accurate and that all links on the NIGMS Web site are appropriate and functional. Work with designers, graphic artists, and technical personnel from NIGMS, CIT, and other organizations (including contractors) as necessary to redesign, develop, enhance, and maintain the Web site. Participate in meetings at OCPL, NIGMS, NIH, DHHS, and other parts of the Federal Government and biomedical/communications/Web communities. Attend meetings such as the NIH Web Authors Group (WAG), CMS Users Group, American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey meetings, and meetings with CIT as the NIGMS or OCPL representative and report back to NIGMS staff as appropriate. Serve on OCPL, NIGMS, NIH, or other committees as assigned. Attend OCPL staff and other meetings. Keep abreast of Web technical developments to ensure that the best, most current technologies and practices are implemented, as appropriate, on the NIGMS Web site. Evaluate and recommend relevant Web design, development, and management software, hardware, and contract services; advise on justifications/purchase requests necessary to acquire and license the selected and approved items; and implement the transition to such software, hardware, and contract services. Strategize new and improved features and coverage areas for the NIGMS Web site and determine how best to present these materials. Recommend improvements to existing Web material. Work with NIGMS staff to help them meet their Web-related communication needs. Establish Web-related policies and guidelines and communicate them to NIGMS staff. Develop and implement a plan for evaluating the Web site and Internet-based outreach efforts, incorporating data from sources such as Web usability tests, WebTrends reports, and ACSI surveys and making changes to the site in response to the data gathered. Assess trends in the Internet as they relate to biomedical research news and build on them to launch new coverage areas and site features. Outreach Activities Implement and update a plan to market and promote awareness and use of the NIGMS Web site. Advise and work with NIGMS staff on using electronic media to reach key audiences with information and to enhance public participation in NIGMS planning and activities. Develop and implement mechanisms for enhancing the Institute?s interaction with the scientific community, such as the NIGMS Feedback Loop newsletter, Web-based town meetings, and message boards. Plan and direct the development, implementation, production, and marketing of electronic outreach products. Special Requirements The contractor must have extensive experience in Web site planning, content development and planning, and strategic outreach to the biomedical research community. The contractor must also have experience in writing and editing materials for the Web on scientific topics and helping biomedical scientists to communicate effectively with audiences including other researchers, journal editors, the news media, and the science-attentive public. The contractor must have experience in developing Web content in the Microsoft CMS environment using applications including Photoshop CS, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and Macromedia Dreamweaver, and in administering electronic mailing lists using LISTSERV version 1.8e or higher. Experience in designing and conducting Web usability tests with individuals representative of key NIGMS Web site audiences is also required. Reporting Requirements The contractor shall provide the project officer with reports at the beginning of each month summarizing key activities that were completed or in progress during the preceding month. On a quarterly basis the contractor shall provide the NIGMS Communications Director with a report and analysis of Web statistics gathered via WebTrends. Location of Work The majority of the work performed under this contract is expected to be done on-site at the NIGMS offices in the Natcher Building on the NIH campus. Additional support activities may be performed at the offices of the contractor with project officer approval. Work Hours The contractor shall work a minimum of 24 hours per week between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or as negotiated with the NIGMS project officer. Other Requirements On occasion, the contractor may be required to answer office telephones or perform other office-related duties, such as photocopying documents related to the contractor?s activities. Information Technology Systems Security Non-Personal Services and Inherently Government Functions (1) Pursuant to FAR 37.1, no personal services shall be performed under this contract. All work requirements shall flow only from the project officer to the contractor's project manager. No contractor employee will be directly supervised by the Government. All individual employee assignments, and daily work direction, shall be given by the applicable employee supervisor. If the contractor believes any Government action or communication has been given that would create a personal services relationship between the Government and any contractor employee, the contractor shall promptly notify the contracting officer of this communication or action. (2) Pursuant to FAR 7.5, the contractor shall not perform any inherently Governmental actions under this contract. No contractor employee shall hold him or herself out to be a Government employee, agent, or representative. No contractor employee shall state orally or in writing at any time that he or she is acting on behalf of the Government. In all communications with third parties in connection with this contract, contractor employees shall identify themselves as contractor employees and specify the name of the company for which they work. In all communications with other Government contractors in connection with this contract, the contractor employee shall state that they have no authority to in any way change the contract and that if the other contractor believes this communication to be a direction to change their contract, they should notify the contracting officer for that contract and not carry out the direction until a clarification has been issued by the contracting officer. (3) The contractor shall ensure that all of its employees working on this contract are informed of the substance of this article. Nothing in this article shall limit the Government?s rights in any way under the other proThe substance of this article shall be included in all subcontrac visions of the contract, including those related to the Government?s right to inspect and accept the services to be performed under this contract. ts at any tier. Concerns that respond to this synopsis shall furnish concise responses directed specifically to the requirements mentioned above and are invited to submit proposal and/or capability statements in an Original Plus Two (2) no later than ten (10) business days from the date of this announcement, August 13, 2006, due in COB August 24, 2006. Written responses shall include complete description of services to be provided, containing sufficient technical information to permit agency analysis to establish bona fide capability to meet the stated requirements as listed above. Proposals And/Or Capabilty Statements Shall BE Sent To: (a) If mailing your capabilities through the U.S. Postal Service use the following address: National Institutes of Health, Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations, OA, 6011 Executive Blvd. Rm. 529V, ATTN: Lloyd Garnes, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone: 301-402-3341; fax: 301-480-3476. (b) If hand delivering, or using a courier service such as: UPS, FeDex, etc., use the following City, State and Zip Code: Rockville, MD 20852. Respondents will not be notified of the evaluation results. (c) Questions may be emailed to Lloyd Garnes at garnesl@od.nih.gov no later than August 21, 2006. For interested parties there is additional information and you may request it from the information above.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, MD
- Zip Code: 20892
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 20892
- Record
- SN01123119-W 20060825/060823220433 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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