SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Communication & Dissemination Science
- Notice Date
- 1/16/2007
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20894, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- 07-057SB
- Response Due
- 1/26/2007
- Point of Contact
- Sally Boakye, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-496-6546, Fax 301-402-0642, - Patricia Gibbons, Contracting Officer, Phone 301-496-6546, Fax 301-402-0642,
- E-Mail Address
-
boakyes@mail.nih.gov, pg28y@nih.gov
- Description
- In accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition procedures, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to procure a technical expert that would work with the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) to develop research programs and initiatives in dissemination science and communications. The period of performance is from the date of award to September 29, 2008 with one option year from September 30, 2008 to September 29, 2009. The place of performance will include NIH and offsite (including contractor facility). Background: OBSSR furthers the mission of NIH by emphasizing the critical role that behavioral and social factors play in health, health care and well-being. OBSSR serves as the focal point for coordination and development of NIH policies, goals, and objectives in the behavioral and social sciences at NIH. OBSSR is also a liaison between the NIH intramural and extramural communities, other Federal agencies, academic and scientific societies, national voluntary health agencies, the biomedical research community, the media, and the general public on matters pertaining to behavioral and social sciences research. Based on its Strategic Prospectus, OBSSR?s vision is to bring together the biomedical, behavioral, and social science communities to work more collaboratively to solve the pressing health challenges facing our nation. OBSSR?s plan includes facilitating: (a) the next generation of basic behavioral and social science research; (b) transdisciplinary ?team science? that integrates biomedical, behavioral and social-ecological perspectives; (c) research that integrates the systems and multiple levels of analysis ? from cells to society ? required to understand and model how individual, group, societal and contextual factors interact; and (d) the translation, implementation, dissemination and maintenance of best practices to strengthen the science of dissemination, put what is known into widespread practice, reduce the burden of chronic disease and help eliminate inequities in health and health care. Project Objectives: The objective of this project is to develop an implementation plan for the OBSSR Strategic Prospectus. Specifically, this contract is intended to procure a technical expert that would work with OBSSR to develop research programs and initiatives in dissemination science and communications. Scope of Work: In today?s digitally connected environment, an infrastructure for better communications and dissemination represents a key part of OBSSR?s communications strategy. Improving the nation?s health requires knowledge of behavior change and interactive technologies (e.g., e-health, internet-based interactive technology to change behavior). Communications is a multi-directional process that links communities of research and practice. Public health interventions cannot save lives if they are not implemented, and research cannot improve health if it is not informed by the needs and experiences of practitioners. Building communication channels that link all of the stakeholders of public health into a living, participatory community will form a critical backbone for the way we approach health, disease, and wellness in the future. The contractor shall participate in planning and advising on implementation of the key issues and foci of the Strategic Prospectus involving the science of dissemination and communication strategies and goals. Specifically, the Contractor shall develop a detailed implementation plan in consultation with the Project Officer to achieve each of the following three key OBSSR strategic goals: 1. Identifying what is known and where the gaps are in the general public?s understanding of evidence-based behavior, change tools and technology, especially e-health and interactive web, telephone and other electronic media. 2. Identifying or creating dissemination channels for sharing social and behavioral science perspectives, constructs, and measures in health research. 3. Working with other expert consultants, coordinate a workgroup to identify social marketing strategies, understanding of consumer demand and direct to consumer advertising approaches to educating the public about behavioral science tools. . 4. Identifying key audiences and tailoring strategic communications strategies to those audiences to increase awareness of behavioral tools. 5. Developing a method to gather and identify the best evidence-based practices and policies for behavior change. 6. Developing plans to improve the health literacy of the public and their ability to identify and use evidence-based behavior change tools. Further, for each of the specific objectives developed to address the goals listed above, the Contractor shall develop performance measures that may be utilized to assess OBSSR?s performance in achieving these goals and objectives. All objectives should meet the SMART criteria (i.e., Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed). ? Specific ? Be precise about what OBSSR is going to achieve in the area of problem based research. ? Measurable ? Quantify the objectives. ? Achievable ? Is OBSSR attempting too much? ? Realistic ? Does OBSSR have the resources to achieve the objective? ? Timed ? State when OBSSR will achieve the objective? The expected tasks to be completed during the period of performance are as follows: 1) Convene a series of face-to-face meetings with the Project Officer, OBSSR?s Director and Staff members to consider the six goals listed above 2) Using the information gathered in task 1, develop an implementation plan to refine the goals with specific objectives and performance indicators of progress and success 3) Prepare the draft strategic implementation plan for the refined goals listed above 4) Circulate the draft plan to stakeholders and NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Coordinating Committee for review and comments 5) Revise the plan based on the comments received 6) Finalize the plan for publication The Contractor shall assist in developing an evaluation plan and indicators for the implementation of the strategic priorities and specific objectives. The Assessment Plan is critical to the ongoing progress and success of the Office?s efforts. The Contractor shall develop indicators of progress and success. The contractor shall ensure that ongoing progress assessments will be easy to conduct and supportive of the Office?s efforts. The assessment approach will yield simple reports of progress over time, and indicate where success is indicated. The progress assessment will serve not only to enable the internal OBSSR group to track progress, but also will point to communications opportunities with Institutes and Centers, external research and program partners, and other key supporters. Technical Evaluation Criteria: In determining which quote represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government?s needs, the Government shall evaluate quotes using the following technical evaluation criteria, which are listed in the order of relative importance with weights assigned for evaluation purposes: 1. Understanding the Requirements/Technical Approach (40 Points) Quality, innovativeness, and clarity of the methodological approaches involved in the development and implementation of a strategic plan. Timeliness of approach to get the information necessary to develop and implement the implementation plan. Understanding of the Government?s intent for this procurement and the feasibility of approach to address its overall goals. Evidence of ability to access and collect data from targeted groups (NIH staff, behavioral and social science stakeholders, academicians, policy makers and others) within the specified time frame. Soundness of approach to incorporate Government input on the project. 2. Personnel/Staff Qualifications (40 Points) Qualifications, experience and availability of all proposed personnel, including any consultants and/or subcontractors, and evidence of substantial knowledge of the relevant literature (specifically, the literature on systems thinking approaches and partnership development) substantial experience in the diverse range of skills required for this project: behavioral and social sciences research, program evaluation design and methodology development, statistics and data analysis and synthesis, content analysis techniques, interview and focus group techniques, survey questionnaire design and administration, management of complex research projects, management of NIH or other Federally-funded grant and contract programs, writing and communication, and conducting meetings. Specific knowledge and experience with the content of the OBSSR?s Strategic Prospectus of June 2006. Expert knowledge and professional experience in the areas of consumers demand and consumer use of new communication technologies such as e-health, internet base behavior change technologies (e.g., for smoking cessation or weight control), personal digital devices and interactive computer systems for data gathering and empowering behavior change, and the use of evidence-based criteria to rate the quality of services. Augmentation of staff with appropriate consultants, and/or subcontractors, as necessary, and their documented expertise and commitment to the project. Evidence that proposed team can accomplish tasks in specified timeframe. 3. Organizational Capabilities, Experience and Commitment; Facilities and Resources (20 Points) Evidence of corporate capability to organize and manage resources and personnel effectively. Evidence of corporate experience and success in the areas of consumers demand and consumer use of new communication technologies such as e-health, internet base behavior change technologies, personal digital devices and interactive computer systems for data gathering and empowering behavior change, and the use of evidence-based criteria to rate the quality of services. Experience in managing complex research projects, management of other projects comparable to the size and scope of this procurement. For any subcontractor(s) proposed, effectiveness and timeliness of management plan in specifying responsibilities allocated to each organization and how these entities shall interact. Adequacy of mechanisms in place to hire technically qualified staff on a quick turnaround basis, as needed, and to ensure that personnel assigned to a project are retained during the entire project. Corporate commitment to quality of product and deployment of necessary resources to meet the project requirements. All interested parties should respond to Sally Boakye via email at boakyes@mail.nih.gov by January 26, 2007. Please reference pre-solicitation number 07-057/SB on all correspondence to this notice. Inquiries regarding this notice may be sent to Sally Boakye at boakyes@mail.nih.gov. NOTE: THIS NOTICE MAY HAVE POSTED ON FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (16-JAN-2007). IT ACTUALLY APPEARED OR REAPPEARED ON THE FEDBIZOPPS SYSTEM ON 06-MAR-2007, BUT REAPPEARED IN THE FTP FEED FOR THIS POSTING DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/OAM/07-057SB/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: The National Institutes of Health 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD
- Zip Code: 20894
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 20894
- Record
- SN01245225-F 20070308/070306222722 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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