SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- ToxLearn
- Notice Date
- 9/5/2008
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 511210
— Software Publishers
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- NLM-08-208-SV
- Archive Date
- 10/7/2008
- Point of Contact
- Suet Y Vu,, Phone: 301-496-6546
- E-Mail Address
-
sv32d@nih.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Toxicology and Environmental Information Program (TEHIP) to procure on a sole source basis with Patient Education Institute, Inc., 2000 James Street, Suite 219, Coralville, Iowa to complete final adjustments of the interactive multimedia Module 1 of ToxLearn and to continue to work with the authors, the Steering Team (discussed in 1.0 above) and NLM to produce, iteratively refine, and fine-tune tutorials 2-8 to achieve a solid marriage between text and images. This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13.5 to use simplified procedures for commercial acquisitions. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 511210 and the business size standard is $23.0. This is a 100% small business set-aside. NLM anticipates that award will be made on or about September 21, 2008. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance shall be twelve (12) months from the effective date of award with two (2) one year options. BACKGROUND The Specialized Information Services (SIS) Division of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), via its Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP), is responsible for building, coordinating, linking to, and making publicly available online a variety of information resources related to subjects such as toxicology, environmental health, chemical safety, and occupational medicine. Included within this effort are initiatives in education and outreach. An online tutorial known as ToxTutor (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Tox/ToxTutor.html), developed over ten years ago, has proved to be a successful tool to educate users of TEHIP’s TOXNET databases in the basics of toxicology. To keep pace with significant changes in the subject matter of toxicology and instructional Web technology, it is now time to review, update, and expand these tutorials. NLM has entered into a collaborative engagement with the U.S. Society of Toxicology (SOT) to accomplish this. Through a Steering Team consisting of NLM and SOT staff, and SOT members, a revised outline of 8 modules has been developed for the series, re-named ToxLearn. The Steering Team will be identifying appropriate authors to initially draft content for the modules and work closely with a multi-media production company to iteratively create Web-based products utilizing current Web technologies, including animations, links and audio. The funding of the content portion of this joint project will be undertaken by the SOT. The present procurement seeks funding for adjustment and revision of essentially completed Module 1, currently undergoing review and beta-testing, and translation of the narrative developed for Modules 2-8 into the same Flash-based multi-media package, accessible on the Web. TASKS The contractor will implement specific tasks during the period of performance. The contractor shall implement these tasks with minimal direction, but in close collaboration with the government. The contractor will perform the following tasks: 1.1Split the text into pages of approximately 100 words each to allow transparent streaming of data over the Internet (i.e. the next page is preloaded as the current page is read). Although the contractor will not change any content, per se, recommendations may be made to alter or re-structure text to optimize the visual presentation. 1.2Graphic artists will suggest a combination of ready made graphic libraries and tailor made graphics to fit the content. The contractor’s development staff will proceed to assemble the program with text, graphics, and animations. The multimedia tutorial will be uploaded to the contractor’s server for NLM to review. 1.3NLM staff and the Steering Team will review the tutorial online. Changes in graphics, as well as minor editorial changes can be requested at this point. NLM will provide the text of the Credits page, which can include a module update date. 1.4The contractor implements the changes and uploads the newest version of the tutorial online, then e-mails NLM for final approval of text and graphics. 1.5NLM will approve the text and graphics of the tutorial. 1.6Optional audio may be added, with the contractor narrating and synchronizing it with the text. NLM reviews the audio and suggests changes, which the contractor then implements. NLM approves the entire package. DELIVERABLES The contractor shall meet with selected members of the SIS and authors of the text on an as needed basis. Meetings may be held at various locations, including via conference call. All resulting packaged software, reports, and artwork will become property of the government. The contractor will provide a Section 508-compliant PDF summary including all the text of the tutorial without questions. Selected colored illustrations will be included in the Summary PDF file. The contractor will deliver the packaged module, including the tutorial and PDF, to NLM, with installation instructions. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253 (c) (1) as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 6.302, The Patient Education Institute (PEI) is the only known source that is capable of fulfilling this requirement. The Patient Education Institute has, for over ten years, been refining X-Plain authoring tools that allow for rapid development of online multimedia training materials that can be delivered reliably and effectively over low-bandwidth Internet connections. It has developed over 1,000 patient, health and safety education modules that use interactive multimedia technology. The company has refined its editorial and programming processes to allow cost efficient development of modular, customizable, multimedia software that streams satisfactorily over 56K connections. X-Plain systems have been integrated in a variety of healthcare, safety, and corporate settings. PEI has previously contracted with NLM to develop and license X-Plain modules. In this work, it has adhered to delivery schedules, fulfilled requested customization, and provided progress reports. Among its other clients have been Cardinal Health, Kaiser Permanents, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. This is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available. However, if any interested party believes it has the capability to fulfill the above requirement; it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities and any other furnished information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NLM to determine if the party can perform this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 3:00 PM EDT September 17, 2008. Faxed capability statements are NOT authorized. Questions must be submitted in writing to Suet Vu at vus@mail.nlm.nih.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No collect calls will be accepted. In order to receive an award, contractors must be registered and have valid certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=7c94e92ab63492733680f12a7044d99b&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- Zip Code: 20894
- Zip Code: 20894
- Record
- SN01661094-W 20080907/080905222002-7c94e92ab63492733680f12a7044d99b (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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