SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- B - Researching Technical Dialogue With Alaskan Coastal Communities: Analysis of the Social, Cultural, Linguistic, and Institutional Parameters of Public/Agency Communication Patterns
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Minerals Management Service Procurement Operations Branch 381 Elden Street, MS 2500 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- 0104RI34668
- Response Due
- 4/22/2004
- Archive Date
- 4/1/2005
- Point of Contact
- Debra M. Bridge Contract Specialist 7037871814 Debra.Bridge@mms.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Minerals Management Service (MMS). The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential small business sources that are interested in and capable of performing the work described below. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 541720: Research & Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The size standard for this NAICS Code is $6.0 million. MMS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted in response to this RFI. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the evaluation of the information received. Based on the review of the responses to this RFI, the MMS may issue a small business set aside or full and open competitive requirement for Capability Statements and subsequently a Request for Proposal (RFP). However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against MMS shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the MMS use of such information as either part of its evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirements. MMS will not accept unsolicited proposals related to the subject of this RFI. NOTE: At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the small business concern. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED STUDY: Since U.S. Government decision-makers rely intrinsically upon effective communication with an informed public, this study aims to improve the ongoing technical dialogue between local citizens and the Alaska Regional Office of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), Offshore Program. For this study, technical dialogue refers to the formal written process of two-way communication between local citizens and the agency concerning information about (or from) the MMS and its administrative activities with regard to resource evaluation, leasing, regulating industry, conducting environmental studies, and producing environmental assessments or impact statements in the Alaska region. This study will investigate the effects and dynamics of written communication efforts in Cook Inlet and North Slope Borough planning areas as manifested by the medium of an Environmental Impact Statement. It will seek to enrich the exchange of pertinent information and the pursuit of mutual understanding with diverse stakeholder groups by systematically identifying and analyzing communication methods and potential problems within a specific socio-cultural and politico-institutional context. The study will also explore possible improvements through pilot-testing a series of experimental newsletters on targeted focus groups. If significant communication obstacles can be identified and reduced through controlled testing, the study would then formulate plausible recommendations to help shape future agency interactions with the public. In general terms, the study seeks to provide some fresh insight into the following types of questions: Is the MMS successfully communicating the messages that it intends to communicate? Are unintended messages being communicated? Do local citizens feel adequately informed about the matters they deem pertinent? How can the transmission of unintended messages be avoided? How can the MMS enhance public opportunities to respond to agency messages in technically rich and precise language? Are some stakeholder concerns inadvertently overlooked through the exiting NEPA process? Are recent attempts to translate the EIS into minority languages effective? Should the MMS supplement broadcast public documents with narrow-cast newsletter formats? Can the MMS improve communication techniques through cost efficient measures? By seeking to improve technical dialogue and reduce areas of miscommunication, this study will enhance opportunities for citizens of Alaskan coastal communities to participate more fully in the NEPA decision-making process. Throughout, the primary orientation will be focus on conducting appropriate social research rather than on implementing "outreach" or public relations. These overarching goals will be accomplished through the following intermediary objectives: 1. Conduct a literature search (and key informant review) to document and assess alternative models of federal agency written communication efforts with local residents that are relevant to the goals of this study and related processes in the Alaska region; the review will specifically encompass appropriate linguistic considerations that may influence the effectiveness of technical dialogue; 2. Sample and analyze the record of public comments from MMS planning activities in the Cook Inlet and Beaufort Sea to assess the range of communication issues and stakeholder perspectives specific to technical dialogue in the Alaska region; 3. Interview appropriate MMS technical staff and management to identify and clarify the institutional parameters of potential communication obstacles with various stakeholders which reduce effective technical dialogue; 4. Document key findings about technical dialogue and significant communication challenges in the Alaska region; 5. Identify appropriate samples of study participants in communities on the North Slope and on the Kenai Peninsula and organize them into focus groups; 6. Conduct a series of focus group meetings to assess public knowledge and attitudes about the OCS regulatory environment, the communication of scientific and technical information, and the scoping process in general; 7. Collaborate with MMS management and staff to prepare experimental newsletters that will allow for testing the effectiveness of key agency technical messages across a range of social variables; 8. Conduct a second series of focus group meetings to test a variety of newsletter messages against the baseline reactions; monitor changes in understanding, perceptions of technical information, and durability of opinions among study participants associated with new materials; 9. Continue to test and monitor technical communication efforts in a limited and controlled newsletter format until a model based upon "lessons learned" can be implemented; 10. Analyze and report the results of the focus group sessions in a final project report; report summary findings back to host communities; submit first draft of a scholarly publication; SOURCES SOUGHT: Interested organizations should submit a capability statement of approximately 20 pages that details the small business firm's ability to perform all aspects of the effort described above. Emphasis should be placed on prior experience conducting social science research of similar scope and complexity, knowledge of and experience with the NEPA process, familiarity with areas of Alaska's North Slope and Cook Inlet regions, timely delivery of final products, and a publication record in peer reviewed scientific journals. Teaming or partnerships with other businesses or universities may be necessary to meet the requirements. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Responses will be reviewed by MMS personnel and will be held in a confidential manner. RESPONSES ARE DUE no later than 3:00 p.m. E.T. on APRIL 22, 2004. Please submit three (3) copies of your response to the attention of Debra Bridge, Contract Specialist, Procurement Operations Branch, Minerals Management Service, and if using regular U.S. mail - MS 2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170; or if hand-delivered or using a courier service - 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. Questions regarding this Request for Information should be submitted via email to debra.bridge@mms.gov. Please include with your questions your full name, the RFI number and title "Researching Technical Dialogue with Alaskan Coastal Communities," your organization's name, complete address, and phone and fax numbers. PHONE CALLS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
- Web Link
-
Please click here to view more details.
(http://ideasec.nbc.gov/ecprod/owa/ec$cbd.sypfirstcount?P_SERVER_ID3=MM143501&P_OBJ_ID1=151117)
- Record
- SN00558467-W 20040403/040401212455 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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