SOLICITATION NOTICE
U -- Advanced training institute on health behavior theory
- Notice Date
- 2/25/2010
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 611430
— Professional and Management Development Training
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 105, Bethesda, Maryland, 20894, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20894
- Solicitation Number
- NLM-10-086-SRE
- Archive Date
- 3/26/2010
- Point of Contact
- Sheila R. Edmonds, Phone: 3014966546, Sally Boakye, Phone: 301-496-6546
- E-Mail Address
-
sheila.edmonds@nih.gov, boakyes@mail.nih.gov
(sheila.edmonds@nih.gov, boakyes@mail.nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- In accordance with FAR Part 13.5, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) intends to procure professional services on a sole source basis from the University of Florida, Department of Behavioral Science and Community Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions. The period of performance shall be from date of award to September 30, 2010. Brief Purpose/ Background: In 2004, the Advanced Training Institute on Health Behavior Theory (ATI) grew out of recognition by National Cancer Institute (NCI) senior staff and leading cancer behavioral science researchers that supplementary training in theory would enhance the quality and effectiveness of the field's research. Training institutes were held in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008; to date over 100 junior investigators have attended. The overall goals of the 2010 ATI are to: (1) increase the number of junior investigators who have had in-depth exposure to training in health behavior theory; and, (2) to increase the quality of cancer behavioral science research. These goals are compatible with the stated goal of the Behavioral Research Program of NCI: "Our goal is to increase the breadth, depth, and quality of cancer prevention and control behavioral science" ( http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/brp/about/index.html ) and the mission of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, which "is to stimulate behavioral and social sciences research throughout NIH and to integrate these areas of research more fully into others of the NIH health research enterprise, thereby improving our understanding, treatment, and prevention of disease" (http://obssr.od.nih.gov/about_obssr/about.aspx). Key to increasing the breadth, depth, and quality of cancer prevention and control, is having a cadre of well-trained junior behavioral scientists to move the field forward. Statement of Work: The proposed work shall occur in three phases: preparatory, onsite, and follow-up. Preparatory Work (February 22, 2010 through July 23, 2010): Upon approval of the contract, the contractor shall complete specific tasks necessary to the development of the 2010 ATI. Key tasks during this phase include the following: (1) The contractor shall select a conference center in Madison, Wisconsin (site if 2010 ATI) with experience managing similar conferences and make arrangements with the appropriate staff of a conference center to reserve meeting and guest rooms for the conference dates, to obtain a detailed estimate of all associated costs, and to plan for meals and conference related supplies. (2) The contractor shall take the lead role in organizing conference calls with other ATI core instructors (Drs. Alex Rothman, and Neil Weinstein) and the ATI Planning Committee (Drs. Abby King, Robin Mermelstein, Jennifer Hay, Melissa Riddle, William Riley, and Kara Hall), to discuss and finalize the Institute's curriculum. (3) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other ATI core instructors and the Planning Committee to select and invite guest lecturers to provide coverage of selected topics. (4) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other core ATI instructors and the Planning Committee to select and assemble relevant readings for each of the Institute lectures. (5) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other core ATI instructors and the Planning Committee to advertise the Institute, solicit applications for attendance, review and select applicants, notify applicants of acceptance, and follow-up with applicants to insure attendance. (6) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other core ATI instructors and the Planning Committee to oversee the development of the Institute's website and to insure that readings are posted no less than three weeks in advance of the program. Onsite Work (July 25, 2010 through August 1, 2010): The contractor shall take the lead responsibility for insuring a well-functioning program. Key tasks during this phase include: (1) The contractor shall be onsite for the entire period of the ATI and will serve as a liaison with conference center staff to insure that all services specified for the provision of the Institute are made available. (2) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for insuring that all lecture topics are covered and that events adhere to the planned schedule. (3) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for answering applicants' programmatic questions and concerns. (4) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for the development and conduct of a formal course evaluation. Follow-up Activities (August 2, 2010 through September 15, 2010): Follow-up activities shall include the following: (1) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for the analysis of evaluation survey data from all attendees. (2) The contractor shall organize a conference call with core ATI instructors to discuss the results of the evaluation survey data. (3) The contractor shall provide a written summary of the evaluation survey results to the NCI program staff. Deliverables: Deliverable Proposed Date 1. Identify and contract with conference center - 2/21/2010 2. Institute description for marketing purposes - 2/21/2010 3. List of relevant listserves for marketing purposes - 2/21/2010 4. Updated website content - 2/21/2010 5. Updated application and application instructions - 2/21/2010 6. Full list of instructors - 3/15/2010 7. Updated Syllabus - 3/15/2010 8. List of selected attendees - 3/30/2010 9. List of course readings - 6/1/2010 10. Course readings linked on Website - 6/15/2010 11. Updated course evaluation survey - 6/15/2010 12. Course held - 7/25-8/1/2010 13. Course evaluation report - 9/1/2010 Period of Performance: Beginning Date: Date of award through end date September 30, 2010 The work during the preparatory and follow-up phases will take place primarily in Gainesville, Florida at the University of Florida. During this time, the contractor will be available during regular business hours by phone (352-273-6095), e-mail (bcurbow@phhp.ufl.edu), and fax. (352-273-32610). The work during the onsite phase will take place primarily in Madison, Wisconsin. During this time the contractor will be available during the period of 8 AM through 10 PM by cell phone (443-421-6182) and email (bcurbow@phhp.ufl.edu). Direct Costs and Payment Schedule: Invoices will be submitted following the end of each of the three (3) phases. Invoices will be paid upon approval by the project officer. Program Management and Control Requirements: The NCI Project Officer will exercise management control over the project, communicate with the contractor, and audit progress of data preparation. Telephone and e-mail conversation as well as in person meetings between NCI investigators and (Vendor) are expected to identify unanticipated issues that will be documented and resolved. Inspection and Acceptance Requirements: The NCI Project Officer will review all documents produced during the performance period, provide feedback to the contractor, and determine acceptability of progress updates and final reports. The NCI Project Officer will pay the contractor upon completion and approval of the deliverable(s) and invoice(s). This is not a follow-on contract. There are no plans to procure any additional data on this topic. Sole Source Justification: The University of Florida and Dr. Barbara Curbow are uniquely qualified to carry out this effort because of these key factors: (1) Dr. Curbow has been a central member of the core ATI faculty for all of the previous ATI training events (2004, 2005, 2006) and the 2009 ATI planning meeting and, thus, has a high level of familiarity with the tasks that need to be accomplished; (2) Dr. Curbow, due to her previous leadership experience with ATI, is ready to begin work immediately and does not require additional start-up time; (3) Dr. Curbow has close professional working relationships with other core ATI instructors and is able to draw upon their expertise and cooperation to make the 2010 Institute successful; (4) Dr. Curbow has been engaged in cancer-related behavioral science research with a strong theoretical model for over 25 years and more than other researchers in the field is well-versed with the theoretical and methodological issues that occur in conducting NIH-funded biomedical research; (5) Dr. Curbow is a major contributor to a larger NCI-led effort, "The Theories Project," which is designed to broadly inform the research community about behavioral and social science theories applicable to cancer research; (6) Dr. Curbow has experience in conducting cross-cultural, theory-driven health research, which is rare in the general research community; and, (7) Dr. Curbow has 25 years of college teaching experience including 23 years at the graduate level, most of which has focused on health behavior theories, methods, and research. From these factors, it is clear that: a) Dr. Curbow is the most qualified project lead available for the 2010 ATI, and b) that her employment at the University of Florida makes it the only institution qualified to fulfill the contract. The University of Florida and Dr. Curbow have unique experience and expertise that are not readily available within the research community. Any efforts to identify the required skills and expertise through other sources would pose additional undo costs to the government. Therefore, in the best interest of the government this contract should be awarded to the University of Florida. Evaluation Criteria: Technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the task order; however, cost is also important to the overall award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost, when combined, are significantly more important than cost. The Government can make tradeoffs among cost and technical factors in determining which Quoter offers the best value by awarding to other than the lowest cost Quoter or other than the highest technically rated Quoter. Quoters are advised that award will be made to that Quoter whose quote provides the best overall value to the Government. 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 (30 Points) Quality, timeliness and clarity of the approaches to the recruitment and training of quality applicants and all delineated tasks in the proposed task order. Timeliness of approach is necessary to get the information necessary to develop and implement the project. Understanding of the Government's intent for this procurement requires an understanding of health behavior theory, health behavior research, cultural differences in health, NIH funding mechanisms, and potential barriers to incorporating health behavior theory into biomedical research. Evidence of health behavior theory knowledge, as well as the skills necessary to training beginning to mid-career scientists in the application of health behavior theory in funded biomedical research is required. Experience with the ATI model and the NCI Theories Project is essential. Soundness of approach to incorporate Government input on the project. Evidence of ability to accomplish the tasks within the specified timeframe is mandatory. 2. Personnel/Staff Qualifications (40 Points) Qualifications, experience and availability of all proposed personnel, including the ATI coordinator, faculty, and support staff of the relevant literature (specifically, health behavior theory, NIH funding, biomedical research, and culture). Experience with the ATI model and the NCI Theories Project is essential. Evidence that proposed team can accomplish tasks in specified timeframe. 3. Organizational Capabilities, Experience and Commitment; Facilities and Resources (30 Points) Evidence of corporate capability to organize and manage resources and personnel effectively. Evidence of corporate experience and success in hosting scientific training conferences. Adequacy of mechanisms in place to attract technically qualified faculty on a quick turnaround basis, as needed, and to ensure that personnel assigned to the program are retained during the entire project. Adequacy of mechanisms in place to attract highly-qualified participants. Adequacy of the information technology resources and infrastructure proposed for this project. Assurances that the staff needed for the project are currently available or that they shall be available at the time of Contract award. Corporate commitment to quality of product and deployment of necessary resources to meet the project requirements. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is a RFQ available; however, all responsive sources may submit a proposal in a timely manner which will be considered by NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide the referenced service as specified above. Responses must be in writing and must be received electronically at the Government infrastructure by 12:00 PM EST on March 11, 2010. Proposals must include pricing information and should reference Synopsis No. NLM-10-086/SRE and should be submitted to sheila.edmonds@nih.gov. Inquiries regarding this procurement shall be submitted electronically to sheila.edmonds@nih.gov and shall be received by 12:00 PM EST on March 4, 2010.
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- Record
- SN02077106-W 20100227/100226095323-bb3e13d8ea14dfee8fb688719d43a6c9 (fbodaily.com)
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