SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Curator for National Institutes of Standards and Technology - Approach Content Outline
- Notice Date
- 12/17/2010
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- SB134111RQ0042
- Archive Date
- 1/11/2011
- Point of Contact
- James A. Cariaga,
- E-Mail Address
-
james.cariaga@nist.gov
(james.cariaga@nist.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- Approach content outline to be used for informational purposes only. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICES-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. ***This solicitation is being issued using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. *** ***This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-40. *** *** The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541611 with a small business size standard of $7M. This requirement is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. *** *** The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking to purchase Science Writer/Curator, Services. *** ***All interested Contractors may provide a quote for the following: CLIN 0001 -- Science Writer/Curator, NIST Lobby Information Center. CLIN 0002 (OPTION) -- Science Writer/Curator, NIST Lobby Information Center STATEMENT OF WORK Science Writer/Curator, NIST Lobby Information Center 1.BACKGROUND The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks an experienced science writer/curator to lead a one-year project to develop museum quality exhibits for its headquarters site in Gaithersburg, MD and its Boulder, Colo., laboratories site. An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce established in 1901, NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. It carries out this mission through four main programs: • The NIST Laboratories, conducting research that advances the nation's technology infrastructure and is needed by U.S. industry to continually improve products and services. • The Baldrige National Quality Program, which promotes performance excellence among U.S. manufacturers, service companies, educational institutions, health care providers, and nonprofit organizations; conducts outreach programs and manages the annual Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes performance excellence and quality achievement. • The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network of local centers offering technical and business assistance to manufacturers. • The Technology Innovation Program, which provides cost-shared awards to industry, universities, and consortia for research on potentially revolutionary technologies that address critical national and societal needs. Additional information about NIST programs is available on the NIST World Wide Web site at: http://www.nist.gov More than 15,000 people visit NIST Gaithersburg and Boulder each year for professional conferences, to discuss projects with NIST employees, or to provide services to NIST. In addition, more than 1500 students visit NIST each year for field trips, science fairs, and other special programs. The lobby of the NIST Administration Bldg. is the primary reception space for these visitors in Gaithersburg. Currently the space includes a 2,500 square foot exhibit created in 2001 of museum quality displays. The space also includes a reception area, seating and tables for small groups that need space for impromptu meetings, directional signs, and a selection of NIST publications. The NIST Boulder lobby area serves a similar purpose but is substantially smaller with about 500 square feet available for displays. NIST has hired a contractor, to design a new set of displays for the Administration Bldg. lobby area. A request for proposals to hire a designer for the Boulder lobby area will be issued once the contractor for science writer/curator for the project, has been selected. 2. SPECIFIC TASKS The Contractor shall provide all support for project oversight, administration and technical execution of this contract. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining accurate records of project activities. The Contractor shall: a. Review background materials about NIST's mission and history, draft exhibit content outlines prepared by NIST, and the NIST Web site to become familiar with NIST accomplishments and current programs that will be highlighted in the new exhibits. b. Coordinate project leadership for both the Gaithersburg and Boulder exhibit development, design, implementation, and installation projects with the NIST COTR. c. Use the draft NIST content outline and the results of exhibit brainstorming sessions, interviews with NIST experts, visitor feedback, and other materials or data to develop a theme or themes for each exhibit, and to write a detailed content outline (about 1000-1500 words) that describes a set of cohesive text panels, objects, interactives, multi-media displays and other elements to be developed that support the overarching theme(s). d. Provide recommendations for the consideration of the NIST Public Affairs exhibit team members, the exhibit designers, and the advisory panels to reach consensus on a detailed content, design, interactives, and multimedia, plan. e. Provide recommendations for the consideration by the Public Affairs COTR and the exhibit designers to prepare a detailed timeline of deliverables to ensure completion of both the Gaithersburg and Boulder projects by Nov. 30, 2011. f. Write and edit all panel text, captions, and other content for NIST COTR consideration for the Gaithersburg and Boulder exhibits including text required for interactive media programs included in the exhibits. (While the amount of text required for the new exhibits is not yet known, the current displays in Gaithersburg include panels, captions, and interactive media text of about 8,000 words.) g. Work through the NIST COTR to ensure that all content written for exhibits panels and interactive is vetted for accuracy by subject matter experts and the respective the Lobby Information Center Committee. h. Work with the designers and the NIST Public Affairs staff to collect photos, graphics, or other art required for the exhibits. i. Work collaboratively with an exhibit evaluator to ensure that the exhibit design, content, and major elements meet the needs of NIST visitors. j. Work with the NIST COTR and separate Lobby information Center Committees for the Gaithersburg and Boulder projects to ensure the scientific accuracy and quality of final exhibits, as well as to ensure that the final exhibits meet the communications needs of NIST staff and senior management. k. Submit monthly reports describing progress toward achieving project milestones identified in the agreed timeline. l. Attend weekly meetings with the Public Affairs core Lobby Information Team to discuss content development, review progress, discuss approaches to producing deliverables and receive advice and assistance. 3. DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERABLE DATES The deliverable for this assignment shall be full-time science writing and exhibit curation services, both written documents and advice for managers that includes, but are not limited to: a. An approximately 1000-1500 word document that describes the major themes for the Gaithersburg exhibit and provides a detailed content outline and timeline that describes a cohesive set of text panels, objects, interactives, multi-media displays and other elements to be developed that support the overarching theme within 60 days of the start of the contract. b. An approximately 1000 word document that describes the major theme(s) for the Boulder exhibit and provides a detailed content outline that describes a cohesive set of text panels, objects, interactive, multi-media displays and other elements to be developed that support the overarching theme at a date mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. c. Text and relevant photos or other illustrations are due throughout the period of performance on dates mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. d. Collection of artifacts and other objects throughout the period of performance on dates mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. e. Development of a detail content outline and timelineare due throughout the period of performance on dates mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. f. Changes to the exhibit text, content, interactives, objects, multi-media elements or other deliverablesas a result of information collected from visitors by an independent evaluator are due throughout the period of performance on dates mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. g. Monthly reports briefly describing the milestones achieved and progress towards milestones in process in a given month are due within 5 days of the following month. All materials will be written in clear, readable, engaging, and understandable standard English appropriate for an audience of college educated laypersons. Standards for Acceptance of Deliverables: The Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) will provide comments on each deliverable within 5 calendars days from receipt of a given deliverable. The contractor shall make any needed changes to the deliverables within 5 calendar days from receipt of electronic or written comments from the COTR. 4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance of this contract is for a base period of (1) year with a (6) six month option period. Performance will be both at the contractor's workplace and at NIST. The contractor will be required to be onsite at NIST Gaithersburg to meet with NIST subject matter experts, assist with selection of artifacts, collaborate on interactive devices or multi-media elements with NIST Public Affairs or subject matter experts, and to ensure that the exhibit script will effectively describe the various elements. It is anticipated that the contractor will need to be onsite a minimum of several days per month during the course of the project. The contractor will be required to be onsite periodically at NIST Boulder Laboratories in Boulder, Colo. Biweekly meetings with Public Affairs personnel will be held on site at NIST in,, Gaithersburg, Maryland, which the contractor may attend either by phone or in person. 5. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, DATA, AND/OR INFORMATION All property, data and information provided by the Government in the performance of this task remains the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the government upon completion or termination of this requirement. Likewise, all deliverables generated under this requirement remain the property of the Government. All written material produced under this contract become the property of the U.S. government and as such will be in the public domain. The contractor shall attend meetings at NIST headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD at least biweekly and will be provided with office space, a computer, software, telephone, and supplies. The contractor will be required to be onsite to ensure successful collection of objects for the exhibits, personal interviews with NIST scientists, and for a number of other tasks, however, telecommuting for a portion of the work month will be permitted given prior notice and agreement by the Public Affairs COTR. 6. RISK ASSESSMENT The HSPD-12 Security Risk Level assigned to this contract is low risk. 7. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY The task to be accomplished under this contract is the successful management of two projects to create museum quality exhibits describing NIST history and current programs for its Gaithersburg, Md., and Boulder, Colo. sites. The selected contractor will also be responsible for writing and editing of all text required for the exhibits, which are expected to cover about 232 sq. meters (2500 sq. ft) and 46 sq. meters (500 sq. ft.) respectively. All materials prepared by the contractor will be reviewed for accuracy by NIST subject matter experts and the NIST COTR. Acceptable quality will include the following measures: a. No more than 10 percent of the written product shall be deemed factually inaccurate by subject matters experts reviewing the text; b. No more than one rewrite is required to meet the agreed to style, format requirements, flow, and readability required the NIST Web site, SGIP panel newsletter or other specific formats. c. Deadlines for design and interactive media developers will be monitored and the COTR will be alerted with ample time to address any issues that must be addressed and to ensure adherence to the project's agreed schedule of deliverables. Performance will be monitored by the assigned Public Affairs COTR to ensure that acceptable levels of project management and writing quality as described above have been achieved. 8. TRAVEL EXPENSES Travel will be refunded in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), and will not exceed the maximum per diem rate (meals and lodging), and transportation costs, in effect at the time of travel. NIST will pay for the successful contractor's air fare or other transportation expenses to visit NIST Boulder 4-5 times to attend meetings with the advisory panel, designer, and to oversee implementation and installation of the exhibits. Travel to NIST Gaithersburg will not be reimbursed. 9. DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE The Contractor may invoice the Government monthly for work that was in compliance with the performance standards set forth in this requirement. 10. CONTRACTOR'S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The Contractor shall have at least five (5) years of experience in science writing and have demonstrated experience writing for lay audiences about research in the physical sciences and engineering, including such fields as physics, chemistry, biotechnology, electrical engineering, nanotechnology, information technology, manufacturing engineering, civil engineering, and fire science. It is highly desirable for the contractor to have successfully served as the curator or content developer for several previous science exhibit projects incorporating three dimensional objects, interactive, and/or multi-media displays. 11. GENERAL INFORMATION Media Inquiries: The Contractor shall not respond to any media inquiries. Any inquiries from the media shall be promptly relayed to the Public Affairs COTR. There shall be no interviews, comments, or any other response without the knowledge and approval of the Director of Public Affairs. Attachment: Please see attachment at the end of the combined synopsis/solicitation draft outline which is used for informational purposes only. End of Statement of Work Award shall be made to the quoter whose quote offers the best value to the Government, technical capability, past performance, and price will be considered. The Government will evaluate information based on the following evaluation criteria: 1) Technical Capability factor "Meeting or Exceeding the Minimum Specifications," 2) Past Performance and 3) Price. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are more important than price. Technical Capability is more important than Past Performance. The importance of price in the evaluation will increase with the degree of equality among quotations of the non-price factors. Technical Capability: Evaluation of Technical Capability will be based on the information provided in the quotation which shows Experience to perform the services. The offorer shall provide the following: 1. Experience - The resume shall reflect past/present experience serving as the curator or content developer for science exhibit projects incorporating three-dimensional objects, interactives, and/or multi-media displays. 2. Supply three (3) Writing examples: The writing examples shall describe the quality of the written samples provided as measured by the degree to which the samples represent interesting text that is well organized, clear, easy to read, concise and appropriate for a given format. i. Demonstrated experience writing for lay audiences about research results in the physical sciences and engineering including such fields as physics, chemistry, biotechnology, electrical engineering, nanotechnology, information technology, manufacturing engineering, civil engineering, and fire science. ii. Quality of the written samples provided as measured by the degree to which the samples represent interesting text that is well organized, clear, easy to read, concise and appropriate for a given format; and Past Performance: Past Performance will be evaluated to determine the overall quality of the product & service provided and the Contractors history of meeting delivery schedules for prior deliverables. Evaluation of Past Performance shall be based on the references provided and/or the quoters recent and relevant procurement history with NIST or its affiliates. Offerors must provide a list of at least five (5) references to which the same or similar service has been provided. The Contractor must include the reference name, contact person, and contact information in the quotation. Price: Quoted price will be evaluated for reasonableness. *** The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. *** *** The following provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. *** *** Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. *** ******The following clauses apply to this acquisition: 1.52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; 2.52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items including subparagraphs: a. 52.204.9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel b. 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government c. 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns d. 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business program Rerepresentation. e. 52.222-3 Convict Labor f. 52.222-19 Child Labor - Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies g. 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities h. 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity i. 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (38 U.SC. 4212) j. 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities k. 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212) l. 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than Central Contractor Registration. 3. 52.227-17 Rights in Data - Special Works 4. 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration The following Department of Commerce (CAR) clauses Department of Commerce Clauses apply to this acquisition. a. 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority. b. 1352.201-72 Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). c. 1352.209-70 Organizational Conflict of Interest. d. 1352.209-72 Restrictions Against Disclosure. e. 1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws. f. 1352.231-71 Duplication of Effort. g. 1352.233-70 Agency Protests h. 1352.227-70 Rights in Data, Assignment of Copyright. Department of Commerce Agency-Level Protest Procedures Level above the Contracting Officer is also incorporated. It can be downloaded at www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/agency.htm. *** ***All quoters shall submit the following: 1) An original and one (1) copy of a quotation which addresses Line Item 0001; 2) one (1) resume reflecting past/present experience; 3.) A list of five (5) references which includes the contact's name, phone number, and e-mail. *** This is an Open-Market Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for services as defined herein. The Government intends to award a Purchase Order as a result of this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation that will include the terms and conditions that are set forth herein. In order to facilitate the award process, ALL quotes shall include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: The offeror shall state "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." OR The offeror shall state "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following: Offeror shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s) Please note that this procurement is not being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If an offeror submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the offeror's FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation. *** Offerors shall submit their complete quotations no later than 3:00 PM Eastern Time on December 27, 2010. FAX quotations shall not be accepted. E-mail quotations shall only be accepted at james.cariaga@nist.gov, Electronic versions of all proposals must be received in MSWord or Adobe acrobat pdf format only. E-mail quotations shall not be deemed received until the quotation is is entered in the e-mail inbox of James Cariaga.***
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/SB134111RQ0042/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States
- Zip Code: 20899
- Zip Code: 20899
- Record
- SN02346567-W 20101219/101217234107-c5e0874c5bcd8452de60ee6f81f079f6 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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