SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- NINDS Inquiry Response and Information Dissemination Clearing House
- Notice Date
- 7/29/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Station Support/Simplified Acquisitions, 31 Center Drive, Room 1B59, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
- ZIP Code
- 20892
- Solicitation Number
- HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-14-509
- Archive Date
- 8/26/2014
- Point of Contact
- Brian Lind, Phone: 3014021635, Andriani Buck, Phone: 3014021677
- E-Mail Address
-
lindbj@nida.nih.gov, andriani.buck@nih.gov
(lindbj@nida.nih.gov, andriani.buck@nih.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only. Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation's leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people's health and save lives. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Surgical Neurology Branch (SNB) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducting research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders and stroke. The NINDS mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. Part of the NINDS mission is to reduce the burden of neurological disease by collecting and disseminating research information related to neurological disorders. In support of this mission, the NINDS maintains an information clearinghouse to provide publications, a call center, and letter and email responses to the public, clinicians, and other audiences with an interest in neurological disease. The Institute also has an exhibits program which disseminates information via meetings of professional societies such (examples: Society for Neuroscience, American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society) and of other groups. The Institute seeks a contractor to continue this vital work. Purpose and Objectives: The contractor shall provide all the facilities, personnel, and equipment necessary to operate a national health clearinghouse. The contractor also shall establish and maintain appropriate information technology security measures to protect NIH information and information systems. Scope of Work: The nature of this work requires same-day pick-up and delivery of materials to and from the NINDS location in Bethesda, Maryland, and the ability of contract staff to attend on-site meetings in Bethesda with little advance notice. The contractor must also be able to regularly collect mail from the NINDS post office box in Bethesda, Maryland. A. Establishment and administration of an inquiry response and information dissemination center. This task shall encompass the many responsibilities that go into responding to inquiries related to a variety of neurological disorders received by the NINDS OCPL. the services needed to fulfill this task shall include: • development of standard language for use in responding to inquiries; development of an inquiry response database; • establishment of a call center to manage inquiries received through the Institute's toll-free phone number; • development, storage, and distribution of publications; inventory control of publications and other informational materials; • development and maintenance of "fugitive" and Internet literature databases; • courier services; statistical data retrieval and analysis; and photocopying and other clerical tasks; • develop and implement a system to collect, prepare, and disseminate information in response to public inquiries on neurological disorders, including those generated by public service announcements (PSAs) and other educational programs bearing the Institute's toll-free telephone number.   B. Training and quality control The contractor is responsible for recruiting and training qualified personnel to respond to inquiries to the NINDS. The contractor shall design and implement a training program for information specialists at the beginning of the contract and for use when new information specialists are hired to ensure the effective operation of the center. C. Mass mailings In addition to distributing materials in response to individual requests, up to six times a year the contractor may be required to coordinate mass mailings to lists of specific recipients (approximately 350 names). Some mass mailings shall include booklets or other materials provided by the PO. All mailings shall be first class unless otherwise specified by the PO. D. Storage of publications and other items The contractor shall maintain an on- or off-site climate-controlled storage facility large enough to store at least a 9-month supply of NINDS publications to be used in responding to letters and telephone inquiries. The facility shall be within a reasonable distance of the NIH campus to ensure timeliness in getting publications and other materials between the NIH and the warehouse. E. Inventory report of stored materials The contractor shall maintain an inventory report/ management system using software compatible with Microsoft operating systems that shall document and track the receipt, storage, and dissemination of materials used in responding to inquiries and shall generate a monthly inventory report and a monthly reorder report that flags items reaching their specified minimum stock level. Minimum stock levels shall be established by the contractor in conjunction with the PO. F. Reproduction of photocopied materials The contractor shall provide clean, readable copies of all photocopied materials. G. Analysis of requests The contractor shall keep a computerized log to ensure timely response to inquiries, as specified in the sections "Development of standard response materials, custom letter paragraphs, and form letters" and "Response to uncontrolled letters, postcards, and telephone inquiries," above. H. Computerized response database/inquiry tracking system The contractor shall design, implement, and maintain an automated inquiry tracking system (using Microsoft-compatible software) consistent with Office of Management and Budget regulations.   I. Translation of information and publications The contractor shall be prepared to translate standard response language, website information, publications, and other documents on an as-needed basis. J. Development of e-books and other publications The contractor should be prepared to assist with the development and updating of e-books from existing NINDS publications and/or newly developed publications. The NINDS anticipates the need to develop up to 15-20 e-books a year. K. Evaluation and optimization of website information The contractor shall assist the NINDS with evaluation of the NINDS catalog and/or other website content in order to ensure that members of the public can readily access and use the material. L. Support of OCPL office functions The contractor shall have a: • documented and well-established understanding of the role of non-profit disease and advocacy organizations in biomedical research with a special emphasis on neurology; • demonstrated ability to accomplish both routine hard-copy and email merged mailings to health voluntary agencies and advocacy groups through the use of various computer programs, including MS Word. The contractor should have the ability to assess and use no- or low-cost email systems such as Mail Chimp; • responsible for completion of weekly, monthly, bimonthly, or annual mailings directed toward the non-profit community or other groups and shall complete tasks in a timely manner with input and approval from Institute staff. • work with Institute staff members to periodically verify and maintain listings and other documentation concerning health voluntary agencies and advocacy groups. • carry out telephone calls or conduct mailings directed at non-profit agencies for purposes of verifying contact information. • develop specialized resources, such as databases and records of changes and additions (e.g., in postal or Internet addresses or telephone numbers) related to non-profit agencies in the area of neurology. • assist in procurement of supplies and services (e.g., magazine subscriptions) and in the production of high-quality printed materials, including but not limited to brochures, fact sheets, posters, flyers, and newsletters. • assist with special events (e.g., ceremonies and receptions organized by OCPL), and establishment and maintenance of files (including electronic files). • set up small meetings (up to 12 people) and make travel arrangements for OCPL staff. • provide up to two full-time on-site support personnel for OCPL. Occasional part-time on-site support may also be required. Capability statement /Information sought. The respondent response shall also include any other specific and relevant information related to the requirements of this project that will enable the Government to determine the capabilities of the company to perform the specialized requirements described in this synopsis. Interested organizations must demonstrate and document in any response submitted, to this market survey extensive experience with and the ability to perform all of the specialized requirements elsewhere described. The respondent must also provide their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements. The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required. The response is limited to ten (15) page limit. The 15-page limit does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically (facsimile responses are NOT accepted ) to: Brian J. Lind Contract Specialist NIH\NIDA\SSSA lindbj@nida.nih.gov and Andriani Buck Contract Specialist NIH/NIDA/SSSA Andriani.buck@nih.gov The response must be received on or before August 11, 2014, 10:00 AM (EST). Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIDA-2/HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-SBSS-14-509/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Building 35, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
- Zip Code: 20892
- Zip Code: 20892
- Record
- SN03442070-W 20140731/140729235626-41d62fe45decb46aabfccafc8e7a92c0 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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