SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Support for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Office of Advanced Manufacturing’s (OAM) marketing, branding and communications projects.
- Notice Date
- 12/15/2017
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- 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 B130, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1410, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1410
- Solicitation Number
- SS18-0005
- Archive Date
- 1/24/2018
- Point of Contact
- Lynda M Horton, Phone: 3019753725, Keith Bubar, Phone: 3019758329
- E-Mail Address
-
Lynda.Horton@nist.gov, keith.bubar@nist.gov
(Lynda.Horton@nist.gov, keith.bubar@nist.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- INTRODUCTION This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified business sources. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign, and small businesses. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 541611 (Administrative Management and General Consulting Services), as those domestic sources having 15 million or less annually. Please include your company's size classification and socio-economic status in any response to this notice. NOTE: This notice is strictly for obtaining Market Research. There will be no Question & Answer period under this Sources Sought Notice. Background/Mission: The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP®) is a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The MEP National Network TM comprises NIST MEP, 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and its 1,300 trusted advisors and experts at nearly 600 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers are funded by a combination of Federal, State, local and private resources; and focus on helping small and medium-size manufacturers (SMMs)generate business results and thrive in today's technology-driven economy. MEP's mission is to enhance the productivity and technology performance of U.S. manufacturing by acting as a trusted, strategic advisor to promote business growth and connecting manufacturers to public and private resources essential for increased competitiveness and profitability. Centers tailor services to meet critical needs, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to specialized business practices, including supply chain integration, innovation, and technology transfer. MEP's foundation is built upon its partnerships. Centers are the hub for manufacturers, connecting them with government agencies, trade associations, universities and research laboratories, state and federal initiatives, and a host of other resources to help them grow and innovate. Scope of Requirement: Currently, NIST's MEP has a need for ordering vehicle to assist MEP in successfully fulfilling their mission, as stated above. One of the principle goals of this requirement is to for the Contractor to understand the current and future development and delivery capabilities of the network. This will be accomplished by establishing mechanisms to discover the current and future needs of U.S.-based small manufacturers and translating that information into actionable strategies and plans to enhance the development, delivery and quality of products and services delivered by the Centers and foster coordination of those organizations that comprise this network. The contract will provide additional resources and subject matter expertise to expand and accelerate MEP's ability to serve as a trusted advisor for U.S. manufacturing. Specifically, strategies and plans will be developed and executed to support expansion and deeper leverage of resources to integrate cost reduction strategies with profitable growth. The successful deployment of these strategies, services and products will further enable the MEP National Network to most effectively serve as the critical connecting point for manufacturers, state and local governments, private sector resources, research organizations, and the federal government. To respond to this expanded need, MEP will, with support from this contract, develop new networks and partnerships that companies require to realize an enduring competitive position in the global market. These efforts will further promote the transition from reactive strategies to the proactive pursuit of increased profits and overall growth by helping manufacturers to understand the value of their marketable assets in light of these drivers. The major areas of emphasis for research, marketing and deployment of efforts under this contract shall be related to the four key goals of the MEP strategic plan: Empower Manufacturers: Assist U.S. manufacturers in embracing productivity-enhancing, innovative manufacturing technologies; navigating advanced technology solutions; and recruiting and retaining skilled employees. Champion Manufacturing: Actively promote the importance of a strong manufacturing base as key to a robust U.S. economy and protection of national security interests; create awareness of innovations in manufacturing; create enabling workforce development partnerships to build a stronger and more diverse workforce pipeline; and maximize market awareness of the MEP National Network. Leverage Partnerships: Leverage national, regional, state, and local partnerships to generate substantial increases in market penetration; identify mission-complementary advocates to help MEP become a recognized manufacturing resource brand; and build an expanded service delivery model to support manufacturing technology advances. Transform the Network: Maximize the MEP National Network's knowledge and experience to operate as an integrated national network; increase efficiency and effectiveness in employing a Learning Organization platform; and create a resilient and adaptive MEP National Network to support a resilient and adaptive U.S. manufacturing base. Specific Requirements: Research and strategy development initiatives Provide research and analysis on various manufacturing topics. Information from the research will be used to inform strategic program priorities and develop plans for competitive awards portfolio. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Research on manufacturing client needs, wants, purchasing behavior b. Research on manufacturing market trends, technological change or business drivers c. Research on customer needs around specific MEP and Manufacturing USA products, services, initiatives, and/or programs d. Research on MEP/Manufacturing USA Center/network best practices, success models or business models e. Data analysis f. Strategy development for specific products, services or programs g. Dissemination of results of research in the form or reports, training, workshops, webinars, speaking engagements, web content, articles, blogs, etc. Marketing Support Various marketing, strategy development and deployment support functions to accomplish promoting the MEP and Manufacturing USA systems as well as accomplishing multiple initiatives. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Marketing strategy and planning b. Branding, brand strategy, event branding c. Blogs d. Infographics e. Website content and design f. Photography g. Video production h. Marketing materials i. Graphic design j. Templates k. Input on marketing automation and marketing tools l. Technical writing and editing including MEP/Manufacturing USA annual reports, success story writing and editing m. Event support (keynote speakers, travel, materials) n. Public awareness and social media outreach strategy and content MEP Center and Manufacturing USA Institute Support Assist in a variety of areas related to Center/Institute operations. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Board development b. Sales training and coaching c. Marketing support d. Consulting on any aspect of Center operations e. Local partnership development or maintenance f. Training on general skills Deployment and Execution of the MEP and/or Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan Perform various deployment and execution functions to accomplish the current MEP and/or Manufacturing USA Strategic Plans. Provide research, consulting, and support activities on the national level. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Program strategy development b. Partnership development c. Program support for new products and services d. Training and skills development and system learning related to national products, services, programs e. Designing and facilitating working group meetings f. Start-up assistance to MEP Centers in adopting new national programs g. Coaching Center staff on national programs - coordination on resources, coaching on best practices and approach h. Troubleshooting partnerships i. Identifying and disseminating information on best practices, success models and effective business models for national programs j. Participating in sales events and workshops Evaluation and Assessment of Projects, Programs and Client Impacts Perform evaluation of the MEP and/or Manufacturing USA program as well as other initiatives. Evaluate and assess Center/Institute performance and conduct research on various performance matters. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Program evaluation and assessment b. Client impact analysis c. Client profiling d. Analysis of MEP Center/Manufacturing USA Institute metrics and performance MEP National Summit and Manufacturing USA Network Meeting Support Perform various meeting support functions for Summits and Network Meetings conducted throughout the period of performance of the base contract and subsequent task orders issued. Activities include but are not limited to: a. Participation in National Summit and other national/regional meetings related to the Summit b. Development and revision of national program content, program management tools and guidebooks, video content c. Development and revision of program marketing (flyers, website content, video, etc.) d. Recruitment of keynote speakers and thought leaders to present during National Summit. e. Tracking program statistics (# programs, companies, schedule) f. Printing program materials; suggestions to create a repository of educational resources g. Partnership and sponsorship strategy in collaboration with NIST's Conference Services event contractor RESPONSE INFORMATION In order for a contractor to clearly convey their capability to fulfill the above-identified need, they MUST SUBMIT the following information. It is preferred that Capability Statements address each of the components in the order in which they are listed below. Please provide information regarding the following: 1. Companies that provide the services with the desired capabilities must submit a detailed capability statement, addressing all of the specifications discussed above, in an organized format (preferably in the same order as listed above) that allows for a direct correlation to the requested information. 2. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research. 3. Describe the services availability to the public, are the services rendered commercially available to all public? Each response shall include the following Business Information: 1. Name of the company that provides services for which services are provided 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS 541611 (15 million) and status, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Contractor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM www.sam.gov ) to be considered as potential sources. 5. Identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. SUBMISSION INFORMATION Responses must be submitted no later than January 9, 2018 at 11:00AM, EST. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date. GENERAL INFORMATION As previously stated, the Government will not entertain questions regarding this Market Research; however, general questions may be forwarded to the following: Contracts Specialist: Lynda Horton Email Address: Lynda.Horton@nist.gov Phone: 301-975-3725 Contracting Officer: Keith Bubar Email Address: Keith.Bubar@nist.gov "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 pre-solicitation 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/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/SS18-0005/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States
- Zip Code: 20899
- Zip Code: 20899
- Record
- SN04768823-W 20171217/171215231201-689d301a389bc91098415b3f8c0aea60 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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