Attachment_A_-_Statement_of_Work_123198Q0101_(FINAL).pdf

12319819Q0101 Attachment A

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Nutritionist Subject Matter Expert (SME)

September 12, 2019

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

FNS administers 15 Federal nutrition assistance programs of the United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA). The mission of FNS is to reduce hunger and food insecurity in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and needy people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence. Among the programs that FNS administers are the Child

Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast

Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service

Program (SFSP). The Child Nutrition Programs provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals and snacks to children.

Administered by State agencies, each of these programs helps fight hunger by reimbursing organizations such as schools, child care centers, and after-school programs for providing nutritionally balanced meals that meet Federal meal pattern requirements.

1.2 Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)

CNP, a Program Office of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), has the responsibility to ensure that child nutrition program operators have the requisite knowledge and resources needed to plan, purchase, prepare, and serve nourishing meals that meet Federal meal pattern requirements and also meet the operational needs of school districts and program sites.

1.3 Nutrition, Education, Training and Technical Assistance Division

(NETTA)/Team Nutrition

CNP’s NETTA is the home of Team Nutrition, which is an FNS initiative that supports the

Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for food service, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. NETTA regularly provides technical assistance, resources, and training tools on a variety of key nutrition-related topic areas critical to program operations, such as school meal menu planning and meal pattern requirement implementation, with a focus on leveraging innovative technological solutions to overcome challenges and streamline processes.

1.4 Nutrition, Training and Operational Support Branch (NTOS)

Within NETTA, the NTOS collaborates with the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) to develop high- quality nutrition education training services and resources, to meet the needs of our diverse child nutrition audience that includes State agencies and child nutrition professionals in

NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP and other key stakeholders. NTOS provides oversight on the

ICN cooperative agreements and grants by which these resources are developed. NTOS also ensures the availability of Team Nutrition resources in print, and ensures print orders and bulk orders are fulfilled in a timely manner. Additionally, NTOS provides support services to

NETTA staff including procurement and conference planning.

NTOS strives to provide training experiences to enhance individual learning, attitude, accountability, and effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging lifelong learning.

1.5 The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), part of the School of Applied Sciences at The University of Mississippi, is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs. The ICN was established by Congress in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989. It is funded by a grant administered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The specific duties of ICN can be found in Section 21 of the

Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. ICN’s mission is to provide information and services that promote the continuous improvement of child nutrition programs.

As a national center, ICN provides information, conducts applied research, and offers training and education opportunities using appropriate technology carried out in 4 divisions – 1.

Education and Training, 2. Information Services, 3. Administration, and 4. Applied Research.

The Education and Training division of ICN is a trusted source for accurate, reliable information. The ET division coordinates and develops face-to-face and on-site training seminars at little or no cost and free online courses designed to support the professional development of child nutrition program and child care personnel at all levels of responsibility.

The Administration Division is responsible for the financial and compliance oversight of all grants, cooperative agreements, and other sponsored programs. The division serves ICN staff by providing financial, administrative, and marketing support services for the business aspects of the Institute. Members of this division are responsible for the departmental budget, contractual agreements, resource management, personnel functions, consultant and staff travel logistics, preparation and delivery of budgets and reports, implementation and oversight of vendor contracts, memorandums of understanding with allied organizations, procurement of supplies and providing staff training on administrative matters.

The Information Services Division (ISD) is responsible for facilitating the distribution and overseeing the safekeeping of all institutional information for the ICN. This includes the distribution of ICN content via a variety of technology platforms; meeting all technology needs of the organization, including technology support for ICN staff and customers; and ensuring information security and technology sustainability throughout the organization. ISD encompasses ICN Technical Support and Helpdesk, the ICN Clearinghouse, and the National

Child Nutrition Archives.

The Applied Research Division (ARD) conducts comprehensive, needs-based studies that focus on areas that directly impact the success of child nutrition programs. The Institute’s research has been used by State agencies to set standards for program professionals and design training programs and materials, which has been used to support the certification and credentialing program for the School Nutrition Association (SNA).

2.0 Background/Purpose

2.1 Background

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition

Programs (CNP) has the responsibility to ensure that Child Nutrition program operators have the requisite knowledge and resources needed to plan, purchase, prepare, and serve nourishing meals that meet Federal meal pattern requirements and also meet the operational needs of school districts and program sites.

The NETTA Division of the Child Nutrition Programs administers several cooperative agreements and grants that support State agencies and other external organizations in the provision of nutrition education, training and technical assistance for Federal child nutrition program operators, school nutrition staff, and other stakeholders. As part of these grant programs, NETTA reviews grantee reports and deliverables, holds regular collaboration calls, provides technical assistance to grantees, and performs records maintenance.

To better serve our customers, NETTA is leading efforts to improve and enhance existing and create new nutrition education, training, and technical assistance resources designed to support child nutrition program stakeholders, including State agencies, program operators/school nutrition professionals/CACFP operators, and food industry stakeholders. NETTA supports national efforts to promote lifelong healthy food choices and physical activity by improving the nutrition practices of school and CACFP meal programs.

2.2 Purpose

This Statement of Work (SOW) will assist NETTA on the progression of several projects including the work to develop, promote, and make available various nutrition education, training, and technical assistance resources for Child Nutrition program operators, including school nutrition professionals and CACFP program operators. This nutrition work will also support education and awareness activities targeted to Child Nutrition program administrators and operators, including developing and designing training curriculum, electronic newsletters, developing nutrition content and graphics, creating nutrition-focused Web pages, and developing PowerPoint presentations on nutrition-related topics. Using the most current scientific evidence, national nutrition recommendations, nutrition content, and communication strategies and platforms, ICN’s resources, materials, Web tools, and Web sites must be maintained or developed in order to help Child Nutrition operators administer the meals programs.

FNS is seeking a qualified Functional Specialist - Nutritionist subject matter expert (hereafter referred to as subject matter expert - SME) to work on several tasks and projects related to the development of meal service training curriculum and resources promotions, project management, Web page development, and nutrition education and training resource development that are detailed in this SOW.

3.0 Scope

FNS is seeking one SME to provide editing, writing, and analytical skills to develop nutrition education and training resource publications and presentations, resource promotions via electronic and Web content. The SME shall have nutrition content, webinar, graphic design and Web-based subject matter expertise and skills, as well as be able to provide technical support services to complete the following tasks:

Developing and/or facilitating effective nutrition education training, promotion resources, and technical assistance based on current science and policy to meet audience needs and address emerging issues within assigned time lines;

Providing oversight and technical assistance and consultations in support of FNS

Strategic Goal 5 at assigned level of responsibility;

Promoting appropriate nutrition messages and resources through multiple channels to reach target audiences;

Communicating (orally and in writing) with Regional Offices, State agencies, stakeholders, and target audiences through webinars, presentations, trainings, exhibits, and teleconferences to ensure that targeted messaging and resources are delivered to appropriate audiences; and

Maintain the Smartsheet project management tool (verify information submitted for accuracy, update records, follow up on project activities within set project timelines)

The SME shall also have extensive and strong skills and knowledge related to nutrition as well as writing skills. The SME shall have experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel), data entry, Child Nutrition Programs, and customer service. The

SME shall also have strong administrative skills to support NETTA management and workgroup teams. NETTA highly desires the SME to have experience in GovDelivery, 508 compliancy, and Smartsheet.

The SME shall work closely with the NTOS Branch Chief, but shall collaborate closely and have regular communication with the Contracting Officer’s Representative(s) (CORs) of each grant project. Each grant’s COR is responsible for providing direction to grantees, but may consult with the SME.

4.0 Specific Requirements

4.1 Post Award Orientation

Pursuant to FAR 42.501, a post award orientation may be held to aid both the Government and contractor personnel to achieve a clear and mutual understanding of all contract requirements, and identify and resolve potential problems. However, it is not a substitute for the contractor’s full understanding of the work requirements, nor is it to be used to alter the terms and conditions of the resulting contract award. Within 10 business days after the contract is awarded, the Contractor (including the SME) shall participate in a post award orientation to discuss tasks, schedules, and deliverables.

4.2 Reporting Requirements

4.2.1 The Contractor shall provide a weekly progress report to the COR via electronic mail every

Monday prior to close of business. The report shall include a summary of all contractor tasks performed in the previous week, status of assigned tasks, any travel conducted, and any contractor concerns or recommendations.

4.3 Travel

4.3.1 Contractor travel may be required in support of this contract. All travel required by the

Government outside of the local commuting area will be reimbursed to the Contractor in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining Contracting Officer (CO) approval via the COR (electronic mail is acceptable) for all reimbursable travel in advance of each trip, at least one day prior to incurring travel costs. Upon completion of travel, all receipts and supporting documents shall be submitted to the COR for approval of invoices for travel within 5 business days of travel completion.

4.4 Hours of Operation

4.4.1 Contractor personnel shall be required to perform services during normal business hours, 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays, or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar

Government closings. The proposed SME work schedule shall be submitted to the COR for approval at the post-award orientation. Any changes to the approved schedule shall be submitted at least one-week in advance, when possible, to the COR for approval.

4.5 Cooperation with Other Service Providers

4.5.1 From time to time, the SME may need to cooperate with third party service providers to ensure the integrated and efficient performance of the FNS projects and operations. The SME must provide such assistance to other service providers as required under the SOW or requested by the CO/COR within the scope of this contract.

4.6 Recording and Disclosure of Intellectual Property

4.7.1 The Contractor shall at all times maintain full, accurate, and up-to-date accounts of all

Intellectual Property (IP).

IP may include:

(a) Inventions

(b) Software

(c) Databases

(d) Lessons learned

(e) Documentation

(f) Training materials and/or tools

(g) Source code

(h) Processes

(i) Jointly Developed Methodologies

4.7 Employee Conduct

4.8.1 Contractor personnel shall observe and comply with all applicable department/agency regulations, policies and procedures (including fire, safety, sanitation, environmental protection, security, etc). The Contractor shall ensure all Contractor personnel present a professional appearance at all times and maintain professional conduct standards.

4.8.2 The Contractor understands that any Contractor employee may be summarily and immediately removed from or denied access to any Government property or facility at the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer (CO) if he/she determines such action is necessary to protect or preserve Government property, safety and security, or to maintain good order. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to replace any employee that is removed to ensure timely and complete contract performance.

4.8.3 Contractor employees shall wear an identification badge as required by the work-site.

Contractor employees shall identify themselves as such, in all electronic mail correspondence, telephone conversations, and in meetings with Government personnel. Contractor employees shall not make or imply that he/she can make a decision on behalf of the Federal Government.

4.8.4 Contractor employees shall return Personal Identification Verification (PIV) cards to the

COR when no longer required for contract performance.

4.8 Qualifications

The resume of the selected SME shall reflect the individuals’ education, training, and applicable knowledge, skills, and skills demonstration, as outlined below.

Functional Specialist/Subject Matter Expert - Nutritionist o Master’s degree in nutrition field required.

o Minimum of 4-7 years of experience in school nutrition programs and/or child and adult care food program.

o Proficient nutrition writing and communication skills.

o Demonstrated knowledge of plain language principles for nutrition.

o Demonstrated understanding of needs of low-income audiences and Child

Nutrition Program operators.

o Strong organizational skills and creativity.

o Experience reviewing and developing curriculum.

o Demonstrated proficiency in development, and management; success in translating complex client content and needs into easy consumer user experience.

o Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) o Highly desired experience with:

GovDelivery

Smartsheet

Sharepoint

Drupal 8

Graphic design

Instructional design

ReadyTalk

WebEx

Adobe Creative Suite (including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe

Illustrator)

508 compliance requirements and developing resources to meet all 508 accessibility requirements

5.0 Specific Tasks

The Functional Specialist/SME shall support the work of Team Nutrition by ensuring the accuracy, quality, and availability of the Institute of Child Nutrition’s (ICN) trainings, materials, research developed by the ICN’s Applied research Division (ARD), and resources to Child Nutrition program operators and other stakeholders by performing the following tasks.

5.1 Execute all the current Cooperative Agreements and Grants

5.1.1 Review all ICN cooperative agreement and grant deliverables, provide feedback, and make recommendations to ICN as needed within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents.

5.1.2 Assist ICN in planning and conducting professional meetings that provide training, program information and updates, and obtain feedback and recommendations from internal and external CN stakeholders within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents.

5.1.3 Promote ICN trainings and resources to internal and external CN stakeholders.

5.1.4 Develop and release technology-based training and technical assistance resources for

Child Nutrition program administrators, operators, and stakeholders.

5.1.5 Provide Child Nutrition Program stakeholders with technology-based training resources to equip operators to implement the meal pattern and program requirements.

5.1.6 Review all ARD sub-grant deliverables, provide feedback, and make recommendations to ARD as needed, within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents.

5.1.7 Analyze results of the expert panel workgroups, exploratory taskforce meetings, advisory councils and committees and provide a summary within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents.

5.1.8 Review monthly and quarterly ICN training metrics to determine effectiveness and impact of ICN trainings on Child Nutrition professionals within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents.

5.1.9 Use multiple communication channels to share State and local success stories and information about training resources with Child Nutrition Program operators and stakeholders.

5.2 Develop Team Nutrition Materials

5.2.1 Prepare various subject assignments which require a high degree of judgment and program knowledge such as performance work statements (PWS), statement of work

(SOWs), concept papers for projects, comprehensive work plans, handbooks, review guides, reports to congress, and memorandums.

5.2.2 Develop and release technology-based training and technical assistance resources to equip Child Nutrition program administrators, operators, and stakeholders.

5.2.3 Provide assistance in developing, reviewing, and revising training, communications and customer service supporting quality meal service in the Child Nutrition programs.

5.2.4 Collaborate with and provide guidance to the NTOS Branch Chief as well as work closely with NTOS nutritionists and when agreed upon with other nutritionists within

NETTA on nutrition related activities.

5.2.5 Edit and finalize technical assistance, training materials, other resource publications to improve the timeliness of document completion for distribution to FNS’s target audiences.

5.2.6 Assist NETTA and Team Nutrition in displaying accurate nutrition information via graphically pleasing design for print and Web pages.

5.2.7 Write content for, designing, releasing electronic newsletters via GovDelivery.

5.2.8 Promote appropriate nutrition messages and resources through multiple Team

Nutrition channels to reach the target audiences.

5.2.9 Develop PowerPoint presentations on nutrition-related topics.

6.0 Applicable Directives

All tasks performed in accordance with this SOW shall adhere to the rules, regulations, laws, standards and conventions identified by the Agency, the Department as well as within the

Federal Government.

Specifically this procurement shall be bound by:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Clinger-Cohen Act

Computer Security Act, 1987

Government Information Security Reform Act, October 2000

Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act

USDA Secure Code Policy

An Introduction to Computer Security: The NIST Handbook, December

1995 Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems, October 2001

Guide for Developing Security Plans for Information Technology Systems, December 1998

Security of Federal Automated Information Resources, February 1996

Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d) for system accessibility requirements, www.section508.gov e-Gov platforms:

o Authentication o President’s Management Agenda (PMA) o Enterprise Architecture o Capital Investment Planning protocols o IT Security Line of Business o Compliance and integration with all appropriate e-Gov Initiatives o Paperwork Reduction (PRA) & Government Paperwork Elimination

Acts(GPEA) o ADP/Information Security Program o HSPD-12, the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) o released Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 201, o “Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and o Contractors’ Special Requirements:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service

(FNS), Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Guide, June 12, 2013.

In addition, the SME shall have working knowledge and be familiar with the following:

Nutrition Standards for School Meals – https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals

Nutrition Standards for Child Care Meals-https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks

Team Nutrition Web site and Resources - https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn

Team Nutrition Professional Standards Training

Database https://professionalstandards.fns.usda.gov/

Team Nutrition Webinars and Training – https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/webinars-and-training

The Institute of Child Nutrition - https://theicn.org/

7.0 Government Furnished Items

Access to FNS workspace and workstations will be provided.

8.0 Deliverables

http://www.section508.gov/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn https://professionalstandards.fns.usda.gov/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/webinars-and-training https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/webinars-and-training https://theicn.org/

The following matrix depicts a list of deliverables, format/quantities, and due dates. The

Contractor shall refer to the SOW for more details on each deliverable.

Item

Deliverable Section Format/Quantities Due Date

Attendance – Post Award

Orientation

4.1 Meeting at FNS

Alexandria, VA office

Within 10 Days of Contract award date

Weekly Status Reports – summary of previous week’s activities

4.2.1 1 Copy Via Email of previous week’s activities

Every Monday by close of business

If travel is required, submit travel invoices with receipts/supporting documentation.

4.3.1

SAP Concur Travel

System/Electronic

Mail

Within 5 business days of travel completion

Review all ICN cooperative agreement and grant deliverables, provide feedback, and make recommendations to ICN as needed.

5.1.1

Microsoft Office

Suite; Online -

Smartsheet; ICN’s eLearning Portal

Within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents

Assist ICN in planning and conducting professional meetings that provide training, program information and updates, and obtain feedback and recommendations from internal and external CN stakeholders.

5.1.2

Suite; Online -

Smartsheet; ICN’s eLearning Portal

Within 10 calendar days of

Review all ARD sub-grant deliverables, provide feedback, and make recommendations to ARD as needed.

5.1.6

Suite; Online -

Smartsheet; ICN’s eLearning Portal

Within 10 calendar days of

Analyze results of the expert panel workgroups, exploratory taskforce meetings, advisory councils and committees and provide a summary report.

5.1.7

Suite; Online -

Smartsheet

Within 10 calendar days of

Review monthly and quarterly ICN training metrics to determine effectiveness and impact of ICN trainings on child nutrition professionals.

5.1.8

Suite; Online -

Smartsheet;

ICN’s eLearning

Portal

Within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documen ts

Edit and finalize technical assistance, training materials, other resource publications to improve the timeliness of document completion for distribution to FNS’s target audiences.

5.2.5

Microsoft Office

Suite; SharePoint;

Electronic

Within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents

Assist NETTA and Team

Nutrition in displaying accurate nutrition information via graphically pleasing design for print and Web pages.

5.2.6

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe

Photoshop

Within 10 calendar days of receipt of reports/documents

Write content for, designing, releasing electronic newsletters via GovDelivery. 5.2.7

GovDelivery;

Microsoft Office;

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe

Photoshop

Within 1 month before the release date

Promote appropriate nutrition messages and resources through multiple Team Nutrition channels to reach the target audiences.

5.2.8

Microsoft Office

Suite; GovDelivery;

PartnerWeb;

SharePoint;

Electronic

Within 1 month of the release date