36C24E24Q0085.docx

Description

GENERAL INFORMATION

Regional Procurement Office East Building 32 Suite 1A1111 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215-1802

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Specialist Stacy Taylor Stacy.Taylor@va.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Special Notice Special Notice

DESCRIPTION

Special Notice

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Office of Research and Development (R&D), Regional Procurement Office (RPO) – East in Pittsburgh, PA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Wilmington VAMC.

The requirement is for the procurement of health-professions trainees in the fundamentals of effective research related communication skills and enhance their ability to share research information with a variety of audiences, including Veterans for the Wilmington VAMC.

This procurement is being conducted IAW FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirements. This is because the Government asserts that Barbara Garland Image Visions is the only contractor that can provide this specific requirement needed by the R&D Laboratory at Wilmington VAMC. Specifically, the characteristics of the service that are unique are as follows:

1. The approach is supportive, constructive, and highly interactive. In the Office Hours meetings, discussion topics might include: recognizing and strengthening individual communication style – hear how others hear you; addressing concerns related to public speaking; building self-confidence for speaking up in new situations; identifying and prioritizing key messages; creating/interacting effectively with visual elements; and conveying personal interest in research.

Find Your Voice – understand attitude, tone, enunciation, vocal variation, timing;

present key messages; select precise, meaningful vocabulary; use descriptive and persuasive sentences Show and Tell – create/interact with consistent graphics/visuals/video elements;

know/adapt/relate to the audience VA Discovery – convey importance a chosen area of research, its relevance to ongoing VA research, and the potential or intended impact on Veterans’ health/healthcare services Master Your Message – demonstrate successful strategies for delivery of an effective research-related presentationThe University has the required equipment to review and breakdown the analysis which is needed.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement and supporting documentation (quote) to the Contracting Officer no later than Wednesday, 6/19/2024, (12:00 PM, CST). Interest/capability statements may be sent by email to Mr. Stacy Taylor at Stacy Taylor@va.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

STATEMENT OF WORK

for Communication Development Training

I. SCOPE: The Wilmington VA Medical (WVAMC) is in Wilmington Delaware. The Research Office aims to secure a contract to provide communication development training for Health Professions Trainees who are participating in the summer research program. The content of the training has been customized for the summer research program.

II. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

A. Introduction: The Wilmington VA Medical Center Veterans Affairs acquire contracted services to teach Health Professions Trainees the fundamentals of effective research related communication skills to enhance their ability to share research information with a variety of audiences.

B. Place of Performance: Contractor will complete training events with students using a virtual meeting platform.

C. Background: The Research Office has successfully piloted a summer research program with health professions trainees. The office is currently working with three local academic affiliates to recruit students to participate on research projects. The goal is to create a formal research talent pipeline that offers the opportunity to enrich the pool of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

D. Performance Period: The performance period shall include a base and 2 option years.

E. Type of Contract: Firm fixed price contract.

F. Invoicing: The contractor shall invoice the Department of Veteran Affairs using the Tungsten invoicing system.

G. Security Information: An ISSO review is not required because the contract does not involve sensitive information and has no connection to the VA network.

III. DELIVERABLES

A. Description: The contractor shall provide a virtual series of engagement with Health Professions Trainees.

1. The contractor shall conduct training as specified below for up to 14 participants:

· Orientation Session

· Office Hours (Four (4) twenty-minute one-on-one meetings)

· Concluding Session

B. Method: Students will meet with the contractor for six sessions. During the sessions the contractor will assist them in developing their communication skills based on their individual communication styles.

1. Contractor shall be supportive, constructive, and highly interactive.

During Office Hours, the discussion topics may include:

· Recognizing and strengthening individual communication style- hear how others hear you.

· Addressing concerns related to public speaking.

· Building self-confidence for speaking up in new situations

· Identifying and prioritizing key messages

· Creating/interacting effective with visual elements

· Conveying personal interest in research.

2. Contractor will help the health professions trainees develop the following:

· Find Your Voice – understand attitude, tone, enunciation, vocal variation, timing;

present key messages; select precise, meaningful vocabulary; use descriptive and persuasive sentences

· Show and tell – create/interact with consistent graphics/visuals/video elements;

know/adapt/relate to the audience.

· VA Discovery – convey importance a chosen area of research, its relevance to ongoing.

VA research, and the potential or intended impact on Veterans’ health/healthcare services.

· Master Your Message – demonstrate successful strategies for delivery of an effective research-related presentation

C. Outcomes:

1. Participants will focus on articulating the importance of their summer research program assignment related to VA research, its relevance to their future VA research and the potential or intended impact on Veterans health/healthcare services.

2. Students will create short, self-produced videos which will be thoroughly critiqued and revised, culminating in a skillful 90-second research-related presentation.

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