Sources_Sought_Notice_Solicitation_No._75N91019Q00022.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE: Business of Science.

Notice Number:

SBSS-75N91019Q00022

Issued By:

National Cancer Institute (NCI), Office of Acquisitions (OA) http://www.nci.nih.gov or http://rcb.cancer.gov/rcb-internet/

Key Dates:

Capability Statement Due Date: February 13, 2019 by 11:00AM EST

This Small Business Sources Sought Notice (SBSS) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify qualified small business concerns including 8(a), HUBZone or

Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business concerns that are interested in and capable of performing the work described herein. The NCI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses received nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. 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 requirement is assigned North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611699 with a size standard of $11.0M employees is being considered.

As a result of this Sources Sought Notice, the NCI may issue a combined synopsis solicitation through FedBizOpps. THERE

IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NCI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice or the NCI’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center for Cancer Training (CCT) develops programs to address the needs of intramural fellows. Many postdoctoral fellows need to learn how to more professionally present themselves and to modify presentations to better present quality scientific talks needed to secure future jobs. The ability to present data to various audiences is not only important for promoting the scientific enterprise but also to enhance job prospects. Trainees who master Science

Communication skills may be more competitive for the emerging biomedical job market. Coaching to help improve Science

Communication skills would go a long way in meeting the fellows’ needs.

The “Business of Science” course must be structured to teach practical skills to the postdoctoral fellows that are valued by industry. The skills taught during the course should be specific to teach business and social skills necessary to be competitive and successful in the professional marketplace. Each workshop should include lecture, individual and group work, practical hands-on examples throughout the course.

To prepare course materials; to conduct four (4) all-day workshops to teach the materials for up to 80 participants; to travel to site to conduct the course. The course will take place at the NCI Shady Grove campus over a four-week period.

The Contractor shall provide Science Communication Coaching in small group sessions (up to 30 participants per group) during one-on-one tutoring and adapt to group’s and individual’s needs. Cost should include all coaching materials and travel expenses. Group coaching sessions shall last up to four (4) hours each; individual coaching sessions shall be one (1) hour each with individual follow-up. The Contractor shall offer a combination of instruction formats to engage the fellows.

The instruction formats may include, but are not limited to, lectures, structured assignments, interactive small group lessons, ability to practice lessons learned. Completion of the aforementioned tasks is determined by the Contractor, coaching participants, and CCT staff.

To conduct four (4) all-day workshops, assign and assess coursework to participants, adapt to group’s needs. Examples of subjects to cover is not limited to what is listed in the table below. Cost should include all course materials and travel expenses.

http://www.nci.nih.gov/ http://rcb.cancer.gov/rcb-internet/

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS:

Professional Experience: Contractor shall have a minimum of ten years of experience in scientific research, in academia, government, and industry.

Qualifications: Contractor shall be able to offer a unique educational background in science by holding a PhD in a science field. Contractor may have served as a consultant in industry. These would enable the Contractor to provide perspective and insight to the skills needed to be successful in industry.

Past Performance: In addition to experience at the NCI, the Contractor shall have extensive experience teaching skills and competencies (such as social communication for scientists, team building, human resources, discovery research, project management) that industry values to other academic institutions.

Approach: Contractor shall offer a combination of instruction formats to engage the course participants. These may include, but are not limited to, lectures, structured assignments, interactive small group lessons, ability to practice lessons learned. Completion of tasks is determined by the Contractor, course participants, and CCT staff.

REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the deliverables and will be based on participation, attendance, and leadership of the scheduled activities. CCT staff will survey participants to monitor satisfaction.

Date Subjects to cover

Day 1, Week 1 • What is the Business of Science?

• Leadership styles

• Building a resume

• Interview skills

Day 2, Week 2 • Communication styles and skills

• Using and optimizing social media

• Managing people

• Networking

Day 3, Week 3 • Working as a Team

• Negotiating skills

• Basics of project management

Day 4, Week 4 • Planning and organizing a project

• Budgets for science

• Putting it all together

• Review

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be: March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All course activities must be conducted onsite: 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.

SECTION 508

Training material guidelines of the revised 508 Standards apply as follows:

E.205 Electronic Content

E205.3 Agency Official Communication. Electronic content that is not public facing shall conform to the accessibility requirements specified in E205.4 when such content constitutes official business and is communicated by an agency through one or more of the following:

H. Educational or training materials

E205.4 Accessibility Standard. Electronic content shall conform to Level A and Level AA Success Criteria and Conformance

Requirements in WCAG 2.0 (incorporated by reference, see 702.10.1).

See the details at https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines#E205-content

Delivery:

Delivery shall be within 90 days after purchase order award. All shipping/handling and delivery fees shall be included.

How to Submit a Response:

1. Page Limitations:

Interested qualified small business organizations should submit a tailored capability statement for this requirement not to exceed 10 single sided pages including all attachments, resumes, charts, etc. (single spaced, 12-point font minimum) that clearly details the ability to perform the requirements of the notice described above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Responses should include a minimum of two pages demonstrating experience over the past two years meeting the requirements of this notice. Statements should also include an indication of current certified small business status; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of your capability statement (preferable placed under the eligible small business concern’s name and address). Responses will be reviewed only by NIH personnel and will be held in a confidential manner.

2. Due Date:

Capability statements are due no later than 11:00AM EST on February 13, 2019.

3. Delivery Point:

All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the unique specifications described herein. Written responses can be emailed to Kathy Elliott, Contract Specialist at

Elliottk@mail.nih.gov or mailed to the address located under Point of Contact. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to (240) 276-5399 or emailed. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to receive an award, Contractors must have valid registration and certification in the System for Award Management (SAM), at sam.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference number 75N91019Q00022 on all correspondence.

Disclaimer and Important Notes:

https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines#E205-content https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-ict-refresh/final-rule/text-of-the-standards-and-guidelines#E205-content mailto:Elliottk@mail.nih.gov

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, an RFQ may be published on FedBizOpps. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation(s).

Point of Contact:

Inquiries concerning this Notice may be direct to:

Kathy Elliott

9609 Medical Center Dr., Room 1E126

Bethesda, MD 20892-9705

Elliottk@mail.nih.gov mailto:reyes.rodriguez@nih.gov