Amendment 1.pdf

RFQ No. 75N95025Q00019 Amendment 1

Responses to Offeror’s Questions

1. Given the type of contract is FFP and includes a wide range of technical requirements and specialized skills outlined in the Statement of Work, including graphic design, marketing strategy development, IRB coordination, social media management, and community engagement, we would like to inquire whether you are considering a blended rate approach for this contract or if you want the rate for each position?

NIDA anticipates that any award resulting from this solicitation will be on a firm fixed price basis, but offerors may provide their price quote in whatever manner will best allow NIDA to evaluate their proposed price. If an offeror prefers to utilize blended rates, it is recommended that sufficient detail be provided to allow NIDA to evaluate the proposed rates.

2. Is there a pricing template that offerors should use when submitting their response?

There is no required template. Offerors should propose prices in a format that allows NIDA to clearly assess the proposed price and evaluate its reasonableness.

3. Are there page limits to any of the sections (Technical, Price, Past Performance) or for the entire quote?

The proposal may be split into sections or not, but in all cases, the proposal should not exceed 12 pages [excluding cover page(s).]

4. What information is NIDA requiring in the technical portion of the quote?

The Offeror should provide sufficient information to allow NIDA to asses its ability to complete the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work, in accordance with the technical evaluation criteria laid out in Article (ix). For assistance in preparation of proposals, it is anticipated that successful performance may require, but not be limited to:

i. Mastery of the below listed programs:

1. Microsoft Office, Asobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe

InDesign, Canva, Bitly

ii. Social Media expertise in the below platforms:

1. Meta, Reddit, Craigslist, X, and

2. Knowledge of the changing social media platforms environment.

iii. Familiarity with NIDA/OSPC guidelines for media

5. Do the technical, pricing, and past performances sections need to be submitted as separate volumes or altogether in one proposal?

Sections may be combined or separated but should total no more than 12 pages, excluding cover page(s).

6. What are the qualifications necessary for the contract? Specifically, are there any particular requirements or criteria I should be aware of to ensure eligibility?

The Offeror’s proposal should demonstrate their ability to successfully perform the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. It is expected that successful performance will likely require:

i. Mastery of the below listed programs:

1. Microsoft Office, Asobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe

InDesign, Canva, Bitly

ii. Social Media expertise in the below platforms:

1. Meta, Reddit, Craigslist, X, and

2. Knowledge of the changing social media platforms environment.

iii. Familiarity with NIDA/OSPC guidelines for media and the OSPC approval process.

7. Given the statement that 'all evaluation factors other than cost/price, when combined, are more important than cost/price,' could you provide the relative weightings of the three evaluation factors (Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price) to help us better understand their comparative importance in the evaluation process?

The evaluation factors are listed in order of importance (ie, Technical, then Past Performance, then Price.).

8. For the requirement to 'strategically deliver patient recruitment messages,' can you share what geographic regions or locations should be targeted for the recruitment efforts, and are there any specific demographic targets or participant criteria we should be aware of?

a. There is a required level of flexibility, as most protocols are run with the Baltimore/DC region, however some protocols require national recruitment.

This is protocol specific and ever changing.

b. The focus is the MD/DC/VA is the primary geographic location for recruiting, the addiction patient population is the primary target demographic.

9. Could you provide the current monthly volume or quantity of materials typically requiring design and IRB approval, such as the average number of social media posts, print materials, or educational content pieces needed per month?

The volume will vary based on programatic needs. The program currently supports 20 actively enrolling protocols. The vendor will be responsible for creating graphic arts content and messaging, to provide to the NIDA IRP

Recruitment and Outreach for use on NIDA owned pages. Materials produced will be solely owned by NIDA IRP.

10. What technology platforms, software, or content management systems are currently in use by NIDA IRP that the contractor would need to interface with, beyond the mentioned Adobe Creative Suite and Canva?

a. Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Bitly

b. Social Media expertise in the below platforms:

i. Meta, Reddit, Craigslist, X

11. Will the government provide brand guidelines, existing templates, or a style guide that should be followed for creating recruitment materials and educational content, or will the contractor be expected to develop these standards?

a. The NIDA IRP Recruitment and Outreach adheres to current NIH approved policies concerning participant recruitment and outreach.

b. All information can be obtained from the NIH IRB policy and procedures.

12. Is there an incumbent? If so, who and what is the contract number?

This requirement was previously performed under Contract No.

75N95021D00012/ 75N95023F00079.