Statement of Work.docx

ATTACHMENT I - GENERAL STATEMENT OF WORK

TECHNICAL, LOGISTICS, & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND NIEHS WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

1.0. BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to discover how the environment affects people to promote healthier lives. The Bethesda office of the NIEHS coordinates and provides leadership to the Institute’s activities on Global Environmental Health (GEH) and Climate Change and Human Health (CCHH). In order to serve this role for the Institute, the Bethesda Office must communicate effectively with the other divisions of NIEHS, play a lead role in the development of communication and outreach materials that inform both Institute and external stakeholders of the activities and scientific information related to GEH and CCHH, and build partnerships with external organizations. In addition, the Bethesda Office provides scientific expertise and leadership to a range of US government and international partners, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the US Global Change Research Program and the World Health Organization. Specific activities involved in these roles include the development of written and multimedia communications materials, including newsletters, feature stories, peer-reviewed publications, and web pages. In addition, the Bethesda Office convenes federal scientists and program staff to accomplish programmatic goals within NIEHS, the Department of HHS and in federal interagency processes, like the GCRP.

1.1. The NIEHS has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Sciences. The Centre plays a key role in carrying out the Institute’s Strategic Implementation Plan for Global Environmental Health (GEH) and is one means by which the Institute provides global leadership on Environmental Health research and research translation. The Terms of Reference, which outline the broad goals of the Collaborating Centre, are:

· To assist WHO in promoting international cooperation among environmental health research institutes around the world.

· To assist WHO in promoting global awareness of emerging issues in environmental health.

· To assist WHO in the preparation of training materials and support education and training efforts in environmental and occupational health sciences.

1.2. The activities of the Collaborating Centre are organized around six focus areas, for which specific work plans will be developed and renewed annually, and a cross cutting theme of training and capacity building. The six focus areas of the Collaborating Centre are:

· Children’s Environmental Health

· Health Consequences of Weather and Climate Extremes

· Environmental Factors and Non-Communicable Diseases

· Chemical Risk Assessment Network

2.0. OBJECTIVES: The Contractor shall provide analytical and technical support services to the NIEHS GEH Program and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Sciences within the Bethesda Office of the Director (OD-B).

3.0. SCOPE: This Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to execute a broad range of technical, logistics, & administrative tasks under the resultant multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. During the contract period, the Government will identify tasks required to complete each specific project. Task orders with more specific details will be placed as needed by the NIEHS. Specific performance dates and quantities will be specified on each individual task order. This is a non-personal services contract to provide the NIEHS OD-B with analytical and technical support services. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor. The Contractor, in turn, shall be accountable to the Government for Contractor or subcontractor personnel.

3.1. The Contractor shall provide services which may include but are not limited to:

· Development and maintenance of databases and systems to assist program planning, monitoring, and evaluation

· Technical assistance with analysis and reporting of program strategies and initiatives

· Facilitation of appropriate staff meetings, conference calls, and online meetings, including webinars and teleconferences with global participation

· Development of content for Internet and social media, and outreach materials for dissemination at meetings and events

· Technical assistance with the development of newsletters, podcasts, reports, PowerPoint presentations, and manuscripts

· Development and coordination of networks of research institutions, including other WHO Collaborating Centers around the world

· Convening and organizing meetings and workgroups of scientists and program staff to review scientific issues, develop scientific consensus and produce documents, including peer reviewed publications, to help translate research results and inform public health protection

· Developing and disseminating educational materials, and conducting training and educational sessions

3.2. The Contractor shall provide staff and supervision with adequate skills and experience to perform the required tasks and sub-tasks efficiently.

4.0. TASKS: The Contractor shall provide services to manage and execute task orders awarded under this contract.

4.1. GENERAL TASKS: The Contractor shall provide services to manage and execute a broad range of technical, administrative, & logistics task orders awarded under this contract. In general, the Contractor shall provide services which may include but are not limited to:

· At the end of each month the contractor will provide a final “time on task” summary that compares the monthly forecasted labor hours (see 4.1.1) with the actual labor hours used. The contractor shall also provide a monthly statement of funds remaining in the contract, by primary task.

· The Contractor shall also participate in monthly meetings with GEH staff, preferably in person. The Contractor shall also provide a monthly report that provides prospective activities for the upcoming month, including travel, for review and preapproval at that time.

· Meet with NIEHS task leaders as needed to clarify specific tasks and subtasks, formatting and other details of deliverables, and timelines.

4.2. COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS SUPPORT SERVICES:

4.2.1. Support production of the bimonthly GEH newsletter:

· Develop a timeline for each bimonthly issue with NIEHS GEH staff

· Document and track decisions about content for each bimonthly issue

· Screen PubMed each week for relevant GEH articles published by NIEHS grantees and staff and select one article to feature in each newsletter

· Screen for and solicit from the NIEHS GEH workgroup upcoming GEH events to be listed

· Write features each issue on selected literature study and featured training and capacity building story, as well as up to one additional feature story per issue as requested

· Do layout and graphic design for newsletters

· Provide expert copy editing

· Work with NIEHS web staff to publish newsletter on NIEHS webpages

· Produce and maintain archive of past newsletters

4.2.2. Support maintenance of NIEHS webpages on GEH and CCHH

· Review existing Collaborating Centre, CCHH and GEH content, report to NIEHS project director or focus area leader or designee on the timeliness and relevance of existing content, and suggest relevant additions and updates on monthly basis

· When directed, write, summarize, or obtain content for NIEHS webpages

· When necessary, obtain translation of document or information provided by other international institutions

· Work with NIEHS web staff to post updated content on these webpages

4.2.3. Support production of up to four GEH podcasts per year

· Work with NIEHS GEH staff to identify and schedule podcast speakers

· Work with NIEHS GEH staff to develop interview questions

· Conduct and record interviews and produce finished podcast

· Develop and implement dissemination strategy for podcasts

4.2.4. Support production of up to six GEH program webinars

· Work with NIEHS GEH staff to identify and schedule webinar speakers

· Develop publicity materials for webinars (e.g., email content for listservs)

· Use NIEHS Webex account to conduct webinars

4.2.5. Support planning for one GEH program full day seminar per year at NIEHS

· Assist with finding space, developing background materials, coordinating planning meetings

· Assist with identifying and invited speakers

· Develop publicity materials

· Take notes, assist with webcasting, and provide technical support for seminar

4.2.6. Support production of WHO Collaborating Centre Annual Report

· Assist with drafting the report based on accomplishments and events entered into the GEH tracking database and interviews with WHO CC Focus Area Leads

· Review content of Annual Report with Project Officer and WHO CC Focus Area Leads

· Assist with uploading annual report to the online WHO Collaborating Centre Portal

· Format and edit Annual Report for external audiences

· Publish and post Annual Report on NIEHS webpages

4.3. ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS:

4.3.1. Support and update tracking system for GEH program activities

· Work with Project Officer, WHO CC Focus Area Leads and GEH WG members to identify relevant activities

· Input activities into the database and report monthly on progress

· Provide summary of activities for purposes of WHO CC annual report and GEH program strategic planning.

4.3.2. Provide administrative and technical support for other GEH Program and Collaborating Centre activities:

4.3.2.1. Support the development of a network of institutions focused on Children’s Environmental Health (CEH)

· Convene and facilitate quarterly teleconferences and other web-based meetings.

· Develop e-mail based quarterly newsletter for internal dissemination among the Collaborating Centers; tasks will include soliciting content (new activities, events, publications) from the Centers, writing brief descriptions of activities, events, publications, and monthly feature article, formatting and distributing.

· Assist with planning and conducting conference calls, including scheduling, note taking, and delivery of post-meeting summaries; approximately one call per month.

4.3.2.2. Support activities related to all other Collaborating Centre focus areas (see section 1.3)

· Assist with planning and conducting conference calls, including scheduling, facilitating when asked, note taking, and delivery of post-meeting summaries. Approximately one 1 hour call per month for all focus areas.

· When requested, assist with the development of reports, training materials, manuscripts and other communications materials, including PowerPoint presentations; assist with communication among author teams; organize review, editing, and formatting of written materials; and assist with submission and publication processes

· Assist with other Collaborating Centre administrative and technical tasks as may be requested by the NIEHS task leader

4.3.2.3. Strategic Planning

· Through data gathering and surveying of the NIEHS GEH working group and other interested parties in the GEH and Climate Change fields, the Contractor shall provide assistance to the Project Officer in developing and annually updating a strategic plan for the operations of the GEH program, in accordance with the NIEHS Strategic Plan and GEH Program Logic Model.

4.4. OPERATIONS/ LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICE: The contractor shall arrange and manage technical meetings and workshops related to Global Environmental Health by performing the following:

4.4.1. Technical Meeting Facilitation

· Facilitate technical assistance activities related to activities of the WHO Collaborating Centre and GEH Program at the direction of the Project Officer. Provide assistance to the Project Officer and relevant Collaborating Centre leads with development of agendas, and supply speakers with ready access to information for presentations. Contractor may also develop and provide recommendations with respect to topics, participants, and agenda items at the direction of the Project Officer.

4.4.2. Advanced Logistics

· Provide administrative support to activity participants with logistical details such as site arrangements, lodging, and development and distribution of preparatory materials, and information developed in advance of the technical meetings or workshops. Administrative support shall include contacting attendees with information by telephone, in writing, or other appropriate means, and making travel arrangements for guest speakers and other guest participants. Costs for travel, meals, per diems etc. will be determined for each event and provide through a contract modification.

4.4.3. On-Site Coordination

· When directed, coordinate logistics and provide on-site assistance at the activity site to include registration of participants, distribution of materials, set-up for audiovisual requirements, and arrangement of note-taking and capturing of the technical workshop proceedings. Workshop costs for the Contractor involve some on-site expenses including meeting room rentals, workshop materials, postage and shipping, audio-visual equipment rentals, and costs for recording the proceedings during the event. These costs will be approximated at the beginning of the six (6) month contract modification period for each event and incorporated as part of the budget. The Contractor is authorized to charge an attendance fee to offset the activity costs, such as costs for food during meetings. The attendance fee is cost neutral to the contractor. The attendance fee will be agreed upon by the Project Officer and the Contractor at the start of each activity planning process.

4.4.4. Report

· Prepare, edit, publish and distribute the technical activity proceedings and final report, which shall be completed at the direction of the Project Officer. A copy of the completed reports should be posted on the GEH web site and disseminated to all workshop participants, which will include awardee representatives and additional resource people.

4.5. OTHER TECHNICAL OR ANALYTIC PROJECTS: The Contractor shall provide other technical or analytic services for projects as requested.

4.5.1. Manage the development and maintenance of on-line bibliographic databases, such as the exisiting database for the NIEHS Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal, for publication on the NIEHS website, to include:

· Development and implementation of automated search algorithms

· Development and implementation of automated data extraction algorithms to code individual publications for specific categories of content and topics

· Implementation of established processes for using subject matter experts to manually screen, prep, and tag individual publications with keywords according to the guidance manual and procedures agreed upon by NIEHS.

· Updating of existing databases as specified with new references

4.5.2. Assist with the development of educational materials for environmental health, including professional training and capacity building and pre-college education

· Support GEH program efforts to collaborate with outside partners to develop and distribute lesson plans, exercises and other materials to pre-college teachers

· Identify and subcontract with educational experts to assist in the development of lesson plans, exercises and other materials related to climate change and human health

4.5.3. Assist with the development of white papers and other scientific manuscripts as requested by the NIEHS task leader. For substantive projects, terms and additional funding will be determined as needed.

4.5.4. Partnerships and Representation: In assisting the GEH Program in facilitating partnerships, domestic and international, the contractor is expected to have relationships with various non-governmental organizations whose missions align with the mission of the global environmental health and climate change program. International NGOs may be in a better position to reach target audiences through webinars, materials development, and workshops in their home countries than the contractor. The Program would expect the contractor to work in conjunction with the NGO to ensure these efforts are accomplished. At times, the project officer will direct the Contractor to wire transfer funds or forward a check to provide financial support for international and other programmatic efforts. These checks or wire transfers may range from $500 to $50,000 and may be in direct support of the various non-governmental organizations, universities, foundations, and sponsorships, throughout the continental U.S. and abroad. The Contractor should have funds available for immediate disbursement upon the government’s request. The Contractor staff will also represent the GEH program, through speaking opportunities or presentations, at specific GEH conferences, meetings, seminars and other events as requested by the Program Officer.

4.5.5. Assist with other Collaborating Centre administrative and technical tasks as may be requested by the NIEHS task leader

5.0. DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE: See Section 4.0 above.

6.0. COMPLIANCE: Comply with NIEHS guidelines for websites and other communications materials (see Attachments). See Section 508 accessibility guidelines as defined by the federal government. Please see the following URLs for details:

· Section 508 Information: http://www.section508.gov/

· Guide to the Section 508 Standards: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/guide-to-the-section-508-standards

· Making Files Accessible: http://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/making-files-accessible/index.html

NOTE: If the deliverable includes features and functions in addition to those identified as requirements, these features and functions also need to conform to relevant Section 508 technical provisions, functional performance criteria, and information, documentation and support.

7.0. PUBLIC AFFAIRS CLEARANCES: Any printing product produced under this contract for public distribution shall be submitted by the Project Officer to the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) office for clearance using form HHS-615 (to be completed by contractor). There are no intended public products.

8.0. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES: This section identifies those items such as property, information and/or services that will be provided for the contractor’s use (without cost to the contractor) to allow the contractor to provide the required services, such as materials, facilities, training, etc. as follows:

8.1. The Government will furnish information necessary to fulfill this contract, such as source data and all necessary specifications for databases covered under this activity as well as the necessary information pertaining to the meeting website as described below.

9.0. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under section 8.0 of this PWS.

10.0. TRAVEL: Travel will be performed as required on task orders; fee or profit on travel expenses is not an allowable reimbursement. The reasonableness and allowability of travel shall be governed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31.205-46. Any travel will be specifically stated in task orders and requires Government preapproval, authorization, and notification to the COR. Individual task orders will state whether travel is required.

11.0. OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODCs): These are workshop costs for some on-site expenses including meeting room rentals, workshop materials, postage and shipping, audio-visual equipment rentals, and costs for recording proceedings during events.

12.0. HOURS OF OPERATION: Work will be performed up to 40 hours per week during normal business hours, Monday- Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Core hours are: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences observes the following holidays:

13.0. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The Contractor shall work out of their own facility and shall be required to provide services within the Continental United States (CONUS) and OCONUS in accordance with the SOW. Any work OCONUS requires Government preapproval, authorization, and notification to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

14.0. ORDERING PERIOD: The requirement has a 5-year ordering period. Individual task orders issued cannot exceed a 12-month period from the date of award.