SOW_NIHLM2015408.pdf

Exhibition Program Statement of Work: Research and Writing/Editing Services and Evaluation Criteria

Content Services- Research and Writing/Editing for the Exhibition Program

History of Medicine Division, National Library of Medicine

A. Background

The Exhibition Program of the History of Medicine Division at the National Library of Medicine seeks research and writing/editing services. The Exhibition Program produces educational exhibitions about a wide range of topics related to scholarly research in science, medicine, technology, and history for the general public. The Exhibition Program produces both physical and online exhibitions that enhance public and scholarly awareness of and appreciation for the collections of the National Library of Medicine.

The online exhibitions include Education resources that provide instructional information and tools to educators and students in K-12 and higher education institutions. The online Digital Gallery presents selections of digitized primary sources from the Library’s collections.

B. Purpose and Objectives of the Procurement

The purpose and objectives of this procurement are to obtain specialized research and writing/editing services to support the development, coordination of assets, and production of content for exhibitions, education resources, and online projects that fulfil the mission of the Exhibition Program. The selected

Offeror(s) will work closely with the Exhibition Program team to conduct research and record source references; organize relevant asset data; write and edit asset and content summaries, scripts, and education and digital gallery materials; and coordinate the development and production of exhibition related resources

C. Offeror(s) Requirements

The Offeror(s) shall have expertise in methodologies related to social and cultural historical research, writing and editing for the public, and knowledge of the Public History, History of Medicine, Social and

Cultural History of America, and/or museum informal learning disciplines. The Offeror(s) shall demonstrate the ability to write interpretive summaries of historical and scholarly analyses and publications for the general public according to the best practices of the museum and education communities on subjects related to the projects produced by the Exhibition Program. The Offeror(s) shall have experience in adapting scholarly secondary- and primary-source materials related to exhibition topics for classroom instructions in a formal learning setting. The Offeror(s) shall have authored or published historical articles and educational materials for cultural or scholarly sources.

Documentation and reports will be prepared so as to conform to Section 508 accessibility requirements

(1194.41). Common application checklists are available at http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/accessiblefiles/checklists.html

The Offeror(s) shall have a minimum of four (4) years of work experiences in the following areas:

Conducting academic or scholarly historical research in identifying relevant primary and secondary sources on American history and/or history of medicine topics

Working with diverse archival materials such as books, ephemera, oral histories, films, etc.

that are used to inform interpretive summaries as research for exhibition projects

Writing for exhibitions that provide interpretive strategies for lay audiences according to the museum community’s best practices

Teaching and working with history and new media

Familiarity with spreadsheets, archival databases, or website development

The vendor(s) shall be able to meet and work onsite at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, as required and determined by individual tasks and the Project Officer or Head of the Exhibition

Program. Onsite work shall take place during normal business hours (between 8:30am and 5:00pm), Mondays through Fridays, except federal holidays.

D. Government Responsibilities:

The National Library of Medicine will provide overall guidance and relevant background materials related to individual tasks. The National Library of Medicine may provide: overall task and project direction and management, guidelines for content tone, scope, and acceptable assets, timely review and responses, determination of content interpretation, as required. The National Library of Medicine will provide onsite workspace, and access to standard office equipment and supplies, as required.

E. Reporting Requirements and Deliverables

Each task will include specific reporting requirements and deliverables that may include all or some of the following: weekly progress reports on the assigned tasks; written responses to oral or written comments;

preliminary or final asset lists; research plans; lists of suggested ideas and/or other online resources; and scripts, captions, and descriptive text. These deliverables shall be accurate, error free, and come with complete documentation for verification purposes, as requested. Each completed task will have the

Offeror(s)’ work delivered in computer documents that cover all aspects of the discussions and work done.

F. Program Management and Control Requirements

Designated Exhibition Program staff will work directly with the Offeror(s) in providing provide overall guidance, feedback, and acceptance for each deliverable. The vendor(s) will submit the completed deliverables and all related materials as final documents in electronic format (e.g., Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint, database reports, etc.) as required in individual task schedules.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Mandatory Qualification Criteria (MQC) for this solicitation:

Offeror(s) who will perform the tasks under this order must possess an advanced degree in American history, history of medicine, museum studies, or other similar program

Offerors who will perform the tasks under this order must demonstrate a minimum of four (4) years of museum-related experience

Evaluation Criteria for Technical Proposal

Cr i ter ion Weight A Past Performance 60 points

B Methodology and research strategy 20 points

C. Key Personnel 20 points

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 100 points

A. Past Performance

Offerors should provide a narrative of Past Performance work demonstrating a minimum of four (4) years museum-related experience relevant to the tasks of this solicitation.

Offerors should provide samples of work related to asset management systems, and research/writing samples (not more than 5 pages total) that demonstrate Past Performance work relevant to this requirement. Samples may include: asset lists; exhibition descriptions; project research plans; published articles about projects; and draft or final exhibition, education, or web scripts with the general public being the target audience. The work shall relate to social and cultural history.

Past Performance will be evaluated on the Offeror’s previous experience fulfilling tasks similar in nature and complexity to the National Library of Medicine’s requirement. This includes

Clear, effective, and accurate writing or exhibitions or related content rich websites for the general public

Comprehensive and in depth research for exhibitions or related content rich websites for the general public

Creation of education resources associated with historical exhibitions and aligned with Common Core standards.

Writing samples shall adhere to widely practiced good writing practices especially those within the museum community, Demonstration of successful project outcomes with stakeholder, customer, and participant satisfaction

B. Methodology and research strategy

Offerors shall provide a narrative that describes their methodology and research strategy for conducting research and writing for an exhibition and related education projects.

The Methodology will be evaluated on the Offeror’s successfully fulfilling previous tasks similar in nature and complexity to the National Library of Medicine’s requirement. This includes:

Logical, comprehensive, rational organization approach to performing tasks

Consistent and effective communication strategy for working with diverse teams

Plan for meeting milestones and final deliverables

Commitment to meet the National Library of Medicine schedule

C. Key Personnel

Offeror(s) should provide a resume or CV for the individual who will perform the tasks assigned under this order documenting Past Performance as it relates to the statement of work. The resume or CV shall include sufficient detail for evaluation of Past Performance relevant to the tasks and requirements of the

Exhibition Program, National Library of Medicine.

Key Personnel will be evaluated by their accomplishments and recognition performing tasks similar in scope, complexity, and audience as the Exhibition Program and the National Library of Medicine.