EB SOW_SB_Outreach 003.docx

Statement of Work (SOW) NIGMS Small Business Outreach

NIGMS/OD

1.0 INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Small Business Program Support Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards related to the furtherance of basic research through the development of tools, reagents, techniques, and software including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). NIGMS seeks a contractor that can support the growth of its small business program, which includes providing communication and outreach tools and support. The contractor must have an in-depth knowledge of the NIH SBIR/STTR program and have access to entrepreneurial and academic networks that would align programmatically. The contractor will assist NIGMS in the development of SBIR/STTR research topics that are aligned with the overall mission and scientific focus of the Institute. The contractor will also assist with outreach to women and other groups that are typically underrepresented in the Small Business program. NIH OD has advised the ICs to conduct targeted outreach to these groups and contractor must exhibit current contacts and relationships with these groups. Additionally, the contractor will assist NIGMS in providing assistance for new applicants/customers, overcome real and perceived barriers to participation, provide support to help applicants understand the application submission review and award process, increase the number of applications, improve the quality of applications, and increase the number of women-owned and socially disadvantaged businesses to apply to NIGMS’ Small Business program.

1.1 BACKGROUND

The NIGMS Small Business program support NIGMS’ mission to advance research and research training in the basic biomedical sciences and in specific clinical areas (i.e., clinical pharmacology, trauma and burn injury, sepsis, wound healing, and anesthesiology). The Small Business program at NIGMS serves as an engine of innovation, offering grants and technical assistance to small businesses and research organizations focused on research tools and technologies that will ultimately improve disease prevention, detection, and treatment.

The NIGMS Small Business program plays a critical role in advancing small businesses innovation on research tools and technologies. The NIGMS Small Business program seeks to create an integrated, branded marketing campaign, reaching new and diverse applicants/customers, namely, small businesses, biotechnology companies and principals, seed and venture capitalists, university incubator communities, and others. Contractor must have deep experience managing outreach for SBIR & STTR Programs and have the tools, network, relationships, and expertise in place to quickly, and efficiently support NIGMS. The contract will provide support for SBIR & STTR messaging, website development and management, investor forum and collaboration planning, collateral development, media outreach, network development, success story development, social media, resources for awardees, events and webinars, and evaluation and metrics analysis. The contractor must exhibit a relationship to a variety of key experts and have relationships with associations and research institutions that can further extend the reach of NIGMS’ small business outreach efforts.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

General Requirements:

The contractor shall have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to assist NIGMS in:

• Raising awareness of the NIGMS Small Business program

• Increasing the number of applications (quantity)

• Increasing the number of quality applications

• Expanding outreach to economically and socially disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses and small businesses in IDeA states

• Developing success stories related to NIGMS outreach events and grantees.

Specific Requirements:

Communications Research and Strategy Development The contractor shall plan and implement formative research activities, potentially including focus groups, needs assessments, environmental scans, or other methods to identify key applicant/customer segments and evaluate messages and materials for those target markets. This research will identify and analyze the applicants/customers that NIGMS is already reaching with its information on NIGMS funding opportunities and identify gaps between promotion and applicant/customer response. Additionally, the contractor will identify barriers to participation in small business programs by key applicant/customer segments. The Contractor will also conduct an assessment of promotional media, including digital media tools and vehicles, as well as propose and implement promotional strategies, tactics, media and formats that would best suit identified audiences.

2.1 TASKS

1. Communicating the objectives and value of the NIGMS Small Business Program

a. Message development support to tell the story of these programs, and help potential applicants understand the value and why they should participate.

b. Evolve and enhance the website and continued support of content development.

c. Revise collateral to support program outreach (i.e. presentations).

d. Monitor and communicate success stories.

e. Monitoring evaluation metrics for internal/ external reporting.

2. Creating a network of high-quality applicants, engaging partners in driving awareness and sharing information about the NIGMS Small Business program.

a. Engage key stakeholders/ potential partners (universities, innovation centers, state bio associations, technology transfer organizations, and associations) to identify partnership opportunities that will help reach potential applicants and drive awareness of the NIGMS Small Business program.

b. Engage the scientific and small business community to create awareness and increase pool of high-quality applicants.

c. Support strategic planning and tracking on metrics to evaluate outreach efforts, including developing a mechanism to collect feedback from participants at events, monitoring metrics of e-marketing efforts. Actively manage metrics collection for NIH reporting needs.

d. Facilitate outreach and potential collaboration opportunities with IDeA states and underrepresented groups (including women), and focused science and biotech associations and professional groups to support outreach to support NIH and NIGMS goals to increase applications from underrepresented groups.

e. Planning and support for the development of webinars and events to directly engage with potential applicants.

f. Development of outreach templates and communications to increase awareness about funding announcements.

g. Development of a “how to apply” toolkit for potential applicants, to include resources, links to sample applications, tips, etc. The toolkit deliverable will be a 508-compliant PDF. A web (HTML) version of the toolkit will also be made available on the NIGMS Small Business website.

h. A 3-5-minute video introducing the NIGMS Small Business program, the NIH Small Business application process, and strong encouragement to contact the NIGMS programs to apply. The video may include, but is not limited to, testimonials from awardees, expert interviews, graphics and/or animation, and will be consistent with the look and feel of other materials developed as part of this contract. The video shall be captioned, audio described, and fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

i. Develop a 25-40 slide deck professionally designed presentation detailing NIGMS Small Business program funding opportunities, background on NIH and NIGMS funding for small businesses, requirements, and eligibility information, etc.

3. Support planning programs and resources to share with NIGMS awardees

a. Develop and promote success stories to demonstrate the impact of the program and technology.

b. Share HHS, NIH, and NIGMS resources that will support existing awardees in their commercialization efforts.

4. Engage media to drive awareness about the impact of the program

a. Leverage social media to engage biotech bloggers and associations who can help increase awareness, drive applications, and tell the story of NIGMS’ Small Business program. Develop updated social media graphics for social media and potential collaborators.

b. Consider fostering media relationships to help tell the story and create awareness about new funding opportunities

c. Amplify efforts during national health observances that align with the program mission (e.g. National Small Business Week; Women’s Small Business Month)

d. Develop success stories to highlight the impact of the NIGMS small business outreach.

e. Develop success stories to highlight the impact of those who were funded by the NIGMS Small Business program.

2.2 DELIVERABLES

All reports shall be submitted by email in an electronic format approved by the COR.

1. Bi-Weekly Progress Meetings On a bi-weekly basis, contractor staff shall meet with the NIGMS Small Business Strategy Coordinator and others to discuss progress, issues, and next steps. The contractor shall provide written notes after these meetings to summarize key decisions and action items.

2. Annual Technical Progress Report The Contractor shall submit an Annual Technical Progress Report which provides an overview of accomplishments and a summary of all major functions completed during the preceding twelve (12) months. The report shall be due within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each 12-month period.

3. Final Technical Progress Report The contractor shall submit a Final Technical Progress Report which provides an overview of accomplishments and a summary of all major functions completed during the preceding twelve (12) months. The report shall be due within thirty (30) calendar days after the end date of the contract.

4. Formative Research Report and Presentation Six (6) months after contract award, the contractor shall deliver a presentation to the NIGMS Small Business Program and submit an initial report detailing the findings of formative market research.

5. Marketing Campaign Strategy The contractor shall deliver a comprehensive plan/strategy for a marketing campaign, including recommendations and plans for website development and/or improvement, 6 months after contract award.

6. Technical Assistance Sessions The contractor shall plan, produce, and archive 4-6 online technical assistance sessions for the NIGMS Small Business program using social-media platforms such as YouTube for Webinars and other social-media events/products during the contract year.

2.3 SCHEDULE

8/1/2024 - 7/31/2025 (base year plus 4 option years)

2.4 ASSUMPTIONS

The contractor shall be responsible for meeting the requirements of this statement of work, except in the event of a government furlough.

3.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The contractor shall not require any government furnished property.

4.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

This section should identify any unique security requirements associated with contract performance (when applicable). These requirements may include, but are not limited to, such items as: Special pass or identification requirements; Special security clearance requirements; or Special escort requirements.

Refer to - http://www.hhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/policies/hspd12-contract-guide-102707.html