68_inst_StrategicCommunications_rev1.pdf

Solicitation Notification Strategic Communications Support and Media Placement for the National

Women’s Business Council

SBAHQ-17-Q-0006

The Small Business Administration, National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) intends to procure a fixed price order for Strategic Communications Support and Media Placement Services. Please see the attached Statement of Work (SOW) description of our requirements.

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Submission of Quotes. Please submit your technical and price quote as described below. If you have any questions, please contact John Babcock, Contract Specialist, by e-mail – john.babcock@sba.gov.

Offers that do not contain all applicable labor categories, technical approach, past performance information, and price will be considered non responsive.

Quotes shall be received via e-mail at john.babcock@sba.gov by 12:00 PM (Noon), Mountain, 5/9/2017. PLEASE BE SURE THE SOLICITATION NUMBER (SBAHQ-17-Q-0006) AND

SUBJECT TITLE (Strategic Communications Support and Media Placement) ARE CLEARLY

MARKED ON THE E-MAIL SUBJECT LINE AND SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS.

Questions shall be submitted not later than 12:00 pm (Noon), Mountain, 4/24/2017.

To facilitate processing please include the following as separate files and in Adobe PDF format in your response and labeled as such:

- Technical

- Experience of Firm

- Past Performance

- Price

FAX AND OR PHONE REQUESTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED AND WILL NOT BE

ACCEPTED. Requests and responses shall include complete company name, address, DUNS, telephone and fax number.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DELINEATED SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS WILL

RESULT IN REJCTION OF YOUR QUOTE.

*If you experience difficulty or problems when emailing your quote’s please contact me (John Babcock) via e-mail at john.babcock@sba.gov or phone at 303-844-7253 as soon as practicable.

mailto:john.babcock@sba.gov

Technical Approach: The contractor shall submit a technical response defining the scope of work and resources necessary to execute the work to be performed under this contract including your applicable GSA labor category descriptions.

• The contractor’s proposal shall include an intended strategy and work plan, as well as a project schedule including meeting dates, deliverable dates, and major milestones for review and approval by the NWBC PM/COR. The proposal should also include in detail the process for measurement and planning; this includes but is not limited to the software used to track metrics and how success is communicated to the client. This proposal shall also address content development , media targets, and media contacts. The proposal shall be in accordance with government policies, regulations, and communication guidelines, as well as any previously developed materials, which will be made available by the council.

• Previously completed media engagement by the National Women’s Business Council can give offerors perspective when creating proposals; see: Fortune, Fast Company, Forbes, Think Progress, ABC News , CNN, Wall Street Journal, Jacksonville Biz Journal. Also Press release example. See http://www.nwbc.gov/issues-and-research for prior NWBC research.

Case Studies: Provide examples showing ability to meet business goals through strategic communicating campaigns. The contractor shall showcase 2-3 case studies that outline the client challenge as well as the results and outcomes of the work completed. The contractor shall submit contact information for a minimum of two previous clients.

Writing Sample: Provide at least one example showing ability to create a tactical writing communications tool that was used in one of the case studies presented in the past performance section. Writing sample needs to demonstrate ability to create effective messaging that reaches a target audience and delivers results. Sample is not limited to but could include news release, email pitch for journalist, keynote script, etc.

Past Performance: The contractor shall submit contact information for a minimum of two previous clients.

Page Limits: Technical Approach information is limited to no more than 6 pages, not including cover page, company credentials, case studies, writing sample, and past performance references.

Quotes with links to or copies of prior work of similar size and scope are highly preferred; these past performance components of the packet shall not count as a part of the delineated page limit. Any materials submitted that exceed the 6 page limit shall not be provided for review by the Technical Evaluation Panel.

http://fortune.com/2015/08/21/women-small-business-diverse/ http://www.fastcompany.com/3050109/the-state-of-women-owned-businesses-in-the-us http://www.forbes.com/sites/geristengel/2015/08/26/women-owned-businesses-a-tale-of-two-types-of-entrepreneurs/ http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/08/20/3693641/businesses-women-of-color/ http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/started-businesses-owned-minority-women-soaring-33281792 http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/19/smallbusiness/minority-women-entrepreneur/ http://www.wsj.com/articles/women-make-strides-in-business-ownership-1440028664 http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/09/09/women-owned-businesses-ramp-up-in-jacksonville.html http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/10-million-strong-this-october-the-national-womens-business-council-nwbc-celebrates-national-womens-small-business-month-300151866.html?tc=eml_cleartime http://www.nwbc.gov/issues-and-research

Price Quote. Price must be contained in a separate document excluded from technical and past performance information.

Line item 0001 – Strategic Communications Support and Media Placement Services. Please provide your labor categories applicable to this award with your proposed, fully burdened rates including G & A costs for the entire term of the contract in a spreadsheet format similar to the sample schedule of items shown below.

Evaluation Factors

The Government reserves the right to award the contract to other than the lowest priced offeror.

The government will consider four factors: Technical Approach, Experience of Firm, Past Performance, and Cost/Price. Technical Approach, Experience of Firm and Past Performance, when combined, is more important than cost or price. Only proposals that receive an excellent or good overall technical approach rating shall be considered for award.

FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL APPROACH

a. Quality of the technical approach strategy; its clarity and demonstrated ability to perform in a timely manner.

Evaluation shall assess the detailed technical description of how all the required work will be accomplished. This will include evaluation of the communications strategy, the effective drawing of best practices, creativity of strategic engagement tactics, demonstrated record of implementing high impact campaigns and gaining media traction and coverage as relevant to the Statement of Work. In addition, the project timeline will be assessed to assure that the works is completed in a timely manner.

The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach Factor 1a (Quality of Technical Approach):

Excellent - Based on the offeror's technical approach, no doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a complete understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Good - Based on the offeror's technical approach, little doubt exists that the shows an acceptable understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Marginal - Based on the offeror's technical approach, some doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a marginal understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Poor - Based on the offeror's technical approach, serious doubt exists that the demonstrates significant deficiencies in understanding and implementing performance of the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

b. Demonstration of the knowledge of the Council’s mission

The evaluation will be based on the information obtained in the quote and, when necessary, from other references provided by the offeror. The evaluation will consider:

the qualifications of the personnel relevant to the work being performed in the quote, demonstrable knowledge of business and entrepreneurship media landscape, knowledge and previous experience in completing the tasks as stated in the Statement of Work, and knowledge and awareness of the Council’s mission.

Factor 1b (Demonstration of knowledge):

Excellent - Based on the offeror's personnel qualifications and knowledge of the field, no doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Good - Based on the offeror's researcher personnel and knowledge of the field, little doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Marginal - Based on the personnel qualifications and knowledge of the field, some doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Poor - Based on the personnel qualifications and knowledge of the field, serious doubts exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

c. Clarity and effectiveness of writing.

The evaluation will assess the clarity, quality and effectiveness of the writing based off information provided in the proposal and the writing sample.

Factor 1c (Clarity and effectiveness of writing):

Excellent - Based on the offeror's proposal, no doubt exists that the offeror will be able to write in a clear and effective way.

Good - Based on the offeror's proposal, little doubt exists that the offeror will be able to write in a clear and effective way.

Marginal - Based on the offeror's proposal, some doubt exists that the offeror will be able to write in a clear and effective way.

Poor - Based on the offeror's proposal, serious doubt exist that the offeror will be able to write in a clear and effective way.

FACTOR 2: Experience of Firm

a. Clearly demonstrated and communicated the strategic and analytical process for summarizing challenges posed by previous clients Evaluation shall assess the 2-3 case studies provide that outline a past client challenge as well as the results and outcomes of the work completed. This will include evaluating the offeror’s ability to meet business goals through strategic communications campaigns.

Excellent - Based on the offeror's proposal, no doubt exists that the offeror will be able to clearly demonstrate and communicate the strategic and analytical processes for summarizing challenges posed by previous clients.

Good - Based on the offeror's proposal, little doubt exists that the offeror will be able to clearly demonstrate and communicate the strategic and analytical processes for summarizing challenges posed by previous clients.

will be able to clearly demonstrate and communicate the strategic and analytical processes for summarizing challenges posed by previous clients.

Poor - Based on the offeror's proposal, serious doubt exist that the offeror will be able to clearly demonstrate and communicate the strategic and analytical processes for summarizing challenges posed by previous clients.

b. Capacity for press releases, media pitching, and content development

Evaluation shall assess the tactical writing communications tool presented in the writing sample. This will include the evaluation of demonstrating the ability to create effective messaging that reaches a target audience and delivers results.

Excellent - Based on the offeror's proposal, no doubt exists that the offeror has the capacity for press releases, media pitching and content development.

Good - Based on the offeror's proposal, little doubt exists that the offeror has has the capacity for press releases, media pitching and content development.

Poor - Based on the offeror's proposal, serious doubt exist that the offeror has

FACTOR 3: PAST PERFORMANCE

The evaluation will be based on the information obtained in the quote and, when necessary, from other references provided by the offeror. It will also look at other relevant past performance information that may not have been provided by the offeror. Note that reference checks will be conducted only for offerors who receive a “good” or “excellent” rating for factors 1and 2.

The Government will assess the relevant risks associated with each offeror. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror’s likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror’s record of past performance and knowledge and experience of the research in the fields relevant to this Statement of Work.

For those offerors who have prior experience as a contractor, the Government will focus on the past performance as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule and performance, including standards of good workmanship; the offeror’s adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the offeror’s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and generally, the offeror’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The Government will consider the number or severity of an offeror’s problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the offeror’s overall work record, and the age and relevance of past performance information.

The Government will consider the currency (within past three years) and relevance (projects of similar size and nature) of the information, source of the information, context of the data, and general trends in the offeror's performance.

The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of past performance information:

Excellent - Based on the offeror's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, no doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Good - Based on the offeror's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, little doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Marginal - Based on the offeror's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, some doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Poor - Based on the offeror's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, serious doubts exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Neutral – In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance, and will receive a neutral rating regarding past performance.

FACTOR 4: COST / PRICE

Line Item 0001: Strategic Communications Support and Media Placement for the National Women’s Business Council

The government will evaluate the proposed rates for the labor categories in the Pricing Schedule of the solicitation for best value and completeness. The Government will also evaluate cost and price realism with regard to the ability of the offeror to meet requirements in terms of skills required, complexity of disciplines and job difficulty, if the Government deems such analysis necessary.

Award Determination:

The SBA reserves the right to award this agreement based on initial quotes received, without discussions or negotiations; therefore, it is critically important that each quote be fully responsive to the solicitation without exception to any provision. The SBA anticipates awarding to the offeror whose response is the “best value” to the SBA, proposed price and other factors considered. The Contracting Officer may consider award to other than the lowest priced offeror when in the best interest of the Government. The SBA reserves the right to make no award pursuant to this solicitation. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. If the Contracting Officer determines that the number of quotes that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the number of responses in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated quotes. The importance of price will increase as the technical merit of the responses becomes more equal. Among quotes that are substantially equal in technical merit, price may become the determinative factor for award; thus, the responses offering the SBA the best value, technical and price factors considered, shall be considered for award. The award may be made to other than the offeror with the lowest price or the highest technical rating. A written notice of award or acceptance of a quote, as specified in the solicitation, may result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the solicitation’s specified expiration time, the government may accept a quote unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: Base Period

Labor Category

Estimated Qty of hours

Unit Price

Total Price

001 __________________ ______ ______ ______

002 __________________ ______ ______ ______ 003 __________________ ------------ ----------- ----------- 004 __________________ ______ ______ ______ 005 __________________ ______

Total Base Costs

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: Option Period 1

003 __________________ ------------ ----------- -----------

Total Option

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: Option Period 2

003 __________________ ------------ ----------- -----------

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: Option Period 3

003 __________________ ------------ ----------- -----------

Total Base and Options Cost _____

*Offeror’s may add additional labor category lines if necessary