SOW-Invasive Species Program Librarian-10AUG23.pdf

Attachment 1. Solicitation No.: 1232SA23Q0139

Statement of Work (SOW)

Librarian / Invasive Species Program Support

August 10, 2023

DRAFT COPY -NOT FINALIZED

I. Project: Invasive Species Program Support – U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library, Information Products Division, National Invasive Species Information Center

A. Period of Performance

1. Start date: Period of performance will be 12 months from the time of award; target start date September 1-

15th, 2023. Part-time - hours determined by contract amount and schedule, approximately ~15 hours per month or 200 total hours over a 12-month period (base year, plus 2 option years).

2. This requirement is for the Librarian / Invasive Species Program Support for the National Invasive Species

Information Center

B. Background Information and Objectives

1. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is one of five (5) national libraries with a Congressional mandate to serve the citizens of the United States. NAL also acts as the central research library for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The National Agricultural Library’s Information Products Division (IPD) develops web-based resources to provide public access to agricultural research and information.

2. NAL’s National Invasive Species Information Center maintains and manages InvasivespeciesInfo.gov. The

Web site provides communication and outreach services for the National Invasive Species Council in support of Executive Order 13112 and as required by the National Invasive Species Management Plan.

3. The website aims to serve as a gateway for international, federal, state, and local government as well as private web-based resources relevant to invasive species. It provides links to more than 8,000 unique, relevant, and credible web-based resources.

II. Specific Services to be Performed

A. General Requirements

1. The contractor will perform the work described in this statement of work (SOW), without direct supervision.

The contractor must have extensive experience researching Web-based information and extensive knowledge of invasive species, as well as expertise in editing web-based content using the Drupal content management system.

2. The contractor must have a Master of Library Science degree and a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate field experience. The contractor should be able to work both collaboratively and independently. The contractor will be familiar with the issues and information related to invasive species, including experience with searching scientific research. The contractor will have demonstrated ability in handling the selection of resources of a sensitive and controversial nature relating to invasive species, as well as excellent customer service skills.

3. The contractor should be familiar with library databases such as AGRICOLA and how to create persistent preformatted, automatic queries on specific subjects to deliver “on-the-fly” search results (canned subject https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/ https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/executive-order-13112 searches) from NAL’s catalog and AGRICOLA index.

4. The contractor should be familiar with web-based technical tools to assist in enhancing and creating automatically generated content from other sources for redistribution from NISIC’s Web site. An example of technology enhancement is using and creating Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.

B. Specific Requirements

The contractor shall:

1. Be responsible for obtaining their own Internet connection (at their expense).

2. The contractor is required to complete all security training as assigned for government contractors by assigned due dates.

3. Assist with Web site development through conducting online research and subject knowledge expertise of invasive species. Update Web site content as requested by the Invasive Species Website Coordinator for the development of new content and/or maintenance of existing Web site content. Provide support for the ongoing migration project converting the current live static site to Drupal. Updating site content will include reviewing/reorganizing site information during the Drupal migration project, suggesting new and relevant material; deleting outdated or irrelevant resources; researching and resolving technical issues, such as broken links and/or redirect issues, and other web-based projects as assigned.

4. Research invasive species-related information and Web-based resources for the development of new species profiles. Species profiles collect highly relevant and authoritative Web-based resources related to biology, identification, invasive qualities, management controls, prevention measures, economic harm to the environment and humans, and distribution maps. It is expected that new profiles will match the format and content of the site’s existing site species profiles. The quality of the species profiles will be based on the reputable, relevant, and authoritative choices made.

5. Research and make recommendations for technical enhancements to improve the efficiency and maintenance of the Web site, or to offer new services which would enhance the delivery of information to customers. This can include Webmaster tools and services, JavaScript features, RSS feeds, and other utilities.

6. Assist as needed in responding to patron’s reference requests about invasive species from Web site patrons

(students, professionals, and the public), through online research of NISIC’s Web site and other credible invasive species sources as needed.

7. Obtaining all agency credentialing and security requirements needed IAW FAR Part 52.204-9 is an expense of the contractor.

C. Deliverables

All of the tasks above will be ongoing throughout the timeline of this contract. Specific requirements with specified deadlines will be communicated to the Contractor through the Government Technical Point of Contact

(GTPOC).

The contractor shall:

1. Use NAL’s designated link checker to maintain a high level of site quality and accuracy by fixing technical issues such as broken or redirected links.

Deliverable: Approximately 1,000 links (broken and/or redirects) are expected to be resolved during the contract period.

2. Review and update Drupal resources for accuracy and consistency. Tag resources using pre-defined taxonomies to organize content by terms and categories and assist in creating and editing additional pages/resources as needed in Drupal with relevant, credible, and timely resources. Add new resources for emerging issues and publications.

Deliverable: Approximately 200 resources are expected to be updated or created during the contract period.

3. Create new Species Profiles as described above using the existing Web site format, as assigned. Review and update existing Species Profiles for consistency and appropriate relevant content.

Deliverable: Approximately 10 new profiles are expected to be completed during the contract period.

4. The contractor must have the skills and ability to research and respond to a wide range of requests for information (reference questions) from a diverse audience, including federal and state staff, researchers, teachers, students, and the public.

Deliverable: Respond to reference requests as assigned within 5 business days.

III. Government Responsibilities

Specifically, the government shall:

1. NAL will supply a government-issued laptop with the required software. NAL will provide access to NAL’s servers and drives to access email and web servers via the VPN to update web content, and other systems resources as needed for required work.

2. Provide information about the government and contractor requirements as they are known to the National

Invasive Species Information Center Coordinator / Web Manager, serving as the project manager.

3. Provide guidance on procedures, review of work, and other technical assistance as needed.

4. Technical Point of Contact (TPOC): TBD after award

IV. Administration

The contractor will deliver the following items (can be combined):

1. A brief monthly summary describing tasks performed under the terms of the contract to the NISIC

Coordinator / Web Manager.

2. A monthly invoice for hours submitted to the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).