Statement_of_Work_SCP_010725.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Strategic Communications Planning Services for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure strategic communications planning and consulting services for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Office of Policy, Communications and Education (OPCE) Communications Branch (CB). The goal is to support NCATS’ mission and CB operations through the development and implementation of strategic communications activities that enhance awareness of NCATS’ expertise, value and impact to specific audience groups.

Services shall include support and consultation for the NCATS CB as they work to develop and implement strategic communications plans for specific initiatives or awareness campaigns.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation’s leading medical research agency and the primary Federal agency whose mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability, conducting, supporting and making medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) turns research findings into health solutions through translational science. It brings together a diverse range of scientists, including medicinal chemists, biologists, toxicologists, and engineers, to transform the way that research is done, making it faster, more efficient and more impactful.

NCATS’ mission is broad and requires extensive collaboration and disruptive thinking within the science community. To accomplish this mission, the CB develops and disseminates information to a wide range of stakeholders with diverse interests and needs, including patient groups, academic investigators, potential partners in the private and federal sector (including other NIH institutes and centers), venture capital groups, technology-focused research and development organizations (both for-profit and nonprofit), and other parties interested in speeding each stage of research along the translational science spectrum, from the biological basis of health and disease to interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public.

This requirement focuses on strategic communications planning services necessary to carry out

Title of Project:

Statement of Need and Purpose:

Background Information and Objective:

effective and well-resourced tactics to advance NCATS’ mission. Therefore, the center seeks a vendor with demonstrated experience leading the development and coordination of strategic communications plans that support the goals of an organization focused on advancing translational science.

This project will consist of supporting the CB in developing and executing strategic communications plans for specific NCATS initiatives or areas of interest. The CB team manages a high volume of requests and promotion activities, and this dedicated support will help ensure this work is devised in ways that will advance the center’s broader goals and mission.

The place of performance shall be at both the NCATS headquarters located at 9609 Medical Center Drive, 1E, Rockville, MD 20850-9793 and at the contractor’s site.

The anticipated period of performance shall be: 3/1/2025 to 2/28/2026

Option Period 1: 3/1/2026 to 5/31/2026

SCOPE OF WORK

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, facilities, and travel, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform this Statement of Work.

In partnership with NCATS’ CB, the Contractor shall provide strategic communications planning services to strengthen NCATS’ ability to effectively promote NCATS’ mission and impact. The Contractor shall provide the following services and deliverables:

1. Develop strategic communications plans.

a. Work with CB and other NCATS staff to establish goals, audiences and effective approaches with timelines for specific NCATS initiatives and other activities.

Deliverables include: (1) develop up to three strategic communications plans per quarter. Each month, review and update active plans and, as needed, recommend

Place of Performance:

Period of Performance:

General Requirements:

Specific Requirements:

adjustments to enhance effectiveness and re-align priorities. Upon completion of a plan, provide an executive summary of accomplishments and lessons learned.

b. Draft slides or similar briefing materials for NCATS/NIH staff on the strategic communications plans. Deliverables include: prepare up to 3 slide decks (or similar materials) per strategic communications plan.

c. Review and advise on content and other materials developed to support implementation of the strategic plans. Deliverables include: review up to 3 products per strategic communications plan (i.e., key messages, fact sheets, graphics).

2. Support development and/or management of spokesperson resources.

a. Advise on updates to the core slide deck. Deliverables include: coordinate core slide deck revisions twice a year.

b. Give input on spokesperson presentations for major meetings. Deliverables include: consult on up to 2 meeting presentations per quarter.

c. Coordinate creation or updating of spokesperson resources available to staff.

Deliverables include: develop or revise up to 4 spokesperson resources (i.e., talking points, storytelling guide).

3. Provide strategic counsel to the CB Director and Team Lead(s) related to planning, prioritizing and coordinating activities.

a. Attend and give input at regular staff meetings and relevant ad hoc meetings.

Deliverables include: develop meeting agendas and coordinate relevant follow-up actions.

b. Support CB’s monthly meeting series with the NCATS Director. Deliverables include: develop meeting agendas, coordinate presentation slides and coordinate follow-up actions.

c. Advise on cross-cutting NCATS activities that require strategic planning and communications. Deliverables include: develop meeting agendas, coordinate presentation slides and coordinate follow-up actions.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government will provide Contractor personnel reasonable facility access for onsite work as well as workspace. No other equipment or materials will be provided. Access might be restricted during federal holidays and after business hours.

DELIVERY OR DELIVERABLES

A delivery date of each distinct and specific deliverable will be determined in collaboration of NCATS and the contractor.

Deliverables must be submitted in a format approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) before or on the date requested by NCATS.

A kickoff meeting will be held, and the date/time will be selected by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) where the contractor and its staff are to be introduced to the NCATS team.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The contractor will provide monthly status reports to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) during the performance period. The report will cover key activities and accomplishments and hours spent by each staff member. The template for the status report will be determined in collaboration of NCATS and the Contractor.

A meeting will be held with the CB Director and Contractor every week, either in person at NCATS headquarters or via video conference. This meeting will be focused on implementation of deliverables sought.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Services are invoiced monthly in arrears.