Diabetes Education Curriculum in K-12 Schools (DECK-12)

Reference Sources Sought Notice # NIHLM2010039NIDDK is seeking a nationally recognized curriculum development organization with experience in producing high-quality, field-tested curriculum supplements for grades K-12 that are currently being used in schools nationwide. The Contractor must have the appropriate combination of the following intellectual and technical expertise: multidisciplinary curriculum developers, including K-12 educators who have been successful in teaching a diverse range of students; technical writers who are knowledgeable about diabetes prevention and control best practices; specialists in state-of-the-are educational technologies; scientists with experience in endocrine disorders and obesity prevention and control best practices; Web developers and/or multimedia specialists with proven experience working with IBM Domino/Notes and in designing Section 508-compliant Web pages;and an evaluation program to demonstrate feasibility, utility and appropriateness of the proposed supplemental curricula.

The mission of the NIDDK Diabetes Education Curriculum in K-12 Schools (DECK-12) Program is to reduce the incidence and improve the care of type 2 diabetes among African American and Latino students at-risk for or with diabetes by developing, implementing, monitoring and formally evaluating an effective and sustainable science-based diabetes education supplemental curricula for K-12 urban schools that have a high population of African American and Latino students. The goal of this contract is to produce innovative K-12 curriculum supplements that: increase students knowledge and awareness of diabetes, its complications and risk factor reduction strategies; encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and skills; provoke interest in science and health-related careers; are sensitive to the needs of students from diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; provide teachers with accessible, rigorous and effective lessons on diabetes and risk factor reduction strategies; and are consistent with National (and State) Science and Health Education Standards.This acquisition will be a full and open competition. The NAICS code is 611710, size standard $7.0M. It is anticipated that the Request for Proposal, RFP Number NIHLM2010039 will be issued on or about March 19, 2010. Any questions concerning this correspondence shall be in writing, addressed to April Merriwether, Contract Specialist at merriwetheran@mail.nih.gov. This notice does not commit the Government to make an award.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses and/or HUBZone small businesses capable of the following requirement. The requirement includes developing, implementing, monitoring and formally evaluating effective and sustainable science-based diabetes education supplemental curricula for K-12 urban schools that have a high population of African American and Latino students. This sources sought announcement is not a request for proposals and the Government is not committed to award a contract pursuant to this announcement. The information from this market research is for planning purposes only and will assist the Government in planning its acquisition strategy. This is strictly market research and the Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this market survey. Any proprietary information should be clearly identified as such.

NIDDK is seeking a nationally recognized curriculum development organization with experience in producing high-quality, field-tested curriculum supplements for grades K-12 that are currently being used in schools nationwide. The Contractor must have the appropriate combination of the following intellectual and technical expertise: multidisciplinary curriculum developers, including K-12 educators who have been successful in teaching a diverse range of students; technical writers who are knowledgeable about diabetes prevention and control best practices; specialists in state-of-the-are educational technologies; scientists with experience in endocrine disorders and obesity prevention and control best practices; Web developers and/or multimedia specialists with proven experience working with IBM Domino/Notes and in designing Section 508-compliant Web pages;and an evaluation program to demonstrate feasibility, utility and appropriateness of the proposed supplemental curricula.

Specific tasks are listed below, but may not be limited to:1. Conduct Needs Assessment: Conduct a needs assessment to understand the intent of, and expectation for the completed curricula. 2. Conduct Curriculum Planning: Convene a team of experts to promote active participation in the design and development of the curricula. At a minimum, the team shall consist of content experts, curriculum and design experts and K-12 educators.3. Develop Content of Curriculum: Content must include curriculum supplements for teachers.4. Pilot Curriculum: Pilot the curricula with a sample of the target population to validate content, instructional strategies and resource materials.5. Field Test the Curriculum: Must field test the beta curriculum with a broad sample of the target population to validate prior revisions and short-term outcomes.6. Submit a Final Curriculum Package: Submit a final comprehensive curricula package that contains all materials necessary to deliver the curricula to students in grades K-12 in print- and web-ready formats.7. Conduct a Process Evaluation: Produce a final report that describes the entire process of developing and testing the K-12 curriculum supplements.

Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide a capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Governments requirements. The capability statement shall be in sufficient detail, but not to exceed 15 pages, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm. Four (4) copies are requested. Responses to this announcement should include: (1) name and Address of the Organization, (2) socio-economic status type, (3) point of contact with name, title, phone, fax, and e-mail, (4) DUNS number, (5) contractor capability statement addressing the requirements, (6) list of organizations to whom similar types of services have been previously provided to include contract number, dollar value, and name and phone number of contracting officer.

Please Note: All businesses must be registered within the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov). Interested sources are required to send all capability statements to April Merriwether, Contract Specialist, by mail no later than February 12, 2010 at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time to the following address:

NIDDK Acquisitions BranchOffice of Acquisitions, NLM, NIHTwo Democracy Plaza, Suite 700W6707 Democracy Blvd., MSC 5455Bethesda, MD 20892

Note: E-mailed or faxed capability statements will not be accepted.