NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program Scientific Presentation Course

Document Type:                     Combined Synopsis / Solicitation Notice

Solicitation Number:              75N91021R00011

Proposed Posted Date:            12/15/2020     

Proposed Response Date:       12/28/2020

Classification Code:               U099 – Education/ Training-other

NAICS Code:                         611430 – Professional and Management Development Training

Business Size Standard:          $12 million

Contracting Office Address

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Office of Acquisitions, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 1E122, Bethesda, MD 20892, UNITED STATES.

Non-USPS mail such as Fedex UPS and other private carriers please use Rockville, MD 20850.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Training (CCT) requires a contractor to provide training on how to conduct effective scientific presentations to postdoctoral fellows in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP).

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. 

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611430. The business size standard is $12 million and this is a Small Business Set-Aside.

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation.  This will be awarded as a severable firm fixed price type contract.  

Description of Requirement

1. TITLE

NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program Scientific Presentation Course

1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The contractor will provide training on effective scientific presentations to postdoctoral fellows in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP). The objective of this activity is to provide practical, hands-on training to the fellows in order to improve their skill in giving oral presentations to scientific and lay audiences. 

Planning and deployment of activities for this training consist of:

1. Fielding a brief, pre-training survey of the fellows to assess pre-existing knowledge and skill levels;
2. Creating training priorities and developing presentation materials; and
3. Tailoring training activities based on priorities identified by CPFP leadership and through the pre-training survey.

Actual training activities should address various styles of scientific presentations including long presentations lasting from 30 - 60 minutes at large conferences; shorter presentations lasting 10-15 minutes at scientific meetings or elsewhere; and job talks to potential employers. Individual videotaping and feedback opportunities will be conducted, along with group and individual exercises and discussion, and assignments for fellows to complete outside of training sessions.

It is anticipated that there will be two training sessions, each consisting of 12 - 15 hours of on-site or remote coaching over 3 - 4 days, for no more than 8 fellows per session. The two training sessions will be followed by on-site or remote coaching sessions with each fellow participant. It is anticipated that this portion of the course will include no more than 20 extra hours of on-site or remote coaching for no more than a 15-fellow cohort over a 3-month period. Finally, the contractor will be available to provide further feedback for training participants upon request.  

1. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Task 1:  Speaking about Science Training and Breakout Sessions

The contractor shall provide the following as described below.

• Tailored training materials to address priorities identified by CPFP leadership and the fellow survey.  These materials will be used to support the training content and guide hands-on activities with fellows.
• Two 12-15-hour training workshops conducted on-site or remotely over 3- 4 days, for no more than 8 fellows per session.  During these sessions, the instructor will:

• conduct hands-on training that include activities addressing the following scientific presentation competencies:
  • Take Home Message
  • Main Question
  • Slide Design
  • Money Slide
  • Common Ground
  • Presentation Titles
  • Future Directions
  • Proactive Questions
  • Supporting Slides
  • Slide Cue-to-Cue
  • PowerPoint Control
  • Post-Presentation Discussions
• Provide direct feedback and advice to each fellow on how to make improvements.

• On-site or remote coaching sessions with each fellow training participant. It is anticipated that this portion of the course will include no more than 20 extra hours of on-site or remote coaching for a maximum of 15-fellow cohort over a 3-month period. During these coaching sessions the Contractor shall record individual fellows’ scientific presentation and providing feedback for final presentation.

• Travel and onsite presence for contractor.
• Communication with CPFP leadership about course materials, fellows’ progress, and overall feedback about each session.

Task 2 (Optional):  Elevator Pitch Workshops

The contractor may provide two (2) elevator pitch workshops, each consisting of three hours of on-site or remote training for no more than ten (10) fellows in each workshop. If CPFP sees a need to offer an additional course for the fellow.

During the workshop, the instructor will:

• Instruct and conduct hands-on activities on the following elevator speech competencies:
  • Definition and importance of pitching science
  • Preparation for an elevator speech
  • Parts of an elevator speech
• Facilitate the drafting and delivery of elevator speeches for each participant.
• Provide feedback on each elevator speech delivered during the workshop.

Task 3 (Optional):  Ad Hoc Coaching Sessions

The contractor may provide up to 30 1-hour coaching sessions to occur on-site or remotely. Request will be made on an ad hoc basis to review and provide feedback on individual Cancer Prevention Fellow presentations (e.g., conference presentations, job talks).

TYPE OF ORDER

This requirement will be issued as a firm fixed price purchase order.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be for a one-year base period with four, 12-month option periods as follows:

Base Year:                  January 17, 2021 to January 16, 2022

Option Year 1:            January 17, 2022 to January 16, 2023

Option Year 2:            January 17, 2023 to January 16, 2024

Option Year 3:            January 17, 2024 to January 16, 2025

Option Year 4:            January 17, 2025 to January 16, 2026

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All activities must be conducted onsite at either NCI Bethesda, Frederick, or Shady Grove campuses. Building and room number to be determined.