Public Information and Communication Services (PICS)

Added: Sep 19, 2012 1:12 pm

This is a multiple award contract in which (22) (IDIQ) contract awards were issued to enable the National Institutes of Health (NIH), its component Institutes and Centers to achieve and maintain high quality performance in the areas of media, communication, and information dissemination and technology by purchasing superior communication goods and services, especially where this expertise does not exist in-house. This contract will result in multiple task order contracts. Most task orders will be for goods and services related to medicine, health, and science and will originate from the NIH and its component agencies. The IDIQ contract value Base plus (4) Option Years shall not exceed $500,000,000.00 over (5) years. This is a Total Small Business Set-aside award.

Added: Aug 31, 2010 4:10 pm The NIH intends on issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) in approximately (10-15) business days from the date of this announcement. The requirement will be a "Total Small Business Set-aside" for "Public Information and Communication Services (PICS)". Note: This is a recompetition of the "Public Information and Communication Services (PICS)". The previous (PICS) - Partial Set-aside procurement was cancelled in its entirety.



NIH and its component Institutes and Centers are engaged in diverse communications activities reflective of profound shifts in American demographics and a continuously changing communication landscape. Programmatic activities range from answering questions through consumer-oriented public affairs clearinghouses to the development of national exhibit programs and comprehensive public awareness, education, and prevention campaigns. Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) Subpart 17.5Interagency Acquisitions Under the Economy Actprovides authority for placement of orders for needed supplies and services between major organizational units within an agency and authorizes agencies to enter into mutual agreements to obtain supplies or services by inter-agency acquisition. This solicitation will allow NIH, its component Institutes and Centers, and other eligible Federal agencies to:

(a) Fulfill their public affairs missions by purchasing a full range of comprehensive communication, evaluation, and social marketing goods and services;

(b) Minimize delays and administrative burden; and

(c) Improve efficiency and speed in both Federal acquisitions and work performed.

NIH and its component Institutes and centers will use this contract to purchase comprehensive communication, evaluation, and social marketing services. Contracting firms and individuals will understand the mission, mandate, and vision of NIH and its component Institutes and centers, and will be able to work with a wide variety of media, including but not limited to audio-visual, print, display, and computer-based media. The procurement requirements of Government agencies utilizing the acquisition will vary. Offering firms are advised that task orders for goods and services awarded under this effort will be indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity (IDIQ) awards (See FAR 52.216.22). Task orders require for a number of contract types and terms, including but not limited to firm fixed-price, time and material, labor hour, indefinite delivery, Indefinite quantity, projects.