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This is not a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought synopsis only. The purpose of this sources sought synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified small business sources and thei... This is not a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought synopsis only. The purpose of this sources sought synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified small business sources and their size classifications (i.e., HUBZone 8(a), 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-owned, Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned, and Small Disadvantaged Business) relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541820, “Public Relations Services” ($16.5 million size standard). Responses to this sources sought synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate determinations about potential sources. Only small business sources should respond to this sources sought synopsis. Project Title: News Release/Consumer Information Distribution and Media Contact Management Services Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation and for regulating tobacco products. The FDA’s Office of External Affairs (OEA) coordinates the FDA's communication to the news media, health professionals, patient advocates, industry, advocacy groups, and the general public and includes the Office of Media Affairs (OMA) and the Office of Editorial and Creative Services (OECS). The OMA serves as the agency focal point for preparing, clearing and disseminating news announcements and consumer information representing agency policy and responding to news media inquiries. The OECS serves as the agency’s focal point for communicating with the general public and produces the agency’s flagship updates for consumers and FDA Voices articles for stakeholders. The FDA seeks to continue to ensure timely and effective dissemination of information to news media and other stakeholders groups including those representing industry and patients through a web-based communication platform that: distributes, tracks and houses all agency news announcements and other communication, including Consumer Updates and FDA Voice articles; and maintains a current stakeholder database that includes news media and stakeholder contacts to be automatically updated. Project Description: The Contractor shall perform the distribution of news announcements and consumer-oriented editorial and multimedia content (i.e., visual, audio and video) via an established and reliable wire service and PR network to specified lists of print, broadcast, and online media that includes the most prominent news outlets. Distribution services may be required on a 24-hour basis. Distribution lists must include top tier news outlets, local, national, and international print and broadcast journalists, trade media, social media influencers, bloggers, online sites interested in FDA issues, including by not limited to: Public Interest/Consumer Issues; Medical Product Safety; Food Safety; Health; Nutrition; Tobacco Health Issues. Distribution of select content shall be provided to Spanish-speaking/Hispanic news media outlets. Specific Tasks 1. Access to a web-based media relations database and distribution tool 1.1.The Contractor shall provide access to a secure web-based system that allows for simultaneous multiple-user access at any given time for an unlimited number of users, and if possible, be accessible by a mobile app or other electronic handheld devices. The system shall have the ability to quickly add and subtract the number of users and control the levels of access to the system. 1.2.FDA users must have the ability to configure on-screen dashboards or report visualizations and analytics in a defined time-period. 1.3.Web-based tool should be able of distributing press releases, including multimedia content in responsive email template. 1.4.Contractor shall provide unlimited storage for FDA news media and private lists. 2. Distribution 2.1.The Contractor shall use a secured web-based communication system that disseminates via established and reliable news wire distribution channels up to 500 news releases in English and 50 news releases in Spanish, including Consumer Updates, FDA Voice articles, and other editorial and multimedia content (i.e., visual, audio and video) per year to news media and other stakeholders. 2.2.The Contractor shall disseminate up to 50-60 press announcements and consumer health information/stakeholder updates per month. 2.3.The Contractor shall also have an established system for the distribution of multimedia content in formats required for the immediate use by newspapers, wire services, the broadcast media and Web sites. The FDA will provide all editorial and multimedia content (e.g. video, images, photos, infographics, audio or other) for dissemination. 2.4. FDA personnel should be able to make wire distribution requests by email and directly in the platform, so the contractor can enter them in the appropriate template for distribution. The Contactor shall provide responsive email templates for distribution. The Contractor shall manage and update OEA's private media and other contact lists, by removing outdated contacts, updating and adding new contacts on a biweekly basis. 2.5.The Contractor shall provide support for distribution of news announcements and consumer information in English and Spanish and media contact management service. 2.6.All Contractor staff must review and sign the HHS/FDA Form 3398, entitled, "Commitment to Protect Non-Public Information Employee Agreement" prior to commencing with performance under the task order. 3. Searchable Database 3.1.The Contractor shall use a web-based system to manage all news media and other stakeholder databases which allows for an up-to-date searchable directory of major U.S. and international news media organizations, reporters, influencers, and other news media including updated contact information, such e-mail addresses. 3.2.Users should be able to build media lists easily by type, audience and geography. 3.3.Users should have the ability to create and manipulate media lists by importing or exporting contacts. 3.4.If possible, the system should include contacts for trade associations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders. 3.5.If possible, the web-based system should automatically sync to the system's contact database section and be routinely updated to stay current. 3.6.The searchable directory shall have the ability to create contact lists that can be automatically synced to the system's contact database. 3.7.The Contractor shall have a unique and routinely updated database of distribution lists and not rely on the use of free Web sites to distribute FDA content. 4. Reporting/Analytics Requirements 4.1.The Contractor shall track the use of the FDA content by print, broadcast, social and online media as well as specific websites, online communities, and blogs in "real time," and provide the FDA with regular media monitoring reports (measurement and analytics) after each distribution. 4.2.The Contractor shall track and provide FDA with a report which summarizes the reach of the disseminated material after each media distribution is completed. These reports shall include detailed data on the number and reach of each individual outlet using the disseminated press announcements and FDA consumer health information. Each report shall be delivered within 24 hours of each distribution. 4.3.The Contractor shall provide a monthly consumption report to the COR or other designated representative. 5. Technical Support 5.1.The Contractor shall provide customer support 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. 5.2.The Contractor shall attend three (3) on-site/virtual meetings: one (1) prior to production and dissemination of the first item and two (2) additional meetings at the discretion of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) during the duration of the task order. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss expectations, deliverables, and any necessary adjustments. 5.3.Contractor shall provide kickoff meeting agenda and notes following the meeting. As well as trainings and reference materials for the use of the media relations web-based platform and its distribution services. 6. Deliverables /reporting requirements: 6.1.The Contractor shall provide a system and services as described in the specific tasks above, including but not limited to technical assistance and training in those systems. 6.2.The Contractor shall submit to the COR the following deliverables. Scheduled Item Quantity Due Dates Kickoff Meeting 1 (one) 1st week after award Dashboard access n/a 1st day of award week Initial group training 1 (one per year) 1st week after award Supplemental group training 2 per year As needed Individual training 25 per year As needed Technical Assistance unlimited 24 hours/7 days Unlimited users The period of performance has not been determined at this time. Your responses to the questions provided below will assist the Government in selecting the appropriate acquisition method. Page limit: Maximum 15 pages (font size - Times New Roman 11 or larger). A copy of the company capability statement will also be accepted (but not in place of providing responses to the questions). After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published in Beta.Sam.Gov. Responses to this notice must include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the NAICS code, and must respond to the following questions: 1. Is your business a small business under the NAICS code? 2. Does your firm qualify as a small disadvantaged business? 3. If disadvantaged, specify if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. 4. Are you considered a certified HUBZone firm? 5. Are you considered a woman-owned or operated business? 6. Are you a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned or Veteran-Owned business? 7. Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact; 8. Capabilities/qualifications demonstrating your ability to perform the required services; 9. Experience related to News Release/Consumer Information Distribution and Media Contact Management Services; 10. Recommended contracting strategy (contract type); and, 11. Provide a general response regarding how the respondent proposes to address the issues described in draft SOW. This is not a request for proposals and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. Responses to this notice can be mailed or emailed to: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Attn: Alice Mihill, Contract Specialist Office of Acquisitions and Grant Services 4041 Powder Mill Road, 4th Floor Beltsville, MD 20705 Electronic mail responses will also be accepted at: Alice.Mihill@fda.hhs.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received in writing, by no later than May 4, 2021, 4:00 PM, Eastern Time. No solicitation is currently available. Responses to this sources sought synopsis will not be considered adequate responses to the solicitation, a request to be added to a prospective offerors’ list, or a request to receive a copy of the solicitation. Reference No. 1238491B. Please refer to the attachment for additional information.