Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

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, M... 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 to postdoctoral fellows on how to conduct effective scientific presentations in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP). This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the 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 contract. Description of Requirement TITLE NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) Scientific Communication Training BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The contractor will provide training on effective scientific communication to postdoctoral fellows in the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP). The objective of these activities is to provide practical, hands-on training to the fellows in order to improve their skills in giving oral presentations to scientific and lay audiences. Planning and deployment of activities for these trainings consist of: Fielding brief, pre-training surveys of the fellows to assess pre-existing knowledge and skill levels; Creating training curricula and developing training materials; and Tailoring training activities based on priorities identified by CPFP leadership and through the pre-training survey. Actual training activities should address various modes of scientific communication including but not limited to: long presentations lasting from 30 - 60 minutes; shorter presentations lasting 10-15 minutes; transdisciplinary communications amongst colleagues; outreach presentations to the public, and job interviews with potential employers. Individual videotaping and feedback opportunities will be provided along with group and individual exercises and discussion and assignments for fellows to complete outside of training sessions. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS Task 1: Training in Scientific Presentations The contractor shall provide the following as described below. Please note: the budget estimates do not include task management hours. Tailored training materials to address priorities identified by CPFP leadership and in the fellow survey. These materials will be used to support the training content and guide hands-on activities with fellows. Two (2) 12–15-hour training workshops, conducted on-site or remotely over a period of 3 to 4 days, with 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: Identifying the appropriate focus for the presentation Crafting a clear story Connecting with the audience Communicating with confidence and clarity Presenting with success in a virtual setting Developing slides and other visual aids (e.g., tables, graphs) that enhance the presentation Answering questions effectively Providing 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-fellows over a 3-month period. During these coaching sessions the Contractor shall record individual fellows’ scientific presentation and provide feedback for their final presentations. Travel and onsite presence for contractor. Communication with CPFP leadership about course materials, fellows’ progress, and overall feedback about each session. Task 2: Elevator Pitch Workshop The contractor shall provide the following as described below: Two (2) elevator pitch workshops, each consisting of three (3) hours of on-site or remote training for no more than ten (10) fellows in each workshop. During the workshop, the instructor will: Instruct and conduct hands-on activities on the following competencies: Conceptualizing an elevator pitch for different professional scenarios Defining the elements of an elevator pitch Applying an elevator pitch framework to real-world fellow scenarios Facilitate the drafting and delivery of elevator pitches for each participant. Provide feedback on each elevator pitch delivered during the workshop. Travel and onsite presence for contractor. Communication with CPFP leadership about course materials, fellows’ progress, and overall feedback about each session. Task 3 (Optional): Plain Language Presentation Workshop The contractor may provide the following as described below: Up to three (3) plain language presentation workshops, each consisting of 3-4 hours of training, conducted on-site or remotely over a period of 1-2 days, for no more than eight (8) fellows in each workshop. During the workshop, the instructor will: Instruct and conduct hands-on activities on the following competencies: Defining the importance of plain language communications (in accordance with NIH standards) in scientific and other settings. Using successful strategies to transform scientific language into plain language. Facilitate the drafting and delivery of a short plain language presentation for each participant. Provide feedback on each participant’s presentation delivered during the workshop. Travel and onsite presence for contractor. Communication with CPFP leadership about course materials, fellows’ progress, and overall feedback about each session Task 4 (Optional): Scientific Communication Workshop for Non-English Speakers The contractor may provide the following as described below: One (1) workshop consisting of 4 hours of training, conducted on-site or remotely over a period of 2 days, for no more than five (5) fellows in each workshop. During the workshop, the instructor will: Conduct hands-on activities on the following: English scientific vocabulary, diction, and phrasing to improve these skills. Successful strategies to improve clarity of public speaking in English New cultural norms/expectations Facilitate the drafting and delivery of a short English language presentation for each participant. Provide feedback on each participant’s presentation delivered during the workshop. Travel and onsite presence for contractor. Communication with CPFP leadership about course materials, fellows’ progress, and overall feedback about each session Task 5 (Optional): Ad Hoc Coaching Sessions The contractor may provide up to thirty (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, pre-recorded presentations). PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS The instructor must have the following: 10 years or more of experience in Science Communication. 7 years of experience working with the Federal Government Researchers/Trainee. Experience in Media, Leadership and Public Speaking Training background. Experience working with trainees in the field of Cancer Prevention Control. Experience working with non-native English speaking Post-doctoral Cancer Prevention Control.