Inactive 8(a) Set-Aside (FAR 19.8)

DESCRIPTION The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking Capability Statements from 8(a) Small Business organizations with the demonstrated capability... DESCRIPTION The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking Capability Statements from 8(a) Small Business organizations with the demonstrated capability of providing Technical Support for Constituency Outreach and Research Dissemination services to NIDA. This is a Sources Sought Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified business sources; 8(a) Small Businesses; and (2) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The established NAICS code is 541611, Administrative Management and General Consulting Services. The U.S. Small Business Administration establishes a size standard for 541611 as annual revenues of $16,500,000 or less. BACKGROUND: The mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This includes: (1) the strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines and (2) ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve drug abuse and addiction prevention, treatment, and policy. The Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC), NIDA, administers several Institute wide programs focused on accomplishing these goals and requires the ability to conduct meetings in a variety of institute wide areas. OSPC is also responsible for conducting constituent services outreach and liaison. Constituent organizations are extremely valuable to the Institute's research dissemination efforts. This contract provides a mechanism to assist NIDA in its outreach and collaborative projects/activities with its constituent organizations. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: The Government is conducting market research to identify Vendor capable of providing all necessary R&D support including: logistical support and meeting management services including, but not limited to, (1) implementation and follow up for meetings, onsite support for the meetings, (2) design and preparation of presentation materials (slides, prints, posters, etc.) for the meetings, (3) preparation of meeting and registration packets, and (3) transcription of meetings as needed. Some meetings may include special graphic arts (e.g. brochures, flyers, etc.). The Contractor will coordinate joint efforts with non-governmental entities that provide for constituent-related collaborations and dissemination activities on diverse aspects of NIDA's research. The Contractor must maintain and update, as necessary, an electronic information file of NIDA constituent organizations, using a web-based format (for use by OSPC staff), in addition to providing publication and editorial services. In addition, the Contractor will work with the developer/ vendor to implement the NIDA information management system (NIMS) database within OSPC to serve as the “go to” internal source for NIDA information. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: A capable Vendor must successfully demonstrate its experience and ability to perform the following key requirements: Meeting Support – Planning and Administrative Functions: Organize and plan meetings in collaboration with NIDA, contact participants and arrange dates for the meetings, and make the appropriate meeting support arrangements. Make all necessary travel arrangements in support of the meetings. Provide administrative support including letters confirming meeting dates, location etc., name badges, registration packets, audio/visual support, reimbursement of Federal employee expenses and honorarium. Constituent Related Collaborations and Dissemination Activities: Coordinate joint efforts with non-governmental entities in the drug abuse research and dissemination arena. The joint efforts will provide collaborations with professional organizations on diverse aspects of NIDA's research. The joint activities will be used to provide R&D support which includes logistical support for workshops and webinars, including such activities as (1) program and materials development, (2) curriculum development, (3) coordination, (4) literature review and /or report generation, (5) printing costs, (6) mailing and dissemination, (7) meeting room rental, (8) travel, (9) per diem, (10) stipends, and (11) honoraria for participants. Vendor must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of non-governmental entities in the drug abuse research and dissemination arena, and document experience working with the said entities. Issue a purchase order, work order, consultant agreement or other appropriate contracting mechanism to the collaborating organization based on the NIDA-issued work assignment. Database Management: Maintain and update, as necessary, an electronic information file using a web- based format of NIDA constituent organizations for use by OSPC staff. Create, maintain, and update a customized database, to house vetted versions of NIDA up-to-date documents on various scientific topics, with the ability to facilitate creation of new materials and storage of reports, graphics, slides and related work. Publications and Editorial Review: Edit and revise a variety of drug abuse publications for scientific and professional communities, as well as the general public. OSPC will require the services of a number of expert consultants or free-lance writers with knowledge and experience in a variety of drug abuse and related areas to assist with the production of public education materials. INSTRUCTIONS: Capable Vendors shall demonstrate and document in the submitted Capability Statement its experience in the technical areas, requirements, and personnel listed above. Furthermore, Vendors should include relevant and specific information on each of the following qualifications: 1) Approach: Vendors should prepare a narrative describing the methodologies, approach, and techniques utilized on similar relevant project to achieve the requirements listed above. 2) Experience: Provide an outline describing experiences on previous similar projects, specifically the techniques employed, the challenges encountered, and the lessons learned in the areas described above. Additionally, provide the name and the point of contact for any recent Organizations, Institutions, or Agencies where services were provided with a similar scope of work. 3) Personnel: Provide the names, professional qualifications of personnel with specific experience in the work requested and knowledge of, and experience to successfully complete the requirements describe above. The Government will assess the appropriateness of the demonstrated approach, experience, personnel, and compliance with the requirements. The Government will consider any other specific and relevant information about this announcement that would improve our assessment of respondents. Organizations should demonstrate capability to administer and coordinate interrelated tasks in an effective and timely manner. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, contracts in which the organization performed equivalent tasks (Government and commercial); references, i.e., names, titles, telephone numbers and any other information serving to document the organizations capability; and awards or commendations. All capability statements must also include the following: 1) company name and address; 2) point of contact; 3) phone/fax/email; 4) NAICS Code(s); 5) business size and status; 6) capability information in response to the requirement and qualifications identified in this notice; and 7) type of small business your organization classifies itself as (e.g..: 8 (a)). Any 8(a) Small Business concerns that believe they possess the capability necessary to successfully undertake the work described above must SUBMIT CAPABILITY STATEMENTS ELECTRONICALLY to the Contract Specialist, Shaun Rostad at Shaun.Rostad@nih.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 18, 2022. The Subject line for the submission should include this Sources Sought Number. NIDA will not accept paper or faxed capability statements. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. CONFIDENTIALITY. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).