Inactive

This is a PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE of a proposed requirement to award one (1) Firm-Fixed Price contract develop a communications and engagement system for the VA Office of Research and Development (ORD... This is a PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE of a proposed requirement to award one (1) Firm-Fixed Price contract develop a communications and engagement system for the VA Office of Research and Development (ORD) to improve communication and collaboration for planned VA research studies. One of ORD s major undertakings is the Million Veteran Program (MVP). MVP launched in 2011 with the goal of partnering with at least one million veterans to accelerate discovery of breakthroughs and translation of these findings to the clinic, where they can help veterans. PRIORITIES: ORD seeks to develop a creative communications and engagement campaign that will expand VA research communications. ORD requires a 5-year comprehensive, research-based, creative, multi-model, and adaptive communications system, grounded in the following values: An unwavering commitment to improving the well-being of veterans. A human-centered design approach. Excellence in customer service. Meaningful, value-based engagement with veterans and other stakeholders. Learning from experience and the agility to adapt over time. A commitment to engaging under-represented groups, including those from under-represented racial and ethnic groups and geographic areas. SCOPE OF WORK: The Program is expected to consist of four major task areas, leveraging the deliverables, results and infrastructure built within each Task to support other strategic priorities: Task 1: Communication and engagement infrastructure in support of ORD s first three strategic priorities outlined above. Task 2: implementation of ORD s fourth strategic priority to build an inclusive veteran community, including its key stakeholders. Task 3: Development and implementation of a communication strategy for the VA Research Precision Oncology Initiative. Task 4: Building the MVP community, particularly focusing on deepening engagement and expanding veteran participation in MVP within targeted veteran subgroups and specific geographies. Contractors shall: Describe the engagement methodology, tools and resources that will be deployed to accomplish the above scope of work. Provide a high-level view of Contractor vision regarding the Contractor s role and ORD s role in achieving program goals. Provide an overview of how contractor will accomplish knowledge transfer to ORD throughout the course of the program. It is expected that Contractors will outline how they plan to approach the delivery of each task, including specific sub-tasks, task owner, duration, elapsed time and work products/deliverables. Task 1: Communication and engagement infrastructure in support of ORD s first three strategic goals This foundational task incorporates contractor discovery activities; the design, development and implementation of the underlying infrastructure that will support each task; as well as address the specific requirements of ORD s first three priorities. Contractor activities shall include, but may not be limited to: Addressing how the Contractor will model the diversity of stakeholder needs, goals, and interactions as the foundation for developing a principled, creative, and adaptive communications and community-building strategy. Describing how the Contractor will design the stakeholders experiences. Defining the set of design research activities to understand the wants, needs, and requirements of a complex ecosystem of VA stakeholders. Developing a brand narrative that is dynamic, sustainable, and resilient, including the messages and storylines relevant to and resonant with stakeholders Describing the ongoing learning framework that will strengthen brand attributes and enhance brand narrative Defining Contractor s evidence-driven approach, including a monitoring and evaluation plan to anchor the development, implementation, and refinement of activities. Describing the Contractor s capability to present data and analytics from the user s perspective and present this in a way that drives adoption of best practices, utilization of effective assets, and transparency of KPIs. Describing Contractor's ability to develop an integrated system, that stores, manages and distributes communications and marketing assets. System to include case studies and best practice use cases, ready-to-print, co-brandable templates, LiveChat support, and capability to fulfill partner requests. Task 2: Implementation of ORD s fourth strategic goal to build an inclusive veteran community, including its key stakeholders. Task 2 activities shall include, but may not be limited to: A set of design activities to understand relationships among stakeholders, as well as needs and requirements for building a community of practice that includes veterans, VA researchers, non-research VA staff, other Federal agencies, advocacy groups, and other partners. Creating insights report, focusing on community-building, engagement, and activation points across the VA ecosystem. Develop a plan for how design activities to foster belonging should be institutionalized in order to become part of the fabric of VA research. Development of a strategy for activating communities through partnerships, targeted outreach, and hyperlocal engagement initiatives. Implementing an integrated multi-channel communications and marketing effort to engage, enable, and amplify community engagement. For each activity above, the applicant shall describe in detail the expected work products and deliverables to be produced by the Contractor during this Task. Task 3: Development and implementation of a communication strategy for the VA Research Precision Oncology Initiative. In this Task the infrastructure built in Task 1 will be expanded to include the communications strategy and approach for ORD s Precision Oncology initiative. Activities should include but are not limited to: Development of a map of stakeholder connections and existing relationships within the community to explore potential collaborations. Designing an integrated communications and marketing plan to establish vision and mission and bring commitment to life among stakeholders Defining effective multi-modal communications approaches to elevate veteran voices, articulate veteran perspectives, and position leadership of VA researchers Development of an integrated approach featuring earned, paid, and social media strategies to amplify VA s role in oncology, precision medicine, and medical innovation within the veteran community. Designing and conducting surveys to analyze impact of communication approach and activities. For each activity above, the applicant shall describe in detail the expected work products and deliverables to be produced by the Contractor during this Task. Task 4: Building the MVP community, particularly focusing on deepening engagement and expanding veteran participation in MVP within targeted veteran subgroups and specific geographies The goals are to significantly expand enrollment of MVP veteran partners so that MVP represents the breadth of veteran diversity, to convey to the veteran partners that their partnership is truly valued, and to foster development of community among MVP participants and stakeholders. In addition, the activities within Task 4 focus on improving the MVP participant experience and encouraging participants to deepen their commitment to participate as a member of the MVP community. Activities will include, but are not limited to, the following: Generating insights reports to identify gaps/needs of new participants to achieve MVP s diversity and inclusion goals. Designing creative content responding to local community, including sub-groups and geographies, priorities and inspires a shared vision among the MVP community Developing and implementing proven campaigns that engage diverse communities in tangible and measurable ways. Build the required Infrastructure, processes and systems to create, implement, measure and adapt a multi-year engagement program, including experiential engagements and creation of MVP participant communities. For each activity above, the applicant shall describe in detail the expected work products and deliverables to be produced by the Contractor during this Task. DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE: Contractors should prepare a GANTT chart (or equivalent) outlining the schedule for the completion of each task over the five-year period, including key milestones within the task and the critical path. Emphasis should be placed on Year 1 Tasks, milestones and related activities, with subsequent years focusing on higher level milestone dates and critical path items. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Contractor shall provide at least one person on-site at VHA ORD located in Washington, D.C. The remainder of the performance may be at the contractor s facilities (off-site) or on-site as needed for successful completion of required deliverables. Shipping FOB Destination and installation shall be included in the overall price. The Veteran s Health Administration Service Area Office - East estimates a posting date of solicitation 36C24E20R0030 on June 8, 2020 and distributed solely through the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO)/System for Award Management Website (https://fbohome.sam.gov/). The purpose of this notice is to determine the availability of contractors available to meet/exceed VA specifications and to determine the business types available for potential future competition. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and should not be construed to as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract however; any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement shall submit a capability statement and supporting documentation to the contracting office. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any costs incurred by interested parties will NOT be reimbursed. It is the responsibility of any interested party to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this notice. The agency is contemplating single award of a firm fixed price (FFP) contract to the contractor whose submission represents best value to the Government. The North American Industry Classification System code is 517919 Other Telecommunications. Interested parties shall be registered in the System for Award Management at (https://fbohome.sam.gov/). Responses shall be by electronic means only (email). Responses by phone will not be accepted. Contracting Office Address: 323 North Shore Dr. Pittsburgh PA, 15212 United States Primary Point of Contact: Michael Haydo Contracting Officer Email: michael.haydo@va.gov Phone: 412-822-3158