B -- Analysis and Support Services for Planning New Approaches to NIDRR's Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization Activities

The Department of Education intends to award a purchase order to DC Huntt and Associates, LLC. to provide the following services: Task 1 - Planning Analysis and Expert Reviews - The contractor shall meet with the NIDRR (COR) and members of Senior management within two weeks after the award of the contract to discuss the planning analysis and expert participation. Task 2 - Operational Plan - The contractor shall draw up a plan of operation for multiple strategies for identifying and facilitating the participation of experts and resources identified through the joint efforts of the contractor and NIDRR as a result of Task # 1. At a minimum the OP must include use of the Internet, electronic messages, preliminary distance conferencing through audio or video methods, and assembly of printed materials. The OP shall be submitted to the COR four weeks after the meeting identified in Task 1. Task 3 - Background Materials - The contractor shall prepare background materials for use in a meeting to discuss, assess, and prepare recommendations for NIDRR's dissemination activities. The materials must be reviewed and approved by the COR eight weeks after the award and must include information from the expert resources identified through the activities in Tasks 1-2. The materials must describe concisely how other organizations operate and manage information to be disseminated and the evaluation processes they use. The contractor shall prepare materials that summarize and chart similarities and differences in the models. The materials must be suitable for review in electronic format by participants prior to and at the meeting. Task 4 - Meeting Planning - Plan the meeting, including lists of possible dates, accessible locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, and candidate participants for the meeting. The list of candidates will be developed in conjunction with NIDRR staff. The contractor shall obtain an accessible site for the meeting in the Washington, D. C. area and near a Metro station and contract for all necessary accommodations and audiovisual needs for approximately 20 individuals. This meeting shall occur four months after the award. Task 5 - Invitations - The contractor shall prepare letters of invitation to be signed by the Director of NIDRR and an agenda for a two-day meeting. The contractor shall mail out the invitations one month prior to the meeting. Task 6 - Meeting Participants - The contractor shall invite participants and provide for their honorarium at the rate of $200.00, travel, lodging and accommodations for the meeting. Discussants will include approximately ten persons from outside of the Washington area and ten from inside the area. In addition, a limited number of Federal employees (up to 10) will be invited as participants or observers. Task 7 - Meeting Logistics - The contractor shall provide on-site assistance for the meeting including, background information, note takers, and any reasonable accommodation required by participants with disabilities. Procedures must be established for the prompt payment of participant expenses. Task 8 - Dissemination Goals and Strategies Report - The contractor shall prepare a draft report and supply the COR with four copies for staff review one month after the meeting describing recommendations from the meeting, and findings from the pre-meeting analysis activities as they answer the questions set forth in this statement of work. The report must apply to the establishment of an evidence-based research dissemination system, suggestions for operationalizing the Long Range Plan, and future NIDRR information activities. The contractor shall review conclusions based on discussions at the meeting with meeting participants. Task 9 - Thank You Letters - The contractor shall prepare thank you letters for the signature of the Director of NIDRR, have them signed and mail them to participants ten days after the meeting. Task 10 - Meeting Follow-up with NIDRR - The contractor shall meet with NIDRR Senior management to discuss the draft report and further action necessary to refine the ideas into a final report. The meeting shall occur two weeks after receipt of the draft report. Task 11 - Final Report - The contract shall prepare the final report in both electronic and hard copy, providing one hard copy to the COR one month after the Task 11 meeting. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received by the closing date of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Numbered Note 29.