Consulting Services

Sources Sought Notice No.: NHLBI-CSB-(AR)-2012-026-CRS Title: Consulting Services This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice (SBSS). 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 small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) 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. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. The NHLBI does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this SBSS notice, the NHLBI may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ). THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NHLBI shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought notice or the NHLBI's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. The NHLBI is seeking capability statements from all eligible small business concerns [particularly Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Woman-owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB)] under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 with a size standard of $7.0 Million. Based on the responses received from this SOURCES SOUGHT announcement, the proposed acquisition may be solicited as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. All eligible small business concerns responding to this Sources Sought Announcement must have the capabilities to provide the below services upon receipt of order. Interested parties are expected to review this notice to familiarize yourself with the requirements of this project; failure to do so will be at your firm's own risk. Background The mission of the The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. An important component of the mission of the NIAMS is to develop a wide range of documents for diverse purposes, including: information to patients and health care providers as well as internal documents that explain institute policies, procedures, and programs. Purpose and Objectives NIAMS requires consulting services for a period of one year (and two option years). Services shall include: all functions of documents development, and evaluation for a wide range of NIAMS-produced documents and reports. The contractor shall have expertise in NIAMS programs and policies, and expertise in editing/writing. The contractor will work in consultation with the Associate Director for Management and Operations, and the NIAMS staff to support the task outlines below. Tasks The services to be provided under the tasks shall include but are not limited to the following: - Review and edit documents produced by the NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison and other offices of the Office of the Director (OD); - Develop documents delineating the administrative policies and procedures of the NIAMS; - Write summaries of NIAMS scientific and administrative meetings; - Develop and/ or edit documents for the Intramural Research Program of the NAIMS. - Work with the leadership and Program Directors of the NIAMS to develop and/or edit documents. - Review for accuracy a wide range of documents including Requests for Applications, Program Announcements, and Request for Proposals. - Review for accuracy Controlled Correspondence from the NIAMS Director to high level authorities in Congress as well as in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Anticipated Period of Performance A twelve (12) month base year, and two twelve (12) month option years. Other Important Considerations - The Successful Offeror must possess significant documented, analytical and organizational skills. - The successful Offeror must have an in-depth knowledge and expertise in large-scale Federal Health Education and Promotion programs. - The Successful Offeror must have excellent meeting and group facilitation. - The Successful Offeror must have excellent written and oral communications skills, including presentation talking points or slide development. - The Successful Offeror must have the ability to exercise judgment and work independently to prepare recommendations for the NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison staff. Reporting Requirements The NIAMS Associate Director for Management and Operations will serve as the point of contact. All task, assignments, and contracting information will be coordinated between the Project Manager and Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR). The Project Manager will review and approve the contractors work products for completeness, accuracy, and timelines. Disclaimer and Important Notes 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 in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. (2) 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). All capability Statements sent in response to this SOURCES SOUGHT notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Caitlin Savina, Contract Specialist, at caitlin.savina@nih.gov in either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), by November 21, 2011, 9:00 AM, EST. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered.