Eastern and Southern Region Job Corps Projects

Solicitation Number: AG-56A1-S-14-0011 Description: After seven successful years, it is time to highlight and promote the achievements and lessons learned from Eastern and Southern Regions Job Corps program to the Washington Office and other USDA Forest Service Regions. It would be valuable, not only for the Eastern Region, but for the entire Forest Service, to have access to a How To Guide, incorporating Best Practices and Lessons Learned to highlight a successful Job Corp program that meets agency objectives. Additionally, there is a need to develop specific marketing products for the Milwaukee Chapter of Brotherhood of Fire Fighters project. An emerging, strong relationship between the Eastern Region and the Brotherhood of Firefighters, (Cocroft & Parish), has led to shared interest/enthusiasm. This is an excellent opportunity to outreach and encourage youth to pursue natural resource careers. This procurement will be awarded to ONE vendor for two similar projects This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFP and the documents incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-69. This procurement is set aside for small business concerns. The NAICS code is 512110 and the Small Business Size Standard is $30 million. Eastern and Southern Regions Job Corps PROJECT SCOPE - There are several tools that need to be created to successfully showcase these programs. They include a Marketing and Communication plan, the How-To Guide, success stories featuring key individuals, presentations, briefing papers, web content, and social media material. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS - The contractor would be required to produce the following products working with PGR to ensure compliance with USDA Visual Standards: 1. Review and update existing draft Marketing and Communication plan. The plan should define the desired positioning, set communication goals for key target audiences, outline key messages and tools and timeline to achieve those goals (e.g. guide newsletter, success stories, web content, power point, etc.). The Liaison will provide the draft strategy to the vendor. 2. Interview and document life stories of 10 Job Corps Alumni who are rising stars. This item requires the availability of key interviewees and may influence the timeline. The interviews can occur via telephone or in person. Interview questions will be designed with the vendor. The government shall have 10 alumni lined up and ready to proceed so timeline of project is not impacted. 3. Develop an achievement, lessons learned, and best practices guide. The single guide will be full color, 12 pages with a cover, delivered in PDF format (low resolution and high resolution) from which USFS can take to printer, web content, or email. I will include charts and graphs, and other features as appropriate. 4. Develop 7 one-page feature stories about Eastern and Southern Regions Job Corps program achievements to show case the core programs, for example, Pay it Forward/I Am Somebody, National Professional Angler's Association, My Brother's Keeper, NFL Draft, etc. Photos and materials will be provided by the Job Corps Liaison. 5. Design and write copy for webpage. Includes graphic splash page to draw attention and promote the guide, which will be downloadable from the web. Website creation/ programming will be completed by the Eastern Region webmaster. 6. Design template newsletter. Involves creation of a graphic identifier for the front of the newsletter. Newsletter will be produced in-house from vendor provided template. 7. Design and develop one tri-fold brochure that will serve as primary promotional collateral for the Eastern and Southern Regions. MILWAUKEE CHAPTER OF BROTHERHOOD OF FIRE FIGHTERS CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND - Hundreds of Milwaukee youth participate in various programming and outreach efforts offered by the Brotherhood of Firefighters such as the Young Explorers Program and the Outreach and Preparatory Program for the Milwaukee Fire Department's Cadet Program. The Brotherhood of Fire Fighters has established relationships with feeder schools where they recruit and foster awareness of fire management. The deliverables for the Milwaukee Chapter of Brotherhood of Fire Fighters project outlined below will determine the amount of time and funding required for writing, strategy, interviews, creating. The contractor would be required to produce the following products working with PGR to ensure compliance with USDA Visual Standards: Multi-Partner Campaign Strategy 1. One, 3-page Campaign Strategy to launch the Campaign: - define the key internal and external partners (Target audiences) needed to successfully launch the program - Articulate the Communication Goal and refine key message for all partners to use - Craft promotional tagline that will be part of the campaign launch for both print and video as well as promotional items like T-shirts, cups, key chains, and more. - Strategy will guide creation of collateral and events: 2. Outline Kick-off - event with The Brotherhood of Fire Fighters and other key partners to launch the campaign - show the video for the first time. Invite students, partners, parents and school counselors. The vendor will not attend the event. a. Create of brochures in Spanish, English, and Hmong. b. Create one press release about the Kick-off/launch event. c. Promotional/Educational pitch to USFS hiring officials (e.g. message from the Regional Foresters, presentation to be given to District Rangers and Forest supervisors. Press Releases & Media Outreach - Develop two additional Press releases /pitches in the greater Milwaukee market. Pitches could include: a. event promotion; b. human interest angle with media having opportunity to interview students, USFS firefighters, and The Brotherhood. Vendor will reach out to pertinent media outlets (under the guidance and permission of the USFS) to pitch the story as news, a feature, or garner event coverage. Web Copy - USFS Website and The Brotherhood Website The Brotherhood of Firefighters agrees to host a dedicated page on their website to promote Wildland Firefighting careers to area students. This three-year program is an opportunity for to expand Firefighting mission and vision. Develop 1 template page describing the program, demonstrating career opportunities, training required, application process, contact info, and testimonials provided by the Forest Service USFS will provide all photos, graphics, and logos and the web programmer to upload the content. Copy will deliver the same message but in language appropriate for The Brotherhood and for the USFS website. Brochure Copywriting, Design Create one tri-fold brochure promoting Wildland Firefighting Careers with the USFS through the USFS, Eastern Region and The Brotherhood of Fire Fighters. Pitch the Wildland Firefighting career opportunity in a manner that will resonate with students. Brochure will feature two under-represented individuals including women, African Americans, and Hispanics who currently works as firefighters within the USFS. Brochure will contain key contact and next step information to help interested students connect with recruiters. USFS supplies logos (high resolutions), photos (publication quality, high resolution) Poster Design eye-catching poster as part of the campaign to be posted in job Corps centers, schools, career centers, and more. The posters will be an appropriate size for these venues (no larger than 18x27). Both projects would start in August 2014, with a target completion date of November 30, 2015. Information below is in reference to both projects: PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE - The period of performance for this project will be August 8th, 2014 - November 30, 2015. Completing this next level of work meets the long term objectives the Chief identified for Job Corps and outreach. Further, it provides quality materials focused on demonstrating how the Eastern and Southern Regions achieved Department of Labor goals, for Congressional Hill Visits, and how the Regions leveraged those goals. PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION Contractor Acceptance Statement: By submitting the offer, the Contractor agrees to all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agrees to furnish any awarded items at the price set in the schedule unless otherwise excepted as follows: _______________________________________________________________________ The following FAR clauses and provisions apply to this solicitation. Those that are incorporated by reference can be viewed in full text at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (JUL 2013) 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items (JAN 1999) RECOMMENDED EVALUATION CRITERIA Consultant must provide proof of previous marketing and communication work with the Forest Service or other government agency Consultant must have experience in and understanding of: Branding & Positioning Marketing Strategy and Plan Development Web design, layout, and copywriting Writing reports and guides Affiliate Marketing Development and Management Knowledge of social media (a) TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS (Of equal importance) Contractor must provide: 1. Past Performance on Similar Projects. 2. Past Portfolio actively demonstrating products 3. Price Technical and past performance, when combined, are evaluated equally. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (AUG 2013) (Offeror must complete this certification online at www.sam.gov or print this clause in full, complete the appropriate blocks, and submit with your offer) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (JUL 2013) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (SEP 2013) Clauses listed in 52.212-5 that apply to this solicitation: 52.202-1 Definitions (NOV 2013) 52.203-2 Certificate of Independent Price Determination (APR 1985) 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (APR 1984) 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006) 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (OCT 2010) 52.203-13 Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (DEC 2008) 52.204-1 Approval of Contract (DEC 1989) 52.204-12 Data Universal Numbering System Number Maintenance (DEC 2012) 52.204-13 System For Award Management Maintenace (JUL 2013) 52.209-2 Prohibition On Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation (May 2011) 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012) 52.215-5 Facsimile Proposals (OCT 1997) 52.216-24 Limitation of Government Liability (APR 1984) 52.216-25 Contract Definitization (OCT 2010) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUN 2003) 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (JAN 2013) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999) 52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (FEB 1999) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (MAR 2007) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran'Representation and Certifications (DEC 2012) 52.226-6 Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations 52.232-1 Payments (APR 1984) 52.232-8 Discounts for Prompt Payment (FEB 2002) 52.232-11 Extras (APR 1984) 52.232-25 Prompt Payment (JUL 2013) 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (JUN 2013) 52.233-1 Disputes (JUL 2002) 52.233-2 Service of Protest (SEP 2006) 52.233-3 Protest After Award (AUG 1996) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) 52.243-1 Changes-Fixed Price Alternate III (APR 1984) 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items (DEC 2013) 52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996) 52.249-1 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form) (APR 1984)52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest (DEC 2011) Offers shall be submitted to: Sydney Smith 626 E Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 300 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Email: sydneynsmith@fs.fed.us Fax: (414) 944-3930 No later than July 31, 2014, 14:00CST Contact Sydney Smith at sydneynsmith@fs.fed.us for more information or with questions concerning this solicitation. Questions MUST be submitted in writing