Marketing and Communications Support

SOURCES SOUGHT DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP. The notice does not commit the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to contract for any supply or service. The FHWA is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the FHWA will not pay any cost incurred in response to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFP. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the FHWA. All submissions become the property of the FHWA and will not be returned. SOLICITATION NUMBER: TBD NOTICE TYPE: Sources Sought TITLE: Marketing and Communications Contract in Support of the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center - Office of Corporate Research, Technology, and Innovation Management (HRTM) REQUIREMENT The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is contemplating making multiple awards for program support activities to support the Office of Corporate Research, Technology and Innovation Management, and is seeking to identify entities with the breadth and depth of expertise and resources capable of performing marketing, communications, and editorial services. PROGRAM BACKGROUND: The Office of Corporate Research, Technology and Innovation Management is the marketing and communications services organization within Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). TFHRC is the Nation's premier highway applied research and development facility. Located in McLean, VA, Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) TFHRC coordinates and conducts an ambitious program of innovative research and development to address the critical needs of the Nation's highway system. This research includes the development of large and small innovations in materials, designs, policies, operations, and safety on the highway system. Deployment of those innovations enables the highway system to move people and freight efficiently and safely, and contributes to the economic success of the United States. The research addresses critical knowledge gaps that are not effectively addressed by other highway research sponsors, and we accelerate implementation of technologies to meet current and future highway transportation needs. TFHRC's research includes studies on topics such as connected vehicles and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, policy decisions requiring quality transportation data, incorporation of human factors and the environment into road systems, and many other developments that provide solutions to transportation challenges. In addition, TFHRC offers opportunities to get involved in the process of developing highway research and deploying technologies and innovations through the Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Through the EAR Program, FHWA identifies and scopes research topics through extensive initial-stage investigations. EAR Program-funded projects are part of a larger research and development cycle designed to move from early stage research through applied research, field-testing, pilot deployment, and adoption. FHWA is committed to transitioning the results of EAR Program-funded research projects and takes an active role in demonstrating results to audiences critical to continuing the research and development cycle. FHWA is seeking outreach support in communicating and marketing the TFHRC and research projects conducted at the center. The work includes developing communication plans, developing messages, and monitoring content for outreach products. Additional, FHWA needs editorial and graphics support for the national Public Roads Magazine. FHWA is also seeking the support of experienced communications professionals to assist the EAR Program staff with developing communication materials, plans, and strategies for promoting key messages to specific user groups. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES: - Project Management - Editorial and publications support: editing, layout, assembling final files for print and archiving, and 508-compliance. - Onsite publishing support: communication outreach, update database records, monitor and update website, monitor and facilitate publications - Onsite web technical publishing support: writing and editing for the web (copywriting, proofreading, layout, posting) - Publications and editorial assistance: publications intake and tracking, print production coordination, editorial and publication archival coordination. - Provide facility tours and meeting support - Marketing and communications: marketing/strategic communications plan development, messaging formulation, develop marketing/communications materials, such as: presentations, talking points, FAQs, articles, case studies, brochures, announcements, factsheets, technical articles for newsletters and trade publications, briefing materials, posters, fliers - Digital marketing and social media: Web content creation, e-mail templates and content development, delivery assistance (using Granicus), social media campaign development, online advertising development and placement. - Graphics development: logo design, infographics and rotators creation for website, branding, branding campaigns, and collateral materials development. - Videography, including scripts development, storyboards, filming (including on location and live filming, both scheduled and ad hoc) - Animation capabilities. - Photography: creating a stock photo library, photo processing and editing - Meeting and Tradeshow Support - Printing Support - iOS and Android application development Vendors should have the ability to provide the following administrative and technical support services: - Develop, implement and track work plans; - Distribute information through traditional mailing lists electronic media (e.g. CD-ROM, internet, and telecommunications); - Prepare technical material for internet publishing; - Coordinate monthly review meetings for staff to discuss program status, project progress, identify potential problems and possible solutions; - Provide technical assistance in convening meetings, workshops and other technology transfer events, and; - Track and report financial expenditures. ELIGIBILITY: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541613 with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,000 employees. All potential sources, regardless of whether they are large or small in accordance with the NAICS size standard, are encouraged to submit a capabilities statement in response to this sources sought. SUBMISSION DETAILS (CAPABILITIES STATEMENT): Interested businesses shall submit responses electronically to the Contract Specialist, Matthew Gilliard, in Microsoft Word 2010 or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) at matthew.gilliard@dot.gov no later than 1:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on February 21, 2018. All data received in response to this sources sought, marked or designated as corporate or proprietary, will be fully protected from release outside the Government. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted as well as marketing materials, slide presentations, or technical papers. Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than ten (10) one-sided, 8.5x11inch pages in length with font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating the ability to perform the services listed in this notice. Vendor responses shall include the following administrative information: 1. Company Name, Company Address, and Point(s) of Contact including name, telephone number(s), fax number(s), and email address(s). 2. Respondents to this notice also must indicate whether they are a large business or qualify as a Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certified under the SBA 8 (a) Program, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone Small Business (HUBZone), or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concern. 3. Company profile to include number of employees, annual revenue history (average over the last three completed fiscal years), office location(s), DUNS number, and a statement regarding current small/large business status. 4. Prior/current corporate experience performing efforts of similar size and scope within the last three years, including contract number, federal customers, indication of whether as a prime or subcontractor, contract amount, Government point of contact with current telephone number, and a brief description of how the referenced requirement relates to the services herein. 5. Resources available such as corporate management and key personnel to be assigned to tasks under this effort to include professional qualifications, and specific experience of such personnel relative to the required capabilities stated above. 6. Please note that under a Small-Business Set-Aside, in accordance with FAR 52.219-14, the small business prime must perform at least 50% of the work themselves in terms of the cost performance. This statement applies if the agency determines a small-business set-aside appropriated for this requirement. 7. Company's ability to begin performance upon contract award. All responses must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to determine bona fide capability to meet requirements. Primary Point of Contact: Matthew Gilliard, Contract Specialist Email: matthew.gilliard@dot.gov Phone: 202-366-9587 Contracting Office Address: Department of Transportation (DOT) / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition & Grants Management 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590