R -- Science Manangement & Research Admin Support Service

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for science management and research administrative support services. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the November 2006 Federal Acquisition Regulation revision, which includes the consolidation of all Federal Acquisition Circulars through 2005-14. This acquisition is a small business set-aside and the NAICS code is 561990. This announcement constitutes the formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) and a written solicitation WILL NOT be issued. Proposed Period of Performance: August 13, 2007 to August 12, 2008 with options for up to five additional years Scope of Work The Behavioral and Social Research Program (BSR) at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), intends to purchase Science Management and Research Administration Support Services. The objective of this requirement is to provide comprehensive support for the BSR/NIA?s Project Officer (PO) for science management, evaluation activities, writing/editing and document production, meeting planning, coordination, and information and data management support. BSR plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of research and research training with emphasis placed on: (1) the dynamic interplay among individuals as they age; (2) their changing biomedical, social, and physical environments; and (3) multilevel interactions among psychological, physiological, social, and cultural levels. Research areas of emphasis are: (1) Health Disparities; (2) Aging Minds; (3) Increasing Health Expectancy; (4) Health, Work, and Retirement; (5) Interventions and Behavior Change; (6) Genetics, Behavior, and the Social Environment; and (7) The Burden of Illness and the Efficiency of Health Systems. Contractor must have a thorough understanding of NIH policies and procedures, the ability to rapidly adapt its technical approach to changing requirements, and demonstrated ability to meet fast turn around deadlines. Due to evolving criteria, modifications may be required to the tasks described. Task 1-Program Planning/Management, Coordination/Organization of Workshop(s)/Meeting(s) and Related Evaluation: Contractor must demonstrate the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize scientific information and statistical data and generate reports therefrom, and demonstrate skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. Contractor must have expertise and understanding in the behavioral and social sciences, particularly in BSR?s areas of interest, and familiarity with the related scientific community. Contractor must have the knowledge and understanding of meeting and event planning principles, requirements, procedures, and available resources. Contractor shall work closely with BSR/NIA program staff to evaluate program/event histories, budget considerations and planning committee recommendations to determine requirements as to space, facilities, technology, equipment, lodging, catering, and on-site management, preventing anticipated problems and resolving encountered problems in a timely and professional manner. Contractor shall assist BSR/NIA program staff in the development of meeting programs and program plans, agendas and participants, and in coordination of complex administrative assignments and special projects. Task 2- Writing/Editing and Document Production: Contractor shall work with BSR/NIA program staff to compile new and background materials related to assigned projects and program meeting(s). Contractor will assist with the content decisions, distribution scheduling, and staff responses to various communication mediums. Contractor shall coordinate the invitation list, printing, procurement needs, and speaker logistics with designated BSR staff, and organize and monitor design goals of all publications for the proper transfer of information according to government guidelines. Contractor is expected to evaluate all materials for completeness and accuracy, including validating conflicting comments and multiple comments from a number of attendees. Contractor shall provide a draft meeting summary after workshops/meetings, and will subsequently create a final meeting summary, both hard copy and electronic versions, with input from designated NIA staff. Contractor will synthesize reports based on scientific information from various sources, and will compose and edit various documents as directed by the Project Officer. Task 3- Meeting Logistics and Travel Coordination: Contractor will correspond with speakers, confirming their presentation time and location and their audio-visual requirements. For visiting speakers, Contractor will develop and finalize all travel and accommodation arrangements. Contractor is required to participate in the planning and establishment of goals and objectives for meetings, conferences, and/or events, with respect to budgets, speakers, facilities, technology, equipment, logistical requirements, and other related issues, e.g., hotel room availability at government rate, meeting rooms, travel accommodations and completion of all necessary paperwork. Contractor will ensure that all necessary participants have the correct government documentation completed, e.g., expense reimbursement forms or 1099 forms. Contractor will meet regularly with designated program representatives to discuss progress, needs, problems, or budgets. Contractor will provide onsite management, completion of attendance rosters, menu planning, miscellaneous meeting-related duties as assigned, and meeting close-out procedures. Contractor will process expense reimbursement vouchers and arrange for payment of honoraria, including gathering and reviewing submissions from participants. Contractor will communicate with travelers to seek clarification or obtain missing receipts, as necessary, and will review and reimburse vendor invoices. Period of Performance The period of performance is twelve (12) months beginning upon award of contract, with up to five one-year options to be exercised at the discretion of the Government. The Government reserves the right to terminate the contract for its convenience, or due to unacceptable performance. Evaluation criteria Weight Criteria 20% Understanding of the Requirements in accomplishing the statement of work ? The Offeror's technical approach shall indicate compliance with the requirements as outlined in the statement of work. 30% Experience of and Academic Qualifications of Personnel ? Documented experience, educational background and training, and availability of the proposed staff and their designated responsibility on the project. This includes the education, experience, managerial competence, and time commitment of the proposed project manager and the experience, technical competence, and time commitment of other scientific and technical staff; staff expertise in behavioral and social science areas such as demography, economics, psychology, epidemiology, health services research, and population genetics, in relation to the research issues in aging. 40% Past Performance ? Documented successful past performance experience in the knowledge of NIH policies and programs, meeting planning experience, expert technical writing/editing skills and document production. 10% Price ? Price shall be reasonable and in line with similar projects. Concerns that respond to this synopsis shall furnish concise responses directed specifically to the requirements mentioned above and are invited to submit proposal and/or capability statements in an original plus two (2) no later than ten (10) business days from the date of this announcement, December 22, 2006, due in COB Jan. 05, 2007. Written responses shall include complete description of services to be provided, containing sufficient technical information to permit agency analysis to establish bona fide capability to meet the stated requirements as listed above. Proposals And/Or Capabilty Statements Shall BE Sent To: (a) If mailing your capabilities through the U.S. Postal Service use the following address: National Institutes of Health, Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations, OA, 6011 Executive Blvd. Rm. 529V, ATTN: Lloyd Garnes, Bethesda, MD 20892, telephone: 301-402-3341; fax: 301-480-3476. (b) If hand delivering, or using a courier service such as: UPS, FeDex, etc., use the following City, State and Zip Code: Rockville, MD 20852. Respondents will not be notified of the evaluation results. (c) Questions may be emailed to Lloyd Garnes at garnesl@od.nih.gov no later than August 29, 2007.