**[Office of Training and Diversity]{.smallcaps}**

[Division of Intramural Research]{.smallcaps}

[National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases]{.smallcaps}

[National Institutes of Health]{.smallcaps}

# [Background]{.underline}

The Office of Training and Diversity (OTD) supports the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of
Intramural Research (DIR) through the design of training programs,
outreach to and recruitment of student interested in exploring careers
in biomedical research, and the conduct of Institute programs to ensure
diversity in the laboratory setting at all training levels.

OTD is responsible for a wide variety of functions on behalf of the
Institute. In particular, this includes an annual 4-day exploratory
program, Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) and an annual
1-day postdoctoral retreat. For INRO, NIAID invites approximately 20
aspiring biomedical science students to the Institute to learn about the
research at NIAID, with the intent to bring them back for a traineeship
at the Institute. NIAID's Annual Fellows Retreat is a 1-day meeting
designed to foster career and professional development for NIAID DIR's
more than 350 postdoctoral trainees.

The objective of this procurement is to leverage the innovative
communications and outreach strategies with the implementation of
programs that encourage innovative and groundbreaking biomedical
research.

## Statement of Work

OTD requires a contractor to perform the following tasks to support its
programs:

Task 1 -- *Planning and Management*

The contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain project management
and planning processes that include work plans for both the INRO program
and NIAID's Annual Fellows Retreat. The work plans for each program
should include the following:

-   Tasks to be accomplished

-   Methods and timelines for achieving the task

-   Allocation of resources, costs, hours, personnel

Task 2 -- *Web Site Enhancement*

The contractor will work with OTD to enhance the current Web site to
accurately reflect the Office's work and showcase its programs. The web
communications plan shall tie into NIAID's integrated outreach and
recruitment approach for reaching its targeted audiences. As part of
this task, the contractor shall develop Web communications strategies
focused on reaching populations underrepresented in the biomedical
sciences.

Task 3 -- *Communications and Outreach*

The contractor shall develop and implement an integrated communications
outreach approach designed to promote the INRO program to the targeted
audiences and encourage eligible students to apply. Activities conducted
under this task will include:

-   Market research

-   Internet marketing

-   Print-based marketing product development

-   Speaking engagements

-   Monthly status and progress reports documenting the above
    activities.

In addition, the contractor may be asked to conduct outreach surrounding
the OTD including branding and promotional efforts.

Task 4 -- *Meeting Support*

The contractor shall provide logistical support for all aspects of the
INRO program and NIAID's Annual Fellows Retreat, and work with OTD to
ensure streamlined pre- and post-meeting processes as well as responsive
onsite support. Examples of support required include:

-   Arrange travel attendees and speakers.

-   Prepare pre- and post-meeting materials.

-   Coordinate lodging and meeting space.

-   Coordinate all refreshment and meal arrangements.

-   Provide daily transportation to the meeting.

-   Determine AV requirements.

-   Provide on-site support.

-   Provide post-meeting support.

Task 5 -- *Materials Development*

The contractor shall support OTD in writing various pre- and
post-meeting materials, as well as other reports, articles, and
documents that both meetings and other office programs. In addition, the
contractor will be prepared to support all aspects of materials
production, such as design and printing of meeting materials and OTD
documents.

Task 6 -- *Program Evaluation*

The contractor shall assist OTD in conducting formal evaluations of INRO
and NIAID's Annual Fellows Retreat to measure their effectiveness in
meeting their agreed upon goals.

Task 7 -- *Tracking and Analysis of Former INRO Participants*

The contractor will work with OTD to track former and current INRO
participants, INRO intermediaries and influencers, and targeted
audiences. Activities conducted under this task will include:

-   Regular communications with audiences

-   Enhancement of the tracking mechanism

-   Monthly status and progress reports documenting the above activities

Task 8 -- *Administrative Support*

The contractor shall provide administrative support to OTD as needed.
Support may include database management, correspondence, spreadsheet
development, and application processing. Some of these activities may
include onsite support.

**[Evaluation Factors]{.underline}**

**1.) Understanding of the Technical Requirements (30%)**

> The contractor must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the task
> order requirements and strategic planning for increased diversity in
> NIAID, with an emphasis on long-range goals. This includes creative
> and innovative approaches, and the assignment of tasks to experienced
> personnel. The proposal will be evaluated according to the soundness,
> practicality, and feasibility of the detailed, written description.

**2.) Staffing and Management (40%)**

> Contractor must demonstrate that the proposed Project Manager has at
> least 5 years of experience managing and participating in programmatic
> activities for similar efforts equal to the size and scope of this
> project. Contractors are to provide a detailed staffing plan that
> describes the contractor's approach to managing the work. The
> contractor must also demonstrate experience with underrepresented
> populations, particularly biomedical research recruitment, and an
> understanding of the shifting targets often associated with these
> populations. As part of the staffing and management plan, the
> contractor shall summarize the relevant program development experience
> and skills of each of the individuals proposed for the task order.

**3.) Past Performance (30%)**

> Contractor must demonstrate recent successful experience in managing
> similar contracts or related work of comparable topic area and
> technical complexity.