In accordance with FAR Part 13, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) intends to procure professional services on a sole source basis from the University of Florida, Department of Behavioral Science & community Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions. The period of performance shall be from date of award to August 31, 2008. Background and Objectives In 2004, senior staff at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and leading cancer behavioral science researchers recognized that providing supplementary training in theory to junior investigators would enhance the quality and effectiveness of the field?s research. As a result the Advanced Training Institute on Health Behavior Theory (ATI) commenced its first training institute in 2004 and has held subsequent annual institutes in 2005 and 2006. To date over 75 junior investigators have attended. Specifically, the proposed objective is to continue an educational program designed to train junior investigators in the development, use, and evaluation of theory in health behavior research and interventions. The overall goals of the 2008 ATI are to (1) increase the number of junior investigators who have had in-depth exposure to training in health behavior theory, and (2) to increase the quality of cancer behavioral science research. These goals are compatible with the stated goal of the Behavioral Research Program of NCI: ?Our goal is to increase the breadth, depth, and quality of cancer prevention and control behavioral science? http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/brp/about/index.html). Key to increasing the breadth, depth, and quality of cancer prevention and control behavioral science is having a cadre of well-trained junior scientists to move the field forward. As an ATI member, the University of Florida shall conduct all prepatory, onsite and follow-up activities necessary to facilitate the 2008 ATI. Tasks include: Preparatory Work: (1) The contractor shall work with other ATI core instructors to select and invite guest lecturers to provide coverage of selected topics; (2) The contractor shall facilitate conference calls with ATI core instructors to determine, discuss and finalize the Institute?s curriculum. (3) The contractor shall make arrangements to reserve guests and conference accommodations. (4) The contractor shall take the lead role and work with other core ATI instructors to select and assemble relevant readings for each of the Institute lectures. (5) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other core ATI instructors to advertise the Institute, solicit applications for attendance, review and select applicants, notify applicants of acceptance, and follow-up with applicants to insure attendance. (6) The contractor shall take the lead role in working with other core ATI instructors to oversee the development of the Institute?s website and to insure that readings are posted no less than three weeks in advance of the program. Onsite Work (July 6, 2008 through July 13, 2008). (1) The contractor shall be onsite for the entire period of the ATI and will serve as a liaison with the Conference Center staff to insure that all services necessary for the provision of the Institute are made available. (2) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for insuring that all lecture topics are covered and that events adhere to the planned schedule. (3) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for answering applicants? programmatic questions and concerns. (4) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for the development and conduct of a formal course evaluation. Follow-up Activities (July 14, 2008 through August 15, 2008). (1) The contractor shall take lead responsibility for the analysis of evaluation survey data from all attendees. (2) The contractor shall organize a conference call with core ATI instructors to discuss the results of the evaluation survey data. (3) The contractor shall provide a written summary of the evaluation survey results to the NCI program staff. Sole Source Justification The vendor is uniquely qualified to carry out this effort because of these key factors: (1) the vendor has been engaged in cancer related behavioral science research for over 25 years and is familiar with theoretical and methodological issues that are central to the field. (2) The vendor has 25 years of college teaching experience (23 years at the graduate level), most of which had focused on health behavior theories, methods, and research. (3) The vendor has been a member of the core ATI faculty for all years that it has been previously conducted (2004, 2005, and 2006) and thus has a high level of familiarity with the tasks that need to be accomplished. (4) The vendor, due to previous experience with ATI, is ready to begin work immediately and does not require additional start-up time. (5) The vendor has close professional working relationships with other core ATI instructors and is able to draw upon their expertise and cooperation to make the 2008 Institute successful. Evaluation Criteria 1. Understanding the Requirements/Technical Approach (40 Points) Quality, innovativeness, and clarity of the methodological approaches involved in the development and implementation of a curriculum for a workshop on health behavior theory designed to offer in-depth instruction on the use, development, and evaluation of health behavior theory. The focus should be on the proper use of theories rather than on either a comprehensive review or evaluation of current theories. Workshop must include lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and mentoring exchanges with faculty; attendees should be encouraged to build upon and expand their own research interests in health behaviors. Timeliness of approach to get the information necessary to develop and implement the workshop. Understanding of the Government?s intent for this procurement and the feasibility of approach to address its overall goals. Evidence of ability to access and collect data from targeted groups (NIH staff, behavioral and social science stakeholders, academicians, and others) within the specified time frame. Soundness of approach to incorporate Government input on the project. 2. Personnel/Staff Qualifications (40 Points) Qualifications, experience and availability of all proposed personnel, including any consultants and/or subcontractors, and evidence of substantial knowledge of the relevant literature (specifically, the literature on health behavior theory and theory testing and development), substantial experience in the diverse range of skills required for this project: psychosocial oncology particularly cancer-related health behaviors, cancer treatment decision making, and both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, behavioral and social sciences research, statistics and data analysis and synthesis, survey questionnaire design and administration, management of complex research projects, management of NIH or other Federally-funded grant and contract programs, writing and communication, and conducting meetings. The Director is required to have doctoral training in social and personality psychology. Augmentation of staff with appropriate consultants, and/or subcontractors, as necessary, and their documented expertise and commitment to the project. Evidence that proposed team can accomplish tasks in specified timeframe. 3. Organizational Capabilities, Experience and Commitment; Facilities and Resources (20 Points) Evidence of corporate capability to organize and manage resources and personnel effectively. Evidence of corporate experience and success in the areas of development, implementation and evaluation of an intensive, weeklong workshop for twenty-five or more doctorally trained health behavior professionals. Experience in managing complex, behavioral theory-related, educational projects. For any subcontractor(s) proposed, effectiveness and timeliness of management plan in specifying responsibilities allocated to each organization and how these entities shall interact. Adequacy of mechanisms in place to hire technically qualified staff on a quick turnaround basis, as needed, and to ensure that personnel assigned to a project are retained during the entire project. Corporate commitment to quality of product and deployment of necessary resources to meet the project requirements. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available; however, all responsive sources may submit a proposal in a timely manner which will be considered by NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide the referenced service as specified above. Responses must be in writing and must be received electronically by 12 PM EST on December 26, 2007. Proposal must include pricing information and should reference Synopsis No. NLM 08-046/SB and should be submitted to
[email protected] . Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Sally Boakye, Contracting Officer, NLM on (301) 496-6546.