Theater Performance and Educational Activities

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The government intends to solicit this requirement as a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS code is 711110. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-36. The solicitation number is NIHKH1217350, and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) are seeking a Theater Company that will produce, manage, and perform The Modern-Day Impact of Charles Darwin's Work. The following major deliverables are required: The product of this contract will be a full-length play (75-90 minutes) and associated outreach materials that will communicate the idea that an understanding of evolution underlies biology and related sciences. The play will be presented in 2009 to December 31, 2010 in the Washington, DC and Greater Boston metropolitan areas. The contractor will: Conduct scholarly research on the work and modern-day impact of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Prepare a schedule of deliverables (play script, rehearsal schedule, outreach materials, performance). Write a script for a play. Assemble a theater company, including actors, director, costumers, set designers, and writers, to produce the play. Prepare outreach materials about evolutionary biology aimed at a non-scientific audience and/or high school students. Perform the play in the DC and Boston metropolitan areas for a total of at least 25 performances. Project and describe estimated audience reach. Work closely with NIH advisors throughout the process of development and performance. Contribute financially toward the marketing of the DC-based performance. Pay for costs associated with use of the venue for the DC-based performance. Period of Performance: From date procurement is signed through December 31, 2010. The project will be overseen by an NIH steering committee which will review and provide feedback on deliverables. The procurement is collaboration among several NIH ICs (NCCAM, NCRR, NIDA, NINDS, NIAAA, NIEHS). The final product must be acceptable to the NIH steering committee in: scientific accuracy type and amount of science presented (focus on evolutionary biology), tone, language and content appropriate for young adult (e.g., high school) and/or non-scientific adult audiences as mutually agreed upon between the contractor and NIH and with NIH policies and culture. The following provisions at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this solicitation. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003), 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (February 1999), 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity, 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (June 1998), 52.225-3 Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements (August 2007), 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008), 52.232-3 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (October 2003), 52.222-41 Service Contract Act (November 2007), 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989). The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Evaluation procedures outlined in FAR Part 12 and 13.5 shall apply to this acquisition. The following will be considered for the determination of which applicant will receive the contract. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1.) Work Plan (20%): The applicants must submit sufficient information to demonstrate a clear and complete understanding of Statement of Work (SOW). This response should include a 1-2 page description of the proposed play, including its plotline and the scientific topics it will address. The applicant should also submit a timeline that includes proposed dates for a draft script, a reading on the NIH campus, and the final Washington DC-area performance(s). 2.) Experience Producing and Performing Science-Based Theater (20%): The applicants must have written, produced and performed at least two original plays in the past year that focus on the natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics and related fields). The applicants must briefly describe these plays and their scientific content. Evaluation of this factor will not be limited to these two plays; all available past performance information will be examined. 3.) Experience Collaborating with Scientists (20%): To ensure the scientific accuracy of their play, the applicants must prove that they work closely with scientists who are experts in the areas featured in their plays. The applicants must submit the names and departmental and institutional affiliations of at least three scientists who have been involved in the creation of recent science-based plays. The applicants must submit the names and departmental and institutional affiliation of at least three scientists with whom they propose to consult for the current play about evolutionary biology. Evaluation of this factor will not be limited to these references; all available past performance information will be examined. 4.) Experience with Outreach to the Public and School Groups about Science (20%) Because outreach and education are the primary goals of this project, the applicants must demonstrate that they have experience presenting to and interacting with the community and school groups. The applicants must demonstrate that, in addition to producing and performing original science-based plays, they also engage audiences through post-performance question and answer sessions involving scientists and theater artists. The applicants must provide at least two examples of how they have developed and presented learning materials to high school students and/or have traveled to schools to engage and educate students about science-based theater. 5.) Quality of Playwright (10%): The applicant must demonstrate that an established playwright will write the script for the play. The applicant must prove that they have will employ a playwright who has written at least six plays in the past and that the playwright’s work has been performed in at least three major metropolitan US cities. Please indicate whether the playwright has won any awards for his/her work, as this information will be viewed favorably in assessing the quality of the playwright. 6.) Experience Working with the Federal Government (5%): The applicants must indicate that they have successfully worked with federal government clients in the past. The applicants must specify at least one previous federal government client and briefly describe the work for this client. 7.) Cost (5%): While price will not be the most important evaluation factor, proposed prices will be considered in determining the firm that represents the best value to the Government. Proposals that include the possibility for further impact beyond the period of this contract will be viewed particularly favorably--for instance, through touring, and/or the dissemination of the script and supplementary educational materials to other theater companies and/or educational institutions in other cities, either in 2010 or in subsequent years. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items (March 2009), Clause 23.500 Drug Free Workplace. Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders applies to this acquisition. All prospective offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) in order to eligible for award. Quotations will be due within 13 days from the publication date of the synopsis. Address responses to: Kirtner Hobson, 6011 Executive Blvd. Room 629C, Bethesda, MD 20892. Or email: [email protected]. PLEASE, NO PHONE CALL INQUIRIES OR FAX TRANSMISSIONS.