REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Developing Effective STD Communication Tools and Strategies for Public Health Leadership

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Developing Effective STD Communication Tools and Strategies for Public Health Leadership I. Summary Information Purpose: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is seeking the services of a contractor to develop STD communication strategies, tools, and a framework for testing existing resources. Proposal Due Date and Time: December 13, 2017, 5pm Eastern Time Selection Announcement Date: December 22, 2017 Maximum Funding Amount: $170,000 Estimated Period of performance: January 15, 2018 May 31, 2018; (period of performance may be extended, contingent on funder approval) ASTHO Point of Contact: Elizabeth Ruebush, Senior Analyst, Infectious Disease and Immunization Policy (eruebush@astho.org) and Geetika Nadkarni, Director, Infectious Diseases (gnadkarni@astho.org) II. Description of RFP Purpose ASTHO, with support from CDC, is seeking the services of a contractor to develop STD communication strategies, tools, and a framework for testing existing resources. Background ASTHO and CDC s Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) are working together to raise awareness about STD issues and needs, establish and strengthen relationships, and identify opportunities for collaborative efforts that promote STD prevention and control. In 2017, ASTHO and CDC DSTDP launched a project to develop public health communications tools to raise awareness regarding national STD trends and emerging issues. These tools will be launched in Fall/Winter 2017 and will highlight the role of state and territorial health officials in combating rising STD rates, and provide an overview of another emerging challenge: antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. In the context of increasing STD rates and emerging drug resistance, it is imperative that CDC and state health agencies optimize communication strategies and develop new approaches to elevate awareness and drive action around STD prevention and control. 1

2 Project activities This project will involve developing: an overarching STD communication plan for CDC to manage and implement; an editorial calendar and communication tools that will help health departments align with CDC messages; and research protocols to help ASTHO and CDC test existing STD resources. Detailed activities are listed below. Activities may be scaled down if needed to accommodate budget projections. The contractor will work closely with ASTHO and CDC in determining timelines for executing project activities. A. Kick-off Meeting The contractor will plan and facilitate an in-person kick-off meeting with ASTHO and CDC to align on project objectives. The meeting will take place in Atlanta, GA, and the meeting space will be provided by ASTHO/CDC. See note on travel on page 3. B. Strategic Communication Plan The contractor will collect information to identify and document objectives, audiences, goals, tools, and a timetable for a 12-month STD communication plan for CDC. The contractor will align the communication plan with DSTDP s existing strategic plan, and will collect input on the communication plan through a variety of methods, such as: In-person and/or virtual meeting(s) with CDC DSTDP staff and key partners, including representatives from state/territorial health departments. Communication audit to understand strengths and opportunities for current and upcoming CDC STD communication strategies. The audit will focus on existing CDC-developed STD materials, and may also include those developed by partner organizations through cooperative agreement with CDC. C. Tools for State/Territorial Health Departments The contractor will develop an editorial calendar and STD communication tools/templates for health departments. The editorial calendar and tools should be 508-compliant and align with CDC s STD communication plan. The package of communication tools will: Include 3-5 new materials and customizable templates for health departments (e.g., fact sheets, infographics, social media content, etc.). Incorporate existing ASTHO tools, as appropriate. Include an implementation plan with tips for scaling use of tools to accommodate varying levels of health department staff/program capacity. Incorporate guidance from representatives from state/territorial health departments and national partner organizations (e.g., through focus groups/webinars). D. Protocols for Communication Research The contractor will develop research protocols to conduct STD prevention message testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) and/or CDC STD website testing. Development of protocols for this research may include: Conducting a scan of existing CDC MSM messaging and/or CDC STD webpages. Proposing an approach to collect data (e.g., focus groups, in-depth interviews, etc.). Developing instrument(s) to collect data (e.g., facilitator or interview guides). 2

3 Preparing documents for OMB/IRB applications. Notes on Activity D: Activity D may be scaled down to focus on one research protocol if needed, to accommodate budget projections. Applicants are asked to indicate in their proposal whether or not research protocols can be developed for both MSM message testing and STD website testing, and what level of protocol-development can be supported. Activity D covers the development of protocols for communication research only. Execution of the research will likely take place through a separate cooperative agreement in , and will not be a part of this contract. Stakeholder Engagement ASTHO will convene an advisory committee comprised of representatives from health departments and national partner organizations to inform project activities. The contractor will engage this advisory committee and other key stakeholders/end-users to provide input and feedback during the course of the project. Stakeholder engagement can take place in-person or virtually (e.g., focus groups, webinars, etc.). Travel Travel expenses for contractor staff to attend the kick-off meeting and any other proposed in-person meetings should be budgeted for in the proposal. If additional in-person meetings are proposed, ASTHO can cover the travel expenses for up to 20 external partners, each for a 1-day meeting. ASTHO and CDC staff will work with the contractor to secure meeting space(s), most likely at ASTHO or CDC offices. If appropriate, external partners from national organizations and state/territorial health departments may be invited to join portions of the kick-off meeting (Activity A) in order to inform approaches for Activities B and C. 508 Compliance Final external communication tools (e.g., fact sheets, infographics, etc.) must be compliant with Section 508 Standards, to ensure accessibility. Funding Up to $170,000 is available for the period of performance January 15, 2018 May 31, The period of performance may be extended, contingent on funder approval. Evaluators ASTHO and CDC staff will evaluate proposals. 3

4 Timeline The projected timeline for the project is as follows: November 27, 2017: RFP released December 13, 2017, 5:00 PM Eastern Time: Deadline for submission of grant proposals December 22, 2017: Contract award announced January 15, 2018: Period of performance starts Ongoing: Check-in calls with ASTHO January 31, 2018: Kick-off meeting complete March 16, 2018: Strategic communications plan complete March 30, 2018: First draft of communication tools for health departments complete April 16, 2018: First draft of protocol documents for communications research complete May 15, 2018: Final drafts of communication tools and research protocol documents complete May 31, 2018: Period of performance ends; Final Report due June 30, 2018 (period of performance may be extended, contingent on funder approval) III. Requirements for Financial Award Allowable Expenses Allowable expenses may include, but are not limited to: staff time, staff travel expenses, graphic design and images, conference calls/webinars, and 508 compliance review. Funds may not be used for equipment purchases. Per HHS requirements, funds awarded under this RFP are prohibited from being used to pay the direct salary of an individual at a rate in excess of the federal Executive Schedule Level II (currently $187,000). Applicants do not need to budget for printing expenses as part of this award. Period of Performance January 15, 2018 May 31, The period of performance may be extended, contingent on funder approval. Reporting Requirements Regular check-in calls, as determined by ASTHO and CDC staff and monthly progress reports. IV. Required RFP Content Proposals should be in 11-point font and may not exceed 10 pages in length. The budget and budget narrative will not count against the 10-page limit. 1. Cover Letter (5 points): Include the names of the lead programmatic and financial/contract contacts (name, address, , telephone number). 4

5 2. Organization Capacity (20 points): Include information about the organization and address ability and capacity to perform the services required within the specified timeframe. Briefly describe qualifications of key project staff. 3. Prior Experience and Performance (20 points): Describe experience and quality on work completed with similar scope (e.g. developing communication plans, targeted communication tools, and research protocols). Include information about familiarity with and understanding of the topic and audiences, as well as general ability to communicate potentially complicated information in a compelling way. 4. Proposed Approach (40 points): Provide a brief outline of the approach and strategy to accomplishing the requested project activities, which include: convening a kick-off meeting, developing an STD strategic communication plan to guide CDC activities, identifying and developing communication tools for health departments, and preparing a research protocol to test existing CDC resources. Detail a work plan which includes activities, timeline, goals, and milestones to achieve the deliverables and meet the expectations noted above. The approach should also include strategies for engaging stakeholders (e.g., CDC staff, representatives of health departments and national organizations) at key points in the project to provide input and feedback. 5. Budget & Budget Narrative (10 points): Provide a detailed cost reimbursement budget, including detailed projected costs for the completion of the project. Maximum award is $170,000. The cost reimbursement budget should include salary, fringe benefits, other direct costs, and indirect costs, as appropriate. If indirect costs are included on your budget, please provide a copy of your approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. Please submit the budget and budget narrative as Word or Excel files. Attachment A (Contract Budget Template) outlines the general format in which the budget should be presented. Applicants may use Attachment A as a template or simply as a guide to inform development of the project budget. A budget narrative must accompany the budget and indicate the costs associated with each proposed activity. 6. Response to Draft Contract (5 points): ASTHO and the selected applicant will enter into a contractual agreement. A draft agreement between ASTHO and the selected applicant is available in Attachment B. Review the agreement s terms and conditions including provisions related to publications; acknowledgement of federal support; copyright interests; conference, meeting and seminar materials; and logo use for conference and other materials with your contracts officer and confirm that if selected, you will enter into this agreement, or identify and include any proposed changes with your proposal application. ASTHO reserves the right to accept or decline any proposed changes to the terms and conditions. Significant proposed changes, which could affect the agreement s timely execution, may impact your selection as a successful applicant. V. Submission Information Application Procedure 5

6 Please submit proposals electronically to Elizabeth Ruebush and Geetika Nadkarni by December 13, 2017, 5pm Eastern Time. Applicant Questions and Guidance Interested parties may contact Elizabeth Ruebush via and Geetika Nadkarni Disclaimer Notice: This Request for Application is not binding on ASTHO, nor does it constitute a contractual offer. Without limiting the foregoing, ASTHO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all applications; to modify, supplement, or cancel the RFP; to waive any deviation from the RFP; to negotiate regarding any application; and to negotiate final terms and conditions that may differ from those stated in the RFP. Under no circumstances shall ASTHO be liable for any costs incurred by any person in connection with the preparation and submission of a response to this RFP. 6