SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- Researching Technical Dialogue With Alaskan Coastal Communities: Analysis of the Social, Cultural, Linguistic, and Institutional Parameters of Public/Agency Communication Patterns
- Notice Date
- 5/21/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Minerals Management Service Procurement Operations Branch 381 Elden Street, MS 2500 Herndon VA 20170
- ZIP Code
- 20170
- Solicitation Number
- 0104RP34668
- Response Due
- 6/11/2004
- Archive Date
- 5/21/2005
- Point of Contact
- Debra M. Bridge Contract Specialist 7037871814 Debra.Bridge@mms.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY NOTICE THAT WILL BE ISSUED. This announcement is in response to the original Request for Information (RFI) posted April 1, 2004. This project is no longer set aside for Small Business. This is a Full and Open Competition, Combined Synopsis/Solicitation. Abstract of Study: Since U.S. Government decision-makers rely intrinsically upon effective communication with an informed public, this study aims to improve the ongoing technical dialogue between local citizens and the Alaska Regional Office of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), Offshore Program. For this study, technical dialogue refers to the formal written process of two-way communication between local citizens and the agency concerning information about (or from) the MMS and its administrative activities with regard to resource evaluation, leasing, regulating industry, conducting environmental studies, and producing environmental assessments or impact statements in the Alaska region. This study will investigate the effects and dynamics of written communication efforts in Cook Inlet and North Slope Borough planning areas as manifested by the medium of an Environmental Impact Statement. It will seek to enrich the exchange of pertinent information and the pursuit of mutual understanding with diverse stakeholder groups by systematically identifying and analyzing communication methods and potential problems within a specific socio-cultural and politico-institutional context. The study will also explore possible improvements through pilot-testing a series of experimental newsletters on targeted focus groups. If significant communication obstacles can be identified and reduced through controlled testing, the study would then formulate plausible recommendations to help shape future agency interactions with the public. In general terms, the study seeks to provide some fresh insight into the following types of questions: Is the MMS successfully communicating the messages that it intends to communicate? Are unintended messages being communicated? Do local citizens feel adequately informed about the matters they deem pertinent? How can the transmission of unintended messages be avoided? How can the MMS enhance public opportunities to respond to agency messages in technically rich and precise language? Are some stakeholder concerns inadvertently overlooked through the exiting NEPA process? Are recent attempts to translate the EIS into minority languages effective? Should the MMS supplement broadcast public documents with narrow-cast newsletter formats? Can the MMS improve communication techniques through cost efficient measures? By seeking to improve technical dialogue and reduce areas of miscommunication, this study will enhance opportunities for citizens of Alaskan coastal communities to participate more fully in the NEPA decision-making process. It will further involve subjecting a series of draft newsletter communications to rigorous evaluation by a sample of community residents. Throughout, the primary orientation will be focused on conducting appropriate social research rather than on implementing "outreach" or public relations. These overarching goals will be accomplished through the following intermediary objectives: 1. Conduct a literature search (and key informant review) to document and assess alternative models of federal agency written communication efforts with local residents that are relevant to the goals of this study and related processes in the Alaska region; the review will specifically encompass appropriate linguistic considerations that may influence the effectiveness of technical dialogue; 2. Sample and analyze the record of public comments from MMS planning activities in the Cook Inlet and Beaufort Sea to assess the range of communication issues and stakeholder perspectives specific to technical dialogue in the Alaska region; 3. Interview appropriate MMS technical staff and management to identify and clarify the institutional parameters of potential communication obstacles with various stakeholders which reduce effective technical dialogue; 4. Document key findings about technical dialogue and significant communication challenges in the Alaska region; 5. Identify appropriate samples of study participants in communities on the North Slope and on the Kenai Peninsula and organize them into focus groups; 6. Conduct a series of focus group meetings to assess public knowledge and attitudes about the OCS regulatory environment, the communication of scientific and technical information, and the scoping process in general; 7. Collaborate with MMS management and staff to prepare experimental newsletters that will allow for testing the effectiveness of key agency technical messages across a range of social variables; 8. Conduct a second series of focus group meetings to test a variety of newsletter messages against the baseline reactions; monitor changes in understanding, perceptions of technical information, and durability of opinions among study participants associated with new materials; 9. Continue to test and monitor technical communication efforts in a limited and controlled newsletter format until a model based upon "lessons learned" can be implemented; 10. Analyze and report the results of the focus group sessions in a final project report; report summary findings back to host communities; submit first draft of a scholarly publication. The period of performance for this project is 16 months. The total value of this procurement is estimated not to exceed $320,000.00. Deliverables include periodic progress reports; report of literature search; report of public testimony analysis; report of MMS staff interviews; interim research report; experimental newsletters; draft and final report; draft of journal article. HOW TO RESPOND: In order to compete for this contract, interested parties MUST demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the work by providing, by 4:00 p.m. ET, June 11, 2004, a Capabilities Statement detailing: (1) key personnel (those who would have primary responsibility for performing and/or managing the study), with their qualifications and specific experience and your organizational experience and facilities; (2) past performance, including specific references (including contract number & project description, period of performance, dollar amount, client identification with the point of contact & telephone number) for previous work of this nature that your key personnel or organization has performed within the last four years. Emphasis should be placed on prior experience conducting social science research of similar scope and complexity, knowledge of and experience with the NEPA process, familiarity with areas of Alaska's North Slope and Cook Inlet regions, familiarity with risk assessment and socio-linguistic analysis, timely delivery of final products, newsletter production, and a publication record in peer reviewed scientific journals. Responses will be reviewed by MMS personnel and will be held in a confidential manner. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Offerors shall submit their Capabilities Statement in original and three (3) copies to the attention of Debra Bridge, Contract Specialist, Procurement Operations Branch, Minerals Management Service, and if using regular U.S. mail - MS 2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170; or if hand-delivered or using a courier service - 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. Following review of all Capability Statements, we will establish a list of those deemed most qualified to perform the work. Qualified Offerors will be notified and provided additional proposal instructions. Those proposals will essentially consist of a written technical proposal, program management plan, and separate cost/business proposal. Further details of those proposal requirements and logistical considerations will be provided to qualified Offerors at a later date. Questions should be e-mailed as soon as possible to debra.bridge@mms.gov. Please include with your questions your full name, the RFP number 34668, and title "Researching Technical Dialogue with Alaskan Coastal Communities," your organization's name, complete address, and phone and fax numbers. TELEPHONIC QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Web Link
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- Record
- SN00590510-W 20040523/040521212331 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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