The Department anticipates using Federal funds for resulting contract.
Assistance Listing #
93.354
Award Name
Public Health Crisis Response
Point of Contact
Christy Adamson, Senior Contract Specialist
603-271-9540
From the date of release of this solicitation until an award
Response Due Date: 7/12/2024 12:00PM – Noon
Background
1.4.1. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control
The Department’s mission is to join communities and families in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence. The Department is responsible for meeting the basic human and health needs of New Hampshire citizens, providing treatment and support services, and protecting and caring for New Hampshire’s most vulnerable citizens. The Department is also responsible for responding promptly to public health threats, inquiries, and emerging issues. The Bureau of Infectious Disease Control (BIDC) supports this mission by monitoring, investigating, and recording information about illnesses in the community to stop or slow the spread of illness.
1.4.2. Background
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a rare disease that is part of the same family as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. Symptoms of mpox are typically milder than symptoms of smallpox. Though mpox is rarely fatal, people with weakened immune systems may be at a higher risk of serious illness or death. In May 2022, the United States recorded its first case of mpox. Cases within the United States increased rapidly, eventually peaking in August 2022. During the outbreak spanning 2022-2023, there were approximately 31,567 cases in the United States, including 55 deaths. New Hampshire accounted for 35 of the identified cases.
1.4.3. Objective
The objective of this solicitation is to select a Vendor to develop print, digital, and social media communications that promote awareness and prevention of mpox. The communications must focus on prevention, testing, and treatment of mpox and must be developed for and in collaboration with the communities most affected by mpox.
Scope of Services
1.5.1. The selected Vendor must create digital and social media communications promoting awareness of mpox. The communications must promote:
1.5.1.1. Public health awareness of mpox, including methods related to mpox prevention.
1.5.1.2. Calls to action for mpox vaccination.
1.5.1.3. Mpox testing and treatment.
1.5.2. The selected Vendor must ensure the campaign directs messaging to all NH citizens, with a specific focus on communities most affected by mpox.
1.5.3. The selected Vendor must:
1.5.3.1. Establish method(s) to recruit members of the communities most affected by mpox to aid in the development of communications materials.
1.5.3.2. Recruit participants from communities most affected by mpox.
1.5.3.3. Establish method(s) to develop and evaluate the most effective communication tools, as outlined in Section 1.5.4, to reach communities most affected by mpox.
1.5.3.4. Develop and disseminate print, digital, and social media communications, as approved by the Department.
1.5.4. The selected Vendor must develop effective messaging on mpox disease prevention, which shall be disseminated through communication tools, including but not limited to:
1.5.4.1. Social and digital media, which may include:
1.5.4.1.1. Facebook
1.5.4.1.2. Instagram
1.5.4.1.3. Twitter
1.5.4.1.4. Other platforms to be determined by the bidder.
1.5.4.2. Fact sheets, brochures
1.5.5. The selected Vendor is prohibited from posting on TikTok per New Hampshire Executive Order 2022-09.
1.5.6. The selected Vendor must develop and submit a final Work Plan, in a format approved by the Department, within 10 days from Governor and Council approval, which must include, but is not limited to, campaign objectives, activities, timeframe of activities, anticipated outcomes, and a plan to monitor/evaluate progress and outcomes for each communication tool utilized.
1.5.7. The selected Vendor must participate in conference calls and both in-person or virtual meetings, with frequency determined jointly with the Department.
1.5.8. The Contractor must actively collaborate with the Department to enhance contract management and improve results.
1.5.9. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
1.5.9.1. The selected Vendor is required to consider the need for language services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency and other communication needs who are served or likely to be encountered while conducting research, recruiting participants (using Social Marketing techniques), and developing communication tools. The Vendor must also consider the communications needs of the individuals who will use the final communications products.
1.5.9.2. The selected Vendor is required to complete Appendix E, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Requirements as part of their solicitation response. This requirement is in accordance with Federal civil rights laws and intended to help inform Vendors’ program design, which, in turn, will allow Vendors to put forth the best possible solicitation response.
1.5.9.3. If awarded a contract, the selected Vendor will be required to submit:
1.5.9.3.1. A detailed description of the language assistance services, within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of the resulting agreement, to be provided to ensure meaningful access to programs and/or services to individuals with limited English proficiency; individuals who are deaf or have hearing loss; individuals who are blind or have low vision; and individuals who have speech challenges.
1.5.9.3.2. A written attestation, within 45 days of the Effective Date of the resulting agreement and annually thereafter, that all personnel involved the provision of services to individuals under the resulting agreement have completed, within the last 12 months, the Contractor Required Training Video on Civil Rights-related Provisions in DHHS Procurement Processes, which is accessible on the Department’s website (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/doing-business-dhhs/civil-right-compliance-dhhs-vendors).
1.5.9.3.3. The Department’s Federal Civil Rights Compliance Checklist within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of the resulting agreement. The Federal Civil Rights Compliance Checklist must have been completed within the last 12 months and is accessible on the Department’s website (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/doing-business-dhhs/civil-right-compliance-dhhs-vendors).
1.5.10.3. The Department will retain copyright ownership for any and all original materials produced, including, but not limited to:
1.5.10.3.1. Brochures.
1.5.10.3.2. Fact sheets.
1.5.10.3.3. Social/Digital media.
1.5.10.3.4. Resource directories.
1.5.10.3.5. Protocols.
1.5.10.3.6. Guidelines.
1.5.10.3.7. Posters.
1.5.10.3.8. Reports.
1.5.10.4. The selected Vendor must not reproduce any materials produced under the contract without prior written approval from the Department.
1.5.11. Reporting
1.5.11.1. The selected Vendor must submit a monthly report within 10 days of the end of each month, that is no more than five (5) pages in length, that outlines:
1.5.11.1.1. Objectives and progress; and
1.5.11.1.2. Fiscal reports specific to the funding award, including invoices and activities.
1.5.11.2. The selected Vendor must provide key data in the monthly report within 10 days of the end of each month, on the following:
1.5.11.2.1. Objective Progression.
1.5.11.2.2. Outcomes of research performed to identify and recruit people from communities most affected by mpox, including any barriers to recruitment.
1.5.11.2.3. Represented communities participating in the development of communication tool(s).
1.5.11.2.4. Retention of participants in this process.
1.5.11.2.5. Participant input/feedback and final decisions made in the communication tool(s) development.
1.5.11.2.6. Progress of communication tool(s) development.
1.5.11.2.7. Evaluation of developed communication tool(s), including accessibility as described in Section 1.5.4.
1.5.11.3. The selected Vendor may be required to provide other data and metrics to the Department in a format specified by the Department.