Specifications include, but are not limited to:. Proposer will provide services and expertise in the areas of federal agency outreach, strategic teaming, and congressional relations for the purposes of supporting University of Arkansas/Division of Agriculture (UA) research initiatives. Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: Task 1: Federal Agency Outreach to Preposition for Funding Opportunities Contractor must have a demonstrable understanding of UA research, including its principal investigators, capacity, and potential. Contractor shall assist UA principal investigators to build relationships with federal program managers in areas of interest to UA. Focus areas include (but are not limited to) advanced materials and nanotechnology, food and agriculture, photonics, energy and renewable energy, and supply chain/logistics. Federal agencies of particular interest include Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Department of Transportation and National Institute of Health. The contractor shall (at a minimum): Interact regularly with UAprincipal investigators, center directors, and administrators to advise on federal research priorities, funding, agency trends, political factors, and other developments that impact ongoing research and relate to future research opportunities. Identify program managers and federal officials across federal agencies and deliver to UA recommendations on engagement. Facilitate and lead visits/discussions involving UA principal investigators and administrators with federal program managers and agency officials. Provide federal program development workshops/training to UA principal investigators. Identify grant and funding assessments to highlight specific opportunities for UA and provide weekly analysis of research opportunities across all relevant federal departments and agencies. Task 2: Strategic Teaming The contractor shall leverage its network and use its understanding of federal agency interests to assist the UA to team strategically for the pursuit of research opportunities and technology transfer. The contractor must know UA strengths and research objectives and recommend private sector and government collaborators.
