2024-07-09 RFI Congressional Training.docx

Request for Information Congressional Training for NSF Staff National Science Foundation

Request for Information 49100424K0028 NSF is seeking capability statements from all interested vendors to deliver a course to help NSF staff have a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which congressional actions affect the daily operations of NSF and other departments and agencies.

This request for information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and is to allow the industry the opportunity to submit responses describing their relevant capabilities – it does not constitute a request for proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Background The NSF contracts with vendors to provide training to NSF’s unique workforce of approximately 1,800 persons of federal employees, fellows, and Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignees. All staff would be covered under the full scope of the contract.

Program Information At a minimum, NSF is seeking a vendor to provide the services listed below.

Deliver a course to help NSF staff have a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which congressional actions affect the daily operations of NSF and other departments and agencies.

The course will cover the following topics:

· How agencies work with Congress

· Legislative, budget, and appropriations processes

· History, culture, and role of Congress

· Role of the member and their staff, to include interest in federal funding for scientific research within their Congressional district

· Role of congressional committees and staff

· Political dynamics of the current Congress

· Political dynamics between the current Administration and Congress

· Impact of election cycle on Congressional operations Facilitators and speakers will have significant expertise on the topic and an understanding of how related congressional actions affect the daily operations of NSF and other departments and agencies. Facilitators and speakers may include:

· Persons with significant experience studying Congress such as political scientists

· Members of Congress and their staff

· Current and former Congressional committee staff from the following committees:

· Senate or House Appropriations and/or Budget

· House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

· Senate Committee on Appropriations; Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

· Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

· Other persons with significant experience working on NSF matters with Congress Course must include dedicated time for participants to observe Congressional hearings and/or floor action. Given this requirement, the location of the training must be within 0.5 miles of the U.S. Capitol.

The duration of the course will be 4 consecutive days, at least 7 hours per day.

Submission Requirements No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. Interested vendors having the required specialized capabilities to meet the above requirement should submit a response to this RFI. The draft statement of work for this requirement is attached. Please follow the instructions and include all content requirements listed below.

a. Instructions:

1. Responses shall be concise and compliant with the content requirements

2. Responses shall not exceed 10 pages

3. Responses shall be provided in 12-point font with Times Roman font type

4. Generic sales brochures, video, and other marketing information are not solicited and will not be reviewed

5. Do not submit cost or price information with the response

6. A viable interested party shall demonstrate the company’s capability to successfully perform the NSF’s requirements

b. Content:

1. Cover Page with Corporate information as follows:

Corporate Information:

i. Company name and address

ii. Name of company representative, business title, and email address

iii. Business size under NAICS code 611430 – Professional and Management Development Training

iv. Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number

v. Applicable contract vehicles your company has on which services are currently offered (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC)

2. Table of Contents – the table of contents should include the sections below.

i. Section 1 – Information about Current or Previous Similar Work – Provide a description of work including duration, topics covered, qualifications for the facilitators and speakers, including their education, credentials, and level of experience, and how many government employees were trained. Include the NAICS code you provided services under

ii. Section 2 – Vendor’s capability to deliver training within 0.5 miles of the U.S. Capitol

iii. Potential concerns or risks that you have encountered or foresee

All responses shall be submitted to Katrina Barry via email at kbarry@nsf.gov , no later than 9:00 AM on July 24, 2024. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this RFI.