Request for Information - GRFP Ops-Tech.pdf

RFI – 49100424K0019

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

1. BACKGROUND

The purpose of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a U.S. National Science Foundation-wide program that provides Fellowships to individuals early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant research achievements in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education.

The NSF GRFP was established in 1950 under Section 10 of the NSF Act of 1950. GRFP is led and managed by the Division of Graduate Education (DGE) in the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) which is responsible for initiating and supporting programs to strengthen science education in the United States at all educational levels (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1861-1875).

The program has offered more than 70,000 fellowships since 1952. The program currently receives about 13,000 applications and awards 2,000 fellowships annually. The services encompassed by this Statement of Work include support for the following activities: developing application materials;

disseminating publicity materials and representing the program through web-based and social media outreach in coordination with NSF as appropriate; communicating with potential applicants, reference writers, and reviewers; determining that the applications are eligible for review in accordance with NSF GRFP criteria; readying the applications for review; and providing statistical summaries of data collected in the application materials and reviewer registrations.

The services related to application evaluation include recruiting and maintaining a database of potential reviewers; obtaining commitments from reviewers willing to evaluate GRFP applications;

providing administrative support to the program and reviewers during the review period and the entire competition; providing reports of review outcomes; and completing certain related and ancillary activities. Extensive reports and data are provided to NSF for use in selecting Fellow candidates and in assisting with NSF's post-award administration of the Fellowships.

Currently, GRFP receives contractor support from Professional Management Consulting Services, LLC.

These services were procured via an 8a directed award; award number is 49100424C0024.

2. DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK

NSF/EDU has a continuing need for operational and technical support to support the activities through GRFP’s annual program cycle.

The following are the minimum technical requirements/capabilities for the GRFP operational and technical support (see Attachment 1-Statement of Work for further details):

• Develop program materials and online platforms

• Conduct program publicity and outreach

• Answer inquiries

• Coordinate with NSF to develop the list of potential reviewers

• Compliance and eligibility check of application materials

• Support NSF's merit review process for the GRFP

• Perform related administrative services

• Ensure contract deliverables are accessible

3. REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI

NSF encourages any interested organizations to submit a Capability Statement to the individual identified in Section 4 below via email by the response date.

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

The Capability Statement shall clearly identify the following, regarding the interested organization(s):

1. Name, Address, Point of Contact;

2. Size Standard and applicable NAICS codes for the proposed requirement;

3. Identify if you have an applicable GSA Schedule Contract, Best in Class or Government wide

Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) vehicle for the requirement identified in Section 2 and Attachment 1-Statement of Work;

4. Identify all applicable classifications for your organization, such as:

a. Small Business

b. Woman-owned business

c. 8(a) business

d. Other than small business

e. Small disadvantaged business

f. HUBZone business

g. SDVOB business

h. Non-profit

5. Technical expertise and/or approach relevant to one or more of the needs listed in Section 2 above and Attachment 1-Statement of Work to include capability to develop/maintain/update and facilitate the transition of GRFP’s online system (websites/portals/databases) and manage the general nature of the system), build necessary tools to analyze/evaluate applicant data and develop selection algorithm for applicants, and recruiting/identifying/maintaining qualified, potential reviewers.

6. Relevant past performance. Your capability statement needs to include a list of three customers (Government/non-Government) within the past three (3) years highlighting similar work in nature, scope, complexity, and difficulty and a brief description of the scope of work. Your submission for relevant past performance must include for each customer:

• Contract name;

• Contracting Agency or Department, POC and contact information;

• Yearly contract value (in $);

• Whether your firm was the prime or a subcontractor;

• Period of performance;

• Description of work and how it relates to the requirements.

7. Questions regarding one or more of the needs listed in Section 2 above or Attachment 1- Statement of Work.

A response shall be submitted as either a Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe PDF document and should not exceed ten (10) pages in length, 12-point standard font.

Do not submit resumes, marketing materials, slide presentations, or technical papers.

After reviewing the responses, the NSF:

• May or may not choose to meet with responders. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability and issues;

• Continue to refine the objectives of the requirement and/or associated tasks;

• May or may not choose to solicit quotes to procure one or more tasks/objectives identified in

Section 2; and

• May or may not provide responses to questions submitted as part of responses to this RFI.

The NSF is not obligated to contact any or all respondents, hold meetings with any or all respondents, or solicit proposals as a result of this request. NSF will not reimburse costs associated with responding to this request and does not intend to pay for the information received.

******* Additional NAICS Codes that may be applicable to any potential future requirement ******* NAICS Code Description 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

3. RFI Due Date and Contact Info for Submission: All Interested parties should provide responses to the contact representative below by email.

Contact Information: Angela Johnson anjohnso@nsf.gov

Responses must be received by: 12:00 p.m. ET May 16, 2024

Subject line shall reference RFI no. 49100424K0019

Attachment 1 DRAFT Statement of Work mailto:anjohnso@nsf.gov