Request for Information_SAP_NCSES.pdf

REQUEST FOR

INFORMATION

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ). 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 2018 Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, also referred to as the Evidence Act, requires that a Standard Application Process (SAP) be developed for requests for confidential data from federal statistical agencies. This legislation applies to statistical agencies that are covered under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA). This standard process includes a single point of entry for data requests, a single application, and a standard set of criteria used to evaluate each application. This standard process is designed to streamline the application process and make it easier for data users to apply for data from federal agencies.

In addition to the legislation, a policy provides guidelines for the implementation of this standard process.

This policy, M-23-04, was issued by OMB in 2022 and includes required functionality for the SAP, governance, and criteria used to review applications for confidential data.

In order to operationalize this Standard Application Process, an online portal researchdatagov.org was created and officially rolled out in December of 2022. This SAP portal is intended to serve as the ‘front door’ to apply for access to confidential data from 16 federal statistical agencies and units.

The SAP creates a single application portal for applying for access to federal confidential data assets from the nation’s federal statistical agencies and units. It standardizes the application forms, determination criteria, and review timeframes across agencies when applying for access to any federal restricted-use data asset.

By streamlining data discovery and standardizing the application process, the SAP promotes civic engagement, increases transparency, and supports private-sector decision-making, basic research, and policymaking at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.

Applicants are able to:

• Browse a metadata inventory of confidential data assets

• Determine whether the confidential data asset is appropriate for their use case

• Apply for that data using a common application

• Track application status/progress and results

Individuals interested in applying for access to restricted data go to the online portal. Once there, they can search for data using an extensive metadata catalog of data offered by the statistical agencies. The catalog provides information about each dataset, such as a description of the data, what agency holds the data, who needs to approve, information about how it was collected, and technical documentation.

Once the data is selected, the applicant completes an online application describing who will be working on the research and the nature of the research. Once the application is completed, they submit the https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/M-23-04.pdf http://www.researchdatagov.org/ application, and the application is routed to the agencies whose data is being requested for their review.

Agencies then review and provide feedback and an approval or denial, based on standard criteria.

2. DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK

An online portal does currently exist (researchdatagov.org) with some of the functionality described in this project for the Standard Application Process (SAP).

The objective of this project is to develop a new online SAP portal that allows users to search for confidential data held by federal statistical agencies, apply for access to that data, and allows data providers to review those applications and render a decision. This portal supports the implementation of Section 3583 of the Foundations for Evidence-based Policymaking Act of 2018.

The new online SAP portal will also extend beyond the current online portal’s capabilities. This includes the expansion to non-statistical and state agencies in the future as well as additional functionality and higher workloads. The new online SAP portal will allow users to access a metadata catalog of federal statistical agency data assets. Users will be able to apply for access to data by completing an application and submitting it to the relevant agencies. Data providers will be able to access these applications, review them, provide feedback when needed, and render a final decision.

3. REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI

NSF is requesting businesses 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 Governmentwide

Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) vehicle for the requirement identified in Section 4;

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. Specify whether your company is capable of performing the entire scope of work outlined in Section 2 or only a portion. If only a portion, identify what portion(s) your company is capable of performing.

6. Technical expertise relevant to one or more of the needs listed in Section 2 above. Technical expertise/RFI response should address the following:

a. Does the contractor have the ability to host a website that provides the capabilities outlined in Section (2) of the RFI?

file://ad.nsf.gov/NSF/Divisions/NCSESPUB/DACQA/SAP%20Contract/researchdatagov.org

b. Does the contractor have demonstrated capability to develop software and/or configure open-source or commercial off the shelf software for information collections and workflows?

c. Does the contractor have experience meeting 508(c) compliance requirements?

d. Is the contractor personnel skilled appropriately to meet the requirements outlined in

Section (2) of the RFI?

e. Does the contractor have database management experience?

f. Does the contractor have experience with agile development?

g. Does the contractor have the ability to develop a website that adheres to federal and agency security standards and protocols, including the ability to provide secure account credentials, digital signatures, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and handle moderate level data?

h. Does the contractor have the ability to develop a metrics dashboard and provide reporting capability?

A response shall be submitted as either a Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe PDF document and should not exceed five (5) 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 proposals to procure one or more tasks identified in Section 2;

and

• Will 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 541500 Computer Systems Design and Related Services

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

Contact Information: Bethany Stutler bstutler@nsf.gov Responses must be received by: 2:00 p.m. ET

Wednesday, 31 July 2024

Subject line shall reference RFI no. 49100424K0030

ATTACHMENT 1-DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK

mailto:bstutler@nsf.gov