A14_MR_RFI_FEDTalent_Final_1.docx

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FEDTALENT LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

October 29, 2024

I. INTRODUCTION:

The Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Service Directorate (AQD) is currently conducting market research as part of its effort to find a cutting edge, modernized, and technically superior enterprise talent management system for our FedTalent Learning Management System (LMS), which hosts approximately 125,000 user accounts.

IBC is an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) authorized Shared Service Provider (SSP) that provides systems and services to its parent, DOI, and 52 other federal agencies (customers). The FedTalent program currently provides standalone instances for 15 customers, which includes a production and a staging environment for each customer for a total of 30 customer environments. In addition, the FedTalent program has 5 other test and training environments for internal support purposes.

IBC is seeking an enterprise-scale talent management system/LMS that can assume responsibility for expanding, optimizing, modernizing, operating, and continuously improving the FedTalent LMS capabilities. This includes the common shared services that will allow IBC to reduce complexity, increase security, eliminate duplication of effort, and increase IBC-wide adoption of the enterprise talent management system.

IBC is requesting information on a talent management system that integrates performance, development, and succession planning. The system should improve productivity, align employee and organizational goals, provide data-driven insights, and enhance engagement and efficiency. Please include details on system capabilities, user experience, scalability, and features for workforce optimization.

II. REQUIREMENTS:

IBC is seeking information from the vendor community to find a cutting edge, modernized, and technically superior enterprise talent management system for our LMS, FedTalent program.

III. REQUIREMENT SCOPE:

The system should support both on-premises and cloud deployment, with a planned transition to cloud within the first year. Key focus areas include multi-tenancy, integration capabilities, content support, accessibility, security, and FedRAMP compliance.

IBC is seeking information about a modern, integrated learning management solution that transforms how our client organizations develop and engages their workforce. As a system service provider, the solution will be administered by our IBC experts and the ideal system will serve as a centralized hub for learning, competency management, skills assessment, and career development, while seamlessly connecting with our existing Human Resources (HR) ecosystem and Information Technology Active Directories. Flexible opportunity to develop unique Application Programing Interfaces (API) should be part of the respondent’s solution. The solution should provide employees opportunity to identify skill gaps, and access targeted development opportunities through an intuitive, user-friendly interface. For managers, the system should provide comprehensive tools for learning and development, talent assessment, and team development, supported by robust analytics and reporting capabilities. The solution must be flexible enough to accommodate individual agency unique branding and policy.

The transition period currently being considered is:

· Initial deployment: On-premises in a DOI Data Center

· Year 2: Transition to cloud

· Years 2-3: Cloud environment optimization using Cloud Native Design principles

IV. REQUIREMENTS/KEY FEATURES

1. Accessibility and Compliance

· VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) required

· Must comply with Section 508 and W3C standards

· FedRAMP compliance preferred

2. Hosting and Administration

· On-premises hosting capability required (in federal cloud)

· Local system administration and programming enhancement by IBC

3. Multi-Tenancy and Scalability

· Support multiple tenants (200 to 200K Users/Learners)

· Secure data isolation between clients

4. Integration Capabilities

· Multiple SSO/SAML environments

· HR systems

· Vendor content libraries (e.g., LinkedIn, Precipio, Coursera)

· Financial management systems

· Flexible API and LTI capabilities

5. Learning Content Support

· Asynchronous courses

· Micro-learning

· Instructional videos

· E-books

· Live content

· SCORM, xAPI/Tin Can, and H5P compatibility

6. Virtual Learning Integration

· Microsoft Teams

· Zoom

· Other virtual learning creation tools

7. User Management and Access Control

· User registration and authentication

· Role-based access control

· SSO integration

· User profile management

· Account merging capabilities

8. Course Management

· Course creation and customization tools

· Content upload and organization

· Course scheduling and calendar integration

· Learning path creation

· Content server infrastructure for SCORM courses

9. Content Delivery

· Support for various content types

· Mobile-responsive design

· Offline content access and synchronization

· Content versioning and updates

10. Assessment and Evaluation

· Quiz and test creation tools

· Assignment submission and grading

· Automated grading capabilities

· Progress tracking and reporting

11. Collaboration and Communication

· Discussion forums

· Live chat or messaging system

· Virtual classrooms or webinar integration

· Group project tools

12. Reporting and Analytics

· Customizable dashboards

· Learner progress and performance reports

· Completion and compliance tracking

· Data export capabilities

13. Integration and Interoperability

· API for custom integrations

· LDAP/Active Directory integration

· HR system integration

· Support for standard e-learning formats

14. Security and Compliance

· Data encryption (in transit and at rest)

· Regular security updates and patches

· Compliance with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)

· Audit logs and user activity tracking

15. Customization and Branding

· White-labeling options

· Custom themes and UI modifications

· Multilingual support

· Configurable workflows and processes

16. System Administration

· Backup and restore functionality

· Performance monitoring tools

· Scalability features

· On-premises deployment details

17. Support and Maintenance

· Documentation and knowledge base

· Technical support options

· Regular updates and feature enhancements

· Training for administrators and end-users

V. SECURITY STANDARDS

· Compliance with NIST SP 800-53 or FedRAMP-aligned controls

· Detailed system security plans and policies

· Recent third-party security assessments

· Process for security updates and patch management

VI. COMPANY INFORMATION AND CAPABILITY STATEMENT

Please provide the following information:

1. Company Name:

2. Unique Entity ID:

3. Address (Including Telephone Number and Email Address):

4. Points of Contact:

5. Provide the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s) which match the above work description.

6. Based on the above NAICS Codes, state whether your company is:

· Small Business

· Woman-Owned Small Business

· Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business

· Small Disadvantaged Business

· 8(a)

· HUBZone

· Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

· Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises

7. Description of your company’s primary business product/service line.

8. Are your services available on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule? If yes, provide the contract number(s) and corresponding NAICS Code(s).

9. Are your services available through any other Government contract vehicles? For example, National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (NASA SEWP) government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) GWACs, etc. If yes, provide the contract number(s) and corresponding NAICS Code(s).

10. Capability Statement

VII. VENDOR ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS

Depending on the responses received to this RFI, IBC may conduct vendor one-on-one sessions, not to exceed four hours, with each interested vendor separately through a Microsoft Teams meeting. This will provide an opportunity to further discuss the vendor’s response, capabilities, and lessons learned for these types of services outlined in the RFI. Vendor one-on-one sessions, if held, are anticipated to be held in January 2024 and February 2025.

VIII. RESPONSE GUILDELINES & FORMAT

Respondents are urged to respond to this RFI in accordance with the instructions provided below.

Outline how you would envision your company’s areas of expertise would meet the specific requirements contained in this RFI.

Interested firms responding to this RFI must provide a solution as it pertains to the requirements of this RFI. The responses shall be in sufficient enough detail, but not exceed 5 pages TOTAL, so that the Government can determine if Industry has a solution to the RFI requirements.

We welcome diverse submission formats to help us fully understand your capabilities. Here are some ways to showcase your solution:

1. Written Submissions

· Demonstrating your technical approach and methodology

· User story papers showing real-world applications

· Case studies highlighting implementation success

· Capability statements

2. Visual Demonstrations

· Product walkthrough videos (10-15 minutes recommended)

· Solution architecture diagrams

· Interface screenshots

· Process flow visualizations

3. Interactive Elements

· Access to sandbox environment for hands-on exploration

· Guided demo sessions

· Sample data sets

· Interactive tutorials

4. Supporting Evidence

· Client testimonials

· Performance metrics

· Success stories Choose the format(s) that best showcase your solution's strengths. Multiple formats are welcome but not required. Focus on demonstrating how your solution meets our requirements rather than submitting in every format.

IX. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is to determine available sources and their capability to provide the product or service described above. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation and is not an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and services discussed in this notice. Submission of a response to this RFI is entirely voluntary. The voluntary submissions of answers to this RFI shall not obligate IBC to pay or entitle the submitter of information to claim any direct or indirect costs, charges, or other compensation whatsoever.

For clarification, respondents are advised the Government will not pay for any information provided, the use of such information, the preparation of such information, travel expenses, nor any administrative costs incurred in response to this market research. All costs associated with responding to this market research will be solely at the interested parties’ expense.

Any information considered proprietary should be noted via appropriate markings. The Government will use such information only to inform and support any potential solicitation and contract or for such other purposes as described herein.

Not responding to this market research does not preclude participation in any future request for proposal (RFP) or request for quotation (RFQ), if any is issued. Were the Government to issue an RFP or RFQ for the acquisition of IBC FedTalent Learning Management System, any such solicitation may include but not be limited to additional requirements for procurement of the required LMS, system installation, training, and on-site Interim Contractor Support. Respondents need not address any of these elements in their RFI submission.

This is market research, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. The Government does not intend to award a contract/order based on responses received from this market research effort. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback with respect to any information submitted.

X. RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Companies interested in responding to this notice may reply on or before 4:00 pm ET December 13, 2024. All aforementioned items included in this notice shall be addressed. Please upload all files to https://doi-ibc.app.box.com/f/c7b059c0cd274b5c8e69655d50de5c1b . If you have any question, please reach out to Matthew Wilson at matthew_wilson@ibc.doi.gov. Interested parties should avoid including any classified, business confidential, and/or proprietary information in its response. However, if an interested firm must submit such information, that information must be clearly marked. The Government will review the information and safeguard it appropriately.

Submission transmitted via facsimile (fax) will not be accepted.

Should any submissions be received after the date and time stated above, the Government reserves the right not to review the response.

XI. APPENDIX A VOLUNTARY PRODUCT ACESSIBILITY CONSIDERATION

Considerations when reviewing the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) for section 508 compliance or W3C standard alignment.

1. Web Content Accessibility: Compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

2. Software Applications and Operating Systems: Accessibility of the LMS interface.

3. Functional Performance Criteria: How the LMS performs for users with different abilities.

4. Documentation and Support: Accessibility of user manuals and support services.

5. Specific LMS Features to Consider

When reviewing a VPAT for an LMS, pay attention to:

a. User Interface:

· Keyboard navigation

· Screen reader compatibility

· Color contrast and text sizing options

b. Content Creation Tools:

· Ability to add alt text to images

· Captioning tools for videos

· Accessibility checkers for created content

c. Assessment Tools:

· Compatibility with assistive technologies

· Time extension options for users who need it

d. Communication Features:

· Accessibility of chat, forums, and collaboration tools

e. Mobile Accessibility:

· Responsive design

· Touch-friendly interface

f. Customization Options:

· Ability to adjust font sizes, colors, and contrast image1.png