A16PS00371_-_Sources_Sought_Notice.pdf

SPECIAL HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHEP) AND LOAN FOR SERVICE PROGRAM (LFS)

Solicitation Number:

A16PS00371

Notice Type:

Sources Sought

Synopsis:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ISSUED TO NATIVE OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES OR NATIVE OWNED BUSINESSES, WITH THE INTENT TO CONDUCT A MARKET RESEARCH STUDY FOR AN ANTICIPATED ASSESSMENT SERVICES CONTRACT FOR

BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION (BIE) STUDENTS.

The information received will be used within the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Reston, Virginia, to facilitate the decision making process and will not be disclosed outside of the organization. This announcement is not a request for proposals, but a survey of the market for potential sources. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose other than market research. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

Indian Affairs Central Office, Reston, VA is seeking qualified Indian-owned and non-Indian owned entities with current relevant experience, personnel, and capability to provide Special Higher Education Program (SHEP) and Loan for Service Program (LFS) services IAW the information provided in this RFI.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of responsible non-native American firms and firms that also quality as Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) under the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C. 47) to compete for and perform a Firm Fixed Price Contract for Special Higher Education Program (SHEP) (primary North American Industrial Classification System NAICS Code 611710 with a size standard of $15 Million, Education Support Services).

The following objectives will comprise the contract:

The objective of this program was and continues to be providing financial assistance to eligible American

Indian and Alaskan Native students pursuing degrees at the graduate level. The specific purpose of this contract is to provide professional administration of SHEP so as to benefit the maximum number of eligible American Indian and Alaskan Native students. Allowable administrative costs in this contract are for program marketing and outreach to students, scholarship administration, academic and professional advice to students, and reporting. Additionally, the contractor is encouraged to seek additional funding from other sources to supplement fellowship and LFS funding.

Special Higher Education Program

The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, materials, equipment, services, and facilities to perform the following:

5.1. The contractor shall provide comprehensive services to eligible applicants upon their acceptance and enrollment in, and leading to the successful completion of, graduate level programs. For the purpose of this contract, Financial Assistance shall be referred to as FELLOWSHIPS and awardees shall be referred to as FELLOWS.

The contractor shall administer the graduate fellowship grants to eligible students. Administration shall include all activities related to receiving and evaluation of applications, determining awardees, computation of award amounts and disbursement of award payments.

The contractor shall establish and maintain contact with the applicants' respective institutions for the purpose the administration of the contract objectives.

The contractor shall establish and maintain information going back at least five (5) years that will provide the number of fellows that have been funded by SHEP. The contractor will collect data from existing files on the number of graduate students that have been awarded, field of study, type of degree, school attended, number of bar exams - (passed & failed). This information will be used by BlE for reports to Congress, referrals for employment and other reports needed to maintain adequate records. The contractor shall use Microsoft Office or compatible software which shall be designated by the Bureau to ensure compatibility with the Bureau's system for storing collected data.

The contractor shall provide student support services and related activities that will aid fellows in the completion of their degree programs. This shall include but not be limited to assisting with problems at their college, recommending tutorial assistance when needed, and providing advice regarding academic and financial questions. Since SHEP is a national program, contractor support services by their very nature will be required to be provided by telephone, correspondence, newsletters, workshops, and regional and national meeting.

The contractor shall establish and maintain a database on all fellows who graduate. This data will provide statistical information that will help evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of SHEP. This database shall be formatted and shall use Microsoft Office or compatible software which shall be designated by the Bureau to ensure compatibility with the Bureau's system for storing collected data.

a. Contractor will all make all reasonable attempts using telephone, email, and mail to confirm completion of degree programs and conferred degrees, and report this information to the

BIE.

The contractor shall provide financial assistance to fellows who take the bar examination following their date of graduation. SHEP support for fellows who are preparing to take the bar examination shall be limited to one calendar year from date of graduation and shall be for only one Bar Examination (i.e. only for one state).

5.2. The period of this contract is to begin July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 with the

Government having the right to exercise four (4) potential option years. The academic terms for the base year contract and possible subsequent option years shall be stated in terms of the semester or equivalent academic terms covered by this contract and shall include:

Base Period - Fall 2016; Spring and Summer 2017 Option Year 1 - Fall 2017; Spring and Summer 2018 Option Year 2 - Fall 2018; Spring and Summer 2019 Option Year 3 - Fall 2019; Spring and Summer 2020 Option Year 4 - Fall 2020; Spring and Summer 2021

NOTE: Summer awards to SHEP students are subject to and conditioned upon the availability of funds, and shall be made available only to continuing students whose summer enrollment is required or will result in completion of their degree at the end of the summer term. Summer semester funds are not available through the Loan For Service. LFS funds at the end of each academic year will be considered funds available for the next year LFS awards. (Summer awarding does not convert easily to loan payback status).

5.3. Program Requirements

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for assistance from funds appropriated to the Bureau of Indian Education

SHEP, an applicant:

Must be an enrolled member of a federally-recognized American Indian tribe or Alaskan Native group in the United States, or possess 1/4 degree (federally-recognized) Indian blood;

Must be (or will be) pursuing a masters or doctorate or professional degree as a full-time graduate student at an accredited graduate school in the United States (see accreditation in application instructions); and

Must apply for campus-based aid through the federal financial aid process at the university financial aid office.

Application Forms: Only forms approved by the BIE will be used for fellowships under this contract. The application packet consists of the Application Form, Financial Need Form (FNF), Tribal Eligibility

Certification Form (TEC), Three Acknowledgment Postcards (for the Application, FNF & TEC), and

Instructions. The continuing student application packet consists of the Continuing Student Update Form

(CSU), Financial Need Form (FNF), Two Acknowledgment Postcards (for the CSU & FNF), and

Instructions. These forms have previously been approved by BIE in the administration of BIE's graduate fellowship program.

Application Fee: There shall be a one-time, non-refundable, application fee of $15 that must be submitted with each application. The application will not be processed without an application fee.

Funds collected from application fees will be used to provide additional fellowships. Application fees shall be placed in an interest bearing account and all interest derived from such fees shall be used for additional fellowships. Contractor shall report all application fees taken in plus all interest derived from such fees.

Closing Dates for Filing Applications

Application for a fellowship must be received by the contractor on or before: (1) First working day in

June for the next academic year, or (2) March 15 or closest working day for summer term as appropriate.

Applications received after the above closing date will be considered only if funds are available after fellowships have been awarded to eligible applicants who met the deadline, Continuing students must submit a Continuing Student Update Form for a fellowship each academic ear.

A separate application must be submitted for the summer.

Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of an application by sending an Acknowledgment Postcard within ten (10) calendar days of receipt.

Application for Campus-based Aid and Other Sources of Assistance

To assure consideration of funding, applicants must understand that they are required to apply for federal financial aid and campus based aid no later than the first working day in June for the next academic year. The contractor shall inform all applicants that they should begin the financial aid process in January and meet their institution's deadline for financial aid submission.

In order to be considered for a fellowship under this contract, an applicant must apply for all available campus-based financial aid for which they may be eligible. Although not required, applicants are encouraged to apply for all financial assistance.

If an applicant accepts loans, the amount of the loan must be counted as a resource. If College Work Study (CWS) is awarded, it will be counted unless the student's advisor or department recommends the student not accept CWS because of their academic load. If CWS is considered income for the next academic year, it will not be counted as current resource.

After all the federal financial information is received by an applicant's institution, the financial need form shall be completed by the institution's financial aid office and forwarded to AIGC for processing.

Determination of Eligibility and Amount of Fellowship Grant: The determination of an applicant's eligibility and the size of the possible fellowship to be made under this contract rest solely with the contractor. The eligibility determination shall be made by the contractor on the basis of review of the applicant's application as provided in the paragraph below. The Government shall not be held liable for any disputes arising between the applicant and the contractor as it pertains to this program.

5.4 Application Review

The contractor shall first determine if the applicant is eligible by applying the standard of "Eligible

Applicants". If the applicant is deemed eligible and the contractor has received a complete application packet consisting of-

a. A fully completed and signed application form

b. A Certificate of Tribal Eligibility indicating the applicant is an enrolled member of a federally-recognized tribe in the United States or 1/4 degree (federally-recognized) Indian blood

c. A financial need form prepared by the institution's financial aid office indicating the applicant has applied for federal financial aid and campus-based aid. It must show the cost of attendance less resources which will indicate the applicant's unmet financial need. The contractor will consult with the preparing financial aid office where any questions or special situations regarding the applicant's financial need are not clear. Any additions or deletions to costs or resources must be supported with documentation from the preparing financial aid office or other directly involved party. Contractor may recalculate unmet need based on the criteria cited in Section 5.3. Completed applications will be reviewed on an individual basis and approved or disapproved by the contractor.

Applications shall be evaluated based on unmet financial need and academic field of study. Tribal affiliation shall be recorded for reporting purposes.

Applicants who possess "terminal" degrees are not eligible for SHEP and all doctoral degrees are considered terminal degrees. The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is considered a terminal degree for purposes of this contract, except that an applicant who possesses a J.D. may be funded subsequently for a Masters of

Laws program (LL.M.).

Fellowship Award or Denial

Upon finding that an applicant is eligible for a fellowship, the contractor shall award a fellowship, which when combined with the applicants other resources, shall not exceed the applicant's total financial need as determined by the institution's financial aid office.

Notification of Award: The contractor shall notify each applicant and the institution financial aid office in writing by sending a Fellowship Award Agreement indicating the award amount and conditions that must be agreed to and followed if the applicant accepts the fellowship.

Notification of Denial: The contractor shall notify each applicant in writing of the denial. For those applicants that receive a denial notice, a statement of their right to appeal the determination is indicated along with appeal procedures. The contractor calls this process a "Request for

Reconsideration".

5.5 Payment of Fellowship

Before a fellowship disbursement, the contractor shall receive a graduate acceptance letter from the applicant's institution indicating they are admitted as a full-time student in an accredited graduate or doctoral program.

Fellowships will be paid by check, co-issued to the applicant and institution, and then mailed to the financial aid office on a semester or quarterly basis. Each check will be accompanied by a transmittal that identifies the student or students funded, and the amount of each student’s award included in the payment.

If an institution notifies the contractor in writing that they are unable to disburse funds in excess of direct costs to contractor fellows, the contractor may issue the check directly to the fellow with the requirement that the fellow provides evidence of good standing financially with the institution on a timely basis.

Financial aid offices will disburse the fellowships issued under this contract to the recipient according to the disbursement policy of the institution.

Refund of Fellowship Award Required in Certain Circumstances: When a recipient of a fellowship does not enroll in a higher education institution, the award check shall be returned to the contractor. Any refunds received from a student or school during the contract period may be re-deposited through the contractor's financial system and awarded to eligible students in future academic terms.

Academic Standards: Fellows will continue to be eligible for assistance as long as they maintain the academic requirement stipulated by the program and institution they are attending. Fellowship recipients must meet the following academic requirements:

Maintain a 3.0 GPA and be a full-time student in their field of study. However, the contractor will defer to the academic standards of the institution. If the grading system of the institution differs from the traditional letter grade, the contractor shall consult with the institution to evaluate academic performance and progress.

Law schools typically require a 2.0 or better average for satisfactory progress.

If the fellow is not receiving grade reports, an official written report by academic term from the institution is necessary. The department or graduate advisor must confirm the student is full-time and academic progress was satisfactory.

All fellows are required to submit enrollment forms and grade reports for each term they are awarded.

Effect of Academic Suspension or Probation: Fellows will continue to be eligible as long as they meet the academic standards. However:

A recipient who does not meet the academic standards will be placed on probation for the next academic term. During the probation term, the recipient can receive support, but must complete any past deficiencies and complete the probation term as a full-time student in good academic standing.

A recipient who does not complete a term as a full-time student will be placed on probation for the next academic term. During the probation term, the recipient can receive assistance, but must attain the academic standard and be full-time during the probation term to be removed from probation.

A recipient who is on probation and fails to meet the academic requirement during the probation term will be suspended from receiving any assistance for one year. Before receiving additional assistance they must be in good academic standing.

Maximum Periods of Eligibility: Fellows are eligible for assistance as long as they maintain the academic requirements in "Academic Standards" are making progress toward their degree and have not yet reached the maximum terms of support as follows:

Two academic years (four semesters or six quarters) for a masters degree. The only exceptions are the Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Masters of Architecture (MAA) which will be three academic years (six semester or nine quarters).

Four academic years (eight semester or twelve quarters) for a doctorate degree (Ph.D.).

Four academic years including summers (twelve semesters or sixteen quarters) for Medicine (MD), Osteopathic (DO), Dentistry (DDS), Chiropractic and Veterinary degrees.

Candidates for graduate Pharmacy, pharmacology and Pharmacy Assistant degrees must have completed a minimum of 125 undergraduate level credits to be eligible for graduate funding.

Three academic years (six semesters or nine quarters) for a law degree (JD). SHEP support for fellows who are preparing to take the bar examination shall be limited to two calendar years from date of graduation and shall be for only one Bar Examination (i.e. only for one state).

Fellowship support shall terminate when the fellow receives the degree being sought.

Fellows working on a dual degree may receive funding to the term limits of the highest degree.

5.6. Loan for Service Program

The specific purpose of the loan program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate and professional degree candidates to promote opportunities for careers with tribal governments, Bureau of Indian Education and Bureau of Indian Education funded organizations on and off reservation. Employment with other federal and state agencies and private entities may be eligible if the organization's primary mission is assistance and support to tribal communities or individuals.

The contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel with expertise in financial aid, scholarships, loans, and student services, including one program employee plus administrative support; materials, equipment, services, and facilities to perform the following:

a. The contractor shall provide comprehensive services to eligible applicants upon their acceptance and enrollment in, and leading to the successful completion of, graduate level programs. For the purpose of this contract, the financial assistance provided to American Indian and Alaska Native (federally recognized tribes) graduate students shall be referred to as THE LOAN and awardees shall be referred to as FELLOWS.

b. The contractor shall provide a Loan for Service Program to eligible applicants and attract them to careers within the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Bureau of Indian Education or eligible BIA/BIE-funded organizations or on reservations.

c. The contractor shall administer the Loan for Service Program to eligible students.

Administration shall include all activities related to receiving and evaluation of applications, determination of eligibility, selection of fellows, computation of loan amounts, and disbursement of loans.

d. The contractor shall establish and maintain contact with applicants' and fellows' respective institutions for the purpose of the administration of the contract objectives.

e. The contractor shall establish and maintain information going back at least five (5) years that will provide the number of fellows that have been funded by the Loan for Service Program. The contractor will collect data from existing files on the number of graduates that have been awarded, field of study, type of degree, school attended, and the number and category of professional and licensing examinations attempted by fellows and pass/fail status. BIE will use this information for reports to Congress, referrals for employment, and other reports needed to maintain adequate records. The contractor shall use software that is designated by the Bureau to ensure compatibility with the Bureau's system for storing collected data.

f. The contractor shall provide student support and related activities that will aid fellows in the completion of their degree programs. This shall include but not be limited to program support services: assisting fellows with problems at their institutions, recommending tutorial assistance when needed, and providing advice regarding academic and financial questions. Contractor support and advisement services by their very nature will be required to be provided by telephone, email, written correspondence, newsletters, workshops, and regional and national meetings.

g. The contractor shall establish and maintain an alumni database on all fellows who graduate.

This data will provide statistical information that will help evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Loan for Service Program. This database shall be formatted and shall use software that is designated by the Bureau to ensure compatibility with the Bureau's system for storing collected data.

h. The contractor shall provide financial assistance for professional examination fees to fellows who take these examinations following their date of graduation. Loan for Service support for fellows who are preparing for their examinations shall be limited to one calendar year from date of graduation and shall be for only one examination, i.e., for only one state.

i. The contractor will develop and implement a marketing plan to advertise, promote the Loan for Service Program, provide Loan for Service applications upon request, and make applications available through the contractor website. In addition, contractor will create and provide printed materials, public service announcements, advertisements, presentations, outreach to graduate students, electronic applications, and ongoing collaboration with graduate deans and the BIE.

NOTE: Summer semester funds are not available through the Loan for Service program. Unspent Loan for Service funds at the end of each academic year will be considered funds available for the next year

LFS awards. For purposes of calculating payback, one academic year of funding is repaid at the rate of one calendar year of employment. Employment will be prorated for partial academic year funding.

5.6.1 Program Requirements

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for assistance from funds appropriated by the Bureau of Indian Education

Loan for Service Program, an applicant:

Must be an enrolled member of a United States federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group, or possess ¼ degree federally recognized Indian blood;

Must be (or will be) pursuing a master's, doctorate, or professional, i.e., law, medical, dentistry, degree as a full time student at an accredited graduate or professional school in the United States. Particular attention is paid to degree candidates in the fields of Law, Education, Medicine, Natural Resources, Engineering, Business Administration, and Social Work;

Must agree to pursue a course of study leading to a graduate degree, and understand that failure to complete the said degree by the anticipated date will result in termination of financial assistance and a continued obligation to perform a service payback;

Complete and sign the "Loan for Service Application and Employment Agreement, in which the candidate acknowledges both the requirements for continued participation in the Loan Program and the obligations for payback through service;

Provide two recommendations from faculty and/or employer;

Must apply for campus-based aid through the federal financial aid process at the university financial aid office;

Maintain satisfactory academic progress;

Application Form: Only forms approved by the BIE will be used for loans under this contract. The application packet consists of the application form, financial need form (FNF), tribal eligibility certification form (TEC), three acknowledgment postcards (for the application, FNF, and TEC), and instructions. The continuing student application consists of the continuing student update form (CSUF), financial need form (FNF), two acknowledgment postcards (for the CSUF and FNF), and instructions.

Applicants must provide the following required document in conjunction with the application: Tribal

Eligibility Certificate, graduate or professional degree program acceptance letter, proof of full time enrollment (class schedule), the Loan for Service and Employment Agreement, academic transcript, two letters of recommendation.

The application will be made available no later than January 1 and will be due June 1.

Application fee: There shall be a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $15.00 that must be submitted with each application. The application will not be processed without an application fee.

Funds collected from application fees will be used to provide additional loan monies. Fees shall be placed in an interest bearing account, and all interest derived from such fees shall be used for additional fellowships. Contractor shall report all application fees taken in plus all interest derived from such fees.

Closing Dates for Filing Applications

Application for a loan must be received by the contractor on or before first working day in June for the next academic year.

Applications received after the above closing date will be considered only if funds are available after fellowships have been awarded to eligible applicants who met the deadline.

Continuing students must submit a continuing student update form to receive loan monies for each academic year.

The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of an application by sending an acknowledgment postcard within ten (10) calendar days of receipt.

Application for Campus-based Aid and Other Sources of Assistance

To assure consideration for funding, applicants must understand that they are required to apply for federal financial aid and campus based aid no later than the first working day in June for the next academic year. The contractor shall inform all applicants that they should begin the financial aid process in January and meet their institution's deadline for financial aid submission.

In order to be considered for a loan under this contract, an applicant must apply for all available campus based financial aid for which they may be eligible. Although not required, applicants are encouraged to apply for all financial assistance.

Only after an applicant has accepted loans will the amount of the loans be counted as a resource for purposes of calculating "unmet need" on the Financial Need Form. If college work study (CWS) is awarded, it will be counted unless the student's advisor or department recommends that the student not accept CWS because of their academic load. If CWS is considered income for the next academic year, it will not be counted as current resource.

After all the federal financial information is received by an applicant's institution, the financial need form shall be completed by the institution's financial aid office and forwarded to the contractor for processing.

Determination of Eligibility and Amount of Loan: The determination of an applicant's eligibility and amount of loan to be made rests solely with the contractor. The eligibility determination shall be made by the contractor based on review of the applicant's application as provided below. The Government shall not be held accountable for any disputes arising between an applicant and the contractor as it pertains to this program.

Application Review

The contractor shall first determine if the applicant is eligible by applying the standard "Eligible

Applicants." If the applicant is deemed eligible and the contractor has received a complete application packet consisting of

a. A fully completed and signed application form

b. A certificate of tribal eligibility indicating the applicant is an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or possesses ¼ degree federally recognized Indian blood

c. A financial need form prepared by the institution's financial aid office indicating the applicant has applied for federal financial aid and campus-based aid. It must show the cost of attendance, less resources, which will indicate the applicant's unmet financial need. The contractor will consult with the preparing financial aid office when any questions arise or special situations regarding the applicant's financial need are not clear. Any additions or deletions to costs or resources must be supported with documentation from the preparing financial aid office or other directly involved party. The contractor may recalculate unmet need based on the criteria cited above. Completed applications will be reviewed on an individual basis and approved or disapproved by the contractor.

Applications shall be evaluated based on unmet financial need and academic field of study. Tribal affiliation shall be recorded for reporting purposes.

Applicants who possess "terminal" degrees are not eligible for the Loan for Service Program, and all doctoral and professional degrees are considered terminal.

Selection Process and Time Line

The selection committee will consist of three individuals designated by the contractor (may be staff and/or volunteers) who will meet approximately three weeks after the deadline to rank and review applicants and make final selections. Recipients will be notified by August 15 of each year.

Tracking

The contractor will monitor and track academic status and develop an internal database to document relevant recipient information. The contractor will make referrals as needed and generate reports as needed.

Fellows agree to provide a copy of his/her transcript within 30 days of each grading period during which the fellow is enrolled, and the Fellow agree to submit enrollment, academic and financial information specified by the contractor for continued funding after his/her initial acceptance into the program by deadlines stipulated by the contractor.

Placement

The contractor will refer completed LFS fellows to human resources personnel of the BIE and eligible BIE funded organizations to provide fellows employment information and job and career opportunities for meeting Loan for Service obligations, and to advertise, promote, and assist in job placement. The contractor will refer Loan for Services students to the appropriate BIE office to pursue job placement opportunities.

Upon completion of the approved Degree program, the Fellow agrees to accept employment with prescribed tribal and federal organizations and agencies or otherwise with significant American Indian populations. The Fellow agrees to maintain such employment for a period of time necessary to payback the financial assistance received under this program. The period of time required for payback is prorated at one calendar year for one academic year of funding. The fellow agrees that all efforts will be made so that such employment will begin within 6 months following completion of the approved degree program. If employment has not been incurred, the fellow agrees to continue to work with the placement agency with the intent of accepting the next suitable offer.

To further stipulate loan repayment terms and work schedule:

1. BIA shall require fellows to begin the repayment process within six months of degree completion;

2. Fellows shall work for an entity that primarily serves Native Americans/Alaska Natives 40 hours per week and or a full time work week, and in accordance with the hiring agency's prescribed personnel policies;

3. Fellow will be required to repay loans on a 1 for 1 basis (one year of service for each academic year of loan payment).

The fellow understands and accepts the following payback reporting requirements:

If the fellow proposes a work-related payback, the written notice of Intent must include information detailing the work-related services to be provided in the approved organizational service area.

For work-related service, the Director, Bureau of Indian Education designated administrator will review the work-related payback plan to determine whether the work meets the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and whether the service related to the degree received.

Based on these criteria, the BIE Director is authorized to approve or reject the plan.

The work related payback plan must identify where, when, type of work, and for whom the work is to be performed. Information about the proposed location and its intended population must be included.

A Fellow on a work-related payback plan must submit a written certification, signed by the Fellow's employer to the Bureau of Indian Education programs administrator that the work was performed without interruption.

Evaluation

The contractor will develop evaluation procedures as well as marketing and programming strategies as needed and make indicated adjustments to ensure quality administration and customer service.

The amount of loans received per academic year will be up to a maximum of $20,000 per fellow. Loans will provide financial assistance for the following academic expenses:

textbooks, tuition, student fees, professional examination expenses, and those fees normally associated with the graduate degree as identified by the accredited institution.

As the Fellow nears the end of his/her degree program, the Bureau of Indian Education agrees to notify tribal and federal agencies of the availability of Fellow for employment.

The contractor will provide the BIE with contact information for all fellows expected to complete degree programs at the end of the spring semester by April 1 of each year.

December degree recipients will be disclosed the BIE by November 1 of the graduation year.

REQUEST FOR CAPABILITY STATEMENTS

Interested Buy Indian sources are invited to respond to this sources sought announcement utilizing their company letterhead in a Portable Document Format (PDF).

1. Please provide the following information for your organization:

a. Company Name

b. Company Address

c. Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone/Fax Numbers, Email Address

d. Confirm current Indian-owned Business Status

e. Teaming Agreements (if necessary)

2. Provide a brief description of your organization's capability and approach to contribute to each of the tasks described in the SOW. Submission should address the company's competitive advantages, unique competencies, and offerings.

3. Provide a brief description of your organization's capability and approach to accomplish the tasks described in the statement of work. If the task is not a capability of your organization, propose the best method of task fulfillment through possible arrangements such as subcontracting or contractor teaming arrangements.

4. If possible, identify no more than 3 past or present contracts for services similar to those required herein (preferably Federal Government contracts) and include agency/company name, point of contact, dollar value, period of performance and the services performed.

5. Responses should be no more than 10 pages. Each page shall be formatted for 8 ½ x 11" paper.

Pages shall be single-spaced and one-sided. The font shall be Times New Roman or Arial and no smaller than 10pt with at least one-inch margin on all sides. Covers, tab dividers, title pages, glossaries, and table of contents are not required. The response must be in a Microsoft Word document compatible file with MSOffice 2007. Please submit your responses electronically to Jawaid.Khan@bia.gov. Responses are due not later than 12:00pm local time, Washington, DC on Friday, May 13, 2016.

*Responses received after the deadline or without the required information will not be reviewed.* mailto:_____@bia.gov