USDA-RFI_for_Training_-.doc

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

This sources sought is a Request for Information (RFI) for information purposes only, and does not represent a solicitation announcement. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced, and interested businesses capable of providing, web based training, testing and recertification courses that meet the following objectives. Preference is given to small businesses (e.g., 8(a), service-disabled veteran owned, HUB Zone, small disadvantaged, veteran-owned, and women-owned concerns). This RFI is for capability information does not constitute a request for quotes/proposals. Submission of any information for this market research is voluntary, and the government assumes no financial responsibility or obligation.

Background and Objectives:

USDA has had a large volume of Federal accountants that have retired over the last seven years, and Federal Financial Management arena has lost a great deal of knowledge and capability. There is a need to provide testing, training, and recertification of our current federal accounting staff. There are federal accountants located all around the country; therefore, instructor-led training would not be feasible.

Objectives/Requirements:

1. Provide accounting testing/training /recertification.

2. Must be self-study on-demand training that is available 24/7. Based on the standards set forth by the Federal Accounting Advisory Board (FASB) that would test Federal Accountants on their Federal Accounting knowledge.

3. Must be National Association of State Boards of Accounting/Quality Assurance Services (NASBA/QAS) Approved CPE Credit. NASBA offers CPE tracking service to State Boards of Accounting to use as an automated tool for conducting their audits of licensee compliance with the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements.

4. Must use Federal Software Capabilities Verification test requirements.

5. Must be Section 508 Compliant. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998, requires that when Federal Agencies develop, procure, maintain or use Electronic and Information Technology (E&IT), they shall ensure that the E&IT allows Federal employees and members of the public with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that of persons without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

6. Must be American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA) Certified for Federal Compliancy.

7. Must be compliant with competencies specified by the Department of Defense (DoD).

8. Must have hosting capabilities.

Instructions:

The government will evaluate the market research submitted to ascertain potential market capacity to: (1) provide services consistent with the objectives and requirements described in the notice and otherwise anticipated; (2) secure and apply testing, training, and recertification required to successfully perform similar requirements.

Provide the following information:

1. A brief three to five pay synopsis of similar work performed and how your produce meets the Objectives/Requirements

2. DUNS and CAGE Code Number

3. Company Name and address

4. Company Point of Contact, phone number and email

5. NAICS codes associated with the company

6. Socio-economic categories associated with the company (i.e., 8(a), SDB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.)

7. Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) for proposed solution.

8. Common commercial terms and conditions for requirements of this type

9. Commercial list price and/or Federal Government contract vehicles and contract list prices THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AND MULTIPLE AWARDS MAY BE MADE.

All responses to this RFI should be sent to Chantrell Nettles, Contract Specialist, via email at Chantrell.Nettles@nfc.usda.gov.