Attachment A - Statement of Work.pdf

Request for Quotation FHF-24-Q-0060

ATTACHMENT A

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Consulting Services to Provide Analytic Support to the NMDB Program

1.0 BACKGROUND

The Division of Research and Statistics (DRS) was established in 2020 to produce and disseminate high quality data, research, statistics, and analysis to internal and external stakeholders, and to provide agency-level data governance. Staff produce and disseminate high quality data, research, statistics, and analysis to internal and external stakeholders. The overall vision is to be a leading source of informative research, accessible data, and recognized expertise in housing finance.

Within the division, the Office of Data and Statistics (ODS) is responsible for producing and disseminating high quality data products and research for use by internal and external analysts. With ODS, the National Mortgage Database (NMDB) program is designed to provide a rich source of information about the U.S. mortgage market. It has three primary components:

• The National Mortgage Database is a representative five percent sample of all closed end, first lien mortgages originated in the U.S.

• The National Survey of Mortgage Originations (NSMO) is a quarterly survey that collects information about the experiences of mortgage borrowers during the origination process.

• The American Survey of Mortgage Borrowers (ASMB) is an annual survey that collects information about selected topics related to borrowers’ mortgage and homeownership outcomes.

2.0 SCOPE

FHFA seeks to identify a Contractor to provide analytical support services to the NMDB program. The Contractor is expected to have demonstrated expertise in mortgage finance, survey methodology, statistical programming, and analysis methods. The Contractor will apply that expertise to complete a series of analyses and other tasks as assigned by the NMDB branch manager. Examples of potential tasks include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conducting literature reviews to summarize available evidence regarding selected topics in mortgage finance, survey methodology, statistical methods, or related areas.

• Conducting analyses to evaluate alternative methods for the design, collection, processing, or analysis of data.

• Conducting nonresponse analyses and evaluating the effectiveness of alternative methods for weighting, imputation, or related processes.

• Producing reports, chartbooks, or other written products that present and describe estimates from NMDB, NSMO, or ASMB.

• Reviewing statistical programs and/or developing new statistical programs and producing documentation for internal or external audiences.

3.0 EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

The Contractor shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

• A graduate degree in economics, statistics, finance, real estate, public policy, survey methodology, or a closely related field from an accredited university.

• A demonstrated record of high-quality statistical analyses as evidenced by papers, reports, or other written products.

• Three years of experience with the design, collection, and analysis of surveys and related administrative data.

• Strong statistical programming skills, including familiarity with SAS, Stata, R, or similar software.

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status, as the position will require access to sensitive data and information.

The following qualifications enhance the competitive value of the candidate:

• A terminal doctoral degree or equivalent experience in economics, statistics, finance, real estate, public policy, survey methodology, or a closely related field from an accredited university.

• Strong technical expertise in survey methodology, including survey sampling, editing, imputation, weighting, and analysis.

• Strong substantive expertise in residential mortgage finance, including the mortgage product options available to homeowners and the markets and institutions involved in mortgage finance.

• Professional experience with the design and management of federal government surveys and related administrative data collections.

4.0 OBJECTIVES

The Contractor shall provide analytical support services that contribute to the development of the NMDB program and its data products. Results will include analyses that inform the internal development of the NMDB program and that improve the documentation and other materials disseminated to NMDB users.

Results may include analyses and written products that are released publicly as working papers, reports, or other products at the discretion of FHFA. Any copyright assignments will be retained by FHFA and the U.S. government.

5.0 TASKS

Contractor will perform under a level-of-effort contract working approximately two

(2) days each week. Services are to be provided on-site one day per week or as directed by FHFA, with the option for approved telework on additional days.

Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

5.1 Consult with the NMDB branch manager and Principal Economist to develop the schedule, scope, and work plan for assigned tasks. Following review by FHFA, revise the project work plans as directed by the NMDB branch manager and Principal Economist.

5.2 Conduct literature reviews, statistical analyses, and other tasks as defined in the work plans.

5.3 Develop written products and verbal presentations of project results as defined in the work plans.

5.4 Communicate with FHFA staff about work progress, identifying any issues or risks to project completion that require attention and discussion.

6.0 DELIVERABLES:

Contractor shall consult with the NMDB Branch manager about specific tasks and performance and notify that person within 24 hours of learning that findings or deliverables may no longer meet the agreed upon timeline or may differ from project proposal specifications.

6.1 Following the identification a task, the Contractor will develop a project schedule and work plan for review by the NMDB Branch manager and other FHFA staff. The work plan should clearly describe both the intended approach and any potential issues or risks to the successful completion of the task. The work plan should also identify the expected deliverables for the task. The Contractor will revise the work plans as directed by the NMDB Branch manager and Principal Economist.

6.2 Communicate with the NMDB Branch manager and Principal Economist about work progress, including any issues, delays, or deviations from the work plan.

6.3 Deliver written products, verbal presentations, and/or other projects as identified in the work plans. Any work products will follow guidance provided by NMDB Branch manager and Principal Economist and any applicable Agency policies. For any written deliverables, FHFA will provide notification of acceptance or rejection in accordance with FHFA clause 6.216, Review and Ownership of Deliverables.

For any written deliverables, the contractor must ensure they are in an electronic format (e-documents)—either in a Microsoft Office product format (Word/ PowerPoint/ Project/ Excel/LaTeX) or an Adobe Acrobat PDF format and comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 USC 794d), and its implementing standards and guidelines (36 CFR Part 1194).

All written deliverables must be marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with FHFA’s CUI Policy and CUI Procedures. If you do not have access to FHFA’s CUI Policy and Procedures via FHFA’s intranet, you must request a copy from the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Generally, CUI markings require that a document 1) be marked with the word “CONTROLLED”, centered at the top of the document, and 2) include identification of FHFA as the designating agency on the first page of the document. Examples of an agency designation include having the Agency logo or Agency letterhead on the first page or placing “Controlled by FHFA” in the center of the footer of the first page.

7.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

Government furnished laptop and personally identity verification (PIV) may be provided to access FHFA computing systems. The Contractor will be provided with access to FHFA office space as needed to perform work and access to FHFA’s servers. All Government-furnished property (GFP) shall be used solely in the performance of this award.

8.0 SECURITY

The Contractor shall provide identification to the Government employee upon arrival at the FHFA office facility to perform services. The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR to gain access inside the FHFA facility, if necessary.

All Contractor support personnel shall obtain the proper clearances required by FHFA. Contractor personnel shall present a neat appearance and be easily recognized.

FHFA is authorized to restrict the engagement under Contractor support employee or prospective support Contractor employee, who is identified as a potential threat to the health, safety, and security of the FHFA mission.

The Contractor shall maintain an unbroken chain of custody of FHFA's documents from pickup to completion of destruction of documents.

To the extent required to carry out a program of inspection to safeguard against threats and hazards to the security, integrity, and confidentiality of FHFA data, the Contractor shall afford the Government access to the Contractor's facilities, installations, technical capabilities, operations, documentation, and records.

The Contractor shall use the FHFA-established electronic platforms to access, create, and edit any documents related to the inquiry.

9.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The work shall be completed at FHFA's headquarters located at Constitution Center, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20219. Remote performance of the work may be permitted for this contract, at the discretion of the COR.

10.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance is for one year with a one-year option period. No overtime is authorized for this award.

11.0 TRAVEL

Local travel expenses are not authorized.