B02 - 73351025Q0172 SF18 (with attachments) 1.pdf

73351025Q0172

1. REQUEST NO.

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IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

THIS RFQ

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDEX

11/18/2024 5212020EQ07760

1 3

DENVER FINANCE CENTER

721 19TH STREET

SUITE 301

DENVER ACQUISITION OFFICE FOR SBA

DENVER CO 80202

60 Days After Award

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH

409 3RD ST SW

WASHINGTON

DC 20416

Angel Butler

12/16/2024 1700 ET

FOB DESTINATION

OTHER

(See Schedule)X

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

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AMOUNT

(f)

This requirement supports the Office of Advocacy in fulfilling research on small business topics using Economic Data.

Attachments:

1 - Statement of Work 2 - Terms and Conditions 3 - Instructions to Offerors 4 - Past Performance-Prior Experience Information

0001 Outline and data development completed (includes 1 EA 1.a and 1.b) Product/Service Code: AF11 Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

Continued ...

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15. DATE OF QUOTATION

b. TELEPHONE are are not attached

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable

STANDARD FORM 18 (REV. 6-95)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

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73351025Q0172

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0002 Draft Introduction, Literature Review, & Data 1 EA

Discussion sections – submitted for COR and editorial review in complete or nearly complete form.

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0003 First Draft Sections; Peer Review or External 1 EA

Consultation Possibly Initiated (includes 3.a and

3.b)

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0004 Polished Draft including all report sections and 1 EA

Peer Review or External Consultation – complete first draft submitted for COR, editorial, and peer review or external consultation

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0005 Final Draft Passback (includes 5.a and 5.b) 1 EA

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0006 Reworked, Resubmission of Proposed Final Document 1 EA

(includes 6.a and 6.b)

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 3

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

73351025Q0172

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

0007 Final Report Submission – Completed final product. 1 EA

Product/Service Code: AF11

Product/Service Description: EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION

SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH

Delivery: 60 Days After Award

Questions are due no later than Monday, November

25, 2024 at 5PM ET and should be sent via email to angel.butler@sba.gov.

Quotation responses are due Monday, December 16, 2024 at 5PM ET and should be sent via email to angel.butler@sba.gov.

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Solicitation Number

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

Page

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

Statement of Work

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy examines the role and status of small business in the economy and represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. Advocacy is an independent office within the Small

Business Administration that conducts policy analysis of small business impacts, disseminates small business statistics, and funds research into small business issues. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, including past research projects, visit https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/.

Type of contract: The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price type award(s).

Location of work: To be completed by the contractor at the contractor’s facility.

Anticipated period of performance: Not more than one year from the award date.

Clearance required: None.

1 Purpose

The purpose of this acquisition is to produce an empirical, data-intensive research report on an economic issue relevant to small businesses. This report will evaluate current small business economic trends, characteristics, or impacts, such as new business creation and dynamism, small business recoveries from economic shocks, barriers to small business growth, or small business issues with the labor market, supply chain management, or inflation. The report will also assess the policy implications of the findings. This report may focus on a relevant economic issue affecting all small businesses or an issue affecting specific groups of small businesses. Proposals focusing on small business finance or lending, however, should be submitted for the solicitation targeting those topics rather than this solicitation.

2 Background

The Office of Advocacy is responsible for examining the contributions and challenges of small businesses in the U.S. economy. Adding to the economic literature on important issues affecting small businesses can help inform policymakers and potentially improve future small business outcomes. The Office of Advocacy seeks research that increases knowledge about the state of small businesses as well as major issues facing small businesses. Recent examples of research published by the Office of Advocacy include studies of entrepreneurship in low-income areas,1

1 Kugler, Maurice, Marios Michaelides, Neha Nanda, and Cassandra Agbayani, “Entrepreneurship in Low-Income

Areas,” U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, September 2017, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-

Areas.pdf.

https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/ https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-Areas.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-Areas.pdf

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data small business contributions to GDP,2 effects of small loans on bank and small business growth,3 the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses,4 and business dynamics during

COVID-19.5

3 Scope

3.1 Overview

a. Any additional terms must be submitted with the proposal. No additional terms or agreements will be considered following award.

b. The research contract will incorporate by reference the contractor’s complete research proposal, the complete Statement of Work (SOW), and additional documents.

c. This is a nonpersonal services contract to provide services as detailed herein and in the contractor’s complete research proposal.

d. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform this service as defined in this SOW. The contractor shall perform to the standards identified in this contract.

3.2 Proposal Expectations

This solicitation is for empirical research on an economic issue salient to small businesses to increase understanding and provide policymaking insight across government and is not intended specifically for evaluation of SBA programs. As stated, the Office of Advocacy is an independent office within SBA tasked with examining the role of small businesses in the economy. Research proposals should exhibit strong knowledge of the research area. The hypotheses to be tested should be presented, and the data that will be used to test them should be identified. Research proposals can use a wide range of data sources. Modern statistical techniques and timely data are preferred. It is not expected that a research proposal will cover all issues or all kinds of businesses. Preference will be given to the proposal that best shows a strong technical knowledge of the issue to be researched, demonstrates the policy relevance of the research and potential findings, and presents a clear, concise, and feasible research plan.

2 Kobe, Kathryn and Richard Schwinn, “Small Business GDP 1998–2014,” U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, December 2018, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21060437/Small-Business-GDP-1998-2014.pdf.

Aktug, Emrehan, Devrim Ikizler, Timur Hulagu, “Effects of Small Loans on Bank and Small Business Growth,”

U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, March 2020, https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf 4 Wilmoth, Daniel, “The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small Businesses,” U.S. Small Business

Administration, Office of Advocacy, March 2021, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02112318/COVID-19-Impact-On-Small-Business.pdf.

5 Richards, Tyler, “Business Dynamics during COVID-19,” U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of

Advocacy, January 2023, https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-

COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21060437/Small-Business-GDP-1998-2014.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21060437/Small-Business-GDP-1998-2014.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02112318/COVID-19-Impact-On-Small-Business.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02112318/COVID-19-Impact-On-Small-Business.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

3.3 Data Sources

The proposed analysis can use a variety of economic datasets, and proposals should identify the economic dataset(s) that will be analyzed. The following list is not a comprehensive list of data sources appropriate for this research, and proposals that use the mentioned data will not necessarily be given preference.

a. American Community Survey (ACS)

b. Annual Business Survey (ABS)

c. Statistics of U.S. Business (SUSB)

d. Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

e. Current Population Survey (CPS)

f. Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)

g. County Business Patterns (CBP)

h. Business Employment Dynamics (BED)

i. Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS)

j. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)

k. National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS)

l. Nonemployer Statistics (NES)

m. Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics (NES-D)

n. Business Formation Statistics (BFS)

o. International Trade Administration Exporter Database

p. Census PUMS files

q. Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS)

3.4 Possible Topics

The Office of Advocacy encourages offerors to submit proposals on a topic of relevance to

Advocacy’s mission,6 small business stakeholders, policymakers, academics, and small business owners. Possible topics of interest are wide-ranging, and are not limited to the following:

a) Trends and impacts of new business creation and business dynamism

b) Supply chain challenges faced by small businesses

c) Labor market issues for small businesses

d) Impacts of inflation on small businesses

e) Barriers to entrepreneurship and small business growth

f) Impacts of natural disasters on small businesses

g) Regulatory impacts on small businesses

h) Personal emergency funding needs of small business owners

i) Trends in rural small businesses

j) The role of STEM entreprenuership in economic growth

6 See 15 U.S.C. § 634(b).

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

k) Understanding the economic and community impacts of innovative small business technology sectors

l) Characteristics and trends of accelerators and entrepreneur support organizations

m) Challenges and needs of small business owners with disabilities

n) Federal policies and practices attracting small businesses in underserved areas

o) Contributions of small businesses to supply chain resilience and national defense

p) The impact of artificial intelligence on small and disadvantaged businesses

q) Understanding nonemployers, freelancers, and non-traditional entrepreneurship

3.5 Research Methods

The proposal should describe the empirical methods that will be used. The use of modern statistical techniques to test hypotheses about causal relationships is preferred. Proposals involving instrumental variables should identify the instruments to be used and defend their suitability. The software that will be used to conduct the analysis should be identified. Research should be thoroughly documented and reproducible, and scripts of the analysis in statistical packages like R or Stata should be available.

3.6 Components of Finished Research

The final research report should contain an executive summary, a literature review of the relevant research, discussion and description of the data and methodology, the results and findings of the analysis, policy implications, and overall conclusions. The final research report should be thorough, clear, concise, and cohesive.

4 Deliverables

4.1 Final Deliverable Schedule

The following is a general set of deliverables and deadlines for the delivery of those deliverables.

More specific deliverables and a more specific deliverable schedule shall be finalized following the award of the contract and shall be mutually agreed upon by the Contractor, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer Representative at the kick-off meeting for the contract. The deliverables and deliverable schedule shall be based on the milestones identified in this section, the accepted proposal, and the specific period of performance of the contract upon award, including specific due dates within the contract term. The final deliverable schedule shall be formally amended to the contract through a modification.

4.2 Progress of Deliverables

Deliverables must show significant progress relative to each previous deliverable and must be consistent with all parts of section 5 of the Statement of Work, Performance Requirements. SBA’s

Office of Advocacy will not cover the costs associated with correcting rejected deliverables.

4.3 Acceptance of Deliverables

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall review submitted deliverables over a reasonable amount of time and shall make an express determination of whether to accept or reject the deliverable.

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

Deliverable Due Date Format for Written

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

Post Award Conference – discuss expectations, procedures/invoicing, and deliverables milestones

10 business days after award

N/A -- Phone

Conference

N/A CO and

COR

Monthly progress reports 3rd business day of each month

Microsoft Word document

Via Email COR

Discussions on reports/submittals, including passback and edits

As scheduled by request of the COR

(possible bi-weekly calls)

N/A -- Phone

Conference

N/A COR/Vendor

Detailed Contract Deliverables Milestones

1. Outline and data development completed

(includes 1.a and 1.b)

Months 1-3 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Outline – establishes planned overarching structure for report

Microsoft Word document

Via Email COR

b. Initial Briefing – contractor presents outline, projected research path, and any preliminary findings.

Microsoft Word or

PowerPoint

Document

Via Tele-conference or in

Person

COR and internal staff including

Advocacy editors

2. Draft Introduction, Literature Review, & Data

Discussion sections – submitted for COR and editorial review in complete or nearly complete form.

Months 3-4 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

3. First Draft Sections; Peer

Review or External

Consultation Possibly

Months 4-6 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in

Via Email COR

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

Initiated (includes 3.a and

3.b) accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

a. Initial results of analysis submitted for review, including: preliminary model & results, descriptive statistics/cross-tabulations, preliminary graphics, preliminary discussion of results

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

b. Complete Draft submitted for COR and editorial review, including methodology, model, results, and discussion

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

4. Polished Draft including all report sections and Peer

Review or External

Consultation – complete first draft submitted for

COR, editorial, and peer review or external consultation

Months 6-8 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

5. Final Draft Passback

(includes 5.a and 5.b)

Months 8-9 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Peer review or external consultation and COR, editorial feedback distributed – contractor will receive comments

Microsoft Word or

PDF

Via Email COR to contractor

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

b. Response to peer review or external consultation – submitted for COR review, including proposed revisions in response to comments with brief explanation.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

6. Reworked, Resubmission of Proposed Final Document

(includes 6.a and 6.b)

Months 9-

11 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Final round of substantive comments distributed.

Microsoft Word or

PDF

Via Email COR to contractor

b. Draft Final Report – submitted for COR and editorial review, including final revisions in response to comments/edits.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

7. Final Report Submission

– completed final product.

No later than day before end of contract term.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no PDFs or locked files)

5 Performance Requirements

5.1 General Requirements

a. The methodology and hypotheses put forth in the proposal will clearly show how the research will be conducted, are binding upon award, and are expected to be reflected in the final report.

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

b. All research team members listed in the proposal, including but not limited to subject matter and technical experts, will actively contribute through the performance of these services.

c. The resulting final submission will fully document the analysis and conclusions to fully support the position asserted.

d. The final product should contain a thorough review of the current and relevant literature, discussion of the data and findings, and overall conclusions.

e. The report should demonstrate policy relevance to current issues.

f. Deliverables as listed in the final deliverable schedule will reflect reasonable progress toward the final product and should be submitted according to final product formatting requirements, meaning all deliverables should be thoroughly proofread and edited, written clearly and concisely and free of grammatical and typographical errors.

g. For other details on the final product, see section 4 of the Statement of Work on deliverables and section 5.2 of the Statement of Work on additional requirements.

5.2 Additional Requirements

Contractors must adhere to the following when submitting draft and final deliverables, with the draft and final versions completed by the listed deadlines.

5.2.1 Adherence to Contract Terms

All submissions will be presented by the prescribed deadlines; presented under the prescribed methodology; in the prescribed format to the contracting officer’s representative (COR).

Documents shall be clearly annotated and/or identified as either a draft or a final document.

5.2.2 Deliverables

The contractor will provide the Office of Advocacy with an electronic version of the final deliverable within the contract term. All of the deliverables listed in the deliverables chart of this

SOW and any subsequent modifications to the contract, including all drafts identified as deliverables, shall be created in accordance with the terms and conditions detailed in this document.

The research is expected to progress along the timeline and benchmarks as noted in the Deliverables section and as incorporated into the contract.

5.2.3 Contract Team

a. Key Personnel

Key personnel shall have the technical skills requisite to perform the project. This requires a minimum of advanced technical training in applied economic and econometric analysis and demonstrated experience as subject matter experts. For example, a Ph.D. in Economics or survey methodology would be considered acceptable. Offerors shall submit resumes that demonstrate these minimum qualifications for key personnel, such as project leads.

b. Changes in Contract Team

Contractors must seek prior written approval from the contracting officer and COR before any changes are implemented among the key personnel and other staff listed in the proposal.

Individuals that the contractor proposes to use as replacements for those listed in the proposal shall satisfy the minimum qualification requirements contained in the solicitation and the contractor must provide resumes for each proposed replacement as part of its request for prior written approval.

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data

5.2.4 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

When surveys or new information collections are necessary, contractors must meet the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) where applicable. In order to do so, the contractor will need to anticipate within the performance term the required public notice and OMB review for information collections under the PRA. The creation of a new information collection will require the contractor to develop survey procedures; identify appropriate respondents; provide clarification of the collection process; provide realistic estimates of the response rates; and work to develop an appropriate survey instrument (see, https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-regulatory-affairs/federal-collection-information/).

It is the contractor’s responsibility to prepare any materials necessary to obtain PRA clearances associated with the work to be performed.

5.2.5 Data Quality and Transparency Requirements

All research and data projects are subject to the Office of Management and Budget Guidelines for

Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information

Disseminated by Federal Agencies (see, https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2002-02-22/pdf/R2-

59.pdf).

Per these guidelines, data source disclosure and robustness checks will be required for any research or data project, including all data coding necessary to replicate findings and datasets derived through coding and query and used in support of analysis, unless otherwise limited by special access agreements. Peer review may range from internal Advocacy staff review to that of external reviewers in relevant fields such as academics or technical experts. Feedback from this process will be incorporated into subsequent drafts before the report can be finalized for release.

5.2.6 Data Rights

Rights in Data under FAR §§ 52.227-14 (alternates 2 and 5), 52.22715, and 52.227-16 shall apply.

5.2.7 Editing and Proofreading Requirements

The documented submissions related to the post award service, including the final report and all intervening deliverables, must be thoroughly edited and of high professional quality before submission to the COR. These high professional quality drafts and reports shall include professional language, presentation, and citations commensurate with published research in academic journals in the relevant subject matter field and shall be free of typographical and grammatical errors.

5.2.8 Style Requirements

The final report must contain an executive summary and table of contents. It must conform to the current version of one of the major style guides, such as the University of Chicago Manual of Style or the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual, in terms of grammar, style, and organization. In particular, each table and figure must have a source specified on the page;

references, footnotes and bibliographies shall be formatted consistent with a major style guide; and all pages shall have page numbers, including tables and figures.

5.2.9 ADA Section 508 Requirements

All government agency electronic and information technology (EIT) is required to comply with the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Section 508 of the ADA’s 1998 amendments requires the electronic documents posted by Federal agencies to be accessible to employees and

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data members of the public with disabilities to the extent that it does not pose an "undue burden." To comply with this mandate, the final report must be formatted in accordance with Section 508 requirements. The according to the Office of Advocacy will provide guidance to achieve 508 compatibility at the time of award; however, it is ultimately the contractor’s responsibility to provide all deliverables in accordance with the legal requirements for section 508 compliance. Per the guidelines, written descriptions of all figures and charts in the final report must be provided in a separate document.

5.2.10 Formatting Requirements

Final reports must be double-spaced. The format of the electronic version must be a native word processing software format. An Acrobat (PDF) file is not acceptable. All tables, graphics, and charts must be supplied in an editable software format. The font size used in the document will be no smaller than 12 point for manuscript text; 10 point for tables, graphics and charts; and 9 point for footnotes.

5.2.11 Disclaimer

The Office of Advocacy will prepare a cover page carrying the following disclaimer, "The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations found in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Advocacy, the United States Small

Business Administration, or the United States Government."

5.2.12 Product Release

If the contracted product is a complete publishable report, following approval and acceptance of the final report, the Office of Advocacy will assign a date for public release of the report. Upon release, an electronic final report, along with an Office of Advocacy-prepared research summary, will be posted on Advocacy's web site, https://advocacy.sba.gov/.

5.2.13 Definition of Small Business

Within the research product, the definition of small businesses should be the same as that of the proposal and should be consistent with either the general definition of small businesses (less than

500 employees), the definition of small business established by the U.S. Small Business

Administration’s Office of Size Standards, or a reasonably justified definition of small business as substantiated in the contractor’s proposal.

5.2.14 Future Publication and Attribution

Prior to the Office of Advocacy’s release, the Contractor shall not release, distribute, or publish the final research product without written permission of the Office of Advocacy. The Office of

Advocacy encourages contractors to publish their findings in professional journals, if possible, but they can do so only after completing the contract, and, if prior to the Office of Advocacy’s release, receiving written permission of the Office of Advocacy. Prior to publication, the Contractor must notify the Contracting Officer Representative in writing regarding attribution to the Office of

Advocacy. Attribution must cite the SBA contract number under which the research was performed.

https://advocacy.sba.gov/

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is issuing a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

#73351025Q0172 for commercial items pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part

12—Commercial Items and FAR 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Refer to SECTION 4 -

QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS of this document for more details on how to respond to this RFQ. This requirement is in support of Office of Capital Access in its disaster response.

This is a notice that the resultant purchase order for supplies is for a total small business set-aside.

If your firm is interested in this acquisition, you may participate by submitting your response in accordance with the requirements and instructions contained herein. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract; it does not restrict the Government’s ultimate approach; nor does it obligate the Government to pay for any proposal preparation costs. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The NAICS Code is 541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The

Product Service Code is AF11 Other Research and Development – Basic Research.

1.2 RFQ QUESTIONS:

Offerors must submit all questions concerning this RFQ in writing by e-mail to the Contracting

Officer, Angel Butler Angel.Butler@sba.gov, ONLY. All questions must be submitted via e-mail and received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, 11/25/2024.

1.3 RFQ DUE DATE:

Quotations submitted in response to this RFQ shall be emailed to Contracting Officer, Angel Butler, at Angel.Butler@sba.gov and Contract Specialist, Minnisha Hill minnisha.hill@sba.gov and received by the due date and time established herein. Quotations shall be received no later than

5:00 PM ET, Monday, 12/16/2024, in order to be considered for award.

1.4 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Refer to SECTION 4 - QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS of this document for more details on how to respond to this RFQ.

1.5 ANTICIPATED AWARD TYPE

The Government anticipates a Firm Fixed Price Order as a result of this Request for Quote

(RFQ). Please include any and all discounts available in your response.

mailto:Angel.Butler@sba.gov mailto:Angel.Butler@sba.gov mailto:minnisha.hill@sba.gov

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

SECTION 2 – STATEMEMT OF WORK

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data Statement of Work

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy examines the role and status of small business in the economy and represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. Advocacy is an independent office within the Small Business Administration that conducts policy analysis of small business impacts, disseminates small business statistics, and funds research into small business issues. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, including past research projects, visit https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/.

Type of contract: The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price type award(s).

Location of work: To be completed by the contractor at the contractor’s facility.

Anticipated period of performance: Not more than one year from the award date.

Clearance required: None.

Purpose

The purpose of this acquisition is to produce an empirical, data-intensive research report on an economic issue relevant to small businesses. This report will evaluate current small business economic trends, characteristics, or impacts, such as new business creation and dynamism, small business recoveries from economic shocks, barriers to small business growth, or small business issues with the labor market, supply chain management, or inflation. The report will also assess the policy implications of the findings. This report may focus on a relevant economic issue affecting all small businesses or an issue affecting specific groups of small businesses. Proposals focusing on small business finance or lending, however, should be submitted for the solicitation targeting those topics rather than this solicitation.

Background

The Office of Advocacy is responsible for examining the contributions and challenges of small businesses in the U.S. economy. Adding to the economic literature on important issues affecting small businesses can help inform policymakers and potentially improve future small business outcomes. The Office of Advocacy seeks research that increases knowledge about the state of small businesses as well as major issues facing small businesses. Recent examples of research published by the Office of Advocacy include studies of entrepreneurship in low-income areas,1 small business

1 Kugler, Maurice, Marios Michaelides, Neha Nanda, and Cassandra Agbayani, “Entrepreneurship in Low-Income Areas,” U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, September 2017, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-Areas.pdf.

https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/ https://advocacy.sba.gov/category/research/economic-reports/economic-studies/ https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-Areas.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/09135902/437-Entrepreneurship-in-Low-income-Areas.pdf

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms contributions to GDP,2 effects of small loans on bank and small business growth,3 the effects of the

COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses,4 and business dynamics during COVID-19.5

Scope

Overview

a. Any additional terms must be submitted with the proposal. No additional terms or agreements will be considered following award.

b. The research contract will incorporate by reference the contractor’s complete research proposal, the complete Statement of Work (SOW), and additional documents.

c. This is a nonpersonal services contract to provide services as detailed herein and in the contractor’s complete research proposal.

d. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform this service as defined in this SOW. The contractor shall perform to the standards identified in this contract.

Proposal Expectations

This solicitation is for empirical research on an economic issue salient to small businesses to increase understanding and provide policymaking insight across government and is not intended specifically for evaluation of SBA programs. As stated, the Office of Advocacy is an independent office within SBA tasked with examining the role of small businesses in the economy. Research proposals should exhibit strong knowledge of the research area. The hypotheses to be tested should be presented, and the data that will be used to test them should be identified. Research proposals can use a wide range of data sources. Modern statistical techniques and timely data are preferred. It is not expected that a research proposal will cover all issues or all kinds of businesses. Preference will be given to the proposal that best shows a strong technical knowledge of the issue to be researched, demonstrates the policy relevance of the research and potential findings, and presents a clear, concise, and feasible research plan.

2 Kobe, Kathryn and Richard Schwinn, “Small Business GDP 1998–2014,” U.S. Small

Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, December 2018, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21060437/Small-Business-GDP-1998-2014.pdf.

3Aktug, Emrehan, Devrim Ikizler, Timur Hulagu, “Effects of Small Loans on Bank and Small Business Growth,” U.S. Small

Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, March 2020, https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-

Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf

4 Wilmoth, Daniel, “The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small Businesses,”

U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, March 2021, https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02112318/COVID-19-Impact-On-Small-Business.pdf.

5 Richards, Tyler, “Business Dynamics during COVID-19,” U.S. Small Business

Administration, Office of Advocacy, January 2023, https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/21060437/Small-Business-GDP-1998-2014.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Novo-Bank-Formation.pdf https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02112318/COVID-19-Impact-On-Small-Business.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Business-Dynamics-During-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-508c.pdf

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

Data Sources

The proposed analysis can use a variety of economic datasets, and proposals should identify the economic dataset(s) that will be analyzed. The following list is not a comprehensive list of data sources appropriate for this research, and proposals that use the mentioned data will not necessarily be given preference.

a. American Community Survey (ACS)

b. Annual Business Survey (ABS)

c. Statistics of U.S. Business (SUSB)

d. Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

e. Current Population Survey (CPS)

f. Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD)

g. County Business Patterns (CBP)

h. Business Employment Dynamics (BED)

i. Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS)

j. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)

k. National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS)

l. Nonemployer Statistics (NES)

m. Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics (NES-D)

n. Business Formation Statistics (BFS)

o. International Trade Administration Exporter Database

p. Census PUMS files

q. Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS)

Possible Topics

The Office of Advocacy encourages offerors to submit proposals on a topic of relevance to

Advocacy’s mission,6 small business stakeholders, policymakers, academics, and small business owners. Possible topics of interest are wide-ranging, and are not limited to the following:

a) Trends and impacts of new business creation and business dynamism

b) Supply chain challenges faced by small businesses

c) Labor market issues for small businesses

d) Impacts of inflation on small businesses

e) Barriers to entrepreneurship and small business growth

f) Impacts of natural disasters on small businesses

g) Regulatory impacts on small businesses

h) Personal emergency funding needs of small business owners

i) Trends in rural small businesses

6 See 15 U.S.C. § 634(b).

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

j) The role of STEM entreprenuership in economic growth

k) Understanding the economic and community impacts of innovative small business technology sectors

l) Characteristics and trends of accelerators and entrepreneur support organizations

m) Challenges and needs of small business owners with disabilities

n) Federal policies and practices attracting small businesses in underserved areas

o) Contributions of small businesses to supply chain resilience and national defense

p) The impact of artificial intelligence on small and disadvantaged businesses

q) Understanding nonemployers, freelancers, and non-traditional entrepreneurship

Research Methods

The proposal should describe the empirical methods that will be used. The use of modern statistical techniques to test hypotheses about causal relationships is preferred. Proposals involving instrumental variables should identify the instruments to be used and defend their suitability. The software that will be used to conduct the analysis should be identified. Research should be thoroughly documented and reproducible, and scripts of the analysis in statistical packages like R or

Stata should be available.

Components of Finished Research

The final research report should contain an executive summary, a literature review of the relevant research, discussion and description of the data and methodology, the results and findings of the analysis, policy implications, and overall conclusions. The final research report should be thorough, clear, concise, and cohesive.

Deliverables

Final Deliverable Schedule

The following is a general set of deliverables and deadlines for the delivery of those deliverables. More specific deliverables and a more specific deliverable schedule shall be finalized following the award of the contract and shall be mutually agreed upon by the Contractor, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer

Representative at the kick-off meeting for the contract. The deliverables and deliverable schedule shall be based on the milestones identified in this section, the accepted proposal, and the specific period of performance of the contract upon award, including specific due dates within the contract term. The final deliverable schedule shall be formally amended to the contract through a modification.

Progress of Deliverables

Deliverables must show significant progress relative to each previous deliverable and must be consistent with all parts of section 5 of the Statement of Work, Performance Requirements. SBA’s

Office of Advocacy will not cover the costs associated with correcting rejected deliverables.

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

Acceptance of Deliverables

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall review submitted deliverables over a reasonable amount of time and shall make an express determination of whether to accept or reject the deliverable.

Deliverable Due Date Format for Written

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

Post Award Conference – discuss expectations, procedures/invoicing, and deliverables milestones

10 business days after award

N/A -- Phone

Conference

N/A CO and COR

Monthly progress reports 3rd business day of each month

Microsoft Word document

Via Email COR

Discussions on reports/submittals, including passback and edits

As scheduled by request of the COR

(possible bi-weekly calls)

N/A -- Phone

Conference

N/A COR/Vendor

Detailed Contract Deliverables Milestones

1. Outline and data development completed

(includes 1.a and 1.b)

Months 1-3 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Outline – establishes planned overarching structure for report

Microsoft Word document

Via Email COR

b. Initial Briefing – contractor presents outline, projected research path, and any preliminary findings.

Microsoft Word or

PowerPoint

Document

Via Tele-conference or in

Person

COR and internal staff including

Advocacy editors

2. Draft Introduction, Literature Review, & Data

Discussion sections – submitted for COR and editorial review in complete or nearly complete form.

Months 3-4 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

PDFs or locked files)

3. First Draft Sections; Peer

Review or External

Consultation Possibly

Initiated (includes 3.a and

3.b)

Months 4-6 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Initial results of analysis submitted for review, including: preliminary model

& results, descriptive statistics/cross-tabulations, preliminary graphics, preliminary discussion of results

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

b. Complete Draft submitted for COR and editorial review, including methodology, model, results, and discussion

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

4. Polished Draft including all report sections and Peer

Review or External

Consultation – complete first draft submitted for COR, editorial, and peer review or external consultation

Months 6-8 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

5. Final Draft Passback

(includes 5.a and 5.b)

Months 8-9 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Peer review or external consultation and COR, editorial feedback distributed

Microsoft Word or

PDF

Via Email COR to contractor

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

Submissions

Transition

Method

Transmitted to Whom

– contractor will receive comments

b. Response to peer review or external consultation – submitted for COR review, including proposed revisions in response to comments with brief explanation.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

6. Reworked, Resubmission of Proposed Final Document

(includes 6.a and 6.b)

Months 9-11 of contract term

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

a. Final round of substantive comments distributed.

Microsoft Word or

PDF

Via Email COR to contractor

b. Draft Final Report – submitted for COR and editorial review, including final revisions in response to comments/edits.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Via Email COR

7. Final Report Submission – completed final product.

No later than day before end of contract term.

Microsoft Word documents formatted in accordance with specifications and/or statistical results (no

PDFs or locked files)

Performance Requirements

General Requirements

a. The methodology and hypotheses put forth in the proposal will clearly show how the research will be conducted, are binding upon award, and are expected to be reflected in the final report.

b. All research team members listed in the proposal, including but not limited to subject matter and technical experts, will actively contribute through the performance of these services.

Document Title

Research on Small Business Topics Using Economic Data - Terms

c. The resulting final submission will fully document the analysis and conclusions to fully support the position asserted.

d. The final product should contain a thorough review of the current and relevant literature, discussion of the data and findings, and overall conclusions.

e. The report should demonstrate policy relevance to current issues.

f. Deliverables as listed in the final deliverable schedule will reflect reasonable progress toward the final product and should be submitted according to final product formatting requirements, meaning all deliverables should be thoroughly…