CDAO and CDS Support Services Sources Sought FINAL.docx

Sources Sought for Chief Data and AI Officer (CDAO) & Chief Data Scientist (CDS) Support Services

This is a Sources Sought Notice as outlined in FAR 15.201(d). The purpose of this notice is to accomplish market research pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, and to identify qualified and experienced 8(a) businesses capable of and interested in providing the services described herein. The Government is requesting information regarding the availability and feasibility of obtaining CDAO & CDS Support Services for The Center for Analytics (CfA), within the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions (M/SS).

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP). Additionally, there is no obligation or commitment on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described within this notice now or in the future. The Government does not intend to award a contract(s) based solely on the submissions of this notice. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for information submitted in response to this notice, nor will it compensate respondents for any costs incurred in the development/furnishing of a response. The Government will not entertain telephone calls or questions for this notice. Please note that a decision not to submit a response will not preclude a vendor from participating in any future solicitation.

1. BACKGROUND

M/SS/CfA is the Department of State’s (DOS) enterprise analytics and data management capability. Led by DOS’s first Chief Data and AI Officer (CDAO) and Chief Data Scientist (CDS), M/SS/CfA provides a multitude of services in support of making DOS more data driven.

M/SS/CfA is the division mandated to enable data management and analytics capabilities across DOS. M/SS/CfA accomplishes this by supporting data and analytics training, nurturing related communities and technologies, and enabling the production of data and analytics solutions. M/SS/CfA also partners with and advises other bureaus and offices to bolster their own analytics “pockets of excellence.” The M/SS/CfA operates in a shared services model, providing analytics, infrastructure, and data management services based on demand.

The majority of M/SS/CfA’s services include:

M/SS/CfA primarily focuses on enhancing executive leadership decisions through in-depth, data-driven analysis addressing both foreign policy and administrative challenges. This includes leveraging AI to inform and streamline decision-making processes. M/SS/CfA efforts also extend to formulating and updating data policies to comply with the Evidence Act of 2018, emphasizing the importance of data accessibility and evidence-based decision-making.

M/SS/CfA is committed to building and maintaining a robust analytics technical infrastructure. This infrastructure enables numerous bureaus to share a unified technical space, facilitating the production of sophisticated analytics. Moreover, M/SS/CfA is dedicated to enriching the Department of State's global workforce's analytical capabilities by offering data and analytics training. These opportunities range from in-person workshops and community practices to online self-service platforms.

An essential part of our operation involves governing AI's ethical usage. M/SS/CfA achieves this through developing AI frameworks and engaging in interagency collaborations. Their work also involves establishing uniform data management practices and technologies to enhance data quality and accessibility, recognizing data as a strategic asset. Additionally, M/SS/CfA oversees the formulation and execution of the DOS Data Strategy and AI Enterprise Strategy, collaborating closely with various bureaus to ensure a cohesive and strategic approach to data and AI initiatives.

The M/SS/CfA is made up of four teams as outlined below.

1. Enterprise Engagement & Communications (EEC): Works to enhance employees’ capacities to effectively use data for informed decision making through training (FSI), building a force of skilled data specialists, and fostering a culture of data and analytics enterprise wide

2. Enterprise Data Management (EDM): Responsible for building DOS’s capacity to inventory, align, govern, secure and leverage data from across the enterprise

3. Enterprise Analytics: Using data and analytics to solve policy and management challenges by advising, enabling, and partnering with entities across the enterprise

4. Enterprise Technology: M/SS/CfA’s partnership with DOS’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) to modernize data technology infrastructure enables DOS data science delivery by standing up and maintaining modern data ingestion, storage, transformation, and visualization technology services

2. SCOPE/REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

Since M/SS/CfA’s inception in 2019, its portfolio of ongoing activities has expanded in scope and complexity. With this growth of services in mind and the need to have an independent entity providing portfolio management, performance evaluation, and customer analytics, the M/SS/CfA is seeking support services including, but not limited to:

Ad Hoc Advisory Services:

· Experience providing ad hoc advisory services to a CDAO, with an emphasis on addressing strategic challenges unique to federal agencies. This includes the understanding and nuance on navigating federal budget cycles, security clearance processes, inter-agency collaboration mechanisms, and specific legislative mandates affecting AI, data management and IT investment.

· Experience in advising on data analytics operational models within the context of federal government frameworks, including familiarity with the Federal Data Strategy, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, and the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act).

Special Projects:

· Undertaking special projects requiring knowledge of the DOS operational environment, such as diplomatic security data protocols, consular affairs data systems, and budgeting processes.

Quality Control Processes:

· Support CDS and RAIO to develop customized quality control processes for data science and AI projects, emphasizing the unique requirements of the DOS, such as diplomatic engagement sensitivity and international data sharing agreements.

Communication Specialist Support for Communication, Culture, and Training Division:

· Provide expertise in strategic communications with literacy in data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence. This includes managing social media, speech writing, graphic design, and engagement support.

· Provide expertise in UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) to maximize DOS internal, inter-agency, and public facing engagement, understanding, and adoption.

AI Subject Matter Expertise and Red Teaming Support for CDS/RAIO for CDS/RAIO:

· Offer business analyst support with a strong foundation in the operational dynamics of the Department of State, including expertise in navigating the DOS AI governance frameworks, such as the Responsible Use of AI guidelines and the Privacy Impact Assessment process.

· Coordinate quality control review processes that adhere to the DOS protocols, with a focus on supporting the CDS and RAIO in staffing, training, and developing AI communities of practice. This includes managing data scientists and facilitating inter-departmental and inter-agency working groups on data analytics and AI.

· Expertise to leverage generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), including but not limited to, identifying suitable GenAI technologies and platforms, creating and administering training programs to effectively utilize GenAI tools and solutions, providing expert advice to navigate the ethical considerations and compliance requirements, and delivering project management support to oversee the deployment process, ensuring timely and successful implementation.

· Provide IV&V and certified red teaming expertise for complex analytics projects and GenAI projects. This includes experience performing red teaming on GenAI projects on Federal IT systems.

General Scope Requirements:

1. Demonstrate capability to strategically manage complex data science and engineering projects within the federal government's regulatory and operational framework, with specific examples from work conducted using both Classified and Sensitive but Unclassified DOS data.

2. Experience overseeing new project intake processes, ensuring high-quality relationships with stakeholders and maintaining a lifecycle management process.

3. Experience coordinating financial tracking and providing comprehensive support to management teams, while establishing and evaluating customer-centric metrics for technology as a service and data analytics platforms.

4. Measure customer engagement and provide strategic communications within the context of DOS’s public affairs and diplomatic engagement strategies.

5. Contribute to the development, implementation, and management of quality control processes that adhere to the specific compliance and operational requirements of the DOS-specific data classifications and handling procedures.

6. Providing UI/UX subject matter expertise to deliver design services, developing a DOS-wide design system, and consulting on internal digital platforms.

7. Experience offering recommendations on usability and accessibility best practices, assisting in usability testing, and executing audience engagement strategies to enhance the DOS digital experience.

3. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

This requirement requires access to classified information and therefore the vendor must possess an active Top-Secret Facility Clearance Level (FCL) and all personnel shall maintain up to Top-Secret clearances, depending on the role as outlined in the Labor Categories. Uncleared individuals specifically authorized by the COR may perform on-site in DOS facilities, only on unclassified portions of the requirement and/or in areas not requiring cleared access but must still be processed for DOS personal identification cards (badges) in accordance with the DOS Personal Identification Card Issuance Procedures.

4. INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 Responses

Vendor evaluations will assess if a vendor is capable by examining their submission for evidence of their ability to meet all performance objectives. Mere assertions of capability are inadequate; vendors must provide tangible evidence. Responses to this notice should be and limited to a maximum 20 pages in total. Submissions should be in either Microsoft Word Document (.doc or .docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf) and sent via the provided email address. Submissions must include the following sections: Company Profile, and Recent/Relevant Experience.

4.1.1 Company Profile, to include:

1. The Company Profile section requires that a viable interested party showcases the company's ability to meet both the work/performance objectives and the customer’s needs. It is crucial that the specific work/performance objectives are directly addressed. Moreover, demonstrating capability includes providing examples of prior implementations of similar or greater scope and complexity. This includes furnishing relevant, applicable examples of previous work or solution implementations, accompanied by client points of contact.

2. General Business Information, completing the following table:

Company Name:

8(a) Program Graduation Date:

Company Point-of-Contact:

Address:

Email:

Phone:

UEI Number:

Socio-economic Status

Example: Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business; HUBZone; Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned; Service Disabled Veteran Owned; 8(a)

GSA Schedule Contracts or other GWAC (if applicable and number.):

Current CMMI Level, ISO certifications, or Other industry certifications:

Will you be sub-contracting or teaming any of the work outlined in the Scope above? If so, what percentage and what is the companies socioeconomic status?

4.1.2 Recent/Relevant Experience, to include:

Capabilities: Business

1. History and overview of your firm, indicating the general areas of focus for your business, and your years of relevant experience. Please highlight where experiences are recent, in support of U.S. Government programs of similar scope and complexity.

2. Specific experience and qualifications relevant to the suite of services and capabilities that the program requires, as outlined in scope included above. For each objective provide:

a. Brief descriptions of successful recent projects similar in scope and complexity, citing references

b. Operating models implemented and strategies employed to deliver these services effectively and efficiently under performance-based arrangements

5.0 Point of Contact

Responses must be submitted as either a Microsoft Word Document (.doc or .docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf) to the following e-mail addresses: Contracting Officer, Jeannie Mays at maysjr@state.gov and Contract Specialist, Earl Brown at brownea1@state.gov. Responses are due no later than Noon EST April 11, 2024. To the maximum extent possible, submit Non-Proprietary Information. All information received in response to this notice that is appropriately marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly.