CNAAT National Training RFI 6.28.23.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

Issue Date: June 28, 2023

Title: Child Nutrition Access and Accountability through Technology (CNAAT) National Training

Response Due Date: July 12, 2023 @ 12:00 PM, Eastern Time E-mail:

Correspond directly with the Contract Specialist Carolyn Wilson, at Carolyn.Wilson2@usda.gov.

Responses submitted by any other method will not be accepted or answered. Please ensure that your e-mail response has “CNAAT RFI Response” in the subject line.

Issued by:

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Child Nutrition Program (CNP) in the Operational Support Branch (OSB).

RFI Purpose:

The purpose of this RFI is to seek information from potential Vendors with demonstrated expertise and experience in developing & managing content and a national training conference.

Anticipated Period of Performance The anticipated period of performance will be five years (60 months) from the date of contract award.

Anticipated Contract Type Firm Fixed Price

Additional Information:

This RFI is to determine the interest and capabilities of businesses to perform the work described in the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Responses to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any firm’s ability to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Quote (RFQ) if, or when, a solicitation is released.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes & does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kinds of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings. No phone solicitations or email with regards to the status of an RFP/RFQ will be accepted prior to its release. Information and materials submitted in response to this notice WILL NOT be returned. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this RFI.

United States Department of Agriculture

Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Office of Management, Technology, and Finance

Contracts Management Division

Braddock Place

Alexandria, VA 22314 mailto:Carolyn.Wilson2@usda.gov

The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. If you submit proprietary information, you must clearly mark “PROPRIETARY” on every sheet containing such information and segregate the proprietary information to the maximum extent practical from other portions of your response (e.g., use an attachment or exhibit). Respondents are responsible for adequately marking proprietary information in their response. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Do not include promotional materials. An electronic acknowledgement of the Vendor’s RFI response submission will be provided. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within one business day, please notify the Contracts Specialist to ensure successful delivery.

Submission Information:

This RFI is issued under General Services Administration’s (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) 561920 Conference, Meeting, Event and Trade Show Planning Services; 541611 Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support, and Business Program and Project Management Services; and 611430 Professional and Management Development Training to develop & manage content and a national training conference.

The USDA/FNS is seeking to acquire expert consulting services to assist the agency in planning, facilitating, developing and reviewing training content, presenting training workshops, and managing all logistical aspects (pre, during, and post) of a 2-to-3-day national technology training meeting for State agency, FNS, and technology industry partner representatives. The focus of the CNAAT National Training will include best practices and peer collaboration related to the best use of technologies to improve program access, integrity, and operational efficiencies in the CNPs nationwide.

All potential sources with the capability to provide the requirements referenced in this RFI and in the draft PWS are invited to submit, in writing, sufficient information within the page limitation (listed in this section).

Questions from Industry:

Please ask clarifying questions or concerns, if any, regarding this project. The Vendor’s questions will be considered when drafting the solicitation.

Responses Due:

All responses will be submitted electronically and emailed to the Contracts Specialist – Carolyn Wilson at Carolyn.Wilson2@usda.gov. All responses must be received no later than July 12, 2023 @ 12:00 PM, Eastern Time.

Submission Format:

Submissions must be in Microsoft Word. The typed font and point for your response to this RFI must be no smaller than Times New Roman 11 point.

Submission Contents:

Submissions are limited to no more than 10 pages.

Please see the attached DRAFT PWS for all proposed technical requirements.

Capabilities Statement/Response should include the following:

1. Company Name, Address, Point of Contact, Email Address:

2. Affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and potential teaming partners:

3. Year the firm was established and number of employees:

4. DUNS number, Unique Entity ID (UEI), and CAGE Code, as registered in the System for Award Management (SAM):

5. GSA Contract Number:

6. NAICS Code:

7. Size Standard:

8. Small business socio-economic category:

___ Small Business ____ (8(a) ___ HUBZone ___ SDVOSB___ EDWOSB ___WOSB ___VOSB ___Small Disadvantaged Business

9. A brief company overview:

Address the following Questions:

1) Which GSA Schedules does your organization hold that may accommodate the required work described in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)? Provide the schedule number(s).

2) Are the requirements in the draft PWS clear enough to allow you to submit a complete and responsive proposal? If not, please identify the areas that are unclear or contradictory, in your opinion.

3) Are the schedule of deliverables and timelines outlined in the PWS feasible? If not, why?

4) Do you have any other comments or questions that would help you more clearly understand the intent and content of the acquisition artifacts?

5) Will there be significant subcontracting or teaming anticipated in order to deliver technical capability? If so, please address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

6) Does your firm have knowledge of the operational aspects of CNAAT National Training?

7) The CNAAT National Training is sponsor in support of the School Meal Programs Under the National School Lunch Act, does your firm have experience in successful engagement with programs such as this one? If yes, please expound with an example.

8) Does your firm have experience with developing and managing content, project management, and technology training on a national level? If so, provide in detail that experience.

The Government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to:

1) provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform similar requirements; 3) implement a successful project management plan that includes: compliance with program schedules; cost containment; meeting and tracking performance; hiring and retention of key personnel and risk mitigation.

We are open to receiving responses from all Vendors who believe they possess the requisite expertise and capabilities to undertake this study. We look forward to receiving comprehensive responses that will aid in shaping the future course of completing this project successfully. Please ensure to submit your response within the specified time frame stated in the RFI.

The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

We are looking to industry experts to help make this Government requirement better for the end user and ultimately reduce the cost to the taxpayer. Thank you for your support.