Sources Sought Notice_Educational Verification Final.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

Education Verification

Background

This is a Sources Sought Notice issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) for Market Research purposes only. As permitted by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 10 “Market Research”, and FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S.

Government to form a binding contract. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or a promise to issue an RFP or RFQ. DCSA is not at this time seeking proposals, and as such responders are advised that the Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this Sources Sought. All costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ. All responses to this request become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

DCSA is responsible for conducting the majority of Background Investigations (BI) for the Federal Government to support suitability, national security clearances, and regulatory investigations. BIs are required to determine an individual’s eligibility for access to classified information, assignment to or retention in positions with sensitive duties, or other designated duties requiring such investigations.

As part of the investigative process, DCSA requires education and degree verifications for subjects of DCSA investigations. This information is vital to the mission of DCSA in the performance of personnel vetting and conducting BI’s for the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

DCSA is looking for authorized industry partners to meet this potential need and will accept responses from businesses of all sizes.

Overview of Requirements

DCSA has the potential need for an acquisition that supports the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS), the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004 and Trusted Workforce.

Specifically, DCSA is seeking potential vendors who are capable of providing education verifications for all participating postsecondary educational institutions, claimed within the available jurisdictions, which appropriately safeguards the confidentiality of data exchanged.

DCSA is seeking information from Vendors who can provide and perform the following general services:

1. Fulfill DCSA’s mission requirements to obtain educational data and verification for each degree and/or period of education listed within the scope an investigation.

2. Provide a user interface (website) that will allow Government users to conduct education verifications on demand.

a. Verifications will include both degree verification and dates of attendance verification.

3. Provide an integrated solution to obtain verification data.

a. Examples: XML web service or batch processing

4. Return education verification data query results immediately via either service platform (website or integrated solution).

5. Provide dedicated customer support for research and resolution of responses within one (1) business day with discrepant and/or missing record information.

Proposed NAICS and PSC: DCSA will accept recommendations from industry regarding both the NAICS and PSC for this potential effort.

The NAICS code contemplated for this requirement is 561611 – Background Check Services. This particular NAICS has a size standard of $25.0M. The PSC contemplated for this requirement is 7530 – Stationary and Record Forms.

In order to make a determination for a small business set-aside, two or more qualified and capable small businesses must submit responses that demonstrate their qualifications. Responses must demonstrate the company’s ability to perform in accordance with the Limitations on Subcontracting clause (FAR 52.219- 14).

Sources Sought Details: This Sources Sought is issued solely for informational and planning purposes – it does not constitute a RFP or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This Sources Sought does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, DCSA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought will be solely at the interested Vendor’s expense. Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Requested Information:

Interested Vendors are requested to respond to this Sources Sought no later than 11:00 AM EST on 22 December 2023 by emailing Heather Grod at heather.r.grod.civ@mail.mil and Kelsie Kautz at kelsie.kautz.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will not be accepted. DCSA will respond to questions at its discretion. The Government will not respond to further questions regarding the anticipated date of solicitation release.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and Contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

Responses shall include the following information, at a minimum:

1. Entity Information

a) Vendor Name

b) Primary Point of Contact (POC)

c) Address

d) Phone Number

e) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

f) DUNS

g) POC email

h) Business Website

2. Business Type mailto:heather.r.grod.civ@mail.mil mailto:kelsie.kautz.civ@mail.mil

Provide the economic business classifications you would potentially solicit under along with an updated capability sheet.

3. Contract Vehicles

Provide any contracting vehicles a future DCSA contract award may be placed against.

4. NAICS and PCS Code Recommendations

Provide confirmation if the existing codes are sufficient, or recommend new codes.

5. Requirements Response

Interested Vendors are requested to provide white paper responses outlining possible technical solutions, capabilities, and cost/schedules, existing contracts where this service is available (e.g. GSA Schedule contract) related to the above mentioned requirements.

All correspondences should include the subject line: “DCSA – RFI – INSA – 24 – Education Verification – (Vendor name)”

6. Formatting

Please provide all responses in a searchable .PDF format. The cover page of the response shall include the company name, Unique Entity Identifier, DUNS Number, address, point of contact including phone number and email address, as well as the business size status of the responding company. There is no specified format for the white papers but they shall be limited to no greater than 20 pages.

Vendor follow-on meetings: DCSA representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential vendors. Such meetings would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements.

Summary: This is a Sources Sought only to identify sources that can provide the services pertaining to the subject requirement. The information provided in the Sources Sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. DCSA has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this Sources Sought should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.