Capability_Statement_Instructions_for_IES_PR_2.17.17.docx

Attachment C – Scientific Peer Review Support for IES Capability Statement Instructions

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

SCIENTIFIC PEER REVIEW SUPPORT FOR THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (IES)

SOLICITATION ED-IES-17-R-0014

CAPABILITY STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is conducting market research to determine if sufficient interest and capability exists in the marketplace for the Scientific Peer Review Support for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). This notice is NOT a request for proposals, but is an invitation for potential offerors to express interest and provide information regarding their relevant knowledge, skills and capabilities. Information submitted in response to this Special Notice may be used to assist the Department in finalizing its acquisition strategy.

Disclaimer: The Department will not pay for the provision of any information nor will it compensate any respondents for providing this information. This notice in no way obligates the Government to award any contract to any interested party. Feedback will not be provided to any interested party who submits information to the Department in response to this notice.

Capability Statement Submission Deadline The deadline for submitting Capability Statements and Basic Information responses is March 8th, 2017 by 2:00 p.m. (ET) via e-mail to the following individuals: Thomas.Smith@ed.gov, and cc: Veronica.Price@ed.gov Primary Point of Contact:

Thomas Smith Contract Specialist Thomas.Smith@ed.gov

Secondary Point of Contact:

Veronica Price Contracting Officer Veronica.Price@ed.gov Capability Statement Instructions In response to the attached DRAFT Scientific Peer Review Support for IES Performance Work Statement (DRAFT Peer Review PWS), the Department hereby solicits capability statements from eligible, interested parties. Capability Statements shall be no longer than 3 pages (single-spaced, with a minimum of one-inch margins and 12 point font).

Interested Parties shall provide responses for all content areas noted below. The information requested in the Basic Information Section, discussed below, does NOT count against the 3 page Capability Statement page limitation.

BASIC INFORMATION

1. Please state your business/company name and address. Include contact information such as a corporate email address and website URL.

1. Please state your business size status (i.e. large or small) in the stated NAICS code of 541611. Also provide all socio economic categories for your company and the corresponding NAICS code, and a statement as to whether NAICS code of 541611 is the most appropriate code.

1. State if the requirement should be set-aside for small business, and why (or why not)?

1. State if your business believes that GSA OASIS contracts are a viable procurement tool; and if so, under which pool?

1. State if your company believes that the DRAFT Peer Review PWS contains any unduly restrictive language or content? Why? Please cite specific examples and provide feedback.

1. State if the DRAFT Peer Review PWS content provides opportunities for small business subcontracting. Why or why not?

CAPABILITY STATEMENT CONTENT AREAS

The capability statement must describe the collective expertise and experience of your company’s personnel, in each of the following areas:

· Experience and skill in managing all aspects of in-person and virtual research grant scientific peer review panels and in managing scientific peer review activities for report manuscripts; prior successful work in managing scientific peer review processes of a similar nature; and adequate time commitment. Interested parties shall provide a minimum of two examples of personnel’s successful past experience managing all aspects of scientific peer review activities.

· Experience with developing and maintaining web-based technology that supports all aspects of a grant a peer review process, from receipt of applications through facilitating activities during the peer review panel meetings and post-review activities, including operating a portal through which applicants can receive review feedback; and all aspects of report manuscript scientific peer review, including receiving report manuscripts and making these manuscripts and other reviewer materials available to reviewers, and receiving completed reviews. Interested parties shall provide a minimum of two examples of personnel’s involvement with developing and maintaining complex multi-function web-based peer review support systems.

In addition, the capability statement shall address the following experience and capacity at the corporate level:

· Experience with projects similar in nature and scale to that described in the DRAFT Peer Review PWS. Interested parties shall provide evidence of successful corporate experience with a minimum of two past projects that are similar to that described in the DRAFT Peer Review PWS, in terms of the specific tasks to be performed and the anticipated level of effort required.