Request_for_Information_DHRA_Research_for_Security_RFI.docx

U.S. General Services Administration Acquisition Operations Division Federal Acquisition Service

Request for Information (RFI) Sources Sought Notice

Request for Information (RFI): Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Defense Human Resource Activity, Research for Security, Surveys and Testing

From: Karina R. Levitas, Contracting Officer, GSA, Federal Acquisition Service

To: All Prospective Offerors

Project Title: Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Defense Human Resource Activity, Research for Security, Surveys and Testing

NOTICE:

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued solely for information and planning purposes, it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not reimburse for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested parties’ expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in a future RFP, if one is issued.

MARKET RESEARCH:

This RFI is seeking responses from businesses that can provide the required services under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 611710 – Educational Support Services, 541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities and other NAICS codes that may be recommended by Industry. This synopsis is encouraging responses from all qualified and capable businesses regardless of size. The data obtained from this RFI will assist the Government in understanding the capabilities available in the industry marketplace and to inform the development of a way-ahead for GSA to obtain support services on behalf of the DMDC. Additionally, the market research will assist the Government in determining which acquisition vehicle can be used to best meet the requirements as indicated in the Draft PWS. GSA intends on determining the availability of capable small and large businesses on a various schedules, established vehicles or open market sources.

BACKGROUND:

DMDC is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA), which is a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity. DMDC maintains the central and authoritative store of personnel, manpower, training, and security data for the DoD. The personnel data holdings, in particular, are broad in scope and date back to the early 1970’s, covering all uniformed services, all components of the total force (active, guard, reserve, and civilian), and all phases of the personnel life cycle (accessions through separation/retirement). The categories of data archived at DMDC represent significant data holdings and, in most cases, provide the only single source of common data on the uniformed services. These data support decision-making by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) (OUSD [P&R]), other OSD organizations, and a wide variety of customers both within and outside the DoD.

Research in personnel security, surveys and testing has been a cornerstone of Personnel and Readiness (P&R) for many years. Through the consolidation of PERSEREC by DMDC in 2013 the main research hub transitioned with the consolidation. Since 2000 in-depth research has been conducted while establishing a baseline for critical data as all levels within the DoD. Currently we are conducting research in areas of personnel security, surveys and testing in direct support of the DoD worldwide. As the demographics change and the world changes it is much more prevalent to conduct varying degrees of research to ensure decision makes have firsthand knowledge in areas such as, but not limited to espionage, social media, cyber security, ASVAB Psychometric Analysis and surveys of various degrees.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Provided within this RFI, is a DRAFT PWS, which is being used for planning purposes. The requirements listed in the PWS are subject to change, if and when a solicitation is posted. Responders to this RFI are encouraged to review the PWS, in its entirety, and provide the requested information indicated below as their Capability Statement response.

REQUESTED TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

A. General Comments:

1. Marketing brochures and/or generic company literature will not be considered. Not addressing all the requested information may result in the Government determining the responder is not capable of performing the scope of the work required.

2. RFIs may be used when the Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

3. The potential award of this contract is not limited by the identified disciplines and levels of knowledge/skill which may require inclusion of other categories based on performance approach and/or other contract requirements.

B. Capability Statement Content:

1. Provide a Cover-letter identifying the following information:

a. Company name, Company point of contact and telephone number

b. DUNS and CAGE numbers

c. Applicable company GSA FSS schedule numbers or GSA Schedule Contracts utilizing NAICS Codes: 611710 and/or 541720 or list which NAICS codes you believe to be applicable to the work outlined in the PWS and list any applicable GSA FSS schedules or GSA Schedule Contracts.

d. Statement addressing Small Business status, if any including: The response must include the business size of the vendor under stated or preferred and applicable NAICS codes (Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-owned Small Business, HUBZone Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Small Business, Historically Black College and University/Minority Institution, Small Business Joint Venture, Consortium, Teaming Partner, or Large Business).

e. Provide applicable schedule contract numbers as well as any applicable GWACs utilizing stated NAICS codes.

2. Describe relevant projects in which your company has been responsible for implementing an enterprise-level related to the listed tasks in the Draft PWS as follows: Personnel, Suitability, Security and Insider Threat Research, Automated Checks and Emerging Social Indicators, Special policy initiatives, Security and Suitability Vetting, Security Management and Insider Threat Information, Data Science/Predictive Analytics, Survey Research, Research and Psychometric analysis of tests, Evaluating Characteristics of Armed Forces, Evaluate New Types of Selection and Classification Instruments and Methodologies, IT support for research efforts, Support Personnel Testing Division’s (PTD) CAT Lab, and other tasks listed in the PWS.

3. In consideration to the possibility of surge requirements, please provide a response that demonstrates your company’s ability to scale their supporting services in order to accommodate DMDC’s desire to allow numerous locations, as well as other DoD components, the option of acquiring support services through the DMDC or by externally managing DMDC’s services provided by other organization(s). Descriptions should demonstrate the vendor’s success in increasing volume of services provided without any deterioration in the quality of service.

4. Please describe your company’s ability to meet personnel security requirements as indicated in the Draft PWS.

5. Please suggest what, if any, additional information would your company need to be able to propose competitive solutions utilizing a fixed price contract as well as a fixed-price contract with Labor-Hour Optional Tasks, an IDIQ contract with Fixed price and labor-hour tasks, or a Requirements contract.

6. Do the descriptions of the task contain sufficient detail to allow firm fixed price type proposals? Please provide the type of information that you would need in order to put together a firm fixed price type proposal including any assumptions your company would make in proposing in a fixed-price environment against the current Draft PWS.

7. Identify by associated task number within the Draft PWS which tasks, if any, require additional information.

8. Please address what are anticipated impacts to the solution and approach if a performance-based contracting approach is pursued? What creative solutions can your company offer in the Quality Assurance elements of the listed requirements within the Draft PWS, as well as Quality Assurance measures in contract performance.

9. Describe successes and challenges encountered in previous experiences/ contract efforts for similar work as indicated in the Draft PWS.

10. Describe a high level team structure and skill mix required to execute the proposed approach.

11. Are you capable of assembling a team that can perform the work described in which the prime contractor (8a) performs at least 51% of the work (by dollar value)? Please provide a capability statement that describes your ability to this type of work.

12. General questions(s), if any relating to the PWS that need to be clarified prior to release of a RFP, if an RFP is released.

Respond in the provided Question/Answer format for each question in the RFI. If you choose not to respond to a question, indicate “no response” and identify the rationale. No more than 15 total single-sided pages with print no smaller than 10 point is suggested; however, text included in graphics, tables, and figures can be smaller than 10 point. Marketing material and reference material may be placed in appendices.

Questions regarding any aspect of this acquisition should be emailed to karina.levitas@gsa.gov. Please email your response to karina.levitas@gsa.gov.

Capability Statement Responses are due on TBD – two weeks from issuance.

image1.png