RFI Instructions Facilitation.docx

Facilitation Services for Negotiated Rulemaking Capability Statement Instructions

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PLANNING, POLICY& INNOVATION

OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

FACILITATION SERVICES FOR NEGOTIATED RULAMKING

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 “Facilitation Services for Negotiated Rulemaking” requirement. This notice is NOT a request for quotes 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 Sources Sought 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 June 4, 2025 by 2:00 PM (ET) via e-mail to the following individual: Katie.Opper@ed.gov

Primary Point of Contact:

Katie Opper Contract Officer Katie.Opper@ed.gov

Capability Statement Instructions In response to both attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement (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 ONLY 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 541990. Provide all socioeconomic categories for your company and the corresponding NAICS code, and a statement as to whether NAICS code of 541990 is the most appropriate code.

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

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

1. State if either DRAFT PWS content provides opportunities for small business subcontracting (or not). 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:

· Staff should have knowledge of and experience in the federal Negotiated Rulemaking Process, including knowledge of the 20 U.S. Code § 1098a - Regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking.

· Staff should have knowledge of Higher Education laws and policies, specifically the laws and policies applicable to the Federal Student Aid programs

· Staff have necessary competencies (technical skills), educational background, professional certifications, relevant work experience in Facilitation and meeting management. These competencies include:

· Organizing the Facilitation Team.

· Facilitation design planning, including establishing clear success metrics.

· Communication planning for both internal Department Staff and external participants.

· Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbal and written).

· Experience with conflict resolution.

· Ability to collaborate with Stakeholders (both internal and external).

· Ability to remain neutral,

· Meeting management skills, which include adherence to facilitation guideline sets, keeping all participants on track, and time management skills.

· Experience with technology/on-line meeting tools and resources used for facilitation if meetings are held virtually.

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

· Experience with projects similar in nature to that described in the DRAFT 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 PWS, in terms of the evaluation activities to be performed and the anticipated level of effort required.