PRESTO Sources Sought Notice_BLANK 312022.pdf

Sources Sought Notice U.S. Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences

This Sources Sought Notice is issued for market research purposes only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government to award a contract at this time. The intent of this sources sought is to seek responses from industry with specialized capabilities to meet all, or part of, the requirements defined in the draft statement of work (SOW), with the intent of assessing the existing market, and engaging vendors in new spaces.

* Required

OVERVIEW

IES intends to re-compete the Education Statistics Service Institute Network (ESSIN) contract by issuing a vehicle that encompasses additional requirements that supports the entire IES mission and that is accessible to the entire Department of Education as applicable. This new vehicle has been titled Procurement of Research Evaluation and Statistics Task Orders (PRESTO), and shall be a multiple award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract vehicle.

This contract vehicle is currently in the acquisition planning stage and the Government seeks input from industry regarding the proposed vehicle design and objectives stated within the draft Statement of Work

(SOW).

3/1/2022

PLEASE NOTE:

All information contained in this notice is preliminary in nature and subject to change. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or a commitment on the part of the Government to conduct a solicitation in the future. All information provided is strictly voluntary and no reimbursement will be made by the Government for any costs associated with providing a response to this notice or otherwise participating in market research activities. Further, the U.S.

Department of Education offers no assurance that a solicitation will result from this notice.

RESPONSIBLE PARTY INFORMATION

For the purposes of this Sources Sought Notice, please complete the following fields to serve as a Point of Contact (POC) for the responses provided.

Last Name, First Name

Point of Contact * 1.

+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Phone Number * 2.

E-mail Address * 3.

Company Name * 4.

CAGE Code * 5.

DUNS Number Optional

6.

Company Website7.

SMALL BUSINESS DECLARATION

Does your firm/company qualify as a small business? * 8.

Yes

No

Select all that apply.

Please identify below the applicable small business classification(s): * 9.

8(a) business

HUBZone small business

Small-disadvantaged business

Woman-owned small business

Economically-disadvantaged, women-owned small business

Service-disabled, veteran-owned small business

Other

If you selected "other," please include the small business classification below. 10.

ED SBCX is a customer experience solution to help facilitate small business contracting. ED SBCX enables businesses to upload their capabilities and highlight their interest in particular procurements. To access the Department of Education's Small Business Directory, please visit https://mysbcx.ed.gov/ (https://mysbcx.ed.gov/).

NOTE: Registration status is not required. Respondents who are not already registered are encouraged to do so, as this information will be available to all program offices in ED to assist with their market research.

SBCX also enables OSDBU to inform small businesses about contract opportunities.

[Optional] Is your firm/company currently registered in the Department of Education's Small Business Directory (SBCX)?

11.

Yes

No https://mysbcx.ed.gov/

SCOPE CATEGORIES

The PRESTO contract vehicle will consist of five distinct scope categories with associated NAICS codes assigned to each category. Task orders will be awarded with a primary scope category, and only vendors awarded under that scope category will be able to bid. A nominal amount of work from another scope category may be included within a task order. Vendors from another scope category may serve as a subcontractor, but the prime vendor must be approved in the primary scope category.

The scope categories of PRESTO are as follows:

1. Education Sciences Support Activities

2. Assessment Development Support

3. Communications and Outreach

4. Recruitment

5. IES Operational Support

In the following section, respondents will be asked to review the list of requirements specific to each scope category and confirm whether or not their company is capable of meeting any subset of those listed. For each applicable category, respondents will be required to further identify and select the relevant requirement(s) and associated NAICS code(s) in alignment with the respondent's industry and expertise.

Additionally, in the interest of engaging industry on key concepts surrounding the categorization of requirements within the draft SOW, respondents are invited to answer some optional questions specific to each scope category. The data collected in this Sources Sought Notice will help to inform the acquisitions strategy.

Category 1: Education Sciences Support Activities

1.1 General Education Sciences Support

1.1.1 Sampling

1.1.2 Data Collection

1.1.3 Data Processing, Management, and Data Creation

1.1.4 Data Management and Information System Management

1.1.5 Weighting and Variance Estimation

1.1.6 Statistics and Data Analysis

1.2 National Statistical, Evaluation, and Research Activities

1.2.1 Internal Expert Reviewing Activities

1.2.2 National Technical Assistance

1.2.3 Data Dissemination and Training Support

1.2.4 Congressional Allocation Program Support

1.2.5 Applied and Basic Research & Development (R&D) Studies

1.2.6 Program-Based and Methodology Innovations

1.2.7 Report and Publication Production

1.2.8 Support for External/Internal Evaluation Activities

1.3 Sample Survey Activity Support

1.3.1 Sample Survey Management

1.3.2 Longitudinal Studies Management

1.3.3 Rapid Response Surveys

1.3.4 International Studies Activities

Can the respondent meet any of the requirements listed in Category 1? * 12.

Yes

No

Select all that apply.

Please identify below which of the Category 1 requirements the respondent is capable of completing. *

13.

Sampling

Data Collection

Data Processing, Management, and Data Creation

Data Management and Information System Management

Weighting and Variance Estimation

Statistics and Data Analysis

Internal Expert Reviewing Activities

National Technical Assistance

Data Dissemination and Training Support

Congressional Allocation Program Support

Applied and Basic Research & Development (R&D) Studies

Program-Based and Methodology Innovations

Report and Publication Production

Support for External/Internal Evaluation Activities

Sample Survey Management

Longitudinal Studies Management

Rapid Response Surveys

International Studies Activities

Select all that apply and use the "Other" field to provide any additional NAICS code(s) which align with the respondent's industry/expertise. If entering multiple NAICS codes for consideration, be sure to place a semicolon (;) to separate between each NAICS code in the "Other" field.

Which of the following Category 1 NAICS code(s) align with the respondent's industry?

14.

518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services

541720 – Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Other

Limit your response below to 400 words.

[Optional] Past Performance Record(s) Respondents who claim to meet all or some subset of the Category 1 requirements are invited to provide a record of past performance and include the following information for each engagement:

Prime contractor or subcontractor;

Contract number;

Contract period of performance;

Scope; and Government or private sector organization.

15.

Please identify one (1) relevant contract number from the past performance record above, and provide the Name, E-mail Address, and Phone Number of the primary point of contact.

[Optional] Past Performance Reference Respondents are further invited to provide a reference to support the respondent's prior performance record in the scope of Category 1.

16.

Limit your response below to 400 words.

[Optional] Is the scope of Category 1 clear and the categorization of activities logical and distinct enough? If not, please include an explanation below.

17.

[Optional] Are there any barriers to competition in the scope of Category 1? If yes, please include an explanation of those barriers below and how the Government may best resolve those barriers.

18.

Category 2: Assessment Development Support

2.1 Assessment Management

2.2 Framework Development and Comparisons

2.3 Item Development

2.3.1 Non-Cognitive Items

2.3.2 Cognitive Items

2.3.3 Process Data Items

2.3.4 Item Scoring and Coding

2.4 Psychometric Analysis

2.4.1 Cognitive/Non-Cognitive Items

2.4.2 Process Data

2.5 Survey Feasibility Assessment

2.6 Instrument Design

2.7 Questionnaire Development

2.8 Assessment Development

Can the respondent meet any of the requirements listed in Category 2? * 19.

Yes

Please identify below which of the Category 2 requirements the respondent is capable of completing. *

20.

Assessment Management

Framework Development and Comparisons

Item Development: Non-Cognitive Items

Item Development: Cognitive Items

Item Development: Process Data Items

Item Development: Item Scoring and Coding

Psychometric Analysis: Cognitive/Non-Cognitive Items

Psychometric Analysis: Process Data

Survey Feasibility Assessment

Instrument Design

Questionnaire Development

Assessment Development

Select all that apply and use the "Other" field to provide any additional NAICS code(s) which align with the respondent's industry/expertise. If entering multiple NAICS codes for consideration, be sure to place a semicolon (;) to separate between each NAICS code in the "Other" field.

Which of the following Category 2 NAICS code(s) align with the respondent's industry?

21.

518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services

541720 – Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

[Optional] Past Performance Record(s) Respondents who claim to meet all or some subset of the Category 2 requirements are invited to provide a record of past performance and include the following information for each engagement:

Prime contractor or subcontractor;

Contract number;

Contract period of performance;

Scope; and

22.

Please identify one (1) relevant contract number from the past performance record above, and provide the

[Optional] Past Performance Reference Respondents are further invited to provide a reference to support the respondent's prior performance record in the scope of Category 2.

23.

[Optional] Is the scope of Category 2 clear and the categorization of activities logical

24.

[Optional] Are there any barriers to competition in the scope of Category 2? If yes, please include an explanation of those barriers below and how the Government may

25.

Category 3: Communications & Outreach

3.1 Communications Planning and Management

3.2 External and Internal Communications Content

Can the respondent meet any of the requirements listed in Category 3? * 26.

Yes

No

Select all that apply.

Please identify below which of the Category 3 requirements the respondent is capable of completing. *

27.

Communications Planning and Management

External and Internal Communications Content

Select all that apply and use the "Other" field to provide any additional NAICS code(s) which align with the respondent's industry/expertise. If entering multiple NAICS codes for consideration, be sure to place a semicolon (;) to separate between each NAICS code in the "Other" field.

Which of the following Category 3 NAICS code(s) align with the respondent's industry?

28.

541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

541613 – Marketing Consulting Services

541612 – Human Resources Consulting Services

541618 – Other Management Consulting Services

Respondents who claim to meet all or some subset of the Category 3 requirements are invited to provide a record of past performance and include the following information for each engagement:

Prime contractor or subcontractor;

Contract number;

Contract period of performance;

Scope; and

29.

Please identify one (1) relevant contract number from the past performance record above, and provide the

[Optional] Past Performance Reference Respondents are further invited to provide a reference to support the respondent's prior performance record in the scope of Category 3.

30.

[Optional] Is the scope of Category 3 clear and the categorization of activities logical

31.

[Optional] Is the Category 3 description broad enough to cover all internal and external communication needs?

32.

[Optional] Are there any barriers to competition in the scope of Category 3? If yes, please include an explanation of those barriers below and how the Government may

33.

Category 4: Recruitment

4.1 Recruitment for Education Sciences Activities

4.2 State Coordinators Recruitment Center

4.3 Centralized Contract List

Can the respondent meet any of the requirements listed in Category 4? * 34.

Yes

No

Select all that apply.

Please identify below which of the Category 4 requirements the respondent is capable of completing. *

35.

Recruitment for Education Sciences Activities

State Coordinators Recruitment Center

Centralized Contract List

Select all that apply and use the "Other" field to provide any additional NAICS code(s) which align with the respondent's industry/expertise. If entering multiple NAICS codes for consideration, be sure to place a semicolon (;) to separate between each NAICS code in the "Other" field.

Which of the following Category 4 NAICS code(s) align with the respondent's industry?

36.

541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

541613 – Marketing Consulting Services

541612 – Human Resources Consulting Services

541618 – Other Management Consulting Services

Respondents who claim to meet all or some subset of the Category 4 requirements are invited to provide a record of past performance and include the following information for each engagement:

Prime contractor or subcontractor;

Contract number;

Contract period of performance;

Scope; and

37.

Please identify one (1) relevant contract number from the past performance record above, and provide the

[Optional] Past Performance Reference Respondents are further invited to provide a reference to support the respondent's prior performance record in the scope of Category 4.

38.

[Optional] Is the scope of Category 4 clear and the categorization of activities logical

39.

[Optional] Are there any barriers to competition in the scope of Category 4? If yes, please include an explanation of those barriers below and how the Government may

40.

Category 5: IES Operational Support

5.1 Project Management Support

5.1.1 Project Program Integration and Coordination

5.1.2 Business Case Quality Management Support

5.1.3 Institutional Monitoring and Modernization Activities

5.1.4 Compliance Support

5.2 Logistics Support

5.2.1 Event Planning

5.2.2 Help Desk Support

5.3 Subject Matter Expertise

5.3.1 IES Technical and Quality Reviews

5.3.2 External Expert Help

5.3.3 Geospatial Activities

5.3.4 Training and Technical Assistance

5.3.5 Cognitive Labs and Focus Groups

5.3.6 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Initiatives

Can the respondent meet any of the requirements listed in Category 5? * 41.

Yes

Please identify below which of the Category 5 requirements the respondent is capable of completing. *

42.

Project Program Integration and Coordination

Business Case Quality Management Support

Institutional Monitoring and Modernization Activities

Compliance Support

Event Planning

Help Desk Support

IES Technical and Quality Reviews

External Expert Help

Geospatial Activities

Training and Technical Assistance

Cognitive Labs and Focus Groups

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Initiatives

Select all that apply and use the "Other" field to provide any additional NAICS code(s) which align with the respondent's industry/expertise. If entering multiple NAICS codes for consideration, be sure to place a semicolon (;) to separate between each NAICS code in the "Other" field.

Which of the following Category 5 NAICS code(s) align with the respondent's industry?

43.

541720 – Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

541512 – Computer System Design Services

Respondents who claim to meet all or some subset of the Category 5 requirements are invited to provide a record of past performance and include the following information for each engagement:

Prime contractor or subcontractor;

Contract number;

Contract period of performance;

Scope; and

44.

Please identify one (1) relevant contract number from the past performance record above, and provide the

[Optional] Past Performance Reference Respondents are further invited to provide a reference to support the respondent's prior performance record in the scope of Category 5.

45.

[Optional] Is the scope of Category 5 clear and the categorization of activities logical

46.

[Optional] Are there any barriers to competition in the scope of Category 5? If yes, please include an explanation of those barriers below and how the Government may

47.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT

All respondents are invited to submit a capability statement by answering the following questions. The government will evaluate the compilation of answers based on the respondent’s demonstrated qualifications, capabilities, and expertise in each of the areas included in the draft SOW.

Limit your response below to 400 words.

[Optional] Demonstrate the capability to handle multiple task orders while maintaining a high quality of service and products to ensure the successful completion of requirements.

48.

[Optional] Demonstrate ability to interface and work collaboratively with other contractors supporting IES work.

49.

Identify any challenges and/or risks in meeting the requirements in the draft statement of work, and any actions taken to address those challenges and risks (e.g., impacts of COVID in relation to the completion of requirements in the SOW).

50.

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Additional Feedback

Limit additional feedback to 400 words or less.

[Optional] Please use the space provided below to include any additional feedback on scope categories 1 through 5.

51.