Request for Information - OEA Optimization 09282026.pdf

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Request for Information (RFI): OEA Optimization

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. This Request for Information (RFI) for capability information does not constitute a request for bids, proposals, or quotes. Submission of any information in response to this market research survey is purely voluntary; and the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

The FCC seeks contractor support for Optimization and Research Support (OARS) services for the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA). The FCC requests information from industry regarding capabilities to support auction optimization, algorithmic testing, Broadband Data Collection (BDC) verification, program/project management, and related analytical and technical services necessary to fulfill OEA’s mission.

The anticipated support includes, among other things:

• Conducting auction optimization research (including combinatorial and winner-determination logic testing);

• Supporting Algorithmic and Math Validation (A&MV) testing of core FCC optimization tools and systems;

• Providing analytical, methodological, and data verification support for Broadband Data Collection (BDC) programs;

• Developing tools, scripts, methodological workflows, and proof-of-concept models;

• Providing PMBOK-based program and project management, quality control, risk management, and status reporting;

• Supporting special projects associated with new regulations, FCC directives, congressional mandates, or interagency requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to conduct auction optimization research, including analyzing sample and test datasets, running scenario models, applying mathematical theories, and supporting complex winner-determination and pricing algorithms.

• Ability to develop, test, validate, and integrate logic used in FCC systems including optimization tools such as the Flexible Auction Bidding System (FABS) and related auction systems.

• Capability to support comprehensive A&MV testing to include, but not be limited to, testing of bidder screens, verifying all calculations from the beginning to end of an auction, and checking all files and downloads for consistency with results.

• Ability to complete A&MV computational testing to ensure reliability, efficiency, consistency, and accuracy in OEA’s systems and underlying logic.

• Understanding and experience with complex auction designs and formats, including but not limited to, simultaneous multiple-round auctions, ascending clock auctions, descending reverse clock auctions, and incentive auctions.

• Understanding and experience performing analysis on complex, national broadband datasets, including working with wireless propagation modeling data, speed test data, and other similar geospatial or mapping data.

• Capacity to support BDC validation methodologies by performing data and statistical analyses, developing verification workflows, implementing proof-of-concept scripts, evaluating ML/AI-based data confidence approaches, and supporting FCC engineering teams in technical dataset analysis.

• Ability to design and implement logic and sequencing for coverage restoration processes and support evaluation of edge cases, policy-driven analyses, and methodological improvements.

• Capability to generate structured memos, flowcharts, diagrams, and recommendations for improving BDC challenge and verification processes.

• Ability to staff key personnel positions (PM, SMEs, Application Systems Analyst, Application Programmer, Business Analyst).

• Ability to provide program/project management consistent with PMBOK, including development of PMPs, QCPs, staffing plans, risk management plans, traceability matrices, transition plans, and status reporting.

• Ability to maintain flexibility to rebalance project priorities and resources in support of OEA mission requirements.

• Capacity to support special projects arising from new mandates, interagency agreements, FCC leadership directives, and congressional instructions.

The FCC seeks to identify vendors capable of providing like services and satisfying the Government's requirements listed above.

Information Requested:

Response Format: The Response should be sent to the Contracting Officer, Jeremy.markusic@fcc.gov.

The subject line should read: RFI RESPONSE: OEA Optimization and Company Name. The information should be sent in sufficient time to be received not later than the Response Deadline. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information as part of any resultant solicitation(s).

A Q&A period is not provided with this notice, and any questions may be documented in the Company’s capability statements submittal.

Responses should be submitted in sufficient time to be received no later than the Response Deadline provided by the FCC.

Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information. The Government reserves the right to use non-proprietary technical information included in any response.

No Q&A period will be provided; vendors may include questions within their capability statements.

Requested Company Information

1. Business Information

• UEI

• Company Name

• Company Address

• Company Point of Contact (Phone and Email)

• GSA Contract Vehicles appropriate for this RFI

• Recommended NAICS code or SIN (as appropriate)

• Type of Company / Business Size (small business, 8(a), woman-owned, veteran-owned, etc.)

• Socioeconomic status (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.)

2. RFI Response (not to exceed 6 pages)

• Provide a direct, complete, and concise response that clearly shows your organization’s qualifications to meet the minimum requirements. The response should flow logically and be delivered in MS Word or PDF format.

Response Deadline Please send your submission via email to the attention of Contacting Officer (CO) Jeremy Markusic (Jeremy.Markusic@fcc.gov) no later than October 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST.

Ensure your response includes the name, email address, and phone number of the primary company contact.

Disclaimer The FCC appreciates your time and effort in providing a response to this RFI as we perform market research. Please be advised that this RFI does not obligate the government to award a contract, pay for the information provided in response, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any of the information submitted.

The government reserves the right to use information provided by the respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. After a review of the responses received, the Government may or may not initiate the solicitation process. Any solicitation resulting from this notice may be published via the appropriate means and in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. However, responses to this notice shall not be considered adequate responses to any potential or resulting solicitation.

Response to this notice is strictly voluntary and not a prerequisite to participate in any formal solicitation process that may take place in the future. Yet, it should be noted that information gathered through this notice may significantly influence our acquisition strategy. All interested parties will be required to respond separately to any solicitation posted as a result of this RFI notice.