RFI-19AQMM22N0044.docx

FURNISHED HOUSING

GENERAL INFORMATION

Classification Code:

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

U. S. Government, Department of State, Bureau of Global Talent Management has a requirement for a contractor to provide full furnished housing in the Washington, DC area for a period of 10 weeks to new paid student interns.

DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice (herein referred to as a Request for Information) are issued by the Department of State, Office of Acquisition, when performing market research to determine industry interest and capabilities. The Department of State is interested in the capabilities of a woman owned small business (WOSB) and other than small businesses to perform the services, and is particularly certified 8a, hubzone, and service disabled veteran owned (SDVOSB) interested in the capabilities of small business and strongly encourages responses from those businesses. This is a Request for Information announcement only.

This is not a solicitation or request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract(s) based solely on the submission of this Request for Information nor does it intend to pay for any costs incurred in response to this announcement.

The Department of State reserves the right to terminate this request and change its requirements if needed. Responding to this Request for Information does not guarantee participation in future Department activities.

1. BACKGROUND

Beginning in the Fall 2022, the U.S. Department of State will begin a new Paid Student Internship Program. Under this program, the Department will provide housing to the students at their internship location for the duration of the internship.

The Fall 2022 internship cycle will be a pilot program with a reduced number of interns selected (up to 200). Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 will also be pilot programs but with a progressive increase in the number of interns, subject to budget constraints.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to obtain a fixed price contract that will provide the interns with full furnished housing in the Washington, D.C. area for a period of 10-weeks during each program cycle (Fall, Spring, Summer).

a. Each program cycle will increase progressively the maximum number of interns; Fall 2022 (200 interns – confirmed maximum), Spring 2023 (300 interns - estimate), Summer 2023 (400 interns - estimate).

b. Rolling availability of housing will be required. The interns will receive their entry-on-duty start dates anytime between Week 1 to Week 12 of the internship cycle and will need housing no sooner than 1-day prior to their EOD.

c. The contracted housing may be filled as the interns begin their 10-week internships, meaning housed interns will receive more ‘roommates’ as the program cycle progresses and more interns travel to Washington DC to begin their internship.

3. HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS AND SUITABILITY

The Contractor shall provide suitable fully furnished housing as listed in the following paragraphs below. Housing must meet all the requirements as stipulated in the underlying Scope of Work for housing.

4. RESERVATIONS, CHECK-INS/CHECK-OUTS, AND CANCELLATIONS

a. Reservations If no furnished apartments of that quantity are available, the Contractor shall provide a price comparable hotel option and will make the necessary reservations.

b. Check-ins/Check-outs

The Contractor must provide onsite staff to assist the interns with check-in. Also, onsite staff must be provided to assist the interns with check-out on the last day of the internship, schedule at a coordinated date for each program cycle during their 10-week internship.

The Contractor shall anticipate early arrival or late departure of interns on availability basis of the property.

c. Cancellations

The Government may cancel a reservation no less than 7 days in advance without a penalty.

5. CONTRACTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

The Contractor must provide contact and confirmation support during reservation and occupancy stages. The Contractor support must be available via telephone, fax, and internet (website or email) and shall provide emergency toll free (within the U.S.) contact information for all reservation problems. Emergency contact personnel information shall be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. IDEAL LOCATION REQUIREMENT

· The housing location must be within reasonable walking distance (1 mile or less) of one of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) stations across the metro area of Washington DC (including nearby VA and MD metro station location). The housing locations should be in neighborhoods with walkable access to a metro station and everyday conveniences (ex. grocery store, restaurants, shopping, etc.)

7. MANDATORY FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

· There should be no more than one intern assigned to each bedroom

· Wi-Fi internet, cable tv, and phone services are included at no additional costs to the intern

· Fully furnished living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms

· Basic dishes, utensils, and cookware are included

· Onsite laundry facility

· Cleaning service every two weeks at no additional cost to the intern

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE OR DELIVERY

Deliverables/reports under this contract shall be made to the following address:

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Global Talent Management Office of Talent Acquisition SA-1 Room H-518 2401 E Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20520

MARKET RESEARCH:

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a capability statement and supporting artifacts. Capability statements should be submitted in Microsoft Word Compatible format and are due no later than June 15, 2022 at 4:00PM EDT. Responses shall be limited to 20 pages plus any supporting artifacts and submitted via e-mail to postellbj@state.gov. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be clearly marked. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

QUESTIONS:

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted no later than June 6, 2022 at 12:00PM EDT in writing via e-mail to the postellbj@state.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered via e-mail accordingly. Questions shall not contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after June 6, 2022 by 12:00PM EDT will be answered.