RFI 49100424K0024.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Notice ID 49100424K0024

Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), the National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking information on behalf of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP).

INTRODUCTION

The TIP directorate of NSF is seeking information from potential sources of program evaluation services for NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program (NSF Engines). These services will assess the impact of the program and the extent to which the program is achieving its intended goals. The potential offeror, in collaboration with NSF program directors, will be responsible for conducting a mixed-methods evaluation of the portfolio of NSF Engines projects.

The purpose of this notice is to determine the availability and technical capability of industry partners to provide the required services. Small businesses, including all socio-economic categories, are encouraged to respond. The Government will use responses to this RFI to inform decisions regarding setting aside this requirement for small businesses and/or leveraging existing government-wide contract vehicles.

More information about NSF Engines can be found at the program website:

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines

The NSF Engines portfolio can be found at:

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines/portfolio

REQUESTED INFORMATION

The NSF Engines program is a "place-based" initiative, with an emphasis on stimulating innovation-driven economic growth within well-defined regions of service across the United States. Below are key areas and critical requirements needed to achieve this assignment. Please provide specific examples of your work in these areas and/or companies you have worked with specifically to provide expertise in these areas.

1. Describe your organization’s experience conducting program evaluations focusing on place-based innovations. Provide a PDF of a past place-based innovation evaluation report, if available.

2. Describe your organization’s experience conducting program evaluations focusing on regional economic development. Provide a PDF of a past regional economic development evaluation report, if available.

3. Describe your organization’s experience providing Subject Matter Experts, not via subcontracts, to directly support, inform, and advise federal clients in the development, implementation, and management of evaluations of new or existing programs.

4. Describe your organization’s experience adapting program evaluation methods to accommodate new research ideas, methodologies, or findings in place-based innovation.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information:

1. A cover page that includes the following information:

a. Business name, mailing address, and website.

b. Name of company representative, their contact information, and their business title.

c. Business size and small business socio-economic status (if applicable).

d. CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

e. Any government-wide contract vehicles on which your organization provides services within this scope as a prime contract holder. (This information is for market research only and businesses with a valid CAGE that lack prime contract vehicles are still encouraged to respond to this notice.)

f. Any constraints preventing your organization from accepting a traditional FAR-based contract award.

2. A tailored capability statement addressing the Required Capabilities described above with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

3. Based upon the Required Capabilities above and the attached Draft SOO, provide information if there are any aspects that warrant clarification or do not allow a clear understanding of the Government’s requirements.

Responses should be no longer than ½ page per required capability, with total responses not exceeding three pages. An additional two pages may be included for references. The total capabilities statement package is not to exceed seven pages, inclusive of a one-page cover sheet, three-page capabilities brief, two pages for references, and one page for questions or comments on scope.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information pursuant to 41 USC 423.

Interested parties should submit a brief (no more than five pages) capabilities statement package demonstrating the ability to perform the services listed under Required Capabilities. Responses must be submitted via email no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 17 July 2024 to Alyssa Todaro at atodaro@nsf.gov. The subject line of the submission email shall read “RFI 49100424K0024 – Capabilities Statement”.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to organizations regarding their submissions.

DISCLAIMER

All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Responses in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this RFI are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI and any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 01 – DRAFT Statement of Objectives

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