RFI_8432 - Instructions.docx

Request for Information (RFI -8432)

SPECIAL NOTICE: SOURCES SOUGHT & REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES OR PROPOSALS. This notice does not represent a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for information received as a result of this announcement. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and any follow-up information requests to include an invite to further explain/demonstrate aspects of their proposed approach. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Information provided in response to this RFI is submitted voluntarily and is not being requested as part of a solicitation for actual pricing.

DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) ATTACHED

PURPOSE OF RFI:

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information for potential contractors to provide a commercial service for marketing and advertising services.

The Peace Corps is performing market research. The office performing this market research is the Office of Communications, which is located within the Office of External Affairs (EA). The Office of Communications has two primary objectives: To expand the public's awareness and understanding of the Peace Corps and the work of Volunteers overseas; and to support the efforts of the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection and the regional recruiting offices in their efforts to build our pipeline of candidates and recruit new Peace Corps Volunteers. The Office of Communications offers advice and assistance to overseas posts on their communications needs, as well as works with them to acquire information and assets about country and Volunteer projects to improve the content for our external communications programs.

The Peace Corps reaches out to the media and marketing industries from time to time to understand changes in the marketplace, research and advertising trends that help us continue to evolve our brand, communications and relevancy to our target audiences. We are looking to increase brand awareness, generate leads and drive Volunteer applications from the best qualified Americans reflecting the diversity of our nation. The Peace Corps is in a position where we need to recruit a new generation (Generation Z, born 1997-2012) as they enter our core audience age range (college students/recent graduates) for Volunteer service. We would appreciate your time and help to respond to the questions we have related to your experience helping other brands face new challenges.

Market Research:

GSA: The Peace Corps has identified General Services Agency (GSA) Professional Services, Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) categories 541613 – Marketing Consulting Services and 541810 -Advertising as a result of ongoing market research.

RFI QUESTIONNAIRE

Provide the following information:

1. Company description, discussion of company capabilities, and general summary of approach to accomplishing the requirements listed in the Draft PWS.

1. Historical information (description and length of time providing this service, as well as under what North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to the public and other federal agencies.

1. Describe your type of business, (i.e., small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, HUB Zone, serviced-disabled veteran-owned small business, large business, etc.), under NAICS 541613 (Marketing Consulting Services) and NAICS 541810 (Advertising)

1. Does your company possess the capabilities to provide the entire range and scope of these requirements? If not, please list which requirements your company can provide?

1. Suggestions/recommendations to improve scope of services to provide an improved value to the Government.

1. Potential risks that could impact the requirement, whether it is performance risk, technical risk or cost? Please be specific.

1. Issues with scope (either expressed or implied) that may limit a Company’s ability to perform services and ultimately increase the cost to the Government.

1. Generation Z (1997-2012) has more opportunities than ever as they exit higher education. Give an example of how your organization successfully engaged with members of Gen Z to make major decisions that would affect their futures.

1. What advertising challenges and opportunities do you anticipate in the next five years?

1. More and more of a customer journey is happening via digital channels. Give an example of how you have engaged customers throughout their lifecycle via a variety of channels. Please share how you changed your messaging and tactics to suit each channel.

1. What changes have you seen in performing services related to the areas below:

10. increase recruitment

10. increase brand recognition among Gen Z

10. generate quality leads and/or build a pipeline

10. educate members of the public who are influencers of Gen Z

1. If you were to support the Peace Corps’ outreach efforts, what is something you’d try that you think hasn’t yet been attempted?

1. What channels do you think will undergo fundamental changes in the next five years, which could affect how they are used?

1. List one or two brands you admire and the rationale behind why you admire those brands.

RESPONSES TO RFI

RFI responses shall conform to the format below and provide the following information:

1. Cover Letter – The cover letter must include the following information:

0. Company name

0. Company point of contact, telephone number and email address

0. Date submitted

1. Vendors shall respond to each of the general questions above.

1. If the offeror chooses not to respond to a question, indicate “no response.”

1. Submit a capabilities package that include the above considerations that demonstrate capabilities and expertise related to the information outlined. As part of the market research associated with this RFI, we are also seeking pricing information. Any pricing information received is to be Rough Order of Magnitude, and is solely for information-gathering and planning purposes.

1. Marketing and/or reference materials, if included, shall be placed at the end of the response, in an appendix.

1. Responses shall not exceed 20 pages, and should be submitted in PDF, Microsoft Word .doc or .docx formats, Times New Roman 11-point or 12-point font, with 1-inch margins minimum all around.

RFI SCHEDULE

Responses to this RFI shall be submitted via email no later than June 10, 2025 by 2pm D.C. local time to the following email addresses:

1) The Contracting Officer, Jubner Severe at jsevere@peacecorps.gov

2) The Contracting Specialist, Charles Cryoskie at ccryoskie@peacecorps.gov

3) The Marketing Strategist, Mary Linnell-Simmons at mlinnellsimmons@peacecorps.gov

DISCLAIMER

BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Information provided in response to this RFI will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process for marketing and advertising services and may lead to the development of a Performance Work Statement for the system.