RFI Global Freight 2025.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Logistics Analysis Office (LAO)

RFI for Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services Current Contract #: TBD

Date: January 31, 2025

I. RFI Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Logistics Analysis Office (LAO), seeks to gather information on cloud-based subscription services for freight analysis with 24/7 access.

II. General Information

This RFI is issued solely for information gathering purposes to identify sources that can provide support for the Logistics Analysis Office (LAO). In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), RFIs may be used when the Government wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, and capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these RFIs are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with their RFI response. Respondents will not receive additional information in response to their submittal to the RFI and will not be notified of the resulting market research.

1. NAICS Code: 513210 (Software Publishers)

2. Product Service Code (PSC): 7A21 (IT and Telecom - Business Application Software, Perpetual License Software)

3. Anticipated Acquisition Strategy: TDB

4. Anticipated Period of Performance Start Date: TBD

5. Small Business Participation Goals: FEMA is committed to small business participation. Specific goals will align with DHS small business targets.

6. Budget Constraints or Funding Ceiling: FEMA has funding constraints but no specific funding ceiling at this time.

III. Proprietary Information and Disclaimer

Respondents shall identify any proprietary information in its RFI response. Information submitted in response to this RFI will be used at the discretion of the Government. Further, the information submitted will remain confidential insofar as permitted by law, including the

Logistics Analysis Office (LAO)

RFI for Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services

Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. FEMA reserves the right to utilize any non-proprietary technical information in the anticipated PWS or solicitation.

Although it is not necessary to address in their response, respondents shall be aware of any potential, actual, or perceived organizational conflicts of interests. Any real or potential conflicts must be sufficiently mitigated prior to a contract award. For further guidance, refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 9.5.

IV. RFI Response Submittal Instructions

Interested contractors shall submit their RFI responses electronically to the following points of contact by 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), February 7, 2025:

• Janine Bennett, Contracting Officer Email: janine.bennett@fema.dhs.gov

• Lakisha Hyman, Contract Specialist Email: lakisha.hyman@fema.dhs.gov

All questions regarding this RFI must be submitted no later than February 5, 2025. Responses must:

• Be unclassified, with proprietary information clearly marked.

• Be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

• Use 11-point font (minimum) for text and 10-point font for charts, graphs, and tables.

• Not exceed 7 pages (excluding the cover page).

The subject line of the email should read:

"RFI Response for Logistics Analysis Office (LAO) Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services."

V. Required RFI Response Information

A. Cover Page (1 Page)

Include the following:

1. Company Name

2. Company Address

Logistics Analysis Office (LAO)

RFI for Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number

4. Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, and Email)

5. Current business size status (e.g., HUBZone, 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, Small Business, Large Business) Also, business size in relation to the NAICS code size standards assigned to this acquisition.

6. Relevant GSA Schedule or DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicle details, if applicable

B. Capability Statement (1-2 Pages)

1. Summarize relevant past performance, capabilities, and experience.

2. Highlight projects demonstrating expertise in freight market analysis and cloud-based solutions.

C. Responses to RFI Questions (no more than 4 Pages)

The responses received will assist FEMA with identifying the number and nature of the entities that consider themselves potential technical solution providers. Each respondent, by submitting a response, agrees that any cost incurred in response to this RFI, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. FEMA shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) QUESTIONS

Over the past four years has your company provided:

1. Subscription services to a cloud-based freight market analysis software that can perform the following functions:

• Access and analyze real-time and historical freight market data (truckload, intermodal, rail)

• Generate reports and visualizations on freight market trends, pricing, and capacity.

• Set custom alerts and track specific transportation lanes.

• Integrate with DHS logistics systems for a comprehensive view of the market.

• Access (licenses) to a web-based system analyzing global freight market conditions and trends through access to high-frequency pricing data.

• Price, demand, and capacity data must cover all transportation modes.

Logistics Analysis Office (LAO)

RFI for Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services

• Capability to benchmark, analyze, monitor, and forecast the global physical economy to inform FEMA senior leaders.

• Exclusive, near real-time trucking, railroad, ocean, and air freight data and actionable intelligence.

• Benchmarking freight spends, carrier service, operational efficiency, and profitability against market dynamics.

• Analysis through access to supply chain data and visualizations across all transportation modes at global, national, and local levels.

• Monitoring and identifying opportunities to optimize networks and emerging market trends.

• Forecasting rates and capacity to minimize service failures.

• Access to the latest freight data collected at the point of booking for the clearest insight into the freight market.

2. Does your company provide all the data sets for the freight movements; including but not limited to the below:

• Price, demand, and capacity data must cover all transportation modes.

• Capability to benchmark, analyze, monitor, and forecast the global physical economy to inform FEMA senior leaders.

• Exclusive, near real-time trucking, railroad, ocean, and air freight data and actionable intelligence.

• Benchmarking freight spends, carrier service, operational efficiency, and profitability against market dynamics.

• Analysis through access to supply chain data and visualizations across all transportation modes at global, national, and local levels.

• Monitoring and identifying opportunities to optimize networks and emerging market trends.

• Forecasting rates and capacity to minimize service failures.

• Access to the latest freight data collected at the point of booking for the clearest insight into the freight market.

Logistics Analysis Office (LAO)

RFI for Cloud-Based Freight Analysis Subscription Services

3. How would your company address system outages? What is the typical recover time after an outage?

4. How many licenses are in your company’s base package? And can you support a total of seven

(7) licenses?

5. Does your company provide training for new users; is it at an additional cost?

6. Do you provide 24/7 access and a help desk capability?

7. Ability to generate Nationwide Freight Volume, Freight Velocity, Freight Capacity Utilization, Outbound and Inbound Tender Volume, Outbound and Inbound Tender Rejection Rates, Long Haul Freight Rates, Truck to Driver Ratio, and Overall Freight Market by Region with visualization tools for year-on-year comparisons.

VI. Attachments

Scope of Work (SOW)

Attachment 1: Global Freight Data Heat Map Visualization

VII. Additional Notes

The information received from this RFI will assist FEMA in determining the feasibility of conducting this acquisition. FEMA appreciates your participation in this market research effort.

Logistics Analysis Office Date: January 29, 2025