RFI IDIQ MARKET RESEARCH March 2020.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT/MARKET RESEARCH for “FHWA Planning and Programming Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract Services”

1. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

ISSUE DATE: 03/23/2020

DUE DATE FOR RESPONSES: 04/13/2020

SUBMIT RESPONSES TO: Matthew.Carr@dot.gov SUBMIT QUESTIONS TO: Matthew.Carr@dot.gov or 202-366-8404

See below Section 5 entitled “REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST FOR SOURCES SOUGHT (SS)” for submittal content instructions.

2. INTRODUCTION

Potential Sources Sought. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources for anticipated contracts/task order awards under a new Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract. Pursuant to 48 C.F.R. Part 10, the Government is conducting market research to:

• Determine what sources exist that are capable of satisfying the Government’s requirements listed below,

• Determine the capabilities of potential contractors,

• Determine the size and status of potential sources, and

• Determine the level of competition and support the inclusion of small firms (i.e. 8(a), set-aside or full and open).

• Determine the experience of offerors to respond to topics of interest associated with transportation planning and programming.

3. BACKGROUND

The FHWA Office of Acquisition and Grants Management contemplate a series of awards for a Five-Year Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), or hybrid CPFF and FFP contract for transportation planning technical experts to assist the FHWA with respect to the technical support requirements described herein. The purpose for this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to identify potential offerors having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement. Special consideration will be given to identifying small businesses, including the sub-categories of Small Disadvantage Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUBZone, 8(a), and woman-owned capable of support new contracts and task orders. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the best method for procurement.

This document contains a list of specific technical skills and functions necessary for successful performance of activities in support of FHWA’s Planning and Programming Program. Your firm’s response regarding these skills, experiences, and capabilities will help determine the availability of potential businesses, both large and small. Respondents are encouraged to respond to each skill listed.

(See below Section for submittal content instructions including a link to the list of skills.)

Please Note: Currently the subject work is being performed under Contracts DTFH61-16-D- 00013/14/15/16 (Transportation Planning and Programming Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) which has a scheduled completion date of December 2020 and total potential value of $10,000,000.

This market research announcement is issued in support of the planned re-compete.

4. DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK

The FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty (HEP) is looking to obtain a general understanding of the industry capabilities for providing support in a wide range of national level transportation planning topic areas. FHWA is interested in receiving information from firms of all sizes.

HEP supports the transportation planning process and serves as the key national convener playing a fundamental role in ensuring the Federal-Aid Highway Program is delivered consistent with existing laws, regulations, and policies and includes the efficient and effective management of public funds.

Transportation planning is a cooperative process designed to foster involvement by all users of the system including the business community, community groups, environmental organizations, traveling public, freight operators, and general public. State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and transit operators conduct this through a proactive public participation process.

The following sections describe the specific skills required for the anticipated Planning and Programming IDIQ. The FHWA anticipates seeking offerors with a significant understanding of the subject matter along with the ability to provide and deliver functional capabilities for the task areas. Offerors must specify and demonstrate their knowledge of the Federal Transportation Planning Process along with the ability to adapt and fully support FHWA as its regulatory process evolves.

Successful offerors conduct research and produce acceptable final products that improve the state of the practice and advance the planning topics listed but not limited to those identified on planning topics webpage (https://www.planning.dot.gov/planning_topics_all.aspx). All offerors must be proficient in their ability to successfully market and share final products, including (but not limited to) conducting webinars, produce handbooks, as well as leading the development and execution of peer exchanges and workshops of various sizes and complexities in the topics listed.

Skills Required: Potential skills required to meet the needs of national-level statewide and metropolitan transportation planning oversight, stewardship, and capacity building are shown below (in no specific order of importance). This sections provides examples of activities which FHWA anticipates needing support and expertise to deliver the planning program.

• Analyze, interpret, and understand transportation and planning trends and other factors related to prominent topics of interest to FHWA and its partners.

• Produce final products that are comprehensive and help advance the state of practice in transportation planning.

• Strategically plan for and execute activities that deliver workshops and peer exchanges in support of FHWA’s priority areas.

• Provide and incorporate innovative technology support into final products, and promote technology advancements.

• Demonstrate relevant experience and provide examples of their efforts developing desk references and other technical documents in support of FHWA’s topic areas.

https://www.planning.dot.gov/planning_topics_all.aspx

• Conduct and deliver technical training on a wide range of planning topics for a variety of learning audiences. Trainings may be in person or web based as defined by FHWA.

• Fully understand and demonstrate familiarity with the latest state-of-the-art e-learning materials that support the federal planning process and be able to incorporate the latest training methodologies available.

• Provide technical editing and peer reviews on a wide variety of planning topics and products.

• Respond quickly to an evolving wide list of primary focus areas and produce results in specified formats that support national level planning applications.

• Demonstrate the ability to synthesize large volumes of data on emerging trends and deliver a comprehensive synopsis as requested.

The estimated period of performance for the project is five years. PLEASE NOTE: The level of activity will greatly depend on continued and additional funding under the proposed transportation reauthorization legislation for FHWA. The resulting Request for Application or Request for Proposals may include a proximity clause.

5. REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

All interested organizations are invited to submit a Capability Statement by April 13, 2020, by email to Matthew.Carr@dot.gov.

All Capability Statements shall clearly identify the following items regarding the interested organization:

1. Name and address of prospective organization(s);

2. Technical capabilities to perform the work; with clear evidence to support their ability to do the work with past references;

3. Relevant experience and credentials;

4. Synopsis of experience and expertise of potential staff;

5. Relevant projects completed related to the anticipated objectives of the project with information on the client, scope, and products;

6. A description of available facilities to perform the work outlined above; and

7. Ability to work and partner with other firms (as/if needed).

The Capability Statement shall be no more than 10 pages in length single-spaced with font size twelve or larger. For questions concerning this announcement, contact Matthew.Carr@dot.gov at 202-366-8404.

This Sources Sought Notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract or cooperative agreement nor does the Government intend to directly pay for any information or responses submitted as the result of this Sources Sought Notice. Interested parties, who consider their firms qualified to perform the above-listed services, are invited to submit responses to this Sources Sought.

Responses shall clearly identify:

1. Name, Address, Point of Contact;

2. Size Standard under NAICS code 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (size standard is $7 Million);

3. Identify all applicable classifications for your organization, such as:

a.Small Business b.Woman-owned business mailto:Matthew.Carr@dot.gov mailto:Matthew.Carr@dot.gov c.8(a) business d.Large business e.Small disadvantaged business f.HUBZone business g.SDVOB business h.Non-profit

4. Description of technical capabilities and relevant experience to perform the work described in Section 4 of this document; and

5. Description of possible planned staffing.

6. NOTES

PARTICIPATION IN THE MARKET RESEARCH IN NO WAY INFLUENCES THE SOURCE SELECTION FOR THESE SERVICES. This Sources Sought is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to directly pay for any information or responses submitted as the result of this Sources Sought Notice. As a result of this Market Research, FHWA intends to issue a solicitation at https://beta.sam.gov.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

Preferred and successful contractors will demonstrate their ability to provide expertise and deliver results in some or all the major areas described below. In a description of their experience and expertise, not more than 500 words. This work may be required to be conducted simultaneously in any, or all, of the major areas above (with other emerging topics or focus areas that may be deemed critical by FHWA in the future) or simultaneously in a short time period. The specific projects to be completed will be determined on an as needed basis by FHWA.

A comprehensive list of transportation planning topics areas are found at:

https://www.planning.dot.gov/planning_topics_all.aspx. For consideration, FHWA recommend a strong familiarity of planning policies, programs, and focus areas.

https://beta.sam.gov/ https://www.planning.dot.gov/planning_topics_all.aspx

Federal Highway Administration Market Research - Planning

March 2020

Please complete the following questionnaire:

Place an X beside each requirement your firm would be able to satisfy.

1. Would your firm be able to support the delivery of:

More than 10 tasks orders per year

5– 10 task orders per year?

Less than 5 task orders per year?

2. Based on your firm’s experience please check the boxes where you have experience in the proposed task areas:

Congestion Safety Planning Security Planning Scenario Planning/Visualization Livability/Sustainability Performance Management Planning for Healthy Communities Megaregional/Multi-jurisdictional Planning Economic Development Freight Planning State, Metropolitan, Rural, and Tribal Planning Capacity Building National/International Planning Tools to Support Planning and the Environment Tools to Support Planning and Environment GIS/Spatial Information for Improved Decision Making Program Management and Outreach Basic and Advanced Travel Demand Forecasting Methods Resiliency Rural Planning Connected and Autonomous Vehicles/Shared Mobility Bike and pedestrian planning Boarder Planning Context sensitive design (CSS) Census issues Community connections Fiscal constraint Land use and transportation Planning and Environmental Linkages Public Involvement

3. Based on your firm’s experience please provide rough estimates for the following services:

ITEM UNIT PRICE

Item 1: Partner rate Hourly $ Item 2: Senior Professionals rate Hourly $ Item 3: Junior Professionals rate Hourly $ Item 4: Support Personnel Hourly $

A small business? A small disadvantage business?

A woman-owned business? A HubZone business?

An 8 (a) business? A SDVOB business?

Other