RFI__Prospectus_9MAY25.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

Prospector May 2025

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Commercial Analytic Service

1.0 DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE

1.1 The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in support of the Commercial Analytic Service Office is seeking information on how an interested contractor could procure access to data and analysis on critical rare earth minerals and battery industrial sectors to enable NGA to gain a more detailed, global view of trade. This will allow NGA to monitor key developments in precious mineral markets, and the precious mineral global supply chains.

1.2 The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is seeking information from vendors that will be able to provide detailed supply and demand forecasts (including projections to at least 2040) with quarterly updates for a wide range of rare earth minerals and industrial sectors (see attached SOW Section 3.1 and 3.2).

1.3 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, NGA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

2.0 BACKGROUND

NGA has a mission-critical need for a detailed, global view of rare earth minerals and battery industrial sectors which would enable NGA to monitor key developments in precious mineral markets and the precious mineral global supply chains.

2.1 PLANNED ACQUISITION: (see attached Statement of Work)

2.2 PERFORMANCE:

2.2.1 PERIOD (POP): 4 years and 3 months (Base Period + 4 Options)

2.2.2 LOCATION(S): Both NGA locations in Springfield, VA and St. Louis, MO.

2.3 CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS: The following are anticipated to apply to this acquisition:

(e.g., does this fit into the current architecture, links to documents in a bidder’s library, anything that would help industry better understand the current environment.

N/A

2.4 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: The following security requirements are anticipated to apply to this acquisition:

Prospector - May 2025

Contractors will need to have TS/TCI clearance to work onsite at NGA’s locations, Springfield, VA and St. Louis, MO.

2.5 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: This acquisition is for commercial items. In accordance with FAR Part 9.5, please discuss any performance which may lead to an OCI and how the Offeror would mitigate, avoid, or neutralize the conflict.

3.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Responses must only contain UNCLASSIFIED information and be marked “UNCLASSIFIED” on all pages in both the header and footer. No classified information may be included in your response.

Neither proprietary or classified concepts, nor classified information should be included in the submittal. Input on the information contained in the responses may be solicited and reviewed by NGA non-Government consultants or experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements.

3.1 ADMINISTRATIVE

Information to include the following as a minimum:

3.1.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, company website, and e-mail of designated point(s) of contact.

3.1.2. BUSINESS TYPE.

Based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 518210; Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and related services as applicable to this acquisition, the responder is to provide answers to the following questions:

To be considered for a Small Business set-aside, at least 50 % of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the responder.( FAR 52.219-14, Limitation of Subcontracting)

RESPONSE

Are you a Small Business? (FAR 19.102), If so, which type: ☐ YES ☐ NO

Small Disadvantaged small business? (FAR 19.304) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Service Disabled small business? (FAR 19.14) ☐ YES ☐ NO

8(a) Small Disadvantaged small business? (FAR 19.8) ☐ YES ☐ NO

HUBZone small business? (FAR 19.13) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Woman-Owned Small Business? (FAR 19.15) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Involved in a mentor and/or protégé program? (DFARS 219.71) ☐ YES ☐ NO

3.1.3 Recommendation for alternative NAICS Code (518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services)? Provide rationale for any NAICS Code applicable to the planned acquisition other than the NAICS code identified above.

3.1.4 DUNS Number: _________________

3.1.5 Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code: ______________________________

3.1.6 Defense facility security clearance? What type? What level? _______________________

3.1.7 Accounting system, if applicable? Date of last audit? Audit performed by? Determined adequate/inadequate? ___________________________________________________________

3.1.8 Purchasing system? Date determined adequate or inadequate? ______________________

3.1.9 Timekeeping system? Date of last audit? Who performed? Determined adequate/inadequate? ___________________________________________________________

3.1.10 Do you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract applicable to the NAICS code (s) identified above? If yes, provide contract number(s). _____________________________

3.1.11 Are you registered in SAM? _________________________________________________

3.1.12 Are you interested in: Prime contract? Teaming to include Joint Venture? Subcontractor opportunities? _________________________________________________________________

3.1.13 Include additional details that are not already requested based on the constraints of the information request.

3.2 EXPERIENCE

3.2.1 COMMERCIAL.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to the general public or to non-governmental entities for purposes other than governmental purposes in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to, information regarding the contract value, size and length of the effort, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, customary practices (warranty, financing, discounts, contract types, etc.) under which the sales of the service(s) are made, security details, the customary practices regarding customizing, modifying, or tailoring of a service(s) to meet customer needs and associated costs, the kinds of factors that are used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives used; the kinds of performance assessment methods commonly used; the common qualifications of the people performing the services; and requirements of law and/or regulations unique to these service(s), that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.2.2 GOVERNMENT.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to Government agencies other than NGA in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to contract value, information regarding the contract number, agency, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, size and length of the effort, type of pricing and/or cost, security details, the kinds of factors used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives; the kinds of performance assessment methods; the qualifications of the people performing the services; and any unique terms and conditions, that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.2.3 NGA.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to NGA in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to contract value, information regarding the contract number, program name, size and length of the effort, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, type of pricing and/or cost, security details, the kinds of factors used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives; the kinds of performance assessment methods; the qualifications of the people performing the services; and any unique terms and conditions, that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.3 CAPABILITIES

The following is the responder’s capabilities to meet the proposed acquisition set forth in section 2 of this RFI including the Statement of Work.

3.3.1 Government requirements needed to support the RFI statement of objectives

3.3.1.1 Requirement capabilities that the responder currently possesses. Responses should include the relevant information regarding specific skills, experience, and security clearances that its employees, by labor category, currently possess in performing these services, and any needed hardware or software.

3.3.1.2 Detail the service capabilities that the responder currently does not possess in order to meet the SOW.

3.3.2 Recommended type of pricing for this type of service (e.g. FFP, FPIF CPIF)

3.3.3 Extent to which the responder has the ability to meet the proposed acquisition

3.3.4 Notional schedule and type of plan for transition-in and transition-out (based on previous or similar work efforts).

3.3.5 Security capabilities and plans that demonstrate the ability to meet NGA’s security requirements beginning at contract award and throughout the POP.

3.3.6 Extent to which the responder is aware of any potential OCI issues in accordance with FAR Part 9.5 or any non-mitigatable OCI related to current development work at NGA.

3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS

The responder is invited to provide information and recommendations for fashioning this proposed acquisition. Recommendation areas may include the type of contract, anticipated contract terms & conditions, incentives, variations in delivery schedule, price and/or cost proposal support, and data requirements, contract pricing, and any other areas that the responder believes is relevant for the Government to achieve its stated objectives. The responder may opine regarding what portion of the work could be set-aside for small businesses if all the required work cannot be provided by a small business. Details to support any recommendations for partial small business set-asides should be included.

4.0 RESPONSES

4.1 Interested parties are directed to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

4.2 White paper shall be in Microsoft Word for Office or compatible format and shall not exceed 4 pages. A page is defined as each face of an 8½” x 11” sheet with information contained within a one inch margin on all sides. Font type shall be Times Roman 11 point.

4.2.1 Interested parties are encouraged to utilize the Comment Matrix format in their white paper when providing comments, questions, and/or suggestions to the SOW.

4.3 Responses containing the white paper are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 09 June 2025.

Responses shall be limited to and submitted via e-mail only as a message attachment to Janet.D.Richards@nga.mil with the message subject line “RFI Response – Prospector May 2025.

4.3 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

5.0 MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

The Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential RFI service provider. Such meetings and discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability, especially any development and certification risks.

6.0 QUESTIONS

Questions and the whitepaper regarding this RFI should be submitted in writing by e-mail to Janet.D.Richards@nga.mil.

7.0 SUMMARY

This RFI is only intended for the Government to identify sources that can provide the needed services to fulfill the Government’s statement of objectives. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the RFI requirements discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

COMMENT MATRIX FOR THE PROSPECTOR

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

COMMENT

SOW

PAGE #

SOW

SECTION

COMMENT/QUESTION/SUGGESTION