RFI_Statistical Data Management and Publishing Support.pdf

US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (USDOJ)

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS (OJP)

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Statistical Data Management and Publishing Support

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

This Request for Information (RFI) is the initiation of market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This announcement does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP), and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

Responses to this notice may not be accepted as offers.

The Government anticipates the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to these services to be 541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. However, the Government is open to Industry input to a more appropriate NAICS code. The anticipated contract type is Time-and-Materials (T&M).

The anticipated period of performance is a base period of 12 months and four 12-month option periods. Contractors should ensure that they are properly registered in the Government System for Award Management at SAM.gov.

Background

BJS is 1 of 13 principal federal statistical agencies recognized by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) whose activities are predominantly the collection, compilation, processing, or analysis of information for statistical purposes. Federal statistical data are governed by unique protections in various laws, regulations, and directives related to data collection, handling, and dissemination requirements. The mission of BJS is to effectively inform criminal justice policy and practice by disseminating accurate, timely, and relevant information on crime and the administration of justice.

At the present time, BJS staff operate predominantly within a Windows/Microsoft based virtual desktop environment. Additional proprietary software (e.g. data analysis software) are implemented as needed to support BJS-specific operations. BJS statistics and statistical products are predominately developed in house, though data and products may also be prepared for BJS by data collection agents, the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD), and other partners.

BJS statistical information is primarily disseminated in two ways:

1. BJS.gov – A Drupal-based website hosted in an Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud environment

2. NACJD | Home Page (umich.edu) – An NACJD-maintained website which hosts raw datasets and related documentation from BJS collections

Some BJS data publishing activities are migrating to OJP’s Data Management Reporting and Analytics (DMRA) platform, which includes Socrata, Tableau server, SAS VIYA, and other technologies. There is also a transition currently underway toward use of AWS GovCloud and a https://bjs.ojp.gov/ https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/pages/NACJD/index.html

Microsoft based environments (.Net/SQL/Sharepoint) for some internal information management and external dissemination.

BJS modernization will establish a new architecture that streamlines production and release of statistical data, and adapts quickly to change. The foundation of this architecture will be a suite of loosely coupled tools and services, and methodologies that emphasize metadata management and process automation. This new architecture must be established while still adhering to protocols unique to Federal statistical agencies, including:

• Oversight of in-house publishing and release of government-produced data products

• Adherence to stringent OMB statistical policy directives and laws that apply to federal statistical agencies and statistical data

• Ensuring confidentiality protection and preventing improper use of statistical data

Objective and Scope

This contract will support achievement of the following high-level BJS modernization goals:

• Transition data tools to use modern technologies and increase access to data

• Transition publications to web-first publishing strategy

• Enhance the utility of the BJS website

• Optimize the BJS data lifecycle, from collection through analysis to archiving

• Improve data quality and shorten the timelines for producing data and products

• Optimize data storage, security and confidentiality protection

• Strengthen internal information management, including data governance

Anticipated Services

To achieve the goals above, the contractor shall provide support for the following projects:

1. Transition to database storage of data

2. Provide data visualization support

3. Enhance data processing and analysis capabilities

4. Implement data and metadata management tools, workflows, and policies

5. Apply statistical business standards and integrate them into standard operations

6. Integrate BJS data analysis tools into new data workflows and OJP platforms

7. Automate production of data tables and products

8. Automate cleaning, validation and processing of data

9. Design databases and analysis files

10. Enhance data sharing capabilities

11. Provide Operations & Maintenance support for BJS .Net data tools

12. Establish knowledgebases and well-organized file repositories

13. Establish and maintain internal information management systems

14. Provide professional technical writing/editorial support

The following are concurrent tasks that the Contractor is anticipated to perform:

1. Transition to database storage of data

a. Advise on strategy for migrating from file-based to database storage.

b. Conduct cost/benefit analysis of software and services for data warehousing.

c. Design tools, workflows and strategies for streamlined extract, transform, and load (ETL) and publishing from statistical databases.

2. Provide data visualization support

a. Provide subject matter expertise in Tableau data visualizations, including:

i. Tableau development and best practices

ii. Customizing Tableau charts, colors and fonts

iii. Tableau server for public facing web content

iv. Ad hoc support for BJS Tableau users

b. Advise on optimal strategies for presenting statistical geo data using maps and other data visualizations.

c. Develop implementation plan for integrating dynamic data visualizations and related tools and services into BJS publishing operations.

d. Advise on and support development and socialization of a BJS data visualization manual of style that supports presentation of dynamic visualizations in dashboards, data analysis tools and web articles.

e. Assist with configuration and maintenance of open data services for use within internal and external applications and systems.

3. Enhance data processing and analysis capabilities

a. Design and implement strategies for streamlining data processing using automation and methods that document workflows and support reproducibility.

b. Provide AWS Govcloud environment subject matter expertise.

4. Implement data and metadata management tools, workflows, and policies

a. Recommend strategies for the management and reporting on BJS data collection metadata.

b. Recommend strategies and tools for tracking and documenting BJS data flows at the individual data elements level, from databases of record to target data stores and interfaces.

c. Conduct cost/benefit analysis of software and services that can be used to allow BJS staff to effectively manage agency metadata.

d. Develop business intelligence dashboards and reports for BJS management using Tableau and Socrata.

e. Maintain mapping of BJS metadata to OJP, DOJ and OMB metadata data elements.

5. Apply statistical business standards and integrate them into standard operations

a. Develop and implement strategies for aligning BJS operations with mature standards for improving statistical operations.

b. Develop workflows that leverage standards-based agency information to improve data publishing to the BJS website.

6. Integrate BJS data analysis tools into new data workflows and OJP platforms

a. SPSS

b. Stata

c. R

d. Python

e. SAS Viya

f. SUDAAN

g. Tableau

h. AWS GovCloud analysis tools

7. Automate production of data tables and products

a. Develop strategies for streamlining production and release of statistical data

b. Assist with the development, implementation and documentation of new processes that leverage the tools and approaches listed above (database storage, data virtualization, application of standards) to automate time consuming manual, and often paper-based, publishing processes.

8. Automate cleaning, validation and processing of data

a. Assist with the development, implementation and documentation of new processes that leverage the tools and approaches listed above (database storage, data virtualization, application of standards) to automate time consuming and convoluted processing and ETL activities.

b. Recommend develop, implement and document optimal processes for streamlining data intake, including diagnostic evaluation of incoming data to identify anomalous data patterns, data outliers, and other significant attributes of the data that should be brought to analysts’ attention

c. Recommend implement and document automated data validation, quality checks and quality reports for data updates being deployed in support of BJS’s public facing website and publication process.

9. Design databases and prepare analysis files

a. Work with analysts as needed to prepare analysis files and longitudinal databases to align with standards for transitioning to database storage of data and using metadata management tools and policies.

b. Develop databases of record that contain the official version of BJS’s major data collections and the ongoing state of the data collection over time.

10. Enhance data sharing capabilities

a. Design and implement strategies for ensuring that BJS data is stored and made available in formats, and within systems, that facilitate ease of sharing within BJS and with any and all government and private external partners.

b. Evaluate tools and methodologies for optimizing data sharing flexibility.

11. Provide Operations & Maintenance support for BJS .Net-based data tools

a. Troubleshooting

b. Ad-hoc enhancements

c. Configuration management

d. Performance testing and analysis

12. Establish knowledgebases and well-organized file repositories

a. Advise on optimal document management strategies.

b. Set up searchable knowledgebases for BJS statistical standards, policies, and procedures.

13. Establish and maintain internal information management systems

a. Establish tracking and reporting tools for data collections and publishing.

b. Establish tracking systems for performance metrics and other operations

c. Advise on optimal document management strategies

14. Provide professional technical writing/editorial support

a. Provide professional technical writing support for technical team

b. Provide editorial oversight for all written deliverables

c. Establish review/revision process for written deliverables

d. Ensure process and instruction documents are complete, correct and business ready.

15. General tasks

a. Furnish the necessary personnel, material and services to perform the tasks in this statement of work.

b. Actively communicate with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or

Task Monitor (TM) during the project.

c. Obtain approval from the Contracting Officer (CO) and COR for any changes related to this project.

d. Ensure compliance with Federal desktop core configuration (FDCC) requirements.

e. Account for any opportunities or limitations related to OJP systems, SDLC procedures and security requirements.

f. When designing and assisting with the implementation of solutions, the contractor must account for the current and future states of the OJP computing environment and coordinate with OJP staff as necessary to ensure successful implementation.

g. Evaluate low-cost or freely available solutions to minimize cost where appropriate and applicable.

h. Provide technical assistance and expert guidance pertaining to the implementation of the BJS modernization goals described in the SOW related to the management of statistical data and metadata.

Contractor Capabilities

A. Key Personnel

Key personnel are certified, skilled, experienced, professional, and/or technical personnel who are essential for successful contractor accomplishment of the work to be performed under this order. Key personnel under this task order include the following labor categories: Project Manager and Enterprise Architect. The skill requirements and qualifications required of key personnel are described below. The COR and Contracting Officer (CO) must approve any proposed changes to key personnel and must attain an OJP security clearance before commencing any work under the TO SOW.

i. Project Manager - Provides management oversight to ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner, that staffing is adequate and competent, and that the contract is being performed in a cost-efficient manner.

a. Education and Experience

A Master’s degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, or similar discipline equivalent from an accredited institution. Eight (8) years of work experience in managing projects of similar magnitude and complexity required. Experience with data warehousing and management; identifying project milestones, phases, and elements; forming project teams; establishing project budgets; monitoring project progress by tracking activity; resolving problems; publishing progress reports; recommending actions; and experience working on projects related to management of statistical data preferred but not required.

b. Substitution A bachelor’s degree or ten (10) years of recent experience in managing projects of similar magnitude and complexity. Experience working on projects related to management of statistical data preferred but not required.

ii. Enterprise Architect – Designs enterprise architectures and roadmaps that support modernization of statistical management and production processes.

a. Education and Experience

A Master’s degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, or similar discipline equivalent from an accredited institution. Five (5) years of work experience working on projects related to the management and production of statistical data and data products. Experience with data warehousing and management; identifying project milestones, phases, and elements; forming project teams; establishing project budgets; monitoring project progress by tracking activity; resolving problems; publishing progress reports; recommending actions; and experience working on projects related to management of statistical data preferred but not required.

b. Substitution Eight (8) years of work experience working on projects related to the management and production of statistical data and data products.

Information Submission Instructions

In addition to addressing the items above, the response should also include the following information:

1) Vendor’s name, address, points of contact information, website, DUNS, and Cage Code

2) Vendor’s current business designation and socioeconomic status

3) Vendor’s government-wide contracting vehicles (i.e. GSA Schedule Contract, OASIS, etc.)

4) Vendor’s tailored capability statements explaining the complexity and amount of effort expected of this task, an addressing the tasking areas of this requirement, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability.

5) Vendor’s Past Performance – Provide a list of previous contracts where similar services were provided. Provide customer/Government Agency contact information where these services were provided including: contact name and organization, telephone number, and email address.

The response to this notice is limited to 12 single sided pages (including all attachments, charts, etc.). Telephone inquiries shall not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Interested vendors should monitor a government point of entry site for further information. Your firm’s response to this RFI is appreciated.

All responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically (via e-mail) to Ms. Jamila A. Garrett, Contract Specialist, at Jamila.Garrett@usdoj.gov.

Submission Time and Date

Responses to the information provided above are due no later than Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Responses received after this date and time shall not be considered.

Disclaimer and Important Notes

This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response.

The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any concern responding to this notice should ensure that their response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the concern’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation MAY be published. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings, and will not answer any questions posed. No phone solicitations or email with regards to the status of a solicitation will be accepted prior to its release. Information and materials submitted in response to this notice WILL NOT be returned.

The Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this notice, the Government MAY issue a solicitation. There is no solicitation available at this time.

However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the Government’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement.

Confidentiality

No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Primary Point of Contact

Ms. Jamila A. Garrett, Contract Specialist, at Jamila.Garrett@usdoj.gov NOTE: The Government will NOT accept requests for meetings or briefings, and will not answer any questions posed. No phone solicitations or email with regards to the status of a solicitation will be accepted prior to its release.

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mailto:Jamila.Garrett@usdoj.gov