RFI-NBIC.Ground_Truth_Network.2016.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Procurement Operations

Washington, DC 20528

Request for Information

Air Passenger Travel Data Subscription

Ground Truth Network

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 a RFP or Request for Quotation (RFQ). Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission other than acknowledgment of receipt, IF the submitter requests an acknowledgement. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. At this time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Office of Health Affairs (OHA) is not seeking proposals or quotations.

Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) is conducting market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 to assess the capabilities of utilization of subject matter experts (SMEs)/contributors external to NBIC in order to collect contextual information pertaining to biological events. This type of “ground truth” information is critical to providing early warning and shared situational awareness for events of national concern, which are NBIC mission objectives established by Congress.

NBIC strives to collect and utilize multiple types of data and information. The key categories are: open source, health and medical, NBIS partner information, and ground truth, or subject matter expert-provided. To assist in the gathering of firsthand knowledge about active and emerging health threats, it is essential that NBIC be able to quickly access a network of domestic and global SMEs. Such information would help to verify and validate event characteristics.

Ground truth is critical to providing early warning and shared situational awareness for events of national concern, which are NBIC mission objectives established by Congress.

In Public Law 110-53 (known as the 9/11 Commission Act), Congress directed NBIC to “detect, as early as possible, a biological event of national concern that presents a risk to the United States or the infrastructure or key assets of the United States.” In execution of this mandate, NBIC’s mission is fundamentally about the integration of biosurveillance information to enable early warning and shared situational awareness, and disseminate it to the appropriate people in a timely fashion. NBIC integrates information related to human, animal, plant, and environmental health domains to provide actionable and timely analysis to support informed decision making by Federal, State and local governments.

PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

NBIC is interested in collecting market research information regarding the current state, capability, and relevance of an operational model for engagement, tracking, and utilization of subject matter experts (SMEs)/contributors external to NBIC in order to collect contextual information pertaining to biological events and health threats to increase firsthand knowledge about active and emerging health threats. This type of “ground truth” information is critical to providing early warning and shared situational awareness for events of national concern, which are NBIC mission objectives established by Congress. NBIC biosurveillance scientists will use information provided from SMEs to verify and validate event characteristics, which in turn shall lead to improved decision support in the future. This effort may also include requests for contextualization outside of a specific event (i.e., regular operations) regarding practices/ procedures/ guidelines, political context, or general background, where appropriate.

3.1 Desired Capabilities

NBIC is seeking market information to determine existing capabilities of “ground truth” networks domestic and globally that support biosurveillance and meet the following initial requirements:

• Provide both direct and indirect access to a consortium of subject matter experts (SMEs) with global coverage in key areas including the US, Asia, Africa, South America, etc.

• Network must contain experts in the fields of human, plant, food, environmental, and animal/wildlife health (the entire biosphere)

• Provide NBIC with the identity, background, and credibility of the source(s) from whom information was obtained, and whether or not each source can be identified & attributed in subsequent NBIC reporting and at what level (Federal partners only, SLTT, formal parties, etc).

• Ability to have SMEs interface with NBIC analysts through written documents (e.g., emails, written reports, maps, data, etc.), oral communication (e.g., phone calls, conference call, etc.), and face-to-face meetings.

• Requests for Information: Available to receive and respond (with necessary information sharing requirements) to requests for information (RFIs) within 48 hours (respond to at least 50 RFIs within the performance period )

• Written Products: Provide at least 25 written products that require additional research beyond a RFI (within seven days) related to specific topics of interest to NBIC (e.g., travel risk, supply chain contamination, etc.)

• Ongoing Updates: Provide ongoing updates in written & oral communication for at least 6 world events of interest as identified by NBIC in the areas of Infectious Disease, Supply Chain Contamination, Environmental Contamination, Natural Disasters, and Mass Gatherings.

• Oral Communication: Attend up to 4 meetings a month with NBIC analysts related to topics of interest to NBIC (up to 60 mins each per meeting)

• In-person Meetings: Provide for at least two representatives to travel to NBIC three times per year to participate in and provide consultation during subject matter related discussions

• Ability to measure how data provides value toward making a positive health impact (i.e., interventional decision-making)

The Contractor shall deliver a plan detailing the network of SMEs available to NBIC as well as the process for direct and indirect communications within 2 weeks from date of award

(DOA).

4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Contents and format:

The electronic copy of responses is to be in Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Word 2007 or Adobe Acrobat 9 compatible format using a size 12 font with one inch margins. Responses are limited to ten (10) pages each. The Cover Page does not count toward this page limit.

Following a review of the responses received, NBIC may elect to request additional information, or schedule one-on-one meetings with some respondents to gain additional information about their proposed solution(s).

Submissions should include:

a. A Cover Page containing the following:

i. Heading “Ground Truth Network– Product Description;”

ii. Product name;

iii. Name of developer (Company or Government Agency);

iv. Developer address;

v. Technical Point of Contact (POC), telephone number, email address; and

vi. If applicable, your company’s socioeconomic status under the following NAICS codes: (1) 518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services; or (2) 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services; or (3) 519130 Internet Publishing, Broadcasting, and Web Search Portals.

vii. If the service is available on GSA and the appropriate GSA number

b. An Executive summary.

i. The executive summary must describe what content is provided in the data subscription, and how this data will enhance the biosurveillance capabilities of

NBIC.

c. Technical product description.

5.0 SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS:

Electronic responses to this notice are to be emailed to the Contacting Officer, Heather Poindexter, at heather.poindexter@hq.dhs.gov no later than May 17, 2016 by 3:00 PM EST.

The subject line of the email should contain the words “Ground Truth Network”

(End of Request for Information) mailto:heather.poindexter@hq.dhs.gov