Sources_Sought__Strategic_Planning_Reports_1.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

DENALI COMMISSION

STRAGETIC PLANNING REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), on behalf of the Denali Commission (Denali) is seeking information for market research purposes to determine the availability of qualified Contractors to provide Strategic Planning Reporting services comprising a subscription-based geopolitical intelligence platform with analyst-level access for at least two users, weekly strategic planning sessions, and comprehensive reports delivering actionable analysis on Arctic-focused infrastructure, energy (bulk fuel systems, hybrid systems, small-scale nuclear), transportation (roads, airports, railway, ports and harbors, FAA systems, drone tracking), and technology/innovation (adaptation of new technologies to cold weather climates, small rural populations and expansive land mass within the US; expand access to broadband to create local economies, improve health systems, public safety & security; explore redundant communication systems to mitigate risk in remote locations such as free space optics and other emerging technologies; explore expansion of independent data centers, risks and opportunities of Artificial intelligence).

This Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes only. The information from this market research will assist the Government with acquisition planning.

BACKGROUND

The Denali Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1998 (Title III of Public Law 105-277, 42 USC 3121) to provide cost-effective delivery of critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic development support for rural and remote communities in Alaska. Designed as an innovative federal–state partnership, the Commission coordinates interagency resources and public–private approaches to address Alaska’s unique challenges across vast distances, severe climate impacts, and limited local infrastructure.

BUSINESS NEED

The objective of this procurement is to obtain a subscription-based geopolitical intelligence and advisory capability, with analyst-level access, weekly strategic planning support, and comprehensive reporting; to provide timely, actionable analysis on Alaska- and Arctic-relevant threats, trends, and opportunities, enabling the Denali to align with national Arctic strategy, prioritize and resource critical infrastructure and resilience, accelerate use of appropriated funds (including dual-use infrastructure), and convene Indigenous, federal, state, military, and private-sector partners to execute mission objectives. Reports are used to socialize new ideas and build strategic partners across the federal government and private sector.

PURPOSE

This RFI is seeking responses from vendors to address the questions outlined in the Section titled “Information Requested.” The Government is looking for a contract source to provide the services and tasks contained in the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

INFORMATION REQUESTED

Vendor responses shall address the following questions:

1. Identify if your company is one or more of the following business types: Other than small business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) concern, women-owned small business, economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern, HUBZone, veteran-owned, or service-disabled veteran-owned small business based on the NAICS identified herein.

2. The Government has identified the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s) of 541690 “Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services” for this requirement with a size standard of $19 Million. Please identify any other applicable NAICS codes applicable to this requirement.

3. Describe your company’s technical approach for utilizing multi-source geopolitical data (e.g., open-source, subscription feeds, indigenous/local reports, government datasets), including source vetting, frequency, and data intake pipelines.

4. Describe your company’s technical methodologies used to generate actionable recommendations on small-scale nuclear/expeditionary systems, bulk fuel and energy resilience, transportation/FAA/drone tracking, and broadband/free space optics.

5. Explain the process for producing comprehensive, graphic-enabled reports, including version control, reproducible analytics, citation management, and review workflows.

6. Describe how your company will translate analyzed geopolitical data into actionable recommendations aligned with National Strategy for the Arctic, relevant Executive Orders, and the President’s priorities, including the methodology for policy traceability (e.g., mapping findings to specific directives), stakeholder coordination, and measurable outcomes for the Denali Commission’s Arctic mission areas.

7. Describe your company’s experience with dual-use, expeditionary solutions (e.g., small-scale nuclear, redundant comms, life-support systems) tailored to extreme cold, remote logistics, and austere environments.

8. Describe your company’s experience providing methods for planning and operating on melting permafrost, coastal erosion zones, and unstable soils (e.g., innovative housing foundations, gravel/ice road strategies).

9. Describe your company’s expertise integrating aviation and maritime domain awareness systems

(e.g., FAA platforms, UAS/drone tracking, AIS) with geospatial analytics and rapid alerting to support Arctic operations.

10. Describe your company’s expertise in sustaining food security and protecting fisheries and marine mammals amid changing climate conditions, including approaches to scientific collaboration despite strained channels with Russia.

11. Describe your experience in remote rural areas worldwide and engagements with Indigenous peoples, especially note any Alaska or pan-Arctic analysis and work.

12. Provide examples of past projects where your company exceeded expectations by completing similar requirements to those listed in this PWS within a compressed timeline.

13. Identify any technical and/or programmatic risks you foresee in executing these requirements.

Define risk reduction measures you would employ to address these risks.

14. Identify any potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) that may arise in the future.

Outline your organization’s strategies for mitigating any OCI. Clarify how you ensure confidentiality and prevent the misuse of sensitive project information

15. Identify any information you feel is missing in the draft PWS that would be beneficial to accurately defining and developing your staffing model and costs.

16. Provide available commercial services brochures and/or information providing a description, capabilities, and features of your commercially available services that meet the government’s requirements (if applicable).

17. Provide the name, telephone number, mailing address, and email address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

Firms with the capability to provide the requirements referenced herein are invited to submit, in writing, information in accordance with the instructions below. This information should be responsive to the request for information identified above as well as any technical questions, as indicated herein.

Submissions for the information must be organized and identifiable per the information in this RFI, e.g.

responses to questions are numbered by question and follow the same sequence.

Responses are limited to twelve (12) pages or less. Submissions should be in a Microsoft Office compatible format (i.e., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) or Adobe Acrobat.

A page is defined as an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet of paper with no less than one-inch margins on all four sides; All pages shall be single-spaced, single-sided, with a font no less than 10 points for text, tables, and graphics; Spacing before and after the line shall be no less than 3 point; the following page types do NOT count towards the page limitations:

• Section dividers

• Blank pages, which must be marked “This page intentionally left blank”

• Fold-outs shall be counted as the appropriate number of pages based upon an 8.5 inch by 11 inch sheet of paper; partial pages shall be rounded up (e.g., 1.5 pages will be treated as 2 pages.);

Responses are due no later than 10:00 AM ET, December 4, 2025. Submissions shall be submitted via email to Bridgette Ornelas at bridgette_ornelas@ibc.doi.gov. Paper copies will not be accepted. The responses must include the business size of the vendor under NAICS code 541690 including any applicable small business subcategory (Service Disabled-Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business, HUBZone Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Small Business, Historically Black College and University/Minority Institution, Small Business Joint Venture, Consortium, Team Partnering, or Other than Small Business). Offerors should indicate if they would need to subcontract and, if so, for which tasks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This RFI is being issued solely for market research information and acquisition planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not reimburse 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 parties’ expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in a future RFQ, if one is issued. However, the Government may use the information obtained via these RFI responses to determine the appropriate method of competition for this requirement. Therefore, interested parties are encouraged to participate in this RFI.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 U.S.C. 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement, information regarding technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made.