Advanced Operators Training Program

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE, BUT RATHER A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) from industry that will allow the Government to identify interested sources capable of meeting the requirement. The information sought herein is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for quote (RFQ), request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), or as an obligation or commitment on the part of the Government to acquire any product or service. There shall be no basis for claims against the Government as a result of information submitted in response to the RFI. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI, or otherwise pay for any information submitted by respondents to this request. This notice is for market research purposes only and is not indicative of a full requirement. Should a requirement arise, the full requirement will be detailed in the solicitation.

Any proposed items must meet or exceed the following specifications: See the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). The anticipated period of performance will be for one (1) 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods.

Documentation provided must address all required elements listed herein. Providing only a reference to a website is unacceptable for purposes of this announcement and will not be considered. All proprietary or corporate data received shall be clearly identified and will be protected from release to sources outside the Government. Please do not submit classified material.

Contractors interested in providing these supplies and/or services, should be registered in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov). Contractors responding to this Request for Information are asked to provide the following information:

1. Company’s full name and address, and Point of Contact information

2. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

3. Business size (whether large, small, small-disadvantaged, 8(a), HUB Zone, women-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, historically black college or university, and/or minority service institute)

            - Please also advise the Government of pending changes in the business size status, if applicable.

4. A brief Statement of Capability (no more than 10 pages); which responds to the following questions and demonstrates the ability to meet the requirements specified in the PWS.

- Question 1: Discuss your company’s ability to provide experienced and certified instructors for the various training activities as required in the PWS.

- Question 2: Discuss your company’s approach to hosting sustainment training for students with varied levels of experience.  

The anticipated NAICS code is 611699 “All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction” with a size standard of $16.5 million dollars. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. No feedback will be provided regarding individual capability statements. No reimbursements will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and/or any follow-up information requests.

Capability Statements/responses are due no later than 5:00 PM EST, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Please email responses to Maegan Castro at maegan.n.castro.civ@socom.mil and reference “Sources Sought – AOTP” in the subject line.

Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated requests for quotations that may be issued. Respondents will NOT be individually notified of the results. However, if the final determination results in the verification of a sole-source negotiation, a Notice of Intent to Sole Source and the redacted Justification and Approval will be posted to www.sam.gov. For information regarding this notice, contact Maegan Castro at the email address listed above.

Respondents are cautioned that due to file size limitation and email security protocols, there is a risk that not all correspondence will be received by this office. It is the interested parties’ responsibility to ensure receipt of all email correspondence. If receipt has not be acknowledged within 24 hours, please contact the Contracting Office at 910-432-7688.