Executive search (academics) USCG academy

This is a Request for Information (RFI) for Market Research Purposes.

The USCGA has a need to obtain contractor support to conduct a nationally competitive process for hiring its academic deans. The objective is to engage an executive search firm with robust higher education expertise and a nationally proven track record of tailored client support and effective results placing leaders at academic institutions. A DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) is included as a reference in the attachments to this RFI.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), located in New London, CT, is requesting input from industry to assist in determining the acquisition strategy and potential for a socio-economic set-aside for small business participation in this acquisition. This RFI is to understand the market place and available vendors to target the broadest response from interested entities.

All interested parties may submit a capability statement that describes the business’s ability to perform all functions required by the attached Draft SOW, in addition, your responses to the following questions will assist in determining the final acquisition strategy.

1. Does your firm have the capability to perform all required services in the draft SOW?
2. Does your company have similar or previous experience with the type of work outlined in the draft SOW?
   1. If so please describe your firm’s national reach and experience in conducting executive searches for accredited institutions of higher education. Include specific examples of successful placements at the Dean or higher executive level within the past 5–10 years.
   2. What strategies do you use to assess cultural fit between candidates and the university/college?
3. What is your firm’s Search Process & Methodology?
   1. Describe your typical search process from initiation to candidate placement.
   2. What tools or platforms do you use for candidate sourcing and vetting?
   3. What is your approach to ensuring qualified, talented and proven academic leaders?
4. Your firm’s outcomes.
   1. If required in a solicitation, would your firm be able to provide references from recent higher education executive searches?
   2. What is your average time-to-fill a candidate and what is the retention rate for a placed candidates?
5. Does the draft requirements document contain sufficient information that would enable you to adequately respond to a solicitation?
6. Based on the information provided in the SOW, would your company submit a quote if a Request for Quote was issued?
7. Are you a small business or other than small business for the selected NAICS?
8. Are there other socio-economic categories that apply to your firm (e.g., Women Owned Small business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small business, SBA Certified HUBZone)?
9. Are there other considerations for this requirement that have not been covered, that the Government should be aware of when evaluating, selecting, deploying, and providing the services?

Information provided to the Government will be used for market research purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal/Quotation. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. Furthermore, this is not considered to be a commitment by the Government to award a contract nor will the Government pay for any information provided. Any solicitation that may be released will be announced separately through an appropriate forum.

Questions, comments, and capability statements forwarded in response to this RFI should be directed to the contracting officer, Katherine M. Discenza, at Katherine.m.discenza@uscg.mil. All correspondence regarding questions/comments/capability statements from vendors shall be solely through email. Emails shall include the following ID in the subject line of all emails: 70Z03926CGARFIEXS.