Fitch Solutions Ratings Research

EXIM Bank Washington, DC is providing a notice of intent to issue a solicitation to provide for Fitch Solutions Ratings Research.  This is a combined synopsis-solicitation for Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services items per FAR 13.5 procedures, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; A SEPARATE WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. Award is intended as a competitive Open Market Purchase Order. In addition to submitting the attached Information Retrieval Provider - Self-Assessment Checklist (as an attachment to this synopsis) and pricing to meet the identified requirements in their entirely, an offeror’s submission must include descriptive information regarding the proposed solution, with a brief narrative where applicable. Preferred existing technical information, brochures, marketing literature, etc., should be used when applicable.

Interested vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at https://sam.gov/content/home

Scope is for:

1.  BACKGROUND: The mission of the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM) Research Center (Research & Information Services) is to support the work of EXIM officials and employees who serve exporters and other clientele by providing high-quality and useable information delivered in a timely fashion.

The Research Center has a requirement for access to Fitch’s rating information and research.

Fitch is the only source for certain ratings materials.  Many countries and banks have only limited coverage, and it is critical that EXIM have competing credit analysis and opinions from a diverse spectrum of independent sources. This source is complementary to the ratings content in Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s but provides other unique coverage and analysis not available from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s or anywhere else.

While at times Fitch reports are used in conjunction with other rating agency reports, many times they are the only source.

EXIM has subscribed to Fitch for many years and finds the information to be extremely valuable in evaluating deals, corporates, and sovereigns.  The service includes access to Fitch analysts for specific questions.  Access to Fitch is essential for EXIM.

2.  SCOPE: Fitch provides crucial ratings materials and analytical support without which EXIM would not be able to make critical financial decisions in its dealings with sovereigns, banks, and companies.  Their materials are used by many Divisions in the Bank, including the Office of Board Authorized Finance, Small Business, Credit and Risk Management, Policy & Planning, and Asset Management, for underwriting new deals and assessing risk on existing deals.

Fitch is one of the Big Three credit rating agencies and was established in 1914.  Their ratings and research reports cover the global market, including sovereigns (developed countries and emerging market countries), banks, country banking sectors and corporates.  EXIM finds the rating reports essential, and also makes good use of Fitch’s industry reports.  Fitch published over 20,000 commentaries in 2015.  Fitch Ratings is on the ground in more than 30 countries, blending local insights with global perspectives on more than 7,000 structured finance transactions, 3,200 financial institutions, 2,100 corporates and 100 sovereigns.  Fitch has recently developed several very succinct and clear tools & formats for presenting data (examples are the Navigator, the Dashboard and the Analytical Comparative Tool), which have been favorably commented on by users.

3.  APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: None.

4.  SPECIFIC TASKS: Task 1.  Provide access to Fitch Ratings by providing a URL, username and password.

5.  DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE: Delivery of database access is on May 1, 2022, and subsequently on May1st of each option year.

6.  GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION: None.

7.  PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Contractor shall prepare and load data at worksites they define.  Compilation of data is not required to be done at a specific place of performance.

EXIM shall be able to access data platforms by using the EXIM Intranet.

8.  PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2026, Anticipated period of performance will be 5 years, a base period, plus four twelve-month option periods.

9.  SECURITY: Unclassified. The URL, username and password shall be provided to EXIM upon request.  Contractor shall secure their data and computers.  EXIM business is confidential; contractor shall keep EXIM queries and interests private.

10. Initial / Base Year with four (4) one (1) year options and Initial / Base Year Expected Period of Performance (PoP) is May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

11. This notice incorporates the following FAR clauses:

• 52.202-1 Definitions
• 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees
• 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures
• 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirements to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights
• 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications
• 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Oct 2018)
• 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items
• 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items (Oct 2018)
• 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items
• 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity-Separately Priced Line Item
• 52.217-8 Option to Extend the Services
• 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract
• 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications
• 52.232-1 Payments
• 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations
• 52.233-2 Service of Protest
• 52.237-3 Continuity of Services
• 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items
• 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference
• 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference for commercial items and service 
• Supplemental Information to 52.212-2, Paragraph (a) evaluation factors are: Best value determination per FAR 13.5.

Electronic procedures will be used for this solicitation through System for Award Management (SAM.gov), Contract Opportunities at https://sam.gov/content/home