Request for Information – Maritime database and an enterprise-wide license to a global import export and commodity trade database (with forecasting capabilities)

Request for Information – Maritime database and an enterprise-wide license to a global import export and commodity trade database (with forecasting capabilities)

RFI Number: 2032H324N00002

Notice Type: Sources Sought

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NOR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE AN ORDER / CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION REQUESTED.

SYNOPSIS

Since Fiscal Year 2016, the Treasury Offices of Intelligence & Analysis (OIA) and Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), within the Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) department, have subscribed to a maritime reference tool, that provides hundreds of data fields covering over 200,000 ships.  This database provides data and supportive analysis of maritime assets, potentially subject to economic sanctions, as well as maritime assets potentially used for illicit activities such as avoidance or evasion of sanctions.  It also provides business leaders, the media, policymakers, governmental organizations, and philanthropists with information and skills that enable them to help create a culture of ocean conservation within their sectors. The use of this maritime database promotes market-based and policy solutions by educating and mobilizing leaders in policy, science, business, and nonprofits around common-sense solutions for a healthy ocean.  Also, it shares knowledge and issue expertise by initiating strategic dialogues among scientists, journalists, policymakers, and business leaders to promote informed government policies and industry practices.

The Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) department also uses a global import export and commodity trade database that covers information about 84 selected countries, in support of mission critical research.  This resource provides TFI with current and precise international trade statistics of the world’s import and export merchandise trade, organized by commodity, industry sector, and country.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this request may likely include: 519290 – Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services.  SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND. Include whether or not you are a small business; 8(a) small business; HUB Zone small business; service-disabled veteran-owned or veteran-owned small businesses; women-owned or economically disadvantaged women-owned small business; or small disadvantaged business in order to assist the Treasury in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

GENERAL PURPOSE

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this requirement is for the Treasury Offices of Intelligence & Analysis (OIA) and Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), within the Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) department to obtain access for 2 users for a maritime database and an enterprise-wide license global import export and commodity trade database (with forecasting capabilities).

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is twofold: First, to gather information that will assist the Departmental Offices in planning, formulating, and evaluating contractor capability to provide the recruitment services described in the Technical Requirements. The Treasury Departmental Offices are also open to alternative ideas and respondents are encouraged to provide information about alternative solutions that may assist in better meeting future needs.  Second, responses to this RFI will help the Treasury Departmental Offices assess whether the marketplace has contractors capable of delivering the required services for Treasury’s needs.

RFI REQUIREMENTS

2.0 Description of Information Requested

OBSA TOB is requesting information regarding the respondents’ capabilities in providing the aforementioned required online subscription services.

1. Provide company information, to include:
   1. Company name and address;
   2. Size of company (number of personnel, total revenue, ownership, parent corporation, etc.);
   3. Company point(s) of contact including name, phone number, address, and email; length of time in business;
   4. Geographic presence;
   5. Company experience in providing valuation services to government or commercial entities; 
   6. Provide any pertinent information that will assist us in this assessment.
   7. Contract Number and value/capacity; and
   8. Available Strategic Contracts (e.g., GSA, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract allowing decentralized ordering, etc.). Please identify type of “ordering” contract (e.g., GSA Multiple Award Schedule, GSA Professional Service Schedule, etc.).

3.0 Technical Requirements

The purpose of this requirement is for the Treasury Offices of Intelligence & Analysis (OIA) and Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), within the Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) department to obtain access for 2 users for a maritime database and an enterprise-wide license global import export and commodity trade database (with forecasting capabilities). The 84 selected countries should include those listed in the attachment to this notice.

This access should be available twenty-four hours a day to assist with the formulation of national economic policy.

4.0 Delivery Requirements

This access should be available 24 hours a day 7-days a week.

INSTRUCTIONS AND RESPONSE GUIDELINES

Responses to this RFI may be provided through a capabilities statement which shall include the information listed in 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Treasury to issue a request for proposal or award a contract. Treasury does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Contractors responding to this RFI should submit the information necessary for the Treasury to make a determination that the source is capable of satisfying the Government’s anticipated need. Treasury reserves the right to contact individual companies for additional information. This notice does not obligate the Treasury to provide acknowledgment or receipt of all responses received resulting from this notice.  Should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Treasury shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the Government's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. Responses should be identified with RFI # 2032H324N00002 and are due no later than Friday, October 27, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT. All interested parties must submit their responses via email to: Angela C. Gallo, Contracting Specialist via email at Angela.C.Gallo@irs.gov. Questions (oral or written) regarding this RFI will NOT be accepted, nor responses to such questions provided.  This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not commit the government to pay for the information requested, issue a solicitation, or award a contract.  No solicitation document exists at this time.

DO NOT SUBMIT A PROPOSAL AS YOUR RESPONSE

THIS INFORMATION IS BEING REQUESTED FOR PURPOSES OF MARKET RESEARCH ONLY. The Government will use this information to develop a list of potential bidders. Questions concerning this Sources Sought should be submitted to Angela C. Gallo before the due date.