Specialty Crops Program Mondernization Initiative

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) is seeking information from vendors on the analysis, design, implementation, and development of a single software solution that replaces a number of legacy systems used to support the activities of SCI. These systems include SCI's Billings and Inspection Information System (BIIS), Fresh Electronic Inspection and Reporting/Resource System (FEIRS) and other legacy systems. Attached is a draft of SCI's requirement. Vendors are asked to provide comments on the attached Request for Information (RFI). Responses to this RFI will not result in a contract and will only be used for market research data. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) for competitive proposals. The Government will NOT award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Responses must include:
1) Name of Company and Contact Information to include telephone and e-mail;
2) Business Size and type of ownership (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, HubZone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a), Women-Owned, Small Disadvantaged);
3) Duns Number;
4) Three past performance and references relevant to the company's ability to perform this type of work and/or literature that supports the company's capability to perform this work; and
5) List of contract vehicles your company may have such as a GSA Federal Supply Schedule, 8(a) Certification, SEWP, CIO-SP3, STARS II, Alliant, Alliant 2, Alliant SB, etc., OR if only able to compete under Open Market.
Requested Information - Interested companies should include in their response answers to the following market research questions/requests:
a) Provide any questions or feedback on the elements of the draft requirements document that are unclear. This feedback should be designed to assist the government in improving and clarifying the requirements as it is currently written.
b) Provide the company's approach and/or capabilities in response to the requirement as set forth in the draft.
c) What is your management and staffing approach for successfully developing an IT system using agile methodologies?
d) Given the AMS technical environment (see Appendix), what use would you make of innovative IT tools/approaches such as cloud computing, open source/standards-based applications, or leveraging existing investments, commodity IT, and other best practices?
USDA has access to enterprise level cloud based hosting arrangements, both government and commercial that could be used in developing this solution as well.
e) How do you ensure cost-effective, long-term maintainability of the system when tasked primarily to develop new system functions and capabilities?
f) Provide the notional price estimates for this requirement?
Interested sources that submit a response are responsible for appropriately marking information that is proprietary in nature. Information requested is strictly voluntary. Responses must be e-mailed to: Heather.Farber-Lau@ams.usda.gov by April 12, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern. In the subject line of the email, please state RFI 12639518R0017. Questions regarding the requirements document must be submitted to Heather.Farber-Lau@ams.usda.gov by 2:00 pm eastern time March 30, 2018. No telephone communication will be honored and sources that submit a response will not be entitled to the results of this notice.
Added: Jul 30, 2018 8:44 am Modified: Sep 13, 2018 8:38 amTrack Changes

To all interested parties

The Specialty Crops Program Modernization Initiative procurement has experienced scheduling delays due to the desire to seek internal demonstrations of other USDA solutions that use SAS solutions similar in nature to SC's need. AMS expects this delay to push the issuance of RFP into early FY19 (October - November 2018).

AMS will not be seeking demonstrations from vendors during the RFI process. It is likely that during the RFP evaluation process, vendors that are found to be in the competitive range will be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their proposed or past solutions. Vendors will be given the equal time to demonstrate, with the government afforded the opportunity to ask clarification questions.

The new POC is Heather.Farber-Lau@ams.usda.gov or Francesca.Abii@ams.usda.gov.

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To all interested parties

The Specialty Crops Program Modernization Initiative procurement has experienced scheduling delays due to the desire to seek internal demonstrations of other USDA solutions that use SAS solutions similar in nature to SC's need. AMS expects this delay to push the issuance of RFP into early FY19 (October - November 2018).

AMS will not be seeking demonstrations from vendors during the RFI process. It is likely that during the RFP evaluation process, vendors that are found to be in the competitive range will be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their proposed or past solutions. Vendors will be given the equal time to demonstrate, with the government afforded the opportunity to ask clarification questions.

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To all interested parties

The Specialty Crops Program Modernization Initiative procurement has experienced scheduling delays due to the desire to seek internal demonstrations of other USDA solutions that use SAS solutions similar in nature to SC’s need. AMS expects this delay to push the issuance of RFP into early FY19 (October – November 2018).

AMS will not be seeking demonstrations from vendors during the RFI process. It is likely that during the RFP evaluation process, vendors that are found to be in the competitive range will be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate their proposed or past solutions. Vendors will be given the equal time to demonstrate, with the government afforded the opportunity to ask clarification questions.

The due date for responses to the RFI is extended to April 30, 2018 at 10:00 am eastern time.
Below is a link to the recording of the Virtual Industry Day Q & A session.
https://amsfv.webex.com/amsfv/lsr.php?RCID=929b5e8c9f6ff34094976ade2bf7e5be

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The due date for responses to the RFI is extended to April 30, 2018 at 10:00 am eastern time.

Below is a link to the recording of the Virtual Industry Day Q&A session.

https://amsfv.webex.com/amsfv/lsr.php?RCID=929b5e8c9f6ff34094976ade2bf7e5be

USDA, AMS will be hosting a "Virtual" Technology Day on April 13, 2018 at 1pm EST. This public forum will allow for a broader discussion to occur regarding SCI's goals and requirements and to allow interested technology providers to ask questions and hear answers real time. All interested parties are welcome. The link to the meeting is below and in the attachment.
https://amsfv.webex.com/amsfv/onstage/g.php?MTID=e9a76130f91ac8ce11f52e3ebd7bcd763

The due date for responses is extended to April 19, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern time.

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USDA, AMS will be hosting a "Virtual" Technology Day on April 13, 2018 at 1pm EST. This public forum will allow for a broader discussion to occur regarding SCI's goals and requirements and to allow interested technology providers to ask questions and hear answers real time. All interested parties are welcome.  The link to the meeting is below and in the attachment.

 https://amsfv.webex.com/amsfv/onstage/g.php?MTID=e9a76130f91ac8ce11f52e3ebd7bcd763

The due date for responses is extended to April 19, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern time.

USDA, AMS will be hosting a "Virtual" Technology Day on April 13, 2018 at 1pm EST. This public forum will allow for a broader discussion to occur regarding SCI's goals and requirements and to allow interested technology providers to ask questions and hear answers real time. All interested parties are welcome. The link to the meeting is below and in the attachment.
https://amsfv.webex.com/ec3200/eventcenter/mobile/eventInfoMobile.do?siteurl=amsfv&confID=91477149895130665&meetingKey=668369103&backUrl=%2Fmw3200%2Fwireless%2Fmeetinglist.do%3Fsiteurl%3Damsfv&t=a&rnd=0.12209650974033892
The due date for responses is extended to April 19, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern time..

USDA, AMS will be hosting a "Virtual" Technology Day on April 13, 2018 at 1pm EST. This public forum will allow for a broader discussion to occur regarding SCI's goals and requirements and to allow interested technology providers to ask questions and hear answers real time. All interested parties are welcome.  The link to the meeting is below and in the attachment.

https://amsfv.webex.com/ec3200/eventcenter/mobile/eventInfoMobile.do?siteurl=amsfv&confID=91477149895130665&meetingKey=668369103&backUrl=%2Fmw3200%2Fwireless%2Fmeetinglist.do%3Fsiteurl%3Damsfv&t=a&rnd=0.12209650974033892

The due date for responses is extended to April 19, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern time.

RFI responses are limited to thirty (30) pages..

RFI responses are limited to thirty (30) pages.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) is seeking information from vendors on the analysis, design, implementation, and development of a single software solution that replaces a number of legacy systems used to support the activities of SCI. These systems include SCI's Billings and Inspection Information System (BIIS), Fresh Electronic Inspection and Reporting/Resource System (FEIRS) and other legacy systems. Attached is a draft of SCI's requirement. Vendors are asked to provide comments on the attached Request for Information (RFI). Responses to this RFI will not result in a contract and will only be used for market research data. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) for competitive proposals. The Government will NOT award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Responses must include:
1) Name of Company and Contact Information to include telephone and e-mail;
2) Business Size and type of ownership (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, HubZone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a), Women-Owned, Small Disadvantaged);
3) Duns Number;
4) Three past performance and references relevant to the company's ability to perform this type of work and/or literature that supports the company's capability to perform this work; and
5) List of contract vehicles your company may have such as a GSA Federal Supply Schedule, 8(a) Certification, SEWP, CIO-SP3, STARS II, Alliant, Alliant 2, Alliant SB, etc., OR if only able to compete under Open Market.
Requested Information - Interested companies should include in their response answers to the following market research questions/requests:
a) Provide any questions or feedback on the elements of the draft requirements document that are unclear. This feedback should be designed to assist the government in improving and clarifying the requirements as it is currently written.
b) Provide the company's approach and/or capabilities in response to the requirement as set forth in the draft.
c) What is your management and staffing approach for successfully developing an IT system using agile methodologies?
d) Given the AMS technical environment (see Appendix), what use would you make of innovative IT tools/approaches such as cloud computing, open source/standards-based applications, or leveraging existing investments, commodity IT, and other best practices?
USDA has access to enterprise level cloud based hosting arrangements, both government and commercial that could be used in developing this solution as well.
e) How do you ensure cost-effective, long-term maintainability of the system when tasked primarily to develop new system functions and capabilities?
f) Provide the notional price estimates for this requirement?
Interested sources that submit a response are responsible for appropriately marking information that is proprietary in nature. Information requested is strictly voluntary. Responses must be e-mailed to: JohnT.Gallagher@ams.usda.gov by April 12, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern. In the subject line of the email, please state RFI 12639518R0017. Questions regarding the requirements document must be submitted to JohnT.Gallagher@ams.usda.gov by 2:00 pm eastern time March 30, 2018. No telephone communication will be honored and sources that submit a response will not be entitled to the results of this notice.
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program (SCP), Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) is seeking information from vendors on the analysis, design, implementation, and development of a single software solution that replaces a number of legacy systems used to support the activities of SCI. These systems include SCI's Billings and Inspection Information System (BIIS), Fresh Electronic Inspection and Reporting/Resource System (FEIRS) and other legacy systems. Attached is a draft of SCI's requirement. Vendors are asked to provide comments on the attached Request for Information (RFI). Responses to this RFI will not result in a contract and will only be used for market research data. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) for competitive proposals. The Government will NOT award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Responses must include:
1) Name of Company and Contact Information to include telephone and e-mail;
2) Business Size and type of ownership (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, HubZone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a), Women-Owned, Small Disadvantaged);
3) Duns Number;
4) Three past performance and references relevant to the company's ability to perform this type of work and/or literature that supports the company's capability to perform this work; and
5) List of contract vehicles your company may have such as a GSA Federal Supply Schedule, 8(a) Certification, SEWP, CIO-SP3, STARS II, Alliant, Alliant 2, Alliant SB, etc., OR if only able to compete under Open Market.
Requested Information - Interested companies should include in their response answers to the following market research questions/requests:

a) Provide any questions or feedback on the elements of the draft requirements document that are unclear. This feedback should be designed to assist the government in improving and clarifying the requirements as it is currently written.
b) Provide the company's approach and/or capabilities in response to the requirement as set forth in the draft.
c) What is your management and staffing approach for successfully developing an IT system using agile methodologies?
d) Given the AMS technical environment (see Appendix), what use would you make of innovative IT tools/approaches such as cloud computing, open source/standards-based applications, or leveraging existing investments, commodity IT, and other best practices?
USDA has access to enterprise level cloud based hosting arrangements, both government and commercial that could be used in developing this solution as well.
e) How do you ensure cost-effective, long-term maintainability of the system when tasked primarily to develop new system functions and capabilities?
f) Provide the notional price estimates for this requirement?

Interested sources that submit a response are responsible for appropriately marking information that is proprietary in nature. Information requested is strictly voluntary. Responses must be e-mailed to: JohnT.Gallagher@ams.usda.gov by April 12, 2018 at 11:00 am eastern. In the subject line of the email, please state RFI 12639518R0017. Questions regarding the requirements document must be submitted to JohnT.Gallagher@ams.usda.gov by 2:00 pm eastern time March 30, 2018. No telephone communication will be honored and sources that submit a response will not be entitled to the results of this notice.