Independent Validation and Verification Services for Cost Estimation and Analysis Division
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Program Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD)
Title of Project: Student Loan Model (SLM) Independent Validation and Verification Services (IV&V)
General Information:
This SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE and REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) is for market research and planning purposes only and shall not be considered to be an obligation by the Government to acquire any products or services. While the precise acquisition strategy is yet to be determined, the Department is contemplating a hybrid award with Time and Materials (T&M) and firm fixed price tasks, for a period of one twelve (12) month Base Year and four twelve (12) month Option Years. The Department intends to issue a solicitation sometime in March 2017, with an anticipated award date of no later than July 2017.
Pursuant to 48 C.F.R. Part 10, the Government is conducting market research to:
•Determine what sources exist that are capable of satisfying the Government's requirements listed below,
•Determine the capabilities of potential contractors,
•Determne the size and status of potential sources, and
•Determine the level of competition
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) AND
SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT
TO AWARD A CONTRACT AT THIS TIME.
Draft Statement of Objectives (DSOO): Attached for your review is a Draft Statement of Objectives, which includes background, purpose of contract, legislative authority, scope of work, objectives, and attachments which are referenced in the DSOO.
Request for Capabilities: Interested parties are invited to submit a capability statement. You will need to demonstrate the ability to provide the services as stated in the Draft SOO.
Responses to this notice are requested to include the following:
a) Company name:
b) Address:
c) Point of contact:
d) Number of employees:
e) Gross annual receipts:
f) Previous contract(s) performing same or similar services as identified in this notice, to include contract type (FFP,T&M,etc.); overall contract value; Agency/Business Entity contracted with; brief overview of services performed:
g) Capability statement that addresses the organizations' qualifications and ability to perform as a prime contractor for the work described in the attached SOO.
h) GSA Holder? If yes, GSA Contract number:
i) Are you a small business/large business/not-for-profit/Educational Institute:
i) Are you a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (Yes/No):
j) Are you a certified HubZone Small Business (Yes/No):
k) Are you a Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No):
Page limit for capability statements are 14 pages, single spaced, and 12 point font (excluding tables). The capability statements must demonstrate vendors' ability to perform the requirements outlined below. Please address each in the order listed.
Interested vendors are to respond to sections below in the order provided below.
1.Describe your ability and experience meeting the objectives identified in the DSOO and provide examples, if possible. Please identify two recent Government or other commercial experiences relevant to this sources sought notice (include contract number, role in the effort (i.e., prime contractor or subcontractor), date, scope, duration, client, and primary consumer audience, and contracting agency contact). This can be included in chart form, single-spaced, minimum 10-point font. For each experience, please indicate direct role(s) in the project.
2.Discuss your technical expertise and experience with:
•Title IV, HEA programs, especially federal student loan programs,
•The provision and management of model validation and verification services,
•Evaluation of data sources and uses.
3.Identify any areas of risk to achieving the objectives in the DSOO and how your organization would minimize those risks. In addition, vendors are asked to provide feedback on whether or not they believe they can realistically accomplish the work in a firm fixed price environment or they believe this work better fits a time and materials environment. Also, identify any additional information you may require in order to propose a reasonable price ceiling for the T&M tasks, and/or provide a reasonable fixed price quote for the fixed price tasks.
4.Interested parties are requested to submit comments regarding the DSOO and identify competition barriers. Please identify and describe any areas in the DSOO believed to be missing, in need of clarification, or that need further explanation. The Government will review each capability statement based on the interested party's demonstrated qualifications, capabilities, expertise, experience and past performance for market research purposes.
Responses to this RFI will be accepted via e-mail to the address listed below. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this evaluation. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date.
Due Date for Capability Submission: Interested parties having the capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements may submit capability statements via email to Colin Alleyne, colin.alleyne@ed.gov with a cc: to Ryan Battad, Ryan.Battad@ed.gov by 3:00 PM EST on March 8, 2017. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date.
DISCLAIMER:
PARTICIPATION IN THE MARKET RESEARCH IN NO WAY INFLUENCES THE SOURCE SELECTION FOR THESE SERVICES. This is not an invitation for bid, request for proposal or other solicitation. The sole purpose of this Notice is to obtain capabilities for procurement planning purposes. This Notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract nor does the Government intend to directly pay for any information or responses submitted as the result of this Notice. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this Notice will be the outcome of the competitive process.
Colin G. Alleyne, Contract Specialist, Phone 2022456763, Email colin.alleyne@ed.gov
