Description
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway Institute (NHI) plans to award multiple 5-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts for the development, revision, updating, and presentation nationwide of training in the broad areas of Highway Construction and Maintenance, Pavement Technologies, and Transportation Asset Management. All work will be identified in task order RFPs issued to those holding one of these base ID/IQ contracts. Current NHI course offering in the areas covered may be found on the NHI web site at www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov. Additional courses or web-based offerings will be added as needs are defined. The NHI is the technical training arm of the FHWA, and as such plays a vital role in the FHWA?s overall effort to provide training in new and evolving highway related technologies. The target audience for these courses is very broad, and includes Federal, state and local highway and transportation agencies located within the United States, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Centers, associations, consulting firms, private industry, universities and other national and international entities engaged in highway work of interest to the United States. In order for the NHI to best accomplish its training mission, it is necessary to accurately determine the needs of the target audience, and then develop and deliver a variety of training packages that will most effectively and efficiently present the intended messages. The NHI has been performing this role primarily by delivering traditional, instructor-lead, classroom training on a broad range of topics since Congress established it in 1970. However, the electronic era is rapidly opening new avenues for cost savings, complying with divergent schedules, and training larger audiences in shorter periods of time. These avenues need to be explored, and enhancements to the current approaches implemented. In addition to a thorough knowledge of instructional systems design (ISD) and adult learning principals, subject matter expertise will be required in Highway Construction and Maintenance, Pavement Technologies, and Transportation Asset Management including hands on experience in the development and delivery of training in these areas. Training delivery methods may include traditional classroom instruction, as well as distance learning formats including asynchronous web-based training, synchronous web conference training, and blended approaches of these methodologies. It is estimated that web-based training will make up 30 -50 % of the work during the next 5 years. Task Orders may also include other functions relating to training development and delivery such as needs assessment, marketing, electronic formatting for Section 508 compliance, translation of course materials into other languages, and conversion of traditional classroom instruction into distance learning formats. Limited research necessary for development of technical reference manuals may be included. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the contractor shall furnish all necessary facilities, materials, and personnel to perform services necessary to complete each Task Order issued. All qualified, responsible sources are encouraged to submit an offer. The Government intends to award multiple contracts on the basis of best value after full and open competition. The solicitation and all related documents and amendments, if any, will only be released and available electronically through Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Web site that lists all the FHWA business opportunities sorted by posted date. The solicitation and related documents will be posted under the RFP number. Interested parties must download the RFP from that site. NO WRITTEN, TELEPHONIC, FACSIMILE, OR E-MAIL REQUESTS will be honored. However, interested parties can register at the aforementioned site to receive procurement announcements and notification of posting by e-mail. Please note that FedBizOpps has added a new feature called, Interested Vendors List. Those interested in teaming, subcontracting, supplying, consulting and the like should register, and prime contractors should review the names posted there. Since this solicitation will only be available electronically, it is the responsibility of interested parties to monitor the FedBizOpps Web site for any solicitation amendments. The ESTIMATED release date of the RFP is October 1st. NO OTHER PROCUREMENT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. ATTENTION: Minority, Women-owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The Department of Transportation, Short-Term Lending Program offers working capital financing in the form of revolving lines of credit to finance accounts receivable arising from transportation related contracts. Maximum line of credit is $750,000 with interest at the prime rate as published daily in the Wall Street Journal, plus 1.75%. For further information, call (800) 532-1169 x62852. Internet address: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov. This requirement is listed at: http://www.dot.gov/ost/m60/earl/chap1205.htm#1205.2 See Notes 1, 25 and 26.