International Services Needs Assessment

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), International Services (IS), Riverdale, MD, has a requirement for needs assessment services for the USDA employees stationed at the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders. The objective is for a contractor to a) Conduct a needs assessment of the work environments and employee training and support requirements associated with the conduct of APHIS programs at or near the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders, so that the employees can effectively carry out their responsibilities as representatives of the USDA and the United states; b) Use the results of the needs assessment to develop a comprehensive plan that includes training and other developmental approaches to ensure that employees are able to interact effectively with Mexican and Canadian nationals within the intercultural environment at the borders. There are approximately 200 employees located at 29 border locations. We are seeking interested sources from small business concerns that have the capability of providing the needs assessment services. The estimated magnitude of this project is under $75,000. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611 with a small business size standard of $14 million. This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested small business concerns prior to issuing a solicitation. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested small-business concern, please provide the following information: 1) Small business name, point of contact and phone number; 2) DUNS number and CAGE code; 3) Evidence of small business concern status; and 4). A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope, and indicate the degree of work self-performed. Also include past performance references with names and phone numbers. Electronic responses are preferred. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses are due no later than 2 p.m., Central Standard Time, on Thursday, July 24, 2014, to the attention of Joanne Mann, Contract Specialist, via e-mail to [email protected] 612-336-3224.