SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). A solicitation is not being issued at this time and this notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) anticipates entering into a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with one or more firms that can supply subject matter experts on a Task Order basis in response to requests from FNS for an expert or experts to work on specific time-limited assignments. FNS anticipates that the duration of the BPA will be 2 years with 3 options to extend duration an additional 1 year each (total of 5 years if all options exercised). The duration of each Task Order will be specified in the Task Order. The Government requests that all interested parties submit a statement of capability outlining past work that is related to this requirement as stated below. The statement of capability shall include: Contractor Name Address Point of Contact (POC) POC phone number and e-mail address DUNS number Business status (i.e. large/small business, disadvantaged, Hub Zone, woman-owned, etc.) The Statement of Capabilities must demonstrate the contractor's ability to identify, recruit and maintain a pool of about 10 to 20 specific individuals with subject matter expertise on research topics related to the WIC Program, FNS Child Nutrition Programs, and/or the SNAP. The Statement of Capabilities must demonstrate that the contractor is able to ensure that the subject matter experts (SMEs) to be recruited will have expertise evidenced, e.g., by authorship of peer-reviewed publications on FNS or closely-related programs, employment or former employment at state agencies administering FNS or closely-related programs, etc.). The Statement of Capabilities must also demonstrate the contractor's ability to identify, recruit and maintain a pool of SMEs with expertise in particular analysis and evaluation skills (including, but not limited to, statistics, sample design, sample size estimations, nutrition and technical writing for complex studies). Specifically, the contractor must have the knowledge and capability to identify and recruit experts in social science research designs and methods, sampling statisticians, an expert on non-response bias analysis, experts in questionnaire construction, including at least one expert in cognitive testing of items, experts in the use of SAS for statistical analyses, experts in preparing 60-day notices and OMB clearance packages, experts in checking contractor invoices for accuracy and compliance with government invoicing standards, individuals with expertise in editing social science research documents for Congressional and lay audiences, experts in project management, experts in comment analysis and synthesis, and individuals with expertise in research assistant duties. The Statement of Capabilities shall demonstrate that the contractor is able to screen individuals for the following before including their names in the pool of SMEs: professional reputation (overall quality of expertise) and independence from contract research firms funded by FNS since 2008 and from lobbyists that seek to influence FNS programs and policies. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. Responses will not be returned. No entitlements to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses, or the Government's use of such information. The information obtained from responses to this notice may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future RFP. No questions will be entertained or comment responded to by the Government. Offerors capable of providing these services should submit the information requested above via e-mail to
[email protected] and no later than 2PM Eastern Standard Time, March 14, 2011. BPA to Obtain Temporary Services of Subject Matter Experts and other Support for FNS Research and Evaluation Initiatives Part I: General Information The Office of Research and Analysis (ORA) conducts evaluations, program analyses and performance assessments that inform policymaking and management of Federal nutrition assistance programs. ORA's staff comprises recognized experts in a wide range of disciplines: evaluation, policy analysis, nutrition, sociology, economics, statistics, and social psychology. Working together, they bring these skills and knowledge to bear on the practical problems of directing and managing the nation's nutrition assistance programs. In addition, ORA provides timely analysis and evaluation of key policy and program issues for Congress, policy-makers and the public, and works to coordinate the Agency's strategic and operational planning processes. ORA's ongoing program of research and evaluation on domestic anti-hunger and nutrition support programs has been expanding significantly and ORA needs temporary services of subject matter experts to support on an "as needed" basis the work of the official government Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs) as they develop and manage the technical aspects of research, evaluation and analysis contracts and grants. FNS anticipates entering into a BPA with one or more firms that can supply subject matter experts on a Task Order basis in response to requests from FNS for an expert or experts to work on specific time-limited assignments. FNS anticipates that the duration of the BPA will be 2 years with 3 options to extend duration an additional 1 year each (total of 5 years if all options exercised). The duration of each Task Order will be specified in the Task Order. Task Orders will relate to specific assignments for one or more subject matter experts (SMEs). These Task Orders: •Will vary and may include one or more (i.e., a combination) of the examples in Table 1. •May range in calendar duration from several days through 24+ months. •May range in level of effort from 3 person-days of effort through 2 person-years of effort. •May require a few days of effort clustered in a short period of time, several groups of days disbursed throughout the lifecycle of a project, or continuous effort over a period specified in a Task Order. •May involve limited travel, usually to FNS headquarters in Alexandria, VA or meetings in the Washington DC metropolitan area. •May involve participation in meetings either in-person or by teleconference, or both. •May require confidentiality. Some Task Order assignments (such as participation in or providing advice to technical review panels and reviewing unpublished manuscripts) will require that the contractor and the selected experts maintain confidentiality about the work. •May require secure handling of sensitive but unclassified (SBU) paper and/or electronic documents. • May involve the need to determine actual or potential conflicts of interest. Some Task Order assignments (such as those related to procurement) will require that the selected experts be free from prior, current or anticipated conflicts of interest and avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest, as required by law and regulations of individuals involved in Federal procurement decisions. •May vary in start time. Some Task Orders assignments may need to have an expert start work within a few days; others may have longer lead times. Overview of BPA Responsibilities 1.The contractor shall identify and recruit SMEs screened for professional reputation (overall quality of expertise), independence from contract research firms typically funded by FNS and from advocacy groups that regularly comment on FNS programs and policies. 2.The contractor shall manage all administrative aspects of making SMEs available to FNS, invoice FNS for work performed by SMEs on Task Orders and pay the SMEs according to the procedures required by the SME's regular employer or other arrangements specific to the individual SME. 3.Following issuance of a Task Order calling for work by SMEs under this BPA, the contractor shall: a.For each SME needed, recommend to FNS at least 3 SMEs that could perform the work. b.Screen or re-screen the recommended subject matter experts for conflict of interest issues related to the specific work on the Task Order. c.Screen or re-screen the recommended subject matter experts for availability during the time period(s) specified in the Task Order. d.If FNS chooses to proceed, FNS will select one or more SMEs from the recommended list. Contractor shall then recruit a subject matter expert from among those that FNS has determined are suitable and obtain a signed commitment to perform the needed services, including formal agreements or sub-contracts with the expert or their employer, as needed. e.Deliver the services of the SME to FNS as specified in the Task Order. f.Pay selected experts and/or their employer as agreed (including reimbursement for travel or other necessary and approved expenses) and handle any other special requirements of an expert's employer. g.If, at any point after committing to a specific SME, the contracted SME becomes unable to perform some or all of the work specified in the Task Order in a timely manner, repeat the steps above as needed to deliver the work called for by the Task Order in a timely manner.