The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is seeking capability statements from all firms interested in a proposed project involving meeting facilitation and planning services in support of the agency's Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force. The scope of the proposed project will involve providing support to the agency's Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force, which is being convened to examine hydroponic and aquaponic production and its alignment with USDA organic regulations and the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force will be comprised of approximately 15 individuals with expertise in hydroponic, aquaponic, and organic agriculture, including hydroponic and aquaponic producers, organic producers, academics/researchers, policy experts and organic certifiers. The primary objective of the Task Force will be to research and write a final report on its analysis for presentation to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Work will involve, but not be limited to planning and facilitating one (1) in-person Task Force meeting, and approximately eleven (11) subsequent virtual meetings to be held monthly. The contractor will work closely with key NOP staff throughout the entire process. For the in-person task force meeting, the contractor shall coordinate travel logistics for the task force, including the meeting facility, transportation, lodging, and food; develop an agenda based upon the meeting objectives and workplan; facilitate the meeting, including design, plan the group process, and guide discussions to ensure participation and outcomes are achieved. The location of this 1-2 day meeting has not yet been determined and will likely include a field visit related to hydroponic and aquaponic production. For subsequent monthly virtual meetings, the contractor shall plan agendas, manage technology set-up, and guide meetings to ensure participation and outcomes are achieved. The contractor shall work with NOP staff to ensure that meeting notes and action items are recorded and circulated, and that action items are progressed and work is brought to successful conclusion . The appropriate NAICS code for the proposed project is 541618 - Other Management Consulting Services with a small business size standard of $15.0 million. All interested parties are invited to submit capability statements for acquisition planning purposes. The following outline is recommended (5-page limit): 1) Company name, address, and primary point of contact information 2) A statement of capability 3) Recent and relevant past performance information 4) Business Ownership and Self‐Certification information (i.e. Small Business, Women‐Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned) 5) Current Government Certifications (i.e. 8(a) certified, 8(a) joint venture, Small Disadvantaged Business HUBZone Certified) 6) List Pertinent Codes: NAICS Codes (numbers only), DUNS number, and CAGE code The USDA reserves the right to determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate based upon the capability information provided in response to this notice, and other pertinent information gathered by the contracting officer. Respondents should ensure the information provided is detailed, current, accurate, and complete. Please submit capability statements by email to Lisa Draves at
[email protected] no later than Monday, July 27, 2015. This notice does not constitute a solicitation. This invitation for capability statements is for planning purposes only. The acquisition strategy for this proposed project has not yet been determined. Response to this notice is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse any party for its participation in this effort. Information submitted in response to this notice is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this notice.