ASPIRING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research and planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposals (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) is seeking one or more Community Colleges, Universities, or other educational institutions to design a leadership development program, based on Office of Personnel Management (OPM) leadership competencies. The contractor(s) shall teach the leadership program to eligible Wage Grade/General Schedule (WG/GS) 5 through 11 employees at the FNS National Office and one or more of the seven FNS Regional Offices; Boston, MA, Robbinsville, NJ, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, and San Francisco, CA. The competencies to be taught are continuous learning, interpersonal skills, conflict management, team building, integrity and honesty, oral communications, written communications, problem solving, accountability, and customer service. The attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) provides more detailed information regarding the number and location of possible eligible employees, the leadership competencies, and the time desired for instruction to begin. CAPABILITY STATEMENT INFORMATION Interested parties may submit a statement of capability outlining their existing leadership programs, with pricing information, that could be utilized or modified to provide the desired training. Interested parties having the capability to design a new program should explain in detail the time required and the experience and skills of the personnel proposed for development and training and a outline of the methodology proposed to meet each of the leadership competencies. The statement of capabilities shall also include the following: • The name of the institution, • The mailing address and website, • The name of the person to contact and the contracting office, • The telephone number and e-mail address of each contact person, • The DUNS and TIN numbers of the institution, • Whether the institution has a GSA Federal Supply Schedule or other Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), and • Examples of similar training performed within the previous two years. Generic capability statements will not be accepted. In order to contract with the Government, vendors must be registered in the Central Contractors' Registration (CCR) database. Any information provided 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 of whatever nature and no 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 solicitation and the respondent releases the Government from any claim for damages or other liability arising out of this notice or their submission. Questions regarding this program may be submitted by e-mail to
[email protected] on or before 2:00 PM EDT, Friday, June 22, 2012. Telephone questions will not be honored. Vendors capable of providing these services shall submit their information via e-mail to Mr. Feinberg on or before 2:00 PM EDT, Monday, July 16, 2012. The FNS cannot accept e-mails exceeding 5MB. Information received marked as "proprietary" will be handled accordingly.