The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) intends to contract with American Bankers Association (ABA) Stonier School of Banking , 1120 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036 on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), for CFPB examiner training. ABA has been identified as the only source capable of providing the required content. The ABA Stonier School of Banking program is designed to better equip supervisory examiners with the skills that are needed in today’s challenging regulatory environment. The curriculum is designed to broaden the supervisory examiner’s knowledge of the banking industry and bank regulation, and master concepts of lending, financial management, general management, leadership, and decision-making. The Supervision, Learning and Development unit (SL&D) of Supervision Examinations offers eligible members of its supervisory examiner staff tuition remission to participate in a graduate banking school (GBS) program. The participation of the attendees in this program will assist the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) mission and agency performance goals and provide an avenue to support employee self-development and learning. Specific characteristics of the ABA Stonier School of Banking that limit the availability to a sole source are that the attendees must apply to and be accepted by the Graduate Banking School program. Only this suggested source can furnish the requirements, to the exclusion of other sources, because the students have applied to and been accepted by the ABA Stonier School of Banking. They were approved by their Regional Director as best qualified candidates to attend the chosen school. This selection was based on their articulated personal statements on the application forms, elaboration during the interview conversations, and assessments of their potential for success in this rigorous Graduate School of Banking program. The ABA Stonier School of Banking was the only program that was a suitable fit for the students based on the fact that as Senior Managers within their Region, this program fits their demanding work schedule. This schedule is dictated by the time and activities required as an Examiner in Charge (EIC) of the various institutions assigned, along with the management and oversight of other employees/examiners who are assigned as their direct reports. The market research that was completed determined there are a number of applicable Graduate Banking Schools available to choose from. According to the CFPB Graduate Banking School Program, the approved graduate banking schools are: ABA’s Stonier National Graduate School of Banking Colorado Graduate School of Banking Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking at University of Wisconsin – Madison Pacific Coast Banking School Southwest Graduate School of Banking. However, the attendees must apply to these programs and be accepted. The ABA Stonier School of Banking program must meet the attendees’ demanding schedule, as examinations cannot be put on hold to attend training. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice is NOT a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The Government will consider responses received by April 30, 2021 @ 2 pm est. NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE. A request for more information or a copy of the solicitation will not be considered an affirmation response to the Special Notice. Telephone responses or inquires to this Special Notice will NOT be accepted. Responses shall be submitted electronically to
[email protected]. Responses must include sufficient evidence that clearly demonstrates the vendor is available and is capable of providing the required professional services and content. If no written response is received that clearly demonstrates an ability to meet all requirements, is more advantageous to the Government, and is received by the aforementioned deadline, CFPB shall make award on a sole source basis to American Bankers Association (ABA) Stonier School of Banking. Responses shall provide, at a minimum, the following: 1. Company name and address, contact information, DUNS Number, and business size (Large Business, Small Business, Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, HUBZone, etc.). Please ensure contact information includes the name of the point of contact, email address, and telephone number should the Government have questions regarding individual responses. 2. Whether your services are available through a Government contract vehicle or Open Market. 3. A brief capabilities statement (not to exceed 5 pages) that includes a description of your company's standard line of business, methodology for gathering information, your proposed professional services, as well as a list of customers for which your company currently provides these services. 4. Sample report offered to meet the needs of CFPB. This notice does not restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. All firms responding to this notice are advised that their response is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties will be required to respond to any resultant solicitation separately from their response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.