Request for Information (RFI) - Graduate-level course in Structured Decision Making (SDM) and Adaptive Management (AM). This is not an announcement of a Solicitation, but rather a Request for Information (RFI). The U.S. Geological Survey needs to assess industry interest and capability to provide an accredited, graduate-level course in Structured Decision Making (SDM) and Adaptive Management (AM). In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information for Solicitation and Planning Purposes (October 1997), this notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Department of the Interior (DOI)/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intends to assess the responses to inform its decision-making. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to contract for services. The government will not pay for any information provided as a result of this notice and will not recognize or reimburse any cost associated with RFI submission. Responses to this RFI will not affect a potential offeror's ability to respond to any RFP that might follow. Please ensure that any sensitive or protected information is marked as such and the government will ensure this information is not released externally. The overarching objective for this RFI is information gathering and not development of possible government acquisition of products or services. The use of Structured Decision Making and Adaptive Management for addressing complex, natural resource management issues is being advocated by Department of the Interior Policy (DOI; 522 DM) as well as USGS administrators. Compliance with this DOI directive is unfortunately hampered by the fact that most state and federal land managers have little, if any, background in this arena. Consequently, the Cooperative Research Units Program (CRU) is looking to provide ready access to a graduate level course in SDM/AM which is not currently available at most of our host universities. Given CRU's legislated mission of providing graduate education to produce the nation's future fish and wildlife resource managers, developing the course as an accredited, graduate-level course is a logical and appropriate way to build SDM/AM capacity throughout DOI and state agency land managers and administrators. The USGS is performing market research for a graduate-level, accredited course in Structured Decision Making and Adaptive Management that is specifically developed in a natural resources context with emphasis on fisheries and wildlife. This is an advanced, graduate-level course designed to teach future practitioners how to effectively implement SDM/AM approaches including the applied use of common analytical tools for making decisions on complex natural resource issues often plagued with numerous sources of uncertainty. It is important to note this is not an introductory course targeted at managers and administrators who simply need to understand the approach and know when it is appropriate. Numerous resources already exist to meet that general need. The course needs to fully address all components of the SDM process and how and when the SDM process becomes Adaptive Management. The course should include a lecture component (50%) that focuses on the elements and key concepts of the SDM approach and a lab component (50%) that includes exercises and use of analytical tools that support and reinforce the lecture concepts. Lectures and labs must use relevant, contemporary natural resource issues and problems as examples and case studies. The course must also include both synchronous and asynchronous learning components. Given the broad geographic distribution of potential enrollees (40 units in 38 states), an asynchronous component will be required for delivering of some of the concepts and materials (as appropriate); However, the complexity of the course material will also require a synchronous component for instructor-led, interactive discussions and exercises. Interested parties who believe they have the knowledge, expertise, ability and infrastructure to develop and deliver an accredited, graduate-level course in SDM/AM for up to ten (10) enrollees annually are invited to submit a Capability Statement (including a proposed course syllabus), not to exceed 10 pages. Response should include the following information: company name, address, point of contact, email address, business type, and approximate cost information (i.e. rough order of magnitude). Additionally, a description of the system to be used and its capabilities for delivering synchronous and asynchronous components should be included. Accessibility Considerations: The course delivery system must fully comply with accessibility requirements as mandated per Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (http://www.section508.gov). Past performance information should be submitted for applicable references for other courses delivered within the last three (3) years. Demonstration of the capabilities for delivering synchronous and asynchronous learning components may be requested as part of the market research. Complete contact information for the reference to include contact name, telephone and email, in addition to the business name, the times the course was delivered, and brief description of the courses that were provided. To notify the Government of sensitive information, data identified as Proprietary e.g., 41 USC section 423, the Procurement Integrity Act restrictive legend per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-1) contained in a response to this RFI, offerors shall mark the cover page of the response and each affected page of the response with indications that it contains proprietary information. The Government assumes no liability for the disclosure or use of information contained in a response if it is not marked proprietary. Please submit all responses and any questions to this notice by 1:00 PM EDT, Wednesday, November 23, 2011, via email to the Contracting Officer, Julie Englehart, at
[email protected]. Reference RFI number G12PS00012 in the email subject line. Responses received after this date will not be evaluated. No feedback or evaluations will be provided regarding the information provided.