Synopsis This is NOT a solicitation for proposals or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of U.S. universities and colleges, consulting firms, non-academic/non-profit entities, or others to conduct economic development feasibility studies for any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (Indian tribes) with respect to: (1) Marketing, integrating, transporting, distributing, processing, refining, generating electricity from, or otherwise creating value-added products or businesses that use energy resources (specifically excluded from such studies would be resource assessments and inventories of energy resources); (2) Fishing, agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, and other kinds of food production; (3) Other kinds of economic development opportunities; and (4) Assessments of which businesses are likely to prosper in specific Native American communities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is conducting market research under this Request for Information (RFI) to develop strategies for future potential academic, private, non-profit, and other sources for the preparation of feasibility studies for Indian tribes. These studies would concern the viability of a project Indian tribes may choose to pursue with respect to marketing, integrating, transporting, distributing, processing, refining, generating electricity from, or otherwise creating value-added products or businesses that use energy resources (specifically excluded from such projects would be resource assessments and inventories of energy resources); fishing, agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, and other kinds of food production; other kinds of economic development opportunities; and assessments of which businesses are likely to prosper in particular Native American communities. Depending on the response, BIA may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for routine purchases of feasibility study services from U.S. universities and colleges, consulting firms, non-academic/non-profit entities, or others that are capable of providing information for this requirement and are sought for input. Examples of previous experience or existing contracts relating to this request will be accepted as part of a response. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on behalf of the Government. To protect procurement integrity of any possible future procurement that may arise from this notice, information gathered will not be discussed and no appointments for presentations of capability shall be made. Historically, the last round of competitive awards averaged $45,000 for 48 feasibility studies. Future contacts shall not exceed $75,000 each, with both technical approach and price being given equal value during the evaluation process. We anticipate conducting approximately 50 feasibility studies. Future contracts shall not include reimbursement for indirect costs or overhead as defined under the Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR). The purpose of these studies would be to empower Indian tribes to make informed decisions regarding their economic futures. They would also serve as third-party, due-diligence documentation for Indian tribes seeking capital to finance a project based on a study. Information Submission Instructions Electronic responses submitted by interested parties shall be used as part of market research by the BIA to develop potential options. The BIA is seeking information on U.S. universities and colleges, consulting firms, non-academic/non-profit entities, or others with subject matter expertise in conducting economic development feasibility studies in Native American communities. Responses must include sufficient evidence that clearly shows the vendor is capable of providing the requested services. Qualified contractors must provide the following: 1. The name and location of your U.S. university or college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity and contact information. 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. Contractor's (and potential sub-contractor's) DUNS number. 3. A statement identifying the specific subject area(s) (described in the Synopsis herein) that the contractor is qualified and prepared to address in the form of a feasibility study. Pursuant to FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be interpreted to form a binding contract. Any future contract that may be awarded based on information received or derived from this RFI will be the outcome of the competitive process. This announcement is based on the best information available, is subject to future modification, is not a request for proposal/quotation, and in no way commits the government to award of a contract. The BIA is not responsible for any costs incurred by respondents to this RFI. ANY RESPONSES RECEIVED AFTER THE ESTABLISHED DATE AND TIME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Please submit your response to this RFI in accordance with the following: (1) White paper format with no more than ten (10) pages (excluding transmittal page) including the name, email address and phone number of the relevant representative(s) of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity; (2) Address the capability of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity to conduct feasibility studies (see below); (3) Verify your registration in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov); (4) Submit your response via email to Tom Moomaw at
[email protected] ; (5) You must submit your responses by 12:00 p.m. local time, Washington, D.C., no later than May 31, 2013. (6) Mark your response as Proprietary Information if the information is considered business sensitive. Feasibility Study Services Sought 1. Describe the experience and capabilities of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity, and document your subject matter expertise with respect to conducting economic development feasibility studies concerning: (1) Marketing, integrating, transporting, distributing, processing, refining, generating electricity from, or otherwise creating value-added products or businesses that use energy resources; (2) Fishing, agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, and other kinds of food production; (3) Other kinds of economic development opportunities; and (4) Assessments of which businesses are likely to prosper in specific Native American communities. 2. Describe and document the experience of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity in providing technical assistance of any kind to Indian tribes. 3. Identify the location(s) of your office and describe the ability of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity to work, (a) in only a specific regional area, or (b) throughout the entire U.S. with minimal travel costs. 5. Describe the availability of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity to conduct the feasibility studies described in this notice and complete them by August 1, 2014 and estimate the number of studies that you could complete by this date. 6. Describe the qualifications of your university, college, consulting firm, non-academic/non-profit entity, or other entity for conducting the feasibility studies described in this notice, including relevant degrees, scholarship, dissertations, studies, peer review, recognized accomplishments, and awards as they pertain to the subject matter of this notice. Disclaimer The government is conducting market research in accordance with Federal Regulation Acquisition (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997). All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. All responses shall be treated as information only and not be considered a proposal. All proprietary information will be controlled and secured. All submitted information shall not be returned. Contracting Office Address Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Acquisition and Property Management 12220 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20191 Place of Performance TBD