-REQUEST FOR INFORMATION This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). Description: Department of State (DoS), Bureau of Human Resources (HR) is performing market research to determine industry interest and capabilities in providing a program by which overseas embassies can use web-based, automated, pre-employment skills test for LE staff recruitment worldwide. This is a Request for Information (RFI) announcement only. This is not a solicitation or request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract(s) based solely on the submissions of this RFI nor does it intend to pay for any costs incurred in response to this announcement. This RFI is solely intended for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to this notice will not be considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for expenses associated with this RFI. Respondents will not be briefed on the Government's review of submissions to this RFI. Background: The Office of Overseas Employment (OE) works with the nearly 200 United States embassies and consulates around the globe to hire and employ approximately 53,000 USG Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) and other overseas employees. These employees are an integral part of the diplomatic team dedicated to representing America's interests to other countries. They provide the institutional knowledge and professional contacts that are so important to the embassy. Because FSN personnel perform vital mission program and support functions and all USG agencies under Chief of Mission (COM) authority depend heavily on them to perform oftentimes significant management roles and program functions, the recruitment process at our posts must be of the highest caliber. Pre-employment testing is one of the elements that ensure we are recruiting the best and the brightest. Department of State Needs: Each HR office at the approximately 200 US Missions abroad processes hundreds of job applications for each posted vacancy announcement. In an effort to regularize and expedite recruitment at post, HR/OE seeks to offer our overseas Missions universal pre-employment job skills testing for assessing in-country job applicants. HR/OE's informal survey of posts regarding pre-employment skills tests showed testing inconsistencies worldwide and established the need for standardized skills tests. Previous piloting of non-automated English Testing has proven that pre-employment testing expedites the employment process. Technical Requirement: At a minimum: 1. An online menu or online catalogue of validated, automated skills level testing available 24/7 via the internet. The online menu or online catalogue should also define the various proficiency levels of each test. The online menu or catalogue should include skills tests in the following areas: a. Microsoft Applications - Word, Excel, PowerPoint b. Math and Basic Accounting for office administration c. English speaking, reading, writing and translating 2. Establish and operate a recruitment testing program for overseas posts. 3. Provide the Missions with easy online access to an unlimited number of required tests for testing purposes. 4. The tests must be easily accessible by applicants via the internet. 5. The test results must be reliable and provided to overseas posts quickly. 6. The vendor must provide a minimum of technical support to the embassies and Department administrators. 7. The vendor will provide some "in-house" branding/customization of the selected test packet. 8. The vendor will provide two price lists: a) for per-test purchase by posts and, b) an enterprise-wide license for unlimited testing by the Department of State at all overseas posts. Market Reserach (Capability Statement): The following are instructions for vendor's response to this RFI Instructions: 1. Provide a detailed capability statement, focusing on your firm's proven ability to provide the requirement and not exceed ten (10) pages including cover pages, table of contents etc. The detailed capability statement should include the minimum requirements identified under technical requirements above. 2. Provide company and contact information 3. Sale brochures, videos, and other marketing information materials are not solicited and will not be reviewed. 4. Provide price information 5. Identification of the available contract vehicles which the test and supporting labor can be purchased through, such as: GSA Federal Supply Schedules (schedule/contract number and appropriate Special Item Numbers) or other GWAC vehicles by agency and contract number. 6. Provide the size classification of your business. If you are classified as a small business, HUBZone small business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned small business, Woman-owned small business and/or 8(a) certified small business, 7. Interested companies shall submit an electronic copy of their response (along with supporting documentation) via email to Adrienne Bell at
[email protected] The due date and time for submission of responses is 3:00 pm EST March 13, 2013.. 8. No phone calls related to this RFI will be accepted. All correspondence shall be sent via email only. Disclaimer This RFI is not an offer. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses.. This announcement is Government market research and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses. In accordance with FAR 15.201 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associates with responding to this RFI.