REQUEST FOR INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION (TBD) Document Type: Request for Information Solicitation Number: Posted Date: March 24, 2008 Original Response Date: April 7, 2008 Current Response Date: April 7, 2008 Original Archive Date: Classification Code: Set Aside: NAICS Code: ISSUED BY Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 3701 North Fairfax Drive Arlington VA 22203-1714
[email protected] SERVICES: Human Resources (HR) Recruitment -- Sourcing and Placement of DARPA Program Managers (PMs) TERMS AND CONDITIONS This is a Request for Information, a market survey for written information only. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this Notice. This Notice does not restrict the Government regarding the ultimate acquisition approach that may be taken in the future. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this Notice or any follow-up information requests. No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. To protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this Notice, information regarding the technical point of contact will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made. 1. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking sources to identify qualified individuals for consideration as technical program managers (PMs). The objective is to provide DARPA with resumes of individuals with the requisite creative skills, and technical and programmatic experience in DARPA-identified science and technology areas. 2. DARPA is the central research and development (R&D) organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). The Agency manages and directs selected basic and applied R&D projects for DoD and pursues research and technology where both risk and payoff are very high and success may provide dramatic capability advances for military roles and missions. 3. There are approximately 140 PMs at DARPA, who are hired as U.S. Government employees for term positions of 4 - 6 years, resulting in an annual personnel turnover rate of approximately 25 percent. The PMs are hired based on their ability to develop ideas for innovative technical capabilities that are important to DoD. DARPA has a robust personnel recruitment program, but believes there may be qualified individuals who are not aware of DARPA's unique employment opportunities. 4. The use of a recruitment firm is to determine whether there are PM candidates about which DARPA is unaware. The firm would identify talent that meets DARPA standards for creativity, entrepreneurship, and experience. Sources may learn more about the Agency, its mission, and the desired traits of a prospective PM by referencing DARPA's Strategic Plan at http://www.darpa.mil/body/ mission.html and the Human Resources Directorate (HRD) website at http://www.darpa.mil/hrd. 5. DARPA seeks sources for one base period of 3 months, with one additional 9-month option period, and two subsequent 12-month option periods, resulting in a potential contract performance time maximum up to 3 years. The services to be provided will include: - Identification and collection of resumes for both active job seekers and passive prospects for consideration as DARPA PMs - Review and assessment of resumes to evaluate technical abilities, work experience, education, and personal presentation to serve as DARPA PMs - Verification of resume content, such as stated career and educational background, degrees and certifications, statements of professional accomplishments, and references - Verification that the candidates are U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a SECRET clearance. - Verification the candidates would be willing to locate in Arlington, Virginia - Prioritization and selection of resumes for submission to DARPA for consideration as PMs. - Communication and coordination with DARPA's HRD to review, discuss, and explore candidates for consideration as potential PMs Note: DARPA may provide the firm with additional required standards, credentials, or experience, as appropriate, during the contract period. 6. The desired PM candidates are creative individuals who can generate ideas; possess a drive to excel; and have a willingness to integrate, innovate, and accept new ideas. Any Candidate must also have effective communication skills to advocate his/her idea(s) to the DARPA Director and other designated individuals. Additionally, they must have demonstrated abilities to chart a course for long-term exploration and development and manage all technical, procurement, and financial aspects of technical research projects. 7. DARPA would have sole authority to contact submitted candidates with regard to interviews, discussions, and visits to DARPA as part of the consideration process to be a DARPA PM. 8. This Request for Information invites sources interested in providing the activities described above to respond. DARPA is seeking sources with current relevant qualifications, experience, personnel, and capability to engage primarily in recruitment of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts with significant academic, professional, and/or military expertise. Interested firms should have a nationwide network of resources from which to identify and obtain highly-qualified candidates for consideration. The firm's experience should demonstrate a successful track record of identifying candidate sources; developing and implementing strategies for attracting qualified candidates; and aggressively recruiting, screening, and recommending highly qualified scientific, technical, professional candidates to DARPA. 9. Interested sources are invited to respond to this Request for Information by submitting a response of no more than 7 pages. The response should include a description of services provided within the past 3 years, to a maximum of three projects. For each project submitted for experience, the title, location, contract value, type of contract, period of performance, and a narrative description of the product/services provided must be included. The description should include a tailored capability statement addressing the tasks, with appropriate discussion of organizational and staff capabilities to deliver contract performance, and discuss the pricing mechanism(s) and/or fee(s) for such services. 10. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this Request for Information. However, DARPA will utilize the information for acquisition planning. This Request for Information is offered on an unrestricted basis. All data received in response to this Request for Information marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the Government. 11. Security Clearances Required: NONE. 12. Questions regarding this Request for Information shall be directed only to
[email protected], Contracting Officer. (See Issued By above.)