Project Finance Risk Rating Model Outcomes Testing

This SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE is for small businesses only. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to determine the interest and feasibility of small business set-asides. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited. The information from this notice will help the Export-Import Bank of the United States plan their acquisition strategy. The Export-Import Bank of the United States intends to issue a procurement for Project Finance Risk Rating Model Outcomes Testing and is seeking statements of capability from potential offerors. Preference will be given to small businesses with experience and staffing to perform the requirement as demonstrated in their capability statement. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. CAPABILITY STATEMENT The Export-Import Bank of the United States, Enterprise Risk Committee & Office of Contracting Services (OCS), is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, including small business set-asides, small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 8(a) small businesses, woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses capable of Project Finance Risk Rating Model Outcomes Testing. All responding small business firms are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business to the anticipated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code. For this acquisition, the NAICS code is 522293 - International Trade Financing and the Small Business Standard is $38.5 Million. Teaming arrangements and joint ventures will be considered for any subsequent procurement based on the Government's market research, provided the prime contract is awarded to an applicable small business and that small businesses provide fifty percent or more of the support. Background EXIM Bank uses risk rating models to quantify credit risk to a score that approximates the level of risk involved with financing of a transaction. These scores determine how EXIM Bank transactions should be priced as well as the level of reserves that should be allocated. In FY 2015 a validation review of EXIM Bank's risk rating models was performed that included two phases, (i) a conceptual soundness review of the components, weighting and features the make up the risk rating models - performed on all of the Bank's risk rating models and (ii) outcomes testing, including a comparison of EXIM Bank model results with credit rating agency risk ratings - performed on only two of the Bank's risk rating models. EXIM Bank's Project Finance Model has already undergone and finalized a conceptual soundness review. For this requirement, EXIM Bank is only requesting outcomes testing be performed on the Project Finance Model, to complete its validation review. SCOPE EXIM Bank is requesting outcomes testing be performed on its Project Finance Model. This should include a comparative credit analysis and risk rating of a sample of Project Finance transactions with a summary analysis of risk rating results. OBJECTIVES (NATURE OF WORK) Desired Outcome: Outcomes testing of the Project Finance Model that includes a comparative credit analysis and risk rating of a sample of Project Finance transactions with a summary analysis of the risk rating results. Constraints: Results must be comparable with major credit rating agency global scale market ratings Export-Import Bank of the United States, Enterprise Risk Committee & Office of Contracting Services (OCS), is conducting market research to identify sources that can demonstrate their experience, skills, and qualifications with projects of similar scope and size completed within the last three (3) years, and explain in appropriate detail how they intend to demonstrate competency in each of the following points. Expound, utilizing specific examples, on how the firm has undertaken and/or demonstrated the prerequisites listed below: Characteristics of the Requirements: Project Finance Risk Rating Model Outcomes Testing • Contractor must be a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO") or commonly owned by a NRSRO as designated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. • Contractor is to provide outcomes testing on the Project Finance Model that includes a comparative credit analysis and risk rating of a sample of EXIM Bank Project Finance transactions with a summary analysis of the risk rating results. • Contractor must provide a summary analysis that includes an assessment of the accuracy of the results (as compared to the third party validation test) and directional bias of the results (if applicable). The third party validation test is to be provided by the contractor through this requirement (i.e. outcomes testing). • Results provided by the contractor are to be comparable with major credit rating agency global scale market ratings. Major credit rating agency global scale market ratings are to be used as benchmarks in the validation test. • Contractor provided outcomes testing results are to include recommendations for model improvements (if applicable). • Contractor will provide draft outcomes testing review report. Report will be reviewed by COR. Contractor will qualify results in the description of their findings if needed. • Contractor will provide final outcomes testing review report after draft report edits have been completed. • Contractor will allow for teleconference meetings, including a kick-off meeting and a presentation of summary results, at the request of EXIM Bank. Please submit the following information in response to the capabilities above and pre- requisites listed above: Submission requirements: 1. Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide a capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Governments requirements for the above in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b). The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough detail, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the objectives above. The Government technical team will then assess the experience & capabilities based on: 1) technical expertise relevant to the objectives; 2) corporate/organizational experience relevant to the objectives, and 3) relevant past performance. 2. Capability responses should be based upon the characteristic pre-requisites listed above. 3. Please specify one primary and one alternate Point of Contact (POC) within your firm, including telephone numbers and email addresses. 4. Identify if you have a GSA Schedule contract and if applicable, the contract number. 5. Indicate whether your firm registered in SAM. 6. Identify your business size for the referenced NAICS code. 7. Relevant past performance shall include the following information: • Contract name • Contracting Agency or Department • Total contract value (in $) • Period of performance • Description of work and how it relates to the requirements 8. There is a 20 page limit on capability statement responses, but 1 cover page or 1 letter of introduction page and resumes and writing samples may be submitted and will not count toward the 20 page limit. 9. Use 1 inch margins (top, bottom, and sides) and Times New Roman font - 12 point. 10. Do not include promotional materials. Your capability statement needs to include a list of three customers (Government/non-Government) within the past 3-years highlighting similar work in nature, scope, complexity, and difficulty and a brief description of the scope of work. Only electronic copies of capability statements will be accepted and should be emailed to: Robyn Moore at [email protected]. The e-mail shall contain the following subject line: Response to Sources Sought Notice - EXIM-17-S-0001 Project Finance Risk Rating Model Outcomes Testing. A determination by the Government to proceed with the acquisition as a set-aside is within the discretion of the Government. If capability statements are not received from at least two responsible small businesses or if the Government determines that no two small businesses are capable of performing this requirement based upon an assessment of the capability statements submitted, the Government may proceed with a full and open competition. It is imperative that all questions and capability statements be sent via Email to Robyn Moore at: [email protected] by Mar 16, 2017 by 2:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.