Federal Innovation REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ANNOUNCEMENT Military Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Training 1.0 Description THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS (RFQ); IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) TO INVITE INDUSTRY AND OTHER POTENTIAL VENDORS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACADEMIA, SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE A WHITE PAPER IN RESPONSE TO THE SUBJECT TOPIC. The Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) is the focal point for all suicide prevention strategic development, implementation, centralization, standardization, communication, and evaluation of Department of Defense (DoD) suicide programs, policies, research, and data surveillance activities. DSPO works collaboratively with internal and external partners from the Military Services, Federal agencies, medical professionals, military/veteran service organizations, and other non-profits to combat suicide in the military community and provide holistic support to Service members and their families. The DoD adopted an evidence-based public health approach to suicide prevention as a framework for developing, supporting, and promoting effective suicide prevention activities across the Department. Understanding that suicide prevention is tied to readiness, the public health approach focuses on upstream prevention by leveraging known risk and protective factors associated with suicide. The goal is to develop and evaluate programs and initiatives that address risk and protective factors, disseminate results, and continuously monitor suicide data. 1.1.2 The DSPO is guided by Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6490.16, Defense Suicide Prevention Program, DoDI 6400.09, DoD Policy on Integrated Primary Prevention of Self-Directed Harm and Prohibited Abuse or Harm, the Defense Strategy for Suicide Prevention (DSSP), the Preserving Our Competitive Advantage: Personnel and Readiness Strategy for 2030, and the National Defense Strategy. The Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) required by section 738 of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) published a report with specific training recommendations (4.1) to reduce the incidence of suicide at the military installations reviewed. 1.3 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for market research information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, DHRA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. 1.4 The potential identified North American Industry Classification System Codes (NAICS) for this requirement are, 611430- Professional and Management Development Training and 611310 - College, Universities, and Professional Schools. This Request for information Synopsis is requesting responses to the following criteria from businesses that can provide the required services under the above listed NAICS Codes. Comments on this NAICS and suggestions for alternative codes must include supporting rationale. CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS: This RFI represents market research for Military Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Training. There is no assigned Contracting Office. 2.0 INTRODUCTION: 2.1 The Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) is specifically performing Market Research to see if there are potential vendors who can provide a cost effective and demonstrable solution to determine the availability and technical capability to providing the required products and/or services. The key area of focus for this requirement is to gather information on Industry Best Practices in Military Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Training and explore the approaches for implementation across various geographical locations and demographics in a military setting. DSPO is seeking cost effective, best practices, latest industry practices/delivery methods, etc. Essentially, DSPO is interested in learning what is innovative and beyond the status quo. The vendors who wish to respond to this Request for Information must submit their response in the form of a White Paper, not to exceed 2 pages, addressing the following topics: (1) General approach to training and (2) Application of general approach to a military setting. 2.1.1 Suicide Prevention Training Learning Objectives (TLOs). Separate training developed for different audiences and for intended effect, such as postvention training, gatekeeper training, virtual reality training, training geared towards Gen Z, leadership training, peer support training, and risk assessment training. 2.1.2 Suicide Prevention Learning Activities: Course quantity, duration, and frequency. Separate training to be developed for small groups. 2.1.3 Course Delivery: Method of learning, class size, In-residence venues, platform, and facilitators. Separate training to be developed for small groups. 2.1.4 Period of Instruction (POI) and Curriculum Development. Range of complementary topics and educational materials to meet training requirements. 2.1.5 Implementation (rollout, maintenance, and updating of training), monitoring training compliance, and training evaluation (period of evaluation, method of determining efficacy, like behavioral change). 2.1.6 Accreditation (if applicable) 2.2 The Government seeks answers to the following questions concerning this requirement. Please consider providing responses: 2.2.1 What is vendor's capacity to execute/experience with executing the requirements in a military setting across all military grades, e.g., enlisted and officers? 2.2.2 Approach to identifying learning objectives for military Service members (differences based on population). 2.2.3 Approach to defining learning activities for small groups: Course quantity, duration, and frequency. 2.2.4 Approach to defining course delivery: Method of learning, class size, In-residence venues, platform, and facilitators. 2.2.5 Experience establishing Period of Instruction (POI) and Curriculum Development with range of complementary topics and materials. 2.2.6 Approach to implementation (roll out, maintenance, and updating of training), and monitoring training compliance. 2.2.7 Approach to evaluation of course/training effectiveness (period of evaluation, method of determining efficacy, like behavioral change). 2.2.8 Experience with 508 compliance and course accreditation. 3.0 Responses 3.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 3.2 White papers are due no later than 23 September 2024, 4:00 PM Eastern Time . Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to: Email Box:
[email protected] Proprietary information, if any, MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 3.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 3.3.1 Vendor name, address, website, Data Universal Numbering Systems (DUNS) Number, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. 3.3.2 Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number. 3.3.3 Type of business, including socio-economic category (Large, Small, 8(a) Participant, Small Disadvantaged Business, HUBZone, Woman-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Non Profit) 3.3.4 If applicable, GSA contract number and applicable schedule(s). Also include any other existing contract vehicles outside of GSA and your contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of product and/or service. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.) 3.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Section 2 of this RFI and shall be limited to 2 pages . The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 2 -page limitation. 4.0 Industry Discussions 4.1 The Defense Suicide Prevention Office may or may not choose to meet with responding vendors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. 5.0 Questions 5.1 Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the email address provided below. Verbal questions (i.e. telephone calls) will NOT be accepted. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 9 SEPT 2024 will be answered. 5.2 Interested vendors may additionally contact the DHRA, Office of Small Business Programs for general inquiries regarding DHRA: Ms. Tammy Proffitt,
[email protected]. This is not a DHRA acquisition. 6.0 Summary 6.1 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) to request white papers ONLY. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. There is no planned acquisition, and the Government has not made a commitment to procure any item or service associated with this request. Release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 6.2 White papers are due to be submitted to this email box
[email protected] by 9 September 2024, 4:00 PM Eastern Time.