The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) intends to contract with Auriemma Consulting Group, Inc., 120 Broadway, Suite 3401, New York, NY 10271-0002, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 6.302-1, for Auriemma’s Cardbeats publication and Payments report publication. Auriemma Consulting Group, Inc. (ACG) has been identified as the only source capable of providing the required content. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) needs research and advisory services relating to credit cards and payments markets. This includes ACG publications (Cardbeats and The Payment Report); access to online research depository; unlimited internal distribution; access to all charts and underlying data in the selected research; customizable research and survey questions; and ACG debriefing calls and webinar/research summit participation. CFPB requires reports on the Credit Card and Payments markets that contain the following required elements: 1) reports must be published at least quarterly, 2) reports must contain large sample sizes for statistically significant data, 3) contain survey questions that are asked consistently and repeatedly, 4) include depth of questioning that drives at the triggers and motivations of consumers, 5) includes a variety of topics all related to credit card and payments markets. Auriemma’s “Cardbeat” report and “Payments Report” report are unique and vital reports on consumers’ experiences, expectations, and outcomes in markets, namely the credit card and payments markets, central to the Bureau’s ongoing policy work. The Bureau has a number of mission-critical ongoing workstreams – including work on 1033, biennal credit card reporting, Faster Payments, prepaid, and other market monitoring and policy evaluation work – to which an understanding of consumers’ interests, perspectives, and usage patterns is vital. Auriemma provides rich and regular survey data addressing core Bureau markets, to which no alternatives available are comparable. These data regularly inform both high-profile Bureau projects as well as daily market monitoring efforts that are the bread-and-butter of the Office of Card, Payments, and Deposit Market’s (CPDM) mission. Market Research has revealed firms offering research services of a similar nature, but none that include all of the required elements meeting CFPB needs. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice is NOT a request for competitive quotations; however, All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The Government will consider responses received by January 20, 2021 @ 2 pm est . NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE. A request for more information or a copy of the solicitation will not be considered an affirmation response to the Special Notice. Telephone responses or inquires to this Special Notice will NOT be accepted. Responses shall be submitted electronically to
[email protected] AND
[email protected]. Responses must include sufficient evidence that clearly demonstrates the vendor is available and is capable of providing the required professional services and content. If no written response is received that clearly demonstrates an ability to meet all requirements, is more advantageous to the Government, and is received by the aforementioned deadline, CFPB shall make award on a sole source basis to Auriemma Consulting Group, Inc. Responses shall provide, at a minimum, the following: 1. Company name and address, contact information, DUNS Number, and business size (Large Business, Small Business, Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, HUBZone, etc.). 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. Whether your services are available through a Government contract vehicle or Open Market. 3. A brief capabilities statement (not to exceed 5 pages) that includes a description of your company's standard line of business, methodology for gathering information, your proposed professional services, as well as a list of customers for which your company currently provides these services. 4. Sample report offered to meet the needs of CFPB. This notice does not restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. All firms responding to this notice are advised that their response is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties will be required to respond to any resultant solicitation separately from their response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.