Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Sources Sought Notification for NIFA Process Improvement This is a Sources Sought Notification issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for informational and planning purposes only... Sources Sought Notification for NIFA Process Improvement This is a Sources Sought Notification issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for informational and planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation, nor is it an announcement for a forthcoming solicitation. Submission of any information in response to this notification is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in providing a response. This notice does not constitute a Request for Bid, Request for Quote or Request for Proposal, nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. Responses to this notification will help to determine the acquisition strategy for any future solicitation. The information from this notice will help the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) plan their acquisition strategy. NIFA is seeking a contractor to perform the following: Purpose and Scope The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks contractor support on a project focused on process improvement. The project will require identifying relevant skills needed for the NIFA team, specifically for the new cadre of Data Analysts, and establishing a roadmap to close that skill gap and move towards an Agency standard for data analysis and improved process automation. Within this project, the contractor will work collaboratively with NIFA to identify areas that would benefit from process improvement, process engineering, process reengineering, and consequently, launch a Process Improvement Community of Practice (CoP), focused on key frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Agile program and project management, human-centered design (HCD), data fluency, and business process reengineering (BPR). The contractor will ensure the CoP: Brings a standardized approach to process improvement, data analysis and visualization (including training and staffing) Enhances governance, collaboration, and transparency in Agency operations Saves hours dedicated to manual processes, facilitates consistent and accurate responses to data requests, and informs organizational decisions with analytics The contractor will assist NIFA in launching the CoP, embedding flexibility to allow for the creation and deployment of prototypes leveraging technology solutions as needed (e.g., Microsoft PowerApps), with a focus on process improvement and time-saving automation for the Agency and its customers. The CoP should also strive to improve employee retention and satisfaction based on its ability to provide key advisory and implementation support to staff at NIFA. Technical and Specific Requirements See Attached Statement of Work SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested vendors are invited to submit a response to this sources sought notification by 4:00 p.m. on 6 May 2022, to the attention of Sarah E. Zhang, Contracts Specialist, sarah.zhang@usda.gov. All questions are asked to be submitted in writing to the Primary Point of Contract and will be addressed accordingly. Responses should be no more than 10 pages and include the following information: Organization Name; Contact Name, e-mail address and phone number; Organizations UEI number; Business size status for the applicable NAICS code; Contract vehicles you participate in such as General Services Administration (GSA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise Wide Procurement (SEWP), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC), or any other vehicle; A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition. A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement. Interested vendors are instructed to provide only the data requested. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any additional information will not be reviewed by the USDA. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. DISCLAIMER: This a Sources Sought Notification is not a RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this notice. All information contained in the Sources Sought Notification is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clause 52.215-3, "Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes," is incorporated by reference in this Sources Sought Notification. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought Notification. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought Notification. This Sources Sought Notification will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This Sources Sought Notification is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this Sources Sought Notification that is marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this Sources Sought Notification are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.