Inactive

General Information • Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Original) • Original Set Aside: TBD • Product Service Code: U004 Education/Training – Scientific Management • NAICS Code: 611430 – Prof... General Information • Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Original) • Original Set Aside: TBD • Product Service Code: U004 Education/Training – Scientific Management • NAICS Code: 611430 – Professional and Management Development Training • Place of Performance: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) BARC Grin-Global genebank Management Services - Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought #12305B21SS0002 This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is searching for firms who can provide: Contract to provide technical writing/documentation and technical training assistance to the GRIN-Global project, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. The Contractor Shall: • Conduct training workshops as required for staff of the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) and related partners/customers on the use of the GRIN-Global genebank management software. The NPGS training workshops will primarily use virtual and distance learning tools. Coordinate and lead distance learning using appropriate technologies. Develop innovative assistance learning tools (e.g. videos, user guides, cookbook-like instructions, FAQs, etc.) to help NPGS users and external customers achieve proficiency in using GRIN-Global. Travel for in-person domestic workshops may be required rarely (no more than once per year). Such requirements are impossible to predict, and therefore will be negotiated separately and enacted as needed with contract funding modifications. • Perform technical writing to develop and update user manuals and associated documentation for each release of the software, including Data Dictionary, Administrator's Guide, Installation Guide, Curator Tool User’s Guide, Release Notes, help files, etc. The timeline may vary for each product and will be discussed in advance, but generally will be no later than 30 days after each release of the newest version of the software. • Test and document system performance and features for both technical development team and end-product users as part of a group effort to ensure the released software is functionally sound. • Develop and update content for the GRIN-Global project public website with documentation, announcements, photographs and other information that is approved for widespread dissemination. • Answer technical inquiries, usually by email, from domestic and international customers regarding the documents created, and software features and functions. • Attend regularly-scheduled GRIN-Global team meetings to report progress and discuss any problems, typically using virtual tools such as the NGRL WebEx account. Reports/Documentation: The Contractor shall provide all reports and documentation to the Government in the appropriate electronic and written formats. The electronic versions shall be created using Microsoft Word in a format agreed to by the Government. Place of Performance: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Building 003, 10300 Baltimore Avenue BARC-West Beltsville, MD 20705 Or alternative work site(s) as agreed upon with technical contact This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Background BARC maintains research for the GRIN-Global project, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. The Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR)-approved project plan placed a very high emphasis and score on the GRIN-Global project. They require unique qualifications to ensure that they maintain rapid progress on a project in which considerable investments have already been made and timed deliverables are very important. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Businesses that believe they possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the name and telephone of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss their response. The capability statement should include 1) Demonstration that they are able to provide all of the required services 2) At least three previous requirements that are similar to this requirement in which the organization and proposed personnel have participated, inlcude a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration etc. 3) any other information considered relevant to this program. 4) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, pre-solicitation and solicitation notices may be published on beta.sam.gov. Original Point of Contact All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by February 24, 2021 by 1:00 pm. EST the specified due date and time to be considered. Attn. Mark.Volk@usda.gov Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.