Inactive

This RFI is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This is not a solicitation. This notice does not constitute a Request... This RFI is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This is not a solicitation. 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. 1. PURPOSE: The US Forest Services, Washington Office (WO) Acquisition Management (AQM), is conducting market analysis with this RFI to seek information from industry to assist with the refinement, development and planning to determine the most suitable approach for acquiring and fulfilling the needs associated with the needs as identified in the attached Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). The information collected in this RFI will be used to further define the government's requirements and develop/create the appropriate acquisition strategy and most suitable approach for acquiring and fulfilling the tasks associated with this requirement. Responding to this RFI does not automatically include the responder on any bidders list, if such a list is developed. Depending on the quantity and quality of the responses received, the criteria may serve to generate the initial pool of potential contractors to be invited to respond to a resulting solicitation. 2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: INTRODUCTION This RFI is for information purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment or a promise of a contract by the Government. This is not a request for quotations, although information related to costs and pricing is welcome. 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. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) intends to acquire a broad range of software, assistance services that can provide services as described in scope of this document. Through this Request for Information vendors are encourage to submit responses on their current capabilities to address the needs described in this RFI BACKGROUND Established in 1905, the FS has the responsibility for stewardship of more than 193 million acres of the nation's forests and grasslands; for developing and communicating scientific knowledge through research and development that leads to informed natural resource decision-making; for delivering technical assistance through state and private forestry programs; and for sharing knowledge and experience with others in the global community through international forestry. Performing this mission requires effective collection, organization, analysis, and delivery of many different types of information. The Forest Service currently has a workforce whose size varies by season with a maximum of approximately 42,000 end users distributed among: a. Nine National Forest System (NFS) Regions ("Regions"); b. Five Research and Development Stations ("Stations") and the Forest Products Lab; c. The Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry; d. The International Institute of Tropical Forestry; and e. National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (the Washington Office (WO). 4. OVERVIEW OF CAPABILITIES: Offerors are encouraged to review the attached Draft PWS and provide your capabilities and feedback. 5. RESPONSE GUIDELINES: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with the following information: 1. Company Information to include: Name, address, email address, telephone number, point of contact, size of business, qualified small business category and certification, type of ownership (including country of ownership) for the organization, DUNS Number, TIN Number and Cage Code. 2. A detailed capability statement identifying your relevant past performance histories and appropriate levels and types of expertise in a manner that demonstrates understanding of the requirements. 3. Current Contract vehicles (such as GSA Schedules, BPA's, GWACS (NASASEWP, NIH NITAAC)) within the scope of this requirement. 4. Similar Scope, size and complexity of contracts you currently have or within the last three to five years. 5. Verification -SBA Certification that your company is SBA eligible for an award under small business concerns. 6. Describe the capabilities, features, and benefits of your similar contracts, experience and what pricing (rates) approaches have been used in your federal contracts? 7. What performance standards are used in your current contracts held by company? 8. Present an innovative approach that identifies how your company would solution for each of the identified tasks in the Draft PWS. 9. The Capability Statement shall also include two (2) to three (3) references, which effectively outlines any federal government experience as well as commercial experience for the same or similar work performed, within the last 2-3 years. References should include: a. Customer b. Name, phone number, and email address for the customers program manager c. Contract Name, Number, Type and Value d. Brief description of work system/services in terms of scope, complexity and magnitude, state the total dollar value of this effort, and provide reference points of contract information such as names, phone numbers and email addresses. For Government references please provide the contract number and respective names of the Program Manager (PM), Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) e. Any additional information that may be helpful to the FS. Responses must specifically describe the contractor's capability to meet all or some of the requirements outlined in this RFI. Oral communications are not permissible at this time. FedBizOpps (FBO) will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI. 6. INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS: USDA FS representatives may choose to meet with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and certification risks. 7. QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted no later than August 19th, 2019 in writing by e-mail Nicolas Nunez-Hidalgo Contracting Officer via email at Nicolas.nunez-hidalgo@usda.gov Answers to questions will be posted to FBO on or about Thursday, August 22, 2019. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after August 19, 2019, will be answered. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses. Final Responses to the RFI should be forwarded via email no later than 5:00 PM Eastertime on August 29th, 2019, to same as stated above. Please Include Your Company Name, address, email address, telephone number, point of contact, size of business, qualified small business category and certification, type of ownership (including country of ownership) for the organization. 8. DISCLAIMER: This RFI 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 synopsis. All information contained in the RFI 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 RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI 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 RFI 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 RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.