Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Amendment 0001, December 17, 2023 – The Department received a large number of quotations in response to the Solicitation ED-OCO-Q-2024-1. In accordance with FAR 13, all quotes are being evaluated in a... Amendment 0001, December 17, 2023 – The Department received a large number of quotations in response to the Solicitation ED-OCO-Q-2024-1. In accordance with FAR 13, all quotes are being evaluated in an impartial manner using the “Technical Capability”, “Writing Experience”, and price factors stated in the RFQ. After preliminary consideration of all quotations, the FAR permits the Department to identify from all quotations received one that is suitable to the user and quickly screen all lower priced quotations based on readily discernible value indicators. The purpose of Amendment 0001 is to advise quoters that the Department of Education is adding an ‘interview’ component to the evaluation procedures. The FAR permits solicitation amendments after the due date for receipt of proposals. Accordingly, for purposes of making a final award selection, and to ensure an efficient and minimally burdensome evaluation under FAR 13, after completing the preliminary consideration of all quotes, the Department will bring in up to four writers for an ‘interview’ with one or more of the senior department officials for whom the contractor will provide writing support. The interview will be used to make a final assessment of the contractor’s writing skills, adaptability, ability to connect with various audiences, and other elements of successful writer support. All other terms and conditions of the RFQ remain the same. Quoters must email the Contracting Officer acknowledgment of Amendment 0001. End of Amendment 0001. Update December 6, 2023: The Department has uploaded a document containing responses to questions recevied from interested parties. The quote due date remains unchanged. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial, temporary, writing services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is a request for quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-01. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 711510, with a small business size standard of $9.0M. The product or service code is R708. The Government will award a firm-fixed-price, labor-hour type contract resulting from this combined synopsis/solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote, conforming to the synopsis/solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government (as determined by the solicitation evaluation criteria). The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communications and Outreach, is seeking to purchase short-term writing support, including speechwriting, crafting official statements and quotes, and supporting other high-leverage, high-visibility communications efforts. The contractor shall research and write products that can include—but are not limited to—speeches, talking points, quotes, op-eds, Q&A, and scripts on specialized topics in a range of areas, such as educational equity and opportunity, P-12 education, higher education, and issues related to legislative policies and priorities. PLEASE SEE THE FULL RFQ, INCLUDING TWO ATTACHMENTS, UPLOADED AS SEPARATE DOCUMENTS FOR COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS, BASIS FOR AWARD, AND COMPLETE QUOTE INSTRUCTIONS.