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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOE and NNSA Acquisition and Financial Assistance Forecasting Tool Improvements Notice: This is a Request for Information (RFI) for written information only in accordance with ... REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOE and NNSA Acquisition and Financial Assistance Forecasting Tool Improvements Notice: This is a Request for Information (RFI) for written information only in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10-Market Research. This announcement does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Background: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Office of Acquisition Management (OAM), and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Partnership and Acquisition Services (PAS) are collaborating to increase the usefulness and timeliness of information contained in the Acquisition Forecast by identifying short- and long-term improvements that will enhance user experience, ensure data accuracy and timeliness, and increase visibility of potential business opportunities for key stakeholders (e.g., private, public, non-profit, and academic entities). Part of this effort is to conduct market research to identify potential commercial solutions and a solution provider to improve the Acquisition Forecast. DOE’s current Acquisition Forecast is available at https://www.energy.gov/osdbu/acquisition-forecast and contains a list of upcoming contracting and subcontracting opportunities for Headquarters, Field Offices, Management and Operating Contractors (M&Os) and Facility Management Contractors (FMCs). Approximately 80% of DOE’s annual procurement base is allocated to the M&Os and FMCs. Purpose: The purpose of potential improvements to the Acquisition Forecast is to (1) attract new entrants to expand DOE and NNSA partner base and increase competition; (2) enable existing industry partners to better respond to future business opportunities at the prime and subcontracting levels; and (3) create greater equity and reduce barriers to entry in procurement and financial assistance actions by increasing achievement of targeted socio-economic goals as Administration priorities. The purpose of the is RFI is two-fold: 1.) Solicit input from industry on solutions or ways to improve the DOE acquisition forecast and 2.) Solicit input via capability statements from small business concerns that have specialized capabilities necessary to perform any or all of the scope objectives defined below for the upcoming competitive procurement. Within these capability statements, DOE is seeking feedback from interested parties regarding innovative approaches for the performance of the scope as well as insight into potential contracting alternatives. DOE will use the results of this market research to develop a Performance Work Statement (PWS), identify capable sources and develop its acquisition strategy. Key market research goals include identifying and minimizing barriers to competition, evaluating small business capabilities, identifying risks, identifying potential requirements definitions and contract alternatives, and identifying appropriate terms and conditions. The Government will consider all acquisition forecast improvement suggestions and will evaluate each capability statement based on the interested parties demonstrated past performance, capabilities, and expertise in each of the major elements of scope. Due to the preliminary stage of this planning activity, a Performance Work Statement (PWS) is not available at this time for the requirements. Scope: The scope of the forecasting application will be to provide timely and accurate information in a single web-based tool, open to the public, for potential industry partners interested in doing business with the Department of Energy. This Department-wide forecast of contract and financial assistance opportunities expands upon individual efforts already implemented at DOE aimed at advancing the above stated purpose. In addition to providing more information to Industry, the solution should bring increased engagement to both DOE and Industry in interactions, notifications, aligning to opportunities, and for communicating innovative ideas to DOE. At a minimum, the tool shall capture the following data points for each opportunity in the forecast: Date Modified. Project Description Details. Dollar Value. Program POC Email. Program Office and Buying Office. NAICS Code Incumbent Listed Small Business Set Aside Information Contract/Subcontract Vehicle Anticipated Solicitation Release Quarter Action/Award/Contract/Subcontract Type Anticipated Award Quarter Anticipated Award Period of Performance DOE is also interested in the tool offering innovative features including, but not limited to: artificial intelligence tools, data analytics, alerts, vendor management and matching, and exporting into downable and customized format features. Requested Information: Entities responding to this RFI should address the following elements: Entity/Organization Name Contact Information (Name, Title, Email, Telephone Number) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (if applicable) Relevant NAICS Codes Current Relevant Government Contract Vehicles (if applicable) Business Type and any Socioeconomic Designations What barriers or challenges exist to accessing the information in the current Acquisition Forecast? Do you have any suggested changes to various data elements contained in the current Acquisition Forecast and/or data elements listed in the above scope? Provide recommendations for DOE’s overall acquisition planning process and the communication thereof for contracting, subcontracting, and financial assistance opportunities. Provide any overarching recommended approaches for technology in this space that are cutting edge. Provide any recommendations on information that may be needed to provide future responses from Industry on a possible solicitation. Please provide any other information that you believe will be beneficial to DOE decision making and development of an improved DOE Business forecast. In support of Small Business capability statements, please also provide: Up to three (3) Government Agency projects and/or commercial clients similar in size and scope to that stated above. Please include a point of contact that was either a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or customer on the project, the contract number, and the dollar value. Describe your company and/or teaming arrangement’s approach, including rationale, to performing all or a portion of the scope objectives. DOE is interested in cutting edge thinking, innovativeness, and other ways for DOE to maximize the probability of successfully performing the work, while managing and controlling costs. Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate of the cost of design, development/integration, and management of the digital platform. Describe forecasting tools you have used and/or implemented for other large government or commercial organizations, if applicable. What types of solutions did you provide to challenges? What was the project phasing and duration? What was the return on the investment for the client? Identify how your organization would identify and mitigate technical challenges and risks in meeting the scope objectives such that there is a reasonable assurance of successful performance. Submission Instructions: Entities may submit responses via email in Word or PDF not to exceed eight (8) pages to cheryl.copeland@hq.doe.gov by December 21, 2022 5:00 PM EDT with the subject line “RFI DOE Acquisition Forecast.” All data received in response to this RFI that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the Government. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with all applicable Government regulations. All documentation shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned. The Government may reach out to entities for additional clarifying information as needed but does not intend to provide responses to every respondent. Thank you advance for your feedback. Point of Contact: Cheryl Copeland, Contracting Officer; Cheryl.copeland@hq.doe.gov