Inactive

This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Scientific Education and Pr... This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD), in Atlanta, GA, hereby announces intent to solicit and enter into a contract with Stryder Corp. dba Handshake, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), only one source [is] reasonably available, and under authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1, Other Than Full and Open Competition procedures . Handshake is the only talent marketplace in the U.S. that is connected to a specific subset of 10 million students and have a partnership with a specific subset of 1350 schools, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. Handshake currently has the largest student and alumni membership for CDC to source from. Currently DSEPD uses Handshake to post jobs and events at Universities that utilize the platform for Career Services. With Handshake’s Premium level of service, DSEPD will be able to realize many of our core initiatives for 2022-2023 and beyond including: 1. Build and manage a digital early talent pathway to public health 2. Expand our current university recruitment footprint digitally outside of our core schools 3. Increase the diversity within our early/entry-level talent pathway fellowship programs Handshake is the only technology platform that will allow us to accomplish all of these goals with these specific subsets of students and at these specific schools, since university career services offices usually partner with one recruitment platform. Here are some definitive reasons why handshake is a demonstrated sole source platform to meet our needs: 1. Handshake is the only talent marketplace in the U.S. that incorporates over 10 million university and college students and alumni. 2. Handshake is the only platform that would allow us to expand our higher education partnerships across over 1350 schools, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions, using a single database & login to reach across the entire network. 3. Handshake is the only early talent marketplace that integrates with the university registrar's database and therefore the only place that would provide DSEPD access to verified academic data. CDC already uses Handshake across the agency at-large on a daily basis. DSEPDs investment would simply allow us to access additional features in the platform we already use. Other federal agencies such as the Federal Reserve and U.S Office or Personnel Management, have also purchased Handshake’s Talent Engagement Suite after extensive market research. DSEPD has an urgent and compelling need to contract with Handshake to pursue recruitment efforts for DSEPD fellowships, which include over 370 full-time fellows and over 160 part-time fellows each fiscal year. Currently, Handshake enables DSEPD to send tailored messages to over potentially 10 million pre-qualified candidates at over 1350 schools, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. DSEPD is currently using Handshake to recruit for its Spring fellowships and must contract with Handshake to recruit for its summer and fall fellowships as well. Without the Handshake platform DSEPD will not be able to reach these 10 million students with tailored messages about our opportunities and thus will not be able to encourage these students to pursue a career in public health. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however, the Government shall consider all responses received within fifteen (15) days of this posting, in accordance with FAR 5.203 (A)(1). If no affirmative responses are received within fifteen (15) days, negotiations will be conducted with Handshake, as the only source and a contract will be issued without any additional notices being posted. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can meet the requirement are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Specialist within fifteen (15) days of publication of this notice by May 18 at 12:00 p.m. EST. All information received within fifteen (15) of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if more than one firm can meet the Government's requirements and is capable of providing technically acceptable services. The Government will review any/all capabilities statements and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Responses to this posting must be submitted in writing via e-mail only. A determination not to compete the described requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Any questions or comments should be directed via e-mail ONLY to Marie Bartkevicius at vgj6@cdc.gov. Thank you for your interest.