Inactive 8(a) Set-Aside (FAR 19.8)

Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) Request for Information (RFI) BACKGROUND: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is issuing a RFI to identify potentia... Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) Request for Information (RFI) BACKGROUND: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is issuing a RFI to identify potential sources for the Port Isabel Detention Center, capable of providing complete detention services, food service, and limited transportation services, as further defined in the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). As part of its market research, DHS is issuing this RFI to determine the estimated number of interested vendors capable of the scope of the requirement in the Draft PWS. The information obtained through this RFI is to obtain market research information and capabilities for planning purposes to determine appropriate strategies to meet the Agency’s requirement. This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment for an RFP. The Draft PWS describes only the currently contemplated possible scope of services and is subject to change in the final PWS. By posting this RFI and PWS for detention services at PIDC, ICE hopes to: shorten the time-to-award, thereby delivering capabilities to customers faster; encourage competition by providing interested vendors with an improved understanding of the goals and objectives for the procurement; and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome by refining evaluation techniques to identify the most qualified contractors. The mission of ICE, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is the planning, management, and direction of a broad program relating to supervision, detention, and deportation of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. These activities are chiefly concerned with enforcement of departure from the United States, immigrants who have entered illegally, or have become removable after admission. In implementing its mission, ERO is responsible for carrying out all orders for the required departure of foreign nationals handed down in immigration proceedings, or prior thereto, and arranging for detention of certain foreign nationals when such becomes necessary. ICE is responsible for the detention, health, welfare, transportation, and deportation of foreign nationals in immigration proceedings and foreign nationals subject to final orders of removal. The ICE Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC), a Government-owned facility located in Los Fresnos, TX, has a requirement for the oversight, management, supervision, and vehicles necessary to provide complete detention, food, transportation and commissary services at this facility. The Contractor shall fully staff the facility to secure, control, and supervise detainees in custody. PIDC is located at 27991 Buena Vista Blvd., Los Fresnos, Texas 78566. PIDC is a 375-acre facility with an operational capacity of 1,175 detainees (typically 100% males but PIDC must maintain the capability to house females) and is staffed twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, fifty-two (52) weeks a year including all Federal Holidays. The Contractor shall be able to provide armed and unarmed detention officers, including management, supervision, manpower, training, certifications, licenses, drug testing, uniforms, equipment, supplies, and vehicles necessary to provide detention management and transportation services seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day at PIDC. In housing detainees, the Contractor will be required to perform in accordance with the most current editions of the ICE Performance Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS), American Correctional Association (ACA) Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities (ALDF), and Standards Supplement, Standards for Health Services in Jails, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), and state and local laws on firearms. ACQUISITION STRATEGY: The acquisition strategy is still under development and is not finalized. The Government is contemplating a single-award 8(a) competitive Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ). The acquisition strategy will be partially dependent upon the solutions/alternatives presented as a result of this RFI. If you have any comments on acquisition strategy, please include it in your response. RESPONSES: This RFI is being used to collect information about capability of qualified contractors to provide the services as described above. Prospective contractors who are qualified to provide these services should provide the following information for ICE's review: Company name and address POC information (name, title, phone number, email address, etc.) DUNS Number Company business size (annual revenue, number of employees) Socio-economic status Covered NAICs Codes Please use the attached excel worksheet to state your comments to the PWS and state the appropriate section. In addition to the general capabilities of interested companies, ICE requests responses to the following questions: How does your company distinguish itself from other companies that provide similar services? What would a transition timeline be to establish detention management services of a similar size and scope? How much time would you need to transition? What services do you recommend that address the challenges outlined in this RFI? Who are your trusted service providers/suppliers? Suppliers should include areas related but not limited to: medical, office, cleaning, maintenance and food. Do you hold any professional accreditations and if so, please name them and explain what value this would add in addressing the needs as stated above? What operational bottlenecks do you anticipate while working in partnership with ICE? Describe your experience with an electronic detention management module. The Detention Module must address but not limited to: initial intake, charges, sentencing, property, housing, medical, meal planning, scheduling, and temporary release/release and the ability to generate built-in reports that produce meaningful and accurate information regarding detention management. Do you have experience in adhering to Government IT security requirements? Would you be able to share your Detention Module through a Teams session and provide a technical demonstration? What is your approach to innovation and how will you introduce new technologies, enhance IT processes, and optimize our business? What criteria do you believe will be important for the government to consider when evaluating offers? What information could the government provide that would allow you to provide the most informed offer? Are there any cost tradeoffs the government should consider? The government may be planning to do a phased approach in a source selection process to streamline the process as well as reduce proposal costs for prospective offerors. For example, Phase 1 could be an overall evaluation of experience with successfully performing similar services, and then a second phase with written proposals, technical demonstrations, or oral presentations. What evaluation criteria have your company experienced regarding this approach, such as oral presentations, corporate experience interviews, and what was successful and what did you find to be challenges both for the contractors and (from your company’s perspective) the Government? Would your company be interested in an “Pre-Submission conference” regarding this requirement? What format would your company find beneficial? What information would your company wish to receive during a pre-submission conference? Do you have virtual capacity to attend? The Government is considering Microsoft Teams. Do you intend to submit a response in the expected upcoming solicitation? Interested parties shall submit all requested information and responses electronically to OAQDCRSW@ice.dhs.govby 4:00 p.m., EST, on February 22, 2021. The Government is requesting no more than 15 pages. All responses shall be submitted in .pdf format and utilize font Times New Roman, size 12, single spacing. Provide clear markings of all company proprietary information. THIS IS AN RFI ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a solicitation nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this market research will be the outcome of a competitive process. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this announcement, and information submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. All information received in response to this RFI marked “Proprietary” will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government reserves the right to hold one-on-one meetings as a result of responses received from this RFI as part of its market research. Meetings may be held with vendors who provide the most relevant or comprehensive responses to the questions posed. In addition, there may be a need to seek further clarification from those respondent(s) identified as capable. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication; electronic communication; or a request for a presentation of the response. The Government reserves the right to seek additional information from those vendors identified with unique solutions that are determined to be beneficial to the Government.