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

See the attached Request for Information and attached Draft Statement of Objectives. See the responses to questions. 1. I wanted to ask if this is a new requirement or is there an incumbent contract/c... See the attached Request for Information and attached Draft Statement of Objectives. See the responses to questions. 1. I wanted to ask if this is a new requirement or is there an incumbent contract/contractor currently performing the same or similar work? If so, are you able to provide a contract number and the vendor’s name? Response: This is an existing requirement. The task order number is HSSS01-17-F-0182 and the incumbent is ECU Communications, LLC., Manassas, VA. 2. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) Does the government have hiring goals in terms of the number of jobs to fill or forecast of job requirements during the period of performance, this supports a cost determination? Response: Yes. Over the next few years, the United States Secret Service (USSS) will increase its footprint by a few hundred year over year for Law Enforcement positions, and Administrative, Professional, and Technical positions. 3. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) Recruiting - How many nationwide special recruiting events are planned per year? Response: This number fluctuates. However, as an example in Fiscal Year 2018 we attended 609. 4. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) How many local venues for ELAC are planned per year? Response: 6-10 local ELACs annually. 5. (SOO 1.0 General Requirements Paragraph, page 3, Training) Are sales training to ORB personnel to be conducted face to face? If so, how many training sessions are required? Response: Yes. We would envision a train the trainer type. This means that our people would be certified to train our own people after the initial training is complete. We see 3 -5 employees having this capability. Initially, base line training for all employees in basics sales is required to baseline the team. Then, we foresee 3 - 5 individuals moving up to be train the trainer. 6. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) For the costing, does the government require contractor to propose media and materials costs? Response: Yes. 7. (SOO 1.0 General Requirements, Page 4, Multimedia) The statement of a task to reimagine the sercretservice.gov website, does this refer to content only, format/structure, and or technology configuration? Response: Both. 8. (SOO 1.0 General Requirements, Page 4, Products and Promotional Material and Supplies) Does the government require contractor to produce recruiting advertisements (such as creative/graphic design, writing services) or will this be done using USSS in-house public affairs staff? Response: This is a collaborative approach. Our in-house team will produce recruiting advertisements with the input and creative direction of the third party. 9. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) Production and Placement of national, regional and local advertisements and distribution of public service announcements – Question, Does the government currently have historical metric results related program effectiveness along with the any metrics related to overall annual program recruitment requirements totals? Response: Yes. 10. (SOO 1.0 General Requirements, Page 3, Training) Sales training – Question (Has the personnel to be trained in ORB received any sales training at all or will this likely be sustainment of persons with previous training along with complete training for new hires? Response: The level and breath of the training for the group varies from member to member. Initially, we see 16 people getting basic sales training. Refer to Question #5 for more clarity. 11. (RFI page 2 Item 8.) Contract Type – Question, Would the government consider a Hybrid Contract (FFP & T&M) to account for program variances, i.e. new technologies/ methods for hiring; adjustments in strategic plans based upon more effective demographic regions; variances in facility availability for ELAC efforts; major variances in media platform utilization? Response: Yes. 12. I am reaching out to inquire whether you have already made a determination to release this opportunity as an 8A set aside. Response: Yes. The requirement is an 8(a) set aside. 13. Is there an existing applicant tracking system in place for USSS? If so, is the vendor required to use and manage the existing system, or has the flexibility to provide their own solution? Response: No, not from hello to application. However, after someone applies a tracking system is in place. The contractor is not required to use or manage existing systems. The contractor has flexibility to provide solution but it must meet security protocols and have staff to handle PII. 14. How many hiring events are expected to take place per year? Are any of these events recurring and pre-planned or would the contractor be providing full planning support? Please clarify? Response: The contractor shall register and pay for all events, conferences, etc. We will submit an event request form with pertinent information and the contractor shall call /e-mail the venue representative. At times, we register for events and the contractor will only need to pay and send us all follow-on information for the event such as parking passes logistics for the event, etc. The contractor will recommend events based on our recruiting needs as well. 15. Would the contractor be responsible for producing the testimonial videos for the events or would USSS be providing them? Response: We will produce them. 16. Does the Government expect vendor to host recruiting events at local facilities within DC metro area, and/or outside area? If yes, anticipated number of events planned. Response: Yes. Leave open the option of hosting “recruitment events.” However, ELAC may want to expound on this question from their vantage point. 17. Is there an incumbent vendor supporting USSS with this scope of work or similar? Response: This is an existing USSS requirement with an incumbent contractor. 18. Does Government have a timeline for the final release of RFP? Response: Anticipated contract award is 28 June 2019. 19. Is this a new requirement? Response: No. This is an existing USSS requirement. 20. If not a new requirement, who is the incumbent? Contract number? Total Value of Contract? Response: The task order number is HSSS01-17-F-0182 and the incumbent is ECU Communications, LLC., Manassas, VA. 21. In the Statement of Objectives – Section 1 – Advertising and Marketing mentions “except for Government furnished items,” whereas Section 2 Government Furnished Property says “no government property will be furnished”. Can the government clarify on what equipment is or is not included and if some equipment is to be utilized by other offices in support of this effort? Response: There is no Government-Furnished Property. 22. Does the government expect the vendor to travel? If so, can travel estimates be given by the government or allow for vendors providing pricing to provide a swag for purposes of ODCs and price build-up? Response: For recruiting events, travel may be necessary on an adhoc basis. For example, the current contractor traveled to recruitment events infrequently (twice-locally). 23. Does the government have an estimated number of events it plans to host in the base year of the contract? Response: We did not host events last year, but reserve the right to do so. 24. Have the services identified in the RFI/Draft Statement of Objectives been previously provided to the USSS under an incumbent contractor? Response: Yes. This is an existing requirement. 25. Have the services identified in the RFI/Draft Statement of Objectives been previously solicited under the 8(a) program? Response: Yes.