Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Sources Sought – Technical Security Services, Emanations and Compliance The Department of State, Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM), Foreign Operations (FO), Information Technology Infras... Sources Sought – Technical Security Services, Emanations and Compliance The Department of State, Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM), Foreign Operations (FO), Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) Directorate, Technical Security and Safeguards (TSS) Division (IRM/FO/ITI/TSS), may be re-competing for a highly specialized and qualified contractor to provide Technical Security Services, Emanations and Compliance Contract support to analyze, evaluate and protect the technical integrity of classified Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment from interception or passive intrusions. Tasks are as follows: • TSS Task Lead • TSS Domestic classified IT Technical Support Services • TSS OCONUS Field Services Engineers • TSS classified IT equipment lifecycle management To efficiently and effectively deliver the required services, it is anticipated that vendors will have: • Experience and good past performance in delivering similar services (similar in terms of size, scope and complexity) • A Top Secret Facility Clearance • Experience in performing evaluations, baselines, recertifications, verifications and validation of Classified IT equipment • Experience in performing baselines, certifications, recertification, de-certifications and hardware forensics services of Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment • Experience in baselining, certifying, recertifying or, decertifying IT Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment • Experience maintaining service level agreements and meeting or exceeding demanding service level targets in a dynamic IT environment • Experience delivering projects ahead or on-time and under budget • Experience creating and managing an Earned Value Management (EVM) system for similar tasks as outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) • Experience providing services in disparate locations while maintaining service levels • Experience providing proactive recommendations for service improvement and updating service level agreements accordingly PURPOSE This sources sought notice is seeking responses from businesses that can provide the required services under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541519- Other Computer Related Services. This synopsis is encouraging response from qualified and capable Small Businesses only. Responses from other than small businesses will not be reviewed. Small Business that are in or are considering Joint Ventures are encouraged to respond to the source sought. The data obtained from this notice will assist the Government in understanding the capabilities available in the IT services marketplace and aid in the development of a solicitation for Technical Security Services, Emanations and Compliance. TERMS OF THIS SOURCES SOUGHT: 1. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or reimburse any costs associated with the preparation of responses. 2. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. 3. All information received in response to this notice marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. 4. 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. 5. Responses to this RFI will assist DOS in determining the potential level of interest, competition adequacy, and technical capabilities of industry respondents (specifically small businesses) to provide the required products and services. 6. DOS may also use this information to assist in developing any subsequent subcontract plans and small business goal percentages. 7. The Government may not respond to questions posed in Industry responses 8. The Government does not guarantee any action beyond this notice. 9. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 10. Responses that are incomplete and/or not submitted per the Response Submission Instructions will not be reviewed. Scope of anticipated effort The Department of State (DOS) is the lead agency for the conduct of American diplomacy. The DOS organizational structure, domestic and overseas operations and responsibilities are documented in the DOS Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) and Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAH). The TSS Division within the Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM), Foreign Operations (FO), Information Technology Infrastructure (ITI) Directorate is located domestically and is comprised of three functional laboratories: a. The Emanations Security Laboratory (EMSEC) performs evaluations, baselines, recertifications, verifications and validation of TEMPESTED and Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) classified IT equipment, systems and products, as required. b. The Hardware Assurance Laboratory (HAL) performs baselines, certifications, recertification, de-certifications and hardware forensics services of ICT equipment. The HAL is also responsible for Field Surety technical services. In support of the regional Posts, TSS OCONUS Field Surety Engineers (FSE) are forward deployed to strategic locations and travel to regional Posts to provide technical support and maintenance services to foreign posts, worldwide. FSEs provide a wide range of technical and maintenance support services and, perform classified IT systems/equipment certifications and/or decertification and support VIP visits. Additionally, FSEs assist in hardware transfer, deployment and installation, perform site visits/survey of the New Embassy Compound (NEC) or, facilities undergoing relocation/construction. c. The Systems Safeguard Laboratory (SSL) is responsible for the classified IT Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment, baselining, certifying, recertifying or, decertifying. TSS Division’s Shared System for both TSS users and DOS customers require an IT Database Systems Administrator and IT Database Developer to support this highly skilled task. The Department’s operational and mission requirements mandate effective communications between all elements of the Department, interagency customers, and government to government entities; and extension of the effective workplace to wherever the Department’s employees need to communicate. The Contractor shall use best practices and governing guidelines and procedures to optimally operate and maintain the services in scope. REQUIREMENTS This market research effort is aimed to provide the information detailed below. The information will be instrumental in providing the background needed to construct a solid requirement and form a successful acquisition strategy: Section 1 - Cover Letter The cover letter shall include the following: a. Company information – Include company name, 2 points of contact and contact information (name, address, phone number, website URL, if available, email address, and fax number), Cage Code, DUNS Number, and a short description of the company (history, experience in similar identity management systems, etc.). b. Company business size with socioeconomic classification based on North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code 541519, Other Computer Related Services. c. Certifications – Include any certifications the company and/or its key personnel hold including, but not limited to Program/Project Management Professional (PMI), International Organization for Standardization, and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), and Helpdesk Institute. d. Current Security Clearance level(s) held, if any, and Labor Category - Clearance Matrix. e. Teaming is encouraged to ensure an effective solution. The respondent is encouraged to utilize small and disadvantaged businesses in its project team. Please provide similar information for any team members contemplated. f. List GSA schedule and/or GWACs or IDIQs with corresponding schedule number/contract number. Section 2 –Previous Experience 1. The Government anticipates this requirement will consist of a base 90 day transition-in period, 9 month base period and four year option periods with a total contract value between $19M-$29M. a. Identify your firm’s experience in managing an IT contract of similar size, scope and magnitude of effort as a prime contractor. b. How will your firm manage personnel and financial resources to perform as a prime contractor on a $19M-$29M contract that is anticipated to require approximately 20-30 cleared personnel? If the requirement is set aside for small business, the clause FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, will be included in the contract. The clause requires that “At least 50 percent of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.” 2. Identify the largest IT contract your firm has managed as a prime contractor. Please include the dollar value, scope and magnitude of effort. 3. To what extent will teaming be required? 4. Identify the Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts on which your firm is a contract holder. 5. Identify the types(s) of contract you consider most appropriate for the work identified in the draft SOW. Firm-fixed-price (FFP), labor hour, Cost Plus, etc.? 6. Please identify your firm’s facility clearance. 7. Staff will require at least a minimum of a SECRET clearance; several positions require Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). How will your firm address the personnel security requirements identified in the SOW? Section 3 –Capability Statement The purpose of this section is for the respondent to provide information that will assist DOS with making a decision about how best to contract for the required products and services. Your response should include the following: a. Labor categories to be used in the performance of this project. b. Briefly describe your experience in performing the work required by the SOW task areas below (please limit your response to 7 pages) i. TSS Task Lead ii. TSS Domestic classified IT Technical Support Services iii. TSS OCONUS Field Services Engineers iv. TSS classified IT equipment lifecycle management c. Program management and control plans. d. Training and support plans. e. Section 508 Compliance: Please provide a brief description of how you plan to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Section 4 – SOW Review Identify areas within the draft SOW that may be unclear or where further detail would be useful (this is excluded from the page limitation). FAM and FAH documents are located at https://fam.state.gov Section 5- Suggested Training/Certifications per Subtask Identify relevant training and certifications germane to the tasks and subtasks of the SOW. DISCLAIMER This Sources sought notice is not a solicitation. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this notice that is marked “proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Responses to the Sources sought notice will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201 (e), responses to this notice are not offerors and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this notice. ATTENTION: Contractor must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for contract award or payment. Information on registration and annual confirmation requirements may be obtained via http://www.sam.gov RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS The responses submitted shall be in sufficient detail and clarity to provide DOS with the information it needs. Responses to this sources sought notice shall meet the following standards: • Page Limitations Section 1 Cover Letter: One Page Section 2 Previous Experience: Five Pages Section 3 Capability Statement: 10 Pages Section 4 SOW Review: Unlimited Section 5 Suggested Training/Certifications: Unlimited • Text no smaller than 10 point. • Text included in graphics, tables, and figures can be no smaller than 9 point. • Limit any foldout pages to two per section. • If a cover page and table of contents are used they are not included in the total page count. • Fully address Sections 1-5 as outlined above. • Responses that are incomplete and or do not follow these Response Submission Instructions will not be reviewed. • Electronic version of your response only in Microsoft Word 2016 compatible files to Wm. Glenn Thuman (DOS/AQM Support Contractor) at thumanwg@state.gov, no later than June 11, 2021 at 5:00 pm ET. QUESTIONS SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Questions must be submitted by June 7, 2021 at 5:00 pm ET to the email address above.