Inactive 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is Not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought Notice is issued for information and planning purposes only as pa... This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is Not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought Notice is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of U.S. Department of State market research and in itself does not itself constitute an RFP. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified 8 (a) small businesses sources for a Sole Souce Award: ANC small busineses, HUBZone small business; service-disabled veteran owned small businesses; veteran owned small businesses; woman owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the contemplated acquisition. Be advised that acquisition strategy and set-aside decisions may be made based on the information provided in response to this RFI. BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security-- Office of the Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director, and Office of the Executive Director is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research or as a market survey to determine the availability of potential qualified vendors to fulfill a contemplated requirement for professional and management support Service areas include, but are not limited to, the following: International Security Analysis, Event/Program Coordination, and Communications; Procurement Analysis and Planning; Security Logistics and Operations; Space, Fleet, and Property Management; Policy Analysis and Strategic Planning; Program Analysis; Management Analysis; Administrative Assistance and Office Management; Program Management; Human Resources; Media Relations; Staff Assistance; and Technical Support services. This requirement will provide contract labor support to offices within the Diplomatic Security. Offices to be supported include below: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security (DS) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security (DS) reports to the Secretary as threats and circumstances require, and carries out, by delegation of authority, DA-214, the Secretary’s security responsibilities under the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986, as amended (22 U.S.C. 4802 et seq.). Serving as the primary advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, and Assistant Secretaries of State on all security and law enforcement-related matters at all Department facilities abroad and within the United States. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DS/DSS) The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) for Diplomatic Security and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DS/DSS) (1) Advise the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security on the formulation and implementation of security programs and law enforcement policies for the Department and the foreign affairs community; (2) Serves as the Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and manages the day-to-day operations of the Department's security program at U.S. diplomatic and consular missions abroad; (3) Directs personal protective services for the Secretary, other Department officials, certain resident foreign dignitaries, and dignitaries on official visits to the United States; (4) Oversees the worldwide law-enforcement and protective-security responsibilities of DSS; (5) Oversees the Department's personnel security program, which determines the issuance and maintenance of employee security clearances; and (6) Chairs the Secretary's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), which promotes cooperation between U.S. private-sector interests abroad and the Department's security programs. DS/DSS also provides direct management oversight to the DS directorates and the public affairs office, which make up the Diplomatic Security Service. Public Affairs (DS/PA) Public Affairs (DS/PA), under the direct supervision of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service advises the Assistant Secretary for DS on media relations and outreach efforts. Office of the Executive Director (DS/EX) The Executive Director is the principal advisor to the Director, Diplomatic Security Service, and the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security on the Bureau’s administrative, management, planning and resource issues, activities and programs. DS/EX is composed of four offices: Office of the Chief Technology Officer (DS/EX/CTO), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (DS/EX/CFO), Office of Management Services (DS/EX/MGT), and Human Resources Management (DS/EX/HRM). Office of the Chief Financial Officer (DS/EX/CFO) The Office of the Chief Finacial Officer (DS/EX/CFO) directs all aspects of DS financial resources and acts as the primary liaison between DS and the Department's financial bureaus, including the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS) and the Bureau of Budget and Planning (BP). Office of Management Services (DS/EX/MGT) The Office of Management Services (DS/EX/MGT) provides comprehensive management and administrative services to DS. (1) Administrative, logistics, and general services; (2) Contracting and procurement services; (3) Policy analysis and strategic planning; and (4) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests. Human Resources Management (DS/EX/HRM) Human Resources Management (DS/EX/HRM) provides a full range of human resources management services, advice, and guidance to the Bureau's senior management and staff, including recruitment and staffing, assignments and transfers, position classification, position management, equal employment opportunity, employee relations, employee awards and services, performance management, employee benefits, career development counseling, and training. HRM also administers specialized human resources management programs including personal services contracts (PSC) classification, student, veteran, and fellow employment, law enforcement availability pay (LEAP), and law enforcement (LE) retirement credit reviews. The Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Executive Director Program Office, enabling each of these offices to successfully meet their day-to-day mission. Work to be completed under the contemplated requirement will require cleared personnel, depending on job function, with clearance levels ranging from Secret to the Top-Secret. These support services are to be provided at Department of State locations throughout the National Capitol Region. Under this contemplated requirement anticipated services will include but not limited to the following: - Maintain program continuity, uninterrupted high-quality work, and availability of required competent professional service employees. - Obtain existing and future qualified professional service employees to meet the mission objectives of the Directorate and supported offices. - Effectively fill vacancies with qualified personnel within the established timeframes - Meet travel requirements established for the individual professional services employees - Provide customers with a positive experience by maintaining a professional, efficient workforce, and maintain a professional work environment. The contemplated contract will include an on-site Program Manager to oversee the ongoing functions of the contract labor and serve as the first line interaction with Government supervisors in addition to the personnel to be provided across multiple position descriptions within the supported offices.