A -- Applied Research Studies for the Employment Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Office of Policy and Research (OPR)

Request for Information (RFI) - Sources Sought Notice. The following is a request for information (RFI) on economic analysis support for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Office of Policy and Research (OPR). This is a market survey; it is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a request for proposals or quotes or as imposing any obligation on the part of the government. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement. BACKGROUND: EBSA administers Title I and certain other provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). ERISA Section 513(a) authorizes the Secretary of Labor to undertake research and in connection therewith to collect, compile, analyze and publish data, information, and statistics relating to employee benefit plans, including retirement, deferred compensation, and welfare plans, and [other] plans not subject to this Act. Pursuant to this statutory authorization, OPR manages for EBSA an applied research program of economic analysis to support national policy development on a broad array of private-sector employee benefits issues. OPR participates in all aspects of the policy-making process with respect to these issues. OPR serves as the Administration's primary source of legislative and economic analysis of proposed employee benefits regulations and of private-sector employee benefits issues. EBSA requires assistance with the research activities performed in pursuit of its mission. OPR contracts to support EBSA's internal capability to develop statistical data on employee benefit plans; to provide technical assistance with the compiling of data directly related to the analysis of employee benefits policies, legislation and regulations; to develop microsimulation models to estimate the impacts of proposed new policies and legislation; and to conduct more traditional economic or behavioral research studies with application to a broad array of employee benefits policy issues. These economic studies may have the character of either the rapid-turn-around analysis necessary for immediate policy considerations or the more intermediate-range analysis appropriate to the conduct of econometric or behavioral studies on employee benefits policy issues which are typically published in nationally recognized research journals. Such research should anticipate future policy needs of EBSA and the employee benefits community. Employee benefits policy issues cover a diverse array e.g., the extent of coverage or accessibility of employee benefits, the adequacy of benefits for workers and their families, the security of benefits, tax advantages or incentives, benefits administration (or provision) market and related matters, financial economics affecting investment of employee pension plan assets, health policy related to employee health insurance plans, retirement policy and the role of private benefits in the labor framework of social insurance for the risks of poverty, illness and old age. These topics span a mix of disciplines, including public finance, labor, health, and taxation. Lately, financial issues such as the impact of investment advice, fees on retirement accounts, and investment in alternative vehicles have gained increasing attention. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to afford industry and academia an opportunity to provide information as to the type of research that would be relevant to OPR. All potential sources are invited to submit a research proposal or an approach for providing support and a very brief statement that addresses the respondent's knowledge, ability and experience. The use of information received from industry and academia to complete final solicitation documents will be at the discretion of OPR. Eligibility to participate in future acquisition does not depend on responding to this notice. The government will not critique a potential offer's information. Proprietary information is not being solicited and, if included, should be identified as such. All materials submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the government. Submissions must be no more than 5-pages, 12-point Arial font, provided in triplicate, and transmitted under a cover letter. Multiple submissions are permitted. The cover letter must include the following information: 1.) Response to RFI Number DOL089RI20479 ; 2.) Contractor Name, Address, and phone number ; 3.) Point of Contact Person Information: E-mail address, Phone, and Fax Number. The closing date for the receipt of response is December 7, 2007, at 12:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time. All submissions responsive to this listing must be delivered or mailed to the following address: Kim E. McCray, RFI #: DOL089RI20479, Office of Procurement Services, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room S-4307, Washington, DC 20210-0001