Consultant to review DHS CRCL, DHS, OIG and GAO issues related to civil rights and civil liberties

BACKGROUND/PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Secretary, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) supports the Department's mission to secure the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties reviews and assesses information concerning abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, and profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion, by employees and officials of the Department of Homeland Security. Further, CRCL assists the DHS Secretary and Offices of the Department to develop, implement, and periodically review Department policies and procedures, thus ensuring that the protection of civil rights and civil liberties is appropriately incorporated into Department programs and activities under 6 U.S.C. - 345(a)(3). CRCL also has oversight authority to ensure that DHS programs and activities comply with constitutional, statutory, regulatory, policy, and other requirements related to civil rights and civil liberties pursuant to DHS Delegation Number 19003, issued October 26, 2012. PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued IAW FAR 15.201(c)(7) and is solely for market research and planning and information purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a subsequent solicitation (Request for Proposal, etc.). Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to submission; an acknowledgment of receipt can be provided if requested by the submitter. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. DHS is not seeking proposals at this time. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Responses to the RFI may be used to develop Government documentation. Responses to this RFI may be reviewed by Government technical experts drawn from staff within DHS. DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF WORK Consultant to review Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) reports on DHS for issues related to civil rights & civil liberties. Tasks (1) The Contractor shall review all GAO, OIG and any similar oversight reports directed or related to DHS/CRCL and any responsive documents by CRCL, and determine from those documents and/or through further investigation or interviews with CRCL staff that CRCL has appropriately addressed all issues raised, or appropriately concluded that the recommendations should not be followed. (2) The Contractor shall review all GAO, OIG and any similar oversight reports directed or related to DHS Components and any responsive documents by Components, and determine from those documents and/or through further investigation or interviews with appropriate staff that all civil rights and civil liberties issues have been appropriately addressed by Components, or the Components appropriately concluded that the recommendations should not be followed. (3) The Contractor shall, subsequent to these projects, review the OIG draft on DHS organizational maturity and make any recommendations that seem appropriate in light of the reviews of the oversight reports and responses by the Components of any steps CRCL should consider in order to take DHS operations regarding protection of civil rights and civil liberties to the next level. The Contractor shall possess at a minimum the following qualifications: Competencies: - Expert knowledge and experience in civil rights and civil liberties principles, laws, and policies in the context of government-operated programs and government-issued policies. - Excellent strategic skills and creative vision of how to approach unique problems. - Experience as an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) senior official in order to conduct compliance reviews. - Experience with Federal employment and whistleblower laws. - Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in furtherance of the review. - Minimum of 5 years' experience in accomplishing aforementioned roles and responsibilities. RESPONDING TO THIS RFI Sources able to satisfy all aspects of the above requirements are invited to submit information describing their capabilities. Please limit submissions to a MAXIMUM of 5 pages (cover page, white paper, and product description(s)), inclusive of diagrams, photos, etc. in Times New Roman, size 12, with single spacing. Cover page (maximum 1 page) to include the following: Contact and company information Company size (Large or small business) Location Mailing address Phone number Website address Email address Company must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Submit your response to Sheri Brooks at sheri.brooks@hq.dhs.gov and Francisco Mendoza at Francisco.mendoza@hq.dhs.gov. Submissions must be received no later than 12:00 PM, U.S. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, June 18, 2019. Early submissions are encouraged. Please include the RFI title DHS-CRCL-ROCR-19-00016 in the subject line of your email and provide one electronic submission in PDF format. Any company proprietary information should be clearly identified and marked. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI will not be considered.