Contract Research Request for Information

DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION REQUESTED: 1. The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting market research for an upcoming Procurement requirement entitled "ILAB-OTLA 2011 Contract Research Program: Research Considering Sustainable Livelihoods, Working Conditions or Worker Rights", in support of the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB). This potential procurement will require the services of contractor(s) to produce research papers that support the ILAB mission to improve livelihoods, working conditions and labor standards for workers around the world and are of a quality suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed professional journal. 2. Interested contractors responding to this RFI will be required to indicate their ability to fulfill all the requirements that are stipulated below: Can you demonstrate research in one or more of the following areas? Sustainable livelihoods in developing countries, with experience investigating the causal relationship between policy and/or program intervention and outcomes for workers and their families. The relationship between working conditions and product quality, and the measurement of this relationship. Methodologies for quantifying the trade impacts resulting from the violation of labor provisions in trade agreements. Within the last two years, have you had a publication in, commitment to publish or "revise-and-resubmit" from a peer-reviewed journal in one of the following areas? Sustainable livelihoods in developing countries, with experience investigating the causal relationship between policy and/or program intervention and outcomes for workers and their families. The relationship between working conditions and product quality, and the measurement of this relationship. Methodologies for quantifying the trade impacts resulting from the violation of labor provisions in trade agreements. Do you have one or more publications in a peer-reviewed journal listed in EconLit? If so, identify. Do you hold a PhD from an accredited university? Can you demonstrate affiliation with a research institution? - 3. In some cases, research proposed under this project may involve the use of human subjects. In those cases it will be necessary for the project to be reviewed to ensure that the privacy and welfare of participants is adequately protected. Does your research institution have an institutional review board, or similar body, that reviews and approves research projects with human subjects? HOW TO RESPOND 1. E-mail responses to the Email addresses cited in the General Information section above to be received by the Contracting Office not later than Thursday, 26 May 2011 at 3:00 PM (EST). 2. Responses must include a Statement of Qualifications/Capabilities Statement package following the format prescribed below. SUBMISSION FORMAT 1. Responses should not exceed five (5) pages and should be as succinct as possible while at the same time providing sufficient information for evaluation purposes. Format specifications include 11 or 12 point font, single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches paper, with 1-inch margins in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. - Cover Page (1 page): At a minimum, the cover page will include the following information: Reference: RFI Number ILAB-OTLA 2011 (Ops)Vendor's Company Name, Address Vendor's Cage/DUNS Number;Business Size and Size Standard/Classification/NAICS Contact Persons Information (phone/fax numbers/E-mail addresses) - Technical Content (up to 4 pages): Provide information that addresses the above questions and which demonstrates your capability to fulfill this requirement. 2. Telephone calls regarding this RFI will not be accepted. 3. No classified or proprietary information should be included in the RFI response. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a formal Solicitation for proposals. Responses to this RFI notice will be treated as information only; they do not constitute offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. RFI responses will not be returned; neither will Respondents be notified of the Government's evaluation of the information received. Respondents are advised that DOL is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.