This Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit (1) comments and questions relating to the development of the Statement of Work for the National Repository for Detention Space Availability (hereinafter ''Repository'') that incorporate current technologies and best practices from the competitive marketplace, and (2) industry interest in the Repository project. BACKGROUND: The Office of the Federal Detention Trustee (OFDT) was established and activated in September 2001 by directive of Congress (Pub. L. 106-553, 166, 114 Stat. 2762 (2000)) in response to growing concerns regarding Federal detention. The Federal Detention Trustee leads the development of Department of Justice (DOJ) detention policy and manages Federal detention resources to maximize available detention space and contain costs associated with the detention of criminal defendants and aliens awaiting adjudication and/or removal from the United States. Additionally, the Federal Detention Trustee ensures that the DOJ provides safe, secure, and humane detention services and works with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to identify emerging detention-related problems and project future detention space needs. Additional information describing the mission and activities of the Federal Detention Trustee is available on the Trustee's Internet web site. As part of the fiscal year 2003 budget, it is anticipated that the OFDT will receive an appropriation for the development of the Repository. The primary goal of the Repository is to allow state, local, and private detention space providers to post detention space availability, daily rates, and services available for federal use. The Repository will be used by federal law enforcement officers to identify (and place detainees into) operationally and fiscally efficient detention facilities. It will assist the Federal Detention Trustee with ensuring that necessary state, local, and private detention space is identified and utilized in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, the Repository will facilitate the processing and payment of invoices for detention services provided to the USMS and INS. The Repository will support DOJ strategic objectives and annual performance goals by (1) improving procedures for acquiring necessary detention space; (2) improving the management of detention-related resources to contain costs; and (3) using detention resources in a more cost-effective and efficient manner. To meet the identified goals and to ensure nationwide accessibility, the Repository will be developed as an Internet-based application. It will be designed to handle at least 5,000 user sessions daily. Additionally, the Repository will be designed to be accessible via mobile personal digital assistants (PDAs). PROJECT SCHEDULE: Development and implementation of the Repository will be conducted in three phases: (1) planning and requirements analysis; (2) system development and integration; and (3) operations and maintenance. Phase 1 will include fully defining the scope of the Repository, developing a comprehensive concept of operations; preparing the necessary Department of Justice-required documentation to justify continued development, or termination, of the Repository; and identifying and resolving risks associated with implementation of the Repository. Phase 2 will consist of system development, integration, and implementation to include software development, interfacing with legacy systems, as appropriate, pilot testing, preparation of documentation and necessary training manuals, start-up, and data migration from legacy systems. (Phases 1 and 2 may be conducted concurrently.) Phase 3 will consist of (a) operation of the Repository and providing support for external users and (b) application support, maintenance, and improvement. Phases 1 and 2 will be performed in conjunction with two regional pilot projects the OFDT is undertaking in the Chicago, IL and El Paso, TX/Las Cruces, NM areas. Accordingly, based on the anticipated costs, import to the DOJ missions, and the associated risks, the OFDT has selected the Rapid Application Development (RAD) work pattern, as defined in the DOJ Systems Development Life Cycle Guidance Document (See, http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/irm/lifecycle/table.htm) as the appropriate work pattern to design and develop the Repository. Development of the Repository is contingent upon Congressional approval of the President's budget request for the OFDT. (See, S. 2778) DISCLAIMER: This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Federal Detention Trustee. In accordance with FAR 15.202(e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Federal Detention Trustee to form a binding contract. The Federal Detention Trustee does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or the use of such information. All information received as a result of this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses will not be acknowledged or returned. Respondents may be invited to make an oral presentation to the Federal Detention Trustee concerning their response to this RFI. As a result of this RFI, the OFDT may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or an additional RFI. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Office of the Federal Detention Trustee shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI or the use of such information either as part of the evaluation process or in developing the specifications for any subsequent requirement. SUBMISSIONS: Respondents may provide - but are not limited to providing - the following information: (1) a statement indicating interest and capability to perform the required tasks; (2) a statement describing the respondent's proposed technical approach to the identified tasks; (3) suggestions regarding the Statement of Work or conceptual improvements to the project; (4) suggestions for an appropriate schedule and/or development period; and (5) suggestions for a fee schedule. All submitted materials should be submitted to the OFDT on, or before March 13, 2003. Materials should be mailed to: Office of the Federal Detention Trustee, Attn: Lori Ray, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1210, Washington, DC 20530. [Note: For non-USPS deliveries, the proper ZIP code is 20004.] Alternatively, materials may be submitted via E-mail to
contact@example.gov.
