Dental Hygienist Degree Program

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS; IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. 1. SUBJECT: The 773 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron (773rd ESS/PKB) is conducting market research on increasing the number of colleges utilized to train active duty dental hygienists. Qualifying schools must be located within 50 miles of an active duty Air Force Base and be accredited by the US Department of Education, the Council of Higher Education, or other applicable accrediting organization. The dental hygiene program must be 18-24 months in duration and be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association. The intent of this Request for Information is to gather data on interested, qualified colleges that meet all specified requirements. 2. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI marked as "proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Information provided as a response to the RFI will not be returned. The 773 ESS/PKB will not entertain any questions concerning the composition, requirements, or the nature of services to be performed under any future request for proposal (RFP). 3. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Dental Service currently trains 10 active duty dental hygienists annually utilizing two civilian colleges. The addition of a third college will allow for greater flexibility in matching personnel assignments to include join-spouse assignments for students and their spouses as well as position the Air Force Dental Service for potential future expansion of the dental hygiene training program. 4. REQUIREMENTS: The purpose of this Request for Information is to identify civilian colleges west of the Mississippi that offer an 18-24 month accredited dental hygiene program and are interested in partnering with the Air Force Dental Service to provide dental hygiene training for 1-2 Air Force personnel annually. All colleges with a dental hygiene program that meets the requirements set forth in the attached Requirements Table are invited to submit a Capability Statement, Cost Estimate, Contact Information, and a completed Requirements Table. The capability statement should discuss the college's ability to fulfill the intent of this Request for Information and any other specific and pertinent information that would enhance the Air Force Dental Service's understanding of the information submitted. 5. CONTACT INFORMATION: Response to this RFI must be submitted to Mr. Gregory Santiago, Contracting Officer via e-mail gregory.santiago.2@us.af.mil and Ms. Monica Christie, Contract Specialist via e-mail monica.christie@us.af.mil. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) are due by 3:00 PM (1500 hours) Central Standard Time (CST) on 15 June 12. This RFI is not a commercial solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information submitted, or for any costs associated with providing the information. Please include a point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, website information, and indicate whether the company is a foreign or domestic entity in the contents of the e-mail. Indicate whether large or small business entity, provide CAGE Code and CCR expiration date. The response should describe the company's capability to offer and provide training as addressed in this RFI. 6. LATE SUBMISSIONS: Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future competition, nor will information provided in response to this RFI be used to exclude anyone from responding to any future requests for proposals. Communications with 773 ESS/PKB with regard to this RFI will only be permitted in writing (via fax or email) during the RFI response period. Responses to the RFI received by 773 ESS/PKB after the submittal deadline and time indicated may be considered. The Respondent assumes the risk of the method of dispatch chosen. Postmarking by the submittal date and time shall not substitute for actual response receipt. 7. OWNERSHIP OF RESPONSE TO RFI: All informational material submitted in response to this request become property of 773 ESS/PKB. 8. RELEASE OF CLAIMS, LIABILITY, and AND PREPARATION EXPENSES: Under no circumstances shall 773 ESS/PKB be responsible for any response preparation expenses, submission costs, or any other expenses, costs, or damages, of whatever nature incurred as a result of the Respondent's participation in this RFI process. Respondent understands and agrees that it submits its response at its own risk and expense, and releases 773 ESS/PKB from any claim for damages or other liability arising out of the RFI process. 9. ERRORS IN RESPONSE: 773 ESS/PK shall not be liable for any errors in Respondent's response. Respondent is responsible for careful review of its entire response to ensure that all information is correct and complete. Respondents are liable for all error or omissions contained in their responses. 10. ADDENDUM: 773 ESS/PKB reserves the right to issue an addendum to this RFI at any time for any reason.