Development of Rating and Evaluation Criteria Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program

Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Intent to Sole Source Requirement The Department of Homeland Security/ Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/ FEMA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis (IAW FAR 6.302) with International Association of Fire Chiefs, Inc. (IAFC), 4025 Fair Ridge Dr # 300, Fairfax, VA 22033-2865 as the only responsible source that can provide the services to identify, recruit and facilitate group participation from the nine major US fire service organizations to validate and/or modify the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program priorities and criteria and to assist the AFG program in the development of annual rating and evaluation criteria for the Fiscal Year 2010 grant cycle as required by the Grants Program Directorate, Assistance to Firefighters Grants office. The services required are as follows: All existing and potential criteria should be matched against the goals and objectives of DHS and FEMA and revised to improve achievement of those goals, if warranted. Framework and content of all criteria for FY 2010 will include, at a minimum: Modification of existing priorities, criteria, definitions, and characteristics as necessary, for non-fire-based EMS/Rescue departments; Modification of existing priorities, criteria, definitions, and characteristics as necessary, with a specific examination of the criteria and priorities for fire departments in rural, suburban, and urban areas; Consider appropriate limitations on equipment requests with respect to a department's capabilities; Identification of strategies to enhance fire service participation in fire prevention activities; Consider appropriate implementation of proposed strategy that will use risk-based, tiered categories of "baseline" service and response capabilities for fire and EMS organizations to identify an organization's "baseline" needs; Provide comment on the proposed AFG strategic plan and the associated technical committee report. Continued improvement of definition and articulation of ineligible costs (but not to supersede relevant OMB rules and guidelines); and Other program parameters that may emerge, such as feedback from OMB and information pertaining to the program's anticipated reauthorization by Congress. It is important that this criteria development group be comprised from representatives from the major fire service organizations (recommend three from each organization). Representatives should be associated with the following organizations: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD), and Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI). As such, we will provide the contractor with a list of State representatives and alternates that should also be included in this process. It is important that both fresh thinking and experienced thinking be placed into the development of each year's rating criteria. Thus, a mix of individuals that participated in previous criteria development and individuals knowledgeable about the fire service (yet new to the criteria formulation process) be involved. It is imperative that every effort is made to enlist participants who hold leadership positions and/or have a broad range of experience in fire, EMS, training/education, and/or fire prevention as well as a working knowledge about the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. As in previous criteria development sessions, members of the various participating fire service organizations shall be provided with the opportunity to communicate their organization's activity priorities. The final report shall include detail regarding the recommended priorities along with the assigned numerical values and formulas, as appropriate. A consensus is not required, but in those cases where agreement is not present amongst all participants, the final report shall record and detail the various objections from the representative(s) of the respective organization or organizations. In order to be in a position to implement the 2011 program early in the fiscal year, the criteria development meeting (Meeting A) is scheduled to occur in late September 2010 and, at the discretion of the COTR, convene a follow up meeting (Meeting B) within the second quarter of FY 2011 to assess the effectiveness of the program and any changes made to the program as a result of meeting A, and recommend potential changes for future program direction based in part on OMB feedback and the anticipated reauthorization of the AFG by Congress. DHS/FEMA will secure meeting space and lodging for all participants as well as contractor staff and facilitators at a location within the U.S. yet to be determined, at no cost to the contractor. Although the government will provide computers, printers and projectors, the contractor will be responsible for all ancillary materials and equipment required to complete the requirements of this project. This acquisition is being conducted under simplified acquisition procedures. There are no set-aside restrictions for this requirement. The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 813920 with a Small Business Size Standard of $7.0 Million. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same services. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Based on the above information, the only organization known which can provide technically acceptable services is International Association of Fire Chiefs, Inc. (IAFC). Submit email capability statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) To: Ryan Pike, Contract Specialist. Email ryan.pike1@dhs.gov. Fax quotes may be sent to 301-447-1092 Attn: Ryan Pike. Email statements are preferred. Statements are due not later than 1:00 P.M. EST on 10 May 2010. No phone calls accepted.