Exercise Planning, Development, Conduct, Evaluation and Logistics

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE This is a Sources Sought Notice announcement only. Solicitations are not available at this time. This notice is issued for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government. The Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Program Directorate (NPPD) Infrastructure Protection (IP) is conducting market research for the purposes of identifying small businesses who have demonstrated capabilities in program management support services. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 541611 with a business size standard of not to exceed 10M. The anticipated period of performance for this requirement is a base and Three (1) year options. This requirement requires personnel who have a Top and/or Secret Security Clearance. 1. Background: The NPPD/IP Sector Outreach and Program Division (SOPD) is seeking interested contractors to provide Program/Project Management and Exercise (planning, developing, conducting, evaluation, and logistics) support services. Program Authorities: - Presidential Policy Directive-8 (PPD-8) of 2011 - National Preparedness Guidelines - National Exercise Program Implementation Plan - National Exercise Program Base Plan: - National Infrastructure Protection Plan The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) is at the forefront of an integrated approach to strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure against all hazards and enhance national preparedness, timely response, and rapid recovery in the event of an attack, natural disaster, or other emergency. To accomplish this mission, the Stakeholder Readiness and Exercise Section (SRE) within IP's Sector Outreach and Programs Division (SOPD) supports the writing, testing, and exercising of NPPD/IP incident management plans, policies, and procedures in accordance with the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). The SRE exercise program is specifically tailored to prepare all levels of government agencies and critical infrastructure owners and operators to address identified risks and respond to and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents. SRE also designs and conducts exercises to support DHS preparedness efforts and to ensure DHS personnel are ready to translate contingency plans into decisive action. SRE develops and implements NPPD/IP-sponsored exercises with critical infrastructure stakeholders across the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) through sector-specific and regionally focused exercises. These activities support Presidential Policy Directive 8 and the Secretary of Homeland Security's vision of an effective exercise program as one essential component in our Nation's preparedness and resilience efforts. SRE also supports required national level exercises and coordinates critical infrastructure participation in these events. 2. Requirements: All contracted staff members will be onsite at a Government facility within the Washington, DC area. Security Clearances up to Top Secret may be required. Exercise Planning, Development, Conduct, Evaluation and Logistics: All exercises will be conducted in accordance with HSEEP. The Contractor will be required to provide all materials associated with this support. Contract requirements will include the following: - Exercise Planning: Includes inter-agency exercise planning meetings and working groups to gather and share information with other agency exercise coordinators and participants. The exercise planning events typically include an initial planning meeting, concepts and objectives meeting, a midterm planning meeting and final planning meeting. - For operational exercises, additional planning events may be required. The Contractor will be required to provide IP expertise and participate in meetings with input from IP divisions. - Exercise Development: Includes the development of all required products associated with the planning and conduct of IP exercises. The Contractor will be required to develop exercise related documents such as summaries, synopses, situation manuals, read-ahead materials, PowerPoint presentations, Quick Look Reports, After Action Reports, and Improvement Plans. For functional exercises, additional development will include MSEL development, scenario development, supporting background documentation, safety instructions, and participant and evaluation guides. In addition, the Contractor will be required to develop scripts for 508 compliant video productions to support the exercise development. The exercise development will also require that the Contractor conduct webinars, teleconferences and use the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) to conduct exercise planning and design with planning teams, stakeholders, partners, subject matter experts and industry representatives. The Contractor will also be required to provide Senior Level leadership briefings and written reports and documents. - Exercise Conduct: The Contractor will be required to facilitate discussion based events as well as all other activities for conduct to include registration, seating, note taking, evaluation (where appropriate), hot wash and feedback forms. The Contractor will be required to perform a dry-run at the site location prior to the exercise. - Exercise Evaluation: The Contractor will be required to report on all exercises. Seminars and workshops will have a summary report and associated work product. The Contractor will be required to develop after action reports and improvement plans for every exercise which IP leads. IP will participate in the after action process for all other exercises. - Logistics: The Contractor will be required to coordinate all logistical requirements for the planning meetings, exercises and after action meetings, including identifying a facility location, audio visual requirements, tracking of invitees, printing of documents, and other administrative duties. 3. Information Requested: DHS is seeking a capability statement from all interested vendors that demonstrates the vendor's capability in supporting programs of similar size and scope in all proposed functional areas referenced in Section 2, Requirements, above. In addition, the interested vendor should provide specifics demonstrating the extent of its experience in the required skills as it relates to experience in, or similar to, the development, planning and execution of exercises in the Infrastructure Protection arena, Emergency Response and Incident Management areas, or other preparedness activities. In addition to the above, in submitting your technical capability statement, all vendors shall include the following: - Name and address of company - Duns Number - Size of business (i.e., small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.) - Company Point of Contact, phone number and email address - Teaming arrangements should include company name, point of contact, phone number, email address and size of business for each entity on the proposed team - Provide no more than three projects of same or similar type work performed within the last three years. These projects should indicate the type of work for each project including the contract number, total dollar value of the project and functions performed. Submittal Requirements: All capability statements should be submitted via email to the point of contact listed below. Responses must be submitted not later than October 11, 2013, 11:59 P.M. EST. Include "OPO-IP-0001 Sources Sought - HSEEP Exercise SOPD" in the subject line of the email. Responses shall be submitted as Microsoft Word documents using Version 2007; use a minimum font of 12 point (Times New Roman), single-spaced pages (excluding the cover page) on 8 - by 11-inch paper and limited to no more than 10 pages. Capability Statements should be sent to: Email address: Robert.Degnan@hq.dhs.gov. Point of Contact & Phone Number: Robert Degnan, 202-447-5576.