Higher Education Initiative

The following is a Request for Information (RFI). This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and does NOT constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). It is issued under the authority of FAR 15.201("Exchanges of information before receipt of proposals"). The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations is conducting market research in order to identify potential sources that have the resources, capabilities, and experience to provide support to the "Higher Education Initiative." The Higher Education Initiative supports the mission of the Sector Outreach and Programs Division (SOPD) within the Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) of the Department of Homeland Security. SOPD is responsible for leading the development and implementation of educational programs that support implementation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). In this capacity, SOPD coordinates a multi-tiered approach to academic engagement, education programs, and professional development required to motivate participation and build capabilities across the various audiences that share responsibility for achieving the nation's critical infrastructure protection and resilience objectives. The initial effort validated the requirements and provided a solid foundation through the development of a series of core graduate-level and professional courses that are now available free of charge to academic institutions across the country for use within multiple degrees at schools of business, public policy, engineering, science, health, government and more. Additional work remains to sustain and grow this important initiative over time. The Higher Education Initiative's objective is to create a common foundation for critical infrastructure curricula to be offered in U.S. colleges and universities which incorporates the broader concepts of infrastructure protection such as: risk analysis and management for domestic security purposes; information sharing across and within industries, sectors, and varying levels of government; mitigation strategies and practices to protect against cross-sector cascading effects and foster resilience; and global supply chain management during natural and manmade threat events. An additional objective is to continue the comprehensive, unified higher education program that produces and sustains the leaders and workforce required to ensure the protection of the Nation's critical infrastructure which provides an academic framework that clearly establishes critical infrastructure protection as a recognized and respected discipline. Research and products should apply and adapt the Critical Infrastructure Core Competency model that is identified in the NIPP. This in turn will prepare future leaders and professionals for the ever-evolving complex critical infrastructure threat environment, improve partnerships and collaboration efforts between the government and private sectors, and enhance the knowledge of the critical infrastructure workforce with policy, economics, technology, communications, and other crucial competencies. This Sources Sought Notice should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government on determining the ultimate acquisition approach. This notice is not a request for technical or cost proposals. This Sources Sought Notice is to obtain written capability information only to help the Government determine how it will satisfy the Statement of Work requirements. The notice will enable the Government to obtain general information on interested parties and the technical areas they may be qualified to support as well as identify areas of potential conflicts of interest. Questions will not be addressed at this time. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of this notice nor reimburse the cost incurred by potential offerors who respond to this notice. Any information submitted by respondents to this notice is strictly voluntary. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor www.fbo.gov for the release of any follow-on information. Capability statements must include: (1) Complete Business Name, including DUNs #; (2) Contact Information (Respondent's name and title, address, telephone, facsimile, e-mail); (3) Business Size and Classification (small, small-disadvantaged, SBA Certified 8(a), HUBZone, etc.). Capability statements must address technical competencies, and management/personnel experience relative to educational course development. The NAICS code is identified as 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools). Interested parties should provide a written capability statement of up to five (5) single-sided pages that responds to all items requested in this notice. Electronic responses shall be submitted in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) format. Standard brochures are a sufficient response to this notice. Feedback and/or evaluation information will not be provided to any firm regarding their individual capability statements. Telephone calls, facsimiles, and/or requests for a solicitation will not be accepted or acknowledged. At this time, proprietary information is not being requested, and respondents shall refrain from providing proprietary information in response to this Sources Sought Notice. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Ensure that your email response provides the following information in the subject line: RFI: Higher Education Initiative. Capability statements should be sent via e-mail to James.Abyad@hq.dhs.gov by 5:00 pm, May 25, 2012.