Intent to Sole Source for 2010 Census Group Quarters and Demographic Items Research and Analysis

NOTICE NO. BOC-SYN-09-ADDP-POP-FR-006 THIS IS AN INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO FAR PART 5.2 THIS CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WRITTEN NOTICE, NO OTHER NOTICE OR SOLICITATION SHALL BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF THIS NOTICE. Date: July 1, 2009 Agency: U.S. Census Bureau Contracting Office Address: 4600 Silver Hill Rd. Washington, DC. 20233 Proposed Solicitation Number: BOC-RFP-09-ADDP-POP-FR-007 Closing Response Date & Time: July 17, 2009, 8:00AM EST North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Contemplated Award Amount: $185,504.00 Period of Performance: From Date of Award to July 30, 2011. Anticipated Award Date: NLT July 31, 2009 Place of Contract Performance: Contractor Site and US Census Bureau Headquarters, as needed. Set-aside Status: N/A Point of Contact: Contract Specialist Fermaint Rios BACKGROUND The Special Population Statistics area of the U.S. Census Bureau is planning to award, through other than full and open competition, a contract for Group Quarters Population consulting, research and analysis with multiple functions and duties. This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau is the primary source of statistics about the population and economy of the Nation. These statistics assist the Congress, the executive branch of the Federal Government, state and local governments, the general public, and the private sector in the development and evaluation of social and economic activities. The Census Bureau's major programs are the periodic censuses, current surveys, intercensal estimates, and a wide range of reimbursable work for other agencies. The programs cover a broad spectrum of demographic and economic statistics. The Population Division is the Federal government's provider of regularly updated information about the demographics, geography and other characteristics of the United States and other countries around the world. Through its subject matter expertise, the division oversees the planning, collection, processing, and distribution of population data obtained from censuses, surveys, and administrative records. The Group Quarters Population - The group quarters data are collected for two categories of facilities: institutional, including residences such as correctional facilities, nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals; and non-institutional, which include residences such as college dormitories, military barracks and adult group homes. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT The purpose of the contemplated contract is to provide the Special Population Statistics staff (Population Division) with expert advice and assistance in multiple tasks relating to: 1) Developing enhanced procedures for editing and imputing 2010 Census data on all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, the demographic characteristics for the populations residing within all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and the demographic characteristics for the population residing in households at high and low levels of geography; 2) Developing automated analytical techniques and tools for evaluating and clearing 2010 Census data on all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for the populations residing within all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and the demographic characteristics for the population residing in households at high and low levels of geography; 3) Determining the quality of the 2010 Census data on all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for the populations residing within all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and the demographic characteristics for the population residing in households at high and low levels of geography during the actual 2010 Census data evaluation and clearance period; and Responding to inquiries that junior staff may have regarding technical issues related to the decennial census group quarters, household, and demographic characteristics editing and imputation process and procedures at high and low levels of geography. Staff personnel in the Special Population Statistics area of the Population Division are fully engaged in planning for the 2010 Census. Many changes in editing and coding procedures have been made for the 2010 Census. Therefore, the staff needs additional personnel resources to assist in conducting the development/assessment/impact/quality assurance activities listed above. Because this need for assistance will have a limited duration, it will serve the Government's interests to obtain the needed help through a contract. THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS OF ONLY ONE SOURCE: Donald Dalzell The Government intends to award a noncompetitive contract under the provisions set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). The lack of competition for this procurement action is due to the complex and highly specialized nature of the work, which requires an unusual combination of decennial census edit and imputation data processing methods, and a high degree of demonstrated expertise and experience with Decennial Census institutional and non-institutional group quarters, household, and demographic item edit and imputation procedures, and analysis and evaluation of the resulting population data. The capability to process and edit the group quarters' data comprises only one aspect of this contract. In order to be successful, the Contractor will also require a thorough understanding of the demographic characteristics of the populations residing within all types of detailed group quarters, as well as an understanding of the nature and characteristics of all types of detailed group quarters. This understanding should derive from subject matter experience analyzing, reviewing, evaluating, and assessing the quality of the population counts and characteristics of the populations residing in the detailed types of group quarters. The demonstrated expertise and experience with analyzing and evaluating the population data at all levels of geography are critical to successfully assisting Special Population Statistics staff with the "live" clearance of 2010 Census data. For these reasons, the Government knows of only one source capable of providing the required services at the desired level of quality. In response to this notice all responsible sources may submit capability statements that shall be considered by the agency. Capability statements shall demonstrate the offeror's ability to provide services in accordance with this notice. Submit all questions concerning this proposed action by e-mail to contact@example.gov. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE The Business Concern shall demonstrate the following expertise and experience: - Demonstrated expertise and experience with the Census Bureau's decennial census data on all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for those residing in all types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and demographic characteristics of those residing in households. - Demonstrated expertise and experience with decennial census editing and imputation processing methodology for all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for those residing in all types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and demographic characteristics of those residing in households. - Demonstrated expertise and experience with developing enhancements to decennial census editing and imputation processing methodology for all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for those residing in all types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and demographic characteristics of those residing in households. - Demonstrated expertise and experience with SAS and the development of analytical tools and techniques for evaluating decennial census editing and imputation methodology for all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, demographic characteristics for those residing in all types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, and demographic characteristics of those residing in households. - Demonstrated experience and expertise with assessing the quality and reasonableness of decennial census data for all detailed types of institutional and non-institutional group quarters facilities, as well as of demographic data for those in all detailed types of group quarters facilities and in households. INTERESTED BUSINESS CONCERNS MAY SUBMIT CAPABILITY STATEMENTS. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Capability statements must specify the offeror's business size and type, and demonstrate similar work that has been performed in the past five years and the dollar value of that work. Businesses that believe that they meet the qualification requirements and possess the relevant experience are encouraged to submit a capability statement. The capability statement should address each of the competencies indicated above. All proprietary information should be marked as such. The capability statement should include an indication of current certified small business status, if so designated; this indication should be clearly marked on the first page of the statement (preferably placed under the business concern's name and address). If responses indicate the likelihood of satisfactory competition among qualified businesses, the anticipated solicitation will be restricted to small businesses only. All capability statements sent in response to this notice must be submitted electronically (via email) to Fermaint Rios, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov in either MS Word 2000 or earlier, WordPerfect versions 12 or X3 or earlier, or ADOBE Portable Document Format (PDF), by July 17, 2009, 8:00AM Eastern Standard Time. Questions regarding this requirement must be submitted in writing and directed to Fermaint Rios at the above email address before the closing date of this notice. All responses must be received by the specified due date and time in order to be considered. The government anticipates awarding a Labor Hours contract as a result of this notice and the ensuing solicitation. As a result of analyzing responses to this synopsis of intent to sole source, the Contracting Officer may determine that the action may be competed. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. For questions concerning this procurement, please contact Contract Specialist Fermaint Rios at contact@example.gov.