Live, Online Training

***Modification 1 is issued to extend the response due date until 06/04/12. All responses are due via email by no later than 12pm EST. This is not a solicitation or a request for proposal (RFP). This is a Request for Information (RFI) as identified in FAR 15.201(c)(7). This request is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Any cost incurred as a result of the announcement shall be borne by the interested party (prospective offeror) and will not be charged to the Government for reimbursement. The Center for Information Technology (CIT), at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is soliciting information (only) from vendors that provide Live, interactive, online training. This inquiry is being issued solely for planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a statement of work (SOW) or a commitment to issue a SOW in the future. BACKGROUND NIH's mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are as follows: 1) foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation's capacity to protect and improve health; 2) develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease; 3) expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and 4) exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science. NIH's organization currently consists of 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs) principally located in the Bethesda, Maryland area. Further information about NIH is provided at http://www.nih.gov. The CIT Training Program offers a wide variety of courses and seminars. The program's mission is to enable users to make efficient and effective use of computers, networks, and information systems in their work at NIH. Its mission is to help staff perform their current work assignments. CIT offers a program with a broad selection of IT-related topics based on the needs of its NIH customers. Course and seminar subjects include but are not limited to scientific, administrative, programming, networks, grants and other enterprise systems, web development, security, commercial off the shelf (COTS) software, and statistics. The program (1) ensures that class content is NIH-specific and reflects systems, science and other technology in use at the NIH; (2) provides classes that are cutting edge; (3) continually looks towards future needs and products; and (4) responds quickly to demands for new classes and programs. The CIT Training Program currently provides over 120 technical courses to more than 8,000 NIH customers (NIH Federal staff and contractors) per year utilizing classroom space in (1) Building 12A at the main NIH Campus at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland; and (2) 10401 Fernwood Road (i.e., the Fernwood Building). Training is provided through formal classroom settings, as well as informally. CIT Training is open to NIH Staff and to all users of CIT computing facilities. CIT Training last year trained over 7,000 students and has a potential audience of over 30,000 NIH Staff worldwide. REQUIREMENTS The CIT Training Program is seeking to expand existing traditional (classroom based) training methodologies provided to the NIH by providing live, interactive, on-line training that integrates with the HHS Learning Management system (LMS) which is a Saba based solution. We are seeking information on solutions that provide a mobile, interactive classroom where students can attend from their office, home or remote locations. Solutions should be accessible from multiple platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, Apple, Blackberry, etc. The virtual classroom should have live video streaming, captioned and audio-described capabilities, integrate course content, Breakout rooms, Q&A sessions where attendees can ask a question, audio capabilities (VOIP or Phone Bridge), downloadable course content for later viewing or reference, polling and post training evaluations. CIT Training is seeking to utilize the capacity to provide live, interactive, on-line training to satisfy the following capabilities: 1. Virtual classroom environment a. Hands-on lab interactivity i. Example -Lab from an Office 2010 class may be to create a custom tab on the Ribbon. b. Breakout rooms 2. Upload course documentation 3. Live Captioning 4. Audio Description 5. Video/Audio of Instructor and Presentations 6. Capability to provide instruction onsite or remotely in a professional environment 7. Integration into the HHS Learning Management System (LMS) which is Saba based for registration and playback of training courses 8. Provide a net-based application that is designed to be scalable, reliable, and secure. 9. Provide the management tools to deploy and administer surveys. As part of the response the vendor must demonstrate and explain how their solution complies with Section 508 as supported by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which was amended in 1998 to address the accessibility of electronic and information technology (EIT) for people with disabilities. Section 508 compliance includes, but is not limited to the following: - Audio capability - Captioning / Audio Description - Screen reading capability - Keyboard navigation INFORMATION REQUESTED: Responses to this sources sought should include the organization's full name and headquarters location. They should also include the name of a point-of-contact and his/her e-mail and conventional mailing addresses. Industry feedback is vitally important and the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from industry. Proprietary information is not being solicited; however, if it is submitted, highlight and clearly mark those sections with "proprietary information". Firms are invited to demonstrate their capabilities by providing the responses to the following: 1. Provide a brief Statement of Capability (SOC) on your company and services to include a list of government agencies (if any) that you have supported, as well as, private companies. 2. Address how the solution meets our requirements 3. How the vendor solution integrates with the HHS LMS (Saba) and meets Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) or Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC) compliance. 4. What technology is required for the presentations 5. How is content stored for playback (for example - Cloud) and how would students access the playback content 6. Minimum technology requirements required by end users 7. Copy of vendor VPAT 8. How the vendor will ensure a secure environment 9. Examples of existing customer offerings similar to what we are seeking 10.How product pricing is determined The CIT is conducting a market survey to seek potential sources from qualified business and agencies. Sources qualified to do business with the United States shall be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at https://www.ccr.gov/ and not be on the Excluded Parties List System (debarred list) at https://www.epls.gov. Responses to any of the above areas are welcome; respondents should not feel compelled to address all issues. Responses will be compiled and shared with the advisory committees. Response to the request will not be returned. The subject line of the email shall be "Sources Sought/Request for Information for Live, Online Training. Interested parties having the capabilities necessary to perform the stated requirements may submit capability statement via email to Cara Calimano, Cc436e@nih.gov by no later than close of business, 12:00pm EST, 06/05/12. Submit your questions via email, if any, by 12:00pm EST, 05/29/12. No phone calls, only email will be accepted. Late submission will not be answered after the due date.