National Longitudinal Study (NLS) Request for Information (RFI) Only

This is a Fedbizopps Request for Information (RFI) Only. As part of BLS' market research, BLS is seeking to understand any factors that may be negatively impacting interest in its National Longitudinal Study (NLS) contract and determine if there are any steps that can be taken to increase the pool of interested firms for the upcoming re-competition of this contract. The Government may use the responses to this RFI for information and planning purposes. All interested parties may submit responses. This is a Request for Information using the following NAICS Code: 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) No Request for Proposal (RFP) exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the RFP. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute a RFP. The Government does not intend to award contracts or Blanket Purchase Agreements based only on responses to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI marked "Proprietary" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. BLS will not pay for information received in response to this RFI. There is no commitment by the Government to issue an RFP, make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by industry responses to this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is two-fold: 1.) To receive feedback regarding the previous NLS competition in order to determine how to increase vendor participation for any future competitions. 2.) To receive feedback on potential ways to incentivize participation through contract structure, vehicle type, fee structure, etc. Purpose 1.) BLS seeks to receive feedback regarding the previous NLS competition to determine how to increase vendor participation for any future competition. The link to the previous competition is below. Please review and respond to the questions below. FBO Link (If link does not open, copy and paste link into browser): https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=51e01f70f7d105522ab8ff4aa1cc3363&_cview=0 After reviewing the previous competition's solicitation (including the Performance Work Statement and supporting documentation), please address the following: a.) If the new solicitation is similar to the previous one do you plan to propose? b.) If you do not plan to propose: What aspects or components of the PWS and/or solicitation terms are causing you not to propose (i.e. what are the disadvantages, if any, or challenges that you see in the PWS, solicitation, or supporting documents that would make you not propose, etc. c.) What could be done to encourage your participation in the future competition? d.) Suggestions on NAICSs code, if any. Purpose 2.) To receive detailed feedback on potentials ways to incentivize/ encourage participation (i.e. ideas on how to restructure contract structure, vehicle type, fee structure, etc.). This portion of the RFI will be sent only to vendors whom respond to Purpose 1.) Please submit your capability statement, no longer than 10 pages. Please include your DUNS number, and if you are small business, please provide any designation, i.e. 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled, etc. please make sure that information is displayed clearly on the front page. Do not submit pricing information in response to this RFI. Submit RFI responses to: Teresa Clower, clower.teresa@bls.gov and Lasondia Chaney chaney.lasondia@bls.gov No later than March 30, 2018 at 11:00 AM ET. Please be aware, government contracts can only be awarded to registered vendor in the System for Award Management. For more information on registering, contact www.sam.gov.