Request for Information (RFI) Small Business set aside Request for Information only from Small businesses, Small disadvantage businesses including 8(a) The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is conducting Market Research. This REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) is being used to determine if there is sufficient interest from small businesses. If so, ED will set aside this contract exclusively for small businesses, regarding the NCES LOGISTICS SUPPORT AND SERVICES (LSS). This notice is provided as information to the marketplace to determine if there are vendors capable of performing the requirements in the attached - Draft' Statement of Work (SOW)(subject to change). Information submitted in response to this RFI may be used as a basis for a future solicitation and/or as a basis for more in-depth research. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education has the following mission: (1) to collect and analyze education information and statistics in a manner that meets the highest methodological standards; (2) to report education information and statistics in a timely manner; and (3) to collect, analyze, and report education information and statistics in a manner that (A) is objective, secular, neutral, and non-ideological and is free of partisan political influence and racial, cultural, gender, or regional bias; and (B) is relevant and useful to practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public. NCES' needs for logistics support services and activities are described under four (4) general categories: 1) Coordinate Meetings- The contractor shall support NCES in the planning and conduct of meetings. In general, when called upon to arrange meeting sites for NCES, meeting locations must be accessible via public transportation, preferably located in a downtown metropolitan area, and must conform to government per diem requirements. Additional meeting requirements are specified under each task. 2) Securing external experts through quick-turnaround requests- The contractor shall provide logistics support and arrange for the services of external subject matter experts through quick-turnaround requests approved by the Contracting Officer. Experts will prepare commissioned papers on education issues, serve as facilitators or presenters for meetings, provide statistical, analytical, and technical support, or serve as trainers in NCES sponsored workshops. External experts address specific issues, (e.g., task forces on dropouts, international survey non-response, statistical standards development and review, significance testing, and multiple data comparisons). 3) Website Support The contractor shall provide basic website management and support by designing new websites and web pages, converting text-based documents to post on the web, creating new tools, upgrading existing web tools, and enhancing the coherence and usefulness of its electronic dissemination. The contractor shall comply with all NCES' requirements regarding development and maintenance work on the NCES website, and follow NCES web templates. Web templates will be provided by the COR at the initial meeting after award. 4) NCES-wide editorial and graphics support and publication release The contractor shall provide editing and graphics support for publications prior to a document's release on the web and/or in preparation for printing by the Government Printing Office. The contractor shall adhere to NCES Statistical Standards and Style and Web Guidelines. In addition, the contractor shall assist NCES with the planning, logistics, and materials needed for events surrounding the release of NCES reports. Under this contract, the contractor shall provide logistics support and services to assist NCES in meeting its mandated mission in education statistics, analysis, and technical development. The overall period of performance for this work is 60 months, consisting of a base year and four option years. Additionally, the contractor should have the necessary expertise in or have access to individuals who have expertise in aforementioned areas. ED would like to see capability statements of approximately 15 pages, including a summary of past work as it applies to the items enumerated above, a 3-4 page executive summary or overview, and a 1-2 page brief summary of staffing proposed for the project. Interested parties are asked when submitting the Capability Statements to include the following information on the title page: 1) Company Name and Mailing Address; 2) Point of contact (name, title, email address, and telephone number. All vendors should provide their size designation on their capability statement, as well as their GSA schedule contract numbers if applicable. The deadline for submitting capability statements (electronically) is August 25, 2010 by 2 pm EST via email to the following: Vidya.vish@ed.gov and Scott.Caldwell@ed.gov. Note: The Government will not pay for the provision of any information nor will it compensate any respondents for providing this information. This notice is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. ED will not be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this announcement.
