Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Education Verification

The United States Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), Contracting and Procurement Office (CPO) intends to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition with National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) on behalf of the DCSA Federal Investigative Records Enterprise (FIRE). The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Contracting Activity: DCSA CPO, 27130 Telegraph Road, Quantico, VA 22134 Requesting Activity: DCSA FIRE, 27130 Telegraph Road, Quantico, VA 22134 DCSA is the primary investigative service provider for the Federal Government, conducting 95% of all background investigations for over 100 agencies. This acquisition will fulfill the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS) and the Federal Personnel Vetting Standards (FPVS) requirement to obtain educational data and verification for each degree and/or period of education listed within the scope of a subject's background investigation. Specifically, the proposed contract action will provide the DCSA Federal Investigative Records Enterprise with education verifications through NSC for all participating educational institutions, claimed within the available jurisdictions, while appropriately safeguarding the confidentiality of data exchanged. Approximately 3,700 colleges and universities partner with NSC, covering 97% of the enrolled student population, and NSC's DegreeVerify program provides access to information on over 95% of all postsecondary degrees in the United States. Educational institutions have been consolidating degree and attendance verification services through NSC for cost savings and ease of access by parties needing this information, including potential employers, Government agencies, and the subjects themselves. The majority of post-secondary educational institutions verify education solely through NSC, making it both a critical and efficient resource for DCSA in conducting background investigations, and in producing consistent, timely, quality investigative products. The period of performance will contain a twelve (12)-month base period, plus four (4) 12-month option periods. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 519290 Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services and the size standard is 1,000 employees . This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, all interested and responsible sources may indicate their interest and capability by responding to this notice. The Government will consider responses received by 12:00 p.m. EST on 16 April 2024. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to Ms. Heather Grod at contact@example.gov and Ms. Kelsie Kautz at contact@example.gov. No telephone requests will be honored. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Each response should include the following business information: a. Contractor Name, Address, b. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address c. Contractor UEID d. Contractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, HUBZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must register in the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov e. Capability Statement