OTLA FY2013 Contract Research Program: Strategies for Improving Labor Inspection Systems

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ILAB-OTLA 2013 Contract Research Program: Experimental Design Strategies for Improving Labor Inspection Systems DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION REQUESTED: 1. Pursuant to FAR 15.201(a), Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals, this RFI is a request for information only and does not seek submission of formal proposals. In conducting market research and acquisition planning, the USDOL seeks to obtain information from industry that identifies capabilities; to obtain feedback from industry regarding the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS); to obtain a rough estimate for performance of this type effort ; to obtain information regarding performance requirements, deliverables, schedules, and to other market information (e.g., contract type, commerciality, NAICS/size) that will assist in defining the requirement development of the solicitation. Responses to this Notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract 2. The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting market research for an anticipated procurement requirement entitled "ILAB-OTLA 2013 Contract Research Program: Experimental Design Strategies for Improving Labor Inspection Systems", in support of the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) program office. ILAB seeks research that identifies experimental designs to evaluate the impact of different labor enforcement strategies available to labor ministries (e.g., especially, labor inspection) on firm compliance with labor law and regulations. ILAB's current need is research that identifies experimental designs feasible for use in a low- to middle-income country. ILAB's future implementation of a method(s) identified by this contract is subject to considerable uncertainty; including, the projected budgetary resources associated with the method(s), the availability of such resources in future years, desirability of staff versus external implementation, and the identification of appropriate host countries. Because of this uncertainty, should ILAB choose in the future to support external implementation of a proposed method, a later procurement action will be issued. For more information please see the attached draft performance work statement (PWS) for this requirement. Industry feedback and/or questions regarding the draft PWS are encouraged. Comments received will assist the ILAB program office in describing the requirement and developing the final PWS. 3. Interested Service Providers responding to this RFI are requested to demonstrate their capability and experience by providing adequate details to address the following: - Demonstrate research in the area of labor inspection strategies or systems - or - the ability to partner with an expert on labor inspection strategies or systems? - Demonstrate experience designing an impact evaluation of public service in a low- to middle-income country - or - the ability to partner with an impact evaluation expert who has evaluated a public service in a low to middle-income country? - Within the last three years, have you had a publication in, commitment to publish or "revise-and-resubmit" from a peer-reviewed journal? Describe. - Demonstrate and describe affiliation, if any, with a research institution 4. Describe any experience you may have coordinating research efforts with host governments in low to middle-income countries? 5. Please provide a reasonable rough order of magnitude (dollar estimate) for this type of research in terms of one of the following price ranges: (a) Less than $25,000. (b) Between $25,000 and $50,000. (c) Between $50,000 and $75,000. (d) Between $75,000 and $100,000. (e) Between $100,000 and $150,000 (f) Between $150,000 and $200,000 (g) $200,000 or higher 6. Industry Invitation: Agencies are encouraged to promote early exchanges of information about future acquisitions. As such, the USDOL also intends to host one-on-one sessions with industry to exchange information regarding the acquisition strategy, including contract type, terms and conditions, feasibility of the requirement, performance requirements, deliverables/schedules; the PWS; and to address any other industry concerns or questions. If you are interested in participating in this event, to be scheduled during February/March timeframe, include a cover letter with your capability statement that identifies contact information. Letters of interest in one-on-one sessions and capability statements are to be sent to the email address cited below. As only three (3) to five (5) days will be reserved for one-on-one-sessions, the USDOL reserves the right to limit the number of sessions to a reasonable number that can be accommodated within the allotted timeframe. USDOL anticipates no more than two (2) to three (3) sessions per day. Therefore, interested parties are encouraged to identify your interest in participation in this event and to provide contact information. Capability statements will be used in selecting one-one-one participants. Greater consideration will be given to selecting participants whose responses demonstrate capability and experience most related to the efforts described in the attached PWS. Contractors selected for participation will be notified by the Office of Procurement Services of the time and place for scheduled session. Sessions may take place via phone call or in-person. However, USDOL will not be responsible for travel costs. 7. Would you classify this type service as "commercial" or "non-commercial?" If non-commercial, please provide a short explanation. 8. Do you provide this service under a Federal Supply Schedule? If so, please identify the GSA contract number and applicable special item number (SIN). 9. Please identify the NAICS code for this service and the associated size standard. 10. The McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) covers contracts entered into by federal and District of Columbia agencies that have as their principal purpose furnishing services in the U.S. through the use of "service employees." The definition of "service employee" includes any employee engaged in performing services on a covered contract other than a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employee who meets the exemption criteria set forth in 29 CFR Part 541. Would employees performing services under this type requirement be covered under the SCA or be exempt as defined in 29 CFR 541? Submit Interest Letters and Capability Statements to: OPS.grantoffice@dol.gov Subject line should read: RFI-Design Strat - Labor Insp (OTLA-SD)