Professional Services to Support IT Training at the Foreign Service Institute's School of Applied Information Technology (FSI/SAIT)

The School of Applied Information Technology (SAIT) prepares all Department of State (DOS) employees for their foreign affairs mission today and tomorrow by developing proficiency in the use of technology. SAIT drives the Department forward by empowering foreign affairs professionals with DOS digital literacy. Specifically, SAIT enables end-users to efficiently and effectively weave technology into their daily routines; ensures that the Department's Information Technology (IT) professionals have the up-to-date knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain the complex computer and technology systems employed domestically and at all U.S. overseas missions; and prepares individuals to serve as IT consultants on behalf of their mission.. SAIT seeks trainers and training support personnel to support SAIT's training programs. SAIT is responsible for training both IT professionals and end users for the entire Department. Training is delivered both virtually and in person, and instructional support is provided to other DOS embassies, consulates, and facilities on a short term basis. On occasion, training services may be required in person at other DOS locations, both domestic and overseas. Areas of subject matter expert instructional contract staff support include but are not limited to computer systems training, voice and radio systems, data literacy, and cybersecurity & info security training. Additional areas of required staff support include program analysis and systems staff technical support. Current staffing needs for this requirement are approximately 20 (twenty) to 25 (twenty five) full time equivalent (1880 hours annually) contract staff members across SAIT's three divisions. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and is not a Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP or RFQ) or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government reserves the right to determine how it should proceed as a result of this notice. Furthermore, entities that respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regard to submissions. The Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The information provided in this RFI posting is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Department of State, Foreign Service Institute is seeking information regarding the attached Draft labor categories. These draft labor categories, when finalized, will be included in a solicitation Performance Work Statement (PWS). Please carefully review the draft labor categories and respond with a capability statement according to the directions stated below. RFI Responses/capability statements should include the following: 1. Contact information: a. Name of company b. DUNS number c. Institutional or organization affiliation (if applicable) d. Email address e. Phone number 2. Summary of credentials/professional and corporate experience relative to similar requirements; specifically a. Providing staffing services for IT instruction for federal employees b. Supporting government contracts of comparable size, scope, relevancy 3. Recommendations to improve or clarify the draft labor categories; a. Specific feedback on the IT certification requirements b. Please reference the specific labor categories as applicable 4. What information can/should be added to the document? 5. Based on the requirements of the draft labor categories, please state the estimated fully burdened labor rate hour. Any theoretical pricing provided is understood to be both notional and nonbinding. 6. Recommendations to structure this requirement contract type as firm fixed price rather than fully burned labor-hour 7. Confirmation on whether the labor categories are FLSA exempt or subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCA) 8. Additional labor categories that may be applicable to this requirement Do not include the following in the response: 1. Do not submit formal proposals or offers; 2. Do not submit requests to be considered for award or to be notified of a future solicitation; as a courtesy to vendors who submit RFI capability statements, responding vendors will be notified should the government elect to issue a formal RFP/RFQ at a later date. 3. Do not submit requests to be added to a mailing or distribution list; 4. Do not submit questions or comments not related to this RFI; 5. Do not respond via telephone. How to Submit Responses: 1. Please submit responses via email to ModrakER@state.gov including - 19FS1A21N5000: SAIT Professional Services in the e-mail subject line. 2. Please submit capability statement responses as a single Adobe pdf file attachment to the email. 3. If you have any questions regarding this RFI, please submit them via e-mail to ModrakER@state.gov. Please include - 19FS1A21N5000: SAIT Professional Services in the e-mail subject line. 4. The RFI submission closing date is Tuesday March 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM EST.