R -- 2nd Notice - A-76 Commercial Activities Study for Clerical Services

This is the second of two Sources Sought Notices requesting information needed by the Government prior to release of any potential solicitation. If you have already responded to the Sources Sought Notice posted on March 18, 2003, please do NOT respond to this second notice. Please read this entire synopsis. OFFERORS MUST RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SYNOPSIS. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is planning a Direct Conversion with Cost Comparison Study of clerical support services in NRCS Resource Conservation and Development offices in Tuscola and Lawrenceville, Illinois. Government personnel currently provide these services. Major duties include using computer hardware and software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access in addition to agency generated computer programs like the RC&D Information and Management System to create and edit a wide variety of technical material, correspondence, news releases, reports, schedules, minutes from RC&D council meetings, and informational and statistical material; developing and maintaining RC&D council website; collects or develops required information to write and prepare in final format a variety of public information materials including fact sheets, brochures, annual reports, news articles, feature stories and human interest pieces; managing incoming and outgoing telephone calls; receiving visitors and responding to them in a professional manner; communicating with partnership employees and RC&D Council members in a courteous and respectful manner; distributing public information material, annual reports, meeting notices, correspondence, etc. to RC&D project sponsors, elected officials, community leaders, news media and cooperating agencies; assisting in organizing annual and regular meetings of the RC&D council including facility arrangements and program development; arranging for facilities as needed for project activities; maintaining filing systems, technical manuals and case files, orders supplies and maintains office equipment; performing reproduction/duplication services as requested; handling incoming and outgoing mail; utilizing automated communication techniques (fax, email, voice messaging, etc); and assisting with project implementation through such activities as summarizing research information, collecting statistics, grant preparation and management, and scheduling meetings with project sponsors. This it NOT a request for proposal and in no way obligates the Government to award a contract. Prospective offerors are advised that a contract may not be awarded if the cost of contract performance is determined to be greater than the cost of in-house performance of Government personnel. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 561110, Office Administrative Services. If you are interested in competing for this requirement, please indicate your interest by sending an email (only) to Bernita Clark at contact@example.gov NO LATER THAN APRIL 11, 2003. All responses from prospective offerors must provide the return e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, and facsimile number. In addition, please specify the following based on NAICS 561110: (1) Is your business large or small? (2) If small, does your firm qualify as a small emerging business; a small disadvantaged business, a veteran-owned small business, or a service-disabled veteran-owned small business? (3) If disadvantaged business, specify under which disadvantaged group, and whether your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. (4) Is your firm a certified Hubzone small business? (5) Is your firm a woman-owned small business? ALL PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS MUST USE E-MAIL ONLY TO RESPOND TO THIS SYNOPSIS. No solicitation exists at this time. The solicitation will be made available on the Federal Business Opportunities site when it is released on approximately April 21, 2003.