R -- ACCOUNTING SERVICES

SOURCES SOUGHT This is a sources sought announcement to seek potential vendors that could fulfill the below requirement. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT COMMITTED TO AWARD A CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME AND REQUESTS FOR SOLICITATION PACKAGES WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. The applicable NAICS code is 541219 and the Size Standard is $7,500,000. This Sources Sought Synopsis is in support of market research being conducted by The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on behalf of Economic Development Administration (EDA) to identify capable potential small business sources for Data Entry Accounting Services for DOC/NOAA as described below. Based on the response to this Sources Sought, NOAA will decide if this requirement will be set aside for small businesses, for a small business program (8a, HubZone, or Service Disabled Veteran), or done through full and open competition. Below is a highlight of the current services being provided to The Economic Development Administration (EDA) and attached is the current statement of work that is being performed. 1.0 BACKGROUND The Economic Development Administration (EDA) commits (reserves), obligates, and disburses funds to various grantees, primarily state and local governments, to promote national Economic strength and diversity. In addition, EDA formerly administered loans and loan guarantees until the late eighties. Currently, EDA collects payments on these outstanding loan balances. EDA has six regions who are the front line administrator/managers of EDA?s currently 1,600 active grants. EDA accounts for all of these projects in the Commerce Business System (CBS). 2.0 SCOPE The Contractor shall provide Support Services to the Economic Development Administration?s Administrative Support Services Division. 3.0 STATEMENT OF WORK The Contractor shall provide support in the form of two skill levels: Accounting Technician Level II and Financial Analyst (can work remotely in Georgia) to assist in the following efforts. 3.1 Posting of Commitments: The Contractor shall assist, as needed, in the posting of commitment transactions supported by proper documentation (ED-735). 3.2 Posting of Obligations: The Contractor shall assist, as needed, in the posting of obligations transactions supported by proper documentation (CD-450). 3.3 Posting of Disbursements: The Contractor shall assist, as needed, in the posting of disbursement transactions supported by proper documentation (SF-270). 3.3.1 The Contractor shall be the Data Entry Operator in Treasury?s Secure Payment System. 3.3.2 The Contractor shall maintain a list of advances issued. 3.4 Posting of Collections: The Contractor shall assist, as needed, in the posting of collection transactions supported by proper documentation (ED-27). 3.4.1 The Contractor shall deposit checks received and record payment in the accounting system. 3.5 Prepare Billings: The Contractor shall be expected to assist, as needed, in the preparation of bills for loans and to print amortization schedules. 3.6 Assistance with Reconciliations: The Contractor shall research reconciling items noted in EDA?s monthly reconciliations and identify corrective transactions to remove these items from the reconciliation. 3.7 Perform Associated Administrative Functions: The Contractor shall: 3.7.1 Open and distribute mail, 3.7.2 File grant and loan documents, 3.7.3 request missing documents verbally and in writing, 3.7.4 respond to routine requests for information. 3.8 Prepare Routine Recurring Reports: The Contractor shall be expected to execute existing Discoverer queries, export the data to an Excel spreadsheet, and format spreadsheet in the standard report format. 3.9 SYSTEMS The systems the Contractor shall be proficient in include: 3.9.1 Commerce Business System (CBS): The Contractor shall familiarize themselves with CBS, specifically, the various screens (e.g., commitment, obligation, disbursement, general ledger) in which data is entered and queried. 3.9.2 Loans Billing and Management System (LBMS): The Contractor shall familiarize themselves with LBMS, specifically, the various screens (e.g., amortization schedules, collections) in which data is entered and queried. 3.10 The Contractor shall be proficient in Microsoft Office suite: MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint at time of award. 4.0 STATUS REPORTS - Deliverables The Contractor shall provide bi-weekly reports detailing the work performed and hours associated with the work performed. Any problems or difficulties will be immediately communicated to the Chief, Administrative Support and Services Division. Subparagraph Sub-Subparagraph Deliverables 3.1 As specified by the COR 3.2 As specified by the COR 3.3 3.3.2 As specified by the COR, which could be quarterly, monthly or daily. 3.4 Daily 3.5 Monthly 3.6 As specified by the COR 3.7 Daily or as specified by the COR 3.8 As specified by the COR 3.9 Within one month of contract award 5.0 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS (COOP) The contractor shall upon direction of the Contracting Officer?s Representative (COR) or at times of crisis, whether real or an exercise, all or some support requirements for EDA may be required to operate at an alternate site until notified by the COR to resume normal operations. If COOP is activated, the place of performance, and support requirement will be contingent on the level of the crisis. In some cases, contract employees may be required to report to the COOP site, the same as other emergency employees, for their primary shift of duty. 6.0 TRAVEL Minimal infrequent travel is expected for performance of this Purchase Order and will be authorized on a case-by-case basis by the COTR or designated alternate. The Government will bear all travel costs associated with this task order in accordance with the Government?s Joint Travel Regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulation. 7.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES: Desk, Phone, Computer and normal office equipment 8.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Confidental 9.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington D.C. Area and Atlanta GA 10. WORK HOURS: Normal Government work hours with overtime intermittently as required. Responses must reference the sources sought to Sources Sought Number DG1325-08-35045(GJB) and include the following: (1) Name and Address of the Organization, (2) The size standard and small business program (8a, Service Disabled Veteran, HubZone, etc- including any teaming partners) status of the company as seen at listed under www.ccr.gov, (3) Point of contact with name, title, phone, fax and email, (4) DUNS number, (5) Contractors existing literature on services provided, experience, and general capabilities (i.e. pamphlets, brochures, etc.) no longer than 10 pages in length (6) List of three references to whom similar types of services have been previously provided to include contract number, dollar value, name and phone number of customer-must be relevant to the requirement and be within the last three years. The references must also include a description of the services rendered. (7) Contractor shall state if services can be solicited from a GSA schedule along with rates. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION REQUESTS. RESPONDENT WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS OF THE REVIEWS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. THE CLOSING DATE FOR RESPONSES IS March 31, 2008 at 1PM EST. Emailed responses are authorized, but it is up to the vendor to make certain that the email was received. All questions must be in writing and may be emailed to Jean Barrett at Jean.Barrett@ NOAA.gov. Mailed documents can be sent to the address listed in Fedbizopps. Point of Contact G. Jean Barrett, Contract Specialist, Phone 301-713-0838 Ext 133, Fax 301-713-0809, Email: Jean.Barrett@ NOAA.gov.