R -- OMB Circular A-76 Commercial Activities Study of Clerical Services, South Carolina

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service-South Carolina State Office (NRCS), intends to conduct one A-76 cost comparison study in accordance with OMB-approved USDA Express Review Study procedures on clerical support functions in the towns of Florence, Greenwood, Greenville, and Aiken, South Carolina. Currently, Government personnel provide these services. This study will determine whether a solicitation will be issued for possible conversion to contract. The USDA Express Review process is permitted when it is anticipated that the commercial activity under study is regularly performed under contract by commercial activities under firm, fixed price contracts and that the cost of obtaining such services through representative existing Federal and/or state contracts can be compared to the cost of performing those services in house. Major duties of this work include: managing incoming and outgoing telephone calls; receiving visitors and responding to them in a professional manner; communicating with employees in a courteous and respectful manner; performing reproduction/duplication services as requested; handling incoming and outgoing mail; utilizing automated communication techniques (fax, email, voice messaging, etc.); 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 variety of products, such as technical material, correspondence, schedules, and minutes from RC&D council meetings; typing, proofreading, and filing with minimal errors; maintaining filing systems, technical manuals and case files; ordering supplies and maintaining office equipment; and organizing meetings and conferences. NRCS is seeking to locate commercial businesses who have recently contracted with federal or state agencies for clerical support services. All interested and capable parties that have expertise in the services described above should respond via email to the Contracting Officer at the address indicated below giving the name and USPS mailing address of your firm, contact person, phone and fax numbers, a brief statement of your qualifications and any federal procurement preference status (small, small emergent, small disadvantaged, 8(a), Hubzone, etc.) for which you are eligible under NAICS Code 561110. In addition, for each recent or existing federal or state contract for services similar to those described above, please provide the following: 1) contract number, 2) Federal/State Agency name and point of contact, 3) the firm fixed price, 4) the approximate number of staff hours per contract year and 5) the period of performance covered. This is not a solicitation or request for proposals; however, depending on the results of the express review cost comparison, a solicitation may be issued at a later date. All responses and questions should be submitted via EMAIL ONLY to the Contracting Officer not later than April 4, 2003.