R -- Request for information

Requests for Information NoticeEPRFI-0001-08 Closing Date: February 21, 2008 at 4:00pm This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION only. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries is seeking information from interested parties on market research in industrial market sectors. The information provided in response to this request for information announcement will be used to finalize the acquisition strategy for this requirement. This is not a request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. The Government will not reimburse any concern for any information that is submitted in response to this request for information notice. Any information submitted is voluntary. UNICOR, Federal prison Industries is a self supporting government corporation within the U.S. Department of Justice with a two fold mission ? to train the inmates within the federal prisons so they have marketable skills upon release and to employ them so that they are productive during their incarceration as a means to manage the inmate population and to be a self sufficient business. UNICOR is comprised of seven business groups, (Clothing & Textiles, Electronics, Fleet Management, Industrial Products, Office Furniture, Recycling and Services. UNICOR?s web site is www.unicor.gov. UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries is seeking a consultant and/or consultants to perform analyses of industrial market sectors in the United States. In order to finalize the acquisition strategy for this requirement, the following information is requested: 1. Compare/Contrast our general organization structure and resource alignment with similar companies at comparable sales levels. 2. What capabilities and/or successes has your company had in being able to match capabilities with potential market needs in either a sub contracting or partnering arrangement? Is there any examples involving major defense contractors and/or major Federal Government contractors? 3. Describe from past experiences, the factors that contributed to consulting engagements that do not result in positive results for the client. 4. Provide two examples of past engagements that resulted in a favorable Return On Investment that is supported by the client. 5. Provide two examples of past engagements in the area of market penetration strategies employed to identify, classify and successfully enter emerging markets? ( one example for long term, 5 years and over and one example for short term, under 5 years). 6. Provide an example of past engagement in the area of identifying potential growth markets, market niches, and recommending company growth strategies to successfully tap those market opportunities. 7. What experience do you have in identifying, quantifying and detailing mature markets? 8. Explain to what extent you have been successful in building (or recommending strategies for building) teams to win outsourced work either in a services or manufacturing environment. 9. Provide an example in developing of direct marketing strategies that produced customers. 10. Describe your experience in developing and implementing market strategies with government entities that sale products and services. 11. Describe your experience and/or qualification of your company in the area of enhancing public information and awareness strategy that resulted in increased positive visibility for a government agency or private company?s producats or services. 12. Provide measurable deliverables that you see as the outcome of this potential engagement. 13. Provide an anticipated time line listing key events in the processes. 14. Describe how you can support the diversity of our organization in terms of our product/service lines. The anticipated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes for this requirement are 541611, 541613, 541618, 541910, and 541990. All small business respondents shall confirm that their size status is small according to their applicable GSA FSS schedule. Interested GSA schedule holders and non-GSA schedule holders are invited to submit to the contracting office as early as possible, but not later then fifteen (15) calendar days after announcement a five (5)-page maximum Capability Statement summarizing the answers for the above four (14) requests. Segregating from the Capability Statement, you also need to (1) identify small business category and/or socio-economic group, (2) GSA schedule holders identify their GSA contract number and/or taking exception to the GSA pricing, (3) non GSA schedule holders need to submit pricing information. If planning to team or subcontract, identify the firm(s), size status and corresponding GSA schedule(s). In addition, please specify by name one primary and one alternate Point of Contact (POC) within your firm, including their respective telephone numbers and email addresses. All information must be contained within the capability statement page limit. Responses must be provided electronically in Microsoft Office Word document to Sterai Payne, Contracting Officer, spayne@central.unicor.gov. UNICOR will acknowledge receipt of Capability Statement submissions via return e-mail. Any responses to this notice shall be received on or before February 21, 2008.