R -- Request for Information / Market Research- Specialized Advisory and Assistance Services for SSA/OTSO

Request for Information / Market Research The Social Security Administration (SSA) is conducting market research to identify contractor sources capable of providing expert, independent, and objective advisory and assistance services (as defined at FAR 2.101) in support of the SSA's Office of Systems/Office of Telecommunications Systems. The SSA's market research seeks to identify entities capable of providing totally unbiased advisory and assistance services on an enterprise-wide basis in highly complex technical, management, professional disciplines. Specific examples of the types of expert advisory and assistance services of interest to the SSA are: Strategic Technology Planning and Evaluation Support Services - Provide guidance on the evolution of major systems architectures and the adoption of new technologies. - Provide support for establishing enterprise technology policies and architectural direction to achieve strategic technology best value. - Perform industry analyses through research, investigation of best practices and product and price benchmarks. - Provide expert technical advice, assistance, and support for evaluating appropriate existing and/or emerging technologies, products, and services; consider the long-term and broad range needs of the government; develop prototypes and conduct proof of concept feasibility studies. - Conduct independent review and testing of acquired technologies to ensure the technical quality and programmatic suitability of delivered systems and products. Technology Program Management Support Services - Provide project management support to Program Offices in the deployment and management operations of new technologies. - Provide analyses and assistance in the identification and management of risk in existing technological environments as well as risks associated with the adoption of new technologies and/or processes. - Provide support in coordinating resources and project management activities between multiple governmental and private sector stakeholder groups. Business Support Services - Perform analyses and research in support of the acquisition of advanced technologies and services. Support development of specifications and procurement documents such as Statements of Work (SOW), Independent Government Cost Estimates, Source Selection Plans, and evaluation criteria and methodologies. - Provide support in creating business case documents such as alternatives analyses, cost modeling and projections analyses, and cost/ benefit analyses. The advisory and assistance services described herein involve high-level Agency strategic planning and very significant capital investments; therefore, it is vital to the SSA that these services be provided completely free of any and all real or apparent biases, and with great discretion. Real or apparent biases include those related to any products, solutions or organizations. Performance of these services would require the disclosure of highly sensitive government and industry proprietary information to an advisory and assistance services contractor. Public or intra-company release of such information would undermine SSA's ability to work effectively with the vendor community and also would undermine the integrity of current and future procurements. Due to the nature of the work described an advisory and assistance services contractor would not be eligible to participate in any commercial enterprises directly related to the items or services studied. Any party selected to perform these services on behalf of the Social Security Administration would be subject to a pre-contract vetting process and would be required to sign the SSA?s confidentiality and conflict of interest certifications. Interested parties with the capabilities and corporate characteristics to provide the advisory and assistance services described herein are invited to reply to this notice. All replies must include information detailing the interested party's capabilities and prior history of performing services of a similar nature, size, scope, and complexity to those described. Respondents shall also provide information on their corporate structure, and must be able to demonstrate an historical and ongoing commitment to providing expert, bias-free advisory and assistance services. Information supplied in reply to this notice will be used solely for market research purposes to assist the SSA in creation of a possible future procurement strategy. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for proposals. Information supplied in reply to this notice will not constitute a proposal or an offer for services. No information submitted in reply to this notice will be returned to the supplier. Information submitted in reply to this notice shall be provided at no cost to the Government. Information submitted in reply to this notice shall be provided in electronic format to the following e-mail address: Randall.Pickwell@ssa.gov no later than May 9, 2007.