Request for Information Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS)

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI shall not be construed as a formal solicitation or an obligation on the part of the U.S. Forest Service to acquire any product or services. It does not guarantee a subsequent solicitation will be issued. Submission of any information in response to this RFI is completely voluntary, and costs associated with any submission shall not be reimbursed by the Government. The information requested will be used by the U.S. Forest Service to facilitate decision making. In accordance with FAR 37.2, agencies may contract for advisory and assistance services, when essential to the agency's mission, to - (1) Obtain outside points of view to avoid too limited judgment on critical issues; (2) Obtain the opinions, special knowledge, or skills of noted experts; (3) Enhance the understanding of, and develop alternative solutions to, complex issues; (4) Support and improve the operation of organizations; or (5) Ensure the more efficient or effective operation of managerial or hardware systems. The US Forest Service is issuing this request for information as part of market research to obtain various strategic professional business advice and assistance services for recreation management on National Forest System lands at locations throughout the United States, and its territories. The business advice and assistance services may include elements such as: strategic planning and program management; financial analysis; market analysis; operations efficiency evaluations; partnership analysis; facility management planning; marketing; interpretation strategy; and, organizational change management. In a continuing effort to meet the public's demands and expectations for recreation opportunities and to maximize the value of available funds, a need has been identified for professional business consulting services to assist with the development and implementation of a more business-based approach to U.S. Forest Service recreation management. The Forest Service anticipates requesting business consulting services on an as needed basis for a variety of tasks. These tasks may vary from being national in scope to affecting only one Region or National Forest. For example, at the national level the agency may be interested in exploring options for enhancing partnership capabilities and expanding contributed income funding opportunities. Services may be requested to help identify strategies and the Agency may seek assistance in pursing implementation support for the strategies. If you are an interested large or small business, please complete the attached questionnaire and provide the name, phone number, and e-mail address of a company representative the U.S. Forest Service may contact for additional information. Information gained through this RFI will be used to further define the U.S. Forest Service requirements. Individual capability briefs will not be accepted at this time. Interested parties are urged to monitor the official Government Point of Entry at www.fedbizopps.gov for future announcements regarding U.S. Forest Service needs. It is the responsibility of interested parties to check this site regularly for any changes or updates. Vendors can subscribe to the FedBizOpps Vendor Notification Service to receive emails notifying them of all notices for a particular solicitation number, all notices from selected organizations and product service classifications (NAICS codes) or all procurement notices. To register for this service, click on "Vendor Notification Service" at the FedBizOpps home page. Then click on the subscription option desired and follow the instructions. This service is provided for convenience only and does not serve as a guarantee of notification. Subscribers to this list service are ultimately responsible for reviewing the Federal Business Opportunities site for all information relevant to desired acquisitions. Please note, the government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this RFI. Send responses to the following POCs no later than September 5, 2008: Bradley G. Bauer Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) IDA/WY Acquisition Service Center, U.S. Forest Service bgbauer@fs.fed.us Dallas L. Hoffer Contract Specialist Intermountain Region, U.S. Forest Service dhoffer@fs.fed.us Advisory and Assistance Service (A&AS) Questionnaire: 1. Is your company currently providing services under any Federal contracts for A&AS service under FAR 37.2? a. If yes for which agency(s) and how many? b. What is/are the contract number(s)? c. Who is/are the Administrative Contracting Officer(s)? d. What are their pertinent phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.? e. What types of labor categories are you providing? Are you providing any medical specific labor categories? 2. How long has your company been providing these or similar services? a. What is your company?s experience in A&AS staffing? b. How long has your company provided A&AS support to the Federal, DoD, State govt? 3. Is your company a large or small business? a. If you are a small business, please identify any subcategories that apply: small disadvantaged business, 8(a), HUB Zone, service-disabled veteran-owned, women owned. b. Approximate annual gross revenue. c. Please describe your geographic focus. Is it state specific, regional specific, nationwide, overseas, etc. If you operate overseas, do you experience any delays or specific challenges with operating overseas? 4. What certifications or qualifications do employees generally possess? a. What is your company's process for validating employee certifications/qualifications? 5. What is the staffing makeup of your company? a. What are your procedures to ensure adequate coverage during personnel shortages? b. How do you handle security requirements (personal or facility) when required? c. Do you offer on-site managers? 6. Indicate if your role in the performance of the requirement would be as a prime contractor or subcontractor. a. If your company is a large business, do you have established relationships with small business providers? b. If you indicated prime contractor, identify the functions for which you plan to use subcontractors. c. If you indicated your role as a prime contractor, please provide brief information you feel would indicate your capability to mobilize, manage and finance a large service contract such as this. 7. The U.S. Forest Service is interested in benchmarking commercial best practices. If desired, include any A&AS commercial best practices. 8. Which NAICS codes do you perform A&AS services under? a. Which code(s) do you feel best represent this requirement? Type: Other (Draft RFPs/RFIs, Responses to Questions, etc..) Label: A&AS RFI in Word Format 01 Posted Date: August 7, 2008 Contracting Office Address: USDA Forest Service, IDA/WY Acquisition Service Center, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 Place of Performance: Services may be required at any U.S. Forest Service facility throughout the continental United States, and it territories, or they may be performed in contractor owned facilities. 45433 Point of Contact(s): Brad Bauer, Contracting Officer, Phone 208-557-5768, Fax 208-557-5829 Dallas Hoffer, Contracting Officer, Phone 208-557-5834, Fax 208-557-5829