Request for Information - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Planning and Consultation Services

1. DESCRIPTION: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) is conducting market research and is seeking information from commercial industry to assist only in requirements planning for the services listed herein. The purpose of this RFI is to identify qualified potential Offerors who are able to meet the NIEHS requirements. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes within the NIEHS to facilitate the decision making process - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Quotation (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ in the future, nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any equipment, commodities, and services whatsoever. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. There is no required format for RFIs. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this market research will be the outcome of a competitive process. Further, NIEHS is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP issued. If a solicitation is released, it may be synopsized on the beta.sam.gov website or GSA eBuy electronic system. It is the sole responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the site for additional information pertaining to this or future requirements. BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, is one (1) of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to discover how the environment affects people in order to promote healthier lives. The NIEHS as a primary function conducts, fosters and coordinates research on the biological effects of chemical substances and physical factors present in the environment, utilizing (1) its own laboratories and personnel; (2) contracts; and (3) grant-in-aid to universities for research projects, training, fellowships and environmental health centers. The NIEHS seeks by these means to develop understanding of the mechanisms of action of environmental substances, to provide the scientific basis for evaluating their extent and severity on a national scale, and to define and develop methods for diagnosis and treatment of environmentally induced illness. NIEHS is currently exploring staff concerns of racism, favoritism, less than desirable levels of diversity at the leadership and management levels, and allocation of opportunities across staff groups, among other issues. NIEHS has a need to work with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professionals to guide exploration of these issues within its workforce practices and policies and bring training and consultation to management and staff to work towards culture change and ameliorating past inequities. NIEHS has a desire to deepen its commitment to becoming a fair and equitable work environment. NIEHS would like to explore a variety of legacy and current issues related to DEI within the current workplace culture and move to a culture that is more respectful and inclusive. During this period, the contractor shall perform in accordance with the requirements of the contract. 2. REQUESTED INFORMATION: As this is an RFI only, it is requested that companies provide indication of their respective ability to provide the tasks necessary to meet the needs of NIEHS. Information submitted shall address the following: Provide detailed information on delivery of strategic planning and consultative services to the NIEHS Director, members of NIEHS Senior Leadership, and other management staff on a wide range of DEI issues. Services can include, but are not limited to, training, facilitation of meetings, review of practices and policies, analysis of key parameters that present legacy and current inequities (ie, hiring practices, pay equity, promotion, labor relations actions). Tasks to be delivered to NIEHS include: Contribute to DEI strategic planning efforts by facilitating NIEHS-wide virtual and in-person events and providing guidance on DEI factors in the planning for the meeting Analysis of current issues and practices identified by the Director. Analysis will include areas of concern suggested by current staff Develop and deliver trainings on key topics determined to be useful for different sectors of staff at NIEHS Facilitate Senior Leadership mini-retreats and working sessions that focus on understanding the DEI concerns at NIEHS and planning action that leads to change; develop products from these sessions that summarize discussions and chart action items Assist the Office of Science Education and Diversity (OSED) and other identified NIEHS staff in developing an implementation plan for DEI that identifies clear priorities for action Help NIEHS leadership develop strategies for action resulting from the implementation plan Provide coaching to members of leadership and Director, OSED, facing DEI concerns among their Divisions Other activities as needed such as development and review of content for DEI website, communications with staff, presentations by the NIEHS Director or Senior Leaders on DEI topics Responses to this RFI should include comments on which capabilities (specifically, the tasks) you as a contractor can and cannot meet; why certain capabilities could not be provided; associated services that are provided to other customers with similar requirements; and details about any other information you would require from NIEHS in order to bid on these services. Potential Offerors must specify whether they can meet all or some of the tasks. 3. RESPONSES: Interested organizations are requested to submit their capability statements, which should not exceed ten (10) pages in length, that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the work described above and should be tailored to the work requirements as concisely as possible. Each response should also include the following business information: a. DUNS Number b. Organization Name c. Company Address d. Point of Contact (Including name, title, addresses, telephone number, fax number and email address) e. Business Size (e.g., small or large). f. Socio-economic Status (e.g., HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses, etc.). g. List of all current Government Schedule Contracts (GSA), Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), Agency Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IDIQ) and their contract numbers. h. Teaming Agreements if necessary (if necessary) - Identify the socio-economic status of each member against the above noted NAICS code and provide a description of the work that each member would perform under the contract structure (e.g., contract type; number of contracts) the entity believes is most advantageous to the Government). i. Clear and convincing documentation of your capability and ability to provide the services specified in this notice. j. Examples of prior completed contracts and other related information. Responses shall be submitted referencing 75N96021Q00015 in the header via e-mail only to Elizabeth McEwen, Contracting Officer, NIEHS, Office of Acquisitions. Email elizabeth.mcewen@nih.gov. Proprietary information, if any, shall be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 4. INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS: NIEHS will not meet or hold discussions with potential interested parties. 5. SUMMARY: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide the requirements described herein. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. NIEHS has not made a commitment to procure any of the equipment, commodities, and services listed herein, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.