Request for Information - USSOCOM Global Research and Assessment Program (GRAP)

The purpose of this Request For Information (RFI) is to gather data regarding small businesses' ability to support the Global Research and Assessment Program (GRAP) while ensuring compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. The clause is provided below in full text for quick reference. (a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside. (b) Applicability. This clause applies only to-- (1) Contracts that have been set aside or reserved for small business concerns or 8(a) concerns; (2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for small business concerns or 8(a) concerns; and (3) Orders set aside for small business or 8(a) concerns under multiple-award contracts as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F). (c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for -- (1) Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern. (2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies). The concern shall perform work for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials. (3) General construction. The concern will perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees. (4) Construction by special trade contractors. The concern will perform at least 25 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees. The Government intends to issue a contract to support the planning, synchronization and execution of global social science research in support of USSOCOM and Geographic Combatant Command (GCC) objectives. This program directly supports the identification and analysis of target audiences (TA), assessment of the performance and effectiveness of Military Information Support Operations (MISO), and the reporting of results to decision makers and key stakeholders. Research will include quantitative and qualitative data collection/analysis methodologies, literature reviews, geospatial analysis and the integration/analysis of disparate sources of current and previously collected data. NOTE: Companies that are currently, or have recently (within the past 3 years) been, producing and/or disseminating MISO products including, but not limited to, TV spots, radio spots, websites, web-based products, YouTube videos, novelty items, leaflets, or any other audio/video/printed materials under contracts with a government entity, such as the DOD, USSOCOM, Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), or Task Forces, will be precluded from competing either as a prime or subcontractor in support of this effort based on the potential Organizational Conflict of Interest due to having impaired objectivity. USSOCOM is contemplating a single-award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a maximum value of $45M over a 5-year period. The anticipated NAICS is 541910-Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling with a size standard of $15M. This requirement was previously solicited as a small business set-aside. During evaluations the Government determined that proposals indicated a failure to comply with FAR 52.219-14. Offerors had erroneously made the assumption that a fixed price subcontract or purchase agreement did not count against the "50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel" since it was not subcontracting for or purchasing labor. However, the majority (if not all) of this data does not currently exist and has to be collected. It does not reside in a repository and cannot be purchased from the current owner. As such, the cost to obtain this data shall be included when calculating the percentages regarding compliance with FAR 52.219-14. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Interested parties are encouraged to provide a capability document that includes all pertinent information (company name, complete address, CAGE Code, DUNS Number, and business size/socio-economic status); the interest level in supporting this requirement; current capabilities to support these requirements; specifics regarding compliance with FAR 52.219-14; or why compliance cannot be achieved; and a synopsis of past/present experience in providing the same/similar support. The capability document shall be in pdf, not exceed five pages, and shall be submitted to contracting@socom.mil. Submissions shall be received by 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 10 June 2016.