Request for Input - Simplified Prompt Based Request for Proposals

PLEASE NOTE:  This is not a request for proposals, nor is it tied to the hypothetical requirements specified in the attached documents.  When the End User Services requirements are active, any formal market research engagement(s) or solicitation(s) will be posted under a separate notice.

Purpose: On behalf of PEO DHMS, DHA is requesting input on the potential use of an aggressive methodology to compete urgent requirements. 

Problem Scenario: Current contractual support for critical services of capabilities ends in the next several months (e.g. August). We need to identify an accelerated, competitive strategy to secure an outcome-based partnership by this date, leaving almost no time for a traditional competitive approach. Traditionally, we would consider bridge actions, and we think using our normal processes could take until December to award a competitive IDIQ. We'd like to avoid this scenario.

Context: This article is one of many reaching similar conclusions and exploring similar concepts in the age of AI. (reference: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/creativity-in-the-age-of-ai/) Our experience is showing us that creative processes are essential to re-imagining how we solicit. We are also finding our current AI tools are helpful in this creative ideation. The attached prompt provides two samples we generated using Gemini. We hope these provide a better understanding of what we are considering trying out.

Idea and Goals: We are considering adopting this prompt and response methodology within our solicitations. The goal would be to reduce our solicitations to 2-3 pages in a prompt engineering format like the attached samples. We would be seeking the smallest, fastest, most efficient opening “proposals” on which we could make selections to enter into further negotiations prior to awarding a contract. Essentially, make the source selection decision as quickly as possible (within days or weeks), based on an offeror’s demonstrated skill and capability at thinking through a problem creatively. This would be demonstrated in the small proposal – not its approach to the requirement or its price.

The approach would then be defined and evaluated bilaterally in “alpha” negotiations/conversations to mutually define the work and build the contract.

Request for Input: What is the best thing to ask for in terms of an extremely efficient proposal? What are the attributes we should be looking for? How do we evaluate them? What’s the best way for you to show you’re smart, analytical, and creative. Is this crazy or infeasible? What do our prompts need to include? Anything else you can think of that we should know!

The Government intends to continue to leverage Gemini to assist the Government in the analysis of the responses received.  Please provide a response in a format (e.g. Microsoft word) that can be uploaded into Gemini for analysis.  Ensure the following sections are in response provided:

• Executive Summary
• Efficient Proposal and Attributes
• Evaluation Methodology
• Prompts
• Clarification
• Summary

Please submit responses to dha-dhms-cd@health.mil

This is not a solicitation. This is for planning purposes only. It does not constitute an RFP or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time 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. All costs associated with responding to this will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Participation is not mandatory or required; participation or response to this is not a prerequisite for any future procurement activities.