REQUEST FOR INTEREST (RFI) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A PROCUREMENT PORTAL FOR THE U.S. MARINE CORPS

BACKGROUND: The Marine Corps is conducting an end-to-end analysis of the procurement process and identifying ways to streamline the process making it more efficient and effective. As a result of this analysis, the Marine Corps is researching the possibility of developing or utilizing a system (e.g. web-based portal) to assist with the acquisition of goods and services. This portal would provide a single interface module for personnel involved in acquiring goods and services. PURPOSE: The purpose of this RFI is to determine if there is credible interest in the development of a system/portal described below. Elaborate proposals or pricing information is neither required nor desired, as the intent is to identify credible interest before federal or nonfederal resources are committed to expensive studies or proposals. This RFI is not a solicitation or Request for Proposal/Quote in any form. Proposals/quotes or any other formal offers will not be accepted or considered by the Government in response to this RFI. No contract will result from this RFI or any information submitted in response to it. The system/portal will have several different users: requirements generators, contracting personnel, legal personnel, comptroller/fiscal personnel, and program/project managers. User interaction will depend on the type of user. For requirements generators the portal will ask the user a series of questions to identify what is to be acquired (product, service, quantity/amount, delivery schedule, unit of issue, etc.) or provided from within the Government organization itself, or provided by a supporting Government agency. Once the requirement is defined the portal provides a checklist of items/actions that must be needed for the type of requirement identified as well as templates for these items. Templates should be available in an easily downloadable format such as Microsoft Word. Checklists and templates will be based on acquisition policy and regulations required for the particular item or service. The portal then directs user to the appropriate source (web tool or off! ice) to fulfill this requirement. For contracting personnel, legal personnel, comptroller/fiscal personnel, and execution managers, the system/portal will send them a notification when a new requirement is developed. These users will have access to review draft documents and provide comments. The contracting personnel can then contact the requirements generator with specific questions or changes as needed. The comptroller/fiscal personnel will also be able to determine if appropriate funds are available based on the draft document. Once comments have been submitted, system/portal will send a notice to the requirements generator allowing them to view all comments. The system/portal will have ability to integrate user's information/request into the various procurement modules (GCSS Oracle, Seaport-e, DoD e-Mall, etc.) to determine where to direct a user. As mentioned above, the system/portal will ask user a series of questions to determine where to direct user. Direction will be determined based on procurement procedures and regulations that are in place and are integrated into the system/portal. The portal should be flexible enough for Marine Corps staff to add or change procedures and policies as needed. The portal needs the ability to interact with those procurement modules identified above and with any new procurement modules that are developed and utilized by the Marine Corps. Portal needs to interact with existing contracting and payment systems such as PR Builder, SPS, and Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF). For example, the requirements generator should be able to submit a statement of work through the portal that will transfer into PR Builder eliminating duplication of effort. The portal will interact with external users as needed/appropriate. Portal will need to have a high level of reliability and security as well as be Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) compliant. Users will need to request access from a central manager (within the Marine Corps) and will need a password to get into the portal. SUBMITTAL CONTENTS: The statement of interest shall include as a minimum the following components: (1) what systems, if any, you currently have that could solve this need, (2) your entity's capability and experience in developing this type system or portal. Elaborate proposals or pricing information is not required and should not be submitted. The Government will not award a contract based on this RFI nor will participants be reimbursed for any costs associated with preparing and/or submitting responses. SUBMITTAL PROCEDURES: Interested parties shall submit a statement of interest on company letterhead to: Mr. Lee Robinson, Regional Contracting Office Northeast, 3250 Catlin Avenue, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA 22134-5001 no later than 1400, June 6, 2005. Only one statement of interest shall be submitted by any one company or agency and should not exceed fifteen (15) pages in length (single space, 10 or 12 font). Questions should be addressed to: Lee.Robinson@ usmc.mil no later than 1200, May 12, 2005. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.