Research and Evaluation Services

Request for Information/Sources Sought The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting market research to identify potential offerors capable of providing research and evaluation services. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources in the market to provide DOL's Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) with Research and Evaluation Services. DOL's contemplated requirements can be related to existing programs, the exploration of new initiatives, and policy analysis or evaluation related to both. BACKGROUND CEO has a requirement for high priority special research and/or evaluation activities that arise related to the programs and activities of the Department of Labor (DOL). The purpose of the research and evaluation support is to provide for the collection, analysis, and development of research and evaluation reports and papers determined to be of interest by CEO. The offeror(s) shall be responsible for carrying out research and evaluation activities and delivering research and evaluation products. Activities undertaken as part of this effort will include, but are not limited to: 1) developing design reports, which describe the proposed approach and methodology, including rigorous experimental and non-experimental evaluation designs; 2) conducting data collection activities, including surveys and administrative data; 3) developing and maintaining information systems; 4) analyzing data; 5)developing reports; 6) convening meetings; and 7) providing briefings to executive-level federal and other staff. Offeror(s) must be able to develop and implement an appropriate, rigorous, and feasible design report based on the type of initiative or program that will be evaluated or research to be conducted and prepare reports based on the analysis. Information is requested of qualified offerors of all types of firms and organizations. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this request is 541990. The small business size is $7 million. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice should demonstrate the firm's ability, capability, and responsibility to perform the principal components of work listed below. Responses should include the following information: Business name, address, business size and Socioeconomic Category (HUBZone, 8(a) small business, Service Disabled Veteran-owned small business, Small Business, Large Business, or women-owned small business), and Respondent's point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND. Offerors that currently hold GSA Schedule contracts are encouraged to include the GSA contract number in their submission package. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities to meet this contemplated requirement by 30 December 2011 at 3:00 PM, Washington, DC local time. Respondents may include labor categories that typically will be utilized to perform this service, for planning purposes. The intent of this notice is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a formal Request for Proposal (RFP), nor is the government obligated to issue an RFP. In addition, the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. The information submitted by Respondents will not be returned. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this RFI. All responses shall be in the English Language. All questions/responses via email should be directed to Wonderful Williams at williams.wonderful@dol.gov. OBJECTIVE CEO research and evaluation studies cover a wide range of topics related to the programs and activities of the agencies across DOL, including the Employee and Benefit Security Administration (EBSA), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP), Office of the Solicitor (SOL), Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS), Wage and Hour Division (WHD), and the Women's Bureau. The Offeror shall conduct research and evaluations of DOL programs, initiatives, and other topics. TASKS Evaluation Design. The offeror may be required to prepare an evaluation design describing the study plan for projects and specific initiatives identified by CEO. The offeror shall identify appropriate, rigorous, and feasible research and evaluation methods (including implementation analysis, outcomes, random assignment impacts, quasi-experimental impacts, cost-benefit analysis, applied research, statistical analysis) for specific DOL initiatives. The process for identifying the research questions and evaluation design may require discussions with CEO, DOL agencies, and other agencies or organizations. The final evaluation design shall be approved by DOL officials. Data Collection. The offeror may be required to develop data collection procedures and collect data from all necessary data sources outlined in the evaluation design for each initiative. Potential tasks include: Designing and coding a management information system, as needed, that is tailored for the research or evaluation to track participants in order to obtain individual-level data. Obtaining other individual-level data from other local or state Management Information Systems, as needed for the research or evaluation. Obtaining administrative data from DOL agencies, other federal agencies, and states. The offeror shall be responsible for working directly with agencies and states to enter into agreements to obtain the data if necessary. Obtaining other relevant datasets from various sources, such as local, state, or non-DOL agencies. Conducting site visits, which shall include discussions, interviews, or surveys with key partners and others engaged in the development, implementation, and operation of a program or initiative. Conduct interviews with agency staff and subject matter experts as necessary. Convening focus groups and/or listening sessions which shall include recruitment responsibilities, logistics, and obtaining relevant approvals as necessary for convening the focus group discussions. Administering surveys (including computer-assisted telephone interviews, as well as other appropriate modes). The offeror shall be responsible for the design, pre-test, clearance, and administration of the survey. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) generally requires a minimum of 80 percent response rate and may be administered to more than 5,000 respondents. Securing Approvals. The offeror shall be required to obtain all appropriate approvals to support the research or evaluation of each evaluation or research project. Tasks include: Developing documents and providing other support to assist in the clearance process to obtain Department of Labor clearance and OMB approval for conducting surveys or other data collection activities under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Working closely and entering into agreements, as necessary, with agencies, states and/or local areas, to obtain administrative data and individual-level participant data and manage implementation and evaluation activities related to the initiative. Obtaining appropriate reviews and approvals for the handling and securing of data, as well as for the development of public-use and restricted-use datasets. Analysis. The offeror shall analyze data, including, but not limited to, existing administrative data and data collected through specific CEO evaluations, for written reports, papers, or briefings. The offeror shall conduct appropriate qualitative and quantitative analysis, as identified in the evaluation design, to develop deliverables. The analysis may include: Implementation analysis, such as the identification, assessment, and monitoring of the processes involved in the planning and operational stages of the research study; description of the partnerships and linkages formed between the participating sites and key public and private partners; and examination of the significant challenges, promising practices, and other topics. Outcomes analysis Random assignment impact analysis Quasi-experimental impact analysis, including regression discontinuity designs and propensity score matching models. Cost-benefit analysis describing the benefits and impacts of a project from the perspective of various stakeholders. Applied research and statistical analysis.