Staff Development Support for U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Job Corps

Synopsis The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting market research for an upcoming procurement requirement. 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 to provide DOL, Office of Job Corps (OJC) with services to support Job Corps National Office in establishing a national system for staff training and development to support its standards-based education and training programs on a cost reimbursement plus fixed fee basis. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this request is 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. The small business size is $7 million. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND. Include whether or not you are a small business; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small business; women-owned small business; or small disadvantaged business in order to assist the government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Background Job Corps is a national residential and non-residential training program for at-promise youth between the ages of 16 and 24, serving approximately 70,000 youth annually. The program is administered by the Department of Labor, Office of Job Corps. The Job Corps National Office is establishing a national system for staff training and development to support its standards-based education and training programs. The system will include establishment of a virtual National Learning Institute, development of standard staff qualification and training requirements, curriculum development in support of standards-based training and provision of expert technical assistance. The system will support training and development for all field staff (numbering approximately 17,000) with initial focus on three categories of staff who will lead and support the implementation of Job Corps standards-based education and training system: 1) academic teachers, career technical training instructors and training managers, 2) outreach/admissions, career transition services and center counselors; and 3) other support staff including residential advisors and recreational staff. Staff training and development efforts initiated under this contract will enable managers and instructors to deliver the Job Corps standards-based education and training program and will enable counselors and other Job Corps training support staff to promote and support the standards-based education and training system. General Requirements DOL seeks to understand the number of qualified business vendors that are experienced in developing a virtual National Training Institute; developing and delivering Job Corps specific curriculum; developing minimum staff qualifications and training requirements; designing and implementing a program of study in standards-based instruction; developing organizational supports for staff; providing technical assistance to the field through the service of standards-based training experts; organizing and managing a Staff Development Advisory Group; recommending policy changes in support of staff development; and providing technical support for the National Office related to field staff training needs. Qualified business vendors will be expected to coordinate activities under this contract with other support contractors involved in standards-based student training and demonstrations, field tests and developmental projects. All activities shall be performed in accordance with applicable DOL/Job Corps regulations and policies. Instructions and Response Guidelines Please list all federal agencies that are currently using services provided by you as described above. Responses to this (RFI) shall not exceed 15 pages, must be viewable with Microsoft Word 2003, and printable on "8.5 x 11" paper. Responses must use 12 point font, the margins of each page should be at least - inch, and each page should contain a page number. This (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a Request for Proposal or award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted, for the vendor-sponsored demonstration or the Government's use of such information. Sources responding to this Sources Sought should submit the minimum information necessary for the government to make a determination that the source is capable of satisfying the requirements. Acknowledgment of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the Government's evaluation of the information received. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Request For Information or the Government's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. Responses should be identified with DOL110RI20870, and are due no later than 3:00 P.M. (EST) on January 19, 2010. All interested parties must submit their responses via email wells.tyrone@dol.gov and delacerna.marissa2@dol.gov. Questions regarding this RFI will NOT be entertained at this time. Telephone calls regarding this RFI will not be accepted. The government reserves the right to compete any acquisition resulting from this survey among small businesses or to make an award to an 8(a) firm, based on the responses received. This sources sought notice is for planning purposes only and does not commit the government to pay for the information requested, issue a solicitation, or award a contract. No solicitation document exists at this time