Training Evaluation System

SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON COURSEWARE EVALUATION FOR THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, OFFICE OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT This is a sources sought notice/request for information seeking qualified contractors interested in submitting competitive price and technical proposals for providing Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) software to evaluate training and customs survey requirements. Interested companies should provide responses to the attached documents, which details Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) functional requirements. The company should also indicate whether they would like to provide a demonstration of their COTS software to applicable CBP personnel. The information derived from this request and market research questionnaire will be used to help develop the acquisition strategy and to assist in acquisition planning for the procurement. This request for information and sources consist of the following information: Market Survey Questionnaire, three (3) pages; CBP Functional Requirements Matrix, fifteen (15) pages. CBP, like several federal agencies, has a continuing requirement to evaluate training it provides to its employees. CBP's training evaluation model is based on the work of Donald Kirkpatrick. The model, comprised of four levels is used in government and industry. The four levels of the Kirkpatrick's model are: Level 1, Reaction, Level 2, Learning, Level 3, Behavior and Level 4 Results. Described another way the model would look like the following: Level 1: Reaction - How well did the learners like the learning process? Level 2: Learning - What did they learn? (the extent to which the learners gain knowledge and skills) Level 3: Behavior - What changes in job performance resulted from the learning process? (capability to perform the newly learned skills on the job) Level 4: Results - What are the tangible results of the learning process in terms of reduced cost, improved quality, increased production, efficiency, etc.? CBP envisions acquiring a centralized training evaluation process based on the electronic collection of Kirkpatrick Level 1, Reaction data from training courses conducted for CBP employees throughout the world. Reaction data typically includes "learn-ability" data collected from trainees (e.g. instructional delivery, job relatedness, instructional design, materials accuracy and suitability; training facility adequacy) as well as other reactions to the training or its delivery. Kirkpatrick Level 2 measures the extent to which trainees changed attitudes, improved knowledge, and or increased skills as a result of the training. CBP uses tests to measure training achievement. Kirkpatrick Level 3, Training Transfer, focuses on the on-the-job changes as a result of the training event. Level 3 data is usually collected between 3 and 6 months after the training event and involves both student and manager's evaluation of changes in job related activities This sources sought/request for information notice is not a request for proposals or invitation for bids and no contract will be awarded as a result of the information provided. The information is being requested on a voluntary basis and as such, the government will not reimburse any respondents for any information that is submitted. To minimize administrative costs, it is recommended that interested parties provide information they currently have, tailored to the specific requirements described in the market research questionnaire. To ensure the procurement integrity of any possible procurement resulting from this sought notice, the names and contact information of personnel in the CBP Program and Procurement offices are limited. This notice contemplates that there may be requests for appointments to make COTS software presentations, which will be considered, and approved as appropriate. CBP is seeking responsible sources with COTS software, current, relevant qualifications, and the capability, demonstrated experience, and personnel to implement a training and survey evaluation system at a fixed price. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 511210, Software Publishers. The applicable size standard is $35.5 million. Interested sources are invited to respond to this sources sought/request for information notice by completing the attached market research questionnaire, provided under separate file to this notice and completing the attached CBP Functional Requirements. Information received will be used to help develop the acquisition strategy for competing the requirement. All data marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from unauthorized disclosure. Please respond to this sources sought/request for information notice by emailing or otherwise submitting the completed market research questionnaire and CBP Functional Requirement Matrix on or before March 24, 2014 to the attention of Mr. Billy Cooper, email: billy.cooper@dhs.gov U.S. Customs and Border Protection Procurement Directorate 6650 Telecom Drive, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46278