USDA-WEP - CIRCUIT RIDER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

February 19, 2019 THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE REPLY TO EMAIL: RD.ACQUISITIONS@USDA.GOV This SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE is for information gathering and market research purposes ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. This Sources Sought Synopsis is in support of market research being conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development to identify capable potential sources including small business (SB), 8(a), HubZone, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned (EDWOSB), Women-Owned small business (WOSB), Serviced Disabled Veteran Owned small business (SDVOSB). Do not send a proposal in response to this Sources Sought Notice. The USDA Rural Development (RD) is conducting Market Research to identify sources capable of supporting a RD requirement to operate a rural water circuit rider technical assistance program to provide assistance to eligible systems in all 50 States. Eligible systems are not required to have financing from RD to receive the technical assistance. The contractor will need to provide up to 135 qualified, experienced full-time rural water circuit riders and an experienced Program Manager. It is anticipated that the resumes will be required in any solicitation that is issued. The applicable NAICS code is 541611. Interested parties sought for non-personal services contract for Circuit Rider Technical Assistance program. Potential offerors having the skills and capabilities necessary to perform the described services, in the draft Performance Work Statement "PWS" below are invited to provide feedback via email to: Carlene.Jackson@wdc.usda.gov. All responses will be analyzed in order to determine the appropriate strategy for a potential future acquisition. Note: This acquisition is a follow-on requirement and the incumbent contractor is the National Rural Water Association, Duncan, OK. Project Description: The purpose of the Circuit Rider Program is to protect the nation's multi-billion dollar investment in rural and small municipal water systems by providing on-site technical assistance that assures cost-effective operations and adequate income for both operations and debt service within each state/jurisdiction. RD requires the Contractor to operate a rural water circuit rider technical assistance program to provide assistance to eligible systems in all 50 States. Eligible systems are not required to have financing from RD to receive the technical assistance. The contractor will need to provide up 135 persons employed as full-time rural water circuit riders. Circuit riders will meet the following minimum requirement: CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS: a. Qualified personnel are required with recent knowledge and experience in: - Multi year employment required (5-years experience preferred) in working for, operating, maintaining, or managing a rural/community water system. - A well-rounded technical knowledge of rural and small system needs and methods of meeting those needs. - Technical knowledge of operating, maintaining, and managing a rural/community water system. - An understanding of budget/financial conditions. - Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with operators, decision makers, regulatory agencies and other professionals. - Ability to identify, locate and explain water problems to field personnel and decision makers. - Knowledge and understanding of regulations, monitoring, and reporting requirements. - Willingness to travel extensively. - Also, please provide information related to GSA, GWAC vehicles through which these services might be solicited. - Interested parties must be experts to protect the nation's multi-billion dollar investment in rural and small municipal water systems by providing on-site technical assistance that assures cost-effective operations and adequate income for both operations and debt service within each state/jurisdiction. - Period of Performance: TBD - Offeror's should indicate type of business and Business Size (Large or Small Business; if Small Business, what socioeconomic group, if any - Certified 8a, Certified HUB Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), etc.). - Firm's capability to perform a contract of this magnitude (Nationwide) and complexity based on the scope of work (include the firm's capability to provide technical assistance services to support a Circuit Rider program in the last (3) years): provide a brief description of the project(s), customer name, timeliness of performance, customer satisfaction, and dollar value of the fees charged. Provide at least two examples (maximum page limit 2- pages.) RESULTS INFORMATION: Respondents will not be notified of the results of the analysis. Information received will help the government in making an acquisition strategy decision. All interested contractors or potential offerors having the skills and capabilities necessary to perform the described services above should provide the requested information in by email to Carlene R. Jackson, email address: RD.ACQUISITIONS@USDA.GOV on or before 1:00 pm EST on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Your response is limited to two single-sided pages total and, if via email, subject line must indicate: "RESPONSE: WEP-Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program." NAICS 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services