SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Venture Capital Scoping Study
- Notice Date
- 5/7/2009
- Notice Type
- Synopsis
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC 20590
- ZIP Code
- 20590
- Solicitation Number
- FTA-09-0385
- Response Due
- 5/18/2009
- Point of Contact
- Sonja L. Rousey, Contract Specialist, Phone 2023662508, Fax 202-366-3808, - Carlene R Jackson, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-366-0432, Fax 202-366-3808
- E-Mail Address
-
Sonja.Rousey@dot.gov, carlene.jackson@dot.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This sources sought is for information and planning purposes only; it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. A contract may not be awarded as a result of this sources sought. The Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), on behalf of Federal Transit Administration, Office of Research and Innovation, intends to procure a scoping study that will assess the feasibility of creating and operating a public transportation sector venture capital entity, the development of a venture capital investment information network and the subsequent establishment of a venture fund to support the advancement of innovation within the sector. The capability package for this sources sought market survey is not expected to be a proposal, but rather statements regarding the company’s existing experience in relation to the areas specified in the Statement of Work (SOW). Background In 2000, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) initiated activities to evaluate the merits of creating an innovation information network and a subsequent investment funding mechanism to encourage and support the implementation of innovative technologies, products, and services within the public transit marketplace. As part of this previous effort, an FTA contractor analyzed the potential interest of the venture capital community in becoming a partner with FTA to provide funding for promising public transportation innovation. Due to various circumstances, these activities where never fully developed. Recently, however, there has been renewed interest in utilizing innovative solutions to meet current funding and technological challenges in the transit industry, provoking a need to revisit the feasibility of establishing a public-private venture capital fund. This renewed interest is, in part, as a result of the experiences of other venture capital instruments that exist within the federal context coupled with the general acknowledgement of the role public transportation plays in livability and regional economic development. Objective The goal of this assignment is to develop a final report which will adequately evaluate and describe the interest and requirements of establishing a public-private venture capital fund to promote the development and commercialization of innovative solutions to meet challenges the public transportation industry is currently facing. This project will describe current levels of interests, evaluate and document past and current similar experiences, and recommend best practices for moving forward with the establishment of an investment communication network linking entrepreneurs, venture capital and the transit industry, and ultimately, a venture capital fund. Results of this study will assist FTA in developing legislative language for Congress for the establishment of a public-private venture capital fund to support innovation within the transit industry for the ensuing authorization of the next transportation bill. A total of five (5) tasks have been identified as important to effectively completing the work approved by FTA: Assess and identify the benefits and requirements for instituting a venture capital fund for the public transportation industry. Analysis will include the value, need for, and advantages of such an undertaking to insure its alignment to the needs of the transit industry and the mission of FTA. Analyze and describe the legal and foundational issues and obstacles to creating a public-private venture capital fund for public transportation. Make recommendations for the best possible organizational structure for a public, transportation-related venture fund considering critical issues such as risk, capitalization, management expertise, commercial centricity, legal formation, and intellectual property. 1. Identify the impediments venture capital investments currently experience when evaluating public transportation for investment and the extent to which such investment may or may not be already occurring. Evaluate and document the critical success factors needed to facilitate investment in commercial projects as related to the transit industry and public transportation technologies and services. 2. Analyze and document the recent and current experiences and lessons learned in other private and federally-funded venture capital funds related to innovation but not limited to the transportation sector. Evaluate the development, management, and best practices of venture funds that have been implemented through federal and state mechanisms. The following experiences, at a minimum and as appropriate, should be evaluated against the recommended “best approach,” provided through this study: • Technological venture capital firms, including corporate venture capital firms, • Defense Advance Research Project Agency (DARPA), • Advance Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTD), • Federally Funded R&D Centers (FDFRDC), • In-Q-Tel, • International venture capital funds • Other pertinent federal and state venture capital examples. 3. Identify, define, and document key program requirements involved in developing a federal/private sector venture capital innovation fund. 4. Prepare an outline of the steps needed to design, develop and implement a public transportation innovation venture capital fund which would include the creation of a communication network that would connect the public transportation industry, venture capital community, and entrepreneurial interests and provide information to all parties to guide investment. 5. Deliver both a draft and final report on the analysis listed above with suggestions on implementation goals, future activities and potential best practices for moving forward. Present this report and findings at a presentation to FTA Staff. Note: The following skillset are required as a result of the sources sought: Financial Consulting, Analytical Skills, Management experience within a venture capital environment, commercialization of new technology, and preparing financial/analysis reports. Once again, this notice is being issued for market research purposes only. The Govt. will not be obligated in any way to the information received. It is soley within the discretion of the Govt. to request official quotes based on the responses received. Please submit your capability statement via email to Sonja.Rousey@dot.gov by 3:30pm EST. Monday, May 18, 2009. NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (07-MAY-2009); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT 877-472-3779 or fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link To Document
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOT/FTA/FTAHQ/FTA-09-0385/listing.html)
- Record
- SN01811510-F 20090509/090508101057 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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