SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS FOR NSF/EPSCOR
- Notice Date
- 8/15/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- National Science Foundation, Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support, DACS, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room475, Arlington, Virginia, 22230
- ZIP Code
- 22230
- Solicitation Number
- DACS13Q2132
- Archive Date
- 9/6/2013
- Point of Contact
- Jannele Gosey, Phone: (703) 292-4445
- E-Mail Address
-
jgosey@nsf.gov
(jgosey@nsf.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business
- Description
- This is a Request for Quotations. Solicitation Number NSFDACS13Q2132 THIS REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR SMALL, WOMEN-OWNED, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES ONLY. The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a quotation for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Office's Program Strategic Planning Process. Sources are sought for the purpose of issuing a task order to a single vendor for the services described therein. This notice incorporates FAR Clause 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (APR 2012). The full text of that clause may be viewed at www.acquisition.gov/far. The resultant order will also incorporate applicable FAR clauses at time of award. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541611. The size standard is $14 million. A Statement of Work describing our requirement is below. TYPE OF ORDER The Government contemplates award of a time and materials order contract as a result of this request for quotation. SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONS All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted by 3:00PM (ET) on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. Submit all questions or comments by email to Jannele Gosey, Contract Specialist, at jgosey@nsf.gov. Responses to the questions, relative to this procurement, will be distributed to all vendors under this competition. SUBMISSION OF QUOTATIONS The term "quotation" shall mean collectively (1) a summary cover letter signed by the offeror, (2) a written technical volume which includes past performance, and (3) a separate price volume. Quotations are limited to 10 pages (single space using 12pt font) not including the cover letter, resumes, table of contents, and price volume. Quotations must be submitted by 5:00PM (ET) on Thursday, August 22, 2013. Submit quotations electronically to jgosey@nsf.gov. It is the offeror's responsibility to ensure that the Contract Specialist received their quotations by the date and time specified. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS The quote shall clearly and fully demonstrate the offeror's capability, knowledge, and experience in regard to the technical requirements described herein. Stating that you understand and will comply or paraphrasing our requirements is not adequate. 1. Technical Instructions a. Understanding of the Work to be Performed / Technical Approach The quoter shall describe their technical approach to performance of all requirements of the statement of work. The quoter must also identify the major tasks and provide a timeline for deliverables with associated timeframes. b. Qualifications of Personnel Proposed The quoter shall identify personnel proposed to staff this contract and provide resumes for the proposed personnel. The quoter shall clearly identify those positions that it considers key and the individuals proposed for those positions. All resumes are limited to 2 pages. It is anticipated that the following labor categories will be required for the contract resulting from this RFP: Facilitator/Content Expert: Facilitating interactions, meetings, and sessions with NSF staff; developing context for strategic planning sessions; evaluation and assessment experience; analyzing data, writing and editing reports. Project Manager: Serving as contractor point of contact, coordinating interactions, meetings, and sessions with NSF staff; overseeing project deliverables and deadlines. Total Number of Hours: 400 2. Past Performance Instructions Furnish the following information for three (3) contracts or subcontracts awarded in the past three (3) years that are similar in size and scope to the tasks described in the Statement of Work. a. Customer's name, address, and current telephone number of both the lead contractual and technical personnel b. Brief description of contract work and comparability to the proposed effort. It is not sufficient to state that it is comparable in magnitude and scope. Rationale must be provided to demonstrate that it is comparable. c. Discuss major problems and highlight successes. d. Discuss compliance to cost/price estimate and other terms of the award. e. Identify the average number of personnel on the contract per year or percentage of turnover per year. 3. Price Proposal Instructions The price proposed by the quoter will be evaluated for reasonableness. EVALUATION CRITERIA In order of descending importance, the three factors are: Technical, Past Performance, and Price. When combined, the Technical and Past Performance Factors are significantly more important than the Price Factor. 1. Technical Factor The technical subfactors, in descending order of importance, are as follows: i. Understanding of the Work to be Performed/Technical Approach, which includes understanding of the specific tasks, including scope, as detailed in quoter's technical approach to the performance of the requirements outline in the Statement of Work. Project timeline which included identification of major tasks and associated timeframes is reasonable. ii. Qualifications of Personnel Proposed, including the demonstrated competency and quality of the professional staff proposed and their experience in rendering services and achieving program objectives similar to those described in the statement of work. NSF will evaluate proposed staff for high-level capabilities related to the tasks described in the Statement of Work. 2. Past Performance Factor Past Performance will be evaluated for relevance to NSF's requirement, the quality of the performance, how recent the experience was, and the amount of responsibility the quoter had in performance. 3. Price Factor The total will be evaluated for reasonableness. SELECTION CRITERIA NSF will make an award decision based on the contractor's ability to meet the government's requirement, price, past performance and what is the best value to NSF. Please email your quote to me no later than August 22, 2013, at 5:00 p.m., EST at jgosey@nsf.gov. Contract Clauses NSF 210 - CERTIFICATION REGARDING UNPAID FEDERAL TAX LIABILITY (MAR 2013) Prescription for inclusion: Include in all solicitations exceeding the Micro-purchase threshold issued on or after March 26, 2013. (Ref: FY 2013 Continuing Resolution) a. By submission of a proposal or quotation, the Offeror/Quoter, (if a Corporation), hereby certifies (based on the submission of their quote or proposal), that the Corporation does not; 1) Have any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, or b. If the Offeror/Quoter cannot certify to the above, but can provide with their proposal or quotation information/documentation to show that an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the Corporation and has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government, then the Offeror/Quoter (if a Corporation) may be further considered for award. The contractor's inability or unwillingness to certify to 1) above or provide the information described in b. above shall render the contractor's quote or proposal ineligible for award. (End of Provision) NSF 215 - CERTIFICATION REGARDING FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION UNDER FEDERAL LAW (MAR 2013) Prescription for inclusion: Include in all solicitations exceeding the Micro-purchase threshold issued on or after March 26, 2013. (Ref: FY 2013 Continuing Resolution) a. By submission of a proposal or quotation, the Offeror/Quoter, (if a Corporation), hereby certifies (based on the submission of their quote or proposal), that the Corporation was not; 1) Convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, or b. If the Offeror/Quoter cannot certify to the above, but can provide with their proposal or quotation information/documentation to show that an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the Corporation and has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government, then the Offeror/Quoter (if a Corporation) may be further considered for award. The contractor's inability or unwillingness to certify to 1) above or provide the information described in b. above shall render the contractor's quote or proposal ineligible for award. (End of Provision) Statement of Work Professional, Technical and Administrative Support Services I. Project Title: NSF EPSCoR Program Strategic Planning Process II. Period of Performance: Work will be completed within 12 months of date of award. III. Background of NSF EPSCoR The mission of EPSCoR is to assist the National Science Foundation (NSF) in its statutory function "to strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education." EPSCoR goals are to: provide strategic programs and opportunities for EPSCoR participants that stimulate sustainable improvements in their R&D capacity and competitiveness; and advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for discovery, innovation, and overall knowledge-based prosperity. The objectives of EPSCoR are to: catalyze key research themes and related activities within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions that empower knowledge generation, dissemination and application; activate effective jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research, promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; broaden participation in science and engineering by institutions, organizations, and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions; use EPSCoR for development, implementation and evaluation of future programmatic experiments that motivate positive change and progression. IV. Scope of Work, and Acceptance Criteria This project entails an in-depth creation and implementation of a comprehensive strategic planning exercise that will achieve the following four objectives: 1. To create a new Strategic Plan for NSF EPSCoR that aligns with and supports the NSF Strategic Plan 2. To include all NSF EPSCoR program staff in the creation of the new NSF EPSCoR Strategic Plan 3. To evaluate and assess the appropriateness of current NSF EPSCoR funding mechanisms (investment strategies) through all stages of EPSCoR participation (newly eligible through ‘graduates') and consider if revisions and/or new investments strategies are necessary per the new Strategic Plan 4. To revise evaluation and assessment processes and required metrics/outcomes, with a view toward standardization of external evaluation across jurisdictions in alignment with the new Strategic Plan to maximize NSF EPSCoR program and awardee outcomes A contractor will fulfill these objectives by planning and facilitating appropriate communications strategies (e.g., planning sessions, presentations, meetings, small group discussions, and surveys and interviews) that will enable the contractor to draft and complete a final strategic plan for the NSF EPSCoR program under the direction of the NSF EPSCoR Head. The contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, personnel, material, and equipment not otherwise provided by the Government as described below, in order to complete the listed tasks. This is envisioned to occur in two types of major activities, designated Strategic Planning Session-Phase 1 and Strategic Planning Session-Phase 2 as described below. Task 1: Overall planning meeting. Within ten business days after award, the contractor will meet with NSF EPSCoR Head to review and discuss the project objectives, survey instruments, participants and individuals, and tasks. Following the meeting, the contractor will provide action items to the NSF EPSCoR Head within five business days of the meeting and the NSF EPSCoR Head will provide approval of the action item list. (NOTE: lists and contact information for participants will be provided to contractor by NSF EPSCoR Head.) Task 2: Correspondence with participants. The contractor will contact NSF EPSCoR program staff and other participants in the Strategic Planning Process (as identified by the NSF EPSCoR Head) to discuss their roles in the process. Correspondence will be sent within 11 business days of the award. The NSF EPSCoR Head will approve the correspondence prior to sending. Task 3: Review of program documents. The contractor will review current NSF EPSCoR program solicitations, documents provided to merit review and reverse site visit panelists, external reports of the NSF EPSCoR program, NSF EPSCoR programmatic documentation (i.e., website), etc. to provide the framework for the strategic planning process. These documents will be provided to contractors by the NSF EPSCoR. Task 4: Design of interview protocols and survey instruments. The contractor will develop interview protocols and survey instruments designed both to elicit early discussions and thinking among participants about current and future programmatic direction, as well as to inform the contractors of current participant understanding of NSF EPSCoR goals and objectives. Materials will be completed within 15 business days after award. NSF EPSCoR Head will approve these materials prior to deployment. Task 5: Data collection via interviews and surveys. The contractor will survey and/or interview key stakeholders as determined through discussions with the NSF EPSCoR Head. The goal of this task is to collect information that allows for a streamlined and efficient set of Strategic Planning Sessions. Task 6: Preparation and revision of the Strategic Planning Session Stage 1. The contractor will prepare an agenda for the first of two one-day Strategic Planning Sessions; this first session will be referred to as Strategic Planning Session Stage 1. The agenda will include topical areas to be discussed, timeframes for each discussion, and a list of relevant discussion questions. The agenda will be reviewed, discussed, and approved by the NSF EPSCoR Head prior to finalization. Agenda will be finalized within 25 business days after award. Task 7: Sending of Session materials to participants and providing the opportunity for questions in advance of Strategic Planning Session Stage 1. Contractor will provide electronic copies of all Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 documents to each participant at least seven business days in advance of the Session. Participants will be encouraged to correspond with contractors to discuss materials and answer questions related to their participation. Task 8: Implementation and facilitation of Strategic Planning Session Stage 1. The one-day Strategic Planning Session Stage 1, to be conducted local to the NSF EPSCoR office, will be facilitated by the contractor with participants including all available NSF EPSCoR program staff and others at the discretion of the NSF EPSCoR Head. The Session will be designed and implemented as a working session, that will result in a descriptive list of capacities that the NSF EPSCoR program should aspire to develop and/or continue to develop that align with the NSF EPSCoR mission and objectives. Targeted outcomes for these capacities will be developed and the outcomes reconciled with what the NSF EPSCoR currently requires awardees to provide. The Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 will occur between 30 and 90 days after award. Deliverables from this task will include a set of written minutes, to be provided to the NSF EPSCoR Head within 10 business days of the event. (Note: the logistics and related expenses of the Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 (Session location, computer, projection, white boards, white paper and easels, IT support, snacks, meals) will be responsibility of the NSF EPSCoR). Task 9: Post-Session Stage 1 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head. The contractor will meet with the NSF EPSCoR Head and others as appropriate either in person the day following the Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 or via conference call within 3 business days of the event. The contractor will provide action items from this meeting to the NSF EPSCoR Head within 3 business days of the meeting; the NSF EPSCoR Head will provide approval of the action item list. Task 10: Preliminary working draft and revision of a partial Strategic Plan. The contractor will complete a draft of a partial Strategic Plan, based on the work done during the Strategic Planning Session Stage 1, subsequent discussion with the NSF EPSCoR Head, and previous data collection and research. The initial draft will be provided to the Head within 20 business days of the Post-Session Stage 1 discussion with the Head. The NSF EPSCoR Head will review this draft and will indicate revisions needed prior to sending the draft to Strategic Planning Stage 2 participants. The contractor will make revisions to the document, as requested by the Head, within 5 business days of receiving needed information. Task 11: Preparation and revision of the Strategic Planning Session Stage 2. The contractor will prepare an agenda for the second one-day Strategic Planning Session (Strategic Planning Session Stage 2). The agenda, which will be framed within the context of the outcomes of Session Stage 1, will include topical areas to be discussed, timeframes for each discussion, and a list of relevant discussion questions. The agenda will be reviewed, discussed, and approved by the NSF EPSCoR Head prior to finalization. Agenda will be finalized 15 business days prior to the Strategic Planning Session Stage 2. Task 12: Sending of Session materials to participants and providing the opportunity for questions in advance of Strategic Planning Session Stage 2. Contractor will provide electronic copies of all Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 documents, including the revised preliminary working draft of a partial Strategic Plan, to each participant at least seven business days in advance of the Session. Participants will be encouraged to correspond with contractors to discuss materials and answer questions related to their participation. Task 13: Implementation and facilitation of Strategic Planning Session Stage 2. The one-day Strategic Planning Session Stage 2, to be conducted local to the NSF EPSCoR offices, will be facilitated by the contractor with participants including all available NSF EPSCoR program staff and others at the discretion of the NSF EPSCoR Head. The Session will be designed and implemented as a working session, that will result in a review of the alignment of: 1) the current NSF EPSCoR program solicitations with the preliminary Strategic Plan; 2) EPSCoR's current "graduation strategy" offered to jurisdictions who have exceeded the NSF funding threshold with the preliminary Strategic Plan; and 3) the data currently collected from grantees and the external evaluation requirements. Discussions will culminate in a review of current evaluation and assessment approaches used by awardees, the appropriateness of those approaches in light of the new strategic plan, and address refinements needed, with an eye towards the standardization of external evaluation processes for awardee projects. This event will occur between 75 and 150 days after the award. Deliverables from this task will include a set of written minutes, to be provided to the NSF EPSCoR Head within 10 business days of the event. (Note: the logistics and related expenses of the Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 (Session location, computer, projection, white boards, white paper and easels, IT support, snacks, meals) will be responsibility of the NSF EPSCoR program). Task 14: Post-Session Stage 2 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head. The contractor will meet with the NSF EPSCoR Head and others as appropriate either in person the day following the Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 or via conference call within 3 business days of the event. The contractor will provide action items from this meeting to the NSF EPSCoR Head within 3 business days of the meeting; the NSF EPSCoR Head will provide approval of the action item list. Task 15: Working draft and revisions of the Strategic Plan. The contractor will provide the Head with a draft of a complete Strategic Plan, based on the work done during the Strategic Planning Sessions Stage 1 and 2, subsequent discussions with the Head, and previous data collection and research. This draft will be provided to the Head within 20 business days of the Post-Session Stage 2 discussion with the Head. The NSF EPSCoR Head will review this draft and will indicate needed first-round revisions. The contractor will make a first-round of revisions to the document, as requested by the Head, within 5 business days of receiving needed information. If necessary, the Head may request additional revisions, which the contractor shall provide within 5 business days of the request. At this point, the penultimate Strategic Plan draft will approved by the Head for sending to the Strategic Plan Session participants for their final feedback and comments. Task 16: Sending penultimate Strategic Plan to participants for final feedback and comments: Contractor will provide electronic copies of the penultimate Strategic Plan to Session participants and will request feedback and comments via email, to be provided within 15 business days of receipt. Contractor will, within 5 business days after the participant deadline, compile feedback into a single document, which will be provided to the Head. Task 17: Discussion of feedback with Head and completion of final Strategic Plan: Contractor will discuss feedback document with the Head, who will provide final direction to the contractor. Contractor will complete Strategic Plan within 10 business days of this discussion and provide it to the Head. An additional final request for revision may be made by the Head at this point, which will be completed within 5 business days of the request. The final deliverable will be a final Strategic Plan, upon which the Head will confer final sign-off. The contractor shall transfer all work products, including web surveys and management systems, e-files used to produce the paper version of the surveys, release and transfer of domain name for all surveys, materials necessary to perform data collection, bounce back message for the survey email addresses, and any other items associated with and necessary to administer, analyze, and finalize the surveys. All data collected is the sole property of NSF and shall not be disclosed or distributed to any non-NSF EPSCoR sources without prior written approval from NSF EPSCoR. All reports shall be submitted as hardcopies and e-files, which are MS Office compatible. The contractor shall transfer to NSF EPSCoR all work products, including web surveys and management systems, e-files used to produce the paper version of surveys, release and domain name for surveys, materials necessary to perform data collection, and any other items associated with and necessary to administer, analyze, and finalize the surveys. All data collected is the sole property of NSF EPSCoR and shall not be disclosed or distributed to any non-NSF EPSCoR sources without prior written approval from NSF EPSCoR. The importance of the need for confidentiality cannot be overstated, particularly given the broad array of individuals and entities having vested interest in EPSCoR and EPSCoR-like programs. V. Timeline and Period of Performance - It is anticipated that project performance period will be 12 months from date of approved contract. VI. Place of Performance - This work will be performed at NSF Headquarters or facility identified by NSF EPSCoR. VII. Special Requirements - Contractor will be required to travel to the NSF EPSCoR offices and/or the Strategic Planning Sessions location(s). VIII. Contractor Staff, Roles and Responsibilities - Facilitator/Content Expert: Facilitating interactions, meetings, and sessions with NSF staff; developing context for strategic planning sessions, analyzing data, writing and editing reports. Project Manager: Serving as contractor point of contact, coordinating interactions, meetings, and sessions with NSF staff; overseeing project deliverables and deadlines. IX. Agency Staff, Roles and Responsibilities - NSF EPSCoR staff will be engaged in this activity (Head, Program Officers, Program Analyst, Program Specialist, and Administrative Manager). All individuals play key roles in the management of the EPSCoR program. X. Reporting Requirements - Reporting requirements are included in description of tasks above. XI. Government Furnished Property (GFP) - NSF EPSCoR will provide contractor with EPSCoR reports, and solicitations. XII. Schedule and Milestones - Include any special schedule that the contractor will be expected to meet during contract performance. Provide the dates. XIII. Deliverables - Please see the example below: Deliverables - Due Date Completion of overall planning meeting - 10 business days after award Action items from overall planning meeting - 5 business days after overall planning meeting Correspondence with participants to provide overview of their participation - 11 business days after award Interview protocols/survey instruments completed - 15 business days after award Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 agenda - 25 business days after award Implementation of Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 - Between 30 and 90 days after award Stage 1 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head - 3 business days after Stage 1 event Action items from Stage 1 discussion - 3 business days after Stage 1 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head Minutes from Strategic Planning Session Stage 1 - 10 business days after Stage 1 event Initial draft of partial Strategic Plan - 20 business days after Stage 1 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head Revisions to draft of partial Strategic Plan - 5 business days after revisions are requested by NSF EPSCoR Head Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 agenda - 15 business days prior to the Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 Implementation of Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 - Between 75 and 150 days after award Stage 2 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head - 3 business days after Stage 2 event Action items from Stage 2 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head - 3 business days after Stage 2 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head Minutes from Strategic Planning Session Stage 2 - 10 business days after Stage 2 event Draft of complete Strategic Plan - 20 business days after Stage 2 discussion with NSF EPSCoR Head Draft of complete Strategic Plan with first-round revisions - 5 business days after revisions are requested by NSF EPSCoR Head Draft of complete Strategic Plan with additional revisions as needed (penultimate Strategic Plan) - 5 business days (for each round of revisions) after revisions are requested by NSF EPSCoR Head Document of feedback requested from Session Participants - 5 business days after participants' deadline for returning feedback Discussion of feedback with NSF EPSCoR Head - 10 business days after providing Feedback Document to the NSF EPSCoR Head Completion of strategic plan - 10 business days after discussing participant feedback with NSF EPSCoR Head Revisions of Strategic Plan - 5 business days (for each round of revisions) after revisions are requested by NSF EPSCoR Head, with final Strategic Plan due no later than 12 months after award
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- Place of Performance
- Address: 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia, 22230, United States
- Zip Code: 22230
- Zip Code: 22230
- Record
- SN03150092-W 20130817/130815235338-d7eff8078fc851df9756269c342cd27c (fbodaily.com)
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