The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for Statistical Applications in Fair Housing Investigations. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s) assigned to this procurement is 541690 – Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services and 541990 – All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Product. The applicable Product Services Code(s) (PSC) assigned are B506 – Special Studies/Analysis – Data (Other Than Scientific) and B507 – Special Studies/Analysis – Economic.

There is no solicitation at this time. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information: 1) organization name, address, email address, website address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to 1) provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform similar requirements; 3) implement a successful project management plan that includes: compliance with program schedules; cost containment; meeting and tracking performance; hiring and retention of personnel and risk mitigation; and 4) provide services under a performance based service acquisition contract.

Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research request, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition, and multiple awards may be made. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Additional information on the required services is listed below and in the attached DRAFT PWS.

Please be advised that the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS) is a DRAFT of the anticipated required services to be provided and performed. It is not the FINAL verison and is subject to changes at the Governments discretion.

Background:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigates possible discrimination under the Fair Housing Act and other authorities. The Office of Systemic Investigations ("the Office) investigates complaints alleging discrimination that is pervasive, institutional in nature, or affects a substantial number of people. In addition, the Office identifies targets for Secretary-initiated investigations, based on analysis of public information. The Offices investigations often involve mortgage lending issues such as denial and pricing disparities; discrimination in the availability, funding, or siting of assisted housing; policies screening prospective tenants in the private market; and other issues. They bring together experts in economics, statistical analysis, law, and investigations. The Office also works on systemic fair lending and fair housing issues based on other regulatory authorities, including for example, reviewing regulations issued by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); and conducting investigations under Title VI of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

The contractor shall have expert knowledge of economic and statistical methodologies for Fair Housing investigation.

General Description of Work:

The Contractor shall provide statistical and economic analysis to support HUD’s Office of Systemic Investigations to further HUDs mission of building inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination. Task shown below are detailed in Section 5 of the attached draft PWS:

• Project Management
• Data Analysis Support
• Statistical and Economic Research Reports

Contractor Personnel:

• Project Manager
  • Demonstrated success to facilitating meetings in a "lead" capacity for groups of various sizes and scientific expertise;
  • organized and deadline driven;
  • skill in written communication

• Data Analyst
  • Working knowledge of best practices in data cleaning ( including error detection, data validation, and error correction) and ability to apply these principles for the evaluation of large datasets.
  • Skilled in summarizing data results using SAS and R.

• Housing Finance Economist
  • Possesses a master’s degree in economics have and 10 years of experience in a housing related field
  • Previous experience developing research methodology, preparing and presenting research, and reporting on findings and implications for a federal agency’s program.
  • Skilled in performing statistical analysis and economic modeling in SAS and R.

• Senior Economist
  • Demonstrable knowledge in diverse areas of statistical and economic analysis, research design, faire housing and lending laws.
  • Previous experience conducting economic research and preparing clearly written methodology documentation, analysis, and result.
  • Skilled in performing statistical analysis and economic modeling in SAS and R.

Contemplated performance metrics:

Performance metrics are detailed in Section 8 of the attached Draft PWS.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the above-listed services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by January 9, 2024 @ 4:00PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to:

POC: Tallulah Slater, Contract Specialist at OGrp-OSIStatisticandEconomicDataAnalysis@hudgov.onmicrosoft.com.

Attachments/Links