Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) RFI VA-24-00061747

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

Title: Career Path Development Consulting to Develop Career Path Guides, Competency Models, Development Plans and Assessments

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) ONLY (as defined in FAR 15.201(e)), this is not a solicitation. A Solicitation is not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted, or respond to any questions or comments that may be submitted in response to this RFI. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government and does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

The purpose of this RFI/SSN is to conduct market research to obtain information on industry capability to support the requirement as detailed in the (Attachment A: Summary of Key Deliverables). Responses to this request for information may influence the chosen acquisition strategy (including Veteran-owned, Service-disabled Veteran-owned, and other small business participation, and vehicles and methods to acquire the services).

1. VA is requesting input from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), as well as small and large businesses regarding capability to deliver all required support, along with experience/past work providing career path guides and competency models in a format to assist eight to ten employees/occupations in their career path development for a possible 201-occupation series. Interested Veteran-Owned (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), or those with SBA approved Teaming Relationships, especially those wherein VOSB/SDVOSB performs no less than 51% of the work, are encouraged to respond, as are other businesses that have the capability for the requirement. The Government requests that contractors respond using the INSTRUCTIONS provided in this Request for Information. Responses should “demonstrate” capability, not just “confirm” the company’s belief that the capability exists or could exist.
2. The agency does not intend to award a contract as a result of this RFI, but rather gather capabilities and market information pertinent for acquisition planning. The responses to this RFI will be captured as market research and may contribute to the development of an acquisition strategy. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.
3. Vendors are encouraged ask questions relating to Attachment A, however, the Government does not intend to provide responses. Questions may be utilized to assist in further development and/or clarification of the SOW/PWS. Vendors may submit a priced quote as part of their response; however, any such quote shall only be for market research purposes and not be considered for any type of award and will only be utilized to assist the Government in development of this requirement and to help the Government in determining vendor understanding of the requirements herein.

The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO THIS RFI/SSN

CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Response Format/Page Limitations:

The overall total page limit for responses to this RFI/SSN is ten (10) pages. Responses should be submitted in Microsoft Word format with 12 pt. or greater font size. Interested parties should limit generic marketing material in order to allow sufficient space for adequately, directly, and substantively responding with the information of most interest to the Government.

In all correspondence relevant to this RFI/SSN please identify it as a response to the “Career Path Development” (on response and in Subject Line of email).

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Respondents are requested to limit responses to the information, and in the format provided below.

A - GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Organization Name.

1. Company ownership (public, private, joint venture).

1. What is your business size designation in accordance with Small Business Administration (SBA) standards for the recommended NAICS code 541611 - Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services. What is your socio-economic designation, if applicable? If Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned or Veteran-Owned, are you Veteran Information Pages (VIP) Verified?

1. Identify any Government Services Administration (GSA) schedules and Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Categories or other contract vehicles you hold that support this work as described in the key deliverables within the attached DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS)

1. If SDVOSB, are you certified as such at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov)?

B – CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE INFORMATION

1. Organization name, address, email address, website address, DUNS number, System for Award Management (SAM) Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number, telephone number, business size (i.e. large business, small business, service-disabled veteran owned (SDVOSB), veteran owned, woman owned, disadvantaged, HUBZone, 8(a) small businesses) for NAICS code 541611 - Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services, and whether another NAICS code is more appropriate and why.

1. Does your company have experience and proven outcomes in providing Career Path Development Consulting to Develop Career Path Guides, Competency Models, Development Plans and Assessments and related consulting services in a Federal Government setting? Please provide details

1. What are the greatest challenges/difficulties experienced?
2. Provide any foreseeable impacts of requirements of the key deliverables and tasks within the attached PWS or any suggested changes/revisions.

1. Describe your capability to meet the key deliverables and tasks related to those outlined in the attached PWS.

Vendors are encouraged to provide information over and above a standard/generic company promotion/response type document to directly answer questions herein that demonstrate capability of meeting the specific requirements fully.

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Submission: Responses to this RFI shall directly be submitted to the Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist via email at michael.collins7@va.gov respectively no later than at 2:00PM Eastern Time on 16 APR 2024.

Questions: Questions may be submitted, and/or questions or comments that may be utilized in further clarifying any subsequent announcement Depending upon the responses received, VA may request additional information, may conduct future question and answer sessions, or may conduct meetings or an industry day.

52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This Request is issued for the purpose of: Information.

(End of provision)

Attachments/Links