United States - SCI Network 2

Description

Added: Jun 10, 2019 2:56 pm

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ANNOUCEMENT ONLY.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. Further, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interest party's expense. Not responding to the RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any, is issued.

Your response to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. Responses should be as complete and informative as possible.
In response to this RFI, please provide:
1. Business name, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number, CAGE code, and a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certification(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.
2. Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement.
3. Information in detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate make a capability determination.
4. Recommendations to improve the approach, specifications, draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) to acquiring the identified supplies/services.
5. Identify how USDA can best structure theses contract requirements to facilitate competition by an among small business concerns.
6. Recommendation for Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) suitability i.e., Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), NITAAC, etc.
7. Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) in support of business' total solution with estimated costs. All information contained in the ROM is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way bidding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, ‘Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes', is incorporated by reference in this ROM.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVIES
See attached Statement of Objectives for details of services required.
INFORMATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit the above information through email to Contract Specialist, Marian Dyson at Marian.Dyson@ars.usda.gov. All submissions shall reference the following within the subject line of their email: Request for Information Response - SCINET NETWORK2 - [insert name of company]. Interested organizations should submit a tailored proposed solution that includes scientific computing infrastructure, computing platforms, and services supportive of the evolutionary requirements of ARS research programs and aligned with the objectives and operating constraints outlined in this document. The first page of the response must be clearly marked with the eligible business concern's name, point of contact, address, DUNS number, and an indication of current business size/socio-economic status. There is a page imitation for this RFI of 15 pages (12-point font minimum). The Government will not review any other information or attachments included that are more than the 15-page limit. NO MARKETING MATERIALS ARE ALLOWED AS PART OF THIS RFI.
QUESTIONS
Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing to Mairan.Dyson@ars.usda.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. The Government does not guarantee questions received after Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 12noon EST will be answered.

DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by the respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.
No basis for claims against the Program Management or Contracting Office shall arise as a result of a response to the RFI, or from the Government's use of such information in refining its strategy or in developing any subsequent policy or announcement.
CONFIDENTIALITY
No propriety, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-propriety technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Opportunity closing date

01 July 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed