Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

This Sources Sought Notice is being issued for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).This Sources Sought Notice is part of Market Research to identify the availability and interest of firms as potential sources for a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant to support USDA 2022-2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan Integration for the National Agriculture Library.The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services with a size standard of $24.5 million dollars.Background:Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) is a top priority for USDA, ARS, and NAL. NAL will contract with a diversity and inclusion consultant, certified by the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC) or similarly accredited organization, to align

NAL DEIA strategies to conform with the 2022-2026 USDA DEIA Strategic Plan. The Plan assessed and identified key challenges and opportunities across the workforce, listened to employees over the past year, engaged with Employee Resource Groups and received stakeholder feedback. The plan, released in September 2022, aims to advance diversity, ensure equity, cultivate inclusiveness, and assure access for the Department’s workforce. The USDA DEIA Strategic Plan includes six strategic goals and associated objectives. Each priority in the DEIA Strategic Roadmap is aligned to the DEIA Strategic Goals.GOAL 1: Build a culture that drives trust, belonging, transparency, accountability, and employee empathy.GOAL 2: Achieve a workforce representative of Americans that inspires development of innovative ideas and best practices.GOAL 3: Foster a workplace environment that is physically, mentally, and emotionally safe.GOAL 4: Establish leadership and governance structures to support long-term and sustainable DEIA efforts.GOAL 5: Promote empowerment, responsibility, and accountability for DEIA through developing the workforce.GOAL 6: Demonstrate a commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible USDA through accountability, data collection, analysis, and effective policymaking.NAL will use a certified DEIA consulting service company to integrate USDA Core Values, Respect and Dignity, Equity and Inclusion, Trust and Integrity, Service and Results, and Science Leadership detailed in the 2022-2026 USDA DEIA Strategic Plan, in NAL DEIA programming and plans.Project Scope: (The government estimates the number of hours needed to meet the deliverables is between 85-100 hours.) The POP would be Sep 2023 to Sep 2004NAL requires an experienced and certified diversity and inclusion professional with experience working in libraires and with library staff members. The professionals will guide the planning and process of integrating several of the 2022-2026 USDA DEIA Strategic Plan priorities, including the following priorities:Organizational Governance and Structure at the Library Level Focus on Data-driven DEIA AccountabilityCreating a Culture of InclusionNAL also requires individual and group coaching, listening sessions and training to support this work.THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. Interested firms are invited to respond to this announcement by providing the following information:1. Firm’s name, address, point of contact, UEI #, phone number, and e-mail address.2. Firm’s level of interest in competing on the solicitation when it is issued.3. Firm’s Business Size. We are specifically seeking companies that are WOSB.NO SOLICITATION EXISTS. THIS REQUEST IS INTENDED ONLY TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOURCES. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement. The deadline to respond to this notice is Friday September 8, 2023 at 10AM EST. Requested information shall be limited to no more than 2 pages total. Interested firms are instructed to submit written responses by e-mail to Scott.Ballweg@usda.gov . NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any cost associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information provided. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey.