Networking Technology Platform

1. SUBMITTAL INFORMATIONRFI Issue Date: July 25, 2018Due date for RFI Responses will be submitted: August 8, 2018 by 12:00 PM Eastern Time.All capability responses shall be submitted to Sarah Khan's attention at SaKhan@nsf.gov and the subject line should reference RFI No. 49100418R1117.See below Section 5 entitled "REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION" for submittal content instructions.2. INTRODUCTION****** This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. *******The National Science Foundation (NSF) is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources for a series of anticipated contracts/task order awards. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information, for planning purposes, regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified sources to perform the work in specific task areas; and (2) to address a number of issue areas associated with diving safety services.Pursuant to 48

C.F.R. Part 10, the Government is conducting market research to:• Determine what sources exist that are capable of satisfying the Government's requirements listed below,• Determine the capabilities of potential contractors,• Determine the size and status of potential sources, and• Determine the level of competition (i.e. 8(a), set-aside or full and open).3. BACKGROUNDThe NSF is an independent U.S. Government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. With an annual budget of about $7.5 billion, NSF funds approximately 20% of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields, such as mathematics, computer science, economics, and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal funding. Its stated mission is to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare, and to secure the national defense.The Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) in the Directorate of Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking information on how an interested contractor could provide a technology platform that will allow small businesses with Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grants - typically, about 130 companies a year - to access educational resources that will help them start and run a successful high-tech business. The technology platform would also allow the companies to network with each other and share best practices, resources and learnings.IIP fosters partnerships to advance technological innovation and public-private partnerships. IIP invests in high-tech small businesses and collaborations between academia and industry to transform discoveries into innovative commercial technologies with societal benefits. IIP serves the entire foundation fostering programs across all areas of science, technology, engineering and STEM education.IIP supports small business and entrepreneurs through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The SBIR/STTR program provides proof-of-concept/feasibility grants for early-stage, high-tech small businesses (Phase I - 6-12 months, $225,000) which could potentially be followed by grants to undertake cutting-edge, high-quality scientific research and development to de-risk their technologies (Phase II - 2 years, $750,000).4. DRAFT SCOPE OF WORKThe IPP has a need for support to provide a network technology platform that will allow small businesses with Phase II SBIR/STTR grants to access educational resources that will help them start and run a successful high-tech business.The technology platform discussed must include the following requirements.A cloud-based platform with:1. Curated, entrepreneurial educational content for small businesses - including, but not limited to, intellectual property, accounting, raising capital, strategic partnerships, corporate innovation, etc.2. Messaging and message board capability for sharing best practices3. Log-in security and privacy settings acceptable for government privacy standards (Fed Ramp certified).4. The ability to accommodate at least 150 users, and if possible, up to 10,000+ users.5. Unlimited access for users.4.1 Delivery period: FY 2019, preferably start date of January/February 20195. REQUESTED CONTENT OF RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONNSF encourages any interested organizations to submit a Capability Statement to the identified Contracting Officer/Specialist via email by the response date.Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.The Capability Statement shall clearly identify the following items regarding the interested organization(s):1. Name, Address, Point of Contact.2. Size Standard and applicable NAICS codes for the proposed requirement.3. Identify if you have an applicable GSA Schedule Contract or Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for the requirement identified in Section 4.4. Identify all applicable classifications for your organization, such as:a. Small Business?b. Woman-owned business?c. 8(a) business?d. Large businesse. Small disadvantaged businessf. HUBZone business?g. SDVOB business?h. Non-profit?5. Description of technical capabilities of the technology platforms, the technical details, and the content and relevant experience and credentials to perform the work described in Section 4 of this document; and7. Description of relevant projects completed related to the anticipated objectives of the project with information on the client, scope, and products.A response shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist as a Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe PDF document and should not exceed 4 pages in length, 12-point standard font.Do not submit marketing materials, slide presentations, or technical papers.This is neither a Request for Proposals nor an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of identifying sources that can provide and deliver the needed information.After reviewing the responses, the NSF may:• NSF representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability and issues. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide and deliver the needed information.• Continue to refine the objectives of the requirement and/or associated tasks.• Solicit proposals to procure the requirement.The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. NSF has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur a cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.The NSF is not obligated to contact any or all respondents, hold meetings with any or all respondents, or solicit proposals as a result of this request. NSF will not reimburse costs associated with responding to this request and does not intend to pay for the information received.No Contract, Cooperative Agreement or Other Instrument will be awarded as a result of this Request for Information.Contact Information: Sarah H. Khan, Contract Specialist, Phone 7032927349, Email sakhan@nsf.gov Office Address :4201 Wilson BoulevardRoom475 Arlington VA 22230 Location: DACS Set Aside: N/A