Data Analytics Research Cell (DARC) Support Services

 SOURCES SOUGHTDepartment of StateBureau of Intelligence and ResearchIntelligence and Research - Data Analytics Research Cell (DARC) Support ServicesIntroductionThis Sources Sought notice is issued as a part of market research being conducted by the Department of State (DoS) Intelligence and Research Bureau (INR) in support of a potential acquisition for IT support services as defined in the attached draft PWS for “Data Analytics Research Cell (DARC) Support Services”, see Attachment A.This Sources Sought notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future.  This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.  Further, the Department of State (DoS) is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.  Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or

administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought will be solely at the interested party’s expense.  Not responding to this Sources Sought does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued.  If a solicitation is released, it will be posted on GSA’s eBUY if deemed appropriate.Responding to this RFIInterested parties are requested to respond to this Sources Sought with the following information, not to exceed seven (7) pages, 12 point, Times New Roman font. Name of CompanyPoint of contact name, telephone number and email address.What other contract vehicle(s) would you recommend for this requirement?Business type:Small BusinessSmall Disadvantaged Business8(a)-certified Small Disadvantaged BusinessHUBZoneVOSBSDVOSBWOSB/EDWOSBOther than small businessDoes your company possess a Facility Clearance to store and process classified information?  If so, at what level of classification?Provide a brief description of up to three (3) past experiences similar in size and scope performed in the past five (5) years that demonstrates your company’s capabilities to perform the requirements per the attached PWS.  Past experience can include prime and subcontractor experience.  Please also list any formal certifications or qualifications, particularly in the area of security, that your firm possesses which demonstrates your firm’s overall capability to perform work similar to the draft PWS requirements. In addition to the work defined in the PWS, please provide past experience in other IT security related areas that would complement the past experiences described in the previous question. One risk the planning team is hoping to mitigate with this anticipated acquisition is the impact on performance associated with lead time required to fill vacant technical positions with resources who possess the appropriate skills, certifications, and Top Secret/SCI security clearance for all contractor staff.  How does your company mitigate this risk area?  Please describe your success in this area in one or more of your past experiences.We have included labor categories and position descriptions in the attached PWS, are there additional or different labor categories that the government should consider?   The attached PWS contains anticipated performance standards in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) Table, please provide feedback and suggestions to improve the draft standards, metrics and acceptable quality levels (AQLs).  Maintaining the integrity of data is very important to the Government, please provide suggestions for an appropriate performance standard, metric and AQL. What contract type would your company recommend for this effort, Labor Hour, Time and Materials or Firm Fixed Price?Do you have any questions about the draft PWS or any recommendations we should consider as we finalize the PWS and the acquisition strategy?Based on the attached PWS, how likely would your firm be to participate in a competitive acquisition on this requirement?  If you elect to participate would you likely participate as a prime or subcontractor?The attached PWS contains anticipated performance standards in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) Table, please provide feedback and suggestions to improve the draft standards, metrics and acceptable quality levels (AQLs).  Maintaining the integrity of data is very important to the Government, please provide suggestions for an appropriate performance standard, metric and AQL. What contract type would your company recommend for this effort, Labor Hour, Time and Materials or Firm Fixed Price?Do you have any questions about the draft PWS or any recommendations we should consider as we finalize the PWS and the acquisition strategy?Based on the attached PWS, how likely would your firm be to participate in a competitive acquisition on this requirement?  If you elect to participate would you likely participate as a prime or subcontractor?Response Submission Deadline:  Responses to this Sources Sought must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, on April 3, 2020.  RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to BringAG@state.gov, with “DARC Sources Sought Response” in the subject line. An email confirmation of receipt from DoS will be sent within a one-week period to the designated point of contact.