The Defense Human Resources Activity is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in, and the resources for, providing services in accordance with the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).
The Government requires contractor services to provide College Credit by Examination (DSST) examination and score reporting. This notice shall not be construed as a formal solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. In addition, it does not guarantee that a subsequent solicitation will be issued. Submission of any information in response to this Sources Sought notice is voluntary and will assist in selecting the appropriate solicitation type/method. Costs associated with any submission shall not be reimbursed by the Government. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SEEKING PROPOSALS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS.
The proposed NAICS for this effort is 611710, Educational Support Services (size standard $16.5M). Comments on this NAICS and suggestions for alternative codes must include supporting rationale.
The Government is specifically performing Market Research to see if there are potential vendors who can provide the following:
The Contractor shall provide the DSST examination and score reporting. The DSST, a college level credit-by-examination test, is provided in an electronic format at Internet Based Testing (iBT) centers. Both the DSST examination and DSST score reporting are provided for military personnel, members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Program military eligible spouses.
4. The services described above are currently provided under the following contract:
Contract Number: N98210-18-D-0002 | Contractor: Prometric, LLC
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
A. COVER SHEET - 1 page
1. Vendor name, address, website, Data Universal Numbering Systems (DUNS) Number, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.
2. Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number.
3. Type of business, including socio-economic category (Large, Small, 8(a) Participant, Small Disadvantaged Business, HUBZone, Woman-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Non Profit)
4. If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule.
B. CAPABILITIES STATEMENT & MARKET INFORMATION - no more than 10 pages
1. Please describe your organization's breadth of expertise/competency to respond to the draft PWS. Critical functions to be provided include:
- Provide DSST score data and iBT test center (also known as National Test Center (NTC)/International Test Center (ITC)) records in accordance with DANTES specifications (outlined in PWS attachments I-IV) as required for the DANTES-developed DANTES Academic Management Information System (DAIMS), or equivalent, for the DSST testing program for the duration of this contract.
- Coordinate with DANTES, to continue to support and coordinate with test centers to expand access to DANTES-funded DSST iBT through Test Fee Only and Fully-Funded test centers in the U.S. and overseas.
- Fully Funded test centers operating on a military installation will require a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Base Commander in order to provide education services on the base.
- Make available to DANTES test administrations using the technological advances that would enable testing onboard military vessels and in remote and forward-deployed areas. Such testing could include DSST administrations on personal devices, remote proctoring options, and non-conventional test centers.
2. Industry feedback is requested on the PWS for this requirement. Please list any challenges or potential performance roadblocks related to fulfilling the PWS requirements and any suggestions for improving the PWS language. Additionally, the Government seeks answers to the following questions concerning this requirement. Please consider providing responses:
a. Please describe your organization's breadth of expertise/competency to respond to the draft PWS.
b. Critical functions to be provided include:
- Experience providing DSST test administrations to U.S. military populations.
- Experience with worldwide electronic DSST test distribution.
- Experience providing DSST testing program support.
- Experience providing DSST score reports and transcript data, incorporation authoritative college credit recommendations.
C. BACKGROUND/PAST EXPERIENCE:
Provide the following information on two (2) similar projects in an environment of similar scale completed within the last five (5) years for which the responder was a prime or Sub-Contractor.
1. The name and value of each project;
2. The name, address, telephone and email address for point of contact;
3. A description of each project, including challenges and successes; and
4. Your company's role and services provided for each project.
All interested and capable contractors are encouraged to respond. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the sources sought evaluation. The results of this sources sought notice will assist the Contracting Officer in determining whether an 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Certified HUBZone Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Small Business set-aside, or full and open competition is an acceptable strategy for this procurement. Responses to this synopsis may be used to aid in establishing realistic, achievable small business participation goals.
Interested contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to conduct business with the Government. Responders 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 will be solely at the interested party’s expense. All information received in response to this submission that is clearly marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made and submissions to this Sources Sought will not be returned.
The information provided in this Sources Sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.
RESPONSE DUE DATE:
The Government requests that all responses be returned by 5:00 PM EST on 05/11/2022. All responses shall be submitted electronically to the DHRA Enterprise Acquisition Division point of contacts: Contract Specialist Joel Auer at joel.d.auer.civ@mail.mil and Nathan Shumway at james.n.shumway.civ@mail.mil.
Interested vendors may additionally contact the Small Business Point of Contact to discuss potential small business utilization : Ms. Tammy Proffitt,Tammy.j.proffitt2.civ@mail.mil, phone number: 571-372-2591, https://www.dhra.mil/sb
