Sources Sought Notices (herein referred to as a Request for Information) are issued by the Department of State when performing market research to determine industry interest and capabilities. The Department of State is interested in the capabilities of small businesses to perform the services. This is a Request for Information announcement only. This is not a solicitation or request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract(s) based solely on the submission of this Request for Information nor does it intend to pay for any costs incurred in response to this announcement. The Department of State reserves the right to terminate this request and change its requirements if needed. Responding to this Request for Information does not guarantee participation in future Department activities. Background: This requirement is for the provision of group transportation services throughout the United States but primarily in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The Government may request services on an unscheduled or scheduled, one-time or recurring, short- or long-term basis for groups as small as two passengers requiring a single vehicle or as large as 250 passengers requiring multiple vehicles or combinations of vehicles over multiple days. Services will normally be required Monday through Friday less Federal government holidays during normal work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but some requirements will occur on weekends, holidays and outside normal hours. No guaranteed minimum level of service will be offered. At this time, the Department is seeking sources capable of providing such services. Business Size: Small Geographic Location: Business Operation in the Washington D.C. and area vicinity. Required NAICS Code: 48599 - Other transit and ground passenger transportation Period of Performance: one base year with four one-year options. MARKET RESEARCH - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (Capability Statement) Instructions: 1. The Request for Information (Capability Statement) response should be concise and focused and not exceed twenty (20) pages including cover pages, table of contents etc. 2. Sale brochures, videos, and other marketing information materials are not solicited and will not be reviewed. 3. Do not submit cost or price information with the response. 4. Interested companies shall submit an electronic copy of their capability statements via email to
[email protected]. The due date and time for submission of responses is 2 PM (EDT) October 27, 2015. 5. No phone calls related to this Request for Information will be accepted. All correspondence shall be via email. MARKET RESEARCH - CAPABILITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS A viable interested party shall demonstrate, in any capability statement submitted, the company's capabilities to meet the performance objectives and the customer's requirements. A viable interested party shall provide relevant, applicable examples of previous work or solution implementations, to include client points of contact. Content: Company and Contact Information: 1. Company Name and Address; 2. Contact Name, Title, Phone Number, Fax Number, and eMail Address; 3. Organizational history brief and capabilities statement; 4. Geographic location(s) of office(s) and number of employees at each domestic and international location; 5. Socio Economic Status(s) under NAICS Code 48599, if applicable; Capabilities: Business For services as described in the Draft Statement of Work, please provide the following information: 1. A description of your corporate capabilities regarding the services being procured. 2. A description of where and how you have provided these services in the past. Within the page count described above, you may include as many examples as necessary to convey the breadth and depth of your corporate capabilities. Please include: a. Client organization and point(s) of contact b. Brief description of the scope of the work and the results achieved c. Contract and task order number d. Dollar value of services provided e. State whether your company was a prime or sub-contractor Other information as related to vehicle operation: 1. Will the following types of vehicles with operators be provided? If no, explain. (a) Large bus (coach type): 45 or more passengers (b) Intermediate bus: Up to 44 passengers (c) Medium bus: Up to 36 passengers (d) Small bus: Up to 24 passengers (e) Van: 8 to 15 passengers (f) Van: 7 or less passengers 2. Equipment: (a) Are the proposed buses less than eight (8) years old? If no, explain as needed. (b) Are the proposed vans less than six (6) years old? If no, explain as needed. (c) Is the contractor prepared to provide handicapped accessible lifts and ramps when requested by the COR? If no, explain as needed. (d) Is the contractor prepared to provide vehicles that are maintained in a consistently clean, safe and serviceable condition? If no, explain as needed. (e) Is the contractor prepared to provide vehicles that are equipped with standard first aid kits, fire extinguishers, slip-resistant steps and aisles, and interior placards prohibiting eating, drinking and smoking? If no, explain as needed. (f) Is the contractor prepared to provide vehicles that will be operated (wholly or partially) on alternative fuels to the maximum extent possible given cost, fuel availability and equipment availability factors? If no, explain as needed. (g) Is the contractor prepared to provide vehicles that will display externally the company's name and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) certificate number and/or other information required by the local operating area authority? If no, explain as needed. (h) Is the contractor prepared to display temporary signage with a professional appearance (not hand-written) visible to boarding passengers indicating group, destination or itinerary information as specified by the COR? If no, explain. 3. Operators: (a) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who meet all state and federal licensing requirements, including medical certifications and drug/alcohol testing, for the type and class of vehicle operated? If no, explain as needed. (b) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who maintain a neat, clean and professional appearance in both dress and personal hygiene considered appropriate for a ‘business casual' work environment? If no, explain. (c) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who display the name of the contractor on exterior of clothing, either by patch or removal tag affixed to exterior clothing? If no, explain as needed. (d) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who obey all applicable traffic laws in performance of requirements? If no, explain as needed. (e) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who exude a continuously polite, professional demeanor with respect to passenger and Government representative interaction? If no, explain as needed. (f) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who ensure vehicles under their care are maintained in safe working order, operated in a safe manner at all times, inspected for mechanical defects and other potential safety or security hazards, and are not left unsecured when unattended? If no, explain. (g) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who will not utilize cell phones without a hands-free device while the vehicle is in motion? If no, explain. (h) Is the contractor prepared to provide operators who will check all passengers for proper identification before allowing passengers to board the vehicle? If no, explain as needed. 4. Ordering: Is the contractor prepared to submit to the COR a written technical proposal and a separate detailed cost proposal within a matter of hours when requested? If no, explain as needed. 5. Cancellations: Is the contractor prepared to notify the government immediately if the contractor must cancel or will be late for a scheduled requirement? If no, explain as needed. 6. Traffic/Parking Violations: Is the contractor prepared to properly adjudicate any traffic or parking citations incurred by the contractor's operators during performance? If no, explain as needed. 7. Communications: Is the contractor prepared to provide the Contracting Officer Representative with direct or indirect contact with the contractor's operators while in route? If no, explain.