Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices

The purpose of this sources sought notice is to determine the interest and feasibility of a research firm for the following requirement: Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited. The information from this notice will help the Food and Nutrition Service plan their acquisition strategy. FNS is seeking a contractor to collect information on the business practices of Third Party Processors (TPP) and independent sales organizations (ISOs) that provide Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) equipment and services to SNAP authorized retailers. The information gathered should inform how retailers select companies when procuring EBT equipment and services, the nature of the relationship between ISOs and TPPs, and between ISOs and TPPs and SNAP authorized retailers, and SNAP retailers' level of satisfaction with the contracted arrangements with TPPs and ISOs. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. The Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support and Contracts Management Division, are conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified research firms, including small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 8(a) small businesses, woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses capable of data collection, implementing, analyzing, and reporting on the results of TPP services, fees, and business practices in SNAP. The fundamental goal of this effort is to obtain knowledge of the business practices of TPPs and ISOs, the nature of the contractual agreements between TPPs and ISOs and between SNAP retailers and TPPs and ISOs, and the level of satisfaction of SNAP retailers with the contractual arrangements with TPPs and ISOs. Only electronic copies of capability statements will be accepted and should be emailed to: Ashley Owens at [email protected] and Natasha Abbington at: [email protected] The e-mail shall contain the following subject line: Response to Sources Sought Notice - AG-3198-S-16-0048: Study of Third Party Processor Services, Fees, and Business Practices. A determination by the Government to proceed with the acquisition as a set-aside is within the discretion of the Government. If capability statements are not received from at least two responsible small businesses or if the Government determines that no small business concerns are capable of performing this requirement based upon an assessment of the capability statements submitted, the Government may proceed with a full and open competition. Please submit all information to Ashley Owens at [email protected] and Natasha Abbington: [email protected] no later than April 14, 2016 by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.