TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES This announcement is posted as a Request for Information only, for an upcoming solicitation that will be posted in FEDBIZOPPS. This request for information is issued to determine whether or not there are qualified sources that will be able to meet the requirements of this upcoming solicitation. The solicitation will be for comprehensive management and operation of a non-secure juvenile facility for male juvenile and female juvenile Federal offenders held under the authority of various United States Statutes located within the boundaries of the following contiguous Minnesota counties: Houston, Winona, Filmore, Olmsted, Dodge, Steele, Waseca, Blue Earth, Watonwan, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Lyon, Redwood, Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Dakota, Scott, Sibley, Renville, and Yellow Medicine. The requirement will be for approximately three (3) beds for the two-year Base Period and for three (3) beds for Option Year One, Option Year Two, and Option Year Three, each. The anticipated period of performance is September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2016, if all option years are exercised. If you have an interest in the upcoming solicitation, please provide a written response to the questions below and provide your response to Jan R. Johns, Contracting Officer via email at
[email protected]. You are advised that providing responses to the questions will not automatically include you in the acquisition process for this solicitation. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 1. Are you familiar with and does your company qualify for any of the programs identified under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19. If yes, please explain. For example, what is the size (small, large, non-profit, etc.) and status (8a, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business, woman-owned, etc.) of your organization? 2. What experience do you have in operating non-secure juvenile facilities? Please provide information regarding the type(s) of non-secure juvenile facilities you operate. 3. The Bureau of Prisons requires all juvenile programs to provide a minimum of fifty (50) hours of structured programming per week to each juvenile offender. Do your current program(s) meet this requirement? 4. The intended population will include a number of offenders requiring sex offender treatment. Does/could your program provide these treatment services? Is the treatment staff trained/licensed/certified or members of a nationally/ regionally accredited sex offender treatment organization? 5. Are you currently operating a non-secure juvenile facility within the specified geographic area or are you aware of other non-secure juvenile facilities in the area? 6. A majority of the juvenile population confined by the Bureau of Prisons are of Native American ancestry. What experience does your agency have in providing culturally sensitive programs to include talking circles, sweat lodges, and access to spiritual leaders? 7. Many federal juveniles have learning disabilities and require Individualized Education Plans as specified in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Is your agency familiar with this procedure and is your education program staffed by teachers certified to provide special educational services? 8. The Bureau of Prisons requires that all juveniles are provided a minimum of four (4) hours of formal educational programming per day and that educational programs are provided for twelve (12) months per year. Does/could your education program meet this requirement? 9. Are there any state or local ordinances/restrictions that would prohibit or that would considerably slow down the procurement process, (i.e. building permits or leasing/rental agreements)? 10. Are there any known local area concerns? Do you think the area would be supportive of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) program? Are there any known groups or organizations that would oppose the operation of a non-secure juvenile facility in this area? 11. Are there environmental issues/concerns in the area? 12. Are there HUBZone locations in the area? 13. Do you feel that it would be difficult to find a suitable location in this area? If so, explain in detail why it would be difficult and provide supporting documentation. 14. What percentage of the work would you do with your firm's employees and what percentage of the work would you subcontract? If subcontracting opportunities are available, do you anticipate any difficulties in meeting the BOP's subcontracting goals with 8(a), small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled, or women-owned small business concerns as outlined below: BOP Subcontracting Goals: Small Business - 40% of total subcontracts Small Disadvantaged Business - 5% of total subcontracts Women-Owned Small Business - 5% of total subcontracts HUBZone Small Business - 3% of total subcontracts Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses - 3% 15. Do you feel a pre-solicitation conference would provide any assistance in clarifying the requirement for this area? If so, explain how it would be helpful. 16. Are there any zoning issues that prohibit or would slow down the procurement process? 17. Are there innovations in this area that BOP could benefit from and if so what are they? 18. Are there unique laws or regulations applicable to these services?