USAID plans to award a sole-source contract to American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) for membership services to its Knowledge Sharing Network (KSN) which provides its members with access to a vast array of APQC research, metric information, best practice databases, and publications. APQC’s KSN features full-text, searchable white papers; study reports; benchmarking bibliographies; presentations from APQC member meetings, conferences, and special events; primary and secondary research; industry newsletters; management journals; and trade publications. Members will access extensive metric databases, links to secondary research, and APQC books through the KSN. Further, APQC develops research that can be translated into real-world actions. Data are rigorously tested for accuracy so members can focus on improving their organizations. The following is a description of the services that APQC will be providing USAID. I. Connectivity and Online Access At all times, USAID will have at-the-desktop connectivity and access to research, information about performance measurement and metrics, good and best practices, and publications. This will be a one-stop shop available to managers and knowledge workers interested in: • Bibliographies • Reports from studies • Primary and secondary research • Policy documents and white papers • Presentations from important meetings, conferences, and special events • Publications from industry, trade, and the public sector • Management journals • Technical expertise in performance measurement – guidance for setting metrics, standards and quality, and new or existing models • Linkages between research, action and application II. Learning Opportunities and Dialogue As a learning organization, USAID will stay on the forefront of research, standard-setting, and benchmarking. The Agency will have opportunities to join targeted benchmarking activities, collaborative learning studies, research, or projects that advance performance and knowledge sharing at the office, mission, or organizational level. USAID will be able to improve overall return on investment, learn from research data, connect with subject matter experts, and participate in actual studies aimed toward: • Business process improvement • More effective service delivery • Achievement of organizational objectives • Dialogue and connectivity around high-priority tasks and topics of mutual interest In addition, USAID will benefit by augmenting any information, reference materials, links, and bibliographic references available through the annual subscription. This will include the ability to: • Access data, research findings, best practices, and formal publications that are developed through targeted consortium studies • Search a comprehensive database of process measures and benchmarks representing established practices in the public and private sector and the university community III. Networking, Knowledge Sharing, and Professional Development USAID will be able to tap the best knowledge and ‘know-who’ sources across the federal government, industry, the non-profit sector, and the university community. Through connectivity, knowledge sharing, and other professional development, USAID will be afforded: • Access to the employee experience base among and across member organizations and companies, by consent • Discounted rates at seminars, training events, and conferences • Access to notable presenters, speakers, educators, and innovative managers from government, industry, and education • Opportunities to interact and exchange with researchers, thought leaders, and managers from within the host organization’s staff • Engagement in communities of practice and interest: connecting people with common interests and missions, as well as tools needed to carry out their work IV. Customer Support and Services To support the subscription, a staff member and/or membership management will assist all USAID member employees. This includes: • Connecting staff to available industry- and sector-specific knowledge, resources, and information • Serving as subject matter experts for studies and research findings • Guiding and directing member staff to other resources, communities, groups, and information throughout the membership network • Connecting individuals or agencies with common background, focus, or who face similar challenges USAID intends to award a purchase order for a base year and three option years by other than full and open competition in accordance with FAR 6.30-1 (a) (2) (ii), Only one responsible source is known and no other supplies or services will satisfy Agency requirements. Questions or interested parties should contact Patrice Cunningham, Contract Specialist, in writing via email:
[email protected], telephone (202) 712-0548 or Erika Eam, Contracting Officer, via email:
[email protected], telephone (202)712-5781.