DESCRIPTION U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking information from interested vendors that could deliver a commercially available exam delivery system and administer the Customs Broker License Exam (CBLE). The exam system and exam administration services are intended to support CBP with assessing whether individuals intending to become licensed Customs Brokers satisfy statutory requirements. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT. It is for informational purposes only. A solicitation is NOT being issued. This Request for Information (RFI) from industry will allow the Government to identify interested sources capable of meeting all requirements. The information sought will be used for planning purposes only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of this RFI, nor will the Government pay for any information submitted by respondents. All proprietary or sensitive corporate information must be clearly marked. This announcement in no way obligates or commits the Government to acquire any product or service. There shall be no basis for claims against the Government as a result of information submitted in response to this RFI. BACKGROUND The Office of Trade (OT), an organization within CBP, consolidates trade policy and compliance measurement functions and promotes trade facilitation. Through partnership programs, OT aims to streamline the flow of legitimate shipments and foster corporate self-governance as a means of achieving compliance with trade laws and regulations. In compliance with 19 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 111.13(a), CBP implements the CBLE to determine whether an individual possesses the knowledge of Customs and related laws, regulations and procedures, bookkeeping, accounting, and all other appropriate matters, necessary to render valuable service to importers and exporters. The CBLE is a semi-annual test, given for the last 50 years to license Customs Brokers. Customs Brokers are people who are knowledgeable in Customs procedures and serve as agents for companies importing goods into the country. Customs Brokers preliminarily classify and appraise imported goods, file entries, post bonds, and pay duties on behalf of the actual importer. The CBLE has been administered electronically twice annually in at least 50 locations around the country, including Puerto Rico. The Contractor will be responsible for delivering the CBLE system, coordinating ADA examinee testing accommodation, CBLE examinee registration, checking-in examinees on the day of the CBLE, providing proctors for the CBLE and delivering the exam by 100% remote proctoring, reporting out exam results, and performing analysis of exam response data. REQUESTED INFORMATION CBP seeks information from vendors that are able to provide commercially available capabilities that satisfy the attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements. CBP is interested in 100% remotely proctored solutions. Citing two examples, please describe your capabilities and experience meeting requirements similar in scope and complexity to requirements of the PWS. Please specifically address: Accommodating Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requests; Delivering an exam system; Selecting, hiring, training, and providing proctors; In addition to a description of capabilities and experience, CBP seeks responses to the following questions: What industry certifications (CMMI, ISO) do you consider relevant to meeting the requirements of the PWS, and why? The Government is contemplating requesting a demonstration of the exam system at time of proposal. Assuming proposals are due three to four months after the close date of this RFI, will your exam system be available for demonstration at the time of proposal? What information should the government know prior to requiring an exam demonstration and oral presentation in a government facility as part of the proposal evaluation process (e.g. browser/connectivity requirements, potential concerns, etc.)? What specifications are required for examinees to maintain a successful connection to the internet while remotely taking the exam? How would system outages be handled? The CBLE is an open-book test. There are five exam reference documents: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2017 Basic Edition, No Supplements) Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (2016 Revised as of April 1, 2016 or 2017) Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (July 24, 2012) Right to Make Entry Directive 3530-002A Business Rules & Process Document (Trade-External) ACE Entry Summary (Version 9.75, Section 1 to 12) (ACE BRPD). How would the industry accommodate the references being offered electronically as part of the exam system? What are the system requirements to support the electronic versions of the reference materials? How would the industry accommodate testing procedures that all the examinees to reference physical documents during the exam? CBP would require a quality assurance system that would record each individual test to be able to refer back to when examinees dispute a score. An example of a dispute is when examinees claims to have selected an answer to a question, but once receiving the answer record at the end of the exam, the answer was not recorded. What type of quality assurance systems are available to potential disputes? CBP would require a virtual War Room for the Contractor and government to maintain operational awareness and handle issues as they arise. CBP would like government employees in this War Room to have access to see what the proctor can see. How would the industry accommodate this? How would allegations of cheating or inconsistent administration of the exam be adjudicated? Please describe lessons learned from previous online exam administration, and what could be improved in the PWS, and/or how you would apply the lessons you've learned to improve and standardize the exam experience for examinees nation-wide? RESPONSE FORMAT AND LIMITS Responses received from interested parties should not exceed twenty (20) pages in length, and: Demonstrates the respondent’s ability to meet or exceed the capability requirements; Addresses each of the questions in the Requested Information section; Provides the company name and address, point of contact with phone number and e- mail, business size, DUNS number; Cost/price estimates, an identification of potential cost drivers, and prevailing contract price structure; and, Any other pertinent information such as assumptions made relating to the ability to satisfy specific requirements. All responses shall be submitted electronically (MS Word and Excel 2013 compatible or Adobe PDF format) and include a written portion that addresses each requirement. Responding to this RFI is not a perquisite to bid on a subsequent RFP, if one is issued. Responses may include links to available product demonstration websites or videos. Responses are due no later than August 27th, 2020, at 12:00 pm ET. Responses must be submitted via e-mail, if possible, to the Contracting Officer: Jared A. Tritle, Contracting Officer Mission Support Contracting Division- West (e)
[email protected] QUESTIONS Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer before August 19th, 2020 at 11:00am ET. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions that are of interest to all Vendors may be posted as an addendum to this RFI. Therefore, questions should not include proprietary or classified information. SUMMARY THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). The information derived from this RFI will assist CBP in identifying sources that can satisfy the requirements of the PWS. The information and specifications provided in the RFI are subject to change and are not binding on the Government. CBP has not made a commitment to procure any of the items presented, and release of this RFI should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.