THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION PLANNED AT THIS TIME. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Government WILL NOT PAY for any information received in response to this request for information nor will the Government compensate the respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information for the Government. Respondents may provide more than one response. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. Any comments provided may or may not be included in a formal solicitation. The Government will not release any information marked proprietary received in response to this RFI to any firms, agencies or individuals outside the Government without written permission in accordance with the responder's proprietary stipulations. Respondents may be offered an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the COTS product(s) they are offering if the Government feels as if a demonstration will assist in gathering information (market research). Oral requests for further information will not be accepted. All requests shall be made in writing, via email to
[email protected] I Description of Agency The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled. In addition to food safety laws, FSIS also implements the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which requires that livestock are handled and slaughtered humanely. Within FSIS, the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE) ensures that the American public, the media, Congress and employees and other stakeholders are receiving timely, accurate and relevant information about FSIS' work to protect public health. In addition OPACE educates consumers on how to safely handle and prepare foods. Each year, OPACE distributes press releases to more than 100,000 print and broadcast media sources/contacts in metro areas, regions and states across the country. In addition, OPACE has significantly expanded its communications using social media and other web-based channels. II Broadly Defined Needs To help FSIS fulfill its mission, OPACE relies upon software systems to distribute messages to U.S. based English and Spanish language media sources and other stakeholders. Currently OPACE is pleased with it social media software system and needs a commercial off the shelf (COTS) product that will distribute messages to print, broadcast and web media sources. FSIS is seeking a web-based media, public relations or other software system that is accessible through a secure desktop interface and that enables multiple and sometimes concurrent users to distribute, track, evaluate and report on messaging in an effective, efficient and user friendly manner. The system(s) must be 508 compliant (see Section508.gov for more information) and require no software or hardware installation. III Request for Information This request for information (RFI) is to obtain information from providers of media, public relations and other software systems to learn more about existing systems available in the marketplace. OPACE will utilize knowledge gained through responses to this RFI to prepare a specific request(s) for proposal (RFP). Capabilities / Features / Services: system access; press release distribution; media sources and contacts database; database management; tracking of media calls; news monitoring; evaluation of impressions; training; support; and more. Effectiveness: methods of analyzing, evaluating or measuring system performance; methods of analyzing or measuring outcomes of media and public relations efforts and campaigns; and more Costs: methods of assessing cost; total costs over the system's life-cyle; value; and more. Other: ease of use; differentiating factors; and more. OPACE welcomes information about comprehensive systems that can be utilized for print, broadcast and web channels as well as specialty systems that focus primarily on one or more channels. Ultimately, OPACE intends to secure a system or combination of systems that meet Agency needs in the most effective, timely, cost efficient and user-friendly manner possible.