ARPA-E Sources Sought: Support Services

This is a sources sought synopsis published for market research purposes only. No solicitation is available at this time. ARPA-E previously published sources sought synopses for this requirement on November 21, 2016 and November 15, 2018. Respondents to those synopses may also participate in this activity at their discretion. Respondents to the prior synopses may rely on information previously submitted by identifying the specific information from the earlier submissions in response to this synopsis. The Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) is seeking qualified sources to provide technical and administrative support services to the agency. ARPA-E provides Federal financial assistance for development, and provides deployment assistance for advanced energy technologies in the following areas: Energy Efficiency: Building Efficiency Electrical Efficiency Manufacturing Efficiency Resource Efficiency Electricity Generation, Transmission, and Distribution: Centralized Generation Distributed Generation Electric Grid Energy Storage for the Grid Transportation: Transportation Fuels Transportation Network Energy Storage for Transportation Vehicles Aviation In each of these areas, ARPA-E has supported interdisciplinary teams drawing on expertise in the following communities: Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering and Transportation Systems Computer Science Control Theory and Mathematics Electrical Engineering and Power Systems Design Materials Science and Solid-State Physics Mechanical Engineering and Thermal Systems Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, and Plant Biology Nuclear Engineering Plasma Physics Cognition, Commutations, Decision Science and Behavioral Economics Techno-economics and Market Analysis ARPA-E financial assistance is generally provided through award of cooperative agreements to large and small businesses, non-profit entities, and academic institutions. To support its mission, ARPA-E requires a full range of services, including support for: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) competition planning, including identification of research needs, FOA drafting, and preparation of review plans. Announcement, merit review and selection of Full Applications for award negotiations Cost analysis and business evaluation of Full Applications selected for award negotiations Negotiation of Statements of Project Objectives (SOPO) and corresponding milestones for Full Applications selected for award negotiations Award administration and oversight, including review of technical progress reports, invoice examination and payment, and site visits Award closeout Agency budget development and execution Public affairs, including planning for the annual ARPA-E Summit, ARPA-E website and social media content development and maintenance, and internal communications Information technology services, including development and maintenance of the APRA-E’s public website, ARPA-E eXCHANGE (Grant proposal intake and evaluation), ARPA-E ePIC (Program management), IMPACTS (Data analytics) and help desk support for these systems Technology to market analysis and advice, including market research, and competitive and risk analysis Assistance to awardees for development and execution of technology to market plans National Environmental Policy Act review and paralegal services ARPA-E anticipates a need to acquire between 8,000 and 12,000 hours per month of administrative and management support, and between 3,500 and 5,000 hours per month of technical assistance, no earlier than December 2021 for a maximum five-year term. For additional information regarding ARPA-E’s need see the attached draft Request for Proposals. ARPA-E is seeking feedback on the sufficiency of the solicitation, including the draft work statement and any information prospective sources are seeking from ARPA-E to effectively participate in the anticipated acquisition. We are also soliciting comments on the use of Best-in-Class or other Government-wide contract instruments (e.g., GSA’s Professional Services Schedule or One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS)) as opposed to an acquisition conducted per FAR Part 15. Topics include, but are not limited to: (1) what advantages and disadvantages would be attributable to using a Best-in-Class contract, (2) the sufficiency of any particular Best-in-Class instrument (e.g., can the necessary range of labor skills be acquired), (3) what impact would using a Best-in-Class instrument have in controlling the expense of participating in this acquisition, and (4) how would participation by small and other businesses in this acquisition be affected? The agency seeks information on the qualifications of prospective sources and to assess the extent of participation by small and other businesses in the anticipated acquisition, including: (1) name of company; (2) point of contact, including address, phone, and e-mail; and (3) type of entity (e.g., large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, woman-owned small business, HUBZone small business or service disabled veteran-owned small business). ARPA-E desires to maximize small business participation in this acquisition. Respondents are asked to describe their: (1) approach to identifying and recruiting small businesses to participate as members of their contract teams; (2) approach to managing small business team members and work performance under any resulting contract; and (3) accomplishments facilitating small business participation. Indicate whether teaming arrangements under the Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program or the Department of Energy’s Mentor-Protégé Program may be utilized and any advantages attributable to this approach. Other suggestions directed at maximizing small business participation in this acquisition are welcome. Also submit past performance information on not more than four contracts for the type and kind of support services ARPA-E is seeking. This information should include: (1) name and address of contracting agency; (2) Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative contact information (phone and e-mail); (3) place of performance; (4) contract value; (5) skills sets and number of labor hours provided monthly; and (6) a summary of work performed. The statement of qualifications should include information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise and experience to provide the necessary labor and perform the work set forth in the draft work statement at fair and reasonable prices. If providing information on work performed as a subcontractor, include contact information for both the contracting agency and the prime contractor. Respondents should also identify which of its business systems have been audited and approved by a U.S. Government audit or acquisition activity. Evidence of approval should be attached to the statement of qualifications. There is no page limit for this submittal. Pages are limited to 8.5” x 11” in size, 11 point or greater font. Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word formatted documents are requested. ARPA-E recognizes that restricted or proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an attachment to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. ARPA-E will accept submittals from prospective teams, but will not pay for any information provided in response to this synopsis and may independently verify any or all information submitted. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor limit in any way ARPA-E’s acquisition approach, including procuring these services using GSA’s schedule program or other Government-wide acquisition contract. ARPA-E may or may not act upon information provided by respondents at its sole discretion, and will not provide feedback on the results of this market research effort. Participation in this market research activity is not necessary to participate in any subsequent acquisition. Submittals may be directed to Ms. Lisa Persson by e-mail at [email protected]. The privilege of your response is requested not later than March 19, 2021 at 5 pm Eastern time.