R -- Data on travel and tourism spending in the US economy

The U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intends to negotiate with Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) 1100 New York Avenue, NW Washington DC 20005 on a sole source basis in accordance with the authority of 41 U. S. C. 253 (c)(1) only one responsible source. The acquisition includes establishing a contract to develop highly technical data on travel and tourism expenditures within the U.S. economy, targeting the improvement of Travel and Tourism Satellite Accounts. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has developed several satellite accounts designed to expand the analytical capabilities of the system of national accounts. Included among these is the Travel and Tourism satellite Accounts (TTSA’s), which are used to determine the economic size of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. BEA will be revising updating the TTSA’s and to improve these estimates, BEA requires more comprehensive data on U.S. travelers’ spending behaviors and trip characteristics. Particularly, BEA requires better measures of travel and tourism expenditures by type of traveler and purpose of trip; better data on travel and tourism expenditures on particular commodities and activities, such as gasoline and gaming; and an additional source of high quality expenditure data collected directly from travelers. The collection of this data should be based on sound statistical sampling techniques and methodologies. TIA is uniquely qualified to provide the dataset, surveys and techniques outlined in the requirement. TIA conducts surveys soliciting data not available to BEA from other travel and tourism surveys. These surveys are conducted using a TIA consumer mail panel, and other methodologies required by BEA. Offerors certain they can meet the requirements are requested to submit in writing an affirmative response and technical capabilities. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the above requirements. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bonafide capability to meet the requirements. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as stated above. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 15-days after publication of this synopsis. All information in response to this notification must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Joel Perlroth, Contracting Officer. Note 22 applies.