This notice is for market research and planning purpose only and does not obligate the Government to any contractual agreement. This is not a request for proposal. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses, nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted, nor will respondents be notified of the review of the information received. The information obtained from this Request for Information (RFI) will be utilized as market research for consideration in development of the Acquisition Strategy and Acquisition Plan for this requirement. The Government will not reimburse interested sources for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. The requirement is to renew both the chemicals online database subscription and the chemicals online subscriber tool (US region) for one year. The Program Office funding the chemicals subscription and chemicals subscriber tool purchases is the Department of Commerce (DOC), International Trade Administration (ITA), Industry & Analysis (I&A), Office of Trade Policy & Analysis (OTP&A), Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA). The chemicals subscription and chemicals subscriber tool are needed to support the analytical activities of economists and trade specialists throughout I&A. The analytical activities within I&A in which the chemicals subscription and the chemicals subscriber tool will be used for are the review of Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (MTBs) which is a time sensitive activity [In 2012 over 600 MTBs were reviewed.], Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) requests, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) examinations, enforcement/remedy questions, product-specific chemicals rules of origin negotiations, identification of U.S. suppliers for export requests and export promotion efforts, verifying claims made by domestic or foreign industry, supporting or refuting points of order, and informing market access offers/sensitivities. By renewing the chemicals online database subscription and the chemicals online subscriber tool (US region), OTEA expects to support economists and trade specialists in their research of both the domestic and international chemicals industry. Throughout I&A economists and trade specialists will use the chemicals online database subscription and the chemicals online subscriber tool (US region) to perform chemical industry related analytical activities. Tasks The contractor must provide the chemicals online database subscription and the chemicals online subscriber tool (US region) for one year. Both the chemicals subscription and the chemicals subscriber tool residing under the same platform must be internet accessible and searchable requiring username and password log in for each user. The chemicals subscription must provide information about the chemicals industry, particularly regarding domestic production of chemicals by U.S. companies. The chemicals subscription must provide accuracy and a performance level so research can be performed quickly. The chemicals subscription must identify chemical producers in specific economies. The chemicals subscription must provide long-term market reports that focus on the individual product and that provide a detailed global view of the market including supply/demand, producing company, consumption, pricing, and trade statistics. The chemicals subscriber tool must be a current database offering that is searchable by current or former company name, product name, Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number, product group, plant location and ownership. The chemicals subscriber tool must contain information about companies who are actual basic producers of chemicals and actual synthesizers of commercial quantities of chemical products. Company information in the chemicals subscriber tool must include headquarters and division address and telecommunications data. The chemicals subscriber tool must include plant-by-plant capacity data for hundreds of products including petrochemicals, organic intermediates, inorganic chemicals, polymers and fibers. Delivery The contractor must deliver both the chemicals online database subscription and the chemicals online subscriber tool (US region). The contractor must deliver on a daily basis for one year both products as needed by I&A at the premises of the central headquarters of the Department. The chemicals subscription must cover up to 10 users through online access via username and password as it enables users in I&A to use the resource simultaneously. The chemicals subscriber tool must accommodate up to 25 users through online access via username and password. The chemicals subscription and the chemicals subscriber tool must reside under the same platform. Place of Performance Department of Commerce Herbert Hoover Building 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 Period of Performance: chemicals online database subscription 12 months. Period of Performance: chemicals online subscriber tool (US region) 12 months. The U.S. Department of Commerce is requesting that interested contractors provide a brief capability/information statement demonstrating their ability to provide this service and provide the following information: The statement of capabilities should include: 1. Firm name, address, e-mail, telephone and fax numbers 2. Small business certification - 8(a), HubZone, Service Disabled Veteran or Women-owned. 3. Applicable contract vehicles (i.e. DOC, GSA, NASA SEWP) available for Government-wide use. 4. Past Experience - describe your experience of similar type, size and complexity to that which is the subject of this Sources Sought. 5. Provide a listing of three (3) most recent projects your firm has performed. 6. Your firms Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 7. System for Award Management (SAM) registered NAICS Codes. Interested parties should submit their responses in either a .doc or .pdf compatible format via email. Submissions should be no more than five (5) pages plus cover sheet. The DOC does not intend to respond to questions concerning this requirement at this time. Responses should be submitted to
[email protected].