Request for Information - Professional and Advisory Services

Request for Information (RFI)

This Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), seeks industry input to develop a potential solicitation for professional and advisory services. These services are needed to support BIS's compliance division in meeting its mission as a national security-focused regulator. The RFI is not a solicitation, and no contract award will be made based on responses. Information gathered will help shape a future solicitation.

Respondents are asked to provide capability statements addressing the following:

• Capability Description: High-level description of the respondent's ability to fulfill draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) requirements.
• Performance Measures: Suggestions for promoting quality and timely performance.
• Pricing & Contract Types: Potential pricing structures and contract types, including portions amenable to Firm-Fixed-Price.
• Risk Assessment: Identification of significant risks to contractor performance.
• Solicitation Content: Suggestions for information to include in a future solicitation for sufficient industry knowledge.
• SOO Sufficiency: Assessment of whether the draft SOO provides enough information for a responsive solution.
• Contract Vehicles: List of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts or other government-wide ordering vehicles under which the desired services can be provided.

Respondents must also detail successful past efforts providing similar solutions, including client name, contract number, type, period of performance, value, and contact information for the Contracting Officer and COR. Vendor details including company name, address, UEI, CAGE code, clearance level, contact information, NAICS, business size, years in business, number of employees, and interest (prime/sub) are also required.

• Due Date: Monday, May 11, 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
• Format: Responses are limited to 10 pages (excluding cover page). Email subject line: "Insert Respondent Name_Response to BIS Professional Services/Advisory & Assistance Services".
• Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included. While responses will not be directly disclosed, the government may use non-proprietary technical information in future solicitations.
• No Cost Reimbursement: Responses are voluntary, and costs will not be reimbursed. No pricing or cost data should be submitted.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) outlines the need for contractor support services to enable the Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) Compliance and Adjudication Division (CAD) to meet its mission as a national security-focused regulator. OICTS is responsible for safeguarding U.S. national security by regulating, investigating, and enforcing Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS) transactions that may pose risks.

The contract will provide on-site contractor personnel, management, and expertise to support OICTS's core functions. Key activities include:

• Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), compliance frameworks, and regulatory text.
• Authorization and monitoring of regulated entities, including due diligence, designing mitigation frameworks, inspections, and responding to inquiries.
• Enforcement targeting through research, vetting, and production of analytical products.
• Development of mitigation measures and tailored solutions.
• Advisory services to ensure regulatory actions are feasible and streamlined.

Contractor personnel will support several objectives, including:

• Investigations and Research: Managing investigations into entities and transactions related to ICTS, identifying and prioritizing entities for action, handling referrals, developing subpoena questions, analyzing intelligence and financial data, and researching adversary nation ICTS activities. TS/SCI security clearance is required for these tasks.

• Authorizations and Monitoring: Establishing processes for due diligence, granting specific authorizations (licensing-like exceptions), issuing advisory opinions, drafting inquiry responses, designing mitigation terms, and conducting monitoring and inspection programs.

• Enforcement Targeting: Conducting continuous vetting of regulated entities, producing alerts and analytical products, and partnering with interagency organizations.

• Adjudication and Advisory Solutions: Developing mitigation agreements, drafting regulations, reviewing penalty frameworks, and providing cross-division advisory support.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year and four (4) one-year option periods.

• Place of Performance: Primarily DOC headquarters in Washington, D.C., with potential for other DOC facilities or approved locations.

• Security Clearance: TS/SCI clearance required for Investigations and Research tasks.

• Qualifications: Demonstrated experience in federal national security regulatory programs, ICTS-related national security, and legal support is required.

• Government Furnished Resources: Office workspace, laptops, network access, and secure communications equipment will be provided.