Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 26, 2011 FBO #3350
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- Financial and Consulting Services

Notice Date

1/24/2011
 

Notice Type

Presolicitation
 

NAICS

541611 — Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

United States Postal Service, Supplies and Services Purchasing, Travel, Retail, & Temporary Services CMC, 3300 S Parker Rd Ste 400, Aurora, Colorado, 80014-3500
 

ZIP Code

80014-3500
 

Solicitation Number

02082011
 

Archive Date

2/10/2011
 

Point of Contact

Barbara J Comp, Phone: 303-743-1253, Barbara J Comp, Phone: 303-743-1253
 

E-Mail Address

barbara.j.comp@usps.gov, barbara.j.comp@usps.gov
(barbara.j.comp@usps.gov, barbara.j.comp@usps.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Competitive 8(a)
 

Description

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Financial and Consulting Services PRE-QUALIFICATION PROCESS The United States Postal Service's (USPS) wishes to pre-qualify Suppliers who can provide financial, and consulting services in accordance with the Statement of Work. The USPS has embarked on a Risk Management and Business Process Improvement effort as a strategic initiative to drive competition. The USPS may issue one or several separate Ordering Agreements for the required services with firms; whereby those ultimately selected, would then be evaluated for best value on a task order-by-task order basis. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. Pre-qualification is a competitive process and will be based on a composite of all responses, not any single item. The USPS will review the information provided in response to the Request for Information section. This review includes capabilities statements, key personnel qualifications, current and past performance on similar contracts of similar scale projects, and other pertinent information provided by interested suppliers. The USPS will not pay for the information solicited or collected as a result of this process. Any further activities after collection of the requested information will be at the sole discretion and authorization of the USPS and shall not obligate the USPS to pursue any business arrangement or any other obligations as a result of the information. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Please list the name, title, business, phone, fax, e-mail and mailing address of the person at your company to whom all future correspondence from the USPS regarding this potential business opportunity should be directed. Interested companies should email their response package to: barbara.j.comp@usps.gov no later than February 8, 2011, 3pm MST. The Postal Service's evaluation and possible selection of companies for further discussions is a business decision and will be based upon a composite of the company's response to the factors set forth under the Request for Information section. In submitting a response to this pre-qualification request, companies agree that the USPS will not provide its rationale for the selection or non-selection of a prospective business partner(s) for possible further discussions with the USPS. However, all companies will receive an acknowledgement as to their selection for, or removal from, further consideration. Furthermore, in submitting a response to this request, companies agree that any selection or rejection of a business partner(s) by the USPS is final and indisputable. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (Items 1 thru 5 are listed in order of importance with Item 1 being the most important) TECHNICAL INFORMATION 1. Capability Statement - Please provide a capability statement, describing your firms experience in providing the professional services of the type being described and provide in summary form the following minimal information: a. Provide a summary of your corporate history and include an organizational chart; b. Describe expertise, capability and resources to adequately handle and provide the professional resources desired. c. Provide background and supporting information which details your firm's capabilities in the following areas: • Cost and Classification Analysis • Volume and Financial Forecasting • Economic and/or Statistical Analysis • Program and Strategic Analysis • Rate Design & Rate Case Analysis • Revenue, Volume and Weight Reporting • Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) • Total Factor Productivity Model Development and Monitoring 2. Key Personnel - Describe the relevant qualifications, particularly education and work experience of the personnel whom you would propose to assign work for this requirement. Submit detailed resumes of those personnel who you would so commit. 3. Current and Past Performance - Identify and describe small and/or large scale projects your firm has contributed to related to this requirement. (provide minimum 3 projects) Provide the following information for each listed project: a. type of project and results achieved b. name and address of the organization c. estimated dollar value of project and actual cost of project d. name and telephone number of the primary contact person e. brief description of the work, including the level of effort involved in terms of performance, resources committed to the process and duration of the commitment. BUSINESS INFORMATION 4. Financial Capability - Provide audited financial statements for the latest reporting period to include at a minimum, the balance sheet and income statement. 5. Applicable Labor Classifications - Provide the applicable labor classifications with the corresponding labor ceiling rates that you propose would be utilized for the performance of the work for the base period of FY12 with four (4) option years Y13, FY14, FY15 and FY16. The USPS fiscal year (FY) runs October through September. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Due to the fact that any individual requirement may vary in terms of the type of work sought, an "Ordering Agreement" will be set up with various qualified suppliers. The Ordering Agreement has qualified the awarded firm for future opportunities to be evaluated for best value on a case-by-case basis after which individual Task Orders will be issued. The Task Order best value evaluation process may include, but may not be limited to, the following evaluation factors: * Technical Plan and Approach * Technical Begin / End Schedule of task * Quality process * Competency of resource * Qualifications to perform the task * Availability in accordance with need * Comparative/competitive pricing As an individual task is defined, as to the type of services needed, location, duration, immediacy, etc.; each of the qualified firms that have been awarded an Ordering Agreement may be contacted for the determination of best value for each individual task. The firm which is evaluated as best value will then be issued a Task Order for only that defined task. It is anticipated that all Task Orders will be issued on a firm-fixed price basis using the labor classifications and rates previously agreed for the build-up of the total amount. If any travel or travel related expenses are necessary it would be compensated on a cost-reimbursable basis in accordance with USPS Handbook F-15. It is anticipated that the Ordering Agreements would be awarded with a base period beginning on the date of execution of agreement and continuing through September 30, 2012 (FY12) with four (4) one-year options to renew. Therefore, the supplier should provide its ceiling pricing for the base period and each of the option periods which would then be utilized for the basis of negotiations on any future defined task order. Project Title Financial, and Consulting Services Ordering Agreement Financial and Consulting Services Requirements The United States Postal Service requires a supplier to provide financial and consulting services, which may include, but are not limited to: cost analysis, financial forecasting, revenue and volume analysis, economic analysis, and statistical analysis. Advisory services may be required to assist USPS management in improving the effectiveness of business strategies, processes, and operations by assessing business needs and reviewing business functions, plans, and directions. Assistance may be required in responding to Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) chairman information requests or other inquiries by conducting a variety of associated studies to analyze cost and revenues of new products, and to perform other work related to rate cases. The supplier shall provide assessments and analysis of business processes covering multiple tasks and activities including, but not limited to: cost and classification analysis, revenue and volume analysis, volume and financial forecasting, economic analysis, program and strategic analysis, and rate design analysis services to assist the Postal Service in rate and classification economic studies and to further the development of postal costing for rate making purposes as specified by the Contracting Officer's Representative(s) (COR) under the authorization of the Contracting Officer. It is anticipated that suppliers will be required to provide economic, statistical, and financial analyses and forecasts requiring interdisciplinary treatment (quantitative and descriptive). Consulting services may be of an advisory, supervisory, or implementation nature and are provided by skilled experts with specialized knowledge and experience. The services may be required for varying periods of time and defined by specific scopes of work. They may cover a wide range of diverse activities, which may include, but are not limited to: feasibility studies, advisory services, professional technical supervision and support, strategy formulation, preparation and editing of key documents, training, quality control, quality management, environmental or social impact studies, economic and financial analysis and forecasts, implementation services, and procurement assistance. 1. Cost and Classification Analysis A. Review and critique previous and future analyses addressing specific costing, classification, and rate design areas. B. Preparation of analyses relating to critical issues reflected in existing costing systems and of recommendations for changes in cost systems. C. Design, development, and operation of one time and ongoing data systems in support of postal cost, classification, and rate design activities. D. Preparation of recommendations concerning alternative methodologies and approaches to particular costing, classification, and rate design objectives. E. Provide data support and prepare documents for fiscal reports 2. Revenue, Volume and Weight Reporting A. Access and summarize product level, shape and indicia level, and rate cell level revenues, volumes and weights for PostalOne1! entered postage statement information and other channels of postal product entry as needed such as statistical sampling, Point of Sale and Information Based Indicia sources. B. Develop analyses to support managerial decision making based on product level revenues and volumes. C. Preparation and publication of periodic reports tracking revenues and volumes for the various postal products and services, including originating and destinating workload volume estimates by Postal Service geographic area. D. Conduct special studies relating to revenue and volume reporting as needed to support managerial decisions for revenue and volume reporting. E. Develop and maintain mapping codes or Volume Information Profile (VIP) for reporting PostalOne1! entered postal products. F. Benchmark and recast prior year RPW reports when new products are introduced and when reporting methodology changes in the current year. 3. Volume and Financial Forecasting A. Develop competitive product financial models regarding domestic and international pricing contracts. B. Develop financial analyses to support managerial decision making based on product level costs. C. Preparation and publication of periodic reports tracking and examining trends in cost behavior for the various postal products and services. D. Prepare demand analyses and volume forecasting with consideration of capacity constraints. E. Develop financial forecasts in support of management decision making processes. 4. Economic Analysis A. Ability to plan and execute fact finding surveys, data searches, and statistical analyses of available information in order to determine and describe the behavior of costs in given postal activities (operations) and/or to develop bases for alternative classifications and pricing designs. B. Ability to perform preliminary investigation and preparation of study plans and operation analyses. C. Ability to perform system analyses including developing requirements documentation and creating and conducting customer acceptance tests for the different components of the Product Tracking System. 5. Program and Strategic Analysis A. Provide professional assistance to refine and implement strategies and programs. B. Contribute to and support business partner negotiations, alliances, and contracts. C. Develop key insights and recommendations for USPS decision makers. D. Analyze, sample, and collect data related to finances, marketplace positioning, and revenue opportunities. 6. Rate Design and Rate Case Analysis A. Develop competitive product financial models for submission to the PRC regarding domestic and international pricing contracts. B. Develop financial and product cost forecasts supporting rate requests. C. Develop cost, classification, and rates design analyses in selected areas in a style suitable for presentation to the PRC. D. Preparation and defense of expert testimony (including rebuttal testimony) before the PRC. E. Application of rate case costing systems to budgeting and operational analyses. F. Provide detailed information on mail piece characteristics from in-plant surveys and from USPS data systems. 7. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Requirements A. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. B. Experience in process documentation, evaluate control rationalization, monitor control testing, evaluate operational effectiveness and design gaps and develop communications to address issues and questions. C. Serve as Subject Matter Expert to the SOX PMO Cycle Leads and the SOX ASC Coordinators. 8. Total Factor Productivity Model Development and Monitoring A. Update and maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual Total Factor Productivity (TFP) databases as data become available and are revised throughout the year. Maintain, update, and execute the body of programs (Fortran/TSP) that compile information from the many detailed Postal Service data systems and other relevant data into one structured set of economic accounts for analysis. To the extent that changes are made to these data sources (e.g., new accounts introduced to the general ledger), determine how these economic accounts (and programming) must be modified. B. Ability to conduct a TFP analysis of the monthly plan for the current FY as well as identify and collect information related to the plan in order to calculate growth implicit in the plan. Determine and report (1) the implicit TFP for each month, for each quarter, and for the fiscal year, and (2) the implicit year-to-date TFP for each month. Ability to modify and update all calculations of implicit TFP to reflect plan modifications. C. Ability to prepare and report on preliminary estimates of TFP implicit in the initial FY development plan(s) as well as identify and collect information related to the plan for a preliminary analysis. D. Analyze TFP results and provide detailed reports showing analysis by (1) quarter and year to date, as well as a comparison of year-to-date results with the implicit TFP in the plan for the corresponding period, (2) an analysis of economic income from operations, (3) year-to-date partial productivities for distribution labor, delivery labor, other labor, and transportation, (4) a decomposition of resource usage and decomposition of materials input by FPR line number, (5) a decomposition of delivery workload between city delivery and rural delivery, and (6) a booklet of tables showing quarterly TFP. E. Develop an excel workbook so Postal Service Analysts can use to determine the drivers of TFP and show the relationship between TFP and changes in work hours, expenses, and mail volume. F. Ability to analyze TFP and provide reports showing (1) a detailed analysis of the fiscal year, partial year and each quarter, (2) an analysis of economic income from operations, (3) a decomposition of annual resource usage, and (4) a booklet of tables showing annual TFP. G. Conduct TFP studies and provide reports of these studies of industries that are similar to or related to the Postal Service and of Postal Service competitors. H. Ability to process operating data, maintain database(s) and provide reports at the field-unit level, using a variety of detailed Postal Service databases. 9. Ad Hoc and Additional Requirements A. Perform other related cost, classification, rates design, and analytical tasks including, but not limited to: clerical, editorial, ADP, and computer support activities such as documentation to satisfy regulatory rulings. B. Assist with communications to business customers to determine their business needs and translate them into business requirements for USPS system developers. C. Analyze system problems to help determine viable solutions. D. Maintain and improve the existing analytical tools, as well as the development of additional models and tools. E. Assist with meeting new requirements and identify new revenue opportunities as introduced by postal legislation. F. Keep systems, programs, and data analyses in alignment with rapid changes in the network and the organization. G. Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information; use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make actionable recommendations. H. Ability to plan, initiate, coordinate and execute a variety of management studies or special projects of broad scope and complexity. Including, the ability to organize work, set priorities, determine resource requirements, and coordinate with other organizations to accomplish goals.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/SSP/DePMSC/02082011/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: work to be performed at various locations, Contracting Office is in Aurora CO, Aurora, Colorado, 80014, United States

Zip Code: 80014
 

Record

SN02365030-W 20110126/110124234027-a328be5ee5b8f803cf26f3d11e6d5282 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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