SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Planning and Exercise Technical Assistance
- Notice Date
- 4/7/2025 8:14:50 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 54199
—
- Contracting Office
- INCIDENT SUPPORT SECTION(ISS70) WASHINGTON DC 20472 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20472
- Solicitation Number
- 70FB7025I00000004
- Response Due
- 4/14/2025 8:59:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 04/29/2025
- Point of Contact
- Karley Hoyt
- E-Mail Address
-
karley.hoyt@fema.dhs.gov
(karley.hoyt@fema.dhs.gov)
- Description
- Purpose The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather detailed responses from highly qualified vendors capable of delivering advanced technical assistance to the Planning and Exercise Division (PED) through the Planning and Exercise Division Technical Assistance Contract (PEDTAC). Unlike a traditional service contract, this acquisition will focus on filling critical skills gaps within FEMA by procuring highly specialized expertise, technical capabilities, and operational support that do not currently exist within the government workforce. The intent of this RFI is to identify vendors with demonstrated capabilities in complex disaster planning, exercise execution, strategic advisory services, and cutting-edge analytics to support FEMA�s mission. The information obtained through this process will be instrumental in shaping the future acquisition strategy for PEDTAC and ensuring that FEMA has access to advanced technical knowledge and specialized skill sets necessary for national disaster response and preparedness. Background The Planning and Exercise Division (PED) is responsible for leading FEMA�s headquarters, regional, and interagency planning and operational initiatives. As a key entity in national emergency management, PED plays a pivotal role in developing, maintaining, and executing critical frameworks such as: The National Response Framework (NRF) The National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) PED ensures that FEMA and its partners at the state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) levels are fully prepared for coordinated disaster response and recovery efforts. Through PEDTAC, FEMA seeks to augment its workforce with high-level expertise across multiple functional areas that require specialized knowledge, technical proficiency, and operational agility. The PEDTAC will not be a traditional service contract, but a strategic technical assistance mechanism designed to bridge FEMA�s existing capability gaps in: Planning Plan Validation & Exercise Design Training & Professional Development Data & Geospatial Analytics Stakeholder Engagement & Communication IT Support & Technology Evaluation Quality Assurance & Compliance Oversight Program & Project Management Surge Capability (optional, for disaster activations) By leveraging industry-leading technical experts, PEDTAC will provide FEMA with advanced planning methodologies, operational coordination capabilities, and real-time analytical support to improve disaster response effectiveness. Key Information Requested The selected contractor will be required to provide specialized technical assistance, ensuring that FEMA has access to the expertise necessary to enhance planning, exercise execution, and decision-making. This support will involve developing and refining national and regional emergency response plans, integrating advanced geospatial analytics to improve situational awareness, and implementing high-fidelity exercise programs that test and validate FEMA�s operational readiness. Additionally, the contractor will be responsible for enhancing interoperability between federal, state, and local response agencies, ensuring that emergency response efforts are well-coordinated and efficient. The contractor must also provide advisory services on emerging technologies and IT systems, ensuring that FEMA remains at the forefront of innovation in disaster management. To maintain consistency and quality across all initiatives, the contractor will play a key role in quality control, compliance oversight, and continuous improvement of FEMA�s operational frameworks. To further strengthen FEMA�s preparedness, the contractor must demonstrate proficiency in training and professional development, ensuring that FEMA�s workforce and external stakeholders receive the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to respond effectively to disasters. This includes the development of training programs, instructional materials, and competency-building initiatives that align with FEMA�s evolving mission. Additionally, the contractor will be expected to support data-driven decision-making, leveraging analytics and predictive modeling to enhance FEMA�s ability to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to disasters with greater precision and efficiency. The contractor must ensure full adherence to federal standards and regulatory requirements, including compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), Section 508 Accessibility Standards, and Federal Cybersecurity & Data Protection Protocols. Furthermore, the contractor must have the capability to operate in both unclassified and classified environments, ensuring strict compliance with FEMA�s data security, privacy, and regulatory policies while supporting emergency operations at all levels of government. A critical component of this contract is the ability to rapidly scale operations during disaster activations. The contractor must have the capability to deploy highly skilled personnel within 48 hours to provide surge support in critical areas. This requirement underscores the need for vendors with demonstrated expertise in operational agility, logistics coordination, and managing complex crisis scenarios, ensuring that FEMA can respond to rapidly evolving disaster conditions with speed and efficiency. Corporate Capabilities & Experience Vendors responding to this RFI should provide detailed information on their corporate experience, capabilities, and technical expertise. Specifically: Corporate Capabilities: Describe how your corporate expertise aligns with FEMA�s PEDTAC requirements. Outline specific technologies, tools, methodologies, and best practices your team would implement to enhance FEMA�s planning and operational effectiveness. Relevant Project Experience: Provide up to three case studies demonstrating your firm�s success in delivering comparable high-impact technical assistance in disaster planning, exercise execution, and strategic advisory support. Compliance & Regulatory Adherence: Explain your approach for ensuring full compliance with legislative and policy changes, including Section 508, HSEEP, cybersecurity mandates, and federal emergency response protocols. Surge Readiness Plan: Detail how your firm can mobilize specialized personnel within 48 hours during disaster activations. Contractor Personnel To meet the personnel requirements for PEDTAC, vendors must: Describe the specific labor categories and qualifications that align with FEMA�s need for advanced technical assistance. Outline a strategic approach for recruiting, retaining, and continuously developing highly qualified personnel in disaster planning, logistics coordination, data analytics, IT system support, and emergency response. Explain how personnel will be integrated into FEMA�s existing operational framework, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer between contractor teams and FEMA leadership. FEMA�s Planning and Exercise Division (PED) is seeking a contractor with unparalleled technical expertise, operational experience, and the ability to deliver advanced solutions that FEMA�s internal workforce currently lacks. This PEDTAC acquisition will not be a traditional service contract�it will serve as a comprehensive technical assistance contract designed to fill critical skill gaps in FEMA�s emergency management and disaster response operations. The contractor will play a strategic role in strengthening FEMA�s national preparedness and planning capabilities, ensuring that the agency is equipped with the knowledge, technology, and expertise necessary to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters with precision, agility, and effectiveness. FEMA strongly encourages vendors with proven experience in complex disaster planning, technical assistance, geospatial analytics, and emergency response coordination to respond to this Request for Information (RFI) and provide insights that will shape the future acquisition strategy for PEDTAC. What duration of performance would you recommend for PEDTAC, and what factors support your recommendation? Submission Instructions FEMA seeks responses from vendors with a proven history of supporting large-scale emergency management operations. The agency is particularly interested in vendors who can articulate their ability to fulfill the requirements outlined in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). Responses should provide an in-depth analysis of the contractor�s corporate capabilities, prior experience, workforce qualifications, contract management approach, and surge staffing capabilities. Contractors should submit a detailed narrative describing their corporate experience in emergency planning, operational coordination, training and exercise facilitation, and data analytics. Additionally, contractors should include case studies of prior engagements that closely align with the PEDTAC mission. These case studies should highlight the contractor�s ability to deliver innovative solutions, manage multi-agency coordination efforts, and implement best practices in emergency preparedness. FEMA is also interested in the contractor�s approach to recruiting, training, and retaining highly qualified personnel. A successful contractor must demonstrate a structured workforce management strategy that ensures continuity of expertise and the availability of personnel with specialized knowledge in emergency planning, response coordination, and policy development. Additionally, contractors should provide recommendations regarding the most appropriate contract type for PEDTAC, whether it be a Time and Materials, Cost Plus, or a hybrid structure. FEMA also seeks input on the ideal period of performance that balances operational flexibility with long-term stability. Vendors should describe their compliance strategies with regulations such as FAR 52.215-23 (Limitations on Pass-Through Charges) and cybersecurity policies to safeguard sensitive information. To further refine the acquisition strategy, FEMA requests that respondents provide constructive feedback on the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). This feedback should include suggestions on how to enhance clarity, ensure feasibility, and optimize contract structure to attract the highest caliber of technical expertise. Submission Content Cover Page: Organization Name Point of Contact (POC) Name, Email, and Phone Number UEI and CAGE Code Facility Clearance Level (None, Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) Small Business Status (if applicable) Prime Contract Vehicles Response to Key Information Requested (Section 3). Submission Method FEMA requires that all responses be submitted in a structured format that allows for a thorough and efficient review. Responses should not exceed 15 pages, including the cover page. Submissions must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced, with one-inch margins. Each response should include a cover page containing the company's name, point of contact information, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, facility clearance level, small business status if applicable, and any relevant prime contract vehicles. The response should then address the key information requested in the previous section in a clear and structured manner. Responses must be submitted electronically to karley.hoyt@fema.dhs.gov with the subject line �RFI Response: PEDTAC.� All responses must be received no later than the specified due date. Late submissions will not be considered. Deadline Responses must be submitted no later than 11:59PM, EST, April 14, 2025. Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for informational purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment to procure services. FEMA will not reimburse any costs associated with the preparation or submission of responses. The information gathered will be used exclusively for planning and acquisition strategy development purposes. For any questions or clarifications regarding this RFI, vendors should contact the designated FEMA representative via the email and phone number provided in the submission instructions. This request represents a crucial step in FEMA�s effort to identify and engage the best-qualified contractors who can support national disaster preparedness and response efforts with excellence and efficiency.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/15a3c2583af94b478b5d13500cc93a5c/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, DC 20472, USA
- Zip Code: 20472
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 20472
- Record
- SN07400191-F 20250409/250407230055 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
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