MODIFICATION
B -- RESEARCH & STUDIES FOR OFC OF ADVOCACY, SBA
- Notice Date
- 7/30/2009
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541720
— Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Contracting Office
- Small Business Administration, Office of Administration, Office of Procurement and Grants Management, 409 Third Street, S.W., 5th Floor, Washington, District of Columbia, 20416
- ZIP Code
- 20416
- Solicitation Number
- SBAHQ072309BAA
- Archive Date
- 8/29/2009
- Point of Contact
- Lance C Petteway, Phone: 202-205-6935
- E-Mail Address
-
lance.petteway@sba.gov
(lance.petteway@sba.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON, DC 20416 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d) (2). A formal Request for Proposal (RFP), solicitation and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued. Request for same will be disregarded. This BAA is issued by Small Business Administration, Department of Procurement and Grant Management (SBA DPGM) on behalf of the Office of Advocacy. The community of interest for this BAA is the Office of Advocacy. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will not issue paper copies of this announcement. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some or none of the proposals in response to this announcement. The Government reserves the right to fund all, some or none of the proposals received under this BAA. The Government provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of the SBA to treat all proposals as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation. I. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION This BAA is set side for small business. All small business entities may submit a proposal, which will be considered by the Government. All offerors are required to be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Information on CCR registration is available at http://www.ccr.gov. II. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Agency Name: Small Business Administration (SBA) 409 3rd Street, SW, Suite 5000 Washington, DC 20416 2. Research Opportunity Title and Program Name: Research and Studies for The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 3. Research Opportunities: •RESEARCH ON TAX GAP AND SMALL BUSINESS (SBAHQ-09-R-0014) •CREDIT MARKETS FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES (SBAHQ-09-R-0015) •THE ROLE OF H1-B VISA AVAILABILITY IN SMALL FIRM HIRING (SBAHQ-09-0016) •RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS AND INNOVATION, JOB GROWTH, AND GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SBAHQ-09-R-0017) •RESEARCH ON HEALTH INSURANCE AND SMALL BUSINESS (SBAHQ-09-R-0018) •RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT (SBAHQ-09-R-0019) •RESEARCH ON VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SBAHQ-09-R-0020) •SMALL BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION RESEARCH (SBAHQ-09-R-0021) •SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH BY GRADUATE STUDENT(S) (SBAHQ-09-R-0022) 4. Response Dates: (See table at the end of this BAA for the schedule of cut-off dates.) 5. Written questions of a technical nature should be directed to: Chad Moutray SBA 409 3rd Street, SW, Suite 5000 Washington, DC 20416 Email: chad.moutray@sba.gov or Lance Petteway at lance.petteway@sba.gov. All communication and inquiries must be in writing with email as the preferred method for written communication. 6. Instrument Type: The type of funding instrument selected by the Government will be firm fixed price contracts. The maximum award for any single project is $100,000.00. III. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, including past research projects, see http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/ Areas of Interest: The SBA seeks proposals that respond to the following areas of interest. Proposals will be considered that undertake comprehensive approaches to one or more of the following areas: 1. RESEARCH ON TAX GAP AND SMALL BUSINESS (SBAHQ-09-R-0014) The Office of Advocacy would like to shed additional light on this issue. A study is needed to study the noncompliance of all businesses – not just businesses with income included on an individual income tax return – so that accurate comparisons between different business types and legal forms of organization can be made. Moreover, delving into non compliance patterns would help delineate education/enforcement measures. See attachment for additional information. 2. CREDIT MARKETS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE UNITED STATES (SBAHQ-09-R-0015) We are especially interested in, though not limited to, such topics as the impact of current financial turmoil on the costs and the availability of debt and equity capital to small businesses; the availability of credit to startup firms; the growth of micro-credit financing in assisting the growth of micro-enterprises and the prospect of developing a privately based micro lending programs for micro-enterprises; the impact of a national business credit card market on the costs and availability of credit to small firms; the availability of credit through small community banks; and the usefulness of current statistics on the costs and availability of small business lending. The Office of Advocacy seeks projects that use existing comprehensive databases to add to the base of knowledge about new economic developments may have altered the new credit markets for small firms as well as major issues on diverse firms. In addition, research proposals will also be considered that incorporate non-survey methods of obtaining or enhancing public or proprietary data. Preference will be given to those proposals which best suggest new directions for public policy. See attachment for additional information. 3. THE ROLE OF H1-B VISA AVAILABILITY IN SMALL FIRM HIRING (SBAHQ-09-R-0016) The Office of Advocacy is interested learning about the effect of H1-B visa availability on innovative small firms in high tech industries. Because these small firms are relatively few in number, but have a very high impact on small business employment and growth, and consequently employment and growth in the economy as a whole, it is crucial to find out if they rely on foreign-born works to a high degree and if so what effect H1-B visa availability has. We already know that foreign-born entrepreneurs have gone on to found some of the most innovative and fastest growing firms in the U.S., firms like Google and Intel. We would like to find out whether H1-B visa availability is a serious constraint on small technology firms, and if so what is the magnitude of this constraint, e.g. whether new small firms would be formed each year or whether the growth of existing firms would be greater if an optimal number of H1-B visas were available. The Office of Advocacy is looking for high level, groundbreaking research in these areas. Empirical analysis that employs novel data sources or that utilizes data in an innovative way will be favored above other methodologies. Proposals should fully explain how and why their approach breaks new ground by characterizing it relative to the existing literature. See attachment for additional information. 4. RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS AND INNOVATION, JOB GROWTH, AND GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SBAHQ-09-R-0017) The Office of Advocacy is interested in research proposals that delve into one, or some combination, of these three topics. Proposals should fully explain and document the role of small businesses in the issue(s) they choose to investigate. The Office of Advocacy is looking for high level, groundbreaking research in these areas. Empirical analysis that employs novel data sources or that utilizes data in an innovative way will be favored above other methodologies. Proposals should fully explain how and why their approach breaks new ground by characterizing it relative to the existing literature. See attachment for additional information. 5. RESEARCH ON HEALTH INSURANCE AND SMALL BUSINESS (SBAHQ-09-R-0018) The Office of Advocacy is interested learning more about health insurance and small business. Prospective researchers can submit proposals which provide factual analysis of data on a wide range of topics within this area, but possible research studies might examine: •Employer Coverage Issues – The high levels of uninsured in the U.S. has been well-documented. The majority of those lacking health insurance are employed by small firms or are self-employed. What are coverage levels for workers in small business and the self-employed? How have the sources of insurance changed for small business owners and workers? How have innovative and novel approaches to increase coverage at the federal, state and local levels affected coverage in small businesses? For example, what has been the impact of pooling arrangements on health insurance availability •Costs of Health Insurance to Small Business Employers and Employees – According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), the cost of employer-provided health insurance has risen 120 percent since 1999. Small employers are likely to experience higher cost increases than large employers. What are health insurance costs for the smallest firms? What factors create the gap between small and large business health insurance costs? How much cost shifting has occurred from employers to employees in small firms? How do consumer-directed versus traditional health insurance approaches affect small versus large firms? What innovative approaches are there to reduce costs in small firms, especially the smallest ones? •Tax Treatment of Employer-Provided Health Insurance – The income tax deductibility of health insurance premiums for self-employed filers has had a positive effect on the rate of entrepreneurial survival. What other aspects of the tax code affect health insurance coverage and costs for small business and entrepreneurs? •Other Health Reform Options and Small Employers – One major reform option being considered to help expand the employer-based health insurance system is the requirement of “play or pay” fees for employers. What impact would this have on small firms and entrepreneurial survival? What would be the effect of individual versus employer mandates on health insurance in small and large firms? How do state health insurance models impact small businesses? See attachment for additional information. 6. RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT (SBAHQ-09-R-0019) A study is needed to depict procurement trends to update past Advocacy research with particular emphasis on subcontracting issues. Moreover, we would like to enrich our knowledge of procurement trends as they pertain to minorities, women, veterans, and service-disabled veterans. See attachment for additional information. 7. RESEARCH ON VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SBAHQ-09-R-0020) The Office of Advocacy is interested in learning more about veteran and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurship. Prospective researchers can submit proposals on a wide range of topics within this area, but possible research studies might examine: •Entrepreneurship among Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans – Much of our knowledge about business ownership among veterans and service-disabled veterans centers on veterans from prior wars and conflicts. It would be interesting to know more about veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Are they as entrepreneurial as previous generations? The older population was also overwhelmingly male. How has a changing demographic in today’s military affected business ownership; has this affected the industrial make-up of such new ventures? Finally, are their unique challenges that pertain to this population that are different than those prior generations might have faced? •Entrepreneurial Propensity of Military Service – The veteran population is more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans. This begs the question: What is it about military service that lends itself toward entrepreneurship? If there are skills that are taught in the military that do enable greater small business ownership among returning veterans and service-disabled veterans, are there lessons that are applicable to non-veterans? •Military Service and Small Business Credit – When an existing or future small business owner is activated for military service, does this have an impact on their ability to secure credit for their small business? The potential for activation or their absence when activated may affect this ability, and injuries incurred during service may, as well. As noted above, potential topics for study are not limited to these possibilities. See attachment for additional information. 8. SMALL BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION RESEARCH (SBAHQ-09-R-0021) The research is to consist of a stated hypothesis testing an economic theory showing the status, role or plight of small businesses in the economy. The proposers must show a competence to carry out a stated methodology/model and indicate what data will be used along with showing knowledge of the data. The proposal needs to present a unique small business industrial organization research project that advances our understanding of the topic while demonstrating understanding of how the proposed research will build upon existing research and therefore be groundbreaking. Additionally, proposals that present information on a current problem facing the economy and/or small businesses and how the proposed research will address the problem will be given special consideration. Novel industrial organization topics can include but are not limited to: business turnover and life-cycles (starts, stops, growth, job creation, etc.), government policy (antitrust, bankruptcy laws, development strategies, etc.), changes in market structure in relation to small businesses (economies of scale, changing mix of industries, impact of technology, etc.), and business performance (efficiency, productivity, etc.) Potential datasets include but are not limited to: Census’ Business Dynamics Statistics, Census’ Statistics of U.S. Businesses, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics, and the Kauffman Foundation’s Kauffman Firm Survey. Because of the limited amount of variables available in many datasets, creative uses of multiple datasets are often needed to conduct groundbreaking research. While finance, innovation, government procurement and employee benefits can be a component of the research, it is not expected to be a main component of the research. See attachment for additional information. 9. SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH BY GRADUATE STUDENT(S) (SBAHQ-09-R-0022) The small business areas of study include, but are not limited to regulations, financing, international trade, government procurement, innovation, technology, employee benefits, competition, demographics of owners (women, minorities, veterans, age, etc.), business and employment dynamics, franchising and home-based businesses. Preference will be given to those proposals which best suggest new directions for public policy and have received critical review and support from the academic advisor(s). Compensation requested should be commensurate with what universities typically offer their graduate students including expenses required to acquire and process data. A letter of support from an academic advisor(s) should be included in the proposal. This procurement is geared toward graduate students, who must be the primary researcher. The graduate student must be available and willing to present research findings at academic conference(s), as appropriate. See attachment for additional information. IV. AWARD INFORMATION The period of performance of the awards will be one year from date of contract. V. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1.Application and Submission Process The due date for proposals is no later than 1 p.m. (EST) on the dates listed in the schedule, see paragraph (VII) below. The schedule is contained at the end of this document. Each proposal should state that it is submitted in response to this BAA. 2.Content and Format of Proposals The proposals submitted in response to this BAA are expected to be unclassified. The proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207(b), applicable law, and regulations. Offerors are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information IMPORTANT NOTE: Titles given to the proposals should be descriptive of the work they cover and not be merely a copy of the title of this solicitation. FORMAT: •Number of pages: no more than 25 pages. •Copies: one (1) original, four (4) copies and one electronic copy on CD-ROM (in Microsoft Word or Excel). The Technical Proposal shall be provided in Microsoft Word. The Cost Proposal shall be provided in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. All Excel spreadsheets shall contain formulas. The Word files shall not be zipped or otherwise condensed. 3.0 Content of Technical Proposals: The technical proposal should include the following sections, each starting on a new page. 3.1 Title page: (Not included in page limitations.) This should include the words “Technical Proposal” and the following: •Contract number; •Title of proposal; •Identity of Offeror; •Principal (name, phone, fax, e-mail); •Business contact (name, phone, fax, e-mail); and •Duration of effort. 3.2 Technical Approach 3.2.1 Evaluation of the technical approach will assess the quality of the technical proposal and turnaround time; its clarity and demonstrated ability to perform the research in a timely manner. Evaluation shall assess the detailed technical description of how all the required work will be accomplished. This will include evaluation of the literature review, data sources, and methodologies proposed for analysis and their appropriateness to the overall research being conducted relevant to the Statement of Work. In addition, the project timeline will be assessed to assure that the research report is completed in a timely manner and consistent with the methodologies prescribed in the proposal. Researchers whose proposals include surveys should be mindful of the Paperwork Reduction Act and OMB clearance. For a good or excellent evaluation, the offeror must show the ability to accomplish the desired results and demonstrate the quality of work in providing services in a timely fashion. 3.3 Researcher qualifications, experience (including past performance), if applicable and knowledge of literature in this field. 3.3.1 The evaluation will be based on the information obtained in the proposal and, when necessary, from other references provided by the offeror. It will also look at other relevant past performance information. The evaluation will consider: (1) the qualifications of the researcher(s) relevant to the analysis being performed in the proposal and (2) knowledge and previous experience in researching the topic as stated in the Statement of Work. The Government will assess the relevant risks associated with each offeror to determine technical acceptance. Performance risks are those associated with an offeror’s likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that offeror’s record of past performance and knowledge and experience of the research in the fields relevant to this Statement of Work. For those offerors who have contractual prior experiences, the Government will focus on the past performance as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule and performance, including standards of good workmanship; the offeror’s adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the offeror’s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and generally, the offeror’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The Government will consider the number or severity of an offeror’s problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the offeror’s overall work record, and the age and relevance of past performance information. 3.3.2 Probability that this research will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood. 3.3.2.1 The evaluation will assess the quality of the proposal based on its overall potential contribution to the literature in terms of innovativeness or furthering the debate. 3.4 Key personnel 3.4.1 Resumes for key personnel should be attached to the proposal and will not count toward the page limitations (No more than 3 pages per person). 3.5 Cost Proposal 3.5.1 The cost proposal should include a detailed breakdown of all costs by cost category by calendar/fiscal year. The following cost areas should be included, if applicable: 1. Direct Labor: Individual labor category or person, with associated labor hours and unburdened direct labor rates; 2. Indirect Costs: Fringe Benefits, Overhead, G&A, etc. 3. Travel: Destination, number of trips, number of days per trip, departure and arrival destinations, number of people, etc. 4. Consultant: Provide consultant agreement or other document which verifies the proposed daily/hourly rate; 5. Other Direct Costs: should be itemized with costs or estimated costs. The delivery address for proposals is: Small Business Administration ATTN: Lance C. Petteway 409 3rd Street, SW, Suite 5000 Washington, DC 20416 NOTE: Proposals sent by fax or e-mail will not be considered. VI. EVALUATION INFORMATION All proposal submissions will be evaluated through a technical/scientific/cost decision process with technical and scientific considerations being more important than cost. Even though cost is of less importance than the technical and scientific factors combined, it will be considered in the overall evaluation. The degree of its importance will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based, or when the cost is so significantly high as to diminish the value of the technical superiority to the Government. Criteria A-C is listed in descending order or priority. Any sub criteria listed under a particular criterion are of equal importance to each other. A.Technical approach and potential contribution to research into small business issues and concerns 1.The degree of innovation 2.The soundness and feasibility of technical approach 3.The offeror’s understanding of the problem and the technical effort needed to address the problem B.Offeror’s capabilities, related experience, and past performance, including the qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed personnel 1.The quality of technical personnel proposed 2.The offeror’s experience in relevant efforts with similar resources 3.The ability to manage the proposed effort C.The realism of the proposed cost 1.Total cost relative to benefit 2.Realism of cost APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Five copies of the proposal, preferably brief (not to exceed 25 pages), but detailed enough to indicate the methods and sources that would be used, should be submitted. The proposal should include the total cost of the project. If the proposal is selected, the offeror may be required to provide additional information to substantiate contract award. The Government may establish a deadline for the close of fact-finding and negotiations that allows a reasonable time for award. All award decisions are at the discretion of the Government. Award of selected proposals will be made subject to availability of funds. Proposals shall be valid for a period of 1 year from date of receipt. Proposals should be received as early as possible, but no later than 1 p.m. (EST) on the cutoff dates listed below. No further awards will be made after September 30, 2009 or sooner if this BAA solicitation is amended to change the final date. No proposal will be returned, and companies whose proposals are not funded will not be advised of non-acceptance. Send proposals to 409 3rd Street, SW, Suite 5000, Washington, DC 20416. Hand delivered proposals will be accepted. Due to the difficulties in receiving regular mail, companies are encouraged to use U.S. postal service overnight or a delivery service. VII. PROPOSAL SCHEDULE DATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)- PROCUREMENT Funding Opportunities Open Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) Title of SolicitationSolicitation NumberDate PostedClosing Date RESEARCH ON HEALTH INSURANCE AND SMALL BUSINESS SBAHQ-09-R-001823 July 200914 August 2009 RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENTSBAHQ-09-R-001923 July 200914 August 2009 RESEARCH ON VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIPSBAHQ-09-R-002023 July 200914 August 2009 SMALL BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION RESEARCHSBAHQ-09-R-002123 July 200914 August 2009 RESEARCH ON SMALL BUSINESS AND INNOVATION, JOB GROWTH, AND GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIPSBAHQ-09-R-001723 July 200914 August 2009 SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH BY GRADUATE STUDENT(S)SBAHQ-09-R-002223 July 200914 August 2009 THE ROLE OF H1-B VISA AVAILABILITY IN SMALL FIRM HIRINGSBAHQ-09-R-001623 July 200914 August 2009 RESEARCH ON TAX GAP AND SMALL BUSINESSSBAHQ-09-R-001423 July 200914 August 2009 CREDIT MARKETS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE UNITED STATESSBAHQ-09-R-001523 July 200914 August 2009
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