SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Request for Information Only
- Notice Date
- 9/20/2021 7:43:17 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- PROCURE DIRECTORATE CTR DIV WASHINGTON DC 20229 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20229
- Solicitation Number
- 202101PAK
- Response Due
- 10/25/2021 12:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 11/09/2021
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) --Background Investigation (BI) Process for Contractor Personnel Industry Partners U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking input from our industry partners in identifying options related to paying for required fitness determinations during background investigations for contractor personnel.� CBP is asking for industry feedback through the release of a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI requests industry partners address the questions and provide comments.� The RFI is for informational purposes only. Background: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has delegated authority from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct background investigations (BIs) used in making suitability/fitness or clearance determinations for both employees and contractor personnel in support of CBP�s contracts. Investigations are conducted to ensure that candidates are reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States, i.e., suitable for and/or eligible for a fitness determination. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Acquisition (OA) and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) are conducting market research and requesting feedback from our industry partners in pursuing potential options as it relates to CBP contractors paying for their personnel�s clearances in support of CBP contractual awards. � Contracting Options that CBP is requesting feedback from our industry partners on are as follows: 1.CBP is interested in pursuing an option where the Contractor pays a percentage of the BI costs if a) the contractor cancels a background investigation in mid-process for a potential candidate, thereby requiring CBP to begin the background investigation process again on a new candidate; or b) the contractor replaces and/or substitutes its personnel under the contract; thereby requiring a new candidate to be proposed and enter the suitability process. 2. Another option that CBP is considering is a requirement for the Contractor to pay for all background investigations costs after reaching a percent of failure identified in the contract award.� For example, at the time of award, terms would be included in the solicitation and contract which state that the government will agree to fund up to a set number of background investigations for the duration of the contract.� Once that number is reached, the contractor would be responsible for all additional background investigations that are required to be processed during the contract period. 3. CBP is also considering an option of assessing a fixed fee (fee percentage to be determined) for the background investigations required during the performance period of the contract.� For example, with this option, both government and the contractor would negotiate a fixed fee that the contractor would pay for all background investigations required under the contract. 4. Firms are encouraged to submit alternative options for consideration by CBP when responding to this RFI. Instructions for Responding: Industry is requested to submit any questions about this RFI no later than Monday, October 4, 2021. CBP is requesting the responses no later than Monday, October 25, 2021.� Firms are requested to include the following information with their submissions: Company Name, Company Address, Point of Contact (POC), POC�s Telephone Number, and POC�s e-mail Address.� What size business your firm is registered as, i.e., small business or large business? Industry is requested to submit, in writing, responses to the above options as well as to provide any information regarding possible solutions that they may deem useful for CBP to consider in sharing costs for suitability clearances with CBP contractors. It is important to note that the RFI constitutes a stage of CBP�s market research process, in accordance with FAR PART 10. By responding to this market research, you provide the government permission to share your submitted replies and information with other government organizations in relation to similar requirements for market research purposes. This RFI is for information only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid, or Request for Quotation (RFQ), and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter any contract, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response to this request. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. RFI Responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Patricia Kiely at patricia.kiely@cbp.dhs.gov no later than 5:00pm, October 25, 2021.� Telephone responses will not be accepted. The Government is not required to respond to any information provided in response to this RFI. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor SAM.gov for additional information pertaining to this RFI.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/a33c2696f735481ea82ce5850f5bfe5e/view)
- Record
- SN06138185-F 20210922/210920230114 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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