Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21207-0696

B -- DEMOGRAPHICS AND MARKET CONSULTANT SERVICES SOL SSA-RFQ-97-3028 DUE 041197 POC Wayne McDonald Tel: (410) 966-1323 A. -- INTRODUCTION: The Social Security Administration (SSA) is interested in receiving quotations from capable firms that can provide the services of a demographics consultant with experience in surveying information technology. This is a combined synopsis/request for quotation numbered SSA-RFQ-97-3028 for commercial item services prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. THIS IS THE ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT. Quotations are being requested and a separate written request for quotation will not be issued. This procurement will be conducted as a simplified acquisition procedure in accordance with FAR Part 13. This acquisition is a 100% small business set-aside. Quotations received from other than small businesses will be not be considered. The standard industrial classification code for this acquisition is 8742 with average receipts not exceeding $5 million for the preceding 3 years. This request for quotation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-45. Quotations in response to this request for quotation shall be submitted by April 11, 1997, 3:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, to the address provided herein to the attention of Wayne McDonald. B. -- REQUIREMENT: A qualified contractor is required to furnish demographic data from current and future users of information technology (IT) and their attitudes and preferences concerning specific technologies and electronic services. The contractor also will provide analyses of current and future trends in IT and electronic services markets. The demographic data will be used primarily by the Electronic Services Delivery Steering Team within SSA for planning development of electronic services for the public. The data will also be made available to the Office of Workforce Analysis who will match the demographic characteristics of technology users with customers in SSA's service areas in order to identify pilot sites suitable for demonstrating new electronic services. To facilitate matching, the demographic data must be provided in an electronic format compatible with a Claritas data base. The contractor shall have the experience and capability to: 1) Conduct annual demographic surveys of SSA customers to determine the use of selected information technologies and electronic services. The contractor must use accepted practices in selecting and surveying a statistically valid sample of SSA's customers. The contractor will be expected to select the sample and design and implement the survey instrument independently based on customer characteristics which will be supplied by SSA; 2) Provide detailed survey results tabulated by demographic characteristics, technology and electronic service, accompanied by summary and detailed analyses of significant findings. The tabulated results must be furnished both in hard copy and in an electronic format compatible for use with a Claritas data base; 3) Provide SSA with market forecasts for household adoption ofselected information technologies and electronic services; and, 4) Provide consultative services concerning interpretation and application of market analyses and survey results. To fulfill the objectives of the project, the contractor must meet the following requirements: a) By September 30 of each contract year, provide results of a demographic survey of SSA customers and their current use (or intended use) of selected information technologies, purpose of use, frequency of use and other information relevant to identifying SSA customers who will use electronic services during the next five years; b) The information technologies to be studied should include (but not necessarily be limited to) automated telephone response systems; personal computers or other devices with connectivity to the Internet; kiosks; and smart cards. The information technologies may be used at home, at work, or in a public place like a school, library or airport; c) At minimum, the survey results should be tabulated according to age, gender, race, income level, type of technology, purpose and frequency of use; d) The survey results should be accompanied by a summary and detailed analysis of significant findings. Fifty copies of the tabulated results and analysis should be provided for distribution within SSA; e) Between three and five times per year, the contractor should furnish market forecasts and/or other analyses relevant to the uptake of information technologies by U.S. households. Fifty copies of each analysis should be furnished for distribution within SSA; and, f) The contractor should meet with SSA at least two times each year to assist with the interpretation and application of survey results and market forecasts to SSA customers. One meeting should occur within 2 weeks of the delivery of the survey results. The meetings can be conducted onsite at SSA or electronically via videoconference or other means suitable to the presentation and discussion of technical material. The following provisions at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, (tailored) apply to this acquisition: (b)(1) -- (b)(9), (b)(11), (c), (d), and (g). There are no addenda to these provisions. The provisions at FAR Part 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. The government will award a purchase order resulting from this request for quotation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the quotation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offerors in descending order of importance: lowest price and experience and past performance. Offerors shall submit firm fixed prices for each of the three contract years to be paid monthly in arrears after performance of services. Offerors shall submit copies of recent white papers or other studies/analyses and copies of recent demographics survey questionnaires to demonstrate experience that is relevant and similar to this requirement. Offerors shall submit references from at least 3 federal government agencies that SSA will contact to determine the customer's satisfaction with the offeror's past performance. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration date, the government may accept an offer, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt. Offerors are advised to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR Part 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with their offer. The provisions at FAR Part 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. There are no addenda to these provisions. The following provisions at FAR Part 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (tailored) apply to this acquisition: (a)(1), (a)(2), and (b)(6) through (b)(11). (0086)

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