THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) BEING RELEASED PURSUANT TO FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR) PART 10 MARKET RESEARCH.

This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and nothing shall be construed herein or through the RFI process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of the RFI. In addition, contractors responding to this RFI shall bear all risk and expense of any resources used to provide the requested information. The information collected through this process is considered to be market research as described by FAR 2.101 and in accordance with FAR 10.002.

SYNOPSIS

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking capable sources to construct and implement a program to enhance the emergency preparedness knowledge, awareness and practical application of Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) among its personnel.

BACKGROUND

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a consistent nationwide template to enable Federal, State, tribal and local governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. All federal agencies are directed under HSPD-5 to be NIMS compliant. The Incident Command System (ICS) is the established, standardized organizational structure and terminology utilized for the management of all incidents.

NIMS was developed so responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines can work together better to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. NIMS benefits include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid and resource management. Additional information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm

In August 2009, FDA established a National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Working Group with representation from Agency Centers, ORA and Offices to review Agency emergency response operations and training. Responsibilities of the NIMS Implementation Working Group regarding training activities include:

• Ensuring personnel are trained and prepared to function in a unified command system to manage the response to incidents, including outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

• Ensuring that ICS training requirements are based on the established standards for incident management, the FDA Emergency Operations Plan, and other guiding documents. The training program is to be aligned with the NIMS credentialing guidelines and establish training requirements that are based on position duties and competencies.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5), Management of Domestic Incidents requires all Federal Departments and agencies to adopt the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and use it in their individual domestic incident management, emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, recovery, and mitigation activities. FDA, other federal agencies as well as States receiving federal funding for homeland security initiatives are also required to implement NIMS principles such as Incident Command Structure (ICS) in their emergency response protocols, as well as in support of all actions taken to assist State or local entities during an emergency.

NIMS enhances the management of domestic incidents by establishing a single, comprehensive system for incident management, based on ICS and strengthens FDA's capability and resolve to fulfill it responsibilities to the American people in times of emergency.

The Office of Crisis Management (OCM) serves as the FDA's focal point for coordinating emergency and crisis response activities involving FDA regulated products or in situations when FDA regulated products need to be utilized or deployed. It coordinates intra-agency and inter-agency activities related to crisis management, emergency preparedness and response, and security operations. OCM has the responsibility for ensuring NIMS is being implemented throughout the FDA and proposing training for emergency preparedness and response activities.

The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) is one of the FDA's specialized program centers. ORA works to achieve compliance of regulated products through inspection, investigates outbreaks involving regulated products and responds to emergencies affecting the public health.

The Division of Human Resource Development (DHRD) a clearinghouse where FDA, State and local regulators can obtain training in various program areas. DHRD collaborates with its stakeholders: ORA field and headquarters, FDA Centers, states, academia and professional organizations to meet these training needs.

SCOPE

This notice seeks the services of sources knowledgeable of ICS and in the implementation of NIMS to provide FDA with FEMA sanctioned training that is needed in order to respond along with other federal agencies under unified or multi-agency command during public health emergencies.

Sources should have knowledge and experience with the implementation, development and training of ICS.

The program may include, but shall not be limited, to the following tasks.

A. NIMS development, recommendation and evaluation regarding NIMS implementation should include, but shall not be limited to the following tasks:

1. Identify any recommendations regarding credentialing or certification of personnel.

2. Identify current and future training and exercises for agency emergency response personnel in Office of Crisis Management

3. Identify and recommend training and exercises for other agency personnel

4. Identify and assess FDA current plans, procedures and policies for emergency response

5. Assess whether those plans, procedures and policies are NIMS-compliant

6. Provide recommendations for the development of new or modifications to existing plans, procedures and policies to assure NIMS compliance.

7. Recommend appropriate training for NIMS implementation throughout FDA.

8. Upon request, by Office of Crisis Management, evaluate selected FDA incident management activities and/or exercises

9. Upon request, by Office of Crisis Management, facilitate in person meeting(s) to discuss ‘lessons learned' from an incident or exercise

10. Upon request, by Office of Crisis Management, prepare an after action report of an incident or exercise

B. ICS training and exercises should include, but shall not be limited to the following tasks:

1. Develop FDA centric 3-4 hr refresher exercises and facilitator materials for ICS 300/400 and/or 420 graduates.

2. Assist agency in identifying training needs for members of Incident Management Teams (IMT)

3. Utilize the current FDA centric ICS 300 and ICS 400 course materials to deliver training courses, updating content when appropriate.

4. Assist agency with identifying ICS "shadowing" opportunities with other agencies for selected FDA personnel. Where possible the opportunities should have a public health focus.

ICS TRAINING COURSE

All training and courses to be located within the Continental United States (CONUS)

1. Facilitate, Conduct and Deliver:

ER300, Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
ER400, Advanced ICS Command and General Staff-Complex Incidents
ER402, ICS for Executives
ER420, Position Specific - Command and General Staff
ER950, Position Specific - Incident Commander
ER952, Position Specific - Public Information Officer
ER958, Position Specific - Operations Section Chief
ER962, Position Specific - Planning Section Chief
ER967, Position Specific - Logistics Section Chief
ER973, Position Specific - Finance/Admin Section Chief
ER423, Incident Management Group Workshop

Additional information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm

Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any further RFP, if any is issued. This RFI is issued to assess the level of interest and capabilities of all interested parties.

***PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THIS IS AN TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS REQUIREMENT UNDER NAICS CODE 611430 (PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.

Any contractor that responds to this RFI that cannot prove Small Business certification will not be considered.

RFI Response Guidelines and Procedures:
Responses to the information requested are limited to five (5) pages. All response shall be submitted to Elvis R. Colbert, via email at [email protected] no later than 3:00pm on Thursday May 17, 2012. Please note that no telephone calls will be accepted.