Cybersecurity Skills Development Program - Notice of Intent

SYNOPSIS

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

General Information:

Acquisition Title: Cybersecurity Skills Development Program

Solicitation Number: 70RCSA23Q00000006

Classification:

Set Aside:                     Unrestricted

Product Service Code:  611710 - Educational Support Services

NAICS:                        U0008 – Education/Training – Training/Curriculum Development, Standard Size $24M

Place of performance:   Pensacola, FL

Contracting Office Address:

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Contracting Activity

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Office of Procurement Operations (OPO)

CISA COCO - Acquisition Division

245 Murray Lane SW

Washington, DC 20528

Description:

SYNOPSIS

This is a synopsis for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only request for information and written competitive solicitation will not be issued. This special notice is to inform the vendor community of CISA’s proposed contract action.

The Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) intends to award a sole source firm-fixed price contract. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government is soliciting with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

The Government intends to solicit and make award with only one source University of West Florida, 11000 University Pkwy Bldg.10, Pensacola, FL 32514-5732 under the authority of FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii) and FAR 6.302-1 on a sole source basis. In accordance with FAR 5.207(c)(16)(i), vendors that feel they can meet the Government's requirements may submit a capability statement that demonstrates clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government and would not hinder the timeline or mission objectives of this effort to shall be considered by the agency.

This notice fulfills the synopsis requirements under FAR 5.102(a)(3) and 5.203(a).

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRMENT

Title: Cybersecurity Skills Development Program

Anticipated Period of performance: September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024.

Contractor will leverage the developed programming of a Cybersecurity Skills Development Program to provide training and education for an estimated 160 participants in three training pathways for the following NICE Cybersecurity Work Roles: Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist, and System Administrator with a focus on ICS across critical infrastructure sectors. Additionally, the Contractor will develop and deliver tabletop exercises for 200 participants that will include the critical infrastructure sectors such as Government Facilities (Elections Security), Energy Sector (ICS and SCADA), IT Sector (System Administration), Transportation (Maritime Security) and the Water and Wastewater Sector (Water and Wastewater Security)

Training and education provided must map to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NIST SP 800-181) task, knowledge, and skills (TKS). Additionally, the content and services must be provided to participants free of charge, and all resources developed within this Contract will be used by colleges and universities within the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program.

The Contractor shall provide for the following services: program development and management, training curriculum development, program delivery, digital credentialing, and professional development and career planning for trainees. The scope includes the following required task areas: Program Development and Management; Curriculum Development; Program Delivery; Digital Credentialing; and Professional Development and Career Planning.

REFERENCES

• System for Award Management (SAM) – www.sam.gov
• Federal Acquisition Circular - Available electronically at www.acquisition.gov
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) - Available electronically at www.acquisition.gov

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Closing date for submitting a capability statement is July 31, 2023, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.  All submissions should be submitted electronically to jacelyn.stanton@cisa.dhs.gov and jason.hawkins@cisa.dhs.gov.

A copy of solicitation can be obtained via email by submitting a request to jacelyn.stanton@cisa.dhs.gov and jason.hawkins@cisa.dhs.gov.  Please reference solicitation number 70RCSA23Q00000006 in the subject line.