U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Trade (OT) Advanced Trade Analytics Platform (ATAP) Data Scientist Support Services

BACKGROUND:

The Advanced Trade Analytics Platform (ATAP) provides CBP with a single, organized point of access for CBP's internal and external sources of trade information, using this information to develop from-scratch data analytic, machine learning, and AI products meant to enhance CBP's execution of the trade mission. ATAP is a fully operational, internal CBP system.

CBP intends to obtain contracted data scientists to support the development of these analytic work products in collaboration with ATAP's federal personnel, business analysts, data architects, engineers, and visualization experts to support mission needs. Key components of the job will include data analysis and modeling, in which the data scientist will build and maintain models to support business use cases. ATAP utilizes a service delivery model that allows CBP to direct resources to the areas of highest risk or opportunity within CBP, with work prioritized by the ATAP Director or their designee. Deliverables for this team may include, but are not limited to, data analytic models utilizing a wide range of analytics (e.g., diagnostic, predictive), data extracts, and data visualizations.

CBP projects a need of one (1) chief data officer / on-site project lead, once (1) senior data scientist, nine (9) data scientists, five (5) data analysts, and one (1) user interface designer. CBP requires the data scientists and project lead to have advanced degrees (MS/Ph.D) in addition to substantial experience. A draft copy of the statement of work, which details the level of experience for each labor category, is attached to this request. All assigned staff would need to successfully pass a CBP background investigation.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

1. Provide a capabilities statement as it relates to CBP's Draft SOW.
2. Provide three (3) examples of contracts with Ph.D. level work, where your company was the prime contractor, that is similar to the requirements outlined in the SOW?
3. Would your firm be able to staff this contract in-house or do you foresee the need to subcontract out portions of the work?
4. Discuss approaches for transitioning in contractor personnel in absence of incumbent contractor personnel. Please include in your response your company's experience using these recommended approaches and lessons learned.
5. Would your company be able to provide CBP background investigation cleared contractors at award date?
6. What North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) does your firm believe most applicable to the requirement at hand?

RESPONSE FORMAT AND LIMITS

Interested parties should submit a written response, no more than eight (8) pages in length, that:

1. Demonstrates the respondent's ability to meet or exceed the attached DRAFT SOW requirements;
2. Addresses each of the requests for information;
3. Provides the company name and address, point of contact with phone number and e-mail, business size, UEI number, and available contracting vehicles;
4. Cost/price estimates and an identification of potential cost drivers, tradeoffs, and/or savings; and,
5. Any other pertinent information such as assumptions made relating to the ability to satisfy specific requirements or questions regarding ambiguous or poorly defined requirements.

All responses shall be submitted electronically (Adobe PDF format). Responding to this RFI is not a prerequisite to bid on a subsequent RFP, if one is issued. Responses may include links to available product demonstration websites or videos. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information.

Responses are due no later than 12pm ET, January 24, 2025. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail to Contracting Officer Jared A. Tritle at: jared.a.tritle@cbp.dhs.gov.
QUESTIONS

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, email address listed above. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions, if not answered directly to the respondee, may be answered by posting on SAM; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary, sensitive, or classified information.
SUMMARY

THIS IS ONLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). The information derived from this RFI will assist CBP in identifying sources that can satisfy the requirements of the attached DRAFT SOW. The information and specifications provided in the RFI are subject to change and are not binding on the Government. CBP has not made a commitment to procure any of the items presented, and release of this RFI should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.