National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) 97

Department of Labor - OSPE

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice

FY26 Y97 Round 23 Recompete

SPECIAL NOTICE: SOURCES SOUGHT & REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is conducting market research to determine if sufficient interest and capability exists in the commercial marketplace. This RFI is issued for developing a viable solicitation that will best communicate the Government's requirements to industry. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any firm's ability to submit an offer if, or when, a solicitation is released. The requested information is for planning purposes only and does NOT constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this RFI. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

I. INTRODUCTION

This is a Requestion for Information (RFI) per FAR 15.201 (e) for market research purposes. Contracted services will include the management, data security, collection, processing and dissemination of the NLSY97 surveys, Round 23. The purpose of this RFI is two-fold: (1) to identify ways to increase vendor participation, and (2) to assess vendor capability.

II. BACKGROUND

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal statistical agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making that forms the basis of our democratic, free-enterprise system. Like all Federal statistical agencies, BLS executes its statistical mission with independence, serving its users by providing products and services that are accurate, objective, relevant, timely, and accessible.

BLS sponsors the National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) to obtain information about how people respond to changes in the broader economy. The NLS program has obtained a wealth of information about young people making the transition from school to the labor market and adulthood; individuals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s as they make choices about their careers and families; and older individuals as they prepare for and enter retirement. Such information is obtained through the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97).

The NLSY97 Cohort follows the lives of a sample of American youth born between 1980-84; 8,984 respondents were ages 12-17 when first interviewed in 1997. This ongoing cohort has been surveyed 22 times to date and is now also interviewed biennially. In recent rounds, the NLSY97 has maintained a retention rates of approximately 73 percent of eligible respondents. For the survey to be useful and relevant for researchers and policymakers, the quality of the data must be high. The survey must be conducted within the resources of the National Longitudinal Surveys program’s budget, but quality and timeliness are critically important.

See attached documents for details.