Internet-based site that provides in-depth financial news, data, and analysis on global markets

1.0 DESCRIPTION

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) is issuing this request for information (RFI) to solicit feedback from industry and potential sources related to USDA RD’s for an internet-based site that provides in-depth financial news, data, and analysis on global markets for market research purposes. The applicable North American Industry Classification System is 519290, Web searched portals, and the Small Business Size Standard is $1,000.

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ). This request for capability information does not constitute a RFP or RFQ and does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service, whatsoever. Further, the USDA, RD is not at this time seeking proposals or quotes and will not accept unsolicited proposals or quotations. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. However, responses received will assist the Government if a solicitation should be issued in the future. The government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred associated to this request for capability information. Not responding to this source sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ, if any is issued. Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring government websites such as GSA or SAM for any potential opportunities. Responses do not guarantee award nor exclude/include your company in any potential acquisition process. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

This RFI is being used as a Market Research tool for informational purposes and for preliminary planning purposes to identify potential sources that possess a comprehensive platform that provides users with access to a vast range or financial, business, and market data, along with tools for analysis and real-time updates. Small and large businesses are encouraged to respond.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The objective of the USDA, RD regarding this RFI is to obtain information from industry capability statements and RFI responses to questions on an internet-based subscription product for real-time financial information for private and public sector. The internet-bases subscription should provide access to data points daily spanning Assets, Economic & Social Governance (ESG), Pricing, Risk, Regulation, Fundamentals, Estimates, Historical data and more to help RD streamline lending operations and the accompanying risk analytics.

3.0 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Interested parties, who consider themselves qualified sources that can provide internet-based subscription product for real-time financial information for the public and private sector are invited to provide a written response to the questions in Exhibit A below and electronically submit your responses to lawanda.henry@usda.gov.

3.1 Responses:

Submission Instructions: Interested parties are encouraged to respond to this sources sought/RFI. All communications shall be in writing and submitted electronically via email to Lawanda Henry, lawanda.henry@usda.gov . No information will be taken by phone. Written responses should be delivered in MS Word (.doc) and/or Portable Document Format (PDF) and are due no later than 5:00PM ET October 25, 2024. Your entire submission should be limited to 5 pages (8x11), single spaced, 12-point font minimum and should be separated by Sections. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED with (PR) nomenclature at the start of each paragraph. Please be advised that all submissions become Government Property and will not be returned. Do not submit a cost proposal.

Exhibit A: Please provide the following information in your submission:

1. Name of Company/Organization


2. Company/Organization Address


3. Company/Organization Website URL


4. Point of Contact (POC) Name:


5. POC Email Address:


6. POC Phone Number:


7. System for Award Management (SAM) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (An offeror must have a UEI and be registered in SAM by the time of award.)


8. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE)


9. GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract Number and Expiration Date, if applicable


10. Indicate the size classification of your Company/Organization.
    
    
    
    1. Small Business (SB)
    
    
    2. Other Than Small Business
    
    
    
    


11. Indicate the socio-economic status of your Company/Organization.
    
    
    
    1. SBA-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
    
    
    2. Woman-Owned Business
    
    
    3. Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)
    
    
    4. Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
    
    
    5. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
    
    
    6. SBA-Certified HUBZone (HUBZ) Firm
    
    
    7. SBA-Certified 8(a)
    
    
    8. Alaska Native Corporations (ANC) Tribal, American Indian, Native Hawaiian (NHO)
    
    
    9. None
    
    
    10. Other
    
    
    
    


12. In your estimation, how much of this potential requirement would your Company/Organization need to subcontract to other companies?
    
    
    
    1. None
    
    
    2. Up to 15 Percent
    
    
    3. Between 15 and 30 Percent
    
    
    4. Between 30 and 50 Percent
    
    
    
    


13. Are there any existing contracting vehicles that this could be solicited under to include GSA’s Federal Supply Schedules or other Government-Wide Agency Contracts (GWACs)?
    
    
    
    1. Yes
    
    
    2. No
    
    
    
    


14. If GSA, what would be the appropriate category/Multiple Award Schedule to solicit?


15. 
    

    Based on the information provided, would your Company/Organization submit a proposal if this requirement was issued under your GSA Contract?

    
    


16. 
    

    What other information, if any, would be necessary to have to prepare a proposal?

    
    


17. 
    

    Provide the history and background overview of the company.

    
    


18. 
    

    Provide a detailed overview of the core services, such as data coverage, analytics, and reporting capabilities.

    
    


19. 
    

    Provide a detailed overview of the technology infrastructure, such as platform overview, data security measures, and integration capabilities.

    
    


20. 
    

    Provide a detailed overview of the data sourcing and adherence to regulatory standards and data privacy laws.

    
    


21. 
    

    Are there specific licensing terms for sharing of data?

    
    

Your capability statement should provide responses to the questions listed in Exhibit A of this document and any additional information to substantiate your demonstrated capability to deliver internet-based subscription product for real-time financial information for private and public sector. Fax submissions will not be accepted. Responses received after this date and time may not be considered in the Government's market research. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information submitted. Respondents will not individually be notified of the results of the Government assessments and should not anticipate feedback with regard to its submission.

4.0 SUMMARY

The information provided in the sources sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The USDA, RD, has not made a commitment to procure any of the services discussed, and release of this sources sought/RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.