REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Polygraph Examiners

 1. Description

1.1 The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Property Acquisition, Safety, and Division (PASD), Acquisitions Branch is seeking in this Request for Information (RFI) to identify vendors that have GSA Advantage Schedule contract(s) or other Government wide acquisition vehicles and can perform pre-employment polygraph examinations and quality control reviews for prospective ATF Special Agents. 

 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY.  This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ in the future.  This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.  Further, ATF is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.  Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense.  Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future contract, if any is issued.  If a solicitation is released, it will be issued through various government points of entry, specifically .  It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

1. Background

1. 1. ATF is a law-enforcement organization with unique responsibilities and is dedicated to

reducing violent crime and protecting the public.  ATF protects the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products; regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives; and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.  ATF’s objective is to provide fair and effective industry regulation, provide assistance to Federal, state, local and international law enforcement, prevent crime and violence through enforcement, regulation, and community outreach, and provide innovative training programs that support criminal and regulatory enforcement activities.

1. 1.  Service: This RFI seeks information for a non-personal services request to garner possible vendors on GSA Advantage or those who vendors who have another Government wide Acquisition Vehicle.
2. 1.  NAICS: 561611, Investigation Services

 2.4 Possible Period of Performance: Anticipated on or around September 25, 2021 – September 29, 2022. 

2.5 Security Requirements: Contractors will be required to have a Top Secret clearance at the time of award.

1. Requirements

Please see Appendix A (below)

4.0 Responses

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI via a word document/PDF paper.

4.2 Responses should be in Microsoft Word compatible format or PDF and are due no later than 01 July 2021 5:00PM ET.  Responses shall be limited to three (3) pages and submitted via e-mail to Monica E. Mende and Stacy Parran at [email protected] AND [email protected].  Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.  To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information.  Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 

4.3.  Company Profile to include:

1. Company name and address.
2. Affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and potential teaming partners.
3. Proof of similar work with detailed information on governmental contracts
4. Year the firm was established and number of employees.
5. Two points of contact (names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses).
6. DUNS number and CAGE Code, as registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at http://www.sam.gov/

5.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide the services of trained and qualified personnel to complete tasks associated with polygraphing special agent applicants.  The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.   ATF has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.  All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request, so proposals will not be considered. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow-up information requests.

1.0 Abstract Requirement Information

The overall objective of this RFI is to determine availability of contractors with the capability to provide the services of trained and qualified personnel to complete tasks associated with polygraphing special agent applicants.  

1. Tasks  

2.1 Polygraph Examiner Support Services

• Successfully completing and maintaining all required National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) and ATF polygraph-related training.
• Receiving and responding to all ATF work requests within three (3) business days.
• Coordinating with applicants and the ATF polygraph branch representative to schedule pre-employment polygraph exams.
• Coordinating with ATF’s representative for pre-travel approval and post-travel reimbursement.
• Traveling to conduct pre-employment polygraph exams, as assigned by ATF’s representative, while applying knowledge of all implemented NCCA and ATF polygraph policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards.
• Reviewing application documents, reports of investigation and background materials for each applicant exam (to include field investigator and/or final case closing reports).
• Apply Federal suitability factors and adjudicative guidelines to investigations.
• Researching and interpreting Federal, state and/or local laws and regulations, as it would pertain to admissions made by applicants in their application forms or on statements made during their polygraph exams.
• Preparing and providing written reports, documents and other materials, as well as preparing and presenting oral presentations when requested.
• Exercising professional customer service skills when communicating with other internal ATF contractors, employees, and other individuals outside of the Bureau.
• Attending internal and external meetings, as required by the ATF Polygraph Branch Chief or his designee.
• Maintaining verbal and written communication with staff members, polygraph branch staff and management to disseminate information and coordinate implementation of policies and procedures.
• Coordinating with the exam-site ATF supervisor, COR and/or technical POC regarding assignments and tasks for other team Personnel Security and Program Assistants.
• 1. Background Investigation Qualifications
      
• Contractors shall be currently Federally certified.  Proof of successful completion/graduation from the federal polygraph examiners basic course at the NCCA) or one of its predecessors - Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment (DACA) or the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI).
• At least five (5) years of experience conducting NCCA approved Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test (LEPET) polygraph examinations while employed by an agency that was recognized by NCCA as having a compliant federal program.
• Must not have been dismissed, relieved of duties, or had any findings that would indicate questionable integrity, including, but not limited to “Giglio” concerns. 
• Proof of maintaining NCCA approved continuing education (CE) credit hours, averaging 80 hours every two years.
• Proof of completing NCCA mandated countermeasures courses and CE credits.
• Must be familiar and proficient with the standards and practices within the NCCA published federal polygraph examiner handbook.
• Must make themselves available for ATF required training and NCCA required CE credits.
• Contractors shall meet minimum ATF Polygraph Branch requirements and Federal requirements.
• Contractors must be computer literate and efficient in software programs that support email, word processing, and data entry, which are utilized in the administration of the personnel security and information security programs.