Active

Contract Opportunity

Notice Type:

Sources Sought Notice

Synopsis:

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) Number: 70FA6024I00000003

FEMA/Resilience - Actuarial and Catastrophic Modeling Branch (ACM)

NAICS Code: 541370 - Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

This purpose of this sources sought is for market research purposes for geospatial services in the field of flood insurance for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The market research is for industry capabilities in the following areas:

Background:

The Actuarial and Catastrophic Modeling Branch (ACM) in the Federal Insurance Directorate (FID) is responsible for the development of the insurance rates for policies under the NFIP. Quality geospatial data and practices is critical to the credibility of the insurance rates. Discussions of the methodology and data used in rate development, including geospatial data and practices, are described in the following document: FEMA Risk Rating Methodology and Data Appendix January 2022

Objective 1: Review and Update Geospatial Data Sets

In coordination with existing federal staff and contractors, provide recommendations for updates geospatial data sets used for NFIP rate development. Evaluate, improve, and augment rating GIS variables and computation methodology for nationwide coverage. Layers of particular interest:

• Coastal Ocean Dataset: Define tidal water extents nationwide and create detailed coastal ocean polygons enriched with relevant metadata.


• Riverine Dataset: Redefine hydrographic inland dataset, incorporate/updated missing features, canals, creeks, channels, etc.


• Elevation Dataset: Validation of existing DEM derived from USGS data and incorporating new data sources such as higher resolution data.


• Tsunami peril: Validate and update inundation area

Please review Appendix A of the Methodology and Data document.

Objective 2: Data Visualization and Accessibility

Develop geospatial visualizations of the rating plan, including notional portfolios and year-over-year changes, as well as reviewing geospatial inputs to the rating plan. Develop interactive web-based maps and APIs to visualize and access the datasets. Help sensitivity testing and visualize the potential impacts of changes to the rating plan.

Objective 3: Review and Update Market baskets

Review and update market baskets with different data sources such as the National Structure Inventory.

Please review Appendix B of the Methodology and Data document.

Objective 4: Validate Levee Reasonability

Validate the reasonability of changes between current and prior levee universe. Identify discrepancies in levee protection and exposure for NFIP in-force contracts. More about the levee methodology used in rating can be found here: Levees in Risk Rating 2.0 (fema.gov)

Objective 5: Other Geospatial Work and Innovation

Help identify and produce innovate geospatial projects, for example:

• Structure/Building Segmentation: Implement image segmentation algorithms to identify structures and buildings, integrating results with existing datasets.


• Data Extraction and Vectorization: Utilize advanced techniques to extract river and coastline features from satellite imagery and convert them into accurate vector data.


• Data Integration: Harmonize data from National Structure Inventory, Microsoft and OpenStreetMap, and other sources with derived datasets, ensuring completeness and accuracy. In addition to augmenting building and financial features.

Objective 6: Guidance and Documentation

Creation of geospatial materials to be published, standard operation manuals, and training materials.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited. The information from this notice will help the FEMA, Acquisition Operations Division Mitigation Branch, plan their acquisition strategy.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.

The purchase will be within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, 541370 - Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS Code is $16.5M.

Responses should include your company’s capability statement. Oral Communications ARE NOT acceptable in response to this notice. However, follow-up discussions / market research may be performed.

Responses should provide the following information:

A. Company Information (e.g. name, business address, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail address). Also include DUNS Number or CAGE Code;

B. Summarization of projects showing capabilities and past performance in the applicable areas and list relevant projects.

C. Statement of current business size status (ie HUBZone small business concern, service-disabled veteran-owned small business firm, 8(a) contractor, woman-owned small business, small business, or large business firm). Also business size in relation to the NAICS code size standards assigned to this acquisition.

D. Responses are to discuss:

1. Please provide capability statement demonstrating geospatial capabilities for your firm. Specifically, please describe your company’s experience with:

1. Geospatial services
   
   
   
   1. Understanding of geospatial concepts, including coordinate systems, projections, and spatial data modeling.
   
   
   2. Proficiency in remote sensing principles and experience working with various satellite imagery sources.
   
   
   
   


2. Advanced Programming Skills
   
   
   
   1. Expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, or Julia for complex geospatial data processing, machine learning, and automation.
   
   
   2. Experience in developing geospatial software solutions and applications.
   
   
   
   


3. Data Engineering
   
   
   
   1. Mastery of data storage, datatypes, retrieval, and management using databases like PostgreSQL, PostGIS, or other NoSQL databases for geospatial data.
   
   
   
   


4. Geospatial Software Development
   
   
   
   1. Extensive experience in developing geospatial software solutions, including GIS tools, mapping applications, and data pipelines.
   
   
   2. Skills in web GIS development using technologies (e.g. Leaflet, Mapbox, ESRI JavaScript API)
   
   
   
   


5. Image Processing
   
   
   
   1. Advanced image processing skills, including image enhancement, classification, object detection, and feature extraction using specialized libraries and frameworks.
   
   
   
   


6. Machine Learning and AI Proficiency:
   
   
   
   1. Extensive experience applying machine learning algorithms for advanced image analysis, land cover classification, and geospatial modeling.
   
   
   
   


7. Cloud Computing Expertise:
   
   
   
   1. Proficiency in leveraging cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for scalable storage, processing, and analysis of large geospatial datasets.
   
   
   
   


8. Spatial Analysis and Modeling
   
   
   
   1. Advanced skills in spatial analysis, geostatistics, and geospatial modeling for solving complex geospatial problems.
      
      
   
   
   
   

1. Please highlight any experience scaling geospatial solutions to the state or national level


2. Please highlight any experience in innovative geospatial work and use of latest geospatial technologies, tools, and industry trends through training, research, and experimentation.


3. What other data sources and/or tools would you recommend in supporting NFIP rate development (please reference data and methodology document)? Include discussion of local laptop computing solutions.


4. What is an appropriate scope or level of effort for a project like this? What are the biggest cost drivers?


5. If applicable, please describe any previous experience helping the government or quasi-governmental entities in geospatial needs.
   
   
   
   1. Experience in leading geospatial projects, including planning, execution, and team management, while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
   
   
   2. Experience following government security and privacy requirements.
   
   
   
   


6. Discuss experience in the coordination with multiple teams in developing and implementing products. This requirement requires extensive coordination efforts with actuaries, geospatial experts, and system engineers.


7. Do you currently have a GSA schedule? If yes, please provide your GSA schedule.

Submission requirements:

1. Page limit – twenty (20) 8 ½ x 11 pages


2. 1 inch margins (top, bottom, and sides)


3. Times New Roman font – 10 point


4. Page limitation does not include: 1 cover page or 1 letter of introduction


5. Do not include promotional materials

Any proprietary information should be clearly marked.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted and are to be sent only to the contracting officer Christopher Tulowitzky, Christopher.Tulowitzky@fema.dhs.gov not later than 2:00 PM (EST) on Monday, 8 January 2024. The subject line of the email shall contain the following: Response to Sources Sought 70FA6024I00000003– Geospatial Services for Flood Insurance.

At this time, one-on-one telephone due diligence sessions are not planned but may be considered should the government deem them necessary to obtain sufficient level of knowledge required for the completion of the market research.

This Sources Sought is an advance notice for informational and acquisition strategy planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. In order to receive an award from any resultant solicitation, should one be issued, the successful offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM website is https://www.sam.gov.

This Sources Sought synopsis notice should not be construed in any manner to be an obligation to issue a contract, or result in any claim for reimbursement of costs for any effort you expend in responding to this request. No solicitation is currently available. Any future solicitation package will be made available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website https://www.fbo.gov. Interested parties are solely responsible for monitoring the FBO website for the release of a solicitation package and/or any updates/amendments.

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