1. Purpose
This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market research purposes only in accordance with FAR 10.001. It does not constitute a solicitation, a request for proposal, or a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing comprehensive news monitoring services.
The information gathered through this RFI will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy, set-aside eligibility, and procurement approach, including but not limited to full and open competition, small business set-aside, or sole source justification.
2. Requested Information
Interested vendors are requested to provide the following information. Responses should be concise and limited to 10 pages or fewer.
2.1 Company Information Cover sheet that includes:
- Legal company name, address, DUNS/UEI number, and CAGE code;
- SAM.gov registration status and expiration date
- Points of contact including phone number and e-mail address;
- Small business status and applicable socioeconomic categories (e.g., 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB, SB)
- Business size standard under the applicable NAICS code
- Applicable Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), Multiple Award Contracts (MACs), or GSA Schedule contracts (if any)
2.1 Capability Statement
- Description of your firm's experience providing news monitoring services to Federal Government clients in accordance to the attached Draft Statement of Work
2.3 Pricing Information (Rough Order of Magnitude Only)
- For market research purposes only, provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing estimate for a base year
2.4 Draft Statement of Work (SOW) Comments
A draft Statement of Work (SOW) for this requirement is attached to this RFI as Attachment A. The SEC is seeking industry feedback on the draft SOW prior to finalizing the solicitation. Respondents are encouraged to review the draft SOW and provide written comments addressing the following:
- Clarity and completeness: Are the requirements clearly and sufficiently described? Are there any ambiguities, gaps, or inconsistencies that should be addressed?
- Technical feasibility: Are the technical requirements, delivery timelines, and performance standards achievable and consistent with industry standards and commercial best practices?
- Overly restrictive terms: Are there any requirements that may unnecessarily restrict competition or limit the pool of capable vendors?
- Performance standards and metrics: Are the proposed performance standards (e.g., delivery timeframes, alert response times, uptime requirements) reasonable and measurable?
- Suggested revisions: Please provide specific recommended edits, additions, or deletions to the draft SOW language, with rationale.
SOW comments should be submitted using a tracked-changes version of Attachment A or in a separate document that identifies the relevant SOW section, proposed revision, and rationale. Comments will be used to inform the final SOW and will not be attributed to individual respondents in any subsequent solicitation.
Note: The draft SOW is provided for comment purposes only and does not represent the Government's final requirements. The Government reserves the right to revise, modify, or withdraw the draft SOW at any time without obligation.
3. Instructions for Submission
- Responses must be submitted electronically to: Pleshette Brown, Contracting Officer
- Subject line: "RFI Response - News Monitoring Services - [Vendor Name]
- Responses are due no later than July 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time
- File format: PDF or Microsoft Word
- Page limit: 10 pages for the RFI response (excluding cover page, Attachment A SOW comments, and other attachments)
- Draft SOW comments (Section 2.4) should be submitted as a separate document or as a tracked-changes version of Attachment A, included with the RFI response
3.1 Questions and Answers
Interested vendors may submit written questions regarding this RFI in accordance with the schedule below:
RFI Timeline
- RFI Issue Date - June 30, 2026
- Questions Due - July 7, 2026, by 10:00 AM Eastern Time
- Q&A Posted - July 8, 2026
- RFI Responses Due - July 14, 2026, by 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Questions must be submitted via email to Pleshette Brown at Brownpl@sec.gov with the subject line: RFI Questions News Monitoring Services [Vendor Name].
All questions and Government responses will be consolidated and posted to SAM.gov as an amendment to this RFI. Responses to individual vendors will not be provided. Vendors are encouraged to monitor SAM.gov for any amendments or updates prior to submitting their RFI response.
Note: Questions received after the questions deadline may not receive a response. The Government reserves the right to respond to questions at its discretion.
5. Disclaimer
This RFI is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
Issuance of this RFI does not restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government reserves the right to cancel, revise, or proceed with any acquisition strategy deemed in the best interest of the Government.
Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and clearly marked. The Government assumes no liability for the disclosure or use of unmarked information provided in response to this RFI.
5. Attachments
Background
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing comprehensive news monitoring services. The SEC's mission includes protecting investors, maintaining fair and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation.
The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) within the SEC requires timely and accurate information about news relevant to its work, making news monitoring services essential for effective communication with stakeholders.
Work Details
The contractor shall provide daily news monitoring services, delivering a custom-curated news briefing document via email each business day by 5:00 a.m. (ET). Services include:
- Continuously monitor print, online, and broadcast sources for relevant news.
- Identify and capture articles, transcripts, and summaries that meet pre-determined criteria.
- Provide daily, weekly, and ad-hoc reports as specified.
- Archive all collected materials in a searchable format while ensuring compliance with copyright requirements.
- Respond to requests for missed clips within 1 hour and general inquiries within 2 hours.
Key performance indicators include accuracy of coverage, delivery timeliness, and overall quality of the news briefing document.
Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance consists of a 12-month base year.
Place of Performance
Services will be performed primarily in the United States.
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate experience providing news monitoring services to Federal Government clients. They should provide a capability statement detailing their experience and may need to comply with specific socioeconomic categories such as small business status.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
The SEC’s news monitoring services requirement appears to have a confirmed incumbent, with Critical Mention awarded two related contracts for “Annual Subscription Media Monitoring” (50310219P0010, $17,750 for 07/31/19–07/31/24 and 50310224P0033, $21,600 for 08/01/24–07/31/27). The current draft work calls for continuous monitoring of print/online/broadcast sources and delivery of daily curated news briefings with additional weekly/ad-hoc reporting and archiving, which aligns closely with the prior annual media monitoring subscription scope and suggests continuity of the same service.