Academic Executive Search for Deans

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items, specifically executive search services for academic deans. The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking a highly respected executive search firm with robust higher education expertise and a proven national track record to place leaders at academic institutions.

• Provide executive search services for academic deans.

• The firm must possess a national network of higher education academic leaders.

• Demonstrated record of successful academic dean and senior leader recruitment for accredited four-year higher education institutions within the last 5 years.

• Ability to build a robust candidate pool and assess cultural compatibility.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Anticipated CLIN structure includes two CLINs, each representing an executive search per schoolhouse.

• Period of Performance will be outlined in the SOW.

• Quote Due Date: June 12, 2026, by 08:00 AM EST.

• Submission Method: Email quotes to Alfred.Chaney@uscg.mil and Katherine.m.discenza@uscg.mil.

• Questions Due: June 08, 2026, by 12:00 PM EST via email to the Contracting Officer.

• Evaluation Factors: Best value trade-off will be based on Factor 1 (Prior Experience), Factor 2 (Search Approach), and Factor 3 (Price). Prior Experience is significantly more important than Search Approach, which is significantly more important than Price.

• Award: The government intends to award without discussions.

• NAICS Code: 561312 (size standard $34 million).

• Set-Aside: 100% Small Business Set-aside on a restricted basis.

• Offerors must submit two volumes: Volume I (Search Approach and Prior Experience, 5 pages per factor) and Volume II (Price).

• A cover sheet (max 1 page) is required for all submissions.

• FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-2, and 52.212-4 apply, with tailored addenda provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet titled 'Price Input' and serves as Attachment A. It is intended for bidders to input their pricing details for the CLINs associated with the opportunity.

• CLIN: Contract Line Item Number.
• CLIN Description: Description of the service or item.
• # of Searches: Quantity of searches required.
• Price Per Search: The cost for a single search.
• Total Price Per Search: Calculated as (# of Searches) * (Price Per Search).
• Total Evaluated Price: The sum of all 'Total Price Per Search' values.

Bidders must use this sheet to provide their pricing structure. The "CLIN Description" indicates a requirement for an "Executive Search for 01 School of Engineering and Cyber Systems." Bidders need to accurately fill in the "# of Searches" and "Price Per Search" for this CLIN. The "Total Evaluated Price" will be a key component in the overall evaluation of proposals.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The objective is to engage a highly respected executive search firm with robust higher education expertise to conduct a nationally competitive search for academic deans at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA). The firm will identify, recruit, and support the selection of highly qualified academic leaders aligned with the Coast Guard's core values and strategic goals.

• Planning: Conduct virtual meetings with USCGA stakeholders, perform institutional needs analysis, develop a communication plan and search timeline, identify critical leadership competencies, and propose recruitment strategies. The firm will leverage the USCGA-provided position profile for candidate communication.

• Market Outreach: Leverage networks and research to identify, recruit, and build a diverse pool of exceptional candidates. Conduct in-depth behavioral interviews and evaluate candidates equitably. Provide a secure web portal for candidate materials.

• Candidate Communication: Maintain effective and personalized communication with candidates, answer questions promptly, and coordinate all candidate engagements with USCGA. Notify unsuccessful candidates.

• Candidate Screening and Appointment: Conduct comprehensive due diligence (references, media, employment verification). Confirm candidates possess terminal degrees and relevant leadership experience. Collaborate with the search committee to narrow the pool, assist with interview preparation, and provide feedback. Manage interview scheduling. Finalist interviews will be in-person at USCGA, with travel logistics handled by USCGA. Advise on offer terms and support post-acceptance communication.

• Selectee Follow-Up: Provide transition support to the appointed dean and offer feedback to all assessed candidates.

• The contractor's principal leader must have recent experience placing academic deans.

• Personnel must maintain a robust national network of academic leaders.

• Personnel assigned to the Dean of Science, Mathematics and Humanities search must have prior experience within those disciplines.

• The contractor must ensure continuity of support and provide a Project Manager as a single point of contact.

• Period of Performance: The search process for the Dean of the School of Science, Mathematics and Humanities is scheduled to begin in August 2026, with a candidate start date of July 1, 2027.

• Place of Performance: Primarily virtual, with secondary performance at the United States Coast Guard Academy, 33 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320.

• Contractor personnel must comply with Government facility identification and conduct regulations.

• The Government may direct the removal of contractor employees for misconduct or security reasons.

• Contractor must furnish all necessary facilities, materials, equipment, and services, except for specified Government Furnished Resources.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items, seeking proposals for executive search services for academic institutions. The government aims to procure the services of a highly respected executive search firm with expertise in higher education to place leaders at academic institutions.

• Executive search services for academic deans.

• The requirement includes placing a Dean of the School of Science, Mathematics and Humanities.

• The firm must possess a national network of higher education academic leaders and a proven track record in academic dean and senior leader recruitment.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Anticipated CLIN structure includes two CLINs, each representing an executive search per schoolhouse.

• Service period of performance will be outlined in the SOW (not provided in this document).

• Submission Deadline: June 12, 2026, by 08:00 AM EST.

• Submission Method: Quotes must be emailed to Alfred.Chaney@uscg.mil and Katherine.m.discenza@uscg.mil.

• Questions Deadline: Written questions must be emailed to the Contracting Officer no later than June 08, 2026, by 12:00 PM.

• Evaluation: Award will be based on a best-value trade-off process considering Factor 1 (Prior Experience), Factor 2 (Search Approach), and Factor 3 (Price). Prior Experience is more important than Search Approach, and both are significantly more important than Price.

• Award Intent: The Government intends to award without discussions.

• NAICS Code: 561312

• Business Size Standard: $34 million

• Set-Aside: 100% Small Business Set-aside on a restricted basis.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR Part 12 provisions and clauses, with additional tailoring in addenda.

• Offerors must submit two volumes: Volume I (Search Approach and Prior Experience, 5-page limit per factor) and Volume II (Price).

• A cover sheet (1-page limit) is required for all submissions.

• Offerors must acknowledge the solicitation and all amendments.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for services related to the search and placement of academic deans. The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking proposals for this effort.

Quoters must demonstrate their approach to:

• The entire search process from initiation to candidate placement.
• Sourcing, vetting, and building a robust candidate pool of qualified academic deans.
• Developing candidate relationships and assessing cultural compatibility.
• Engaging with university/college leaders and search committees.

Firms must also demonstrate prior experience in:

• Accessing a national network of higher education academic leaders.

• Recruiting academic deans and senior leaders for accredited four-year institutions.

• Successful placements within the last 5 years, including quantity and institutions.

• The contract will be awarded to the responsible offeror whose offer represents the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation will be based on a trade-off process considering Factor 1 (Search Approach), Factor 2 (Prior Experience), and Factor 3 (Price).

• Prior Experience is more important than Search Approach, and both are significantly more important than Price.

• Questions are due by 12:00 PM EST on 08 June 2026. Submit questions to katherine.m.discenza@uscg.mil & Afred.Chaney@uscg.mil.

• Submissions require a cover sheet (1 page max) with specific quoter information.

• Proposals must be submitted in two volumes:

  • Volume I: Search Approach (Factor 1, 5-page limit) and Prior Experience (Factor 2, 5-page limit).
  • Volume II: Price (Factor 3), using Attachment A.

• Font size minimum 11pt (10pt for tables/charts). Page size is Letter (8.5" x 11").

• Evaluation ratings for non-price factors include High Confidence, Some Confidence, and Low Confidence.

Not specified in the provided text.

• Quoter is solely responsible for quote costs.
• The solicitation is not a direction to proceed or a promise of future direction.
• Acknowledgment of the solicitation and all amendments is required.