A14_MR_Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_-_Sexual_Assault_Hotline_Services_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

Posted Date: December 22, 2025

Procurement Office:

The Department of the Interior (DOI) – Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD)

Response Due Date:

January 8, 2026, at 5PM EST

NOTICE OF INTENT SYNOPSIS:

The Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate on behalf of Peace Corps’ Office of Health Services (OHS) intends to award a Purchase Order to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), on a sole source basis for Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services. The Purchase Order is anticipated to include a 12-month base period and four 12-month Option Periods.

The intended procurement is classified under North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) Code 624190 - Other Individual and Family Service.

This is a Sole Source procurement under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.5 - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. There is only one responsible source, and no other services will satisfy agency requirements.

Description of Requirement:

Peace Corps OHS requires commercial Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services.

The hotline services include live, confidential crisis counseling; providing information about referrals and Peace Corps’ sexual assault reporting options; and other related services. The hotline shall be available to all serving Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) and staffed 24 hours a day on a year-round basis (24/7/365). The Sexual Assault Hotline Services shall include telephone, online chat, helpline call back, helpline text, a helpline website, and a helpline mobile app.

Purpose and Objective:

The availability of a sexual assault hotline is mandated by the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011.

Market Research, including a Request for Information (RFI), suggests there are vendors capable of standing up a new service model to support a sexual assault hotline, however, no vendor other than RAINN has current capabilities and extensive expertise in supporting a sexual assault hotline.

RAINN, a U.S. nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)), is uniquely qualified to provide the required services. RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and has been providing support, advocacy, and education since 1994, having helped more than 5 million people affected by sexual violence. One of its core programs includes the National Sexual Assault Hotline providing free confidential crisis support and referrals from trained support specialists with 24/7 availability. Furthermore, no other vendor has RAINN’s experience in providing agencies with customizable sexual assault hotline services staffed by extensively trained and experienced specialists. For Peace Corps, specialized experience in sexual assault hotline services is not optional - it is a core risk-mitigation requirement to ensure high quality, trauma-informed, survivor-centered crisis intervention and reporting is available to volunteers serving abroad.

As a result, the only source that can meet Peace Corps’ demand for these critical services is

RAINN.

Period of Performance: One 12-month Base Period and four 12-month Option Periods.

Response Information:

This action is being processed in accordance with 41U.S.C 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

This notice of intent to award a sole source contract is NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE

PROPOSALS. A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

However, all responsible sources that feel they can meet the Government's requirements detailed above may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. Responses to this notice shall contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirements and include the business’ Unique Entity ID (UEI). All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

Marketing brochures and/or generic company literature will not be considered.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The information received will be retained as Market Research. Please be advised that this announcement may constitute the only notice that will be posted for this acquisition, based on any responses to this notice.

All responses must be received by 5:00 pm Eastern on Thursday, January 8, 2026 and must reference “Sexual Assault Hotline Services” in the subject line. Responses may be submitted electronically via email to:

mike_mcguire@ibc.doi.gov / hanna_mershman@ibc.doi.gov

Thank you!