36C10X23R0006 DRAFT Solicitation 2022-11-18.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 86 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

36C10X23R0006

Caitlin Ruc Caitlin.Ruc@va.gov 202-281-0997

EST

36C10X Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

X 100

X

541618

$16.5 Million

N/A

X

See B.2 Performance Work Statement

36C10X

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

VAFSC

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center

PO BOX 149971

(see Section B.1 Contract Admin Data) Austin TX 78714-8917

1-(877)-489-6135

See CONTINUATION Page

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION (OMHSP)

SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM (SPP)

WHITE HOUSE PRIORITY GOALS SUPPORT 1,2, and 3

Proposals Due: See block 8 above.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

Melissa Ramirez Contracting Officer

36C10X23R0006 | WHITE HOUSE PRIORITY GOALS SUPPORT 1,2, and 3

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999) Error! Bookmark not defined.

C.3 52.232-16 PROGRESS PAYMENTS (NOV 2021) ALTERNATE I (MAR 2000)

C.4 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA ACQUISITION

OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

C.5 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—MONITORING AND

COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

C.6 VAAR 852.219-77 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (SEP 2021)

(DEVIATION)

C.7 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

C.8 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

C.9 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.10 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2022) (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION)

C.11MANDATORY WRITTEN DISCLOSURES

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021) ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

E.2 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2021)

E.3 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

E.4 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

E.5 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.6 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.7 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR: TBD

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C10X Melissa Ramirez

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Within 30 days upon delivery and acceptance by the

Government

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 BACKGROUND

Suicide among service members and Veterans is a public health and national security crisis.

Since 2010, more than 65,000 Veterans have died by suicide – more than the total number of deaths from combat during the Vietnam War and the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Women Veterans die by suicide at almost twice the rate than non-Veteran women, and Veterans ages 18-34 have a suicide rate almost three times higher than non-Veterans the same age. In the military, young (less than 30 years of age) and enlisted service members are at heightened risk. As with the general population, among service members, Veterans and their family members, firearms are the most common method of suicide.

In the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fiscal Year 2018–2024 Strategic Plan , preventing Veteran suicide is identified as the highest clinical priority. The VA National Strategy for Preventing Suicide (2018 – 2028) and the White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide (release on November 2, 2021) provide additional guidance for implementation of a public health approach to end suicide.

In 2012, Executive Order 13625: “Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families” established the Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health. The early work of this Interagency Task Force had a specific emphasis on facilitating interagency collaboration, expanding staffing capacity at the Veteran Crisis Line, and joint development of a national suicide prevention campaign focused on connecting Veterans and service members to resources and support. Further, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has made mental healthcare access and suicide prevention a critical part of its strategic goals. Through early intervention and full access to mental health and suicide prevention services, VHA aims to “lead the nation in caring for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated mental health challenges.” This effort is aligned with President Biden’s National Mental Health Strategy, which is taking executive action to address aspects of suicide prevention.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VHA, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP), Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) has a requirement for support services to assist VA in reducing and preventing suicide within the military and veteran populations through an evidence-based approach to integrated care models that address medical, behavioral, and social health. This support will result in an environmental study that details a careful analysis of the internal and external environment of VHA in order to detect opportunities, threats, trends, important lessons, and weaknesses which can impact the current and future strategies of the organization’s mission to reduce Military and Veteran Suicide.

3.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

In the performance of the tasks associated with this Performance Work Statement (PWS), the Contractor shall comply with the following:

1. 44 U.S.C. § 3541, “Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002”

2. FIPS Pub 201-2, “Personal Identity Verification of Federal Employees and Contractors,” August 2013

3. 5 U.S.C. § 552a, as amended, “The Privacy Act of 1974”

4. Public Law 109-461, Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology

Act of 2006, title IX Information Security Matters

5. 10 U.S.C. § 2224, "Defense Information Assurance Program"

6. 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, “Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964”

7. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Directive 0710 Personnel Security and

Suitability Program dated June 04, 2010 (https://www.voa.va.gov/)

8. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Directive 6102 (Internet/Intranet

Services) (https://www.voa.va.gov/)

9. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Handbook 6102 (Internet/Intranet

Services) (https://www.voa.va.gov/)

10. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); 45 CFR Part 160, 162, and 164; Health Insurance Reform: Security Standards; Final Rule dated February 20,

11. 36 C.F.R. Part 1194, “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards,” July 1, 2003

12. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, “Management of Federal Information Resources,” November 28, 2000

13. VA Handbook 6500.6, “Contract Security,” February 24, 2021

14. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication

800-53, “Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations”(https://www.voa.va.gov/)

15. Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) (www.gsa.gov/federaltravelregulation)

16. VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management, September 21, 2018

17. VA Directive 6221, Accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

18. VA Handbook, 6300.1, Records Management Procedures, March 24, 2010

19. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. No. 96-511, 94 Stat. 2812, codified at 44

U.S.C. §§ 3501 – 3521)

20. Mission, Vision, Core Values & Goals for the US Department of Veteran Affairs

(https://www.va.gov/about_va/mission.asp)

21. S.785 - Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019

22. White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide

(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Military-and-Veteran- Suicide-Prevention-Strategy.pdf)

23. Appendix for Priority Goal 1

4.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide and/or acquire the services, hardware, and software required by this contract pursuant to the general requirements specified below. To the maximum extent possible, the Contractor shall ensure that VA’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is accessible to and usable by VA employees and members of the public with disabilities. The Contractor shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and implements policy contained in VA Directive 6221.

4.1 CONTRACT TYPE

This contract shall be issued on a performance-based, Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis.

4.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract shall be for 2.5 years (30 months) from date of award.

4.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Efforts under this contract shall be performed at Contractor and VA facilities.

4.4 TRAVEL

The Government anticipates minimal travel throughout the period of performance. The Government will reimburse the cost of travel required. Reimbursement for travel is limited to that required in the performance of the contract. Specific Government direction to attend meetings or gather information shall be reimbursed on a cost-reimbursable basis only. All travel shall be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). Local travel, within a 50-mile radius from the Contractor’s facility or the relocation of contractor personnel from other geographic areas for the purpose of staffing a contract is considered the cost of doing business and is not subject to reimbursement. Travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel time for travel beyond a 50-mile radius of the Contractor’s facility are authorized for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis and must be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Travel costs subject to reimbursement are limited to travel occurring at the direction of the Government, performed in conjunction with a specific requirement for a trip authorized in this task order. Any administrative/clerical support travel costs shall be considered and approved by the Contracting Officer (CO) on a case-by-case basis. Travel shall be reflected on the task order as a separate, reimbursable line item with a not-to exceed (NTE) total expenditure. Travel and per diem expenses will be reimbursed on an actual expenditure’s basis in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and FAR 31.205-46.

Travel that occurs without written pre-approval from the COR will NOT be reimbursed. The Contractor shall utilize such travel request forms or other request processes as may be established by the COR. Requests not in conformance with COR guidance will NOT be accepted as pre-approval.

To be reimbursed for travel, the Contractor shall submit supporting documentation as required by Federal Travel Regulations with invoices. Federal Travel Regulations require for any temporary travel destination you must provide a receipt to substantiate your claimed travel expenses for lodging and a receipt for any authorized expenses costing over $75. (FTR 301- 11.25). Expenses for subsistence and lodging will be reimbursed to the contractor only to the extent where an overnight stay is necessary and authorized by Federal Travel Regulations in effect at the time of the stay for the specific location.

Approval for rental vehicles is discouraged and shall only be approved on an individual basis.

Additional information can be found at: http://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

SPECIFIC TASK REQUIREMENTS

5.0 FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING FOR

REDUCING AND PREVENTING SUICIDE WITHIN THE MILITARY AND VETERAN

POPULATIONS

5.1 CONTRACT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Contractor shall develop an evidence-based approach to integrated care models that address medical, behavioral, and social health. This support shall focus specifically on Priority Goals outlined in the White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide released on November 2, 2021. The contractor shall enter into all work with the understanding that no “sustainment or continuous operations” is to be performed and is considered out of scope of this contract.

The Contractor shall perform project management tasks throughout the entirety of the contract.

Project management is the process and activity of planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals in scientific or daily problems. A project is a temporary endeavor intended to produce a unique product, service, or result:

1. with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained, and often constrained by funding or deliverables); and

2. undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives.

Project management, best practices, and principles are maintained in the PMI Project Management framework. The Department of Veteran Affairs Project Management Plan template can be found publicly here: https://www.voa.va.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DocumentID=141

The Contractor shall provide project management which includes, but not limited to, the following:

a) Provide program management support to assist the VA in developing a Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan for reducing and preventing suicide within the military and veteran populations.

b) The Contractor shall provide quarterly progress reports. The Contractor shall host and execute Quarterly Program Reviews (QPRs) with senior VA leaders. These reviews will be conducted virtually and are intended to provide a review of the Contractor’s performance in accomplishing the goals for the past quarter as well as identifying changes to the tactical plan for execution in the upcoming 6-to-12-month period.

c) The contractor shall provide an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for Government review and approval. The IMS shall comply with the 30-month period of performance found in Section 4.2 of this contract. Status updates in regards the Government approved IMS shall be presented in the quarterly program reviews. The initial IMS proposed will be reviewed and refined in the Kickoff meeting and each QPR thereafter.

d) The Contractor shall provide a Risk and Opportunities Plan to be incorporated throughout the project and out briefed at the quarterly program reviews. The initial Risk and Opportunities Plan proposed will be reviewed and refined in the Kickoff meeting and each QPR thereafter.

e) The Contractor shall provide a Contractor Project Management Plan (CPMP) within the first 45 days of the contract showing their plan to develop and produce a Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan for reducing and preventing suicide within the military and veteran populations. The initial CPMP proposed will be reviewed and refined in the Kickoff meeting and each QPR thereafter.

f) The Contractor shall develop Cost Benefit Analysis for each piloted sub-project executed to build the Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan.

The Contractor shall develop pilots for approval by the Government. Pilots shall be identified via scoping document. This document shall include work effort, financial estimation and impact statement for the purpose of scoping suicide prevention related pilots including the determination of resources, facilitation of efforts, execution of engagement, estimated duration, complexity, organizational benefit, and implementation strategy. Upon written approval via the COR, the Contractor shall execute the approved pilot. All scoping documents should be included in QPRs.

Deliverables:

5.1.A Kickoff Meeting, Agenda, and presentation slides 5.1.B Kickoff Meeting Notes 5.2.C Contractor Project Management Plan (CPMP), to include Risk and Opportunities Plan and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) 5.2.E Quarterly Progress Reports (to also serve as the Program Review Agendas) 5.2.F Quarterly Program Reviews (QPRs)

5.2 FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING

The final deliverable for this contract, with inputs from the work performed on the Priority Goals throughout the VA and other participating agencies, is the Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan. This plan will show fully researched strategies and objectives for the broad implementation of evidence-based suicide risk assessment and safety planning within emergency care settings (emergency transport, urgent care, and emergency departments) throughout the United States. The analysis conducted in the development of this plan will include evaluation of ways in which federal policy and funding may be implemented to reinforce wide-scale implementation of evidence-based suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and post discharge follow-up care coordination across healthcare systems.

Considering the White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide released on November 2, 2021, “the Contractor shall support the VA to work collaboratively across agencies toward improved suicide surveillance, research, and program evaluation. The Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan, at minimum, shall include the following:

Continued implementation of the National Research Strategy.

Provide a review of the science on suicide prevention, with a focus on identifying interventions that are ready for further scaling as well as scientific gaps that are not currently targeted by research investments.

Through case studies and field information, provide recommendations on a structure and applicable guidance toward improved and recommended program evaluation logic models applicable to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention programs and services.

Provide a study with recommendations on the potential use of a machine-based learning model to estimate weekly U.S. suicide fatalities and advancing efforts to create a population-level system for enabling real-time epidemiological monitoring of suicide fatalities.

Recommendations and evaluations of States’ efforts (inclusive of work with medical examiners and coroners) to improve rapid suicide surveillance reporting including military and veteran status.”

These White House Plan deliverables (Priority Goals) will be clinically interwoven (access to evidence-based care, standardized training, high reliability principles, and crisis engagement) such that one objective relies completely upon another to ensure care continuity, coordination, and collaboration regardless of settings. The deliverables of the PWS are clinically interrelated to provide a comprehensive review and intervention strategy that maximizes care coordination, collaboration, and care continuity.

The contractor shall make iterative deliveries of the Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan in accordance with the Section 6 delivery schedule. These iterative deliveries shall be subject to Government review and approval. The Contractor shall include all previously approved Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan content in subsequent deliveries unless the Government approves removal of content.. For example -without reviewing access, it will not be clear where evidence-based training supports, emergency department processes, or further evaluations are needed. Without emergency department process reviews, it will not be apparent where evidence-based services need to be focused on training, etc.

The final product shall determine how VA should provide timely, coordinated, evidenced-based care across myriad settings (emergency care, outpatient care, etc.). The final product shall outline what can cause providers to overlook risk factors that often result in the loss of life resulting in significant harm to the Veteran. The Contractor shall identify gaps in this PWS throughout the PoP, as soon as they are uncovered.

Deliverables:

5.2.A Suicide Prevention Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan

5.2.1 PRIORITY GOAL 1: IMPROVE LETHAL MEANS SAFETY

This priority focuses on ensuring time and space between a person and crisis and their access to lethal means, including firearms and medications.

Interventions that aim to address lethal means safety, such as lethal means safety training, safe storage options, or safety planning care, are clinically indicated for populations at risk of suicide.

Efforts to promote protective environments and enhance organizational culture with regard to lethal means safety can also lead to changes in safe storage behaviors.

5.2.1.A LETHAL MEANS SAFETY STRATEGIES

In reference to page 11 of the White House Plan to Reduce Military and Veteran Suicide released on November 2, 2021, the Contractor shall support VHA in creating “a plan for addressing lethal means safety awareness, education, training, and program evaluation. The Contractor shall assist VHA in the identification, development, and testing of a tailored messaging for a coordinated lethal means safety public education campaign. The Contractor shall ensure VHA bases their activities on expert guidance (including from suicide prevention experts and law enforcement professionals) and data. This campaign shall include plans to: Educate the public on lethal means safety, and in turn encourage safer storage practices, safety planning, and time and space behavioral measures for crisis response; Significantly increase Lethal Means Safety training engagement and completion for VA Community Care Network providers and for healthcare providers in the community; and Expand VA Safety Planning in the Emergency Department (SPED) into community healthcare systems and Emergency Departments in an effort to increase implementation of evidence-based suicide prevention safety planning processes and to increase care management and coordination for high-risk individuals. The expansion effort shall include training family members and supporters on how to use safety plans.”

The Contractor shall perform research and evaluation essential for guiding best practices and continuous quality improvement to enhance lethal means safety as a major priority for the VA National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. The Contractor shall conduct a national study on preferred safe storage options (gun locks, lock boxes, safes, etc.) and determine if there are differences in utilization rates between genders, different socio-economic groups, ethnic groups, geographically remote populations. The Contractor shall include analysis of VA funding, storage needs, policy guidance. The Contractor shall identify and include recommendations to clarify and limit possible concerns of off-site safe storage facilities. The Contractor shall develop a comprehensive website for VA in collaboration with community of firearm industry partners which includes latest research on LMS, communication resources (e.g., shared Talking Points, videos for PSAs that have been cleared, example social media postings), and information about efforts across the Nation in LMS, to provide an ongoing resource for the Nation’s work in LMS related to firearm suicide prevention.

For Priority 1, the approach should address, at a minimum:

A. Feasibility Analysis of Lethal Means Safety Strategies B. Lethal Means Safety Website

5.2.1.B LETHAL MEANS SAFETY VIDEO AND PSA PRODUCTION,

PHOTOGRAPHY, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, VIDEO PRODUCTION:

SUICIDE PREVENTION AND LETHAL MEANS CREATIVE ASSETS CONCEPTION,

DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION

The Contractor shall oversee all aspects of video and still photography created, as well as planning, production and post-production which includes obtaining the proper VA 10-3203 release forms and verifying Veteran Status (i.e. Veterans provides Veteran ID card or DD214s, but the Veteran maintains possession of forms) from Veterans, Service Members, and all others participating. No documents shall be collected or stored by the Contractor with the exception of the VA-10-3203 release forms.

The Contractor shall develop a detailed video plan which shall account for two creative brainstorm sessions. Each session should include all relevant parties integral to the pre and production over a two-day time-period specific to suicide prevention and LMS creative assets.

The video plan shall consider the requirement to develop HD, national TV, commercial-grade and quality PSAs within the contract period of performance in addition to the required video production. Additionally, the plan will consider the need to distribute one PSA 15-30 days prior to September 2024, which is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. The video plan shall include details related to educational/awareness videos considering other Government provided communication/production efforts and schedules. PSA footage to be used for social media platforms may not exceed 60 seconds. The national TV quality commercials shall be created and cut at industry standard 15, 30 and 60 seconds for widest possible distribution and play.

The Contractor shall develop, cast, and shoot all original footage/Visual Effects (VFX) for these PSAs and shall provide Behind-The-Scenes professional photography services for use in PSA packaging, promotional products, and materials. The Contractor shall use Veterans and / or Service Members for visual / acting roles determined to be representative of Veterans or Service Members. Veteran and / or Service Member voiceover services are preferred. However, professional (non-Veteran) voiceover services are permitted, as appropriate, at the discretion of VHA via prior approval from the COR. The Contractor shall deliver each commercial in appropriate packaging with a case and a designed and printed label aligned with the product and its contents.

Additional Creative Asset Guidelines.

All creative assets developed under this contract shall be produced considering additional creative asset guidelines, including target Veteran subpopulations.

Each creative asset shall have, at a minimum, one version featuring a male lead and one version featuring a female lead.

The creative assets shall be of quality in and such formats as are suitable for dissemination through a variety of channels and platforms such as linear and connected television and other digital platforms (e.g., YouTube).

The Contractor shall provide video format support, to include encoding/transcoding video deliverables into commonly used formats (e.g., MP4).

The audio tracks for each creative asset (including cutdowns) shall be delivered on a standalone basis in such formats as are appropriate for use with audio-only delivery platforms (e.g., terrestrial and satellite radio, Internet streaming services, Spotify/Pandora, etc.).

Each creative asset, cut-down, and audio track shall have an English and a Spanish version.

The Contractor shall provide 508 compliance and language translation as required, management of camera and voice talent (contracting, re-use, releases, etc.), assist the government with obtaining approvals via the VA Handbook 8501 directive (and all subordinate directives) for all advertising and promotional materials, and catalogued archives of all advertising and promotional materials (furnished product, commercial outtakes, etc.).

The Contractor shall utilize Government provided recommendations obtained from focus groups directed by Public Law 116–171 Section 401 to inform the development of creative assets.

The Contractor shall use the RAND Checklist for Suicide Prevention Media Campaigns1 Per Public Law 116–171 Section 401, the Contractor shall obtain input regarding the two

PSAs from stakeholder groups including diverse sample of Veterans and Veteran-centric groups.

The target demographics for these creative assets include all Veterans, generally.

However, the Contractor shall provide recommendations on how the creative assets will also address suicide prevention and lethal means safety important to Veteran subpopulations, particularly those at higher risk for suicide including women Veterans under 35, American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans, LGBTQ+ Veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, white Veteran males over the age of 55, and geographically remote Veterans.

The Contractor shall distribute these productions in accordance with the following:

• Apply best methods for attaining highest levels of reach and frequency with Veterans and their families throughout the United States;

• Ensure maximum airplay among national and local TV outlets as it relates to non-commercial broadcast and streamed advertising for the public good;

• Promote and make PSAs available to national/local TV and digital outlets via best industry practices and standards including Latino TV outlets, and

• Include detailed methodology for notification campaign and PSA promotion;

• Connect with at least 1,500 PSA directors at national/local TV outlets in the United

States, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam; and

The Contractor shall also develop and produce two HD, commercial-grade, 180-second, educational/awareness videos for web and social media distribution and eight 15-second to 30 second video ads related to relevant suicide prevention topics. The Contractor shall translate two of the education/awareness videos into Spanish.

All videos and photos (raw and final), shall not exceed 25 Terabytes and shall be stored on a cloud for access by up to sixteen individuals outside of the contractor. The sixteen individual user access will be assigned by the Government.

The Contractor shall work alongside the Government to identify and develop new content and ensure all videos and photos (raw and final) is not duplicative of other VA suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use messaging and plans, rather that it is complementary. All developed content (raw and final) and any collateral materials developed for the campaign shall be provided to the government on a monthly basis. The Contractor’s work is to be complimentary and not a reuse of currently available content found in the public domain. For Priority 1, the approach shall address, at a minimum:

A. New national TV commercial-grade PSAs.

B. 180 new educational / awareness creative assets: HD video creative, plan, production, postproduction, and distribution for one HD, commercial-grade, 180 second, educational/awareness videos for web and social media distribution and eight 15 second to 30 second video ads related to relevant suicide prevention / Lethal Means Safety topics. The Contractor shall translate the education/awareness videos into Spanish.

C. Educational / awareness videos shall have, at a minimum, one version featuring a male lead and one version featuring a female lead from one of the priority Veteran subpopulations.

D. Storage (cloud) of all video and photo assets of new and preexisting digital media content.

E. Implement approved paid media buys in accordance with approved media plan F. Advertising material developed under this contract for national Lethal Means Safety campaign G. Monthly campaign tracking

5.2.1.C STILL PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOTS AND EDITING

The Contractor shall hold remote photo shoots, capturing 150 Veterans from a wide variety of backgrounds and provide VA with a wide array of photo options, including metaphor (hands only, holding a brochure, a Veteran holding a keychain); setting (park/gym/school); support (hug, concern); and action (walking, working out). The models shall be Veterans, active-duty Service members (including National Guard or Reserve), individuals portraying a role (family, friends, healthcare profession) or dogs and shall be from all available eras, branches, genders, and ethnicities. Throughout the PoP, the Contractor shall recruit Veterans, active-duty Service members or family to participate in remote photoshoots in multiple locations across the United States. Selected models shall accurately represent the various backgrounds and demographics of Veterans and Service members and consider the serious tone, nature, and sensitivity of mental health topic. Each model shall have various government approved wardrobe options that are relevant to work environment or casual climate with family or other appropriate scenarios as required by the shot. The Contractor shall be responsible for all creative direction, which includes the shot-list for a wide variety of photos that shall be used for material in toolkits. The photoshoots shall take into consideration any physical distancing recommendations due to COVID-19 as provided by the Centers for Disease Control. The Contractor shall provide the necessary equipment, guidance, and support to capture photos of Veterans to ensure the widest possible array of photographs are captured for use. The Contractor shall provide, when necessary, mobile lighting kits and cameras or phones for participants to capture images and relay the look needed for mental health material. All photographs taken shall be provided in a raw format and shall remain the property of VA with exclusive use of material. The Contractor shall use only Veterans or Service Members for roles determined to be Veterans or Service Members and will obtain the proper VA 10-3203 release forms and verify Veteran or family member status (i.e. viewing DD-214 or Dependent/Veteran ID Card) for all participants, as applicable. The Contractor shall handle all associated logistics and required forms related to the photo shoots. The Contractor shall also provide a photo editor for chosen “selects” to be used in all campaign material.

The Contractor shall provide professional, still photography in coordination/conjunction with video shoots. All PSA, education/awareness video shoots shall have a behind the scenes photographer. Shoots shall take place in a room no smaller than 15’ x 25' with ceilings no lower than 10'. All Testimonial video shoot participants shall be provided electronic copies of all their photographs.

Be compliant with Section 508 of the Americans with Disability Act for user interfaces and must include closed captioning, which includes descriptive captioning for videos; and

Accurately depict the benefits and services being portrayed.

For Priority 1, the approach shall address, at a minimum:

A. Still photography for all remote photoshoots with 150 Veterans B. Still photo editor for suicide prevention efforts

5.2.1.D PAID MEDIA PLANNING AND STRATEGY

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeks to create multiple coordinated advertising, promotional, and publicity campaigns relating to suicide prevention, with a particular focus on firearms and other Lethal Means Safety (LMS). Campaigns shall be based on the following priorities outlined in both the VA National Strategy for Preventing Suicide (2018 – 2028) and the White House Plan for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide (2021). The contractor shall assist the Program Office with the developing, planning, executing, tracking, and reporting of multimodal delivery of the creative assets and educational materials for the purpose of maximizing suicide prevention and LMS messaging awareness among target audiences and driving completion of related calls to action.

It is critical that the contractor have a broad comprehension of diverse populations of Veterans and the various factors that impact suicide and mental health concerns across diverse populations and societal levels. This allows the team to provide a broad plan to fit specific settings and meet the distinctive needs of diverse Veterans across settings, including new settings and groups that may be identified in the future. The contractor shall use this knowledge for the successful completion of all deliverables.

The contractor shall develop a preliminary national earned, owned, and paid media plan for the projected creative assets and related static assets that includes a modular, scalable component for national, multimodal paid media placements. The paid media plan shall consider and include the following:

Target Audiences. Similar to the creative asset content, the target demographics include all Veterans, generally. However, the plan shall also contain recommendations for addressing important Veteran subpopulations, particularly those at higher risk for suicide including women Veterans under 35, American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans, LGBTQ+ Veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, white Veteran males over the age of 55, and geographically remote Veterans.

Plan Objectives. The objectives of the paid media plan include key performance indicators (KPI) included under Section 13. Appendix for driving website actions, awareness, and message amplification of Lethal Means Safety for all paid media actions.

The paid media plan shall include, but is not limited to:

Strategies for expanding evidence-based public health messaging for suicide prevention and firearm safety that promotes safe storage of firearms (these programs are non-political and informed by academic and market-based research that consider the culture of firearm ownership, the preferred effective messengers, and direct strategies of suicide prevention). This media plan will include a measurement framework, advertising, or other paid media, and address the contractor delivered video, radio and PSA production, photography, and distribution of the paid media.

Effective and measurable distribution methods for meeting the Plan objectives contained in Section 13. Appendix including, but not limited to:

o Digital media o Social networks o Linear and non-linear television o Radio o Online streaming services (e.g., Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM) o Internet marketing (e.g., Google, Yahoo), o Out-of-home marketing such as: events, print (including billboards), o Website deployment and Other placements.

o Other placements may include targeted distribution on podcasts or regular season and playoff sporting events (NCAA, NFL, NBA, Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, racing, Wrestling, etc.), music, popular culture events, and national, regional, and local events with high interest and visibility among Veterans.

o For “other placements” the paid media plan shall include how the contractor shall:

Secure display space in relevant high-visibility engagement area(s) for each event venue sufficient to accommodate all the largest VA Mobile Vet Center (MVC) models and accompanying static display equipment. Proposals shall include data-driven expected return on investments.

As directed by the PM or COR, coordinate with VA Mobile Vet Center and other VA personnel on all applicable logistic matters necessary to execute each MVC presence and visitor engagement event.

Support VA and other MVC personnel in distributing VA-supplied firearms locks and other VA-supplied outreach materials at each event.

Report on the number of VA-supplied gun locks distributed at each event.

Capture information, images, footage, etc., for use in communications products.

Explore and make recommendations for outreach opportunities that amplify the efficacy of the MVC outreach events (e.g., collaborations with race drivers and/or race teams to increase exposure and amplify the Keep It Secure messaging).

o For “website deployment” the plan shall include how the contractor shall:

Provide website development in support of the Program Office’s website assets, similar to the KeepItSecure.net, www.va.gov/reach/lethal-means/, and VA.gov/PREVENTS (to include follow-on sites should the hosts/URLs change).

Identify necessary website content and functionality.

Engage website optimization based on input from users and campaign analytics as needed.

Identify technical support needed to ensure website assets comply with all VA and other applicable security controls.

Design mockups of updated content for approval prior to development of the pilot site. (This includes landing pages to support the needs of targeted unpaid and paid media to have a place to drive specific audiences to follow-up on calls to action driven by the media campaign.)

Identify code and content to be published to applicable repository, which will then be promoted to public facing website.

Ensure Section 508 compliance.

Recommend metrics and evaluation mechanisms (including Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) goals/objectives and KPIs – See Section 13.

Appendix).

Results shall be included in the quarterly program review reports including key outcomes and recommendations for internal and external stakeholder.

At the Kick-Off meeting, the Program Office and the contractor shall discuss the incorporation of physical / Out-Of-Home (OOH) media advertising in the plan (e.g., print media, bus and bus wraps and bus stop shelter displays, billboards). VA has a Memorandum of Agreement with Public Service Advertising, Inc. (a/k/a PSA Advertising, Inc.) whereby PSA Advertising Inc. makes available to VA donated third-party OOH advertising space for use in support of VA suicide prevention campaigns. At the Kick-Off Meeting, the Program Office will provide the Contractor with information relating to available donated advertising space inventory and costs. The contractor shall use this information to update the OOH section of the paid media plan.

The contractor shall provide data-driven evidence in the paid media plan to support each recommendation.

The paid media plan shall be subject to periodic review and revision at the request of the Program Office to allow for dynamic paid media presence informed by emerging suicide surveillance or Program Office request. The contractor is responsible for the implementation of the approved paid media plan.

For Priority 1, the approach shall address, at a minimum:

A. A national paid media plan B. Paid media buys in accordance with approved media plan C. Advertising assets and materials developed under this contract D. Reporting on approved distribution of paid media placements in accordance with approved national paid media plan

5.2.1.E LETHAL MEANS SAFETY EDUCATION PLANNING AND EXECUTION

The contractor shall develop a preliminary suicide prevention and LMS plan that includes implementation strategies and recommended execution timeline and methodology. The suicide prevention and LMS plan shall consider and include the following:

Target Audiences. The target demographics include non-medical counselors, crisis responders, health care professionals, family members, and other gate keepers, both within the government and within non-government community service delivery systems.

Training and materials should incorporate tailored messaging for a coordinated suicide prevention and LMS public education across various populations such as: first responders (law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighters, correctional officers, public safety telecommunicators, etc.), service workers, construction workers, firearm owners, gun shop employees, gun shop patrons, hunting organizations, or other identifiable groups or organizations that may have a high-Veteran-gun-owner population.

Plan Objectives. The objectives of the education materials and plan are to educate the

Veterans, providers, lay persons and the public on suicide prevention and LMS, and in turn encourage suicide prevention and safer storage practices, safety planning, and time and space behavioral measures for crisis response.

The suicide prevention and LMS plan shall include, but not limited to:

1. Suicide Prevention and LMS training opportunities and materials required for the engagement of Veterans, family members, and caregivers and providers with resources to effectively engage in lethal means reduction, mitigation, and intervention. Materials and opportunities shall also raise awareness of Veteran-specific needs.

The materials shall include:

a. Development of content to intended to change attitudes, increase knowledge, and make aware of the behaviors for suicide prevention and LMS through educational print, digital and video materials (including print, digital, video, and other training platforms such as VA educational systems and public facing websites). Materials should also address certain careers and organizations with high Veteran population or engagement such as: first responders (law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighters, correctional officers, public safety telecommunicators, etc.), service workers, construction workers, firearm owners, gun shop employees, hunting organizations, or other identifiable groups or organizations that may have a high-veteran-gun-owner population.

Education and training materials shall be developed to raise awareness and educate healthcare and mental health providers engaging in the assessment and care of Veterans (within and outside of VHA); lay persons including Veterans, family members, faith-based supports, caregivers, peer specialists, and community members engaging at-risk Veterans. Drivers of risk of all Veterans, including the unique needs of Veterans in the following groups:

1. Women Veterans under the age of 35

2. American Indian / Alaska Native Veterans

3. LGBTQ+ Veterans, survivors of Military Sexual Trauma

4. White-male Veterans over the age of 55

5. Geographically remote (rural / highly rural) Veterans

6. Enlisted Service members under the age of 30

b. Toolkits with industry partners, as appropriate, designed to amplify paid media campaign calls to action, such as the production and dissemination of materials and videos for waiting room and other venues to reach Veterans and their families.

c. Technical Assistance (TA) materials that can be disseminated and new materials for clinicians that can be developed at scale. Materials shall include, amplify, or augment existing VA materials, and can be provided outside VA to large-scale professional organizations.

2. Expand awareness of clinical lethal means training opportunities at scale to mental and behavioral health providers in VA facilities and healthcare providers in other agencies, practices, hospitals, and private settings. This includes consideration of clinical training formats that can include web-based curriculum, on-demand video, live via-web, or live in-person trainings. This includes inclusion of existing training materials as well as consideration of the development of new training programs. For example, VA’s KeepItSecure campaign assets could be augmented, where appropriate, with expanded industry LMS trainings, Firearm Safety and Suicide Prevention trainings, or other resources as appropriate which will be provided by the Government.

3. A system for tracking the dissemination and distribution of training and educational materials both within (and outside) of VHA, including community, VHA, and other State/Federal…