A14_MR_Request_for_Information_-_Sexual_Assault_Hotline_Services_1.pdf

RFI: Sexual Assault Hotline Services December 2025

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services

Peace Corps Office of Health Services (OHS)

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ. Those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission.

This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service.

Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ.

All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. The information provided may be utilized by the Department of Interior (DOI) and Peace Corps in developing its acquisition strategy and Requirements Statement. The information resulting from this RFI may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives.

Requirement Summary: The Department of the Interior (DOI), Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), in support of the Peace Corps’ Office of Health Services (OHS) may require Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services to support currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). Under the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, Peace Corps is mandated to provide these services.

Potential NAICS - 624190 - Other Individual and Family Service This RFI will be used to:

1) Better understand open market opportunities available to Peace Corps in meeting their need for Sexual Assault Hotline Services.

2) Finalize the Government’s requirements documents and acquisition strategy.

SECTION 1

Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Period of Performance: Base Year & Four (4) 12-month Option Periods

Basic Requirements:

Peace Corps may require a global anonymous sexual assault hotline solution to support roughly 3,000 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) currently serving in 61 countries. Support services must include live, confidential crisis counseling; providing information about referrals and Peace Corps’ sexual assault reporting options; and other related services. The hotline services must be available and adequately staffed 24 hours a day on a year-round basis (24/7/365).

The hotline must provide: (1) a mechanism by which to report sexual assault; (2) crisis counseling in the event of a sexual assault; and (3) information about Peace Corps sexual assault reporting and response procedures.

These professional services must be flexible and responsive to technological limitations and changing technologies within countries where Peace Corps Volunteers serve. The current hotline service solution (PCSaves) includes a variety of services including telephone, online chat, helpline call back, helpline text, helpline website, and a helpline mobile app.

The service provider shall ensure staffing meets requirements. Counselors shall have, at a minimum, 40 hours of rape crisis counseling training from a state or nationally recognized organization and be available 24/7/365 to provide rape crisis counseling to PCVs who contact the hotline. Supervisors shall be licensed psychologists or social workers for at least one year and shall also have training (at least 40 hours) and experience in rape crisis counseling; supervisors shall hold a current license from the state in which they practice.

The scope and complexity of this requirement is best illustrated by historical Peace Corp data.

The table below shows workload for the previous 5-year period.

SECTION 2

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide these services, please provide the following information:

Submission Instructions:

1) Complete Fillable Form (attached).

2) Provide a brief Capabilities Statement to this RFI of not more than two (2) pages.

Your Capabilities Statement might include:

1. Core Competencies / Capabilities

a) Briefly describe the company and its sexual assault hotline services expertise, history, ownership, and any other information deemed relevant to the requirement.

b) Past Performance - Describe relevant projects the company has been involved in, government and commercial, that is similar in size, scope, and complexity to that described above.

Describe past performance supporting hotlines or contact centers with low daily or weekly call/chat volume, including volume ranges.

2. Staffing

a) Briefly describe the company’s ability to provide and retain high quality, experienced personnel for providing these services.

The Government would like to know how small business can fit into the Peace Corps’ acquisition strategy. Please complete all information pertaining to your business size and socioeconomic designations.

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

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE no later than December 11, 2025 5PM, Eastern.

Submit responses to:

hanna_mershman@ibc.doi.gov

Please reference “RFI Sexual Assault Hotline Services” in the email subject line. No telephone, mail, or fax responses will be accepted.

Vendors must identify any proprietary information submitted in response to this Request for Information. The proprietary information must be clearly marked as proprietary. The government will not treat any other information as proprietary.

The Government reserves the right to contact, or not contact, any party responding to this notice in order to obtain further information for market research purposes. The government will not notify respondents of the results of the information received and will not return submittals to the sender.

mailto:hanna_mershman@ibc.doi.gov

Fillable Form Attachment

Peace Corps’ Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services

Name of Firm:

UEI:

Point of Contact Name:

POC Phone Number:

Business Address:

City/Town:

State:

Zip Code:

Website URL:

What is your company's primary NAICS code of operation?

Is your firm a Small Business per NAICS 624190 - Other Individual and Family Service?

YES NO

If a Small Business, please indicate all applicable business designations:

(select all that apply)

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) 8(a) Business Development Small Business Certification HUBZone Business Concern Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB in accordance with 19.1503) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB in accordance with 19.1503) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) or Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) If applicable, please identify your firm’s General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule(s).

What types of government or mission-critical low-volume hotline programs have you supported?

Can you support alternative communication methods such as text messaging, chat, email, website, or secure in-app messaging?

Does your system enable shared agents that handle multiple channels efficiently in a low-volume context?

How do you ensure 24/7 support in a low-volume environment without excessive cost?

What cost drivers should the government be aware of when refining the requirement?

Are your services 508-compliant?

What NAICS code(s) do you recommend for this type of requirement, if not 624190 - Other Individual and Family Service?

What pricing structure would you recommend for this type of requirement? (e.g., per-call, per-FTE, fixed monthly rate)?

Based on the volume history shown in the table above, please provide a non-binding ballpark estimate for the hotline services.

Additional Comments: