A15_BN_Sole_Source_Justification_Redacted_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

RFQ 140D0426Q0041

Peace Corps Office of Health Services (OHS) Sexual Assault Hotline Services

Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Sole Source Justification.”

This document is a sole source justification for the Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, on behalf of Peace Corps’ Office of Health Services.

1. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a follow-on requirement to ensure the continuation of global anonymous sexual assault hotline services for all currently serving Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers (PCTs/PCVs). The availability of these services is mandated by the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 (Kate Puzey Act).

This is a Firm Fixed Price requirement. The sole source capable of providing these services is:

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)

UEI: LP7SA1GMB3R6

URL: https://www.rainn.org 220 L St NW STE 505

Washington, DC 20005-401

The services provided by RAINN are essential to the Government’s requirements and market research indicates other service providers do not meet the agency’s need for a highly experienced and highly qualified contractor with existing capabilities.

2. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

Peace Corps requires a global anonymous sexual assault hotline to support currently serving Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers (PCTs/PCVs). Support services include live, confidential crisis counseling; providing information about referrals and Peace Corps’ sexual assault reporting options; and other related services. The hotline will provide various types of services including telephone, online chat, helpline call back, helpline text, a helpline website, and a helpline mobile

RFQ 140D0426Q0041

Peace Corps Sexual Assault Hotline Services

This mission-critical work requires an experienced sexual-assault service provider. The stakes are high, the work is trust-dependent, and operational errors carry serious consequences. Use of an inexperienced provider materially increases the likelihood of harm, failure, and loss of confidence, and is therefore unacceptable. This is not an area where Peace Corps can tolerate learning curves. Research indicates there is only one source (RAINN) with the expertise and capabilities to provide these mandatory 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 (1-800-656- HOPE), which provides free confidential crisis support and referrals to the nation from trained support specialists with 24/7 availability.

RAINN brings unparalleled expertise in delivering customizable sexual assault hotline services for federal agencies, backed by decades of experience and highly trained specialists. In addition to operating the Peace Corps Sexual Assault Hotline (PCSAVES) and the Nation’s Sexual Assault Hotline, RAINN provides tailored solutions to multiple federal programs through sole-source contracts. These include the Department of Defense’s Safe Helpline (Contract H9821023C0011, $61.56M), offering 24/7 confidential support for military personnel and civilian employees;

NOAA’s Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment Helpline (Contract 1305M420CNAAA0071, $469K), providing secure crisis support for employees and affiliates; and NSF’s Safer Science Helpline (Contract 49100425P0011, $906K), launched in 2025 to assist the research community. RAINN also developed and managed USAID’s Crisis Hotline Support (Contract 7200AA24C00101, $709K), further demonstrating its ability to deliver mission-critical, confidential, and responsive services across diverse federal environments.

No other vendor, other than RAINN, possesses the requisite depth of experience or ability to provide services of comparable quality within the required timeframe without unacceptable risk to service continuity or survivor support.

5. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A Notice of Intent to Sole Source the requirement to RAINN was posted to SAM.gov from December 22, 2025 to January 8, 2026. Responsible sources that felt they could meet the Government's requirements had the opportunity to submit a capability statement for consideration by the agency. Responses needed to contain sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities for fulfilling the requirements and include the business’ Unique Entity ID (UEI). Three (3) responses were received. Two responses (

) did not provide a capability statement or UEI as requested. Additional online research indicates is a Call Center Operations service provider with no expertise in providing Sexual Assault Support Services. Other than an Instagram account, no additional information about could be ascertained. The third respondent, , is a mental health and wellness for-profit organization

. They provided a capability statement that demonstrated sexual assault support services but no expertise in operating a 24/7 hotline. Per their submission email, the business states, “that it “can meet the Government’s requirements and the Peace Corps OHS to assist, collaborate, partner, and support RAINN with the Global Anonymous Sexual Assault Hotline Services.” This statement suggests either a misunderstanding of the requirement or an acknowledgment that the Contractor cannot provide the services independently, without RAINN.

As discussed in section 7, none of the respondents could fully demonstrate the in-depth experience and capabilities needed to meet the requirement, these responses were not given further consideration as possible sources.

6. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on a comparison of prices paid for similar requirements. RAINN provides customizable hotline services to several federal agencies. Accounting for scope and complexity, the Contracting Officer will determine whether pricing is fair and reasonable using a comparison of prices paid for similar services.

7. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10), and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

Market research entailed a Request for Information (RFI) and extensive online research in search of potential sources. An RFI was posted to SAM.gov on December 4, 2025, with a due date of December 11, 2025. The RFI required respondents to demonstrate their capabilities and experience related to the provision of Sexual Assault Hotline Services. The Government received four (4) responses, the capabilities and limitations of which are summarized below.

While multiple businesses offer either sexual assault support services or provide hotline / call center services, RAINN is the only organization with demonstrated experience delivering comprehensive sexual assault hotline services. While other businesses could potentially establish a new service line to meet this requirement, RAINN has been providing these specialized services for several decades.

Following the RFI and an extensive online search, the Contracting Officer concluded that no other

Experience providing clinical treatment/therapy to support sexual assault victims.

Experience operating a robust call center, Wounded Warrior Call Center (WWCC), but services are not specific to sexual assault support and reporting.

Any solution would rely on combining two distinct service models without evidence of prior successful execution in a sexual assault hotline environment.

Neither UEI nor capability statement provided.

Call Center Operations service provider with no expertise in providing Sexual Assault Support Services

RAINN

UEI: LP7SA1GMB3R6

URL: https://www.rainn.org

Since 1994, RAINN’s victim service programs have helped over 5 million survivors of sexual violence. In addition to providing the Nation’s Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE), RAINN has experience providing customized Sexual Assault Hotline Services, including:

-PCSaves (current Peace Corps solution) -The Safe Helpline (DoD solution) -Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment Helpline (SASH) (NOAA solution) -National Science Foundation Safer Science Helpline (NSF Solution)

10. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The highly sensitive, high-risk nature of sexual assault hotline services requires contractors to possess demonstrated, specialized experience in trauma-informed crisis response, confidentiality safeguards, and survivor-centered support. These requirements are necessary to protect the safety and well-being of PCTs/PCVs and are not considered unnecessary or unduly restrictive.

Prior to any subsequent acquisition, the Government may conduct market research to assess whether additional qualified vendors have developed the requisite experience and operational maturity to meet these requirements. The results of this market research will be used to inform future acquisition strategies and to assess whether increased competition can be achieved without compromising service quality, survivor safety, or mission-critical risk management standards.

11. Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer’s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Michael McGuire IBC AQD Contracting Officer

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government’s minimum needs.

Peace Corps Program Office / Contracting Officer’s Representative

14. Reviews and Approvals

Approve:

IBC AQD Bureau Competition Advocate

MICHAEL

MCGUIRE

Digitally signed by MICHAEL

MCGUIRE

Date: 2026.01.20 14:57:31 -05'00'