ABAWD_Reinstatement_of_Time_Limits_Study_-_Final.docx

Sources Sought Notice Analysis of the Impact of the Expiration of Time-Limit Waivers on ABAWD Participation This SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE is for small businesses only. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to determine the interest and feasibility of a small business set-aside for the following requirement: Analysis of the Impact of the Expiration of Time-Limit Waivers on ABAWD Participation. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited. The information from this notice will help the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) plan their acquisition strategy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intends to issue a procurement for the subject research study in Fiscal Year 2016 and is seeking statements of capability from potential offerors. Preference will be given to small businesses with experience and staffing to perform the requirement as demonstrated in their capability statement.

FNS is seeking a contractor to explore the impact of the expiration of State waivers of time limits for Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) on their participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Contractor shall examine State SNAP caseload administrative data and interview stakeholders to better understand the characteristics of ABAWD populations, recent trends in the ABAWD caseload during the most recent economic recession, and the impact of reinstating time limits on ABAWDs.

This will include the following activities:

· Conducting a comprehensive review of policy memos, guidance, regulations, or rules related to serving ABAWDs in SNAP.

· Selecting and recommending States for in-depth analyses based upon waiver status and data availability and capabilities in conjunction with FNS.

· Working with study States to obtain caseload data, provide technical assistance, and construct database to be used for analysis.

· Developing the technical approach and conducting analyses to better understand the impact of the expiration of State waivers on the ABAWD caseload.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.

The Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support (OPS) & Contracts Management Division (CMD), is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, including small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 8(a) small businesses, woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses capable of examining the impact of the expiration of State waivers of time limits for ABAWDs on their participation in the SNAP. All responding small business firms are requested to identify their firm's size and type of business to the anticipated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code. For this acquisition, the NAICS code is 541720, and the Small Business Standard is $20.5 Million. Teaming arrangements and joint ventures will be considered for any subsequent procurement based on the Government's market research, provided the prime contract is awarded to an applicable small business and that small businesses provide fifty percent or more of the support.

The Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support is conducting market research to identify sources that can demonstrate their experience, skills, and qualifications with projects of similar scope and size completed within the last three (3) years, and explain in appropriate detail how they intend to demonstrate competency in each of the following points (A) through (G). Expound, utilizing specific examples, on how the firm has undertaken and/or demonstrated the prerequisites listed below:

A. General familiarity with the operation and administration of SNAP.

B. Expert knowledge, demonstrated through publications or extensive work experience, directly related to SNAP work requirements, employment and training activities, and policies and guidelines related to serving ABAWDs.

C. Coordinating with FNS National and Regional Offices and/or State Agencies to collect administrative data, program operations data, and other program materials.

D. Constructing, compiling, and using multiple sources of data, including administrative data, survey data, and program materials, to conduct policy analyses and to address research objectives in an integrated way.

E. Writing reports of technical information in language appropriate to non-technical audiences.

F. Providing briefings of technical findings appropriate for non-technical audiences.

G. Managing projects of a similar size and scope, including meeting government objectives, ensuring the quality and timeliness of deliverables, and coordinating with the government funding agency.

Below Are The Research Objectives Of The Requirements:

1. Construct a database with longitudinal SNAP caseload data files from 9 States. The data from each State should cover a 5-year time period. States should be selected in collaboration with FNS and should include those that have reinstated ABAWD time limits within the last 5 years. The data period for each State should encompass two years before and two years after the year in which the reinstatement took effect.

2. Construct a profile of relevant characteristics of ABAWDs in each of the 9 States including the following comparisons:

a) Number of ABAWDs before and after reinstatement, percent of ABAWDs as a percent of total State caseload before and after reinstatement

b) Characteristics of ABAWDs (i.e. demographics, employment, participation in qualifying activities, etc.) vs. general SNAP population

c) Characteristics of ABAWDs before vs. after reinstatement

d) Number of ABAWDS who leave SNAP due to the time limit, finding employment, or other reasons.

3. Examine general challenges and policy considerations for serving ABAWD populations, including but not limited to:

a) How States are tracking ABAWD populations and participation by individuals subject to time limits;

b) Challenges, costs, and complexities in incorporating ABAWD monitoring into State systems;

c) The ABAWD waiver process, overview of FNS policy, and challenges in determining waiver requirements and policy interpretation;

d) Availability of Employment and Training Services for ABAWDs.

Submission requirements:

1. Limit the length of the packages to 20 pages. Note: Packages over 20 pages will not be evaluated.

2. 1 inch margins (top, bottom and sides)

3. Times New Roman font - 12 point

4. Page limitation does not include (1 cover page or 1 letter of introduction page)

5. Do not include promotional materials

Interested firms responding to this market survey must provide a capability statement demonstrating their experience, skills and capability to fulfill the Governments requirements for the above in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502-2(b). The capability statement shall be in sufficient enough detail, but not exceed twenty (20) pages total, so that the Government can determine the experience and capability of your firm to provide the requirements above. The Government technical team will then assess the experience & capabilities (A-G above) based on: 1) technical expertise relevant to the requirement; 2) technical approach relevant to the requirement, 3) management approach relevant to the requirement, 4) corporate experience relevant to the requirement, and 5) relevant past performance. These capability responses should be based upon the 7 capabilities (A – G) pre-requisites listed above. Please specify one primary and one alternate Point of Contact (POC) within your firm, including telephone numbers and email addresses Only electronic copies of capability statements will be accepted and should be emailed to: Ashley Owens at ashley.owens@fns.usda.gov. and Gloria Brown at gloria.brown@fns.usda.gov The e-mail shall contain the following subject line: Response to Sources Sought Notice – AG-3198-S-16-0046 Analysis of the Impact of the Expiration of Time-Limit Waivers on ABAWD Participation Requirement. A determination by the Government to proceed with the acquisition as a set-aside is within the discretion of the Government. If capability statements are not received from at least two responsible small businesses or if the Government determines that no small business concerns are capable of performing this requirement based upon an assessment of the capability statements submitted, the Government may proceed with a full and open competition.

Please submit all information to Ashley Owens at ashley.owens@fns.usda.gov and Gloria Brown at gloria.brown@fns.usda.gov by April 15, 2016 by 4:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.