CFP-14-R-00001_Amendment_0002.pdf

(x)

CFP-14-R-00001

x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

CFP

WASHINGTON DC 20552

1700 G STREET, NW

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT

CONSUMER FIN PROTECTION BUREAU

12/18/2013

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

11/22/2013

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Amendment 0002 of CFP-14-R-00001 Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers to address additional questions that had been submitted prior to the question submission deadline, but were not included in Amendment 0001. These responses are included in Attachment 6: CFPB Response to Additional Questions.

The deadline for submitting proposals has not been extended.

FOB: Destination

0001 Base Period

0002 Option Period 1

Continued ...

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

NICHOLAS R. OLSON

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

ChmielewskiM Typewritten Text

ChmielewskiM Typewritten Text

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 91

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

CFP-14-R-00001

0003 Option Period 2

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20552

Date: November 22, 2013

TO: Interested Offerors

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal; RFP # CFP-14-R-00001, Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans and Economically Vulnerable

Consumers

Dear Contractor:

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to acquire contractor support for the Division of

Consumer Education and Engagement (CEE) within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

(CFPB), for Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans and

Economically Vulnerable Consumers. The CFPB is requesting a proposal in compliance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW), detailing how the contactor will support the CFPB in this regard.

The CFPB hereby issues a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items issued on

FedBizOpps using the policies contained in FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items to obtain contractor services in support of this requirement.

Pursuant to FAR 12.603, this is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued on

FedBizOpps.gov using full and open competitive procedures. Based upon an evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP, the CFPB intends to award a single Indefinite

Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract; however, the CFPB reserves the right to award multiple

IDIQ contracts or none.

In accordance with FAR 12.603:

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is CFP-14-R-00001. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for

Proposals (RFP).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-70, effective September 30, 2013.

Request for Proposal Number CFP-14-R-00001 Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

2 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(iv) This solicitation is not issued as a small business set-aside.

(v) See the attached file for a list of contract line item number(s) and items, quantities and units of measure.

(vi) See the attached file for a description of the requirement for the items to be acquired.

(vii) See the attached file for the dates and places of delivery and acceptance.

(viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, as set forth in the attached file, applies to this acquisition. See this provision and its addendum in the attached file for, among other things, a list of what must be submitted as part of a proposal.

(ix) The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, as set forth in the attached file applies to this acquisition. See this provision in the attached file for the specific evaluation criteria.

(x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror

Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with the submitted proposal.

(xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition, as does an Addendum to 52.212-4. See the attached file for the specific text.

(xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or

Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See the attached file for the specific text and a list of additional FAR clauses applicable to this acquisition.

(xiii) See the attached file for additional contract requirements and terms and conditions.

(xiv) DPAS is not applicable to this acquisition.

(xv) Proposals must be submitted no later than the Response Date, which is 4:00 p.m. Eastern

Time, on January 6, 2014. Proposals must be submitted by email to the email addresses of the points of contact listed below.

(xvi) The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of the individuals to contact for information regarding this solicitation are listed below as the Primary and Secondary Points of

Contact.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure that your proposal includes: 1) a completed version of the template entitled “Pricing Model” set forth in Section II of this RFP, and 2) the items set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(11) in the 52.212-1 Instructions To Offerors -

Commercial Items (July 2013) clause set forth in the attached file.

The following are the points of contact for this RFP:

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

3 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

CFPB Contracting Officer:

NICHOLAS OLSON

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB)

1700 G STREET, NW

ROOM 6006-E

WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(202) 435-7621

E-mail Address: Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov

CFPB Contract Specialist:

MATTHEW CHMIELEWSKI

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB)

1700 G STREET, NW

ROOM 6006

WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(202) 435-9531

E-mail Address: Matthew.Chmielewski@cfpb.gov

Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted by e-mail to Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov and

Matthew.Chmielewski@cfpb.gov by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 03, 2013.

The quotation shall not exceed the page limits outlined in this document.

All responses to this request must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on

Monday, January 06, 2014.

The CFPB greatly appreciates your attention to this requirement.

Sincerely, /Signed/

Nicholas Olson

Contracting Officer

Enclosures mailto:Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

4 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CFP-14-R-00001

STATEMENT OF WORK Section I

1.0 Background

2.0 Objective

3.0 Scope

4.0 Statement of Work

5.0 Place of Performance

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS Section II o 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items o Evaluation Criteria o Pricing Model o Non-Price Submission Instructions o 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options o 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards o 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items o 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

CONTRACT CLAUSES Section III o 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items o Addendum to 52.212-4 o 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes and Executive Orders o 52.216-18 Ordering o 52.216-19 Order Limitations o 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity o 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract o 52.227-17 Rights in Data – Special Works o 52.227-16 Additional Data Requirements o Additional Contract Terms and Conditions

ATTACHMENTS Section IV

ATTACHMENT 1 Non-Disclosure Agreement

ATTACHMENT 2 Past Performance Questionnaire (Separate Microsoft Word document)

ATTACHMENT 3 CFPB Third Party Service-Provider Self-Assessment Form

(Separate .pdf document)

ATTACHMENT 4 CFPB Response to Questions

ATTACHMENT 5 Your Money, Your Goals Table of Contents

ATTACHMENT 6 CFPB Response to Additional Questions

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

5 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

SECTION I – STATEMENT OF WORK

Statement of Work (SOW) for Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans and Economically Vulnerable Consumers

1.0 BACKGROUND

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank

Act”), Pub. L. 111-203, established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or the

“Bureau”) to regulate the offering and provision of consumer products or services under federal consumer financial laws. Consistent with the purposes of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB’s mission is to establish and enforce clear, consistent rules for the financial marketplace, protect

American families from unfair financial practices, and develop and implement a strategy to improve the financial literacy of consumers. For additional background on the CFPB, please see http://www.consumerfinance.gov/the-bureau/.

The Dodd-Frank Act assigns the CFPB’s Office of Servicemember Affairs the responsibility to educate and empower servicemembers and their families to make better informed decisions regarding consumer financial products and services. Similarly, the CFPB’s Office of Financial

Empowerment seeks to meet the Bureau’s statutory mandate to “provid[e] information, guidance, and technical assistance regarding the offering and provision of consumer financial products and services to traditionally underserved consumers and communities.”

Financial aspects of a servicemember’s transition to veteran status and civilian life are often overlooked, although they frequently determine the success of the process. Additionally, the most economically vulnerable consumers, who are part of the “traditionally underserved consumers and communities,” are often the hardest to reach and the hardest to serve. These situations often necessitate in-person, individualized guidance delivered at a trusted, convenient location.

This project seeks to provide financial coaching services to transitioning veterans and economically vulnerable consumers to help them proactively take control of their finances at crucial moments in their lives. Some of the specific challenges faced by these populations are outlined below.

Challenges specific to transitioning veterans:

Adapting to the financial aspects of civilian life, e.g. taxes, insurance, retirement plans;

12 U.S.C. § 5493.

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/the-bureau/

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

6 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

Assessing compensation needs from potential new employment to meet their new situations;

Needing assistance with the use of benefit monies resulting from service-related conditions;

Not having a trusted source for financial information who can “speak military” and understand the unique needs of military families;

Lacking experience in money management as they transition from service; and

Needing advice to alter or adjust transition plans and adapt the transition budget after discharge.

Challenges specific to low-income and economically vulnerable consumers:

49.1 million people live below the poverty line.

51 million people have incomes less than 50 percent above the poverty line and are considered the “near poor.”

Approximately 50 million have thin or no credit files.

43.1% of Americans are liquid-asset-poor, defined as households without sufficient liquid assets to subsist at the poverty level for three months in the absence of income.

8.2% of US households are unbanked. Approximately 17 million adults live in unbanked households.

20.1 percent of US households are underbanked. This represents one in five households, or 24 million households with 51 million adults.

While financial counseling has been provided to millions of low- and moderate-income

Americans each year, financial coaching is a newer method of providing financial education that has gained traction in the last decade and has gained increasing recognition as an effective strategy.

According to Michael Collins, Assistant Professor of Consumer Science and the faculty director of the Center for Financial Security at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “Coaching is differentiated from counseling in that coaches provide advice and encouragement, and do so in a process largely driven by the client. Coaching is not designed to be a therapeutic

“Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2010.” Census Bureau, (November 2011).

http://www.census.gov/hhes/povmeas/methodology/supplemental/research/Short_ResearchSPM2010.pdf

“Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2010.” Census Bureau, (November 2011).

http://www.census.gov/hhes/povmeas/methodology/supplemental/research/Short_ResearchSPM2010.pdf 4 http://www.fico.com/en/Products/Scoring/Pages/FICO-Expansion-Score.aspx

“CFED Assets and Opportunity Scorecard” CFED, (2009).

http://scorecard.assetsandopportunity.org/2012/measure/liquid-asset-poverty-rate

“FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households.” FDIC, (2011).

http://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/2012_unbankedreport.pdf

“FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households.” FDIC, (2011).

http://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/2012_unbankedreport.pdf

Sledge, J., Gordon, S. and Knisley, M. “Making the Shift from Financial Education to Financial Capability:

Evidence from the Financial Capability Innovation Fund.” CFSI, (2011).

http://cfsinnovation.com/system/files/CFSI_FinCapTrends_Mar2011_final.pdf

The NYC coaching program, through the Financial Empowerment Centers, has served over 15,500 New Yorkers, reduced over $7 million in debt, and build $900,000 in savings.

http://www.mikebloomberg.com/index.cfm?objectid=EB1BE61C-C29C-7CA2-F837D024A96EAC50 http://www.census.gov/hhes/povmeas/methodology/supplemental/research/Short_ResearchSPM2010.pdf http://www.census.gov/hhes/povmeas/methodology/supplemental/research/Short_ResearchSPM2010.pdf http://www.fico.com/en/Products/Scoring/Pages/FICO-Expansion-Score.aspx http://scorecard.assetsandopportunity.org/2012/measure/liquid-asset-poverty-rate http://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/2012_unbankedreport.pdf http://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/2012_unbankedreport.pdf http://cfsinnovation.com/system/files/CFSI_FinCapTrends_Mar2011_final.pdf http://www.mikebloomberg.com/index.cfm?objectid=EB1BE61C-C29C-7CA2-F837D024A96EAC50

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

7 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 relationship or to aid clients in a more acute crisis resolution.”

Non-profit organizations and financial service providers currently offer financial counseling to millions of Americans each year and some providers also offer coaching. Coaching and counseling programs have proven to increase savings and participation in retirement plans, improve credit management, and in the case of counseling, reduce the likelihood of default on a mortgage.

By broadening access to knowledgeable coaches through this procurement, the CFPB has a unique opportunity to provide transitioning veterans and vulnerable consumers the information and tools they need to make better financial decisions, establish their personal goals, and implement strategies to achieve them. The project delivers financial coaching where the consumers are already receiving services, which is a way to leverage existing resources and available channels. The veterans’ program will serve all 50 states and is estimated to account for more than 70% of the contract value as well as of the expected number of persons to be served.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The CFPB seeks project support services related to the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of a national financial coaching project. Under the project, the

CFPB will provide financial coaching services to transitioning veterans and for economically vulnerable consumers so that they may proactively identify and address financial challenges and goals. The project will require the placement of financial coaches who have financial counseling certifications, industry-recognized coaching training (to be provided through the contract), and experience working with the two target populations (veterans and economically vulnerable consumers) in existing points of direct service, such as job training or social services. The premise is that when these consumers access other assistance they can also be coached in the financial aspects of their issues, resulting in both behavior change and improved outcomes. The

CFPB estimates that over three years, approximately 21,000 veterans and 7,200 economically vulnerable consumers would be provided with financial coaching services.

3.0 SCOPE

Overview

As this project is national in scope, the Contractor will be responsible for providing project support services that will assist the CFPB in serving the needs of a diverse group of transitioning

Collins, Michael. “Using a Financial Coaching Approach to Help Low-Income Families Achieve Economic

Success: Challenges and Opportunities for the Field” (2010).

Sledge, J., Gordon, S. and Knisley, M. “Making the Shift from Financial Education to Financial Capability:

Evidence from the Financial Capability Innovation Fund.” CFSI, (2011).

http://cfsinnovation.com/system/files/CFSI_FinCapTrends_Mar2011_final.pdf

“Financial Literacy; Needs, Strategies, Opportunity.” New America Foundation, (April, 2008).

http://newamerica.net/files/SeidmanPPT.pdf

Collins, Michael. “Effects of Mandatory Financial Education on Low Income Clients.” University of Wisconsin, (2010). http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/focus/pdfs/foc271c.pdf

“Financial Literacy; Needs, Strategies, Opportunity.” New America Foundation, (April, 2008).

http://newamerica.net/files/SeidmanPPT.pdf http://cfsinnovation.com/system/files/CFSI_FinCapTrends_Mar2011_final.pdf http://newamerica.net/files/SeidmanPPT.pdf http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/focus/pdfs/foc271c.pdf http://newamerica.net/files/SeidmanPPT.pdf

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

8 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 veterans and economically vulnerable consumers from across the country. The Contractor would recruit, hire, train, manage and supervise financial coaches and would integrate these coaches into the delivery of services provided by organizations already providing support to veterans and to low- income and other economically vulnerable consumers. The financial coaches will work with clients for an average of 4 visits over several months depending on client need. Associated services might include phone consultation or electronic reminders as agreed between the coach and the consumer.

Please note that given this is a pilot program, the CFPB reserves the right to scale the project parameters as the CFPB deems appropriate over the course of program implementation, and any such changes will be considered within the scope of this work requirement. Project scale adjustments may include, but are not limited to, the inclusion of additional service sites, the reduction of service sites, change of service site locations, and the increase or decrease in coaching services delivered in one or more service sites.

Coaching Approach

The CFPB seeks to deliver financial coaching services that build on the lessons learned and best practices in financial coaching to date. Financial coaching is a one-on-one approach to guiding clients through a process that helps them to set or refine goals, develop plans to take action towards those goals, gain knowledge to assist in goal advancement, achieve the goal(s) and ultimately increase their financial stability. The CFPB believes that coaching can be effective in helping consumers achieve both short and long-term goals, and has developed an initial theory of change in which the coach helps the consumer to:

Short Term

Identify/Refine Goal Create Plan Take Action Steps towards the Goal Achieve Goal

Long Term

Identify/Refine Goal(s) Create Plan(s) Living in Accordance with those Plan(s) Successful transition/More financially stable situation

The CFPB will not be requiring a pre-determined list of activities. Goals are client-driven, and will vary by consumer, yet common goals could relate to budgeting, savings, credit, debt, or, in the case of veterans, taking the financial steps needed to accomplish the goals outlined in their transition plans. Additionally, the financial coaching training to be delivered by the contractor may provide tools and resources to help guide a coach through his or her session with a client, and there will be common outcome measures collected across all of the sites. The outcome tracking and reporting system should have the ability to capture work towards both short and long-term goals.

Note: The percentage of time spent on the various tasks will depend on volume at the various sites, but it is anticipated that a substantial majority of time will be given to one-on-one coaching, and that the coaching function will be a priority.

Period of Performance

The base period of performance is three years from date of award, with two one-year option periods, exercisable at the sole discretion of the Government.

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

9 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

Two Components: Selected Organizations

The project has two related, but distinct, components:

In the veteran-focused component, services will be delivered to transitioning veterans at 70 sites across the country selected from among Veterans Affairs (VA) Vet Centers and

Department of Labor (DOL) American Job Centers. In partnership with its federal partners, the CFPB will select 70 sites focused on veterans based on need, population density, and

(where appropriate) proximity to military installations. The contractor will place coaches in these sites and provide the coaching services, support and oversight of the coaches, and outreach as needed to build awareness of the service.

In the component focused on economically vulnerable consumers, based on the criteria set forth in the Statement of Work, the Contractor will propose to the Bureau the sites and will advise the Bureau in the selection of 20 appropriate locations from which to deliver coaching services to those consumers (the final site selection will occur post-award).

For more information about criteria for sites, please see section 5.0 “Place of Performance”.

4.0 STATEMENT OF WORK

The work to be encompassed by the contract to be awarded shall cover all services related to the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of the CFPB’s nationwide financial coaching project. The CFPB intends to award one Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract as a result of this solicitation, but will reserve the right to issue multiple awards or no awards.

All actual work under the Contract will be performed pursuant to individual task orders. The three general task areas in which services may be required are detailed below. Additionally, certain select deliverables associated with each task area are detailed below and are provided only for example purposes. Note that the list below is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all tasks or deliverables that may be ordered within the scope of work.

Task Areas & Example Deliverables

Task Area 1: Development of Program Infrastructure

Task Area 2: Implementation & Management of the Program

Task Area 3: Evaluation of the Program

Task Area 1: Development of Program Infrastructure

At the CFPB’s direction, the Contractor shall:

The CFPB may, in its sole discretion, determine that 2 or more Government-provided delivery sites located in close proximity (i.e., within 30 miles of each other) are to be considered as a single delivery site under the contract when the amount of coaching services to be provided is not increased by use of the multiple sites.

Offerors may propose that 2 or more delivery sites located in close proximity be considered as a single delivery site under the contract when the proposed amount of coaching services to be provided is not increased by use of the multiple sites.

Integrating Financial Coaching into Service Delivery for Transitioning Veterans & Economically Vulnerable Consumers

10 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

1. Advise on and coordinate the selection of 90service sites for financial coaching delivery, which entails:

a. Identifying and proposing to the CFPB twenty (20) suitable service sites in which to provide financial coaching for economically vulnerable consumers based on the program objectives and site criteria outlined in the Section 5.0

(Place of Performance);

b. Developing written partnership agreements with the local organizations that host the twenty (20) CFPB-approved service sites for economically vulnerable consumers, and performing any further preparatory and coordination activities with the local organizations necessary to provide the required services in those service sites; and

c. Coordinating with the CFPB and other relevant Federal Government agencies to provide financial coaching to transitioning veterans in the seventy (70) service sites identified and provided by the CFPB, and performing any further preparatory and coordination activities with the service site hosts necessary to provide the required services in those service sites.

2. Develop a plan to recruit, staff, and manage qualified coaches and any necessary contract personnel needed for performance at the 90 selected financial coaching delivery sites.

The plan should include:

a. Position descriptions, required qualifications and skills for contract personnel, to include financial counselors who, at minimum, have six months of experience with the respective target populations and who have been or will be trained in financial coaching techniques;

b. A plan for recruiting qualified financial coaches and other necessary contract personnel

c. Proposed financial management resources, including educational tools and approaches to client interaction solutions that facilitate goal-setting, budgeting, and debt-reduction. Selected resources, tools and solutions are subject to CFPB approval prior to usage;

d. Opportunities for ongoing staff professional development and support, including peer-support for those delivering coaching services;

e. A process to address or mitigate contractor performance issues as they arise; and

f. A process to prohibit, prevent, identify, and address conflicts of interest of the coaches, to prevent the marketing of specific products for compensation by the coaches, and to prevent any other conduct by which a coach would not act solely in the interests of the consumer.

Coaches must have a demonstrated level of content knowledge and expertise, including at least six months of experience with the respective target populations (i.e.veterans and economically vulnerable), as well as demonstrated financial content knowledge and experience working with clients on financial issues. In terms of credentials, the

Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification provides an example of a large, national pool of counselors that have be certified through a rigorous process that includes financial content tests, a practicum component, an ethics agreement, and continuing education credits. The AFC has been the required standard for the Department of Defense, and is a preferred form of financial coach accreditation for purposes of this work requirement. However, offerors can propose alternative certifications of comparable rigor, practicum, depth and breadth.

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11 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

3. Develop a plan to provide appropriate training to the contract personnel that, at minimum:

a. Describes the selected financial coaching training and how it includes an approach that is:

i. Client-driven, and

ii. Uses strategies that lead to behavior change, including goal-setting, practice and accountability, and confidence-building to assist consumers in meeting their own financial goals;

b. Is suitable for short-to-medium term relationships with clients, where coaches engage with clients an average of four visits per client;

c. Includes a training model that incorporates opportunities for coaches to practice, such as through role-playing, job shadowing, and/or triad exercises;

d. Explains how the training meets financial education field/industry standards in terms of employing best practices, and being vetted or tested;

e. Includes training to ensure the cultural competency and readiness of the coaches to be placed in their selected organizations (e.g., understanding of the types of organizations where they would be placed and what to expect, appropriate language and terminology used, etc.).

f. Includes training on the client management/tracking and outcome tracking tools;

g. Includes ethics training and training in information security; and

h. Includes other ongoing professional development activities that enhance the effectiveness of the coaches.

4. Develop a plan that outlines what materials will be provided by the contractor to coaches to ensure they can perform work effectively. This should include, at minimum:

a. Information technology and other supplies necessary to their jobs effectively, such as laptops, mobile devices, internet connection, and basic office supplies. Such supplies will have to comply with all CFPB IT and Cybersecurity standards, as outlined in this RFP.

5. Develop a plan to integrate the financial coaching program at each selected service site that must include, at minimum:

a. Offering the financial coaching service to the clients of the selected site, subject to capacity constraints on the program size;

b. Implementation of financial coaching;

c. Regular personnel management and oversight, and quality control of services being provided;

d. Staff retention and attrition;

e. Fiscal controls (e.g. including procedures to responsibly allocate contract dollars budgeted, and other financial aspects of the program);

f. System to track issues, number of persons served, and hours of service provided; and

g. Develop methods to ensure organizational buy-in at the service sites for coaches, including raising the awareness among management and staff about the purpose and benefits of financial coaching.

6. Develop a plan for the evaluation-related activities that includes, at minimum:

Upon award, CFPB will provide access to its “Your Money, Your Goals” financial empowerment toolkit for the

Contractor’s use.

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a. The identification of the appropriate measures to be collected

, a description of the process, systems and/or tools used to collect the data, and a plan for reporting the outcomes and high level trends/key takeaways to the Bureau;

b. Identification of a client management and outcome tracking system that the contractor will use and incorporate into its process to collect and report outcome data;

c. Working with the CFPB to develop an automated process to regularly transfer de-identified source data to the CFPB in a standard format such as XML, JSON or CSV;

d. Incorporation of a process evaluation;

e. A process to ensure that PII of individuals receiving coaching services under this program is not conveyed, transferred, or otherwise provided to the CFPB at any time;

and

f. The capacity to accommodate the potential inclusion of an impact evaluation beginning two to three years into the project.

7. Assist the CFPB with the preparation of any necessary Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) materials; and

8. Submit monthly reports to the CFPB detailing project updates.

Task Area 2: Implementation and Management of the Program

1. Implement CFPB-approved plans to recruit, staff, train, and manage financial coaches

(and other necessary contract personnel, if any) across all service sites;

a. Ensure coaches meet experience requirements. Resumes for the proposed coaches

(roughly one for each site) are to be submitted for CFPB review and approval prior to placement.

b. Deliver financial coaching training based on the plan approved by the CFPB

2. Implement CFPB-approved program integration and management plans;

3. Implement CFPB-approved plans to provide oversight and management of staff, including:

a. Oversight and management of coaches and all other contract personnel to ensure successful performance; and

b. A process to address or mitigate contractor performance issues and any consumer or host site complaints as they arise.

4. Implement CFPB-approved quality monitoring and quality control processes for the program;

The information to be collected will likely include a combination of performance metrics (outputs) and client-level outcomes, both related to financial goals as well as other relevant outcomes, and organizational outcomes, such as the effect of the program on culture and performance. It should be noted that while common client outcome measures might be included, these will be driven by the goals of the client, and it is also likely that there will be standard outcomes across all 90 service sites, with additional outcomes that vary by site. These additional outcomes will be shaped by the existing service sites’ needs and existing systems for collecting and tracking outcomes. Beyond client outcomes, the CFPB may also required the collection of additional information (e.g., from coaches, the delivery organizations/agencies, etc.) to contribute to its knowledge and understanding of what has been effective and how to improve the program moving forward.

This should align with the theory of change outlined in Section 3.0 and include ways in which to track both short term and long term goals.

CFPB anticipates there will be the equivalent of approximately one full-time coach per site needed for successful performance. For the component focused on economically vulnerable consumers, there is recognition that host organizations may be structured differently and that, for example, one host organization may have several different locally based service sites.

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5. Implement CFPB-approved evaluation components of the project, including:

a. The provision of systems, tools, and procedures for tracking and reporting outcomes, to include the measures identified and approved in the plan;

b. A process evaluation;

c. An impact evaluation beginning two to three years into the project;

d. Participate in quarterly in-person meetings with the CFPB at CFPB facilities to provide project updates;

e. Submit monthly reports to the CFPB detailing project updates; and

f. Accommodate in-person site visits by CFPB program managers. Please note that the

CFPB reserves the right to make random visits to service sites without providing advance notice to the contractor;

6. Submit an annual report at the end of each year. This report should detail the activities of the project to date, number of persons served, number of coaching hours provided, and any key findings and takeaways derived from the evaluation components of the project; and

7. Assist the CFPB with the preparation of any necessary PRA materials.

Task Area 3: Evaluation of the Program

1. Collect outcome data from coaches on identified measures using CFPB-approved outcome tracking systems and tools;

2. Identify issues that arise and other trends to report to the CFPB. Issues and trends must include, at a minimum, implementation-related issues that arise or client-level trends that are identified. Information reported that relates to the ninety (90) service sites, or a subset of the sites, should be segmented by site and targeted population, and use qualitative feedback from staff and coaches as well as administrative data.At the close of each year of contract performance, as well as on an ad hoc basis, the

CFPB will use the feedback to refine the work to be performed by the Contractor;

3. Assist the CFPB with the preparation of any necessary PRA materials; and

4. Provide updated outcome data to be included in the monthly and annual reports submitted to the CFPB. Annual reports should also include lessons learned from the process evaluation.

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

This project is national in scope, serving the needs of transitioning veterans and economically vulnerable consumers from differing backgrounds and circumstances and from across the country.

The place of performance will include the Contractor’s facilities, CFPB offices for meetings, and various service sites, as described below. It is contemplated that at least one service site will be located in each of the US states. Please note that the CFPB is not currently anticipating the selection of service sites in Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories.

Note that the CFPB reserves the right to expand the project to include service sites in such areas. If so, such work will be considered within the scope of the contract and corresponding pricing will be obtained from the Contractor and included by contract modification.

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All Service Sites

In order to acheive successful performance, selected host organizations must have:

The commitment of its local/organizational leadership;

An understanding of what financial coaching is and its potential benefits on the clients and the organization;

Process(es) in place to both appropriately screen and refer clients;

A system in place for coaches to make external referrals when their expertise is not suitable to handle a client issue;

The ability to provide the services in a way that meets the needs of their client base (e.g., in the appropriate language, with the cultural competency, and when/where they need it to be provided);

An appropriate location available for coaches that is conducive to coaching (e.g., private and quiet); and

A method to seamlessly integrate coaching services into the overall service delivery process

(e.g. connection to intake, referral) of each selected host organization.

Service Sites for Transitioning Veterans

The Contractor will deliver services to transitioning veterans at seventy (70) locations across the country that will be selected from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vet Centers, Department of Labor (DOL) Career American Job Centers, and/or similar organizations. The service sites would be selected for the program by the CFPB, in consultation with the VA and

DOL, based on need, population density, and/or proximity to a military installation.

VA Vet Centers. The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam-era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Readjustment counseling encompasses a wide range of psycho- social services offered to eligible veterans and their families in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life. In Fiscal Year

2011, the Vet Center program provided 1,377,028 visits to 189,811 veterans and their families.

DOL Americas Job Centers. These centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job-seekers under one roof. There are over 2,000 centers nationwide offering career counseling and career development services. Veterans needing employment are economically vulnerable and have the potential of becoming homeless, involved in domestic violence, and at risk of suicide.

Service Sites for Economically Vulnerable Consumers

Economically vulnerable consumers would receive financial coaching services at 20 local sites that are currently providing direct services to low-income and economically vulnerable consumers.

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Site criteria: The host sites should be diverse in terms of geographic location, and include those from urban and rural communities, and from different cultural, ethnic, racial, and other backgrounds. The host sites should also have the capacity to integrate and oversee the delivery of financial coaching services. The Contractor would advise the Bureau in its selection of 20 appropriate locations from which to deliver financial coaching services to economically vulnerable consumers. The Contractor may choose to utilize 20 independent local organizations, partner with a national organization(s) that has affiliates, or adopt a hybrid of the two approaches.

The pool of selected host organizations should reflect a range of organizational types, community populations, geographic locations, agency types, and key client populations. All should:

Be focused on economically vulnerable consumers;

Have the capacity to integrate a financial coach; and

Provide an environment conducive to effective coaching.

Selected host organizations could include those serving particularly underserved communities, coalitions, employers, affiliated with local/city government/municipal service, and faith-based community.

Note: Organizations have flexibility in terms of staffing (e.g., 1 FTE, 2 PTE, etcetera) and having a coach serve more than one delivery location. For example, a selected organization may have several locally based delivery sites under it. Also, this program is intended to build new capacity or enhance and build on existing capacity to provide financial coaching services. This is not intended to replace the delivery of any existing financial coaching services.

“The Growing Rural Isolation of Veterans” Badger E., (Reuters, Nov 2012) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/giving/after-war-more-veterans-find-more-help.html

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SECTION II – SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

I. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

A. 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(JUL 2013)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in

Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show --

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror, including certification of proximity to CFPB headquarters via WMATA-accessible public transportation;

(4) A response in accordance with the Non-Price Submission Instructions and

Request for Task Order Proposal as outlined below;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) “Remit to” address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see

FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references

(including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

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(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for

30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation.

Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)

(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an…