CFP-14-R-00002_Amendment_0001.pdf

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ChmielewskiM Typewritten Text

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20552

Date: January 24, 2014

TO: Interested Vendors

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals (RFP) Number CFP-14-R-00002

Bridges to Financial Security: A Multi-Site Demonstration Project

Dear Contractor:

Attached, please find the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Consumer Financial Protection

Bureau’s (CFPB) Bridges to Financial Security: A Multi-Site Demonstration Project, which seeks to provide financial education services to individuals with disabilities who are transitioning into the workforce to increase their financial literacy and help them proactively take control of their finances at crucial moments in their lives.

The CFPB is requesting a proposal in compliance with the attached Statement of Objectives

(SOO), 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 contract; however, the CFPB reserves the right to award multiple 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-00002. 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 (FAC) 2005-71, effective December 26, 2013.

Request for Proposals Number CFP-14-R-00002

4 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 Items, 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 February 28, 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 “Price 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 clause set forth in the attached file.

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

The current anticipated contract ceiling value for the potential five (5) years of performance under the anticipated contract is $5,857,343.00. Proposals that include a Total Evaluated

Price that exceeds this proposed amount will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered.

The following are the points of contact for this RFP:

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 both

Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov and Matthew.Chmielewski@cfpb.gov by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 3, 2014. 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

February 28, 2014.

The CFPB greatly appreciates your attention to this requirement.

Sincerely, /Signed/ mailto:Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov

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

Nicholas Olson

Contracting Officer

Enclosures

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CFP-14-R-00002

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES Section I

1.0 Background

2.0 Scope

3.0 Objectives

4.0 Concept of Execution

5.0 Tasks

6.0 Deliverables

7.0 Place of Performance

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS Section II o 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items o Evaluation Criteria o Proposal Submission Instructions o Price Model o 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options 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 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract o 52.227-14 Rights in Data – General o 52.227-16 Additional Data Requirements o Additional Contract Terms and Conditions

ATTACHMENTS Section IV

ATTACHMENT 1 Non-Disclosure Agreement (Separate .pdf document)

ATTACHMENT 2 Past Performance Questionnaire (Separate Microsoft Word document)

ATTACHMENT 3 CFPB Service-Provider Self-Assessment Form (Separate .pdf document)

ATTACHMENT 4 CFPB Response to Offeror Questions (Separate .pdf document)

ATTACHMENT 5 CFPB Privacy Policy (Separate .pdf document)

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

SECTION I – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 Establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of

Financial Education.

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

Act”), Public Law 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 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/.

Section 1013(d)(1) of the Dodd-Frank Act established the Office of Financial Education

(OFE) within the CFPB to “develop and implement initiatives intended to educate and empower consumers to make better informed decisions.” Section 1013(d)(2) of the Act mandates that the Bureau provide opportunities for consumers to access a range of financial activities, including savings and wealth building, financial counseling (including community-based counseling), and information to better understand credit products and credit histories.

Additionally, Section 1013(b)(2) states that a unit shall be established whose function includes providing “information, guidance, and technical assistance regarding the offering and provision of consumer financial products to traditionally underserved consumers and communities.” The Office of Financial Empowerment interprets these provisions as the foundation for our vision to serve low-income and economically vulnerable consumers, including individuals with disabilities who face unique challenges in meeting their financial needs in the marketplace.

1.2 The Unique Financial Needs of Individuals with Disabilities.

The financial situation of an individual with disabilities transitioning into the workforce or reentering the workforce after a period of time, such as good credit, often contribute to successful placement and stability on the job. For a person with a disability transitioning into or reentering the workforce, the financial situation is often overlooked. Additionally, the most economically vulnerable consumers, of whom persons with disabilities are frequently numbered, are part of the “traditionally underserved consumers and communities.” These http://www.consumerfinance.gov/the-bureau/

9 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 persons are typically the hardest to reach and the most difficult to serve. This necessitates in-person, individualized guidance delivered at a trusted, convenient, and accessible location.

This initiative seeks to provide financial education services to individuals with disabilities who are transitioning into the workforce to increase their financial literacy skills and 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:

Lack of experience in money management as they transition into the workforce;

Lack of trusted resources for financial information that:

o Understand the interactions and impacts of various benefits (particularly those with income and resource limits);

o Understand the various work incentives available (by geographic location and disability type); and, o Understand the unique challenges of individuals with disabilities when accessing programs and services.

Additionally, a 2010 survey commissioned by The National Organization on Disability and the Kessler Foundation found that a majority (58%) of people with disabilities report that they are struggling to get by financially, going further into debt each month or living paycheck to paycheck, compared to approximately one-third (34%) of people without disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, there are a number of barriers that often prohibit or obstruct access to financial counseling services, including:

Limited or lack of transportation options;

Accessibility of buildings where services are being provided;

Inaccessibility of financial education materials; and

Other reasonable accommodations that a person with disabilities may request.

By broadening access for individuals with disabilities to knowledgeable financial counselors through this contract, CFPB has a unique opportunity to provide vulnerable consumers with disabilities the information and tools they need to make better financial decisions for them and their families, establish their personal goals, and implement strategies to achieve them. The project seeks to deliver financial counseling where consumers with disabilities already receive vocational services (such as vocational training, customized employment and/or supportive employment services, Assistive

Technology assessments, or counseling on various work incentives, such as the Social

Security Administration’s Plan for Achieving Self- Sufficiency), which is a way to leverage existing resources and available information distribution channels.

2010 Survey of Employment of Americans with Disabilities, The Kessler Foundation, the National

Organization on Disability, and Harris Interactive, October 2010, http://www.2010disabilitysurveys.org/ http://www.2010disabilitysurveys.org/

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1.3 Disability Defined.

For the purposes of this procurement, a disability is defined as a condition(s) that is severe enough to hinder the financial independence of the individual, yet not severe enough to preclude employment, or a similarly debilitating condition, such as those listed on the Social

Security Administration’s List of Impairments . The intent of the demonstration program is to develop and implement an initiative that enhances the financial awareness and acuity of individuals with disabilities who are transitioning to work or reentering the workforce.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 Overview. The Bridges to Financial Security initiative supports the Bureau’s statutory mandate to provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to traditionally underserved consumers and communities. The program will provide customized resources and tools to individuals with disabilities to build the financial skills they need to effectively navigate the financial marketplace. By providing financial counseling services within organizations and/or agencies already providing vocational programs, many of the barriers outlined in Section 1.2, above, can be eliminated or reduced. The program will be implemented through a contractor that has the capacity to develop and implement a comprehensive, demographically diverse, national initiative that builds the financial capability of individuals with disabilities who are in the workforce or transitioning to work.

A primary focus will be on adults with disabilities ages 17-64. This initiative is intended to build new capacity or enhance and build on existing capacity to provide financial counseling services for persons with disabilities. This is not intended to replace the delivery of any existing financial counseling services.

2.2 Scale. This demonstration program is national in reach, serving the needs of a diverse group of economically vulnerable consumers with disabilities in multiple locations across the country. The scope of the demonstration must encompass a minimum of five (5) delivery sites, the locations of which are to be identified and proposed by the contractor. The CFPB intends for this demonstration to provide financial counseling services to at least 1,900 individuals with disabilities through its program over the contract Base Period, at least 3,200 individuals with disabilities in each of Option Periods 1, 2, and 3, if exercised, and at least

2,500 individuals with disabilities in Option Period 4, if exercised. However, given that this is a pilot program, the CFPB reserves the right to adjust in scale or otherwise refine the program as the CFPB deems appropriate, and any such changes will be considered to be within the scope of this work requirement. Project scale adjustments may include, but http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

11 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 are not limited to, the inclusion of additional delivery sites, the reduction of delivery sites, change of delivery site locations, and the increase or decrease in financial counseling services to be provided in one or more of the delivery sites. If any substantial and material change is made to the work requirement, as determined by the Government, a corresponding price adjustment for the applicable performance period(s) will be incorporated by contract modification to address such change.

2.3 Period of Performance. The Base Period of performance is twelve (12) months from date of award, which the Government estimates will consist of approximately an initial three-month planning and coordination phase followed by nine (9) months of implementation. At the discretion of CFPB, four (4) additional one (1) year Option Periods of continued implementation may be exercised. In the last ninety (90) days of any performance period, transition-out/phase-out activities may be required concurrent with continued implementation.

2.4 Minimum Direct Service Requirements

The chart below details the minimum number of required hours of direct service to be performed across all locations, including all delivery sites. For purposes of this requirement, “direct service” is defined as services directly related to contract performance, included but not limited to project management, administrative services, and counseling services.

Minimum Total Hours of Direct Service Required Per

Performance Period

Base Period 14,000

Option Period 1 23,625

Option Period 2 23,625

Option Period 3 23,625

Option Period 4 18,457

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The CFPB seeks contractor support to provide financial counseling services for economically vulnerable consumers within the various disability groups so that they may proactively identify and address financial issues as they transition into the workforce. The intent is to place financial educators who have experience working with individuals with disabilities in existing time periods of direct service, such as when individuals become a client of

Vocational Rehabilitation or seek out pre-vocational and/or vocational training through an

12 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 employment network, or enroll in other community-based asset building programs

(Individual Development Accounts and/or Independent Living Skills Training) designed to couple financial capability with other key work-related activities. The intent is that when these consumers access other assistance programs they can also be counseled in financial management, resulting in improved financial and employment outcomes.

The Contractor shall propose its solution for achieving the Bridges to Financial Security

Objectives listed below by developing its Performance Work Statement (PWS) and recommended Performance Measures to achieve, at minimum, all Client Objectives and

Program Objectives contained in this SOO. Using Table 1, provided below, the contractor’s

PWS should indicate the relevant tiered service level and the time frame in which each

Objective is expected to be achieved. The possible tiers of service level are: Tier 1: Intake;

Tier 2: Credit Education; Tier 3: Group Financial Education; Tier 4: Person-Centered

Financial Counseling; and Tier 5: Follow-Up. While not every Objective listed below will be relevant to each client, the PWS must propose a reasonable and achievable minimum outcome standard associated with each Objective.

3.1 Client (Participant) Objectives:

Depending on the level of service completed, it is expected that clients will achieve certain outcomes related to increased financial capability. While additional Client Objectives may be proposed by an Offeror, at minimum, they must include the following:

An increased awareness by the client of the aid and benefits available to them and the impacts and inter-relationships between federal, state, and local programs and their personal income;

Improved client credit scores;

Increased client knowledge on how to protect oneself from identity theft and/or financial fraud;

Increased client personal savings;

Client receipt of a written set of financial goals;

Contractor receipt of documentation or comparable evidence of a livable client budget;

Reduced monthly debt payments of client; and

Client receipt of a written personalized financial plan.

3.2 Program Objectives:

While additional Program Objectives may be proposed by an Offeror, at minimum, they must

13 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 include the following:

Use of an approach to provide financial counseling services to at least 1,900 individuals with disabilities through its program over the contract Base Period, at least 3,200 individuals with disabilities per year in Option Periods 1, 2, and 3, if exercised, and at least 2,500 individuals with disabilities in Option Period 4, if exercised.

Use of a tiered approach in delivering the financial capability programming in accordance with Section 4.3 below. The Bureau estimates that the number of participants that move between tiers of the set service levels will be:

o Tier 1 – Tier 2: 85% of clients who complete the financial health assessment will opt to have their credit report pulled and receive credit education.

o Tier 2 – Tier 3: 75% of clients who receive credit education will opt to participate in group financial education.

o Tier 3 – Tier 4: 60% of clients who participate in group financial education will choose to receive person-centered financial counseling.

o Tier 4 – Tier 5: 90% of clients who receive person-centered financial planning would also elect to receive follow-up services as defined by the Offeror.

Execution of the demonstration program in at least five (5) delivery sites;

Execution of the demonstration program with varied strategic partners (as described at Section 4.2) if partners are proposed; and

Collection and reporting of accurate program performance data in order to assess program effectiveness.

For each Client Objective and Program Objective, the PWS must include a completed Table similar to the model table (Table 1) below summarizing the steps an Offeror proposes to achieve each Objective. An Offeror may include additional columns in its completed Table, but must, at a minimum, include the fields set forth in Table 1. Additionally, an Offeror’s

PWS must include a narrative describing each task/step by Tier (using the table below as a template) in full detail that the Offeror intends to take to achieve the Client and Program

Objectives. A purpose for each task/action/process must be identified in the narrative that outlines how its completion helps achieve the corresponding Objective. An Offeror’s PWS must also include a discussion of the criteria to be used to determine the successful execution or completion of each task/action/process. Also, the PWS must explain what metrics will be used to measure success, how the metrics are collected, and who collects them.

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

Table 1

Tier

[State relevant

Tier]

Objective

[State Client or

Program

Objective]

Task/Action/Process

[Describe the task(s), action(s), or process(es) identified to help achieve the Objective]

Time Frame

[State the time frame in which the

Objective is expected to occur]

Metrics

[Explain what measureable criteria, i.e. metrics, will be used to measure success, how they are collected, and who collects them]

Offeror to add additional rows as necessary

Additional baseline data to be collected should include basic demographic information, such as, but not limited to:

Age

Income

Credit Score

Disability

Current employment status

Rural, urban or suburban location

Highest level of education completed

Primary language

City, state

Debt to income ratio

Employment goal(s)

The Contractor shall remove all clients’ personally identifiable information (PII) from data provided to the CFPB.

4.0 CONCEPT OF EXECUTION

4.1 Disability Groups. The CFPB Office of Financial Empowerment recognizes that a financial education and counseling program must be tailored to meet the needs of multiple groups of individuals with different levels of education, means and degrees of

15 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 communication, and varied physical abilities and limitations. Further, the Office of Financial

Empowerment recognizes that it is not feasible to develop a tailored approach to all types and all functional levels of individuals with disabilities. In the PWS, an Offeror must describe its process for screening candidates for intake into the program, focusing on how to achieve the broadest reach into multiple types of disabilities and levels of functionality. At a minimum, the PWS shall provide a comprehensive approach to reach at least three disability populations, including but not limited to:

Permanent Mobility and Physical Impairments, including Spinal Cord

Disability

Head Injuries - Disabilities such as Acquired Brain Injury or Traumatic Brain

Injury

Vision Disability

Hearing Disability

Cognitive or Learning Disabilities

Psychological Disorders

4.2 Strategic Partnerships. Unless it has the capability to achieve all the Program

Objectives and successfully perform the work required, an Offeror is expected to develop strategic partnerships with independent organizations, national organization(s), and/or affiliates. An Offeror must identify in its PWS its proposed strategic partnerships (if applicable), and provide written letters of commitment detailing how it will provide financial counseling services at a partner’s site in cooperation with that partner. Any proposed strategic partnership proposed must be with:

1) Organizations that represent the interests of the target disability groups in order to ensure the approach, education, training, materials, support, and financial counseling are relevant and appropriate for the audience and that Client and Program Objectives are likely to be achieved.

2) Federal, state and local agencies, non-profits, not-for-profits, educational institutions, and/or foundations, etc., that already serve people with disabilities in other ways, such as Vocational Rehabilitation Centers, Independent Living Centers, and/or employment networks, in order to deliver services in the places where people with disabilities go to receive other services, and at sites of varying sizes such as:

The CFPB recognizes that the financial and legal arrangements between the Prime Contractor and the organizations with which it teams to provide this support may vary greatly between subcontractors, federal, state, and local governmental and quasi-government organizations, foundations, and profit/non-profit/not-for-profit organizations, and therefore refers to these financial/legal arrangements as “partnerships.”

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Vocational Rehabilitation centers or American Job Centers; mid-size entities with multiple service delivery sites; partnerships with national disability advocacy or membership organizations and smaller organizations that may serve more rural communities.

An Offeror’s capacity to serve a wide range of individuals is preferable from a technical perspective. Therefore, if selecting any strategic partners, an Offeror should consider the partners’ capacity to serve a wide range of individuals with different types of disabilities from diverse racial and economic backgrounds and from urban and suburban geographies.

4.3 Service Delivery Concept.

An Offeror’s PWS must utilize the below-described tiered-service approach to financial capability during the implementation phase. After the initial intake tier, clients will have the opportunity to progress through, or otherwise participate in, four additional successive tiers.

The CFPB intends for this demonstration to provide financial counseling services to at least

1,900 individuals with disabilities through its program over the contract Base Period, at least

3,200 individuals with disabilities per year in Option Periods 1, 2, and 3, if exercised, and at least 2,500 individuals with disabilities in Option Period 4, if exercised. These clients will enter through the service delivery sites and will be interviewed using a contractor-developed, CFPB-approved financial health assessment tool. The Office of Financial Empowerment estimates that the uptake of the various services offered will vary as follows:

Tier 1 – Tier 2: 85% of clients who complete the financial health assessment will opt to have their credit report pulled and receive credit education.

Tier 2 – Tier 3: 75% of clients who receive credit education will opt to participate in group financial education.

Tier 3 – Tier 4: 60% of clients who participate in group financial education will choose to receive person-centered financial counseling.

Tier 4 – Tier 5: 90% of clients who receive person-centered financial planning would also elect to receive follow-up services.

The CFPB recognizes that the uptake rates may vary for a number of reasons, including disability type, location of services, staffing levels, etc. The PWS must indicate a plan for achieving the expected participant numbers and what remedial actions will be taken if participant numbers are lower than expected after a mid-performance period review.

Tier 1: Intake – Trained staff use the CFPB-approved financial health assessment tool and collect baseline data. The financial health assessment will be utilized to evaluate the client’s

17 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 baseline knowledge of money management, credit, access to financial services, savings and asset building, and consumer protection issues.

Tier 2: Credit Education – For each client that provides written consent, the contractor obtains, at no expense to the client, his or her credit report and/or score, reviews the report with the client for accuracy, provides counseling on maintaining good credit and avoiding credit misuse by caregivers, and, if necessary, assists the client in disputing any errors. At a minimum, any individual providing credit education must have at least two years of experience providing direct client credit education and must have demonstrated knowledge in credit, bankruptcy, and financial counseling techniques. If contractor or subcontractor staff is not able to directly provide this service, a plan for collaborating with an external source must be submitted (e.g., partner with a local credit counseling agency).

Tier 3: Group Financial Education – Clients must not be required to participate in Tier 2 in order to participate in Tier 3. Clients who opt to participate in Tier 3 will be enrolled in group financial education classes provided by the contractor. The contractor must propose classes which cover relevant topics, such as money management, developing a spending plan, the basics of banking, and maximizing employer benefits (retirement, health savings accounts, etc.). The contractor must identify and tailor or develop a financial management curriculum that builds upon or complements Tier 2 counseling. However, for clients who did not participate in Tier 2 but who opt to participate in Tier 3, the financial education classes should be sufficiently comprehensive to stand independent of Tier 2. The financial education classes must be conducted by an individual knowledgeable about budgeting/money management, basics of banking, savings, debt reduction, etc. He/she must have a minimum of two years’ experience in providing financial education. He/she must also have direct experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Tier 4: Person-Centered Financial Counseling – Clients must not be required to participate in Tier 2 or Tier 3 in order to participate in Tier 4. Clients who opt to participate in Tier 4 will receive Person-Centered Financial Counseling. This will include an in-depth review of the client’s goals as they relate to work and financial stability; a review of the client’s income and expenses; plans for the future (homeownership, employment, education, and/or independent living); current and/or future benefits; and the interaction of income and resource limits of certain public benefits, particularly medical and disability benefits.

Additionally, clients who participate in person-centered financial counseling must be given a written personalized financial plan from the contractor that includes information as to how income, assets, and public benefits interact with one another, if applicable. The person-centered financial counseling must be provided by a trained financial counselor who is appropriately certified, such as by the Social Security Administration as a SSA Benefits

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

Counselor or a comparable certification, or who possesses adequate relevant education and experience.

Tier 5: Follow-Up – Clients must be required to participate in Tier 4 in order to participate in Tier 5. Utilizing communication methods (e.g., email, text, phone calls, etc.) agreed upon by the client, the contractor will be responsible for appropriate follow-up with the client for an appropriate duration as determined by the contractor, to check in on client progress toward goals identified in any of the previous interactions with the client. Follow-up may, for example, include reminders for the client to save or to check his/her credit report.

4.4 Delivery Site Selection.

The contractor must propose a minimum of five (5) appropriate delivery sites from which to deliver counseling services to economically vulnerable consumers with disabilities. The contractor is encouraged to identify and provide services in as many delivery sites as possible, within the maximum proposed contract price allowable, in geographically dispersed locations and with varied partners in order to optimize project effectiveness and to provide more comprehensive data for this demonstration project. Offerors should be mindful of the following requirements when selecting proposed delivery sites:

A minimum of five (5) delivery sites is required, though additional delivery sites are preferred. If an Offeror proposes to use one or more partners, there is a preference for partners with a capacity to serve a wide range of individuals from diverse racial and economic backgrounds, urban and suburban geographies, and which serve individuals with different types of disabilities. If an Offeror proposes to use one or more partners, there is also a preference for partners that have the availability, quality, and accessibility of facilities to conduct private individual assistance and group training.

The delivery sites must have a strong commitment to financial counseling and asset building with an understanding of its potential benefits on clients. If an Offeror proposes to use one or more partners that host one or more delivery sites, documented commitment from local and/or organizational leadership of such partners are required.

The delivery sites must have process(es) in place to appropriately screen clients and a system in place to make external referrals when their expertise is not sufficient to handle a client issue.

5.0 TASKS

5.1 Outcomes over Processes. The contractor’s PWS should consider performance within the task areas described in Subsection 5.3 below in order to achieve the Client Objectives and

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

Program Objectives outlined in Section 3.0 of this SOO. Performance will be assessed by comparison of performance metrics against Performance Objectives. Executing tasks within the task areas below without achieving each of the Performance Objectives will not be considered adequate performance.

5.2 Client Privacy. The contractor’s PWS must describe how it will maintain the privacy of client information throughout program implementation and program evaluation in accordance with applicable federal law and CFPB standards, including but not limited to the

Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002. The PWS must address contractor removal of all clients’ personally identifiable information (PII) from aggregate data provided to the CFPB, the process by which data will be transferred to the CFPB in a standard format, as well as destruction of PII after contract completion.

5.3 Task Areas. The contractor is encouraged to review and consider the task areas outlined below in forming its proposed PWS and technical approach. The task areas detailed below are not intended to be comprehensive but are intended to facilitate a common understanding of the nature of the work required in furtherance of the Bridges to Financial Security project.

The timelines set forth below are not mandatory, but are intended to provide a general guideline for performance.

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

Task Area 1: Curriculum Development.

Assess existing credit and financial education curricula to identify appropriate curriculum for use by financial counselors and other financial educators under the

Bridges project, which will be subject to CFPB approval. The contractor may also propose the development of new curriculum if existing materials do not meet programmatic and population needs. The contractor must modify or develop a curriculum for appropriate audiences and ensure they are available in alternative

Task

Area

Description Base Period Option Period 1 Option

Period

Option

Period

Option

Period

1 Curriculum

Development

Assess and identify appropriate curriculum; ensure accessibility;

customize for state-specific resources;

develop financial health assessment tool.

Update curriculum as needed and appropriate.

2 Marketing &

Communications

Develop marketing and communications plan; create customizable marketing materials.

Update annually, as needed.

3 Financial

Education &

Service

Integration

Finalizing strategic partnerships (if any);

Develop position descriptions, train staff; ensure direct financial education services are being provided to persons with disabilities

(PWD)

according to work plan.

Provide oversight of financial counseling program at each site.

4 Evaluation

Activities

Develop protocols for outcome tracking;

develop protocols for protecting PII .

Collect data, submit monthly, quarterly, and/or annual reports.

21 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFBP), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 formats, to include sign language interpretations, large print and Braille materials, and fully accessible documents that can be read with a screen reader and are otherwise Section 508 compliant. The contractor must also ensure the curriculum incorporates relevant state specific criteria and resources (e.g., some states have waived asset limits for some benefits, and some states have additional low-income benefits (state Earned Income Tax Credit) as an addenda which can be developed locally as supplemental information); update curriculum as needed. Further, the contractor must customize the curriculum, if needed, to include guidance to help consumers with the following specific areas of personal financial education:

o Review, repair, and rebuild credit;

o Assess financial products;

o Reduce debt;

o Meet borrowing needs; and o Build savings and long-term assets.

Task Area 2: Marketing and Communications

Develop a comprehensive marketing and communication plan, subject to CFPB approval.

Develop and distribute marketing materials that:

o Can be customized to meet the needs of the areas served, including strategies to reach and engage consumers with disabilities;

o Includes strategies to reach and engage stakeholders who serve consumers with disabilities; and o Are fully accessible, available in alternative formats, and is otherwise Section

508 compliant.

Develop technologically appropriate outreach content to improve access for people with disabilities. This may include, but is not limited to, apps for mobile devices, customization for digital readers, or transcripts for radio programs. All materials must comply with the CFPB Design Style Guide, which will be provided to the contractor after contract award.

Task Area 3: Financial Education & Service Integration

Develop position descriptions, qualifications and skills for contract personnel at the local sites across the country, which will be subject to CFPB approval.

Ensure key staff is trained on the project’s financial education curriculum, including training on federal and state benefits and work incentive programs.

Recruit, train and manage financial counselors and any other proposed personnel to be placed at each delivery site.

Provide ongoing management of the financial counseling program at each delivery site to ensure quality.

Provide oversight and management of staff, including a process to mitigate disputes, taking corrective action and/or replacing staff when needed.

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

Provide opportunities for ongoing staff professional development and support, including peer support.

Develop and utilize a financial health assessment tool, which includes:

o Review of consumer credit file;

o Assessment of the transactional needs of the consumer;

o Identification of current and near-term borrower needs; and, o Creation of a long-term savings plan that takes into consideration the interaction between public benefits and asset limits.

Develop and implement a plan to integrate the financial counseling program at the selected site that includes the following:

o Management, oversight, and quality control of services being offered.

o Contract personnel retention and attrition.

o Implement regular quality monitoring and quality control processes for the program.

Task Area 4: Evaluation Activities

Develop and implement protocols and systems for outcome tracking, reporting and analysis;

Identify and propose to the CFPB an outcome tracking system, tool/software in order to collect data, in accordance with all applicable federal laws, including but not limited to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and the Privacy Act;

A process to ensure that personally identifiable information (PII) of individuals receiving any service under this project is not conveyed, transferred, or otherwise provided to the CFPB;

Work 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;

Allow for incorporation and cooperation of a third party process evaluation and potential impact evaluation to begin approximately two to three years into contract performance;

Incorporate system and procedures for rigorous outcome tracking and evaluation;

Identify issues that arise and other trends to report to CFPB as part of analysis; and

Use qualitative feedback from all contract personnel performing at a delivery site as well as administrative data to revise and enhance program operations.

6.0 DELIVERABLES

6.1 Project Management Plan and Briefing. No later than 30 days after award, the contractor must submit a detailed written Project Management Plan (PMP) discussing the roles of the contractor and its strategic partners (if applicable), program milestones, timeline for deliverables, detailed discussion of delivery locations, initial program risks identified and mitigation strategies, and the plan for execution of the tasks proposed at Table 1.

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

Additionally, the contractor must present a Project Management Plan briefing to the CFPB

Empowerment staff providing an overview of the PMP. A draft PMP is NOT required as part of the proposal.

The contractor’s PWS must include a list of proposed deliverables and due dates for timely delivery of program services. All deliverables are to be submitted electronically to the

CFPB’s Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and prepared using Microsoft Office products. Specific deliverables that will be required under the contract include, but are not limited to, the following:

Deliverable Due Date

Kick-off meeting with CFPB, including draft meeting minutes within three (3) business days after the meeting.

No later than 15 calendar days after contract award

Assist the CFPB in preparing the relevant Paperwork Reduction

Act (PRA) Clearance Package.

for submission to OMB

As determined by CFPB

CFPB-approved detailed written Project Management Plan and associated briefing.

30 days after award

Monthly Status Report summarizing progress, schedule, risks, performance, quality, etc.

Monthly

Semi-Annual performance-period report summarizing program progress, issues, risks, next steps, and review milestones.

Semi-Annually

Collection of performance data from each site, delivery of raw data stripped of personally identifiable information, and production of quarterly reports that detail process, issues, and outcomes to date.

Quarterly

Annual Public Report. On an annual basis the contractor must provide a written narrative outlining the program objectives, progress toward those objectives, program risk mitigation, and an overview/assessment of the performance data collected.

Annually, in coordination with CFPB

The contractor must provide documentation of contract personnel time and resource allocation by delivery site. If applicable, the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133 audit, inclusive of any Subcontractor costs, must be submitted and will be considered sufficient documentation for this requirement.

Annually, no later than

April 30 of each year.

See OMB Circular No. A-133 at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf

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

7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance will include the Contractor’s facilities and service delivery sites, as well as CFPB offices for meetings.

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

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;

(4) A response in accordance with the Proposal Submission Instructions 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

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

(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

30 180 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 offer received at the

Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the…