Sources Sought.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

Solicitation Number: CNS-CNCS-23-0002

Title: Actuarial Support Services

Product Service Code (PSC): R497

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 523991

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUB Zone small businesses; service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses; 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses; or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the proposed acquisition. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background:

The National Service Trust Fund (Trust) was established by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (the NCSA)1to provide funds for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards (Education Awards) for eligible members who complete AmeriCorps service. Funding comes from appropriations, interest earned, transfer of program dollars, proceeds from the sale or redemption of Trust investments, partnerships with other agencies, and funds collected from disallowed or improperly awarded Education Awards. The Trust is also authorized to accept gifts or bequests, Sponsorships, and funds from Federal partners.

Awards fall into the following categories: Authorized, Earning, and Earned. Authorized awards are award slots that have been authorized but for which no member has enrolled.

Earning (Enrolled) represent awards for which a member has enrolled and is actively earning but the award has not yet been earned. Earned awards are awards that the member has earned and which may be partially or completely used.

Under the NCSA, funds in the Trust are available to repay qualified student loans, pay educational expenses at qualified educational institutions, and repay eligible interest expenses on student loans. The value of an education award depends on the term of service performed by an AmeriCorps member in an approved national service position.

Successfully completing a full-time term of service, which requires a minimum of 1,700 hours of service, entitles an AmeriCorps member to an education award equal to the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant2 that was in effect when their national service position was approved by AmeriCorps Completion of a part-time term, requiring a minimum of 900 hours of service, entitles an AmeriCorps member to an education award having a value of 50 percent of a full-time term of service. Reduced part-time terms, which provide awards in pro-rata mounts based on the level of service required in the national service position, are also offered. 3 In addition, under certain limited circumstances, a member who does not complete their agreed-upon term of service because of “compelling personal circumstances”4 may be entitled to receive a prorated education award based upon the number of hours that they were able to complete.

Purpose and Objectives: The Corporation for National and Community Service (DBA AmeriCorps) is seeking actuarial services to support AFMS in calculating the Trust factors used to predict future payments based on award amounts.

Project requirements:

AmeriCorps requires the Actuarial Services to:

a) Calculate the factors used by AmeriCorps for estimating future payments based on payment and award history for authorized, earning, and earned Trust Awards.

b) Express an actuarial opinion (Statement of Actuarial Opinion) on the calculated factors.

c) Aid in resolving the questions raised by the auditors by:

• Reviewing the documentation with management

• Discussing the performance history of the National Service Trust with AmeriCorps officials

• Engaging with the consultant retained by AmeriCorps external auditor

• Resolving questions raised by the auditors

Anticipated period of performance or delivery date:

Period of performance shall be for the following:

Base Period:

November 1, 2022 – October 31, 2023 Option Year 1: November 1, 2023 – October 31, 2024 Option Year 2: November 1, 2024 – October 31, 2025 Option Year 3: November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026 Option Year 4: November 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027

Other important considerations:

No travel is anticipated under this Task Order. The Contractor may not expend funds for travel unless authorized in writing by AmeriCorps. If there is a requirement for travel, it shall be conducted in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and shall be approved by the COR prior to any travel taking place.

Capability statement/information sought. Respondent must provide as part of their responses, a capability statement or “white paper” to address information regarding:

(a) capacity to perform the work; (b) prior completed projects of similar nature; (c) corporate experience and management capability; and (d) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, and other related information.

Respondent must include their DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), Hub Zone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code and any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

One (1) copy of the response is required and must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format using 11-point or 12-point font, 8-1/2” x 11” paper size, with 1” top, bottom, left and right margins, and with single or double spacing.

The information submitted must be must be in an outline format that addresses each of the elements of the project requirement and in the capability statement /information sought paragraphs stated herein. A cover page and an executive summary may be included but is not required.

The response is limited to 10 pages and does not include the cover page, executive summary, or references, if requested.

The response must include the respondents’ technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses to this notice must be submitted electronically to rclinkscales@cns.gov Contract Specialist and spolk@cns.gov Contracting Officer. Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

The response must be received on or before September 12, 2022, 4pm, Eastern Time.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).”