J_and_A_-_Sole_Source_RAINN_(002)_final_(003).doc

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

TO PROCURE USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Upon the basis of the following justification, I, as Contracting Officer, hereby approve the use of other than full and open competition of the proposed contractual action pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).

JUSTIFICATION

1. Agency and Contracting Activity:

Corporation for National & Community Service

250 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20525

2. Nature/Description of Action(s): (FAR 6.303-2(a)(2)).

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) intends to procure a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for this single award to meet the mission requirements of CNCS Headquarters, located in Washington, DC, and the field office locations throughout the country, including the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) campuses.

3. Description of Supplies/Services: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(3)).

RAINN will provide crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support to users who are affected by sexual violence via telephone and online hotline support to CNCS. RAINN employees who have undergone background checks, extensive screening, training, and ongoing supervision will staff the hotline.

RAINN staff will be trained to effectively and consistently serve hotline users and are prepared to meet their unique needs. RAINN hotline staff complete a basic training of approximately 70 hours at onboarding and are required to complete monthly 90-minute supplemental trainings. RAINN staff will also receive two-hours of training on policies, procedures, referrals, and standard responses specific to the organization’s resources and policies.

Further, RAINN will assist CNCS with the creation of a specific resource dashboard customized to allow RAINN staff to access resources and standard responses for difficult and frequently asked questions specific to CNCS’s procedures. In addition, the software will allow staff to capture visitor demographics and reporting information, as determined by CNCS. RAINN will assist CNCS with the creation of policies and protocols for RAINN staff serving visitors who have been affected by sexual violence. These policies will include, but not be limited to, how to handle mandatory reporting, imminent risk situation, and privacy policies. RAINN will also create monthly usage reports for the organization.

RAINN will construct a version of the online hotline and/or HelpRoom platform with a modified graphical user interface to create a standalone version to be used by CNCS. RAINN will customize the look and feel of the software to match CNCS’s branding. RAINN will also customize demographic data collection fields to match the fields that CNCS intends to collect from users. Further, RAINN will implement a comment card that will allow users to provide feedback on their hotline experience through a survey at an additional cost, if desired.

4. Identification of Statutory Authority: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(4):

Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1). (FAR 6.302-1);

5. Demonstration of Contractor’s Unique Qualifications: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(5)).

Name: RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

Phone number: (202) 544-1034

As the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) has the unique expertise to assist the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) with the creation of best-in-class prevention and response programs. For more than 20 years, RAINN has worked in a number of ways to assist those who have experienced sexual violence domestically and abroad. RAINN is dedicated to working with organizations to better their practices related to the education about, and response to, sexual violence. To do this, RAINN offers a variety of specialized services to meet an organization’s unique needs. They are program assessments, including a Best Practices Certification, consulting services, hotline services, and education and training.

Assisting more than 2.5 million people and with a demonstrated history of creating and operating successful national and international programs in the areas of victim services, public education, consulting, training, and public policy, RAINN is qualified to provide authoritative guidance on issues surrounding sexual violence prevention and response.

RAINN, is uniquely qualified to provide these services. No other organizations or resources exist in the marketplace that provide, or can readily obtain, the combination of unique expertise and capabilities critical for the successful performance of the helpline, which includes:

(1) Extensive experience providing live, secure, confidential, anonymous, 24/7/365 crisis support services to victims of sexual assault.

a. RAINN has more than twenty years of experience providing support and recovery services to sexual assault victims through the National Sexual Assault Hotline

(NSAH).

b. RAINN provides similar services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, and a number of non-profit and educational organizations through sole source contracts.

(2) Congress has found (in Public Law 109-248) that, “RAINN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered in the District of Columbia, has since 1994 provided help to victims of sexual assault and educated the public about sexual assault prevention, prosecution, and recovery… RAINN established and continues to operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline, a free, confidential telephone hotline that provides help, 24 hours a day, to victims nationally… RAINN is a national model of public/private partnership… receiving extensive private in-kind support, including advanced technology provided by the communications and technology industries to launch the National Sexual Assault Hotline and the National Sexual

Assault Online Hotline.”

(3) A secure and proprietary technology platform, user interface, and staff interface that is customized to serve victims of sexual assault and is continually enhanced and may be expanded to meet CNCS’s needs.

a. RAINN is the sole owner of the online hotline and Safe HelpRoom technology and all facets of its implementation.

i. Use of another source would require a significant re-creation of this technology to meet the current safety and security standards. Not only would there be significant delays and cost impacts but there would be a major negative impact on CNCS’s sexual assault prevention and response program credibility and render such services ineffective in critical support of sexual assault victims.

b. RAINN’s technology platform does not collect IP addresses and was built to pass rigorous third-party security reviews; ensuring sexual assault survivors a secure, anonymous, and confidential connection.

c. Other organizations use off-the-shelf software that does not account for legal and privacy concerns survivors may have. These platforms make other services insecure by risking access to stored data and leaving data trails vulnerable to subpoenas and hackers.

d. RAINN’s platforms allow for supervision support, quality control procedures, direct warm handoffs to local resources, and compliance to mandatory reporting laws all while maintaining the anonymity and confidentiality of the user.

e. RAINN has spent considerable time and money to adapt the platform so that it meets Risk Management Framework (RMF) standards for Level 4 PII data, including migrating the applications to

Amazon’s GovCloud.

(4) RAINN has policies and procedures that allow the capture of complex data on user demographics and sexual assault concerns while maintaining the anonymity and confidentiality of users.

(5) RAINN offers both the technology infrastructure and the victim service expertise to provide quality, anonymous, and confidential crisis intervention services via telephone and online hotlines. RAINN partners with organizations to offer solutions that will ensure that survivors receive the help they deserve, the moment they need it. RAINN’s hotline services provide trained sexual assault hotline staff 24/7, in English and Spanish, to support communities with crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and warm handoffs to designated local service providers or vetted national partners. The hotline is branded as the organization’s service; however, RAINN provides the staffing and secure technology. Notably, among federal agencies, RAINN currently provides sole source hotline services for the Department of Defense, Peace Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

6. Only One Responsible Source (FAR 6.302-1) Per FAR 6.302-1 requirements, RAINN is the only vendor that demonstrates the expertise needed for this AmeriCorps NCCC requirement.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(7)).

Comparison of proposed prices with prices obtained through market research from vendors providing similar, less comprehensive anti-sexual assault services verified RAINN’s pricing to be equal or lower in price, therefore offered to the Government at a fair and reasonable cost. In addition, to this comparison with similar less complex services in the market place, the price will also be compared to the independent Government estimate.

8. Description of Market Research:

Market research was conducted via search engines such as Google, and Bing. Potential vendors who could provide and meet requirements for anti-sexual assault services for CNCS and AmeriCorps NCCC were selected. The selection process of chosen vendor was from a list of U.S. nationwide providers of anti-sexual assault services. This list included (in alphabetical order) The Date Safe Project (DSP); End Rape on Campus (EROC); Just Detention International; Military Rape Crisis Center; The One Love Foundation; Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN); and SafeBAE (Before Anyone Else). Market research showed RAINN as the sole vendor to have the resources and technical capabilities necessary to perform the full requirement.

9. Any Other Supporting Facts: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(9)).

Technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed/are not available, because market research has shown that RAINN is the only organization with the expertise, experience, and infrastructure to meet the requirements of the services for AmeriCorps NCCC.

10. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Competition: (FAR 6.303-2(a)(11)).

AmeriCorps NCCC has not taken any action to remove or overcome any barriers to competition because market research has shown that RAINN is the only organization with the expertise, experience, and infrastructure to meet the requirements of the services for AmeriCorps NCCC.

11. Statement of Period of Performance and/or Delivery Schedule:

This contract will be 1 base year with 4 option years. AmeriCorps NCCC would like the contract to start ASAP but no later than January 1, 2018.

TECHNICAL AND REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR Subpart 6.303-1(b). I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification are complete and accurate.

TECHNICAL COGNIZANCE:

Signature:

Printed/Typed Name and Title

Organization

Phone

Date

REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE:

Signature:

Printed/Typed Name and Title

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR Subparts 6.303-1(a), 6.303-2(a)(12))

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

Signature:

Printed/Typed Name and Title

REVIEW FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY

This justification is determined legally sufficient.

Signature:

Printed/Typed Name and Title