Cover Letter Instructions Conditions and Notices to Offerors Evaluation Factors for Award - Hotline Operations.pdf

1 | P a g e

COVER LETTER

July 14, 2023

Dear Sir/Madam:

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items. This combined synopsis/solicitation (75R60223Q00222) is a Request for Quotations (RFQ).

You are invited to submit a quote in accordance with the requirements of RFQ 75R60223Q00222. The purpose of this requirement is to issue a purchase order to provide a national, confidential maternal mental health hotline (“hotline”) to be staffed by qualified counselors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

This requirement is being solicited, using full and open competition, to all qualified offerors who are eligible to submit a quote under this RFQ. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. A separate solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2023-05. It is anticipated that a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order will be issued as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation.

This requirement is issued pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12.102 and Part 13.500 under NAICS 624190 (Other Individual and Family Services) with a size standard of $16.0 million. The Product Service Code (PSC) for this requirement is DG11 (IT and Telecom - Network - Telecom Access Services).

Questions Offerors may submit questions requesting clarification of this requirement. Any clarifying information issued by the Government will be provided to all prospective Offerors. All questions must be submitted by Monday, June 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Rockville, Maryland local time) via email to Contract Specialist Ronette Collins at rcollins1@hrsa.gov, Contract Specialist Ryan Macdonald at rmacdonald@hrsa.gov and Contracting Officer Kwasi Antwi at kantwi@hrsa.gov. Questions received after the due date and time may not be considered.

Electronic Submission Quotes must be received by Monday, August 07, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Rockville, Maryland local time) via email to Contract Specialist Ronette Collins at rcollins1@hrsa.gov, Contract Specialist Ryan Macdonald at rmacdonald@hrsa.gov and Contracting Officer Kwasi Antwi at kantwi@hrsa.gov in order to be considered for award. Quotes received after the due date and time will not be considered for award. Quotes in response to this solicitation shall be valid for a minimum of 180 calendar days.

Your RFQ shall be prepared in accordance with Section entitled "Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors”. This RFQ does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of a quote nor does it commit the Government to make an award.

It is also brought to your attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to expenditure of public funds in connection with this proposed acquisition.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service

Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Acquisitions Management and Policy 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 14W26B Rockville, MD 20857

2 | P a g e

Your quote must provide a contact name and number, your company name and complete address, including street, city, county, state, zip code, e-mail address, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and Unique Entity ID (UEI). The TIN must match the name of the Offeror to whom the payments will be made. Please note that Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) applies to this acquisition.

The Government reserves the right not to go into discussions.

Best Regards, Ronette Collins and Ryan Macdonald

Ronette Collins Contract Specialist

Ryan Macdonald Contract Specialist

Attachments:

Attachment A – SF1449 Attachment B –Statement of Work Attachment C – Provisions and Clauses Attachment D – Questions and Answers Attachment E – Past Performance Questionnaire Attachment F – Non-Disclosure Agreement

3 | P a g e

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY QUOTE THAT DOES NOT COMPLY

WITH THESE QUOTE PREPARATION/SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS.

A. General Instructions

1. To facilitate the evaluations, four (4) separate volumes titled technical quote, price quote, past performance, and Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Version (VPAT) shall be submitted separately and clearly labeled. Each of these parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that the evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of the evaluation of the other. Volume I – Technical Quote must not contain references to price; however, resource information such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc., must be contained in the Technical Quote so that your understanding of the statement of objectives may be evaluated. It must disclose your approach in sufficient detail to provide a clear and concise presentation that includes the requirements of the quote instructions. Volume I must include a statement indicating whether any exceptions are taken to the terms and conditions of the RFQ as part of the transmittal letter. Any exceptions must include identification of the specific paragraphs and rationale for each exception. Exceptions shall also be noted in the quote at the location of the exception.

Volume Title

I Technical II Past Performance III Price IV Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

2. Offerors must comply with the detailed instructions for the format and content of the quote; quotes that do not comply with the detailed instructions for the format and content of the quote will be considered non-responsive and will render the Offeror ineligible for award.

• Quote Format: Offerors shall submit quotes in accordance with the following guidelines. The naming convention for each volume is the Offeror’s Name (Company A) followed by the associated volume (I Technical; II Past Performance; III Price; IV VPAT). An example would be “Company A, Volume I – Technical”.

• All documents requested herein shall be compatible with Microsoft Office formats or Adobe PDF.

3. Page format

The Technical Quote shall be single spaced and shall be printable on 8.5 x 11-inch paper containing text no smaller than 12-point for text and 9-point for graphics (including call out boxes and tables and graphic and table captions). Each page shall be numbered, and each volume shall be tabbed to correspond to the table of contents.

Offerors may include 11 x 17-inch foldouts only to display graphics, flow charts, organizational charts, or drawings. Quote pages shall have a 1-inch margin.

The Technical Quote shall not exceed eighty (80) single-spaced pages, excluding cover pages, table of contents, and resumes. Offerors are advised to strictly observe limitations on the length and format specified since review of the technical quote will be limited to eighty (80) pages only. The clarity, relevance, and conciseness of the quote is important, not the length.

All volumes shall be submitted in Microsoft Excel and/or Word, PDF, or similar format.

4 | P a g e

4. Amendments to Solicitation

If this solicitation is amended, all terms and conditions that are not amended remain unchanged. Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation by the date and time specified in the amendment(s).

5. Submission, Modification, Revision, and Withdrawal of Quotes

a. Quotes and revisions of quotes shall be emailed to the Contract Specialists and Contracting Officer identified in the cover letter.

b. Offerors shall submit quotes in response to this solicitation in English and in U.S. dollars.

c. Quotes may be withdrawn at any time before award. Withdrawals are effective upon written notice by the Offeror.

d. The Offeror shall not include general corporate marketing materials and shall focus their response on how they can meet these specific requirements.

B. Technical Quote (Non-Price factors)

To facilitate the technical quote evaluation, the Offeror shall submit as part of the RFQ, a separate volume entitled, “Technical Quote.” The data and information shall be keyed to each paragraph of the technical quote requirements as outlined below.

Factor 1: Technical

1. Subfactor 1: Understanding of Requirements

The Offeror shall demonstrate their understanding of the need for this project, the demand for service, the project purpose, scope and intent of the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work (SOW), in the Offeror’s own words.

2. Subfactor 2: Technical Approach to Telecommunications Technology

The Offeror’s quote shall be evaluated on how it fully describes the proposed technical approach to telecommunications technology to meet each of the requirements specified in the SOW.

The Offeror’s quote shall fully describe the specific telecommunications technologies and systems it has in place, or will employ, as part of its infrastructure and capacity to establish, maintain and operate the telephone, text (SMS/short message service), and live web chat hotline operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The proposed technical approach shall address each systems requirement specified in the SOW to include:

a. the text (SMS/short message service) and live web chat system integrated with the HRSA-owned dedicated toll-free telephone

b. the hub from which the telecommunications and computer technology platforms and workforce management/scheduling software systems will operate

c. all specific systems and networks to support overall project administration and hotline management functions and operations: workforce management; quality management; resource and referral directory functions; technology management; monitoring, data reporting and communications; and financial management

d. the capability for counselors to provide an immediate warm transfer to an appropriate crisis line(s) for a caller in crisis

e. the capability for counselors to contact 911 in the help-seeker’s local area (based on their provided

5 | P a g e zip code) if, for example, the individual is in imminent danger of harm to self, others, or has overdosed

f. a 24/7 web chat network utilizing appropriate and up-to date technological systems and services to maximize the hotline’s ability to respond to chat demands including chat technological platforms and portals. Ensure live web chat is optimized for mobile devices

g. the systems and organizational capacity to handle a nationwide demand for services and to operate within industry call center services level agreements and IT uptime requirements, as outlined in Task 3 in the statement of work

h. the development and maintenance of contingency plans in the event of disruption of hotline operations (i.e., downed networks, natural disasters or public emergency), and a backup redundancy from both a routing and service provision perspective.

3. Subfactor 3: Technical Approach to Non-Telecommunications Technology Requirements

The Offeror’s quote shall be evaluated on how it fully describes the proposed technical approach to non-telecommunications technology to meet each of the requirements specified in the SOW.

The Offeror’s quote shall demonstrate innovative methods in the proposed technical approach to meet each of the requirements specified in the SOW. The following items shall be included:

a. a methodological work plan for completing each task and subtask in the SOW

b. formal arrangements (e.g., letters of intent, memoranda of agreement or understanding) for bi-directional warm transfers with national crisis lines including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Veteran’s Crisis Line, the Disaster Distress Hotline, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline

c. description of plan to establish and ensure effective communication with other national, state and local resource and referral networks, to the extent possible, in order to maintain, extend and continuously update an existing resource and referral directory. This shall include a description of the Offeror’s proposed engagement with the National Hotline Consortium.

d. Offeror’s list of provider/service referral source types and amounts (e.g., number of therapists, doulas, substance use counselors, etc.)

e. a comprehensive timeline that demonstrates the Offeror’s ability to complete all tasks within the period of performance

f. a discussion of anticipated challenges and potential problem areas with methods and approaches for resolution.

4. Subfactor 4: Staffing and Personnel

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed staffing and personnel for all positions that will perform the required contract activities, including any subcontractors. The Offeror shall provide:

a. a narrative and job descriptions of the proposed staff and personnel, including subcontractors, indicating job titles, names of those who will occupy the positions for this project, their key functions, roles and responsibilities. Descriptions of proposed staff and personnel shall include their credentials, education, experience and specific technical accomplishments essential to the performance of the project. Keep each job description to one (1) page in length as much as possible.

b. proposed Key Personnel who meet or exceed the minimum qualifications in Appendix J of the SOW.

c. proposed counselors who meet or exceed the minimum qualifications listed in Sections 4.5 and 4.6 of the

SOW.

d. proposed clinical mental health supervisor(s) who meet or exceed the minimum qualifications in

Section 4.7 of the SOW.

6 | P a g e

e. an organizational chart depicting the project’s organizational structure, listing titles, names and roles of all proposed staff and personnel, including any subcontractors. The chart shall depict reporting relationships and paths of oversight and communication.

f. résumés and commitment letters for all proposed Key Personnel, including subcontractors. Résumés and commitment letters shall be included as an appendix, and individual resumes shall not exceed three (3) pages.

5. Subfactor 5: Management Plan

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s management plan for adequately staffing, organizing and managing the project. This shall include the Offeror’s:

a. detailed management plan, time schedule, and staff-loading matrix, including work to be performed and deliverables

b. specification of how organizational roles and responsibilities shall be divided, decisions made, work monitored, and quality and timeliness of products/services ensured; the expert credentialing, and qualifications verification/vetting process shall be described in detail

c. labor categories/positions and personnel names within the organization which will be available to the contract along with their key functions. The specific duties of each individual should be delineated as well as their expertise and skills that will be utilized.

d. policies, protocols and procedures for effective operations and contract management

e. standardized orientation and training plan, topics, timelines and curricula for all project staff, including subcontractors

f. continuous quality improvement plan

g. demonstrated understanding of subcontractor/vendor management, including subcontractor reporting and invoicing procedures and formats, to assure compatibility with prime Contract (Offeror) systems and federal requirements.

h. explanation of how the management and staffing plan will enable the Offeror to start operations quickly, conduct multiple tasks concurrently, complete complex tasks within narrow timeframes, and assure quality of products/services.

6. Subfactor 6: Organizational Capacity and Expertise

The Offeror shall provide a statement of the mission/purpose, general background, experience, and qualification of the organizational entity offering to conduct the work described in this contract.

Include information on similar or related contracts, subcontracts, or grants which the entity has completed that is relevant.

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s demonstrated:

a. organizational capacity and existing infrastructure to maintain all necessary hotline operations and contract requirements, handle the demand for hotline services, and provide high-quality responses to callers, texters, and web chatters, and to operate within industry call center service level agreements and IT uptime requirements.

b. recognized experience and expertise providing services for a similar project, and who have provided, and trained providers on, psychosocial support, evidence-based information, brief intervention, and resources and referrals via telephone and text, to pregnant or postpartum persons experiencing mental health and substance use conditions and their loved ones.

c. recognized experience and expertise as a trainer of health providers and social support networks on evidence-based assessment and treatment of perinatal mental health and substance use conditions.

7 | P a g e

C. Past Performance

Factor 2: Past Performance:

Offerors shall provide three (3) past performance references on same or similar work as required by this RFQ, completed within the past five (5) years. Recency is defined as work performed in the past five (5) years. Past performance may be submitted where the Offeror was the Prime Contractor or Subcontractor on similar scope, size, and complexity as required by this RFQ. Relevancy is based on scope, size and complexity.

Offerors shall use Attachment E to forward a copy of the entire questionnaire to their clients for their completion and the completed questionnaire shall be returned by email to the Contract Specialist (Ronette Collins – rcollins1@hrsa.gov; Ryan Macdonald – rmacdonald@hrsa.gov) no later than the RFQ closing date and time. The Government will also accept a Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) printout in lieu of the Attachment E Questionnaires. The Offeror may include one (1) past performance reference for a Subcontractor if a portion of the work is going to be subcontracted. Offeror shall state the Subcontractor’s name, project manager’s name, street address, phone number, and e-mail address as part of the attachment to be included with the Offeror’s quote. If Offeror chooses to submit Attachment E, instead of CPARS, Offerors can complete first two pages of Attachment E and include them in the past performance volume. The Subcontractor’s past performance reference shall be included in the maximum number of three (3) past performance references. The Government will utilize Past Performance Reference Forms received and other resources to gather Past Performance information on the Offeror.

In the case of an Offeror without a record of past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably. Therefore, the Offeror shall be determined to have a neutral past performance. The Government reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any and all sources including sources outside the Government.

D. Price Quote

Factor 3: Price:

The Offeror's Price Quote shall consist of the following:

1. Filled out Standard Form 1449, Request for Quotations: The Offeror shall complete the following Blocks:

BLOCK 12 Complete if offering discount terms.

BLOCK 17a State the Name, Address, and Telephone No. of your organization.

BLOCK 17b Complete if remittance address is different from that addressed in Block 17a.

BLOCK 30a If Block 28 is checked, provide the signature of the person with authority to bind your company.

BLOCK 30b If Block 28 is checked, provide the name and title of the signer.

BLOCK 30c If Block 28 is checked, provide the date signed.

2. Supporting Pricing Information: The Offeror shall submit a price quote, fully supported by cost and pricing data, in sufficient detail to allow for price/cost analysis that will be utilized to establish the reasonableness of the proposed costs. The price quote does not have a page limitation. The Offeror’s price quote shall include a price breakdown by labor categories and rates. The Offeror shall propose a breakdown of prices by task.

8 | P a g e

Factor 4: VPAT:

The Offeror shall submit a VPAT in accordance with Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulations HHSAR provision below.

352.239-73 Electronic Information and Technology Accessibility Notice (DEC 2015)

(a) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194), require that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

(b) Accordingly, any Offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS EIT accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.hhs.gov/web/508. The complete text of the Section 508 Final Provisions can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards.

(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are stated in the clause at 352.239- 74, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility.

In order to facilitate the Government’s determination whether proposed EIT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, Offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed EIT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows Offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and document—in detail—whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available under Section 508 policy on the HHS website http://www.hhs.gov/web/508.

In order to facilitate the Government’s determination whether proposed EIT services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, Offerors must provide enough information to assist the Government in determining that the EIT services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards, including any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues.

(d) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to Section 508 requirements. If an Offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

Note:

The HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template (PAT) that is referenced above in 352.239-73 Electronic Information and Technology Accessibility Notice, Paragraph (c), has been replaced with the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Version (VPAT) 2.4 or later, and is considered to meet HHS PAT requirement. The new form can be downloaded from https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat.

http://www.hhs.gov/web/508 http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards http://www.hhs.gov/web/508 https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat

9 | P a g e

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

The Government will select the Offeror whose quote, in conforming to this RFQ, provides the best value to the Government.

Best Value Determination:

Determining the best value of the quote includes the following four factors:

Factor 1: Technical Factor 2: Past Performance Factor 3: Price (each Offeror’s proposed price will be analyzed to determine fairness, reasonableness, compliance and completeness) Factor 4: VPAT (independent from the other factors)

Each of the three factors (Technical, Past Performance and Price) will be evaluated on a stand-alone basis.

Evaluation of the Offerors’ quotes shall address all factors and subfactors. During evaluations of each quote, the Government will assign each factor and subfactor (other than the Price Factor) an adjectival rating and write a narrative evaluation reflecting the identified findings.

The relative order of importance assigned to the evaluation factors and subfactors are: Technical (Factor 1) is more important than the Past Performance (Factor 2). Past Performance (Factor 2) is more important than Price (Factor 3). The combination of all non-Price factors is more important than Price (Factor 3). Within Technical (Factor 1), the relative order of importance of subfactors are:

• Technical Approach to Telecommunications Technology (Subfactor 2), Technical Approach to Non- Telecommunications Technology Requirements (Subfactor 3), Staffing and Personnel (Subfactor 4), Management Plan (Subfactor 5) and Organizational Capacity and Expertise (Subfactor 6) are of equal importance.

• Understanding of Requirements (Subfactor 1) is less important than every other individual Subfactor.

Offerors are cautioned that awards may not necessarily be made to the lowest price Offerors. To receive consideration for award, a rating of no less than "Marginal" must be achieved in the Technical Factor, including all Technical subfactors. The Government reserves the right to make a single award per domain as a result of this RFQ. In addition, the RFQ may be amended if determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

Factor 1 - Technical

The Technical factor and subfactors will be evaluated and rated using the following descriptions:

Rating Description

Outstanding Quote meets requirements and indicates an exceptional approach and understanding of the requirements. Strengths far outweigh any weaknesses. Risk of unsuccessful performance is very low.

Good Quote meets requirements and indicates a thorough approach and understanding of the requirements. Quote contains strengths which outweigh any weaknesses.

Risk of unsuccessful performance is low.

Acceptable Quote meets requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements. Strengths and weaknesses are offsetting or will have little or

10 | P a g e no impact on contract performance. Risk of unsuccessful performance is no worse than moderate.

Marginal

Quote does not clearly meet requirements and has not demonstrated an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements. The quote has one or more weaknesses which are not offset by strengths. Risk of unsuccessful performance is high.

Unacceptable Quote does not meet requirements and contains one or more deficiencies. Quote is un-awardable.

Factor 2 - Past Performance

The Offeror’s past performance will be evaluated in accordance with the following Past Performance Relevancy Rating Standards and Performance Confidence Assessments Standards.

The Government will conduct a past performance evaluation of the Offeror’s past performance as well as that of its subcontractors (if applicable). Past performance consists of past performance relevancy and performance confidence; thus, the Offeror will be assigned two (2) ratings for past performance: First, the Government will evaluate the Offeror’s past performance references to determine how relevant a recent effort is to the current requirement. Past performance references that are not considered recent will receive a neutral rating.

Common aspects of relevance include similarity of service/support, complexity, magnitude of effort, dollar value, and contract type. Second, the Government will evaluate the Offeror’ s past performance to determine the quality of work performed and assess the level of expectation that the Offeror can successfully perform the required effort.

Relevancy ratings will be evaluated and rated using the following descriptions:

Past Performance (Factor 2) ratings descriptions for relevance are summarized below:

Rating Description

Very Relevant Present/past performance effort involved essentially the same scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Relevant Present/past performance effort involved similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Somewhat Relevant Present/past performance effort involved some of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Not Relevant Present/past performance effort involved little or none of the scope and magnitude of effort and complexities this solicitation requires.

Past Performance (Factor 2) ratings descriptions for confidence are summarized below:

Substantial Confidence Based on the Offeror' s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a high expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Satisfactory Confidence Based on the Offeror's recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Limited Confidence Based on the Offeror's recent/relevant performance record, the Government has a low expectation that the Offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

11 | P a g e

No Confidence Based on the Offeror' s recent/relevant performance record, the Government has no expectation that the Offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort.

Unknown Confidence (Neutral)

No recent/relevant performance record is available, or the Offeror's performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned.

Factor 3 – Price

The Government will evaluate the total of each Offeror’s proposed prices (to include options) to determine if the prices are fair and reasonable for the work to be performed. The Government expects to receive price competition through the submission of price quotes from multiple offerors. The price evaluation will be based upon combining the base period with the option period.

The Government reserves the right to reject any quote that includes any assumption(s) that adversely impact(s) the Government’s requirements or fails to comply with any of the requirements outlined herein.

Factor 4 – VPAT

The evaluation of the VPAT is independent from the other factors and will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Offeror to meet the requirements of all the applicable Section 508 standards as listed in HHSAR clause 352.239-74 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility. Alternatively, Offerors may propose goods or services that provide equivalent facilitation. Such offers will be considered to have met the standards of the Access Board’s standards for the feature or component providing equivalent facilitation. If none of the Offerors propose goods or services that fully meet all of the applicable Access Board’s standards, those Offerors whose products or services meet some of the applicable standards will be considered eligible for award.

ICT vs. EIT

Procurement documentation from HHS or other agencies may contain references to “EIT” (Electronic and Information Technology) and “ICT” (Information and Communications Technology). HHS considers these terms to be interchangeable, and “EIT” should always be interpreted to be “ICT” in any HHS procurement.

The Section 508 VPAT will be evaluated as described in this chart.

ICT Products fully meet intent of all applicable Section 508 Standards. Risk of failure to meet all Section 508 Requirements is very low. Green

ICT Products can be made capable of meeting the intent of all applicable Section 508 Standards by using alternative methods for some or all of the products. Risk of failure to meet all Section 508 Requirement is low.

Yellow

ICT Products fail to meet the intent of any of the applicable Section 508 Standards or the VPAT is materially incomplete. Risk of failure to meet all Section 508 Standards is high.

Red