Sources Sought Arbinger DIOM Brand Name or Equal.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

DESCRIPTION

This is a source(s) sought notice for information purposes only and it is not a solicitation announcement or an obligation or commitment by the Government. This notice is intended strictly for market research.

The Department of Veterans Affairs – OALC, Legacy Network Contracting Office 17, is seeking information in response to this Sources Sought Notice for market research purposes only. Interested Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Small Business Administration Section 8a, Women-Owned, and other socio-economically disadvantaged small businesses who believe they possess the experience and qualifications to successfully perform the scope of work described below are encouraged to respond in order for us to make a set-aside determination. Any business size entity may respond to this sources sought notice. Responses are being sought from qualified businesses capable of providing the required supplies and services outlined below. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for the work is 611430, Professional and Management Development Training with a small business size standard of $15 Million employees. See below for summary of the requested items.

Summary of Project Scope

The Department of Veterans Affairs – OALC, legacy Network Contracting Office 17, is seeking brand-name or equal Arbinger Institute Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset (DIOM) for broad mindset and culture transformation, sustained accountability, and cross-functional collaboration. This service is intended for use by the North Texas Veterans Health Care System, located at 7916 South Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216. Please refer to the draft Statement of Work below for additional details.

Interested Parties

Potential candidates having the capabilities necessary to provide the stated supplies at a fair and reasonable price are invited to respond to this Sources Sought Notice via email to Contract Specialist Romya Turner at Romya.turner@va.gov, no later than October 19th , 2026, 2:00 PM CST. No telephone inquiries will be accepted.

All responses to this notice should provide the following information:

1. WHAT IS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF ANY SUPPLY ITEMS REQUIRED WITH THIS

SERVICE, IF APPLICABLE?

2. Company name, address, SAM UEI number, point of contact name, phone number and email address.

3. Business size and representation(s) of the company (i.e., Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)

4. If SDVOSB or VOSB, can business comply with clause VAAR 852.219-75 - VA NOTICE OF

LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND

CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION) in fulfilling the requirements within the draft Statement of Work?

5. If SDVOSB vendors can supply the items, is the SDVOSB supplying the items from a Small Business Manufacturer?

6. Is the company considered a small business under the NAICS code 611430 identified under this sources sought?

7. Please submit a Capability statement as it relates to the attached draft Statement of Work and any other information that can aid in determining capability (i.e. compatibility requirements).

8. Does the company have a current federal contract (i.e., GSA, NAC, SAC, NASA SEWP etc.)? If so, provide the contract type, number, and expiration date.

9. If the company has a current federal contract, are the services being offered available on the contract?

10. Are the products you provide for leasing and services made in America?

11. please submit a case study or sample of current work commensurate with the scope of the current request. Sample must be from within the last 12 months.

In addition to the information above and demonstration to the government that the interested party can provide the required supplies that fulfill the required specifications in the draft SOW, please provide:

• Any questions/concerns in regard to the Draft SOW.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. This Sources Sought 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. The Government will treat any information received as proprietary and will not share such information with other companies. Any organization responding to this Sources Sought 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. The Government may or may not issue a solicitation as a result of this announcement. There is no solicitation available at this time.

/END OF NOTICE/

**DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK FOR

brand-name or equal

Arbinger Institute Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset (DIOM)

671-25-3-336-0222

NORTH TEXAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Statement of Work (SOW): Outward Mindset Training and Materials

A. General Information

1. Title of Project: Enterprise-Wide Transformative Mindset Training and Coaching, Materials and Certification

2. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide all materials, participant kits, facilitator certifications, digital licenses, Strategic Working Sessions, and sustainment resources Brand Name or Equal to Arbinger Institute Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset. required by

VANTHCS.

3. Background:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), requires a comprehensive workforce development solution designed to support broad cultural transformation, sustained accountability, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the organization. The requirement is intended to address underlying mindsets that influence employee behavior and organizational performance rather than focusing solely on communication techniques, conflict resolution, difficult conversations, psychological safety, or emotionally charged interactions.

VHA seeks an evidence-based methodology that promotes self-awareness, personal accountability, leadership effectiveness, collaboration, and organizational alignment across individual, team, and enterprise levels. The solution must provide practical tools and resources that support lasting behavior change and improve organizational outcomes by helping participants understand the impact of their actions on others, strengthen accountability, and foster collaboration across organizational boundaries.

The required solution shall:

• Utilize an established, evidence-based framework with demonstrated past performance and current operational use.

• Address transformation from the individual level through the organizational level, including interpersonal relationships, team effectiveness, leadership practices, and organizational systems.

• Provide a common set of tools and concepts applicable to collaboration, conflict management, accountability, performance improvement, leadership development, and organizational processes.

• Emphasize accountability in terms of impact, results, and organizational outcomes rather than task completion alone.

• Include tools and resources that support long-term sustainment and reinforcement of learning.

• Enable the development and certification of internal facilitators to ensure consistent implementation and scalability.

• Include healthcare-relevant applications, examples, and scenarios involving care coordination, shift handoffs, high operational tempo environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and alignment across clinical and administrative roles.

• Support implementation across organizational boundaries and help reduce siloed operations.

4. Contractor Responsibilities:

The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive workforce development and organizational transformation solution, including training, instructional materials, digital resources, implementation support, and sustainment tools that promote mindset transformation, accountability, leadership development, and organizational culture change.

The Contractor shall:

1. Deliver training services that address individual mindset, interpersonal behavior, team collaboration, leadership effectiveness, and organizational systems.

2. Provide an evidence-based methodology designed to help participants:

o Increase self-awareness and recognize behavioral patterns that affect workplace relationships and organizational outcomes.

o Develop personal accountability and ownership of results.

o Improve collaboration across functional and organizational boundaries.

o Enhance leadership effectiveness and organizational alignment.

o Apply shared concepts and tools to conflict, performance, communication, and workplace challenges.

3. Furnish all participant materials and resources necessary to support learning and application, including, as applicable:

o Workbooks and participant guides;

o Assessments and learning instruments;

o Downloadable reference materials;

o Digital tools and resources;

o Job aids and model cards; and o Reinforcement and sustainment materials.

4. Provide strategic implementation support and follow-on resources designed to promote long-term adoption and sustainment of the methodology.

5. Include a Train-the-Trainer or facilitator certification component that enables designated Government personnel to become certified internal facilitators and deliver the methodology consistently throughout the organization.

6. Provide facilitator materials, digital facilitator resources, and technical support necessary for successful deployment and administration of the solution.

7. Provide virtual and/or in-person support for facilitator preparation, software utilization, and ongoing product support as required.

8. Demonstrate that the proposed methodology and supporting resources are currently operational and commercially available, with documented evidence of successful implementation and relevant past performance.

9. Ensure that all training content includes healthcare-specific applications and scenarios relevant to VHA operations.

Work performed at Government facilities shall not occur on Federal holidays or weekends unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer.

Contractors will be evaluated in the following areas:

1. Primary Focus Demonstrates a methodology that explicitly changes how participants view themselves, others, and their impact on organizational outcomes, and applies that mindset to accountability, collaboration, leadership, behavior, and results.

2. Level of Intervention Addresses individual mindset, interpersonal interactions, team effectiveness, leadership practices, and organizational systems through training, assessments, tools, and reinforcement mechanisms.

3. Self-Awareness Component Provides explicit instruction and practical application related to self-awareness, recognition of behavioral patterns, and personal responsibility for impact on others.

4. Accountability Emphasizes the development of accountable individuals and teams, with accountability defined by results and organizational impact.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration Demonstrates the ability to improve collaboration across departments, disciplines, and organizational boundaries while reducing siloed behaviors.

6. Train-the-Trainer Capability Includes a formal facilitator certification process and access to ongoing facilitator resources.

7. Participant Sustainment and Support Includes workbooks, assessments, digital resources, implementation tools, reinforcement materials, and follow-on support.

8. Healthcare-Specific Content Incorporates healthcare-relevant scenarios and applications involving coordination of care, patient services, clinical operations, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

CLIN Product/Service Purpose Qty 1 Brand name or equal: DIOM Participant Workbook

Includes access to Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset Digital Workbook, published books Leadership and Self-Deception, and

The Outward Mindset (Downloadable)

Up to 1500 per year

2 Brand name or equal: Outward

Leadership Handbook

Outward Leadership participant handbook; includes access to downloadable online tools and support content.

Up to 150 per year

3 Brand name or equal: Outward

Performance Workbook

Includes access to digital Outward Performance Mindset Tools.

Up to 30 per year

4 Brand name or equal: DIOM

Train-the-Trainer Program

Certification in Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset and access to digital facilitator resources.

Up to 5 per year

5 Brand name or equal: Outward

Leadership Public Workshop

Includes access to Outward Leadership online resources.

Up to 3 Workshops per year

6 Brand name or equal: Outward

Performance Train-the-Trainer

Includes access to Outward Performance digital workbook, online facilitator resources, published books Leadership and Self-Deception and

The Outward Mindset (Downloadable).

Up to 2 trainings per year

7 Brand name or equal: Strategic

Working Sessions

A tailored strategic advisory session facilitated by a Master/High -Level

Facilitator including pre-work, discovery, preparation, and post-work follow-up.

Up to 6 individual sessions per year

8 Travel Per onsite facilitator day with Strategic Working Sessions.

Up to 6 individuals per year 9 Shipping & Expedited shipping (Overnight + 3- Up to 2 per

Handling day), priced per workbook. If needed As need if not

This line-item is included solely to provide flexibility in responding to unforeseen emergent requirements.

Orders under this line item may be placed only when a bona fide need for expedited delivery exists. The

Government makes no representation regarding the frequency or quantity of services that may be required under this line item.

year

5. Period of Performance:

Base Year: January 22, 2027 – January 21, 2028 Option Year 1: January 22, 2028 – January 21, 2029 Option Year 2: January 22, 2029 – January 21, 2030 Option Year 3: January 22, 2030 – January 21, 2031 Option Year 4: January 22, 2031 – January 21, 2032

6. Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 07:30 to 16:30 (4:30) Monday through Friday.

Work shall be performed during normal work hours. Work to be performed in other than normal hours shall be approved by the COTR.

Federal Holidays observed by the VAMC are:

Federal Holidays

New Year's Day Labor Day Independence Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

M L King's Birthday Columbus Day President's Day Juneteenth Day Veterans Day

Also included would be any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a National Holiday.

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday must be observed as a legal holiday by U.S. Government agencies. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday must be observed as a legal holiday.

7. Salient Characteristics:

The following are the minimum physical, functional, and performance requirements that are essential to the Government's need:

a. Standardized Curriculum

VAMC North Texas must have participant materials, instructor resources, and content derived from a standardized, evidence-based curriculum.

1) Training content must provide evidence-based individual and organizational transformation framework beyond a stand-alone communication or difficult-conversation course.

• Must include a multi-level intervention model

• Must include a self-awareness methodology

• Must have Train-the-Trainer capability, with certifications

2) Learning objectives must include :

• recognizing inward, siloed, or self-protective work patterns

• considering other stakeholders’ objectives, constraints, and challenges

• Accountability

• Tools to support the participant

- Must have a tool to monitor personal implementation of skills at least annually;

- Must have a tool to monitor personal collaboration

3) An electronic copy of the Facilitator Guide, separate and distinct from printed materials provided, shall be supplied. Arbinger’s Facilitator Portal provides full digital access to facilitator guides, instructions, activity guidance, preparatory tools, and course delivery requirements.

4) Training content must contain a section specifically for healthcare providers, with special exercises and scenarios geared toward them.

b . Participant Training Kits (Physical and Digital) Each participant must receive a complete kit which will be a digital and hardcopy workbooks, e-books, downloadable tools, model cards, and sustainment resources.

Both virtual and hard copy kits must contain the same information and materials, ensuring equitable access regardless of delivery method.

The following must be provided:

• Cue and model cards for each lesson

• Follow-on sustainment materials to reinforce evidence-based learning

• A course completion certificate for the main course

C. Support service

1. Yearly technical service from the vendor must include:

• Unlimited phone support during business hours including consultations relating to setup and implementation assistance

- The contractor shall provide the COR/POC with any issues or outages of program software as soon as they are made aware of them as they will cause work stoppage.

• 24/7 web support

• Software and module updates throughout the life of the contract

• License subscription if required/agreement for the full contract POP

2. Virtual Course Materials and Access Codes:

Virtual access is required for remote and distributed VA staff. Arbinger provides official virtual materials that replicate all core concepts, models, and principles found in hardcopy materials.

Virtual content supports skills for managing high-stakes discussions, creating psychological safety, sustaining dialogue, and delivering outward mindset tools effectively.

Materials must function on standard VA IT systems and ensure full participant engagement across geographically separated teams. There is no download requirement; all items must be available on the vendor’s portal.

3. There must be no need for updates through the VA system; all updates must be handled through the Vendor’s portal.

4. There must be an identified vendor point of contact;

B. SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall ensure all items are delivered no later than the Period of Performance start date in Section A.5.

C. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK

Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the contractor.

(End of Statement of Work)

/End of Notice/