Sources Sought Notice_STAR 2.0.pdf

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR MARKET RESEARCH ONLY – NO

AWARD WILL BE MADE FROM THIS NOTICE

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Government Contracting Services (GCS) has received a request from the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), to seek sources capable of meeting the objectives set forth in the attached Draft scope of work. The Government seeks the expertise in the delivery of training and technical assistance (TTA) to a variety of state and tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) partners. This TTA may be proactive, i.e., OFA-initiated policy academies, topical roundtables and workshops, national summits, and webinars. The delivery of TTA may also be responsive to specific needs identified by TANF programs and partners. Services include developing and implementing core TTA activities, which may include, but are not limited to (1) developing and deploying individual and group-based TA on short and longer-term bases, (2) providing internal or access to external subject matter expertise in relevant topical areas such as:

impacting TANF performance and participant outcomes, including workforce development, case management models, coaching, career pathways, outcome measures, improving program designs and strategies, engaging families in program development, and program modernization, (3) providing logistical support and content development for TTA activities including strategic design, agenda and activities planning and development, SME identification, meeting facilitation, peer-to-peer engagement, and meeting management, (4) developing relevant written products, tools, and materials; and coordinating information dissemination; and (5) managing and updating the OFA Peer Technical Assistance (PeerTA) website to inform, support, and engage TANF audiences.

This notice is published to determine the interest and capabilities of potential offerors.

It is the Government’s intention to award a Firm Fixed-Price contract for these services. The Government contemplates the contract having a period of performance of a 12-month base period, September 2024 – September 2025 and four (4) twelve-month option periods.

Release of a solicitation is tentatively planned in the 4th quarter of calendar year 2024.

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotes or proposals. This notice does not obligate the Government to solicit for this requirement or award a contract and does not obligate the Government to reimburse interested parties for any costs incurred to prepare or provide a response to this request for information.

RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE: Firms who can fulfill this requirement and who would be interested in submitting a quote/proposal, in the event that a solicitation is issued, are requested to provide the following information in response to this request:

1. Capability Statement, Past Experience, Staff Expertise

a. Describe your company/business capability and experience providing State and Tribal Technical Assistance and Resources (STAR) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) for TANF Programs, and Native Employment Works (NEW) grantees or any current or past projects similar in nature to this requirement that you have executed.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children Families

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING SERVICES

Sources Sought Notice

b. Describe your company/business capabilities as they relate to conducting an evaluation and assessment of protocols, procedures, and processes involved in providing State and Tribal Technical Assistance and Resources (STAR) Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) for TANF Programs, and NEW grantees of the size and scope detailed in the Draft SOW.

c. Describe your company/business capability, experience, and methodology for properly staffing the STAR Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) for TANF Programs requirement similar in size, scope, and complexity as referenced in the Draft SOW including subcontractors, and small businesses.

d. Describe your company/business methodology for promoting small business participation in support of a requirement similar in size, scope, and complexity as reference in the Draft SOW.

e. What, if any, risks, or other factors does your company foresee that may deter your company from submitting a quote on this requirement?

f. Please provide any other feedback or questions you may have related to the Draft SOW (specify Draft SOW section number).

2. General Information

a. UEI #

b. Name of Company:

c. Address of Company:

d. Name, phone number and email address of company representative.

e. Company size standard and/or socio-economic standing, i.e., large business, small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUB Zone small business, small disadvantaged business, or women- owned small business.

f. A list of any questions you would be likely to ask if the requirements were included, as-is, as part of the final solicitation.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR MARKET RESEARCH ONLY–

NO AWARD WILL BE MADE FROM THIS RFI.

Questions will be reviewed and shared with the program office. However, the Government is not obligated to respond to any questions resulting from this RFI.

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. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. 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.

Sources Sought Notice

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). The attached work statement is a draft. The Government reserves the right to modify or otherwise change the work statement. However, all sellers are placed on notice that no material or substantive changes to the draft work statement are anticipated.

Submission Instructions:

Please address your response to the Contract Specialist, Diana Rath, at email address diana.rath@acf.hhs.gov on or before March 13, 2024. Responses by phone will not be accepted. Capability statements shall be submitted no later than 3:00 PM Eastern Time in accordance with the instructions reflected in this notice.