TSA Medical Support Services_Request for Information_18 May 2022.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Arlington, VA 20598-6025

COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA), HUMAN CAPITAL (HC)

TSA NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF MEDICAL SERVICES (NNMS)

I. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this combined Sources Sought (SS) /Request for Information (RFI) to increase industry's understanding of TSA's Human Capital (HC) medical requirements and to seek industry feedback and recommendations that may assist in clarifying the requirements and in developing the acquisition strategy. Through this SS/RFI, TSA seeks to improve its understanding of market capabilities, identify qualified vendors that are capable of providing a nationwide network of medical exams and services to HC, and to accept ideas on how to efficiently and effectively procure the services that meet TSA requirements for a workforce that is geographically-dispersed, remote, and mobile.

II. BACKGROUND

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established with the enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 Public Law 107-71. The mission of TSA is to protect the nation’s transportation systems, while ensuring the free movement of people and goods.

The TSA workforce of approximately 67,000 employees located at TSA Headquarters (HQ), Regional Field Offices, 460+ railways and federal airports in 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. Territories, is directly responsible for implementing TSA's mission of protecting the national transportation system, conducting counterterrorism operations, and promoting the free and safe flow of commerce and people. TSA's workforce is comprised of: Transportation Security Officers (TSOs); Federal Air Marshals (FAMs); Management, Administrative, and Professional (MAP) positions; Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES); and those designated as “executive” (e.g., Federal Security Director (FSD)).

Medical certification is a critical component of the end-to-end human capital services. ATSA established the authority for the TSA Administrator to determine physical and psychological requirements for the security screening workforce. TSA developed medical guidelines for clinical evaluations and fitness for duty determinations to “ensure that Federal screeners are able to provide the best security possible.” The evolution of security operations from process-driven procedural-based security to risk-based intelligence driven security affirms the need for a resilient screening workforce that can readily adapt to changing threats and mission, whose readiness and fitness is measurable, demonstrable, and enforceable.

On October 9, 2013, TSA leadership approved the establishment of the Office of Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) to assume responsibility for Transportation Security Officers (TSO) medical reviews, determination decisions, and institutionalizing of medical standards and fitness for duty assessments of the screening workforce. Within HC, the Office of Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) helps ensure the TSA workforce is mission ready. The office is staffed by occupational health professionals responsible for managing health policy, maintaining medical records, and serving as TSA’s physician authority for medical determinations.

In 2014, TSA’s Administrator charged OCMO with the planning, piloting, and execution of a periodic Annual Medical re-certification (AMC) program. The purpose of the AMC is to ensure that covered employees continue to meet the current minimum medical requirements of their position. A covered employee is an employee occupying a position with medical requirements identified and explained in approved, position specific, medical guidelines. In 2018, TSA has completed the functional requirements for an Annual Medical Certification (AMC) program using an electronic medical questionnaire for covered employees to medically self-certify.

TSA currently receives HC mission support medical services as a component of the services provided under the following contract:

Recruitment and Hiring (R&H) – 70T01022C7663N001(with Accenture):

Recruitment Activities (including job fairs, media buys, advertising, development and maintenance of recruitment sources etc. Hiring Operations – all activities from Job Opportunity Announcements through candidate entry on duty.

The results of this Market Research may help TSA gain a better understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors that are capable of providing a nationwide network of medical exams and services to HC.

III. RESPONSES TO THIS COMBINED SS/RFI

The following sections provide a recommended outline for a response to this SS/RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government. All qualified vendors are encouraged to respond to this notice in accordance with the instructions addressed herein.

Section I – Cover Letter (2 Pages Max)

List the company name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and company point(s) of contact along with the following:

o Briefly describe the company history, ownership, products and services;

o Business size and status (i.e. small, veteran-owned, woman-owned, etc.);

o Product Service Code (PSC);

o Recommended NAICS Code and rational for any NAICS Code applicable to the planned acquisition.

Section II – Capabilities Statement (5 Pages Max)

In order for the TSA to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors that are capable of providing solutions to HC, please provide a narrative description of your firm's capability to meet the requirements outlined in the draft SOW. Describe experience providing similar services or solutions to other Federal Agencies. Indicate any GSA and strategic sourcing vehicles that your company is part of that may be relevant to this requirement.

Section III – Response to Government’s Questions (not to exceed 5 pages)

TSA is seeking industry best practices and feedback to the following challenges and questions:

1. Industry recommendations on contracting arrangement(s) based on the following:

a) Provide comments or questions on the draft requirements.

b) Provide recommendations on contract types and pricing structures for TSA’s consideration.

c) Provide input to any specific Performance Metrics and service level agreements that should be considered by TSA to help ensure transactions are processed in an accurate, complete, and timely manner.

d) Provide the benefits of a single award IDIQ (how it can maximize efficiency and reduce cost) or in what way may a multiple award IDIQ hinder efficiency and add costs.

2. Provide recommendations from lessons learned and industry best practices.

3. What challenges should TSA be prepared to overcome?

4. TSA’s mission continues to evolve based on unanticipated situations like COVID-19 and security requirements. Based on this dynamic reality, what other considerations should TSA make in order to ensure any future HC contract is flexible, scalable, and responsive to candidates and TSA employees, and TSA’s evolving requirements?

IV. INFORMATION EXCHANGE MEETINGS

TSA may, at the agency’s sole discretion, hold technical information exchange meetings with respondent(s) with demonstrated capabilities and experience after reviewing vendor responses.

The intent of these meetings will be to focus on industry experiences related to a solution development/design including processes and methodologies, technical solutions, best practices and lessons learned, associated cost, risks, and programmatic benefits. As part of the technical information exchange meetings, TSA may, at the agency’s sole discretion, request a demonstration, or additional information related to, a vendor’s submission.

V. VENDOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES AND CONTRACT INFORMATION

Submissions should be organized in accordance with the instructions in this document in order to permit a thorough and accurate review by TSA. Responses to this RFI must be submitted to Janine.Sherbondy@tsa.dhs.gov no later than 10:00AM Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Responses not received by the closing date and time may not be reviewed by TSA.

VI. ATTACHMENT

Attachment 1 – Draft Statement of Work (SOW)

VII. DISCLAIMER

THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT (SS)/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, TSA is not seeking proposals at this time, and will not accept unsolicited proposals. All information received in response to this RFI marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responders are advised the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any, is issued.