590-14-1-424-0001 contract position for rural clergy $99, 592. 00

This is sources sought announcement only. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research and obtain information from qualified potential offers. No formal solicitation document exists at this time. The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued.

Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23667 is seeking an education specialist in Veterans mental health and rehabilitation to work on the National Roll-Out of the established Rural Clergy Training Project. The contractor will collaborate with staff of the National Chaplain Center (NCC) and numerous stakeholders within and external to VHA. The applicable NAICS Code is 611430 with a size standard of $10 Million.

The contractor must be capable of providing training in accordance with Rural Health Initiative Planning and Rural Health Expansion. The purpose of this project is to continue the expansion of the rural clergy training to include analyzing training needs, identifying sites at which training will be provided, developing educational materials and evaluation protocol, providing training and consultation at identified sites, establishing a chain of communication with the NCC and partners, analyzing outcomes of the training and data provided by participants, compiling results, writing final reports and possible journal submissions based on outcome findings. The contractor for this requirement must be in possession of the skills to provide education and training to rural clergy and have at least 2 years of experience in doing so.

The contractor must be a licensed clinical psychologist, experienced in assessing and treating veterans with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury, symptoms of combat stress, depression and risk for suicide. The contractor will deliver a curriculum based program that trains rural clergy on the recognition of Veteran related psychological disorders and spiritual injuries. Contractor must have knowledge of the criteria for eligibility for Veterans health care, and the range of treatment and health care service available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is imperative that the contractor be familiar with the Educating Rural Clergy to Recognize & Respond to Veterans Healthcare Needs Program established in 2010 and conducted 2011-2013.

Responses to this sources sought notice should include the following: name and address of company; business size (large or small); identify whether or not firm falls into any of the following socioeconomic categories - 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned; brief capability statement of qualifications and any other pertinent information, which demonstrates ability to meet the above requirement. Due to the potential for immediate need, the contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database on November 22, 2013. All responses shall be submitted in writing no later than 4:00PM EST, November 22, 2013 to the attention of: Roslyn Patrickson (NCO 6), VAMC Hampton, 100 Emancipation Drive, Bldg. 27, Hampton, VA 23667 Fax number: 757-728-3132. E-mail address: Roslyn. Patrickson@va.gov. if you have questions or need additional information, please contact Roslyn Patrickson.