Justification for Sexual Assault Hotline

The Department of the Interior Departmental Offices, on behalf of the Peace Corps Office of Health Services, posted a sole-source justification on June 29, 2026 for global anonymous sexual assault hotline services mandated by the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), UEI LP7SA1GMB3R6, has been identified as the sole capable source.

The requirement encompasses live confidential crisis counseling, referral information, and sexual assault reporting guidance available 24 hours daily, 365 days per year through telephone, online chat, helpline callback, helpline text, website, and mobile application for currently serving Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers. RAINN will provide three core services: a mechanism to report sexual assault, crisis counseling in the event of sexual assault, and information about Peace Corps sexual assault reporting and response procedures.

Market research conducted through an RFI posted to SAM.gov from December 4–11, 2025 and a Notice of Intent to Sole Source from December 22, 2025 through January 8, 2026 yielded four responses, none demonstrating requisite experience in comprehensive 24/7 sexual assault hotline operations. The Contracting Officer determined RAINN was the sole capable source based on decades of specialized experience, trauma-informed service model, and current operation of multiple federal sexual assault helplines including the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the Peace Corps Sexual Assault Hotline, the Department of Defense Safe Helpline, and helplines for NOAA, NSF, and USAID. This is a Firm Fixed Price acquisition using Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items under FAR 13.501(a).