Limited Sources Justification for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services

The Internal Revenue Service has a continuing need for Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
services. EAPs are benefit programs that are designed to assist employees in navigating life
circumstances that might impact their job performance, health, and well-being. The workbased
program provides cost-free and confidential assessments, short- term counseling,
referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal, work-related problems that
may affect attendance, work performance, and conduct. Executive Order 12564 requires
federal agencies to establish a drug-free Federal workplace program. This includes EAP as
part of the component in achieving a drug-free workforce. Employees may also require
assistance with severe life experiences, especially when such circumstances begin to impact
the employee’s ability to perform in the workplace. Mental health and work-life balance is
critical for the IRS to ensure that employees and their families are fully embraced within the
IRS organization. 

No other vendor can meet IRS’ needs of providing support without a break of service because
switching to another vendor will entail at the very minimum a 3-month transition period. The
COVID-19 pandemic, Return to Office effort, and the state of the world in general, have
caused increased anxiety in IRS employees and these counseling services are needed now
more than ever. A work stoppage would be catastrophic to IRS employees. Due to the timing
of the current contract’s expiration and the need for continuity of these critical services, it is
not feasible to award to anyone other than the incumbent.

 The risk of not having services when the existing contract expires will result in a total IRS work stoppage for
the desperately needed EAP services for the agency’s employees.

Awarded contract GS02F0004T to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2022-07-06.