Training and Technical Assistance to Native Connections Grantees

This is a Small Business Sources Sought Synopsis. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of certified 8(a) small business sources; and (2) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set aside under The 8(a) Program is possible. An organization that is not a certified 8(a) small business under NAICS code 541990 should not submit a response to this notice.

Purpose and Objectives.

The Center for Mental Health Services and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services is conducting market research to prepare for the re-procurement of the Training and Technical Assistance to Native Connections Grantees contract.  

The purpose of this contract is to provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to Native Connections (NC) grantees.  Native Connections is a five-year grant program that helps American Indian and Alaska Native communities identify and address the behavioral health needs of Native youth.  Specifically, the program supports grantees in:

• Reducing suicidal behavior and substance use and misuse among Native youth up to age 24
• Easing the impacts of substance use, mental illness, and trauma in tribal communities
• Supporting youth as they transition into adulthood

The goal of the Native Connections grant program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use and misuse and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native young people up to and including age 24.  This grant allows AI/AN communities to support youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood by facilitating collaboration among agencies and equipping them with culturally appropriate resources.  The TTA provided in this contract will assist grantees in achieving the goal of the grants.

The objective of this contract is to provide technical assistance to recipients of Native Connections funding to help them shape and implement effective strategies to reduce the impact of substance use and misuse, mental illness, and foster culturally responsive models to reduce and respond to the impact of trauma on AI/AN communities through a public health approach.

Background.

The prevalence of suicide and substance misuse in American Indian (AI)/Alaska Native (AN) communities are all higher than rates in the general population, and often the highest for all race or ethnic groups, even as issues with data and reporting suggest behavioral health issues for AI/ANs are underreported.  Research into the risk factors contributing to these issues suggests that they can contribute to and reinforce each other.  Increased risk of suicide is an outcome of substance misuse and historical trauma conditions.  Exposure to suicide in one’s family or community greatly increases one’s own risk of suicide and also increases the risk of substance misuse. 

In contrast to the strong connections between these health issues, institutional responses and interventions to address them are often targeted toward a single health disparity and siloed within agencies or departments that have one focus (e.g., law and justice responses to violence that do not address social or behavioral health-related causes). 

However, initial research into programmatic responses to these three issues suggests that taking a more integrative approach is a promising strategy. The Native Connections grant program seeks to unite and strengthen existing resources in tribal and village communities to reduce the impact of historical trauma, suicide and substance use and misuse among American Indian/Alaska Native young people up to and including age 24.

Project Requirements.

• Provide training and technical Assistance (TTA) to Native Connections grantees, including assistance for:
  • Conducting Services Delivery System Analysis;
  • Developing Community Readiness Assessments;
  • Developing Strategic Action Plans; and
  • Implementing Strategic Action Plans.
• Plan and conduct webinars.
• Develop and disseminate resources and reports.
• Gather and analyze data on TTA.
• Conduct site visits.

Anticipated Period of Performance.

The anticipated period of performance is on/about September 2021.  The contract will have a base period of 12 months, plus four (4) 12-month option periods. The estimated date for issuance of the RFP is January 15, 2021.

Response to this notice shall include company name, address, company DUNS number, point of contact, telephone number, size of business pursuant to North American Industrial Classification Code (NAICS) and MUST respond to the following questions:

1. Is your business a small business under the NAICS code?
2. Does your firm qualify as a small disadvantaged business?
3. If disadvantages, specify if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act?
4. Demonstrate past experience with projects that have a similar scope and complexity of this contract, including TTA to AI/AN communities.
5. Please provide an example of related past experience, within the past three (3) years, demonstrating experience executing the following tasks:

           a. Providing culturally competent and specialized TTA. 

           b. Resource development, editing, and quality control.

        6. Describe your company’s capability, processes, and tools for time and attendance, recordkeeping, and cost accounting.

This is not a request for proposals and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. All responses are to be submitted electronically, with Subject “Company Name, Sources Sought – SAMHSA’s Training and Technical Assistance to Native Connections Grantees, Reference No. 280-21-0561” to the following email: Heather.Orandi@samhsa.hhs.gov.  Responses must be received via email, by no later than Friday, December 11th, 2020, 3:00 PM, Eastern Time.