U008--Veterans Justice Program (VJP) Forensic Peer Training

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DESCRIPTION: The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) intends to negotiate with the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project, a national non-profit organization, a sole source contract to provide a comprehensive forensic peer training to VA staff who serve justice-involved Veterans. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), the Contracting Officer may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

VA/VHA has a requirement for a contractor to provide training for VA staff who serve justice-involved Veterans. The proposed action is to provide a comprehensive forensic peer training to VA staff who serve justice-involved Veterans. The training should be specific to individuals working as peer specialists within the Veterans Administration s Veterans Justice Program (VJP) who must learn engagement strategies that address criminogenic behaviors.

The VJP Office requires an expert in the area of forensic peer training. The contractor will develop, validate, pilot, and deliver training for peers assigned to the VJP Peer Services Program. The proposed action consists of four major milestones to be delivered during the (12) month contract term. The training sought will be disseminated to certified peer specialists, which will prepare them with more knowledge, skills, and abilities to support justice-involved Veterans (JIV) in navigating the cross-section of criminal justice settings, behavioral health, and substance abuse by brining focus on four different domains:

Recovery and Wellness

Advocacy

Mentoring

Ethical Responsibility

SAFE Project's staff, many of whom have lived experiences and backgrounds in military service, possess the necessary knowledge to create accurate and impactful training materials that no other contractor can provide. The contractor shall be tasked with creating a needs assessment to be disseminated at the program manager s discretion. SAFE Project has a history of conducting thorough needs assessments that inform training development, ensuring that the training is aligned with the specific needs of the participants. SAFE Project has demonstrated its capability in this area through its established methodologies for evaluating training effectiveness and participant comprehension.

The SAFE Project is uniquely positioned to provide the required training and materials for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists working with military Veterans who are justice-involved.

SAFE Project's experience in developing and delivering forensic peer training programs specifically tailored for justice-involved Veterans demonstrates that they are the only responsible source capable of meeting the agency's specific needs.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 813410-Civic and Social Organizations is most appropriate for this requirement. This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Parties may identify their interest, accompanied by supporting capability statement (to deliver all the specifics of the training) to this office no later than September 18, 2024, at 12:00 pm EST. Email response to: Jacky.Jean-Jacques@va.gov and lashawn.knight@va.gov and reference 36C10X24R0041 VJP Forensic Peer Training in the subject line of your email.

Costs associated with preparation, submission, and follow-up information requests are the submitter s responsibility. The Government will not reimburse for any associated costs. Telephone responses will not be accepted. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely the Contracting Officer s discretion. If no responses are received or responses are viewed and determined non-responsive, the Government will proceed with the sole source procurement.