Healthier US School Challenge Reviewer

Statement of Work Healthier US School Challenge Reviewer I. Background Information an Objective A. Background Information Obesity is a growing health concern for children in the United States. The USDA believes that schools can take a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthier eating and active lifestyle choices. Many schools have already improved their school nutrition environments, found ways to increase opportunities for physical activity, and provided more nutritious and healthier choices for their students. FNS encourages schools to make these changes, and in 2004 established the Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) to recognize elementary schools creating healthier school environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Because of the popularity of the initiative, the Challenge was expanded to include secondary schools in 2009. To qualify for the awards, a school must submit a formal application and meet basic criteria set forth by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Currently, four levels of superior performance are awarded: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Award of Distinction. With the launch of the Let's Move! Initiative in February 2010, criteria for the awards were further refined and included the goal of doubling the number of HUSSC schools by June 2011 and adding 1,000 more schools for each of the following two years. In addition, monetary incentives have been introduced to encourage schools to apply. Schools certified as Gold Award of Distinction will receive $2,000, Gold will receive $1,500, Silver $1,000 and Bronze $500. As a result of the new focus on HUSSC and the recent changes, FNS expects the workload involving the review of applications to increase substantially. B. Objective The objective of this purchase order will be to hire a consultant to review HUSSC applications and supporting documentation (eg, production records) against established criteria. The contractor should be able to complete three to six application reviews a week with each review taking approximately one to two hours. It is estimated that the contractor will review approximately 150-300 applications in one year. II. Services to be Performed A. General Requirements The contractor will work off site and furnish all necessary labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and services to perform the work set forth below. FNS will cover mailing costs associated with the delivery and return of the print applications. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will monitor all work under the contract. The contractor must participate in occasional telephone conference calls to discuss work related to the review of the HUSSC applications. FNS will provide as much advance notice of the conference calls as possible and make logistical arrangements for such calls (i.e., provide a call-in number). The contractor must provide FNS with a list of completed HUSSC reviews and hours worked in an email message or an attached document with detailed comments to COR monthly. The contractor should be available to work one day each week for one year. At the end of the one year period, FNS will determine if the services of the contractor are needed for an additional year. The contractor must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including other employment by or relationship to a State, school or school district, foodservice management company or food manufacturer. B. Specific Requirements -Statement of Work Specifically, the contractor will review applications and supporting content, document whether the application meets established criteria, and make a recommendation for final award determination to FNS. Task 1 - Review of HUSSC Applications Task Deliverable Timeline 1.1 Thoroughly review HUSSC Application for compliance with HUSSC criteria. Document findings on review worksheets (provided by FNS as a Microsoft Word 97 file), and provide final award determination recommendation to FNS. Submit completed review sheets and award recommendations electronically to FNS. Within 10 business days of receipt of the application. C. Performance Acceptance Standards • The review of each HUSSC application must be thorough and free of errors before submitting worksheets, findings and recommendations to FNS. • The review of each assigned HUSSC application must be completed within two weeks of receipt of application. Applications must be returned to FNS within seven business days following completion of the review. The applications to be reviewed will be assigned by the COR. D. Evaluation Criteria In order to properly and efficiently review, and provide comments and an award determination recommendation, the contractor must possess: 1) Knowledge and extensive experience with Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs, particularly the National School Lunch Program. 2) Knowledge and extensive experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Healthier US School Challenge. 3) Extensive experience reviewing and evaluating HUSSC applications. 4) Experience with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word. The period of performance is 1 year. This procurement is being posted to solicit technical and price proposals in accordance with the above Statement of Work. All proposal should be submitted electronically by email to [email protected] by the specified closing date for this proposal.