R -- Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Ticket Program) Operations Support Manager (OSM)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to issue a solicitation to procure the services of a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program (Ticket Program) Operations Support Manager (OSM) contractor to meet the objectives set forth in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA), Public Law 106-170 and in the Social Security Act, Section 1148. Specifically, the Ticket Program OSM will oversee and support processes necessary to sustain ongoing Ticket Program operations and facilitate access of Ticket-eligible beneficiaries to Employment Networks (EN) by: (1) establishing and maintaining a toll-free telephone call center and electronic mail response capability to answer beneficiary questions and making referrals, as appropriate (2) administering and supporting the Ticket assignment process; and (3) administering and supporting the EN payment process. On Sep 29, 2000, SSA awarded a 5-year contract to a single Program Manager (PM) to assist in administering the Ticket Program by providing a wide variety of services in 3 main areas: EN recruitment, operations support, and systems access and support. To meet Ticket Program support requirements following expiration of the current PM contract on Sep 28, 2005, SSA will award 2 Ticket Program contracts: OSM and Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO). SSA anticipates contract award on Aug 1, 2005. The OSM contractor must be fully operational and be prepared to assume all the duties and responsibilities required by this solicitation by Sep 29, 2005. (NOTE: SSA will provide the necessary system access and support directly and/or through a systems support contractor.) The services to be procured affiliated with this Presolicitation Notice and anticipated Request for Proposal (RFP) Number SSA-RFP-05-1047 are for the services of a Ticket Program OSM. Anticipated services to be procured for the Ticket Program PMRO are affiliated with RFP Number SSA-RFP-06-1006. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On Dec 17, 1999, the President signed the TWWIIA establishing the Ticket Program (see http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10061.html for additional information). This legislation establishes in the SSA the Ticket Program to provide Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities more choices for receiving employment services and increases provider incentives to serve beneficiaries with disabilities who want to work. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are designed to provide a basic level of support for individuals with disabilities whose earning abilities are restricted due to their impairments. TWWIIA Public Law 106-170 addresses a number of barriers that advocates believe disability beneficiaries encounter in obtaining jobs and continuing to work by expanding the availability of health care services and coverage, eliminating certain work disincentives, providing for enhanced benefits planning and assistance from other public and private sources and creating the Ticket Program. Under the Ticket program, SSA is directed to provide disability beneficiaries with a Ticket they may use to obtain Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, employment services, and/or other support services from an EN of their choice and to establish agreements with ENs to provide such services. The Ticket Program was implemented nationally in 3 phases beginning Feb 2002 through Sep 2004 and Tickets were mailed to more than 10 million eligible beneficiaries with disabilities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. In addition, Tickets are mailed to between 80,000 and 85,000 new beneficiaries each month upon entering the disability rolls. SSA anticipates awarding a cost-reimbursement type contract with a 5-year period of performance. The estimated date for the issuance of the RFP on www.fedbizopps.com is Jun 3, 2005 with proposal responses due 30 calendar days thereafter (est. Jul 3, 2005). The solicitation and any amendments will be available for downloading at www.fedbizopps.gov for all interested parties. Paper copies of the RFP and affiliate documents will not be mailed. No telephone requests will be honored. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL TO [email protected].