REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) for Department of the Interior, Acquisition Services Directorate, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for Personal Assistance Services Introduction: This Request for Information/Sources Sought (RFI) synopsis is a tool to perform market research for Department of Interior's requirement for Personal Assistant Services. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain knowledge and information for project planning purposes and exploring alternative solutions while determining industry standards for Personal Assistance Services as described herein. This RFI/Sources Sought is to determine interest and capability of both large and small businesses. On January 3, 2017, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) amended the regulations implementing Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 501), the law that prohibits the federal government from discriminating in employment on the basis of disability and requires it to engage in affirmative action for people with disabilities. As part of the agencies' obligation to engage in affirmative action, federal agencies are required by the new regulations to provide Personal Assistance Services (PAS) to individuals who need them because of certain disabilities. PAS are services that help individuals who, because of targeted disabilities, require assistance to perform basic activities of daily living, like eating and using the restroom. This requirement is to provide Personal Assistance to Access Board staff in accordance with the obligations under Section 501 as amended. Sources Sought: The contractor will provide nonmedical personal assistance services and possibly administrative support for an Access Board employee. The contractor will provide attendant care services as requested to assist the individual to accomplish the tasks required of their job in addition to assistance with everyday life skills to accommodate their disability while on the job. Basic cleaning may also be necessary in order to provide a safe, clean environment. The contractor may be requested to assist in the following areas based upon the individual needs, when applicable: - Personal hygiene - Use of toilet facilities - Walking, including the use of walkers and wheelchairs - Meal preparation and feeding - Exercises if required by a health professional for the individual The contractor may also be asked to provide administrative support to Access Board staff when not providing personal attendant services. The administrative support duties may include such things as copying, filing, as well as other duties. The government is considering the capabilities and provided information to make a determination on the acquisition strategy. The Government is suggesting North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 621610 "Home Health Agencies" (size standard - $14 million); however, respondents may propose a different NAICS with a succinct description of why that NAICS is more applicable. Please answer the following questions based on experience as a commercial Personal Assistant Service provider. 1. Is your company able to provide personal assistance services for a Government employee? 2. What specific tasks are normally associated with this type of position? 3. Are there any tasks that the Government should avoid asking the Contractor to do? 4. What does the Contractor do when not actively assisting the Government employee? Is this a full-time or part-time job? 5. Under what NAICS codes are these services usually procured? 6. Are these contracts usually Fixed Price, Labor Hour, or Time and Material? 7. What are the general labor rates for this type of service? 8. What are the normal labor categories? 9. Are these services considered personal services? 10. What certifications or qualifications are normally required? 11. Are most businesses that provide this service large or small? Responses to this RFI are requested no later than 12:00 noon ET, July 12, 2019. Earlier Submissions would be greatly appreciated due to time constraints. DISCLAIMER: THIS RFI IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. RESPONSES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PROPOSALS NOR WILL ANY AWARD BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS SYNOPSIS. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Any solicitation resulting from the analysis of information obtained will be announced as required under the FAR section used for this procurement. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes is incorporated by reference in this RFI. Questions may be submitted up to the date and time for responses. POINTS OF CONTACT (All Emails should include "Personal Assistance Services" in the subject line.) The points of contact for this RFI are: Contracting Officer: Catherine Mattocks Acquisition Services Directorate Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior
[email protected] Procurement Technician: Jacqueline McAdam Acquisition Services Directorate Interior Business Center U.S. Department of the Interior
[email protected]