The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS) to provide specialized technical assistance to the 57 designated State and U.S. Territorial Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies and manage a data collection system. SSA intends to award a contract to NAPAS to manage a data collection system and to provide specialized technical assistance and training to State P&A Systems to help them in their role as authorized by the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA). The purpose of the project is to provide SSA’s P&As with the technical assistance necessary to enable them to provide protection and advocacy services which beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, maintain, or regain gainful employment. Management of a data collection system will enable SSA to measure the effectiveness of the P&A program and will fulfill the grantees’ reporting requirements. NAPAS is the only known source that can provide all of the requirements described below. BACKGROUND: The TWWIIA authorized the Commissioner of SSA to fund P&A Systems to provide advocacy as well information and advice about obtaining vocational rehabilitation and employment services to our beneficiaries with disabilities. Technical assistance for these entities is required because the law expands work incentives and modifies the way in which P&A Systems may serve beneficiaries. In 2001, SSA established the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) grant program in every State and U.S. Territory. To support the expanded activities of P&A Systems under TWWIIA, SSA awarded a contract to assist these grantees in the area of dispute resolution services for beneficiaries who want to work. With Employment Networks now in existence, there is a real need for P&A training surrounding any complaints that may be lodged against these and other entities. NAPAS has provided P&A personnel with guidance on the policies, processes and procedures necessary to advocate on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities who are seeking to secure or regain gainful employment for the past 5 years. In 2004, NAPAS developed a database to facilitate the comprehensive reporting required of SSA P&A grantees. REQUIREMENTS: The contractor shall provide technical assistance to the 57 State, US Territorial and Native American P&A agencies participating in the project as follows: (1) Provide dispute resolution assistance and training to P&A personnel as disputes arise between beneficiaries and the employment networks and other service providers from which they are seeking or receiving services; (2) Conduct a training seminar for new PABSS personnel using material previously developed to address policies, processes and procedures that P&A personnel need to advocate on behalf of beneficiaries with disabilities; 3) Act as a liaison for the flow of communication between SSA and the P&A agencies. This includes disseminating information to all of the participant P&A projects at the request of SSA, as well as conveying information to SSA on behalf of the projects. Note: contractor must have SSA’s prior approval on any material furnished to the P&As for this program; 4) Coordinate at least four (4) teleconferences per year, open to the entire network pf SSA-funded P&A projects, on emerging policy and legal issues including systemic issues about vocational rehabilitation, employment and support services; 5) Develop Social Security work groups (Employment Campaigns) with respect to employment-related issues concerning beneficiaries living with HIV, persons with brain injuries, persons in segregated employment settings, and youth transitioning from school to work; and 6) Facilitate a web-based discussion monthly regarding an employment-related issue relevant to SSA-funded P&A advocates and attorneys. The contractor shall manage and maintain a web-based data collection system for the SSA-funded P&A program as follows: 1) Host the web location for which this web-based application will reside; 2) Manage user accounts for the data collection as well as the reporting application and 3) Manage any changes to the data elements requirements. The contractor shall provide technical support for the use of the web-based data collection system. The contractor shall attend meetings, prepare reports, and provide information to SSA, when requested, to enable SSA to respond to public inquiries. The period of performance will be for a base year with three 1-year options to extend the term of the contract. NAPAS is the only known organization with the subject expertise and familiarity with the issues to provide the required specialized technical assistance. Specifically, NAPAS is fully versed in the intricacies of protection and advocacy case law, P&A management issues, and methods to increase the effectiveness of these agencies in providing services to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities. Additionally, NAPAS is the only organization with the resources, previous experience and competence to immediately assume the responsibility of providing assistance to all 57 State and U.S. Territory P&A projects. NAPAS has been involved in these types of services with the government and SSA since 1997. NAPAS is the provider of the web based software application “Disability Advocacy Database” (DAD). DAD is the client management system used by the P&A network, and NAPAS has been the developer and manager of this service for over six years. SSA knows of no other source that has the capability to satisfy all of the requirements for this contract. Interested parties that believe they have the capability to perform the services required should submit a capability statement to Barbara F. Hands by mail to: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF ACQUISTION AND GRANTS, G-C-7 EAST HIGH RISE BUILDING, 6401 SECURITY BOULEVARD, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21235; by email to
[email protected]; or by fax to 410-966-9310. All responses shall be marked CAPABILITY STATEMENT - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DATA COLLECTION FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY (P&A) SYSTEMS, and shall be received no later than 3:00 p.m. (EST) MAY 16, 2005. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received by the cutoff date above, the SSA will proceed with sole source negotiations with NAPAS. All questions must be submitted in writing to the mailing address or email address listed above and marked to the attention of Barbara F. Hands. Telephone calls will not be accepted.