The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with ACS Federal Health Care, Inc. for the continuation of the TICKET TO HIRE Call Center operations which provides services to employers, Employment Networks (EN's) and the State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies (SVRA's) related to the Ticket to Work Program and and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-170). The TICKET TO HIRE program allows for the connection of Social Security Administration (SSA) disabled beneficiaries (Ticket Participants) through their ENs or SVRAs to employers. TICKET TO HIRE is a free national employer referral service designed to link employers to ENs and SVRAs that have qualified Ticket participants and other Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. Outreach to employers is essential in order for the Ticket to Work program to increase the opportunities for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries to obtain employment. One of the key factors to ensure successful job placements for Ticket to Work participants and other SSDI and SSI beneficiaries is to gain employer participation. The TICKET TO HIRE is a viable tool that helps with this process by providing resources and solutions within the full range of disability employment issues, minimizing barriers, and serving as a one-stop place for employers to recruit, hire and retain qualified workers with disabilities. TICKET TO HIRE staff will keep track of hires and other outcomes related to Ticket to Work participants and other SSDI and SSI beneficiaries who utilize their service. The staff will collect and analyze data and administer surveys to track and report EN activity and beneficiary hires. SSA is currently receiving these services through an InterAgency Agreement (IAA) with the Department of Labor (DOL). DOL provides SSA with these services through a contract with ACS Federal Health Care, Inc. Due to the escalation of contacts made to the TICKET TO HIRE Call Center, a contract is required to handle the increased workload for the remainder of the fiscal year. The estimated period of performance for this requirement will be from March 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003. ACS Federal Health Care, Inc. is the only organization uniquely qualified to implement all the tasks required under this contract because it has created and implemented a call center that services employers through DOL's Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN). The TICKET TO HIRE is SSA's specialized unit of EARN in support of the Ticket to Work Program. The IAA established the TICKET TO HIRE Call Center Operations to provide the services to employers seeking qualified Ticket to Work candidates. ACS Federal Health Care, Inc. has the unique capability to provide these services because they are the only source that has created a customized infrastructure and database for these services at this time. 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, 1710 GWYNN OAK AVENUE, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21207; by email to
[email protected] or by fax to 410-966-9310. All responses shall be marked CAPABILITY STATEMENT - TICKET TO HIRE CALL CENTER SERVICES, and shall be received no later than 3:00 p.m. (EST) FEBRUARY 3, 2003. 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 ACS Federal Health Care, Inc. 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.