Inactive

The Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) is issuing this sources-sought announcement as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and... The Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) is issuing this sources-sought announcement as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for Veterans Crisis Line Overflow Services. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 517919. The Product Service Code is D399. This notice is for planning purposes and a solicitation is not available at this time. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals, quotes, or bids. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is voluntary and the Government assumes no financial responsibility for any cost incurred. This announcement is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources relative to NACIS 517919. Responses will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. Federal Supply Schedule holders, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, HUB-Zone Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, and Women-Owned Small Business, are encouraged to respond. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform/supply this service, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, email address, Web site address, telephone number, size and type of ownership for the organization, small business status; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. Please limit your response package to no more than 15 pages. 3) State if you have received a grant from SAMHSA, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and are permitted to use, manage and monitor the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to 1) provide the /service consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated; 2) secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform requirements; 3) implement a successful project management plan that includes: compliance with delivery schedules; and meeting the rigid listed specifications. Background The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is responsible for providing high quality and timely commodities and services for our Veterans and their families. To ensure Veterans have immediate access to trained crisis intervention responders, the VA has established a 24-hour, Veterans Crisis Line, Text, and Chat Service. By establishing these services, the VA will ensure that Veterans, particularly the newest generation of combat Veterans returning from combat zones, have immediate and accessible crisis intervention services. In 2007, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act was signed that enabled the VA Secretary to provide for a toll-free hotline for Veterans to be staffed by trained personnel and available at all times. The National Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline was created and in 2011, renamed the Veterans Crisis Line to encourage Veterans and their families and friends, who may be the first to realize a Veteran is in emotional distress, to reach out for support when issues reach a crisis point. The Veterans Crisis Line is a 24/7/365, national, toll-free, confidential resource that connects Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide and their families and friends with qualified, caring responders. Veterans and their family members who are seeking help can dial 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 (or by calling any VA Medical Center (VAMC) or Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and Press 7), to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line location in Canandaigua, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, or Topeka, KS. In 2009, VA added anonymous online chat services, with short message service (SMS) communication in 2011. Veterans can chat online or send am SMS or text message to 838255 (VETALK) to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year (NOTE: SMS communication is not a part of this agreement). In 2016, the VCL expanded to include its second call center campus located in Atlanta, GA, and in 2017, its third call center campus located in Topeka, KS. Description of Work The objective of the future contract is for a contractor to route calls to the VCL and manage calls subsequently sent to a contingency center. The contractor must ensure that these calls are routed properly to VCL and the contingency center, that is responsible for handling all calls not answered by the VCL. The contingency center will have symmetrical training, quality and documentation to the VCL. The contractor will provide and manage a chat service infrastructure that can be integrated into the VCL s Avaya call center system. The contractor will provide the VCL with required deliverables as specified by the PWS. A draft of the PWS is included as part of this Sources Sought. Responses to this notice shall be e-mailed to Kevin Hershey, Contract Specialist, e-mail address: kevin.hershey@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received in writing no later than 1:00 p.m. EST March 6, 2019. Responses should clearly state their ability to provide the described services and if you have received a grant from SAMHSA to use, manage and monitor the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from their response to this announcement.