Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)

DRAFT Page 2 of 2 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. RFI # 36C26224Q1726 1. Respo... DRAFT Page 2 of 2 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR MARKET RESEARCH AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. RFI # 36C26224Q1726 1. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research only to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Business Capability, including Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB/VOSB) interested and capable of performing the work. 2. The NAICS/PSC for this requirement is: NAICS Code: 611430- Professional and Management Development Training PSC: U006- Education/Training- Vocational/Technical Size Standard: $13M Description of Requirement: Provide continued education and training for existing staff on best practices and training for new staff recruited in CERS programs at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). 3. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice not later than Friday, August 16th, 2024 @ 4:30 PM PST by providing the following via email only to Jose Diaz, Contract Specialist, at Jose.Diaz6@va.gov. (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email of primary point of contact (e) DUNS number (f) Type of small business, if applicable, (e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-owned small business (VOSB), 8(a), HUB-Zone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business). (g) A capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described in paragraph 5 below. Respondents are also encouraged to provide specific examples (e.g. contract number, point of contact information) of the Contractor s experience providing the same or similar supplies/services to that described herein. 4. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents. (a) If respondent is VOSB or SDVOSB, respondent is encouraged to provide proof of www.vetbiz.gov certification. In addition, SDVOSB/VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. Further SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are asked to respond that they are capable of providing the requested services keeping within the parameters of this clause. (b) Small businesses, including SDVOSB/VOSBS are also advised that per 13 CFR, § 125.6 the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting are as follows: (1) General. In order to be awarded a full or partial small business set-aside contract with a value greater than $150,000, an 8(a) contract, an SDVO SBC contract, a HUBZone contract, a WOSB or EDWOSB contract pursuant to part 127 of this chapter, a small business concern must agree that: (2) In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. 5. The Contractor shall provide the services stated herein the SOW. 6. Please note that if VA s pending market research establishes that two or more VOSB or SDVOSB, who are certified in VA s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) site https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/, can provide the services, VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. 7. All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database found at https://www.sam.gov. Registration must include Representations and Certifications. --End of Sources Sought Announcement-- STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 1. Contract Title. VA Greater Los Angeles (VA GLA) CERS Homeless Training 2. General. This is a non-personnel services contract to provide a training. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. 3. Background. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary perform the requirement as defined in this SOW except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this SOW. 4. Objectives. Ending homelessness among Veterans is a top priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Va Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) provided emergency, transitional, and permanent housing solutions through services located in Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS). There is a need for continued education and training for existing staff on best practices and training for new staff recruited in CERS programs and the areas outlined in this SOW. Vendors will have the following requirements: 20 sessions conducted through live webinars. Demonstrate experience in training staff on homeless services. In-depth knowledge of the Los Angeles homeless population and their specific challenges. Previous experience providing trainings in similar settings. Ability to provide ongoing support and follow-up training as needed. 5. Scope. The Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS) seeks a vendor to train over 400 homeless staff members on best practices for working with the unhoused Veteran population. The selected vendor must deeply understand the unique characteristics and needs of the Los Angeles veteran homeless population. The training should cover the following areas: 5.1. Best Practices for Homeless Services: Effective strategies and methodologies for providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing solutions. 5.2. Supportive Services: Training on providing supportive services, including case management, employment assistance, and other critical support functions. 5.3. Healthcare and Mental Health Services: Best practices in delivering healthcare and mental health services to homeless veterans. 5.4. Cultural Competency: Understanding the unique cultural and situational factors that affect homeless veterans in the Los Angeles area. 5.5. Community Resources and Partnerships: How to leverage community resources and build partnerships to enhance service delivery and outcomes. Specific Training Topics The training program will include a total of 20 sessions conducted through live webinars covering the following topics: PowerPoint: Effective use of PowerPoint for presentations and training. 20 staff per session. Word: Proficiency in Microsoft Word for documentation and reporting. 20 staff per session Trauma-Informed Care: Principles and practices of trauma-informed care to support veterans. 30 staff per session. Harm Reduction: Strategies and approaches to harm reduction in the context of veteran services. 30 staff per session. Motivational Interviewing: Techniques for motivational interviewing to encourage positive change in veterans. 30 staff per session. Workplace Safety: Ensuring safety in the workplace for both staff and clients. Burnout Prevention: Recognizing and preventing burnout among staff members. 30 staff per session. Domestic Violence: Addressing and managing issues related to domestic violence among the veteran population. 30 staff per session. The training topics can be adjusted based on the staff s evolving needs. Additional training related to providing homeless services can be selected from the vendor s catalog to ensure the staff received the most relevant and evidence-based practice training. 6. Performance Monitoring Deliverable/Service Requirement Measurement/Metric Surveillance Method/Performed By Frequency/Due Date Acceptable Quality Level Development of curriculum and training materials Training content and materials will incorporate all elements outlined in the SOW as well as any additional agreed-upon elements identified during the post-award conference follow-up discussion Review of draft training presentation and materials/COR and Training Specialist At least one month before first training of Training Type #1 100% of all agreed-upon elements are identified in training materials. Training implementation Training will include all agreed-upon elements during actual training presentation. Review of finalized training materials, direct observation by COR Training Specialist, and review of participant feedback. First training will occur within three months of the beginning of the contract. The dates will be confirmed by the CERS Training Specialist. 100% of all agreed-upon elements presented during the training. 7. Security Requirements No access to the Department of Veterans Affairs computer system is required. The C&A requirements do not apply, a Security Accreditation Package is not required. 8. Place of Performance. The work to be performed under this contract will be performed webinars sessions. Specific locations will be determined for each scheduled training session based upon the needs of the government. 9. Period of Performance. The contract will be from June 30, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The Vendor will complete all task and deliverables in the designated time frame. The total value of the contract shall not exceed $23,850 over the life of the contract. 10. Recognized Holidays. The contractor is not required to work on Federally recognized holidays under this contract. New Year s Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. s Birthday, Juneteenth Day, President s Day, Veteran s Day, Columbus Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day Independence Day, Christmas Day 11. Hours of Operation. The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. EST and 5:00 P.M. EST. Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The Contractor must, at all times, maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this SOW when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential. 12. Delivery Schedule. The Vendor will provide the following deliverables: Online registration link. Course description and objectives. Subject matter expert trainers. Continuing Education Continuing Education Certificate Attendance Certificate Sign in sheet and evaluations Training evaluation summary report All inclusive: material, evaluations, registration, and virtual platform 13. Special Qualifications. The contractor shall maintain a qualified work force to complete the work outlined in this contract. 14. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings. There will be a post-award meeting, after the contract has been awarded (determined at a later date) between the COR and vendor. Prior to the meeting, the vendor will submit a contract implementation plan detailing the strategies and timely for the implementation. This will be reviewed and approved at the post-award meeting.