SOLICITATION NOTICE
D -- Central Processing System (CPS)
- Notice Date
- 8/21/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Acquisitions and Contracts Performance, Union Center Plaza, RM 101H4 830 First Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20202-5405
- ZIP Code
- 20202-5405
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-FSA-CPS-001
- Response Due
- 10/7/2003
- Archive Date
- 10/22/2003
- Point of Contact
- Carolyn Dickens, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-377-3607, Fax 202-275-0912,
- E-Mail Address
-
Carolyn.Dickens@ed.gov
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Education(ED)/Federal Student Aid intends to issue a sole source extension (by modification)to Contract No. PM95009001. The period of performance would be extended for an additional 36 months, from April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2007. The name of the contractor is: Pearson Government Solutions, 2450 Oakdale Blvd., Coraville, IA 52241. This contract provides for maintenance, operations, technical support, systems, software, testing, training, and documentation development for the Central Processing System. The extension will cover the entirety of the 05-06 cycle, which includes development (Mar 04-Dec 04), production (Jan 05-Sept 06), and closeout (Sept 06-Mar 07). ED believes that this contractor is the only responsible source that can satisfy this requirement. 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1); 48 C.F.R. ? 6.302-1. Award of a contract to any other source to perform these services during this period would result in substantial duplication of costs not expected to be recovered through competition and also result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling ED?s requirements. ED is currently in the process of launching a Front End Business Integration initiative to identify opportunities for streamlining, integrating, and increasing value across the entire front of the student aid lifecycle. In support of that initiative, ED is now in the acquisition planning and solicitation preparation phase (which will include market research) for the new, follow-on procurement. That solicitation is expected to be released on or about February 28, 2004, with award of a contract scheduled for the fall of 2004. To aid in the transition, the current CPS provider will work with the FEBI solution provider(s) through development of the 06-07 cycle year (Mar 05-Dec 06). The CPS system and its products are updated annually each processing cycle by the contractor. The contractor performs enhancements based on changes made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other forms. Other changes to the system are made based on configuration management issues or requests received from outside entities such as schools, focus groups, the Advisory Board, the Office of the Inspector General (through audits), Office of Management and Budget (during the forms clearance process), or Reauthorization. The primary role of the CPS is to process the data received through a series of data checks, formula calculations and matches of data with other Federal agencies. These matches are performed with entitities such as: Selective Service, Department of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, Prisoner?s Match, Department of Justice (Drug Abuse Data Base), and the Social Security Administration (SSN, citizenship, and Date of Death). The contractor is responsible for maintaining in CPS, a record of every application and correction submitted for Federal student financial aid. The CPS interacts with the numerous Federal systems mentioned above, thousands of schools, and millions of students in order to perform these functions. The contractor is also responsible for the development and testing of the EDExpress Suite Software, the FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA on the Web applications and FAA Access to CPS Online. The contractor also provides specifications to servicers who wish to develop their own third party (EDExpress-type) software and provides training on the various software packages to schools. This contractor is also responsible for receiving the paper FAFSAs, Renewal FAFSAs, SARs and other corrections, imaging them, capturing the data by both automated fashion (OMR, ICR) and manual key entry. Data and images are transmitted to the Central Processing System (CPS). Enhancements are made as needed and as required by changes made to the FAFSA and other forms. In the area of development, efforts in this area are directed toward 1) preparation for processing of Title IV data, and 2) the overall improvement of hardware/software capabilities and manual processing functions. Development activities are initiated to accommodate changes to law, regulations, or policy; improve productivity; control cost; mitigate adverse aspects of data processing operations; simplify and enhance user interface; and respond to Title IV Program management needs regarding collection and dissemination of information relating to Title IV Program support services. The Department may, at its sole option, elect to issue one task order or a series of task orders under this contract for the accomplishment of certain activities relating to the capture, storage, manipulation and administration of Title IV program eligibility, participation and certification data. In the area of testing, efforts are directed toward developing and executing a computer-based, structured systems test for pre-production testing of the Central Processing and Multiple Data Entry Systems. In the area of Operations, efforts are directed toward the continuing operational capability of the Title IV Program support services. Some of the specific activities in the area are 1) receiving and processing applicant data from the Image Data Capture (IDC) System and printing of appropriate output, 2) receiving and processing of applicant data submitted on Internet, 3) maintaining batch integrity for all documents and data received, and 4) maintaining an automated log file for all electronic transmissions received and sent. The Contractor also provides training for ED and Contractor personnel affected by the changes/results of the activities described above. The Contractor shall also provide training, as required, for other Title IV Contractor personnel, particularly staff of the Federal Student Aid Information Center under ED's Public Inquiry contract. Specific activities shall include, but not limited to, developing procedure manuals and training materials; training Contractor staff, if required, in telecommunications transmission; conducting classroom-type presentations; and/or conducting on-the-job training sessions. In terms of the Analytical Studies and System Development Activities requirement under the contract, the contractor is required to increase the overall responsiveness, accuracy, and effectiveness of the Title IV information system(s) and all related program and administrative functions. This is not a request for offers. A determination not to compete this procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. See Numbered Note 22. Interested parties should submit a capability statement at 4:00 p.m. EST on or before October 7, 2003 to the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, 830 First Street, NE, Suite 101H4 Washington, DC 20202, Attention: Carolyn Dickens.
- Place of Performance
- Address: N/A
- Record
- SN00408617-W 20030823/030821213509 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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