Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21207-0696

D -- AUDIT OF SSA'S TELEPHONE BILLS SOL SSA-RFP-97-2995 DUE 040197 POC JClark Tel: (410) 965-9486 D399 -- AUDIT OF SSA~S TELEPHONE BILLS -- SOLICITATION SSA-RFP-97- 2995 POC JANE CLARK TEL: (410) 965-9486. -- INTRODUCTION: The Social Security Administration (SSA) is issuing a combined Synopsis/Solicitation pursuant to FAR 12.6 for the audit of SSA~s telephone bills at three SSA Program Service Centers. This acquisition is 100% set-aside for small business. The intent of the audits would be to recover funds through analyzation of billing errors and elimination of any excess or redundant lines. The contract performance period for this acquisition will be 6 months from date of award. SSA has decided to audit three large Program Service Centers (PSC) in the United States. Each of these sites has a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) owned by SSA. They are located in Birmingham, AL, Jamaica, NY and Richmond, CA. REQUIRED WORK: Preliminary Duties -- (1) Make notice of authorization to access customer service and other records by contacting all vendors, and; (2) Take receipt of these records and analyze the information obtained from the vendor and the Social Security Administration. Audit Requirements -- The contractor shall: (1) Review all rates and charges (The audit will include complete and thorough review of local phone bills, customer service records, and dedicated private line services); (2) Ensure all accounts are properly classified and subscribed, and; (3) Review equipment rental records. Reporting Require- ments -- (1) The contractor shall provide monthly, written project updates to SSA~s Project Officer in Baltimore; (2) Any errors found during the investigation will be submitted to the proper vendor close to the time it is found to ensure speedy recovery, and; (3) The contractor shall act as agent in negotiations with vendors to secure any refunds and will coordinate all activities required to secure these refunds. Follow-up Activities -- The contractor shall provide: (1) A detailed final written report cross referencing all vendors and accounts. This report shall explain exactly how savings/refunds were found and calculated. This report will also show projected five year savings to SSA; (2) The names and phone numbers of all vendors contacted by the contractor, and; (3) Written recommendations for future savings following the audit. SSA is under no obligation to follow any suggestions. Before the start of the project the Social Security Administration will give the contractor: (1) A dated and signed letter of authorization on an official letterhead, and; (2) The following information for each office to be audited: PSC Contact Name and Phone Number and list of PSC telephone account numbers. Site #1 Address: Social Security Administration, Southeastern Program Service Center, 2001 12th St., Birmingham, AL 35285, Telco Bell South, PBX Information, type Fujitsu 9600XL, # of Stations 1650, and # of Trunks 467. Site #2 Address: Social Security Administration, Northeastern Program Service Center, 1 Jamaica Plaza, Jamaica, NY 11432; Telco NYNEX, PBX Information, type; Intecom IBX S80, # of Stations 2500, # of Trunks 300. Site #3 Address: Social Security Administration, Western Program Service Center, 1221 Nevin Ave., Richmond, CA 94801. Telco Pacific Bell, PBX Information, type Nortel Meridian 1, # of Stations 1732, and # of Trunks 257. It is anticipated that SSA will award a cost sharing contract for this service, the contractor will be compensated through sharing in the potential refunds or credits as a result of the audit. The Government has not established an actual compensation ratio for this service. Vendors are therefore required to submit their cost sharing ratios plus any applicable fee with their proposal. Offerors should submit 4 copies of their proposal which shall include a formal project plan to execute the audits, copies of any questionnaires to be completed by SSA, any obligations and time frames to be placed on SSA. In addition, the offeror must provide the names and phone numbers of five references for similar type work to demonstrate past performance. The proposed cost sharing ratio along with any applicable fees should be part of the offer. The Representations and Certifications at FAR 52.212-3 are required to be submitted with the offer. This commercial services solicitation is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; it is issued as a request for proposal (RFP); proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 90-45. This acquisition is 100% set- aside for small business. SIC Code 8721 applies and the associated small business size standard is $6M. The provisions at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items; FAR Clause 52.212-5 (c) Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and are hereby incorporated by reference. SSA reserves the right to make multiple awards as a result of this solicitation. Your proposal must be received by the Contracting Officer no later than 3:00 p.m., local prevailing time, on April 1, 1997. Proposals which are being sent via regular mail (or hand-delivered) should be addressed as follows: Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Attention: Jane Clark, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207. All proposals must be marked SSA-RFP-97-2995 on the external wrapping. Provisions at FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Items apply to this solicitation. Award will be made to the responsible offeror(s) whose conforming offer is the most advantageous to the Government. The primary factor in award selection will be past performance with price being the secondary factor. Requests for information concerning this RFP are to be referred only to the attention of Jane Clark who may be reached on telephone number (410) 965-9486. (0071)

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