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

R -- QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEWS AND HOTLINE INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS SOL SSA-RFP-95-3008 DUE 051297 POC Wayne McDonald Tel: (410) 966-1323 The SSA intends to acquire comprehensive evaluations of investigative operations in support of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). These services will be used as an aid to perform program improvement support in the area of quality assurance of investigations and Hotline operations. The period of performance shall be 12 months. The work requirement is to evaluate the investigative operations of the OIG to ensure adherence to SSA current program, policies and procedures. Concurrent evaluation of these program, policies and procedures will help ensure consistency with Federal laws and President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) guidance on goals and performance measures relating to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Work to be performed will include quality assurance reviews of investigative case files in regional and field operations and an evaluation of the OIG Hotline operations at headquarters. Quality assurance reviews of investigative files will include: a) A review and analysis of current SSA OIG investigative guidance including identification of deficiencies and suggested rewrites; and b) review and analysis of current SSA OIG investigative operations for twenty-one field offices. The following are areas of concern for each field office: a) The proper development and achievement of general and specific investigative plans; b) Determining the frequency and significance of deviations from mandated programs and procedures; c) The effectiveness of coordination with local U.S. Attorney offices; d) The adequacy of resources to address noncompliance with SSA laws and regulations; e) The status of work in progress and case aging; and, f) The number and impact of prosecutions. The SSA requires an evaluation be conducted on the operations of the Hotline in the following areas: a) Review and evaluate the current OIG guidance for Hotline operations; b)Interview Hotline personnel to assess their knowledge and experience in hotline operations; c) Assess the propriety of thereceipt, documentation, and routing of complaints received via the Hotline. SSA believes that the following are specific areas of concern that should be addressed in the operation of the Hotline: a) effectiveness of the receipt of complaints; b) adequacy and accuracy of the documentation of complaints; c) protection of sources of information; d) adequacy of systems for determining complaint resolutions; c) responsiveness of the program to complainants; d) adequacy of Hotline resources andstaffing. The SSA will require an investigative case review in the form of a narrative report. Each field office shall be reviewed and reported separately. Each report shall address the broad objective of proper case initiation, effective planning, thoroughness, timeliness and appropriate case management, and reflect the areas of concern listed above. In addition, each report shall include general observations of the contractor regarding the organizational structure of the particular field office and the office's coordination with other SSA components and other Federal agencies. The SSA requires a compilation of the Hotline review into a narrative report. The report shall include a description of the analysis and review of the Hotline and any findings and recommendations resulting from the analysis. This requirement has been set aside 100% for Small Businesses. The applicable SIC Code is 8742 with average receipts not exceeding $5 million for the preceding 3 years. It is anticipated that solicitation number SSA-RFP-97-3008 will be issued on or about April 11, 1997 with proposals due 30 days later. (0084)

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