Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt, Franchise Services, P.O. Box 605, Parkersburg, WV 26106-0605

R -- ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE PROCUREMENT SERVICES SOL BPD-98-R-0005 POC Point of Contact, Sheryln West, 304/480-3504, Contracting Officer, Sherlyn West, 304/480-3504 WEB: Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt, Franchise Services, http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/oa/oaprocr.htm. E-MAIL: Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt, Franchise Services, Procurement@bpd.treas.gov. The Bureau of the Public Debt intends to acquire, on a sole source basis, Advisory and Assistance Procurement Services from John Thorslev, P. O. Box 1107, Willits, CA 95490. Services will be for customer agencies of a Franchise Business Activity (FBA) Coooperative Administration Support Unit (CASU) consortium. A contract consisting of a base and five option with an approximate total contract value of $600,000 is anticipated. Services will generally include the following: a. Following interviews or meetings with lead Consortium staff, draft statements of work and related RFP sections including selection criteria and cost analysis strategies for consideration for application to Consortium projects. b. Prepare summary statements of work for potential product lines, as identified by the Contractor, for Consortium consideration as potential contracts. c. Vendor lists. Research and develop lists for service areas where the Commerce Business Daily (CBD) does not reach the intended community. d. Requirement analysis to develop specifications that simplify a requirement to afford a competitive advantage. e. Analyze strategies for Consortium problem areas identified as inhibiting its success: design recommended strategies to overcome the problems. f. Review Consortium administrative management contractors that could create service problems for members. Suggest simple solutions. g. Review contract quality control issues, marketing/operational problems identified by Consortium staff, contractors, etc. develop substantive amendment language or strategies for resolution. h. Assist Consortium members in representing their interests to industry and other constituents. i. Assist in the identification of experts in various fields and establishing networks. j. Serve as Consortium troubleshooters on contractual/financial aspects of programs and marketing. k. Develop brief strategies/discussion papers on issues identified by Consortium members. l. Provide technical assistance. m. Provide other Consortium support services. The following is a representative list of tasks the contractor shall perform in accordance with Section G listing above: a. Objective: Develop both a strategic and short term plan for the Franchise Consortium encompassing all aspects of the Statement of Work in relation to aspects of the Consortium business and management on an annual basis. b. Current Consortium Situation: The Franchise Consortium evolved from the Consolidated Administrative Support Unit (CASU) concept which established a number of organizations located in different geographic areas. These CASUs were to provide a range of support services to public agencies. With the passage of the Franchise legislation in 1994, several of the CASUs formed a consortium to organize and market services on a National basis under the general guidance of The Department of the Treasury. The initial marketed services consist primarily of those which have been successfully marketed by one or more of the CASUs-mail management, contracted administrative support, cost per copy equipment, employee assistance, and temporary help. These services are currently on multi-year contracts. The Consortium has experienced a significant degree of success, growing largely due to the strength of its contracted services and the efforts of individual Consortium members. To advance the Consortium's marketing efforts and provide for a viable long term presence; and, to strengthen the Consortium's efforts both internally and externally, a strategic short term plan shall be developed for the base year of the contract upon award. c. Proposed Planning Effort: Provide overall support to the Consortium to assist them in identifying potential products and services annually. The plan will serve as an integral part of the Consortium effort to strengthen the administrative, management (not finance and budgeting), marketing, and procurement support. In order for this planning effort to be most effective the effort should be undertaken immediately upon award. Details of the project will be coordinated between the Contractor, the Consortium Lead, other Consortium members to include (but not limited to) the following: 1. The elements of the plan might include such important aspects as: -Marketing (including the identification of new products and services) -Market research (evaluation competitive services, market trends, pricing, etc.) -Quality control-evaluation services provided to see that services meet or exceed customer expectations. -Strategic alliances-identifying other innovative agencies which may be interested in partnering with the Consortium. -New products/services and the procurement process -Budgeting and financial support 2. Monitor Progress on annual plans on a quarterly basis and adjust as needed. 3. Specific Steps to be taken to develop the strategic plan and annual implementing plan: a. Convene a 2-3 day meeting with Consortium Directors annually. b. Prepare draft statements of work for Consortium review and, upon approval, prepare final statements of work for submission by the Consortium to their procurement office. c. Explore market potential for identified new services and prepare executive summaries for action/consideration by Consortium Directors. Requests for a solicitation document will not be considered an affirmative response. (0307)

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