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

R -- CONSULTING SERVICES FOR DISABILITY ADJUDICATION TRAINING SYSTEM SOL not applicable DUE 122397 POC Elizabeth Clark Tel: (410) 965-9465 The Social Security administration (SSA) intends to issue a request for quotation on a sole source basis to Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist to provide approximately 800 hours of consultant services over a 12 month period in support of the Disability Adjudication Training System (DATS) initiative. A workgroup began the work necessary to establish Disability Adjudication Training System. The plan is for a "virtual" institute with teaching responsibilities provided by staff, knowledgeable in particular area(s), located around the country. A variety of training delivery methods, including interactive video teletraining, computer based training, and other state of the art methods of communication, will be used to reduce training costs. The pre-service training will utilize the services of institutions of higher learning through cooperative agreements. Dr. Schiro- Geist is the only known individual capable of performing these services because she was a member of this workgroup and as such has participated in this project from its beginning. She already has an excellent grasp of what is necessary to establish the DATS. She uniquely combines experience in the development of standards of professional qualifications and training in a disability field with knowledge of the adjudication of Social Security claims and extensive experience in the development and implementation of professional training. Dr. Schiro-Geist has been a University professor in the area of disability studies for over 22 years and since 1975 with the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and as such has extensive experience and skills in the development, management and implementation of professional training at a university level. She has also been a Vocational Expert for OHA since 1983, as well as a Consultative- Examination provider in her private practice as a psychologist. Since 1992 she has been a Medical Consultant for the Chicago region and has been a consultant to SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals and Office of Disability. In these capacities she has demonstrated skills in the adjudication of Social Security claims. This combination of university-based education and training experience, as well as an intimate knowledge of the disability program, makes her uniquely qualified to perform these services. Dr. Schiro-Geist also has been active in developing the professional standards for the fields of rehabilitation counseling, disability studies and rehabilitation education. This experience and skills in the development of standards of professional qualifications and training in a field analogous to disability adjudication is a necessary requirement of this job. The candidate for this position must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The candidate must also have experience, skills, and a proven track record in the following areas as they relate to the above stated requirement: (1) experience and skills in drafting and managing the development of standards of professional qualifications and training in a field analogous to disability adjudication such as rehabilitation counseling, nursing, occupational health; (2) experience and skills in the adjudication of Social Security claims as an adjudicator, expert witness or consultant; and (3) experience and skills in the development, management and implementation of professional training at a university, continuing education center or major academy. Other individuals/firms capable of providing these services must submit complete details of their capability and experience and any other pertinent data within 10 days of this announcement. If no acceptable written responses, to the effect that a comparable/acceptable source exists, are received by the above stated due date, an order will be negotiated with Dr. Schiro-Geist for the above stated requirement. The Government does not intend to pay for information provided. No cost or pricing data is required or requested. Acknowledgement of receipt will not be issued, nor will respondents be notified of the results of the evaluation of data received. (0349)

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