DHHS/Administration for Children and Families, Division of Acquisition Management, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, DC 20447

R -- USING PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT TO ADDRESS PROGRAM FRAGMENTATION AND OVERLAP SOL ACF-980189 DUE 091198 POC Antoinette Miller, Contract Specialist, (202) 401-5562; Debbie Powell, Contracting Officer, (202) 205-4916 The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services, is issuing a request for quotation to acquire expert consultation services. This procurement action will use Simplified Acquisition Procedures in FAR Parts 13 and 15. The Standard Industrial CLassification Code (SIC) for thsi purchase order is 8742. Any contractor/vendor able to meet requirements must demonstrate in writing by RFQ due date. This notice is intended for competetive purposes. You may contact Antoinette Miller (Contract Specialist) with any questions at 401-5562. Award will be made to the firm whose offer provides the best value to the Government, price, and technical capability considered. Award may be made without discussions if the most favorable initial quote results in the lowest overall cost to the Government. Three (3) copies of all proposals, for the following statement of work should be delivered to the following address, (fax/E-mail copies will not be accepted): U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 901 D Street, S.W., ACF Mailroom -- 2nd Floor, Wash. D.C. 20447, Attn: Antoinette Miller, 2:00 p.m. EST (Any quotes received after the due date will not be considered or opened.) WRITTEN RESPONSES SHOULD INCLUDE PRICES AND TECHNICAL DATA SUFFICIENT TO DETERMINE CAPABILITY. The purpose of the proposed contract is to do a preliminary exploration of the use of performance measures to address a major policy issue of concern to the Department,i.e. the fragmentation and overlap of services. Specifically, the project will address performance measurement and coordination of services issues that are importatn to the Department as a whole. OCS has identifies coordination of performance measures across programs serving families and communtites as a priority area for demonstration activity in FY 1998. The agency has set aside technical assistance funds to support community action agency development of "creative local models in comprehensive community planning", in which shared performance measurement could serve as a preliminary coordinating tool for stimulating, shaping, and enhancing the effectiveness of family and community-focused programs. Contractor shall 1)develop qualitative, evaluation reports; 2)use these instruments to collect data across a series of OCS funded projects, particularly CAA's and CDC's that were funded to develop creative local models in comprehensive community planning in which shared performance measurment could serve as a preliminary coordinating tool. The contractor working with OCS and ASPE will develop standard reporting and documentation instruments to collect and report common information across the demonstration sites. Final products from the contractor will be presented in a manner that ASPE and OCS deem appropriate for technical assistance and dissmenination to the community action network and other HHS programs. The numner of sites will be between 6-8. Site visits to one or two sites will be required otherwise the data collection negotiation, training and implementation will be done via conference calls and computer networking. The consultant must be familiar with community action agency programs and partnerships. The consultant must also be familiar with concepts of performance measurement including the Results Oriented Management Accountability initiative of CS calles ROMA. The consultant must have a background of knowledge and skills in evaluation design and data collection and analysis. EVALUATION CRITERIA -- I. Understanding of the Statement of Work -- (15%) The offeror's proposal must demonstrate knowledge and experience in performance measurement techniques and the CSBG ROMA program. The proposal must demonstrate a sound working knowledge of community action agency programs and policy issues involved in addressing program fragmentation and overlap in the Federal sector of human services programs. The proposal should reflect a solid understanding of the scope and complexity of the tasks called for and the nature and objectives of the owrk required, the problems tht could arise in carrying out the work. II. Technical Approach (30%) The offeror's approach should be succinct, logical in format, and demonstrate a methodology consistent with the tasks to be accomplished. It should include: A. A detailed description of how each of the task in the RFP shall be accomplished, icluding a discussion of the problems and issues that need to be addressed in the design and development of data collection instruments ssociated with the seven issues raised in the Scope of Work Statement. There should also be some discussion of the qualitative report content and design. Time tables for completion of each task, with related staff assignments/allocations must be included. B. A description of how compliance with the requirements stipulated in the work statement will be accomplished. III. Corporate Experience (10%) collection and analysis, program and policy knowledge and performance measurement mehtodology, policy analysis, publicatin, and dissemination, including electronic dissemination, and preparation of briefing materials. C. The proposal should demonstrate the experience of the project director in directing similar projects of this type. D. The authors of the proposal and his/her role in the project must be identified. V. Adequacy of Management Plan (25%) The offeror should discuss its plan for project management including: A. Procedures for quality control and reciew; B. Work scheduling by task, accompanied by a timetable for delivery; C. Manpower loading by taks and sub task, with a coordnated listing of the person hours to be spent on each task and/or sub task by each proposed staff member; and D. Letters of commitment from any proposed consultants must be included. The proposal must establish the offeror's overall experience with performance measurement and evaluative design. The proposal must also establish the offereor's overall experience with community action programs and related human service programs. The overall plan for organizing, staffing and managing the tasks should be described, and a vitae and participating agreement for each proposed expert consultant must be submitted. The offeror shall demonstrate corporate experience in the following areas: 1. Performance measurement methodologies, 2. Design and develop of evaluation strategies including data collection instruments. development of qualitative, evaluation reports on model or demonstration impacts, 3. Data analysis and development of qualitative, evaluation reports on mode or demonstration impact on policy. IV. Staff Qualifications (20%) The offeror's proposal must include a detailed discussion of the technical qualifications of the personnel who would be assigned to the project, including their academic, professional and technical experience related to the project and the functions and duties each would perform. A. The proposal should identify the qualifications of all personnel and demonstrate expertise and experience related to the proposed of the project and the types of agencies and organizations to be served. The proposal should include vitae for each proposed staff member and letter of intent for staff members whose hiring is contingent upon award of the contract. If certain staff have not been identified or if subcontracting is anticipated, the proposal should specify the qualifications and capabilities that the proposed individuals or firms would be expected to possess. B. The proposal should demonstrate the expertise and experience of the proposed staff in evaluation design. The anticipated period of performance is twelve months. This requirement is set-aside for small business concerns. Proposals are due September 11, 1998. Contractors are hereby advised any purchase order resulting from this solicitation will require a written acceptance. Posted 08/25/98 (W-SN241646). (0237)

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