R -- SERVICES FOR AN INTERIM GRANTEE STRATEGY FOR HEAD START The Head Start Bureau of the Agency for Children and Families through the Program Support Center, General Acquisitions Branch is requesting comments and suggestions on a draft statement of work (SOW) which proposes that a contract agency be engaged to carry out the function of "Interim Head Start Grantee" nationwide. This function is currently carried out by Federal staff with the assistance of local agencies which volunteer to perform interim grantee functions when the Bureau has terminated a Head Start grantee in a community. The Bureau is interested in comments and suggestions which could clarify and strengthen the SOW before announcing the opportunity to compete to be the agency to manage the process described. There is no monetary compensation for submitted comments, ideas, or suggestions, but they may be incorporated in the final SOW. This draft strategy is a new concept for the Head Start Bureau and there are many unknowns in formulating a reasonable and feasible way to carry it out. For example, the Bureau has preference for dealing with a single agency (due to staff limitations), yet the agency will have to operate Head Start programs nationwide. While the Bureau has experience in the process of finding and managing interim grantees, the number and types of interim situations in the future are unpredictable. How can an agency maintain a solid core of experience and expand quickly to meet possible high demands for services and do so at a reasonable cost? These comments and suggestions are welcome but are not solicited. Copies of the draft SOW may be requested in writing through June 1, 1999 from the Program Support Center, General Acquisitions Branch, Attn: Joe Pirrone, Contracting Officer, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 5-101, The Parklawn Bldg., Rockville, MD 20857 or by FAX on (301) 443-3238. Comments and suggestions should be provided in WordPerfect or Microsoft Word formats on a 3.5" diskette and submitted to the Contracting Officer no later than June 22, 1999. WEB: Program Support Center, Program Support Center. E-MAIL: PROGRAM SUPPORT CENTER, jpirrone@psc.gov. Posted 05/18/99 (W-SN332569).

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