Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

R -- PROGRAM MANAGER SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF SSA_S TICKET-TO-WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM. SOL SSA-RFP-00-0231 DUE 061500 POC Eileen Keating Carnaggio, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109657419, Fax 4109669310, Email eileen.carnaggio@ssa.gov -- Joe Tanzi, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659470, Fax 4109669310, Email joe.tanzi@ssa.gov WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=SSA-RFP-00-02 31&LocID=2422. E-MAIL: Eileen Keating Carnaggio, eileen.carnaggio@ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to issue a solicitation to procure Program Manager (PM) services in support of SSA_s Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program. Background: On December 17, 1999, the President of the United States signed Public Law (P.L. 106-170), Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (see more information on Web Page www.ssa.gov/work/legislation). This legislation establishes in the SSA a Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program to provide Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities more choices for receiving employment services and increases provider incentives to serve these individuals. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are designed to provide a basic level of support for individuals with disabilities whose earning ability is restricted due to their impairments. P.L. 106-170 is designed to address the barriers that disability beneficiaries currently encounter in returning to work by: Expanding the availability of health care services and coverage; eliminating certain work disincentives; providing for enhanced benefits planning and assistance from other public and private sources; and creating the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program. It is this program, and the provisions set forth in the Act, that define the scope of this requirement. Under the program, SSA is directed to provide disability beneficiaries with a Ticket they may use to obtain Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, employment services, and/or other support services from an Employment Network (EN) of their choice. PM services are required to assist SSA in the full implementation of the Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency Program and management of the Ticket process. Provision of such services shall preclude direct participation in the delivery of employment services, VR services or other support services to beneficiaries, as well as holding a financial interest in an EN or service provider. The objective of the proposed contract is to secure PM services to perform the duties prescribed in the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. Duties include a wide range of administrative support, program management, and systems support activities, including the following: establishing and maintaining a toll-free telephone number to facilitate responses to inquiries relating to the Ticket process; developing, implementing, and maintaining a system to collect, store, and report management information data to support the Ticket program; recruiting and recommending potential ENs for selection by SSA and insuring full geographic coverage for the provision of employment, VR, and other support services to all SSA disability beneficiaries; providing program training to personnel of organizations participating in the Ticket process; administering the process for issuing Tickets to Work to SSA disability beneficiaries; providing program oversight of ENs to assure achievement of the goals and objectives of the Ticket program;administering the EN payment process for services provided; performing onsite quality reviews of EN operations; assisting in the dispute resolution process for program participants; providing conference and meeting support; and preparing a wide range of reports and studies in support of SSA_s management information and research requirements. The anticipated period of performance is 5 years from date of award. The contract type is planned to be cost reimbursement and will include performance incentives and disincentives. Award will be based on a best value basis. It is anticipated that the evaluation criteria will include (but not be limited to): Corporate experience, past performance, staff qualifications, technical approach/management plan. Solicitation No. SSA-RFP-00-0231 will be available on the Electronic Posting System (EPS) web page at www.eps.gov on or about May 1, 2000, with proposals due 45 calendar days thereafter. All parties interested in submitting a proposal should download the solicitation from the EPS web page and provide the contract specialist with their company name, address, contact name, telephone number and email address. Inquiries regarding this synopsis may be sent via email to eileen.carnaggio@ssa.gov or fax on (410) 966-9310. Only written inquiries will be accepted. Posted 03/22/00 (D-SN437050). (0082)

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