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

U -- CERTIFICATION OF DISABILITY ADJUDICATORS SOL SSA-RFQ-00-0277 DUE 070300 POC 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-RFQ-00-02 77&LocID=2422. E-MAIL: Joe Tanzi, joe.tanzi@ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is interested in assessing the feasibility of a national certification process for disability adjudicators, beginning with the disability examiners (DE) in the State disability determination services (DDS). The DEs, with the assistance of medical consultants, make disability determinations for SSA. The proposed contractor is to serve as a consultant as SSA studies the feasibility of the establishment of disability examiners_ professional certification. Credentials must be provided showing knowledge and experience in establishing professional certification. Requirements of the proposed contract are to include the identification of the steps necessary to accomplish certification and to assess the feasibility of a disability adjudicator certification program. If feasibility is established, SSA will require the preparation of a statement of work for a follow-on contract to set up and pilot the certification procedure. The certification standard would include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following elements: Education or equivalent Training in specific fields Experience _ duration performing the job Written examination Procedure to maintain certification The contract_s specific job tasks will be:  Determine the feasibility of having DE certification in the SSA environment of both State and Federal positions.  Differentiate between minimum professional standards and advanced levels of expertise.  Suggest methods for implementing the process including a pilot.  Suggest methods for maintaining a national registry of certified adjudicators.  Provide the kind of guidance asked for by a contractor assigned to establish the DE certification process.  Provide suggestions for overcoming the common barriers to certification and any unique barriers related to certification in the SSA environment. The contractor would be required to provide the following: 1. Description (including a model) of the process for establishing certification, specifying all the basic steps with estimated time frames for completion and including a communication strategy. 2. Decision paper on the feasibility of DE certification including the advantages and disadvantages of establishing DE certification. 3. Recommendation of the best approach to accomplish certification. 4. List of items that should be included in a follow-on contract_s statement of work for the implementation and establishment of a certification program for DEs. 5. Criteria for the certification body, including its authority and responsibilities. 6. Recommendation as to which entity would be an appropriate certifying body with an explanation for the choice. Interested organizations should respond to this notice within 15 days of publication of their interest in the solicitation. The response is to include the e-mail address of the individual who wants to receive an electronic version of the Posted 05/12/00 (D-SN454227). (0133)

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