--EFMP Respite Child Care Off-Post

The U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colorado intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Child Care Connections for Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Respite Child Care. The following is the determination of this decision: Description of Services: Fort Carson Army Community Services (ACS) has a need to provide respite care for Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Dependents of active duty service members with exceptional needs ranging from low to moderate. The purpose of this care is to provid e spouses of deployed soldiers a temporary rest period from primary care of persons with exceptional needs. This rest period will allow the caregiver the opportunity to attend to other priority issues that have been delayed or postponed due to caregiver r esponsibilities. The anticipated quantity for this requirement is 3,000 hours of service, which equates to approximately 1 child per hour based upon 52 weeks and a 40 hour week. The harm that will come to the Government if desired supplies/services are not provided on time: This requirement, if not approved, would create a severe hardship on family members of deployed soldiers which could result in escalating social problems at Fort Carson. This service is designed to assist spouses of deployed family members and directly imp acts the morale and welfare of deployed soldiers and their immediate families. A bona-fide need has been established as the Fort Carson as ACS currently has 8 applications pending for this service including 3 families pending medical review. The Army has recognized the need to sustain the morale of deployed soldiers and provide family member assistance through ACS services. The harm that will come to the Government if desired contractor does not receive the award: If Child Care Connection does not receive the award this requirement could not be fulfilled in its entirety. Some family members would be required to seek assistance from El Paso County Social Services and may also be required to pay for services out-of- pocket. The price of this service ranges from $5.00 to $25.00 per hour and would be a financial hardship on many soldiers families. Child Care Connection is a non-profit organization serving El Paso, Teller, Elbert and Kiowa Counties for over 18 years as a child care resource and referral organization. They provide child care referral for families to licensed providers. In addition, they provide training for people who want to become licensed child care providers and provide ongoing training for child c are providers. Actions to Increase Competition: The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) maintains a nationwide database of qualified exceptional needs care providers. NACCRRA determined their was only one qualified agency in El Paso County. A search of the Centra l Contractor (CCR) database for NAICS Codes (624410 and 624110) did not reveal any sources. Market research has revealed this service is very specialized and there is extremely limited sources available. The number of service providers diminish with the s everity of supported needs. Market Research Conducted: Market research has revealed there are two providers (Child Care Connections and Pikes Peak Family Connections) of service for low to moderate needs children outside Fort Carson. First, Child Care Connections is a not-for-profit organization. This provide r subcontracts all services through care providers they have certified. One recommendation is Zachs Place who has the capacity for 8 children; price ranges from $5.00 hr to $25.00 hr; age ranges from 5 yrs to 21 yrs; hours of operation is 7:15 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends; and all staff members are required to attend training and must be certified through the state. Second, Pikes Peak Family Connections is a not-for-profit (no fee for service) organization. Their service is p rimarily targeted to at risk children and they have a maximum age restriction of 5 years. They are not capable of supporting children with moderate to severe needs. This is a sole source procurement under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR 6.320-1) and (FAR 13.501). THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES, however; any firm that believes it can meet the re quirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 5 days from the date of the publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in SUFFICIENT detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements list ed above. Responses received will be evaluated, however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion for the Government. If no responses are received, the G overnment will proceed with the sole source negotiation with Child Care Connections. Responses are due 4:00 PM (MST) 24 September 2007. NAICS: 624410 Business Size Standard $6.5m. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail. Telephone requests or inquiries will not be accepted. POC: Debra Santos Contract Specialist ACA/Directorate of Contracting 1676 Evans St. (Bldg 1220), 3rd Flr Fort Carson, Colorado. 80913-5198 Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000 Email: contact@example.gov or Richard Mizell Contracting Officer 1676 Evans St (Bldg 1220), 3rd Flr Fort Carson, Colorado 80913-5198 Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000 Email: contact@example.gov