--EFMP Respite Child Care On-Post

The U.S. Army, Fort Carson, Colorado intends to negotiate a sole source contract with IMWRF Fort Carson (Child and Youth Services) 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 provide 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 re sponsibilities. The anticipated quantity for this requirement is 36,000 hours of service, which equates to approximately 17 children 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 im pacts the morale and welfare of deployed soldiers and their immediate families. A bona-fide need has been established as the ACS currently has 19 applications pending for this service including 7 families pending medical review. The Army has recognized t he need to sustain the morale of deployed soldiers and provide family member assistance through ACS services. There are very limited exceptional need caregivers in the El Paso County area, a survey of these service providers revealed there were none with the capacity to fulfill this requirement. The harm that will come to the Government if desired contractor does not receive the award: If Fort Carson Child Youth services 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 servic es 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. MWR Child Youth Services is located on Fort Carson property. The location of this facility provides for ease o f access and convenience to most family members needs, but if required to seek care outside of this installation they would incur additional hardship and cost. The MWR Child Youth Services charges a fixed price for this type of child care service ranging from $2.00 to $3.50 per hour. 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 there was only one qualified agency in El Paso County. A search of the Centr al Contractor Registration (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 dimi nish with the severity of supported needs. Market Research Conducted: Market research has revealed there are two providers of service for low to moderate needs children outside Fort Carson. There are no providers registered in the CCR for El Paso County. The Pikes Peak Family Connections is a not-for-profit (no fee for ser vice) organization. Their service is primarily targeted to at risk children and the maximum age restriction of 5 years. They are not capable of supporting children with moderate to severe needs. The second provider is Child Care Connections a not-for-pr ofit organization. This provider subcontracts all services through care provi ders they have certified. They do not have a single provider capable of supporting greater than 8000 hours per year. 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 IMWRF Fort Carson (Child and Youth Services). 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