IMPROVING ACCESS TO DATA FOR DISABILITY-RELATED RESEARCH

The Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) intends to award a sole source contract to the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) for eight (8) months to provide expert research services to conduct an examination of options to partner with States and Insurers to collect micro-level data on individuals receiving Workers' Compensation (WC), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), and Paid Family Leave Benefits. Using the aforementioned data, the contractor would develop a web-based disability research tool. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 519130 with the size standard of 1000. DOL's mission is to advance solutions to challenges facing the nation by increasing public understanding of how social insurance contributes to economic security. NASI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the nation's leading experts on social insurance such as Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance. Its mission is to advance solutions to challenges facing the nation by increasing public understanding of how social insurance contributes to economic security. NASI convenes steering committees and study panels that are charged with conducting research, issuing findings, and, in some cases, reaching recommendations based on their analysis. Members of these groups are selected for their recognized expertise and with due consideration for the balance of disciplines and perspectives appropriate to the project. In addition, NASI has a unique relationship with the state WC administrations allowing NASI access to information not founds through another source because such information is otherwise subject to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) laws. The resulting contract will be labor hour. The statuary authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR Part 6.302-1; Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Written responses to this notice shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. All interested sources may submit a proposal which be considered by the agency for future purposes. This notice is not a formal solicitation. This is not considered a Request for Quote (RFQ). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No contract will be awarded on the basis of information received in response to this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that competition will be advantageous to the Government. If no affirmative written response is received, the contract will be awarded without further notice. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information related to the potential availability of other sources that can fulfill this requirement must be received by the Contract Specialist, Stacy Conaway at Conaway.Stacy@dol.gov.