Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearing House

Description The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services (OCS) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the Program Support Center (PSC) is seeking a qualified small business to perform the following requirement. Background The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a block grant program authorized by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of l981, as amended, and is administered within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In HHS, LIHEAP is administered by the Office of Community Services (OCS) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The purpose of LIHEAP is to provide grants to states, territories, Indian tribes and tribal organizations to assist low income households in meeting the costs of residential energy. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of l981 (Title XXVI of Public Law 97-35, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 8621) in section 2609A(a) authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to set aside up to $300,000 each fiscal year to make grants or contracts to provide training and technical assistance relating to LIHEAP. Grant recipients may be state and public agencies and private non-profit organizations. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 amended this to allow up to $3 million for grants and contracts and eliminated the restriction of making contracts to public agencies and private non-profit organizations. Jointly financed cooperative arrangements may be made with states and public agencies and private nonprofit organizations. In addition, section 2609A(b) of the Act also authorizes grants "to one or more private nonprofit organizations that apply jointly with a business concern to receive such grant." This request is also being submitted under the authority of Section 601 of the Economy Act, as amended (31 U.S.C. Sections 1535 and 1536), and Section 1110 of the Social Security Act. LIHEAP allows states, tribes and territories to develop energy assistance and weatherization programs that best meet the needs of their low income populations. Consequently, LIHEAP programs vary greatly in program design and implementation strategies. It is important for OCS/LIHEAP grantees to share their unique programs and innovative ideas so new and different policies and practices can be replicated to enhance programs. It is also important for grantees to have access to evaluations and research to help them administer effective programs. Purpose The purpose of this contract is to provide a LIHEAP Clearinghouse which shall be responsible to collect, develop, organize and disseminate information on LIHEAP programs, current energy issues and trends, other low income energy assistance programs, other programs that affect LIHEAP-eligible clients and other relevant information of interest to OCS/LIHEAP grantees. The Clearinghouse will provide technical assistance and information through a dedicated telephone number, an Internet, a mailing address, electronic newsletters and other written correspondence as needed. Clearinghouse information will be available to OCS, LIHEAP grantees, their sub-contractors and sub-grantees, including other OCS grantees such as Community Actions Agencies, and other interested parties. The Clearinghouse will also provide a National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Service that refers those in the general public who are interested in applying for LIHEAP to the proper LIHEAP office or other assistance agencies, as appropriate. Project Requirements The LIHEAP Clearinghouse shall: - Collect, develop and disseminate information regarding the LIHEAP program, other energy-related information including the ongoing national trend towards utility restructuring, information affecting OCS/LIHEAP clients, and other information as deemed necessary by the COR; - Provide a dedicated telephone number and an E-mail address so that OCS/LIHEAP grantees may contact the Clearinghouse with questions and requests for information; - Provide a National Energy Assistance Referral Service - Provide a quarterly electronic bulletin - Provide an Internet Website - Represent the Clearinghouse at energy-related conferences and meetings and present information about the Clearinghouse, LIHEAP and LIHEAP-related issues. - Provide technical assistance to grantees on the LIHEAP program. Period of Performance Base Period of Performance of this contract shall be: September 30, 2014 - September 29, 2015. With two option years: Option year 1: September 30, 2015 - September 29, 2016 Option year 2: September 30, 2016 - September 29, 2017 RESPONSE INFORMATION In order to respond to this notice, a contractor must be able to clearly convey its experience and/or ability to perform the program requirements as addressed above in the "Program Requirements" section of this Sources Sought Notice with a submission of a Capability Statement. In order for a contractor to clearly convey its experience and/or ability to perform the above identified tasks, they MUST SUMBIT the following documentation: 1. Provide documentation that demonstrates the ability to perform all elements addressed above in the "Program Requirements" section of this Sources Sought Notice. 2. Demonstrate past experience on at least three (3) similar projects consistent in scope, size and complexity and were performed within five years. Also, indicate specific contract number reference information. 3. Furnish documentation that indicates staff expertise and experience around the program requirements as addressed above in the "Program Requirements" section of this Sources Sought Notice. Each response should also include the following Business Information: 1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and FAX numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS 541611 (size standard $ or number of employees) and status, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number, and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.). Companies also must be registered in the Systems for Award Management (SAM, at www.sam.gov) to be considered as potential sources. 5. Identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 6. Identification of the firm's GWAC contract(s) by contract number and applicable service item number that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. Responses must be submitted no later than Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Noon, EST. Capability statements will not be returned and will not be accepted after the due date. The maximum number of pages for submission is 5 pages (excluding cover page, resumes, and other appendices). NOTE: If capability statements exceed the 5 page limitation, all pages beyond the 5 page limit will be removed and will not be included in the review process. GENERAL INFORMATION As previously stated, the Government will not entertain questions regarding this Market Research; however, general questions may be forwarded to the following: Contract Specialist: Arielle Douglas Email Address: Arielle.Douglas@psc.hhs.gov Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Confidentiality. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s)."