Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 15.2, as supplemented with additional information in this notice and file attachments. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Program Support Center, Division of Acquisition Management is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) on behalf of The Office for Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS). Offers will only be considered from States, Territories, Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations as authorized by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (Title XXVI of Public Law 97-35, as amended, 42.U.S.C. 8621), in Section 2609A(a). Offerors should be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 11-233-SOL-00518, and is issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). The solicitation/contract will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 541690. This acquisition is being conducted using Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. A Firm Fixed Price contract is anticipated with a base period of one year, with 2 one-year option periods. 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. 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. The purpose of this requirement is to provide a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (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 web site, an e-mail 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. Please read the attached solicitation carefully and prepare your proposal in accordance with the solicitation requirements. It is the Offeror's responsibility to submit all questions and quotes by the scheduled closing date and times in accordance with the attached "Instructions to Offerors". Please note that the deadline for questions is July 27, 2011 by 12:00 PM Eastern Time. All questions must be submitted in writing. All responses will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Questions must reference the RFP number and be submitted by e-mail (no telephone calls please) to Wendy.Cruz@psc.hhs.gov, as noted in the solicitation. Proposals shall be submitted no later than August 17, 2011 by 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Proposals must reference the RFP number and be submitted by e-mail to Wendy.Cruz@psc.hhs.gov, as noted in the solicitation. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted in accordance with the criteria identified under Section M of the solicitation. This RFP does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of your proposal. It is also brought to your attention that the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with the proposed requirement. The Government reserves the right to award a contract without discussions if the Contracting Officer determines that the initial offer(s) is /are providing the best value and discussions are not necessary. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the FEDBIZOPPS website for the release of any amendments to this solicitation. No telephone or faxed requests for the solicitation will be accepted.