R -- Establish research/technical assistance center

The Department of Health and Human Services intends to negotiate with the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College Office of Sponsored Programs, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302.1. The purpose of this contract would be to enable the DHHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) to develop and make available a research and technical assistance capability to assist states interested in replicating or developing new variants of the "cash and counseling" model of consumer-directed home and community-based services. The contract will establish a research and technical assistance center (RTAC) whose principal purpose will be to diffuse the specialized knowledge and expertise about innovative approaches to consumer-directed services gained through the implementation of the original "Cash and Counseling" Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) co-sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and ASPE. Therefore, a major requirement for the contractor is expertise and experience with regard to the planning and implementation of the CCDE. Boston College has, on staff, the project director for the CCDE, who clearly possesses the relevant expertise and experience. Prior to the award of this contract, the RWJF plans to award a grant of approximately $400,000 to Boston College to seed the development of the RTAC. In addition, the RWJF has in development a much larger proposed initiative involving grants to states in 2003, in which the RTAC would have a significant role. Any other contractor proposing to bid on this contract would have to 1) demonstrate expertise and experience with respect to the "Cash and Counseling" Demonstration and Evaluation sufficient to provide extensive technical assistance to states on how to about replicating the "cash and counseling" innovation in their states and 2) provide a source of funds for approximately half the cost of developing a research and technical assistance center to diffuse the innovative approach to consumer-directed services delivery pioneered in the CCDE. The purpose of this synopsis is to determine whether there may be other sources with the requisite qualifications to perform the work described above. Any organization capable of performing the work should submit a statement of capabilities with documentation supporting its ability to meet the Government's requirement as described above including a specific statement addressing the second factor listed above (source of additional funding). No solicitation document is available. Capability statements should be submitted within 45 days of the publication of this synopsis to the contract point and address given above. See Note 22.