Safe Helpline Sources Sought

1.  The Defense Human Resources Activity is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in, and the resources for, providing services in accordance with the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

The Government is specifically performing Market Research to see if there are potential vendors who can provide Safe Helpline services.  

This requirement is currently being performed by Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), under contract H9821023C0011.

2.  This notice shall not be construed as a formal solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. In addition, it does not guarantee that a subsequent solicitation will be issued. Submission of any information in response to this Sources Sought notice is voluntary and will assist in selecting the appropriate solicitation type/method. Costs associated with any submission shall not be reimbursed by the Government. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SEEKING PROPOSALS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS.

3.  The proposed NAICS for this effort is 624190, Other Individual and Family Services (size standard $16M). Comments on this NAICS and suggestions for alternative codes must include supporting rationale.

4.    Interested parties must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). A business must be a current participant and certified by SBA if responding as an 8(a) firm and HUBZONE small businesses must be certified by SBA by the time of proposal. A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) must represent to the contracting officer that is it certified as such at the time of offer submission. Women-owned small business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) should indicate if their certification is a self-certification or if they are formally certified by SBA (or will be by time of any proposal).

5.  Interested parties are requested to submit an unclassified capability statement, limited to 8 pages, that includes:

a)  Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone 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. Include Unique Entity Identifier from the System for Award Management (UEI (SAM)), CAGE Code and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc.).

b)  Type of business, including small business socio-economic category if applicable (e.g. Other than Small, 8(a) s, HUBZone, Non Profit)

c)  Small businesses shall specify if any kind of teaming arrangement will be involved and “other than small” businesses shall address subcontracting opportunities that exist. 

d)  If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule, Multiple Award IDIQ contract number (e.g. OASIS, NITAAC).

e)  Indicate if you are interested as a Prime contractor or subcontractor.

f)  Describe any teaming or subcontracting that you may use to fulfill a requirement such as this.

g)  Describe your organization's breadth of expertise/competency to respond to the draft PWS. Critical functions to be addressed in your response include an explanation of how you will provide the following:

• Capability to provide and staff live, secure, confidential, and anonymous support services for victims of sexual assault, operating 24/7/365 and globally accessible via online chat, telephone, texting, mobile application, and group chat.
• Services delivered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) secure platform that maintains and provides annual validation of explicit commercial standards that focuses on security, availability, and confidentiality. Both the user and staff interfaces must be customized for victims of sexual assault utilizing trauma-informed design principles. Changing and emerging Department needs will be jointly assessed on a quarterly basis to identify, prioritize, and plan any necessary platform enhancements.
• Expertise in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention support, coupled with the ability to develop training and direct services for victims of sexual assault and stakeholders.
• Capture and analyze user data while maintaining strict subject anonymity, supported by an understanding of the Department's sexual assault prevention and response policies and practices.

6.  All interested and capable contractors are encouraged to respond. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the sources sought evaluation. The results of this sources sought notice will assist the Contracting Officer in determining whether an 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Certified HUBZone Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Small Business set-aside, or full and open competition is an acceptable strategy for this procurement. Responses to this synopsis may be used to aid in establishing realistic, achievable small business participation goals.

7.  Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding will be solely at the interested party’s expense. All information received in response to this submission that is clearly marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made and submissions to this Sources Sought will not be returned.

8.  The information provided in this Sources Sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. 

9.  The Government requests that all responses be returned by the date listed in SAM. All responses shall be submitted electronically to the DHRA Acquisition Management Directorate points of contact listed in SAM.