THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). THIS IS A PRE-SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WILL BE ISSUED VIA FEDBIZOPPS ON OR ABOUT September 28, 2015. The purpose of this effort is to put in place a single award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracting mechanism in order to address potential temporary shelter and processing needs based on the historical variations in border crossings by unaccompanied children. General Information The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Division of Children's Services (DCS) provides unaccompanied children with shelter and services until they are released to a sponsor while their immigration case proceeds. The Homeland Security Act of 2002, section 462, transferred responsibilities for the care and placement of unaccompanied children from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ORR has incorporated child welfare values, as well as the principles and provisions established by the Flores Agreement of 1997 and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2008. In order to meet the needs of arrivals based on historical variations, ORR will design and develop strategies for bringing on temporary shelter beds and services across the country. While no decisions have been made yet regarding the need for temporary sheltering capacity in 2015 or future years, the statement of work for the IDIQ outlines a proposed contract plan for temporary, short-term beds and services should the need arise. Due to the fluctuating nature of unaccompanied children arrivals, ORR seeks contracts that provide the following services on a regional basis throughout the United States: 1) Wrap-Around Support Services Background In 2014, the federal government responded to a significant increase in the number of unaccompanied children who were apprehended on the southwest border, with an aggressive, coordinated interagency response focused on providing humanitarian care for the children as well as heightened deterrence, enhanced enforcement, stronger foreign cooperation, and greater capacity for Federal agencies to ensure that our border remains secure. As a result of these efforts, the number of unaccompanied children attempting to cross the southwest border has declined precipitously, and the federal government continues to focus its resources to prevent a similar situation from developing in the future. ACF is continuing to develop efficient, cost-effective strategies to address the historical variations in border crossings by unaccompanied children. Every effort is being made to avoid a future increase in border crossings by children. At the same time, it is important for the Federal government to be prepared to provide humanitarian care when necessary. During FY 2014, ACF operated temporary facilities at camps and on Department of Defense military bases. ACF worked with existing grantees that were able to expand their capacity to operate the temporary shelters while continuing to maintain services at the standard shelters they operated. Contracting for services related to temporary shelters would allow ACF to use a competitive process to identify temporary facility providers, instead of expanding existing grant agreements, where appropriate to provide care to children. The competitive contracting process could also provide more cost effective options for temporary sheltering. ACF is taking a phased approach to exploring contract vehicles that could provide flexible options for services on a regional basis throughout the United States. Scope of Services Wrap-Around Support Services: Under this IDIQ, the contractor(s) will provide all support services at identified shelter locations. The mission includes feeding, cleaning, maintenance and facility preparation, clothing, linens and laundry, transportation, recreational equipment, security, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and custodial services. Depending on the needs of the facility, wrap-around services may include portable toilets and hand washing stations, and mobile trailers for offices. Security services will include unarmed security guards and any equipment, such as closed-circuit television networks and communication devices as directed by the government. Maintenance and facility preparation services may include fencing for the property, painting and building repairs, industrial cleaning, addressing non-ADA compliance factors, and other preparations needed to accommodate the sheltering of children in the facilities. Anticipated Period of Performance: The anticipated Period of Performance (PoP) will be from December 14, 2015 through December 13, 2016 for the base year and four (4) one year option periods. The RFP (15-233-SOL-00531) will be made available on or about September 28, 2015 and all responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. The RFP may be accessed electronically only via the FedBizOpps website (http://www.fbo.gov). Offerors are responsible for routinely checking the FedBizOpps website for any possible solicitation amendments that may be issued.
