Under Statutory Authority 41 U.S.C. 1901 the VA Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) intends to negotiate a sole source contract with University of Wisconsin Madison to provide support services for academic support for Veteran Affairs Food & Agriculture Rehabilitation and Employment Supports (VAFARMS) program. VAFARMS was created to meet the requirement of Senate Bill 1557 Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2018. The VAFARMS program includes: 1.2.4.1 Formal (classroom or online) Training: Connections will be with two institutions, with multiple options at each, depending on Veterans needs and interests. 1.2.4.1.1 Two-year Certificate Program through University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, in partnership with UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. In the first year, students earn a Certificate in Foundations of Farm Management, which may be sufficient for some employment opportunities. In the second year, they earn a specialty certificate in one of six areas: Crop and Soil Management, Dairy Farm Management, Diversified Agricultural Operations, Farm and Equipment Operations, Meat Animal Farm Management, or Urban Agriculture. The support services are to include: Academic advisement, support of participants, coordination with the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) program and TSES staff; provide, development and/or modification of vocational training and veteran oriented lecture, outreach to farm and food processing industry. The specific tasks of the requirements are as follows: 5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for academic support for VA FARMS to include: Academic advisement, support of participants, coordination with the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) program and TSES staff; provide, development and/or modification of vocational training and veteran oriented lecture, outreach to farm and food processing industry. The staffing shall include at minimum a Graduate Research Assistant. 5.2. Graduate Research Assistant (RA) 5.2.1 Serve as the primary point of contact with VA offices involved in support of participants in agricultural training/behavioral healthcare. 5.2.2.1 The RA shall be available for academic advising Monday Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. by appointment. 5.2.2.1.1 Appointments can occur at the RA s office a University of Wisconsin Office or anywhere on or may be arranged at or near the University of Wisconsin Madison campus. 5.2.3 Coordinate with the FISC program to develop and/or modify vocational training appropriate for veterans needs. 5.2.4 Provide agriculturally-related academic and vocational advice and guidance to participating veterans. 5.2.5 The RA will meet with participating veterans immediately before and after initial farm placements to provide guidance and feedback about on-farm learning objectives and work activities. 5.2.6 The RA shall provide training through Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) instruction in basic agricultural sciences (e.g., soils, cropping systems, farm business management, food systems, agricultural safety and health) and in one of six specialization areas (Crop and Soil Management, Dairy Farm Management, Diversified Agricultural Operations, Farm and Equipment Operations, Meat Animal Farm Management, Urban Agriculture). 5.2.6.1 The RA will develop and deliver at least one veteran oriented lecture in each of the two Urban Agriculture courses of FISC. 5.2.7 Outreach to identify farm and food processing industry and connecting them with TSES staff. 5.2.7.1 The RA shall outreach to farms and agriculturally-related businesses to share information about VA FARMS. Coordinate introductions and meetings between Farmers/agribusiness and TSES staff. 5.2.8 Targeted outreach to match Veteran preference to farm and food processing industry experiences. 5.2.8.1 Coordinate with TSES staff to determine which agricultural areas to target in outreach efforts. 5.2.9 Tracking outreach and farm/agribusiness partnership. 5.2.9.1 The RA shall develop an on-line database and associated communications networking of farms interested in working with veterans and mechanisms for veterans to register their interests and preferences for placement opportunities. 5.2.10 Develop or modify FISC curricula as needed to provide appropriate on-going training opportunities for veterans. 5.2.10.1 The RA shall review FISC courses that veterans enroll in to identify potential resources or curriculum additions that would be beneficial for veterans. 5.2.11 The RA will work directly with veterans and TSES staff to arrange meetings between the veterans and the University of Wisconsin related to placement advising. This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 Simplified acquisition procedures as implemented in FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i), only one responsible source and no other services will satisfy agency requirements. This will be a firm fixed price contract for a one-time service. The NAICS Code is 611710. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation documents are available and telephone requests will not be honored. However, if a firm believes it can meet the requirements it must furnish information about its products and services, as well as references from other customers who are using these products and service to the Contracting Officer by 8:00AM (CST) 08/30/2019. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirements. Responses received will be evaluated however; a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the Contracting Officer will proceed with the sole source negotiation with the UW Madison. Capability statements shall be submitted by email only as a MS Word or Adobe PDF attachment to Robert Boesen at
contact@example.gov. TELEPHONIC INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
