Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Attn: Joseph Tanzi, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207-0696

R -- MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SSA'S EXPANDED VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION REFERRAL AND PAYMENT PROGRAM DUE 040896 POC Joseph Tanzi Tel: 410-965-9470 Sources Sought Synopsis for Manager of the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) expanded Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Referral and Payment Program--SSA is attempting to identify contractors who are able to perform specific activities and responsibilities, related to the implementation of regulatory changes in SSA's VR Payment Program. The potential contractor would be required to perform specific activities and responsibilities, related to the implementation of regulatory changes in SSA's VR Referral and Payment Program. SSA has been given the authority to refer disability insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and blind or disabled supplemental security income (SSI) recipients to an Alternate Participant if a State VR agency has not accepted the SSA-referred individual for services. Alternate Participants will be any approved public or private VR service provider other than the designated State VR agency. Alternate Participants will be contracted under a separate procurement to provide more opportunities for beneficiaries/recipients to receive the services they need to find employment and reduce or eliminate benefit dependency. SSA is contemplating the acquisition of outside management support services under a three year demonstration contract with the goal of expanding the base of services providers and determining the best method of managing the referral process for alternate participants. Management support services for the VR referral and payment program would be required throughout the United States. The proposed contractor will act on the Agency's behalf as a manager of the VR referral and payment program between SSA's beneficiaries/recipients and the Alternate Participants. During the period of the three year demonstration project, the proposed contractor would be required to: Market the VR Payment Program to potential Alternate Participants who are ready to provide services and assist them in entering into contractual arrangements with SSA; Conduct orientation/training for new Alternate Participants; Implement and manage a secure, automated system that will include the database developed by SSA to re- refer beneficiaries not accepted by the State VR agencies to appropriate Alternate Participants for consideration; Establish and staff an 800 telephone number to disseminate information about SSA's VR payment program and SSA's work incentive provisions; Develop and implement procedures to monitor and review Alternate Participant claims for determination and payment by SSA; Develop and maintain a computerized data management system to collect and provide program data to SSA along with fiscal and administrative reports for management information; and, Develop and conduct customer surveys to monitor Alternate Participant and beneficiary satisfaction and develop procedures to address issues involving dissatisfaction. Interested parties must respond with capability statements to this notice within 30 calendar days from the date of this publication. Only written responses will be accepted and the capability statements must clearly state the company's ability to provide the required services. Respondents should indicate if they are a small business concern or an other than small business concern. In addition, pertinent company background information consisting of at least 2 references where similar services in scope and nature have recently and/or currently being performed shall be provided. Reference information should include the name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact who is knowledgeable of the nature of the services performed by the firm. The information respondents provide shall pertain to the synopsis only: cross referencing to material previously submitted is not recommended and will not be evaluated. No contract award will be made on the basis of responses received to this announcement. However, this information will be used in SSA's assessment of capable sources. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation of the source data received. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Requests for copies of a solicitation will not be honored or acknowledged. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited or received. No cost or pricing data is required or requested. (0066)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0095 19960307\R-0014.SOL)