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

R -- QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEWS AND HOTLINE INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS POC Wayne McDonald Tel: 410-966-1323 The SSA is seeking sources to indicate interest in a requirement to provide investigative support services. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The purpose of this notice is develop a list of qualified firms to perform the necessary to meet the Government's minimum requirements. Organizations having the required expertise and capabilities are invited to submit complete information discussing such capabilities. Information furnished should include an outline of specific previous experience and projects of a similar scope and complexity. The information provided shall pertain to this synopsis only. Any interested organization must submit appropriate data in two copies within 15 days of this announcement. Cross referencing to material previously submitted is not recommended and will not be considered. The Government does not intend to pay for the information solicited or received. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the source data received, nor will source list be provided. General Description. Offerors are invited to submit capability statements demonstrating the ability to furnish the necessary personnel to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with comprehensive evaluations of investigative operations. These services will be used as an aid to perform program improvement support in the area of quality assurance of investigations and Hotline operations. The period of performance shall be 12 months. Background. The mission of SSA is to administer Social Security programs as prescribed by legislation in an equitable, effective, efficient, and caring manner. The mission of the OIG, as mandated by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, is to protect the integrity of SSA's programs. The OIG reports to both the Commissioner and the Congress, program and management problems and recommendations to correct them. This mission is carried out through a nationwide network of audits, evaluations and investigations. In order to accomplish the mission of investigations, the OIG has an Office of Investigations that usually works independently, but at times conducts joint investigations with other Federal Law Enforcement agencies. Each program administered by SSA, and each type of benefit within a program, presents its own vulnerabilities, and is therefore susceptible to particular types of fraudulent activities. Scope of Work. The work requirement is to evaluate the investigative operations of the OIG to ensure adherence to SSA current program, policies and procedures. Concurrent evaluation of these program, policies and procedures will help ensure consistency with Federal laws and President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) guidance on goals and performance measures relating to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). Work to be performed will include quality assurance reviews of investigative case files in regional and field operations and an evaluation of the OIG Hotline operations at headquarters. Quality assurance reviews of investigative files will include: a) A review and analysis of current SSA OIG investigative guidance including identification of deficiencies and suggested rewrites; and b) review and analysis of current SSA OIG investigative operations for each of the following field offices: Northeast - Buffalo, New York; MidAtlantic - Baltimore, Maryland; Southeastern - Atlanta, Georgia, Memphis, Tennessee, Tampa, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Midwestern - Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, Kansas City, Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa; Southwestern - Dallas, Texas, Denver, Colorado, Houston, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, El Paso, Texas; Western - Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington. There are an estimated 6000 cases available for review spread throughout the offices listed above. The SSA requires a review of approximately 25% of the total number of cases or 1500 cases total. Interviews will be required with senior OIG officials at SSA Headquarters. The following are areas of concern for each field office: a) The proper development and achievement of general and specific investigative plans; b) Determining the frequency and significance of deviations from mandated programs and procedures; c) The effectiveness of coordination with local U. S. Attorney offices; d) The adequacy of resources to address noncompliance with SSA laws and regulations; e) The status of work in progress and case aging; and, f) The number and impact of prosecutions. The SSA requires an evaluation be conducted on the operations of the Hotline in the following areas: a) Review and evaluate the current OIG guidance for Hotline operations; b) Interview Hotline personnel to assess their knowledge and experience in hotline operations; c) Assess the propriety of the receipt, documentation, and routing of complaints received via the Hotline. SSA believes that the following are specific areas of concern that should be addressed in the operation of the Hotline: a) effectiveness of the receipt of complaints; b) adequacy and accuracy of the documentation of complaints; c) protection of sources of information; d) adequacy of systems for determining complaint resolutions; c) responsiveness of the program to complainants; d) adequacy of Hotline resources and staffing. Work will begin with an entrance conference with the Government Project Officer (PO) and/or alternate PO. The meetings are required with the PO at the inception of work performance. The PO will supply the total number of investigative cases available for review within each office listed above, including organizational charts, and any current administrative investigative manual deemed appropriate. First Draft of Reports. The SSA will require an investigative case review in the form of a narrative report. Each field office shall be reviewed and reported separately. Each report shall address the broad objective of proper case initiation, effective planning, thoroughness, timeliness and appropriate case management, and reflect the areas of concern listed above. In addition, each report shall include general observations of the contractor regarding the organizational structure of the particular field office and the office's coordination with other SSA components and other Federal agencies. The SSA requires delivery of five (5) copies of the first draft within five (5) calendar days after completing the investigative case review of each field office. The SSA requires a compilation of the Hotline review into a narrative report. The report shall include a description of the analysis and review of the Hotline and any findings and recommendations resulting from the analysis. The report shall conform to the organization, style, format, and layout of the OIG Special Reports. The SSA requires delivery of five (5) copies of the first draft within 20 days after completing the review of the Hotline operation. After a review of the first draft the SSA will provide written comments within 15 calendar days of receipt of the first draft. The revision of the draft should incorporate the SSA's comments for delivery of five (5) copies of the final draft within 14 days after receipt of written comments. The SSA shall make written comments on the final draft within ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the final draft report. The final report should incorporate the SSA's comments. Upon acceptance of the final draft, but no later than 30 calendar days, the SSA requires delivery of ten (10) copies of the final reports. The text of this synopsis is available to be downloaded from the SSA Homepage on the Internet in electronic format. The Internet address is http://www.ssa.gov/oag/acq/toc.htm, go to category R. (0270)

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