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

B -- CONSULTING SERVICES TO COORDINATE ADVISORY BOARD SPONSORED FORUM ACTIVITIES SOL SSA-RFP-97-0265 DUE 061097 POC Elizabeth Clark Tel: (410) 965-9465 R -- CONSULTING SERVICES TO COORDINATE ADVISORY BOARD SPONSORED FORUM ACTIVITIES AND PREPARATION OF SUMMARY REPORT ON THE FORUM ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOME, Request for Quotation number RFQ-97-0265 due 061097. This is a combined synopsis/request for quotation for consulting services. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a written RFQ will not be issued. The Social Security Administration has a requirement for consulting services in accordance with the following statement of work. This requirement is set aside 100% for small business. STATEMENT OF WORK PURPOSE OF THE REQUIREMENT: The Board requires the services of a consultant to help it fulfill its responsibilities as follows: Coordinating a Board-sponsored forum and working with interest groups. The forum will bring together panels of experts to discuss with the Board their recommendations for a long-range research and program evaluation plan for the Social Security Administration in the areas of SocialSecurity retirement and survivor issues, economic issues, and disability (Social Security and SSI) issues. Coordinating the event will entail discussing the content of the presentations by the panels of experts, and other responsibilities as determined by the Board and the Staff Director. The consultant will take care of the logistics of the forum. The consultant will also collect the views of other experts and organizations on the subject of long-term research and program evaluation plan for the Social Security Administration. Preparing a summary report of the forum activities and outcomes. After the forum, the consultant will prepare a report of the conference and send it to social insurance policy experts for comments. The consultant will also confer with aging and disability advocacy groups to get their views on research and evaluation processes and products both within and outside of the Social Security Administration. On the basis of the findings of the forum and of the comments and information that are collected, the consultant will assist the Staff Director in preparing a draft report that will be used by the Board in developing its recommendations with respect to SSA~s long-term research and program evaluation plan. The consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks: (1) work with the Staff Director to coordinate a Board-sponsored forum that will bring together panels of experts to discuss with the Board their recommendations for a long-range research and program evaluation plan for the Social Security Administration in the areas of Social Security retirement and survivor issues, economic issues, and disability (Social Security and SSI) issues. Coordinating the event will entail discussing the content of the presentations by the panels of experts, and other responsibilities as determined by the Board and the Staff Director. The consultant will take care of the logistics of the forum. The consultant will also collect the views of other experts and organizations on the subject of long-term research and program evaluation plan for the Social Security Administration; (2) assist the Staff Director in drafting a report of the conference. The consultant will prepare a report of the conference and send it to social insurance policy experts for comments. The consultant will bring together the views of old-age and disability advocacy groups on research and evaluation processes and products both within and outside of the Social Security Administration. On the basis of the findings of the forum and of the comments and information that are collected, the consultant will assist the Staff Director in preparing a draft report that will be used by the Board in developing its recommendations with respect to SSA~s long-term research and program evaluation plan; (3) meet regularly with the Board, as mutually scheduled between the Staff Director, the Social Security Advisory Board, and the consultant, to discuss the methodology which they will follow in conducting their work and the work products which they intend to produce; (4) provide a formal briefing to the staff director on the work that is being performed every week; and (5) provide monthly progress reports to the Staff Director, Social Security Advisory Board summarizing all work accomplished as well as ongoing work efforts by the 15th calendar day of the month following the month in which the work was performed. The reports will also provide a summary of expended hours and amounts both for the month and on a cumulative basis. The candidate for this position must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and must have experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of social insurance programs administered by the Social Security Administration and a thorough understanding and extensive knowledge of the current issues that the Social Security Advisory Board intends to address as described under the heading "Purpose of Requirement." The candidate must have experience that provides an understanding of the administration of social insurance programs and in formulating social insurance policy and providing information through briefings and written reports of important developments. The candidate must have broad experience in planning, designing, and developing social policy. The candidate must have experience in coordinating forums relating to pension policy, and demonstrate an ability to work with high-level experts and faculty in developing agenda and coordinating faculty for conferences relating to social insurance or pension policy. The estimated level-of effort for this requirement is 300 hours (from a single person) beginning with award of a purchase order (about June 30, 1997) through September 30, 1997. The place of performance is in the Washington, DC area. Award will be made to the individual who offers a combination of the best qualifications and price to the Government. Interested parties are to submit for evaluation: (1) resumes detailing their education and experience to the specific requirements of the statement of work, (2) hourly loaded rates (including all travel expenses) for performing the services, and (3) any other pertinent information regarding your interest and ability to provide these services. All responsible sources are requested to submit information pertaining to this requirement as set forth in this announcement to the Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, Attention: Elizabeth Clark, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207 by June 10, 1997. (0149)

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