B -- SSA INTENDS TO NEGOTIATE SOLELY WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED PROGRAMS (AAUAP)

Notice Date

July 20, 2001

Contracting Office

Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

ZIP Code

21207-5279

Description

The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate on other than a full and open competition basis a contract for the continuation of services currently provided under an ongoing joint project with the American Association of University Affiliated Programs (AAUAP) to determine the ways that SSA can improve policies and procedures for the adjudication of childhood cases. The joint project started in 1999 is now in the third year of operation. The AAUAP conducts interdisciplinary medical assessments for children applying for Supplemental Security Income disability payments and those children who are subject to a review to determine if their disabilities continue. The AAUAP interprets the results of the assessments and consults with SSA policy staff on the use of the results to inform policy decisions and improve case adjudication procedures and materials. The contract shall have four major tasks: =20 (1) Conduct additional interdisciplinary medical assessments to test specific hypotheses for narrowing the findings from the assessments conducted during the first 3 years of the project. These assessments shall be conducted in multiple University Affiliated Program (UAP) locations throughout the United States. (2) Develop training for adjudicators in the State Disability Determination Services (DDSs) (including disability examiners and medical and psychological consultant staff), the Office of Hearings and Appeals (including administrative law judges, administrative appeals judges in the Appeals Council, and attorney and other support staff), quality review components (including regional Disability Quality Branches and Regional Office medical support staff), and other personnel (including Central Office staff). The training will address specific issues regarding the evaluation of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) childhood disability claims identified as a result of the interdisciplinary assessments conducted during the first 3 years of the project and analyses of the findings from the project. (3) Develop and help to revise case adjudication materials and tools to help adjudicators in the DDSs, the Office of Hearings and Appeals, quality review components, and others to determine whether children are disabled or continue to be disabled. These materials and tools may include the Program Operations Manual System (POMS), Social Security Rulings, desk guides, and forms that are currently being used by SSA Field Offices and the DDSs to gather information from parents and others. =20 (4) Create demonstration projects involving collaboration between selected UAPs, DDSs and State and county education and early childhood systems to build stronger working relationships. This will improve SSAs ability to gather appropriate evidence and provide better referrals for families and children with disabilities. The contractor shall provide the necessary personnel and facilities to accomplish each of these tasks. The period of performance will be for a base year with a 1-year option to extend the term of the contract. To the Government's knowledge, the AAUAP is the only national association that represents and supports the network of UAPs throughout the United States. There are UAPs in every State and territory of the United States, and each UAP is affiliated with a major research university. UAPs specialize in the assessment of individuals with developmental disabilities, the kinds of impairments that are the focus of this project. For the timely and cost-effective completion of the tasks, SSA is not aware of any other organization that exists in so many sites throughout the country and that has: (1) Understanding of the specific populations in this project, (2) The academic expertise, (3) The variety of medical specialties at each site for conducting interdisciplinary assessments, (4) Expert personnel who can assist families who participate in the project, (5) Specialized knowledge regarding the school, early intervention, and other evidence SSA needs, (6) Understanding of the SSI disability program requirements, and (7) Connection with other Federal, State and local agencies.=20 The AAUAP and the UAP network have participated in the first 3 years of the project. As a consequence, they are not only very familiar with the process, but have formed relationships with their local DDSs and have made necessary adjustments within their sites to accommodate SSA's needs to quickly conduct the examinations and provide their reports. SSA knows of no other source that has the capability to satisfy all of the requirements for this contract. The proposed contract is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. This is not a request for proposals nor an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Any responsible firm that feels it has the capability to provide SSA the required services may submit capability statements to the referenced contract specialist. All responses must be received by 3:00 p.m. (EST) August 6, 2001. Respondents should refer to the Interdisciplinary Assessment Project. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS TO THE CONTRACT SPECIALIST LISTED BELOW.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/SSA/DCFIAM/OAG/Reference-Number-R-2640-01-01 80/listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010724/SPMSC014.HTM (D-201 SN50S4O0)