Personal Financial Counseling Services
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR a total Small Business Set-Aside. This notice is for planning purposes only and does not obligate the government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in a response. The government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any interested party should ensure that their response is appropriate, detailed, and concise in order to allow the government to determine the contractor's qualification to perform the work. Responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY EFFORT EXPENDED OR ANY MATERIAL PROVIDED IN REPSONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCMENT, NOR WILL THE GOVERNMENT RETURN ANY DATA PROVIDED.
1. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research only to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Businesses interested and capable of performing the work.
2. The NAICS for this requirement is 523999 Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities
3. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice not later than 12:00 PM EST on Thursday, May 11, 2017 by providing the following via email only to Joyce Merrill at joyce.l.merrill.mil@mail.mil.
(a) Company Name
(b) Address
(c) Point of contact
(d) Phone, fax, and email of primary point of contact
(e) Commercial and Entity Code (CAGE) and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
(f) Business size
(g) A capability statement that addresses the organization's qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described.
(h) Provide specific examples of the Contractor's relevant experience providing the same or similar supplies/services to that described. Include contract number and amount and point of contact information for the customer/recipient of the work performed.
(i) Information regarding any plans for Joint Venturing (JV), or partnering to meet the requirements of the technical requirements. Provide information on how you would envision your company's area of expertise and those of any JV/partner would be combined to meet the specific requirements contained in this announcement.
4. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. The Government does not commit to providing a response to any comments or questions. No basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result of this announcement.
5. Any anticipated contract type is firm fixed price.
6. Proposed period of performance is:
Base Year: 26 September 2017 - 25 September 2018
Option Year 1: 26 September 2018 - 25 September 2019
Option Year 2: 26 September 2019 - 25 September 2020
7. Place of Performance: Green Mountain Armory, 789 Vermont Army National Guard Road, Colchester, VT 05446-3099. But services may be required at various locations throughout the state of Vermont.
8. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in the response. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.
9. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and contractor personal reviewing RFI responses understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.
11. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, quality control and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the support services except as specified in Government Furnished Property (not included at this time.)
The purpose of this requirement is for contractor support to provide personal financial counseling and referral services to Vermont Veterans and their families. Accredited and certified counselors trained in financial matters shall provide personal and family financial counseling, planning, and education, awareness of information services, appropriate referrals, and assistance applicable to military families.
This service shall provide direct coordination and liaison services with the State Family Program Director (SFPD), VTNG leadership located at Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ), Unit Commanders and the community as appropriate within the adherence of HIPAA and PII requirements.
Qualifications:
1. Registration, Certification or Licensure: Must possess one of the following certifications: Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®).
2. Education and Experience: Graduation from a nationally accredited Master's program with major coursework in financial counseling or other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted. In addition, US citizenship, criminal history background check that includes a credit check as well as an FBI fingerprint check.
3. Special Qualifications: Possess additional experience that demonstrates the individual is prominent and recognized authority in the subject matter field or area of consultation and has broad knowledge and skills to perform the work of the position described.
4. Ability to interpret policies, procedures and regulations, directives, and other National Guard Bureau and VT SFPD programs. Ability to promote services to National Guard units and leaders and networking with community resources.
5. Skilled in oral and written communication; ability to communicate effectively to small or large groups; prepare complex and concise reports within required timeline if appropriate.
Specific Tasks:
1. Basic Services. The following technical specifications are provided to demonstrate the task environment in which the service will be delivered. The following specifications are not directives on how the services are to be provided but an example of what will be required to successfully support the order objective. The contractor is encouraged to surpass the minimal technical specifications as well as demonstrate technical, operational, and administrative expertise to support the customer in exceeding organizational and departmental objectives. All plans information developed, reports and programs shall be reviewed and approved by the SFPD or designated Government Official prior to release / use. Core work hours are from 0700 to 1700 Monday - Friday.
2. Technical Specifications:
The following specifications are not directives on how the services are to be provided but an example of what is required to successfully support the task order objective. The contractor is encouraged to surpass the minimal technical specifications as well as demonstrate technical, operational, and administrative expertise to support the customer in exceeding organizational and departmental objectives.
a. Deliver direct personal financial counseling:
(1) Provide Vermont Veterans and their families' assistance with personal financial readiness, money management, financial counseling, and financial planning to include appropriate guidance regarding the Service member's Civil Relief Act, Public Law 110-289 Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 as well as other applicable laws and policies.
(2) In extreme financial hardship, threat of deprivation, or other similar circumstances, PFCs ensure that veterans and their families are referred to the appropriate military resources such as Relief Societies, banks/credit unions, Chaplains, other state, federal, local and veterans' organizations, and other resources as applicable.
(3) Counselor shall provide individualized money management, financial counseling, financial planning, and referral services when applicable, to Vermont veterans and their families.
(4) Maintain all certifications, accreditations and licenses are current.
b. Coordination of delivery of personal financial counseling:
(1) Delivery of personal financial counseling to Vermont Veterans and their families located in Vermont. Delivery may be conducted via travel by car on or off military post/base.
(2) Collaboration with team leads of Family Program as well as the Vermont Veterans Mental Health Counselor when needed to provide supportive services.
(3) Coordination of referrals to federal, state and community-based organizations as needed to maximize engagement of veteran and family.
(4) Counseling services available for veterans and their families who are geographically dispersed from a military installation as well as in regions of the state of Vermont where the target population is more rural and isolated, as well as in metropolitan/ urban regions of the state.
(5) Counselor will provide private and confidential services; no records will be kept on any veteran and or family member.
c. Perform Outreach and Education:
(1) Perform outreach efforts to veterans and their families of all service components and eras to create awareness of the Vermont Veterans Personal Financial Counseling Program. Efforts to include outreach education at unit drills, SRC/SRP, family days, organization days, or at other events by invitation of the unit. Outreach to veteran fairs and events throughout the state; proactively marketing to families and active duty individuals geographically dispersed throughout the state.
(2) Counselor shall conduct command requested training that addresses preparing/planning for family separation, short notice deployments, permanent change of station, and transition from the military to civilian life as well as other topics that pertain to military families.
(3) Community Capacity Building and Outreach to local community, state and federal agencies will be necessary to build resources and referrals. Activities that involve regular attendance at various meetings, committees, education and outreach to providers and routine liaison with providers throughout the state will be necessary.
(4) Conduct regular personal financial educational briefs to VTNG leadership, Commanders, unit NCOs, FRGs, as well as community military and civilian service providers to assist in the anticipation and resolution of challenges associated with military life.
d. Data Capture & Analysis:
(1) The Contractor will provide reports as specified in the contract on number of face-to-face counseling sessions provided, types of services provided, number of attendees at face-to-face counseling sessions, number of briefings and presentations provided, number of attendees at briefings and presentations.
(2) All reports will include, but not be limited to, the demographics of client utilization, i.e., military service and duty status and rank, family member's status (spouse, child or other legal dependent), geographic location and type of service delivery (individual, group, meeting, educational presentation).
(3) Provide data analysis regarding the generational/conflict distinctions of veterans from various conflicts to determine trends and ability to provide services as assist and aid with the access of veteran's service organizations who could provide support and maintain connectivity with family members or others with similar experiences.
(4) Reports shall be complete, accurate and timely as specified in Technical Exhibit 1 of this PWS. Ownership of all information collected, maintained and reported is the SFPD Office.
(5) Program outcomes to include identification of trends, analysis and recommendation to the SFPD on a on a monthly basis.
e. Provide referrals:
(1) Family Program Informed Consent form to be acknowledged in writing by the service member and or family member receiving care before a referral or hand off can be granted.
(2) Clear understanding of the Privacy Act Statement, Statement of Understanding and Consent to release and obtain information by the service member and or family member must be acknowledged in writing by the service member and or family member.
(3) Referral of service members and or family members to state, federal military service/civilian agency as appropriate.
(4) Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of available referral and resource within the VTNG as well as external military and civilian service providers.
Joyce L Merrill, Email joyce.l.merrill.mil@mail.mil
