SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- Perform Retailer Undercover Investigations for Various Retail Food Stores Currently Authorized to Accept Benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Notice Date
- 2/28/2018
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 561990
— All Other Support Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Contract Management Branch, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 228, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302
- ZIP Code
- 22302
- Solicitation Number
- 12319818B0002
- Archive Date
- 4/14/2018
- Point of Contact
- Carla O. Hunter, Phone: 7036050639, Lawrence Williams, Phone: (703) 305-1075
- E-Mail Address
-
carla.hunter1@fns.usda.gov, Lawrence.Williams@fns.usda.gov
(carla.hunter1@fns.usda.gov, Lawrence.Williams@fns.usda.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Solicitation Number: 12319818B0002 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Retailer Operations Division (ROD) Perform Retailer Undercover Investigations for Various Retail Food Stores Currently Authorized to Accept Benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) RIB Investigations Staff Augmentation Project Request for Information (RFI) Version 1.0 February 20, 2018 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Retailer Operations Division (ROD) Retailer Investigations Branch (RIB) 1.0 Description The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Retailer Operations Division (ROD) is seeking information on capabilities to perform undercover retailer investigations for various retail stores currently authorized to accept benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The requirement consists of investigators entering SNAP authorized retail establishments to attempt to purchase goods not considered eligible items under SNAP or what can be described as food and non-food purchases. These investigative services are considered moderate risk, public trust, and sensitive contract positions. Hired contractors have to be U.S. Citizens and/or possess appropriate Visa as well as pass a background check. Investigators may be required to do extensive travel and work irregular hours. The contractor is expected to provide the necessary equipment such as a laptop or tablet per investigator to perform the work. There are over 262,000 authorized stores in the program. This work could cover a regional territory or it can be nationwide. The investigation services components may include any of the following: ***Acting in an undercover capacity as dictated by the demographical makeup of the specific community in which the retail establishment is located. Ability to act as a resident, of said area with an understanding of these demographics as to blend in with residents in the assigned area. ***A thorough understanding of the SNAP, including but not limited to the following; • Knowledge of the SNAP and Electronic Benefit Transactions (EBT) • Understanding the differences between SNAP-eligible items and those deemed SNAP ineligible items • The meaning of "trafficking and indirect trafficking" as it pertains to EBT and SNAP • Understanding the differences between prepared and hot foods ***Conducting surveillance for those establishments whereby a traditional investigation involving the attempt to purchase ineligible items may not be suitable. Such investigations may include International type stores dealing only with a certain demographic or only with individuals known to the retailer. ***Upon completion of store visit or investigative activity, the ability to immediately enter data into the USDA, Retailer Investigations Branch (RIB) interface detailing all aspects of the investigation including but not limited to; • Items purchased or attempted to purchase • Accurate description of the clerk(s) or retailer • Accurate narrative report of any and all conversation with the clerk or retailer • Accurately photograph and clearly log all items purchased as evidence • Proper handling of cash evidence obtained through trafficking cases as demonstrated by the Agency's requirements for custody and the chain of evidence 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the USDA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Background The USDA, FNS is committed to the following: • Providing Americans with access to nutritious food • Utilize data-driven strategies to improve program integrity • Maintain a high-performing workforce by improving performance and increasing accountability • Deliver FNS programs in a manner that maximizes customer service and ensures equal access and opportunity • Ensure FNS programs pave a pathway to self-sufficiency Currently, this is accomplished in part, by assuring that the 262,000 plus retailers authorized to accept and participate in the SNAP are committed and adhere to the regulations of the program and demonstrate the integrity demanded by the USDA. Presently, USDA has the capability to conduct investigations in all 50 states and U.S. Territories to guaranty this commitment. 3.0 Requested Information The USDA is seeking information from the industry regarding undercover investigation services. Companies responding to this information request should be currently providing program integrity and compliance investigations services and have experience providing these services to similar large and complex entities or government agencies. In response to this Request for Information (RFI), interested companies shall provide the following information within their capability statements: a) Outline the undercover compliance and undercover public integrity investigation services the company can provide and what is included in each; as well as the package structure options, including the optimal cost model for this work. b) Provide detail on background investigations of assigned contract staff, along with detailed examples of current staff experience as it relates to undercover investigations. c) Describe how a high priority store investigation can be expedited at the request of the client. d) Provide a detailed report of undercover investigations outcomes and results the company can provide, including ad hoc reporting capability. e) Explain your process by which you would initiate this pilot in a certain area of the country and along with your capability of a nationwide expansion if necessary. 4.0 Instructions Interested parties must submit Capability Statement responses to FNS.ComplianceRFI2018@fns.usda.gov, titled RFI Retailer Investigation Services, no later than 12:00 pm NOON ET, Friday, March 30, 2018; and at a minimum, must include: A) Name of Company, Point of Contact (Name, Company mailing address, phone number, fax Number, and e-mail Address of designated point of contact; B) Company DUNS Number of NAICS; Company size (small or large business) C) Brief narrative describing the company's current business and include a brief description of experience and services offered; D) Capabilities of company, including past performances providing similar services within the past three years, recent or current contracts; E) Responses to the points listed above under Section 1.0 Requested Information. F) Is the company on GSA Schedule and if so, provide the GSA SCHEDULE NUMBER. Do NOT send proprietary information. All submissions will become Government property and will not be returned. Questions: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the FNS.ComplianceRFI2018@fns.usda.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to the website; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after Friday, March 30, 2018, 12:00 pm NOON ET will be answered. Contracting Office Address: FNS HEADQUARTERS 3101 PARK CENTER DRIVE ROOM 234 ALEXANDRIA VA 22302
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/FNS/CMB/12319818B0002/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: FNS HEADQUARTERS, 3101 PARK CENTER DRIVE, ROOM 234, ALEXANDRIA VA 22302, ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, 22302, United States
- Zip Code: 22302
- Zip Code: 22302
- Record
- SN04838527-W 20180302/180228231736-6d766e8e3619fb94644acd4282839643 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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