POETRY THERAPY SERVICES This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) DUNS number (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below. The San Diego VA Health Care System located at 3350 La Jolla Village Drive. San Diego, CA 92161 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide create art sessions (poetry instruction) to support Veterans and their families. Important information: The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 813410 ($9.4 Million Dollars). Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov and complete Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Additionally, all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise VetBiz Registry located at http://vip.vetbiz.gov. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail: by e-mail to
[email protected]. All information submissions to be marked Attn: Jessica Brooks, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 1:00 pm MST on September 6, 2024. A.1 STATEMENT OF WORK POETRY THERAPY Background and Scope: The Contractor shall provide creative art sessions (poetry instruction) to support Veterans and their families who are experiencing symptoms associated with mental health, end of life, death/dying, and trauma at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). Offering a collaborative and experiential opportunity to process emotions by focusing on life and/or relationships of Veteran. Integration of creative arts can provide healing, support and comfort for the Veteran and the family. Veterans and families of Veterans addressing these challenges need ongoing support and creative ways to express their emotions, heal and share their life story. The Contractor will be assigned Veterans and family members by the VA staff representative working with the specified Veteran/family member, who will have previously provided verbal and/or written consent for participation. The Contractor shall provide 1 Poetry instructor per VA provider request The services will include: Instruction on techniques and process of creative writing, Providing readings and prompts for writing Instruction on different types of poetic writing Facilitating readings of poems Supportive processing of content in poems. Place of Performance VA San Diego Healthcare System; 3350 La Jolla Village Dr. San Diego, CA 92161 Period of Performance 9/26/2024 to 9/25/2025 Qualifications Desired: Current Poetry Teacher or using Poetry in practice Current registered and active in sam.gov and available in San Diego, CA. Available to meet both inpt and outpt services. Instructor is licensed mental health professional (LMFT, LPCC, LCSW) Active in Sam.gov and Vista Provided a quote that would support funds available in contract that would provide full FY of weekly services A minimum of providing 3 years of experience working with U.S. Military populations both in an inpatient and outpatient setting Available to provide a minimum of 40 accumulated hours during duration of contract A minimum of 1 year working in an inpatient and outpatient hospital setting. A minimum of 1 year working with hospice and rehab wards. Safety: Prior to attending initial session, participants (Veteran and all family members present) will have to have to be evaluated by the VA provider for engagement in session. VA provider will be present during sessions to support patient care and poetry intervention. 5. National Holidays The following Federal holidays are observed by the Federal Government: The Contractor is not required to provide services on the following National Holidays, nor shall the contractor employee be paid for those days. New Year s Day 1 January Martin Luther King s Birthday Third Monday in January President s Day Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Juneteenth Third Monday in June Independence Day 4 July Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day 11 November Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November Christmas Day December 6. Invoices: Contractor shall submit monthly invoices in the arrears electronically via the Tungsten-Network System at the end of each month, for payment of the storage containers in that billing period. Contractor shall submit original invoice electronically to: Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center http://www.tungsten-network.com (Toll-free telephone number: (877) 489-6135) Payment shall be made monthly in the arrears upon receipt of properly prepared invoice. The invoice MUST be itemized to include the following information. Any information listed below that is not provided on an invoice, will render that invoice incomplete and the invoice will be returned for immediate correction. Dates of service. Description of services. Invoice number, date. Contract number. Obligation number Failure to comply with the above shall delay payment to the Contractor.