PR16018614 - DoS-Sources Sought

Support to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking BACKGROUND The Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) leads the United States’ global engagement in the fight against human trafficking, partnering with foreign governments and civil society to develop and implement effective anti-trafficking strategies. The TIP Office works to fulfill the mandates of combating human trafficking globally as outlined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (TVPA), and has responsibility for bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, targeted foreign assistance, interagency coordination, and public engagement on trafficking in persons. One of the roles of the TIP Office is to provide support for the U.S. government’s interagency coordinating bodies, the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) and the Senior Policy Operating Group (SPOG), both established under the TVPA. In this role, the TIP Office supports the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (Advisory Council), which was established by the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act within the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act enacted on May 22, 2015. The Advisory Council is an independent, nongovernmental advisory body that advises and makes recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies to the PITF. The Council is appointed by the President for two-year terms and may serve up to two terms. Attachments: • Sec. 115 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (P.L. 114-22) • Sec. 114 of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-425) • Sec. 1299R of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283) • Sec. 102 of the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, P.L. 117-348 OBJECTIVE The TIP Office seeks a contractor to support the Advisory Council as it fulfills the functions outlined in the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act including the development of its annual report, and coordinating and managing Council travel, reimbursements, and compensation. In particular, the contractor will provide trauma-informed support to the Advisory Council by delivering technical assistance and facilitating in-person and virtual meetings of the Advisory Council, with the goal of the Council producing actionable recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies to the PITF. TASKS • Deliver technical assistance to the Advisory Council. This includes, at a minimum: -- 1 of 5 -- o Advising the Council on the anti-trafficking efforts of PITF agencies, including the authorities, capacities, and limitations of those agencies. o Advising the Council on the roles and work of the PITF and SPOG. o Supporting the Council as it formulates assessments and recommendations to ensure that policy and programming efforts of the Federal Government conform, to the extent practicable, to the best practices in the field of human trafficking prevention o Supporting the Council’s ongoing work, including trauma-informed facilitation of weekly and/or monthly calls and engagement with members during calls and meetings, as well as strategic planning, time management, and providing self-care guidance or resources as needed or requested by the Council. • Facilitate up to four in-person Council gatherings per year to fulfill its mandate as outlined in section (d) of the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act. Facilitation of in-person Council gatherings includes, at a minimum: o Providing support for site selection, agenda development, trauma-informed facilitation and team building activities, and note taking. o Providing the option of a licensed clinical social worker for support throughout meetings. o Facilitating and coordinating Council travel and logistics including providing Council members with travel reimbursements, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). • Support the drafting and submission of the Advisory Council’s annual report to the PITF, SPOG, and Congress. This includes, at a minimum: o Supporting the Council in its review of federal government policy and programs intended to combat human trafficking, including programs related to the provision of services for victims. o Supporting the Council as it serves as a point of contact for federal agencies reaching out to human trafficking survivors for input on programming and policies relating to human trafficking in the United States. o Advising the Council on the anti-trafficking efforts of PITF agencies. o Supporting the Council in developing a timeline for report development, production, and submission. o Offering strategic technical direction and facilitation during Council report writing meetings. o Providing technical writing support, copy editing of report drafts, and report design & production. o Supporting the submission of the report to the PITF, SPOG and Congress. • Develop and manage an independent website for the Council. This includes at a minimum: o Creating and maintaining an independent website for the Council. o Uploading the Council’s bios (as requested) and annual report to the website. • Provide compensation to each Council member for each day such member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Council. This includes, at a minimum: -- 2 of 5 -- o Developing a statement of work for a subcontract for each Council member. o Overseeing and managing execution of members’ subcontracts. o Gathering, reviewing, processing, and tracking members’ invoices. o Reviewing backup documentation from Council members for invoices. • Develop resources, including written guidance for successive Advisory Council members and other materia…