Ticket to Work Boot Camp:
Foundational Knowledge
Understanding the Request for Quotation
(RFQ) to become an Employment Network
Hosted/Facilitated by: Miranda Kennedy,
NDI Technical Assistance Team
Presented by Emily Malsch, Program
Specialist, OSM Workforce Team
2012 Training Series
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DEI Projects at the state level and/or local level participating
LWIBs are required to become Employment Networks under
Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work Program.
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Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects in attaining
Employment Network status and implementing effective EN
operations is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI
Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI).
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Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation
and outcomes as Employment Network will be provided under
U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics.
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Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI
grantees and participants and partners from the
public workforce system will have the following:
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An understanding of the Request for Quotation (RFQ)
process
An understanding of the contents of the RFQ, what
applies to my organization, and how to submit the
completed RFQ
An understanding of what occurs post- Blanket Purchase
Agreement (BPA)
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Background on SSA Program Managers
Becoming an Employment Network (EN)
Taking a Closer look at the RFQ (I – VI)
Summary
RFQ Assistance
Discussion Opportunity
Next Steps
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SSA runs the Ticket to Work Program with the
assistance of two Program Managers
Operations Support Manager (OSM) handles all
activities related to Employment Networks
(ENs)/service providers from recruitment, training,
payment, etc.
Beneficiary Access and Support Services
(BASS) Manager handles all Ticket-related
activities for SSA’s beneficiaries.
MAXIMUS Federal Services was awarded a 5-year contract
to serve as the Ticket Program OSM responsible for:
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recruiting experienced and highly-qualified ENs;
establishing and maintaining an EN Technical Assistance and
Support Center;
facilitating/monitoring active Ticket program participation by
ENs;
administering and supporting the Ticket assignment process;
and
administering and supporting the EN payment process
Note: MAXIMUS also serves as the Ticket Program Data Operations Center
Manager (TPDOCM) and is responsible for maintaining electronic systems
supporting daily Ticket program operations and providing system support
services and management information to SSA .
Booz Allen Hamilton was awarded a 5-year contract to
serve as the Ticket to Work BASS Manager responsible for:
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designing, implementing and supporting the marketing the TTW
program and work incentives to SSA’s beneficiaries with
disabilities/Ticket Holders;
administering a call center, web site and electronic mail response
capability to answer questions about the TTW program; and
developing tools, resources and models to encourage beneficiary
participation, coordinate with SSA to create local venues to promote
the Ticket, and facilitate partnerships among ENs, local
organizations, and beneficiaries to increase program outcomes and
work opportunities for beneficiaries.
Get the EN RFQ at http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html
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Download and complete on your computer
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Cover letter provides information on how to contact SSA
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Advised not to mail your RFQ, send by:
Email: ENcontracts@ssa.gov or
Fax number: 1-410-597-0429
Before Getting Started…
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Must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as
the Tax ID #
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Must have general business or professional liability insurance in
effect (minimum of $500,000 per occurrence)
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Must have a DUNS number (contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866705-5711 or apply online at www.dnb.com if your agency does not
have a DUNS)
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Must register your agency’s DUNS number on the Contractor
Registration (CCR) website: www.ccr.gov
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Must complete the Online Representations and Certifications
Application once the CCR profile is finalized and approved:
https://orca.bpn.gov
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Contains 6 parts (see table of contents):
 Part I, BPA Agreement (required to submit)
 Part II, Price (review only)
 Part III, Statement of Work (review only)
 Part IV, Contract Clauses (review only)
 Part V, EN Quotation Documentation Requirements (required
to submit)
 Part VI, Solicitation Provisions (review only)
Part I- Blanket Purchase Agreement
 Required to complete and submit
 Outlines terms of BPA between the EN and SSA
Part II- Price
 Do not need to submit
 Outlines supplies, services, and price
 Firm–Fixed-Price of BPA is $0- for satisfactory
performance of services provided, EN is paid in
accordance with the Payment to ENs schedule
(Part III--Section 11).
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Contains 12 sections- all for internal review, does not need
to be submitted
Describes the general and specific EN qualification
requirements
Outlines Ticket assignment process
Details of IWP
Referral Agreements
Ticket Training provided and by whom
EN responsibilities
Reporting requirements and EN evaluations
EN payment system
Workforce eProcesses will:
 Streamline EN operations
 Reduce administrative burden
 Reduce paperwork involved with Ticket
assignment and EN payment process
Keep this in mind when reading the section on IWP,
Ticket Assignment process, and the EN payments
1. Beneficiary
calls BASS to
get
information
about ENs and
services
2.
Beneficiary
chooses EN
and
together
develop IWP
3. Ticket is
assigned and
the EN &
Beneficiary
work on plan
4. Beneficiary
earns income
sufficient for
outcomes or
milestones
5. EN is
eligible for
Ticket
payment
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Reviews and explains EN contract terms and
conditions
Reviews liability insurance requirements – WIA
One Stop Centers/Workforce Boards/Operators
exempt from submitting proof
Explains the EN Security and Suitability
Requirements
Paragraph H: EN Security and Suitability
Requirements
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Purpose of this clause is to provide SSA policies and
procedures re: background investigations
Investigations are to determine the suitability of the EN to
acquire, handle, and have access to beneficiary personally
identifiable information (PII)
EN suitability process does not begin until after the BPA is
awarded; at this time, only EN staff names who acquire,
handle, or have access to PII are required
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Step 1: after BPA award received, submit cover letter to SSA that
provides EN name, the contract number, the CPOC’s name, the
CPOC’s contact information, each applicant’s full name, each
applicant’s Social Security number (SSN), each applicant’s date of
birth, and each applicant’s place of birth
Step 2: Signatory Authority receives eQIP (http://www.opm.gov/eqip/) invitation; time sensitive, must send to each applicant listed in
cover letter to complete and submit
Step 3: Each applicant completes OF306 and Fair Credit Reporting
Act (FCRA) Authorization Form
FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Chart, sent by SSA, 2 charts per
applicant, if not received contact TASC
Step 4: Forms submission: eQIP signature page, OF306, FCRA,
Fingerprint charts
EN security/suitability questions? Email ENSuitability@ssa.gov
Section 1: Standard Form 1449
 Box 17a: Offeror Name, Address, Phone, and Tax
ID/EIN number
 Box 17b if applicable
 Box 30 a, b, c: signature and date
Section 2: EN Information Sheet: all about you as an EN
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Offeror Name = Name placed in Box 17 on SF 1449
EN Name- optional, if listed in Directory, choose name customers know you
by
EN Directory Contact Information: name provided here is the beneficiary POC
for your EN
Type of Organization- at minimum check either WIA One Stop and/or
Workforce Board
EN Employee Suitability- provide names of EN who have access/handle PII;
Bene CD is optional
Section 3: Information Sheet Addendum
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For each additional or different location to be published publicly in the online
EN Directory, complete one addendum for EACH different service delivery
location.
Section 4: EN Checklist- for internal use only, do not submit
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Review only, do not submit
SSA evaluation of RFQ
RFQ selection and award
Offeror will be notified of missing or incorrect
information; given 60 days to correct deficiencies
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Only submit Part I, BPA Agreement (pgs 4 and 5),
and Part V
◦ Remember: as a WIA One Stop/Workforce
Board/Operator- proof of EN qualifications and liability
insurance not required to submit with RFQ
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Obtain necessary signatures where needed
◦ Part I, Blanket Purchase Agreement, signature on page 4
◦ Part V, Section 1: SF Form 1449
◦ Part V, Section 2-T: Signatory Authority
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Submit completed RFQ to ENContracts@ssa.gov
RFQ Assistance
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For further RFQ guidance contact:
◦ Emily Malsch, Program Specialist, OSM Workforce
Team
◦ emalsch@cessi.net
◦ (443) 492-9846
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Additional help is available through SSA’s Employment
Network Contracts Team
 E-Mail: ENContracts@ssa.gov
 Call: 866-584-5180
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Post BPA Award
Once you become an Employment Network:
◦ OSM Workforce Team will schedule a TASC Orientation Call
introducing you to your TASC team at MAXIMUS who:
√ Handles the process for assigning & un-assigning Tickets
√ Maintains the list of approved ENs
√ Processes Ticket payments
√ Conducts timely progress reviews
√ Staffs an EN Help Desk
√ Provides training & technical assistance to ENs
Visit the MAXIMUS website at www.yourtickettowork.com
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Ticket to Work Program
Resources:
Visit SSA’s Work Site at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work
Visit the MAXIMUS web site at www.yourtickettowork.com
or call 1-866-949-3687
Visit the BASS website at: http://www.chooseworkttw.net
or call 1-866-968-7842
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Q&A
To ask a question/make a
comment please click on
the “raised hand icon” OR
submit it via the Q&A
panel, both are located on
the right hand toolbar
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Ticket to Work & Benefits Basics: DRC’s & One-Stop
Staff Serving as a Resource on the TtW program
◦ This webinar will help you understand following:
◦ How the TtW Program compliments the objectives of the DEI project
◦ Provide a clear picture of the DRC role in expanding the workforce system’s
capacity to serve as an EN
◦ Understand the learning models & partnerships that ensure benefits planning
services to Ticket holders served within workforce system EN
◦ Downloadable TOOLKITs with TtW information and resources that help to build
One-Stop and customer awareness.
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Registration
Tuesday, March 6th 2012 (3:00pm – 4:30pm EST)
Registration: In order to register go to:
https://ndi.webex.com/ndi/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=966691933
Emily Malsch, Program Specialist
SSA Ticket to Work Operations Support Manager
Center for Strategic Initiatives, Workforce Team
(443) 492-9846
emalsch@cessi.net
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