SAM #36C25227Q0097

VA sole-source Contracted Residential Services for Veterans in Northwest Indiana

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans a sole-source contract for temporary housing and supportive services for Veterans experiencing homelessness in Northwest Indiana. - Buyer: Department of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, through the Great Lakes Acquisition Center; contracting contact: Patrice Bond. - Intended provider: Veterans Changing Services Inc. (VCS). The VA states VCS is the only provider in Northwest Indiana able to meet the requirements. - Services: Year-round, 24/7 temporary community-based housing and on-site supervision in an alcohol- and drug-free setting, with room and board, meals and snacks, hygiene products, laundry, and transportation. - Support: Case management using Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing principles; mental health stabilization; independent-living skills; vocational and employment assistance; and help finding permanent housing. - Transition goal: Support a move to longer-term or permanent housing within 60–90 days, and no later than 180 days after admission. - Competition and response: This is not a request for competitive offers. Capable providers may submit information for VA consideration by November 20, 2026, including facility details and photographs, licenses and certifications, inspection reports, and descriptions of counseling services. - Period of performance: Anticipated January 1, 2027–December 31, 2031.

Description

Contracted Residential Services (CRS) On behalf of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (JBVAMC), the Great Lakes Acquisition Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, intends to solicit and negotiate a sole source contract with Veterans Changing Services Inc. (VCS), Gary, Indiana, using the authority of Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements per 41 USC §3304(a)(1) as implemented by RFO 6.103-1. The Contractor will provide temporary housing and supportive services in a community-based setting to healthcare-eligible Veterans who are experiencing homelessness. The intent of Contracted Residential Services (CRS) within the Northwest Indiana area will enhance the capacity to provide immediate and supportive shelter for unsheltered veterans. This initiative will facilitate subsequent case management, the formulation of permanent housing plans, and access to additional VA and other services, ultimately aligning with the organizational objective of ending homelessness. The period of performance is anticipated for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031. VCS is the only vendor in Northwest Indiana capable of providing the required services under the VA CRS Program and that meets all VA requirements. The goals of the CRS Programs are to (1) rapidly stabilize Veterans medical, mental health, substance abuse and other psychosocial problems by expediting placement of these Veterans into safe, supportive emergency housing and (2) place Veterans in other longer-term or permanent housing situations, within 60 to 90 days, but no more than 180 days from the date of admission. CRS will be provided year-round, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (24/7) to VA authorized beneficiaries, including men and women. General services provided by the contractor under the CRS program shall include, but not be limited to on-site supervision, an alcohol and drug-free environment, room and board, meal/snack services, health and hygiene products, a free functional laundry facility, and transportation. Supportive services shall include case management services that incorporate Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing principles and support mental health stabilization. Other services to be provided include enhancement of independent living skills, vocational training, employment services and assistance in obtaining permanent housing. VCS has met all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for the operation of this program. VCS also has sufficient staff in numbers and positions to carry out the policies and responsibilities of the VA CRS Program. VCS staff members involved with the VA CRS Program are certified in CPR and First Aid, including use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and trained to integrate the Harm Reduction model and principles in veteran care plans. VCS facility conforms to local and state licensing standards for residential board and care type occupancies as well as the standards in the general chapters of the latest edition of the Life Safety Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard No. 101. The Product Service Code for CRS is G099 - Other Social Services and the North American Industry Classification System Code is 624229 Other Community Housing Services, with a small business size standard of $19 million.
This notice is NOT a request for competitive offers/proposals. If any vendor believes they can satisfy the needs of the Government, they are encouraged to respond to this notice no later than Friday, November 20, 2026, at Noon central time. Responses shall include the information below. a. Company Background Information Number of years in business, number of years providing Contracted Residential Services and/or related social services, type of population served (i.e., veterans, women, men, children, families), facility location/physical building address including a map of the area, indication if facility is accredited by Joint Commission or CARF, if facility considers themselves healthcare providers and complies with HIPAA requirements as normal business practice. b. Facility Photographs Color pictures of all major areas including outside of building, entrance, bedrooms and furnishings, medication and food storage areas, kitchen, bathrooms, common areas, etc. c. Community Partner Organizations/Providers (subcontractors) Listing of these partners/providers who will be assisting in the provision of the CRS as noted above and their roles/responsibilities.
d. Copies of licenses, certifications, and permits Examples are: Safe Serve, Occupancy Permit, First Aid/CPR for staff, Counselor Licenses or Certifications, CARF, etc. e. Copies of ALL state agency reports/inspection results within the last two years.
f. Information pertaining to counseling services Listing of what types of counseling sessions are provided by the vendor/partners and the frequency in which they are offered. No telephone responses will be accepted. Information received will be used to determine whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. The determination to conduct a competitive procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer. Any responses should be emailed to the Contracting Officer, Patrice Bond at Patrice.Bond@va.gov. Facsimile responses will not be accepted.
Interested parties are reminded to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov to be eligible to do business with the Government. If a vendor is wishing to receive Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) credit, it must be certified by SBA and listed on the VetCert website at https://search.certifications.sba.gov/. -END-

View original listing