SOLICITATION FOR SERVICES

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) COUNSELOR/MEDIATOR

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is soliciting individuals with the right experience and qualifications who are interested in performing federal-sector EEO counseling and mediation services as described in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations and Management Directive 110, Federal Sector EEO Complaint Processing Manual.  "Counselor" contacts the individual who raises an employment discrimination claim and the individual(s) alleged to be responsible for the discrimination to obtain information about the allegation, advises the individuals of their rights and obligations, and facilitates settlement efforts.  Counselors will be required to gather documentation concerning the claim and prepare and submit standardized reports concerning their efforts.  "Mediator" schedules a mediation session between the individual who raises an employment discrimination claim and the individual(s) alleged to be responsible for the discrimination and conducts a mediation session to assist the opposing parties in reaching a voluntary, negotiated resolution of a charge of discrimination.  Those selected will possess both counseling and mediation skills and experience, and will be asked to perform both functions in a single case.

The individuals who are selected will be home-based independent contractors who will enter into Ordering Agreements with the Postal Service which, together with a Statement of Work, will define the terms under which counseling/mediation services will be provided.  Cases will be assigned through individual Task Orders issued under the authority of the Ordering Agreement on a "fee-for-service" basis.  The Ordering Agreement is not a guarantee of work or any specific number of cases.  The fee for a single counseling/mediation will be $700.00.  The individuals selected to perform counseling/mediation services must have:

A computer with Windows 98 or higher operating system with at least 512MB.

Microsoft Word and Excel 97 (or higher), Adobe Reader, and WinZip software.

A facsimile machine.

A document scanner (Adobe PDF software).

Internet access using DSL or broadband service and an email account.

Long distance telephone service.

Anti-Virus protection for the computer system.

Suppliers must have:

• Knowledge of the statutes, regulations, case precedent, and administrative procedures which apply to federal-sector EEO complaints and complaint processing.
• The ability to conduct EEO counseling to include communicating orally and in writing to provide information and guidance to employees and managers on issues related to EEO complaint processing procedures, determine claim(s) and basis(es) raised, and seek a mutual resolution of the dispute. 
• The ability to act as a neutral third party to facilitate a mediation session to include allowing the parties the opportunity to discuss issues raised, clarify mutual interests, find areas of agreement and incorporate those areas of agreement into sound written negotiated settlement agreements.    
• The ability to review and integrate into a cohesive file an informative written report on information obtained from individuals and relevant documentary evidence.
• The ability to complete assigned tasks within strict deadlines.
• The ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and WinZip applications and Adobe Reader software.

The preferred candidates will have a certificate of completion of EEO Counselor training and completion of mediation skills training conducted by the EEOC or an accredited source, and at least five years of actual experience conducting federal-sector EEO counseling and mediation.

Suppliers must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident alien status; successfully complete a background check and drug screening; able to obtain a sensitive security clearance.  In addition, the following are disqualifying factors:

• The Postal Service does not award contracts to (1) Postal Service employees; (2) members of their immediate family; or (3) business organizations substantially owned or controlled by Postal service employees or members of their immediate family.  NOTE:  A Postal Service employee is any USPS officer or employee working on a full-time or part-time basis in either a career or non-career position, including, but not limited to, persons in temporary positions such as Postmaster Reliefs or Rural Carrier Associates.  "Members of their immediate family" refers to the spouse of, minor child or children of, or other individual related by blood to an employee who resides in the same household as the employee.
• The Postal Service does not award contracts to suppliers who are listed as disbarred, suspended, or ineligible on (1) the U.S. Postal Service list maintained by the Vice President, Supply Chain Management or (2) the General Services Administration list, Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) which can be viewed at http://www.epls.gov.  Both lists can be viewed at http://usps.gov/purchase/infrastructure/debar.htm.

Interested parties should submit a resume not to exceed three pages which addresses in narrative form all of the qualifications and knowledge and ability requirements discussed above.  Resumes should be sent to: [email protected].  Resumes may also be mailed to:

NEEOISO - Contractor Applications

U.S. Postal Service

P. O. Box 21979

Tampa, FL 33622-1979