Becoming an Employment Network Emily Malsch Ticket to Work Program Specialist, CESSI

Choose Fulfillment. Choose Earnings.Choose Work.Choose Work.

Becoming an Employment Network

Emily MalschTicket to Work Program Specialist, CESSI


Where Can I Get the EN RFP?

Download the EN Request for Proposal (RFP):

http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html


What Do You Need to Complete the EN RFP?

1. Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Taxpayer ID # (TIN)

2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number

- Contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 or apply online at www.dnb.com

3. Register DUNS number on the Central Contractor Registration website- www.ccr.gov

4. Bank Account for Direct Deposit of EN payments

5. Completed Cover Letter & Security Clearance Forms- all EN employees must receive security clearance to work under this contract


Tips on Completing the EN RFP

• Download & complete the RFP on your computer- it’s in an MS Word format

• Do not mail your RFP! Send via:– Email: [email protected]; or– Fax: 1-410-597-0429

• The cover letter of RFP provides information on how to contact SSA


State EN Model

State Workforce Agency = EN of RecordCompletes the RFP; Maintains security, insurance and bank account requirements; submits IWP and payment requests to MAXIMUS.

One Stop Career Centers = EN Location sites

Works with beneficiaries to develop IWP and provides services. May work with local businesses to develop jobs. All payments go though EN of Record.

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Location Sites

EN Of Record

EN Of Record


Regional EN Model

Single entity with 1 EN location or multiple EN locations

- Single entity could be either a LWIB or One Stop Operator

- Completes the RFP; maintains security, insurance and bank account requirements; submits IWP and payment requests to MAXIMUS

- Works with beneficiaries to develop IWP and provides services.


Taking a Closer Look at the RFP

Part II- Statement of Work- Section , pgs 5-8

• Describes the general and specific EN requirements

• List items to submit as proof of EN qualifications

• Highlights entities precluded from becoming an EN


Exemptions

WIBs/LWIBs/One Stop Career Centers established under WIA are pre-qualified to become ENs and therefore exempt from submitting:

1. Proof of EN Qualifications

2. Proof of General Business or Professional Liability Insurance


How the Ticket Works Part II, Section 2, pg 8-9

EN & Beneficiary Connect; Ticket eligibility is

confirmed

EN & Beneficiary Connect; Ticket eligibility is

confirmed

EN & Beneficiary negotiate a Plan (IWP) and submit signed copy to OSM

EN & Beneficiary negotiate a Plan (IWP) and submit signed copy to OSM

IWP approved; Ticket officially assigned

IWP approved; Ticket officially assigned

Beneficiary Goes to Work

& EN Collects Evidence of Earnings

Beneficiary Goes to Work

& EN Collects Evidence of Earnings

EN Provides Services & Supports to Complete

Negotiated IWP

EN Provides Services & Supports to Complete

Negotiated IWP

EN Submits Payment

Request to Maximus & Gets

Paid

(30 days +/-)

EN Submits Payment

Request to Maximus & Gets

Paid

(30 days +/-)


Section 3: Individual Work Plan pg 9-12

• Mutual Agreement• Outlines services to be provided• Sharing of wage data• How to resolve disputes• Supports available• Timeline for submitting• Can use an equivalent plan already in use

IWP Tutorial Available: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2


Part II, Section 4- EN and VR pg 12-13

• EN Ticket referral process to State VR agencies

• Partnership Plus: New Model

• Steps to resolving agreement disputes between the EN and State VR Agency


Partnership Plus – Put Simply

• When a State VR Agency serves a consumer under CR and closes that case with the individual employed, an EN can accept the individual’s Ticket to provide follow-along services and begin collecting milestone/outcome payments in Phase 2.


Part II, Section 5 & 6 pg 13-15

EN Responsibilities:– Explanation of services– Protection and Advocacy information– Development of Individual Work Plan– Process for resolving disputes– Annual Progress Reviews

Protection of privacy and confidentiality of records– Security clearances for EN employees


Part II, Section 7 pg 15-16

EN Start Up and Ongoing Training• Provided by OSM, MAXIMUS • Orientation Training Call

– Between newly awarded EN, CESSI, & MAXIMUS

• Ticket Training Tuesdays Series; view schedule at http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training

• Ticket Toolkit: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/training_2


Part II, Section 8pg 16-18

Dispute Resolutions• Resolving Disputes between Beneficiaries and

ENs– IWP critical, once signed, standing agreement– OSM assistance– P&A

• Resolving Disputes between EN and OSM– May be referred to SSA if cannot be resolved


Part II, Section 9pg 18

EN Performance- SSA may perform special reviews of an EN’s payment

request patterns and payment history, as well as the job retention rates of beneficiaries served, to determine if the EN is effectively supporting beneficiaries in achieving and retaining self-supporting employment.

- Performance standards would relate to the EN's(1) responsiveness to beneficiaries

(2) progress in supporting beneficiaries in achieving and retaining self-supporting employment



Reporting Requirements• EN Responsibilities adhered to

- Documentation of Ticket assignments and terminations

– IWP signed, in file- Agreements submitted

• Annual Performance and Outcome Report– provides information on EN outcomes

• Contract Changes: http://www.yourtickettowork.com/selftraining/EN_Contract_Change_Form_102909.doc


TTW provides EN payments when a beneficiary attains the prescribed Milestones and

Outcomes (moving towards self-supporting employment), not for costs of services

rendered.

Two Payment Options- Milestone Outcome- Outcome (only)



Part II, Section 11E Requesting EN Payments, pg 23-25

An EN bills MAXIMUS as the beneficiaries they are serving attain designated Milestones and Outcomes as they move towards self-supporting

employment ENs have 3 options for submitting for payments• Evidentiary: Submit EN Payment Request Form and direct evidence of

earnings such as pay stubs or an employer-prepared and signed statement of earnings (payments made in 30 to 45 days)

• Certification: Submit EN Payment Request Form and secondary evidence of earnings (e.g., confirm contact with beneficiary or employer, information from the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), an Earnings Inquiry Request, or a Self-Employment income Form. EN must sign a repayment agreement)

• Auto Pay (Outcome payments only) Must submit Auto Pay Request Form and SSA uses their data systems and records to verify earnings (e.g., NDNH, disability status information, etc.). Can take 9 months or more to get paid. EN must sign a “blanket” repayment agreement.


Guide to EN Payments

For more EN payment process resources please visit:

http://www.yourtickettowork.com/payment_options


Part II, Section 12pg. 25-26

Understanding & Compliance- Signing of SF1449:

- Abide by all requirements & terms of contract

- Read/understands RFP- Comply with federal regulations- Agrees to cooperate with SSA, OSM- EN subcontractors meets all requirements in

Part II, Section 1 and 6


Part III Contract Clauses

• Reviews and explains EN contract terms and conditions

• Reviews liability insurance requirements (pg. 37)

• Explains the EN Security and Suitability Requirements (pg. 39)


Part III Contract Clauses, Section 5-Hpg. 39-45

Paragraph H: EN Security and Suitability Requirements

• 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 info


Security & Suitability Process

Accompanying the following forms must be a cover letter that provides: EN name, mailing address, EIN, and list of employees submitting the forms

Optional Form 306- Declaration for Federal Employment:• All employees working with beneficiaries - as well as Signatory

Authority- http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) If interested in Beneficiary Referral CD the CD Manager must complete

in addition to OF306:• Form FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Chart• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Authorization Form • Standard Form (SF) 85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions


Part IV EN Proposal Documentation Requirements, pg 62

EN Application Begins Here!

Form 1449 will be page 1 of your EN Proposal (pg 63-64)

• 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 pg 65-73

SECTION 2: EN INFORMATION SHEET

A. OFFEROR’S NAME (name of organization/entity submitting proposal):

B. NAME OF EMPLOYMENT NETWORK (if different from item A above):

C. EN’S EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN): must be issued in the name of the Offeror

D. EN’S DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER & CCR Registration: DUNS must be issued in the Offeror’s Name shown in Item A and this DUNS number must be registered on CCR.GOV


Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

• CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government

• CCR registration is federally mandated • CCR registration is a prerequisite before bidding

on a federal contract• Must maintain your CCR records annually


Section 2 continued

D. ADDRESS (no post office boxes): Offeror/EN address

F. MAILING ADDRESS (if different from above. May be post office box.)

G. LOCATION OF SERVICES: Verify where services are provided

H. EN DIRECTORY CONTACT INFORMATION: Beneficiary POC, to be listed on the EN Directory; do have the option of not appearing in directory

I. OTHER EN CONTACTS: If different contact (than listed in H) for other program/contract inquiries; POC for MAXIMUS; person listed in this section is authorized to make contract changes


Section 2 continued

J. SERVICE AREA: Please check one only. This will be listed in the online EN Directory and you may be contacted by beneficiaries living in the service area you designate.

[ ] National (serving all states and U.S. Territories)[ ] Multi-State (list all states you will serve using the 2-letter state abbreviation)[ ] Single State (list the state using the 2-letter state abbreviation)

K. CORPORATE STATUS (check all that apply)


Section 2 continued

L. TYPE OF ORGANIZATION

M. PREFERRED IMPAIRMENT GROUPS SERVED

N. SERVICES OFFERED

O. EN PAYMENT SYSTEM ELECTION: Reference Part II, Section 11of RFP

P. EN QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: Reference Part II, Section 1, of RFP

Q. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE: Reference Part II, Section 1 and Part III, Section 5

R. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY : the EN official authorized to request contract changes


Section 3: Addendum pg 74

• One Addendum for each additional service location

• Each location will be listed separately in the EN directory


Section 4: ACH Form

pg 76-77

• Electronic Transfer Form; required, allows for electronic payment of EN funds to EN business account

• EN name must be on the account • Complete only Payee/Company Information Box and the

Financial Institution Box• ACH Coordinator Name = name of person who signed the

form, which will be a bank representative• Depositor Account Title = name the account is in, the name

that appears on your checks

• Must be signed by the Bank


Section 5- Reps & Certs pg 78-94

• Last section to be completed!

• Complete only paragraph (b) if completed annual reps and certs online- http://orca.bpn.gov – If you plan to apply for future federal contracts,

complete ORCA, eliminates need to complete Reps & Certs for the future contract

• If not online, complete paragraphs (c), (d), (h) where applicable


Section 6: EN RFP Checklistpg 95

• For your use only, does not need to be submitted with your proposal

• List exactly what a complete EN RFP package contains

• Suggest taking this page out and placing it at the beginning


Need Help Completing the EN RFP?

• Contact Emily Malsch, CESSI’s Ticket to Work Program Specialist

Email: [email protected] Phone: (703) 448-6155, x203

• Additional help is available through SSA’s EN Contracts Team (ENCT)– Email: [email protected]– Phone: (866) 584-5180


Additional Resources


Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA)

SSA approved organizations that assist beneficiaries in making informed choices about work

• Trained to provide information about work and work incentives

• Can answer questions about how work will affect a beneficiary’s federal, state and local benefits

• Can help beneficiaries find resources and services to achieve their employment goals

WIPA services are free! Find the WIPA in your area at: www.socialsecurity.gov/work


Protection and Advocacy

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

• State Protection & Advocacy Systems receive funds from SSA to provide– Information, advocacy services & legal advice on

employment services and rights protection – Information and support during the job application

process, and following job placement


What Are WISE?

• Work Incentives Seminar Events (WISE) are hosted by local WIPA

• At a WISE beneficiaries are invited to – Learn about the Ticket program and other SSA work

incentives– Meet with community partners who can assist with

transition to work

• Great opportunity for ENs to meet Ticket Holders who are motivated to seek employment

• To learn when a WISE event is happening in your area, visit: www.chooseworkttw.net


Resource for beneficiaries

Work Incentive Information and Referral Center (WIIRC)

• Provide general benefits information• Provide work incentives information depending on

Ticket Holder entitlement• Refer Ticket Holders to WIPA if they are actively

seeking employment or already working

> (866) 968-7842, Option 3


Choosework.net

• Check out the Choose Work web site at: www.choosework.net

• First national broadcast hub for the Ticket Program, including: – Ticket Program basics– Informative video– Success stories– Online WISE– Local employment resources by region

Choose Work Web Site


Learn More!

• Listen to archived Ticket webinars at: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/m-cessi-webinars.cfm

• Listen to the archived Ticket teleconference series for the Workforce System at: http://cessi.net/ttw/EN/one_stops/onestop.asp#resources


Learn More About Partnership Plus

Check out the online Partnership Plus Toolkit at:

http://PartnershipPlus.cessi.net


And Finally!

For more information on the Ticket to Work program:

• SSA’s Work Site: www.socialsecurity.gov/work• The Choose Work site:

http://www.choosework.net• MAXIMUS’ Ticket to Work website:

www.yourtickettowork.com Or, call MAXIMUS at: 1-866-949-ENVR (3687)

Documents

Becoming an Employment Network Emily Malsch Ticket to Work Program Specialist, CESSI