Attachment 5 ATF ISD Vendor Proposal Briefing QAs.pdf

Questions Asked During Vendor Proposal Briefing

Is there a requirement that the federated offices must meet LMB’s standards?

Yes, for specific programs. Our directives ensure that the federated offices have to follow our standards for mission critical courses when they are being submitted for Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation. It will be mandatory for all training provided by the Office of Human Resources and Professional Development.

Who will be approving courses that the federated offices will be developing?

Our office, the Learning Management Branch (LMB), manages the FLETA accreditation process for all of ATF. Offices that want to achieve accreditation will submit their development documentation through LMB for review. LMB approves all basic training courses; e.g., Special Agent Basic Training and Industry Operations Investigator Basic Training. Otherwise, LMB works on a consultative basis to federated offices. The object is to provide federated offices with the tools they need to become self sufficient.

Do you get Congressional mandates for firearms training?

For firearms training, no. For other topics, such as ethics, government credit card, security, ethics, etc., there are mandates. We cannot control the topics or content for most of these.

If it’s mandatory training [externally required training through law or regulation], do you skip the assessment phase?

Not entirely. While we do not control much of the content, we still must identify the source of the requirement, the audience that must receive the training, the frequency of the training, and points of contact when the training is provided by other agencies.

Are we allowed to get copies of the spreadsheet to use for the training?

Yes. It will be posted on FedBizOpps.gov (https://www.fbo.gov/) along with this presentation and other documents related to this opportunity.

Does ATF write objectives during the analysis phase?

No, we include that in the design phase.

Do you specify higher level goals during the analysis phase?

Yes. We attempt to target learning objectives to the appropriate level of field performance.

Can we get a copy of a Training Specifications Report?

Yes, we will provide a sample of the cover report that accompanies a Training Specification Report.

So, basically, we’re training them how to develop Word and PowerPoint documents for training implementation?

No. They already have access and should know how to use Microsoft word and PowerPoint. If not, we have other training venues by which they can get the training. The ISD training should focus on different instructional methodologies that can be used to develop training.

Can we teach them how to use audio in PowerPoint?

See the above response. It may be taught if part of a segment on instructional techniques or how to make a training event interesting…but the purpose of the training is not to teach them how to use PowerPoint.

Do students have access to Audience Response Systems?

We’re in the process of buying one for pilot purposes. It can be mentioned as a system that can be used in training; however it should be noted that ATF does not have one that is widely available.

Do we want students to consider using webinars to deliver training?

We have Adobe Connect as our webinar software. So, students can be made aware of the system as a delivery option. However, ATF is very constrained about other the types of software and students will not be able to use other platforms.

What about YouTube?

While we have access to YouTube, we would have concerns about posting law enforcement sensitive content.

Do we need to mention 508 requirements?

Only in how it affects the use of electronic presentations and technology based delivery methods (that you have to describe all graphics and have audio of all text). Note: ATF brings translators in to interpret or make available other special equipment during in-person classes and events for those with special needs.

Delivery of training will be done by us [the contractor]?

Yes, you will be responsible for the delivery of the training.

Will we have access to SMEs?

Yes, LMB staff will be available to provide examples and answer questions but not to do the work.

Do you have a desire length for the courses?

Yes, each will be two days long.

How long is a day?

8:30 am to 4:00 pm

How many CEU credits do you want us to give?

You tell us in your proposal. At least one.

How many contact hours does FLETA require for each CEU?

FLETA is process-based and not based on contact hours.

What accrediting body do you want us to use—FLETA?

FLETA and CEU credits are two separate certifying organizations. Your company’s accrediting agency will suffice.

Will you be reviewing the materials periodically?

Yes, at least once, three weeks prior to delivery. However, ideally there should be regular intervals of review that are specified in your action plan.

Please explain “first iteration.”

The first iteration is the first course, Assessment and Analysis, and it needs to be ready to be delivered in three months from the date of contract award.

Are the travel rates Federal or State per diem rates?

Federal. You can find them on the GSA web site (http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21287).

Do you anticipate our having CEUs in place in three months when the first course is delivered—because that might be hard to do in just three months?

Address that in your proposal.

What do the students need as proof of attaining the CEU? Will a certificate be sufficient?

Yes, a certificate of completion indicating the CEUs earned will be sufficient.

Do you think there will be a third course on implementation and evaluation?

Possibly, or even on additional topics.

What is a typical student evaluation?

For Level II cognitive, multiple choice written tests. Also, ATF often uses practical exercises. However, we need these to be documented—particularly for graded practical exercises, we need to at least document critical and perhaps enabling tasks and whether the student did or did not perform the task or step. In some cases, written reports are generated. However, we have not established criteria by which to assess these.

Is the 24-students-per-class a minimum or maximum requirement?

That is the maximum number.

Are we expected to budget to provide materials to students?

Yes, student handouts and other classroom materials.

Do we need to provide AV support?

ATF will provide that in it Federal training facilities. Sometimes we get special requests to provide video cameras for training, but that probably won’t be the case for these courses.

You will need to provide your own flip charts and markers.

What is the length of the courses—is two days the minimum or maximum?

Two days is the maximum length for each course.

“The first award period”—is there an anticipated second award period?

If it is the case we need to offer these courses again during the next year, the contract allows for providing an extension of the agreement.

Is the training schedule locked down?

No, that will be a joint decision between the vendor and ATF. A suggested schedule should be included in your action plan.

Is the training to be completed in a year?

Ideally, all training needs to be provided by the end of July due to our budget cycle. We have to pay for all training travel by the end of July.

Is there an expected due date for the second course?

No, we will co-negotiate that.

When creating a JTA, will we be provided the job tasks?

The focus of the course should be on teaching individuals how to conduct a JTA. We have some sample tasks that have been analyzed that you can use as examples. Members of our target audience have not performed a job task analysis before. They don’t even know how to write a task or subtask or even what they are.

For the CEUs, do you have a preferred accrediting agency?

The Department of Education provides a list of accrediting bodies. You can choose one from that list. You can even do a Google search on that topic.