SOW_-_Ravens_Exercise_EOD_Support_Specialist.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND

EXPLOSIVES

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EXPLOSIVES TRAINING AND RESEARCH

EXERCISE EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) SUPPORT SPECIALIST

STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 OVERVIEW

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) is issuing this Statement of Work (SOW) for numerous Exercise Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Support Specialists, with the intent to issue multiple Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with fixed daily rates to support the Raven’s Challenge Exercise. ATF is not obligated to provide Exercise EOD Support Specialist to support a specific site. The selection of Exercise EOD Support Specialist under the BPA is within ATF’s discretion and authority, and is not subject to protest or dispute procedures. Under this agreement, ATF may use the negotiated rates to apply to actual instructional time or for time spent developing content for new or updated training.

In support of ATF’s Strategic Plan and mission objectives, NCETR is dedicated to supporting ATF Personnel, enforcement, military and industry partners through the dissemination of ATF’s unique knowledge and expertise to prevent terrorism, reduce violent crime, and protect the public. NCETR’s training mission is to:

1. Assess, design, deliver and evaluate innovative training programs.

2. Facilitate a creative learning environment that fosters continuous learner development, and

3. Create an adaptable workforce capable of meeting current and future mission requirements.

Specifically, NCETR is charged, via funding from DA G-38, with providing an interoperability exercise where we facilitate the ability for Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel and Public Safety Bomb Squad (PSBS) personnel to operate together in realistic exercise scenarios fostering an exchange of tools, techniques and procedures between the two related, but different, disciplines.

2.0 SCOPE

NCETR, through funding provided by Department of the Army (DA) G-38, conducts a Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Public Safety Bomb Squad (PSBS) interoperability exercise at multiple sites throughout the country. The NCETR Raven’s Challenge Program Manager must maintain a support staff capable of operating the exercise and conducting all EOD related duties during the execution of the exercise. EOD support specialist will be needed to assist in monitoring and guiding explosives operations and actions during the Exercise for safety of all participants and staff and for use in Hot Wash and After Action Reviews, as well as facilitating the latest technology threats in the IED arena. Additionally, they need to be able to support other interests at the exercise such as providing explosives control, intelligence generation and logistical support to assist in site development and execution.

1. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must possess technical proficiency in supporting law enforcement operations/exercises with downrange support of explosive operations and creating the scenarios and documenting the results.

b. Must be capable of training the Observer/Controllers (OC) in the application of intelligence, explosive operations, and post blast scene investigation.

c. Must have extensive experience in handling explosives and operational safety associated with explosive operations and crime scenes.

d. Must have extensive experience conducting EOD or IED mitigation operations.

e. Must have experience in Post Blast training and investigations.

f. Must have participated in a Raven’s Challenge either as support or as an OC

g. Must have graduated from the Hazardous Devices School or Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

h. Must be physically able to lift heavy equipment and operate in remote areas in travel status for up to 15-30 days.

i. Must have knowledge of Home Made Explosives.

j. Must have experience in developing intelligence for use in exercise scenarios.

k. Contract Exercise EOD Support Specialists who have past experience working on Raven’s Challenge Exercises will be given special consideration.

l. Must have experience as an ATF Explosive Enforcement Officer completing Destructive Device Statements or equivalent.

3.0 ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

The following are assumptions and constraints underlying this task, which should be considered in developing a technical solution:

1. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must be able to travel to the Exercise site dictated by the Exercise agreement. This may involve travel domestically or internationally depending on the program.

b. Must have a flexible work schedule that meets the needs of the Exercise being provided.

c. Must be willing to volunteer for random drug testing.

d. Must have access to the internet and maintain a working email address for access to required on-line applications and to receive contractor notifications and announcements.

2. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must be able to demonstrate professional behavior and technical operations expertise that meets ATF and the National

Center for Explosives Training and Research standards.

3. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must come prepared to provide exercise support, which includes being intimately familiar with the needs of documenting exercise operations; the electronic surveillance equipment utilized and its impact on the safety instructions where applicable, and evaluation requirements. They must be able to provide unique solutions to facilitate the Exercise requirement to use technology in providing safety for all Exercise participants and staff as well as documenting activities for Hot Wash and After Action review.

4. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must meet ATF evaluation requirements for explosive operations expertise while providing exercise support. ATF staff will regularly evaluate Contract Exercise EOD Support Specialist technical skills, adherence to provided exercise objectives, and adherence to any safety requirements.

5. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must report to the exercise manager as required by the reporting instructions.

6. Exercise Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Support Specialist:

a. Must follow security protocols for handling and securing exercise sensitive documents and access to ATF facilities.

Facility security requirements may be site specific.

7. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must follow ATF safety directives in regards to the conduct of the exercise as well as any site-specific requirements. ATF policies that may affect the conduct of training are as follows:

1. ATF O 3320.7 - Explosives Programs and Operations

2. ATF O 1630.1 - ATF Hazardous Exposure and Protection Program

8. Exercise EOD Support Specialist:

a. Must meet and adhere to current and future NCETR Standard Operating Procedures.

9. ATF will provide exercise guidelines and requirements for all Raven’s Challenge sites and any Exercise Explosive Ordnance

Disposal (EOD) Support Specialist deviation must be agreed upon in advance and in writing.

10. When applicable, Exercise EOD Support Specialist may be asked to provide input into updates and revisions to exercise operations.

11. Exercise EOD Support Specialist travel and per diem will be in accordance with Federal Government Travel Regulations.

12. NCETR program managers may expand on the listed minimum experience, education, and training requirements.

13. In order to continue to meet ATF requirements for currency of certifications and continuing education, Exercise EOD Support

Specialist must submit evidence of additional training every two (2) years from date of award. Work performed as a Exercise EOD Support Specialist cannot be utilized to meet this requirement.

14. Exercise will occur at ATF provided facilities. ATF will provide Exercise materials and equipment unless specified otherwise in the Exercise assignment.

15. Exercise EOD Support Specialist are expected to maintain an email address in order to receive information pursuant to their agreements. Exercise EOD Support Specialist are to ensure that ATF is informed when email addresses change.

16. Agreements are awarded for the services of a specific individual whose qualifications have been vetted with ATF. Substitutions are not permitted.

3.1 Copyright clause

Exercise EOD Support Specialist may not utilize any materials or information provided by ATF (unless publicly available) including regulations, policies, directives, correspondence, standard operating procedures (SOPs), photographs or videos, or any classified, law enforcement sensitive, or confidential information for the purposes of any other production, contract or project. Any lesson plans, curriculum, agenda, photographs, videos or materials prepared by the Exercise EOD Support Specialist for ATF under this contract shall be deemed ATF proprietary data and as such is the sole property of the United States Government. The Exercise EOD Support Specialist may not copyright, resell, share, present, or transmit any materials or information provided to the Exercise EOD Support Specialist by ATF without the prior written permission of ATF.

3.2 Expert Witness/Industry Consultant Clause

The Exercise Support Specialist is prohibited from contracting to testify against ATF or any Federal governmental entity while contracted to provide goods or services to ATF under this or any other Department of Justice contract. Further, the Exercise Support Specialist agrees that he/she is prohibited from testifying as an expert or contractual witness against ATF or any governmental entity on any matter that requires the Exercise EOD Support Specialist to rely upon or reference any lesson plans, curricula, or courses prepared by the Exercise EOD Support Specialist pursuant to this contract, or upon any materials or information provided to contractor by ATF, that is not otherwise publicly available. The Exercise EOD Support Specialist may not share or transmit to his or her agents, employee(s), employer(s) any of the aforementioned materials, information, lesson plans, curricula or courses for the purpose of testimony as an expert or contractual witness in any proceeding; administrative, civil or criminal.

Exercise EOD Support Specialists generally are not prohibited from acting as consultants for industry Federal firearms licensees (FFLs), or Federal explosives licensees or permittees (FELs), lobbying groups, associations, or any private entity to assist with improving compliance with Federal laws and regulations. However, the Exercise Support Specialist is prohibited from serving as a consultant or advisor, to industry FFLs, FELs, lobbying groups, associations, or any private entity on any matter related to any ATF adverse actions, to include administrative hearings, warning conferences, or revocation hearings while contracted to provide goods or services to ATF under this or any other Department of Justice contract.

3.3 Professional Insurance Coverage

Exercise EOD Support Specialist are responsible for acquiring and maintaining their own professional insurance for all work provided in relation to this agreement. In the event of injuries as a result of participation in Exercise, demonstrations, or other work provided under this agreement, Exercise EOD Support Specialists are not compensated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the U.S. Department of Justice through worker’s compensation, employee insurance, automobile insurance, rental insurance, travel insurance, or any other similar mechanism. Further, any damage to any equipment or materials used or owned by the Exercise EOD Support Specialist employed in work conducted under this agreement is the responsibility of the Exercise Support Specialists. As the burden of responsibility regarding insurance coverage solely belongs to the Exercise Support Specialists, the Bureau does not require proof of insurance for this agreement.

3.4 Background Investigation

Exercise EOD Support Specialist are not required to have a background investigation.

3.5 EXERCISE EOD SUPPORT SPECIALIST Qualifications

Attachment 1 details the recommended core Exercise EOD Support Specialist qualifications required to support ATF and provides a detailed description of Exercise EOD Support Specialist qualifications by knowledge area. Generally, there are a limited number of Exercise EOD Support Specialists required for each NCETR program, and the topics usually require specific and advanced knowledge, training, experience, and education in a variety of topics related to ATF’s explosives enforcement and training mission.

3.6 Quality Control

The Exercise EOD Support Specialist will describe his/her plan to provide evidence of continuing education in the area of subject matter expertise and/or technical operations knowledge area and certifications. This will be incorporated into the resulting award.

3.7 Ordering and Invoicing Requirements

Ordering

ATF Exercise managers will contact successful contractors to determine availability of potential Exercise EOD Support Specialists for identified Exercise needs. Typically, ATF provides Exercise EOD Support Specialist lead times of sixty (60) days. However, when backfilling Exercise EOD Support Specialists or some other emergency Exercise requirement, ATF may make Exercise EOD Support Specialist availability requests with much shorter lead times.

For routine requests, ATF will allow the Exercise EOD Support Specialist up to two (2) days from the time of request to respond affirmatively, before seeking a Exercise EOD Support Specialist from another source. For non-routine requests, the ATF Training Manager will determine the amount of available response time allowed on a case-by-case basis and provide this information to the contractor at the time of the request. No Exercise EOD Support Specialist will have recourse against ATF when situations dictate Contract Exercise EOD Support Specialist scheduling outside of the standard time frames for placing Exercise EOD Support Specialist calls.

Invoicing

Complete invoicing instructions will be included in the terms and conditions of the Blanket Purchase Agreement. However, ATF expects Exercise EOD Support Specialists to invoice upon completing the assigned course.

4.0 PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

ATF’s objective is to provide a sufficient number of Exercise EOD Support Specialist to ensure prompt and effective training. Therefore, ATF will have recurring open submission periods to receive and evaluate proposals for additional Exercise EOD Support Specialists. The following schedule depicts the current and anticipated solicitation, submissions and evaluation timeframes:

Proposal Submission Times:

BPA Year 1 May 1 2019 through April 30, 2020

BPA Year 2 May 1 2020 through April 30, 2021

BPA Year 3 May 1 2021 through April 30, 2022

BPA Year 4 May 1 2022 through April 30, 2023

BPA Year 5 May 1 2022 through April 30, 2024

Proposals or requests for a BPA that are received by ATF outside the above-listed formal solicitation periods cannot be retained and considered, unless otherwise noted in the solicitation announcement.

Note: Proposals are to be sent via email to Mr. Brian Wilkins, Contracting Officer to Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov. All submissions must be received by 3:00 PM (EST) April 17, 2019 on the closing date for the proposed submission time. Submissions received after that time or by FAX or mail will not be accepted.

Questions of a contractual nature and technical nature should be addressed to Mr. Brian Wilkins, Contracting Officer to Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov, 202-648-9120.

Offers should include a cover page with the RFP Title, BATF Solicitation Number, and the statement “Individual Exercise Support Specialist Submission.” The offeror should state on the first page of his/her proposal that he/she accepts the terms and conditions of the solicitation and this Statement of Work. The offeror must also state that it is fully expected that he/she will successfully meet and fulfill the performance and regulatory Assumptions and Constraints detailed in Section 3.0.

Instruction: Offerors shall enter the daily rates for the specialty areas and BPA years which are being offered.

CLIN

SPECIALITY

AREA – Exercise EOD Support Specialists

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Full Day Rate

Half Day Rate

Full Day Rate

Half Day Rate

Full Day Rate

Half Day Rate

Full Day Rate

Half Day Rate

Full Day Rate

Half Day Rate

Price —the contractor shall propose a fixed daily rate and a fixed ½ day rate (less than 4 hours) for each Exercise EOD Support Specialist category for which he/she is qualified and intends to provide service. All proposed rates should include all anticipated charges, except travel and per diem that is allowable under Federal Travel Regulations (local travel in not reimbursable). Exercise EOD Support Specialists will bill actual time scheduled/worked during training sessions, and associated travel, lodging, and per diem costs. Travel time, course development and preparation time will not be charged separately and must be incorporated into the daily fees if the Exercise EOD Support Specialist wishes to be compensated for the time.

mailto:Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov mailto:Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov

(a) If the contractor’s price is bound by any special conditions, these conditions must be stated in the Price Proposal.

(b) Prices —the contractor shall propose fixed daily rates and 1/2 day rates by CLIN and BPA in the matrix contained in this Section.

1/2 day is considered 4 hours of instruction or less.

5.0 BACKGROUND

The information in this section is provided for the contractor to reference in preparing their proposal.

There is no formal standard on lead times for Exercise EOD Support Specialist selection, but ATF does provide reporting instructions to all participants; Observer/Controllers and Staff typically 30 to 45 days prior to an exercise, so actual Exercise EOD Support Specialist selection/notification should take place no less than 60 days prior to a class. However, in the event of a need to backfill ATF Exercise EOD Support Specialist who have cancelled or are otherwise unavailable, ATF sometimes provides only 1-2 weeks advance notice.

Attachment 1

Recommended Core EXERCISE EOD SUPPORT SPECIALIST Requirements:

Unless otherwise noted in the course specific Exercise EOD Support Specialist requirements, ALL EXERCISE EOD SUPPORT SPECIALIST are recommended to meet the following experience, education, training and certification requirements unless noted otherwise:

Experience & Education Requirements Training & Certification

1. Has at least of ten years subject matter related work experience. law enforcement and military with a major portion of this experience in the explosives and investigative operations arena.

2. Has at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

or Has a high school education with a diploma or a GED equivalency certificate and an additional 5 years of general law enforcement/IOI/military/or field related experience (for a total of 15 years of experience) may be substituted for a Bachelor’s Degree.

1. Must be a graduate of the Hazardous Devices School – Basic Course or graduated from Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

2. Can provide verifying documentation upon request (e.g., certificate of successful completion or attendance) to show that the EXERCISE EOD SUPPORT SPECIALIST is maintaining subject matter currency through recent continuing education and training activities in the subject matter being taught. Subject matter currency may also be validated through the publication of subject matter related articles and research in nationally recognized professional journals or trade magazines.

3. Must be experienced with working around live explosives and be fully knowledgeable of downrange explosive operations and safety.

4. Must have experience evaluating complex improvised explosive devices and testifying as to the functioning of these devices in a Court of Law.

Recommended Minimum EXERCISE EOD SUPPORT SPECIALIST Requirements by Specific Knowledge Area:

EXERCISE EOD

SUPPORT

SPECIALIST Title

Description Experience & Education Training & Certification Requirements

Exercise Support Specialists (applies to CLIN 1000)

Exercise EOD Support Specialist with law enforcement explosives/explosion investigation, combined with technical operation skills that are considered part of a mission critical specialty program that may have unique experience, education, and training requirements that support ATF’s explosives enforcement mission. Topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Exercise EOD Support Specialist must possess technical proficiency in supporting law enforcement operations/exercises with capturing and documenting exercise actions.

2. The Exercise EOD Support Specialist must be able to select; install;

maintain and troubleshoot/repair technical equipment used to support the Exercise.

3. The Exercise EOD Support Specialist must be able to support live fire explosive operations, and provide a vast working knowledge of explosives defeat operations.

4. The Exercise EOD Support Specialist must be able to organize and lead a team comprised of evaluators and operators from multiple personnel

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Experience:

1. Exercise EOD Support Specialist must have a minimum of 10 years of subject matter related work experience.

2. Past experience working on Raven’s Challenge Exercises will be given special consideration.

1. Successfully completed the Hazardous Device School or NAVAL EOD School or been a Certified Explosive Specialist or Certified Fire Investigator for 10 years.

2. Can provide verifying documentation upon request (e.g., certificate of successful completion or attendance) to show that the Contract Exercise EOD Support Specialist is maintaining subject matter currency through recent continuing education and training activities in the subject matter being taught. Subject matter currency may also be validated through the publication of subject matter related articles and research in nationally recognized professional journals or trade magazines.

3. Has successfully completed a minimum of 240 hours training in a subject area related to that being supported that has been documented and can be verified upon request.

EXERCISE EOD

SUPPORT

SPECIALIST Title

Description Experience & Education Training & Certification Requirements from Federal Agencies; Military and local law enforcement.

5. Exercise EOD Support Specialist must be capable of training the Observer/Controllers in the proper use of technical equipment to support the Exercise, therefore, they must be experienced law enforcement instructors.

6. A strong background in ATF Communications, including, operation of the various ATF Mobile Command Vehicles.

ATTACHMENT 2

Relevant Past Performance Questionnaire

Reference Contract/Project No.: _________________________________________

Contract Type:

Contract Start Date:

Completion Date:

Brief Contract Description (size and scope):

Contact Information: Name/Title:

Phone Number:

Email:

Contract Value: