Sources_Sought_19FS1A19SS0500.pdf

19FS1A19SS0500

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 Page | 1

United States Department of State

Foreign Service Institute Office of the Executive Director

Sources Sought Notice – FACT Role Player Package Requirement

INTRODUCTION:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, NO SOLICITATION EXISTS

AT THIS TIME. The United States Government will not pay for information submitted in response to this notice nor will information submitted in response to this notice be returned.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Foreign Service Institute, Office of the Executive Director, is conducting a market survey to determine the availability and technical capability of qualified small businesses, including small business set-asides, small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 8(a) small businesses, woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), veteran owned small businesses (VOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses capable of assisting the Government with the development of a Simulation Exercise Development support services.

This sources sought notice is for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a future contract. Respondents will not be paid or reimbursed for any information provided to the Government in response to this notice.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

FSI is seeking a contractor to provide FACT Role Player packages, see Performance Work Statement

(PWS).

All small business firms that respond are to identify firm size and type of business to the anticipated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) with a size standard of $11.0 million.

REQUIREMENTS:

Interested firms are requested to submit a capability statement, limited to no more than thirty pages using Times New Roman size 12 font with 1 inch top, bottom and side margins. All capability statements must be specifically tailored to address the information identified in this notice. Generic corporate marketing information will not be considered responsive to this notice and will not be included in the market research assessment.

Submission instructions are provided below. The capability statement shall include the following:

1. Provide company name, address, telephone number, point of contact (including email address), company size and DUNS number.

2. Provide company institution or organization affiliation.

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3. Provide a list of all Professional Federal Supply Schedule contracts and Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) held by the firm. The list should include at minimum the contract number and type of schedule or GWAC.

4. Provide the company’s approach and capabilities in response to the requirement as set forth in the Draft PWS.

5. The Government requests that all aspects of the draft PWS be addressed. For areas your firm does not have expertise, you will need to provide how these areas will be successfully performed under the contract.

6. Provide any questions or feedback on elements of the Draft PWS that are unclear. This feedback should be designed to assist the Government in improving and clarifying the statement as it is currently written.

7. Provide the notional price estimates for this requirement.

The capability statement shall not include the following:

1. Formal proposals or offers; nor

2. Questions or comments not related to this notice.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Only electronic copies of capability statements will be accepted. Responses shall be sent directly to:

GreeneDL@state.gov. Include “19FS1A19SS0500” in the email subject line. Responses to this notice are due by Friday, November 30, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. All questions pertaining to this notice are due by Friday, November 9, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR A FORMAL PROPOSAL OR A

PRESOLICITATION NOTICE. THERE IS NO SOLICIATION AT THIS TIME. Submission of any information in response to the market research is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any cost incurred. This announcement is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or award to contract.

PATH FORWARD:

Capability statements submitted by interested firms will be used as part of market research by DOS representatives to assist in planning possible future technical requirements and developing possible acquisition alternatives, should this announcement lead to an actual procurement. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

DOS representatives may contact respondents for additional information, may conduct follow-up Industry Day Conferences, may hold one-on-one meetings with organization representatives, or may issue other notices as part of continued market research to improve our understanding of industry capabilities in relation to satisfying our possible future requirements.

mailto:GreeneDL@state.gov

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Contracting Office Address:

United States Department of State Foreign Service Institute Office of Acquisitions 4000 Arlington Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22204

Primary Point of Contact:

GreeneDL@state.gov

Attachment:

Attachment A Draft PWS mailto:GreeneDL@state.gov

PERFORMNACE WORK STATEMENT

For FACT Role Player Packages

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

School of Professional and Area Studies Political Training Division

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) has a requirement to Support a role playing exercise for Day Five of Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Training. The Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) provides training and professional development to civilian personnel of the Department of State and the foreign affairs community. The Political Training (POL) Division of the School of Professional and Area Studies (SPAS) at FSI prepares members of the foreign affairs community to serve safely and effectively in political and political/economic sections of U.S.

missions overseas and in policy oriented positions in Washington. POL’s FACT Course Coordinator ensures close coordination between the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) in developing the FACT course curriculum and execution of the FACT final training exercise.

1.2 FSI and DS have collaboratively developed security- and scenario-based training exercises to be held on the final day of the weeklong Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) course. This day-long series of exercises is the practical application of essential information, skills, and experiences learned during the week-long course so that students may achieve optimum security while advancing the foreign policy objectives of the United States overseas.

The exercise is offered at the DS Interim Training Facility (ITF) in Summit Point, West Virginia, and is expected to transfer to the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) at Fort Pickett, Virginia during 2019.

1.3 To achieve core foreign policy and national security goals, the USG provides its personnel with the knowledge and skills to better prepare them for living and working overseas. The course provides its participants with the practical skills necessary to recognize, avoid, and respond to potential threats against USG personnel and USG interests.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

2.0 General Scope

2.1 Learning objectives. In accordance with the scenarios supplied to the Contractor by FSI, the Contractor must ensure that skilled role players and facilitators are available and familiar with the scenarios provided by FSI in advance of their participation in the training exercises. The skilled role players and facilitators will play an important role in helping to ensure that participants meet the learning objectives for day five of the FACT course, with particular emphasis on the learning objectives relating to leadership, cultural awareness, resiliency and team-building. The learning objectives for students in the scenario-based training exercises and follow-on discussion are as follows:

Day Five Scenario Objectives (both DS and FSI objectives):

• Apply appropriate planning to carry out official duties in a safe, secure and effective manner in complex and shifting environments.

• Assess more consciously how to balance mission and risk.

• Understand how good diplomacy promotes good security.

• Demonstrate leadership and teamwork in stressful and/or dangerous contexts with and without the presence of Diplomatic Security (DS) personnel, and collaborate effectively with DS personnel when required.

• Respond to safety and security challenges and apply skills such as medical triage and react to contact.

• Recognize and demonstrate individual, group, and organizational security awareness.

• Communicate with an Operations Center.

2.2 Student body size. The FACT course student body varies in size from 108 to 216 students per week, organized in four to eight groups ranging from 20 to 27 students per group. During the summer months, the courses may be larger while during the winter months the courses may be smaller in size.

The contractor should be prepared and able to support additional groups

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute beyond the current capacity, or support a reduced student size should the requirement change.

2.3 Requirements. Each class will include scenarios at the DS Interim Training Facility (ITF) in West Virginia or the FASTC facility in Virginia. The materials required to support each scenario will be provided to the contractor by FSI.

2.4 Schedule. FSI and DS will offer the FACT course at least 42 weeks per year at the ITF in Summit Point, West Virginia or the FASTC at Fort Pickett, Virginia with the requirement for role players and facilitators for the final day of the five-day, Monday-Friday course. The number of groups per class may vary depending on student throughput. The exercises will make up one day of training. The exercise normally is conducted twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. On occasion, additional sessions during the day are required. The period of performance for this contract shall be one year, with an option to extend four additional years.

2.5 Course resources. The Contractor shall coordinate the delivery of, and/or provide, the required role players and facilitators to conduct a successful training program, including orientation and training of role players and facilitators.

3.0 Training Program Assessments

3.1 FSI conducts regular after action reviews and evaluations and will share feedback with the Contractor to ensure the quality of the role players and facilitators remains consistent.

4.0 Deliverables

4.1 The contractor will provide one of three role player packages depending on the size of the student body. FSI will provide one week (five business days, i.e. the OOB Friday the week before the subject FTX) notice as to which package will be required.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

4.2 Course Offering Four Student Group Rate. As further detailed in paragraph 10.2, the contractor shall provide eight skilled role players; two facilitators/instructors; and one program manager for Four Student Group course offering as part of a session rate that supports at least two interactive training scenarios. FSI will direct the contractor on the setting for the scenario and the individual roles.

4.3 Course Offering Six Student Group Rate. As further detailed in paragraph 10.2, the contractor shall provide twelve skilled role players; three facilitators/instructors; and one program manager for Six Student Group course offering as part of a session rate that supports at least two interactive training scenarios.

4.4 Course Offering Eight Student Group Rate. As further detailed in paragraph 10.2, the contractor shall provide sixteen skilled role players; four facilitators/instructors; and one program manager for Eight Student Group course offering as part of a session rate that supports at least two interactive training scenarios.

4.5 As part of all rates, the Contractor shall provide life support for role players, facilitators and the project manager. They are required to arrive the night before training begins. Life support shall include meals, lodging, and transportation. Travel is in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation.

The Contractor must provide all transportation for role players, facilitators and project manager, including between training facilities and lodging facilities as required. The normal training day is from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may run from 6:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the busier summer months.

4.6 Additional personnel. The Contractor shall also be prepared to provide additional fully trained skilled role players and facilitators as requested.

These personnel will not be part of the session rate; instead, the contractor shall provide a fully loaded rate for each additional skilled role player and/or facilitator.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

5.0 Intellectual Property

5.1 The Contractor will adhere to professional copyright guidelines and restrictions, and follow U.S. Government and Foreign Service Institute procedures regarding copyright with respect to resources developed and used. The Contractor shall not be required, as a condition of the award of a contract or task order, to sell or otherwise relinquish to the United States any rights in technical data or intellectual property rights. The usual rule still applies; materials developed on USG time belong to the USG.

6.0 Place of Performance

6.1 The Contractor shall perform tasks under this contract at the ITF in Summit Point, West Virginia or at the FASTC, Fort Pickett, Virginia. The Contractor will be working with students from multiple agencies over the course of the exercise and will take direction from FSI. The Contractor and/or role players/facilitators may also be required to attend meetings or training at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia.

6.2 Period of performance shall be a base ordering period on or about August 11, 2019 to August 14, 2019. Expected dates for the FACT Role Players exercise will be determined.

7.0 Government Furnished Equipment and Support

7.1 The Government will facilitate the Contractor’s access to ITF in Summit Point, WV; FASTC Fort Pickett and the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, VA. Telephone service for official use only will be provided to the Contractor; all other telephone calls shall be made at the Contractor's expense. The Contractor shall not use Government-furnished material to work on projects other than those directed by this contract. Government furnished equipment provided to the Contractor in

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute support of developing and delivering this training program shall be returned to the Government in good operating order, with fair wear and tear expected.

8.0 Hazardous Material Information

8.1 Simulations, pyrotechnics, and blank ammunition will be used in the course of the program by the DS participants and DS trainers or subcontractors. In the unlikely event the Contractor may be required to handle pyrotechnics and other hazardous materials associated with simulations in the conduct of the program, the Government will provide appropriate training, protective equipment, and safety instructions to the Contractor as required to safely and diligently perform under this contract.

9.0 Security

9.1 The Contractor shall maintain at all times the confidentiality of proprietary information pertaining to other Contractors, service providers or Contractor firms with whom its employees come into contact during the course of their performance of work pertaining to this contract or as the result of working in proximity to such information. All Contractor employees will be required to maintain the security and confidentiality of all information that directly or indirectly comes into their possession or attention on a strict operational need-to-know basis.

9.2 The Security Level shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

10.0 Contractor Requirements

10.1 The Contractor is required to have:

• Experience in the coordination and management of preparations of role players to support a one day training program or course.

• Experience working with one or more of the Foreign Affairs agencies, preferably the Department of State, but could include USAID, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Department of Commerce’s

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), the intelligence agencies; or the international development community, including overseas experience.

• Demonstrated experience implementing sound financial and management controls.

10.2 Key personnel and materials. The Contractor’s key personnel shall include: program manager, facilitators, and role players, as requested by FSI, i.e.:

10.2.1 Program Manager. Program Manager must have four years related experience in program management in support of the federal government, preferably in training situations. Foreign affairs agency or national security experience preferred. The Program Manager will be responsible for assigning specific roles to facilitators and skilled role players.

10.2.2 Facilitator. Facilitator must provide mentorship to students based on previous and recent experience carrying out diplomatic work at a U.S.

diplomatic mission overseas, preferably one with significant DS personnel.

Preference to individuals who have served at the Senior Foreign Service level in positions such as Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Chargé d’Affaires, or Principal Officer. Facilitator must also have a proven record of accomplishment in experiential, scenario-based adult training facilitation.

10.2.3 Skilled Role Player. Role player must be able to provide role-play based on the narrative outlined in the exercise and possess background and/or experience living and working in the designated region. Preference to individuals with foreign government, international NGO or international organization experience. Contractor is responsible for vetting all role players, including criminal and security background checks. Contractor is responsible for ensuring that role players are dressed appropriately to reflect the designated scenario. All skilled role players must be proficient in English.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Foreign Service Institute

10.3 Contractor must be able to perform and coordinate with all USG government agencies and multiple and varied Contractors, and do so with proper sensitivities to diverse cultures.

11.0 Identification of Contractor Employees

11.1 Contractor personnel shall have a Contractor-provided identification (ID) badge. The ID badge shall be made on nonmetallic material, easily readable, and include the employee's name, the Contractor's name, and the program title. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor that all personnel are capable of receiving the appropriate identification documents and security clearances as required, for access to required areas at their respective sites.

All personnel must possess U.S. government issued identification, such as a driver's license.

11.2 Contractor personnel shall wear the ID badge at all times when performing work under this contract, to include attending Government meetings and conferences. Unless otherwise specified in the contract, each Contractor employee shall wear the ID badge in a conspicuous place on the front of exterior clothing and above the waist, except when safety or health reasons prohibit such placement.

12.0 The government will have the RIGHT of FIRST REFUSAL over any proposed sub-Contractors as well as for any program managers, facilitators, and role players.