2.02 Attachment I - Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS) United States Naval Academy (USNA)

Midshipman Outdoor Leadership Expedition Course

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 Summer outdoor leadership education and training provides experiential educational opportunities for Midshipmen that complements classroom curricula studied through the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Division at USNA. The synergy created via traditional classroom study and outdoor experiential leadership expeditions augments the moral, mental, and physical development of Midshipmen in a holistic way, combining both academic theory and practical application in challenging, austere wilderness environments. Leadership development training consists of month-long leadership practical expeditions in these austere environments and includes such things as backpacking, glacier mountaineering, whitewater canoeing, sea kayaking, and training in various vast austere locations.

1.2 Lessons learned on wilderness expeditions will be immediate, lasting, and relevant to real-world military leadership. A successful expedition will reinforce and demonstrate practical application of the same skills that are taught and used at the USNA and later on in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: among them are goal setting, decision-making, leadership, and teamwork.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objective of this requirement is to obtain Contractor support to provide USNA Midshipmen with experiential leadership training outside of the academic classroom in austere wilderness environments.

3.0 SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide the personnel, management, materials, equipment and facilities necessary to conduct the Outdoor Leadership Expedition Course as described in this PWS.

4.0 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Curriculum Requirements: The Contractor shall provide custom training courses that will include safe lodging and/or sleeping quarters, necessary food and drink sustenance required to sustain a healthy life, and all equipment required to complete training for 60 Midshipmen each year of the contract during the time periods outlined in table of section 4.1.1 The training shall be provided during USNA’s training blocks as defined in this section.

4.1.1 Curriculum Structure: The Contractor shall integrate classroom and outdoor training.

The Summer training for Midshipmen is broken into three (3) blocks:

Block 1 27 May 2025 - 20 June 2025 Block 2 23 June 2025 - 18 July 2025 Block 3 21 July 2025 – 12 August 2025

A detailed list of the courses is provided in the below table broken down by course, training block needed and expected number of Midshipmen students.

Course Type Block Dates Number of MIDN Mountaineering Expedition 1 27 May 2025 – 20 June 2025 12

Backpacking Expedition 1 27 May 2025 – 20 June 2025 12 Mountaineering Expedition 2 23 June 2025 – 18 July 2025 12

Backpacking Expedition 2 23 June 2025 – 18 July 2025 12 Backpacking Expedition 3 21 July 2025 – 12 August 2025 12

Total 60

4.1.2 The Contractor shall conduct training in large outdoor wilderness areas in order to accommodate the mileage, terrain, obstacle, and altitude demands of a longer expedition.

4.1.3 The Contractor shall place Midshipmen in leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility, to develop competencies in the following areas:

4.1.3.1 Effective action in four leadership roles (designated leadership, self-leadership, active followership, and peer leadership) through progressive assumption of positions over the period of the course

4.1.3.2 Risk management skills including first aid and survival training, contingency planning, and decision-making.

4.1.3.3 Technical skills relevant to the environment, such as mountaineering and glacier travel skills, rope and ice ax handling, river crossing, and bear country camping requirements.

4.1.3.4 Leave No Trace minimum impact travel techniques.

4.1.4 The Contractor shall provide a daily debriefing to examine how the theories and skills of leadership are applied in the process of leading the team.

4.1.5 Curriculum Elements: The designed curriculum shall include the following elements:

4.1.5.1 Positive learning environment and group formation.

4.1.5.2 Leadership roles.

4.1.5.3 Leadership skills.

4.1.5.4 Proper expedition behavior.

4.1.5.5 Leadership teams and designated leader preparation.

4.1.5.6 Effective debriefing.

4.1.5.7 Feedback.

4.1.5.8 Communication (interpersonal gap, empathic communication, etc.).

4.1.5.9 Decision-making models.

4.1.5.10 Developing judgment.

4.1.5.11 Diagnosing group challenges.

4.1.5.12 Resiliency.

4.1.6 Curriculum Topics: The designed curriculum shall provide Midshipmen the opportunity to put classroom learning into practice in an austere environment. Additionally, a sample course schedule will be included as an attachment to the solicitation and resultant contract. In order to accomplish this goal, the Experiential Leadership Development (ELD) Outdoor Leadership curriculum shall cover the below leadership topics:

4.1.6.1 Influencing others - understanding yourself, your natural leadership style, and what virtues of character are essential to success on the trail/course, and ultimately, to service as a naval officer.

4.1.6.1.1 Includes discussion of personal conduct (i.e., expedition behavior on the trail/course), self-awareness, & accountability.

4.1.6.1.2 Taking care of others.

4.1.6.1.3 Influencing people.

4.1.6.1.4 Effective followership.

4.1.6.1.5 Effective communication: Critical thinking & active listening.

4.1.6.2 Becoming a leader of character and setting the example.

4.1.6.2.1 Building character through the habituation of virtuous traits.

4.1.6.2.2 Embodying the Stoics –Tolerance for adversity, stress, anxiety, and challenges that are outside one’s control.

Thriving under adversity.

4.1.6.2.3 You cannot control much that happens to you, but you can control your reaction to events.

4.1.6.2.4 Choosing the reaction that enables success.

4.1.6.3 Promoting ethical behavior and developing an ethical climate.

4.1.6.3.1 Resilience, grit, and hardiness – building them in yourself and in the team.

4.1.6.3.2 Motivating others – getting the best out of them.

4.1.7 At the completion of the curriculum the Contractor shall ensure each Midshipmen is capable of the following:

4.1.7.1 Recognize and consistently perform appropriate techniques to reduce or avoid hazards in a remote environment, (e.g., rock-fall, weather, river crossings, etc.).

4.1.7.2 Practice effective peer decision-making to mitigate hazards.

4.1.7.3 Display sound judgment and an awareness of team and self-limits.

4.1.7.4 Live comfortably in a remote environment; learn to camp, cook, and dress for a variety of conditions

4.1.7.5 Travel competently in terrain using navigation skills, hazard evaluation, route-finding techniques, and river-crossing techniques.

4.2 Instructor Requirements: Outdoor Instructors are required to accompany the Midshipmen on training trips with the ratio being one (1) Outdoor Instructor to six (6) Midshipmen (Ratio 1:6) on any particular trip. All instructors personnel shall meet the following qualification requirements:

4.2.1 Must shall have prior Outdoor Leadership experience and be certified/accredited wilderness instructor experts.

4.2.1.1 Shall be certified as Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness Emergency

Medical Technicians (EMT).

4.2.1.2 Shall have a current training curriculum and procedures for backcountry wilderness emergencies and/or evacuations.

4.2.2 Specific qualification requirements by position include:

4.2.2.1 Course Lead Instructor or equivalent:

4.2.2.1.1 Shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience within the past five (5) years as a certified lead instructor for an Association for Experiential Education (AEE) accredited outdoor wilderness organization.

4.2.2.1.2 Experience shall include working in outdoor education, guiding outdoor expedition crews, personal expedition experience, and leadership experience as a supervisor or trainer.

4.2.2.1.3 Shall be certified as a Wilderness EMT or First Responder.

4.2.2.2 Course Element Leader or equivalent:

4.2.2.2.1 Shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience within the past five (5) years as an element leader for an Association for Experiential Education (AEE) accredited outdoor wilderness organization.

4.2.2.2.2 Experience shall include working in outdoor education, guiding outdoor expedition crews, personal expedition experience, and leadership experience as a supervisor or trainer.

4.2.2.2.3 Shall be certified in Wilderness First Aid at a minimum.

4.2.2.3 Back Country Instructor or equivalent:

4.2.2.3.1 Shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience within the past five (5) years working for an Association for Experiential Education (AEE) accredited outdoor wilderness organization.

4.2.2.3.2 Experience shall include working in outdoor education, guiding outdoor expedition crews, and personal expedition experience.

4.2.2.3.3 Shall be certified in Wilderness First Aid with experience in course type of instruction (mountaineering/backpacking/sea kayaking).

4.2.2.3.4 Shall have demonstrated experience that shows the ability to operate for extended periods of time in an expeditionary environment possessing outdoor living skills along with the ability to lead and teach these skills in an austere environment.

4.3 Post-Award Conference: This conference shall be conducted within three (3) weeks after contract award and will provide an introduction between the Contractor personnel and Government personnel who will be involved with the contract. The post-award conference will be a face-to-face meeting with Contractor personnel traveling to USNA. The meeting will provide the opportunity to discuss technical, management and security issues. The post-award conference will aid both the Government and Contractor in achieving a clear and mutual understanding of all requirements, and identify and resolve any potential issues. The Contractor will be prepared to discuss any items requiring clarification and gather information as necessary to support each deliverable.

4.4 Contractor Requirements: The prime Contractor and any Subcontractors shall be accredited through the Association for Experiential Education (AEE).

5.0 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor is responsible for providing the following deliverables:

5.1 The Contractor shall provide a written summary of the post-award conference and provide the written summary to the COR within five (5) business days of the post-award conference.

5.2 Contractor shall issue a certificate of graduation to participants that meet and exceed all competent skill capabilities upon successful completion of the training event.

5.3 Contractor shall evaluate each course for logistical changes and areas of improvement, submit a detailed overall After Action Report (AAR), and individual student end of course written evaluations to review within 30 days of course completion.

6.0 TRAVEL

Contractor travel is required for the Post-Award Conference. The required number of Contractor personnel to attend the Post-Award Conference is three (3). This will involve one (1) person from each type of expedition: Mountaineering, Backpacking, and Sea Kayaking.

Associated

Task From/To Travel Location Duration of Trip How Many Travelers

4.3.1 Round trip from Place of

Residence to the USNA

3 days (Travel Day, Conference, Travel

Day)

All travel cost is NOT reimbursable. The contractor shall cover travel cost.

7.0 SAFETY

7.1 Safety in all training events will be paramount. The Contractor will comply with and maintain appropriate safety instructions and qualification standards in accordance with references located in Paragraph 10.

7.2 Nothing in the Statement of work, or any Government action or failure to act in performance of the contract will relieve the Contractor of its responsibility for the safety of the Contractor's personnel and property, the Government's personnel and property, and the general public. Furthermore, nothing in this PWS will relieve the Contractor of its responsibility for complying with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations (including those requiring applicable licenses and permits) in connection with the performance of this contract.

7.3 Risk Controls

7.3.1 This training is categorized as High Risk, in accordance with OPNAVINST 1500.75D.

As such, Operational Risk Management and the implementation of risk controls must meet or exceed the OPNAVINST reference.

7.3.2 Contractor shall be accredited through the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) see Paragraph 10.

7.3.3 Contractor will attend the Wilderness Risk Management conference annually to maintain up to date on changes in the industry standard. See paragraph 10

7.3.4 Contractor will insure a certified medical representative (4.2.1.1) is on station at each training event.

7.4 Mishaps

7.4.1 Safety and training related problems or mishaps involving or observed by the Contractor will be addressed immediately to the designated point of contact. A formal written report will be prepared and submitted to the USNA Training Officer within 2 working days of the incident

8.0 QUALITY CONTROL

The Contractor shall implement and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure work performed conforms to the scope of work and meets the requirements under this PWS. The QCP will, at a minimum provide a method for performing inspections; identifying, correcting and preventing problems/defective service; addressing customer complaints, and improving the quality of services over the life of the contract.

9.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Document Web link (if applicable)

OPNAVINST 1500.75D

Association for Experiential Education https://www.aee.org/standards2

Wilderness Risk Management Conference https://www.nols.edu/en/courses/risk-services/wilderness-risk-management-conference/

10.0 PLACES OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance will vary but could include and is not limited to the Contractor’s location and local, state, or national park locations necessary for the performance of the requirement.

11.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is 27 March 2025 through 12 August 2026.

13.0 COMBATTING TRAFFICKING in PERSON (CTIP)

The Department of Defense (DOD) has a zero tolerance policy regarding trafficking in persons. FAR Subpart 22.17: Prescribes overall federal regulation implementing 22 U.S.C. 7104 which applies to all acquisitions. Requires government contracts to (a) Prohibit contractors, contractor employees, subcontractors, and subcontractor employees from engaging in trafficking in persons during the period of performance of the contract.

https://www.aee.org/standards2