36C10E23Q0052 0001 Amendment.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

VA

1 8

00101

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Division 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006

00101

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Division 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006

To all Offerors/Bidders 36C10E23Q0052

02-21-2023 X

X X

March 10, 2023 4:00 pm Central

The purpose of amendment 0001 is to answer vendor questions and to revise the Performance Work Statement.

Due date for quotes has not changed.

John A. Player Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION SHEET 36C10E23Q0052 0001

1. QUESTION: Can you tell me if there is an incumbent? If so, who and contract information?

ANSWER: No, contract 36C10E18P0376 with Omni Global Strategies expired on 11/30/2022. The period of performance was 12/1/2018 through 11/30/2022 for $21, 500.00

2. QUESTION: I'm an entrepreneur applying for the Virtual Leadership Training solicitation.

My prior experience comes via my 24 careers in the U.S. NAVY. Can I use my NAVAL experience in applying to this solicitation? I'm also working with a subcontractor could I use their experience for this solicitation if I cannot use my NAVAL experience?

ANSWER: Quoter’s shall submit two Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) from contracts, purchase orders, task orders performed within the last three years. At least one PPQ shall be from the prime contractor.

3. QUESTION: Would the Government consider allowing the quoter to submit their CPARS for references?

ANSWER: No

4. QUESTION: What are the roles, responsibilities, and level of employees this training is geared toward?

ANSWER: Frontline employees.

5. QUESTION: Are these classes new contracted work or is there an incumbent?

ANSWER: See question #1.

6. QUESTION: Are these classes/topics a VBA requirement or a local professional development program? In either case, are they being considered more broadly throughout the VBA?

ANSWER: Local professional development program. VBA already has national leadership development programs.

7. QUESTION: Incumbent’s or most recent contractor’s name

b. Contract number

c. How long the firm provided these services

d. Total cost of the contract

e. Are the requirements and scope of work of this bid substantially similar to the current or most recent past contract requirements?

ANSWER: See question #1. Scope of work is similar to the contract referenced in #1.

8. QUESTION: What if any classification requirements, to include controlled unclassified information (CUI), will be necessary for this contract?

ANSWER: Not applicable.

9. QUESTION: Is NIST 800-171 compliance required for this contract?

ANSWER: Not applicable.

10. QUESTION: What CUI-type information will contract instructors be responsible for protecting?

ANSWER: Not applicable.

11. QUESTION: Who is the training audience (e.g., employees of VBA Seattle or veteran clients)? What level of education, background, and experience in government service can we expect the students to have? For instance, will all have at least a bachelor’s degree and be mid-level government managers (around 10-15 years’ experience)?

ANSWER: Frontline employees with varying levels of education and length of Federal service.

12. QUESTION: Paragraph 1.2, Training Requirements

a. Our interpretation of the four subparagraphs is that the leadership development training program will be conducted over the course of two 2-day sessions. Is that a correct understanding?

ANSWER: Yes

b. How and when will the training session dates be scheduled?

ANSWER: Scheduling coordinated directly with the Regional Office Training Manager.

c. Is there a requirement to preview or preapprove the curriculum or daily courses before they are delivered – either during the base year and/or during each option year? If so, what is the process to obtain approval and the expected timeline? Will this be coordinated through the Regional Office Training Manager?

ANSWER: Regional Office Training Manager will preapprove the curriculum. VBA is open to suggestions/recommendations with changes in the course curriculum.

d. What is the expectation for the date of the first session of the base year?

ANSWER: First session can begin no earlier than 60 days from date of contract award.

e. Is a lunch break expected between 0800 and 1500, and if so, for how long?

ANSWER: Yes, 60 minutes.

f. 1.2.2, Are students expected to have copies of and read Maxwell’s book, The 360 Degree Leader, prior to the start of the first class?

ANSWER: Book is provided by VBA to students.

g. 1.2.2, The PWS discusses integrating the VA leadership competencies into the training. At what level (novice through expert) should the training begin and what is the expected level after training? Are there any competencies that should be stressed more than others?

ANSWER: Training to begin at novice. Successful completion of the performance objectives.

h. 1.2.3, The PWS states that “participants may prepare presentation material in advance.” Considering that students have not yet received the training in public speaking and presentations, that seems counter-productive. To allow students to receive the training first, then develop their presentation material, could the contractor shift the student presentations to the next training day (Day 4) and move part of Day 4’s training back to Day 3)?

ANSWER: Yes

i. 1.2.4, What is the expectation for the workforce diversity and conflict management training? Does the government have established training for these sessions?

ANSWER: Practical application of workforce diversity and conflict management. Training content to be provided by the contractor.

13. QUESTION: Paragraph 2.3, Security Requirements

a. Must the contractor use Web-Ex or Adobe Connect? If not, are the public versions of MS Teams or Zoom acceptable platforms for virtual training? What are the security standards or concerns about which the contractor should be aware or maintain?

ANSWER: VBA will host and schedule meetings using approved platforms either Web- Ex and/or Microsoft Teams and invite contractor.

b. What are “online coaching sessions”? What is the scope, expectation, and deliverable?

ANSWER: No additional requirement beyond the two 2-day sessions. As needed to communicate the material and knowledge checks during delivery of training.

c. Is the contractor authorized to record the class sessions? If not, will the contractor be authorized to record individual student presentations (para 1.2.3) for later student use?

ANSWER: No recording class sessions. No recording student presentations.

14. QUESTION: Paragraph 2.5, Class Objectives, DiSC Assessments and Training – Students are to “complete a DiSC assessment at least 4 weeks prior to class.” What is the expectation and standard for the base year as there will likely not be 4 weeks between contract award and the first class?

ANSWER: First session can begin no earlier than 60 days from date of contract award.

This will allow for DiSC assessments to be completed. Base year training dates have been adjusted.

15. QUESTION: Paragraph 2.7, Government-Furnished Equipment – This paragraph mentions handbooks but not textbooks (i.e., Maxwell’s The 360 Degree Leader). Is the contractor expected to provide Maxwell’s book as well? If the contractor is to provide the books, are we to provide just one class set of 10 books to be reused each year or provide individual copies to be retained by the students each year? In lieu of hard/paperback books, are eBooks acceptable?

ANSWER: Textbooks (i.e., Maxwell’s The 360 Degree Leader) are provided by VBA to students.

16. QUESTION: Paragraph C.1, 52.212-4, Contract Terms – What is the invoicing process?

Does the VA use PIEE/WAWF?

ANSWER: Invoicing instructions are per Attachment 1 General Invoicing Instructions.

Electronic Funds Transfer is through Tungsten.

17. QUESTION: Paragraph E.1.3.6 and E.2.1.1.2, Factor Two – Twenty days from the offer release to bid submission is a tight timeline by which to procure PPQs from contracting offices. If a PPQ is not returned by the deadline, may we submit instead the contact information from which a PPQ was requested for further follow up by VA Regional Office?

ANSWER: You can add the summary information as it relates to the PPQ in the past performance volume.

18. QUESTION: Paragraph E.2.1.1.1, Technical – Is the two-page Capability Statement the only submission allowed under Factor One? Are instructor resumes also allowed in this section or elsewhere in the bid?

ANSWER: Resumes shall be included in the Technical Section per E.2.1.1.1

19. QUESTION: I have 3 past customer’s I will be asking to complete the past performance, so should those customers send the completed questionnaire back to me and I submit with my proposal or should they send the completed questionnaires directly to you?

ANSWER: Completed PPQ’s shall be submitted directly to the Contract Specialist.

Narratives corresponding to the Past Performance Questionnaires shall be included in the past performance section.

20. QUESTION: We would like to know what are leadership levels this is geared towards (i.e., titles, etc.)

ANSWER: Frontline employees.

21. QUESTION: What are the measures of success that we would be held accountable for in regard to these programs?

ANSWER: Performance thresholds are met.

22. QUESTION: Are the classes meant for one group of 10 to move through them all in a sequence or is the VA looking to offer these 4 different topics to 4 classes of ten or 10 classes of ten, etc.?

ANSWER: One group of 10 in sequence.

23. QUESTION: Background: SECTION ONE of the Request for Quote states; “Class must be scheduled in the March 1 – May 31 timeframe.” Question: Is the initial training required to be delivered from 3/1/2023 – 5/31/2023?

24. ANSWER: Class dates have been adjusted for the base year per the updated Performance Work Statement.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

VBA SEATTLE REGIONAL OFFICE

1 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: The contractor shall provide all management, tools, supplies, equipment, and labor necessary to create and deliver virtual Leadership Development Training to the VBA Seattle Regional Office.

1.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Base year with for 4 option years. Dates of training will occur between May 1 – July 31 for the base year and March 1 – May 31 of Option Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. Specific dates and times will be in accordance with 1.2 Training Requirements.

1.2 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

1.2.1 Provide DiSC personality testing and leadership indicators and assessment with team-building exercise. Individual testing will occur in advance to maximize available class time. Upon completion of the DiSC assessment and application of leadership indicators, participants will develop an understanding of personal leadership styles and engage coworkers with increased effectiveness with the skills, knowledge, and abilities developed in class. Class will be conducted from 8:00am-3:00pm (PST) utilizing a virtual platform, which may be WebEx or Adobe Connect. The maximum class size will be 10 students. Class must be scheduled in the May 1 – July 31 timeframe for the base year and March 1 – May 31 timeframe for Option Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. This class will be conducted as Day 1 of a 2-day session in conjunction with the requirements of 1.2.2.

1.2.2 Provide Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence training with team-building exercise. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to perform their day-to-day roles more effectively and efficiently with the skills, knowledge, and abilities based on the text “The 360-Degree Leader” (Maxwell), learned in class. Course content will be tailored to VBA Seattle needs and requirements, and include real-life case studies and examples, partner/group exercises, role-plays and discussion groups. Veterans Affairs leadership competencies will be integrated throughout the various topics and the training will be highly interactive. Class will be conducted from 8:00am-3:00pm (PST) utilizing a virtual platform, which may be WebEx or Adobe Connect. The maximum class size will be 10 students. Class must be scheduled in the May 1 – July 31 timeframe for the base year and the March 1 – May 31 timeframe for Option Years 1, 2, 3, and 4. This class will be conducted as Day 2 of a 2-day session in conjunction with 1.2.1

1.2.3 Provide Public Speaking and Presentations training. Participants may prepare presentation material in advance. Upon completion of training, participants will have the knowledge and skills to organize, prepare and deliver effective public speeches and presentations. Course content will be tailored to focus on VBA Seattle requirements for real-life speeches and presentations. The training will be designed for participants to practice various skills throughout the course. Participants will prepare and deliver a 5–10-minute presentation at the conclusion of the course to demonstrate skills and techniques practiced and learned in class. Class will be conducted from 8:00am-3:00pm (PST) utilizing a virtual platform, which may be WebEx or Adobe Connect. The maximum class size will be 10 students. Class must be scheduled in the May 1 – July 31 timeframe for the base year and the March 1 – May 31 timeframe for Option Years 1, 2, 3, and 4, no less than 2 weeks following the training specified in 1.2.2. This class will be conducted as Day 1 of a 2-day session in conjunction with 1.2.4

1.2.4 Provide Workforce Diversity and Conflict Management with Critical Conversations training.

At the conclusion of this class, participants will be able to form and build a high-performance work team; embrace and promote diversity, manage conflicts and confrontations, and effectively deal with change. Course content will be tailored to VBA Seattle requirements to enable participants to effectively build work teams, be more knowledgeable active in promoting diversity and managing conflict and know how to handle the change process. The course will include real-life case studies and examples, partner-group exercises, role-plays and discussion groups.

The training will be highly interactive. Class will be conducted from 8:00am-3:00pm (PST) utilizing a virtual platform, which may be WebEx or Adobe Connect. The maximum class size will be 10 students. Class must be scheduled in the May 1 – July 31 timeframe for the base period and the March 1 – May 31 timeframe for Option Years 1, 2, 3, and 4, conducted as Day 2 of a 2-day session in conjunction with 1.2.3.

2 GENERAL INFORMATION:

2.1 Virtual Delivery: All training requirements will be conducted utilizing virtual communication platforms.

2.2 Place of Performance: All training will be provided remotely using virtual/electronic and interactive applications and software. Acceptable platforms are AdobeConnect and/or Cisco Web-Ex.

2.3 Security Requirements: During this time of COVID-19, virtual/electronic training methods are required. Providing virtual training and online Coaching sessions will also be expected.

From an IT perspective, Cisco Web-Ex and/or AdobeConnect will be the software used for the online portions of the training.

2.4 SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: The Contractor shall provide Instructors who are “Everything DiSC” certified. The instructor(s) will demonstrate the ability to administer DiSC assessments, generate reports, evaluate results, and deliver training based on those assessments.

2.5 CLASS OBJECTIVES:

Performance Objective PWS Para Performance Threshold DiSC Assessments and Training

1.2.1 All participants complete a DiSC assessment at

least 4 weeks prior to class to enable the contractor to review results and prepare training.

Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence Training

1.2.2 All participants receive training based on

content of “The 360-Degree Leader” (Maxwell).

Public Speaking and Presentations Training

1.2.3 All participants receive training and

demonstrate application of skills through preparation of presentations and delivery of speeches.

Workforce Diversity and Conflict Management Training with Critical Conversations

1.2.4 All participants receive training and

demonstrate application of skills through role-play and team exercises.

2.6 Performance Monitoring: The Government point of contact will monitor the Contractor’s performance observing the training class to ensure the Contractor is covering class objectives and required material. Robert Reiher, the Regional Office Training Manager is the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for this contract.

2.7 Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI):

Contractor will provide interactive virtual/electronic training, videos, discussion guides and handbooks.

Training participants will be utilizing Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) to view/attend the virtual/electronic training, videos, and resources.

No Government-Furnished Information will be provided to contractor as part of this training.