36C25620Q1189.docx

Statement of Work Leadership Literacy Training Program (Hudson Thomas) Department of Veterans Affairs Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System

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* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Sources Sought Notice U008 629-21-1-583-0001 The Hudson Thomas Entry Level Leadership Development Program (VA-19-00104882) 70112 36C25620Q1189 08-27-2020

3:00 PM

CENTRAL TIME, CHICAGO, USA

N 611430 Department of Veterans Affairs Southeast Louisiana Veterans HCS 1555 Poydras Street New Orleans LA 70112 Michelle Bocage Michelle D Bocage michelle.bocage@va.gov 504-412-3700 ext 8007 1515 Poydras Street Suite 1100 New Orleans, LA

70112

USA

michelle.bocage@va.gov michelle.bocage@va.gov

1.0 Introduction

This is a services contract to provide curriculum development enhancement, instructional training, coaching, personnel resources/instructors, and assessments/reporting statistics from an accredited post-secondary institution located in New Orleans, LA, for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS).

The Hudson Thomas Program is an entry level leadership development program that focuses on competencies in reading, writing, and computer literacy as well as soft-skills and career coaching. The goal of this program is to increase the number of entry-level workers eligible to apply for mid-level positions within the growing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system.

The Hudson Thomas Program is named in honor of Hudson Thomas, a dedicated leader and former President of the American Federation of Government Employees who passed away in 2012. Mr. Thomas served as a respiratory therapist with the Department of Veterans Affairs for 22 years. Mr. Thomas was a US Veteran who proudly served in the United States Navy and Air Force. Mr. Thomas’s leadership reaffirmed qualities of fairness and respect and was integral in advocating that SLVHCS create a culture of ongoing learning and professional development. Hudson Thomas had a strong commitment to assisting others to achieve their goals, and it is in this spirit that this educational program was founded.

The Hudson Thomas Program provides a bridge for the existing Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System educational programs and creates a pipeline for GS 1 - 6 level workers through various education and career progressions. The Program fills a gap that is not duplicative of current educational and leadership development programs currently offered at the VA due to the focus on foundational skills for entry-level incumbent employees.

Project Description

The contractor shall use its resources and partner with the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) Employee Education Corporate Function to implement and maintain SLVHCS’s entry level 15 - week program (The Hudson Thomas Program). The contractor will provide ongoing coordination to include pre-planning and post follow-up for the program. This program will target the foundational skills for entry-level incumbent employees (GS 1 - 6 and wage grade personnel). The contractor will have extensive experience with administering instructional training and coaching for adult learners. The contractor will have extensive experience with administering the “Test of Adult Basic Education” (TABE) for adult learners and have extensive knowledge and experience of the (TABE) standards and guidelines set by the American Psychological Association.

The program and curriculum are to develop and enhance the skill set for each participant. This will increase the number of entry-level workers eligible to apply for mid-level positions within the growing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. The curriculum objectives and course schedule will include but are not limited to:

Allow Program Participants to:

a) Gain knowledge about/and be prepared to advance on their projected career path within and outside the VA.

b) Enhance writing and communication skills, i.e. essays, professional emails, etc.

c) Enhance computer skills including: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, Online Research Skills, and Basic Typing

d) Identify/Set Academic and Career Goals

e) Enhance Presentation/Public Speaking Skills, and Active Listening skills.

f) Development of listening and customer service skills.

g) Enhance teamwork concept.

1.1 Scope of Work

The contractor will provide curriculum development, enhancement, coaching and instructional training for eligible program participants. Services include 16 hours per week of instructor-led training, 4-6 hours of coaching sessions outside of classroom time to meet with students to discuss their career skills.

The contractor will:

· Administer and analyze results for TABE Pre-Test

· Provide one instructor and program navigator during program implementation

· Program navigator shall meet with participants 4-6 hours weekly.

· Program instructor shall instruct 16 hours per week using literacy-based curriculum

· Coordinate 30-minute final presentations with participants

· Pair and coordinate mentor-mentee meetings for participants

· Plan and organize mid-program recognition event and graduation

· Design and print graduation program

· Provide all education and training resources and tools to implement program curriculum

· Participate in regular meeting to assess program progress

· Provide monthly progress report and final report at conclusion of program

SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 1 TABE Pre-Testing Career Ready Assessment

Week 2 Computers: Navigating VA Job Portal Part I Soft Skill: Program Goal Setting & Timeline

Week 3 Reading/Writing: TABE Workbooks Math: Introduction to Geometry Computers: Navigating VA Job Portal Part II Soft Skill: Mentor to The Max

Week 4 Math: Introduction to Applied Math Computers: Typing 101/Introduction to Microsoft Word Soft Skill: Time Management/Prioritizing Events

Week 5 VA Human Resources – Career Development Conversation Reading/Writing: Revising/Editing Essays Math: Skills Review Computers: Editing Essays in Microsoft Word Soft Skill: Personality Assessment

Week 6 Reading/Writing: Finalizing Essays and Presentations Math: Intro to Integers Computers: Typing 102/Introduction to PowerPoint Soft Skill: Professional Etiquette When Networking

Week 7 Reading/Writing: Discussion & Essay on Life Topic Math: Introduction to Measurement Computers: Customer Service Skills Soft Skill: Communication Skills

Week 8 Reading/Writing: Writing Professional Emails Math: Keys to Solving Word Problems Computers: Career Research Soft Skill: Teamwork/Managing Conflict

Week 9 Job-Shadowing/Work Detail Reading/Writing: Commonly Confused Words Math: Introduction to Algebra Computers: Successful Digital Tools Soft Skill: Active Listening

Week 10 Reading/Writing: Thank You Letters Math: Practical Math Applications Computers: Employability & Interview Skills Soft Skill: Mock Interviews Part I

Week 11 Reading/Writing: Presentation Prep Math: Example Presentations Computers: Presentation Prep Soft Skill: Mock Interviews Part II

Week 12 Reading/Writing: All Skills Review Math: All Skills Review Computers: Presentation Practice Soft Skill: Presentation Feedback

Weeks 13 - 15 TABE Post-Testing Final Panel Presentations

2.0 General Information

Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

Recognized Holidays:

Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:30am – 4:00pm, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119.

Security: The contractor shall utilize the facility’s computer equipment but will not have access personal identifiable information.

Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

This contract will be base plus option years.