4_SOW_SAF.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

(AOE Funded Occupational Education Programs)

Subject

The Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, Arizona, intends to make a single awarded to an accredited post-secondary educational institution to provide advanced occupational training in the fields of Carpentry Technology, General Business Vocational Technology, Personal Trainer, and Air

Conditioning/Refrigeration Vocational Training Technology leading to a technical certificate for inmates housed at the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, Arizona. The contract for advanced occupational training will be considered a contractual agreement and not a personnel appointment to a federal job. Successful completion of the training program must qualify inmates for at least entry-level employment in a specified field upon release.

The contractor shall make available, on a non-discriminatory basis, vocational training, consistent with the requirements of this solicitation, the rules and procedures of the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, Arizona, and all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations in effect during the terms of this contract. The manner and method of performing the task outlined in the Statement of Work are the sole discretion of the contractor provided the contractor shall perform in accordance with professional standards and methods normally accepted and the guidelines reference above.

The contractor must be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or similar nationally recognized accrediting agency. All contractors assigned to the program will be required to submit to a security investigation. The investigation shall include but may not be limited to fingerprinting for FBI search, NCIC search, pictures for identification badges, urine testing for drugs, and vouchering with present and/or past employers.

The contractor shall provide pre-approved and qualified personnel (meeting the requirements identified in item 3 above) who act as a substitute instructor in the event of a scheduled instructor's absence. Due to the sensitive nature of the correctional environment, instructors are expected to be prompt in reporting to work to support adults in custody accountability policy. No instructor will be permitted to substitute or enter the institution until a security clearance is acquired and verified in writing by the Cost

Center Manager to the Supervisory Contract Specialist.

Place of Performance

Occupational training instruction will be performed in the Education Department (or other area identified by the Supervisor of Education) at the Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona, 1529 W Highway 366 Safford, AZ 85546. Video teleconferencing (VTC) must be made available to students during lockdowns and modified operations, and when contracting staff are not allowed in.

However, the usage of the VTC equipment for teaching will not be used as a sole method.

Schedule

A session is defined as one hour. Contractors must provide necessary courses for inmates to complete the program within a 1-year period consisting of at least 4 semesters per year such as fall, spring, summer

I, and summer II. Classes should run year-round with minimal breaks for holidays. Sessions must be in accordance with the following:

i. Classes should be offered between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through

Friday.

a. General Business Vocational Technology

i. Classes should be offered from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

with approximately 15-25 inmates per session, thirty (30) hours per week, not to exceed 900 sessions per year. Classes will be held Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

b. Carpentry Vocational Technology

i. Classes should be offered from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

with approximately 18-20 inmates per session, thirty (30) hours per week, not to exceed 900 sessions per year. Classes will be held Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

c. Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Vocational Technology

i. Classes should be offered from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

with approximately 18-20 students per session, thirty (30) hours per week, not to exceed 526 sessions per year. Classes will be held Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

d. VT Personal Trainer

i. Classes should be offered from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

with approximately 25 inmates per session, thirty (30) hours per week, not to exceed

526 sessions per year. Classes will be held Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the contractor will be paid for one session. Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the contractor will be free to leave, and the contractor will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions. If the contractor and inmates can utilize the VTC equipment for the remaining classes, the contractor will be paid for those sessions. In the event of any absence, the contractor may make up his/her time so long as it does not exceed 30 hours in any given week. If the contractor fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy.

Education and Qualifications

The contractor shall not be a self-employed individual and must be available to work within the institution throughout the week. The contract must be between the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, and an accredited post-secondary institution.

The occupational education program must fall under the provider's umbrella of accreditation and lead to transferable credits resulting in a college certificate. Industry-accepted certification is also acceptable. Providers must be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. If required for employment, certification tests from outside organizations may be administered to individual inmates upon completion of a specific occupational education program. However, the individual skill competency certification will not replace the training program's overall accreditation.

The occupational education program must lead to a college certificate or industry-recognized certificate qualifying inmates for at least an entry-level position of employment. Inmates must receive college credits for complete courses.

Four-year degree programs and programs in liberal arts/general studies are not authorized, although limited and specific courses of a liberal arts/general studies nature may be permitted if directly related to preparation for a specific occupation or vocation.

Supplies and Equipment

The cost provided to the contractor will cover the curriculum, administrative costs, instructor, tuition, necessary business equipment, and classroom supplies. The contractor will be responsible for recommending, to the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), supplies needed for the operation of classroom activities. Any records maintained by the contractor under this contract will remain the property of the Government.

The Federal Correctional Institution will provide classroom space, computers, books, and software. Due to the sensitive nature of the prison, the institution is limited to access to Microsoft Word, Excel, and

PowerPoint. The institution cannot upload additional software to its existing network. No outside multi-media devices are permitted. However, video-teleconferencing (VTC)is available allowing instructors to interact with students when not inside of the institution. A VTC classroom has been set up and ready to connect for immediate use with Zoom and TEAMS capability.

Description of Duties

The contractor will provide instruction for Carpentry, General Business, Retail Management, Personal

Trainer, and AC/ Refrigeration Vocational Technology (HVAC) training programs in accordance with

Bureau of Prisons Program Statement 5353.01, Occupational Education Programs, and Bureau of

Prisons Program Statement 5300.21, Education, Training and Leisure Time Program Standards.

Twenty-four percent (20-40%) of the curriculum's competencies must be hands-on replication of the actual work environment. Application of hands-on work must be occupational in nature. An institution's live work project may be utilized to demonstrate or apply hands-on competencies.

Electronic or computer-based simulation does not satisfy the hands-on or live work requirement. The

Supervisor of Education must approve live work projects and video-teleconferencing usage.

Marketable programs shall afford inmates the opportunity to gain in demand skills in a specific occupation, industry, or trade. The marketable program must qualify inmate graduates for at least an entry-level position in closely related fields. As a precondition of the proposal for the contract, the contractor shall specify in writing to the Supervisor of Education the position(s) of employment for which inmate graduates will be eligible to apply.

The Supervisor of Education shall determine the minimum and maximum number of enrollments.

Instructors placed on site by the contractor are responsible for the maintenance of transcripts, student attendance records, statistics, test scores, and certification records. The contractor must provide progress reports as needed for institutional purposes and must provide a semester-end report showing whether each student completed or failed the course and the number of hours the student attended class. The instructor must inform the COTR of discrepancies and problem areas within their immediate areas of performance.

The contractor will provide a written curriculum which establishes measurable behavioral objectives and procedures. The curriculum must include clear criteria which establish minimum expectations for program completion, provisions for the assessment of student progress, must identify the hands-on competencies and must require the students to demonstrate them. In addition to core classes needed to attain a college certificate, the curriculum must also include a course on resume development.

The contractor shall assist in the recruitment of employers affiliated with the identified occupation to participate in the institution's Mock Job Fair.

Attire

The contractor is expected to wear professional clothing while on duty. The attire worn shall also be appropriate for the correctional environment in which the contract employee will be performing.

Inmate Management

Provisions of services will require frequent and unsupervised contact with inmates. The contract employee shall not be responsible for the management of any inmate, other than to ensure inmates involved within the contract's scope of work abide by all rules to ensure their safety and well-being.

The successful contractor shall attend the Institution Familiarization Orientation program prior to assuming institution involvement. Reimbursement of the contractor for the time spent in the institution orientation or other specific security related training will be at the contract discretion of the CEO. The contractor is to constantly be aware of security and always maintain a professional relationship with inmates. Any violation of the institution's rules and regulations are to be brought immediately to the attention of any Government employee employed at the institution. The contractor will be required to provide documentation to the COR, or designee, of any infractions of institutional rules and regulations by inmates for proper action.

Institution Security

The contractor shall adhere to the following restrictions:

a. Shall not supervise Bureau of Prisons staff.

b. Shall not requisition, sign for, or pick up supplies.

c. Shall not formulate Bureau of Prison's policy or procedures.

d. Shall not attend staff recalls or staff functions.

e. Shall not move freely about the institution without an escort from the Education Department. If the contractor has been security-cleared and approved as unescorted, he/she may move freely about the institution, but only to accomplish contractual mission-related tasks.

f. Shall not perform as "acting" for any Government employee.

g. Shall not be employees of the Government, but contractor's employees.

h. Shall not constitute an employer/employee relationship.

Institution Security

The contractor/contract employees shall agree to all regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody, and conduct of inmates. The contract employee will be required to operate a system of records as identified for medical treatment documentation and will require adherence to the

Privacy Act of 1974. The contract employee will be required to sign in an out of the institution for accountability purposes. A badge will be issued and always worn for proper identification. Each contract employee will also be issued a radio for communication and emergencies.

Miscellaneous Information

This is a contractual agreement and not an appointment. All duties outlined in this Statement of Work shall be performed in accordance with standards and methods generally within the contractor's own field of expertise, so long as it does not conflict with Bureau of Prisons' policies and procedures.

Payment is based on the provision of an end product or the accomplishment of a specific result. The contracting office shall ensure contract compliance and may appoint a COTR in accordance with applicable laws. The COTR shall ensure compliance with all aspects of the contract. The contractor shall ensure compliance with all terms and conditions for the life of the contract.

Non-Personal Services/Common Law Employee Information

The service is a contractual arrangement and not a personnel appointment. Payment is based on the provision of an end product or the accomplishment of a specific result. The service does not constitute an employer/employee relationship. The contractor will not be subject to Government supervision, except for security related matters. However, contractor performance shall be monitored.

If the resulting contract is made to an individual(s), the provision of these services has been determined to meet certain criteria for creating common law employee relationships. Therefore, the BOP is responsible for the payment of FICA taxes (7.65%) and the withholding of the individual's taxes. These responsibilities apply only when the award of this solicitation is made to an individual. It does not apply to companies or individuals who are incorporated. For evaluation purposes, an additional 7.65% will be added to the price submitted by individuals who are not incorporated.