47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachment_1_PWS_2025-11-05.docx

DRAFT PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Office of the Assistant Secretary of War (Readiness), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (Strategic Readiness) Secretary of War Strategic Thinkers Program (STP) November 18, 2025

PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 GENERAL:

This is a non-personal services contract to provide a master’s degree granting program, the Secretary of War (SECWAR) Strategic Thinkers Program (STP) for mid-career military officers and government civilians.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, other items and non-personal services necessary to deliver the master’s degree granting STP as defined in this Performance Work Statement. The contractor shall perform to the standards set forth in this contract.

1.2 Background: STP: The Department of War has long recognized the need to develop and appropriately assign strategic thinkers to Combatant Commander staffs, the Joint Staff and at the Military Services’ Headquarters. In December 2017, the Secretary of Defense (now Secretary of War) approved the recommendation of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) to the Deputy Secretary of War to establish a 12-month Master’s Degree program to produce strategic thinkers.

1.3 Scope of Work: Provide a Master’s Degree program of 12 months duration designed to develop strategic thinkers that can accommodate up to 24 professional students.

1.4 Period of Performance/Place of Performance: The period of performance is for 12 months, plus two option years. The place of performance is Washington DC, specifically within a 20 mile radius of the Pentagon (1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1400). Access to the place of performance should be attainable from the Pentagon via the Metro system and the commute from the Pentagon should not exceed 30 minutes.The contractor is responsible for providing a space for the program, either on campus or as a satellite campus.

1.5 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program (QCP) to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures that the work complies with the requirements of the contract. The QCP shall be delivered via electronic mail within 30 days after contract award. Amendments/changes to the QCP shall be delivered to the task monitor (TM), COR and KO within three business days following any change (Deliverable: Quality Control Program).

1.6 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan, developed by the Government, 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).

1.7 Recognized Holidays: The contractor is not required to perform service on federal holidays, a calendar for which can be found at the following link:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=Overview When the Government grants administrative leave to Government employees, or is closed as a result of inclement weather, potentially hazardous conditions, or other special circumstances, Contractor personnel working at the specific facility/location granted administrative leave should coordinate with their employer to determine whether they will be granted paid time off, required to use leave or sick leave, or can perform their duties remotely (e.g., telework) from their home or alternate location. This decision should be at the discretion of the program manager and on-site manager, and in coordination with the Contracting Officer and/or Contracting Officer Representative (COR), to the extent that the overall performance is not adversely impacted. The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons.

1.8 Objectives:

· Master the specialized theoretical and integrated learning processes in war and strategy, joint/combined and coalition operations and command and leadership;

· Investigate, analyze, and critique complex scholarly works and primary source documents relevant to strategy and war in the 20th and early 21st centuries;

· Assess, reassess, synthesize, and adapt to changing strategic, military, and policy conditions;

· Synthesize complex theories relating to the conduct of war, strategy and joint/combined and coalition military operations;

· Design, evaluate, and analyze developments in war, strategy, and joint/combined and coalition military operations and command and leadership;

· Justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, and conclusions in war, strategy, and joint/combined and coalition military operations, and command and leadership;

· Generate and evaluate the application of complex ideas to practical problems in a contemporary setting and exercise judgment in strategic and policy contexts.

The contracted school will award a Master's Degree in a relevant discipline, such as international public policy, war and strategy, or equivalent, upon successful completion of the program.

· Nature and character of war

· The political objective

· CIV/MIL dialogue/Unity of effort

· Strategic and military culture

· Resources, sustainment, capability, and force structure

· Operational environment and geography

· Leadership and command

· Learning and adaptation

· The international security environment and emerging strategic issues.

1.8.4.5 Rigor. The STP will include a substantial writing, briefing, and research component on par or greater to what is currently offered in similar graduate level MIPP curricula. Each STP session is four hours long. There are 56 sessions total for STP I-IV and a significant amount of research and preparation for the STAFF RIDE.

1.9 Program Management:

1.9.1 The STP core curriculum will consist of in-resident classroom instruction, war gaming exercises and one staff ride. The STP curriculum is proprietary to the STP Director (Contractor) and approved annually for delivery and instruction to the STP cohort, by the ODASD(FE&T). The ODASD(FE&T) or its designated representative, the STP Director (Contractor), and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) will annually conduct outcomes-based evaluations of the program in order to provide actionable feedback to the contracted university along with any recommended amendments to the program. These evaluations will be based on the standards and methods of surveillance outlined in Technical Exhibit 1 and are summarized as follows:

a. Assess the institution’s overall compliance with outcomes approved by OSD.

b. Assess if the STP individual, internal assessment mechanisms are addressing appropriate learning outcomes. c. Assess if students are mastering the course material.

The meeting will occur prior to the start of the academic year (Academic Year = 15 August to 1 June), but no later than 15 July, to collectively endorse the STP curricula and budget plan. The power of veto will reside with both the ODASD(FE&T) and STP Director (Contractor), while still ensuring the curricula conforms to the performance objectives of the STP and the degree-granting requirements of the contracted university.

1.10 Special Requirements:

1.10.1.2 The contracted accredited university shall demonstrate the legal authority to employ the STP Director (Contractor) and the right to deliver instruction using his proprietary curriculum for the duration of the contract. The awardee shall employ and compensate the STP Director (Contractor) directly as part of contract performance and show evidence (Additional Requirements for Verification of this Agreement of Employment – see Exhibit C) of this via a Tentative Agreement with the STP Director (Contractor). Employment terms, including academic status (to include tenure), shall be determined by agreement between the STP Director (Contractor) and the University are not a requirement of the Government.

The STP Director (Contractor),is expected to work 1872 hours broken down as follows:

STP Director (Contractor) -Teaching in Class: 448 -Teaching (Preparation): 448 -Marking and Assessment: 260 -Staff Ride Preparation: 220 -Staff Ride Leading: 56 -Program Lead (curriculum development; mentorship; reports and research): 440

The contracted university will provide a full-time Program Administrator for the STP. The Program Administrator is expected to work 1872 hours in support of the contract. The Program Administrator must be fully qualified in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and able to: arrange all aspects of foreign travel for STP staff, guest lecturers, and STP students for the annual Staff Ride; prepare and staff administrative reports (Weekly Activity Report, Quarterly Report, Annual Report, etc.) in accordance with the Quality Assurance Sustainment Plan (QASP); prepare and tabulate student assessments and grades; respond in a timely and professional manner to executive correspondence from Pentagon officials; manage the program budget and prepare and submit accurate and timely invoices and travel requests; access and learn the ASSIST program in submitting budget documents.

1.10.1.3 The contracted university will be required to provide personnel to run the war games. Each war game consists of 72 hours of work. The contracted university must also provide personnel to assist in teaching STP and with the staff ride. The expected hours for co-teaching the class; support to the STP Director (Contractor) and for assisting with the staff ride is 1176 (See Technical Exhibit 3 below). The program will host guest instructors and lectures throughout the academic year, guests are chosen at the discretion of the STP Director (Contractor).

1.10.1.4 The contracted university shall cover all travel expenses for the STP Director (Contractor) and guest instructors/lecturers in support of program activities. This includes transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for: teaching assignments, war games, staff rides, and any other STP-related activities requiring travel. For guest instructors and lecturers selected at the discretion of the STP Director (Contractor), the university shall arrange and fund all travel in accordance with applicable federal travel regulations and university policies. All travel arrangements must be coordinated through the COR to ensure proper authorization and reimbursement.

1.10.2 Student Admissions: The DASW (SR) will conduct a thorough screening of all prospective STP students and select only the most highly qualified primary and alternate candidates for admission to the contracted university. The contracted university reserves the right to refuse any prospective STP student based on its admission standards. The contracted university will grant a waiver of admission timelines to accommodate the replacement of any primary STP student applicant with an alternate applicant prior to the beginning of the program each August. All tuition and fees are covered by OSW IAW with DTM 19-001. The ASW(R) provides all necessary funding to the contracted university for the management, administration, and support of the STP, with the exception of funding the student’s billet, authorized expenses related to PCS travel to and from the school.Furthermore, the university will permit withdrawal without penalty to any prospective student who fails admission to the contracted university, as well as any student who must withdraw from the STP during the course of the academic year due to military orders, humanitarian issues, or disciplinary actions occurring prior to the start of the academic year. The contracted university will not allow STP students to apply until OUSW(P&R) has approved all STP nominees for participation in the program, which will be coordinated through the COR.

1.10.3 Non-STP Degree Completion: If after successful completion of the first half of the STP core curriculum it is determined by both the contracted university and ODASW(SR) that a student is unable to progress to the second half due to academic performance or humanitarian/family medical issues, the contracted university will afford the student the opportunity to complete the remainder of their Master’s Degree from the integrated university curriculum. This opportunity will be available during the spring semester of the same academic year for any student dropped from the STP due to academic performance and through the end of the following academic year for any student who is withdrawn from the STP due to humanitarian issues.

1.10.4 Section 1.10.4 Post-Contract Student Completion Assurance. The Contractor shall provide a Post-Contract Student Completion Assurance period of twelve (12) months following contract expiration. This assurance period applies to any student who was officially enrolled in the STP but was unable to complete the program due to: (a) military orders or deployment; (b) humanitarian or family medical issues as defined in Section 1.10.2; (c) natural disasters or other acts of God; or (d) other extraordinary circumstances approved by the COR in coordination with ODASW(SR). During this period, affected students may return to complete all remaining STP requirements without additional tuition or fees beyond those originally contracted. Students must notify the Contractor and COR within 60 days of the interrupting event with supporting documentation and re-enter at the next appropriate curriculum entry point.

The Contractor shall maintain sufficient academic capacity to support returning students, including access to STP curriculum, faculty advisors, and program-specific resources. Monthly status reports shall be provided to the COR for any students utilizing this provision, detailing progress and anticipated completion dates. This assurance period preserves the government's investment in student development and ensures program completion opportunities despite unforeseen circumstances that would otherwise prevent students from achieving their strategic education objectives.

1.11 Security Classification:

1.11.1 All courses in the STP curriculum will be taught at the unclassified level. No security clearances required.

1.12 Travel: All Travel must be in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)

1.12.1. All STP travel will be in accordance with (IAW) the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). STP student and instructor travel within 100-miles of the National Capital Region (a geographic area encompassing the District of Columbia and eleven local jurisdictions in the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia) is included in the price of this contract.

1.12.2. All travel outside the 100-mile limitation, previously authorized by the COR using the GSA travel authorization approval process is also included in the price of the contract under CLIN X004 - Travel. Reimbursable travel outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) is only authorized for STP students and instructors as part of staff ride and war gaming development and execution. Reimbursement of international or domestic visitors, outside of the NCR who are directly assisting in course development or instruction is also permitted if authorized in advance by the COR IAW the GSA travel authorization approval process 30-days prior to commencement of travel. The contractor shall submit receipts for all covered travel expenses for reimbursement per FAR 31.205.46.

1.12.3. All student travel will be scheduled using the Defense Travel System (DTS).

1.12.4. Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA)

A SOFA defines the legal status of DoW personnel, activities, and property in the territory of another nation and sets forth rights and responsibilities between the U.S. and the host government. The contractor shall comply with the individual country SOFAs, Supplementary and Shell Agreements, and other applicable documents and regulations.

Invited Contractor (IC) and Technical Representative (TR) status shall be governed by the SOFAs negotiated and implemented by the Department of State (DoS) and DoW. The contractor shall coordinate with the Government to satisfy all requirements mandated by the governing regulations for the specified country or theater. The contractor shall be responsible for determining what requirements are applicable. It is agreed that the withdrawal of IC or TR status, or the withdrawal of or failure to provide any of the privileges associated therewith by the U.S., shall not constitute grounds for excusable delay by the contractor in performance and will not justify or excuse the contractor defaulting in performance. Furthermore, withdrawal of SOFA status for any reason shall not serve as a basis for the contractor filing any claims against the U.S.

The contractor shall notify the STP CO and PM, within 24 hours, when an individual’s status under SOFA must be terminated for any reason. This includes all subcontractors, consultants, and other personnel supporting the contractor. The contractor shall ensure that all personnel, including subcontractors, are legally able to work in each identified place of performance. In countries where SOFA or other similar statuses apply, the contractor shall not employ personnel without the requisite status unless the request has been coordinated with the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) and STP AAS PM and approved by the STP AAS CO.

The contractor is responsible for ensuring it understands the procedures, regulations, and guidance applicable to each place of performance. The Government will not reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with failing to follow applicable procedures, regulations, and guidance that apply to obtaining visas, permits, or legal status. The Government will not become a party to any contractor residence or tax issues.

1.13 Type of Contract: This is a firm fixed price contract.

PART 2 DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE. An employee of the U.S.Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

COR - Contracting Officer’s Representative DoW - Department of War MIPP - Master of International Public Policy STP – Secretary of War Strategic Thinkers Program DASW(SR) - Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Strategic Readiness

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES: Not-applicable. There are no Government furnished services, facilities, or equipment associated with this contract.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, books, equipment (including computers for the Instructor and Administrator), and facilities (including a classroom and office space for the Instructor and Administrator) required to perform work under this contract.

PART 5 SPECIFIC TASKS

5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS:

5.1. Deliverables: To be delivered by the contracted university to the ODASW(SR) in accordance with Technical Exhibit One:

5.1.1 Bi-annual progress and cost reports, Professor Evaluations, Weekly Activities Report, war game report, and staff ride report.

5.1.2 Yearly technical evaluation on the delivery and curriculum.

5.1.3 Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) minutes. At a minimum, a TIM will be held within one month of contract award and within one month of the renewal of each option year thereafter. Other TIMs can be convened as required within the Department of War (DoW). STP Director (Contractor)’s program will consist of two four-hour seminars each week, for a full academic year (56 sessions total). Sessions are to be run as interactive roundtable seminars using case studies, where all students are rigorously engaged in discussion and debate and practicing active learning. The objective of this framework is to have the students develop and demonstrate strategic thinking proficiencies in critical analysis of design and the conduct of strategy and operations in the broader context of national policy objectives to assist civilian leaders in understanding the art and science of war. They will learn how others have operated in unknown environments, dealt with unanticipated challenges, and sought innovative approaches to why, how, when, and where we fight.

5.1.4 Wargaming. The contracted university will ensure war gaming sessions provide students with the opportunity to examine historical and contemporary decision making to gain a better understanding of how strategy and operations have evolved over time and how levels of warfare link together. The wars and problems studied shall complement the STP curriculum and provide students with the opportunity to conduct a strategic assessment, develop a theory of victory, and execute a war plan for each war game. The process shall be iterative and allow students to attempt different operations and strategies to practice their war fighting and strategic and critical thinking. The war games will emphasize a free-flowing conversation informed by the STP course, additional readings, and the war games themselves.

5.1.5 Staff rides. The contracted university will ensure one annual staff ride for STP consisting of systematic preliminary study of a selected campaign, an extensive visit to the actual sites associated with that campaign, and an opportunity for students to integrate the lessons derived from each. The staff ride will be conducted using a historical case and experiential learning to examine through the prism of the overarching STP themes: political objectives; the nature and character of war; civ/mil dialogue and unity of effort; strategic and military culture; command and leadership; resourcing, sustainment, capability and force structure; operational environment and geography; and learning and adaptation.

PART 7 ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LIST:

7.1 Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2 Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

7.3 Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3 – Estimated Workload Data

ATTACHMENT 1/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Submission of Semi-annual report (PWS, Section 5.1.1) The STP Director (Contractor) shall submit a Semi-annual report that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 5.1.1 no later than 31 December and 30 of June of each Academic year.

The Semi-annual report is submitted no more than one week late.

100% Inspection – The contract COR will note the date on which each Semi-annual report is submitted and determine if it has been submitted in accordance with the established standard and AQL

Professor Evaluations completed by the STP students (PWS 5.1.1) The STP Director (Contractor) shall submit Professor Evaluations completed by students that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 5.1.1 within 30 days of the end of the first and second terms Professor Evaluations submitted no more than 30 days from end of first and second semesters.

100% Inspection – The contract COR will note the date on which Professor Evaluations are submitted and determine if it has been submitted in accordance with the established standard and AQL End of each class semester Quality

Curriculum outline including a list of key personnel and subject matter experts (PWS 1.9.1) The contractor shall submit STP core curriculum of in-resident classroom instruction to include two war game exercises and one staff ride that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 1.9.1 STP curriculum submitted by 15 July each Academic Year 100% Inspection-the contract COR will note the date on which curriculum is submitted and determine if it has been submitted in accordance with the established standard and AQL Once every Academic Year Quality

Weekly Activities Report (PWS 5.1.1) The STP Director (Contractor) shall submit weekly activities report that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 5.1.1 Weekly Activities report submitted by COB on Wednesday each week 100% Inspection – the contract COR will note the content of the weekly activities report is submitted in accordance with the established standard and AQL

Staff Ride Report

(PWS 5.1.1)

The contractor shall submit Staff Ride Report that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 5.1.1 Within 30 days of the conclusion of the staff ride 100% Inspection – the contract COR will note the date on which the staff ride report is submitted and the content in accordance with the established standard and AQL Once every Academic Year Management

War Game Report

(PWS 5.1.1)

The contractor shall submit War Game Report that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 5.1.1 Within 30 days of the conclusion of War Games 100% Inspection – the contract COR will note the date and content in accordance with the established standard and AQL 2 times per Academic Year.

Management

submit one MIPP or equivalent for each student that satisfies requirements of PWS Section 1.8.2 By 1 June of each Academic Year.

100% Inspection – the contract COR will note the date and content in accordance with the established standard and AQL Once every Academic Year Management

Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Semi-annual report

PWS: 5.1.1

Professor Evaluations completed by the STP students

PWS: 5.1.1

Annual budget

PWS: 1.9.2

Curriculum outline including a list of key personnel and subject matter experts

PWS: 1.9.1

Weekly Activities Report

PWS: 5.1.1

Staff Ride Report

PWS: 5.1.1

War Games Report

PWS: 5.1.1

Master’s Degree

PWS: 1.8.2

each student

ASSIST

War Games

PWS: 1.8.3.3

Twice

ASSIST

Staff Ride

PWS: 1.8.3.3

May

ASSIST

Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3

ESTIMATED WORKLOAD DATA

For Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Type CLINs The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The contractor is not required to propose the hours listed below and is encouraged to use sound judgment and business practices when preparing price quote.

BASE YEAR

STP Director (Contractor) -Teaching in Class:

-Teaching (Preparation):

-Marking and Assessment:

-Staff Ride Participation:

-Staff Ride Leading:

-Program Lead (curriculum development; mentorship;

reports and research):

Other Faculty -Co-teaching:

-Lesson prep for all sessions:

-War game participation:

-Staff ride preparation:

-Staff ride:

-Staff ride leadership:

-Program duties in support of STP Director (Contractor):