693JK318Q0010_Amendment__0001_Packaged.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) RFQ #693JK318Q0010 Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Amendment #0001

NOTICE CONCERNING REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

PHMSA RFQ# 693JK318Q0010

AMENDMENT #0001

Instructional Systems Design Development, Community of Practice, and Instructor Certification

NOTE: All changes to this solicitation and attachments are reflected in bold red font.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 and 13.5, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

You are invited to submit a quote in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Request for Quotation (RFQ) #693JK318Q0010.

Please see the attached Statement of Work (SOW) for the description of the services to be purchased under this RFQ. Also, please read this document in its entirety as it contains pertinent information (quote contents, evaluation criteria, due dates, etc.) regarding this RFQ.

This solicitation documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) FAC 2005-97, Effective November 06, 2017.

I. ELIGIBILITY, AWARD TYPE AND FAR APPLICATION:

• Eligibility:

o 100% Small Business set-aside.

o Applicable NAICS code: 611710 – Educational Support Services o Business Size Standard: $15.5 Million

• Award Type: Firm Fixed-Price Purchase Order under FAR Part 12 and 13.5.

• FAR Application: Part 12 and 13.5

Award will be made to the responsible quoter that represents the best value to the Government, using a tradeoff process based on the Evaluation Criteria in Item VIII below.

The following documents are attached to this solicitation:

• Attachment A - Statement of Work (SOW)

• Attachment B – Training and Qualifications Learning Model (TQLM) Diagram

II. DESCRIPTION:

PHMSA is seeking a contractor with the professional and expert understanding, with the systematic approach to training, of the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation (ADDIE) training methodology, and for this methodology to be executed within the TQLM framework. See Attachments A and B for details of the requirement. In addition, the contractor must have the expertise and service capabilities to design, develop, and implement training courses to support PHMSA’s compliance with the MAP 21 Act of 2012, section 33008 and PIPES Act of 2016, Section 4(b)(4), Section 12, Section 9(a)(3), and Section 21(b)(1)(D). Also, the requirement includes the development of a training system authorized to grant continuing education units (CEUs), certify qualification programs, and award college credit for offered courses. The following figure is a chart of each task, place of performance, number of contractor resources needed, and invoicing schedule.

Figure 1

Task Number – Description

Place of Performance Resources – Full time (FT) and Part time (PT)

Invoicing Schedule

Task 1 Instructional Systems Design, Development

• Minimum 50% 3700 South MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73179

• Potentially 50% Telework

• 1 Senior Project Manager, Part time.

• 1 Senior/Lead Instructional Designers, Full time.

• 1 Senior/Lead Instructional Designers, Part time.

• 2 Instructional Designer, Full time.

• 1 Instructional Multimedia specialist, Full time.

Monthly

Task 2 Community of Practice

• 100% 3700 South MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73179

• 1 Data Analyst, Full time.

• 1 Senior Project Manager, Part time.

Monthly

Task 3 Instructor Augmentation Support

• Minimum 40% 3700 South MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73179

• Potentially 60% Telework

• 1 Senior Project Manager, Part time.

• 1 Instructor Part time.

Upon Completion

Task 4 Instructor Certification

• Minimum 40% 3700 South MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73179

• Potentially 60% Telework

• 1 Senior Project Manager, Part time.

• 1 Senior Instructor IV, Part time.

• 1 Senior Instructor III, Part time.

• 1 Instructor Observations, Part time.

Upon Completion

III. PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

• Period of Performance: From the date of award through twelve consecutive months, with three

(3) option periods of twelve (12) months each, to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

• Place of Performance:

Inspector Training & Qualifications Division U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 3700 South MacArthur Blvd., Ste B Oklahoma City, OK 73179-7612

IV. WORK HOURS AND RECOGNIZED HOLIDAYS

Contractor shall provide 8 hours of coverage during core hours (from 7AM to 6PM CST) Monday through Friday, or as required and specified.

These are the holidays the Government recognizes. Should a holiday fall on a weekend, the day designated by DOT (Government) must be recognized as the holiday.

1. New Year’s Day 6. Labor Day

2. Martin Luther King Day 7. Columbus Day

3. President’s Day 8. Veterans’ Day

4. Memorial Day 9. Thanksgiving Day

5. Independence Day 10. Christmas Day

On-site personnel assigned to this Purchase Order must not be granted access to DOT facilities during the holidays. The Contractor must place identical requirements, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts that require performance of work on-site, unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer.

V. QUOTE CONTENTS

Quotes must reference PHMSA RFQ #693JK318Q0010 and must consist of Quoter’s Tax Identification Number, DUNS, point of contact information, and proposal date should be clearly indicated on the cover page. Quote page limit: 50 pages total, including Cover Page, Table of Contents, Technical Approach, Past Performance, Resumes and Pricing. Sample work product will not be counted against the 50 pages limit. Additional pages beyond 50 (excluding sample work product) will not be evaluated. Note:

Excluding the SF 18, any other pages of this solicitation (Attachments A & B and Clauses) that is submitted as part of the quote will not count against the 50-page limit. Please send quotes via email to Mr. Fazal Mirza (fazal.mirza@dot.gov) with a copy to Mr. Warren Osterberg (warren.osterberg@dot.gov). Quotes must include the following:

1. Signed SF 18 form and Amendments (if any are issued)

2. Section I - Technical Management Approach, and Staffing Approach & Capabilities:

a. Technical Management Approach: A narrative section titled Technical Approach on how your firm will manage the requirements as stated in the SOW.

b. Staffing Approach & Capabilities: A section titled Staffing Qualifications and Capabilities. A staffing plan or matrix identifying which task each staff is to support, and resume(s) of the staff are to be submitted. The staffing plan should also indicate the ability to provide personnel with the skills, qualifications, and experience required to successfully support the requirements for all tasks. See Attachment A – SOW, Section

5.0 Tasks for details of the qualification requirements for each task.

3. Section II - Past Performance: A section titled Past Performance. This section must demonstrate your firm’s ability to explain the relevance and similarity of its past performance references to the requirements of the solicitation including experience with the requirements as stated in the Statement of Work. Your past performance examples must clearly relate experience (analytical ability, technical, administrative, management) to the effort being proposed. Your firm must provide at least three (3) Past Performance references of relevant work performed within the past 5 year. In addition to the references, you must provide Samples of Work Product that you have previously completed. The sample work Each reference must include the following:

i. Company Name and Address

ii. Contract Number

iii. Contract Award Date

iv. Contract Type

v. Contract Period of Performance and Dollar Value

vi. Contracting Officer Point of Contact (name, telephone number, and e-mail address)

vii. Technical Point of Contact (name, telephone number, and e-mail address) mailto:fazal.mirza@dot.gov mailto:warren.osterberg@dot.gov

viii. Description of Services provided (include information on the scope, magnitude, and complexity of the contract)

ix. Description of problems encountered and what corrective actions the offeror took to remedy the situation.

4. Section III - Pricing: To be on a separate (preferably last) pages of the quote package, and will be itemized (see Figure 1 above) to support the following tasks, as stated in the SOW Section III Tasks:

i. Base Period:

i. Task 1 Instructional Systems Design and Development

ii. Task 2 Community of Practice

iii. Task 3 Instructor Augmentation Support

iv. Task 4 Instructor Certification

ii. Option Period #1:

i. Task 1 Instructional Systems Design, Development

ii. Task 2 Community of Practice

iii. Task 3 Instructor Augmentation Support

iv. Task 4 Instructor Certification

iii. Option Period #2:

i. Task 1 Instructional Systems Design, Development

ii. Task 2 Community of Practice

iii. Task 3 Instructor Enhancement Support

iv. Task 4 Instructor Certification

iv. Option Period #3:

i. Task 1 Instructional Systems Design, Development

ii. Task 2 Community of Practice

iii. Task 3 Instructor Enhancement Support

iv. Task 4 Instructor Certification

VI. QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this RFQ must be emailed to Mr. Fazal Mirza (fazal.mirza@dot.gov) with a copy to Mr. Warren Osterberg (warren.osterberg@dot.gov). Do not contact any other PHMSA personnel during the RFQ stage.

All questions must be received on or before 3PM, EDT, June 01, 2018.

VII. SUBMISSION OF QUOTES

The complete quote must be sent in no more than 6 e-mails. All e-mails that comprise your firm’s quotes MUST be RECEIVED on or before 3PM, ET, June 15, 2018. When submitting quotes, the body of your e-mail message must expressly state how many e-mail messages make up your quote submission. Any reasonably legible font but nothing smaller than size 12 with at least 1-inch margin will be acceptable. The subject “USDOT PHMSA RFQ #693JK318Q0010 – Submission.”

VIII. EVALUATION OF QUOTES

A fixed-price Purchase Order will be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal represents the best value after evaluation in accordance with the criteria shown below. The Government will use a tradeoff source selection strategy when making the best value determination and award based on the following evaluation criteria.

mailto:fazal.mirza@dot.gov mailto:warren.osterberg@dot.gov

All quotes received will be reviewed by the Acquisition Services Division (PHF-20) prior to being forwarded to the Program Office for technical review. This pre-evaluation review will be to determine that the quotes received comply with the instructions in the RFQ and contain all the necessary elements required for review.

** INCOMPLETE QUOTES WILL BE DETERMINED “NON-RESPONSIVE” AND WILL NOT

BE EVALUATED. **

Per FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014):

Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose proposal presents the best overall value to the Government, using a tradeoff process. PHMSA will evaluate each proposal according to Evaluation Criteria 1 and 2 below. PHMSA will also evaluate the price of each proposal, but will not rank or score this criterion.

1. Evaluation Criterion 1 Technical Management Approach, and Staffing Approach & Capabilities: This criterion will be used to evaluate the following areas:

i. Technical Management Approach: In this area, PHMSA will evaluate your firm’s ability to explain and substantiate its proposed approach to the task items. Your firm’s understanding of and compliance with the solicitation requirements. Your firm’s understanding of the work requirements under each task item. The feasibility and scalability of your firm’s proposed approach. Demonstration of your firm’s expertise necessary to successfully support the required task items.

ii. Staffing Approach & Capabilities: In this area, PHMSA will evaluate your firm’s staffing plan indicating the ability to provide personnel with the skills, qualifications, and experience required to successfully support the requirements for all tasks. Your firm’s understanding of the staffing requirements for all task items. Resumes of personnel, demonstrating knowledge and experience in the adult learning theories, facilitation within Community of Practices, and Instructor training, as described in each task.

2. Evaluation Criterion 2 Past Performance: This criterion will be used to evaluate your firm’s past performance in supporting similar work as described in the SOW. Your firm’s ability to explain the relevance and similarity of its past performance references to the requirements of the solicitation.

Your firm’s demonstration of experience with the requirements as stated in the Statement of Work.

To score Past Performance, PHMSA reserves the right to utilize any or all of the following resources:

1) the information provided by the quoter in the proposal; 2) information gathered through phone calls and correspondence with the quoter’s references; 3) information known to government evaluators at the time of evaluation; and 4) information available on public websites/databases such as Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and System for Award Management (SAM).

NOTE: PHMSA will evaluate how well the Past Performance references align with the work in the SOW. PHMSA will determine relevance of past performance information based on the similarity of the nature of the previous work to the current requirement; the dollar value of the previous efforts;

and how recently the work was performed.

3. Evaluation Criterion 3. Price: Your firm’s pricing shall be based on the SOW. The Government will evaluate the fairness and reasonableness of your firm’s proposed; total price (including option periods), labor categories, mix of labor categories, level of effort, and key personnel. Please clearly specify the number of labor hours, loaded labor rates, and labor categories proposed. The Government may use various price analysis techniques and procedures to ensure a fair and reasonable price. Although this criterion will not be scored, it will be a consideration in determining which proposal presents the overall best value to the Government.

PHMSA may negotiate for additional discounts, or may award without negotiations.

Evaluation Order of Importance - Evaluation Criterion 1 Technical Management Approach and Staffing Approach and Capabilities, is more important than Evaluation Criterion 2 Past Performance.

Evaluation Criterion 1 Technical Management Approach and Staffing Approach and Capabilities, and Evaluation Criterion 2 Past Performance, when combined, are significantly more important than Evaluation Criterion 3: Price.

IX. QUOTER RESPONSIBILITY DETERMINATION

To be eligible for award, the Contracting Officer must determine that the offeror is responsible according to the standards of FAR 9.1, Responsible Prospective Contractors. Prior to issuing any award, the Government will review the FAPIIS/ Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and the System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure that the prospective awardee is responsible, current on all federal taxes, and is not on the list of parties excluded from federal procurement. PHMSA will also consider a contractor’s termination history when determining contractor responsibility.

X. DATES

• Deadline for Questions: 1500 EDT, June 01, 2018.

• Deadline for Quotes: 1500 EDT, June 15, 2018.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

ii 2

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

0001 05/11/2018

6. ISSUED BY CODE PHMSA PHF-20 7. ADMINISTERED BY(/f other than ItemS) CODE PHMSA PHF-20

Acquisition Services Division Acquisition Services Division

US DOT/PHMSA/PHF-20 US DOT/PHNSA/PHF-20

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE E22-317 E22-317 Washington Washington DC 20590-0001

DC 20590-0001

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, Stale and ZIP Code) (x)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

693JK318Q0010

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

05/11/2018 bA. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

lOB. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE FACILI1Y CODE

Ii. I 111011CM UJ'ILT 1WrLIC0 JO MCIUIV1CP1I C 01 COLILI IPI IUNC

HThe above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. Eis not extended.

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: (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 telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY 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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received orior to the ooenina hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

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 1OA.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

8. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not. LI is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Title: Instructional Systems Design Development, Community of Practice, and Instructor

Certification

The purpose of Pmendment #0001 is as follows:

1. Updated the Notice:

1.1. Section II, Place of Performance;

1.2. Section IV, Work Hours and Recognition Holidays;

2. Updated the Statement of Work;

2.1. Tasks 1-4, Hours of Support; and

2.2. Task 4, Level of Support.

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED

Continued Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or bA, as heretofore chang9'iiiidihd ijiidhanged aiid infull force a'nd effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 16A. NAME AND

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNIT

.. 16C. DA E SIGNED

- C '(Signature afperson authorized to sign)

(Signature Contracling Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDA FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Previous edition unusable Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 2

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

693JK318Q0010/0001

FROM THE BASE RFQ/SOLICITATION.

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

U.S. Department of Transportation RFQ #693JK318Q0010 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Attachment A

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

STATEMENT OF WORK

Instructional Systems Design Development, Community of Practice, and Instructor Certification

Version 1.0

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Instructional Systems Design, Development and Instructor Certification

1.0. INTRODUCTION

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has responsibility for the regulation of hazardous materials transportation by highway, rail, air, water, and pipeline. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has estimated that approximately 817,000 shipments consisting of 5.4 million tons of hazardous materials are made daily in the United States, which would total nearly 300 million shipments and 2 billion tons of hazardous cargo per year. PHMSA is also the primary federal regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that the Nation's 2.6 million miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines are safe, reliable, and environmentally sound. From the federal level, the agency oversees the development, implementation, and enforcement of regulations concerning pipeline construction, maintenance, and operation, and the agency shares these responsibilities with state regulatory partners. The rules governing pipeline safety are included in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 190-199. Individual states may have additional or more stringent pipeline safety regulations.

PHMSA Training and Qualifications Center (TQ) is responsible for providing Pipeline Inspector and Hazardous Material Investigator qualification and safety training. The MAP-21 Act of 2012, P.L. 112-141 and the PIPES Act of 2016, P.L. 114-183 require that all federal and state safety inspectors and investigators receive formal classroom training and on-the-job qualification. The TQ training programs comprise 58 pipeline safety courses and 34 hazardous material courses consisting of distance learning (DL) and instructor-led (IL) training. The TQ strategic improvement plan requires all existing and future courses be assessed and analyzed for effectiveness, redundancy, and appropriateness toward accomplishment of desired learning outcomes within 72-months. Courses are assessed and analyzed, then redesigned and developed according to the Training and Qualifications Learning Model (TQLM). Once piloted and formally approved for inclusion in the TQ training catalog, they are placed on a 48-month revision life-cycle to ensure continued quality control and applicability to desired learning outcomes.

Additionally, a trained and certified instructor cadre is necessary to implement the training products once developed. Certified instructors will train federal and state safety personnel to effectively accomplish their roles and responsibilities.

2.0. Description of Problem and Rationale for Support

Congress set timelines for PHMSA to identify challenges affecting Federal or State pipeline regulators in the oversight of; 1) Gas transmission pipeline facilities, 2) Workforce Management,

3) Corrosion of Gas Transmission Lines, and 4) Underground Natural Gas Storage facilities. The

Secretary authorized the creation of an enforcement training program that establishes uniform performance standards for hazmat inspectors and investigators. The hazmat training will provide emersion in federal guidelines, best practices, and standard protocols. Each congressional mandate and Secretary’s authorization have a training development element, yet current pipeline and hazmat safety training for Federal and State inspectors/investigators does not provide the necessary qualification requirements to perform adequately on the job. Additionally, the present training content does not meet accredited academic standards required for functional on-the-job training (OJT). These shortcomings increase risk to public safety and the likelihood of increased litigation due to inappropriately cited industry violations. Rectifying this situation requires a professional and systematic approach to training (SAT) by experts who understand and can implement the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation (ADDIE) training development model. Without professional expertise to analyze training needs, and then use that analysis data to create specific course content targeted toward desired learning outcomes, TQ cannot ensure we are teaching the necessary skills and knowledge pipeline safety inspectors need to perform their jobs effectively.

3.0. OBJECTIVE

The ultimate goal is efficient and effective teaching which imparts to the trainees all the essential knowledge/tools to successfully fulfill PHMSA’s mission goals.

3.1. This requires professional and expert application of the SAT/ADDIE processes executed within the TQLM framework. Effective execution of the TQLM will ensure PHMSA pipeline safety inspectors and hazmat investigators are receiving the necessary formal classroom and OJT, thus increasing their ability to perform exceptionally on the job.

3.2. The selected contractor must have the expertise and service capabilities to design, develop, and implement training courses to support PHMSA’s compliance with the MAP 21 Act of 2012, section 33008 and PIPES Act of 2016, Section 4(b)(4), Section 12, Section 9(a)(3), and Section 21(b)(1)(D).

3.3. Finally, we require the development of a training system authorized to grant continuing education units (CEUs), certify qualification programs, and award college credit for offered courses which in turn supports cooperative agreements with colleges, universities, and technical schools.

4.0. ABBREVIATIONS and DEFINITIONS

4.1. Abbreviations

• ADDIE – Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation

• CDG – Course Design Guide

• CMS – Course Management System

• CTL – Critical Task List

• CTSB – Critical Task Selection Board

• CO – Contracting Officer

• COR – Contracting Officer Representative

• COP – Community of Practice

• DIF – Difficulty, Importance, Frequency

• DL – Distance Learning

• DOT – Department of Transportation

• EEI – Essential Elements of Instruction

• ELO – Enabling Learning Objective

• FTE – Full-Time Equivalent

• HAZMAT – Hazardous Materials

• ID – Instructional Designer

• IDP – Individual Development Plan

• IL – Instructor Led

• ISDD – Instructional Systems Design and Development

• LMS – Learning Management System

• MAP – Moving Ahead for Progress

• OJT – On-the-Job Training

• PE – Practical Exercise

• PHH – Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

• PHMSA – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

• PHP – Office of Pipeline Safety

• PIPES – Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety

• SAT – Systems Approach to Training

• SCORM - Sharable Content Object Reference Model

• SME - Subject Matter Expert

• SOI – Schedule of Instruction

• TLO – Terminal Learning Objective

• TQ – Training and Qualifications Center

• TQLM – Training and Qualifications Learning Model

• ZPD – Zone of Proximal Development

4.2. Definitions

• 508 Compliant – A mandate of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requiring federal agencies to provide software and website accessibility to people with disabilities.

• ADDIE – A training development process traditionally used by instructional designers and training developers. It provides a dynamic, flexible guideline for building effective training and performance support tools.

• Blackboard – A commercial LMS/CMS that provides teachers and students the ability to implement blended learning in the classroom. It is the LMS/CMS used at

TQ.

• Bloom’s Taxonomy – A set of three hierarchical models used to classify educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity. The three lists cover the learning objectives in cognitive, affective and sensory domains. The cognitive domain list has been the primary focus of most traditional education and is frequently used to structure curriculum learning objectives, assessments and activities.

• CDG – TQ designed formal document that provides a standardized process for design and development of TQ courses.

• CMS - A collection of software tools providing an online environment for course interactions. A CMS typically includes a variety of online tools and environments, such as:

An area for faculty posting of class materials such as course syllabus and handouts

An area for student posting of papers and other assignments A gradebook where faculty can record grades and each student can view his or her grades An integrated email tool allowing participants to send announcement email messages to the entire class or to a subset of the entire class A chat tool allowing synchronous communication among class participants A threaded discussion board allowing asynchronous communication among participants

• CTL – A collection of individual or collective tasks required to perform a complete job function. The CTL is the final product of the CTSB

• CTSB – A formal board (face-to-face or virtual) consisting of regional and state SMEs who develop and prioritize the list of critical performance and knowledge tasks required for competency on the job.

• COP - Communities of Practice are formed by people who engage in a process of collective learning in a shared domain of human endeavor. Membership implies a commitment to the domain and therefore a shared competence that distinguishes members from other people. Members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information. They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other.

• DIF Analysis – Analysis conducted to determine if training for a task is or is not needed based on a task’s difficulty, importance and frequency.

• EEI – A lesson design model created by Madeline Hunter consisting of eight elements providing a student-centric, holistic learning environment.

• Fading - The gradual reduction of discriminative stimuli (cues) initially used to establish a desired behavior. For example, students might use job aids in a classroom/laboratory setting. As they learn their jobs/tasks, they rely less and less on the cues in the job aids until they no longer have to refer to them at all.

• Life-Cycle - The established timeline for reviewing quality, viability and relevance of TQ training programs and courses, and their alignment with the TQ strategic plan providing a single policy for course approval, review and continuation or discontinuation. The average life-cycle of a TQ course is 48-months.

• LMS - A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs.

• MAP 21 Act –Authorizes funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes. P.L. 112-141 (Enacted 2012).

• PE – A training session that permits students to acquire and practice the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform one or more training objectives.

• PIPES Act - Amends title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes. P.L. 114-183 (Enacted 2016).

• Regeneration – The self-directed, continuous quest to seek formal or informal education to maintain or enhance job performance and career skills. TQ training refresher products provide easy access to relevant, job related topics for continuous “reach-back” that assists in knowledge regeneration.

• Rubric – An assessment tool that articulates the expectations for an assignment by listing the learning/performance criteria, and describing levels of quality from excellent to poor. When used as part of a formative, student-centered approach to assessment, rubrics have the potential to help students develop understanding and skill, as well as make dependable judgments about the quality of their own work.

• SAT – A methodology for managing training programs. The systematic approach to training ensures that people are prepared for their work by having the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do their job. At TQ, the SAT employs the ADDIE model and requires IDs to formulate a SAT Action Plan. SAT/ADDIE are the working models within TQLM.

• Scaffolding – A temporary support framework designed to promote a deeper level of learning. Scaffolding is the support given during the learning process which is tailored to the needs of the student with the intention of helping the student achieve his/her learning goals. The scaffolding support is gradually taken away as the student masters a task.

• SCORM - A set of technical standards for e-learning software products.

• TQLM – A custom learning model consisting of a governing philosophy, a standardized development approach, and execution guidelines for TQ training products and courses. The basis of TQLM is the application of Vygotsky’s “Zone of Proximal Development” (ZPD).

• TQ Shorts – TQ designed training videos that cover key topics, generally created for refresher training.

• Transference - Learning in one context and applying it to another, i.e. the capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills to new situations. In TQLM, course instructors and designers use transference in two ways; (1) to identify existing student knowledge relevant to new tasks to be learned in the classroom: and (2) to provide real-world training exercises designed to positively increase a student’s on-the-job competency.

• ZPD - The difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can do with help. It is a concept introduced by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky

(1896–1934).

5.0. TASKS

5.1: Task 1 Instructional Systems Design, Development

Objective: Implement the expert application of the TQLM. Full implementation requires a professional and systematic approach to training (SAT) by experts who understand and can apply the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation (ADDIE) training development model within the TQLM specific framework.

Scope: Specific focus of all training efforts is to train federal and state pipeline inspectors and HAZMAT investigators in Congressionally mandated (i.e. PIPES Act 2016 and MAP 21 Act of 2012) inspection/investigation procedures, and simultaneously support the TQ to ensure training support materials are delivered as designed and on time. Work within the TQLM framework to perform analysis of training needs to include, Needs Analysis, Target Audience Analysis, Task Analysis, and then design and develop course materials, to include lesson plans, PEs/Assessments, implementation strategies and evaluations. All resulting training products will maximize the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) for each learner.

Sub-Task 1.1 Conduct Stakeholder surveys using various survey instruments and techniques. Analyze survey data to guide effective design and development of learning products.

Sub-Task 1.2 Coordinate and administratively support CTSBs. Provide board member training when necessary, maintain CTSB spreadsheets, finalize DIF analysis data, and calculate performance/knowledge ratios.

Sub Task 1.3 Produce CTLs as required by CTSB.

Sub-Task 1.4 Coordinate CTSB DIF Analysis.

Sub-Task 1.5 Using the TQ Master Course Design Guide (CDG) and SAT Action Plan, design and develop mobile, distance learning, computer-based, paper-based and mixed-media instructor-led training. All IL and DL course materials must be 508 Compliant, and all DL products must meet SCORM development criteria. All IL products must be student-centric, peer-to-peer focused and strive to meet an 80/20 performance to knowledge ratio.

Sub-Task 1.6 Develop instructional materials utilizing multimedia and graphic design tools including desktop publishing, Flash animation, Captivate, Lectora, video and audio editing.

Sub-Task 1.7 Create and maintain DL and IL learning products ensuring compatibility with Blackboard LMS/CMS technologies.

Sub-Task 1.8 Work with various SMEs to identify course content and convert that content into effective TQLM course materials.

Sub-Task 1.9 Design and develop lesson plans, practical exercises and assessment instruments using ADDIE, SAT, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and EEI.

Sub-Task 1.10 Assist in conducting pilot courses to assess effectiveness of achieving desired learning outcomes, supporting instructors’ implementation of the lesson plans and assessments, and documenting required content corrections, adjusting the SOI, and refining the design framework.

Sub-Task 1.11 Make course design changes identified in the pilot courses to prepare for formal approval and official launch of the course.

Deliverables: The contractor will employ the TQLM using SAT/ADDIE methodologies to analyze TQ training needs, design student-centric, peer-to-peer DL and IL lesson plans, PEs, and assessments that meet the desired learning outcomes. Each course will be ready for formal approval within the established TQ revision schedule, typically no later than 6-months from receipt of approved CTL. Contractor will deliver training materials relating to inspection procedures as stipulated in the PIPES Act of 2016 and MAP Act of 2012. Timeline assumes contractor has all required TQ provided materials and SME support available when needed.

Staffing Qualifications: The contractor must be able to demonstrate mastery of SAT/ADDIE methodologies by providing examples of past work relating directly to adult compentency job training. The contractor will have demonstrable (examples of past efforts required) formal education, experience and expertise to understand and implement advanced adult learning theory. The contractor will have at least one Doctorate (PhD or EdD) specializing in occupational education or related field. The contractor will have at least 10-years experience analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating adult learning programs.

The contractor must have extensive experience working in adult learning environments. Such experiences would be a combination of working in academic institutions, such as, Technical Schools and 4-year colleges/universities, and dynamic government or industry training programs where they did advance instructional design and development work.

Level of Support: Contractor to provide 5 full-time professional and trained personnel on-site, at Place of Performance, a minimum of 50% of the time for the support required. The remaining support can be provided remotely.

Hours of Support: Contractor shall provide 8 hours of coverage during core hours (from 7AM to 6PM CST) Monday through Friday, or as required and specified.

Place of Performance Address:

Inspector Training & Qualifications U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 3700 South MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73179

Contractor employees may telework when not needing to conduct work at PHMSA Training and Qualifications facility. Any telework under this contract must be approved by the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Note: Travel costs will not be reimbursed for any telework or offsite recurring support of this Task. See Section 7.4 for further details.

5.2: Task 2 Community of Practice

Objective: Establish and maintain a pipeline community of practice (CoP) to facilitate the capture of lessons learned, best practices, and sharing of information across all stakeholder domains.

Scope: Among the applicable domains are PHMSA, state partners, and industry trade organizations, pipeline operators and other non-governmental stakeholders who have expressed strong support for this initiative. COP input and feedback will be used to increase analysis capabilities for course design and development, provide a forum for members to share ideas, best practices and concerns to further pipeline safety across the industry. Develop and maintain an online stakeholder-wide COP to capture lessons learned, best practices and promote information sharing.

Sub-Task 2.1 Develop and maintain a COP for approximately 500+ members.

Sub-Task 2.2 Create the COP forum structure to include delivery platform, layout, membership enrollment, and sharing strategies.

Sub-Task 2.3 Serve as forum moderator, identifying lessons learned topics that have a potential impact on TQ training products.

Sub-Task 2.4 Separate lessons learned topics from general COP discussions and catalog those items for consideration during the Analysis Phase, i.e. stakeholder surveys and CTSB review.

Deliverables: The contractor will develop and maintain a COP for Federal, State and Industry members to permit open discussions and capture of training relevant lessons learned, best practices, and information sharing. COP will be developed in a 3-phased sequence. Phase 1, analysis of design requirements (6-month completion timeline from official start date). Phase 2, development (8-months from completion of Phase 1, deliverables include: forum structure, membership criteria, marketing/outreach, launch). Phase 3, (Ongoing from completion of Phase

2. Deliverables include monitor, moderate, and collect community data.

Staffing Qualifications: The contractor will have at a minimum 5 years of experience in knowledge management, content management, and/or the facilitation of Community of Practices.

Such experiences will include identifying and assigning the discrete roles to be performed in a Community of Practice. The contractor will be capable of serving effectively as the community leader who is accountable for ensuring the community functions as a knowledge sharing mechanism. This individual is involved in the start-up and growth of the community, and in developing and maintaining the community processes. The contractor will also efficiently facilitate networking within the community. They are effective in facilitating the linkages and relationships between the members, as well as potentially stewarding any community output.

Level of Support: Contractor to provide 1 full-time, fully qualified, professional staff member at Place of Performance, 100% of the time for the support required.

Hours of Support: Contractor shall provide 8 hours of coverage during core hours (from 7AM to 6PM CST) Monday through Friday, or as required and specified.

Place of Performance Address:

Inspector Training & Qualifications U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 3700 South MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73179

Note: travel costs will not be reimbursed for any telework or offsite recurring support of this Task. See Section 7.4 for further details.

5.3: Task 3 Instructor Enhancement Support:

Objective: Provide qualified instructors to enhance the TQ instructor cadre.

Scope: Provide instructional support for developed classes. Required level of support will be determined by annual course schedule and availability of TQ instructors (as needed)

Sub-Task 3.1 Present approved TQ lesson plans, practical exercises, and conduct performance and knowledge based assessments.

Sub-Task 3.2 Demonstrate solid classroom management skills. Conduct all training in accordance with approved SOI.

Deliverables: Provide instructional support for TQLM developed classes.

Staffing Qualifications: The contractor will have at least 15 years combined experience as an instructor/facilitator. Instructors should demonstrate an ability to teach effectively. This will be confirmed by a successful teaching record (based on student, peer, or reviewer evaluations).

Another measure of instructor qualification is completion of instructor training geared toward adult education. When evaluating this qualification in an instructor, the contractor will consider the wide range of venues and structures that are appropriate for such education. Adult education teaching skills include the ability to conceptualize and deliver course content via distance education and to research and write a formal manual. The contractor will have a basic understanding of pipeline functional job requirements and will be familiar with Federal regulations, API Standards, HAZMAT transportation regulations, and recommended practices that govern the pipeline industry.

Level of Support: Contractor to provide 0.5 professional and trained staff personnel resources on-site, at Place of Performance, a minimum of 40% of the time for the support required. The remaining support can be provided remotely.

Hours of Support: Contractor shall provide 8 hours of coverage during core hours (from 7AM to 6PM CST) Monday through Friday, or as required and specified.

Place of Performance Address:

Inspector Training & Qualifications U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 3700 South MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73179

Contractor employees may telework when not needing to conduct work at PHMSA Training and Qualifications facility. Any telework under this contract must be approved by the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Note: travel costs will not be reimbursed for any telework or offsite recurring support of this Task. See Section 7.4 for further details.

5.4 Task 4 Instructor Certification:

Objective: Provide a 3-Tier instructor certification program that trains TQ Course Managers, and Associate Instructors in effective and efficient implementation of TQLM learning strategies.

Scope: Train pipeline safety instructors in the implementation of TQLM philosophy, program development and classroom execution strategies. Continue implementation of the 3-tiered instructor certification program to include teaching instructor certification courses, working with instructor candidates to develop and complete individual development plans, conducting progress observations and providing status reports to the Director.

Sub-Task 4.1: Delivery Level 1 Course(s), as Needed – Instructor Basic Course(s)

• Deliver sessions, as needed, to be determined by PHMSA.

• Deliver the instructor basic course to 8-10 participants per session.

• Provide necessary training needs to established point of contact prior to course.

• Work with instructor candidates to develop and complete individual development plans

Sub-Task 4.2: Delivery of Level 2 Course(s), as Needed – Senior Instructor Course(s)

• Provide necessary training needs to established point of contact prior to course.

Sub-Task 4.3: Delivery of Level 3 Course(s), as Needed – Master Instructor Course(s)

• Provide necessary training needs to established point of contact prior to course.

Sub-Task 4.4: Conduct Instructor Development Observations & Provide Progress Reports to TQ Director

• Conduct observations of each instructor candidate using the rubric scoring criteria developed for the instructor certification program per level of certification in accordance with Instructor Certification Program guidelines and as required per TQ Director

• Provide developmental feedback and counseling to observed instructor candidates upon completion of each scheduled observation

• Provide progress reports to TQ Director on instructor candidates development and mastery of instructional and facilitation skills

Deliverables: Under this contract, the contractor will deliver courses for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 tiers, but depending on Government needs in any year the Government may order less or more than the estimated two identical courses for each level that the government expects to have a need for in each year. For example, in the first year the Government may want more Level 1 classes delivered but no Level 3 classes delivered because all Government personnel will be just starting the program and no one will be at a Level 3 status given the newness of the program.

The contractor’s quote must provide unit pricing for delivering each course and each observation. Line items for the delivery of courses are set up as option line items which do not specify an exact quantity. They may be exercised as needed and the quantity will be determined during the order’s performance period. Exercising these options and the number of classes for each tier level will be based solely upon the discretion of the Government.

Depending on Government needs in any year the Government may order less or more than the estimated 75 observations each year. For example, in the first year the Government may have fewer observations, but in the final option year more observations since more candidates will be present. The contractor’s quote must provide unit pricing for each observation. Line items for the delivery of observations are set up as option line items which do not specify an exact quantity. They may be exercised as needed and the quantity will be determined during the order’s performance period. Exercising these options and the number of observations will be based solely upon the discretion of the Government. Total number of instructor observations is based on the number of instructor candidates in the program during any given year. The program requires 3 observations per instructor candidate, per qualification level. Each observation will require 4 hours to perform each element of the respective task.

Staffing Qualifications: TQLM instructor development requires at a minimum 10 years of advanced experience in functional training delivery techniques as they relate to applied field operations. TQ instructors will be trained to conduct hands-on operational scenarios that require an expert understanding of composite risk management in a laboratory/field environment. The contractor will train TQ Instructor candidates in the implementation of state-of-the-art gaming and simulation exercises that model real-world pipeline operations.

Level of Support: Contractor to provide 0.5 professional and trained staff members at Place of Performance, a minimum of 40% of the time for the support required. The remaining support can be provided remotely.

Hours of Support: Contractor shall provide 8 hours of coverage during core hours (from 7AM to 6PM CST) Monday through Friday, or as required and specified.

Place of Performance Address:

Inspector Training & Qualifications U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 3700 South MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73179

Contractor employees may telework when not needing to conduct work at PHMSA Training and Qualifications facility. Any telework under this contract must be approved by the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

Note: travel costs will not be reimbursed for any telework or offsite recurring support of this Task.