CBLE Q_A Attachment.pdf

70B06C22R00000038

U.S. CBP Customs Broker License Exam (CBLE) In-Person and Remote Administration and Proctoring Services

Question & Answers

# Reference Offeror Question Government Response

1 Exam/ References

How are the electronic references currently provided during the test administration, e.g., PDF files?

Electronic references currently provided during the test administration are provided as PDF Files.

2 Exam/ References

Does CBP require the vendor to continue to support candidates use of a shelf/rack during test administration?

Yes.

3 Exam/ References

Would CBP consider the use of electronic references only during the test administration?

In the future, CBP hopes to get to 100% electronic references, but for the foreseeable future, physical references are still allowed.

4 Exam/ References

Does CBP require the vendor to host a sample CBLE test that can be accessed multiple times by potential candidates?

The sample CBLE is not proctored, just available for the examinees to practice on and it will need to mirror the real CBLE.

5 Exam/ References

How many CBLE examination forms are active during a testing window, e.g., how many forms will need to be published for test administration?

CBP requires only one version.

6 Exam/ References

Can CBLE share a sample candidate score report for passing and failing candidates?

CBP can provide examples of all the reports required at time of contract kick-off.

7 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm that only Vendor project team members (e.g., Vendor employees) working on the CBP account need to be entered into the Contractor Tracking System?

Since the CBLE contractor will not be accessing CBP systems, contractor employees will not be entered into the Contractor Tracking System.

8 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm that only Vendor project team members (e.g., Vendor employees) working on the CBP account need to complete DHS training?

Due to the PII/SPII, all contractor employees with access to the examinee information, including Proctors, will need to complete the Privacy at DHS: Protecting Personal Information before accessing PII and/or SPII training, the Information Technology Security Awareness Training, and read and sign the DHS Rules of Behavior form. This is a non-negotiable DHS requirement.

9 Background

Can CBP confirm that only Vendor project team members (e.g., Vendor employees) working on the CBP account need to complete the NDA?

Due to the PII/SPII, all contractor employees with access to the examinee information, including Proctors, will need to sign a DHS NDA. This is a non-negotiable DHS requirement.

10 Background

Can CBP confirm if Vendor project team members (e.g., Vendor employees) working on the CBP account need to complete background checks?

All contractor employees working on this contract must go pass a criminal background check conducted by the contractor.

11 Background

Can CBP confirm if any candidate or examination data exchanged under this agreement would be categorized as “sensitive information” that would require a Vendor’s employee to be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident?

The PII/SPII provided to the contractor is classified as “sensitive information” and will require that all contractor employees assigned to this contract be a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

12 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm if any candidate or examination data exchanged under this agreement would be categorized as “sensitive

The PII/SPII provided to the contractor is classified as “sensitive information” and will require that all contractor employees pass a information” that would require a Vendor’s employee be pre-screened to work on the account?

criminal background investigation, be a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident. The contractor shall provide this data to CBP.

13 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm if test site proctors need to complete background checks?

Yes, test site proctors will have to pass a criminal background check.

14 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm if test site proctors need to complete DHS training?

Yes, test site proctors will have to complete the Privacy at DHS:

Protecting Personal Information before accessing PII and/or SPII training, the Information Technology Security Awareness Training, and read and sign the DHS Rules of Behavior form as well as a DHS NDA. This is a non-negotiable DHS requirement.

15 Background Checks/Training

Can CBP confirm if test site proctors need to complete the NDA? Yes, test site proctors will have to sign a DHS NDA. This is a non-negotiable DHS requirement.

16 Data Retention Can CBP clarify the data retention policies? Is some data retained by the Vendor after the agreement expires? Or no data?

- The RFP notes: Contractor must retain until three years after final payment under the contract (or for shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7) all records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction.

- The RFP also notes: Upon completion of this contract, the Contractor Employee shall return all sensitive information used in the performance of the contract to the CO/COR. The Contractor shall certify, in writing, that all sensitive and non-public information has been purged from any Contractor-owned system.

The requirement is for the contractor to delete all CBLE data including, but not limited to, examinee PII/SPII, exam recordings, and check-in verification data 120 calendar days after the day of the exam, unless otherwise directed by the CBP COR (e.g.

recordings that shall be retained for the duration of the appeals process and any court proceedings). The contractor shall provide a Certificate of Destruction, signed by the contractor’s Chief Technology Officer or equivalent, to the COR within five (5) calendar days from purging the data or no later than 95 calendar days from administering the CBLE, whichever occurs first.

17 Candidate Eligibility Data

Can CBLE confirm it does NOT provide a social security number as part of eligibility data?

No – CBP does not provide examinees’ Social Security Numbers, nor can the contractor request that information from the examinees.

18 Test Administration

Does CBLE require candidates be videotaped during test administration? Or does CBLE only require the Vendor to retain video and audio recordings if the test site collects them during testing in case CBLE requires the video or audio recordings as part of a candidate appeal?

Recordings are required.

19 Test Administration

Do all candidates start testing at the same time on the fourth Wednesday in April and October or can candidates schedule anytime as long as they complete testing on the test administration day in their time zone?

For in-person exams: examinees shall start at the same time (per time zone).

For remote exams: CBP is open to suggestions. CBP would prefer to have all examinees start at the same time (per time zone), but would consider discussing options for staggered start times for each time zone.