70RSAT25RFI000006 - SOW - 20241219.pdf

PIID: 70RSAT25RFI000006

Statement of Work U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate

Advanced Computing Branch Subject Matter Expertise PR No. RSEN-25-00004

1. General

1.1 Background

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to using cutting-edge science and technology to make the U.S. more secure. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) organizes and supports the scientific, engineering, and technological resources of the United States and applies these resources to produce and deploy technological tools and knowledge products to help protect the homeland. DHS S&T is organized into four main groups: Office of Mission and Capability Support, Office of Science and Engineering, Office of Innovation and Collaboration, and Office of Enterprise Services, that work together to support DHS operating Components and others in the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). S&T is organized by functions in which each Division plays a critical role in the execution of research and development programs benefitting homeland security missions. Within S&T, programs are matrixed teams that draw support across the Directorate in order to accomplish program goals.

The Technology Centers Division (TCD) within the Office of Science and Engineering is the source of scientific, engineering, and technological expertise and solutions for programs, projects, and activities across S&T and DHS. S&T Technology Centers supply subject matter expertise and conduct core scientific research to provide foundational knowledge and develop cross-cutting technological solutions that address current and future homeland security challenges. The Technology Centers are responsible for three primary activities:

Subject Matter Expert Advisement: Technology Center personnel are subject matter experts (SMEs) and advise S&T programs, DHS Components, and other key stakeholders in scientific, engineering, and technology areas critical to the homeland security enterprise.

S&T Program Technical Support: The Technology Centers directly contribute to S&T programs by serving as Technical Managers and providing expert support on programs to oversee the technical activities of those programs that deliver solutions against customer-identified requirements.

Core Research: The Technology Centers conduct cross-cutting, foundational research, analysis, and experiments, to build knowledge by:

• Maintaining S&T’s technical baseline competency and awareness of the state-of-the-art/art-of-the-possible in key science, engineering, and technology areas.

• Understanding how scientific and technological advancements can be harnessed for homeland security missions – or how they may become are risk or threat.

• Determining how to secure the use of these advancements.

• Identifying methods for detecting, countering, and mitigating the misuse of these advancements.

S&T’s individual Technology Centers focus on foundational science, advanced computing, and innovative systems and technology. While these Tech Centers conduct core research, the Division also houses a cadre of senior engineering and science experts who serve as expert advisors across the Department. They and the Technology Center SMEs work together to stay abreast of enduring and cutting-edge research and contribute to activities being conducted on behalf of S&T program managers and Component customers. Additionally, these senior expert advisors are made available to the Interagency and the Department to maintain open, collaborative relationships and address a wide range of critical problems facing the nation.

TCD works closely with S&T’s Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS), which primarily interacts with DHS operational Components, first responders at all levels of government, emergency management personnel and public safety and other homeland security organizations to define priorities, gaps and requirements to find or develop technology solutions. MCS focuses on the following DHS mission topic areas:

• Border, Immigration and Maritime supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast

Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with technology solutions for their operational needs. Through research, development, testing and evaluation, S&T supports these Components in operational settings such as ports of entry (POE) and areas between POE, covering all domains, including air, ground, underground, water, and underwater.

• First Responder and Detection supports DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and first responders. Through research, development, testing and evaluation, S&T strengthens emergency managers and responders’ ability to protect the homeland by providing the tools and knowledge they need to save lives and protect property, while staying safe.

Physical and Cyber Security supports the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), United States Secret Service (USSS) and Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). S&T conducts research, development, testing and evaluation in three main focus areas: physical security, cybersecurity, and explosives detection and mitigation. Within these focus areas S&T assesses and analyzes threats and vulnerabilities to critical infrastructure, enhancing resilience through advanced planning and mitigation, preventing and disrupting criminal use of cyberspace, strengthening the security and reliability of the cyber eco system, streamlining passenger screening, and preventing homemade explosive attacks.

1.2 Scope of Work

This Statement of Work describes the basic services and types of deliverables expected within the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) framework. S&T intends to have 1-4 awardees under this IDIQ contract; if there is more than 1 awardee, Task Orders will be competed prior to award.

Work under this contract will fall into one of 2 categories: Subject Matter Experts and Program Support.

1.2.1 Subject Matter Experts

Support staff are required to assist the Government in subject matter expert advisement within the Advanced Computing Branch (ACB) of TCD. Recipients of such advisement may include customers both internal to S&T as well as operational Components within DHS, other federal agencies who are partners of DHS, and the Homeland Security Enterprise. Successful support staff help ensure that S&T conduct cross-cutting core research, develop its programs and their attendant projects; maintain awareness of technologies on or over the horizon; and understand the many parties, platforms, policies and processes inherent in a complex technology development system.

The efforts of this support contract will be matrixed across the organization. Matrixed offices, divisions and portfolios may include any of the four “pillars:” Office of Mission and Capability Support (MCS); Office of Science and Engineering (OSE); Office of Innovation and Collaboration (OIC); and Office of Enterprise Services (OES). Sub-pillars and portfolios within each pillar each may have divisions, offices, personnel or other entities that require support. This contract is limited to S&T staffing only.

In broad terms, projects arising within the pillars may require technical SME expertise related to one of the ACB technology centers or technical research areas: data analytics, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence/machine learning, cyber security, and other emerging computing technical areas including quantum information sciences.1 The requiring office would make a request to ACB for SME support and, in turn, ACB and the requiring office will issue a Task Order (TO) under this IDIQ that would allocate project funding for this contract to obtain the support. There is no particular predictable timeline or cycle to such requests.

Examples of SME support activities include, but are not limited to: providing expert technical information (e.g., technical research area forecasting, state of the art techniques, lessons learned, expert judgement) related to execution of an MCS program; support to OSE core research activities such as performing background research related to a technical objective and delivering a technical report; and giving expert opinion on technologies, technology-related policies (within an S&T, DHS, or Federal context), generating draft technical presentations, and delivering technical meeting synopses for technical exchanges and workshops.

1.2.2 Program Support

In addition to Subject Matter Expertise, this contract will also seek qualified program support functions including Stakeholder Engagement Analysts, Technical Writer Support, and Program/Project Management Support.

2. Task Requirements

2.A. Requirements for Subject Matter Experts

Because S&T has aligned itself into a matrix of personnel, skills, and customers, the Contractor must both possess and enable the flexibility of thinking and organization required to execute to multiple customers’ needs across the Homeland Security Enterprise. The Contractor must be able to assist the government in responding to varied and changing circumstances and dynamic customer requirements

1 Throughout this document, we will use the term “ACB Technology Areas” to refer to: data analytics, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence/machine learning, cyber security, and other emerging computing technical areas including quantum information sciences in an agile and flexible manner. A large portion of this requirement includes surge support requirements as much of ACB’s work is customer-driven and funded. Since many customer support requests to ACB are for urgent needs, ACB requires a capability to rapidly respond to customer requests and support from this requirement is a key part of that support response.

The Contractor shall support DHS S&T in the execution of both Tech Center core research that enables S&T to understand how scientific and technological advancements can be harnessed for homeland security missions and S&T’s large research and development (R&D) programs that provide solutions to current operational needs across the HSE. The program office defines and leads R&D and technology and knowledge discovery programs, and interacting with customers at the federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international levels to improve capabilities at all levels.

As needs arise based on the organizational matrix, support may be provided to any Technology Center, strategic program, R&D project, or Division within S&T in its role to provide technical expertise and support.

As identified by the Government, the functions below depict the types of tasks to be initiated under Task Orders for this IDIQ.

2.A.1. The Contractor shall provide scientific evaluation and technical support to the

Government on factors relevant to enduring and technical research and development on the application of the ACB Technology Areas, to homeland security missions and impacts of related policy or potential policy.

2.A.2. The Contractor shall participate in technical exchanges, workshops, conferences, and in- process reviews and demonstrations relating to the ACB Technology Areas for homeland security missions, to include meeting planning such as drafting the technical agenda, identifying and recommending technical topics and presenters, and providing meeting minutes or reports outlining the events and any key items that require immediate attention. This may include both classified events, and/or events with S&T’s domestic and international partners.

2.A.3. The Contractor shall research and assess state-of-the-art and emerging trends in the ACB Technology Areas. The Contractor shall present the results of their efforts, as required, through:

2.A.3.i Gathering, analyzing, and composing complex technical information such as analyses of alternatives on technology solutions, technology capability summaries, and technical requirements documents.

2.A.3.ii Researching and assessing patent activity, published articles, market information, conference proceedings, research reports, etc.

2.A.3.iii Creating technical roadmaps relating to the ACB Technology

Areas which outline plans for implementing technical solutions in both short and long-term timeframes.

2.A.4. The Contractor shall assist in preparation of technical presentations for delivery by Federal staff at meetings and conferences on the subject of research, methods, phenomena, or threats for/to the ACB Technology Areas. The Contractor will engage in technical writing and produce technical documentation regarding the application of the ACB Technology Areas to homeland security missions.

2.A.5. The Contractor shall assist in preparing technical responses to S&T Executive

Secretary taskers and other data calls related to research of the ACB Technology Areas.

2.A.6. The Contractor shall conduct technical reviews for assigned R&D programs and projects to monitor program, project, and research technical performance relevant to the ACB Technology Areas, as well as review deliverables to ensure technical goals and objectives are met, identifying potential technical risks, and path forward options/recommendations.

2.B. Requirements for Program Support

2.B.1. Stakeholder Engagement Analyst (Communications)

2.B.1.i The Contractor shall support working groups, project action teams, steering panels, and direct coordination with groups of stakeholders from across the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE), as requested. The contractor will be responsible for knowledge capture and documentation during these working groups.

2.B.1.ii The Contractor shall support related to the design and management of regular stakeholder meetings to engage stakeholders, help to shape the direction of projects, and utilize methods such as interviews, targeted working groups, panel discussions, etc. to solicit and integrate feedback, including virtual meetings and in-person meetings approved through the DHS conference approval process.

2.B.1.iii The Contractor shall collaborate with SMEs, DHS components, first responders, and other Federal, state, and local stakeholders to understand capability gaps and technology requirements identified in those working groups, project action teams and steering panels. The Contractor shall develop meeting reports to include attendees, key discussion points, executive summary, decisions made, and any after action items or topics addressed with pertinent discussion.

2.B.1.iv The Contractor may be required to engage other stakeholders including industry, academia, associations, and international partners in coordination with the appropriate groups across S&T.

2.B.1.v The Contractor should be aware of the Federal Advisory

Committee Act (FACA) and be prepared to support program office compliance with FACA. The Contractor shall support the development of S&T stakeholder directories, in accordance with S&T Privacy Office guidance.

2.B.1.vi The Contractor shall produce outreach materials, publications, models, and templates to promote S&T programs, projects, research activities, initiatives, and partnerships to key audiences, including stakeholders, DHS leadership, Congress, and the public.

2.B.1.vii The Contractor shall coordinate communications and outreach activities and materials with S&T’s Communications and Outreach Division (COD) and applicable S&T leadership. The Contractor shall, at the direction of OSE, support the following activities:

2.B.1.viii The Contractor shall coordinate with portfolio, program, and project managers, SMEs, leadership and COD to develop written and oral communications products. Products to include but not limited to press releases, newsletters, web content, knowledge products and social media–for S&T, HSE and key partners awareness of OSE products, services, and accomplishments.

2.B.1.ix The Contractor shall develop overarching Communications Plans for the OSE Front Office as well Technology Centers that will detail who/what/when/how the government will communicate with targeted audiences. The Contractor shall also help to develop corresponding Implementation Plans, as appropriate for the scope of the initiative. The Contractor shall design and develop outreach materials, presentations, fact sheets, press releases, publications, newsletters, social media posts, collateral, models, templates, and other documents in accordance with each Communications Plan.

The Contractor shall have existing relationships with relevant media and scientific associations to support external communications, and the Contractor shall be skilled to harness these relationships to advance OSE work.

2.B.1.x The Contractor shall support the development of videos, webinars, townhall meetings, conference presentations and other mechanisms to engage stakeholders to provide information on current OSE projects, initiatives, and priorities.

2.B.1.xi The Contractor, through close coordination with COD, shall make updates to the Project 25 Compliance Assessment Program website to inform stakeholders on the latest program updates. In addition, the Contractor shall work in coordination with Federal program managers to assess and refine website layout of project information for ease of use for core audiences.

2.B.1.xii The Contractor shall develop and implement conference and event planning strategies for upcoming conferences, including activities such as analyzing strategic goals and objectives to determine what conferences would be most beneficial to attend in an effort to engage desired stakeholders. This will require analyzing and coordinating topics for presentations and writing panel submissions and creating slide presentations that assist S&T in maximizing its effectiveness and ensure that the needs of the stakeholders are met.

2.B.1.xiii The contractor, in coordination with S&T portfolio, program, and project managers, SMEs, and leadership shall develop knowledge products such as lessons learned documents, after-action reports, best practices, case studies, regulatory documents and communications mechanisms.

2.B.1.xiv The Contractor shall identify mechanisms to disseminate knowledge products to the HSE, relevant partners, and/or the public. The Contractor shall coordinate with portfolio, program, and project managers, SMEs, and leadership to evaluate existing activities and identify needed knowledge products.

2.C. Technical Writer Support

2.C.1. The Contractor shall gather, analyze, and compose complex technical information as directed.

2.C.2. The Contractor shall translate technical information into clear, readable documents to be used by technical and non-technical personnel.

2.C.3. The Contractor shall organize material and write descriptive copy according to establish standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.

2.C.4. The Contractor shall select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.

2.C.5. The Contractor shall develop communications materials for publications, internet, strategic initiatives, user manuals, training materials, installation guides, white papers, reports, etc.

2.C.6. The Contractor shall develop, write, and edit functional descriptions, system specifications, special reports, or any other customer deliverables and documents.

2.C.7. The Contractor shall provide technical writing support and implement directions provided on scripted story boards, specifications, etc.

2.C.8. The Contractor shall review documents for technical accuracy in accordance with applicable regulations.

2.C.9. The Contractor shall create and manage technical content related to S&T’s work on networks and web platforms (i.e. Social Media).

2.D. Program and Project Management Support /Strategic Technology Coordinator 2.D.1. The Contractor shall provide project or program management support to ensure successful program, project, research activity execution and transition. Support will include but not limited to initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team. Work may include coordinating meetings, knowledge capture, tracking financial execution, and developing documentation, briefing documents, and/or after-action reports.

2.D.2. The Contractor shall support the development of Project

Management Plans, Program Management Plans, and Research Management Plans that will include the approach, customers and end users, capabilities sought and milestones, traceability to requirements, identified risks, assumptions and constraints, and benefits to S&T. The Contractor shall help develop project charters and other relevant documentation such as work plans, project schedule, milestones, key dependencies, and critical path forward. In support of Research Management Plans, the Contractor shall help define how the activities of the various Technology Centers are executed, monitored, and controlled.

2.D.3. The Contractor shall also develop and maintain documentation across various technology platforms such as SharePoint, STATS, and BPF Tracker, as needed. The Contractor shall support, as needed, the coordination of enhancements to the OSE Service Portal utilizing ServiceNow. The Contractor shall execute executive secretariat (ExecSec) operations for OSE Front office and the Technology Centers.

2.D.4. The Contractor shall support meetings with technical performers/other contractors, including developing agendas and capturing action items as necessary.

2.D.5. The Contractor shall support the development of responses to those data calls and informational requests related to S&T efforts and transitioned technologies. In addition, the Contractor shall assist OSE in responding to requests that involve congressional, Inspector General or Federal Audit responses.

2.D.6. The Contractor shall be knowledgeable of the Federal Budget

Lifecycle as well as advanced Microsoft Excel features to support OSE financial analysis. The Contractor shall serve as a liaison between OSE and S&T’s Finance and Budget Division (FBD).

3. Deliverables

3.1. Progress Meetings

The contractor Program Manager (PM) shall review the status and results of Contractor performance with the COR and Government PM on a monthly basis, at a minimum, at scheduled meetings. These meetings can be either working or formal sessions to review overall program efforts. Monthly meetings may be held via teleconferences if in-person meetings are not workable.

3.2. Reports

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using Microsoft Office and Adobe applications, in accordance with the Deliverables Chart (Section 3.3).

3.2.1. Project Plan: The Contractor shall deliver a draft Project Plan within three (3) business days of contract award to the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Government Program Manager (PM). The Contractor shall deliver the final version of the Project Plan, incorporating Government comments provided at the Kick-Off Meeting, to the Contracting Officer, COR, and Government PM within five (5) working days following the Kick-Off Meeting.

Included in this plan shall be at a minimum the staffing, organization, assigned tasks, travel, and means of ensuring government satisfaction.

3.2.2. Monthly Progress Reports: The Contractor shall provide a monthly progress report to the Contracting Officer, COR and PM via electronic mail. This report shall provide monthly cost and performance reporting of all tasks. At a minimum, these reports must include details of support provided, listing of completed assigned tasks, completed/planned travel events, past expenditures, projected expenditures for the next reporting period and to term, major issues affecting performance, any telework performed, detailed number of staff, hours worked by labor category, and any Contractor concerns or recommendations. The financial portion of the report must be structured to enable ready discernment of expenditure trends, projections, and variances.

3.2.3. Bi-Weekly Update: The Contractor shall provide a bi-weekly progress report using the attached “Quad Chart” to Government PM and COR. At a minimum, these reports shall include status of funds, staffing status, and issues requiring COR or PM action. Monthly status meetings and Quad Chart submissions shall begin thirty (30) calendar days following contract award.

3.2.4. Customer Satisfaction Survey: The Contractor shall conduct a survey of federal clients regarding their satisfaction with support staff performance in coordination with the COR and Government PM. Survey results may be anonymized for broad distribution but must be specific per federal client(s) for the COR’s review.

3.2.5. Transition: Transition-In and Transition-Out activities may be required at the ultimate end date of this project either to another contractor, or to the Government consistent with a Transition Plan prepared by the Contractor as approved the Government.

3.3 Deliverables Chart

The Contractor shall not use, release to others, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced or specifically used in the performance of this Contract for its own private purposes without the prior, written approval of the Contracting Officer pursuant to FAR Rights in Data -- General (May 2014) 52.227-14 (d)(2).

DEL # DELIVERABLE /

EVENT DUE BY DISTRIBUTION

Draft Project Plan

Within three (3) working days of contract award

One electronic copy shall be provided to the COR

Final Project Plan

Within five (5) working days of Kick-Off Meeting

One electronic copy shall be provided to the COR

Meeting Minutes

Within one (1) working day of meetings

One electronic copy to COR

Technical Reports

As needed as determined by COR and Government PM

Technical Roadmaps determined by

Draft Technical Presentations

As needed as determined by

Technical Review Results determined by

Monthly Progress Report of activities of each contractor in support of government clients, including status of funds and personnel hiring status

15th of each month.

One hard copy shall be provided to the COR and one electronically submitted copy shall be provided to the both the COR and CO.

Bi Weekly Status update Quad Chart

Bi-Weekly One electronic copy shall be provided to the COR

Monthly status update meeting with COR and PM

Monthly, per federal staff availability, subject to increased/decrease d frequency as determined by PM

N/A

Draft Customer Satisfaction Survey

(With proposal) (TBD)

Final Customer Satisfaction Survey

Five (5) working days following Kick-Off

One electronic copy shall be provided to the COR

Customer Satisfaction Survey results

Semi-annually (or more frequently, at Government direction)

One electronic copy shall be provided to the COR

4. Other Contract Details:

4.1 Period of Performance

The period of performance for this contract is a 5 year ordering period with a 7-year total period of performance. The total period of performance is eighty-four (84) months from date of award.

4.2 Minimum Order

The minimum order for this contract will be $100,000.

4.3 Ordering Procedures

When future requirements are anticipated by the government PM, DHS contracting will issue a request for task order quote to the contractor. The contractor will submit a written quote in response. Any orders shall be issued in writing and signed by the contracting officer.

4.4 Representation at Meeting Events

Contractor staff may be required to attend and/or participate in meetings, teleconferences, workshops, conferences, international and domestic partner technical exchanges, demonstrations, and other gatherings. In all interactions with parties outside of S&T, Contractor staff must ensure their identity as support Contractor staff is readily apparent.

Participating in any meetings, teleconferences, workshops, conferences, international and domestic partner technical exchanges, demonstrations, and other gatherings on behalf of DHS with parties outside of S&T without a technical Federal representative must be approved in advance by the COR.

4.5 Travel

Travel shall be necessary to meet and coordinate exchanges of information on this contract. Limited Contractor foreign travel is anticipated. The DHS S&T COR must approve all travel in advance.

This travel will be managed by the Program Manager within the allocated travel budget. Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with the limits set forth in the Federal Travel Regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 31.205-46, provided the Contractor provides appropriate supporting documentation.

4.6 DHS-Furnished Information

S&T will provide DHS information, materials, and forms unique to DHS to the Contractor to support tasks under this SOW. Such DHS-provided information, materials, and forms shall remain the property of DHS, unless otherwise indicated in writing by DHS, and may not be distributed beyond the Contractor’s staff without DHS's prior written permission.

4.6.1. The DHS S&T COR identified in this SOW will be the point of contact for identification of any required information to be supplied by DHS.

4.6.2. The Contractor will prepare all documentation (e.g., meeting and report deliverables or monthly status reports) according to the guidelines provided by DHS.

4.7 DHS-Furnished Facilities, Supplies, and Services

DHS-provided facilities are necessary for the services being performed under this SOW, such facilities will be provided at S&T’s office in Washington, D.C. Parking facilities are not provided.

Basic facilities such as work space and associated operating requirements (e.g., phones, desks, utilities, desktop computers, and consumable and general-purpose office supplies) will be provided to Contractor personnel working in S&T’s office.

4.8 Place of Performance

The Contractor shall perform the work under this SOW at Federal facilities. Contractor staff may telework in the performance of this contract on a case-by-case basis approved in advance by the COR and Government PM.

4.9 DHS-Furnished Property

All work performed shall be done using government-furnished equipment. The Government will make available the materials, computers, office space, communications capability, and information necessary for the contractor to complete the assigned tasks. If network access is necessary, then a Government computer will be issued once the individual contractor has completed the mandatory screening and receives suitability. A DHS badge is required for computer access and login. In many cases temporary Government space will be made available for the contractor to perform their tasks. Some work can be performed at the contractor’s facility. All Government furnished materials will be returned at the completion of the task. The contractor will be responsible for any Government issued materials such as computers.

4.10 Security Requirements

Some of the work performed under this SOW will be classified with Secret and/or Top Secret level classifications. All personnel assigned to perform work under this contract must obtain a minimum Secret clearance. The table below specifies additional requirements for the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI). IDIQ Task Orders may vary the required clearance levels.

Specialty Area Labor Category Clearance Required at EOD

Ability to Obtain Clearance Level

Cyber Security Subject Matter Expert I/II/III Secret TS/SCI

Emerging Computing (including Quantum Information Sciences)

Subject Matter Expert I/II TS/SCI N/A

Data Analytics Subject Matter Expert I/II/III Secret TS/SCI

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Subject Matter Expert I/II/III

Secret TS/SCI

Modeling and Simulation Subject Matter Expert III Secret TS/SCI

All unclassified “Official Use Only” work is expected to occur at the “medium” level per the NIST 800-60 (FIPS Security Categorization) and the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Any work at the “high” For Official Use Only level per the FISMA, or any work at the classified level, shall be performed on a stand-alone computer system accredited in accordance with the FISMA and applicable DHS policies. Some work may require working with Restricted Data, specifically including the following categories:

• 10.b Restricted Data

• 10.c Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information

• 10.d Formerly Restricted Data

• 10.h Foreign Government Information

DHS may exercise full control over granting, denying, withholding, or terminating unescorted access to DHS facilities, DHS systems, and/or sensitive DHS information for government/contract employees. Access will be based upon the results of a DHS fitness/suitability investigation. DHS may, as appropriate, make favorable entry of duty (EOD) decision based on preliminary security checks. The favorable EOD decision would allow the government/contract employee to commence work temporarily prior to the completion of the full investigation. The granting of a favorable EOD decision shall not be considered as assurance that a full DHS fitness/suitability authorization will follow. The granting of a favorable EOD decision or a full DHS fitness/suitability authorization determination shall in no way prevent, preclude, or bar the withdrawal or termination of any such access by DHS, at any time during the term of the contract/task order. No employee of the government/contractor shall be allowed unescorted access to a DHS facility, access to any sensitive DHS information, or access to DHS Systems without a favorable EOD decision or DHS fitness/suitability determination by the DHS HQ Office of Security. Government/contract employees assigned to the contract/task order not needing access to sensitive DHS information, DHS systems, or access to DHS facilities will not be subject to DHS fitness/suitability screening. Government/contract employees waiting on an EOD decision may not begin work on the task order. Limited access to DHS facilities is allowable prior to the EOD decision if the government/contract employee is escorted by an approved DHS employee. This limited access is to allow government/contract employees to attend briefings, nonrecurring meetings, and begin transition work. During one’s limited access the government/contract employee will not have access to sensitive or classified DHS information.

• Classified information is government information which requires protection in accordance with

Executive Order 13526, National Security Information (NSI) as amended and supplemental directives. If the government/contract employee has access to classified information at a DHS owned or leased facility, it shall comply with the security requirements of DHS and the facility.

If the government/contract employee is required to have access to classified information at another Government Facility, it shall abide by the requirements set forth by the agency.

4.11 Key Personnel

(a) All personnel assigned to support this effort as Subject Matter Experts are designated as Key

Personnel, to include personnel assigned to support task orders under this contract. All experience will be evaluated based on relevance to this SOW.

(b) No later than 30 days after the receipt of a written modification to exercise any task order, the Contractor must provide resumes for personnel to be assigned to support the task order.

(c) Key personnel changes require approval of the Contracting Officer and such requests shall be made in writing (including the resume of the proposed replacement) a minimum of fourteen

(14) calendar days in advance.

4.12 Specific Technical Qualifications

The specific minimum technical qualifications for personnel performing work under this Task Order are outlined below:

Contractor Program Manager:

Labor

Category Desired Education Desired Experience and/or Expertise Minimum Required Knowledge and Skills

Program Manager

Advanced Degree

Familiarity with data sciences, mathematics, computer science, cyber security fields of study

Ability to manage scope, schedule, and tasking of direct staff; ability to determine and solve resource needs.

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to navigate matrixed technical environments.

Ability to build collaborative, responsive relationships with federal clients.

Cybersecurity

Labor Category Desired Education

Desired Experience and/or Expertise Minimum Required Knowledge and Skills

Subject Matter Expert I or Certification

Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or related fields

Cybersecurity Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and compute mathematical, physical and scientific data.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Subject Matter Expert II

Computer Science, Data

Science, Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or related fields

Cybersecurity;

Software Assurance;

Internet of Things;

Distributed Denial of Service; Open Source Software;

Federal Govt physical & Cybersecurity;

Voice Security for Telephony Systems;

Malware Analysis;

Network Security;

Network Measurement Security; Cloud Security;

Vulnerability Disclosure Programs;

Ransomware;

Knowledge of encryption methods

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and compute mathematical, physical and scientific data.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Labor Category Desired Education

Desired Experience and/or Expertise Minimum Required Knowledge and Skills

Subject Matter Expert III

Computer Science, Data

Science, Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, or related fields

Cybersecurity;

Cyber Physical Systems; Internet of Things, Cybersecurity Risk Management;

Industrial Control Systems; Vehicle Cybersecurity; Open Source Software;

Federal Govt physical & Cybersecurity;

Denial of Service;

Cloud Security;

Ransomware;

AI/ML

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and interpret cybersecurity data.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques towards cybersecurity problems.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and

Emerging Computing (including Quantum Information Sciences)

Category Desired Education Desired Experience

Subject Matter

Expert I

Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related fields

Quantum Computing

Emerging Computing

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies

Ability to research, analyze and compute mathematical, physical and scientific data.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and

Expert II

Advanced Degree or Certification

Computational Mathematics, Quantum Computing Emerging Computing Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical

Physics, Computer Science or related fields audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and compute mathematical, physical and scientific data.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and and productivity

Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (Note: the Tech Center and Research Area are separate activities but with overlap in types of personnel experience, knowledge and skills.)

Expert I

Computational Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields

Data Analytics

Data Engineering

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Augmented Analytics

Encryption

Text, Speech, Video, and Image Analytics

Blockchain Advanced

Computational Architectures

Other Supporting Fields that support Data

Analytics Research (e.g., Policy, Anthropology, Agile, Information Security, Foreign

Language Analytics, Human and Machine Performance, Data

Privacy, Autonomy)

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and compute scientific data related to data analytics, artificial intelligence or machine learning

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Labor

Expert II

Computational Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields

Data Analytics

Data Engineering

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Augmented Analytics

Encryption

Text, Speech, Video, and Image Analytics

Blockchain

Advanced Computational Architectures

Other Supporting Fields that support Data

Analytics Research (e.g., Policy, Anthropology, Agile, Information Security, Foreign

Language Analytics, Human and Machine Performance, Data

Privacy, Autonomy)

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and compute scientific data related to data analytics, artificial intelligence or machine learning

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques in a particular field of scientific specialization.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Ability to apply knowledge of market and technology trends, authorities, and policies to support research decisions.

Expert III

Computational Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields

Data Analytics

Data Engineering

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Artificial Intelligence

Augmented Analytics

Encryption

Text, Speech, Video, and Image Analytics

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and interpret scientific data related to data analytics, artificial intelligence or machine learning.

and/or Expertise Minimum Required Knowledge and Skills

Blockchain

Advanced Computational Architectures

Other Supporting Fields that support Data

Analytics Research (e.g., Policy, Anthropology, Agile, Information Security, Foreign

Language Analytics, Human and Machine Performance, Data

Privacy, Autonomy)

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques towards data analytics, artificial intelligence, or machine learning.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Ability to apply knowledge of market and technology trends, authorities, and policies to support research decisions.

Modeling and Simulation

Expert III

Modeling and Simulation, Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields

Modeling and Simulation

Immersive Simulation (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality)

Digital Engineering

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience.

Ability to absorb, integrate and interpret data through various methodologies.

Ability to research, analyze and interpret scientific data related to modeling and simulation, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, predictive modeling, gaming, and/or digital engineering.

Ability to apply advanced methods and techniques towards modeling and simulation, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, predictive modeling, gaming, and/or digital engineering problems.

Ability to develop, recommend and refine methods, theories and techniques to evaluate solutions to complex problems and to enhance performance standards, quality and productivity.

Stakeholder Engagement Analyst

Stakeholder

Engageme nt Analyst

B.A./B.S.

5 Years of

Experience in applicable area.

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to

Technical writer

Tech Writer

Level 1

B.A./B.S.

5 Years of

Experience in technical writing

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to

Tech Writer Level 2

B.A./B.S. 10 years of experience in technical writing Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to

Program/Project Management Support

Program

Manageme nt Support

B.A/B.S.

8 Years of Program

Management

Ability to manage all tasks and schedules to ensure activities are completed in a timely manner.

Ability to communicate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience

4.10.1 Program Manager

The Contractor shall assign a Program Manager (PM). The PM shall be qualified to act as the Contractor’s single point of contact for all technical and administrative matters related to this task order. The assigned PM is not necessarily required to be dedicated solely to this contract, but the Government has discretion to determine whether PM performance sufficiently facilitates or hinders execution of government’s matrixed mission(s). The Contractor’s management superior to the PM must alert government COR and PM of all efforts proposed to be executed by the Contractor PM. The Contractor foregoing this responsibility is cause for PM removal.

The PM shall be responsible for keeping the COR informed about Contractor progress throughout the performance period of this contract and Task Orders and ensure Contractor activities are aligned with DHS objectives.

4.13 Records Management

The Contractor must follow applicable National Archives and Records Administration standards and applicable DHS/S&T guidance as specified in the cognizant program office’s approved Records Management File Plan.

4.14 Points of Contact

The Contractor POCs are as follows:

• Technical POC

<TBD>

• Financial POC

<TBD>

The Contractor may change an individual designated as a POC provided notice is given to the Government of such change.

ATTACHMENT A: Bi-Weekly Quad Chart (Editable version provided at award) (as referred to in Section 3.2.3)