Statement_of_Work_75D301-18-Q-69148.docx

Statement of Work

Request For Quotes: 75D301-18-Q-69148

Title: Public Health Response Training and Exercise Program

Period of Performance: 09/24/2018 – 09/23/2022

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

Historically, but particularly in recent years the USG has been actively conducting Preparedness and Response Training and Exercises. In recent years, Office of Infectious Diseases / Influenza Coordination Unit (OID/ICU) have maintained the only recurring scenario-specific exercise program in preparation for Pandemic Influenza. Though OPHPR and responding CIO senior leaders have participated in some of the national level events, CDC has done little to develop trained and ready, scenario-specific incident management response teams. This has resulted in a gap translating to an inability to properly prepare IMS leadership staff and exercise our core public health response capabilities.

OPHPR senior leaders have discussed this shortage and suggested a series of Training and Exercise Programs (TEP) to address CDC readiness to respond to a core set of scenario-specific threats/hazards.

As part of the OPHPR Excellence in Response Operations risk management initiative, PHPR’s Plans, Training, Exercise and Evaluation Branch (PTEE) is developing a series of TEPs that will refine and support CDC’s ability to respond to scenario specific threats/hazards. Current efforts are focused on continuing a nuclear/radiological TEP while OPHPR guidance provides for follow on TEP efforts targeting pandemic, chemical and other biological incidents.

This project is intended to develop a training and exercise program for CDC personnel who will either serve in CDC’s IMS structure or who will deploy as LNOs during a public health response. It will be a joint effort between OPHPR, DEO and the responding CIO(s) and will develop IMS teams to successfully respond to a public health emergency.

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE

This task order is critical to the mission of improving the response capabilities of the Agency and represents continuing steps to achieve that goal. This multi-year effort will continue to be led by the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) with technical support from the responding Center, Institute, or Office (CIO) and will build on the work that has been accomplished in previous years.

The Agency desires to continue and expand current preparedness efforts to achieve the highest level of preparedness possible. To be successful, the TEPs detailed in the SOW need dedicated individuals focused on developing and executing a committed training and exercise program.

The contractor will assist the responding CIO in developing exercises and training events that focus on specified activities organized across a variety of thematic areas such as:

1. Incident Manning Structure (IMS) development

1. Identification of IMS staff

1. Epidemiology

1. Surveillance

1. Laboratory response

1. Medical Care and Countermeasures

1. Data receipt and sharing

1. Interagency, State and Local Support/Coordination

1. Communications

1. At-Risk and Vulnerable Populations

1. Responder Readiness

1. Population monitoring

1. Registry establishment and maintenance

1. Community and Border Protection measures

1. Worker Health and Safety

These exercises will provide the foundation and future of Public Health Response Preparedness Programs (PHRPP) that will enhance CDC-wide response workforce capacity. The project shall result in capable CDC staff proficient in public health and incident management processes during a public health response.

Overall Objectives:

1. Continue refinement of CDC’s scenario specific IMS structure

1. Identifying guidance and products that CDC will need to provide during the response

1. Continue identification of shortfalls and mitigation measures

1. Refine data requirements needs, sources, and associated communications methods

1. Continue identification of key decisions during a the response

1. Continue educating CDC response personnel on IMS functions and individual roles and responsibilities

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, travel and other costs, as required to provide on-site or off-site support to all designated preparedness program efforts.

Through OPHPR coordination and control, the contractor shall provide on-site technical assistance, consultation and operational management support to carry out a focused array of projects required for initial development of a scenario-specific response training and exercise program for the Agency through the Response CIO.

SECTION 4 – TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

Based on Guidance from the PHPR Exercise Team and the responding CIO, this multiyear program will focus on developing response capabilities to address critical areas / tasks. Examples are:

1. Health Surveillance (Epidemiology)

1. Registry (Epidemiology)

1. Public Health Laboratory (Laboratory)

1. Medical Material Distribution and Dispensing (Medical Countermeasures)

1. Clinical Care Inquiries and Recommendations (Medical Investigations Team)

1. Emergency Response Team (Medical Investigations Team)

1. Worker Safety and Health (Occupational Safety and Health)

1. Risk Communications (Joint Information Center)

Specific tasks that the Contractor shall perform include:

4.1 Year 1:

1. Develop a training and exercise program for the pilot year scenario that addresses those tasks deemed most critical by leadership for CDC to respond to a public health event.

1. Based on guidance and input from the responding CIO and the PHPR Exercise Team, plan, develop and execute a series of discussion based (e.g., seminars, workshops, TTXs) and operations based (drills and functional exercises) exercises (see Section 8).

1. Provide technical support and expertise in exercise development and execution consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) --- see specifics at http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-8890/hseepapr13.pdf.

0. Determine CDC’s objectives, using SMART objectives that can be clearly exercised, measured, and attained.

0. Plan and conduct all exercise planning meetings.

0. Develop realistic scenarios, modules, questions, etc.

0. Develop necessary exercise documentation.

0. Coordinate for necessary logistics.

0. Perform SIMCELL duties and coordinate for additional SIMCELL assistance as needed.

0. Coordinate for evaluation support.

0. Develop Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects to simulate activities and actions during the exercise.

0. Guide and direct the efforts of controllers, evaluators, simulators and SIMCELL staff.

0. Conduct necessary coordination with HHS ASPR/Exercise, Evaluation and After Action Division during exercise development and conduct.

0. Attend necessary off-site meetings.

4.2 Year 2:

1. Develop a training and exercise program for the designated scenario(s) that addresses the remaining critical tasks for CDC response to a PH event:

1. Based on guidance and input from the responding CIO and the PHPR Exercise Team, plan, develop and execute a series of discussion based (e.g., seminars, workshops, TTXs) and operations based (drills and functional exercises) exercises.

1. Provide technical support and expertise in exercise development and execution of consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) --- see specifics at http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-8890/hseepapr13.pdf.

0. Determine CDC’s objectives using SMART objectives that can be clearly exercised, measured, and attained.

0. Plan and conduct all exercise planning meetings.

0. Develop realistic scenarios, modules, questions, etc.

0. Develop necessary exercise documentation.

0. Coordinate for necessary logistics.

0. If necessary, perform SIMCELL duties; coordinate for additional SIMCELL assistance as needed.

0. Coordinate for evaluation support.

0. Develop Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects to simulate activities and actions during the exercise.

0. Guide and direct the efforts of controllers, evaluators, simulators and SIMCELL staff.

0. Conduct necessary coordination with HHS ASPR/ Exercise, Evaluation and After Action Division during exercise development and conduct.

0. Attend necessary off-site meetings.

4.3 Year 3:

1. Develop a training and exercise program that incorporates activities and lessons learned from the previous year’s training and exercise programs and culminates in a functional or full scale exercise that assesses CDC’s top critical tasks for a PH event.

1. This effort will be based on guidance and input from the responding CIO and the PHPR Exercise Team.

1. Provide technical support and expertise in exercise development and execution consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) --- see specifics at http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-8890/hseep_apr13_.pdf .

0. Determine CDC’s objectives using SMART objectives that can be clearly exercised, measured, and attained.

0. Plan and conduct all exercise planning meetings.

0. Develop realistic scenarios, modules, questions, etc.

0. Develop necessary exercise documentation.

0. Coordinate for necessary logistics.

0. If necessary, perform SIMCELL duties; coordinate for additional SIMCELL assistance as needed.

0. Coordinate for evaluation support.

0. Develop Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects to simulate activities and actions during the exercise.

0. Guide and direct the efforts of controllers, evaluators, simulators and SIMCELL staff.

0. Conduct necessary coordination with HHS ASPR/ Exercise, Evaluation and After Action Division during exercise development and conduct.

0. Attend necessary off-site meetings.

4.4 Year 4:

1. Develop a training and exercise program that incorporates activities and lessons learned from the previous year’s training and exercise programs and culminates in a functional or full scale exercise that assesses CDC’s top critical tasks for a PH event.

1. This effort will be based on guidance and input from the responding CIO and the PHPR Exercise Team.

1. Provide technical support and expertise in exercise development and execution consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) --- see specifics at http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-8890/hseep_apr13_.pdf .

0. Determine CDC’s objectives using SMART objectives that can be clearly exercised, measured, and attained.

0. Plan and conduct all exercise planning meetings.

0. Develop realistic scenarios, modules, questions, etc.

0. Develop necessary exercise documentation.

0. Coordinate for necessary logistics.

0. If necessary, perform SIMCELL duties; coordinate for additional SIMCELL assistance as needed.

0. Coordinate for evaluation support.

0. Develop Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects to simulate activities and actions during the exercise.

0. Guide and direct the efforts of controllers, evaluators, simulators and SIMCELL staff.

0. Conduct necessary coordination with HHS ASPR/ Exercise, Evaluation and After Action Division during exercise development and conduct.

0. Attend necessary off-site meetings.

4.5 Provide monthly Progress Report: Prepare and provide a monthly progress report containing the following information at a minimum:

1. Progress toward completion of each task/deliverable.

1. Name(s) and dates of performance for contractor personnel performing work during the period.

1. Problems encountered during the period and recommended solutions to the problems.

4.6 Provide informal weekly updates to OPHPR Training and Exercise Team Lead.

4.7 The Contractor shall provide qualified individuals to fulfill the following positions:

4.7.1 Exercise Lead: Contracted Individual will serve as the lead consultant to the Program Manager of CDC’s Public Health Response Preparedness Program (PHRPP).

4.7.1.1 The responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

· Establish a collegial planning team focused on Public Health Response Program development

· Provide program management support to Preparedness Program leadership during the establishment and operation of the preparedness program. Technical support may include, but not limited to:

· Guiding the development, execution, and evaluation of public health-focused operations- and discussion-based exercises

· Guiding the development or revision of operational plans

· Guiding the development of subject specific Programs of Instruction (POI) and classes

· Guide the administrative and logistics functions during the exercise life cycle

· Interaction with CDC subject matter experts

· Conducting planning meetings and in-progress reviews (IPRs) with CDC exercise planners and leaders

· Coordinate with the Preparedness Program leadership to determine program priorities and direction

· In conjunction with OPHPR, advise the Preparedness Program on operational/planning activities to enhance the preparedness program.

4.7.1.2 Experience and Qualifications of the Contracted Individual The Contracted Individual should have a demonstrated expertise in the development and execution of preparedness exercises, training management, evaluation techniques, Improvement Plan development, and the development and revision of operational plans. The Contracted Individual should also have knowledge of techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues or problems, as they arise; knowledge of operating guidelines governing exercise programs, and be skillful in briefing managers and communicating information regarding all aspects of Preparedness Program development.

The Contracted Individual should have public health experience. It is preferred that the Contracted Individual have knowledge of public health program activities to include, but not limited to, laboratory processes, public health surveillance systems, medical countermeasures, and public health registries. Knowledge or background in preparedness and response is necessary as is a thorough understanding of the principles of the Incident Management System (IMS).

4.7.2 Exercise Planner: Contracted Individual will serve as an Exercise Planner to the Program Manager of the Preparedness Program.

4.7.2.1 The responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

· Provide technical support to the Preparedness Program on the development and execution of discussion-based and operations-based exercises. Technical support may include, but not limited to:

· Interaction with CDC subject matter experts

· Building cohesive exercise planning teams composed of representatives from CDC Centers, Institutes, and Offices (CIO)

· Coordinating administrative and logistical efforts in support of the exercise life cycle.

· Creating and coordinating exercise documents

· Conducting planning meetings and providing in-progress reviews (IPRs) to CDC exercise planners and leaders

· Executing the exercises

· Scenario development

· Assist in development of evaluation strategies and training programs

· Work with the Exercise Lead, Preparedness Program leadership and OPHPR/DEO/PTEE to update CDC’s public health preparedness and response plans.

4.7.2.2 Experience and Qualifications of the Contracted Individual The Contracted Individual should have demonstrated expertise in the development and execution of preparedness exercises consistent with established Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles and be able to assist with the revision of operational plans. The Contracted Individual should also have knowledge of techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues or problems, as they arise; knowledge of operating guidelines governing exercise programs, and be skillful in briefing managers and in communicating information regarding exercise operations, administration, and logistics. It is also preferred the Contracted Individual have knowledge of public health program activities. Thorough understanding of IMS principles is also desired.

4.7.3 Evaluation Lead: Contracted Individual will serve as the Evaluation Lead to the Program Manager of the Preparedness Program.

4.7.3.1 The responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

· Establish, recruit, and lead an evaluation team focused on Public Health Response Program development

· Work with the Exercise Lead, the Preparedness Program leadership, and OPHPR/DEO/PTEE to identify gaps and shortcomings in preparedness and response plans identified in exercise conduct.

· Provide technical support to the response CIO on the development and execution of exercises and their associated evaluation strategies. Technical support may include, but not limited to:

· Schedule and lead all exercise evaluation meetings

· Develops evaluation criteria, evaluates the exercises, and prepares After Action Reports/Improvement Plans following completion of the exercises.

· Interacts with CDC subject matter experts

· Assists scenario development

· Assists in Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) Development

· Creates and coordinates exercise evaluation documents

· Assists in the conduct of formal exercise planning meetings and in-progress reviews (IPRs) with CDC exercise planners and leaders

4.7.3.2 Experience and Qualifications of the Contracted Individual The Contracted Individual should have a demonstrated history of evaluation planning, coordination and execution for discussion-based and operation-based exercises as well as development of after action reports (AAR), improvement plans (IP), corrective action program (CAP), and lessons learned. The Contracted Individual should also have experience in developing preparedness exercises and assisting in the revision of operational plans. The Contracted Individual should also be familiar with current data gathering techniques and be proficient in analyzing and interpreting data received. The Contracted Individual should also have knowledge of techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues or problems, as they arise; knowledge of operating guidelines governing exercise programs, and skill in briefing managers and in communicating information regarding exercise evaluation. It is also preferred the Contracted Individual have knowledge of public health program activities. Thorough understanding of IMS principles is also desired. Experience as an Observer / Controller / Evaluator is desired.

4.7.4 Controller-Evaluators (x 5): Contracted Individuals will serve as the controller-evaluator leads focused on finalizing evaluation documentation, training and organizing SME evaluators, and conducting the evaluation of the primary exercise objectives. These positions are temporary in nature (not to exceed 8 weeks). Start date for these individuals is to be determined, based upon the scheduling of the TEPs culminating Functional Exercise, but will not be earlier than April 2019.

4.7.4.1 The responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

· Interacts with CDC subject matter experts identified as evaluators

· Provide technical support to Evaluation Lead on finalizing the exercise Evaluation Plan and specific evaluation strategies. Technical support may include, but not limited to:

· Assists in refinement of evaluation criteria

· Assists in Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) development

· Coordinates exercise evaluation documents

· Assist the Evaluation Lead in finalizing the Evaluation Plan

· Trains SME evaluators prior to exercise on evaluation documentation, exercise rhythm, and daily reports

· Provide guidance to SME evaluators during exercise; collect observations daily

· Conducts post-exercise Hotwashes for component areas

· Upon End of Exercise (ENDEX), consolidates all evaluation/observation inputs for the development of the initial After Action Report/Improvement Plan

4.7.4.2 Experience and Qualifications of the Contracted Individuals (x 5) The Contracted Individuals should have a demonstrated history of evaluation planning, coordination and execution for operation-based exercises as well as development of after action reports (AAR), improvement plans (IP), corrective action program (CAP), and lessons learned. The Contracted Individuals should also have experience in developing preparedness exercises and assisting in the revision of operational plans. The Contracted Individuals should also be familiar with current data gathering techniques and be proficient in analyzing and interpreting data received. The Contracted Individuals should also have knowledge of techniques to identify, consider, and resolve issues or problems, as they arise; knowledge of operating guidelines governing exercise programs, and skill in briefing managers and in communicating information regarding exercise evaluation. It is also preferred the Contracted Individuals have knowledge of public health program activities. Experience as an Observer / Controller / Evaluator is required.

SECTION 5 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS

GOVT FURNISHED

PROPERTY/SERVICES/DATA ETC.

BE FURNISHED TO CONTRACTOR

TBD

Office supplies approved by the Project Officer

As required

TBD

SECTION 6 – PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

09/24/2018 – 09/23/2022

SECTION 7 – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Dependent on responding CIO location, primarily Atlanta’s Roybal or Chamblee Campus.

SECTION 8 – DELIVERABLES/REPORTING SCHEDULE

Items

Description Quantity or No.

of Copies

Delivery Date

Deliver To

SECTION 9 – TRAVEL

Expect lead exercise planning staff to attend national level exercise planning meetings, primarily in Washington DC, two to four times per year.

SECTION 10 – REFERENCE MATERIALS

-Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-8890/hseep_apr13_.pdf

Instructions to Offerors, and Evaluation Factors

Request For Quotes: 75D301-18-Q-69148

A. Award

This contract will be awarded to the contractor whose quote is considered to be the most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors identified below considered. Technical factors will be more important in the evaluation than price. The Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall cost to the Government to achieve only slightly superior technical performance.

The award decision will be determined through an assessment comparing the differences in the value of the technical factors with the differences in the prices proposed. The degree of equality between offerors quotes will be measured by the quantity, significance, and applicability of superior features quoted and not by the total scores achieved. When Part 1. Technical merit portion of quotes are considered technically equal, price will then become the significant factor.

B. Technical Quote Instructions

These instructions establish the acceptable minimum requirements for the format and content of offerors’ quotes. The technical quote must not contain reference to cost; however, resource information, such as data concerning labor hours and categories, material, subcontracts, etc. must be contained in the technical quotation so that the offerors’ understanding of the requirement can be evaluated. The technical quotation shall be limited to no more than 15 pages of text. Appendices shall be limited to no more than 10 pages of text. Cover pages, tables of contents, resumes, or the budget spreadsheets are not counted in the number of pages limitation. A page is defined as an 8 ½ inch by 11 inch sheet of paper with one inch margins on all four sides. Text shall be in 10 point font Times New Roman with single space between lines. Text pages should use portrait orientation. Page formatting can alter for illustrations and tables but must be easily readable. Fold-outs will be counted as the appropriate number of pages based upon an 8 ½ inch by 11 inch sheet of paper. The offeror shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event that the offeror creates an ambiguity in the numbering of pages, the Government will exercise its own discretion in the counting of pages. Pages in excess of the above limitation will not be evaluated.

Offerors submitting any restrictive data shall mark it as such. The Government assumes no liability for disclosure of unmarked data and may use/disclose the unmarked data for any purpose. Unless restricted, information submitted in response to this request may become subject to disclosure to the public pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C 552)

C. Price Quote Instructions

The Price Quote shall at minimum consist of the following: Introduction, table of contents, overview, and description of estimating and/or accounting practices acceptable by Government standards. Offerors shall include proposed elements of total price broken down by each CLIN and further to each task. The Offeror must complete a Pricing Table giving a detailed cost breakdown of the total cost or NTE amount by task or labor categories, labor hours, and labor rates used, and then calculating the total amount for the base period and each option period. A price analysis of the quote will be conducted to determine the reasonableness of the Offeror’s price quote.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

This contract will be awarded to the Offer whose proposal is considered to be the most advantageous to the Government with costs and other factors considered. However, the Government will not make an award at a significantly higher overall cost to the Government to achieve only slightly superior performance.

Technical Evaluation Criteria:

1. Staffing and Management Plan: The Offeror shall demonstrate an overall understanding of the project and adequacy and feasibility of plans to address all items in the task order statement of work. This includes the detailed description of specific tasks to be performed, methods and resources to be used, including staffing, and a discussion of problems likely to occur and plans for addressing them.

a. The Offeror shall describe their organizational structure and how they propose to manage this task, including a discussion of potential issues.

b. The Offeror shall provide rationale for their management approach.

c. The Offeror shall specify its approach for maintaining control of all contract change management issues.

d. The Offeror shall provide (1) a detailed description of how conflicts are managed; (2) a plan to ensure client and sub-contractor satisfaction; and (3) a measurement of fiscal responsibility.

e. The Offeror shall identify (if any) assumptions or conditions relating to their Management Plan and Other Qualification Information. The Government reserves the right to reject any proposal that includes any assumption or condition that adversely impacts or affects the Government’s requirement.

f. The Offeror shall provide a staffing matrix showing type and number of staffing resources readily available for the base effort, including breakdowns by skill sets, security clearances and any related certifications. The matrix of proposed personnel shall also include their experience, education, skills, and qualifications to do the job. The backgrounds of the personnel will reflect the length and variety of experience and expertise in tasks similar to the tasks required by this project and any relevant training; with emphasis on designing, developing, coordinating and conducting preparedness exercises consistent with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program doctrine..

g. The Offeror shall provide a description of the Offeror’s approach to rapidly obtain and/or replace qualified staffing resources to support existing and new task order work and to meet changing workload requirements.

2. Technical Approach: The Offeror shall provide an analysis of the task requirements to indicate their understanding of the task requirements, operating environment and the task order objectives. The Offeror shall provide a description of the performance techniques and methodology they propose in performance of this task. The Offeror shall specifically address aspects such as technical understanding, methodology and approach, along with the sub-factors listed below.

a. Provide a detailed and comprehensive statement of the scope and purpose of the project(s) to demonstrate complete understanding of the intent and requirements of the contract and potential problems that may be encountered.

b. Describe any and all similar experience or similar efforts that have been undertaken in the past three years, including how this previous experience is related to the current purpose and scope of work of the project, with emphasis on recent experience designing, developing, coordinating and conducting preparedness exercises consistent with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program doctrine. Include management of recurring exercise planning conferences, development of exercise concepts and objectives, exercise plans, situation manuals, evaluation plans, significant event lists, after action reports and associated documentation.

c. Discuss the plan and solutions for overcoming difficulties involved with performing the work requirements.

3. Similar Experience: The Offeror shall provide a description of any and all projects performed within the past three years that clearly demonstrates the Offeror’s experience in performing projects of similar scope, size and complexity to the requirements. The following information shall be provided for each project reference:

a. Contract number, customer/agency name and contract title;

b. Brief narrative description of the work performed for each of those contracts, including a description of how the previous work demonstrates the Offeror’s capacity to successfully meet the requirements described in the RFTOP and a discussion of any problems encountered/corrective actions and significant accomplishments;

c. Dollar value, contract type, period of performance, place of performance, and the number and types of personnel used in the performance of the contract; and

d. Name, address and phone number of at least two (2) customer contacts (Contracting Officer and Project Officer) for each of the identified contracts.

4. Past Performance: The past performance evaluation will examine how the offeror’s past and present performance validates anticipated future performance in areas such as customer satisfaction, leadership, adherence to cost, schedule and performance baselines, and resolution of unanticipated problems for Treasury. The past performance evaluation will examine the offeror’s actual performance on any and all projects performed within the past three years that clearly demonstrates the Offeror’s experience in performing projects of similar scope, size and complexity to the requirements. This review will focus on the size, scope, and complexity of the efforts, the performance measures/service levels applied, the actual performance results against those measures, and customer satisfaction achieved by the offeror.

In conducting the past performance assessment, the Government may use data obtained from other sources as well as that provided in the proposal. The Government reserves the right to check the past performance of any proposed subcontractors and team members and include the results in its assessment.