A23 1. Performance Work Statement.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

2023 MINERVA MEETING AND PROGRAM REVIEW

May 2023

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 The Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Science and Technology under the

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) conducts an annual review of the Minerva Research Initiative.

During this annual meeting, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (OUSD(P)) conducts a meeting discussion as an official part of the annual National Defense Strategy assessment. The Minerva Research Initiative has a unique relationship between Research and Policy within the Department of Defense (DoD), being jointly administered by the Basic Research Office (BRO) and the OUSD(P). As such, leadership across the department collaborate to identify and support basic social science research issues in need of attention and to integrate those research insights into the policy-making environment. In doing this, the leadership team closely works with the program managers within the Military Service Branches.

1.2 The Minerva Research Initiative is a social science basic research program that the DoD initiated in 2008. The Initiative’s core goals are to build cultural and foreign-area knowledge and insights to inform more effective strategic and operational policy decisions and to reinvigorate DoD connections with the academic social science community. Held annually since 2010, the Minerva Meeting and Program Review convenes grant awardees with defense policy and operations experts to share and discuss research findings.

2.0 OBJECTIVE/SCOPE

2.1 The BRO and OUSD(P) seeks a Contractor to provide a venue and conference support services for the 2023 Minerva Meeting and Program Review.

Accommodations, meeting room and event support services are required.

2.2 The Minerva Meeting and Program Review is a forum for Minerva grant awardees to share their latest research findings with defense policymakers and thought leaders, military operations personnel, and academic peers. It is structured by panel sessions focused on specific policy topics relevant to both Minerva-funded research efforts and critical issues facing the defense community.

Presentations typically range from 45 to 60 minutes. Presenters and panelists meet throughout the two-day conference to report on ongoing research; analyze contributions toward developing a better understanding of the social, political, and cultural context of strategically important regions of the world; and reflect on the Minerva Initiative’s impact on social science fields. The meeting is also an official part of the annual National Defense Strategy assessment, which the

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy conducts.

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

3.1 May 02, 2023 - May 03, 2023.

4.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The Contractor shall provide a venue within close proximity (within four blocks or

0.5 miles) to metro rail stations in Washington DC or the immediate metropolitan area. The immediate metropolitan area is defined as Washington, D.C., Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. A location along the yellow or blue lines is preferred, but not required. At a minimum the venue shall include the following on-site amenities: theater style conference room, theater style breakout rooms, and a registration area for the duration of the event.

4.2 Conference Room: The Contractor shall provide a theater style conference room that accommodates 200 participants with 200 seats.

a. The Conference room is required for all two (2) days of the conference, from 0800 – 1700 hours on May 2, 2023 and from 0800 – 1700 hours on May 3, 2023.

b. The Conference room shall include one (1) head table with five (5) seats to accommodate five (5) panel members.

c. Conference room shall include an audio visual system consisting of one (1) laptop, one (1) speaker microphone, two (2) floating microphones, one (1) lavalier microphone, five (5) table microphones, one (1) liquid crystal display (LCD) projectors with laptop connection cables, and one (1) projection screen.

4.3 Meeting Room: The Contractor shall provide two (2) theater style meeting rooms for breakout sessions to accommodate 50-75 participants each.

a. The Meeting rooms are required for all two (2) days of the conference, from

0800 – 2000 hours on May 2, 2023 and from 0800 – 1700 hours on May 3, 2023.

b. Each Meeting room shall include one (1) podium and one (1) head table with four (4) chairs to accommodate four (4) panel members.

c. Each Meeting room shall include an audio visual system consisting of one

(1) laptop, two (2) Microphones (1 hand held and 1 podium), one (1) Speaker system, one (1) Projector with laptop connection cables, and one

(1) Projection screen.

4.4 Registration Area: The Contractor shall provide a registration area which include one (1) table and two (2) to four (4) chairs.

4.5 The Contractor shall provide a point-of-contact (POC) for scheduling and coordination purposes. The hotel venue and dates provided in the quote shall not change after award.

5.0 SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

Primary Performance Requirement

PWS Paragraph Performance Threshold

1. Provide conference room as outlined.

Paragraph 4.2 100% delivery and compliance

2. Provide meeting rooms as outlined.

Paragraph 4.3 100% delivery and compliance

3. Provide registration area as outlined

Paragraph 4.4 100% delivery and compliance

4. Provide POC Paragraph 4.5 100% delivery and compliance

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

6.1 The Government will not provide any property or services to the Contractor in the performance of this PWS.

7.0 CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

7.1 All work performed shall be in accordance with Federal, District of Columbia, and local laws, regulations and procedures.

8.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

8.1 The Contractor shall furnish sufficient personnel to perform all work specified within this contract.

8.2 The Contractor is required to comply with Public law 105-270, Section 5 (2)(A).

This law states that contractors will not perform inherently governmental functions. Section 5(2)(A) of this Public law defines the term “inherently governmental function” as “a function that is so intimately related to the public interest as to require performance by Federal Government employees.” Per Section 5(2)(B), inherently governmental functions include management of Government programs requiring value judgments, conduct of foreign relations, selection of program priorities, and the direction of intelligence and counter -intelligence operations. Per Section 5(2)(C), inherent governmental functions DO NOT include, (i) gathering information for or providing advice, opinions, recommendations, or ideas to Federal Government officials or (ii) any function that is primarily ministerial and internal in nature.”

8.3 When performing work associated with this PWS, the Contractor shall make clear to all individuals they deal with that they are contract employees and not DOD employees. Contractor employees shall clearly identify themselves as a contractor (i.e. company shirt, pin, visible company identification, etc.) in a visible location as to who their employer is.

8.4 Contractor personnel shall not manage, supervise, direct, or task US military, DOD civilians or other personnel not associated with the Contractor while performing the tasks within this PWS.

8.5 Contractor personnel shall not make any commitment which commits the expenditure of US Government resources.

8.7 Contractor personnel shall not establish an employee-employer relationship with Government personnel under this PWS.

8.9 The Contractor shall not provide personal services to the BRO and OUSD(P).

If Contractor employees are directed by any government employee at any time to perform services not covered under this contract, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC).

9.0 TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

9.1 David Montgomery; david.w.montgomery61.civ@mail.mil; 571-372-6422