A4.Performance Work Statement.Final.docx

Performance Work Statement Strategic Thinking Course for Office of Naval Research Code 02, Senior Contract Officers and Acquisition Professionals

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Background/Scope

1.1. This is a requirement that was established to develop and sponsor professional, executive level development for the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Code 02 Senior Contract Officers and Acquisition Professionals of the United States Navy (USN).. In concert with the mission of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (ASN), Research, Development, and Acquisition (RD&A) to develop, acquire, and support technologically superior and affordable systems for Navy, Marine Corps, Joint, and Allied forces, the Chief of Naval Research (CNR) has created ONR internal Strategic Lines of Effort. Each of the established Strategic lines of effort have elements of increasing both speed and efficiency when delivering capabilities to the Warfighter. Organizationally, strategy and processes are the cornerstone for execution efficiency in Contracting and as a result, ONR Contracting and Acquisition Professionals have access to a variety of executive development programs guided by the tenets of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)’s Navy Leader Development Framework (NLDF) 3.0 (May 2019). Such developmental programs provide valuable opportunities to enhance leadership skills in diverse settings that include learning and networking with other Contract Professionals as well as Acquisition Professionals across other services and agencies. The Strategic Thinking Course is an executive education program sponsored by the USN and geared towards the professional development of key leaders and professionals across the service. The Strategic Thinking Course is a five and half day senior executive program held at a regionally or nationally accredited university or college. To be eligible for award of this contract, the university or college must be regionally accredited by one of the seven U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting bodies that meet the standards of the Council of Higher Education. Alternatively, the university or college can be regionally or nationally accredited from an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. Please refer to the U.S. Department of Education website at https://www.ed.gov/ for accreditation agencies recognized or considered reliable by the U.S. Department of Education and its Secretary. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) establishes all requirements to successfully implement this five- and half-day program; including providing instructors, overview of course curriculum content/expectations, administrative support, contractor provided lodging, as well as meals to be included for all participants. This contract will have one course.

1.2. Project Objectives

1.2.1 The desired outcome of the Strategic Thinking (ST) course is to enhance the ability of Senior Contract Leaders within ONR Code 02 to think strategically about the global environment in which they live and work. The global demands of their respective responsibilities require them to think and act differently than they did in lower levels of responsibility as they continue to develop. Participants in this course should be able to demonstrate the ability to think and act strategically, appreciate the complexity of today’s national security environment, appreciate the global impact of their leadership decisions and how they nest within the larger Department of Defense National Security Strategy as well as the CNO’s Design for maritime Superiority. It is critical that these senior leaders can distinguish between the tactical and strategic outcomes. Participants should gain an appreciation for the complex, adaptive and ambiguous environment in which they lead. Finally, they should be able to lead through a strategic lens to support the National Security Strategy at all levels of the USN.

1.2.2 Curriculum for the ST course will be guided by the tenets of CNO’s Navy Leader Development Framework (NLDF) 3.0 (May 2019). Specifically, curriculum will address global issues that impact the decision cycle these senior leaders are facing. Emphasis should be given to refining “big picture” and “long-range” visions, over near-term tactical solutions. Leaders inspire and guide teams, thus reinforcing trust and shared commitment to mission accomplishment is essential to Strategic Thinking. As stated in the NLDF: “Senior leaders are almost exclusively judged by the performance of their teams.”

1.2.3 The ethical underpinnings of senior leader character and competence cannot be overstated. As such, it is imperative that ethical decision-making is woven into the curriculum to grow and advance that aspect of leader development. The course curriculum must contribute to the development both competence and character. Providing opportunities to reflect and expand understanding and skills needed to enhance performance at the senior level is an important and necessary. Reinforcing the USN’ core values and supporting character development for these senior leaders is a critical element to ensuring the ethical enrichment of the overall USN force.

1.2.4 The ST curriculum should remain properly aligned with CNO priorities and Senior Contract Leaders and Acquisition Professionals development. The ST course represents an important component in an overall Contracting Professionals development continuum that augments and complement other elements. This program requires a university-level instruction model, designed to mirror the academic rigor, atmosphere, and instructional quality of a traditional accredited university environment, fostering an immersive and professional educational experience for participants.

2.0 Personnel Tasks & Qualifications

The Program Manager/Director and Course Instructors are Key Positions critical to the effective management and oversight of this contract in support of the Contracting Leaders Development Program. While the Faculty Lead, Service Provider, and Representative are not designated as Key Personnel, they still play significant roles in the successful execution of the contract.

2.1. Program Manager/Program Director

2.1.1. Position Requirements: The Program Manager or Program Director is responsible for the overall administration of this contract on behalf of the University and will be the POC for the contractor.

At a minimum, this position requires:

· Master’s Degree from an accredited College or University;

· Experience and current involvement in Executive-Level Development & Education within the University or Institution;

· Prior working knowledge of task orders and delivery orders; and

· Recent experience (within the last three years) managing USN/DOD Senior Executive Education programs

Desired additional qualifications:

· Experience managing Senior Executive Federal, Government, or DoD programs

2.1.2. The Program Manager will provide the participants and Government representative with a phone number, fax number and email address for use in contacting representatives during business hours.

2.1.3. At the conclusion of the class, the contractor shall discuss contract performance issues with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The contractor shall provide a thorough verbal summary of the work performed under the contract and address any relevant concerns or questions raised by the COR.

2.1.4. The Program Manager will designate a Representative. The Service Provider shall identify and submit to the Government representative the name of its designated representative. The Service Provider may delegate curriculum, technical and administrative services required in the contract, to the contractor’s Representative; but the Service Provider remains the singular POC with ONR and retains responsibility for meeting all terms of this PWS and contract.

2.1.5. The Program Manager will provide update briefings to the Government representative. In addition, the Program Manager, will attend walk-through meetings as specified in 3.1.1.3 of the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.6. The contractor shall provide access to a commercialized electronic training portal to facilitate the seamless exchange of information between the University and the Government. This portal shall serve as the primary platform for communication and sharing of necessary materials throughout the duration of the training program.

2.1.7 Additionally, the Program Manager will identify a Faculty Lead, in charge of the Strategic Thinking curriculum, and submit this nominee to the Government representative. The Faculty Lead will develop the course curriculum in accordance with project objectives; identify teaching materials to be incorporated into the program’s classes; develop learning outcomes for each class; and teach the program. All choices of materials, curriculum, and outcomes must be submitted to the Government representative 45 days prior to incorporation into the program.

2.2. Contractor’s Representative.

2.2.1 Position Requirements: The Contractor Representative is responsible for day-to-day operations and administration of this contract.

At a minimum, this position requires:

· Prior experience (minimum of 2 years) in quality assurance roles, including monitoring educational program activities and providing participant feedback.

· Demonstrated experience (minimum of 1 year) in coordinating logistics for events or educational programs, including arranging accommodations and meals for participants.

Desired additional qualifications:

· Experience (2 or more years) managing or supporting educational programs, preferably in a Military or Government context.

· Experience (2 or more years) working with or supporting USN programs, demonstrated by specific projects or roles that align with the USN Leader Development Strategy.

2.2.2 The Representative will:

· Be available for contact daily during normal workdays, defined as Monday through Friday (except federal holidays), between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Time Zone.

· Monitor all activities as required for quality assurance to include providing unedited participant feedback.

· Be responsible for providing logistical information to all class participants prior to course convening and ensure that all participants have electronic access to all course materials to include any printed materials and other read-ahead materials.

· Be responsible for the arrangement for lodging and meals for participants for the duration of the course.

· Be responsible for incorporating any updates of course information and materials when directed by Government Representative to maintain appropriate alignment with USN Leader Development Strategy.

· Coordinate all activities with the appropriate resources to ensure successful implementation of the program and presentation of its classes, materials and curriculum. Such coordination may entail working with the University’s organic departments, such as its faculty, information technology (IT)/computing department, audiovisual department, facilities, transportation, lodging and other internal and external organizations.

2.3. Course Instructors

2.3.1. Responsible for assisting the Faculty Lead with development of all course curriculum. Instructors shall also deliver and present to the participants, all approved course curriculum, using current teaching technology and methods. All instructors shall have experience with teaching and/or making presentations at the executive level.

2.3.2. Position Requirements:

At a minimum, this position requires:

· Doctoral Degree from an accredited College or University (required for 50% of the Instructors);

· Prior experience (at least 5 years) of managing, teaching, and speaking to Senior Executives within the Federal Government and/or DoD; and

· Experience in the fields of financial literacy, strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, diversity, managing risk, human capital, and transformational change.

Desired additional qualifications:

· Subject Matter Experts (SME) in their area of expertise, with significant work experience gained from think tank organizations, the Defense Industry and/or the DOD.

3.0 Tasks: Office of Naval Research Contract Leaders and Acquisition Professionals Strategic Thinking Development

The following tasks shall be performed by the Contractor:

3.1. “Strategic Thinking” Course Development and Delivery:

3.1.1. Design and develop a “Strategic Thinking” program which will be incorporated into an approximate 5.5-day course. The program objectives will allow participants to analyze, process, and navigate complex strategic issues occurring at enterprise and global levels. Participants will hone their ability to imagine new and different future courses of action which may impact existing core strategies and require their re-definition.

3.1.1.1. Course components: Course goals and objectives will be met through a variety of activities. These activities will be implemented through the following 5 course components and modules.

· Strategic Context- Increase awareness of and consider the nature of strategy and strategic thinking. Includes the scope, scale, and complexity of global issues, current environment, and future trends associated with today’s National Security Environment.

· Leadership- Learning events that highlight both challenges and methods to effectively lead, inspire, and guide large and diverse teams in a way that reinforces trust, commitment to mission, and team performance-from a strategic level down to the individual.

· Strategy- Learning events that sharpen participants in complex cases and hands-on, interactive modules that develop strategic understanding and perspective, illustrate how strategy differs from operational and tactical considerations, and guide them thru developing and implementing both elements of strategy and fully integrated strategies.

· Ethics- Learning events that engage participants in case-driven and interactive ethical and value-based decision-making that reinforces USN core values and supports character development. These scenarios incrementally build in scope, scale, complexity and impact-at organizational, enterprise, and societal levels.

· Concepts, Tools, and Techniques- Learning events that provide perspectives, frameworks and methods that are useful in enabling, implementing, and adjusting strategy. This includes opportunities to soundboard and exchange ideas on the full range of course topics across the spectrum, during Senior Mentor chats.

3.1.1.2 Program Materials- The Contractor shall develop, draft and create all documents and materials necessary to implement this program. All documents and materials will be presented to the COR/ACOR prior to finalization and presentation, for approval. All program-related documents shall be created and delivered in Microsoft Office format (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, or Excel, version 7.0 or higher), and include USN branding. The USN will have government purpose rights to all course material.

3.1.1.3 Program Approval Process- The Contractor will meet with appropriate Government representatives in advance of the commencement of the program for approval of all course materials, presentation techniques, and assurances that the USN’ objectives will be met. A walk-through meeting and the Government approval are required to proceed upon completion of each of the following stages: high-level design; detailed design; participant material development; and delivery of class sessions 1 and 2. Dates and schedules for these meetings shall be established and agreed upon within 30 days after the date of contract award. Location of meetings to be determined after contract award.

3.1.1.3.1. High level design- High-level design requirements include providing target audience descriptions; learning objectives; high-level learning strategies; estimating the course length (not to exceed 5.5 days); daily agenda including faculty/presenter/speaker requirements – government and all others; learning environment description. The contractor shall secure a fully integrated, executive-level learning and lodging environment which shall include adequate and sufficient classrooms, lodging, and fitness accommodations located no more than a half mile from one another at a caliber commensurate with standard commercial practices for such participants.

3.1.1.3.1.1. Lodging- Contractor shall ensure adequate lodging is available for up to 35 participants. Contractor will anticipate that up to 25% of participants arriving on the night before the specified commencement date of each course and to anticipate up to 25% of participants staying an additional night after the course. Lodging rates will be set as those determined by the Joint Travel Regulations (http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm). Lodging is capped at the prevailing per diem rate at the locality where the events will take place in accordance with JTR. The contractor shall price lodging for 35 participants however, if fewer than 35 participants attend, the total price for lodging will be adjusted to the pro-rated cost per student based on the actual numbers of attendees.

3.1.1.3.1.2. Internet Connection. Contractor shall ensure participants are able to establish internet connections (for laptop or tablet computers), including hard wired connections and/or wireless connects for laptop computers and other similar devices.

3.1.1.3.1.3. Meals and Refreshments. Contractor shall ensure that participants have access to three meals per day in a dining facility/cafeteria starting the evening prior to course start and concluding with a lunch or evening meal on the final day and prior to departure. Participants shall also have access to reasonable and customary refreshments while class is in session. Meals are capped at the prevailing M&IE per diem rate at the locality where the events will take place in accordance with JTR ((http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm). The contractor shall price meals for 35 participants however, if the number of participants that actually attend the course is less than 35, the total price for meals under the contract will be reduced by the average unit price for 35 participants times the number of participants that did not attend.

3.1.1.3.1.4. Classroom/learning environment. Contractor shall ensure there are "break-out" spaces sufficient to accommodate up to 35 participants including observers. Actual maximum classroom size may be less depending on contractor's proposed methods to complete course objectives.

3.1.1.3.1.5. Recreation/Work-Out Facilities. Contactor shall ensure that there are adequate recreation/work-out facilities with trainer’s available onsite capable to accommodate a potential class size of 35.

3.1.1.3.1.6. Design. Contractor shall ensure that the design shall:

· Include needs analysis conducted with input from the Government representatives to result in program components that are highly contextual and aligned with strategic imperatives and program objectives outlined in 1.2.

· Drive the improvement of individual and organizational capabilities by expanding perspectives, increasing confidence, and attaining higher levels of leadership knowledge.

· Build community among USN senior leaders and officers, and Contracting Professionals through gaining vital knowledge, sharing perspectives with one another, and forging sustainable alliances. Further, the design should build consensus on the need to, and promote the capacity to, lead inclusively.

· Deepen affinity with USN core values; instill pride in Contracting Leaders/Acquisition Professionals contributions to the USN and the nation; and inspire ownership to build organizational commitment to strategic behavior.

· Consist of a unified, integrated set of challenging learner experiences relating to contemporary individual and organizational issues, using a full range of learning approaches such as: team exercises, simulation, peer-to-peer feedback, field exercises, coaching, business and USN case study, experiential learning, and interactive lecture.

· Incorporate completion of an executive level individual and/or group activity that incorporates all course objectives.

· Incorporate an executive Health & Wellness plan that incorporates a minimum of one (1) hour brief/presentation on nutrition and fitness. While not required, it is desired that the contractor offer the ability for individual physical health evaluations/counseling and fitness plans from a qualified nutrition and fitness expert

· Have a formal evaluation mechanism for gathering information upon which to measure the effectiveness of the course, for both individual instructors and the course in general. These evaluations must be sent directly to the Government representative upon completion of the course, in electronic format.

3.1.1.4. Detail Design Requirements. The Contractor shall provide a Detailed Design of its Program. The detailed design shall include revised learning objectives (if changes); learning strategies; course length; daily agenda including faculty/presenter/speaker requirements -- government and all other; recommended learning environment(s); evaluation method; any changes to previously approved design specifications.

3.1.1.5. Material Development. The Contractor shall develop course and program materials to be distributed to Participants including:

· Materials for the Participants. Contractor shall provide course materials; pre-course readings and exercises; resource requirements; class session 1 and 2 staffing including program/staff statistics and executive education rankings with respect to course design, teaching methods/materials, faculty, follow-up, food and accommodations, facilities, women participants, international participants, and faculty diversity; any changes to previously approved design specifications.

· Welcome Package for Participants. Contractor shall provide a Welcome Packet 30-45 days prior to the start date and on the first day (or upon arrival) which provides daily agenda; registration confirmation letter; course days and dates; class hours; course outline; learning objectives; logistics information including meeting and lodging locations; directions to meeting and lodging locations; instructions for communicating dietary concerns while at training; instructions for notification of course cancellation or delay due to inclement weather or emergency; instructions for contacting participants while in class.

· Other Materials for Participants. Contractor shall provide course materials; pre-course readings and exercises; resource requirements; any changes to previously approved design specifications. General pre-course readings and exercises, both mandatory and suggested, should be assigned in advance. Utilize pre-course assignments to make valuable classroom time more effective. Evening group assignments and/or readings pertaining to next day’s topics normally should be assigned.

3.1.1.6. Format. Contractor shall ensure that high quality, first generation “electronic” copies are available to all participants as part of the Program.

3.1.1.7. Program Material. Contractor will provide electronic Program materials to include pre-course work; course binder; table of contents; tabs; “Welcome” content including daily agenda, biographies of participants, sponsor, speakers and faculty; session content; daily evaluation form to include ratings and comments for each session. Distribution of all course content shall be in electronic format that compatible with the Navy-USN Internet (NMCI) system.

3.1.3. Delivery Requirements. This contract is for providing one course from 16th March to 21st March 2025 with a course of instruction that fills approximately a 5.5-day period.

3.1.4. Facilities. Identify and secure an appropriate training site and arrange all related logistics, such as classrooms, meals, equipment, materials, etc. Site must be pre-approved by the government. These deliverables shall be identified as direct material costs for course delivery, thus resulting in a fixed price throughout the term of the contract. Items which are considered Other Direct Costs (ODCs), as defined in FAR, shall be clearly delineated by the contractor.

3.1.5. Conduct course evaluation for the program delivered, per the approved evaluation method; submit summary evaluation and individual participant evaluations to the government within two weeks of program completion.

3.2. Functional and Technical Requirements

3.2.1. Contractor shall meet with the government representative (can be done via telephone) prior to each scheduled course session to review facilities, housing, and meal arrangements.

3.2.2. Timelines: Facilities, housing, and meal arrangements must be completed 42 days prior to the course start date. Participant names will be provided to the contractor not later than 21 days prior to the start date.

3.2.3. The contractor shall ensure all necessary accommodations are provided during the execution of the course to meet participant needs. This includes implementing appropriate measures to address accessibility and other requirements for all courses conducted. The contractor shall inform the government of the accommodations provided no later than 3 March 2025 and ensure they are effective and meet the required standards.

3.3. Feedback

3.3.1. Provide ongoing project-related lessons learned in response to requests by the government representative.

3.3.1.1. Lessons learned shall include all project-related content expertise, including project planning; presentation, discussion, or recommendation of research; discussion related to design or methods; debrief meetings while programs are in session; discussion of participants’ or others’ program evaluations; discussion of improvement recommendations, etc.

3.3.1.2. Lessons learned shall be provided by the appropriate content expert and may not be passed through a Program Manager or administrative resource.

3.3.2. Contractor shall provide daily feedback and an overall evaluation summarizing course strengths, weaknesses and plans for improvement. This feedback will be provided to the government representative in writing electronically no later than two weeks after completion of the course. Feedback format will be approved by the government representative no later than 1 week prior to the class commencing. Feedback does not need to be approved for subsequent sessions, providing there are no changes.