Attachment_3_PWSFinal.pdf

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 1

ATTACHMENT 3

Installation of Radio/Wi-Fi/Tracking Communication System for the Blanchard Caverns

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

18 February 2014

1.0 Introduction

The U.S. Forest Service seeks a solution that will allow the Forest Service to have reliable access to communication from varies location within the Blanchard Springs Caverns to its visitor center. The Forest

Service needs to have the ability to track park rangers at check point location within the caverns and be able to utilize current VHF radios.

The communication solutions will need to able to provide communication via Wi-Fi, cameras and use of current radios. Due to the environment found within the caverns, all equipment that is to be installed must be waterproof and robust to with stand the underground environment the equipment will be installed in and operating in.

2.0 Background

The Blanchard Springs Caverns are located in the Ozark National Forest, NF 54, Forest Road 1110, Fifty-Six, Arkansas 72533. Blanchard Springs Cavern is open all year with approximately 10,000 visitors per year. The

Forest Service conducts guided walking tours through an active cavern system, featuring sparkling calcite formations, stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Three different cave tours are available named Dripstone, Discovery and Wild Cave. The Cavern is ranked among the 10 most outstanding in North America and it’s the only developed cave system operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

The current communications system consists of hardline telephones tied to the visitor center on the surface and

VHF narrowband analog radios are used both above ground and in the caverns. The existing wire infrastructure is dilapidated and needs to be replaced. Additionally there are large gaps in the cave between telephones which has caused an unsafe environment during emergency, because of the large gap in the caverns communication system the Forest Service has doubled the number of tour guides needed to conduct safe tours and the doubling of guides has cause the Forest Service to incur additional cost to operate the guided tours.

3.0 Objectives

As a result of this contract, FS expects to achieve a fully functional communication system that allows for radio, Wi-Fi, and video into one cohesive system. This system will allow the U.S Forest Service staff at the caverns to track and provide for reliable emergency communication from within the cavern to the visitor center.

4.0 Scope

The Contractor shall complete the following tasks in support of Blanchard Springs Caverns team. The

Contractor is responsible for achieving the outcome of each task listed below.

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 2

Task 1 – Provide the System

Outcome: A fully functional radio/Wi-Fi/ tracking system that integrates with the existing

VHF radios and ISP access Wi-Fi and all equipment being installed are water proof and robust to sustain operation and function in an underground environment.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other non-personal services to meets the following requirements:

1.1 Installed and program communication system that is fully functional in 90 days after award.

1.2 Must have two (2) cameras, and thirty (30) employee tracking devices.

1.3 Ability to configure and integrate all new equipment and software into existing Wi-Fi and VHF Land

Mobile Radio (LMR) radios equipment.

1.4 Must be able to have the radio portion of the system work within the LMR voice traffic handheld and mobile radio frequencies:

(a) Receiving 170.4625 CTCSS 123.0

(b) Transmit 164.1250 CTCSS 123.0 with 12.5 KHz channel bandwidth

(c) Either digital or analog

1.5 Installation will be directed and monitored by Forest Service personnel to insure that all installation of equipment is being conducted within the environmental impact statement and report guidelines and standards.

The Forest Service will be responsible for the following:

1.6 Daily operation of the system configuration and operation after installation, programing and testing has been conducted

Task 2 – Integrate the System

Outcome: The communication solution is integrated into the FS environment to provide seamless functionality with coordinating and associated systems.

The Contractor shall:

2.1 Conduct testing to valid that the system is functioning and working with the FS Wi-Fi and VHF radios.

2.3 Ensure that all equipment that has been installed adequately provides for a seamless connectivity from underground location in the cavern to the visitor center.

2.4 Provide all warranty, configuration design and operation material for the communication system being installed.

Task 4 – Provide Training

Outcome: Forest Service personnel are trained to administer, use and maintain the communication system.

The Contractor shall make site training available to enable FS personnel to independently (without vendor assistance) administer the system, modify, change and perform other tasks associated with process improvements and personnel changes.

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Task 5 – Project Management

Outcome: Vendor-management of the tasks required by this PWS

The Contractor shall:

5.1. Be responsible for project management for this effort including, but not limited to:

a. Meeting:

i. PWS performance standards.

ii. Deadlines included in the PWS and in the Contractor’s project plan.

b. Coordinating and communicating with the FS COR and Blanchard Springs team.

c. Monitoring and reporting on status.

5.2. Participate in a kickoff meeting with the Government to introduce key task participants and explain their roles, review communications ground rules and to ensure a common understanding of the requirements, objectives and expected outcomes for the project. The kickoff meeting shall occur at an FS location to be determined (most likely Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas).

5.3. Prepare a project plan. A draft project plan shall be delivered to FS within five business days of the kickoff meeting. The plan shall include timelines, work breakdown structure and relevant project plan elements, and will be used to manage, track and evaluate the Contractor’s performance.

5.4. Update the project plan as needed or requested throughout the contract period.

5.5. For all tasks, transfer knowledge to FS personnel to ensure they are proficient and capable of configurations and operation of the communication system.

5.6. Develop and maintain system configuration management for the duration of the project.

Quality Assurance

5.7 Ensure that all deliverables for all tasks under this contract are complete, accurate and delivered according to established schedules and are provided to the Government for review, comment and acceptance.

5.8 Immediately identify and work with the COR and designated Blanchard Springs team lead to remedy quality issues within agreed upon timelines outline in the Project Plan.

Reporting

5.9 The Contractor shall provide a written report of weekly activities accomplished and any planned efforts in the coming weeks ahead and any areas of concern.

5.10 Provide a daily briefing to the COR and designated Blanchard Springs team lead on activities accomplished, planned efforts and any areas of concern.

6.0 Performance Requirements

Perf

Stand

Required

Services

Performance Standards Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

PS-1 Provide required

PWS services.

Work must be accomplished in accordance with (IAW) the following, as applicable:

1. Project Plans

2. Fully functional communication system

3. Applicable federal, state, local, USDA and FS policies and guidelines.

No deviation without prior approval from the COR.

COR review of

Contractor - the

COR will conduct periodic inspection.

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 4

Perf

Stand

Required

Services

Performance Standards Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

PS-2 Provide deliverables

All work products/deliverables/ are clear, concise, complete, thorough, accurate, and free of errors.

Deliverables are completed

IAW the Project Plan.

No deviation.

No deviation without prior approval from the COR.

COR review of deliverables.

Incentives/Disincentives

Disincentives:

1. The fixed price monthly invoice will be reduced by 1% for each business day a deliverable is late without prior approval from the COR.

2. The fixed price monthly invoice will be reduced by 5% for not meeting required performance standards/acceptable quality levels outlined above.

7.0 Deliverables

Table of Deliverables

PWS

Task#

Title Due Date

1.1 Fully functional communication system 90 days after award

5.3 Project Plan Five business days after kick off meeting

2.1 Testing of communication system In accordance with the approved project plan

2.3 Warranty, configuration design and

operation material

Five (5) business days after completion of all work and testing.

4 Onsite Training In accordance with the approved project plan

7.1 Delivery Method

Electronic copies of deliverables shall be delivered using Microsoft Office suite 2007 or higher (e.g., MS

WORD, MS EXCEL, MS POWERPOINT, MS PROJECT, or MS ACCESS format), unless otherwise specified by the COR. Electronic submission shall be made via email, unless otherwise agreed to by the COR. Project

Management documents will be submitted in MS WORD.

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7.2 Inspection and Acceptance

The COR will have ten business days to review draft deliverables and make comments. The Contractor will have ten business days to make corrections. Upon receipt of the final deliverables, the COR/designee will have five business days for final review prior to acceptance or providing documented reasons for non-acceptance.

Should the Government fail to complete the review within the review period the deliverable will become acceptable by default.

The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR/designee of the specific reasons for rejection.

The Contractor shall have five workdays to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

8.0 Key Personnel

The Contractor shall employ and maintain personnel in the management and key staff positions who meet the minimum requirements for each of the skill levels to which they are assigned, and shall be capable of performing the functions described in a competent and professional manner. The Contractor may propose any other positions as key, but must include as a minimum the following:

Engagement Manager shall serve as the single point of contact (POC) with FS for communications issues, concerns, or problems that arise on this order. The Engagement Manager will facilitate project planning, provide implementation expertise, ensure the PWS is being adhered to, allocate appropriate resources from the contractor, manage escalations, and act as a single point of contact for the duration of the project. The engagement manager will facilitate at minimum a weekly status or update call to ensure the project is progressing appropriately.

The Contractor agrees that no Key Personnel substitutions or additions will be made unless necessitated by compelling reasons including, but not limited to, illness, death, maternity leave, or termination of employment.

In such event, the Contractor must promptly provide the information required below to the COR for approval prior to any substitution or addition of Key Personnel. Proposed substituted must have qualifications that meet, or exceed the qualifications of the persons replaced. Whenever possible; fully compliant requests for substitutions or additions must be submitted, in writing to the COR for approval at least fifteen business days in advance of the proposed change. The COR will notify the Contractor within fifteen business days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions or additions. All disapprovals will require re-submission of another substitution or addition within fifteen days by the Contractor.

Request for Key Personnel changes must provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions or additions, a complete resume for the person to be substituted or added, and any other information requested by the COR.

Noncompliance with the provisions of this clause will be considered a material breach of the terms and conditions of the contract for which the Government may seek any and all appropriate remedies, to include termination for default.

9.0 Period of Performance

Anticipated Contract Start Date: April 21, 2014

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10.0 Place of Performance

U.S Forest Service, Ozark National Forest, NF 54, Forest Road 1110, Fifty-Six, AR 72533.

11.0 Travel

The Government anticipates that performance of this order may require travel to Arkansas, duration of travel cannot be established at this time. Travel costs will be reimbursed in accordance with the

Federal Travel Regulation. No overhead or G&A charges shall be applied to the travel costs. All travel must be approved in advance by the COR and the CO.

12.0 Government Furnished Property/Government Furnished Information

1) VHF Radios

2) Installation of contractor supplied cabling with in the visitor center and cavern.

3) ISP access for Wi-Fi

4) Forest Personnel to guide and monitor installation of communication system equipment

13.0 Contract Administration

13.1 POINTS OF CONTRACT

FS Contracting Officer (CO) Sophia Marshall

USDA FS

Washington Office (WO) Acquisition Management (AQM) IT Support Branch Pan American, Building, Suite 200 101 B Sun Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 Phone: (505) 563-7212 Fax: (505) 563-7788 E-mail: sophiamarshall@fs.fed.us

FS Contracting Officer (COR) Cliff Upton

USDA FS

Electronics Technician 110 Indiana Street Hot Springs, AR 71901 Phone: (501) 282-1322 E-mail: cliffupton@fs.fed.us

13.2 Contracting Officer

The Contracting Officer shall be informed as soon as possible of any actions or inactions by the contractor or the Government which may affect the price, required delivery or completion times stated in the contract, so that identified desired changes and outside influences on the contract may be modified as necessary. Whenever, in the opinion of the contractor, the COR requests efforts outside the scope of the contract, the contractor shall advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer should be notified immediately, mailto:sophiamarshall@fs.fed.us mailto:cliffupton@fs.fed.us

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 7 preferable in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in non-payment.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes. This authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event that the Contractor affects any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the changes will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase incurred as a result thereof.

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes. This authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event that the Contractor affects any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the changes will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase incurred as a result thereof.

13.3 Contracting Officer Representative (COR)

The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance:

maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements to the Contracting Officer, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting contract or order.

13.4 Organizational Conflict of Interest:

Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

13.5 Identification of Contractor Employees:

All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

Contractor personnel will be required to obtain and wear contractor badges or clothing with clearly defined company logos in the performance of this service)

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 8

13.6 INVOICING

All invoices must be submitted electronically through the invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Contractors can access the IPP by going to www.ipp.gov.

14.0 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The following are additional requirements that apply to this solicitation

14.1 Privacy Act

Work on his project may require that personnel have access to Privacy Information. Personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable Agency rules and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in the preparation of a Privacy Impact Assessment.

14.2 Section 508 Accessibility of Electronic and Information Technology

1. This contract is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.794d) as amended by the workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220).Specifically, subsection 508(a)(1) requires that when the Federal Government procures Electronic and Information Technology (EIT), the EIT must allow Federal employees and individuals of the public with disabilities comparable access to and use of information and data that is provided to Federal employees and individuals of the procures Electronic public without disabilities.

2. The EIT accessibility standards at 36 CFR Part 1194 were developed by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") and apply to contracts and task/delivery orders, awarded under indefinite quantity contracts on or after June 25, 2001.

3. Each Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) product or service furnished under this contract shall comply with the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (36 CFR 1194), as specified in the contract, as a minimum. If the Contracting Officer determines any furnished product or service is not in compliance with the contract, the Contracting Officer will promptly inform the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall, without charge to the Government, repair or replace the non-compliant products or services within the period of time to be specified by the Government in writing. If such repair or replacement is not completed within the time specified, the Government shall have the following recourses:

a) Cancellation of the contract, delivery or task order, purchase or line item without termination liabilities; or

b) In the case of custom Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) being developed by a contractor for the Government, the Government shall have the right to have any necessary changes made or repairs performed by itself or by another firm for the noncompliant EIT, with the contractor liable for reimbursement to the Government for any expenses incurred thereby.

4. The contractor must ensure that all EIT products that are less than fully compliant with the accessibility standards are provided pursuant to extensive market research and are the most current compliant products or services available to satisfy the contract requirements.

5. For every EIT product or service accepted under this contact by the Government that does not comply with 36 CFR 1194, the contractor shall, at the discretion of the Government, make every effort to replace or upgrade it with a compliant equivalent product or service, if commercially available and cost neutral, on either a contract specified refresh cycle for the product or service, or on a contract effective option/renewal date; whichever shall occur first.

14.3 Section 508 Compliance for Communications

The Offor shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below. In the event of conflicts between the referenced documents and this RFQ, the RFP shall take precedence.

Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 Accessibility Standards http://www.ipp.gov/

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 9

29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards) www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm (508 standards) FAR 39.2 (Section 508) USDA Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)

In addition, all contract deliverables are subject to these 508 standards as applicable. Regardless of format, all Web content or communications materials produced, including text, audio or video - must conform to applicable Section 508 standards to allow federal employees and members of the public with disabilities to access information that is comparable to information provided to persons without disabilities. All contractors (including subcontractors) or consultants responsible for preparing or posting content must comply with applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and where applicable, those set forth in the referenced policy or standards documents above. Remediation of any materials, All maintenance for Electronic Information Technology that requires upgrades, modifications, installations and purchases that do not comply with the applicable provisions of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the RFP shall be the responsibility of the contractor or consultant.

The following Section 508 provisions apply to the content or communications material identified in this

PWS:

508 Product Requirements:

•Information, documentation, and support requirements from 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart D have been determined to apply this acquisition. Solicitation respondents must describe how the information, documentation, and support proposed for Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) deliverables meet at least that information, documentation, and support requirements identified as applicable in the attached Government Product/Service Accessibility Template s (GPAT’s).

508 Service Requirements:

The anticipated information content deliverable includes topics that address EIT products or EIT-related services. Delivered information content must include data and/or knowledge appropriate and responsive to the functional performance criteria detailed in 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart C, as well as any technical provisions of 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart B applicable to the specific type of EIT addressed in the delivered information content. Solicitation respondents must describe how their proposed information content deliverables meet at least those requirements identified as applicable in the attached Government Product/Service Accessibility Templates (GPAT’s).

The contractor shall provide a completed Section 508 Product Assessment Template and the contractor shall state exactly how proposed EIT deliverable(s) meet or does not meet the applicable standards .For information on USDA Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508), Information Technology- General Information, www.ocio.usda.gov/508/index.html#resources.

14.4 Security Language for all Contracts/Agreements

By accepting this contract/agreement, the Contractor/Cooperator and other external organizations (hereafter called Contractor) providing Information Technology (IT) services to the US Forest Service (FS) agrees to comply with the applicable IT security policy as outlined in this document. The Contractor and other external organizations will be responsible for IT security for all systems connected to the FS network or operated by the Contractor and other external organizations for the FS, regardless of location.

This clause is applicable to all or any part of the contract that includes IT resources or services in which the Contractor and other external organizations must have physical or electronic access to FS sensitive information that directly support the mission of the FS. The term 'information technology', as used in this clause, means any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 10 interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. This includes both major applications and general support systems as defined by OMB Circular A-130.

The Contractor shall be responsible for properly protecting all information used, gathered, or developed as a result of work under this task. The Contractor shall also protect all unclassified Government data, equipment, etc., by treating information as sensitive business, confidential information, controlling and limiting access to the information, and ensuring the data and equipment are secured within their facility.

The Contractor or other external organization will not publish or disclose in any manner, without the FS Contracting Officer's written consent, the details of any programs, documentation, data, or safeguards either designed or developed by the Contractor or other external organization under this Contract or otherwise provided by the Government. Contractor may be required to sign non-disclosure or other appropriate security agreements. A written agreement between the FS and any contractors and other external organizations will be entered into before FS data and information otherwise exempt from public disclosure may be disclosed to the contractors and other external organizations. The contractor and other external organizations will agree to establish and follow security precautions considered by the FS to be necessary to ensure proper handling of data and information. As may be identified elsewhere in this contract, the Contractor agrees that:

The draft and final deliverables and all associated working papers and other materials deemed relevant by the COTR that have been generated by the Contractor in the performance of this contract are the property of the U.S. Government and must be submitted to the COTR at the conclusion of the tasks.

All documents produced for this project are the property of the U.S. Government and cannot be reproduced or retained by the Contractor.

To the extent required to carry out a program of inspection to safeguard against threats and hazards to the security, integrity, and confidentiality of Government data, the Contractor will afford the Government access to the Contractor's or other external organization’s facilities, installations, technical capabilities, operations, documentation, records, and databases. The Contractor will cooperate with Federal agencies and their officially credentialed representatives during official inspections or investigations concerning the protection of FS information. Cooperation may include providing relevant documentation showing proof of compliance with federal and agency requirements, and rendering other assistance as deemed necessary.

If new or unanticipated threats or hazards are discovered by either the Government or the Contractor or other external organization, or if existing safeguards have ceased to function, the discoverer will immediately bring the situation to the attention of the other party. The Contractor will report real or suspected incidents or violations to the FS Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), by e-mail, at CIRT@fs.fed.us.

The Contractor shall insert these clauses in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is required to have routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. Failure to comply with said requirements will constitute cause for termination.

The Contractor Agrees To –

(a) Comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) and the agency rules and regulations issued under the Act in the design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function when the contract specifically identifies—

(i) The systems of records; and

(ii) The design, development, or operation work that the contractor is to perform;

(b) Include the Act notification contained in this contract in every solicitation and resulting subcontract and in every subcontract awarded without a solicitation, when the work statement in the proposed subcontract requires the redesign, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals that is subject to the Act; and

(c) Include this clause, including this paragraph (3), in all subcontracts awarded under this contract which requires the design, development, or operation of such a system of records.

In the event of violations of the Act, a civil action may be brought against the agency involved when the violation concerns the design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function, and criminal penalties may be imposed upon the officers or employees of mailto:CIRT@fs.fed.us

Communication System Solution Procurement Sensitive 11 the agency when the violation concerns the operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function. For purposes of the Act, when the contract is for the operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function, the Contractor is considered to be an employee of the agency.

Definitions of the clause:

(a) “Operation of a system of records,” as used in this clause, means performance of any of the activities associated with maintaining the system of records, including the collection, use, and dissemination of records.

(b) “Record,” as used in this clause, means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and that contains the person’s name, or the identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a fingerprint or voiceprint or a photograph.

(c) “System of records on individuals,” as used in this clause, means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

The contractors and other external organizations will ensure that the following banner is displayed on all FS systems that contain Privacy Act information operated by the contractors and other external organizations prior to allowing anyone access to the system:

“This system contains information protected under the provisions of the privacy act of 1974 (public law 93-579). Any privacy information displayed on the screen or printed must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Employees who violate privacy safeguards may be subject to disciplinary actions, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.”

14.5 IT Security Training: The Contractor and other external organizations will ensure that its employees performing under this contract fulfill all Forest Service requirements for mandatory security awareness and role-based advanced security training in accordance with OMB Circular A-130, FISMA, and NIST requirements, and sign all applicable FS statements of responsibilities.

14.6 Background Investigations: All non-government employees with unescorted access to FS facilities, computer systems and/or FS information must have background investigations commensurate with the level of risk and magnitude of loss or harm. The FS will determine the level of background investigation and position classification needed.

14.7 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by its employees with all applicable federal regulations, to include those of GSA, NIST, USDA, FS and HSPD-12. Contractors and their employees are subject to all Federal laws applicable to Government installations and are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs; also known as Contracting Officer Technical Representatives) , or other designated program/project officers, in conjunction with the FS HCM HSPD- 12 staff, will assist the Contractor in processing the required Security Background Investigations/Clearances.

(1) The contractor shall comply with the personal identity verification (PIV) policies and procedures established by Department of Agriculture (USDA) Directives 3800 series.

(2) Should the results of the PIV process require the exclusion of a contractor’s employee; the contracting officer will notify the contractor in writing.

(3) The contractor must appoint a representative to manage this activity and to maintain a list of employees eligible for a USDA PIV ID Badge required for performance of the work.

(4) The responsibility of maintaining a sufficient workforce remains with the contractor. Employees may be barred by the Government from performance of the work should they be found ineligible or to have lost eligibility for a USDA PIV ID Badge. Failure to maintain a sufficient workforce of employees eligible for a USDA PIV ID Badge may be grounds for termination of the contract.

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(5) The contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is required to have access to a federally-controlled facility or information system.

(6) The PIV Sponsor for this contract is the contracting officer representative (COR), unless otherwise specified in this contract. The PIV Sponsor will be available to receive contractor identity information from 8:00-16:30 on Monday-Friday at 101 Sun Avenue, Albuquerque, NM 87109. The Government shall notify the contractor if there is a change in the PIV Sponsor, the office address, or the office hours for registration.

(7) At this time, the Government will pay for and process all required security investigations/clearances, except as identified differently within this clause.

(8) The Contractor should be aware of any of its employees possibly having had a background investigation through another government agency. The investigation that was conducted, if verifiable by the FS HSPD-12 staff and, if it was completed within the last 5 years, can be accepted by the Government in lieu of a background check.

(9) The Contractor shall comply with any facility badging requirements for the issuance of building access, badges, etc.:

Ensure that each of the Contractor’s employees has been issued either a temporary or permanent badge from the Government. A permanent badge will not be issued until the security questionnaire has been completed and favorably reviewed. Temporary or visitor badges will be provided for persons who are identified as having an infrequent or temporary legitimate business need for access to the site. As noted above, periods that exceed 180 days will require a permanent badge. The badge must be worn at all times while in the facility. It must be displayed above the waist. The individual will retain possession of the badge as long as continued admittance to the site is needed.

Ensure the safekeeping, wearing, and visibility of Government furnished badges.

Immediately return all badges and permits to the Government when such need ceases to exist.

(10) The Contractor shall comply with any facility security requirements for access to the facility.

(11) The Contractor shall comply with all applicable rules governing parking at USDA locations.