AppleApps-PWS-02Sep DRAFT.doc

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Assistive Technology Apps for Nonverbal Students or Students with Limited Oral and Written Communication Skills

1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Agency

For school year (SY) 2020-21, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will provide PK-12 instruction to approximately 68,500 dependents of military and civilian employees. Student enrollment is based primarily on deployment of military troops worldwide. In the Americas, DoDEA operates 50 schools located in seven states, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. In Europe and the Middle East, DoDEA operates 64 schools located in Germany, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Bahrain and Italy. In the Pacific, DoDEA operates 45 schools located in Korea, Japan (mainland and Okinawa), and Guam. DoDEA's curriculum, resources and student achievement scores on standardized assessments compare favorably to those of high-performing US public school systems. In addition, DoDEA operates fully accredited Virtual High School with teaching hubs in each DoDEA region: Americas, Europe, and Pacific.

1.2 Background

DoDEA purchased LAMP™ in 2016 via contract number HE1254-16-P-0006 and the Proloquo2Go in 2015 via contract number HE1254-15-P-0018. Most recently, DoDEA purchased both apps using HE1254-18-P-3002. Only Apple Authorized Government Resellers are allowed to sell the apps.

1.2 Scope of Work

DoDEA requires assistive technology for nonverbal students or students with limited oral and written communication skills. The two Apple apps that meet the varied needs of such students are the LAMP™ and Proloquo2Go. LAMP™ is a communication app with motor planning provides a proven therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning, LAMP™. Proloquo2Go promotes growth of communication skills and fosters language development through research-based vocabularies. LAMP™ is primarily used by students with autism, and Proloquo2Go is used by students with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses.

DoDEA expects to award one contract for a base year and four option years. DoDEA estimates that 35 LAMP™ and Proloquo2Go apps will be required in the base year and 20 of each app will be required in each option year.

2 REQUIREMENT (OBJECTIVES)

2.1 Objective 1, General Requirements

Provide virtual professional learning and industry-standard technical support; attend meetings as required; and deliver the required apps promptly.

2.1.1 Task 1, Technical Support—The Contractor shall provide industry-standard technical support for its digital resources for the life of the contract via telephone or email within one business day or less from the initial contact to include but not limited to assisting with service problems, product setup, upgrades, and troubleshooting.

2.1.2 Task 2, Meetings—The Contractor shall:

2.1.2.1 Medium and Minutes: Provide the medium through which each meeting occurs, record each meeting’s minutes, and submit them to the COR within two business days of the event.

2.1.2.2 Post-Award Conference: Participate in a video- or teleconference with the COR five business days after award in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.5.

2.1.2.3 Other Post-Award Meetings: Meet with the Contracting Officer (KO), COR, and/or other Agency personnel, as appropriate, to review Contractor performance, as required by DoDEA. The KO may discuss the Agency’s view of Contractor performance, and the Contractor shall apprise the Agency of any problems being experienced. The Contractor shall take appropriate action to resolve any outstanding issues raised by the Agency.

2.1.2.4 Attendance: Attend virtual meetings at no additional cost to the Government. Note: Costs associated with attendance at face-to-face meetings, if any, shall be handled/paid for as stated in the contract.

2.1.3 Task 3, Delivery of Digital Resources—The Contractor shall deliver web-based materials (such as access codes) three business days after receipt of delivery order.

Requirements / Objectives The tasks listed above are to help the Contractor gain a better understanding of the requirements and are not all-inclusive. The Contractor is expected to develop a total solution in accordance with a performance-based approach.

3 CONSTRAINTS

3.1 Period and Place of Performance: Base period of one year and four option years, each 12 months long. Work performed at the Contractor’s facilities.

3.2 Holidays and Hours of Operation: Contractor personnel shall be available during the hours of 9AM to 3PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), except for Federal holidays and Federal government closures/shutdowns. The following list shows all recognized Federal holidays:

New Year’s Day

Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

Presidents Day

Veterans Day

Memorial Day

Thanksgiving Day

Independence Day

Christmas Day

3.3 Availability: The Contractor shall make all resources available for the life of the contract.

3.4 Anti-Bias: The Contractor shall ensure all resources are free of racial, color, national origin, age, disabling conditions, sexual, gender, religious, and ethnic bias and wherever appropriate, present balanced coverage of multi-cultural contributions and representation.

3.5 Section 508 Compliance—Ensure Contractor resources, wherever applicable, meet the following requirements:

3.5.1 IT Requirement: Ensure that all electronic hardware and software that is procured under this contract/purchase order comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 794d) and the Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194). Additional information may be found at the following URL: http://www.section508.gov.

3.5.2 Deliverable Requirement: Ensure the following occur:

1) Outputs/deliverables do not adversely affect accessibility features of existing EIT technologies.

2) EIT related to the requirements of the contract are accessible to people with disabilities, per 29 U.S.C 794(d).

3) Outputs/deliverables to include the functional performance, information, documentation, and support requirements are considered. Standards from 36 CFR Part 1194 Subpart B, C and D apply to this acquisition.

3.6 Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): The Contractor (including any subcontractor) personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to, or participate in the development of, proprietary or Privacy Act information (e.g., personal information, education, etc.) may create a current or subsequent OCI as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. Whenever the Contractor becomes aware that such access or participation may result in actual or potential OCI, the Contractor shall (1) immediately notify the Contracting Officer (KO) in writing and (2) promptly submit a plan to the KO to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. Note: The KO will unilaterally determine if the Contractor’s plan is acceptable. If the KO determines the plan cannot satisfactorily avoid or mitigate an OCI, s/he may implement other remedies to include prohibiting the Contractor’s further participation in contracted requirements.

4 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED INFORMATION / RESOURCES

None

5 DELIVERABLES

IT Meeting: Convene ten business days after award. Provide minutes and medium as stated above.

Other Meetings: As required by the COR. Provide minutes and medium as stated above.

6 ACRONYMS & DEFINITIONS

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Contracting Officer (KO) – The only individual with expressed authority to obligate (bind) the Government by means of entering, administering, and terminating contracts within the limits of authority delegated via a Contracting Officer’s warrant.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – Qualified and trained Government employee, nominated by the requiring activity (RA) and appointed in writing by a KO primarily to perform specific technical or administrative functions on a specific contract(s); serves as the ‘eyes and ears’ of a KO to assure the Government’s best interests are protected via the terms and conditions of the contract(s) appointed. COR’s do not have authority to obligate (i.e., bind) the Government.

Contractor - Supplier or vendor having a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

Department of Defense (DoD / DOD)

Deliverable – Usually anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as digital reports.

Electronic Information Technology (EIT) – EIT Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194) In Accordance With (IAW)

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) – Tabular listing of performance objectives and standards that provides the basis for a meaningful QASP.

Performance Work Statement (PWS) - A statement of work for performance-based acquisitions describing the required results in clear, specific and objective terms with measurable outcomes.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)

7 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY & QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

7.1 Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

* Unless specified otherwise, possible ratings are as follows: exceptional, very good, satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory, per FAR 42.1503, Table 42-1, “Evaluation Ratings Definitions”.

Objective 1, General Requirement

Task 1, Technical Support, PWS 2.1.1 Duration of the award

Task 2, Meetings, PWS 2.1.2 As stated in the PWS

Task 3, Delivery, PWS 2.1.3 Duration of the award

7.2 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): The Government will utilize a QASP to monitor Contractor performance on the contract, which can change at any time during the life of the contract. As such, the Government reserves the right to unilaterally edit the QASP at its discretion. The QASP primarily (1) focuses on what the Government will do to ensure the Contractor has performed IAW the performance standards and (2) defines how the performance standards will be applied, frequency of surveillance, and minimum acceptable quality/performance

TECHNICAL EXHIBITS

Technical Exhibit 1 – Specifications

Technical Exhibit 2 – Technical Requirements (if required) TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1: Specifications of the Required Apps

1.0 General

The Contractor shall provide assistive technology for nonverbal students or students with limited oral and written communication skills. The two apps that meet the varied needs of such students are LAMP™ and Proloquo2Go.

1.1 LAMP™

The Contractor shall provide the latest version of LAMP™, a communication app with motor planning provides a proven therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning, LAMP™. As a full English vocabulary augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) language app, it is structured to enable early success and allow the client’s vocabulary and communication skills to grow in a way that does not require re-learning along the way. Because it is a pre-programmed vocabulary program, it does not require extensive customization. Its design principles include:

1) Joint engagement with the student taking the lead.

2) Consistent and unique motor patterns are the way the vocabulary words are programmed which allow for fast, natural, and fluent communication.

3) Single words are taught so individuals can build their own sentences word by word rather than by a whole phrase.

4) Auditory signals occur when a button is pressed triggering the device to speak the word, which helps the learner understand how sounds and words are connected to motor movements—a critical component of natural language development.

5) Natural consequences occur when an individual presses a button on the device and communication partner reacts accordingly.

6) Combining the PRC Unity® language system with LAMP™ principles and strategies.

1.2 Proloquo2Go The Contractor shall provide the latest version of Proloquo2Go, an app which is designed to promote growth of communication skills and foster students’ language development through research-based vocabularies. Proloquo2Go’s design features include the following:

1) Research-based vocabulary with three levels

2) 23 pre-programmed grid sizes

3) Core words located consistently throughout the vocabulary for motor planning

4) Quick and easy customization

5) Many accessibility features for users with fine-motor and visual impairment

6) Customizable grammar support for verbs, nouns, pronouns and adjectives

7) Over 60 natural-sounding free text-to-speech voices, including children’s voices 1.3 Accessibility

The Contractor shall provide the necessary tokens (redemption code) for DoDEA IT to place the apps on our dedicated server for Apple apps.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 - Technical Requirements

The Contractor shall comply with the applicable technical requirements detailed below.

2.1 Software and Cloud Security Requirements: The Contractor shall:

2.1.1 Ensure all online resources, cloud-based services and instructional software meet the Department of Defense (DoD) and DoDEA Cybersecurity requirements as defined below. Note: Software, cloud services and associated websites will be rigorously tested to ensure no security risks are posed to DoDEA infrastructure and its users.

2.1.2 Complete the Cloud Services questionnaire that was submitted as part of the proposal submission and provide copies of and/or access to any software in the proposed solution. If applicable.

2.1.3 Ensure on-premises software support post-installation integration of the necessary Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) for applicable systems and applications, including Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows IIS, Apache, Oracle databases, and Microsoft SQL Server databases. Note: They may be downloaded from https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/downloads/. The application to view all of the STIGs may be found at the following URL: https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/unclass-STIGViewer_2-9.zip.

2.1.4 Ensure vendor content accessible from the web is compatible with the following browser platforms: Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome and Edge. Ensure that any applicable STIGs are implemented.

2.1.5 Ensure on-premises software which will be subject to static and dynamic analysis testing imposes no risk to DoDEA systems, users and/or data. DoDEA will assess software products to ensure compatibility with existing system configurations and software, testing may also include reverse engineering analysis. The vendor shall provide a plan of actions & milestones (POA&M) to mitigate any cybersecurity findings resulting from non-compliant and/or vulnerable components within 30 calendar days of notification from DoDEA.

2.1.6 Per DoD policy for cloud-based services, DoDEA will conduct a supplemental series of validations, which closely mirror the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Internet Cloud vetting processes. As part of this process, the Contractor shall participate, as needed, in interviews and deep system architecture inspections.

2.2 System Requirements: The Contractor shall:

2.2.1 Ensure, per Section 2.1 (above), any software installed and/or accessed in or by a DoDEA system, network whether stand-alone or web-based, is compatible with standards cited herein.

2.2.2 Provide the minimum desktop/server system technical specifications, available reference architectures, networking specifications and diagrams, and applicable systems configuration documentation for the proposed product solution.

2.2.3 Ensure all software is compatible with the following minimum baseline:

2.2.4 Ensure that all software is completely functional on a standard DoDEA desktop without the need/requirement for administrative-level user rights and/or permissions or the requirement to use or insert external media to execute the software.

2.2.5 Provide software that does not require modifications to folder permissions while executing.

2.2.6 Ensure, if applicable, that software packages support unattended installation methods used by enterprise software packaging and deployment systems. Note: DoDEA currently distributes software packages via Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). Any, older 16-bit software will be automatically denied.

2.3 Data Management Requirements: The Contractor shall:

2.3.1 Provide a mechanism for batch administration and automation of routine data management tasks via flat file import, or representational state transfer (REST) based web service application programming interfaces (APIs). The mechanism shall provision and manage data objects within the Contractor’s system, including but not limited to organizational structures, student accounts, staff accounts, courses, and class rosters.

2.3.2 Provide all necessary documentation and assets to facilitate batch administration and automation of routine data management tasks, including but not limited to roster template files (i.e., comma separated value templates); data element/field definitions documentation; data interchange formats and schemas (XML/JSON); and/or data dictionaries for the purpose of mapping organizational student information system (SIS) data to the Contractor’s required input formats.

2.3.3 Provide a single point of contact to support DoDEA in performing the required data integration activities within the Contractor’s system.

2.3.4 Configure DoDEA enterprise within its system and/or databases as the appropriate organizational entity (i.e., region, district, school) upon a request in writing from the contracting officer’s representative (COR). Note: DoDEA’s organization hierarchy consists of the following: one system, three regions, eight districts, 62 communities, and 160 schools, which includes the DoDEA Virtual High School.

2.3.5 Participate in a technical meeting with DoDEA within ten business days after award for the purposes of preparing for onboarding of new services and initial configuration of administrator-level accounts.

2.3.6 Ensure the transfer of any Sensitive, Confidential data including but not limited to PII data be transferred in a secure means meeting any requirements set by DoDEA’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

2.4 DoDEA Software License Keys: The Contractor shall provide (1) license keys and electronic downloads for software required under this Contract to the COR and (2) software directly to DoDEA schools, districts, or regions only if explicitly required to do so in the contract or in writing by the COR.

2.5 Cybersecurity Supporting Elements/Requirements and Scalability: The Contractor shall:

2.5.1 Comply with the same Federal law and DoD policies and guidance to which DoDEA is subject. These requirements include but are not limited to the cybersecurity require-ments defined in the following documentation:

· DoD Directive (DoDD) 8500.01E, Information Assurance, which may be found at http://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/DIEA/850001p.pdf

· DoD Security Technical Implementation Guidance (STIG), which may be found at http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/Pages/index.aspx

· DoD Risk Management Framework (DODRMF) per DoD Instruction 8510.01 at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/851001_2014.pdf

2.5.2 Provide security patches/upgrades to include third-party applications in response to public-released security vulnerabilities associated with its software solution. Provide a POA&M for any security vulnerabilities within five business days of discovery. Software upgrades/patches shall be included in the licensing cost and be performed at the least disruptive times as determined by DoDEA in writing. Note: Any exception to this requirement must be approved in advance and in writing by DoDEA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO).

2.5.3 Ensure that any portion of its solution that involves Internet access by DoDEA students complies with the relevant requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act, Pub.L. 106-554, § 1(a)(4) [Div. B, Title XVII, § 1701], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-335.

2.5.4 Ensure its solution is robust enough to serve the needs of a large community of learners dispersed across the world using a variety of bandwidths and scalable to meet future growth, both in terms of instruction and the number of users.

2.5.5 Ensure Contractor staff who have access to DoDEA’s student, teacher and/or staff personally identifiable information take the DoD Privacy Act/ Personally Identifiable Information (PA and PPI/PII) training before gaining access to the data and yearly thereafter. Providing copies of the certificates of completion to the COR which can be audited at any time by the CISO or his/her designee.

2.5.6 Ensure the solution is scalable to meet future growth requirements in terms of instruction and number of users.

24 Aug 20