Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement 1 October 2020.pdf

Performance Work Statement

Behavior-Based Interview Techniques Training

Dated 1 October 2020

1. VISION FOR THE REQUIREMENT

Civilian Selection Advisory Panels within Headquarters US Special Operations Command (HQ USSOCOM) hire high performing, motivated employees.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1. In 2015, the Deputy Chief of Staff directed that FMD-J1-SC Civilian Personnel Division provide support for Civilian Workforce Initiatives to help improve and standardize assessment and selection processes within HQ USSOCOM. This involves providing training necessary to recruit, place, and maintain a well-qualified civilian workforce.

2.2. USSOCOM Regulation 690-6, Recruitment, Assessment, and Hiring requires Civilian Selection Advisory Panels (CSAP) for the selection of candidates including the use of behavior-based interview techniques. The training described herein this PWS will provide the skills necessary for members to conduct structured behavior-based interviews for the assessment of candidates. This training is necessary to ensure the Headquarters recruits a highly skilled most qualified civilian workforce.

3. OBJECTIVE

3.1. The objective of this contract is to obtain services of a qualified contractor instructor who will deliver Behavior-Based Interview Skills training to equip hiring officials, panel board members, and directorate civilian personnel liaisons with the skills necessary to assess candidates’ knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies, and to hire high performing, motivated employees. USSOCOM evaluates the performance of the instructor and quality of the training in accordance with this Performance Work Statement.

4. SCOPE

The Contractor shall conduct instructor-led on-onsite and instructor-led virtual live webinar training which provides detailed instruction in behavior-based interview techniques within HQ USSOCOM. Under this contract, the contractor shall deliver Behavior-based Interview Skills training as described in this Performance of Work Statement. This scope of work applies to training taught in the on- or off- site sessions.

The virtual live webinar platform shall be accessible to Government personnel via Government network domains and compatible with HQ USSOCOM networks. The training shall include:

• An overview of government interview techniques

• Specifies on how to apply structured behavior-based interview techniques

• Methods of assessing a candidate’s ethical and professional maturity

• Methods of evaluating candidate capabilities, technical skills, and competencies

• How to select the most qualified candidates

• Instruction in the overall standardization of hiring panels

• Instruction on HQ USSOCOM Civilian Selection Advisory Panel requirements

• How to conduct developmental feedback to non-selected applicants

4.1. The overall goal is to provide training, which encompasses assessment techniques for interviewers to conduct well-defined, structured, behavior-based interviews in order to recruit and hire most qualified candidates.

5. REQUIREMENTS

5.1. The contractor shall provide instructor-led on-site and instructor-led virtual live webinar training that provides hiring officials, panel board members, and civilian liaisons with skills necessary to select candidates based on applicable Federal government hiring standards and practices and USSOCOM Regulation 690-6. Training shall include legal considerations of inappropriate interview questions to ensure compliance with Federal laws and regulations.

5.2. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led on-site and instructor-led virtual live webinar training on how to develop behavioral interview questions, determine benchmark answers, establish proficiency levels, assess candidates’ responses, interview preparation, and provide examples of best practices. The training shall enable Government personnel to properly identify key characteristics, knowledge, skills, and competencies that would lead to an individual’s ability to successfully perform the required job or tasks of the position for which candidates would be interviewing for during the assessment period.

5.3. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led on-site and instructor-led virtual live webinar training on how to conduct a thorough assessment of a candidate’s overall capability and competency to include a candidate’s ethical and professional maturity.

5.4. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led on-site and instructor-led virtual live webinar training in hiring panel techniques to standardize the process within HQ USSOCOM.

The training shall serve as a framework to Government personnel for establishing and conducting civilian hiring panels. Training shall reinforce requirements for successful panel interviews. Training shall highlight the importance of a diverse panel composition, identification of panel member roles and consistent use of structured behavior-based interviews questions for all candidates in accordance with USSOCOM Regulations. The training shall demonstrate how to create a positive environment in which applicants willingly share their qualifications and depart interviews with a realistic preview of the job for which they are being interviewed for an with an awareness of the values of the organization.

5.5. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led on-site and instructor-led virtual live webinar training on how to conduct developmental feedback to non-selected applicants. The training shall provide an example of a feedback session emphasizing acceptable subjects of discussion with the non-selectee and adherence to the Privacy Act of 1974.

5.6. The instructor-led virtual live webinar training shall closely follow the format of the on-site instructor-led training and include brief chapters on key topics presented during the on-site training. Video clips of key topics will be included to help users understand and retain important selection concepts.

5.7. The Contractor shall provide an automated program, online application or database that allows panel members, hiring officials, and civilian personnel liaisons to select and customize targeted, position-specific and behavior-based interview questions. The program, application or database shall facilitate assembly of interview packets with questions relevant to actual tasks or situations that the applicant will need to perform if selected for the position. Introduction and familiarization to the automated program, online application or database shall be included as part of the instructor-led on-site or the instructor-led virtual live webinar training session. The Contractor shall provide use of this program, application or database to HQ USSOCOM panel members, hiring officials, and liaisons for the duration of the contract.

5.8. The Contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of course preparation and for delivering each training session using a variety of adult learning activities. Training sessions shall consist of not less than 60% of the training time devoted to presentation, lecture and video while the remaining time shall be for practical exercises, role-playing and instruction and familiarization of the Contractor’s automated program, online application or database.

5.9. Each training session will include up to 30 personnel comprised of military members of different branches and ranks and civilian employees.

5.10. Instructor-led training sessions shall be four hours in duration and delivered in a one-day timeframe. Training sessions begin at 0900 and end by 1400 Eastern Time with 1-hour lunch break.

5.11. The contractor shall provide all training materials (hard copy and soft copy) during the on-site or virtual training session.

5.12. Contractor shall provide post-lecture support to students who require assistance to further their understanding of the behavior-based interview techniques taught during training sessions.

6. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

6.1. The Government will provide each attendee at the instructor-led training session with a Course Evaluation upon completion of the training (Attachment 1).

6.2. The contractor instructor shall receive an aggregate score of not less than 75%. The 75% threshold is calculated as follows. Survey respondents assign a rating to the eight questions in the “Instructor” section of the survey (Survey is attached). The eight questions are of equal importance and each rating equates to points. For example, a 10 rating is equal to 10 points. Therefore, the maximum amount of possible points per individual survey is 80 (8 questions times the top rating of 10). The amount of points assigned to each individual survey are then added to the other survey scores to determine the aggregate number of assigned points. The aggregate number of assigned points are then divided by the maximum number of possible assigned points. For example, aggregate number of assigned points in 10 surveys total 750 points. The maximum amount of possible points is 800 (80*10). The aggregate score is 93.8% (750 ÷ 800).

6.3. If the Contractor instructor score for a single training session is below 75%, the

Contractor shall submit a report outlining a course of action to improve the rating before the next training session. The course of action must be approved in writing by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and shall not alter the price or scope of the contract.

7. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

7.1. Government facilities will be provided for the on-site instructor-led training sessions at MacDill AFB, Florida. Contractor personnel will have access to government furnished equipment for the performance of services required by this contract, to include presentation equipment (computer, projector, and screen).

7.2. Should any equipment provided by the government be broken by the contractor, the contractor shall replace the equipment with a similar, compatible piece of equipment.

7.3. The Government will provide USSOCOM forms, policies, technical information, subject matter orientation, and documentation such as appropriate publications and regulations.

8. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICIATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

8.1. Contractor instructor shall:

8.2. Be fluent in English and have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must communicate information clearly and effectively and be able to convey instructions to diverse audiences.

8.3. Possess knowledge of Federal hiring standards, practices, and procedures.

8.4. Must have 5 years’ experience delivering behavior-based interview training to hiring officials or management.

8.5. Possess, at minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree.

8.6. Five years or more of teaching experience with specialized experience in facilitation and various training methodologies.

8.7. Being a certified professional in Human Resources is desired.

9. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

9.1. Contractor personnel shall be US Citizens.

9.2. Contractor personnel do not require a security clearance at any level.

10. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

10.1. On-site training sessions shall be held at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

11. TRAINING SCHEDULE

Base Year Option 1 Option 2

FY 2021 FY2022 FY2023

Thu, Dec 16, 2020 Thu, Dec 16, 2021 Thu, Dec 8, 2022 Thu, Mar 19, 2021 Thu, Mar 18, 2022 Thu, Mar 16, 2023 Thu, June 18, 2021 Thu, June 9, 2022 Thu, June 15, 2023 Thu, Aug 28, 2021 Thu, Aug 25, 2022 Wed, Aug 30, 2023

11.1. Above dates may change. The contractor will be notified as soon as possible after the need for a change becomes apparent.

12. DELIVERABLES

12.1. Within ten business days of contract award, the contractor shall provide for

Government acceptance an outline of the training to be delivered at the instructor-led training sessions. Should the outline be rejected by the government, the Contractor shall resubmit a revised outline within five business days of receipt of the Contractor receiving the rejection.