Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement.pdf

Peace Corps Disclaimer:

Issuance of this solicitation does not obligate the Peace Corps to award a contract, nor will Peace Corps pay any cost associated with the preparation or submission of Quotes. Moreover, Peace Corps reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any time. Awarded contracts will be subject to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements.

Attachment 1

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Professional Campus Recruitment Services

Date of issuance/Award: March 31 – May 1, 2021 To allow ample time for hiring and background checks, the contract will be awarded between March 31 and May 1. During the period for hiring and background checks, there is no compensation/payment to the contractor. Invoicing and payment will commence in accordance with the effective date of the contract’s Period of Performance.

PWS Introduction:

The Peace Corps intends to award multiple contracts to promote overseas volunteerism on university campuses and provide recruitment services for the Peace Corps. This procurement is open to all United States four-year higher education institutions with at least 6,500 undergraduate students.

Background:

Peace Corps’ office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection (VRS) recruits the most qualified applicants from college campuses and communities through targeted marketing and local events. One integral part of the recruitment plan is to contract with colleges and universities for recruitment services. The Peace Corps contemplates awarding multiple firm-fixed price contracts for one base year and up to four (4), one-year options.

PWSPWS Main Document--Continued From Cover Page

SECTION A - PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT/SPECIFICATIONS

A.1 INTRODUCTION

Colleges and universities are key strategic recruitment partners for the Peace Corps. The Agency relies on higher education institutions to increase public awareness about Peace Corps volunteer service opportunities within campus communities, and where appropriate, surrounding cities and communities.

A.2 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

A.2.1 Peace Corps Campus Recruitment Office

The Contractor shall establish a Peace Corps Campus Recruiting Office on campus and provide access to the following campus resources:

• Office space with Peace Corps signage located in an area that is accessible and highly visible to students. Convenient private space must be provided, or easily accessible, to the Campus Recruiter to conduct confidential meetings. The Contractor will furnish a bulletin board or some other form of highly visible posting area, a designated telephone (with some form of voice-messaging service), a computer with MS Office Suite software and access to the Internet, office supplies, and access to copier and fax machines with a paper use allotment. The Campus Recruiter is forbidden to use a personally owned computer for Peace Corps business.

• Access to the university’s room scheduling system so that the Campus Recruiter can reserve larger conference rooms for periodic General Information Meetings and other events, as necessary.

• Online listing for the Peace Corps Campus Recruitment Office in the appropriate category within the institution's Internet webpages. The listing is approved by the Peace Corps and includes the Campus Recruiter's name as well as office location, email address, phone number, and recruiter office hours. The listing will also include links to the Peace Corps’ website and online resources (i.e., Peace Corps social media sites).

• Direct access or liaison access (via sponsoring university organizations) to email or postal addresses and/or boxes for all faculty, students, and campus associations for the purpose of transmitting special recruitment announcements from the Peace Corps.

• Direct or liaison access to lists of graduating students when requested by the Peace Corps for the purpose of providing recruitment information about the Peace Corps.

• University parking permit for Campus Recruiter and/or guests.

• Free access to, or reduced fees for, university-sponsored career fairs and campus media outlets.

• Virtual Platform: Access to a virtual recruitment technical platform that is reviewed and approved by Peace Corps to permit virtual sessions as well as in person sessions.

A.2.2 Hiring and Supervision of Peace Corps Campus Recruiter

The Contractor shall interview and hire a part-time (20 hours per week) Campus Recruiter to staff the Campus Recruitment Office and coordinate campus recruitment activities. The Campus Recruiter must be a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), who is approved by the Peace Corps’ Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection (VRS) and is to be paid a fair and reasonable hourly rate plus the fringe benefits the Contractor typically offers its part-time employees or graduate students, as the case may

be. A recruitment strategy and hiring timeline to select the Campus Recruiter should be provided to the Peace Corps.

Please use the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter job description template to advertise and promote the position (to be provided after contract award).

The Contractor shall assign an institutional employee to work as the supervisor for the Campus Recruiter. Supervisory responsibilities include ensuring the Campus Recruiter is aware of, and working in, a responsible and professional manner to fulfill his or her recruitment strategies and activities. A Peace Corps staff member (Recruiter Liaison) will work closely with the Campus Recruiter and Supervisor to help ensure they meet the recruitment objectives.

A.2.3 Campus Recruitment Strategy Plan

The Contractor shall develop a campus-wide Recruitment Strategy Plan as part of their Quote submission—please see Attachment A Technical Proposal Template for a draft of the plan. If the Quote is accepted, the plan will need to be reviewed, updated, and approved by Peace Corps and shared with the Campus Recruiter.

The Plan will be focused on achieving recruitment targets that will be shared with the school during training, such as:

1. Conduct 40 unique recruitment events that align with Peace Corps’ 6 sectors. 25% of these unique recruitment events must have a diversity focus.

Unique recruitment events include any of the following types of events:

• Class or club talk

• Retention event (either Friends & Family or Welcome Back/Send Off)

• Application workshop (at least 1 per year)

• Information session – general or sector specific

• Panel event

• Film screenings (approved by Peace Corps)

• Information table (maximum number of 6 times per year)

2. Conduct public office hours

• 2 hours per week for a total of 72 hours per year

3. Conduct 20 unique partnership meetings. 25% of these partnership meetings must be with stakeholders or influencers that work with diversity organizations or populations.

4. Collect a total of 400 new leads throughout the year.

5. Generate 15% more applications than the college or university generated the previous year.

6. Possible Secondary School Support: Include in proposal and bid whether recruitment coverage includes secondary schools or communities. If so, include name of secondary school and plan for that expansion area.

7. Email marketing for Strats - Peace Corps has the technical functionality to send targeted marketing emails to students at Strat schools from our internal lead management system, PCrm.

These emails will appear to be written and sent by the Strat (school employee), and recipients can reply directly to the Strat’s school email address.

8. The goal of this email marketing is to use our technology to amplify the marketing and promotion reach of each Strat with regard to leads at their school, and to reduce the amount of administrative time that Strats spend writing and sending mass emails to their existing leads regarding upcoming events. Peace Corps will develop an approval process to secure permission from each Strat school to be able to send these emails on behalf of their employees.

A.2.4 Monthly Progress, Mid-year and Final Reports

Monthly Report: The Contractor shall ensure the Campus Recruiter submits monthly progress reports to the designated VRS representative, or saves this report in a specific location as directed by the Peace Corps, by the 5th of each month. Each report should reflect steady progress toward completion of the contract deliverables. If the 5th is a weekend, the report is due on the next business day.

Please see Attachment B for a sample monthly reporting template. The actual monthly report format to be used throughout the performance period will be provided to the Campus Recruiter at the beginning of every academic year.

Mid-Year Report: By the 2nd of January, the Contractor shall submit a mid-year report to the designated VRS contact. The mid-year report format and required information will be provided to the Campus Recruiter at the beginning of every academic year.

Final Report: Within 2 weeks of the last day of Spring finals, the Contractor shall submit a final report to the designated VRS contact. The final report format and required information will be provided to the Campus Recruiter at the beginning of every academic year.

A.2.5 Expected Results

The manner and method of performance under the resultant contract are the sole responsibility of the Contractor. However, the Contractor shall address the following tasks, indicators and expected results:

A.2.5.1 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS tied to payment:

a. A Strat Recruiter is hired and is working on average 20 hours per week.

NOTE: If a Strat Recruiter is not hired, hired late in the contract work year, or leaves before the end of the contractual work year, the University shall only bill Peace Corps and Peace Corps will only pay for the time period a Strat has been working. Payment will be pro-rated based on the following Payment Formula:

• # of weeks in a Year that the School has committed to having a Strat work per the contract DIVIDED by the overall Annual Contract $$’s= $$’s per week.

• Payment will be pro-rated based on # of weeks a Strat is hired and working.

• Full Payment= # Weeks Committed in Contract (same as # of Weeks Worked) x $$’s per week

• Partial Payment= # of Weeks Worked x $$’s per week.

b. The Campus Recruiter will establish hours of operation for the campus recruitment office, with 2 hours per week set and posted as public office hours to meet with potential and current applicants.

c. The Campus Recruiter is expected to respond to Peace Corps and campus staff in a timely manner, as well as attend regularly scheduled meetings initiated by Peace Corps.

d. Office space and supporting material/resources as detailed in the Contract are provided by the school to the Strat.

e. Involvement of Peace Corps in the Strat interviewing and selection process

f. The Strat Recruiter has:

• Taken the mandatory Strat Training(s)

• Submitted an Annual Recruitment Plan in the format and by the deadline provided by Peace Corps, reviewed and approved by Peace Corps Recruiter

• Submitted Monthly Recruitment Dashboard in format and by the deadline provided by Peace Corps

• Submitted a Mid-Year Report in format and by the deadline provided by Peace

Corps

• Submitted a Final Year-End Report in format and by the deadline provided by Peace

Corps

A.2.5.2 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS to be used to determine option year approval:

a. Quality of the approved/final Annual Recruitment Plan

• During the mandatory Strat Training, Peace Corps will provide guidance on activities and deliverables to include in the Annual Recruitment Plan along with recruitment targets. This guidance will include targets such as:

i. # and type of Recruitment Events

ii. # and type of Influencer and Stakeholder Meetings

iii. # of office hours

iv. Target: # of Leads

v. Target: # of Applications

b. Progress towards execution of the Approved Annual Recruitment Plan

A.2.6 REDUCTION OF CONTRACT PAYMENTS

(a) Notwithstanding any other payment provision of this contract, failure of the Contractor to hire a Strat in a timely manner, failure to submit required reports when due or any other failure to deliver, may result in the reduction of payments under this contract. For example, not having an active Strat on the job for a portion of an invoice period, will result in a reduced payment. Exceptions to this reduction in payment will be made on a case by case basis, taking into account mitigating circumstances beyond the Contractor’s control and without fault or negligence on the part of the Contractor e.g. acts of god.

(b) Peace Corps, in the interest of equity, will reduce payments in an amount commensurate with the percentage of the 20 hours per week worked e.g. if Start Strat works 50% of hours (10 hours per week) the payment will be reduced by a commensurate 50%.

(c ) If the Peace Corps intends to reduce a payment of any voucher or invoice in full to $0, it shall promptly notify the Contractor of its intention to do so. However, if only a portion(s) of the invoice are being reduced, then the voucher may be processed without notification to the Contractor, in order to prevent delay in payment.

A.3 PEACE CORPS RESPONSIBILITIES

The Peace Corps will:

• Review and approve the Contractor’s Recruitment Plan.

• Provide Peace Corps recruitment materials to the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter, including printed material, visual aids, and digital resources.

• Provide training for the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter to accurately inform the student population about Peace Corps program skill needs, length of service, benefits, and legal and medical guidelines. In addition, Campus Recruiters will learn how to assist Peace Corps applicants with the application process - including how to select a position based on their interests and skill sets - as well as provide resume critiques and interview prep assistance.

• Provide transport and per diem funds for Peace Corps Campus Recruiter's authorized travel to Peace Corps offices for trainings and/or meetings.

• Assign a Peace Corps staff member (Recruiter Liaison) to work closely with the Campus Recruiter and Supervisor to ensure objectives of the contract are met.

• Ensure that the assigned Peace Corps staff member will establish and facilitate regular performance and planning meetings with the Campus Recruiter.

• Provide reporting templates to the contractor.

• Provide programming information and performance data regarding trends in program openings and the application pipeline so that the contractor has the necessary information to execute terms of contract.

SECTION B – PACKAGING AND MARKING

B.1 PACKAGING AND MARKING

Preservation, packaging, packing and marking for shipment or mailing of all work delivered hereunder shall be in accordance with good commercial practice and adequate to ensure acceptance by common carrier and safe transportation to the destinations at the most economical rate(s). The Contractor shall have the necessary insurance needed to cover damages and loss due to shipping.

SECTION C – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

C.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this procurement. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or re-performance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or re-performance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights—(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and (2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

C.2

REDUCTION OF CONTRACT PAYMENTS

(a) Notwithstanding any other payment provision of this contract, failure of the Contractor to hire a Strat in a timely manner, failure to submit required reports when due or any other failure to deliver, may result in the reduction of payments under this contract. For example, not having an active Strat on the job for a portion of an invoice period, will likely result in a reduced payment. Exceptions to this reduction in payment will be made on a case by case basis, taking into account mitigating circumstances beyond the Contractor’s control and without fault or negligence on the part of the Contractor e.g. acts of god.

(b) Peace Corps, in the interest of equity, will reduce payments in an amount commensurate with the percentage of deliverables met e.g. if Start Strat works 50% of hours (10 hours per week) the payment will be reduced by a commensurate 50%.

(c) If the Peace Corps intends to reduce a payment of any voucher or invoice in full to $0, it shall promptly notify the Contractor of its intention to do so. However, if only a portion(s) of the invoice are being reduced, then the voucher may be processed without notification to the Contractor, in order to prevent delay in payment.

SECTION D – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

D.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance (POP) for this requirement is one (1) base year and up to four one-year options for a yearly period of August 1 – July 31.

D.2 DELIVERABLES

See Section C for full information and listing. All written deliverables shall also be submitted electronically to the appropriate Peace Corps Regional Recruitment Office.

D.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance for this requirement is the United States, or U.S. Territories and Outlying Areas.

In the performance of this contract, the contractor may work remotely “telework” within the United States, or U.S. Territories and Outlying Areas. The contractor shall communicate with the Government employees via telephone, email, and virtual meeting platforms. The Government will not be responsible for any additional costs associated with working remotely.

SECTION E – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

E.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in the requirement and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this requirement, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment shall be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

E.2 INTERPRETATION OF MODIFICATION

No oral or written statement of any person and no written statement of anyone other than the Contracting Officer shall modify or otherwise affect the terms or meaning of this requirement. Requests for interpretations, modifications or changes must be made in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) can only respond (verbally or in writing) to technical matters.

E.3. TECHNICAL DIRECTION

(a) Performance of the work under this requirement shall be subject to the technical direction of the Peace Corps Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as delegated by the Contracting Officer. The term "technical direction" is defined to include, without limitation:

(1) Providing direction to the contractor that redirects contract efforts, shifts work emphasis between work areas or tasks, requires pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fills in details, or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual objectives.

(2) Providing written information to the contractor that assists in interpreting drawings, specifications, or technical portions of the work description.

(3) Reviewing and, where required by the contract, approving technical reports, drawings, specifications, and technical information to be delivered by the contractor to the Government.

(b) The contractor will receive a copy of the written COR designation from the contracting officer. It will specify the extent of the COR's authority to act on behalf of the contracting officer. The contractor shall follow only the technical direction from the COR or the Contracting Officer.

(c) Technical direction must be within the scope of work stated in the contract. The COR does not have the authority to, and may not, issue any technical direction that:

(1) Constitutes an assignment of additional work outside the Statement of Work;

(2) Constitutes a change as defined in the FAR 52.243-1;

(3) In any manner causes an increase or decrease in the total estimated contract cost, the fee (if any), or the time required for contract performance;

(4) Changes any of the expressed terms, conditions or specifications of the contract; or

(5) Interferes with the contractor's right to perform the terms and conditions of the contract.

(d) All technical direction from the COR shall be issued in writing or, if issued orally, he/she will confirm such direction in writing within five calendar days after oral issuance. The COR may issue such guidance via telephone, facsimile, or electronic mail. Electronic mail shall serve as a method of written guidance.

(e) The contractor must proceed promptly with the performance of technical direction duly issued by the COR in the manner prescribed by this clause and within its authority under the provisions of this clause. If, in the opinion of the contractor, any instruction or direction by the COR falls within one of the categories defined in (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this clause, the contractor must not proceed and must notify the Contracting Officer in writing within five (5) working days after receipt of any such instruction or direction. Upon receiving the notification from the contractor, the Contracting Officer must:

(1) Advise the contractor in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt of the contractor's letter that the technical direction is within the scope of the contract effort and does not constitute a change under FAR 52.243-1;

(2) Advise the contractor in writing within a reasonable time that the Government will issue a written change order; or

(3) Advise the contractor in writing within a reasonable time not to proceed with the instruction or direction of the COR.

(f) A failure of the contractor and Contracting Officer either to agree that the technical direction is within the scope of the contract or to agree upon the contract action to be taken with respect to the technical direction will be subject to the provisions of the clause entitled "Disputes."

SECTION F – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

F.1 INVOICES

Electronic invoices shall be submitted through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP) on a quarterly basis: October 15, January 15, April 15 and July 15, or the next business day.

F.2 KEY PERSONNEL

The Contractor will hire and supervise a part-time Campus Recruiter to staff the Recruitment Office and coordinate campus recruitment activities. The hired Campus Recruiter will be supervised by an institutional employee assigned by the Contractor. Supervisory responsibilities include ensuring that the Campus Recruiter is aware of and working in a responsible and professional manner to fulfill his or her recruitment strategies and activities.