Attachment 4 Polygraph Statement of Work.pdf

SECTION C: SPECIFICATIONS/ STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 PURPOSE

The United States Capitol Police Office of Background Investigations and Credentialing requires contractor assistance in conducting pre-employment polygraph examinations on selected sworn and civilian applicants in accordance with USCP practices and procedures.

C.2 MISSION/ STATEMENT OF NEED

The unique mission of the Department of protecting the United States Congress and those who work and visit the congressional complex on a daily basis, makes it imperative that the Department hire only those applicants that are above reproach. The Employment Suitability Division is responsible for conducting background investigations on potential employees to ensure that the Department hires only the best-qualified applicants into positions of trust. The polygraph examination is an integral component of our investigative process to ensure the integrity of the Department and the safety of the Congressional Community. Accordingly, applicants must possess the honesty and integrity needed to successfully perform their duties.

C.3 ACRONYMS & DEFINITIONS

These terms when used in this Statement of Work have the following meanings:

USCP United States Capitol Police OBIC Office of Background Investigations and Credentialing ESD Employment Suitability Division PDDP Psycho-Physiological Detection of Deception APA American Polygraph Association AAPP American Association of Police Polygraphists LEPET Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test Specific SI Specific Issue Technique ZCT Zone Comparison Test ADA Americans With Disabilities Act EPPA Employee Polygraph Protection Act Applicant/Subject Subject of the polygraph examination PM Project Manager

C.4 REQUIREMENTS

C.4.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

C.4.1.1 The Contractor shall be able to accommodate and administer up to 80 polygraph examinations per month at USCP examination facilities.

When required, the contractor shall use multiple examiners to achieve the required number of examinations per month.

C.4.1.2 The Contract Examiners must work Monday through Friday.

C.4.2 POLYGRAPH EXAMINER REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall:

C.4.2.1 Provide Examiners who have successfully completed a basic course of polygraph training from a school accredited by the APA and provide proof of satisfactory completion.

C.4.2.2 Shall provide proof of APA membership to the USCP on an annual basis for all examiners.

C.4.2.3 Ensure examiners complete thirty (30) hours of continuing education every two (2) years and provide proof to the USCP of satisfactory completion of this requirement.

C.4.2.4 Ensure examiners dress in business attire while administering

Polygraph Examinations.

C.4.2.5 Ensure Examiners adhere to established ethics, standards, and practices approved by the APA and conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner.

C.4.2.6 Provide Examiners trained in legal issues for testing under ADA and the EPPA.

C.4.2.7 Provide Examiners who are active members of the APA in good standing.

C.4.2.8 Provide practicing examiners who have conducted polygraph examinations, quality assurances, or polygraph training within the last two (2) years.

C.4.2.9 Provide Examiners who have conducted over 200 polygraph examinations.

C.4.2.10 Provide examiners who have conducted polygraph examinations utilizing an appropriately structured and validated technique as approved by the USCP, and shall evaluate all data from this technique on the basis of the approved numerical scoring format. The Contractor shall also ensure the accuracy of the examination through a system of uniform quality control procedures approved by the USCP.

C.4.2.11 Provide Examiners who will not disclose any information obtained from

USCP applicants with anyone outside of the Contracting agency unless specifically approved by the USCP.

C.4.2.12 Provide Examiners who has past experience with the utilization of instrumentation manufactured by Lafayette Instruments.

C.4.2.13 Notify the USCP in writing of any license revocations, changes in APA standing, performance deficiencies, or disciplinary actions on any polygraph examiner performing services under this contract within two (2) working days.

C.4.2.14 Track annual memberships and continuing education credits of all polygraph examiners provided under this contract. Certification or verification of this tracking is due to the USCP COR at time of contract award and by April 1st of each subsequent year of the contract.

C.4.3 POLYGRAPH and SURVIELLANCE EQUIPMENT

C.4.3.1 The USCP will provide all polygraph and surveillance equipment necessary to conduct an examination.

C.4.3.2 The Contract Examiners will be responsible for properly recording

(audio and video) all polygraph examinations on the equipment provided.

C.5 PROCEDURES FOR POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS

C.5.1 The Contractor's examiners shall:

C.5.1.1 Conduct polygraph examinations based on information acquired from an applicant's Personal History Statement (PHS), Pre- Polygraph Questionnaire, or past statements which will be provided to the Contractor prior to an applicant's examination.

C.5.1.2 Make inquiries of the applicant's health, medical history and/or use of medication as necessary to determine the applicant's ability to take an examination. Such requests shall be in compliance with ADA.

C.5.1.2.a Discontinue any examination if an Examiner reasonably believes a subject to be physically or emotionally unsuitable for testing, an explanation must be provided to the USCP prior to discontinuation and in the final written report.

C.5.1.3 Use all forms and questionnaires approved by the USCP.

C.5.1.4 Conduct a pre-test interview and record legible notes.

C.5.1.5 Provide a sufficient explanation to the Subject regarding how the polygraph instrument works and how it works in relation to human physiology.

C.5.1.6 Go over each question with the Subject and ensure that the

Subject understands each question being covered.

C.5.1.7 Administer an acquaintance test as part of the examination process.

C.5.1.8 Collect a minimum of three (3) charts, utilizing an approved testing format (LEPET, ZCT, SI), to acquire sufficient data for proper evaluation.

C.5.1.8.a The Examiner shall not render a conclusive diagnosis when the physiological records lack sufficient quality and clarity. This may include, but is not limited to, excessively distorted recordings possibly due to movements by the examinee, recordings with insufficient responsivity, or recordings with tracing amplitudes less than what is generally accepted by the profession.

C.5.1.8.b Physiological recordings during each chart shall be continuous, and of sufficient amplitude to be easily readable by an examiner.

C.5.1.9 Use industry standard validated testing techniques and formats as per the APA Standards of Practice.

C.5.1.10 Use standardized chart markings, recognized and utilized within the polygraph profession.

C.5.1.11 Independently interpret chart tracings. Examiner conclusions and opinions shall be based on Industry standard validated scoring methods and decision rules. The Examiner will be responsible for rendering one of the following conclusions:

C.5.1.11.a No Significant Physiological Response (NSPR).

The examinee has successfully completed the polygraph examination with no unresolved relevant issues. The examinee has been found truthful.

C.5.1.11.b Significant Physiological Response (SPR).

Test results indicate deception to one or more of the relevant questions. No Admissions were obtained from the Examinee.

C.5.1.11.c SPR with Admissions

Test results indicate deception to one or more of the relevant questions. Admissions were obtained from the Examinee to explain physiological reaction.

C.5.1.11.d NSPR with Admissions

Test results indicate no deception to the relevant questions.

Admissions were obtained from the Examinee that are potentially disqualifying in nature.

C.5.1.11.e No Opinion (N.O.).

Chart data was insufficient to render an opinion.

C.5.1.11.f Incomplete;

The polygraph examination was stopped prematurely and there is no charts or not enough sufficient data to render an opinion.

An explanation must be recorded in the final report as to why the polygraph examination could not be completed.

C.5.1.12 Take necessary steps to resolve significant physiological responses by confronting the Subject in a post-test interrogation. The examiner shall utilize and be familiar with positive confrontation techniques to elicit and garner admissions.

C.5.1.13 Obtain a written or verbal statement from the applicant at the conclusion of the examination if an admission is garnered or if information is discovered that is discrepant from information provided in the Personal History Statement or Polygraph Questionnaire. The applicant shall be provided sufficient time to write the statement. If a written statement is obtained, it shall be evaluated by the examiner to ensure that the information is adequate. The following information must be included in the statement:

C.5.1.13.a Why the information was not admitted or included in the PHS or Polygraph Questionnaire.

C.5.1.13.b Specific dates and details regarding the specific admission/incident/concern.

C.5.1.14 Shall submit all charts for a quality review prior to a final opinion being rendered.

C.5.1.15 Shall adhere to, and be responsible for, all quality control procedures required by the USCP for each polygraph examination.

C.5.1.16 Provide a final report within two (2) full business days.

C.5.1.17 Shall store all relevant polygraph charts and reports in designated folders authorized by the USCP. All polygraph material will be stored by the

USCP.

C.5.1.18 Update and maintain USCP polygraph databases and polygraph files on the USCP network.

C.5.2 Additional Contractor Roles and Responsibilities for Polygraph due to COVID 19

C.5.2.1 Upon arrival and throughout the entire workday the contractor will be required to wear a mask and gloves provided by USCP.

C.5.2.2 The contractor will escort the applicant to the polygraph room after completing the check-in process.

C.5.2.3 The applicant will be taken to the polygraph room where they will stay on one side of the plexiglass wall and the contractor on the other side, C.5.2.4 Hand sanitizer will be made available as well as wipes to foster safety and cleanliness.

C.5.2.5 Upon completion of the polygraph, the subject will exit from the single point adjacent to the polygraph room(s).

C.5.2.6 Immediately following each polygraph exam, the contractor must sanitize the workspace with the products provided by USCP. The contractor must:

C.5.2.6.a Wipe down the desk, chairs, plexiglass barrier, equipment, (finger electrodes, vinyl blood pressure cuff, pneumograph tubes), and door knobs with disinfectant wipes provided by USCP

C.5.2.6.b Spray the room with disinfectant spray.

C.5.2.6.c Disposal of wipes and used cleaning materials in designated collection container provided by USCP.

C.6 QUALITY CONTROL (QC) & SECOND POLYGRAPHS

C.6.1 QUALITY CONTROL

C.6.1.1 Shall be conducted on all polygraph examinations to ensure that the USCP polygraph program maintains the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, and reliability.

C.6.1.1.a A second polygraph examiner will perform an independent QC review of the polygraph charts using the same validated scoring methods. A CONCUR" or NON- CONCUR" call will be documented in a designated spot on the final report that is submitted.

C.6.1.1.b All reports, technical documents, surveillance videos, charts, and testing formats are subject to a USCP quality assurance review at any time. If it is determined by the USCP that sufficient data for proper evaluation was not obtained, or if a procedural deficiency is found that would render a polygraph examination invalid, the USCP will incur no cost for the polygraph examination.

C.6.2 SECOND POLYGRAPHS

C.6.2.1 A second polygraph can be requested by the USCP at any time at no cost, if QC, by the contractor or the USCP, renders a differing opinion.

C.6.2.2 If a second polygraph is requested, the original examiner who conducted the first polygraph shall not conduct the second. A different polygraph examiner shall administer the second exam.

C.7 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

C.7.1 VIDEO AND AUDIO

C.7.1.1 All polygraph examinations shall be video and audio recorded. A digital recording of each polygraph examination conducted shall be saved in a designation USCP secured drive for quality control purposes. The audio/video is transferred to the Network Attached Storage (NAS).

C.7.2 FINAL POLYGRAPH WRITTEN REPORT

C.7.2.1 The contractor shall provide ESD with a written report in a format approved by the USCP. The final report shall consist of:

C.7.2.1.a Written report of Investigation (USCP format).

C.7.2.1.b All documents used in the administration of the polygraph.

C.7.2.1.c A scoring sheet with a numerical evaluation conducted by the Examiner administering the polygraph.

C.7.2.1.d A scoring sheet with a numerical evaluation conducted by another Examiner for quality control.

C.7.2.1.e Recorded DVD (audio and video).

C.7.2.2 The Contractor shall provide the final written report to ESD within two (2) full business days.

C.7.2.3 The USCP format will be provided to the contractor within 7 days of contract award.

C.8 TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE - PROJECT MANAGER (PM)

C.8.1 Within seven (7) business days of contract award, the Contractor shall provide a technical representative or Project Manager (PM) who shall serve as the single point of contact and shall coordinate all polygraph activities directly with the USCP. The PM shall be a trained polygraph examiner and serve as a single point of contact to expedite communications. The PM shall be responsible for the following:

C.8.1.1 Adhering to all contract requirements and acting as a liaison between the USCP and other contract examiners.

C.8.1.2 Assuring that quality control procedures are being completed satisfactorily.

C.8.1.3 Notifying the USCP of any report that is going to be delayed along with an explanation.

C.8.1.4 Training examiners and staff on all requirements under this Contract.

C.8.1.5 Notifying the USCP of any issues relating to the contract.

C.9 CANCELLATIONS, NO SHOWS, AND TARDINESS

C.9.1 If an applicant fails to show for and/or cancels their scheduled polygraph, the

USCP will incur a 20% cancellation fee for applicants who fail to show and/or cancels 24 hours or less.

C.9.2 The USCP may cancel a scheduled polygraph if the applicant arrives more than 45 minutes after the scheduled agreed upon start time of the polygraph. The USCP will incur 20% cancellation fee for applicants who are tardy.

C.10 HOURS OF PERFORMANCE

Work shall be performed during normal business hours Monday through Friday. At times work will be required on a Saturday due to the demands of the Department. The following are Federal Holidays observed by the USCP:

New Years' Day Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day Memorial Day Independence

Day Labor Day

Juneteenth Columbus Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day