Attachment 4 - Task Order 1 Performance Work Statement.pdf

Attachment 4 – Task Order 1 Performance Work Statement

RFQ-CDF-23-FSandR

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (CDFI) FUND

BPA TASK ORDER 1

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Other Targeted Population Research

1.0 SCOPE OF WORK

Under this BPA task order, the Contractor shall conduct a review of research on Other Targeted Populations (OTPs) to see if existing evidence supports an expansion in the number of the CDFI Fund’s pre-approved OTPs with a particular focus on the category of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) and its subgroups. The Contractor shall also make recommendations around the update process and schedule for OTPs by the CDFI Fund (Base BPA PWS Section 5.5).

2.0 PLACE(S) OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall perform the work at the location(s) specified in the Base BPA PWS Section 3.0.

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be for 12 months from the effective date of the task order award.

4.0 ACQUISITION TYPE

The Government intends to award a firm-fixed-price BPA task order.

5.0 TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall have the personnel, facilities, equipment, and capabilities to perform the required tasks/services. Under this BPA task order, the Contractor shall perform the following tasks and provide the corresponding deliverables. Note: For any task that results in a deliverable, as specified in the agreed upon Project Plan & Schedule, the Contractor shall first provide a draft version of the requested deliverable(s). Incorporating CDFI Fund feedback, the Contractor shall then provide a final version of the deliverable(s).

5.1. Kick-Off Meeting, Bi-Weekly Status, and Project Plan & Schedule

Prior to the Contractor beginning work under this BPA task order, the Contractor and the Government shall conduct one (1) joint conference call that lasts sixty (60) minutes within the first ten (10) days after the task order award effective date. The purpose of this conference call is to discuss the Project Plan & Schedule and to review the scope of work, the governance procedures, and task order requirements.

The Contractor shall hold half-hour bi-weekly conference calls with the Government to discuss and update the Project Plan & Schedule in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Base BPA PWS Section 5.1.

Deliverable: The Contractor shall provide the required task order deliverables as specified in the Base BPA PWS Section 5.1.

5.2 Other Targeted Population Research Review Update

In 2018, the CDFI Fund conducted research to assist in updating CDFI Certification policies for Targeted Populations, especially designating Other Targeted Populations (OTPs) as Target Markets for Certified CDFIs.

OTPs are those populations that can be shown to have disparities in their access to financial products and services. With the upcoming launch of a new Certification Application, the CDFI Fund requires the Contractor to conduct another review of OTPs to see if existing evidence supports an expansion in the number of pre-approved OTPs with a particular focus on the category of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) and its subgroups. The Contractor shall also make recommendations around the updating process and schedule for OTPs by the CDFI Fund. The tasks outlined below shall be completed based on the agreed upon Project Schedule.

Tasks:

(1) Review, update and revise prior OTP research and evidence:

(a) Conduct analyses of peer-reviewed studies on demographic disparities in access to capital and credit.

(b) Analyze data from public and proprietary databases to test for disparities in access to capital and credit after controlling for poverty and income effects.

(c) Review criteria used by other Federal Agencies to designate underserved populations.

(d) Conduct focus groups with potential OTP industry representatives.

(e) Identify local data and methods that can be used by CDFI certification applicants and the CDFI

Fund staff to demonstrate OTP disparities in access to capital and credit for specific demographic sub-groups.

(2) Review and update the Tiered Evidence approach for OTP evaluation and make recommendations for any changes.

(3) Create a database of peer-reviewed research including works that demonstrate disparities in access to capital and credit for specific demographic sub-groups at a sub-national level that CDFIs can use to support OTP certification requests. This should be in a format that can be posted on the CDFI Fund’s website and easily searchable by users.

(4) Develop recommendations for an updating process and schedule for the maintenance and determination of pre-approved OTPs by the CDFI Fund.

(5) Provide a framework to the CDFI Fund for the development of an empirical study analyzing economic data on Asian-Americans with the aim of determining whether evidence supports the inclusion of Asian- Americans as a member of socially and economically disadvantaged group that meets a universal definition applicable across all federal agencies.

Deliverables:

(1) Literature Review Write-up

(2) Data Analysis Write-up including methods and findings

(3) Write-up of Federal Agency Criteria Review

(4) Focus Group questionnaire, transcript of conversations/discussion, and summary of focus group discussion findings

(5) Write-up on the findings related to local data and methods identified in Task #1(e)

(6) Tiered Evidence approach document

(7) Database of peer-reviewed research

(8) Updating Process and Schedule recommendations document

(9) Write-up of framework identified in Task #5

For any task that results in a deliverable, as specified in the agreed upon Project Schedule, the Contractor first shall provide a draft version of the requested deliverable(s). Incorporating CDFI Fund feedback, the Contractor then shall provide a final version of the deliverable(s). All deliverables shall be provided based on the timeframe in the agreed upon Project Schedule with drafts of deliverables 1, 2, 3, and 5 completed by April 3, 2023.

6.0 KEY PERSONNEL

6.1 Qualifications

The Contractor’s key personnel shall meet the qualifications requirements set forth in the Base BPA PWS Section 8.0. No additional qualifications are needed as part of this task order.

6.2 Identification of Key Personnel

For the purpose of this BPA task order, the approved Contractor key personnel are: TBD.

6.3 Replacement of Key Personnel

If replacement of key personnel is necessary under this task order, the Contractor shall follow the replacement process outlined in the Base BPA PWS Section 9.0.

7.0 QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP)

The Contractor shall establish a complete internal QCP for this BPA task order that includes methods for monitoring, identifying, and correcting deficiencies for each performance category. The QCP shall be maintained by the Contractor for them to ensure the requirements of the BPA task order are met as specified in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The Contractor shall report any performance issues that they found immediately to the COR for discussing remediation options.

8.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

The Government will evaluate the Contractor's performance in accordance with this Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) identified herein. The purpose of the QASP is to ensure reliable, uninterrupted services are provided in accordance with the PWS. This plan shall also ensure acceptable performance and assist in avoiding unnecessary mistakes and/or delays.

8.1 Performance Categories & Standards. The COR will summarize and document the Contractor's service and delivery performance utilizing the following categories and standards:

a. Quality of Service - Tasks and Deliverables were completed within the expectation of the Government by the Contractor

i. Written Deliverables: All written deliverables were of highest quality with acceptable rework required. Project documentation provided was technically accurate, complete, and grammatically correct. Documentation was provided in accordance with stated requirements of the BPA task order.

b. Schedule/Timeliness - Tasks and Deliverables were completed within the agreed upon schedule and specified periods of performance.

c. Cost Control (if labor hour contract) - Cost were managed effectively and within budget and/or cost overruns were properly justified and notified in a timely manner.

d. Business Relations - Customer service/interactions were responsive and professional.

e. Management of Key Personnel &/or Subcontractors - Contractor management of key personnel and subcontractors was effective in successfully performing the tasks of the contract/order.

f. Information Control – Confidentiality of all information was maintained during the life of the task order.

8.2 Surveillance method. Random Evaluation. This method employs a “spot check” style of evaluation and may be adjusted based on quality trends. The Government retains the right to inspect all requirements of this BPA task order. The COR will monitor, inspect, and accept the services performed by the Contractor under this task order.

8.3 Incentive/Disincentive

a. Incentive - If Contractor performs the tasks and deliverables in accordance with performance standards, favorable comments will be documented on the Contractor’s past performance and a satisfactory rating will be given. If they provided extra tangible benefits beyond the contract, then they will be rated very good or exceptional and favorable comments will be documented in the Contractor’s Past Performance.

b. Disincentive - If the Contractor does not perform the tasks and deliverables in accordance with the performance standards, then lower ratings (Marginal, Unsatisfactory) along with unfavorable comments will be documented on Contractor’s Past Performance. In addition, if deemed necessary, the Government may pursue other remedies as set forth in the contract.

8.4 Performance Issues. If the Government evaluations identify unacceptable performance in any of the above categories, the COR will record it and notify the Contractor and Administrative Contracting Officer within three (3) business days. The Contractor shall initial the observation;

however, initialing of the observation does not constitute concurrence with the observation; it only indicates acknowledgement that the Contractor has been made aware of a potential performance issue(s). The Contractor shall meet the Government for developing and implementing a plan to correct any performance issue(s) at no additional cost to the Government. If the Contractor does not agree with correcting the unacceptable performance issue(s) within the time specified by the Government, then the COR will notify the Contracting Officer who will take the appropriate administrative action for unacceptable performance.