Attachment A - Performance Work Statement.pdf

Attachment A

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

VULCAN’s FORGE AND REDOPS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) is issuing this Performance Work Standard (PWS) for the Vulcan’s Forge program. Vulcan’s Forge is funded by Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) G-38, who serves as the focal point for Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). G-38’s mission includes maintaining support to rapidly defeat emerging threats, providing a capability to solve emerging missions in a rapid and scalable manner, and ensuring lessons learned from the last decade of war are captured and institutionalized in the enduring Army. Vulcan Forge falls under the Raven’s Challenge Program and operates within the parameters as outlined and approved plans, ATF interest and association with this effort is very relevant.

2.0 BACKGROUND

For a number of years, the Department of Homeland Security has conducted a program called RedOps, a portion of which has solicited DIY (Do It Yourself) tools, techniques and equipment adaptations from the Bomb Technician community. This program was predominately focused on the Public Safety Bomb Squad Community. They located tools, techniques and equipment adaptations; tested them; developed build supply lists and instructions which were then reduced to bulletins and distributed throughout the Bomb Technician community. Many of the ideas came from RedOps participation at Raven’s Challenge Exercises and they presented build opportunities at several Raven’s Challenge executions.

The US Army, specifically G-38, took note of the success of this program and determined that a similar effort, but focused on Military EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) would be of benefit to the EOD community.

In 2023 G-38 funded Vulcan’s Forge for the purpose of bringing the successes of the RedOps program to the Military EOD community. The Vulcan’s Forge Program has been so well received and has produced sufficient benefit to the EOD community that G-38 now desires to continue it.

In the past two years Vulcan’s Forge has made 21 Unit/site visits/tool build sessions; provided instruction to 500 military EOD Personnel; identified 90 new tools/techniques and published 27 Tool Designs

3.0 SCOPE

Emergent explosive threats encountered and employed by adversaries in Combatant Command AORs are constantly changing and evolving in critically short timeframes, sometimes measured in days or weeks. This results in EOD Warfighters existing render-safe capabilities becoming incapable of effectively countering the threat or encountering threats that had not previously identified RSP solution and thereby present critical capability gaps and the potential for Mission Failure and Loss of Life.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security S&T desires to provide funding under this contract to ATF to continue the Research, Assessment, and Development of Counter-IED Technologies program, which will bridge the critical gaps between our Nation’s public safety bomb squads and the technology developers that support them. In addition, this program will assess the adequacy and interoperability of tools as well as tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of domestic bomb squads and other special operations for the nation’s counterterrorism mission and other critical incident response. Through this effort, DHS S&T, via ATF and the Contractor, will assess capabilities relating to all phases of a bomb squad/SWAT response, including notification and pre-arrival, arrival, reconnaissance, access, diagnostics, render-safe/neutralization, and post-render-safe forensic operations.

4.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Identification of field expedient tools. Contractor shall conduct visits to various Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, attend Army and Joint DOD training events both CONUS and OCONUS, and participate in Army EOD classroom-based training events to identify, examine and collect field expedient tools developed by EOD personnel.

Contractor shall:

Conduct an initial review of identified tool candidates for operational utility, ease and cost of manufacture, safety and policy considerations, and other issues as appropriate.

Submit tool recommendations, along with supporting documentation, through the Raven’s Challenge Program Manager, to the designated Government Program Manager (GPM) on an ongoing basis. GPM shall identify those tools selected or prioritized for development.

Attend the following events as possible venues for tool collection activities. The final list of events shall be determined and approved by the Raven’s Challenge Program Manager during contract execution and shall be subject to available funds.

• Raven’s Challenge (4/5 per year)

• US Army Battalion and Brigade Visits as arranged (2-4 per year)

• Army Advanced Leaders’ Course (ALC) (estimated 4 per year)

• NORTHERN CHALLENGE (1 per year)

• NORTHERN COASTS (1 per year)

• ARCTIC SPECIALIST (1 per year)

• NOBLE MELINDA (1 per year)

• NATO Counter-IED Center (1 per year)

• ARDENT Defender Canada (1 per year)

4.2 Design and use case optimization. For any tools selected for development, Contractor shall identify all necessary components, establish a set procedure for building the tool in the most efficient and cost-effective manner, and provide a draft document outlining the detailed instructions to complete the build to the GPM on an ongoing basis. GPM shall coordinate the approval of the tool configuration outlined in the draft build instructions within US Army EOD community stakeholders, including G-38, Indian Head, Advanced Leaders’ Course (ALC), and US Army Picatinny EOD Branch.

As the build instructions are being developed, Contractor shall solicit interest from EOD units around the country and/or at overseas locations to participate in the validation of the tool and provide feedback on tool utility, ease of manufacture, and clarity/quality of the build instructions provided. Contractor shall develop and keep a list of recommended participants for COTR consideration, taking into account diversity of opinion, unique mission requirements or environments, and maximum overall engagement of EOD units.

4.3 Configuration validation. Once a recommended final configuration is identified, Contractor shall develop draft instructions for the manufacture and use of the tool. The instructions shall include a list of all the materials and equipment required to manufacture the tool, with hyperlinks to online sources from which to obtain any parts not readily available in local stores. This document shall also include step-by-step build instructions including diagrams and photographs to aid in the accurate depiction of tool assembly. Finally, these instructions shall demonstrate the procedures for using the tool in a safe and effective manner.

Once validation participants are selected, Contractor shall provide each participant with the build instructions and the necessary funds to purchase any components for the tool. Contractor shall also supply each technician or team with a detailed feedback form and a designated time frame in which to complete the build and return feedback to the Contractor.

Once feedback is collected, Contractor shall revise build instructions, use guidance, images, and diagrams to accurately depict final build design. Contractor shall submit these instructions to the GPM for final approval of the stakeholders and for submission into the use case approval process.

4.4 Use case approval. Critical to an EOD unit’s ability to build field expedient tools is their ability to obtain the necessary approval to use these tools along with their fielded equipment.

Contractor shall work with the GPM and DOD EOD stakeholders to obtain operational authority to use the tools in accordance with the final build and use instructions. Contractor shall develop any additional documentation necessary to achieve tool approval. All Contractor actions will be approved in advance by the Raven’s Challenge Program Manager.

4.4 (a) Must have demonstrated performance in a liaison role with Naval Surface Warfare Center Indianhead Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division (NAVEOD TECH DIV) and Army Research Development Command Development (ARDC) in the development of EOD tools and Render-safe equipment and techniques.

4.4 (b) Must have a demonstrated working relationship with the Army EOD Proponency Office (EOD-TPO) and other EOD entities at the command level. They must further have demonstrated successes in gaining acceptance for use throughout the EOD Units.

4.4 (c) Contractor must maintain a Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Protocol (HSEEP) certification for all lead event planners.

4.4 (d) Contractor must operate at a NIST SPRS Score and CMMC Level of Compliance that enables them to securely process Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) including Law Enforcement Sensitive, Bomb Technician Restricted, and ITAR information.

4.4 (e) Contractor must have a demonstrated ability to plan, conduct, and professionally document operational field assessments and experiments of Bomb Squad and EOD equipment.

4.4 (f) Contractor has demonstrated ability to locate and secure realistic venues and low or no-cost to the government to conduct multi-day assessments.

4.5 Publishing and demonstration. Contractor shall prepare the final instructions in accordance with US Army Information Management guidelines, outlined in Army Regulation (AR) 25-400-2 and the Guide to Recordkeeping in the Army, which govern the preparation, maintenance and disposition of Army documents. The final approved instructions shall be published using the Army Records Management Information System (ARIMS) in a manner that restricts access to EOD personnel and safeguards the sensitive nature of the material.

Contractor shall demonstrate the construction and use of approved tools at future training and exercise events, in a continuous manner so that as new tools are identified and collected, validated tools can be demonstrated back to the community.

4.6 Studies and Analysis / Capability Assessments & Gap Analysis Understanding the national capability to respond to an IED is critical in prioritizing technology requirements and developing technologies. Contractor shall conduct fair and unbiased operational testing and evaluation of technologies and capabilities of public safety bomb squads to assess comparative functionality and interoperability. Contractor shall conduct four (4) assessments per year. DHS S&T, via ATF will provide the priority subjects for all assessments and will look to input from first responder partners and the Contractor, itself, to identify the most effective subjects for each of these assessments.

Each assessment shall result in a draft test plan, draft test procedure, and draft test report as well as a final test plan, final test procedure, and final test report which shall be made available to the ATF COR and the DHS S&T and the ATF Technical Points of Contact. Contractor shall perform the following steps to accomplish each subtask:

1.1. Assessment Planning: Contractor shall develop a draft plan for each assessment that includes a summary of the goals and objectives of the test. The plan shall detail the technologies to be assessed based on tech foraging and market research, the operational scenarios and test articles they shall be tested against, the recommended test bed site(s), any material purchases needed, and the methods and metrics that will be used to validate system performance against project requirements. Contractor shall facilitate communications with industry participants, users, observers, and test bed hosts via conference calls, direct email communications, and site visits.

Upon approval of the draft assessment plan by the COTR, Contractor shall develop the final assessment plan with detailed test procedures and costs for approval prior to the assessment date.

Further, Contractor shall arrange all logistical activities to include manpower, material, test site location, etc., for a smooth and well-organized event.

1.2. Assessment: Contractor shall conduct testing of the equipment and capabilities, evaluating the performance, interoperability, practicality, and functionality of each test subject. Contractor shall observe and document all observations by taking written notes and photographs/video of each test station to ensure the results are correctly and completely captured.

1.3. Assessment Documentation: Contractor shall produce and deliver a Draft Assessment Report and a Final Assessment Report in accordance with the Section III “Deliverables” in this SOW. The Final Report shall include both an executive summary and detailed narrative that thoroughly describes the test series. The Final Assessment Report shall include results of the data collection, analysis, and findings, and include sufficient graphs, charts, and photographic images to thoroughly detail the test series.

2. Tool Analysis, Testing, Evaluation and Documentation:

Work under this task for tool development may only commence after authority to proceed is provided from DHS S&T, via ATF. Before beginning work on this task, Contractor will provide the data rights and patent rights terms and conditions from the contract under which Contractor will perform in this task.

5.0 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall submit deliverables as specified in the following table.

Task Number & Name

Milestones/Deliverables Due Date/Completion Date

General Provide all Key Personnel with current, active TOP SECRET clearance and ATF Clearance

Upon Contract Award

General Initial Planning Meeting Within 10 days of contract award

General Provide remaining program staff necessary to complete all tasks in PWS.

Personnel must meet all the qualification criteria in Attachment B.

All personnel must have current, active clearances, per Attachment B.

Within 15 days of contract award

General Monthly Status Report 15th of each month

General Trip Reports Within 10 days of trip completion.

General Project Meetings, Presentation Material, Meeting Minutes

As required/requested by COR

Task 4.1 Draft Build Instructions 60 days after ATP

Task 4.1 Final Build Instructions 120 days after ATP

Task 4.2.1 Draft Assessment Plan & Procedure 60 days prior to each operational assessment

Task 4.2.1 Draft Assessment Report 60 days after completion of assessment

Task 4.2.1 Final Assessment Report 60 days after receipt of comments on Draft Assessment Report from COR-designated reviewer(s)

Task 4.2.2 Draft Build Instructions 60 days after ATP

Task 4.2.2 Final Build Instructions 120 days after ATP

5.1 Deliverables

a) All electronic deliverables shall be prepared using Microsoft applications in formats selected by the Contractor unless specified otherwise. All deliverables shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or designated representative.

b) The COR, or other persons designated by the COR, will review all draft and final deliverables, within 10 business days, to ensure accuracy, functionality, completeness, professional quality, and overall compliance with contract or task order requirements.

The Contractor shall ensure the accuracy and completeness of all deliverables. The government will consider errors, misleading statements, incomplete, irrelevant information, excessive rhetoric, or repetition as deficiencies and the Contractor shall make corrections at no additional cost.

c) Marking and Delivery: The Contractor and the (COR) will finalize the method in which report deliverables are to be submitted and marked for delivery. Report Deliverables may be required to be submitted electronically and in hard copy.

d) The list of deliverables is indicated above. All deliverables shall be in the format listed unless otherwise approved by the COR.

6.0 OTHER DIRECT COSTS AND TRAVEL

a.) All directed travel related to the performance of this agreement will be done IAW the guidelines in the JFTR. All employees under this agreement will receive full MI&E as well as maximum lodging allowed in areas as designated by the COR. Employees are authorized to use “Government Contractor Rate” when needed.

b.) Client is authorized as needed by COR to procure light refreshments and meals when directed under 5 U.S. Code § 4101 (4) and authorized under SIN Schedule 541 and FAR 8.402(f), para e.

c.) Expenditures for ODC equipment and travel commitments will be directed by the Program Manager/COR.

7.0 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Contractors must undergo and receive a favorably adjudicated, Federal background investigation (BI) as determined by the position’s sensitivity designation. The BI is to determine the Contractor’s suitability to access ATF information, information technology (IT) systems and/or unescorted access to facilities.

This investigation will be conducted by or under the auspices of the ATF, Personnel Security Division (PSD) and be performed under such standards PSD may establish. If a Contractor has a current BI with another agency, PSD will follow reciprocity procedures for security; however, a review to determine the Contractor’s compliance with all ATF agency specific requirements will be conducted prior to authorizing access to ATF information, IT systems, and/or unescorted access to facilities.

Failure to adhere to ATF’s conduct and integrity guidelines and/or follow DOJ’s and/or ATF’s agency-specific qualifications may result in immediate disqualification of the Contractor. Additionally, failure to complete the required personnel security forms and have a BI favorably adjudicated will result in disqualification. ATF must determine a favorable adjudication of the BI prior to the Contractor gaining access to ATF information, IT systems and/or unescorted access to ATF’s facilities.

The Contractor may be authorized access to ATF information, IT systems and/or unescorted access to facilities with an approved temporary eligibility (TE) while awaiting the completion of the full BI. The ATF Contracting Officer’s Representatives may request a TE only after advising and gaining the concurrence of the Contractor. Should, at any time, suitability or security issues are developed that cannot be resolved or mitigated, the Contractor will no longer be granted continued access to ATF information, IT systems, and/or unescorted access to any ATF facility and will be removed from the contract/task order. (See ATF 04 Clause also).

8.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance will be 9/27/2024 thru 9/26/2029, with four one-year options. All work, including acceptance of all deliverables by the government, shall be completed in accordance with the delivery schedule.

9.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work shall be performed on a continuous basis at ATF Facilities and Military Bases both CONUS and OCONUS. The majority of work, not involving direct contact with EOD Units shall be performed in a alarmed, secured, climate-controlled, inventory-controlled facility maintained by the Contractor. This facility must maintain a TOP SECRET facility security clearance and have a complete machine shop for the development, fabrication and testing of field expedient tools.

The Contractor must maintain a full suite of analytical tools used to measure distance, mass, lumens, decibels, mechanical force, frequency, temperature, velocity, hydraulic pressure, wind speed, current, voltage, and resistance, all calibrated annually or biannually and certified in accordance with ISO 17025/9001.

The Contractor must maintain an inventory of X-ray Inspection Test articles to include the ANSI N42.44, Type 39 ASTM E 2445-05, Section 5.1.3., ISO 19232-5, EN 462 & ASTM E-2002 Duplex IQI Duplex Wire Type IQI - Total Image Unsharpness Gauge, and ASTM F792 standards.

The Contractor must maintain a current, extensive inventory of test articles and photographic and videographic equipment to document assessments, experiments, and tool builds, including a large variety of simulated improvised explosive devices.

Contractor must hold a current ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification related to the conduct of Operational Test & Evaluation services and Field Innovations in support of public safety bomb squads, military explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams.

The COR can authorize duty performance at alternative locations and when required, the Contractor 0shall be required to travel to or work at the proposed sites where it is conducive to meet with EOD Technicians to gather and disseminate information as well as scheduled planning conference locations to meet performance requirements.

10 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management responsibility during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Contracting Officer (CO), the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) and the Contractor.

10.1 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) - The COR shall monitor the performance of all Contractors to ensure he/she completes tasks and meets timeliness goals. The Contractor’s performance shall be evaluated using the following indicators outlined in the QASP (see attachment B – QASP)

11 KEY PERSONNEL

Program Task Position Title Key FTE

4.1 - EOD R&D Support Project Lead Manager * 1

EOD (Subject Matter Expert) Military 1

4.6 – PSBS R&D Support

First Responder Task Lead * 1

Public Safety Bomb Technician (PSBS) Subject Matter Expert (SME) 2

Tactical Operations Subject Matter Expert

(SME) 2

TOTAL 7

9.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE