Attachment I - Performance Work Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement The contractor shall perform the following task:

Engineering Support for the Washington Interagency VLBI Correlator

I. Executive Summary The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) requires engineering support for the interagency very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) correlator at USNO. USNO requires support in five general areas:

Correlator post-processing software

Correlation of special projects

Electronic VLBI

Data storage and transfer

Mark6 support

II. Background

The interagency VLBI correlator at USNO has been a fundamental infrastructure for space geodesy since it began operations in 1986. With contractor engineering support to USNO ever since. Support has covered the various hardware correlator updates and upgrades, such as to MarkIV, as well as the more recent (in the 2010s) transition from hardware to software correlation (SWC), such as to the distributed FX-type correlation (DiFX).

The primary purpose of the correlator at USNO is to support rapid turnaround of geodetic VLBI observations to provide the most timely and accurate values for time-varying Earth orientation parameters (EOP) such as the length of the day and polar motion. These observations are also used to estimate the positions of the extragalactic radio sources that define the celestial reference frame (CRF) and the positions (and velocities) of the radio telescopes that define the terrestrial reference frame (TRF), being the EOP the parameters that link the two frames together.

Contractor shall provide assistance and support to USNO for post-correlation programs for both legacy and VGOS data, for post-processing requiring special attention, for electronic VLBI capabilities, and in the general area of VLBI data storage and transfer.

III. Scope of Work Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

Task 1: HOPS and difx2mark4 post-correlation support The Haystack Observatory post-processing system (HOPS) and difx2mark4 are a software package and program, respectively, required to convert the output of the USNO software correlator to VLBI observables from which geodetic parameters such as EOP can be estimated.

They may (and do) change because either improvements to the correlator model are made, new capabilities such as adoption of the VGOS broadband system are required, or general corrections and updates must be introduced. Contractor shall provide USNO any changes in those programs.

In addition, requests for modification of the programs to satisfy specific USNO requirements will in general be accommodated.

Task 2: Consultation of special processing The contractor shall address situations that may arise where unusually complex geodetic experiments, especially as USNO transitions to correlation of VGOS experiments, must be processed, or where difficulties encountered during the VLBI data collection experiments may need special treatment during processing. the contractor shall then consult with the processing personnel at USNO and advise them, via remote (e.g., telephone, email, audio/video) communication, on approaches to overcome the complex or difficult situations, and on diagnosing problems at the VLBI stations.

Task 3: Assistance with electronic-VLBI capability 3a) Contractor shall provide support and consultation for network connections at USNO related to all VLBI activity. In particular, contractor shall troubleshoot electronic VLBI (eVLBI) connections into USNO, troubleshoot eVLBI connections to network stations and assist with improving network connectivity.

3b) Contractor shall provide advice on the procurement of computer parts, such as network interface cards (NIC), power supplies, and servers to maintain or upgrade the eVLBI connections when required.

3c) Contractor shall, when necessary, travel to USNO to perform needed repairs or consultation.

Such trips will be kept to a minimum by use of remote communications.

Task 4: Data storage and transfer 4a) Contractor shall maintain a VLBI data depot, temporarily storing and validating data prior to submittal to the DiFX correlator servers at USNO. The storage will thus act as a buffer for eVLBI transfers from potentially compromised sources.

4b) Contractor shall be responsible for receiving said data, and for validating the incoming data for proper format and content through scanning for tampering or defects.

4c) Contractor personnel shall make the validated data available to USNO for eVLBI transfer and correlation. If data is deemed invalid, USNO shall be notified of the comprised data and anomalies discovered.

Task 5: Mark6 support Contractor shall update the USNO Mark6 operating systems (OS) to RedHat, or an equivalent, to meet security needs. The update of the OS will require the control application to be updated along with any addition requirements the USNO requires for supporting e-transfers and getting systems on to the correlator for direct processing. Contractor shall, when required, provide support in the form of modifications to the system to tighten the security to meet acceptable standard as specified by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks. Contractor personnel will also travel to USNO to support the staff’s integration effort and to help address additional security concerns.

Task 6: Program management

Contractor shall manage all contractual activities, communicate with USNO, and ensure sufficient attention to system engineering, documentation, configuration management, and information technology (IT) security.

Appendix: List of Acronyms CRF Celestial Reference Frame DiFX Distributed FX-type correlator EOP Earth Orientation Parameters eVLBI Electronic VLBI FX Fourier-Multiplication HOPS Haystack Observatory Postprocessing System IT Information Technology NIC Network Interface Card SGP Space Geodesy Project SOW Statement of Work SWC Software Correlator TRF Terrestrial Reference Frame USNO United States Naval Observatory VGOS VLBI Geodetic Observing System VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry

(e) Mark6 support

Period of Performance: May 01 2023 through April 30 2024

Place of Performance: Tasks may be performed remotely unless required as stated above in Section III Scope of Work. When on site tasks are required, performance shall occur at USNO.

CONTRACTOR UNCLASSIFIED ACCESS TO FEDERALLY CONTROLLED FACILITIES, SENSITIVE

INFORMATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS OR PROTECTED HEALTH

INFORMATION

The following shall be inserted in full text in all solicitations and contracts (including commercial acquisitions) which require contractor unclassified access to federally controlled facilities, sensitive information, Information Technology (IT) systems or protected health information. For commercial acquisitions, this text shall be incorporated into either the SOW or PWS.

The security text does not apply in cases where the contractor/vendor does not have access to Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) computers, is not issued a Common Access Card (CAC) and is involved in training or other short term duties of less than 30 days duration that allow for the use of a visitor request. In these cases, the government employee must submit a Visitor Access Request (VAR) to the main gate or applicable processing entity for your facility and assume responsibility to escort those without CAC Credentials.

This local text does not apply to non-United States (U.S.) Nationals (foreign nationals) who are contactor employees performing work overseas. The local text is applicable to the U.S. Nationals living in the U.S. or overseas who are performing work on a Navy contract.

The investigation of a non-U.S. national at a foreign location must be consistent with a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI), to the extent possible and include a fingerprint check against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history database, an FBI investigations file (name check) search and a name check against the terrorist screening database. Also, the above cited reference notes that Foreign Nationals may not be granted CAC credentials until completion of their investigation and not in the interim.

Per Department of Defense Memorandum (DoDM) 5200.2, Department of Defense (DoD) components must initiate and ensure completion of a background investigation before applying the credentialing standards to a non-U.S.

national at a foreign location. The background investigation must be favorably adjudicated before a CAC can be issued to a non-U.S. national at a foreign location. The type of background investigation may vary based on standing reciprocity treaties concerning identity assurance and information exchanges that exist between the U.S. and its allies or agency agreements with the host country.

CONTRACTOR UNCLASSIFIED ACCESS TO FEDERALLY CONTROLLED FACILITIES, SENSITIVE

INFORMATION, IT SYSTEMS OR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

Executive Order 13467, Reforming Processes Related to Suitability for Government Employee, Fitness for Contractor Employees and Eligibility for Access to Classified National Security Information, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12, requires government agencies to develop and implement Federal security standards for Federal employees and contractors. The 5 CFR 32 Part 157 in concert with DoD Manual 1000.13, Vol 1, implements the Federal Standards.

APPLICABILITY

This text applies to all DoD sponsored individuals who require CAC eligibility (or login and P/W if acceptable per contract) for: Physical access to DoD facilities or non-DoD facilities on behalf of DoD; Logical access to information systems (whether on site or remotely); or remote access to DoD networks that use only the CAC logon for user authentication, or access to sensitive and protected information. This applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities and all other organizational entities within the DoD (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "DoD Components").

Each contractor employee providing services at a Navy command under this contract is required to obtain a DoD CAC. Additionally, depending on the level of computer/network access, the contract employee will require a successful investigation as detailed below.

ACCESS TO FEDERAL FACILITIES

Per HSPD-12 and implementing guidance, all contractor employees working at a federally controlled base, facility or activity under this clause will require a DoD CAC. When access to a base, facility or activity is required contractor employees shall in-process with the Command's Security Manager (CSM) upon arrival to the command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract.

START-UP PERIOD

All contractor resource onboarding documents must be submitted via the prime contractor. The prime contractor shall make all necessary preparations to assume full responsibility for productive performance as of the performance start date.

Definition of "productive":

a. Visit Authorization Request (VAR)

b. Contractor Information Sheet (CIS)

c. FD-258 Fingerprint Card

d. Completed Electronic Investigation (EQIP)

e. All contractor resource(s) must have an active Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) profile

f. Common Access Card(CAC)

Note (1): Invoicing by the contractor will begin as of the commencement of the performance period of services and no reimbursement will be paid by the government for efforts expended during the start-up period.

Note (2): Foreign Nationals are not allowed access to the functional/system side of Enterprise Resource Planning

(ERP).

ACCESS TO DOD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SYSTEM

In Accordance With (IAW) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) M-5510.30, contractor employees who require access to Department of the Navy (DoN) or DoD networks are categorized as IT-I, IT-II, or IT-III. The IT-II level, defined in detail in SECNAV M-5510.30, includes positions which require access to sensitive information. Sensitive information includes information protected under the Privacy Act, to include PHI. All contractor employees under this contract who require access to Privacy Act protected information are therefore categorized no lower than IT- II. IT Levels are determined by the requiring activity's Command Information System Security Manager (ISSM)/Information Assurance Manager (IAM).

Contractor employees requiring privileged or IT-I level access, (when specified by the terms of the contract) require a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or T5 or T5R equivalent investigation, which is a higher level investigation than the National Agency Check (NAC) with Law and Credit (NACLC)/T3/T3R described below. Due to the privileged system access, an investigation suitable for High Risk national security positions is required.

Individuals who have access to system control, monitoring, or administration functions (e.g. system administrator, database administrator) require training and certification to Information Assurance (IA) Technical Level 1, and must be trained and certified on the Operating System (OS) or Computing Environment (CE) they are required to maintain.

Access to sensitive IT systems is contingent upon a favorably adjudicated background investigation. When access to IT systems is required for performance of the contractor employee's duties, such employees shall in-process with the Navy CSM and ISSM/IAM manager upon arrival to the Navy command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract. Completion and approval of a System Authorization Access Request Navy (SAAR-N) form is required for all individuals accessing Navy IT resources. The decision to authorize access to a government IT system/network is inherently governmental. The contractor supervisor is not authorized to sign the SAAR-N; therefore, the government employee with knowledge of the system/network access required or the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) shall sign the SAAR-N as the supervisor.

The SAAR-N shall be forwarded to the CSM at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date. Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date may result in delaying the individual's start date.

When required to maintain access to required IT systems or networks, the contractor shall ensure that all employees requiring access complete annual Cyber Awareness training, and maintain a current requisite background investigation. The contractor's security representative shall contact the CSM for guidance when reinvestigations are required.

INTERIM ACCESS

The CSM may authorize issuance of a DoD CAC and interim access to a DoN or DoD unclassified computer/network upon a favorable review of the investigative questionnaire and advance favorable fingerprint results. When the results of the investigation are received and a favorable determination is not made, the contractor employee working on the contract under interim access will be denied access to the computer network and this denial will not relieve the contractor of his/her responsibility to perform.

DENIAL OR TERMINATION OF ACCESS

The potential consequences of any requirement under this clause including denial or termination of physical or system access in no way relieves the contractor from the requirement to execute performance under the contract within the timeframes specified in the contract. Contractors shall plan ahead in processing their employees and subcontractor employees. The contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is permitted to have unclassified access to a federally controlled facility, federally-controlled information system/network and/or to government information, meaning information not authorized for public release.

CONTRACTOR'S SECURITY REPRESENTATIVE

The contractor shall designate an employee to serve as the contractor's security representative. Within three (3) work days after contract award, the contractor shall provide to the requiring activity's Security Manager and the Contracting Officer, in writing, the name, title, address and phone number for the contractor's security representative. The contractor's security representative shall be the primary point of contact on any security matter.

The contractor's security representative shall not be replaced or removed without prior notice to the Contracting Officer and CSM.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS AND SECURITY APPROVAL PROCESS FOR

CONTRACTORS ASSIGNED TO NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS OR PERFORMING SENSITIVE

DUTIES

Navy security policy requires that all positions be given a sensitivity value based on level of risk factors to ensure appropriate protective measures are applied. Contractor employees under this contract are recognized as Non- Critical Sensitive [ADP/IT-II] positions when the contract scope of work require physical access to a federally controlled base, facility or activity and/or requiring access to a DoD computer/network, to perform unclassified sensitive duties. This designation is also applied to contractor employees who access Privacy Act and PHI, provide support associated with fiduciary duties, or perform duties that have been identified as National Security Positions.

At a minimum, each contractor employee must be a US citizen and have a favorably completed NACLC or T3 or T3R equivalent investigation to obtain a favorable determination for assignment to a non-critical sensitive or IT-II position. The investigation consists of a standard NAC and a FBI fingerprint check plus law enforcement checks and credit check. Each contractor employee filling a non-critical sensitive or IT-II position is required to complete:

- SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions (or equivalent Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigative product)

- Two FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Cards (or an electronic fingerprint submission

- Original Signed Release Statements

Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date shall result in delaying the individual's start date. Background investigations shall be reinitiated as required to ensure investigations remain current (not older than ten (10) years) throughout the contract performance period. The contractor's security representative shall contact the CSM for guidance when reinvestigations are required.

Regardless of their duties or IT access requirements ALL contractor employees shall in-process with the CSM upon arrival to the command and shall out-process prior to their departure at the completion of the individual's performance under the contract. Employees requiring IT access shall also check-in and check-out with the Navy command's ISSM/IAM. Completion and approval of a SAAR-N form is required for all individuals accessing Navy IT resources. The SAAR-N shall be forwarded to the Navy CSM at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date. Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date shall result in delaying the individual's start date.

The contractor shall ensure that each contract employee requiring access to IT systems or networks complete annual Cyber Awareness training, and maintain a current requisite background investigation. Contractor employees shall accurately complete the required investigative forms prior to submission to the CSM. The CSM will review the submitted documentation for completeness prior to submitting it to the OPM; Potential suitability or security issues identified may render the contractor employee ineligible for the assignment. An unfavorable determination is final (subject to SF-86 appeal procedures) and such a determination does not relieve the contractor from meeting any contractual obligation under the contract. The CSM will forward the required forms to OPM for processing. Once the investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded by OPM to the DoD Central Adjudication Facility (CAF) for a determination.

If the contractor employee already possesses a current favorably adjudicated investigation, the contractor shall submit a VAR via the JPAS or a hard copy VAR directly from the contractor's security representative. Although the contractor will take JPAS owning role over the contractor employee, the Navy command will take JPAS "Servicing" role over the contractor employee during the hiring process and for the duration of assignment under that contract.

The contractor shall include the IT position category per SECNAV M-5510.30 for each employee designated on a VAR. The VAR requires annual renewal for the duration of the employee's performance under the contract.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS AND SECURITY APPROVAL PROCESS FOR

CONTRACTORS ASSIGNED TO OR PERFORMING NON-SENSITIVE DUTIES

Contractor employee whose work is unclassified and non-sensitive (e.g., performing certain duties such as lawn maintenance, vendor services, etc...) and who require physical access to publicly accessible areas to perform those duties shall meet the following minimum requirements:

- Must be either a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident with a minimum of 3 years of legal residency in the U.S.

(as required by the Deputy Secretary of Defense DTM 08-006 or its subsequent DoD Instruction (INST)) and

- Must have a favorably completed NACI or T1 investigation equivalent including a FBI fingerprint check prior to installation access.

To be considered for a favorable trustworthiness determination, the CSR must submit for all employees each of the following:

- SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

- Two FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Cards (or an electronic fingerprint submission)

- Original Signed Release Statements

The contractor shall ensure each individual employee has a current favorably completed NACI or T1 equivalent investigation, or ensure successful FBI fingerprint results have been gained and investigation has been processed with OPM.

Failure to provide the required documentation at least thirty (30) days prior to the individual's start date may result in delaying the individual's start date.

* Consult with your CSM and ISSM/IAM for local policy when IT-III (non-sensitive) access is required for non- U.S. citizens outside the U.S..*

**Alternative language which may be included as appropriate:

Contractor and all Contractor personnel with access to or responsibility for XXXXXX of this contract shall comply with DoD Directive 8500.1E IA, DoDI 8510.01 Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD IT, DoD Directive

5400.11 DoD Privacy Program, DoD 5200.2-R Personnel Security Program and HSPD 12.

X.1 Be CAC ready at the IT Level II prior to reporting for work.

X.2 At minimum, all contractor personnel must possess/maintain a favorable Tier 3 investigation; formerly a NAC with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). This requirement is critical in order to access the data base systems within NAVSUP. It is Contracting Companies; responsibility to ensure that 100% of the contractors have the Tier 3 investigation/IT Level II. In addition, interim approval of clearances is not authorized.

X.3 Be citizens of the U.S.

X.4 If at any time, any contractor person requiring a CAC is unable to possess/maintain an adjudicated Tier 3 investigation, the contractor shall immediately notify the NAVSUP COR to coordinate removal of such a person from work under this contract.

X.5 Contractor personnel with access to or responsibility for nonpublic government data under this contract must comply with HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) issuance requirements, known as the CAC for

NAVSUP.

NAVY USE OF ABILITYONE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk may utilize contractor support through the AbilityOne Program, as needed, to perform contract closeout functions for this acquisition. Information, including business sensitive/confidential or proprietary data, that the offeror provides to the Government or information already in the possession of the Government may be viewed and utilized by the AbilityOne Program support contractor personnel during the course of its contract performance. The information that may be made available to the support contractor may include, for example, pricing and technical proposals, historical contract, pricing and performance information, Commercial Asset Visibility (CAV) reporting information and similar data/information.

By submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation, the offeror and its subcontractors consent to a release of their business sensitive/confidential or proprietary data to the Government's AbilityOne Program support contractor personnel in order to perform close out services. Prior to the release of any such information to the support contractor, the support contractor will have in place with the Government a Non-Disclosure/Non-Use Agreement in accordance with the terms of the AbilityOne Program support contract.

Offerors may execute their own Non-Disclosure Agreement with the AbilityOne Program (AbilityOne contact information available from the contracting point of contact). The support contractor must provide copies of the executed agreements to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the support contract; and the offeror/contractor for this acquisition must provide copies of the executed Agreement to the Contracting Officer for this acquisition. If the offeror/contractor seeks such a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the AbilityOne Program support contractor, the Agreement must be executed no later than the date of final delivery under the resulting NAVSUP FLC Norfolk contract.