Accountability SOO final.doc

Recovery.govFraming Paper

Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board

Accountability Module Statement of Objectives Solicitation Number: AVT0009200

Dated 8/20/09 This page left intentionally blank.

Table of Contents

11.0 Introduction/background

2.0 objectives

3.0 Envisioned Approach

3.1 Predictive Analysis Model/Software Solution 3.2 Public and non-public search solution 3.3 data visualization/analysis/extraction platform 3.4 data fusion team 3.5 market research results on potential software products Error! Bookmark not defined.4.0 requirements

Error! Bookmark not defined.4.1 general

4.2 roles and responsibilities 4.3 program management 4.4 information assurance 4.5 warranty 4.6 post award meeting 4.7 meetings 4.8 service level agreement 5.0 clauses, terms, and conditions 5.1 Deliverables Schedule 5.2 acceptable media for requirements 5.3 clin structure 5.4 period of performance 5.5 place of performance 5.6 privacy and security 5.7 information storage 5.8 protection of information

5.9 inspection and acceptance 5.10 procedures for payment 5.11 organizational conflict of interest Error! Bookmark not defined.6.0 instructions to offerors

6.1 questions 6.2 budget limitations 6.3 overview of the procurement process 6.4 oral presentation 6.5 written proposals 6.5.1 instructions for proposal submission 6.5.2 addresses and due dates 6.6 content 6.6.1 management approach 6.6.2 technical approach 6.6.3 past experience/past performance 6.6.4 price 6.6.5 attachments (offeror provided) 7.0 evaluation criteria 7.1 best value 7.2 management approach 7.3 technical approach 7.4 past experience/past performance 7.5 price

1.0 Introduction/Background

NOTE: All products and services related to this requirement are funded under the Recovery Act.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or the Recovery Act) is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, save and create millions of jobs, and address long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. ARRA is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression. With much at stake, ARRA provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability. As specified by the Recovery Act, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (RATB) was established to coordinate and conduct oversight of funds distributed under ARRA in order to identify fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement. The RATB includes a Chairman, appointed by the President, and 12 Inspectors General (IG) with authority to provide oversight and promote transparency of the expenditure of funds at all levels of government. This procurement is an effort by the RATB to help achieve the accountability part of its mission.

The RATB intends to accomplish its accountability mission in ways never before utilized across federal agencies by procuring a professional service provider to bolster its fraud, waste, and abuse identification capabilities. Currently, a comprehensive, overarching fraud analysis platform does not exist within the IG community of the government. For the most part, federal agencies work independently of one other in their investigations, and this can allow cross-cutting cases of fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement of funds to go unnoticed. For example, an offeror may be awarded funds through one agency while the same company may be barred from receiving awards at another government entity. Interagency collaboration is vital to the mission of the RATB in order to prevent an investigatory silo effect and ensure allocated funds are properly spent in accordance with the Recovery Act. The RATB will adopt a proactive approach to searching and discovering possible cases of suspicious/fraudulent activity, utilizing multiple tools and sources from which to extract and analyze data.

It is not the responsibility of the RATB to scrutinize each possible transaction in minute detail; rather, the RATB will research, analyze, and evaluate for validity areas of concern and refer those cases to the respective IG for further investigation. Those “areas of concern” will be determined by predictive variables like high-risk programs, high-dollar-value projects, past criminal history in projects or regions, tips from citizens, etc.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The RATB staff has the following objectives for this procurement:

1. Obtain a solution that allows the RATB to visualize transactions for all appropriated Recovery Act funds.

2. Obtain a solution that contains dynamic predictive analysis techniques in order to focus limited government oversight resources (i.e., auditors, investigators, or inspectors).

3. Obtain a solution that utilizes the vast amount of public information about companies receiving Recovery Act funds in order to identify non-obvious relationships between legal entities. These relationships will unveil facts that may not have been transparent to government officials at the time of contract or grant award. These relationships might result in leads for investigation, leads for audits, identify an added risk factor, point to excluded parties receiving Recovery Act funds illegally, or a variety of other valuable information.

3.0 ENVISIONED APPROACH

The RATB is open to all solutions that would meet their objectives. However, in the absence of an unforeseen approach, the RATB foresees the winning contractor as providing the following:

· Research software that can make use of open-source records for examining entity backgrounds and relationships

· Visualization and fraud analysis software that is supported by a robust data extraction and “mashup” capability that can pull information from various sources

· Dynamic predictive analysis software that will aid in a structured focus

· A Data Fusion Team (DFT) capable of running and teaching this software who also possess vast experience in white collar crime, especially contract and grant fraud (consisting of one to three analysts) The RATB will utilize a multi-layered approach in its mission to identify sources of fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement of ARRA funding. The RATB envisions a solution designed along the following key concepts:

3.1 Predictive analysis model/software solution: The solution would be able to establish connections to and gather information from a variety of public and non-public databases as required. Furthermore, the solution would be dynamic and consider a number of variables including, but not limited to, regional crime rates, regional unemployment rates, high-risk programs as defined by the RATB (through consultation with the oversight community), high-cost projects, past procurement fraud indicators, and other relevant risk-related data. To summarize, by comparison, the financial community (especially the credit card industry) has isolated key predictive indicators that point to high probabilities of fraud. The contract, grant, and loan communities (perhaps because there are so many more variables) do not have those variables isolated, and therefore lacking in systemic solutions to focus our oversight efforts. In order for the RATB mission to be successful, a verifiable predictive model is necessary for oversight efforts.

3.2 Public & Non-Public Search Solution: An automated solution (most likely web-based) that will produce search results from original sources of relevant media coverage and other communiqués, such as government/regulatory websites, publishers and other media from the public domain. Relevant records would ideally include regulatory enforcement actions, adverse media articles, politically connected persons, regulatory watch lists, and other risk-relevant information from around the world. Additionally, the solution would identify instances of past fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, white collar crime, narcotics/drug trafficking, sanctions and embargoes, environmental and labor violations, debarments and forfeitures, suspicious activities and regulatory reporting, and associated regulatory and reputational risks. All data obtained from these instances would be coded and categorized based on level of risk and relevance to event. The solution would feature the capability to scan and input data from these lists and search for non-obvious relationships vis-à-vis statistical algorithms within the document, text analysis for fuzzy matching capabilities, as well as entity disambiguation.

3.3 Data Visualization/Analysis/Extraction Platform: In the event that non-obvious relationships between search entities are established (including using the search solution described above), the solution would have software visualization capabilities such that entities are grouped according to fuzzy matching criteria and displayed to reflect frequency and strength of matching key words.

The analysis platform would also support proactive search, extraction, overlay, and mashup of information found at and within multiple public and federal websites and electronic databases. These websites provide vital information on current contract awards, and automatic searches could be formatted within the solution such that websites and electronic documents could be scanned for anomalies, compiled into a report and used by the Data Fusion Team. The solution would be programmed to perform this action on a regular basis as directed by the RATB. While not a comprehensive list, such websites and electronic databases to be considered include:

· Recovery.gov: www.recovery.gov

· FederalSpending.gov: www.federalspending.gov

· Federal Business Opportunities: www.fbo.gov

· Federal Procurement Data System: www.fpds.gov

· Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System: www.esrs.gov

· Excluded Parties List System: www.epls.gov

· USA Spending: www.usaspending.gov

· Central Contractor Registry: www.ccr.gov

· Grants.gov: www.grants.gov

· Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov Note: As of the date of this SOO, Recovery.gov will be the central point of data collection for recipients of ARRA funds. The mechanism for reporting will be a portal called “federalreporting.gov”. In accordance with policy set forth by OMB, the recipients will be providing multiple data fields and the information will be stored in a My SQL or Microsoft SQL database format. While the government is not certain, we have estimated the data size of the quarterly recipient reporting to be approximately 25 GB (again, this is only an estimate.) This needs to be considered, but again it is only one source among many federal repositories.

The solution’s analysis platform would be user-friendly, extensible, and intuitive. The analysis platform would be able to operate under the control of multiple users with basic training, all of whom would be permitted to access the software simultaneously. It would allow live updates such that it automatically distinguishes and records multiple users’ work in order to avoid rewriting and undercutting.

A history of each action would be recorded (and available for archival purposes) by user, time, date, and action to indicate and easily identify most accurate record of action.

The solution’s analysis platform would support automated (“saved”) searching capabilities such that a query would only need to be constructed once and could be revisited on multiple occasions as required. Searches would also be able to build on each other over time.

All data would be manageable, broadly accessible, with the ability to support and be extracted to a variety of popular file formats, including, but not limited to: .xls, .csv, .txt, .doc, .pdf, and .ppt formats. The data model would be customizable to the RATB’s needs – even after data has been entered and analysis is being performed. The solution would take into consideration room for future expansion of data input and software capabilities, as well as the ability to scale as quantity of data and number of users grows.

3.4 Data Fusion Team

The Government envisions a Data Fusion Team initially comprised of up to three (3) analysts provided by the contractor, with the ability to escalate as required by the Government over the life of the task order. The Data Fusion Team will be located at the RATB Recovery Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, D.C.

The Data Fusion Team would be responsible for displaying mashups, running queries, analyzing data, and processing reports for RATB personnel. The Data Fusion Team’s primary objective is to construct analysis reports, develop fraud target packages, and then assist the RATB in referring the findings to the IG community or other appropriate oversight bodies. The findings would most likely be a combination of input from hotline complaints, requests for assistance (from IGs), and proactive initiatives spearheaded by the Data Fusion Team and RATB personnel.

3.5 Market Research Results on Potential Software Products

Again, the RATB is not mandating any particular solution for this requirement. The following list is simply a list of companies who offer software products that RATB personnel have briefly researched and feel may be used in a potential solution. This list is market research only and not a comprehensive list, exclusive list, or mandatory list. The salient characteristics of each application that the RATB found interesting or appealing have been identified:

Regulatory Data Corporation - GRID:

The utilization of extensive open-source databases which contain a constantly updated and monitored list of communiqués/negative media with which to identify instances of past fraud, money laundering, corruption, white collar crime, etc. All data is captured and categorized by defined filters and risk relevant codes and can then be reviewed for completeness and accuracy.

Palantir:

Capable of searching for non-obvious relationships and fuzzy logic between selected entities and then presented those relationships in a clustered or web-like format. The visual overlay is driven by a search and mash-up mechanism that has the capacity to proactively search desired websites, extract data (structured and unstructured), and display such non-obvious relationships on a user interface platform. Results could then be exported into various document formats (i.e.; .xls, .csv, .txt, .pdf, .doc, .ppt) for further review and analysis. The software allows for automated searches based on saved criteria which can be edited based on a specific user.

Norkom Technologies – Digital Harbor:

Provides a live user interface for composite applications. Multiple applications are seamlessly linked and integrated in real-time and accessible through a single interface, regardless of the origin of information and/or data.

SAS Analytics:

This tool offers a range of techniques and processes, such as data and text mining, for the collection, classification, analysis and interpretation of data to reveal patterns, anomalies, key variables and relationships for a predictive analytical package.

SRA International Hyper Ledger and Net Owl:

This software is able to apply predictive analytics by allowing the intake of local/regional data such as crime rates, unemployment rates, high-risk programs and coding them geospatially on an interactive map for further analysis of potential high-risk areas of fraud, waste, and abuse. This can be performed by tagging concepts/entities based on location and organizing them geographically such that the user can view and “drill down” to specific entity to determine the its origin.

4.0 Requirements

4.1 General

The RATB is seeking seasoned and established solution providers with a proven record of successful performance for fraud analytics using state-of-the-art technologies. As directed by the RATB, the solution shall identify, collect, and process data streams of appropriated funds under the Recovery Act. The solution will be utilized on a daily basis to focus investigative resources through predictive analytics, conduct fraud analysis (on current and past trends), create target packages for oversight agencies, search for non-obvious relationships (between people, events, contracts, etc.), and compare results of possible instances of fraud, waste, abuse and/or mismanagement across government agencies receiving Recovery funds.

Due to the sensitive nature and high visibility of this program, the Government will be the final approval for all analysts assigned to this contract if analysts are a part of the Offeror’s solution. The Government requires analysts to possess the appropriate experience, expertise, and skills to operate and optimally execute the Offerors solution. The Government recognizes that some high-level analysts work in other areas of concentration and may bring associated skills that will aid in our efforts. All persons must demonstrate a high degree of proficiency with modern analysis tools and be accustomed to working in a dynamic work environment.

4.2 Roles and Responsibilities

The Roles and Responsibilities section identifies services that the Government will provide and services the offeror shall provide. The following table is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather a high-level summary as required and applicable:

Facilities / Hosting

Office Space and Primary Desktop Computer for Analysts

X

Collocation – Rack Space at the RATB’s Computing Facility (if required)

X

Internet Access from the RATB’s Hosting Facility

X

Internet Edge Services (DMZ)

X

Wide and Local Area Networking

X

Cabling Plant at RATB’s Facility

X

Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)

X

Facility Changes Authorized and Approved

X

Human Resources

Program Management, Oversight

X

Accountability Module

Information Assurance

Internet Edge Services (Perimeter Security)

X

Documentation

4.3 Program Management

The Offeror shall provide proactive and responsive program management support through the use of effective, efficient, and interactive management tools. The Offeror shall provide an interface to the Government for all program management activities. This person shall have overall responsibility and accountability for the Offeror’s performance.

4.4 Information Assurance

The Offeror shall provide a solution that ensures an appropriate level of security throughout all services and systems provided under this contract. The Offeror shall design and implement adequate security controls commensurate with current and future RATB requirements, as well as the following policy, standards, guidelines and procedures.

As required by law, the Offeror shall obtain and maintain certification and accreditation (C&A) of the entire solution and all other systems or services delivered under this contract. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring all system assets are physically and logically secure in accordance with the aforementioned policy, standards, guidelines and procedures. The Offeror shall propose a plan for obtaining and maintaining C&A, providing appropriate security compliance documentation and detailing any necessary coordination with the Government during the C&A process. Furthermore, the Offeror is responsible for submitting to the Government when requested all relevant actions, activities, documents and artifacts regarding C&A for this system and any subsystem components.

Achieving and maintaining timely compliance with information security laws, policy, regulations, standards and guidance is imperative for an effective information security program. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

· Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

· Government Accountability Office (GAO)

· Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council

· General Services Administration (GSA) Policies, Standards, Guidelines and Procedures

· RATB Policies, Standards, Guidelines and Procedures

· National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)

· NIST Special Publications 800 Series

· Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Bulletin and NIST Internal Reports (NISTIRs)

· Presidential Decision Directive 63 (PDD-63), Executive Order 13231 (EO 13231) and Federal Preparedness Circular 65 (FPC-65), relating to critical infrastructure protection (CIP)

· The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002

· Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Management of Federal Information Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources

· Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (Clinger-Cohen Act)

· OMB Memorandum M-08-05, Implementation of Trusted Internet Connections (TIC)

· Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)

· NIST specifies the following key activities as necessary for building and maintaining an effective information security program as well as providing additional supporting documentation:

· Security Planning

· NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-100, Information Security Handbook, A Guide for Managers

· FIPS Publication (PUB) 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems

· FIPS PUB 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems

· NIST SP 800-18, Guide for Developing Security Plans for Federal Information Systems

· Capital Planning

· NIST SP 800-65, Integrating IT Security into the Capital Planning and Investment Control Process

· Awareness and Training

· NIST SP 800-50, Building an Information Technology Security Awareness and Training Program

· Information Security Governance

· NIST SP 800-100, Information Security Handbook, A Guide for Managers

· System Development Life Cycle

· NIST SP 800-64, Security Considerations in the Information System Development Life Cycle

· Security Products and Acquisition

· NIST SP 800-35, Guide to Information Technology Security Services

· NIST SP 800-36, Guide to Selecting Information Technology Security Products

· Risk Management

· NIST SP 800-30, Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems

· Certification, Accreditation and Security Assessments

· NIST SP 800-37, Guide for the Security Certification and Accreditation of Federal Information Systems

· Configuration Management

· NIST SP 800-53, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems

· Incident Response

· NIST SP 800-61, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide

· Contingency Planning

· NIST SP 800-34, Contingency Planning for IT Systems

· Performance Measures

· NIST SP 800-55, Security Metrics Guide for Information Technology Systems

The aforementioned references may be located at the following Web site: http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsSPs.html

In addition, the offeror shall propose how it will meet or exceed the following specific RATB security objectives:

· Implement security controls throughout this solution as well as all other systems or services delivered under this contract that are sufficient to meet or exceed all RATB, NIST, OMB and other Federal Government Information Assurance mandates as specified within this part.

· Implement access controls to prevent unauthorized users, software, or equipment from accessing the system.

4.5 Warranty

The Offeror shall indicate, in their proposal as Attachment 2, the warranty period and license period of any software or hardware provided. The Offeror shall also include optional line items for extended warranties and/or software or hardware license extension fees to maintain these components throughout the life of the system.

4.6 Post Award Meeting The selected Offeror and the Government will meet face to face at the RATB facility within 5 business days of award. The purpose of this meeting is to clarify any issues, establish approved points of contact, and confirm lines of authority.

4.7 Meetings

Depending on the solution, the Offeror shall participate in informal weekly meetings with the government to verify course and direction of the program. The Government may change the frequency of all meetings at its discretion.

4.8 Service Level Agreement (SLA) If applicable, the Offeror shall propose a service level agreement equivalent to that offered for similar data-analysis platforms for commercial clients (provide in Offeror proposed Attachment 1—“Service Level Agreement”).

4.9 System/Software Access Rights

The solution shall provide for simultaneous access for up to 10 users.

5.0 Clauses, Terms, Conditions

NOTE: The Government anticipates that this procurement shall be awarded as a Commercial Item procurement. However, because this is a Statement of Objectives and the solution is not yet known to the Government, this procurement may be awarded as a non-commercial item procurement and may require certain clauses to be edited, amended, and/or deleted as part of the award process.

5.1 Deliverables Schedule

Note: Offeror must be flexible to accommodate schedule adjustments.

The Offeror shall provide a Deliverables Schedule as part of their solution. This schedule shall include, as a minimum, the following:

1. Data Change Analysis Report: In accordance with OMB directives, ARRA Section 512 reporting will begin on 10 Oct 09. The government requires a robust data analysis that will illustrate the changes in data made from the 10 Oct date to the 30 Oct final acceptance (and every quarter following).

2. Quarterly Data Summary Report: Due after the closeout of recipient reporting every quarter (as of the date of this SOO OMB has provided time for changes and will “lock-out” data changes on/about the 30th of the quarterly end month i.e., Oct, Jan, Apr, Jul)

3. Annual Data Call (End of year summary data to support RATB annual report requirements): Due at the end of Year as defined by RATB (FY or CY)

4. Data Fusion Team (DFT):

a. A DFT Plan that includes contractor proposed deliverables and work breakdown definitions. Due 7 days after award, updated as needed

b. DFT Workflow Outline. Due 10 days after award.

c. DFT Fraud Analysis Reports/Queries, Partial queries and reports 1 week after award and full capability 3 weeks after award, then daily, or as required by the Government

d. DFT Operations Manual. Due 3 weeks after award.

5.2 Acceptable Media for Requirements

Specific criteria for acceptance for contract deliverables will be as follows: Reports, lists, and recommendations shall be submitted in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, video, and other format as agreed to by the Government. Deliverables will be submitted via e-mail and in hard copy as agreed to by the Government.

5.3 CLIN Structure The CLIN structure can be altered to fit the Offeror’s solution more appropriately. Offeror’s are encouraged to contract the Contracting Officers with any/all questions regarding the CLIN structure. For the envisioned solution, the following CLIN Structure applies. If an Offeror’s solution does not fit this CLIN structure (including contract type), Offerors are instructed to clearly articulate a CLIN structure that does fit their solution for Government consideration.

CLIN 0001: Hardware and Installation (if required) This CLIN includes all hardware and installation of hardware required by the solution. This CLIN includes any and all maintenance required for the hardware from Date of Award (DOA) through September 30, 2010. This does not include desktop computers for analysts. Desktop computers for analysts will be provided by the RATB. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0002: Option Year 1 Operations and Maintenance of Hardware (if required). This CLIN includes any and all maintenance required for the hardware from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0003: Option Year 2 Operations and Maintenance of Hardware (if required). This CLIN includes any and all maintenance required for the hardware from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0004: Option year 3 Operations and Maintenance of Hardware (if required). This CLIN includes any and all maintenance required for the hardware from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0010: Software. This CLIN includes all software required by the solution. This CLIN includes any and all patches and updates (maintenance) for the software from Date of Award (DOA) through September 30, 2010. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0011: Software Licensing (if required). This CLIN includes any and all software licensing fees and/or software maintenance fees required for the hardware from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0012: Software Licensing (if required). This CLIN includes any and all software licensing fees and/or software maintenance fees required for the hardware from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0013: Software Licensing (if required). This CLIN includes any and all software licensing fees and/or software maintenance fees required for the hardware from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0020: Data Fusion Team (DFT). This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to three (3) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation to work at the GOVERNMENT site. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is DOA through Sept 30, 2010. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0021: Option Year 1 Data Fusion Team: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to three (3) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2010 through Sept 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0022: Option Year 2 Data Fusion Team: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to three (3) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2011 through Sept 30, 2012. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0023: Option Year 3 Data Fusion Team: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to three (3) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2012 through Sept 30, 2013. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price.

CLIN 0030: Additional Analysts. This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to ten (10) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation to work at the CONTRACTOR site. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is DOA through Sept 30, 2010. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price. Pricing is to be provided for each individual Data Analyst position. The Government has the option to exercise from one to ten of these positions or not exercise this option at all. Pricing for these Data Analyst positions may be pro-rated at a mutually agreed upon price in the event this option is not exercised at the start of a DFT Period of Performance.

CLIN 0031: Option Year 1 Additional Analysts: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to ten (10) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation to work at the CONTRACTOR site. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2010 through Sept 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price. Pricing is to be provided for each individual Data Analyst position. The Government has the option to exercise from one to ten of these positions or not exercise this option at all.

CLIN 0032: Option Year 2 Additional Analysts: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to ten (10) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation to work at the CONTRACTOR site. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2010 through Sept 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price. Pricing is to be provided for each individual Data Analyst position. The Government has the option to exercise from one to ten of these positions or not exercise this option at all.

CLIN 0033: Option Year 3 Additional Analysts: This CLIN is to provide full time contractor personnel for up to ten (10) Data Analysts positions as described in Section 3.4 of this solicitation to work at the CONTRACTOR site. The Period of Performance for this CLIN is Oct 1, 2010 through Sept 30, 2011. This CLIN is Firm Fixed Price. Pricing is to be provided for each individual Data Analyst position. The Government has the option to exercise from one to ten of these positions or not exercise this option at all.

5.4 Period of Performance

For Data Analytics Solution

The period of performance for the basic task order shall be from Date of Award (DOA) through September 30, 2010. Optional periods of performance associated with other CLINS may be exercised, thus extending the period of performance of this task order.

For Software Licenses

Offeror shall submit Software Licenses in Attachment 3, “Software Licenses” and provide type of software rights asserted as well as the time period needed for improving rights favorable to the Government.

Software licensing arrangements will be considered with the proposal; however, they may ultimately be negotiated separately and awarded as required by the Government.

5.5 Place of Performance

Task Order performance shall take place at the Government facility located at 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. The Government facility has the space to accommodate up to three data analysts. In the event the Government chooses to have more than three analysts, the extra analysts will work at the contractor’s facility.

5.6 Privacy and Security

This project is unclassified; however, due to the nature of the data analysis, and the goal of uncovering fraudulent actions that will make up the basis of formal investigations, a public trust clearance will be required. In lieu of a current clearance, the Government will accept uncleared personnel with an SF-86 fully completed for consideration by the Government. This process will occur during resume review. The SF-86s will be submitted for clearances; however, work may commence prior to final adjudication with Government acceptance of the candidate (uncleared personnel will not have access to PII or other sensitive non-public information until adjudication is completed). Any issues that may delay the background process will result in rejection of the candidate. The cost of the background investigation will be the responsibility of the Offeror.

5.7 Information Storage

For Official Use Only. All Government information, data, and/or equipment used by the Offeror in performance of this contract shall only be disclosed to authorized personnel (as determined by the Government) on a Need-To-Know basis. The Offeror shall ensure that appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, and/or equipment is properly protected. When no longer required, this information, data, and/or equipment shall be returned to Government control, destroyed, or held, until otherwise directed. Destruction of items shall be accomplished by tearing into small parts, burning, shredding, or any other method that precludes the reconstruction of the material. All sensitive information contained on Offeror computers shall be either degaussed or shall use the Department of Defense method as provided in DoD 5220.22-M.

5.8 Protection of Information

For Official Use Only. All Government information, data and/or equipment used by the Offeror in performance of this contract shall only be disclosed to authorized personnel on a Need-To-Know basis. The Offeror shall ensure that appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data and/or equipment is properly protected. When no longer required, this information, data and/or equipment shall be returned to government control, destroyed, or held until otherwise directed. Destruction of items shall be accomplished by tearing into small parts, burning, shredding, or any other method that precludes the reconstruction of the material. All sensitive information contained on Offeror computers shall be either degaussed or shall use the Department of Defense method of a three time overwrite of the sensitive data.

5.9 Inspection and Acceptance

In the absence of other agreements negotiated with respect to time provided for Government review, deliverables shall be inspected and the offeror notified of the Government’s findings within 10 workdays after receipt of a deliverable. If the Government does not respond to the deliverable within the 10 workday period, the deliverable shall be deemed to be acceptable.

5.10 Procedures for Payment

Contractors shall propose a billing schedule based upon the total cost of the contract, and the period of performance. Invoices shall be sent to: Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Attention: Assistant Director Finance and Budget, 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 700, Washington DC 20006. Failure to comply with the procedures outlined above may result in your payment being delayed.

5.11 Organizational Conflict Of Interest

The Offeror’s attention is directed to FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

5.12 Section 508 Requirements

All electronic and information technology (EIT) procured through this Contract must meet the applicable accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194, unless an agency exception to this requirement exists. 36 CFR implements Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and is viewable at http://www.access-board.gov.

The Offeror shall indicate for each line item in the schedule whether each product or service is compliant or noncompliant with the accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194. Further, the proposal must indicate where full details of compliance can be found (e.g., Offeror Web site or other exact locations).

5.13 Clause Implementation

The resultant contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(s): http://www.arnet.gov/far/index.html

52.217-09 -- Option to Extend the Term of the Contract.

52.212-1 Instructions to offerors—Commercial Items. (see solicitation for specific instructions)

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items. (see solicitation for specific evaluation guidance)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items. (for all non Time and Material CLINs)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items (May 2009) Alternate II

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

· __ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (MAR 2009) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

· __ (4) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 111-5).

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: Not applicable.

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records—Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, an appropriate Inspector General appointed under section 3 or 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or an authorized representative of either of the foregoing officials shall have access to and right to—

(i) Examine any of the Contractor’s or any subcontractors’ records that pertain to, and involve transactions relating to, this contract; and

(ii) Interview any officer or employee regarding such transactions.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause in a subcontract for commercial items, other than—

(i) Paragraph (d) of this clause. This paragraph flows down to all subcontracts, except the authority of the Inspector General under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) does not flow down; and

(ii) Those clauses listed in this paragraph (e)(1). Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(A) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Dec 2008) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

(B) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (May 2009) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5).

(C) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $550,000 ($1,000,000 for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(D) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

(E) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (Sept 2006) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(F) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (June 1998) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(G) 52.222-39, Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees (Dec 2004) (E.O. 13201).

(H) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

(I) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(J) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

(K) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

(L) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009).

(M) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(N) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause)

The Government assumes unlimited rights to data and software provided or produced in performance of this task order. offerors are required to fill in the following clause and submit this as part of your proposal:

52.227-15 Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software.

Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software

(Dec 2007)

(a) This solicitation sets forth the Government’s known delivery requirements for data (as defined in the clause at 52.227-14, Rights in Data—General). Any resulting contract may also provide the Government the option to order additional data under the Additional Data Requirements clause at 52.227-16, if included in the contract. Any data delivered under the resulting contract will be subject to the Rights in Data—General clause at 52.227-14 included in this contract. Under the latter clause, a Contractor may withhold from delivery data that qualify as limited rights data or restricted computer software, and deliver form, fit, and function data instead. The latter clause also may be used with its Alternates II and/or III to obtain delivery of limited rights data or restricted computer software, marked with limited rights or restricted rights notices, as appropriate. In addition, use of Alternate V with this latter clause provides the Government the right to inspect such data at the Contractor’s facility.

(b) By completing the remainder of this paragraph, the offeror represents that it has reviewed the requirements for the delivery of technical data or computer software and states [offeror check appropriate block]—

[ ] (1) None of the data proposed for fulfilling the data delivery requirements qualifies as limited rights data or restricted computer software; or

[ ] (2) Data proposed for fulfilling the data delivery requirements qualify as limited rights data or restricted computer software and are identified as follows: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Any identification of limited rights data or restricted computer software in the offeror’s response is not determinative of the status of the data should a contract be awarded to the offeror.

(End of provision)

Continuity of Services. The Contractor recognizes that the services under this task order are considered vital to the Government and must be continued without interruption and that, upon contract expiration, a successor, either the Government or another contractor, may continue them. The contractor agrees to (1) furnish phase-in training and (2) exercise its best efforts and cooperation to effect an orderly and efficient transition to a successor.

Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) (FAR 52.217-8)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the task order. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 10 days of the expiration of the option.

Evaluation of Options

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

6.0 Instructions to Offerors

6.1 Questions

Any and all questions regarding this procurement shall be sent via email to the Contracting Officers at todd.richards@gsa.gov AND valerie.bindel@gsa.gov. All questions should be sent to BOTH Contracting Officers. All answers provided shall be posted in ebuy along with the solicitation. Questions and answers shall be updated on a daily basis. The cut off date for questions is September 18, 2009.

6.2 Budget Limitations

Offerors are hereby instructed that the RATB only has absolutely NO MORE THAN $1.95 Million per year…