Performance Work Statement (PWS): Validated Executive Assessment for SESCDP Cohorts

Department of the Interior – Office of Employee Development

PART 1 — GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General

This is a non-personal services contract to design and deliver a validated execuƟve assessment program for Senior ExecuƟve Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) parƟcipants.

1.2 Background

The Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Employee Development (OED), seeks to assess SESCDP cohort members’ readiness for senior execuƟve roles through a validated assessment aligned to ExecuƟve Core QualificaƟons (ECQs) and associated competencies.

1.3 Scope

The contractor shall design and deliver a validated assessment program incorporaƟng the following updated ECQs and associated competencies:

a. Commitment to the Rule of Law & Principles of the American Founding

b. Driving Efficiency

c. Merit & Competence

d. Leading People

e. Achieving Results

This requirement shall be designed for up to two cohorts.

1.4 ObjecƟves

Provide validated, comprehensive assessment of ECQ-aligned leadership competencies.

Produce acƟonable feedback supporƟng ExecuƟve Development Plans (EDPs).

Conduct SES (Senior ExecuƟve Service) level simulaƟon acƟviƟes evaluaƟng leadership behaviors in realisƟc scenarios.

1.5 Period of Performance

Expected delivery is from early 2027 for up to two cohorts of approximately 24 parƟcipants each. The period of performance shall be finalized at Ɵme of award but shall not exceed one full calendar year. PotenƟal session dates for one to two cohorts are: April 5-9, 2027; April 26-30, 2027; and May 10-14, 2027.

1.6 Place of Performance

In-person training shall take place at a locaƟon within a two-hour driving radius of Washington DC, but likely at the NaƟonal ConservaƟon Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.

1.7 Quality Control (QCP).

The contractor shall develop and maintain an effecƟve quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with the PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to idenƟfy, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defecƟve services.

The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that this work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.8 Quality Assurance:

The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.9 Accessibility Capacity

The contractor shall provide accessible training materials, digital content, handouts, presentaƟons, and supplemental resources such as:

Training materials compliant with SecƟon 508 of the RehabilitaƟon Act and accessible formats consistent with the Americans with DisabiliƟes Act (ADA), including but not limited to:

o Screen-reader–friendly documents o CapƟoned video content o Accessible PDFs o AlternaƟve text for images and graphics o Materials compaƟble with assisƟve technologies o Large print or braille materials o Adjustments in presentaƟon style or materials to meet needs of candidates o Accessible in-person training locaƟons

Reasonable accommodaƟon to ensure full parƟcipaƟon of individuals with disabiliƟes in training sessions.

Ideally, the contractor would proacƟvely design materials with accessibility in mind and respond promptly to accessibility accommodaƟon requests. However, it can be difficult for vendors to meet such requests. It will be helpful to understand what the vendor can provide regarding accessibility.

1.10 Contractor QualificaƟons

The contractor must demonstrate current, extensive, and specialized experƟse in all required areas. General or limited experience is not sufficient. Specifically, the contractor must have:

Current, direct, and comprehensive experience in developing, validaƟng, and implemenƟng execuƟve-level assessment programs that evaluate SES-level performance through behaviorally based, federally aligned methodologies.

In-depth and up-to-date experƟse with the OPM ExecuƟve Core QualificaƟons (ECQs), including the underlying competencies, behavioral indicators (pending release by OPM), and any forthcoming updates associated with the new ECQs that might be developed and released by OPM.

Expert-level knowledge of federal leadership models and frameworks, with demonstrated experience applying these frameworks within high-stakes execuƟve assessment environments.

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PART 2 — GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED ITEMS & SERVICES

2.1 FaciliƟes

The government will provide classroom space for up to 24 parƟcipants. The space will include a screen, projector, and two flipcharts with markers. AddiƟonally, the Government will provide other in-person space needed for the assessment acƟviƟes (up to 12 breakout rooms with a table and two chairs), within their ability to find physical space that will meet the needs of assessment acƟviƟes. The contractor is responsible for noƟfying the government of required space to complete the training and to work within available space provided by the government.

2.2 Materials

Government shall provide relevant policies/SOPs applicable to the execuƟon of this requirement.

2.3 Post Assessment AcƟon

The government will provide coaching and mentoring for each candidate aŌer compleƟng the assessment center acƟviƟes.

PART 3 — CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS & RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 General

Contractor furnishes all supplies, equipment, soŌware, and assessor labor not supplied by Government.

3.2 Assessment Space Equipment

Contractor provides laptops/soŌware, printers and accessories (if required), scenario materials, observaƟon/recording tools needed for simulaƟons and debriefs, and any other equipment, material, and/or tools required for execuƟon.

3.3 Validated Assessment Instruments

The Contractor shall be responsible any other equipment necessary to provide the assessment and debriefs. Tools must demonstrate reliability and validity for ECQ-aligned behavioral measurement.

PART 4 — SPECIFIC TASKS

4.1 Provide In-Person, SES-Level SimulaƟon AcƟviƟes:

o The assessment acƟviƟes will be part of the cohort's orientaƟon week for the program. The first day or two will include our own programming, followed by the assessment center at the end of the week. We usually only hold class for half a day on Friday, so parƟcipants have Ɵme to travel home. The start date of the assessment center would depend on the number of days required for the assessment center program. For example, if two and a half days are required, assessment acƟviƟes would take place on Wed-Fri morning of the scheduled week. The structure and number of days needed for the assessment program need to be able to be incorporated during the last three to four days of the orientaƟon session.

o Day-in-the-Life SES SimulaƟon, such as:

Email management exercises Strategic decision-making or crisis-response workload High stakes meeƟng with compeƟng prioriƟes Cross-agency stakeholder sessions o MulƟple assessors observing how the candidate demonstrates ECQ-aligned leadership during challenge-based scenarios who confer and come to agreement on each candidate’s performance across ECQs. The vendor shall provide the assessor-to-parƟcipant raƟo to ensure reliable scoring for their assessment tools with the opportunity for each parƟcipant to be assessed by a minimum of 3 assessors over the duraƟon of the assessment acƟviƟes. Assessors should parƟcipate in a consensus meeƟng following simulaƟons to finalize parƟcipant raƟngs across ECQs.

o AcƟviƟes must be:

Measurable through observable behaviors Directly observed by assessors Designed to replicate the complexity of SES environments in the federal government and applicable to the DOI mission o Determine the number and type of assessment acƟviƟes needed to ensure observaƟon across all ECQs. The vendor shall decide whether to assess all 24 parƟcipants simultaneously, in smaller groups, or a combinaƟon of both opƟons based on what is best for the effecƟveness of the acƟvity.

o Provide any pre-work, if needed, for assessment acƟviƟes.

o Provide all equipment, soŌware, and materials for simulaƟon acƟviƟes.

4.2 Provide validated Assessment Instruments:

o Tools must accurately measure candidates against the updated ECQs and sub competencies through observable SES-level behavior indicators (prior to program implementaƟon, pending release by OPM).

o Instruments should idenƟfy both strengths and developmental needs.

o Tools must be grounded in validated federal leadership assessment methodology.

If prior federal experience is not available, the vendor can demonstrate prior general execuƟve assessment validaƟon with an explanaƟon of how it will be applied in the federal environment.

o Assessments cannot be theoreƟcal or solely self-report; they must demonstrate reliability and validity when used to evaluate SES competencies. The reliability and validity should be briefly described by the vendor in the proposal.

o Vendors can map assessment instruments directly to the forthcoming OPM behavioral indicators or should propose their own competency-to-behavior mappings aligned with the ECQs.

4.3 Provide AcƟonal Feedback for Candidates in Individual Assessment Reports:

o Each candidate receives a formal assessment report summarizing results on strengths and recommendaƟons for development against ECQs.

o Feedback must support the ExecuƟve Development Plan process by idenƟfying growth areas candidates need to develop during the program for each candidate.

o The report format is at the discreƟon of the vendor but should be clear for each candidate to understand results and recommendaƟons.

o An aggregate cohort-level analysis is not a requirement.

4.4 Provide Qualified Assessors

o Assign assessors with demonstrated experience in federal leadership assessment and validated assessment methodologies. See contractor qualificaƟons.

o Provide a backup conƟngency plan if any assessors become unavailable.

4.5 Facilitate Assessment AcƟviƟes and Debrief Sessions

o Conduct agreed upon in-person assessment acƟviƟes for all parƟcipants, ensuring adherence to agreed schedules and formats.

o Conduct in-person assessment debriefs with individual parƟcipants.

o The in-person assessment acƟviƟes and debrief sessions should fit within a consecuƟve three-day window that takes place during an in-person training week for the parƟcipants.

4.6 Ensure Compliance

o Adhere to DOI security protocols and confidenƟality standards throughout all phases of the engagement. This includes protecƟng Personally IdenƟfiable InformaƟon (PII); keeping results confidenƟal by only sharing with assessment team, candidate, and program managers; and any other concerns that might develop during the assessment process.

4.7 Deliverables

Assessment physical space requirements, including number of classrooms and breakout rooms, plus any other requirements for room setup – Due as part of the offer for contract evaluaƟon so the Government can ensure availability of required space, including breakout rooms for private observaƟon or debriefs.

Assessment schedule and logisƟcs plan – Due via email to program managers aŌer contract award.

Customized assessment instruments aligned with updated ECQs – To be implemented on the scheduled days for the assessment.

Individual parƟcipant reports – Due to individual parƟcipants when individual debrief is given aŌer assessment is complete. The report must be provided to individuals as either an electronic report or paper report, but an electronic report must be available upon request.

Post-assessment debriefs and recommendaƟons – Due two weeks aŌer the conclusion of the assessment either as a wriƩen report or as a debrief meeƟng with program managers.

Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

ObjecƟve Standard Threshold Surveillance Deliver SES SimulaƟons

All simulaƟons delivered

95% On-site observaƟons and parƟcipant feedback

Validated Instruments

Reliability/validity shown

100% InspecƟon

Individual Reports Delivered at debrief 100% InspecƟon Accessibility SecƟon 508 compliance No deviaƟon Review

Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables

Deliverable Frequency # Copies Format Submit To Space Requirements for class

With Proposal 1 PDF/Word COR

Schedule & LogisƟcs Plan

AŌer Award 1 PDF/Word COR

Customized Instruments

Assessment Days

N/A Tool Access COR

Individual Reports

At Debrief 1 PDF/Word ParƟcipant

Post-Assessment Report

2 Weeks AŌer 1 PDF/Word Program Managers

Technical Exhibit 3 – EsƟmated Workload Data

Item Role Hours/Units 1 Facilitators &

Assessors

2 ExecuƟve Coaches As needed