Draft PWS DANTES Online College and Career Planning Tool.pdf

1 Ver: APR 2025

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

Online College and Career Planning Counseling Tool

January 26, 2026

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) executes a portfolio of

Defense education programs that help Service members achieve their personal and professional education goals. DANTES, a component of the Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA), accomplishes this by developing and implementing off-duty, Voluntary Education (VolEd) programs and supporting activities related to Department of Defense’s (DoD) education functions. DANTES leverages economies of scale to provide military Service branches with education programs which promote:

• Quality education opportunities

• College readiness and student success

• VolEd community support

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 1322.25 paragraph 6.c, requires DANTES to consolidate management of education programs to prevent duplication of effort among the services. Personnel in each of the Services require customized college and career counseling services which include interest assessments related to both college and career choices. As such, DANTES manages the delivery of an enterprise-wide solution for a personalized college and career planning counseling service. The most cost effective and efficient method of delivering a college and career planning tool for a large, widely dispersed audience is to provide access to a commercially available web-based resource. The online program requires continuous availability for personnel serving at locations around the world. The core functional requirements for the online college and career planning counseling tool were established in coordination with the DOD Inter-Service Voluntary Education Board (IVEB), and the Chief of

DOD Voluntary Education.

3.0 SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide the personnel, management and materials necessary for access to an online resource that shall allow military members self-paced counseling assistance resulting in a career and education pathway customized for each individual user. This resource shall help military members plan for an appropriate career based on personal information by assessing interests, skills, and work values. The tool shall provide career options aligned to a user’s self-assessment, an education pathway for specific career options, prepare users for a job search; and facilitate the job search process. The tool shall be based on sound career theory and up-to-date information and resources of state and national colleges, scholarship, labor, and occupational information integrated seamlessly to the respective databases. This college and career planning counseling program will assist Service members in identifying education and career pathways in

2 Ver: APR 2025 preparation for their eventual transition to the civilian workforce. The tool shall be available online, 24/7, 365 days per year and shall be available for unrestricted usage for all active, reserve, and National Guard military members (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast

Guard). Service members who access the tool and establish an account during the subscription period shall have lifetime access to their portfolio, individual assessments and documents.

4.0 REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall:

The contractor shall provide access to an existing, commercially available online college and career planning tool. The tool shall be provided as a service on a subscription basis in accordance with this PWS and shall not become the property of the Government. The contractor is responsible for designing and developing all content for the college and career counseling resource. The following functionality, miscellaneous support, system availability & technical support, and reporting requirements apply:

4.1 Availability and Functionality - Online College and Career Planning Counseling Tool

The college and career planning counseling tool provided as a service herein shall have the following functionality:

4.1.1 Web-based access available to unlimited military personnel under a dedicated URL.

4.1.2 User registration, account set-up and login shall be established for individual users.

Online registration shall capture branch of military service and military installation location.

Separate registration shall be provided for military counselors/administrators who will require access to increase program familiarity. Users shall be able to directly reset passwords or retrieve their user names.

4.1.3 Tutorials, videos, and text-based information shall be provided for users and administrators as necessary to assist in navigating the online tool and enhance the user experience.

4.1.4 Use of the tool shall be self-paced and available on an unrestricted basis.

4.1.5 Users shall be allowed to exit and re-enter the site as often as necessary at no additional cost to the Government. Start and stop options shall be available for saving assessments and career management information.

4.1.6 A detailed self-interest assessment shall be administered to determine a user’s career interests, work values, and work skills.

4.1.7 A personal career plan which aligns potential occupations and education requirements with the interest assessment shall be provided.

4.1.8 Customized career and education pathways based on assessment information shall be provided along with a customized menu of resources.

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4.1.9 User options shall be available to explore related career, occupational, and educational information.

4.1.10 Guidance for planning military personnel transition to the civilian workforce and future employment to include: resume writing guidance, interview question samples, use of social networking sites, and conducting internet job searches.

4.1.11 Search capability for civilian occupations by Military Occupation Specialty (MOS).

4.1.12 Capability to enter Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores and receive a list of civilian occupations aligned to scores. Users shall be able to filter this list by educational entry level, industry cluster, degree of expected job growth, and/or median annual salary for the state in which they expect to work.

4.1.13 Online search capability for education and financial aid information, specific career and education information for military service members and a link to:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

4.1.14 Links to academic financial aid support information, U.S. Department of Education accredited post-secondary schools, and U.S. Department of Labor career outlook information.

4.1.15 Information related to education benefits for Service members and Veterans on the

Department of Veterans Affairs – GI Bill of Rights. Information shall include links to military transition centers and military–specific transitional job services sites.

4.1.16 Links to military transition centers, military-specific transitional job services sites, and military-friendly employers.

4.1.17 Job search tool offering a variety of search methods to include state job banks, Google search by occupation, and links to sites such as Monster and CareerBuilder.

4.1.18 Instructions on how to find job openings and how to use career fairs. Additional search criteria:

• Identify nearby one-stop centers.

• Identify military-friendly employers.

• Find civilian jobs by translating Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) to civilian occupations.

4.1.19 A secure electronic portfolio shall be created for each user that serves as a repository for all self-interest assessments, career plans, career and education pathways, and other applicable career information. Items stored in the portfolio include assessment scores;

descriptions of favored occupations, programs of study, postsecondary institutions, and sources of financial aid; resumes, cover letters, and reference lists; and uploaded items such as short videos, work samples, earned certificates, and transcripts. Once an eligible http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

4 Ver: APR 2025 user has an established account, the user shall have lifetime access to their electronic portfolio. The user shall be able to access their electronic portfolio at any time.

4.2 Contractor Provided Miscellaneous Support

4.2.1 The contractor shall provide promotional and marketing materials on the college and career planning counseling tool in online digital format and, if necessary, print format.

The contractor shall determine the design, message, and quantities for all marketing materials. The contractor is responsible for sending print materials directly to requesting education services offices if required.

4.2.2 The contractor shall provide Webinar training not to exceed more than 1 event per month.

4.3 System Availability and Technical Support

4.3.1 The contractor shall provide all maintenance, sustainment, systems hardware, and hosting necessary to meet system availability requirements.

4.3.2 The system must have a minimum availability of 98 percent measured monthly.

4.3.3 The contractor shall provide technical support for students and administrators via telephone or email. Technical support inquiries shall be responded to within 24 hours of receipt during the business hours of Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Central

Time). Additionally, information shall be available on the website to assist users with technical troubleshooting.

4.3.4 The contractor shall have the ability to add notifications to home page or login page of program (i.e. notification if system is down, scheduled maintenance, content changes, etc.)

4.4 Reporting

4.4.1 Quarterly Reports: The contractor shall provide quarterly usage reports to include the following information:

4.4.1.1 Registrations - New enrollees for the program.

4.4.1.2 Interest Assessments usage:

4.4.1.2.1 Assessments Completed - Number of Pre-Assessments completed in each of the construct assessments (career interests, work values and work skills) and identified completion by parameter of service branch. This will include monthly usage and an overall cumulative total for all service branches.

4.4.1.2.2 Counselor/Administrator Training request - Number of military counselors/administrators requesting access.

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4.5 Section 508 Requirements

The Contractor shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C 794) and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s (U.S. Access Board) information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194.1 for requirement deliverables. The applicable standards are available at https://www.access-board.gov/ict/. The following standards have been determined to be applicable to this contract:

Technical Standards

E205 – Electronic Content

E208 – Support Documentation and Services

5.0 DELIVERABLES

5.1 Format for Deliverables - Contractor format for written deliverables is acceptable. All written deliverables shall be provided as a Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) compliant

Microsoft electronic document or other electronic format as appropriate. All imbedded documents shall be Microsoft Office Suite compatible and DMDC compliant, unless otherwise agreed upon.

5.2 Review of Deliverables - Deliverables provided under this contract shall be submitted to the

Government Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The COR will have ten working days after receipt to review deliverables, and provide comments, corrections, and recommended changes to the contractor. The contractor shall incorporate agreed upon changes and submit revised deliverables to the COR within 10 working days after receipt or unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties.

5.3 Schedule of Deliverables

All deliverables will be reviewed for timeliness, accuracy and format. If a deliverable due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the Contractor shall submit the deliverable on the last work day prior to the due date. In fulfillment of this effort, the Contractor shall provide the following deliverables to the COR.

Deliverable PWS Ref Due Date Delivered To

Online College and

Career Planning

Tool

4.1 Beginning of

Subscription

Period

Service members

Quarterly Usage

Data

4.4 Beginning 3

months after start of subscription

COR

Marketing and

Promotional

Material

4.2.a TBD by Contractor and COR

COR

https://www.access-board.gov/ict/ https://www.access-board.gov/ict/

6 Ver: APR 2025

Webinars 4.2.c NTE one per month

Assessment users

6.0 CONTRACTOR TRAVEL

Travel is not anticipated for this requirement. Should travel become necessary, a proposal will be requested and the contract modified to reflect travel.

7.0 RECORDS MANAGEMENT

There are no records management requirements for this contract.

8.0 SECURITY

8.1 Personnel Security. Overarching security requirements are UNCLASSIFIED. Contractor and subcontractor personnel do not require access to DoD network(s), Information Technology

(IT) systems, or Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Contractor and subcontractor personnel must obtain, DoD credentials, (also known as the Common Access Card (CAC)) for physical and logical access to federally controlled facilities and DoD Information Systems (IS) containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Controlled Unclassified Information

(CUI).

8.1.1 All Contractor personnel assigned to this contract are required to obtain and maintain the appropriate background investigation (BI) and adjudication or suitability determination in accordance with DODI 5200.02-DoD Personnel Security Program (PSP).

8.1.2 The contractor/subcontractor personnel on this contract will be designated performing in

Non-Sensitive positions for Unclassified access in accordance with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigative alignment, and DoDI 5200.02, DoDM 5200.02 and 32 C.F.R. Part 117.

8.1.3 No employee may perform under this contract or have access to information or systems under this contract until they have completed a Tier 1 (T1) or higher background investigation

(BI) that meets the requirement or be in the process of a Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) with a minimum of interim eligibility.

8.2 Staffing. The personnel supporting this contract who require a DHRA sponsored CAC, access to DoD network(s), DoD information systems with CUI/PII data, or DoD IT/Information

Systems must be Citizens of the United States. The citizenship requirement also applies to personnel assigned or working on the contract at any remote sites.

8.3 Onboarding. Prior to requesting access to DHRA sponsored resources (e.g., DoD credential(s), Network(s), IT systems, Information Systems (IS) or facility), the contractor must provide an official request via DHRA’s onboarding system(s)/encrypted email/DoD SAFE accompanied by a complete Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters (DLAH) Form 1728 -

Request for HQC Contractor Badge and/or Information Technology (IT) Access. The DHRA

7 Ver: APR 2025

Security and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Personnel Security (PERSEC) will validate the contractor meet the requirement.

8.4 Listing of employees & Clearance Documentation. The Contractor shall maintain a current listing of employees. Within 10 calendar days of contract award, the Contractor shall provide the COR a list of all company employees assigned to this effort. The employee list should include the following information Contract number, employee information (full legal names), location of performance, The list shall be validated by the company and DHRA

Personnel Security (PERSEC). The Contractor shall provide the COR with an updated listing when any employee’s status or information changes.

8.5 Access to Sensitive Information. To the extent that the work under this contract requires the Contractor to have access to DoD sensitive information the Contractor shall after receipt thereof, treat such information as confidential and safeguard such information from unauthorized use and disclosure. The Contractor shall not appropriate such information for its own use or disclose such information to third parties unless specifically authorized by the Government in writing.

8.5.1 The Contractor shall allow access only to those employees who need the sensitive information to perform services under this contract and who have acknowledge that sensitive information shall be used solely for the purpose of performing services under this contract. The

Contractor shall prevent its employees from discussing, divulging, or disclosing any such information to any person or entity except those persons within the Contractor’s organization directly performing the contract.

8.6 Controlled/Restricted Areas. The Contractor shall comply with local procedures for entry to DoD/DHRA controlled/restricted areas where Contractor personnel will work.

8.7 Physical Security. The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property and controlled forms provided for Contractor use and adhere to the Government property requirements contained in this contract. At the end of each work day, all Government facilities, equipment and materials shall be secured.

8.8 Pass and Identification Items. The Contractor shall ensure the pass and identification items required for contract performance are obtained for employees and non-government owned vehicles.

8.9 DoD Credentials/Common Access Card (CAC). Contractor personnel must obtain a DoD credential or CAC if they are assigned to perform work under this contract requiring access to

DoD network(s), CUI/PII data, IT/Information Systems, DoD Facilities or non-DoD federally controlled facilities on behalf of the DoD on a recurring basis per DODM 1000.13, DoD

Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card Life-Cycle.

8.9.1 Comply with HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) issuance requirements. Be responsible for obtaining a CAC or PIV and be in ready status prior to requesting access to DoD resources such as DoD Facilities, DoD IT/Information Systems (IS).

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8.9.2 CAC Applicant supporting this contract will need to meet the following requirements:

8.9.2.1 Execute, obtain/maintain a favorable FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check);

8.9.2.2 Have an open Tier 1 or equivalent BI to meet Noncritical-Sensitive role;

8.9.2.3 Be ready to provide two forms of identification (I-9 document);

8.9.2.4 Provide proof of U.S Citizenship.

8.10 Retrieving Identification Media. The Contractor shall retrieve all identification media, including vehicle passes from employees, including those who depart for any reason before the contract expires; e.g. terminated for cause, retirement, etc.

8.11 Key Control/Access Badge Control. The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/badges issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall not duplicate any keys issued by the Government.

8.11.1 Prohibited Use. The Contractor shall prohibit the use of keys, issued by the

Government, by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees and the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in performance of contract work requirements in those areas.

8.12 Conduct while on Government Installation. The Contractor shall not assign work or direct its employees to access government information, systems, or installations unless the employees have and maintain the required background investigation, clearances, and authorizations.

8.13 Weapons, Firearms, and Ammunition. Contractor employees are prohibited from possessing weapons, firearms, or ammunition, on themselves or within their contractor-owned vehicle or privately-owned vehicle while on all government installations.

8.14 Reporting Requirements. Contractor personnel shall report to an appropriate authority any information or circumstance of which they are aware that may pose a threat to the security of government or contractor personnel, resources, or information.

8.15 Offboarding. Upon completion of the contract, an employee’s relocation or termination of an employee, or upon request from the COR in accordance with DHRA centers or offices security policies coordinate the employees removal from work under this contract with the COR.

8.15.1 If at any time, any Contractor personnel supporting this contract are unable to obtain/maintain an adjudicated T1 BI the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR and coordinate removal of such a person from work under this contract and replace the individual

9 Ver: APR 2025 with appropriate level background investigation knowledge, skill and ability (KSA) required to perform services.

8.15.2 As the contractor replaces employees, the contractor shall submit the outgoing employee’s installation access and return all CACs/badge(s)/identification card(s) immediately to the COR, who will turn it in to the local Installation Access Control Office or Government

Security Office.

8.15.3 Submit an Off-boarding notification to the COR and the DHRA PERSEC as soon as the contractor knows an employee is leaving the contract.

8.15.4 When personnel change, provide updated personnel security list to the COR within three business days of a change.

9.0 CYBERSECURITY

9.1 Cyber Incident Reporting. In addition to DFARS 252.204-7012, the Contractor shall notify the DMDC Incident Response (IR) team by emailing an initial cyber incident report to dodhra.dodc-mb.dmdc.list.ir-team@mail.mil, the Contracting Officer, and the COR within one hour of discovering any cyber incident. The Contractor shall follow up with a supplemental report every 24 hours until the incident is closed.

9.2 Information System Security. The Contractor shall implement IS security protections that are appropriate for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability needs of the contract. The protections must include the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards necessary to protect all nonpublic Government data.

10.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY/EQUIPMENT/INFORMATION

(GFP/GFE/GFI)

There is no planned distribution of GFP/GFE or GFI during the performance of this contract.

Government personnel will be made available to provide technical input, answer questions, review draft deliverables, provide feedback, and provide directions for deliverable products.

11.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance of the tasks required herein shall be at the contractor facilities or at designated military bases. Program discussions and In Process Reviews (IPRs) may be held at

Government, designated military bases or virtually.

12.0 QUALITY CONTROL

The contractor shall implement and maintain a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure work performed conforms to the scope of work and meets the requirements under this PWS. The QCP shall, at a minimum, provide a method for performing inspections; identifying, correcting and

10 Ver: APR 2025 preventing problems/defective service; addressing customer complaints, and improving the quality of services over the life of the contract.

13.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

13.1. The Government reserves the right to perform inspections and surveillance to evaluate the

Contractor’s compliance to the contract terms and performance of the requirements in the PWS.

13.2. Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR). In the event of unsatisfactory contractor performance, the COR or CO will issue a CDR that will explain the circumstances and findings concerning the incomplete or unsatisfactory service. The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the CDR and respond in writing as to how he/she shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The Government will review the contractor's corrective action response to determine acceptability and will use any completed CDR as part of an overall evaluation of

Contractor performance when determining present or future contractual actions.

14.0 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Contractor acknowledges that it is familiar with FAR Subpart 9.5, Organizational and

Consultant Conflicts of Interest, and agrees to avoid, neutralize or mitigate such conflicts of interest in accordance with the principles set forth in the FAR. If the performance requires the

Contractor (to include subcontractors) to supply technical support related to systems or projects with which the Contractor is already directly concerned, either by prime or subcontract, the

Contractor shall immediately inform the Contracting Officer. The PWS may be withdrawn if a conflict is found. The Contractor shall not undertake performance of any PWS requirements which requires it to supply technical support regarding such systems until the notice is given, and written consent to proceed is issued by the Contracting Officer.

15.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Document Web link

DoD Directive 1322.08 - Voluntary Education

Programs for Military Personnel https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuan ces/d odd/l 32208p.pdf DoD instruction 1322.25 - Voluntary Education

Programs https://www.esd.whs.m il/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/d odi/132225p.pdf

16.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY (PRS)

16.1 Purpose. The PRS lists performance objectives for the required services the Government will surveil. The absence of any contract requirement from the PRS shall not detract from its enforceability nor limit the rights or remedies of the Government under any other provision of the contract.

http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/d http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/d http://www.esd.whs.m/ http://www.esd.whs.m/

11 Ver: APR 2025

16.2 Components. The PRS states the performance objective (required service), and threshold

(performance standard, accept and reject points (if applicable)) in either a qualitative or quantitative fashion for each critical success factor.

Performance Objective

PWS

paragraph

Performance Threshold

System Functionality 4.1 Online tool satisfies system functionality requirements for all users for all engagements.

System Training 4.2.b Training is conducted when and where scheduled by the COR.

System Availability 4.3.b. 98 percent system availability

Technical Support 4.3.c. Response to technical support inquiries within 24 hours of receipt (during business hours) and website includes technical support trouble-shooting information.

Reports 4.4 Reports received when scheduled and contain the data prescribed in 4.4.

17.0 MANDATORY TRAINING REQUIREMENT FOR CONTRACTOR

Contractor employees performing under this contract shall complete the following mandatory trainings within 30 calendar days upon performance start and annually thereafter when applicable.

1. OPSEC Awareness for Military Members, DoD Employees and Contractors IAW DoDM

5205.02, “DoD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program Manual”, dated October 29, 2020.

The training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/opsec/index.htm

2. Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information and Controlled Unclassified

Information IAW DoDI 5200.48, “Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)”, dated

March 6, 2020. The training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/disclosure/index.html

3. DoD Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Training, Executive Order

13556, Controlled Unclassified Information and DoDI 5200.48, “Controlled Unclassified

Information (CUI)”, dated March 6, 2020. The training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cui/index.html https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/opsec/index.htm https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/disclosure/index.html https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cui/index.html

12 Ver: APR 2025

4. Insider Threat Awareness IAW DoDD 5205.16, “The DoD Insider Threat Program”, dated August 28, 2017. The Training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/itawareness/index.htm

5. Privacy Act and Personally Identifiable Information IAW DoDI 5400.11, “DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Programs”, dated January 29, 2019. The training is currently available at: https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/piiv2/index.htm or https://public.cyber.mil/cyber-training/training-catalog/

6. IT Security Awareness IAW title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, section 930.301. The training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cybersecurity/index.htm or https://public.cyber.mil/cyber-training/training-catalog/

7. Counterintelligence Awareness and Reporting Training IAW DoD Directive 5240.06, “Counterintelligence Awareness and Reporting (CIAR)”, dated July 21, 2017. The training is currently available at:

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cidod/index.html

8. Annual OSD Records and Information Management Training (DHA-US1369) IAW

Administrative Instruction 15, “OSD Records and Information Management Program”, dated November 17, 2020. The training is currently available at: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/

9. Antiterrorism (AT) Level 1 Training. IAW DoDI O-2000.16-V1, “DoD Antiterrorism

Program Implementation” dated, November 17, 2016, Change 3, May 7, 2021. The training is currently available at: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/ (JS-US007).

https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/itawareness/index.htm https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/piiv2/index.htm https://public.cyber.mil/cyber-training/training-catalog/ https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cybersecurity/index.htm https://public.cyber.mil/cyber-training/training-catalog/ https://securityawareness.usalearning.gov/cidod/index.html https://jkodirect.jten.mil/ https://jkodirect.jten.mil/