FSA PWS 2024_FINAL.pdf

United States Air Force First Sergeants Academy

FORGE™ / ANVIL Assessment Support

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Current as of: 06/13/2024

Air Combat Command 633d Contracting Squadron/PKC

Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, VA

PARAGRAPH TITLE PAGE(S)

1 DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION 1

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES,

SERVICES SUMMARY (SS)

1-2

3 PERSONNEL AND MINIMUM SKILL

REQUIREMENTS

4 TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION 4

5 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 4

6 PAYMENT 4

7 APPENDIXES 5

Appendix A. Definitions 5-6

United States Air Force First Sergeants Academy (AFFSA)

1.0 DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION REQUIRING SUPPORT. The Department of the Air Force (DAF), Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) Air Force First Sergeants Academy (AFFSA), administers the Air Force’s First Sergeants' assessment to identify senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) who are capable and qualified to meet the requirements outlined in AFI36-2113. These assessments take place twice a year encompassing the entire US Air Force (AF). Each assessment typically involves approximately 70 TDY (temporary duty) First Sergeants (FS) who assess approximately 250 candidates across the Air Force. The purpose of these assessments is to identify Airmen with the necessary skills and mental aptitude to fulfill First Sergeant duties across the AF.

1.1 SCOPE. ACC is requesting the use of FORGE™, a software solution, and its hardware, training, and software license to facilitate data collection, analysis, and observer input during each FS assessment.

2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The contractor is responsible for providing hardware (ANVIL), software (FORGE™), unlimited on-call remote support, in-person technical support, training, and maintenance during each assessment and selection event as outlined in paragraph 2.4. The contractor shall provide regular updates to the software application, including new versions and features as they are released.

Additionally, the contractor must have the necessary permissions to operate, troubleshoot, and modify the FORGE™ software application.

2.1 QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The contractor shall provide a qualified assessment Domain Expert who has completed a certified assessment course to support FS assessments during the Period of Performance (PoP). The contractor shall provide assessment Domain Expert(s) certified in using and troubleshooting the ANVIL and FORGE™ software. The proposed assessment Domain Expert shall possess the skills and qualifications listed in Table 3.1 of the PWS. The contractor shall ensure personnel are fully trained to meet mission requirements on day one of performance. Additionally, the contractor will provide a lead software engineer who meets the qualifications detailed in Table 3.1 to provide software updates, troubleshooting, and maintenance. This individual(s) must be available for remote troubleshooting at all times during each assessment execution and as needed throughout the PoP to address customer concerns.

2.2 MANAGEMENT OF ISSUES. The contractor shall promptly address all performance issues and customer complaints to ensure the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the PWS 100% of the time.

2.3 DELIVERABLES. The contractor shall provide hardware and software support at the customer site during assessments to ensure assessment expertise and technical support are available for uninterrupted FS assessments. The contractor will help the customer develop reports and conduct data analysis to assess candidates thoroughly. The contractor will also provide necessary software and hardware updates. However, any updates shall not disrupt or hinder the use and functionality of previously collected data. The contractor shall provide the Government with a survey of the end users at the conclusion of each assessment completed by the First Sergeants to allow for continued modification and improvement of the software tool.

2.4 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. This contract requires the use of FORGE™, a software solution, and its hardware, training, and software license to facilitate data collection, analysis, and observer input during each FS assessment.

2.4.1. FORGE™ software, ANVIL support, and updates must meet the following compatibility and functionality requirements:

Compatibility: Any proposed software update must not interfere with or impede the use and functionality of previously collected data. This includes the curriculum, observations, scores, and the candidate data. Full compatibility with the existing data structures and software is required.

Functionality: Any proposed software updates must not reduce the functionality of the FORGE™ and ANVIL system to include:

● Must be hardware (ANVIL)-based or web-based (government on-prem/cloud, when applicable) with the ability to use offline

● Capable of supporting professional development for both selected and non-selected candidates after assessment

● The software application must be capable of evaluating an attribute and its associated statistics, as well as the characteristics of sub-attributes related to the main attribute being evaluated

● The software application needs to support the ability to assign different weights to attributes

● The software application must allow for tracking user-added and user-modifiable attributes or characteristics

● The software application must provide archive and retrieval capabilities

● The system must be delivered in a fully operational state (FOC) within four weeks of the contract being awarded

● License must not expire for the duration of the period of performance

● The contractor must provide annual updates and product support

● Contractors shall provide customization support at no extra cost if the contractor deems that it enhances the software when possible

2.4.2 Assessment Domain Expert: The contractor will provide a Domain Expert to offer on-site support, training, and troubleshooting during each of the two annual FS assessments. Additional support for extra events will incur an additional cost.

On-Site Support: Providing on-site support requires the Domain Expert to be available for each assessment, which may entail working extended hours beyond normal business hours. The pricing for this service should be based on the number of days of support needed, with an initial requirement of 30 days of support to be scheduled across two assessments the first year. All travel and accommodation costs should be included in the quotes as a separate line item and will not be reimbursed separately.

2.4.3 Travel and Accommodation Expenses for Domain Expert: The contractor will need to travel to the assessment location at Maxwell-Gunter AFB two times per year to provide on-site support and domain expertise. The quotes should be based on travel to the Montgomery, Alabama, area.

3.0 PERSONNEL AND MINIMUM SKILL REQUIREMENTS. Assessment Domain Expert shall meet the below criteria:

Table 3.1 Key Personnel Requirements

Position/Labor Category Required Skills/Qualifications

Lead Software Developer SECRET • Must have a minimum of 15 years of Special Operations Forces (SOF) experience; active duty, civilian, contractor experience, or a combination of qualifications.

• Must have attended an SOF Executive Hiring Panel that produces an SOF operator at one of the four SOF Service components.

• 8 years of experience with software being offered during an SOF Executive Hiring Panel course.

• Bachelor of Science in Information Systems or Systems Engineering from an accredited university.

Assessment and Selection (A&S) Domain Expert SECRET

• Must have a minimum of 20 years of SOF experience, active duty, civilian, contractor experience, or a combination of qualifications.

• Knowledge of data structure required for Executive Hiring Panels.

• Must be certified in the software application being used.

• Must have attended an SOF Executive Hiring Panel that produces an SOF operator at one of the four SOF Service components.

• Must have managed a SOF Executive Hiring Panel program, ideally at a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) unit.

4.0 TASK ORDER ADMINISTRATION. The contractor shall establish processes to effectively administer this requirement. A designated contractor Point of Contact (POC) will serve as the single point of contact between the Government and contractor personnel assigned to this task order.

4.1 LOCATION AND HOURS OF WORK. The contractor shall provide onsite customer support up to one week before the start of the FS assessment period and up to one week after to ensure all requirements are identified and documented. This requirement may be subject to change at the Government’s discretion. The contractor should be ready to work outside of regular working hours.

4.2. SECURITY. Bidders shall possess a minimum of a SECRET Facility Clearance. This will grant instructors access to FS assessment areas and enable them to assist with attribute customization. While the software application will not collect classified information, the contractor may come across Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The contractor must adhere to DoDI 5400.16 and DoDI 1000.30 to safeguard data.

5.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. ACC intends to award a contract with a Period of Performance starting on 29 July 2024 and ending on 28 July 2025, with one additional option year.

6.0 PAYMENT. Invoices are to be submitted electronically via the internet via email to the Superintendent, HQ Command Staff SMSgt Brenda Sherrill; brenda.sherrill@us.af.mil. Substantiating documentation must accompany invoices when applicable to the contract line items (CLIN) being invoiced. The contractor is a SDVOSB and will therefore be paid using NET 15 payment terms.

mailto:brenda.sherrill@us.af.mil

APPENDIX A

DEFINITIONS

General Definitions.

Contract Management. After the contract is awarded, the multi-functional team (MFT) will implement the Performance Plan (PP) and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The plan integrates the goals and objectives identified by the multi-functional team, oversight, performance management, and performance measurement in accordance with the Performance Plan or Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Individuals assigned to conduct quality assessment functions and oversee performance in accordance with the quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP).

They serve as on-site technical managers, assessing Contractor performance against contract standards.

Defective Service. Any service output that does not conform to contract requirements as stipulated in the Services Summary.

Functional Commander/Functional Director (FC/FD). The individual in charge of a specific functional area at the Squadron level. For instance, the Functional Commander for the Civil Engineering performance-based work statements is the Civil Engineer Squadron Commander.

Market Research. A continuous process of collecting data on service characteristics, suppliers' capabilities, and current business practices, followed by the analysis of that data to make acquisition decisions.

Multi-Functional Team (MFT). A team of stakeholders is responsible for service acquisition. This team includes representatives from the technical and procurement communities, as well as stakeholders involved in the service acquisition and the Contractor(s) providing the service. The team may be referred to as a Business Requirements Advisory Group (BRAG), a Mission Area Acquisition Team (MAAT), an Integrated Product Team (IPT), working group, or A-76 IPT or Steering Group.

Performance Assessment/Quality Assurance. A process that measures success towards achieving defined performance goals or objectives within the performance thresholds in the services summary. It is also the process of assessing progress towards achieving the objectives or goals developed in a Performance Plan.

Performance Management. The use of performance measurement information is to bring about positive changes in organizational culture, systems, and processes. This is achieved by setting agreed-upon performance goals, allocating and prioritizing resources, informing managers to either confirm or change current policy or program directions to meet those goals, and sharing the results of performance in pursuing those goals.

Performance Management Assessment Program/Quality Assurance Program. A quality assurance program is developed, planned, and managed to effectively influence service quality at a reasonable cost. The Performance Management Assessment Program encompasses performance measurement and management by a multi-functional team (MFT).

Performance Objective. The successful performance of a contract in a specific area is crucial for achieving the organization's mission, vision, and strategy. Failure to meet this success factor could lead to a significant decrease in customer satisfaction or even mission failure. Consistently meeting measurable standards for multiple services/sub-services is essential for achieving the mission's critical objectives.

Performance Threshold. The minimum standard of a performance objective required by the Government.

Quality Assurance Program Coordinator (QAPC). Mission support group individual, usually from the contracting activity, chosen to coordinate and manage the Performance Management Assessment Program (Quality Assurance Program), as well as to train the CORs, COR Supervisors, and Functional Commanders when needed.

Quality Control. The Contractor takes actions to ensure that the services provided meet the standards outlined in the contract, Performance Work Statement (PWS), or Statement of Work (SOW). This is known as Quality Assurance. On the other hand, the Government takes actions to ensure that the services meet the requirements specified in the PWS or SOW and the contract.

Quality Assurance. Actions taken by the government to ensure that services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) and contract.

Services Summary (SS). A summary of the performance objectives and performance thresholds required by the Government in contractor performance, along with the paragraph where the specific objectives and thresholds are located in the PWS or SOW