Performance_Work_Statement_8_Apr_16.docx

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Behavior-Based Interview Techniques Training

1. VISION FOR THE REQUIREMENT

Civilian Selection Advisory Panels within HQ USSOCOM hire high performing, motivated employees.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1. The Deputy Chief of Staff directed that FMD-J1-SC Civilian Personnel Division provide support for Civilian Workforce Initiatives to help improve and standardize assessment and selection processes within HQ USSOCOM. This involves providing training necessary to recruit, place, and maintain a well-qualified civilian workforce. USSOCOM Regulation 690-6, Recruitment, Assessment, and Hiring (Atch 1), requires a Civilian Selection Advisory Panel for selection of candidates and mandatory use of behavior-based interview techniques. The training provided by this PWS will provide the skills necessary for Civilian Selection Advisory Panel members to conduct structured interviews and candidate selection using behavior-based interview techniques.

3. OBJECTIVE

3.1. Provide training to equip hiring officials, panel board members, and civilian liaisons with the skills necessary to assess candidates’ knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies, and to hire high performing, motivated employees.

4. SCOPE

4.1. The Contractor shall conduct instructor-led training which provides detailed instruction in behavior-based interview techniques within HQ USSOCOM. The instructor-led training shall include:

· An overview of government interview techniques

· Specifies on how to apply behavior-based interview techniques

· Methods of assessing a candidate’s ethical and professional maturity

· Methods of evaluating candidate capabilities

· How to select the best qualified candidates

· Instruction in the overall standardization of hiring panels

4.2. The overall goal is to provide training which encompasses assessment techniques for interviewers to conduct well-defined, structured, behavior-based interviews in order to recruit and hire well-qualified, engaged personnel.

5. REQUIREMENTS

5.1. The contractor shall provide instructor-led training that provides hiring officials, panel board members, and civilian liaisons with skills necessary to select candidates based on applicable Federal government hiring standards and practices and USSOCOM Regulation 690-6. Training shall include legal considerations of inappropriate interview questions to ensure compliance with Federal laws and regulations.

5.2. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led training on how to develop behavioral interview questions, determine benchmark answers, establish proficiency levels, assess candidates’ responses, interview preparation, and provide examples of best practices. The training shall enable Government personnel to properly identify key characteristics, knowledge, skills, and identifiers that would lead to an individual’s ability to successfully perform the required job or tasks of the position for which they would be interviewing for during the assessment period.

5.3. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led training on how to conduct a thorough assessment of a candidate’s overall capability and competency to include a candidate’s ethical and professional maturity. The training shall lead to enabling Government personnel to properly identify key characteristics, knowledge, skills, and identifiers that would lead to an individual’s ability to successfully perform the required job or tasks of the position for which they would be interviewing for.

5.4. The Contractor shall provide instructor-led training in hiring panel techniques to standardize the process within HQ USSOCOM. The training shall serve as a framework to Government personnel for establishing and conducting civilian hiring panels. Training shall reinforce requirements for successful panel interviews such as a diverse panel composition, identification of panel member roles, consistent use of behavior-based interviews across the HQ and for all candidates that will result in a positive environment in which applicants are willing to share their qualifications and depart interviews with a realistic preview of the job for which they are interviewing for and with an awareness of the values of the organization.

5.5. The Contractor shall provide an automated program, online application or database that allows panel members, hiring officials, and liaisons to select and customize targeted, position-specific interview questions. The program, application or database shall facilitate assembly of interview packets necessary to standardize the candidate assessment process. Introduction and familiarization to the automated program, online application or database shall be included as part of the instructor-led training session. The Contractor shall provide use of this program, application or database to USSOCOM panel members, hiring officials, and liaisons for the duration of the contract.

5.6. The Contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of course preparation and for delivering each training session using a variety of adult learning activities. Training sessions shall consist of not less than 60% of the training time devoted to presentation, lecture and video while the remaining time shall be for practical exercises, role-playing and instruction and familiarization of the Contractor’s automated program, online application or database.

5.7. Each training session will include up to thirty personnel comprised of military members of different branches and ranks and civilian employees.

5.8. Instructor-led training sessions shall be five hours in duration and delivered in a one day timeframe. Training sessions begin at 0800 and end by 1400.

5.9. The contractor shall provide all training materials (hard copy and soft copy).

5.10. Contractor shall provide post-lecture support to students who require assistance to further their understanding of the behavior-based interview techniques taught in the instructor–led training sessions.

6. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY

6.1. The Government will provide each attendee at the instructor-led training session with a Course Evaluation upon completion of the training (Atch 2).

6.2. The contractor instructor shall receive an aggregate score of not less than 75%. The 75% threshold is calculated as follows. Survey respondents assign a rating to the eight questions in the “Instructor” section of the survey (Survey is attached). The eight questions are of equal importance and each rating equates to points. For example, a 10 rating is equal to 10 points. Therefore, the maximum amount of possible points per individual survey is 80 (8 questions times the top rating of 10). The amount of points assigned to each individual survey are then added to the other survey scores to determine the aggregate number of assigned points. The aggregate number of assigned points are then divided by the maximum number of possible assigned points. For example, aggregate number of assigned points in 10 surveys total 750 points. The maximum amount of possible points is 800 (80*10). The aggregate score is 93.8% ).

6.3. If the Contractor instructor score for a single training session is below 75%, the Contractor shall submit a report outlining a course of action to improve the rating before the next training session. The course of action must be approved in writing by the COR, and shall not alter the price or scope of the contract.

7. ADDITIONAL INFORAMTION:

7.1. Government facilities will be provided for the instructor-led training sessions at MacDill AFB, Florida. Contractor personnel will have access to government furnished equipment for the performance of services required by this contract, to include presentation equipment (computer, projector, and screen).

7.2. The Government will provide USSOCOM forms, policies, technical information, subject matter orientation, and documentation such as appropriate publications and regulations.

8. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICIATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

8.1 Contractor instructor shall:

8.1.1 Be fluent in English and have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must communicate information clearly and effectively and be able to convey instructions to diverse audiences.

8.1.2 Possess knowledge of Federal hiring standards, practices, and procedures.

8.1.4 Must have 5 years’ experience delivering behavior-based interview training to hiring officials or management.

8.1.6 Possess, at minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree.

8.1.8 Five years or more of teaching experience with specialized experience in facilitation and various training methodologies.

8.2 Being a certified professional in Human Resources is desired.

9. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

9.1. Contractor personnel shall be US Citizens.

9.2. Contractor personnel do not require a security clearance at any level.

10. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

10.1. Training sessions shall be held at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

11. TRAINING SCHEDULE

11.1. Above dates may change. The contractor will be notified as soon as possible after the need for a change becomes apparent.

12. DELIVERABLES

12.1. Within ten business days of contract award contract the contractor shall provide for Government acceptance an outline of the training to be delivered at the instructor-led training sessions. Should the outline be rejected by the government, the Contractor shall resubmit a revised outline within five business days of receipt of the Contractor receiving the rejection.

2 Attachments:

1. USSOCOM Regulation 690-6

2. Course Evaluation