Base Contract PWS Nov09.doc

AIR FORCE ACQUISITION IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

13 Nov 2009

1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES / GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Introduction

In 2005, the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) launched an initiative aimed at fostering an organizational culture of innovation in the Air Force. Based on successful Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) approaches in the private sector, such as Lean, Six Sigma and Process Reengineering, the Air Force effort emphasized the institutionalization of a mindset geared toward being smarter about the way its business is done—in every field, at every level, from start to finish.

1.1.2 Mission

The overarching objective of this acquisition effort is to support the strategic alignment of the Air Force acquisition enterprise and foster Continuous Process Improvement efforts to make the AF acquisition enterprise more effective and efficient. The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) Office was established to provide top-level guidance and training for the overall Air Force process improvement efforts. In addition to the AFSO21 efforts, the Air Force (AF) Senior Acquisition Executive (SAE) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Integration (SAF/AQX) are leading efforts to continuously improve business practices and to develop the workforce for the broader acquisition community. Specifics of this effort are captured in the USAF Acquisition Improvement Plan (AIP) which was signed by the CSAF and SECAF in May 2009.

The Air Force established the Integrated Lifecycle Management (ILCM) Executive Forum as a venue to better support the total life cycle of AF weapon systems. To support the decisions considered by this forum , the Air Force requires on call academic and practical acumen including lifecycle business management, aerospace management, continuous process improvement for services, and research capabilities covering the entire life cycle of weapon systems and focusing on business best practices, innovation, and workforce/leadership development.

1.2 Program/Performance Objective:

The objective of this effort is to provide academic instruction, perform in-depth research studies and provide Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS). The contractor will deliver accredited, graduate-level courses that address current and emerging issues in the area of DoD and government business, with particular focus on military acquisitions and aerospace activities. To demonstrate the required level of academic quality, bidders must be listed in the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or in an equivalent database managed by an academic accrediting body that is recognized as such by the Department of Education.

The contractor will also conduct research and analysis addressing AF requirements to improve business practices and develop and instruct training for implementing these practices. The contractor must be able to provide an independent, objective assessment of the types of training needed. The contractor will provide deliverables that satisfy specific requirements for tasks IAW individual task orders.

1.3 Scope

The contractor shall provide the personnel (faculty, graduate assistants and subject matter experts), technical expertise, security and facilities necessary to satisfy the overall objectives. The contractor shall accomplish these objectives through a combination of research; studies; data gathering and analysis of government, industry and academic best practices and lessons learned; curriculum development and instruction of training to demonstrate its effectiveness; development of tools and techniques to improve business practices and support development of the ILCM workforce; expert consultation; and support to AF personnel and AF contractors where needed.

As required, the contractor shall develop an associate contractor relationship with the AFSO21 Advisory and Administrative Services (A&AS) contractor to certify its employees and those of its subcontractors in the instruction of any course developed under this contract. To facilitate the accomplishment of individual task orders, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Quality Assurance Personnel (QAP) may authorize the use of Government facilities and equipment such as various AF computer facilities, technical libraries, and other facilities. The COR or QAP shall specify and approve contractor access to these facilities and equipment on an individual task order basis and in advance.

For the purposes of this contract, ILCM covers all activities associated with the DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, AFI 63-101 Operations of Capabilities Based Acquisition System, AFI 10-601 Capabilities-Based Requirements Development and the following Air Force specific sub-processes:

- Institutionalizing Standard Work

- Oversight, Command & Control over ILCM processes

- Continuous Capability Planning

- Life-Cycle Management of Weapon Systems

- Technology Development

- Test & Evaluation

- Supply Chain Operations

- Maintenance, Repair and Operations

- Contract Sourcing

- Program Control

The following areas are examples of the support that will be required to accomplish these objectives, but are not meant to be all inclusive.

1.3.1 Continue the development and presentation of training to support the AFSO21 continuous process improvement effort to include specialized courseware applications for the following techniques: lean, six-sigma, theory of constraints, business process reengineering. Continue the development and presentation of train-the-trainer support for each of these techniques at the senior practitioner (e.g. Master Black Belt, Process Master) levels. Provide academic and practical support and assist the USAF in transitioning all delivered academic and practical courses to organic AF training organizations. Develop and deliver specific academic and practical courses, to include:

1.3.1.1 Master Process Officer (MPO), Level I, II & III

1.3.1.1.a MPO level I academic and practical courses consistent with existing USAF Level 1 facilitator courses (e.g. Green Belt and equivalents for each toolset) 1.3.1.1.b. MPO level II academic and practical courses consistent with existing Department of Defense published guidance and Department of the Air Force published guidance, and consistent with existing USAF nationally accredited graduate level, academic and practical course (e.g. Black Belt and equivalents for each toolset). Provide nationally acceptable academic transcripts reflecting course hour achievements of each student.

1.3.1.1.c. MPO level III consistent with Department of Defense published guidance and Department of the Air Force published guidance (e.g. Master Black Belt and equivalents for each toolset). Provide nationally acceptable academic transcripts reflecting course hour achievements of each student.

1.3.1.2 Executive Leadership for Leading for Results, appropriate for the General officer, Senior Executive Service (SES), Command Chief Master-Sergeant and career field functional level

1.3.1.3 Senior Leaders for Leading for Results, appropriate for the Colonel, GS-15 and Chief Master-Sergeant level

1.3.1.4 Eight (8) Step Problem Solving Methodology, Executive Course and Workshop

1.3.1.5 Strategic Alignment and Deployment, Executive Course and Workshop

1.3.2 The contractor shall demonstrate that the training and education developed under this contract meets the needs of the Air Force by delivering it to targeted audiences specified by the Air Force and using the feedback to make necessary modifications. These modifications must be in place prior to certifying the AFSO21 A&AS contractor and its subcontractors to deliver the training. The contractor shall deliver training and education in those cases where their involvement as the developer is critical to the Air Force’s implementation strategy and development of an Air Force organic capability. The contractor shall provide all required training and education materials and handouts for instruction.

1.3.2.a The delivery of just-in-time training for Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) events and Rapid Improvement Events (RIE) within the DoD Acquisition and Financial communities shall be paramount to supporting the various research areas. Instruction for these events will be given at the delivery provider’s facility (i.e., either AFSO21 A&AS contractor or the SAF/AQX contractor’s facility) unless determined by the supported organization to be more advantageously delivered at a site of its choosing.

1.3.2.b If the site is an Air Force location, the Air Force will be responsible for facility costs and audio-visual support. NOTE: All materials and intellectual property developed via this contract shall be available royalty-free and license-free to the Government. The contractor also retains the right to use results from its own research.

1.3.3 Maintain a nationally accessible Center of Excellence for continuously improving government and defense related lifecycle management business practices and workforce development across the spectrum of AF and Department of Defense enterprises and missions.

1.3.3.1 Research and develop advanced tools, techniques & training modules

1.3.3.2 Research, develop and refine enterprise metrics to assess past and current performance, as well as to identify indicators for future performance of the USAF and DoD enterprises.

1.3.4 Partner with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to conduct relevant ILCM research and incorporate the results into the DAU curricula to maintain currency in its education and training courses. Specific support will include, but not be limited to:

1.3.4.1 Performance-Based Logistics and Performance-Based Services Acquisition

1.3.4.2 Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) lessons learned

1.3.4.3 Program Control functional responsibilities and techniques

1.3.4.4 Business and financial analysis to include management accounting, general and administrative rate management, and business cycle variability.

1.3.5 Partner with DAU in the area of workforce development and research in support of ILCM to develop training and prepare the ILCM workforce for the 21st century. Specific support provided for AFSO21 will be shared with DAU.

1.3.6 Conduct research and studies associated with the AFSO21 Continuous Process Improvement efforts. Specific support will include, but not be limited to:

1.3.6.1 Acquisition improvement initiatives

1.3.6.2 Alternative fuels, energy, and power sources

1.3.7 Conduct research in the areas of leadership and organizational development, particularly as they relate to cultural changes associated with innovation and risk-taking for all aspects of the AF mission. Specific support will include, but not be limited to:

1.3.7.1 War games and simulations for defense acquisition/procurement professionals

1.3.7.2 Leading change & innovation in the AF

1.3.8 Research and develop training in the area of performance-driven outcomes for weapon system and services acquisition and support. Specific support will include:

1.3.8.1 Performance-Based Logistics and Performance-Based Services Acquisition

1.3.8.2 Unique acquisition techniques for non-traditional specialized products (e.g. Services, Cyber systems, etc.)

1.3.9 Conduct research and studies to assess the effectiveness of key ILCM functions, such as systems engineering, contracting, financial management & cost analysis, logistics, installation & mission support, and communication & information technology. Develop and deliver training to improve the execution of these functions in support of ILCM.

1.3.10 Program Management

The contractor shall designate a single point of contact (POC) that has the authority to represent the organization in all matters pertaining to this contract. This POC shall establish an organizational structure capable of responding to the Government's requirements and managing the overall technical and financial aspects of the contract and each order there under.

2. SERVICE SUMMARY

3. Government Furnished Services/Property Government furnished services and property will be provided IAW individual task orders. The Government may provide facilities for instruction or research activities associated with the performance of the contract, but the contractor will be responsible for supplying its own materials incidental to conducting research/training activities within those facilities.

4. GENERAL INFORMATION

4.1 Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Quality Assurance Personnel (QAP)

The Contracting Officer will appoint a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Quality Assurance Personnel (QAP) who will represent the Contracting Officer regarding all matters of a technical nature only, and will be the direct interface with Contractor personnel during the performance of this requirement.

4.2 Period of Performance

Period of performance will be two years, with options for one additional year, beginning at the time of contract award. The period of performance for individual tasks will be specified in each task order.

4.3 Place of Performance

The contractor will be required to perform at its own facilities, its subcontract facilities, or at Government locations worldwide, as required. To facilitate the accomplishment of individual task orders, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) may authorize the use of Government facilities and equipment such as various Air Force computer facilities, technical libraries, and other facilities. The COR shall specify and approve contractor access to these facilities and equipment on an individual task order basis

4.4 Travel

Contractor employees may be required to travel to various locations within the continental United States (CONUS) or overseas (OCONUS). For OCONUS travel, contractor employees shall obtain passports, visas, and medical clearances for designated operations areas. Travel costs shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation, Joint Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations section 925 as applicable from FAR 31.205-46 for locality per diem rates. Actual modes of transportation and costs shall be agreed to in advance and reimbursed on a cost basis upon receipt of the invoice in Wide Area Work Flow. All air travel shall be booked on American-flagged carriers, unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer.

4.5 Data and Privacy Information

The contractor will have access to data and information proprietary to the Government which fall under strict OCI requirements. The contractor shall not divulge or release data or information developed or obtained in performance of this task order contract except as authorized by Government personnel or upon written approval of the Contracting Officer.

The contractor shall not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data, other than as required in the performance of delivery orders. The limitations above do not apply to data or information that has been made public by the Government. Further, this provision does not preclude the use of any data independently acquired by the contractor without such limitations or prohibit an agreement at no cost to the Government between the contractor and the data owner, which provides for greater rights to the contractor.

4.6 Organizational Conflict Of Interest

Proposals must include a detailed Organizational Conflict of Interest plan, describing corporate policies and commitments to prevent unauthorized disclosure of any proprietary, programmatic, budgetary or source selection sensitive information which contractor personnel may have access to. The plan should include individual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA’s) for employees, managers, supervisors and organizational leaders.

Per Air Force Materiel Command Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 5352.209-9002, and in accordance with the definitions set forth therein, the following restrictions apply to prevent conflicting roles which may bias the contractor’s judgment or objectivity, or to preclude the contractor from obtaining an unfair competitive advantage in concurrent or future acquisitions:

4.6.1 The contractor shall perform technical and analytical advisory and assistance services in support of SAF/AQ tasks related to research, development and acquisition of military weapon systems. The parties recognize that the contractor shall occupy a highly influential and responsible position. The contractor’s judgment and recommendations must be objective, impartial, and independent. To avoid the prospect of the contractor’s judgment or recommendations being influenced by its own products or capabilities, it is agreed that the contractor is precluded for the life of this contract plus two years from award of a DoD contract to supply a system or any of its major components, and from acting as a subcontractor or consultant to a DoD supplier for a system or any of its major components.

4.6.2 The contractor may gain access to proprietary information of other companies during contract performance. The contractor agrees to enter into company-to-company agreements to protect another company’s information from unauthorized use or discloser for as long as it is considered proprietary by the other company, and to refrain from using the information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished. For information purposes, the contractor shall furnish copies of these agreements to the contracting officer. These agreements are not intended to protect information which is available to the government or to the contractor from other sources and furnished voluntarily without restriction.

The above restrictions shall be included in all subcontracts, teaming arrangements, and other agreements calling for performance of work which is subject to organizational conflict of interest restrictions identified in this clause, unless excused in writing by the Contracting Officer.

5. DATA DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall submit data deliverables to the COR. Contractor format is acceptable.

5.1 Deliverables

COPIES

DUE DATE

The following deliverables are required for each task order.

5.1.1 Project Management Plan (PMP) shall describe the plan for each sub-task and shall include the schedule (milestones/dates), deliverables and cost for each sub-task.

5.1.2 Written Quarterly Progress Reports describing the work accomplished during the reporting period and/or significant events will include, but not be limited to, the following:

5.1.2.1 Progress to date against the PMP to include cost, schedule and performance metrics.

5.1.2.2 Description of significant travel (include travelers names) or unique services provided.

5.1.2.3 Problem areas and corrective actions taken or being taken.

5.1.2.4 Anticipated activity for the next reporting period.

5.1.2.5 The following statement: “I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the employee(s) worked the hours shown at the skill levels indicated.” The name and date of the (Contractor) Program Manager or his/her designee should directly follow this statement.

5.1.3 Interim reports and conference call reports will be accomplished on an as needed basis, if there are noteworthy concerns or issues prior to the quarter’s written report. Interim reports to the AF will provide status and findings sufficient to allow AF assessment and guidance on future scheduled work.

5.1.4 All course materials and intellectual property are copywrite protected by the contractor. The contractor retains the right to use the material for its own purposes. Additionally, all course materials become the property of the government upon delivery and may be modified for subsequent use/reuse, as desired. The contractor shall provide two master hardcopies and two electronic copies of all course & certification materials to the appropriate AF customer and to SAF/AQX, for archival purposes.

5.1.4.1 All course materials shall be provided directly to the students attending sessions taught by the contractor.