MARSOC_Family_and_Spiritual_Resiliency_Program_SOW.docx

Statement of Work Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Contract conference facility, food, lodging, supplies, staff, and curriculum for the purposes of conducting multiple U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Relationship Building Retreats during fiscal year 2015.

2.0 BACKGROUND: MARSOC Family and Spiritual Resiliency Program (FRSP). The FSRP will create experiences that strengthen family teamwork and collaboration throughout the deployment cycle. It will offer adventurous and playful problem solving situations that require family teamwork followed by guided discussion opportunities designed to affirm each family member. Training demonstrates a healthy model for families to use to discuss personal and family needs and to find solutions that support family unity, growth and resiliency throughout the deployment cycle.

2.1 This program also helps to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. All the families attending are developing new skills that enhance the family’s health, and are doing so in a creative and safe environment, working with the same people who are available to assist them on a daily basis. They are in effect, discovering that learning and growing as a family – alongside professional assistance, brings positive results.

3.0 METHODOLOGY: All experiences are designed to empower the family, strengthen the bond within the family and create and adventure which leads to shared memories for the family. The training is experiential and individual, no power point is used. Rather, families learn to work together while having fun. The “Do and Discuss” training method encourages open communication. This involves families completing challenges together and then utilizing pre-planned and guided discussion after the challenge. Doing the challenge creates a more engaged discussion environment. These discussions help take skills and strategies learned during events and apply them to daily routines at home. Parenting training is provided to equip parents with systems and strategies to build stronger connection and communication within the family and to empower children to take part in the family circle. Skills are taught to enhance communication between parents to strengthen and support the relationship during deployment.

4.0 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 The training shall consist of 2 uniquely run retreats held at the same location with the same events for 2 different units. Each training will include one, two (2) night and three (3) day (Friday evening-Sunday mid-morning) courses of instruction for Families as listed below:

These retreats will focus on family relationships, developing leadership, communication skills and spiritual resiliency. These retreats shall take into account each child’s maturity and development. Training shall include classroom, didactic instruction, small group discussion, practical skills, role-play, parent/child relational exercises, and development games.

4.2 Contractor shall provide all required materials to include: student guides, writing implements, conversation starters, resources for post-retreat relationship building, copies of the text they have authored and published, various materials and tools required for all activities, and any and all other supplies, crafts, etc. required for the training.

4.3 Contractor shall provide age-appropriate (ages of children will range from 5-17 years old) training with the goal of intentional relationship building between family members. This is curriculum-based training with supporting activities and must have measurable objectives.

4.3.1 Contractor shall equip the families with tools, resources, and skills to address issues that strengthen and build family and spiritual resiliency, this program will:

4.4 Training must be divided into appropriate age blocks with consideration for adolescent development skills (i.e. 5-10 years, 11-17 years).

4.5 Contractors shall provide age-appropriate training and activities designed and proven to strengthen the bond between parents and children, as well as whole families, with an emphasis on the children taking the lead in activities and discussions, appropriate physical contact, communication skills, and strengthening personal and family resiliency.

4.6 Training shall cover the following:

4.6.1 Basics of the parent/child and family relationships.

4.6.2 Relationship enhancement skills with a focus on activities and skills designed to affirm the child(ren), strengthen the relationships in family units, and create activities, and memories that they share together.

4.6.3 Childhood development curriculum designed to strengthen parenting skills.

4.6.4 The importance of communication skills between parents, children and between spouses, including strategies for affirming each other and discussing important elements of the relationship.

4.6.5 Improved communications skills for whole families, which encourage parents to listen first and then respond.

4.6.6 Team building exercises and activities designed to have entire families working together as a team throughout the experience.

4.6.7 Training will be designed to enhance the confidence and self-awareness in participating children.

4.7 Contractor will provide course syllabus, all curriculum, text authored (and published) by the presenters, and supporting documentation for review by MARSOC Chaplains before a bid will be approved.

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMACE

5.1 Contractor shall provide a facility that can provide a “Camp” or “Resort”-style experience at which to hold the training, on the dates listed above in Section 1.1. The facility shall accommodate both retreats during the same weekend while maintaining a distinction between the two units. The facility shall allow for open water activities. Facility will be within three to four (3-4) hours of the base where the unit is located (Zip Code: 28542). The location shall be approved by the MARSOC Chaplains before a bid is accepted.

5.2 Contractor shall provide a facility that has appropriate “Camp,” “Hotel,” or “Resort”-style lodging for two retreats seventy (70) students and staff per retreat for two nights, for a total of one-hundred, forty (140) students and staff. Camp-style is preferred. Beds, showers, and restrooms must be provided. The facilities for each retreat must include a conference room attached, or within walking distance, for classroom instruction and inclement weather activities. Contractor shall provide pictures of lodging along with the quote. Chaplains reserve the right to refuse a contact proposal based on suitability of location and amenities, or if the proposal is obviously cut and past from the facility website.

5.3 Contractor shall provide five (5) hot meals for all participants (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast), and at least one snack each day. Contractor must provide sample menu included with quote. Contractor must accommodate special diets or allergies and provide refrigerators and kitchens to families with special needs.

5.4 Contractor shall provide onsite outdoor activities, weather permitting. These activities must provide challenge, adventure, team building, and youth development opportunities. The activity plan and rationale must be reviewed by Chaplains prior to bid being accepted. Chaplains reserve the right to refuse a bid due to poor presentation of curriculum and activities, or a potential Contractor copying and pasting from this Statement of Work. All work, bids, curriculum, and activities must be the original work of the potential Contractor.

5.5 Contractor shall provide alternate activities in case of inclement weather. This activity plan must also be presented to Chaplains for review prior to bid being approved. This also must be original work of the potential Contractor.

5.6 Contractor-provided facility must have all appropriate insurances for liability. Proof of this coverage must be included in the proposal.

6.0 INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION

6.1 Contractor shall provide appropriate number of instructors to provide training (at least two [2] instructors), and additional, appropriate counselors as necessary.

6.2 Instructors must have experience in leadership and team building with previous camp-related experience required. The team must have pervious experience, and provide documentation, of having conducted Family retreats.

6.3 Instructors must have documented experience working with special operations military communities, and must provide references, and documentation, or previous successful experience. The proposed Contractor must have documented experience with Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Communities.

6.4 At least one (1) instructor must have ten (10) years’ experience in outdoor “Camp” related activities. At least one (1) instructor must be certified in first aid, and must provide documentation in the bid. At least one (1) staff member for the Contractor must have a Masters of Divinity, and provide documentation, since this is a Chaplain-funded spiritual development program. The Contractors must have a textbook they have authored and published, that they will provide as part of the contract, for families to continue to build relationships and resiliency after the event. Contractor shall provide verification of Degrees listed.

6.5 The staff of the Contractor, at least two (2) of which will be providing the course of instruction, will have documented training and experience in the following: child development, Transformational Learning, team and systems theory, emotional development, and experiential learning. All experience and training must be documented in the bid, to include resumes of the relevant personnel.

7.0 BACKGROUND CHECK

Contractor shall provide background check of all staff in conjunction with United States Marine Corps protocol. .

Personnel must provide a full criminal records check. This records check may be obtained from any of the following internet investigative services:

www.infolinkscreening.com www.castlebranch.com www.accuratebackgroundinvestigations.com or any other investigative services company that provides records checks of all 50 states.

These services also validate social security card numbers. (Note: These internet screening services are listed as possible sources for obtaining a criminal background check. The United States Government and the United States Marine Corps do not endorse nor are they affiliated with any of these services.)

7.0.1 Vendor is required to submit a background check for each individual who will be performing under this contract. Any unfavorable results may be grounds for disqualification from this contract action.