HE1254-20-Q-0027 Draft PWS.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Cisco® Professional Learning and Technical Support

1.0 General Information

1.1 Agency

1.1.1 For school year (SY) 2020-21, the Department of Defense Education Activity

(DoDEA) will provide PK-12 instruction to approximately 70,000 dependents of military and civilian employees. Student enrollment is based primarily on deployment of military troops worldwide. In the Americas, DoDEA operates 50 schools located in seven states, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. In Europe and the Middle East, DoDEA operates 64 schools located in Germany, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Bahrain and Italy. In the Pacific, DoDEA operates 45 schools located in

Korea, Japan (mainland and Okinawa), and Guam. DoDEA's curriculum, resources and student achievement scores on standardized assessments compare favorably to those of high-performing US public school systems. In addition, DoDEA operates fully accredited Virtual High School with teaching hubs in each DoDEA region:

Americas, Europe, and Pacific.

1.1.2 Military-connected students experience high mobility rates across the nation and throughout the world. Consequently, DoDEA makes a concerted effort to mitigate transitional barriers to military-connected students’ success, working toward a worldwide systemic education network.

1.1.3 DoDEA has adopted College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) in mathematics, literacy, the arts, social studies, and science, which are rigorous, research-based, and reflect the knowledge, skills and dispositions students need for success in college and/or careers and are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), National Core Art Standards (NCAS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards (C3).

1.2 Background

1.2.1 Cisco Networking Academies, a college and career ready program, have been implemented in DoDEA's high schools since 2002. Students and teachers report that the program helps students improve their information technology (IT) skills, understand industry requirements, and determine whether or not they want to choose

IT as their career field.

1.2.2 This highly technical curriculum requires teachers to have ongoing technical assistance and support throughout the school year. Also, the progress of these Cisco Networking

Academies needs to be monitored to ensure that they are in compliance with Cisco's

Quality Assurance Plan (QAP).

1.3 Scope of Work

1.3.1 DoDEA requires instructor training/certification and ongoing technical support for this program to include the monitoring of quality assurance and performance in conformance with Cisco's Networking Academy QAP. The professional learning component includes virtual training for both new teacher training, certified teachers, and selected above-school level subject-matter experts. Although numbers may vary slightly in the option years, DoDEA currently has nine IT

Essential programs systemwide. DoDEA expects to make one award for a 12-month base year and four 12-month option years.

1.3.2 The table below shows the estimated number of professional learning sessions required each year.

Categories Base Year

Sessions*

Option Year

Sessions

30-Contact-Hour Courses 25 10

Ad Hoc Training 5 5

* “Session” is equivalent to the number of people taking a course or receiving ad hoc training.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Objective 1, Virtual Professional Learning

Provide virtual professional learning for new teachers and for certified teachers and technical support for the IT Essentials, Introduction to Networks and Cisco Certified Network

Associate Cybersecurity Operations (CCNA CyberOps).

2.1.1 Task 1, New Teacher Professional Learning—The Contractor shall deliver the three 30-contact-hour courses described below each year as required by DoDEA.

2.1.1.1 Deliver 30 contact hours of Instructor Orientation in IT Essentials via synchronous webinars. Upon successful completion, DoDEA instructors shall be certified and have access to the IT Essentials curriculum.

2.1.1.2 Deliver 30 contact hours of Instructor Orientation in Introduction to

Networks via synchronous webinars. Upon successful completion, DoDEA instructors shall be certified and have access to the Introduction to Networks curriculum.

2.1.1.3 Deliver 30 contact hours of Instructor Orientation in CCNA CyberOps via synchronous webinars. Upon successful completion, DoDEA instructors shall be certified and have access to the CCNA CyberOps curriculum.

2.1.1.4 Deliver each of the professional learning requirements listed above up to three times during the working hours for each DoDEA region—Americas, Europe, and Pacific. Note: DoDEA will schedule the exact dates and times of each training post-award in consultation with the Contractor.

2.1.2 Task 2, Ad Hoc Professional Learning—The Contractor shall:

2.1.2.1 Provide 18 contact hours (retooling) professional learning for non-student users who have previously finished or are in the process of completing their certification. Provide the sessions in accordance with a schedule approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) in writing. Sessions shall be delivered via synchronous webinars, videoconferences or face-to-face.

Note: The dates, times, and medium for the professional learning will be determined by the Government post-award. Each synchronous webinar or videoconference shall be delivered up to three times during the working hours for each DoDEA region—Americas, Europe, and Pacific.

2.1.2.2 Provide, on an ad hoc basis, professional learning required to implement major curriculum upgrades and/or additional program requirements necessary for the continued operation of the IT Essentials, Introduction to

Networks, and CCNA CyberOps programs. Note: The Government in consultation with the Contractor will determine the dates, times, and medium post-award.

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)

Objective 1, Virtual Professional Learning

Performance Standard and Related Task

AQL

Inspection

Method Incentives*

* Unless specified otherwise, possible ratings are as follows: exceptional, very good, satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory, per FAR 42.1503, Table 42-1, “Evaluation Ratings Definitions”.

Task 1, New Teacher Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Dates and times determined post-award

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 2, Ad Hoc Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.2

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Dates, times, and medium determined post-award

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

2.2 Objective 2, General Requirements

Provide the required technical support, licenses, and reports in order to implement the program successfully and track student progress effectively. Meet with DoDEA staff as required.

2.2.1 Task 3, Technical Support—The Contractor shall:

2.2.1.1 Provide ongoing technical support throughout the school year to all non-student users (instructors, registrars, etc.) of DoDEA's Cisco IT Essentials, Introduction to Networks, and CCNA CyberOps Programs in the form of email, telephonic support, and teleconferencing as necessary. Technical support shall encompass hardware, software, and curriculum support for total course management; and instructor retooling; and the monitoring of

Academy administration.

2.2.1.2 Provide industry-standard technical support for its technical/digital resources for the life of the contract via telephone or by email within one business day or less from the initial contact to include but not limited to assisting with service problems, product setup, upgrades, and troubleshooting

2.2.1.3 Provide all support (except repair and maintenance of hardware) necessary for Cisco IT Essentials, Introduction to Networks, and CCNA

CyberOps Programs hardware, software, curriculum, and course management throughout each school year. This support shall encompass curriculum implementation and best practice strategies necessary for non-student users to successfully operate and administer Cisco IT Essentials, Introduction to Networks, and CCNA CyberOps programs.

2.2.1.4 Provide users technical assistance that includes but is not to be limited to the following:

1) Curriculum software installation.

2) Maintenance, troubleshooting and configuration of hardware and software used in courses (e.g., routers, switches, and computers).

3) Assistance in the use of the Academy Connection, online registration, and assessment software used in support of all of the academies.

2.2.1.5 Post answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) on its website.

2.2.2 Task 4, Licenses/Accreditation: The Contractor shall maintain valid Cisco Academy licenses to perform the services required in this performance work statement for the life of the contract.

2.2.3 Task 5, Annual Report: The Contractor shall submit an annual report to DoDEA in a format approved by the COR that provides data on (1) completion rates for each course, (2) participation in monthly virtual workshops, (3) the number, type, location, and resolution of problems requiring technical support.

2.2.4 Task 6, Meetings—The Contractor shall:

2.2.4.1 Medium and Minutes: Provide the medium through which each conference/ meeting occurs, record each meeting’s minutes, and submit them to the COR within two business days of the event.

2.2.4.2 Post-Award Conference: Participate in a video- or teleconference with the

COR five business days after award in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.5.

2.2.4.3 IT Meeting: Convene a video- or teleconference with DoDEA Information

Technology staff ten business days after award. (See 3.1 Software and Cloud

Security Requirements)

2.2.4.4 Other Post-Award Meetings: Meet with the Contracting Officer, COR, and/or other Agency personnel, as appropriate to review Contractor performance, as required by DoDEA. At these meetings the Contracting Officer may discuss the

Government’s view of Contractor performance, and the Contractor shall apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Contractor shall take appropriate action to resolve outstanding issues raised by the Government.

2.2.4.5 Attendance: Attend virtual meetings at no additional cost to the Government.

Note: Costs associated with attendance at face-to-face meetings, if any, shall be handled/paid for as stated in the contract.

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)

Objective 2, Technical Support, Licenses, and Reports

Performance Standard and

Related Task

AQL

Inspection

Method Incentives*

* Unless specified otherwise, possible ratings are as follows: exceptional, very good, satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory, per FAR 42.1503, Table 42-1, “Evaluation Ratings Definitions”.

Task 3, Technical Support, PWS 2.2.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Ongoing, five business days after the post-award conference

Provide upgrades, maintenance, etc. per industry standards.

Respond to 95% of requests in the time specified in the PWS.

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 4, Licenses, PWS 2.2.2

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Two business days after receipt of a delivery order

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 5, Reports, PWS 2.2.3

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Provided 15 July each year

100% compliance COR inspection NA

Task 6, Meetings, PWS 2.2.4

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Determined post-award

No more than one meeting per year will need to be rescheduled.

COR inspection NA

2.3 Objective 3, Contractor Manpower Requirement Application (eCMRA)

Complete/submit reporting requirements annually, per the eCMRA website.

2.3.1 Task 7, eCMRA: The Contractor shall report all labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required to perform the services provided under this contract via a secure data collection site. The Contractor shall complete all required data fields.

Reporting inputs shall be for labor executed during each fiscal year’s period of performance (Oct 01 - Sep 30). While inputs may be reported any time during the fiscal year, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year.

Contractors shall use the following URL both to fill out the abovementioned data fields and to contact the help desk for assistance: https://www.ecmra.mil.

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels

Objective 3, eCMRA

Performance Standard and

Related Task AQL Inspection Method Incentives

Task 7, eCMRA, PWS 2.3.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

During the required timeframe, per the eCMRA website.

Information entered into eCMRA shall be 100% accurate

The COR shall query eCMRA to ensure information is entered and review a copy of the eCMRA information entered by the Contractor.

NA

Requirements / Objectives

The tasks listed above are to help the Contractor gain a better understanding of the requirements and are not all-inclusive. The Contractor is expected to develop a total solution in accordance with a performance-based approach.

3.0 Constraints

3.1 Software and Cloud Security Requirements: The Contractor shall:

3.1.1 Ensure all online resources, cloud-based services and instructional software meet the Department of Defense and DoDEA Cybersecurity requirements as defined below. Note: Software, cloud services and associated websites will be rigorously tested to ensure no security risks are posed to DoDEA infrastructure and its users.

3.1.2 Complete the Cloud Services questionnaire submitted as part of the proposal submission and provide copies of and/or access to any software in the proposed solution, if applicable.

3.1.3 Ensure Contractor content accessible from the web is compatible with the following browser platforms: Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome and Edge.

Ensure service comports with applicable DoD Security Technical

Implementation Guides (STIGs) available for review at https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/downloads/?_dl_facet_stigs=app-security%2Cbrowser-guidance. STIG Viewer available at https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/srg-stig-tools/.

3.1.4 Provide copies of all the proposed software, including browser extensions and desktop software, as part of the response.

3.1.5 Permit any provided on-premises software to be subject to static and dynamic analysis testing to ensure the software imposes no risk to DoDEA systems, users and/or data. DoDEA will assess software products to ensure compatibility with existing system configurations and software. Testing may include reverse engineering analysis. The Contractor shall provide a Plan of Actions &

Milestones (POA&M) to mitigate any DoDEA cybersecurity findings resulting from non-compliant and/or vulnerable components within 21 business days of notification from DoDEA.

3.1.6 Per DoD policy, cloud-based services will undergo a supplemental series of validations, which closely mirror the Federal Risk and Authorization Management

Program (FedRAMP) Internet Cloud vetting processes and include interviews and deep system architecture inspections with the Contractor.

3.2 Period and Place of Performance: Contract period is one base year and four option years, each 12-months in length. Work will be performed at the Contractor’s facilities.

3.3 Holidays and Hours of Operation: Contractor personnel shall be available during the hours of 9AM to 3PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), except for Federal holidays and Federal https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/downloads/?_dl_facet_stigs=app-security%2Cbrowser-guidance https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/downloads/?_dl_facet_stigs=app-security%2Cbrowser-guidance government closures/shutdowns. The following list shows all recognized Federal holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

Presidents Day Veterans Day

Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day

Independence Day Christmas Day

3.4 Key Functions

NA

3.5 Availability: The Contractor shall make resources available for the life of the contract.

3.6 Privacy—The Contractor shall:

3.5.1 User Accounts: Require, wherever applicable, that individual accounts possess unique usernames and passwords that do not require personally identifiable information

(PII)—first and last name and any other unique personal information—to access online content.

3.5.2 Contractor Personnel: Ensure personnel assigned to this contract take proper precautions to protect information from disclosure. All agency-owned or agency-controlled personally identifiable information shall be collected and/or stored in accordance with the relevant requirements of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C— http://www.archives.gov/about/laws/privacy-act-1974.html.

3.7 Section 508 Compliance—The Contractor shall ensure its resources meet the following requirements:

1) IT Requirement: Ensure all electronic hardware and soft-ware procured under this contract/purchase order comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 794d) and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers

Compliance Board Electronic Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility

Standards (36 CFR part 1194). Further information may be found at the following

URL: http://www.section508.gov.

2) Deliverable Requirement: Ensure outputs/deliverables do not adversely affect accessibility features of existing EIT technologies. Ensure EIT related to the requirements of the contract are accessible to people with disabilities, per 29 U.S.C

794(d). Ensure outputs/deliverables to include functional performance, information, documentation, and support requirements are considered. Standards from 36 CFR

Part 1194 Subpart B, C, and D apply to this acquisition.

3.8 Optical Character Resolution (OCR) Requirement—The Contractor shall provide, upon request, two digital OCR copies of print materials in one or more of the following formats:

▪ Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY)/National Instructional Materials

▪ Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) with cascading style sheet

▪ HyperText Markup Language (HTML)

▪ Portable Document Format (PDF), (unlocked, embedded fonts, single page)

▪ Rich Text Format (RTF)/Word document

4.0 Government-Furnished Resources

NA

5.0 Technical Specifications and Contract Deliverables

5.1 Technical Specifications

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

5.2 Contract Deliverables

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverables Frequency Medium/Format Submit To

Task 6, Meetings, PWS 2.2.4

PWS 2.2.4.2, Initial Conference:

Participate in a post-award video- or teleconference within five business days after award. Provide minutes in writing in a format acceptable to the

COR within two business days after the conference.

PWS 2.2.4.3, Other Meetings: As required by the COR. Provide minutes and medium as stated above.

Email as MS

Word/ Excel attachment.

COR

Task 1, New Teacher

Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.1

Provide as scheduled post-award Email notification COR

Task 2, Ad Hoc

Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.2

Provide as scheduled post-award Email notification COR

Task 3, Technical

Support, PWS 2.2.1

Ongoing after receipt of first delivery order.

N/A N/A

Task 4, Licenses /

Accreditation, PWS 2.2.2

Ongoing after the post-award conference N/A N/A

Task 5, Annual

Report, PWS 2.2.3 July 15 each year

Email as MS

Word/ Excel attachment.

COR

Task 7, eCMRA, PWS 2.3.1

Annually as required by the

Government CMRA website

COR

notification

6.0 Acronyms and Definitions

Acceptance of Services – Acceptance” means the act of an authorized representative of the Government by which the Government for itself or as agent of another (1) assumes ownership of existing identified supplies tendered or (2) approves specific services rendered as partial or complete performance of the contract. The term, conditional acceptance, means acceptance of supplies or services that do not conform to contract quality requirements or are otherwise incomplete, that the contractor is required to correct or otherwise complete by a specified date.

Applicable Program Interface (API)

Cisco Certified Network Associate Cybersecurity Operations (CCNA CyberOps)

College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS)

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) – Basic structural element in a procurement instrument describing and organizing the required product or service for pricing, delivery, inspection, acceptance, invoicing, and payment.

The use of the term “line item” includes “subcontract line number”, (SLIN), as applicable.

Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) – The Government’s formal process/format, normally tied into the

Government’s QASP (definition below), that notifies the contractor of and tracks any observed quality or performance discrepancy between the contractor’s performance and the quality/performance objectives of this

PWS. CDRs are formally written and tracked on any number of official documents/forms (e.g., DD Form 1772, DA Form 5479, etc.), and require timely responses from both the contractor and Government personnel to address/resolve.

Contracting Officer (KO) – The only individual with expressed authority to obligate (bind) the Government by means of entering, administering, and terminating contracts within the limits of authority delegated via a

Contracting Officer’s warrant.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – Qualified and trained Government employee, nominated by the requiring activity (RA) and appointed in writing by a KO primarily to perform specific technical or administrative functions on a specific contract(s); serves as the ‘eyes and ears’ of a KO to assure the

Government’s best interests are protected via the terms and conditions of the contract(s) appointed. COR’s do not have authority to obligate (i.e., bind) the Government.

Contract Specialist (CS) – Contracting career field professionals without the authority (i.e. not warranted) to enter into contracts on behalf the Government.

Contractor - Supplier or vendor having a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR)

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

Department of Defense (DoD or DOD)

Defective Service - A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the

Performance Work Statement.

Deliverable - Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as digital reports.

Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Subcontractor - One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. Note: The Government is not privy to the contract(s) with the subcontractor.

Technical Exhibit (TE)

7.0 Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

7.1 Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)

Objective 1, Professional Learning

Performance Standard and Related Task

AQL

Inspection

Method Incentives*

* Unless specified otherwise, possible ratings are as follows: exceptional, very good, satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory, per FAR 42.1503, Table 42-1, “Evaluation Ratings Definitions”.

Task 1, New Teacher Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Dates and times determined post-award

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 2, Ad Hoc Professional Learning, PWS 2.1.2

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Dates, times, and medium determined post-award

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL)

Objective 2, Technical Support, Licenses, and Reports

Task 3, General Technical

Support, PWS 2.2.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Ongoing, five business days after the post-award conference

Provide upgrades, maintenance, etc. per industry standards.

Respond to 95% of requests in the time specified in the PWS.

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 4, Licenses, PWS 2.2.2

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Two business days after receipt of a delivery order

100% compliance

COR inspection and stakeholder feedback

NA

Task 5, Reports, PWS 2.2.3

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Provided 15 July each year

100% compliance COR inspection NA

Task 6, Meetings, PWS 2.2.4

Zero deviation from the PWS.

Determined post-award

No more than one meeting per year will need to be rescheduled.

COR inspection NA

Performance Standards and Acceptable Quality Levels

Objective 3, eCMRA

Performance Standard and

Related Task AQL Inspection Method Incentives

Task 7, eCMRA, PWS 2.3.1

Zero deviation from the PWS.

During the required timeframe, per the eCMRA website.

Information entered into eCMRA shall be 100% accurate

The COR shall query eCMRA to ensure information is entered and review a copy of the eCMRA information entered provided by the Contractor.

7.2 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP):

The Government will utilize a QASP to monitor Contractor performance on the contract, which can change at any time during the life of the contract. As such, the Government reserves the right to unilaterally edit the QASP at its discretion. The QASP primarily (1) focuses on what the Government will do to ensure the Contractor has performed IAW the performance standards and (2) defines how the performance standards will be applied, frequency of surveillance, and minimum acceptable quality/performance.