HQ023618Q0001_PWS_4_Skill_English_Test,_PLTCE_20Sep17.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Introduction. The Government requires delivery of a criterion referenced, English four skills language proficiency test on behalf of the George C. Marshall Center (GCMC), Partner Language Training Center Europe (PLTCE). The test will be referred to as "STANAG 6001 BILC Advisory Test (BAT)"

1.2. Background. The Partner Language Training Center Europe was nominated by the United States and recognized by NATO in 2014 as a NATO Partner Training and Education Center (PTEC) as a means of deepening and widening the possibilities of practical military co-operation in language training and education between NATO partners and allied nations. As a Partnership training center, PLTCE contributes to collaboration among language training and educational institutions, while respecting their national and NATO character, and helps improve the quality of the activities offered and promote harmonization of programs. PLTCE's programs provide a full range of language training assets that, through NATO's overall education and training efforts, enhance military cooperation and interoperability which is a major objective of the Alliance and the U.S. In close cooperation with the Bureau for International Language Coordination (BILC), NATO's advisory body for language training and testing, PLTCE will assist NATO nations to re norm their national language tests to NATO standards.

1.3. Objective. The purpose of this contract is to obtain computer delivery of a criterion-referenced, English four language proficiency skills test (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) based on the NATO Standardized Agreement 6001 version 5; ATrainP-5, Edition A, Version 2. https://www.natobilc.org/files/ATrainP-5%20EDA%20V2%20E.pdf The objective is to improve NATO compliant language testing quality and to promote harmonization and standardization of language testing programs and results across the NATO alliance and its partnerships. Nation's participating will identify individuals tested with national testing instruments. These individuals will take the test ordered by this contract. The results of this "STANAG 6001 BILC Advisory Test (BAT)" will be used by the nations to calibrate their national tests.

1.4. Scope.

1.4.1. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform program assistance services as outlined in this performance work statement, except for those items specified as Government-furnished property and services.

1.4.2. The Contractor shall not make any determinations of Federal program priorities for budget requests, nor budget policy, guidance and strategy as these are considered Inherently Governmental Functions under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 7.5. The Contractor is prohibited from providing direction to another contractor or performing any Inherently Governmental Functions under this contract.

1.5. Period of Performance. As specified in the contract schedule.

1.6. Performance Location

1.6.1. Contractor will perform work at contractor's work site and Garmisch, Germany for NATO rater training sessions.

1.7. Standards of Conduct.

1.7.1. The contractor shall present a neat, well-groomed, professional appearance at all times.

Wearing of denim jeans is not permitted, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

1.7.2. The contractor shall conduct himself/herself in an efficient and professional manner consistent with GCMC business standards. The contractor shall interact with the GCMC staff in a courteous, polite, and professional manner at all times.

1.7.3. Alcohol/Drug use in the workplace will not be tolerated. Any contractor found to be under the influence of, consuming, or using alcohol or drugs while on duty will be subject to administrative action from the Contracting Officer, which may include termination of this contract.

1.7.4. The Contractor shall immediately remove from the site any individual whose continued employment is deemed by the Contracting Officer to be contrary to the public interest or inconsistent with the best interests of National Security. The removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement to provide sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this PWS. The Government shall not reimburse the Contractor for any expenses associated with the removal of personnel.

1.7.5. Identification of Contractor Employees.

1.7.5.1. The contractor shall provide each employee with an identification (ID) badge made of nonmetallic material, easily readable and including employee's name, contractor's name, functional area of assignment, and recent color photograph of the employee. The GCMC may provide an identification badge for contractors that do not have this capability.

1.7.5.2. Display of ID Badges. Contractor personnel shall wear the ID badge at all times when performing work under this contract at a Government site, including while attending Government meetings and conferences that may take place outside the Government facility.

Unless otherwise specified in the contract, each contractor employee shall wear the ID badge in a conspicuous place on the front of exterior clothing and above the waist except when safety or health reasons prohibit such placement.

1.7.6. Answering Telephones. Contractor personnel shall identify themselves as a contractor employee when answering Government telephones.

1.7.7. Utilizing Electronic Mail. When contractor personnel send e-mail messages as a part of contract performance (or otherwise relating to contract matters), each sender shall include his/her name (both first and last names), and identify themselves clearly as a contractor or contractor personnel.

1.7.8. Services in Germany. Contractors performing services in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) shall comply with German law. The Contractor shall determine whether performance requires registration with German authorities or authorization to do business in Germany and, if so, shall comply with all requirements. Whether or not registration or authorization to do business is required, the Contractor also shall determine what documents or authorization its employees and any subcontractor employees must possess to work in Germany. The Contractor shall ensure affirmatively that its employees and subcontractor employees possess such documents or authorizations. By acceptance of and performance under this contract and any task orders or delivery orders issued hereunder, the Contractor affirms that it has complied with the requirements above. Compliance with German law is a material contract requirement.

Noncompliance by the Contractor or Subcontractor at any tier shall be grounds for issuing a negative past performance evaluation and terminating this contract, task order, or delivery order for cause.

1.7.9. Responsibility to Host Nation. This is a non-personal service contract with an individual acting as an independent contractor. As such, the contractor is not an employee of the U.S.

Government and it is solely the contractor’s responsibility to determine his/her reporting and payment responsibilities under Host Nation tax and labor laws. Status as a member of the U.S.

Forces under the NATO SOFA Supplementary Agreement does not in itself relieve the contractor of responsibilities under Host Nation laws. Contractor should consult appropriate authorities and advisors on these matters. Department of Defense military and civilian personnel will not provide advice in these matters. Contractor shall hold harmless the U.S. Government for any liability that may arise from the contractor’s noncompliance with Host Nation laws.

1.8. Physical Security. The contractor shall safeguard all Government property in the work area.

All offices, buildings, equipment, and materiel shall be secured when not occupied.

1.8.1. Key Control. The contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all keys issued to him/her by the Government are neither lost, misplaced, nor used by unauthorized personnel. The contractor shall report the loss of key(s) as soon as the loss is discovered, but in any event, not later than the Government’s next scheduled workday.

1.9. Installation Access. The contractor will be authorized and may obtain an Installation Pass for Sheridan Kaserne and Artillery Kaserne Garmisch, from the local U.S. Army Garrison-Garmisch Administrative Office.

1.9.1. In order to be able to obtain the Installation Pass, the contractor shall submit a Polizeiliches Führungszeunis (Good Conduct Certificate) to the COR annually, except DoD issued CAC card holders or those with SOFA status. Additional background checks may be conducted by the Government in order to receive an Installation Pass.

1.9.2. The contractor must possess and present the following identification and permits as indicated:

1.9.2.1. German citizens: a clear copy of their Ausweis (German ID Card) or passport showing their picture and full name.

1.9.2.2. Citizens of the European Union (EU) – member countries other than Germany: a clear copy of their Aufenhaltsgenehmigung (Residence Permit).

1.9.2.3. Non-U.S.-ID Cardholders and other citizens of non-EU-member countries: a clear copy of their Arbeitserlaubnis (German Work Permit) and country ID card or passport showing their picture, full name, country of issue, and nationality.

1.9.2.4. U.S. ID Cardholders: a clear copy of the front of their ID Card. U.S.-ID cardholders do not need an Aufenthaltsgenehmigung or Arbeitserlaubnis.

1.10. Contractor Training. Reserved.

1.11. Logistical Support. The Government is not responsible for providing logistical support such as housing, transportation, meals, and incidentals for any Contractor employees performing under this contract.

1.12. Data Rights. The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government-owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used for or sold by the Contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.13. Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The Government will identify a COR by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: ensure the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the KO and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property; and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates, or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.14. Quality Control Plan (QCP). The Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain a QCP and program to ensure all work described in this contract is performed at or above the standard defined in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The QCP is developed by the contractor for its internal use to ensure that it performs and delivers high-quality service. The contractor’s QCP is the means by which the contractor ensures all work complies with the requirements of the contract. The QCP identifies and corrects potential and actual problem areas throughout the entire scope of the contract.

1.15. Quality Assurance. The role of the Government in quality assurance is to ensure contract standards are achieved. The purpose of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is to identify the methods and procedures the government will use to evaluate contractor actions while performing the requirements in the PWS. It is designed to provide an effective surveillance method by monitoring contractor performance for each listed performance objective in the Performance Requirements Summary. The Government will monitor the contractor's performance under this contract using the surveillance methods identified in the QASP. The contractor will be given the opportunity to correct or address any adverse findings resulting from the Government’s surveillance consistent with the Inspection/Acceptance clause in the contract.

Failure to correct any adverse findings or failure to deliver all services described in this contract may result in non-acceptance of the services by the Government.

1.15.1. Performance Requirements Summary. The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success and are as shown in Attachment 1 of the PWS.

1.15.2. Performance Evaluation. Performance of a service will be evaluated to determine whether or not it meets the performance threshold. Re-performance at no cost to the Government is the preferred method of correcting any unacceptable performance. The contractor shall provide the Government written response why the performance threshold was not met, how performance will be returned to acceptable levels, and how recurrence of the cause will be prevented in the future. For fixed price contracts, the Government pays for results only. In this case, failure to meet a standard or meet any other contractual requirement constitutes breach of contract. The Government is entitled to consideration from the Contractor for failure to meet contract requirements.

1.15.3. Roles and Responsibilities of Participating Government Officials.

1.15.3.1. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be responsible for monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting on the technical performance of the contractor on a day-to-day basis. The COR will have primary responsibility for completing “Quality Assurance Surveillance Forms” to document their inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance.

1.15.3.2. The Contracting Officer or designee has overall responsibility for evaluating the contractor’s performance. The Contracting Officer will review the COR’s evaluation of the contractor’s performance.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. Definitions:

2.1.1. Contractor. The total contractor organization or a separate entity of it; such as an affiliate or employee.

2.1.2. Contracting officer (KO). A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.

2.1.3. Contracting officer’s representative (COR). An individual designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

2.1.4. Defective Service. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. Deliverable. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. Key Personnel. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor, an offer may be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. Performance Work Statement (PWS). A description of the required results in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes.

2.1.8. Physical Security. Protection of the perimeter area, government property, and assets that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.9. Quality Assurance. The various functions, including inspection, performed by the Government to determine whether a contractor has fulfilled the contract obligations pertaining to quality and quantity.

2.1.10. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). A plan describing how the Government will survey, observe, test, sample, evaluate and document the contractor’s performance in meeting critical performance standards identified in the contract.

2.1.11. Quality Control (QC). Tasks performed by the contractor to improve the quality of the organization’s output.

2.1.12. Shall. Imperative.

2.1.13. Subcontractor. Any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.

2.1.12. Work Day. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. Work Week. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2 Acronyms:

CLIN Contract Line Item Number CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative DOD Department of Defense DODD Department of Defense Directive DODI Department of Defense Instruction FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation IT Information Technology JTR Joint Travel Regulation KO Contracting Officer OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (GFE), GOVERNMENT FURNISHED

PROPERTY (GFP), AND GOVERNMENT FURNISHED SERVICES (GFS)

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services. None.

3.2 Facilities. The Government will provide a venue to support the NATO rater training sessions.

3.3 Utilities. None.

3.4 Equipment. None.

3.5 Materials. None.

3.6 Common Access Cards (CAC). None.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Part 3 of this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5.0. Non-Personal Services Statement. Contractor employees performing services under this order shall be controlled, directed, and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Contractor management shall ensure that employees properly comply with the performance work standards outlined in the PWS. Contractor employees shall perform their duties independent of, and without the supervision of, any Government official. The tasks, duties, and responsibilities set forth in the contract may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the United States Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee, or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The Government will control access to the facility and will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

5.1. Specific Tasks.

5.1.1 Deliver 210 criterion-referenced, four-skill English language proficiency tests (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) with ratings in accordance with the NATO Standardized Agreement 6001 version 5. PLTCE will apportion numbers of tests to nations.

5.1.2. Deliver the listening test on line and automatically rate results.

5.1.3. Deliver the reading test on line and automatically rate results.

5.1.4. Deliver the speaking test prompts and record results on line and administer ratings by human specialists.

5.1.5. Deliver the writing test prompts and record results on line and administer ratings by human specialists.

5.1.6 Deliver a rater certification program for up to 20 NATO/partner individuals identified by PLTCE to perform as the human rating specialists. There shall be 2 separate training sessions to be held in Garmisch, Germany. Each training session shall consist of 5 days of instruction for up to 10 NATO/partner individuals. Within 30 days of PLTCE COR identifying rater candidates, training shall be delivered by a certified rating trainer.

5.1.7 Analyze results after tests are completed.

5.1.7.1 Compare ratings from these administered tests with the ratings assigned by each nation's tests.

5.1.7.2 Compare nations' ratings with each other.

5.1.7.3 Analyze the interrater reliability of the human raters.

5.1.8. Base year estimated milestone schedule for planning. This schedule shall not be construed as a commitment by the United States Government.

Jan-Mar 2018. Raters identified and training commencement.

April- July 2018. Four skill test delivery.

July-August 2018. Completion of analysis and summary.

5.2. Personnel Qualifications.

5.2.1. General Qualifications. The Contractor shall be responsible for employing technically qualified personnel to perform the work specified in this PWS. The Contractor shall maintain the personnel, organization, and administrative control necessary to ensure that the work delivered meets the contract specifications and requirements. The work history of each contractor employee must contain experience directly related to the task and functions he/she is intended to perform under this contract. The Government reserves the right, during the life of the resulting contract, to request work histories on any contractor employee for the purposes of verifying compliance with the above requirements; additionally, the Government reserves the right to review resumes of contractor personnel proposed to be assigned. Personnel assigned to, or utilized by, the Contractor in performance of work shall be fully capable of performing the requirements contained in the PWS in an efficient, reliable, and professional manner.

5.2 Enterprise-Wide Contractor Manpower Reporting (eCMRA): The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract. The Contractor shall input the data into the Defense eCMRA reporting tool, which can be accessed via a secure web site: http://www.ecmra.mil/.

While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year. If contract period of performance ends prior to September 30, the contractor has 30 business days from end date of the contract to complete the eCMRA requirement. The contractor shall enter initial data into eCMRA to establish the basic contract record no later than 15 business days after receipt of contract award. The contractor shall notify the COR when the basic contract record has been established in the appropriate eCMRA tool.

Contractors may direct questions to the help desk by clicking on the “Send an email” which is located under the Help Resources ribbon on the right side of the login page of the applicable Service/Component’s CMR website.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS.

The Contractor shall abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement JTR Joint Travel Regulation AR 735-5 Policies and Procedures for Property Accountability DODD 8570.01 Information Assurance Training Certification and Workforce Management AER 190-16 Installation Access Control System AER 27-715 Contractor Identification

PART 7

ATTACHMENT LISTING

7. Attachment Listing.

7.1. Attachment 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2 Attachment 2 – Deliverables Schedule

ATTACHMENT 1

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS)

This summary identifies critical success factors for the contract. It identifies both the performance objectives for those factors and the performance threshold required for each performance objective. The Government reserves the right to surveil all services called for in the contract to determine whether or not the performance objectives and goals were met.

The absence of any contract requirement from the PRS shall not detract from its enforceability nor limit the rights or remedies of the Government under any other provision of the contract including the clauses entitled “Termination for Cause” and “Inspection/Acceptance”.

The PRS will be used by the Government as the baseline to develop a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP will identify the surveillance methods the Government will use to evaluate the contractor’s performance. Methods of surveillance may change after contract award based on, but not limited to: acceptance of a contractor QC plan; a partnering agreement which established the metrics to be used; Contractor performance. Surveillance methods may include: Random Sampling, 100 Percent Inspection, Periodic Surveillance, Customer Feedback, or any combination of the methods.

Performance Objective Standard Performance

Threshold Method of

Surveillance

PRS # 1 Deliver a rater certification program for up to 20 individuals identified by PLTCE to perform as the human rating specialists.

Rater certification program is delivered by contractor staff which demonstrates reasonable and cooperative behavior, a commitment to customer satisfaction, and a concern for the interest of the customer.

100% of the time

Random Sampling, Customer feedback.

PRS # 2. Deliver two hundred and ten four-skill language proficiency tests

Test are delivered with a commitment to customer satisfaction, and a concern for the interest of the customer.

100% of the time.

Random Sampling, Customer feedback.

ATTACHMENT 2

Deliverables Schedule

All deliverables produced under this contract shall be provided to the COR, unless specified otherwise, in formats compatible with existing Government programs and systems. The following products shall be produced by the Contractor during all performance periods unless otherwise specified in writing by the Government.

PWS Section Deliverable/ Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format 5.1.7

Analyze results after tests are completed.

As requested by the COR.

Three times after each third of the test volume is delivered and rated.

Electronically/ Online.

5.1.7.1

Compare ratings from these administered tests with the ratings assigned by each nation's tests.

As requested by the COR.

Three times after approximately each third of the test volume is delivered and rated.

Electronically/

5.1.7.2

Compare nations' ratings with each other.

As requested by the COR.

Three times after approximately each third of the test volume is delivered and rated.

Electronically/

5.1.7.3

Analyze the interrater reliability of the human raters.

As requested by the COR.

Three times after approximately each third of the test volume is delivered and rated.

Electronically/

5.1

All recorded voice interviews and written responses.

After Test Completion.

1 Electronically/