PWS v4.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Credit Recommendation Services American Council on Education

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to provide credit recommendation services to the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) and National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) now the Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency (DCSA). The Government shall not exercise direct supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and services necessary to perform credit recommendation services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2. Background: The DCSA provides security education and training to the Department of Defense and other U.S.

Government personnel, employees of U.S. Government contractors, and when sponsored by authorized DoD Components, employees of foreign governments. The DCSA offers Security Professional Education Development (SPēD) Certification for security professionals; professional leadership courses for senior leaders in the Department of Defense (DoD) security community; a variety of newly developed instructor-led security courses and eLearning courses;

a virtual training environment; career development consultation and job aids and resources.

1.3. Objectives: Provide college and or university equivalent transfer credit recommendations for individuals with successful course completion.

1.4. Scope: The scope of this contract is to provide college credit recommendations for undergraduate and graduate-level courses which will be recognized by colleges and universities nationwide and which will allow DCSA students to seek transfer credits at colleges and universities for completing DCSA courses.

1.5. Period of Performance: See Section F of the Solicitation document.

1.6. General Information:

1.6.1. Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.2. On-Site Working Conditions, Holidays and other Closures:

(a) DSS facilities are smoking restricted workplaces. Due to the nature of the work, facilities, and requirements, contractor staff may only smoke outside in designated smoking areas.

(b) The government expects the contractor will establish normal operating hours under this contract between 8:00 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. The contractor’s Program Manager (PM) and the governments contracting officer’s representative (COR) shall consult and coordinate on any proposed alternate work schedules that may be arranged depending on the operational tempo/needs of the mission.

(c) Government personnel observe the following days as holidays and the Government facilities will be closed and unavailable to contractor personnel on the following days:

New Year’s Day January 1st*

Martin Luther King’s Birthday Third Monday in January President’s Day Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Independence Day July 4th* Labor Day First Monday in September

Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day November 11th* Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25th*

*If the date falls on a Saturday, the Government holiday is the preceding Friday. If the date falls on a Sunday, the Government holiday is the following Monday.

(d) In addition to the days designated as holidays, the Government observes the following days:

• Any other day designated by Federal Statute

• Any other day designated by Executive Order

• Presidential Inauguration Day*

• Any other day designated by the President’s Proclamation

*Government personnel in the Washington, DC, area are entitled to a holiday on the day a President is inaugurated (January 20 following a Presidential election). Government personnel are entitled to this holiday if they are employed in-

The District of Columbia;

Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland;

Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia; and The cities of Alexandria and Falls Church in Virginia.

When Inauguration Day is moved to January 21st because January 20th falls on Sunday, Government personnel in the Washington, DC, area who would otherwise work on Monday, January 21st, are entitled to a holiday on that day.

(e) It is understood and agreed between the Government and the Contractor that observance of such days by Government personnel shall not otherwise be a reason for an additional period of performance, or entitlement of compensation except as set forth within the contract. In the event the Contractor's personnel work during the holiday, they may be reimbursed by the Contractor, however, no form of holiday or other premium compensation will be reimbursed either as a direct or indirect cost, other than their normal compensation for the time worked.

(f) When the Federal, State, Local or other Governmental entity grants excused absence to its employees, assigned Contractor personnel may also be dismissed. The Contractor agrees to continue to provide sufficient personnel to perform critical tasks already in operation or scheduled, and must be guided by the instructions issued by the Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

(g) If Government personnel are unavailable due to furlough or any other reason, the Contractor must contact the CO or the COR to receive direction. It is the Government's decision as to whether the contract price/cost will be affected.

Generally, the following situations apply:

(1) Contractor personnel who are able to continue contract performance (either on-site or at a site other than their normal workstation), must continue to work and the contract price shall not be reduced or increased.

(2) Contractor personnel who are not able to continue contract performance (e.g., support functions) may be asked to cease their work effort. This may result in a reduction to the contract.

(h) It is understood and agreed between the Government and the Contractor that in the event contractor personnel wish to attend DSS social events, such as the annual picnic, holiday parties, etc., they must co- ordinate their work schedules with the COR and obtain approval of their company’s supervisor prior to the event. The Government is not responsible for reimbursing any expenses to the contractor for attending any DSS social event.

1.6.3. Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 8AM to 4PM Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5. Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the contractor’s site and DCSA locations, CDSE in Linthicum, MD and NBIB National Training Center (NTC), Slippery Rock, PA.

1.6.6. Type of Contract: The government intends to award Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract.

1.6.7. Security Clearance: Contractor will require Secret clearance to access DCSA information systems and to analyze, discuss, and advise on challenges, opportunities, and initiatives related to implementing the mission of

DCSA.

1.6.7.1. Facility Clearance. There is no requirement for the Contractor to possess or maintain a facility clearance.

1.6.7.2. PHYSICAL Security. The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use.

1.6.8. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.9. Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified 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: assure that 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 Contracting Officer 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.

1.6.10. Monthly Status Report: The Contractor shall provide a monthly status report electronically to the COR no later than the 5th of each subsequent month. This report shall summarize the activities performed by the Contractor in support of this contract; specifically, the report shall include outline tasks accomplished, meetings attended, problems encountered, mitigation strategies, risks and any other relevant performance information.

1.6.11. Contractor Manpower Reporting: The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the Defense Security Service via a secure data collection site. The contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.ecmra.mil/. Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year, beginning with 2020. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk at: http://www.ecmra.mil.

1.6.12. Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.13. Contractor Travel: All travel within 100 miles of the National Capital Region is included in the price of this contract. When movement of contractor personnel is required locally (i.e., Metro) costs will be borne by the contractor.

The Government will reimburse the contractor for all other travel outside the 100 mile limitation that was authorized in advance by the COR, for reasonable travel related expenses. The contractor shall be reimbursed for actual allowable, allocable, and reasonable travel costs incurred during performance of this effort in accordance with the FAR 31.205-46 "Travel Costs." Requests for approval of costs in excess of maximum per diem rates in accordance with the procedures contained in FAR 31.205-46(a)(3) must be submitted to the COR for final approval prior to commencement of travel.

Travel is not expected to exceed $11,000.00 per annual review.

1.6.14. Other Direct Costs: N/A

1.6.15. Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart

9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

http://www.ecmra.mil/ http://www.ecmra.mil/

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

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 by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. LOCAL TRAVEL. Local travel, including to and from DSS headquarters and in the surrounding metropolitan DC area (as defined by DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4515.14, June 28, 2013) and travel between DCSA field offices within the same city, performed during the course of performance is considered the cost of doing business and is not reimbursed.

2.1.8. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.10. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.11. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.12. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.13. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.14. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative CFR Code of Federal Regulations CO Contracting Officer CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report) DD254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center DOD Department of Defense DCSA Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 NBIB National Background Investigations Bureau NTC National Training Center OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TE Technical Exhibit

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will provide a point of contact who will assist with monitoring the contract and assist with organizing the onsite visits.

3.2. Facilities: The Government will provide workspace for curriculum reviewers during the annual review at DCSA (CDSE in Linthicum, MD and NTC, Slippery Rock, PA) site locations.

3.3. Utilities: The Government will provide basic utilities, such as toilets, sinks, etc. to the Contractor only during annual reviews at DCSA site locations. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

3.4. Equipment: The Government will provide computers, printers, copy machines and telephones only during the annual review at DCSA (CDSE in Linthicum, MD and NTC, Slippery Rock, PA) site locations.

3.5. Materials: The Government will provide hard and electronic copies of curriculum materials being evaluated.

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 Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2. Facility Clearance: All contractors present for annual reviews at DCSA must be United States Citizens. In addition, all contractors must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with DCSA prior to work commencing.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services: The contractor shall provide services for conducting 74 peer-reviewed course evaluations to recommend college credits for undergraduate and graduate-level recognized by colleges and universities nationwide.

5.2. Task Heading: For each review, the contractor shall provide the following services for each of the 74 peer-reviewed course evaluations. The courses will be chosen by DCSA and communicated to the contractor no later than 60 days prior to the annual review:

• Select an evaluation team led by one national coordinator and up to six reviewers to evaluate the courses. Each review period is not expected to take one day onsite.

• Prepare and send an official team roster to the DCSA for distribution of review materials and logistical information pertaining to the review.

• Present a verbal preliminary report of the ACE CREDIT evaluation results to DCSA at the conclusion of the visit.

• Provide the organization with a copy of a course review report prior to publication in the National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training (www.acenet.edu/nationalguide).

• Publish the official results, course review report and ACE CREDIT recommendation in the National Guide thirty (30) days after the review and receipt of signed National Guide approval form.

5.3. The National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) requires accreditation and transcripts for two courses taught at the National Training Center (NTC). The NBIB requirement will consist of a six (6) month base period of performance, beginning July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Option Period One will begin January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

http://www.acenet.edu/nationalguide

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

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

Citation will include nomenclature, number and date.

• United States Code, Title 42, Chapter 126, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 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.

PWS Section

Task

Performance

Standard

Acceptable Quality

Levels

Method of

Surveillance

1.6.10

Monthly Status Report

Report shall be delivered by the 5th of each month.

Reports shall be complete and delivered on time.

COR verification, periodic inspection as defined by the QASP.

5. - 5.3

The contractor shall provide college credit recommendations for all requested DCSA courses.

Upon request of DCSA

99.5%

COR verification, periodic inspection as defined by the QASP.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

PWS

Section

Deliverables Schedule

1.6.10

Monthly Status Report

Report shall be delivered by the 5th of each month.

5.1.

The contractor shall provide services for conducting 74 peer-reviewed course evaluations to recommend college credits for undergraduate and graduate-level recognized by colleges and universities nationwide.

As required by DCSA.

5.2.

For each review, the contractor shall provide the following services for each of the 74 peer-reviewed course evaluations. The courses will be chosen by DCSA and communicated to the contractor no later than 60 days prior to the annual review:

Select an evaluation team led by one national coordinator and up to six reviewers to evaluate the courses. Each review period is not expected to take one day onsite;

Prepare and send an official team roster to the DCSA for distribution of review materials and logistical information pertaining to the review;

Present a verbal preliminary report of the ACE CREDIT evaluation results to DCSA at the conclusion of the visit;

Provide the organization with a copy of a course review report prior to publication in the National Guide to College Credit for Workforce Training (www.acenet.edu/nationalguide);

Publish the official results, course review report and ACE CREDIT recommendation in the National Guide thirty (30) days after the review and receipt of signed National Guide approval form.

5.3 NBIB requires accreditation and transcripts for two courses taught at the NTC.

http://www.acenet.edu/nationalguide

Task