Credit Recommendation Services PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement

Credit Recommendation Services

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Security Training Directorate

July 24, 2024

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Performance Work Statement Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

Security Training Directorate Credit Recommendation Services

Part 1

General Information

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide Credit Recommendation Services to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, Security Training Directorate. 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 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 provide security education and training to the Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. Government personnel, employees of U.S. Government contractors, and when sponsored by authorized DoD Components, employees of foreign governments. DCSA offers Security Professional Education Development (SPēD) Certification for security professionals; professional leadership courses for senior leaders in the 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 Contractor shall accomplish 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: The period of performance shall be for a one (1) Base Year of 12-months and four (4) 12-month option years. The Period of Performance reads as following:

• Base Year: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

• Option Year 1: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

• Option Year 2: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

• Option Year 3: January 1, 2028 – December 31, 2028

• Option Year 4: January 1, 2029 – December 31, 2029

1.6. General Information:

1.6.1. Quality Control: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program, including a Quality Control Plan (QCP), to ensure services are performed in accordance with this performance work statement. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, Version October 2023 Page 3 of 15 prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP is to be delivered, i.e., within 30 days after contract award or with the Contractors proposal if it is an evaluation factor, three copies of a comprehensive written QC. After acceptance of the quality control plan the Contractor shall receive the Contracting Officer (KO)’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his quality control system.

1.6.2. Quality Assurance: The Government shall evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). 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).

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

1.6.3.1. DCSA 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.

1.6.3.2. The Government expects the Contractor will establish normal operating hours under this contract between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 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.

1.6.3.3. 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* Juneteenth National Independence Day June 19* 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.

1.6.3.4. 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

• 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

Version October 2023 Page 4 of 15 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.

1.6.3.5. 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.

1.6.3.6. 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 KO or COR.

1.6.3.7. If Government personnel are unavailable due to furlough or any other reason, the Contractor must contact the KO 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:

1.6.3.7.1. 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.

1.6.3.7.2. 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.

1.6.3.8. It is understood and agreed between the Government and the Contractor that in the event Contractor personnel wish to attend DCSA social events, such as the annual picnic, holiday parties, etc., they must coordinate 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 DCSA social event.

1.6.4. Hours of Operation: The Contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET) Monday through 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 performance work statement 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 in Linthicum, MD and Slippery Rock, PA.

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1.6.6. Type of Contract: The Government will award a Firm-Fixed-Price.

1.6.7. In the absence of Secret clearance, all Contractor personnel accessing DCSA information systems will sign appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreements at time of the proposal submission and must maintain the level of security required for the life of the contract.

1.6.7.1. Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government equipment, information and property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, Government materials shall be secured.

1.6.7.1.1. In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the KO, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.6.7.1.2. The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the KO.

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 FAR subpart 42.5. The KO, COR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings, the KO 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’s Representative: The COR will be identified by a separate, appointment 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 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.

1.6.10. Monthly Status Report: The Contractor shall provide a monthly status report electronically to the COR no later than the 5th of each subsequent month unless the 5th falls on a holiday or a weekend, the report is due the next business day. 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

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1.6.11. 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.

1.6.12. Contractor Travel: Travel is not expected to exceed $26,000.00 per annual review. Contractor will be required to travel CONUS and within the Northern Capital Region (NCR) during the performance of this contract to attend meetings, conferences, and training. The Contractor may be required to travel to off-site training locations and to ship training aids to these locations in support of this performance work statement. Reimbursement of transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses are allowable subject to the limitations contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-46 and the limitation of funds specified in this contract. All travel requires Government approval/authorization and notification to the COR.

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 KO, 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 KO for final approval prior to commencement of travel.

1.6.13. 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 KO 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 KO to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the KO and in the event the KO unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the KO 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.

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Part 2 Definitions and Acronyms

2. Definitions and Acronyms:

2.1. Definitions:

2.1.1. Contractor. An offeror, 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. 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 performance work statement. 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. Physical Security. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. Quality Assurance. The Government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.10. Quality Control. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. Subcontractor. One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the Subcontractor.

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

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

2.2. Acronyms:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative CDSE Center for Development of Security Excellence

CFR Code of Federal Regulations CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf DCSA Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency 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 HIPPA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs PIPO Phase In/Phase Out 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 SPēD Security Professional Education Development ST Security Training Directorate TE Technical Exhibit

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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 and/or virtual visits.

3.2. Facilities: The Government will provide workspace for curriculum reviewers during the annual review at DCSA locations in Linthicum, MD and/or Slippery Rock, PA. Otherwise, annual reviews will be held virtually.

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 in Linthicum, MD and/or Slippery Rock, PA. 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 locations in Linthicum, MD and/or Slippery Rock, PA. Equipment listed would be if there is an onsite visit only. No equipment is provided otherwise-except they are given temporary access to Learning Management System (LMS) and Security Training, Education, and Professionalization Portal (STEPP).

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

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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 performance work statement.

4.2. 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.

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Part 5 Specific Tasks

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services: The Contractor shall provide services for conducting 26-100 peer-reviewed course evaluations to recommend college credits for undergraduate and graduate-level recognized by colleges and universities nationwide.

5.2. Tasks: For each review, the Contractor shall provide the following services for each of the 26-100 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 two reviewers per course to evaluate the courses. Each review period is not expected to take one day onsite.

• Prepare and send an official team roster to 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. Reports: Background Investigations Training requires accreditation and transcripts for two courses taught at the DCSA location Slippery Rock, PA. These course reviews will begin in Option Period Two (January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027) through Option Period Four (January 1, 2029 – December 31, 2029.

5.4. ACE-Credly Digital Badging:

• CDSE will have access to an unlimited number of ACE-endorsed Credentials using a no-fee terms agreement with the Credly Service.

• Credly Service will provide onboarding workshop to include-up to 4 hours of workshop-style virtual training.

• Advise issuer in developing Credential system and taxonomy.

• Provide feedback to issuer for alignment with best practices and guidelines.

• Train program administrators and Users on using the Credly System.

• One Credential template developed in collaboration with Credly (up to two design feedback cycles) per ACE-endorsed credential.

• Assigned Customer Success Manager.

• 1-2 annual check-ins.

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Part 6 Applicable Publications

6. Applicable Publications (Current Editions):

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

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

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Part 7 Technical Exhibit Listing

7. Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

7.3. Technical Exhibit 3 – Estimated Workload Data

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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.

Performance Objective

(The Service required—usually a shall statement)

Standard

Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of

Surveillance

PRS # 1.

Monthly Status Report. PWS Section 1.6.10.

Monthly Report is thorough, accurate, complete and accepted.

99.5% accuracy with one correction/rewrite.

100% inspection of deliverables.

PRS # 2.

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

PWS Section 5.1 - 5.2.

The Contractor provided upon request of DCSA.

99.5% COR verification, periodic inspection.

PRS # 3.

Final Report PWS Section 5.3.

Final Report contains required information and is accurate, complete and accepted in accordance with their review.

95% accuracy and completeness with first draft.

100% accuracy with one correction/rewrite.

100% inspection of deliverables.

PRS # 4.

Unlimited number of ACE-endorsed credentials on Credly service.

PWS Section 5.4.

Provides upon the request of DCSA. 99.5% COR verification, periodic inspection.

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Technical Exhibit 2: Deliverables Schedule

DELIVERABLE FREQUENCY # OF COPIES MEDIUM/ FORMAT SUBMIT TO

Monthly Status Report

PWS Section 1.6.10.

Report shall be delivered by the 5th of each month. If the 5th falls on a weekend or a holiday, then report is due on the next business day.

One original provided in digital format.

The report shall be provided in digital format utilizing Microsoft Office and other applicable programs.

POC

Briana.D.Dugan.civ @mail.mil

COR

Christine.a.bok.civ @mail.mil

Course Review Report

PWS Section 5.2.

Report shall be delivered 30 business days of the completion of the review.

One original provided in digital format.

The report shall be provided in digital format utilizing Microsoft Office and other applicable programs.

POC

Briana.D.Dugan.civ @mail.miail.mil

COR

Christine.a.bok.civ @mail.mil mailto:Briana.D.Dugan.civ@mail.mil mailto:Briana.D.Dugan.civ@mail.mil mailto:Christine.a.bok.civ@mail.mil mailto:Christine.a.bok.civ@mail.mil mailto:Briana.D.Dugan.civ@mail.miail.mil mailto:Briana.D.Dugan.civ@mail.miail.mil mailto:Christine.a.bok.civ@mail.mil mailto:Christine.a.bok.civ@mail.mil