PWS SAR Consulting FINAL.doc

CONTRACTOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD OFFICE OF SEARCH AND RESCUE

TASK ORDER

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 GENERAL.

1.1 SCOPE.

The purpose of this work statement is to obtain on-site Contractor project management support services for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Office of Search and Rescue (CG-5342). The Contractor shall provide analysis, Subject Matter Expertise, recommendations and support on matters relating to civil Search and Rescue (SAR).

1.2 BACKGROUND.

CG-534 is the designation for the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Search and Rescue (SAR) Program Office. CG-534 Office Chief and Staff are responsible for the Coast Guard’s SAR budget, planning, policies, training, research and development, and national and international SAR coordination and leadership. The Office also is directly involved in two major SAR programs that support SAR operations worldwide: a satellite system called Cospas-Sarsat that relays alerts from persons in distress to the SAR system; and Amver, a ship reporting system for SAR that enables voluntary participation of commercial ships as SAR resources.

CG 5342 requires ongoing support for USCG, inter-agency and international SAR-related initiatives as described in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) to achieve the quality and quantity of work that these initiatives require. Because of the complexity and scope of the work, related political sensitivities, background knowledge and feasibility assessments required, and practical considerations, this advisory and support work requires substantial experience and subject matter expertise.

The Contractor could be called upon to support any of these activities and should be familiar with them, but the main focus of the contractor’s work will be related to support of interagency and international liaison efforts as an advisor and writer.

1.3 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.

1.3.1 Team Lead. The Contractor shall provide a Team Lead who shall be responsible for all Contractor work performed under this task order. The Team Lead is further designated as Key by the Government (see PWS 1.4).

1.3.1.1 The Team Lead shall be a single point of contact for the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). It is anticipated that the Team Lead shall be one of the senior level employees provided by the Contractor for this work effort. The name of Team Lead, and the name(s) of any alternate(s) who shall act for the Contractor in the absence of the Team Lead, shall be provided to the Government as part of the Contractor's proposal.

1.3.1.2 The Team Lead shall be available to the COTR via telephone between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday, and shall respond to a request for discussion or resolution of technical problems within 24 hours of notification.

1.3.2 Qualified Personnel. The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all requirements specified in this work statement.

1.3.3 Employee Identification. Contractor employees visiting Government facilities shall wear an identification badge that, at minimum, displays the Contractor name, the employee’s photo, name, clearance-level, and badge expiration date. Visiting Contractor employees shall comply with all Government escort rules and requirements. All Contractor employees shall identify themselves as Contractors when their status is not readily apparent and display all identification and visitor badges in plain view above the waist at all times.

1.3.3.1 Contractor employees working on-site at Government facilities shall wear an identification badge.

All Contractor employees shall identify themselves as Contractors when their status is not readily apparent and display the identification badge in plain view above the waist at all times.

1.3.3.2 USCG Headquarters (CGHQ) utilizes a standardized entry protocol called the RAPIDGateTM Program for all vendors, suppliers, and Contractors requiring routine access to CGHQ Transpoint and Jemal Riverside buildings to perform unclassified work.

1.3.3.2.1 To participate, in the RAPIDGate Program, the Contractor must contact Eid Passport at 877-RAPIDGATE (877-727-4342) and provide a CGHQ sponsor point of contact (must include: name, phone number, and e-mail address). Final authorization to participate in the program will be granted by CGHQ Support Command Security and Safety Office.

1.3.3.2.2 The Contractor shall submit a list of employees to RAPIDGate and shall be responsible for all associated fees (initial and renewal) required to participate in the RAPIDGate Program.

1.3.3.2.3 Vendors, suppliers, and Contractors who choose not to participate in the RAPIDGate Program will not be issued security badges, will require escorts at all times, and will undergo security screenings each time they enter and depart the buildings.

1.3.4 Employee Conduct. Contractor employees shall present a professional appearance at all times and their conduct shall not reflect discredit upon the U.S, DHS, and the USCG.

1.3.5 Removing Employees for Misconduct or Security Reasons. The Government may, at its sole discretion, direct the Contractor to remove any Contractor employee from USCG facilities for misconduct or security reasons. Removal does not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to continue providing the services required under this contract. The Contracting Officer will provide the Contractor with a written explanation to support any request to remove an employee.

1.3.6 Conflict of Interest. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the U.S. Government if that employment would, or would appear to, cause a conflict of interest.

1.4 KEY Personnel.

Before replacing any individual designated as Key by the Government, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer no less than 15 business days in advance, submit written justification for replacement, and provide the name and qualifications of any proposed substitute(s). All proposed substitutes shall possess qualifications equal to or superior to those of the Key person being replaced. The Contractor shall not replace Key Contractor personnel without acknowledgement from the Contracting Officer. The Government may designate additional Contractor personnel as Key in this contract.

1.5 SECURITY.

Contractor access to classified information is not required under this task order.

1.6 PERIOD of Performance.

The period of performance for this task order is one (1) year from the date of award with four (4) one year options.

1.7 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE.

The primary place of performance will be the Contractor’s facility with regular visits as required by the COTR to USCG Headquarters Buildings at 1900 Half Street and 2100 2nd Street, SW, Washington, DC 20593.

1.8 HOURS OF OPERATION.

Contractor employees shall generally perform all work between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday as needed.

1.9 TRAVEL.

All travel required by the Government outside the local commuting area(s) will be reimbursed to the Contractor in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining COTR approval (electronic mail is acceptable) for all reimbursable travel in advance of each travel event. All travel documentation including COTR approval must be included as part of the invoice. Contractor travel to the following locations may be required:

· RTC Yorktown, Yorktown, VA;

· OSC Martinsburg, Martinsburg, WVA;

· RCC Tyndall, Panama City, FL;

· USNORTHCOM, Colorado Springs, CO;

· The National SAR School; Yorktown, VA;

· The R&D Center, Groton, CT

1.10 KICK-OFF MEETING.

The Contractor shall attend a Kick-Off Meeting with the Contracting Officer and the COTR not later than five (5) business days after the date of award. The purpose of the Kick-Off Meeting, which will be chaired by the Contracting Officer, is to discuss technical and contracting objectives of the performance work statement and review the Contractor's project plan. The Kick-Off Meeting will be held at the Government’s facility.

1.11 PROJECT PLAN.

For this task order, the Contractor shall provide a draft Project Plan at the Kick-Off Meeting for Government review and comment. The Contractor shall provide a final Project Plan to the COTR not later than five (5) business days after receiving government comments.

1.12 STATUS REPORTS.

The Project Manager shall provide a monthly status report to the COTR and Contracting Officer via electronic mail. This report shall include a summary of all Contractor work performed under this task order, all direct costs by line item, an assessment of technical progress, schedule status, any travel conducted and any Contractor concerns or recommendations for the previous month.

1.13 STATUS MEETINGS.

The Team Lead shall meet with the COTR on a monthly basis in person or by phone to discuss progress, exchange information, and resolve emergent technical problems and issues.

1.14 GENERAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS.

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with USCG Standard Workstation III (Windows XP and Microsoft Office Applications).

1.15 INTELLECTUAL Property.

All Contractor developed processes and procedures and other forms of intellectual property first developed under this task order shall be considered Government property.

1.15.1 All documentation, photography, and electronic data and information collected by the Contractor and entered into or generated in support of this task order shall be considered Government property, and shall be returned to the Government at the end of the performance period.

1.16 PROTECTION of Information.

Contractor access to proprietary information is required under this task order. Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with DHS MD 11042.1, Safeguarding Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) Information. SBU includes information categorized by DHS or other government agencies as: For Official Use Only (FOUO); Official Use Only (OUO); Sensitive Homeland Security Information (SHSI); Limited Official Use (LOU); Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES); Safeguarding Information (SGI); Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI); and any other identifier used by other government agencies to categorize information as sensitive but unclassified. The Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor personnel having access to business or procurement sensitive information sign a non-disclosure agreement (DHS Form 11000-6).

1.17 SECTION 508 & MISC PHRASES

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they must ensure that it is accessible to people with disabilities. Federal employees and members of the public who have disabilities must have equal access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that enjoyed by non-disabled Federal employees and members of the public.

All EIT deliverables within this work statement shall comply with the applicable technical and functional performance criteria of Section 508 unless exempt. Specifically, the following applicable standards have been identified:

36 CFR 1194.21 – Software Applications and Operating Systems, applies to all EIT software applications and operating systems procured or developed under this work statement including but not limited to GOTS and COTS software. In addition, this standard is to be applied to Web-based applications when needed to fulfill the functional performance criteria. This standard also applies to some Web based applications as described within 36 CFR 1194.22.

36 CFR 1194.22 – Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications, applies to all Web-based deliverables, including documentation and reports procured or developed under this work statement. When any Web application uses a dynamic (non-static) interface, embeds custom user control(s), embeds video or multimedia, uses proprietary or technical approaches such as, but not limited to, Flash or Asynchronous Javascript and XML (AJAX) then “1194.21 Software” standards also apply to fulfill functional performance criteria.

36 CFR 1194.23 – Telecommunications Products, applies to all telecommunications products including end-user interfaces such as telephones and non end-user interfaces such as switches, circuits, etc. that are procured, developed or used by the Federal Government.

36 CFR 1194.24 – Video and Multimedia Products, applies to all video and multimedia products that are procured or developed under this work statement. Any video or multimedia presentation shall also comply with the software standards (1194.21) when the presentation is through the use of a Web or Software application interface having user controls available.

36 CFR 1194.25 – Self Contained, Closed Products, applies to all EIT products such as printers, copiers, fax machines, kiosks, etc. that are procured or developed under this work statement.

36 CFR 1194.26 – Desktop and Portable Computers, applies to all desktop and portable computers, including but not limited to laptops and personal data assistants (PDA) that are procured or developed under this work statement.

36 CFR 1194.31 – Functional Performance Criteria, applies to all EIT deliverables regardless of delivery method. All EIT deliverable shall use technical standards, regardless of technology, to fulfill the functional performance criteria.

36 CFR 1194.41 – Information Documentation and Support, applies to all documents, reports, as well as help and support services. To ensure that documents and reports fulfill the required “1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria”, they shall comply with the technical standard associated with Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications at a minimum. In addition, any help or support provided in this work statement that offer telephone support, such as, but not limited to, a help desk shall have the ability to transmit and receive messages using TTY.

Exceptions for this work statement have been determined by DHS and only the exceptions described herein may be applied. Any request for additional exceptions shall be sent to the COTR and determination will be made in accordance with DHS MD 4010.2. DHS has identified the following exceptions that may apply:

36 CFR 1194.2(b) – (COTS/GOTS products), When procuring a product, each agency shall procure products which comply with the provisions in this part when such products are available in the commercial marketplace or when such products are developed in response to a Government solicitation. Agencies cannot claim a product as a whole is not commercially available because no product in the marketplace meets all the standards. If products are commercially available that meet some but not all of the standards, the agency must procure the product that best meets the standards.

When applying this standard, all procurements of EIT shall have documentation of market research that identify a list of products or services that first meet the agency business needs, and from that list of products or services, an analysis that the selected product met more of the accessibility requirements than the non-selected products as required by FAR 39.2. Any selection of a product or service that meets less accessibility standards due to a significant difficulty or expense shall only be permitted under an undue burden claim and requires approval from the DHS Office of Accessible Systems and Technology (OAST) in accordance with DHS MD 4010.2.

36 CFR 1194.3(b) – Incidental to Contract, all EIT that is exclusively owned and used by the contractor to fulfill this work statement does not require compliance with Section 508. This exception does not apply to any EIT deliverable, service or item that will be used by any Federal employee(s) or member(s) of the public. This exception only applies to those contractors assigned to fulfill the obligations of this work statement and for the purposes of this requirement, are not considered members of the public.

36 CFR 1194.3(e) - Fundamental Alteration, applies to the portions of this work statement where the item requires changes to comply with Section 508 and would render the acquired item usesless for its intended purpose. Examples of this exception include but is not limited to items such as live event simulators, and complex graphical user interfaces where the business requirement is to display data onscreen to identify a visual relationship and it is impossible to provide the same information and functionality with text. This exception does not apply to the entire EIT as a whole. For instance, a topographical map (for visual representation consisting of nothing more than information 'requiring' a visual relationship between two or more visual elements that can't be accomplished textually) may qualify for an exception, but the administrative portions and report features of the system would not be exempt. All portions of this work statement are considered not exempt unless explicitly identified by the COTR. The COTR shall be contacted for an itemized list of items that are approved to apply this exception. The DHS Office of Accessible Systems and Technology (OAST) should be consulted prior to applying this standard.

36 CFR 1194.3(f) – Back Office, applies to any EIT item that will be located in spaces frequented only by service personnel for maintenance, repair, or occasional monitoring of equipment. This exception does not include remote user interfaces that are accessible outside the enclosed “space”.

2.0 GOVERNMENT TERMS & DEFINITIONS.

2.1 AFB – Air Force Base

2.2 CGHQ – USCG Headquarters

2.3 CG-5342 – Office of Search and Rescue

2.4 COTR – Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative

2.5 DASS – Distress Alerting Satellite System

2.6 DHS – Department of Homeland Security

2.7 ELT- Emergency Locator Transmitter

2.8 EPIRBS – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons

2.9 ESF – Emergency Support Function

2.10 FOUO – For Official Use Only

2.11 ICS – Incident Command System

2.12 IMO – International Maritime Organization

2.13 MD – Management Directive

2.14 MRO – Mass Rescue Operations

2.15 NRF - National Response Framework

2.16 LES – Law Enforcement Sensitive

2.17 LOU – Limited Official Use

2.18 NIMS – National Incident Management System

2.19 NORTHCOM – United States Northern Command

2.20 OSC – Operation System Center

2.21 OUO – Official Use Only

2.22 PWS – Performance Work Statement

2.23 R&D Center – Research and Development Center

2.24 SAR – Search and Rescue

2.25 SARSAT – Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking

2.26 SBU – Sensitive but Unclassified

2.27 SGI – Safeguarding Information

2.28 SHSI – Sensitive Homeland Security Information

2.29 SOUTHCOM – United States Southern Command

2.30 UCNI – Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information

2.31 USCG – United States Coast Guard

3.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY AND INFORMATION.

The Government will provide any necessary resources and information to the Contractor for work required under this task order that are not required to be furnished by the contractor.

4.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY.

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities, materials, equipment, and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of task orders awarded under this contract, except for the Government Furnished Property specified in this work statement.

5.0 REQUIREMENTS.

The contractor shall provide support services for the USCG Office of Search and Rescue (CG 5342) to provide analysis, Subject Matter Expertise, recommendations and support on matters relating to civil Search and Rescue (SAR).

5.1 Program Management. The Contractor shall provide to the SAR Program Office support with liaison efforts between the USCG program Office and USCG field commands, to include all Areas, Districts, the National SAR School, R&D Center, and OSC Martinsburg.

5.1.2 The Contractor shall support the USCG with the development of strategic planning, policy documents and SAR procedures. Contractor support shall include acting as a Subject Matter Expert, collecting, gathering, writing and recommending for USCG approval information that shall be incorporated into those documents.

5.2 Project Administrative/Meeting Support. The Contractor shall support the USCG in identifying U. S. and USCG SAR initiatives. This shall include researching and providing subject matter expertise with preparing papers, studies and presentations on these initiatives.

5.2.1 The Contractor shall prepare briefing and presentation materials for use during meetings, document meetings, capture action items, provide subject matter expertise and generate meeting minutes. The Contractor shall support meetings of various organizations as requested by the COTR: These organizations may include, but not be limited to, the following: International Maritime Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Lifeboat Conference, Cospas-Sarsat and related organizations (Radio Technical Commission on Aeronautical Services (RTCA), Radio Technical Commission on Maritime Services (RTCM), National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), and the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue (NIUSR)). Such support may also involve meetings with Governments of other nations. Actual participation in or travel associated with any of these meetings will be subject to approval of the COTR; the Contractor will not be expected to attend all of these meetings.

5.2.2 The Contractor shall compare applications and make recommendations how the following systems can be used in concert. These systems include the international search and rescue (SAR) management system as documented in the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR Manual) and prescribed for use in the international law with the National Incident management System (NIMS) developed by DHS and directed to be used for emergency response by the President.

5.2.3 The Contractor shall provide drafting of text and editorial support (preparing tables, charts/graphs) as well as subject matter expertise, to assist the USCG with the development of version 2.0 of the Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue Addendum and subsequent updates as needed.

5.2.4 The Contractor shall provide drafting of text and editorial support (preparing tables, charts/graphs), as well as subject matter expertise, to assist the USCG with finalizing version 1.0 of the Inland SAR Addendum to the National Search and Rescue Manual based and subsequent updates as needed.

5.2.5 The Contractor shall provide drafting of text and papers, U.S. positions, editorial support and subject matter expertise to assist the USCG with work of IMO Subcommittee on Communications, Search and Rescue, and of the ICAO-IMO Joint Search and Rescue Working Group; this work will be assigned by the COTR, and any travel or direct participation in these meetings will be subject to prior approval of the COTR.

6.0 REFERENCES. Paper and/or electronic copies of the following references will be provided by the COTR as necessary:

6.1 International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual

6.2 Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue Addendum

6.3 National SAR Manual (NSM)

Note: SOW 7.0 begins on the next page.

7.0 DELIVERABLES.

The Contractor shall consider items in BOLD as having mandatory due dates.

1.11

8.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS).

The PRS table below reflects the deliverables considered by the USCG to be most important for the successful performance of this task order. This includes the expected standards of performance and planned reductions for not meeting those standards. The Government will establish a Quality Assurance Surveillance plan that is not part of this task order in order to monitor performance requirements summary items described in the table below.

CONTRACTOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE USCG OFFICE OF SEARCH AND RESCUE

(PWS Section 5.0)

· Meets the requirements set forth in the PWS

· Written in a clear and simple language

· Organized in a logical manner

· Free from grammatical errors Based upon COTR random sampling of Contractor work, if more than one inspection reveals material errors in separate samples, the results may be reflected in the Contractor’s past performance evaluating for the Task Order.

COTR Willie Foster

2109239MNG122

CG-5342