HSHQDC-09-R-00008 FFRDC

FFRDC HS SEDI Request For Proposal

RFP No. HSHQDC-09-R-00008(D)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

HS SEDI

Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute Request for Proposal

HSHQDC-09-R-00008(D)

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Table of Contents

SECTION A – STANDARD FORM 33…………………………………………………..…………… 1

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS…………..……….……………….2

B.1 Period of Performance……………………………………………………………………….….2

B.2 Type of Contract………………….……………………………………………………

B.3 Contract Line Items ..…………….……………………………………………………

B.4 Indirect Cost ……..……………….…………………………………………………… B.5.

Fixed Fee… ….……………… .…………………………………………………… B.6 Minimum Guarantee and Maximum Limitation…… …………………………………………4 B.7 Adding New Labor Categories after Contract Award…… …………………………………4

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES... ………………………………………..………… 5

C.1 Scope of Contract…………………………………………………………………………….….5 C.2 Tasks Performed for Federal Agencies Other Than the DHS Sponsors...

C.3 Use of Performance Based Procedures in FFRDC Contrac.. ….…………………………..7 C.4 Management Plan…………………………………………………………………………….….7 C.5 Research Plan……………………………………………………………….………………….10 C.6 Contractor Quality Control (QC) ………………………………..………….…………………11 C.7 Task Ordered Projects…………………………………………………………………………11 C.8 Contractor Employees…………………………………………………………………………11 C.9 Contract Security Classification Specification C.10 Environmental Protection…………………………………………………….………………..12

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING……………………………………..…………………13

D.1 Markings……………………………………………………………………..…………...……..13 D.2 Branding…………………………………………………………………….…………………...13 D.3 Publication & Communications Concerning Work Performed Under this Contract……..13 D.4 Dissemination of Contract Information…...…………………………………………………..14

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE……….……………...………………………….15

E.1 Clauses Incorporated by Reference………………………………………………………….15 E.2 Scope of Inspection…………………………………………………………………………….15 E.3 Evaluation and Acceptance………. ………………………………………………………...15

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE………….………………………………….…. .16

F.1 General……………………………………………………………………………………….….16 F.2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference………………………………………………………….16 F.3 FFRDC Period of Performance…………………………………………………………….…16 F.4 Task Order Performance Period and Pricing.….……..…………….. ..…………….…… 16 F.5 Reporting Requirements………………………………………………………… F.5.1 Technical and Progress Reporting Requirements…….……… ………………………… 16

F.5.2 Task and FFRDC Monthly Status Report……………………………………………..……..19 F.5.3 Verbal Reports and Liaison…………………………………………………………………...20 20F.6 Place of Performance………………………………………………………………………….

20F.7 Notice to the Government of Delays………………………………………………………

F.8 DHS-Furnished Information……………………………………………………………….…..20 F.9 DHS-Furnished Property………………………………………………………………….…...21 F.10 Deliverable Requirements……………………………………………………………………..21

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA……..……….……………………………...23

23G.1 Accounting and Appropriation Data…………………………………………………..………

23G.2 Points of Contact……………………………………………………………………………

G.2.1 Contracting Officer’s Authority……………………………………………………………..….24 G.2.2 Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative …………………………………..………..24 G.2.3 Task Order Manager…………….…………………………………………………….……….24 G.3 Task Order Process and Delivery G.4 Preparation of Vouchers G.5 Payment Information G.6 Travel…………………………………………………………………………………………….28 G.6.1 Travel Outside of the United States

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS

H.1 Standard of Conduct at Governmenmt Installation…………….…………………………...29 H.2 Advertisements, Publicizing Awards & News Releases……………………………………29 H.3 Observance of Legal Holidays & Excused Absence H.4 Insurance………………………………………………………………………………………..30 H.5 Information Technology Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities……...………………..31 H.6 Organizational Conflict of Interest…………………………………………………………….31 H.7 Task Performed for Federal Agencies Other than the Sponsors……………………….…32

H.8 Consultants………………………………………………………………………….…….…….32

H.9 Investigating & Reporting Possible Scientic Misconduct ……………….……………….33

H.10 Security Requirements H.10.1 Top Secret, SCI Perfonnel & Facility Clearance Requirement H.10.2 General Security Requirements H.10.3 Employment Eligibility H.10.4 Security Management………..…… ………………………………………………………….35

H.10.5 Information Technology Security Clearance……………………………………… .……..35

H.10.6 Information Technology Security Training & Oversight H.11 Handling of Proprietary Data……………………………………………………………….….36

H.12 Conflict of Interest……. …………………………………………………………..…………36

H.13 Reporting Waste, Fraud, Abuse and Theft…………………………………………………..36

H.14 Interface with Participating Associate Contractors (PAC)………………………………….36 H.15 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act……………………………..………...37 H.16 Handling of Data……………………………………………………………………….…….…37

H.17 Key Personnel or Facilities H.18 Strikes or Picketing Affecting Access to a DHS Facility……………………….…………...39

H.19 DCAA……………………………………………………………….……………………………39

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 General…………………………………………………………………………….………… I.2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference………………………………………………….………40 I.3 Security Requirements………………………………………………………………………...43 I.4 Notification of Ownership Changes I.5 Ordering I.6 Order Limitations I.7 Indefinite Quantity I.8 Option to Extend Services…………………………………………………………… ……..45

I.9 Option to Extedn the Term of the Contract I.10 Notification of Employees concerning payment of union dues and fees…………………46

I.11 Authorization and Consent………………………………………………………………….. 48

I.12 Rights to proposal data (Technical)…………………………… …………………………..49

I.13 Notification of Changes…….………………………………………………………………….49

I.14 Security Requirements for unclassified information Technology Resources……………51 I.15 Limitation of Future Contracting……………………………………………………………...52

I.16 The Small Business Subcontring Reporting...........................…………………………….53 I.17 DHS Mentor-Protégé Program……. ………………………………………………………...53

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS……

…………….………..……………….………55

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

K.1 Annual Representation and Certification …………….…… …..……………….………56 K.2 Place of Performance K.3 Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification…………….……….………… ……57 K.4 Proposal Disclosure – Cost Accounting..………………………….………..………… ……60

K.5 Prohibition on Contracts with Corporate Expatriates

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference………………….……..….……………64 L.1.1 FAR Provisions and Clauses Incorporated by Reference………………………..……..…64 L.2 Type of Contract………………………………………………………………………………..64 L.3 Service of Protest…………………………………………………………………….………...64 L.4 Communications Regarding this Solicitation…………………………………...……………65 L.5 Submission Instructions and Late Submissions…………………………………………….65

L.5.1 Proposal Submission Due Date…………………………………………………….………...66 L.5.2 Late Submissions………………………………………………………………………….…...66 L.6 Proposal Preparation Costs L.7 General Instructions………………………………………………………………………… L.8 Proposal Integrity………………….………………………………………………… …......…67 L.9 Proposal Submission Instructions……………………………………………… ………….67 L.10 Format and Instructions for Proposal Submission ………… …………………………… L.10.1 Volume I – Technical Proposal……..…………………………………………………………69 L.10.2 Volume II – Technical Past Performance …… ……………………………………………75 L.10.3 Volume III - Contract Business / Cost/Price Proposal ……………………………....…77 L.11 Content of Resulting Contract…………………………..……….………………………… L.12 Contractor Registration… ……………………………………………………….………...80 L.13 Alternate Proposals…………………………………………………………………………

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 General M.2 Basis for Award ……………………….…………………………………………….………….81 M.3 Evaluation of Options M.4 Evaluations of Proposals and Rating Methodoloty M.5 Management Approach, Factor 1 M.6 Technical approach, Factor 2 M.6.1 Evaluation of Technical Approach M.6.2 Evaluation of Representative Task Orders M.7 Past Performance, Factor 3 M.8 Cost/Price Evaluation M.9 Definitions… ………….……………………………………………………………….………...86 M.10 Rating Scale for Factors

ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT J-1 – Sponsoring Agreement

ATTACHMENT J-2 – DHS Management Directive No. 0143-4

ATTACHMENT J-3 – Monthly Contractor Financial Report

ATTACHMENT J-4 – Representative task order: Statement of objectives for Sedi 2009 Core

Research Plan

ATTACHMENT J-5 – Representative task order: Statement of objectives for Sedi Quick

Response Program Plan

ATTACHMENT J-6 – Representative task order: Statement of objectives for Sedi Generic

Program Support

ATTACHMENT J-7 – Non-disclosure Agreement, DHS Form 11000-6

ATTACHMENT J-8 – Past Performance Questionnaire

ATTACHMENT J-9 – Contract Security Classification Specification, DD254 ATTACHMENT J-10 – Cost Proposal Format ATTACHMENT J-11 – Small Business Concerns Subcontracting Plan Outline

ATTACHMENT J-12 – SEDI Program Level Cross-Reference Matrix

SECTION A – STANDARD FORM 33

REQUISITION/PURCHASE

( NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS

245 MURRAY LANE, SW, BLDG 410

WASHINGTON, DC 20528

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder”.

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and _5__ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place spelled out in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in SEE SECTION L.5 and L.9 until 12:00 Noon_(Eastern) local time December 01, 2008.

(Hour)

(Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

NUMBER

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12.

In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within 180 calendar days from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13.

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

14.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related and related documents numbered and dated):

CODE

FACILITY

16.

NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

15A.

NAME

OFFER (Type of Print)

AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

15B.

TELEPHONE NUMBER

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

See G.1

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

( 10 U.S.C 2304(c)( ) ( 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other then Item 7)

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

As specified on individual orders

Wanda Moorman

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

Previous edition is unusable Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

The single award IDIQ contract resulting from this solicitation is to establish a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) to be known as the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (SEDI) to support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The Contractor shall provide specialized technical expertise to Department program managers to transform program-level operational requirements and performance metrics, constrained by cost and schedule, into a preferred documented configuration of sustainable deliverables. The technical expertise including all management, labor, facilities, and materials necessary for performance shall be in accordance with issued task order (TOs). TOs will be Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee and will be issued in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section G of this contract.

B.1 Period of Performance

The contract will be for a twelve month base year from date of award with four (4) one year option periods. In accordance with FAR 35.017-1(e), the term of the contract will not exceed 5 years, but can be renewed, as a result of periodic review, in increments not to exceed 5 years. This is not a multi-year contract as defined in FAR 17.1. Task orders (TOs) will be issued with specific performance periods.

B.2 Type of Contract

An Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Contract will be awarded with task orders to be issued on a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) basis.

B.3 Contract Line Items (CLINs)

ITEM NO

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

AMOUNT

Base year: Includes all travel and reporting requirements and deliverables.

Estimated Cost: $_________

Fixed-Fee: $_________

Total Estimated Cost + Fee: $_________ First Option year: Includes all travel and reporting requirements and deliverables.

Second Option year: Includes all travel and reporting requirements and deliverables.

Third Option year: Includes all travel and reporting requirements and deliverables.

Fourth Option year: Includes all travel and reporting requirements and deliverables.

Estimated Cost for all CLINs: $_________

Total Estimated Cost + Fixed-Fee: $_________ B.4 Indirect Costs The Contractor will be reimbursed for indirect costs at the following rate(s) subject to appropriate adjustment when the final rate(s) for the period are established:

COST CENTER RATE BASE

CONTRACT YEAR

(** To be inserted at the time of contract award)

B.5 Fixed-Fee The fixed-fee percentage of this contract is TBD. The fixed-fee amount of an issued task order shall be established at the issuance of the task. Should the cost of the order increase during performance the amount of the fee shall not change but remain fixed at the value established when the task was issued. The fixed-fee withholding provisions contained in clause 52.216-8, Fixed-Fee, are applicable to individual task orders. A modification or change to a task order directing additional or new work shall be fee bearing. If the cost of the contract does not reach the maximum value contained in clause, Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee, then the total contract fee shall be the sum of all fee dollars under issued tasks. Conversely, if the cost of the contract exceeds the maximum value contained in this Paragraph then the contractor's fee shall not be increased.

B.6 Minimum Dollar Guarantee and Maximum Contract Limitation

The minimum value and guarantee of this contract is $25,000 (Estimated cost and Fixed Fee). Orders beyond the minimum will be determined by user needs. The exercise of any option period does not re-establish the contract minimum. The Government shall issue one or more task orders for an amount not less than this minimum. There will be no further obligation on the part of the Government to issue additional orders thereafter. The maximum value of this contract is $455,000,000 (Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee) over a five year period.

For purposes of contract estimates, the projected program budget for the DHS effort, inclusive of fee, under the proposed award is estimated at approximately $455 Million over a five year period (base period and 4 option years). The contractor is hereby notified that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding could change with little or no notice. The total amount allotted by the Government to this award for the base period is estimated to be $60 Million, with an estimated increase to $120 Million by year five of the contract. The base period amount of $25,000.00 is the minimum order guarantee under this award. The estimate of the total Staff–years of Technical Effort (STE) is equal to 1810 hours by labor category and dollars required to perform the task. It is anticipated that the Task Order funding will increase linearly from 200 STE in the base year of operation and not exceed 500 STE in the fourth option year of the contract.

The estimated amounts includes potential tasking by other DHS Operating Components beyond DHS (S&T) and by agencies, (non-Sponsors) which use the Institute for essential program analysis that may be in accordance with the terms of any resulting award. All cost estimation at this time is based on other than historical data.

B.7 Adding New Labor Categories After Contract Award The labor categories listed in the pricing tables (J-10) represent the Contractors best analysis of current and projected SEDI requirements. The Government does not intend to add any labor categories to the SEDI contract after contract award. However, changes in the DHS mission, the emergence of new technologies, and other fundamental changes affecting the SEDI requirements may necessitate the addition of new labor categories. Either annually, or at the government’s request, the contractor may propose additional labor categories/descriptions/rates to add to the contract that are necessary for performance. The government will negotiate these rates on a case by case basis.

(End of Section B)

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

C.1 Scope of Contract The Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to establish a contract for a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) on behalf of the Department to be known as the “Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute” (HS SEDI or SEDI). The purpose of this FFRDC is to provide specialized technical expertise to Department program managers to transform program-level operational requirements and performance metrics, constrained by cost and schedule, into a preferred documented configuration of sustainable deliverables. Program objectives are generally achieved through the insertion of new technologies, prototypes, commercial off the shelf technologies (COTS), and/or modifications of existing hardware and software, into homeland security enterprise (e.g., federal, state, local, tribal, public and private sector) systems and platforms. The SEDI shall generally work on the most complex homeland security systems that will evolve capabilities through pre-planned spiral developments. The SEDI shall promote fair and open competition for the development and delivery of Department capabilities by providing independent and objective technical expertise in the development of technical concepts, standardized technical data packages, development modeling and simulation, development testing, and lab experiments, in tandem with the government’s acquisition process. The SEDI shall ensure a logical optimization of system and sub-system level tradeoffs across a system’s lifecycle. Over time, this FFRDC will help the Department develop an integrated DHS system of systems engineering approach that will promote process efficiencies and synergies through best practices and standardized documentation. Through its long term relationship with the Department, the SEDI shall promote compatibilities across the various homeland security platforms and equipment to reduce our Nation’s risk to terrorism and catastrophic incidents through, among other things, improved interoperability and information sharing within the homeland security enterprise.

The role of the Science and Technology Directorate is to provide a SEDI program office that supports the FFRDC in terms of developing long-term and short-term strategies for reaching across the Department to negotiate task orders in support of the most critical and strategic programs. The SEDI program office shall consist of an Executive Agent (EA), Program Manager (PM), and Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), who shall be the focal point for negotiating tasks between the SEDI and the various DHS program offices. The SEDI program office will also negotiate issue resolutions between the SEDI and task sponsors after tasks have been awarded. Primary direction and technical feedback on specific task orders will come from sponsoring program office officials. The SEDI program office will provide additional guidance on technical quality and consistency throughout the term of the contract; and will also provide contract administration support, for example: task order processing, security, IT certification, invoice payments and progress reporting, etc. Most tasks will be sponsored by program offices located throughout the Department and include most of the twenty two legacy agencies that make up the Department.

The Department’s studies and analysis FFRDC will generally provide top level requirements and metrics, operational modeling and simulation, as well as operational test and evaluation analysis for the programs. DHS FFRDCs and national laboratory FFRDCs will generally provide system and component prototypes and threat analysis support that is not generally available in the private sector.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Section 305 of PL 107-296, as codified in 6 U.S.C. 185), herein referred to as the “Act”, authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to establish one or more federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC) to provide independent analysis of homeland security issues, or to carry out other responsibilities under the Act. The HS SEDI is intended to provide program level technical and integration expertise to DHS program managers that is normally not available within the Government. This expertise includes specialized technical systems engineering, systems development, and lifecycle management. The expertise shall be applied through-out all stages of a program, from technical concept definition, development test and evaluation, and functional analysis to evolve system concepts, through system production, deployment and disposal. Over time, the SEDI shall promote best practices and lessons learned from across the Department and enhance system of system interoperability and information sharing.

Performance shall be in accordance with all terms and conditions and specifications as stipulated herein.

C.2 Tasks Performed for Federal Agencies Other Than the DHS Sponsors It is not the Government’s intent that a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) use its privileged information or access to compete with the private sector. However the HS SEDI may perform work for non-sponsors provided that such work is in compliance with FAR 35.017-3 and applicable DHS policies. Projects may be performed by the HS SEDI for other Federal, State, local government agencies and non-profit organizations, provided that the following conditions are met: The HS SEDI Contractor may only perform work for non-sponsors when authorized by Government Contracting Officer

· The task is consistent with the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competencies of the HS SEDI as specified in the contract and sponsoring agreement, and is subject to any established STE ceiling;

· The HS SEDI has received the prior written approval of the DHS S&T Executive Agent, generally based on co-advocacy for the project from a particular office within the Department;

· Funds for the projects has been transferred from the funding agency or entity to DHS for disbursement under the HS SEDI contract;

· The HS SEDI and the tasking agency or agencies agree to fully disclose all aspects of the work being performed, including draft documents, to DHS upon request;

· DHS receives copies of all final reports; and

· Interagency funds may also be used to support and/or augment Sponsor tasks, with the prior consent of Contracting Officer.

C.3 Use of Performance Based Procedures in FFRDC Contract This contract will be evaluated using performance management techniques and insight of Contractor performance rather than strict oversight. The ability to make decisions based on performance data analysis, including earned value management principles, is the cornerstone of this type of performance management. The use of Contractor developed metrics for both the basic contract and task orders shall focus on desired outcomes and not interim process steps.

Interim process metrics will be developed and delegated to the contractor who shall manage the processes and practices used to achieve contract outcomes by a Contractor Quality Control Plan. Use of an outcome focus provides the contractor with the flexibility to continuously improve and innovate over the course of the contract as long as the critical outcomes expected are being achieved. Deliverables, that can provide measures of technical quality toward accomplishing task goals, shall be established prior to award of task orders.

The awarded Contractor shall have the ability and opportunity to negotiate the task specific approach performance to meet the quality and requirements standards of individual Task Orders. Incentives or disincentives are not applicable to any task order issued during the base period or any option period.

The only exceptions to outcome focus process procedures will be those services and performance items required by law, (local, state, and federal) and compelling business situations such as safety and security that the contractor must follow. All objectives, as appropriate, will be incorporated into the Contractors Quality Control Plan. The contractor shall furnish and otherwise accomplish all things necessary for or incident to the complete performance of the work as described throughout this Statement of Objectives (SOO) and the contract provisions.

C.4 Management Plan The Contractor shall deliver a FFRDC Management Plan that describes how they intend to operate and perform to the requirements of this RFP, and in particular, how they intend to meet the requirements of this section. This plan shall be updated annually, as required, throughout the performance of the Contract. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing technical and integration expertise to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program leadership as a trusted agent, particularly in the evolution of the most complex and critical homeland security programs. The purpose of the SEDI Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) is to help the Department address “How” to accomplish program goals and objectives by the spiral insertion of new technologies, experimental prototypes, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and hardware into new and existing operational systems and platforms. The program risk must be carefully managed to tight cost and schedule constraints while maintaining critical performance requirements. Within the context of the scope and concept for the FFRDC, the SEDI will provide the government with the necessary expertise to provide best “lifecycle” value while promoting fair and open systems acquisitions and deployments through the following core competencies:

· Development of Acquisition Program Baselines (APB) and Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), development test and evaluation plans, and other milestone decision documentation in accordance with DHS guidelines and directives in support of the Departments’ most critical and complex programs

· Development of functional analysis models, component tradeoff simulations, and tools and metrics to evaluate system tradeoffs and integration strategies

· Development of unique test-beds, critical lab experiments, and evaluation techniques to support the evolution of system concepts

· Develop homeland security systems software development models, standards, and protocols that are consistent with interoperability and spiral developments

· Develop and promote standardization of program risk, schedule and cost models based on system lifecycle costs

· Develop system technical standards for use by DHS program offices in the management and quality control/assurance of system, integration/development, and sub-system contracts in support of major acquisitions

· Develop and promote standardization of effective and efficient system engineering best practices in homeland security program development to integrate the system with the user community though analysis and planning for: configuration management, deployment logistics, manufacturability, training, operations and maintenance, infrastructure, safety and environment, and disposal

· Development of specific complex integration descriptions for system and sub-system technical data packages, particularly critical functional, physical, logical and operational interface protocols and standards

· Develop and promote standardization of technical data package elements for homeland security acquisitions to promote cross-program synergies over time

· Promote the identification of critical capability gap descriptions particularly in areas where technology may be expected to contribute substantially to solutions

· Promote the identification and standardization of technical standards, prototypes, systems engineering, and system/sub-system technical data packages which address the need for solutions to new and evolving systems requirements involving the instantiation, within DHS systems and programs of capabilities, to provide and promote security, privacy, and the protection of civil rights and civil liberties

· Promote ethics in acquisition through an understanding of:

· the need for objective development of operational requirements and performance metrics, and operational test and evaluation planning and analysis that are independent from the development program

· promotion of fair and open competition in acquisitions through high quality technical data packages and expert technical oversight

· trusted agent relationships with the government task sponsors and the SEDI program office

· establishment of staff and organizational conflict of interest protocols

Within and across these core areas, DHS sponsors’ specific needs are expected to evolve over time, and the HS SEDI’s capabilities and areas of concentration will evolve accordingly. The SEDI tasks may include quick-response, ad-hoc, in-depth technical program analysis and review (up to three months in duration); and/or medium-term studies (3-12 months) to provide in-depth technical program support to re-align a program with cost, schedule and performance objectives. However, most HS SEDI tasks are expected to be long-term tasks (more than 1 year) that align with the most complex and critical major acquisition programs.

The Contractor will also implement a broad-based consultative strategy to extend beyond the in-house staff and include perspectives from experts in industry, academia, and the non-profit sector. On occasion, foreign nationals may be required to collaborate as consultants on particular task orders. Any foreign national to be used as a consultant will require the approval of the S&T FFRDC Executive Agent, and the S&T International Affairs Division prior to work on this contract. Foreign national consultants shall not be permitted access to FFRDC work spaces or FFRDC/DHS IT networks or systems. The Contractor will also be expected to have broad access to facilities that can provide unique test-bed support, lab experiments, and simulation and modeling in support of development program concept evolution and trade-off analysis across all areas of homeland security mission areas, including but not limited to (classified and unclassified): information technology and management, intelligence and information sharing, borders and maritime security (sensor and data networks), chemical and biological detection and protection, transportation system and critical infrastructure protection and security, cyber security and protection, biometric identification, communications interoperability and security, and emergency planning and response. The Contractor shall operate and maintain a DHS approved IT system, at a minimum of FISMA “medium” level, on which it will maintain an intranet that is remotely accessible to S&T program manager and COTR. The contractor may be required to maintain a classified DHS HSDN or equivalent access.

The Contractor may propose subcontracting arrangements with other corporate entities to provide or enhance proposed capabilities. To receive credit for sub-contractor capabilities the prime will need to guarantee that particular types of tasks and required expertise and facilities will be provided by the sub-contracted partner.

The Contractor shall provide a phase-in plan that demonstrates the “initial” ability to begin executing technical task work within four months. The “initial” phase-in plan includes: an organization structure and staffing plan for phasing in technical and managerial talent in accordance with the needs of the Department demonstrated with task orders, including the use of partners, reach-back, and sub-contractors. The initial phase-in plan shall demonstrate compliance with quality assurance and organizational / staff conflict-of-interest protocols. The initial phase-in plan also includes and outreach strategy to familiarize the DHS with the SEDI capabilities and goals, including the development of the first Research Plan. The initial phase-in plan includes the task order processing procedures, security planning and implementation, IT system(s) accreditation, and test facility planning and operations. The overall management planning for the SEDI shall demonstrate the capacity to gradually build the organization and infrastructure to support up to 500 STE at the end of the first five year of operation.

The Contractor will be subject to independent audits by a Government accounting agency, the DHS Inspector General, and/or the Government Accountability Office. The Contractor shall be responsible for hiring a certified public accounting firm to conduct: (1) annual financial audits of the operations of the HS SEDI (and certify annual financial statements), and (2) all audits required by law or applicable regulation.

C.5 Research Plan To conduct its mission of providing analytic support to its DHS sponsors in an efficient, effective and responsive manner, the HS SEDI will develop and operate an annual Research Plan. The HS SEDI shall develop an annual Research Plan based on a clear understanding of the Government’s requirements as determined by direction from the Under Secretary for Science and Technology (DHS SEDI program office) and DHS Headquarters Components or their designees. Input and review of the plan shall occur primarily through the Homeland Security SEDI Advisory Group, chaired by the DHS (SEDI) Executive Agent, and made up of senior leadership from throughout the Department appointed by the Executive Agent.

The annual Research Plan will be approved by the DHS Executive Agent (SEDI program office) and submitted annually to the Contracting Officer for approval. It will be viewed as a flexible and dynamic document that will be periodically reviewed with the DHS SEDI Advisory Group, and revised as necessary to meet the DHS sponsors’ needs. The Research Plan will include at least two parts: (1) Core projects and (2) Task Orders. The DHS SEDI program office will direct/approve the allocation of contract resources within the Core projects and any changes to these elements will require prior written approval by the HS SEDI Executive Agent / Program Manager. Core projects will typically be reviewed with the SEDI Advisory Group on a semi-annual basis. In no case will the SEDI initiate and perform work that is not previously approved by the DHS SEDI Contracting Officer (CO). Task orders will be negotiated with the SEDI program office and the sponsoring program office. Changes to the task orders may not be made without a modification to the TO. Any changes to core project or task order deliverables, delivery dates, periods of performance, or scope may not occur without the direction of the CO.

The CO will authorize funding for the SEDI based on the annual Research Plan approved by the DHS Executive Agent. The annual core project budget may be adjusted with additional funding in future years to meet the needs of the DHS sponsors. The annual research plan shall be based on the calendar year rather than the fiscal year.

The HS SEDI shall perform the work as stated in the approved Research Plan, but in no event is it authorized to incur cost in excess of the authorized costs included in any/all approved Task Orders issued hereunder, or in other initiation of funds procedures set forth in the Research Plan, without the written approval of the Contracting Officer.

The Research Plan shall be funded through an allocation of 5% of each task order that is issued. The allocation shall be administered by the SEDI as a sub-task of each task order; and shall report technical progress as a part of the Research Plan progress reports. The SEDI shall use the 5% allocation for the benefit of all task orders by using the funding for establishing procedures to: quickly initiate new tasks or new task direction; provide critical quick-response program analysis, develop strategic program concept evolution capabilities, and to track and document lessons learned and best practices. These tasks will be referred to as “core” projects of the research plan because they will have benefits across the Department and the entire homeland security enterprise, although they are developed within specific task orders. The Research Plan “core” allocation includes:

· Work on special projects to compliment tasks and provide analytic support for integrating systems engineering and development standards, best practices and lessons learned across the DHS and the homeland security enterprise;

· Research and develop evolutionary, cross-cutting concept tools and test-beds necessary to provide a forward-looking perspective to major homeland security acquisition programs, to anticipate problems and issues and so preclude simply reacting to events;

· Consult with representatives from other DHS FFRDCs, private industry, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions; and

· Efforts to exercise sound financial control over the HS SEDI’s resources.

C.6 Contractor Quality Control (QC) The contractor shall establish as an independent function, a quality program that encompasses all aspects of the contract including Task Orders issued hereunder. The contractor shall ensure the Government’s interests are protected through this clearly separate entity that is independent of site management as concerns the FFRDC QC Program. The QC Manager shall have sufficient, well-defined responsibility, authority, and the organizational freedom to identify and evaluate quality problems and to initiate, recommendations, and provide solutions. Personnel performing management functions shall have distinct, well-defined, duties and responsibilities within the quality program. The contractor shall implement the quality program in accordance with the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan. The Plan shall be provided with the contractor’s initial proposal. The Contractor's inspection instructions shall be documented and shall be available for review, on-line, by the S&T Program Manager and Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) or Contracting Officer (CO), throughout the life of the contract. A Contractor QC Plan may be prepared for each Task Order and a copy shall be provided to the COTR (See Section F Deliverable Requirements).

C.7 Task Order (TO) Projects Task Order (TO) projects are specific, time limited, deliverable-oriented projects. They shall contain, as a minimum, the following information based on a task Statement of Objectives provided by the government:

· Subject and description of objectives including deliverables, milestones and their associated delivery dates;

· Discussion of the major program issues to be addressed;

· Special experimental or development test equipment and facilities required;

· Recommended approach for performing the work;

· Estimate of the total level of effort (STE Staff–years of Technical Effort equal to 1810 hours) by labor category and dollars required to perform the task;

· Estimated period of performance, including start and end dates;

· Reporting requirements, and other relevant information as applicable; and

· Funding.

C.8 Contractor Employees The Contractor shall not employ, or continue employment, of persons for work on this contract if such employee is identified to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer as a potential threat to the health, safety, security, general well being, or operational mission of the installation or its population. The contractor will develop policies and procedures to discourage “walk off” (e,g,. task engineers/analysts that resign prior to task completion) of employees and shall implement a method for replacement that will ensure performance standards continue to be met.

C.9 Contract Security Classification Specification To qualify as a responsible contractor, the Offeror shall possess, or acquire prior to contract award, a facility clearance and safeguarding capability equal to the highest classification stated on the Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254) attached to this solicitation The Contractor shall appoint a senior official to act as the Corporate Security Officer. The individual will interface with the DHS S&T Security Office and the Defense Security Service (DSS) through the COTR on all security matters, to include physical, personnel, and protection of all Government information and data accessed by the Contractor.

C.10 Environmental Protection The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental protection laws, and all stated regulations and standards, including applicable Executive Orders.

(End of Section C)

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 Markings All deliverables submitted to the SEDI Contracting Officer, the SEDI Program Manager, the TO Contracting Officer or the TO Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) shall be accompanied by a packing list or other suitable shipping documentation that shall clearly indicate the following:

(a) Contract number;

(b) Task order number;

(c) Name and address of point of contact Specific or unique marking requirements may be addressed in individual TOs.

D.2 Branding

The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of any DHS Branding and Marking policies. As a matter of law, Federal criminal statutes prohibit unauthorized uses of the DHS Seal. In addition, DHS policy prohibits granting authorization for certain commercial uses of the Seal. It is permissible to reference DHS in materials if the reference is limited to true, factual statements. The words DHS and/or Homeland Security should appear in the same color, font, and size as the rest of the text in the document. Moreover, such references shall not imply in any way an endorsement of a product, company, or technology.

Requests to use the DHS seal shall be submitted using DHS Official Seal Usage Approval, available from the COTR. The Comments section should be used to describe why use of the seal is being requested, and how it will be used. Completed forms should be sent via e-mail to the Director of Special Projects and Protocol for Public Affairs, Luigi Crespo (Luigi.Crespo@DHS.GOV) and to the Contracting Officer.

D.3 Publications and Communications Concerning Work Performed Under This Contract

All public communication referencing the work performed under this contract shall be coordinated between the contractor, the task sponsor, and the S&T Executive Agent and will require the approval of the S&T Executive Agent. The contractor will route technical communication products such as reports, journal articles, presentations, and white papers and public communication products such as brochures and fliers through the contractor’s information review and release process before providing the deliverable to S&T for review and approval 30 days before any release to an external audience.

Public and technical communications shall contain the following language:

Acknowledgement

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsored the production of this material under a contract with [insert contractor name].”

D.4 Dissemination of Contract Information (HSAR 3052.242-71) (DEC 2003) The Contractor shall not publish, permit to be published, or distribute for public consumption, any information, oral or written, concerning the results or conclusions made pursuant to the performance of this contract, without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. An electronic or printed copy of any material proposed to be published or distributed shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)

(End of Section D)

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FAR 52.252-2) (Feb 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.acquisition.gov

E.2 Scope of Inspection

All deliverables will be inspected for content, completeness, accuracy and conformance to TO requirements by the TO COTR or as detailed in individual TOs. Inspection may include validation of information or software through the use of automated tools and/or testing of the deliverables, as specified in the TO. The scope and nature of this testing must be negotiated prior to TO issuance and will be sufficiently comprehensive to ensure the completeness, quality and adequacy of all deliverables.

The Government requires a period not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of final deliverable items for inspection and acceptance or rejection unless otherwise specified in the TO.

E.3 Evaluation and Acceptance

The Contracting Officer or authorized representative will accomplish evaluation and acceptance of services delivered under this contract. For the purpose of this clause, the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) named in this contract is the authorized representative. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to unilaterally designate a different Government agent as the authorized representative. The Contractor will be notified by a written notice or by a copy of the delegation of authority if different representative is designated.

(End of Section E)

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 General

The DHS Contracting Officer may include additional deliveries or performance requirements in TOs, other than those enumerated in this section, such as (1) optional FAR clauses, (2) component specific clauses, and (3) task order specific clauses.

F.2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

(FAR 52.252-2) (Feb 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clause(s) by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text can be accessed electronically at this Internet address: http://www.acquisition.gov

F.3 FFRDC Period of Performance In accordance with FAR 35.017-1(e), the period of performance for the Contract Ordering Period (COP) will not exceed 5 years, a twelve month base year from date of award with four (4) one year option periods but can be renewed, as a result of periodic reviews, in increments not to exceed 5 years.

F.4 Task Order Performance Period and Pricing

Task Orders (TOs) may be issued at any time during the COP The performance period of each TO will be specified in the TO and may include option periods which, if exercised, may extend the TO period of performance up to twelve (12) months beyond the COP of the base period and option periods. TOs shall be priced using Section B indirect rates that will be applicable to the TO’s anticipated period of performance.

TOs issued in the final option year shall not extend beyond six (6) months after the COP of the final option year. At all times each order’s terms shall be consistent with its funding appropriation.

F.5 Reporting Requirements F.5.1 Technical and Progress Reporting Requirements

During the performance of this contract the contractor shall submit the following…