N4571A-26-R-0004.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING PAGE OF PAGE

1 81

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER 4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED 6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE

NUMBER

N4571A-26-R-0004 PR4877

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than item 7)

COMMANDER, NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND

NAF ACQUISITIONS BRANCH N945

5720 INTEGRITY DRIVE LASSEN BUILDING 457

MILLINGTON, TN 38055-6500

POC: JASMYN PAYNE 901-874-6931

JASMYN.M.PAYNE.NAF@US.NAVY.MIL

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

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if hand carried, in the depository located in Electronically until 0800 local time 17 February 2026

(Hour) (Date) CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. L-6. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

Jasmyn Payne

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

Jasmyn.m.payne.naf@us.navy.mil 901 874 - 6931

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1 X I CONTRACT CLAUSES 26-54

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS 2-4 PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 5-22 X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 54

D PACKAGING AND MARKING - PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 22-23 X

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 23

X G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 23-25 X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 70-77

X H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS - X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 77-81

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) 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 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause NARS.I053)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMEND-

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

AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

NON APPROPRIATED FUNDS

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS

SHOWN IN (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( ) See Section G

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

See Section G

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

(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

Previous edition is unusable

STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214 (c)

N4571A-26-R-0004

PART I, SECTION B: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B-1. GENERAL. This is a procurement of the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Nonappropriated Funds Instrumentality (NAFI), hereinafter referred to as

NAFI.

B-2.TYPE OF CONTRACT. It is anticipated that this solicitation is to be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price type contract with a Base Year of One (1) year with Four (4) One-year option periods.

B-3. SERVICES PRICE/COST SCHEDULE. Offeror is to fill in the proposed pricing table below. The

Government anticipates a labor mix from the below list of CLINS that will be utilized against the contract.

B-4. AWARD. Upon award of contract, Sections K, L, and M of the solicitation will be removed, and the

Contractor’s technical proposal, including any revisions will be incorporated by reference, subject to Clause

NARS.I015 (Order of Precedence).

B-5.

BASE YEAR

CLIN Category QTY UNIT Proposed Unit Rate Proposed Total Price

0001 Program Management

Program Manager 1880 EA -$ -$

Project Manager 5640 EA -$ -$

7520 -$

0002 Application , Development and Maintenance

Systems Engineer 9400 EA -$ -$

Software Systrems Engineer 11280 EA -$ -$

Engineer 1180 EA -$ -$

Information Assurance System Security 3760 EA -$ -$

Analyst 5640 EA -$ -$

31260 -$

0003 Help Desk Support

Senior Technician 1880 EA -$ -$

Support Technician 11280 EA -$ -$

13160 -$

0004 Spouse Transition

1 Lot 500,000.00$

0005 Other Direct Costs (See PWS)

1 Lot 30,000.00$

Base Year Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR I

OPTION YEAR II

1001 Program Management

Program Manager 1880 EA -$ -$

Project Manager 5640 EA -$ -$

7520 -$

1002 Application , Development and Maintenance

Systems Engineer 9400 EA -$ -$

Software Systrems Engineer 11280 EA -$ -$

Engineer 1180 EA -$ -$

Information Assurance System Security 3760 EA -$ -$

Analyst 5640 EA -$ -$

31260 -$

1003 Help Desk Support

Senior Technician 1880 EA -$ -$

Support Technician 11280 EA -$ -$

13160 -$

1004 Spouse Transition

1 Lot 500,000.00$

1005 Other Direct Costs (See PWS)

1 Lot 30,000.00$

Option Year I Total Estimated Cost

CLIN Category QTY UNIT Proposed Unit Rate Proposed Total Price

2001 Program Management

Program Manager 1880 EA -$ -$

Project Manager 5640 EA -$ -$

7520 -$

2002 Application , Development and Maintenance

Systems Engineer 9400 EA -$ -$

Software Systrems Engineer 11280 EA -$ -$

Engineer 1180 EA -$ -$

Information Assurance System Security 3760 EA -$ -$

Analyst 5640 EA -$ -$

31260 -$

2003 Help Desk Support

Senior Technician 1880 EA -$ -$

Support Technician 11280 EA -$ -$

13160 -$

2004 Spouse Transition

1 Lot 500,000.00$

2005 Other Direct Costs (See PWS)

Option Year II Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR III

OPTION YEAR IV

Base Year & All Option Years Total Estimated Price $ ___________

(END OF SECTION B)

3001 Program Management

Program Manager 1880 EA -$ -$

Project Manager 5640 EA -$ -$

7520 -$

3002 Application , Development and Maintenance

Systems Engineer 9400 EA -$ -$

Software Systrems Engineer 11280 EA -$ -$

Engineer 1180 EA -$ -$

Information Assurance System Security 3760 EA -$ -$

Analyst 5640 EA -$ -$

31260 -$

3003 Help Desk Support

Senior Technician 1880 EA -$ -$

Support Technician 11280 EA -$ -$

13160 -$

3004 Spouse Transition

1 Lot 500,000.00$

3005 Other Direct Costs (See PWS)

1 Lot 30,000.00$

Option Year III Total Estimated Cost

CLIN Category QTY UNIT Proposed Unit Rate Proposed Total Price

4001 Program Management

Program Manager 1880 EA -$ -$

Project Manager 5640 EA -$ -$

7520 -$

4002 Application , Development and Maintenance

Systems Engineer 9400 EA -$ -$

Software Systrems Engineer 11280 EA -$ -$

Engineer 1180 EA -$ -$

Information Assurance System Security 3760 EA -$ -$

Analyst 5640 EA -$ -$

31260 -$

4003 Help Desk Support

Senior Technician 1880 EA -$ -$

Support Technician 11280 EA -$ -$

13160 -$

4004 Spouse Transition

1 Lot 500,000.00$

4005 Other Direct Costs (See PWS)

Option Year IV Total Estimated Cost

PART I, SECTION C: DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

C-1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Department of Defense (DoD) requires a Contractor to deliver innovative Information

Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity services that enable, secure, and advance multiple, interrelated service member and family support programs. The contractor’s solutions must be continuously monitored, analyzed, and improved to ensure effectiveness, enhance content delivery, and incorporate

IT and Cybersecurity innovations. Industry best practices, adaptive strategies, and modern technologies shall be applied to maximize mission impact. The contractor is required to support key functional areas to include:

• DoD Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) Program o MySECO website, to include:

▪ Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) Jobs Portal

▪ MSEP Partner Portal

▪ My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)

▪ SECO Administration Portal (SAP)

▪ Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot/Program (MSCAP)

• DoD Voluntary Education Management Information System (VEMIS)

• Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS)

• DoD Community Capacity Inventory (CCI)

The MySECO website serves as the primary interface for military spouses into the SECO program providing information, tools and resources for career exploration, education and training, career readiness, and connections to employers. This dynamic environment underpins quality of life support systems for military members and their spouses. Therefore, the intent is to have a flexible and adaptive contract that allows the Government to quickly address evolving social dynamics, educational requirements and/or military missions, while consistently addressing the emerging needs of the military spouse community. A primary aspect of this contract is to ensure participants have access to industry best practices across all aspects of career development and educational support. The DoD seeks to leverage emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, personalize user experiences, optimize resource allocation, and drive decision-making through data-informed insights.

C-2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide adaptive, forward-leaning support for the design, development, cybersecurity, operations, content, and technical assistance of multiple websites and applications that serve military spouses, employers, and other stakeholders. The focus shall be on delivering innovative, user-driven solutions that anticipate evolving needs, integrate emerging technologies, and sustain operational excellence. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Designing and maintaining intuitive, user-centered interfaces leveraging Human Centered

Design (HCD) principles.

• Ensuring seamless functionality and accessibility across devices, platforms, and operating environments.

• Exploring and responsibly integrating large language models, generative AI, and other advanced technologies to improve user engagement, streamline workflows, and personalize experiences.

• Maintaining full compliance with Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

(WCAG) 2.X, including proactive alignment with future changes/updates to accessibility standards.

• Delivering secure operations and continuous maintenance of websites and applications in alignment with DoD and MC&FP cybersecurity and privacy mandates.

• Providing timely, accurate content updates that reflect the latest policies, programs, and resources available to military spouse. Implementing data-driven monitoring, analytics, and reporting to support decision-making, measure impact, and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Conduct continuous optimization, usability testing, and iterative enhancements to ensure evolving user’s needs are met.

• Delivering responsive technical assistance to diverse end users, including military spouses, employers, government personnel, and vendors, etc. through:

o Troubleshooting and resolution support o Guided tutorials and self-service resources o Regular training sessions and knowledge-sharing opportunities for stakeholders

C-3.0 BACKGROUND

Currently, there are approximately 898,000 military spouses across the active duty, Reserve, and

National Guard communities. Roughly 89% are women, with an average age of 34. Military spouses face unique challenges in securing meaningful employment due to the demands of military life, including frequent relocations every two to three years on average, often across state lines or overseas.

The majority of military installations are located in remote areas, limiting access to traditional employment opportunities.

Despite these challenges, military spouses are essential contributors to the economic security and resilience of the military family. Eighty-five percent (85%) of spouses report that they want or need to work in order to achieve career goals and maintain quality of life. However, frequent moves every 24 to 36 months create persistent barriers to employment continuity and advancement. The unemployment rate for military spouses has remained above 20% for more than a decade which is more than four times the national average.

Employers that hire military spouses recognize them as valuable asset to the American workforce.

Spouses are highly educated: Eighty-eight percent (88%) have completed some college, thirty-one percent (31%) hold a bachelor’s degree, and eighteen percent (18%) possess professional or graduate degrees, making them more highly educated than their civilian counterparts. Despite these strong qualifications, military spouses continue to experience disproportionate rates of unemployment and underemployment compared to their civilian peers. To address these challenges and empower military spouses to achieve their educational and employment goals, the Department of Defense (DoD) established the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) Program. The SECO Program provides a dynamic environment encompassing quality of life support systems for military members and their dependents. The SECO Program serves eligible military spouses in both the Continental

United States (CONUS) and OCONUS. The program offers military spouses a primary resource for education, postsecondary education, career exploration, and employment support, including access to coaching, training, licenses, and credentials needed for career employment.

These elements are delivered through a unified web platform to the user, including military spouses, employers, schools, and other stakeholders, in a comprehensive manner designed to provide a seamless user experience regardless of the specific program applications. The purpose and goal of each program application includes, but is not limited to:

• SECO Administration Portal (SAP): A Customer Relations Management (CRM) tool for multiple aspects of the SECO program to include tracking of all interactions between the

SECO program and spouses, employers, education/training providers, and other stakeholders.

SAP enables information sharing across portals and with Government and contract support teams through a consolidated database, ensuring an integrated experience for military spouses.

SECO Career Center: Accessible by phone through Military OneSource or via online chat through the MySECO website, the Career Center provides employment and education support six (6) days a week (Monday-Saturday). The Career Center staff are primary users of SAP.

• MySECO website: A one-stop online career and education resource center that delivers information, tools and interactive features to assist military spouses in achieving their educational and career goals.

o Resources include: Dynamic spouse profiles searchable by employers; A comprehensive military spouse specific resume builder; integrated career assessments; military spouse scholarship finders; a jobs board populated by MSEP partners (both automatically and manually); job search by verified military spouses;

candidate/job matching and job/candidate matching capabilities; Access to the MSEP

Partner Portal, military spouse scholarship finders, the MyCAA portal, and hosts other content related to military spouse career support.

• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): Connects military spouses to hundreds of employer partners who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain them in portable careers. MSEP partners include corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, and federal/local government agencies. The partner web application supports new partner applications, partner dashboards, candidate/job matching, engagement metrics, and staff support functions.

o MySTeP: Provides military spouses with micro-learning content and resources to support transition from military to civilian life. MySTeP content is hosted on MySECO.

o My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA): A workforce development program offering eligible spouses up to $4,000 in financial assistance for education, training and licensure needed to enter the workforce. The web application allows military spouse to determine eligibility, search for eligible schools and programs, and apply for and receive financial assistance for eligible coursework.

• Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP): A competitive, 12-week paid fellowship for military spouses with industry designed to transition spouses from fellows to employed at the conclusion of their fellowship. The web portal manages program processes, enables employer searches for candidates, and provides spouses access to fellowship opportunities.

• VEMIS, PECS, and CCI: Related programs that extend beyond SECO but support the broader

Military Family Readiness System.

• Voluntary Education Management Information System (VEMIS): see section 7.2

• Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS): Allows military spouses to submit complaints related to accreditation, program quality, recruitment, and/or financial aid issues at institutions participating in the MyCAA program and request resolution.

• Community Capacity Inventory (CCI): An evidence-informed online inventory that provides insight into service members and spouses readiness, helping military leadership and military family readiness service providers make informed resource and service delivery decisions

C-4.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

• Academic Institutions Portal: Utilized to engage with educational/training providers in support of the MyCAA. This includes the government vetting, reviewing, and approving institutions for participation in MyCAA, and those institutions subsequently submitting invoices for payment.

• CNIC: Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Millington, TN. CNIC is responsible for the administration of this contract.

• CCI: Evidence-informed online inventory that provides insight into the readiness of service members and their spouses. CCI assists military leadership and military family readiness service providers at the Service and program level make informed decisions about resources and service delivery.

• Contractor: The individual, partnership, corporation, or entity that is awarded the contract to provide services specified herein.

• Contracting Officer: The individual with authority to execute and/or administer a contract on behalf of the non-appropriated fund activity or its successor.

• Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): The individual that acts as the liaison between the

Contractor and the contracting officer. The COR is responsible for clarifying contract requirements as necessary with respect to the specifications and/or performance work statement and monitoring the progress and quality of contract performance.

• DoD: The Department of Defense.

• DS Logon: A secure, self-service logon ID that allows service members, veterans or family members affiliated with the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs to access several DoD or

VA websites using a single username and password. All DS Logon accounts are verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS.

• Military OneSource: a Department of Defense program providing free, comprehensive support to service members and their families, including veterans (up to 365 days post-separation). As a

24/7/365 information and referral service accessible worldwide, it acts as a personal and family readiness tool, extending the existing family support system, especially for those geographically separated from installation services or unable to seek assistance during traditional hours. Available via toll-free telephone (CONUS: 800-342-9647; Overseas: see militaryonesource.mil for instructions) and online (MilitaryOneSource.mil), it offers information, resources, and individualized consultations, coaching, and counseling to help address any aspect of military life and promote well-being by helping individuals reach goals and overcome challenges. Supported by legislative requirements, Military OneSource fills a critical gap in DoD support services.

• MSCAP: The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot

• MSEP: The Military Spouse Employment Partnership

• MySECO: A website that serves as a one-stop online career and education platform.

• MyCAA: Provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses to help pay for licenses, certifications, national testing, certain continuing education credits or associate degrees necessary for employment.

• MySTeP: The Military Spouse Transition Program provides resources to help prepare spouses for transitioning from the military.

• PECS: Used by active-duty members and their spouses to file complaints against educational and training providers.

• SAP: The CRM that allows authorized users to monitor daily operations related to multiple aspects of the SECO program. This includes, but is not limited to, financial invoicing from education and training providers, education and training provider engagement, employer engagement, spouse engagements and data management.

• SECO: Provides the umbrella program for multiple initiatives focused on education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering comprehensive resources and tools related to career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness and career connections.

• TPOC: Technical Point of Contact serves as the Subject Matter Expert on programmatic efforts related to the contract.

• TAR: Tasking, Assignments and Reporting application.

• VEMIS: Allows authorized (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) users to submit quarterly and annual education data.

C-5.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide the following services:

C-5.1.1 Provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, supervision, (except as specified in government-furnished property and services), and other items and services necessary to perform the requirements of this PWS.

C-5.1.1.1 At least 30 percent of personnel assigned to this contract must be current or former military spouses with lived experience navigating mobile military life and career transitions.

1. The Contractor shall provide Government approved links and online referrals to tools and resources in support of MySECO participant needs, organized in the following categories or as directed by the Government. Including, but not limited to:

• Find a Job: Job banks; career and job fair schedules; networking; military friendly employers; MSEP jobs board; federal job resources; resume and job application assistance;

salary and benefit information; labor market (career and employment) forecasts at a local, regional, and national levels.)

• Get Career Advice: Career coaching services; assessments of career interests, skills, knowledge, values, and ability; interview and job search skills; portfolios and transcripts;

workplace flexibility options (alternative worksites, flex-hours, telecommuting, job sharing); strategies for balancing work, life, and parenting responsibilities.

• Explore Education: Education and training; postsecondary schools with programs of study leading to degrees, licenses, certifications and credentials needed for careers and employment; professional development opportunities; testing services; public sector high school completion options; English as a Second Language programs; study skills and test preparation resources; sources of financial assistance.

C-5.1.2 The Contractor shall provide electronic access to Government approved assessment tools and resources that address participant needs. These tools and resources must be demonstrated effective in supporting mobile military spouses with:

• Career interests and occupational awareness.

• Career decision-making and goal setting.

• Identification of skills, knowledge, abilities, and core values.

• Personality type identification linked to career choices and job satisfaction.

• Generational work preferences and employment forecasts.

• Preferred adult learning modalities (e.g., classroom, distance learning, self-directed methods).

• Academic readiness in English, reading, math, and science.

• Test-taking and study skills.

• Life skills, job training, and documenting work experience for portfolio development.

• Placement tests for advanced entry into education and training programs.

• Interview skills assessments.

• Translating volunteer work experience and training for résumé development.

• Translating military work experience and training for résumé development.

C-5.1.3 Continually review requirements to sustain and enhance the MSEP Jobs Portal. Reviews shall include evaluating current DoD capabilities and platforms to determine the level of effort required to leverage those platforms to expand functionality, improve user experience, and align business processes. This analysis shall inform configuration or reconfiguration of system architecture, application design and development, database improvements, and hardware design and documentation.

C-5.2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

C-5.2.1 Provide academic, technical, and policy consultation to the PM, COR and/or their designee.

C-5.2.2 Meet with the PM, in coordination with the COR, to establish and adjust priorities for changes, as required.

C- 5.2.3 The Contractor shall collaborate with other contractors supporting the SECO Program and

MC&FP. Collaboration shall include, but not be limited to: training on the utilization of the MSEP

Career Portal and providing timely, accurate information for Government communications to various stakeholders.

C-5.2.4 The Contractor shall use the MC&FP Task and Tasking, Assignments, and Reporting (TAR) application to obtain government assignments, report progress and obtain government approval on completed assignments. The contractor shall record the time spent on assignments in the TAR. All work shall be documented with meaningful narrative descriptions of tasks preformed and hours expended within the TAR application. All Government support requests entered into the TAR shall be acknowledged by the contractor within three (3) business days. Each acknowledgement shall include a projected completion date, or a date the projected completion date will be provided.

C-5.2.5 The Contractor shall prepare and submit a Monthly Status Report (Deliverable 01) no later than the 15th of each month. The report shall provide a summary of activities conducted during the reporting period, including accomplishments, tasks completed, issues encountered, risks identified, and planned activities for the next reporting period at a minimum.

C-5.2.6 The Contractor shall document communication with MSEP partners in the Account

Management System (AMS).

C-5.3 TRAINING, TRAINING AIDS, AND USER MANUAL

C-5.3.1 The Contractor shall conduct training using a train the trainer format for Spouse Education and

Career Opportunities (SECO) staff (including but not limited to program managers, career coaches, advisors, MSEP specialists) on software applications as needed, not to exceed eight sessions per year.

C-5.3.2 The Contractor shall deliver training classes virtually, at the Government facility, or at the

Contractor’s offices, as directed by the COR.

C-5.3.3 The Contractor shall develop and update training aids and a user manual to support ease of use of all software applications.

C-5.3.4 The Contractor shall develop, update, and provide training for schools using the Academic

Institutions (AI) Portal, as needed.

C-6.0 APPLICATION DEVLEOPMENT AND SUSTAINMENT

The contractor shall design, develop, and enhance SECO applications to support program requirements.

Applications include, but are not limited to: MySECO website, MyCAA, MSEP Jobs Board, MSEP

Partner Portal, SECO Administration Portal (SAP), PECS, CCI, and VEMIS. (and interfaces with the

Academic Institutions Portal (AIPORTAL). The Contractor shall provide an Application Enhancement &

Modernization Report (Deliverable 02) twice per year that documents enhancements implemented, modernization activities completed, integration of emerging technologies, and recommendations for future improvements to SECO applications.

• Provide application development services that emphasize secure, scalable, and user-friendly design, leveraging modern industry best practices.

• Develop and maintain interactive tools and resources (e.g., resume builders, scorecards, content hosting, feedback mechanisms) to support military spouse employment, training, and education needs.

• Implement enhancements in response to evolving Government direction and user requirements, including modernization of legacy features and integration of emerging technologies where appropriate.

• The Contractor shall comply with MC&FP IT Configuration Management and Change Control

Plan, Policies, and Procedures (CMP3), including all associated configuration management, change control, and approval processes.

• Ensure all applications meet DoD accessibility standards, including Section 508 and WCAG, with accessibility testing incorporated into development cycles.

• The Contractor shall provide a Monthly Section 508 Compliance Report (Deliverable 03) no later than the 15th of each month, documenting accessibility testing conducted, issues identified, corrective actions taken, and overall compliance status with Section 508 and WCAG standards.

• Design for cross-platform and cross-device compatibility, ensuring consistent performance on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

• Provide documentation and status reporting to keep the Government informed of development activities, upcoming enhancements, and any identified risks.

C-6.1 TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The contractor shall provide responsive technical support for the SECO applications and stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution of issues and consistent user assistance.

• Provide support resources such as user guides, webinars, and direct assistance (virtual or one-on-one) to address application issues, new functionality, and system changes, as requested by the

Government.

• Review and provide recommendations to the Government for approval or disapproval of all

MyCAA school applications within 30 business days of receipt.

• Provide schools with clear policy and process guidance related to the MyCAA program, ensuring consistent application of requirements.

• Develop and distribute onboarding reference materials and training for schools newly participating in the MyCAA program.

• Investigate and document issues or complaints related to MyCAA schools, providing findings and recommendations to the Government.

• Support the virtual event platform for hiring fairs, ensuring stable operations and a positive user experience.

• Provide ongoing management, maintenance, and user support for SECO portals, which may include occasional travel for on-site assistance as directed by the Government.

The contractor shall ensure the SECO applications and portals remain fully functional, secure, and continuously available.

C-6.2 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Provide operations and maintenance services 24/7/365 to minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted access to SECO systems.

• Ensure the MSEP Jobs Portal remains continuously available to spouses and MSEP partners.

• Conduct regular reviews of SECO application requirements and capabilities, recommending enhancements to improve functionality, user experience, and alignment with business processes.

• Maintain and upgrade the Community Capacity Inventory (CCI) application to ensure continued effectiveness in assisting spouses with school and relocation evaluations.

• Perform adaptive maintenance to update or enhance existing functionality in response to changing

Government needs or evolving technical requirements, treating such requests as a high priority.

• Maintain access to the Air Force Academic Institutions Portal (AIPORTAL) for database and configuration management activities.

C-6.3 DATABASES AND DATA MANAGEMENT

The contractor shall support SECO program objectives by developing, maintaining, and enhancing databases that provide information critical to military spouses. All databases shall remain Government property.

• Maintain databases of education and training institutions, including data on financial costs, credentialing/licensing requirements, salary projections, and career development details.

• Maintain a scholarship database for military spouses with fields such as school information, point of contact details, scholarship type, eligibility, application timelines, and funding amounts.

• Maintain a database of federal, state, and private funding sources for education and training programs, capturing relevant information such as accreditation, tuition/fees, assistance type and amount, eligibility criteria, and limitations.

• Ensure databases are accurate, updated regularly, and designed for efficient search and reporting functionality to support Government decision-making.

C-6.4 HOSTING AND PORTAL OPERATIONS

The contractor shall develop, manage, and sustain the hosting and infrastructure environment supporting SECO applications, ensuring secure, reliable, and consistent operations.

• Develop, manage, and maintain the networks and systems required to interface with academic institutions through the AI Portal and all applications identified in this PWS.

• Within 60 calendar days of PS and annual thereafter, document and implement a “Zero Defects

Usability and Quality Framework” SOP (Deliverable 05) to reduce or eliminate software and application defects prior to production deployment pre-deployment, including rigorous testing, peer reviews, and continuous quality checks.

• Maintain sufficient bandwidth and internet availability to support SECO applications. Provide the

Government with 48-hour notice prior to planned downtime and ensure that downtime messages are automatically displayed to users.

• Provide physical support for web production environments and application hardware, as required.

• Collaborate with the Government and other contractors (e.g., MySECO, MSEP, MyCAA, and Military

OneSource teams) to ensure seamless and unified service delivery to SECO users and audiences.

• Ensure the MySECO web presence links to the MilitaryOneSource.mil public website and maintains consistency with Military OneSource design standards and the MC&FP Style Guide located at https://styleguide.militaryonesource.mil/.

• Provide a single-entry point into MySECO services with secure login capability. Authentication shall be provided by the Government through a SOAP-based web service API.

• Ensure technical infrastructure and capabilities support 24/7 operations for users both in CONUS and

OCONUS.

• Collaborate with the Government to produce a Monthly MySECO Web Portal Report (Deliverable 06), which at a minimum shall include:

o Web presence usage metrics o Count of content viewed by portal users o Count of content viewed by content title o Top 100 web presence query strings o Number of times each MySECO online service is accessed o Recommendations for site improvements

• Ensure contractor personnel comply with the Privacy Act, Title 5 U.S.C. §552a, and applicable agency rules and regulations. Provide evidence of compliance to the Government upon request.

• Manage MyCAA data retention in accordance with Government requirements. Backup data files shall be retained for no more than 45 days and used solely for system restoration. Backup records are not to be used for retrieving individual records, and files must be destroyed through secure erasure, deletion, or overwriting.

C-6.5 REPORTING AND ANALYTICS

The contractor shall provide reporting and analytics capabilities across SECO applications to support program oversight and data-driven decisions. The Contractor shall provide a Quarterly Analytics

Report (Deliverable 07) within 20 days after the end of each quarter that captures SECO application usage, spouse engagement trends, and program outcomes, and includes recommendations for improvements to functionality, content, and user experience.

• Develop reporting functionality that captures application usage, spouse engagement, and program outcomes.

• Provide ad hoc reports to the Government upon request, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

• Recommend improvements to reporting functions to enhance insight into user behavior, partner engagement, and program performance.

C-6.6 CYBERSECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

The contractor shall provide comprehensive cybersecurity services for the SECO applications in compliance with DoD, DISA, and MC&FP cybersecurity directives, policies, and procedures. The contractor shall support the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process using the DoD Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service

(eMASS) platform and ensure that the SECO applications attain and sustain Government-issued Authorities to

Operate (ATO).

• Implement and maintain all applicable DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and

Security Requirements Guides (SRGs). Conduct recurring assessments to verify compliance and provide results to the Government.

• Develop, update, and maintain eMASS package(s) for the SECO applications. Ensure packages reflect current system configurations, vulnerabilities, and risks to support timely Government evaluation and authorization decisions.

• Monitor SECO applications and infrastructure to detect vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and anomalous activity. Document findings in eMASS and coordinate mitigation strategies with the

Government.

• The Contractor shall provide a Quarterly Cybersecurity Compliance Report within 20 days after the end of each quarter, detailing the status of STIG and SRG implementation, vulnerability scan results, POA&M updates, ATO status, and any identified risks with recommended mitigation actions at a minimum.

• The contractor shall conduct risk and vulnerability analyses, assessments, and reporting to support ongoing compliance management.

• Identify, document, and recommend remediation for system vulnerabilities. Escalate high-risk vulnerabilities immediately to the Government with recommended actions. Track all vulnerabilities to closure through Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) in eMASS.

• Support MC&FP incident response policy and procedures by analyzing, reporting, and remediation of security incidents. All incidents are to be reported in the MC&FP Incident Reporting Information

System (IRIS) unless directed otherwise by the government. Provide initial reporting within required timelines and submit final incident reports and lessons learned, as directed.

• Apply secure coding standards, code review, and security-by-design principles in all development and maintenance activities to prevent the introduction of new vulnerabilities.

• Safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), personally identifiable information (PII), and other sensitive data through encryption, access control, and secure transmission protocols in accordance with DoD and MC&FP privacy requirements.

• Ensure all SECO applications reside within hosting environments that maintain an active ATO.

Following ATO issuance, support Government-led Information Assurance processes by providing updates, documentation, and technical input.

• Maintain the electronic interface with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to validate spouse eligibility for MyCAA program participation, ensuring the interface is secure and operational at all times.

• Contractor personnel performing cybersecurity and information assurance functions shall hold and maintain certifications in accordance with DoD 8140.03 (Cyber Workforce Qualification and

Management Program), ensuring qualifications remain current throughout contract performance.

C-6.7 USER EXPERIENCE

The contractor shall ensure SECO applications deliver a positive, accessible, and user-centered experience for military spouses and stakeholders.

• Apply Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles to all SECO applications, ensuring usability and inclusivity.

• Ensure cross-device responsiveness, supporting desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

• Provide a unified web portal community where spouses can find employment opportunities, connect with vetted MSEP partners, and access SECO resources.

• Recommend UX enhancements based on user feedback, analytics, and evolving best practices.

C-6.8 HELP DESK SUPPORT

The contractor shall provide responsive, reliable, and professional help desk services to support SECO stakeholders, including school officials, Military OneSource consultants, partners, and VEMIS users.

• Provide help desk services Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (excluding federal holidays). Services shall be available via both web-based and telephonic channels.

• Support requests shall include assistance with the Academic Institutions (AI) Portal, functional website issues, financial assistance eligibility forms, and other SECO-related applications.

• Provide dedicated MyCAA program support, including processing of school invoices for Government review, resolving credit card declines, processing spouse refunds, and correcting financial assistance documents when discrepancies arise.

• Record all calls with schools and retain recordings for 100 days. A minimum of five calls per quarter will be reviewed by the Government. The call recording system must be DoD-approved.

• Respond to calls and emails within 48 hours of receipt. Callback messages must be taken for less than

25% of calls, with 95% of callbacks completed within 48 hours. Follow-up attempts must be completed

100% of the time, as agreed to by the caller. Customer complaints shall not exceed 5% of total interactions.

• Provide ongoing technical support throughout the contract period to resolve identified technical defects, coordinating with the Government to track resolution status.

C-7.0 DELIVERABLES

C-7.1 The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables in accordance with this PWS. All deliverables shall be submitted electronically in Microsoft Office format (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) or as otherwise directed by the Government.

No.

Deliverable Description Frequency /

Due Date

Monthly Status

Report

Summary of contract activities, accomplishments, issues, risks, and planned actions.

10th of each month

Monthly

Section 508

Compliance

Report

Documentation of accessibility testing results, issues identified, and remediation actions taken across

SECO applications.

15th of each month

Application

Enhancement &

Modernization

Report

Report detailing system enhancements, modernization activities, and integration of new technologies.

Twice per year

Zero Defects

Usability &

Quality

Framework

SOP

SOP documenting processes to minimize software/application defects prior to production deployment.

Initial version due within 60 days of

Period of Start (PS), with updates provided annually.

Initial: within 60 days of PS;

Annual update thereafter

Monthly

MySECO Web

Portal Report

Metrics on portal usage, content views, top queries, access counts by service, and recommended improvements.

15th of each month

Quarterly

Cybersecurity

Compliance

Report

Summary of cybersecurity status including STIG/SRG compliance, vulnerability management, POA&M status, and ATO updates.

Within 20 days after end of each quarter

Quarterly

Analytics

Report

Data-driven analysis of SECO application usage, spouse engagement, program outcomes, and recommendations.

Within 20 days after end of each quarter

Quarterly

DCWF

Workforce

Certification

Report

Listing of contractor personnel mapped to DCWF work roles, with certifications and qualifications.

Within 20 days after end of each quarter and within 5 business days of new personnel onboarding

7.2 VEMIS requires the Following:

Deliverable Description Delivery Date

Service Quarterly

Reports

Authorized Service Users will use the online VEMIS Application to enter data and finalize their

Quarterly Reports.

The quarterly report, data shall be submitted no later than twenty (20) days after the end of the quarter. Reference VEMIS online-user Guide and DoD

Instruction.

Services Annual Report

Authorized Service Users will us the online VEMIS Application to enter data and finalize their Annual Report.

Ensure the Services use the online VEMIS Application, User

Guide and DoD Instruction, to submit the Services Annual report data no later than 15

November each year.

Officer and Enlisted End

Strength by Education

Minus Coast Guard

A report of Officers and Enlisted

End Strength by Education Levels for the selected component and fiscal year.

Annual report due no later than 15

November each year.

VOLED Fact Sheet A detailed report of Enrollments, Degrees Completed, Expenditures, and DANTES Testing numbers broken out by service for the selected component and fiscal year.

Annual report Due date is no later than 15 November each year.

DoD Summary A summary report of Troop Strength, Education Levels, Enrollments, Operational Costs, degrees Completed, SOC, CCAF Data, and Total

Expenditures for the selected components and fiscal year.

Annual DoD Summary and

VEMIS report due date is no later than 15 November each year.

VEMIS Report A complete report of the entire

VEMIS report for the selected components and fiscal year.

Annual DoD Report due date is no later than 15 November each year.

1. Provide reporting capability with export to Excel capability for OUSD and Services to input data required to populate DoD MOU VEMIS Report (data to be retrieved from the DoD MOU data system and from data provided by the Services to include Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

2. Capability to allow VEMIS user to view the DoDI 1325.22 reporting requirements so that the VEMIS user can easily view the status of all data items.

3. Catalog all DoDI 1325.22 requirements and crosswalk with Service provided data. This creates relationships between Service specific databases and the VEMIS database.

4. Identify gaps within the current data construct at the DoD level for supporting DoDI 1325.22 (e.g., missing data elements within the VEMIS data construct).

5. Identify Service gaps and create the appropriate relationships between the data and reporting requirements to minimize (e.g., VEMIS construct supports but Service specific data may not support).

6. Leverage current VEMIS data fields for creating standardized data dictionary.

7. Enhance the VEMIS database to directly support all DoDI 1325.22 reporting requirements (e.g., add attributes to existing data elements, create new data elements).

8. Implement the source for each Service’s data to support each data requirement (e.g., implement the data relationships).

9. Review Gap analysis to assure all DoDI 1325.22 reporting requirements are met in the database.

10. Provide reporting capability for Aggregated Data Reports (Accreditation Status, sector status, and

SOC/Non-SOC status) to populate the DoD MOU VEMIS Report.

C-8.0 COMMON ACCESS CARD

All contractor personnel requiring logical or physical access to Department of Defense (DoD) installations, facilities, controlled spaces, or information systems, including access to VEMIS, Cyber

Security resources, or any other DoD assets as determined by the Government, shall possess a valid

Common Access Card (CAC) as the principal identity credential for DoD, enabling interoperable access consistent with DoDI 5200.46, contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements such as U.S. citizenship or approved immigration status, and a favorably adjudicated background investigation appropriate for the position's risk level, initiated via electronic fingerprint submission and completion of the required investigative Standard Forms (SF) through the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) electronic application (eApp). The type of background investigation required is determined by the position sensitivity and risk level: Tier 1 (Low Risk, Non-Sensitive) requires a background investigation adjudicated via SF85; Tier 2 (Moderate Risk Public Trust) requires a background investigation adjudicated via SF85P; Tier 3 (Non-Critical Sensitive National Security, Secret/L access) requires a background investigation adjudicated via SF86; Tier 4 (High Risk Public Trust) requires a background investigation adjudicated via SF85P; Tier 5 (Critical Sensitive and Special

Sensitive National Security, Top Secret/SCI/Q access) requires a background investigation adjudicated via SF86. An interim CAC may be authorized at the DoD Component's discretion pending completion of the appropriate background investigation but does not guarantee final approval. Contractors must plan for administrative lead-time, maintain strict control and accountability of CACs, returning them immediately upon employee termination, expiration, when no longer required, or upon contract completion/termination, and report any loss or theft immediately, while ensuring personnel are aware of their responsibilities under DoDI 5200.46, undergo annual security training, and comply with all

Government instructions, as failure to comply may result in denial of access, corrective actions, withholding of payment, or contract termination. Security managers (SSO/FSO) will use the "NBIS

Agency" login to process and manage background applications through the investigations process.

C-9.0 SECURITY INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENTS

Reference(s): Executive Order 13467, “Reforming Processes Related to Suitability for Government

Employment, Fitness for Contractor Employees, and Eligibility for Access to Classified National Security

Information,” June 30, 2008, Executive Order (E.O.) 13488, “Granting Reciprocity on Excepted Service and Federal Contractor Employee Fitness and Reinvestigating Individuals in Positions of Public Trust,”

January 16, 2009, DoDI 5200.46 “DoD Investigation and…