SOW_for_Solicitation.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) Headquarters National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

U.S. Department of Commerce

Subject Matter Expert (SME)- Investigative Support Services for Director’s Office in

OMAO

July 27, 2017

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Introduction/Background

NOAA ships and aircraft play a critical role in the collection of oceanographic, atmospheric, hydrographic, and fisheries data. The NOAA fleet is managed and operated by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), an office composed of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. OMAO also manages the NOAA Diving Program and NOAA Small Boat Program.

OMAO’s research and survey ships compose the largest fleet of federal research ships in the nation. The fleet ranges from large oceanographic research vessels capable of exploring the world’s deepest ocean, to smaller ships responsible for charting the shallow bays and inlets of the United States. The fleet supports a wide range of marine activities including fisheries research, nautical charting, and ocean and climate studies.

OMAO’s aircraft operate throughout the world providing a wide range of capabilities including hurricane reconnaissance and research, marine mammal and fisheries assessment, and coastal mapping. NOAA aircraft carry scientists and specialized instrument packages to conduct research for NOAA’s missions.

In addition to research and monitoring activities critical to NOAA’s mission, OMAO ships and aircraft provide immediate response capabilities for unpredictable events. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita NOAA ships conducted emergency surveys for navigation hazards that helped Gulf ports reopen quickly. Aerial images of disaster-torn areas—taken by NOAA aircraft—enabled residents and emergency workers to verify the condition of houses, bridges and roads.

1.2. Scope and Objectives

The contractor shall provide SME investigative services to the Director’s Office in support of inquiries to include in-person interviews, analysis of data and documentation, production of thorough and well-written reports, adherence to applicable union agreements for employees, and coordination with subject matter experts to include NOAA Workforce management office (WFMO) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). Specific requirements are defined in Part 4 below. The Contractor shall provide highly qualified expertise, be credentialed as a Private Investigator, and have a working knowledge of marine, aviation and scuba diving operations and bargaining union agreements applicable to OMAO operations. Experience with maritime, aviation and diving operation based investigations is required. Knowledge of and experience with maritime workforce unions, bargaining unit agreements, and applicable policies required. Experience with forensic accounting to include analysis of contracts, purchase card transactions, and time and attendance records is required. Contractor must also demonstrate experience in leading diverse investigative teams, effectively leading the team to conduct investigations, analyze data and write reports.

2. ACRONYMS

CO – Contracting Officer COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative SOW – Statement of Objectives from the original Blanket Purchase Agreement BPA – Blanket Purchase Agreement Para. Paragraph

3. TECHNICAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Period of Performance

The primary period of performance shall be for 12 months plus a 12 month option for a total of 24 months. The total hours in a 12 month period will not exceed 200 hours.

3.2 Place of Performance

The place of performance will be based on the subject of investigation to include the home ports and ports of call for all 16 NOAA Ships, the Centers of Operations, location of aircraft at any given time, support and headquarters offices. May include locations outside of the U.S..

Investigative plan development, document analysis, and report analysis and writing can be performed at the contractor’s location.

3.3 Staffing & Work Schedules

Contractor shall provide a minimum number of employees to perform the work required.

Upon determination by the Director, OMAO that investigative services are required, the Technical POC (OMAO Chief of Staff (COS)) will contact the Contractor. All information received by OMAO triggering an investigation (written or verbal allegations and any supporting documentation and relevant background information) will be provided to the Contractor. The Technical POC will work closely with the Contractor during the 48 hours following notification of an investigation to provide relevant information, operational context, and rosters of relevant personnel. Based on this information and the expertise of the Contractor, the Contractor will develop an investigative plan and present it to the OMAO COS. The Contractor is required to be on site (location of allegation) within 48 hours or as soon as operationally feasible (ship comes to port).

The Contractor and OMAO COS will have a standing call Friday of each week that there is an investigation underway. The Contractor will report on status of the investigation and actions for the week; the work plan for the following week will be discussed. The Contractor and OMAO COS will call more often and/or email as needed to exchange information.

At the conclusion of the investigation the Contractor will provide the Director, OMAO a written investigative report summarizing the allegation(s) and finding(s) to include written testimony, interview summaries, and all supporting documentation.

The Contractor will continue to work with the OMAO COS, WFMO, and Office of General Council (OGC) to provide information relevant to any disciplinary actions.

3.4 Travel

Travel is anticipated under this Order at a not to exceed amount. All travel expenses shall be approved by the COR prior to travel. The contractor shall provide requests for travel at least one (1) calendar day in advance of anticipated travel; if travel can be requested further in advance that is optimal but the last-minute nature of investigations may preclude that preference. A copy of this request shall be submitted to the COR.

Contractor personnel will be required to comply with all applicable U.S. government travel regulations and policies.

3.5 Qualifications

Minimum five (5) years Federal Government investigative services experience.

Experience conducting investigations in operational environments to include ships, aircraft and scuba diving.

Understanding of and experience with ship and aircraft systems to include powerplants.

Experience conducting investigations with a workforce operating with multiple bargaining unit agreements.

Experience with forensic accounting to include purchase card logs, time and attendance, travel vouchers, and contracts.

Private investigator license.

4. TASKS TO BE COMPLETED

4.1 Specific Tasks

As specified herein, the contractor shall perform the following tasks/services for the Director or his/her designee.

Task 1:

Consultant/Subject Matter Expert (SME) Support – Contractor shall provide non-inherently governmental support to include the following:

SME Investigator: Analyzes publically available materials, government databases and other such sources to identify possible violations of Federal Government, Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and/or Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) regulations, policies, or directives. Conducts preliminary investigations to confirm such violations. Create an investigation plan, providing document/ data analysis, conducting interviews, providing well written reports interview and investigative reports, spreadsheets and other analyses, and otherwise building proof necessary for successful personnel actions when warranted. Have working experience in maritime, aerial and scuba diving operations and design and conduct investigations accordingly. Have working knowledge in mechanical systems to include ship and aircraft powerplants. Have working knowledge of and experience with NOAA OMAO bargaining unit agreements applicable to the Fleet. Serve as lead for investigation teams, working with assigned members to leverage their contribution and subject matter expertise in conducting investigations and writing report. Have experience with forensic accounting to include analysis of purchase card logs, time and attendance, travel vouchers, and contracts. Work with NOAA Workforce Management Services, as needed, to provide investigative support in resulting personnel actions.

Deliverables will consist of well-researched, analytically based and sound reports to include written statements, interview summaries, and all supporting documentation (credit card logs, emails, engineering logs, deck logs, etc). Through analysis must be conducted to conclude evidentiary substantiation or dismissal of allegations. Contractor is responsible for thoroughly developing initial premise of investigation (ie. failure to follow policies) to consider all sources of applicable data including interviews and multiple types of documentation. Report must be detailed and evidentiary based to support resulting personnel actions, if applicable.

Investigator must understand and follow all applicable labor union agreements in conducting investigations.