OHC-393-2022-0029 Statement of Work Urban Alliance.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

8/10/22

Diversity High School Student Contract Urban Alliance

I. SCOPE

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a requirement to acquire services to establish a partnership with a non-profit organization that offers a yearlong employment program for under-resourced high school seniors in the Maryland area, specifically at schools in Baltimore and Woodlawn areas that have diverse demographics and a large concentration of students from underrepresented and underserved groups, to provide youth access to professional growth experiences while providing tangible mentoring opportunities.

The Recruitment and Incentives Team serves as strategic recruiters for CMS by establishing and maintaining partnerships with high schools to expand the Agency's applicant base. CMS is attempting to use the Diversity High School Student Contract (DHSSC) as an internship program to increase or establish a pipeline of entry level candidates. CMS is seeking a contractor to provide a student workforce. The internship program is described in Executive Order 13562- Recruiting and Hiring Students.

A. Background

The Internship Program shall provide students in high schools, as determined by OPM, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship Program would replace the existing Student Career Experience Program, established pursuant to Executive Order 12015 of October 26, 1977. The following principles and policies shall govern the Internship Program:

(a) Participants in the program shall be referred to as "Interns" and shall be students enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in qualifying educational institutions and programs, as determined by OPM.

(b) Subject to any exceptions OPM may establish by regulation, agencies shall provide Interns with meaningful developmental work and set clear expectations regarding the work experience of the intern.

(c) Students employed by third-party internship providers but placed in agencies may, to the extent permitted by OPM regulations, be treated as participants in the Internship Program.

(d) The internship program will be performed virtually, based on CMS’ current work environment. Due to the virtual environment, students will have the opportunity to work with CMS’ regional offices in addition to the Woodlawn office.

Further this requirement supports the CMS's human capital vision, namely to "recruit, develop and retain a high performing, highly skilled, diverse workforce necessary for mission success, and to foster the next generation of CMS employees and leaders." The regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission require Executive Branch agencies to promote equal employment opportunity. In support of this program, agencies shall, participate in the community level with other employers, with schools and universities and with other public and private groups in cooperative action to improve employment opportunities and community conditions that affect employability, specifically found at 29 C.F.R. § 1614.102 (a) (13).

Through this requirement, the CMS seeks to participate at the community level with the identified schools by using a contractor that specializes in substantially increasing opportunities for local high school students from the immediate area near CMS Maryland Headquarters, while providing meaningful work and supporting them in achieving, long-term post-high school success.

B. Purpose

This program exposes students to jobs in the Federal civil service by providing meaningful development work at the beginning of their career, before their career paths are fully established. The (DHSSC) will provide students in high schools with paid opportunities to work in Federal agencies and explore Federal careers while completing their education.

To compete effectively for students, the Federal Government must improve its recruiting efforts to offer clear paths to Federal internships for students currently enrolled in high school, offer clear paths to civil service careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training, mentoring, and career-development opportunities.

Further, exposing students to Federal jobs through internships and similar programs to attract them to careers in the Federal Government and enables agency employers to evaluate them on the job to determine whether they are likely to have successful careers in Government.

II. REQUIREMENTS

Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the requirements of this Statement of Work.

The Contactor shall provide personnel to:

l) Work with office managers assigned to business units throughout the CMS providing virtual administrative support, including but not limited to conducting research, creating presentations, and preparing meeting minutes.

2) Provide support and assistance with customer interactions in various CMS assistance centers. This support includes but is not limited to administrative support functions such as, answering emails, creating presentations, and updating spreadsheets.

3) Maintain all confidentiality and Secrecy Act requirements as appropriate.

A. Requirements/Tasks to be performed:

The contractor shall provide at least 10 high school students currently enrolled in an accredited high school and meet the following requirements:

Requirements Pre-employment (September 2022 - September 2023)

1. Meet CMS Project manager prior to recruiting students to discuss contract deliverables.

2. Develop an electronic attendance sheet.

3. Develop an electronic feedback tool assessing performance to be used by CMS managers.

4. Plan and coordinate an employment orientation virtually.

II. Requirements: Employment (September 2022 - September 2023)

i. A US citizen,

2. At least 16 years old

3. Pass a security background investigation

4. Currently enrolled in a diploma program on at least a part-time basis

5. In good academic standing maintaining a GPA of 3.0

6. Satisfy the work performance standards and work schedule requirements of CMS

a. Work Monday thru Thursday from 1pm until 4pm eastern standard time during the school year at least 12 hours a week

b. Work a 40-hour work week during the summer break from high school

The contractor shall develop a system to provide at least 40 hours of formal, classroom training each year before the work assignment begins for students to include but not limited to:

a. Proper business dress office attire

l. Dress for the job you want

b. Professional attitude 1 General Noise

2. Privacy

3. Talking

4. Phones

c. Meaningful training

1. Cube Etiquette

2. Disability Etiquette

d. Career development

1. Career planning

e. Mentoring

1. Problem solving

The contractor shall develop a system to meet with students on a monthly basis to receive an update on each student performance.

The contractor shall insure that the students' attendance record is at least 90%.

The contractor shall provide monthly reports electronically to the COR no later than the 5th of every month for attendance.

The contractor shall ensure that the students maintain the required 3.0 GPA or higher at the end of each school quarter/semester.

B. Report Requirements

Although not all inclusive the report shall be submitted in the following format and include the following various elements:

Cover to contain:

Contractor's name and address Contract number Report number and date including deliverable number, title, and period covered

Main body to contain in a spreadsheet:

Student's name Name of school

GPA

Date of birth Social Security number Worksite Type of training received Total number of hours trained

C. Government Property N/A

III Quality Assurance

• Progress meetings shall be held between the Contractor and the COR on a monthly basis via teleconference. The dates and times of the progress meetings shall be established mutually between the COR and the Contractor.

The monthly statistical report shall be submitted to the COR by the 5th working day after the end of each month. The report shall be current as of the end of the previous month. The monthly report should include:

• Students time and attendance

• Name

• Location of school

• Location of worksite

• Training provided

The school year quarterly report shall be submitted to the COR by the 5th working day after the end of each school quarter. The report shall be current as of the end of the previous school year quarter. The quarterly report should include:

• GPA average for the school quarter

• Training provided

CMS SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR ALL NEW SOLICITATIONS AND CONTRACTS:

Security Clause Background - Investigations for Contractor Personnel

If applicable, Contractor personnel performing services for CMS under this contract, task order or delivery order shall be required to undergo a background investigation. CMS will initiate and pay for any required background investigation(s).

After contract award, the CMS Project Officer (PO) and the Security and Emergency Management Group (SEMG), with the assistance of the Contractor, shall perform a position-sensitivity analysis based on the duties contractor personnel shall perform on the contract, task order or delivery order. The results of the position-sensitivity analysis will determine first, whether the provisions of this clause are applicable to the contract and second, if applicable, determine each position's sensitivity level (i.e., high risk, moderate risk or low risk) and dictate the appropriate level of background investigation to be processed. Investigative packages may contain the following forms:

1. SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions, 09/1995

2. SF-85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, 09/1995

3. OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, 12/2002

4. OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, 01/2001

5. Credit Report Release Form

6. FD-258, Fingerprint Card, 5/99, and

7. CMS-730A, Request for Physical Access to CMS Facilities (NON-CMS ONLY), 11/2003.

The Contractor personnel shall be required to undergo a background investigation commensurate with one of these position-sensitivity levels:

1) High Risk (Level 6) Public Trust positions that would have a potential for exceptionally serious impact on the integrity and efficiency of the service. This would include computer security of a major automated information system (AIS). This includes positions in which the incumbent's actions or inaction could diminish public confidence in the integrity, efficiency, or effectiveness of assigned government activities, whether or not actual damage occurs, particularly if duties are especially critical to the agency or program mission with a broad scope of responsibility and authority.

Major responsibilities that would require this level include:

a. development and administration of CMS computer security programs, including direction and control of risk analysis and/or threat assessment;

b. significant involvement in mission-critical systems;

c. preparation or approval of data for input into a system which does not necessarily involve personal access to the system but with relatively high risk of causing grave damage or realizing significant personal gain;

d. other responsibilities that involve relatively high risk of causing damage or realizing personal gain;

e. policy implementation;

f. higher level management duties/assignments or major program responsibility; or

g. independent spokespersons or non-management position with authority for independent action.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $2,900

2) Moderate Risk (Level 5) Level 5 Public Trust positions include those involving policymaking, major program responsibility, and law enforcement duties that are associated with a "Moderate Risk." Also included are those positions involving access to or control of unclassified sensitive, proprietary information, or financial records, and those with similar duties through which the incumbent can realize a significant personal gain or cause serious damage to the program or Department.

Responsibilities that would require this level include:

a. the direction, planning, design, operation, or maintenance of a computer system and whose work is technically reviewed by a higher authority at the High Risk level to ensure the integrity of the system;

b. systems design, operation, testing, maintenance, and/or monitoring that are carried out under the technical review of a higher authority at the High Risk level;

c. access to and/or processing of information requiring protection under the Privacy Act of 1974;

d. assists in policy development and implementation;

e. mid-level management duties/assignments;

f. any position with responsibility for independent or semi-independent action; or

g. delivery of service positions that demand public confidence or trust.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $2,400

3) Low Risk (Level 1) Positions having the potential for limited interaction with the agency or program mission, so the potential for impact on the integrity and efficiency of the service is small. This includes computer security impact on AIS.

Approximate cost of each investigation: $550

CMS Clause 09Am01

Page 2 of5

The Contractor shall submit the investigative package(s) to SEMG within three (3) days after being advised by the SEMG of the need to submit packages. Investigative packages shall be submitted to the following address:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Operations Management Security and Emergency Management Group Mail Stop SL-13-15 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the transmittal letter to the Contracting Officer (CO).

Contractor personnel shall submit a CMS-730A (Request for Badge) to the SEMG (see attachment in Section J). The Contractor and the PO shall obtain all necessary signatures on the CMS-730A prior to any Contractor employee arriving for fingerprinting and badge processing.

The Contractor must appoint a Security Investigation Liaison as a point of contact to resolve any issues of inaccurate or incomplete form(s). Where personal information is involved, SEMG may need to contact the contractor employee directly. The Security Investigation Liaison may be required to facilitate such contact.

SEMG will fingerprint contractor personnel and send their completed investigative package to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM will conduct the background investigation.

Badges will not be provided by SEMG until acceptable finger print results are received; until then the contractor employee will be considered an escorted visitor. The Contractor remains fully responsible for ensuring contract, task order or delivery order performance pending completion of background investigations of contractor personnel.

SEMG shall provide written notification to the CO with a copy to the PO of all suitability decisions. The PO shall then notify the Contractor in writing of the approval of the Contractor's employee(s), at that time the Contractor's employee(s) will receive a permanent identification badge. Contractor personnel who the SEMG determines to be ineligible may be required to cease working on the contract immediately.

The Contractor shall report immediately in writing to SEMG with copies to the CO and the PO, any adverse information regarding any of its employees that may impact their ability to perform under this contract, task order or delivery order. Reports should be based on reliable and substantiated information, not on rumor or innuendo. The report shall include the contractor employee's name and social security number, along with the adverse information being reported.

Date: May 2007

Contractor personnel shall be provided an opportunity to explain or refute unfavorable information found in an investigation to SEMG before an adverse adjudication is made.

Contractor personnel may request, in writing, a copy of their own investigative results by contacting:

Office of Personnel Management Freedom of Information Federal Investigations Processing Center PO Box 618 Boyers, PA 16018-0618.

At the Agency's discretion, if an investigated contractor employee leaves the employment of the contractor, or otherwise is no longer associated with the contract, task order, or delivery order within one (1) year from the date the background investigation was initiated by CMS, then the Contractor may be required to reimburse CMS for the full cost of the investigation. Depending upon the type of background investigation conducted, the cost could be approximately $550 to $2,900. The amount to be paid by the Contractor shall be due and payable when the CO submits a written letter notifying the Contractor as to the cost of the investigation. The Contractor shall pay the amount due within thirty (30) days of the date of the CO's letter by check made payable to the "United States Treasury." The Contractor shall provide a copy of the CO's letter as an attachment to the check and submit both to the Office of Financial Management at the following address:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services PO Box 7520 Baltimore, Maryland 21207

The Contractor must immediately provide written notification to SEMG (with copies to the CO and the PO) of all terminations or resignations of Contractor personnel working on this contract, task order or delivery order. The Contractor must also notify SEMG (with copies to the CO and the PO) when a Contractor's employee is no longer working on this contract, task order or delivery order.

At the conclusion of the contract, task order or delivery order and at the time when a contractor employee is no longer working on the contract, task order or delivery order due to termination or resignation, all CMS-issued parking permits, identification badges, access cards, and/or keys must be promptly returned to SEMG. Contractor personnel who do not return their government-issued parking permits, identification badges, access cards, and/or keys within 48 hours of the last day of authorized access shall be permanently barred from the CMS complex and subject to fines and penalties authorized by applicable federal and State laws.

Date: May 2007 Page 4 of5

Work Performed Outside the United States and its Territories

The contractor, and its subcontractors, shall not perform any activities under this contract at a location outside of the United States, including the transmission of data or other information outside the United States, without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. The factors that the Contracting Officer will consider in making a decision to authorize the performance of work outside the United States include, but are not limited to the following:

1. All contract terms regarding system security

2. All contract terms regarding the confidentiality and privacy requirements for information and data protection

3. All contract terms that are otherwise relevant, including the provisions of the statement of work

4. Corporate compliance

5. All laws and regulations applicable to the performance of work outside the United

States

6. The best interest of the United States

In requesting the Contracting Officer's authorization to perform work outside the United States, the contractor must demonstrate that the performance of the work outside the United States satisfies all of the above factors. If, in the Contracting Officer's judgment, the above factors are not fully satisfied, the performance of work outside the United States will not be authorized.

Any approval to employ or outsource work outside of the United States must have the concurrence of the CMS SEMG Director or designee.

CMS Clause-09A-01

Page 5 of5