PWS_Emerging Technology.pdf

FA9304-23-Q-50003

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PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

FOR

USAF TPS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERVICES

AT

EDWARDS AFB, CA

21 SEPTEMBER 2023

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Executive Education Services

Table of Contents

1.0 SECTION I: DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

1.1 General Scope

1.2 Background

1.3 Inherently Governmental Function

1.4 Period of Performance

1.5 Place of Performance

1.6 Specific Tasks

1.7 Historical Data

1.8 Deliverables

2.0 SECTION II: SERVICE SUMMARY

2.1 General

2.2 Performance Evaluation

2.3 Government Quality Assurance

2.4 Performance Assessment

2.5 Quarterly Progress Meetings

2.6 Contracting Officer’s Representative

2.7 Contractor’s Performance

3.0 SECTION IV: GENERAL INFORMATION

3.1 Hours of Operation

3.2 Contractor Personnel

3.3 Miscellaneous Information

4.0 SECTION IV APPENDICES & EXHIBITS

APPENDIX 1 Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms

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SECTION I

1.0 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

1.1 General. This is a non-personnel services contract to provide emerging technology executive education.

The government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn is responsible to the government.

1.1.1 Description of Services/Objectives. The contractor shall provide all management, personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform emerging technology executive education as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as Government Furnished Property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. This includes the planning, coordination, and surveillance of the activities necessary to ensure disciplined work performance and timely resources application to accomplish all tasking under the contract. The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining communication with the contracting officer (CO) and the contracting officer’s representative (COR), and to immediately notify both the CO and the COR of any problems that would prevent timely performance of this contract. The contractor is responsible for and required to implement, and maintain management control systems necessary to plan, organize, direct, and control all activities under this contract.

1.2 Background. U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School’s mission is to "Create Highly-Adaptive Critical-Thinking Test Leaders to Accelerate Multidomain Capabilities to The Warfighter." We prepare mid-career pilots, satellite operators, and engineers to test and evaluate highly complex systems in conditions of significant risk, time pressure, senior leadership/Congressional oversight, and resource constraints. Our school is world class in preparing students for the test and evaluation profession, but in keeping with our mission, we would like to further prepare students for leadership of broad, multi-disciplinary teams whose objective is to apply data gained from test and evaluation to influence acquisition decisions in a dense, complex stakeholder universe on behalf of the warfighter.

1.3 Inherently Governmental Function. The contractor shall not perform inherently governmental functions as defined in FAR Subpart 7.5 in relationship to this PWS.

1.4 Period of Performance. This is a 10-month contract.

Task 1: Course Design, 1 November 2023 – 7 July 2024 Task 2: Course Execution, 8 July 2024 – 30 August 2024

1.5 Place of Performance. The contractor shall perform the services in the PWS at the contractor’s facilities.

Additional services may be performed at off-campus facilities, to include Edwards AFB, CA and additional military or commercial facilities as agreed upon during course curriculum design.

1.6. Specific Tasks. The course must meet all the requirements outlined below.

1.6.1 Class Start. Must have a class offering that starts in the July – August 2024 timeframe. 22 July 2024 to 9 August 2024 desired.

1.6.2 Attendance. Up to 80 people at the contractor’s campus/facility for the specified course dates in a single cohort. This will consist of up to 75 students and 5 staff chaperones. Attendance may be modified by the government during course design due to mission constraints.

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1.6.3 Full time Class. Must be a full time emerging technology course. Class must be offered M-F during normal business hours. Additional events outside of normal business hours that contribute to overall learning objectives are acceptable/desired and shall be decided upon during detailed course design.

1.6.4 Location. Classes must be offered on campus. No online courses unless part of a pre-course preparation syllabus or as requested by the government. Off-campus fieldtrips that support the below requirements are desired. Inclusion of local industry leaders and subject matter experts is desired.

1.6.5 Room & Board. Local area or on-campus lodging is required. If not within walking distance, public or contractor provided transportation is required. A meal plan is required to accommodate on-campus activities Monday – Friday.

1.6.6 Syllabus. The proposal shall provide a draft syllabus, with the intent that a more detailed syllabus will be refined through a course design process following contractor selection. The syllabus shall be for a single, full-time emerging technology course that is three weeks long. A custom course designed specifically for this requirement is desired; however, existing course materials and syllabi may be used.

1.6.6.1 The syllabus should include, at a minimum:

• Suggested courses / course descriptions

• Suggested workshop and/or hands-on learning opportunities

• Faculty experience, expertise, and qualifications

• Industry collaboration and integration opportunities

1.6.6.2 The syllabus must address all of the following:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Autonomous Systems

• Cybersecurity

• Data Science & Data Analytics

• Design Thinking

• Machine Learning

• Strategic Technology Roadmapping & Development

• Model-Based test & evaluation

• Hands-on case studies, workshops, & labs

1.7 Historical Data. The tasks described above have not been performed in the past by full-time equivalent employees.

1.8 Deliverables.

1.8.1 Below is a list of deliverables under this contract.

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Support Area Title Delivery Date/Description

Proposal / Draft Syllabus - During RFP window

- Suggested courses / course descriptions

- Suggested workshops and/or hands-on learning activities

- Faculty experience, expertise, and qualification to include areas of research and/or projects

- Opportunities for industry collaboration and integration

Course Syllabus As agreed upon / Detailed course syllabus Executive Education Course As agreed upon / Per detailed course design Room & Board During course execution

1.8.2 Service Contractor Reporting of Information (SCR). See clause DFARS 252.204-7023 Reporting Requirements for Contracted Services or its Alternate 1, if included.

1.8.3 Inspection. Deliverables will be inspected by the government within 7 workdays of receipt. Progress meetings may be held as required.

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SECTION II

2.0 Service Summary (SS)

2.1 General

The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success but do not represent all contract performance requirements. All contract performance requirements in this PWS will be monitored.

2.2 Performance Evaluation

Performance of a service shall be evaluated to determine whether or not it meets the performance requirements of this contract. Re-performance of unacceptable services at no additional cost is the preferred course of action when appropriate. In the case of issued Corrective Action Reports (CARs), the Contracting Officer shall take appropriate measures according to inspection of services clause in the contract, i.e., FAR 52.246-4, 52.246-5, or 52.212-4(a). Corrective Action Reports may categorize nonconformance as minor, major or critical IAW the following FAR 46.101 definitions:

“Minor nonconformance” means a nonconformance that is not likely to materially reduce the usability of the supplies or services for their intended purpose, or is a departure from established standards having little bearing on the effective use or operation of the supplies or services.

“Major nonconformance” means a nonconformance, other than critical, that is likely to result in failure of the supplies or services, or to materially reduce the usability of the supplies or services for their intended purpose.

“Critical nonconformance” means a nonconformance that is likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using, maintaining, or depending upon the supplies or services; or is likely to prevent performance of a vital agency mission.

SS

Performance Objective

PWS

Paragraph

Performance Threshold Rating Criteria

Quality

The Contractor shall provide instruction, in accordance with agreed upon course design, that meets desired learning objectives.

1.6.6

Did the contractor provide instructions in accordance with agreed upon course design?

Yes/No

The Contractor shall provide qualified, experienced, and relevant faculty in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design.

1.6.6 Did the contractor provide

qualified, experienced, and relevant faculty in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design?

Yes/No

The Contractor shall provide lab/workshop/hands-on periods of instruction in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design.

1.6.6 Did the conctractor provide

lab/workshop/hands-on periods of instruction in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design?

Yes/No

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2.3 Government Quality Assurance. The government shall inspect and evaluate the contractors’ performance to ensure services are received in accordance with requirements set forth in this contract. The COR will use the contractor’s work schedule, or modified version thereof, to record validation results. Results of the validation then becomes the official Air Force record of the contractor’s performance. Government surveillance of tasks not listed in the PWS or by methods other than those listed in the PWS (such as provided for by the Inspection of Services clause) may occur during the performance period of this contract. Such surveillance will be done according to standard inspection procedures or other contract provisions. Any action taken by the CO as a result of surveillance will be according to the terms of this contract.

2.3.1 The government will periodically evaluate the contractor’s performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The government may inspect each task as completed and increase the number of quality assurance inspections if deemed appropriate because of repeated failures discovered during surveillance inspections or because of repeated customer complaints. Likewise, the government may decrease the number of quality assurance inspections if performance dictates.

2.3.2 When an observation indicates defective performance, the COR will require the contract manager or representative at the site to initial the observation. The initialing of the observation does not necessarily constitute concurrence with the observation, only acknowledgment that he or she has been made aware of the defective performance. When a performance threshold has not been met or contractor performance has not been accomplished, the COR will initiate and provide the CO a Corrective Action Report (CAR) for issuance to the contactor. The contractor shall respond to the CAR IAW instructions provided and in the CAR.

2.4 Performance Assessment.

2.4.1 Periodic Surveillance. This method requires the COR to employ a “spot check” style of evaluation based on the contractor’s services. Periodic surveillance will be conducted on a scheduled basis (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annually) and may be adjusted, based on quality trends.

2.4.2 Customer Complaints. The COR will receive and investigate all complaints. The COR will be responsible for validating customer complaints. The CO shall make final determination of the validity of customer complaint(s) in cases of disagreement with the COR and the contractor. Validated customer complaints shall be corrected within 2 hours of notification. CO will validate corrective action.

2.4.3 Review of Audits. COR reviews results of the contractor’s accepted quality management system audits and related quality metrics.

The Contractor shall facilitate integration and collaboration with local area industry in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design.

1.6.6 Did the contractor facilitate

integration and collaboration with local area industry in accordance with agreed upon syllabus and course design?

Yes/No

Other Areas

The Contractor shall provide or facilitate lodging for the entire cohort for the agreed upon course dates.

1.6.5 Did the contractor provide or

facilitate lodging for the entire cohort for the agreed upon course dates?

Yes/No

The Contractor shall provide or facilitate meals for the entire cohort for the agreed upon course dates.

1.6.5 Did the contractor provide or

facilitate meals for the entire cohort for the agreed upon course dates?

Yes/No

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2.4.4 100 Percent Inspection. This method requires the COR to do 100 percent inspection on all task performed. Appropriate for tasks that occur infrequently. Usually only deals with Safety and/or Security, unless mandated by an Air Force Instruction (AFI) or industry standard.

2.5 Quarterly Progress Meetings. The CO, Program Manager (PM), Functional Services Manager (FMS), COR, other government personnel as appropriate, and the contractor shall meet quarterly to discuss the contractor’s performance.

The following issues, at a minimum, shall be discussed:

- Opportunities to improve the contract,

- Any modifications required of the contract,

- Unsatisfactory inspections,

- Valid customer complaints against each performance objective observed, and

- Steps taken by the contractor to prevent occurrences in the future.

The contractor shall provide a summation of unsatisfactory inspections and customer complaints and provide insight into any identified trends.

2.5.1 The minutes of these meetings will be reduced to writing, signed by the CO and any other signatures as deemed appropriate, distributed to the functional area and the contractor. Should the contractor not concur with the minutes, the contractor will provide a written notification within 5 working days to the CO identifying areas of non-concurrence for resolution.

2.6 Contracting Officer Representative (COR). CORs are representatives of the CO and will participate in the administration of this contract. After award of the contract, the contractor will be provided a letter identifying the COR and setting forth their duties and authorities. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the contract/task order.

2.6.1 Acquisition Team Meetings. The contractor’s manager with the CO, Contract Administrator (CA), COR, and other government personnel constitute an acquisition team (See FAR 1.102 (c) and shall meet on a regular basis. The Acquisition Team will establish how often meetings are needed based on contract complexity. As a subset of the Acquisition Team, Government members of the Acquisition Team are often referred to as the Multi- Functional Team (MFT) and may meet as determined by the MFT. The contractor may request a meeting with the CO when the contractor believes such a meeting is necessary. If the CO or CA deems necessary, written minutes of any such meetings shall be recorded by the CA in the contract file and signed by the PM and the CO or CA. If the contractor does not concur with any portion of the minutes, such nonoccurrence shall be provided in writing to the CO within 10 calendar days following receipt of the minutes.

2.7 Contractor’s Performance. The government assesses a contractor’s performance on an on-going basis, both positive and negative, and provides a record on a given contract during a specified period of time.

2.7.1 Past Performance Information (PPI). PPI can be provided to other government agencies, as requested.

2.7.2 Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPARS). Depending on the estimated value of the contract, formal assessment and reporting of contractor performance is documented using the CPARS system. An assessment usually provided on an annual basis is sent to the contractor’s representative for their comment. The contractor shall have up to 60 days to review and comment on the assessment. Past Performance assessment reports will be protected by all parties and treated by government personnel as marked “Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)/Source Selection Sensitive Information in accordance with FAR 2.101, 3.104 and 42.1503”.

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SECTION III

3.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

3.1. Hours of Operation. The contractor shall perform the services required under this contract during the following hours: Normal business hours Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons.

3.1.1 Recognized Federal Holidays. Contractor is not required to perform services on holidays.

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth National Independence Day Christmas Day Independence Day

*If the holiday falls on a Saturday, it will be observed on the preceding Friday. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday.

3.2. Contract Personnel

3.2.1. Contract Manager (CM). The contractor shall provide a contract manager and alternate(s) who are knowledgeable of the Executive Education contract. The contractor shall submit the name, address, telephone number and a resume of the CM to the CO within 2 days of contract start date. The list shall be kept current throughout the life of the contract. The CM or alternate(s) shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The CM or alternate(s) shall be available within 3 days to meet with government personnel designated by the CO to discuss problem areas. The CM and alternate(s) shall be able to read, write, and speak English. The CM shall be able to effectively communicate with contractor employees.

3.2.2. Contractor Employees:

Certifications. Contractor employees shall have current and valid professional certifications and licenses required to perform the work in this PWS, prior to contract award. All certification and licensing requirements by Federal, State, and local agencies shall be complied with at the contractor's expense.

Contractor Qualifications. The contractor shall utilize employees possessing adequate training, skills, and knowledge to perform the requirements of this contract.

3.3. MISCELLANEOUS PARAGRAPHS:

3.3.1 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). All official government records affected by this contract are subject to the provisions of the FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552/DoDM 5400.07_AFMAN33-302). Any request received by the contractor for access/release of information from these records to the public (including government/contractor employees acting as private citizens), whether oral or in writing, shall be immediately brought to the attention of the CO for forwarding to the Base FOIA Manager to ensure proper processing and compliance with the Act.

3.3.2. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

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(1) The contractor shall comply with DoD 5200.48 Controlled Unclassified Information and implementing Air Force Guidance for Controlled Unclassified Information (currently, Air Force Guidance Memorandum 2020- 16-01) and the CUI requirements in this contract. The CUI regulation cited in this paragraph sets policy and procedures for marking, handling, transmitting, safeguarding, decontrolling and authorizing for public release of CUI material.

(2) Any Contractor employee CUI training required under DoDI 5200.48 including initial and annual CUI training shall be accomplished following coordination with the COR/cognizant local CUI authority.

3.3.3 Notification of Debarment/Suspension Status. The contractor shall provide immediate notice to the CO in the event of being suspended, debarred or declared ineligible by any other federal department or agency, or upon receipt of a notice of proposed debarment from another DoD Agency, during the performance of this contract.

3.3.4 Correspondence. The government singularly identifies each project with a contract number at time of award. The contract number is a unique identifier to purposely and permanently represent an awarded project.

The government issued contract number is to be referenced on all official communication starting upon notice of award.

3.3.5 Post Award Conference. The contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the CO IAW FAR Part 42.5. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

3.3.6 Privacy Act. Work on this contract may require that personnel have access to information protected by the Privacy Act. Contractor personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations when handling such information.

3.3.7 Records. All records created and received by the contractor in the performance of this contract shall be maintained and readily accessible. Records shall remain the property of the government.

3.6.8 Insurance. The contractor shall obtain the necessary insurance as required by FAR part 28.3. The minimum amounts of insurance will be maintained IAW FAR 28.307-2.

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SECTION IV

APPENDIX 1

DEFINITIONS

Contract Administrator (CA). The individual within the contracting office who performs the day-to-day administration of the contract. The contract administrator may also be the contracting officer.

Contracting Officer (CO). The duly appointed Government agent authorized to award or administer contracts. The contracting officer is the only person authorized to contractually obligate the Government.

Corrective Action Report (CAR). Used to document unacceptable performance by the Contractor.

Major Deficiency. Major deficiency means an unsatisfactory condition that would endanger personnel, jeopardize equipment or system reliability, affect safety of flight, or warrant discontinuing the process or equipment operation.

Minor Deficiency. Minor deficiency means an unsatisfactory condition that requires repair or correction, but does not endanger personnel, affect safety of flight, jeopardize equipment reliability, or warrant discontinuing a process or equipment operation.

Nonconformance. Nonconformance of supplies or services defined at FAR 46.101 may be of three kinds:

“Minor nonconformance” means a nonconformance that is not likely to materially reduce the usability of the supplies or services for their intended purpose, or is a departure from established standards having little bearing on the effective use or operation of the supplies or services.

“Major nonconformance” means a nonconformance, other than critical, that is likely to result in failure of the supplies or services, or to materially reduce the usability of the supplies or services for their intended purpose.

“Critical nonconformance” means a nonconformance that is likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using, maintaining, or depending upon the supplies or services; or is likely to prevent performance of a vital agency mission.

Performance Assessment. A process that measures success towards achieving defined performance objectives or goals defined within the performance thresholds in the services summary or the process of assessing progress towards achieving the objectives/goals developed in a performance plan or partnering agreement.

Performance Indicator. A measurable characteristic of an output of a work process. Generally synonymous with attribute.

Performance Management. The use of performance measurement information to effect positive change in organizational culture, systems, and processes, by helping to set agreed upon performance goals, allocating and prioritizing resources, informing managers to either confirm or change current policy or program directions to meet those goals, and sharing results of performance in pursuing those goals.

Performance Objective. The outcome associated with successful contract performance in a specific area. This is a critical success factor in achieving the organization’s mission, vision and strategy which, if

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Obtaining multi-services/sub-services performed at a certain measurable standard and consistently ensures success in achieving the objectives critical to the mission.

Performance Threshold. The minimum performance level of a performance objective required by the Government.

Quality Assurance (QA). Those actions taken by the Government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Contracting Officer Representative (QA or COR). Individual who monitors a Contractor on a daily basis and who is involved in every aspect of a contract to ensure the Contractor is in compliance with that contract.

Quality Assurance Program Coordinator (QAPC). The individual designated by the contracting squadron commander to manage the installation QA program.

Services Summary (SS). A summary of the performance objective and performance threshold required by the Government in concessionaire performance. Also known as a Performance Requirements Summary or Services Delivery Summary or Performance Requirements Document.

Standard. An exact value, a physical entity, or an abstract concept, established and defined by authority, custom, or common consent to serve as a reference, model, or rule in measuring quantities or qualities, establishing practices or procedures, or evaluating results. A fixed quantity or quality. A defined measure of comparison.

ACRONYMS

AFI Air Force Instruction CM Contract Manager CO Contracting Officer COR Contracting Officer Representative FC Functional Commander IAW In Accordance With

PWS Paragraph