SOW_Cat-B_20240606.docx

UNCLASSIFIED

NGA Category B Nautical Cartography Training

Statement of Work National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

6 June 2024

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has a requirement for an internationally certified Category B (CAT B or Cat B) Nautical Cartography Program that is recognized to the International Hydrographic Office (IHOs) Standards of Competence for Nautical Cartographers (S-8) suitable for NGA analysts performing Maritime functions. S-8 is the standard describing the competences for nautical cartographers. Category B programs introduce the competences from a practical level and provide the practical comprehension, along with the essential theoretical background, necessary for individuals to carry out the various nautical cartography tasks. Specifically, this training will include components of instruction: Foundations of Marine Geospatial Information; Assessment, Compilation & Production; Marine Environment: Physical Characteristics & Legal Issues; Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure; Remote Sensing for Hydrographers. The subject areas to be included in these courses are detailed below.

2.0 Background

NGA’s mission is to provide timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC) in support of national security. NGA receiving an IHO-recognized CAT B Recognition for Maritime Analysts and Nautical Cartographers will enable the agency to meet international standards, improve maritime products, and expand international credibility.

3.0 Requirements

A. The Government will provide the training room and projection equipment at the NGA Campus location identified in Section 7. The course can also be administered virtually, upon agreement of both NGA and the Contractor.

B. All travel will be at the Government’s expense in accordance with Section 6.

C. The Contractor will provide the instructor(s) and class instruction for the class.

D. The Contractor will provide a manual and all course material (can be in hardcopy or softcopy format) as needed, for the course for each student.

4.0 Course Objective and Course Topics:

Course Objective: To provide a comprehensive CAT B Nautical Cartography Program Certified to the IHO Standards of Competence for Nautical Cartographers. The total program length is able to be divided into smaller single or multi-week instruction blocks to be completed within the period of performance of the contract.

Description: Course material comprises the following components, includes but is not limited to: seminar presentations, group discussions, in-class exercises, homework, assignments, tests and exams as well as handouts, articles, case studies, IHO standard publications, videos and on-line references.

Course Topics:

Foundations of Marine Geospatial Information The course of instruction will cover an introduction to Paper and Electronic charts, Chart compilation concepts, Electronic chart concepts and product maintenance.

A. Assessing, Compiling and Producing Charts The course of instruction will cover GIS software, Chart design and planning, the compilation of topography, land features and coastline, the compilation of bathymetry including contouring, the compilation of other maritime features and the product finishing for both paper and electronic charts. It will also cover compilation assignment, evaluating bathymetry, Quality Control, complex completion situations and chart reproduction.

B. Marine Environment This course of instruction will include lessons in Marine Geology, Oceanography and Maritime Law.

C. Maritime Spatial Data Infrastructure The course of instruction will include lessons on Marine Data Products and Services, Implementing a Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure, the practical use of GIS and SDI Applications and Marine Information Objects.

D. Remote Sensing The course of instruction will include lessons in the concepts and techniques of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Imagery Interpretation.

E. Final Examination and Final Project All lesson modules will contain a module assessment. There will also be a final examination, allowing an additional six (6) weeks for the final project to determine student achievement.

Outcome: Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to:

· Meet international standards

· Improve maritime products

· Provide standardized, certified navigational products in accordance with national/international statutes and regulations

5.0 Contractor/Program/Personnel Qualifications

5.1 Validation of FIG/IHO/ICA Portable Delivery for Distance Learning The Contractor shall provide a recognition certificate as proof of approved validation of accreditation as a recognized provider for the “course to be delivered at a physical location determined by the Government” and “virtual” delivery method of the CAT B Nautical Cartography Program by the IHO.

5.2 The Instructor must be qualified to instruct the subject and have experience to provide knowledge on scenarios encountered during the instruction. Instructor must provide a certificate from IHO to prove CAT-B certification

5.3 The Contractor shall provide instructors for all days of each scheduled workshop within the times scheduled by the Government Program Manager, in coordination with the Contractor. The Contractor shall provide a replacement instructor with equal or greater qualifications if the primary instructor becomes unavailable for personal or other reasons. Instructors shall be available briefly after their seminar session to answer questions and to give advice to Agency employees, as appropriate.

6.0 Travel and Other Direct Costs (ODC)

6.1 For in person training, NGA will provide a dedicated classroom with teaching aids such as projector, screen, whiteboard etc. NGA will also provide a dedicated GIS lab set up with the necessary hardware, software and communications including internet for each student. NGA will also provide the software for an ECDIS simulator. If necessary, and agreed upon by both NGA and the Contractor, this training can be conducted virtually and no travel will be authorized.

6.2 For in person training, the Instructor will be required to travel to the location specifically identified in Section 7.0. The Contractor shall coordinate with and submit travel plans to the Government Program Manager and Contracting Officer for approval prior to finalizing travel arrangements. The Contractor shall be responsible for making all travel arrangements as necessary. All allowable costs for non-local direct travel costs will be billed to and paid for by the Government on a cost-reimbursable basis. All travel expenses shall be in accordance with the General Services Administration (GSA). If necessary, and agreed upon by both NGA and the Contractor, this training can be conducted virtually.

6.3 The Contractor shall provide all books and required course materials for each participant to meet the objectives of each of the courses. All allowable costs associated with shipping course materials will be billed to and paid for by the Government on a cost-reimbursable basis. Class books and course materials may be in softcopy or hardcopy format.

6.4 The Contractor shall provide course materials to the Government Program Manager by the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day before the start of each course.

6.5 The Contractor shall maintain receipts for all travel and ODC items for the life of the contract. The Contactor shall provide the Government Program Manager or Contracting Officer copies of the receipts upon request.

7.0 Place of Performance

The place of performance of this contract shall be at the NGA campus in Springfield, VA, the NCW campus in St. Louis, MO or virtually.

8.0 Security Clearance

8.1 All work efforts associated with this contract are UNCLASSIFIED. The Contractor shall provide the seminars at the UNCLASSIFIED level of classification and shall mark all course material as UNCLASSIFIED.

8.2 Contractor employees and instructors are not required to possess security clearances. Un-cleared Contractor employees will be escorted in and out of the government facility by NGA government personnel, as well as throughout the duration of their presentations.

8.3 Contractor personnel shall follow all rules and regulations of the NGA facility and are prohibited from bringing any computer-related equipment or accessories of any kind onto federal property, including but not limited to cameras, two-way pagers, laptops, CDs, DVDs, flash drives, or any other kind of removable media. A full list of prohibited items will be provided to the Contractor upon award.

9.0 Performance and Quality Standards

9.1 The Contractor employees shall provide scheduled courses at the agreed upon times and locations specified. All courses shall start promptly at 0730 CST/EST local time. To perform satisfactorily, Contractor employees shall conduct themselves professionally at all times, relay timely and accurate information on the required subjects in a manner suitable for adult learners, limit instruction and discussion to the required topics and time allotted, and respond appropriately to participant questions.

9.2 The Contractor will annually update training materials to ensure that the training keeps up with changes to the international standards, compilation techniques, software products best practices and NGA workflow changes. These materials will include PowerPoint lessons, handouts, practical exercises, tests and exams.

10.0 Restrictions and Standards of Conduct

The Contractor and its employees shall conduct only business covered by this contract during the scheduled course and shall not conduct any other business nor solicit business on Government premises.

11.0 Cancellation Policy

11.1 Cancellation / Rescheduling: Course cancellation is directly related to enrollment. The Government may cancel the course offering if enrollment falls below the minimum of 10 participants. The Government will notify the Contractor two weeks in advance in the event of cancellation. The Contractor shall coordinate with the Government Program Manager to reschedule a canceled course. Rescheduling any of the above-mentioned courses due to a cancellation shall be at no additional cost to the government.

11.2 Reimbursement of Costs for Cancellations: The Government may reimburse the Contractor for allowable costs incurred that may be associated with cancellation of travel. The Contractor shall make every effort to minimize the cost impact associated with course cancellations.

12.0 Enrollment Policy

12.1 In-person courses shall have 12 students. The Government may continue an in-person course with more or fewer than 12 students with the mutual agreement of both the Government and Contractor.

12.2 Virtual courses shall have 24 students. The Government may continue a virtual course with more or fewer than 24 students with the mutual agreement of both the Government and Contractor.

12.3 Some students may be eligible for waivers to be excused from attending some elements of the courseware as defined by the International Board on Standards of Competence (IBSC). The Government will work with the Contractor to review all student applications and jointly agree on applicable waiver(s).

13.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance of the base period is one year and includes three (3) one-year option periods.

UNCLASSIFIED

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