S01_RFQ_36C24521Q0548.docx

36C24521Q0548

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

06-22-2021 Robert O'Keefe Jr.

484-860-4111 07-16-2021 16:00

EDT

36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System NCO 5 - Contracting Office 510 Butler Ave, Bldg. 306A Martinsburg VA 25401

X

611710 $16.5 Million

N/A

36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System NCO 5 - Contracting Office 510 Butler Ave, Bldg. 306A Martinsburg VA 25401 36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System NCO 5 - Contracting Office P.O. Box 1000, Bldg. 101, Room 26 Perry Point MD 21902

PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

FSC e-Invoice Payment Invoice must be submitted electronically http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135

See CONTINUATION Page

The purpose of this RFQ is the Implementation of VA Women’s Health Training Phase 3. See Performance Work Statement below for further details.

Period of Performance will be a base year, plus two years.

Please provide location(s) where employees will be working.

Service Contract Labor wages to determined at a later date.

Questions are due no later than 7/16/2021 by 3:30 PM EST.

This solicitation will close 7/23/2021 at 2 PM EST.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

See CONTINUATION Page

Amy Ritchey, VA-VHA-2020-98AFF6B4

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C245 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Maryland Health Care System NCO 5 - Contracting Office 510 Butler Ave, Bldg. 306A Martinsburg VA 25401

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

FSC e-Invoice Payment Invoice must be submitted electronically http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135

B.2 Performance Work Statement

1. Purpose: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) is to obtain contractor expertise and support to demonstrate a proof of concept in using the Women’s Health Transition Training (WHTT) framework as an effective outreach tool to engage both rural and urban, unenrolled women Veterans and positively impact their enrollment and utilization of VA health care. The base year timeline includes, conducting focus groups, modifying the existing WHTT curriculum, developing and implementing a targeted communications strategy, identifying locations with significant numbers of unenrolled women Veterans to target, identifying community partners, followed by training delivery both in-person and virtually with continuous evaluation. The focus groups, WHTT modification, identification of sites and planning partners as well as communication strategy shall be completed in first 6 months of the contract. Due to COVID-19, training shall be delivered virtually through September 2021, and may resume to in-person sessions for the remainder of the contract base period for a total of 35 virtual plus in-person training sessions.

2. The following 8 sub-initiatives comprise the framework needed to accomplish goals in the base period of this project:

1. Kick off meeting with contractors and key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff

2. Conduct Focus Groups with representatives of target population

3. Modify current WHTT curriculum to ensure relevancy for target population. The curriculum shall include a, handbook, instructor guide and slide deck

4. One update of the curriculum using participant feedback from ongoing sessions and/or policy updates from VA Women’s Health Services

5. Implementation of modified VA’s WHTT (including both in-person and virtual versions of the curriculum)

· Identify locations to hold trainings

· Identify community partners to assist with outreach and participant recruitment

· Develop platform for online registration of virtual training

· Develop and implement communications and outreach strategy to enroll participants in training

· Development of training session schedule

· Collaboration and coordination with training site Points of Contact (POCs) and VA Women Veteran Program Managers and other VA personnel, if applicable, for scheduling, outreach, advertisement of training sessions.

· Preparation of training materials including handbooks, data collection materials, feedback forms and pre- and post-questionnaires from provided curriculum

· Arrangement of all travel for contractor personnel involved in training sessions, as well as tracking and reporting per diem and travel expenses associated with each in person session

· Delivery of no less than a combination of 35 in-person trainings virtual trainings to target population

· Train instructors and instructor assistants to accurately and effectively deliver training

6. Program evaluation

· Data collection, analysis

· Qualitative interviews with former participants

· Ongoing Data Reporting

· Report Writing

7. Distribute Ongoing Participant Communications

8. Develop Presentations/ Final Report to Internal Client Stakeholders

3. Period of Performance

The estimated Period of Performance (POP) is 3 years, with one Base Period for a total of 12 months, Option Period 1 = 12 months, and Option Period 2 = 12 months. During each of the option year periods, contractor shall continue to identify geographic locations to deliver trainings, identify community partners, deliver trainings, and evaluate effectiveness of program. The base period is estimated to begin from date of award through 12 months. A kick-off meeting shall be held no later than 14 days post contract award date.

Base Year: Date of Award, through 12 months from date of award.

Any work at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the Contracting Officer (CO).

There are ten (10) Federal holidays set by law (USC Title 5 Section 6103) that VA follows:

Under current definitions, four are set by date:

If any of the above falls on a Saturday, then Friday shall be observed as a holiday. Similarly, if one falls on a Sunday, then Monday shall be observed as a holiday. The other six are set by a day of the week and month:

3.2. Training Changes or Cancellations. The Government shall generally only cancel workshops due to:

· Severe emergencies, weather conditions, or critical national events such as pandemics that are unforeseen and unpredictable; and during Federal-wide or agency shut down periods.

· Workshops may also be cancelled due to local emergencies or an occasional need to change the dates and locations of workshops. The Government shall notify the contractor when workshop dates are changed or cancelled due to any of these circumstances.

· When the contractor is given a minimum of 21 calendar days’ notice prior to the scheduled class start date the Government may cancel and/or substitute, relocate, or reschedule workshops without penalty and at no additional cost to the Government. Any training site that must be relocated must be within a 20 mile radius of original site and result in no extra cost to the Government.

· When less than 21 calendar days’ notice is given (e.g., in the event of an emergency or Government shut down), workshops may be substituted, relocated, or rescheduled by mutual agreement of the Government and contractor, within the period of performance, at no additional cost to the Government. Any training site that must be relocated must be within a 20 mile radius of original site and result in no extra cost to the Government.

· If the Government does not provide notice within 21 calendar days and the workshop is not rescheduled, the contractor shall receive a fee of 20% of the scheduled workshop’s cost.

4. Place of Performance

Most of the work shall be performed in support of Veterans Health Administration (VHA’s) Office of Women’s Health in Central Office, Washington DC, and at other VA or partner locations around the country. The vendor may perform background work in their own offices or virtually if necessary, but majority of meetings and reporting shall be conducted in the Washington DC metro area. There may be an occasional requirement to participate in meetings at the VA Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) in Frederick, MD or the VA Acquisition Academy (VAAA) in Frederick, MD.

5. Travel

Travel shall be allowed for 2 contractor employees to conduct focus groups and for each of the in-person training sites for 12 months in the base period. Travel shall also be allowed for one evaluation specialist to 10% of sessions in the base period. For purposes of quality control, travel shall also be allowed for the project manager to travel to 5% of training locations during the base period. Otherwise travel shall not be allowed when virtual means of communication shall suffice; whether virtual means suffice shall be determined based on Contracting Officer – (CO) or Contracting Officer’s Representative – (COR) discretion. Local travel within a 50-mile radius from the contractor’s facility is considered the cost of doing business and shall not be reimbursed. This includes travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel time. Travel performed for personal convenience and daily travel to and from work at the Contractor’s facility shall not be reimbursed. Good faith estimates should be used to quote the estimated travel and rental auto costs. Per Diem rates must not exceed GSA’s mileage reimbursement rates or GSA’s local per diem rate for specific location of travel and contractor shall not exceed limitation of funds specified in the contract. For each of the two-year option periods, travel shall be allowed for 2 contractor employees to each of the in-person training sessions.

6. Specific Tasks and Deliverables The overarching task and deliverable of this PWS is to modify, deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of VA Women’s Health Transition Training to a new target audience.

The contractor is expected to provide a substantial experience with conducting women Veteran focus groups including recruitment of subjects and analyzing results, human centered design, the ADDIE Model, and the VA’s Women’s Health Transition Training content; including expertise, experience and first-hand knowledge with developing and delivering this type of content to women Veterans. This requirement includes identifying women veterans who actively utilize women’s healthcare in VA, who are also relatable to women Veterans in terms of experiences and culture, and who are experienced at presenting complicated information to an audience with varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds as instructors of this course. The contractor is also expected to have significant managerial experience with implementation of national programs, as well as have nationwide access to personnel with expertise as described above. In addition, the contractor is expected to have significant experience with developing targeted marketing and advertising campaigns especially to minority women Veterans; and have the ability to leverage significant internal resources to successfully implement this communications plan. In addition, prior experience working with American Indian women Veterans either through the VA Tribal Outreach Worker program or through the Indian Health Service is preferable. Finally, the contractor must demonstrate significant experience and expertise in performing complicated program evaluation and analysis. Success shall be delivery of this module to no less than a combination of 35in-person and virtual training sessions in the base period that results in positive feedback from the audience and gains in knowledge about the seven items listed in above paragraph. The following list articulates more specifically the tasks and deliverables believed needed to achieve this goal:

6.1 Project Management:

The project manager shall provide authority and control over all technical, business, risk management, and testing. A project work plan that includes details on how the deliverables described below shall be accomplished as well as a risk mitigation strategy shall be required. The project management plan shall be due 60 days after award and updated through the POP. The project management plan shall be reviewed with the COR, VA Women’s Health Services and Contractor program leadership at a bi-weekly meeting. Normally, these meetings can alternate between virtual and face-to-face (with dial-in capability).

The project manager shall be responsible for managing the staffing, timeline, budget and deliverables for this requirement. The project manager shall schedule and plan all the logistics for a kickoff meeting to start this project. The purpose of this meeting is for the VA personnel and contract staff to meet in-person (and virtually) to understand project objectives and constraints, discuss proposed approach, tasks, and schedules; as well as introduce team members and stakeholders, and define their roles and responsibilities. The contractors shall facilitate the meeting, and document and distribute meeting notes including any action items after the meeting. In addition, the project manager is responsible for planning and executing all subsequent meetings.

Deliverables:

1. Conduct kick-off meeting

2. Meeting Minutes

3. Bi-Weekly Update Meetings

6.2 Training Design and Delivery

6.2.1 Conduct Focus Groups

The contractor shall apply for approval under the General Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback from OMB to conduct focus groups and conduct in-depth interviews of WHTT participants (described in 6.4.1 below). The contract team shall conduct 5 virtual focus groups of unenrolled women Veterans from various urban areas of the country to ascertain their perceptions of VA and VA health care, difficulties in accessing care, their unmet health care needs as well as identify VA health care services and health topics of interest. These groups should include those women Veterans from underserved, minority populations, These Veterans shall be recruited through VSO’s, Rally Point, and other social media as well as from VA Women’s Call Center Data. All focus groups should reflect diversity in ages and racial/ethnic groups if possible.

Deliverables:

· Assemble and submit package to OMB for expedited review and approval for focus groups and in-depth participant interviews (described in 6.4.1 below) of women Veterans

· Complete 5 focus groups

· Compiled results of completed focus groups

6.2.2 Modify Existing WHTT Curriculum

The contractor shall use the ADDIE instructional design framework and use key findings from these 5 focus groups as well as from 5 focus groups of rural, unenrolled women Veterans conducted by the VA Office of Rural Health to inform modification of the WHTT curriculum. The ORH team has access to established rural women Veteran networks, that include American Indian women Veterans, from which they can recruit for participation in the focus groups. This activity is not included in the PWS and shall not cost the vendor). Not only shall the curriculum be modified to achieve new learning objectives but shall also be considerably streamlined by removing information not relevant to the new target population.

Deliverable:

· One modification to the VA women’s health transition training curriculum materials including the slide deck, participant workbook, and instructor guide.

6.2.3 Identification of Training Locations

The contractor shall identify geographic locations with significant numbers of unenrolled women Veterans in which to hold both virtual and in person training sessions. Using both the VA Office of Rural Health geographic mapping tool and data from the VA Women’s Call Center, geographic locations around the country shall be targeted for this outreach initiative. An example of the capabilities of the ORH Mapping Tool is shown below:

The circles in each of the counties in Texas represent women Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care. The larger and darker the circle, the higher the population of these women. For instance, the darkest, largest circles represent a range of 200 to nearly 15,000 women who are not enrolled in VA health care by individual county. The red triangles and plus signs represent VA sites of care.

Deliverable:

· Identification of a mix of 35 urban and rural locations that have significant numbers of unenrolled women Veterans and identification of 50 urban and rural locations that have significant numbers of unenrolled women Veterans in option periods 1 and 2.

6.2.4 - Identification of Community Partners

Once training locations have been determined, the contractor shall identify local community partners to assist with marketing both the virtual and in-person training to women Veterans as well as to physically host in-person training sessions. Potential community partners include personnel from local VA sites of care, Veteran focused non-profits, local Veteran Service Organizations, local Congressional offices, local outreach events, local churches, local media, community leaders, and state and county Veteran services offices. In addition, VA partners such as Walmart shall be approached to assist with marketing.

Deliverable:

· Identification of community partners at each geographic location selected for training in the base period and option periods 1 and 2.

6.2.5 Development of a Targeted Communications Strategy

Outreach and communication strategies as well as effective messaging shall be critical to encourage participation in the training. Many effective communication products have already been developed for the WHTT program including flyers, podcasts, videos and social media messaging. The contract team shall develop a targeted marketing, outreach and communications strategy using these products and others that may need to be developed, to maximize awareness and participation of rural and urban unenrolled women veterans at targeted locations. This strategy shall include a marketing mix to understand how the training opportunity can best leverage VA websites, social media channels, community partners and influencers, as well as local publications to get the word out about the training opportunity. In the case of American Indian women Veterans, we shall seek to enlist the support of the VA Office of Rural Health, the VA Office of Tribal Governmental Relations and VA Tribal Outreach Workers.

Deliverables:

· Creation and deployment of Marketing, Outreach and Communications Strategy and Timeline for base period and option periods 1 and 2.

· Finalized marketing materials such as Website content development, website page creation, videos, customized messaging database for different audiences, influencer outreach.

6.2.6 Conduct training sessions

The contract team shall deliver the modified women’s health transition training both virtually and in-person if possible to urban and rural locations around the country with significant numbers of unenrolled women Sessions shall be facilitated by the training team, with the assistance of identified subject matter experts (SMEs) from the local VAMC, such as the Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) and/or other VA personnel, if possible.

The contract team shall deliver no less than a combination of 35 in-person and virtual training sessions over the base period.

All training team members shall complete the train the trainer protocol to ensure a quality and consistent learning experience for participants. The training team shall consist of a lead trainer and a training assistant. The training session lead trainer, who must be a women Veteran who uses VA health care, shall do the majority of the in-person classroom facilitation. In addition to the lead trainer, the training assistant must be available to help co-facilitate the course, answer participant questions, assist with logistics and taking notes, and document feedback. It is not required that the training assistant is a Veteran, but the training assistant must be a woman. The Government requires that all training personnel be female as this is a ‘women only’ training. This environment is required so that participants feel comfortable and safe talking about their physical and mental health issues. The training team shall document any answered questions and provide follow-up to the cohort with their answers. They shall also distribute and collect all evaluation and measurement materials (e.g., feedback forms, questionnaires, etc.). Both participant and facilitator feedback shall be captured to make necessary revisions and improve the training experience for future audiences.

Deliverables:

· Completed training sessions both in-person and virtual (a combination of no more than 35 in the base period. For options periods 1 and 2, the combination of virtual and in-person trainings shall be increased to 50 each year.)

· Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from each training

· Distribute, collect, and analyze participant questionnaires and feedback forms

6.3 Training Delivery Logistics

6.3.1 Online Training Registration Platform

The contractor shall develop an online training registration platform. The platform shall be hosted on the VA Office of Women’s Health Service website.

Deliverable:

· A fully functioning online training registration platform.

6.3.2 Virtual Training Platform

The contractor shall be responsible for all the logistics necessary to securely deliver training virtually to registered participants.

Deliverable:

· A fully functioning online platform to securely deliver training in a live, virtual format that is accessible via personal computer, smartphone or tablet... Options include Adobe, WebEx, TEAMS or ZOOM. The contract team must provide technical assistance to attendees. The attendees must be able to ask questions via audio and chat function.

6.3.3 Travel

The contract team shall be responsible for booking airfare, hotels and ground transportation for each training team to each training in person session. The contract team shall be responsible for booking airfare, hotels, and ground transportation for the evaluation personnel at 10% of sites not including NCR. All travel must be in accordance with US Government travel laws and must conform to US Government per diem limits for a particular city.

6.3.4 Site Logistics

For each training site, the contract team, shall work with the site POC to ensure electronic file compatibility and access for electronic training resources. The contract team shall ensure that the training room is set up properly prior to arrival. In addition, the site contract team shall work with the POC to ensure that all safety precautions associated with COVID are in place and adhered to (i.e., masking, social distancing).

6.3.5 Material Preparation

The contract team shall ensure that all materials required for the virtual and in-person training session are available. In addition, the contract team shall be responsible for distributing training session handbooks and all data collection materials, including feedback forms and pre and post questionnaires.

6.4 Training Evaluation

6.4.1 Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting

The contract team shall collect, analyze and report on all data collected during the training. Performance measures are to be reported quarterly and shall establish trends over time. To track performance, the following data collection methods shall be used:

· Qualitative Interviews– The contract team shall schedule and conduct voluntary, confidential interviews to collect more detailed and personal feedback from randomly selected training participants. Evaluation staff from the contract team shall join the training team on one visit at some of the training locations to observe the training, collect information, and conduct the in-person interviews. The contract team shall use previously developed interview protocols. For a random sample of training sessions that cannot be attended in-person, evaluation staff shall request for participant follow up over the phone or via email. Note: The VA shall own the rights to all information and data collected during these interviews.

· Individual Training Session Assessments – Each session shall include pre-/post assessments and feedback forms to determine effectiveness of the course, training staff, and instructional materials delivered. The contract team must design and provide the forms. Each month, the contract team shall create and submit a report that summarizes the findings from that month’s training evaluations. If there are issues or trends that need to be addressed, the contract team shall provide recommendations to resolve the issue/make improvements. If the recommendations involve out of scope revisions to the course materials, the contract team shall seek approval from VA before proceeding with additional work. The contract team shall use the reports to determine if any redesign of the training is required.

· Stakeholder Data Reporting – In addition to the monthly reports and the final training evaluation report, evaluation staff shall work closely with communications staff to develop presentations and reports for stakeholders internal and external to VA. The contract team shall use data visualization programs for reporting to easily communicate trends, identify risk/quality issues, and provide recommendations for course improvement.

Deliverables:

· Monthly Training & Evaluation Reports for base period and option periods 1 and 2.

· Completion of 12 qualitative interviews of training participants for base period and option period 1 and 2.

· Modification of the curriculum based on feedback from participant qualitative interviews and participant feedback forms for base period and option periods 1 and 2.

· Final evaluation report on effectiveness of the training (both in-person and virtual) in improving participant knowledge and awareness of women’s health services available from VA, enrollment rates into VA health care of participants versus baseline, and utilization of VA health care services among participants versus baseline at the end of the base period. Final reports shall also be required for both option periods 1 and 2.

6.5 Communications

6.5.1 Distribute Ongoing Participant Communications

The contract team shall be responsible for formal communications with course participants, including session invitations, pre-session information, FAQ’s and other relevant training information that VA can distribute to new, current, and past course attendees.

Deliverable:

· Participant communications

6.5.2 Develop Presentations/Reports to Internal and External Stakeholders The contract team shall develop presentations and reports for any internal and external stakeholders. The contract team shall work with the VA Office of Women’s Health to review and finalize all materials before presenting to internal or external stakeholders. Presentations and reports shall be used to communicate evaluation findings, share status updates, or provide other training related information.

Deliverable:

· 2 presentations/reports in the base period and options periods 1 and 2

Deliverable Schedule for Base Period

60 calendar days after award

60 calendar days after award

Identification of community partners at each geographic location selected for training.

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

A fully functioning online training registration platform

One modification to the VA women’s health transition training curriculum materials including the slide deck, participant workbook, and instructor guide

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

340 calendar days after award

8. Government-Furnished Equipment/Materials/Facilities/Information

The Government shall provide adequate physical workspace (conference rooms) for scheduled work meetings with contractors, VA women’s health personnel as well as subject matter experts and shall provide use of conference call platforms. Government information could include finance, policy, systems, human resources, or other reports deemed necessary, with the discretion of the CO. The use of contractor equipment in Government facilities must be approved by Program Office.

9. Personnel

The Contractor shall identify a Program Manager (PM) and an Alternate Program Manager (APM) as Contractor Key Personnel with full authority to represent and act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operations in accordance with this contract. The PM and ACPM shall serve as primary points-of-contact, providing direct advice to the P&LO Program Manager, the P&LO senior leadership, and the COR on contractual, programmatic, and technical matters.

To ensure accomplishment of work, skilled experienced professional and technical personnel practiced in program and transition management are essential for contractor success. These individuals are crucial to the successful performance, the programs being supported, and are identified as key personnel in accordance with solicitation requirements. Key personnel are as follows: Master Trainer, Senior Trainer Program Manager, Evaluation Lead, Marketing Strategy and Communications Lead. The Contractor agrees that the key personnel shall not be removed, diverted, or replaced from work without prior notification to the CO.

Instructional Designer – Responsible for modifications to and validation of WHTT curriculum based on results from 10 focus groups and SMEs.

Key Personnel - Master Trainer - Responsible for train the trainer protocol development as well as the training of all workshop instructors; ensures quality and accuracy of training materials and training sessions across the enterprise.

Senior Trainer (Lead Trainer) – Responsible for individual workshop sessions. Must master workshop content and conduct live sessions at individual training sites for service women participants transitioning from the military.

Support Trainer (Training Assistant) –Assists the master trainer to ensure smooth delivery of course and associated activities. This individual provides live session support and assists Evaluation team with collecting assessment data and conducting focus groups. This individual also supports creating updates to curriculum content.

Key Personnel - Program Manager –This individual shall serve as the main liaison to the VHA Women’s Health Services Program Office. They are responsible for SME working group coordination, overall program management, and all deliverables and meeting coordination. They shall oversee the work of the program coordinator, evaluation, communications and marketing, and training teams.

Program Coordinator –. Responsible for program and event coordination for all training. This individual is the main POC for all training sites. Responsible for all training logistics, to include travel arrangements, schedule changes, virtual platform, participant registration, identification of training locations, coordination with community partners and Women Veteran Program Managers, internet access, and location changes. Shall support Program Manager to prepare for client meetings and monthly reports and manage follow up. Shall support development of executive briefs and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Key Personnel - Evaluation Lead - Responsible for the design and implementation of the evaluation protocol. Responsible for updating data collection instruments, training staff on data collection methods, quality assurance of training, and communicating data findings to stakeholders. These individual conducts qualitative and quantitative evaluation, focus groups, survey design and application, and report writing.

Key Personnel - Marketing Strategy and Communications Lead - Responsible for driving strategy, overseeing implementation and timeline, engaging with stakeholders, conducting outreach, managing communications team and deliverables. Executing data collection and analysis for strategy development, overseeing quality of marketing collateral.

Key Personnel - Marketing and Communication Support Specialist - Responsible for designing all marketing and communications material. Building presentation decks for stakeholders, providing logistical support. Responsible for the design and direction of audio and visual tools to be used in training and other training-affiliated marketing products. This individual shall also oversee video production and editing.

9.1 Substitution of Personnel:

Any personnel the contractor offers as substitutes shall have the ability and qualifications, including education and experience, equal to or better than the key personnel whose biography was submitted with the successful proposal. Requests to substitute personnel shall be provided to the CO for review and approval. All notification of substitutions in key personnel shall be submitted to the CO at least 15 calendar days prior to making and change in key personnel, to the maximum extent practicable. The notification shall be in writing and shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution. The contractor shall submit a complete biography/resume for the proposed substitute, and any other information requested by the CO. The CO shall evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contractor of approval or disapproval thereof in writing.

10. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)

Performance Standards define required performance for specific tasks. The Government performs surveillance to determine if the contractor exceeds, meets, or does not meet these standards. The Government may utilize a Performance Based Service Assessment Survey, or other methods to compare contractor performance to the Acceptable Performance Levels (APLs).

10.1 Methods of Surveillance:

Various methods exist to monitor performance. The COR shall use any or several of the surveillance methods listed below in the administration of this QASP.

1. 100% Inspection (evaluates all outcomes) - By the 15th of the following month, the COR shall review all of the contractor’s performance/generated documentation and document results accordingly. This assessment shall be placed in the COR’s QA file.

2. Random Sample - The COR shall review a random sampling of the contractor’s performance/generated documentation and document results accordingly. This assessment shall be placed in the COR’s QA file.

3. Validated Customer Complaint or Validated Below Average APL in a Specific Area - By the 15th of the following month, the COR shall review the contractor’s performance/generated documentation corresponding to a validated customer complaint or validated inability to perform in accordance with the APL in a specific area and document your results accordingly. This assessment shall be placed in the COR’s QA file.

10.2 Frequency of Measurement

During performance, the COR shall periodically analyze whether the negotiated frequency of surveillance is appropriate for the work being performed, and at a minimum, shall be once per month.

10.3 Acceptable Performance Levels (APLs)

Standard Surveillance Method Outcome

10.4 Documenting Performance

Acceptable Performance The Government shall document acceptable performance in accordance with the chart above. Any report may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action.

Unacceptable Performance When unacceptable performance occurs, the COR shall inform the CO. This shall always be in writing although when circumstances necessitate immediate verbal communication, that communication shall be followed in writing. The COR shall document the discussion and place it in the COR file.

When the CO determines formal written communication is required, the COR shall prepare a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) and submit it to the CO. The CO shall send the CDR to the contractor's program manager.

The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the CDR in writing to the CO within two business days of receipt. The CDR shall state how long after receipt the contractor has to take corrective action. The CDR shall also specify if the contractor is required to prepare a corrective action plan to document how the contractor shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The CO shall review the contractor's corrective action plan to determine acceptability.

Any CDRs may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action deemed necessary by the CO.

11. Data Rights

The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

12. Citizenship related Requirements:

The Contractor certifies that the Contractor shall comply with any and all legal provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, As Amended; its related laws and regulations that are enforced by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor as these may relate to non-immigrant foreign nationals working under contract or subcontract for the Contractor while providing services to Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals;

While performing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Contractor shall not knowingly employ, contract or subcontract with an illegal alien; foreign national non-immigrant who is in violation of their status, as a result of their failure to maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of their admission into the United States. Additionally, the Contractor is required to comply with all “E-Verify” requirements consistent with “Executive Order 12989” and any related pertinent Amendments, as well as applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations.

If the Contractor fails to comply with any requirements outlined in the preceding paragraphs or its Agency regulations, the Department of Veterans Affairs may, at its discretion, require that the foreign national who failed to maintain their legal status in the United States or otherwise failed to comply with the requirements of the laws administered by Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S Department of Labor, shall be prohibited from working at the Contractor’s place of business that services Department of Veterans Affairs patient referrals; or other place where the Contractor provides services to veterans who have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and shall form the basis for termination of this contract for breach.

This certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency of the United States and the making of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the maker subject to prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

The Contractor agrees to obtain a similar certification from its subcontractors.

13. Inherent Government Functions: Contractor shall not perform inherently governmental functions. This includes, but is not limited to, determination of agency policy, determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests, direction and control of government employees (outside a clinical context), selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment including the interviewing of individuals for employment, approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees, approving any contractual documents, approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections, and/or determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.

14. Registration with Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates Contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed $150,000and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the Contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, CPARS, which is maintained by the Naval Seal Logistics Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the federal awardee performance and integrity information system (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web-enabled application accessed via CPARS for Contractor responsibility determination information.

Each Contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed $150,000 requires a CPARS evaluation. A government Focal Point shall register your contract within thirty days after contract award and, at that time, you shall receive an email message with a User ID (to be used when reviewing evaluations).