SOW - VT National Credentialing.pdf

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Federal Bureau of Prisons VT National Credentialing Contract

STATEMENT OF WORK

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is an agency of the Department of Jus�ce (DOJ). It consists of 122 ins�tu�ons throughout the United States and US Territories, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico; 6 regional offices; a Central Office (headquarters); 2 staff training centers; and 26 Residen�al Reentry Management offices (previously known as community correc�ons offices).

The BOP is responsible for the custody and care of approximately 158,000 adults in custody. Roughly 91% of these adults in custody are confined in BOP operated facili�es, while the balance is confined in secure community-based facili�es and local jails.

The Educa�on Branch provides meaningful programs to adults in custody housed within the Federal BOPs. Within this branch, new ini�a�ves and programs are developed and offered to assist adults in custody with preparing for release. Academic, as well as Career and Technical Educa�on programs are offered to all adults in custody, including special popula�ons such as adults in custody with disabili�es.

The Bureau understands the importance of securing employment upon release and wants to further assist its adults in custody with their prepara�on by providing training opportuni�es for adults in custody to enhance their skills and obtain cer�fica�ons for employment within high demand fields. The First Step Act of 2018 (FSA), signed into law in December 2018, tasked the BOP to further develop and implement evidence-based and recidivism reduc�on programs, produc�ve ac�vi�es, and procedures designed to ensure the most comprehensive reentry prepara�on beginning on day one of incarcera�on.

SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED

The BOP intends to make an award to a Voca�onal Training (VT) company for the procurement of services to offer Bureau-wide standardized voca�onal training instruc�onal curriculums, on site staff training (if needed to teach to their curriculum), adult in custody cer�fica�on, and an earned industry recognized student creden�al for each adult in custody par�cipa�ng. All voca�onal training companies wishing to par�cipate are encouraged to submit a proposal that will offer the types of services men�oned above.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND/OR SPECIAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The voca�onal training company must be recognized and possess exper�se within voca�onal career development standards for each of the requested BOP training fields. Addi�onally, they will be required to deliver on site staff training (if needed to teach to their curriculum), provide standardized industry-recognized curriculums, student assessments, and the earned industry recognized student cer�ficate/creden�al upon successful course comple�on. These requirements will prepare par�cipa�ng adults in custody for future entry level posi�ons of employment upon release.

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Listed below are the training fields that the BOP is looking to standardized within this contract.

• Carpentry

• Drywall

• Electrical

• HVAC/HVACR

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Welding

Contractors will provide training for the above noted occupa�ons to appointed BOPs Voca�onal Training instructors to implement curriculum coursework, cer�fica�on, and creden�aling. Training during the base year will be held at the Federal BOPs training site (MSTC – Aurora, CO). During the subsequent op�on years, the contractor will offer staff training, on-site, for any newly appointed BOP staff member within 90 days of hire into that job. The contractors shall agree to provide a point of contact for ins�tu�on SOEs to schedule training for their staff. They shall also agree to deliver training to any of our designated Federal Prison loca�ons. Trained staff members will receive a cer�ficate of comple�on, with the noted amount of earned training hours provided by the contractor.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The manner and method of performing the task outlined in the statement of work is the sole responsibility and within the sole discre�on of the contractor; provided, however, that the contractor shall perform in accordance with standards and methods normally accepted by the contractor’s field of exper�se.

The Statement of Work, rules and procedures of the proposed contract, security and safety requirements of the ins�tu�on or ins�tu�ons, and all applicable Federal and State laws and regula�ons in effect during the term of this contract will be adhered to.

The contractor will make available, on a nondiscriminatory basis, a proposed curriculum, staff training agenda, cer�ficate of comple�on for staff, cer�ficate of comple�on for enrolled adults in custody, as well as an industry recognized creden�al for each par�cipant. The contract will be consistent with the requirements of this solicita�on.

The contractor shall be responsible for, but is not limited to the following:

• Provide curriculum instruc�on for all the above noted occupa�ons, based on current industry recognized standards.

• Provide BOP instructors with their taught curriculum, students workbooks, class syllabus, and performance-based learning within the noted voca�onal training areas.

• Provide training to BOP staff so that they can teach to their curriculum standards.

• Provide voca�onal and academic skills and mentorship to BOP staff members teaching to their curriculum.

• Provide mentorship to released adults in custody for addi�onal on the job training opportuni�es or entry level employment.

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• Create a permanent record database to track both training and assessments of par�cipants while enrolled in the program. The database will need to include components such as program enrollments, withdrawals, and comple�ons.

• Provide both English and Spanish versions for each standardized curriculum.

• Issue an industry creden�al to par�cipa�ng adults in custody that is recognized by employers, unions, and post-secondary schools located within the United States and its territories.

• Provide paper-based teaching materials, workbooks, and standardized tests (PBT) to all trades noted above.

• Provide an op�on to upgrade contract to include a computer-based standardized test component.

• Provide both English and Spanish tes�ng op�ons.

• Supply standardized forms, examiner’s policies, and procedures, in person and electronic training media, and any addi�onal supplies necessary for BOPs personnel to administer the voca�onal training cer�fica�on tes�ng requirements.

• Score all tests, record, and maintain all records, and provide sta�s�cal reports as requested.

• Provide special reports u�lizing the actual test results of par�cipa�ng adults in custody to develop instruc�onal lesson plans/curriculums to improve test outcomes.

• The Contractor will ensure all involved contract personnel (where applicable, subcontractor) will not release student records to a third party without the consent of the adult in custody or BOPs Contrac�ng Officer Representa�ve, BOPs Assistant Educa�on Administrator, and/or BOPs Educa�on Administrator.

It should be noted that any adult in custody may take a cer�fica�on test at one BOP loca�on and transfer to another BOP loca�on offering the same program. BOPs staff can request that their course of study and scores be transferred to finalize program comple�on.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

The offeror will provide a list of all course �tles, textbooks, and costs for each student (based on each cer�ficate term) for the en�re length of the program in the proposal. All required textbooks and student study materials will need to be available in paper-based format without metal book binding materials. In addi�on to the specific curriculum, cer�fica�on, and creden�aling, the contractor is expected to include all itemized fees in the proposal.

The ins�tu�on will provide pencils, pens, paper, and a space for training staff. Equipment and supplies not provided by the Educa�on Department will be provided by the contractor. The Contractor and/or their instructor(s) will not bring in any equipment, tools or supplies without prior approval from the Contrac�ng Officer Representa�ve (COR).

ADULT IN CUSTODY MANAGEMENT/INSTITUTION SECURITY

All contractor personnel shall agree to adhere to all regula�ons prescribed by the ins�tu�on for the safe, secure, and orderly running of the ins�tu�on. The custody of federal adults in custody remains a primary responsibility of the designated facility. All contract personnel providing on-site training will be required to:

• Adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974.

• Clear a Background Check.

• Sign in and out of the ins�tu�on for accountability purposes.

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• Wear a badge that will be issued and always worn for proper iden�fica�on.

• Atend the Ins�tu�on Familiariza�on Orienta�on program prior to assuming ins�tu�on involvement.

Reimbursement to the contractor for the �me spent in the ins�tu�on orienta�on or other specific security related training will be at the contractor’s expense. The contractor may, at any �me, be removed from the ins�tu�on at the discre�on of the Chief Execu�ve Officer (CEO), or his/her designee.

If a removal occurs, it is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure a replacement of another qualified/cleared personnel. All contract personnel are required to be aware of correc�onal security and will always maintain a professional rela�onship with adults in custody. All contract personnel will be required to provide documenta�on to the Supervisor of Educa�on, Voca�onal Training instructor, or designee, of any infrac�ons of ins�tu�onal rules and regula�ons by adults in custody for proper ac�on.

ATTIRE

All contract personnel are expected to wear professional clothing, appropriate for a correc�onal environment when they are at any Federal Prison. Any provoca�ve or revealing clothing is prohibited.

Other clothing items not permited within the ins�tu�on are revealing shorts, halter tops, bathing suits, see-through garments of any type, crop tops, low-cut blouses, leotards, spandex, yoga pants, miniskirts, backless tops, hats or caps, sleeveless garments, skirts, dresses, and any clothing that looks like adult in custody clothing (khaki or green military-type clothing).

NON-PERSONAL SERVICES/COMMON LAW EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

This service is a contractual arrangement and not a personnel or Civil Service Appointment. As specified in FAR 37.101 “Non-personnel Service Contracts” means a contract under which the personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administra�on, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in rela�onships between the Government and its employees. The service does not cons�tute an employer/employee rela�onship.

The contractor will not be subject to Government supervision, except for security related maters.

However, contractor performance shall be monitored. All du�es outlined in this Statement of Work shall be performed in accordance with standards and methods generally accepted within the Contractor’s own field of exper�se.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contract shall consist of twelve (12) month base period with four (4) op�on period and (6) month op�on, if exercised.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE/COURSE DELIVERY

Contractors will provide training for the above noted occupa�ons to appointed BOPs Voca�onal Training instructors to implement curriculum coursework, cer�fica�on, and creden�aling. Training during the base year will be held at the Federal BOPs training site (MSTC – Aurora, CO). During the subsequent op�on years, the contractor will offer staff training, on-site, for any newly appointed BOP staff member within ninety (90) days of hire into that job. The contractors shall agree to deliver training to any of our designated Federal Prison loca�ons.

CREDENTIALS

The contractor shall plan for the issuance of cer�ficates and industry recognized creden�als for those who successfully complete the programs. On behalf of the BOPs, the contractor shall provide paper documenta�on.

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The contractor shall provide one hard copy of the official transcript, one hard copy of the earned cer�ficate, and one hard copy of creden�als via United States Postal Service regular mail to the SOE or BOP Voca�onal Training Instructor within fi�een (15) business days a�er students complete the program. At the end of each program, one hard copy of transcripts for all students enrolled in the program will be provided to the SOE or BOP Voca�onal Training Instructor. The transcripts, comple�on cer�ficates, and earned industry recognized creden�al shall be part of the contract fee. No addi�onal fee shall be required.

For a fee, upon request (writen or verbal) from the BOP COR, BOP Central Office Assistant Educa�on Administrator, and BOP Central Office Educa�on Administrator, the contractor shall provide duplicate paper documents (transcript, cer�ficate, or creden�al) to the addressee and address indicated in the request. The exchange of records and personal iden�fica�on informa�on between the contractor and the BOP Central Office educa�on staff shall adhere to the United States Department of Jus�ce and BOP informa�on security requirements and Privacy Act of 1974.

Upon release from federal custody, former students may request, at their own expense, official documents (cer�ficates, transcripts, and creden�als) from the contractor for an indefinite period. The contractor shall provide the COR with accurate instruc�ons for former students released from BOP’s custody to request official documents (cer�ficates, transcripts, and creden�als).

PROGRAM SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT

The contractor will dedicate a resource staff specifically to address all issues associated with this contract. No addi�onal costs shall be incurred for the dedicated resource staff’s �me and services. The dedicated resource staff will coordinate and address all contract administra�on and opera�on maters such as processing BOP staff training needs, any addi�onal BOP related requests, addressing course content, student creden�aling, invoices, and payments, etc. The contractor shall provide an itemized invoice for services rendered and delivered sent via e-mail to the BOPs Central Office Business Office, Contrac�ng Office, the COR, and the Assistant Educa�on Administrator.

If a per�nent verbal discussion occurs, that discussion shall be summarized with an e-mail for Contractor, Contrac�ng Officer, the COR, and the Assistant Educa�on Administrator.

CONSTRAINTS

Compliance with sec�on 508 of the rehabilita�on act of 1973, 1998 amendments All electronic and informa�on (EIT) provided through this ac�on via the resul�ng contract, task order, delivery order, or purchase order must meet the applicable accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194. 36 CFR implements Sec�on 508 of the Rehabilita�on Act of 1973 as amended and is viewable at htp:\\www.sec�on508.gov. Applicable standards for this requirement include:

• 36 CFR 1194.21 - So�ware Applica�ons and Opera�ng Systems

• 36 CFR 1194.22 - Web-based Intranet and Internet Informa�on and Applica�ons.

• 36 CFR 1194.31 - Func�on Performance Criteria

• 36 CFR 1194.41 - Informa�on, Documenta�on and Support

Compliance with all Informa�on Technology U.S. Regula�ons, Policies, and Guidance for the Department of Jus�ce, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Solicita�on Requirements which include but not limited to:

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• PS 1237.14 –Personal Computers and Network Standards

• PS 1237.15 –Informa�on Resource Protec�on

• PS 1237.16 –Informa�on Security

• DOJ Order 0903 –Informa�on Technology Management

• DOJ Order 0904 –Cybersecurity Program

• Federal Informa�on Security Moderniza�on Act (FISMA) of 2014

• Federal Informa�on Technology Acquisi�on Reform Act (FITARA)

• OMB Circular No. A-130 –Managing Informa�on as a Strategic Resource.

• NIST SP 800-53 –Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Informa�on Systems and Organiza�ons.

• NIST FIPS 200 –Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Informa�on and Informa�on Systems.

• NIST SP 800-171 - Protec�ng Controlled Unclassified Informa�on in Nonfederal Informa�on Systems and Organiza�ons.

RELATED SERVICES

During the term of the contract the contractor shall be responsible for the reten�on of any specialists required for the comple�on of the work.

The contractor shall be responsible for the work done by any individuals or firms they retain.

STANDARD OF SERVICE

The contractor shall iden�fy one primary contact person for the project within (2) calendar days a�er no�fica�on of contract award.

The contractor shall iden�fy an alternate contact person(s) for the project within (2) calendar days a�er no�fica�on of contract award.

The contractor and his employees shall perform in a professional manner keeping noise and disturbances to a minimum.

The contractor shall be responsible for assuring all persons retained to work on this project comply with all policies and regula�ons while on the property where work is taking place.

The contractor shall be responsible for assuring all adjacent surfaces and vehicles are protected during all step of construc�on, including a thorough cleanup at the end of each work period.

If any other informa�on is needed, please contact the Bureau Project Manager/COR.

SPECIAL SECURITY AND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

The Contractor must abide by all FBOP security requirements including, “but not limited to” a 5-year Tier

(1) clearance with HSPD-12 badge issued by the FBOP. All contractors and Subcontractors that will be on-site will be required to a background check.

NOTE: The BOP may permit other Government security clearances, to be substituted for the above background investigations, if determined by the BOP to be equal, current, and provided the contractor submits adequate documentation to support the BOP’s determination. It is the responsibility of the contractor and the respective COR to ensure that all necessary forms and information is completed and submitted in a timely manner. Refer to solicitation document, which includes FAR clause 52.204-9, 7 | P a g e

“Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel” and the DOJ clause “Notice of Contractor Personnel Security Requirements.” Both clauses refer to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 and Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 201.

In addition to the background investigations, the BOP’s security requirements include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

1) National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

2) National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI)

3) Law Enforcement Agency Checks

4) National Law Enforcement Telecommunications (NLETS) Checks

5) Credit Check

6) Fingerprint Check (FD-258)

7) Completed OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment and Appropriate Resume and Optional Application

8) Completed Contractor Pre-employment Form

9) Release of Information

10) Urinalysis

11) Employment Vouchering over the past five years

NOTE: The requirements listed above are based on the level of security required.

NOTE: If a urinalysis test is required, the test shall be administered at the closest BOP facility where work is to be performed. If the test is positive for drug usage, the individual(s) assigned to perform the work shall be excluded and the contractor shall provide acceptable replacement personnel subject to the same security requirements.

Access shall be based on the completion of successful background investigations and security clearances, to include the receipt of a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) case number. Once the appropriate security and clearances have been completed, the Personnel Security Officer shall notify the COR and respective Contracting Officer in writing. At this time, the Contracting Officer shall issue a Notice to Proceed, and the contractor and subcontractor personnel shall have the authority to commence contract performance.

DOJ Residency Requirement The Residency requirement implemented by the Department of Justice requires that contractors providing services for DOJ components for three of the five years immediately prior to applying for a position, must have: 1) resided in the United States; 2) worked for the United States overseas in a federal or military capacity; or 3) be a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving overseas.

Project Coordination:

The Contracting Officer shall appoint a COR for this contract. The COR is responsible for monitoring contractor performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract and providing direction to the contractor which clarifies the effort, fills in details or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual scope of work, and evaluates contractor performance.

The COR does not have the authority to alter the contractor's obligations under the contract, direct changes that fall within the Changes Clause, and/or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or costs of this agreement. If because of technical discussion, it is desirable to

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Contracting and Administrative Authority:

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under the contract, and notwithstanding any provision contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the contractor affects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustments shall be made in the contract price, delivery schedule, terms, or conditions to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result.

The contractor shall submit requests for modifications to this contract to the Contracting Officer, with a copy of the request to the COR. Any Government requested additions or changes to the contract shall be issued by the Contracting Officer to the contractor.

Contractual problems, of any nature, that may arise during the performance of this contract shall be handled in conformance with specific public laws and regulations (e.g., Federal Acquisition Regulation).

Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to resolve such problems. Requests for information on matters related to this contract, such as explanations of terms and conditions or contractual interpretations, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

The Contractor shall agree all deliverables and associated working papers and other material which have been generated by the Contractor in the performance of this purchase order are confidential and shall not be disclosed.

The Contracting Officer or his/her authorized designee shall be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this project. The Contractor shall release no information. Any request for information relating to this modification to the current contract presented to the Contractor must be submitted to the Project Manager/COR or their designee for response.

PAYMENT AND INVOICING

The Contractor shall invoice the Government only for completed tasks a�er delivery and acceptance by the Project Manager and COR of the final deliverables. Contractor shall email the COR invoice/s, shipping dates and tracking informa�on.

Payments shall be made by Electronic Funds Transfer and in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act.

Invoices shall be sent to the “payment shall be made by” address listed in Block 18a of the SF 1449.

All invoices shall be prepared in accordance with FAR clause 52.212-4 (g). The Contractor shall invoice the Government only for completed tasks.

The Contractor shall provide appropriate Electronic Funds Transfer informa�on with its proposal/quote.

Invoices shall be sent to the “Payment shall be made by” address listed on the applicable delivery orders or, with respect to the guaranteed minimum for the base period, to the following:

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Federal Bureau of Prisons Central Office Business Office 320 First Street, NW -5002 Washington, DC 20534 Telephone: (202) 307-1287 Proper Invoice shall be email to BOP-ADM-CO-BusinessOffice-S@bop.gov COR: rjcorriveau@bop.gov CO: SPerineFonteno@bop.gov

No charges shall be paid by the Government, which are not specifically detailed in the contract, and specifically approved in the underlying contract. Invoices for final payment shall be so iden�fied and submited when tasks have been completed and no further charges are to be incurred. These close-out invoices, or a writen no�fica�on that final invoicing has been completed, shall be submited to the ordering agency within 30 days of task order comple�on. A copy of the writen acceptance of task comple�on shall be atached to final invoices. If the contractor requires an extension of the 30-day period, a request with suppor�ng ra�onale shall be received prior to the end of the 30-day period.

mailto:BOP-ADM-CO-BusinessOffice-S@bop.gov mailto:rjcorriveau@bop.gov mailto:SPerineFonteno@bop.gov

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE