Statement of Work (Tactical Applications Instructor).pdf

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STATEMENT OF WORK

BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO,

FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TACTICAL APPLICATIONS PROGRAM TRAINING

INSTRUCTOR

7/11/2025

STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 OVERVIEW

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Office of Human Resources and Professional Development (HRPD), ATF National Academy (ATFNA) is issuing this Statement of Work (SOW) for one Tactical Application Program Training Instructor, with the intent to issue a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with fixed daily rates. ATF anticipates that opportunities

SOW Appendix A - Page 2 to provide instruction will be rotated among successful instructors after consideration of availability, rates, geographic location, and positive instructor ratings. ATF is not obliged to select an instructor to teach a specified course or to continue to use an instructor following the BPA award. The selection of an instructor under the BPA is within ATF’s discretion and authority and is not subject to protest or dispute procedures.

In support of ATF’s Strategic Plan and mission objectives, HRPD is dedicated to supporting Federal, State, and local law enforcement, through the dissemination of ATF’s unique knowledge and expertise to reduce violent crime, collect revenue and protect the public. The ATFNA’s mission is to:

1. Assess, design, deliver and evaluate innovative training programs.

2. Facilitate a creative learning environment that fosters continuous new and current employee development.

3. Create an adaptable workforce capable of meeting current and future mission requirements.

2.0 SCOPE

The ATFNA has a number of responsibilities regarding the assessment, development, delivery, and evaluation of its training programs and is seeking to obtain contract instructors to further support their training efforts. The ATFNA Special Agent Basic Training (SABT) program consists of over 600 hours of training involving various criminal enforcement related topics provided to new agents. The ATFNA shall maintain the ability to update and change the curriculum on a regular basis, so the requirement for specific skills sets and the frequency of their use may vary greatly depending on current staffing levels and number of SABT courses being administered throughout the year.

The SABT program uses a variety of instructional methods, to include classroom lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises (PE), and case studies to train new special agents. Generally, instructors shall possess a unique, in-depth background of ATF experience to support the training program, which includes an understanding of the policies, procedures and best practices employed during the course of criminal investigations to further the ATF criminal enforcement mission.

The Tactical Applications Program Branch (TAPB) utilizes a systematic method of instructing tactical movement that is conducive to the ever-changing law enforcement environment encountered by ATF special agents in the field. This method is integrated with the firearms skills learned in tactical marksmanship and the defensive skills learned in Control and Arrest Techniques (CAT). Additionally, tactical medicine is incorporated in the method of instruction, along with “Mindset on Violent Encounters (M.O.V.E)”.

3.0 CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

Contractors acknowledge meeting the following minimum qualifications upon proposal submission:

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1. The TAPB Contract Training Instructor shall demonstrate a working knowledge of ATF’s tactical movement, techniques, and principles as outlined by ATF’s policies and procedures. The Training Instructor shall be specifically trained in ATF’s tactical methodology, deployment, equipment, and operations to include arrest, search, and undercover operations. Based on the methodology of utilizing an integrated system combining tactical marksmanship and CAT, the TAPB Training Instructor shall have an understanding of ATF’s firearms instruction and Control and Arrest Techniques (CAT).

Additionally, the tactical training provided includes instruction on Tactical Medicine that provides instruction on planning for and reacting to the injury of law enforcement personnel. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have an understanding of the application of trauma medicine.

2. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have a minimum of thirty years as an ATF criminal investigator. The Training Manager shall have a wide range of investigative experience and an understanding of ATF policies and programs to effectively deliver the tactical applications program training.

3. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have served as an ATF Special Response Team (SRT) member for a minimum of twenty-five years, of which ten shall be as a full-time operator.

The Training Instructor shall have a minimum of five years as a Division Tactical Advisor.

4. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have a minimum of ten years as a Tactical Medic.

5. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have a bachelor’s degree, graduate from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and certification from the FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor Training Program.

6. The TAPB Training Instructor shall have delivered a minimum of five tactical training blocks of instruction over the last two years at the ATF National Academy.

7. In addition to the delivery of training during the SABT program, the criminal TAPB Training Instructor shall provide input for the revisions of the lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises for the purpose of updating materials, as appropriate and necessary for the course requirements. Again, this requires a unique understanding of the ATF’s tactical movement, techniques, and principles as outlined by ATF’s policies and procedures. Prior experience with curriculum development will be given special consideration.

8. Instructors’ rates may be used for the delivery of training or for the development of training content.

4.0 ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

The following are assumptions and constraints underlying this task, which should be considered in developing a technical solution:

1. Instructors:

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a. Shall be able to travel to the training site dictated by the training agreement. This may involve travel domestically or internationally depending on the program.

b. Shall have a flexible work schedule that meets the needs of the training being provided.

c. Shall be able to pass a background investigation as required by the training program or training facility (see section 4.4 for more information).

d. Shall be willing to volunteer for random drug testing.

e. Shall have access to the internet and maintain a working email address for access to required on-line applications and to receive contractor notifications and announcements.

2. Instructors shall not have been:

a. Convicted of a felony offense.

b. Convicted for an offense involving violence against a law enforcement officer.

c. Convicted for an offense involving rape, child brutality, or child molestation.

d. Convicted for an offense of either drug or firearms sales or trafficking activities.

e. Convicted for an offense that, if revealed, would reflect poorly upon the Federal

Government, or would otherwise present a threat to the safety and security of employees.

f. Shall not be currently subject to disciplinary action by an employer, released from a position because of a disciplinary action, or have resigned from a position prior to the culmination of a disciplinary investigation.

g. Shall not be a prohibited person regarding explosives and destructive device usage and possession as per Federal statutes.

h. Shall not be a prohibited person regarding possessing and transferring firearms as per Federal statutes.

3. Instructors shall be able to demonstrate professional behavior and instructional expertise that meet ATF and the ATFNA standards.

4. Instructors shall come prepared to provide training, which includes being intimately familiar with the lesson plan, its requirements and instructional strategies, lesson materials, safety instructions where applicable, and evaluation requirements.

5. Instructors shall meet ATF evaluation requirements for instructional and content expertise while providing instruction. ATF staff will regularly evaluate Instructor’s instructional skills, adherence to provided lesson plans, and adherence to any safety requirements.

6. Instructors shall report to the training manager as required by the reporting instructions.

7. Instructors shall follow security protocols for handling and securing student tests or examinations and access to ATF facilities. Facility security requirements may be site specific.

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8. Instructors shall follow ATF safety directives regarding the topical area being instructed as well as any lesson plan or site-specific requirements. Instructors shall meet and adhere to current and future ATFNA Standard Operating Procedures.

9. ATF will provide course lesson plans for all ATF-specific training courses and any instructor deviation shall be agreed upon in advance and in writing.

10. When applicable, instructors may be asked to provide input into updates and revisions to course lesson plans.

11. Instructor travel and per diem will be in accordance with Federal Government Travel

Regulations.

12. ATFNA program managers may expand on the listed minimum experience, education, and training requirements depending on the needs of the topic being taught.

13. When applicable, Instructors may be required to physically demonstrate the skills being taught. Instructor’s skill levels exceed the minimum standards set for the students. Instructors may be asked to either provide documentation in advance to verify this requirement or the requirement may be validated through observation and evaluation by ATFNA staff.

14. In order to continue to meet ATF requirements for currency of certifications and continuing education, instructors shall submit evidence of additional training every two (2) years from the date of the award. Time spent serving as an instructor cannot be utilized to meet this requirement.

15. Training will occur at ATF provided facilities. ATF will provide training materials and equipment unless specified otherwise in the training assignment.

16. Instructors are expected to maintain an email address in order to receive information pursuant to their agreements. Instructors are to ensure that ATF is informed when email addresses change.

17. Agreements are awarded for the services of a specific individual whose qualifications have been vetted with ATF. Substitutions are not permitted.

4.1 Copyright clause

Instructors may not utilize any materials or information provided by ATF (unless publicly available) including regulations, policies, directives, correspondence, standard operating procedures (SOPs), photographs or videos, or any classified, law enforcement sensitive, or confidential information for the purposes of any other production, contract, or project. Any lesson plans, curriculum, agenda, photographs, videos, or materials prepared by the instructor for ATF under this contract shall be deemed ATF proprietary data and as such is the sole property of the United States Government. The Instructor may not copyright, resell, share, present, or transmit any materials or information provided to the Instructor by ATF without the prior written permission of ATF.

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4.2 Expert Witness/Industry Consultant Clause

While the Instructor is not prohibited from contracting to testify against ATF or any Federal governmental entity while contracted to provide goods or services to ATF under this or any other Department of Justice contract, the Instructor agrees that he/she is prohibited from testifying as an expert or contractual witness against ATF or any governmental entity on any matter that requires the Instructor to rely upon or reference any lesson plans, curricula, or courses prepared by the Instructor pursuant to this contract, or upon any materials or information provided to contractor by ATF, that is not otherwise publicly available. The Instructor may not share or transmit to his or her agents, employee(s), employer(s) any of the aforementioned materials, information, lesson plans, curricula or courses for the purpose of testimony as an expert or contractual witness in any proceeding; administrative, civil or criminal.

Instructors generally are not prohibited from acting as consultants for industry Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), or Federal Explosives Licensees or permittees (FELs), lobbying groups, associations, or any private entity to assist with improving compliance with Federal laws and regulations. However, the instructor is prohibited from serving as a consultant or advisor, to industry FFLs, FELs, lobbying groups, associations, or any private entity on any matter related to any ATF adverse actions, to include administrative hearings, warning conferences, or revocation hearings while contracted to provide goods or services to ATF under this or any other Department of Justice contract.

4.3 Professional Insurance Coverage

Instructors are responsible for acquiring and maintaining their own professional insurance for all work provided in relation to this agreement. In the event of injuries as a result of participation in training, demonstrations, or other work provided under this agreement, Instructors are not compensated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or the U.S. Department of Justice through worker’s compensation, employee insurance, automobile insurance, rental insurance, travel insurance, or any other similar mechanism. Further, any damage to any equipment or materials used or owned by the Instructor employed in work conducted under this agreement is the responsibility of the Instructor. As the burden of responsibility regarding insurance coverage solely belongs to the Instructor, the Bureau does not require proof of insurance for this agreement.

4.4 Background Investigation

All instructors are subject to a background investigation. Once an agreement has been placed by ATF, the instructor will be required to complete a personnel security package which includes forms SF 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions; ATF F 8620.26, Credit Release; ATF F 8620.27, Non-Disclosure Agreement; and questionnaires regarding drug use and financial declarations. The package also includes two fingerprint cards that shall be completed and provided along with a passport type photo.

In addition, Instructors are required to provide personal information electronically through the Department of Justice e-QIP on-line application. Instructors will be sent a unique link into e-QIP via email, where they will be required to provide the requested information in the system.

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Instructors are to print out the specified signature pages from e-QIP and include the signed documents in the personnel security package when it is completed and returned.

Failure to complete e-QIP and submit the personnel security package in a timely manner may result in the immediate termination of the agreement.

4.5 Instructor Qualifications

The table below details the recommended core instructor qualifications required to support ATF and provides a detailed description of instructor qualifications by knowledge area. Generally, there are a limited number of contract instructors required for each SABT program, and the topics usually require specific and advanced knowledge, training, experience, and education in a variety of topics related to ATF’s criminal enforcement and training mission.

Experience & Education Requirements

Training & Certification Requirements

1. Minimum of ten years’ law enforcement experience with a majority of this experience in the subject area to be instructed.

2. I shall have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

or

3. A high school education with a diploma or a GED equivalency certificate and an additional 5 years of general law enforcement/or forensic related experience (for a total of 15 years of experience) may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.

1. Shall have successfully completed an instructor training course or demonstrate experience in providing forensic firearms identification instruction in either a professional or academic classroom setting.

2. Can provide verifying documentation upon request (e.g., certificate of successful completion or attendance) to show that the instructor is maintaining subject matter currency through recent continuing education and attendance at training activities in the subject matter being taught.

Subject matter currency may also be validated through the publication of subject matter related articles and research in nationally recognized professional journals or trade magazines.

4.6 Quality Control

The Instructor will describe his/her plan to provide evidence of continuing education in the area of subject matter expertise and/or training knowledge area and certifications. This will be incorporated into the resulting award.

4.7 Ordering and Invoicing Requirements

Ordering

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ATF Training managers will contact successful contractors to determine the availability of potential instructors for identified training needs. Typically, ATF provides instructor lead times of sixty (60) days. However, when backfilling instructors or some other emergency training requirement, ATF may make instructor availability requests with much shorter lead times.

For routine requests, ATF will allow the Instructor up to two (2) days from the time of request to respond affirmatively, before seeking an instructor from another source. For non-routine requests, the ATF Training Manager will determine the amount of available response time allowed case-by-case basis and provide this information to the contractor at the time of the request. No instructor will have recourse against ATF when situations dictate instructor scheduling outside of the standard time frames for placing instructor calls.

Invoicing

Complete invoicing instructions will be included in the terms and conditions of the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). However, ATF expects Instructors to invoice upon completing the assigned course in the format required.

5.0 OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODCs) and TRAVEL

ATF does anticipate ODCs. Travel is anticipated to complete these tasks.

5.1 ATF anticipates travel for Tactical Application Program Training classes.

Only local travel is anticipated to complete these tasks. Travel expenses shall only be invoiced at the Federal Government set mileage rate.

5.2 All travel will be compensated in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). All work-related travel will be reimbursable based on actual allowable direct cost, in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs, and/or at the rate specified for the location and timeframe identified on http://www.gsa.gov. All contractor personnel may be required to travel on commercial and/or Government provided transportation at Government cost. The COR or CO shall authorize all travel prior to each trip via email. All contractors are encouraged to utilize the Exemption Certificate from Tax on Occupancy of Hotel, Motel, and Tourist Home Rooms Forms.

5.3 To be reimbursable, the travel expenses shall be (i) other than local commuting travel expenses within Huntsville, Alabama, (ii) allowable under the FTR and the provisions of this contract, (iii) approved prior to travel expenditure by the CO or COR, and (iv) allocable and necessary for performance of this contract. No profit or fee shall be applied to travel.

5.4 Travel reimbursement requests shall be submitted in sufficient time for the CO or COR to give prior approval and shall identify (i) the name of the traveler, (ii) destination (s) including itinerary, (iii) purpose of the travel, and (iv) cost breakdown.

5.5 To be reimbursed, invoices, including travel expenses shall provide a detailed breakdown of the actual expenditures invoiced. The contractor shall maintain the original or legible copy of receipts for all travel expenses invoiced. ATF reserves the right to request evidence of any travel expenses paid.

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5.6 The COR will work with the contractor to determine in-person dates for activities to support travel-related events.

5.7 The contractor is responsible for paying any costs for required travel that exceed the reimbursement limit. The contractor is responsible for collecting and submitting all plane travel and lodging receipts to ATF for reimbursement. No travel costs will be reimbursed for travel with missing receipts.

5.8 All travel and related expenses shall be expressly authorized by the COR, in writing, prior to commencing the travel, except for the Kickoff Meeting, which is covered as part of the pricing for the services. The contractor shall bill actual time scheduled/worked during events, and associate travel, lodging, and per diem costs.

Travel time will not be charged separately and shall be incorporated into the price for each Commercial Line Item Number (CLIN if the facilitator wishes to be compensated for the time.

5.9 Travel requirements will be coordinated with and approved by the COR. Reimbursement for travel will be in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR)/Federal Travel Regulation (FTR).

Receipts for hotel, airfare, and car rentals shall accompany invoice for payment.

6.0 Technical Capabilities

Qualifications (Experience, Education and Training): Instructors should provide a brief summary detailing an overview of the experience, education, and training background as it relates to the CLIN proposed and the benefits they can provide to ATF as a Contract Training Instructor.

The instructor will provide a copy of his/her resume or professional curriculum vitae detailing qualifications. Instructors who are qualified to teach in several subject areas should identify the applicable area prominently in the title of the resume. Individual documentation may be submitted for multiple subject areas if the instructor’s qualifications match the ATF requirements for both.

Each instructor shall be required to provide their approach to maintain currency in their area of subject matter expertise and updates to continuing education and required certifications.

6.2 Cost Factor

The contractor shall propose a fixed daily rate and a fixed ½ day rate (less than 4 hours) for each instructor category/CLIN for which he/she is qualified and intends to provide service. All proposed rates shall include all anticipated charges with the exception of travel and per diem that is allowable under the Federal Travel Regulations. Contract instructors will bill actual time scheduled/worked during training sessions, and associated travel, lodging, and per diem costs.

Travel time and course preparation time will not be charged separately and shall be incorporated into the daily fees if the instructor wishes to be compensated for the time.

If the contractor’s price is bound by any special conditions, these conditions shall be stated in the

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Price Proposal.

7.0 BACKGROUND

There is no formal standard on lead times for instructor selection, but ATF does provide reporting instructions to all students and instructors typically 30 to 45 days prior to a course, so actual instructor selection/notification should take place no less than 60 days prior to a class. However, in the event of a need to backfill ATF instructors who have cancelled or are otherwise unavailable, ATF may provide only 1-2 weeks advanced notice.