Foresight_and_Alternate_Futures_Training_SOW_v4.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

OFFICE OF POLICY AND PLANNING

OFFICE OF POLICY

13 December 2012

Title of Project:

Strategic Foresight / Alternate Futures Training for the Office of Policy and Planning

1.0 Introduction

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Policy and Planning (OPP), Office of Policy (OOP) is responsible for ensuring integration, collaboration, and cooperation across VA with regard to policy and strategy development. The Office leads the strategic planning efforts and is involved with managing the Department's governance process. The Office consists of a forward-leaning concepts analysis capability that identifies long-range issues and drives innovation and transformation, a planning capability focused on strategic outcomes that influence policies, programs and resources, and a proactive policy analysis capability that is externally engaged, and internally aligned.

The Office is led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Policy, and consists of the Strategic Studies Group (SSG), the Strategic Planning Service (SPS), and the Policy Analysis Service (PAS). Each service has overlapping policy analysis needs and skill. SSG consists of a Director and four management analysts at various grade levels and experience. SSG continues to build its capability in conducting environmental scans, understanding future methodology, producing analytically rigorous white papers, and using long-range strategic planning as an instrument to achieve change. In order to expedite the development of baseline analysis skills and proficiency, SSG requires formal training that is not an inherent government capability.

2.0 Purpose

OOP/SSG requires Strategic Foresight / Alternate Futures training to be provided by a vendor with an accredited Strategic Foresight / Alternate Futures curriculum.

3.0 Tasks

3.1 Task 1 Provide an accredited Curriculum for Strategic Foresight/Alternative Futures The vendor will develop and provide an accredited Strategic Foresight/Alternate Futures curriculum within 14 business days from notice of contract award. The curriculum shall contain an explanation of how each module will specifically advance analytic capability, executive communications regarding change, strategic foresight/alternate futures methodology, and long-range planning capability.

Task 1 Deliverables:

1.1 Accredited Curriculum for Strategic Foresight/Alternate Futures;

1.2 Location of classroom and transportation options.

3.2 Task 2 Provide Foresight/Alternate Futures Training

The contractor shall provide Strategic Foresight/Alternate Futures training for up to 20 Government personnel to include at a minimum the following topics:

1. Long-range planning,

2. An introduction to foresight tools and thinking,

3. In-depth discussion of change management techniques, and

4. Provide lessons for improving analytic tradecraft.

The instruction should be interactive, include case studies, utilize reading materials and workbooks, and result in attaining Strategic Foresight/Alternate Futures certification for all attendees. The vendor shall provide students and the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) with all course materials including copies of hand-outs, slides, and note-taking guides. The contractor shall also provide an end-of-course student survey to gauge the effectiveness and usefulness of the training, and provide an analysis of learning that can be used to determine which areas need greater emphasis.

Course topics should include:

· Strategic Foresight/Alternate Futures Models

· Environmental Scanning

· Forecasting

· Critical Thinking and Issue-based Analysis

· Scenario Development and Scenario-based Planning

· Strategic Planning

· Change Management

· Executive and Strategic Communications

Task 2 Deliverables:

2.1 Study Material

2.2 Classroom Training Material

2.3 Instructor qualifications and certifications

2.4 Delivery of Training

2.5 Course Surveys and Analysis of Learning

4.0 Deliverables or Reporting Requirements

All contractor-provided work products are to be furnished within the specified delivery dates (see Schedule of Deliverables). Any changes to delivery dates must be discussed with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and approved in writing by the Contracting Officer (CO). The COR for this project is: James-Christian Blockwood.

The contractor shall establish and maintain a quality assurance program to ensure that all tasks are completed in accordance with this SOW.

5.0 Government Acceptance

The contractor shall provide the COR the course curriculum and other related materials at least two weeks prior to the first day of course instruction. The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s technical approach in the proposal. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor shall be notified in writing by the COR of the specific reasons for rejection. The Contractor shall have 5 business days to correct the rejected deliverable or submit to the COR a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) that includes a firm commitment to the date when the rejected deliverable will be corrected.

The COR will have 5 business days to review the draft deliverables and provide comments back to the Contractor. The final deliverables will be provided within 5 business days after the comments from the Government are received, unless otherwise specified by the CO in writing.

If any deliverable cannot be provided within the scheduled time frame, the contractor must notify the COR and the CO in writing as soon as delay is identified. The government reserves the right to approve or to reject the proposal and request an alternate solution. The notice to the CO shall specify the following:

1. Reasons for the delay

1. Modified delivery date

1. Impact on the overall project

1. A revised project plan with all adjusted dates

The COR will then review the facts and issue a response in accordance with applicable regulations after conferring with the CO.

6.0 Place of Performance

The course is to be provided at the vendor’s facility in or near the Washington, DC area. The vendor’s facility must be near or within a walking distance of a Metro Station. Alternatively, the vendor must provide shuttle transportation from the nearest Metro station. Classroom location and transportation arrangements shall be proposed and submitted for approval along with the course Curriculum to the COTR and the CO.

7.0 General Experience Requirements:

Contractor staff shall be fully qualified and posses a sufficient level of experience necessary to accomplish the requirements of this SOW. Additionally, contractor personnel shall conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times. A friendly environment conductive to learning shall be maintained in the classroom throughout the term of this requirement.

Should any Contractor personnel be determined to be unacceptable in terms of technical competency or personal conduct, the Contractor shall immediately remove and replace the identified person at no additional cost to the Government. Any concern regarding contractor’s personnel shall be identified by the COTR and presented to the contractor in writing after the review by the CO.

8.0 Schedule of Deliverables

Schedule of Deliverables (CAD = Contract Award Date, Days = Calendar Days) All deliverables are electronic unless otherwise noted.

Task 1 Deliverable 1.1 Deliverable 1.2

Accredited Curriculum Classroom Location

1 Each 1 Each Within 14 days of notice of contract award

Task 2 Deliverable 2.1

Study Material

1 per student, hard copy and electronically To COR 14 days before training, to students day of training.

Task 2 Deliverable 2.2

Classroom Training Material

1 per student, hard copy To COR 14 days before training. To students day of training.

Task 2 Deliverable 2.3

Instructor qualifications and certifications

1 copy electronically To COR 14 days before training.

Task 2 Deliverable 2.4

Multi-day Training Course encompassing 8 training hours/day (including 2 15- minute breaks and a 1 hour lunch)

1 Each Start date to be coordinated with COR.

Task 2 Deliverable 2.5

Course Surveys and Analysis of Learning

1 per student To COR 5 days after completion of training.

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