VA119A-16-R-0159_2_FINAL_RFP.pdf

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 102

VA119A-16-R-0159 09-09-2016

Caitlin Palmer Caitlin.Palmer@va.gov 10-13-2016 12:00 p.m. EST

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs 321 Ballenger Center Drive, Suite 125

Frederick MD 21703

X

541612

$15 Million

X

N/A

X

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Transition & Economic Impact (TEI)

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Questions are due by September 12, 2016 12:00 p.m. EST

Questions should be emailed to Tara Flores at

Tara.Flores@va.gov and Caitlin Palmer at

Caitlin.Palmer@va.gov.

X X

Tara Flores Contracting Officer

RFP VA119A-16-R-0159

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

A.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

A.3 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN--MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

SECTION B

B.1 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)……………………………………………7

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.203-99 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (DEVIATION) (FEB 2015) ... 44

C.2 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (APR 2016) ALTERNATE I (OCT 2014) BY REFERENCE

C.3 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY

2015) ALTERNATE I (MAY 2014) BY REFERENCE

C.4 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2016) BY

REFERENCE

C.5 NOTICE OF HYBRID CONTRACT

C.6 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.7 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

C.8 52.228-5 INSURANCE—WORK ON A GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION (JAN 1997) . 66

C.9 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.10 52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES (JAN 1991)

C.11 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (JAN 2008)

C.12 VAAR 852.203-71 DISPLAY OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS HOTLINE

POSTER (DEC 1992)

C.13 VAAR 852.219-9 VA SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN MINIMUM

REQUIREMENTS (DEC 2009)

C.14 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV

2012)

C.15 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

C.16 VAAR 852.271-70 NONDISCRIMINATION IN SERVICES PROVIDED TO

BENEFICIARIES (JAN 2008)

C. 17 DFARS 252.225-7040 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SUPPORTING U.S. ARMED

FORCES DEPLOYED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES (OCT 2015)

C. 18 DFARS 252.225-7043 ANTITERRORISM/FORCE PROTECTION POLICY FOR

DEFENSE CONTRACTORS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES (JUN 2015)

C. 19 DFARS 252.228-7003 CAPTURE AND DETENTION (DEC 1991)

C. 20 DFARS 252.237-7019 TRAINING FOR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL INTERACTING

WITH DETAINEES (JUN 2013)

C. 21 OCI Provision/Clause: 852.209-70 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

C. 22 MANDATORY WRITTEN DISCLOSURES

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.203-98 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS—REPRESENTATION

(DEVIATION) (FEB 2015)

E.2 52.209-5 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID TAX

LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW

(DEVIATION)(MAR 2012)

E.3 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

E.4 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2015)

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

E.5 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014)………………………..96

E.6 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.7 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.8 VAAR 852.219-71 VA MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM (DEC 2009)

E.9 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

(JAN 2008)

E.10 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (JAN 1998)

PLEASE NOTE:

The PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE was held on August 24, 2016. The Power Point Presentation regarding the event was released on www.fbo.gov.

A.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

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

a. CONTRACTOR: TBD

b. GOVERNMENT: Tara Flores, Contracting Officer Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs 321 Ballenger Center Drive, Suite 125 Frederick MD 21703

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

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or [ ] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly, in accordance with the following invoicing

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS

STRATEGIC ACQUISITION CENTER-FREDERICK

321 Ballenger Center Dr. STE 125 Frederick, MD 21703

CONTRACTOR INSTRUCTIONS

FOR STATION 101 ORDERS

OB10/IPPS ELECTRONIC INVOICE SUBMISSION

FSC e-INVOICE PROGRAM THRU AUSTIN PORTAL

FSC MANDATORY ELECTRONIC INVOICE SUBMISSION FOR AUSTIN PAYMENTS

Vendor Electronic Invoice Submission Methods:

Fax, email and scanned documents are not acceptable forms of submission for payment requests.

Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the accepted data transmissions below.

• VA’s Electronic invoice presentment and payment system-The FSC uses a third party Contractor, OB10, to transition vendors from paper to electronic invoice submission. Please see OB10 contact information below to begin submitting electronic invoices, free of charge.

• A system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) chartered by the American National Standards Institute

(ANSI).

• The X12 EDI Web site (http://www.x12.org).

Vendor e-invoice Set-up information:

Please contact OB10 at the phone number or email address listed below to begin submitting your electronic invoices to the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, TX for payment processing. If you have questions about the e-invoicing program or OB10, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below.

• OB10 e-Invoice setup information: 1-877-489-6135

• OB10 e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@ob10.com

• FSC e-Invoice contact information: 1-877-353-9791

• FSC e-Invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

• http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp

COMMUNICATIONS:

• https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/27/2012-28612/va-acquisition-regulation-electronic-submission-of-payment-requests

• http://fcw.com/articles/2012/11/27/va-epayments.aspx?s=fcwdaily

• VAFSCFiscalSection101@va.gov or you can call 512-460-5401

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.

A.3 SUBCONTRACTING PLAN--MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN

2011) This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and VAAR 852.219-9, VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirement. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include these clauses. The Contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support Contractor(s) to assist in assessing the Contractor's compliance with the plan, including reviewing the Contractor's accomplishments in achieving the subcontracting goals in the plan. To that end, the support Contractor(s) may require access to the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding the Contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support Contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs.

Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support Contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support Contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the Contractor compliance with the subcontracting plan.

http://www.x12.org/ mailto:VA.Registration@ob10.com mailto:vafsccshd@va.gov http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/27/2012-28612/va-acquisition-regulation-electronic-submission-of-payment-requests https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/27/2012-28612/va-acquisition-regulation-electronic-submission-of-payment-requests http://fcw.com/articles/2012/11/27/va-epayments.aspx?s=fcwdaily mailto:VAFSCFiscalSection101@va.gov

B. 1 PWS

Veterans Benefits Administration

Transition Assistance Program

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Project

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

2. Introduction

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Transition and Economic Impact (TEI) is seeking Contractor services for support of the Military’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). TEI requires support with advancing the ongoing implementation;

sustainment and enhancement of TAP to ensure Servicemembers and their families have the necessary tools and information to seamlessly transition into civilian life.

3. Background

Each day Servicemembers make the transition from the military to civilian life. To aid in that transition, in August 2011, President Obama directed the Department of Defense (DoD) and VA to lead a task force with the White House economic and domestic policy teams and other agencies to develop the first major redesign of TAP. At the direction of the President, the purpose of the redesigned TAP is to develop a new training and service delivery model to allow a Servicemember, which includes Active, Reserve, and Guard, regardless of their branch of Service, to depart “career ready”. In addition to the Presidential Task Force efforts, Congress passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act (VOW Act 2011) which mandates all Servicemembers who are separating, retiring, or being released from a period of 180 days or more of continuous Active Duty must complete all mandatory requirements of the VOW Act, which includes pre-separation counseling to develop an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) with DoD and identify their career planning needs; attend the VA Benefits Briefings I and II to understand what VA benefits the Servicemember earned, how to apply for them, and leverage them for a positive economic outcome; and attend the Department of Labor Employment Workshop (DOLEW), which focuses on the mechanics of resume writing, networking, job search skills, interview skills, and labor market research.

To support the development of VA TAP career readiness programs, VBA TEI requires the assistance of subject matter experts (SMEs) with extensive experience in the development and implementation of education, skills and career training for transitioning employees. TEI requires a team that is capable of supporting and improving an existing model for transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families from the military to a productive civilian life. In order to reduce redundancy and improve coordination of TAP, cross-agency collaboration occurs between VA, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Labor (DoL), Department of Education (ED), and United States Coast Guard (USCG) representing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This includes maintaining a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between these organizations.

4. Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to provide TEI with support services to address VOW Act requirements, support continuous implementation of the interagency Veterans Employment Initiative (VEI) Task Force recommendations (ATTACHMENT A), the Transition Goals, Plans, Success (GPS) curriculum (ATTACHMENTS B, C and D), Capstone events and the Military Life Cycle (MLC) model.

The redesigned TAP includes the Transition GPS outcome-based curriculum which transforms the way the military prepares its Servicemembers transitioning to civilian life. Transition GPS is a rigorous pre-separation training curriculum for separating Servicemembers that is based on standard outcomes and learning objectives. The Transition GPS curriculum is designed to provide Servicemembers with skills-building training, resources and tools to ensure completion of essential tasks and competencies are met as required for a Servicemember to demonstrate career-readiness as they transition into Veteran status. The curriculum is composed of required core modules provided by the Military Services and partnering agencies, as well as three optional training tracks not required by the military services; Accessing Higher Education, Career Technical Training Track (CTTT), and the Entrepreneurship track. The VA contribution to the Transition GPS curriculum includes the mandatory VA Benefits I and II Briefings as well as the optional CTTT. VA Benefits Briefing I is designed introduce the Servicemember to the benefits which they may be eligible for, and VA Benefits II Briefing is designed to introduce and familiarize the Servicemember with the VA Health Care Portal, eBenefits, and assist in developing a plan for a successful transition using VA benefits. (ATTACHMENT E). VA will also continue to support Capstone and the Military Lifecycle (MLC) model. The Capstone ensures that the objectives of all transition activities have been met and that the Servicemember has a viable plan for transition to civilian life. The MLC transition model provides transition training throughout the military career.

5. Scope of Work

TEI requires support services to assist in continuation of TAP Administration and Program Management;

Governance; Operations; Curriculum Development and Revision; Training; and Plans, Analysis, Evaluation. This support includes world-wide program sustainment in support of over 226,000 transitioning Servicemembers across more than 317 installations within the Continental United States (CONUS) and outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) annually (ATTACHMENT F). The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision and other items and non-personal services necessary to support TAP operations as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services.

6. Performance Period

The period of performance will be for twelve months, and will have four twelve month option periods, for a total period of performance of five years.

7. Type of Contract

This contract is a hybrid Firm-Fixed Price and Time and Materials contract.

8. Place of Performance

The work will be performed at, 1800 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20420, and/or any VA Facility within the District of Columbia; Contractor’s facilities (off-site), DoD installations worldwide

(ATTACHMENT F) (please note these may require the administration of Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) as required by local labor regulations).

9. Recognized Holidays:

The Contractor is not required to perform services on Federal holidays. Any work to be performed at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the COR or in support of National Guard and Reserve. There are ten (10) Federal holidays set by law (United States Code (USC) Title 5 Section 6103) that VA follows:

Under current definitions, four are set by date:

New Year's Day January 1

Independence Day July 4

Veterans Day November 11

Christmas Day December 25

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:

Martin Luther King's Birthday Third Monday in January

Presidents’ Day Third Monday in February

Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Labor Day First Monday in September

Columbus Day Second Monday in October

Thanksgiving Fourth Thursday in November

10. Hours of Operation

The Contractor is responsible for conducting business that meets the needs of the location where they are assigned. Usually this is an eight (8) hour day with 30 min for lunch, local time. The Contractor must generally be available 7:30 a.m.to 4:30 pm (local time) for weekly meetings and deliverables at each location. VA Benefits Advisor shall maintain walk-in availability during business hours. The Contractor shall, at all times, maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS.

11. Contract Award Meeting

The Contractor shall not commence performance on the tasks in this PWS until the CO has conducted a kick off meeting within ten (10) days of contract award or has advised the Contractor that a kick off meeting is waived.

12. Organizational Conflict of Interest Exclusion

The award of this contract will impose a potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) with the award of the independent verification and validation and performance management task order. Award of the verification and validation effort is anticipated to be as a task order under Agile Delivery of VA Imminent Strategic and Operational Requirements (ADVISOR). Any Contractor bidding on this TEI requirement is precluded from supporting the verification and validation effort in any way, including but not limited to, advising, subcontracting, consulting, or proposing as noted by FAR 9.505-3. See the OCI Provision 852.209-70 for further information.

B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

For every task, the Contractor shall identify in writing all necessary subtasks (if any), and associated price by task, together with associated sub-milestone dates. The Contractor's subtask structure shall be detailed project management plan (PMP).

All written deliverables shall be phrased in layperson language. Statistical and other technical terminology shall not be used without providing a glossary of terms.

Where a written milestone deliverable is required in draft form, TEI will complete its review of the draft deliverable within fifteen (15) calendar days from date of receipt. The Contractor shall have ten (10) calendar days to deliver the final deliverable from date of receipt of the Government’s comments.

All deliverables shall be delivered to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Government Program Manager (PM).

The PM and COR will attend all meetings and briefings where deliverables or the execution of this contract will be discussed. The Contractor shall include the PM and COR in all communication related to this PWS and the execution of the contract.

All contract communication and communication related to work completed toward this contract must occur using VA-approved email accounts. All externally used documents must be 508 compliant.

All documents must be stored on VA Network or other location that has been expressly approved by the COR and Government PM.

The Contractor shall deliver all work products and deliverables throughout the Period of Performance, Close of Business (COB) shall be understood to mean 5:00 pm ET.

All work products and deliverables shall, at a minimum, be 95% free of errors, specifically content, spelling, grammar, formatting, and punctuation.

All Contractor personnel shall complete, at a minimum, fingerprint submissions for security background checks before performing work.

C. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES

The work described herein is divided into six task areas: TAP Administration and Program Management;

Governance; Operations; Curriculum Development and Revision; Training; and Plans, Analysis, Evaluation.

TASK 1. Administration and Program Management (FFP)

Task 1: Part A. Project Management Plan (PMP)

The Contractor shall provide an updated detailed Project Management/Implementation Plan (PMP) (original is submitted as part of the proposal) and briefing for the project team, within fourteen (14) days after award effective date which presents the Contractor’s plan for completing the contract describing the technical approach, management plan, organizational structure and resources, and management controls that will meet the objectives of this PWS. The Contractor's plan shall be responsive to this PWS and describe, in further detail, the approach to be used for each aspect of the contract as defined in the proposal. The Contractor shall keep the PMP up to date throughout the period of performance, specifically; the Contractor shall provide recommended updates in the form of tracked changes in Microsoft Word, on a monthly basis. Negative response indicating no updates are made is required. The Contractor shall use artifacts and processes determined at time of award. Further, the Government may, at any time, request additional updates that will be completed by the Contractor and delivered to the Government no more than ten (10) days after the request. These updates may include the addition of activities not included in the initial plan. For example, during the course of the major milestone implementation, the Government may require project changes that will require prior approval from the CO. Contractor shall provide recommended changes to PM, COR and CO. Any recommended changes that impact the price shall be identified with price impact and shall not be implemented until and unless approved by the CO through a modification.

The final PMP shall comply with Project Management Institute (PMI) suggested requirements and the Draft PMP shall be inclusive of the following deliverables, at a minimum:

a. Staffing Plan: The staffing plan is to define the roles and responsibilities for all personnel supporting the contract. The goal of the plan is to ensure the contract support staff is properly aligned to the strategic goals, mission, and objectives of TAP. Staffing plan should also include the Contractor’s organizational structure in support of the contract. The Contractor shall provide a detailed hiring plan and tracking tool that shows status of hiring at all location including background checks, SOFA requirements, Personal Identification Verification (PIV) and start dates. The tracker shall include issues related to hiring and also be included on the Risk and Issues Matrix for mitigation. The Staffing Plan shall also demonstrate the Contractor’s process for immediately identifying and taking appropriate remedial action in addressing Contractor personnel determined to be unacceptable in terms of technical competency or personal conduct in performance of contract activities. Contractor remedial actions shall be executed in a manner that does not disrupt or degrade the quality or timeliness of services. Only trained staff will be permitted to conduct Benefit Advisor activities and engage with transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans. All variations must receive prior approval from the PM and COR. The Contractor shall create and maintain a staffing tracker.

b. In-Processing Plan: The Contractor shall develop an In-Processing Plan that addresses in-processing of all personnel supporting this contract to include describing how to meet the learning needs of the Benefit Advisors and Train-the Trainers in the execution of TAP. The Contractor shall provide a tracking tool that shows status of in-processing and scheduled training.

c. Training Plan: The Contractor shall outline, as part of the proposal, how new hires will be trained. The Contractor shall complete initial training of staff members to include VA onboarding and badging within sixty (60) calendar days of effective date of the contract. All new hires shall be trained within sixty (60) days throughout the period of performance.

d. Operational Deployment Plan: The Contractor shall describe how contract personnel will be deployed to ensure little to no disruptions in the delivery of the VA mandated briefings as well as the plan to maintain operations throughout the course of the contract. Contractor shall provide weekly updates.

e. Contractor Communication Plan: The Contractor shall outline the Contractor’s roles and responsibilities of project participants in the review, approval and dissemination of information about key project processes, events, documents and milestones.

f. Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan: The Contractor shall conduct risk identification, risk analysis, risk management, and risk monitoring and reporting, focusing on the processes, resources and data sources critical to managing the project. The Contractor shall provide a Risks and Mitigation plan weekly. Risk and issues shall be reported during the weekly update meetings as critical, high, medium, or low. A description shall be included of the risk/issue, the owner, progress made, and management strategy as applicable. Weekly status will be provided on each risk until they are closed out. The PMO may request that a perceived risk or issue be added and tracked for the contract.

g. Quality Control Plan (QCP): The Contractor shall provide a detailed QCP within 14 days of contract award. The QCP shall be reviewed quarterly and if there are any changes, the updated QCP shall be submitted to the PM and COR. The QCP shall document the overall approach to quality assurance activities. The QCP shall provide specifics regarding how the Contractor defines, implements, and assures quality during the contract life. The Contractor’s QCP will be the basis for the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The VA will create the QASP upon receipt of the Contractor’s first QCP and will be updated as the QCP is updated.

h. Transition Plan: The Contractor shall submit a Transition Plan that describes the process, details, and schedule for providing an orderly transition during the Contract’s Phase in/Phase out period in accordance with the PWS. The initial transition period will include an effective date 30 days after date of award and then 60 days of transition using FAR 52.237-3 Continuity of Services.

The objectives of the Transition Plan are: to minimize the impacts on continuity of operations;

maintain communication with staff and affected stakeholders; identify key issues; and overcome barriers to transition. The Contractor shall establish a transition management team capable of providing overall management and logistical support of all transition activities. The Contractor shall regularly report status to the PM, COR and CO at periodic meetings and through regular written reports during the Transition period. The Transition Plan shall include the following:

• Inventory all Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government Furnished

Information (GFI) in Contractor possession, however, no IT equipment will be transitioned to this contract,

• Status of all deliverables, current issues, problems, or activities in process that require immediate action, Deliverable 1.A.1 Project Management Plan (PMP)

Staffing Plan, Organizational Structure

Weekly Hiring Plan and Tracker

TEI In-Processing and Training Plan

In-Processing and Training Plan Tracker

Operational Deployment Plan with weekly updates

Contractor Communications Plan

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan

Quality Control Plan (QCP)

Transition Plan

Task 1: Part B. Project Kickoff Briefing

The Contractor shall attend a project kick-off briefing with VA project team, and project advisory group comprised of key stakeholders and SMEs. The kick-off briefing will be held within ten (10) calendar days after contract award or as agreed upon between VA Government PM, COR, and Contractor. At the kick-off meeting, the Contractor shall brief the details of the project management plan (PMP), which shall include the Contractor’s intended approach, work plan, and project schedule including deliverables, tasks, and subtasks, with major milestones.

Deliverable 1.B.1 Project Kickoff Briefing

Task 1: Part C. Monthly Interim Progress Review & Smart book Report

1. Monthly Interim Progress Review (IPR): The Contractor shall support the VA with IPR activities in implementing a disciplined, comprehensive, and flexible program and project management processes, including: monitoring of project metrics; rigorous risk management; and prompt reporting on Government-approved schedule, performance, and risk baseline.

2. Monthly Status Report (MSR): The Contractor shall provide the MSR to the Government in a Smart book (SMT) format, electronically, no later than the 15th calendar day of each month. The SMT shall cover all work completed during the preceding month and will present the work to be accomplished during the subsequent month. The SMT shall identify any problems that have arisen and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved or an explanation why it has not been completely resolved.

Anticipated travel request shall be included as part of the Monthly IPR and SMT to include training for operational implementation. To support all Government approved travel requirements, the Contractor shall provide a pre-trip request at least fourteen (14) business days in advance. The Contractor shall submit a post-trip report to the COR and PM within three (3) business days of trip completion. The Contractor shall complete administrative tasks (e.g., background investigation forms, staff roster, mandatory training) to obtain access to military installations, VA facilities or other places of performance. All Contractor employees supporting this contract shall obtain a VA email address to use in support of all related PWS requirements.

The MSR shall be organized according to the PWS Tasks, and shall include, at a minimum, the following items:

• Any requirements stated in the PWS;

• Roster of personnel;

• Pending in-processing status for new personnel;

• Pre-trip request, detailing planned travel for the upcoming sixty (60) day period;

• Post trip reports;

• Submission of all information necessary to obtain VA email addresses for contract staff

• Planned replacements for the upcoming thirty (30) day period;

• Current expenditures and forecasted expenditures toward completion of the PoP;

• Identification of project risks;

• A summary of the tasks and work products completed;

• Planned training schedule;

• A status of all contract deliverables to include schedule of delivery; and

• Any other items requested by the Government, through the CO.

Deliverable 1.C.1 Monthly IPR Briefing

Deliverable 1.C.2 Monthly Status Report

Task 1: Part D. Weekly Operations Meeting with Weekly Status Reports (WSR)

The Contractor shall participate and facilitate weekly update meetings. Weekly meetings shall be set up after the kick-off meeting, considering availability of VA PMO staff, providing phone dial in and/or web conferencing. The weekly status report shall highlight risks and issues as well as any outstanding items.

The WSR shall be delivered via email to both the COR and PM. A summary shall be provided (2) business days prior to the meeting. The Contractor, PM and/or COR shall facilitate the meeting. The Contractor shall track action items, and provide minutes within (1) business day of the meeting.

Deliverable 1.D.1 Weekly Operations Meeting, Status Report and Summary

TASK 2. Governance (FFP)

Governance: In order to reduce redundancy and improve coordination of TAP, this area focuses on cross-agency collaboration between VA, DoD, DoL, ED, USCG, SBA, and OPM. TAP governance is a two-tier leadership model comprised of the Executive Council (EC) and the Senior Steering Group (SSG) which reports to the EC. Interagency cooperation is at all levels of TAP to include performance reporting and management strategy supported by six interagency working groups (WGs). Each WG is led by two or three co-chair members representing DoD, VA and DoL respectively. The six standing TAP WGs are:

Strategic Communications, Curriculum, Transition Policy, Performance Management, Data Sharing and IT Infrastructure.

The EC meets quarterly and the SSG meets monthly to provide strategic guidance and discuss recommendations or concerns to include: adopting standards for career readiness for transitioning Servicemembers, implementing revamped TAP curriculum, building business cases to share data, conducting joint assessments, engaging stakeholders and establishing long term priorities.

VA currently co-chairs the EC and the SSG with DoD and DoL. Membership to the EC and SSG is restricted to executive level personnel. The lead chair is rotated on an annual basis, with VA serving as the lead chair for the EC and SSG during fiscal year (FY) 2016, DoD FY17, DoL FY18, VA FY19 and DoD FY20. The Contractor shall support monthly governance activities. The Contractor shall:

• Support VA involvement in interagency policy meetings such as the TAP interagency EC, SSG and interagency working groups related to Strategic Communications, Curriculum, Transition Policy, Performance Management, Data Sharing and IT Infrastructure. The Contractor shall report meeting minutes and record and track action items.

• Provide analysis and recommendations for policy improvement related to the TAP MLC, traditional TAP courses, including Benefits I and Benefits II, Entrepreneurship, CTTT, Education, and assist in analysis, evaluation, and the continuing improvement of the TAP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure alignment with interagency TAP policies and guidelines.

• Support the drafting and coordination of no more than 10 monthly congressionally directed actions, legislative referral memo, development of executive-level status reports, documentation, briefings to include preparing timely responses (emails, letters, etc.) to requests for information, communications from other federal agencies regarding TAP.

• Review, establish, maintain, and provide clear, consistent, and detailed schematics, directives, and standard operating procedures in support of interagency TAP governance. The Contractor shall identify redundancies, clarify, streamline and/or expand policies and procedures.

• Assist the Government in the execution of the TAP change control process. The Government will work with the Contractor to develop a change control process and form that complies with both Government and industry change control best practices. At a minimum, the form shall include three (3) sections. The first section shall include a Change Request (CR) number, submitter name, brief description of request, date original request was submitted, date required for deployment, priority, reason for change, and artifacts impacted. The second section shall include space for analysis and level of effort estimated by the Contractor. The third section shall include a Change Control Board (CCB) decision area. The decision area shall include: decision (approved, disapproved with conditions, and rejected) decision date, decision explanation, and conditions. The CR will be the trigger for starting the Change Control Process. The Contractor shall facilitate change control artifacts and these shall be provided to the Government at the conclusion of the contract. A draft of the CR shall be provided within two (2) business days of a PMO request. The Contractor shall analyze and provide a level of effort, plan and recommend effective date within five (5) business days from the date of draft submission. Any changes to LOE or price will be through an approved modification to the contract signed by the Contracting Officer. As a formalized process, change requests will be discussed and voted upon during weekly meetings in which the Contractor shall participate as a PMO stakeholder. Governance Monthly Deliverables shall include at a minimum the following:

• EC, SSG, and working group meeting minutes

• Policy Analysis Report

• Drafting and coordination of TAP congressional and legislative documents

• Schematics, Directives and Standard Operating Procedures

• Change Control Process, Form and Artifacts

Task 2: Part A. Task Deliverables

Deliverable 2.A.1 Governance Monthly Deliverables

TASK 3. Operations (Time and Material)

VA Support Concept: VA has analyzed Military-Service – provided data to generate geospatial demand and resource models for delivery of “VOW Act” requirements. VA support concept utilizes a regional hub-and–spoke model with regional command and control centers under the direction of TEI, providing command and control capabilities. The hub-and-spoke model involves a combination of permanent and itinerant (temporary/as-required) sites with support on each installation based on demand. Installations with high- or medium-demand house a permanent VA presence and installations with low-demand are provided itinerant support activities as required, or send Servicemembers to nearby installations with permanent VA presence. VA currently supports 111 permanent and 206 itinerant sites, CONUS and OCONUS, divided into six (6) operational regions (ATTACHMENT F).

Onsite Activities: Addresses VOW Act requirements and support implementation of the VEI Task Force recommendations, including the GPS curriculum. The curriculum is composed of required core briefings provided by the Services, DoL, and VA, as well as three optional class modules detailing Education, Technical Training, and Entrepreneurship tracks. VA contribution to the Transition GPS curriculum will include the mandatory VA Benefits Briefings I, and II, as well as the optional CTTT. Group settings and locations may vary depending on attendance, but primary instruction will be given in person in “brick and mortar” classroom, auditorium, or conference room environment conducive to learning. All classroom and event materials, including participant guides and slides, are provided by the Government. See ATTACHMENT F for historical frequency and event data.

Task 3: Part A. TAP Briefers (VA Benefits Advisor) Onsite Support

The Contractor shall provide qualified individuals who shall provide onsite support shall be referred to as “VA Benefits Advisor (BA) – [Contractor name]”. In many instances, the BA is the first or only interaction regarding VA benefits. Because of this, it is critical to the success of this contract that these individuals have the utmost professionalism, superior customer services practices and knowledge/expertise to ensure a positive experience.

All Advisors shall maintain a close network with other related resource experts, including but not limited to: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Counselors, Veterans Employment Service Office (VESO)/VA for Vets Advisors, DoL VETS Staff, DoL Instructors, TAP Managers, VA Overseas Military Services Coordinators (OMSC), VA Medical Centers and VA Regional Office staff. BAs shall place fliers, using a VA provided template, to key locations around their duty post. BA roles and responsibilities activities shall include:

• Provide all services on site, which may include telecommunications as necessary to support the Servicemember during the business hours established by the facility.

• Support transition outreach initiatives to create synergy between the transition from military service and achieving successful outcomes.

Deliverable 3.A.1 On-Site Support deliver Benefits I, Benefits II, CTTT, MLC events, Capstone, One-on-One engagements and Outreach & Public Engagement activities (CONUS)

Deliverable 3.A.2 On-Site Support deliver Benefits I, Benefits II, CTTT, MLC events, Capstone, One-on-One engagements and Outreach & Public Engagement activities (OCONUS)

Task 3: Part B. VA Benefits I and II Briefings

The Contractor shall conduct and deliver VA Benefits I and II Briefings, which includes modules on education, compensation, pension, vocational rehabilitation, home loan guaranty, insurance, burial benefits, health care and cemetery benefits as well as demonstrations of VA electronic tools providing Servicemembers additional information regarding their benefits and services available to them. DoD notifies the VA of all class scheduling, the VA will then provide all class scheduling’s to the Contractor at the start of each year with updates approximately 30 to 60 days prior to any changes.

• VA Benefits I (estimated 4 hours) and Benefits II (estimated 2 hours) briefings to 100% of transitioning Servicemembers.

• The minimum class size is 10 and the maximum class sizes for VA Benefits 1 and Benefits II is 50.

Task 3: Part C. Career Technical Training Track (CTTT)

The Contractor shall facilitate the CTTT, which includes instructing Servicemembers on how to complete licensing, certifications, and other education endeavors after transition. DoD notifies the VA of all class scheduling’s, the VA will then provide all class scheduling’s to the Contractor at the start of each year with updates approximately thirty to sixty days prior to any changes.

• CTTT (estimated 6-8 hours each day for 2 days) is not mandatory for Servicemembers, however participation can include Servicemembers, spouses, Veterans, and dependents interested in identifying civilian occupations, establishing career goals, and learning about credentialing and vocational training programs.

• The minimum class size is 10 and the maximum class size is 25.

Task 3: Part D. Military Life Cycle (MLC)

The Contractor shall support MLC outreach events and activities. The goal of the MLC transition model is to provide transition training throughout the military career. The MLC model allows VA to identify, inform, and assist Servicemembers in a more robust and timely outreach model. MLC events can apply to all Servicemembers (not just those in transition) and Veterans, and can include, but are not limited to, the following touch points: Entry into Service / Permanent Duty Station / Change of Duty (Joint Reception Centers, in-processing, etc.) Reenlistment, Promotion, Deployment / Redeployment (briefings for Commanders, units, etc.), Mobilization / Activation & Demobilization / Deactivation (briefings for Commanders, Units, Reserve Component (RC)-specific community events, etc.), Major life events (marriage, children, family / spouse events, etc.) Retirement / Separation (briefings outside of TAP) Veteran groups and events that may occur on or off the installation. DoD notifies the VA of all MLC scheduling’s, the VA will then provide all MLC scheduling’s to the Contractor approximately 30 to 60 days prior to the event.

MLC (estimated 1 hour).

The average MLC event ranges from 50-100 participants.

Task 3: Part E. Capstone

The Contractor shall support Service Capstone events, whether individually or in a group setting. A Capstone event ensures that the objectives of all transition activities have been met and that the Servicemember has a viable plan for transition to civilian life. The Capstone is a mandatory component of Transition GPS where commanders, or commanders' designees, verify that Servicemembers have met Career Readiness Standards (CRS) and have a viable Individual Transition Plan (ITP). The purpose of the Capstone event is to evaluate Servicemember's preparedness to successfully transition from a military to a civilian career. If a Servicemember requires or desires follow-on assistance, the Commander will facilitate coordination to the appropriate helping partners such as VA or the DoL. The Contractor shall ensure all BAs:

• Provide assistance in locating contact information for local and hometown VA resources, including how to find the local Regional Office, VA Medical Centers, Vet Centers, and community resources referred during the VA Benefits I and II instruction.

• Support Capstone events to ensure a warm handover in order to meet the individual needs of the transitioning Servicemember.

• Capstone (estimated 1-4 hours) provided to Servicemembers as requested by the TAP Manager.

• Capstone event average ranges from 1-50 Servicemembers.

Task 3: Part F. One-on-One Engagements

The Contractor shall provide individual assistance on all VA benefits and services. This shall be inclusive of one-on-one engagements. This type of engagement could occur at any time throughout the Servicemember’s career. This would typically include leveraging the materials developed to support individual Servicemembers and their family’s needs. The Contractor shall perform the following tasks if requested:

• Requests from Servicemembers to further explain benefits available to them, helping find answers to questions related to filing VA claims of any kind, finding a VA resource, such as local VA Medical Center or Vet Center.

• Assist with resume development, assistance with school selection related to the G.I. Bill® or unique VA benefits application completion.

• Individual assistance average 30-45 minute’s min but not longer than 90 minutes per session.

Task 3: Part G. Transition Outreach & Public Engagement (O&PE)

The Contractor shall conduct outreach and engagement activities to ensure Servicemembers understand how to apply for VA benefits and services to include employment and educational assistance. Transition Outreach & Public Engagement activities include:

• Providing outreach and public engagement at military and community locations including commissaries, family centers, other identified DoD facilities, Veteran Service Organization events, Job fairs, local community resource activities or other related events. During attendance at these events, Benefits Advisors shall make it clear when communicating with others that their role is to advise stakeholders in VA Benefits and facilitate communication, but that they are not representative of VA.

• Supporting the National Guard (NG) and Reserve Component (RC). For example, VA Benefits Advisors may provide (non-transition) briefings at Air Reserve Co-located Wings or to individual units upon request.

• Outreach activities may range from 2-8 hours. Time does not include prep and travel.

Task 3: Part H. VA Outreach Reporting Tool (ORT)

Event management and timely reporting of data is essential to the maintenance and sustainment of TAP.

The Contractor shall ensure that each BA enters data into the ORT on a daily basis for each Servicemember or family member who attends a VA TAP module to properly account for all field events and activities. Data such as demographic information (Service, Gender, Age, Pay Grade, etc.), benefit application intentions, and topics discussed are collected by the BA during individual Servicemember research assistance. Additionally, all events occurring on a daily basis shall be reported by type (TAP events, Capstone events, MLC events and One-on-One Engagements). The ORT is a web based tool where the BA will enter in their pre-event or pre-brief information, including, but not limited to, event, location, POC and After Action Report (AAR), within five (5) calendar days of the end of an event. This tool also allows for individual interactions to be entered and tracked for timeliness. If ORT is not accessible due to lack of internet connection, the Contractor shall provide electronic reports of deliverables in MS Word.

Deliverable 3.H.1 ORT Reporting and AAR

TASK 4. Curriculum Development and Revision (Optional Task) (FFP)

This task shall include the complete development, deployment and sustainment of current TAP modules Benefits I, Benefits II, CTTT and MLC.