Attachment 1 - AVLE 2.0 BASE PWS_FINAL V6.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Army Virtual Learning Environment 2.0 (AVLE) Part 1 – General

1.1. General. This is a non-personal services contract that provides an Army Virtual Learning Environment (AVLE) 2.0 for Training and Education (T&E) products in support of the Department of the Army. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service provider shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.2. Introduction. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, tools, materials, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the creation and modification of Training and Education (T&E) products as defined in the AVLE 2.0 Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government-furnished information, material, or equipment. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. Individual task Orders (TOs) will specify deliverables and requirements.

1.3. Background. This contract marks a new paradigm in distributed learning in a virtual learning environment. AVLE 2.0 is a revolutionary concept that will shift the way the Army develops and delivers training and education products to the total force. AVLE 2.0 leverages new learning using technologies in courseware design and delivery to enable the execution of rigorous, relevant, and tailorable learning content at the point of need. The AVLE 2.0 provides a total Army capability that will enable a dynamic learning environment to support the Active, Reserve and Army Civilian professional workforce with products developed at the newly defined interactivity levels of 0 through 4. AVLE 2.0 provide the Army the ability to achieve a more effective and efficient Training and Education environment that will establish the conditions that are vital for the preparation of mission-ready Soldiers, leaders, civilians and organizations. AVLE 2.0 provides T&E which can be delivered anytime and anywhere, with or without an instructor, to new and varied delivery platforms.

1.4. Scope. This contract will support the development of high quality, innovative T&E products for The Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP) established by Army Regulation (AR) 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development, Chapter 8, The Army Distributed Learning Program. Under this Performance Work Statement (PWS) Contractors shall design, develop, and deliver an extensive range of distributed learning T&E products to include Interactive Multimedia Instruction.

1.5. Interactivity Levels. The Contractor shall develop interactivity levels of Instructional Multimedia (0-4) that uses delivery types never used in Army distributed learning, which includes synthetic tutors, gaming engines, and virtual reality goggles and other modalities that engage all human senses. 3D Modeling and Simulations, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence interactivity will be predominately at levels 3 and 4. Simulations, including AR and VR, should be no more complicated to produce than the 3D model examples per IMI listed in 6.5.6. These products are made up of the 3D models defined in the answer below, which will drive how complicated they should be. AI dynamically assessing student performance should be about as complicated as, for example, multiples of branching trees that change a learner's path of experiences and expectations based on their performance in the course. The Contractor shall design products employing innovative instructional strategies and methodologies emphasizing constructivist learning environments, active learning, and situated learning to support higher cognitive learning. The Contractor shall design products that support analysis, design, development, synthesis, and implementation of products for affective domains of learning. Implementation includes instructional Validation and Functional testing to ensure the product is ready for fielding.

1.6. Period of Performance. The ordering period shall consist of one (1) 12-month base year and four (4) 12-month option years.

1.7. Quality Control (QC). The Contractor shall develop, implement and maintain an effective Quality Control System which includes a written Quality Control Plan (QCP) provided to the government within 15 days of award. The QCP shall implement standardized procedures/methodology for monitoring and documenting contract performance to ensure all contract requirements are met. The Contractors’ QCPs must contain a systematic approach to monitor operations to ensure an acceptable level of services/products are provided to the Government. The QCP, at a minimum, shall address continuous process improvement; procedures for scheduling, conducting and documenting inspections; discrepancy identification and correction; corrective action procedures to include procedures for addressing Government surveillance that has identified non-conformances; procedures for root cause analysis to identify the root cause(s) and implement corrective action procedures to prevent re-occurrence of discrepancies. The Contractor shall establish procedures for trend analysis and procedures for collecting and addressing customer feedback/complaints. The Contractor shall provide to the Government the QCP with their proposal submittal. At any time during Contractor performance under this contract and/or task orders issued under this contract, the Contractor shall ensure all changes made to their QCP are provided to the KO and COR for acceptance. After acceptance of the quality control plan the Contractor shall receive the Contracting Officer’s acceptance in writing of the proposed change to the QC system.

1.7.1. Corrective Action Plan (CAP). The Contractor shall submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) with any deliverable product returned for deficiencies within five (5) days of the noted deficiency unless the individual task order states a different timeline. The CAP shall describe what the problem was, how it was corrected, and steps taken to correct the Quality Control process, so problem does not reoccur.

1.8. Software deliverables. Software deliverables, such as IMI courseware, shall be previously tested on target systems using hardware and software configurations provided by the Contractor (e.g. Digital Training Facility, and target learning management and content management systems.)

1.8.1. Technical testing includes playability testing, compliance with learning standards in accordance with the Army Business Rules and Best Practices for Distributed Learning, Army Acceptance Criteria, Technical Alerts and General Alerts, and similar design and performance requirements and criteria. Additional information see Part 7, Technical Specifications.

1.9. Documentation. All documentation provided by the Contractor to the Government shall be written at a comprehension level two grades below the lowest grade level of the target audience. The target audience reading level will be identified in the task order. This documentation shall be free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors, and shall conform to the 13th edition of the Gregg Reference Manual and to Army Regulation 25-50, as required by individual TO. Documentation with grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors will be rejected and returned to the Contractor for correction with no loss of Government review time.

1.10. Warranty. The Contractor shall provide a 12-month warranty after technical acceptance for fielding of the Distributed Learning (DL) product. The warranty shall consist of technical defect in the functionality of the product. All DL Products furnished under this contract shall be free from defects in material and workmanship and shall conform to all requirements of this contract and or subsequent task orders. This warranty shall be equal in duration and shall be in effect from the date of Government acceptance of the corrected or replaced products. The Contractor will not be required to correct or replace products if the facilities, tooling, drawings, or other equipment or supplies necessary to accomplish the correction or replacement have been made unavailable to the Contractor by action of the Government. The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, of all unavailability issues.

1.11. Quality Assurance. The government will ensure compliance of the Contractor’s performance under this contract and subsequent task orders in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). In addition, this plan ensures compliance with contract/subsequent task order terms and conditions. The Performance Requirements Summary defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.12. Recognized Holidays. The Contractor is not required to make deliveries or attend meetings on Federal holidays:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Presidents’ Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

1.13. Place of Performance. The work performed under this contract shall be performed primarily at the Contractor’s place of business. The Contractor shall work on government sites when indicated in the task order.

1.14. Type of Contract: Single Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

1.15. Contract and TOs Security Classification. The highest level of security classification anticipated for work under this contract is UNCLASSIFIED.

1.16. Operations Security (OPSEC) Requirements.

1.16.1. Adjudication Standards. Contractor and all associated subcontractor employees shall comply with adjudication standards and procedures using the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC-III) and Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) (Army Directive 2014-05, Policy and Implementation Procedures for Common Access Cards Credentialing and Installation Access for Uncleared Contractors/AR 190-13, The Army Physical Security Program, 27 Jun 2019), applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by Government representative), or, at OCONUS locations, in accordance with status of forces agreements and other theater regulations.

1.16.2. Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures: Contractor and all associated sub-Contractors employees shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by the Government representative). The Contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by Installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. Contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DOD, HQDA and/or local policy. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in Contractor security matters or processes.

1.16.3. For Contractors requiring Common Access Card (CAC). Before CAC issuance, the Contractor employee requires, at a minimum, a favorably adjudicated National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or an equivalent or higher investigation in accordance with Army Directive 2014-05. The Contractor employee will be issued a CAC only if duties involve one of the following: (1) Both physical access to a DoD facility and access, via logon, to DoD networks on-site or remotely; (2) Remote access, via logon, to a DoD network using DoD-approved remote access procedures; or (3) Physical access to multiple DoD facilities or multiple non-DoD federally controlled facilities on behalf of the DoD on a recurring basis for a period of 6 months or more. At the discretion of the sponsoring activity, an initial CAC may be issued based on a favorable review of the FBI fingerprint check and a successfully scheduled NACI at the Office of Personnel Management.

1.16.4. For Contractors that do not require CAC but require access to a DoD facility or installation. Contractor and all associated sub-Contractors employees shall comply with adjudication standards and procedures using the National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC-III) and Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) (Army Directive 2014-05/AR 190-13), applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by government representative), or, at OCONUS locations, in accordance with status of forces agreements and other theater regulations.

1.16.5. Required Contractor training. The following training is required only if the individual task order requires a Contractor to hold a Common Access Card (CAC) card or if access to Government systems is required:

1.16.6. iWATCH. The Contractor and all associated sub-Contractors shall brief all employees on the local iWATCH program (training standards provided by the requiring activity Antiterrorism Officer). This locally developed training shall be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). This training shall be completed within 15 calendar days of contract award and within 15 calendar days of new employees commencing performance with the results reported to the COR NLT 30 calendar days after contract award.

1.16.7. OPSEC. For contracts that require OPSEC Training, per AR 530-1 (Operations Security), the Contractor employees must complete Level 1 OPSEC Awareness training. New employees shall be trained within 30 calendar days of their reporting for duty and annually thereafter.

1.16.8. Antiterrorism. All Contractor employees, to include subContractor employees, requiring access to Army installations, facilities, and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level 1 Awareness Training with 30 calendar days of reporting for duty and annually thereafter. The Contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected Contractor employee to the COR or to the Contracting Officer, if a COR is not assigned, within 30 calendar days after completion of training by all employees and subContractor personnel. Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training is available at the following website: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf.

1.16.9. Threat Awareness and Reporting Program (TARP). Contractor personnel must complete the Department of Defense TARP Briefing only if stated in the individual AVLE 2.0 task order.

1.16.10. If the individual task order does not require the Contractors to hold a CAC card or obtain access to Government systems, the security training listed above in PWS Parts 1.15.6 through 1.15.8 is not required.

1.17. Meetings.

1.17.1. Base Contract Post Award Meeting and Contractor Performance Meetings.

1.17.2. The Contractor agrees to attend base contract post award meeting convened by the Contracting Officer in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5, Post Award Orientation.

1.17.3. The Contracting Officer, COR, and other Government personnel, as required, shall meet quarterly with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. The Contracting Officer will conduct the meeting based on an agenda providing feedback to the Contractor of any unsatisfactory performance and the Contractor will provide feedback of any contract related issues, Government delays and/or problems. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve any outstanding issues. If there are issues the Contracting Officer will have meeting minutes as an official record. Meetings can be via telephone or on-site. Use of video teleconference centers (VTC), Microsoft Teams and other distance collaboration strategies such as Defense Connect System (DCS) shall be considered.

1.17.4. Task Order (TO) Post-Award (PA) Meeting. A TO Post-Award Meeting will be conducted by the government within 15 calendar days after the performance start date listed in each individual task order. The Contractor shall provide a proposed meeting agenda at least two (2) days before the PA Meeting. The Contractor shall write minutes of meetings with input from all attendees, coordinate the minutes before departing from the meeting, and provide draft minutes to attendees NLT two (2) days following the meeting. The Post Award meeting may be held via teleconference, Microsoft Teams, at the Contractor's facility or the applicable school or agency or another location as stated in the individual task order. Use of video teleconference centers (VTC), Microsoft Teams and other distance collaboration strategies such as Defense Connect System (DCS) shall be considered for all PA meetings.

1.17.5. TO Interim Progress Review (IPR) Meetings. The Contractor shall conduct IPRs to review and discuss issues and progress of the product that will affect delivery. Government review comments, Contractor correction requirements, scheduling problems, milestone schedule, and similar issues. The Contractor shall provide a proposed Meeting Agenda at least two (2) business days before each IPR. These IPR meetings shall be conducted weekly or every two weeks during TO period of performance. Contractor shall write minutes of meetings and provide minutes to attendees NLT two (2) business days following the meeting. In the event that a weekly or biweekly IPR is not conducted, the Contractor shall submit a status report on the regularly scheduled IPR day. The project update shall include the TO current status and address any issues encountered or anticipated that could alter progression of work.

1.17.6. Monthly Status Report (MSR). The Contractor shall submit a status report for each TO within 5 business days, after 30 days of Period of Performance start date, and continuing until final acceptance of all deliverables. Status reports shall include the TO current status, the projected completion date (milestone) for each stage of development, and completed/projected Contractor travel. The report shall also describe any difficulties or problems encountered, anticipated, or which previously existed that could alter the progression of work. The report shall include recommendations for resolution of problem areas. The report shall also include a narrative of work completed in the past month and expected work completed in the upcoming month.

1.17.7. Milestone Schedule (MS). The Contractor shall submit a Milestone Schedule with each task order that provides a description of the work processes and timing of work effort from individual task order award to completion (acceptance of final products). The MS shall allow time for and depict the following events of Government review, resubmission, Government certification, functional testing, validation, and acceptance of deliverables. Government review times will be specified in each individual task order. The MS shall, at a minimum, be prepared at the deliverable level with the exception of the IMI, which shall be prepared at the task, lesson, or topic level. The MS may be revised as necessary during the period of performance except for the period of performance end date, which will only be revised by a modification to the TO. Revisions to the MS schedule must be coordinated with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

1.17.8. Deliverable Transmittal Letters. All deliverables shall be accompanied by a transmittal letter stating, at a minimum, delivery date, contract number and Task Order number, product name, and purpose (e.g. government acceptance review, group validation, etc.). Transmittal letters shall accompany the deliverable (digital copy, not a file on DVD) and be provided electronically (email). Deliverables submitted without a transmittal letter will not be accepted.

1.17.9. Final Deliverable. The final deliverable shall be delivered in the quantities requested by individual task order. All final deliverables shall be accompanied by a Contract Delivery Checklist and can be found under the ACCEPTANCE tab at tadlp.tradoc.army.mil/developers-portal.html.

1.17.10. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract, perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance, maintains written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract, issues written interpretations of technical requirements (within contract scope). Monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; and coordinates availability of government furnished property. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the contract or task orders.

1.18. Key Personnel. The Contractor shall manage the overall program and TO projects so that Contractor points of contact are available on a day-to-day basis to conduct operations and interact with Government representatives. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of two weeks notification of any key personnel changes. Key personnel replacements must be made within two weeks so there is no break in continuity of services.

1.18.1. Program Manager. The Program Manager shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operations of the task order projects.

1.18.1.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

1.18.1.1.1. BS/BA in business, management, engineering, or science

1.18.1.1.2. Minimum of Five (5) years of experience as Senior Level Manager

1.18.1.1.3. Minimum of Five (5) years of demonstrated management or project level management experience

1.18.1.2. Knowledge of the program acquisition life cycle process as addressed in the DoD 5000 series

1.18.1.3. Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Department of Defense (DoD) regulations, requirements, policies and procedures, cost and schedule estimating, systems disciplines, engineering specifications and commercial practices relating to weapon systems procurement and production

1.18.1.4. Knowledge of overall organization, direction, and requirements of the contract efforts

1.18.1.5. Minimum of four (4) years of experience in interfacing directly with the government designated representatives and supervising various task order activities

1.18.2. The following labor categories will be needed at the task order level and are not considered key personnel for the base contract.

1.18.3. Project Manager.

1.18.3.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.3.2. BS/BA in business, management, engineering, or science degree

1.18.4. Software Developer (Digital Learning Content Object Applications)

1.18.4.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.4.2. BS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or equivalent degree

1.18.5. Instructional Designer and Technologist

1.18.5.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.5.2. M.S. of Education or Instructional Systems Design

1.18.6. Multimedia Artist and Animator

1.18.6.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.6.2. B.S. of Computer Animation or equivalent degree

1.18.7. Computer Systems Engineer/Architect (Section 508 Conformance)

1.18.7.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.7.2. B.S. of Computer Science

1.18.8. Computer Programmer (Desktop or Notebook Web Applications)

1.18.8.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.8.2. B.S. of Computer Science or equivalent degree.

1.18.9. Video Game Designer (Serious Gaming, AR and VR)

1.18.9.1. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

1.18.10. B.S. of Computer Science or equivalent degree.

1.18.11. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The contractor shall hire technically and doctrinally knowledgeable SMEs. SMEs shall have defined and documented responsibilities throughout the period of performance. SME Utilization Plan shall be required two days prior to the kick-off meeting. The SME Utilization Plan shall document the SMEs role in ensuring the doctrinal accuracy of the product during the entire period of performance and shall include well-defined tasks, expected meeting attendance, and deliverables. All SMEs shall attend all meetings for this requirement. SMEs shall remain available for the duration of TOs and the contractor shall notify the COR when a SME is no longer working on the project.

1.19. Contingency Plan for Pandemic/Weather. The Contractor shall develop, implement and maintain a Contingency Plan, in support of Pandemics (epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people, ie, COVID 19) and in support of major declared weather emergencies, ie, hurricanes, tropical storms blizzards, floods, tornadoes and snow, to address how they would sustain support services during this period of time. The Contractor shall provide to the Government the Contingency Plan for Pandemic/Weather with their proposal submittal and in individual TOs, if requested.

1.19.1. Pandemic. The Pandemic section of the Contingency Plan shall address how to handle outbreaks within task order key personnel and how the Contractor will adapt with these manpower shortages.

1.19.2. Emergency Weather. The Emergency Weather section of the Contingency Plan shall address how the Contractor will maintain support services within key personnel during major declared weather emergencies as prescribed in Section 1.18.

1.20. Contractor Travel. The Government anticipates that travel may be required in support of the individual task order requirements. The Contractor may be required to travel to attend meetings and in support of PWS specific tasks listed below in Part 4. The Government will only reimburse allowable costs in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 and the current Joint Travel Regulations. The Contractor shall provide all travel receipts to the COR within 5 business days of travel completion in support of travel requirements for individual task orders. The Contractor shall also attach all travel receipts within WAWF in support of individual task order travel requirements.

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

1.22. Organizational Conflict of Interest. Contractor and subContractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be reviewed and accepted by the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contracting Officer determines that the OCI cannot be mitigated, the Contracting Officer may use other remedies as required, to include prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.23. Contractor Management Reporting (CMR). The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the Contractor shall report ALL Contractor manpower (including subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The Contractor shall completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address at https://www.sam.gov/content/home. The required information includes: (1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or also known as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR); (2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number; (3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period; (4) Contractor's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of Contractor employee entering data; (5) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-Contractors); (6) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-Contractors); (7) Total payments (including sub-Contractors); (8) Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by Contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-Contractor if different); (9) Estimated data collection cost; (10) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the Contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information); (11) Locations where Contractor and sub-Contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest city, country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website); (12) Presence of deployment or contingency contract language; and (13) Number of Contractor and sub-Contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). As part of its submission, the Contractor shall provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period shall be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. This requirement is not necessary for individual task orders under $3M. Contractors may use a direct XML data transfer to the database server or fill in the fields on the website. The XML direct transfer is a format for transferring files from a Contractor’s system to the secure website without the need for separate data entries for each required data element at the website. The specific formats for the XML direct transfer may be downloaded from the website.

Part 2 – DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. Definitions and Acronyms

2.1 Definitions: Although not inclusive of every term used within this PWS, the following provides a list of definitions used throughout this PWS and commonly used in the acquisition field.

3D ANIMATION. Animated objects that appear in a three-dimensional space. 3D animated objects can be rotated and moved like real objects (Level 3).

3D MODELING. 3D modeling is a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object (either inanimate or living) via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two- dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena.

APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACE (API). A communication mechanism for informing the Learning Management Systems (LMS) of the state of the learning resource (e.g., initialized, finished or in an error condition). SCORM® LMS’s must provide an API that Learning Content Objects, or Sharable Content Objects (SCO) use for getting and setting data (e.g., score, time limits, etc.).

ARMY GAMES FOR TRAINING: AGFT is a suite of training software applications installed on PC-based, networked, multiplayer training environment using the Commercial and Government Off-the-Shelf (COTS/GOTS) gaming technology, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3), BiLAT, Tactical Iraq, Tactical Pashto and Tactical Dari. GFT enables the Army to leverage and influence serious gaming technologies in order to rapidly deliver relevant training capabilities to support current and future Soldier, leader, and collective training and mission rehearsal. TRADOC Capabilities Manager (TCM) Virtual and Gaming is the AGFT capability manager. (Level 4)

ARMY SERIOUS GAME: the target, or object, of Army Serious Gaming behavior is U.S. Army serious games. Army serious games may be implemented with or without the requirement for a gaming engine. Army Serious Games comprise three sometimes-overlapping categories. Primary categories are first person tactical training games, leader tactical training games and language and culture training games. (Level 4).

ARMY SERIOUS GAMING (ASG): the behavior of using serious games to train and develop Soldiers and leaders. When appropriately used within the Distributed Learning (DL) instructional environment, ASG is a DL courseware component of The Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP) and the appropriate TCM is TCM TADLP, that supports the DOD intent to deliver learner centric training when and where required, increasing and sustaining readiness throughout the force, Active and Reserve. (Level 4)

ARMY VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT T&E FINAL PRODUCT SUBMISSION FILESET. The final deliverables which includes source files and development materials provided to the government after successful Function Testing. Details are provided in the individual task order and the Army T&E Product Acceptance Criteria for Army Virtual Learning Environment, (see PART 7, TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS), as specified in individual task order.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence exhibited by machines or software. It is also the name of the academic field of study which studies how to create computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent behavior. (Level 4)

ASSET. Learning content in its most basic form is composed of Assets that are electronic representations of media, text, images, sound, web pages, assessment objects or other pieces of data that can be delivered to a Web client. An Asset can be described with Asset Meta-data to allow for search and discovery within online repositories, thereby enhancing opportunities for reuse and repurposing. The mechanism for binding Assets to Asset Meta data is the Content Package.

AUGMENTED REALITY. Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer. (Level 4)

AUTHORED CONTENT SOURCE FILES. Authored content source files are source files that are used to produce web content through some export/conversion method. These authored source files generally contain numerous files in a folder structure needed for the export/conversion process.

BROWSERFULL. Browserfull describes computer objects or files which are browser-based. Browserfull items are computer objects or files which launch, operate, and are viewed in a browser window. Contrast with Browserless. All T&E launched items will be either browserfull or browserless.

BROWSERLESS. Browserless describes computer objects or files which do not require a browser. Browserless items are computer objects or files which launch and become fully functional in a standard window or custom viewport. Contrast with Browserfull. All T&E launched items will be either browserless or browserfull.

BUSINESS DAYS. Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays and weekends.

CONTENT AGGREGATION. Content aggregation is a map (content structure) that can be used to aggregate learning resources into a cohesive unit of instruction (e.g. course, chapter, module, etc.), apply structure and associate learning taxonomies. The content structure defines the taxonomic representation of the learning resources. A content aggregation Meta-data can reference Content Aggregation Meta-data (see Content Aggregation Meta-data definition below) to allow for search and discovery within online repositories, thereby enhancing opportunities for reuse and repurposing. The mechanism for binding content aggregations to Content Aggregation Meta-data is the Content Package.

CONTENT AGGREGATION MODEL (CAM). Represents a pedagogically neutral means for designers and implementers of instruction to aggregate learning resources for the purpose of delivering a desired learning experience. A learning resource is any representation of information that is used in a learning experience. Learning experiences consist of activities that are supported by electronic or non-electronic learning resources.

CONTENT PACKAGE. Used to move digital learning resources or collections of learning resources between Learning Management Systems (LMS), development tools and content repositories. The Instructional Management System (IMS) Content Packaging specification provides a common “input/output” format that any system can support. SCORM® Content Packaging is a set of specific use case examples, or application profiles, of the Instructional Management System (IMS) Content Packaging Specification. SCORM® packaging adheres strictly to the IMS Content Packaging Specification but provides additional explicit implementation guidance for packaging digital learning resources (Assets, Sharable Content Objects and Content Aggregations).

CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment will be in writing and will state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN. DI-RELI-80254, all items except 10.3.d and 10.3.e). A plan developed by the Contractor describing their organizations processes taken to eliminate causes of non-conformities in contract deliverables. The plan should describe what the problem was, how it was corrected and the steps taken to correct Contractor’s Quality Control Program so problem does not reoccur.

DATA MODEL. A standard set of data elements used to define the information being communicated, such as, the status of the learning resource. For example, the SCORM® data model defines elements that must be known to both the LMS and content (SCOs). The LMS must maintain the state of learner progress and the value of required data elements across learner sessions, and learning content uses only these predefined data elements to facilitate reuse across multiple SCORM® compliant systems.

DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured items such as meeting minutes or reports.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IMAGERY. An online, unrestricted, full-text searchable, standard DOD-wide database containing content-descriptive production acquisition, inventory, distribution, currency status, archival control, and other data on visual information (VI) and IMI products in the DOD inventory.

DIGITAL VIDEO DISK (DVD). DVD includes products and software that will be built in conformance with a specification developed by a consortium of the largest computer, consumer electronics, and entertainment companies. The intention is to create a range of compatible products based on a new generation of the Compact Disc format that provides increased storage capacity and performance. This is especially important for video and multimedia applications.

ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM. Formerly known as CLASSROOM XXI. An open, compatible environment of classrooms and depositories of approved training material connected via cyberspace.

EXPERIENCE APPLICATION PROGRAMING INTERFACE (xAPI) is Advanced Distributed Learning's (ADL) specification that describes an interface and the storage/retrieval rules to enable the tracking of learning experiences. Statements of experience are delivered to and stored in a Learning Record Store (LRS).

FIELDING. This term applies to the act of making the content available for access by students. For DL courseware this occurs after successful functional testing on the delivery platform. For other DL products this term is defined by task order.

FINAL CONTENT SUBMISSION PACKET. This is the contractor submitted files submitted for Group Trials and Function Testing. This packet includes, as specified in individual task order:

· all required consumables for loading on the production fielding environment or similar hosting environment

· all product supporting documentation and instructions necessary for implementing and constructing courseware

· all quality assurance documentation submitted for government review.

FUNCTION TESTING. This is the process of testing the functionality of courseware on the specified delivery platform utilizing a computing environment that is representative of that used by the target audience.

GROUP TRIALS. The process used to validate a lesson/lesson plan’s individual objectives, based on observations and statistical analysis, provide statistical validity that the lessons teach the objectives, and provide data needed to establish academic and total times.

INDIVIDUAL TRIALS. The process used to ensure that the learning activities actually work, and provide the first chance to test operability of the product on a representative computing environment.

INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA PACKAGE (IMP). DI-SESS-81526C. The IMP provides visual, text-based, and audio products used in the development and delivery of T&E products. It also includes the fully integrated instructional media presentation packages, also referred to as interactive multimedia instruction (IMI).

INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA INSTRUCTION (IMI). A term applied to a group of interactive media, electronically delivered Distributive Learning (DL) as training and education products.

DRAFT IMI. If the IMI development process includes storyboard delivery and review, the Draft IMI is the first reviewable IMI delivered. On-screen text, narration, graphics, animation, branching, etc. are exactly as approved by the Government during the storyboard phase of the design. Draft IMI is fully-functioning IMI that meets all instructional requirements including computer management/student score reporting requirements.

FINAL IMI. Final IMI is the IMI that incorporates Government review comments (if any) on the Draft/Beta IMI delivery. Final IMI meets all instructional and technical requirements and is ready for fielding.

INSTRUCTION. The process of systematically providing or improving the capability of an individual to perform a task to include application of supporting skills and knowledge. For purposes of this document, instruction includes both education and training.

INTERACTIVITY FOR IMI. Interactivity for IMI describes the interaction between a learner and the media which leads directly to meaningful learning. Sensory stimuli requirements or interactions between the learner and the instructor and/or peers do NOT influence the level of interactivity. Explanation. It is undesirable, and probably not possible in most cases, to produce any level of interactivity without use of some sensory stimuli/media such as audio, video, animation, or graphic. The use of sensory stimuli by themselves does not justify higher levels of interactivity; however, the complexity of the sensory stimuli is normally increased as interactivity level is increased. Therefore, the more media used does not necessarily mean the higher the level of interactivity; it is how it is used in the context of presenting instruction that makes the difference. Using collaboration that has interactions between the learner and instructor and/or peers also does not influence the level of interactivity. While collaboration is interactive, it is not interactivity. While collaboration is interactive, it is not interactivity between the media and the learner but between two or more individuals.

Level 0 Interactivity – Passive - The learner acts solely as a receiver of information. Level 0 interactivity typically requires the student to do the following:

· Read text on screen or listen to limited narration

· View graphics, photographs, illustrations, simple charts and diagrams

· Initiate simple animated demonstrations of operations and/or procedures when cued

· Use navigation buttons to progress in a linear sequence forward and back through the instruction

· Demonstrate very limited, if any, recall of information.

Level 1 Interactivity – Limited Participation - In Level 1, the learner recalls information and responds to instructional cues. Level 1 interactivity typically allows/requires the student to do activities similar to the following examples:

· Exercise some control over the presentation of content (e.g., access hyperlinks to navigate a related series of screens; select an icon or avatar to hear tips, techniques, and procedures; discover information via an image map with multiple hotspots).

· Participate in drill and practice activities. Perform simple procedures to complete tasks and/or operate systems, sub-systems, or equipment (e.g., use the mouse to manipulate a dial setting or drag a vehicle gearshift into the correct position).

· Demonstrate recall, comprehension, and simple application of information in both formative and summative assessments/evaluations.

· Process feedback in the form of simple equipment animation or verbal/textual information. Self-remediate by reviewing content via an alternative presentation or method of instruction.

Level 2 Interactivity – Complex Participation - In Level 2, the learner applies information to scenarios and interacts with simulations. Level 2 typically allows/requires the student to do such as in the following examples:

· Exercise substantial control over a nonlinear presentation in order to explore, discover, process, and respond to complex information, often alternating between multiple screens and to keep pace with the instruction

· Participate in a limited real-time simulation of performance or gaming in an operational setting

· Process scenario based instructional cues, make decisions and/or take actions, and respond to rapidly presented, authentic consequences in order to progress through multiple levels of branched instruction and/or accomplish complex tasks that emulate real job performance

· Analyze, apply, synthesize, and/or evaluate complex information and perform complex skills within acceptable parameters (e.g., time limits, number of errors) in both formative and summative assessments/evaluations

· Process feedback in the form of intrinsic consequences

· Self-remediate by making different choices or taking alternative actions to progress through branched instruction

Level 3 Interactivity - Real-Time Participation - In Level 3, the learner engages in a life-like set of complex cues and responses such as in the following examples:

· Exercise total control over the presentation. The learner operates in the environment without instructional cues. This level is used to simulate highly complex operational and maintenance procedures that often support certification.

· Maximum flexibility and multi-level branching allow a high degree of interactivity in the form of simulator and gaming environments. This level is capable of real-time simulation of performance in the operational setting and after action and natural consequences are given based on performance.

· This level incorporates artificial intelligence components and employs state-of-the art technology for simulation and communication.

· This level can be used for computer evaluation of learner performance and intellectual skills using computer-based predictive and performance test items and the capability to generate time and error scores for performance test items.

· Where the learner operates in a game like environment that may involve other players, computer-generated team players.

· The learner works in an environment simulating decision-making incorporating multiple tasks.

Level 4 IMI - Immersive multimedia or computer-simulated virtual or augmented reality, the learner engages in a real life scenario responding to sensory cues:

· A computer replicated environment, real or imagined, in which the learner moves and responds to sensory cues.

· A computer simulated environment replicating the learner’s physical presence and environment in a way that allows the user to…