A02.11_DRAFT_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

The Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) Support Services

Performance Work Statement

C.1. GENERAL:

C.1.1 General: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the non-personal services required by the Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) located in Hanover, New Hampshire hereinafter referred to as CRREL.

C.1.2 Background: The CRREL is a Joint Service laboratory conducting research development and technology evaluation on an interdisciplinary basis to solve strategically important problems of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Army, Department of Defense (DoD), and the Nation by advancing and applying science and engineering to complex environments, materials, and processes in all seasons and climates, with unique core competencies related to the Earth’s cold regions. CRREL provides innovative products and solutions in support of the warfighter, homeland security, environment, infrastructure, and civil works water resources requirements. CRREL’s research staff utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to solve difficult environmental physics and cold regions engineering problems. Technical areas of research include Signature Physics, Terrain Properties and Processes, Biogeochemical Processes in Earth Materials, Environmental Fate and Transport Geochemistry, Maneuver Support and Sustainment, Cold Regions Infrastructure, Water Resources and Geospatial Applications, and Hydrology and Hydraulics. Services are required in: multiple engineering disciplines, multiple science disciplines, administrative and program support to business functions, engineering technician, biological technician, physical science technician, grammatical and technical editors, computational analyst, physicist, geophysicist, and engineering/science aid areas.

C.1.3 Objective: The overall objective of this procurement is to provide services to the Government in support of lab requirements in any or all of the aforementioned disciplines.

C.2. SCOPE

The contract will include all aspects of planning, execution, data collection and reduction, and reporting to cover the research and development activities being executed by the CRREL both at Hanover, NH and remote field sites (Anchorage and Fairbanks AK) as applicable. The specific tasks that the contractor will be required to participate in are directed towards satisfying and supporting Army and DoD requirements in several specific technical areas of engineering and science which include: signature physics and energy propagation, terrain properties and processes, biogeochemical processes in earth materials, environmental fate and transport geochemistry, maneuver support and sustainment to include expeditionary support in austere environments, cold regions infrastructure, water resources and geospatial applications, hydrology and hydraulics, technical and grammatical editors, knowledge management, environmental health and occupational safety, campus/city and infrastructure planning and oversight, operations, research and systems analysis (ORSA), engineering/biological/science aids, and program/business/administrative support. The contractor will be required to provide services for the development and evaluation of prototype hardware, model fabrication, conduct of field and laboratory evaluations and experimentation, collect test data and perform data reduction/analysis, assist in developing techniques for system evaluations, and support the conduct of a broad range of research leading to the resolution of both civil and military engineering problems. The contractor shall review R&D work and products, which can include technical reports and papers, plans and specifications, progress reports, and other informal reports and video documentation covering research activities, technical briefings, and the presentation of research findings. The major end deliverables of this acquisition are overall support to CRREL research development and technical evaluation through testing; technical report writing; computer model development; designing, constructing and/or testing prototype equipment and systems. Specific task requirements will be defined and incorporated at the Task Order level. Training may be required to allow for familiarization or certification of some data collection equipment used by CRREL.

C.3. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

C.3.1. Security Clearance: The Contractor shall possess and maintain a Department of Defense (DOD) Top Secret Facility Clearance as accredited by the Defense Security Service (DSS). Contractor personnel must be capable of obtaining and maintaining appropriate security clearances up to the TOP SECRET level. The level of clearance required will be specified in each task order.

C.4. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

C.4.1 General: The contractor shall perform research, development and evaluation tasks in support of Army and DOD science and engineering requirements as required by the applicable task order. The contractor shall perform research work in all areas previously referenced; be capable of readily participating in and understanding related activities; e.g., fabrication and instrumentation of test articles; coordination and conduct of major field investigations; theoretical studies; laboratory experimental work and computational modeling. Individual Task Orders will be awarded prior to the execution of tasks outlined under the respective technical areas. Task Orders will contain the details necessary to meet PI needs. The Task Orders will contain deliverables outlined as “tasks”, with associated “performance standards” and “Acceptable Quality Level” (AQL) needed to meet requirements.

C.4.2. Travel Requirements: Contractor personnel may be required to travel within the Continental United States (CONUS) and/or Outside of Continental United States (OCONUS) to perform temporary duty as required by specific Task Orders. The contractor will be reimbursed for travel in accordance with FAR 31.205-46.

Example: Professionals and Engineering Technicians may be required to travel as many as 7 to 10 times per year for a duration of 1 to 4 weeks each to locations such as Fort Polk, LA, Yuma Proving Ground, multiple locations in Alaska, other ERDC laboratory sites which include Vicksburg, MS, Champagne, IL, and Alexandria, VA and other CONUS locations that fall within the standard government perdiem rate. Extent of travel will be specified in each respective Task Order.

C.4.3. Place of Performance: Contractor personnel will perform their day to day tasks at the CRREL in Hanover, NH, Anchorage, AK, or Fairbanks, AK as designated in each respective Task Order. The only exception will be when travel is required to temporary duty sites unless otherwise specified.

C.4.4. Period of Performance: The base contract shall commence upon contract award and be effective for a period of 12 months. Four (4) one-year option periods will be included, which may be exercised at the Government’s discretion.

C.4.5. Deliverables: Specific deliverables will be outlined in each Task Order issued. In general, the contractor shall conduct research and development studies to include modeling, simulation, material selection, testing, data gathering, data analysis, report preparation, report presentation, management effectiveness, and security effectiveness. A typical deliverable may include, but not be limited to, technical report/papers, numerical simulation results, etc. Deliverables will be specifically detailed in individual task orders.

C.4.6. Performance: The contractor shall perform work as specified by the specific Task Orders. Each Task Order will include as a minimum a PWS for the work to be performed and any travel, miscellaneous costs and deliverables as appropriate.

C.4.7. Employee Conduct The contractor’s employees shall observe and comply with all applicable departmental and agency regulations, policies, and procedures (e.g., fire, safety, sanitation, environmental protection, security, etc.). The contractor shall ensure that all contractor employees represent a professional appearance at all times, and that their conduct does not reflect discredit on the United States Government. When contractor employees are working on Government facilities or participating at Government meetings, they shall wear identification badges distinguishing themselves as a contractor employee. The badges at a minimum must have the employee name and word “contractor” displayed. Ideally, the company name will appear on the badge. Additionally, notwithstanding any other provisions in the PWS, the contractor shall identify themselves as a contractor in meetings, telephone conversations, all written communications and work situations so that their actions cannot be construed as acts of a Government official. The contractor shall take no actions that bind the government to a final decision or results in the exercise of governmental discretion.

C.4.8. Removal of Employees for Misconduct or Security Reasons The Government may, at its sole discretion, direct the contractor to remove any contractor employee from Government facilities for misconduct or security reasons. Such removal does not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to provide sufficient qualified personnel for adequate and timely service. The Contracting Officer will provide the contractor with an immediate written rationale for removal of the employee.

C.4.9. Conflict of Interest The Contractor may be required by Task Order to perform independent reviews of on-going research and development projects, and make recommendations for future projects. An organizational conflict of interest may arise if the Contractor were in turn requested to perform reviews of the research and development projects which they recommended. Therefore, the Contractor (including their affiliates) will be precluded from any future hands-on experiments or demonstrations resulting from recommendations provided under a separate task order or contract for a period of two (2) years following completion of the individual task order. Such restriction will also be included in each applicable task order. Each on-site contractor employee shall be required to sign a Non- Disclosure Agreement.

C.5. Government Furnished Property and Services Government furnished property and services will be specified in each Task Order. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular task order, the Government will provide all facilities, utilities, equipment and materials necessary to accomplish the work for “on-site” employees:

- Desk

- Chair

- Access to copy machine

- Access to facsimile machine

- Telephone, including long distance and voice mail

- Desktop or Laptop computer (PC) with access to printer

Government furnished computers may be sub-hand-receipted to the Contractor. The liability for the repair of damaged Government property shall be subject to the terms of the “Government Property” clause set forth in Section I of this contract. When Government property is furnished to the Contractor, a Government property control receipt will be completed and signed by the Contractor. The property control receipt will indicate the assigned location for use of the property by the Contractor. A copy of the property control receipt will be furnished to the Contractor. Upon the return of the Government property to the Government, the Government property control receipt will be completed indicating the return of the property by the Contractor. A copy of the returned property control receipt will be furnished to the Contractor. All Government property furnished to the Contractor shall be accomplished in accordance with this procedure. The Contractor shall be responsible and accountable for all Government property furnished to the Contractor. The Contractor shall establish a property control system for the use, control, protection, and preservation of Government property assigned to the contractor.

Unless otherwise specified in a particular task order, the contractor(s) with a valid National Agency Check (NAC) will be provided access to the host base’s unclassified computer network. The NAC must be verified through the Automated Security Clearance Approval System (ASCAS) roster; upon validation the contractor’s security manager will be provided access to the host base’s unclassified computer network and its inherent capabilities including, but not limited to: Internet access, electronic mail, file and print services, and dial-in network access. The contractor shall be aware of and abide by all government regulations concerning the authorized use of the government’s computer network, including the restriction against using the network to recruit government personnel or advertise job openings.

C.6. Accounting for Contractor Services:

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserved Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the contractor will report ALL contractor manpower (including subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The contractor is required to completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address: https://cmra.army.mil/. The required information includes: (1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative; (2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number; (3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period; (4) Contractor 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 will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending 30 September of each government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. 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 systems to the secure web site without the need for separate data entries for each required data element at the web site. The specific formats for the XML direct transfer may be downloaded from the web site. NDAA data will be provided on individual task orders for which the requirement is applicable.

C.7. Non-personal Services: The Government and the Contractor hereby understand and agree that the services to be delivered under this contract by the Contractor to the Government are non-personal services. The parties recognize and agree that no employer-employee or master-servant relationships exist or will exist under this contract between the Government and the Contractor's employees.

C.8. Requirements for Performance on Government Installations: During the course of this contract, the Government may request that work be performed on a Government Installation. This may include work on OCONUS installations. The Contractor shall comply with the following additional requirements, as applicable, based on the requirements of the individual task orders:

C.8.1. Personal Identification: The Contractor shall ensure all employees have a Contractor identification card prior to performance, which shall be carried and displayed at all times while performing on government installations.

C.8.2. Installation Access: Access to government installations and buildings shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or installation Point of Contact (POC) as specified on the task order and by the installation security officer.

C.8.3. U.S. Holidays: When performance on a Government installation is required, duty hours are 0800 through 1630, Monday through Friday. Work during other than normal duty hours shall not be performed without prior approval. The Contractor shall submit requests for performance outside normal duty hours to the Contracting Officer or his/her authorized representative (reference the Performance Work Statement) at least 48 duty hours in advance.

Work shall not be performed on U.S. holidays occurring during the normal workweek unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer. When a U.S holiday occurs on a Saturday or a Sunday, the holiday is observed on the preceding Friday or following Monday, respectively.

* The following is provided for informational purposes based on the most recent information available:

The U.S. holidays are:

New Year's Day 01 January M L King Memorial Day 3rd Monday in January Presidents' Day 3rd Monday in February Memorial Day last Monday in May Independence Day 04 July Labor Day 1st Monday in September Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October Veterans' Day 11 November Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November Christmas Day 25 December

C.9. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR): Individual Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) will be identified on each task order. The duties and limitations of the COR are specified in the COR appointment letter, which will be provided to the contractor. Although other Government personnel may clarify technical points or supply relevant information, only a Contracting Officer has the authority to revise any requirements in these specifications, including those resulting from verbal clarifications. The Contracting Officer is Ms. Jeri McGuffie and her email address is as follows: Jeri.H.Mcguffie@usace.army.mil. If performance on individual task orders will be required at a Government installation, a site Point of Contact (POC) will be provided by the Government on the task order.

C.10. TASK ORDER REQUIREMENTS:

C.10.1. Issuance of Task Orders. To order services under this contract, a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Standard Form (SF) 18, will be forwarded to the Contractor identifying the specific requirements of the individual order. The Contractor shall prepare and submit an itemized budget for the work requested based on the rates negotiated in Section B of this contract and any direct materials, travel or other direct costs (ODC) applicable to the particular services requested. The Contractor may propose lower rates, but in no event can the rates in Section B be exceeded. Following successful negotiation of each individual requirement, the Contracting Officer may issue a written task order for supplies and/or services on a Department of Defense (DD) Form 1155. Task orders will be issued on a firm fixed-price basis. In the event that the negotiation for price and time cannot be concluded to the mutual agreement of both parties, the Government may decline to issue a Task Order and the Contractor will not be entitled to any costs resulting from non-issuance of the Task Order under this paragraph. Further, the Government is not obligated to issue RFQs or Task Orders under this contract. The Government may perform the anticipated services "in-house" or acquire the services from other contracts.

In addition, each RFQ will have an additional reporting line item identified as "Accounting for Contractor Services" (reference C.6 above) when applicable. It is the Contractor's option to expressly price or to “not separately price” (NSP) the reporting line item. If the price is included in the Task Order price, the "Accounting for Contractor Services" reporting CLIN should be annotated with NSP (Not Separately Priced). If pricing separately, include the price in the reporting line item. In either event, a separate budget shall be required. If the Contractor chooses not to charge for this reporting, mark the reporting line item NC (No Charge).

C.10.2. Task Orders may be issued at any time during the contract period. Multiple Task Orders may be in effect at any given time. Conversely, there may be periods when no Task Orders are active. No compensation will be provided to the Contractor during such periods of non-work.

C.10.3. Performance of Task Orders. The Contractor shall be required to commence work on each approved Task Order within ten (10) calendar days of the date of receipt, unless specified otherwise in an individual Task Order.

The Contractor shall perform the necessary work on each assignment continuously as working conditions permit.

If it becomes necessary for the Government to stop work on any assignment, FAR clause 52.242-15 found in Section F, Stop Work Order, shall govern.

C.10.4. To perform the required work, the Contractor shall provide all professional staff, support staff, and specialists necessary to plan, supervise, perform and report the required work. The Contractor shall also provide adequate professional supervision to assure the accuracy, quality, and completeness of all work required under this contract.

C.11. Performance Metrics Performance metrics will be specified at the Task Order level, as applicable.

C.12. Antiterrorism/Operational Security (AT/OPSEC):

C.12.1. AT Level I Training:

All contractor employees, including subcontractor employees, requiring access to Army installations, facilities, or controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 45 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever applies. The contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected contractor employee and subcontractor employee to the COR within 10 calendar days after completion of training by all employees and subcontractor personnel. AT Level I awareness training is available at https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at.

C.12.2. Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures:

The contractor and all associated subcontractors’ employees shall comply with applicable ERDC installation, access and local security policies and procedures. Policies and procedures will be provided by the ERDC Security Office.

The contractor workforce must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DoD, HQDA, and local policies. 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.

C.12.3. iWATCH Training:

The contractor and all associated subcontractors shall brief all employees on the ERDC iWATCH program. This locally developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 45 calendar days of contract award and within 45 days of new employees commencing performance on the contract. The contractor shall provide certification of completion to the COR within 10 days of training completion. Training documents will be provided by the ERDC Security Office.

C.12.4. Access to Government Information Systems:

All contractor employees with access to a government information system must successfully complete the DoD Information Assurance Awareness training prior to access to the information system and then annually thereafter.

C.12.5. OPSEC Standing Operating Procedure/Plan:

The contractor and all associated subcontractors’ employees shall comply with applicable ERDC OPSEC plan and requirements to include initial OPSEC briefing within 30 calendar days of reporting to duty and annual training.

C.12.6. Information Assurance (IA) / Information Technology (IT) Training:

All contractor employees and associated sub-contractor employees must complete the DoD IA awareness training before issuance of network access and annually thereafter. All contractor employees working IA/IT functions must comply with DoD and Army training requirements in DoD 8570.01, DoD8570.01-M and AR 25-2 within 6 months of employments.

C.12.7. Information Assurance (IA) / Information Technology (IT) Cortication:

All contractor employees supporting IA/IT functions shall be appropriately certified upon contract award in accordance with DoD 8570.01-M, DFARS 252.239-7001 and AR 25-2. The baseline certification as stipulated in DoD 8570.01-M must be completed upon contract award.

C.13. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT EMPHASIS FOR U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CONTRACTS:

In addition to complying with the requirements outlined in FAR Part 22.13, FAR Provision 52.222-38, FAR Clause 52.222-35, FAR Clause 52.222-37, DFARS 222.13 and Department of Labor regulations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contractors and subcontractors at all tiers are encouraged to promote the training and employment of U.S. veterans while performing under a USACE contract. While no set-aside, evaluation preference, or incentive applies to the solicitation or performance under the resultant contract, USACE contractors are encouraged to seek out highly qualified veterans to perform services under this contract. The following resources are available to assist USACE contractors in their outreach efforts:

Federal Veteran employment information at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx Department of Labor Veterans Employment Assistance http://www.dol.gov/vets/ Department of Veterans Affairs–VOW to Hire Heroes Act http://benefits.va.gov/vow/ Army Wounded Warrior Program – http://wtc.army.mil/modules/employers/index.html U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation–Hiring Our Heroes http://www.hiringourheroes.org/ Guide to Hiring Veterans – Reference Material http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/white_house_business_council_- _guide_to_hiring_veterans_0.pdf