Field Investigative Services

Added: Oct 01, 2017 10:55 am ATF IS CANCELLING THIS SOLICITATION AND NO FURTHER RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

ATF WILL ISSUE AN UPDATED SOLICITATION FOR FIELD INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES IN CALENDAR YEAR 2018.

Added: Oct 08, 2013 4:04 pm Modified: Apr 28, 2017 11:14 amTrack Changes

THIS AMENDMENT IS BEING ISSUED TO UPDATED THE ORGANIZATION ACRONYM AND CHANGE THE PRIORITY CITIES. REVISED ATTACHMENTS A - STATEMENT OF WORK AND ATTACHMENT - POINTS AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE IS ALSO BEING UPLOADED TO REFLECT THE UPDATED ORGANIZATION ACRONYM.

ATF intends to issue, to multiple contractors, a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) that will be available for placing orders. A BOA may be awarded to various contractors throughout the United States depending on location and ATF workload. Proposals will be accepted starting on the day this announcement is posted. All responses will be evaluated and a sufficient number of awards will be made to the most advantageous (most highly rated) contractors.

ATF's objective is to provide a sufficient number of sources, geographically distributed, to ensure prompt and efficient performance of background investigations. ATF reserves the right to retain all proposal materials for any vendor that is denied based on geographic location only. As the needs of the Contract Background Investigation Program change, vendors who were previously denied based solely on geographic location may be reconsidered for an award.

Due to the nature of the Federal Personnel Security Program, changes in policies, procedures and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Therefore, ATF and the Personnel Security Division (PSD) reserve the right to modify the Statement of Work (SOW) and Points and Payment Schedule at any time. All vendors currently contracted under a BOA and any new contractors thereafter, agree to adhere to any new or updated requirements, policies and/or procedures.

This solicitation is also subject to change without prior notification. Therefore, any interested contractors should ensure they are in receipt of and submit a proposal following the current requirements and guidelines found in the most recent posting/modification/amendment. This solicitation will remain open during the established five year period; however, ATF reserves the right to amend this solicitation and include proposal submission periods to incorporate opening and closing dates.

This solicitation is issued to state that any individual BOA that is awarded will have a period of performance for sixty (60) months from the time of award. BOAs shall be evaluated every twelve (12) months and ATF may terminate a BOA at any time without notice. At the conclusion of sixty (60) months, a contractor must re-apply through a solicitation to be evaluated and considered for issuance of a new BOA.

Contractors selected from their responses to this solicitation will be offered a BOA. A BOA is not a contract. A BOA, as defined by the Federal Acquisitions Regulations 16.703, as a "written instrument of understanding, negotiated between an agency, contracting activity, or contracting office and a contractor, that contains (1) terms and clauses applying to future contracts (orders) between the parties during its term, (2) a description, as specific as practicable, of supplies or services to be provided, and (3) methods for pricing, issuing, and delivering future orders under the basic ordering agreement." There will be no minimum or maximum guaranteed quantity. Orders may be competed among all contractors at the same time, upon the discretion of the ATF Contracting Officers Representative (COR). ATF will reimburse contractors based on the rates as outlined in the current SOW and Points and Payment Schedule.

Contractors are hereby informed that if offered a BOA, the contractor is responsible for filing his/her own state and Federal taxes. ATF will provide a 1099-Misc tax form to qualified contractors. The ATF is not required to provide a 1099-Misc form to any vendor who is incorporated and/or does not receive at minimum of $600 during any calendar year.
The following clauses are incorporated in full force: FAR Part 52.212.1 Instructions to Offeror - Commercial Items (Oct. 00) and FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial (incorporated by reference). If a contractor is awarded a BOA, he/she shall complete a copy of the provisions at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items and FAR 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. The contractor shall also provide a statement proving he/she has read and understands the term and conditions set forth in the FAR 52.212-4.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA.

ATF will consider awarding a BOA to a contractor, as needed, based on past performance, qualifications and experience, the contractor's acceptability (the acceptance of ATF terms and conditions including the point payment rate), and location needs. All contractors must submit complete responses, must be able to obtain a favorably adjudicated Tier 5 background investigation (BI) and Top Secret clearance, must be willing and able to obtain a Dun and Bradstreet number and register with the System for Award Management. These are mandatory requirements and any offeror will be eliminated that fails to comply with them. Contractors will be initially screened by location and then a review of the contractor's experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities will be conducted. Finally, proposals will be reviewed on a pass/fail basis regarding the contractor's acceptability to mandatory terms and regulations. An interview may also be required.

Contractors shall demonstrate his/her experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities. Contractors shall be rated on each response given to the below questions. The rating scale is (from low to high rating): unsatisfactory, marginal, satisfactory, very good and exceptional. Contractors that reside in a necessary location, agree to the mandatory requirements and whose proposal responses receive an overall evaluation determination of satisfactory or higher may be considered for issuance of a BOA, but are not guaranteed an award.

A. Experience/Qualifications/Past Performance:

Experience is the opportunity to learn by doing. Typically, though not exclusively, the contractors are retired federal investigators who have at least 3 years of current experience conducting personnel security background investigations. Contractors are required to have experience of either a college degree (bachelors) or 4 years of general experience, 4 years of specialized experience within the last 5 years or 1 year of specialized Federal background investigative experience. ATF will evaluate each contractor's experience on the basis of its breath, depth, and relevance to the work that will be required under the prospective BOA. Evaluators will consider the years of experience conducting investigations in the federal environment and experience conducting personnel security investigations (including overseas experience). ATF may assess the contractor's communication and written skills, and familiarity with directives governing the conduct of background investigations through an interview. Past performance is a measure of how well a contractor satisfied its customers in the past and complied with laws and regulations. ATF may contact some of the contractor's customers to ask whether or not they believe (1) that the contractor was capable, efficient, and effective; (2) that the contractor's performance conformed to the terms and conditions of its contract; (3) that the contractor was reasonable and cooperative during the performance; and (4) that the contractor was committed to customer satisfaction. In evaluating past performance, ATF may contact some of the references provided by the contractor and other sources of information, including, but not limited to: other government agencies, better business bureaus, published media, and electronic databases.

B. Capabilities:

Capabilities is a method of evaluation to ensure the contractor appears to be capable of adhering to the general specifications of ATF's Contract Background Investigation Program; ability to utilize ATF owned laptop and other required equipment/programs. Capability criteria includes, but is not limited to: (1) ability to accept and complete work
assignments; (2) information technology proficiency; and (3) equipment requirements.

C. Acceptability:

ATF will determine the acceptability of each contractor offer on a "pass" or "fail" basis. A contractor's offer is acceptable when it manifests the contractor's assent, without exception, to the terms and conditions of the solicitation, including attachments and amendments (if any). If a contractor takes exception to any of the terms and conditions of the scope of work, ATF will consider its offer to be unacceptable. Contractors wishing to take exception to the terms and conditions stated are strongly encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer before doing so.

Contractors with recent ATF experience will be evaluated on the performance they provided to ATF. ATF will consider performance that contractors have previously rendered to ATF to be more influential than past performance rendered to another source.

All requests for a full copy of the SOW and/or Points and Payment Schedule should be submitted via email to SIAdministration@atf.gov.

All questions should be directed to the program office, the Personnel Security Division, by sending an email to SIAdministration@atf.gov.

D. Proposal Requirements

Anyone wishing to respond to this solicitation should:
1. Submit a current, professional resume; and
2. Submit responses to the below listed questions.
Resumes shall highlight the contractor's experience and capabilities in performing background investigations. Provide examples of your qualifications and how those duties relate to the contractor's past and/or current performance. These examples will be used in evaluating the contractor's qualifications and past performance.

Only written requests received directly from the requestor are acceptable, i.e., each individual contractor (person) must submit his/her own proposal. Contractors will be notified of their proposal evaluation results in writing. (No phone calls will be accepted).

E. Evaluation Questions:

Experience/Qualifications/Past Performance:
For the following six (6) questions, respond in no more than 3-5 sentences. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.
1. What purpose do you believe background investigations serve in today's society?
2. Are you familiar with or knowledgeable of the reform efforts related to Federal personnel security programs? If so, briefly identify and describe these reform efforts.
3. Do you have a four year college degree (bachelors)? If so, provide specifics (i.e. type of degree(s), when obtained, what school).
• If you did not have a college degree (bachelors), do you possess at least four years of general experience, four years of specialized experience within the last five years or do you have one year of specialized Federal background investigative experience? Provide any investigative/personnel security experience or knowledge of government procedures that would support your ability to provide investigative services on behalf of the Federal government.
4. Do you have experience in the administration of a personnel security program? If so, identify your experience in the administrative functions.
5. Have you ever attended training for Federal background investigations and/or suitability or security adjudication training? If so, provide brief details of the training (dates, vendor who provided training, etc.).
6. Are you familiar with the current Federal investigative coverage requirements? If so, identify and describe at least four investigative coverage requirements for a Tier 5 BI.

Capabilities

For the following six (6) questions, respond in no more than 2-3 sentences.
Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1. Do you have any other commitments that could affect your ability to accept and complete work as requested?

2. Are you able to accept assignments requiring travel up to and beyond a 200 mile radius?

3. Briefly describe your information technology capabilities. Address the following areas:
a. What is your level of computer experience?
b. Have you ever taken any computer-related courses?
c. With which computer related programs are you familiar?
d. How would you rate your overall computer skill level?
e. Do you have experience with report writing programs?
f. Can you diagnose and resolve issues related to your personal home network and internet connections?

4. Briefly describe your knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Address the following areas:
a. Are you experienced with Microsoft Windows?
b. Do you know how to create folders, save and rename files and use spelling/grammar check?
c. Can you navigate, create and edit/modify Microsoft Word documents?

5. Do you have experience with Microsoft Excel?
a. Can you create and edit/modify spreadsheets? Perform general calculations?
b. Have you utilized Microsoft Excel for the purposes of invoicing and/or to request payment for services rendered?

6. Investigators are required to own the following equipment. Do you currently own or are you willing to purchase these items?
a. A personal automobile?
b. Printer?
c. Scanner?
d. Facsimile machine?
e. Paper shredder?

Acceptability
For the following nine (9) questions, provide either a yes or no. These questions are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1. Do you believe you are able to obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Single Scope Background Investigation?
2. Are you willing to obtain and Dun and Bradstreet number and register with the System for Award Management?
3. Are you willing to sign and adhere to the terms of the Contractor Certification?
4. Are you willing to complete ATF's annual "Information Security Awareness with Acknowledgement of the Rules of Behavior" and all other assigned training courses?
5. Are you willing to acknowledge and adhere to the terms and conditions of the "Non-Disclosure Agreement for Access to Unclassified Sensitive Information?"
6. Are you willing to utilize, prepare and submit Reports of Investigation using the ATF-owned laptop and ReportWriter program?
7. Do you have a Broadband Cable or DSL network for internet access?
8. Are you willing to read and implement all changes in policies and procedures?
9. When required, are you willing to attend periodic conferences? (Travel and lodging may not be provided by ATF).
Proposals are to be submitted via email to SIAdministration@atf.gov or via mail to the Personnel Security Division 99 New York Ave, NE, Suite 1.E-300, Washington, DC 20226 and must contain all of the required information. Point of Contact: Management Analyst, Personnel Security Division.

F. A list of priority cities for this requirement is listed below. However, any interested parties outside of these priority cities will not be precluded from responding to this announcement.

Alabama Montgomery
Alaska Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau
Arizona Yuma
California Bakersfield, Redding, San Francisco, San Jose
Connecticut Hartford, New Haven
Florida Merritt Island
Georgia Albany
Guam Any location
Idaho Northern Idaho
Iowa Des Moines
Kentucky Lexington
Louisiana Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans
Massachusetts Springfield
Michigan Lansing
Nebraska Omaha
Nevada Las Vegas
New Jersey Newark, New Brunswick, Scranton, Trenton
New York New York
North Dakota Any location
Ohio Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo
Oregon Eugene
Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Philadelphia, State College, Williamsport
Rhode Island Any location
South Carolina Charleston
South Dakota Any location
Tennessee Knoxville, Memphis
Texas Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Virginia Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke
Washington Yakima

Added: Oct 09, 2013 9:27 am Modified: Apr 28, 2017 11:14 amTrack Changes

Added: Oct 09, 2013 9:27 am Modified: Oct 27, 2016 10:25 amTrack Changes

Added: Nov 16, 2015 5:42 pm Modified: Oct 27, 2016 10:25 amTrack Changes

Added: Oct 26, 2016 4:14 pm Modified: Oct 27, 2016 10:25 amTrack Changes

Amendment #3 is hereby issued to update the priority cities.

A list of priority cities for this requirement is listed below. However, any interested parties outside of these priority cities will not be precluded from responding to this announcement.

Alabama - Huntsvillle, Montgomery
Alaska - Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau
Arizona - Tucson, Yuma
California - Bakersfield, Redding, Sacramento, Stockton, San Francisco, San Jose
Colorado - Denver
Connecticut - Hartford, New Haven
Delaware - Any location
Florida - Merritt Island, Orlando
Georgia - Albany, Atlanta, Brunswick
Guam - Any location
Illinois - Chicago
Idaho - Northern Idaho
Iowa - Des Moines
Kentucky - Lexington, Louisville
Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans
Maryland - DC metropolitan area
Massachusetts - Amherst, North Attleboro, Springfield
Michigan - Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing
Missouri - St. Louis
Nebraska - Omaha
Nevada - Las Vegas
New Jersey - Atlantic City, Newark, New Brunswick, Scranton, Trenton
New Hampshire - Manchester
New York - New York, Syracuse
North Carolina - Wilmington
North Dakota - Any location
Ohio - Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo
Oregon - Eugene
Pennsylvania - Harrisburg, Philadelphia, State College, Williamsport
Rhode Island - Any location
South Carolina - Charleston, Columbia
South Dakota - Any location
Tennessee - Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville
Texas - Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Virginia - Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, DC metropolitan area
Washington - Spokane, Yakima
Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Amendment 4 is to clarify that Amendment 3 is the current list of priority cities.  The priority cities under Amendments 1 and 2 no longer apply.

Added: Oct 26, 2016 4:14 pm

Amendment #3 is hereby issued to update the priority cities.

A list of priority cities for this requirement is listed below. However, any interested parties outside of these priority cities will not be precluded from responding to this announcement.

Alabama - Huntsvillle, Montgomery
Alaska - Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau
Arizona - Tucson, Yuma
California - Bakersfield, Redding, Sacramento, Stockton, San Francisco, San Jose
Colorado - Denver
Connecticut - Hartford, New Haven
Delaware - Any location
Florida - Merritt Island, Orlando
Georgia - Albany, Atlanta, Brunswick
Guam - Any location
Illinois - Chicago
Idaho - Northern Idaho
Iowa - Des Moines
Kentucky - Lexington, Louisville
Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans
Maryland - DC metropolitan area
Massachusetts - Amherst, North Attleboro, Springfield
Michigan - Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing
Missouri - St. Louis
Nebraska - Omaha
Nevada - Las Vegas
New Jersey - Atlantic City, Newark, New Brunswick, Scranton, Trenton
New Hampshire - Manchester
New York - New York, Syracuse
North Carolina - Wilmington
North Dakota - Any location
Ohio - Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo
Oregon - Eugene
Pennsylvania - Harrisburg, Philadelphia, State College, Williamsport
Rhode Island - Any location
South Carolina - Charleston, Columbia
South Dakota - Any location
Tennessee - Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville
Texas - Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Laredo
Virginia - Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, DC metropolitan area
Washington - Spokane, Yakima
Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Added: Nov 16, 2015 5:42 pm Amendment #2 is hereby issued to update the priority cities.

A list of priority cities for this requirement is listed below. However, any interested parties outside of these priority cities will not be precluded from responding to this announcement.

Priority Cities
DC Metro (including Maryland and Virginia)
San Francisco/San Jose, CA
Sacramento/Stockton, CA
Denver, CO
Hartford/New Haven, CT
Miami, FL
Orlando/Merritt Island, FL
Tampa, FL
Des Moines, IA
Chicago, IL
Louisville, KY
Springfield, MA
Detroit, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Wilmington, NC
Omaha, NE
Las Vegas, NV
Albany, NY
Syracuse, NY
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
Toledo, OH
Philadelphia, PA
Richmond or Norfolk, VA
Roanoke, VA
Columbia, SC
Nashville, TN
Corpus Christi, TX
Spokane, WA
Yakima, WA
Milwaukee, WI

Added: Oct 09, 2013 9:27 am Amendment #1 is hereby issued to insert the below priority cities:

A list of priority cities for this requirement is listed below. However, any interested parties outside of these priority cities will not be precluded from responding to this announcement.

Priority Cities

Huntsville, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Fairbanks, Alaska
Tucson, Arizona
Dublin or Sunnyvale, California
Jacksonville, Florida
Miami, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Brunswick, Georgia
Indianapolis, Indiana
Wichita, Kansa
New Orleans, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania or Hagerstown, Maryland
Guam
Gulfport or Biloxi, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Artesia or Roswell, New Mexico
New York City, New York
Cincinnati, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Toledo or Bowling Green, Ohio
Portland, Oregon
Springfield, Oregon
Memphis, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Brownsville, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Ex Paso, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Charlottesville, Virginia
Roanoke/Salem, Virginia
Spokane, Washington
Yakima, Washington
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Added: Oct 08, 2013 4:04 pm ATF intends to issue, to multiple contractors, a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) that will be available for placing orders. A BOA may be awarded to various contractors throughout the United States depending on location and ATF workload. Proposals will be accepted starting on the day this announcement is posted. All responses will be evaluated and a sufficient number of awards will be made to the most advantageous (most highly rated) contractors.

ATF's objective is to provide a sufficient number of sources, geographically distributed, to ensure prompt and efficient performance of background investigations. ATF reserves the right to retain all proposal materials for any vendor that is denied based on geographic location only. As the needs of the Contract Background Investigation Program change, vendors who were previously denied based solely on geographic location may be reconsidered for an award.

Due to the nature of the Federal Personnel Security Program, changes in policies,
procedures and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Therefore, ATF and the PSB reserve the right to modify the Statement of Work (SOW) and Points and Payment Schedule at any time. All vendors currently contracted under a BOA and any new contractors thereafter, agree to adhere to any new or updated requirements, policies and/or procedures.

This solicitation is also subject to change without prior notification. Therefore, any interested contractors should ensure they are in receipt of and submit a proposal following the current requirements and guidelines found in the most recent posting/modification/amendment. This solicitation will remain open during the established five year period; however, ATF reserves the right to amend this solicitation and include proposal submission periods to incorporate opening and closing dates.

This solicitation is issued to state that any individual BOA that is awarded will have a period of performance for sixty (60) months from the time of award. BOAs shall be evaluated every twelve (12) months and ATF may terminate a BOA at any time without notice. At the conclusion of sixty (60) months, a contractor must re-apply through a solicitation to be evaluated and considered for issuance of a new BOA.

Contractors selected from their responses to this solicitation will be offered a BOA. A BOA is not a contract. A BOA, as defined by the Federal Acquisitions Regulations 16.703, as a "written instrument of understanding, negotiated between an agency, contracting activity, or contracting office and a contractor, that contains (1) terms and clauses applying to future contracts (orders) between the parties during its term, (2) a description, as specific as practicable, of supplies or services to be provided, and (3) methods for pricing, issuing, and delivering future orders under the basic ordering agreement." There will be no minimum or maximum guaranteed quantity. Orders may be competed among all contractors at the same time, upon the discretion of the ATF COR. ATF will reimburse contractors based on the rates as outlined in the current SOW and Points and Payment Schedule.

Contractors are hereby informed that if offered a BOA, the contractor is responsible for filing his/her own state and Federal taxes. ATF will provide a 1099-Misc tax form to qualified contractors. The ATF is not required to provide a 1099-Misc form to any vendor who is incorporated and/or does not receive at minimum of $600 during any calendar year.

The following clauses are incorporated in full force: FAR Part 52.212.1 Instructions to Offeror - Commercial Items (Oct. 00) and FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial (incorporated by reference). If a contractor is awarded a BOA, he/she shall complete a copy of the provisions at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items and FAR 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. The contractor shall also provide a statement proving he/she has read and understands the term and conditions set forth in the FAR 52.212-4.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA.

ATF will consider awarding a BOA to a contractor, as needed, based on past performance, qualifications and experience, the contractor's acceptability (the acceptance of ATF terms and conditions including the point payment rate), and location needs. All contractors must submit complete responses, must be able to obtain a favorably adjudicated SSBI, and must be willing and able to obtain a Dun and Bradstreet number and register with the System for Award Management. These are mandatory requirements and any offeror will be eliminated that fails to comply with them. Contractors will be initially screened by location and then a review of the contractor's experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities will be conducted. Finally, proposals will be reviewed on a pass/fail basis regarding the contractor's acceptability to mandatory terms and regulations. An interview may also be required.

Contractors shall demonstrate his/her experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities. Contractors shall be rated on each response given to the below questions. The rating scale is (from low to high rating): unsatisfactory, marginal, satisfactory, very good and exceptional. Contractors that reside in a necessary location, agree to the mandatory requirements and whose proposal responses receive an overall evaluation determination of satisfactory or higher may be considered for issuance of a BOA, but are not guaranteed an award.
a. Experience/Qualifications/Past Performance: Experience is the opportunity to
learn by doing. Typically, though not exclusively, the contractors are retired federal investigators who have at least 3 years of current experience conducting personnel security background investigations. Contractors are required to have experience of either a college degree (bachelors) or 4 years of general experience, 4 years of specialized experience within the last 5 years or 1 year of specialized Federal background investigative experience. ATF will evaluate each contractor's experience on the basis of its breath, depth, and relevance to the work that will be required under the prospective BOA. Evaluators will consider the years of experience conducting investigations in the federal environment and experience conducting personnel security investigations (including overseas experience). ATF may assess the contractor's communication and written skills, and familiarity with directives governing the conduct of background investigations through an interview. Past performance is a measure of how well a contractor satisfied its customers in the past and complied with laws and regulations. ATF may contact some of the contractor's customers to ask whether or not they believe (1) that the contractor was capable, efficient, and effective; (2) that the contractor's performance conformed to the terms and conditions of its contract; (3) that the contractor was reasonable and cooperative during the performance; and (4) that the contractor was committed to customer satisfaction. In evaluating past performance, ATF may contact some of the references provided by the contractor and other sources of information, including, but not limited to: other government agencies, better business bureaus, published media, and electronic databases.

b. Capabilities: Capabilities is a method of evaluation to ensure the contractor appears to be capable of adhering to the general specifications of ATF's Contract Background Investigation Program; ability to utilize ATF owned laptop and other required equipment/programs. Capability criteria includes, but is not limited to: (1) ability to accept and complete work assignments; (2) information technology proficiency; and (3) equipment requirements.

c. Acceptability: ATF will determine the acceptability of each contractor offer on a "pass" or "fail" basis. A contractor's offer is acceptable when it manifests the contractor's assent, without exception, to the terms and conditions of the solicitation, including attachments and amendments (if any). If a contractor takes exception to any of the terms and conditions of the scope of work, ATF will consider its offer to be unacceptable. Contractors wishing to take exception to the terms and conditions stated are strongly encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer before doing so.

Contractors with recent ATF experience will be evaluated on the performance they provided to ATF. ATF will consider performance that contractors have previously rendered to ATF to be more influential than past performance rendered to another source.

All requests for a full copy Points and Payment Schedule should be submitted via email to SIAdministration@atf.gov.

All questions should be directed to the program office, the Personnel Security Branch (PSB), by sending an email to SIAdministration@atf.gov.
Proposal Requirements

Anyone wishing to respond to this solicitation should:
a) Submit a current, professional resume; and
b) Submit responses to the below listed questions.

Resumes shall highlight the contractor's experience and capabilities in performing background investigations. Provide examples of your qualifications and how those duties relate to the contractor's past and/or current performance. These examples will be used in evaluating the contractor's qualifications and past performance.

Only written requests received directly from the requestor are acceptable, i.e., each individual contractor (person) must submit his/her own proposal. Contractors will be notified of their proposal evaluation results in writing. (No phone calls will be accepted).
Provide individual responses to the following:

Experience/Qualifications/Past Performance

For the following seven (7) questions, respond in no more than 3-5 sentences. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1) What purpose do you believe background investigations serve in today's society?
2) Are you familiar with or knowledgeable of the reform efforts related to Federal personnel security programs? If so, briefly identify and describe these reform efforts.
3) Do you have a four year college degree (bachelors)? If so, provide specifics (i.e. type of degree(s), when obtained, what school).
4) If you did not have a college degree (bachelors), do you possess at least four years of general experience, four years of specialized experience within the last five years or do you have one year of specialized Federal background investigative experience? Provide any investigative/personnel security experience or knowledge of government procedures that would support your ability to provide investigative services on behalf of the Federal government.
5) Do you have experience in the administration of a personnel security program? If so, Identify your experience in the administrative functions.
6) Have you ever attended training for Federal background investigations and/or suitability or security adjudication training? If so, provide brief details of the training (dates, vendor who provided training, etc.).
7) Are you familiar with the current Federal investigative coverage requirements? If so, identify and describe at least four investigative coverage requirements for an SSBI.

Capabilities

For the following six (6) questions, respond in no more than 2-3 sentences. 
Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1) Do you have any other commitments that could affect your ability to accept and complete work as requested?
2) Are you able to accept assignments requiring travel up to and beyond a 200 mile radius?
3) Briefly describe your information technology capabilities. Address the following areas:
a. What is your level of computer experience?
b. Have you ever taken any computer-related courses?
c. With which computer related programs are you familiar?
d. How would you rate your overall computer skill level?
e. Do you have experience with report writing programs?
f. Can you diagnose and resolve issues related to your personal home network and internet connections?
4) Briefly describe your knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Address the following areas:
a. Are you experienced with Microsoft Windows?
b. Do you know how to create folders, save and rename files and use spelling/grammar check?
c. Can you navigate, create and edit/modify Microsoft Word documents?
5) Do you have experience with Microsoft Excel?
a. Can you create and edit/modify spreadsheets? Perform general calculations?
b. Have you utilized Microsoft Excel for the purposes of invoicing and/or to request payment for services rendered?
6) Investigators are required to own the following equipment. Do you currently own or are you willing to purchase these items?
a. A personal automobile?
b. Printer?
c. Scanner?
d. Facsimile machine?
e. Paper shredder?

Acceptability

For the following nine (9) questions, Provide either a yes or no. These questions are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1) Do you believe you are able to obtain and maintain a favorably adjudicated Single Scope Background Investigation?
2) Are you willing to obtain and Dun and Bradstreet number and register with the System for Award Management?
3) Are you willing to sign and adhere to the terms of the Contractor Certification?
4) Are you willing to complete ATF's annual "Information Security Awareness with Acknowledgement of the Rules of Behavior" and all other assigned training courses?
5) Are you willing to acknowledge and adhere to the terms and conditions of the "Non-Disclosure Agreement for Access to Unclassified Sensitive Information?"
6) Are you willing to utilize, prepare and submit Reports of Investigation using the ATF-owned laptop and ReportWriter program?
7) Do you have a Broadband Cable or DSL network for internet access?
8) Are you willing to read and implement all changes in policies and procedures?
9) When required, are you willing to attend periodic conferences? (Travel and lodging would not be provided by ATF).

Proposals are to be submitted via email to SIAdministration@atf.gov or via mail to the Personnel Security Branch 99 New York Ave, NE, Suite 1.E-300, Washington, DC 20226 and must contain all of the required information. Point of Contact: Management Analyst, Personnel Security Branch.