Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 29, 2002 FBO #0362
SOLICITATION NOTICE

99 -- Law Enforcement Program Review

Notice Date

11/27/2002
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

Contracting Office

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington Office, Post Office Box 96090, Room RP-E Acquisition Management, Washington, DC, 20090-6090
 

ZIP Code

20090-6090
 

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-WO-03-08VM
 

Response Due

12/18/2002
 

Archive Date

1/2/2003
 

Point of Contact

Vivian McPherson, Contract Specialist, Phone 703-605-4567, Fax 703-605-5100,
 

E-Mail Address

vmcpherson@fs.fed.us
 

Description

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional iformation included in this notice. NAICS 54161. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. The USDA Forest Service has a requirement for an independent contractor to reveiw law enforcement and investigations program. The solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP. Proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Proposals are due Thursday, December 19, 2002, 3:00p.m. local time. This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses which are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-08. Applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: Prompt Payment 52.-1 (4/84); Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items 52.212-1; Evaluation-Commercial items 52.212-2 (10/97); Offeror Representations and Certifications 52.212-3 (10/98); Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items 52.212-4 (05/01); Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive orders-Commercial Items 52.212.-5 (10/98). ALL RESPONSIBLE SOURCES MAY SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR CONSIDERATION. Final award will be performance based. Offers to include Tax Payer Identification Number, DUNS number and business size. 1.0 PURPOSE The USDA Forest Service (USFS) is seeking a Contractor to independently review the agency?s Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) Program. With the initiation of this review, the USFS seeks to gain information and recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the USFS LEI program. 2.0 BACKGROUND: In the fiscal year 1994 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, the Forest Service was directed to establish a separate, independent chain of command for the criminal investigations staff to ensure investigative independence and compliance with the President?s Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) standards. Prior to that time, LEI programs were integrated in Forest Service organizations at all levels and field officers and agents were supervised by local line officers (i.e. Regional Foresters, Forest Supervisors, and District Rangers). Many of these supervisors did not have any law enforcement background and/or experience. The establishment of a separate independent chain of command was a significant change for the Forest Service organization and culture. The LEI program is charged with providing a safe environment for the public and employees on National Forest System (NFS) lands and protecting natural resources and other property under the agency?s jurisdiction. The LEI staff cooperates with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and other Forest Service programs to carry out its mission. Approximately 490 uniformed law enforcement officers patrol NFS lands that cover approximately 192 million acres. These officers have the following responsibilities: ? Conduct patrols on NFS lands to prevent and detect crime, make arrests, and execute search warrants; ? Provide timely and effective response to the public with regard to accidents, search and rescue, medical assistance, homeland security, hazardous materials spills and other first responder incidents; ? Respond to and conduct preliminary investigations on criminal activity including domestic disputes in campgrounds, assaults, gang activity, resource damage, theft and depredation of government property, and violation of Alaska Subsistence laws and regulations. ? Facilitate cooperative crime prevention efforts at the local community level with other Forest Service programs, communities, and other partners; ? Respond to spontaneous public events and other unauthorized gatherings including environmental protests and rave parties; ? Issue violation or warning notices for the commission of misdemeanors offenses; ? Eradicate domestic Cannabis plants and locate and investigate the possession, sale and transportation of illegal drugs; ? Conduct preliminary investigations to adequately obtain information for appropriate adjudication, further investigation, and/or claims for or against the government; ? Engage in cooperative law enforcement agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses incurred while enforcing state law on NFS lands. ? Provide support to the Agency in preventing and responding to employee and facility safety and security and workplace violence. LEI has six primary investigative priorities: (1) assaults and threats to Agency employees and facilities, (2) timber and other forest product theft, (3) wildland fire, (4) archeological resource theft and damage, (5) illegal drug production, distribution, and cross-border smuggling, and (6) eco-terrorism. There are approximately 125 criminal investigators that carry out the following responsibilities: ? Conduct criminal investigations on matters related to NFS lands, and agency interests, in compliance with applicable guidelines set forth in the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE), "Quality Standards for Investigations;" ? Conduct internal investigations concerning alleged criminal misconduct by Agency employees and government programs in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement with the USDA Office of Inspector General; and ? Develop, improve, and demonstrate new technologies, materials, methods, and strategies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of agency enforcement and investigative activities. 3.0 OBJECTIVES The Contractor shall independently review the USFS LEI program to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of LEI in the context of the overall USFS organization and mission, and changes in Agency law enforcement needs, including: -The current LEI mission, vision, goals, and objectives as they relate to the Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture. -The current LEI mission, vision, goals, and objectives as they relate to other federal law enforcement agencies and State and local governments, communities, and law enforcement agencies. -Compliance with the Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency Standards for Investigations. -Accountability. -erformance measures, outputs, and outcomes in the context of budget formulation, measuring program effectiveness, and strategic planning. Lines of reporting and communications, including the functionality of the Law Enforcement and Investigations Management And Reporting System (LEIMARS) computer program. Budget formulation and execution processes; funding allocation criteria. The LEI workforce; i.e. size, allocation, interaction with key internal and external cooperators. The role of non-LEI personnel in the functions of compliance, enforcement, etc. and the interface with LEI personnel. The Contractor shall conduct interviews of USDA Forest Service personnel (Washington Office and LEI leadership and staff; Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Forest Supervisors, District Rangers, Special Agents in Charge, LEI Assistant Directors, field law enforcement personnel, Forest Protection Officers) and external cooperators. The contractor shall recommend changes, and alternative changes where appropriate, that would improve overall performance of the USDA Forest Service LEI program. The Contractor shall provide recommendations on how to best position the LEI organization for the future. The Contractor shall prepare a written draft and written final report. 4.0 SCOPE The Contractor shall independently review the USFS LEI program to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of LEI in the context of the overall USFS organization, mission and changes in NFS law enforcement needs. The Contractor shall provide all necessary qualified, experienced personnel to carry out the following tasks: Task One: Post Award Meeting The Contractor shall attend a post award meeting with the USFS Project Officer and other designated USFS personnel to discuss contract administration, deliverables, the deliverable schedule and to clarify any issues, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables. This meeting will take place at the USFS LEI Washington Office in Rosslyn, VA. Task Two: Develop Evaluation Plan The Contractor will develop an evaluation plan and pose evaluation questions that will provide a framework to effectively gather the information (processes and outputs) to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the USFS LEI Program. The plan will include data collection and analysis techniques to be used and the proposed evaluation report format. The Evaluation Plan will be completed by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables. Task Three: Collect Data The Contractor shall, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, establish data collection teams to collect data through site visits, interviews, telephone conferences, focus groups and surveys. The data collection teams shall request and collect pertinent information from LEI personnel, LEI internal customers (i.e., Regional Foresters, Forest Supervisors, and other line management personnel) and LEI external customers (i.e., cooperative agencies, special interest groups, etc.). Task Four: Analyze Data The Contractor shall, by the time frame specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, analyze the data collected by the data collection teams. The Contractor will identify existing LEI issues relating to the effectiveness and efficiency of the USFS LEI Program using both quantitative and qualitative data. Task Five: Prepare and Deliver a Draft Report The Contractor shall prepare and deliver, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, a draft report in typed and electronic form to the USFS Project Officer. The USFS will review the draft report and provide comments to the Contractor with regard to the Contractor?s initial assessment of the USFS LEI Program. USFS LEI will indicate agreement or disagreement with the Contractor?s assessment where applicable and provide specific reasons and references that support its position. The electronic form of the draft report can be delivered by e-mail or disk and shall be in Microsoft Word compatible format. The report will include findings organized by questions addressed, plus a summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations. Recommendations should include recommended performance measures for the LEI program. Task Six: Meet with USFS Personnel The Contractor shall meet, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, with USFS personnel, as determined by the USFS Project Officer, to discuss the draft report, their determinations, answer questions from personnel and make a record such that discussion during the meeting is documented. Task Seven: Prepare and Deliver Meeting Minutes The Contractor shall prepare and deliver, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, written minutes of the Task Six meeting. The minutes shall be delivered in typed and electronic form. The electronic form of the minutes can be delivered by e-mail or disk and shall be in Microsoft Word compatible format. Task Eight: Prepare and Deliver a Final Report The Contractor shall prepare and deliver, by the timeframe specified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables, a final report in typed and electronic form, which reflects discussions held with personnel under Task Six to the USFS Project Officer. The final report shall be delivered in typed and electronic form. The Contractor shall be available to answer questions regarding the final report until the end to the period of performance. The electronic form of the final report can be delivered by e-mail or disk and shall be in Microsoft Word compatible format. 5.0 SCHEDULE OF TASKS/DELIVERABLES The Contractor must provide detailed project deliverables to demonstrate successful and thorough completion of requirements, and keep the USFS apprised of project progress. The Contractor shall not publish or present any results from this project without approval from USFS. The due date in the table below represents the number of calendar days after award within which the scheduled task must be completed: Task Deliverable Due Date 1 Post Award Meeting 10 2 Develop Evaluation Plan 15 3 Collect Data 90 4 Analyze Data 105 5 Prepare and Deliver a Draft Report 120 6 Meet with USFS Personnel 130 7 Prepare and Deliver Meeting Minutes 140 8 Prepare and Deliver a Final Report 155 6.0 TRAVEL The Contractor shall perform travel as required in the performance of the contract. Travel shall consist of travel in support of the contract requirements identified in the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables. Travel requirements will be coordinated with the USFS Project Officer and approved by the Contracting Officer?s Representative (COR). Travel requirements will be reported to the COR on a weekly basis for approval. Travel will include a variety of settings such as urban, rural, locations where there are few, if any officers, and possibly Alaska. 7.0 PROTECTION OF INFORMATION The Contractor shall be responsible for properly protecting all information used, gathered, or developed as a result of work performed under the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables. All information will be treated as sensitive and will not be released or shared without approval from the USFS LEI Project Officer. 8.0 WORK LOCATIONS The Contractor will be required to perform work associated with the Schedule of Tasks/Deliverables in any of the 50 states. No work outside of the 50 states or Territories will be required. Locations will vary to include urban and rural settings, areas where there are few, if any, LEI personnel, and possibly Alaska. Submit one copy of proposal to: USDA Forest Service, 1621 North Kent Street, RM 707, Arlington, VA 22209. Be sure to include WO-03-08VM on outside the envelope. No phone calls accepted. All questions must be submitted in writing and faxed to (703) 605-5100 or email address: vmcpherson@fs.fed.us
 

Web Link

Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/USDA/FS/WOAM/Reference-Number-WO-03-08VM/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: 14th and Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20024

Zip Code: 20024

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00212769-F 20021129/021127220823 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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