MODIFICATION
U -- ACCREDITED POST-MASTERS PROGRAM IN ADULT EDUCATION
- Notice Date
- 4/29/2003
- Notice Type
- Modification
- Contracting Office
- Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Property Procurement and Management Section, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20535
- ZIP Code
- 20535
- Solicitation Number
- RFQ042898
- Response Due
- 5/8/2003
- Archive Date
- 5/23/2003
- Point of Contact
- Gary Hopkins, Contracting Officer, Phone 703-632-1232, Fax 703-632-1844,
- E-Mail Address
-
ghopkin1@leo.gov
- Description
- AMENDMENT #0001 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Question: RFQ specifies Distance Learning (DL) to supplement instruction within a course: Are DL only courses requested, or even permitted? Answer:DL may be used to supplement within a course, or as a course, if the course is part of the program. For example, if they are offering a course in designing DL courses, and want to use DL as the instructional platform, that would be permissible. Several of the courses already completed had a DL component. We are NOT looking for an entire sequence of courses offered only on-line; our instructors teach primarily in a traditional, face-to-face format by nature of our residential Academy and having an entire on-line program would not meet the needs of the Academy. So OK for supplement, OK for a course or two, but not OK for an entire program on line. Question: RFQ refers to multi-layered program - what are the layers? Answer: a. Credit courses/program for the cohort. b. Specialized training and conferences (More guidance available?) c. Active research. Those are the layers. A specialized training or conference might be a three-day conference here at the Academy with a very specialized, intense agenda that fulfilled an entire course requirement in three days perhaps supplemented by other out of class activities. Active research would be courses such as practicum requirements, where learners study a program or problem here at the Academy under the director of their advisor, and conduct and report research results (sorta independent study/research). Question: Have students used above courses toward previous degree? Answer: All four courses were used toward the master's degree. Question: If student has taken two Foundations courses through FBI post-graduate development program, is it expected those courses will count toward nine minimum Foundations hours or would student take a full nine hours? Answer: Completed courses will count toward the 9 minimum Foundation hours. Question: With respect to the Electives, are the 12 total hours in addition to 72 hours in the Foundations, Practice, Research, Research project, and Cognate areas? Answer: There is a total of 72 hours in electives, foundations, practice, research and cognate. The FBI interprets electives as part of the cognate area, and this allows for learners to develop individual areas of concentration and/or interest depending on the area in which they teach. For example, we have instructors who teach cyber crime investigations. They have a greater need for computer instruction classes than let's say an instructor who designs large curriculum programs. The idea is to take the already completed 36 hours, spread those hours across concentrations in foundations, practice, research and cognate, and then for the students to complete additional courses in each area for a well-rounded post masters course of study, rather than concentrating post masters study in just one area. The research project (dissertation like work) is another chunk and that would vary depending on what the requirements are for the institution to award a degree. Some require up to another 30 hours, and some have lesser number of hours. (I hope this isn't confusing, but it depends on the requirements of the individual academic institution). Question: Is total program minimum 84 hours? Answer: It is 72 hours plus the institution's requirement amount of hours for research project (dissertation like work). Some of the institutions in Virginia require as many as 30 additional hours. This is a little opened ended because some students and their projects take longer than other students and their respective projects. Question: Regarding cost proposal, do travel and materials pertain only to university faculty and staff? Answer: Travel and materials are for university faculty and staff, again emphasizing we have a fully functional facility here at the Academy which can be used at a substantial savings (i.e, dormitories, classrooms and the like). Question: The RFQ states that a measurable percentage of relevant coursework should be taught either at the beginning or the end (evenings) of the workday. Will the students also be able to attend classes on the weekends? Are weeknights preferable to weekends? Answer: Students are able to attend classes on the weekends and in the evenings. Because of the teaching and program administrative requirements, students cannot attend classes during normal work hours (8-5), hence the preference for evening classes. Question: The RFQ states that the program should include active participation by university faculty and post-graduate students in collaborative basic and applied research with the FBI and that this collaboration could include regular on-site visits (both university and FBI Academy) to work on research projects. How long at one time can students be away from their jobs to spend time on campus? Answer: Some students, because of their regular teaching responsibilities, could only travel away from the Academy during breaks between class sessions. If they teach in the National Academy program, there are two or three week breaks between each 12-week session, which would allow for time to be spent on campus. Other students, especially those who teach in the New Agent training program, don't get a regular break where there are no classes, and trips to campus would have to be arranged around each of those students' schedule. Asking the entire cohort, to attend a two-week summer session for example, would be extremely difficult given work assignments. Question: If campus visits are part of the program, should all of the travel-related costs for the students be built into the budget (air fare, lodging, per diem, etc.)? Answer: Student travel costs would be paid for out of the travel budget allocated to the FBI Academy. Question: Will the government look favorably upon appendices that provide supporting data to give the evaluators additional information on which to make decisions regarding technical merit and past performance should they need it (e.g., summaries of past performance, faculty biosketches)? Answer: Information regarding technical merit and past performance, to include course descriptions, summations, faculty bios, catalogs, or even on-line descriptions are encouraged and would be appreciated by the evaluation team. Question: If the tuition rate is built on eight students, the tuition will be much higher than if it is built on a larger cohort. Can offerors submit more than one budget to indicate what the tuition rate would be if the cohort is comprised of more students (e.g., of 10, 12, 15, etc.)? Answer: More than one budget also is encouraged. Once an agreed-upon program is designed, the FBI will publicize the program which may enhance the size of the cohort. The DEA, for example, has several interested students, but until the program is agreed-upon, DEA will not approve participation. The same is true for other entities such as CIA and Department of Homeland Security. Question: What is the time frame for the first class to be conducted? Answer: Classes will start at a mutually agreed upon time. The FBI Academy projects classes starting in either September or January, 2004. Question: Is there already a pool of prospective applicants who are likely to meet admission requirements? Answer: There is a pool of prospective applicants who are likely to meet admission requirements. Some of the pool completed master's level work in 1999, some in 2002 and some will complete their work in December, 2003 (hence the January, 2004 possible start date). Question: Will the FBI advertise the program throughout its agencies and other agencies or will the contractor be responsible for soliciting applicants? Answer: The FBI will advertise the program and solicit applicants. Participants should be involved in the essential training mission of the FBI rather than just be interested in purusing additional education at Government expense. 17. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ) number 042898. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-12. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) is 611430. The Business Size Standard for this solicitation is $5 million. The term of this contract shall be for one year from date of award. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has a requirement for a firm fixed-price contract for one year with four (4), one-year options for the acquisition of the following services: Accredited university post-masters program in education, adult learning or human resource development, interdisciplinary studies and other academic disciplines which provide and support an array of relevant course offerings which relate to the mission, responsibilities, requirements and needs of the FBI; Academic programs which are flexible enough to provide a strong formal education structure, but can accommodate an orientation toward the adult learner; Course offerings and consultative services within or between university departments than can lead to a terminal degree, should the individual student participant so desire; A measurable percentage of relevant course work which is taught either at the beginning or end (evenings) of the workday. Additionally, it would be desirable for respondents to offer a maximum degree of flexibility in course scheduling. Distance learning methods can be used to supplement instruction within a course. University submitting a proposal must have a permanent teaching facilities located within fifty miles of Washington, D.C., or be willing to conduct classes at the FBI Academy, and possibly establish a presence at the FBI Academy. The FBI will provide all necessary classroom facilities and Audio Visual (AV) equipment for classes conducted at the FBI Academy. Partnerships or consortium arrangements among universities are strongly encouraged. Appointment of appropriately credentialed FBI personnel as Adjunct faculty, for the purpose of course planning and execution, research and development or participation in other university programs. Where appropriate, courses could be developed and conducted jointly to take advantage of both university and FBI expertise and facilities. All students should be charged the same rate of tuition regardless of the state or district where they reside. Collaboration by university and FBI personnel to develop "short" (compressed time) courses, specialized training and conferences which address emerging or as yet un-addressed requirements and needs of the national and international law enforcement training and education community. Active participation by university faculty and post-graduate students in collaborative basic and applied research with the FBI. When research is assigned or agreed to by a faculty member and/or post-graduate student, FBI staff will participate actively in that program for its duration, to include membership on the student research committee. The collaboration could include regular on-site visits (both university and FBI Academy) to work on research projects. It should be the intention of both parties to encourage joint presentation/publication of research or other work in relevant, peer-reviewed journals or forums. Willingness of the universities to meet all of the above to engineer and maintain strategic partnerships to achieve a multi-layered program. In your response to this Request for Proposals, the offeror shall also submit to the FBI the following information: Course descriptions, titles and numbers contained in the university/college catalog; Requirements for the relevant degree program, including prerequisite and graduation requirements; and, Policy regarding acceptance of course credits from other universities. The guaranteed minimum under this contract will be one class of eight students. Description and program specifics: The FBI seeks a sequence of courses and milestones that can be identified as a block of courses, to include preliminary exams and timetable for coordinating published research. Standard admissions process - proposal must include admission process requirements. The FBI anticipates the course work will center on these four areas: Foundations - A minimum of three courses in foundations, including topics such as Informal Learning in the Workplace, The Programming Process in Adult Learning, History of Adult Education, Individual and Organizational Development, Philosophical Foundations of Human Resource Development, and Adult Learning. FBI students participating in the post-graduate development program already have Informal Learning in the Workplace and The Adult Learner (syllabi for these two courses are available upon request). These additional courses build on the instruction already provided in the area of adult learning. Having a professional competence in the area of adult learning is critical both to the mission of the FBI and to the design and delivery of curriculum consistent with the latest advances in the educational community. Generally, the area of foundations addresses the broader historical, philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of adult education and human resource development. Practice - A minimum of three courses in practice, including topics such as Consulting With Human Systems, Small Groups in Adult Learning, Facilitating Adult Learning, and Instructional Systems Design. FBI students participating in the post-graduate development program already have Instructional Systems Design (syllabus for this course is available upon request). These two additional courses reinforce the provided instruction and further develop the professional instructor competence in small group learning in adults and in human systems. Generally, the area of practice addresses applications of models and theoretical perspectives of engagement of individuals and other human systems. Research - A minimum of fifteen (15) hours of statistics and research methods courses are required. These courses address topics including but not limited to: qualitative methods and quantitative methods (advanced statistics/regression and program evaluation research methods). FBI students participating in the post-graduate development program already have one course in Educational Research (syllabus for this course is available upon request). These research and statistics courses are extremely important to develop a professional research component at the Academy in the short-term, and the University in the long-term. The research capacity must be developed in a manner that conforms with academic standards, so that results are published, defended and accepted within the academic community. Generally, the area of research addresses research methods, qualitative and quantitative, including statistical concepts and other tools of inquiry. In addition to the formal course work in the area of research, the FBI requires its post-graduate students to collaborate on projects demonstrating basic and applied research in addressing critical issues within the FBI. The research will focus on problems identified and research supported, at least in part, by the FBI. It is the FBI's intention to encourage an inter-locking research agenda, so that post-graduate students participate joint presentation/publication of research or other work in relevant, peer-reviewed journals or forums. The FBI estimates this coordinated research effort, which meets the academic equivalent of a published dissertation, to take approximately 30 hours of credit course work, supervised by a faculty committee. Topics for this coordinated research agenda would be approved by the Assistant Director, Training Division, and by the supervising faculty committee. Cognate - A minimum of three courses in a "cognate." The FBI desires to assemble some of the course work for this cognate from other courses participating students completed during graduate level course work. Generally, the area of a cognate represents an area of specialization representing course work relating to a specific academic discipline or specific practice area. Cognate areas which directly relate to the mission of the FBI include: distance learning, human development, management science, organizational behavior, curriculum and instruction, knowledge management, and educational administration. Other cognate areas may be added to this long-term development plan by the FBI, based on the needs of the FBI. In the event a responding institution has a cognate area that is believed to relate directly to the mission of the FBI and adult learning, respondents are requested to identify the area and the courses which comprise the cognate. Some of these courses are referred to as "electives," for a total of 12 hours, six of which must be completed in the post-graduate work. Six of the hours can be carried over from course work completed by the students during graduate level study. Again, the courses in the electives phase will relate directly to the mission of the FBI and adult learning or organizational development issues. Professional competence in these areas is essential to fulfill the mission of the FBI and to realize the full potential of the new University. When matters of research or study contain sensitive information the FBI Contracting Officer?s Technical Representative (COTR) will be required to approve release of this information. It is proposed that students will start, and finish, at the same time. Students will carry either 9 or 6 credits each semester. The course of study may extend from the base year through options years. The COTR will work with the selected vendor to identify the courses and their sequence. Participation in this program will be allowed to other Federal Government Agencies authorized by the FBI. All quotes shall be submitted to the address listed below no later than 3:00 PM, EST, May 8, 2003. Quotes shall be clearly marked RFQ 042898. No hand-carried or faxed packages will be considered. Bidders are hereby notified that if your quote is not received by the date/time and location specified in this announcement, it will not be considered. Offerors are to include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (JUL 2002), with their offer. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial (OCT 2000) and addendum is incorporated into this solicitation. Addendum to 52.212-1, Modify: (b) Submission from offer(s) is to read as follows: ?Submit signed and dated offer(s) to the attention of Mr. Gary W. Hopkins, Contracting Officer, RFQ 042898, FBI Academy, Hogan?s Alley, Building 15, Quantico, VA 22135. The contractor shall provide three names, addresses, telephone, and facsimile numbers of previous contracts either Government or Commercial, from similar type contracts, for the purpose of evaluating Past Performance. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (JAN 1999), is tailored to read as follows: All responsible vendors may submit a quotation which, if received at the time specified in solicitation, shall be considered by the FBI. The Government will award a contract to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers (i) technical, (ii) past performance, and (iii) price. The Government reserves the right to evaluate technical compliance and make a best value decision. This could result in award to other than the lowest priced offer. The areas of technical capability and past performance are of higher importance when compared to price. The technical evaluation will consist of reviewing and evaluating the proposal for compliance with meeting or exceeding requirements as identified above. Price Evaluation - Offeror shall quote fixed pricing for the base year and subsequent four, one-year options. All costs must be identified including: Admission, course (per credit hour cost), books, etc., and shall include all expenses (i.e., travel, materials). The CLIN?s for the base year will be totaled and added to the CLIN?s for the option years to arrive at a grand total. The provision at 52.233-2, Service of Protest (AUG 1996) and addendum is incorporated into this solicitation. Addendum to 52.233-2, Modify: (a) ?. . . receipt from? Mr. Gary W. Hopkins. The following FAR clauses are incorporated as referenced and apply to this solicitation: 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998); 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (MAY 2002), including the following subsections - (b)(12) and (24); 52.204-2, Security Requirements (AUG 1996), Add: The appropriate clearance must be maintained during the life of the contract and may require successful completion of periodic and aperiodic (random) security-related FBI polygraph examinations focusing on counterintelligence issues. Refusal to submit to polygraph or failure to successfully complete polygraph examination will result in denial of access, revocation of security clearance, or other appropriate security measures. Should the contractor be unable to perform the terms and conditions of the contract as a result of its failure to comply with the contract?s security requirements, the Government shall terminate the contract at no cost to the Government; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (FEB 2002); 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000); 52.232-18, Availability of Funds (APR 1984); 52.232-19, Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (APR 1984); 52.233-3, Protest after Award (AUG 1996); and, 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990). The following Department of Justice Acquisition Regulation (JAR) clauses are referenced and apply to this acquisition: 2852.201.70, Contracting Officer?s Technical Representative (COTR) (JAN 1985); and, 2852-233-70, Protests Filed Directly With the Department of Justice (JAN 1998). FAR clauses are available at acqnet.gov/far. Department of Justice clauses are available at usdoj.gov/jmd/pe/jarinet. Contact Gary Hopkins (703)632-1232, email: ghopkin1@leo.gov for information regarding this solicitation.
- Place of Performance
- Address: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
- Zip Code: 22135
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 22135
- Record
- SN00314162-W 20030501/030429213350 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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