FBODaily.com | FedBizOpps: FILE | U | Training Evaluation & Analysis Services - Attachment

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JUNE 04, 2017 FBO #5672
DOCUMENT

U -- Training Evaluation & Analysis Services - Attachment

Notice Date: 6/2/2017
Notice Type: Attachment
NAICS: 611710 — Educational Support Services
Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs;Veterans Benefits Administration;Office of Acquisition;1800 G. Street N.W.;Washington DC 20006
ZIP Code: 20006
Solicitation Number: VA101V17N0246
Response Due: 6/15/2017
Archive Date: 7/15/2017
Point of Contact: Department of Veterans Affairs
E-Mail Address: ct
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - SOURCES SOUGHT INTRODUCTION THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) - Source Sought. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation; therefore, do not submit a quote. There is no obligation for the Government to acquire any products or services described in this RFI. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in developing its acquisition strategy and to revise the Statement of Work (SOW). Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Only electronic responses to this RFI will be accepted. The Government will not pay for any time expended or information submitted in response to this RFI. Eligibility in participating in a future acquisition does not depend upon a response to this notice. BACKGROUND This contract is required for the VBA s existing training evaluation support for all services. It is designed to provide analysis of learning effectiveness of training and program evaluation. NAICS: 611710 Educational Support Services QUESTIONS AND CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTERESTED CONTRACTORS Responses are solely treated as information for the Government to consider. Direct or Indirect costs incurred in response to this RFI are at the expense of the vendor, not the Government. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations, responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any contract that may be awarded will not be based on information received or derived from this RFI, but rather on the outcome of a subsequent competitive process. It is requested that all vendors interested in participating in this effort note their interest by responding to the areas identified in the Company Details", and Capabilities Statement sections below. COMPANY DETAILS The page limit for responses to this section is two pages. Provide company point(s) of contact information (name, email address, address, telephone, and fax numbers). Identify if your company are any of the following business concern statuses (include all that apply): Small Business (SB); Certified Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) firm; Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB); Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB); Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB); Economically Disadvantage Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB); Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB); Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HubZone) Small Business; Large Business Provide contracting vehicles your company holds, such as GSA schedules. CAPABILITIES STATEMENT The page limit for responses to this section is five pages. Provide an overview of your firm s capabilities to fulfill the requirements of the SOW, to include organizational and staff capability and experience. Provide a brief narrative summary of your technical approach to meet VA s high-level requirements in the attached draft SOW. Provide an example your firm s use of Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model and give examples of the types of quantitative and qualitative data gathered and how you used it to gauge the effectiveness of training. Describe your experience in developing and managing a data management system, and the tools you use to conduct analysis of gathered data, including any data analysis software or tools used. Provide up to three (3) contracts that your company has performed for the same or similar requirement and of comparable size, complexity and scope. Describe scope and similarities and differences as pertinent. Identify tools that were part of your solution, emphasizing analytical tools used. Please be specific and provide a complete reference to include: contract number, contract title, description, period of performance, and award amount; as well as identify whether you performed as a prime contractor, sub-contractor, teaming partner, or as a project manager. RESPONSE SUBMISSION Please submit responses via email to ross.byrne@va.gov on 15 June 2017, 3:00 p.m. (ET). VA reserves the right to not reply to any emails, responses, and/or materials submitted. **DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Title: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Training Evaluation & Analysis. 2. Scope of Work: The Contractor shall provide all resources necessary to accomplish the deliverables described in the statement of work (SOW). The scope of this contract is to execute Training Evaluation which is an objective summary of quantitative and qualitative data gathered about the effectiveness training. This data is used to inform or guide the development of assessments (tests and other evaluations of learning experiences), curriculum (courses, modules, lessons, topics, projects, and other learning activities), and instructional methods such as branched scenarios. More importantly, the VBA uses assessment data to focus on higher order thinking, and to make good decisions about use of VBA resources. Training evaluation data helps the VBA determine whether training and subsequent reinforcement is accomplishing its goals and contributing to the agency mission. The scope of work includes working with Government personnel, especially as Subject Matter Experts, and other contractors. All products must be 508 compliant, utilize open portability and be non-proprietary. 3. Background: This contract is required for the VBA s existing training evaluation support for all services. It is designed to provide analysis of learning effectiveness of training and program evaluation. 4. Performance Period: The period of performance is 12 months from date of award, with four option years. Work at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the Contracting Officer (CO). 5. Type of Contract: Firm Fixed-Price 6. Place of Performance: The primary place of performance shall be at the Contractor s facility. A limited amount of performance shall be required at the VBA s Training Management and Performance Improvement Division (TMPI) in Orlando, Florida. There is a requirement to have certain principle work activities, to include both management and production of training-related requirements, to be conducted in these specific areas. It is permissible to have the remainder of required personnel to complete activities remotely if a robust management structure and communications plan is established that utilizes technology (i.e. Video Teleconferencing, email, Microsoft Lync) to ensure transparent management of all efforts supporting Training and Development and coordination of support personnel to this effort. Personnel needed for this effort that may work remotely at the Contractor s facility, once sufficient management structure is established are: (1) Program Manager (1) Project Manager / Senior Evaluator (1) Evaluator (1) Junior Evaluator (1) Quality Assurance Manager (1) Training Data Manager (1) Training Data Specialist (2) Graphic Designer II (1) Program Analyst I (2) Programmer (1) Program Analyst I B. CONTRACT AWARD MEETING The Contractor shall not commence performance on the tasks in this SOW until the CO has conducted a post award conference or has advised the contractor that a post award conference is waived. C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. The Contractor shall provide a detailed Project Management Plan (PMP) with their quote. The awardee of this contract shall update their plan as required throughout the life of the contract. The PMP shall address only the work specific to this contract. It shall define the roles and responsibilities of the Contractors program and project managers. The Contractor shall document their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for completion of the specific tasks in this SOW. The VBA project team should be briefed on the PMP which provides the Contractors detailed plan for completing the task order required deliverables. The Contractor's plan shall be responsive to this SOW and describe, in further detail, the approach to be used for each aspect of the task order as defined in the quote. 2. For every task, the Contractor shall identify in writing all necessary subtasks, associated costs by task, and together with associated sub-milestone dates. The Contractor's subtask structure shall be reflected in the proposal and detailed project management plan (PMP). 3. All written deliverables will be phrased in layperson language. Statistical and other technical terminology will not be used without providing a glossary of terms. 4. Where a written milestone deliverable is required in draft form, the VBA will complete their review of the draft deliverable within 15 calendar days from date of receipt. The Contractor shall have 10 calendar days to deliver the final deliverable from date of receipt of the Government s comments. 5. All Contractor personnel who will have access to veterans claims information, for purposes such as; needs assessment, job/task analysis and/or developing case-based test and practice exercises and other such tasks, shall sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to protect the veterans data and privacy. The VBA Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) will provide the Contractor a copy of the required confidentiality statement. 6. All deliverables, except where specified otherwise, shall be provided in one electronic copy to the COR. All deliverables shall be delivered via software compatible (type and version) with that used by the VBA and shall become the sole property of the VBA upon creation. 7. The Contractor shall not deliver to the VBA any proprietary products or information, software, tools or systems. Company financial information provided in invoices and other documents are exempted from this requirement. If the Contractor believes further exemption is required to this requirement as necessary for effective or efficient execution of this contract, the Contractor shall request a specific exception in writing to the COR and shall not provide the proprietary tools or information until written approval is received from the Contracting Officer (CO). D. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverables: The Contractor shall provide the specific deliverables described below within the performance period stated in Section A.4 of this SOW, although the components may be added or subtracted at any time by VBA in order to reflect the results of needs assessment and learning analysis and to meet changes in VBA training requirements. The Contractor shall identify all assumptions as to scope of required activities and number and type of components along with their technical approach. Task 1.0 Enterprise Program and Training Evaluation: The Contractor shall provide expertise and support personnel to execute a VBA-specific Training Evaluation Program. The contractor shall adhere to the 2009 U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Training Evaluation Regulation https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/training-and-development/reference-materials/training_evaluation.pdf which requires agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of their training programs. OPM developed and published regulations related to training evaluation under 5 CFR Part 410 and 5 CFR Part 250. These regulations were developed to enhance the impact of training on mission accomplishment. The regulations generally relate to training planning, execution and demonstration of value. (From 5 CFR Part 250): A training evaluation system shall be implemented which measures the impact of training at the following levels Did learning occur? Was learning applicable to job performance or other behavior that is important to the organization and to results? Did the employee apply the learning or behavior to his/her job or work environment? If the employee applied the learning, did it have the expected impact on performance or other job-related behavior? The Contractor shall perform evaluations utilizing Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model which measures four levels of impact, of which only the first two are commonly used. The contractor will perform work to support Levels 3 and 4 when and if directed by the government. The Level 1 (L1) evaluation measures the satisfaction and engagement of learners, as well as their assessment of the relevance of the training to their jobs. At a minimum, the statements should assess the following 5 areas specifically: Relevance to job Effectiveness of facilitator (where appropriate) in conveying information Degree to which job performance will be enhanced as a result of the training Degree of satisfaction with the learning experience Likelihood of recommending the course to others For the sake of consistency across departments, responses should be restricted to use of a 5-point rating scale representing 1- Strongly Disagree; 2-Disagree; 3-Neutral; 4-Agree; and 5-Strongly Agree. The specific wording is left to the administrator of the assessment. Additional items may be included at the discretion of the administering authority. The Level 2 (L2) evaluation measures the learning gain resulting from the training course, covering all relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes, as well as any gains in confidence and commitment. The preference is for criterion-based scoring where applicable (e.g., where training meets a set goal based on agency requirements). This requires the use of a post-training assessment to determine that minimum requirements have been met. Under many circumstances, it is recommended that a pre/post-test design be used as well to identify the amount of apparent knowledge gain achieved as result of the training. The post-course test in this design becomes the measure of whether minimum knowledge or skill goals have been achieved. The pre/post design provides valuable information as to the effectiveness of the program in imparting knowledge. The criterion-based assessment is for purposes of qualification only. The Contractor shall conduct analyses of the evaluation results and utilize that information to make decisions about investments in employee training and development. The evaluation program shall focus on indications that training and development investments are making a positive impact on the VBA s performance and work environment as well as meeting the training goals and expectations established between supervisors and employees prior to participation in training. The Contractor shall evaluate each VBA program or plan established, operated, or maintained with respect to accomplishing specific performance plans and strategic goals in performing the agency mission, and conduct analysis and produce findings and recommend to VBA required modifications of such program or plans. This work will require the capability to handle very large datasets, to analyze open-ended and other qualitative responses, to conduct focus groups, and to provide expertise and advice about evaluation strategies and methodologies. The contractor shall conduct formal program evaluations as well as non-routine evaluations to provide the information VBA training elements require to establish force readiness and to support data-driven decision-making. Deliverable 1.0: Program and Training Evaluation support package. Enterprise Training Evaluation Program Strategy in accordance with 2009 U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Training Evaluation Regulation. Task 1.1 Post-training Assessments: The Contractor shall conduct post training assessment activities which include: For major programs, at 1- and 3-month intervals Based on set surveys, and with established report formats Reports due within 2 weeks of survey close Estimated to require about 80 reports in a calendar year Program size runs from 20 200 per administration Deliverable 1.1: Post Training assessment support package. Task 1.2. Training Evaluation Plans: The Contractor shall develop Training Evaluation Plans supporting the VBA s 7 Business lines which are; Compensation Service, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Education Services, Loan Guaranty, Benefits Assistance Service, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, and Insurance. The training evaluation plans support approximately 40 major centralized training programs. This could increase periodically as new training requirements are identified. The contractor shall confirm whether existing evaluation plans are current and will create new plans as needed Each of the evaluation plans shall include, but is not be limited to: Intended use and users: describes purpose(s) of the evaluation and identifies who will have access to evaluation results. Program Description: provides a narrative description of the program to be evaluated. Should include a logic model for explicit mapping of the conditions present in the program environment or characteristics of the target group or community that may affect the program's ability to achieve its goals. Evaluation Focus: demonstrates intended uses of the evaluation, as well delineates the criteria for evaluation prioritization and include a discussion of feasibility and efficiency. Methods: provides a clear description of how the evaluation will be implemented to ensure credibility of evaluation information. Identifies evaluation indicators and performance measures, data sources and methods, as well as roles and responsibilities of personnel. Analysis and Interpretation: clarifies how information will be analyzed and describes the process for interpretation of results. Use and dissemination: describes plans for use of evaluation results and dissemination of evaluation findings. Shall include a broad overview of how findings are to be used as well as more detailed information about the intended modes and methods for sharing results with VBA stakeholders. Deliverable(s) 1.2: Training Evaluation Analysis Plans Task 1.3 Evaluation Support Platforms: The Contractor shall provide input of evaluation data with existing VBA Evaluation Support Platforms to include the training evaluation database, evaluation portal, and the evaluation dashboard used for reporting. The VBA s existing Training evaluation database serves 6000+ surveys and 300+ tests to students and instructors used in conjunction with the Talent Management System (TMS). (This is VA s Plateau-based Learning Management Systems LMS system) and VBA Virtual Schoolhouse which is a Moodle based delivery platform. Existing Evaluation Support Platforms are VBA owned and sustainment, maintenance, hosting and programming modifications will be covered under a separate contract. Deliverable 1.3: Evaluation Platform Support Package Task 1.4 Training Evaluation Support and Consultation: The Contractor shall provide additional evaluation support for activities such as conducting test reviews, performing item analysis, and providing consultation services. Consultative services shall include, but not be limited to providing training opportunities (i.e., seminars, workshops, and training sessions) with VBA stakeholders, Services, and program/staff offices on program and training evaluation activities and learning effectiveness. Contractors shall provide evaluation expertise and consultation (as directed) to assist training chiefs and training course managers on how to properly use evaluation data collected from student and course evaluations. Expertise and consultations would assist in teaching /mentoring personnel in proven methodologies of evaluation analysis to identify areas which may impact training effectiveness and pinpoint recommendations and opportunities targeted for future improvements to meet performance objectives and intended outcomes. Deliverable 1.4: Consultative Support Services E. SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES 1. The Contractor shall complete the Delivery Date column in Attachment A for each deliverable specified. 2. Unless otherwise specified, the number of draft copies and the number of final copies shall be the same. 3. If for any reason the scheduled time for a deliverable cannot be met, the contractor is required to explain why (include the original deliverable due date) in writing to the COR and the CO, including a firm commitment of when the work shall be completed. This notice to the COR and CO shall cite the reasons for the delay, the impact on the overall contract and provide a corrective plan of action. The COR and CO will then review the facts and issue a response in accordance with applicable regulations. F. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder along with all other products of the project. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the Contractor. G. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 1. The Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) with monthly written progress reports. Monthly reports are due to the COR no later than the fifth business day of the month. The Program Management Review (PMR), unless otherwise specified by the COR will be held the second Tuesday or Wednesday of each month as designated by the COR throughout the contracts duration. The PMR slides are due to the COR no later than three business days prior to the scheduled monthly PMR. 2. The Contractor shall provide the COR and with the following reports initially within 15 business days after completion of the post award conference, and thereafter biweekly delivered via email. Required biweekly documentation consists of: Work Breakdown Structure and Schedule updated and submitted to include task breakdown to the fourth level of detail, milestones, ODC pre-approval dates, and travel pre-approval dates. The WBSS shall delivered to the COR in Microsoft Project format and a PowerPoint format. 3. The progress report shall cover all work completed during the preceding month and will present the work to be accomplished during the subsequent month. This report shall also identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved with an explanation. The report shall also provide complete, detailed financial reports. H. TRAVEL Travel may be required for the completion of the work addressed in this SOW. The Government estimates two trips for two Contractor s employees per 12 month periods. For estimation purposes, the trips typically are four days and will be held at various VBA Regional Offices throughout the United States. Travel requirements may change due to a number of factors, such as contract requirements resulting from analysis and test results, or changes in location of travel due to VBA operational requirements. Travel and per diem shall be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 31.205-46. Each Contractor invoice shall include copies of all receipts that support the travel costs claimed in the invoice. Travel must be pre-approved by the COR prior to scheduling actual travel arrangements. Travel must be priced separately in the price schedule. Local travel within a 50-mile radius from the contractor s facility is considered the cost of doing business, and will not be reimbursed. This includes travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel time. Travel performed for personal convenience and daily travel to and from work at the Contractor s facility will not be reimbursed. Travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel time for travel beyond a 50-mile radius of the contractor s facility are authorized on a case-by-case basis and must be pre-approved by the COR I. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES The Government will provide access to VBA procedural guides, reference materials, field sites, and subject matter experts and trainee personnel required for analysis, design, development, evaluation, and implementation. If required, the Government may provide Government Furnished Equipment such office space, desks, printer, telephone and access to VBA training content servers. J. CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS KEY PERSONNEL Skilled experienced professional and/or technical personnel are essential for successful Contractor accomplishment of the work to be performed under this contract. The Program Manager, Project Manager / Senior Evaluator, Training Data Manager, and Lead Programmer(s) are designated as Key Personnel and shall not be removed, diverted, or replaced from work without approval of the CO and COR. Any personnel the Contractor offers as substitutes shall have the ability and qualifications equal to or better than the key personnel who are being replaced. Requests to substitute personnel shall be approved by the COR and the CO. All requests for approval of substitutions in personnel shall be submitted to the COR and the CO at least 30 calendar days prior to making any change in key personnel. The request shall be written and provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution. The Contractor shall submit a complete rÃ©sumÃ© for the proposed substitute, any changes to the rate specified in the order (as applicable) and any other information requested by the CO needed to approve or disapprove the proposed substitution. The CO will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contractor of approval or disapproval thereof in writing. K. SECURITY VA Information and Information System Security/Privacy Requirements General All Contractors and Contractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal security and privacy laws, regulations, standards and VA policies as VA, including the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. §552a, and VA personnel, regarding information and information system security. Contractors must follow policies and procedures outlined in VA Directive 6500, Information Security Program; and VA Handbook 6500.6, Contract Security which are available at: http://www1.va.gov/vapubs and its handbooks to ensure appropriate security controls are in place. Access to VA Information and VA Information Systems VA will supply the Contractor with the minimum logical (technical) and/or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for employees, sub-contractors: (1) to perform the services specified in the contract, (2) to perform necessary maintenance functions for electronic storage or transmission media necessary for performance of the contract, and (3) for individuals who first satisfy the same conditions, requirements, and restrictions that comparable VA employees must meet to have access to the same type of VA information. All Contractors and subcontractors working with VA Sensitive Information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of regular VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level of background security investigation will be in accordance with VA Directive 0710, Handbook 0710, which are available at: http://www1.va.gov/vapubs, and VHA Directive 0710 and Implementation Handbook 0710.01, which are available at: http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/index.cfm. Contractors are responsible for screening their employees. VA Information Custodial Requirements VA information provided to the Contractor for either the performance or administration of this contract shall only be used for those purposes. No other use is permitted without the CO s express written authorization. This clause expressly limits the Contractor s rights to use data as described in Rights in Data - General, FAR 52.227-14(d)(1). The Government shall retain the rights to all data and records produced in the execution or administration of this contract. Prior to termination or completion of this contract, Contractor will not destroy information received from VA or gathered or created by the Contractor in the course of performing this contract without prior written approval by the CO. A Contractor destroying data on VA s behalf must do so accordance with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requirements as outlined in VA Directive 6300, Records and Information Management and its Handbook 6300.1 Records Management Procedures, and applicable VA Records Control Schedules. All data and reports shall be transferred to VBA upon contract completion. The Contractor shall not make copies of VA information, electronic or otherwise, except as necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on Contractor electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the Contractor needs to be restored to an operating state. The Contractor shall not use technologies banned in VA in meeting the requirements of the contract (e.g., Bluetooth-enabled devices). Training All Contractor and subcontractor personnel requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and networks: Sign and acknowledge understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the National Rules of Behavior related to access to VA information and information systems Successfully complete VA Information Security Awareness training and annual refresher training as required Successfully complete VA Privacy Awareness training and annual refresher training as required Successfully complete any additional Information Security or Privacy training as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access The Contractor shall provide to the COR a copy of the training certificates for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required. These online courses are located at www.tms.va.gov. To self-enroll, click the Create New User button on the red bar and complete the assigned training. The COR will provide the contractor with the appropriate information to complete self-enrollment. Technical issues with TMS should be directed to the TMS help desk at vatmshelp@va.gov or 1.866.496.0463. Failure to complete this mandatory training within the timeframe required will be grounds for suspension or termination of all physical and/or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training is completed. Contractor Personnel Security All contract employees who require access to the VA site(s) and/or access to VA local area network (LAN) systems shall be the subject of a background investigation and must receive a favorable adjudication from the VA Security and Investigations Center (SIC). These requirements are applicable to all subcontractor personnel requiring the same level of Background Investigation. The level of background security investigation will be in accordance with VA Directive 0710 dated September 10, 2004 and is available at http://www1.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=487&FType=2 Background Investigation The contract employee level of background investigation required for this effort is: NACI. Contractor Responsibilities 1. The Contractor shall bear the expense of obtaining background investigations or reciprocals of previous investigations held that meet or exceed the required investigation level. The cost of background investigations is based on the current Office of Personnel Management (OPM) rate at the time the application is processed at OPM. Fiscal Year 2017 rates are as follows: Low Risk (NACI) $381, Moderate Risk (MBI) $1,730, High Risk (BI) $4,431 or Reciprocals are $62. VA will pay for investigations or reciprocals processed through the VA SIC and conducted by OPM in advance; however, the Contractor shall reimburse the full cost of background investigations/reciprocals to VA within 30 days of Bill of Collections received from VA. VA shall send up to three plus one final delinquent notice to the Contractor. If the Contractor does not adhere to the Bill of Collections, future invoices may be subject to be offset by VA to recoup background investigation/reciprocal costs. 2. Immediately after contract or task order award, the COR will provide the Contractor with the following background investigation documents to be completed by the Contractor and returned to the COR to begin the background investigation process for all contract employees working on the contract who will have access to VA facilities, VA systems, or privacy data: Background Investigation Request Worksheet Optional Form 306 Declaration of Federal Employment Fingerprint Request Form 3. Upon receipt of the above-stated documents from the COR, the VSC will perform preliminary onboarding review and process the request through the SIC. Upon notification of favorable fingerprint results by the VSC, the contractor may begin work while the background investigation is ongoing. Thereafter, the Contractor will receive an email notification from the SIC identifying the website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process in the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. E-QIP is an online, Internet accessible system where the contractor employee shall complete the security questionnaire required for OPM to process the background investigation. 4. Contractors who have a current favorable background investigation previously conducted by OPM or Defense Security Service (DSS) may be accepted through reciprocation. When a previous clearance is currently held, it does not preclude the vendor from submitting a complete Background Investigation Package as stated above to the COR immediately after contract or task order award for all contract employees who will be working on the contract. 5. The Contractor shall prescreen all personnel who require access to VA site(s) and/or access to VA LAN systems to ensure they maintain a U.S. citizenship or Alien Registration that authorizes them to work in the U.S. and are able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. 6. Contract performance shall not commence before: The VSC has confirmed favorable fingerprint results, or SIC confirms that it has received the Contractor s investigative documents, the documents are complete, and that the investigation information has been released to OPM for scheduling of the background investigation, or VSC or the SIC has confirmed that the verified investigation will be reciprocated. 7. The COR will notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (Form 4236) if the investigation has been reciprocated. The Contractor, if notified of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government, shall withdraw the employee from consideration from working under the contract. Failure to comply with the Contractor personnel security requirements may result in termination of the contract for default. 8. The Contractor will be responsible for the actions of those contract and subcontract employees they provide to perform work for VA. In the event damage arises from work performed by Contractor personnel, under the auspices of the contract, the Contractor will be responsible for resources necessary to remedy the incident. 9. Should the Contractor use a vendor other than OPM or DSS to conduct investigations, the investigative company must be certified by OPM/DSS to conduct Contractor investigations. The Vendor Cage Code number must be provided to the VA SIC, which will verify the information and conclude whether access to the Government s site(s) and/or VA LAN systems can be granted. 10. The investigative history for Contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the databases of either OPM or the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Organization (DISCO). Government Responsibilities 1. After the SIC has adjudicated the background investigation package from the Contractor, the SIC will send an e-mail notification to the Contractor and their POC identifying the e-QIP website link that includes detailed instructions regarding completion of the background clearance application process and the level of background that was requested. 2. Upon receipt of required investigative documents, SIC will review the investigative documents for completion and initiate the background investigation by forwarding the investigative documents to OPM to conduct the background investigation. If the investigative documents are not complete, the SIC will notify the vendor of deficiencies and include corrective instructions. 3. VA will pay for investigations and reciprocals processed through the VA SIC and conducted by OPM in advance, however, the Contractor shall reimburse the full cost of background investigations/reciprocals to VA within 30 days of Bill of Collections from VA. VA shall send up to three plus one final delinquent notice to the Contractor. If the Contractor does not adhere to the Bill of Collections, future invoices may be subject to be offset by VA to recoup background investigation costs and may be considered grounds for default. 4. The COR will notify and forward the Contractor a copy of the Certificate of Investigation when the background investigation has been favorably adjudicated or a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 4236) if the investigation has been reciprocated. The COR will also notify the Contractor of an unfavorable adjudication by the Government. Security Incident Investigation The term security incident means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action the breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/subcontractor shall immediately notify the COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access. M. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES This SOW is further subject to the statutory requirement to assess liquidated damages against contractors and/or subcontractors under 38 U.S.C. §5725 in the event of a breach of Sensitive Personal Information (SPI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Said liquidated damages shall be assessed at $37.50 per affected Veteran or beneficiary. A breach in this context includes the unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of VA SPI which compromises not only the information s security or privacy but that of the Veteran or beneficiary as well as the potential exposure or wrongful disclosure of such information as a result of a failure to follow proper data security controls and protocols. N. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE It is agreed that: 1. The preliminary and final deliverables and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by the VA which has been generated by the contractor in the performance of this task order are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the COR at the conclusion of the task order. 2. The CO will be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this task order. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this task order presented to the contractor shall be submitted to the CO for response. 3. Press releases, marketing material or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the CO. Attachment A Schedule of Deliverables Deliverable No. Item Quantity Delivery Date 1.0 Program and Training Evaluation support package. Enterprise Training Evaluation Program Strategy One One. Updated as Required As determined in the Government-approved PMP 1.1 Post Training Assessment Support Package. One As determined in the Government-approved PMP 1.2 Training Evaluation Analysis and Plans Reports One As determined in the Government-approved PMP 1.3 Evaluation Platform Support Package One As determined in the Government-approved PMP 1.4 Consultative Support Services One As determined in the Government-approved PMP
Web Link: FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/WDCVARO372/WDCVARO372/VA101V17N0246/listing.html)
Document(s): Attachment; File Name: VA101V-17-N-0246 VA101V-17-N-0246.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=3546481&FileName=VA101V-17-N-0246-000.docx); Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=3546481&FileName=VA101V-17-N-0246-000.docx; Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
Place of Performance: Address: Department of Veterans Affairs;Veterans Benefits Administration;1800 G. Street N.W.;Washnington DC; Zip Code: 20006
Record: SN04531329-W 20170604/170602235022-16414c69554e759a407e500f23e85476 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |

Loren Data's SAM Daily™

U -- Training Evaluation & Analysis Services - Attachment