Procurement Officer, United States Capitol Police, 119 D Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20510

H -- PROFESSIONAL PROMOTION TESTING SOL 96-1-PROMO. DUE 030896. Contact, Inspector Stephen Ring (202) 224-9814/Contracting Officer, J. Bruce Holmberg. The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) is soliciting proposals for the research and development of three (3) promotional examination processes for the sworn police ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Two (2) written job knowledge tests and simulation exercises are required for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant, and an assessment center is required for the rank of captain. Job analyses for each rank are to be conducted and reported in a written document. The job analyses are to address both the content of the written tests, and the second components for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant which take the form of simulation exercises, and the assessment center for the rank of captain. A full report for each rank is required at the conclusion of the job analysis phase for each rank, including a complete description of the methodology, data collection, sample size, and descriptive statistics, including analyses by sub-group. The job analysis report for each rank will also include a test development plan indicating and supporting the validation strategy recommended and outlining a specific work plan for conduct of the validation study. Job analyses for the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain were conducted in 1994 and are on file with the U.S. Capitol Police. A final report for the project is required within thirty (30) days of completion of the last promotional list. The two (2) written job knowledge tests and simulation exercises for the ranks of police sergeant and lieutenant, and the assessment center for the rank of captain are to be tailor-made to the United States Capitol Police. Each written test is to be comprised of 115 to 125 multiple-choice questions. There is to be no overlap in items among the two (2) written tests. In addition to the conduct of the three (3) job analyses, the development of the two (2) written tests, simulation exercises and assessment center, the selected contractor will be expected to perform the following additional tasks: 1. Reproduce, administer and score both written tests. Report all scores in rank order including item analyses. Written tests are to be administered in the Washington, DC area. Both written tests will be administered on the same day. (It is anticipated there will be approximately 350 candidates taking the sergeant test and approximately 75 candidates taking the lieutenant test). The USCP will provide all facilities, candidate check-in/out personnel, and test monitors. Immediate computerized on-site scoring of each test upon completion of the test by each candidate is required. Scores will be preliminary and dependent upon outcomes of subsequent appeal processes for final score. 2. Assist in the identification of appropriate reference/resource materials (i.e. reading list) for each of the two (2) written tests. 3. Propose and implement procedures designed to minimize adverse impact on the written tests. Methodology may impact on the anticipated number of candidates participating in the written test and subsequent simulation exercises. 4. Participate in subsequent appeal processes available to candidates regarding written test questions (e.g., job-relevance, keyed response, ambiguity, source conflicts). Test scoring programs for final scores must allow for the multiple keying of items. 5. Provide individual written feedback to candidates indicating final raw and percentage scores for each portion/part of the written test. Prior tests have been organized by reference source. 6. Advise the USCP on the setting of written examination cut-off scores, the use of standard scores, in contrast to raw scores, in weighting the two (2) components of the promotional processes, and ``banding'' final results. 7. Develop and deliver a series of two to three-hour courses of instruction in how to prepare for written tests of this type. Instruction will take place at USCP facilities at a variety of times and days. Approximately three (3) sessions are anticipated. 8. Develop and deliver a series of two to three-hour courses of instruction in preparing for simulation exercise/assessment center examinations. Instruction will take place at USCP facilities at a variety of times and days. Approximately two (2) sessions for sergeant and lieutenant, and one (1) session for captain are anticipated. 9. Reproduce, administer and score both simulation exercises and assessment center and report all scores in rank order. Simulation exercises and the assessment center are to be administered in the Washington, DC area over the course of several weeks. It is anticipated there will be up to 150 candidates participating in the sergeant simulations and up to 50 candidates participating in the lieutenant simulation exercises. It is anticipated that approximately 20 candidates will participate in the assessment center for the rank of captain. 10. Provide individual written feedback to candidates indicating raw and percentage scores for each dimension of the simulation exercises and assessment center. 11. Defend any internal administrative and/or legal challenges to the three (3) job analyses, the two (2) written tests, simulation exercises and the assessment center. 12. Report all final weighted standings in rank order for each rank. The USCP will provide all facilities, candidate check-in/out personnel, and test monitors. The contractor will be required to be on-site throughout the administration of the simulation exercises and the assessment center. All evaluators for the simulation exercises and the assessment center will be provided by the USCP. Training of the evaluators will be conducted by the contractor, including training of evaluators for individual candidate feedback for the captain assessment center. Proposals will be rated and ranked on the technical evaluation factors listed below, and rated and ranked on the basis of price. Technical merit is considered to be of greater importance than price, however, the importance of price will increase as the technical merit of the offers becomes more equal. The technical factors and their relative weights are as follows: Test Development Methodology, 35%; Corporate/Staff Qualifications, 35%; Test Preparation Instruction, 15%; and, Test Administration Methodology, 15%. The USCP intends to award a contract resulting from this request for proposals to the offeror deemed most advantageous to the USCP, with technical factors and price factors specified above considered. The USCP intends to select an awardee on the basis of initial offers received; the USCP and the proposed awardee shall execute a contract incorporating this RFP, the awardee's proposal, and standard USCP terms and conditions. Award of this contract is anticipated by early April, 1996, with work starting immediately thereafter. Final results of all processes (promotional lists) are deliverable by September 30, 1996. Interested vendors are to submit a full proposal and fixed price quotations for the services described above, and hourly rates for administrative and/or legal defense of the job analyses, tests, and exercises should they be challenged. All tests and exercises are to be developed in accordance with relevant professional and legal guidelines, standards and principles. The initial term of the awarded contract will be from the date of award through the completion of the described work, with annual options exercisable at the sole discretion of the USCP, for support services for three (3) additional sworn promotional process option periods. This preliminary notice does not bind the U.S. Capitol Police to exercise the option. It should be noted that an independent additional consultant may be selected to oversee all promotional processes developmental practices for the purpose of ``certifying'' the tests and exercises. Proposals (four copies) are due by close of business 3/8/96, and should be submitted to: Mr. J. Bruce Holmberg, Office of Financial Management, United States Capitol Police, 119 D Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20510. Proposals shall consist of separate volumes, Volume I containing the Technical Proposal, and Volume II containing the Price Proposal. All information pertaining to this request for proposals is contained herein. Technical questions regarding the provision of these services should be directed to Inspector Stephen Ring, Administrative Services Bureau, at (202) 224-9814. (026)

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