Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Midstates Procurement Operations Branch, 4050 Alpha Rd., 1800MSRO, Dallas, Texas 75244

U -- EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES SOL TIRMS98Q00042 DUE 120197 POC Contract Specialist, Ila M. Krause, 972-308-1992 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation in accordance with FAR Subpart 13, Simplified Acquisition (SA) process. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotes are being requested and A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) is 8299; the applicable size standard is $5.0. This procurement is set aside for small business; all responsible small businesses may submit a quote. Evaluation factors for award will include price and price-related factors, past performance which will be evaluated by history of deliveries and quality of products delivered under previous similar contracts and technical evaluation including demonstration of ability to meet all timelines, demonstration of experience in designing/developing/delivering training via satellite network and the One-Touch Viewer Response System, demonstration of thorough knowledge of Performance Consulting tools and methodologies, demonstration of the offeror's ability to produce clear, informative and easy to understand training materials and demonstration of an understanding of the training objectives and how training materials could be designed to meet these objectives. Award will be made to that offeror whose offer is acceptable and whose technical/cost proposal relationship is most advantageous to the Government and who is considered responsible. Background: During 1997, an outside contractor was selected to partner with the Corporate Education General Business Institute of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the design/development/delivery of a series of basic Performance Consulting training modules. The target audience consisted of approximately 400 Education professionals located across the United States and Puerto Rico. The modules were custom-designed to include IRS specificity and address the various roles and responsibilities within the diverse Education communities of Corporate Education and the Education Branches. The modules were developed for satellite delivery to some 50 downlink sites, utilizing the IRS Studio located in New Carrollton, Maryland (Washington, DC area). The 1997 training modules covered, but were not limited to, the following: Difference between training and consulting approaches, roles and competencies of the performance consultant, eight-step performance consulting process, performance consulting's value to the IRS, diagnosing performance problems, benchmarking/gap analysis, goal analysis, evaluation/measurement of the results of a performance consulting intervention as pertains to IRS organizatinal goals. In 1998, the IRS will again partner with an outside contractor to design/develop and deliver Advanced Performance Consulting training via satellite to the same audience from the IRS Studio. June 8-11, 1998 has been reserved on the studio calendar and the satellite network for rehersal and delivery of the 1998 training material. The advanced course will entail two major focuses: (1) The design/development of a Manager's Implementation Tool Kit and a training module covering the use of the kit. The contents of the kit will include step-by-step formula for Education Managers to assist them in the implementation of performance consulting methodologies within the various Education Branches and Corporate Education Institutes throughout the IRS and tools for continuous improvement of the process. (2) Advanced skill-building training modules. Prior to the delivery of the basic Performance Consulting modules in 1997, the majority of Education professionals saw themselves primarily as designers/developers/deliverers of "training events." The basic course raised the awareness level to the extent that they now recognize the value of assuming the role of performance consultant, and the merit in having direct involvement with line managers to assess performance gaps. The 1998 advanced performance consulting modules need to build on the 1997 training by taking a more in-depth approach to building competencies needed by the performance technologist. In addition to the 1997 training course material outlined above, the 1997 iteration also included basic skills-building in some areas indicated below. These areas need further enhancement in the 1998 modules, along with the addition of several new skills sets as outlined below. DESCRIPTION OF TASKS AND DELIVERABLES -- NOTE: The following list may be altered or enhanced once the outside contractor has reviewed the course materials and copies of the video tapes of satellite broadcasts delivered in 1997. The following areas are to be addressed in the 1998 course: building partnerships with line managers (customer service), Interviewing skills -- "ask the right questions the right way" to determine whether training will remedy the performance problem or if the deficit in performance stems from other workplace issues, infulencing techniques, diagnostic skills, i.e., advanced analytical skills, benchmarking to determine performance gaps, decision-making and problem-solving, conflict management and mediation, designing interventions and constructing a complete, succinct contract with the manager outlining the proposed work and how results are to be measured. The following general specifications and timelines will apply to the design, development and presentation of the course. It must be noted that these are general specifications only since all final determinations as to course design, content, and presentation will be made in consultation with IRS personnel working on this project. Contractor will provide an outline for program structure within one week of notification of contract award. Design/development sessions (no more than three (3) two day sessions) in Dallas, Texas will take place beginning one month (or sooner) following notification of contract award. Schedule will be determined after contract award. Contractor to design, develop and deliver modules in consultation with the Corporate Education General Business Institute and Focus Group of Education professionals and Support Services Managers. The IRS Studio in New Carrollton, Maryland will be used for delivery of training to a widespread audience. Possible course structure may include, but is not limited to, competencies as outlined under "Description of Tasks and Deliverables." Outline for Program Structure due General Business Institute December 30, 1997, first design meeting in Dallas with General Business Institute January 26, 1998 or sooner, all design/development completed and material in draft format for review by General Business Institute April 20, 1998 and all revisions, etc. completed and copy in "camera ready" format to be delivered by Contractor to printer April 28, 1998. Rehersal for the broadcasts will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 1998. On Tuesday June 9th through Thursday, June 11, 1998, Contractor will arrive at the studio by 8:30 a.m. and broadcast from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. A debriefing session will be held with the Corporate Education General Business Institute team on Friday, June 12, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Washington, D.C. area. Contractor to provide "event-oriented" script with timelines for all satellite broadcasts; materials for teleprompter; and Power Point graphics to the IRS Studio on or before May 18, 1998. Contractor is responsible for the reproduction, collation and mailings of course materials to participants. Materials shall be in participants' hands no later than May 18, 1998. In addition to the rehersal/broadcast schedule above, Contractor will conduct no more than three separate sessions of approximately two hours in length of telephone conferencing with Site Facilitators at the downlink sites prior to the satellite delivery of training. The Site Facilitators will function as the instructor's "eyes & ears" in approximately 50 receive sites, and will be selected by the Corporate Education General Business Institute. Quote to include fee for design/development and delivery of all course material; class exercises; off-air assignments; pre-tests; post tests; and any/all training material as deemed necessary during the design/development planning sessions. All materials to be designed for satellite delivery. Quote to include fee for design/development and scoring of Level III Evaluations to be done approximately 6-8 months following conclusion of training 6/11/98. Two evaluations shall be constructed: one for participants who completed the advanced Performance consulting modules; the second for managers to assess behavorial changes and differences in on-the-job performance subsequent to their employees taking the course. Contractor will provide a final summary capturing the results of the evaluations within one month following administration of same. Quotes for mailing these evaluations to the Site Facilitators for administration to participants and managers will be provided to Corporate Education General Business Institute after evaluation materials have been designed/developed andare "camera ready." Contractor will be reimbursed on a cost-reimbursable basis. IRS will furnish cost to mail completed instruments back to Contractor for scoring. Corporate Education General Business Institute will have the right to require bids from several sources to be identified by the IRS Program Manager. Quote to include all travel/lodging cost including, bu not limited to: Travel to IRS Studio in New Carrollton, Maryland (Washing D.C. area); planning meetings in Dallas, Texas with the Corporate Education General Business Instutute; and any other travel/lodging expenses associated with the design/development and delivery of the final training product. Evidence of Contractor's familiarity with satellite broadcasting; script-writing and graphic production; teleprompter; and the One Touch Viewer Response System must be included in quote. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of individuals for whom work was produced must be provided along with description of the project and date work performed. Quote shall include information with regard to knowledge of performance consulting tools and methodologies. Data must include references for whom performance consulting training was provided, along with names of contact person(s) and telephone number(s). Complete description of project is required, dates training was administered, type of audience, etc. Complete biographical information for all employees who will be assigned to the project is required in the quote, including individual experience in designing and delivering training via satellite using the One Touch Viewer Response System. Additionally, knowledge of performance consulting tools and methodologies must be included for each employee. Quote shall include evidence of ability to produce clear, informative and easy to understand training material. The construction of training objectives and how materials will be used to meet these objectives must be addressed. Contractor shall include indication in quote that all timelines as outlined can be met, i.e., rehersal and broadcasts; delivery of course materials to participants; delivery of materials to IRS Studio, planning meetings, etc. Contractor shall be responsible for the reproduction of all course materials. Bids for this service will be provided to Corporate Education General Business Institute after materials have been designed/developed and are "camera-ready." Contractor will be reimbursed on a cost-reimbursable basis. Corporate Education General Business Institute will have the right to require bids from several sources to be identified by the IRS Program Manager. Contractor shall be responsible for the collation of all training materials, and mailings to the participant sites. Names/address to be furnished by Corporate Education. Quotes for these services will be provided to Corporate Education General Business Institute after materials have been designed/developed and are "camera-ready." Contractor will be reimbursed on a cost-reimbursable basis. Corporate Education General Business Institute will have the right to require bids from several sources to be identified by the IRS Program Manager. Contractor shall provide complete information in the quote on any training product designed for the education area of the Internal Revenue Service (Corporate Education or Education Branch Host Sites). Data must include names of contact person(s) and telephone number, along with complete project description, dates work provided/performed, etc. If Contractor has no prior experience in designing/delivering training for IRS nor knowledge of infrastructure of organization, must be so stated in quote. Contractor shall furnish statement in bid proposal that IRS will own any/all materials developed and be able to reproduce same at no additional cost. DESIGN COMPONENTS/RESOURCES PROVIDED BY IRS: Copies of the VHS format video tapes of the basic Performance Consulting training broadcasts delivered in 1997, copies of course materials developed for the basic Performance Consulting training broadcasts, copies of various film clips developed for basic Performance Consulting modules, two Employee Development Specialists from Corporate Education General Business Institute who will manage the program and work directly with the outside Contractor on all phases, Focus Group of Education professionals and Support Services Managers to assist in the design/development stage, IRS uplink (studio) and crew; IRS downlink sites; and cost of satellite transmission, Site Facilitators and telephone cost incurred for telephone conferences with Site Facilitators, cost to mail completed Level III Evaluations back to Contractor for scorng, and Level I Course Evaluation instrument (done on-line using the One Touch Viewer Response System). Original copies of the Request for Quotation must be received by 4:00 pm CST on Monday December 1, 1997. Submit to Internal Revenue Service, Midstates Procurement Branch, Attention: Ila Krause, Contract Specialist, 1800MSRO, 4050 Alpha Road, 9th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75244. All questions must be in writing and faxed to Ila Krause at (972)308-1928 by COB November 21, 1997. Any questions received after that date will not be honored. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. See Note 1. (0322)

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