Defense Supply Service-Washington, 5200 Army Pentagon, Rm. 1D245, Washington, DC 20310-5200

U -- PERFORMANCE-BASED SERVICE ACQUISITION TRAINING SOL n/a POC Ms. Betsy Ann Matich, 703-588-7026, matichb@pentagon.af.mil, fax703-588-7911 WEB: http://www.safaq.hq.af.mil/contracting/912, http://www.safaq.hq.af.mil/contracting/912. E-MAIL: taylodp@hqda.army.mil, polgree@pentagon.af.mil. The Defense Supply Service-Washington on behalf of the Office of Aquisition and Technology is seeking sources for information regarding Performance-Based Services Acquisitions(PBSA). The Government is providing this information for training as a sources sought initiative. The Department of Defense (DoD) intends to identify two or more preferred suppliers for a course or courses, on PBSA focusing on the full range of services from complex and operational services (e.g.consolidated base maintenance), information technology, sustainment, environmental remediation, systems engineering, and other services. DoD has completed a joint study, sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Services, and the Defense Logistics Agency, which recommended such training as an important element of the overall strategy to streamline and improve DoD acquisition practices by bringing then more in line with best industry practices. As with this study, the subject training will be utilized and managed jointly thruthe Services and DLA with the Air Force as the Executive Agent. It is DoD's preference to use courses based on those currently offered in the subject area by commercial sources. Suppliers for this requirement will be identified through an evaluation process, which will ultimately involve potential suppliers presenting full-length demonstration courses at their own expense. No contract will be awarded for development of the proposed course. Instead, suppliers will be paid based on actual training delivered. Officials responsible for contracting at DoD military installations will be informed as to which firms have been selected as preferred suppliers. DoD estimates a potential market of 375 course offerings per year with no more than 20-25 students per session if the training is given on site. The majority of the population attending these 375 course offerings is not considered "acquisition" personnel (as defined by DAWIA-the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act). Funding for delivery of the courses has been requested. PBSA training will provide a multifunctional group of students including operational (non-DAWIA) and contracting (DAWIA)personnel-with the necessary action learning skills for undertaking PBSA. This could include both applicable portions of competitive sourcing efforts under OMB Circular A-76, recompeting existing requirements, and competitions for new requirements. Tentative training goals are to provide students the knowledge and action learning skills needed to :form and operate multifunctional teams, conduct market research, define requirements, develop performance standards and associated metrics, write performance-based requirements and conduct effective performance management. It is important for the training to support and align with the Department's goal of creating a more commercial business environment and driving change thru innovation, education, and training. Although DoD has developed ideas about the proposed course (presented below), prospective suppliers are encouraged to provide any creative solutions to the problems identified above. The desired training will provide students a step-by-step PBSA development process, emphasizing hands-on performance to attain training objectives. It is the Department's attention to select suppliers who offer the most effective, innovative, and efficient means of providing the requisite training. The Department will consider a range delivey options, including but not limited to classroom, web based training, electronic performance support systems or other appropriate methods. It is highly desirable that the delivery of training is on site in order to avoid the requirement for extensive TDY by students. On-site training may included training outside the Continental United States. Since its is anticipated that training will directly precede major acquisition efforts, the course is expected to be "Just-in-Time" -- it should provide directly relevant skills for immediate use. Course length will be as needed to attain training objectives, but is estimated to require 3-5 training days. A full training day will generally be from 0800 to 1630 hours daily with one hour for lunch. DoD will hold an Industry Day in the Washington DC metropolitan area on 7 May 99 at the Andrews Air Force Base, Officers Club, Camp Springs, Maryland. Representatives from each of the Services and OSD will participate. Respondents to this announcement will receive full details. Industry Day will provide detailed briefings on the training and subject matter aspects of the proposed course, plus give potential suppliers an opportunity to interact with DoD personnel involved in supplier evaluation. An RFI will be issued in May/June requesting further information from suppliers. Evaluation of proposed training to include attending proposed classes, will be conducted Jul-Sep99. Identification of the preferred supplier will be completed and the training program should be available to start anytime after 30 September 1999. Further information on training needs for this proposed course and the source selection process can be obtained on http://www.safaq.hq.af.mil/contracting/912. Access the draft report of the 912(c) Study Group and refer to the Executive Summary, Chapters 5 and 6 and Appendixes C and H. Interested potential sources must contact Dr. John Polgreen (the executive secretary for this study effort) by May 1, at SAF/AQCO, Air Force Headquarters, e-mail polgreej@pentagon.af.mil, phone 703-588-7023. Include a brief description of your organization and detailed course descriptions of existing courses, which you feel, come close to meeting the goals stated above. Respondents should also indicate whether they plan to attend Industry Day, and if so, how many will attend. E-mail submissions only will be accepted. Submissions must be in plain text, MS Word or PDF format (or combination thereof). All other submissions will be discarded. Please include your E-mail address with all communications. Posted 04/15/99 (W-SN320684). (0105)

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