Procurement Officer, United States Capitol Police, 119 D St., NE, Washington, DC 20510

A -- DEVELOPMENT OF PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION PROCESS SOL USCP-99-001 DUE 111999 POC Ms. Gail McNamara (202) 228-0025 E-MAIL: Gail McNamara at Capitol Police, gail_mcnamara@cap-police.senate.gov. U.S. CAPITOL POLICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) is soliciting proposals for the research and development of three (3) promotion examination processes for the sworn police ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Recent processes for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant have each consisted of a written multiple choice technical knowledge test, followed by two simulation exercises for a predetermined number of candidates who score the highest on the written test. The captain assessment center has consisted of a written in-basket exercise followed by four simulation exercises. All components for each rank have been weighted and combined for final ranking. Job performance has not been incorporated as a component of the process. The USCP is seeking alternative methods of assessment from those which have been used in the past, particularly for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant. It is the desire of the department to consider different methods of assessment, different methods of cut scores and/or weighting of components, and to incorporate performance as a component of each process. The standard components used in the past will not necessarily be eliminated from consideration, however, the department is seeking justification for their use as well as justification for any alternative measures proposed in terms of methodology, validity, and defensibility. The USCP is seeking the following requirements from the contractor for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant: 1. Technical knowledge assessment; 2. Skills and abilities assessment; and, 3. Performance appraisal design and inclusion to the processes, preferably, to be used as a pre-qualification for eligibility to participate. The USCP is seeking the following requirements from the contractor for the rank of captain: 1. Comprehensive assessment center; and, 2. Performance appraisal design and inclusion to the process, preferably, with substantial command personnel input and as a significant factor in final ranking. How these elements are achieved are to be proposed in detail by the respondents. Should other elements or modifications to these requirements be advisable, they too should be proposed with technical justification. Job analyses for each rank are to be conducted and reported in a written document. A full report for each rank is required at the conclusion of the job analysis phase for each rank, and will include a complete description of the methodology, data collection, sample size, and descriptive statistics, including analyses by sub-group. The 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 1998 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 promotion list. Each final promotion list must be provided to the USCP in publishable format by September 15, 2000. All assessment products for each rank are to be tailor-made to the United States Capitol Police. There is to be no overlap in items between the ranks. In addition to the conduct of the job analyses and test development for each rank, the selected contractor(s) will be expected to perform the following: 1 -- Reproduce, administer and score all assessment components. Report all scores in rank order and provide item analyses. The USCP will provide candidate check-in/out personnel for each component and test monitors for a written component. Immediate computerized on-site scoring of each test upon completion of the test by each candidate may be 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 the technical knowledge component for each rank. 3 -- Propose and implement proceduresdesigned to minimize adverse impact in the processes. 4 -- Participate in subsequent appeal processes available to candidates regarding job-relevance, keyed responses, ambiguity, source conflicts, etc. Scoring programs for final scores must allow for multiple keying of items when applicable. 5 -- 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 components of the promotion processes, and "banding" final results. 6 -- Develop and deliver courses of instruction for each rank in how to prepare for the assessment components of the processes. The number of courses required will be dependent upon the number and type of components used. Instruction will take place at USCP facilities at a variety of times and days. Several sessions for each course are required to accommodate various shifts. 7 -- Provide individual written feedback to each candidate for each dimension of each assessment component. 8 -- Defend any internal administrative and/or legal challenges to the job analyses, all assessment components for the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant and the assessment center for the rank of captain. 9 -- Report all final standings in rank order for each rank. 10 -- Adhere to schedules developed jointly by the contractor and the USCP Project Manager for the development and conduct of the projects. 11 -- Keep the USCP Project Manager informed of progress, design, and administrative developments and any/all changes which may occur throughout the course of the projects. 12 -- The contractor will be required to be on-site, with the agreed upon staff, throughout the administration of each assessment component. 13 -- Conduct assessor training for all assessors involved in each process. All evaluators required to assess candidates in each process will be provided by the USCP. All test components are to be administered in the Washington, DC area. It may be necessary to (for the first time) administer the processes in facilities other than congressional buildings on Capitol Hill. Should private facilities be required, the contractor will be required to arrange for and bear any associated costs with the use of mutually agreed upon acceptable private facilities. Respondents to the RFP must provide in the financial proposal a specific projected cost for such facilities for administration in 2000. Should the contract(s) be considered for extension for future projects, a new financial proposal shall be submitted. Respondents to this RFP shall address all requirements above and provide in their proposal: a. A reference list indicating completed contracts with law enforcement agencies, ranks assessed, and contact information. b. Evidence of legal defensibility, challenges and outcomes of past projects. c. Experience with expert testimony. d. Staff credentials, identifying actual intended project manager and on-site personnel. e. Mechanisms used to ensure test security. Proposals will be rated and ranked onthe technical evaluation factors listed below, and on 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 are as follows: Test Development Methodology, Corporate/Staff Qualifications, Test Preparation Instruction, and Test Administration Methodology. The USCP intends to award a contract(s) resulting from this request for proposals to the offeror deemed most advantageous to the USCP. The USCP intends to select an awardee(s) on the basis of initial offers received. The USCP reserves the right to conduct negotiations and clarifications with offerers, but expect the Abest and final@ offer should be submitted in the initial response to this RFP. The USCP and the proposed awardee(s) shall execute a contract incorporating this RFP, the awardees= proposal, and standard USCP terms and conditions. Respondents may be invited to present their proposals to the USCP to provide additional information and/or clarification prior to the final selection of a contractor(s). Should this occur, all professional and/or travel expenses will be incurred by the respondent. Award of this contract(s) is anticipated by mid-January, 2000, with work starting immediately thereafter. Final results of all processes (promotion lists) are deliverable by September 15, 2000 and final reports are due within 30 days thereafter. Interested contractors are to submit a full proposal and fixed price quotations for the services described above, off-site private facility expenses, and hourly rates for administrative and/or legal defense of the job analyses and test components should they be challenged. Contractors may submit proposals for any of the following: 1. The sergeant and lieutenant process only; 2. The captain process only; or, 3. Both the sergeant/lieutenant and captain processes. The USCP may determine that it is most beneficial to award separate contracts for the sergeant/lieutenant process and the captain process, based on technical merit and methodologies offered. 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(s) will be from the date of award through the completion of the described work as stated above, with annual options exercisable at the sole discretion of the USCP, for support services for three (3) additional sworn promotion process option periods. This preliminary notice does not bind the U.S. Capitol Police to exercise the option. Proposals (four copies) are due by the close of business November 19, 1999 and should be submitted to: Mr. J. Bruce Holmberg, Director, Financial Management Division, 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 Ms. Gail McNamara, Manager Professional Development, Human Resources Management Division at (202)228-0025 or by e-mail at gail_mcnamara@cap-police.senate.gov. Posted 09/27/99 (W-SN384700). (0270)

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