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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 8,2000 PSA#2595U.S. General Accounting Office, Acquisition Management, 441 G. Street
N.W., Room 6851, Washington, DC 20548 99 -- PERSONNEL SECURITY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS SOL OAM-2000-N-0026
DUE 051200 POC Lourie Blount (202) 512-3714 Description: The U.S.
General Accounting Office has a requirement for a contractor to conduct
personnel security background investigations. We anticipate award of a
contract for a base year (FY-2000) and four one-year option periods
(FY-2001, FY-2002, FY-2003 and FY-2004. This is a combined
synopsis/solicitation in accordance with the format in FAR subpart
12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this
notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. This is a
Small Business Set-Aside. Proposals are not being requested.
Solicitation OAM-2000-N-0026 identifies the Government's Request for
Proposal (RFP). This combined synopsis/solicitation is organized in 5
parts: 1) General Requirement 2) Evaluation Criteria, 3) Format of
Proposals 4) Applicability of FAR Provisions, and 5) Cost Proposals. I.
General Requirement: The contractor will conduct personnel security
background investigations. Definitions of Terms: 1) Corroboration --
confirmation through interviews or determination that another agency
verified information. 2) Verification -- confirmation through record
review. Investigative Requirements: All investigations shall meet and
be conducted in accordance with the investigative requirements set
forth in Executive Order 12968. The contractor shall handle all case
coverage requirements including the submission of the paperwork for a
National Agency Check. The contractor will comply with the following
investigative requirements: Single Scope Background Investigation
(SSBI) Applicability: Required level of investigation for: 1)Access to
Top Secret information 2)Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information
(SCI) 3)"Q" access authorizations 4)Assignment to High Risk Public
Trust position Investigative Coverage: 1)National Agency check (NAC) to
include that of spouse or cohabitant and immediate family members if
applicable. (NAC to be conducted by FBI) 2)Corroboration of date and
place of birth when discrepancies exist. Standard requires
corroboration at some point, not just when discrepancies exist.
3)Verification of U.S. citizenship of subjects born abroad and
immediate family members (spouse, cohabitant, mother, father, sisters,
brothers, sons, daughters) 4)Verification of all employment for the
past seven years. Employment references interviewed at all places of
employment of six months or more. Verification of prior federal
employment and military service, including type of discharge.
Corroboration of periods of unemployment exceeding 60 days.
5)Interviews of four references, at least two of which are developed
who have knowledge of subject and collectively span at least the last
7 years or since the subject's 18th birthday. 6)Interview of any former
spouse divorced within last ten years. 7)Confirmation of all residences
for the past three years through interviews of neighbors and record
reviews. 8)Review of criminal history record information maintained by
state and local criminal justice agencies covering locations of
subject's residences, employments, and school attendance of six months
or more for the past ten years. 9)Verification of subject's financial
status to include credit bureau checks covering locations of
residences, employments, and school attendance of six months or more
for the past seven years. 10)Search of Treasury's financial data bases
consisting of currency transactions by financial institutions,
international transportation of currency or monetary instruments,
foreign banks and financial account, and transactions reported as
possible money laundering violations. 11) Verification of divorces,
bankruptcies, and other civil and criminal court actions involving
subject. 12) An interview of subject. 13) Education -- corroboration of
most recent or most significant claimed attendance, degree or diploma.
Verification of education, if education was a primary activity during
the most recent 3 years. 14) Thorough and complete development and
resolution of all issues that arise during the course of the
investigation. 15)Submission of such detailed documentationand records
to support the investigative elements, as appropriate. SSBI-Periodic
Reinvestigation (SSBI-PR): Applicability: Required level of
reinvestigation for: Access to Top Secret Information, SCI, "Q"
Authorizations, Other Trustworthiness determinations as authorized.
Investigative Coverage: 1)National Agency Check (NAC) to include that
of spouse or cohabitant if applicable. (NAC to be conducted by FBI)
2)Verification of all places of employment for the period of the
investigation, and employment reference interviews at employments six
months or more for the last 7 years. 3)Interviews of two references, at
least one of which is developed.4)Interviews of neighbors in the
vicinity of the subject's most recent residence of six months or more,
and confirmation of current residence regardless of length. 5)Review
of criminal history record information maintained by state and local
criminal justice agencies, for the period covered by the
reinvestigation, covering locations of subject's residences,
employments, and school attendance of six months or more, including
current residences regardless of length. 6)Verification of subject's
financial status to include credit bureau checks, for the period
covered by the reinvestigation, covering locations of residences,
employments, and school attendance of six months or more. 7)Search of
Treasury's financial data bases consisting of currency transactions by
financial institutions, international transportation of currency or
monetary instruments, foreign banks and financial account, and
transactions reported as possible money laundering violations. 8)
Interview of any former spouse divorced since the prior investigation.
9)Verification of divorces, bankruptcies, and other civil and criminal
court actions involving subject since the prior investigation. 10)An
interview of subject. 11) Thorough and complete development and
resolution of all issues that arise during the course of the
investigation. 12) Submission of such detailed documentation and
records to support the investigative elements, as appropriate. National
Agency Check with Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC):
Applicability: Required level of investigation: Access to Secret and
Confidential information. Investigative Coverage: 1) National Agency
Check. 2) Verification of subject's financial status to include credit
bureau checks covering locations of residences, employments, and
school attendance of six months or more for the past seven years. 3)
Corroboration of date and place of birth when discrepancies exist. 4)
Review of criminal history record information maintained by state and
local criminal justice agencies covering locations of Subject's
residences, employments, and school attendance within the last five
years. Special Investigative Inquiry (SII): Applicability: To prove or
disprove allegations developed subsequent to a favorable clearance,
access or trustworthiness determination. 1) GAO reserves the right to
cancel an investigation. Payment for work conducted will be pro-rated
and paid by GAO. Reportsof any interviews conducted shall be forwarded
to GAO. 2) An adjudicative determination must be decided based on
consideration and assessment of all available information, both
favorable and unfavorable. Therefore, the factors the contractor
investigator must search for and report in a personnel security
investigation are: a) Allegiance to the United States b) Foreign
influence c) Foreign preference d) Sexual behavior e) Personal conduct.
f) Financial considerations g) Alcohol consumption h) Drug involvement
i) Emotional, mental, and personality disorders j) Criminal conduct k)
Security violations l)Outside activities m)Misuse of Information
Technology Systems. Contractor Responsibilities: 1) The contractor
shall maintain records of actual time and expense for each
investigation and shall submit vouchers to GAO upon completion of
individual case assignments. 2) The contractor shall assign, direct,
supervise, and monitor the progress of each investigation to assure
adequacy, accuracy, and timeliness of completion. The contractor must
provide to GAO evidence of its quality assurance procedures. (GAO
reserves the right to review, examine, and participate in the
contractor's quality assurance process) 3) The contractor shall
coordinate activities with the GAO Project Officer throughout the
performance of this contract and shall be prepared to consult, brief,
and furnish interim status reports as may be requested. Investigative
Reports: 1) The contractor shall provide a complete detailed report of
interviews conducted for each investigation, including all pertinent
facts both positive and negative aspects of behavior. 2)The contractor
shall design the format of the investigative report and offer an
explanation and example of the format in its proposal. The format will
be subject to GAO approval. 3) The contractor shall provide detailed
instructions on report preparation to the investigators and to GAO.
These instructions shall address issues such as format, use of terms,
slang, jargon, abbreviations, and use of proper grammar. 4)The
contractor shall summarize noteworthy information on the investigation
coversheet, or highlight this information in an otherwise appropriate
manner. 5) If the investigative coverage is not complete for any
reason, the investigator shall provide an explanation, including a
description of attempts made to fulfill the requirement, in the
investigative report. 6)All information collected on behalf of GAO,
relative to the investigation of individuals, is the property of GAO.
It must be retained by the contractor for a period of 90 days but may
be held no longer than 180 days. 7)Investigative reports and
information are the property of GAO and shall not be used for any
purpose other than the investigation authorized by the GAO.
8)Unclassified investigative notes and case materials maintained by the
contractor shall be destroyed by the investigator or the contractor in
a manner that precludes access to the information by unauthorized
personnel. Conduct of the Investigation: 1) The investigator will
contact the subject prior to initiating any investigation to determine
whether investigative forms are still accurate. This contact may be
made telephonically. 2)Investigators shall conduct all portions of the
investigation in person, unless use of the telephone is warranted by
exigent circumstances or a source's insistence. The fact of and reasons
for any telephonic interviews shall be provided within the
investigative report. 3)Investigators shall be persistent in seeking
pertinent details, examples, and justification for comments made by
sources or the subject and shall not leave obvious questions
unanswered. 4)The contractor will conduct the subject interview portion
of the investigation. If significant issues are developed during the
investigation, GAO will be contacted prior to the contractor
investigator initiating a personal interview to resolve significant
adverse information or inconsistencies. 5)The contractor shall report
to GAO, within 24 hours, information discovered during the normal
course of the background investigation that indicates the subject of
the investigation may be involved in felony criminal activity or any
activity that may pose a threat to other persons or the national
security. 6)GAO will be immediately notified if, during the course of
the investigation, information is developed which indicates the Subject
may have close or continuing associations with foreign nationals.
Investigators Qualifications: 1) The qualification for a contract
investigator shall include extensive (5 years or more) experience as a
local, state, or federal personnel security investigator. Local or
state experience refers to individuals who have served in a law
enforcement role at the state or local level, such as detectives. 2)
Contract investigator personnel shall be the subject of a background
investigation which meets the scope of an initial SSBI. 3)GAO has the
authority to review the qualifications of any investigator involved in
the performance of this contract. 4)The contract investigator must be
politeand cordial in all contacts, yet act with firmness,
circumspection, and steadfastness of purpose. 5)A fair, impartial, and
objective attitude must be maintained toward the person or matter
being investigated. 6)The contract investigator must resist being
influenced by political, religious or racial considerations, and shall
avoid the forming of an opinion or theory. 7)The contract investigator
must not express a personal opinion of the person being investigated
nor indicate personal interest in the outcome of the investigation.
8)The contract investigator must exhibit proper behavior, good grammar
and vocabulary, and good grooming and appearance. Contractors
Investigator Prohibitions: The contract investigator is prohibited
from; 1 Investigating any case for GAO without proper authorization. 2)
Falsifying, manufacturing or enhancing testimony, or in any way
misrepresenting any information collected from sources, or not
reporting potentially actionable or serious information when obtained,
or attempting to influence the outcome of any investigation. 3)
Investigating any case where there is any doubt about the contractor
maintaining a fair, impartial and objective attitude (such as
relatives, friends, acquaintances, or anyone with whom the contractor
has a personal involvement). 4) Furnishing information to, or asking
questions of, sources that would indicate to them the contractor is in
possession of derogatory information. 5) Expressing opinions about the
person under investigation or about controversial matters. 6)
Intentionally developing and reporting only negative or unfavorable
information or only positive and favorable information. 7) Divulging or
otherwise releasing any investigative information outside approved GAO
channels. 8) Using techniques or devices such as: surveillance;
polygraph; firearms or other weapons; phone or wire taps; concealed
recording devices; paid informants; searches and seizures and mail
covers. Classified Materials: It is expected that investigations can be
accomplished without generating classified material. If classified
material is developed during the investigation, GAO will be immediately
notified. Credentials: 1) Contract investigators shall conduct
Government-sponsored investigations using United States GAO
credentials, unless otherwise directed by GAO. 2) GAO shall furnish
investigators with appropriate Government credentials. These
credentials remain GAO property. 3) Credentials shall be strictly
controlled and protected. Upon issuance, accountability of credentials
is assumed by the contractor. 4) Individual contract investigators
shall be issued credentials on a case-by-case basis at GAO's
discretion. Investigators actively working on the contract on a regular
basis may retain the credentials. The credentials shall be surrendered
immediately upon GAO's request or when an investigator is no longer
actively working on the contract. 5) Credentials shall be used only for
the purpose of conducting background investigations requested by GAO.
6) Credentials are not transferable. If credentials are lost, this fact
must be reported within 24 hours to GAO and to local police. 7)
Credentials shall not be photocopied for any reasons. Case Deadlines:
Most cases provided to the contractor will have a deadline of 45
working days, calculated from the date the case is received by the
contract representative until the complete investigative packet is
received by GAO. Cases will be sent via certified mail. The contractor
shall ensure that all cases are completed within this period or
provide notification by phone, as early as possible if this deadline
will not be met. GAO reserves the right to request an investigation be
completed in less than 45 working day. II. Evaluation Criteria: FAR
52.212-2, Evaluation -Commerical Items. This is a best value
procurement. The Government will award a contract resulting from this
solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the
solicitation will be most advantageous to the government, price and
other factors considered. The following factors will be used to
evaluate offers: 1) past performance and contractor qualifications (60
points) and 2) responsiveness to technical requirements identified
above (40 points). For this solicitation, technical quality is more
important than cost or price. As proposals become more equal in their
technical merit, the evaluated cost or price becomes more important.
The following questions will be asked when checking your references, to
determine past performance and contractor qualifications: 1) Are the
investigations completed in the agreed upon time schedule? If not, is
the requester notified that the time schedule cannot be met? 2) Is the
quality of the reports sufficient? 3) Is adverse information
immediately brought to the requester's attention? 4) Has the requester
received any adverse information concerning the investigators
professional behavior? 5) Would you hire the firm again? III. Format of
Proposals: Proposals are due in this office no later than 2:00 PM
Friday, May 12, 2000. The point of contact for this requirement is
Lourie A. Blount (Business Analyst) telephone number is (202) 512-3714.
Submit Proposals (if mailed) to U.S. General Accounting Office,
Acquisition Office, Acquisition Management Room 6B46, 441 G Street
N.W., Washington, DC 20548, Attn: Lourie A. Blount or (if handicarried)
to U.S. General Accounting Office, Acquisition Management, c/o OGC
Correspondence Control Team, 441 G Street N.W., Washington D.C., Attn:
Lourie A. Blount. Proposals may also be submitted via e-mail to
blountl.gsc@gov.gov or faxed to (202 ) 512-2658 or (202) 512-2879,
Attn: Lourie A. Blount. IV. Applicability of FAR Provisions: The
following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) provisions and clauses
apply to this solicitation and are incorporated by reference. Federal
Provision 52.212-1 -- Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items
applies to this acquisition. Offerors must include a completed copy of
FAR provision 52.212-3 -- Offeror Representations and
Certifications-Commercial Items with their offer. The following clauses
also apply to this synopsis/solicitation: FAR 52.212-5 -- Contract
Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders
-- Commercial Items, 52-212-4 -- Contract Terms and
Conditions-Commercial Items, Conditions. Offers will be evaluated in
accordance with FAR Provisions 52.212-2, Evaluation of Commercial
Items, price and other technical factors considered. FAR Provision
52.212-5, a facsimile proposal applies. V. Cost Proposals: The
following fixed rates shall apply for payment purposes for the duration
of the contract. Period of Coverage and Proposed Rates: Present date to
September 30, 2000: 1) Single Scope Background Investigation -- Qty1 @
$ ___________ (per investigation) = $ __________ 2) Periodic
Reinvestigation -- Qty 10 @ $___________ (per investigation) = $
__________ 3) National Agency Check w/Local Agency Checks and Credit
Checks-Qty 10 @ $___________ (per investigation) = $ _________________
Period of Coverage and Proposed Rates: October 1, 2000 to September
30, 2001: 1) Single Scope Background Investigation -- Qty1 @ $
___________ (per investigation) = $ __________ 2) Periodic
Reinvestigation -- Qty 10 @ $___________ (per investigation) = $
__________ 3) National Agency Check w/Local Agency Checks and Credit
Checks-Qty 10 @ $___________ (per investigation) = $ _________________
Period of Coverage and Proposed Rates: October 1, 2001 to September
30, 2002: 1) Single Scope Background Investigation -- Qty1 @ $
___________ (per investigation) = $ __________ 2) Periodic
Reinvestigation -- Qty 10 @ $_______ Posted 05/04/00 (W-SN451256).
(0125) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0337 20000508\99-0003.SOL)
99 - Miscellaneous Index Page
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