SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Investigations & Quality Assurance Surge Support Office of Whistle Blower Protection (OAWP)
- Notice Date
- 2/25/2020 1:08:43 PM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- STRATEGIC ACQUISITION CENTER - FREDERICK (36C10X) FREDERICK MD 21703 USA
- ZIP Code
- 21703
- Solicitation Number
- 36C10X20Q0060
- Response Due
- 3/11/2020 8:59:59 PM
- Archive Date
- 05/10/2020
- Point of Contact
- Jaime.Belletto1@VA.GOV
- E-Mail Address
-
Melissa.Maloy@va.gov
(Melissa.Maloy@va.gov)
- Awardee
- null
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this RFI in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). The agency does not intend to award a contract but rather gather information on capability, delivery and other market information pertinent for acquisition planning. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement and identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the following: INTRODUCTION The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) was established by the President of the United States on April 27, 2017, under Executive Order 13793. The functions of OAWP are codified under 38 U.S.C. � 323. OAWP receives and investigates allegations of whistleblower retaliation against VA supervisors and allegations of misconduct and poor performance against VA senior leaders. OAWP also receives and refers whistleblower disclosures from VA employees and applicants for employment to VA administrations and staff office for investigation and oversees those investigations. OAWP is seeking a Contractor to conduct non-criminal administrative investigations regarding senior leader misconduct and poor performance and allegations of whistleblower retaliation against VA supervisors. The Contractor will also assist OAWP as it reviews and refers matters for investigation to VA administrations and staff offices. Information indicating a possible need for an administrative investigation can come from a variety of sources, including reports, complaints, or allegations from VA employees, beneficiaries, or the public. The Contractor will conduct around 40 or more administrative investigations for OAWP and manage around 50 or more investigations referred to other VA offices for investigation (e.g., Office of the Medical Inspector). The Contractor will also perform quality assurance reviews of Reports of Investigation (ROI) completed by OAWP employees. The Contractor will conduct around 200 of these reviews during the initial months of the contract s base period. 2.0 SCOPE OF WORK The purpose of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) is to detail requirements for a Contractor to conduct administrative investigations and conduct quality reviews of completed administrative investigations. OAWP has a need for contract support assistance in conducting administrative investigations into allegations of whistleblower retaliation against VA supervisors and senior leader misconduct and poor performance. The Contractor will assist OAWP as it reviews and refers matters for investigation to VA administrations and staff offices. The Contractor will also perform quality assurance reviews of ROIs completed by OAWP employees. An administrative investigation is a non-criminal investigation and, for the purposes of this PWS, excludes administrative investigations into equal employment opportunity (EEO)-related matters (e.g., discrimination and hostile work environment claims). For administrative investigations, the scope of this work includes: reviewing allegations; overseeing referrals of whistleblower disclosures for investigation to VA offices; and directly investigating allegations involving whistleblower retaliation and VA senior leader misconduct and poor performance. For quality reviews, the scope of the work includes reviewing completed OAWP investigations to ensure an investigator conducted them properly. The contractor shall identify a program manager to ensure contractor personnel are properly supervised. The government at all times retains the authority to make discretionary decisions and judgements associated with this procurement and the procurement deliverables. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance is one 12-month base, plus up to four 12-month option periods. 4.0 TIME PERIODS This PWS identifies all time periods as calendar days or business days, as appropriate. No work shall take place on Federal holidays or weekends, unless directed in writing by the Contracting Officer. 5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The work performed is virtual in nature and the contractor shall complete it at the contractor s facility. The government may request face-to-face meetings with the Contractor Key Personnel at OAWP on a monthly basis at a federal facility in Washington, D.C. designated by VA. 6.0 TRAVEL The government considers local travel within a 50-mile radius from the Contractor s facility or Contractor virtual work site as the cost of doing business and the government will not reimburse this travel. This includes travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel. Travel performed for personal convenience, and daily travel to and from work at the Contractor s facility or Contractor virtual work site is not reimbursable. Travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel beyond a 50-mile radius of the Contractor s facility or Contractor virtual work site may be authorized on a case-by-case basis and as required by the government and requires the pre-approval of the government Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The government will not reimburse the Contractor for travel to or from the place of performance, unless otherwise specified and/or authorized in the contract. The government shall reimburse the Contractor s travel invoices in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-46 and Federal Travel Regulation. Each Contractor invoice shall include copies of all receipts that support the travel costs claimed in the invoice. 7.0 LEGAL STANDARDS In the performance of the tasks associated with this PWS, the Contractor shall comply with VA Directive 0500 and OAWP policies, directives, and standard operating procedures (SOP). The Contractor shall also be aware of: 38 U.S.C. � 323; 5 U.S.C. � 2302; the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 and subsequent amendments; VA Directive and Handbook 0700; VA Directive and Handbook 5021; and Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Quality Standards for Investigations (QSI), for noncriminal matters. The Contractor shall be knowledgeable of, understand, and be able to apply relevant federal law as well as VA policies and regulations, when conducting administrative investigations into misconduct and whistleblower retaliation. 8.0 TYPE OF CONTRACT This PWS is for a Firm Fixed Price contract. 9.0 INVESTIGATION CASES AND COMPLEXITY OAWP categorizes its investigations into one of four complexity levels: 9.1 Referred Investigation A referred investigation does not involve a senior leader or whistleblower retaliation. OAWP, or the Contractor acting on behalf of OAWP, reviews these cases to identify allegations and witnesses referred for investigation to VA offices; and then reviews the report of investigation from the VA office that conducted the investigation to ensure that the investigating office interviewed witnesses (identified by OAWP or the Contractor on behalf of OAWP) and that the responsible administration or staff office corrected, or has a corrective action plan, for substantiated allegations. 9.2 Senior Leader Investigation These investigations involve allegations of senior leader misconduct or poor performance but do not include allegations of whistleblower retaliation. OAWP, or the Contractor acting on behalf of OAWP, directly reviews and investigates these matters, including conducting witness interviews and preparing a report of investigation. 9.3 Whistleblower Retaliation Investigation These investigations involve allegations of whistleblower retaliation but do not include allegations involving senior leader misconduct or poor performance. OAWP, or the Contractor acting on behalf of OAWP, directly reviews and investigates these matters, including conducting witness interviews and preparing a report of investigation. 9.4 Whistleblower Retaliation and Senior Leader Investigation These investigations involve allegations of whistleblower retaliation and could include an allegation of senior leader misconduct or poor performance. OAWP, or the Contractor acting on behalf of OAWP, directly reviews and investigates these matters, including conducting witness interviews and preparing a report of investigation. 10.0 SPECIFIC TASK REQUIREMENTS 10.1 Task 1: Program Management The Contractor shall provide program and project management for all tasks, to include coordinating and managing the activities and tasks of all investigators. The Contractor shall provide support to execute disciplined, comprehensive, and flexible program and project management processes, including monitoring OAWP metrics, risk management, and prompt reporting on Government-approved cost, schedule, performance, and risk baselines. The Contractor shall provide labor resources (labor and management) to assist OAWP in planning, organizing, executing, and closing OAWP administrative investigations and conducting quality assurance reviews of previously completed administrative investigations conducted by OAWP employees. The Contractor shall conduct a Kickoff Meeting within 5 business days after contract award. The Contractor shall present, for review and concurrence by the Government, the details of the program management plan and intended approach, and projected staffing schedule. The contractor shall not commence administrative investigations or quality reviews until the VA approves the approach/methodology. The kick-off meeting shall serve as a working meeting to review the Contractor s program management plan including risk and issue management strategy, quality assurance plan, and to resolve open questions, refine goals, and define success. The Contractor shall provide draft meeting minutes within three business days after conclusion of the meeting. The government will provide edits to the minutes within five business days of the meeting, and the Contractor shall provide final meeting minutes within seven business days of the meeting. The Contractor shall provide a Program Management Plan as part of the Contractor s proposal. At a minimum, the Program Management Plan shall address the following as it relates to the management of the tasks and requirements of this contract: Program Governance Stakeholder Management Program Initiation, including individual projects (tasks) within the program Program Planning: Human Resources and Staffing Plan, including Key Personnel Schedule for each Project (Task) Program and Project Quality Planning Program and Project Risk Management Planning and Analysis Transition Plan (Continuity Plan) Communications Plan Program Execution: Direction and Management Quality Assurance Acquiring Human Resources Monitoring and Controlling: Program and Project (Task) Work Change Control Scope Control Schedule Control Quality Control Performance Reporting Rick Monitoring and Control Issue Management and Control Communications Control; Program and Project Closure The Program Management Plan shall demonstrate knowledge, understanding and experience conducting administrative investigations and quality assurance of the administrative investigations, as well as law and VA policy relating to: Prohibited personnel practices (e.g., 5 U.S.C. � 2302). Misconduct investigations involving federal employees. Whistleblower retaliation investigations involving federal employees. Process for investigating whistleblower retaliation complaints against federal employees, including required legal elements. Recognizing cases that are outside the scope of authority of OAWP investigations, including: discrimination; hostile work environment, and when referrals to other offices within VA are appropriate. The Program Management Plan (PMP) is also the key deliverable for the Kickoff Meeting. The contractor shall manage the PMP as a living document that may require revision, with Government approval, over the course of contract performance. The Contractor shall hold bi-weekly meetings (i.e., once every two weeks), which may be face-to-face or virtual, to provide program/project updates on open cases by case number, remaining work for that case, and the next process milestone for that case; work progress against schedule; risks and risk management strategy; issue and issue management; and contractor work product quality assurance status. The intent of this meeting and report is to provide current status of tasks and deliverables; identify barriers; and develop corrective action plans, as required, to meet government performance and schedule requirements described in this task order. Deliverables: 10.1.A. Program Management Plan, including staffing plan and approach to manage risks and issues, and quality assurance methodology. 10.1.B. Kickoff Meeting Attendance List 10.1.C. Kickoff Meeting Action Items 10.1.D. Kickoff Meeting Minutes 10.1.E. Biweekly Status Calls 10.1.F. Biweekly Status Reports 10.1.G. Biweekly Status Call Action Items 10.2 TASK: REFERRED INVESTIGATION CASE The Contractor shall use and apply the relevant sections of the OAWP Investigations SOP to the work performed under this task. 10.2.1 High Level Process Overview In accordance with the OAWP Investigations SOP, for each Referred Investigation the Contractor Referral Investigator shall: Review the allegations. Conduct a clarification interview with the complainant to ensure an understanding of the allegations; identify witnesses; and check with the individual about whether they want to disclose their identity when a referral is to a VA administration/staff office. If the Contractor Referral Investigator identifies allegations that are outside of a Referred Investigation, the Contractor Referral Investigator shall notify the OAWP Investigation Program Manager to determine the appropriate investigation pathway. For the cases appropriate for referral, refer the case to the appropriate VA administration/staff office via OAWP s Matter Tracking System (MTS), describing the allegations the administration/staff office is to investigate and identify witnesses the administration/staff office is to interview. Monitor the case, as described in in the OAWP Investigations SOP and Section 10.2.2, Communication, below. Review the report of investigation (ROI) prepared by the administration / staff office to ensure that: witnesses were interviewed or, if not, the administration / staff office explained why that did not occur; allegations were investigated and either substantiated or not substantiated; and, if allegations are substantiated, the administration / staff office took corrective action or has a plan of action for taking corrective action. If an ROI is incomplete, recommend to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager that OAWP refer the case back to the administration / staff office for correction. If the OAWP Investigation Program Manager agrees, the Contractor Referral Investigator refers the case back to the administration/staff office to correct the issues in the ROI giving the administration / staff office ten calendar days to correct the deficiencies. The Contractor Referral Investigator then continues with the process in paragraph f, above. If an ROI is complete, the Contractor Referral Investigator recommends closure of the case in MTS to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager. The OAWP Investigation Program Manager will review the recommendation and either approves the recommendation; approves the recommendation with edits; or disapproves the recommendation and advises the Contractor Referral Investigator of any deficiencies. The Contractor Referral Investigator is responsible for correcting the deficiencies and has ten days to resubmit the recommendation to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager for approval. 10.2.2 Timeframe The Contractor Referral Investigator has 100 calendar days to complete referred investigation, beginning from the time OAWP assigns it to the Contractor in MTS to the time that the Contractor Referral Investigator submits a recommendation to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager for approval. Within this 100-calendar day window, OAWP requires administrations / staff offices to complete their investigation and provide a ROI to OAWP within 90 calendar days from the date of the referral. Where the OAWP Investigation Program Manager returns a ROI for edits or deficiencies, the Contractor Referral Investigator has 10 days to correct the deficiencies and resubmit their recommendation for closure to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager. 10.2.3 Communication The Contractor Referral Investigator shall conduct periodic status checks with the administration / staff office, beginning at the time of referral and periodically thereafter, to ensure that the administration / staff office continues to investigate referred allegations in a timely manner. The Contractor Referral Investigator shall report to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager when any of the following occur: Contractor Referral Investigator identifies issues that could affect the timely completion of the recommendation (e.g., if an administration/staff office is unresponsive to a status check); Administration / staff office requests an extension to submit an ROI that is beyond 90-calendar days after referral; and Administration/staff office fails to submit an ROI on time. The Contractor Referral Investigator shall update the complainant every seven calendar days and provide an updated estimate for the timeframe for completion of the case, documenting this contact in the MTS. The Contractor Referral Investigator shall also load all communication with the complainant, administration / staff office, and other individuals pertaining to the case, including, but not limited to case notes, reports, evidence, into MTS within one business day after receipt, transmission, or action. Deliverables REFERRED INVESTIGATIONS DELIVERABLES 10.2. Referred Investigations Up to 100 Calendar Days per Case 10.2. Recommendation on an ROI conducted by a VA administration / staff office; work shall include a clarification interview; reviewing allegations; referring the case to a VA administration/staff office; reviewing final ROI; documentation in MTS; and status checks. All work shall be in compliance with the OAWP Investigations SOP. Initially, 100 cases completed by December 31, 2020 and another 50 cases completed by the end of the Base Year performance period, with four options for an additional 25 cases per option to be completed during the Base Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 100 cases, and a total potential of 250 cases for the Base Year). For each Option Year period (Option Years 1-4), initially 50 cases completed for each Option Year performance period, with four options per Option Year period for an additional 25 cases per option to be completed during an Option Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 100 cases, and a total potential of 150 cases for each Option Year). 10.3 TASK: OAWP INVESTIGATIONS INTO SENIOR LEADERS AND WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION The Contractor Investigator shall use and apply the relevant sections of the OAWP Investigations SOP to the work performed under this task. 10.3.1 High Level Process Overview In accordance with the OAWP Investigations SOP, for each investigation the Contractor Investigator shall: Review the allegations. Conduct a clarification interview with the complainant to ensure an understanding of the allegations; identify witnesses; and check with the individual about whether they want to disclose their identity. If the Contractor Investigator identifies allegations that are outside of a Senior Leader and/or Whistleblower Retaliation Investigation, the Contractor Referral Investigator shall notify the OAWP Investigation Program Manager to determine the appropriate investigation pathway. Develop an Investigative Plan in MTS and submit to the OAWP Investigations Program Manager for approval. Initiate an ROI in MTS and update the ROI during the investigation. Make official notifications regarding the investigative process to, for example, the complainant. Gather evidence, communicate with the complainant(s), person(s) of interest, witnesses, and other individuals related to the allegation. Obtain declarations, interview, and take transcribed testimony under oath from complainant(s), person(s) of interest, and other witnesses. As required and pre-approved by the government, conduct on-site investigation. Complete a draft ROI. Submit draft ROI for approval in MTS to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager. The OAWP Investigation Program Manager will review the draft ROI and either: approve the draft ROI; approve the draft ROI with edits; or disapprove the draft ROI and advise the Contractor Investigator of any deficiencies. The Contractor Investigator is responsible for correcting the deficiencies and resubmitting the draft ROI to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager for approval. 10.3.2 Timeframe The contractor shall complete an OAWP investigation of this type within 90 calendar days from the time OAWP assigns it to the Contractor to the time that the Contractor Investigator submits the draft ROI to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager for approval. Where the OAWP Investigation Program Manager returns a ROI for edits or deficiencies, the Contractor Investigator has five business days to correct the deficiencies and resubmit their recommendation for closure to the OAWP Investigation Program Manager. 10.3.3 Investigations The Contractor Investigator shall conduct investigations in a diligent and complete manner with reasonable steps taken to ensure they sufficiently resolve allegations with all appropriate remedies considered. The SOP specifies the process and requirements. Generally, in order to achieve this standard, investigators must efficiently gather evidence relevant to the allegations under investigation. The Contractor Investigator shall formulate requests to receive and review complex evidentiary information, including emails; other electronic communications; and evidence gathered during the investigation. The Contractor Investigator shall work with witnesses to collect information through various methods, to include providing affirmations / declarations forms for the individual to complete and conducting transcribed interviews. Once evidence gathering begins, the investigation follows an iterative cycle in which the investigator continuously assesses information gaps, accumulates additional information to address those gaps, analyzes the information relative to applicable standards, and writes sections of the ROI. 10.3.4 Communication The Contractor Referral Investigator shall update the complainant every seven calendar days and provide an updated estimate for the timeframe for completion of the case, documenting this contact in the MTS. The Contractor Investigator shall also load all communication with the complainant, administration / staff office, and other individuals pertaining to the case, including but not limited to case notes, documentation and evidence related to the case, into MTS within one business day after receipt, transmission or action. Deliverables: OAWP ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATIONS INTO SENIOR LEADERS AND WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION 10.3.A. Report of Investigation - Senior Leader Up to 90 Calendar Days per Case 10.3.A. Draft ROI; work shall include a clarification interview; reviewing allegations; investigations plan; witness interviews and evidence gathering; and documentation in MTS. All work shall be in compliance with the OAWP Investigations SOP. Initially, 20 cases completed by December 31, 2020 and another 10 cases completed by the end of the Base Year performance period, with two options for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during the Base Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 20 cases, and a total potential of 50 cases for the Base Year). For each Option Year period (Option Years 1-4), initially zero cases completed for each Option Year performance period, with four options per Option Year period for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during an Option Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 40 cases for each Option Year). 10.3.B. Report of Investigation - Whistleblower Retaliation Up to 90 Calendar Days per Case 10.3.B. Draft ROI; work shall include a clarification interview; reviewing allegations; investigations plan; witness interviews and evidence gathering; and documentation in MTS. All work shall be in compliance with the OAWP Investigations SOP. Initially, zero cases completed during the Base Year performance period, with four options for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during the Base Year performance period (for potential total optional quantity of 40 cases for the Base Year). For each Option Year period (Option Years 1-4), initially zero cases completed for each Option Year performance period, with four options per Option Year period for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during an Option Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 40 cases for each Option Year). 10.3.C. Report of Investigation - Whistleblower Retaliation and Senior Leader Up to 90 Calendar Days per Case 10.3.C. Draft ROI; work shall generally include a clarification interview; reviewing allegations; investigations plan; witness interviews and evidence gathering; and documentation in MTS. All work shall be in compliance with the OAWP Investigations SOP. Initially, 10 cases completed by December 31, 2020 and another 10 cases completed by the end of the Base Year performance period, with four options for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during the Base Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 20 cases, and a total potential of 50 cases for the Base Year). For each Option Year period (Option Years 1-4), initially 10 cases completed for each Option Year performance period, with four options per Option Year period for an additional 10 cases per option to be completed during an Option Year performance period (for total optional quantity of 40 cases, and a total potential of 50 cases for each Option Year). 10.4 QUALITY REVIEWS OF COMPLETED OAWP INVESTIGATIONS The Contractor shall use and apply the relevant sections of the OAWP Quality SOP to the work performed under this task. 10.4.1 Background The Contractor is responsible for quality assurance of the work they perform for the other contract tasks. Under this task, the Contractor shall conduct quality reviews of OAWP investigations completed by OAWP investigators (i.e., government employees). The Contractor, when in support of the Quality Division for this task, shall not conduct quality reviews of investigations and referred investigations work they performed. 10.4.1 High Level Process Overview In accordance with the OAWP Quality SOP, for each quality review the Contractor shall: Review the underlying information in MTS. Complete a quality review checklist in MTS. Prepare a recommendation to the OAWP Quality Program Manager in MTS as to whether a case needs to be: Returned to the Investigations Division due to deficiencies and, if so, identify those deficiencies and what action(s) the Investigations Division must take to correct them; Accepted as a properly investigated and documented case. Submit the recommendation to the OAWP Quality Program Manager. The OAWP Quality Program Manager will review the recommendation and either: approve the recommendation; approve the recommendation with edits; or disapprove the recommendation and advise the Contractor of any deficiencies. The Contractor is responsible for correcting the deficiencies and resubmitting the recommendation to the OAWP Quality Program Manager for review and approval. 10.4.3 Timeframe The Contractor has 5 calendar days to complete a quality review, beginning from the time that OAWP assigns it to the Contractor to the time that the Contractor submits it to the OAWP Quality Program Manager for approval. Where the OAWP Quality Program Manager returns a quality review for edits or deficiencies, the Contractor has three business days to correct the deficiencies and resubmit their recommendation for closure to the OAWP Quality Program Manager. 10.4.4 Communication The Contractor shall conduct and document the quality review in MTS. Deliverables: QUALITY REVIEWS OF COMPLETED OAWP INVESTIGATIONS DELIVERABLE 10.4.A. Quality Reviews of Completed OAWP Investigations Up to 5 Calendar Days / Case 10.4.A. Recommendation; work shall generally include reviewing case file in MTS; completing a quality review checklist in MTS; and preparing a recommendation in MTS for submission to the OAWP Quality Program Manager. All work shall be in compliance with the OAWP Quality SOP. 200 cases completed by December 31, 2020. 11.0 Delivery Schedule. The Contractor shall submit all deliverables to the COR for review and acceptance by the OAWP Investigations Program Manager (Tasks 10.2 10.3) or OAWP Quality Program Manager (Tasks 10.4). Each Task Order includes the Government timeline for review and acceptance or nonacceptance, and the response time for the contractor to make updates and resubmit the deliverable. The COR will provide feedback regarding deliverables, including final acceptance, to the Contractor. Unless otherwise stipulated, written deliverables shall be phrased in plain English. Deliverable Description Quantity Delivery Date 10.1.A. Program Management Plan. 1 At the Kickoff Meeting, five days after contract award; updated as necessary during contract performance to ensure adequate performance. 10.1.B. Kickoff Meeting Attendance List 1 Draft within three business days of the meeting; final incorporating government edits within seven business days of the meeting. 10.1.C. Kickoff Meeting Action Items 1 Draft within three business days of the meeting; final incorporating government edits within seven business days of the meeting. 10.1.D. Kickoff Meeting Minutes 1 Draft within three business days of the meeting; final incorporating government edits within seven business days of the meeting. 10.1.E. Biweekly Status Calls 26 Biweekly (every other week) 10.1.F. Biweekly Status Reports 26 Biweekly (every other week) 10.1.G. Biweekly Status Call Action Items 26 Biweekly (every other week) 10.2. Referral Investigation Up to 850 Up to 100 calendar days after assignment 10.3.A. Report of Investigation Senior Leader Up to 130 Up to 90 calendar days after assignment 10.3.B. Report of Investigation Whistleblower Retaliation Up to 190 Up to 90 calendar days after assignment 10.3.C. Report of Investigation -Whistleblower Retaliation and Senior Leader Up to 260 Up to 90 calendar days after assignment 10.4. Quality Review of Completed OAWP Investigations 200 Up to 5 calendar days after assignment 12.0 Government-Furnished Information, Equipment, and Facilities Access to OAWP s MTS, SharePoint and VA email is available upon favorable Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badging. All contractors shall require logical access to OAWP systems. All VA policies related to networked computer use shall apply. PIV cards shall be required for all contractor personnel with VA network access/accounts. Contractor personnel shall complete VA s Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training before VA shall grant networked computer access. The contractor shall deliver all certificates / proof of training to the COR within one day of completing the training and the contractor is advised to not allow training to expire during the period of performance to prevent avoidable delays to access. The Contractor support must be able to access and use MTS and associated software, including SharePoint and Microsoft Outlook, for the proper execution of this contract. The contractor shall perform all work, including investigation-related email, using VA software. The Government shall not provide information technology equipment or accessories to the contractor. The Contractor shall coordinate any VA installation requirements (e.g., PIV reader) with the COR. VA may provide remote access to VA specific systems/network in accordance with VA Handbook 6500, which requires the use of a VA approved method to connect external equipment/systems to VA s network. Citrix Access Gateway (CAG) is the current and only VA approved method for remote access users when using or manipulating VA information for official VA Business. VA permits CAG remote access through approved Personally Owned Equipment (POE) and Other Equipment (OE) provided the equipment meets all applicable 6500 Handbook requirements for POE/OE. All security controls required for Government furnished equipment (GFE) must be used in approved POE or OE. The Contractor shall provide proof to the COR of review and approval that their POE or OE meets the VA Handbook 6500 requirements. VA does not permit CAG authorized users to copy, print or save any VA information accessed via CAG at any time, or for any reason. This remote access may provide access to VA specific software including appropriate seat management and user licenses, depending upon the level of access granted. The Contractor shall use government-provided software development and test accounts, document and requirements repositories, etc. as required for the development, storage, maintenance and delivery of products within the scope of this effort. The Contractor shall not transmit, store or otherwise maintain sensitive data or products in Contractor systems (or media) within the VA firewall in accordance with VA Handbook 6500.6 dated March 12, 2010, nor shall the contractor do so outside the VA firewall. All VA sensitive information shall be protected at all times in accordance with VA Handbook 6500, local security field office System Security Plans (SSP s) and Authority to Operate (ATO) s for all systems/LAN s accessed while performing the tasks detailed in this PWS. The government will not provide office supplies to perform contract tasks. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capabilities information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. Your responses may be shared with all stakeholders, thus the information received will not be considered proprietary. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information: Cover Sheet 1 page Please provide the following information: 1. Organization name, address, and web site. 2. Point of contact to include e-mail address and telephone number. 3. Business size (large or small). If small, please provide type of small business. 4. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that best fits these task areas. 5. If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule, and SIN category. Index 1 page Please provide an index to assist the Government in identifying where you have addressed each question below in your Capabilities Statement and Market Information. Please provide question number and corresponding page and section heading and/or paragraph number. Capabilities Statement and Market Information Please respond to the following questions by providing a capabilities statement and market information. Please let us know if company can meet all the requirements described in the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS). If not, please indicate which requirements cannot be met and why the requirement(s) cannot be met. Are the requirements clearly stated in the draft PWS? Please provide us feedback on how to best communicate our requirement to industry. Has your company provided the services listed in the draft PWS to any other federal agency before? Please elaborate on the services provided and which federal agencies. If you are currently providing these services to other US Government agency(ies), which agencies? What are the key qualifications for investigators so that they can meet the requirements of the draft PWS? Please describe the pricing structure you use for this kind of services. Please provide an idea of the elements that constitute your pricing structure. Please provide us your: DUNS Business size Socioeconomically classification NAICS Any strategic sourcing vehicle in which you have these services available (identify the agency, sourcing vehicle, and agency POC) STRUCTURE AND SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Contractors should respond to this RFI by March 11, 2020 at 2 PM ET via e-mail to Jaime.Belletto@va.gov and Melissa.Maloy@va.gov. Limit all responses to 15 pages.
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