SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Completion of SF 360 Instrument
- Notice Date
- 8/2/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, U.S. Special Operations Command, USASOC, ATTN:E-2929, Fort Bragg, NC, 28310
- ZIP Code
- 28310
- Solicitation Number
- H92239-05-T-0049
- Response Due
- 8/12/2005
- Archive Date
- 10/1/2005
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 and 13 as supple-mented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number H92239-05-T-0049 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and in-corporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 2001-26. This procurement is set-aside for small business. All responses from responsible small business sources will be fully considered. The NAICS code is 541990 with a small business size standard of $6 M. This action is to complete a Special Forces Junior Leader 360-degree survey to provide the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Psychological Applications Directorate (PAD) selected psychological support and training services to Army Special Forces (SF) leadership development programs in accordance with the Statement of Work. Statement of Work: 1. GENERAL. This statement of work (SOW) describes the requirement to complete a SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey to provide the USASOC, PAD selected psychological support and training services to SF leadership development programs. The 360-degree survey will be completed and coordinated with the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS), and the U.S Army Special Forces Command (USASFC). The Contractor shall complete pilot testing, modification, and preparation of a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey, on-site informational briefings to commanders, feedback interviews with pilot testing instrument recipients, and creation of a final operational version of the SF Jr. Leader 360 survey for use throughout the USASFC. 1.1. BACKGROUND. The PAD, USASOC, and USAJFKSWCS are responsible for providing a broad range of psychological support and training services to active duty and National Guard (NG) SF units. These services include leadership development programs for officers in command positions throughout SF. The SF 360-degree Leadership Development program (SF LEADER 360) is the primary psychological support and training service used for the development of SF leaders in operational units. In 2004 the first SF 360-degree survey was developed for use with senior leaders (i.e. Battalion and Group level leaders). The Senior Leader SF 360-degree Survey is a custom designed instrument created with input from SF soldiers for use only with SF soldiers, and therefore is a unique 360-degree instrument. Initial work has been conducted towards the development of a version of an SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey. To date, the following work efforts have been conducted towards the development of a pilot version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey: draft survey item development and draft scale development. This contract will define the role of the contractor in assisting the PAD by completing the development of a final operational version of the SF Jr. Leader 360-degree survey and all supporting documentation to be used in implementing the survey within SF units. Delivery of the final product will be accomplished within 6 mos of contract award. 1.3. PHYSICAL SECURITY. The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government property and supplies provided for Contractor use. 1.4. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The Government and the Contractor shall have periodic Performance Evaluation Meetings to discuss quality control/assurance issues. 1.5. SECURITY CLEARANCE. The Contractor will not be required to handle classified material. However, the contractor shall require a ?Secret? level clearance in order to gain access to the web-based survey administration program that resides on the USASOC intranet. 1.6. TRAVEL. The Contractor shall conduct SF Junior Leader 360-Degree Survey Development activities primarily onsite at Ft. Bragg, NC. The Government will not reimburse travel expenses for any SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development services that can be conducted at Fort Bragg, NC. The Government will reimburse travel expenses associated with SF Jr. Leader 360-degree survey piloting, modification, and preparation of the final operational version that require visits to Army SF, DoD posts and NG units not located proximate to Ft. Bragg, NC. All travel will be reimbursed at rates not to exceed those contained in Joint Travel Regulations. The Contractor shall be responsible for making his/her own travel arrangements. Only travel approved by the COR will be paid. 2. CONTRACT OBJECTIVE. SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development: The Contractor shall assist the PAD and USAJFKSWCS by conducting the development, piloting, validation and modification of SF Junior Leader 360 survey; preparation of survey utilization monographs; validation research documentation, and preparation of a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey feedback instruments. The goal of SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development is to generate reliable, valid, and efficiently managed 360-degree surveys and feedback instrumentation unique to SF. 3. REQUIREMENTS. 3.1. SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development. The Contractor shall be responsible for the development, piloting, validation and modification as well as the preparation of a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey. The SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey is a multi-rater assessment instrument designed to allow targeted leaders to rate themselves, while also being rated by superiors, peers and subordinates on knowledge, skills and attributes essential for success as an SF leader. SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development involves several phases of work to include final development of survey items, pilot testing, and pilot version modification resulting in completion of an operational version of the instrument; preparation of a utilization monograph; preparing supportive validation research reports; and final operational feedback instrument development. The SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey, while primarily targeted to Captains during their team leader time, may also be targeted to Warrant Officers and Majors during their tenure as assistant team leaders and company commanders, respectively. Work may take place at all DoD posts and NG installations in the continental United States and outside the United States that serve as locations for SF units. The government expects that focus group work and pilot testing of developing versions of the SF Jr. Leader 360-degree survey will take place with a representative sample population of active duty and NG SF soldiers at their units. The locations of the active duty SF units are Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Carson, Colorado; Ft Lewis, Washington; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. NG SF Units are headquartered in Alabama and Utah. Overseas locations include Stuttgart, Germany and Okinawa, Japan. 3.2. Survey Development Timeline. This work effort represents a 6-month contract beginning with award of the contract. 4. TASKS 4.1. SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey Development. The Contractor will produce a unique operational SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey focusing on Team Leaders and Company Cdrs, for use in the SF LEADER 360 implementation Program. Contractor responsibility for the completion of development of SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey involves (but are not limited to) the following subtasks: 4.1.1 Survey item development using focus groups made up of a representative sample of SF soldiers. There currently exist approximately 150 draft items arranged in proposed scales that were drafted during an earlier project. 4.1.2 Initial survey pilot testing and pilot version modification based on feedback from SF users. Once an initial pilot version of the 360 instrument is developed, pilot testing of the instrument on a subset of potential targets is necessary to allow for final revisions of items, scales, and reports prior to initiating the use of the instrument in regular practice. Pilot testing of a final draft version of the SF Jr. Leader 360-degree survey will include a representative sample population of active duty and NG SF units. 4.1.3 Statistical studies to evaluate item and scale reliability and validity. 4.1.4 Completion of an operational version of the instrument and final pilot testing on a sample of at least 30-35 SF junior leaders. Based on an analysis of the information and data gathered during the piloting process, modifications will be made to the instrument and a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey will be prepared along with all supportive documentation necessary to implement the use of the instrument. 4.1.5 Complete feedback report forms and instruments. Item and scale information derived from the 360 instrument results must be reflected in reports that facilitate the feedback process, which is the key component to any 360-degree feedback program. The contractor is responsible for developing clear, coherent reports that make maximal use of instrument data for purposes of providing effective feedback to developing leaders. Report content and design is developed in conjunction with the consultation to the target group, subject matter experts in the area of developmental feedback, and other subject matter experts knowledgeable in the area of 360-instrument development and execution. The contractor is responsible for conducting meetings with critical individuals and panel groups to ensure that the end product is useful to both the target of the 360 instrument and to the professionals who will be tasked to use the reports in their respective developmental programs. The contractor will use the Senior SF Leader 360 Survey report as a model for what will be developed for the junior SF Leader 360 Survey report. 4.1.6 Complete a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey. 4.2 The Contractor shall provide sufficient developers and administrative support personnel to insure delivery of the final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey within 6 months of contract award. 4.3 The contractor shall identify target leaders and raters for each prospective target in such a way that the population of all possible targets is adequately represented. The piloting and sampling process shall be conducted in consultation with, and require approval from, the contracting officer?s technical representative (COTR). 4.4 The contractor shall use the government?s web-based survey administration program (Special Operations Command Assessment System ? SOCAS) to collect pilot survey data. This requirement may be modified in consultation with the COTR if an acceptable automated survey program that operates within the command?s intranet environment is provided by the contractor. The contract personnel will require appropriate clearances necessary for access to the command?s intranet. 4.5 The standard for 360-degree survey feedback is, and will maintain, personalized, one-on-one feedback provided to each target leader by an appropriately credentialed psychologist. Although a Doctorate degree is preferred, a contractor who can demonstrate experience with psychological testing used in assessment and selection programs (i.e. MMPI, Wonderlic, NEO, TAIS, etc.) may be acceptable. 4.6 SF Junior leader 360-degree Survey Documentation/ Reports: The Contractor shall provide both verbal and written assessments of instrument efficacy and accuracy. Verbal assessments will be presented to appropriate PAD leadership at the USAJFKSWCS and any other command or development entity as directed by the Government. The contractor shall schedule and arrange of all necessary travel, schedule the coordination of panel membership and conduct of these and other subject matter panel meetings, keep all records from all panel meetings, manage the initial data related to item and scale development and management and analysis of pilot testing related data. 4.7 The contractor shall provide a technical manual that describes, at a minimum, the following: a. Instrument development process b. Descriptions of the scales and what meaning should be ascribed to the scales during feedback. c. The technical processes involved in administering the instrument, entering data from the instrument, scoring the instrument, and report preparation. d. Descriptions of the statistical properties of the instrument to include both reliability and validity studies. e. Guidance (i.e. "do's and don'ts") on how to most effectively provide feedback to officers. f. Information from the data collection and pilot testing process regarding general concerns in the SF population at large. For example, information or training that would best prepare a leader for team, company, battalion and group command that could be presented during the MOS phase of the qualification course or in appropriate level pre-command courses. g. A briefing that could be modified for presentation to selection boards or command that summarizes "a", "b" and "f" above. 4.8 The contractor shall provide a 1/2 to 1 day (depending on the needs of the Government) workshop on effective use of the SF 360 instruments. The training materials used by the contractor in the conduct of this workshop shall become the property of the government. 5. Minimum qualifications for contract personnel: 5.1 Minimum qualifications for the instrument developers are: a. Master?s level degree in industrial/ organizational, clinical, or counseling psychology or equivalent training. b. Experience working with active duty military populations (experience working with Special Operation Forces especially preferred). c. Experience in the development of 360 instruments with a preference for individuals who have experience or training in the use and development of 360 instruments in the military. 5.2. Minimum qualifications for the contract admin personnel are: a. Bachelor?s level degree in psychology or counseling or equivalent training and experience. b. Experience working with active duty military populations (experience with Special Operation Forces especially preferred). c. Experience in the development of reports and briefs for command with a preference for individuals who have experience or training in the use and development of 360 instruments in the military d. Experience or training in managing travel, travel orders, and travel reimbursement procedures 5.3. Desired qualities of all Contract personnel include: a. Capacity to network well with unit personnel. b. Good organizational and planning abilities. Skill and comfort in development and execution of command briefings. d. High level of personal initiative and capacity to work independently with minimum of supervision. 6. Working conditions: a. Pilot testing of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey may be conducted at Fort Bragg, NC, Camp MacKall, NC, Fort Campbell, TN, Fort Lewis, WA, Fort Carson, CO, the 19th SF Group (NG) Headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT (or at an appropriate subordinate unit location as determined by the Group Commander), and the 20th SF Group (NG) Hq in Birmingham, AL (or at an appropriate subordinate unit location as determined by the Government), or other CONUS or OCONUS DoD SF Unit locations as required for completing the development of a final operational version of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree Survey as noted below: (1) Item and scale development panel creation and coaching may also be conducted at 1st SF Group (SFG) in Okinawa, Japan contingent upon coordination with both 1st SFG command representatives and approval by the USASOC PAD contracting officer's technical representative. (2) Item and scale development panel creation and coaching may also be conducted at 10th SFG in Stuttgart, Germany, contingent upon coordination with both 10th SFG command representatives and approval by the PAD contracting officer's technical representative. b. Feedback may be conducted in non-office settings such as barracks and at training sites with minimal amenities. c. Government will furnish all materials. d. The Government will provide office space and access to data management and processing equipment, phones, printers, copiers, and any other necessary equipment or supplies necessary for the work effort. Evaluation Section: 1. GENERAL. Award will be made to the offeror whose offer represents the best value to the Government on the basis of (1) Technical (2) Past Performance and (3) PRICE, as explained below. 2. Technical. The Government will assess the technical capability of each offeror on the following areas. a. Approach to completion of the SF Junior Leader 360-degree survey, to include. Detailed outline of project requirements. A proposed timeline for completion of each phase. Identification of the level of support ? the numbers and types/skill levels of personnel to be utilized. b. Method for providing Quality Control over daily work performance and procedures for corrective action. c. Qualifications of proposed Psychologist. Desired: Doctorate degree and experience with psychological testing used in assessment and selection programs, the MMPI, Wonderlic, NEO, TAIS, etc. Required: An individual who can demonstrate experience with psychological testing used in assessment and selection programs, e.g. the MMPI, Wonderlic, NEO, TAIS, etc. d. Special Benefits. The Contractor should provide information on any aspect of their company that they believe offers desirable qualities not directly required in the Statement of Work. The Government will NOT assess capability on a pass/fail basis, but will use its assessments of capability as a basis for comparing offerors to determine best value. 3. Past Performance. Past performance is a measure of the degree to which an offeror satisfied its customers in the past and complied with Federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Government will contact some of each offeror's customers to ask whether they believe: (1) the offeror was capable, efficient, and effective; (2) that the offeror's performance conformed to the terms and conditions of its contract; (3) that the offeror was reasonable and cooperative during performance; and (4) that the offeror was committed to customer satisfaction. In evaluating past performance the Government will contact some of the references provided by the offeror and other sources of information, including, but not limited to: Federal, state and local government agencies, better business bureaus, published media, and electronic data bases. The Government will not evaluate an offeror's organizational past performance on the basis of the personal past performance of the offeror's key personnel. The Government may evaluate the organizational past performance of the offeror's proposed key subcontractors. 4. Price. The Government will evaluate the reasonableness of the price of each acceptable offer in relation to the offeror's relative capability. Price will be evaluated on the basis of price analysis if adequate competition is obtained. 5. Relative Importance of the Evaluation Factors. Nonprice evaluation factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The Government considers an offeror's Technical Capability to be more important than Past Performance or Price. The elements of Technical are in descending order of importance. However, the Government will not select an offeror for award on the basis of a superior capability without consideration of the amount of its price. The relative influence that capability and price will have on the source selection will depend on the differences among the competing offerors. See Source Selection Decision. 6. Source Selection Decision. In order to select the winning offeror, the Government will rank the offerors from best to worst. If one offeror has both the better capability and the lower price, then that offeror will be the better value. If one offeror has the better capability and the higher price, then the source selection authority will decide whether the difference in capability is worth the difference in price. If the source selection authority considers the better capability to be worth the higher price, then the more capable, higher-priced offeror will be the better value. If not, then the less capable, lower-priced offeror will be the better value. The Source Selection Authority will continue to make paired comparisons until he or she has decided which offeror represents the best value. FAR provisions and/or clauses referenced may be obtained from the following site: http://farsite.hill.af.mil, per 52.232-2, Clauses incorporated by Reference. Solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference. Solicitation provision FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation ? Commercial Items is hereby incorporated, the evaluation factors are technical, past performance, and price. See evaluation section information below. Contractors are reminded to submit a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Alt 1, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items with their quote. Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items is hereby incorporated by reference. Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items Deviation is hereby incorporated by reference, as well as the following clauses, 52.222-0026, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212, 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq), 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq). Additionally, the following clauses are applicable to this solicitation, 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration, 252,212-7001, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of Commercial Items, 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration. 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside and 52.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests, 52.209-6, Protecting the Government?s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment, 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, 5652.204-9002, Instructions for the Use of Electronic Contracts and The Defense Priorities and Allocations Systems (DPAS) assigned rating for this procurement is unrated. Signed and dated quotes referencing RFQ number H92239-05-T-0049 including sufficient technical information as outlined in the evaluation section below, past performance information, and pricing, must be submitted no later than 5:00 P.M. EST, 12 Aug 05 to Sandra Aman, fax 910-432-9345 or e-mail to amans@soc.mil. An acknowledgement will be sent from the Contracting Officer upon receipt. The contractor is responsible for ensuring their e-mail/fax was received. Sandra Aman is the point of contact regarding this solicitation, 910-432-2146.
- Place of Performance
- Address: HQ, USASOC, Fort Bragg, NC
- Zip Code: 28310
- Zip Code: 28310
- Record
- SN00860770-W 20050804/050802212958 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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