SOLICITATION NOTICE
U -- MEASUREMENT INTERN
- Notice Date
- 8/25/2009
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 611710
— Educational Support Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Veteran Affairs;Employee Education System (EES);Attn: Contracting Office BLDG 50;#1 Jefferson Barracks Dr;Saint Louis MO 63125
- ZIP Code
- 63125
- Solicitation Number
- VA-777-09-RQ-0274
- Response Due
- 8/31/2009
- Archive Date
- 10/30/2009
- Point of Contact
- LINDA ELEY(314)894-6427
- E-Mail Address
-
Contract Specialist
(Linda.Eley@va.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, and 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The provisions and clauses incorporated herein are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-23, effective Jun 12, 2008. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Employee Education Resource Center, St. Louis, MO proposes to enter into a non-competitive commercial contract with Saint Louis University, 3511 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. This solicitation is unrestricted and The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 611710 and the small business size code is $7.0 million.Statement of WorkTitle: Measurement Intern Assistance 1. General Information a. Introduction. Education of VHA staff is the business of EES, and is accomplished by approximately 350 staff. Measurement of education, including needs analysis, performance analysis and evaluation, is a significant component of any educational institution's business. The coordination of all the evaluative activity within EES is accomplished with limited designated staff that requires assistance with this function to extend the impact of their work. b. Background. EES has made a strategic commitment to increase its focus on learning and performance measurement of its educational activities. That effort translates into increasing the number of substantive needs assessment, performance analysis and program evaluations EES conducts. The effort also translates into providing increased measurement consultation and education to EES staff and VA clients who develop educational activities in order to achieve targeted and measurable impact of learning solutions. Modest success in these efforts over the last five years has now resulted in a greater workload and undesirable time delays in other measurement work necessary to accomplish EES goals. c. Scope of Work. The overall purpose is to acquire temporary measurement expertise to assist in the work of the EES measurement function. The specific objective of this contract is to acquire three doctoral students in organizational psychology with experience in training and development, performance analysis, needs assessment and evaluation planning. This includes consulting, measurement planning, data collection and instrument design, data analysis and reporting. Experience in the business sector specific to implementing research results of education and evaluation is desired. The Tier I evaluation intern shall meet the basic requirements below. The Tier II evaluation intern shall successfully fulfill the work requirements as a Tier I intern in the first year of internship and be renewed as a Tier III intern for an additional year at the option of EES. d. Applicable Documents. The government (EES) will provide measurement raw data and program information to be used in analysis, either in Microsoft Word format, Microsoft Excel, or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 10. The government (EES) will also provide standard EES reporting templates in Microsoft Word and Power Point. e. Contracting Officer Technical RepresentativeMelissa Scherwinski, MSEES Measurement CoordinatorEES, VA Central OfficeMelissa.Scherwinski@va.gov The COTR will be responsible for monitoring, assessing, recording, and reporting the technical performance of the contractor on a day-to-day basis and will have the primary responsibility for completing the Quality Assurance Plan, which she will use to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor's work performance. 2. Work Requirements a. Technical Requirements for Tier I Intern (1) Data Analysis and Report Writing"The contractor shall use SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and qualitative methods to analyze raw data from currently underway, or recently completed evaluative studies."The contractor shall prepare reports of these analyses in a standard EES format, using Microsoft Word, and/or Microsoft Excel."The contractor shall prepare summary reports of all fiscal year measurement studies completed. "The contractor shall prepare these summary reports in a standard EES format, using Microsoft Word, and/or Excel. (2) Measurement Planning and Implementation"The contractor shall collaborate with EES project managers and the EES measurement coordinator to help design measurement for educational activities. "The contractor shall collaborate through meetings and/or conference calls with project managers and/or clients to discuss the measurement's purpose and the questions to be answered. "The contractor shall begin the measurement design by developing a plan to accommodate the evaluation's purpose, the clients, and the questions to be answered. Design also includes the development of measurement approaches and necessary instruments to conduct the work. "The contractor shall assist EES project managers in conducting those measurement projects, whether through data collection, data analysis and/or reporting. (3) Research of Measurement Resources and Instruments"The contractor shall use the internet to identify, review, and evaluate potential measurement resources and instruments appropriate for EES educational activities."The contractor shall recommend to the measurement coordinator those resources and instruments that add value and are practical for use by educators within the EES organization. (4) Deliverables"The contractor shall deliver bi-monthly status updates on assigned projects to the measurement coordinator."The contractor shall deliver analyses, reports, research findings, and recommendations as described in Technical Requirements 1, 2, and 3, using Microsoft Word and Excel software. b. Technical Requirements for Tier II Intern (1) Data Analysis and Report Writing"The contractor shall use SPSS, Microsoft Excel, and qualitative methods to analyze raw data from currently underway, or recently completed measurement studies."The contractor shall prepare reports of these analyses in a standard EES format, using Microsoft Word, and/or Microsoft Excel."The contractor shall assist the Tier I intern prepare summary reports of all fiscal year measurement studies completed in EES. "The contractor shall prepare these summary reports in a standard EES format, using Microsoft Word, and/or Excel. (2) Measurement Planning and Implementation"The contractor shall collaborate with EES project managers, EES measurement coordinator to help design analysis and evaluation strategies for educational activities. "The contractor shall collaborate through meetings and/or conference calls with project managers and/or clients to discuss the measurement project purpose and the questions to be answered. "The contractor shall begin the measurement design by developing a plan to accommodate the measurement study purpose, the clients, and the questions to be answered. Design also includes the development of data collection and analysis approaches and necessary instruments to conduct the study. "The contractor shall assist EES project managers in conducting those measurement studies, whether through data collection, data analysis and/or reporting. (3) Research of Measurement Resources and Instruments"The contractor shall use the Internet to identify, review, and evaluate potential measurement resources and instruments appropriate for EES educational activities."The contractor shall recommend to the measurement coordinator those resources and instruments that add value and are practical for use by the educators within the EES organization. (4) Organizational Initiatives "The contractor shall collaborate with Measurement Coordinator in organization-wide measurement initiatives in the areas of strategic planning, analysis and evaluation training for EES staff, data system/ knowledge management, and overall performance improvement measures."The contractor shall actively participate in development and dissemination of measurement training programs, templates and resources, and other projects as specified by the Measurement coordinator."The contractor shall take initiative in spearheading projects and activities to build capacity for quality measurement across EES"The contractor shall orient the Tier 1 intern to EES, provide on-going training, coaching, and transition the intern into current measurement assignments. (5) Deliverables"The contractor shall deliver bi-monthly status updates on assigned projects to the Measurement Coordinator."The contractor shall deliver analyses, reports, research findings, and recommendations as described in Technical Requirements 1, 2, and 3, using Microsoft Word and Excel software."The contractor shall deliver training programs and supplemental training tools and resources as specified by the Measurement Coordinator. "The contractor shall create and maintain/update orientation materials for Tier 1 intern. 3. Supporting Information a. Security. Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall satisfy all requirements for appropriate security eligibility in dealing with access to sensitive information and information systems belonging to or being used on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs. To satisfy the requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs a Low Risk Background Investigation shall be conducted prior to performing work under this contract. Appropriate Background Investigation (BI) forms will be provided upon contract (or task order) award, and are to be completed and returned to the VA Office of Security and Law Enforcement (OSL&E) within 30 days for processing. Contractors will be notified by OSL&E when the BI has been completed and adjudicated. Contractor personnel requiring a background investigation will be granted access to the network either upon completion of the background investigation or upon confirmation from the Security and Investigations Center (SIC) staff that the contractor personnel paperwork was received and sent to OPM to initiate process and interim network access can be granted. The investigative history for contractor personnel working under this contract must be maintained in the databases of either the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Organization (DISCO). Should the contractor use a vendor other than OPM or Defense Security Service (DSS) to conduct investigations, the investigative company must be certified by OPM/DSS to conduct contractor investigations. All costs associated with obtaining clearances for contractor provided personnel will be the responsibility of the contractor. Further, the contractor will be responsible for the actions of all individuals provided to work for the VA under this contract. In the event that damages arise from work performed by contractor provided personnel, under the auspices of this contract, the contractor will be responsible for all resources necessary to remedy the incident. The contractor shall ensure adequate LAN/internet, data, information and system security in accordance with VA standard operating procedures and Federal standards, laws and regulations. The contractor's firewall and web server shall meet or exceed the Government minimum requires for security. All Government data shall be protected behind an approved firewall. Any security violations or attempted violations shall be reported to the COTR and VA Information Security Officer (ISO) immediately upon detection. The Contractor shall adhere to applicable VA policies and procedures governing information security, especially those that pertain to certification and accreditation. Contractor will have access to Privacy Act information and will be required to sign a "Statement of Responsibility and Rules of Behavior for the Employee Education System (EES) Automated Information Systems (AIS)," in addition to completing the VA's on-line Security Awareness Training Course and the Privacy Awareness Training Course before accessing VA network and thereafter on an annual basis. Contractors must provide signed certifications of completion to the Contracting Officer during each year of the contract. This requirement is in addition to any other training that may be required of the contractor and subcontractor(s). Security Investigation Requirement - This position requires a NACI (low-risk) background investigation b. Place of Performance. The contractor shall work at the EES, St. Louis Center. The government will provide the contractor an office with computer, phone, and workspace, with nearby access to fax machines and copiers. c. Period of Performance. The level of effort required is 20 hours per week for the period of one to two years for each intern. The extension of the Tier I intern to Tier II placement shall be the option of EES and mutually acceptable to Saint Louis University and the Tier I Evaluation Intern. This contract shall run from August 4, 2008 to August 3, 2009. d. Performance Standards. Overall quality will be assessed in terms of the completeness and accuracy as well as the timely completion and delivery of required services and documentation. The contractor shall meet the following general quality standards: "The contractor shall demonstrate competence at a graduate school level in areas of assessment, evaluation, education, and organizational processes. Evidence for this competence will be demonstrated through academic achievement in a doctoral program that focuses on organizations, training, and evaluation, as well as prior experiences in training, development, and evaluation. Evidence for this competence also will be demonstrated through initial faculty recommendations and ongoing faculty mentoring. Demonstrated competencies include: easy articulation of educational evaluation principles and practices; conceptual and applied statistical knowledge; organizational development knowledge; computer facility in Microsoft Office, resource uses, data entry and data management; instrument design and data analytic skills, both quantitative and qualitative; logical and organized thinking; clear, orderly and comprehensive writing."The contractor shall demonstrate professionalism in carrying out the tasks identified herein in the areas of timeliness, communication, confidentiality, cooperation, and demeanor.TASKS AND CRITICAL SUBTASKSQUALITYSTANDARDSACCEPTABLEQUALITYLEVELMEANS OFMEASUREMENTPENALTIES &INCENTIVESTier I & IIData Analysis and Report Writing Measurement Planning and Implementation Research of MeasurementResources and Instruments Tier II and Tier II:Participation in Organizational Initiatives (strategicplanning, systemtraining in evaluation, development of templates, etc.) Creation, maintenance & updating of orientation materials for Tier 1 intern. Orientation of Tier I Intern.All elements of the requirements have been thoroughly addressed with no errors or omissions. AEA Standards of Evaluation design as of 2002; Kirkpatrick's levels of evaluation; & ROI principles All elements of the requirements complete,timely, accurate, and practical, with no requirement for major re-work and represent a thorough understanding of the requirements. All elements of the requirements complete,timely, accurate, and practical, with no requirement for major re-work and represent a thorough understanding of the requirements. All elements of the requirements complete,timely, accurate, and practical, with no requirement for major re-work and represent a thorough understanding of the requirements* SEE BELOWJudgment by VA and faculty mentorre: analytic skills, logical & organized thinking, and clear, succinct writing. Concurrence by VA and faculty mentor about adherence to standards Judgment by VAand faculty mentorre: accuracy, comprehensiveness,practicality, and validity of contractor's records and reports. Judgment by VA and faculty mentorre: accuracy, comprehensiveness,practicality, and validity of contractor's records and reports. Judgment by VA and faculty mentorre: accuracy, comprehensiveness,practicality, and validity of contractor's records and work.PENALTIESRework at no cost to the govt. Poor performance evaluation. INCENTIVEGood performance evaluation. PENALTIESRework at no costto the govt. Poor performance evaluation. INCENTIVEGood performance evaluation PENALTIESRework at no cost to the govt. Poor performance evaluation. INCENTIVEGood performance evaluation PENALTIESRework at no cost to the govt. Poor performance evaluation INCENTIVEGood performance evaluation PENALTIESRework at no cost to the govt. Poor performance evaluation INCENTIVEGood performance evaluation 4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN REQUIREMENTSAcceptable quality levels and their descriptions are as follows: Acceptable"the task is completed on time, or the product is delivered on time"the task is completed to the satisfaction of the COTR"the product is of generally good quality, requiring no more than usual amounts of revision Superior"the task meets all the requirements for "acceptable" quality plus"the task is completed or the product is delivered ahead of schedule, or"the product is of high quality, requiring very limited revision or no revision. (End Work Statement) The objective of this solicitation is to The overall purpose is to acquire temporary measurement expertise to assist in the work of the EES measurement function. The specific objective of this contract is to acquire three doctoral students in organizational psychology with experience in training and development, performance analysis, needs assessment and evaluation planning. This includes consulting, measurement planning, data collection and instrument design, data analysis and reporting. Experience in the business sector specific to implementing research results of education and evaluation is desired. The Tier I evaluation intern shall meet the basic requirements below. The Tier II evaluation intern shall successfully fulfill the work requirements as a Tier I intern in the first year of internship and be renewed as a Tier III intern for an additional year at the option of EES. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address (es): http://www.arnet.gov/far (FAR) and http://www.va.govoa&mm/vaar/ (VAAR); 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; 52.212-2, 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certification-Commercial Items. Offerors must include a completed copy of the FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certification along with his/her proposal; FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes on Executive Orders Commercial Items and in accordance with FAR 12.603(c) (2)(xii) and VAAR 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising; 852.237-70 Contractor Responsibilities; and 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers.
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