R -- PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM

Notice Date

October 20, 2000

Contracting Office

Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Acquisition and Property Management Division, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Room 3290, Washington, DC, 20226

ZIP Code

20226

Solicitation Number

BATF102000

Response Due

November 21, 2000

Point of Contact

Brian Wilkins, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 927-7715, Fax (202) 927-8688, Email bkwilkins@atfhq.atf.treas.gov -- April Lowe, Sup. Contract Specialist, Phone (202) 927-7718, Fax (202) 927-2986, Email

E-Mail Address

Brian Wilkins (bkwilkins@atfhq.atf.treas.gov)

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in his notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. No RFQ will be prepared or made available for distribution. The solicitation document and all incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-19. This requirement is a 100% small business set-aside. Interested parties have 30 days from the publication date of this synopsis/solicitation to submit their cost proposal and technical approach to satisfying this requirement. Responses received without the requested information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis/solicitation. The following service are to be performed on a firm fixed price contract, estimated period of performance December 1, 2000 through May 31, 2000. The following provisions are applicable to this acquisition: (a) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, (b) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, (c) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, The provision at FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. Offerors will be evaluated on (1) Technical Experience and (2) Past performance. Award will be made to the offeror that provides the best value to the Government. Offers shall be submitted to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Ave, Room 3290, Washington, DC 20226 no later than November 21, 2000, 3PM (Washington, DC local time). Quotes maybe faxed to 202-927-8688 or mailed. Questions concerning this procurement should be addressed to Brian Wilkins, Contracting Officer, faxed to 202-927-8688 or e-mailed bkwilkinsatfhq.atf.treas.gov. No telephone request or inquiries will be accepted. This procurement is based on simplified acquisitions procedures under FAR Subpart 13.5. STATEMENT OF WORK: Physical Fitness Standards for ATF Special Agents: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is a federal law enforcement agency with approximately 2,000 special agents. ATF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has field offices throughout the United States. ATF is one of several U.S. Treasury enforcement bureaus and has the responsibility of protecting the public and reducing violent crime through the enforcement of federal laws pertaining to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson. ATF special agents serve search and arrests warrants, and perform a variety of physically challenging tasks. In furtherance of this mission ATF special agents undergo a 13-week basic training program at the ATF Academy which is located on the premises of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Glynco, Georgia. In addition to basic academic training special agents must participate in several physically demanding practical exercises. Special agent trainees additionally participate in a rigorous physical fitness training program, known as the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB). The PEB is a 20-year-old FLETC sponsored training program that was originally designed to identify pre-existing physical conditions present in law enforcement personnel attending training at the FLETC. However, neither the PEB (nor any other physical fitness program) has ever undergone a validation study by or on behalf of ATF to determine whether the tests which comprise the PEB are sufficiently job related and predictive of performing critical physical job tasks. REQUIREMENTS: ATF is seeking a qualified contractor to develop a legally defensible physical fitness program for its law enforcement personnel. We anticipate using this program during the basic training of our new special agents and using the program as the basis of removing newly hired agents who do not demonstrate a minimal level of physical fitness. The program may also become part of an incumbent agent-training program. We envision that the development of this program will involve conducting a job validation study for the position of ATF special agent. The job validation study should lead to the development of a series or battery of fitness tests predictive of a special agent's ability to perform essential and critical physical job tasks. The test battery must include minimum test cutpoints (standards), which represent the minimum physical fitness level necessary to perform critical and essential job tasks. In addition to developing the fitness-training program, the contractor must be able to recommend implementation policy and procedures and assist ATF in the training of personnel responsible for administering the program to both new agents and incumbents. The contractor must be available to assist ATF in responding to inquiries regarding the training program and assist with legal issues arising from the training program. Of critical importance is the contractor's technical experience, past performance and experience in developing, delivering and defending physical fitness programs for law enforcement. As part of this process the selected contractor should evaluate the PEB from the standpoint of determining whether the PEB can (or should) be made to meet the requirement of a mandatory and legally defensible physical fitness program for special agents. This review would include determining whether the individual physical tasks which comprise the PEB are sufficiently job related and predictive of a special agent trainee's ability to perform essential and critical job tasks, therefore, forming the basis for removing special agent trainees who fail to achieve minimum PEB requirements. The selected vendor should be able to complete this task within approximately six months of the contract award. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS: The contractor must be a qualified and experienced fitness consultant or organization with specialized experience in working with law enforcement organizations, particularly federal law enforcement agencies. The contractor should have proven experience in developing and delivering legally defensible physical fitness training for law enforcement personnel. The contractor must also have meaningful litigation experience and qualifications to serve as an expert witness on behalf of ATF in Federal civil and/or administrative court hearings in the event that the fitness-training program is legally challenged. The contractor must be sufficiently experienced in matters related to health and medical standards for law enforcement personnel and be available to coordinate the tasks of this contract and any resulting fitness standards with any related health and medical standards for special agents. ATF ASSISTANCE: ATF recently received a final report (March 2000) concerning a comprehensive job analysis of the position of ATF special agent; however this analysis was not conducted for the specific purpose of developing and/or delivering physical fitness training. This report is available for review by qualified parties, provided a "release" form is signed indicating that the party understands that the report may not be released without the expressed consent of ATF and that it may not be used for any purpose other than assisting ATF with this task. The ATF Office of Training and Professional Development will additionally provide information to the selected contractor regarding the position of special agent and other technical assistance as may be required and deemed necessary by the contractor and ATF. ATF will provide the contractor with an appropriate number of experienced personnel to assist with this task as is reasonable and necessary. Interaction with ATF personnel and law enforcement personnel outside ATF may be necessary. The ATF Office of Training and Professional Development will coordinate and approve all such contacts. TRAVEL EXPENSES: The contractor should be available, as necessary, to travel to Washington, DC, the ATF Academy, and/or other ATF installations to complete this task. Travel costs should be included in the contractor's proposal. Reasonable travel expenses incurred by the contractor that exceed the proposal may be reimbursed at ATF's discretion and upon presentation of related receipts and sufficient justification. STATUS REPORTS: The contractor shall provide a monthly written report of accomplishments to the designated ATF representative. This report shall identify the work accomplished during the reporting period, and estimated time for completing outstanding tasks and the status of any unresolved activities and/or issues. QUALITY ASSURANCE: ATF retains the right to stop work and pay the contractor on a pro-rated basis. Any deliveries deemed unusable or unacceptable will not be paid. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: The selected contractor will follow instructions from ATF with respect to the handling of any and all sensitive documents. Contractor employees will be required to sign a non-disclosure statement prepared by ATF. Contractor employees may be required to submit to a security screening and adhere to the requirements of the Treasury Security Manual.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www2.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=P&ProjID=BATF102000&LocID=1742)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001024/RSOL007.HTM (D-294 SN5048K8)