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Contract Opportunity

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Service Contract for Research and Development for the EPP Branch

1. INTRODUCTION

General: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes the tasks and deliverables required by the Environmental Processes Branch (EPP) in the Environmental Laboratory (EL), US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Vicksburg, Mississippi

Background: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Environmental Laboratory (EL) requires tasks and deliverables to investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and ecological processes that are critical to the assessment, modeling, management and remediation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems using bench, mesocosm, and field-scale experiments. The specific tasks which the contractor shall be performing are directed towards satisfying the Corps, Army and Department of Defense (DoD) projects using multi-disciplinary approaches including ecology, genomics, conservation biology, systems biology, computational biology, microbiology, predictive toxicology, chemistry, synthetic biology, biotechnology and bioinformatics.

1. SCOPE

The contract will include tasks for the Research and Development (R&D) being executed by the EPP branch at Vicksburg, MS and remote field sites as is applicable; Contractor Officer Representatives (CORs) will be appointed to oversee each task. This contract aims at satisfying the Army and DoD requirements by containing specific tasks which include a multi-disciplinary approach to basic and applied environmental research to study the effects of environmental contaminants for civil works, military projects, and environmental decision analysis.

1. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Security Clearance: If a Department of Defense (DoD) Classified Security Clearance is required by the task order, Contractor personnel must be a U.S. citizen and capable of obtaining and maintaining appropriate security clearances. Contractor must provide their classified CAGE code.

1. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

General: The contractor shall perform research, development and evaluation tasks for the Army and DoD civil and military missions. The contractor shall perform research work in all areas previously referenced; be capable of readily performing tasks for related activities; e.g., fabrication and instrumentation of test articles; coordination and conduct of major field investigations; theoretical studies; laboratory experimental work and computational modeling. The contractor shall be responsible for the cost of medical monitoring and training needed to complete tasks and deliverables. Specific research activities, medical monitoring, and training will be outlined in each task and may include:

Field Data Collection (Biological, Chemical, Physical)

1. Develop, implement, and conduct field data collection.


2. Collect, preserve, record, store/transport samples and data.


3. Analyze samples and field data and prepare reports in connection with the above.

Laboratory Research

1. Plan and conduct a variety of research with soil, sediment, plants, and animals including microbiological, toxicological, chemical, contaminant remediation, synthetic biology, biotechnology and genomic studies.


2. Operate and maintain research laboratories and analytical facilities and equipment.


3. Operate and maintain instrumentation.

1. Plan and conduct computational and bioinformatics efforts using DNA/RNA sequence data processing, gene expression analysis, biological network analysis, and statistical analysis of systems biological data.

1. Plan and conduct sample preparation for RNA/DNA or protein extraction, qPCR, nucleic acid analysis using current technologies, and other genomic related work.


2. Perform statistical analyses on experimental data.


3. Compile electronic databases and prepare literature reviews.

Medical monitoring may be required for persons conducting laboratory research:

1. Audiometry and evaluation.


2. Blood cyanide screen and evaluation.


3. Blood drawing.


4. CBC Screen and Evaluation.


5. Chlorinated solvent (methylene chloride) exposure screen.


6. Chest X-Ray and evaluation.


7. Complete ophthalmologic examination.


8. Dioxins exposure screen and evaluation.


9. General Physical Examination.


10. Heavy metal screen and evaluation.


11. Nitroaromatic/nitramine exposure screen and evaluation.


12. PAH screen and evaluation.


13. PCBs/Organochlorine Pesticides exposure screen and evaluation.


14. Phenol exposure screen and evaluation.


15. Prostate cancer antigen screen and evaluation.


16. Pulmonary function test and review.


17. Resting electrocardiogram and evaluation.


18. Selenium exposure screen and evaluation.


19. SMA 21 screen and evaluation.


20. Solvents (TBX, methanol, etc. & aromatic hydrocarbons) exposure screen.


21. Thallium exposure screen and evaluation.


22. Treadmill electrocardiogram.


23. Trichloroacetic acid screen and evaluation.


24. Urinalysis (for blood glucose, protein, urea) and evaluation.

Minimum Requirements for Labor Categories:

Subject Matter Expert

Subject Matter Experts (SME) with unique skill sets and a range of education and experience may be required under this contract. The requirement will be for a short duration or ad hoc in nature. If the Government determines that a SME is required to complete a task and provide the necessary deliverables, the requirements (i.e., skills, education, and experience) for the SME will be defined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the task order. The Government will negotiate the specific costs associated with a SME at the task order level.

Senior Scientist

Works alongside associate scientists in their daily operations and research in diverse biological areas. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Provides scientific and technical guidance, expertise, coordination, and oversight to governmental agencies. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Communicates scientific and technical information to the internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or hearings. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Senior Scientist I: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 0 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist II: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 1-2 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist III: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 2-5 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist IV: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 5-7 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist V: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 7-10 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist VI: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 10-15 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist VII: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with 15-20 years of experience in the field or related area.

Senior Scientist VIII: Requires a PhD in their field of specialty, with more than 20 years of experience in the field or related area.

Scientist

Performs a variety of laboratory a nd field procedures using established methods and techniques. Interprets routinely collected data and has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Conducts experiments, some moderately complex, and collects field samples. Conducts and interprets routine analytical data. Collect a variety of samples (gases, soils, water, waste etc.). Adapt existing methods to novel application areas. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.

Scientist I Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 0-1 years of experience in the field or related area.

Scientist II Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 1-2 years of experience in the field or related area.

Scientist III Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 2-3 years of experience in the field or related area.

Scientist IV Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 3-5 years of experience in the field or related area or a master’s degree with 0-1 years of experience in their field of specialty, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist V Requires a bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of experience in the field or related area or master’s degree in their field of specialty with 1-2 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist VI Requires a bachelor’s degree with 7-10 years of experience in the field or related area or master’s degree in their field of specialty, with 2-5 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist VII Requires a bachelor’s degree with 10-12 years of experience in the field or related area or master’s degree in their field of specialty, with 5-10 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist VIII Requires a bachelor’s degree with 12-15 years of experience in the field or related area or master’s degree in their field of specialty, with 10-15 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist IX Requires a bachelor’s degree with more than 20 years of experience in the field or related area or master’s degree in their field of specialty, with 15-20 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Scientist X Requires Master’s Degree in their field of specialty, with more than 20 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant

Performs literature review and collection of data. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Analyzes experimental data and interprets results to write reports, prepare presentations, and summaries of findings. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.

Research Assistant I Requires a high school diploma or an associate degree, with 0-2 years of experience in the field or related area.

Research Assistant II Requires a high school diploma with 3-5 years of experience or an associate degree, with 2-5 years of experience in the field or related area.

Research Assistant III Requires a high school diploma with 5-10 years of experience or an associate degree, with 5-10 years of experience in the field or related area.

Research Assistant IV Requires a bachelor’s degree with 0 years of experience or an associate degree, with 10-15 years of experience in the field or related area.

Research Assistant V Requires a bachelor’s degree, with 1-2 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant VI Requires a bachelor’s degree, with 2-5 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant VII Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 5-10 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant VIII Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 10-15 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant IX Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with 15-20 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Research Assistant X Requires a bachelor’s degree in their field of specialty, with more than 20 years of experience in the field or related area, or a combination of education and experience.

Technician

Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Compiles laboratory or field test data, field collections and observations, and other information. Performs literature review and collection of data. Performs a variety of tasks. Compiles laboratory or field test data, field collections and observations, and other information. Conducts routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples. Completes documentation needed for testing procedures including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms. Primary tasks do not typically require exercising independent judgment.

Technician I Requires a high school diploma with 0-5 years of experience in the field or related area.

Technician II Requires a high school diploma with 5-7 years of experience in the field or related area.

Technician III Requires a high school diploma with 7-10 years of experience or an Associate Degree and a combination of education and experience.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be required within the Continental United States and Outside of the Continental United States. This will be identified on an as needed base at the Task Order level. The contractor will be reimbursed for travel in accordance with FAR 31.205-46.

Place of Performance: Place of performance will be specified at the task order level.

Period of Performance: The period of performance shall begin as specified in each task and will end as specified by each task unless options are exercised by the government.

Deliverables: Specific deliverables will be outlined in each task order issued. The contractor shall conduct research and development studies to include statistical analysis, logistics, data analysis, and report preparation. A typical deliverable may include, but not be limited to, progress reports, technical report and papers, spreadsheets, and statistical results, etc. Deliverables will typically be specified in individual task orders.

Performance: The contractor shall perform work as specified by the task orders. Each task order will include, as a minimum, a PWS for the work to be performed and any travel, misc. costs and deliverables as appropriate.

Performance will be monitored as stated in the QASP.

1. Contractor Employee Conduct

Contractor personnel shall observe and comply with all applicable departmental and agency regulations, policies, and procedures (e.g., fire, safety, sanitation, environmental protection, security, etc.). The contractor shall ensure that all contractor personnel represent a professional appearance at all times and that their conduct does not reflect discredit on the United States Government.

When contractor personnel are working on Government facilities or participating at Government meetings, they shall wear identification badges distinguishing themselves as such. The badges at a minimum must have the employee name and word “contractor” displayed. Ideally, the company name will appear on the badge.

Additionally, notwithstanding any other provisions in the PWS, the contractor shall identify themselves as a contractor in meetings, telephone conversations, all written communications and work situations so that their actions cannot be construed as acts of a Government official. The contractor shall take no actions that bind the government to a final decision or results in the exercise of governmental discretion.

1. Removal of Contractor Employees for Misconduct or Security Reasons

The Government may, at its sole discretion, direct the contractor to remove any contractor employee from Government facilities for misconduct or security reasons. Such removal does not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to provide sufficient qualified personnel for adequate and timely service. The Contracting Officer will provide the contractor with an immediate rationale for removal of contractor employee.

1. Conflict of Interest

Neither the contractor nor its on-site employees shall utilize their knowledge of or access to information, sensitive or otherwise, for individual or company gain. Each on-site contractor employee shall be required to sign a Non- Disclosure Statement.

1. Phase-In and Phase-Out of Contract and Continuity of Services

The Contractor must recognize that services under this contract must continue without interruption and that upon contract receipt and expiration, the preceding contractor/successor, the Government, or another Contractor may continue services. The Contractor agrees to exercise its best effort and cooperate effectively in an orderly and efficient transition from any preceding contractor and to any successor contractor. If a successor contract is awarded prior to the final expiration date of this contract, the Government may issue task orders to the successor Contractor prior to this contract’s expiration date. The Contractor shall provide coordination of phase-in and phase- out services at no additional cost to the Government, as long as there is an active task order.

1. Personnel Administration

The Contractor shall provide the following management and completed tasks and deliverables as required. The Contractor shall establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to the requirement. Contractors are not expected to work during designated Government non-work days or other periods where Government offices are closed due to weather or security conditions. The Contractor shall maintain the currency of their employees by providing initial and refresher training to meet the PWS requirements. The Contractor shall make necessary travel arrangements for employees. The Contractor shall provide administrative services to employees in a timely fashion (time keeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs). The contractor shall provide necessary infrastructure for contract tasks.

1. Business Relations

The government’s technical point of contact (POC) will contact the vendor at any time during the duration of the contracting period to provide information required to carry out contracted services. The service contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the service contract agreement. The contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all contractor personnel.

1. Subcontract Management

The Contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this requirement and shall be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance on this requirement. The prime contractor shall manage work distribution to ensure there are no Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) concerns. Contractors may add subcontractors to their team after notification to the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

1. Security and Safety

DD Forms 254: Overarching security requirements and Contractor access to classified information shall be as specified in the basic DD Form 254, which will be further identified in the DD Form 254 for each Task Order, as required. All contractor personnel with access to unclassified information systems, including e-mail, shall have at a minimum a favorable National Agency Check (NAC).

Visitor Group Security Agreement. The contractor shall sign a Contractor Visitor Group Security Agreement to protect classified information involved in performance under this contract. The Agreement will outline

responsibilities in the following areas: Contractor security supervision; Standard Practice Procedures; access, accountability, storage, and transmission of classified material; marking requirements; security education; personnel security clearances; reports; security checks; security guidance; emergency protection; protection of government resources; DD Forms 254; periodic security reviews; and other responsibilities, as required.

Additional Security Requirements:

1. General security requirements and guidance: The security requirements described below apply to all contract personnel (including employees of the prime Contractor (“Contractor”) and all subcontractor employees) supporting the performance requirements of this contract. The Contractor is responsible for compliance with these security requirements. Questions regarding security matters shall be addressed to the designated Government representative (e.g., Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Requiring Activity (RA) representative, or Contracting Officer (if a COR or other RA representative is not appointed)). Contract personnel are critical to the overall security and safety of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) installations, facilities and activities, and security awareness training contributes to those efforts. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Army security training requirements specified below, if applicable, are performance requirements; all applicable contract personnel shall complete initial training within 30 days of contract award or the date new contract personnel begin performance on the contract. Within five business days from the completion of training, the Contractor shall provide written documentation (e.g., email or memorandum) to the Government representative. The documentation shall include the names of contract personnel trained and which training they completed; the Contractor shall maintain training records as part of their contract files and be prepared to provide copies of training certificates to the Government representative. Contractor personnel and vehicles are subject to search when entering federal installations. Additionally, all contract personnel shall comply with Force Protection Condition (FPCON) measures, Random Antiterrorism Measures (commonly referred to as “RAMs”), and Health Protection Condition (HPCON) measures. The Contractor is responsible for meeting performance requirements during elevated FPCON and/or HPCON levels in accordance with applicable RA plans and procedures --this includes identifying mission essential and non-mission essential personnel. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the FPCON or HPCON levels at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may implement security changes that affect contract personnel. The Contractor shall ensure all contract personnel are aware of their security responsibilities, including any site-specific requirements identified in local policies or procedures.

1. Antiterrorism (AT) Level I training: All contract personnel requiring routine access to Army installations, facilities, and controlled access areas, or requiring network access shall complete initial and annual refresher AT Level I awareness training. Online AT Level I awareness training is available at https://jko.jten.mil/ (website subject to change).

1. Physical security and access control requirements: All contract personnel requiring physical access to a federal installation or facility shall comply with the access control procedures of that location. Contract personnel requiring unescorted access to meet contract performance requirements on a DoD installation in the US shall be vetted by the installation/facility Provost Marshal/Directorate of Emergency Services/Security Office using the National Crime Information Center-Interstate Identification Index (commonly referred to as “NCIC-III”) and Terrorist Screening Database (commonly referred to as “TSDB”). Contract personnel shall comply with all personal identity verification requirements specified in installation/facility policies and procedures. Contract personnel who do not meet requirements for unescorted access to USACE facilities shall coordinate escorted access with the Government representative, as needed. Contract personnel who receive keys, access cards, or lock combinations that provide access to government-owned property shall comply with key and lock control procedures of the RA.

1. Contract personnel requiring a common access card (CAC): Contract personnel will be issued a common access card (CAC) only if duties involve one of the following: (1) both physical access to a DoD facility and access to DoD information systems or networks; (2) remote access to a DoD information system or network using DoD- approved remote access procedures; or (3) physical access to multiple DoD facilities or multiple non-DoD federally controlled facilities on behalf of the DoD on a recurring basis for a period of 6 months or more. Before CAC issuance, contract personnel must have, at a minimum, a favorably adjudicated Tier 1 investigation or an equivalent or higher investigation in accordance with applicable Army regulations and Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12). At the discretion of the RA, an initial CAC may be issued based on a favorable review of a fingerprint check and a successfully scheduled Tier 1 investigation with the National Background Investigations

Bureau. The RA provides contract personnel with additional information and forms to initiate the CAC issuance process, and/or to initiate background investigations, when required. Contract personnel shall complete these processes within established timelines to avoid delays.

1. Suspicious Activity Reporting training (e.g. iWATCH, CorpsWatch, or See Something, Say Something): All contract personnel shall receive initial and annual refresher training from the RA representative on the local suspicious activity reporting program. This locally developed training provides contract personnel with general information on suspicious behavior, and guidance on reporting suspicious activity to the project manager, security representative or law enforcement entity.

1. Contract personnel requiring access to Government information systems: All contract personnel with access to a government information system (including USACE business systems and CAC-enabled websites) shall comply with applicable DoD and Army regulations, and shall use the organization's UserID-Password Administration and Security System (U-PASS) at commencement of services to request network user accounts. Contract personnel shall complete DoD Information Assurance Awareness training prior to accessing information systems, and annually thereafter.

1. Training requirements for the protection of sensitive information: All contract personnel with access to critical information (as identified in the RA's OPSEC Program) shall complete initial and annual refresher OPSEC Level I Awareness training, which is available at the following websites: https://www.iad.gov/ioss/, or http://www.cdse.edu/catalog/operations-security.html (websites subject to change). All contract personnel with access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) shall complete initial and annual refresher CUI training in accordance with applicable Army policy.

1. Escorting in classified and/or sensitive areas: In accordance with applicable regulations, all contract personnel who do not possess the appropriate security clearance or access privileges will be escorted in areas where they may be exposed to classified information or operations, sensitive information or activities, or restricted areas.

1. Pre-screen candidates using E-Verify Program: Contractors shall comply with the requirements set forth in FAR clause 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification and FAR Subpart 22.18 in using the E-Verify Program at (https://www.e-verify.gov/) (website subject to change) to meet the contract employment eligibility requirements. Contractors are encouraged to cooperate with Federal and State agencies responsible for enforcing labor requirements to include eligibility for employment under United States immigration laws in accordance with FAR 22.102-1(i). An initial list of verified/eligible candidates shall be provided to the COR no later than three business days after the initial contract award. When contracts are with individuals, the individuals will be required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and submit it to the Contracting Officer to become part of the official contract file.

1. Government Furnished Property and Services

Government furnished property and services will be specified in each Task Order. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular task order, the Government will provide all facilities, utilities, equipment and materials necessary to accomplish the work for “on-site” contractor employees:

Desk Chair

Access to copy machine Access to facsimile machine

Telephone, including long distance and voice mail Desktop computer (PC) with access to printer Cell Phone as determined necessary by the COR Anaerobic Glove Box

Analytical balances ArrayScan HCS reader ASC chemical extractor

Atomic Force Microscope Autoclave

Bath and probe sonicators Bead-beaters

Cell culture instrumentation Centrifuges

DNA clean hoods

DNA genotypers and sequencers DNA scanners and imagers DNA sequencers

DNA spectrophotometers and fluorometers DNA thermal-cyclers

Dynamic Light Scattering particle size analyzer Electronic Multi-well pipettors

Electrophoresis Gel Scanners

Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer Environmental Chambers

ERDC Supercomputers Fermenter system

Fish Larvae and Egg Exposure System (FLEES) Flow cytometer

French Pressure Unit for Cell disruptions

Gas Chromatographs with electron capture, nitrogen-phosphorous, and mass spectrometer detectors Gel Documentation system

Graphite Furnace and Atomic Fluorescence spectrometers High Performance Computing Facility

High Performance Liquid Chromatographs with UV and Mass Spectrometer detectors Hyperspectral microscope

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer and Atomic Emission Spectrometer Ion Chromatograph System

IR Spectrometer Krosflo filtration system Luminometer

Microarray Hybridization Equipment Microarray Scanner system Microbial incubators

Microfluidic Electrophoresis Machines Microplate reader

Microscopes (compound and dissecting) MiSeq Analyzer

Multi-PCU Computer Clusters for Bioinformatics Analysis NanoDrop Analyzers

NanoSight nanoparticle tracking analysis instrumentation Next Generation Nucleic Acid Sequencers

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer Power supplies and agarose gel rigs Pulsed Field and Gel Electrophoresis units

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Machines Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Real-Time PCR thermocyclers Sanger DNA Sequencing Machines Scintillation counter Spectrophotometer

Tabletop centrifuges Thermocyclers Tissue digester

Tissue Homogenizers UV-Vis spectrometer

Vertical disk centrifuge particle size analyzer Vortexes

Meters, probes, pH testers, analytical balances

Government furnished computers may be hand-receipted to the Contractor. The liability for the repair of damaged Government property shall be subject to the terms of the “Government Property” clause set forth in Section I of this solicitation. When Government property is furnished to the Contractor, a Government property control receipt will be completed and signed by the Contractor. The property control receipt will indicate the assigned location for use of the property by the Contractor. A copy of the property control receipt will be furnished to the Contractor.

Upon the return of the Government property to the Government, the Government property control receipt will be completed indicating the return of the property by the Contractor. A copy of the returned property control receipt will be furnished to the Contractor. All Government property furnished to the Contractor shall be accomplished in accordance with this procedure. The Contractor shall be responsible and accountable for all Government property furnished to the Contractor. The Contractor shall establish a property control system for the use, control, protection, and preservation of Government property assigned to the contractor.

Unless otherwise specified in a particular task order, the contractor(s) with a valid National Agency Check (NAC) will be provided access to the host base’s unclassified computer network. The NAC must be verified through the Automated Security Clearance Approval System (ASCAS) roster of validation from the contractors security manager will be provided access to the host base’s unclassified computer network and its inherent capabilities including, but not limited to: Internet access, electronic mail, file and print services, and dial-in network access.

The contractor shall be aware of and abide with all government regulations concerning the authorized use of the government’s computer network, including the restriction against using the network to recruit government personnel or advertise job openings.

1. Service Contract Reporting

The Contractor shall report ALL Contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center via a secure data collection site. The Contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields through the following web address: www.sam.gov. Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government FY, which runs from October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year.

Contractors may direct questions to the help desk by clicking “View Assistance for SAM.gov” which is located at the top of the SAM.gov website. From there, you can the select “Contact Our Service Desk” which will allow you to contact SAM.gov directly. If contract period of performance ends prior to September 30, the Contractor has 30 calendar days from end date of the contract to complete the SAM SCR requirement.

1. Performance Metrics

This is a performance-based acquisition; therefore performance metrics will be used. Contractor performance will be measured based on quality of customer satisfaction, timeliness of submission of deliverables, and timeliness of submission of proper invoices. The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a systematic method to evaluate performance for the stated contract. The QASP explains the following:

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  • What will be monitored
  
  
  • How monitoring will take place
  
  
  • Who will conduct the monitoring
  
  
  • How monitoring efforts and results will be documented
  
  
  
  

The QASP does not detail how the contractor accomplishes the work. Rather, the QASP is created with the premise that the contractor is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract. It is the Government’s responsibility to be objective, fair, and consistent in evaluating performance. In addition, the QASP should recognize that unforeseen and uncontrollable situations may occur.

The QASP is a living document and, as such, may be changed as needed. However, the Contracting Officer must approve changes. The COR will submit recommended changes to the Contracting Officer for approval.

The QASP shall comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Subpart 37.6, Performance Based Acquisition and 46.4, Government Contract Quality Assurance. In addition, FAR, Subpart 46.103, Contracting Officer Responsibilities, states that agencies shall develop quality assurance surveillance plans when acquiring services.

The Contractor shall provide their own Quality Management Plan clearly stating the assurance of work quality according to their policies.

1. Non-Personal Services

The Government will neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services. If the contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the contractor's responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer immediately.

Performance Standards for R&D Contract

Requirement Performance Objectives: Services for R&D, science & engineering projects & programs Performance Threshold: 95% services Customers’ mission related R&D, science & engineering Method of Surveillance: Random

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: Submission of Invoices

Performance Threshold: 100% Accurate & Timely submission of monthly invoice. Due by 10th calendar day of the month following the month in which the services were performed.

Method of Surveillance: Monthly Inspection

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: Customer Feedback & Satisfaction Performance Threshold: Client Satisfaction Survey 95% client satisfaction Method of Surveillance: Random sampling and customer complaints Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: iWATCH Training Standard Language Performance Threshold: 90% compliance for training report from the prime contractor Method of Surveillance: Random sampling and customer complaints

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: Standard Installation or Facility Access Language

Performance Threshold: Incident reporting. No more than one incident per month.

Method of Surveillance: Customer Feedback

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: OPSEC

Performance Threshold: 100% of certificates submitted by the contractor within 30 Calendar days of contract award

Method of Surveillance: Inspection 35 days after contract award

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: Info Assurance Standard Clause

Performance Threshold: 100% submitted by the contractor within 30 Calendar days of contract award

Method of Surveillance: Inspection 35 days after contract award

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

Requirement Performance Objectives: AT Level I Training

Performance Threshold: 100% submitted by the contractor within 30 Calendar days of contract award

Method of Surveillance: Inspection 35 days after contract award

Performance Incentive: Rating according to Table 1

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