This is a Sources Sought notice only. The tracking number for this announcement is VA-797-07-RI-0037. The purpose of this Sources Sought announcement is to identify potential firms that have the capability of providing an existing Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) or Government of the Shelf (GOTS) automated Federalized Warrant Management System. The requirements to ensure a user friendly system include, but are not limited to: Electronic transmission of the warrant request; Pull up various online forms; Track continuing education/training requirements; Electronic Approval; Repository of Warranted Personnel; Ability to store electronic files. There are a number of high level policy sources which require consideration in the warrant management process and include, but are not limited to: VAAR; FAR; DAUC; OFPP; DOE Website for Acquisitions; OPM Qualification Standard for Contract Specialist; Office of Acquisition &Materiel Management Information Letters; VA Handbooks & Directives; and ClingerCohen Act. FAR 1.603 provides requisites for granting contracting authority to select contracting officers. Section 414(4) of Title 41 U.S.C. requires agency heads to maintain a system for the selection, appointment, and termination of appointment of contracting officers. The FAR provides general guidance on establishing this program. In selecting candidates for contracting authority, the FAR requires appointing officials to consider complexity and dollar value of the acquisition, the candidate's experience, training, education, business acumen, judgment, character, and knowledge of the applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The VAAR supplements the FAR by outlining the requirements and limitation for granting contracting authority within VA. Currently, the codified coverage is under revision. The current requirements for selection and appointment of contracting officers are pending completion through the formal rule-making process. COCB staff uses the DAUC to determine training course equivalencies and college courses that are considered acquisition-related. The DAUC is also used to identify requisites for the DAWIAct Certification Program. The DAUC falls under policies but it is one of several documents, websites, and publications from which requirements are established. These publications establish objectives for everything from appointment to termination of a warrant. The following requirements are classified as requirements for the four business processes of the automated Warrant Management System. The system requirements covering the general principles for a warrant management system process include, but are not limited to: (1) Providing an online form for requester to submit requests and supporting documents to HCA; (2) Allowing HCAs to grant basic level warrants within their realm of authority; (3) Limiting HCAs from exceeding authority; (4) Submitting supporting documentation and requests electronically to the Analyst from the HCA; (5) Accepting online receipt, analysis, and recommendation of the request and supporting documentation; (6) Routing electronic transmission of the supporting documentation to next reviewing official based on the business processes for review, concurrence, approval/denial, and feedback; (7) Providing NCM, CLO, network directors, and HCA partitions to access their respective activities; (8) Accessing various external system websites for online requirements and internal policies, handbooks and directives from within the system; (9) Tracking and monitoring all warrant activities to generate reports regarding numbers, effective dates, expiration dates, contracting authority, etc.; (10) Providing short-term and long-term archiving in accordance with VA Records Control System; (11) Providing electronic signature capability; (12) Providing a career record for each acquisition professional that has all of their certifications (Acquisition Career Record Brief); (13) Providing the ability to annotate remarks, comments or explanations regarding the warrants; (14) Tracking continuing education, training, requirements and skills currency required for warrant renewal; (15) Provide automatic notification to acquisition professionals regarding annual requirements; (16) Scanning historical data; (17) Providing standard interfaces with VA legacy systems such as CAMEO, eCMS, etc.; (18) Auto-generate tracking number by administration, VHA VISN or office, warrant type, fiscal year, and sequential number (5) Review/edit online or print and upload the attachments; (19) Archive current, active warrant level and provide history of previous inactive warrant levels (20) Secure final certification from further edits; (21) Limit the printing of Warrant certificates; and (22) Provide ability for a repository database on acquisition workforce to include basic warrants holders, ad hoc and standard reports, and graphical presentation for HR purposes and Gap analysis. The system must also meet technical requirements which include, but are not limited to: (1) Reside within the VA domain and utilize Single-Sign-on authentication process; (2) Comply with VA Office of Cyber and Information Security (OCIS) Authority to Operate requirements; (3) Follow VA's "To-Be" business processes; (4) Meet Section 508 accessibility requirements; and (5) Be web accessible and meet VA Directive/Handbook 6102, Internet/Intranet Services, requirements. The following controls should be incorporated for cross reference: FAR; VAAR; DAUC; OA&MM information letters; OFPP letter 05-01; CHEA; DOE Website for Accreditations; OPM Qualification Standards; KnowledgeNet; HCA designation list; and eCMS. Various online forms should be available including, but not limited to: Contracting Officer Evaluation Worksheet; Certificate of Appointment as Contracting Officer; Certificate of Appointment as Selling Official; HCA Designation; Transmittal Memo; and Special Exception. The system must provide ability to produce records or reports including, but not limited to: Warrant reports; Status report by name, VISN, tracking number, and/or employee ID; Individual progress status, and Others. This is considered market research and does not constitute an invitation for bid or request for proposal and is not construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government will not reimburse firms for any cost incurred for their participation in the survey. All responses must be submitted by email to
contact@example.gov; no other method of transmittal will be accepted. All questions concerning this survey must be received by February 14, 2007 and capability statements must be received by February 23, 2007, 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. Acronym Definition COCB Contracting Officers Certification Board CHEA Council for Higher Education Accreditation CMOP Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy Program COCB Contracting Officers Certification Board COCP Contracting Officers Certification Program COQS Contracting Officer Qualification Statement CVE Center for Veterans Enterprise DAUC Defense Acquisition University Catalogue DAWIA Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act DOE Department of Education eCMS Electronic Contract Management System FAR Federal Acquisition Regulations GC Office of General Counsel HAC Health Administration Center HCA Heads of Contracting Activity NCA National Cemetery Administration OA&MM Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management OFM Office of Facilities Management OFPP Office of Federal Procurement Policy OMB Office of Management and Budget OPM Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards 1102 OSDBU Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization U.S.C. United States Code VA Department of Veterans Affairs VAAR Veterans Administration Acquisition Regulations VBA Veterans Benefits Administration VHA Veterans Health Administration VISN Veterans Integrated Service Networks VAOIG Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General
