U-- MASTER'S OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW)-INDUSTRY DAY

THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTICE TO ANNOUNCE AN UPCOMING INDUSTRY DAY. The Center for Health Care Contracting (CHCC), located at 2199 Storage Street, Suite 68, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-5076 will hold an Industry Day on 30 August 2011 to exchange information regarding the ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL (AMEDDC & S) located at Fort Sam Houston, affiliation requirement with an accredited Educational Institution to provide a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree for selected military affiliated personnel. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement will be 611310 (insert the title of this code) and the size standard is $7M. The intent of the Industry Day is to provide a venue for Government and Educational Institutions to have discussions describing the upcoming requirement, our contracting process, and preliminary preparation for submittal of a proposal. This venue will also assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy, the contract type, contract terms and conditions, delivery schedule, and ascertain if there are Universities capable of performing the requirement. The scheduled time for the event is 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Central Standard Time/CST) with registration being held from 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Any Educational Institution interested in attending is requested to provide the following information, via email, on or before 22 August 2011 to both the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist listed as POC's in this notice. You are to provide, at a minimum: (1) University name, personnel attending, accreditation status, business size (to include any SBA certifications, such as 8(a), HUB Zone, HBCU, etc.) based on the appropriate NAICS code, and any other questions you may have after review of the below Performance Work Statement. Any questions submitted will be addressed during the Conference. A Performance Work Statement is attached to this announcement for your review. Email this information to Ms. Annabel Rivera, Contracting Officer, at contact@example.gov (+1 (555) 000-0000) and Mrs. Quinella M. Purks, Contract Specialist, at contact@example.gov (+1 (555) 000-0000) no later than 22 August 2011. NOTE 1: Due to limited space, no more than two individuals per University will be allowed to attend. NOTE 2: The address and directions to the briefing location will be provided to all who respond to this notice. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ), or Request for Proposals (RFP), or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor does this issuance restrict the Government's acquisition approach. Additional Info: Performance Work Statement: Educational Institution Affiliation for Master of Social Work Program Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S) 1. General: The Academy of Health Science Graduate School of the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S) requires non-personal services of an accredited university to establish an affiliation leading toward a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree for selected military affiliated personnel. 1.1. Background: The U.S. Army Master of Social Work Program resulting in a Master of Social Work degree, is referred to herein as the "PROGRAM." The PROGRAM, ranges from approximately 35 credit hours for those possessing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school of social work to approximately 61 credit hours for those admitted into the program without an accredited Bachelor of Social Work Degree. The PROGRAM will be taught by Government personnel under the supervision of the MSW Program Director at the AMEDDC&S, Fort Sam Houston Texas. 1.2. Program. The PROGRAM shall be approximately 9 (advanced standing track) or approximately 14 (regular track) months in duration, broken down into the phases as identified in Para 1.3.1., below. All didactic classes will be taught at the AMEDDC&S, while field practicum placements will be conducted within the immediate, surrounding areas on or near Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Field practicum supervision will be provided by licensed master degree level social workers in field practicum agencies. Government faculty will serve as field practicum liaisons, providing oversight for the MSW Program. 1.2.1. The Government will enroll up to 40 new students each performance period of the program beginning no earlier than 1 October 2012. 1.2.2. Regular track MSW students who begin training on or about 1 October 2012 will complete training approximately 14 months later, on or about 1 December 2013. The advanced standing MSW students who begin on or about 1 February 201 3 will complete training on or about 1 December 2013. 1.3. PROGRAM CURRICULUM. The Government proposes to use the Contractor's curriculum to the maximum extent possible. In addition, military specific objectives, courses, and syllabi may be developed by the Government faculty and approved through the contractor's approval process. 1.3.1. The PROGRAM shall consist of a foundation and an advanced concentration phase. The foundation phase is approximately 32 semester hours for students who do not possess a BSW. The students who possess a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited school of social work or a regular track student following the successful completion of the foundation phase will complete the advanced concentration phase. The advanced concentration phase consists of approximately 35 semester hours for advanced standing students or 29 semester hours for regular track students. During the PROGRAM, advanced standing students must complete a minimum of 500 hours of block field instruction in addition to their classroom requirements. Regular track students must complete approximately 61 semester hours, which includes approximately 960 hours of block field practicum instruction. 1.3.2. The Government will, by mutual agreement with the Contractor , add, delete, or re-configure curriculum subject matter in accordance with the government and the contractor's graduate curriculum process. The Contractor must implement curriculum changes within 90 calendar days of the official request from the Government. 1.4. Scope of Work: The Contractor shall provide degrees, storage space to store student records on-line via Blackboard or a comparable system available to program faculty and students, a website homepage to promote the Army MSW Program, video teleconferencing capabilities and equipment that allows for joint-faculty development and hybrid learning experiences among students on the main campus and off-site campus at Fort Sam Houston. Also, the Contractor shall provide administrative support services and staff on the main campus dedicated to supporting the off-site campus program at Fort Sam Houston, qualified personnel competent to manage the technical, financial, and administrative aspects of hosting an off-site accelerated graduate program that is designed to award a MSW degree to military affiliated students at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This shall be a 14-month MSW program for military affiliated civilians and military officers who are selected tocomplete the MSW program. 1.4.1. The Contractor shall support the approved student evaluation plan. 1.4.2 TRANSITION REQUIREMENT. The Contractor shall be required to provide the Government with services upon award of the contract to establish the foundation of the program prior to the first class start in October 2012. 1.4.3. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS. The Contractor shall be accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; New England Association of Schools and Colleges; North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and Western Association of Schools and Colleges), and recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation. The Contractor shall provide the Program Director documentation within 6 months of the program start date that it has submitted a proposal with the regional accreditation body to offer a graduate social work program at an off-site campus site. Failure to gain regional accreditation is a basis for termination for cause. 1.4.3.1 In addition, the Contractor's MSW program must be accredited by the CSWE. The contractor's proposal must provide a written endorsement from the CSWE supporting a military focused MSW affiliation program. The CSWE shall endorse the Contractor's request to affiliate with Government to offer the MSW degree at an off-site campus. The Contractor shall provide documentation of accreditation for the Government recordkeeping requirements. Notice of accreditation updates shall be provided to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within 30 calendar days of change. Accreditation loss is basis for termination for cause. 1.5. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall be responsible for the security of all student information. 1.5.1. Neither the contractor nor any of its representatives shall disclose or cause to disseminate any information concerning operations of military activities. Such action(s) could result in violation of the contract and possible legal actions. 1.5.2. All inquiries, comments or complaints arising from any matter observed, experienced, or learned of as a result of or in connection with the performance of this contract, the resolution of which may require the dissemination of official information, shall be directed to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer. 1.5.3. The Contractor shall only conduct business with designated Government personnel listed as points of contact (POCs). Names of authorized personnel shall be provided to the Contractor by the COR in writing upon contract award, and updated as necessary throughout the contract period. 1.5.4. Records, copies of original results and reports, verified original data, corrected data, and corrected supporting final reports will be maintained by the Contractor, but remain the property of the U.S. Government. These files/results shall be surrendered to the COR upon request or at the end of the contract term. 1.5.5. IDENTIFICATION OF PRIVACY ACT. This contract requires the development of a system of records in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974. 1.6 Hours and Days of Operation: Classes will be conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:00 pm, excluding federal holidays. List of recognized Federal Government Holidays are as follows: New Year's Day Martin Luther King's Birthday Washington's Birthday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day 2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS: 2.1. DEFINITIONS: 2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. The term as used in this contract refers to the prime. 2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government. 2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the Contracting Officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract. 2.1.4. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports. 2.1.5. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY: Indentifies contract performance objectives, performance standards, acceptable quality level, methods of surveillance and incentives. 2.1.6. PROGRAM DIRECTOR. Government employee who, in collaboration and coordination with the Contractor, hires faculty, develops curricula, and assumes responsibility for all operational aspects of the program. The Program Director will act as liaison between the Government and the Contractor. 2.1.7. QUALITY ASSURANCE . The Government's procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards. 2.1.8 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance and Contractor performance. 2.1.9. QUALITY CONTROL (QC). All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements. 2.2. ACRONYMS: List of all acronyms used in the SOW and what they represent. AMEDDC&S Army Medical Department Center and School BSW Bachelor of Social Work COR Contracting Officer Representative CSWE Council on Social Work Education GRE Graduate Record Examination MSW Master of Social Work/Masters of Science in Social Work NLT Not Later Than POC Point of Contact POI Program of Instruction QA Quality Assurance QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control PRS Performance Requirement Summary PWS Performance Work Statement SEP Student Evaluation Plan SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences VTC Video Televised Conference 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES: 3.1 MATERIALS. The Government will provide books, laptops and other classroom material necessary for the students to complete the course study. 3.2 FACILITIES. The Government will provide facilities, such as classrooms, computer lab, AMEDDC&S library and practicum training for all students' research projects. 3.3 GOVERNMENT SERVICES. The Government will provide overall supervision of the graduate social work education and training program through the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence. 3.3.1. The Government will screen all applicants and make recommendations to the affiliated Contractor 's designated POC on students' preliminary acceptance into the PROGRAM. The responsibility for the final class roster will be delegated to the Government Program Director.. 3.3.2. The Program Director will provide the Contractor with the necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in the PROGRAM, to include academic transcripts for all completed graduate and undergraduate work and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, 90 calendar days prior to the start of the PROGRAM. 3.3.2.1. To be eligible for the PROGRAM, applicants will: 3.3.2.1.1. Have been awarded a Bachelor of Social Work degree, within 5 years of the applicant's desired program start date, from a CSWE accredited school to be admitted into the advanced standing track and meet all other admission criteria established by the contractor. 3.3.2.1.2. Have been awarded a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university to be admitted into the regular track and meet all other admission criteria established by the contractor. 3.3.2.1.3 Have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (for all undergraduate coursework resulting in a bachelors degree) on a 4.0 scale, and scores of 850 or higher (or equivalent as the GRE scoring scale will change on 1 August 2011) on the general GRE within 5 years of the applicant's desired program start date. 3.3.2.1.4. Have been screened and approved by the Government prior to the Contractor providing their final approval. 3.3.3. The Program Director will provide the number of students enrolled for the initial class to the Contractor 60 calendar days prior to the start of the first class, with the intent of providing the number of enrolled students 90 calendar days out in subsequent class starts. 3.3.3.1. The Program Director will provide the number of enrolled students 90 calendar days prior to the beginning of subsequent classes. 3.3.4. At the end of each semester, the PROGRAM will ensure student grades are compiled and forwarded to the Contractor within 14 calendar days. 3.3.5. The Program Director will withdraw/dismiss students who are failing to maintain military or academic standards and provide to the Contractor the names of the students within 14 calendar days. 3.3.6. The Program Director will provide the Contractor with a class schedule, list of current faculty and the student evaluation plan (SEP) within 60 calendar days after award of the contract; updates will be provided as necessary. 3.3.7. PROGRAM faculty members may participate on the Contractor's graduate committees but are not required to support any Contractor projects. 3.3.8. The Program will submit proposed research, through official Military Institutional Review Board channels for review and approval. 3.4. GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA). The COR will monitor the Contractor's performance under this contract and has the right to perform inspections and performance evaluation at any time. The COR shall submit a quarterly performance report to the Contracting Officer no later than the 25th of the month following the quarter. If any aspect of the performance is not in conformance with the requirements of the contract, the Contracting Officer and COR will have the right to issue to the Contractor a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR). The Contractor shall explain in writing why performance was not in conformance with the requirements of the contract, how performance will be returned to conformance, and how recurrence of the problem will be prevented in the future. The Contractor shall complete and return the CDR to the COR within five workdays after receipt of the CDR. The Contractor shall maintain copies of all inspection and evaluation reports. 4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS: The Contractor must have a network capable of supporting an on-line curriculum and communication platform. The Contractor shall provide 24-hour network access 7 days a week at no additional cost. 5. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES. 5.1. The Contractor shall agree to accept all applicants approved under the current contract agreement based on the program's standards at para 3.3.2.1. 5.2. The Contractor shall delegate responsibility for the governance of the PROGRAM to the PROGRAM Director. The Contractor hereby delegates to the PROGRAM Director, the responsibility for the evaluation and acceptance of applicants into the Program. The Contractor, in conjunction with the Program Director, shall mutually agree upon admission criteria that serves the PROGRAM. The PROGRAM Director shall provide the Contractor with the necessary admission credentials for each individual desiring enrollment in the Program. The Contractor shall provide acceptance letters to the applicants and written notification to the Program Director of all accepted applicants within 14 calendar days of each selection board. 5.2.1 The Contractor's registrar office shall enroll all program students to allow the maximum amount of semester hours supported by the program two weeks prior the class start date. 5.3. The contractor shall support the Program SEP, approved courses, and curriculum. 5.4. The Contractor shall award a diploma to each student in accordance with the Institution Board of Regents policy. 5.5. Appoint PROGRAM faculty, nominated by the Army, for professional status at the Contractor's institution. 5.5.1. Faculty appointment shall be made after the academic credentials and experiences of each prospective candidate have been screened by the Contractor to determine the appropriate faculty criteria at the Contractor's institution. Appointment decisions shall be made within 60 calendar days of application and shall be effective only during the tenure of the instructor as a member of the PROGRAM faculty or the duration of the PROGRAM's affiliation agreement. 5.6 PROGRAM faculty shall be listed in the Contractor's graduate catalog. 5.6.1 PROGRAM faculty shall have the same rights, privileges, and benefits that are afforded to the Contractor's graduate faculty upon appointment, to include the following: 5.6.2. PROGRAM faculty shall have access to all research-related databases and other sources of information normally afforded to the faculty at the Contractor's main campus. These research databases shall also be available to officers enrolled in the PROGRAM for bonafide research purposes. 5.6.3. PROGRAM faculty may attend faculty meetings and hold membership on appropriate graduate faculty committees. 5.6.3.1 PROGRAM faculty may obtain faculty identification cards. 5.6.3.2. PROGRAM faculty may obtain faculty parking passes, as appropriate. 5.6.3.3. PROGRAM faculty shall be afforded continuing education opportunities with the Contractor for faculty development at no cost to the Government. 5.7. PROGRAM student services shall include: 5.7.1. Maintaining academic records for each student enrolled in the PROGRAM and providing military students a copy of their records at the same interval as students in attendance at the Contractor's main campus. 5.7.2. Granting all of the rights, privileges, and benefits to the PROGRAM's graduates that are afforded to the Contractor's graduate students in residence at the contractor's main campus and/or other satellite campuses of the contractor upon enrollment. These benefits include the following: 5.7.2.1. Ensuring Program students have access to the contractor's library, bookstore, and other buildings on the main campus as needed. 5.7.2.2. Provide one copy of official transcripts within 14 calendar days of Program completion . 5.7.2.3. Program students shall be afforded the same rights and privileges as on campus students to special events sponsored for off-campus (e.g. luncheons, athletic events) at the student's personal expense. 5.7.2.4. Provide Program students access to all research-related databases and other library resources normally afforded to students. 5.8 Delegate grading authority to the Program Director for courses taught by the PROGRAM faculty. Each student will be awarded a letter grade and each student's official transcript will reflect the letter grade assigned by the PROGRAM faculty. 5.9. Grant college graduate credit and the degree of Master of Social Work to military/civilian students enrolled in the PROGRAM who: 1) Graduate from the U.S. Army Master of Social Work Program; 2) Maintain an acceptable grade point average (3.0 on the 4.0 point scale) over the didactic portion of the PROGRAM; 3) complete all didactic course work and a minimum of 900 hour practicum as directed by CSWE; and complete all other requirements of the Master of Social Work program. 5.10. Contractor Required Site Visits. 5.10.1. The designated representative shall make an annual evaluation site visit to the AMEDD C&S at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 5.10.2. The Contractor's School of Social Work Dean, or equivalent, shall participate in class openings by VTC (2 days per performance period), attend graduation ceremonies at Fort Sam Houston, TX (2 per performance period), or other official ceremonies mutually agreed upon in advance. 5.10.3 All site visits shall be coordinated at least four (4) weeks in advance of the visit with the PROGRAM Director. The annual site visit may be held in conjunction with graduation ceremonies. 5.11 The contractor shall design within 60 calendar days a webpage to promote the Army MSW Program. The Government shall approve the webpage 14 calendar days prior to the PROGRAM start date . The Contractor in conjunction with the Program Director shall maintain the webpage providing up-to-date information. The webpage must be accessible 7 days a week 24 hours a day. 5.12. Contractor Manpower Reporting. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the Contractor shall report ALL Contractor manpower (including subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. "ACCOUNTING FOR CONTRACT SERVICES-The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains a secure Army data collection site where the Contractor will report ALL Contractor manpower (including subcontractor manpower) required for performance of this contract. The Contractor is required to completely fill in all the information in the format using the following web address "https://contractormanpower.army.pentagon.mil. The required information includes: (1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Technical Representative; (2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number; (3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period; (4) Contractor name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of contractor employee entering data; (5) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-contractor); (6) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-contractor); (7) Total payments (including sub-contractor); (8) Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-contractor if different); (9) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information); (10) Locations where Contractor and Sub-Contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest City, Country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website); (12) Presence of deployment or contingency contract language, and, (13) Number of Contractor and Sub-Contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country). As part of its submission, the Contractor will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement. Reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each Government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) by the 5th working day of November whether or not they have completed this report. If the COR is unavailable, the contractor will notify the Contracting Officer." SECTION 6 HISTORICAL DATA Fiscal Year 2008 Graduate Credit Hours-(Estimated number of students-18) Fiscal Year 2009 Graduate Credit hours-(Estimated number of students-13) Fiscal Year 2010 Graduate Credit Hours-(Estimated number of students-31)