NWR SYSTEM LEARNING ECOSYSTEM TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a request for quotations for the National Wildlife Refuge System Learning Ecosystem Training Development. It is a Firm Fixed Price, Small Business set-aside.

• Establish subteams to engage regional and field personnel for the Learning Ecosystem (LECO) development process.

• Incorporate diverse perspectives and enhance relevance for course participants.

• Utilize appropriate software and technology for active participation in meetings and online communication.

• Develop timelines and milestones for timely completion of deliverables.

• The acquisition includes a Statement of Work (SOW) for the FWS Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning (DNRCP).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: One (1) year base period plus four (4) option years.

  • Base Year: 05/13/2026 to 05/20/2026 (Note: This appears to be an error in the document, likely intended to be longer).
  • Option Year 1: 06/01/2026 to 05/31/2027
  • Option Year 2: 06/01/2027 to 05/31/2028
  • Option Year 3: 06/01/2028 to 05/31/2029
  • Option Year 4: 06/01/2029 to 05/31/2030

• Submit quotations via EMAIL to the issuing office.

• Include Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

• Provide a narrative description of how tasks will be achieved.

• Include any other relevant information required in the SOW.

• Quote should include individual yearly rates and the GRAND TOTAL for all 4 years.

• Proposal must be a single consolidated PDF file, not exceeding 15 pages.

• Only one attachment is to be submitted.

• Do not repeat information already provided in the solicitation.

• Failure to adhere to instructions may lead to disqualification.

• Small Business set-aside.

• Contract award is contingent on passing required security training and background checks.

• Additional provisions and representations are attached.

• Bidders must complete any attached representations and/or certifications.

• The government is not committed to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-4285, Revision No. 35) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in the area of West Virginia Counties of Jefferson.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it outlines the minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements for service employees working under contracts covered by the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area. Bidders must ensure their proposals and subsequent contract performance comply with these rates to avoid violations. It details specific hourly rates for a wide range of occupations, including administrative, technical, maintenance, and service roles, as well as provisions for health and welfare benefits, vacation, and holidays. The document also includes important notes regarding Executive Orders 13706 and 13658, hazardous pay differentials, and the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (conformance).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the instructions to offerors and the evaluation criteria for awarding a contract for commercial products and commercial services. The government intends to award a contract to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.

• The document details various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses that are incorporated by reference and must be complied with by the contractor. These clauses cover a wide range of topics including:

  • Prohibition on certain hardware, software, and services (e.g., Kaspersky Lab, telecommunications equipment).
  • Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.
  • Whistleblower protections.
  • Small business subcontracting requirements.
  • Service Contract Labor Standards.
  • Minimum wages and paid sick leave.
  • Prohibition of segregated facilities.
  • Equal opportunity and employment reporting.
  • Combating trafficking in persons.
  • Employment eligibility verification.
  • Sustainable products and services.
  • Buy American provisions and Trade Agreements.
  • Restrictions on foreign purchases.
  • Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer.

• The document includes clauses related to options to extend services and the term of the contract, with specific limitations on duration and notice periods.

• Evaluation Factors: Offers will be evaluated based on the following factors:

  1. Price, best value
  2. Acceptable Specification/Proposal (meeting the requirement)
  3. Past performance from CPARS/FAPIIS
  4. Past performance based on Contracting Officer's personal knowledge.

• The Contracting Officer will specify the relative importance of technical capability, price, and past performance.

• Options: Offers will be evaluated by adding the total price for all options to the basic requirement. Unbalanced option prices may lead to an unacceptable offer.

• Award: A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer will result in a binding contract.

• The document lists numerous FAR clauses related to small business set-asides, including HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and others. The specific applicability will be determined by the Contracting Officer.

• The document also references electronic invoicing requirements through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) and provides links for accessing FAR and DOI clauses.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To develop a Learning Ecosystem (LECO) for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Natural Wildlife Refuge System, focusing on the Refuge Academies' foundational training. The goal is to bolster on-demand learning tools, including online and social learning assets, to address the concerns of limited capacity for course delivery and support Refuge personnel with learning outside of in-person courses.

This contract will support a project manager (DNRCP LECO lead) for LECO development related to various conservation planning topics. Key duties include:

• Developing subteams for accuracy and diverse perspectives.

• Utilizing software for meetings and online correspondence.

• Developing timelines and milestones.

• Curating learning assets, developing learning clusters, and completing gap assessments.

• Collaborating to create relevant learning assets (e.g., personas, Job Task Analysis).

• Maintaining relationships with stakeholders to understand learning needs.

• Acting as a subject matter expert and providing feedback on LECO modules.

• Ensuring in-person courses focus more on practical application and social learning.

• The work will be performed during regular business hours and may be remote.

• Period of performance is twelve (12) months with up to three (3) one-year option periods, contingent on funding availability.

• Contract award is contingent on passing required security training and background checks.

• Legal background and experience in fish and wildlife conservation laws, service policies, and statutory responsibilities are required.

• Experience with Federal administrative processes, including the Refuge System Improvement Act, is necessary.

• Ability to communicate scientific policy and technical information effectively.

• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.

• Previous experience in conservation and developing training curriculum (virtual and in-person).

• Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

• LECO strategy document with milestones, actions, and timeline.

• Interim updates to DNRCP leadership.

• Products identified in the LECO strategy.

• In-person participation at Refuge Management Academies (at least two RMAs and one ARMA).

• As necessary, curriculum updates for RMA and ARMA modules.