D--Peace Corp AI ChatBot

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The Peace Corps aims to enhance its customer service for potential applicants and stakeholders by implementing a public-facing, web-based, conversational AI agent. This initiative seeks to improve outreach, provide flexible customer service, and streamline recruitment efforts.

This PWS outlines the requirements for acquiring licenses and services to implement and integrate a conversational AI Chatbot solution into the peacecorps.gov website. Key tasks include:

• Developing a FedRAMP High Authorization approved SaaS conversational AI solution.
• Ensuring the Chatbot integrates seamlessly with the Peace Corps website and is mobile-optimized.
• Utilizing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with a curated dataset to prevent inaccurate responses.
• Implementing continuous learning mechanisms for response improvement.
• Providing multilingual functionality with an English dataset, supporting translation and understanding of Peace Corps acronyms.
• Ensuring advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities.
• Enabling seamless transfer to live agents or customer service representatives, with robust queue management.
• Ensuring scalability to accommodate future features and increased user volume.
• Complying with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including AI governance, fairness, and non-discrimination.
• Implementing safety protocols for emergency response and user safety.
• Providing analytics and reporting capabilities, including a KPI dashboard.
• Managing AI risks and ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Adhering to strict data collection, retention, and usage policies, including protected communications compliance.

Not explicitly stated in the provided sections, but the deployment of the final chatbot solution is required within 60 days of the completion of final documentation, testing, and cybersecurity risk management phases.

• FedRAMP High Authorization is mandatory.
• Compliance with IT security and privacy requirements, including FedRAMP controls.
• Development of various post-award deliverables such as a Project Plan, Requirements Specification Document, Design and Architecture Documentation, Data Protection Plan, and Training Materials.
• Personnel security requirements including background investigations.
• Adherence to specific data handling, storage, and release protocols.
• Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for accessibility.
• Restrictions on using specific telecommunications equipment and services (e.g., Kaspersky Lab, Huawei, ZTE).

Amendment / Modification

Amendment 0001 is issued to:

• Respond to contractor questions.

• Make revisions to the Request for Quote (RFQ) and Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Request for Quote (RFQ)

• Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This amendment may affect proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors. Bidders must review the revised RFQ and PWS to understand the specific changes and their impact on their submissions.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential contractors and the Government's responses regarding Solicitation RFQ 140D0426Q0324 for an AI Chatbot for the Peace Corps.

• Period of Performance: A one-year Base Period starting June 1, 2026, with four one-year Option Periods, totaling up to five years.
• Budget: A budget is allocated, but specific details will not be publicly disclosed.
• Past Performance: Key personnel past performance will be considered for emerging small businesses.
• FedRAMP Authorization: A FedRAMP High authorization is required for the solution itself, not just the platform. Solutions in the process of obtaining this designation are acceptable.
• Subcontracting: Prospective vendors may use subcontractors, but small businesses must provide the majority (>50%) of the labor.
• Integration: Initial implementation does not require direct CRM integration, but it may be necessary depending on the proposed solution. The chatbot must be available on the Peace Corps website.
• Pricing: A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) structure is expected. Vendors should account for usage-based pricing models within their FFP.
• Languages: English and Spanish are required at initial deployment. Other languages are optional and will be evaluated as part of a Best Value Tradeoff.
• Data: All collected data belongs to the government. CSV format is required for data export.
• Submission: Proposals must be submitted in five separate volumes as outlined in the RFQ.

This document provides critical clarifications on requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission details, directly impacting how vendors should prepare and structure their proposals. Key areas clarified include FedRAMP authorization, pricing models, language support, and integration requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot Services to enhance agency Recruitment Efforts for the Peace Corps (PC), Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Service (VRS). The goal is to procure a FedRAMP High authorized, commercially available SaaS conversational AI solution to enhance recruitment, outreach, and public engagement across peacecorps.gov. The solution should provide high-quality, secure, and scalable interactions, integrating with existing systems.

• Enhance recruitment, outreach, and public engagement.

• Facilitate efficient interactions between potential applicants and recruiters.

• Generate new leads through a marketing channel.

• Increase lead conversion through timely communications.

• Reduce staff time spent on answering common questions.

• Provide seamless public interactions with escalation to Peace Corps staff.

• The solution must be FedRAMP High authorized.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Purchase Order.

• Period of Performance: One-year Base Period (June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027) with four (4) one-year Option Periods. Total performance not to exceed five years.

• Place of Performance: Within the United States of America; no on-site work at Government facility anticipated.

• Questions Due: April 10, 2026, 12:00 PM EST (via email).

• Quotes Due: May 04, 2026, 10:00 AM ET (via email).

• Submission Format: Electronic copy with separate volumes for Technical (20-page limit), Past Performance, Assumptions/Conditions/Exceptions, Draft Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), and Price.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made on a Best Value basis, considering Technical Approach, Solution, Capabilities and Understanding (most important), Past Performance (equal to technical), and Price (least important).

• This acquisition is a total small business set-aside.

• The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference (FAR Part 12).

• Additional provisions are in Section 3, and submission instructions are in Section 4.

• The Performance Work Statement (PWS) is provided as Attachment 1.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (RFQ) for commercial products and services. The specific items or services being procured are detailed in the "Schedule of Supplies/Services" section, which is referenced as "See Schedule" and likely found in an addendum.

• The "Schedule of Supplies/Services" (Block 20) will contain the specific requirements, quantities, and unit prices.

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4 are incorporated by reference, and FAR 52.212-5 is attached. These clauses will detail specific requirements and terms.

• The solicitation number is 140D042600324.

• The issue date is April 3, 2026.

• The offer due date is May 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time.

• The contract is administered by the Interior Business Center, AQD, Acquisition Services Directorate.

• Payment will be made by the Interior Business Center, AQD, Acquisition Services Directorate.

• Offers are requested via Request for Quote (RFQ) as indicated in Block 14.

• The specific submission instructions and evaluation criteria will be detailed in the "Schedule of Supplies/Services" and attached FAR clauses.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business (100.00%).

• Specific small business categories include HUBZone Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), and 8(a) programs.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 541519 with a size standard of $34.

• The document is Standard Form 1449 (Rev. 11/2021).

• The offeror must complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30.

• The solicitation is for commercial products and commercial services.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for reporting on the "Limitations on Subcontracting" requirement. Bidders will use this template to report on their subcontracting activities for the contract.

• Contract Information: Fields for Contract Number (PIID), Type of Set Aside, and Total Contract Value.
• Performance Period: Dates for which the report is applicable.
• Payment Reporting: Sections to detail amounts paid to the prime contractor by the government, and amounts paid to Similarly Situated Subcontractors (SSS) and Non-Similarly Situated Subcontractors (NSS).
• Limitation Calculation: A formula is provided to calculate the Limitation on Subcontracting Percentage, though the template shows a #DIV/0! error, indicating it requires data input.

This template outlines the specific data bidders must track and report regarding their subcontracting efforts to comply with the "Limitations on Subcontracting" clause. Understanding this template is crucial for accurately preparing proposals and fulfilling post-award reporting requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbot Services to enhance agency recruitment efforts for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center (IBC), on behalf of the Peace Corps (PC), Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Service (VRS). The goal is to acquire a FedRAMP High authorized, commercially available SaaS conversational AI solution to improve recruitment, outreach, and public engagement on peacecorps.gov.

• Implement a public-facing, web-based, conversational AI agent.

• Integrate the AI Chatbot solution into the peacecorps.gov website.

• Provide training for Peace Corps staff on the new system and its upkeep.

• The solution must be FedRAMP High authorized.

• Must adhere to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for uptime (minimum 99.9% during business hours), incident response, and issue resolution.

• Must be mobile-optimized and integrate seamlessly with the Peace Corps website.

• Utilize Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with a curated dataset.

• Include continuous learning mechanisms.

• Support multilingual functionality.

• Provide advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities.

• Offer seamless live agent or customer service transfer.

• Ensure scalability for future features and increased user volume.

• Comply with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including AI in Government Act, Federal Data Strategy, and privacy laws (e.g., CCPA).

• Operate in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

• Implement emergency response and user safety protocols.

• Ensure appropriate human oversight.

• Provide comprehensive analytics and reporting, including a KPI dashboard.

• Manage AI risks effectively.

• Maintain transparency and accountability in AI operations.

• Adhere to strict data collection, retention, and usage policies.

• Comply with protected communications requirements, including HIPAA.

• Deliverables include: Chatbot, Status Reports, Contract Reports, Final Report, Project Plan, Data Protection Plan, Requirements Specification Document, Design and Architecture Documentation, Integration Plan and Report, Implementation Plan, Test Plan & Results, Usability Testing Report, User Acceptance Testing, Training Materials, and Final Chatbot Solution.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Purchase Order.

• Period of Performance: One-year Base Period (June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027) with four (4) one-year Option Periods. Total potential performance not to exceed five years.

• Estimated Value: Not specified.

• Travel/Other Direct Costs (ODCs): Not anticipated.

• Submission Deadline for Questions: April 10, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.

• Submission Deadline for Quotes: May 04, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to Michael McGuire and Jacqueline Hernandez.

• Quote Format: Separate volumes for Technical (20-page limit), Past Performance, Assumptions/Conditions/Exceptions, Draft Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, and Price.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach, Solution, Capabilities and Understanding; Past Performance; and Price. Technical Approach, Solution, Capabilities and Understanding and Past Performance are of equal importance and combined are more important than Price.

• Award Basis: Best Value to the Government.

• Total small business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 541519 – Other Computer Related Services (SB size standard $34M).

• PSC Code: DA10 – IT and Telecom – Business Application / Application Development Software as a Service.

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference (FAR Part 12).

• Full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed at www.acquisition.gov.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov with an "active" status.

• Late submissions will not be considered.

• The Government reserves the right to reject any quote that is significantly non-compliant.

• Attachment 1: PWS

• Attachment 2: Limitations on Subcontracting Report