Request for Information- DHS - USSS Protective Intelligence Interview Training

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for contractor services to instruct protective intelligence practical exercise interview training for the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC). The training aims to prepare USSS Special Agents and Police Officers to effectively deal with individuals who pose a threat due to mental illness, by understanding mental illness fundamentals, perception of reality, and communication techniques.

• Provide a primary instructor (psychologist) and a secondary instructor (psycho dramatist) for the training.

• Deliver academic knowledge, skills, and experiences related to protective intelligence interviews.

• Develop and provide curriculum, lecture notes, and educational data sets.

• Conduct demonstrations of potential interviews and practical exercises.

• Provide non-personal services including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, and materials, except for Government Furnished Property (GFP).

• Offer specialized training courses:

  • Protective Intelligence Simulations – Special Agent Training Course (SATC): A 2-day course (16 hours total) for a maximum of 24 students per class, focusing on threat assessment and interviewing skills through simulated scenarios.
  • Protective Intelligence Questioning for 1st Line Officers course (UDTC): A 5-hour course for up to 24 students, simulating encounters with individuals exhibiting mental illness.
  • Protective Intelligence In-service: Advanced Interviewing Skills Course: A 1-day course (11 hours) for up to 18 students, focusing on advanced threat assessment and interviewing skills.

• Utilize a 'stop-action' coaching methodology for real-time feedback during simulated interviews.

• Create and/or update interview scenarios periodically to ensure relevance.

• Students must demonstrate a thorough understanding of threats, unusual directions of interest, and inappropriate behaviors directed toward USSS protected interests.

• Students must be able to employ specialized investigative tools and techniques, including interviewing PI subjects.

• The objective is for students to render a sound evaluation of a subject's risk of unwanted outcome, understand mental illness fundamentals, and communicate effectively with individuals experiencing mental illness.

• Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) will be used to evaluate contractor performance.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year of 12 months and four (4) option years, totaling five (5) years.

• Place of Performance: James J. Rowley Training Center, 9200 Powder Mill Road, Laurel, MD 20705.

• Primary instructor: Minimum 5 years' experience in research/clinical treatment of mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, antisocial personality disorder, psychosis). Must possess academic/professional credentials.

• Secondary instructor: Certified trainer/educator/practitioner in psychodrama by the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama and Sociometry, with at least 3 years' experience portraying individuals with mental illnesses in a training environment. Must possess academic/professional credentials.

• Both instructors must have knowledge of behavior-based threat assessment and experience in conducting training.

• Contractors must provide their own transportation to and from RTC.

• Contractors must pass a background investigation for access to USSS facilities and information.

• Contract type: Firm Fixed-Price (FFP).

• Government will provide training equipment and environment (classroom space, projectors, furniture, etc.).

• Contractor will provide training materials for students.

• Deliverables include lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, classroom handouts, and PI interview scenario outlines/scripts.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains questions designed to gather information from potential bidders regarding their capabilities and interest in a GSA opportunity. It is structured into different sheets to collect specific types of information.

Sheet: Standard

• Questions about submitting an offer under a GSA Contract.
• Identification of relevant GSA Contracts, SINs, Pools, or Constellations.
• Request for the most appropriate NAICS code.
• Business size and applicable socio-economic categories.
• Confirmation of commercial availability of services/products.

Sheet: Clause, PWS, SubK

• Questions assessing the capability to perform all services in a draft PWS.
• Inquiry about previous experience with similar work.
• Assessment of realistic response times for RFQ preparation.
• Determination of lead-time needed from award to start of work.
• Confirmation if the draft PWS provides adequate information for RFP response.
• Assessment of the ability to meet PWS performance objectives.
• Questions regarding subcontracting plans and estimated subcontracting percentages.

This document helps bidders self-assess their suitability for the opportunity by prompting them to consider their GSA contract vehicles, relevant experience, business size, socio-economic status, and subcontracting capabilities. The responses will inform the government about potential offerors and the feasibility of the requirement under existing GSA schedules.