Training Instructors and Program Support Specialist

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) modifies the solicitation by changing the evaluation criteria for "Cost/Price" under FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION.

Specifically, the change is from evaluating price in accordance with FAR 13.106 to evaluating price in accordance with FAR 12.204(a) for fair and reasonable determination.

• FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION (specifically, the "Cost/Price" evaluation criteria).

• No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated.

• The change affects how the "Cost/Price" factor will be evaluated.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing table for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Offerors are instructed to enter their daily rates for various specialty areas across five BPA Years. This table is essential for bidders to detail their proposed pricing structure.

• CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers): The table is organized by CLINs, representing different service categories.
• Specialty Areas: Includes roles such as Explosives Specialist, Fire and Arson Specialist, Raven’s Challenge Exercise Support Specialist, Raven’s Challenge Technical Support Specialist, and Program Support Specialist.
• BPA Years: Pricing is required for five distinct BPA Years (Year 1 through Year 5).
• Quantity: A quantity of 100 is pre-filled for each CLIN.
• Full Daily Rate: Offerors must provide the daily rate for each specialty area and BPA Year.
• Total Rate: This column will be calculated based on the Quantity and Full Daily Rate.
• Half Day Rate: A note indicates that a half-day rate will be calculated at half the full daily rate.
• BPA Limits: The document specifies a "Not to Exceed Call" of $15,000.00 and an "Authorized Maximum for Life of BPA" of $500,000.00.

This pricing table is critical for bidders to complete their proposals accurately. It dictates how to structure and submit their cost information for the services required under the BPA. Bidders must carefully fill in the daily rates, ensuring they align with the specified BPA Years and specialty areas. The BPA limits also provide context for the overall contract value and individual order restrictions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the specific qualification criteria for Program Support Specialists, detailing the technical proficiency, education, experience, and certification requirements necessary for individuals performing these roles.

Technical Proficiency:

• Knowledge and skills in budgetary and financial functions (development, justification, execution, management, review).
• Experience with ATF's Unified Financial Management System (UFMS) for obligations and invoices.
• Ability to prepare reports, exhibits, and analyses related to budget estimates.
• Skill in analyzing and reconciling documents from various programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Programs (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Capability to provide input for long-range forecasting and assist program managers with budgetary requirements.
• Contractor rates will cover all services, including budgetary and program support.

Education/Experience and Certification Requirements:

• Preferred: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of ten years of related work experience in budget or program support for ATF/NCETR programs.
• Alternative: High school diploma or GED with 20 years of related work experience in budget or program support for ATF/NCETR programs may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum qualifications and desired expertise for personnel who will be performing the Program Support Specialist role. It directly impacts staffing decisions and the ability of proposed candidates to meet the requirements of the opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Contractor Qualification Criteria for a Technical Operations Specialist position, likely related to an exercise or contract involving the Department of the Army (DA) G-38, focusing on Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Public Safety Bomb Squad (PSBS) interoperability.

Technical Proficiency Requirements:

• Maintaining and documenting EOD/PSBS actions using current technology.
• Providing Wi-Fi in remote training sites for reporting.
• Selecting, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting technical equipment.
• Transferring video and data for distribution.
• Leading technical operations teams.
• Training Observer/Controllers on equipment use.
• Capturing and documenting exercise actions using various technologies (e.g., cameras, UAS).
• Managing communications for ATF Mobile Command Vehicles.
• Working safely around explosives.
• Protecting sensitive equipment.

Education/Experience and Certification Requirements:

• Preferred: Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience (law enforcement, military, explosives/investigative operations).
• Substitution: High school diploma/GED with 15 years of general law enforcement/IOI/military/field experience.
• Substitution: Graduate degree with 5 years of relevant work/instruction/research.
• Special consideration for experience with Raven's Challenge Exercises or as an ATF Tactical Operations Officer/Technical Surveillance Specialist.
• Extensive knowledge of current surveillance techniques.
• Successful completion of a Technical Operations Specialist training course or demonstrated experience.
• Must be Certified Technical Investigator UBIQUITI trained in radio systems.
• Requirement to provide approach for maintaining subject matter expertise and continuing education.
• Requirement to provide verifying documentation of subject matter currency upon request.

This document is critical for potential bidders to understand the specific technical skills, educational background, and experience required for personnel who will perform the Technical Operations Specialist role. It directly impacts staffing decisions and the qualifications that must be presented in proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 4 - Contractor Qualification Criteria - Exercise Support Specialist," outlines the specific qualifications required for individuals serving as Exercise Support Specialists. It details the technical proficiency, education, experience, and certification requirements necessary for this role in support of the Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Public Safety Bomb Squad (PSBS) interoperability exercise.

• Technical Proficiency: Requires capabilities in conducting EOD duties, monitoring explosives operations for safety and analysis, providing explosives control and intelligence, supporting law enforcement operations, training Observer/Controllers (OCs), physically handling equipment, maintaining technical equipment, and possessing knowledge of explosives defeat operations. It also includes leading teams of evaluators and operators.
• Education/Experience/Certification: Specifies a Bachelor's degree with at least ten years of relevant experience, or equivalent substitutions (high school diploma with 15 years of experience, or a Graduate degree with 5 years of experience). Extensive experience in handling explosives, EOD/IED mitigation, post-blast investigations, intelligence development, and working with live explosives is required. Special consideration is given to graduates of specific schools (e.g., Hazardous Devices School, Naval School EOD), prior experience on Raven's Challenge exercises, ATF Explosive Enforcement Officer experience, knowledge of homemade explosives, and ATF Communications background.
• Currency Maintenance: Requires a plan to maintain subject matter expertise through continuing education and certifications, with verification documentation to be provided upon request.

This attachment is crucial for potential bidders to understand the specific skill sets, experience levels, and educational backgrounds that contractors must possess to be considered for the Exercise Support Specialist role. It directly informs staffing decisions and the qualifications of personnel proposed for the opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Contractor Qualification Criteria for Fire/Arson Specialists - Law Enforcement Instructor/Program Technical Specialists. It details the technical proficiency, education, experience, and certification requirements necessary for individuals performing these roles.

• Technical Proficiency: Requires instructors to possess law enforcement fire and arson investigation expertise, instructor/technical experience, or unique education/training relevant to ATF's mission. Specific areas of expertise are listed, including Fire Science, Fire Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Fire Dynamics, Explosion Dynamics, Computer Fire Modeling, Fire Investigation, Fire Analysis, Fire Investigation Methodology, Fire Investigation Technology, Hazardous Materials, Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools, Fire Protection Systems, Evidence Documentation, Electricity and Electrical Systems, Criminalistics and Forensic Science, Federal & State Fire and Arson Laws and Regulations, Fire Investigation Techniques, Litigation related to Fire Investigation, Fire Scene Health and Safety, Fire Suppression, and Instrumentation.
• Instructional Methods: Instructors must be capable of using various methods including classroom lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, and live range operations. Input for updating instructional materials is also required.
• Education/Experience Requirements: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience is generally required. Substitutions include a high school diploma/GED with 15 years of general law enforcement/field experience, or a Graduate degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Special Consideration: May be given to those with recent instructing experience for ATF/NCETR programs, ATF certifications (Fire Investigator, Explosives Specialist), completion of specific ATF schools (AOCCT, Enclosure Fire Dynamics), documented experience instructing at specific training centers (NCETR, NFA, FLETC, ILEA), or experience with the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).
• Currency Maintenance: Contractors must provide an approach to maintain subject matter expertise and currency through continuing education and certifications, with verification upon request.

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand the minimum qualifications and experience required for personnel who will be performing instructor roles. It directly impacts the selection and vetting of proposed staff to ensure compliance with the government's requirements for fire and arson specialist instructors.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Contractor Qualification Criteria for Explosives Specialists and Law Enforcement/Regulatory Enforcement Instructors. It details the technical proficiency, education, experience, and certification requirements necessary for individuals performing these roles.

• Technical Proficiency: Requires instructors to possess law enforcement explosives/explosion investigation skills, regulatory enforcement experience, or unique expertise relevant to ATF's missions. Specific areas of desired expertise are listed, including criminalistics, explosives laws, fire investigation, and homemade explosives.
• Instructional Methods: Contractors must be able to utilize various methods, including classroom lectures, practical exercises, and live range operations, and contribute to updating instructional materials.
• Education/Experience Requirements: A Bachelor's degree with ten years of relevant experience is preferred. Substitutions include a high school diploma/GED with 15 years of experience, or a Graduate degree with 5 years of experience. Special consideration may be given to those with prior ATF/NCETR instructing experience or specific certifications.
• Specific Course Requirements: Certain courses (e.g., Advanced Explosives Disposal Techniques, Explosives Evidence Exploitation) require specific ATF or equivalent school completion.
• Maintaining Currency: Contractors must demonstrate a plan for maintaining subject matter expertise through continuing education, training, and potentially publications.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum qualifications and experience required for personnel who will be performing instruction and related services. It directly impacts the staffing and team composition that must be proposed to meet the opportunity's requirements.

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

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for providing training instructor and program support specialist services to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR). The goal is to support ATF's mission to prevent terrorism, reduce violent crime, and protect the public through specialized training.

• The ATF is seeking to establish multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for services including Explosives Specialist, Fire/Arson Specialist, Exercise Support Specialist, and Program Support Specialist.

• Services will involve assessing, designing, delivering, and evaluating training programs for ATF personnel, law enforcement, military, and industry partners.

• Contractors will support training and capabilities exercise efforts, covering various law enforcement topics at multiple locations.

• Program Managers may need to update curricula regularly, so contractor skill sets and frequency of use may vary.

• Contractors will be evaluated on their skills, adherence to stated objectives, and safety requirements.

• Reporting to the appropriate point of contact is required.

• Training and exercises will occur at ATF-provided facilities.

• Travel may be required domestically or internationally.

• Contractors must be able to travel and have a flexible work schedule.

• Must pass a background investigation and maintain an active SAM.gov registration.

• Must be willing to volunteer for random drug testing and have internet access.

• Contractors must not have felony convictions, convictions involving violence, or certain other offenses.

• Must demonstrate professional behavior and expertise.

• Specific qualifications are detailed for Explosives Specialists, Fire/Arson Specialists, Exercise Support Specialists, Technical Operations Specialists, and Program Support Specialists.

• Contractors must adhere to ATF safety directives and relevant ATF policies (e.g., O 3320.7, O 3330.5, O 1630.1).

• Contractors must not use ATF materials for any other production or contract without prior written permission.

• Professional insurance coverage is the responsibility of the contractor.

• All contractors are subject to a background investigation, including electronic submission via e-QIP.

• Agreements are awarded for specific individuals; substitutions are not permitted.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a multiple award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Training Instructors and Program Support Specialist services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this solicitation.

• The core service involves providing Training Instructors and Program Support Specialists.

• Specific details regarding the scope of work and required qualifications are provided in the attached Statement of Work (Attachment 1) and Contractor Qualification Criteria documents (Attachments 2-6).

• Pricing details are to be provided in Attachment 7 - Pricing Table.

• This is a multiple award BPA.

• The contract is structured for 5 ordering periods, with each period representing one year.

• The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

• Offerors must submit proposals covering Technical Experience, Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Experience will be evaluated based on meeting or exceeding requirements outlined in the SOW and attachments.

• Past Performance will be evaluated based on recency (within the last three years) and relevance of similar work.

• Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Questions are due by January 28, 2026, 5:00 PM EST.

• Offers are due by February 9, 2026, 5:00 PM EST.

• All submissions must be emailed to Brian.Wilkins@atf.gov.

• This is a Total Small Business Set-aside.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 611430, with a size standard of $15,000,000.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-4.

• Specific ATF clauses and addenda are also included, detailing requirements for personnel security, insurance, invoicing, confidentiality, and IT security.

• Offerors must complete and return specific FAR clauses as listed in section 4(h) of the solicitation.