FBO: Federal Business Opportunities

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is a request for proposal (RFP), reference number CNCS-LDJ-08-0004. The RFP document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 2005-22. This solicitation is synopsized as competitive. NAICS code 611430 applies, size standard not to exceed $6,500,000. The Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave, Washington DC, intends to award a firm fixed price contract one base year plus two optional years if exercised by the Government on the following requirements for courses entitled: Certificate in Leadership Development and Certificate in Non-Profit Management.

Description of Requirement: AmeriCorps*NCCC is a residential national service program operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The AmeriCorps*NCCC mission is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through team-based national and community service. Built on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, AmeriCorps*NCCC is premised on the belief that civic responsibility is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service can effectively solve local problems while providing opportunities to learn practical skills and engender a life-long commitment of service to others. Based on three campuses in Sacramento, CA; Denver, CO; and Perry Point, MD, the AmeriCorps*NCCC engages young people ages 18 to24 in team based service on projects in local communities throughout designated regions of the country. Program participants, called members, commit to ten months of service during which they earn a modest living allowance, receive room and board, and are eligible for an education award for $4,725 at the successful completion of the program.



1.0 Background

1.1 The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) requires the services of a accredited institution of higher education to develop and deliver graduate level courses and certification in leadership development and non-profit management.

1.2 NCCC is pursuing this project to provide NCCC Public Service Fellows with additional training, education and developmental opportunities throughout their AmeriCorps*NCCC program experience that will foster a lifetime commitment of learning and leadership to address the needs of the public and nonprofit sector.

1.3 The selected contractor shall demonstrate specific educational and professional experience in the fields of non-profit management and leadership development. Selection will be based on (1) a proven track record of developing curricula targeted at young adults and the service community; (2) demonstrated experience in using experiential learning methods in the delivery of training, and (3) direct experience working with young people in a residential or team-based setting.

1.4 The design of the courses and work must be completed by September 1, 2008 and be offered to NCCC fellows over a three year period.



2.0 OBJECTIVES

2.1 To promote a breadth of abilities and knowledge, including quantitative and analytical skills, communication skills and social insight, to develop fellows and give them a competitive advantage in their pursuit of a career in the public or non-profit sectors.

To provide a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities to positively impact their work in the public or non-profit sectors.

To prepare fellows for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and selfless service to society.



3.0 SCOPE



3.1 AmeriCorps NCCC plans to provide 15 second year members with a one year public service fellowship that will provide an intensive leadership experience resulting in members pursuing or creating change in the public and non-profit sectors.

3.2 This program will be created and managed through NCCC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Education and Training Coordinator will be the liaison between Headquarters, field staff, fellows, the NCCC public service fellows contractor, and other identified partners. The team will consist of 15 fellows that will be recruited from NCCC?s existing campuses. There will be 1 class annually beginning in July of each year. The first class is scheduled for July, 2008.

3.3 Overall, there are two main components of the program: service and academics. Fellows will be provided resources to build on their knowledge base. The educational component will include completion of two certificate programs - nonprofit management and leadership. In addition, fellows will be provided specific career resources and training in both the nonprofit and federal sectors to assist them in obtaining jobs after the program ends. The fellows will be brought together for the main academic components at the NCCC?s contractor?s campus.



4.0 Tasks

4.1 Certificates in Leadership Development and Non-Profit Management



The contractor will provide the academic requirements for completion of a Certificate in Leadership Development. These requirements must include the following:



- Eight undergraduate and/or graduate credits resulting from course work at the contractor?s campus for 2 three week periods and practicum work in the field. Contractor must provide housing, food, and on-site transportation during the 2 three week periods.

- Provide individual assessment, development, coaching and mentoring during the fellow?s year.

- Provide/suggest opportunities for fellows to practice their leadership and management skills.

- Expose students to regional, national and world leaders.

- Emphasize the servant leadership model throughout fellow?s year.

- Encourages students to leave a leadership legacy by giving back to communities through community service activities.



Program Components:



- Introductory Coursework (2 credit hours) (On-Campus)



o Self Learning using 360 feedback model

o Develop a leadership development plan

o Situational Leadership

o Servant Leadership

o Non-Profit Management



- Field Practicum (on or near campus)



o Activities: ropes course, 6 week service project





- Internships (2 credit hours each)



o Non-Profit Internship - Non-Profit Agency for 12 weeks

o Federal Internship - NCCC for 12 weeks



- Final Coursework (2 credit hours) (On-Campus)



o Leadership Development

o Non-Profit Management



- Lecture Series (0 credit hours) (When available)



o Exposes student to regional, national and international leaders

o Provides interdisciplinary perspectives on leadership and non-profit management



5.0 Outplacement Services in both the Nonprofit and Public Sectors



1. Nonprofit Sector - Work with American Humanics through NCCC Headquarters to provide out-placement services to all graduating public service fellows both at their annual management institute in January and throughout the year.



2. Public Sector - Work with the Office of Personnel Management and the Partnership for Public Service to provide outplacement services through training and the identification of resources to all graduating public service fellows. Through Call to Serve, the Office of Personnel Management and the Partnership for Public Service work closely together to provide resources for federal employment opportunities. Key points of these partnerships are as follows: provide presentations on how to apply for federal jobs; Annenberg Public Service Speakers Bureau will provide federal employees to speak about opportunities within the public sector to the fellows; vital national career services conference and online resources such as www.makethedifference.org; and lastly, general assistance with federal job placement.



6.0 Budget: All applicants must submit a comprehensive budget that includes costs for the following:

1) 8 undergraduate credit hours (15 fellows) for those institutions not offering graduate credit in these areas. $ ____________

2) 8 graduate credit hours (15 fellows) for those institutions offering graduate credit in these areas. $ ________________

3) Certificate in Leadership Development for 15 fellows. $ ________________

4) Certificate in Non-Profit Management for 15 fellows. $ ________________

5) Dormitory and food costs (3 meals per day) while fellows are on campus. $ _____________

6) School-related transportation costs for fellows while on campus. $ _________________

7) Other academic costs such as books, ropes course, field trips etc. $ ________________



Bidders must comply with all instructions contained in provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Bidders-Commercial, applies to this acquisition. The following additional provisions and clauses apply: 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Item, the Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Bidders whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1) Technically acceptable; 2) Past Performance; and 3) Price. Technically acceptable is more important than past performance and price. Technically acceptable will be evaluated based on ability to provide training and certification. To be technically acceptable the item shall meet the Government's specifications. Bidders shall submit descriptive literature, training or class samples, technical features that demonstrate their ability to perform these services. Past performance is considered more important than price. Past performance will be evaluated to ensure satisfactory business practices and timely performance (provide three verifiable references with contact information. Price will be considered as the least important factor. Price will be evaluated to determine its fairness, completeness, and reasonableness as it relates to the items offered. 52.212-3, Bidder Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, a completed copy of this provision shall be submitted with the offer. 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items. 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, to include clauses: 5,14,15,16,17,18,19, 20, 23, 24, 31, and 32. The following additional clauses apply: CCR Clause: Attention: You must be registered in CCR to be considered for award. FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003) (B)(2) the Bidder shall provide its DUNS or, if applicable, it's DUNS+4 number with its offer, which will be used by the contracting officer to verify that the Bidder is registered in the CCR database. (C) Lack of registration in the CCR database will make a Bidder ineligible for award. Bidders and contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-888-227-2423 or 269-961-5757, or via the Internet at http://www.ccr.gov. Electronic Funds: FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by References (Feb 1998). This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the contracting officer will make their full text available. Offers shall be received via mail, email: ldawson@cns.gov or FEDEX at the Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Ave., Suite 8311C, Washington DC 20525, ATTN: Leroy Dawson, not later than 4:00 P.M. eastern daylight time on 7 April 2008. Contact Leroy Dawson, Contracting Officer, at 202-609-7551 or FAX 202-606-3488

 

Amendment One (1) to RFQ / CNCS-LDJ-08-0004

 

This purpose of this amendment number 1 to Certificate in Leadership Development and Non-Profit Management solicitation RFQ / CNCS-LDJ-08-0004 is to provide answers to questions.

 

1.       QUESTION: Line 1.4 calls for a completion date for "the design of the courses and work" of September 1, 2008.  Line 3.2 states the first class will be offered in July, 2008. Should we assume that this conflict is the result of a typo on Line 3.2? If so, what is the correct date for the first class?

      ANSWER: Yes

 

2.       QUESTION: Line 3.1 describes a one year program. Does this refer to a full calendar year or to a shortened academic year? This is significant as we compute the time required in on-campus classes and the two internship assignments as totaling only thirty (30) weeks.

      ANSWER: Total is about 11 months

 

3.       QUESTION: Line 3.2 specifies that classes will commence in July each year. Are we to assume the first session is July 2009?

      ANSWER: Yes

 

4.       QUESTION: The solicitation calls for two three week on-campus sessions. Is there any flexibility in the timing of these sessions - such as one three week session at the commencement of the program; a two week mid-program session and a final one week wrap up session? We ask this because in our experience running our own degree programs involving both on-campus and online learning there are significant benefits to be derived from building in a midcourse on-campus session to permit better communication between participants and faculty and to allow for additional reinforcement of some of the learning objectives.

      ANSWER: You may propose alternatives with respect to flexibility.

 

5.      QUESTION: For the items listed under the section titled Program Components- Introductory Coursework are we to assume that these are all required elements to be incorporated into the course material but not the total of the educational objectives to be met. For example, your item "Situational Leadership" would be an aspect of our course material wherein we address adaptive and transformational leadership skills in the context of teaching the participants a variety of mechanisms for effecting change within organizations. We also would want to incorporate addressing a systems approach to identifying leadership challenges and formulating solutions. May we assume that we can use your bulleted items as a guide to the course material desired but supplement additional areas based on our own experience of teaching these topics for many years?

      ANSWER: Yes

 

6.       QUESTION: With respect to the Field Practicum section - we have questions regarding the activities. Do you absolutely require a ropes course? Or is that offered only as an example of a leadership building exercise? Also, are we to assume that the "six week service project" is to run concurrently with the six weeks spent on-campus or is it meant to be an additional six week commitment outside of the on-campus learning sessions and the two 12 week internships?

      ANSWER: 6 week service projects is additional and yes, we do want the ropes course

 

7.       QUESTION: With respect to the Federal Internships it is clear from your description that these will be arranged within NCCC. Are we to coordinate with the NCCC Headquarters staff to arrange these for the fellows?

      ANSWER: You would work with NCCC HQs to set up the internships with the NCCC

 

8.       QUESTION: With respect to the Non-Profit Internships it is less clear if we are to coordinate these assignments for the fellows with American Humanics at  NCCC headquarters in addition to coordinating end of program out-placement activities?  Could you please clarify?

      ANSWER: You would coordinate these with American Humanics in Kansas City and with NCCC HQs.

 

9.       QUESTION: Could you clarify if it is understood that other than the actual six weeks of on-campus instruction that the fellows will not be in our local area but dispersed around the country working their internship assignments?  We ask this because we are trying to formulate a process whereby we can continue to monitor, assess, evaluate and support their activities throughout the program year and we need to know if that all has to be accomplished using remote technologies or if they will be in our geographical area to permit face to face interactions with our mentors and staff.

      ANSWER: Yes, they will not be in your local area

 

1. QUESTION: Are we correct in our assumption that for budget purposes we are to plan on the housing, food and transportation costs for the fellows only for the six weeks they are on campus and that those six weeks include weekends as well?

      ANSWER: Yes

 

Leroy Dawson

Contracting Officer