STATEMENT OF WORK
- SUBJECT OVERVIEW
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Tucson, Arizona, intends to make a single award to a responsible entity for the provision of a “Business Management/ Entrepreneurship Certificate” Vocational Training program to the inmate-students.
The contract will consist of services to include, but not limited to providing accredited, college-level classroom instruction, course planning and lesson preparation in the specialized areas of business, accounting, and basic computer operations. This will be considered a contractual arrangement and not a personnel appointment to a federal job. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has a requirement to offer inmates opportunities for improvement of their education levels and workplace skills while incarcerated. The purpose of the contractual agreement is to provide viable vocational training to the incarcerated inmates at the USP/FCI/SPC for careers in the workforce and work assignments within the institution.
- PLACE OF PERFORMANCE
The Business Management/ Entrepreneurship Certificate program will be taught at the FCC Tucson. Classes will be conducted at any of three institutions: USP and SPC (located at 9300 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ 85756) and at the FCI (located at 8901 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ 85756). The Contractor will teach the classes on a continuous basis for the term of the contract.
- PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS
The college Contractor awarded this contract must provide fully qualified, college instructors. The Contractor shall be required to have four years of teaching experience at the College/Junior College level. The Contractor shall employ professional staff, including any subcontractors, whose qualifications have appropriate educational qualifications, experience, and licenses commensurate with the particular job responsibilities and authority level of the corresponding positions, including appropriately verified license and certifications. Instructors must have at minimum, a four-year college degree.
The Contractor will provide students with official transcripts, diplomas and/or certificates to support qualifications, as well as copies of lesson plans and curricula when requested. The Contractor must possess the skills to provide instruction in Business. The Contractor, as an academic institution, will provide credentials of affiliation with regional accreditation, i.e., the “Western Association of Schools and Colleges” or be a long-standing provider of adult education services for at least 5 years through the Arizona Department of Education or similar agency.
All lesson plans and routine organizations of the program will be the responsibility of the contract instructor. Other Contractor responsibilities include, but not limited to: on-site registration and enrollment; presentation of informational sessions as needed to promote course selection and content, providing educational counseling, delivering of instructional materials, assessing student progress, providing grades, attendance records, and completion/withdrawal data, and make recommendations to the Supervisor of Education.
If the Contractor desires to make updates or changes to the curriculum, a written request much be submitted to the Supervisor of Education. FCC Tucson BOP will be provided a minimum of 90 days to make the approved changes and required purchases for new or additional textbooks and supplies. Final approval for the purchases of requested materials will lie solely with the BOP.
The determination of successful completion of courses/classes will be based on the assessment and judgment of the instructor according to fulfillment of classroom assignments and projects, and demonstration of proficiency in all related exams and computer skills.
The Business Management/Entrepreneurship Vocational Training programs should consist of the following completion certificates and courses (to be instructed throughout the contract year):
Certificate: Introduction to Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship
(Contract instructed) Courses - Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship
The above courses listings offered maybe modified and will consist of up to 20 students per class at approximately 100 hours per certificate program, over a two to five month period each. Classes may be taught multiple times throughout the contract year, as needed or requested by the Supervisor of Instructional sessions for Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Business Accounting and Computer Fundamentals certificate classes will be supplemented and taught by BOP vocational instructors.
- SUPPLIES
FCC Tucson will provide classroom space, utilities, textbooks, paper, pens, pencils, and computer and automated equipment. The institution will also provide access to a telephone, photocopy machine, fax machine, and other miscellaneous office supplies and equipment necessary to complete the program specifications. Photocopies will be provided for the Contractor; however, the instructors will be required to make their own copies as part of their lesson preparations (in line with federal copyright laws). If other special materials or equipment is required by the Contractor, a request in writing should be made to the Supervisor of Education.
- SCHEDULE
Normally, individual classes will meet two times per week, excluding all federal holidays. The classes will be taught any days Monday through Friday with classes consisting of 3 to 3.5 hour blocks. Available class times can take place between any of the following time frames: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., (if need dictates classes may also meet in the evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., when feasible). There will be no weekend classes. The actual schedule of work will be mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and the Supervisor of Education upon contract award.
The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all necessary personnel for each scheduled session. In the event of any unplanned absence or sickness by the instructor, the Contractor (college) may provide a qualified replacement or reschedule make-up classes for a different date and time. If the Contractor fails to provide the necessary personnel to perform a scheduled session, the Contractor may be subject to administrative remedy. The Contractor must notify the Supervisor of Education in writing within 48 hours if a scheduled class is unable to meet.
Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be expected. Such delays include, but not limited to: security matters, inclement weather, and electrical or mechanical problems. The Contractor shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable costs incurred as a result of schedule changes on the part of FCC Tucson. FCC Tucson may alter schedules from time to time due to institution needs such as emergency counts, lock downs, fire alarms, census counts, early recalls, staff training, etc.; during these times, sessions may be cancelled without prior notification to the Contractor.
The BOP reserves the right to suspend, limit, or revoke Contractor services in accordance with this contract and BOP policies and regulations. The BOP also reserves the right to cancel a scheduled session at least 24 hours prior to its commencement, without compensation to the Contractor, regardless of the reason for the cancellation. If the Contractor commences with a session and the session is terminated, for any reason, the BOP shall reimburse the Contractor the hourly session rate.
- INMATE CLASS MANAGEMENT
Provisions of services under this contract will require frequent, unsupervised contact with inmates. The contract instructor is to be constantly aware of possible security issues and maintain a professional relationship with inmates at all times.
The Contractor will notify Education or Correctional Staff of any inmate infractions including, absences and tardiness to the BOP Education staff or Supervisor of Education within fifteen minutes of the beginning of each class. After verbally reporting infractions to the BOP Correctional Staff, the Contractor shall provide written documentation to the Supervisor of Education by a memorandum prior to departure from the Complex.
The Contractor should be capable of teaching adult students at a college level. We require that the Contractor use a variety of teaching techniques to include classroom lectures, projects, etc. The Contractor will update the curriculum as needed to address market changes in the entrepreneurial environment. The Supervisor of Education must approve any changes in scheduled programming of the curriculum.
The Contractor will be required to submit lesson plans and course outlines upon award of this contract. The Contractor agrees to develop a system of management for all books, supplies, and equipment furnished (i.e. check-out/return system). The Contractor must notify Education Staff immediately upon discovery of any missing items.
The Contractor will teach for the full contract session. The Contractor will report to the Supervisor of Education any inmate who leaves the classroom before the end of a session. All hours worked must be documented on a “Contractor Log” from within the Education Department, with each entry completed and signed by the Contractor.
The Contractor will provide instruction and manage two half-day classes with 15 to 20 students per class. The Contractor will be responsible for maintaining a minimum enrollment of 12 students in each class. Exceptions to the minimum enrollment per class must be evaluated and approved by the Supervisor of Education.
Classes will be at least 3 – 3.5 hours in duration, two days per week. The instruction of this class will be in a vocational training format. Students enrolled must complete a total of 100 hours in order to receive a certificate of completion from the College.
A monthly written progress report must be submitted by the 5th day of each month by the service provider to verify enrollment, completion levels, and grades at the end each term on official school letterhead. Curricula of all classes will be submitted by the provider before classes begin each term. These documents will include copies of grades received by students as well as attendance sheets and total number of student registered, withdraws and additions two weeks after classes begin. The Contractor will maintain and furnishing other reports as required by the Supervisor of Education.
At the beginning of the term, copies of college applications and registrations must be submitted to the Supervisor of Education. Within one week of the end of the term, copies of final grades must be submitted to the Supervisor of Education.
VII. INSTITUTION SECURITY
The Contractor shall adhere to all federal, state and local regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody of inmates, during the term of this contract. The Contractor will attend a security orientation program before assuming any institution involvement. Reimbursement to the incumbent for time in institution security orientation, or the periodic security training will be the contract rate, prorated hourly.
Personnel Background Investigations/Security Requirements
All contract personnel providing services within the confines of the FCC Tucson shall have a complete background investigation conducted in accordance with the BOP procedures. Unless individual waivers are obtained under procedures outlined in the Personnel Manual, the following investigative procedures will apply to contractors delivering services inside the perimeter of the Complex:
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- National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
- DOJ-99, Name Check
- FD-258, Fingerprint Check
- Law Enforcement Agency Check
- Vouchering of Employers over the past five (5) years
- Complete SF171, Application for Federal Employment
- OPM-329-A, Authority to Release of Information
By signing the contract documents, the Contractor hereby agrees to complete the required documents and undergo the listed procedures. Any individual who does no pass the security clearances will be unable to work within the secure perimeter of the institution.
Once a Contractor employee clears the initial screening requirements, a urinalysis test will be required before the individual is allowed access into the institution. If the results of the urinalysis test are positive, that individual will be disqualified from performing under the contract. If the individual clears both the initial screening requirements and the urinalysis test, that individual will be issued a pass for access into the institution.
Contractor employees shall adhere to all institution regulations regarding conduct and performance. Contractor employee will be allowed access to the Complex at the sole discretion of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Any individual performing under this contract may be removed it is becomes apparent that this or her conduct does not reflect the conduct of that prescribe for those people performing under non-personal contracts.
Notice of Contraband: The Contractor will inform all his/her employees that intoxicating beverages, drugs, weapons, etc. will not be allowed on institution property in any vehicle or upon any person. Any person suspected of utilized intoxicating beverages, drugs, weapons, etc., in the performance of this contract will not be allowed on the premises of this institution. Tool boxes will be kept locked at all times except of removal of needed tools, and these shall be in constant surveillance of persona utilizing the tools. Introduction of contraband shall be subject to penalties prescribed by 18 USC 1791.
VIII. SPECIAL QUALIFICATION: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The institution providing services must be listed in the directory entitled “Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education”. Contract instructors provided from academic institution must have a four-year college/Bachelor’s degree and speak fluent English. The contractor must also have a minimum of four years teaching experience, with at least two years of experience working in a correctional setting.
IX. NONPERSONAL POSITION STATUS
The award of this contract will result in a contractual arrangement only and not to be construed as a personnel appointment with the BOP. Payment to the Contractor shall be based on the provision of an end product or the accomplishment of a specific task. Results to be obtained are within the Contractor’s own unsupervised determination. The Contractor will not be subject to Government supervision, except for security related matters and efforts to monitor for quality assurance.
The Contract Officer Technical Representative will periodically evaluate the Contractor’s performance of the contract, by evaluating the individual performance of the contract instructor. If the performance of an individual contract instructor is deemed unacceptable, the Contractor will be responsible for immediately replacing that contract instructor.
X. CONTRACTOR RESTRICTIONS
In addition to adhering to all federal and state laws and regulations in effect during the term of this contract, the contractor shall not:
- supervise or discipline any BOP staff or inmate at any time
- perform requisitions, sign for or pick up supplies
- formulate policies or procedures
- attend or participate in staff recalls, functions or luncheons
- be a member of the Employee’s Club
XI. PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION
The Contractor is required to maintain a system of record on inmates in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR Subpart 52.224-1, “Privacy Act Notification” and 52.224-2 “Privacy Act under the resultant contract.”
This contract requires the Contractor, on behalf of the BOP, to provide educational services and report such information as requested. The BOP shall use said information for financial, legal, and research purposes.
Disclosure of this information may be made by the BOP to: fiscal intermediaries, the Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice for their representation of the United States, and for Congressional inquiry, quality assessment, analytical and evaluation study, and to federal or state agencies as required by law.
Disclosure of the appropriate inmate record information without prior consent of the subject may be made to another federal or state agency as required by law. The Contractor must forward all other requests for information to the applicable ordering official.
