USDA Forest Service, P&P, Room 706 RP-E, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090

R -- ASSISTANCE IN SELECTION PROCESS FOR SES CANDIDATES SOL WO-99-01 DUE 121198 POC Laurie Lewandowski-Contracting Officer (703)605-4573 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer e-mail address, llewando/wo@fs.fed.us. USDA Forest Service (FS) management officials have determined a need for specialized abilities and skills that will supplement the current federal process with different private sector viewpoints and experience. This experience will assist the FS by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the selection process for our Senior Executive Service (SES) positions, and allow us to attract and retain highly competent executives that will enhance the overall quality of executives and leadership for these very crucial positions. Background-The current SES selection process involves the certification of candidates who are eligible for consideration for SES positions. Candidates can be eligible for SES positions in the following ways: career appointments; non-competitive action by lateral reassignment; non-career appointments; limited term; limited emergency; Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program graduates approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). At present, the FS Human Resources Management Office completes the initial screening of candidates and prepares a package to be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of representatives of the Department of Agriculture. The panel determines if candidates meet the Executive Core Qualifications established by OPM that indicates the candidates possess the broad executive skills needed to be successful in a SES position. These five fundamental executive qualifications are: Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, and Building Coalitions/Communication. The technical qualifications which are established by the agency is also reviewed and evaluated for each candidate and then they receive an overall rating. Once completed, the agency head is provided with a list of the best qualified candidates for the respective position. Currently, FS management representatives commission a group of current SES employees and/or senior level GS-15 employees to evaluate, with Human Resources Management representation, the best qualified candidates based on the needs of the position and the quality of the applicant's possession of the needed executive/management competencies. Scope-The scope of this contract is to assist Forest Service management in the evaluation and recommendation of the final tier or Best Qualified candidates from which the final recommended selectee may be identified. Description of Work-The Contractor shall provide all necessary labor to: 1)Develop a selection evaluation format and criteria that will ensure that all candidates receive a fair and equitable evaluation for consideration for the subject position. The process will be reviewed and approved by the FS prior to implementation. 2) Perform additional reviews and further evaluate the application packages/documents of each final tier candidate and rate each individual candidate against the evaluation process/criteria in terms of his/her ranking for selection. This group will include approximately 5-10 candidates. 3) Develop a series of interview questions which will produceinformation from the candidates that will add value in the overall selection of the final recommended candidate. The questions must be uniform and the same questions asked of each candidate. The contractor shall document the responses of each candidate and describe how the responses were factored into the ultimate recommendations. Peer reviews/360 degree feedback interview process may be used in assessing current and past supervisors and peers' input. 4) Performance and background inquiries with current and past supervisors must be made in the event a 360 degree interview process is not used. 5) The results of this evaluation process are a report which documents the evaluation process and recommends the top 3-5 candidates for the position with rationale as to why these candidates are recommended. -- This contract will be in effect from date of award (estimated to be in December) through September 30, 1999.Delivery time/performance time will be negotiated for each position. It is estimated that 15-20 positions will utilize this contract; one position is guaranteed. Pricing shall be on a per position basis. Technical Requirements of Firms/Evaluation Factors: Firms must have demonstrated experience in consulting and providing expert advice in the Human Resources Management arena. This experience must include knowledge in developing and providing human resources assessments, evaluations, and recommendations of applicants to managers for consideration and selection of senior level, upper echelon positions within firms and/or agencies. Personnel of the selected firm must have personal knowledge of and experience in the accepted phases of the recruiting and staffing of positions within the public and/or private employment sectors. Firms must have experience in conducting research of the attributes of successful executives in both the private and public sectors; have experience providing background and reference checks for both private and public sector employees; have a solid understanding of the current laws and regulations that deal with the executive branch Senior Executive Service positions; have an understanding of the characteristics and leadership competencies needed for visionary leaders and executives for the 21st century. -- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 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 is solicitation no. WO-99-01 and is issued as a Request for Quotations (under $100,000). Proposals are due by 5:00 pm, December 11. Proposals shall include: A written proposal which addresses the technical evaluation factors; include resumes of key personnel who will be assigned to the project; provide an approach to the work and understanding of the problem; provide a price per each position; provide a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. Price is considered less important than technical expertise. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-09. This solicitation is 100% set-aside for small business. SIC Code 8742; size standard $5 million. The provision at 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions, and clause 52.212-5 contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. These additional clauses apply: 52.219-8; 52.219-9, 52,222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.239-1, 52.222-41. Proposals may be submitted by fax to 703-605-5100 in addition to sending to USDA Forest Service, Attn: Laurie Lewandowski, Suite 706 RP-E, 1621 N. Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209. Posted 12/03/98 (W-SN276825). (0337)

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