ATCALS PWS Test

General: Introduction

• The contractor must provide all necessary resources (personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, quality control) to perform Air Traffic Control Operations, Weather Observation Services, and ATCALS Maintenance Services, unless otherwise specified as Government Furnished.

Background

• The National Guard Bureau (NGB) has identified Air Traffic Control, Weather Reporting, and ATCALS services at eight Air National Guard bases as mission-essential contracts for the ANG's 88 Wings and GSUs.
• Contract work must comply with regulations from the United States Air Force, FAA, Air National Guard, and local authorities at all times.
• The services provide safe, efficient, and effective aircraft operations.

Period of Performance

• The base period of performance is 12 months, with four 12-month option years.

General Information: Quality Control

• The contractor must develop and maintain a Quality Control (QC) Plan to ensure services are performed correctly
• This plan should include ways to identify, prevent, and avoid recurrence of defective services, and to ensure the work complies with the contract requirements.
• The contractor must develop QC procedures for areas listed in Technical Exhibit 1, Performance Requirements Summary (PRS).
• A final QCP must be submitted to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) no later than 10 days after the contract is awarded.
• Any proposed changes to accepted QCP require written approval from the Contracting Officer (KO).

General Information: Quality Assurance

• The government will assess the contractor's performance using a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).
• The QASP primarily focuses on how the government ensures the contractor meets performance standards, identifying the application, frequency, and acceptable quality levels or defect rates.

General Information: Quality Assurance Evaluators

• Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) will oversee contractor performance at each contract location, designated via an official letter from the NGB Contracting Office.
• QAEs have unrestricted access to all facilities and contractor-generated records.
• QAEs evaluate contract compliance through site visits, personal observation, reviewing air traffic control recordings, questioning, and/or reviewing contractor records and feedback.
• The government may perform unannounced on-site spot checks.

Recognized Holidays

• The contractor must provide services 365 days a year, without exception for holidays. The following US holidays are recognized:
• New Year's Day: January 1st
• Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
• Independence Day: July 4th
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veteran's Day: November 11th
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day: December 25th

Place and Performance of Services

• Contractors must maintain an adequate workforce for uninterrupted task performance at the below locations:
• Ellington Airport, Houston, TX
• Francis S. Gabreski Airport, WesthamptonBeach, NY
• Eastern West Virginia RegionalAirport, Martinsburg, WV
• Quonset State Airport, Kingstown, Rhode Island
• Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus, OH
• Burlington International Airport, Burlington, VT

Telework

• Telework is not authorized.

Installation Gate Closures

• Gate closures by Security Police may occur unexpectedly, causing delays that contractors are not compensated for.
• Contractor vehicles are subject to search, and moving violations may lead to termination of installation driving privileges.

Installation Regulations

• Contractor employees must follow fire, traffic, safety, and security regulations of the installation and only enter restricted areas with prior approval and proper identification.
• The government can direct removal of employees for misconduct, security reasons, or evidence of communicable disease without relieving the contractor's performance responsibility.

Personnel Restrictions

• The government can prevent hiring or direct the removal of employees who pose a threat to installation health, safety, security, well-being, or operational mission, including current contract employees.

Security Requirements

• Contractors must comply with installation/facility access and local security policies obtained from the COR and provide all information required for background checks.
• Compliance with personal identity verification (PIV) requirements as directed by the Department of Defense (DoD), Headquarters Department of Army (HQDA), and/or local policy is mandatory.
• Changes to security matters or processes may occur per changes to the Force Protection Condition (FPCON).

Common Access Cards (CAC)

• For contractors needing Common Access Cards (CAC), the DoD Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential, requirements include:
• Completion of an FBI fingerprint check with favorable results.
• Submission of a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or approved investigative standards. Issuance depends on:
• Eligibility for a CAC
• Verification of DoD affiliation
• Completion of background vetting
• Verification of claimed identity
• Sponsorship and enrollment data must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) through either the Real-Time Automated Personnel ID System (RAPIDS) or the Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS).

HSPD-12 Background Investigation Requirements

• Contractors needing CACs must complete a Personnel Security Investigation Portal (PSIP) application and ensure all employees needing an initial background investigation do too.
• The Contractor Security Manager will verify security clearance to COR who will review for completeness and accuracy.
• Applicants will receive emails with instructions to complete the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system.
• The background investigation will be initiated upon completion of the e-QIP questionnaire and submittal of all required documents.
• Contractors must make reasonable efforts to meet CAC eligibility standards and are responsible for any delays or decreased efficiency.

Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS)

• CAC applications must be processed through TASS.
• While a Corporate Facility Security Officer (FSO) is not required, it streamlines the process.
• If an FSO is not in place applicants process their own applications.
• Submission process:
• Request CAC via secure email to the designated TASS Trusted Agent (TA). The TASS TA for this requirement will be: TBD.
• The government will create a TASS application account and provide a USER ID and password to the FSO or employee via email.
• The FSO or staff accesses TASS, completes the CAC application, and follows up.
• The government will notify email of approval, rejection, or needed corrections. NOTE: The contractor must maintain records of all approved and rejected TASS applications.

RAPIDS Station Requirements

• At the RAPIDS station, the RAPIDS Verification Officer verifies employee identity by SSN and two forms of identification from the Form I-9 list, including a valid State or Federal picture ID.
• The officer captures fingerprints, picture, and updates to DEERS, then issues a CAC valid for up to three years or until the contract end date.

CAC Return Requirements

• Contractors must return issued CACs to the DEERS office upon employee departure or dismissal and obtain a receipt for each card provided to the TA/COR.

Maintaining CACs

• Contractors must manage new or renewal CAC card requests to ensure employees have valid cards when needed and provide at least 10 calendar days' notice to the TA unless there are extenuating circumstances.

@us.af.mil Email Addresses

• Contractors that are deploying should have a @us.af.mil email address for each applicant in order to have logical access to a government computer network.
• If done through U.S. Army processes, then it may be done by going to: http://www.us.army.mil and registering as an "Army Guest," with the sponsor being the COR or a COR- designated individual if the COR is ineligible to Serve as an AKO Sponsor.
• Loss of AKO access means loss of CAC renewal ability, so employees must maintain email and computer accounts.

Communications Security/Information Technology Security

• All communications with DoD organizations are subject to COMSEC review; telephone communications networks are subject to intercept.
• Contractors should share this information with employees and abide by government regulations for using the government's computer network, including restrictions against recruiting or advertising job openings.

Government Information Systems

• Using Government Information Systems (IS) and accessing Government networks are privileges, not rights.
• Users are key to DoD's strategy, and must always operate with security in mind.
• Contractor employees need a favorable background investigation/security clearance and approval to access systems. Contractor employees must:
• Comply with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for government-owned IS and sign an AUP prior to account activation.
• Complete initial/annual Information Assurance (IA) training as defined in the IA Best Business Practices (BBP) training.
• Mark and safeguard files and storage media per classification level and only share with authorized individuals.
• Protect IS and peripherals in their respective areas.
• Practice safe network/Internet operating principles and avoid actions that threaten the system or network.

Protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

• Contractors must protect all PII encountered per Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 224.103.
• If a PII breach occurs due to contractor violation, the contractor bears all notification, call-center support, and credit monitoring costs for affected individuals.

AT Level 1 Awareness Training

• All contractor employees needing access to Army installations, facilities, and controlled access units must complete Level 1 AT within 30 calendar days after starting work on the contract.
• Certificates of completion must be submitted to the COR within 15 days of completion of training that is available at https://jko.jten.mil/courses/atl1/launch.html .

Information

Assurance/Information Technology Training

• All contractor and subcontractor employees must complete DoD IA Awareness Training before network access and annually thereafter.
• Employees performing IA/IT functions must meet DoD and Army workforce training requirements in DoDD 8140.01, DoD 8570.01-M, and AR 25-2 within six months of contract performance.
• Baseline certification as stipulated in DoD 8570.01-M must be completed upon contract award.

Information Awareness

• All contractors using government information must register in ADLS and complete DoD Information Assurance awareness training before accessing the IS and annually thereafter, as available at https://lms-jets.cce.af.mil/moodle/.

OPSEC Training and SOP/Plan

• All new contractor employees must complete Level I OPSEC training within 30 days of reporting for duty, and annually thereafter.
• Certificates of completion are due to the COR within 15 days of completion and Level 1 OPSEC training is available at https://lms-jets.cce.af.mil/moodle/.
• Contractors must develop an OPSEC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)/Plan and provide it to the COR within 90 days of contract award, in order to identify critical info, why, where, who.
• The contractor must implement OPSEC per Government requirements and designate an OPSEC Coordinator certified to Level II within 90 days in accordance with AFI 10-701.

Classified Information

• Contractors must comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-2, Security Requirements for contracts involving access to information classified as “Confidential,” “Secret,” or “Top Secret.”

Physical Security

• The contractor must protect all Government property provided for their use with the safe guarding of equipment and facilities.
• Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured at the end of each works day.

Key Control

• The contractor must ensure that keys/key cards issued by the Government are not lost, misplaced, or used by unauthorized people.
• No keys issued by the Government shall be duplicated and turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access must be included in the QCP.
• Occurrences of lost or duplicated keys/key cards are reported to the COR immediately.
• if keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the contractor shall, upon direction by the KO, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks
• However, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying.
• When the Government replaces or re-keys the locks, the Government will deduct the total cost of lock replacement or re-keying from the monthly payment due the contractor. in the event a master key is lost or duplicated, the Government will replace all locks and keys for that system, and will deduct the total cost from the monthly payment due the contractor.
• The contractor can't permit Government-issued keys/key cards to be used by any one outside of its employees.
• The contractor shall also not permit the opening of locked areas for any persons except people engaged in the performance of services there under the contract, or personnel authorized entrance by the KO.

Special Qualifications

• The contractor must ensure its employees meet qualification requirements outlined in Chapters 4.0 and 5.0 for defined certification task requirements outlined by the contract.
• Key personnel such as site managers, air traffic controllers, weather observers, and lead technicians must meet specified experience levels.

ATC Site Managers and Alternates

• Must have seven years of air traffic control experience with at least three years of control tower experience
• Each Site Manager shall possess a Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification for the site they manage.

Air Traffic Controllers/Weather Observers

• Must have at least three years air traffic control tower experience and possess a current Control Tower Operator certification.
• Experience must be within the last 12 months, except as coordinated with the NGB ATC QAE.
• Controllers, who function as Weather Observers/augment automated weather systems, shall obtain National Weather Service or Federal Aviation Administration weather observer certification.

Required Certifications

• Site Manager and controller shall obtain a Class II MedicalCertificate prior to start date and maintain a valid certificate (immediately available for COR review) throughout employment.

Lead Technician

• Lead Technician and alternate(s) shall have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the maintenance of ATCALS equipment.
• Shall be fully qualifiedto maintain all equipment items at their assigned location, within the first six months of their employment

Maintenance Personnel

• Maintenance personnel all have a minimum of three (3) years of documented experience in ATCALS (ATC Radio, Meteorological, RADAR or Navigational Aids) equipment.
• Experience must be within the last 12 months, except as coordinated with the NGB ATCALS QAE.

Maintenance Technicians

• Maintenance technicians shall obtain a valid FCC General Radio Telephone operator's license within six (6) months of employment and provide a copy tothe COR for review.

Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings

• The contractor must attend any post-award conference convened by the KO IAW FAR Subpart 42.5.
• The KO, COR, and Government personnel meet with the contractor periodically to review performance.
• The KO will inform contractors how the Government views their performance, and contractors are to also apprise the Government if any problems are being experienced.
• The contractor shall resolve issues raised by the Government, and all of this must be done at no additional cost to the Government.

Contract Manager

• The contactor must designate a CM to ensure contract performance.
• The CM or an alternate shall have full authority to act on all contract matters.
• The CM shall work through the COR to resolve issues, receive instructions, and ensure performance - The CM must ensure employees don't perform services outside the scope of the contract without an official change by contract.
• The CM ensures employees know that services performed outside the contract are performed wholly at the expense of the contractor.

Identification of Contractor Employees

• All contractor personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties must identify themselves as such.
• The contractor must ensure that all documents or reports made by contractor personnel are suitably marked as contractor products.
• The status of personnel as a contractor, shall be predominantly displayed in all types of correspondence and dealings.
• Contractor personnel shall wear company identification badges with company listed.

Returning Identification

• Badges, passes, or identifiers previously issued to any employee must be returned with fourteen days of their departure.

Appearance

• All Contractor employees shall be easily recognized and neat in appearance by wearing distinctive clothing company name visible.
• Each company employee shall wear appropriate photo ID, whichcontain a photo of the employee, employee name and company name.

Trafficking in Persons

• The United States Government has a zero tolerance policy regarding trafficking in persons. Contractors and contractor employees shall not engage in severe forms of trafficking in persons, procure commercial sex acts, or use forced labor.
• The Contractor shall notify its employees of the United States Government's zero tolerance policy and the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of this policy

Contractor Travel

• The contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the. Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and the limitation offunds specified in this contract. All travel requires COR recommendation for approval and/authorization by the KO prior to travel arrangements being made.

Data Rights

• The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/materials produced under this contract.
• All documents and materials produced under this contract shall be Government owned
• These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without the KO's permission.

Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

• The contractor and subcontractor personnel performing services under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information which may create a current or subsequent OCIs
• The contractor must notify the KO immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in may result in a potential OCI.
• The KO may impose other remedies including prohibiting the contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

Phase In / Phase Out Periods

• The contractor should have personnel on board, during the 30 days phase in/ phase out periods to avoid decreases in productivity and negative impacts on additional services.
• During this period, the contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements.

Definitions

• Contractor: A supplier or vendor contracted to provide supplies or service to the government.
• Contracting Officer (KO): A person with authority to create, manipulate, or terminate contracts on behalf of the government.
• Contracting Officer Representative (COR): An designated employee authority to provide techical direction but cannot influence the terms

Key Definitions

• Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard ofperformance.
• Deliverable; Anything that can be physically delivered such as meeting minutes or reports
• Key Personnel: Evaluated personnel used in contrat porformance.
• Physical Security: Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.
• Quality Assurance: The government procedures to verify that services beingperformed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.
• Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written documentspecifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance
• Quality Control: All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to ensure thatthe quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

Government Furnished Items

• The Government will provide the property, material, equipment and/or services listed below solely for the purpose of performance under this contract

Government-Furnished Property

• The Government will furnish the needed workspace for the Contractor toperform services outlined in this PWS
• The government will mostly apply to the local Wing at each contract location.

Special Qualifications

• The contractor shall ensure employees meet specific qualification requirements of Chapters 4.0 and 5.0 for defined certification task requirements.
• If not, the government may assist in assuring access to required training, but the Government is not obligated to provide the funding to train conractors, Contractors must ensure that any personnel are trained fully.

ATC Site Managers and Alternates

• The Site Manager shall have at least sevenyears air traffic control experience with at least three years of control tower experience, a Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification for the site they manage.

Air Traffic Controllers/Weather Observers

• Each air traffic controller must have be at least three years air traffic control tower experience and possess a current Control Tower Operator

This lesson covers the contractor's responsibilities related to ATCALS, mishap reporting, documentation, uptime rates, configuration control, vehicle operation, and adherence to Technical Orders. It also outlines the requirements for AOB meetings, including the timeframe for distributing minutes and the document outlining the AOB format.