Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

STATEMENT OF WORK 

COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT 

BACKGROUND 

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (also referred to as “CFTC” or 

“Commission”) organization consists of the Offices of the Chairman, Commissioners, and 

the agency's operating units. 

The mission of the CFTC is to promote the integrity, resilience, and vibrancy of the U.S. 

derivatives markets through sound regulation. 

CFTC Human Resources serves the Commission by supporting a wide variety of programs of 

importance to managers and employees, including functions such as administering benefits 

and awards, overseeing and governing time and attendance, processing payroll and 

maintaining official personnel records. 

OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this contract is to acquire contractor support services for CFTC’s Human 

Resources Branch (HRB) to ensure the vitality of the human resources program and to help 

HRB remain effective and efficient in responding to new and emerging human resources 

requirements. 

SCOPE OF WORK 

The scope of this contract includes human resources operations and administration, 

payroll/time and attendance processing, staffing, classification, performance and 

compensation support, as well as benefits support for approximately 700 federal staff. The 

duty locations of the federal staff are CFTC Headquarters, Washington, DC; Eastern 

Regional Office, New York, NY; Central Regional Office, Chicago, IL; and Southwestern 

Regional Office, Kansas City, MO. 

WORK REQUIREMENTS 

A. Human Resources Operations, Administrative and Payroll/Time and Attendance Support 

The contractor shall perform all personnel/payroll processing functions in National Finance 

Center (NFC) systems (i.e., EmpowHR, Entry, Processing, Inquiry, and Correction System 

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(EPIC) and NFC’s Reporting Center). The contractor shall be responsible for correcting 

payroll and leave errors, and preparing reports. 

The contractor shall coordinate the processing of CFTC’s payroll and all time and attendance 

matters. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, acting as liaison with the 

payroll/personnel units of NFC and other government agencies in transmitting data between 

the payroll, timekeeping, and human resources information systems of the agencies. The 

contractor shall also be responsible for facilitating the biweekly payroll cycle via the webTA 

automated system, which includes ensuring complete and timely delivery of timesheets to 

NFC each pay period. In doing so, the contractor shall provide instruction in advance to 

CFTC’s timekeepers and coordinate with CFTC’s Financial Management Branch (FMB) to 

ensure the accurate and timely completion of special processing required for each pay period. 

The contractor shall be responsible for: 

• Processing personnel (EmpowHR)/EPIC/payroll (WebTA) actions in U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Finance Center (NFC) automated 

personnel/payroll system; 

• Conducting new employee orientations; 

• Scanning employment documents into OPM’s Electronic Official Personnel Folder 

(eOPF) system; 

• Compiling reports from databases and other office filing systems; 

• Preparing correspondence and completing mass mailings of form letters; 

• Filing documents in paper filing systems and other filing systems; 

• Scanning and indexing documents for insertion into employee permanent records; 

• Copying and assembling printed materials such as handbooks; 

• Assisting staff in completing administrative support elements of all areas of HRB 

office operations as requested; 

• Scheduling meetings and conference room reservations; 

• Assisting in the creation, closeout, and purging of files such as merit promotion cases 

data entry; 

• Maintaining and disposing of records per CFTC’s policies; and 

• Performing required procedures in support of human resources programs. 

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all information and for 

observing statutory requirements relating to privacy and freedom of information. 

B. Benefits Support 

The contractor shall assist in advising CFTC’s employees on all aspects of federal employee 

benefits, including informing CFTC’s employees of their rights and entitlement to employee 

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benefits, such as health and life insurance, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and CFTC-specific 

employee benefit options (e.g., CFTC’s dental plan). 

For accession actions, the contractor shall assist in determining an employee’s eligibility for 

federal civil service retirement plan coverage, social security coverage, as well as life 

insurance and health program benefits. For employees separating from the agency, the 

contractor shall assist in explaining withdrawal and other options regarding their TSP 

accounts, as well as other benefits such as potential reinstatement eligibility. 

CFTC will provide relevant information as necessary to support the contractor’s independent 

completion of tasks as cited above. 

C. Performance and Compensation Support 

The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 

• Support the administration of the annual performance evaluation process and other 

cyclical activities such as merit pay pools and performance data reporting. This 

includes the following: 

o Performing quality assurance on submitted electronic and hard copy 

documents; 

o Tracking progress reviews, review meetings, and other components of the 

appraisal process; 

o Using automation to print reports; 

o Assisting users with information and access to performance management 

automation; 

o Reviewing records and other documentation to prepare summaries of 

information in preparation for further analysis and processing; 

o Reviewing performance standards and appraisals to ensure the standards 

are in accordance with existing policies and regulations; and 

o Researches, retrieves, and files performance appraisals in e-OPF, as 

needed. 

• Support the administration of the Incentive Awards Programs by: 

o Assisting managers and supervisors with guidance on the agency’s 

incentive award program procedures; 

o Handling various activities of the Incentive Awards Programs, i.e., The 

Chairman’s Honorary awards; retirement awards; Suggestion Awards, 

presentation award plaques, and other duties that encompass the execution 

or presentation of the awards programs; 

o Maintaining and monitoring awards inventory; assemble certificates and 

frames, and other awards hardware; assist with awards budget or 

ceremony logistics, and assist with governance processes for an awards 

committee; 

o Drafting CFTC Communications, ceremony details, and notifications 

pertaining to awards; 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

o Managing yearly Length of Service (LOS) presentations by organizing 

and distributing of LOS certificate plaques or reports; 

o Monitoring and managing various aspects of the suggestion program such 

as the suggestion program database; and 

o Keeping abreast and up-to-date of the Incentive Awards Policy guidance. 

• Assist in the development of employee recognition programs. 

• Assist in the production of performance management concepts, principles, and 

practices work products. This includes: 

o Conducting analytical studies of performance management outcomes and pay 

metrics using spreadsheets, databases, and/or statistical software; and 

o Assisting with developing new or modified procedures to improve 

effectiveness in support of agency goals for pay and performance. 

• Assist in the creation and execution of communication strategies and plans to promote 

performance management and compensation programs. 

• Assist in the preparation of work products related to compensation concepts, 

principles, and practices. This includes: 

o Assisting with creating new or modified procedures to improve the 

effectiveness of compensation products in support of agency goals. 

D. Pay and Performance Reform Support 

Performance Management 

The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 

• Provide recommendations and assist in the design and development of 

performance management policies, procedures, and automation related to 

various types of performance evaluation systems (e.g., 2-level, 3-level, 4-

level), etc. 

• Create/assist in the production of work products related to pay-forperformance concepts, principles, and practices, such as pay pool 

administration, merit pay distribution, new pay plans, governance procedures, 

competency proficiency levels for evaluating performance, etc. This includes: 

o Assist with developing new or modified plans/procedures to improve 

pay-for-performance effectiveness in support of agency goals. The 

work products shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s 

Representative (COR) for review and approval prior to finalization 

and/or execution. 

Communication/Change Management 

The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 

• Develop, recommend and execute communication strategies and cultural 

transformation plans, including a strategic change management strategy, to 

promote and reform pay-for-performance concepts, performance management 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

programs, pay programs, organizational values and development, and 

employee and leadership training and development. Each work product, such 

as the communication strategies, cultural transformation plans and strategic 

change management strategies shall be submitted to the COR for review and 

approval prior to execution. 

• Prepare compensation and pay administration concepts, principles, and 

practices work products. This includes: 

o Prepare and/or assist creating new or modified procedures for pay 

setting of new hires and transfers; policies, practices, and analysis for 

pay equity; or policies of other pay mechanisms such as pay 

differentials, incentives, bonuses or special pay progression, to 

improve the compensation and pay administration effectiveness of 

these products in support of agency goals. The work products shall be 

submitted to the COR for review and approval prior to finalization 

and/or execution. 

E. Staffing/Classification Support 

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks: 

Staffing: 

• Perform the full range of staffing services such as drafting job postings, posting 

positions, rating and ranking applicants, issuing Certificates of Eligibles, making 

job offers, and pay setting in accordance with established CFTC guidelines. 

Quality Review: 

• Assist CFTC Human Resources Specialists (Staffing and Classification) in 

conducting quality review within 5 business days of issuance of certificates on 

Delegated Examining, Merit Promotion and Excepted Service. 

• Assist Human Resources Specialists (Staffing and Classification) in auditing 

Certificates of Eligibles once a selection has been made. The contractor shall 

make recommendations to the Chief, Employment and Benefits on corrective 

actions, if applicable. 

Annual Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) Audit: 

• Conduct an independent annual quality review of job postings to ensure that merit 

promotion procedures and Delegated Examining procedures have been met for 

assigned cases. Recommendations regarding corrective actions shall be submitted 

to the Chief, Talent Management, if applicable. This in an independent annual 

audit and cannot be conducted by current staffing/classification support staff. 

This task and final report must be completed within seven business days from 

initial assignment. 

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Classification: 

• Perform the full range of classification activities including position management 

and organizational design. 

• Apply new or updated OPM position classification standards and evaluation 

guides to reaffirm or determine the appropriate title, series, and grade of a full 

range of positions. 

• Write evaluation statements, and assist with conducting position audits. Work 

with HRB staff to finalize any recommendations from the audits. 

• Research and analyze information to formulate recommendations and/or draw 

conclusions on complex position classification matters. 

• Conduct an annual analysis on the design of a Position Description Library and 

provide expert advice as to the development of the system. 

• Assist in performing an annual career ladder study of existing CFTC positions. 

Historically, the contract staffing/classification support is a part-time function (approximately 

3 days per week) where all assigned tasks were completed within that time. CFTC 

anticipates this level of support will be needed under this contract. 

DELIVERABLES AND PROGRESS/FINANCIAL STATUS REPORTS 

All of the contractor’s written deliverables shall be clear and concise, comprehensive 

with respect to all relevant aspects of the subject matter, and sufficiently detailed to 

provide a full understanding of the conclusions contained therein. They must be 

thoughtfully organized and structured to ensure readability; carefully edited and free of 

grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors; detailed; and contain both functional and 

technical design requirements as appropriate. 

The contractor shall submit all written deliverables to the COR electronically unless 

otherwise requested to be submitted in hardcopy. Additionally, the contactor shall 

provide an electronic copy of each deliverable to the Contracting Officer. All 

deliverables are considered “draft” until the contractor receives notification that they are 

accepted from either the COR or Contracting Officer. Draft deliverables are the initial 

submission for COR review and comments. The Final deliverables shall contain 

revisions that address the COR comments prior to submission to a wider group of 

stakeholders for review. The COR will provide the contractor with all approved 

comments from the stakeholder reviews. The contractor shall incorporate the comments 

into the deliverables and resubmit to the COR for final approval within one (1) week 

after the receipt of the comments. 

If a deliverable due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the due date for 

that deliverable shall be the next business day. 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

Deliverable Schedule 

Deliverable Date Deliverable is Due 

Task D - Pay and Performance Reform 

Support: Plans/Procedures to improve payfor-performance 

As required by the COR 

Task D - Pay and Performance Reform 

Support: Communication strategies, cultural 

transformation plans and strategic change 

management strategy 

As required by the COR 

Task D - Pay and Performance Reform 

Support: Plans/Procedures for compensation 

and pay administration 

As required by the COR 

Progress/Financial Status Reports 

Submit at the same time as 

monthly invoice to COR

and Contracting Officer 

Progress/Financial Status Reports 

The contractor shall provide written progress/financial status reports when it submits its 

monthly invoices. Each report shall cover the invoiced period, and shall include the 

following information: 

1. Report of all action items (both government and contractor), in a form and substance 

agreeable to the Contracting Officer and the COR; 

2. Work completed during the reporting period (including listing of submitted 

deliverables); 

3. Description of work in progress; 

4. Issues identified and plan for addressing them; 

5. Labor hours expended by labor category (current month and cumulative) (for LH 

support tasks); 

6. Amount of funds expended (current month and cumulative) (for LH support tasks); 

7. Amount of funds remaining under the contract (for LH support tasks); and 

8. Total cost estimate through completion of the contract period of performance (for LH 

support tasks). 

In addition to submitting the written monthly progress/financial status reports, the contractor 

shall meet with the COR and other CFTC representatives on the status of the project. 

Scheduling of the briefings will be as required by the COR. 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

A. Core Hours of Service 

The principal place of performance shall be CFTC’s Headquarters office located at 1155 

21st Street, NW, Washington, DC. All work shall be performed at the assigned principal 

place of performance unless otherwise approved, in advance, by the COR or Contracting 

Officer. Work may be performed at an alternate location if approved, in advance, by the 

COR and Contracting Officer. 

The core hours of service to be covered under this contract shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays, emergency closings and other nonwork days. The contractor personnel working under this contract may commence no earlier 

than 6:30 a.m. and no later than 8:30 a.m. and conclude no earlier than 3:00 p.m. and no later 

than 5:00 p.m. with a required 1⁄2 hour lunch period (working through lunch is not permitted). 

Personnel will be required to establish a defined work schedule within these hours, and the 

contractor shall ensure there is adequate coverage during the core hours. Some overtime may 

be required from time-to-time. The work schedules may be adjusted periodically, on an as 

needed basis, by the COR or Contracting Officer, provided that the adjustments will not 

cause the contractor to surpass the funded not-to-exceed amount of the contract at any time 

(see contract clause titled “TECHNICAL DIRECTION AND SURVEILLANCE”). 

B. Contractor Qualifications 

To successfully perform the tasks described in Sections A. Human Resources Operations, 

Administrative and Payroll/Time and Attendance Support and B. Benefits Support, the 

Commission requires the following qualifications: 

• Skill in the use of a variety of software, including the ability to manipulate, edit and 

format documents in applications such as: 

o the Microsoft Office Suite; 

o the National Finance Center’s (NFC) Time and Attendance system; and 

o Access databases. 

• Knowledge of OPM’s Guide to Processing Personnel Actions. 

• Experience in coding SF-52s, using OPM’s Guide to Processing Personnel Actions 

and experience inputting actions into the National Finance Center’s personnel/payroll 

system. 

• Experience in using eOPF including scanning documents, reviewing and verifying the 

accuracy of records in eOPF and researching data. 

For the additional eOPF support under Section A. Human Resources Operations, 

Administrative and Payroll/Time and Attendance Support, the Commission requires the 

following qualifications: 

• Scanning employment documents into OPM’s Electronic Official Personnel Folder 

(eOPF) system; 

• Compiling reports from databases and other office filing systems; 

• Preparing correspondence and completing mass mailings of form letters; 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

• Filing documents in paper filing systems and other filing systems; 

• Scanning and indexing documents for insertion into employee permanent records; 

• Copying and assembling printed materials such as handbooks; 

• Assisting staff in completing administrative support elements of all areas of office 

operations as requested; and 

• Scheduling meetings and conference room reservations. 

To successfully perform the tasks described in Section C. Performance and Compensation 

Support, the Commission requires the following qualifications: 

• Experience with the analysis and implementation of performance management and 

compensation programs in a pay-for-performance environment. 

• Skill in the use of a variety of software, including the ability to manipulate, edit and 

format documents in applications such as: 

o the Microsoft Office Suite; 

o e-OPF; 

o the National Finance Center’s (NFC) payroll/personnel system; and 

o webTA. 

To successfully perform the tasks described in Section D. Pay and Performance Reform 

Support – Performance Management, CFTC requires the following qualifications: 

• Experience with the analysis, development and implementation of performance 

management (including incentive awards) and compensation programs in a pay-forperformance environment; 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 

• Experience with project planning, reports and timelines; and 

• Experience working with independent pay, hiring, or other similar authorities (outside 

of Title 5). 

To successfully perform the tasks described in Section D. Pay and Performance Reform 

Support – Communication/Change Management, CFTC requires the following qualifications: 

• Leadership experience (equivalent to an HR Director, Chief Human Capital Officer or 

Deputy) with Federal HR expertise in a wide array of HR functional areas in order to 

provide advice and guidance related to change management in a pay-for-performance 

environment; 

• Extensive experience in Federal HR staffing, classification, pay setting administration 

and compensation programs; 

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills; 

• Experience in Change Management methods and techniques, organizational 

development, employee and leadership training and development; and 

• Experience working with independent pay, hiring, or other similar authorities (outside 

of Title 5) is preferred. 

To successfully perform the tasks described in Section E. Staffing/Classification Support, the 

Commission requires the following qualifications: 

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Contract #9523ZY-20-C-0028 

Senior Human Resources Specialist 

• Extensive knowledge at a senior level for the full range of Federal HRM programs 

and experience integrating the various specialty areas outlined in the SOW. Such 

experience is typically acquired in positions such as a Deputy HR Director or 

Supervisory HR Specialist of a Federal agency. 

• Mastery of, and skill in applying the full spectrum of advanced HRM principles, 

concepts, and practices, as well as seasoned consultative skills in the specialty areas 

outlined in the SOW. 

• Thorough knowledge of the laws, statutes and regulations governing all aspects of 

Title 5 and excepted service rules of the Code of Federal Regulations, enabling them 

to work independently with minor direction. 

• Excellent verbal and written skills that will allow them to communicate with CFTC 

staff and the public as well as be persuasive when defending positions. 

• Directly related staffing and classification experience, performing in a senior role in 

the HR arena. 

• For staffing work, must be currently DEU certified. 

Human Resources Specialist (Classification/Staffing) 

• Extensive knowledge of, and skill in applying HRM laws, regulations, policies, 

concepts, and various practices, procedures, and quality control functions in the 

specialty areas outlined in the SOW. 

• Thorough knowledge of the laws, statutes and regulations governing all aspects of 

Title 5 and excepted service rules of the Code of Federal Regulations, enabling them 

to work independently with minor direction. 

• Excellent verbal and written skills that will allow them to communicate with CFTC 

staff and the public as well as be persuasive when defending positions. 

• Directly related staffing and classification experience, performing as a senior HR 

Specialist role. 

• For staffing work, must be currently DEU certified. 

C. Optional Additional Services 

The Contracting Officer may exercise any optional contract line item (CLIN) for additional 

services by written notice (i.e., a modification to the task order) at any time during the period of 

performance of the task order, provided that the Contracting Officer shall give the Contractor 

preliminary notice of the Government’s intention to exercise the option at least one (1) week in 

advance. The contractor shall expend no effort on the optional additional services without 

written direction of the Contracting Officer. 

OPTIONAL TASK: Senior HR Specialist – Staffing 

For each year of the task order, this optional subtask (associated with 

Staffing/Classification Support task) includes a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount which is 

based on an estimated level of effort of 1200 hours. 

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OPTIONAL TASK: HR Assistant – 

For each year of the task order, this optional subtask (associated with Human Resources 

Operations, Administrative and Payroll/Time and Attendance Support and Benefits 

tasks) includes a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount which is based on an estimated level of 

effort of 1000 hours. 

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