Training and Management Assistance Program: HCaTS FAQs
Training and Management Assistance Program: HCaTS FAQs Expedited Human Capital and Training Solutions
Contact our team lead at 202.606.1501 for an HCaTS conversation.
Q1: What is HCaTS? The Human Capital and Training Solution (HCaTS) contract is the result of a partnership between The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA). The partnership will manage a new strategically sourced, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) government-wide contract that provides customized human capital management, training, and organizational performance improvement services to all federal agencies. The HCaTS contract provides federal agencies with a reliable, flexible, fast, and efficient way to obtain best value solutions for complex human capital and training services. HCaTS is the first major category management solution for the Human Capital and Training category, and is supported by the Category Management Leadership Council chaired by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Q2: What contract types are available through HCaTS? GSA awarded two separate contracts: HCaTS Unrestricted and HCaTS Small Business (SB). Both contract vehicles provide the same scope of government-wide human capital management and training services. Both contract vehicles offer the ability to use all contract types and provide pricing at the task order level (i.e., FixedPrice (all types), Cost-Reimbursement (all types), Time-and-Materials, and LaborHour). Task orders may also combine more than one contract type (e.g., FFP/Cost, FFP/Labor-Hour, etc.). Additionally, task orders may include incentives, performance based measures, multi-year or option periods, and commercial or non-commercial items. Q3: Can HCaTS be used to obtain services outside the U.S.? Yes. The services are intended to meet the human capital management and training services needs of all federal agencies, both CONUS and OCONUS.
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Q4: How can HCaTS help me meet my agency goals and objectives? The HCaTS contracts are part of a strategic, government-wide movement to “buyas-one” through Category Management and are an important first step in optimizing spending in the human capital category. HCaTS provides multiple qualified industry partners to provide the broadest scope of human capital management and training services to meet the needs of the Federal workforce. Solutions conform to Federal agency-specific and OPM policies, procedures, rules, regulations, the OPM HR Community of Practice and governing doctrines to include, but not limited to, the Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework (HCAAF), i.e. Quality is “Built-In”. HCaTS will assist federal agencies in accomplishing the following objectives: o Improve and advance human capital management in accordance with the HCAAF and OPM governing doctrines and help Agencies accomplish their assigned critical missions o Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of critical business processes o Provide optimal professional development opportunities to the federal workforce o Undertake effective change management initiatives o Develop effective metrics to assess progress in carrying out human capital strategies (Category Management) o Maximize the return on investment in human capital management and training services Help your agency meet your small business goals Provide longer term planning for complex program requirements for up to 10-1/2 years Q5: What are the benefits of HCaTS? HCaTS provides the opportunity to consolidate Human Capital and Training spend on a single contract (reducing the number of sources, customer agency contracts and administrative costs). Long period of performance with high ceiling Lower labor rates and fees Work towards meeting your agency’s Small Business goals through the HCaTS-SB All federal contract types are available for use (Fixed Price, T&M, Labor Hours, Cost) 100+ best-in-class prime contractors delivering human capital, training and organizational performance solutions with built in quality
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Q6: What services will OPM provide during Assisted Acquisition procurements? OPM’s HR Solutions’ Training and Management Assistance (TMA) Program provides pre-solicitation services (e.g. scope review, requirements determination, and more) for the requesting agency. These services include assisting in preparing the requirements and acquisition package and coordinating with GSA to solicit the requirements on the appropriate HCaTS contract using GSA’s eBuy system. Following award to an industry partner, TMA will provide Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and project management services. GSA will provide vendor and financial management services for each project, while TMA will coordinate those activities with GSA on behalf of the customer. Q7: Where can I find a list of HCaTS contractors? The GSA site below lists the contract awardees. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/124018 Q8: What is the difference between Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition? There are two ways Federal agencies can use HCaTS: 1. Direct: After a Contracting Officer attends mandatory Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) training, GSA will issue a DPA to the customer agency Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO) who then can award a task order through the contracts. The DPA establishes the OCO’s roles and responsibilities. OPM is available to provide complementary scope reviews for customer agencies; or 2. Assisted: OPM (supported by GSA’s AAS contracting expertise) performs the acquisition on behalf of the customer agency and provides pre- and post-award support, as negotiated with the customer. An Inter-Agency Agreement is required. Q9: What are HCaTS fees for both Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition (AA) options? For the Direct Buy option, there are no fees assessed to the agency using HCaTS. In the Assisted Acquisition model, the requesting agency will pay a tiered management fee based on the value of the project over its lifecycle. The fee may be lower if the requesting agency moderates the project’s complexity and acquisition risk. A comparative analysis of the TMA Fee Structure and other GSA Fee Structures vs. the HCaTS Fee structure, weighted for the expected size of projects and expected volume of projects in the first year, produces a reduction in costs at a combined level of 10-15%.
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The new fee structure, based on project costs, includes: o o o o o
$20M+: 3% $10M to $19.999M: 5% $2.5M to $9.999M: 7% $500K to $2.499M: 10% $0 - $499K: Reserved for HCaTS Small Business and/or refer to HCaTS Direct or other alternative such as a GSA Schedule, OPM’s HRS or a Shared Service Provider.
Q10: Will customer agencies be able to request that procurement be set aside for small business under either Direct Buy or Assisted Acquisition models? Yes. Customers should always include small business planning in their acquisition strategy. They should consult with their agency contracting officer and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to determine their best procurement approach. In a Direct Buy scenario, the agency’s Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO) makes this decision in consultation with the OSDBU. In an Assisted Acquisition scenario, the OPM TMA team will collect the Requesting Agency’s recommendations – including their small business recommendation – and coordinate with GSA’s contracting officer. The contracting officer makes the final decision on how to conduct the solicitation to the greatest advantage of the government, but the requesting agency’s recommendations will carry substantial weight in that decision. For additional information about small business possibilities with the HCaTS contracts, please contact your OPM representative..
Q11: What kinds of requirements does HCaTS specifically address? The functional scope of the HCaTS contract addresses three Key Service Areas: 1. Customized Training and Development services; 2. Customized Human Capital Strategies services; and 3. Customized Organizational Performance Improvement services.
Q12: Why should we use the current TMA Program contract vehicle now? Customers who need human capital and training products and services can use the current TMA IDIQ contract vehicle for short term projects or to have access to partners on the TMA contract that might not be on the HCaTS contracts..
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. TMA continues to provide full program management services delivered by prequalified best in class vendors.
Q13: I am a current customer using TMA’s IDIQ. What will happen to my current Interagency Agreement (7600A) once the HCaTS contract is operational? The terms and conditions of your current Interagency Agreement (7600A) will be honored through September 30, 2018. The HCaTS contract will be the new vehicle through which TMA will offer Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition Services. Existing options and/or option periods awarded under the current TMA IDIQ will continue to be administered and exercised under the current TMA IDIQ, which. remains in force until September 30, 2017. All work awarded under the current TMA IDIQ must be completed by September 29, 2018. Please contact your current TMA project manager for details. Q14: How long does it take to execute a project under HCaTS? OPM targets 90 days or less from the date funding is accepted for Assisted Acquisition services. However, this period may vary based upon the complexity and scope of the requirements. For Direct Buy, it is up to your agency’s lead times. Q15: When can I start using the new HCaTS contract? We encourage you to contact TMA today to discuss. Q16: Who can I call to learn more about HCaTS and the TMA Program? You can call our team lead at 202.606.1501 or 202.606.0482, or write us at [email protected]
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Contact our team lead at 202.606.1501 for an HCaTS conversation.
Q1: What is HCaTS? The Human Capital and Training Solution (HCaTS) contract is the result of a partnership between The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA). The partnership will manage a new strategically sourced, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) government-wide contract that provides customized human capital management, training, and organizational performance improvement services to all federal agencies. The HCaTS contract provides federal agencies with a reliable, flexible, fast, and efficient way to obtain best value solutions for complex human capital and training services. HCaTS is the first major category management solution for the Human Capital and Training category, and is supported by the Category Management Leadership Council chaired by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Q2: What contract types are available through HCaTS? GSA awarded two separate contracts: HCaTS Unrestricted and HCaTS Small Business (SB). Both contract vehicles provide the same scope of government-wide human capital management and training services. Both contract vehicles offer the ability to use all contract types and provide pricing at the task order level (i.e., FixedPrice (all types), Cost-Reimbursement (all types), Time-and-Materials, and LaborHour). Task orders may also combine more than one contract type (e.g., FFP/Cost, FFP/Labor-Hour, etc.). Additionally, task orders may include incentives, performance based measures, multi-year or option periods, and commercial or non-commercial items. Q3: Can HCaTS be used to obtain services outside the U.S.? Yes. The services are intended to meet the human capital management and training services needs of all federal agencies, both CONUS and OCONUS.
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Q4: How can HCaTS help me meet my agency goals and objectives? The HCaTS contracts are part of a strategic, government-wide movement to “buyas-one” through Category Management and are an important first step in optimizing spending in the human capital category. HCaTS provides multiple qualified industry partners to provide the broadest scope of human capital management and training services to meet the needs of the Federal workforce. Solutions conform to Federal agency-specific and OPM policies, procedures, rules, regulations, the OPM HR Community of Practice and governing doctrines to include, but not limited to, the Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework (HCAAF), i.e. Quality is “Built-In”. HCaTS will assist federal agencies in accomplishing the following objectives: o Improve and advance human capital management in accordance with the HCAAF and OPM governing doctrines and help Agencies accomplish their assigned critical missions o Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of critical business processes o Provide optimal professional development opportunities to the federal workforce o Undertake effective change management initiatives o Develop effective metrics to assess progress in carrying out human capital strategies (Category Management) o Maximize the return on investment in human capital management and training services Help your agency meet your small business goals Provide longer term planning for complex program requirements for up to 10-1/2 years Q5: What are the benefits of HCaTS? HCaTS provides the opportunity to consolidate Human Capital and Training spend on a single contract (reducing the number of sources, customer agency contracts and administrative costs). Long period of performance with high ceiling Lower labor rates and fees Work towards meeting your agency’s Small Business goals through the HCaTS-SB All federal contract types are available for use (Fixed Price, T&M, Labor Hours, Cost) 100+ best-in-class prime contractors delivering human capital, training and organizational performance solutions with built in quality
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Q6: What services will OPM provide during Assisted Acquisition procurements? OPM’s HR Solutions’ Training and Management Assistance (TMA) Program provides pre-solicitation services (e.g. scope review, requirements determination, and more) for the requesting agency. These services include assisting in preparing the requirements and acquisition package and coordinating with GSA to solicit the requirements on the appropriate HCaTS contract using GSA’s eBuy system. Following award to an industry partner, TMA will provide Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and project management services. GSA will provide vendor and financial management services for each project, while TMA will coordinate those activities with GSA on behalf of the customer. Q7: Where can I find a list of HCaTS contractors? The GSA site below lists the contract awardees. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/124018 Q8: What is the difference between Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition? There are two ways Federal agencies can use HCaTS: 1. Direct: After a Contracting Officer attends mandatory Delegation of Procurement Authority (DPA) training, GSA will issue a DPA to the customer agency Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO) who then can award a task order through the contracts. The DPA establishes the OCO’s roles and responsibilities. OPM is available to provide complementary scope reviews for customer agencies; or 2. Assisted: OPM (supported by GSA’s AAS contracting expertise) performs the acquisition on behalf of the customer agency and provides pre- and post-award support, as negotiated with the customer. An Inter-Agency Agreement is required. Q9: What are HCaTS fees for both Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition (AA) options? For the Direct Buy option, there are no fees assessed to the agency using HCaTS. In the Assisted Acquisition model, the requesting agency will pay a tiered management fee based on the value of the project over its lifecycle. The fee may be lower if the requesting agency moderates the project’s complexity and acquisition risk. A comparative analysis of the TMA Fee Structure and other GSA Fee Structures vs. the HCaTS Fee structure, weighted for the expected size of projects and expected volume of projects in the first year, produces a reduction in costs at a combined level of 10-15%.
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The new fee structure, based on project costs, includes: o o o o o
$20M+: 3% $10M to $19.999M: 5% $2.5M to $9.999M: 7% $500K to $2.499M: 10% $0 - $499K: Reserved for HCaTS Small Business and/or refer to HCaTS Direct or other alternative such as a GSA Schedule, OPM’s HRS or a Shared Service Provider.
Q10: Will customer agencies be able to request that procurement be set aside for small business under either Direct Buy or Assisted Acquisition models? Yes. Customers should always include small business planning in their acquisition strategy. They should consult with their agency contracting officer and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to determine their best procurement approach. In a Direct Buy scenario, the agency’s Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO) makes this decision in consultation with the OSDBU. In an Assisted Acquisition scenario, the OPM TMA team will collect the Requesting Agency’s recommendations – including their small business recommendation – and coordinate with GSA’s contracting officer. The contracting officer makes the final decision on how to conduct the solicitation to the greatest advantage of the government, but the requesting agency’s recommendations will carry substantial weight in that decision. For additional information about small business possibilities with the HCaTS contracts, please contact your OPM representative..
Q11: What kinds of requirements does HCaTS specifically address? The functional scope of the HCaTS contract addresses three Key Service Areas: 1. Customized Training and Development services; 2. Customized Human Capital Strategies services; and 3. Customized Organizational Performance Improvement services.
Q12: Why should we use the current TMA Program contract vehicle now? Customers who need human capital and training products and services can use the current TMA IDIQ contract vehicle for short term projects or to have access to partners on the TMA contract that might not be on the HCaTS contracts..
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. TMA continues to provide full program management services delivered by prequalified best in class vendors.
Q13: I am a current customer using TMA’s IDIQ. What will happen to my current Interagency Agreement (7600A) once the HCaTS contract is operational? The terms and conditions of your current Interagency Agreement (7600A) will be honored through September 30, 2018. The HCaTS contract will be the new vehicle through which TMA will offer Direct Buy and Assisted Acquisition Services. Existing options and/or option periods awarded under the current TMA IDIQ will continue to be administered and exercised under the current TMA IDIQ, which. remains in force until September 30, 2017. All work awarded under the current TMA IDIQ must be completed by September 29, 2018. Please contact your current TMA project manager for details. Q14: How long does it take to execute a project under HCaTS? OPM targets 90 days or less from the date funding is accepted for Assisted Acquisition services. However, this period may vary based upon the complexity and scope of the requirements. For Direct Buy, it is up to your agency’s lead times. Q15: When can I start using the new HCaTS contract? We encourage you to contact TMA today to discuss. Q16: Who can I call to learn more about HCaTS and the TMA Program? You can call our team lead at 202.606.1501 or 202.606.0482, or write us at [email protected]
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