It's easy to work with VMB once your agency requirement has been identified. We will work closely with you to complete the following steps:
Develop a Statement of Objectives (SOO)
The initial Statement of Objectives (SOO) may be a brief description of work required to determine if VMB can perform the work. VMB staff will help you complete this requirement using the VMB SOO template that clearly and concisely describes your needs and expectations. Some of the main areas of importance of a SOO include:
- Background: The project overview and a description of any circumstances that may affect the outcome of the project
- Project Purpose: This describes the reason as to why the work has to be done
- Project Scope: This describes the work to be done, details the specifics involved, and the exact nature of the work to be done
- Deliverables: Project outcomes or products to be produced and formats in which they should be delivered
- Time Frames: All critical project dates including estimated start date, critical interim dates, and desired completion date
- Special Requirements: This specifies any special, specialized workforce requirements, such as security clearances, degrees or certifications for personnel, travel requirements, and anything else not covered in the contract specifics
Complete an Interagency Agreement
Completion of an FMS Form 7600A is required in order to conduct business with OPM. Additionally, the FMS Form 7600B must be completed and submitted with the final SOO. OPM also requires a separate funding document to transfer funds. The funding document can be the same form your agency uses. Your VMB Project Manager will assist you in completing all the necessary paperwork.
Select a Contractor
The process of selecting a contractor for a project is known as a Task Order Competition (TOC). During the TOC, the agency representative will be working closely with a Project Manager from the Contract Oversight and Training Development (COTD) team to ensure this process is as seamless as possible. COTD’s Project Manager will initiate the TOC by inviting all pre-qualified Contractors to submit proposals for your project. Each contractor will have the chance to submit questions in reference to the SOO.
Once the answers to the questions have been provided back to the contractors, they will have the opportunity to submit a written proposal which will address their capabilities, past performances related to that type of project, and their technical approach to meeting your SOO requirements. Your agency will then conduct a Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP), with a minimum of 3 panel members, to analyze the written proposals and provide constructive feedback on the contractor’s strengths, weaknesses, overall rating, and risk factor. The TEP will then reach a consensus on the most qualified contractor. If your agency is unable to make a selection from the written proposals, an Oral Task Order Competition (OTOC) may be held.
Attend a Project Kick-Off Meeting
The VMB Project Manager, Contracting Officer and your agency representatives will conduct a meeting with the selected contractor to outline project goals and clarify the roles and expectations of all parties. Discussions in this meeting will lay the foundation for building your project Management Plan.
Monitor the Project to Completion
The VMB Project Manager relieves the burden of project and contract administration activities so that you can focus your attention on project oversight and direction. Issuing work orders, processing invoices, monitoring spending, and tracking progress will reside in the capable hands of the VMB Project Manager. Alone, these services are critical to the accomplishment of any project. But the greater value is the advisory and troubleshooting role that the VMB Project Manager will play in helping you make informed decisions about matters that can have long-term implications. This "Government-to-Government" partnership offers insight to best practices and lessons learned from hundreds of VMB projects successfully completed over the past 20 years.