EFCT Externship training, Fort Bragg (Amendment 0002)(See Description)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the FY26 EFCT externship training opportunity at Fort Bragg.

• Incumbent Contractor: The previous contract (W9124725PA012) was awarded to VALIANT COUPLES THERAPY AND CONSULTING, PLLC for $12,000 and was not a competitive solicitation.
• CMMC Level 1 Certification: This is a mandatory requirement for contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), as per DFARS clauses.
• Training Dates: The requested training dates (18-21 May 2026) are firm and not flexible.
• Personnel Requirements: The Project Manager (PM) and Assistant Project Manager (APM) must possess an active unrestricted/non-sanctioned clinical mental health/counseling license and ICEEFT certification as an EFCT trainer.
• Travel: Travel costs are not applicable and will not be included in payment, indicating a target audience of local specialists.
• Continuing Education (CE) Credits: CE credits are not required for the target audience.
• Training Materials & Certificates: Contractors must use ICEEFT approved or compliant completion certificates. Training materials must be culturally and contextually appropriate for the military population. Specific details on training materials are in the PWS.
• Evaluation Criteria: Successful completion will be determined using ICEEFT standards, aligning with Army evaluation standards which will be provided upon award.
• Clinical Intervention: Contractors will leverage their experience and understanding of Army standards, ethical codes, and licensing board requirements to ensure client and trainee safety during live observations.
• Quality Control Plan (QCP): QC will be conducted daily during the training period (18-21 May 2026).
• Daily Schedule: Training must occur within normal Army operation hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The contractor determines their own preparation activities.
• Student Experience Level: Chaplain students and interns are graduate students/interns under supervision with no prior EFCT experience.
• Post-Training Follow-Up: No post-training support, consultation, or evaluation is expected.

These clarifications provide specific details on personnel qualifications, mandatory certifications, training content, evaluation methods, and administrative requirements that bidders must address in their proposals. The fixed training dates and non-negotiable personnel requirements are key considerations.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, constituting the only solicitation. The government is procuring "EFCT Externship Certification Training" in accordance with the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Meet or exceed requirements as specified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• Collaborate with a representative from the Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP).

• Period of Performance (POP): May 18, 2026 – May 21, 2026.

• Place of Performance: Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC).

• Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) rating is not applicable.

• Submission Deadline: April 7, 2026, by 15:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Email quotes to stephen.s.chung.mil@army.mil and kisha.m.cohen2.mil@army.mil. No telephonic quotes accepted.

• Quote Validity: Must be valid for ninety (90) calendar days after submission.

• Questions Deadline: April 7, 2026, by 12:00 PM (NOON) EST. Submit questions in writing to the provided email addresses.

• Basis for Award: The government intends to award a single FFP contract to the responsible offeror whose quote represents the Best Value, based on the following factors in descending order of importance:

  1. Technical Capability (including Training Plan, Instructor Qualifications & Experience)
  2. Past Performance
  3. Price

• This acquisition is a 100% total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 611430 - Professional and Management Development Training.

• Small Business Size Standard: $15 Million.

• Attachment 1: PWS EFT Externship certification training.pdf is provided.

• Payment will be made via Government Purchase Card (GPC).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, constituting the only solicitation for this requirement. The government is procuring "EFCT Externship Certification Training" for the Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC).

• The core requirement is to "Meet or exceed requirements IAW the specifics of the Performance Work Statement (PWS)" and to "Work with representative from the Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center."

• The training is to be provided "In accordance with PWS."

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance (POP): 18 May 2026 – 21 May 2026

• Place of Performance: Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC)

• Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable.

• Payment will be made via Government Purchase Card (GPC).

• Submission Deadline: Quotes are due via email no later than 7 April 2026, 15:00 PM EST.

• Questions Deadline: Questions must be submitted in writing no later than 30 March 2026, 12 PM (NOON), EST.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance):

  1. Technical Capability (including proposed Training Plan and Instructor Qualifications & Experience)
  2. Past Performance
  3. Price

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote represents the Best Value to the Government.

• This acquisition is a 100% total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 611430 - Professional and Management Development Training.

• Small Business Size Standard: $15 Million.

• A written solicitation will not be issued; this announcement is the only solicitation.

• Attachment 1: PWS EFT Externship certification training.pdf is provided.

• Quotes must be valid for ninety (90) calendar days after submission.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items for the Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC). The acquisition is a 100% total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• The core requirement is for EFCT Externship Certification Training, to be conducted in accordance with the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• The training must meet or exceed the requirements specified in the PWS.

• The training will be conducted in coordination with a representative from the WFLTC.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

• Period of Performance (POP): May 18, 2026 – May 21, 2026

• Place of Performance: Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center (WFLTC)

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the NAICS code (611430) has a small business size standard of $15 Million.

• Payment Method: Government Purchase Card (GPC) will be used.

• Submission Deadline: April 7, 2026, 15:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Via email to stephen.s.chung.mil@army.mil & kisha.m.cohen2.mil@army.mil.

• Quotes must be valid for ninety (90) calendar days after submission.

• Questions Deadline: March 30, 2026, 12:00 PM EST, submitted in writing to the same email addresses.

• Basis for Award: Best Value tradeoff, considering the following factors in descending order of importance:

  1. Technical Capability (including Training Plan, Instructor Qualifications & Experience)
  2. Past Performance
  3. Price

• This acquisition is a 100% total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• Attachment 1: PWS EFT Externship certification training.pdf is provided.

• Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide tailored, certified training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) at the Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center, Fort Bragg, NC, for up to 10 interns. The training aims to ensure staff can safely and competently work with clients experiencing unresolved trauma.

• Provide on-site EFCT externship training and certification.

• Deliver live-interactive teaching, personal and professional training exercises, case presentations, role-plays, and video observations.

• Offer and model assessment strategies and EFCT clinical interventions.

• Provide the EFCT Training Course Manual.

• Offer direct feedback on EFCT skills and techniques.

• Ensure quality assurance aligned with ICEEFT standards.

• Train to certify proficiencies in EFCT skills and techniques, justifying approaches and providing consultation for individuals struggling with trauma, PTSD, suicide, depression, anxiety, crisis, and relational distress.

• Apply ethical guidelines during practice.

• Contractor must arrive on time and be prepared for training.

• Services must be provided without interruption.

• Appropriate feedback must be provided to enable therapist development, growth, and certification.

• Contractor must comply with and promote professional standards for training and consultation, including the AAMFT Code of Ethics.

• Contractor must document training and provide accurate certificates of completion.

• Performance is measured against a 100% compliance standard for all objectives.

• Disincentives include deductions from monthly invoices for failure to meet performance standards.

• Period of Performance: One (1) week in May 2026.

• Place of Performance: Watters Family Life Chaplain Training Center, 3358 Knox Street, Building 1-3358, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

• Contractor personnel must be ICEEFT certified EFCT trainers.

• Program Manager (PM) and Alternate PM (APM) must meet ICEEFT certified EFCT trainer qualifications and hold a current clinical mental health/counseling license (LMFT, LCMHC, or LCSW).

• Contractor personnel must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

• Contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens unless specific approvals are granted for non-U.S. citizens.

• Contractor must develop and maintain a Quality Control System (QCS) and submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) with their proposal.

• Contractor personnel must complete Anti-Terrorism (AT) Level I Training and iWATCH Training.

• Contractor must comply with OSHA and environmental safety laws and regulations.

• No supervision or control will be exercised by the Government over contract service providers.