CONTRACT FIREFIGHTER ISSUES REPORT BASED ON EVALUATIONS OF CONTRACT CREW, ENGINE, & WATER TENDER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND CONTRACT CREW, ENGINE, & WATER TENDER USE IN 2006

INTRODUCTION  PNWCG implemented actions to improve quality and performance of contract crews, engines and tenders in 2005 and  PNWCG authorized evaluations to assess effectiveness of these actions.  Blue Ribbon Task Group will develop recommendations to PNWCG based on evaluations.  Dispatch Work Group tasked with developing future dispatch procedure.

METHOD OF EVALUATION  Visit Incidents – get feedback from IMTs & CRNWs, review documentation  Get feedback from other agency personnel involved with contract resource programs  Review other documentation  Get feedback from Contractors

CONVERSION TO BEST VALUE CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS 2006 Solicitation Schedule  Engine & Tender Agreements delayed by EaTIS implementation  Award of Crew Agreement delayed by technical issues with solicitation

CONVERSION TO BEST VALUE CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS Evaluation of Bid Proposals  Availability of Evaluators—need timely commitment of evaluators

CONVERSION TO BEST VALUE CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS Evaluation of Bid Proposals  Availability of Evaluators—need timely commitment of evaluators  Accuracy of Evaluation—improve guideline for measuring proposal against BV criteria (work with Contract Working Team)

CONVERSION TO BEST VALUE CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS Evaluation of Bid Proposals  Availability of Evaluators—need timely commitment of evaluators  Accuracy of Evaluation—improve guideline for measuring proposals against BV criteria (work with Contract Working Team)  Consistency between Evaluators—improve guideline for measuring proposals against BV criteria (work with Contract Working Team)

PROCUREMENT METHODS FOR ENGINES Should we have both contract engines and agreement engines?  IMT personnel and CRNWs would prefer to have only 1 procurement method to simplify engine contract administration on incidents.

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Ensuring Compliance With Training, Physical Fitness, Records Requirements  Good job in meeting existing standards for employee records review & WCFT monitoring

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Ensuring Compliance With Training, Physical Fitness, Records Requirements  Good job in meeting existing standards for employee records review & WCFT monitoring  Training course and instructor monitoring is weak

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Ensuring Compliance With Training, Physical Fitness, Records Requirements  Good job in meeting existing standards for employee records review & WCFT monitoring  Training course and instructor monitoring is weak  Action Needed (thru PNWCG Training WT) Clarify standards for PNWCG Training MOU Clarify standards for PNWCG Training MOU Develop & Implement Training & Instructor Monitoring Plan Develop & Implement Training & Instructor Monitoring Plan

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contract Administration on Incidents  IMTs rely heavily on CRNW CRNWs are doing good job CRNWs are doing good job

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contract Administration on Incidents  IMTs rely heavily on CRNW CRNWs are doing good job CRNWs are doing good job  Performance evaluations are being completed Ratings appear to be too generous Ratings appear to be too generous Some not using numerical rating Some not using numerical rating Some use wrong form Some use wrong form

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contract Administration on Incidents  IMTs rely heavily on CRNW CRNWs are doing good job CRNWs are doing good job  Performance evaluations are being completed Ratings appear to be too generous Ratings appear to be too generous Some not using numerical rating Some not using numerical rating Some use wrong form Some use wrong form  Most non-compliance is being documented Information not always adequate for CO action Information not always adequate for CO action

EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION Contract Administration on Incidents  Role of supervisors of contract resources Need to clarify this role Need to clarify this role  IMTs from other Geographic Areas Limited knowledge of NW Agreements Limited knowledge of NW Agreements

USE OF CONTRACTOR CREW & ENGINE STRIKE TEAMS  Number Awarded 7 Engine Strike Teams 7 Engine Strike Teams 11 Crew Strike Teams 11 Crew Strike Teams  1 Contract Engine Strike Team Mobilized to WY Received excellent performance evaluation Received excellent performance evaluation  None mobilized to NW incidents

USE OF CONTRACTOR CREW & ENGINE STRIKE TEAMS Question How to ensure that use of Contractor Strike Teams is considered when ordering crews and engines?

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED BY BLUE RIBBON TASK GROUP  Monitoring contractor training and instructors.  Guidelines/procedures for ensuring accuracy and consistency in evaluating contractor bid proposals.  Training module on midlevel fireline supervisor’s responsibilities in managing contract resources.  Contract administration package for NW Crew, Engine, Tender Agreements for AA briefing package.  Educate other Geographic Areas’ IMTs on use/management of NW contract resources.  Proper completion of performance evaluations for contract resources.  Options for ensuring consideration of use of contractor crew and engine strike teams.

FUTURE DISPATCH PROCEDURES PNWCG direction to Dispatch Work Group  Develop 1dispatch process for use by all agencies Includes out-of-region dispatches Includes out-of-region dispatches  Procedures based on geographic area Best Value ranking & desired delivery time  Same dispatch procedure for all incident types  Retain Host Unit concept but reduce number to 10 Validate the concept and Host Unit boundaries Validate the concept and Host Unit boundaries  Develop a marketing/information strategy and action plan  Report to PNWCG by 12/31/06  Develop implementation timeline to include a phase-in process