12319819R0002_National_Hunger_Clearinghouse_RFP.pdf

February 22, 2019 USDA Food and Nutrition Service 3101 Park Center Drive Room 228 Alexandria, Virginia 22302

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) # 12319819R0002

Dear Offeror:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) anticipates awarding a cost-type no-fee contract to provide food and nutrition assistance program information; and other social services information to low-income individuals and communities, in order to address food insecurity, improve their lives and reduce reliance on the Federal, State, and local governmental for assistance.

A non-governmental organization shall operate and promote the USDA National Hunger Hotline, USDA

National Hunger Clearinghouse texting service, and USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse database. The Contractor shall provide and maintain the facilities and equipment needed to operate and promote the Hotline, Texting Service, and Database.

Please send questions regarding the solicitation via e-mail to Matthew Horn at Matthew.Horn@fns.usda.gov.

Use the format provided in Attachment 3. No phone calls will be accepted. All questions must be received no later than 10 a.m. eastern time on March 1, 2019.

The due date for quotes to be received is 2 p.m. eastern time on March 22, 2019. Send proposal via e-mail to Matthew Horn at Matthew.Horn@fns.usda.gov.

Thank you in advance and we look forward to reviewing your proposal.

MATTHEW HORN

Contracting Officer mailto:Matthew.Horn@fns.usda.gov mailto:Matthew.Horn@fns.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

National Hunger Clearinghouse (NHC)

12319819R0002

Issue Date: February 22, 2019 Proposal Due Date: March 22, 2019

Contents I. The Schedule

Section B Supplies or services and prices/cost

Section C Description/specifications/statement of work

Section E Inspection and acceptance

Section F Deliveries or performance

II. Contract Clauses

Section I Contract clauses

III. List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments

Section J List of attachments

IV. Representations and Instructions

Section K Representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors or respondents

Section L Instructions, conditions, and notices to offerors or respondents

Section M Evaluation factors for award

I. The Schedule

Section B Supplies or services and prices/cost This solicitation is for services and supplies incidental to performing the requirements in the attached statement of work. This shall be a cost contract not to exceed funds authorized by regulation not including any in-kind contribution. Please review the attachment containing the text of 42 U.S.C. section 1769g for details pertaining to this request for proposal including fiscal limitations.

Section C Description/specifications/statement of work General Description – This solicitation shall be conducted under the following procedures:

1. 2 CFR Part 200 (OMB Uniform Guidance) Subparts A, B (except for §§200.111 English Language,

200.112 Conflict of Interest, 200.113 Mandatory Disclosures), D (only §§200.303 Internal controls, 200.330-332 Subrecipient Monitoring and Management), E, and F

2. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 and 15

If there is a conflict between the applicable parts of 1.1.1 and 1.1.2, 1.1.1 shall take precedence.

The Performance Work Statement is attached, see Section J.

Section E Inspection and acceptance.

The Performance Requirements Summary can be found in the Performance Work Statement, Attachment 1.

Section F Deliveries or performance.

The following clauses are incorporated by reference:

52.242-15 Alt. 1 Stop-Work Order.

II. Contract Clauses

Section I Contract clauses FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://www.arnet.gov/far/.

The following clauses are incorporated by reference:

52.202-1 Definitions.

52.203-3 Gratuities.

52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees.

http://www.arnet.gov/far/

52.203-6 Alt. 1 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government.

52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures.

52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions.

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights.

52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards.

52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements.

52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractor's Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

52.209-9 Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters.

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations.

52.215-2 Alt. 2 Audit and Records- Negotiations.

52.215-8 Order of Precedence-Uniform Contract Format.

52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges.

52.216-7 Alt.

IV

Allowable Cost and Payment.

52.216-12 Cost-Sharing Contract-No Fee.

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services.

52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns

52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

52.219-16 Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan.

52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers

52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities.

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity.

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans.

52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act.

52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards.

52.222-49 Service Contract Labor Standards--Place of Performance Unknown.

52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons.

52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification.

52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658

52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace.

52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases.

52.227-14 Rights in Data-General.

52.227-17 Rights in Data-Special Works.

52.228-7 Insurance-Liability to Third Persons.

52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments.

52.232-18 Availability of Funds.

52.232-20 Limitation of Cost.

52.232-23 Assignment of Claims.

52.232-25 Prompt Payment.

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management.

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations.

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors.

52.233-1 Alt. 1 Disputes.

52.233-3 Alt. 1 Protest after Award.

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim

52.237-3 Continuity of Services.

52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (See Note 4.)

52.242-1 Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs

52.242-3 Penalties for Unallowable Costs.

52.242-13 Bankruptcy.

52.243-2 Alt. 1 Changes-Cost Reimbursement.

52.244-2 Alt. 1 Subcontracts. (See Note 1.)

52.244-5 Competition in Subcontracting.

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items.

52.246-5 Inspection of Services--Cost-Reimbursement.

52.246-15 Certificate of Conformance.

52.246-25 Limitation of Liability--Services.

52.249-6 Termination (Cost- Reimbursement).

52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms.

452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications 452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure (FEB 1988)

AGAR 452.237-74 – Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Program Manager

Communications Manager

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

(End of Clause)

The following clauses are incorporated in full text:

52.216-24 -- Limitation of Government Liability.

Limitation of Government Liability (Apr 1984)

(a) In performing this contract, the Contractor is not authorized to make expenditures or incur obligations exceeding $250,000.00 dollars in a single award period.

(b) The maximum amount for which the Government shall be liable if this contract is terminated is $250,000.00 dollars in a single award period.

(End of Clause) 52.217-8 -- Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor.

The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days.

(End of Clause) 52.217-9 -- Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years.

(End of Clause) 52.222-35 -- Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause-- “Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran,” “Armed Forces service medal veteran,”

“disabled veteran,” “protected veteran,” “qualified disabled veteran,’ and “recently separated veteran” have the meanings given at FAR 22.1301.

(b) Equal opportunity clause. The Contractor shall abide by the requirements of the equal opportunity clause at 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), as of March 24, 2014. This clause prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by the Contractor to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the terms of this clause in subcontracts of $150,000 or more unless exempted by rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary of Labor. The Contractor shall act as specified by the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, to enforce the terms, including action for noncompliance. Such necessary changes in language may be made as shall be appropriate of identify properly the parties and their undertakings.

(End of Clause)

52.222-36 – Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities (Jul 2014)

(a) Equal opportunity clause. The Contractor shall abide by the requirements of the equal opportunity clause at 41 CFR 60.741.5(a), as of March 24, 2014. This clause prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by the Contractor to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

(b) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the terms of this clause in every subcontract or purchase order in excess of $15,000 unless exempted by rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary, so that such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor. The Contractor shall act as specified by the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the U.S.

Department of Labor, to enforce the terms, including action for noncompliance. Such necessary changes in language may be made as shall be appropriate to identify properly the parties and their undertakings.

(End of Clause) 52.222-42 -- Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires.

As prescribed in 22.1006(b), insert the following clause:

Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) In compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and the regulations of the

Secretary of Labor (29 CFR part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5341 or 5332.

This Statement is for Information Only:

It is not a Wage Determination

Employee Class Monetary Wage -- Fringe Benefits Program Manager $65,000/$19,500 Fringe

Communications Manager $56,000/$16,800 Fringe

Program Associate $45,000/$13,500 Fringe

(End of Clause) http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/22.htm#P870_168117

III. List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments

Section J List of attachments Number Description Pages Date

01 PWS 9 3/27/2017

02 Legislation (42 U.S.C. 1769g) 2 1/3/2016

IV. Representations and Instructions

Section K Representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors or respondents.

The following provisions are incorporated by reference:

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters.

Section L Instructions, conditions, and notices to offerors or respondents.

The following provisions are incorporated by reference:

52.204-7 System for Award Management 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance.

52.215-1 Instructions to Offerors-Competitive.

52.215-22 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges-Identification of Subcontract Effort.

52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees.

The following provisions are incorporated in full text:

FAR 52.216-1 -- Type of Contract.

Type of Contract (Apr 1984) The Government contemplates award of a cost-reimbursement, no-fee contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision) 52.222-22 -- Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (Feb 1999) The offeror represents that --

(a) It * has, * has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal

Opportunity clause of this solicitation;

(b) It * has, * has not filed all required compliance reports; and

(c) Representations indicating submission of required compliance reports, signed by proposed subcontractors, will be obtained before subcontract awards.

(End of Provision) FAR 52.233-2 -- Service of Protest.

Service of Protest (Sep 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from Matthew.Horn@fns.usda.gov.

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision) FAR 52.252-1 -- Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference.

Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.acquisition.gov

(End of Provision)

AGAR 452.215-71 -- INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL AND

BUSINESS PROPOSALS (SEP 1999)

(a) General Instructions. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall be furnished in the following format with the numbers of copies as specified below.

(1) The proposal must include a technical proposal and business proposal. Each of the parts shall be separate and complete so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently from evaluation of the other. The technical proposal must not contain reference to cost; however, resource information (such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc.) must be contained in the technical proposal so that the contractor's understanding of the statement of work may be evaluated.

(2) Offerors may, at their discretion, submit alternate proposals or proposals which deviate from the requirement; provided, that an offeror also submit a proposal for performance of the work as specified in the statement of work. Any "alternate" proposal may be considered if overall performance would be improved or not compromised, and if it is in the best interest of the Government. Alternate proposals, or deviations from any requirement of this RFP, must be clearly identified.

(3) The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Section M of this RFP.

(4) Offerors shall submit their proposal(s) in the following format and the quantities specified:

(a) 1 copies of the completed, signed offer (Sections A through K of the solicitation package)

(b) 1 copies of the technical proposal, electronically in PDF and DOC format

(c) 1 copies of the business/cost proposal, electronically in PDF and XLS format

(b) Technical Proposal Instructions. The technical proposal will be used to make an evaluation and arrive at a determination as to whether the proposal will meet the requirements of the Government. Therefore, the technical proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the requirements and a detailed, description of the techniques, procedures and program for achieving the objectives of the specifications/statement of work.

Proposals which merely paraphrase the requirements of the Government's specifications/statement of work, or use such phrases as "will comply" or "standard techniques will be employed" will be considered unacceptable and will not be considered further. As a minimum, the proposal must clearly provide the following:

Criteria 1 - Technical Approach:

The vendor’s technical approach shall demonstrate a substantive understanding of the scope, complexity and requirements associated with the objectives described in the Performance Work Statements (PWS).

The vendor’s proposal shall demonstrate a clear understanding of, and clear plan to achieve all objectives outlined in the Performance Work Statements (PWS).

The vendor’s approach and methodology shall demonstrate a clear understanding of, and clear plan to achieve all requirements outlined in the Task Order Performance Work Statements (PWSs), including responding to all instructions and requirements as specified and described in the RFP.

Criteria 2 – Management Approach:

The vendor shall demonstrate the ability to manage all aspects of the proposed efforts including technical performance, time and delivery constraints, cost, status reporting, and subcontractor(s).

The vendor shall demonstrate that they possess appropriate and sufficient management oversight for the overall organization that addresses the planning, initiation, implementation, conduct, monitoring and quality control to achieve the objectives outlined in the PWS to include vendor’s management, coordinate, and oversee of the work performed by consultants and/or subcontractor(s).

The vendor shall demonstrate resources (including subcontractors, consultants, teaming arrangements) will be available to perform the potential range of FNS task orders to meet the objectives outlined in the PWS.

The vendor’s management plan shall provide a clear chain of responsibility, quality control plan, cost control method, contract administration, and adequate, qualified staff resources. The vendor’s management plan document shall include:

The labor-loading chart, showing the expected amount of labor anticipated for each individual, including key personnel and generic positions such as “editor” or “research assistant”.

The table showing the availability of all key personnel, including the percentage of work to be performed under to this task order.

Retention of contractor personnel from the incumbent contract.

Resumes of Key personnel proposed to perform the task outlined in the task order PWS; and

The Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Criteria 3 - Past Performance:

Vendor’s may submit past performance for any period within the last 3 (three) years (recent) which the vendor believes is relevant to the effort indicated under this RFP.

Past performance information may take into account predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement. In the case of a Vendor without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Vendor may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably.

(c) Business Proposal Instructions.

(1) Cost Proposal.

In addition to any other requirements for cost/pricing information required in clause FAR 52.215-20, Requirements for Cost or Pricing Data or Information Other Than Cost or Pricing Data (OCT 1997), the following is required:

Vendors shall submit a cost proposal that illustrates their proposed level of effort to perform the tasks outlines in the performance work statement. Vendors shall differentiate between legislatively mandated funding and in-kind funding in their business proposal.

(2) Business Proposal.

(a) Furnish financial statements for the last two years, including an interim statement for the current year, unless previously provided to the office issuing the RFP, in which case a statement as to when and where this information was provided may be furnished instead.

(b) Specify the financial capacity, working capital and other resources available to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source.

(c) Provide the name, location, and intercompany pricing policy for other divisions, subsidiaries, parent company, or affiliated companies that will perform work or furnish materials under this contract.

(End of Provision)

Section M Evaluation factors for award.

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options.

Basis of award:

Quotes received in response to this solicitation will be evaluated by FNS using the following procedures. The task order award will be based upon an assessment of each offeror’s ability to satisfy the solicitation requirements. The Government will make award to that responsible Vendor’s quote conforming to the solicitation that is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

An award may be made to other than the offeror who offers the lowest price quote or to other than the best technical quote. Offers that are rated as less than Acceptable under Criteria 1 shall not be further evaluated and not be considered for award.

Relative Importance:

Award will be made to the Vendor whose technical quote and price provide the best value to the government in the opinion of the Contracting Officer. Criteria 1: Technical Approach is more important than Criteria 2: Management Approach. Criteria 2: Management Approach is more important than Criteria 3: Past Performance. As a whole, Criteria 1, 2, 4, are more important than Criteria 3. As Criteria 1and 2 approach equality further consideration shall be given to Criteria 3 and 4. Under Criteria 1, the call center system is more important than the text messaging system, database management, and promotion.

The solicitation will be evaluated using the following ratings:

Highly Acceptable All minimum evaluation standards have been exceeded and there is a low probability of unsuccessful performance, no deficiencies exist.

Acceptable All minimum evaluation standards have been met and there is a moderate probability of unsuccessful performance, there may be a correctable deficiency.

Marginally Acceptable Fails to meet minimum evaluation standards; low probability of satisfying the requirement; has multiple significant deficiencies, but they are correctable.

Unacceptable Fails to meet a minimum requirement; deficiency requires a major revision to the proposal to make it correct.

Evaluation Criteria:

Criteria 1 Technical Approach Includes Call center system

Text Messaging Solution Database Management Promotion of NHC Criteria 2 Management Approach

Includes Key Personnel Corporate Experience Criteria 3 Past Performance Criteria 4 Cost

Includes Cost Realism In-kind contribution

The solicitation will be evaluated using the following Criteria:

Criteria 1 - Technical Approach:

The Government will evaluate the vendor’s technical approach to determine whether it demonstrates a substantive understanding of the scope, complexity and requirements associated with the objectives described in the Performance Work Statements (PWS). The Government will evaluate the vendor’s quote to determine whether the vendor’s approach demonstrates a clear understanding of, and clear plan to achieve all objectives outlined in the Performance Work Statements (PWS).

The Government will evaluate the vendor’s approach and methodology to determine a whether the approach and methodology demonstrates a clear understanding of, and clear plan to achieve all requirements outlined in the Task Order Performance Work Statements (PWSs), including responsiveness to all instructions and requirements as specified and described in the RFQ.

Criteria 2 – Management Approach:

The vendor will be evaluated to determine whether the vendor demonstrated the ability to manage all aspects of the proposed efforts including technical performance, time and delivery constraints, cost, status reporting, and subcontractor(s). The vendor will be evaluated to determine whether the vendor demonstrated that they possess appropriate and sufficient management oversight for the overall organization that addresses the planning, initiation, implementation, conduct, monitoring and quality control to achieve the objectives outlined in the PWS to include vendor’s management, coordinate, and oversee of the work performed by consultants and/or subcontractor(s).

The vendor will be evaluated to determine whether the vendor demonstrated resources (including subcontractors, consultants, teaming arrangements) that will be available to perform the potential range of FNS task orders to meet the objectives outlined in the PWS.

The vendor will be evaluated to determine whether the management plan provides a clear chain of responsibility, quality control plan, cost control method, contract administration, and adequate, qualified staff resources. The Government will evaluate the management plan document submitted including:

The labor-loading chart, showing the expected amount of labor anticipated for each individual, including key personnel and generic positions such as “editor” or “research assistant”.

The table showing the availability of all key personnel, including the percentage of work to be performed under to this task order.

Retention of contractor personnel from the incumbent contract.

Resumes of Key personnel proposed to perform the task outlined in the task order PWS; and

The Quality Control Plan (QCP).

Criteria 3 - Past Performance:

The Government will evaluate the Vendor’s past performance to ensure the vendor can perform the required effort. Past performance information may take into account predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement. In the case of a Vendor without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Vendor may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably.

The Government may consider all aspects of a vendor’s past performance, including past performance not cited in the offer.

The past performance evaluation will result in an assessment of the Vendor’s probability of meeting the solicitation requirements. The past performance evaluation considers each Vendor's demonstrated recent and relevant (in terms of size, scope, and complexity) record of performance in providing products and services that meet the contract’s requirements.

Very Good (G) Confidence

Based on the vendor’s performance record, there is no doubt exists that the successful vendor will successfully perform the required effort. Little or no Government oversight is expected to be required in achieving the proposed level of performance.

Satisfactory (S) Confidence

Based on the vendor’s performance record, little doubt exists that the vendor will successfully perform the required effort. Little Government oversight is expected to be required in achieving the proposed level of performance.

Marginal (M)

Based on the vendor’s performance record, doubt exists that the vendor will successfully perform the required effort. Significant Government oversight will be expected in achieving the proposed level of performance.

Unacceptable (U)

Based on the vendor’s performance record, significant doubt exists that the vendor will successfully perform the required effort. No amount of Government oversight will achieve the proposed level of performance.

Neutral (N) Vendor without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the vendor may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

Criteria 4 – Cost:

(a) The Vendor’s cost quote will be evaluated to determine if the proposed rates, labor mix and any ODCs are reasonable. The Vendor’s cost quote shall be evaluated to determine if the cost is within legislatively mandated limits, fair, and reasonable for the base and options periods. The Government may use various cost analysis techniques and procedures to determine fair and reasonableness as follows:

- Actual costs previously incurred.

- Previous cost estimates from the offeror or from other offerors for the same or similar items.

- Other cost estimates received in response to the Government’s request.

- Independent Government cost estimates by technical personnel.

- Forecasts of planned expenditures.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate Vendors for award purposes by adding the total cost for all options to the total cost for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that a Vendor is unacceptable if the option costs are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(End of provision)