34300020Q0001_SOW.docx

34300020Q0001

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) is issuing this Request for Quotations (RFQ) to obtain News Monitoring/Clippings Services.

1.2 FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

This requirement is a full and open under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 519190, All Other Information Services.

1.3 CONTRACT LINE ITEM (CLIN)

December 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020

December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021

December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022

December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023

December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024

Total Base Year Plus Option Years Firm Fixed Price Amount:

OPTIONAL CLINS

December 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020

December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021

December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022

December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023

December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024

Total Base Year Plus Option Years Firm Fixed Price Amount:

SECTION 2

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

2.1 INTRODUCTION

2.1.1 Mission Statement

The USITC is an independent, quasi-judicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The Commission investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global and bilateral safeguard investigations. The Commission also adjudicates cases involving imported goods that are alleged to infringe intellectual property rights. In addition, the USITC serves as a federal resource where trade data and other trade policy-related information are gathered and analyzed.

2.1.2 Background

The Office of External Relations develops and maintains liaison between the USITC and its diverse external customers. The office is the focal point for contacts with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and other executive branch agencies, Congress, foreign governments, international organizations, the public, and the international, national, and local news media. It also coordinates meetings with international visitors.

The Office of External Relations keeps Commissioners and senior USITC staff informed of developing issues that might affect the agency's mission and reputation.

2.2 SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide comprehensive global monitoring of online news coverage, social media mentions, and Internet citations of the USITC, its Commissioners and products, evolving international trade matters, and other topics of interest to the Commission. The contractor shall provide daily electronic delivery of current, relevant online articles, social media mentions, and/or Internet citations (including URLs), from which USITC staff must be able to select relevant items and prepare a compilation for distribution among USITC Commissioners and staff for informational purposes. The Contractor shall not submit material that infringes existing copyrights or licenses.

2.3 REQUIREMENTS

2.3.1 The Contractor shall provide continual monitoring of global online media, social media channels, and Internet sites and identify current and relevant articles/mentions/citations.

2.3.1.1 The Contractor shall monitor global online coverage of the USITC and identified trade issues (which will evolve regularly) based on key words and phrases developed in consultation with USITC staff and must be willing to refine the key words and phrases as necessary.

2.3.1.2 The Contractor shall monitor global online coverage and identify appropriate items each day (Sunday through Saturday). Identified items must be current, meaning items that were initially posted within the previous 36 hours.

2.3.1.3 Monitoring shall cover the electronic editions/web sites of: (1) daily newspapers, which shall include at a minimum the following specific sources: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times (London), The Washington Post, The Washington Times, and Politico; (2) wire services; (3) magazines; (4) business and economics journals; (5) trade publications; (6) industry newsletters; (7) broadcast organizations (radio and television); and (8) Internet blogs, to include at a minimum Huffington Post, FOSS Patents, Patently-O, IPWatchdog, Managing IP, itcblog.com, essentialpatentblog.com, Engadget, Ars Technica, GigaOM, and TechCrunch; and (9) other social media channels, to include at a minimum Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tumblr, and Reddit.

2.3.1.4 The USITC understands that the Contractor may not be able to provide access to articles/mentions/citations on sites that require subscription and/or registration; however, the USITC shall be informed that content exists on such sites through the Contractor’s monitoring. With respect to broadcast organizations, the USITC will not require the provision of audio or video tapes of broadcast news items; however, the Contractor shall provide notification about and links to news stories posted on the web sites of broadcast news organizations.

2.3.1.5 The Contractor shall undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that the provision of articles/mentions/citations to the USITC does not violate U.S. copyright laws.

2.3.2 Daily electronic delivery of identified items to the USITC’s Office of External Relations

2.3.2.1 The Contractor shall deliver identified items to the USITC via email no later than 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday (with the exception of Federal holidays) at a minimum, with daily delivery preferred.

2.3.2.1 If weekend/holiday delivery is not possible, items identified during weekends and Federal holidays shall be delivered by 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next business day

2.3.3 The Contractor shall provide a tool, preferably internet-based, to allow up to five (5) USITC staff to:

2.3.3.1 Format selected articles/mentions/citations in an electronic newsletter, or similar product appropriate for use as a newsletter, that can be delivered electronically, preferably via email, to up to 200 USITC Commissioners/staff. The USITC reserves the right to adjust the number of USITC staff members that are allowed access to the newsletter. The tool must allow USITC staff to organize selected items by topic, regardless of source or type of publication. USITC staff must be able to decide the order of the selected items within a topic, order the topics differently as often as required, and create new topics as needed.

2.3.3.1.1 The Contractor shall provide delivery options for both desktop viewing and mobile device viewing of the electronic newsletter or similar product.

2.3.3.1.2 The mobile device solution shall be platform independent, such that the newsletter can be viewed on devices based on any operating system (iOS, Android, Blackberry, etc.).

2.3.3.1.3 The mobile device solution shall be responsive such that it should respond to user’s behavior and environment based on screen size, platform, and orientation.

2.3.3.2 Measure and analyze coverage of the USITC and to create reports or other presentations based on the analysis of the USITC coverage.

2.3.4 The Contractor shall provide Customer Support (human) and any training required to learn and operate its system.

2.3.4.1 USITC staff must be able to reach the Contractor via telephone for urgent matters (such as system problems, unacceptable performance, and request for guidance on how to use the system) between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The contractor shall respond via telephone within one hour of notification of urgent matter.

2.3.4.2 The USITC staff must be able to reach the Contractor via email and/or telephone for non-urgent matters. The Contractor shall respond via telephone and/or email within one business day of notification of non-urgent issues.

2.3.5 Section 508 Compliance

Section 508 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) requires access to and use of information by individuals with disabilities. A deliverable such as electronic reports (ex: PDF files) to be placed on the web (either on the agency’s web server of the company’s), video footage, or other electronic data such as CD-ROMs to be distributed, are subject to Section 508 guidelines. Simplified, this means that PDF files need to be formatted so that they are “readable” by assistive technology devices such as screen readers. Video footage must be closed captioned. CD-ROMs which contain HTML, PDF, or word processor files must be accessible.

SECTION 3

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance of this contract is as follows:

3.2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

U. S. International Trade Commission 500 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20436

3.3 TYPE OF AWARD

The government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

3.4 CORRESPONDENCE

To promote timely and effective administration, correspondence shall be subject to the following procedures:

(a) Technical correspondence shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) with an information copy to the Contracting Officer (CO);

(b) All contractual correspondence, shall be addressed to Contracting Officer at the address listed in Section 3.5.2

3.5 POINTS OF CONTACT

3.5.1 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract shall require maximum coordination between the Commission and the Contractor.

The COR shall be designated on authority by the CO to monitor all technical aspects and assist in the administration of this contract. A copy of the COR’s letter of designation shall be issued to the COR with a copy furnished to the Contractor, stating the responsibilities and limitations of the COR. This letter shall clarify to all parties of the contract, the responsibilities of the COR. The duties of the COR include but are not limited to: 1) assuring the Contractor’s compliance with the technical requirements; 2) performing or arranging necessary inspections in connection with the technical performance; 3) maintaining both written and oral communications with the Contractor; 4) notifying the Contractor and the CO of any deficiencies observed; 5) monitoring the Contractor’s overall performance; and 6) certifying all invoices/vouchers for acceptance of services provided for payment.

The COR does NOT have the authority to alter the Contractor’s obligations, direct changes that fall within purview of the General Provisions clause entitled “Changes,” or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or cost under this contract. If because of technical discussions it is desirable to alter/change contractual obligations within the Scope of Work, the CO shall issue such changes in writing.

Margaret O’Laughlin is hereby designated as the COR. The COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the Contractor, but notification of the change, including the name and address of the successor COR, shall be promptly provided to the Contractor in writing:

3.5.2 Contracting Officer (CO)

All contract administration shall be effected by the CO. Communications pertaining to contract administration matters shall be addressed to the CO. No changes in or deviations from this contract are authorized unless directed in writing by the CO.

The CO is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of the contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract. The said authority remains solely with the CO. The CO is authorized to appoint a Contract Specialist to perform administrative contracting functions for this contract. In the event, the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the CO, the change shall be considered to have been made without the authority of the CO and no adjustment shall be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. The CO is also responsible for making the final decisions on matters under dispute, unsatisfactory conformance, as well as contract terminations for convenience or default.

Meaghann Peak is hereby designated as the CO. The CO may change at any time by the Government without prior notice to the Contractor, but notification of the change, including the name and address of the successor CO, shall be promptly provided to the Contractor in writing.

3.6 AUTHORITY TO OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT

The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit or obligate the Government to the expenditure of public funds. No cost chargeable to the contract can be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract or specific authorization from the Contracting Officer.

3.7 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

Invoice(s) shall be submitted through the U. S. Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), which provides for secure electronic submission and receipt of invoices.

https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/index

IPP Customer Support may be reached at 866-973-3131 or IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov, is available to assist users of the system.

PLEASE NOTE: When entering the invoice(s) in IPP, ensure the period of performance being invoiced is included in the Description field. Please use the format “MM/DD/YYYY to MM/DD/YYYY.”

1. Name and address of the contractor

2. Invoice date and invoice number

3. Task Order Number (34300020Pxxxx)

4. Description, price, and quantity of services/supplies actually rendered/delivered

5. Delivery date/period of performance covered by the invoice

6. Payment terms

7. Name and address of the contractor’s Point of Contact, and a “Remit To” address that corresponds to the remittance address of the Task Order

8. Name, title, phone number, email address of contact person to be notified in the event of a defective invoice.

9. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

3.8 ACCEPTANCE

Following inspection and evaluation of services provided by the Contractor and determining that the Contractor has fully complied with contract requirements, the COR shall indicate acceptance of the services by signing properly prepared and delivered invoices for such services within three working days after receipt of properly submitted invoice.

3.9 PAYMENT FOR UNAUTHORIZED WORK

No payment will be made for any unauthorized changes to the work specified herein. This includes any services performed by the Contractor on his or her own volition or at the request of an individual other than a duly appointed CO and/or COR. Only a duly appointed CO is authorized to change the specifications, terms and conditions under this effort.

3.10 NOTICE OF DELAY

If, because of technical difficulties, the contractor becomes unable to complete the work as described herein, notwithstanding the exercise of good faith and diligent efforts in performing the work called for under this contract, the Contractor shall give the Contracting Officer written notice of the anticipated delay and the reasons for it. The notice and reasons shall be delivered promptly after the condition creating the anticipated delay becomes known to the Contractor.

3.11 POST AWARD MEETING

The Contractor shall attend a post award meeting within one (1) week after contract award. The venue (in-person/telephone), date, and time of the post award meeting will be mutually agreed upon by the Government and the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for taking the post award meeting minutes and providing them to the COR and CO within three (3) days of the post award meeting.

3.12 CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS

Clauses Incorporated by Reference

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 any time before contract expiration.

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 15 calendar days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 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 60 months.

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/these address(es):

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ https://www.acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html

(End of Clause)

SECTION 4

QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

4.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

Your quotation shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned. If your quotation contains information that you do not wish disclosed to the public or used by the Government for any purpose other than evaluation of your quotation, such restrictions shall be clearly indicated on each sheet containing such information. The Commission will make all reasonable efforts to maintain the quotation in confidence and will release the quotation only to personnel involved with the evaluation of the requirement.

Prior to submission of quotations, Offerors are expected to understand the requirements of this solicitation. If such a review establishes the need for correction or clarification, such information should immediately be brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer so that the matter can be resolved and, if necessary, official dissemination of such information can be made to all prospective Offerors.

If an Offeror fails to respond to any portion of the RFQ, the Commission may interpret this as the Offeror’s inability to meet specific requirements. The failure to follow all RFQ instructions may cause the Commission to disqualify the Offeror from consideration of award.

All expenses incurred relative to the preparation of quotes are the responsibility of the Offeror.

4.2 QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

The Commission is issuing this RFQ to solicit for the purpose of entering into a purchase order with the Offeror, whose offer will represent the overall best value to the Government.

Questions related to this RFQ must be sent via e-mail and submitted no later than 2:00 PM EST, Wednesday, October 23, 2019, to the Contracting Officer at meaghann.peak@usitc.gov and copy Debra Bridge at debra.bridge@usitc.gov.

This RFQ requires the submission of a Technical Volume and a Price Volume. The technical portion must be a separate volume from the price portion and shall be submitted in one (1) original and three (3) copies of each (only one copy will be required if submitting by email) in accordance with the instructions specified below. The submission must be delivered to the address listed below in Section 4.5 METHODS OF QUOTATION DELIVERY, of this RFQ.

Failure to submit any of the information requested in this RFQ may lead to the rejection of your quotation without further consideration.

Request for clarification that results in specific information necessary to submit quotes will be provided to all prospective Offerors in writing.

4.3 TECHNICAL VOLUME – VOLUME I

The Technical submission is limited in length to 15 pages, exclusive of resumes, qualification statements, and Past Experience/Past Performance Reference Information Forms. Any pages in excess of 15 will not be evaluated. Your submission may use any font, and will use pitch size 12, single spaced, double-sided, 8.5 x 11 paper (an unbound volume secured with binder clips or other easily removable binding is preferable). A single sheet of paper printed on both sides will be considered two pages. The technical submission will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria specified in SECTION 5 – EVALUATION OF QUOTATIONS, which include: (1) Technical Capability and (2) Past Experience/Past Performance.

4.3.1 Technical Capability

(1) Fully describe your understanding of the work required and qualifications that you will bring to the planned execution of the requirements.

(2) Offerors must identify what blogs and social media channels they will monitor in accordance with the stated requirements.

(3) Offerors must include in their response specific information on the number of search terms allowed, additional charges for search terms beyond that allowance, the number of search term changes/refinements allowed, and additional charges or refinements of search terms beyond that allowance.

(4) Offerors must include information if they are able to provide an option for access to “premium content” or “top tier” sources’ content. The Offeror is expected to fully describe what is being proposed and any additional price(s) associated with access to this optional premium or top tier content. The Commission reserves the right to not purchase these services.

(5) Offerors must provide a tool that allows USITC staff to organize selected items by topic, regardless of source or type of publication. USITC staff must be able to decide the order of the selected items within a topic, order the topics differently as often as required, and create new topics as needed.

(6) Offerors must address how they will supply a mobile device solution for the viewing of the electronic newsletter that is responsive such that it responds to user’s behavior and environment based on screen size, platform, orientation, as well as operating system (iOS, Android, Blackberry, etc).

(7) Offerors responding to this solicitation shall offer USITC staff a demonstration of their services in person or via webinar within five business days of the closing of this solicitation (November 6, 2019 to November 13, 2019). This demonstration is not to exceed 90 minutes.

(8) In addition to such demonstrations, Offerors shall provide a brief (1-2 day) period following their demonstration during which four USITC staff will be able to work with and evaluate the services and tools offered. Usernames and Passwords must be provided with quotation, if such information is required to access the proposed services/tools.

(9) Offerors must state what reasonable efforts they will take to ensure that their provisions of articles/mentions/citations to the USITC does not violate U.S. copyright laws.

(10) Offerors must state how they plan to meet the USITC’s customer services and support requirements described in the requirements (see Section 2.3.4).

Requirements for accessibility based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) are determined to be relevant for the following program need: "Data Services or Information Retrieval Systems."

The activity to be performed relates to or requires the use of Electronic and Information Technology (EIT). Section 508 must be considered as a requirement for Systems Administration outputs/deliverables to ensure that it considers specific Section 508 accessibility requirements. Further, Systems Administration outputs/deliverables should not adversely affect accessibility features of existing EIT technologies. Technical standards from 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart B have been determined to apply to this acquisition. Solicitation respondents must describe how their background and experience will enable them to at least meet those technical provisions identified as applicable in the attached Government Product/Service Accessibility Template (GPAT), Attachment 1.

Data Services or Information Retrieval Systems outputs/deliverables should meet applicable accessibility requirements and should not adversely affect accessibility features of existing EIT technologies.

Functional performance criteria from 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart C have been determined to apply to this acquisition. Offerors must describe how their background and experience will enable them to at least meet those functional performance criteria identified as applicable in the attached GPAT.

Information, documentation, and support requirements from 36 CFR part 1194 Subpart D have been determined to apply to this acquisition. Solicitation respondents must describe how the information, documentation, and support proposed for Data Services or Information Retrieval Systems outputs/deliverables will meet at least those information, documentation, and support requirements identified as applicable in the attached GPAT.

As an alternative to submitting a GPAT, Offerors are encouraged to submit a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).

4.3.2 Past Experience/Past Performance

Complete Attachment 2 entitled “Past Experience/Performance Reference Information Form.” This form should be completed with information on two to three contracts/task orders that are the same or similar in nature, scope and cost to the work required under this RFQ and were performed during the last four years for Government agencies or private companies.

4.4 PRICING VOLUME – VOLUME II

4.4.1 General Requirements

The Pricing Volume shall be a separate volume from the Technical Volume. This document will contain pricing information, pricing for the option of “premium content” or access to “top tier” sources’ content, point of contact information, and vender DUNS number. Offerors shall propose a pricing structure in accordance with Section 1.3 of this RFQ. Offerors may propose alternate pricing structures consistent with standard commercial practice.

4.4.2 Assumptions, Conditions, or Exceptions

If not noted in this section of your submission, it will be assumed that the Offeror proposes no assumptions, conditions, or exceptions for award, and agrees to comply with all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein. It is not the responsibility of the Government to seek out and identify assumptions, conditions, or exceptions buried within the Offeror’s submission.

4.5 METHODS OF QUOTATION DELIVERY

One original and three hard copies of the quotation shall be hand carried, courier-delivered, or mailed to the USITC in accordance with the instructions below. The Commission will accept emailed quotations. Please be advised that it is the Offeror’s responsibility to assure the USITC receives your submission on or before the specified due date.

Office of Procurement, Room 315-C 500 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20436

Please note that the USITC is located in a secure building. If quotes are hand delivered, please ask that the courier go to the guard desk and request the security guard call 202-205-2730 and indicate there is a quotation for delivery. A staff member will meet the courier to receive the submittal.

All packages containing submissions shall be labeled and sealed as if for mailing, and the following information shall be marked on the outside:

a. Attention to the USITC Contracting Officer, Meaghann Peak;

b. Request for Quotation number: TBD

c. Date and time specified for receipt; and

d. Name and address of Offeror.

4.6 QUOTATION DUE DATE & TIME

Quotes submitted in response this Request for Quotation shall be received by the due date and time established herein regardless of the method of submission utilized. Quotes shall be received no later than 2:00 PM EST, Monday, November 4, 2019, in order to be considered for award. Any submissions received after the date and time specified herein will NOT be considered for award.

SECTION 5

EVALUATION OF QUOTATIONS

5.1 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Quotes shall be prepared in accordance with and comply with the instructions contained in Section 4 of this RFQ. The technical submission will be evaluated separately from the price submission. Each submission will be evaluated against the evaluation factors listed below (see Section 5.3).

The USITC emphasizes that USITC staff will be responsible for the selection of content for and the preparation of the report/newsletter to be distributed to USITC Commissioners and staff. Responses that propose to perform these services (e.g., “executive briefing” and “news summarization” services) will be deemed non-responsive and will receive no further consideration.

5.2 BASIS FOR AWARD

Award shall be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer, in conforming to this Request for Quotations, provides an overall best value to the Government, technical evaluation factors, and price considered. The Government's objective is to obtain the highest technical quality considered necessary to achieve the project objectives, with a realistic and reasonable price.

The Government reserves the right not to make an award as a result of this competition if, in the opinion of the Government, none of the submissions would provide satisfactory performance at a price that is considered fair and reasonable and/or economically feasible.

5.3 EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

The Commission intends to award a purchase order to the offeror whose quotation offers the Government an overall best value. The following two Technical Factors will be equally weighted in the Commission’s evaluation of quotations: Technical Capability and Past Experience/Past Performance.

All evaluation factors other than price, when combined are more important than price. Quotes will be evaluated and scored on technical factors and price. Quotes will be evaluated on the information provided by Offerors and obtained through reference checks and other available information.

The following evaluation criteria will be utilized in order to determine which offer received is considered to be the best overall value.

1. Technical Capability

2. Past Experience/Past Performance

3. Price

5.3.1 Technical Capability– Evaluation Factor 1

Each Offeror will be evaluated on its ability to demonstrate technical sufficiency in their proposed technical approach to perform and support the requirements, and their understanding of the scope and objective of the requirement required by the USITC.

USITC will consider the scope and breadth of monitoring in all specified categories; the completeness and accuracy of the items identified by the system and the system’s ability to filter returns and screen out unresponsive items; the timeliness of the items identified; the visual quality and usability of the report/newsletter generated for both desktop and mobile device recipients; and the flexibility of the tool provided to create the report/newsletter, particularly the ability to organize selected returns by topics, to decide the order of the selected items within a topic, to order topics differently as often as required, and to create new topics as needed.

Each Offeror will be evaluated on the capabilities and ease of use of the tools provided to enable USITC staff to (1) select items and create a daily compilation for newsletter type delivery via email to USITC Commissioners and staff and (2) analyze, measure, and develop reports on coverage.

Each Offeror will be evaluated on its response to the requirement to provide a demonstration of their services and willingness to provide a brief period for USITC staff to access their services/tools to evaluate them. If this is not provided, the offeror will found to be non-responsive.

Offerors will be evaluated on their response to the requirement that they shall undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that their provision of articles/mentions/citations to the USITC does not violate U.S. copyright laws. The USITC anticipates that Offerors may utilize various methods to achieve such efforts, including (but not necessarily limited to) ensuring that articles/mentions/citations provided are licensed to the Offeror or that the excerpting of articles/mentions/citations provided falls within the scope of fair use discussed by the court in Associated Press v. Meltwater U.S. Holdings, Inc., 931 F. Supp. 2d 537 (S.D.N.Y. 2013).

The USITC may reject a response to this solicitation if it determines that an Offeror's copyright protection efforts are insufficient, or if an Offeror fails to address this requirement adequately.

Each Offeror will be evaluated on its ability and willingness to meet the customer service and support requirements described in the Statement of Work (at a minimum).

Response to this solicitation will only be considered for award after it has been determined that the Offeror’s quotation adequately addresses the requirements for Section 508. Only quotations which contain adequate information to document their responsiveness to the Section 508 Requirements (e.g. accessibility capabilities and past performance) will be eligible for any additional merit consideration.

Data and Information Services outputs/deliverables resulting from this solicitation will be accepted based in part on satisfaction of identified Section 508 requirements for accessibility. Data Services or Information Retrieval Systems outputs/deliverables must include a completed GPAT.

Data and Information Services outputs/deliverables should meet applicable accessibility requirements and should not adversely affect accessibility features of existing EIT technologies.

5.3.2 Past Experience/Past Performance – Evaluation Factor 2

The past performance evaluation will be based on the relevancy of recent effort accomplished by the Offeror. The USITC will contact some or all of the customers listed as past performance references provided by the Offeror. The USITC will ask questions such as whether or not they believe that:

· The Offeror was capable, timely, efficient, and effective;

· The Offeror’s performance conformed to the terms and conditions of the contract;

· The Offeror was reasonable and cooperative during the performance;

· The Offeror was committed to customer satisfaction; and

· Whether the services provided by the Contractor and its employees were of high quality.

The Government may also use past performance information obtained from Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), and any other past performance information available to the Contracting Officer, such as but not limited to performance history under USITC or similar contracts.

The Commission will evaluate the breadth and depth of each Offeror’s past experience and the degree to which the Offeror’s past performance was positive taking into consideration the Offeror’s technical effectiveness, timeliness of performance, and management effectiveness.

5.3.3 Price – Evaluation Factor 3

The Government will evaluate the proposed price for reasonableness. The Pricing Volume will be evaluated separately from the Technical Volume. Evaluators will consider whether the cost/price adequately reflects an understanding of the requirement The Pricing Volume shall include both a total price and a breakdown of each element of the price to include monitoring of news coverage, social media mentions, and Internet citations and identification of relevant items; fees related to Offeror’s efforts to ensure that their provision of items to the USITC does not violate U.S. copyright laws; daily electronic delivery to USITC of identified items; tool(s) to format items into an electronic newsletter/report that may be distributed electronically to up to 200 USITC staff members; tool(s) to measure and analyze coverage and create related reports; fees related to customer support services and training; and any other fees that would be incurred by the USITC related to the services and tools provided. Annotate any requirement with either: a price; “included in (describe which element it is included with)”; or “no charge”. Ensure all requirements of this solicitation are addressed with one of these price notations.

Offerors are placed on notice that any pricing quote which is unrealistic in terms of technical approach, or unrealistically low in cost(s) and/or price may be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical competency or indicative of failure to comprehend the requirement and may be grounds for the rejection of the submission.

The Offeror is expected to propose a reasonable price. An evaluation of each Offeror’s pricing volume will be made to determine if it is reasonable for the work to be performed, reflects a clear understanding of the requirements, and is consistent with the objective of the SOW.

The Pricing Volume will be assessed to identify potential risk. Price risk refers to any aspect of an Offeror’s quote which could have significant negative cost/price consequences for the Government. Where risk is assessed, it may be described in qualitative terms or used as a best-value discriminator.

SECTION 6

ATTACHMENTS

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