S06 - 36C24625R0044 0001 RFP Amendment to answer Questions.pdf

36C24625R0044 Amendment 0001

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 16

0001 07-25-2025

N/A

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 6

100 Emancipation Drive

Hampton VA 23667

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office 6

100 Emancipation Drive

Hampton VA 23667

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24625R0044

07-09-2025

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 08-06-2025 13:00 EDT

X 1

1. The purpose of this Amendment is to answer vendor submitted questions and to extend proposal due date.

2. As a result of this Amendment the revised solicitation closing date is now on August 06, 2025 at 13:00 EST.

3. All other terms and conditions in the solicitation document remain unchanged.

David E. Smith

Contracting Officer

1. Solicitation Requires a Document That Does Not Exist.

Section E.9 of the RFP requires offerors to submit a "Cumberland (NC) County Francise [sic] License" as a technical evaluation factor. Based on our direct experience, Cumberland County does not issue franchise agreements for ambulance services. As the incumbent, Reliance operates under a special exemption specifically for VA services. Requiring a non-existent document makes a key part of the technical evaluation impossible for any offeror to meet.

Governments Answer: After further clarification this requirement has been removed as an evaluation factor listed in Section E.9.

2. The Solicitation Contains Conflicting Pricing Instructions.

There is a direct conflict in the RFP's instructions for pricing and invoicing waiting time:

• The Price Schedule (e.g., CLIN 0007) directs offerors to price waiting time in "30-minute

Increment(s)".

• The Performance Work Statement (PWS §4.9.1) directs the contractor to invoice the same waiting time in "fifteen (15) minute intervals".

This conflict makes it impossible for offerors to prepare accurate pricing on a common basis.

Governments Answer: This was a typo and oversight and is changed to read 15-minute increments on the Price Schedule CLIN 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007 & 4007.

3. The Solicitation is Missing a Required Component for an IDIQ Contract.

The contract is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. Per FAR 16.504(a)(1), such contracts must include a stated minimum quantity or dollar value that the Government commits to ordering. The Price Schedule in §B.2 is missing this mandatory component. This is inconsistent with the

FAR and creates unacceptable financial risk for any contractor who must commit resources without a corresponding minimum commitment from the Government.

Governments Answer: The Minimum quantity has been added to the top of B.2 Price Schedule table please see the updated Schedule tables attached.

4. The Solicitation's Workload Estimates are Inconsistent with the VA’s Own Historical Data.

The workload estimates in §B.2 are significantly higher than the VA’s known historical usage from the incumbent contract (36C24624D0071).

For example, the RFP estimates 500 BLS trips and 550 Non-Emergent ALS trips. The modified incumbent contract, reflecting more accurate usage, adjusted these figures to 283.2 BLS trips and 388.88

Non-Emergent ALS trips. Further, real-time usage data since October 2024 is even lower. Using estimates known to be inaccurate forces bidders to choose between bidding on flawed figures (risking a non-competitive price) or bidding on reality (risking being found non-responsive).

Governments Answer: The Schedule of service estimated quantities have been updated. In addition line items 0010, 1010, 2010, 3010 & 4010 have been added as they were mistakenly left off. Please see the revised Schedule of Service tables attached.

5. Regarding Simultaneous Transport Capacity: PWS §4.5.1.6 states the contractor must be able to support "up to two (2) simultaneous transportation requests". However, PWS §6.1.1.5 requires the Quality

Control Plan to describe methods for providing "on-time ambulance services to meet the requirements of this contract (24/7 availability and up to 4 simultaneous transports in accordance with PWS 4.5.1.6)".

Could the Government please clarify the definitive simultaneous transport capacity an offeror must be prepared to provide at any given time?

Governments Answer: This was a typo and oversight and is changed to read (24/7 availability and up to two (2) simultaneous transports in accordance with PWS 4.5.1.6).

6. Regarding Administrative Items: PWS 4.3.1.5 requires fingerprinting to be conducted at "(Facility name)". Could the Government please provide the name and address of the specified facility?

Governments Answer: Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System, VA Medical Center, 2300

Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301 PIV Office-Bldg. 1 Rm 102. This was an oversight and is changed to read FNCVACHCS. Per PIV office, appointments will be made using this site, https://portal.usaccess.gsa.gov/scheduler/home then the individual can select date, time and location that is closest to them.

7. On solicitation page 13, the price schedule for the period 10/01/2029 to 9/30/2030 is labeled "BASE

YEAR". Could the Government please confirm this should be titled "OPTION YEAR 4"?

Governments Answer: This was a typo and oversight and has been changed to read OPTION YEAR 4.

https://portal.usaccess.gsa.gov/scheduler/home

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE (UPDATED)

** The guarantee minimum quantity number of trips, including the base year and all option years if exercised, is five (5) and the maximum quantity amount of trips, including the base year and all option years if exercised, shall not exceed 5,000 trips. **

AMBULANCE (Ground)

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NOTE: A price proposal must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF

SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an award.

BASE YEAR: (10-01-2025 to 9-30-2026)

Line

Item

Description of Services

12-Month Quantity

(Estimated

Maximum)

Unit of Issue

Unit Price Total Price

(Maximum

NTE)

Base Rate Transport

(Using Bing Maps)

One-Way

Trip

0001 (A0427) Advanced Life Support)

Emergent Transport, Level 1 (ALS

1) Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances transport patients who need a higher level of care during transport above those services provided by a BLS ambulance. The unit is staffed by at least one paramedic who has more than

1,000 hours of education and training and are qualified to render advanced life support to patients such as advanced airway management, drug administration and cardiac monitoring under the direction of a hospital. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

25 Maximum

(One-way Trips)

Per Trip

(One-Way)

EA

0002 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-

Emergency Transport, Basic Life

Support (BLS) ambulances provide transport to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring. A BLS ambulance is staffed by two emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who have training in basic emergency medical care such as basic airway management, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic drug administration. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way

275 Maximum trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

0003 (A0426) Non-Emergent Advance

Life Support Transport, Level 1

(ALS 1) (base rate to include first

40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

400 Maximum

0004 (A0434) Critical Care Transport

(Upper-Level Care) Specialty

Care Transport (SCT) – As defined by the Centers for Medicare &

Medicaid Services (CMS) — is

IFT of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-

Paramedic SCT is necessary when a beneficiary’s condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for care. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

12 Maximum

0005 STAT Trips (STEMI, stroke, dissection, Trauma-RED & other patients deemed emergent by the staff) require a response time of

15 minutes (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

0006 (A0425) Mileage Trip Outside the Base

Rate

Price Per Mile

0007 (A0420) Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 15-minute increments).

(15-minute

Increment)

0008 Bariatric Transport Fee (a single patient with body weight equal to or more than 350 lbs.)

Each

0009 Oxygen

150 Maximum

Per patient, per trip

0010 Stretcher Transports, Stretcher-

Bound Patients discharged from the

Emergency Department. Vendor will

85 Maximum transport to patients’ residences, Community Living Centers (CLC), or nursing facilities. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

Total Estimated Cost of Base Year: $____________________

AMBULANCE (Ground)

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NOTE: A price proposal must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF

SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an

OPTION YEAR 1: (10-01-2026 to 9-30-2027)

(Estimated

1001 (A0427) Advanced Life

Support) Emergent Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) Advanced Life

Support (ALS) ambulances transport patients who need a higher level of care during transport above those services provided by a BLS ambulance.

The unit is staffed by at least one paramedic who has more than

1,000 hours of education and training and are qualified to render advanced life support to patients such as advanced airway management, drug administration and cardiac monitoring under the direction of a hospital. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

1002 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances provide transport to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring. A

BLS ambulance is staffed by two emergency medical technicians

(EMTs) who have training in basic emergency medical care such as basic airway management, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic drug administration.

(base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

30 minutes

1003 (A0426) Non-Emergent

Advance Life Support

Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1)

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

30 minutes

1004 (A0434) Critical Care

Transport (Upper-Level Care)

Specialty Care Transport (SCT) –

As defined by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) — is IFT of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-

Paramedic SCT is necessary when a beneficiary’s condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for care. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

1005 STAT Trips (STEMI, stroke, dissection, Trauma-RED & other patients deemed emergent by the staff) require a response time of 15 minutes

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

1006 (A0425) Mileage Trip Outside the

Base Rate

1007 (A0420) Waiting Time (more than

30 minutes shall be paid in 15-minute

1008 Bariatric Transport Fee (a single patient with body weight equal to or more than

350 lbs.)

1009 Oxygen

1010 Stretcher Transports, Stretcher-

Bound Patients discharged from the

Emergency Department. Vendor will transport to patients’ residences, Community Living Centers (CLC), or nursing facilities. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit

(One-Way Trips)

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 1: $____________________

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NOTE: A price proposal must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF

SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an

OPTION YEAR 2: (10-01-2027 to 9-30-2028)

(Estimated

2001 (A0427) Advanced Life

Level 1 (ALS 1) Advanced Life

Support (ALS) ambulances transport patients who need a higher level of care during transport above those services provided by a BLS ambulance.

The unit is staffed by at least one paramedic who has more than

1,000 hours of education and training and are qualified to render advanced life support to patients such as advanced airway management, drug administration and cardiac monitoring under the direction of a hospital. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-

2002 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances provide transport to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring. A

BLS ambulance is staffed by two emergency medical technicians

(EMTs) who have training in basic emergency medical care such as basic airway management, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic drug administration.

(base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent

2003 (A0426) Non-Emergent

Advance Life Support

Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1)

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

2004 (A0434) Critical Care

Transport (Upper-Level Care)

Specialty Care Transport (SCT) –

As defined by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) — is IFT of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-

Paramedic SCT is necessary when a beneficiary’s condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for care. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

2005 STAT Trips (STEMI, stroke, dissection, Trauma-RED & other patients deemed emergent by the staff) require a response time of 15 minutes

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

2006 (A0425) Mileage Trip Outside the

2007 (A0420) Waiting Time (more than

2008 Bariatric Transport Fee (a single patient with body

2009 Oxygen

2010 Stretcher Transports, Stretcher-

Bound Patients discharged from the

Emergency Department. Vendor will transport to patients’ residences, Community Living Centers (CLC), or nursing facilities. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 2: $____________________

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NOTE: A price proposal must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF

SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an

OPTION YEAR 3: (10-01-2028 to 9-30-2029)

(Estimated

3001 (A0427) Advanced Life

Level 1 (ALS 1) Advanced Life

Support (ALS) ambulances transport patients who need a higher level of care during transport above those services provided by a BLS ambulance.

The unit is staffed by at least one paramedic who has more than

1,000 hours of education and training and are qualified to render advanced life support to patients such as advanced airway management, drug administration and cardiac monitoring under the direction of a hospital. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

3002 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances provide transport to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring. A

BLS ambulance is staffed by two emergency medical technicians

(EMTs) who have training in basic emergency medical care such as basic airway management, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic drug administration.

(base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent

3003 (A0426) Non-Emergent

Advance Life Support

Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1)

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

3004 (A0434) Critical Care

Transport (Upper-Level Care)

Specialty Care Transport (SCT) –

As defined by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) — is IFT of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-

Paramedic SCT is necessary when a beneficiary’s condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for care. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

30 minutes

3005 STAT Trips (STEMI, stroke, dissection, Trauma-RED & other patients deemed emergent by the staff) require a response time of 15 minutes

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

3006 (A0425) Mileage Trip Outside the

3007 (A0420) Waiting Time (more than

3008 Bariatric Transport Fee (a single patient with body

3009 Oxygen

3010 Stretcher Transports, Stretcher-

Bound Patients discharged from the

Emergency Department. Vendor will transport to patients’ residences, Community Living Centers (CLC), or nursing facilities. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 3: $____________________

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Healthcare System EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

NOTE: A price proposal must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF

SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an

OPTION YEAR 4: (10-01-2029 to 9-30-2030)

(Estimated

4001 (A0427) Advanced Life

Support) Emergent Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) Advanced Life

Support (ALS) ambulances transport patients who need a higher level of care during transport above those services provided by a BLS ambulance.

The unit is staffed by at least one paramedic who has more than

1,000 hours of education and training and are qualified to render advanced life support to patients such as advanced airway management, drug administration and cardiac monitoring under the direction of a hospital. (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-

4002 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances provide transport to patients who do not require extra support or cardiac monitoring. A

BLS ambulance is staffed by two emergency medical technicians

(EMTs) who have training in basic emergency medical care such as basic airway management, use of an automated external defibrillator and basic drug administration.

(base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent

4003 (A0426) Non-Emergent

Advance Life Support

Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1)

(base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent

4004 (A0434) Critical Care

Transport (Upper-Level Care)

Specialty Care Transport (SCT) –

As defined by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS) — is IFT of a critically injured or ill beneficiary by a ground ambulance vehicle including the provision of medically necessary supplies and services, at a level of service beyond the scope of the EMT-

Paramedic SCT is necessary when a beneficiary’s condition requires ongoing care that must be furnished by one or more health professionals in an appropriate specialty area, for care. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue 30 minutes

4005 STAT Trips (STEMI, stroke, dissection, Trauma-RED & other patients deemed emergent by the staff) require a response time of 15 minutes .

(base rate, to include first 40 miles)

One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

4006 (A0425) Mileage Trip Outside the

4007 (A0420) Waiting Time (more than

4008 Bariatric Transport Fee (a single patient with body

4009 Oxygen

4010 Stretcher Transports, Stretcher-

Bound Patients discharged from the

Emergency Department. Vendor will transport to patients’ residences, Community Living Centers (CLC), or nursing facilities. (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 4: $____________________

Total Estimated Cost of Base and All Option Years: $____________________

Revised E.9

E.9 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Factor 1: Technical/Management

• The assessment process of Technical/management will result in two overall assessments:

o A technical rating that evaluates the quality of the offeror’s technical solution for meeting the Government’s requirement. Adjectival ratings of Outstanding, Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Unacceptable will be used.

o A technical risk rating considers the risk associated with the technical approach in meeting the requirement. Adjectival ratings of Low, Moderate or High will be used.

• Offeror shall submit a detailed technical approach for completing the requirements of the

Performance Work Statement (PWS). To include but not limited to the firm's ability to:

o Respond to dispatches within thirty (30) minutes in accordance with PWS.

o Handle any surges in service.

o Ability to provide the minimum number of vehicles and bring on additional vehicles if needed.

• Capability to Perform - Offeror shall demonstrate that it currently possesses and employs personnel with appropriate skill mix/qualification, equipment, standards, work processes, and general resources to accomplish the requirements of the Performance

Work Statement.

Factor 2: Past Performance

The CO will seek relevant past performance information on ambulance service based on: (1) the references provided by the offeror and (2) data independently obtained from other government and commercial sources. Relevant past performance includes performance of efforts involving non-emergent ambulance service that are similar or greater in scope, magnitude and complexity to the effort described in this solicitation. The government reserves the right to seek information on higher priced offerors if none of the lower priced offerors receive a “Substantial Confidence” performance assessment rating. The purpose of the past performance evaluation is to allow the government to assess the offeror’s ability to perform the effort described in the solicitation, based on the offeror’s demonstrated present and past performance. Past performance evaluated will be the past performance of the prime contractor (Company submitting the proposal). The assessment process will result in an overall performance confidence assessment rating of Substantial Confidence, Satisfactory

Confidence, Limited Confidence, No Confidence, or Unknown Confidence. Past performance regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or sub-contractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement will be considered as highly as past performance information for the principal offeror. Offerors with no relevant past or present performance history or the offeror’s performance record is so limited that no confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned shall receive the rating “Unknown Confidence”, meaning the rating is treated neither favorably nor unfavorably.

In evaluating past performance, the government reserves the right to give greater consideration to information on those contracts deemed most relevant to the effort described in this solicitation.

Offerors are cautioned to submit sufficient information and, in the format, specified in the proposal preparation instructions to permit a meaningful assessment of past performance.

Offerors may be asked to clarify certain aspects of their proposal or respond to adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond. Adverse past performance is defined as past performance information that supports a less than satisfactory rating on any evaluation element or any unfavorable comments received from sources without a formal rating system.

Factor 3: Price

• Prices shall be submitted in accordance with the Price Schedule contained in the solicitation. Total price will be evaluated by the Government. In evaluating the offeror’s proposed price for this project, the Government concern includes determining price reasonableness. Reasonableness determinations will be made by determining if competition exists, by comparing proposed cost/price with established commercial prices, other contract vehicles, and/or by comparing proposed cost/price with the Independent

Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). The IGCE is not releasable to the public.

• The Government will evaluate prices for all option periods.

Offers will be evaluated as to whether they contain unbalanced pricing. The determination that an offer contains unbalanced pricing under FAR 15.404.1 may result in the offered pricing being found unfair and unreasonable.

The Government intends to award without discussions, if possible, however it reserves the right to hold discussions if necessary.

Technical and past performance, when combined are significantly more important than cost or price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the

Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)