36C78618Q0258-004.docx

Addendum - Commercial Items (Jan 1999)

I. ADDENDUM 52.212-2 EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999)

Technical Capabilities (including sub-factors), and Past Performance, when combined are significantly *Less* important than price. Technical Capabilities Sub-factors one (1), two (2), and three (3) are equal in importance. Technical Capabilities are equal in importance to Past Performance. Technical Capabilities are significantly *Less* important than Price or Cost. Past Performance are significantly *Less* important than price or cost. RFPs will be evaluated for technical merit, past performance, and price.

Proposals will be evaluated for technical merit, past performance, and price. Award shall be based on a best value trade-off analysis. Offerors are cautioned to submit their initial quotes based on most favorable terms, price, technical and other factors. The Government reserves the right to make an award based on initial proposals received without discussion.

The Government will award a firm-fixed price Contract from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government based on the best value to the Government by performing a non-price/price factor trade-off analysis of proposals that meet or exceed acceptability standards of non-price evaluation factors. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

Evaluation Factor 1:

COST/PRICE: These indicate what each offeror’s services will cost the Government if selected. Your prices shall be submitted in the Price Schedule contained in the solicitation at the rate specified on the unit column of the price/cost schedule, (which includes your overhead, direct costs, personnel, etc.). The Government will evaluate all pricing offers for reasonableness and realism. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the period year prices are significantly unbalanced. Pricing may be compared against the Government Cost Estimate or against the average mean of the offers received to arrive at a competitive range in determining too low or too high offers. Include sufficient information to show price submitted is comparable to or less than published catalog prices.

Evaluation Factor 2:

A. Technical Capability Factor: Offeror shall address in detail the Technical Capabilities by describing their proposed approach to each sub-factor. The approach must meet Contract requirements which will be evaluated with respect to providing the VA with a highest level of confidence in successful performance. All technical sub-factors shall be considered based solely by the proposal provided, the extent in which the proposal demonstrated a clear understanding of the requirements, and problems involved in meeting or exceeding the standards for the various tasks, and their ability to meet the Contract requirements. Ratings will be based on the extent to which the offeror addresses each of the sub-factors. Proposals may exceed the minimum requirements. *This section shall be no longer than 45 pages.*

Technical Evaluation Sub-Factor: Sub-factors should clearly and fully demonstrate the offeror’s knowledge, capability, and experience regarding the technical requirements. Merely stating that an offeror understands and will comply with the technical requirements will be deemed an insufficient demonstration of understanding. Similarly, phrases such as "standard procedures will be employed" or "well-known techniques will be used" are inadequate. Failure to follow instructions regarding the format and content of the proposal also may result in the bidder’s proposal being deemed unresponsive.

(1) The Technical Capability Sub-factors may be evaluated strictly on the merit of the technical material submitted; no price information is to be included in any part of the Technical Proposal. Where estimated resource hours will provide clarity, they shall be quoted in resource hour figures only, with no indication as to the associated cost.

(2) The Technical Capability shall consist of three (3) sub-factors that provide the specific information required in the order presented below. Technical Capabilities Sub-factors one (1), two (2), and three (3) are equal in importance.

Sub-factor 1 DETAILED TECHNICAL/MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: The detailed Technical/Management Requirements section shall specifically address all technical and management requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal (RFP) including any exhibits or amendments. No more than 15 Pages. Resumes not included.

· Contractor shall submit experience/expertise with the Project description.

· Include in this section relevant information that shall demonstrate the technical and/or managerial qualifications of key personnel you propose to use in accomplishing the contract. Demonstrated qualifications and experience for each individual should be included in this subfactor in the form of a resume, not to exceed two pages in length for each of the individuals identified. Key personnel are defined as those individuals who will directly manage, supervise or oversee on-site contract performance, or who will provide technical advice and guidance to contractor personnel, or who will serve as a liaison between your company and cemetery staff, including the Contracting Officer’s Representative(s) (COR). Identify exactly what they will be doing for the contract. The contractor shall detail the management availability during contract performance.

Sub-factor 2 Performance Plan: The Proposal shall supply a summary technical description of the proposed plan to successfully completed the project. Include in this section a plan written to the requirements of the RFP which outlines and details your proposed approach and sequence to accomplish all of the requirements contained in the Statement of Work. The summary shall be written so that a lay person can easily grasp the essence of the plan being proposed. The contractor shall explain the nature of the “Standards” or service assurance in the event that its commitments are not met. No more than 15 Pages.

Sub-factor 3 STAFFING PLAN/CONTRACTOR TEAM ARRANGEMENTS: It is mandatory that the Offeror be solely responsible for completing the contract. Offeror is to describe the following to satisfy Sub-Factor 3…

· The proposed staffing plan inclusive of labor break down for your firm and for subcontractors (if any).

· Labor Breakdown Codes generated from the attached Wage Determination.

· How long it will take to fully staff the contract.

· Offeror is to provide a thorough list of equipment, vehicles, supplies, products and materials that it proposes to use under the contract. Equipment type, model and age;

No more than 15 Pages.

Evaluation Factor 3: Past Performance:

(A) This section should fully address past performance and that of any subcontractors or consultants you propose to use in performance of the contract:

(i) Identify relevant work previously performed with in the past three years by your company similar in nature to the work described in the Statement of Work. Provide the names of three references, including addresses and telephone numbers, project names/titles, dates and periods of performance covered by the work, that have direct knowledge of your experience, capabilities and outcomes of past initiatives of similar nature.

(ii) Identify proposed subcontractors and consultants, including their names, addresses, telephone numbers, area(s) of expertise and respective discipline(s), and corporate experience. Provide three references for proposed subcontractors and consultants that have direct knowledge of the subcontractor’s or consultant’s experience and outcomes of past initiatives of similar nature, as in (a), above.

(B) Include in this section the names, addresses, telephone numbers of at least three (3) references in the past 3 years who can attest to the experience and past performance of your company in grounds/facilities maintenance, cemetery maintenance and/or similar services. The experience shall emphasize the following factors:

· Ability to perform the work in a requirement the size of this solicitation.

· Extensive knowledge of turf management.

(C) For each reference, you must provide both a Project Manager and a Contracting Officer point-of-contact or the private sector equivalents for non-Governmental references. You must include accurate and current telephone numbers with each reference. You shall ensure that the persons named as references are reachable at the telephone numbers specified. Unreachable references will result in disqualification of that client reference.

******** (End of ADDENDUM 52.212-2 EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999)