36C78620Q0326.docx

Contract Opportunity Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE

SUBJECT

CONTRACTING OFFICE'S

ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE

ARCHIVE

DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION

See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice FY21 New - MPS Southeast - NEW CONTRACT FOR ON-SITE

INSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR JACKSONVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FY 21 FUNDS.

CO- TBD

22172 36C78620Q0326 08-26-2020

1:30 PM

EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

N

SBA

327991 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 18434 Joplin Road Triangle VA 22172 Contracting Officer Marcia Hall marcia.hall@va.gov 703-630-9342 Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville FL 32218

USA

https://www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs Marcia.Hall@va.gov Work

RFQ FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Document Type: Combined Synopsis Solicitation

Solicitation Number: 36C78620Q0326

Post Date: 08/10/2020

Question Due Date: 08/19/2020 @ 1:30 PM EST

Response Date: 08/26/2020 @ 1:30 PM EST

Applicable NAICS: 327991

Product Code: 9930

Set Aside Type: Small Business (SB)

Period of Performance: 15 days ARO

Issuing Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration 18434 Joplin Rd Triangle, VA 22172

Delivery Location: Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Road Jacksonville, FL 32218-1247

1. DESCRIPTION

THIS NOTICE SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT, NOR DOES IT RESTRICT THE GOVERNMENT TO A PARTICULAR ACQUISITION APPROACH. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL SUPPLIES AND PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6 STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A SEPARATE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. THE SOLICITATION IS BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES. SOLICITATION 36C78620Q0326 IS BEING ISSUED AS A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ). FAR clauses and provisions enclosed within this RFQ are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-07 and are available in full text through Internet access at http://www.acquisition.gov/far.

This combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Therefore, all quotations received prior to the RFQ close date will be considered by the Contracting Office. A single award will be made based on Best Value with Tradeoffs.

The Contractor shall perform onsite inscription services at:

Jacksonville National Cemetery

Contract shall be for a Base Period of (12) Twelve Months, and Four (4), One (1) Year Options See attached Statement of Work (SOW) for a full description of requirements.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR(S)

Prospective awardees SHALL be registered with SAM at http://www.sam.gov Prior to Award and through final payment, and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://www.sam.gov prior to award and through final payment. Contract will not be awarded until SAM registration has been completed.

NAICS CODE/SIZE REQUIREMENTS

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 327991 Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing and the size standard is 500 Employees. Any firm that does not meet the capability and size standard under this NAICS code should not submit a response.

CONTRACT TYPE

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, anticipates the award of a Firm Fixed Priced Contract.

RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ): Quotes are due to the Contracting officer via the EMAIL no later than Wednesday, August 26, 2020 by 1:30 PM EST. Responses to this announcement will result in a Firm-Fixed Priced Requirement Contract. The Government intends to make award without discussions. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information provided nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided for the Government. Offerors are responsible for obtaining any and all amendments or additional information concerning this announcement at beta.sam.gov.

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS:

All questions regarding this solicitation are to be submitted to the Contracting Officer, via email, no later than close of business, Wednesday, August 16, 2020 by 1:30 PM EST. Questions pertaining to this announcement shall be sent by email to Marcia.Hall@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

PRICE SCHEDULE

The term of the contract shall be from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 with four, one your, option periods that maybe exercised at the discretion of the Government.

The schedule price shall be all-inclusive, including all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies to complete the Contract Line Item (CLIN) below.

Base Year: October 1, 2020 thru September 30, 2021

Option Year 1: October 1, 2021 thru September 30, 2022

Option Year 2: October 1, 2022 thru September 30, 2023

Option Year 3: October 1, 2023 thru September 30, 2024

Option Year 4: October 1, 2024 thru September 30, 2025

DELIVERY INFORMATION

See SOW.

PAYMENT

All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

1. QUOTATION SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED FOR SUBMISSION OF QUOTES SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN ITS ENTIREITY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED UNDER INSTRUCTION TO OFFEROR (52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2020)) OR WITHIN THE STATEMENT OF WORK, SHALL BE DEEMED AS NON-CONFORMING AND WILL NOT BE UNDER FURTHER CONSIDERATION. FAILRURE TO SUBMIT SAMPLES SHALL ALSO RESULT IN YOUR QUOTE BEING DETERMINED TECHNICALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND REMOVED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

ITS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFEROR TO EXAMINE THIS COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION TO VERIFY THAT HE OR SHE HAS RECEIVED ALL PAGES. IN ADDITION, IN COMPILING THIS PACKAGE, SOME PAGES MAY HAVE BEEN DUPLICATED. IF THE OFFEROR FEELS THAT PAGES ARE MISSING OR DUPLICATED, THE OFFEROR IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE CONTRACTING OFFICER.

IT IS ALSO THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING PROPER SUBMISSION OF THEIR QUOTES VIA EMAIL.

CONTENTS OF QUOTE PACKAGE SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

The quote package shall contain the following and shall be submitted in the format in the table below:

· Completed and signed SF 1449 with all required blocks completed including DUNS and email address

· Contractor information on page 2

· Completed Schedule of Prices, the table shall not be manipulated

· Technical Qualifications as specified in the evaluation factors for the Government’s evaluation.

· Quality Assurance Plan

· Safety/Accident Prevention Manual

· Organizational Chart

· 2 sets of resumes for everyone performing work on this contract. This includes but is not limited to personnel performing onsite inscriptions and conducting quality control. One copy shall have all the names of all companies, personnel, contract locations redacted. Phone numbers and street addresses shall be redacted.

· Five (5) past performance references within the last 3 years that are similar in size and scope to this solicitation. Use only the Past Performance Questionnaire form. Prepare one form for each reference. Additional references will not be acknowledged.

· Proof of Insurance including Inland Marine, Liability and Worker’s Comp in your business name

· Proof of required Business and Technical Licenses and Certifications

· Amendments

· DO NOT SEND A COPY OF THE RFQ.

· Extraneous info such as VIP letter, marketing materials, lists of past contracts or DD214s will not be considered.

Failure to submit all required documentation may result in your submission being determined technically unacceptable and removed from further consideration.

QUOTATION FORMAT, PACKAGING, & CONTENTS

A cover page, table of contents or other which are not required, will be included in the page count.

The Government will award a Firm-Fix Unit Price Requirements IDIQ contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer is the best value to the Government meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards with the possibility that a comparative analysis could lead the Government to reasonably determine that a Contractor’s better experience warrants payment of its higher proposed price. Offers will be evaluated by performing a comparative evaluation in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3) to determine which response represents the “best value” as a whole.

Quotes may be evaluated by performing a direct comparison of one offer with another in a uniform manner to determine which quote provides the government with its needs, as identified in the RFQ. The government reserves the right to consider a response that offers more than the minimum and select that response if it provides a benefit to the government. The government has the discretion to accept a quote, other than the lowest priced offer, that provides additional benefits. The government also has the discretion to make an award based on whether the lowest priced of the quotations/offers having the highest past performance rating possible represents the best benefit to the government.

The award may be made without discussions.

Only restating the SOW and/or not detailing the number of subcontractor’s laborers and exactly the work they will be doing may lead to your quote being considered non-responsive and not considered further.

The Government reserves the right to reject all Quotes received in response to this solicitation, if doing so is in the best interest of the Government.

NOTE: The contractor shall use the prevailing minimum wage for Jacksonville, FL (See attached Wage Determination for Counties); however, shall not pay less than the Federal minimum wage of $10.80.

1. QUOTATION EVALUATION

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government. The lowest price does not always represent the best value.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Past Performance, Technical and Price. Risk will be considered overall.

Past Performance, Technical and Price are weighted most to least in the order listed. Past Performance and Technical, when combined, are more important than price. If offerors have the same past performance and technical rating, then price will become more of a factor.

Quotes will be evaluated based on the following factors weighted most to least in the order listed below.

Factor 1: Past Performance Evaluation:

Past Performance will be evaluated for Quality of Service, Schedule, Business relations with Customers, Management of Key Personnel, Safety, Problem Resolution, Invoice Accuracy, and Overall Performance of the company in this area. Utilizing the Past Performance Questionnaire in Section D, offerors shall provide five (5) references within the last three (3) years that are similar in size and scope and that are deemed relevant to the requirement of this solicitation. The Government will use information submitted by the offeror and other additional sources such the Contracting Officers knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired; Federal Agencies and/or commercial sources in order to access past performances. In addition, the Government will also validate past performance information by utilizing the Federal Government’s Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

The questionnaire in conjunction with the CPARS and other allowable information will be utilized in validating an offeror’s past performance acceptability rating. Offerors are to demonstrate successful performance under contracts (ongoing or completed) which are similar in scope, magnitude, price, and complexity to the subject requirement. In cases where an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorable or unfavorable, but will be given a neutral rating. Referrals where contact information provided cannot be reached telephonically or by email will not be considered. In cases where an offeror has relevant past performance, but chooses not to use it, the offeror may be evaluated “Unacceptable.”

(1) Past Performance Evaluation Rating Standards:

Description

Factor 2: Technical Evaluation Approach:

See Statement of Work for information regarding the sample. If a sample is disapproved the offeror will be considered non-responsive and receive no further consideration for award.

Please be sure your quote addresses these questions:

1. How long have you been in business?

1. Have you done this type of service for the Federal Government previously?

1. How long will it take before your company can setup on-site operations and start working on inscription orders? This includes setting up the required portable shelter.

1. After award how long with it take you to have all the equipment including safety garments?

1. Will you need to order or lease equipment for onsite inscribing?

1. List the type and age of equipment that will be used. (Provide photos of equipment actual equipment to be used)

1. What is the backup plan for equipment that may need a major repair or replacement in the future?

1. What technologies or capabilities does your company have in place to handle on-site inscription orders without delays?

1. What are the plans for coverage during:

· Absences longer than 1 day,

· Low staffing

· Work stoppages/shortages due to equipment failure, etc. of more than 2 days?

· Supply shortages with safety garments?

1. If you are behind, how will you increase your through-put?

1. How long will it take you to replace staff?

1. What safety equipment will be provided to your staff to avoid workplace accidents?

1. How often and for how long will there be safety training?

1. A list of chemicals or substances that your company may use in performance of this contract.

1. How will your company execute and maintain the safety training requirements?

1. Provide a brief explanation as to how your company will maintain the safety requirements listed in the Safety Checklist over the duration of the contract?

1. What is the name of the person(s) who will be doing the following:

· Performing the safety training

· Performing the QA before turning the completed stones over for inspection by the COR

1. Please explain your training plan for new employees. Include addressing the length of time to train new employees before they can work on their own.

Subcontractor information:

Please provide a Gantt chart containing the employees, equipment and hours for all tasks in the CLIN.

Please make sure that resumes and certificates verify all requested information. Anything not verified will be taken to mean the person listed as performing the duty does not have the training or education to do so.

Quotes that fail to provide the information requested and address the above questions may lead to your quote being considered non-responsive and not considered further.

For this contract, all of the awardee’s managerial/supervisory employees including those on site at the cemetery shall be direct hires of the Prime Contractor. Labor shall be employed such that 50% of the actual salaries and wages for time attributed on this contract are from actual Prime Contractor employees.

Information will be reviewed for an understanding of the work requirements (Adequate Performance Plan).

Information will be scored on it demonstrating whether offerors will obtain and keep the quality of professional services needed for adequate contract performance.

Information will be scored on it demonstrating whether offerors understand the speed of the work to be performed to deadline.

Rating Standards:

An evaluation of the technical quote will be made to ensure satisfactory responsiveness to the requirements as set forth in this solicitation. The technical capabilities/specifications will be reviewed using the following criteria:

(1) Technical: Sample

Description

Approved

Disapproved

(2) Technical: Equipment List

Description

Quote does not meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough equipment and adequate in size, age or type.

Quote does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. There would be some risk with the amount, type or age of the equipment.

Quote meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough equipment and adequate in size, age or type.

Quote exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough equipment more than adequate in size, age or type and a plan for replacing broken equipment immediately.

(3) Technical: Safety/Accident Prevention Manual

Description

Quote does not meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation and does not provide relevant information and plans as requested in accordance with the SOW and the National Cemetery Administration Safety Checklist for On-Site Inscription Contractors, Section 1.

Quote does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. There would be some risk with the lack of relevant information and plans provided in accordance with the SOW and the National Cemetery Administration Safety Checklist for On-Site Inscription Contractors, Section 1.

Quote meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough relevant information and plans provided in accordance with the SOW and the National Cemetery Administration Safety Checklist for On-Site Inscription Contractors, Section 1.

Quote exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation with relevant and through information provided in accordance with the SOW and the National Cemetery Administration Safety Checklist for On-Site Inscription Contractors, Section 1, with an understanding of the unique on-site safety requirements.

(4) Technical: Personnel

Description

Quotes does not meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough staff, their experience/training and adequate timeline.

Quote does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. There would be some risk with the number of personnel, their lack of training/experience, the plan for restaffing when needed, or other personnel issues.

Quote meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough experienced personnel and a plan for coverage and hiring when required.

Quote exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation with enough experienced personnel and a realistic plan for coverage and hiring when required. All tasks are covered and have estimated times lists. Key personnel are named, and their duties listed including the on-site supervisor and on-site QA person.

(5) Technical: Methodology

Description

Quote methodology does not meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. Examples are it may be confusing, missing tasks or only repeat the SOW.

Quote does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. There would be some risk with the method as stated.

Quote meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation showing the understanding of the requirements, specifications, time to complete a full cycle and fixing issues that may arise. Performance plan is adequate

Quote exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation showing the understanding of the requirements, specifications and time to complete a full cycle. Strategies are clear and feasible to solve potential issues in a timely fashion. Clear and responsive communication is explained.

Factor 3: Price

Price will be evaluated for reasonableness and realism:

Fair and Reasonable Determination

A fair and reasonable price determination will be made through any combination of the following methods per FAR 15.404.

1. Comparison of proposed prices received in response to the solicitation.

2. Comparison of previously proposed prices and previous Government and commercial contract prices with current proposed prices for like items.

3. Use of parametric estimating methods/application of rough yardsticks to highlight significant inconsistencies that warrant additional pricing inquiry.

4. Comparison with competitive published price lists, published market prices of commodities, similar indexes, and discount or rebate arrangements.

5. Comparison of proposed prices with independent Government cost estimates.

6. Comparison of proposed prices with prices obtained through market research for the same or similar items.

7. Analysis of pricing information provided by the offeror.

Because below-cost prices are not inherently improper, when vendors are competing for award of a fixed-price contract, vendors are given notice that a business decision to submit a low-priced quotation may be considered as reflecting on their understanding of the contract requirements or the risk associated with their approach.

Offerors are cautioned against submitting an offer that contains unbalanced pricing. Unbalanced pricing exits when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more contract line items for the base and or option years is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application of analysis techniques. Offers that are determined to be unbalanced may be rejected if the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

If an offeror fails to complete the corresponding schedule and price information for a district the quote will be considered non-responsive.

(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)

1. SOLICITATION CLAUSES/PROVISIONS

Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 Clauses in corporate by reference in numeric order starting with FAR and followed by VAAR.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by References (FEB 1998). The full text of FAR/VAAR clauses may be accessed electronically at:

http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

The following clauses apply to this acquisition:

End of Addendum to 52.212-4

The Clause at 52.212-5 “CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS” (July 2020) applies to this acquisition. The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(4), (b)(7) (b)(8), (b)(9), (b)(16), (b)(22), (b)(27), (b)(28), (b)(29), (b)(30)(i), (b)(31)(i), (b)(32)(i), (b)(33),(b)(34), (b)(35), (b)(36), (b)(44), (b)(51), (b)(58), and (b)(59), (b)(62), (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(7), (c)(8)

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 List all provisions incorporated by reference in numeric order starting with FAR and followed by VAAR. Provisions may be accessed electronically at:

http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

End of Addendum to 52.212-1

1. ATTACHMENTS

See attached document: Attachment A SOW - ON-Site Inscription Contract (I1 U1 R2) - Jacksonville NC FY21.

See attached document: Jacksonville Wage Determination.

See attached document: ATTACHMENT B - Past Performance Questionaire.

See attached document: A-BNC-1.

See attached document: A-EM Cover Page - Rev K dtd 2019-09-10.

See attached document: A-EM-1 - Rev I dtd 2017-12-23.

See attached document: A-EM-2 - Rev H dtd 2017-12-23.

See attached document: A-EM-3 Rev H dtd 2017-12-23.

See attached document: A-EM-4 - Rev H dtd 2017-12-23.

See attached document: A-EM-5 - Rev K dtd 2019-09-10.

See attached document: A-EM-6 - Rev K dtd 2019-09-04.

See attached document: A-LFN_OC-1_RevC_6-13-16.

See attached document: A-LFN_OC-2_RevC_6-13-16.

See attached document: A-LFN_OC-3_RevC_6-13-16.

See attached document: A-NCIS-2_Rev C_dtd 2019-08-05.

See attached document: A-NCIS-2_Rev C_dtd 2019-08-05_01.

See attached document: A-U1-1_Rev B_dtd 2019-8-14.

See attached document: A-U1-2_Rev B_dtd 2019-8-14.

End of Document