Solicitation_07.30.docx

COMBINED SYNOPSIS AND SOLICITATION:

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation and notice for commercial items prepared under the authority of and in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This notice constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is also issued in conjunction with FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services. This solicitation is a Request for Quotations (RFQ). This RFQ is issued on an unrestricted basis.

The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect the date of posting and are provided in Attachment 1.

The Product Service Code (PSC) R499 Other Professional Services and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code NAICS 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Size Standard: $19.5 Million are applicable to this requirement.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) contemplates multiple single-award, firm-fixed price awards. The applicable categorization for this procurement is under NAICS 541690 Other Scientific & Technical Consulting Services; PSC Code R499 Other Professional Services. FAR clauses and provisions enclosed within this RFQ are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05 and are available in full text through Internet access at http:// www.acquisition.gov/far/.

This is full and open competition for all non-profit and for-profit firms with an active SAM.gov registration eligible for federal contracts at the closing date and time listed in this RFQ. If your firm is interested in this acquisition, you may participate by submitting your response in accordance with the requirements and instructions contained herein. The Government is not liable for any expenses incurred by the Quoters in developing and submitting quotes for this RFQ.

RFQ QUESTIONS

Quoter shall submit all technical questions concerning this request for quotation in writing by e-mail to sba_ric_2025@gsa.gov. All questions must be submitted via e- mail and received no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on July 28, 2025. Answers will be provided in the form of an amendment and posted in SAM.gov for all vendors to view.

RFQ DUE DATE

The due date for response to this RFQ at the addresses specified below is on or before 4:00 PM ET August 08, 2025. The Government reserves the right to not accept quotes received after the closing date and time. It is the responsibility of the quoter to provide a timely submission and ensure successful delivery to the Government. Required technical and price quote volumes must be submitted via e-mail directly to sba_ric_2025@gsa.gov.

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – SEE PROVISION 52.212-1

In order to participate in this acquisition, each quoter must submit a quote with the services and prices related to the requirements identified herein.

The quote must also contain the following:

Your quote may be considered non-responsive and will be rejected without further consideration for failure to submit all required information requested in this RFQ.

Quoters shall have an active SAM registration at the closing date and time of this RFQ, have a complete copy of their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, and shall indicate as such in their quote.

Reasonable font size, margins, and spacing are expected for all portions of the quote without requiring magnification or zoom capabilities.

ANTICIPATED AWARD TYPE

The SBA contemplates awarding multiple, single-award, firm-fixed price contracts for regional innovation clusters as a result of this Request for Quote (RFQ).

BASIS FOR AWARD

Awards will be made based on the best value that meets the objectives requested in the Statement of Objectives (SOO) as it relates to this RFQ and contained in Attachment 2. Vendors are required to choose only one Industry of Interest as listed in the SOO. Vendors shall define the single geographic area they will support with their quoted cluster. The Government intends to evaluate quotes and make awards without discussions. Therefore, each quote should be submitted on the most favorable terms from a price and technical standpoint.

The Government expects that the quotation received in response to this solicitation will result and be formatted to represent the Performance Work Statement (PWS) that will guide performance, should award be made to your firm. The format of your PWS should identify the selections of pages (not to exceed the limits provided herein) that represent the content to be reviewed as responsive to each evaluation step.

The Government will make awards based on best value to responsible vendors using a 3-Step evaluation process. This analysis will consider the relative importance of price and non-price factors. Best value means that the Government reserves the right to select other than the lowest-priced quote, if a higher-priced quote is deemed to provide superior overall value based on the evaluation criteria below.

Quotations will be evaluated and receive an adjectival rating based on the demonstration of the region’s competitive advantage, planned small business support in their designated industry, and capability to create and expand the cluster network in their designated industry. Only those quotes receiving Medium or High Confidence ratings from Step 1 will move forward to Step 2 of the evaluation process. Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence ratings from Step 2 will move forward to Step 3 of the evaluation process. Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence ratings from Step 3 will move forward to price evaluation of the evaluation process. Those vendors receiving a low confidence rating for Step 1 will be removed from further consideration for award and will not move on to Step 2 of the evaluation process. Those vendors receiving a low confidence rating for Step 2 will be removed from further consideration for award and will not move on to Step 3 of the evaluation process. Those vendors receiving a low confidence rating for Step 3 will be removed from further consideration for award and will not move on to the Price evaluation process.

Step 1 & 2 are equally weighted but more important than Step 3 past performance/prior experience. Past performance/prior experience is more important than price. All Non-price factors, when combined, are more important than price.

No revisions or modifications to your quotation will be accepted after the due date for quotes.

Adjectival Rating Scale:

High Confidence:

The Government has high confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, to include its proposed cluster qualifications and staffing plan, and will be successful in performing the contract with little or no Government intervention.

Medium Confidence:

The Government has medium confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, to include its proposed cluster qualifications and staffing plan, and will be successful in performing the contract with medium Government intervention.

Low Confidence:

The Government has low confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, to include its proposed cluster qualifications and staffing plan, and will be successful in performing the contract even with Government intervention.

Neutral Confidence:

(Only applicable for Past Performance/Prior Experience) No recent/relevant performance record is available, or the offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned.

Quotations who receive a Medium or High confidence rating will move on to Step 2, 3, and the price evaluation stage of the evaluation process. Those receiving a Low rating will be removed from further evaluation for award and will receive notification of such action. For the purpose of step 3 Past Performance/Prior Experience only, Neutral confidence ratings will also be allowed to move into the Price evaluation stage.

Step 1 Small Business Support Services and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry:

In Step 1, Quoters shall respond to all sections and requirements listed under the Small Business Support Services and Creation and Expansion of Cluster Network in Specified Industry sections in the SOO.

Quoters shall identify their region of service, down to the county level, and industry supported by the proposed cluster. SBA is interested in proposals that: (a) demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support to; (b) are market-driven; (c) can reshore critical industrial and manufacturing capabilities; and (d) demonstrate high potential for success and sustainability.

Quoters shall describe how their designated region is able to support the growth of the specific industry and to build, maintain, and represent a regional cluster. Quoters should describe the existing assets, resources, and capabilities of the region and qualitative and quantitative metrics are of interest to describe why the designated region has the capacity to support growth in the specified industry. Quoters should identify any gaps in the existing assets, resources, and capabilities of the region and how the cluster will address and/ or fill the gaps.

Quoters shall demonstrate the cluster’s historical and existing partnerships, or ability to develop partnerships between business and industry groups, economic development organizations, federal and state resources, entrepreneurial development programs, and training initiatives reflecting an industry-specific focus and collaboration, and experience/ability to convene, coordinate, and represent the identified cluster participants. This includes partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to small businesses, other than small businesses, industry groups, local universities, community colleges, government or independent research centers, capital providers – banks, private investors, angel investors – entrepreneur support organizations, non-profits, and local, state, and federal entities. While each regional cluster is unique in size and services, demonstration to have and maintain successful and continued partnerships within the designated region is an integral cluster qualification.

Quoters shall identify whether the proposed regional cluster is currently being supported as the prime awardee or sub awardee on any active federal awards.

Quoters will be evaluated based on the level of confidence the Government has on the Quoters’ ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be performed; how Quoters will meet the technical requirements of the SOO; and thoroughness of the PWS for these technical categories. Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence rated quotations from Step 1 will move forward to Step 2 of the evaluation process.

Table 1: The following Documents are Required to be submitted as Appendix A. The information can be consolidated into one document that is inclusive of all the requirements listed below.

Required Documents and Information of Quoter

1. List of cluster partners and stakeholders and any Memorandums of Understanding or formal agreements

Step 2 Cluster Management and Oversight & Report Development: Each quotation who passed Step 1 will then be evaluated on the quoter’s capability to manage the cluster and provide reports. In Step 2, Quoters shall respond to all sections and requirements listed under the Cluster Management and Oversight & Report/Metrics Development in the SOO.

Quoter shall describe how their organization and staffing plan are uniquely suited to deliver on the proposed small business support and creation of the cluster network proposed in Step 1. Quoter shall describe their organizational history, including year founded, organization’s structure, staffing plan, project management process, including staff and any specific project management tools utilized, CRM system used, and processes to address project delays and unanticipated risks.

Quoter shall describe how they will reach and onboard new members – both partner organizations and small businesses – into the cluster and provide ongoing engagement. Quoter shall describe current partnerships and work with small businesses, SBA resource partners, and economic development partners not funded by SBA.

Quoters shall also describe their ability to collect and maintain the required information related to cluster membership, quarterly reports, and annual reports. Quoters shall describe their ability to meet all required quarterly and annual reporting deadlines and provide quarterly and annual reports to SBA via excel, PDF, or online form completion.

Quoters will be evaluated based on the level of confidence the Government has on the Quoters’ ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be performed; how Quoters will meet the technical requirements of the SOO; and thoroughness of the PWS for these technical categories. The same adjectival ratings as listed above will be applied to this portion of evaluation.

Table 2: The following Documents are Required to be submitted as Appendix B. The information can be consolidated into one document that is inclusive of all the requirements listed below.

Required Documents and Information of Quoter

1. Outline of management and governance structure

2. Staffing Plan

Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence rated quotations from Step 2 will move forward to Step 3 of the evaluation process.

Step 3 Past Performance/Prior Experience:

Each quotation who passed Step 2 will then be evaluated on the quoter’s past performance and prior experience. Quoters shall identify at least three (3) contracts or projects for the same or similar services started or completed within two (2) years from the closing date of this solicitation. For each past performance/prior experience reference, quoters shall complete Attachment 3 Past Performance-Prior Experience Information. The Quoter shall identify if it was the prime contractor or a subcontractor for each contract or project identified.

Quoters shall address the recency and relevancy of their demonstrated prior experience/past performance in contracts or projects for federal agencies and/or private organizations in terms of type of work, quality of work, complexity of work performed, and compliance with performance schedules. The Quoter may also include projects that were grants or cooperative agreements.

The Government reserves the right to contact customers identified in the proposal and solicit further information about performance in regard to quality, timeliness, cost, and business relationship. The accuracy of past performance data, including phone numbers of the points of contact are the full responsibility of the Quoter and inaccuracy may result in non-consideration of the reference. Other related past performance information may be sought and used for evaluating completeness and accuracy of the Quoter’s proposals. Past performance information may be obtained from a variety of sources including other government agencies as well as, but not limited to, CPARS.gov.

The Government reserves the right to administrative clarifications, if necessary, to finalize awards.

The Government intends to award up to 20 offerors. It is anticipated that this RFQ will result in up to 20 awards, not to exceed $7,500,000 in overall total.

*Partial quotes will not be accepted, and all quotes submitted shall include all line items contained in this RFQ to be considered for award. Please do not simply restate the SOO in your quotation.

**All offerors are responsible for submitting well written quotes, with adequately detailed information which clearly demonstrates compliance with the solicitation and allows meaningful review by GSA.

***It is imperative that offerors thoroughly read and understand the SOO when preparing and submitting quotes. Quotes that merely restate the Government’s requirements or offer to conduct a program in accordance with the Government’s requirements without going into further detail will not be considered acceptable and will not receive further consideration. Similarly, over-generalizations and phrases such as “standard procedures will be employed” or “well-known techniques will be used” are also not acceptable.

PRICE QUOTE

The Quoter is expected to quote a reasonable price. The quoter’s price quote will be evaluated to determine fair and reasonableness.

Quoters shall submit pricing in accordance with the pricing schedule template in Attachment 4. The resultant contract(s) will be firm-fixed price for 1 year. Quoters shall identify all proposed costs for all years to include labor categories, labor rates, number of hours, other direct costs (i.e. travel, subcontractor costs), etc. Quoters are responsible for quoting ODCs that are applicable to their proposed approach. Quoters shall include anticipated number of hours of small business support for each period of performance. Quoter shall include any and all assumptions made in the development of its price quotation. These assumptions, while they will not be used for pricing evaluation, they will be used to determine the level of effort being quoted within the total FFP quotation.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 Provision/Clause Package Attachment 2 Statement of Objectives Attachment 3 Prior Experience Questionnaire (3 must be completed and returned with your quotation) Attachment 4 Price Schedule (Must be completed and returned with your quotation) Attachment 5 QASP Attachment 6 Conflict of Interest (Must be completed and returned with your quotation) Attachment 7 Sample Format PWS

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