Solicitation K-M - ID07200010.2 July.Amendment2.pdf

ID07200010

Solicitation Section K - M

General Services Administration

Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)

Greater Southwest Region

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Solicitation Number 47QFWA20K0014

AAS FILE ID07200010

Science Technology and Research Team (START) for the

AIR FORCE MEDICAL SERVICE ENTERPRISE-WIDE

TECHNICAL CLINICAL RESEARCH TEAM (TCRT) I

59th Medical Wing (59 MDW)

Performance Work Statement

(PWS)

NAICS CODE is 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology

(Except Nanobiotechnology)

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

(Sections K, L, and M)

July 2, 2020

Amendment 2

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME

All Submissions for Proposal MUST be RECEIVED BY GSA: JULY 13th at 9:00 AM Central Time

PART IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K:

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS or

RESPONDENTS

K.1.0 Required Representations and Certifications (Standalone Documents):

The following information contains representations and certifications (REPS and CERTS). Some of these REPS and CERTS will be incorporated by reference (IBR), others will be included by Full Text. REPS and CERTS that require the offeror to Represent, Certify, or provide information will need to be submitted with the offer as a separate file identified as Volume 2 – General Administrative Requirements. All representations and certification documents must be completely filled out and submitted in the correct volume. For your administrative convenience, a separate attachment has been created that contains all of the REPS and CERTS that will need to be submitted with the offer.

K.2.0 FAR PROVISIONS – REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

K.2.1 FAR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS INCOPORATED BY REFERENCE

52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions

(FEB 2007)

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that require Certain Internal Confidentiality (JAN 2017)

52.222-38 Compliance with Veterans’ Employment Reporting Requirements (FEB 2016)

52.223-1 Bio-based Product Certification (May 2012)

52.223-4 Recovered Material Certification (May 2008)

K.2.2 FAR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN FULL TEXT

52.225-20 Prohibition on Conducting Restricted Business Operations in Sudan-Certification (AUG 2009).

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision- Business operations means engaging in commerce in any form, including by acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, selling, possessing, leasing, or operating equipment, facilities, personnel, products, services, personal property, real property, or any other apparatus of business or commerce.

Marginalized populations of Sudan means-

(1) Adversely affected groups in regions authorized to receive assistance under section 8(c) of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (Pub. L. 109-344) ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 note); and

(2) Marginalized areas in Northern Sudan described in section 4(9) of such Act.

Restricted business operations means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate-

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

(b) Certification. By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that the offeror does not conduct any restricted business operations in Sudan.

(End of provision)

52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-Representations and Certifications (AUG 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision- Person-

(1) Means-

(i) A natural person;

(ii) A corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and

(iii) Any successor to any entity described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this definition; and

(2) Does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business enterprise.

Sensitive technology-

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically-

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

(b) The offeror shall e-mail questions concerning sensitive technology to the Department of State at CISADA106@state.gov.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this provision or if a waiver has been granted in accordance with 25.703-4, by submission of its offer, the offeror-

(1) Represents, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the offeror does not export any sensitive technology to the government of Iran or any entities or individuals owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf or at the direction of, the government of Iran;

(2) Certifies that the offeror, or any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not engage in any activities for which sanctions may be imposed under section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act. These sanctioned activities are in the areas of development of the petroleum resources of Iran, production of refined petroleum products in Iran, sale and provision of refined petroleum products to Iran, and contributing to Iran's ability to acquire or develop certain weapons or technologies; and

(3) Certifies that the offeror, and any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not knowingly engage in any transaction that exceeds $3,500 with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (see OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List at https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN- List/Pages/default.aspx).

(d) Exception for trade agreements. The representation requirement of paragraph (c)(1) and the certification requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this provision do not apply if-

(1) This solicitation includes a trade agreements notice or certification (e.g., 52.225-4, 52.225-6, 52.225-12, 52.225-24, or comparable agency provision); and

(2) The offeror has certified that all the offered products to be supplied are designated country end products or designated country construction material.

K.2.3 FAR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN FULL TEXT REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION

A separate document has been created that lists REPS and CERTS in Full Text.

The name of the document is titled “Section K Full Text REPS and CERTS” and has been posted with the solicitation.

The Full Text REPS and CERTS included in the document include the following:

52.204-3 52.204-8 52.204-17 52.204-20 52.204-24 52.204-26 52.209-2 52.209-5 52.209-7 52.209-11 52.209-13 52.215-6 52.219-1 52.222-22 52.222-25 52.222-48 52.222-52 52.223-22 52.226-2

THE FULL TEXT REPS AND CERTS IN THE DOCUMENT REQUIRE THE OFFEROR TO PROVIDE

INFORMATION AND IT MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER FOR THE OFFER TO RECEIVE

CONSIDERATION AND FURTHER EVALUATION

[End of Section K]

SECTION L

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR

RESPONDENTS

L.1 General Solicitation Information

This solicitation is for a Performance-Based non-commercial services contract to be solicited, evaluated and awarded in accordance with FAR Part 15. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541714, Research and Development in biotechnology.

This requirement is being solicited as an open-market, competitive 8(a) set aside with an anticipated award to an eligible 8(a) firm whose proposal conforms to the terms and conditions of this solicitation and represents the best value to the Government.

All Submissions for Proposal MUST be RECEIVED BY GSA: JULY 13th at 9:00 A.M. Central Time

To be eligible for award, the contractor must have this NAICS on their SAM.GOV registration.

ACQUISITION STRATEGY:

● Competitive 8(a)

● Non-Commercial

● Severable

● Base Period of 12 months

● Four (4) 12 month Options

● One (1) six month Option for extension of services

● NAICS is 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

The offeror’s proposal shall clearly demonstrate in detail an understanding of both general and specific requirements, as well as convey the Offeror’s capability for transforming its understanding into successful performance based on the information provided within the PWS.

It is the offeror’s responsibility in identifying material that may be proprietary to mark each page that the offeror believes contains proprietary information with the notation that says: “(Company Name) Proprietary Information.”

Information requested herein must be furnished in writing and be fully and completely in compliance with RFP instructions. The information requested and the manner of submission is essential to permit prompt evaluation of all proposals on a fair and uniform basis. Simple statements of compliance without the detailed description of how compliance will be accomplished may not be considered sufficient evidence that the Offeror can meet the contract performance requirements and may result in technical unacceptability or an association of greater risk to successful performance posted by an Offeror’s proposal concerning particular evaluation factor(s).

The contractor must submit proposals by the date and time established in the RFP notice posted in GSA's Electronic Ordering System (ITSS). If you are unable to attach your proposal in GSA's Electronic Ordering System due to some type of technical difficulty, you must report the problem to the CO via email at david.kilbourne@gsa.gov, in sufficient time prior to closing to allow for the submission of the proposal via an alternative method determined by the CO.

NOTE: Failure to register properly in GSA’s Electronic Ordering System, ITSS, is not an acceptable reason for the inability to submit a proposal or to receive communications regarding this solicitation.

The only method by which any term of the solicitation may be modified is by a formal amendment to the solicitation generated by the issuing office. No other communication made whether oral or in writing (e.g., Q&A prior to response closing date and time, clarifications, etc.) will modify or supersede the solicitation.

The Government reserves the right to make a selection based upon initial proposals; therefore, the offeror should submit its best terms in its initial proposal. In accordance with FAR 15.306, the Government also reserves the discretion to confer with the offeror and request revised proposals if needed, establish a competitive range, and may also determine to make no award.

The offeror shall thoroughly examine all solicitation documents and instructions. Failure to do so will be at the offeror’s own risk. Failure to comply with all of the terms and conditions of the solicitation may result in the Government’s elimination of the offeror’s proposal from further consideration for award.

If the Offeror is aware or a mistake or sees a contradiction, they must immediately bring this to the attention of the Contracting Officer to be corrected or clarified.

L.1.1 Solicitation Questions

Any questions regarding this procurement shall be sent via e-mail to cherline.pierre@gsa.gov and david.kilbourne@gsa.gov with the subject line “RFP Questions on SOLICITATION #ID07200010,” no later than June 23rd, 2020 at 10:00PM Central Time. In posing questions, the offeror must cite the relevant solicitation document, section and page number. Questions should be written in a manner that enables clear understanding of the Offeror’s questions or concerns. Questions must also be written in a manner that allows the government to share the question and response with all other offerors.

Questions will be answered on a non-attribution basis to protect identify of individual asking the questions, but they will be shared. Statements expressing opinions, sentiments, or conjectures are not considered valid inquiries and will not receive a response.

Further, the offeror is reminded that GSA will not address hypothetical questions aimed at receiving a potential “evaluation decision.”

The Contracting Officer will provide written answers to questions which will be provided via an amendment to the solicitation, posted to ITSS and will be viewable to interested offerors.

about:blank mailto:cherline.pierre@gsa.gov

L.2.0 Pre-Submission Information

L.2.1 General Submission Guidelines:

a) The evaluation for this requirement will be conducted in Two Phases.

b) The solicitation will be posted to Beta.Sam.gov.

c) Change 1: Registration for the ITSS system will only be required for Offerors invited to submit proposals for Phase 2. Offerors are not required to register or submit proposals for

ITSS in Phase 1.

d) Change 2: Offerors who have been invited to Phase 2 offerors must send an email to david.kilbourne@gsa.gov prior to the close date of the Phase 2 submission in order to provide confirmation of system access.

e) Interested offerors will need to submit their Phase 1 proposals within the correct volumes no later than the submission close date of the solicitation.

f) GSA will evaluate Phase 1 proposals and then inform offerors of the evaluation of their proposal.

g) Offerors with the most highly rated proposals from Phase 1 will be invited to submit additional information for evaluation in Phase 2.

h) Offerors who are invited to participate in Phase 2 will receive specific instructions for the submission of their Phase 2 proposals. In order to allow for the most competitive pricing possible and ensure fair and reasonable pricing, Offerors will be provided information of how their pricing relates to the Independent Government Estimate. Offers will then be allowed to revise their pricing for Phase 2 evaluation.

i) Phase 2 proposals will be evaluated based on the Phase 2 evaluation criteria.

j) After Phase 2 evaluations are complete, the Contracting Officer will determine if it is necessary to conduct a tradeoff in order to determine an apparent awardee.

k) Change 3: Offerors must submit all proposal related documents in the correct volume format via email to the Contracting Officer David Kilbourne at david.kilbourne@gsa.gov, and the project

Manager Cherline Pierre at cherline.pierre@gsa.gov. All proposal documents must be received by the Government prior to the established deadline.

mailto:david.kilbourne@gsa.gov mailto:cherline.pierre@gsa.gov

L.3.0 Phase 1 Submission Instructions

All Phase 1 information submitted for evaluation must be contained within the three (3) volumes as described below:

L.3.1 Volume 1: Price (Original Submission)

a) The Offeror must use the pricing worksheets provided with the solicitation (Attachment 10: Pricing

Spreadsheet for Evaluation and Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories.) to establish their pricing for this requirement, and provide rates for all of the labor categories listed within the pricing spreadsheets.

b) Rates provided in the pricing worksheet must be fully burdened labor rates. No additional G&A or

Material and Handling (M&H) will be authorized

c) The hours provided in Attachment 10: Pricing Spreadsheet for Evaluation are estimates only, but will be used for purposes of evaluation. They do not constitute a guarantee of any kind. The actual requirement may require more or less hours than those listed in the pricing spreadsheet.

d) This requirement is for a Time and Materials contract. In an effort to receive the highest quality solution at the best value, the government requests all available discounts on all services offered by the contractor for this requirement

e) Travel will be required for this contract.

f) Other Direct Costs (ODCs) will be required for this contract.

g) Surge Support may be required for this contract.

h) Travel, ODCs, and Surge Support dollar values are used in the price basis for evaluation purposes, and shall not be changed from the figures in the pricing spreadsheet.

i) During performance, only actual costs for travel are reimbursed in accordance with the Federal

Travel Regulations (FTR)

j) The rates and overall prices provided by the offeror in Attachment 10: Pricing Spreadsheet for

Evaluation will be used to determine the ceiling price of the contract. The labor categories listed in

Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories must also be priced. The rates provided in Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories may be used at a later date when these labor categories are necessary for the performance of a future task.

k) Options Clauses FAR 52.217-8 and FAR 52.217-9 have been included. Offerors will submit pricing for all of the Options included in the pricing spreadsheet. Pricing will be evaluated to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. Reference Section M.1.10 Evaluation of Options for additional information to price

Options.

l) Offerors are allowed to submit substantiating information to support the pricing provided in the pricing worksheet. No more than one page of substantiating documentation should be used, if needed.

m) Do not include or address price in any other volume of the proposal unless otherwise directed.

n) Change 14. In order to determine the pricing of the six month option extension in accordance with

FAR 52.217-8, the Government will use the pricing provided by the Offeror from Option 4, divide by 12 to determine a monthly price, and then multiply by six to determine the six month option extension.

Offerors will not providing pricing for the six month extension. The pricing spreadsheet has been updated to reflect the change, and the six month extension has been removed from the pricing spreadsheet.

L.3.2 Volume 2: General Administrative Requirements

L.3.2.1 Administrative Background Document

The Offeror shall provide a one-page document on business letterhead that clearly lists the following information:

a) A document providing the DUNS number and listed Business name of the Prime as it appears in the System for Award Management (SAM).

b) Listed Business Name and DUNS number of any subcontractors

c) Email and Phone for Key Points of contact for any Prime and Subcontractors

d) An executive summary discussing the background and history of the company.

L.3.2.2 Exceptions to the Request For Proposal (RFP)

a) The Offeror shall provide a separate one page document on business letterhead that clearly states that the firm DOES or DOES NOT take any exceptions to the RFP provisions, clauses, PWS or other information within the solicitation.

b) If the offeror takes any exceptions, the exceptions shall be clearly listed within the document.

L.3.2.3 Representations and Certifications

a) The Offeror must review, complete, sign, and submit all representations and certifications as specified in Section K of the solicitation. Reference Attachment 11 Full Text Representations and Certifications in addition to the information listed within Section K of the solicitation.

L.3.2.4 Organizational Conflict of Interest

a) The Offeror shall provide a separate one-page document on business letterhead that clearly states if the firm HAS or HAS NOT identified any potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest. If the firm has not identified any organizational conflicts of interest, then no further action is required.

b) If the firm has identified Organizational Conflicts of Interest, then they must clearly be described and a mitigation plan must be provided for review by the Contracting Officer.

L.3.2.5 Complete and Submit Signed SF 26

a) The Offeror shall complete, sign, and submit the SF 26, Attachment 14.

b) Fill in Block 7 with Firm’s name and address

c) Enter Total Amount for all CLINS and OPTIONS in Block 15G.

d) Complete and sign Blocks 19A and 19B

L.3.2.6 Authorized Signatory

a) On a separate one-page document the Offeror shall certify and submit that the individual signing the SF-26 has the legal authorization on behalf of the business firm to legally bind the business to the proposal being submitted.

b) If the firm submitting the proposal is a corporation, the one page document shall be signed in the corporate name, followed by the word “by” and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign.

L.3.2.7 Submission of Joint Venture Agreement or Mentor Protégé Agreement

a) Change 4. Offerors submitting a proposal with the representation as a Joint Venture Entity or a

Mentor Protégé Entity, must submit a copy of the agreement between the two parties. This agreement must state the intended purpose of the Joint Venture or Mentor Protégé and ensure the purpose is in alignment with this requirement.

The agreement must state specifically what each entity will be responsible for and how duties between the two firms will be divided and assigned.

This must be submitted in Volume 2 General Administrative Requirements

Failure to submit copy of agreement will result in offeror receiving no further consideration for the evaluation of their submitted proposal.

L.3.2.8 Submission of SBA Approval for Joint Venture Agreement or Mentor Protégé Agreement

a) Change 5. Offerors submitting a proposal with the representation as a Joint Venture Entity or a

Mentor Protégé Entity, must submit a copy of the SBA approval of the Joint Venture or Mentor Protégé agreement. This must be submitted in Volume 2 General Administrative Requirements

Failure to submit copy of agreement will result in offeror receiving no further consideration for the evaluation of their submitted proposal.

L.3.2.9 General Submission Guidance of Individual Documents

a) Change 6. Four separate and complete documents each containing its respective information must be submitted to satisfy the requirements identified in section L.3.2.1, L.3.2.2, L.3.2.4, L.3.2.6.

L.3.2.10 Submission for Acknowledgment and Compliance of Amendments

a) Change 7. Offerors must submit signed a copy of Attachment 17 acknowledging receipt, understanding, and compliance of all amendments listed within this document. If an offeror takes exception they must note the exception in accordance with the instruction provided in section L.3.2.2

Exceptions to the Request For Proposal.

b) Change 21. Offerors are only required to submit one copy of the most recent version of

Attachment 17 reflecting the most recent Amendment and all previous Amendments to the Solicitation.

L.3.3 Volume 3: Previous Experience (PE)

a) Offerors must use the Previous Experience worksheet to provide any information to be considered for evaluation of Previous Experience.

b) Offerors will be evaluated on relevancy to the scope, size, and key research partnerships of previous projects and how they relate to this requirement.

c) The projects submitted for Previous Experience must be within the last three (3) years of the solicitation response due date.

d) Offerors must submit four (4) worksheets / projects of Previous Experience for evaluation. Each previous worksheet / project must have its own worksheet. One worksheet per project.

e) Offerors are specifically encouraged to, and will receive more favorable evaluations for previous experience case studies that relate to performance and partnerships with Research Institutions, Universities, Not-For-Profit and Non-Profit Research and Development organizations.

f) Change 8. For purposes of evaluation, additional merit and consideration will be given to offerors who submit projects performed by the prime as opposed to projects performed by a key subcontractor. Offerors are highly encouraged to submit projects that were performed by the prime entity.

g) Change 18. The word text boxes in the worksheet have been made larger to allow for additional information to be submitted. Offerors must provide all responses within the provided box for the

Previous Experience Worksheet. Offerors must use Times New Roman and size 12 Font.

h) Change 22.The Government will recognize and give additional weight to cooperative agreements if the 8(a) firm has partnered with a University, Research Institution, Non-Profit or Not-For-Profit organization. The partnership roles must be clearly delineated in order to receive proper merit and consideration.

i) Change 25. At least one previous experience example must be from the 8(a) Prime. The offeror must clearly indicate on the previous experience worksheet, when the project was performed if the

8(a) was a prime or a subcontractor for the work performed.

L.3.4 Change 20. Proper Format and Instructions for Phase 1 Proposal Submission

a) This paragraph provides the detailed information necessary to ensure proper format for the submission of an Offeror’s response to the RFP.

1) All documents relating to the Offeror’s proposal must be submitted by email to david.kilbourne@gsa.gov.

2) All documents relating to the Offeror’s proposal must be received by the Government no later than the established proposal response due date and time.

3) The documents required for response to the proposal for Phase 1 must be submitted within

Three (3) separate volumes. Volume 1 Price. Volume 2 General Administrative Requirements.

Volume 3 Previous Experience. A separate email must be sent containing the documents for each respective Volume. Offerors will send a total of three emails for the proposal response. Example:

Email 1 will contain all documents for Volume 1. Email 2 will contain all documents for Volume 2.

Email 3 will contain all documents for Volume 3. Each email must include a Subject Line that

States: Offerors Business Name and Volume Number. Example: Acme Corp – Volume 1 Price.

4) It is strongly recommended that all Three Emails are sent within 10 to 15 minutes of each other and that the offeror request receipt by the Government.

5) Volume 1 Price. Both Pricing Spreadsheets Attachment 10 and Attachment 13 must be submitted and have all labor categories priced. These documents must be submitted in the excel format.

6) Volume 2 General Administrative Requirements. All documents listed within Section L.3.2 must be submitted in Volume 2. General Administrative Documents may be submitted with either

Business letterhead or a Company Name and a company logo. All of the documents submitted in

Volume 2 should be in a PDF format.

7) Volume 3 Previous Experience. All documents listed within Section L.3.3 must be submitted in Volume 3. All of the documents submitted in Volume 3 should be in a PDF format.

8) Each individual document within the volume should be labeled as the following:

Volume Number. Document name. Business Name.

Example for Previous Experience worksheet from Acme Corp: V3.PEworksheet2.Acmecorp mailto:david.kilbourne@gsa.gov

L.4.0 Phase 2 Submission Instructions

After the conclusion of Phase 1, the most highly qualified firms will be notified and provided with a submission date and submission instructions for the information to be evaluated in Phase 2. All Phase 2 information submitted for evaluation must be contained within the four (4) volumes as described below:

L.4.1 Volume 1: Price (Revised Submission)

a) The Offeror must use the pricing worksheets provided with the solicitation (Attachment 10:Pricing

Spreadsheet for Evaluation and Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories.) to establish their pricing for this requirement, and provide rates for all of the labor categories listed within the pricing spreadsheets. The offeror will be allowed to revise their pricing for the Phase 2 submission in order to provide the Government with the most competitive pricing possible. If the offeror does not want to revise their pricing information then they must submit a notice in Volume 1 Stating: No

Revision to Original Pricing Submission.

b) Rates provided in the pricing worksheet must be fully burdened labor rates. No additional G&A or

Material and Handling (M&H) will be authorized

c) The hours provided in Attachment 10: Pricing Spreadsheet for Evaluation are estimates only, but will be used for purposes of evaluation. They do not constitute a guarantee of any kind. The actual requirement may require more or less hours than those listed in the pricing spreadsheet.

d) This requirement is for a Time and Materials contract. In an effort to receive the highest quality solution at the best value, the government requests all available discounts on all services offered by the contractor for this requirement

e) Travel will be required for this contract.

f) Other Direct Costs (ODCs) will be required for this contract.

g) Surge Support may be required for this contract.

h) Travel, ODCs, and Surge Support dollar values are used in the price basis for evaluation purposes, and shall not be changed from the figures in the pricing spreadsheet.

i) During performance, only actual costs for travel are reimbursed in accordance with the Federal

Travel Regulations (FTR)

j) The rates and overall prices provided by the offeror in Attachment 10:Pricing Spreadsheet for

Evaluation will be used to determine the ceiling price of the contract. The labor categories listed in

Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories must also be priced. The rates provided in Attachment 13: Pricing Spreadsheet Additional Labor Categories may be used at a later date when these labor categories are necessary for the performance of a future task.

k) Options Clauses FAR 52.217-8 and FAR 52.217-9 have been included. Offerors will submit pricing for all of the Options included in the pricing spreadsheet. Pricing will be evaluated to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. Reference Section M.1.10 Evaluation of Options for additional information to price

Options.

l) Offerors are allowed to submit substantiating information to support the pricing provided in the pricing worksheet. No more than one page of substantiating documentation should be used.

m) Do not include or address price in any other volume unless otherwise directed.

L.4.2 Volume 2: Past Performance:

a) Offerors invited to Phase 2 will be sent a Past Performance worksheet to be completed and submitted for evaluation.

b) The Offerors shall submit two individual worksheets for a total of two past projects to be evaluated.

c) Offerors will be evaluated based on information provided from the worksheets AND on information obtained from Government sources such as PPIRS, CPARS, and other Government and non-government references containing past performance information.

L.4.3 Volume 3: Key Personnel, Contract Management, Communication Plan:

a) Offerors invited to Phase 2 will be sent a worksheet to be completed for the evaluation of Key personnel, Contract Management, and their Communication Plan.

b) The Offeror shall complete and submit the information identified in the worksheet for evaluation purposes.

c) Change 23: Offerors will be evaluated based on information identified in the worksheets and resumes of key personnel.

d) Change 23: In Phase 2 Offerors will be required to submit one resume for each of the four (4) key labor categories. A total of four resumes will need to be submitted.

L.4.4 Volume 4: Technical Approach:

a) Offerors invited to Phase 2 will be sent a worksheet to be completed for the evaluation of Technical

Approach.

b) The Offeror shall complete and submit the information identified in the worksheet for evaluation purposes.

c) Offerors will be evaluated based on information identified in the worksheets.

L.5.0 Provisions Incorporated by Full Text

FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a TIME AND MATERIALS (T&M) contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision)

FAR 52.216-30 Time-and-Materials/Labor-Hour Proposal Requirements—Non-Commercial Item Acquisition Without Adequate Price Competition (Feb 2007)

(a) The Government contemplates award of a Time-and-Materials or Labor-Hour type of contract resulting from this solicitation.

(b) The offeror must specify separate fixed hourly rates in its offer that include wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit for each category of labor to be performed by—

(1) The offeror;

(2) Each subcontractor; and

(3) Each division, subsidiary, or affiliate of the offeror under a common control.

(c) Unless exempt under paragraph (d) of this provision, the fixed hourly rates for services transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control—

(1) Shall not include profit for the transferring organization; but

(2) May include profit for the prime Contractor.

(d) The fixed hourly rates for services that meet the definition of commercial item at 2.101 that are transferred between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the offeror under a common control may be the established catalog or market rate when it is the established practice of the transferring organization to price interorganizational transfers at other than cost for commercial work of the offeror or any division, subsidiary or affiliate of the offeror under a common control.

FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest (Sep 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from

David Kilbourne, Contracting Officer david.kilbourne@gsa.gov 819 Taylor Street, Room 13A33 Fort Worth, TX 76102

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision)

FAR 52.242-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its proposal. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.Acquisition.gov

(End of Provision)

FAR 52.252-5 Authorized Deviations in Provisions (Apr 1984)

(a) The use in this solicitation of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the provision.

(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (48

CFR 2) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the name of the regulation. (End of Clause)

L.6.0 Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (JUL 2016)

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (JUL 2016)

52.215-22 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges-Identification of Subcontract Effort (OCT 2009)

52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (OCT 2009)

52.237-1 Site Visit (APR 1984)

52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime (MAR 2015)

L.7.0 GSA INFORM PILOT 2.0

A. Overview of the IN-depth Feedback through Open Reporting Methods (INFORM 2.0) Process

This solicitation is part of an initiative using the INFORM 2.0 process to provide greater transparency and openness into the procurement process. INFORM 2.0 seeks to increase GSA-industry communication by providing clearer and more complete information to explain the award decision.

Through the INFORM 2.0 process, GSA will seek to share additional information with offerors in writing and/or through an oral feedback meeting that is not required by statute or regulation. For purposes of this solicitation, and in addition to any information required by FAR 15.503 and 15.506, GSA is providing each offeror with the opportunity to participate in the INFORM 2.0 process as further discussed below.

B. Detailed Description of the INFORM 2.0 Process

B.1.0 Component 1.1 - Notification of Phase 1

After Phase 1 has concluded the Contracting Officer will issue written notices to the unsuccessful offerors. At this time, the unsuccessful offerors must submit a written timely request. The unsuccessful offeror must choose to either request a pre-award debrief, or delay the debrief and request a post-award debrief consistent with the INFORM 2.0 Pilot after an award decision has been made.

The offeror may request a pre-award debriefing by submitting a written request for debriefing to the contracting officer within 3 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.

At the offeror’s request, this debriefing may be delayed until after award. If the debriefing is delayed until after award, it shall include all information normally provided in a postaward debriefing.

Debriefings delayed pursuant to this paragraph could affect the timeliness of any protest filed subsequent to the debriefing.

If the offeror does not submit a timely request, the offeror need not be given either a pre-award or a post-award debriefing. Offerors are entitled to no more than one debriefing for each proposal.

Component 1.2 - Notification of Phase 2

In accordance with any post-award notification timeframes required by regulation (i.e., FAR Parts 15.503(b) and 16.505(b)(6)), after Phase 2 has concluded the Contracting Officer will issue written notices to the successful and unsuccessful offerors (the Notification of Decision Statement (NODS)). The notices will contain:

● All information required by statute or regulation;

● An unredacted copy of the complete technical evaluation for that particular offeror that includes a full description of the unsuccessful offeror’s strengths, weaknesses, risks, and deficiencies;

● An overall technical evaluation summary for that particular offeror and the successful offeror that includes evaluated price; overall technical ranking, rating, or score.

B.2. Component 2 - Request for Oral Feedback Meeting or Written Questions

Within three business days after receipt of the NODS, an offeror may, but is not required to:

● submit a written request to the contracting officer for an oral feedback meeting;

● submit a list of written questions to the contracting officer; or

● take no further action.

If the offeror timely elects to request an oral feedback meeting or submit a list of written questions, GSA will consider any such request to constitute a required debriefing pursuant to FAR 15.506. If an offeror does not request an oral feedback meeting or submit a list of written questions within the three day time period, the receipt of the NODS concludes the INFORM 2.0 process and satisfies the FAR requirement for debriefs pursuant to FAR 15.506.

If the offeror submits a list of written questions in lieu of the oral feedback meeting, the contracting officer will attempt to respond within five business days of receipt of the written questions. Unless otherwise stated, the contracting officer’s response to the written questions will conclude the INFORM 2.0 process and any corresponding post-award debriefing as further set forth at FAR 15.506.

If the offeror requests an oral feedback meeting, the offeror should provide the following information:

● Primary point of contact;

● List of participants with titles (e.g., Senior Vice President);

● List of topics to assist GSA to better prepare for the oral feedback meeting; and

● Preference for telephone, or web-based conferencing (if available).

B.3. Component 3 - Oral Feedback Meeting

During the oral feedback meeting, GSA’s objectives are to provide:

● Reasonable responses to written questions submitted by the offeror;

● Explanations for the evaluation conclusions and contract award decisions;

● Any additional information about the fairness and impartiality of the evaluation and why the award decision was rational;

● Reasonable responses to additional questions raised during the meeting;

● Additional transparency into the underlying competition process; and,

● A greater understanding of the evaluation and award process.

GSA will not provide any information that is prohibited by law or regulation.

B.4. Component 4 - Post Oral Feedback Meeting Questions

Within two business days after the conclusion of the oral feedback meeting, the offeror may submit a list of written questions to the contracting officer. The contracting officer will provide a written response within five business days and, unless otherwise noted by the contracting officer, the INFORM 2.0 process and any corresponding postaward debriefing as further set forth at FAR

15.506 will have concluded.

If the offeror elects not to submit a list of written questions within two days after the oral feedback meeting, the INFORM 2.0 process and any corresponding post-award debriefing as further set forth at FAR 15.506 is concluded.

[End of Section L]

SECTION M:

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1.0 SOURCE SELECTION

M.1.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

The information contained within this Section will be used to evaluate proposals. All information must be clearly marked and submitted within the appropriate Volume to be considered for evaluation. The Government intends to select one (1) offeror. However, pursuant to FAR 15.305(b) the Government may reject all proposals received in response to this solicitation, if doing so is in the best interest of the Government.

M.1.2 BASIS FOR AWARD

This acquisition will be conducted in Two (2) Phases. The first phase will identify the most highly rated proposals based on the Phase 1 evaluation criteria and those offerors will subsequently be invited to submit additional information for evaluation in Phase 2. After the evaluation of Phase 2 proposals, the Government anticipates making a contract award to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government price and other non-price factors considered. The anticipated award may be made to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror.

M.1.3 INTENT TO AWARD WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS

The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if determined necessary but intends to award without discussions. Any discussions will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.306.

M.1.4 PHASES OF EVALUATION

This acquisition will be conducted in Two (2) Phases. All interested firms are encouraged to submit proposals for evaluation in Phase 1. After evaluation of Phase 1, the most highly rated offerors will be invited to submit additional information for evaluation in Phase 2.

M.1.5 EVALUATION FACTORS

M.1.5.1 LIST OF EVALUATION FACTORS

FACTOR 1: Price FACTOR 2: General Administrative Requirements FACTOR 3: Previous Experience FACTOR 4: Past Performance FACTOR 5: Key Personnel, Contract Management, and Communication Plan FACTOR 6: Technical Approach

M.1.5.2 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF ALL EVALUATION FACTORS

The relative importance of the evaluation factors are listed in descending order and are established as follows: Factor 6, Factor 3, Factor 5, Factor 4, Factor 2, Factor 1.

All non-price factors (Factor 6, Factor 3, Factor 5, Factor 4, Factor 2) when combined are significantly more important than Price (Factor 1).

Proposals must contain prices that can be determined to be fair and reasonable.

M.1.5.3 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF PHASE 1 EVALUATION FACTORS

The evaluation factors are listed in descending order of relative importance: Factor 3: Previous Experience, Factor 2: General Administrative Requirements, Factor 1: Price (Original Submission).

M.1.5.4 RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF PHASE 2 EVALUATION FACTORS

The evaluation factors are listed in descending order of relative importance: Factor 6: Technical Approach, Factor 5: Personnel, Contract Management and Communication Plan, and Factor 4: Past Performance

M.1.6 EVALUATION SEQUENCE AND PROCESS

M.1.6.1 SEQUENCE OF EVALUATION FACTORS FOR PHASE 1

Proposals will be evaluated against Phase 1 evaluation factors in the following sequence:

Factor 2: General Administrative Requirements Factor 3: Previous Experience Factor 1: Price (Original Submission)

M.1.6.2 IDENTIFICATION OF MOST HIGHLY RATED PROPOSALS

After proposals have been evaluated, the most highly rated proposals will be identified and will be invited to submit additional information for evaluation in Phase 2. In order to allow for the most competitive pricing possible and ensure fair and reasonable pricing, Offerors will be provided information of how their pricing relates to the Independent Government Estimate. Offers will then be allowed to revise their pricing for Phase 2 evaluation.

M.1.6.3 SEQUENCE OF EVALUATION FACTORS FOR PHASE 2

Change 9 Proposals will be evaluated against Phase 2 evaluation factors in the following sequence:

Factor 6: Technical Approach Factor 5: Key Personnel, Contract Management and Communication Plan Factor 4: Past Performance Factor 1: Price (Revised Submission)

M.1.6.4 SELECTION OF APARENT AWARDEE

After the conclusion of the Phase 2 evaluation of proposals, the Contracting Officer will determine if a tradeoff is necessary in order to identify the apparent awardee. The Government anticipates making a contract award to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforming to the solicitation represents the best value to the Government price and other non-price factors considered. The anticipated award may be made to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror.

M.1.7 ADJECTIVAL DESCRIPTION OF PHASE 1 EVALUATION FACTORS

M.1.7.1 FACTOR 1: Price (Original Submission) No Adjectival Rating

M.1.7.2 FACTOR 2: General Administrative Requirements

Adjectival Rating Description

Acceptable Proposal meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation and demonstrates an understanding of the requirement by providing all of the required information in Section L.3.2.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet requirements of the solicitation, and thus, contains one or more deficiencies by not providing all of the required information listed in Section L.3.2 .

M.1.7.3 FACTOR 3: Previous Experience

Adjectival Rating Description

Excellent The proposal significantly exceeds the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a very low risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Very little to no Government oversight is expected in achieving the required level of contract performance.

Very Good The proposal exceeds, to varying degrees, some of the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a low risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Little to very little Government oversight is expected in achieving the required level of contract performance.

Acceptable The proposal meets the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a low to moderate risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Little to moderate Government oversight is expected in achieving the required level of contract performance.

Marginal The proposal does not meet, to varying degrees, one or more of the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a high risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Moderate Government oversight is expected in achieving the required level of contract performance.

Unacceptable The proposal does not meet a majority or any of the minimum PWS requirements.

Evaluation of the factor presents a very high risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Substantial Government oversight is expected achieving the required level of contract performance.

M.1.7.4 Technical Evaluation Board’s Evaluation of Proposal and General Adequacy During Phase 1 the Technical Evaluation Board will review and evaluate information provided within the correct volumes of the proposal as submitted by the Offeror. Any information that was evaluated, but does not contain evaluation notes or comments, will be identified and established as being generally adequate in response to what the solicitation has asked for.

M.1.8 ADJECTIVAL DESCRIPTION OF PHASE 2 EVALUATION FACTORS

M.1.8.1 FACTOR 1: Price (Revised Submission) No Adjectival Rating

M.1.8.2 FACTOR 4: Past Performance; FACTOR 5: Key Personnel, Contract Management, and Communication Plan; FACTOR 6: Technical Approach

Adjectival Rating Description

Excellent The proposal significantly exceeds the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a very low risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Very little to no Government oversight is expected in achieving the required level of contract performance.

Very Good The proposal exceeds, to varying degrees, some of the minimum PWS requirements. Evaluation of the factor presents a low risk of unsuccessful contract performance.