47QFWA24R0017_PWS_Solicitation_Sections_K-M_11.19.24.pdf

Solicitation Number 47QFWA24R0017

Solicitation Section K - M

General Services Administration

Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NUMBER

47QFWA24R0017

Trainer Developer III for the

502 Trainer Development Squadron (TDS)

Open Market (competitive)

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

NAICS: 333310 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

(Sections K, L, and M)

11/19/2024

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME

All Submissions for the Proposal MUST be RECEIVED BY GSA

NO LATER THAN: January 17th, 2025, by 5:00PM (Central Time)

Section Title

Page

PART IV

K PPOVISIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS 2

L

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO

OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 19

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 5 – General

Administrative Requirements / Representations & Certifications. All representations and certification documents must be completely filled out and submitted in the correct volume. For your administrative convenience, a separate Attachment 8 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

52.203-2 Certificate of Independent Price Determination (April 1985)

52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Sep 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—Representation and Certifications (Jun 2020)

(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 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 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 the threshold at FAR 25.703-2(a)(2) 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.

(End of provision)

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 (see Attachment 8) 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 52.209-12 52.209-13 52.215-6 52.219-1 52.222-22 52.222-25 52.223-22

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

Controlled but Unclassified Information (CUI) Implementation: GSA’s CUI policy and the requirements of 32 CFR 2002, establishes the policy and framework for the CUI Program at GSA.

CUI is defined as unclassified information that requires safeguarding and dissemination controls pursuant to law, regulation, or Government-wide policy, as listed in the CUI Registry. The CUI Program and the CUI Registry are managed by the CUI Executive Agent (EA), the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) within the National Archives and Records Administration

(NARA).

Contractors must ensure any documents submitted in response to this solicitation are appropriately marked in accordance with CUI guidance. CUI markings are dependent on the document type.

L.1 General Solicitation Information

This solicitation is for a Performance-Based services IDIQ contract to be solicited, evaluated and awarded in accordance with FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation), FAR 16.5 (Indefinite- Delivery Contracts) and FAR Part 37 (Services Contracting). The IDIQ contract will allow for both commercial and non-commercial orders to be placed against it. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 333310 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing. To be eligible for award, the contractor must have this NAICS on their SAM.GOV registration.

Proposals in response to this solicitation will be valid for at least 120 days from the closing date of the solicitation

This requirement is being solicited as an open-market, competitive small-business set-aside acquisition with an anticipated award to an offeror whose proposal conforms to the terms and conditions of this solicitation and that represents the best value to the Government.

All proposal submissions MUST be RECEIVED BY GSA no later than:

January 17th 2025 by 5:00PM (CST)

ACQUISITION STRATEGY:

● Competitive Small Business Set-Aside

● Single Award IDIQ with Commercial or Non-Commercial task orders

● IDIQ has a 5-year ordering period

● Task orders may contain option periods

● NAICS is 333310 Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

● Task Orders issued under this contract may be severable or non-severable depending on the specific order scope of work/requirement.

An 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 a finding of technical unacceptability or an association of greater risk to successful performance posited by an Offeror’s proposal concerning particular evaluation factor(s).

The contractor must submit its proposal by the date and time established in the RFP notice posted in GSA's Electronic Ordering System (GSA ASSIST). If you are unable to attach your proposal in GSA ASSIST due to a technical difficulty, you must report the problem to the IT help desk, the PM, Frank Puente via email at frank.puente@gsa.gov and the CO, Richard

Hill, via email at richard.hill@gsa.gov in sufficient time prior to closing to allow for the submission of the proposal via an alternative method determined by the CO. Any proposal received by GSA after the closing date/time is late and will not be considered for award.

NOTE: Failure to register properly in, GSA ASSIST, is not an acceptable reason for the inability to submit a proposal or for failing 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 offerors and, if needed, establish a competitive range and request revised proposals. The Government 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 identifies a mistake or ambiguity, they should 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 richard.hill@gsa.gov and frank.puente@gsa.gov with the subject line “RFP Questions on SOLICITATION #

47QFWA24R0017” no later than December 30th 2025 by 10:00AM (CST). 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 via an amendment to the solicitation, posted to GSA ASSIST, and will be viewable to interested offerors.

L.2.0 Pre-Submission Information

L.2.1 General Submission Guidelines:

a) The solicitation will be posted to Sam.gov.

b) Registration for the GSA ASSIST will be required for Offerors to submit proposals via the GSA ASSIST.

c) Interested offerors must submit their proposals within the correct volumes no later than the closing date of the solicitation.

d) All proposal documents must be received by the Government prior to the established deadline. Late proposals will not be considered for award.

L.3.0 Submission Instructions

The offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) volumes. Each volume shall be a separate electronic file. The volumes are identified as:

VOLUME / TITLE

DIGITAL

COPIES

PAGE LIMITS

Volume I – Technical Approach

12 Pages not including Title & Index pages

Volume II – Previous 1 No more than two (2) pages per project for

Experience a total of six (6) pages

Volume III – Past Performance

No more than two (2) pages per Past Performance Reference Information Sheets for each project a total of four (4) pages***

Volume IV – Price 1 No Limit

Volume V – General Administrative Requirements / Representations & Certifications

One (1) page for Administrative Background Document, one (1) page Authorized Signatory, no limit for Reps & Certs

*** Page Limitations extended for Joint Ventures as they may submit one Past Performance Reference Information Sheet for each participant and one for the Joint Venture itself.

L.3.1 Volume 1: Technical Approach:

The offeror shall identify and describe the methodology and analytical techniques to be used in fulfilling the technical requirements identified in this solicitation including Sections C, F, H, and J.

The methodology shall clearly identify the technical approach, and how the approach will feasibly, practically, and appropriately accomplish the goals, objectives, conditions, and requirements of this solicitation. The offeror’s proposal shall be relevant to this solicitation and reflect an effective understanding of its requirements. The page limit for the Technical Approach Volume is 12 Pages not including Title & Index pages. The Technical Approach shall also include the following:

a) Quality Control Plan (draft)

b) Transition Plan

c) Proposed Project Management Structure

d) Staffing Plan (see Attachment 5 Labor Category Positions and Key Personnel)

L.3.2 Volume 2: Previous Experience:

Previous Experience is what specific work was performed and its relevancy to the scope, size, and duration of requirements identified in the PWS. Provide three (3) projects with comparable scope, size, and duration to the requirements of the solicited task. Previous Experience Information shall be submitted by completing Attachment 3 Previous Experience Information. Please be mindful of page limitations; no more than two (2) pages per project for a total of six (6) pages for Previous Experience.

The Offeror submission must consist of at least three (3) recent and relevant projects (Government or private sector), no less than 50% complete, which demonstrate at least three (3) years of total relevant corporate experience on contracts awarded within the past five (5) years of proposal submission or still active.

The offeror may use their own previous experience as a prime contractor as well as a subcontractor.

Prime level experience may be given greater consideration than subcontract level experience, depending on the project scope (value, Period of Performance, and type of work performed and its applicability to the current requirement). The offeror must identify whether it was the prime contractor or a subcontractor for each project.

Note: In rating this factor, the Government will evaluate the firm’s similar experience. The government will only consider the offeror’s organizational experience; it will not consider an offeror’s proposed, current or former contractor personnel experience as part of the offeror’s organizational experience. Previous Experience will be evaluated on a cumulative basis – see

Section M.

Relevancy is defined as work that has been/is being performed for prior or current customer contracts/task orders/projects that are of comparable scope, size, and duration which is similar to the requirement described herein.

Recency is defined as current/former task orders/contracts/projects executed within the within the past five (5) years of proposal submission or still active. The work can be in progress at the time of solicitation submission; however, the project must be no less than 50% complete.

L.3.3 Volume 3: Past Performance:

Past performance is defined as how well (i.e., to what level of quality/performance) work was performed. Past Performance Information Sheets (Attachment 9) demonstrating recent and relevant past performance shall be completed by the offeror and submitted with the proposal.

a) The Offerors shall submit two individual Past Performance Reference Information Sheets for a total of two recent and relevant past projects to be evaluated. Note: no more than two (2) pages per Past Performance Reference Information Sheets for each project a total of four (4) pages.

b) Offerors will be evaluated based on information provided in the Past Performance Reference Information Sheets AND/OR information obtained from Government sources such as CPARS, and other Government and non-government references containing past performance information.

c) Previous Experience and Past Performance are separate and distinct factors; however, offerors may use the same projects at their discretion.

L.3.4: Volume 4: Price

The primary purpose of the Price Volume is to provide the Government with an understanding of how the labor categories, labor rates, profit factors, and the other burden factors were proposed and developed by each Contractor. The information necessary to apply the Price evaluation factors, as defined and set forth in Section M of this solicitation, will be obtained from the Offeror’s Price Volume.

Labor category pricing rates submitted will become part of the contract. These rates shall be fully burdened, and not subject to DCAA audited finalized rates. These labor category rates will be utilized for both FFP and T&M order types which may be either commercial or non-commercial.

The minimum guarantee for the IDIQ contract shall be $2,500.00 over the life of the contract, which includes a five-year ordering period. The total program ceiling is $100,000,000.00. However, the

Government makes no guarantee on the estimated quantities, dollar value, or total number of projects. As each task order becomes defined, it will be evaluated separately for labor effort and price reasonableness.

In an effort to receive the highest quality solution at the lowest possible price, the Government requests all available discounts on all services offered by the contractor for this requirement. When offering discounts, proposals must clearly identify any applicable discount [ex: 5% off the commercial catalog price], to include discounts from established price lists, volume/tiered discounts, and prompt payment discounts.

The Offeror's Price Volume IV must be organized in a manner that aligns with the structure set forth in L.4, Paragraph b, entitled as "PRICE VOLUME SECTIONS" (See below). The Price Volume shall not contain any information pertaining to any other volumes. The Price Volume shall contain the following information, included within the appropriate sections as detailed in L.4, Paragraph b.

a. The Offeror shall submit all proposed prices using Microsoft Excel software format without locked cells and all associated formulas. If this solicitation requires the submission of an original paper version and there are discrepancies between the original paper version and the electronic copy, the electronic Price Volume will take precedence over the original paper copy.

b. The Offeror shall fully explain any sort of judgment factors that were applied or assumed and/or the mathematical methods used in the proposal, to include any projections from known data.

c. The Offeror's submitted information must support its price(s). The submitted information must include sufficient detail or cross references to clearly establish the relationship of the information provided to the Offeror's price(s). The Offeror's Price Volume must thoroughly elaborate on any associated assumptions, factors and/or supporting rationale that will permit the Government to perform a thorough price reasonableness analysis.

d. In accordance with FAR 52.237-10 Identification of Uncompensated Overtime, if uncompensated overtime is proposed for employees who are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Offeror shall compute an estimated hourly rate for each employee based on the total compensated and uncompensated hours the employee is expected to work during the year and distribute salary costs to all projected tasks/efforts at the estimated hourly rate. The Offeror’s estimate of uncompensated overtime must be consistent with its cost accounting practices used to accumulate and report uncompensated overtime. If proposing uncompensated overtime, an Offeror shall adjust the proposed labor rates to account for the extra hours proposed and submit the calculations as shown in the following example:

LABOR CATEGORY: Program Manager

CURRENT ANNUAL SALARY: $100,000

STANDARD HOURS/YEAR: 1,920

UNCOMPENSATED OVERTIME HOURS/YEAR: 60

TOTAL HOURS: 1,980

AVG HOURLY RATE: $50.51 ($100,000/1,980 = $50.51)

A copy of the Offeror’s policy concerning uncompensated overtime shall be included in the proposal submission.

e. Offerors are reminded of the requirements of Section 39 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Act (41 U.S.C. 435), as amended, which limits allowable costs for senior executive personnel compensation to $646,000 per year.

f. Contractors are responsible for ensuring the requirements in Section K flow down to each of their proposed subcontractors. Subcontractors are defined as members of an Offeror's overall team who are expected to perform on the proposed effort. All proposal submission requirements in the preceding instructions to Offerors are applicable to all subcontractor submissions. The Contractor is required to provide the Government with the contract-type arrangement proposed for each proposed subcontractor.

g. The Offeror's overall Price Volume will be reviewed for obvious errors. The Offeror may be given an opportunity to clarify certain aspects of their proposal at the sole discretion of the CO.

h. The Offeror shall assume an estimated award date of Monday, 31 January 2025 for proposal purposes. The Offeror's proposed solution shall assume that the level of effort for a Full Time Equivalent is 1,920 hours per year. If the solicited period of performance crosses the Offeror's fiscal year for rates, then the Offeror shall propose a blended rate to properly align such rates with the solicited period of performance. Those blended rate(s) shall be accompanied with a full explanation/rationale that fully elaborates the basis of the blended rate(s).

L.3.4.1. SUBMISSION OF THE WRITTEN PRICE VOLUME

The Price Volume will be evaluated (but not scored) based on the results of a price reasonableness analysis. An Offeror’s proposal is presumed to represent the Offeror’s best efforts in response to the solicitation. Any inconsistency, whether real or perceived, between promised performance, and the price, shall be fully explained in the Price Volume.

a. Offerors shall provide adequate price information, which will allow the Government to perform a price reasonableness analysis.

b. The following paragraphs (roman numerals i, ii, iii, etc.) define the required data to be submitted with the Offeror’s Price Volume in order to facilitate the price reasonableness analysis. The Offeror shall provide this data in the appropriate Price Volume section as indicated in Section L.4, Paragraph b.

i. Price Narrative: The Offeror shall provide a detailed price narrative, which must explain the processes and methodologies used to develop its Price Volume. The Offeror shall specifically indicate in its narrative any applicable Uncompensated Overtime Policy and how such policy affects the hourly direct labor rates being proposed during any contract period as cited in Section L.3.4.2. If the Offeror has a DCMA (or equivalent) rate approval/recommendation specific to Uncompensated Overtime, a copy of the document shall be included.

ii. The offeror shall submit a completed Attachment 1 Pricing Spreadsheet. The Pricing

Spreadsheet shall be fully completed including both Tab A – Labor Rates AND Tab B –

Sample Project. Tab A shall contain your labor rates and prices which will be utilized for both commercial and non-commercial orders under the overarching IDIQ contract. Tab B – Shall contain the completed Sample Project rates and hours which will be used for the Price Analysis and evaluation. You shall submit all price information necessary to provide a meaningful basis for Government’s analysis and evaluation of price for the items set forth in this solicitation.

There are no page limitations for this section.

The Government is utilizing a Sample Project to provide estimated hourly quantities to reach a total evaluated price FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY. The Estimated Hourly Quantities are located in Attachment 1 – Tab B Sample Project. Offerors may not deviate from the identified labor categories and hourly rates proposed located in Attachment 1 – Tab A Labor Rates when completing the mandatory Attachment 1 – Tab B Sample Project pricing spreadsheet. Offerors shall not assume the Tab B Sample project hours to be representative hours because they are for EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY.

Materials/ODCs are anticipated under this IDIQ contract as identified by CLIN 0003. A sample ODC value has been provided by the Government in the Attachment 1 Pricing Spreadsheet and shall not be changed by the offeror. All material and the associated material handling expense are supplied at cost. Profit or fees will not be paid on the cost of material or material handling.

Material handling costs are all appropriate indirect costs allocated to direct materials in accordance with the supplier’s usual accounting procedures, but only to the extent they are clearly excluded from the hourly rate. Applicability of indirect costs on ODCs will be at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Travel is anticipated under this IDIQ contract as identified by CLIN 0004. A sample travel value has been provided by the Government in the Attachment 1 Pricing Spreadsheet and shall not be changed by the offeror. During performance, only actual costs for travel are reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), FAR, and other applicable regulations, subject to approval by the client representative. Excessive travel costs shall not be allowed.

The electronic price proposals and the supporting exhibits and spreadsheets shall be submitted in Microsoft compatible formats, i.e. Excel. The electronic version of the price proposal shall contain working formulas/algorithms and shall be in the same format as the hard copy of the price proposal.

Narrative information shall be provided in a Microsoft Word or compatible format or in Adobe PDF format.

Your proposal is presumed to represent your best efforts to respond to the solicitation. Any inconsistency, whether real or apparent, between promised performance and price shall be explained in the proposal. If a business policy decision to absorb a portion of the estimated price was made, that approach shall be stated within the proposal (including any associated calculations). The burden of proof as to the price credibility rests with you as the offeror.

L.3.4.2. PRICE VOLUME SECTIONS

Only one written Price Volume must be submitted as Volume IV. The written Price Volume shall include all of the sections set forth by this provision (See L.4) and be organized in the following structure:

a. (Section A) - Price Supporting Documentation: All Offerors must submit the information necessary to enable the Government to perform a price reasonableness analysis. With the exception of those not-to-exceed reimbursable CLINs that have Government established ceiling amounts, the Offeror is required to provide full back-up documentation for any reimbursable non-labor costs that are identified by the Offeror as being the Government's responsibility to pay for each contract period, regardless of the CLIN assignment.

b. (Section B) - Price Volume Assumptions: Offerors must submit, under a separate section, all (if any) assumptions upon which the Price Volume is based.

L.3.5. Volume 5: General Administrative Requirements / Representations & Certifications

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 Unique Entity ID (UEI) number, CAGE Code, and listed

Business name of the Prime as it appears in the System for Award Management (SAM).

b) Listed Business Name, CAGE Code and UEI 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.

Representations and Certifications

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

Organizational Conflict of Interest

f) 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.

g) 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.

Complete and Submit Signed SF 1449

h) The Offeror shall complete, sign, and submit the SF 1449.

i) Fill in Block 17a with Firm’s name and address.

j) Enter Total Amount for all CLINS and OPTIONS in Blocks 19 - 24.

k) Complete and sign Blocks 30a, 30b and 30c.

Authorized Signatory

l) On a separate one-page document the Offeror shall certify and submit that the individual signing the SF-1449 has the legal authorization on behalf of the business firm to legally bind the business to the proposal being submitted.

m) 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.4. Provisions Incorporated by Full Text

52.216-31Time-and-Materials/Labor-Hour Proposal Requirements—Commercial Acquisition

(Nov 2021)

(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 fixed hourly rates in its offer that include wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit. The offeror must specify whether the fixed hourly rate for each labor category applies to labor performed by-

(1) The offeror;

(2) Subcontractors; and/or

(3) Divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates 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

Richard Hill, Contracting

Officer richard.hill@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.5. Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (August 2020) 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.6. INFORM Solicitation Language

INFORM Solicitation Language FAR Part 15 and Part 16

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

This solicitation is part of GSA’s post award communication process called INFORM. The process is designed to enhance the quality and usefulness of post-award communications by providing greater transparency and openness into the procurement process. INFORM seeks to increase GSA-industry communication by providing clearer and more complete information to explain the award decision.

Through the INFORM 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 Part 15 including mandatory debriefs and Part 16, 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 process as further discussed below.

B. Detailed Description of the INFORM Process

B.1. Component 1 - Notification of Award

After award and in accordance with any post-award notification timeframes required by regulation (i.e., FAR Parts 15.503(b) and 16.505(b)(6)), the contracting officer will issue written notices to the successful and unsuccessful offerors (the Notification Letter and Evaluation Statement (NLES)).

The notices will contain:

INFORM

● 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 NLES, 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 NLES concludes the INFORM 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 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 better prepare for the oral feedback meeting; and

● Preference for in-person, 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 process and any corresponding post-award 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 process and any corresponding post-award debriefing as further set forth at FAR 15.506 is concluded.

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

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 EVALUATION

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (November 2021):

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

Factor 1 – Technical Approach (TA) Factor 2 – Previous Experience (PE) Factor 3 – Past Performance (PP) Factor 4 – Price

Technical Approach is more important than Previous Experience, and Previous Experience is more important than Past Performance.

Non-price factors, when combined, are significantly more important than Price. As the difference in non-price factors becomes closer, Price may become more important. Non-price factors will be evaluated first, then price.

All evaluation factors other than price, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

(b) 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)

** SPECIAL NOTE TO OFFERORS: Failure to comply with any of the requirements identified in the PWS, may render the contractor's proposal unacceptable. **

GSA will make that determination based on each vendor’s response package using the following evaluation criteria, listed in their order of importance:

M.1.5 LIST OF EVALUATION FACTORS

Non-Price Factors

Factor 1: Technical Approach Factor 2: Previous Experience Factor 3: Past Performance

Price Factors:

Factor 4: Price

M.1.5.1. Factor 1: Technical Approach (TA) and its feasibility, practicability and appropriateness in accomplishing PWS requirements. The technical approach shall also include items such as a sample Quality Control Plan (draft version), Transition Plan, Proposed Project Management Structure and Staffing Plan. This factor considers the extent which the offeror understands the specific requirements of the PWS, and the offeror’s technical approach to meeting those requirements. Each offeror will be evaluated on their demonstrated understanding of the contract requirements, the adequacy of the proposed solution/approach, the quality and completeness of their technical solutions to these objectives, and the overall qualifications and skill mix of the contractor workforce proposed to address these contract objectives.

The Government will determine the strengths, weaknesses and deficiencies, if any, and then assign a technical rating as listed below. The technical rating reflects the degree to which the proposed approach meets or does not meet the minimum technical requirements.

M.1.5.2. Factor 2: Previous Experience (PE)

This factor considers the extent of the offeror’s previous organizational experience in carrying out similar work. The government must have confidence in the offeror's ability to complete a project with similar scope, size, and duration with minimal risk.

Scope: Similar in Scope is defined as a measurable range of operations such as the major requirement areas of the PWS. See Section C.5 Specific Tasks of the PWS. The three projects must include efforts that required either the development of or procurement and integration of vendor supplied components in a trainer or simulator, and the integration of two or more product specific software applications in a trainer or simulator.

Size: The offeror must demonstrate experience managing three (3) projects, each with a summed dollar value of at least $5,000,000.00.

Duration: Projects submitted for previous experience must be no less than 50% complete and demonstrate at least three (3) years of total relevant corporate experience on contracts awarded within the past five (5) years from the closing date of the solicitation or still active.

Previous Experience will be evaluated on a cumulative basis.

The offeror must specifically demonstrate previous experience in the requirements analysis, development, fabrication, delivery and sustainment of trainers or simulators that provide an immersive training experience to individual and/or collective training audiences. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s previous experience to determine the offeror’s ability to meet the requirements of the PWS and ability to provide services that ensure the best value to the Government.

The Government will determine the strengths, weaknesses and deficiencies, if any, in the PE presented, and then assign an overall combined technical/risk rating as listed below. The technical rating reflects the degree to which the PE meets or does not meet the minimum requirements.

M.1.5.3. Factor 3: Past Performance (PP) demonstrates how well contractors managed and complied with contractual requirements in the past. PP evaluation will consider (a) the recency and relevancy of an offeror’s PP; (b) the source of the information; (c) the context of the data; and

(d) the quality of an offeror’s PP. In addition to evaluating two past performance worksheet submissions, the Government may use multiple sources of information including but not limited to the following: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), (available at https://www.cpars.gov); FAPIIS information from the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions and the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS); the suspension/debarment Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS) information from the Performance Information section of SAM; Self-Assessment Questionnaires; internal government documents; and documented knowledge or experience from Government personnel or reports and non-government references containing past performance information.

If the Offeror is submitting as a Joint Venture (JV), the Government will consider the work/qualifications of the individual members of the JV as well as the JV itself and will utilize the information submitted to conduct the relevancy and performance confidence assessment ratings of the JV, or its partners, as previously indicated. Joint Ventures as they may submit one Past Performance Reference Information Sheet for each participant and one for the Joint Venture itself. Based on the information submitted by the JV Offeror, the Government will evaluate and assess:

(i) The JV’s “Past Performance Information” and/or

(ii) Each JV Partners’ “Past Performance Information”

Recency is defined as current/former task orders/contracts/projects executed within the within the past five (5) years of proposal submission or still active. The work can be in progress at the time of solicitation submission; however, the project must be no less than 50% compete.

Relevancy is defined as work that has been/is being performed for prior or current customer contracts/task orders/projects that are of comparable scope, size, and duration which is similar to the requirement described herein.

Only recent Past performance submissions (as defined…