Polaris SB Request for Feedback - 13MAY2022.pdf

REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK

Polaris GWAC Small Business Pool

Through review of industry feedback and engagement with the Small Business Administration (SBA), the General Services Administration (GSA) has drafted the below changes to Section L.5.1.3.1 of the Polaris GWAC Small Business Pool request for proposals (RFP) and is seeking feedback from the small business IT community.

We want to emphasize that this language is in “draft” form and is subject to change. We encourage interested parties to review these draft changes and provide feedback to Polaris@gsa.gov no later than May 23, 2022. Respondents should identify within the subject line which RFP(s) (SB or WOSB) their feedback is relating to. Sample subject line: “Draft Teaming Language Feedback - Polaris SB Pool” or “Draft Teaming Language Feedback - Polaris SB and WOSB Pools.” This feedback request is specific to the draft language below.

Following review of the feedback received in response to this request, the Polaris GWAC RFPs will be amended to incorporate final language regarding this subject along with any other changes needed. Responses to questions previously submitted will also be provided with this forthcoming amendment.

The Polaris RFPs remain paused until further notice. The opening of the Polaris Submission Portal also remains on hold. The forthcoming amendment is anticipated to be released in June 2022 and will establish a new closing date which will take into account the total number of days paused. Offerors are still encouraged to pause proposal activities until the amendment is issued.

Draft Amendment Changes in red and underlined

L.5.1.3.1 Joint Venture, if applicable

Two or more companies may form a joint venture to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation.

Offerors submitting as a joint venture may submit a proposal under this solicitation subject to the following conditions:

1. The joint venture is registered in SAM.gov and has a corresponding UEI (SAM).

2. The joint venture meets the definition of a joint venture for size determination purposes

(13 C.F.R. 125.8).

3. A joint venture must submit elements identified in Section L.5 in accordance with other sections of this solicitation and as follows:

● L.5.1 General - The joint venture must submit both their annual representations and certifications completed electronically within SAM.gov as well as Attachment J.P-1 Representations and Certifications from Section K. Each member of the joint venture must also submit both mailto:Polaris@gsa.gov their individual annual representations and certifications completed electronically within SAM.gov as well as Attachment J.P-1 Representations and Certifications from Section K. All other elements submitted for L.5.1 must be in the name of the joint venture.

● L.5.2 Relevant Experience - Relevant Experience Projects may be from the joint venture or an individual member of the joint venture.

For offers from SBA Mentor-Protégé arrangements, a minimum of one Primary Relevant Experience Project or Emerging Technology Relevant Experience Project must be from the Protégé. No more than three Primary Relevant Experience Projects may be provided by the Mentor.

● L.5.3 Past Performance - Past performance examples may be from the joint venture or an individual member of the joint venture.

● L.5.4 Systems, Certifications, and Clearances - Offerors submitting as a joint venture must provide evidence of any claimed system, certification, or clearance in the name of the joint venture itself or in the name of a member of the joint venture.

● L.5.5 Risk Assessment - Risk assessment is based on all teaming arrangements (if any) within the proposal.

● L.5.6 Responsibility - Financial responsibility documents required by L.5.6 must be submitted for each member of the joint venture. The Uncompensated Overtime Policy must be from the Joint Venture. The Professional Employee Compensation Plan may be either from the Joint Venture or from each member of the joint venture.

4. The Offeror must submit a complete copy of the joint venture agreement that established the CTA relationship, and the agreement must meet the requirements of FAR 52.207-6, 13 C.F.R. 125.8 and/or 13 C.F.R. 125.9, as applicable. Failure to submit a copy of the joint venture agreement with the proposal meeting these requirements will result in the proposal being rejected. GSA is not obligated to acquire this information for an Offeror.

5. In support of the requirements of 13 C.F.R. 125.8(e), joint venture offerors must submit a written narrative, as a separate attachment, detailing the work done and qualifications held individually by each partner to the joint venture as well as any work done by the joint venture itself previously. If any partner or the joint venture itself has no previous work done or no qualifications held, this should be stated within the narrative.

6. If proposing as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Mentor-Protégé arrangement, the Offeror must submit evidence of SBA approval of its Mentor-Protégé Agreement. Failure to submit a copy of the approved Mentor-Protégé Agreement with the proposal will result in the proposal being rejected. GSA is not obligated to acquire this information for an Offeror.

Failure to provide the Government with the requested documentation establishing the joint venture and/or Mentor-Protégé arrangement will be considered a material nonconformity and will result in the proposal being rejected.

Additionally, if a joint venture submits a proposal utilizing small business subcontractors, the instructions in L.5.1.3.2, Proposed Subcontractors, if applicable, are to be followed in addition to L.5.1.3.1, Joint Venture, if applicable.