Sec E 02 Solicitation Provisions 5TP57110010.doc

Federal Acquisition Service

Great Lakes Region

Federal Acquisition Service

Great Lakes Region

Section E Part 02

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

ADDENDUM TO

INSTRUCTION TO OFFERORS & EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

– COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(FAR 52.212-1)

E.1

INTRODUCTION

This procurement is for the purchase of Display Service, as described in Section D, Part 2 of this solicitation. This addendum adds clarification to those paragraphs of Section E, Part 1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (FAR 52.212-1) (hereinafter referred to as “The Instructions”) that are referenced. This addendum also adds requirements and information that is not addressed in “The Instructions”.

E.1.1 Clarifications to “The Instructions” The numbering of these clarifications follows the outline of “The Instructions”. Paragraphs from “The Instructions” that are not appended are NOT referenced in this addendum.

E.1.2 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

E.1.2.1 This section provides general guidance for responses and must be submitted in accordance with the following instructions.

E.1.2.2The response shall demonstrate the offeror’s ability to perform the functions and meet the needs and stated requirements of the government as set forth in the Performance Work Statement and associated, accompanying, or referenced law, regulation, provisions or documents.

E.1.2.3The response shall be clear, concise, and shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claim. The response shall not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirement, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror’s quote.

E.1.2.4 The offeror is requested to provide information on Mission Capability, and Past Performance.

i. The technical proposal shall not exceed 30 pages. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read or considered in the evaluation of the proposal. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as 2 pages. The page limitation does not apply to the cover sheet, table of contents, past performance, price information, or appendices such as QASP, QCP, VPP, performance matrix, resumes, mission capability and etc. The technical proposal shall not make any reference to cost or price.

ii. There is no specific format for fonts, margins or resume formats.

iii. All questions received will be consolidated and a response will be issued via a solicitation amendment posted on Fed Biz Opps. Submit all questions on or before March 23, 2011.

E.1.2.5 The Mission Capability and Past Performance shall be submitted electronically as described in Fed Bizz-Opps and ITSS under task order ID #5TP57110010. It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure the company is registered in ITSS.

E.1.2.6 Security Clearance Requirements. All contractor personnel assigned to this task shall obtain a facility clearance at the classification level of Secret for all personnel. The government shall request a facility clearance if the potential contractor does not possess a facility clearance. The contractor shall apply for personnel security clearances within five working days after receipt of the facility clearance or within five working days after award of the contract if the contractor possesses a facility clearance. This must be clearly outlined in the Contractor’s proposal.

E.1.2.7 The Government intends to award a task order without discussions. The Government;

however, reserves the right to ask questions following evaluations if deemed in its best interest. This remains a procurement in accordance with FAR Part 12.

E.1.2.8 The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Mission Capability, Past Performance and Price. For this procurement, the following non-price factors are of equal importance. When combined the non-price factors are more important than price. Award will be made based on a best value analysis using the non-price factors Mission Capability and Past Performance.

The assigned ratings shall be those that most accurately describe the proposal (or individual proposal factor, as applicable) based on the established proposal evaluation criteria.

E.1.2.9 Step 1 (evaluation of Mission Capability and Past Performance) will be the evaluation of the non-price evaluation factors. In Step 2 the prices will be verified and a total evaluated price will be calculated. In Step 3 a best value decision will be determined by combining the price with the non-price factors.

Step 1 – Evaluation. In this step the government will evaluate and assign an adjectival rating of each of the non-price evaluation factors:

Non-Price Factor 1 – Mission Capability

Non-Price Factor 2 – Past Performance

After each non-price factor is assigned, an overall adjectival rating will be assigned. In assigning an overall adjectival rating the non-price factors will each be considered equally important. The adjectival rating will be based on the following scale.

Evaluation Factor #1 – Mission Capability shall include:

Each offeror must show evidence of a capability to provide the mandatory requirements and soundness of approach of requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and elsewhere in this solicitation.

(1) Compliance with the requirements of the PWS and this entire solicitation.

(2) Understanding of the requirements of the PWS and this entire solicitation.

(3) Compliance and understanding of the requirements of the PWS as applied specifically to each factor / subfactor listed below.

Mission Capability Evaluation Factors and Subfactors are as follows:

(1) Management: This subfactor is met when the offeror submits an acceptable detailed description demonstrating the understanding of the responsibilities as outlined in Performance Work Statement (PWS). Offeror must also show the capacity for doing the following: managing the Displays Production Facility at both the corporate and base operating location levels; submitting timely and accurate requirements; identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts; managing equipment inventory control and storage requirements; and identifying and applying applicable safety standards to the work required by the PWS.

(2) Technical Capability:

Operational Planning: This subfactor is met when the offeror submits an acceptable detailed description of contractor's capability to implement and manage a work order tracking system, a material acquisition system, and the ability to support multiple displays/exhibits concurrently.

Facilities Management: This subfactor is met when the offeror submits an acceptable detailed description of contractor's capability to operate and maintain the Display Production Facility (DPF) located at WPAFB, OH. Additionally the ability to provide warehousing and storage of display components with-in the DPF will be evaluated.

Exhibit/Equipment Management: This subfactor is met when the offeror submits an acceptable detailed description of contractor's capability to operate, maintain, and update the wide variety of tools and exhibit components provided by the government in Appendix E.

(3) Organization and Qualification of Staff: This subfactor is met when the offeror provides an acceptable approach that addresses the following:

Personnel Management/Retention

Skill level of staff

Demonstrate the ability to provide personnel qualified to operate computer/electronic equipment and are proficient with graphics software. Also your plan to keep your staff qualified and current with the state of the art equipment and software will be evaluated.

(4) Program Management: This subfactor is met when the offeror submits an acceptable detailed description of the contractor’s capability to manage multiple and diverse work orders, including the ability to identify and resolve scheduling conflicts and your process for communicating task progress to the government. In addition the offeror describes chronological plan(s) that show the offeror’s ability to successfully transition into this contract and furnishes the assurance that they are capable to providing a planning function that satisfies the government’s requirements. Include a minimum of the following:

Key Personnel/Organizational Structure

Fiscal Year transition

(5) Quality Control: The subfactor is met when the offeror submits a Quality

Control Plan (QCP) that adequately ensures accountability and quality workmanship. The QCP must include a flowchart clearly describing in detail the individuals and processes that implement the offeror's approach to self-analysis, self-assessment, corrective / preventive actions, and continuous improvement.

(6) VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAM AND INCORPORATION OF SAFETY AND HEALTH PLAN

(JAN 2010)

1.The contractors accepted Safety and Health Plan dated ____________ is hereby incorporated by reference.

2. Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) applies only to contractors whose employees work more than 1000 hours per quarter on a government installation. VPP requires that contractors provide their employees safety and health protection equal in quality to that provided to Air Force employees. Contractors are responsible for managing their safety and health program, ensuring that the safety and health rules of the installation are followed, and flowing down VPP requirements to all subcontractors whose employees work for more than 1000 hours per quarter on a government installation under their contract.

3. Contractors shall provide their Total Case Incidence Rate (TCIR) and Day Away, Restricted, and or Transfer Case Rate (DART) data and OSHA Form 300Aannually by the 15th of January to the contracting officer for inclusion in the installation's annual VPP Safety and Health Management Report.

(End of clause)

This requirement does not apply to contracts or assistance awards that were solicited and/or awarded (to include any modifications and/or task orders) before 1 Oct 09.

Evaluation Factor #2 – Past Performance shall include:

The government will evaluate and score the Offeror’s past and current performance. To do this the government will review the past/present performance information submitted with the proposal and the information provided by clients on the Past Performance Questionnaire. Additionally, the government retains the right to supplement any past/present performance information submitted as part of the proposal with information it may obtain from any other reliable sources, including its own experience with the Offeror or any proposed sub-contractor, or other Government systems such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).

Offerors with no relevant past or present performance history shall receive the rating of “neutral” meaning the rating is treated neither favorably nor unfavorably.

Past Performance Evaluation Factors and Subfactors are as follows:

a. RELEVANCY OF PAST PERFORMANCE: Determined by comparing the offeror's current and recent past performance (contracts that have not expired more than five (5) years ago) to the scope and complexity of the effort required by the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Government is not bound by the offeror's opinion of relevancy.

(1) Relevancy information will be obtained from:

(a) A review of each questionnaire submitted from offeror's sources assessing work which has been performed within the last five (5) years.

(b) A review of contract performance information from electronic posting systems such as Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and information independently obtained by the Government through other sources.

(c) A review of the information in the offeror's past performance proposal.

b. QUALITY OF PAST PERFORMANCE: Determined by examining documentation to identify how well the offeror actually performed on current and recent past contracts.

(1) Quality of Past Performance information will be obtained from:

(a) A review of each questionnaire submitted from offeror's sources assessing work which is being or has been performed within the last five (5) years.

(b) A review of contract performance information from electronics posting systems such as Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and information independently otherwise obtained by the Government through other sources. The Government will also review the past/present performance information submitted with the proposal and the information provided by clients on the Past Performance Questionnaire. Additionally, the government retains the right to supplement any past/present performance information submitted as part of the proposal with information it may obtain from any other reliable sources,

(c) A review of the information in the offeror's proposal.

E.1.2.10 Step 2 – Price/Rate Verification. In this step the government will review the offerors’ rates and prices to ensure that they are fair and reasonable and are in compliance with the requirements of the Wage Determination Labor Rates. Additionally, the total evaluated price will be established.

1. Pricing. For evaluation purposes, the contractor price quote shall identify the labor hours, labor category, skill level, site identification (on-site or off-site rate) and labor rates, applicable for each proposed staffing category/classification. Contractors are encouraged to provide price discounts. Primary place of performance will be Government site. The program manager and labor category for conference planner will be contractor site.

(a) Performance Periods. The contractor price quote shall include a firm fixed price for the base performance period and each option year identified in the following list. The Government is under no obligation to exercise the option years.

Base Period

April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012

Option Year 1

April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013

Option Year 2

April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014

2. Travel. The travel other direct cost shall be included in the price quote. The price quote shall identify any indirect cost related to the travel other direct costs. The price quote shall include a copy of the DCAA approved letter for any indirect rates (i.e. G&A, material handling, etc.). The Government can increase or decrease the allotted travel amounts for all performance periods. Contractors shall include the following travel allowance in the price quote for the base period and all option years:

Base Period:

$60,000.00

Option Year 1:

$60,000.00

Option Year 2:

$60,000.00

3. Optional Conference and Event ODC. Contractor’s price quote shall identify any associated indirect costs (i.e. material handling). The Government can increase or decrease the allotted amounts for all performance periods. Contractors shall include the following conference and event allowance in the price quote for the base period and all option years.

Base Period:

$1,300,000.00

Option Year1:

$1,300,000.00

Option Year 2:

$1,300,000.00 The costs above represent ceiling values for materials for each of the periods specified. Materials will be reimbursed in accordance with FAR 52.232-7, as long as the following conditions are met. All purchases of “materials” must:

1.

Adhere to the contractor’s standard operating procedures used to obtain a current approval following a Contractor’s Purchasing System Review (CPSR) as outlined in FAR 44.3. The price proposal shall include documentation noting the most recent CPSR review approval (or identify the POC where the information can be obtained by a Government representative).

2.

Be approved in advance by the Government client representative identified in Section C. In the event a scope determination is necessary, the Contracting Officer will be consulted and make the final decision regarding whether or not the materials are within the scope of the contract.

3.

Be directly in support of the tasks outlined in this Statement of Work.

4.

Be defined as commercial items per FAR 2.101.

5.

Not exceed the ceiling values as outlined on any resulting contract award.

4. This estimate labor hours being provided to offerors to be used as a “guide” designed to assist in developing the staffing plan and subsequent cost quote. Offerors may reflect a different number of personnel and a different number of labor hours from those provided in this planning estimate. The planning estimate is not intended to limit any offeror’s ability to submit alternative solutions to accomplish task requirements. However, if an offeror quote differs significantly from the planning estimate; then, the offeror is instructed to provide a detailed description to explain the rationale for the deviation. Failure to provide a detailed explanation of any significant variations, will impact the Government’s evaluation of the offeror’s solution.

E.1.2.11 Step 3 – Best Value Determination. The government will consider the non-price rating in conjunction with the total evaluated price and make a determination as to the acceptability of the offer to ensure it meets the minimum Government requirement at a price that is fair and reasonable.

In this step the government will consider the non-price rating in conjunction with the total evaluated price. The overall non-price rating is considered significantly more important than price in establishing the offer that demonstrates the best value to the Government. The method for performing this evaluation is explained below.

The offer (A) with the highest non-price rating will be considered first when making the best value determination. If the offer (A) with the highest non-price rating does not also have the most favorable price; the Government will then proceed to the next highest non-price rating offer (B), provided it (B) has a more favorable price offer than (A). The Government will determine if the difference in price between these two offers is worth the increased non-price rating offered by (A). If it is, the Government will proceed to the next highest non-price rating offer (C) and perform the same analysis [comparing A to C]. This process will be repeated [A to D, A to E, etc.] with each offer until one is found whose non-price rating outweighs the increase in price. When making these comparisons, the non-price rating will be considered significantly more important than

E.1.2.12 Subcontracting Plan (only applicable to large businesses)

Because of the size, scope, and magnitude of this acquisition, the Government anticipates that this procurement has the potential to provide subcontracting opportunities for small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. Large business offerors are required to submit a subcontracting plan, in accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, which in incorporated into this solicitation and contract by reference, and the following General Services Administration Contracting Manual (GSAM) provisions. This plan shall be provided to the Government at the time of proposal submission and is subject to negotiation by the CO. At award, the plan will be included in the contract. Through the plan, the offeror shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 637 d (8) and Subpart 19.7 of the FAR and both the commitment and capability to meet the Government’s goals for participation of small business, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small business, HUBZone small business, service disabled veteran owned small businesses.

NOTE: The Subcontracting Plan shall contain a separate part for the basic contract. The Subcontracting Plan may be a corporate/commercial or an individual plan for this contract. In accordance with instructions on the reverse side of Standard Form (SF) 294, subcontract award data that is reported by prime contractors/subcontractors shall be limited to awards made to their immediate subcontractors. Credit cannot be taken for awards made to lower tier subcontractors.

Small Business Program Legend Total Small Business: Total Awards to Small Businesses (includes awards to WOB, SDB, HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-owned, and Veteran-owned)

Small Disadvantaged Business: Total Awards to Small Disadvantaged Businesses.

Woman-owned: Total Awards to Small Woman-owned Businesses

HUBZone: Total Awards to Certified Firms Located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone)

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDV): Total Awards to Small Businesses owned and controlled by Service Disabled Veterans

See the Section E.2 Attachment for a sample Small Business Subcontracting Plan Outline.

E.1.2.13 GSAM 552.219-71 Notice to Offerors of Subcontracting Plan Requirements.

As prescribed in GSAM 519.708-70(a).

Notice to Offerors of Subcontracting Plan Requirements (June 2005)

The General Services Administration (GSA) is committed to assuring that maximum practicable opportunity is provided to small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns to participate in the performance of this contract consistent with its efficient performance. GSA expects any subcontracting plan submitted pursuant to FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, to reflect this commitment. Consequently, an offeror, other than a small business concern, before being awarded a contract exceeding $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction), must demonstrate that its subcontracting plan represents a creative and innovative program for involving small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns as subcontractors in the performance of this contract.

(End of provision)

E.1.2.14 GSAM 552.219-72 Preparation, Submission, and Negotiation of Subcontracting Plans.

As prescribed in 519.708-70(b).

Preparation, Submission, and Negotiation of Subcontracting Plans (June 2005)

(a) An offeror, other than a small business concern, submitting an offer that exceeds $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction) shall submit a subcontracting plan with its initial offer. The subcontracting plan will be negotiated concurrently with price and any required technical and management proposals, unless the offeror submits a previously-approved commercial plan.

(b) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns as subcontractors is a matter of national interest with both social and economic benefits. The General Services Administration (GSA) expects that an offeror’s subcontracting plan will reflect a commitment to assuring that small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns are provided the maximum practicable opportunity, consistent with efficient contract performance, to participate as subcontractors in the performance of the resulting contract. An offeror submitting a commercial plan can reflect this commitment through subcontracting opportunities it provides that relate to the offeror’s production generally; i.e., for both its commercial and Government business.

(c) GSA believes that this potential contract provides significant opportunities for the use of small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns as subcontractors. Consequently, in addressing the eleven elements described at FAR 52.219-9(d) of the clause in this contract entitled Small Business Subcontracting Plan, the offeror shall:

(1) Demonstrate that its subcontracting plan represents a creative and innovative program for involving small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns in performing the contract.

(2) Include a description of the offeror’s subcontracting strategies used in any previous contracts, significant achievements, and how this plan will build upon those earlier achievements.

(3) Demonstrate through its plan that it understands the small business subcontracting program’s objectives and GSA’s expectations, and it is committed to taking those actions necessary to meet these goals or objectives.

(d) In determining the acceptability of any subcontracting plan, the Contracting Officer will take each of the following actions:

(1) Review the plan to verify that the offeror demonstrates an understanding of the small business subcontracting program’s objectives and GSA’s expectations with respect to the program and has included all the information, goals, and assurances required by FAR 52.219-9.

(2) Consider previous goals and achievements of contractors in the same industry.

(3) Consider information and potential sources obtained from agencies administering national and local preference programs and other advocacy groups in evaluating whether the goals stated in the plan adequately reflect the anticipated potential for subcontracting to small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns.

(4) Review the offeror’s description of its strategies, historical performance and significant achievements in placing subcontracts for the same or similar products or services with small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns. The offeror’s description can apply to commercial as well as previous Government contracts.

(e) Failure to submit an acceptable subcontracting plan and/or correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror ineligible for award.

(End of provision)

E.1.2.15 GSAM 552.219-73 Goals for Subcontracting Plan.

As prescribed in 519.708-70(c).

Goals for Subcontracting Plan (June 2005)

(a) Maximum practicable utilization of small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns as subcontractors is a matter of national interest with both social and economic benefits.

(1) The General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) commitment to ensuring that maximum practicable opportunity is provided to small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns to participate as subcontractors in the performance of this contract, consistent with its efficient performance, must be reflected in the offeror’s subcontracting plan submitted pursuant to the clause of this contract at FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

(2) In addressing the eleven elements described at FAR 52.219-9(d), the offeror shall demonstrate that its subcontracting plan represents a creative and innovative program for involving small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns in performing this contract. An offeror submitting a commercial plan can demonstrate its commitment in providing maximum practicable opportunities through subcontracting opportunities it provides to small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns that relate to the offeror’s production generally; i.e., for both its commercial and Government business.

(3) The subcontracting plan shall include a description of the offeror’s subcontracting strategies used in previous contracts and significant achievements, with an explanation of how this plan will build upon those earlier achievements. Additionally, the offeror shall demonstrate through its plan that it understands the small business subcontracting program’s objectives, GSA’s expectations, and is committed to taking those actions necessary to meet these goals or objectives.

(b) GSA believes that this contract provides significant opportunities for the use of small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns as subcontractors. Accordingly, it is anticipated that an acceptable subcontracting plan will contain at least the following goals:

GSA Small Business Subcontracting Goals

NOTE: Target goals are expressed as a percentage of planned subcontracting dollars.

(c) In determining the acceptability of any subcontracting plan, the Contracting Officer will—

(1) Review the plan to verify that the offeror has demonstrated an understanding of the small business subcontracting program’s objectives and GSA’s expectations with respect to the programs and has included all the information, goals, and assurances required by FAR 52.219-9;

(2) Consider previous goals and achievements of contractors in the same industry;

(3) Consider information and potential sources obtained from agencies administering national and local preference programs and other advocacy groups in evaluating whether the goals stated in the plan adequately reflect the anticipated potential for subcontracting to small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns; and

(4) Review the offeror’s description of its strategies, historical performance and significant achievements in placing subcontracts for the same or similar products or services with small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran owned small business concerns. The offeror’s description can apply to commercial as well as previous Government contracts.

(d) Failure to submit an acceptable subcontracting plan and/or correct deficiencies in a plan within the time specified by the Contracting Officer shall make the offeror ineligible for award.

(End of provision)

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