Attch 1 - Section L M (Amd 0001).pdf

NNS-L-2002 - Section L Provision(s) by Attachment(s) (Aug 2016) DOE/NNSA Classification Support Services

Solicitation No. 89233120RNA000070

NNS-L-1001 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION - GENERAL

(a) Definitions. The following definitions apply to the provisions in this attachment.

(1) "Electronic signature" or "signature" means a method of signing an electronic message that-

(i) Identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source of the electronic message; and

(ii) Indicates such person's approval of the information contained in the electronic message.

(2) "Team Member" means any members of a joint venture or partnership, Limited Liability

Company or Partnership (LLC/LLP), and any subcontractors.

(3) "Days," unless otherwise specified, means calendar days and includes Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

(b) Submission Instructions

(1) Proposed Contract Start Date. For proposal preparation purposes, Offerors may assume a contract 30-day transition start date of June 01, 2020 with full responsibility anticipated to begin on July 01, 2020.

(2) Proposal Submission Address and Due Dates of Offeror's Proposal. Offerors shall submit both an electronic proposal (1 copy) and hardcopies of the proposal (3 copies) no later than 12:00 pm MST on May 07, 2020. Electronic submission of the Offeror's proposal via Fedconnect will constitute the official proposal submission. Hardcopies submitted must match the electronic submission exactly. The proposal shall include Volumes I, II, and III. It is the responsibility of the Offeror, prior to the proposal due date and time, to verify successful transmission of the electronic copy via Fedconnect and postal/private courier/hand-carried delivery of all proposal copies with the Contracting Officer (CO). See FAR 52.215-1(c)(2)(ii), Instructions to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition, for treatment of late proposals. Any other type of submission will not be accepted.

(3) Subcontractors submitting proprietary information may submit their information directly to the Contracting Officer, in electronic copy via Fedconnect, by identifying in the subject line, the solicitation number and the entity to which they are a subcontractor; or they may provide a password protected document (file) to the Prime Contractor and share the password with the Contracting Officer. Regardless of the method chosen, the subcontractor's proprietary information submission, including the submission of a password to the Contracting Officer if applicable, must adhere to the proposal due date/time stated in the solicitation.

(4) All packages containing proposal copies shall be marked with the following notice:

"TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY. THIS IS A PROPOSAL SUBMITTED UNDER

SOLICITATION NO. 89233120RNA000070."

Mailing Address for copies:

DOE/NNSA Albuquerque Complex (KAFB) Office of Acquisition Management Bldg 20388, Office 156 Attn: Chelsea Murphy Pennsylvania and Ave. H Albuquerque, NM 87116

(c) Questions

(1) Questions concerning this solicitation must be submitted via Fedconnect to the CO no later than 12:00 pm MST on April 23, 2020 to allow a reply to reach all prospective offerors before the submission of their proposals. Offerors may submit questions at any time prior to April 23, 2020. Any questions received after April 23, 2020 may not be answered prior to the date that proposals are due. Each question should clearly specify: the solicitation area, or attachment, to which it refers (title of document, section, page number).

Example: Performance Work Statement, Section 3, Page 2 – [Insert question].

(2) Answers will be made available to the public through an amendment to the solicitation via Fedconnect as soon as practicable. All questions and answers will be attached to the amendment.

(3) Any information concerning this solicitation will be furnished promptly to all other prospective offerors through Fedconnect, if that information is necessary in submitting proposals or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective offerors. The identity of the prospective offerors asking questions will be withheld.

(4) The Government shall not respond to questions submitted by telephone, or in person, at any time.

(d) Overall Arrangement of Proposal.

(1) Proposals, including any from subcontractors, affiliates and all teaming or other Contractor arrangements, must conform to the provisions of this solicitation. To aid in the evaluation, proposals must be clearly and concisely written as well as being neat, indexed (cross-indexed as appropriate), and logically assembled. All pages of each volume shall be appropriately numbered, and identified with the name of the Offeror, the date, and the solicitation number.

Proposal files are to be formatted in the following applications: Adobe Acrobat 11.0 (PDF) or higher, Word 2010 or higher, Excel 2013 or lower (i.e. down to Excel 2000), or PowerPoint 2010 or higher.

(2) The overall proposal shall consist of three (3) volumes. Each volume must be submitted as a separate electronic file and each file must clearly identify the volume to which it relates.

References to another part, or section, of the proposal may be appropriate in order to avoid duplication of detailed information. Information required for proposal evaluation, which is not found in its designated section, may result in an unfavorable evaluation. The contractual cost and pricing information shall be addressed only in the Price Proposal Volume III, unless otherwise specified. Page limitations for each volume are specified below. The proposal shall be submitted as follows:

(i) Volume I: Offer & Other Documents;

(ii) Volume II: Technical Capability

1. Security Requirements (Tab 1)

2. Facility Availability (Tab 2)

3. Personnel Qualifications (Tab 3);

(iii) Volume III: Price Proposal.

The price proposal is not page limited; however, this section is strictly limited to cost and price information only (i.e. no technical narrative allowed under this section in an attempt to circumvent page limitations of the technical volume).

(3) In Volumes I and II, the Items Required in Each Volume. In each volume the Offeror shall include:

(i) Glossaries. Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, including a definition for each.

(ii) Table of Contents. The Offeror shall incorporate a table of contents into each proposal volume, which identifies the section, sub-section, paragraph titles, and page numbers. Also include a list of all tables and figures.

(4) Formatting.

(i) Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches for text pages and a maximum of 11 x 17 inches for spreadsheet, charts, tables, diagrams or design drawings; however, all pages in Volume II shall be 8.5x11. Page margins shall be a minimum of one inch at the top, bottom and each side. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume and by section within the volumes. The solicitation number, page number and the legend at FAR 52.215-1(e), “Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data,” as appropriate, shall be provided on each page and is the only information that can be displayed within the one inch top, bottom, and side margins.

(ii) With the exception of headers and footers, spreadsheet, charts, diagrams or design drawings, graphs, tables and spreadsheets throughout the proposal, the text shall be 12 point (or larger), Arial or Times New Roman font and be single-spaced (at least equivalent to Microsoft® Word’s “Single” line-spacing option). Two columns of text per page and use of boldface type for paragraph headings are acceptable.

(iii) Proposals conforming to the formatting requirements will only be read and evaluated up to the page limitations, if any. Page counting will begin with the first page of each volume of the proposal. No material may be incorporated by reference as a means to circumvent the page limitation.

(5) Page Count Exceptions. The Volume II Glossary and the Table of Contents are the only pages excepted from the page limitations otherwise applicable to various sections of Volume II. Volume II attachments, appendices and annexes will all be counted towards page limitations.

(6) Classified Information. The Offeror shall not provide classified information in response to this solicitation.

(7) Point of Contact. The CO is the sole point of contact during the conduct of this procurement.

However, see paragraph (c) regarding submission of questions.

(8) Errors or Omissions. The solicitation is considered complete and accurate in every detail and adequately describes the government's requirements. If you feel any part of the solicitation contains an error or omission, contact the CO via FedConnect (pursuant to paragraph (c)) to obtain clarification. To preclude unnecessary work and to assure yourself of submitting a complete proposal, you are cautioned to resolve all questionable areas with the CO via FedConnect.

(9) Changes to the Solicitation. No changes to this solicitation will be effective unless they are incorporated into the solicitation by amendment.

(10) Information Provided. With limited exceptions, such as for Past Performance, the Government will evaluate the proposal only on the basis of information provided in the proposal.

The Government will not assume that an Offeror possesses any capability unless such a capability is established in the proposal.

(11) Independent Protest Review. Offerors are notified that in the event of a bid protest, interested parties may request an independent review of their bid protest to the agency at a level above the CO. This independent review is available:

(i) as an alternative to consideration by the CO of a protestor;

(ii) as an appeal of the CO's decision on a protest. Designation of the officials conducting this independent review shall be determined by the agency. Reference FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest.

(End of provision)

NNS-L-1002 - VOLUME I – OFFER AND OTHER DOCUMENTS INSTRUCTIONS (No Page Limit)

In addition to the information required by NNS-L-1001 (d)(3), Volume I, Offer and Other Documents, consists of the following documentation (in the following order):

(a) Proposal Cover Letter. The Proposal Cover Letter shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) Solicitation Number

(2) Name, address, telephone and email address(es) of the Offeror, proposed subcontractors, all joint venture (JV) members, and all limited liability company members, as applicable.

Offerors shall provide full and complete information on each of the participating firms, including subcontractors. A Mentor-Protégé JV agreement must be received by the Small Business Administration (SBA) prior to the proposal due date and approved by the SBA before award of any resulting contract.

(3) DUNS Number, CAGE Code, and tax identification (TINs) of the Offeror and any teaming partners, or subcontractors.

(4) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item as reflected on the proposed Cost Model.

(5) Names, titles, telephone, and email address(es) of persons authorized to negotiate and to be contacted for inquiries during evaluation on the Offeror's behalf with the Government in connection with this solicitation. If a JV, the offeror shall provide the information requested for the principal representative of the JV in order to assure a single point of contact for resolution of contractual matters and payments.

(6) Name, title, and signature of the person authorized to sign the proposal. Proposals signed by an agent shall be accompanied by evidence of that agent's authority.

(7) Acknowledgment that the company's (and all team members/subcontractors) data at the System for Award Management (SAM) website is current. Website Link:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

(b) Standard Form 1449 (SF1449), Solicitation, Offer, and Award. The Standard Form 1449 shall be fully executed by an authorized representative of the Offeror. The Offeror shall complete Blocks 12 (if applicable), 17a-b, 29, and 30 a-c of the SF1449 duly executed with an original signature by an official authorized to bind the company. Offerors shall not complete Blocks 23 and 24 pertaining to price since the RFP attachment entitled “Cost Model” will be utilized for the Offeror’s price proposal instead. By signing and submitting the SF1449, the Offeror commits to accept the resulting contract as written and acknowledgment of any amendments.

Please Note: This is not a commercial services requirement. An SF 1447 should be utilized for this award; however, at this time only an SF 1449 can be used within the contract writing system.

(c) Representations and Certifications. Representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors (Section K of the solicitation), shall be fully executed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM). The offeror shall complete and provide all of the representations, certifications, and other statements online as required in SAM in order to be considered for https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ evaluation under its proposal submitted. Under this portion of the proposal, the offeror shall certify that its (and all team members/subcontractors) online SAM representations, certifications, and other statements of offerors is accurate and complete along with stating the most recent date such information was updated online.

(d) Exceptions and Deviations. If the Offeror takes any exception or deviation to the terms and conditions contained in the solicitation, the Offeror shall provide a list of and the basis for, any exceptions or deviations. Any exceptions or deviations by the Offeror to the terms and conditions stated in this solicitation may make the offer unacceptable for award without discussions.

(e) Additional Information.

(1) A Mentor-Protégé joint venture (JV) agreement must be received by the Small Business

Administration (SBA) prior to the proposal due date and approved by the SBA before award of any resulting contract. In this instance, the offeror shall provide a signed copy of its JV agreement under this portion of its proposal.

(2) Names and titles for each proposed Key Person for the positions identified in paragraph (a) in DEAR - 952.215-70 Key Personnel (DEC 2000). The Performance Work Statement identifies the minimum qualifications for key personnel positions.

(3) In accordance with instructions listed under Clause NNS-L-1011 Worker Safety and Health Program Instructions – Activity II – Administrative Work: The resulting contract may require performance on a DOE/NNSA site. When working at a DOE/NNSA site, the Offeror, or their subcontractor(s) at any tier, shall comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program. The offeror shall develop a written Worker and Safety Health Program that provides the methods of implementing the requirements of Subpart C of 10 CFR 851 (or Part 851 or §851). A Worker and Safety Health Program must be submitted with your proposal under this section.

(4) If the address shown on the SF1449 is different from the remittance address, the remittance address shall be provided along with any other information the Offeror needs to bring to the attention of the Government.

(End of provision)

NNS-L-1003 - VOLUME II – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (Page Limits Apply)

(a) General. Volume II consists of the Offeror's proposal information addressing the technical requirements of this procurement. No cost or pricing information shall be included in this volume.

The Offeror's proposal shall address its capabilities to successfully accomplish the requirements of the solicitation. It should clearly, and discretely address each of the Evaluation Criteria set forth in in paragraphs (b), below. The proposal shall provide sufficient detail to facilitate the acceptability of the Offeror’s proposal information. This award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors. Not providing the required information in an acceptable format as outlined by this solicitation may result in the offer being determined technically unacceptable.

(b) Criterion 1 – Technical Capability. The Offeror shall demonstrate its technical capability to perform the PWS requirements as follows:

(1) Security Requirements (Tab 1, 1-page limit) - The Offeror must provide an active facility clearance code with the Department of Energy (DOE), or provide a CAGE code that can verify an active facility clearance with another Government Agency (i.e. Department of Defense, DOD) under this portion of the proposal for the prime Offeror, and all proposed subcontractors (i.e. all tiers). If the Offeror or subcontractor(s), does not have an active facility clearance with either DOE or DOD, the Offeror must provide information necessary to demonstrate that it can meet this requirement through reciprocity utilizing an active facility clearance from another Government Agency. This is required in order to ensure the Offeror can realistically obtain the personnel clearances IAW the RFP requirements (i.e.

listed under Attch 5 – Draft CSCS Form DOE F 470.1) prior to commencement of work on July 01, 2020. As a result, Offerors and subcontractors proposed that to do not currently have a facility clearance with DOE/DOD or other Government Agency, will not be eligible for award and will not be evaluated further. No other security clearance substitutions, or proposal information will be accepted.

In accordance with instructions listed under Clause NNS-L-1009 Instructions for Submitting Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) Information Contract Security Classification Specification (CSCS):

(i) If the current facility clearance is not at the Q/TS Level, please follow FOCI instructions and submit an initial FOCI package through the DOE eFOCI system. A completed SF 328, Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests, executed in accordance with the instructions on the certification section of the SF328, shall be printed, signed and uploaded into the eFOCI system for the prime Offeror and all subcontractors applicable. The SF 328 is required for first time submissions, any time there are changes to the SF 328, and at the request of the Cognizant Security Authority (CSA).

(ii) If the prime Offeror and subcontractor(s) already have an active DOE Facility Clearance and is compliant with FOCI regulations, a resubmission is not required.

Provide your DOE Facility Code under this portion of your proposal.

(2) Facility Availability (Tab 2, No Page Limit) - The Offeror must provide a facility and computer/communication equipment approved by DOE to generate, process, store and protect classified information up to, and including, Secret/Restricted Data at the time of contract proposal submission. The facility shall have all the necessary telecommunications and computing equipment that is compliant with DOE/NNSA regulations for the processing and transmitting of classified information at the level the facility clearance is held (i.e.

Secret/Restricted Data). The facility shall have the necessary controls and access authorizations in place to handle Sigma 15 and 18 information. The facility must be located within the continental USA. The Offeror must provide the physical address of the possessing facility. Under this portion of the proposal for the prime Offeror, the Offeror shall provide information an active facility clearance code with the Department of Energy (DOE) that the Government will use to verify that the proposed facility is a possessing facility. This is required in order to ensure the Offeror can realistically handle classified information IAW the RFP requirements (i.e. listed under Attch 5 – Draft CSCS Form DOE F 470.1) prior to commencement of work on July 01, 2020. As a result, Offerors that to do not currently have an approved facility with DOE, will not be eligible for award and will not be evaluated further. No other security clearance substitutions, or proposal information will be accepted.

(3) Personnel Qualifications (Tab 3, 3-page limit per resume and 1-page limit per letter of intent)

- The Offeror shall provide written resumes for all key personnel proposed that will start effective upon contract award (6 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) personnel – 5 Derivative Classifiers and 1 Program Manager). All proposed personnel must be United States citizens and must be able to receive a DOE "Q" clearance prior to contract award. In order to demonstrate that each personnel can receive a DOE "Q" clearance prior to contract award, the Offeror must demonstrate in each resume that each employee already has a DOE “Q” clearance, or holds a clearance level at another agency that can obtain reciprocity prior to contract award. This is required in order to ensure the Offeror can realistically obtain the personnel clearances required prior to commencement of work on July 01, 2020. As a result, personnel proposed that to do not currently have a security clearance with DOE/DOD or other Government Agency, will not be eligible for award and will not be evaluated further.

Resumes must identify the key personnel individual’s proposed title, and demonstrate that the individual meets the minimum qualification requirements (if any) identified in the PWS for their respective labor category. Each resume shall identify the individual’s current security clearance level (and issuing agency), and validate US citizenship. Resumes shall identify current, or previously held, Derivative Classification/Declassification Authority (at which Agency), how long said authority was held, with what jurisdictions, and in what subject areas.

(i) A signed Letter of Intent shall be submitted in conjunction with each Key Personnel Resume to demonstrate acceptance of the proposed labor category position. at the proposed labor rate.

(End of provision)

NNS-L-1005 - VOLUME III (Criterion 2) – PRICE PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (No Page Limit)

RFP Attachment entitled “Cost Model,” shall be completed and submitted with your proposal. It may be tailored to comply with the specifics of this acquisition and your approach. However, the labor categories and hours provided must be used. Propose all costs in accordance with your established accounting and estimating practices. Retain all formulas and links and do not protect any cells. Round totals to the nearest whole dollar. The Offeror is solely responsible for the accuracy of all formulas, links and amounts. Submit cost/price proposal information using Microsoft EXCEL version 2013 or lower, consistent with the attachments to these instructions. Do not provide spreadsheets using any other programs where formulas cannot be viewed. Provide supporting narrative in Microsoft WORD or Adobe Acrobat.

The classification support scope will be time and material (T&M) utilizing fully burdened fixed labor rates. The classification support scope is anticipated to also include litigation support, travel, and other direct Costs (ODCs). However, Litigation Support will only be utilized on an as needed basis.

The contract will consist of a one-year base period and four one-year options. The Base Period includes a one-month transition period. The offeror is required to separately price a six-month Option to Extend Services in accordance with FAR 52.217-8. For pricing purposes, use the following periods of performance:

• Base Period – Contract Year 1: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021 o Transition Period: June 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020 o Remaining Base Period: July 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

• Option Period – Contract Year 2: June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022

• Option Period – Contract Year 3: June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023

• Option Period – Contract Year 4: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024

• Option Period – Contract Year 5: June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025

• 6-Month Option to Extend Services: June 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025

The offeror is also required to follow the instructions below.

(a) Transition Period: The Offeror shall propose a fully-burdened T&M rates for the transition period using the format contained in the Cost Model. The Offeror is free choose the appropriate labor categories and hours to utilize for transition activities.

(b) Classification Support: The Offeror shall propose fully-burdened T&M rates for all required labor categories provided in the Cost Model. Consistent with the Cost Model notes, the Offeror (and any proposed team members, if applicable) shall identify the proposed work for each team member.

Consistent with FAR clause 52.216-29, the offeror must specify fixed hourly rates in its offer that include wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit. Similarly, the offeror must specify whether the fixed hourly rate for each labor category applies to labor performed by the offeror or team members (i.e. subcontractors, and/or divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of the Offeror under a common control). The Offeror must utilize the specified labor categories, except for the Program Support and Security Categories, and hours already provided in the Cost Model. For the Program Support and Security categories, the offeror may modify or add specific labor categories to accomplish the requirement. Any changes to the Program Support and Security categories shall be consistently reflected throughout the Cost Model and all Volumes of the proposal. If the Program Support or Security labor categories are modified, the total hours must still equal the hours provided for these categories. T&M rates will be incorporated into the resultant contract.

(c) Labor Type and Quantities: The proposed types, quantities, and skill mix of labor specified in the Cost Model must be used. No adjustments to the labor mix or hours are permitted except as noted above for the Program Support and Security categories. The offeror must also specify the number of people that will be utilized to perform the specified effort.

(d) Taxes. The proposed fully-burdened rates shall include all applicable local, state and federal taxes and duties to include applicable New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax where/if applicable.

(e) Litigation Support: The Cost Model includes a Litigation Support section that all offerors shall use in their proposed prices. The Offeror must utilize the specified labor category and hours already provided in the Cost Model. The T&M labor rates incorporated into the contract will be used when litigation support is needed. For evaluation purposes no adjustments to the labor mix or hours are permitted. The offeror must also specify the number of people that will be utilized to perform the specified effort.

(f) Travel and ODCs: Travel and ODCs that will occur under the 30-day Transition Period will be included under the baselined T&M amount. The Cost Model includes Government baselined other direct costs (ODCs) and Travel that all offerors shall use in their proposed prices, and these are considered “material” under the T&M effort. The baselined amounts are inclusive of direct and indirect costs. Travel and ODCs are non-fee/profit bearing and is intended to cover the direct costs of approved travel and ODCs incurred as a part of Classification Support activities. Only actual allowable direct costs of approved travel expenses will be reimbursable. For evaluation purposes and to establish a CLIN ceiling, the offeror shall use the Government’s estimated not-to-exceed (NTE) amounts as specified in the Cost Model.

(g) Option to Extend Services: The Contractor shall provide a separate price for the Option to Extend Services clause in accordance with FAR 52.217-8. This amount shall be included in the submitted Cost Model.

NNS-M-2001 - Section M Provision(s) by Attachment(s) (Aug 2016) DOE/NNSA Classification Support Services

Solicitation No. 89233120RNA000070

NNS-M-1001 EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

(a) This acquisition will be conducted pursuant to the policies and procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15 and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) Part 915.

NNSA has established an Integrated Project Team (IPT) to evaluate the proposals submitted for this acquisition. An initial review of proposals will be conducted to determine acceptability of the proposals in accordance with Section L instructions.

(b) The instructions set forth in Section L are designed to provide guidance to the Offeror concerning the documentation that will be evaluated by the IPT. The Offeror must furnish adequate and specific information in its response. Not providing specific information as requested under Section L instructions, or merely offering to perform the work may result in the offer being determined technically unacceptable.

(c) A proposal will be eliminated from further consideration if the proposal is so grossly and obviously deficient as to be totally unacceptable on its face. For example, a proposal will be deemed technically unacceptable if it does not represent a reasonable initial effort to address itself to the essential requirements of the Request for Proposal (RFP), or if it clearly demonstrates that the Offeror does not understand the requirements of the RFP. A proposal that contains any deficiencies, omissions, and/or errors under any of the technical criteria will be considered “Technically Unacceptable.” If a proposal is determined to be “Technically Unacceptable” under any criterion, no further evaluation of the proposal will be performed. In the event that a proposal is eliminated, a notice will be sent to the Offeror stating the reasons that the proposal will not be considered for further evaluation under this solicitation.

(d) The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. The Government may engage in clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a). Therefore, the Offeror's initial proposal should contain the Offeror's best terms for both a technical and cost standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary.

(e) If the Contracting Officer determines that discussions are necessary, pursuant to 15.306(c) the Contracting Officer's determination of competitive range for proposals submitted as a result of this solicitation will consider such factors as technical acceptability of the proposal, and initial cost/price proposed. Offerors are hereby advised that only those proposals deemed to have a reasonable chance for award of a contract will be included in the competitive range. Offerors who are not included in the competitive range will be promptly notified.

(f) Exceptions, or deviations, to any terms and conditions may make the offer unacceptable for award without discussions. If an Offeror proposes exceptions to the terms and conditions of the contract, the Government may make an award without discussions to another Offeror that did not take exception to the terms and conditions of the solicitation.

NNS-M-1002 BASIS OF CONTRACT AWARD

(a) Best Value - Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable. The Government intends to award one (1) contract to the Offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government, based on the Government’s evaluation of Criterion 1-2: Criterion 1 - Technical Capability, and Criterion 2 – Price (Not Rated). In selecting the best value, the Government will utilize a “Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable” (LPTA) evaluation process. Evaluation criterion will be evaluated as “Technically Acceptable” or “Technically Unacceptable” in relation to the evaluation requirements described under Section L, NNS-L-1003 - VOLUME II – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS. The Government intends to award a contract to the prospective vendor whose is found to be “Technically Acceptable” and has the lowest evaluated price. LPTA means that, best value is expected to result from selection of the “Technically Acceptable” proposal with the lowest evaluated price. Only those proposals determined to be “Technically Acceptable” will be eligible for award. Proposals determined to be “Technically Unacceptable” under any criterion sub factor will not be evaluated further. The Government reserves the right to award without discussions.

(b) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. Criterion 1 - Technical Capability will be evaluated as “Technically Acceptable/Technically Unacceptable.” If Criterion 1 is rated “Technically Acceptable,” the proposal representing the lowest evaluated price will be selected. Criterion 1 is more important than price. If the Offeror’s information provided under each sub factor 1-3 meets or exceeds the RFP Section L requirements, the Offeror will be found “Technically Acceptable” under Criterion 1. If the Offeror’s information provided under any sub factor 1-3 does not meet the RFP Section L requirements, the Offeror will be found “Technically Unacceptable,” and will not be evaluated further. If Criterion 1 is evaluated as “Technically Unacceptable,” the Offeror will not be considered for award.

Criterion 1 - Technical Capability (Volume II). The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s technical capabilities to determine if it meets the RFP requirements related to sub factors:

Security Requirements, Facility Availability, and Personnel Qualifications (via Personnel Resumes and Letters of Intent).

Sub factor 1: Security Requirements – The Government will validate the Offeror’s proposed active facility clearance code with the Department of Energy (DOE), or CAGE code with another Government Agency (i.e. Department of Defense, DOD or other Government Agency) under this portion of the proposal for the prime Offeror, and all proposed subcontractors (i.e. all tiers) to ensure it meets the security clearance levels listed under Attch 5 – Draft CSCS Form DOE F 470.1. This information will be validated using the DOE Safeguards and Security Information Management System (SSIMS), or using reciprocity from another Government Agency’s security clearance tracking system (i.e. DoD or other Government Agency provided by the Offeror).

Sub factor 2: Facility Availability - The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed possessing facility with the Department of Energy (DOE) under this portion of the proposal to ensure it meets the facility security levels listed under Attch 5 – Draft CSCS Form DOE F 470.1 within the DOE SSIMS.

Sub factor 3: Personnel Qualifications (via Personnel Resumes and Letters of Intent) – The Government will evaluate Offeror’s written resumes for all key personnel proposed that will start effective upon contract award (6 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) personnel – 5 Derivative Classifiers and 1 Program Manager). The Government will validate that each key personnel individual’s proposed title is noted on the Resume, and that the resume demonstrates the individual meets the minimum qualification requirements identified in the PWS for their respective labor category. The Government will validate that each personnel already has a DOE “Q” clearance, or holds a clearance level at another agency that can obtain reciprocity prior to contract award on each resume. Personnel proposed that to do not currently have a security clearance with DOE/DOD or other Government Agency, will not be eligible for award and will not be evaluated further. The Government will validate that each Resume submitted reflects the individual’s US Citizenship identified. The Government will validate that the Resume addresses the current, or previously held, Derivative Classification/Declassification Authority (at which Agency), how long said authority was held, with what jurisdictions, and in what subject areas.

Lastly, the Government will validate that a signed Letter of Intent was submitted in conjunction with each Key Personnel Resume to demonstrate acceptance of the proposed labor category position.

Failure to meet the RFP requirements for any one sub factor will result in a rating of Technically Unacceptable (For example, if one personnel resume fails to meet the qualifications stated in the PWS, the Offeror will be determined to be Technically Unacceptable under Criterion 1, Sub factor 3).

Criterion 2 - Cost/Price (Volume III). The price proposal will not be rated, but will be used in determining the best value to the Government in accordance with paragraph (a). The total evaluated price will be analyzed in accordance with FAR 15.404 to determine reasonableness and balanced pricing. The total evaluated price is the sum total of the proposed prices for all Base and Option periods, Government baselined amounts for Travel/ODCs, and the proposed price for the six-month Option to Extend Services period. A significant price deficiency or weakness that may cause the offer to be rejected is defined as one that is lacking in reasonableness or balance, the correction of which would cause a material alteration or revision of the Offeror's price proposal. An unreasonable or unbalanced price proposal may be evidence of the Offeror's lack of or poor understanding of the solicitation requirements and thus may adversely affect the Offeror's rating on the Technical Proposal criteria. Pursuant to FAR 15.404, the following will be evaluated:

(1) Reasonableness. The total evaluated price will be used to evaluate price reasonableness. The Government may use any of the cost or price analysis techniques specified in FAR 15.404 to determine reasonableness.

(2) Balanced Pricing. In accordance with FAR Part 15.404-1 (g), the Government will analyze the proposed CLINs and annual pricing for balance and may reject an offer if the contracting officer determines that the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

(c) Rejection. The Government reserves the right to reject any proposal that includes any exceptions, deviations, or conditional assumptions that impacts or affects the Government’s requirements. Additionally, the Government reserves the right to immediately cease evaluating and reject any proposal that is determined to contain a deficiency in any evaluation criterion or fails to address a material requirement of the RFP.

EVALUATION RATINGS

Criterion 1: Technical Capability

Description

Technically Acceptable Proposal clearly meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation as evidenced by the fact that the Offeror addressed all aforementioned sub factors in an acceptable manner.

Technically Unacceptable Proposal does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation as evidenced by the fact that the Offeror failed to address any one, or more, of the aforementioned sub factors for technical acceptability.

(End of Provision)

NNS-L-1005 - VOLUME III (Criterion 2) – PRICE PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (No Page Limit)