91990025Q0032.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

CAMLBJ CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

541990

SIZE STANDARD:

100.00 % FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORCAM

REQUEST FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

INVITATION

FOR BID (IFB)

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

REQUEST FOR

QUOTE (RFQ)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS):

SMALL BUSINESS

07/23/2025 1000 ED

07/08/2025

202-987-0839Matthew Lucas (No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

91990025Q0032

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 88 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

Washington DC 20202 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ-2C274 US Department of Education

15. DELIVER TO

Washington DC 20202 400 Maryland Avenue SW

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$19.5

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS

BLOCK IS MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULEX

12. DISCOUNT TERMS THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

ORDER UNDER THE DEFENSE

PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS

SYSTEM - DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

US Department of Education

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Facilitation Services For Negotiated Rulemaking

0001 Ordering Period 1, Task 1 - Contract Management 130 HR Services In Accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS). (12 Month Ordering Period) This Time-And-Materials line item covers contract-level management and administrative services as described in the PWS. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

Product/Service Code: R499

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

X

XX

DATED

Matthew Lucas

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

Period of Performance: 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

0002 Ordering Period 1, Task 2 - Facilitation Services 2670 HR

In Accordance with the Performance Work

Statement. (12 Month Ordering Period) This Time and Materials line item covers labor hours for facilitation services to support negotiated rulemaking activities. This line item covers all facilitation services required under the contract, including support for virtual, in-person, and hybrid format. The contractor shall provided qualified facilitators to lead and support full committee, subcommittee, and other rule-making related sessions, including pre-meeting preparation and post-meeting follow-up. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

0003 Ordering Period 1, (Optional) Travel - (Airfare, Lodging, M&IE - NTE) This line item covers authorized contractor travel related to performance of these services, including airfare, lodging, meals and incidental expense in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation.

This is a not-to-exceed) (NTE) amount. All

Continued ...

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

88 2 of

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

3 88

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

91990025Q0032 travel must be pre-approved by the COR, and invoiced with supporting receipts/documentation.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 08/28/2026

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

1001 Ordering Period 2, Task 1 - Contract Management 130 HR

Services In Accordance with the Performance Work

Statement (PWS). (12 Month Ordering Period) This

Time-And-Materials line item covers contract-level management and administrative services as described in the PWS. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 10/01/2026

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027

1002 Ordering Period 2, Task 2 - Facilitation Services 2670 HR

In Accordance with the Performance Work

Statement. (12 Month Ordering Period) This Time and Materials line item covers labor hours for facilitation services to support negotiated rulemaking activities. This line item covers all facilitation services required under the contract, including support for virtual, in-person, and hybrid format. The contractor shall provided qualified facilitators to lead and support full committee, subcommittee, and other rule-making related sessions, including pre-meeting preparation and post-meeting follow-up. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 10/01/2026

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027

1003 Ordering Period 2, (Optional) Travel - (Airfare, Lodging, M&IE - NTE) This line item covers authorized contractor travel related to performance of these services, including airfare, Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

4 88

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

91990025Q0032 lodging, meals and incidental expense in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation.

This is a not-to-exceed) (NTE) amount. All travel must be pre-approved by the COR, and invoiced with supporting receipts/documentation.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 08/28/2027

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027

2001 Ordering Period 3, Task 1 - Contract Management 130 HR

Services In Accordance with the Performance Work

Statement (PWS). (12 Month Ordering Period) This

Time-And-Materials line item covers contract-level management and administrative services as described in the PWS. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 10/01/2027

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2027 to 09/30/2028

2002 Ordering Period 3, Task 2 - Facilitation Services 2670 HR

In Accordance with the Performance Work

Statement. (12 Month Ordering Period) This Time and Materials line item covers labor hours for facilitation services to support negotiated rulemaking activities. This line item covers all facilitation services required under the contract, including support for virtual, in-person, and hybrid format. The contractor shall provide qualified facilitators to lead and support full committee, subcommittee, and other rule-making related sessions, including pre-meeting preparation and post-meeting follow-up. Hours under this line item shall be proposed as fully burdened hourly rates.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 10/01/2027

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2027 to 09/30/2028

2003 Ordering Period 2, (Optional) Travel - (Airfare, Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

5 88

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

91990025Q0032

Lodging, M&IE - NTE) This line item covers authorized contractor travel related to performance of these services, including airfare, lodging, meals and incidental expense in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation.

This is a not-to-exceed) (NTE) amount. All travel must be pre-approved by the COR, and invoiced with supporting receipts/documentation.

(Option Line Item)

Exercised NLT Date: 08/28/2028

Product/Service Code: R499

Period of Performance: 10/01/2027 to 09/30/2028

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

2 - Section 2 RFQ 91990025Q0032 Synopsis Solicitation

3 - Section 3 52.204-7 System for Award Management. (NOV 2024) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (AUG 2020) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) 52.204-29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures. (DEC 2023) 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters. (OCT 2018) 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-Representation and Certifications. (JUN 2020) 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) 52.252-5 Authorized Deviations in Provisions. (NOV 2020) 3452.233-70 Agency level protests. (OCT 2023) 52.204-8 DEV Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2025) (DEVIATION FEB 2025).27 52.212-3 Offer Representations and Certifications - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAY 2024) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

4 - Section 4

306-8 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR (FEB 1985)

307-19 REDACTED PROPOSALS (DECEMBER 1998)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (JAN 2025) (DEVIATION FEB 2025) .46

A001 OPTION TO EXERCISE OPTIONAL TASKS

52.203-3 Gratuities. (APR 1984) 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees. (MAY 2014) 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures. (JUN 2020) 52.203-16 Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest. (JUN 2020) 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel. (JAN 2011) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018) 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance. (AUG 2020) 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. (NOV 2021) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

(NOV 2023) - Alternate I (NOV 2021) 52.216-18 Ordering. (AUG 2020) 52.216-19 Order Limitations. (OCT 1995) 52.216-21 Requirements. (OCT 1995) 52.216-31 Time-and-Materials/Labor-Hour Proposal Requirements-Commercial Acquisition.

(NOV 2021)

52.227-17 Rights in Data--Special Works. (DEC 2007) 52.232-7 Payments Under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts. (NOV 2021) 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (JUN 2013) 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation. (APR 1984) 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order. (AUG 1989) 52.243-3 Changes - Time-and-Materials or Labor-Hours. (SEP 2000) 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses. (NOV 2020) 3452.201-70 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). (MAR 2011)

3452.202-1 Definitions-Department of Education. (MAR 2011) 3452.204-70 Records management. (OCT 2023) 3452.204-71 Contractor security vetting requirements. (OCT 2023) 3452.209-70 Conflict of interest certification. (MAR 2011) 3452.209-71 Conflict of interest. (MAR 2011) 3452.224-70 Release of information under the Freedom of Information Act. (MAR 2011) 3452.237-71 Observance of administrative closures. (MAR 2011) 3452.239-71 Department information security and privacy requirements. (OCT 2023) 3452.243-70 Key personnel. (OCT 2023)

ED.ALL.32-01 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES AND CONTRACT FINANCING REQUESTS (NOV 2024)

ADDENDUM TO 3452.237-71 OBSERVANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSURES (MAR 2011)

ED.ALL.04-01 SAM SYSTEM UPDATES (FEB 2025)

52.223-10 DEV Waste Reduction Program (MAY 2024) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

2 - Section 2

RFQ 91990025Q0032 Synopsis Solicitation

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Facilitation Services for Negotiated Rulemaking

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The combined synopsis/solicitation number is 91990025Q0032 and is issue as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to establish a Time and Materials requirements type service contract to provide facilitation support services for negotiated rulemaking.

The combined synopsis/solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-04, effective 05/12/2025.

This procurement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (which applies to this combined synopsis/solicitation), quotes are solicited only from small business concerns. Quotes received from concerns that are not small business concerns shall be considered nonresponsive and will be rejected.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. The small business size standard is $19.5 million.

Description of Requirement: The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, and other items and non-personal services necessary to provide facilitation support services for negotiated rulemaking as described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Place of Performance: The work shall be performed at virtually, hybrid (virtual/in person), and/or in person, Washington DC.

Period of Performance (POP): The period of performance shall be for 1 Ordering Period of 12-months with 2 additional one-year ordering periods.

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023)

ADDENDUM to FAR Provision 52.212-1

Addendum to Paragraph (b) Submission of Offers:

1) Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (https://www.sam.gov/SAM/) in order to submit a quote.

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

2) Offerors shall ensure that FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2023) is complete and up to date in SAM.gov.

3) Offerors shall ensure that FAR Provisions 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021) and/or 52.204- 26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation (OCT 2020) are complete and up to date in SAM.gov.

4) The offeror’s quote is presumed to represent its best efforts to respond to the RFQ. All inconsistencies, whether real or apparent, between the conveyed performance and price must be explained in the quote. The evaluation will be based on an assessment of the information submitted in the Offeror’s quote and other evaluation information available to the Department.

All assumptions will be evaluated as part of the individual factor or sub-factor to which they apply. The Department reserves the right to reject any quote that includes any assumption(s) or conditions that impact or affect satisfying the Department’s requirements.

5) Comparative Evaluation: Following receipt of responses, the Department will perform a comparative evaluation (comparing contractor responses to one another) to select the contractor that is best suited and provides the best value, considering the evaluation factors and subfactors and their relative importance within this request for quote.

6) Award on Initial Responses: The Department anticipates selecting the best-suited contractor from initial responses, without engaging in exchanges with contractors. Contractors are strongly encouraged to submit their best technical solutions and price in response to this

RFQ.

7) Exchanges with Best-Suited Contractor: Once the Department determines the contractor that is the best-suited (i.e., the apparent successful contractor), the Department reserves the right to communicate with only that contractor to address any remaining issues, if necessary, and finalize a contract with that contractor. These issues may include technical, past performance and price. If the parties cannot successfully address any remaining issues, as determined pertinent at the sole discretion of the Department, the Department reserves the right to communicate with the next best-suited contractor based on the original analysis and address any remaining issues. Once the Department has begun communications with the next best-suited contractor, no further communications with the previous contractor will be entertained until after the contract has been awarded. This process must continue until an agreement is successfully reached and a contract is awarded.

8) Quote Affordability: The Department seeks quotes with a total evaluated price of less than $2.3M, this amount is inclusive of all option periods. Offerors should not interpret this figure as a ceiling (or as a floor) on quotes; rather, this information is provided as a courtesy to prospective offerors. The Department may select a quote for award with a price below, at, or exceeding this figure if it finds that quote provides the best value and funds are available.

9) The offeror’s quote must be submitted electronically. The quote must be received by the Department before the quote submission deadline. Quotes must remain valid for a period of 60 days after quote submission. It is the responsibility of the offeror to allow adequate time to submit the quote’s files before the quote submission deadline. Offeror must have an active registration with the Department’s System for Award Management, SAM.gov, at time of quote submission.

10) The Department's preference is to evaluate quotes and award a requirements contract without exchanges with the quoters. However, the Department reserves the right to engage in clarification-like exchanges with all quoters. The Department may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public interest and waive informalities and minor irregularities in quotes received.

11) The quote must be received at or before July 23, 2025, by 10:00 AM EDT. Quotes must be submitted electronically to the Points of Contact listed below:

Contracting Officer/Quote Selection Authority (E-mail: Matthew.Lucas@ed.gov).

12) The Department’s email system cannot handle emails larger than 20 Megabytes (MB).

Quote submissions must be broken up into separate emails if necessary to accommodate size limitations, with each email identified (e.g., Company Quote Submission 1 of 3, Company Quote Submission 2 of 3, etc.). Electronic file names must not contain special characters (e.g., #, *, ?, (, ), {, }, %, >, <, /, \, $, |). Quotations will not be after the quote submission deadline date and time. Quotes will be rejected for surpassing the email size limitation, so please allow enough time for quote submissions. A confirmation receipt will be sent from the Contract Specialist (CS) when the quote is received.

13) All questions in response to this RFQ must be received at or before July 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM EDT. Questions submitted after this date and time will not be considered unless the CO/QSA determines otherwise. Questions must be submitted electronically to the Points of Contact listed below:

Contracting Officer/Quote Selection Authority (E-mail: Matthew.Lucas@ed.gov).

14) Offerors must submit questions in an MS Excel file following a format like the table below:

Questions Format

Questions Format Question No. Reference Question Category Question

RFQ, PWS, or attachments, and Section

Contract or Technical Question

15) Answers to submitted questions will be provided to all offerors who were sent the RFQ via an RFQ amendment.

16) Failure to comply with the Instructions to Offerors and RFQ requirements may result in the quote being removed from the competition as the Department reserves the right to eliminate quotes that do not conform to the RFQ and Instructions to Offerors. Any exceptions to the RFQ’s terms and conditions must be fully explained in writing with supporting justification to the CO for consideration.

17) The quotes must consist of four (4) volumes (Volumes). The Volumes are: (1) Executive

Summary, (2) Technical Quote, (3) Past Performance and (4) Price/Business Quote. The Volumes and page limitations are shown in Table 1, below. Non-conforming quotes may or may not be considered for award. Quotes must be complete for consideration. Quotes that do not include all required volumes and attachments in accordance with these Instructions for Offerors may or may not be evaluated nor considered for award. Offerors are responsible for ensuring that the Department receives complete quotes, conforming to all RFQ instructions before the Submission Due Date and Time.

18) It is understood that the quote will become part of the official contract file; therefore, it will not be returned. The Department is not obligated to pay any cost for the preparation and submission of a quote. The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Department to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this acquisition.

19) Content Requirements. All information must be confined to the appropriate Volume.

Proprietary information must be clearly marked as such. Each Volume of the quote must consist of a Title Page (Title of the Volume), Table of Contents, and the narrative or information being requested within the instructions to offerors. Appendices must have a Title Page (Name of Appendix, i.e., Appendix 1, Appendix 2).

20) No pricing information must be in any Volumes other than the Price/Business Quote. The Technical Quote will NOT contain any reference to specific prices.

21) Each Volume must be submitted separately in accordance with Table 1 below. Each evaluation factor, subfactor response must be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated with no cross-referencing to other evaluation subfactors, Volumes or Appendixes that are not specifically addressed/requested by the factor or subfactor.

22) The use of hyperlinks is allowable only for use within the table of contents only.

23) Quotes must adhere to the page count limitations below. Pages that exceed the required page limitations will not be evaluated.

24) Each file name submitted must be with the Volume number first, then the Volume Title/Description, then Facilitation Services, and lastly the company name which may be abbreviated. For example, “Vol_1_Technical_Facilitation Services_Company Name”.

25) Contents of files must print on Letter 8 ½” by 11”. The technical quote must be submitted searchable PDF format. The quote must be single spaced and be written in no smaller than 12-point font for text, font type, Times New Roman, 12-point font or larger for tables, and 10-point font or larger for graphics. Margins should be no smaller than 1 inch on all sides. Volumes 1, 3 and 4 are to be single spaced, no smaller than 12-point font for text, Times New Roman, 12-point font or larger for tables, and 10-point font or larger for graphics.

26) The Technical Quote must be limited to a total of 15 pages. The page limit excludes only the title page; the table of contents; resumes for key personnel (Appendix 1); and letters of commitment from consultants and key personnel (Appendix 2).

a) Appendix 1: In Appendix 1, the offeror must include resumes for all key personnel, including key personnel from subcontractors. Each resume is limited to four (4) pages, may be single spaced and must share a common format and organization. Resumes will not count toward the overall Technical Quote page limit. Resumes must follow the formatting restrictions described above.

b) Appendix 2: In Appendix 2, the offeror must include letters of commitment from all proposed consultants who are designated as key personnel as well as key personnel not currently employed by the offeror, if applicable. Each letter must be signed by the Key Personnel staff member and must indicate that the Key Personnel is committed to begin work should the offeror be awarded this contract. The letter must state that all negotiations regarding salary and benefits have been finalized and agreed upon. Letters of commitment will not count toward the overall page limit of the technical quote.

27) File Packaging: Files must be in read-only format, using PDF files except that all price breakdown information must be submitted in Microsoft Office Excel unprotected format and viewable in Microsoft Excel versions 2010 and later. Please note – Self extracting .exe files are not acceptable.

28) Table 1: Quote Volumes and Descriptions Table 1: Quote Volumes and Descriptions

Volume Number Volume Title Description Page

Maximum 1Executive Summary Not an evaluation factor N/A

2Technical Quote Evaluation Factor I: Technical Subfactor I - Key Personnel Subfactor II - Management Approach

15 pages

3Past Performance Evaluation Factor II Past Performance N/A

4Price/Business Quote Evaluation Factor III Price/Business Quote N/A

29) Volume 1 - Executive Summary: Within this section, the offeror must provide a Title Page, a Table of Contents. This Volume must include the following information: (1) RFQ number; (2) Company’s Name, address, SAM unique entity ID, Tax ID No.; (3) requirement title; (4) point of contact and alternate contract, including last name, first name, telephone, and email; (5) administrative point of contact, including last name, first name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone, and email (this is the individual that will be administering the contract in accordance with clause 306-8 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR FEB 1985); (6) date quote submitted;

(7) quote expiration date (valid minimum 60 calendar days); (8) Completed Representations and Certifications or provide a statement that states that the Representations and Certifications located within SAM.gov for “Your Company’s Name Here”, is current accurate and complete. (9) Completed RFQ Provisions as required to include 3452.209-70 CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION (MAY 2011) (Both Prime and Subcontractors) (Areas to consider COI are financial interests, former employee potentially, or consulting for potential members (negotiating) while also working on this contract). (10) Written acknowledgement of all amendments either by providing a statement, “Contractor acknowledges all amendments” or provide signed SF30(s) within the Executive Summary. (11) Place of Performance, full address to include zip code.

Volume 2 – Technical Quote

30) Technical Subfactor I – Key Personnel The offeror must provide a Key Personnel approach that address the knowledge, experience, and competencies of the key personnel. The narrative is to address the following:

· Knowledge of and experience in the Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Process, including knowledge of the 20 U.S. Code § 1098a - Regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking.

· Knowledge of Higher Education laws and policies, specifically the laws and policies applicable to the Federal Student Aid programs.

· Competencies (technical skills), educational background, professional certifications, relevant work experience in Facilitation and meeting management. These competencies include:

o Organizing the Facilitation Team.

o Facilitation design planning, including establishing clear success metrics.

o Communication planning for both internal Department Staff and external participants.

o Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbal and written).

o Experience with conflict resolution.

o Ability to collaborate with Stakeholders (both internal and external).

o Ability to remain neutral, o Meeting management skills, which include adherence to facilitation guideline sets, keeping all participants on track, and time management skills.

o Experience with technology/on-line meeting tools and resources used for facilitation if meetings are held virtually.

The Key Personnel section must not include any pricing information.

The Key Personnel will address the following information:

i) Resumes must be provided for all key personnel associated with performance of the work identified within the PWS, this includes key personnel from subcontractors, and consultants. The need for any proposed consultants must also be justified, including how they would contribute to the project. This justification must be included at the beginning of the consultant designated as key personnel’s resume and is not part of the resume page limitation.

ii) By listing key personnel as part of the quote, the offeror is making a firm commitment to use said key personnel to carry out the activities in the performance work statement.

iii) Resumes must share a common format and organization. The requested resume information must provide the title of the employee’s position(s) held, beginning and end date of the position(s) held, concise summary of duties and responsibilities of the position, educational background, relevant professional certifications, relevant publications, relevant clearances held.

iv) Each resume is limited to four (4) pages and will not be counted toward the Technical Quote page limit. Resumes must be placed in Appendix 1. Resumes should clearly document the key personnel’s experience in the proposed role supporting the contract.

v) A letter of commitment from all proposed consultants designated as key personnel and key personnel not currently employed by the offeror must be included, if applicable. Each letter must be signed by the staff member and must indicate that the staff member is committed to begin work should the offeror be awarded this order. The letter must state that all negotiations regarding salary and benefits have been finalized and agreed upon. Letters of commitment must not count toward the overall page limit of the technical quote (Letters of commitment must be placed in Appendix 2).

vi) The narrative must identify the roles in which consultants would serve on this contract.

Letters from proposed subcontractors/consultants indicating their willingness to serve, if selected, must be included with the offeror’s quote (Letters must be placed in Appendix 2).

Vendors are reminded that all proposed subcontractors must sign a Conflict-of-Interest Certificate, as provided in the request for quote provision EDAR 3452.209-70 Conflict of Interest Certification. This certification must be included with the Executive Summary.

vii) If key personnel are unknown at the time of quote submission, a position description (including job duties, qualifications required, and selection criteria) must be substituted for resumes. The Department reserves the right to review the resumes of staff proposed to fill key personnel positions to verify that they have sufficient expertise and qualifications for the work of the position. By listing key personnel as part of the quote, the offeror is making a firm commitment to use said personnel or a substitute accepted by the Department to carry out the activities in the PWS. It is a quoter’s obligation to inform the Department of changes in proposed key personnel and resources, even after submission of quotes. Resolution of such changes will be specific to the individual key personnel and must be completed in accordance with EDAR 3452.243-70 Key personnel. It is at the Department’s discretion to provide consent.

Resolving such matters does not constitute discussion like exchanges.

31) Technical Subfactor II – Management Approach Quoters shall submit a narrative Management Plan describing their approach to managing the requirement. The plan must clearly address the following:

1. Task Responsibilities: Identify the specific responsibilities assigned to key personnel and team members. Includes lines of authority and how task assignments aligning with the performance work statement.

2. Management Controls: Describe the internal procedures, tools, and oversight mechanisms that will be used to manage task execution, coordinated work, ensure accountability and monitor performance.

3. Understanding of Scope and Complexity: Demonstrate and understanding of the nature, scale, and complexity of the services to be performed. Include and assumptions, risks or key considerations that inform the quoters approach.

Quoters should provide enough detail to show that their management approach is practical, well-structure, and aligning with full contract performance.

32) VOLUME 3, FACTOR II – PAST PERFORMANCE.

The Past Performance evaluation will be accomplished by reviewing aspects of an Offeror's recent and relevant Past Performance, focusing on and targeting performance which is relevant to the effort as it directly relates to the work being procured under this solicitation and as defined in Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Items.

i) Past Performance information described herein is required on the Prime and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners proposed to perform 25% of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price.

ii) Relevant Past Performance. The offeror shall include documentation regarding their relevant past performance as it directly relates to the work being procured under this request for quote. The offeror SHALL NOT go back any farther than 3 years for the submitted data. The past performance data shall document a successful history of past contract performance.

(1) Submit a short narrative providing details of the experience the firm has (either as a prime or sub-contractor) performing work similar in nature and scope. Quoters may include information related to experience and capability – including contact information for each reference. Quotes should describe your past performance:

(a) Facilitating Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Processes

iii) Submission Requirements. The offeror shall provide documentation outlining the quoter’s past performance with up to three contracts, as a prime or major subcontractor, which is the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the services being procured under this request for quote. The submittal shall include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance and how it was determined that the work performed previously was the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the work specified by this request for quote.

(1) For each reference, provide the following information in no more than (1) page per reference:

(2) Contract Number

(3) Contract Title and Brief Description of Services

(4) Customer Name and/or Agency/Company

(5) Period of Performance

(6) Contract Value (Total and Quoter’s Share if a subcontractor”

(7) Contract Type (e.g., FFP, CPFF, T&M)

(8) Points of Contact, Name, Title, E-mail and Phone number

(9) Brief Narrative describing the work performed, its relevance to this requirement and any notable outcomes.

Do not include more than three references. The Department may contact these references to verify performance.

iv) In conducting the Past Performance evaluation, the Department reserves the right to use both the information provided in the offeror’s Past Performance submission and information obtained from other sources, such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at https://www.cpars.gov, and commercial sources. Quoters are reminded that both independent data and data provided by offerors in their offers may be used by the Department to evaluate offeror past performance. However, the burden of providing thorough, complete, and current past performance information as requested in this paragraph remains with the quoters. Quotes that do not contain the information requested by this paragraph and paragraph (iv.) risk receiving an unacceptable performance rating by the Department. The overall past performance evaluation is a subjective decision based on the whole of all data received. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

33) Volume 4 - Factor III - Price/Business Quote The offeror must submit a Price/Business Quote. Prior to submission, the offeror must verify that the contents of the Price/Business Quote (PDF and Microsoft Excel Workbook) are mathematically accurate (including rounding), and the supporting data reconciles in the quote.

The Price/Business Quote must contain all of the Department requested information.

Information must be completed and in sufficient detail for the Department to make a fair and https://www.cpars.gov/ reasonable price determination. The CO may reject a quote if proposed prices are found not to be fair and reasonable. There is no page limitation to the Price/Business Quote.

a) Title page: A title page is to include the name and address of the firm and the offeror’s unique entity ID number, signed by an officer of the firm. The title page must also include the date, the point of contact (name, phone number, email address) of a company representative who can answer any questions that the Department may have and is authorized to conduct negotiations on behalf of the offeror.

b) Statements: The Price/Business Quote must include a statement advising that the offer is firm for a period of at least 60 calendar days from the quote submission date and a statement certifying that the offeror has an active SAM registration. The offeror must have an active SAM registration at time of quote submittal to be eligible for award.

c) Abstract: A one-page summary must be provided, abstracting the quote’s contents in language understandable to an informed layperson. The abstract must indicate full acceptance of the RFQ’s requirements or provide detailed exceptions to the RFQ or assumption justifications.

d) Price/Business Quote Details: At the beginning of the Price/Business Quote, there must be a summary table showing the offeror’s prices, which includes the base year requirement and all option periods of performance. The table below is provided as an example summary. The Department will evaluate the offeror’s Price/Business Quote is based on Total Evaluated Price, which is calculated using the following formula: (Base Year Ordering Period + Ordering Period 2+ Ordering Period 3 = Total Price).

Base Year Ordering

Period 12 Months

Ordering Period 2

12 Months

Ordering Period 3

12 Months Total Price

Facilitation Services for Negotiated Rulemaking

e) Labor Categories and Labor Rates: The Department anticipates award of a single Time-and - Materials (T&M), Requirements-type contract for professional services. The contract includes one or more T&M contract line items (CLINS) that may require labor from multiple labor categories. Quoters shall provide a fully burdened, blended hourly rate (also known as a wrap rate) for each T&M CLIN.

(1) The offeror must submit a complete Per-Task Price Buildup. All mathematical/computational sections must be submitted in a Microsoft Excel Workbook file, with all formulas preserved for the Department’s review. Vendors may add additional worksheets to Attachment 1 or provide a separate Microsoft Excel Workbook file. The complete price build-up for this contract must include the identification of proposed labor categories by named individuals, their functional labor category, level of effort, fully burdened hourly rate for each labor category (including direct labor, overhead, G&A), extended labor price (i.e., labor hours x hourly labor rate), and other direct costs. Sample table provided below. The proposed price must be presented by task.

Task Subtask

Labor Category by Named Individual (First and

Last Name)

Functional Labor

Category

Level of Effort (in hours)

Loaded hourly rate

Extended labor price (i.e., labor hours x labor rate)

Other Direct Costs

(ODC)

Total (extended Labor Price

+ODC(s))

Sample 1 1.1Joe Bloggs Program Manager 25 $92.53 $2,313.25 $0.00 $2,313.25

f) The labor category by named individual must match resume name provided within the technical portion of the response (Key Personnel). The Price/Business Quote must describe any applicable assumptions used to formulate the price build-up. If a percentage rate is applied (e.g., “Technology Fee” at x%), the percentage and the rate the percentage is applied to must be clearly disclosed in the Price/Business Quote (e.g., 40% of total labor costs). Offerors are encouraged to justify any proposed indirect rate(s) by explaining such rate’s its purpose and providing evidence of such rate’s reasonableness.

The labor mix and labor categories proposed must be consistent with the key personnel proposed in the Technical Quote in sufficient detail for the Department to have a reasonable understanding of the offeror’s planned technical approach, and the ability to review the consistency between the planned technical approach and the proposed pricing.

The Department does not prescribe a specific labor mix. Quoters shall propose labor categories and estimate hour allocation consistent with their technical approach. The labor mix and labor categories proposed must be relevant to the required services and consistent with the key personnel proposed in the Technical Quote in sufficient detail for the Department to have a reasonable understanding of the offeror’s planned technical approach, and the ability to review the consistency between the planned technical approach and the proposed pricing.

If the offeror proposes subcontractors, a separate price buildup (by task) must be submitted for each proposed subcontractor, and the subcontractor prices must be included in the offeror's total, firm-fixed price, for the contract. The master price buildup for the contract, must clearly show which costs are associated with the offeror and which costs are associated with each subcontractor. The subcontractor price buildup may be provided as a separate Microsoft Excel file or worksheets can be added to Attachment 1. If proprietary data will not be shared between the offeror and subcontractor(s), each subcontractor’s Price/Business Volume may be submitted as a sealed volume directly to the CO and CS via email.

g) Completed Microsoft Excel Price Business Quote Workbook (Attachment 1): To be considered for award, offeror must complete in its entirety the Price/Business Quote Workbook, Attachment 1. Failing to complete the provided Department Attachment 1 in its entirety will result in the entire business quote as non-responsive. The following Price/Business Quote Workbook tabs must be completed: Price Schedule Base Ordering Period, Ordering Period 2, and Ordering Period 3. The instructions provided in Attachment 1 must be followed. Some line items contain optional tasks and may be exercised at the discretion of the Department.

34) All amendments to the request for quote will be posted in SAM.gov.

Addendum to Paragraph (f) Late Submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Offers:

i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition.

(End of Provision)

52.212-2 EVALUATION – Commercial Products and commercials Services, (NOV. 2021) Per FAR 13.106-2 -- Evaluation of Quotations or Offers:

The Department intends to award a Time and Material requirements type contract as a result of this Request for Quote to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the RFQ requirements. A comparative evaluation of the quotes will be made in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b). Quoters must be determined responsible according to the standards of FAR Part 9 to be eligible for award.

a. The Department will award a contract resulting from this request for quote to the responsible quoter whose quote, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Department based on a comparative evaluations of quotes in accordance with FAR Part 13.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Technical

a) Key Personnel: The Department will evaluate the knowledge, experience and competencies of the key personnel to assess their ability to perform the work successfully.

b) Management Approach: The Department will evaluate the proposed approach to performing and managing the requirement to determine likelihood of successful performance.

2. Past Performance The Department will consider recent and relevant past performance to assess the quoter’s ability to perform successfully. A quoter without a record of relevant past performance or for whom past performance information is not available will not be evaluated either favorably or unfavorably and will receive a neutral rating.

3. Price will be evaluated to determine reasonableness. While price is a factor, it is less important than the not-price factors.

b. Technical and Past Performance, when combined are significantly more important that price. The Department may award to other than the lowest priced quote if the higher price quote is determined to provide best value to the Department based on the stated evaluation factors.

c. Quotes will be evaluated performing a direct comparison of one quote with another in a uniform manner to determine which quote provides the Department with its needs, as identified in the RFQ. The Department reserves the right to consider a quote that offers more than the minimum and select that response if it provides a benefit to the Department. The

Department as the discretion to accept other than the lowest priced quote that provides additional benefits. Source selection techniques described in FAR part 15 will not be used.

d. Quotes deemed too expensive or not practical for the Department it will not be considered further and without notice to the quoter.

e. The Department may ask questions to one or more Quoters, but is not obligated to do so.

f. The Government may reject all quotes.

g. The contracting officer and Department evaluators may use any means available to examine the past performance as stated within the instructions to offerors.

h. The Department may discuss price or price discounts with the one or more submitters before awarding a contract or rejecting all quotes.

3 - Section 3

Attachment List

Attachment Number Title Date

1 Attachment 1 Price Schedule 06242025 06/30/2025

2 Performance Work Statement Facilitation Services 06272025 06/30/2025

3 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan 06/30/2025

52.204-7 System for Award Management. (NOV 2024)

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (AUG 2020)

52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-

Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L.