98M POL-MCX Fuels A-E Services_Announcement-Synopsis-final draft.docx

Beta.SAM.gov Synopsis for A-E Services

INDEFINITE DELIVERY CONTRACTS FOR ARCHITECT-ENGINEER (A-E) SERVICES FOR US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – UNRESTRICTED WITH SMALL BUSINESS RESERVES

Reference number: W9128F21R0082

1. CONTRACT INFORMATION: The Government is procuring this contract in accordance with the Brooks A-E Act as implemented in FAR Subpart 36.6 and will select firms for negotiation based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. The A-E services to be provided shall be in support of the Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants Mandatory Center of Expertise (POL-MCX), Omaha District, Northwestern Division, US Army Corps of Engineers. The services will generally consist of preparation of studies, inspections, assessments, planning and programing efforts, design packages, construction phase services, training, and other technical support primarily for military POL fueling systems to include, but not limited to, fuel storage complexes, fuel distribution systems, support facilities, and associated structures, features, and elements. The noted services may also be performed on non-military POL fueling systems.

The Architect Engineer (A-E) Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) Multiple-Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) will target eight (8) IDCs with a target of five (5) being small businesses and three (3) being unrestricted to be negotiated and awarded, with a seven-year ordering period (5-year base period and a 2-year option period) and $98,000,000 in shared capacity. There will be a $2,500 minimum guarantee, and task order maximums will be limited to the amount of available remaining contract capacity. Work will be issued by negotiated firm-fixed-price task orders.

The contractor will furnish all services, materials, supplies, and supervision required to fully complete each task order. Task orders for military construction design services at or below the threshold indicated in DFARS 219.502-2 (currently $1,000,000) will be solicited to the small business firms within the MATOC pool using the ordering procedures listed below. Task orders for military construction design services above the threshold indicated in DFARS 219.502-2 (currently $1,000,000) will be solicited to entire MATOC pool using the ordering procedures listed below. The ordering procedures for design services will consider the following factors in deciding which contractor will be selected to negotiate an order: performance and quality of deliverables under the current contract, current capacity to accomplish the order in the required time, professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services, uniquely specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, and equitable distribution of work among the contractors. The Government also reserves the right to ask for updated SF 330s at a later date or at the task order level.

Project locations are worldwide but will be concentrated in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and its territories. Future OCONUS performance locations may include, but are not limited to, the Far East, the Middle East, and Europe.

North American Industrial Classification System code is 541330, which has a size standard of $16,500,000 in annual average gross receipts over the past three years. This announcement is open to both Small and Unrestricted service providers. Both Small and Unrestricted Offerors will be evaluated on the extent of participation of small business community (SBC) members in the performance of the acquisition.

The Subcontracting Plan is NOT required with this submittal. If a large business is selected for this contract, it must comply with FAR 52.219-9 regarding the requirement for a subcontracting plan on that part of the work it intends to subcontract. The subcontracting plan is not required with this submittal. The following informational subcontracting goals are to be considered: Award approximately 10% of the total subcontracting dollars to all Small Business concerns. The subcontracting plan is not required with this submittal but will be required with the fee proposal of the firm selected for negotiations. Selected and successful firm(s) will be required to comply with the subcontracting limitations as set forth by the FAR Clause 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING, wherein stated in pertinent part, "Services (except construction). The wages and benefits of service employees (see FAR 22.10) performing under these contracts must be at least equal to those determined by the Department of Labor under the Service Contract Act. Service wage rates will be determined relative to the employee's office location rather than the location of work.

Additionally, in accordance with FAR Part 22.1303, all firms must complete their VETS-4212 report. Information can be found at the Department of Labor website https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/vets4212 or call the service center at 1-866-237-0275; you will be asked to provide your company name, employer identification number (EIN), and DUNs number.

To be eligible for contract award, the Contractor must register in the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration is free and Contractors can access the site at http://www.sam.gov. Ensure representations and certifications in SAM are current.

2. PROJECT INFORMATION: The A-E selected would be required to have sufficient staff, flexibility, and capability to be available on an as-needed basis. Design and/or construction support services for specific facilities or projects to be assigned by Task Orders on the IDCs established as a result of this solicitation. All services provided and products developed will be in accordance with applicable standards and regulations (e.g., Unified Facility Criteria, USACE Engineering Regulations and Manuals, American Petroleum Institute, Steel Tank Institute, National Fire Protection Association, Department of Defense Fuel Standards Designs). The projects will include site investigations and inspections, project planning development, preparation of plans, specifications, analysis, cost estimate reports, concept design and final design for Design-Build (DB) or Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects, fuel removal, cleaning of fueling systems, pipeline and fueling system inspections and construction phase services for fuel systems and support facilities for federal agencies within the Department of Defense and Department of Defense (DOD) worldwide, including Reserves and National Guard installations. May also include projects for other federal agencies outside of the Department of Defense. CONUS and OCONUS projects will consist primarily of design (and programming) for new, additions to, and upgrade/repairs of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) facilities including (but not limited to): above ground storage tanks; hydrant fuel distribution systems including pumps, valves, hydrant and filter separators, bulk storage systems, transfer pump houses, transfer/issue/receipt pipelines and controls; and buildings including pump houses, petroleum operations buildings, fuel truck maintenance buildings, generator buildings and all appurtenances associated with Fueling Facilities.

The Government requires that firms use construction cost estimating for all design projects using the Micro-Computer Aided Cost Estimating System 2nd Generation, MII software. The Government requires that contractors develop and edit all specifications are using the SpecsIntact automated specification processing system. Firms should demonstrate experience with using and writing project specifications in the SpecsIntact processing system.

The A-E shall use advanced modeling practices in conjunction with an integrated design approach to complete the project design. Advanced modeling is a subset of geospatial technologies as defined EM-1110-1-2909 GEOSPATIAL DATA AND SYSTEMS to include Building Information Modeling (BIM), Civil Information Modeling (CIM), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD). Required technologies, design deliverable and bid set (electronic and hardcopy) format and requirements will be further described in each task order.

The A-E shall document their advanced modeling approach in an Advanced Modeling Project Execution Plan (PxP), submitted to the government for approval. Each PxP shall document advanced modeling practices, roles, and responsibilities for each project, as well as reiterate the technologies, formats, modeling standards, quality control procedures, and deliverable requirements dictated by each task order.

The A-E shall have a robust knowledge of advanced modeling strategies, standards, and practices and shall be capable of delivering designs using a variety of tools and technologies to meet each set of task order deliverable requirements.

Sustainable design shall be accomplished using an integrated design approach and emphasizing environmental stewardship; energy and water conservation and efficiency; use of alternative energy, use of recovered and recycled materials; waste reduction; reduction or elimination of toxic and harmful substances in facilities construction and operation; efficiency in resource and materials utilization; development of health, safe and productive work environments. The Government requires the integration of Federal and agency energy and sustainability mandates on all building facilities. Design and documentation shall utilize United States Green Building Council (USBGC), Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design A-E evaluation, Green Building Certification Institute, and Green Globes web-based certification methodology. Building envelope design will require knowledge with tested air barrier construction. The Government may require the A-E to perform and/or evaluate sustainability and energy audits.

Programming and Planning services include, but are not limited to, facility master planning, public works real property master planning, facility allowance analysis, requirements documents, MILCON DD Form 1391 development and other programming level analysis.

Construction phase support services may include, but are not be limited to, participation in on-site partnering/preconstruction meetings; review of construction contractor's submittals for government approval and for information only; review of contractor's request for information; participation in site visits and development of inspection reports at critical points of construction; participation in start-up, commissioning and performance verification of systems; attending warranty inspections; participation in lessons-learned sessions; preparation of operations and maintenance support information manuals.

Inspections and assessments include, but are not be limited to, inspections of cut-and-cover tanks, above and below ground fuel storage tank, piping and pumps, pressure vessels, hydrant systems, POL laboratories, and associated structures and infrastructure in support of POL and fueling system facilities. Inspections assess current condition; identify current and potential deficiencies; maintenance or repair issues; impacts and/or contingency options for demolition/removal of existing tanks, pumps, fueling pipe and systems; provide recommendations and associated cost estimates.

The Government also requires integration of current Antiterrorism and Force Protection (AT/FP) measures on all military projects.

The Government requires the A-E to use the DR Checks design review and checking system.

3. SELECTION CRITERIA: Listed below in descending order of importance are the selection criteria. Criteria “a” through “e” are primary. Criteria “f” and “g” are secondary and the Government will use those criteria as a “tie-breaker” among firms that are technically equal.

a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence

b. Professional Qualifications

c. Past Performance

d. Capacity

e. SB/SDB Participation [NOTE: this is an additional secondary selection criterion applicable only to the unrestricted announcement.]

f. Geographic Proximity

g. Volume of DOD Contract Awards

PRIMARY CRITERIA:

a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence. Firms should include in their submittal only relatable experience on completed construction projects or completed designs from the last five years. The Government will use the following guidelines to differentiate between completion date categories.

· The design should be complete within the past 5 years for completed design projects where construction has not started or construction is not yet 90% complete,

· The construction should be initiated within the past 5 years for completed design projects where construction is beyond 90% complete. Here, a design could be outside the 5-year window.

· Services that do not directly result in a construction project (master planning, studies, analysis, etc.) should be completed within the past 5 years.

All projects cited shall identify design start/complete dates as well as the project size (cost and scope). (SF 330, Part I, Section F) Submittals shall demonstrate the range and diversity of specialized experience and technical competence to execute the types of projects and activities as indicated above in paragraph 2, PROJECT INFORMATION, and in the bullet items below.

· Experience in site investigations, project planning development, preparation of plans, specifications, analysis, cost estimate reports, concept design and final design for DB or DBB projects, and construction phase services for fuel systems and support facilities. Experience performing these services for federal agencies within the Department of Defense and DOD worldwide, including Reserves and National Guard installations will be evaluated more favorably than for having performed these services for other non-DOD federal agencies or commercial interests;

· Experience with projects that consist primarily of design (and programming) for new, additions to, and upgrade of POL facilities including (but not limited to): above ground storage tanks; hydrant fuel distribution systems including pumps, valves, hydrant and filter separators, bulk storage systems, transfer pump houses, and controls; and buildings including pump houses, petroleum operations buildings, fuel truck maintenance buildings, generator buildings and all appurtenances associated with Fueling Facilities.

· Experience designing the projects in the prior bullet in both CONUS and OCONUS locations (Strength);

· Experience with preparing cost estimates using Micro-Computer Aided Cost Estimating System 2nd Generation (MII) software;

· Experience with preparing specifications using SpecsIntact software and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS);

· Experience in design of MILCON fueling systems projects (Strength);

· Experience in the design of infrastructure for POL facility-related site utilities, site planning, aircraft parking aprons, fuel pits, off-load facilities, fill stands, and associated infrastructure;

· Experience in the design of specialized facility-related special designs including cathodic protection, fire protection, fuel storage tank inspection, underground storage tank removal/replacement, and special coatings and paints;

· Experience in the design of NATO cut-and-cover tanks (Strength);

· Experience in the inspection of fueling systems to identify and validate deficiencies, propose corrective actions, develop SOW and cost estimates;

· Experience preparing design-build request for proposals (RFP's);

· Experience in compliance with State and Federal environmental laws and regulations;

· Experience with USACE design guidance, including Department of Defense Fuels Standards, Unified Facility Criteria documents, Engineering Technical Letters (ETLs), NATO, and other military design criteria documents;

· Experience with implementation of Department of Defense AT/FP design criteria and construction standards;

· Experience providing construction phase services;

· Experience applying Advanced Modeling practices in conjunction with an integrated design approach to include BIM, CIM, GIS, CAD, and Facility Data;

· Provide certifications and ability to complete multiple API 653 (AST), API 570 (piping), API 510 (pressure vessel), Steel Tank Institute (STI) SP001, NDE/T techniques, NACE coatings, and Certified Welding Inspection (CWI) inspections.

b. Professional Qualifications. Firms shall demonstrate professional personnel qualifications and specialized experience in the design of military and federal facilities for key design disciplines. Key disciplines that are required to be performed by registered and licensed professionals are: project management, facility planning, architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, building commissioning, structural, Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP), civil, communications engineering, cost estimating, geotechnical, and land surveyor. Evaluation of these disciplines will consider education, training, certifications, relevant experience, and longevity with the firm. The A-E should identify any past design and/or planning experience on USACE military projects. (SF 330, Part I, Sections E & G). The Government will not review resumes submitted for roles not identified herein.

Provide resumes for two (2) project managers (team leaders) for task orders, both registered as a Professional Engineers or Architects.

Provide resumes for two (2) designers in each of the following fields, registered as a Professional Engineer in the relevant field: civil, structural (independent of civil), mechanical, and electrical engineering.

Provide a resume for one (1) registered architect.

Provide a resume for one (1) foundation/geotechnical engineer, registered in the U.S. as a professional engineer.

Provide a resume for one (1) certified cost engineer. The Government accepts the following certifications:

PCEA (Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst) CCP (Certified Cost Professional) CPE (Certified Professional Estimator) CCE/A (Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst)

c. Past Performance. Past performance on DoD and other contracts with respect to the quality of work, cost control (maintaining the project construction cost below the programmed amount), and compliance with performance schedules, as determined by CPARS and other sources. (Note: The firm may use Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) to provide or supplement past performance with other than U.S. Governmental clients. Firms which choose to use the PPQ may obtain a PPQ standard form by submitting a request to the below referenced POC via email). Past performance submittals should match projects submitted for Paragraph a. Specialized Experience and Technical Competence.

d. Capacity. Capacity is the ability to complete task orders within a reasonably aggressive schedule. Firms shall demonstrate the capacity to accomplish at least four (4) $300,000 simultaneous individual task orders, or two (2) $750,000 simultaneous individual task orders. The evaluation will consider the availability of an adequate number of personnel in key disciplines to complete the task orders and offeror’s project execution strategy. The evaluation will consider the key persons identified in Sections D, E, and G of the SF330, as well as other available staff and information provided in Section H and Part II.

A proposed Management Plan shall be presented that includes an organization chart (reference SF330, Part I, Section D) and addresses team organization (reference SF330, Part I, Section C), any anticipated sub-contractors or entities to supplement the design team, quality control procedures, cost control, coordination of in-house disciplines and consultants required to meet work capacity. The SF 330 shall clearly indicate the primary office where the work is performed and the staffing at that office. (SF 330, Part I, Section H, Item 2).

SECONDARY CRITERIA:

e. SB/SDB Participation. The Government will evaluate Both Small Business and Unrestricted Offerors on the extent of participation of small business community (SBC) members in the performance of the acquisition. Offerors shall propose their best efforts when projecting the level of participation of Small Businesses (as a Small Business prime and/or Small Business subcontractors) for the anticipated performance of this contract. Large Business primes may achieve the Small Business participation through subcontracting to Small Business. Subcontracting Plans will be required from the Large Business primes during the negotiations of the IDC. Small Business primes may achieve Small Business participation through their own performance/participation as a prime and through subcontracting to other Small Businesses. The Small Business Participation goal will be at least 20% of the total contract value. (SF 330, Part I, Section H, Item 4).

f. Geographic Proximity. Submittals should address offerors geographic locations and their capability to address project work throughout the various CONUS and OCONUS locations (SF 330, Part I, Section H).

g. Volume of DoD Contract Awards. Volume of DoD A-E contract awards in the last 12 months, with the objective of effecting an equitable distribution of DoD A-E contracts among qualified firms, including SB and SDB (SF 330, Part I, Section H).

4. ANNOUNCEMENT - RATINGS AND DEFINITIONS:

The following ratings will be used to evaluate documentation submitted by offerors (note that documentation submitted for evaluation in response to this announcement may be referred to throughout this announcement as an “offer”, “proposal”, or “response” - all of which are representative of the SF330 information being requested by this announcement):

Exceptional - The offer exceeds the scope of the announcement requirements in the majority of the aspects of the particular factor. Strengths are present indicating maximum benefit to the government and no weaknesses, significant weaknesses or deficiencies are indicated.

Above Average - The offer exceeds the scope of the announcement requirements in many aspects of the particular factor. Strengths are present Indicating significant benefit to the government. The proposal may have weaknesses that have no impact on the proposal as a whole and do not require correction.

Average - The offer matches the scope of the announcement requirements of the particular factor. There may be strengths, but they may not aggregate into an advantage Indicating additional benefit to the Government, or they may be offset by weaknesses. Any weaknesses noted have only a minor impact on the proposal and are easily correctable.

Marginal - The offer matches some, but not all, of the announcement requirements of the particular factor. There may be limited or individual strengths, but they do not aggregate into an advantage and are offset by weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies. Weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies are correctable without major revision to the proposal. The Government may still receive benefit from the offer submitted.

Unacceptable - The offer fails to meet a majority of announcement requirements or has omitted critical information required to evaluate the factor. There are no strengths. The offer contains multiple weaknesses, significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies, which are all correctable only with major revision to the proposal. A proposal that receives a final rating of “Unacceptable” for any factor may not be considered for award.

Neutral - In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated either favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

Definitions:

Strength - Any aspect of a proposal that, when judged against a stated evaluation factor, enhances the merit of the proposal, or increases the probability of successful performance of the contract.

Weakness - A flaw in the proposal that Increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. A “significant weakness” in the proposal is a flaw that appreciably Increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

Deficiency - A material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level.

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested firms having the capabilities to perform this work must submit a copy of their SF 330 Part I and Part II for the prime firm and all consultants/subcontractors through electronic mail, to the following US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District Contracting Personnel: John Hickman; john.d.hickman@usace.army.mil and Ericka Collins; ericka.t.collins@usace.army.mil not later than 2:00pm Central time on XXXXXX 2021. PLEASE SEND SUBMITTAL PACKAGES AS A SINGLE PDF FILE. Submittal must clearly identify the announcement number. Regulation requires that the Selection Board not consider any submittals received after the specified time and date. The Government will follow late proposal rules in FAR 15.208 for submittals received after 2:00 pm Central time on the closing date specified in this announcement. The SF 330, 08/2016 edition, must be used, and may be obtained from the following web site: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486. Include DUNS number and CAGE code in SF330 Part I, Section B, Block 5. Additionally, SF 330 Part I, Section C, Block 9, should identify the DUNS number and CAGE code for EACH TEAM MEMBER. The submittal shall have a page limit of 100 pages. A page is one side of a sheet. Blank sheets/Tabs separating the sections within the SF 330 will not count against the maximum page count. All fonts shall be at least 10 pitch or larger. Pages shall be 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches. The firm may present organizational charts on a sheet up to 11 inches by 17 inches. The PDF file submitted shall include bookmarks for each section and project required by the announcement. A Part II is required for each branch office of the prime firm and any consultants/subcontractors that will have a key role in the proposed contract (i.e. a Part II is required for all entities identified in SF 330 Part I, Section C of the submittal). Part II of the SF 330 and Past Performance Submittals will not count towards the 100-page limit; however, cover letters, company literature and extraneous materials are not desired. Sections E and G of SF 330 Part I must include only individuals proposed to perform the anticipated work, including all consultants/subcontractors. In SF 330 Part I, Section G, Block 26, along with the name, include the firm with which the person is associated. The Government will review a maximum of ten (10) projects including the prime and consultants/subcontractors for SF 330 Part I, Section F. Use no more than two pages per project. When listing projects in SF 330 Part 1, Section F, an Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) with multiple Task Orders as examples is not a project. A task order executed under an IDC contract is a project. SF 330, Part I, Section H (Additional Information) shall contain the following information:

(1) Item 1 - Capacity. Reference Paragraph 3.d. above. Provide a 1-2-page narrative discussing the capacity of the design firm to meet schedules, including adequacy of qualified personnel available and past experience in meeting tight design schedules.

(2) Item 2 – Management Plan – Include the information requested in Paragraph 3.d. above.

(3) Item 3 - Volume of DoD Contract Awards – Reference Paragraph 3.h. above. Provide a complete listing of all DoD A-E awards within the last 12 months. For IDCs, include total value of task orders issued by agencies in the last 12 months, not the potential value of the IDCs. For all types of contracts, do not include for consideration options not exercised.

Joint ventures shall submit identification of the party who can legally bind the joint venture. Solicitation packages are not provided and no additional project information will be given to firms during the announcement period. This is not a request for proposal.

ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA THE BIDDER INQUIRY PORTAL in ProjNet at http://www.projnet.org/projnet. Firms should submit questions no later than Close of Business XX XXX 2021 to allow time for a response. The Government will close the portal on this date and time. The Government will not accept any other means of communication for questions (i.e. e-mail, fax, or telephone). To submit and review inquiry items, prospective vendors will need to use the Bidder Inquiry Key presented below and follow the instructions listed below. A prospective vendor who submits a comment/question will receive an acknowledgement of their comment/question via email, the Government will follow with an answer to the comment/question after the team processes the inquiry. The Government will use ProjNet to process all timely questions and approved answers. To submit and review inquiries, firms will need to be current registered users of the ProjNet system.

Registration for ProjNet Bidder Inquiry Access (Firms who are already registered in ProjNet should go to Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System below.)

1. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

2. Identify the Agency. Mark as USACE.

3. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below.

4. Email. Enter the email address you would like to use for communication.

5. Click Continue. A page will then open saying that a user account is not found and will ask you to create one using the provided form.

6. Enter your First Name, Last Name, Company, City, State, Phone, Email, Secret Question, Secret Answer, and Time Zone. Make sure to remember your Secret Question and Answer as you will need to use them from this point on to access the ProjNet system.

7. Click Add User. Once completed, you are registered within ProjNet and logged into the system.

Entering Bidder Inquiries in ProjNet Bidder Inquiry System

1. For future access to ProjNet, the system will not email you will any type of password. You will utilize your Secret Question and Secret Answer to log in.

2. From the ProjNet home page link above, click on Quick Add on the upper right side of the screen.

3. Identify the Agency. Mark as USACE.

4. Key. Enter the Bidder Inquiry Key listed below.

5. Email. Enter the email address you used to register previously in ProjNet.

6. Click Continue. A page will then open asking you to enter the answer to your Secret Question.

7. Enter your Secret Answer and click Login. Once this is complete you are logged into the system.

8. Follow online screen instructions to enter specific bidder inquiries for the project.

The Solicitation Number is: W9128F-21-R-0082 The Bidder Inquiry Key is: 9D7R8Z-857QXG

The Government requests firms review the Bidder Inquiry Portal for previous questions and responses, prior to submission of a new inquiry in the Portal. Caution: Any inquiry submitted and answered within this system will be accessible to view by all interested firms on this solicitation. The call center for the ProjNet operates weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM U.S. Central Time Zone. The telephone number is 1-800-428-HELP.

FILE DESCRIPTION: Include a “File Description” for each file(s) you upload as described previously. The system will include each recipient and they will receive the “File Description” in the email notice to each of the recipients you choose to have access your file(s). NOTE: Do NOT enter Privacy Act Data (Personal Identification Information (PII)) in the File Description.) Submission shall be in Adobe PDF format.

The Government will not be responsible for submissions delivered to any location or to anyone other than those designated Government personnel identified to receive proposals. Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their submitted proposals reach the designated recipient. Offerors are also responsible for allowing sufficient time for receipt of their proposal in accordance with the instructions provided.