Request_for_Proposal_-_Evaluation_of_Capacity_Programs.docx

RFP AG-32SB-S-16-769069

Evaluation of Capacity Programs

1.1 Brief Description of Services

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has a need to demonstrate evidence-based value of NIFAs grant portfolio to stakeholders at large.

1.2 Type of Order

This is a firm-fixed price contract

1.3 Nonseverable Services

The services acquired under this contract are non-severable services. Services will be fully funded and available at the time the contract is awarded, since the work represents a bona fide need of the current period.

1.4 Consideration and Payment

The total fixed price of this order is $ Will be Completed Upon Award. Payment shall be made upon the delivery and acceptance of all required items listed in Section 2.

Section 2: Description/Specifications

2.1 Statement of Work

The Contractor shall provide a proposal and ensure that it meets all of the criteria’s listed in the attached Statement of Work.

Section 3: Packaging and Marking

N/A

Section 4: Inspection and Acceptance

Pursuant to 52.212-4, all work described in Section 2, to be delivered under this contract is subject to final inspection and acceptance by an authorized representative of the Government. The authorized representative of the Government is the Government’s COR, who is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all services, materials, or supplies to be provided by the Contractor.

Section 5: Deliveries or Performance

5.1 Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be for two-days as defined below:

Period of Performance

November 30, 2015 through July 31, 2016

DELIVERABLE TASKS

The contract shall require three deliverables to the NIFA Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

1. A plan/schedule to address scope of activities within 10 calendar days of award.

2. A draft report no later than 30 days prior to the end of the contract. It should include draft key findings written for a non-technical audience.

3. A final report with an executive summary that integrates, summarizes and interprets key findings. The report should be written for a non-technical audience and relate the narrative discussion to descriptive statistics, analyses, graphs, maps and tables (as appropriate). Technical details, data tables, and details regarding methodology should be included in appendices. A printed copy of the final report suitable for reproduction and an electronic copy must be submitted upon completion of the project (in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF file formats).

These should be accompanied by a Microsoft Excel workbook or Access database of all relevant data compiled during the study. The contractor will provide metadata (field name, description, definition, source, source date, and equation if completed) for all raw and computed quantitative data. Qualitative software findings (if used) should also be included at the end of the contract. NIFA COR will provide the selected contractor with formatting guidance for all reports.

The final report should have three parts: (1) executive summary; (2) key findings; and (3) recommendations to NIFA senior leadership. The total report (not including appendices) should be no more than thirty (30) pages.

Final report should be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the end of the contract.

Section 6: Contract Administration Data

6.1 Authorities of Government Personnel

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve any changes in the scope of work of this contract. The authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor effects any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the changes will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment to the contract price will be made to cover any increase incurred as a result thereof.

Phone: TBD

Sabrina.Brown@ars.usda.gov

Office of Extramural Programs 800 9th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20024 Phone - 202-690-1297

4. Contractor’s Point of Contact (CPOC)-TBD Name and Title:

Address:.

Telephone Number:

Fax Number:

Email Address:

Note: The Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to modify the contract.

6.2 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Authority

(a) Performance of work under this contract must be subject to the technical direction of the Contracting Officer’s Representative identified above, or a representative designated in writing. The term “technical direction” includes, without limitation, direction to the contractor that directs or redirects the labor effort, shifts the work between work areas or locations, fills in details an otherwise serves to ensure that tasks outlined in the work statement are accomplished satisfactorily.

(b) Technical direction must be within the scope of the specifications/work statement.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative does not have authority to issue technical direction that:

(1) Constitutes a change of assignment or additional work outside the specifications/statement of work;

(2) Constitutes a change as defined in the clause entitled “Changes”;

(3) In any manner causes an increase or decrease in the contract price, or the time required for contract performance;

(4) Changes any of the terms, conditions, or specifications/work statement of the contract;

(5) Interferes with the contractor’s right to perform under the terms and conditions of the contract; or

(6) Directs, supervises or otherwise controls the actions of the contractor’s employees.

(c) Technical direction may be oral or in writing. The Contracting Officer’s Representative shall confirm oral direction in writing within five work days, with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

(d) The contractor shall proceed promptly with performance resulting from the technical direction issued by the Contracting Officers, Representative. If, in the opinion of the contractor, any direction of the Contracting Officers, Representative, or his/her designee, falls within the limitations in (b), above, the contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer no later than the beginning of the next Government work day.

(e) Failure of the contractor and the Contracting Officer to agree that technical direction is within the scope of the contract shall be subject to the terms of the clause entitled “Disputes.”

6.3 Invoice Submission

In accordance with FAR 52.212-4(g)(1), the Contractor shall submit an original invoice through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) to the Government’s Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative identified in Section D.3. Invoices shall be submitted as tasks are completed no more than monthly. Invoices shall contain at a minimum, the following information:

NOTE: Invoices that do not contain all proper information described above will be returned to the Contractor for correction, which will require re-dating and resubmission for payment. Invoice(s) shall be submitted. Partial shipments are NOT authorized.

Section 7: Special Contract Requirements

7.1 METHODOLOGY

The successful applicant shall develop a complete methodology to conduct the analysis specified in the scope of work to analyze the performance of NIFA capacity investments. It should include specification of the analytical framework, research methods, and statistical techniques to be used for the proposed analysis, including Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance, if appropriate. Proposals should discuss the relative merits of various approaches, and outline the advantages and limitations of the selected approach.

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

The contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://www.arnet.gov/far

Section 8: Contract Clauses

52.202-1 Definitions (NOV 2013)

52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (MAY 2014) 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (MAY 2014) 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (APR 2014) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items-(MAY 2015) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items. (OCT 2015)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (DEC 2014)

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996)(31 U.S.C.)

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (Contracting Officer check as appropriate.)

52.203-15 - Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) 52.203-16 - Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest (DEC 2011) 52.203-17 – Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (APR 2014) 52.204-4 – Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (MAY 2011) 52.204-6 – Data Universal Numbering System Number (JUL 2013) 52.204-9 – Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011) 52.204-10 – Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (OCT 2015) 52.204-12 - Data Universal Numbering System Number Maintenance (DEC 2012) 52.204-13 – System for Award Management Maintenance (JUL 2013) 52.204-14 – Service Contract Reporting Requirements (JAN 2014) 52.204-15 – Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (JAN 2014) 52.204-16 – Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (JUL 2015) 52.204-17 – Ownership or Control of Offeror (NOV 2014) 52.204-18 – Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (JUL 2015) 52.204-19 – Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (DEC 2014) 52.209-2 – Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation (NOV 2015) 52.209-6 – Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (OCT 2015) 52.209-7 – Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013) 52.209-9 – Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013) 52.209-10 – Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015) 52.212-2 – Evaluation-Commercial Items (OCT 2014) 52.212-3 – Offerors Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (NOV 2015)

(ii) Alternate I (NOV 2015) of 52.212-3 52.212-4 – Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (MAY 2015)

(ii) Alternate I (MAY 2015) of 52.212-4 52.212-5 – Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes for Executive Orders-Commercial Items. (NOV 2015) 52.216-23 – Execution and Commencement of Work (APR 1984) 52.216-24 – Limitation of Government Liability (APR 1984) 52.216-25 – Contract Definitization (OCT 2010) 52.219-3 – Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole Source Award (NOV 2011)

(ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011) of 52.219-3 52.219-4 – Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014)

(ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4 [X] 52.219-6 – Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011)

(ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011

(iii) Alternate II (NOV 2011) 52.219-9 – Small Business Subcontracting Plan (OCT 2015)

(ii) Alternate I (OCT 2001) of 52.219-9

(iii) Alternate II (OCT 2001) of 52.219-9

(iv) Alternate III (OCT 2015) of 52.219-9 52.219-27 – Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set Aside (NOV 2011) 52.219-28 – Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (JUL 2013) 52.219-29 – Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (JUL 2013) 52.219-30 – Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (JUL 2013) 52.222-17 – Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (MAY 2014) 52.222-18 – Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products (FEB 2011) 52.222-19 – Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JAN 2014) 52.222-40 – Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) 52.222-55 – Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors (DEC 2014) 52.222-56 – Certification Regarding Trafficking in Person Compliance Plan (MAR 2015) 52.223-1 – Biobased Product Certification (MAY 2012) 52.223-2 – Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts (SEP 2013) 52.223-4 – Recovered Material Certification (MAY 2008) 52.223-9 – Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA Designated Products (MAY 2008)

(ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008 of 52.223-9 52.223-13 – Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) 52.223-14 – Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Televisions (JUN 2014) 52.223-15 – Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) 52.223-16 – Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Personal Computer Products (JUN 2014)

(ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-16 [X] 52.223-18 – Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) 52.225-1 – Buy American Supplies (MAY 2014) 52.225-3 – Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (MAY 2014) 52.225-5 – Trade Agreements (NOV 2013) 52.225-7 – Waiver of Buy American Statute for Civil Aircraft and Related Articles (MAY 2014) 52.225-8 – Duty-Free Entry (OCT 2010) [X] 52.225-13 – Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) 52.225-14 – Inconsistency Between English Version and Translation of Contract (FEB 2000) 52.225-17 – Evaluation Foreign Currency Offers (FEB 2000) 52.225-18 – Place of Manufacture (MAR 2015) 52.225-19 – Contractor Personnel in Designated Operational Area or Supporting a Diplomatic or Consular Mission Outside the United Stated (MAR 2008) 52.225-20 – Prohibition on Conducting Restricted Business Operations in Sudan – Certification (AUG 2009) 52.225-25 – Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications (OCT 2015) 52.225-26 – Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (JUL 2013) 52.226-3 – Disaster or Emergency Area Representation (NOV 2007) 52.226-4 – Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (NOV 2007) 52.226-5 – Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (NOV 2007) 52.226-6 – Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (MAY 2014) 52.232-29 – Terms for Financing of Purchase of Commercial Items (FEB 2002) 52.232-30 – Installment Payments for Commercial Items (OCT 1995) [X] 52.232-33 – Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (JUL 2013) 52.232-34 – Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management (JUL 2013) 52.232-35 – Designation of Office for Government Receipt of Electronic Funds Transfer Information (JUL 2013) 52.232-36 – Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) 52.232-37 – Multiple Payment Arrangements (MAY 1999) 52.232-38 – Submission of Electronic Funds Transfer Information with Offer (JUL 2013) 52.232-40 – Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (DEC 2013) 52.233-4 – Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) 52.234-2 – Notice of Earned Value Management System Pre-Award IBR (JUL 2006) 52.234-3 – Notice of Earned Value Management System Post-Award IBR (JUL 2006) 52.234-4 – Earned Value Management System (MAY 2014) 52.237-11 – Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008) 52.239-1 – Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) 52.250-2 – Safety Act Coverage Not Applicable (FEB 2009) 52.250-3 - Safety Act Block Designation/Certification (FEB 2009)

(ii) Alternate I (FEB 2009) for 52.250-3

(iii) Alternate II (FEB 2009) for 52.250-3 52.250-4 – Safety Act Pre-qualification Designation Notice (FEB 2009)

(ii) Alternate I (FEB 2009) for 52.250-4

(iii) Alternate II (FEB 2009) for 52.250-4 52.250-5 – Safety Act-Equitable Adjustment (FEB 2009

Section 9: List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments

9.1 Statement of Work

Section 10: Instruction, Conditions, and Notices to Bidders

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items. (OCT 2015) 52.204-7 System for Award Management. (JUL 2013) 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these addresses: http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm and http://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policiesregulations/ hhsar/tocindetail/index.html (End of provision)

SECTION 11: Evaluation Factors For Award

The US Government does not anticipate requesting revisions to quotes, so respondents should provide their best solution and price in its response to the RFQ. However, the US Government reserves the right to request quote revisions that seek additional price discounts, provide revisions to the quote, or clarify aspects of the quote. In the event quote revisions are requested, the US Government will not necessarily be seeking revisions from all respondents. The US Government will not be conducting “discussions” as defined in FAR Part 15.

11.2 Evaluation Factors

Factor 1 - Understanding of the Issue: Clear articulation of the issues and challenges (25 points)

Factor 2 - Technical Approach: Complete, clearly articulated, logical study design and technically competent methodology (40 points)

Factor 3 - Management Plan: Credible management proposal for staffing and completing the project in a timely fashion (15 points)

Factor 4 - Personnel: Qualifications, relevant prior experience in performance measurement and evaluation; demonstrated knowledge of existing research, policies, and practice regarding the questions and issues outlined in the RFP (20 points)

Section 12: Proposal Instructions to Offerors

12.1 Proposal Submission Instructions To Offerrors

Quotes shall be submitted in two (2) separate parts entitled “Technical Proposal” and “Price Proposal”. The total number of pages for the technical proposal shall not exceed 30. This does not include charts, graphs, designs resumes, the mockup/websites or past performance which can be included as Appendices. No faxed proposals will be accepted. All proposals shall be submitted electronically, via email to Sabrina.Brown@ars.usda.gov, NLT November 18 2015, at 12 Noon EDT to Sabrina Brown. Questions shall be submitted by email to Sabrina.Brown@ars.usda.gov no later than 9am EDT, November 12, 2015.

12.2 Technical Proposal Instruction

The Government intends to issue an award of a Firm Fixed Price contract as a result of this Request for Proposal (RFP). Offerors must clearly identify in full detail any and all technical proposal assumptions and exceptions in a technical information cover sheet (to include the reference page, paragraph description/header, etc. where the applicable assumption/exceptions are being taken in the proposal).

· Methodology: Provide a brief abstract of the proposal by summarizing the background, goals and objectives, proposed methodology, and expected output and results of the research study. The technical proposal should focus on an understanding of the project and a detailed approach to addressing the scope of work. Outline the step-by-step approach that shall be taken to achieve the project’s goals and arrive at research findings and conclusions. Describe how these methods will accomplish the desired results outlined in the RFP. The proposal should also identify any difficulties that may be encountered in executing this project, and propose practical and sound solutions to these problems.

· Project Work Plan and Milestones: The proposal should briefly describe several phases into which the proposed work can logically be divided and performed. A schedule of milestones and deadlines should be specified for the completion of the various project elements, including review of data, information collection, surveys, analyses, preliminary review draft, and final report.

· Data Requirements: NIFA will provide a file containing relevant data on capacity projects from FY2010 through FY 2014. The proposal should identify additional information needs according to sources, procedures, and individual tasks of the research that may need to be supplied by NIFA. The proposal should identify the points and tasks in this research project that will require participation by NIFA staff.

· Management Plan: The proposal must provide a brief narrative description of the organization that will perform the proposed work effort, and the authority responsible for controlling resources and personnel. This should also include staff distribution to accomplish this work, including an organization chart that clearly presents the relationships of key proposed staff to manage/direct the project, lead key tasks, etc. The staffing plan should also present a chart that partitions the time commitment of each professional staff member to the project’s tasks and schedule. The proposal should clearly identify the relationship of key project personnel to the contracting organization, including subcontractors and consultants.

· Personnel: Personnel performing the work must be described in this section in terms of numbers of people and their professional classification (e.g., project manager). Brief resumes detailing the education and relevant experience of the key personnel proposed for this project are required. The selected contractor will be required to furnish the services of those identified in the proposal as key personnel. Any change in key personnel is subject to approval by NIFA.

12.3 Cost Proposal

Each proposal submitted must contain all cost information, including direct labor costs consistent with the staffing plan, labor overhead costs, travel, estimated cost of any subcontracts, other direct costs (such as those for creating or maintaining databases), total costs, and overhead.

The contractor should include estimated expenses for at least two in-person meetings at NIFA offices in Washington, D.C. This should include a kick-off meeting to clarify and refine the schedule, scope, roles of the contractor and NIFA staff, and any issues/key challenges. Another in-person meeting is needed for presentation of study findings at a half-day meeting at the NIFA offices in Washington, D.C. This activity will be over and above routine conference calls, email communications, and/or meetings with NIFA staff during the course of the project.

The contract terms shall remain firm during the project and shall include all charges that may be incurred in fulfilling the terms of the contract.