Alaskan Satellite Space Segment Section L.pdf

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS i

Table of Contents

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 FAA ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CLAUSES

L.1.1 3.1-1 AMS Clauses and Provisions Incorporated by References (July 2019) L.1.2 AMS Clauses and Provision Incorporated in Full Text L.1.3 Questions, Concerns, and Clarification L.1.4 FAA Communications with Offerors

L.2 GENERAL ACQUISITION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

L.2.1 Compliance with Instructions L.2.2 Responsibility for Proposal Costs L.2.3 Time for Response to SIR Questions

L.3 SUBMISSION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.3.1 Proposal Submission L.3.2 Specific Volume Instructions L.3.3 Alternate Proposals

L.4 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

L.4.1 Proposal Format L.4.2 Notification L.4.3 Non-Government Personnel Participation

L.5 VOLUME DESCRIPTIONS

L.5.1 VOLUME I – TECHNICAL VOLUME (FACTOR 1)

L.5.2 VOLUME II – PAST PERFORMANCE (FACTOR 2)

L.5.3 VOLUME III - PRICE PROPOSAL (FACTOR 3)

L.5.4 VOLUME IV – MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTATION

L.6 SECTION L ATTACHMENT

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 1

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L.1 FAA ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CLAUSES

L.1.1 3.1-1 AMS Clauses and Provisions Incorporated by References (July 2019)

This screening information request (SIR) or contract, as applicable, incorporates by reference the provisions or clauses listed below with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Offerors and contractors must obtain the full text via Internet at:

https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm.

Clause Clause Title Number 3.2.2.3-1 False Statements in Offers (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-6 Submittals in the English Language (September 2020) 3.2.2.3-7 Submittals in U.S. Currency (September 2020) 3.2.2.3-9 Notice of Possible Standardization (July 2004) 3.2.2.3-12 Amendments to Screening Information Requests (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-13 Submission of Information/Documentation/Offers (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-14 Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Submittals (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-17 Preparing Offers (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-18 Prospective Offeror's Requests for Explanations ( April 2024) 3.2.2.3-19 Contract Award (July 2004) 3.2.2.3-31 Facilities Capital Cost of Money (July 2004) 3.2.2.3-72 Announcing Competing Offerors (July 2024) 3.6.2-7 Preaward On-Site Equal Opportunity Compliance Review (July 2023)

L.1.2 AMS Clauses and Provision Incorporated in Full Text

3.2.2.3-15 Authorized Negotiators (April 2024)

The Offeror states that the following persons are authorized to negotiate on the offeror’s behalf with the FAA in connection with this offer:

Name:_______________________ Title:_________________________ Phone number:_________________

3.2.2.3-16 Restricting, Disclosing and Using Data (April 2024)

If the offeror includes data in the offer that the offeror does not want to be disclosed to the public or for the FAA to use except for evaluation purposes-

(a) Mark the title page with the following legend: “This offer includes data that must not be (1) disclosed outside the FAA and (2) duplicated, used, or disclosed -in whole or in part- for any purpose other than to evaluate this offer.”

https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 2

(b) Contracts awarded as a result of this SIR are subject to the disclosure requirements specified in this SIR. This restriction does not limit the FAA’s right to use information from another source that may be contained in the offer.

(c) Use the following space to identify the pages containing the restricted data:

Numbers or other identification of pages:

(d) Mark each page the offeror wants to restrict with the following legend: “Using or disclosing data contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the title page of this offer.”

(End of provision)

3.2.2.3-20 Offers (January 2018)

(a) The offeror (you) must submit responses to this SIR by the following electronic means: e-mail. Your offer must arrive at the place and by the time specified in the SIR.

(b) Such offers must refer to this SIR and include, as applicable, the item or sub-items, quantities, unit prices, time and place of delivery, all representations and other information required and a statement specifying the extent of your agreement with all the FAA's (we) terms, conditions, and provisions.

(c) We may decline to consider offers that do not include required information, or that reject any of the terms, conditions and provisions of the SIR.

(d) Send your offer to Janice.c.bennett@faa.gov.

(e) We will not be responsible for any failure attributable to transmitting or receiving the offer, unless it falls under section (a) of AMS provision 3.2.2.3-14 "Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Submittals".

(End of provision)

3.2.4-1 Type of Contract (April 1996)

The FAA contemplates award of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract resulting from this Screening Information Request. Delivery Orders will be issued as Firm-Fixed Price (FFP); however, the FAA reserves the right to use other contract types, as appropriate.

(End of provision)

3.6.1-17 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (October 2022)

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is:

517410 Satellite Telecommunications

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 3

The small business size standard as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) is the following:

For NAICS codes based on SBA’s calculation of annual receipts, the annual average receipts cannot exceed N/A.

For NAICS codes based on the number of employees, the average number of employees over the last 24-month period cannot exceed N/A.

(End of provision)

3.9.1-3 Protest (April 2024)

AS A CONDITION OF SUBMITTING AN OFFER OR RESPONSE TO THIS SIR (OR

OTHER SOLICITATION, IF APPROPRIATE), THE OFFEROR OR POTENTIAL

OFFEROR AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS RELATING

TO PROTESTS:

(a) Protests concerning Federal Aviation Administration Screening Information Requests (SIRs) or awards of contracts shall be resolved through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dispute resolution system at the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA) and shall be governed by the procedures set forth in 14 C.F.R. Parts 14 and 17, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Judicial review, where available, will be in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 46110 and shall apply only to final agency decisions. A protestor may seek review of a final FAA decision only after its administrative remedies have been exhausted.

(b) Offerors initially should attempt to resolve any issues concerning potential protests with the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer should make reasonable efforts to answer questions promptly and completely, and, where possible, to resolve concerns or controversies.

The protest time limitations, however, will not be extended by attempts to resolve a potential protest with the Contracting Officer.

(c) The filing of a protest with the ODRA may be accomplished by mail, overnight delivery, hand delivery, or by facsimile or if permitted by order of the ODRA, by electronic filing. A protest is considered to be filed on the date it is received by the ODRA during normal business hours. The ODRA's normal business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

(d) Only an interested party may file a protest. An interested party is one whose direct economic interest has been or would be affected by the award or failure to award an FAA contract. Proposed subcontractors are not "interested parties" within this definition.

(e) A written protest must be filed with the ODRA within the times set forth below, or the protest shall be dismissed as untimely:

(1) Protests based upon alleged improprieties in a solicitation or a SIR that are apparent prior to bid opening or the time set for receipt of initial proposals shall be filed prior to bid opening or

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 4

the time set for the receipt of initial proposals.

(2) In procurements where proposals are requested, alleged improprieties that do not exist in the initial solicitation, but which are subsequently incorporated into the solicitation, must be protested not later than the next closing time for receipt of proposals following the incorporation.

(3) For protests other than those related to alleged solicitation improprieties, the protest must be filed on the later of the following two dates:

(i) Not later than seven (7) business days after the date the protester knew or should have known of the grounds for the protest; or

(ii) If the protester has requested a post-award debriefing from the FAA Product Team, not later than five (5) business days after the date on which the Product Team holds that debriefing.

(f) Protests shall be filed at:

(1) For filing by hand delivery, courier or other form of in-person delivery:

Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition

Federal Aviation Administration 600 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2W100 Washington, DC 20591; or

For filing by U.S. Mail:

Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20591 [Attention: AGC-70, Wilbur Wright Bldg. Room 2W100]; or Telephone: (202) 267-3290 Facsimile: (202) 267-3720 Alternate Facsimile: (202) 267-1293; or

(2) Other address as specified in 14 CFR Part 17.

(g) At the same time as filing the protest with the ODRA, the protester shall serve a copy of the protest on the Contracting Officer and any other official designated in the SIR for receipt of protests by means reasonably calculated to be received by the Contracting Officer on the same day as it is to be received by the ODRA. The protest shall include a signed statement from the protester, certifying to the ODRA the manner of service, date, and time when a copy of the protest was served on the Contracting Officer and other designated official(s).

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 5

(h) Additional information and guidance about the ODRA dispute resolution process for protests can be found on the ODRA Website at http://www.faa.gov.

(End of provision)

L.1.3 Questions, Concerns, and Clarification

The Contracting Officer is the sole point of contact for this acquisition. Offerors are instructed to submit all questions or concerns in writing via email to the Contracting Officer to Michael.e.tekle@faa.gov .

L.1.4 FAA Communications with Offerors

The FAA may communicate with Offerors orally or in writing during the evaluation and over the course of the source selection process. The FAA reserves the right to conduct communications with none, one, some, or all competing Offerors. Any information obtained during communications may be used, at the FAA’s sole discretion, to clarify, substantiate, or validate information provided in an Offeror’s proposal. Responses to communication requests may be treated the same as information submitted with the written proposals and information disclosed as a result of oral or written communication with an Offeror may be considered by the FAA in the evaluation of an Offeror’s proposal, at the FAA’s sole discretion.

Communications with one or more Offerors do not necessitate communications with other Offerors. The FAA is not required, however, to request any clarifications or accept any Offeror revisions. Content of the communications may vary among Offerors. The FAA is not obligated to advise Offerors of weaknesses, risks, or deficiencies identified in their proposals during the proposal review and evaluation process. Offerors must not assume that they will be contacted or afforded an opportunity to clarify, discuss, or revise their proposal. Therefore, it is critical that each proposal be fully responsive to the solicitation and its provisions. Offerors are instructed to submit proposals with their most favorable cost and non-cost terms.

Offerors must note the following:

• Communications with one Offeror do not require communications with any other

Offeror.

• The FAA communications may occur orally or in writing.

• The FAA reserves the right to conduct communications, discussions, and negotiations with one, some, all, or no Offerors.

• The FAA is not obligated to advise Offerors of weaknesses, risks, or deficiencies identified in their proposals.

• Content of the communications may vary among Offerors

• Any information provided in response to an FAA issued communication may be used in the evaluation of proposals.

mailto:Michael.e.tekle@faa.gov

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 6

L.2 GENERAL ACQUISITION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

Purpose

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeks proposals for a contract to provide all required services, supplies and equipment as specified in Section C (Statement of Work) of the SIR.

Type of Competition

This acquisition is a full and open competition conducted in accordance with the FAA’s Acquisition Management System (AMS).

Contract Type

The FAA intends to award of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract resulting from this Screening Information Request. Delivery Orders will be issued as Firm-Fixed Price (FFP); however, the FAA reserves the right to use other contract types, as appropriate.

Point of Contact

All submittals and inquiries regarding this SIR must be directed to:

o Name: Michael Tekle o Title: Contracting Officer o Email: Michael.e.tekle@faa.gov o Phone: 202-267-8377

L.2.1 Compliance with Instructions

Offerors must comply with all instructions when developing proposals. Failure to comply with the instructions may result in a determination that the Offeror’s proposal is non-compliant and may be excluded from further consideration. This determination will be made at the sole discretion of the FAA and may be made without prior communication with the Offeror. Proposals must conform to all incorporated AMS clauses and provisions and be prepared in accordance with this section L. To aid in the evaluations, proposals must be clearly and concisely written, as well as neat, indexed (cross-indexed, as appropriate), and logically assembled. All material submitted should be directly pertinent to the requirements of this SIR. Extraneous narratives such as elaborate brochures, and general corporate public relations material must not be submitted.

Offerors must adhere to all terms and conditions of this SIR. Any objection to any of the terms and conditions may constitute a deficiency, which may make the offer unacceptable. Any deviations and/or exceptions to any requirements listed in this SIR must be identified by the Offeror at the time of proposal submission and submitted in proposal Volume IV, as set forth in Section L.5.4. The FAA reserves the right to reject mailto:Michael.e.tekle@faa.gov

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 7

any request for any exceptions, deviations, or assumptions. The FAA reserves the right to deem a statement that contradicts a SIR requirement an exception or deviation, whether or not the Offeror identifies it as such, and to do so without communication with the Offeror. The FAA reserves the right to reject any exception taken to a term or condition of this SIR and to reject any proposal that includes such an exception. The FAA reserves the right to award this contract without any communications after evaluation of initial written submissions. The FAA also reserves the right to conduct Offeror-specific communications/discussions as needed, and to permit one or more Offerors to revise their proposals if the CO deems this appropriate and in the best interest of the FAA. The FAA reserves the right to reject any exception for any reason.

Proposals must include supporting rationale, substantiation of all claims, and factual information to facilitate the FAA’s evaluation. Proposals should be specific enough to provide the FAA evaluators with enough information to be able to judge the technical and financial ability of the Offeror to conduct this contract and meet all requirements.

General statements that the Offeror understands the requirements of the work to be performed or simple rephrasing or restating the FAA’s requirements will not be considered adequate and may result in weaknesses, risks, and/or lower evaluation scores or may be cause for rejection of the proposal and/or result in the Offeror being eliminated from consideration for the contract award.

Proposals must contain enough detail to enable the FAA evaluators to determine the ability of the Offeror and the proposed solution to meet the SIR requirements. Lack of detail in a proposal may be deemed a weakness or risk by evaluators. Offerors must not assume that they will be contacted or afforded an opportunity to clarify, discuss, or revise their proposal if FAA evaluators identify omissions, ambiguity, or lack of detail. Submittals containing omissions or incomplete responses to the requirements of this SIR, or that merely paraphrase the Statement of Work, or that use nonspecific phrases such as "in accordance with standard procedures" or "well-known techniques" will also be considered inadequate and may result in weaknesses, risks, and/or lower evaluation scores or may be cause for rejection of the proposal and/or result in the Offeror being eliminated from consideration for the contract award.

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure the completeness of its proposal. The evaluation of proposals will be conducted on the basis of the information contained in the written proposal, communications (to the extent the FAA elects to engage in communications), and past performance information received from other sources, if any. Offerors should assume that the FAA has no prior knowledge of their proposed solution, capability, and/or experience and that the FAA will base its evaluation on the information presented by the Offeror. The Government will not assume that an Offeror possesses any capabilities not specified in the proposal.

Offerors are strongly encouraged to ensure that their proposals are complete and fully responsive to the SIR upon initial submission.

The proposal must be signed by an official who is legally authorized to obligate the Offeror to a contract.

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 8

L.2.2 Responsibility for Proposal Costs

The FAA is not responsible for and will not pay or reimburse any costs incurred by Offerors in the development or submission of any aspect of their proposals under this SIR. This includes costs associated with any aspect of the proposal activity and any research, studies, or designs carried out for the purpose of incorporation into any part of the proposal. This also includes any costs to acquire or contract for any services or product relating to the offer under this SIR.

Furthermore, no pre-contract costs will be allowed on this contract. Pre- contract costs are defined as any costs incurred at the Offeror’s risk in anticipation that any such costs may later be charged to any resulting contract.

L.2.3 Time for Response to SIR Questions

Any questions or clarifications regarding any section of the SIR must be prepared in writing and submitted to the Contracting Officer via electronic mail by 2:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on or before January 3, 2025. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to provide comments and questions as early as possible. The Offeror is responsible for ensuring that the FAA Contracting Officer has received the questions or clarifications by the deadline.

Questions/clarifications must be identified and segregated by topic and must make reference to the applicable section or paragraph, if applicable (e.g., Section H, Provision H-3, subparagraph [a]). Offerors’ questions and the responses by the FAA may form the basis of an amendment to the SIR. Questions will be answered via amendment and provided to all Offerors on the Internet at www.sam.gov. The FAA will not attribute the questions to the submitting Offerors, but the text of the questions and answers may be available to the general public. Therefore, Offerors should take care not to include proprietary or confidential information in their questions.

Any Offeror desiring an explanation or interpretation of the SIR, drawings, specifications, etc., is instructed to make such request in writing by the above deadline. Oral explanations or instructions from the FAA given to Offerors before the award of the contract will be binding only if confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

The FAA reserves the right to not answer any requests received outside of the above timeframe. Furthermore, Offerors should note that the proposal due date will not be extended solely on the basis of a question received within or beyond the timeframe mentioned above.

The FAA will not provide verbal responses to Offeror questions, concerns, and clarification requests initiated via Offeror telephone calls.

L.3 SUBMISSION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.3.1 Proposal Submission

The following information applies for the time, date, place and submission of proposals:

(a) TIME AND DATE: Proposals must be received by the Contracting Officer at the mailing/delivery address identified below no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Alaskan Satellite Space Segment SIR # 693KA8-25-R-00006

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 9

(ET) on January 21, 2025. Because this deadline is measured by when the Proposal is received by the Contracting Officer and not when it is sent, Offerors are responsible to account for the amount of time it may take for their proposals to be electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer. Late submissions will be handled per AMS clause 3.2.2.3-14 guidelines.

(b) PLACE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Offerors must submit proposals electronically to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Michael.e.tekle@faa.gov. Hard copies are not required.

(c) Submittal of Large Proposal Files: The maximum file size acceptable for submittal through the email address in L.11.2(b) is 20 megabytes. Offerors concerned with exceeding this file size may submit proposals through two or more emails to keep the size of each email below the limit. Each email must have, in its subject line, the Offeror’s identity and the number of volumes contained with the email (e.g.

“Volumes I and III), and reference to the total number of emails (e.g. “1 of 3”).

Offerors sending proposals using more than one email are cautioned that all such emails, not only the first, are subject to the Time and Date requirements in L.3.1(a).

(d) The Offerors assume full responsibility for ensuring that the appropriate authority receives proposals not later than the date and time specified above.

L.3.2 Specific Volume Instructions

Offerors are instructed to assemble and identify proposal volumes in accordance with the Table L-1. Offerors must ensure that all volume titles and associated content are compiled and delivered within the page limitations.

Offerors must not include pricing information in any volumes other than Volume III Price Proposal.

The FAA reserves the right to reject any proposal failing to comply with the requirements of Section L. Further, the FAA reserves the right to award a contract based on initial proposals received. Each proposal should contain the Offeror’s best terms and conditions.

Table L-1: Proposal Organization and Delivery Quantities

VOLUME

NUMBER

VOLUME TITLE PAGE

LIMIT

Submission Instructions Electronic mail to CO

I Technical 20 Format: PDF (See L.5.1)

II Past Performance

(customer surveys do not count

Format: PDF Contract Performance Customer Survey (Attachment L-1) must be completed by the appropriate

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 10

toward page limit) point of contact of previous similar projects and emailed to CO by the customers completing the survey. (See L.5.2)

III Price

Not Applicable Use Section B – Price

Model

Format: MS Excel Use Section B – Price Model (See L.5.3)

IV

Miscellaneous Documentation

Format: PDF (See L.5.3)

Solicitation, Offer and Award (SOA) form Section K - Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors Executive Summary 3

L.3.3 Alternate Proposals

No alternate proposals will be accepted or considered.

L.4 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals as well as instructions on format and content of the proposal.

In addressing the requirements of Section L, it is incumbent upon the Offerors to ensure that all aspects of the factors in Section M are addressed. The FAA is under no obligation to contact any Offeror if Section L requirements are not met. Offerors are cautioned to strictly comply with all instructions within this solicitation to ensure submission of a complete proposal. Failure to furnish a complete proposal or failure to comply with all SIR instructions at the time of proposal submission may result in the proposal being found unacceptable and eliminated from consideration for award.

L.4.1 Proposal Format

a) Proposals must be provided in standard letter size 8-1/2 by 11-inch format. Unless otherwise specified, the font for text must be Times New Roman, size 12 point, with one-inch margins for the left, right, top and bottom of each page. The font for graphics, illustrations, and charts must be eight point or larger. The Offeror may not use oversize pages. The proposal pages must be numbered sequentially. Any items imbedded within a document must be objects only, not links. Offeror responses to be submitted using a SIR attachment form or worksheet, must follow the formatting for that attachment.

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 11

b) A page is defined as one face of a sheet of paper containing information. Proposals must not exceed the page limitations listed in Table L-1.

c) The following materials are excluded from the page count limitation: Volume Covers, Title Pages, Tabs, Tables of Content, Lists of Figures, Glossaries, Acronyms, Abbreviation Lists, Contractor submittal letter and subcontractor commitment letters, if applicable, and transmittal letters. Any submission exceeding a page limitation will only be evaluated up to the established page limitation.

d) Each proposal volume must be in its own file. Offerors must not password protect or compress (e.g. zip) any submitted files. The file name must adhere to the following naming convention using the Volume/Part names listed in Table L-1: “Offeror Name- ASTI VOL # - Volume/Part Name.”

Examples:

ABC Company – ASTI VOL I – Technical Proposal

ABC Company – ASTI VOL III – Price Proposal – Section 3 Detailed Narrative and Supporting Cost/Price Documentation

e) The FAA will only use Adobe Acrobat Pro X or Microsoft 365 Apps software suite software to read and evaluate Offeror proposals. The FAA has no special software or monitors to review diagrams, drawings, or illustrations such as those created using Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Submitted proposals that are not compatible with the above requirements, will not be evaluated.

f) Proposals must contain comprehensive, concise, and factual information. General statements that the Offeror understands the requirements of the work to be performed or simple rephrasing or restating of the Government’s requirements will be considered inadequate. Similarly, submittals that contain omissions or incomplete responses to the requirements of this SIR, that merely paraphrase the Statement of Work (SOW) or that use nonspecific phrases such as "in accordance with standard procedures" or "well-known techniques" will also be considered inadequate. Statements of this kind will render the proposal non-responsive cause the offer to be rejected.

g) The Offeror must mark any data that may contain trade secrets, copyright data, or financial information that the Offeror or proposed team members do not want to be disclosed for any purpose other than the evaluation of the proposal. The markings should be in accordance with AMS clause 3.2.2.3-16, Restricting, Disclosing, and Using Data (July 2004). Owing to the FAA’s obligations under federal law, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the FAA may require the Offeror to provide justification for its assertion that certain material should be treated as exempt from disclosure.

h) Cross-Referencing. Each volume, other than the Price volume, must be written to the greatest extent possible on a stand-alone basis without cross-referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Minimal cross- referencing within a proposal volume is permitted where

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 12

its use would conserve space without impairing clarity. Hyperlinking of cross-references is permissible. Information required for proposal evaluation that is not found in its designated volume or clearly cross-referenced is assumed omitted from the proposal and will not be considered for evaluation as part of that Factor. Heavy reliance on cross-referencing is not permitted, and an Offeror’s use of cross- referencing risks the FAA deeming information omitted from the proposal. The Offeror must clearly identify each piece of information that is intended to satisfy a requirement and/or specification as being submitted in response to that requirement or specification. In other words, the Offeror should not expect the FAA to search for potentially responsive information across more than one volume. The Offeror must explicitly make clear—by referencing the appropriate requirement and/or specification—each piece of information the Offeror wants the FAA to consider when evaluating the Offeror’s solution to that requirement and/or specification.

L.4.2 Notification

If an Offeror believes that these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, it must immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing with supporting rationale.

Otherwise, Offerors are instructed to confirm that they know of no discrepancies. Offerors must provide this notification within seven (7) calendar days after posting the screening information request (SIR).

L.4.3 Non-Government Personnel Participation

The firms, IT Strategy, Capital Group LLC, Regulus Group, Optimal Stratcom, Inc. and Concordant, LLC have provided assistance to the FAA in this acquisition and all participants have signed Non-Disclosure and Conflict-Of-Interest (COI) statements. Offerors must not include these contractors or their subcontractors as part of their team.

L.5 VOLUME DESCRIPTIONS

A description of the required contents for each proposal volume is provided in the subsections below. All information must be provided in these volumes as specifically prescribed.

L.5.1 Volume I – Technical Volume (Factor 1)

Each Offeror’s Technical Volume must fully substantiate their approach and demonstrate an understanding of the requirements. Offerors are instructed not to include product manuals, sales brochures, or vendor "slick sheets” as a response to Section L requirements.

Subfactor 1: ASTI Technical Specifications: Offerors must provide a detailed description of their proposed technical solution to meet the requirements in Attachment J-

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 13

1(Alaskan Satellite Space Segment Technical Specifications), for both the primary, alternate, backup primary and backup alternate satellites proposed.

Subfactor 2: Space Segment Selection, Provisioning and Transition Approach: Offerors must provide the Satellite age and life expectancy for the primary and alternate satellites. The Offeror must also describe in detail how their selection of satellites and transponders and their proposed approach for space segment provisioning (including increases and decreases in transponder usage) minimizes impact to FAA operations during transition (where applicable, (1) to a new satellite and/or transponder at the beginning of contract performance; or (2) to a replacement satellite near end of life) and throughout the contract.

Subfactor 3: Satellite Space Segment Plan (CDRL SSSP-01) and Management Approach:

Offerors must provide a sample of their Satellite Space Segment Plan (CDRL SSSP-01), which includes the transponder restoral plan escalation plan, technical support approach, and management approach. The Offeror must also provide a separate narrative detailing any management processes, procedures, data collection systems, tools, and resources that will be used to ensure the requirements of the SOW are met throughout the contract.

Offerors must not include any price information in this section.

L.5.2 Volume II – Past Performance (Factor 2)

Offerors must identify three (3) Past Performance Efforts. The Offeror must be prime contractor on at least one (1) of the Past Performance Efforts (Government or non-Government). A Past Performance Effort may consist of multiple contracts if they were managed as related activities in a single program or project. A Past Performance Effort may also only consist of one contract.

Each Past Performance Effort must be Recent and Relevant. A Past Performance Effort is Recent if it is on-going or was completed not more than five (5) years prior to the proposal submission due date. A Past Performance Effort is Relevant if (1) it has a value of at least $2M per year, (2) the Offeror (or its teammate if Offeror was not prime on the Effort) provided transponder space and services to the end user, and (3) the Offeror (or its teammate if Offeror was not prime on the Effort) provided technical support and live assistance 24-7.

All Past Performance Efforts must pertain to work performed by the Prime Offeror (though, as stated above, the Offeror must only be the prime contractor on one (1) of the Past Performance Efforts). Past Performance Efforts carried out by teammates or subcontractors of the Prime Offeror are not acceptable.

Offerors must provide the following information for each Past Performance Effort:

• Project name

• Contract Number and Agency issuing the contract

• Contract award date and period of performance

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 14

• Dollar value

• Name, Title, Phone, address, and email of the individual who will submit a Contract Performance Customer Survey (Attachment L-1) for the Past Performance Effort

Offerors must also provide a brief description of the work performed under the contract. The description should indicate how the work was Relevant and Recent (as defined above).

Offerors must e-mail the Contract Performance Customer Survey (Attachment L-1) to one (1) point of contact for each Past Performance Effort. The point of contact filling out the Contract Performance Customer Survey must be Program Manager, Task Order Lead, Contracting Officer’s Representative, Contracting Officer, or Contract Specialist (or equivalents for commercial contracts). The FAA expects to receive three (3) completed Contract Performance Customer Surveys per Offeror (1 for each Past Performance Effort).

The Offeror must advise respondents NOT to include classified information in their responses to the Contract Performance Customer Survey. The customer points of contact should send the completed Contract Performance Customer Survey electronically to the FAA Contracting Officer listed in Section L.3.1. The subject line of the email must read, “SIR Number: __________ Submission of Past Performance Questionnaire [insert Offeror’s Name].” The e-mail submissions must be sent from the Government or corporate e-mail addresses of the customer points of contact.

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure the Contract Performance Customer Surveys are submitted to the FAA CO by the proposal due date.

The FAA reserves the right to contact any reference identified by each Offeror, or other references the FAA may deem appropriate and who may be of assistance in providing past performance information. All information received may be used in the evaluation of an Offeror’s past performance. The Government reserves the right (but is not required) to consider Contract Performance Customer Surveys that are received after proposals are due.

L.5.3 Volume III - Price Proposal (Factor 3)

The Offeror must complete pricing tables for all CLINs set forth in Section B. The Offeror’s Pricing Tables must include the prices, for the base period and all option periods, to allow the evaluators to perform proposal evaluation activities as outlined in Section M of the SIR, including calculating the Offeror’s Total Evaluated Price (TEP). All information regarding prices, including that contained on electronic media, for the proposed services must be enclosed in this volume and must be submitted as a separate document.

Offerors Price Volume submission must also contain associated Basis of Estimate (BOE) for all proposed CLIN prices. The Offeror’s BOE must provide sufficient information to allow the evaluators to determine if the Offerors price proposal is fair and reasonable. Offerors must include any information or documentation necessary to fully support and substantiate the prices proposed.

At a minimum, the BOE must contain sufficient justification for space segment pricing and where applicable labor hours, categories, and rates for required work efforts. The BOE must also include all ground rules, assumptions, and estimating techniques used for proposed pricing.

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 15

L.5.4 VOLUME IV – MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTATION

Offerors must provide the information listed in the following sections.

Solicitation, Offer and Award Form (SOA)

The Offeror must complete SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD form blocks 12 through

17. Acknowledgment of any SIR Amendments (if applicable). The representative who signs this form must be authorized to contractually bind the company providing the offer. In block 11, the Offeror must include a period of acceptance for its proposal by the FAA of at least 200 calendar days from due date of proposal.

Section K - Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors

Offerors must complete all Representations, Certifications and Other Statements included in Section K of the SIR.

Pending Legal Action Disclosure

The Offeror must identify and explain all current or pending legal action under Federal, State, Local, or Foreign Government contracts initiated, ongoing, or completed within the past three (3) years. This must include but is not limited to requests for equitable adjustments, claims in excess of $5 million, cure notices, terminations for convenience, and terminations for default.

Executive Summary

The Offeror must summarize its offer and highlight the salient features of the proposal. The Offeror must include a description of its approach and its plans for satisfying the FAA’s requirements.

Exceptions, Deviations and Assumptions

The Offeror must provide a detailed description of any deviations and/or exceptions to any requirements listed in this SIR. If there are any assumptions made with regards to the requirements as outlined in this SIR that could affect the assessment of the Offeror’s Technical Proposal (Volume I), these assumptions must be detailed within this section. Any deviations, exceptions and assumptions identified by the Offeror at the time of proposal submission must be submitted in proposal Volume VI utilizing the below table. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the SIR may result in the Offeror being ineligible for award.

Table L-2 SIR Exceptions, Deviations and Assumptions Table

SIR

Document

Paragraph/Page Requirement/ Portion

Rationale Impact

SECTION L: INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS 16

SOW, ASTI

Specifications, Section L, etc.

Applicable page and paragraph numbers.

Identify the specific requirement or portion to which exception is taken and identify the proposal volume(s) which is/are impacted by a specific exception.

Fully explain why the requirement will not be met.

Fully explain the impact of the exception, if any, on the performance, schedule, cost, and specific requirements of the SIR

Any exceptions, deviations, and assumptions taken must contain sufficient explanation and justification to permit evaluation. All exceptions, deviations, and assumptions, as well as resulting impacts and benefits to the FAA, must be fully explained for each exception taken. A large number of exceptions and/or deviations, or one or more significant exceptions and/or deviations not providing benefit to the FAA, may result in rejection of the proposal as unacceptable or otherwise non-compliant.

The FAA reserves the right to reject any exception, assumption, or deviation. The FAA reserves the right to deem a statement that contradicts a SIR requirement an exception or deviation, whether or not the Offeror identifies it as such, and to do so without communication with the Offeror.

If no exceptions, deviations, or assumptions are taken, the proposal must affirmatively state that none have been taken.

L.6 SECTION L ATTACHMENT

L-1- Contract Performance Customer Survey

END OF SECTION L