Attachment 1 52.212-1 Addenda.docx

ATTACHMENT 1 - ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAR 2020)

(b) Paragraph 52.212-1(c), Period for Acceptance of Offers, is tailored as follows: “The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers. Offerors may specify a longer acceptance period than the Government’s minimum requirement.”

(c) The following is inserted as new paragraph (m) of the provision:

(m) Proposal Preparation Instructions.

A. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of proposals, offerors must follow the instructions contained herein. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors or subfactors. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. The response shall consist of four (4) separate parts; Volume I - Summary and Miscellaneous Data, Volume II – Technical Proposal, Volume III – Past Performance Information and Volume IV – Price Proposal.

B. Specific Instructions:

1. VOLUME I – SUMMARY AND MISCELLANEOUS DATA.

(a) The offeror shall provide a concise summary and master table of contents of the entire proposal.

(b) Standard Form (SF) 1449. Complete blocks 12, 17a, 30a, 30b, and 30c. In doing so, the offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the solicitation.

(c) Complete the necessary fill-ins and certifications in provisions and in the on-line Representations and Certifications at www.sam.gov. Return the provision FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, along with the proposal. For other provisions and clauses in the solicitation, the offeror is required to submit the pages that require an offeror fill-in.

(d) Submit an acknowledgment of the all solicitation amendments, if issued.

(e) If none proposed, submit an Affirmation of no Exceptions, Deviations, or Waivers.

(f) Submit a letter, signed at the vice-president level or equivalent or higher, that identifies the individual(s) with the authority to obligate or otherwise bind your company to the resulting contract and, if necessary, future contract modifications.

(g) Communications. Exchange of source selection information after submission of the initial proposal packages between the Government and offerors will be controlled by the Contracting Officer. Email may be used to transmit such information only if the email can be sent encrypted, and must include “Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104” in the subject line of the email. Otherwise, source selection information will be transmitted via direct mailing or DROP SAFE at https://safe.apps.mil/about.php. In order to facilitate the sending and receiving of encrypted emails, offerors must use MS Outlook email configured to support encryption or a different email product that is S/MIME compatible and configured to support encryption. If you intend to submit your source selection information via encrypted email, you will need to contact the following Buyer and Contracting Officer: ryan.schnepf@us.af.mil, and kimberly.knott.1@us.af.mil prior to that first submittal in order to exchange certificates used for encryption. To ensure the process is working correctly, send a test encrypted message first (without including any source selection information). When submitting source selection information via email, file suppression utilities, to include but not limited to zip files, will not be accepted.

Proposals shall be submitted to the Government in four (4) separate volumes as set forth below:

(h) Responsibility Determination and Supporting Documentation: To assist in determining contractor responsibility in accordance with (IAW) FAR 9.104-3(a), the offeror shall explain how they plan to maintain adequate financial resources for a contract of this magnitude and length. The offeror shall address a fiscal plan for covering mobilization, unexpected or emergency situations, and initial performance costs prior to recoupment in the form of monthly invoice payments. The offeror must provide complete financial statements for one (1) fiscal year and year-to-date financial information through the last quarter available. The year-end financial statements must be certified by an independent accounting firm. If the offeror intends to rely on internally available working/operation capital, documentation of availability must be submitted. If the offeror plans to rely on financial support from external sources, documentation of availability and maximum lines of credit available (based upon the inclusion of this contract effort) must be submitted. Evidence of external funding must be provided in the form of a dated letter from the external source.

IAW FAR 9.104-5, the offeror is required to comply with the submission regarding FAR 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. Since it is the Government’s intent to make Award Without Discussions IAW FAR 52.215-1, the Government may request that an offeror submit additional information so a responsibility determination can be made. This request for additional information will not be construed as communications or discussions with an offeror as defined by FAR 15.306. An incomplete proposal may be considered to indicate lack of understanding of the requirement and may result in the entire proposal being determined “unacceptable” and eliminated from further consideration.

2. VOLUME II – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL – General. The written technical volume shall be clear, concise, and include all the information required by this provision in sufficient detail for effective evaluation. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume the Government has no prior knowledge of their capabilities, work processes, facilities, and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror’s technical proposal. All aspects of the offeror’s proposal are subject to evaluation against relevant criteria.

(a) Provide a detailed approach to accomplish/satisfy all subfactors. By submitting a proposal, the offeror affirms that its organization will perform all requirements specified in the RFP and PWS.

(b) The Technical volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

(1) Table of Contents

(2) Glossary

(3) Summary Page

(4) Subfactor 1 – Virtual School Capabilities

(5) Subfactor 2 – Management Plan

(6) Subfactor 3 – Sample Lesson Presentation

(c) Summary Page(s). To aid the Government’s understanding, provide a summary of the offeror’s proposed technical approach and how the approach will efficiently and effectively meet the requirement. The summary page(s) shall not exceed two (2) pages.

(d) The technical volume shall not exceed 50 pages (All documents). A page is defined as one face of a sheet of paper containing information. Pages shall be numbered consecutively. Offerors are cautioned that any pages that exceed the page limitations shall not be read but shall be removed and either retained in the contract file without being considered in the evaluation, or, sent back to the offeror.

(e) Page size will be 8 1/2” x 11” except for fold-outs used for charts, tables, or diagrams, which may not exceed11” x 17.”

(f) Typing shall be double spaced, in Times New Roman font, and not be less than 12 pitch. Offeror’s are allowed to use a smaller text font for charts, tables and diagrams. No smaller than 10 pt. additionally, offeror’s can single space within tables.

(g) Elaborate formats or color presentations are not desired or required.

(h) Each page containing proprietary information should be so marked.

(i) Each page should contain the following legend at the bottom of each sheet:

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION – SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Subfactor 1 – Virtual School Capabilities. (See 52.212-2) The offeror will demonstrate how their virtual school technology will satisfy the requirements in PWS Sections 4 and 5. The offeror will demonstrate the ability to provide a learning management system and course materials in support of the Syllabus and Lesson Plan in PWS Appendices 4 and 5, taught in either a) Bulgarian b) French, or c) Spanish. To enable this demonstration, the contractor will send the government a welcome e-mail with instructions for logging onto their Virtual School. The government will sample various functions of the school. At a minimum, the contractor must demonstrate ability to fulfill the following requirements:

(1) Registration Instructions: Demonstration of how the contractor will e-mail course registration information to students IAW PWS 5.2.6.1. The contractor’s initial registration e-mail to students will include information on the course (language, level, start date, end day, days, times, etc). As an e-mail attachment, the contractor will provide the Client’s approved Statement of Understanding (SOU) (Appendix 8).

(2) Access and Navigation: The Virtual School web interface must be Operating System (OS) and hardware agnostic, accessible to any one of a wide-variety of internet-enabled devices, to include Personal Computer (PC), mobile, iOS, and Android devices and peripherals IAW PWS paragraph 4.1.3. The government will utilize a variety of devices and peripherals to access the Virtual School.

(3) Technical Requirements: The Virtual School must demonstrate technical requirements specified in PWS Figure 4.2., items a, b, c, e, f, h, and r.

(4) Virtual Homeroom Functionality: Demonstration of Virtual Homeroom with functionality IAW PWS paragraph 4.1.4, to include a document repository (syllabi, lesson plans, homework assignments or projects, assessments), course schedule, announcements, homework assignments, attendance tracking, student and eMentor contact information (with protections of the Privacy Act of 1974). The government will upload sample homework to the Virtual Homeroom. The government will download the course syllabus and class lesson plan IAW Appendices 4 and 5. The government will download a sample PowerPoint presentation, developed by the offeror, for the “Involvement in Conflicts” lesson – minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 slides with embedded web site links, IAW Subfactor 3(5).

(5) Resource Library: Demonstration of the resource library that allows users to search, view, and download course materials in either (a) Bulgarian, (b) French, or (c) Spanish, regardless of course level in accordance with PWS paragraph 4.1.5. The offeror must display self-generated material and/or open source material such as articles and videos. Offerors must cite sources.

(6) Helpdesk. Demonstration of how students will be able to communicate technical issues to the helpdesk through chat support and e-mail IAW PWS paragraph 4.3, PWS Figure 4.2, item p and PWS paragraph 5.2.6.

Subfactor 2 – Management Plan. (See 52.212-2) The offeror shall provide a management plan that describes its approach/process to ensure functional continuity and capability to address all requirements described in the PWS. At a minimum, the management plan shall describe the offeror’s:

(1) Key Personnel. The offeror will submit resumes for the two qualified personnel intended to fill the two positions designated as key personnel IAW PWS paragraph 7.1 and PWS Figure 7.3.

(2) Plan for recruiting a cadre of qualified eMentor instructors IAW PWS paragraph 3.4.1 and subparagraphs.

(3) Plan for training and certifying eMentors IAW PWS paragraph 3.4.3 and subparagraphs.

(4) Plan for grouping students. The offeror will describe in detail how they will group students in order to enhance the peer-to-peer academic experience and meet student throughput requirements IAW with PWS paragraph 5.2.4. The offeror will provide visual “screen shot” illustrations of their scheduling algorithm that meets requirements IAW PWS paragraph 5.2.4.

Subfactor 3 – Sample Lesson Presentation. (See 52.212-2) The offeror shall provide a recorded 1-hour lesson presentation demonstration that supports a lesson plan IAW PWS Section 3. The sample lesson presentation shall demonstrate content that an instructor will present live, synchronously to one or more students in support of lesson plan “Involvement in Conflicts,” (first hour, Introduction & Review, Presentation, and Guided Practice) IAW PWS Appendix 5. The lesson will be taught in a) Bulgarian b) French, or c) Spanish. The offeror will make this lesson presentation demonstration available for viewing and download through the Virtual School, accessible via the link provided as part of Subfactor 1 and/or via instructions provided to the government. The offeror may use self-generated material such as matching vocabulary exercises and/or open source material such as links to online articles and videos. Offerors must cite sources.

(1) Curriculum Development and Design: Through the sample presentation, the contractor will demonstrate their ability to update and/or develop classroom slides and activities in the target language that support each lesson plan IAW PWS paragraph 3.1.4.

(2) Instruction: During the recorded lesson, an instructor must interact with one or more students and demonstrate use of the Virtual School’s fully collaborative environment by demonstrating that the Virtual School meets the requirements in PWS Figure 4.2., items i, j, k, and l.

(3) Lesson Content: During the recorded lesson, the instructor must cover all objectives and samples of behavior stated in the “Involvement in Conflicts” (first hour, Introduction & Review, Presentation, and Guided Practice) lesson plan IAW Appendix 5 of the PWS. The instructor must provide an introduction, presentation, guided practice, application, and feedback and conclusion, as outlined in the lesson plan.

(4) Helpdesk. During the recorded lesson, the offeror must simulate communication from the student or instructor to the helpdesk with a response from the helpdesk, demonstrating how within three minutes’ notification of any technical issue during class that the eMentor instructor cannot immediately resolve, a technical support representative will remotely access the classroom to address the system, hardware, and/or software problems or failures IAW PWS paragraph 4.3.

(5) The offeror will provide a sample PowerPoint presentation for the “Involvement in Conflicts” lesson – minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 slides with embedded web site links, developed IAW PWS paragraph 3.1.4 and Appendix 5. This presentation must cover all objectives and samples of behavior stated in the lesson plan. The instructor must provide an introduction, presentation, guided practice, application, feedback, and conclusion, as outlined in the lesson plan. The presentation will be accessible for download in the Virtual School. A government evaluator with appropriate proficiency level in the language presented will review the presentation.

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION--SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

3. VOLUME III – PAST PERFORMANCE PROPOSAL - Each offeror shall submit a Past Performance Volume with its proposal. The Past Performance volume shall be prepared in accordance with all instructions contained within this Section (FAR 52.212-1(m)B.3). Only references for past efforts/contracts of relevance are desired.

(a) Volume Organization. The Past Performance volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

1. Table of Contents

1. Glossary

1. Summary Page

1. Past Performance Information (PPI) – 5-page limit

1. Organization Structure Change History

1. Subcontractor Letters of Consent

1. Client Authorization Letters, See Attachment 7 – Sample Client Authorization Letter

(b) Summary Page. Many companies have acquired, been acquired by, otherwise merged with other companies, and/or reorganized their divisions, business groups, subsidiary companies, etc. In many cases, these changes have taken place during the time of performance of relevant present or past contracts. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to determine what past performance is relevant to this acquisition. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include in this proposal volume a “roadmap” describing all such changes in the organization of the offering company. As part of this explanation, show how these changes impact the relevance of any efforts identified for the past performance evaluation. Since the Government intends to consider past and present performance information provided by other sources as well, the “roadmap” should be applicable to contracts the Government receives information on from other sources. If applicable, describe the role of the Offeror and each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner for whom the Offeror is required to provide Past Performance Information Sheets in accordance with paragraph (e) below.

(c) Quality and Satisfaction Rating of Contracts completed in the Past Three (3) Years: Provide any information currently available (letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) that demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and/or quality of completed and/or ongoing contracts. In addition, explain corrective actions taken in the past, if any, for substandard performance and any current performance problems, such as cost overruns, extended performance periods, numerous warranty calls, etc. (See 52.212-2(d)(2))

(d) Performance Surveys/Questionnaires: Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) shall be used by the offeror in obtaining and providing past performance information. The government requires the offeror to send out a PPQ to each of the Points-of-Contact (POCs) identified in the Past Performance Proposal (paragraph (e) below). The offeror shall send out the PPQ (RFQ, Attachment 5), using the Past Performance Evaluation Cover Letter provided within same attachment, to each of their references.

THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEND OUT THE PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE RESTS SOLELY WITH THE OFFEROR.

Past Performance Questionnaire: For each of the three (3) submitted contracts found to have some relevance to the instant acquisition, the Past Performance Team will contact the points of contact identified in the PPQs. A telephone interview will be conducted utilizing the Present/Past Performance Questionnaire (see RFP Attachment 5). The Government reserves the right to change, alter, and/or supplement the questionnaire without further notice to the offeror(s).

(e) Past Performance Information (PPI): Utilizing the PPI Sheet (RFP, Attachment 4), submit information on no more than three (3) recent contracts the offeror considers most relevant in demonstrating the ability to perform the proposed effort. One (1) of the past performance references may be for a subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement (i.e., 25% or more of the work). “Recent” is defined as ongoing contracts or those completed within three (3) years of the date of issuance of the solicitation. The Past Performance Information sheets for each contract is limited to five (5) pages. Include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance and identify aspects of the contracts deemed relevant and how they relate to the proposed effort. If an offeror has no past performance history of relevance, the offeror must affirmatively state it possesses no past performance history of relevance. (See 52.212-2(d)(2)(C)(1)).

(f) The evaluation of past performance information will take into account past performance regarding (i) predecessor companies, (ii) will take into account past performance of key personnel who have relevant experience, and/or (iii) will take into account past performance regarding subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to this acquisition.

(g) Specific Content: Offerors may include a discussion of efforts accomplished by the Offeror to resolve problems encountered on prior contracts as well as past efforts to identify and manage program risk. Merely having problems does not automatically equate to a Limited or No Confidence rating, since the problems encountered may have been on a more complex program or an Offeror may have subsequently demonstrated the ability to overcome the problems. The Offeror is required to clearly demonstrate management actions employed in overcoming problems and the effects of those actions, in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified. This could result in a rating of Substantial or Satisfactory Confidence.

(h) If a teaming arrangement is contemplated, provide complete information as to the arrangement, including any relevant and recent past performance information on previous teaming arrangements with same partner. If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past contracts of relevance.

(i) Subcontractor Consent: Past performance information pertaining to a subcontractor cannot be disclosed to the prime offeror without the subcontractor’s consent. Provide with the proposal a letter from each subcontractor that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement, consenting to the release of its past performance information to the prime contractor (RFP Attachment 6). If the subcontractor does not consent, include a statement to that effect.

4. VOLUME IV – PRICE PROPOSAL

(a) This Part shall contain a completed Schedule of Supplies/Services, continuation sheets of SF 1449, blocks 19 – 24.

(b) Insert proposed unit and extended prices in the Supplies or Services and Prices/Cost of the SF 1449 for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), X001 and 2002. The extended amount must equal the unit price multiplied by the number of units. It is imperative that mathematical calculations are correct; particular care should be taken to ensure the amounts match when using the EXCEL program and the rounding of figures, limited to two decimal places.

(c) Extreme care should be exercised to ensure that no price data of any kind are included in any other Part of the proposal.

(d) Price Reasonableness: The source selection will be conducted with the expectation of adequate price competition for this acquisition per FAR 15.403-1(c)(1); therefore, certified cost or pricing data are not required per FAR 15.403-1(b)(1). If at any time during this competition the Contracting Officer determines that adequate price competition no longer exists or that price reasonableness cannot be determined, offerors may be required to submit additional data other than certified cost or pricing data for the Contracting Officer to determine price reasonableness. A contract will not be awarded to a contractor whose price is not determined to be fair and reasonable.

C. Point of Contact: The Contracting Officer (CO) and/or the Contract Specialist are the sole points of contact for this acquisition. Address any questions or concerns IN WRITING to the individuals listed below. The deadline for all questions, concerns and/or requests for clarification is 10 calendar days prior to the proposal due date. The Government will not respond to submissions past the deadline. Contact information is as follows:

D. Contract Award: The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.

E. Discrepancies: If an offeror believes these instructions contain errors, omissions or are unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing with supporting rationale as well as remedies the offeror is asking the Contracting Officer to consider as related to the omission or error.

(End of Addendum)