Attachment 8 Section L - Instructions to Offerors.pdf

Attachment 8 25 August 2021

Section L Instructions to Offerors

1.0 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION TO OFFERORS

1.1 General Instructions: This section provides general guidance, as well as specific instructions on format and content, for preparing proposals. The Offeror's proposal must include all information requested and must be submitted in accordance with these instructions. Compliance with these instructions is mandatory and failure to furnish a complete proposal, at the time of proposal submission, may result in the proposal being unacceptable to the Government and may eliminate the Offeror from further consideration for award.

It is the Offeror's responsibility to ensure the completeness of the proposal submitted. With respect to Price and Past Performance Volumes, the burden of proof for credibility rests with each Offeror. Evaluation of a proposal will be conducted solely on the basis of the information contained within it and the Government will not assume that an Offeror possesses any capabilities not specified. Inconsistencies among the parts of each proposal shall be explained. Any unexplained inconsistency may raise a fundamental question of the

Offeror's understanding of the requirement and/or ability to perform. Offerors are advised that their proposals are presumed to represent their best efforts and most complete responses to this solicitation demonstrated in each individual Volume. Proposals that simply reiterate the contents of this solicitation, or contain only superficial responses, may be considered unacceptable. Evidence of capability and qualifications that clearly demonstrate and support the Offeror’s claims are essential. The absence of such evidence will adversely influence the evaluation of the proposal. Offerors must clearly identify any exceptions to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete supporting rationale. Non-conformance with the instructions provided in these Instructions to Offerors may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation.

The Government intends to execute a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Firm

Fixed Price (FFP) contract for the F-16 International Aircraft Maintenance and Pilot Differences Training requirement.

The Government intends to award up to two (2) Multiple Award IDIQ contracts. The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award contracts without discussions with Offerors. Clarifications may occur when award without discussions is contemplated in accordance with FAR 15.306 (a). Therefore, the Offeror's initial proposal should contain the Offeror's best terms from a technical, past performance, and a price standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary or in the best interest of the Government. The base ordering period is for five (5) years plus five (5) one (1) year option periods. The total contract performance will not exceed ten years.

In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8 (Government Contract Files), the Government will retain a copy of all unsuccessful proposals.

The Contracting Officer has determined there is a reasonable expectation for adequate price competition in this acquisition and no additional pricing information should be needed. However, if in the Contracting

Officer’s opinion, additional information is needed to support a determination of a fair and reasonable price;

offerors may be required to submit information to the extent necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine the reasonableness of the price.

The Multiple Award IDIQ contracts will include a DD 254 Department of Defense Contract Security

Classification Specification (See Section J Attachment 4). See FAR 52.204-2 and AFFARS 5352.204-9000 for security requirements.

1.2 Type of Acquisition: This acquisition allows for full and open competition utilizing North American

Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) of 611512, size standard $30M.

1.3 Discrepancies and Ambiguities: If an offeror believes the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, ambiguity, or are otherwise unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the Contracting

Officer in writing with supporting rationale no later than 1400 hrs CST 3 calendar days after the Questions and Answers period has closed (USG has provided responses).

1.4 Discovery of Mistakes: Mistakes in a contractor’s proposal that are disclosed after award shall be processed substantially in accordance with the procedures for mistakes in bids at FAR 14.407-4

1.5 Team/Team Member(s)/Teaming Partner(s): The Government will consider the Offeror and all subcontractors a “team” when evidence of a signed Teaming Arrangement (TA) or Letter of Intent (LOI) is provided. This RFP will refer to the Offeror and all identified teaming subcontractors as a “team.” This RFP will refer to all identified teaming subcontractors as “team members” or “teaming partners.” To be valid under this solicitation, a Teaming Arrangement (TA) or Letter of Intent (LOI) must commit the parties to performance under this contract.

1.6 Preproposal Conference: A preproposal conference will not be held for this acquisition. In lieu of the preproposal conference, the Questions and Answers Period will allow offerors the opportunity to provide questions and receive feedback. Please see paragraph 1.8 Questions and Answers Period for submission instructions.

1.7 Points of Contact (POC): The POCs for this acquisition are the Contracting Officer (CO), Mr. A. Ryan

Rodriguez, and the Contract Specialist (CS), Mr. Joseph Ocampo. Written requests for clarification shall be sent to the CO and CS. All communication must be coordinated through the CO and CS using the following contact information:

Arnold Ryan Rodriguez Joseph Ocampo

Contracting Officer Contract Specialist arnold.rodriguez.3@us.af.mil joseph.ocampo.3@us.af.mil

338th ESS/PKB 338th ESS/PKB

2021 First Street West 2021 First Street West

JBSA Randolph, TX 78150 JBSA Randolph, TX 78150

1.8 Questions and Answers Period: All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing.

All questions and subsequent answers will be posted to the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the offeror to continuously monitor the site for updates. All questions must be submitted electronically to the individual(s) listed in paragraph 1.7 above no later than 0900 hrs CST on 15 November 2021. Any questions submitted after this period may not be answered.

1.9 Notifications/Debriefings: Contractors who are eliminated from further consideration for award will receive a notification with a basis of the determination only. Debriefings are available IAW FAR 15.505 and 15.506.

2.0 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

2.1 The following instructions are to aid in the evaluation process: To ensure timely and equitable evaluation of proposals, offerors must follow the instructions contained herein. Proposals must be complete, self-sufficient, and respond directly to the requirements of this solicitation; alternate proposals will not be accepted. The response shall consist of four (4) separate volumes; Volume I – Executed Contract

Documentation, Volume II - Technical, Volume III -Past Performance, and Volume IV – Price.

mailto:arnold.rodriguez.3@us.af.mil mailto:laura.herring.2@us.af.mil

2.2 Proposal Submission: Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals so as to reach the Government office designated in this solicitation by the time specified in this solicitation. An electronic copy only is due prior to the proposal submission time and date. The electronic copy shall be submitted using the DoD SAFE website. Offerors will be required to contact the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist to obtain a code to upload source selection documents. It is the responsibility of the offeror to request the code and submit the proposal prior to the time and date set for proposal submission. After uploading the complete proposal, the offeror is required to email proof of DoD SAFE drop-off by emailing the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist a copy of the print-screen prior to the time and date set for proposal submission.

Exchanges of source selection information after submission of the initial proposal packages between the

Government and offerors will be controlled by the Contracting Officer.

All electronic documents must be in .pdf format and shall follow the instructions in paragraph 2.3 below.

Title of the documents should state the corresponding proposal volume/title and include the offerors CAGE code (i.e. “Vol 1 Executed Contract Documentation and Offeror CAGE#”).

Any proposal, amendment, or revision that is received at the designated Government office after the exact time and date specified for receipt will be “late” and will not be considered unless the Contracting Officer determines the criteria set forth in FAR 15.208 exists.

Proposals shall be complete, clearly presented, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation as detailed in section M of this solicitation for substantiating validity of stated claims. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government's requirements but rather provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of the offeror’s facilities and/or experience and will rely heavily on the information presented in the offeror's proposal. Proposals shall be neat, indexed (cross-indexed as appropriate) and assembled in an orderly manner. Elaborate artwork, visual and other presentation aids are neither necessary nor desired.

Include only information that is relevant to this source selection.

2.3 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits: A complete proposal shall consist of four (4) volumes:

Volume I – Executed Contract Documentation, Volume II - Technical, Volume III - Past Performance, and

Volume IV – Price. Specific guidance regarding the content of each volume will be discussed further below. Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read or considered in the evaluation of the proposal. When Evaluation Notices (ENs) are necessary, the

Government will issue them by electronic means to prospective offerors. Page limitations may be placed on responses to these ENs and such limitations will be provided at the time the EN is issued.

Offerors shall submit 2 copies (one redacted and one unredacted) of the Volume II – Technical Proposal.

The company name and all associated logos shall be removed from the redacted copy. Both copies shall follow the proposal submission instructions listed in paragraphs 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.

2.4 Page Size, Format and Limit: An electronic page is defined as each face of an 8 ½” X 11” electronic sheet of paper containing information. Covers for volumes, tables of contents, indices, title pages, cross reference indices, and section dividers will not be included in the page count if they are inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating volumes/sections of the proposal. They will be counted if they contain any other information, (e.g. diagrams, extraneous data, etc). Pages marked “This page intentionally left blank” will not be counted. Pages in excess of the page count stated in the table below will not be evaluated.

Times New Roman font size shall not be less than 12-font, with 1” margins on all sides. Smaller, legible font size, no smaller than 6-point, may be used for charts and tables. Page limits apply to all electronic files.

Proposals should be titled appropriately so as to easily discern each volume. Each Volume shall contain a more detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that file.

TITLE Electronic Copy Hard Copies Page Maximum

Volume I: Executed

Contract

Documentation

Required Not Required No Page Limitation

Volume II:

Technical

Required (2 Copies

1 Redacted and 1

Unredacted)

Not Required 70 Page Limit

Volume III: Past

Performance

Required Not Required 60 Page Limit

Volume IV: Price Required Not Required N/A

All pages of each part will be appropriately numbered and identified with the Request for Proposal (RFP) number. Pages in excess of the maximum will not be evaluated.

Cost or Pricing Related Data. All cost and/or pricing data shall ONLY be addressed in the Volume IV.

3.0 SPECIFIC PROPSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Volume I – Executed Contract Documentation

a. Submit the Standard Form 33. Complete blocks 12, 13, 14, 15A-C, 16, 17, and 18 of the SF 33, Solicitation, Offer, and Award. An authorized official of the firm submitting the offer must sign and date the SF 33 in block 17 and 18. In doing so, the offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the RFP, Sections A through J. Complete the representations and certifications in the RFP or the System for Award Management (SAM). The offer acceptance period listed in box 12 shall be for no less than 240 calendar days.

b. Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Applicable to Other than Small Businesses Only): The offeror shall provide a Small Business Subcontracting Plan IAW FAR 52.219-9 Alternate II, FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, DFARS 252.219-7003, Small Business Subcontracting Plan

(DoD Contracts), and DFARS 252.219-7004, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program).

IAW FAR 19.702 (b)(3), Small Business Subcontracting Plans are not required for work that will be performed entirely outside of the United States and its outlying areas. The Small Business

Subcontracting Plan will be assessed as part of responsibility and must meet the FAR, DFARS, and

AFFARS requirements prior to award of a contract. Subcontracting Plans need to be consistent with the

Small Business Commitment Participation Document.

The Small Business Subcontracting Goals are as follows:

Small Business 10% of total contract dollars

Small Disadvantaged Business 5% of total subcontracting dollars

Woman Owned Small Business 5% of total subcontracting dollars

HUBZone Small Business 3% of total subcontracting dollars

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small

Business 3% of total subcontracting dollars

Describe how specific subcontracting percentage goals and targets will be met for the F-16 International

Aircraft Maintenance and Pilot Differences Training contract expressed in dollars and in percentages of the total contract dollars and total subcontracting dollars to each socio-economic small business category listed above. The subcontracting goals may be met by any combination of subcontracts or vendor purchases and should make use of small businesses to the maximum extent practicable.

For proposal purposes, an anticipated obligated value is provided for completing the Small Business

Subcontracting Plan. Offerors shall use an anticipated program ceiling of $255M over the 10-Year

Program Life Cycle.

c. Intellectual Property: Training courseware, syllabi, and student materials developed using funding under any Task Order(s) first created, generated, or produced and required to be delivered under this contract shall constitute instructional works and the copyright to these works shall be assigned in accordance with DFARS 252.227-7020, Rights in Special Works. If the offeror proposes to use exclusively privately funded developed training courseware, syllabi, and student materials for any of the train-the-trainer deliverables, the offeror is required to submit assertions in accordance with DFARS

252.227-7017, Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions. Assertions

MUST be included in Section J Attachment 3. An award cannot be executed unless the offeror has provided sufficient information to enable the Contracting Officer to review any listed assertion. The offeror shall provide substantiating documentation (certified payrolls) in Volume I of the proposal and the United States Government (USG) must receive a cost savings reflected in the proposed Unit Price

Book (Exhibit B) per train-the-trainer deliverable for all exclusively privately funded developed training courseware, syllabi, and student materials. License rights, transfer, and copyright shall be IAW

DFARS 252.227-7020 (c) and (d).

3.2 Volume II – Factor 1 Technical

The Government will evaluate all Technical Proposals for acceptability. Subfactors will be evaluated and assigned an "acceptable" or "unacceptable" rating as described below. Any Subfactor evaluated as

"unacceptable" will render the entire proposal "unacceptable" and ineligible for award.

Subfactor 1: Executive Summary

Subfactor 2: Staffing and Retention Plan

Subfactor 3: Comprehensive Schedule and Work Breakdown Structure for Mobilization Period

Subfactor 4: Conceptual Training Needs Assessment

Subfactor 5: Small Business Participation Commitment

3.2.1 Subfactor 1 – Executive Summary

The executive summary at a minimum, will address the offeror’s key technical, performance and management features in regards to performing the requirements of the solicitation. The purpose of this section is to provide the Government evaluators with a clear and concise introduction to the content and structure of the Technical proposal. Provide a "big picture" explanation and provide the Offeror’s overall approach and supporting rationale for the technical performance/management.

The offeror shall summarize their overall management plan/approach. This plan shall include the offerors overall management approach with regard to organization, coordination, planning, initiating, executing, monitoring and controlling the program. This will include how the offeror intends to mobilize within the

120-calendar day period to establish the training capability to include developing courseware, syllabi, and any student materials.

The offeror shall submit an organizational chart delineating the key functional areas within the Prime

Contractor’s corporate structure and their relationships and interactions between the headquarters staff, and key field staff personnel as well as all teaming partners and subcontractors that depicts a systematic approach to manage all of the requirements in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Quality Control Plan (QCP): The offeror shall provide a general description of their quality control plan that outlines the offeror’s intended approach to provide quality control. This plan will include but is not limited to courseware development, logistics, academics, OJT and student services, The plan must also include, maintaining partner nation F-16 On-the-Job Training Aircraft in Flyable Condition while performing a demanding training schedule, aircraft forms/documentation.

The offeror shall describe the ability to obtain a license to utilize the Original Equipment Manufacturer

(OEM) Operational Flight Program (OFP) in a contractor-provided simulation device(s), or otherwise provide pilot differences simulation capability to include F-16V and F-16 Block 70/72.

The offeror shall show proof of CONUS Facility(s) meeting Secure Storage Facility (SSF) requirements and Facility Clearance Level (FCL), F-16 support equipment listing required for F-16 aircraft maintenance or capability to acquire necessary equipment, and pilot differences training device(s).

3.2.2 Subfactor 2 – Staffing and Retention Plan

The offeror shall demonstrate a plan to staff and retain qualified personnel for Program Management services, courseware development, qualified F-16 aircraft maintenance instructors required by specialty, qualified F-16 instructor pilots and qualified F-16 technicians required to maintain partner nation F-16 aircraft in flyable condition. Additionally the staffing and retention plan shall demonstrate the ability of the contractor to provide qualified personnel within the 120-calendar day mobilization period.

3.2.3 Subfactor 3 – Comprehensive Schedule and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for

Mobilization Period

The offeror shall produce mobilization milestones demonstrated in a project schedule derived from a WBS, for the offeror to establish a training capability to include courseware, syllabi and any student materials within the 120-calendar day mobilization period. The schedule must demonstrate a clear and concise approach, which the Prime Contractor and Teaming Partners will use to complete the mobilization. Key tasks should include but not be limited to courseware ready-for-training dates, SSF CONUS Training

Facility(s) (Meets FCL) ready-for-training, support equipment mobilization/acquisition, trainers, bench stock, consumables in-place milestones, personnel staffing ready-for-training milestones, and pilot training desktop trainer/training device/simulator ready-for-training milestone.

WBS: Provide a detailed WBS. This analysis must identify the elements of work required to mobilize within the 120-calendar day period to establish a training capability to include courseware, syllabi and any student materials. The WBS must demonstrate a clear and concise approach, which the Prime Contractor and Teaming Partners will use to complete the mobilization. Key tasks should include but not be limited to courseware ready-for-training dates, SSF CONUS Training Facility(s) (Meets FCL) ready-for-training, support equipment mobilization/acquisition, trainers, bench stock, consumables in-place milestones, personnel staffing ready-for-training milestones, and pilot training desktop trainer/training device/simulator ready-for-training milestone.

3.2.4 Subfactor 4 – Conceptual Training Needs Assessment

The offeror shall specify effective internal and external processes required to determine maintenance differences and pilot differences training requirements and the ability to develop and submit a comprehensive training needs assessment. The offeror shall demonstrate the methodology used to develop a comprehensive training needs assessment for both pilots and maintainers.

3.2.5 Subfactor 5 – Small Business Participation Commitment

All offerors (both other than small businesses and small businesses) shall provide the following Small

Business Participation Commitment requirements and substantiating documentation IAW DFARS

215.304(c)(i)(B) and PGI 215.304 (c)(i)(A). Small Business Participation Commitment evaluates the offeror’s corporate commitment and the extent to which offerors identify and commit to specific small business performance under the contract.

a. The Contracting Officer will evaluate IAW DFARS 215.304 and PGI 215.304 (c)(i)(A) the extent to which offerors identify and commit to small businesses in performance of the Student Support

Services (Lodging, Transportation, and Meals for Pre-Delivery Training) task required under this contract.

b. Student Support Services are reserved for Small Business Subcontracting, therefore offerors shall provide Signed Teaming Agreements (TA) or signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) when committing to

Small Business Participation. The signed TAs or LOIs commit the parties to performance under the basic IDIQ contract.

(i) A subcontractor without a TA or LOI with the Offeror is NOT considered as part of the

“team” and will not be evaluated as such.

(ii) Past Performance Information submitted for subcontractors without a TA or LOI will not be evaluated.

(iii) The Government will consider the Offeror and all subcontractors a “team” when a signed TA or LOI is provided.

(iv) A Joint Venture (JV) will be considered a sole business entity

(v) Mentor-Protégé (M-P) is a relationship and not a business entity. M-Ps require formal

TAs or LOIs to qualify for consideration as a team member.

3.3 Volume III – Factor 2 Past Performance

The Government will evaluate offerors’ recent and relevant past performance information on up to six (6) completed or current contracts for the prime and teaming partners. This does not include subsidiaries or alternate divisions within an entity that utilize a different CAGE code. Failure to provide required recency and relevancy descriptions may impact the integrated performance confidence assessment rating, (i.e.

aspects of previous or current contracts should match work elements identified in the Solicitation/PWS).

Past Performance Information submitted for subcontractors without a TA or LOI will not be evaluated. One

(1) recent and relevant past performance reference must be from the Small Business Teaming Partner performing Student Support Services. Offerors are cautioned that not providing a reference for the Small

Business Teaming Partner will impact the overall integrated performance confidence assessment rating.

Lack of any past performance will not automatically disqualify an offeror, but it is a factor that will be considered in the Best Value Subjective Tradeoff Source Selection described in this section. If the offeror claims there is no past performance, then that status must be identified to the Contracting Officer by placing a summary page in Volume III Past Performance.

Each past performance reference shall describe recency, relevancy, and quality as outlined in paragraphs

3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 below. The Government reserves the right to obtain data from other sources such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

In conducting the Past Performance evaluation, the Government reserves the right to use both the information provided in the Offeror's Past Performance Proposal Volume and information obtained from any and all sources. Other sources may include, but are not limited to, CPARS and/or similar systems, using the CAGE/DUNS numbers of contractors who are part of the partnership or joint venture identified in the

Offerors proposal, inquiries of owner representative(s), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity

(FAPIIS), Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (ESRS) and any other known sources not provided by the Offeror. The Government will consider the recency and relevancy of the information, the source of the information, context of the data and general trends in the Offeror's performance. This evaluation is separate and distinct from the Contracting Officer's responsibility determination. The assessment of the Offeror's past performance will be used as a means of evaluating the Government’s confidence in the offerors probability to successfully meet the requirements of the RFP. The past performance assessment process is by its nature subjective and, therefore, professional judgement is implicit throughout the entire process.

3.3.1 Recency

Provide a summary of the past performance reference not to exceed one (1) page of information per reference. The Government will only consider recent performance on a project effort completed or on-going within the last three (3) years prior to the date of issuance of this solicitation.

(i) The summary should not exceed 1 page per reference and include:

(A) Name of project (Contract number)

(B) Name and address of customer or Government agency

(C) Name, telephone, fax number and/or email of customer contact or contracting officer

(D) Total contract value to include IDIQ ceiling and obligated amount (if applicable)

(E) Period of performance/Completion date with month, day, & year for each

(F) Brief description of work completed

3.3.2 Relevance

Provide a summary not to exceed two (2) pages in addition to the recency submission explaining what aspects of each reference are deemed relevant as related to the requirements of this solicitation. Relevant past performance information must demonstrate training international military students on Fighter and/or

Advanced Aircraft to include pilot and maintenance specialties at CONUS and/or OCONUS locations to be deemed relevant. The summary shall describe the contractor facilities used, contractor support equipment, contractor training devices, and data rights/licenses used to support the referenced contract. Relevant past performance information for the Small Business Teaming Partner must demonstrate Student Support

Services to include lodging, transportation, and meal support for various CONUS locations.

3.3.3 Quality

The quality assessment will consist of an evaluation of the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) responses and information on offeror’s quality of performance obtained from any and all sources on recent and relevant contract efforts. The quality assessment will be conducted per past performance reference and will be accomplished by reviewing the preponderance of information in the PPQ and any and all sources for the last three (3) years prior to the date of issuance of this solicitation.

The offeror shall ensure the Government is provided a completed PPQ prior to the date and time of proposal submission for each recent and relevant reference (See Section J, Past Performance Questionnaire

Attachment 7). The completed PPQ shall have all required information in Sections A through D and be signed by a Government respondent. The Government respondent shall submit the completed Attachment 7

PPQ to the Government POCs listed in Section C of the PPQ.

Particular attention will be paid to the following areas which are addressed in the Past Performance

Questionnaire: Quality, Schedule, Small Business Subcontracting, Cost Control, Management, and

Regulatory Compliance. IAW FAR 15.306 Exchanges with offerors after receipt of proposals, if award will be made without conducting discussions, or adverse past performance is a determining factor for being in the competitive range, offerors may be given the opportunity to clarify adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond.

3.4 Volume IV – Factor 3 Price

The fully burdened line item pricing proposed in each Offeror’s Unit Price Book (UPB) (see Exhibit B) will be used for evaluation. Offerors proposed pricing shall include not to exceed (NTE) unit prices over the 10-

Year Program Life Cycle. The total evaluated price (TEP) will be the aggregate of all NTE Extended

Burdened Price line items in the UPB excluding Domestic and International Travel and will be used for the tradeoff analysis. Any other data provided by the Offeror with their price proposal that is not required by

Section L will not be considered or evaluated.