Attachment 9 - Section L Instructions Conditions and Notices to Offerors.pdf

FA488726R0011 – Attachment 9 – Section L

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

THIS SECTION IS FOR SOLICITATION PURPOSES ONLY. THIS SECTION WILL BE

PHYSICALLY REMOVED FROM ANY RESULTANT AWARD, BUT WILL BE DEEMED

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

This section outlines the instructions for proposal submission to ensure the Government has the necessary documentation to evaluate the Offeror’s capabilities and proposals for this acquisition.

L.1 INTRODUCTION INFORMATION

This is a competitive, Performance Price Tradeoff (PPT) with Technical Acceptability acquisition for Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) companies that will be conducted in accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), as supplemented by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (R-DFARS), and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to make an integrated assessment for a best value award decision. These regulations are available electronically at https://acquisition.gov/. For those Offerors who are determined to be technically acceptable, tradeoffs may be made between past performance and price. Technical and Past Performance when combined are approximately equal to price. This may result in an award to a higher rated past performance, higher priced Offeror, where the decision is consistent with the evaluation factors, and it is reasonably determined that the technical and/or overall business approach and/or past performance of the higher priced offeror outweighs the cost difference. The Government evaluation team will strive for maximum objectivity, the selection process, by its nature, is subjective and, therefore, professional judgment is implicit throughout the entire process. In order to be considered for award, the Offeror must be determined responsible (as described in RFO 9.104), meet all solicitation requirements, terms, and conditions, be technically “Outstanding”, “Good” or “Acceptable”, be assessed a past performance confidence rating of “Substantial”, “Satisfactory” or “Neutral”, and have a price that is complete, fair, reasonable, and balanced.

L.1.2 Number of Contracts to be awarded

The Government intends to award a single Firm-Fixed Price contract as a result of this solicitation.

L.2. GENERAL INFORMATION

L.2.1 Participation Proposals may only be submitted by contractors that have active registration in the System for Award Management at SAM.gov and are Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Women Owned Small Business firms registered in the North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) of 237130 Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction. Additionally, in order to submit an offer on a solicitation, each business concern in a Teaming Agreement must be a small business under the designated NAICS size standard and must also be a small business when combined in the aggregate of all teaming affiliates.

L.3. POINTS OF CONTACT

The Contracting Officers (CO) listed below are the Government’s sole points of contact for this acquisition.

56 CONS/PKB

TSgt Laura Negley Contracting Officer Telephone: 623-856-2725 laura.negley@us.af.mil

56 CONS/PKB

Kelli McDonald Contracting Officer Telephone: 623-856- 2728 kelli.mcdonald@us.af.mil

L.4. QUESTIONS

L.4.1 All questions regarding this solicitation and the acquisition requirement must be submitted in writing, in Microsoft Excel format (Attachment 7 – RFI Log), and shall be emailed to both points of contact listed in paragraph L.3 above. Questions or requests for RFP clarification must be received NLT 17 July 2026 by 12:00 PM MST. Any questions submitted after this date might not be answered. 56 CONS/PKB assumes no responsibility for non-delivery due to problems with email servers, and extensions are at the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer.

L.4.2 To ensure all Offerors have availability to information at the same time, questions received and subsequent answers will be posted to the Contract Opportunities website https://sam.gov. It is the responsibility of the contractor to continuously monitor the site for updates. Failure of a prospective Offeror to submit any questions or attend the site visit will be construed to mean that the prospective Offeror fully understands all requirements of the solicitation.

L.4.3 Discrepancies If an Offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the Offeror shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing with supporting rationale as well as the remedies the Offeror is asking the Contracting Officer to consider as related to the claimed omission or error. The Offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussions. This reservation includes matters of additional or substitute pages of the initial proposal.

L.4.4 Electronic Reference Documents This is an all-electronic solicitation release. Hard copies are not available. All referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the Contract Opportunities (sam.gov) website at https://sam.gov. It is the responsibility of each Offeror to review the web page for postings of amendments, updates or changes to current information. Therefore, potential Offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time e-mail notifications when information has been posted to the website for this solicitation.

L.4.5 Amendment of Solicitation Prior to Closing The Government reserves the right to revise or amend the solicitation prior to the proposal closing time. Such revisions or amendments will be communicated by amendments to the Request for Proposal (RFP) and posted on (SAM.gov) https://sam.gov. If such amendments require material changes in quantities or prices, the proposal closing date may be postponed by enough days to enable Offerors to revise their proposals. In such cases, the amendment will include an announcement of the new closing date and time. Offerors MUST acknowledge all amendments in their proposal by completing SF1442 Block 19, providing signed copies of the amendments with their proposal or by separate letter which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers.

L.4.6 Communications Exchanges of acquisition information between the Government and Offerors will be controlled by the Contracting Officer. Email or DoD Secure Access File Exchange Service (DoD SAFE), (https://safe.apps.mil/) may be used to transmit such information.

L.4.7 Site Visit Prospective Offerors are advised that the site visit will be held for the purpose of touring the project sites, explaining the project, and providing general information regarding the solicitation. The location for the site visit will be at Luke AFB Auxiliary Airfield 1, Whittman, AZ 85361 on 9 July 2026 at 9:00 AM MST. There are no access restrictions for this location and therefore no base passes will be issued nor required.

L.5 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

L.5.1 Offeror’s Proposal The Offeror's proposal must include all data and information requested by Section L – Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors and must be submitted in accordance with these instructions. The offer shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Statements of Work (Attachment 1 – SOW – AUX Airfield Modernization dated 1 Apr 26). Non- conformance with the instructions provided in this Section L – Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation and may be grounds to eliminate the proposal from consideration for contract award; alternate proposals will not be accepted.

The proposal shall be clear, concise, and shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims. 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 that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror's proposal. The proposal acceptance period is specified in Block 13D, SF1442, of this solicitation. By signing block 20B of the SF1442, the Offeror certifies that the proposal is valid from the due date and time listed in block 13A through the entire period specified in block 13D.

Funds ARE currently available for this requirement up to the anticipated cost of the project. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date for receipt of proposals. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs. The contracting officer will confirm availability of funds in writing to the contractor upon award of the contract. In accordance with RFO 4.309 (Storage, handling, and contract files), the Government will retain a copy of all unsuccessful proposals.

L.5.2 Proposal Preparation Instructions Offerors are required to meet all Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, technical, past performance and pricing requirements. The Government may determine a proposal incomplete due to exceptions taken and/or failure to comply with all specific instructions, including formatting instructions and will eliminate proposal from further consideration for award. Proposals shall include all of the information requested in the specific instructions below for each proposal part.

L.5.3 Organization/Number of Copies.

Proposals shall consist of three (3) volumes: Volume I – Technical (Factor 1), Volume II - Past Performance (Factor 2), Volume III – Price (Factor 3). Each Volume must be labeled as a separate file.

All pages of each Volume shall be appropriately numbered and identified with the RFP number. Each volume and file shall contain a more detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that file. Each volume shall also contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used with an explanation for each. Glossaries are not included in the page limitations noted in Table L.5.4.1 below.

L.5.4 Page Limitations.

For specific guidance regarding the number of copies required, refer to Table L.5.4.1 below.

The titles and contents of the volumes shall be as defined in the table, all of which shall be within the required page limits specified. Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read/considered in the evaluation of the proposal. Each page shall be counted except pages titled as "Left Intentionally Blank" or cover sheets.

Table L.5.4.1 Page Limits

Volume Title Copies Page Limit

I

Factor 1: Technical

1 Original Construction Work Plan

- NTE fifteen (15) pages

II Factor 2: Past Performance 1 Original See paragraph L.8.

III Factor 3: Price 1 Original See paragraph L.9.

L.5.5 Page Size and Format An electronic page is defined as each face of an 8 ½” X 11” electronic sheet of paper containing information. Pages shall be typed with 1 line spacing. Except for any reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text size shall not be less than 12-point font with margins of at least 1" on all sides. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume. Pages titled as "Left Intentionally Blank" and cover sheets will not be considered towards total page count.

L.5.6 Pricing Related Data Do NOT include any pricing information in Volume I or Volume II. All pricing data shall be addressed ONLY in the Price Proposal (Volume III).

L.6 Electronic Offers.

L.6.1 Volumes:

Offerors shall submit one (1) original for Volume I (Technical), Volume II (Past Performance) and Volume III (Price). All three (3) volumes shall be submitted electronically via email or DoD Secure Access File Exchange Service (DoD SAFE) at https://safe.apps.mil to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist listed in L.3 with each Volume included as a separate file.

L.6.2 Electronic Submission Procedures Offerors are responsible for submitting electronic proposals via email or DoD SAFE to include all proposal volumes so as to reach the government office designate in the solicitation no later than the established date and time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers. Please refer to the Help Link located at https://safe.apps.mil for additional information on DoD SAFE access. Offerors are encouraged to access DOD SAFE well in advance to ensure connectivity.

When requesting an email link, allow for a minimum of 1 business day for processing. Once the Contracting Specialist/Officer processes your request, you receive an email with a link to the DoD SAFE location where files can be dropped off. A drop-off request is valid for 7 days and is only available for one use. If additional documents need to be submitted after using the first drop-off request, Offerors must request additional drop-offs. Offerors can request a drop-off by emailing your name, phone number, and email address to the POC’s listed in paragraph L.3.

L.7 Volume I – Factor 1: Technical

L.7.1. General.

The Technical Volume shall be specific, detailed, and complete to clearly and fully demonstrate that Offerors have a thorough understanding of the requirement. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. Do not merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation. Statements that Offerors understand, can, or will comply with the specifications (including referenced AF publications, etc.); statements paraphrasing the specifications or parts thereof (including referenced AF publications, etc.); and phrases such as "standard procedures will be employed" or "well known techniques will be used" etc., will be considered unacceptable. Offerors should note that data submitted prior to the proposal submission will not be considered in the Government's evaluation;

https://safe.apps.mil/ therefore, such data should not be relied upon or incorporated in the Technical proposal by reference.

Using the instructions provided below, Offerors shall provide as specifically as possible the actual methodology they intend to use to meet the Government's performance or capability requirements for each technical subfactor. All the requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. By your proposal submission, you are representing that your firm will perform all the requirements specified in the solicitation.

L.7.2 Construction Work Plan The Construction Work Plan shall be specific, detailed, and complete to clearly and fully demonstrate that the offeror has a thorough understanding of the extent of the construction scope and deliverables as stated in the Statement of Work. The Construction Work Plan shall provide a description of an offeror’s capabilities and overall execution strategy to ensure successful performance throughout all states of performance to include technical approach, management and schedule, and proposed equipment list. The Construction Work Plan shall demonstrate an adequate set of processes and procedures detailing how the Offeror will execute all work diligently without any unnecessary or unauthorized delays, breaks or deviations from the SOW or subsequent modifications.

L.7.2.1 Technical Approach: Offerors will provide a detailed plan that demonstrates safe confined-space entry procedures, details cable pulling techniques, splicing methodologies, Fiber Optic Transport System (FOTS) integration, and adherence to Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Telecommunications Distribution Methods (TDM), and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) standards as stated in the SOW.

L.7.2.2 Management and Schedule: Offeror will provide a comprehensive schedule that includes minimizing network downtime/outages, site cleanup and manhole/handhole restoration. Offeror will include a confined space safety plan, a quality control plan, and key personnel listing to ensure OSHA compliance and safety adherence.

L.7.2.3 Proposed Equipment List: Offeror will provide a detailed list of proposed equipment that demonstrates the ability to identify and access the mandatory, calibrated equipment required to safely execute underground fiber optic installation and testing.

L.8 Volume II – Factor 2: Present/Past Performance.

L.8.1 General.

Offeror's past performance will be evaluated according to Section M.3.3. Factor 2 – Past Performance.

L.8.2 Present/Past Performance Volume Contents

Table L.8.2 Volume Content and Page Limits Volume No. Title Page Limits

1 Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) up to three (3) year period.

Maximum of 20 pages.

2 Teaming Partner Consent Letter (if applicable) One (1) page

L.8.3 Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs).

Offerors shall submit a maximum of three (3) projects for recent and relevant past performance efforts/contracts with a maximum of twenty (20) pages. The offeror can either provide the Government Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports for each project OR provide the furnished questionnaire Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) Attachment 8 to those agencies and commercial customers whose efforts are deemed recent and relevant and direct. The responsibility to send out PPQs rests solely with the Offeror. The information contained in completed PPQs will be considered sensitive and will not be released to the Offeror. CPARS/PPQs should cover a period of up to three (3) years, which is similar to the Statement of Work provided in the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to contact the references provided by the Offeror and any other references generated by the Government to discuss the Offeror’s past performance. Offerors shall not complete any information in PPQs except for Blocks 1-4 in section (1 Contractor Information). Offerors will return completed questionnaires (Attachment 8)/CPARS reports via email or DoD SAFE in Volume II – Past Performance directly to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist, listed in Section L.3.

L.8.4 References The Government reserves the right to contact the references provided by the Offeror and any other references generated by the Government to discuss the Offeror’s past performance.

Offeror’s past performance will be evaluated according to Section M.3.3.

L.8.5 Teaming Partner Consent Letter.

Teaming Partner past performance information should not be disclosed to the Prime Offeror without the partner’s consent. Provide a letter Teaming Partner Consent Letter in the Past Performance Volume from all partners consenting to the release of their past performance information to the Prime contractor (letters do not count towards page count). The written consent(s) should be submitted as part of the Past Performance Volume. Should the Offeror not submit consent, the Government will only discuss past performance information directly with the prospective teaming partner that is being reviewed. If there is an issue with the proposed teaming partner’s past performance, the Offeror can be notified but no details may be discussed without the teaming partner’s permission.

L.9 Volume III – Factor 3: Price The Contracting Officer has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. The Contracting Officer will utilize RFO 15.403-2(c)(1) to determine if adequate price competition exists. The Total Price will be evaluated IAW Section M, paragraph M.3.4.

Complete the Standard Form 1442 and all pages originally included in the RFP. Offerors must complete all Scheduled B pricing information and complete all representations and Certifications in Section K or in SAM.gov. Offerors should complete Section B with the total amount in the unit price. Complete blocks 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20a, 20b, and 20c of the SF 1442, Solicitation, Offer, and Award. In doing so, the Offeror agrees to the contract terms and conditions as written in the RFP, Sections A through K.

L.10. Relationship between Instructions and Evaluation Your attention is directed to the functional relationship between Sections L and M of this solicitation. Section L provides information for the purpose of organizing the proposal and is not intended to be all inclusive. Section M describes evaluation factors for award. Since the Government evaluation of proposals will cover areas identified in Section M, proposals should address all such areas of evaluation.