Attch 2 - Section L M Supplement V2.pdf

5.56 and .308 Rifle Ammunition Solicitation 70US0926R70093724 Attachment 2

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

This is combined synopsis/solicitation in accordance FAR Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation, FAR 12 - Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The United States Secret Service (USSS) intents to award a single firm fixed-price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for a 5-year ordering period for a 5.56 and .308 Rifle Ammunition to the offeror who offers the best value to the Government based on this Request for Proposal (RFP), but reserves the right to make no award, if it is determined to be in its best interest. Task Orders will be placed against the established IDIQ. This solicitation is a small business set-aside.

Basis for Award

An award will be made to the responsible offeror who provides the best value to the USSS and whose proposal conforms to the RFP. A best value tradeoff may be used allowing for award to other than the lowest priced proposals or the highest technically rated proposal when it is in the best interest of the USSS. The USSS will evaluate each proposal in accordance with the evaluation criteria described herein.

• Factor 1: Technical

a. Technical Volume Review

b. Conformity with SOR

c. Accuracy

• Factor 2: Past Performance

• Factor 3: Price

Relative Importance of Factors

• Offerors are cautioned that award may not be made to the lowest priced offeror or the highest rated submission.

• The proposals received under this Request for Proposal (RFP) will be evaluated in accordance with the Instructions to Offerors and the Statement of Requirements (SOR).

• The Government anticipates making an award using a three phased approach. The

Government reserves the right to remove proposals from further consideration for award if they are not among the most highly rated offers. Any offeror that receives a rating of Fail will be excluded from further testing.

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (AUG

2025) (DEVIATION 25-21)

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any offer, modification, or revision received after the time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(4) Offerors may withdraw their offers by written notice to the Government received at any time before award.

(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. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(e) Debriefings. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting Offerors, the Government will disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed Offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful Offeror and the debriefed Offeror and past performance information on the debriefed Offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all Offerors when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award.

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful Offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed Offeror as to whether the agency followed source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities.

(End of Provision)

Submission Due Dates

Questions to this solicitation shall be sent to Contract Specialist, John Akin at John.Akin@usss.dhs.gov and Contracting Officer, Erik Syfert at Erik.Syfert@usss.dhs.gov no later than 4:00pm EST, June 12, 2026.

Proposals shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist, John Akin at John.Akin@usss.dhs.gov and Contracting Officer, Erik Syfert at Erik.Syfert@usss.dhs.gov no later than 4:00pm EST, July 7, 2026. The subject line of the email must include the solicitation number (70US0926R70093724) and the requirements and the offeror’s name.

Proposal Submission Requirements

All delivery-orders off this IDIQ will be shipped to the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD in accordance with USSS agency delivery procedures. These procedures will be indicated at the time of delivery-order award.

USSS POC: TBD

Communications Center – RTC 245 Murray Drive, SW Bldg. T-5 Washington, DC 20223 Attn: Armory

Final delivery of all items, including freight, will be to:

USSS RTC-WADS

9200 Powder Mill Road Laurel, MD 20708

Solicitation Test Samples The sample size for the solicitation submittal shall be 1000 rounds of each type of ammunition for which they are submitting a proposal for testing by the Secret Service. The samples must be received by the due date for proposals and sent to the freight address above.

mailto:John.Akin@usss.dhs.gov mailto:Erik.Syfert@usss.dhs.gov mailto:John.Akin@usss.dhs.gov mailto:Erik.Syfert@usss.dhs.gov

NOTE: All samples must clearly marked to indicate Offeror’s name, solicitation number, ammunition Lot number, and CLIN to which it applies. Any unmarked samples will be rejected as unresponsive and will not be tested.

The Government reserves the right to decrease the amount of testing it performs under the FAT protocols. All samples submitted pursuant to FAT shall become property of the USSS and will not be returned.

The Government may invoke its right to require the Contractor to conduct a FAT for the following conditions:

a. First case of ammunition after solicitation.

b. Design change of the ammunition.

c. Design change of manufacturer's production process and/or equipment.

d. Relocation of manufacturer's production facility.

e. Major ammunition quality defects, recalls, and/or any other substandard performance issues.

f. A production lapse of six (6) months or more.

g. Manufacturer changes supplier of critical components.

The Government will be responsible for conducting a FAT if it is invoked for condition "a". The Contractor shall be responsible (under Government supervision) for conducting the FAT for all other conditions and shall be responsible for all associated expenses to include testing, shipping costs, administrative/processing costs, and any other expenses associated with FAT and/or ammunition quality issues.

Quality Control (QC) / Quality Assurance (QA)

The offeror(s) shall provide a current QC/QA process synopsis including examples of their quality plans for the manufacturing of USSS ammunition with their solicitation sample.

Submission of a complete copy of the manufacturer's Quality Manual or a copy of the manufacturer’s ISO certification will fulfill this requirement.

Documentation

The following documentation shall be supplied with each type of ammunition submitted for this solicitation (unless otherwise noted):

a. Technical proposal containing:

• Company profile for the manufacturer.

• Description of manufacturing facilities and capabilities.

• Description of proposed ammunition.

b. Copy of manufacturer’s QC/QA process synopsis, Quality Manual, or ISO certificate as detailed in Section 3.5.

c. Certificate of Conformance (C of C) stating that the ammunition samples meet all Statement of Requirements Basic Compliance requirements.

Offerors shall prepare and submit proposals in accordance with the instructions outlined below.

Failure to comply with these instructions may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive and eliminated from further consideration. Proposals must be clear, concise, and complete, and must address all requirements of solicitation. The Government reserves the right to award without negotiation; therefore, offerors are encouraged to submit their best terms in their initial proposal.

A. Proposal Format

1. The proposal shall consist of the Cover Page and three (3) volumes:

• Volume 1: Technical

a. Technical Volume Review (compliance, conformity with SOR, velocity, accuracy)

• Volume 2: Past Performance

• Volume 3: Price

2. The Cover Page shall include the following:

• Company Name

• Company Address

• POC Name

• POC Email

• POC Telephone

• Company EUI Number

• Company Cage Code

3. File Format for Volumes:

• Volumes 1 and 2 shall be submitted in Adobe (pdf) format.

• Volumes 3 (Price Proposal) shall be submitted in Microsoft Excel format using the provided Attachment 4: Pricing Table.

• File Naming Convention: Each file shall be named using the following format:

[Offeror Name] [Volume Number] [Volume Title].

For example: ABC Company Volume 1 Technical Approach.docx

Page Count – The offeror shall adhere to the following page counts. The Government shall not consider pages submitted in excess of the stated page limitations, or materials not included in full text within the quote (no links to external information shall be reviewed or considered. The Price quote excel spreadsheet shall be unlocked with formulas included. Page limitations include all text, graphs, pictures, appendices, references, exhibits, etc.). Tabs, index sheets, tables of contents, dividers and other such aids that are solely used to assist the evaluator in locating information and are advisory in nature, imparting no other information other than the identification of content, shall not be counted against any page limits stated within this RFP.

Volumes Not to Exceed Page Limits

1. Technical

Technical (Volume 1) information shall not exceed ten (10) pages single sided (excluding cover and table of content).

2. Past Performance

The Past Performance (Volume 3) information shall not exceed three (3) pages single sided per profile (excluding cover and table of content).

3. Price The Price (Volume 4) shall not exceed 3 pages.

All narrative text contained in the proposal response must be formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper with margins of at least 1” at the top, bottom, and both sides; using single spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font. For charts, tables, exhibits and figures, no less than 8-point Times new Roman font is acceptable. Offerors are cautioned that proposal elements using a font less than 12-point Times New Roman for the narrative and less than 8-point Times New Roman for charts shall not be reviewed by the Government. Any pages that are over the page limit shall not be evaluated.

B. Proposal Content

1. Volume 1: Technical (Factor 1)

Phase I

The offeror(s) technical volume will be inspected for compliance with the Instructions to offeror(s) and Statement of Requirements. The following will be reviewed for completeness and compliance:

a. Manufacturer’s Information: The Manufacturer’s information sheet shall include name, address, and model designation for the submitted samples.

b. A full description of all ammunition being submitted for evaluation, complete with all specifications and performance characteristics.

c. Warranty Information: The offeror(s) shall provide detailed information on the commercial warranties of the models submitted.

d. Offeror’s Quality Control/Quality Assurance plan: The offeror(s) shall provide a current QC/QA process synopsis including examples of their quality plans for the manufacturing of the ammunition with their solicitation sample. Submission of a complete copy of the manufacturer’s Quality Manual or a copy of the manufacturer’s ISO certification will fulfill this requirement.

Phase II

1. Conformity with the Scope of Requirements (Pass/Fail)

The offeror(s) samples will be inspected and tested for conformity with physical characteristics of the Statement of Requirements.

a. Minimum Shell Casing – Unless otherwise specified, shell case for all items must be brass or higher quality. All cases shall be of virgin condition. No reloaded or used shell cases will be accepted.

b. Headstamp – Each loaded cartridge shall be head stamped with the manufacturer’s symbol and appropriate cartridge description.

b. Propellant/Primers –The contractor shall select the propellant and primer needed to achieve the minimum performance standards provided with specifications. The propellant and primer must be newly manufactured, within 12 months. All cartridges within one lot shall be loaded with the same propellant and the same lot of primers.

c. All ammunition furnished under this contract shall be no older than two years from the date of manufacture.

d. Non-toxic Ammunition – Offeror shall provide a complete list of components of the cartridges submitted sufficient to determine that the case, and projectile are non-toxic and produce non-toxic by-products. This information shall be provided in the form of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The MSDS shall be provided on or before product sample submittal and at any time MSDS is changed due to component change.

2. 5.56mm NATO Standards

Case – The cartridge case shall be a military 5.56 mm copper alloy case manufactured in accordance with Army drawing 19200-9378276. Upon assembly, the case mouth shall be securely crimped into the projectile. (C1) [A vent hole shall be present in the primer pocket of the cartridge case.] The cartridge is designed to function in rifle and carbines for this caliber without modifications. The cartridge case shall not split when subject to a 1% mercurous nitrate solution for 15 minutes.

Primer - The primer shall be a MIL-spec primer manufactured in accordance with Army drawing 19200-10534279 for M855 Ball ammunition. Primer must be crimped/staked. The primer shall be seated in the cartridge case to a depth of 0.000 to .008 inch below the face of the cartridge case head.

Cartridge - The overall length of the assembled cartridge shall not exceed 2.260 inches or be less than 2.235.

Bullet Pull - Minimum Bullet Pull shall be 30 pounds.

Bullet –The bullet shall be a copper jacketed bullet with a lead core. The bullet weight shall be 64 grains +/- 3.0 grains. Individual bullet weight shall not vary by more than 2.0 grains per lot.

Velocity - The minimal nominal mean velocity at 15 feet from the muzzle shall be 2950 +/- 100 feet per second. Three (3) strings of ten (10) shots will be fired utilizing a 20 inch 5.56x45mm NATO specification (1:7 twist) test barrel mounted in a Universal Receiver, and an Oehler System 85 Ballistic Instrument and Model 57 Ballistic Screens. The cartridge being tested shall be handled in accordance with ANSI/SAAMIZ299.4. The velocity standard deviation for each ten round sample shall not exceed 50 feet per second. If one (1) of the three (3) strings of ten

(10) rounds do not meet the velocity requirements, the lot shall be retested a maximum of two times of three (3) strings each. If velocity requirement is still not met, the lot shall be rejected.

Velocity tests shall be performed each production day to assure minimal variations within each lot.

3. .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO Match Standards

Case – brass - Primer must be crimped/staked

Bullet – 175 grain, +/- 1 grain Open Tip Match, Ballistic Tips are acceptable.

published B.C. of a 0.50 or better

Primer – Must be crimped/staked.

Velocity – 2625 +/- 50 FPS using standard SAAMI test barrel Maximum Standard Deviation - >20*

Phase III

5.56 Ammunition

Accuracy - The extreme spread shall not exceed 3.00 inches at 100-yards for three (3) strings of ten (10) rounds fired utilizing a 20 inch 5.56x45mm NATO specification (1:7 twist) test barrel mounted in a Universal Receiver. The cartridge being tested shall be handled in accordance with ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. If one (1) of the three (3) strings of ten (10) round do not meet the accuracy requirements, the lot shall be retested a maximum of one additional time. If accuracy requirement is still not met, the lot shall be rejected.

Examinations - All fired cartridge cases and primers shall be visually examined to determine compliance with the applicable requirements in the specification. In the event that a fired case or primer defects are encountered, or if a misfire occurs, then the test barrel shall be examined to determine if the defect is attributable to the barrel. If the barrel is at fault, then the test shall be disregarded, and the barrel shall be repaired or replaced prior to performing a retest. If the defect cannot be attributed to the barrel, then the defect shall be attributed to the cartridges. Misfired cartridges and fired cartridge cases and primers shall be retained for further examination.

Cartridge Conditioning - The required number of test cartridges shall be permitted to come to a temperature of 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit prior to being placed in the controlled temperature room or container. The cartridges shall be placed in a controlled temperature room or container in such a manner that all the cartridges are subjected to a uniform temperature for a minimum of two hours prior to firing. The room or container shall be maintained at 70 degrees +/- 5 degrees Fahrenheit and be of sufficient capacity to allow free circulation of air.

Chamber Pressure - The maximum mean chamber pressure (at 70 degrees) shall be in accordance with SCATP protocols for 5.56x45mm ammunition utilizing a 20 inch 5.56x45mm NATO specification (1:7 twist) test barrel. The cartridge shall be handled in accordance with

ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4.

Pressure tests shall be performed each production day to assure minimal variations within each lot.

- must function reliably in designated weapon

- Cartridges shall be function tested in a government Knight’s Stoner SR16 with an 11.5” barrel, utilizing the “Magpul PMAG” 30 AR/M4, 5.56x45 Magazine with window (NSN 1005-01-615-5169). Thirty (30) cartridges shall be loaded into the magazine, and the bolt shall be closed without chambering a round. The bolt shall be opened, pulled all the way to the rear and then released forward, feeding a cartridge into the chamber. The cartridge shall be fired in semi-automatic mode until both magazine and chamber empty. The procedure described shall be repeated one time in full-automatic mode, utilizing 3-5 round bursts. If one cartridge fails to feed, chamber, fire, eject, extract, prematurely fire, or leaves a bullet or fragment in the bore, the test procedure will be repeated. If one failure occurs during the second test, the lot shall be rejected.

.308 Winchester/7.62 NATO Match Standards

Accuracy – 1 inch at 100 yards from SAAMI test barrel on a universal rest *

Chamber Pressure - SAAMI - Average chamber pressure for Maximum Probable Sample Mean not to exceed 66,000 p.s.i. No single round shall exceed 74,700 p.s.i. (90% of the Minimum Average Pressure Value of Proof Cartridges of 83,000 p.s.i.).

Bullet Pull - Minimum Bullet Pull shall be 70 pounds.

Gelatin –Penetration not less than 12 nor more than 18 inches @ 100 yards. Tested using the SR25, 16” barrel.

*Accuracy requirement for .308 @ 100 yards

Average Points Awarded ≤.5 100 .501-.6 80 .601-.7 60 .701-.8 40 .801-.9 20 .901-1.0 10

>1.0 FAIL

*Penetration @ 100 yards

Penetration Points Awarded

>18.0” FAIL

17.1-18” 10 16.1-17” 25 15.1-16” 50 14.1-15” 75 13.1-14” 100 12.1-13” 75

<12” FAIL

*Standard Deviation

Average SD Points Awarded <8 60 8-9.9 45 10-11.9 35 12-13.9 25

14-15.9 15 16-17.9 10 18-20 5

>20 FAIL

The cartridge must function reliably in the designated weapon.

Cartridges shall be function tested in USSS furnished Knight SR25, 16” Barrel w/Knights Armament Suppressor, Model 762DSR/CQB - Twenty (20) cartridges shall be loaded into the magazine of the designated weapon. The magazine will be inserted into the weapon with the bolt locked to the rear. The bolt shall be sent forward to feed and chamber the first round. The weapon will be fired until both chamber and magazine are empty. This process will be repeated four (4) additional times for a total of one hundred (100) rounds fired. If one malfunction (failure to feed, chamber, fire, extract, or eject) occurs, the procedure shall be repeated. If another malfunction occurs during the second test, and is ammunition related, the lot shall be rejected. Five rounds will be loaded and chambered, then extracted and inspected for damage.

Any discrepancies will be evaluated and noted.

*United States Secret Service reserves the right to use, (at government expense) an outside testing facility for any of the test describe within this solicitation.

2. Volume 2: Past Performance (Factor 2)

The Past Performance volume shall include up to three (3) relevant past performance references for projects completed or in progress within the last five (5) years from the solicitation issue date. If a subcontractor will be performing 25% or more of the work, one of the references must be from the subcontractor. Recency is defined as current or previous work within the last five (5) years of the solicitation issue date. Relevancy is defined as work similar in scope, size, and complexity to the SOW requirement.

Performance that is bigger in scope, size and complexity will be considered more relevant than work that is smaller in scope, size, and complexity. If the offeror has no recent and relevant past performance, explicitly state so in the template.

For each reference, include:

• Contract number, title, and customer (Government or commercial).

• Description of the work performed, including scope, size, and complexity.

• Period of performance and contract value.

• Customer points of contacts (name, title, email, and phone number).

3. Volume 3: Price

The offeror shall submit a price proposal in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet based on Attachment 4: Pricing Table. Offerors should provide all price information with sufficient documentation to evaluate price.

Volumes 2 and 3, Past performance and Price, are due on the proposal due date and time.

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (AUG 2025)

(DEVIATION 25-21)

(a) Evaluation factors. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

1. Technical Volume Review (Factor 1)

a. Technical Volume Review

b. Conformity with SOR

c. Accuracy

2. Past Performance (Factor 2)

3. Price (Factor 3)

All non-price evaluation factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

Non-price factors are of equal importance.

(b) Options (if applicable). The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all ordering periods to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the ordering periods prices are significantly unbalanced. The evaluation of ordering periods does not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) Notice of award. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer furnished to the successful Offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

The source selection evaluation criteria will apply Best Value with Tradeoff. A tradeoff process is appropriate in this case as it is in the best interest of the Government to consider award to other than the lowest price offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. The best value concept provides the opportunity for a cost/technical trade off and does not require that the award be made to the offeror submitting the lowest cost or price or the highest technically rated offeror.

Factor 1 (Technical) will be evaluated utilizing the PASS/FAIL Ratings in the table below. Each proposal will receive one overall rating for each non-price factor. The Government will identify strengths, deficiencies, significant weaknesses, risks and/or benefits in each offer, and assign a rating using the following PASS/FAIL ratings and definitions below. Deficiency is defined as any part of an offer that does not conform to a material requirement of a RFP. A material requirement is one that affects price, quantity, quality, or delivery, or that the RFP requires to be met at the time of proposal submission. Weakness means a flaw in the proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. A “significant weakness” in the proposal is a flaw that appreciably increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

PASS Offeror’s submission meets the criteria set forth by the government as outlined in the Statement of Requirements (SOR) and testing criteria/procedures.

FAIL Offeror’s submission does not meet the criteria set forth by the government as outlined in the Statement of Requirements (SOR) and testing criteria/procedures.

The Government will evaluate Past Performance (Factor 2) using performance risks shown below. The Government will identify risks in each offer, and assign a rating using the following ratings and definitions:

Risk Definitions Low Based on the offeror's past performance and systemic improvement record, little doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Moderate Based on the offeror's past performance and systemic improvement record, some doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

High Based on the offeror's past performance and systemic improvement record, substantial doubt exists that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Unknown No past performance record identifiable. (Not applicable to Experience Factor.)

Factor 1: Technical The USSS will evaluate the offeror’s technical in Volume 1. A PASS/FAIL rating will be assigned based on the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the offeror’s ability to successfully fulfill the requirements as outlined in the Section L requirements described above and Statement of Requirements. The Government will assess whether the offeror’s technical volume conforms to the Statement of Requirements.

Factor 2: Past Performance

The USSS will evaluate past performance based on recency and relevancy for all offerors who receive a “pass” on their technical rating. Offerors must demonstrate a proven track record in successfully completing projects of similar scope, with emphasis on quality of work, adherence to schedules, and compliance with contract requirements.

In the event that an offeror does not have recent and relevant past performance, it will receive a neutral rating instead of a performance risk rating. A neutral rating does not give an advantage or disadvantage to the quoter; however, the Government may, in a technical/price tradeoff, determine that a lower performance risk rating is worth more than a neutral past performance rating. In the event that the Government does not find the quoter-provided past performance to be recent and relevant, the quoter will receive a neutral rating for this factor instead of a performance risk rating.

The Contracting Officer may gather information from offeror-provided references, commercial and federal sources, including CPARS and SAM. Additional outreach, such as reviews of articles and publications, may be conducted to assess performance risk. If negative past performance information is identified, quoters will have an opportunity to comment unless they previously addressed it in CPARS. CPARS records older than five years may also be reviewed.

Factor 3: Price The Government will evaluate the offeror’s price for reasonableness, realism, and completeness in accordance with the required format prescribed above. Reasonableness will be based on comparison to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), comparison to other offers, or other price analysis techniques referenced in FAR 15.404-1.

The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) for each offeror will be calculated as follows:

• For each ordering year, the quantity of each item will be multiplied by the proposed unit price for that item.

• The extended prices for all items will be summed to determine the TEP for each ordering year.

• The TEPs for all ordering years will then be added together to determine the overall Total Evaluated Price.

The Total Evaluated Price is used solely for evaluation purposes. It does not represent a commitment by the Government to purchase any specific quantity, nor does it obligate the

Government to order the estimated or maximum quantities listed in the solicitation. Actual quantities ordered under the resulting contract may vary.

The Government will review unit prices for reasonableness and to ensure that pricing is not unbalanced. The Government reserves the right to reject any offer that is determined to be materially unbalanced.