B01.01 CSS - W912HQ22R0014 - VTN Maintenance and Content.docx

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Number: W912HQ22R0014 Request for Proposal – Value to the Nation: Website Maintenance and Content Development

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.603 – Streamlined Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and FAR Part 13 procedures. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-07, dated 10 August 2022.

A Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) award will be made in accordance with the following:

This acquisition is being solicited as a 100% small business set-aside. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541618—Other Management Consulting Services; with a size standard of $16,500,000.00.

II. NATURE OF ACQUISITION:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of History has a requirement to purchase the services stated below. This procurement will be awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. All questions must be received by Wednesday 31, August 2022, 4:30 pm EST. Proposals must be received no later than Wednesday, 14 September 2022, 4:30 pm EST. Electronic proposals submitted via email are required. Email questions and proposals to the Contract Specialist, David A. Kaplan at david.a.kaplan@usace.army.mil. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure the proposal has been received by the contracting office via email. Fax proposals will not be accepted. Late proposals will be processed in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f) “Late submission, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.” Upon receipt of the electronic offer, the Government will acknowledge receipt of that offer via email to the Offeror.

III. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) was formed to provide forward-looking analysis and research in developing planning methodologies to aid the Civil Works program.

The primary objective of this contract is for the contractor to update the content of Value to the Nation narratives and Fast Facts – both NED benefit and Capital Stock estimates – for online posting and website maintenance. Using data and any additional information provided by USACE, as available, the Contractor will develop new Fast Facts and narratives for each business line. Additionally, as a secondary objective and as permitted by time and labor, the contractor will assist the USACE Value to the Nation Team in additional analyses and updates throughout the contract period of performance, including updating the brochures/’fact sheets’, or the like.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance includes one base year of services and one option year.

Place of Performance:

The Offeror’s facility; some travel may be required. See the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for additional information.

IV. BASIS FOR AWARD

All offers will be comparatively evaluated based on the factors described below: Technical Capability and Price. Offers must be submitted using the CLIN structure below in Factor 2- Price.

Factor 1 – TECHNICAL:

The Offeror must submit a technical work plan to detail how the Offeror will meet the performance requirements in the PWS. The Offeror must limit their technical work plan to no more than twenty (20) typed pages that explains the Offeror’s capabilities as required in the PWS to complete the requirements in the PWS. Key personnel resumes are highly encouraged and do not count against the page limitation. Key personnel resumes are limited to no more than 2 pages each.

Subfactor 1.1 – Technical Understanding and Approach The Government will assess the quality of the proposal; determine the Offeror’s understanding of and knowledge of the performance requirements; ability to meet the required period of performance/delivery dates; whether the proposal identifies potential challenges which may occur as a result of performing the work; and whether the Offeror mitigates the inherent risk in achieving the contract’s performance requirements. The evaluation will also consider the degree to which the proposed work plan provides assurance that the services will meet the program’s requirements and the minimum requirements set forth in the PWS.

Subfactor 1.2- Task Staffing-Level of Effort-Qualifications The Government will assess the proposed personnel for each task, the level of qualification of personnel assigned to each task, the level of effort for each personnel assigned to each task, and the overall level of effort for the contract. The evaluation will consider whether the proposed personnel used are appropriate for the required services, whether the amount of labor hours for each task is appropriate, and whether the overall level of effort is appropriate for the requirement. The evaluation will also consider the qualifications and experience level of key personnel identified in the technical work plan; and how those personnel will be used to maintain the required level of quality for the required deliverables and mitigate risks associated with successful completion of the contract. An example of what is expected to be contained within the proposal is shown on the table below:

*** Offeror should detail their proposed labor categories using this format. Similar formats may be used. This breakdown is required per each task.

Factor 2 – PRICE:

This factor will use price analysis to determine the total evaluated price. The price factor will be evaluated for price reasonableness in accordance to FAR 13.106-2. The price to be analyzed is the total price inclusive of the base and all options.

Contract Line Items: This requirement and associated contract line-item numbers (CLIN) are provided below (also are contained below within the PWS):

All work is to be performed in accordance with the attached PWS.

Prices must show the total price per task to complete the required services in accordance with the PWS, including all indirect rates and profit. This requirement will be awarded as a firm-fixed price contract. The Offeror must submit proposed total and extended pricing to complete the required services.

These two factors: Technical Capability, and Price will be comparatively evaluated. Technical capability is more important than price.

The Government intends to award a contract without discussions with respective offerors. Offerors shall submit sufficient information and, in the format, specified in the Proposal Preparation Instructions. Offerors may be asked to clarify certain aspects of their offer (e.g., the relevance of technical capability information).

V. QUOTE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

52.212-1 ADDENDUM - INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Jan 2017) To ensure timely and equitable evaluation of quotes, offerors must comply with instructions contained herein. Offers must be complete, detailed and respond directly to the requirements of this solicitation.

a. Interested parties capable of providing the requirement must submit a signed and dated offer on company letterhead with unit prices, extended prices, discount terms, tax identification number, CAGE code, and DUNS in response to this solicitation. The requirements of this synopsis/solicitation, including specification, "Schedule of Supplies/Services" and terms and conditions, the offeror agrees to all solicitation requirements. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale.

b. All offer information shall be emailed to David Kaplan at david.a.kaplan@usace.army.mil. The offer must be signed and dated by an authorized official of the company. Electronic submissions via e-mail are required.

c. Offerors must provide pricing for the total price to complete the required services, the hourly rate proposed for each labor category and subtotal cost of labor for each of the labor categories.

d. To be eligible to receive an award resulting from this RFQ, Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, no exceptions. To register, please visit http://www.sam.gov.

e. Offer Content: See section IV – Factor 1 and 2, above

VI. CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and can be viewed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/ in accordance with 52.252-1. The use in this solicitation of any Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (48 CFR Chapter 2) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the name of the regulation.

The Following Provisions and Clauses Are Incorporated By Reference:

The Following Provisions and Clauses Are Incorporated by Full Text:

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Items

(a) 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 shall be used to evaluate offers:

(i) Technical Capability

(ii) Price The Technical Capability factor is more importance than Price.

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise 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.

FAR 52.212-3 ALT I Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items is incorporated by reference in this combine synopsis and solicitation. Offerors must include a statement that certifies the Offeror’s Representations and Certifications are up to date in System for Award management.

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders.

The following FAR Clauses cited within FAR 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition:

The following FAR and DFARS Clauses are applicable to this acquisition in addition to those above in the table for clauses within FAR 52.212-5.

FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 24 months.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.246-20 WARRANTY OF SERVICES (MAY 2001)

(a) Definition.

"Acceptance," as used in this clause, means the act of an authorized representative of the Government by which the Government assumes for itself, or as an agent of another, ownership of existing and identified supplies, or approves specific services, as partial or complete performance of the contract.

(b) Notwithstanding inspection and acceptance by the Government or any provision concerning the conclusiveness thereof, the Contractor warrants that all services performed under this contract will, at the time of acceptance, be free from defects in workmanship and conform to the requirements of this contract. The Contracting Officer shall give written notice of any defect or nonconformance to the Contractor within 30 days. This notice shall state either

(1) that the Contractor shall correct or reperform any defective or nonconforming services, or (2) that the Government does not require correction or reperformance.

(c) If the Contractor is required to correct or reperform, it shall be at no cost to the Government, and any services corrected or reperformed by the Contractor shall be subject to this clause to the same extent as work initially performed. If the Contractor fails or refuses to correct or reperform, the Contracting Officer may, by contract or otherwise, correct or replace with similar services and charge to the Contractor the cost occasioned to the Government thereby, or make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(d) If the Government does not require correction or reperformance, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(End of clause)