CFP-14-R-00003_Amendment_0002.pdf

10 29 chmielewskim Typewritten Text

1 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20552

Date: September 30, 2014

TO: Interested Vendors

SUBJECT: Request for Proposals; RFP # CFP-14-R-00003, Design and Implementation of

Economic Research

Dear Contractor:

Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to acquire contractor support for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is seeking contractor support for the Design and Implementation of Economic Research. Please see that Statement of Work (Section I of this RFP) for the scope of services that will be required.

Two Components

The RFP is broken down into two unique components: Components A and B. Component A includes use of the contractor’s existing economic laboratory facilities and resources by CFPB personnel for conducting economic experiments. To be eligible for Component A, Contractor’s facilities must be within 250 miles of CFPB Headquarters in Washington, DC (1275 1st Street, NE).

CFPB intends to make one award for Component A as a result of this RFP, but reserves the right to make more than one, or no, award.

Component B includes economic experiments to be designed and conducted by the Contractor.

There is no requirement for the location of the Contractor’s facilities for Component B. CFPB intends to make one or more award for Component B as a result of this RFP, but reserves the right to make no award.

More information regarding the two components is outlined in the Statement of Work in Section I of this RFP.

Request for Proposals (RFP) Number CFP-14-R-00003 Design and Implementation of Economic Research

2 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

Procurement Method

The CFPB has posted RFP Number CFP-14-R-00003 on the required federal government “point of entry,” FedBizOpps.gov. Any and all interested vendors within 250 miles of CFPB’s Washington, DC headquarters (1275 1st St. NE) may submit a proposal in response to Component A, and any and all interested vendors may submit a proposal in response to Component B. There are no federal system registration requirements in order to bid on these requirements. However, the apparent successful awardee(s) will be required to register in the federal government’s “System for Award Management” (www.SAM.gov) prior to receiving award. Note that registration in the System for Award Management can take days, or weeks. Accordingly, vendors interested in obtaining any contract with the federal government are always encouraged to register at www.SAM.gov as soon as practicable.

How to Respond

Please note: your organization may have a Government Contracts point of contact or a business development manager – please forward this RFP to them, if applicable.

Your organization will be required to submit a “Technical Volume” detailing your expertise and approach to complete the work required, and a “Price Volume” detailing your proposed pricing.

Please see the Submission Instructions (Section II of the RFP) for details about what to submit, evaluation criteria, page limits, and other related information. Note that the CFPB points of contact and deadlines for submission of questions and proposals are listed below.

CFPB Points of Contact

The following individuals are the points of contact for this RFP; for planning purposes, please notify both of these individuals your intent to submit a proposal in response to this solicitation.

Note that no other communication with any other CFPB employee is permissible for questions concerning this RFP:

CFPB Contracting Officer:

NICHOLAS OLSON

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB)

1275 FIRST STREET, NE

http://www.sam.gov/

3 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

WASHINGTON, DC 20417

(202) 435-7621

E-mail Address: Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov

CFPB Contract Specialist:

Matthew Chmielewski

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU

1275 FIRST STREET, NE

WASHINGTON, DC 20417

(202) 435-9531

E-mail Address: Matthew.Chmielewski@cfpb.gov

Contract Administration

Based upon an evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP, the CFPB intends to award one or more a single Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract(s) for Component A;

and one or more IDIQ award(s) for Component B; however, the CFPB reserves the right to award multiple IDIQ contracts or none for either component.

Under the IDIQ contract(s), the CFPB will issue “Task Orders” focused on specific research projects, populations of interest, and/or topic areas, as determined by the CFPB. Note that the first two Task Orders are included as part this RFP, and are representative of the type of work that may be required under the IDIQ contract(s). Task Order 0001 addresses Component A, while Task Order 0002 addresses Component B.

Deadline for Questions

Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted by e-mail to both Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov and Matthew.Chmielewski@cfpb.gov by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 10, 2014. The proposal shall not exceed the page limits outlined in this document.

The CFPB will post answers to vendors’ questions as soon as practicable. The answers will be posted on FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov) as Amendment 0001 to RFP # CFP-14-R-00003.

mailto:Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov mailto:Nicholas.Olson@cfpb.gov mailto:Vanessa.DelToro@cfpb.gov http://www.fbo.gov/

4 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

Deadline for Proposals

All responses to this request must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 21, 2014.

The CFPB greatly appreciates your interest in this requirement, and looks forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, /Signed/

Nicholas Olson Contracting Officer

5 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CFP-14-R-00003 –

BRIEF CONTENT SUMMARY:

STATEMENT OF WORK Section I

1.0 Background

2.0 Objective

3.0 Scope

4.0 General Guidelines

5.0 Contract Type

6.0 Task Order Type and Multiple Award Ordering Procedures

76.0 Period of Performance/Delivery Required

87.0 Quality Control

98.0 Quality Assurance (QA)

109.0 Place of Performance

110.0 Key Personnel

121.0 Substitution of Key Personnel

132.0 Reassignment and Replacement of Contractor Personnel

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS Section II 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items

Evaluation Criteria

Non-Price Submission Instructions

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options

52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards

52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items

52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters

52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

CONTRACT CLAUSES Section III

52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items

Addendum to 52.212-4

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

52.216-18 Ordering

52.216-19 Order Limitations

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract

52.227-14 Rights in Data – General

Addendum to 52.227-14

52.227-16 Additional Data Requirements

52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations

CFPB Contract Clauses

1.0 Security Requirements

2.0 Cybersecurity/IT Security

3.0 Contracting Officer

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4.0 Contracting Officer’s Representatitve (COR) Designation and Authority

5.0 Other Direct Costs

6.0 Phase in/Phase out Period

7.0 Universal Access and Design

8.0 Inspection of Books and Records

9.0 Organizational Conflict of Interest

10.0 Agency Level Protest Clause

11.0 Minimum Contract Value

12.0 Maximum Contract Value

13.0 Privacy

ATTACHMENTS Section IV

ATTACHMENT 1 Request for Task Order 0001 Proposal and Task Order 0001

Statement of Work (SOW)

ATTACHMENT 2 Request for Task Order 0002 Proposal and Task Order 0002

Statement of Work (SOW)

ATTACHMENT 3 Non-Disclosure Agreement

ATTACHMENT 4 CFPB Third-Party Service Provider Self-Assessment

ATTACHMENT 5 Questions Received in Response to RFP(separate .pdf document)

ATTACHMENT 6 Request for Generic Information Collection Approval (separate

.pdf document)

7 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

I. STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) for DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN

ECONOMIC RESEARCH FACILITY

1.0 OVERVIEW / BACKGROUND.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Act"), which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “the Bureau”). Section 1013(b)(1) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. § 5493(b)(1), establishes the Office of Research (“OR”) and assigns to it the responsibility of researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics relating to the Bureau’s mission, including developments in markets for consumer financial products and services, consumer awareness and consumer behavior.

Economic understanding is achieved through a process of observation and introspection; our ideas shape how we observe the world, and our observations inform our ideas about how the world works.

The essential sources of economic observation are real-world economies; economists collect data on the world around them in order to form theories about how economies operate and how individuals make choices. This empirical approach to economics is vital to economic understanding, however it is also limited. Because researchers have limited control over real-world economies, the questions that they answer are not necessarily congruent with those most crucial to scientific progress. In addition, because natural events occur in the context of complex, dynamic economies, they often do not generate data suitable for testing precise economic theories or for identifying clear causal relationships. Finally, because naturally-occurring data is generated in a unique temporal and spatial context, results derived from them may be difficult to replicate.

In contrast, a economic laboratory provides researchers with precise control over the research environment and data collection processes. This provides researchers with control over their research agendas to investigate relevant and timely questions. Moreover, it allows researchers to maintain the assumptions of a given economic model and can therefore lead to relatively precise findings. In addition, researchers’ precise control over the laboratory environment implies that the results of experiments can be replicated and tested for robustness over different specifications of the economic environment or in the underlying economic model. While it is important to recognize that laboratory research itself has downsides, it is also clear that it plays an important role in the advancement of economic understanding.

2.0 OBJECTIVE.

In order to develop the Office of Research’s research capacity, the CFPB seeks a contractor(s) with both: the ability to build and execute economic laboratory experiments under the guidance of CFPB researchers; and to provide CFPB researchers with the resources necessary for them to build

8 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 and execute economic laboratory experiments. This collaboration will result in a series of directed research projects. This research capacity can be used for, among other things, tests of disclosure, tests and explorations of economic theory, and the exploration of behavioral regularities in various economic contexts.

3.0 SCOPE.

Work under this IDIQ contract will be separated into two distinct components: Component A and Component B. Component A requires the contractor facility to be located within 250 miles of CFPB Headquarters in Washington DC (1275 1st St, NE).. Component A requires the contractor to provide the following (but not limited to): existing economic laboratory facilities, resources, and subject pool in accordance with the criteria set forth below in ‘Component A’ for CFPB personnel to design and conduct experiments.

Component B requires the contractor to conduct some or all portions of a laboratory experiment in accordance with specifications provided by CFPB upon the issuance of individual task orders including, at least: conception of a research idea and development of a research plan, execution of a laboratory experiment, analysis of data, and synthesis of results into a paper or report.Component B requires the contractor to plan and execute the economic laboratory research in accordance with specifications provided by CFPB upon the issuance of individual task orders. Similar to the requirements for Component A, Component B requires the contractor to furnish (at least) the following: existing laboratory facilities, resources, and subject pool. Unlike Component A, Component B does not have a geographic requirement.

All work required will be directed by individual task orders under either Component A or Component B, which are discussed in the following sections. There is currently not a contemplated number or mix of task orders that will be issued. CFPB is seeking contractor(s) to provide the following services under the two components:

Component A Task orders issued under Component A will require the Contractor(s) to provide the appropriate facilities, resources and subject pool for CFPB personnel to execute economic experiments. CFPB requires the Contractor(s) under Component A to provide the following services:

Provide CFPB researchers with access to the facilities and logistical tools necessary for completing a state-of-the-art economics experiment, including, but not limited to: a quiet laboratory environment with private, networked computer terminals; software routinely used to conduct laboratory experiments focused on economic or social science research; laboratory scheduling/reservation capabilities; subject pool management, communication, and payment capabilities; and the ability to securely

9 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 store and transfer data. Staff experienced providing technical supporting for economic/social-science type experiments.

Maintain an active subject pool.

Provide support and information to the CFPB to obtain Paperwork Reduction Act clearance and Institutional Review Board (or similar) approval.

Provide technical support for CFPB researchers to ensure that facilities, information technology, and logistical tools are fully operational and working as expected with CFPB-developed resources.

Ensure protection of any confidential data during the production, use, storage, transmittal, and disposition of the experiment data.

Component B Task orders under Component B will require the contractor to conduct some or all portions of a laboratory experiment in accordance with specifications provided by CFPBplan and execute the entirety of a economic laboratory experiment. CFPB requires contractor(s) for Component B to provide the following services:

Furnish the facilities and logistical tools necessary to conducting a modern economic laboratory experiment, including, but not limited to: a quiet laboratory environment with private, networked computer terminals; laboratory scheduling/reservation capabilities; subject pool management, communication, and payment capabilities; and the ability to securely store and transfer data.

Maintain an active subject pool.

Conception of a research idea and development of that idea into a research plan.

Provide support and information to the CFPB to obtain Paperwork Reduction Act clearance and Institutional Review Board (or similar) approval.

Develop and test experimental software, instructions, and presentation materials.

Implement procedures to evaluate the quality of data as they are being collected and to mitigate detectable errors in the data after they have been collected.

Plan and execute experiment sessions.

Provide experiment data; all versions of experiment software, instructions, and presentation materials; and any supplemental data requested by the CFPB.

Ensure protection of any confidential data during the production, use, storage, transmittal, and disposition of the experiment data.

Provide all data analysis in accordance with the research plan.

10 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

Subject to final agency approval, and in coordination with agency subject experts, Ssynthesize results into a report or academic paper suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

4.0 GENERAL GUIDELINES.

The following identify underlying vendor capabilities that CFPB considers important to the success of the economic research to be performed, including demonstrating the capability to carry out the breadth of research contemplated; the capability to produce quality research results that comply with Office of Research standards; the capability to communicate information during the research process (both within the context of the experiment and externally with CFPB); and the capability to protect data and research results.

Generically, the CFPB is looking for vendors that can meet or exceed the norms of modern economic laboratory experimentation. This section is meant to provide a guide for how this goal might be met.

This section does not outline prerequisites for submission, is not necessarily exhaustive of all that the CFPB desires in a submission or implementation, and does not supersede the guidelines of previous or following sections. Quantities, when listed, are estimates, and offerors are free to specify a different quantities, they will need to demonstrate how such minimum will achieve CFPB’s stated objectives.

4.1 For both Components A and B:

1. Subject Pool

a. An active subject pool that is sufficiently large to meet the subject-requirements of small and medium-sized experiments. CFPB’s working definition of an “active subject” is an individual who is eligible to participate in experiments, who participated in one or more experiment in the previous 12 months, and whom the vendor reasonably expects is interested in participating in experiments in the next 12 months; however Offerors are free to propose alternative definitions. CFPB considers the subject pool objective generally achieved with a subject pool consisting of 300 active subjects or more.

2. Facilities

a. A computer laboratory with enough private, locally-networked terminals to meet the within-session subject-requirements of small and medium-sized experiments. CFPB considers this objective generally achieved by a facility that offers 15 terminals, or more.

b. A method for presentation of instructions or other materials CFPB considers this generally to include a whiteboard or chalkboard as well as a networked projector, but Offerors are free to offer alternative equipment and explain how it meets CFPB’s objective.

c. A method to observe subjects during an experimental session.

11 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

d. A method to pay subjects in private.

e. A payment system that allows for flexibility in the mode or timing of subject payments.

f. Low-cost laboratory access for subjects.

4.2 Additional capability guidelines applicable to Component A only:

1. Logistics

g. Logistical Tools include: a method by which the laboratory may be reserved; a method for two-way communication with subjects; a method by which subjects may browse and reserve spots in announced experiments; a method for defining subject eligibility and filtering subjects by eligibility.

h. Logistical tools are accessible via a computer from the CFPB (e.g., through a web-portal).

i. Subject communication tools allow for anonymous interactions between subjects and CFPB researchers before and after the experimental session.

j. Secure storage of data generated by or for CFPB.

k. Timely, secure access for approved CFPB staff to data generated by or for CFPB.

4.3 Additional capability guidelines only applicable to Component B:

1. Development

a. Conceive of a research idea and produce a written research plan for consideration and review by agency subject matter experts; .

a.b. Provide regular updates, including demonstrations of materials in progress.

b.c. Provide prompt response to feedback.

c.d. Practice experimental session using “dry runs”.

d.e. Carry-out at least one pre-data-collection, trial experimental session with human subjects.

2. Implementation

a. Update, and provide experimental data to, the CFPB after each experimental session.

b. Take measures to ensure a high level of turnout among subjects.

3. Analylsis

a. Analyze data in accordance with the research plan for consideration and review by agency subject matter experts.

4. Synthesis b.a. Subject to final agency approval, and in accordance with the research plan, sSynthesize results into a report or academic paper suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal., in accordance with the research plan.

3.5. Conclusion

a. Provide data in machine-readable format along with a codebook that documents the values of all variables.

12 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

b. Provide experimental software and all supplemental materials necessary to recreate each experimental session, in machine-readable format, if applicable.

c. Provide a copy of relevant entries of a laboratory logbook, documenting the details of each experimental session.

d. Provide supplemental data requested by the CFPB.

d.e. Provide CFPB with any computer code used during data analysis.

e.f. At the conclusion of a project, provide a summary evaluation of the experimental design, experimental software, and final data along with conclusions and recommendations for future experiments.

5.0 CONTRACT TYPE

This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract, under which the agency may make multiple contract awards. Work will be ordered through the issuance of individual task orders, as specified below. Task Orders may be issued. All Task Orders issued under this contract (Component A and/or B) shall be Firm-Fixed Pricewill either be Firm-Fixed Price, Labor Hours, Time and Materials, or a hybrid of any/all of these types. The type of Task Order will be determined at the time of issuance.

6.0 TASK ORDER TYPE AND MULTIPLE AWARD ORDERING PROCEDURES.

Contractor shall, at all times when performing under a task order, utilize pricing in accordance with (or providing discounts from) their approved Labor Rates Table. CFPB may award task orders under this contract of the following types:

1) Firm-fixed price

2) Fixed unit rate

2)3) Labor-Hours

3)4) Time & Materials

5) Any hybrid and/or composite type of pricing

Distribution of orders (Task Orders) under this contract will be placed using procedures found in FAR 16.505(b) and the terms of this contract, including the procedures specified below:

A. The standard process for assigning a task order will be as follows:

1) CFPB will provide Component A and/or Component B IDIQ Contract holder(s), as relevant based upon the nature of the work to be performed and the factors specified in B. (below), with a proposed Statement of Work and Request for Task Order Proposals.

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2) IDIQ contract holders will be requested to submit individual proposals including pricing information.

3) Task Orders will be issued based on the CFPB’s determination of best value as to the submitted task order proposals.

B. The Contracting Officer shall exercise broad discretion in ensuring that each Contractor is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each Task Order award. Task Orders will be issued based on the CFPB’s determination of best value. In making the Task Order award, the Government may consider:

1) Availability of Contractor resources and the Contractor's existing workload;

2) Suitability of Contractor's available resources given the nature of the requirements;

3) Whether the work is a logical follow-on to a previous/on-going task order issued under an IDIQ contract;

4) Potential conflicts of interest;

5) Comparison of prices for the required products and services;

6) Contractor's cost control history under orders for similar types of support; and/or

7) Quality of the Contractor's past peformance under orders for similar types of services.

C. The Contracting Officer need not contact each IDIQ Contract holder before selecting a

Task Order awardee if the Contracting Officer has information available to ensure that each Contractor is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each order. The Contracting Officer may award an order to any individual Contractor on a noncompetitive basis if the conditions in FAR 16.505(b)(2) apply. Streamlined procedures, including the use of oral presentations, may be employed.

76.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/DELIVERY REQUIRED.

The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Period of 12 months and three (3) one (1) year Option Periods.

The three one-year option periods are to be exercised at the sole discretion of the Government (see the clause entitled FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract). The maximum life of the contract, including any options, is expected not exceed four (4) years.

87.0 QUALITY CONTROL.

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The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this Statement of Work. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program (QCP) is the means by which it assures itself that its work complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal in response to Task Orders issued under this IDIQ contract.

89.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA).

All Quality Assurance measures will be assigned upon the issuance of task orders against this contract.

910.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE.

The location of the work to be performed under both Component A and Component B will be performed at the contractor’s facility within the United States as directed by individual task orders.

1011.0 KEY PERSONNEL.

The following personnel are considered Key Personnel by the government for Component A:

Contract Manager

Technical Support Manager

The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government for Component B:

Contract Manager

Principal investigator(s) (PI)

Additional individuals as the contractor may determine are appropriate and identifies based upon the instructions to Offerors and evaluation criteria, as set forth in this RFP and future task orders.

For both Components A & B, the contractor shall provide a Contract Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work and who shall serve as a central point of contact for all contract issues.

The name of this person shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contract Manager shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contract Manager shall be available during the normal course of

15 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 business hours, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

For Component A, the Contractor shall provide one or more Technical Support Managers. Technical Support Managers will be tasked with ensuring that the Contractor’s computer systems are operational and that the experimental software works as expected prior to each experimental session. The Technical Support Manager will not be tasked with debugging CFPB programs, but rather will be tasked with assisting CFPB staff to adapt CFPB programs so that they may operate successfully on the Contractor’s systems. At least one Technical Support Manager assigned to an individual task order shall be available during the normal course of business hours, Monday thru Friday, except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

For Component B, the Contractor shall provide as key personnel on the contract the entire set of Principal investigators from which the Officer intends to draw in response to individual task orders.

PIs will be tasked with planning, managing, executing, and providing expertise to, individual task orders. The precise needs of each task order will be specified in the task order, and the Offeror shall identify in the applicable proposal the specific key personnel applicable to that task order.. The PI(s) assigned to individual task orders shall be available during the normal course of business hours, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

For Component B, offerors are required at a minimum to identify the Contract Manager and one or more Principal Investigator as key personnel. Offerors should review the contractor instructions and evaluation criteria to determine whether additional individuals should be named as key personnel in order to meet contract requirements. It is up to each Offeror to determine the number of additional personnel, if any, to identify as key personnel to meet contract needs. The list, below, may be expanded or shortened, as determined by the Offeror.

The Contractor’s Key Personnel for [fill in “Component A” or “Component B”] are:

Name: ____________________ Position: ____________________ Office No: ____________________ Fax No: ____________________ E-Mail Address: ____________________

Name: ____________________ Position: ___________________ Office No: ____________________ Fax No: ____________________ E-Mail Address: ____________________

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Name: ____________________ Position: ____________________ Office No: ____________________ Fax No: ____________________ E-Mail Address: ____________________

Name: ____________________ Position: ____________________ Office No: ____________________ Fax No: ____________________ E-Mail Address: ____________________

1112.0 SUBSTITUTION OF KEY PERSONNEL.

The contractor shall submit a written request to the COR at least 10 business days prior to a substitution of key personnel assigned to each task order. The contractor shall include the circumstances necessitating the proposed replacement of the key personnel and shall provide the name and resume of the proposed replacement. Replacements shall possess equal or greater qualifications than those they are replacing and shall be approved by the COR. The Contracting Officer will decide any disagreements regarding the substitution of any key personnel.

1213.0 REASSIGNMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.

The Government reserves the right to request that the Contractor reassign Contractor employees whose continued use under this contract is deemed contrary to the best interests of the Government. The Contracting Officer will give notice of such reassignment in writing.

In the event the Contractor finds it necessary to replace any of the assigned non-key personnel during the performance of this contract, the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative shall be notified in writing. In cases of Contractor initiated reassignment of non-key personnel, notice shall be provided at least five (5) calendar days prior to reassignment. Replacement personnel shall meet or exceed the relevant qualifications of the originally assigned non-key personnel. This notice shall also include the resume(s) of the proposed replacement personnel. All replacement non-key personnel are subject to the prior written approval of the CFPB’s Program or Project Manager.

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1. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

A. 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(APR 2014)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard.

The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) 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. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A response to the Evaluation Criteria and Submission Instructions outlined below;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms (please include this in the Offeror’s Price Volume);

(7) “Remit to” address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

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(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 180 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors may only submit one (1) offer in response to this solicitation. Any additional offers received will not be considered.

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

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)

(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

19 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) 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) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) 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.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

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

20 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)

(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to--

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section

Suite 8100 470 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202-619-8925)

Facsimile (202-619-8978)

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites--

(i) ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/ ).

(ii) Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by— https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/ http://quicksearch.dla.mil/ http://assistdocs.com/

21 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm );

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697/2197, Facsimile (215) 697- 1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. Applies to offers exceeding $3,000, and offers of $3,000 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. The offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation “DUNS” or “DUNS+4” followed by the DUNS or DUNS+4 number that identifies the Offeror’s name and address. The DUNS+4 is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the discretion of the offeror to establish additional System for Award Management(SAM) records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see FAR Subpart 32.11) for the same concern. If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one.

An offeror within the United States may contact Dun and Bradstreet by calling 1-866-705-5711 or via the Internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. An offeror located outside the United States must contact the local Dun and Bradstreet office for DUNS number. The offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office.

(k) System for Award Management. Unless exempted by an addendum to this solicitation, by submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

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

https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.acquisition.gov/

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(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and 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 rationale for award;

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

(End of Provision)

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Offerors may choose to submit a proposal for Component A, Component B, or both components. If the Offeror chooses to submit a proposal for both components, the Offeror must submit either one (1) volume that includes separate responses for Component A and for Component B, or two (2) separate volumes - one for Component A and one for Component B.

The following outlines the evaluation criteria by each component.

COMPONENT A EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals submitted in response to Component A will be required to meet a two-step evaluation process. Upon favorable completion of the requirement set forth in Step 1, the Offeror will be eligible to be evaluated for Step 2, which includes the Non-Price Evaluation Factor. Please note, Step 1 will be evaluated as either Go/No-Go, meaning that if the Offeror does not favorably meet the requirement set forth in Step 1, the Offeror will not be evaluated under Step 2 and will not be eligible for award for Component A.

COMPONENT A STEP 1 – GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY EVALUATION FACTOR

Offerors are required to provide proof of geographic proximity (within 250 miles of CFPB’s Washington, DC headquarters (1275 1st Street, NE)) by providing to CFPB the street address(es) of the facility (or facilities) at which the work required under Component A will coccur. Offerors that do not meet this criterion shall not be eligible for consideration for award of Component A, and shall not be considered under Step 2.

COMPONENT A STEP 2 – NON-PRICE AND PRICE EVALUATION FACTORS

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Proposals that successfully meet the criteria stated in Step 1 will be evaluated in Step 2 based upon a trade-off process that will also consider price. The non-price Step 2 factors, when combined, are considered to be significantly more important than price.

As a result of this RFP, the CFPB intends to evaluate and make one multiple award(s) to the responsible Offeror under Component A whose proposal conforms to the RFP and is the best value to the Government, price and non-price factors considered. However, the CFPB reserves the right to make multiple awards or a single award or no award under this component.

The three (3) non-price evaluation factors (Resources, Technical Approach to Task Order 0001, Past Performance) are listed in descending order of importance:

Resources Technical Approach to Task Order 0001 Past Performance

Component A Factor 1 – Resources:

Evaluation Criteria CFPB will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed existing resources based on the demonstrated capability, as identified in Para. 4.1 and 4.2 of 4.0, General Guidelines, of the Statement of Work (SOW), and throughout the solicitation, to carry out the breadth of research contemplated; to produce quality research results that comply with Office of Research standards; the capability to communicate information during the research process (both within the context of the experiment and externally with CFPB); and to protect data and research results.

Component A Factor 2 – Technical Approach to Task Order 0001 (Attachment 1):

Evaluation Criteria

CFPB will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed Technical Approach based on the effectiveness of the proposed approach to successfully completing its requirements, as specified in Task Order 0001, in accordance with Para. 4.1 and 4.2 of 4.0, General Guidelines, in the SOW.

Component A Factor 3 – Past Performance:

Evaluation Criteria CFPB will evaluate the quality of the Offeror’s past performance using the electronic Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) at www.ppirs.gov. CFPB will also evaluate the quality of the Offeror’s past performance using www.sam.gov to identify any exclusions the Offeror may have. Furthermore, the CFPB will also consider other information http://www.ppirs.gov/

24 CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB), 1700 G STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20552 it is able to obtain or otherwise receives that addresses the Offeror’s past performance. This includes relevant past performance information the CFPB may obtain as a result of the Offeror’s identification of Federal, state, local government and/or private contracts it has had within the past five years to perform work the same or similar to this Government requirement.

This also includes any information the Offeror provides to explain problems encountered on any contracts involving the same or similar services within the past five years, how the Offeror/subcontractor addressed those problems or took corrective action(s), and the results of those corrective actions. If the Offeror has no record of relevant past performance, and no relevant past performance information is otherwise obtained by the Government, the Offeror will be given a neutral rating on the past performance evaluation factor.

Component A Price:

As explained further under Task Order 0001, the CFPB will evaluate each Offeror’s pricing under Component A based upon the Offeror’s Total Firm-Fixed Price for Task Order 0001, which will be the actual pricing proposed for Task Order 0001. The price evaluation preference specified at FAR 52.219-4, to the degree applicable based upon the specific offers received that have passed Step 1, will be applied prior to evaluating Offerors’ pricing. Each Offeror’s price proposal will be evaluated for price reasonableness.

Note that because this is a Full and Open Competition, the price evaluation preference contained in FAR 52.219-4 will be applied, if applicable.

COMPONENT B NON-PRICE AND PRICE EVALUATION FACTORS:

For Component B, proposals will be evaluated based upon a trade-off process that will also consider price. The four non-price factors, when combined, are considered to be significantly more important than price.

As a result of this RFP, the CFPB intends to evaluate and make one or more award(s) to the responsible Offeror(s) under Component B whose proposal conforms to the RFP and is the best value to the Government, price and non-price factors considered.