CombinedSynopsis_Solicitation_BallisticsResearch_15F06725Q0000118.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

February 21, 2025

Request for Quote (RFQ)

15F06725Q0000118

1. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

2. The solicitation number is 15F06725Q0000126 and will utilize policies contained in the Federal

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 in conjunction with policies and procedures for solicitation evaluation and award prescribed in FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures and FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services, as appropriate for this acquisition.

3. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through:

a. Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-03, effective January 17,2025, located on acquisition.gov

b. Department of Justice Acquisition Regulation System, published September 02, 2022, located on acquisition.gov

4. The appropriate NAICS code is 541990, All other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

($19.5M), PSC R499 for this procurement. This is a small business set aside.

5. The table below lists the Contract Line-Item Number(s) (CLIN(s)):

Period CLIN Description Begin End Base 0001 Labor 3/14/2025 03/13/2026 Option Year 1 1001 Labor 3/14/2026 03/13/2027 Option Year 2 2001 Labor 3/14/2027 03/13/2028 Option Year 3 3001 Labor 3/14/2028 03/13/2029 Option Year 4 4001 Labor 3/14/2029 03/13/2030 52.217-8 Extension 5001 Labor 3/14/2025 09/13/2030

6. The Government anticipates awarding a single award Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract to one responsible source for ballistics research services. This is for nonpersonal services contract.

The performance work statement (PWS) is attached as Attachment A.

7. The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial

Services (Mar 2023) is incorporated by reference. The provision is amended as follows:

Responsible sources shall provide the following:

1. Cover Page – The Cover page should include the following:

a. Company name and address,

b. Point of Contact (PoC) with the ability to contractually bind the company, PoC phone number, PoC email address

c. Unique Entity Identifier

d. Small business representation and associated NAICS

2. Technical Volume that includes two sub-factors: Technical Approach and Key Personnel. This volume is limited to 3 pages total (excluding resumes) and shall be submitted as a pdf and labeled VendorName_TechVolume with VendorName replaced with quoter’s company name.

a. Technical Approach Sub-Factor- The Quoter shall provide a narrative that details experience and knowledge of tasks listed in the PWS.

b. Key Personnel Sub-Factor – The Quoter shall provide a key personnel resume with no name attached.

3. Past Performance – The quoter shall provide the past performance questionnaire (Attachment B) to the Contracting Officer for a recent and relevant effort. The description of services section shall provide enough description that demonstrates how the services cited is similar to the requirements in the PWS.

4. Pricing – The Government requests pricing for a pool of 1500 hours for each period of performance. Quoters shall use the provided pricing spreadsheet (Attachment C) to provide pricing. Price proposals shall be submitted in .xlsx format. Quoters shall provide fully burdened labor rates (FBLR) for the identified labor category for the base period, each subsequent option year, and a 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, six-month extension. Rates for the extension are to be priced at the Option Year 4 rate for evaluation purposes. If exercised, extension rates will be based upon the last option year exercised. Only respond in U.S. dollars. Files shall be labeled VendorName_Attachment C with VendorName replaced with quoter’s company name.

Using Attachment C, tab “Caveats and Assumptions,” identify any necessary caveats and/or assumptions, if any, the Government should consider.

8. Questions are due February 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM Central. Questions are to be emailed to Tabitha Williams (tlwilliams8@fbi.gov) and Bardia Barmaki (contractor) (bbarmaki@fbi.gov) with the following subject line, “15F06725Q0000126-Ballistics Research.”

Responses to solicitation are due March 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM Central. Quotes are to be emailed to Tabitha Williams (tlwilliams8@fbi.gov) and Bardia Barmaki (contractor) (bbarmaki@fbi.gov) with the following subject line, “15F06725Q0000126-Ballistics Research.” To be considered timely, an Email quote must be received in its entirety in the designated Email inbox by the due date and time for quote submission.

Quotes received after that time will be considered at the Government’s sole discretion.

9. Evaluations of Offers

Provision 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Items applies to this acquisition

Quotes will be evaluated based on technical approach, past performance, and price. The evaluation of each Factor (Technical Approach and Past Performance) will be done holistically with a rating of “high confidence,” “some confidence,” or “low confidence,” representing the Government’s confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement and will be successful in performing the work (see table below).

These factors are listed in no order. In accordance with FAR 13.106, solicitations are not required to state relative importance of factors. The Government will award to the Quoter that presents the overall best value with technical approach and past performance combined being significantly more important than price.

High Confidence The Government has high confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract.

Some Confidence The Government has some confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract.

Low Confidence The Government has low confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, or will be successful in performing the contract.

Technical approach – The Government will assess its level of confidence that the contractor has the ability to successfully: 1.) perform the tasks required in the PWS 2.) The Government will also evaluate the Quoter’s past experience to determine whether the Quoter’s past experience is similar and indicates the probability of the Quoter to successfully provide this service.

Past Performance- The Government will review past performance information and determine the quality and usefulness as it applies to performance confidence assessment.

10. Pricing-

The Quoter’s Price proposal will be evaluated based upon the total price proposed for base period and all options. Quoters shall be evaluated to assess the reasonableness of the proposed price to determine if they reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and are consistent with the various elements of the Quoter’s technical proposal. Quotes will be assessed for realism. Price evaluation shall be all inclusive of overhead, general and administrative (G&A) costs, fees, and other cost elements that, when combined with profit, provide the overall price. A task order will not be awarded to an Quoter whose price is determined to be not fair and reasonable.

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

(End of provision)

11. Provisions and Clauses incorporated by reference follow:

See SF1449.

12. Contract Clauses incorporated in full text

See SF1449

13.a Organizational Conflicts of Interests – General The Contractor warrants by submission of a proposal and acceptance of a contract that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, and except as otherwise set forth in this contract, he does not have any organizational conflict of interest as defined in paragraph (b) below.

(b) The term "organizational conflict of interest" means a situation where a Contractor has interest, either due to its other activities or its relationship with other organizations, which place it in a position that may be unsatisfactory or unfavorable (1) from the Government's standpoint in being able to secure impartial, technically sound, objective assistance and advice from the Contractor, or in securing the advantages of adequate competition in its procurement; or (2) from industry's standpoint in that unfair competitive advantages may accrue to the Contractor in question.

(c) The Contractor agrees that, if after the award he/she discovers an organizational conflict of interest with respect to this contract, he/she shall make an immediate and full disclosure in writing to the Contracting Officer. The disclosure shall include a description of the action which the Contractor has taken or proposes to take to avoid, eliminate or neutralize the conflict. The Government may, however, terminate the contract for the convenience of the Government.

(d) In the event that the Contractor was aware of an organizational conflict of interest prior to the award of this contract and intentionally did not disclose the conflict to the Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contract at no cost to the Government.

14. Government Rights in Data and Copyrights

The government shall have unlimited rights, as delineated in the FAR 52.227-17 Rights in Data-Special Works (DEC 2007) which is included in SECTION I by reference, to all documentation and other data developed by the Contractor under this contract.

The Contractor shall not duplicate or disclose in any manner, to any party, for any purpose whatsoever, or have or permit others to do so, any documentation or other data developed and/or obtained by the Contractor under this contract. The Contractor shall ensure that the clause at FAR 52.227-17 and this restriction are incorporated in any agreements reached with any subcontractors, consultants, agents, or representatives employed by the Contractor in contract performance or otherwise.

Medical records under this contract are the property of the FBI at all times. For the duration of the contract, the Contractor shall maintain the medical records as a system of records on behalf of the FBI, in furtherance of the FBI’s function, pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974.

15. Key Personnel

The personnel listed below are considered essential to the work being performed hereunder. Prior to substituting, removing, replacing, or diverting any of the specified individuals, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer 15 working days in advance and shall submit a written request and justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on this Contract.

The proposed substitution of personnel must meet or exceed the education, experience, and other technical requirements of the personnel being replaced. No change in personnel shall be made by the Contractor without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. However, in urgent situations, as determined or agreed to by the Contracting Officer, an oral request to substitute key personnel may be approved and subsequently ratified by the Contracting Officer in writing. Such ratification shall constitute the consent of the Contracting Officer required by this paragraph. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 10 working days after receipt of all required information of the decision on the substitution(s). In the event the proposed substitution of key personnel does not meet or exceed the education, experience, and other technical requirements of the personnel being replaced, the Government reserves the right to require continued performance of previously approved key personnel or to require substitution of acceptable replacements for the individuals specified below. The key personnel listed below may, with the consent of the contracting parties, be amended from time to time during the course of the Contract to either add or delete personnel as appropriate.

The following Position / Labor Category are designated as Key Personnel:

Position/Labor Category Ballistics Research Assistant

16. Security Checks and Other Personnel Requirements

a) All contractor personnel may be required to complete the required security processes and meet the requirements specified by the FBI Security Division for the sensitivity or classification level of the information for which they will require access. Any contracted personnel who perform services under this agreement may be subject to a background investigation. Only persons authorized and cleared by the FBI shall perform services under this contract and have access to any LES, SBU, and/or medical information.

b) The Contractor agrees by acceptance of a contract to fully cooperate with the FBI to complete the security process by promptly completing necessary forms, scheduling finger printing, and providing required documentation within thirty (30) days of contract award date.

c) The Contractor shall immediately report to the FBI, in writing, changes resulting in different personnel being assigned to perform the duties stated in the contract. Each new personnel, as indicated in H.6.0.c, must be cleared by the FBI. Services cannot be initiated by new contractors without prior FBI approval

Special Security Requirements

14. Access to FBI facilities and information is subject to specific security requirements, which must be satisfied prior to access.

15. Prior FBI approval is required for any subcontracting.

17. Disruption to the Schedule

The Contractor shall notify the COR TPOC at any time when there is or may be a disruption of any type which would delay any deliveries under the schedule. Such notification shall be provided to the TPOC by telephone, as soon as the situation is known to the Contractor and shall be followed up in writing to both the TPOC and Contracting Officer within five (5) days. The contractor shall furnish replacement personnel with the required qualifications and appropriate clearances without causing a delay or interruption of services.

13.g Nonpayment for Unauthorized Work

No payments will be made for any unauthorized supplies or services, or for any unauthorized changes to the work specified herein. This includes any services performed by the Contractor of his own volition or at the request of an individual other than a duly appointed Contracting Officer. Only a duly appointed Contracting Officer is authorized to change the specifications, terms, and/or conditions of this contract.

18. Travel

Any travel required directed in writing by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations

19. Invoicing The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has transitioned its invoice payment processing operations to the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). This is executed as part of a broader effort to meet compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s 2018 electronic invoicing mandate.

IPP is a secure, web-based electronic invoicing system provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRSTL). IPP is available at no cost to any commercial vendor or independent contractor doing business with a participating government agency. To learn more about IPP, please visit IPP.gov.

To prepare for this transition, please review the following timeline and actions:

Upon receipt of this notification

• Request an IPP user account from your company’s IPP administrator if your company is registered in IPP but you do not already have an account

• Send the name of a POC who will act as your company’s IPP administrator to the FBI if your company is not registered in IPP.

• Review IPP training and help materials Obtaining Access to IPP (Registered Vendors) If your company is already registered in IPP, you will not be required to re-register. Please contact your organization’s IPP account administrator so that he/she may add you as an additional user to your company’s vendor profile.

Obtaining Access to IPP (Unregistered Vendors) If your company is not already registered in IPP, you will need to provide the FBI with a point of contact to serve as your IPP administrator. This individual will be responsible for initial account registration as well as creating and managing your company’s IPP users and permissions. Once the requested point of contact’s information has been received, the FBI will submit a request to begin the enrollment process.

The POC will receive two emails from IPP Customer Support:

• The first email contains the initial administrative IPP User ID

• The second email, sent within 24 hours of receipt of the first email, contains a temporary password. You must log in with the temporary password within 30 days

Registration is complete when the initial administrative user logs into the IPP web site with the User ID and password provided and accepts the rules of behavior. Additional user accounts, including administrators, can be created after initial login.

Until further notice, point of contact information pertaining to who will serve as your company’s IPP administrator should be forwarded to Anne Hyde (abhyde@fbi.gov). Please include the following contact information:

• Full name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Title

Training Vendor training materials, including a first-time login tutorial, are available on the IPP.gov website.

Once you have logged in to the IPP application, you will have access to user guides that provide step-by-step instructions for all IPP capabilities ranging from creating and submitting an invoice to setting up email notifications. Live webinars are held monthly and provide a great opportunity to learn the basics of the system. Individuals within your company responsible for submitting invoices should review these materials upon receipt of this notification.

Additional Support Phone support for IPP is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET: (866) 973- 3131. The IPP Customer Support team is available during this time to provide user assistance and to answer any questions related to the IPP application. Questions about the IPP application can also be emailed to IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov.

• For answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Vendor FAQ page on the IPP.gov web site.

• For contract-specific questions, please contact your contracting officer at the number provided in your contract.

mailto:IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov