CTS II - Section L Draft_070325.pdf

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Controller Training Solutions (CTS) II Draft SIR Sections C, L, and M
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693KA8-25-R-00013
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This document is Section L (Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors) for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Controller Training Solutions II (CTS II) solicitation. The solicitation seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive air traffic controller training support services across multiple FAA facilities, including the FAA Academy and field locations. The contract will be an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Time and Materials (T&M) or Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Task Orders.

Key submission requirements include six proposal volumes: Offer and Other Documents, Program Management Approach, Technical Approach, Past Performance, Cost/Price, and Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Offerors must demonstrate capabilities in instructional services, air traffic control environment understanding, training process knowledge, and staffing management. The FAA has established specific subcontracting goals: 43.02% of subcontract dollars to small businesses, with additional 5% allocations to small disadvantaged, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Proposals are subject to detailed formatting, page limit, and content requirements, with an emphasis on demonstrating technical expertise, management approach, and competitive pricing.

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693KA8-25-R-00013

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

L-1

Table of Contents

L.1. FAA AMS CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 3

L.2. FAA AMS CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT

L.3. GENERAL INFORMATION

L.3.1. GOVERNMENT POINT OF CONTACT

L.3.2. PROJECTED ACQUISITION SCHEDULE

L.3.3. EXPENSES RELATED TO OFFEROR SUBMISSIONS

L.3.4. EQUAL ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

L.3.5. PROVIDE NOTICE OF INTENT TO WITHDRAW PROPOSAL

L.3.6. PARTICIPATION OF NON-GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

L.4. QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND CLARIFICATIONS

L.5. PLACE, DATE, AND TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

L.6. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

L.6.1. PROPOSAL LIMIT

L.6.2. PERIOD OF OFFER

L.6.3. FALSE STATEMENTS

L.6.4. RESTRICTED DISCLOSURE

L.6.5. NOTIFICATION OF DISCREPANCIES, EXCEPTIONS, DEVIATIONS, AND ASSUMPTIONS . 10

L.6.6. LEGALLY BINDING PROPOSALS

L.7. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

L.7.1. PROPOSAL VOLUME REQUIREMENTS

L.7.2. ELECTRONIC COPIES OF PROPOSALS

L.7.3. HARD (PAPER) COPIES OF PROPOSALS

L.7.4. PROPOSAL FORMATTING

L.7.5. SIGNED SUBMITTAL LETTER

L.7.6. DISPOSITION OF PROPOSALS ................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

L.8. PROPOSAL VOLUME REQUIREMENTS

L.8.1. VOLUME I – OFFER AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

L8.1.1. Volume I, Section 1 – Solicitation Cover Page L8.1.2. Volume 1, Section 2 - SIR Section I, Contract Clauses L8.1.3. Volume 1, Section 3 - SIR Section K, Representation, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offeror L8.1.4. Volume 1, Section 4 - Responsible Prospective Contractors

L.8.2. VOLUME II - PROGRAM MANAGEMENT APPROACH

L8.2.1. Factor 1 – Management of Service Delivery L8.2.2. Factor 2 – Sample Problem Response L8.2.3. Factor 3 – Transition Approach

L.8.3. VOLUME III - TECHNICAL APPROACH

L8.3.1. Factor 1: Instructional Capabilities L8.3.2. Factor 2: Approach and Ability to Provide Other Required Services

L-2

L8.3.3. Factor 3: Knowledge/Understanding of the FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) Operating Environment L8.3.4. Factor 4: Knowledge of and Familiarity with FAA ATC Training Process and Materials 20

L.8.4. VOLUME IV – PAST PERFORMANCE

L8.4.1. Past Performance Summaries L8.4.2. Past Performance Questionnaires

L.8.5. VOLUME V – COST/PRICE

L8.5.1. Part A: Price Evaluation Tool Submission L8.5.2. Part B: Pricing Approach Narrative, Detailed BOEs, and Fully Burdened Labor Rate Build-Up

L.8.6. VOLUME VI – SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

L-3

L.1. FAA AMS Clauses and Provisions Incorporated by Reference

3.1-1 Clauses and Provisions Incorporated by Reference (July 2019)

This Screening Information Request (SIR) or contract, as applicable, incorporates by reference the provisions or clauses listed below with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make the full text available, or Offerors and Contractors may obtain the full text via the Internet at:

http://conwrite.faa.gov.

(End of clause)

Table L-1 – Provisions or Clauses Clause

Number Clause Title

3.2.2.3-1 False Statements in Offers (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-6 Submittals in the English Language (September 2020) 3.2.2.3-7 Submittals in U.S. Currency (September 2020) 3.2.2.3-12 Amendments to Screening Information Requests (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-13 Submission of Information/Documentation/Offers (April 2024)

3.2.2.3-14 Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Submittals (April 2024)

3.2.2.3-16 Restricting, Disclosing and Using Data (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-17 Preparing Offers (April 2024) 3.2.2.3-18 Prospective Offeror’s Requests for Explanations (April 2024) 3.6.2-15 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (April

2017)

L.2. FAA AMS Clauses and Provisions Provided in Full Text

3.2.2.3-15 Authorized Negotiators (April 2024)

The offeror states that the following persons are authorized to negotiate on the offeror’s behalf with the FAA in connection with this offer:

Name:______________________________________________ Title:_______________________________________________ Phone number:_______________________________________ Email:______________________________________________

(End of provision)

3.2.2.3-20 Offers (January 2018) http://conwrite.faa.gov/

L-4

(a) The offeror (you) must submit responses to this SIR electronically to CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov. Your offer must arrive in the inbox at the time specified in the SIR.

(b) Such offers must refer to this SIR and include, as applicable, the item or sub-items, quantities, unit prices, time and place of delivery, all representations and other information required and a statement specifying the extent of your agreement with all the FAA's (we) terms, conditions, and provisions.

(c) We may decline to consider offers that do not include required information or reject any of the terms, conditions, and provisions of the SIR.

(d) Send your offer to CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov.

(e) We will not be responsible for any failure attributable to transmitting or receiving the offer, unless it falls under section (a) of AMS provision 3.2.2.3-14 "Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Submittals".

(End of provision)

3.2.4-1 Type of Contract (April 1996)

The FAA contemplates an award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Time and Materials (T&M) or Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Task Orders (TOs) resulting from this SIR.

(End of provision)

3.6.1-17 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (October 2022)

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is:

611430, Professional and Management Development Training

The small business size standard as defined by the Small Business Administration is the following:

For NAICS codes based on annual receipts, the annual average receipts for the last three fiscal years cannot exceed $11M.

For NAICS codes based on the number of employees, the average number of employees over the last twelve-month period cannot exceed N/A.

(End of provision) mailto:CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov

L-5

3.9.1-3 Protest (April 2024)

AS A CONDITION OF SUBMITTING AN OFFER OR RESPONSE TO THIS SIR (OR

OTHER SOLICITATION, IF APPROPRIATE), THE OFFEROR OR POTENTIAL

OFFEROR AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS

RELATING TO PROTESTS:

(a) Protests concerning Federal Aviation Administration Screening Information Requests (SIRs) or awards of contracts shall be resolved through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dispute resolution system at the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA) and shall be governed by the procedures set forth in 14 C.F.R. Parts 14 and 17, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Judicial review, where available, will be in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 46110 and shall apply only to final agency decisions. A protestor may seek review of a final FAA decision only after its administrative remedies have been exhausted.

(b) Offerors initially should attempt to resolve any issues concerning potential protests with the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer should make reasonable efforts to answer questions promptly and completely, and, where possible, to resolve concerns or controversies. The protest time limitations, however, will not be extended by attempts to resolve a potential protest with the Contracting Officer.

(c) The filing of a protest with the ODRA may be accomplished by mail, overnight delivery, hand delivery, or by facsimile or if permitted by order of the ODRA, by electronic filing. A protest is considered to be filed on the date it is received by the ODRA during normal business hours. The ODRA's normal business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.

(d) Only an interested party may file a protest. An interested party is one whose direct economic interest has been or would be affected by the award or failure to award an FAA contract. Proposed subcontractors are not "interested parties" within this definition.

(e) A written protest must be filed with the ODRA within the times set forth below, or the protest shall be dismissed as untimely:

(1) Protests based upon alleged improprieties in a solicitation or a SIR that are apparent prior to bid opening or the time set for receipt of initial proposals shall be filed prior to bid opening or the time set for the receipt of initial proposals.

(2) In procurements where proposals are requested, alleged improprieties that do not exist in the initial solicitation, but which are subsequently incorporated into the solicitation, must be protested not later than the next closing time for receipt of proposals following the incorporation.

(3) For protests other than those related to alleged solicitation improprieties, the protest must be filed on the latter of the following two dates:

L-6

(i) Not later than seven (7) business days after the date the protester knew or should have known of the grounds for the protest; or

(ii) If the protester has requested a post-award debriefing from the FAA Product Team, not later than five (5) business days after the date on which the Product Team holds that debriefing.

(f) Protests shall be filed at:

(1) For filing by hand delivery, courier or other form of in-person delivery:

Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition Federal Aviation Administration 600 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2W100 Washington, DC 20591; or

For filing by U.S. Mail:

Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20591 [Attention: AGC-70, Wilbur Wright Bldg. Room 2W100]; or

Telephone: (202) 267-3290 Facsimile: (202) 267-3720 Alternate Facsimile: (202) 267-1293; or

(2) Other address as specified in 14 CFR Part 17.

(g) At the same time as filing the protest with the ODRA, the protester shall serve a copy of the protest on the Contracting Officer and any other official designated in the SIR for receipt of protests by means reasonably calculated to be received by the Contracting Officer on the same day as it is to be received by the ODRA. The protest shall include a signed statement from the protester, certifying to the ODRA the manner of service, date, and time when a copy of the protest was served on the Contracting Officer and other designated official(s).

(h) Additional information and guidance about the ODRA dispute resolution process for protests can be found on the ODRA Website at http://www.faa.gov.

(End of provision)

L.3. General Information

This section of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Controller Training Solutions II (CTS II) SIR provides instructions, conditions, and notices to Offerors.

L-7

L.3.1. Government Point of Contact

The Contracting Officer (CO) is this acquisition’s sole point of contact. All questions or concerns must be addressed to the CO in writing via e-mail CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov.

L.3.2. Projected Acquisition Schedule

The projected acquisition schedule for this SIR is provided in Table L-3 below.

Acquisition milestones are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change.

Table L-2 – Acquisition Milestones Milestone Due Date

Final SIR Release TBD Questions Due from Industry TBD

SAM Updated with Responses to Questions TBD Proposal Submissions Due TBD

Contract Award TBD

L.3.3. Expenses Related to Offeror Submissions

The Government will not pay for the information solicited, nor reimburse the Offeror for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting any response to this SIR. This includes costs associated with any studies or research carried out in preparation. No pre-contract costs will be allowed on this contract. Pre-contract costs are defined as any costs incurred at the Offeror’s risk in anticipation that any such costs may later be charged to any resulting contract.

L.3.4. Equal Access to Government Information

If the Government needs to provide Offerors with additional information concerning the SIR, it will make it available to all Offerors by posting an announcement on the System for Award Management (SAM) website at https://sam.gov. Any SIR amendments will be provided as an attachment to a SAM announcement. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to monitor SAM for updates.

L.3.5. Provide Notice of Intent to Withdraw Proposal

Offerors are advised that proposals may be withdrawn before contract award per AMS 3.2.2.3-14, Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Submittals. Offerors may withdraw proposals by written notice (in hard copy or electronic with electronic signature) or in person, by the Offeror or by an authorized representative.

L.3.6. Participation of Non-Government Personnel

Offerors are advised that individuals from the following support contractor organizations will assist the FAA on the CTS II solicitation: ITstrategy Inc. and Cavan Solutions. All

L-8 individuals from each company supporting this solicitation must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and Conflict of Interest statement with the FAA. The FAA intends to make these companies the only support contractors, but it reserves the right to include others. Offerors must not include these contractors as part of their teams or request assistance with proposal preparation without first submitting an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation plan for Government approval.

The exclusive responsibility for source selection will remain with the Government.

L.4. Questions, Concerns, and Clarifications

Offerors are instructed to direct general questions, concerns, and clarifications to the CO listed in Section G.2 of this SIR. All Offeror questions, concerns, and clarification requests specific to the SIR must be made in writing and submitted to the CO via e-mail at CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov no later than TBD at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

The subject line must read “Questions for SIR # xxxxx-xx-x-xxxxx.

Questions, concerns, and clarifications must refer to the applicable SIR section, paragraph, and page number, as appropriate (e.g., Section H, Paragraph H.2, Page 1). All questions must be submitted using the format in Table L-3. Written inquiries received within this timeframe will be answered in writing and posted to the SAM website, at https://sam.gov, on or before TBD. The source of written inquiries will not be identified.

Table L-3 – Question Format Subject: SIR No. XXXXXX-XX-X-XXXXX

# Question SIR Section

Section Name Section Number

Page Number

The Government reserves the right not to answer any requests received outside of the above timeframe. Furthermore, Offerors should note that the proposal due date will not be extended solely based on questions received within or beyond the above timeframe.

The Government will not respond verbally to Offeror questions, concerns, and clarification requests initiated through Offeror telephone calls.

L.5. Place, Date, and Time for Submission of Proposals

a. ADDRESS – All proposals must be submitted via e-mail to the Contracting Officer.

CTSIIEmailTBD@faa.gov Subject: Response for SIR # xxxxx-xx-x-xxxxx

L-9

b. TIME AND DATE - Proposals must be received by the FAA in electronic format no later than TBD at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Offerors must request receipts for proposals if desired.

c. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION – The Government will not accept any submission made in hard copy, by facsimile, telex, telegraph, or similar devices. Offerors assume full responsibility for ensuring their proposals are submitted no later than the date and time specified above. Proposals received after the due date and time for receipt of proposals will be considered late and may not be evaluated.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE FINAL DAY/HOUR TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL.

L.6. Proposal Preparation Instructions

The Offeror must comply with all instructions in Section L when developing proposals.

Proposals must conform to all incorporated AMS clauses and be prepared following this section.

Offerors must ensure that the proposal satisfies the requirements specified in all SIR documents. Offerors are instructed to submit only documentation relevant to this SIR’s requirements, and they must ensure that it is complete, concise, and includes sufficient supporting detail for evaluation and to substantiate the validity of stated claims.

The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather it should provide a convincing rationale for how the Offeror intends to meet these requirements. Incomplete proposals or proposals that contain significant deviations may be excluded from further consideration.

Offerors should assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities, equipment, and experience and will base its evaluation solely on the information presented in their proposal. The Government will not assume that an Offeror possesses any capabilities not expressly specified in the proposal.

Offerors are instructed to minimize cross-referencing to other volumes of their proposal.

L.6.1. Proposal Limit

Offerors are advised that the Government will not consider multiple proposals from a single company. Offerors must submit one proposal in response to the SIR for which they will serve as the prime contractor or as a member of a teaming arrangement. Submission of multiple proposals by a single Offeror may result in that Offeror being disqualified from consideration for award.

L.6.2. Period of Offer

Proposals must be binding for 300 calendar days from the solicitation closing date. An Offeror may propose that their offer be binding for more than 300 calendar days;

L-10 however, proposals binding for less than 300 calendar days may be deemed unacceptable.

An offer allowing less than the Government’s minimum offer period may be rejected.

L.6.3. False Statements

Under AMS Clause 3.2.2.3-1, False Statements in Offers, proposals must set forth full, accurate, and complete information, including attachments. The penalty for making false proposal statements is described in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

L.6.4. Restricted Disclosure

Any data that may contain trade secrets, copyright data, and/or financial information that the Offeror or proposed subcontractors do not want disclosed for any purpose other than the evaluation of the proposal must be marked per AMS 3.2.2.3-16, “Restricting, Disclosing and Using Data (July 2004).”

L.6.5. Notification of Discrepancies, Exceptions, Deviations, and Assumptions

If an Offeror believes these Section L instructions contain an error, omission, or otherwise incorrect information, the Offeror must immediately notify the CO in writing with supporting rationale. If discrepancies are not noted before Offer submission, none are presumed to exist.

In addition, Offerors are instructed to explicitly document all exceptions and deviations in any part of the SIR within their proposal and to address them to the CO with supporting rationale. Offerors are further instructed to document any assumptions on which their offer is based within their proposal. The Contractor must document exceptions, deviations, and assumptions within the proposal volume to which the exceptions, deviations, and assumptions apply.

L.6.6. Legally Binding Proposals

This SIR constitutes a formal document for which a contract award may be made without communications or negotiations. Offerors must comply with all terms and conditions when preparing their proposals.

L.7. Proposal Submission and Delivery Instructions

L.7.1. Proposal Volume Requirements

Offerors’ responses must identify the specific proposal volume requirements defined in Table L-2.

L-11

Table L-2 - Proposal Volume Requirements

Volume Number Volume Title Page Limit

I Offer and Other Documents N/A

II Program Management Approach 25*

III Technical Approach 25

IV

Past Performance

- Past Performance Summaries

- Responses to Past Performance Questionnaires**

- Copies of past Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports

N/A

V

Cost/Price

- Part A: Price Evaluation Tool Submission

- Part B: Pricing Approach Narrative, Detailed BOEs, and Fully Burdened Labor Rate Build-Up

N/A

VI Subcontracting Plan N/A

*Resumes for proposed key personnel are limited to 2 pages each and are not included in the 25-page limit for Volume II. The transition schedule requested in section L.8.2.3 is not included in the 25-page limit for Volume II.

**Responses to Past Performance Questionnaires will be completed by the Offeror’s past performance references and submitted directly to the Contracting Officer.

***Volume V, Part A is a Price Evaluation Tool spreadsheet that must be submitted with Part B.

L.7.2. Electronic Copies of Proposals

Offerors must e-mail one (1) electronic copy of their proposal to CTSII ProposalTBD@FAA.gov. The proposal must contain a separate file for each proposal volume. Offerors must not password protect or compress (e.g., “zip”) any submitted files.

All files must be labeled with the company name, solicitation number, submission date, and the words “Source Selection Sensitive.”

L-12

L.7.3. Hard (Paper) Copies of Proposals

Hard (paper) copies of proposals will not be accepted.

L.7.4. Proposal Formatting

Except for the Price Evaluation Tool submission, Offerors are instructed to use single-spaced typing with 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, and both sides. The font used for text must be Times New Roman, size 12. The exception is for charts, graphs, tables, figures, and pictures, for which the paper size, up to 11x17 inches, and font type are up to the discretion of the Offeror; however, the font size must be at least 8-point.

Pages should be marked with the subject solicitation number and “Source Selection Sensitive”. If any information provided in an Offeror’s proposal is considered “Proprietary” by the Offeror, the Offeror should label as instructed in section L.6.4, Restricted Disclosure. The proposal pages must be numbered sequentially. Any items embedded within a document must be objects only, not links.

Each 11x17-inch chart, graph, table, figure, and picture must use 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, and both sides. Three (3) 11x17-inch pages each are allowed in Volume II and III. There is no limit to 11 x 17-inch pages in Volume V, Cost/Price. 11x17-inch pages must not be used for Volumes IV and VI. Tables, charts, graphics, and figures must not use fonts smaller than 8 points. 11x17-inch pages should be used judiciously and only for large tables, process charts, graphics, methodology, diagrams, and/or schematics that would otherwise exceed an 8.5x11-inch page. Offerors are instructed not to use 11x17-inch pages for text.

Offerors must prepare their proposals as set forth in the Proposal Volume Requirements Table. Page limitations must be treated as maximum. Excess pages will not be read or considered in the evaluation if exceeded. The following pages are excluded from the page count limitations: Volume covers, title pages, tabs, tables of contents, lists of figures, glossaries, acronyms, abbreviation lists, submittal letters, subcontractor commitment letters, and transmittal letters associated with each volume.

The Offerors must include a transmittal letter and table of contents with each volume and use tab indexing to identify proposal sections and/or topic information within each volume as appropriate.

The Offerors must include a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations used, with an explanation for each acronym and abbreviation. However, the glossary should not be used to define techniques and approaches, and will not be evaluated.

Electronic files must be saved in Portable Document Format (PDF) except Volume V Cost/Price, which must be saved as Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet(s).

Electronic proposal files must adhere to the following file naming convention:

“Offeror Name_CTS II Proposal_Volume #_Volume Name”

L-13

Example: ABC Company_CTS II Proposal_Volume III_Technical Approach

Updates or revisions to proposal volumes must be identified as a revision, e.g., Rev 1.

L.7.5. Signed Submittal Letter

Offerors are instructed to sign the offer and print or type their name on a submittal letter and each continuation sheet. The person signing the offer must initial all changes and have the authority to sign and bind the Offeror.

L.7.6. Disposition of Proposals

Proposal files will not be returned, and a copy of each proposal will be retained in the official contract file.

L.7.7. Scope of Communications

During the source selection phase, the purpose of communications is to promote best value outcomes for agency acquisitions by reducing risk, increasing value, and ensuring mutual understanding between the FAA and offerors about all aspects of a procurement.

Communications will be conducted at the CO's discretion. This includes the discretion to determine the timing and scope of communications and with whom. Communications may be held with some, all, one, or none of the offerors. Under AMS, there is no right to "meaningful discussions" or a cause of action for "unequal communications." Instead, at their discretion, the CO will communicate with similarly situated offerors. "Similarly situated" is dependent on the circumstances and does not mean that each communication with each offeror is the same; instead, the communications are specific to the individual offeror but do not provide an unfair advantage to the offeror. The CO will determine which offerors are similarly situated for the purpose of any communications.

Communications are intended to be flexible, interactive, and tailored as appropriate to the offeror involved in the communications. Communications may continue throughout the process for multiple reasons, including but not limited to addressing minor omissions, clarifications, and for purposes of persuasion, alteration of assumptions and positions, and give-and-take. Communications may apply to price, schedule, technical approach (including all non-priced factors), strengths, weaknesses, risks, and other terms/ conditions of the proposed contract. Information disclosed in oral or written communications may be considered in the evaluation or re-evaluation of an offeror's proposal/submittal(s). The CO has the discretion to request revised proposals because of communications. Communications may lead to the identification of new strengths, weaknesses, or risks and may lead to the reassessment of offerors and their relative scoring or ranking. Communications with one offeror do not necessitate communications with all offerors.

L-14

L.8. Proposal Volume Requirements

L.8.1. Volume I – Offer and Other Documents

Volume I consists of the actual offer to enter into a contract to perform the desired work.

It also includes required representations, certifications, other statements of the Offeror, and other administrative information.

L8.1.1. Volume I, Section 1 – Solicitation Cover Page

The Offeror must submit a signed submittal letter per L.7.6.

The Offeror must have an official legally authorized to bind the Offeror to a contract sign the cover page, Solicitation, Offer, and Award (SF 33), block 17. If issued, all solicitation amendments must also be signed and submitted here.

The Offeror must complete all required fill-ins under the “Offeror” section of the SF 33.

A submittal letter is required on the first page of each offer and must include the following:

(1) SIR Number,

(2) Name and address of Offeror,

(3) Name, email, and telephone number of the Offeror’s point of contact,

(4) Name of Offeror’s contract administration office (if available),

(5) Date of submission,

(6) Name, title, and signature of authorized representative,

(7) Unique Entity ID Number and CAGE code, and

(8) Taxpayer Identification Number.

Offerors are instructed to sign the offer and print or type their name on the submittal letter and each continuation sheet. The person signing the offer must initial all erasures or other changes.

The person signing the offer must have the authority to sign and bind the Offeror.

Where signatures are required, the electronic format must comply with AMS Clause 3.1.9-1 Electronic Commerce and Signature (Jul 2020).

L8.1.2. Volume 1, Section 2 - SIR Section I, Contract Clauses

The Offeror must complete the required fill-in portions of Section I, Contract Clauses, 3.1.7-6 Disclosure of Certain Employee Relationships, and include Section I in the offer.

L-15

If appropriate and applicable, the Offeror must submit an OCI Mitigation Plan following AMS Clause 3.1.7-4.

L8.1.3. Volume 1, Section 3 - SIR Section K, Representation, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offeror

The Offeror must complete Section K, Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offeror, and include Section K in the offer.

L8.1.4. Volume 1, Section 4 - Responsible Prospective Contractors

Prior to awarding any contract, an offeror must be found responsible per FAA AMS

3.2.2.7 (Contractor Qualifications).

To support this finding, Offerors must submit the following information:

a. Sufficient information to demonstrate the financial capability to fund and perform a contract of this size and duration.

This includes:

• Proof of any existing Line(s) of Credit by a U.S. Banking Institution

• Certified Financial Statements that demonstrate the firm’s annual revenue for the last three (3) completed company fiscal years

b. A description of all current or pending legal action(s) under Federal Government contracts within the past three (3) years above $5M, claims, equitable adjustments, pending or ongoing cure notices, Terminations for Convenience, and/or Terminations for Default.

c. Identification of any member on your team has been placed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) due to being debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or otherwise declared ineligible from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits within the last three (3) years. This submission should describe the circumstances surrounding the company/individual being placed on the list.

L.8.2. Volume II - Program Management Approach

Volume II describes the Offeror’s approach to managing the CTS II program.

Volume II must include:

• A Program Management proposal that addresses Factors 1 and 3 defined in sections L.8.2.1 and L.8.2.3. A response to the Sample Problems contained in Attachment L-1 that addresses Factor 2 defined in Section L.8.2.2

L-16

• Offerors must identify risks and benefits throughout their proposal responses.

Offerors must identify areas of risk associated with the described approaches and plans, and propose mitigation strategies

L8.2.1. Factor 1 – Management of Service Delivery

Offerors must address the four sub-factors comprising Factor 1 under the Program Management Volume as follows:

L8.2.1.1. Sub-factor 1.1: Program Management Organization

• Offerors must describe their proposed Program Management Organization (PMO), including roles and responsibilities of their program management organization members and their approach, processes, and tools for managing all work efforts performed under the CTS II contract. The Offeror must describe how their proposed PMO will facilitate open communication with Government-designated points-of-contact and effectively manage CTS II work efforts.

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach for recruiting and retaining sufficient personnel in all labor categories outlined in Section J-2, which is necessary to support the services required by the SOW at the FAA Academy and all FAA Field Facilities listed in Attachment J-1.

• Offerors must describe their prior experience with recruiting and hiring specialized staff of a magnitude comparable to that needed to meet CTS II staffing requirements, in a short period of time.

• Offerors must describe their proposed business processes for the delivery of the required training/training support services and how they will align with FAA's business processes for: (1) the ordering of training/training support as defined in Section G.6, and (2) task order and contract line item number (CLIN) based billing as defined in Section G.7.

L8.2.1.2. Sub-factor 1.2: Program Management Execution

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to Resource Management and how this approach will ensure that the required number of qualified personnel are available to support FAA training as needed (i.e., on time and for the duration of the training course/activity) at the FAA Academy and FAA Field Facilities.

Offerors must describe how their proposed approach to Resource Management will ensure the required number of qualified personnel are available to support fluctuations in training requirements at the FAA Academy (per the sample FAA Academy Schedule, Attachment L-2) and FAA Field Facilities.

• Offerors must describe their prior experience providing and managing support services of comparable magnitude, as measured in terms of the total number of hours of support services the Offeror has provided across 12 months during the

L-17 last seven (7) years and the geographic range of support services provided (e.g., number of different states, regions, and/or countries).

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to contract site supervision, including their proposed ratios of employees to supervisors and how contract staff will be managed at the FAA Academy and FAA Field Facilities.

• Offerors must describe how their proposed approach to managing subcontractors will ensure that (1) subcontractor personnel are in place as needed, (2) subcontractor personnel are integrated into the Contractor team, and (3) subcontractor personnel perform effectively and efficiently and meet the prime Contractor’s quality standards.

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to managing and mitigating risk throughout the lifecycle of this contract.

L8.2.1.3. Sub-factor 1.3: Task Order Management

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to planning, executing, monitoring/supervising staff performance, and controlling all task order-based work efforts at all FAA locations identified in Attachment J-1.

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to scheduling and managing the resources required to meet task order requirements. Offerors must describe the ability of the proposed scheduling and resource management processes to accommodate: (1) varying durations of training and other support service delivery (e.g., ranging from less than a full working day to up to a year of continuous support), and (2) changes to the FAA’s training schedule.

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to performance management of task order-based efforts to ensure that CTS II program objectives are met.

Offerors must describe what metrics and performance assessments they would collect/conduct for Task Order-based efforts and indicate what metrics would be provided to the FAA.

• Offerors must describe how their proposed quality management approach will measure the quality of service delivery per Section H.20 and explain how issues impacting the quality of deliverables developed and delivered under this contract will be mitigated and controlled.

L8.2.1.4. Sub-factor 1.4: Key Personnel

• Offerors must submit a certified resume for all Key Personnel proposed under this Contract (signed and dated by the individuals as Key Personnel). Offerors must describe the qualifications, expertise, and experience of each proposed Key Personnel and the degree to which they are available and committed to the CTS II program. Key Personnel resumes are limited to two pages per resume.

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L8.2.2. Factor 2 – Sample Problem Response

In response to the Sample Problems contained in Attachment L-1, Offerors must address the two sub-factors as follows:

L8.2.2.1. Sub-factor 2.1: Sample Problem 1

• Offerors must describe their detailed response to the questions outlined in Sample Problem 1.1: Academy Staffing General (detailed in Attachment L-1)

• Offerors must describe their detailed response to Sample Problem 1.2: Academy Staffing Scenario (detailed in Attachment L-1)

L8.2.2.2. Sub-factor 2.2: Sample Problem 2

• Offerors must provide their detailed response to the questions outlined in Sample Problem 2: Field Staffing (detailed in attachment L-1)

L8.2.3. Factor 3 – Transition Approach

• Offerors must provide a proposed schedule that outlines the sequence of activities and milestones beginning with contract award, necessary to accomplish a smooth transition from the incumbent, resulting in only a single-day cutover from the current contract within three months of contract award. The transition schedule must clearly identify the ramp-up to staffing levels needed to deliver training support services to all locations listed in Attachment J-1 and be detailed enough to demonstrate that the schedule is realistic.

• Offerors must provide a narrative describing how they will accomplish the activities outlined in their proposed transition schedule. This narrative must include a description of: (1) how they will ensure their readiness to fully support CTS II requirements after contract award, and (2) how they will ensure an orderly single day cutover of training support services from the current contract to the CTS II contract with no interruption or degradation of service that could result in a disruption to FAA training operations.

• Offerors must identify all significant cost, schedule, and performance risks associated with their transition approach and provide a high-level mitigation strategy for each risk.

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L.8.3. Volume III - Technical Approach

Volume III must describe the Offeror’s technical approach to meeting the Government’s requirements. Volume III must address Factors 1-4 defined in Section L.8.3.1 through L.8.3.4. Offerors must identify risks and benefits throughout their proposal responses.

Offerors must identify areas of risk associated with the described approaches and plans and propose mitigation strategies.

L8.3.1. Factor 1: Instructional Capabilities

• Offerors must describe their approach to providing the full scope of work efforts as required under SOW paragraph 4.4 (Training Support Services) at the different types of FAA Facilities identified in Attachment J-1.

• Offerors must describe their understanding of the qualification requirements for the LCATs listed in Attachment J-2 at FAA Field Facilities and the FAA Academy and how they apply to delivering Air Traffic Control (ATC) training.

• Offerors must describe their approach to maintaining the qualifications and certifications of their proposed instructor workforce and ensuring their instructor workforce retains familiarity with the FAA ATC operating environment.

• Offerors must describe their approach to managing the quality of instruction delivered at the FAA Academy and at the full range of FAA Facilities identified in Attachment J-1, including any quality metrics they would collect and provide to the FAA.

L8.3.2. Factor 2: Approach and Ability to Provide Other Required Services

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to supporting the development, maintenance, and revision of FAA training materials for the FAA Academy, FAA National Curriculum, and Local and Regional Curriculum at FAA Field Facilities.

• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to supporting: (1) the development of training strategies and processes, (2) improving training delivery,

(3) conducting studies in areas relating to or affecting Air Traffic training, and (4) the management of the FAA’s Air Traffic Training program at the FAA Headquarters level and the FAA Academy.

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• Offerors must describe their proposed approach to identifying, evaluating, developing, and/or implementing innovations and enhancements to Air Traffic Controller Training based on new or updated methods, technologies, systems, tools, and/or curricula.

L8.3.3. Factor 3: Knowledge/Understanding of the FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) Operating Environment

• Offerors must describe their knowledge and understanding of the FAA ATC operating environment across the full range of Facilities identified in Attachment J-1.

• Offerors must describe their knowledge and understanding of the differences between the ATC operating environments at the FAA Academy and FAA Field Facilities (Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Facilities, Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) and Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), and how those differences influence the training required for controllers working in those environments.

• Offerors must describe their prior experience providing support services for an operational environment of a comparable level of complexity and operational criticality/safety as is required under CTS II.

L8.3.4. Factor 4: Knowledge of and Familiarity with the ATC Training Process and Materials

• Offerors must describe their knowledge of and familiarity with the ATC training process, including training methods, Facilities, tools, course materials, and other resources used in controller training.

• Offerors must describe their experience with on-site classroom and simulation/laboratory training of Air Traffic Controllers across all types of ATC training environments.

• Offerors must describe their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of contract personnel in supporting controller training.

• Offerors must describe their understanding of the goals of the FAA Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan and the requirements of FAA Order 3120.4, Air Traffic Technical Training, and how this understanding will shape their approach to fulfilling the requirements of the SOW.

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L.8.4. Volume IV – Past Performance

Volume IV addresses the Offeror’s past performance. Volume IV consists of two (2) parts:

• Past Performance Summaries

• Past Performance Questionnaires

L8.4.1. Past Performance Summaries

The Offeror must cite and describe three (3) previous (within the last seven years) or on-going contracts (Government or non-Government contracts) that are: (1) comparable to CTS II in terms of the functional scope and complexity; and (2) representative of the Offeror’s successful capability relative to the CTS II SOW requirements.

For each Past Performance Summary, the Offeror must provide the following information:

• Project title

• Contract number

• Agency/Customer supported

• Contract type

• Total dollar value (including options)

• Date of award

• Period of performance (including options)

• Role on the project (prime contractor or subcontractor)

• Description of products/services provided

• Description of successes/accomplishments achieved

Past Performance Summaries must not exceed two (2) pages per reference (6 pages total).

At least one Past Performance reference must be from the prime, and at least one must be from a major subcontractor . A major subcontractor is defined as a subcontractor performing at least 10% of the effort under this contract. A vendor may use Past Performance references of a corporate parent or affiliated subsidiary, provided that the corporate parent or affiliated subsidiary is proposed to perform a similar role for CTS II.

L8.4.2. Past Performance Questionnaires

The Offeror must complete Section A of Attachment L-3, Past Performance Questionnaire, for each cited contract in the Past Performance Summaries following the instructions included therein, or the Offeror must submit copies of past performance data generated through the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), or similar government past performance reporting systems. If submitting a Past Performance Questionnaire, the Offeror must provide Attachment L-3 with the completed Section A to their selected customer points-of-contact (POC) to complete the survey portion of the form (Section B).

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The customer POCs must complete Section B and return the Past Performance Questionnaire via e-mail to the FAA Contracting Officer no later than the date and time established in this SIR for receipt of proposals. The e-mail submission must be sent from the corporate e-mail address of the point of contact. The Offeror is responsible for promptly submitting its past performance questionnaires.

L.8.5. Volume V – Cost/Price

The Cost/Price Volume must be submitted separately from all other volumes. Pricing data must not be included with any other volume, and if it is contained within other volumes, it will be discarded and excluded from the evaluation. These instructions apply to both Prime and subcontractor Offerors.

The Cost/Price Volume must address all requirements of Section B. The Cost/Price Volume must consist of two parts:

Part A: A fully populated Price Evaluation Tool includes labor rates for each category.

Only one labor rate per category will be allowed, whether a prime or subcontractor employee performs the work. The Price Evaluation Tool will calculate:

(i) A total evaluated price (TEP) for a government-specified representative contract-wide set of work efforts and services, including FFP CLINs, Fixed Labor rates applied to the representative distribution of labor hours by year and labor category, and the FAA-provided amounts for ODCs and travel, multiplied by the respective proposed handling rates.

Part B: A written description of the Offeror’s pricing approach, including:

(i) A narrative of the Offeror’s pricing approach

(ii) A detailed Basis of Estimate (BOE) for the following:

a. CLIN x0A - Contract-wide Program Management

b. Proposed Travel Handling Rate in Table B.5.1

c. Proposed ODC Handling Rate in Table B.6.1

(iii) A build-up of the proposed T&M labor rates

Prices must be submitted for each CLIN and labor category for each year of the 10-year maximum performance period.

L8.5.1. Part A: Price Evaluation Tool Submission

Offerors must utilize the Government-provided Price Evaluation Tool (Attachment L-4) and submit costs and prices using the tool to identify the total proposed price of the proposal. All cells except those requiring Offeror input are locked and cannot be changed.

Attachment L-4 contains the FAA’s prescribed distribution of labor hours by year and labor category. Each Offeror must utilize those hours for bid purposes. The hours in the

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Price Evaluation Tool are for evaluation purposes only and do not represent a commitment by the FAA to order that volume of services or services at specific locations.

Attachment L-4 also contains the FAA’s prescribed Travel/ODC amounts: these amounts will be multiplied by the Offeror’s inputted handling rates and included in the Total Evaluated Price. The Travel/ODC amounts in the Price Evaluation Tool are for evaluation purposes only and do not represent a commitment by the FAA to order Travel/ODCs in these amounts. Post contract award, Travel/ODCs will be reimbursed as the actual cost plus burdens per authorized trip as detailed in Section B.

Instructions for using the Price Evaluation Tool are provided in Attachment L-4. The submitted version of the Price Evaluation Tool is considered part of the Cost/Price Volume. If conflicts exist between the prices described within the Cost/Price Volume document and the Price Evaluation Tool, the CLINs submitted within the Price Evaluation Tool will be considered officially submitted prices. Prices submitted in the Price Evaluation Tool are binding on the Offeror and will be incorporated into Section B of the contract.

Cells in the Price Evaluation Tool containing values entered by the Offeror must not be locked or protected. In addition, all formulas must be visible (i.e., no pasted values).

L8.5.2. Part B: Pricing Approach Narrative, Detailed BOEs, and Fully Burdened Labor Rate Build-Up

Offerors must provide the items below to complete Part B of the proposal’s Cost/Price Volume.

L8.5.2.1. Pricing Approach Narrative

Offerors must describe their overall pricing approach for the full scope of services required by this SIR. The description must include the following:

• The rationale for any services designated by the Offeror as not separately priced (i.e., zero cost CLINs)

• The rationale for any increases or decreases in CLIN prices over the period of performance, including a justification of any escalation applied

• For both Prime and all subcontractors, Offerors must describe their policy for compensating salaried FLSA exempt employees for hours worked and billed over 40 hours per week

• How the Offeror’s proposed pricing approach demonstrates that the Offeror will be able to effectively recruit and retain sufficient personnel in all labor categories (in terms of both direct labor rates, fringe benefits, etc.)

• A total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under the contract per AMS clause 3.6.2-15, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employee

• Information supporting the basis of the base labor rates and indirect rates applied to the base labor rate, including applicable forward pricing rate proposals, L-24 recommendations, or agreements

• Any other information the Offeror believes is essential for Government evaluators to understand their pricing approach

The Cost/Price Evaluation Team will redact pricing information from the Pricing Approach Narrative and make it available to support the evaluation of the Technical Approach and Program Management volumes.

L8.5.2.2. Basis of Estimates (BOEs)

Offerors must provide a detailed basis of estimate (BOE) for CLIN Series x0A and the Offeror’s proposed Travel and ODC Handling Rates (Tables B.5.1 and B.6.1). The BOE must describe all costs included in CLIN Series x0A with sufficient detail to allow the Government to assess the reasonableness, completeness, and balance of the proposed prices. It must include a narrative describing the basis for each specific labor category included in the CLIN price, corresponding base labor rates, hours proposed, and any indirect burdens, material and other direct costs, including travel, and profit that are the basis for the CLIN price. The BOE must identify all ground rules, methodologies, assumptions, and any Government-furnished items on which the proposed prices depend.

Lastly, the BOE for CLIN Series x0A must explain the basis for any price differences between contract years (e.g., contract start-up activities that occur only during the Base Period).

The Cost/Price Evaluation Team will redact pricing information from the BOEs and make them available to…

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