DACS15P0009_GRFP.docx

DACS15P0009 Section M

PART I - THE SCHEDULE1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

RATING

PAGE OF

PAGES

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NUMBER

3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

5. DATE ISSUED

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NUMBER

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

(If other than Item 7) NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

9. Sealed offers in original and _____________________________ copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in until local time _______________________ (Hour) (Date) CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

A. NAME

B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS)

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXT.

(X)

SEC.

DESCRIPTION

PAGE(S)

(X)

SEC.

DESCRIPTION

PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C

DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT

J

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

L

INSTR., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

M

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within __150______ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

10 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

20 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

30 CALENDAR DAYS (%)

CALENDAR DAYS (%)

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT NO.

DATE

AMENDMENT NO.

DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

CODE

FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS OF

OFFEROR

(Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXT.

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM

ABOVE - ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED

20. AMOUNT

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

ITEM

(4 copies unless otherwise specified) 10 U.S.C. 2304(a) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c) ( )

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

CODE

PHONE:

FAX:

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

(REV. 9-97)

10. FOR INFORMATION CALL:

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

STANDARD FORM 33

Previous edition is unusable Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

SOLICITATION

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) AWARD (To be completed by Government) n N/A

DACS15P0009

X 04-02-2015 National Science Foundation Div. of Acq. & Cooperative Support 4201 Wilson Boulevard Suite 475 Arlington VA 22230 See L.5 See Item 7 11:00 a.m.

05-04-2015 Jennifer Snook 703-292-4963 jsnook@nsf.gov See Attached Table of Contents X X X X X 1 X X X X X X X X National Science Foundation DFM, Phone: (703) 292-8280 Commercial Cash Management 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite II-605 Arlington VA 22230 Jennifer Snook Contracting Officer

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

SF 33 SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

Table of Contents

A - 4

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

The offeror shall identify the labor categories with the actual title of the labor category to be utilized in the performance of this effort for the Base and each Option Period. Categories provided are for information purposes only. Offeror shall propose additional labor categories as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Statement of Work.

If applicable, the vendor shall provide any proposed ODC material handling charge (MHC) (e.g. G&A) for each year of performance in Section B.6. For the purposes of the price reasonableness evaluation, the stated ceiling amount of the ODCs for each year is presumed to include any such MHC, as provided.

BASE YEAR

Labor Categories

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

Total Direct Labor

Other Direct Costs

G&A (if applicable)

Total Other Direct Costs

NTE

$52,250.00

Total Base Year Ceiling

NTE

OPTION YEAR ONE

Direct Labor

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

Total Direct Labor

Other Direct Costs

G&A (if applicable)

Total Other Direct Costs

NTE

$55,385.00

Total Option Year One Ceiling

NTE

OPTION YEAR TWO

Direct Labor

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

Total Direct Labor

Other Direct Costs

G&A (if applicable)

Total Other Direct Costs

NTE

$58,710.00

Total Option Year Two Ceiling

NTE

OPTION YEAR THREE

Direct Labor

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

Total Direct Labor

Other Direct Costs

G&A (if applicable)

Total Other Direct Costs

NTE

$62,230.00

Total Option Year Three Ceiling

NTE

OPTION YEAR FOUR

Direct Labor

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

HR

Total Direct Labor

Other Direct Costs

G&A (if applicable)

Total Other Direct Costs

NTE

$65,965.00

Total Option Year Four Ceiling

NTE

Total Base and All Option Ceiling

NTE

*G&A included in the total NTE ODC amount to be proposed by all offerors. Offeror shall provide the actual proposed MHC/G&A on ODC’s, if applicable, for billing purposes only.

B.2 OTHER DIRECT COSTS

The Contractor shall be reimbursed for the actual cost of other direct costs determined to be allowable in accordance with Part 31 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and authorized by the Contracting Officer or his designee prior to the contractor incurring the charge. If Travel and Per Diem are authorized, they will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) in effect at the time the travel is authorized by NSF. All travel requirements must be met using the most economical form of transportation available and must be scheduled sufficiently in advance to take advantage of offered discount rates unless waived by the Contracting Officer. You may find the FTR at http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/homepage/mtt/FTR/FTRHP.shtml. The contractor shall use government contract airfares and other government transportation services whenever possible.

Transportation and travel time of employees from domicile to work places shall not be an allowable cost under this Task Order. Time required for travel from the contractor’s site or sites to any other site(s) of performance and return shall be considered time spent in performance of this Task Order.

B.3 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

Funds currently obligated in this contract are chargeable as follows:

* To be identified in Contract

DACS15P0009 Section B

B - 4

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Project Title: Operational and technical support for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

II. Overview:

The purpose of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees in science and engineering. NSF Graduate Research Fellowships are awarded through a national competition to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents who are at or near the beginning of their graduate studies.

The Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is responsible for initiating and supporting programs to strengthen science education in the United States at all educational levels (National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1861-1875). The NSF GRFP was initiated in 1952 under Section 10 of the NSF Act of 1950. GRFP is a Foundation-wide program led and managed by the Division of Graduate Education (DGE) in the EHR Directorate. DGE is responsible for leadership, implementation, management, and oversight of the GRFP. GRF Program Directors manage the annual competition, provide administrative oversight of the panel review process, clarify the interpretation of NSF and GRFP policies and protocols, ensure integrity in the merit review of GRFP applications, and work with the other NSF Directorates and Offices to select awardees and extend Fellowship offers. In addition, the GRF Program Directors manage the Fellowships of more than 8,500 active Fellows at over 240 institutions.

The program goals are 1) to select, recognize, and financially support individuals early in their careers with the demonstrated potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers, and 2) to broaden participation in science and engineering of groups underrepresented in science and engineering, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans. GRFP is a critical program in NSF's overall strategy in developing the globally-engaged workforce necessary to ensure the Nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. The ranks of NSF Fellows include numerous individuals who have made transformative breakthrough discoveries in science and engineering, become leaders in their chosen careers, and been honored as Nobel laureates. The Foundation’s investment in GRFP consists of a single program, totaling about $333 million per fiscal year. The GRF Program Solicitation (NSF publication 14-590) describes the program and the annual competition.

The program has funded close to 50,000 fellowships since 1952. The program currently receives about 16,000 applications and awards 2,000 fellowships annually.

The services encompassed by this Statement of Work include support for the following activities: developing application materials; disseminating publicity materials and representing the program through web-based and social media outreach; communicating with potential applicants and panelists; readying the applications for review; and providing statistical summaries of data collected in the application materials and panelist registrations. The services related to application evaluation include recruiting and maintaining a database of potential panelists; obtaining commitments from panelists willing to evaluate GRFP applications; providing administrative support to the program and panelists during the online review period and the virtual panel meetings; providing panel reports; and completing certain related and ancillary activities. Extensive reports and data are provided to NSF for use in selecting awardees and in assisting with NSF's post-award administration of the Fellowships.

The annual GRFP application process consists of individual submission of application materials using NSF’s FastLane system, and individual reference letter submission using NSF’s FastLane system. These are consolidated into application files that are checked for compliance with the requirements described in the Program Solicitation. Each compliant application is assigned for review to three panelists with the appropriate disciplinary expertise.

Processing of applications by the Contractor includes compliance and eligibility checking of application materials, communicating with applicants and reference writers, and preparation of summary application submission reports. The Contractor receives application data electronically from NSF FastLane. The Contractor supports the assignment of applications to individual panelists, and assists the program during the online review period and during the virtual panels. The Contractor is responsible for preparing summary reports of the results of the annual competition.

In summary, the services that are encompassed by this Statement of Work include support for the competition-related activities of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, extending over the annual competition cycle.

The numbers of applications received, number of panelists, and the number of new fellowship awards offered over the past six years are shown in the following tables. The numbers of applications deemed compliant and thus reviewed and evaluated are approximately 91% of the numbers of applications received.

GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP COMPETITION

2014-15 16,530 1,600 2,000

*The increase in the number of panelists is due to the transition to completely online reviews and the assignment of three panelists to each compliant GRFP application.

For information purposes, based on these numbers and no change in the applicant eligibility criteria, the estimated number of applications expected over the next five years is as follows:

Annual Competition No. of Applications Submitted

Applications are placed in panels based on the applicant's chosen Field(s) of Study and the discipline(s) represented. Applications are reviewed by disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers and other professional graduate education experts using an NSF-supplied GRFP Review Site. Panels are convened virtually after the application review period ends. These are subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2, and their meetings must be attended by a Federal official.

The Contractor shall support NSF’s application evaluation process and the evaluative services of qualified scientists and engineers (see Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, December 2014, NSF 15-1). The GRFP FastLane system is the official application and Fellow record system.

Appendix A contains screenshots of the current GRFP application module and Appendix B has the Panelist functions for the GRFP Review Site.

The following is a summary schedule of actions for the competition-related activities in the typical annual cycle for the GRF program. The transition to a new contract is anticipated to occur in June, near the start of the annual cycle. Specific schedules and dates under this contract effort will be developed on an annual basis by the Contractor and NSF. All actions are subject to NSF review and are completed under the guidance of the NSF. All submitted reports must comply with NSF-specified requirements:

May: Contractor sends NSF reports which provide and summarize statistics based on data on awardees, honorable mentions, and all other applicants.

The contractor shall develop and run test scripts needed to support the application compliance checking, assignment of applications to panelists, and data analyses that are necessary to produce required reports. Whether off-the-shelf or customized programs are used by the Contractor, primary consideration should be given to the functionality, accuracy and timeliness made possible by their use, whether that be in service to applicants, preparation of the materials required by the application evaluation/review procedures, conduct of the application evaluation activity, construction of an "audit trail" for the acquisition and use of information on each applicant, or preparation of rosters, tables, and other working or archival compilations for use by the NSF. Such systems must build in capacity to handle future increase during the performance period in the number of applications, reviews, and panelists.

III. SCOPE of Work, and Acceptance Criteria:

Service will be on an annual basis and aligned to each Performance Period of the contract.

(a) This section describes the proposed approach for completing the requested activities for the GRFP, with NSF guidance. It is organized around the six major tasks:

Task 1. Develop program materials Task 2. Conduct program publicity and outreach; answer inquiries Task 3. Coordinate with NSF to develop the list of potential panelists Task 4. Compliance and eligibility check of application materials Task 5. Support NSF’s evaluation of the applications and conduct of the virtual panels Task 6. Perform related administrative services

Task 1. Develop program materials

The Contractor shall be responsible for the costs of updating existing NSF documents and outreach and promotional materials, and producing report materials described in this and later sections.

The Contractor assists the program with updating the NSF program solicitation and the NSF GRFP FastLane application and reference writer submission modules each year. The Contractor shall assist in updating all application materials, including the detailed instructions for completing the application as instructed by NSF. The Contractor shall assist NSF in testing the FastLane submission modules. Screenshots of the application module are included in Appendix A.

Website content, social media networks, and software developed to support the program shall be deliverables to NSF at the end of the contract period, or when requested by the COR.

Task 2. Conduct program publicity and outreach; answer inquiries With input from the COR, the Contractor shall create publicity materials – electronic and printed, and disseminate information about the fellowship program on a dedicated website and through social media. An operations website shall be maintained following the general outlines on the current website: www.nsfgrfp.org. The Contractor shall maintain the accuracy and completeness of the publicity information and continually monitor its effectiveness and report to NSF. The Contractor shall maintain an updated list of GRFP Resource contacts for program outreach, supported by a Fellow and alumni social media network (e.g., LinkedIn). Electronic communications will be used whenever possible and practical.

The Contractor shall annually prepare and submit to NSF an outreach plan to publicize the program, with particular emphasis on groups that are underrepresented in the GRF program (including institutions, potential panelists, and applicants) and in science and engineering graduate school enrollment.

The Contractor shall perform outreach activities promoting the program to historically underserved institutions and to conferences for minority students in science and engineering, targeting potential applicants and panelists from groups underrepresented in science and engineering. The Contractor shall coordinate, wherever practical, with existing NSF programs (e.g., in the Division of Human Resource Development) that include a mission to broaden participation in science and engineering. The Contractor shall employ means to evaluate the effectiveness of its outreach activities and to adjust its efforts accordingly. With input from the NSF Contracting Officer Representative (COR), strategies to help applicants develop strong applications will be developed for dissemination. All such coordination shall be guided by the COR.

The Contractor will report monthly on the effectiveness of the website and social media campaigns for program outreach. For example, number of visits to the website and dwell times will be reported, in addition to the number of Twitter followers and Facebook likes.

Due to the nature of the application and review process and the engagement of the academic community in GRFP, contracting personnel shall have the skills and ability to communicate with the academic community, including undergraduate and graduate students, and university faculty and administrators.

The Contractor is responsible for responding to all inquiries about the GRFP, and for referring individuals to NSF’s FastLane Helpdesk for resolution of technical problems related to the submission modules. The Contractor shall provide access to toll-free telephone numbers (8 hours/day, with voice messaging for off-hours), email addresses, and other contact mechanisms to facilitate submission of inquiries and assure prompt (by next business day) response to inquiries. Procedures will be established for determining the accuracy and consistency of the information provided, and for determining the efficacy of mechanisms used to receive and reply to inquiries and requests.

Peak months for applicant inquiries are October and November prior to the deadlines. The following data are provided to indicate the workload and peak volumes of inquiries. For example, for the last two competitions, the Contractor processed about 1,500 telephone inquiries and about 800 email inquiries from applicants and reference writers in October, and about 4,000 telephone inquiries and 1,500 email inquiries in November. From December through January, inquiries were mostly from panelists, averaging about 1,000 telephone inquiries and 1,000 email inquiries. In February and March, telephone and email inquiries combined averaged 500 per month. In April about 800 telephone and 800 email inquiries were received, mostly from applicants. During May, June, July and August, inquiries were mostly related to outreach and questions about the upcoming competition. On average, the Contractor responded to about 350 telephone inquiries and 230 email inquiries during each of these four months.

Task 3. Coordinate with NSF to develop the list of panelists

Applications will be reviewed online and discussed in virtual panels of disciplinary and interdisciplinary scientists and engineers and other professional graduate education experts. The Contractor is responsible for recruiting and identifying potential panelists and for maintaining a database of identified panelists. The panelists identified shall be selected on the basis of research accomplishments and expertise in graduate education, although some will represent baccalaureate institutions or will be employed in industry or in government. To the extent possible, panelists should be broadly representative of the community of academic faculty and professional scientists and engineers with regard to geographical region, gender, racial and ethnic group, disability status, professorial rank and institution type, as well as meeting their primary requirement of accomplishments in research as appropriate. All disciplines and interdisciplinary areas covered by the GRFP must be represented. The number of panelists will depend on the number of applications received and the disciplinary coverage required. A ratio of 1 panelist to 100 applications is applied, with each application receiving three reviews. With input from the COR, the Contractor must consider factors such as the necessity of coverage of all disciplines represented in applications, the number of reviews required for each application, the time allowed for reading and rating of each application and the efficiency of the workflow during the evaluation process. The Contractor maintains a website for panelist registration, and screens the basic qualifications of each registered panelist according to guidelines established by the COR.

The list of panelists nominated to review applications is submitted to the COR for review and approval. The list of panelists is accompanied by panelist summaries of characteristics (including field of specialization, institution, rank, gender, racial and ethnic group, disability status, GRFP panel service in the previous 5 years, and noteworthy honors such as former recipient of the NSF Graduate Fellowship, and National Academy of Science or National Academy of Engineers membership).

The COR will work closely with the Contractor during the start-up/transition period to help ensure an acceptable list of potential panelists. The COR will supply the Contractor the lists of actual panelists in each of the last five years of the fellowship competition, and the current GRFP panelist database.

Task 4. Compliance and eligibility check of application materials The Contractor shall receive over 15,000 applications from FastLane and check these for compliance with deadlines, content, and format in accordance with NSF policy and the Program Solicitation. The Contractor will have direct access to the GRFP FastLane database for download access from FastLane to the Contractor’s system.

In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, applicant information must be protected by appropriate security procedures from unauthorized or accidental disclosure; hence, the Contractor shall process and maintain all electronic applications in secured IT systems as specified in an approved IT System Security Plan.

Following screening and review by the COR, the Contractor shall designate incomplete and otherwise non-compliant applications as non-compliant and will notify these applicants that their applications are being returned without review. Fellowship eligibility shall be determined in accordance with NSF policy and the Program Solicitation. Following review by the COR, the Contractor shall designate ineligible applicants as ineligible and will notify these applicants that their applications are being returned without review.

At the direction of the COR, the Contractor will manage the appeal process for compliance and eligibility. About one-third of the non-compliant and ineligible applicants appeal the decision, roughly 400 individuals. Most of these appeals are straightforward to resolve as they involve late and incomplete applications. About 25 Field of Study eligibility appeals are received, which require re-examination of application materials and consultation with the COR.

Task 5. Support NSF’s evaluation of the applications and conduct of the virtual panels The Contractor will assist with the assignment of applications to individual panelists according to criteria provided by the COR, designed to avoid conflicts of interest between the panelists, reference letter writers, and the applicants.

Panelists will access and review assigned applications using the NSF GRFP Review Site. Contractor will work with the COR to provide administrative support for the entry of reviews by panelists (answer eligibility questions, transfer applications with conflicts, etc.). The Contractor will access the GRFP Review Site to complete administrative actions and monitor review submissions. The Contractor will follow up with panelists by sending reminders as required.

The GRFP Review Site will provide the results of the reviews to the panelists during the virtual panels. The Contractor will provide support for communications, meeting logistics, ranking reports, and other administrative and technical support needed to conduct the panels, with input from the COR. The product will be a ranking of applications and placement into several "quality groups," in each of which applicants with substantially equal merit are aggregated.

Task 6. Perform related administrative services The Contractor shall prepare reports according to NSF requirements (Appendix C) to aid NSF's selection of applicants to be awarded fellowships. The Contractor may be required to code and computerize types of information in completed applications to prepare these reports. Electronic copies of the Reports will be delivered to the COR; one hard copy is required for the program office. The schedule of deliverable reports is provided in Appendix C.

Selection of awardees is the responsibility of NSF. The Contractor will receive the list of selected applicants and the texts of notification letters. The Contractor will email letters to awardees and honorable mention recipients as well as declination letters to all non-selected applicants.

The Contractor shall provide to the COR multi-year summary data based on the information captured from the application and merit review processes, in both printed and electronic formats. The Contractor shall provide rapid report information from the database, using the data to produce new tables and charts as requested (one printed copy and electronic files).

The Contractor will provide a monthly Technical and Financial Program Report due to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) listing staff involved in activities, deliverables, and activities undertaken by task with labor hours, and planned activities listed by task, problems and items pending. Electronic submission is preferred.

(b) Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criteria for deliverable reports are:

The reports shall be provided on time, electronically. They shall contain accurate and complete data; revisions will be provided if updates are required. Tables and Reports shall follow NSF-approved labeling conventions and they shall be accompanied by a Table of Contents. Files provided electronically shall be encrypted or password-protected when necessary.

This includes the monthly Technical and Financial Program Report due on the 10th business day of the month, and the Annual Technical and Financial Report due the 15th business day after the anniversary date of the contract.

Examples of required deliverable data files are provided in Appendix C.

The acceptance criteria for website content and information provided to applicants, reference writers, and panelists by the Contractor are: the information is accurate, up-to-date, and communicated in a timely manner.

SUMMARY OF DELIVERABLES

For each program cycle, the following items are to be submitted for approval by NSF:

· Program website updates and publicity

· Dissemination and outreach plan

· Application processing plan with schedule

· Panelist Nomination list

· Results of the evaluation of applications (See Appendix C for statistical reporting requirements)

· Panelist Survey Report with summary of panelist feedback

· Monthly Technical and Financial Program Report due the 10th business day of the month for activities associated with the previous month. The technical report must contain, at a minimum, the activities accomplished during the period and outstanding issues to be resolved. The financial portion of the report must include the detailed hours and costs expended during the report period as well as the cumulative hours and costs expended. The report must also identify the date when the funding that has been obligated to the contract is expected to be completely expended.

· Annual Technical and Financial Report due the 15th business day after the anniversary date of the contract. The report must summarize the activities accomplished during the year and the costs expended as a result of performing said activities.

Other deliverables to be provided to NSF:

· Feedback from testing of NSF FastLane application and reference modules

· Feedback on the GRFP review site

· Feedback on the panel process

IV. Place of Performance The primary place of performance will be at the Contractor’s facility. The Project Manager shall meet in person or by teleconference or video conference at the NSF on a weekly basis to plan schedules and procedures with the COR and other members of the GRFP team. Other contractor personnel will participate in the meetings when necessary (e.g., the Outreach Manager will participate in the meeting when outreach planning activities are presented). NSF is currently located at 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA; however, please note that NSF headquarters is in the process of relocating to 2401 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA. The anticipated date for the move to the new location is January 2017.

V. Special Requirements Due to the nature of the application and review process and the primary participation of the scientific academic community, contractor personnel shall have the skills and ability to communicate with academic individuals such as science faculty and students, including undergraduate students and graduate students.

The tasks require intensive coordination with NSF program directors and staff, including FastLane IT support staff. The Contractor must be willing to communicate and work collaboratively with NSF on an ongoing basis to accomplish the tasks.

All contractor personnel shall undergo NSF security clearance procedures for onboarding and separation. Contractors shall meet at NSF at the kickoff meeting and report to the NSF ID Badge Office to provide fingerprints and identification and complete required documents. They will not be issued badges; they will need electronic access to NSF IT systems and issuance of NSF email addresses.

VI. Contractor Staff, Roles and Responsibilities – The Contractor shall identify a Project Director with an advanced academic degree (Masters or PhD, or equivalent years of experience), and a Project Manager (could be the same individual) with Project Management Professional Certification. This individual shall be responsible for day to day operations and timely completion of all tasks and deliverables. For periods of extended absence or unavailability, the Contractor shall name a backup or temporary replacement for the Project Manager. Proposed project team should include an IT System Administrator, an Application Processing Manager, a Web designer/developer, Graphic Designer, and an Outreach Manager. Other roles and responsibilities shall be determined by the Contractor.

VII. Reporting Requirements – The following reports are to be delivered electronically by email to the COR.

1. Monthly Technical and Financial Program Report due 10th business day of the month.

2. Annual Technical and Financial Report due 15th business day after the anniversary date of the contract.

VIII. Deliverables:

Annual Technical and Financial Report must summarize the activities accomplished during the year and the costs expended as a result of performing said activities.

15th business day after the anniversary date of the contract

DACS15P0009 Section C

C - 11

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 MARKING

The contract number shall be placed on or adjacent to all exterior mailing or shipping labels of deliverable items called for by the contract.

Interior packages, if any, and exterior shipping containers shall be marked as specified elsewhere in the contract Deliveries to civilian activities; Supplies shall be marked in accordance with Federal Standard 123, edition in effect on the date of issuance of the solicitation.

Deliveries to military activities; Supplies shall be marked in accordance with Military Standard 129, edition in effect on the date of issuance of the solicitation.

Additional packaging and packing may be specified in any delivery orders under this contract if applicable.

Mark deliverables including reports, for:

The COR identified in Item G.2 NSF 20, Authority of Government Personnel

D.2 PACKAGING AND PACKING

A. DOMESTIC SHIPMENT

Material shall be packaged and packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, National Motor Freight Classification, or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

B. OVERSEAS SHIPMENT

Supplies shall be packed for overseas shipment in accordance with the best commercial export practice suitable for water movement to arrive undamaged at ultimate destination.

DACS15P0009 Section D Additional packaging and packing may be specified in any delivery orders under this contract.

D - 1

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" contained in this document. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE AT DESTINATION

DACS15P0009 Section E Inspection of the supplies or services to be furnished under this contract shall be made at destination by the receiving activity.

E - 1

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following contract clauses pertinent to this section are hereby incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date) in accordance with the clause at FAR "52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE" contained in this document. See FAR 52.252-2 for an internet address (if specified) for electronic access to the full text of a clause.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR Chapter 1)

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

DACS15P0009 Section F The period of performance of this contract shall be from date of award through 12 months, plus four (4) one-year option periods to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

F - 1

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 METHOD OF PAYMENT

(a) Payments under this contract will be made either by check or by wire transfer through the Treasury Financial Communications System at the option of the Government.

(b) The Contractor shall forward the following information in writing to the Contracting Officer not later than 7 days after receipt of notice of award:

(1) Full Name (where practicable), title, telephone number, and complete mailing address of responsible official(s) :

(i) to whom check payments are to be sent, and

(ii) who may be contacted concerning the bank account information requested below.

(2) The following bank account information required to accomplish wire transfers:

(i) Name, address, and telegraphic abbreviation of the receiving financial institution.

(ii) Receiving financial institution's 9-digit American Bankers Association (ABA) identifying number for routing transfer of funds. (Provide this number only if the receiving financial institution has access to the Federal Reserve Communications System.)

(iii) Recipient's name and account number at the receiving financial institution to be credited with the funds.

(iv) If the receiving financial institution does not have access to the Federal Reserve Communications System, provide the name of the correspondent financial institution through which the receiving institution receives electronic funds transfer messages. If a correspondent financial institution is specified, also provide:

(a) Address and telegraphic abbreviation of the correspondent financial institution.

(b) The correspondent financial institution's 9-digit ABA identifying number for routing transfer of funds.

(c) Any changes to the information furnished under paragraph (b) of this clause shall be furnished to the Contracting Officer in writing at least 30 days before the effective date of the change. It is the Contractor's responsibility to furnish these changes promptly to avoid payments to erroneous addresses or bank accounts.

(d) The document furnishing the information required in paragraphs (b) and (c) must be dated and contain the signature, title, and telephone number of the Contractor official authorized to provide it, as well as the Contractor's name and contract number

G.2 NSF020 AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL (APR 2013)

Contracting Officer The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements under this contract. Notwithstanding any clause contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the CO.

In the event the Contractor effects any change at the direction of any person other than the CO, including any change beyond the scope of authority given to the duly authorized Contracting Officer's Representative identified in the contract, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in charges incurred as a result thereof. The CO has the authority to perform any and all post-award functions in administering and enforcing this contract in accordance with its terms and conditions.

Contracting Officer's Representative The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) (To be Determined at the time of award, TBD) is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract.