DRAFT SECTION L ASCEND.pdf

L-900. Proposal Requirements

I. Proposal Format

A. General: The following instructions cover the preparation and submittal of the offeror’s proposal for this solicitation. Offerors must follow the instructions contained herein. Offerors are cautioned that any noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the RFP may cause their proposal to be determined not eligible for award. If a joint venture arrangement exists for this acquisition, the offeror shall provide a copy of the joint venture agreement that is signed and dated by all joint venture members as part of the proposal submission. Offerors shall submit only one proposal for the All Domain Common Platform Security Cloud Engineering Network Development program as the Government will review only one proposal per offeror. Request that offerors submit their past performance volume by DATE TBD.

Proposals must be received by AFLCMC/C3C PCO: Michelle Landry michelle.landry@us.af.mil and Rosa Krauss rosa.krauss.3@us.af.mil no later than the date and time specified in Block 8 on the face page of the RFP. In order to expedite the evaluation process, offerors are requested to submit Volume III, Past Performance Information, ten (10) calendar days prior to the required due date for proposals. Failure to submit Volume III by the requested earlier date will not result in offeror disqualification.

B. Communications: All communication between industry and the Government will be via email or AMRDEC SAFE. Exchanges of source selection information between Government and offerors will be controlled by the Contracting Officer. Exchanges of source selection information after submission of the initial proposal packages between the Government and offerors will be controlled by the Contracting Officer. Email may be used to transmit such information only if the email can be sent encrypted, and must include “Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104” in the subject line of the email. In order to facilitate the sending and receiving of encrypted emails, offerors must use MS Outlook email configured to support encryption or a different email product that is S/MIME compatible and configured to support encryption. If you intend to submit your source selection information via encrypted email, you will need to contact the Buyer/Contracting Officer indicated on the face page of the solicitation prior to that first submittal in order to exchange certificates used for encryption. To ensure the process is working correctly, send a test encrypted message first (without including any source selection information).

Otherwise, source selection information will be transmitted via PIEE solicitation module Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE). When submitting source selection information via email, file suppression utilities, to include but not limited to zip files, will not be accepted.

II. Volume Organization

A. General: Proposals shall be submitted to the Government in five (5) separate volumes as set forth below:

PAGE NUMBER

mailto:michelle.landry@us.af.mil mailto:rosa.krauss.3@us.af.mil https://piee.eb.mil/ https://piee.eb.mil/

VOLUME LIMITS OF COPIES DESCRIPTION

I N/A* 1 Completed RFP (Signed contract with fill ins, Cover Letter, Professional Employee Compensation Plan, Cross Reference Matrix)

II 20 1 Written Technical Proposal

III N/A 1 Past Performance

IV 10 1 Small Business Participation Submission

V N/A 1 Cost/Price

* Page limit for Professional Employee Compensation Plan is reflected below.

Offerors shall use the instructions set forth in RFP Attachment 3, Past Performance Information (PPI) for Offerors, to electronically submit the Past Performance Information.

In addition to the page limitations set forth above, proposal volumes shall comply with the following format:

1. The proposal package must be submitted electronically and show the time and date specified for receipt. Each volume shall be marked with the RFP number and the offeror’s name and address, and the number of the Volume, i.e. I, II, III, etc. Proposals shall be in the English language and all monies shall be proposed in United States dollars.

2. Print shall be no smaller than a font size of 12. Paper size shall be 8 1/2” X 11,” excluding any drawings, diagrams, and/or supporting illustrations, spreadsheets, etc. Charts, graphs, drawings, diagrams, supporting illustrations, or spreadsheets shall not be greater than 11” x 17.” Each volume within the proposal notebook shall be a separate file. Margins shall be no smaller than 1 inch and each page within a volume shall be numbered consecutively. Elaborate formats, pitch decks, sales material are not desired or required.

3. The page limitation for Volume II, Written Technical Proposal is fifteen pages. The page limitation for Volume IV, Small Business Participation Submission, is 15 pages. The page limitations include any cover page, charts, graphs, drawings, diagrams, supporting illustrations, spreadsheets, etc., but excludes any table of contents or list of acronyms (if utilized). Offerors are cautioned that any pages that exceed the page limitations shall not be read but shall be removed without being considered in the evaluation.

4. Page limitations may be placed on responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs), if issued. The specified page limits for EN responses will be identified in the letters forwarding the ENs to offerors or on the EN form itself.

5. Each page containing proprietary information should be so marked.

6. Each page should contain the following legend at the bottom of each sheet:

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION--SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

B. Volume I, Completed RFP

1. General: Volume I, Completed RFP shall consist of the completed and signed RFP, to include any amendments issued, with a cover letter delineating any exceptions taken to the RFP terms and conditions with accompanying rationale. Offerors shall identify the appropriate agent authorized to sign on behalf of the offeror and obligate them to the terms and conditions of the contract. However, offerors are cautioned that any noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the RFP may cause their proposal to be determined not eligible for award. Offerors shall ensure that all clauses and provisions that require “fill in” information are appropriately completed, including the proposed prices associated with the contract line items in the Schedule of the RFP.

The Government intends to award Task Order 0001 with award of the IDIQ.

2. Professional Employee Compensation Plan: The professional employee compensation plan required by FAR 52.222-46 shall be submitted as a part of Volume I and shall be no more than five (5) pages. The plan shall set forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for professional employees and include supporting information to enable the Government to review the proposed salaries and fringe benefits in accordance with FAR 52.222-46. Note: The compensation plan pertains to the offeror only. However, if a populated joint venture is formed (a joint venture in which the employees are employed by the joint venture itself and not by any individual joint venture partner), the joint venture must submit the total compensation plan for the joint venture. If an unpopulated joint venture is formed, each individual joint venture partner must submit its own total compensation plan.

3. Cross Reference Matrix: The offeror shall fill out the cross-reference matrix at RFP Attachment 7 indicating where in its proposal the information can be found as it relates to the RFP. The cross reference matrix will be utilized as a tool to show critical interrelationships and dependencies among the technical requirements document (Performance-Based Work Statement (PWS), Task Order One PWS, etc), the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), Section L (Instructions to Offerors or Proposal Requirements), and Section M (Evaluation Basis for Award). The cross-reference matrix will help an offeror ensure it has responded to all the evaluation criteria and proposal submittal requirements identified in the solicitation. If the matrix conflicts with any other requirement, direction, or provision of this solicitation, the other reference shall take precedence over the matrix. Additionally, to the extent the matrix discloses details as to the manner by which the Government intends to evaluate the offeror’s proposals for award, Section M references in the matrix are for informational purposes only, and the Government shall be obligated to evaluate proposals solely in conformance with Section M of the solicitation.

C. Volume II, Written Technical Proposal

1. General: The written technical proposal shall be clear, concise, and include all the information required by this provision in sufficient detail for effective evaluation. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume the Government has no prior knowledge of their capabilities, work processes, facilities, and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror’s technical proposal.

The technical proposal shall address the IDIQ PWS and Task Order 0001 PWS

2. Mission Essential Services: Individual task orders may include mission essential services. Services and capabilities provided in Task Order 0001 PWS are considered mission essential. For the purposes of this evaluation the offeror shall submit a written plan to ensure the continuation of these services in crisis situations.

3. Format and Specific Content: The following information shall be provided in the written technical proposal and will be evaluated to assess the proposed technical approach and associated technical risk in accordance with Section M-900, Evaluation Basis for Award. The written technical proposal shall address the gate criteria and each of the following subfactors to describe the offeror’s proposed approach to performing the requirements set forth in the PWS. For each subfactor, the offeror shall identify risks, if any, associated with the proposed approach and actions the offeror will take to mitigate the identified risks. If no risks/mitigations are identified in the offeror’s proposal, it indicates the offeror does not consider there to be any risk associated with their proposed approach.

Gate Criteria: Minimum Classified Facility Specification Requirements

Technical Volume:

Subfactor One: Overall Technical Approach

Subfactor Two: Transition Plan

Subfactor Three: Portability/Intellectual Property Plan

D. Volume III, Past Performance

1. General: The offeror shall submit Present and Past Performance Information for itself and any joint venture member, as well as each proposed critical subcontractor in accordance with the format contained in the “Past Performance Information (PPI) Sheet” (See RFP Attachment 3) and the following paragraphs. A critical subcontractor is defined as an entity (subcontractor and/or teaming contractor), other than the offeror itself that will perform critical milestone events of the proposed technical approach or will perform more than 10% of the Task Order 0001 effort. The evaluation of the offeror’s/joint venture member’s present/past performance WILL NOT include the present/past performance of any subcontractor(s), vendors(s)/supplier(s) even though they may perform major or critical aspects of this requirement.

2. Past Performance Format: The requested present and past performance information shall be provided in a separate volume labeled "Volume III - Past Performance". A summary page shall be provided for this acquisition, describing the proposed role of the offeror, any joint venture member and critical subcontractor (nature of work and percentage of overall work). Summary page information must clearly communicate that proposed critical subcontractor(s) meet the definition of a critical subcontractor established above. Efforts submitted for proposed critical subcontractors not meeting the established definition will not be evaluated. Each offeror/joint venture member shall complete a separate PPI Sheet for three (3) active or completed contracts (with at least one year of performance history) in the past three (3) years from the issuance date of the RFP, that the offeror/joint venture member considers relevant in demonstrating its ability to perform the proposed effort. If the total number of such contracts exceeds three (3), each offeror/joint venture member shall address its three (3) most recent and relevant contracts. For each critical subcontractor included in the offeror's proposal, a PPI Sheet for three (3) of their most recent and relevant contracts shall also be included. The offeror's/joint venture member’s or critical subcontractor’s present and past performance information may include data on efforts performed by other predecessor companies, affiliates, other divisions or corporate management if such was provided for evaluation and if the offeror’s past performance volume demonstrates the company, affiliate, or division will provide the offeror with resources for the instant proposed effort, such as workforce, management, facilities, or other capabilities demonstrating direct and meaningful involvement in the performance of the instant proposed effort. The PPI Sheet shall clearly indicate the division or corporate organization that performed or is presently performing the contract. Contracts listed may include those with the Federal Government, state and local governments or their agencies, and commercial customers.

3. Ordering Type Contracts Submission: If the contract you are submitting is an ordering type contractual vehicle (for example, including but not limited to an Indefinite Delivery “D” type contract per FAR 16.5), only after issuance of a delivery/task order does performance occur. Given this, an individual order (or series of orders) under the basic ordering contract shall be submitted, in lieu of just the basic ordering contract itself. All information provided to the Government, for an ordering type contractual vehicle, shall be at the order level (i.e. a delivery/task order).

When determining what order (or series of orders) to submit for evaluation, please reference Section M, Paragraph II.D for details on how the Government will evaluate each submitted effort for recency, relevancy, and quality. In order to achieve optimal programmatic/logistical scope and magnitude of effort and complexities, as described in Section M paragraph II.D.4 and 4.1, the offeror should consider submitting a series of orders, if possible. However, a series of orders should only be submitted if the series of orders is for continuous technical scope demonstrating relevancy to the instant acquisition. Not all ordering type contractual vehicles will have series of orders that meet these criteria. In this instance, only the single order demonstrating relevant technical scope should be submitted for evaluation.

When submitting an individual order (or series of orders) under an ordering type contractual vehicle, it is important that the offeror’s past performance information be accurate, complete, and in the correct format.

If the information is not submitted in the correct format, the Government will not be able to evaluate the effort for recency, relevancy, and quality. There are specific places for submission of this information in the PPI Sheet RFP Attachment 3. Please ensure the information submitted, in the PPI Sheet RFP Attachment 3, is for each order (or series of orders), in lieu of just the basic ordering contract itself. This includes but is not limited to information such as the dollar value, period of performance, capabilities delivered, and type and complexity of data deliverables, for each order or series of orders. See paragraph

3.1 for further information on how to submit series of orders.

3.1 Series of Orders: When submitting a series of orders for evaluation, the offeror should list the orders under the basic ordering type contractual vehicle that demonstrate relevancy, as defined in the Relevancy Definitions in Section M paragraph II.D.4. Per the Note in Section M paragraph II.D.4, Relevancy consists of not only technical complexities, but programmatic/logistical considerations. The programmatic/logistical considerations include dollar value, length of effort, capability delivered, and type and complexity of data deliverables. If an offeror submits a series of orders for evaluation, the total dollar value of each order (in the series of orders), the period of performance dates of each order (in the series of orders), the total capability deliverd on each order (in the series of orders) and the type and complexity of data deliverables for each order (in the series of orders) shall be submitted. The total dollar value of each order (in the series of orders) shall be added up to calculate the Total Dollar Value to be used in the evaluation, for the submitted effort. The total period of performance of each order (in the series of orders) shall be added up to calculate the Total Period of Performance to be used in the evaluation, for the submitted effort. The total capability delivered on each order (in the series of orders) shall be evaluated as a whole, for the submitted effort. The type and complexity of data deliverables provided on each order (in the series of orders) shall be evaluated as a whole for the series of orders.

Caution: All orders within the series of orders, being submitted, should be for the same continuous technical scope demonstrating relevancy to the instant acquisition. The Government reserves the right to request additional information from the offeror or Points of Contacts provided to verify that the series of orders is for the same continuous technical scope.

4. Subcontractor/Teaming Member Consent Form: In addition to the information provided in the PPI Sheet (RFP Attachment 3) for each entity as required above, the offeror must submit a consent letter executed by each of its proposed teaming member(s) and/or critical subcontractors authorizing release of adverse past performance information to the prime offeror to allow the prime offeror an opportunity to respond. A sample Subcontractor/Teaming Partner Consent Form is attached to this RFP (see RFP Attachment 6). The consent form shall be completed by the team member(s) and/or critical subcontractors identified in your proposal. The completed consent forms shall be submitted as part of your Past Performance Volume III.

5. Small Business Compliance in Past Performance Efforts: On the three (3) contracts submitted in Volume III, Past Performance, include relevant information in the PPI Sheet concerning the offeror’s/joint venture member’s and critical subcontractor’s compliance with FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns or FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, if these clauses are or were contained in the contract. (Please note that FAR 52.219-8 does apply to ALL businesses, whereas FAR 52.219-9 only applies to large businesses.) When subcontracting possibilities existed on the contracts submitted by the offeror/joint venture member and critical subcontractor, address whether or not the offeror/joint venture member and critical subcontractor awarded subcontracts to small business concerns, veteran-owned small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, and women-owned small business concerns to the fullest extent consistent with efficient contract performance. If none of the submitted contracts included these clauses, whenever subcontracting possibilities existed in the performance of these contracts, address whether or not it was the offeror/joint venture member and critical subcontractor’s policy to utilize small business concerns, veteran-owned small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, and women-owned small business concerns to the fullest extent consistent with efficient contract performance.

6. PPI Sheet: The offeror/joint venture member and critical subcontractor, if applicable, shall focus its PPI Sheet responses so that they clearly correlate present and past performance with the requirements of this RFP. The PPI Sheet responses must clearly describe the relevance of the effort to the work proposed. The answering space on the PPI Sheet may be expanded so that the filled-in PPI Sheet for each relevant contract covers no more than both sides of three (3) 8 ½ x 11 inch pages (i.e., no more than six

(6) pages). (See paragraph 2, Relevancy Table and N. of the PPI Sheet.) Provide the most current information for the Points of Contact (POCs) identified on the PPI Sheets. At least two of the following (in descending order of availability) should be identified as current POCs on the PPI Sheets:

a. Procuring Contracting Officer/Contract Negotiator or equivalent

b. Program/Project Manager, or equivalent

c. Administrative Contracting Officer/Contract Administrator or equivalent

d. Other (As specified in your PPI Sheet)

If problems were encountered during the performance of the identified contracts, provide evidence of the ability to isolate the root causes of problems and include in the PPI Sheet a description of programs or actions taken to resolve those causes. Problems not addressed in the PPI Sheet, but found by the Government during the evaluation of the information in this volume, will be assumed to still exist. Note: In the case of Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS), if your input has already been provided and the rationale/circumstances have not changed, DO NOT repeat them here.

7. Past Performance Questionnaire: The Present/Past Performance Questionnaire (see RFP Exhibit B) will be one means used by the Government to obtain present/past performance information. The Government reserves the right to change, alter, and/or supplement the questionnaire without further notice to the offeror(s). The offeror shall send out and track the completion of the Present/Past Performance Questionnaires (See RFP Exhibit B) to each of the offeror’s, joint venture member’s and/or critical subcontractors’ (i.e., each entity’s) Points of Contact (POCs) identified in each PPI Sheet. The responsibility to send out and track the completion of the Present/Past Performance Questionnaires rests solely with the offeror - i.e., it shall not be delegated to any other entity. The Transmittal Letter (see RFP Attachment 5) shall be used by the offeror in sending out the Present/Past Performance Questionnaires.

Exert your best effort to ensure that at least two POCs per relevant contract submit a completed Present/Past Performance Questionnaire directly to the Government not later than the date established in the RFP for receipt of proposals. POCs must submit their completed Present/Past Performance Questionnaire electronically by email. If sending electronically, follow the procedures outlined in paragraph I.B. Communications above, and email to: michelle.landry@us.af.mil and rosa.krauss.3@us.af.mil.

Once the Present/Past Performance Questionnaires are completed by your POCs, the information contained therein shall be considered source selection sensitive and shall not be released to you, the offeror. Therefore, any exchange/contact between the offeror/joint venture member and/or critical subcontractor and its own POCs in regards to comments made on the questionnaire is not permitted.

8. Client Authorization Letter: In the event that commercial contracts are presented as present/past performance sources of information, a client authorization letter shall be issued to those commercial POCs requesting/authorizing them to complete a Present/Past Performance Questionnaire. A sample client authorization letter is attached to this RFP (see RFP Attachment 4). The offeror is required to send the client authorization letter(s) with the Present/Past Performance Questionnaire(s) to each POC on commercial contracts. A separate copy of client authorization letter(s) for each commercial contract shall mailto:michelle.landry@us.af.mil be included in the offeror’s Present/Past Performance submission for the Government’s use in case additional questionnaires need to be sent by the Government after the RFP due date.

10. Follow-up Discussions: The Government may conduct follow-up discussions with any of the people identified in the PPI Sheets or in the offeror’s Present/Past Performance Volume. Pursuant to FAR 15.305(a)(2)(ii), the Government may obtain other information by sending out additional questionnaires and/or through other sources, other than those listed within the PPI Sheets.

11. RFP Attachment Legend: RFP Attachment 3 and Exhibit B must include the following legend at the top and bottom of the page when completed:

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION - See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

E. Volume IV, Small Business Participation Submission

1. General: All offerors (both other than small businesses and small businesses) shall provide the following SBPCD requirements and substantiating documentation to demonstrate how you will meet these requirements. This required information will be used to evaluate the extent of your proposed participation/commitment to use U.S. small businesses in the performance of this acquisition (as small business prime offerors or small business subcontractors) relative to Section M, Factor III, Small Business Participation. These SBPCD requirements will be incorporated into any resulting contract(s) as specified below.

1.1 The small business concerns (SBC) as defined in FAR Part 19 that are to be used in your proposed approach to satisfying the requirements of this solicitation for the entire performance period, including company name, business category(ies), description of products or services and NAICS code to be provided by each SBC and the nature of the commitment with the SBC (i.e., letter of commitment, joint ventures, mentor protégé agreements, others). Binding commitments shall become enforceable, contractual requirements. Use the table/format below in proposing this required information.

Company Name Small Business Category(ies) (SB, WOSB, SDB, HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB)

Product(s)/Service(s) to be provided, including type & variety of work

NAICS Code Nature of Commitment

2. The SBCs (prime offerors and small business subcontractors) proposed quantitative participation in terms of the value of the total acquisition (total contract value). Offerors shall provide detailed explanations/documentation to support quantitative small business participation. Binding commitments shall become enforceable, contractual requirements. Use the table/format below in proposing this required information.

Proposed Total Contract Value $ <Fill in base contract and all option years>

Minimum Quantitative Requirement (MQR) - Small Business Participation

(Including Small Business prime offeror’s participation)

Business Category Dollar Value % of Total Contract Value

Total Proposed Contract Value – Prime Offeror $ %

Total Small Business $ %

Small Disadvantaged Business $ %

Woman-Owned Small Business $ %

HUBZone Small Business $ %

Veteran-Owned Small Business $ %

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count. Supporting documents will not be incorporated into any resulting contract.

3. Past performance information to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, including the extent to which small business performance objectives/requirements were met for the contracts that required submission of a Small Business Participation Plan or other small business participation/utilization document. Copies of contractual reports may be submitted to validate compliance with requirements of FAR 52.219-8. Explanation of efforts where minimum quantitative requirements and/or goals were not met should be provided.

Supporting documentation shall be relevant to the requirements of this solicitation and shall be within the past five years. All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count.

4. Past performance information to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-9 (DEVIATION 2016-O0009) Small Business Subcontracting Plan (when applicable), including extent to which applicable goals and other small business performance objectives/requirements were met for the contracts submitted to demonstrate compliance. Explanation of efforts where goals were not met should be provided. Supporting documentation shall be relevant to the requirements of this solicitation and shall be within the past five years. All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count.

5. The work to be performed directly by a small business prime offeror shall be evaluated as Small Business Participation. Small business prime offerors shall include their information in the above requested subparagraphs L-900, 1-4 as required.

6. SBPCD enforceable, contractual requirements shall require periodic progress reporting to facilitate government monitoring in the event of an award. Offerors are to propose quarterly reporting for the requirements in L-900, subparagraphs 1-3 above (contractor format acceptable) in accordance with Section J, Exhibit A, CDRL A028, Small Business Subcontractor Report.

7. Prime Offeror’s Size: Identify the applicable size and applicable socioeconomic categories for the PRIME offeror only when submitting your proposed SBPCD. Include this information within the initial section of the proposed SBPCD and check all applicable boxes:

Prime Offeror’s Size

{ } Other than Small Business or

{ } Small Business also categorized as a

{ } Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

{ } Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

{ } Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business

{ } Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

F. Volume V, Cost/Price

The Government intends to award Task Orders that may be Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time and Materials (T&M), or Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). Task Orders may by hybrid and include contract line items that are any of the identified contract types depending on the work to be performed.

The contractor shall fill in the attached pricing workbook and submit electronically. The workbook identifies anticipated labor categories and Best Estimated Quantity (BEQ) of labor hours for price evaluation. The contractor shall propose fully burdened rates

The CPFF CLIN will be evaluated at the Government Estimate of Most Probable Cost (GEMPC) plus the proposed fixed fee.