13R000002_Sec._M_Final.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

RFP: DTPH56-13-R-000002 M-1

PART IV

SECTION M—EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR) PROVISIONS

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Jan 1999).

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Technical Capability Past Performance Price

Technical Capability is more important than Past Performance. Technical Capability and Past Performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

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

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

M.2 AWARD

One (1) contract will be awarded from this solicitation.

M.3 BASIS FOR AWARD

M.3.1 Award Selection

Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is responsive and is determined to present the best value, as defined in FAR 2.101.

This competitive acquisition will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.3, "Source Selection.” A tradeoff process, as described at FAR 15.101-1 and 15.406-1 will be used in making source selection.

Proposal information may be verified by such Government agencies as the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), other Government agencies, commercial sources such as Dunn and Bradstreet, and other references as

RFP: DTPH56-13-R-000002 M-2

necessary. Omissions and/or inaccurate or inadequate information could have negative effects on the overall evaluation.

M.3.2 Offeror Responsibility Determination

To be eligible for award, the Contracting Officer must determine that the offeror is responsible according to the standards of FAR 9.1, “Responsible Prospective Contractors.”

M.3.3 Other Considerations

Offers containing any charges for failure to exercise any option will be rejected. An offer submitted with inadequate information may be found unacceptable.

M.4 EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

M.4.1 Evaluation Factors

For this solicitation, there are three evaluation factors:

1. Technical Capability,

2. Past Performance, and

3. Price

There are two significant sub-factors under Technical Capability. They are:

1. Staffing, Recruitment, and Retention Capability; and

2. Management and Technical Approach, Including Quality Assurance Plan

Technical Capability is more important than Past Performance. Technical Capability and Past Performance, when combined, are significantly more important than Price. Although Price will not be given a specific score, it will be considered and evaluated in determining the overall best value, and may be the determining factor in award selection when assessing and evaluating proposals of similar or equal merit.

The following paragraphs address each specific evaluation factor, along with significant sub-factors. The Offeror is encouraged to provide as much information as possible in its proposal to address each evaluation factor.

Factor 1: Technical Capability This factor will be used to evaluate the Offeror’s ability to perform the contract successfully.

Sub-factor: Staffing, Recruitment, and Retention Capability

This sub-factor will evaluate the Offeror’s ability to retain and attract capable and qualified employees.

This sub-factor will evaluate the Offeror’s ability to retain employees as well as demonstrate its understanding of the Service Contract Act in terms of minimum wage and fringe benefits provided. The Offeror’s Compensation and Benefits package will be reviewed in this sub-factor.

Sub-factor: Management and Technical Approach The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s proposed approach and management capability to perform the prospective contract. The Government will also evaluate the Offeror’s Quality Assurance Plan. The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s knowledge and understanding of the nature, challenges, and complexities of the work to be performed. The Offeror must include a Quality Assurance Plan and Transition Plan. Additionally the Government will evaluate Key Personnel qualifications and experience on managing similar contracts/tasks on which proposed Key Personnel played a significant role. This sub-factor includes assessment of: (1) quality of product/service; (2) timeliness of performance; (3) cost control; and

(4) business relations.

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Factor 2: Past Performance The Government will evaluate the ability of the Offeror (and any proposed subcontractors) to perform successfully based on their demonstrated relevant past performance history on tasks of the type and complexity described in the solicitation requirements (Statement of Work).

Only relevant Past Performance history will be considered. The Government will determine relevance of past performance information based on the similarity of the nature of the previous work to the current requirement, the dollar value of the previous efforts, and the currency of the prior work (i.e., within the past three years). If an Offeror affirmatively states that it has no relevant past performance history, and there is no evidence to the contrary, the Offeror will not be rated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. PHMSA will use this factor to gauge the Offeror’s ability to resolve problems that arose in its previous and/or current contracts.

PHMSA will also consider an Offeror’s termination history when evaluating past performance.

As part of its past performance proposal (see Section L, Paragraph L.10.2), an Offeror must exert “best efforts” to have references submit completed Past Performance Questionnaires on its behalf. PHMSA reserves the right to consider past performance data, obtained by PHMSA, from a variety of sources (both inside and outside the Government) in addition to any information provided by the Offeror and its references.

Factor 3: Price The total evaluated price will be determined by adding the total price for the base period plus the total price for the four (4) option periods. The Government may use various price analysis techniques and procedures to ensure a fair and reasonable price. The Government will also determine the reasonableness of the proposed overtime rate multiplier. The Government will also review submitted pricing information to determine compliance with Service Contract Act requirements. Any proposals not in compliance with the Service Contract Act will be rejected.

[END OF SECTION M]