EA-133M-19-RQ-00021.pdf

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION for commercial items prepared in accordance with the information in FAR Subpart 12.6, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures as supplemented with the additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a written solicitation will not be issued. PAPER COPIES OF THIS SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

This combined synopsis/solicitation SHALL be posted on both FEDBIZOPPS.

The RFQ number is EA-133M-19-RQ-00021. This solicitation documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2005-100 dated 8/22/2018. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/. The NAICS code is 721110, Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels, and the Small Business Standard is $32.5 million. The proposed contract is total small business set-aside. Offers from other than small business concerns will not be considered.

The NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), Norfolk Office requests responses from qualified sources capable of providing the services described below in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.

This announcement will close at 12:00 PM ET on October 5, 2018. Questions pertaining to this RFQ must be submitted in writing to Contract Specialist Alex Cooper at alexander.cooper@noaa.gov no later than October 2, 2018. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Quotes may be submitted via email to alexander.cooper@noaa.gov by the date and time listed above. All responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered by the agency.

The required period of performance, which is subject to change, is October 23, 2018 through December 7, 2018. Provide complete pricing for all services, including complimentary parking. NOAA is tax exempt. Tax Exemption Number is 54-1390104.

CLIN Description Estimated Qty.

Nightly Rate Total

1001 Room Nights in October

1002 Room Nights in November

1003 Room Nights in December

Total Evaluated Price:

Statement of Work At a minimum, contractors shall include the following standards:

1. Properties need to be located within 5 miles driving distance from 1670 Dry Dock Ave #200, North Charleston, SC. Driving distance is to be determined by a Google Maps directions search between the hotel property address and the shipyard address (1670 Dry Dock Ave #200, North Charleston, SC). It is imperative that the crew be lodged in a safe environment.

2. Up to 20 single rooms with private bathrooms.

3. Flexible check-in/check-out during the estimated period of performance 23 Oct 2018 – 07 Dec 2018. As there are variable days and a variable number of rooms required during the estimated period of performance, vendor/contractor is to provide this flexibility at no additional cost to the government. Average number of rooms needed per day is 19; however, the maximum number of rooms will not exceed 20 at any one time.

The Government will only be charged for rooms actually occupied on a per day basis. The Executive Officer shall coordinate with the hotel on a weekly basis.

4. A kitchenette is required in each room. Kitchenettes shall include the following: Sink, cooktop range with at least 2 burners, full refrigerator with freezer, dishwasher, microwave, dishes, glassware, cooking utensils, and eating utensils.

5. On-site parking shall be included in the rate. Please review the Federal Government Max lodging per diem rate per night for your location. These rates can be found at:

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/100120

6. Guaranteed reservations for late arrival accommodations. Properties will accept mission critical early departures without additional costs or penalties of any kind. Ship’s crew may depart for leave, training, or temporary assignments to other ships. Rooms will be adjusted accordingly.

7. If contractor cannot honor a confirmed reservation, the contractor shall at its own expense, secure a guest room at another equivalent or better room. Transportation to and from the alternate property shall be provided at no expense to the federal employee or the Government.

8. Properties shall be compliant with the 1990 Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act (PL101-391). Furthermore, properties shall be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/

10. Properties shall maintain a minimum a three (3) star/diamond rating from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

11. Property shall be clean, presentable and with a working heat / AC system, private showers, furniture, and TVs at the time of arrival.

12. Rooms shall be cleaned daily and provided with fresh linens and towels at least weekly.

13. Rates shall exclude state and/or local taxes.

14. All hotel room discrepancies shall be resolved within 24-hours.

3. Payment:

Provide copies of all room billings by person with each submitted invoice for verification.

Send invoices to: jason.jenks@noaa.gov and xo.ronald.brown@noaa.gov

4. Contracting Officer:

The Contracting Officer is the sole person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

5. Coordination:

Close coordination is required with NOAA Ship Ronald Brown personnel to ensure correct timelines, billings and last minute updates. All room assignments, check-ins and check-outs must be coordinated through the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

The following FAR provision and clauses are applicable to this procurement:

FAR CONTRACT CLAUSES

(1) FAR 52.202-1 Definitions (Nov 2013)

(2) FAR 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (May 2014)

(3) FAR 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (May 2014)

(4) FAR 52.203-17 – Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights. (Apr 2014)

(5) FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (Jul 2013)

(6) FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014)

(7) 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items [list any addenda to the provision];

(8) FAR 52.212-4 – Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items. (Jan 2017) (9)FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Items (Aug 2018), Section b, (1), (4), (8), (14), (16), (22), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (42), (46), (49), (55), AND:

• 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.).

• 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41

U.S.C. chapter 67).

• 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015) (E.O. 13658).

(11) FAR 52.232-39 – Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (Jun 2013)

(12) FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (Dec 2013)

(13) FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Aug 1996)

(14) FAR 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim. (Oct 2004)

(15) FAR 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Jan 2017)

(16) FAR 52.245-1 Government Property (Jan 2017)

(17) FAR 52.245-9 Use and Charges (APR 2012)

(18) FAR 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies —Fixed-Price. (Aug 1996)

(19) FAR 52.246-16 Responsibility for Supplies (Apr 1984)

(20) FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (Aug 1996)

(21) FAR 52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Nov 1991)

(22) FAR 52.203-99 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (DEVIATION 2015-02)

(a) The Contractor shall not require employees or subcontractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

(b) The contractor shall notify employees that the prohibitions and restrictions of any internal confidentiality agreements covered by this clause are no longer in effect.

(c) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this clause does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

(d) (1) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), use of funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act may be prohibited, if the Government determines that the Contractor is not in compliance with the provisions of this clause.

(2) The Government may seek any available remedies in the event the Contractor fails to comply with the provisions of this clause.

(End of clause)

(23) FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services. (Nov 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 1 day.

(End of Clause)

CAR CONTRACT CLAUSES

(1) CAR 1352.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S AUTHORITY (APR 2010)

(2) CAR 1352.209-73 COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS (APR 2010)

(3) CAR 1352.209-74 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (APR 2010)

(4) CAR 1352.201-72 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (Apr 2010)

(a) (TBD) is hereby designated as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the contractor by a unilateral modification to the contract. The COR is located at:

(TBD)

(b) The responsibilities and limitations of the COR are as follows:

(1) The COR is responsible for the technical aspects of the contract and serves as technical liaison with the contractor. The COR is also responsible for the final inspection and acceptance of all deliverables and such other responsibilities as may be specified in the contract.

(2) The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government or authorize any changes which affect the contract price, terms or conditions. Any contractor request for changes shall be referred to the Contracting Officer directly or through the COR. No such changes shall be made without the express written prior authorization of the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer may designate assistant or alternate COR(s) to act for the COR by naming such assistant/alternate(s) in writing and transmitting a copy of such designation to the contractor. (End of clause)

(5) CAR 1352.246-70 PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE (APR 2010)

Hotel facility as described in the Statement of Work.

(End of clause)

(6) CAR 1352.270-70 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (APR 2010).

The period of performance shall be October 23, 2018 through December 7, 2018.

NOAA ACQUISITION MANUAL (NAM) CLAUSES

(1) NAM 1330-52.237-70 CONTRACTOR COMMUNICATIONS

(a) A contractor employee shall be identified both by the individual’s name and the contractor’s name when:

(1) Included in NOAA’s locator, and

(2) When submitting any type of electronic correspondence to any NOAA employee or stakeholder.

(b) Any written correspondence from a contractor or any contractor employee shall be printed on company/organization letterhead or otherwise clearly identify the sender as an employee of the company or organization and shall identify the contract number.

(c) Contractors and/or contractor employees shall clearly identify themselves as such in any verbal communications, whether in informal discussion or a formal meeting. (End of clause)

(2) NAM 1330-52.242.70 SUBMITTAL OF INVOICES

The Contractor shall prepare and submit an invoice to the COR for approval [with a copy to the contracting officer for information]. All invoices shall be submitted by the 10th day of the subsequent month.

To constitute a proper invoice, the contractor’s invoice shall be prepared in accordance with, and contain all elements specified in, the paragraph titled, “Contractor’s Invoice,” of the applicable prompt payment provision of the contract (e.g., FAR 52.232-25, Prompt Payment; FAR 52.232-26, Prompt Payment for Fixed-Price Architect Engineer Contracts; or FAR 52.232-27, Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts). For contracts and orders for commercial items and services, paragraph (g) of FAR 52.212-4, titled, “Invoices,” applies.

If the invoice does not comply with the applicable prompt payment provision of the contract, the COR will return it to the contractor within seven days after the date the designated office received the invoice along with a statement as to the reasons why it is not a proper invoice. (End of clause)

(3) NAM 1330-52.270-304 NOAA ACQUISITION AND GRANTS OFFICE OMBUDSMAN

a. The NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) Ombudsman is available to organizations to promote responsible and meaningful exchanges of information. Generally, the purpose of these exchanges will be to:

1. Allow contractors to better prepare for and propose on business opportunities.

2. Advise as to technologies and solutions within the marketplace that the Government may not be aware of, or is not fully benefiting from.

3. Identify constraints in transparency and process.

b. The AGO Ombudsman will objectively, reasonably, and responsibly collaborate with parties and recommend fair, impartial, and constructive solutions to the matters presented to him/her. Further, the AGO Ombudsman will maintain the reasonable and responsible confidentiality of the source of a concern, when such a request has been formally made by an authorized officer of an organization seeking to do business with, or already doing business with NOAA.

c. Before consulting with the AGO Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations with the respective contracting officer for resolution.

However, direct access to the AGO Ombudsman may be sought when an interested party questions the objectivity or equity of a contracting officer’s decision, or when there is a bona fide reason to believe that reasonable, responsible, and objective consideration will not be received from an assigned contracting officer.

d. There are several constraints to the scope of the AGO Ombudsman’s authority, for instance:

1. Consulting with the AGO Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines of any formal process (e.g., protests, claims, debriefings, employee employer actions, activities involving A76 competition performance decisions, judicial or congressional hearings, or proposal, amendment, modification or deliverable due dates, etc.).

2. The AGO Ombudsman cannot participate in the evaluation of proposals, source selection processes, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes.

3. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to generate or alter laws, judicial decisions, rules, policies, or formal guidance.

4. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to develop or alter opportunity announcements, solicitations, contracts, or their terms or conditions.

5. The AGO Ombudsman cannot overrule the authorized decisions or determinations of the contracting officer.

6. The AGO Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds AGO, NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the U.S. Government.

7. The AGO Ombudsman is not NOAA’s agent relative to the service of magistrate or judicial process and cannot be used to extend service of process to another party (whether federal, public, or a private entity).

e. After review and analysis of a filed concern or recommendation, the AGO Ombudsman may refer the interested party to another more suitable federal official for consideration. Moreover, concerns, disagreements, and/or recommendations that cannot be resolved by the AGO Ombudsman will need to be pursued through more formal venues.

f. The AGO Ombudsman is not to be contacted to request copies of forms and/or documents under the purview of a contracting officer. Such documents include Requests for Information, solicitations, amendments, contracts, modifications, or conference materials.

g. Questions regarding this solicitation and contract language shall be directed to Rafael Roman, NOAA AGO Ombudsman, at Rafael.Roman@noaa.gov. (End of Clause)

(4) NAM 1330-52.222-70 NOAA Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy (MAY 2018)

In accordance with NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 202-1106, NOAA Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response Policy, it is the policy of NOAA to maintain a work environment free from sexual assault and sexual harassment. NOAA prohibits sexual assault and sexual harassment by or of any employee, supervisor, manager, contractor, vendor, affiliate, or other individual with whom NOAA employees come into contact by the virtue of their work for NOAA.

(a) Definitions.

Contractor Employees - The term “contractor employees,” as used in this solicitation and contract language, refers to employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members.

Sexual Assault - The term sexual assault, as used in this solicitation and contract language, means any conduct proscribed by state or federal sexual abuse laws, including, but not limited to, those defined in chapter 109A of title 18 of the U.S. Code (sexual abuse), and assaults committed both by offenders who are strangers to the victim and by offenders who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim.

Sexual Harassment - As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following are true:

Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of an individual's employment;

Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual;

The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

The main characteristics of sexual harassment are that the harasser's conduct is targeted against the recipient’s sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and is unwelcome to the recipient. It may include, but is not limited to: offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, undue attention, physical assaults or threats, unwelcome touching or contact, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, constant or unwelcome questions about an individual's identity, and offensive objects or pictures.

b) Requirements.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that contractor employees maintain the highest degree of conduct and standards in performance of the contract. In support of this, NOAA urges its contractors to develop and enforce comprehensive company policy addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment.

The contractor shall include wording substantially the same as this solicitation and contract language in every subcontract so that it is binding upon each subcontractor.

If a contractor employee observes or is the object of sexual assault or sexual harassment, he or she is highly encouraged to report the matter, as soon as possible, to their immediate supervisor, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), subset of the COR (e.g. Task Manager or Assistant COR), or contracting officer (CO) if a COR is not assigned to the contract. The contract employee may also contact the NOAA Civil Rights Office to obtain guidance on reporting instances of sexual assault or sexual harassment. If deemed necessary, the contractor employee may also report such instances to local law enforcement. In the case where the incident occurs while performing at a remote location, such as at sea or in the field (at a field camp or other isolated location) where the above referenced individuals are unavailable, the contractor employee should follow the reporting procedure set forth in NAO 202-1106, Section 6,.07, Reporting from Remote Locations.

Swift reporting allows NOAA and the contractor to take the appropriate measures to ensure that offensive behavior stops and the complainants’ needs are addressed.

The COR (if assigned), CO, and contractor, where applicable, will work together to ensure appropriate action is taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, contract terms and conditions, and the contractor’s written policy (where applicable).

The contractor shall provide all contractor employees assigned to perform under this contract with mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response training in compliance with the requirements of NAO 202-1106, Section 5, Prevention Training and Awareness, as part of their initial in-processing and on an annual basis thereafter. The initial training shall be completed within business days [30 unless a different number is inserted] of contract award or the date a contractor employee is assigned to perform under the contract, as applicable.

Evidence of initial training by name and date completed for each contractor employee, shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) within 10 business days of completion.

Evidence of annual training by name and date completed for each contractor employee shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) no later than March 1st of each calendar year of contract performance.

The mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment training provided by the contractor shall include the required elements set forth by NOAA’s Workplace Violence Program Manager. A link to the website including the required elements of the training is provided at:

http://www.ago.noaa.gov/quicklinks/harassment_training.html. The website will also provide training materials and resources to assist the contractor in conducting the training. The contractor may provide training that solely addresses the NOAA required elements or may supplement existing company sexual assault and sexual harassment training in a manner that ensures all of the elements are adequately addressed.

The required elements of the training and resources available to the contractor for the training may be updated by NOAA periodically. The contractor is responsible for monitoring the website and incorporating any changes to the NOAA required elements into the contractor provided training.

NOAA’s Workplace Violence Program Manager, COR, or CO may periodically review the contractor’s training outline to ensure all required elements are included and, if necessary, any appropriate adjustments are made to the training by the contractor.

Contractor employees performing on assignments in a remote location, such as at a field camp or other isolated locations, are subject to receiving the same briefing on the parameters of the order provided to NOAA employees as set forth in Section 6 of NAO 202-1106.

The contractor shall provide a copy of this solicitation and contract language and NAO 202-1106 to contractor employees.

(c) Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) Helpline.

For NOAA employees, affiliates, and contractors who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, NOAA has established the NOAA Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) helpline. This helpline is designed to provide crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support to those who are victims and/or survivors of sexual harassment or sexual assault within the workplace. Contractor employees may use the helpline to receive live, confidential, one-on-one support in an occurrence of sexual harassment or assault by a Federal Government employee.

All services are anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NOAA SASH helpline is accessible through a variety of channels, including:

Phone: 1-866-288-6558 Website & Online Chat: https://www.noaasashhelpline.org/ Mobile App: NOAA SASH Helpline (available via iOS and Android App Stores) Text: (202) 335-0265

(d) Confidentiality.

Any party receiving information from the filing of a complaint alleging sexual assault or sexual harassment, or while performing an investigation into such a complaint, shall keep the information confidential.

“Confidentiality” means that the information shall only be shared with others who have a need to know the information to conduct their official duties.

(e) Remedies.

In addition to other remedies available to the Government, contractor employee violations of Federal requirements (e.g., law, statutes, executive orders, code, rules, regulations) applicable to sexual assault and sexual harassment and/or failure to complete the mandatory training set forth in this solicitation and contract language, may result in:

Requiring the Contractor to remove a contractor employee or employees from the performance of the contract;

Requiring the Contractor to terminate a subcontract;

Suspension of contract payments until the Contractor has taken appropriate remedial action;

Termination of the contract for default or cause, in accordance with the termination clause of this contract;

Suspension or debarment; or Other appropriate action.

(End of Clause)

FAR PROVISIONS

(1) FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

(2) FAR 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016)

(3) FAR 52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2016)

(4)FAR 52.209-2 – PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED DOMESTIC

CORPORATIONS – REPRESENTATION (NOV 2015)

(6) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (Jan 2017)

(7) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) PROVISION ENTITLED “REPRESENTATION

BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A

FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW (CLASS DEVIATION) (MARCH 2015)” is incorporated herein in full text, as follows:

(1) In accordance with Sections 744 and 745 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113- 235), none of the funds made available by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 funding may be used to enter into a contract with any corporation that-

(a) Was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where an awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government, or

(b) Has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

(2) The Offeror represents that, as of the date of this offer -

(a) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

(b) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

(End of Provision)

(8) FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2017)

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN

2017)

1) Inquiries - Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation document should be submitted in writing to Alexander Cooper at alexander.cooper@noaa.gov no later than October 2, 2018. The Government is not required to provide responses to vendor’s inquiries or correspondence. Telephone inquiries will not be honored.

2) Quote Preparation

The following instructions apply for the submission of quotes:

a. Quotes shall be submitted in three separate volumes:

Volume I – Technical Volume II – Past Performance Volume III - Price

b. The technical volume shall not contain any reference to price. It is incumbent upon the vendor to provide a technical volume in sufficient detail to provide a clear and concise presentation that includes, but is not limited to, the technical requirements of the Request for Quote (RFQ).

c. The Government will evaluate quotes in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in FAR 52.212-2 of this RFQ.

3) Quote Instructions

a. Technical: Each vendor shall submit a technical submission that contains the following information:

i. Capability Statement (3 Page Limit) – Vendor shall describe its ability to adhere to the required delivery requirements as well as its capability to meet all the specifications of this requirement. To this end, the Technical Capability statement should be sufficiently specific, detailed and complete so as to clearly and fully demonstrate that the offeror has a thorough understanding of the requirements;

b. Past Performance:

Past performance will be used as a means of evaluating the relative capability of the vendor to successfully meet the requirements of this solicitation. Vendors are required to provide information on no more than three (3) of the firm’s most recently completed contracts/orders (not to exceed five (5) years since completion) for like or similar work.

Vendors may submit performance data regarding current contract performance as long as a minimum of one year of performance has been completed as of the closing date of this solicitation.

Each Vendor shall submit, in writing, information on past performance. Vendors shall provide a detailed explanation demonstrating the relevance of the contract/order to the requirements of the solicitation. In addition, the vendor is required to send the attached “Past Performance Questionnaire,” to those government and commercial activities provided by the vendor’s in their submission. The information shall be completed by the references who will then forward the completed questionnaires by email to:

Alexander.cooperl@noaa.gov

The Government will not accept Questionnaires directly from the vendors, only Questionnaires submitted on time and from vendor’s references will be accepted.

The Government will conduct a past performance evaluation based upon the past performance of the vendor as it relates to the probability of vendor to provide the Government with quality service as covered within the solicitation.

Vendors are cautioned that the Government reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any sources including sources outside of the Government. The Government will obtain whatever information it deems most relevant to the required effort by telephonic and/or written inquiry. This information may include Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS); Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) reports, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity System (FAPIIS), or past performance information from any source.

The burden of providing thorough, complete, and relevant past performance information rests with the vendor. Any Past Performance Questionnaire(s) received at the Government office designated herein after the exact time specified for receipt of past performance information is "late" and may not be considered for evaluation. If the vendor possess no relevant past performance, it should affirmatively state so in the quote.

Vendors lacking relevant past performance history, or for whom past performance information is either not available or has not been submitted to the Government, will receive a neutral rating for past performance. A neutral rating will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably. However, the submission with no relevant past performance history, while rated neutral in past performance, may not represent the most advantageous submission to the Government and thus, may be an unsuccessful submission when compared to the submissions of other Vendors having an satisfactory (or better) past performance.

c. Price: Pricing shall be submitted for all line items included in this solicitation. The vendor provided pricing for each CLIN will be added together to derive the overall evaluated price. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness.

(9) 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items. (Oct 2014)

(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 quotes:

• Technical

• Past Performance

• Price

Technical Approach and Past Performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. However, the Government will not award at significantly higher prices to only achieve slightly better performance. The Government will assess the benefits or better performance versus the added price through trade-off analysis. As non-price factors become equal-price becomes increasingly important.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of a quote, 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 SOLICITATION