Amendment_0001_ED-IES-15-R-0024.pdf

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30. (Rev. 10-83) Previous Edition unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Page of Pages AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. Contract ID Code

2. AMENDMENT MODIFICATION NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (if applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6) CODE

(x) 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (NO., Street, Country, State and ZIP Code)

CODE FACILITY CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning ______ copies of amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OR OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

Check One

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

Veronica.Price Inserted Text

Veronica.Price Stamp

Attachment Page

PAGE 2 OF 17 ED-IES-15-R-0024/0001

Department Responses to Clarification Questions

Solicitation #: ED-IES-15-R-0024

Question 1: Can IES provide guidance on the amount to assume for developers for tasks 8 and

10 (for training teachers, delivering the intervention, etc.)?

U.S. Department of Education (Department) Response: The Department will not provide an estimated level of effort for developer time under Task 8 and training for teachers delivering the intervention under Task 10. The offeror should propose the appropriate level of effort for each task.

Question 2: 3452.227-70 Publication and Publicity is included in the solicitation and it encourages the contractor to publish and disseminate its work under the contract, unless otherwise specified in this contract. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.227-17 Rights in

Data—Special Works was included in the list of incorporated FAR clauses; and this special works data rights clause limits the contractor’s ability to publish and disseminate. Could you clarify ED’s expectations with respect to publication and dissemination of works under this contract?

Department Response: Department clause 3452.227-70(a) states that “the contractor is encouraged to publish and otherwise promote the results of its work under this contract.” But

FAR 52.227-17(d) states that “[e]xcept as otherwise specifically provided for in this contract, the

Contractor shall not use, release, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced in the performance of this contract, nor authorize others to do so, without written permission of the

Contracting Officer.” The Department recognizes that, in certain instances, these two clauses may lead to contradictory requirements. The Department expects that the contractor shall not publish any findings without having the Departments approval in all instances. The contractor may promote and disseminate in accordance with directions set forth in the Performance Work

Statement (PWS). Where the PWS permits an interpretation that promotion/dissemination is allowable or required, the contractor may receive and follow such direction from the Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). However, where the PWS does not permit such an interpretation, but the contractor wants to disseminate/publish (whether in accordance with its own goals or from direction by the COR), the contractor shall obtain written approval from the

Contracting Officer before doing so. To the extent that this procurement results in a contract award that includes a PWS that includes insufficient direction on specific instances of dissemination/promotion, after contract award the contractor is permitted to propose revisions to the PWS to clarify these points.

Question 3: While 307-12 specifically provides consent for the contractor to subcontract with subcontractors listed in the proposal, FAR 52.244-5 Competition in Subcontracting, which is included in the contract, requires the selections of subcontractors on a competitive basis to the maximum practical extent. Is the contractor expected to select subcontractors to list in the proposal on a competitive basis as well, or just the intervention provider?

Department Response: The offeror is required, in accordance with FAR 52.244-5, to “select subcontractors (including suppliers) on a competitive basis to the maximum practical extent.”

Because this is a contract clause (as opposed to a solicitation provision), this competition requirement applies to both subcontractors proposed pre-award (and included in the proposal)

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Department Responses to Clarification Questions

Solicitation #: ED-IES-15-R-0024 and any subcontractors chosen post-award (and not included in the proposal). This competition requirement applies to all subcontractors, not “just the intervention provider,” but the offeror/contractor is charged with interpreting and applying the FAR 52.244-5 qualifier of “to the maximum practical extent.” Department clause 307-12 does not limit offeror/contractor behavior – instead, it puts the contractor on notice that it may proceed (once the contract is awarded) with the proposed subcontracts stated in its final proposal revisions. Issuance of the contract constitutes Contracting Officer acceptance of the subcontracts included in the offeror’s final proposal revisions.

Question 4: The Technical Proposal requires identification of applicable past performances with evidence of carrying out the activities in the project (challenging large-scale study recruitment, random assignment in an education setting, etc.). The Past Performance Volume also requests that offerors provide evidence of prior successful evaluation work in carrying out the same activities described above in the Technical Proposal instructions. Can offerors include all of the applicable past performance information in the Past Performance Volume, or do we need to include it in both sections of the proposal?

Department Response: In accordance with the revised Instructions to Offerors (attached), offerors should include all of the applicable past performance information in the Past

Performance Volume only and do not need to include it in both the technical volume and the past performance volume.

Question 5: Can you please provide more specific guidelines on the level of effort expected for the contractor with regards to 1) managing and overseeing the implementation of the intervention, and 2) conducting research activities?

Department Response:

The Department will not provide an estimated level of effort for managing and overseeing the implementation of the intervention or conducting research activities. The offeror should propose the appropriate level of effort for these tasks.

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Instructions to Offerors – ED-IES-15-R-0024 Version Date: June 30July 9, 2015

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Impact Evaluation of Academic Language Interventions

I. Proposal Submission Instructions The U.S. Department of Education (Department) anticipates the award of one hybrid noncommercial contract (with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost-Reimbursement (CR) tasks).

This competitive procurement is open to both large and small businesses and will be conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation).

In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the

Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this acquisition.

Anticipated Period of Performance. The exact start date for the anticipated contract is not known at this time, but for planning purposes offerors should use the following periods when developing their proposals:

Base Period (30 months): September 25, 2015 – March 24, 2018

Option Period I (20 months): March 25, 2017 – November 24, 2018

Option Period II (22 months): January 25, 2018 – November 24, 2019

Option Period III (22 months): October 25, 2018 – August 24, 2020

Option Period IV (18 months): March 25, 2020 – September 24, 2021

Clarification Questions. All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted via email no later than 11:00am Eastern Time on July 9, 2015. Clarification questions must be submitted with the email subject line “Clarification questions for ED-IES-15-R-0024 ([Name of Offeror])” (e.g., “Clarification questions for ED-IES-15-R-0024 (ABC Co.)”) to Stephen.Madsen@ed.gov with a cc: to Veronica.Price@ed.gov.

Proposal Submission. Offerors shall submit their proposal in three separate volumes: (i)

Technical Proposal, (ii) Business Proposal, and (iii) Past Performance Volume. The technical proposal must not contain reference to specific costs/prices, although resource information may be included so that the offeror’s understanding of the scope of the work may be evaluated.

Cost/price information is restricted to the business proposal. The technical and business proposal volumes must be separate and complete so that evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of the other.

Proposals must be submitted both electronically and physically by 11:00 am Eastern Time on

July 30, 2015. Each proposal volume must be signed by an official authorized to bind the offerors organization.

Electronic Submission: Proposals are to be submitted by email as four separate documents with the following file names:

(i) “[Name of Company] Technical Proposal ([Version Date])” (e.g., “ABC Co.

Technical Proposal (July 14, 2015)”);

(ii) “[Name of Company] Business Proposal ([Version Date])”;

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(iii) “[Name of Company] Business Proposal Spreadsheets ([Version Date])”;

(iv) “[Name of Company] Past Performance Volume ([Version Date]).”

The technical proposal, business proposal, and past performance volume may be submitted as either a PDF or MSWord documents. The business proposal spreadsheets document must be submitted as an MSExcel document. The Department’s email system cannot handle emails larger than 20mb. Submissions should be broken into separate emails if necessary, for example, “Proposal for ED-IES-15-R-0024 (Email 1 of 3)

([Name of Company]).” With the qualification set forth above, the Department prefers document consolidation. Appendices to the technical proposal should be contained in the technical proposal document, unless there is a problem keeping the file size below 20mb.

Likewise, the offeror’s conflict of interest policy (a requirement of the business proposal) must be contained in the business proposal document, not submitted as a separate attached document.

Physical (hard copy) Proposal Submission. In addition to the electronic submission, offerors are required to submit four physical copies of each of the (i) technical proposal,

(ii) business proposal with supporting spreadsheets, and (iii) past performance volume.

Each volume should be bound separately. Physical proposals must be shipped via FedEx or U.S. Postal Service to:

U.S. Department of Education

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

400 Maryland Avenue SW

LBJ Building, Room BC102

Attention Steve Madsen (202) 245-6293 and Veronica Price at (202) 245-6158

Contact information: Mail Room Phone number: (202) 401-0969

Hours: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET

Note that the address listed above (Maryland Avenue SW) is different from the address for the Contracts & Acquisitions Management office (12th Street SW). Proposals are to be mailed or shipped to the Maryland Avenue SW address ONLY. The proposal must arrive by the due date listed above for proposals. The Department reserves the right to accept proposals that are delivered on-time electronically but late in physical form.

The outside packaging of the physical proposal shall state “Impact Evaluation of

Academic Language Interventions.”

Oral Instructions Given Prior to Solicitation Closing Date. Oral explanations or instructions given by the Government before the award of the anticipated contract shall not be binding. Any information given to a prospective offeror concerning a solicitation will be furnished via a formal solicitation amendment posted on www.FBO.gov to all other prospective offerors if that information will facilitate the submission of proposals or if a lack of information would be prejudicial to any other prospective offerors.

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II. General Proposal Instructions The offeror must demonstrate corporate and proposed staff experience and expertise in general areas applicable to this project, such as managing large-scale multi-site education studies that involve challenging large-scale study recruitment, random assignment in an education setting, implementation support, and collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data;

knowledge of the content areas (e.g., English learners, academic language interventions, etc.) of this procurement; and prior successful work in conducting studies of a similar nature.

While the intent of each task is spelled out in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), it is up to offerors to propose the most effective method for carrying out these tasks. The task specifications contained in the RFP are a starting point; the proposal is expected to build on them, providing examples, where appropriate, not simply repeating the language contained in the

RFP. Any proposed changes to the scope of the work or to the deliverable dates shall be justified.

It is important that the offeror completely addresses all of the tasks described in the PWS, and provides enough detail on its approach to executing each task that technical merit can be determined.

The offeror does not need to repeat information within the same volume. Such information should be presented in detail in one area of the volume where it contributes most critically to achieving the program’s objectives. In other areas where discussion of the same information is necessary, the offeror may refer to the detailed discussion and identify its location within the volume. If the offeror determines that the same or similar information is required in separate volumes, that information shall be detailed in each volume.

III. Technical Proposal The technical proposal has a page limit of 75 pages (8.5” x 11” pages). Excluded from this page count are: (i) the technical proposal cover page, (ii) a resume appendix, (iii) letters of commitment appendix, (iv) sample research reports appendix (see “Organizational Capabilities, Experience & Resources” section below). Included in this page limit are, among other things, tables/graphics, corporate references, abstracts of current corporate work, and lists of current contractual commitments of proposals staff. All pages in the technical proposal and appendices shall be numbered. The formatting requirements for the technical proposal are as follows: (i) double-spaced text, (ii) font that is 12-pt, (iii) 1-inch margins. The formatting requirements for the technical proposal do not apply to any graphs or tables included in the technical proposal.

The resume appendix has no formatting requirements or overall page limit. However, no single resume may be longer than four pages. Each resume should clearly demonstrate that individuals have the skills to perform the work for which they are proposed.

The primary author for each section of the Technical Proposal shall be identified by name.

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The technical proposal shall contain the following elements:

Cover Page: At a minimum, the cover page shall contain: the words “Technical Proposal”; the solicitation number ED-IES-15-R-0024; the title of the procurement (“Impact Evaluation of

Academic Language Interventions”); the version date of the technical proposal (e.g., July 30, 2015); the name, website address (if applicable), and DUNS number of the offeror; and a list of primary subcontractors and consultants (name of company, website address (if applicable), and

DUNS number) along with one of the following labels for each subcontractor/consultant: “Not

Small,” “Small Business,” “Small Disadvantaged Business,” “Woman-Owned Small Business,”

“HUBZone Small Business,” or “Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.”

Abstract: A one-page summary is to be provided abstracting the proposal contents in language understandable to an informed layperson. The abstract shall indicate full acceptance of the solicitation requirements or note any exceptions or assumptions (to be justified in the technical proposal).

Table of Contents: The Table of Contents must provide a means of quickly accessing important points of discussion in the proposal and should contain either 2 or 3 levels of headings.

Introduction: The offeror must briefly summarize and justify their overall approach to achieving the purpose of the procurement, its scope of work, and required deliverables. This section also should describe ways in which the offeror’s proposed approach is unique, insightful, or particularly comprehensive. The offeror must demonstrate an understanding of the project and familiarity with the issues relevant to designing and conducting random assignment impact evaluations in a school setting.

Technical Approach (Task Descriptions): This section shall provide information addressing each task and subtask area, including the offeror’s understanding of the nature and scope of each of the project tasks/subtasks, in the order presented in the PWS, along with a discussion of any potential issues and the means to address them.

Management Plan and Timelines: The offeror shall present a proposed timeline addressing the subtasks, deliverables, and Department approval of deliverables together with the responsible staff. A summary table should be included presenting critical milestones with dates. This table shall include starting and ending dates of each major project task and activity. The offeror shall also delineate any materials or services expected from the Department in the timetable (e.g., data, applications, reports, etc.). As it is of the utmost importance that the anticipated contract meet its timelines, the technical proposal shall describe in detail the offeror’s process for ongoing evaluation of progress on the anticipated contract and methods proposed to manage potential delays or performance problems.

Proposed Personnel: The names of the proposed project director and other key personnel and consultants, a narrative description of staff qualifications and how they will meet the requirements of the contract, and resumes for proposed project staff including dates of work and role in such work for all experience. Include detailed vitae for all proposed professional staff (in the resume appendix) and letters of commitment (in the letters of commitment appendix) from all

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proposed subcontractors, consultants, professional staff not currently employed by the offeror, or collaborators delineating the nature of their agreement. Offerors are encouraged to suggest specific experts who might be appropriate for the Expert and/or Technical Working Group outlined in Tasks 2 and 5.

In the main body of the technical proposal (not an appendix) describe any sub-contractual arrangements including work to be done, responsibilities for tasks, reporting arrangements, and any other terms of the contract pertinent to the technical proposal. Justifications must be provided for the use of subcontractors or consultants on this project, and the offeror shall state that such entities or individuals are free of conflicts of interest that might bias their approach to this study.

Offerors shall demonstrate that the proposed key personnel are not overextended during the first three years of the contract by including a chart showing how the labor hours proposed for ED-

IES-15-R-0024 compare to other commitments (including other contracts and projects). At a minimum, offerors shall include a chart with the following data:

Staff

Member Total labor hours proposed for this contract (9/25/2015 – 9/24/2016)

Total labor hours proposed for other projects (9/25/2015

– 9/24/2016)

Total labor hours proposed for this contract (9/25/2016 – 9/24/2017)

Total labor hours proposed for other projects (9/25/2016

– 9/24/2017)

Total labor hours proposed for this contract

(9/25/2017 – 9/24/2018)

Total labor hours proposed for other projects (9/25/2017 – 9/24/2018)

The technical proposal must contain, per period and per task, the labor categories and labor hours proposed (but not the labor rate or total labor price/cost). This information should be formatted so that the Department can easily discern which personnel are offeror employees and which personnel are subcontractor/consultant employees (and which subcontractor/consultant). Where an individual can be identified by name, the name should be provided along with that person’s labor category. This information will allow for a determination to be reached as to whether the offeror is proposing labor categories that are appropriate and reasonable to the work set forth in the PWS.

As a general matter, proposals that include plans to subcontract parts of the work (whether to small or large business subcontractors) shall provide evidence that any proposed subcontractor or consultant has agreed to perform the work specified in the proposal, is fully capable of performing the assigned tasks, and that the offeror has effective control of the subcontractor’s/ consultant’s work on the project.

Organizational Capabilities, Experience & Resources: This section shall describe pertinent corporate experience and qualifications in conducting the tasks outlined in the PWS. The technical proposal must contain an organizational chart and a statement relating corporate experience to the subtask areas in this project. The technical proposal must contain an internal quality control plan that addresses accountability in each subtask area.

Short abstracts of current work shall include the name, current affiliation, current email address, and current telephone number of the study's project officer. This section should briefly identify

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resources (other than personnel), such as facilities and equipment that is available for use in carrying out the activities of this project. Applicable contractor past performance should include evidence of managing large-scale multi-site education studies that involve: challenging large-scale study recruitment; random assignment in an education setting; implementation support;

collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data including sophisticated correlational analyses and collection/analyses of classroom observation data; content knowledge of academic language interventions and staff training; prior successful work in conducting studies of a similar nature. As an exception to the preceding sentence, the offeror is not required to include past performance information in the technical proposal if the information is already provided in the past performance volume.

Sample Research Reports. In the “sample research reports” appendix, the offeror shall provide exemplars of its prior or current work conducting research and evaluation studies and conveying the content of the work and its findings to a policy audience. Specifically, in this appendix, the contractor shall provide two (and no more than two) research/evaluation papers or reports (or parts of papers or reports) that the contractor has conducted within the last three years. The papers or reports provided should demonstrate the contractor’s commitment to quality, rigor, relevance, and usefulness to policy-makers. There is no overall page limit for the sample research reports appendix. However, each report may be no longer than 8 single-spaced pages or 15 double-spaced pages; though, the following pages do not count toward this page limit: (i) table of contents, (ii) title page, (iii) other introductory pages. If an individual report exceeds the page limit, the offeror shall instead provide an excerpt that includes relevance, methodology, and analysis. Neither of the two samples submitted may have been revised to reflect any comments from IES or other federal oversight. Each exemplar shall include the following written assurance on its cover sheet: “This document does not reflect any comments from IES or other federal oversight.” The offeror may choose to develop a product for this proposal if one does not exist.

Protection of Human Subjects: Since the anticipated contract involves the collection of data, confidential or otherwise, offerors must be cognizant of the requirements of the Department’s regulation on protection of human subjects of research. This regulation was published in The

Federal Register on June 18, 1991, as The Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects:

Notices and Rules. The regulation is under Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 97, 350 and 356. The technical proposal shall include a statement verifying that the offeror is cognizant of this requirement and shall comply with it as necessary.

Value Added Suggestions. In addition to the list of requirements above, offerors are encouraged to suggest technical improvements to the work.

Additional Notes

All information necessary to judge the technical soundness and management capabilities of the offeror must be contained in the technical proposal. The technical evaluators will review the technical proposal and the past performance volume, but they will not have access to the business proposal. The technical proposal must not contain reference to specific prices/costs, but resource information (e.g., staff hours) should be included so that the technical evaluators may review the offeror’s understanding of the scope of the

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work.

For planning purposes, the offeror should assume a contract award date of September 25, 2015.

The technical proposal shall include a letters of commitment appendix showing commitment of proposed key personnel, subcontractors, and consultants.

IV. Business Proposal The business proposal does not have a page limit or formatting restrictions, except that it should be formatted for printing on 8.5”x11” pages.

The business proposal shall start with a cover page that provides the following information:

Business Name. The name of the offeror.

URL. The website address of the offeror (if applicable).

Socio Economic Status Certification. A statement certifying whether the offeror is a large business or small business under NAIC 541720 ($20,500,000 size standard). If the offeror is small, the cover page should include a statement as to whether the offeror qualifies as any of the following small business categories: small disadvantaged business

(SDB); women-owned small business (WOSB); service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB); or HUBZone small business (HUBZone).

Point of Contact Information. The point of contact (name, phone number, email address) of a company representative who can answer any questions that the Department may have.

Proposal Validity Period. A statement to the effect that the offer is firm for a period of at least 90 calendar days from the due date for proposals specified by the Government.

DUNS Number. The offeror’s DUNS number.

Proposal Submission Date. The cover page of each volume should contain a version date.

If an offeror is selected for negotiations, and the offeror later updates its business proposal as part of negotiations, the date on the cover page should be updated to reflect the new submission date.

Subcontractor and Consultant Information. A list of primary subcontractors and consultants (name of company, website address (if applicable), and DUNS number) along with one of the following labels for each: “Not Small,” “Small Business,” “Small

Disadvantaged Business,” “Woman-Owned Small Business,” “HUBZone Small

Business,” or “Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.”

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Cost/Price Summary Chart. At the beginning of the business proposal, there should be a chart showing a summary of the proposal cost/price. This chart should match the numbers provided in the Excel document.

A B C D E

1 FFP CR CR Fixed Fee Total

2 Base Period =C2*B10 =B2+C2+D2

3 Option Period I =C3*B10 =B3+C3+D3

4 Option Period II =C4*B10 =B4+C4+D4

Option Period III (excluding Task 21)

=C5*B10 =B5+C5+D5

6 Optional Task 21 $0 =C6*B10 =B6+C6+D6

7 Option Period IV =C7*B10 =B7+C7+D7

8 Total: =sum(B2:B7) =sum(C2:C7) =sum(D2:D7) =sum(E2:E7)

10 % Fixed Fee on CR:

The chart above uses the following terms:

“FFP” refers to firm-fixed-price work. For instance, Subtask 1.1 is an FFP task in the base period; the price for Subtask 1.1 should be represented in cell B2 only (not C2 or

D2).

“CR” refers to cost-reimbursement work. Column C in the chart above represents the proposed costs for cost-reimbursement tasks (excluding the fixed fee on CR).

“% Fixed Fee on CR” (cell B10) is the percentage fixed fee that the offeror proposes to charge for all CR work. This is the fixed fee to be applied on all CR work. The CR work in this contract is cost-plus-fixed-fee.

“CR Fixed Fee” represents the fixed fee to be paid to the contractor on all CR work.

Labor Categories and Labor Rates. The business proposal must include a chart with labor categories and labor rates that were used in formulating the proposal (for each performance period), as well as labor rates for an additional 12 months after the scheduled end of the contract

(i.e., September 25, 2021 – September 24, 2022). (The labor rates for September 25, 2021 –

September 24, 2022 may be used if the anticipated contract is later extended into this period.) If the labor rates for FFP price tasks are different than the labor rates for CR tasks, the offeror may provide a set of rates for FFP price tasks and a set for CR tasks. Labor rates should be shown unloaded with separate columns showing the application of indirect and escalation rates, leading to a loaded labor rate. Either within the chart or in notes below, the percentage indirect rate (e.g., X% for General and Administrative (G&A)) should be disclosed.

Price/Cost Breakdown

The business proposal (whether in the main document or in the Excel document) must provide a complete cost/price breakdown by task and by contract period, so that the Department can determine the total cost per Period per task. The breakdown should differentiate FFP, CR, and fee on CR. The breakdown should include identification of proposed labor categories (including named individuals where possible), level of effort (labor hours), hourly labor rate, and extended labor cost/price (labor hours x labor rate). The breakdown shall distinguish prime contractor

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costs from subcontractor/consultant costs, so that the Department can easily identify which subcontractors/consultants are involved in which tasks and to what extent. The breakdown shall include any other costs. If costs such as G&A and profit are not already included in a loaded labor rate, those costs should be broken out and their percentage rate should be disclosed. All costs other than labor must be discussed and justified in the business proposal narrative. For instance, if a G&A rate is used, it should be disclosed; if it is based on an indirect rate agreement, this should be stated and a copy of the indirect rate agreement should be provided as an appendix to the business proposal. Where a rate is being applied (e.g., “Technology Fee” at x%), the business proposal narrative should clearly disclose what the rate is being applied against (e.g., against total labor costs). Offerors are encouraged to justify any indirect rate by explaining its purpose and providing evidence of its reasonableness (e.g., an approved indirect cost rate agreement or usage in other competitively procured contracts). The same level of detail is required for subcontractors/consultants.

If subcontractors or consultants are proposed, a separate detailed price/cost breakdown (by task) should be submitted for each proposed subcontractor/consultant – or the detailed breakdown of subcontractor/consultant costs can be included in the master breakdown if feasible. The detailed subcontractor/consultant cost breakdown(s) may be broken down in separate Excel documents if needed, but their cost should be included in the overall master breakdown of the prime offeror.

Travel Costs

As with other costs included in the proposal, the offeror shall provide detailed information regarding travel costs, including a breakdown of meeting room (if provided by a third party such as a hotel), travel, lodging, and per diem costs. For travel in support of CR tasks, after contract award the contractor will be required to invoice on an actual cost basis, in compliance with

Federal Travel Regulations. For any travel in support of FFP tasks, the contractor will invoice in accordance with the approved payment schedule for FFP tasks; the contractor will not invoice for actuals for travel, lodging, and per diem associated with FFP tasks.

The offeror’s business proposal shall include a travel estimate including number of trips, number of people, number of days, locations, and rates. The business proposal must contain travel information substantially similar to the following:

Task Employee Date of

Travel Purpose Origin Destination Lodging Per diem Mileage, ground transit, parking, tolls, etc.

(Mode of Travel) Flight cost, train, etc.

TOTAL

COST

Task 1 Bridge Event

Tampa, FL

Wash., DC

Task 2

Total

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Small Business Subcontracting/Consultants

Business proposals submitted by large business offerors must include a small business subcontracting chart (addressing subcontractors and consultants) that includes the following information:

A B C D E F G

1 Subcontracting SB SDB WOSB HUBZone SDVOSB

2 Base Period (Dollars)

3 Base Period (Percentage) 100% =C2/B2 =D2/B2 =E2/B2 =F2/B2 =G2/B2

4 Option Period I (Dollars)

5 Option Period II (Percentage) 100% =C4/B4 =D4/B4 =E4/B4 =F4/B4 =G4/B4

6 Option Period II (Dollars)

7 Option Period II (Percentage) 100% =C6/B6 =D6/B6 =E6/B6 =F6/B6 =G6/B6

Option Period III (Dollars) (Excluding Task 21)

Option Period III (Percentage) (Excluding Task 21)

100% =C8/B8 =D8/B8 =E8/B8 =F8/B8 =G8/B8

10 Task 21 (Dollars)

11 Task 21 (Percentage) 100% =C10/B10 =D10/B10 =E10/B10 =F10/B10 =G10/B10

12 Option Period IV (Dollars)

13 Option Period IV (Percentage) 100% =C12/B12 =D12/B12 =E12/B12 =F12/B12 =G12/B12

14 Total (Dollars) =B2+B4+B6+B

8+B10+B12

=C2+C4+ C6+C8+C 10+C12

=D2+D4+ D6+D8+D 10+D12

=E2+E4+E 6+E8+E10

+E12

=F2+F4+F 6+F8+F10

+F12

=G2+G4+G 6+G8+G10

+G12

15 Total (Percentage) 100% =C14/B14 =D14/B14 =E14/B14 =F14/B14 =G14/B14

For example, if the offeror plans to subcontract a total of $1,000,000 of base period work, B2 =

$1,000,000. If, of that $1,000,000 . . .

$500,000 is going to small business subcontractors (SB), then C2 = 50%.

$100,000 is going to small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), then D2 = 10%.

$0 is going to woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), then E2 = 0%.

$350,000 is going to HUBZone small businesses (HUBZone), then F2 = 35%.

$50,000 is going to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), then

G2 = 5%.

For the purposes of this chart and the proposal generally, the term “subcontractor” includes both subcontractors and consultants.

Subcontracting

Offerors must submit a price/cost breakdown for any subcontractor/consultant whose costs exceed the threshold for certified cost or pricing data (as applicable). The following information must be addressed (as applicable):

If a subcontract/consultant proposal exceeds the threshold for certified cost or pricing data (FAR 15.403-4(a)) and is not otherwise exempt from other exceptions in accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b), please include the prime contractor’s price/cost analyses establishing the reasonableness of each subcontract/consultant price.

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In accordance with the thresholds in FAR 15.404-3(c) and FAR 15.408,Table 15-2

II.A.(2), Cost and Pricing data, a copy of each subcontractor’s/consultant’s proposal must be provided (as an appendix to the business proposal).

Identify in the proposal the degree of competition and the basis for establishing the source and reasonableness of price for each subcontract priced on a competitive basis

(FAR 15.408, Table 15-2 II. A. (1)) exceeding the threshold at FAR 15.403-4(a).

Additionally, in accordance with FAR 52.215-22 Limitations on Pass-through Charges –

Identification of Subcontract Effort, if applicable, if the offeror intends to subcontract more than 70% of the total cost of work to be performed, the proposal must identify (i) the amount of the offeror’s indirect costs and profit applicable to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s)/consultant(s) and (ii) a description of the added value provided by the offeror as related to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s)/consultant(s).

For each small business subcontractor/consultant, provide a chart with the following information:

A B

1 Name of Subcontractor/Consultant

2 Small Business Designation*

3 Base Period (Dollars)

4 Option Period I (Dollars)

5 Option Period II (Dollars)

6 Option Period III (excluding Task 21) (Dollars)

7 Task 21 (Dollars)

8 Option Period IV (Dollars)

9 Total =sum(B3:B7)

* Small, Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone Small Business, or

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business

Small Business Subcontracting Plan

As an appendix to the business proposal, large business offerors must submit a Small Business

Subcontracting Plan (Plan) that is in accordance with 48 CFR 52.219-9 II. To the extent that the

Plan fails to meet any of the Department’s 2015 small business subcontracting goals (i.e., 33% or more of the total subcontract dollars be subcontracted to small businesses, 5% or more of the total subcontract dollars be subcontracted to small disadvantaged business concerns, 5% or more of the total subcontract dollars be subcontracted to women-owned small business concerns, 3% or more of the total subcontract dollars be subcontracted to HUBZone small business concerns, and 3% or more of the total subcontract dollars be subcontracted to service disabled veteran owned small business concerns), the offeror shall include a statement in its business proposal describing the efforts that the offeror will make to identify subcontracting opportunities in the future.

PAGE 15 OF 17 ED-IES-15-R-0024/0001

Conflict of Interest Plan and Certificate

As an appendix to the business proposal, the offeror shall provide a Conflict of Interest Plan and

Certificate (as provided in Section K.). The Plan should provide details on its policies and procedures to identify, report, and avoid potential organizational or personnel conflicts of interest

(or apparent conflict of interest). The Plan should also address procedures taken to neutralize or mitigate such conflicts, if they have not been or cannot be avoided. The Plan should indicate that such policies and procedures are operative throughout the period of outside activities, financial interests, or other significant connections or identifications that would establish, or give the appearance of establishing, a conflict of interest. A method for periodically reviewing financial interests of employees, subcontractors and consultants, and their immediate families, in order to assess actual or apparent conflicts of interest should be included in the plan. The term “potential conflict” means reasonably foreseeable conflict of interest. The thoroughness, completeness, and effectiveness of the Plan shall be evaluated as part of the offeror’s overall proposal. The Plan will be incorporated into the contract awarded to the successful offeror.

Additional Requirements

It is required that each offeror’s business proposal contain enough information for a cost realism determination to be made. Offerors are expected to use their best business judgment in submitting the necessary information. The Contracting Officer (CO) can reject an offeror’s proposal if a negative cost realism determination is made, or if proposed costs/prices are found to NOT be reasonable. Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 15.404-1 states, “cost realism means the costs in an Offeror’s proposal are a) realistic for the work to be performed; b) reflect a clear understanding of the requirements; and c) are consistent with the various elements of the Offeror’s technical proposal.” As such, offerors’ proposals should contain identification of cost or pricing data (i.e., data that are verifiable and factual) and an explanation of the estimating process. When applicable, the Other Administrative Data must be specifically identified.

(Refer to FAR 15.408, Table 15-2 I.C.).

Cost Accounting System. The business proposal shall contain information on the offeror’s accounting system so that the Government can determine whether the system is compliant with the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). If the accounting system has been reviewed and approved by a Government agency, the offeror should state this and include a copy of this approval as an appendix to the business proposal.

Acceptance of RFP Terms/Offeror Assumptions. The business proposal must contain a statement that the offeror fully accepts the requirements set forth in the solicitation. If the offeror has based its proposal on any assumptions that are not already clearly laid out in the PWS, those assumptions must be listed in the business proposal narrative.

Honoraria and Consultant Fee. Any loaded labor rate or honorarium higher than $800 per day (or GS 15, Step 10 hourly rate) requires justification, as well as a written statement from the individual that the proposed rate is what he/she has charged another federal, state, or local government customer within the past 12 months.

Fixed Price Payment Schedule. The offeror shall prepare a Payment Schedule for FFP

PAGE 16 OF 17 ED-IES-15-R-0024/0001

Work, to be included as an appendix to the business proposal. An Excel version should also be provided, so that the Department can verify summation calculations. This payment schedule should be based on accomplishments (e.g., submission of an approved deliverable), not passage of time (e.g., monthly). The payment schedule should be organized so that the Government can easily verify that the payments for a particular task add up to the proposal price for that task. For example, the payment schedule should include payments for the FFP work in Task 1, and the total of such payments should add up to the proposal price for the FFP work in Task 1. After contract award, the contractor will invoice for FFP task deliverables in accordance with this payment schedule. The offeror is permitted to include intermediate accomplishments as payment points if a specific FFP task has too few deliverables to ensure fair temporal distribution of payments.

V. Past Performance Volume

There is no page limit and no formatting requirements for the past performance volume.

Offerors shall provide evidence of prior successful evaluation work in areas including large-scale educational evaluations that involve: challenging large-scale study recruitment; random assignment in an education setting; implementation support; collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data including sophisticated correlational analyses and collection/analyses of classroom observation data; content knowledge of academic language interventions and staff training; prior successful work in conducting studies of a similar nature.

Offerors may also provide evidence of successful past performance in other areas not mentioned in the preceding text but required for successful contract performance. Offerors are only required to submit this information within the past performance volume and do not have to duplicate this information in the technical proposal. Consideration of the offeror’s reputation in terms of quality, problem resolution, cost control, timeliness, business relations, and customer service will be evaluated.

In addition to the above, the offeror shall submit information about its four most recent contracts

– either completed in the last three years or currently-in-process (so long as at least 12 months of performance have occurred) – that are of similar size, scope, complexity or are, in any way, relevant to the effort required by this solicitation. The four contracts may include those entered into with the Federal Government, agencies of State and local governments, and commercial customers. Contracts with a parent or an affiliate of the offeror may not be used.

At least one past performance reference must also be submitted for each subcontractor proposed, in addition to the four required for the prime contractor.

For each referenced past performance example, the offeror shall provide the contract title, contract number, customer Contracting Officer contact information, Contracting Officer’s

Representative contact information, a brief description of the requirement, the current performance period, the total performance period, and total contract value (base plus all option periods)

The offeror should submit references for any contract discussed in the past performance volume

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by using the “Contract Performance Information” form that is attached to the solicitation.

References may be included as an appendix to the past performance volume. Or they may be submitted directly to the Department from the entity providing the reference by sending an email to Stephen.Madsen@ed.gov, cc: Veronica.Price@ed.gov, with the subject line “Past

Performance Reference for [Name of Offeror or Name of Subcontractor/Consultant] (ED-IES-

15-R-0024).” Past performance references should be submitted prior to the due date of proposals, but the Government reserves the right to accept late references so long as it applies the same cut-off date for all offerors. If a reference is being used for a contract with a federal agency and a CPARS evaluation has been completed for that contract, the offeror may submit a copy of the CPARS in lieu of submitting the “Contract Performance Information” form.

The Department reserves the right to obtain past performance information from other sources, including CPARS and FAPIIS, and use this information during the source selection process.

Descript: AMENDMENT 0001 to Request for Proposals ED-IES-15-R-0024.

This amendment contains the U.S. Department of Education's Government's responses to clarification questions submitted by interested parties, and includes a revised/updated copy of Section L. Instructions to Offerors.

US Dept of Education, 550 12th St SW - 7th Floor Washington DC 20202-4230