Amendment_0001.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

Attachment Page

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Addendum to FAR 52.212-1—Instructions to Offerors

Proposal Instructions

The offeror is expected to show a thorough understanding of the proposed tasks and the existing resources, as specified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The proposal should address the requirements in the PWS, not simply repeat the language. The proposal should be written in enough detail so that a review panel can adequately judge its full merits.

Although the intent of each task is spelled out in the scope of work, it is up to the offeror to propose the most effective method for carrying out the tasks and the most feasible timeline and dates for all key activities. Offerors are encouraged to exercise independent judgment with respect to the best methods of attaining the objectives of this contract.

The technical proposal for the IDIQ and each Task Order should be limited to a maximum of 20 double-spaced pages using font size no smaller than 12 points.The offeror shall submit four (4) technical proposals (for the IDIQ and each task order included in this solicitation) and each technical proposal should be limited to a maximum of 20 double spaced pages. All interested offerors must propose on all four requirements. Failure to comply will result in the offerors proposal being deemed incomplete and will not be evaluated for award.

Specifications pertaining to font and spacing do not apply to tables, figures, or exhibits.

Number the pages. Any pages over 20 shall not be considered. The page limit excludes table of contents, resumes, and letter agreements from subcontractor or partners, if any. Offerors shall not put substantive materials in the appendix in order to subvert the page limit.

Offerors shall use the proposal format described below:

A. Organization of the Proposal

Each offer shall consist of two separately packaged proposals: (1) a technical proposal, and (2) a business proposal. All information necessary to judge the technical soundness and management capabilities of the offeror shall be contained in the technical proposal. The business proposal shall contain all information related to the determination of the costs associated with each of the project’s tasks. The technical proposal shall not contain any reference to specific costs, but resource information (e.g., staff hours) may be included so that the offeror’s understanding of the scope of the work may be evaluated. Authors of each section shall be clearly identified in the proposal’s Table of Contents.

Interested offerors must address each Task Order separately. Cross-referencing is not allowed and each approach has to abide by the page limitation. Only address the relevant tasks for each

Task Order identified in the individual Task Order’s PWS. The offerors technical approach should not restate the Department's PWS, but rather provide convincing rationale that the offeror has the capability to satisfy the Government's requirement. Offerors shall submit individual cost breakdown business proposals for each individual Task Order that has a technical proposal submission.

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B. Organization of the Technical Proposal

The technical proposal shall contain:

1. Table of Contents. The proposal should include a Table of Contents as a means of quickly accessing important points of discussion in the proposal. Include the name of the person who wrote each section of the proposal.

2. Introduction. The Introduction should briefly describe the offeror’s overall plan for achieving the objectives of this contract, the scope of work, intended products, and the applicability of these products to the objectives. Additionally, the introduction shall include a short summary of the offeror’s qualifications and unique strengths relevant to this activity.

3. Technical Approach. This section should fully describe the technical and theoretical approach the offeror shall employ in complying with the Performance Work Statement. While a general statement of strategy is appropriate, procedures should be specific with regard to each task and sub-task, and should reflect efficient use of the offeror's resources. The offeror should identify potential and/or anticipated problems and suggest proposed variations in the design of the work; the time frame for completing tasks, and/or deliverable due dates that may facilitate successful completion of the scope of work’s tasks and objectives.

Task 1: Project Management and Administration

The contractor shall perform all administrative activities necessary to manage the contract and task orders, and communicate with the Department during the performance of this contract.

Such tasks shall include, but are not limited to, conducting and attending meetings (including a kick off meeting), producing monthly progress reports, updated timelines, current work plan, and project summary reports. Each task order shall describe the project administration activities and schedule necessary for that task order.

Task 2: Professional Development for CTE State and Local Leaders

The contractor shall design, in collaboration with OCTAE, professional development opportunities for CTE secondary and postsecondary state leaders and/or program staff members.

These resources and professional development opportunities should increase CTE leaders’ knowledge of relevant, evidence-based practices in career and technical education, career pathways, and credential attainment. The professional development should be designed to translate the research and lessons learned into actionable modules and training for leaders.

Task 3: Conduct Research and Generate Knowledge for Stakeholders

This task area will help OCTAE communicate effectively about the success factors of career pathways implementation and best practices. It will also promote the broad adoption of these success factors among CTE secondary and postsecondary systems resulting in improved student outcomes.

Task 4: Secure Subject Matter Experts

The contractor may be required to secure experts in CTE (secondary and postsecondary), career pathways, credential attainment, apprenticeship and other areas related to the topics and activities

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in the task orders. Depending on the manner of engagement, this may include paying an honorarium or an hourly (generally not to exceed $75/hour) or daily rate. Each task order will indicate if a subject matter expert is needed or the contractor may suggest a subject matter expect, if warranted. If the contractor believes that the tasks may be performed by a member of its staff, the contractor may propose their internal staff expert as an alternative. OCTAE will approve all subject matter experts prior to the Contractor entering into agreements with experts for work to be conducted under a task order.

Task 5: Logistics Management

This task includes logistics management for events that provide learning networks and peer learning environments for CTE grantees and stakeholders. The events will give grantees the opportunity to share best practices, build knowledge, brainstorm solutions, and troubleshoot challenges that might occur during the grant period. These virtual and on-site events will enhance grant performance outcomes and create strong program practices that ultimately benefit secondary and postsecondary CTE programs.

6. Key Personnel. The offeror shall propose a team, including Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), with appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to support the Department’s goals and objectives for this initiative. The proposal shall describe in detail the qualifications of key personnel, detailing their competencies and experience in performing work of similar size and scope to that outlined in the Performance Work Statement, and describing their role in the project. The offeror’s selected staff must possess knowledge and skills in the following areas: federal contract management, strategic planning, conference planning, logistical support, and materials development.

The contractor shall include specifics about the level of effort invested in the project by all key personnel proposed for this project.

The proposed key staff section should indicate clearly the relationship between past staff experience and proposed task assignments under this contract.

Resumes shall be included for all key staff for this contract, including key staff from subcontractors, and consultants. Resumes should document only directly related experience, educational background, publications, and professional activities. All resumes should share a common format and organization. A letter of commitment from all proposed consultants and key staff not currently employed by the offeror should be included. The need for any proposed consultants shall also be fully justified, including how they would contribute to the project.

If key personnel are unknown at the time of submission, a position description (including job duties, qualifications required, and selection criteria) should be substituted for resumes.

OCTAE, upon review of the resumes, shall have approval rights of the individuals selected by the contractor as key personnel, including the project director. By listing key personnel as part of the proposal, the offeror is making a firm commitment to use said personnel to carry out the activities in the performance work statement.

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The offeror shall outline all contractual obligations existing for each key staff member proposed during the anticipated course of the contract. The funding sources for other projects and the percentage of time allotted shall also be provided.

7. Experience; Past Performance; Institutional Capacity. This section should demonstrate the offeror’s organizational capacity and ability to carry out all phases of work associated with the major activities stated in the PWS. The offeror should describe its past and current experience in conducting projects of a similar or comparable nature as well as its experience with different federal programs. Brief summaries of such work should be submitted, including the names, current affiliations, and current telephone numbers of appropriate references. Include also: (1) vehicle number and type; (2) funding agency (DOL, HHS, etc.); (3) original dollar value and final dollar value (including options if a contract); (4) original completion date and final (or current) completion date; (5) the scope of the effort; (6) relevance of the work to this contract;

(7) performance experience summary; (8) methodology and tools used; (9) challenges in the effort and how they were overcome; and (10) explanation as to why the effort was considered

“successful.”

It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure that telephone numbers and points of contact for references are current and accurate. Inability to contact references may figure negatively in any evaluation of past performance. The Government also reserves the right to obtain past performance information from other sources.

8. Management Plan. The offeror shall provide a summary description of the management control system that is used internally for planning, scheduling, budgeting, managing, and reporting the accomplishments of this requirement. The application of the proposed management system should include procedures for effective management of project resources, procedures for controlling the quality of products/services, and procedures for early identification of potential problems in carrying out task activities. The offeror must describe how the internal management control system will be applied to the work of this proposal as specified in the performance work statement and the evaluation criteria.

In addition to describing the management system, the offeror should present the following information in the proposal:

Sub-contractual arrangements including the work to be done, responsibilities for tasks, reporting arrangements, and any other terms of the agreement. A letter from the proposed subcontractor delineating the nature of the agreement must be included.

Time commitments, to be expressed in person-hours and shown in tabular form as follows:

Staff/Consultant Task

Total

FTE

% time on other

Federal

Projects

% time on non-Federal

Projects

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The offeror should outline all existing obligations over the period of the contract for staff proposed for the contract, including the percentage of time allotted to existing projects.

The chart must include a total for each task and for the entire contract.

A schedule of task activities and the delivery of products in calendar weeks from the effective date of the contract.

Charts (e.g., GANTT charts) showing the interrelationship of tasks plotted on a time scale.

Time for any contractor internal review and clearance procedures as well as Department review.

Listings of materials or services the offeror expects the Department to make available

(e.g., data or reports).

In summary, the management approach should provide a clear indication that all tasks can be completed on time, and with a high level of quality. For planning purposes, the contract award is planned for June 2015.

9. Use of Subcontractor and Consultants. Proposals may include plans to subcontract part of the work, provided that evidence is presented that any proposed subcontractor is fully capable of performing the assigned tasks, and that the offeror has effective control of the participation of the subcontractor(s) in the project. The proposal should identify the roles in which consultants would serve on this contract. Letters from proposed subcontractors/consultants indicating their willingness to serve, if selected, must be included with the offeror’s proposal.

10. Small Business Participation. The Department values an approach where substantive work in a meaningful capacity is performed by small businesses more highly than an approach in which only menial work or supply line work is performed by small businesses. A meaningful capacity for substantive work includes work other than courier services, office supplies or travel services. Therefore, a valued approach for this contract will be one in which technical, analytical, or significant service is performed by a small business. Offerors shall state the work to be performed by a small business and the percentage of work proposed to be performed by a small business as a percentage of the total subcontracted amount. The offeror shall also state the name of the small business and category of the small business.

C. Organization of the Business Proposal

It is anticipated that at least three (3) Task Orders will be awarded under this Multiple-Award

Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) sixty-month contract as Performance-based Firm

Fixed Price. Offerors to this solicitation shall structure their business proposal in a manner that will allow for the Government to conduct a separate analysis of the proposal for Task Order

0001, 0002, and 0003. The Business Proposal shall be submitted as a separate document from the Technical Proposal. It shall contain complete information in sufficient detail for the

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Government to make a fair and reasonable price determination. The Contracting Officer may reject a proposal if a negative determination is made, or if proposed prices are found not to be reasonable.

There is no page limit to the business proposal. The business proposal shall be formatted in a readable way (e.g., no tiny fonts). The business proposal shall start with a cover page that provides:

The name of the company.

The website address of the company (if applicable).

A statement certifying that the vendor meets the size standard of NAICS 541611 (i.e., $15,000,000).

A statement as to whether the vendor 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); HUBZone small business

(HUBZone); or 8(a) certified small business.

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

The vendor’s DUNS number.

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.)

At the beginning of the business proposal, there should be a chart showing the offeror’s proposal prices, listing the following information:

A B

1 IDIQ Base

2 Proposal Price for Task Order 0001

3 Proposal Price for Task Order 0002

4 Proposal Price for Task Order 0003

TOTAL

After this summary chart, the offeror shall propose labor categories and loaded labor rates for all personnel who might be used for the base IDIQ or on any task orders issued under this IDIQ contract. The staff loading chart included in the technical proposal should be consistent with the information provided in the business proposal.

Task Order 0001 Price Buildup:

The business proposal shall provide a complete price build-up for Task Order 0001 that includes identification of proposed labor categories by named individuals, their functional category, level of effort, effective hourly rate, extended labor price (i.e., labor hours x hourly labor rate), other direct costs, and profit on other direct costs. Profit on the labor costs should be embedded in the effective hourly rates proposed, so that the proposed labor rates are “loaded.” The price shall be presented by task and/or subtask. The proposal shall describe any applicable assumptions used to formulate the price build-up.

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Task Order 0002 Price Buildup:

Same as the required elements described above, applied to Task Order 0002.

Task Order 0003 Price Buildup:

Same as the required elements described above, applied to Task Order 0003.

Payment Schedules:

The offeror shall submit a proposed payment schedule for Task Order 0001, 0002, and 0003.

These should be submitted as separate Microsoft Excel files (or separate sheets in the same Excel file). The individual amounts should add up to the total task order amount. The payment schedule need not reference due dates and can generally follow a simple format such as:

Task Order 0001

Description of

Payment Trigger

(Deliverable or

Milestone

Achievement)

Payment

Amount

Total:

The payment triggers should be based on accomplishments (e.g., submitting a deliverable, or meeting a milestone), as opposed the passage of time (e.g., monthly).

Meeting Costs:

Meeting costs shall be reported on an itemized basis that includes all labor directly associated with pre-conference/meeting activities, labor providing direct support for the conference/meeting, and labor directly associated with post-conference activities.

Other Administrative Details:

The business proposal shall list the names and telephones numbers of persons authorized to conduct negotiations;

The business proposal shall include a statement to the effect that the offer is firm for a period of at least 60 calendar days from the date of receipt of offers specified by the

Government;

The business proposal shall include a Conflict of Interest Certificate (as provided in the solicitation).

If subcontractors are proposed, a separate price buildup (by task) should be submitted for each proposed subcontractor, and these prices should also be included in the prime's total firm-fixed price for each task order. In the master buildup for each task order, it should be clear which costs are associated with the prime contractor and which costs are associated with subcontractors.

If subcontractors are proposed, FAR 52.219-14(c)(1) requires that “At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.” The small business primary contractor must perform at least 50% of the

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labor for each task order, as measured by dollars (not hours). For each task order, the offeror shall include a chart comparing labor prices between the prime and subcontractors to aid in the Government’s analysis of this issue.

Small Business Subcontracting Plan:

The Department's goal for small business subcontracting is that 43.5% of all subcontracting be subcontracted to small businesses, in the following categories:

Women-owned small business concerns (5%);

Small disadvantaged business concerns (8a) (5%);

HUB Zone small business concerns (3%);

Veteran Owned small business concerns (3%); and

Other small business concerns.

Note--The categories listed above imply no order of preference.

The Department values an approach where substantive work in a meaningful capacity is performed by small businesses more highly than an approach in which only menial work or supply line work is performed by small businesses. A meaningful capacity for substantive work includes work other than courier services, office supplies or travel services. Therefore, a valued approach for this contract will be one in which technical, analytical, or significant service is performed by a small business.

Conflict of Interest Plan:

The offeror shall submit a Conflict of Interest Plan, providing details on its policies and procedures to identify and avoid potential organizational or personnel conflicts of interest (or apparent conflicts 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 a 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.

Joint Venture/Teaming arrangements:

a. If a joint venture or teaming arrangement is contemplated, provide complete information as to the arrangement, including any relevant and recent past/present

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performance information on previous joint venture(s)/teaming arrangement with the same partner. If this is a first time joint effort, each party to the arrangement must provide a list of past and present relevant contracts. Please comply with all General

Service Administration (GSA) requirements for teaming arrangements.

Proposal Submission Deadline:

a. All proposals must be submitted to the Department of Education, Contracts and Acquisitions Management by 10:00 AM EST on September 1, 2015. E-mail submissions are required. Send all electronic proposals and correspondences to:

Dayna Trotter at Dayna.Trotter@ed.gov with a courtesy copy (cc) to Ryan Battad at Ryan.Battad@ed.gov. Any proposal physically received after the due date will be labeled “late” and may not be evaluated.

b. Questions regarding this solicitation must be emailed to Dayna Trotter at Dayna.Trotter@ed.gov with a courtesy copy (cc) to Ryan Battad at

Ryan.Battad@ed.gov . The Government does not guarantee that any questions received after August 13, 2015 will be answered.

The offeror shall not include cost information in the technical proposal, but shall include this information in the price proposal, which shall be a separate volume prepared according to the instructions provided below.

SOURCE SELECTION DECISION

The Department will make an award to the Contractor whose proposal conforms to the Request for Proposal (RFP), has no deficiencies (as defined in FAR 15.001) and is most advantageous to the Government, cost or price and other factors considered. For this RFP, price will be a substantial factor in source selection; however quality factors (including technical merit and past performance) are significantly more important than cost or price. The contracting officer will determine whether the difference in quality is worth the difference in cost or price.