Market_Research_Vendor_Survey_15_May_13.pdf

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION SEE FAR 2.101 AND 3.104

MARKET RESEARCH

GEODSS – SOLICITATION NO: FA2517-13-R-8001

Vendor Survey

In accordance with FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes; this is a request for information and not a request for proposals.

The following questions are for market research purposes only to assist the United States Air Force (USAF) in development of the acquisition strategy for the new contract. Your responses will not be shared with anyone outside the USAF.

The Department of Defense is committed to continuous improvement and is working on new initiatives to achieve affordable programs, control costs and incentivize innovation. The goal of these initiatives is to successfully accomplish the mission within the constraints of a declining defense budget. To achieve these goals it will be essential to partner with industry and realize savings from contractor controlled costs and innovations.

1. For the next GEODSS contract, the USAF is exploring a Firm-fixed-price contract type. In conjunction with this approach, a prerequisite for contract award would be a decrease in contract price in each successive option year of the contract. Would this approach make a difference for your firm in deciding whether to bid on this contract? What challenges or opportunities would your firm see with this approach and why?

2. Based upon the current requirement, what contract type would be most appropriate? And Why?

3. Based upon the requirement, what length of contract would be most advantageous considering the O&M of a legacy system with periodic upgrades and the fact that the current workforce has a significant level of seniority? What correlation do you anticipate between contract length and training/retention of key personnel?

4. Based upon the requirement, what small business subcontracting opportunities might be available?

5. What workload estimates are necessary to adequately scope the workload associated with this contract? Is there other data the Air Force could provide that would be useful in determining level of service required? What type of data?

6. Would a performance incentive encourage superior performance? If so, what type?

7. What discounts and payment terms are customarily offered/negotiated on similar contracts?

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION SEE FAR 2.101 AND 3.104

8. What on-site phase-in is necessary to prepare for a 01 Oct 15 performance start date? In order to be ready to take over full contract responsibilities on 01 Oct 15, what is the deadline date for award notification?

9. What quality assurance methods do service receivers primarily rely on under similar contracts? What quality standards would be able to measure performance?

10. Describe evaluation factors you believe could be used as discriminators in this acquisition (Performance based –Performance Work statement)

11. Would a site visit be beneficial to your company? Would you be interested in seeing the current operation?

12. What type of meaningful metrics would most fully capture performance requirements considering a performance-based PWS? How would you measure success on this program?

12. Should there be a page limitation for the cost proposal? What is a reasonable limit?

14. What kind of commercial available systems are you aware that would meet the Air Force needs for tracking hazardous materials, civil engineering, logistics and procurement?

15. Are you aware of any contracts for similar services in the commercial marketplace?

16. FAR 52.245-1, Alternate 1, which states, “The Contractor assumes the risk of, and shall be responsible for, any loss of Government property upon its delivery to the Contractor as Government-furnished property. However, the Contractor is not responsible for reasonable wear and tear to Government property or for Government property properly consumed in performing this contract.” Are there any concerns that your firm has with the unlimited liability? If the USAF were to include a monetary cap for liability, what would you recommend that it be?

17. Do you currently have any contracts with the Department of Defense? Are you working on any type of weapon system contracts? If so, what type?

18. What percentage of your contracts are with the Department of Defense? What percentages of your contracts are with other commercial contractors?