SUMMARY_OF_CHANGES.pdf

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

The following have been modified:

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

1.0 Budget/Funding Information. The United States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) receives baseline funding and mission partner funding to accomplish requirements. The maximum contract value is $150 million.

2.0 General Instructions. This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals, as well as specific instructions on the format and content of the proposal. Throughout this section, the term “offeror” includes subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners. The offeror’s proposal must include all data and information requested and must be submitted in accordance with (IAW) these instructions. Any offeror who submits an incomplete package may be considered non-responsive. The offer shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP), and shall describe how the offer will satisfy the requirements stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL).

A proposal that is sufficiently documented to support cost/price and performance in a complete, orderly, and specific detailed manner will enable the Government to perform a thorough and fair evaluation. Non-compliance with the instructions and RFP may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation and may be grounds to eliminate the proposal from consideration for contract award.

2.1 Proposal Clarity. The proposal shall be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation of the offeror’s capabilities and substantiate the validity of stated claims.

The offeror’s proposal shall not simply rephrase, reiterate, or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to demonstrate an understanding of the requirements and address how the offeror intends to meet the requirements. The offeror shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of its capabilities, facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror’s proposal and such information, including present/past performance information, as is available to the Government.

2.2 Proposal Depth. The offeror is advised that its proposal is presumed to represent its best efforts and most complete responses to this solicitation. Cursory responses or responses which merely reiterate the PWS will be considered unacceptable. Demonstration of experience, capability, and qualifications that clearly demonstrate and support the offeror’s claims are essential. Proposals shall not contain classified information. Alternate proposals will not be accepted. The offeror is reminded that the Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions, but reserves the right to conduct discussions if the contracting officer (CO) later determines it to be necessary. By submission of a proposal, the offeror represents that its team is capable of performing all requirements specified in the solicitation.

2.3 Proposal Detail. Elaborate brochures, binding, detailed artwork, or other embellishments are unnecessary and not desired.

2.4 Proposal Acceptance Period. The offeror shall specify the proposal acceptance period in

Section A, Block 12 of the solicitation. The offeror’s proposals shall be valid for a minimum of

365 days from proposal submission.

2.5 Proposal Retention. IAW FAR Subpart 4.8 (Government Contract Files), the Government will retain one copy of all proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of proposals.

2.6 Size Standard. This acquisition is a small business 8(a) set aside under NAICS code

541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except

Biotechnology), with a 1000 employee size standard.

2.7 Acquisition Strategy. This acquisition will utilize a Trade-off source selection strategy

IAW the FAR 15.101-1, as supplemented by the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) 215.3, the

DoD Source Selection Procedures, the Air Force FAR Supplement (AFFARS) 5315.3, and

AFFARS Mandatory Procedure (MP) MP5315.3. Offers will be evaluated using the factors and subfactors under Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award. Past Performance is approximately equal to Cost/Price factor. Technical proposals will be evaluated on an acceptable/unacceptable basis. If an offeror receives an “unacceptable” rating in any subfactor, the factor will receive an

“unacceptable” rating. If an offeror receives an “unacceptable” rating in any factor, the technical proposal will receive an “unacceptable” rating and the offeror will not be eligible for award.

3.0 General Information.

3.1 Point of Contacts (POCs). The POC for this acquisition is the CO, S. Kristin Davis Ulma.

An alternate POC is the Contract Specialist, Marion Gibson, to be used only in the event that Ms.

Ulma is unavailable. Address any questions or concerns using the following contact information:

S. Kristin Davis Ulma (susan.ulma@us.af.mil) Marion Gibson (marion.gibson@us.af.mil)

50 CONS/LGCZH 50 CONS/LGCZH

210 Falcon Parkway, Suite 2116 210 Falcon Parkway, Suite 2116

Schriever AFB, CO 80912-2116 Schriever AFB, CO 80912-2116

Phone: (719) 567-3451 Phone: (719) 567-3446

3.2 Debriefings.

3.2.1 Pre-Award Debriefings. At the Government’s discretion, a competitive range may be established. The CO will promptly notify offerors of any decision to exclude it from the competitive range IAW FAR 15.503, whereupon it may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505.

3.2.2 Post-Award Debriefings. An unsuccessful offeror will have three days from the date of

Government notice of contract award to submit a written request for a post-award debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505. An unsuccessful offeror who fails to submit a timely request will not be entitled to a debriefing. In accordance with FAR 15.506, the CO may elect to conduct the debriefing orally, in writing, or any other acceptable method. Offerors will only receive one debriefing.

3.3 Discrepancies and Ambiguities. If an offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the CO in writing with supporting rationale as well as the remedies the offeror is asking the

CO to consider as related to the omission or error. Notify the CO in writing no later than 15 calendar days after the RFP release.

3.4 Reference Documents. Unclassified documents will be available on FedBizOpps.gov

(FBO). Other documents designated for official use only (FOUO) will be located in the 3IS II

Bidders’ Library which will be available on CD-ROM. Offerors should contact personnel identified in paragraph 3.1 for a copy of the Bidders’ Library. Potential offerors are encouraged to subscribe to FBO for real-time e-mail notifications when information is posted to the website for this solicitation.

3.5 Revisions and Amendments. The Government reserves the right to revise or amend the specifications or the solicitation. Such revisions or amendments will be communicated by formal amendment (Standard Form 30) to this RFP. If such amendments require material changes in quantities or costs/prices, the solicitation closing date may be extended to provide additional time for offerors to revise proposals. In such cases, the amendment will include an announcement of the new solicitation closing date and time. The offeror shall provide acknowledgement in Block 14 of the SF 33 of any solicitation amendments issued by the

Government.

3.6 Mistakes. Mistakes in contractor’s proposal shall be handled IAW FAR 15.508, Discovery of Mistakes.

3.7 Final Proposal Revisions (FPR). Once discussions (if conducted) have been concluded with an offeror determined to be in the competitive range, the CO will request that the offeror provide a FPR. The offeror is advised that any changes to the proposal in the FPR must be fully addressed/explained and reflected in the proposed cost/price. Failure to comply with this requirement can adversely influence the evaluation of the proposal. The CO will establish a common due date and time for submission of the FPR. The number of copies required for the

FPR are the same as the basic proposal.

3.8 Proposal Preparation and Format Instructions. This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals, as well as specific instructions on the format and content of the proposal. Each volume shall be complete in itself.

3.8.1 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits. The offeror’s proposal shall consist of four (4) proposal volumes: a Technical Proposal Volume, a Present/Past Performance Volume, a

Cost/Price Volume, and a Contract Documentation Volume. The offeror shall prepare the proposal volumes as set forth in the following Proposal Organization Table (Table L-1). The titles and contents of the volumes shall be as defined in this table, all of which shall be with the number of copies and within the required page limitations as specified in Table L-1. The contents of each proposal volume are described in the paragraph as noted in the table below.

Table L-1: Proposal Organization

VOLUME

SECTION L

PARAGRAPH

NUMBER

VOLUME TITLE

NUMBER OF HARD

COPIES/

ELECTRONIC COPIES

PAGE LIMITATION

I 4.1 Technical

Proposal Volume

4 (original + 3) and one electronic copy.

This page limitation excludes the Executive

Summary.

II 4.2 Present/Past

Performance

Volume

9 (original + 8) and one electronic copy.

No volume page limitation.

Limitations for each section are separately specified.

No more than 5

Present/Past Performance

Information Submittals per focus area (includes Prime and Subcontractors).

III 4.3 Cost/Price

Volume

4 (original + 3) and one

Unlimited

IV 4.4 Contract

Documentation

Volume

2 (original +1) and one

Unlimited

3.8.2 Binding and Labeling. Each volume of the proposal (except “original”) shall be separately bound in a three-ring, loose-leaf binder which shall permit the volume to lie flat when open. Staples shall not be used. All binders shall allow for easy removal and replacement of pages. A cover sheet shall be bound in each book, clearly marked with the offeror’s name, volume number and title, solicitation identification (e.g. RFP number and title), and the copy number (e.g. copy 2 of 5) (e.g., Company A, Vol I, Technical Proposal, RFP FA2550-16-R-

8001, 3IS II, copy 2 of 5). The same identifying data shall be placed on the spine and front of each binder. Be sure to apply all appropriate markings including those prescribed in accordance with FAR 52.215-1(e), Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data, and 3.104-4, Disclosure, Protection, and Marking of Contractor Bid or Proposal Information and Source Selection

Information. The original shall be clearly marked “original.” The original of Volumes I through

IV shall be two-hole punched (e.g. drilled) at the top, center of each page and submitted to the

CO unbound. Dimension between hole-centers must be 2.75 inches. The pages shall be printed double-sided flipped on the short side. This is for Government filing purposes.

3.8.3 Electronic Copies. The offeror shall submit a complete copy of the proposal, including all proposal volumes and attachments, in electronic format, using non-re-writable DVDs. The content and page size of electronic copies shall be identical to the hard copies. If there is a variance, the printed document will take precedence. Indicate on each DVD the volume number and title. Use separate files and folders and ensure the file-naming convention is simple and straightforward to permit rapid location of all portions, to include subfactors, exhibits, annexes, and attachments, if any. Each volume shall be on a separate DVD. All files must be uncompressed. Ensure the electronic documents stored on DVDs can be opened and that all information is accessible on Government computers. Offerors shall “close the session” on all

DVDs submitted to the Government so no changes can be made to the information.

The electronic copies of the proposal shall be submitted in a format readable by MS Office

2010® applications (e.g. Microsoft (MS) Word 2010®, MS Excel 2010®, and MS-Power Point

2010®) and/or Adobe Acrobat®). The proposal may be submitted in portable document format

(PDF), but if used must be formatted to allow the text to be selected (i.e. not as an image).

Electronic copies of price tables and spreadsheets shall be provided in MS Excel® to allow

Government evaluation and review of equations. Ensure formulas and clarifying notes used to calculate price are reflected in the spreadsheets. In the technical proposal volume, simple list tables can be included in the volume file (i.e. as part of the MS Word® or Adobe Acrobat® file) and need not be separately included in MS Excel. If files contain links, the links shall be maintained in all revisions. Electronic submissions for each file must be accessible on stand-alone computers.

3.8.4 Data Transmission. To facilitate review and evaluation for this source selection, the

Government proposes to transmit data via commercial systems. Within the Government, material will be distributed via encrypted e-mail, will be marked as source selection sensitive and/or contractor proprietary as appropriate, and distribution will be limited to approved personnel. Should any offeror object to its proposal information being shared between source selection evaluation team members or advisors via Government e-mail systems or between the

CO and the offeror via commercial e-mail systems, please advise the CO in writing before or with submission of the proposal.

3.8.5 Page Limitations. Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. Total page count will be based on the printed proposal submission. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read, nor considered in the evaluation of the proposal. Page limitations may be placed on responses to

Evaluation Notices (ENs). The Government will identify specified page limits for EN responses in the letters forwarding the ENs to the offeror.

3.8.6 Page Size and Format. Page size will be 8.5 x 11 inches, not including foldouts, with at least 1-inch margins around the page perimeter. Pages will be single-spaced. Pages shall be printed as double-sided where possible (i.e., do not print on both sides if the next page would be spreadsheet, fold-out, tab break, etc.). Each printed side of information on a page of paper shall count as one page (i.e. single-sided pages count as one page, double-sided count as two pages).

The background color of each page of the original proposal submission shall be white or ivory stock only. Use Times New Roman, with a font no smaller than 11-point with normal proportional spacing. Text embedded in graphics and tables can vary from the font style and size requirement but must be readable to the reviewer.

3.8.7 Table of Contents, Indexing and Glossary. Each volume shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the tabs and subparagraphs within that volume. Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections. A separate table of contents shall identify sections/tabs, figures, and tables.

Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, with an explanation for each. The glossary shall also contain definitions in a separate section, as applicable. The table of contents, index, and glossary are excluded from volume page limitations.

3.8.8 Stand Alone Volumes. Each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated with a minimum of cross referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Information required for proposal evaluation which is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal.

3.8.9 Change Pages after Initial Proposal Submission. If the Government opens discussions and requests the offeror submit proposal revisions, during or after discussions, any changed pages that are submitted shall have changed information clearly marked by a vertical line in the right margin of the page identifying the changed content. The date of the revision and revision number shall be reflected on each changed page (preferably on, or next to, the vertical change line). Make spreadsheet revisions obvious by highlighting cells that changed. Additionally, a different color paper shall be used for each round of revisions.

3.8.10 Cost or Pricing Information. All cost or pricing information shall be addressed only in the Cost/Price Proposal and Contract Documentation Volumes.

3.8.11 Classified Information. Proposals shall not include any classified data in any proposal volume or Present/Past Performance Questionnaire. The Government appreciates and is aware of the sensitive, and sometimes classified, nature of some proposal information, especially past performance information. The offeror shall provide as much information as they are able in an unclassified proposal, and include contact information to obtain further information as the

Government requires. The offeror shall make every attempt to summarize relevant information and ensure any additional classified information available through the contact is truly necessary to the Government’s understanding and decision. The Government is not obligated to contact these references, but will rely on the unclassified information provided to the maximum extent possible.

3.8.12 Proposal Delivery. Paper and electronic copies shall be delivered directly to the CO or

CS at 50 CONS/LGCZH, 210 Falcon Parkway, Suite 2116, Schriever AFB, CO 80912-2116. If utilizing a postal service, provide a tracking number to the CO or CS prior to the closing date of the RFP. If using a courier, submit the name of the individual hand carrying these volumes 24 hours in advance to the CO and CS. The courier will be required to provide identification at the time of delivery. The delivered package(s) shall be labeled “To Be Opened by Addressee Only.”

These volumes must be received no later than the date and time specified in the final solicitation

FBO posting. Volume I – Technical Proposal, Volume III – Cost/Price, and Volume IV –

Contract Documentation must be received no later than 1:00 pm Mountain Time (MT) on 8 July

2016. Volume II – Present/Past Performance Information must be received no later than 1:00 pm

MT on 27 June 2016. Additionally, completed present/past performance questionnaires are requested to be emailed to the Government by 27 June 2016, 1:00 pm MT.

Due to Schriever Air Force Base’s (SAFB) mail security processes, the CO cannot guarantee that mailed proposals will be processed and received by the proposal deadline. Therefore, the

Government strongly encourages the offeror to hand-carry the required documents and information. Please call the CO or CS at least two hours prior to anticipate arrival time to ensure there will be personnel available to receive the proposal. Offerors should speak personally with the CO or CS, and not rely on voice mail. Contractor personnel delivering proposals are advised that they may be unable to access SAFB without a valid U.S. Uniformed Services Identification

Card or DoD Common Access Card (CAC). Be advised that vehicles may be subject to random vehicle searches, and/or may encounter unexpected delays at the gates and should plan accordingly.

3.9 Non-Government Advisors. Offerors are advised that data, including proprietary data, submitted to the Government in response to this solicitation may be released to non-government advisors for review and analysis. An offeror’s submission of a proposal in response to this request for proposals will constitute acceptance of non-governmental personnel use.

Specifically, the company listed below may have access to information as an indirect result of technical support services rendered.

Alion Science and Technology (Alion) will assist the Government in evaluating cost/price proposals.

Alion Science and Technology

1750 Tysons Blvd. Suite 1300

McLean, VA 22102

(703) 918-4480

Proprietary information submitted in response to this solicitation is restricted from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act. By issuance of the contracts with the advisors, the Air Force has taken steps to ensure compliance with the standards of Subsection 27 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act.

Because Alion will be participating directly in the source selection, Alion must meet the standards of FAR Subpart 9.505-4(b). Pursuant to this subpart, Alion has agreed to enter into agreements with potential offerors to protect the offerors’ proprietary information from unauthorized use or disclosure for as long as it remains proprietary and refrain from using the information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished. The offeror is respectfully requested to contact Alion, enter into a suitable agreement, and provide a copy with its proposal.

If the prospective offeror has any objection to non-Government advisor access to its proposal, the prospective offeror shall provide to the CO the grounds and justification for its objections within seven (7) days from the date of RFP release. The CO for this solicitation will make a determination whether the non-government advisor(s) will be excluded. The CO will inform the objecting offeror of the determination and will inform all offerors of any changes in this approach.

4.0 Specific Proposal Instructions and Format:

4.1 Volume I – Technical Proposal. The offeror shall present a clear and concise description of the proposed approach for meeting the requirements of each technical subfactor. The Technical

Proposal Volume shall be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. The offeror’s responses will be evaluated against the Technical Proposal subfactors defined in Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award. The volume shall be prepared in an orderly format and in sufficient detail to enable the Government to make a thorough evaluation of the offeror’s technical competence and ability to comply with PWS, CDRL, and Services Summary

(SS) requirements. Address as specifically as possible, the actual methodology the offeror will use for accomplishing/satisfying the requirements of each Technical Proposal subfactor. All the requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. By the proposal submission 1:00 pm

MT/8 July 2016, the offeror is representing that it will perform all the requirements specified in the solicitation. It is not necessary or desirable for the offeror to state so in the proposal. Do not merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation.

4.1.1 Technical Proposal Volume Format. The offeror shall format the Technical Proposal

Volume as follows:

a. Tab 1: Executive Summary (see paragraph 4.1.2)

b. Tab 2: Table of Contents, Index, and Glossary (see paragraph 4.1.3)

c. Tab 3: Subfactor 1 – Security (see paragraph 4.1.4)

d. Tab 4: Subfactor 2 – Scenarios (see paragraph 4.1.5)

4.1.2 Tab 1: Executive Summary. The offeror shall provide a concise narrative executive summary of the entire proposal, excluding the cost/price information while including technical aspects. The summary shall also list all subcontract team members, a brief description of the team, and each team member’s major area of responsibility. Any summary material presented here shall not be considered as meeting the requirements for any portions of other volumes of the proposal. Information included in this tab is excluded from the volume page limitations, but shall not exceed five (5) pages.

4.1.3 Tab 2: Table of Contents, Index, and Glossary.

4.1.4 Tab 3: FSubfactor 1 - Security. The offeror shall demonstrate the possession of a TS facility clearance for all team partners at proposal submission.

4.1.5 Tab 4: FSubfactor 2 – Scenarios. Five scenarios are presented to the offeror

(Attachment L-1) to determine the offeror’s understanding of the mission and its requirements.

The offeror shall provide a sound technical approach to include a manpower table with staffing and skill mix for each scenario. The manpower table at a minimum shall include the labor categories, labor hours, and prime/teaming partner who will provide performance. The offeror shall include all assumptions used within responses to the scenario.

4.2 Volume II - Present/Past Performance. This portion of the evaluation will consider the offeror's performance and that of its subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners.

Provide rationale if no Present/Past Performance information is submitted for a particular team participant. This information is requested of the offeror and all subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners. The Government will use data provided by each offeror in this volume and data obtained from other sources in the evaluation of past performance. Offerors (including subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners) shall only submit past performance in the areas they are proposed to perform IAW the Relevancy Matrix.

4.2.1 Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ). Each offeror shall submit PPQs in accordance with the format contained in Attachment L-2. The offeror is responsible for sending PPQs

(Attachment L-2) to the points of contact for the past efforts they identify who will subsequently submit information to the Government to be received no later than the proposal due date27 June

2016. Offerors shall send questionnaires directly to the points of contact for the past efforts it identifies, provide the instructions to the respondents, and clearly instruct the respondents that all responses are to be provided directly to the Government CO, NOT THE OFFEROR. The number of past performance efforts submitted shall be limited to 5 citations per focus area for the offeror. A citation is defined as a contract or a task order. For example, each task order in an

IDIQ contract will be counted as separate citations except for Program Manager focus area. The responsibility to send out and track the completion of the PPQs rests solely with the offeror.

Completed PPQs shall be e-mailed to the point of contact identified in the questionnaire. The prime is responsible for ensuring the receipt of the PPQs by contacting the CO. Offerors shall provide a list of the proposed respondents.

4.2.2 General. Offerors are cautioned that the Government will use data provided in this volume and data obtained from other sources in the evaluation of past performance. The CO may contact Government installations where the offeror performed or other performance information sources. The performance information sources may include qualified, impartial sources of information, for example: State Better Business Bureau, Dun & Bradstreet, etc. The

CO will reference other sources to determine past performance, including Federal Awardee

Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Past Performance Information

Retrieval System (PPIRS), and System for Award Management (SAM).

4.2.3 Present/Past Performance Volume Format. There is no volume page limitation. Each citation is limited to the space limitation of the Past Performance Information (PPI) Tool. The offeror shall format the Present/Past Performance Volume as follows:

a. Tab 1: Executive Summary and Organizational Structure Change History (see paragraph 4.2.3.1)

b. Tab 2: Relevancy Matrix (see paragraph 4.2.3.2)

c. Tab 3: Relevant Contracts (see paragraph 4.2.3.3)

d. Tab 4: Consent Letters (see paragraph 4.2.3.4)

e. Tab 5: Client Authorization Letters (see paragraph 4.2.3.5)

4.2.3.1 Executive Summary. The Past Performance volume shall include an Executive

Summary and a Table of Contents. The Executive Summary shall describe the role of the prime and each teaming partner that will potentially perform on the contract.

4.2.3.1.1 Organizational Structure Change History. Many companies have acquired, been acquired by, or otherwise merged with other companies, and/or reorganized divisions, business groups, subsidiary companies, etc. In many cases, these changes have taken place during the time of performance of relevant past efforts or between conclusion of recent past efforts and this source selection. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to determine what past performance is relevant to this acquisition. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include in this executive summary, a roadmap describing all such changes in the organization of the company. A pamphlet or other commercial document describing such reorganizations may suffice. As part of this explanation, show how these changes impact the relevance of any efforts identified for past performance evaluation/performance confidence assessment. Since the Government intends to consider past performance information provided by other sources as well as that provided by the offeror(s), the roadmap should be both specifically applicable to the efforts identified and general enough to apply to efforts on which the Government receives information from other sources.

Include traceability data.

4.2.3.2 Tab 2: Relevancy Matrix. The proposal shall provide a completed relevancy matrix for the offeror including each proposed teaming partner (see format at Attachment L-3) for only the present/past performance citations submitted (no more than five citations per focus area)areas the team is proposed to work. Do not identify past performance for proposed team members in areas they are not proposed to perform. The tab has no page limitation. Each offeror (including subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners), will be assessed for relevancy as outlined in Section M, paragraph 2.2.1.2.

4.2.3.3 Tab 3: Relevant Contracts. Submit information in accordance with the instructions for the PPI tool, Attachment L-4, for up to five recent citations per focus area that is considered most relevant in demonstrating the offeror’s ability to perform the proposed effort. Include rationale supporting the offeror’s assertion of relevance. For a description of the characteristics or aspects the Government will consider in determining recent and relevant, see Section M, Evaluation Factors, paragraph 2.2 - Past Performance.

4.2.3.3.1 Specific Content. Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort and to what aspects of the proposed effort relate. This may include a discussion of efforts accomplished by the offeror to resolve problems encountered on prior contracts as well as past efforts to identify and manage program risk. Merely having problems does not automatically equate to a limited or no confidence rating, since the problems encountered may have been on a more complex program, or an offeror may have subsequently demonstrated the ability to overcome the problems encountered. The offeror is required to clearly demonstrate management actions employed in overcoming problems and the effects of those actions in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified. This may allow the offeror to be considered a higher confidence candidate. For example, submittal of quality performance indicators or other management indicators that clearly support that an offeror has overcome past problems is required.

4.2.3.4 Tab 4: Consent Letters. The proposal shall contain a consent letter, executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing release of past performance information to the offeror so the offeror can respond to such information.

Present/Past Performance information submitted concerning subcontractors and teaming partners, if proposed, cannot be disclosed to a private party without the subcontractor’s or teaming partner’s written consent. Because the offeror is a private party, the Government will need that consent before disclosing subcontractor’s/teaming partner’s present and past performance information to the offeror during exchanges. In an effort to assist the Government evaluators in assessing present/past performance relevancy and confidence, request the consent

(if any) be completed by the subcontractor/teaming partners identified in the offeror’s proposal.

Should the offeror not submit consent, the Government will only discuss present/past performance information directly with the prospective subcontractor or teaming partner that is being reviewed. If there is a problem with the proposed subcontractor’s or teaming partner’s present/past performance, the offeror can be notified of a problem, but no details may be discussed without the subcontractor’s/teaming partner’s permission. A sample consent letter is attached to the solicitation as Attachment L-5. Information in this tab is unlimited pages.

4.2.3.5 Tab 5: Client Authorization Letters. The proposal shall include client authorization letters for each identified effort for a commercial customer authorizing release to the

Government of requested information on the offeror’s performance. A sample client authorization letter is attached to the solicitation as Attachment L-6.

4.3 Volume III – Cost/Price Volume.

4.3.1 General Information.

4.3.1.1 Cost/Price Information. Information beyond that required by this instruction shall not be submitted, unless the offeror considers it essential to document or support its cost/price position. All information relating to the proposed cost/price, including all required supporting documentation, must be included in the section of the proposal designated as the Cost/Price

Volume.

4.3.1.2 Cost or Pricing Information Requirements. Adequate price competition is anticipated;

therefore, offerors are not required to submit certified cost or pricing data in accordance with

FAR 15.403. In accordance with FAR 15.403-1(b) and 15.403-3(a), information other than cost or pricing data may be required to support cost/price reasonableness and realism. Information shall be provided in accordance with FAR 15.403-5. If, after receipt of proposals, the CO determines that there is insufficient information available to determine cost/price reasonableness and realism, and none of the exceptions in FAR 15.403-1 apply, the offeror shall be required to submit cost or pricing data.

4.3.1.3 Cost/Price Reasonableness, Realism, and Balanced. These instructions are to assist the offeror in submitting information, other than cost or pricing data, which is required to evaluate the reasonableness, realism and balance of the offeror’s proposed cost/price.

Compliance with these instructions is mandatory and failure to comply may result in rejection of the proposal. Note that unrealistically low proposed costs or prices, initially or subsequently, may be grounds for eliminating a proposal from the competitive range either on the basis that the offeror does not understand the requirement or has made an unrealistic proposal. Offers should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate reasonableness, realism and affordability. The burden of proof for credibility of proposed costs/prices rests with the offeror.

4.3.1.4 Total Proposed Price (TPP). An offeror’s TPP is defined as the summation of the proposed total price of notational TO 002 to 006. Phase-in shall be proposed in Section B for a

30-day period of performance; however, phase-in will not be included in the evaluation of the

TPP. The compilation of these prices will result in the TPP to be used as the price factor for evaluation.

4.3.1.5 Rounding. All dollar amounts in proposal shall be rounded to the nearest dollar. All labor rates shall be rounded to the nearest penny.

4.3.2 Cost/Price Volume Format. There is no volume page limitation. The offeror shall format the Cost/Price Volume as follows:

a. Tab 1: Executive Summary (see paragraph 4.3.3)

b. Tab 2: Labor Tables (see paragraph 4.3.4)

c. Tab 3: Scenarios/Task Orders Pricing (see paragraph 4.3.5)

d. Tab 4: Professional Compensation Plan (see paragraph 4.3.6)

4.3.3. Tab 1: Executive Summary. The cost/price proposal shall include an Executive

Summary to include a Table of Contents for the offeror’s price volume. Offerors shall identify any assumptions and exceptions taken to the pricing requirements stated in this solicitation.

Provide complete rationale for each assumption and exception. Do not cross reference to/from

Volume IV, Contract Documentation. Annotate “none,” if no assumptions or exceptions apply.

Information provided for exceptions and assumptions will assist the price evaluation team in determining price reasonableness, realism, balance, and completeness.

4.3.4 Tab 2: Labor Tables. Offerors (including subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners) shall only submit fully burdened labor rates and financial data in the areas personnel are proposed to perform IAW the Relevancy Matrix located in the Past Performance Volume. If the prime contractor has a teaming partner (subcontractor) and elects to propose only one set of rates for the entire team, this must be stated in the Cost/Price Volume narrative.

The labor categories identified in the Labor Categories and Descriptions (Attachment L-9) are anticipated to be all inclusive of the labor categories expected to be used throughout the life of the contract. All labor categories identified for the prime and/or teaming partners shall not exceed the fully burdened labor rates. These rates may be proposed by the prime, teaming partner(s), or a blend. The offeror shall ensure that all labor categories are covered but NOT all labor categories must be covered by any one business entity. Failure to propose rates for all labor categories will render the proposal incomplete, and the entire proposal will be subject to rejection.

4.3.4.1 Ceiling Rates. Provide a cost/price labor table for ceiling rates for the prime contractor and for teaming partners (Attachment L-7). Provide a fully burdened hourly rate, rounded to the nearest penny, for each labor category by calendar fiscal year of performance. The labor category descriptions are provided at Attachment L-9. If an offeror’s labor category nomenclature differs from the Government’s, the offeror must provide a cross-reference, describing how it relates to the skills and qualifications of the Government’s labor categories as defined in Attachment L-9. The offeror shall include Attachment L-9 with the contractor labor category.

The rates as proposed in the Labor Table (Attachment L-7) shall be contractually binding ceiling rates should the offeror be awarded a contract. The ceiling rates shall be utilized for future firm fixed price TOs and TO modifications; however, discounted or lower rates may be proposed.

4.3.4.2 Supporting Documentation. Information on how the rates and component cost elements for the prime contractor performing at least 50% of the work in Attachment L-7 were developed and rationale why the offeror considers rates and component cost elements to be reasonable. If the offeror’s system does not readily provide for identifying each of the categories listed in Attachment L-9, it shall be identified and explained.

Offerors shall provide a comprehensive and detailed account of how the rates and component cost elements were developed in order to eliminate, or at least minimize, the need for clarification questions by the Government as it reviews the price proposals. In explaining why the proposed rates and component cost elements are reasonable, offerors shall refer to any comparable rates from existing IDIQ contracts with federal Government organizations, such as

GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts, and may also reference relevant rate agreements with, or recommendations by, federal government organizations, Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard

Occupational Classification pay information, wage escalation forecasts by reputable forecasting organizations, and any other information that the offeror considers relevant. In determining which information to submit in support of the reasonableness of the proposed rates, the offeror should bear in mind that the Government may choose to award without discussions so that the information submitted with the original proposal may represent the totality of the information that the Government will consider in making its reasonableness determination. The offeror is not required to certify the rates and supporting information contained in this price proposal.

Unrealistically low ceiling hourly rates may indicate an inability to understand requirements and a high-risk approach to contract performance. Accordingly, the Government may consider the findings of such analysis in evaluating an offeror’s ability to perform and the risk of its approach.

Note: Failure to offer ceiling hourly rates for all Labor Categories and all contract periods will affect the ability of the Government to evaluate the proposal and may result in the offeror being ineligible for award.

4.3.4.3 Joint Ventures (JV): If proposing as a JV, there are two methods to propose based upon the JV’s make-up. If the JV is populated with employees from each member of the JV and will be dedicated to the basic contract, then new base labor rates and indirect rates based on that situation shall be proposed. If the JV remains as separate entities, then base labor rates and indirect rates shall be proposed for each member of the JV.

4.3.4.4 Fee. Profit rates are not applied to FFP TOs. The offeror shall propose a fixed fee for

CPFF task orders in Schedule B of the Request for Proposals. The proposed fee rate will be utilized through the life of the contract.

4.3.5 Tab 3: TO Proposal. The Government has provided the offeror with one FFP TO

Request for Proposal and four CPFF TO Request for Proposal (Attachment L-1). The FFP

TO will be issued upon award of the basic contract. The CPFF TOs may or may not be issued upon award of the basic contract. The offeror shall use the labor rates as proposed in the labor tables. The other direct cost/travel expenses contract line item number (CLIN) is a cost reimbursable CLIN and is not subject to profit/fee. A not-to-exceed amount has been provided.

4.3.5.1 Narrative and Worksheets. The FFP TO proposal shall provide a monthly FFP.

Each CPFF TO proposal shall provide a complete and traceable description of all costs/prices proposed for the performance of all work. Propose all costs/prices in whole dollars. The narrative used to support cost/price spreadsheets associated with each function must be practical, straightforward, concise, and complete. Formulas used to calculate all costs/prices must be reflected in the spreadsheet. Do not plug numbers into cells other than basic inputs such as rates, hours, etc. All worksheets shall build upon each other and shall be linked. The spreadsheet shall not have embedded formulas. Do not password protect any price proposal Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The offeror may add a header or footer containing the company’s name, date and identifying any proprietary information.

4.3.5.2 Total Cost/Price Summary by Cost/Price Element/Year. The prime and all subcontractor proposals (including second tier subcontractors) shall provide in electronic spreadsheet format (Excel) a cost/price summary by major cost/price elements by contract year.

The overall cost/price summary shall be submitted utilizing Attachment L-11, Overall Summary

Cost/Price. The cost/price summary for each task order shall be submitted using the following format:

L-2 Total Cost/Price Summary by Cost/Price Element/Year for Each Task Orders 002 to

006 – Prime Contractor

DESCRIPTION

BASE

YEAR

OPTION

YEAR 1

OPTION

YEAR 2

OPTION

YEAR 3

OPTION

YEAR 4 TOTAL

Productive Hours

Prime Contractor Hours x x X x x XX

Subcontractor Hours

Subcontractor A x x X x x XX

Subcontractor B x x X x x XX

Subcontractor C x x X x x XX

Total Subcontractor Hours XX XX XX XX XX XX

Total Productive Hours XX XX XX XX XX XX

Cost/Price Element

Direct Labor ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Fringes ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Overhead ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Subtotal XX XX XX XX XX XX

Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Government Established

ODCs (Materials, Equipment, Supplies, Incidentals, &

Travel) ($)

Other Contractor ODCs ($) x x X x x XX

Total ODCs ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Subcontracts ($)

Subcontractor A x x X x x XX

Subcontractor B x x X x x XX

Subcontractor C x x X x x XX

Total Subcontracts ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

G&A ($) x x X x x XX

Fixed Fee ($) x x X x x XX

Total Cost ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

L-3 Total Cost/Price Summary by Cost/Price Element/Year each Task Order 002 to 006 –

Subcontractors

DESCRIPTION

BASE

YEAR

OPTION

YEAR 1

OPTION

YEAR 2

OPTION

YEAR 3

OPTION

YEAR 4 TOTAL

Productive Hours

Contractor Hours x x X x x XX

Total Hours XX XX XX XX XX XX

Cost/Price Element

Direct Labor ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Fringes ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Overhead ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

Subtotal XX XX XX XX XX XX

Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Other Contractor ODCs ($) x x X x x XX

Total ODCs ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

G&A ($) x x X x x XX

Fixed Fee ($) x x X x x XX

Total Cost ($) XX XX XX XX XX XX

4.3.5.3 Supporting Technical Proposal. The offeror's cost/price proposal shall be cross-referenced to the technical proposal. The level of detail in the technical proposal shall match and be cross-referenced to the cost/price data.

4.3.5.4 Labor and Burdens for CPFF Task Orders. The cost proposal shall provide worksheets that include a consolidated manning summary with each TO proposal. Show labor detail for each direct labor category, separately identifying the labor category/classification.

Identify the total man-year, productive man-year, and the direct labor hours provided by the offeror and by each teaming partner. Provide the cost/price breakdown showing the wage rates, overtime rates, fringes, overhead, etc., and all extended costs/prices. Include applicable labor escalation for option years.

4.3.5.5 Contractor Other Direct Costs. The proposal shall provide other direct costs details and extended costs, if not identified somewhere else in the proposal.

4.3.5.6 Government Established Contract Line Item Number. The offeror shall propose the

Government established amounts for these items in accordance with the not-to-exceed (NTE) amount. No additional cost breakout is required. The established baseline amounts include allowances for reimbursement of applicable contractor burdens. The offeror shall not propose to government established baseline amounts and propose only to ODCs not identified in the baseline amounts (i.e. consultants). No profit is allowed for these baseline costs. However, general and administrative (G&A) burden is allowed and shall be identified, if applicable. This cost-reimbursable CLIN has been established for Government-directed purchases of materials, supplies, equipment, incidentals and travel to include non-stock listed and Commercial-Off-The

Shelf (COTS) items on a reimbursable basis when not available through the Standard Base

Supply System (SBSS) or not available in sufficient time to meet mission and administrative requirements. This CLIN will also be used to fund incidentals directed by the Government. Use of this CLIN is only as approved by the Government. The offeror shall include the cost/price of any other required materials, equipment, and supplies not authorized under this CLIN under the appropriate applicable CLIN.

4.3.5.7 Subcontractor Costs/Prices. The proposal shall provide a list of anticipated subcontractors/partners total cost/price. Under FAR 15.404-3(b) submit the offeror’s cost/price analysis for each of these subcontractors/partners. Provide the analysis that leads to the offeror’s conclusion that the subcontract cost/price is reasonable. Explain all adjustments made to the subcontract proposed cost/price. Subcontractors shall submit cost/price proposals with the same level of detail as the offeror and may submit cost/price proposals directly to the CO if the cost/price information is considered proprietary data. All required data must be received by the same date and time as the offeror’s proposal.

4.3.5.8 Indirects, G&A. The proposal shall provide a schedule showing all proposed direct and indirect rates and factors by year. Describe the allocation base for each indirect rate. Describe the basis for the rates and identify by date the offeror’s Forward Pricing Rate Agreement (FPRA) and Forward Pricing Rate Proposal (FPRP), if applicable (audited or unaudited), or other basis.

If no rate proposal has been submitted within the last year, provide details of each pool and base.

4.3.5.9 Escalation Factors. Offerors shall propose labor escalation and provide a description of any escalation factors used. Offerors shall also demonstrate how they can achieve efficiencies that would offset labor escalation.

4.3.6 Tab 4: Total Professional Compensation Plan.

4.3.6.1 General Information. The offeror shall submit a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefit package proposed for the prime's professional employees. The prime offeror should instruct its subcontractors to submit total compensation plan directly to the contracting officer. The prime offeror shall also submit a list of the subcontractors to include points of contact and phone numbers who will be submitting professional employee compensation packages to the Government. The total compensation plan submitted in the proposal will not become part of the awarded contract. The plan shall set forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for professional employees as prescribed in the instructions below:

4.3.6.1.1 Total Compensation Plan. Provide the planned compensation for all professional employee labor categories proposed to perform the effort. Describe the job skills and qualification requirements associated with each identified labor category. Identify the Standard

Occupational Classification (SOC) code for each labor category using the Bureau of Labor

Statistics SOC system. <http://www.bls.gov/soc/> The labor categories shall be identified by geographic location of contract performance. Provide the corresponding salary and quantified fringe benefits for each labor category and skill level.