Atch 5 L-M Amd 01.pdf

FA702223R0001

Attachment 5

Amendment 01

Section L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors (ICNTO)

L.1.0 Program Structure and Objectives This acquisition is a follow-on requirement to the AFTAC Mission Services (AMS) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This contract is for technology services to the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) from Fiscal Years 2023 to 2031. The scope of this contract, AMS II, is to provide various technical, program, and administrative services on tasks on a task order basis. AMS II services include: radiochemistry laboratory services, technical writer services, simulation modeling and system integration services, expert panel and subject matter expertise (SME) consultant services and research and development (R&D) services.

L.2.0 Proposal Format

General Instructions

(a) Non-compliance with these instructions may render your proposal unacceptable. These instructions prescribe the format of proposals and presentation of proposal data. Carefully review this section prior to commencing preparation of the proposal. The instructions contained herein are intended to serve as guidelines for the preparation of the proposal and are not intended to be all-inclusive. All information you provide in the proposal must be UNCLASSIFIED. Specific instructions for each of the Volumes required by these instructions are contained in paragraphs L.2.2 through L.6.0. Proposals will be evaluated up to the page limits listed in the format instructions listed in paragraph 3.1 below. Material exceeding the page limits will not be evaluated, and the excess material will be returned to the offeror.

(b) The offeror's proposal shall include all data and information requested by this ICNTO and shall be submitted in accordance with these instructions. The offer shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), RFP Attachment 1, and RFP Attachment 3, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), Exhibit A. If a joint venture arrangement exists for this acquisition, the offeror shall provide a copy of the joint venture agreement that is signed and dated by all joint venture members as part of the proposal submission.

(c) Offerors shall submit only one (1) proposal for the AMS II effort as the Government will review only one proposal per offeror.

(d) The proposal shall be clear, concise, and shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government's requirements but rather provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror's proposal. Any reference to day(s) stated in the RFP, attachments and other contractual documents should be considered as “calendar” days unless specifically stated otherwise. Offerors are advised their proposals are presumed to represent their best efforts and the most complete responses to this solicitation. Demonstration of capability and qualifications that clearly support the offeror’s claims are essential. The absence of such evidence will adversely influence evaluation of the proposal. Offers will be evaluated using the Factors and Subfactors under Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award.

L.2.1 General Information

L.2.1.1 Point of Contract: The Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) is the sole point of contact for this acquisition. Written requests for clarification and questions regarding this RFP are encouraged to be submitted as soon as possible but no later than 4:00PM EST on 24 February 2023 and shall be sent to the PCO at:

AMIC DET 2 OL/PKA (Patrick SFB FL) Attn: Bryan Wolford Email: bryan.wolford.1@us.af.mil

Cc:

James Uram Email: james.uram@us.af.mil

L.2.1.2 Debriefings: The PCO will promptly notify offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range; where upon, they may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505.

Offerors excluded from the competitive range may request a pre-award debriefing or they may choose to wait until after the source selection decision to request a post-award debriefing. However, offerors excluded from the competitive range are entitled to no more than one debriefing for each proposal. The CO will notify unsuccessful offerors in the competitive range of the source selection decision in accordance with FAR 15.506. Upon such notification, unsuccessful offerors may request and receive a debriefing. Offerors desiring a debriefing shall make their request in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.505 or 15.506, as applicable.

L.2.1.3 Discrepancies: If an offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the PCO in writing with supporting rationale, as well as the remedies the offeror is asking the PCO to consider as related to the omission or error. Questions from prospective offerors must be submitted no later than five (5) calendar days before the posted closing date of the solicitation. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. The offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussion. This reservation includes matters of omission, errors, and additional or substitute pages of the initial proposal.

L.2.1.4 Electronic Reference Documents: All unclassified referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the System for Award Management website at https://sam.gov. Potential offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time e-mail notifications when information has been posted.

L.2.1.5 The proposal acceptance period is specified in Section A of the model contract/solicitation. In compliance with FAR 4.8 (Contract Files), the Government will retain one copy of all proposals electronically. All volumes shall be UNCLASSIFIED. Elaborate brochures or documentation, detailed artwork, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired.

https://sam.gov/

Amendment 01

L.2.1.6 Communications: Exchanges of source selection information between Government and offerors will be controlled by the PCO. Email may be used to transmit such information only if the email can be sent encrypted and must include “Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 - CUI” in the subject line of the email. In order to facilitate the sending and receiving of encrypted emails, offerors may use the DoD SAFE file transfer site (This site is for UNCLASSIFIED documents only). When using DoD SAFE, offerors must first send an unencrypted email to the Contracting Officer, indicated on the face page of the solicitation, to request a DoD SAFE drop-off. When submitting source selection information via email, file suppression utilities, to include but not limited to zip files, will not be accepted.

L.2.2 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits:

L.2.2.1. Submittal instructions. To ensure timely and equitable evaluation of proposals, offerors must follow the instructions provided. Offerors are required to submit all documentation/information detailed herein, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements.

Failure to submit all required documentation/information may result in a proposal being ineligible for award. In submitting a proposal, offerors are agreeing to the terms and conditions as written in this Request for Proposal, as amended (if applicable).

(a) Offerors shall submit one (1) electronic copy as described below. Submissions of proposals will be sent via DoD SAFE Site – Please send email request to bryan.wolford.1@us.af.mil and james.uram@us.af.mil no later than 10:00 AM EST on 23 March 2023 to receive a code for submission. Include the First Name, Last Name, Email and Phone Number of the individual who will be submitting the proposal. Facsimiles (FAX) proposals will NOT be considered.

(b) All pages of the electronic version will be submitted as indicated in the instructions found below.

The RFP response shall consist of four (4) separate files as indicated in Table L2.2- Proposal Organization.

mailto:bryan.wolford.1@us.af.mil mailto:james.uram@us.af.mil

Table L2.2 – Proposal Organization

VOLUME ICNTO VOLUME TITLE COPIES PAGE LIMIT

I L.3.0 Completed RFP Electronic: 1

(email/DoD SAFE) Unlimited

II L.4.0 Cost/Price Electronic: 1 (email/DoD SAFE)

Unlimited

III L.5.0 Technical Capability Subfactor 1 TS/SCI Cleared Subfactor 2 Small Business Participation

Electronic: 1 (email/DoD SAFE)

10 Pages Total

IV L.6.0 Present/Past Performance Electronic: 1 (email/DoD SAFE)

No More than 5 Pages per reference, maximum of 5 references

L.2.2.2 Page Limitation. All material shall be contained within the page limit identified for each volume or appendix. The page limitations specified in Table L2.2 above shall be treated as maximum limits to assist in the evaluation of each proposal. Total page count will be based on the electronic proposal submission. Each page shall be counted toward the above page limits except for cover pages, tables of contents, index tabs, glossaries, list of key terms, cross-reference pages, blank pages, and appendices to technical volume such as tables, charts, graphs, and illustrations. Also excluded from the page limits are consent letters, client authorization letters, company financial statements, security clearance documents, model contract, and Organizational Structure Change History. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read or considered in the evaluation of the proposal. Page limitations may be placed on responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs). The specified page limits for EN responses will be identified in the letters forwarding the ENs to the offerors.

L.2.2.2.1 Page Size and Format. These instructions shall apply to electronic copy of proposals. These page format restrictions may also apply to Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs), if required.

(a) Standard Page Format. Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches. Proposal pages shall be in a font size not less than 10-point font, single-spaced. The typeface should be a common medium condensed typeface (Arial or Times Roman). Margins shall be no smaller than one inch around the perimeter of each sheet of paper. Each volume shall use a consistent page numbering system.

(b) Legible charts and graphs should be used where practical to depict organization and layout. These charts and graphs should be uncomplicated to preserve clarity. The size 10 font requirement includes the caption of the figures, charts, tables, and graphs. Any text within figures, charts, tables, and graphs which do not meet this requirement will not be considered in the evaluation.

(c) The background color of each page of the proposal submission shall be white or ivory.

(d) Each page should contain the following legend at the bottom of each sheet:

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION--SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104 - CUI

L.2.2.3 Cost/Price or Pricing Related Data. The source selection will be conducted with the expectation of adequate price competition per FAR 15.403-1(c)(1)(i); therefore, certified cost and pricing data is not required. However, the offeror may be required to submit data other than certified cost or pricing data to the extent necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine price reasonableness IAW one or more of the proposal analysis techniques described in FAR 15.404. If adequate competition is not achieved, an offeror will be required to submit certified cost and pricing data IAW FAR 15.403-4 and 15.403-5 and submit a revised cost/price proposal which complies with FAR 15.408 Table 15-2.

L.2.2.4 Classified Information. The Government will not accept any classified information to be included as part of your proposal.

L.2.2.5 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms. Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations, acronyms and key terms used, with an explanation for each. Glossaries do not count against the page limitations for their respective volumes.

L.2.3 Electronic Offers. Offerors shall provide proposal documents in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). Offerors are requested to provide pricing spreadsheets in Excel (.xlsx) format showing the formulas.

L3.0 PROPOSAL CONTENT

L.3.0 Volume I – COMPLETED RFP L.3.1 Narrative – Volume I, Completed RFP shall consist of the completed and signed RFP, to include any amendments issued, with a cover letter delineating any exceptions taken to the RFP terms and conditions with accompanying rationale. However, offerors are cautioned that any noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the RFP may cause their proposal to be determined not eligible for award.

Offerors shall ensure that all clauses and provisions that require “fill-in” information are appropriately completed, including the proposed prices associated with the contract line items in the Schedule of the

RFP.

L.3.2 Other Information Required

L.3.2.1 Authorized Offeror Personnel. Provide the name, title, and telephone number of the company/division point of contact regarding decisions made with respect to your proposal and who can obligate your company contractually. Also, identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government and the name, title, and telephone number of the CEO, Division President, or Vice President of the offeror.

L.3.2.2 Government Offices. Provide the mailing address, telephone, e-mail address (if known), and facility codes for the cognizant Contract Administration Office and DCAA for the prime contractor and critical subcontractors. Also, provide the name, e-mail, and telephone for the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO).

L.3.2.3 Company/Division Address, Identifying Codes, and Applicable Designations. Provide company/division's street address, facility code, CAGE code; Unique Entity ID (UEI), and size of

Amendment 01 business (large or small). Provide the same information for your critical subcontractors. List all locations where work is to be performed and indicate whether such facility is a division, affiliate, or subcontractor, and the percentage of work to be performed at each location.

L.3.2.4 Model Contract/Representations and Certifications. The offeror's proposal shall include a digitally signed copy of the offer and Sections A through K. This includes:

L.3.2.4.1 Section A – Solicitation/Contract Form. Complete blocks 12 through 18 of the SF 33. In doing so, the offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the RFP Sections A through K, which constitute the model contract. Note: An official having the authority to bind the offeror contractually must sign the SF 33.

L.3.2.4.1.1 Proposal Validity. Block 12 of the SF33 is hereby superseded with the following proposal Acceptance terms: Offeror's proposal shall be valid for a period of 365 days.

L.3.2.4.2 Section B – All instructions can be found in section L.4.2.2 SECTION 2.

L.3.2.4.3 Section F – Deliveries or Performance. Acknowledge content of Section F.

L.3.2.4.4 Section G - Contract Administrative Data. N/A

L.3.2.4.5 Section H – Special Contract Requirements. N/A

L.3.2.4.6 Section I – Contract Clauses. Complete fill-ins as applicable.

L.3.2.4.7 Section K - Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of Offerors completed

IAW FAR 52.204-8.

L.3.2.4.8 SF30 - Acknowledgment of all solicitation amendments issued (if applicable).

L.3.2.5 Status of 8(a). If applicable, provide a copy of the letter from the Small Business Administration (SBA) showing proof of Section 8(a) status.

L.3.2.6 Organizational Financial Information. Submit a copy of your latest available financial statement covering the organization(s), which will perform the contract. Include any information, which may have a bearing on your ability to handle the financial management of the contract. If you are proposing a joint venture, describe how you will handle financial matters.

L.3.2.7 Subcontractors/Partners. Provide company/division's street address, facility code, CAGE code, UEI, size of business (large or small), and labor surplus area designation for joint venture partners and intended critical subcontractors. Critical subcontractors are those proposed to perform 10 percent or more of the effort based on the total proposed price OR perform aspects of the effort the offeror considers critical to overall successful performance. Provide copies (redacted as necessary) of any firm agreements or contracts between business entities.

L.3.3 Exceptions to Solicitation Requirements

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Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, such as terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors or subfactors. Offerors are cautioned that any noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the RFP may cause their proposal to be determined not eligible for award. Offerors shall clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. Each exception shall be specifically related to each paragraph and/or specific part of the solicitation to which the exception is taken. Provide rationale in support of the exception and fully explain its impact, if any, on the performance, schedule, cost/price, and specific requirements of the solicitation. This information shall be provided in the format and content of Table L3.3.

Table L3.3 - Solicitation Exceptions

Solicitation Document Page/Paragraph Requirement/Portion Rationale

SOO, SOW, SPEC,

Model Contract, ICNTO, etc.

Applicable Page and Paragraph Numbers

Identify the requirement or portion to which exception is taken

Describe why the requirement can/will not be met

L.3.4 GFP and/or Base Support Requirements. If the offeror requires the use of Government furnished items other than those specified in the AMS II PWS, the offeror shall provide a listing including quantity, federal stock number, nomenclature, date needed and duration of availability, rental value per FAR 45.1 and 45.2, reason for need, and cross reference to cost/price volume paragraphs which pertain to GFP and/or base support. The offeror shall also provide the written authorization from the cognizant ACO as applicable. The offeror shall supply this information in the format shown in Table L3.4 below.

Table L3.4 - Required Information for Using GFP/Base Support Quantity Federal

Stock Number

Nomenclature Duration of Need

Rental Value

Reason for Need

Cross Reference to

Price Proposal

L.4.0 Volume II – Cost/Price (Factor 1)

L.4.1 General Instructions L.4.1.1 Cost/Price Reasonableness: To aid in the Government’s understanding of the offeror’s proposal, describe the methodology and basis used to support how the offeror’s proposed price is reasonable, complete, and balanced for the work to be performed IAW with the requirements stated in the RFP and PWS. This section is to assist you in submitting data other than certified cost or pricing data that is required to evaluate the reasonableness of your proposed cost/price. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and failure to comply may result in rejection of your proposal. Costs or rates which are unbalanced, i.e., overstated or understated, may also be grounds for eliminating a proposal from competition. Offers should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate their reasonableness.

The burden of proof for credibility of proposed costs/prices rests with the offeror.

L.4.1.2 Completeness. A proposal is complete when all pricing data required under this solicitation is provided in the format prescribed and the offer has complied with all pricing requirements of the solicitation.

L.4.1.3 Cost/Price Data. Information beyond that required by this instruction shall not be submitted unless you consider it essential to document or support your cost/price position. All information relating to the proposed cost/price, including all required supporting documentation shall be included in the section of the proposal designated as the Cost/Price Volume. Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included elsewhere in the proposal.

L.4.1.4 Price will be evaluated for balance. Unbalanced pricing may increase performance risk and could result in payment of unreasonably high prices. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more line items is significantly over or understated as indicated by the application of price analysis techniques. Per FAR 15.404-1(g), the greatest risks associated with unbalanced pricing occur when startup work or mobilization (transition period in this effort) is a separate line item, and the evaluated price is the aggregate of estimated quantities to be ordered under separate line items of an indefinite-delivery contract. An offer may be rejected if the contracting officer determines that the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

L.4.1.5 Professional Employee Compensation Realism is a separate evaluation from the TEP evaluation. Professional Employee Compensation that is unrealistically low or not in a reasonable relationship to the various job categories, since it may impair the offeror’s ability to attract and retain competent professional service employees, may be viewed as evidence of failure to comprehend the complexity of the contract requirements.

L.4.1.6 Rounding. All labor rates shall be rounded to the nearest penny.

L.4.1.7 Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) Structure Contract CLIN 0001, O&M Labor will be firm-fixed-price (FFP).

CLIN 0002, R&D Labor will be firm-fixed-price (FFP)

CLIN 0003, Travel and Other Direct Costs (O&M), will be reimbursed on a cost-only basis (no fee)

CLIN 0004, Data Deliverables, will be Not Separately Priced.

L.4.2 Volume Organization

The Cost/Price Volume shall consist of the following:

L.4.2.1 SECTION 1. Table of Contents; summary descriptions of estimating, purchasing, and accounting systems; changes to estimating, accounting practices, or Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Disclosure Statement. Small Businesses shall provide either CAS Disclosure Statements or evidence of an acceptable accounting system as described in DFARS 252.242-7006(a)(1), and System Criteria described in 252.242-7006(c).

Amendment 01

(a) Provide any supporting Forward Pricing Rate Recommendations (FPRR)/Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRA) issued by DCMA or supporting audits issued by DCAA. If the proposed direct hourly rate for one or more labor categories does not match the applicable FPRR/FPRA with the cognizant DCMA or if an FPRR/FPRA is not available, then the offeror shall provide an explanation of the methodology used to develop both the direct labor rates and indirect rates proposed.

(b) If applicable, provide calculations showing the development of composite and/or average rates from contractor fiscal year to government fiscal year.

(c) If applicable, provide supporting documentation (DD Form 1861 and CASB-CMF) for proposed Facilities Capital Cost of Money.

(d) Provide any other pricing data believed prudent and necessary to justify the cost/price proposal.

(e) Estimating System. Provide a summary description of your standard estimating system or methods.

The summary description shall cover separately each major cost element (e.g., Direct Material, Engineering Labor, Manufacturing Labor, Indirect Costs, Other Direct Costs, Overhead, G&A). Also, identify any deviations from your standard estimating procedures in preparing this proposal volume.

Indicate whether you have Government approval of your system and if so, provide evidence of such approval.

(f) Purchasing System: Provide a summary description of your purchasing system or methods (e.g., how material requirements are determined, how sources are selected, when firm quotes are obtained, what provision is made to ensure quantity and other discounts). Also, identify any deviations from your standard procedures in preparing this proposal. Indicate whether you have Government approval of your system and if so, provide evidence of such approval.

(g) Accounting System: Indicate whether you have Government approval of your accounting system and if so, provide evidence of such approval. Also, identify any deviations from your standard procedures in preparing this proposal.

L.4.2.2 SECTION 2:

(a) Section B: Will not be completed by offerors. However, each offeror shall fill out RFP Attachment 4 as described in the following paragraph.

(b) Labor Rates. Offerors shall provide the labor rates that will be used during contract performance.

The proposed rates shall show fully burdened rates which includes allocable and allowable costs (e.g., labor, fringe, overhead, G&A, Fee/Profit) required to perform the requirements as stated in the PWS.

Offerors shall show the fully burdened rates on RFP Attachment 4. Attachment 4 will be filed in Volume II, Cost/Price. Attachment 4 will be attached to the basic contract upon award and will be utilized for pricing for each Task Order. The rates listed for each Fiscal Year (FY) will be utilized for all TOs issued/awarded throughout that FY.

(c) Labor hours and categories. The labor categories included in Appendix B of the PWS represent the government’s anticipated labor categories and experience/education. If an offeror uses different titles for labor categories, or different skill sets for labor categories, proposals shall map labor category

Amendment 01 to those provided by the Government. Additionally, for labor categories that are different than those provided in Appendix B of the PWS, the contractor shall provide a clear and concise description including experience, duties, and education. The Estimated Labor Hours for each labor category are identified in the TEP Worksheet at Attachment 6.

(d) Solicitation Total Evaluated Price (TEP). The TEP will be calculated as described in Section M, para M.2.1 and per the Government’s TEP worksheet at Attachment 6. Attachment 6 is for reference only and will be utilized by the Government to calculate TEP. Offerors shall neither complete Attachment 6 nor submit it with their proposal. If, at any time during this acquisition, the Contracting Officer determines that adequate price competition no longer exists or that price reasonableness cannot be determined, offerors may be required to submit certified cost or pricing data or additional data other than certified cost or pricing data, as appropriate, for the Contracting Officer to determine price reasonableness.

(e) AMS II Pricing and Professional Compensation Matrix (RFP Attachment 7) The AMS II Pricing and Professional Comp Matrix shall be completed in accordance with the following instructions. Offerors shall fill in the “Green” shaded cells as appropriate to fulfill the requirements specified in the PWS.

The AMS II Pricing and Professional Comp Matrix shall be in Excel Format and the spreadsheet shall be unlocked. Offerors shall not alter any formulas in the AMS II Pricing and Professional Comp Matrix. However, if there are additional indirect burdens required, please provide a similar spreadsheet to account for the change that utilizes the same/similar formulas.

Professional Compensation Plan The offeror shall submit a Professional Compensation Plan, consisting of both a narrative, and RFP Attachment 7 – “Professional Comp Matrix”. IAW FAR Provision 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (Feb 1993), As part of their proposals, offerors shall submit a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under this contract.

Compensation Plan Narrative Provide a narrative of planned compensation for all professional employee labor categories proposed to perform the effort. Fringe benefit data shall include a description of the benefits offered, and to which professional employee category(ies) the fringe benefits apply.

Professional Comp Matrix Instructions Offerors shall complete all “Green” shaded cells and shall not alter any formulas in the Professional Comp Matrix.

• Offeror shall enter the Prime/Subcontractor(s) names in Column B.

• In Column C, the offeror shall enter the corresponding Offeror's labor category, as applicable, if they are different from the Government labor categories identified in Column A.

• In Column D, the offeror shall enter the quantity of FTEs being proposed for each labor category.

• Additionally, offerors shall provide the base (raw) hourly rates in Column E, exclusive of

Amendment 01 all cost factors (e.g., fringe, indirect labor, G&A, profit, etc.); do not enter fully burdened labor rates or any other markups.

• Offerors shall also enter in fringe percentage rates (not dollars) in Column F. “Yellow” shaded cells are locked and will automatically calculate when Columns E and F are completed correctly by offeror.

The prime offeror’s Compensation Plan (Narrative and Professional Comp Matrix) shall be included in the prime contractor’s proposal.

The prime may instruct subcontractors/teaming partners to electronically submit their Compensation Plans (Narrative and Professional Comp Matrix) directly to the Contracting Officer, if applicable.

Offerors shall propose one (1) Compensation Plan Narrative and one (1) Professional Comp Matrix for the entire team.

Offerors shall map proposed labor categories (to include Subcontractors) to the corresponding Government labor category if they deviate from the Government’s labor category, and map salary support documentation to each proposed labor category in “Labor Rate Support Data” (Column H).

Offeror shall provide salary support data from recent surveys and/or studies from professional, public, and private organizations (e.g., Salary.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, etc.) used to support the proposed compensation. Identify the source of the provided surveys and studies. Data may be in the form of reports, payrolls, table of labor categories with salary ranges, etc. If not using one of the sources listed above, explain the credibility of the source providing the surveys and studies.

Support data shall be included in the Compensation Plan Narrative.

Unrealistically low professional employee salaries may impair the offeror’s ability to attract and retain competent professional employees and may be viewed as evidence of failure to comprehend the complexity of the contract requirements.

(f) Travel/ODC: Travel/ODC CLIN shall be Cost-Reimbursement (COST) Non-Fee bearing CLIN, which include provision for the cost of all travel and associated burdens (G&A expenses). Offerors are not required to provide additional information for Travel/ODC as part of their proposal. The Travel/ODC CLINS will be negotiated at the task order level as required.

L.4.3 Other Information:

Service Contract Labor Standards Act (SCLSA). Labor under this effort is exempt from the SCLSA.

L.5.0 Volume III – Technical (FACTOR 2)

L.5.1 General This volume should be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important.

Offerors shall follow the instructions provided below with consideration of the Assessment Criteria defined in Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award. All the requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. By your proposal submission, you are representing that your firm is capable of performing all the requirements specified in the solicitation, to include RFP Attachment 1 - PWS.

L.5.2 Format and Specific Content

L.5.2.1 Technical Proposal The following information shall be provided in the written technical proposal and will be evaluated as described in section M.2.2 - Step II - Technical Proposal Evaluation. The offeror shall submit their technical proposal that includes information which validates the offeror possesses a Top Secret Facility Clearance and has employee personnel with TS/SCI clearances to meet PWS requirements. In addition, offeror will submit a small business participation commitment document.

L.5.2.3 Volume Organization. The Technical Volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

1) Table of contents

2) List of Tables/Charts/Graphs/Illustrations

3) Glossary of key words and acronyms

4) Short introduction and summary

5) Response to factors and subfactors

L.5.2.4 Evaluation Factors and Subfactors. The offeror shall submit responses to the following factors and subfactors:

Factor 1: Technical Capability: In the technical volume, address your technical solution for meeting or exceeding the Government’s minimum performance or capability requirements of each technical subfactor.

1. Subfactor One (1): Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Cleared The offeror’s proposal shall provide verifiable proof/evidence the offeror has a Top Secret Facility Clearance and an acceptable plan to ensure they have employee personnel proposed for this contract with appropriate TS/SCI clearances to meet PWS requirements as of contract award.

2. Subfactor Two (2): Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD)

Small Business Participation Commitment Document. All offerors shall provide the following SBPCD information and substantiating documentation to demonstrate how you will meet these requirements. This required information will be used to evaluate the extent of your proposed participation/commitment to use U.S. small businesses in the performance of this acquisition (as small business prime offerors or small business subcontractors) relative to Section M, Subfactor

3, and Small Business Participation Commitment.

(a) Identify the small business concerns (SBC), as defined in FAR Part 19, that are to be used in your proposed approach to satisfying the solicitation requirements; offerors shall include company name, business category(ies), description of products or services and NAICS code to be provided by each SBC and the nature of the commitment with the SBC (i.e., letter of commitment, joint ventures, mentor protégé agreements, others). Use the table/format below to provide the required information.

Company Name

Small Business Category(ies)

(SB, WOSB,

SDB,

HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB)

Product(s)/Service(s) to be Provided, including type & variety of work and PWS paragraph refer

NAICS

Code

Nature of Commitment

Planned percentage of total proposed contract value

(b) Offerors shall provide explanations/documentation to support quantitative small business participation. Such information should include (all supporting documentation is excluded from the page count. Supporting documents will not be incorporated into any resulting contract):

1) Letters of commitment, mentor/protégé agreements, or other demonstrations of commitment;

2) Identification of the type and variety of the work small firms are to perform;

3) The extent of participation of small businesses in terms of the value of the total acquisition (total contract value);

4) Detailed explanations/documentation supporting the proposed quantitative participation;

The Government has established the following minimum requirements for small business participation:

Minimum Quantitative Requirement (MQR) – Small Business Participation (Including small business prime offeror’s participation). The contract ceiling of $40M shall be used as the Total Proposed Contract Value for calculation of MQR.

Business Category Dollar Value % of Contract Value Total Proposed Contract Value – Prime Offeror $40,000,000 100% Total Small Business (Must total at least 50%) $ % Small Disadvantaged Business $ % Woman-Owned Small Business $ %

Amendment 01

HUBZone Small Business $ % Veteran-Owned Small Business $ % Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

NOTE: The work to be performed directly by a small business prime offeror shall be evaluated as Small Business Participation.

L.6.0 Volume IV – Present/Past Performance (FACTOR 3)

L.6.1 General

L.6.1.1 The offeror shall submit Present/Past Performance Information for itself, any joint venture member, and each proposed critical subcontractor, if applicable, IAW the format contained in RFP Attachment 8 – Present/Past Performance Information, and the following paragraphs. A critical subcontractor is defined as an entity other than the offeror itself that will perform ten percent (10%) or more of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price; or that will perform aspects of the effort the offeror considers critical to overall successful performance such as serving in a ‘Principal’, ‘Lead’, ‘Senior’ or managerial designated role. See paragraph L.6.3.1 for specific guidance on the number of present/past performance examples requested. Offerors with no present/past performance shall provide a statement to that effect. Offerors are cautioned that the government will use data provided by each offeror in this volume and data obtained from other sources in the evaluation of present/past performance.

L.6.1.2 Along with the information required in this paragraph, the offeror shall submit a consent letter (see RFP Attachment 9) executed by each critical subcontractor and/or joint venture partner (if applicable) for whom past performance is provided. The purpose of the consent letter is to authorize release of adverse present/past performance information to the prime offeror to allow the prime offeror an opportunity to respond to such information. If no subcontractor or joint venture partner present/past performance inputs are submitted as part of Volume IV, no consent letter is required.

L.6.2. Recent Contracts L.6.2.1 To be recent, the effort must be ongoing or must have been performed during the past five (5) years from the date of issuance of this solicitation.

L.6.3 Relevant Contracts L.6.3.1 Submit information in accordance with paragraph L.2.2. Prime offerors shall submit Present/Past Performance Information on a maximum of five (5) recent contracts that they consider the most relevant in demonstrating their ability to perform the proposed effort; this may include recent contracts performed by joint venture partners and/or critical subcontractors (if applicable; no more than five total). Include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance. For a description of the characteristics or aspects the government will consider in determining recency and relevance, see RFP Section M2.3.

L.6.3.2 Specific Content. Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed

Amendment 01 relevant to the proposed effort and to what aspects of the proposed effort they 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.

On the (up to) five (5) contracts submitted in Volume IV, Present/Past Performance, include relevant information concerning the offeror’s/joint venture member’s and critical subcontractor’s compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns or FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, if these clauses were included in the present/past performance example contract. Copies of contractual reports may be submitted to validate compliance with requirements of FAR 52.219-8/52.219-9. Explanation of efforts where minimum quantitative requirements and/or goals were not met should be provided. (Please note FAR 52.219-8 applies to ALL businesses, whereas FAR 52.219- 9 only applies to large businesses.)

L.6.3.3 Organizational Structure Change History. Many companies have acquired, been acquired by, or otherwise merged with other companies, and/or reorganized their 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 present/past performance is relevant to this acquisition. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include in this proposal volume a "roadmap" describing all such changes in the organization of your 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 you identify for present/past performance evaluation/performance confidence assessment.

Since the Government intends to consider present/past performance information provided by other sources as well as that provided by the offeror(s), your "roadmap" should be both specifically applicable to the efforts you identify and general enough to apply to efforts on which the Government receives information from other sources.

Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award

M.1.0 Source Selection

M1.1 Basis for Contract Award The Government will use a Performance Price Tradeoff (PPT) approach where Present/Past Performance is significantly more important than Price. PPT is a tradeoff source selection methodology on the Best Value Continuum that permits a tradeoff between price and performance in reaching the award decision. The Government intends to award a single award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract as a result of this solicitation. In using the best value approach, the Government seeks to award to the offeror who gives the Government the greatest confidence that it will best meet or exceed our requirements, price and present/past performance considered. Tradeoffs may be made between present/past performance and cost/price, with present/past performance considered significantly more important than cost/price. In this approach, the Source Selection Authority (SSA) has the discretion to award to offeror with a higher Performance Confidence rating, if the price differential is warranted. To arrive at a best value decision, the SSA will integrate the source selection team’s evaluations of the factors and subfactors described in this solicitation. While the Government will strive for maximum objectivity, the tradeoff process, by its nature, is subjective; therefore, professional judgment is implicit throughout the selection process.

Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal conforms to all required terms and conditions, includes all required representations and certifications, meets all requirements set forth in the RFP, has acceptable Small Business Participation, and provides the best value to the Government based on the results of the evaluation as described in section II below.

M.1.2 Number of Contracts The Government intends to award a single award IDIQ contract and one initial Task Order concurrently.

M.1.3 Competitive Advantage from Use of GFP The Government will eliminate any competitive advantage resulting from an offeror's proposed use of Government Furnished Property (GFP).

M.1.4 Correction Potential of Proposals The Government intends to award a contract without discussions with offerors. However, the Government reserves the right to enter discussions if it is determined to be in the Government’s best interest. The Government will consider, throughout the evaluation, the "correction potential" of any deficiency in an offeror’s proposal. The judgment of such "correction potential" is within the sole discretion of the Government. If an aspect of an offeror's proposal does not meet the Government's requirements and is not considered correctable, the offeror may be eliminated from the competitive range. Those offers which fail to meet the material requirement of the RFP will be deemed unacceptable and removed from further consideration.

M2.0 EVALUATION FACTORS

By submission of its offer, the offeror agrees to all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors. The tradeoff will occur only between the present/past performance factor and the price factor. Failure to adhere to all solicitation requirements may result in an offer being determined unacceptable and ineligible for further evaluation. The determination to eliminate an offeror from further evaluation, for failure to adhere to solicitation requirements, is at the Government’s sole discretion.

Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. The evaluation process shall proceed as follows:

M2.1 Step I – Cost/Price Proposal Evaluation

1) The Government will utilize the fully burdened rates submitted on Attachment 4 for each offeror to calculate The Total Evaluated Price (TEP). The TEP will be calculated by multiplying the offeror’s proposed fully burdened rate for each labor category by the Government’s workload estimate (see Attachment 6) and summing the results, to include the Government’s Travel/ODC estimate, to determine the subtotal for each fiscal year period. The subtotals for each fiscal year period will be summed to determine the TEP. Starting with the lowest TEP offered, cost/price proposals will be evaluated for cost/price reasonableness, balance, and completeness. The Professional Employee Compensation Plan will be evaluated for realism and is separate from the TEP evaluation. Offerors whose TEP is incomplete, unreasonable, or unbalanced, or whose Professional Employee Compensation Plan is considered unrealistic may not be considered for award. The price evaluation will document Reasonableness, Professional Employee Compensation Realism, Balance, and Completeness as defined below.

2) Cost/Price Reasonableness. The proposed costs and prices will be evaluated for reasonableness.

Analysis of proposals will be performed using one or more of the techniques defined in FAR 15.404-1 in order to determine reasonableness. Reasonableness must represent a cost/price to the Government a prudent person would pay in the conduct of competitive business (FAR 31.201- 3(a)). Normally, cost/price reasonableness is established through adequate price competition but may be determined through analysis techniques as described in FAR 15.404-1.

3) Realism of Professional Employee Compensation Plan. For evaluation purposes only, offerors’ proposals will be evaluated to determine compliance with the provisions at FAR 52.222-46 - Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (Feb 1993). Failure to demonstrate a realistic Professional Compensation Plan may render a proposal ineligible for award on the basis that the offeror does not understand the requirement or proposed unrealistically low professional employee compensation.

4) Balanced Pricing. Proposals will be reviewed for unbalanced pricing. The Government will evaluate any supporting information provided by offerors explaining variances that appear unbalanced. Evaluated offers that are determined to be unbalanced may be deemed ineligible for award by the PCO if a determination is made that lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the Government. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total price, the price of one or more line items is significantly over or understated as demonstrated by application of price analysis techniques.

5) Completeness. A proposal is complete when all pricing data required in RFP Attachment 4 is provided in the format prescribed. Further, all “Green” shaded cells within RFP Attachment 7, Professional Comp Matrix are completed, as applicable. Submission of an incomplete proposal may result in rejection of the proposal.

M2.2 Step II – Technical Proposal Evaluation Next, once it is determined which offeror has the lowest acceptable TEP, considering all the factors mentioned in section M.2.1, that offeror’s Technical Proposal will be evaluated. The Government will evaluate proposals for technical acceptability on an “Acceptable/Unacceptable” basis. If the lowest TEP offeror receives an “Acceptable” technical evaluation rating, evaluation of that proposal will continue to Step III Present/Past Performance. If the lowest TEP offeror receives an “Unacceptable” technical evaluation rating, evaluation of that proposal will stop. In that instance, the Government will continue the evaluation process in order by price, with the next lowest TEP offer, until an offeror receives an “Acceptable” technical evaluation rating. A proposal that receives an “Acceptable” technical evaluation rating is considered technically acceptable. Only those proposals determined to be technically acceptable, will be considered for award.

The technical factor will receive one (1) overall rating of either an “Acceptable” or “Unacceptable” based on the evaluation of Subfactor 1 and Subfactor 2. To receive an “Acceptable” rating, both subfactors will have to have received an “Acceptable” rating” on their respective evaluation below. Any rating of “Unacceptable” will stop any further evaluation of that proposal.

Technical Subfactor 1 – TECHNICAL EVALUATION RATINGS Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Cleared Rating Description Acceptable The offeror has clearly demonstrated, through submission of adequate documentation, that they have a Top Secret Facility Clearance and they have an acceptable plan to ensure they have employee personnel proposed for this contract with appropriate TS/SCI clearances to meet PWS requirements as of contract award.

Unacceptable The offeror has not clearly demonstrated, through submission of adequate…