SectionL03.pdf

SECTION L

(Amendment 0003)

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS (ITO)

DO-CATs

1. Program Structure and Objectives

1.1. The Government intends to award up to three multiple award IDIQ contracts for the Hill AFB

DO-CATs Requirement with two of the awards reserved for small businesses. However, the Government reserves the right to award more or fewer contracts or a different mix of small business and full and open awards if the SSA determines it is in the Government's best interest. The SSA will consider the Government's expected volume of work, available funding, adequate competition, and the availability of best-value proposals. The Government reserves the right to award contracts without discussions. Each contract will have a three year ordering period which could equate to a four year period of performance.

Individual task orders will be competed under fair opportunity rules.

1.2. Budget/Funding Information – Funding will be obligated on each task order awarded under the basic contracts.

2. General Instructions

2.1. This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals as well as specific instructions on the format and content of the proposal. The offeror's proposal must include all data and information requested and must be submitted in accordance with 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 Performance Work Statement (PWS), Labor Categories, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), and Model Contract. Non-conformance with these instructions may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation.

2.2. 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 shall 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.

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

2.4. The proposal acceptance period is specified in Section A (front page) of the model contract/solicitation. The offeror shall make a clear statement in Section A (front page) of the proposal documentation volume that the proposal is valid until this date.

2.5. In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8 (Government Contract Files), the Government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals.

2.6. Point of Contact – The Contracting Officer (CO) is the sole point of contact for this acquisition. Address any questions or concerns you may have to the CO. Written requests for clarification may be sent to the CO at the address located in Section A (front page) of the model contract/solicitationbelow:

OO-ALC/PKXE

Attn: Ron Rasmussen

5851 F Ave Bldg 849, Rm C-03 Hill AFB, UT 84056

Office (801) 775-2389 Fax (801) 586-7699

Ronald.Rasmussen@hill.af.mil

2.7. Debriefings – The CO will promptly notify offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range, whereupon they may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505. 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 debriefing must make their request in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.505 or 15.506, as applicable.

2.8. 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 CO in writing with supporting rationale. The offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussion.

2.9. Electronic Reference Documents – All referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) web site at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. Potential offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time e-mail notifications when information has been posted to the website for this solicitation.

2.10. Oral Presentation – Oral presentations will not be allowed.

2.11. Amendments to Solicitation – If this Request for Proposal is amended, all terms and conditions that are not amended remain unchanged. Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this request by the date and time specified in the amendment(s).

2.12. Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals

2.12.1. Proposals and modifications to proposals shall be submitted in both paper and electronic media to the address located in Section A (front page) of the model contract/ solicitation, and showing the time and date specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and the name and address of the offeror.

Late proposals will only be considered IAW FAR 15.208.

2.12.2. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of government personnel.

2.12.3. Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before award. Proposals may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or an authorized representative, if the identity of the person requesting the withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the proposal before award.

2.13. Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits

http://www.fedbizopps.gov/

2.13.1. The title page of each volume must show—

• Solicitation Number

• Name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the offeror (and electronic (e-mail) address if available)

• Volume number and name (e.g. Volume I, Executive Summary) and copy number (i.e. Original, copy 1, copy 2, etc.).

2.13.2. A Team List (Section J, Attach 6) shall be submitted with the Past Performance Volume (Volume V) using Section L, Instructions to Offerors.

2.13.3. The offeror shall prepare the proposal as set forth in the Proposal

Organization Table (Table 2.1 below). The titles and contents of the volumes shall be as defined in this table, all of which shall be within the required page limits and with the number of copies as specified in Table 2.1. The attachments identified in the table shall be separately bound in three-ring, loose-leaf binders, as necessary. The contents of each proposal volume are described in the ITO paragraph as noted in the table below

Table 2.1 - Proposal Organization

ITO

Paragraph

Number

Volume Title

*Hard Copies/

Disk Copies

Page Limit

Due Date

Volume I - Executive Summary 5/2

2.13.1 Title Page 1

3.2 Master Table of Contents Unlimited

3 Executive Summary 5

4 Volume II - Technical Capability 5/2

2.13.1 Title Page 1

2.13.6.2 Cross Reference Matrix Unlimited

2.13.7.1 Table of Contents Unlimited

2.13.7.2 List of Tables and Figures Unlimited

2.13.8 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms Unlimited

4.2.3 4.2.4

Subfactor 1: Program Management Subfactor 2: Resource Management Program

30 33

4.2.5 Contractor Statement of Work Unlimited

5 Volume III - Cost/Price 3/2

2.13.7.1 Table of Contents Unlimited

2.13.7.2 List of Tables and Figures Unlimited

2.13.8 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms Unlimited

5.1 General Instructions Unlimited

5.2 Volume Organization Unlimited

5.2.1 Section 1 Unlimited

5.2.2 Section 2 Unlimited

5.3 Estimating Methodology Unlimited

6 Volume IV - Contract Documentation 2/2

2.13.7.1 Table of Contents Unlimited

2.13.7.2 List of Tables and Figures Unlimited

2.13.8 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms Unlimited

6.3.1-6.3.2 Contact Information Unlimited

6.4.1 Teaming List, Arrangements, and/or Letters of

Intent Unlimited

6.4.1.5 Signed Joint Venture Statement Unlimited

6.5 Small Business and Small Disadvantaged

Business Subcontracting Plan Unlimited

6.1 Model Contract (Sections A-J) N/A

6.1.5 Representations and Certifications (Section K) N/A

7 Volume V - Past Performance 6/2

2.13.2 Team List – Section J, Attach 6 5

2.13.7.1 Table of Contents Unlimited

2.13.7.2 List of Tables and Figures Unlimited

2.13.8 Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms Unlimited

7.4 Present/Past Performance Information Sheets

(PPIS) (Section J, Attach 7)

3 4 per Contract

7.2 Consent Letter (Section J, Attach 8) Unlimited

7.2 Client Authorization Letters (Section J, Attach 9) Unlimited

7.4 Past Performance Information Sheet, Attachment 7 See 7.4

7.57.4 Organizational Structure Change History 2

* This number includes 1 original copy

2.13.4. Page Limitations – Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be read or considered in the evaluation of the proposal and (for paper copies) will be shredded. 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. Each page shall be counted except the following: blank pages, title pages, tables of contents, tabs, glossaries, and those noted in the Proposed Organization Chart as unlimited.

2.13.5. Cost or Pricing Information – All cost or pricing information shall be addressed

ONLY in the Cost/Price Proposal and Contract Documentation Volumes. Cost trade-off information, work-hour estimates and material kinds and quantities may be used in other volumes only as appropriate for presenting rationale for alternatives and trade-off decisions.

2.13.6. Cross Referencing

2.13.6.1. Each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated without a minimum of cross-referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Information required for proposal evaluation that is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal. Cross-referencing within a proposal volume is not permitted.

2.13.6.2. The offeror shall fill out the cross-reference matrix at Attachment 11 indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the Section L – Instructions To Offerors, Section M - Evaluation Factors, PWS, CLIN numbers, and CDRL references found therein. This shall be included in the Technical Capability Volume (Volume II).

2.13.7. Indexing

2.13.7.1. Each volume shall contain a more detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume. Tab indexing shall be used to identify sections.

2.13.7.2. Include an indexed list of Tables and Figures.

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

2.13.9. Page Size and Format

2.13.9.1. A page is defined as each face of a sheet of paper containing information. Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches, not including foldouts, and printed on both sides. Sheets shall be double-sided which will count as two pages. Except for the reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text shall be Times New Roman and font size shall be no less than 12 points and lines shall be double spaced with the exception that the Past Performance Information Sheets (PPIS) may be single spaced. Tracking, kerning, and leading values shall not be changed from the default values of the word processing or page layout software. Use at least 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and side. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume. These page format restrictions shall apply to responses to ENs. These limitations shall apply to both electronic and hard copy proposals.

2.13.9.2. Legible tables, charts, graphs and figures shall be used wherever practical to depict organizations, systems and layout, implementation schedules, plans, etc. These displays shall be uncomplicated, legible and shall not exceed 11 by 17 inches in size. Foldout pages shall fold entirely within the volume, be printed only on one side, and count as a single page. Foldout pages may only be used for large tables, charts, graphs, diagrams and schematics; not for pages of text. For tables, charts, graphs and figures, the text shall be no smaller than 10 point. These limitations shall apply to both electronic and hard copy proposals.

2.13.10. Binding and Labeling – Each volume of the proposal should be separately bound in no larger than a 1 inch three-ring loose-leaf binder, which shall permit the volume to lie flat when open. Staples shall not be used. The outside of each binder shall include a cover sheet, clearly marked as to volume number, title, copy number, solicitation identification and the offeror's name. The same identifying data should be placed on the spine of each binder. All unclassified document binders shall have a color other than red or other applicable security designation colors. 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.

2.13.11. Electronic Offers – The content and page size of electronic copies must be identical to the hard copies. In the event there is a discrepancy between the hard copy and electronic copy, the hard copy shall take precedence. For electronic copies, indicate on each CD the volume number and title. Use separate files for each volume to permit rapid location of all portions, including subfactor required plans, exhibits, annexes, and attachments, if any. The offeror shall submit volumes I through V in electronic format, using re-writable CDs. Each volume shall be on a separate CD. If files are compressed, the necessary decompression program must be included. The electronic copies of the proposal shall be submitted in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Word 2003, MS Excel 2003, MS-Project 2003, and MS-Power Point 2003, as applicable.

2.14. Distribution – The "original" proposal shall be identified. Proposals shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer and mailed or hand-delivered to:

OO-ALC/PKXE

Attn: Ron Rasmussen

5851 F Ave Bldg 849, Rm C-03 Hill AFB, UT 84056

3. Volume I - Executive Summary In the executive summary volume, the offeror shall provide the following information:

3.1. Narrative Summary – A concise narrative summary of the entire proposal, including significant risks, and a highlight of any key or unique features, excluding cost/price. The salient features should tie in with Section M evaluation factors/subfactors. Any summary material presented here shall not be considered as meeting the requirements for any portions of other volumes of the proposal.

3.2. Table of Contents – A master table of contents of the entire proposal

4. Volume II - Technical Capability Volume

4.1. General – The Technical Capability Volume should be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity and coherence are very important. Your responses will be evaluated against the Technical Capability subfactors defined in Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award. Using the instructions provided below, provide as specifically as possible the actual methodology you would use for accomplishing/satisfying these subfactors. All the requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. By your proposal submission, you are representing that your firm will perform all the requirements specified in the solicitation. It is not necessary or desirable for you to tell us so in your proposal. It is necessary, however, to describe how you will accomplish/satisfy the requirements and specifically how that capability will be used for this effort. For example, having a recruiting methodology/capability does not necessarily mean that recruiting methodology/capability will be used on this effort unless you specifically state how it will be used. Do not merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation.

4.2. Format and Specific Content

4.2.1. Technical Capability – In the Technical Capability volume, address your proposed approach to meeting the requirements of each Technical Capability subfactor.

4.2.2. Volume Organization – The Technical Capability volume shall be organized according to the following general outline (see Table 2.1):

4.2.3. Subfactor One: Program Management – Offeror shall provide an integrated DO-CATS Program Management Plan. The plan should represent the offeror's approach to overall program management of DO-CATS requirements. Identify any best practices/innovations proposed. The proposal shall include all of the following components:

4.2.3.1. Organizational Structure

4.2.3.1.1. Outline a proposed organizational plan with POC titles showing:

(a) Clear and effective lines of authority.

(b) Areas of responsibility for contractor personnel.

(c) Integration of any teaming partners/subcontractor personnel with the prime contractor’s management structure.

4.2.3.2. Business Approach

4.2.3.2.1. Outline a strategy showing:

(a) How the offeror will meet performance-based objectives within proper timeframes.

(b) How contractor management staff will adapt to differing Task Order requirements for the two types of services in the PWS.

(c) Capability to effectively track, control, and report task order cost, schedule, and performance down to the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) level.

(d) A transition plan that adequately addresses strategies to minimize disruption during task order transition periods while maintaining cost and schedule.

4.2.3.3. Supervision of Personnel

4.2.3.3.1. Describe your method of providing the necessary day-to-day supervision of employees. Specifically address the following:

(a) Maintenance of employee health, safety, education and training qualifications, attendance records, and absenteeism.

(b) Supervision to ensure employees are engaged in tasks identified in the task order.

(c) Methods of assigning, reassigning, transferring, or terminating employees who are not meeting the requirements of the contract within the timeframes specified in the Performance-Based Work Statement (PWS).

4.2.3.4. Quality Assurance and Productivity Measurements

4.2.3.4.1. Present a plan to compile and apply management to include, at a minimum, metrics and reporting for:

(a) Personnel availability

(b) Productivity, attainment of performance levels and training

(c) Meeting Government (DoD, AF) compliance standards/processes

(d) Handling problems and/or corrective action plans by the

Contractor Management Staff.

4.2.4. Subfactor Two: Resource Management Program – Offerors must provide a resource management plan. The plan must address internal processes for employees as well as plans and processes that address subcontractors as appropriate. Identify any best practices/innovations proposed. As a minimum, the proposed approach must provide the following essential components:

4.2.4.1. Recruit

4.2.4.1.1. Identify your (Prime, teaming partners, subcontractors) geographic recruiting reach demonstrating a world wide recruiting network as well as active steps proposed for that process (i.e. an ability to find and recruit skilled workers from more than just the local area) to include the following:

(a) The process for obtaining qualified personnel possessing current skills, experience, and certifications within required timeframes to include surges/rapid response for the job classifications listed in Section J, Attachment 13. Include a detailed description of recruitment and hiring.

(b) The process for obtaining adequate numbers of employees with security clearances.

4.2.4.2. Maintenance of a Skilled Work Force

4.2.4.2.1. Describe your method to retain the necessary personnel to staff task orders and meet requirements of cost, schedule and performance. Specifically address the following:

(a) Employment agreements, letters of intent, or contracts to retain or have available workers in job classifications you consider hard to fill. Provide a statement if you do not consider any of the job classifications as hard to fill.

(b) How you will maintain employee training records.

4.2.5. Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW)

4.2.5.1. Offeror shall provide a Contractor Statement of Work for the DO-CATS Program. The CSOW should represent the offeror's complete methodology that will be used to meet all of the requirements of the program. The proposed CSOW will be used as the overarching approach in which subsequent task orders will be awarded under.

4.2.5.2. A Performance-based Work Statement (PWS) is provided as attachment to the RFP. The PWS represents the Government's minimum requirements for the OO-ALC DOCATs program. The Offeror shall use the PWS, CLINs listed in Section B, and all other requirements of this solicitation to propose a CSOW, which expands upon these minimum objectives to the extent necessary to successfully execute the requirements of this program. The proposed CSOW shall define the tasks required for the OO-ALC DO-CATs ensuring all minimum requirements of the Government have been addressed. The proposed CSOW shall consist of tasking statements identifying discrete actions to be taken by the contractor to meet the requirements of the PWS. Each tasking statement shall reference the CDRL items, which will be delivered by that task. The proposed CSOW shall not contain informational notes, as the Technical Proposal provides ample opportunity for discussion and description of the Offeror's approach. The tasking statements in the CSOW shall use a common numbering system.

The proposed CSOW, when accepted by the Government, will be incorporated into the contract. The contractor shall use his proposed CSOW to prepare CDRLs including appropriately tailored data item description references. The requirements listed below are known minimum Government data requirements; the contractor may include additional data requirements. All data requirements shall be traceable to specific tasks defined in the CSOW. Each specific data requirement shall be active and selected from http://www.assistdocs.com or http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ and specified on DD Form 1423. The DIDs listed in Section J, Appendix A shall be used as a minimum.

5. Volume III – Cost/Price Volume

5.1. General Instructions

5.1.1. Price Reasonableness – These instructions are to assist you in submitting “information other than cost or pricing data” that is required to evaluate the reasonableness of your proposed prices/rates. Compliance with these instructions is mandatory and failure to comply with them may result in the rejection of your proposal. Note that unrealistically low or high proposed prices/rates, initially or subsequently, may be grounds for eliminating a proposal from competition either on the basis that the offeror does not understand the requirement or has provided an unrealistic proposal. Offers should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate their reasonableness. The burden of proof for credibility of proposed prices/rates rests with the offeror.

5.1.2. Estimating Techniques and Methods – When responding to the Price Volume requirements in the solicitation, the offeror and associated subcontractors should use generally accepted estimating techniques such as bottoms-up rate buildups using current, factual cost information, or commercially available or in-house developed parametric models, etc., to develop their estimates.

5.1.3. Price/rates Information – Information beyond that required by this instruction shall not be submitted unless you consider it essential to document or support http://www.assistdocs.com/ http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/ your price position. All information relating to the proposed prices/rates, including all required supporting documentation, must be included in the section of the proposal designated as the Price volume. Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included elsewhere in the proposal.

5.1.3.1. The offeror shall submit a Total Evaluated Price (TEP) in accordance with instructions in the Pricing Matrix Spreadsheet. Offeror’s shall complete the pricing spreadsheet entitled Labor Category Rate Matrix that is identified as Section J, Attachments 4 and 5. Offerors must ensure that all loaded labor rates entered are for the applicable period of performance for each labor category and skill level listed in the spreadsheet. The number proposed is the proposed fully burdened maximum hourly rate for each labor category/skill level identified for the period of performance identified. The rates shall include all applicable direct and indirect costs as well as profit. The awarded rates will be maximum rates and the contractors may not exceed the rates in any task order issued hereunder. However, contractors may reduce the rates on proposals for individual task orders issued. Offerors must propose a single composite maximum rate for each labor category skill level and year regardless of the labor source for prime and/or team members.

These maximum composite rates should be based on the offeror’s best estimate of what the labor mix is anticipated to be between the offeror and teaming members for the average task order. These rates will be contractually binding throughout the life of the contract as they are applicable to the appropriate period and shall not be exceeded, with the exception of those that are subject to be adjusted under the Service Contract Act (SCA). For rates that are subject to the SCA, along with the fully-loaded labor hour rates, the contractor will also provide the corresponding base labor rates in attachments 15 and 16 to facilitate rate adjustments under the SCA. The SCA adjustments will be the difference between the contract base rates and the SCA adjusted base rate only, and will be calculated in accordance with FAR clause 52.222-43. A rate must be proposed for all labor categories and skill levels regardless of the number of estimated hours, even if zero. A “no bid” or omitted rate may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation. The rates in the offeror’s spreadsheet will be incorporated as an attachment of the resultant contract award and will be the rates used to price subsequent task orders.

5.1.3.2. The cost that will be incurred by the offeror for the management/supervision of the professionals/laborers who will work under this contract, will be recovered by the offeror indirectly through overhead account costs included in the fully-loaded labor composite rates for labor hour task orders. Therefore, an offeror should not propose supervision/management costs as a direct charge in his proposal.

5.1.4. Cost or Pricing Information Requirements – In accordance with FAR 15.402, 15.403-1(b) and 15.403-3(a), “information other than cost or pricing data” may be required to support price reasonableness. 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 price/rates reasonableness and none of the exceptions in FAR 15.403-1 apply, the offeror shall be required to submit cost or pricing data.

5.1.5. Rounding – All total dollar amounts provided shall be rounded to the nearest dollar. All loaded labor rates shall be rounded to the nearest cent.

5.2. Volume Organization – The Price volume shall consist of the following sections:

5.2.1. SECTION 1 – Table of Contents; summary descriptions of estimating and accounting systems; changes to estimating, or accounting practices.

5.2.1.1. Estimating System – Provide a summary description of your standard estimating system or methods. 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.

5.2.1.2. 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.

5.2.2. SECTION 2 – Pricing/rate information and supporting data, to include estimating methodology to support the reasonableness of the proposed rates.

All significant assumptions, scope limitations and/or qualifications of the price proposal, shall be addressed and explained.

6. Volume IV – Contract Documentation

6.1. Model Contract/Representations and Certifications – The purpose of this volume is to provide information to the Government for preparing the contract document and supporting file. The offeror’s proposal shall include a signed copy of the Model Contract, and Sections A through K.

6.1.1. Section A – Solicitation/Contract Form: Complete blocks 12, 13, 14, 15 and sign and date block 27 of the SF1447. Signature by the offeror on the SF1447 constitutes an offer, which the Government may accept. The “original” copy should be clearly marked under separate cover and should be provided without any punched holes.

6.1.2. Section B – Supplies or Services and Costs/Prices: Complete pricing information in Section B of the model contract.

6.1.3. Section H – Special Contract Requirements

6.1.4. Section I – Contract Clauses

6.1.5. Section K – Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of Offerors:

Complete representations, certifications, acknowledgments and statements.

Most of the Reps and Certs have moved online. Offeror must have filled out an online provision 52.204-08 Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2005), Online Reps and Certs (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov in addition to what is in section K.

http://orca.bpn.gov/

6.2. Exceptions to Solicitation Requirements – 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.

Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offer being ineligible for award. Offerors must 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, and specific requirements of the solicitation. This information shall be provided in the format and content of Table 6.2.

Table 6.2 – Solicitation Exceptions

SOLICITATION

Document

Page/ Paragraph

Requirement/ Portion

Rationale

SOO, SOW, SPEC, Model Contract, ITO, 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

6.3. Other Information Required

6.3.1. 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.

6.3.2. Company/Division Address, Identifying Codes, and Applicable Designations –

Provide company/division’s street address, county and facility code; CAGE code; DUNS code; size of business (large or small); and labor surplus area designation. This same information must be provided if the work for this contract will be performed at any other location(s). 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.

6.4. Attachments to the Model Contract – The offeror shall provide the following as attachments to the model contract:

6.4.1. Teaming Arrangements and/or Letters of Intent

6.4.1.1. Offerors intending to compete for one of the DO-CAT awards reserved for small business are encouraged to review the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size eligibility standards found at Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 121 (13CFR121) In particular, Offerors proposing a joint venture, subcontracting, or another form of teaming arrangement should review 13CFR 121.103, “What is Affiliations?,” prior to submitting a proposal. A finding by the SBA of affiliation between an offeror and its proposed team member(s) or subcontractors may result in the Offeror being found to be other than a small business and therefore ineligible for contract award.

6.4.1.2. In accordance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations of Subcontracting at least

50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern. In a recent case the Small Business Administration (SBA) made a ruling that the 50 percent requirement must be met by the prime contractor and it's (formal or informal) joint ventures: an informal joint venture only exists if "evidenced by an agreement between the business concerns explaining that the relationship is a joint venture and meets the regulation's definition of joint venture."

6.4.1.3. Include, as an attachment, your written contract teaming arrangement agreements. Also include if applicable letters of intent with those small businesses whose performance will be counted toward meeting Limitation on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14). All written contract teaming arrangements and letters of intent must be signed by all parties.

This attachment will not be counted in the page limitation. Cross-teaming may be allowed; however, any proposed cross-teaming must include full disclosure of such cross-teaming efforts as well as a plan to mitigate or neutralize any potential organizational conflicts of interest.

6.4.1.4. Provide evidence of any formal or informal joint ventures that you intend for this effort, by having all team members sign a statement evidencing that a formal or informal joint venture has been formed for this effort.

Small businesses who intend to count the performance of other small businesses in meeting the 50 percent requirement of FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations of Subcontracting, must include in their contract documentation volume evidence of a joint venture which includes:

• An agreement between the business concerns, explaining the relationship, purpose and whether the joint venture is formal or informal

• Official names of the parties

• Signatures for the parties

• Effective dates

• Period of performance

• Statement that it meets the definition of a joint venture given in the Code of Federal Regulations

6.5. Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan. For large businesses only-

6.5.1. Provide a plan in accordance with requirements in FAR 19.7, DFARS 219.7, and AFFARS 5319.7 or a statement as to why subcontracting opportunities are not available. Per FAR 15.305(a)(2)(v) the evaluation should include the past performance of offerors in complying with subcontracting plan goals for small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns (see subpart 19.7), monetary targets for SDB participation (see 19.1202), and notifications submitted under 19.1202-4(b).

6.6. Alternate Proposals – No alternate proposals will be accepted.

6.7. Proposal Status – All offerors must indicate in block 17 on the front page of the Request for

Proposal (RFP) which portion of RFP their proposal applies to.

7. Volume V - Past Performance

7.1. General – Each offeror shall submit a past performance volume containing past performance information in accordance with the format contained in Section J, Attachment

7. This information is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners proposed to perform the work outlined in the solicitation.

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 past performance.

7.2. Consent and Client Authorization Letters – The offeror shall submit a consent letter (Section

J, Attachment 8), signed and executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing release of adverse past performance information to the offeror so the offeror can respond to such information. For each identified effort for a commercial customer, the offeror shall submit a client authorization letter signed by the commercial client (Section J, Attachment 9), authorizing the release of requested information on the offeror's performance to the Government.

7.3. Early Proposal Information – Each offeror is requested to submit the Past Performance

Volume (Volume V) by August 8, 2007, but offerors will not be penalized as long as it is submitted on or before August 23, 2007. As soon as possible, offerors shall complete Section 1 of the Past Performance Questionnaire (Section J, Attachment 10) and e-mail it and the Performance Questionnaire Letter (Section J, Attachment 12) to all points of contacts (POCs) the offeror has listed in the Past Performance Information Sheets (Section J, Attachment 7). The POCs will complete the questionnaires and forward them by FAX or email, directly to the Performance Confidence Assessment Group (PCAG). FAX copies to 801-586-7699 (Attn: Ron Rasmussen) or email to Ronald.Rasmussen@hill.af.mil.

RESPONDENTS TO THE QUESTIONNAIRES SHALL NOT SEND THE COMPLETED

INFORMATION SHEETS BACK TO THE OFFEROR! Offerors shall not follow-up with respondents to ensure they have completed the questionnaires. The PCAG will conduct such follow-up with any POC as necessary.

7.4. Recent/Relevant Contracts – Submit information in accordance with Section J, Attachment

7: Past Performance Information Sheets (PPIS) on a maximum of 3 recent contracts from the prime contractor. Also include information on a maximum of 2 recent contracts performed by each subcontractor or teaming partner. This applies to all informal joint ventures. For offers submitted by a formal joint venture (i.e. the joint venture has it’s own tax ID number, cage code, etc. and is in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database), 3 contracts may be submitted for the joint venture and 2 for each of the members that make up the joint venture and 2 for each of it’s subcontractors. In selecting contracts to provide information on, look for those you consider most relevant to the DO- CAT acquisition. 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 Section M, – Evaluation Factors for Award, paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2.2 – Past Performance Factor. Within the PPIS, offerors are required to provide a narrative explaining what aspects of the contracts are deemed 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 little 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. Categorize the relevance information into the specific Technical Capability subfactors and Cost/Price factor used to evaluate the proposal.

Each Past Performance Information Sheet (PPIS) shall not exceed four pages.

7.5. 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 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 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), 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.

1.2. Budget/Funding Information – Funding will be obligated on each task order awarded under the basic contracts.

2.2. 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 shall 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.

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

2.4. The proposal acceptance period is specified in Section A (front page) of the model contract/solicitation. The offeror shall make a clear statement in Section A (front page) of the proposal documentation volume that the proposal is valid until this date.

2.5. In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8 (Government Contract Files), the Government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals.

2.6. Point of Contact – The Contracting Officer (CO) is the sole point of contact for this acquisition. Address any questions or concerns you may have to the CO. Written requests for clarification may be sent to the CO at the address located in Section A (front page) of the model contract/solicitationbelow:

2.12.2. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of government personnel.

2.13.5. Cost or Pricing Information – All cost or pricing information shall be addressed ONLY in the Cost/Price Proposal and Contract Documentation Volumes. Cost trade off information, work hour estimates and material kinds and quantities may be used in other volumes only as appropriate for presenting rationale for alternatives and trade off decisions.

2.13.6.2. The offeror shall fill out the cross-reference matrix at Attachment 11 indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the Section L – Instructions To Offerors, Section M - Evaluation Factors, PWS, CLIN numbers, and CDRL references found therein. This shall be included in the Technical Capability Volume (Volume II).

2.13.7.2. Include an indexed list of Tables and Figures.