Follow up QA for Industry Day - Number 3.docx

Follow-up Questions for Industry Feedback

1. The Government is considering a multiple award contract strategy with at least two groups of awards being available. Specifically, the Government’s vision and intention at this point in time is to solicit and award as follows:

Group A: A single consolidated contract to include the 72kW GPU, 144kW GPU, and the Universal Load Bank.

Group B: Up to two contracts to include the 72kW GPU only

· The awardee for Group A will not be eligible to receive an award for Group B

· The Government is considering a small business set-aside for Group B, either entirely or partially

This approach will ensure the Government’s requirements are met, as well as allow order competition for the 72kW GPU over the life of the contract.

a. Would your company be willing to propose to either of the two groups or both as identified above?

b. What are some of the pros and cons from industry’s perspective with this approach?

2. The Government is anticipating employing a staggered proposal submittal and evaluation process. In other words, the Government will be evaluating proposals in a gating fashion, with the various sections of the proposal being submitted for each specific gate as Offerors meet the specific gate exit criteria. At this point in time, the Government is anticipating the following approach and is seeking Industry feedback.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL SUMMARY*

· Gate 1. Contents. Terms and Conditions, Small Business participation, Past Performance

· Gate 2. Content. Technical

· Gate 3. Content. Price

· Gate 4. Content. Final Proposal Revision

* While the Gate 1 proposal content is required 25 days following issuance of the RFP, it is highly recommended that bidders continue to develop and work towards finalization of all proposal volumes simultaneously to ensure the submittal of the required proposal volumes in a timely manner. Offerors should not wait until the submittal of the contents of Gate 1 to begin development of either Gate 2 Technical or Gate 3 Pricing. This is an assumption the Government has made in the estimated timeline of events.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DETAIL

Gate 1: Initial proposal. Submittal is required 25 days after RFP release. Proposal shall include the following sections:

A. Terms & Conditions (exceptions, group proposal identification, assumptions, etc.)

B. Small Business Participation C. Past Performance

· All Offerors submitting a timely and valid initial proposal submittal will be included in the competitive range for opening discussions purposes, with discussions being considered open one (1) week after proposal due date

· Proposals will be in written format, with the addition of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to cover the highlights of the proposal volumes in Gate 1

· Government evaluation of and issuance of engineering notices (ENs) to Offerors approximately three (3) weeks after submission

· Offerors will be expected to update the PowerPoint presentation initially submitted to include slides to cover the ENs to be addressed during oral discussions

· Oral discussions to begin one (1) week after issuance of ENs; duration will be approximately one (1) day per Offeror

· Government evaluation and competitive range assessments updated as needed and notifications issued accordingly

· Gate 2 Proposals for Offerors meeting Gate 1 exit criteria and continuing on to Gate 2 requested approximately one (1) week after conclusion of Gate 1 oral discussions

· Gate 1 exit criteria is to be determined in compliance with the RFP terms and conditions, have “Acceptable” small business participation, and receive a “Satisfactory” or “Substantial” confidence assessment rating

Gate 2: Technical proposal. Submittal is required one (1) week after Gate 2 Proposal request. Proposal shall include the following section:

A. Technical* *Note: The Government is considering streamlining the technical evaluation criteria to reduce the complexity of proposal submittals. The reasoning is that Offerors moving into Gate 2 will have demonstrated past performance that can be reasonably compared to the instant requirement.

· Proposals will be in written format, with the addition of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to cover the highlights of the proposal volume in Gate 2, as well as any ENs issued to the offeror

· Government evaluation of and issuance of ENs to Offerors approximately one (1) week after proposal submission

· Offerors will be expected to update the PowerPoint presentation initially submitted to include slides to cover the ENs to be addressed during oral discussions

· Oral discussions to begin one (1) week after issuance of ENs; duration will be approximately one (1) day per Offeror

· Government evaluation and competitive range assessments updated as needed and notifications issued accordingly

· Gate 3 Proposals for Offerors meeting Gate 2 exit criteria and continuing on to Gate 3 requested approximately one (1) week after conclusion of Gate 2 oral discussions

· Gate 2 exit criteria is to be determined technically “Acceptable” with technical risk ratings of either “Low” or “Moderate”

Gate 3 Pricing Proposal. Submittal is required one (1) week after Gate 3 Proposal request. Proposal shall include the following section:

A. Pricing Proposal

· Government evaluation of and issuance of ENs to Offerors approximately one (1) week after proposal submission

· Proposals will be in written format, with the addition of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to cover the highlights of the proposal volume in Gate 3, as well as any ENs issued to the offeror

· Oral discussions to begin one (1) week after issuance of ENs; duration will be approximately one (1) day per Offeror

· Offerors will be expected to update the PowerPoint presentation initially submitted to include slides to cover the ENs to be addressed during oral discussions

· Government evaluation and competitive range assessments updated as needed and notifications issued accordingly

· Gate 4 Proposals for Offerors meeting Gate 3 exit criteria and continuing on to Gate 4 requested approximately one (1) week after conclusion of Gate 3 oral discussions

· Gate 3 exit criteria is to be determined reasonable and balanced

Gate 4. Final Proposal Revision. Submittal encompassing all volumes submitted to date one (1) week after request.

· Formal closing of discussions with Offerors falling within the established competitive range

What are your company’s thoughts on this approach and the anticipated timeline of events?

3. The Government is working towards a staggered award approach; however, the contract minimum must be met at the time of contract award. The Government is anticipating the attendance at a post-award conference for each awardee as the contract minimum (estimated $1.5K per awardee).

c. Would your company agree to this as an acceptable contract minimum award?

d. What else would your company recommend as a potential contract minimum?