Draft APAC Industry User Guide.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

ADVANCED PROPULSION

ACQUISITION CONTRACT (APAC)

Multiple Award Contract (MAC)

Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

INDUSTRY USER GUIDE

SOLICITATION FA8626-25-R-B008

8 January 2026

Prepared by:

Propulsions Directorate, Advanced Propulsion Development (APD) Division (AFLCMC/LPA)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

2. FAIR OPPORTUNITY PROCESS

3. FAIR OPPORTUNITY EXCEPTIONS

4. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR AWARDING DELIVERY ORDERS / TASK ORDERS

4.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH/TECHNICAL RISK EVALUATION FACTOR

4.2 PRICE/COST EVALUATION FACTOR

4.3 PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FACTOR

5. PROPOSAL PROCESS

5.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

5.2 COST/PRICE PROPOSALS

6. INTERACTION WITH INDUSTRY THROUGH INTERCHANGES

7. RESOLUTION OF ISSUES

8. ISSUANCE OF DELIVERY/TASK ORDERS

2 | P a g e

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The procedures for selecting contractor(s) for order awards under this contract are governed by FAR 16.505 and all applicable supplements. Unless otherwise specified in a Fair Opportunity Proposal Request (FOPR), the following paragraphs define: 1) The process by which fair opportunity will be afforded; 2) How orders will be processed and priced; and 3) How orders will be awarded.

The APAC IDIQ PCO and PM reserves the right to restrict the use of this contract.

Decentralized ordering authority may be granted to another office or organization upon written authorization by APAC IDIQ PM and PCO by sending an email to the APAC IDIQ Workflow:

AFLCMC.LPA.APAC.IDIQ@US.AF.MIL

For this contract, the designated Delivery Order/Task Order (DO/TO) ombudsman is:

Col Cecilia I. Montes De Oca, AFLCMC/AQ

1790 Tenth Street, Bldg 572

Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433

937-255-5512 cecilia.montes_de_oca@us.af.mil

Ombudsman Workflow: AFLCMC/Ombudsman / aflcmc.1.ombudsman@us.af.mil

The DO/TO ombudsman is responsible for reviewing complaints from multiple award contractors and ensuring that all of the contractors are afforded a fair opportunity to be considered for orders in excess of the micro purchase threshold consistent with procedures in the contract. However, it is not within the designated DO/TO contract ombudsman's authority to prevent the issuance of any order or disturb an existing order. Additionally, this does not guarantee any contractor issuance of any orders above the minimum guarantee stated in the basic IDIQ contract.

2. FAIR OPPORTUNITY PROCESS

One or more orders may be issued during the ordering period of this contract. For each order, the Contracting Officer (CO) will provide a FOPR to the prime contractors as appropriate for that order; the contractor shall evaluate the opportunity and determine whether to submit a proposal.

Prior to issuing a FOPR, the CO may issue advance notice of the work to be performed to survey contractors and assess their interest and capability to perform the required effort.

When multiple small business (SB) sources are found to be capable of performing the required effort, the FOPR will be “set aside” for the exclusive participation of SB contractors.

The Government will generally provide a minimum of seven (7) calendar days or a maximum of sixty (60) calendar days for the Offeror to prepare and submit proposals, however; the official requirements shall be in the FOPR. All submissions will be made

3 | P a g e through the Box platform for the APAC IDIQ contract. The Box platform will act as a communications portal facilitating communication between APAC Awardees and order issuing activities. The USG intends to post FOPRs to all APAC awardees on the Box platform.

APAC awardees will post proposals in their dedicated folder on the Box platform, which is only visible to the APAC awardee and the USG. APAC awardees will not be required to purchase a license or pay licensing fees to access the Box platform. APAC awardee’s contractor representative(s) shall request access to box by sending an email to the APAC workflow at AFLCMC.LPA.APACIDIQ@US.AF.MIL.

The FOPR will include, at a minimum, the following information (unless the CO determines that an exception to fair opportunity procedures, as set forth in paragraph 3 below, applies):

a. Date of announcement

b. Instructions for proposal submissions including the due date for submission

c. Statement of Work (SOW) or Statement of Objective (SOO)

d. Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) package

e. Anticipated contract type(s)

f. Anticipated CLIN structure

g. E-mail address/ mailing address or secure fax number for Government office

h. Evaluation criteria and factors for award

3. FAIR OPPORTUNITY EXCEPTIONS

In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA), FAR 16.505(b) and DFARS 216.505, the CO will provide all awardees a fair opportunity to be considered for each order in excess of the micro-purchase threshold, FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i) unless one of the following conditions applies:

a. The agency’s need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

b. Only one or a limited number of awardee(s) is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

c. The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

d. It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

e. For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, a statute expressly authorizes or requires the purchase be made from a specified source.

4 | P a g e

f. In accordance with section 1331 of Public Law 111-240 (15 U.S.C. 644(r)), the CO may, at their discretion, set aside orders for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3). FAR 52.219 is a section of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that contains clauses and provisions that define eligibility, set-asides, and subcontracting requirements for small business programs. Understanding

52.219 is essential to correctly represent your business's size and socio-economic status and to navigate the process of bidding on government contracts. FAR 52.219-1, represents the business size and socio-economic category.

4. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR AWARDING DELIVERY ORDERS / TASK ORDERS

The Government intends to award to the contractors whose proposal(s) are deemed most advantageous to the Government based upon an assessment using the FOPR evaluation criteria.

Evaluation, proposal procedures, and other information specific to requirements will be articulated in the individual FOPRs at the DO/TO level. However, the overall execution philosophy of APAC IDIQ will be to use the minimum number of discriminators needed to determine awardee acceptability.

The FOPR Evaluation factors may include Technical Approach/Technical Risk (combined or separate), Past Performance, and Price/Cost.

4.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH/TECHNICAL RISK EVALUATION FACTOR

The FOPR will identify the Technical Factors, Subfactors, Areas of Interest, etc.

which could be rated as, but are not limited to, one of the following:

Exceeds The Offerors technical proposal indicates an exceptional approach and understanding of the requirements (only when using the “trade-off” method).

Meets The Offeror's technical proposal meets the requirements and indicates an adequate approach and understanding of the requirements

Does Not Meet The technical proposal does not meet requirements.

4.2 PRICE/COST EVALUATION FACTOR

Price may be evaluated utilizing various price analysis techniques and procedures (FAR 15.404-1(b)) to ensure a fair and reasonable price. Cost analysis (FAR 15.404-1(c)) may be used when fair opportunity exceptions result in only one or a limited number of contractor proposals.

Cost-realism analysis (FAR 15.404-1(d)) may be used when awarding a cost reimbursable DO/TO is appropriate.

5 | P a g e

4.3 PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION FACTOR

The APAC team may evaluate and track past performance as part of Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) evaluations of APAC awardees. The three sub factors of past performance are compliance with security requirements, responsiveness, and contractual performance. Responsiveness to individual FOPRs will be utilized. A no-bid notice will be considered a response and will not negatively affect contractor past performance.

5. PROPOSAL PROCESS

The CO will issue a FOPR using the Box platform to contractors as appropriate for that order, unless a fair opportunity exception exists. The FOPR will include a due date for proposal submissions. The amount of time for proposal submission will be based on the complexity and urgency of the requirement. If a contractor is unable to perform a requirement, the contractor shall submit a "no bid" reply with a brief statement in response to the proposal request. All proposals will be uploaded using the Box platform unless the CO authorizes a different mechanism. If there are any issues uploading, please communicate with the CO who can work to resolve issues. If the proposal is classified, instruction will be provided by the

CO.

No bids: If a Contractor elects not to propose on a requirement, contractors shall submit a “no bid” reply in response to the FOPR. All “no bids” shall include a brief statement as to why the vendor is unable to perform the proposed effort.

FOPR Preparation Costs: The Contractor shall assume all costs associated with preparation of proposals for DO/TO awards as an indirect charge. The Government will not reimburse awardees for proposals as a direct charge.

Unauthorized work: The Contractor is NOT authorized at any time to commence DO/TO performance prior to the issuance of a signed DO/TO or other written approval provided by the

CO.

5.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

The Government will specify the maximum page limits for the technical proposal in each FOPR. The technical proposal shall not merely restate the SOW requirements. It should address the information requested in the FOPR, which may include the following types of information:

a. Technical and/or management approach

b. Identification of key personnel and their qualifications

c. Quantities and types of material, parts, or components

d. Hours of personnel by labor categories

e. Quantities and type of other direct costs (ODCs), not including pricing information

f. Travel proposed – destinations, numbers of travelers, and purpose

6 | P a g e

g. The proposed delivery schedule or period of performance

h. Requested Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Government Furnished Information (GFI)

i. Security including clearance levels

j. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements

k. Addendum to Small Business Subcontracting Plan

l. Relevant experience

m. Past performance

n. Other pertinent information

5.2 COST/PRICE PROPOSALS

Contractors are required to submit a written cost or price proposal for every subsequent DO/TO after DO1. For each Order over the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold, which is determined to not have adequate competition, the Contractor shall submit a complete, fully substantiated, cost proposal in accordance with FAR 15.403-4 and FAR 15.408 Table 15-2.

Cost/price proposals will include at a minimum:

a. The proposed cost or price for the effort broken out by contract line-item numbers (CLINS)

b. Rationale to support the proposed cost or price

c. Other information as requested by the FOPR

6. INTERACTION WITH INDUSTRY THROUGH INTERCHANGES

The Government may conduct interchanges with one, some, none, or all contractors at its discretion following the submission of proposals. The Government will engage in interchanges with Contractors, through the use of an Interchange Notice (IN), to share information, address any aspect of the proposal, or offer the opportunity to revise a proposal.

7. RESOLUTION OF ISSUES

In the event issues pertaining to a proposed FOPR cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the CO, the CO reserves the right to withdraw and cancel the proposed FOPR. In such event, the Contractor shall be notified in writing of the CO’s decision; this decision is final and conclusive and shall not be subject to the "Disputes" clause or the "Contract Disputes Act."

8. ISSUANCE OF DELIVERY/TASK ORDERS

Work under this contract will be ordered through written orders issued on DD Form 1155, Order for Supplies or Services, by the CO.