Attachment_10_-_Instructions_to_Offerors_RFP_Section_L.docx

SECTION L

Instructions to Offerors

1. PROGRAM INFORMATION

1.1 The Rapid Development Integration Facility’s (RDIF) primary function and scope consists of, aircraft part development, integration, prototyping, modification and production on a variety of military aircraft. While it is the government’s goal to perform as much of these requirements as possible, contractor resources augment government resources to accomplish the RDIF’s mission. Support requirements (including labor categories & hours) fluctuate as programs and funding are acquired. While touch-labor is the common element of support, various programs require the following: work at offsite locations, short term specialties, materials, manufacturing, research and development, prototyping, quality assurance, engineering, aircraft modification, test support, etc.

1.2 The government will award a single Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to cover potential requirements for support. As projects are identified and funding is obtained, requirements will be identified, drafted into requirements documents, and provided to the IDIQ contract holder.

2. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The Offeror’s proposal must include all data and information requested by this Instruction to Offerors (ITO) and must be submitted in accordance with these instructions. The proposal shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Contract Data Requirements List, Model Contract and Model Contract Attachments. Non-conformance with the instructions provided in this ITO may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation.

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 or experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror’s proposal.

Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed art work, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired.

The proposal acceptance period is specified in Section A of the model contract/solicitation. In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8 (government contract files), the government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. The government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals, unless the Offeror requests otherwise, within 10 days of contract award.

2.1 Points of Contact

The Contracting Officers (COs) are the sole points of contact for this acquisition. Address any questions or concerns you may have to the COs. Written requests for clarification may be sent to both COs via email. Email is the preferred method of communication. The COs for this acquisition are as follows:

Primary: Richard K. Porter Alternate: Kathy Hamblin 2640 Loop Road West, Bldg. 46 2640 Loop Road West, Bldg. 46 Room 210.056 Room 210.055 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433 Phone: (937) 656-8086 Phone: (937) 656-8084 Email: richard.porter.12@us.af.mil Email: katherine.hamblin@us.af.mil

2.2 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. 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 must make their request in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.505 or 15.506, as applicable.

2.3 Discrepancies

In an Offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the Offeror shall immediately notify the CO in writing with supporting rationale as well as the remedies the Offeror is asking the CO to consider as related to the omission or error.

2.4 Electronic Reference Documents

Referenced documents for this solicitation are available on FedBizOpps (FBO) website at https://www.fbo.gov/. Potential Offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time e-mail notifications when information has been posted to the website for this solicitation.

Section J of the RFP references a total of ten attachments and one exhibit. Only the RDIF Price Matrix, RFP Section J Attachment 3, and the RDIF Past Performance Information Tool, RFP Section J Attachment 4, require completion and submission as part of the Offeror’s proposal. Attachments 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and exhibit A are for reference only and need not be returned with the Offeror’s proposal. Attachment 10 – Instructions to Offerors RFP Section L and attachment 11 – Evaluation Criteria RFP Section M, must be followed completely; the Offeror must submit all required documentation.

2.5 Communications

Exchanges of source selection information between government and Offerors will be controlled by the CO. Email may be used to transmit such information to Offerors only if the email includes “Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 & 3.104” in the Subject line. Otherwise, source selection information will be transmitted via United States Postal Service.

2.6 Use of EZSOURCE for Source Selection Evaluation

The government plans to use the government-owned software, EZSource, for the evaluation. The software administration for EZSource is provided by Array Information Technologies. Representatives from Array Information Technologies or its subcontractors, Harris IT Services, and Stellar Innovations & Solutions may have exposure to the Offerors' proposals, but will not be providing advice on the merits of any proposal. Employees from Array Information Technologies who may have exposure to proposals have executed non-disclosure agreements.

These non-disclosure agreements are available for review upon request. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the government. Any objection shall be provided in writing prior to the date set for receipt of proposals and shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection. Proprietary information submitted in response to this solicitation will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C.423) and implemented in the FAR. Representatives from Array Information Technologies are bound contractually by organizational conflict of interest and disclosure clauses with respect to proprietary information

2.7 North American Industry Classification System Code

The NAICS code for this acquisition is 336413, Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing. The size standard is 1,000 employees.

2.8 Offeror Defined

The term “Offeror” is used through the instructions to Offerors and evaluation criteria. “Offeror” is defined as the single concern with whom the government will have privity of contract if the award is made to such concern. This concern is the firm identified in block 15(a) of the model contract (SF33).

3. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits

The Offeror shall prepare the proposal as set forth in the Proposal Organization Table (See Table 4.2 below). The titles and contents of the volumes shall be defined in this table, all of which shall be within the required page limits and with the number of copies as specified in the Table. The attachments identified in the table shall be separately bound in three-ring, loose-leaf binders. The contents of each proposal volume are described in the ITO paragraph as noted in the table below.

3.2 Proposal Cover Letter

The proposal shall be accompanied by a complete and signed Cover Letter to be included in Volume I (see paragraph 5.1 below). The cover letter must meet the requirements at FAR 52.215-1(c)(2). The cover letter must specify that your proposal remains in effect for 180 days after the proposal receipt date.

3.3 Hard Copy and Electronic Proposal Submission

The Offeror shall provide one hardcopy of the original proposal clearly identified as “original” proposal. In addition to that paper copy, the Offeror shall submit all proposal information in identical format and content in electronic version on Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). Each CD or DVD will contain only one proposal Volume. The CD/DVD shall be “read-only” and formatted for Microsoft Windows. All Microsoft Excel Attachments shall be submitted in Microsoft Excel format (unaltered) in which they are provided by this RFP. The Offeror shall not include any formulas or links beyond what is included in the provided format. When creating Adobe PDF (Portable Documentation Format) files the Offeror shall create the file to enable textual search and copy functions. Macros or other embedded objects or features will be disabled as part of regular security precautions.

The “original” proposal shall be identified. Proposals shall be addressed to the CO and mailed or hand carried to the address identified in paragraph 2.1 above.

3.4 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 excess paper copies will be returned to the Offeror as soon as practicable. 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 ENs to the Offerors. Each page shall be counted except for cover pages, table of contents, tabs, and glossaries.

A page is defined as each face of a sheet of paper containing information. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as two pages. Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches, not including foldouts. Pages shall be single spaced. Except for the reproduced sections of the solicitation document and the tables, charts, graphs, and figures, the font shall be Times New Roman, and the text size no less than 12 point. Tracking, kerning, and leading values shall not be changed from default values of the word processing or page layout software. Use at least 1 inch margins on the top and bottom and ¾ inch side margins. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by volume. These page size and format restrictions shall apply to responses to ENs. These limitations shall apply to both electronic and hard copy proposals. These restrictions do not apply to pages that are generated using Attachment 4 – RDIF Past Performance Information Tool.

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, 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.

3.5 Pricing Related Data

The CO has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. Upon examination of the initial proposals, the CO will review this determination and if, in the CO’s opinion, adequate price competition exists, no additional cost information will be requested and certification under FAR 15.406-2 will not be required. However, if at any time during this competition the CO determines that adequate price competition no longer exists, Offerors may be required to submit Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data information.

The Offeror is not required to provide pricing in Section B of the Schedule of the RFP. All pricing shall be provided in the RDIF Price Matrix, RFP Section J Attachment 3 – RDIF Price Matrix. Labor prices and material markup rates provided by the Offeror in Attachment 3 – RDIF Price Matrix are binding on task orders, meaning the Offeror must use those prices and material markup rates on all subsequent task orders.

3.6 Cross-Referencing

To the greatest extent possible, each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated with a minimum of cross referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Information required for proposal evaluation which is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal. If the Offeror decides to cross reference, the Offeror shall provide a Solicitation Cross Reference Matrix indicating by ITO, SOW/SOO/PWS, and/or specification paragraph number, the corresponding proposal paragraph in that section which addresses the referenced item.

3.7 Glossary of Abbreviation and Acronyms

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

3.8 Binding and Labeling

Each volume of the proposal should be separately bound in a three-ring, loose leaf binder permitting the volume to lie flat when open. Stapes shall not be used. A cover sheet should be bound in each book, 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. 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 FAR 3.104-4, Disclosure, Protection, and Marking of Contractor Bid or Proposal Information and Source Selection Information.

4. PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION

4.1 Table of Contents

4.1.1 The contracting and Technical Volumes shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume.

4.1.2 Master Table of Contents – Volume I, CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION, shall contain a consolidation of the individual Table of Contents for all Volumes (I through IV). This will be referenced to as the Master Table of Contents.

4.1.3 The Table of Contents will not count against page limitations.

4.2 Organization and Page Limit Table

III

4.3 The information requested in the four volumes identified in 4.2 will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed in Section M of this RFP.

5. VOLUME I – CONTRACT DOCUMENATION

5.1 The cover letter identified above in 3.2 shall be included as the first page of this volume. The Offeror’s cover letter must include a statement that the proposal and prices included therein will remain in effect for 180 calendar days after the proposal receipt date.

5.2 The Offeror shall provide a Master Table of Contents for all volumes and a table of contents specific to volume I (see 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 above).

5.3 Offerors shall complete and submit the SF 33 model contract including the Provisions and Clauses in Section I of the RFP as well as the Offeror’s Representations and Certifications in Section K of the RFP. The Offeror should not enter prices into Section B of the RFP as Section B will not be evaluated. Price evaluation will be accomplished on the prices the Offeror enters into RFP Section J Attachment 3 – RDIF Price Matrix. Except for the attachments identified above in 2.4, the SF33 shall be returned in its entirety.

5.4 Offerors shall complete the Offer 15-18 of the Standard Form (SF) 33, Solicitation Document. By completing these blocks, the Offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the RFP. These sections constitute the model contract. The hard copy shall be clearly marked as “original.” The name, title, and physical signature on the SF33 must match the name and signature provided in the cover letter in response to FAR 52.215-1(c)(2)(v).

5.5 Offerors shall provide written acknowledgement, signed by a company representative meeting the requirements of FAR 52.215-1(c)(2)(v), that acknowledges that if the Offeror is awarded the IDIQ contract, it will perform the live task order at the prices provided in this proposal. The live task order constitutes the minimum guarantee for the IDIQ contract.

6. VOLUME II – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

6.1 Subfactor 1 – Sample Task Approach

The government has provided the Offeror with a PWS for a sample task order (See RFP Section J Attachment 6(a) & 6(b) – RDIF Sample Task PWS & Drawings). This sample task order references five drawings containing technical drawings & data whose export is restricted by the arms export control act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751, ET SEQ), or the export administration act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C>, App. 2401). These drawings will be disseminated in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 5230.25.

The sample task order is representative of the type of work the IDIQ holder will perform in support of RDIF, but the actual work, as described is not currently planned to be performed.

The Offeror shall review the sample task order PWS found at RFP Section J Attachment 6(a) & 6(b) – RDIF Sample Task PWS & Drawings and provide the following:

6.1.1 It’s technical approach for performing the work on the sample task order. The technical approach must demonstrate that the Offeror will perform labor at the RDIF Facility at WPAFB, for all work that can be completed using available RDIF Equipment. (See RFP Section C - RDIF Equipment List )

6.1.2 Using the labor categories listed in the RDIF Labor Category Qualifications document (see RFP Section C), the Offeror shall provide the labor categories and hours necessary to complete the work identified in its response to paragraph 6.1.1 that it intends to perform using its own employees.

6.1.3 Résumés showing qualifications and experience of personnel proposed to perform the labor hours in 6.1.2. Résumés do not count against the page limitations defined in table 4.2. Résumés only need to be provided for employees performing the tasks that the Offeror intends to self-perform.

6.1.4 A list of all materials and quantities that must be purchased, and names and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number of all material suppliers.

6.1.5 Identification of any tasks that must be subcontracted and DUNS number of all identified subcontractors. The Offeror does not need to duplicate its materials suppliers listed in response to 6.1.4 above.

6.2 Subfactor 2 – Live Task Order

The government has provided the Offeror with a PWS for a live task order (See RFP Section J Attachment 7(a), 7(b), 7(c) & 7(d) – RDIF Live Task PWS & Drawings).

A live task order is an active RDIF requirement for aircraft component development, integration, prototyping, and production. The live task order will be performed by the Offeror that wins the IDIQ contract, and will constitute the minimum order guarantee for this IDIQ contract.

The Offeror shall review the live task order PWS found at RFP Section J Attachment 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), & 7(d) – RDIF Live Task PWS & Drawings and provide the following:

6.2.1 It’s technical approach for performing the work on the sample task order. The technical approach must demonstrate that the Offeror will perform labor at the RDIF Facility at WPAFB, for all work that can be completed using available RDIF Equipment. (See RFP Section C - RDIF Equipment List )

6.2.2 Using only the labor categories listed in the RDIF Labor Category Qualifications document (see RFP Section C), the Offeror shall provide the labor categories and hours necessary to complete the work identified in its response to paragraph 6.2.1 that it intends to perform using its own. (See RFP Section J – Attachment 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), & 7(d) RDIF Live Task PWS & Drawings).

6.2.3 Résumés showing qualifications and experience of personnel proposed to perform the labor hours in 6.2.2. Résumés do not count against the page limitations defined in table 4.2. Résumés only need to be provided for employees performing the tasks that the Offeror intends to self-perform.

6.2.4 A list of all materials and quantities that must be purchased, and names and DUNS number of all material suppliers.

6.2.5 Identification of any tasks that must be subcontracted and DUNS number of all identified subcontractors. The Offeror does not need to duplicate its materials suppliers listed in response to 6.2.4 above.

6.3 Subfactor 3 – Management of IDIQ

During the life of this contract, the Offeror will likely be required to perform multiple projects simultaneously with requirements that span the list of capabilities listed in RFP Section C, Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 5. It must therefore submit the following:

6.3.1 Its process for qualifying and managing performance of its subcontractors, teaming partners, and material suppliers.

6.3.2 Its process for determining whether prices for subcontracted work or materials are fair and reasonable.

6.3.3 A quality control plan that will be followed when performing any task order issued against this contract.

6.3.4 Its plan for maintaining a qualified and experienced temporary workforce (labor isn’t guaranteed beyond existing task orders) performing aircraft component development, integration, prototyping, and production within 50 miles of WPAFB, OH.

7. VOLUME III – PAST PERFORMANCE

7.1 Past Performance will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(2). The performance confidence assessment will be based on recent and relevant past performance of the Offeror and its subcontractors/teaming partners. The Offeror shall provide past performance information in accordance with the format contained in Attachment 4 – RDIF Past Performance Information Tool for each past contract to be evaluated by the government. The Offeror shall submit up to seven (7) total contracts, at least two must be from the Offeror itself. The Offeror is also required to provide the scope of the contract and a description of its performance in relation to the capabilities found in RFP Section C – PWS, Section 5.

7.2 If the Offeror is a formal Joint Venture or in a Mentor-Protégé relationship, the government will consider the past performance of all firms that comprise the joint venture. Please note that if the Offeror is a formal joint venture or in a Mentor- Protégé relationship, it shall provide a copy of the Small Business Administration approved Mentor-Protégé and/or Joint Venture certificate documentation. For 8(a) Joint Ventures, the SBA must receive the certification documentation prior to the proposal due date and must approve the documentation before contract award.

7.3 The POC for each contract submitted using Attachment 4 – RDIF Past Performance Information Tool will be contacted by the government, and will be provided a standardized RDIF Past Performance Questionnaire (RFP Section J – Attachment 5) to be completed by regular mail, email, or phone. RFP Section J Attachment 5 - RDIF Past Performance Questionnaire is provided for informational purposes only and the Offeror shall not complete or submit Attachment 5 - RDIF Past Performance Questionnaire as part of its proposal. If the POC is unable to be reached, the government may locate another POC or contact the Offeror and request an alternate POC.

7.4 When identifying which contracts to submit, the Offeror shall select projects that meet the definitions for recency and relevancy below:

7.4.1 Recency: The Period of Performance of the contract submitted in the Past Performance Information Tool (RFP Section J – Attachment 4) occurs or remains ongoing within the five (5) years prior to this RFP release date.

7.4.2 Relevancy: Projects where the Offeror or its subcontractors/teaming partners have demonstrated the capabilities identified in RFP Section C PWS, Section 5 through performance of aircraft component development, integration, prototyping, and production in a rapid environment requiring adaptive collaboration.

7.5 Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort and to what aspects of the proposed effort they relate. This may include a discussion how the scope of the contract demonstrates that the Offeror possesses the capabilities identified in PWS, Section 5. The Offeror may also describe the types of aircraft serviced, the types of components or parts that were modified, prototyped, and produced, the extent of component integration, and the extent of adaptive collaboration that took place during performance.

7.6 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.

8. VOLUME IV – PRICE

8.1 The Offeror shall complete the RDIF Price Matrix (RFP Section J – Attachment 3). This attachment requires the Offeror to establish fully burdened labor rates for predetermined labor categories. The list of predetermined labor categories is all inclusive, meaning that any labor performed over the life of this contract will be priced by the Offeror using these labor categories only. These labor rates are binding over the life of the IDIQ contract, meaning all task orders issued against the IDIQ contract will incorporate these respective rates.

The contractor will also provide its markup percentage (Overhead/Profit) that will be assessed to all materials purchased or subcontracts issued. This markup percentage will be binding over the life of the IDIQ, meaning that on Task Orders issued against this IDIQ, the Offeror can only price in the actual cost of materials, plus the mark-up percentage established at the IDIQ contract.

8.2 The RDIF Price Matrix (RFP Section J – Attachment 3) also requires the Offeror to provide labor hours and material prices for the live task order. No pricing is required for the sample task order. To arrive at live task order pricing, the Offeror will be required to provide labor hours necessary to complete the live task order. The RDIF price Matrix extends the labor pricing by multiplying the labor hours provided by the contractor by the FY 15 labor rates.

The contractor will provide pricing for the materials it listed in 6.2.4, and for tasks it intends to subcontract as identified in 6.2.5. The materials and subcontractor prices will be extended by the materials/subcontracting FY15 G&A and Profit rates. These prices will be added to the labor prices to determine the total live task order price.

8.3 All fields in Red require Offeror input, and once a value is entered into a red field, it will change to white. Fields not initially colored Red are locked, and the Offeror cannot provide input. If any red fields appears in either worksheet, the RDIF Price Matrix is NOT properly completed. This form and its formulas and format, shall not be altered in any way. More detailed instructions for completing Attachment 3 – RDIF Price Matrix are contained with the attachment.

The total evaluated price (TEP) is derived from three cost groups including overall labor costs based on forecasted labor hours, materials costs based on forecasted dollars spent on materials, and the live task order.