Attachment 4 Section M Final (2nd version).pdf

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SECTION M

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1.0 BASIS FOR CONTRACT AWARD

AMAC will be acquired under a partial set-aside competition resulting in multiple-year, multiple-award contracts in an Unrestricted Pool and Small Business Pool of contractors.

This acquisition will be awarded under a competitive) source selection conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15, Contracting by Negotiation, as supplemented by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Department of Defense (DoD) Source Selection Procedures, 20 August 2022, and the Department of Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DAFFARS), Air Force Mandatory Procedures 5315.3. These regulations are available electronically at the Government FAR Site, https://www.acquisition.gov/. Awards will be made to each and all qualifying offerors (see Paragraph 1.1 below).

The Government will evaluate technical acceptability of each Offeror’s proposal. Offerors are advised that the Government will evaluate technical acceptability of the prime Offerors only. Note: if the prime Offeror is a joint venture (JV), the Government may evaluate technical acceptability for that JV and its individual partners. Prime IDIQ holders will be able to form subcontracting teams as necessary at the task order level, including with entities who do not hold AMAC IDIQ contracts. The Government seeks to award to Offerors who represent the best value to the Government. While the Government will strive for maximum objectivity, the source selection process, by its nature, is subjective, and therefore professional judgment is implicit throughout the entire process. The Government reserves the right not to award any contracts under this solicitation.

In accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), only U.S. companies will be considered for award as prime contractors. If a JV is formed to submit a proposal for AMAC, all members/partners of that JV must be U.S. companies. A foreign-owned or foreign-influenced company that has been approved through the Defense Security Service (DSS) as a U.S. subsidiary will be considered as a U.S. prime.

1.1 COST/PRICE EVALUATION

There will be no cost/price evaluation for AMAC IDIQ awards. FAR Part 15.304(c)(1)(ii) states that for DoD, the contracting officer may choose not to include price or cost as an evaluation factor for award when a solicitation—

1) Has an estimated value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

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2) Will result in multiple-award contracts (see subpart 16.5) that are for the same or similar services; and

3) States that the Government intends to make an award to each and all qualifying offerors (see 2.101)

FAR Part 2.101 defines “qualifying offeror” as an offeror that is determined to be a responsible source, submits a technically acceptable proposal that conforms to the requirements of the solicitation, and the contracting officer has no reason to believe would be likely to offer other than fair and reasonable pricing (10 U.S.C. 3206 (c)(4)).

To be considered for award under AMAC, a “qualifying offeror” is an offeror who:

1) is determined to be a responsible source IAW FAR Part 9;

2) conforms to the requirements of the solicitation (to include all stated terms, conditions, representations, certifications, small business subcontracting plan, and all other information required by Section L of this solicitation);

3) the contracting officer has no reason to believe it would be likely to offer other than fair and reasonable pricing at the task order level;

4) is rated Acceptable for Factor 1; and

5) is rated Acceptable for Factor 2.

1.2 NUMBER OF CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED

The Government will make an award to each and all qualifying offerors, which the Government anticipates will result in multiple IDIQ AMAC contracts under unrestricted competition [e.g., Unrestricted Pool] and under small business competition [e.g., Small Business Pool]. Offerors need to identify if they will be competing in the unrestricted or small business set-aside pool. Offerors may only submit a proposal for one of the two pools for initial contract award.

1.3 SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS

Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions and representations and certifications. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the solicitation may result in the offeror being ineligible for award. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and must provide complete supporting rationale discussing the exception. By submission of its offer, the offeror accedes to all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions and representations and certifications unless such exceptions are identified and supported as required, and agreed to by the Government. Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offer being determined ineligible for award.

1.4 COMPETITIVE RANGE DETERMINATION

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During the evaluation process, if the USG determines discussions are necessary, a competitive range will be made IAW FAR 15.306(c). Any competitive range determination will be based on all evaluation criteria. If offerors are excluded from the competitive range, they will be notified by the CO IAW FAR 15.503 and may request a debriefing IAW FAR 15.505

1.5 EXCLUSION OF GROSSLY DEFICIENT PROPOSALS

The Government may exclude a proposal from this competition prior to discussions or competitive range determination without evaluating the proposal against the Evaluation Factors as defined in Section M, if an initial assessment of the proposal shows the proposal to be grossly deficient. Grossly deficient proposals are proposals that fail to address essential requirements of the solicitation, fail to furnish information demonstrating compliance with mandatory solicitation requirements set forth in the solicitation, or in some other manner do not represent a reasonable initial effort by the offeror to satisfy the requirements of the solicitation.

1.6. DISCUSSIONS

The Government reserves the right to award without discussions; therefore, each initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a technical and past performance standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if determined necessary and/or in the best interest of the Government. If discussions occur, they will be conducted IAW FAR 15.306.

If, during the evaluation period, it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government to hold discussions, offeror responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs) and the FPR will be considered in making the source selection decision. Exchanges with offerors conducted to resolve minor or clerical errors will not constitute discussions and the CO reserves the right to award a contract without the opportunity for proposal revision.

1.7 CORRECTION POTENTIAL OF PROPOSALS

The Government will consider throughout the evaluation, the “correction potential” of any deficiency. The judgment of such “correction potential” is within the sole discretion of the Government. If an aspect of an offeror’s proposal does not meet the Government requirements and is not considered correctable, the offeror may be eliminated from the competitive range.

2.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION PROCESS

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Proposals will be evaluated using the Factors listed below. Offerors must have a Technical rating of Acceptable in each Factor to be considered for contract award.

Factor 1: Technical Experience

Factor 2: Small Business Participation Commitment Document

2.1 FACTOR 1 – TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE FACTOR

The Technical Experience Factor is an evaluation of the offeror’s ability to meet the requirements for Technical Experience in the AFRL Areas of Interest (AOI) described in Attachment 7 – Statement of Objectives (SOO).

If an Offeror’s proposal receives a Technical Experience Factor Rating of Unacceptable the proposal is ineligible for award. For the evaluation of technical experience, the Government will analyze the self-scoring spreadsheet used by each offeror to claim points in the four AOIs. Offerors will receive an overall Technical Experience Rating in accordance with the ratings defined in Table 1.

TABLE 1 – FACTOR 1 PROPOSAL RATINGS

TABLE 1 – FACTOR 1 PROPOSAL RATINGS

Rating Description

Acceptable The offeror obtained a validated cumulative score of 1000 points.

Unacceptable The offeror did not obtain a validated cumulative score of 1000 points.

2.2 Subfactors 1.1 – 1.4

2.2.1 Offerors’ proposals will be assessed based on points acquired to be determined acceptable. An offeror’s proposal has met the requirements of Subfactors 1.1 – 1.4 when the required cumulative score of 1000 points is proposed and verified per the Self-Scoring Spreadsheet. An offeror’s proposal does not meet the requirements of the solicitation and is considered unacceptable when the minimum score of 1000 points is not proposed or cannot be verified per the Self-Scoring Spreadsheet. No additional credit or greater consideration for award is given for receiving greater than the minimum points required to be determined technically acceptable. Partial points will not be given for any technical Area of Interest (AOI).

The Government will use the contractor-provided Volume II information in the Proposal Response Guide and the provided contract documents to validate the points claimed on

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the Self-Scoring Spreadsheet. To verify points, the Government will evaluate the offeror’s demonstrated experience in the AOIs for which points are being claimed. The Government will not validate points claimed by the offeror for an AOI when supporting documentation does not demonstrate the required relevant experience. Once the government has validated 1000 points, the offeror’s proposal will be rated acceptable for Subfactors 1.1 –

1.4 and further validation of the self-scoring spreadsheet will stop.

2.2.2 Assigned Weights and Bonuses:

The following table describes the weights associated with each element and domain, as well as bonus points required and given for each domain:

Technical Areas Bonus

ID Technical Experience Weight Bonus Required Bonus

4.1.1 Subfactor 1.1 Air Domain 10 600 500

4.1.1.1 Human Performance Optimization 10

4.1.1.2 Aerospace Medicine and Operational Health 10

4.1.1.3 Warfighter Survivability and Protection 10

4.1.1.4 Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences 10

4.1.1.5 Advanced Air Vehicles 10

4.1.1.6 Air Propulsion Systems 10

4.1.1.7 Aerodynamics and Flight Sciences 10

4.1.1.8 Hypersonics 10

4.1.1.9 Advanced Weapons Technologies 10

4.1.1.10 Energetics and Propellants 10

4.1.1.11 Guidance Navigation and Control 10 Bonus

Required Bonus

4.1.1.12 Munitions Survivability and Countermeasures 10

4.1.2 Subfactor 1.2 Space Domain 10 500 500

4.1.2.1 Space Access and Orbital Systems 10

4.1.2.2 Spacecraft and Satellite Technologies 10

4.1.2.3 Space Power and Propulsion 10

4.1.2.4 On-Orbit Operations and Autonomy 10

4.1.2.5 Space Situational Awareness 10

4.1.2.6 Resilient and Survivable Space Architecture 10

4.1.2.7 Space Environment and Effects 10 Bonus

Required Bonus

4.1.2.8 Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) from and for Space 10

4.1.3 Subfactor 1.3 Cyberspace Domain 10 700 500

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4.1.3.1 Cyber Operations and Cybersecurity 10

4.1.3.2 Communications and Networks 10

4.1.3.3 Electronic Warfare and Spectrum Operations 10

4.1.3.4 Quantum Technologies 10

4.1.3.5 Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors 10

4.1.3.6 Radar and Radio Frequency Sensors 10

4.1.3.7 Multispectral and Hyperspectral Sensing 10

4.1.3.8 Signal Processing and Sensor Fusion 10

4.1.3.9 Quantum Sensing and Advanced Properties 10

4.1.3.10 Directed Energy Sensing and Countermeasures 10

4.1.3.11 High-Energy Laser Systems 10

4.1.3.12 Photonics 10

4.1.3.13 High-Power Microwave Technologies 10

4.1.3.14 Beam Control and Adaptive Optics 10

4.1.3.15 Directed Energy Effects and Countermeasures 10

4.1.3.16 Cybersecurity for Digital Environments 10 Bonus

Required Bonus

4.1.3.17 Navigation Warfare and Counter PNT 10

4.1.4 Subfactor 1.4 Cross Cutting Domains 10 800 500

4.1.4.1 Human Systems Integration 10

4.1.4.2 Human-Machine Teaming and Interfaces 10

4.1.4.3 Training and Simulation Technologies 10

4.1.4.4 Rapid Multi-Domain Integration 10

4.1.4.5 Advanced Systems Engineering 10

4.1.4.6 Integrated Vehicle Health Management 10

4.1.4.7 Power and Thermal Management 10

4.1.4.8 Advanced Materials Development 10

4.1.4.9 Additive Manufacturing 10

4.1.4.10 Materials Processing and Fabrication 10

4.1.4.11 Materials Characterization and Testing 10

4.1.4.12 Environmentally Responsive and Smart Materials 10

4.1.4.13 Microelectronics 10

4.1.4.14 Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, and Digital Thread 10

4.1.4.15 Advanced Simulation and Virtual Prototyping 10

4.1.4.16 Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence 10

4.1.4.17 Additive Manufacturing Digital Integration 10

4.1.4.18 Low Cost, Size, Weight, and Performance (C-SWAP)

Alternative PNT Systems for Attritable Systems 10

4.1.4.19 Modular Open Architecture approaches to Resilient PNT 10

ID Technical Experience Weight

4.1.1 Air Domain 10

4.1.1.1 Human Performance Optimization 10

4.1.1.2 Aerospace Medicine and Operational Health 10

4.1.1.3 Warfighter Survivability and Protection 10

4.1.1.4 Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences 10

4.1.1.5 Advanced Air Vehicles 10

4.1.1.6 Air Propulsion Systems 10

4.1.1.7 Aerodynamics and Flight Sciences 10

4.1.1.8 Hypersonics 10

4.1.1.9 Advanced Weapons Technologies 10

4.1.1.10 Energetics and Propellants 10

4.1.1.11 Guidance Navigation and Control 10

4.1.1.12 Munitions Survivability and Countermeasures 10

4.1.2 Space Domain 10

4.1.2.1 Space Access and Orbital Systems 10

4.1.2.2 Spacecraft and Satellite Technologies 10

4.1.2.3 Space Power and Propulsion 10

4.1.2.4 On-Orbit Operations and Autonomy 10

4.1.2.5 Space Situational Awareness 10

4.1.2.6 Resilient and Survivable Space Architecture 10

4.1.2.7 Space Environment and Effects 10

4.1.2.8 Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) from and for Space 10

4.1.3 Cyberspace Domain 10

4.1.3.1 Cyber Operations and Cybersecurity 10

4.1.3.2 Communications and Networks 10

4.1.3.3 Electronic Warfare and Spectrum Operations 10

4.1.3.4 Quantum Technologies 10

4.1.3.5 Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors 10

4.1.3.6 Radar and Radio Frequency Sensors 10

4.1.3.7 Multispectral and Hyperspectral Sensing 10

4.1.3.8 Signal Processing and Sensor Fusion 10

4.1.3.9 Quantum Sensing and Advanced Properties 10

4.1.3.10 Directed Energy Sensing and Countermeasures 10

4.1.3.11 High-Energy Laser Systems 10

4.1.3.12 Photonics 10

4.1.3.13 High-Power Microwave Technologies 10

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4.1.3.14 Beam Control and Adaptive Optics 10

4.1.3.15 Directed Energy Effects and Countermeasures 10

4.1.3.16 Cybersecurity for Digital Environments 10

4.1.3.17 Navigation Warfare and Counter PNT 10

4.1.4 Cross Cutting Domains 10

4.1.4.1 Human Systems Integration 10

4.1.4.2 Human-Machine Teaming and Interfaces 10

4.1.4.3 Training and Simulation Technologies 10

4.1.4.4 Rapid Multi-Domain Integration 10

4.1.4.5 Advanced Systems Engineering 10

4.1.4.6 Integrated Vehicle Health Management 10

4.1.4.7 Power and Thermal Management 10

4.1.4.8 Advanced Materials Development 10

4.1.4.9 Additive Manufacturing 10

4.1.4.10 Materials Processing and Fabrication 10

4.1.4.11 Materials Characterization and Testing 10

4.1.4.12 Environmentally Responsive and Smart Materials 10

4.1.4.13 Microelectronics 10

4.1.4.14 Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, and Digital Thread 10

4.1.4.15 Advanced Simulation and Virtual Prototyping 10

4.1.4.16 Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence 10

4.1.4.17 Additive Manufacturing Digital Integration 10

4.1.4.18 Low Cost, Size, Weight, and Performance (C-SWAP) Alternative PNT Systems for Attritable Systems 10

4.1.4.19 Modular Open Architecture approaches to Resilient PNT 10

2.3 FACTOR 2 - SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION

SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT DOCUMENT

The Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD) Factor is an evaluation of the offeror’s level of commitment to small business utilization for the effort to be performed.

The Offeror shall submit a complete Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD) IAW the instructions in Section L, 4.2.

Offerors will receive an overall SBPCD Rating in accordance with the ratings defined in Table 2. If an Offeror’s proposal receives a SBPCD Factor Rating of Unacceptable the proposal is ineligible for award.

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TABLE 2 – FACTOR 2 PROPOSAL RATINGS

Rating Description Acceptable The offeror submits an acceptable SBPCD IAW Section L 4.2.

Unacceptable The offeror did not submit an acceptable SBPCD IAW Section L 4.2.

3.0 INITIAL DELIVERY ORDER SUBMISSION

The Government intends to award a minimum Delivery Order of $500 for the post-award conference. The post-award conference will be held by video/ teleconference. The post-award conference duration will be no more than 60 minutes. The purpose of the post-award conference is to establish the contractual relationship and educate awardees on the AMAC Industry Guide. The Government may schedule or structure the post-award conference differently than described, within the maximum time allowed. The Contracting Office will notify offerors after award by email of the date and time of the post-award conference. The Government will prepare minutes for the post-award conference and provide to Contractors afterward for concurrence and acceptance.

4.0 SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Offerors shall meet solicitation requirements. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the solicitation may result in the offeror being ineligible for award.