Section_L_ICPS_30MAY18.pdf

Section L

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS FOR

PROPOSAL PREPARATION USING TRADEOFF SOURCE SELECTION

PROCEDURES

1.0 Program Structure and Objective

1.1.1 This acquisition is being conducted as a 100% 8(a) set-aside under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541512. The size standard for this NAICS is $27.5M.

1.1.2 The Government plans to award a single contract for the Integrated Cyber Protection System (ICPS) effort. This acquisition will procure skill sets necessary for a variety of platform innovations in support of the overall AF mission. These skill sets demonstrate proficiency in enhancing and developing computer network data monitoring, threat detection, reporting, management, correlation, visualization, and tracking capabilities supporting at locations world-wide.

1.1.3 This is a competitive best value source selection using subjective trade-off, evaluating technical acceptability, past performance, and price, in which competing Offerors’ past performance history will be evaluated on a basis significantly more important than price considerations where the Government may elect to trade past performance for price, if warranted. Award will be made to the contractor that provides the best value to the Government.

2.0 General Instructions

2.1.1 This section of the Request for Proposal (RFP) 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 by the RFP and must be submitted in accordance with (IAW) these instructions. The offer shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Contract Data Requirements Listing (CDRL), and RFP. Non- conformance with the instructions provided in this RFP may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation. Alternate proposals will not be accepted.

2.1.2 The proposal shall be clear, concise, and 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.

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

2.1.4 The proposal acceptance period must be for a period of no less than 365 days after receipt of proposal. The Offeror shall make a clear statement in Section A of the proposal documentation volume that the proposal is valid for this amount of time.

2.1.5 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.

2.2 General Information

2.2.1 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 of the model contract/solicitation.

2.2.2 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 accordance with FAR 15.503. 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.

2.2.3 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, as well as, the remedies the Offeror is asking the CO to consider as related to the omission or error. The Offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussions IAW FAR 52.215-1(f)(4). This reservation includes matters of additional or substitute pages of the initial proposal.

2.2.4 Electronic Reference Documents

All referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) web site at http://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.

2.2.5 Communications

The CO will control exchanges of source selection information between Government and Offerors. The Government may use email to transmit such information to Offerors only if the email can be sent and received encrypted and includes “Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 & FAR 3.104” in the Subject line.

2.2.6 Reading Room Library

A Reading Library containing a list of Exhibits has been established at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA).

The single POC for access is Mr. Mark Cunningham who can be reached at (210) 925-3049 or mark.cunningham.2@us.af.mil. Instructions for the library are included in Section L, Attachment 4.

Reservations shall be made in advance no later than 6:00 PM CST on XX Jun 2018. The library will be open Monday, XX Jun 2018 to Wednesday, XX Jun 2018.

2.2.7 Questions

All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted to amy.barnes.2@us.af.mil no later than 3:00 PM (CST) XX XXX 2018. Late requests will not be considered.

2.2.8 To be considered for award, Offerors must comply with all security requirements specified in the DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, (Section J, Attachment 3) included in this solicitation, complete Blocks 6.a., b. and c. thereof, and return the completed DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, along with evidence that:

http://www.fbo.gov/ mailto:mark.cunningham.2@us.af.mil mailto:amy.barnes.2@us.af.mil

Each position identified in Offeror’s proposal, to fulfill the requirements of this effort has a final TOP SECRET or SECRET personal security clearance; some positions must be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information in accordance with Intelligence Community Directive (ICD)704 and Intelligence Community Policy Guidance (ICPG) 704.2., along with their offers. The DD254 shall be included in Volume IV, Contract Documentation. To be considered for award, a qualified Offeror must have an Active TOP SECRET Facility Clearance.

If TOP SECRET Facility Clearance hasn’t been completed by the time of proposal submittal, the Offeror must show evidence of submission of a TOP SECRET Facility Clearance request to the Defense Security Service (DSS) Facility Clearance Branch (FCB) and if affected by the Government Delay of the Transfer to the National Industrial Security System (NISS) should submit appropriate Facility Clearance (FCL) as soon as the request has been approved by DSS.

2.3. Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits

2.3.1 The Offeror shall prepare the proposal as set forth in the Proposal Organization Table (Table 1 below). The titles and content 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 Table 1. Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the excess pages will be retained in the official record, but not evaluated. 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: cover pages, table of contents, matrices, and glossary. Proposal change pages are customarily subject to same page limitations stated in the table below; however, deviated page limitations may be required on responses to ENs.

TABLE 1 – PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION (within binders)

VOLUME VOLUME TITLE COPIES PAGE LIMIT

I Present/Past Performance Information 2 30

II Technical 2 50 III Price Proposal 2 No Limit (See Para F) IV Contract Documentation 2 No Limit (See Para G)

TABLE 2 – BINDER ORGANIZATION (within binders):

ORIGINAL VOL I, II, III, IV

COPY 1 VOL I, II, III, IV

BINDER SIZE LIMITATIONS: Binders shall not exceed 2”. Reproduction of the entire RFP is unnecessary (and unwanted).

*Original and Copy 1 of Binders will contain the complete proposal package. Reproduction of the Government RFP is unnecessary (and unwanted).

2.3.2 Page Size and Format

a. 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. All pages will be single-spaced with the exception of any attachments inserted within the text. Charts, graphs, etc within the body of the text should be double spaced before and after the text body. Such items are indicated in the paragraph (b) below. The text size shall be no less than 12 point, Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier font type. Tracking, kerning, and leading values shall not be changed from the default values of the word processing or page layout software. Use at least one-inch margins on all sides. Pages shall be numbered sequentially by part. These limitations shall apply to both electronic and hard copy proposals.

b. Legible tables, charts, graphs and figures may 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 x 17 inches in size. Foldout pages shall fold entirely within the part, and shall count as two pages. Foldout pages may only be used for large tables, charts, graphs, diagrams and schematics and not pages of text. For tables, charts, graphs and figures, the text shall be no smaller than eight-point. These limitations shall apply to both electronic and hard copy proposals.

2.3.3 Cost or Pricing Information

The price proposal shall not include information beyond that required by this instruction unless the Offeror considers it essential to document or support Offeror’s price position. All information relating to the proposed price, including all required supporting documentation must be included in this part or assumptions of the proposal. Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included in the Technical or Past Performance volumes.

2.3.4 Cross Referencing

(a)The Offeror shall fill out the Cross Reference Matrix (Section L, Attachment 1) indicating the proposal reference information as it relates to the PWS, Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN), and CDRL references found therein and the corresponding proposal paragraph. The Cross Reference Matrix shall be included in the Volume 1, Technical Proposal, following the Table of Contents.

(b)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. Cross referencing within a proposal volume is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity. Information required for proposal evaluation which is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal.

2.3.5 Indexing

Tab indexing shall be used to identify volumes.

2.3.6 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. Staples shall not be used. A cover sheet should be bound in each binder, clearly marked with the Offeror’s name, volume number and title, solicitation identification and the copy number (for example: Company A, Vol I, FA8773-18-R- 8008, ICPS, Original or Copy 1). 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.

2.3.7 Electronic Offers

The content and page size of electronic proposal must be identical to the hard copies. The Offeror shall submit proposal volumes I, II, III, & IV via email in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Office Word 2010, MS Office Excel 2010, and MS Office Power Point 2010, as applicable. Adobe PDF format is acceptable for portions of the proposal submissions not required to use MS Excel. The proposal shall be submitted on the Safe Access File exchange via https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/ach with amy.barnes.2@us.af.mil as the recipient. The deletion date should be 14 days from submission. SAFE supports file sizes up to 2GB. If there are any discrepancies between the hard copies and the electronic copies of the proposal, the hard copies will be used for evaluation. No zip files will be accepted.

https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/ach

2.3.8 Change Pages

During or after discussions, any change pages submitted shall clearly mark the changed information with a vertical line in the right margin of the page. The revision number and date shall be reflected on each changed page (preferably on, or next to, the vertical change line). Make spreadsheet revisions obvious by highlighting cells that changed.

2.4 Proposal Delivery

2.4.1 Delivery

Offerors must make an appointment with Ms. Amy Barnes via email at amy.barnes.2@us.af.mil for any deliveries of proposal documentation. The appointment must be scheduled at least one workday in advance of the planned delivery date. Deliver hard copies of all proposal volumes I - IV to the Contracting Officer at:

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

ATTN: Amy L. Barnes

Tinker AFB: Bldg 4004, 38 CONS/PKC 4004 Hilltop Rd Tinker AFB OK 73145-3020

The Offeror shall submit one electronic copy via ARMDEC with each hard copy volume. These volumes must be received no later than 3:00 PM central time on XX XXX 2018. Late deliveries will be handled IAW paragraph (c) (3) of FAR 52.215-1, Instruction to Offerors-Competitive Acquisition.

2.4.2 Early Submission

Offerors are encouraged to submit Volumes II (Past Performance), as early as XX XXX 2018 but not later than XX XXX 2018. Please contact the Contracting Officer to arrange for early delivery. Failure to submit early proposal information will not result in Offeror disqualification.

3.0 Factor 1, Technical, Volume I

3.1 General Instructions

The Technical Volume should be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity and coherence are very important. Your responses will be evaluated against the Technical 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 neither necessary nor desirable for you to tell us so in your proposal. Do not merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation.

In the Technical Volume, address your proposed approach to meeting the minimum performance or capability requirements of each technical subfactor.

3.1.1 Volume Organization

The Technical Volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

(1) Table of Contents/Glossary

(2) Cross Reference Matrix (Section L, Attachment 1)

(3) Subfactor One – System Architecture Design and Development

(4) Subfactor Two – System Administration and Sensor Maintenance

(5) Subfactor Three – Operations Support

3.1.2 Technical Subfactors. Offeror shall address its proposed approach to meeting the performance or capability requirements of each Technical Proposal subfactor as follows:

SUBFACTOR 1 – SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

The Offeror shall present an approach for the below scenario that explains how they propose to upgrade the current system used in conducting network security monitoring, intrusion detection analysis, IOP support, and hardware/software interfaces that meet PWS 3.1.1-3.1.3, 3.2.1-3.2.2, 3.3.3-3.3.5, 3.4.2, and 6.1.1 requirements.

Scenario One: Air Force gateways are at or are approaching the throughput capacity of their current 1 GB/s Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) circuit interfaces. The current cyber defense system, Information Operations Platform (IOP), hardware is either End-of- Support and/or End-of-Life and will not support the higher data throughput rates of the Air Force gateway 10 GB/s modernization. Therefore, an upgrade to the IOP is necessary to meet the new gateway throughput rates.

SUBFACTOR 2 – SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION AND SENSOR

MAINTENANCE.

The Offeror shall present an approach for the below scenario that explains how they will continue Tier 3 technical support for software and hardware upgrades, while updating the development network Authorization to Operate (ATO), that meets PWS 3.1.3, 3.3.1-3.3.2, 3.4.1, 3.4.8, and 3.5 requirements.

Scenario Two: The ATO (under DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP)) for the software development network expires in six months. The development network is relatively dynamic; new systems are added, modified (e.g., OS reinstallations, new applications) and removed as needed. The network must have an ATO (under Risk Management Framework (RMF)) before the current ATO expires, plus up-to-date tracking of the equipment (Asset Management, AFI 23-111) on the network.

SUBFACTOR 3 – OPERATIONS SUPPORT.

The Offeror shall present an approach for the below scenario that explains how they will adapt to potential challenges to upgraded Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) systems, identify a plan to develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP), and implement coordination between IPS Tier 3 support and IPS stakeholders IAW PWS Sections 3.4.

Scenario Three: A new threat detection/mitigation capability is required urgently to meet mission requirements. Approaches to generating the new capability are evaluated, a data visualization/detection application is rapidly prototyped, and the IPS is modified to enable blocking of the malicious traffic. Because of the potential for blocking legitimate traffic, effectively using the new capability requires analyst and field maintenance training. It is decided to field the capability immediately, requiring installation, troubleshooting and training to be performed at the site of deployed systems capable of handling the software changes. For older systems that require hardware/software upgrades to support the capability, new components are to be rapidly shipped to operational location, updated, configured and obsolete components shipped back.

4.0 Factor 2 – Past Performance, Volume II

4.1 General

4.1.1 Each Offeror shall submit Past Performance Information (PPI) with Volume II, Past Performance, IAW the format contained in paragraphs below. This information is required on the Offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners who perform aspects of the effort the Offeror considers critical to overall successful performance. 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. Past performance of either party in a joint venture counts for the past performance of the entity.

4.1.2 New Corporate Entities. New corporate entities may submit data on prior contracts involving officers, employees, and key personnel who have relevant experience and/or data of efforts that will depict performance of major or critical aspects of the requirement. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the prior contracts cited.

4.2 Relevant and Recent Contracts. Offeror shall submit PPI on a minimum of three, but no more than five recent contracts that Offeror considers most relevant in demonstrating ability to perform the proposed effort. The total includes any subcontractors or teaming partners; however, at least one PPI must be from the prime and no more than three of the recent contracts shall be submitted on your teaming partners and/or significant subcontractors that you consider most relevant in demonstrating their ability to perform the proposed effort. Do not duplicate a contract reference for prime and subcontractor but rather explain the role each played within the contract reference itself. For a description of the characteristics or aspects the Government will consider in determining relevance, see Section M Attachment 1, Relevancy Assessment Matrix.

To be recent, the effort must be ongoing or must have been performed during the past three years from the date of issuance of this solicitation. On-going actions will be considered as recent so long as the effort has been performed for at least six months as of the release of the RFP. PPI that fails to meet this condition will not be evaluated.

4.2.1 Specific Content

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 of efforts accomplished by the Offeror to resolve problems encountered on present/prior contracts as well as present/past efforts to identify and manage program risk. Merely having problems does not automatically equate to a limited 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, which may allow the Offeror to be considered a higher confidence candidate.

4.2.2 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 present/past efforts and this source selection. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to determine what present/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 Offeror’s company. As part of this explanation, show how these changes impact the relevancy of any efforts the Offeror identifies for present/past performance evaluation/performance confidence assessment. Since the Government intends to consider PPI provided by other sources as well as that provided by the Offeror(s), Offeror’s "roadmap" should be both specifically applicable to the efforts Offeror identifies and general enough to apply to efforts on which the Government receives information from other sources.

4.3 PPI Questionnaire.

4.3.1 The Offeror shall send out, and confirm receipt and submission of the PPI Questionnaire (Section L, Attachment 2), from each of the Offeror’s, critical subcontractors’, teaming contractors’ and/or joint venture partners’ (i.e., each entity’s). The responsibility to send out the PPI Questionnaires rests solely with the Offeror. For each questionnaire, complete and sign a letter containing substantially the same information as in the Sample Questionnaire Cover Letter (Section L, Attachment 3). Cover letters should be printed on company letterhead. The Offeror shall exert its best effort to ensure that a current POC, per relevant contract, submits a completed PPI Questionnaire directly to the Government not later than the proposal due date. Each of the Offerors’ POCs shall e-mail the completed PPI Questionnaire directly to Ms. Amy L. Barnes at amy.barnes.2@us.af.mil. Please instruct POC to call Ms. Amy L. Barnes (405)736-8739 with any questions.

4.3.2 Questionnaires shall be sent directly to the Government from at least one of the following POCs:

Program/Project Manager or equivalent, Contracting Officer/Contract Administrator or equivalent, or Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Once the PPI Questionnaires are completed by the POCs, the information contained therein shall be considered sensitive and shall not be released to the Offeror.

4.3.3 Format for Contract Information. Using the format below, the Offeror shall provide the following information for each contract reference submitted for past performance evaluation. Provide concise comments regarding Offeror’s performance on the contracts Offeror identifies. It shall include a cross-reference matrix identifying the PWS references and the team members proposed to perform that function.

a. Offeror/Subcontractor Name (Company/Division):

CAGE Code:

DUNS Number:

(NOTE: If the company or division performing this effort is other than the Offeror, or the relevancy of this effort to the instant acquisition is impacted by any company/corporate organizational change, refer to paragraph 4.2.2, "Organizational Structure Change History," and provide as part of the Present/Past Performance proposal.)

b. Acquisition Title:

c. Contract Specifics:

(1) Contracting Agency or Customer:

(2) Contract Number:

(3) Contract Type (e.g. firm-fixed-price, CR, etc):

(4) Period of Performance include Option years:

(5) Contract Dollar Value (Total & Annual): $

d. Description of Effort as Prime or Subcontractor

(Highlight portions considered most relevant to current acquisition)

e. Primary and Secondary Customer Points of Contact: Provide verified, up to date, Points of Contact on all past performance references.

Name:

Office:

Address:

Telephone:

E-mail:

f. Relevancy: Include a list of tasks performed on the effort that are relevant to this requirement. For a description of the characteristics or aspects the Government will consider relevant, see Section M, Paragraph D.2 and Relevancy Assessment Matrix, Section M, Attachment 1.

g. Address any technical (or other) area about this contract/program considered unique.

h. Describe the nature or portion of the work on the proposed effort to be performed by the business entity whose PPI is being reported. Also, estimate the percentage of the total proposed effort that will be performed by this entity and whether it will be performing as the prime, subcontractor, or a corporate division related to the prime (define relationship).

i. Describe any past or present litigation or administrative proceeding pertaining to the contract reference, including the results if the proceedings are complete or the status if the proceedings are ongoing. Provide a copy of any cure notices or show cause notices received on each contract reference and a description of any corrective action taken.

Indicate if any of the contract references were terminated and the type and reasons for termination.

j. Discuss the number and severity of any problems in the contract reference considered relevant to the proposed efforts and identify the effectiveness of corrective actions to resolve the problems. Provide any contract discrepancy reports, corrective action reports or other non-compliance correspondence.

k. Include any information not previously covered, which will enhance the evaluators’ understanding of the Offeror or any subcontractor’s proposed qualifications.

4.4. Consent Letters. The Offeror shall submit a consent letter, executed by any potential subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners. The consent letter authorizes release of adverse PPI to the Offeror so the Offeror can, in turn, respond to such information. For each identified effort for a commercial customer, the Offeror shall also submit a client authorization letter, authorizing release to the Government of requested information in the Offeror’s performance. A sample letter follows:

SAMPLE

Contracting Officer:

We are participating as a (subcontractor/teaming partner) with (prime contractor or name of entity providing proposal) in responding to the 38 CONS/PKC, Request for Proposal FA8773- 18-R- 8008 for performance at the primary location of JBSA-Lackland AFB, TX.

We understand the Government is placing increased emphasis on past performance in order to obtain best value in source selections. In order to facilitate the performance confidence assessment process we are signing this consent letter to allow you to discuss our past and present performance information with the prime contractor during the source selection process.

(Signature, printed name, and title of individual who has the authority to sign for and legally bind the company)

Company Name:

Address:

4.5. Client Authorization Letters.

PPI concerning private sector contractors, subcontractors and joint venture partners cannot be disclosed to the Government without their consent. Client authorization letters are required for each identified effort for a commercial customer. This letter will authorize release to the Government of requested information on the Offeror’s performance. The Government will need the consent before contacting commercial customers to assess the Offeror’s past performance. In an effort to assist the evaluators in assessing Offeror’s past performance relevancy and confidence, the Government requests the following client authorization letter be completed for any commercial customers identified in Offeror’s proposal. Offeror shall include the completed client authorization letter(s) within the Present/Past Performance Volume II.

SAMPLE

“Client:”

We are responding to the 38 CONS/PKC, Request for Proposal FA8773-18-R-8008 for performance at the primary location of JBSA-Lackland AFB, TX.

The Government is placing increased emphasis on past performance as a source selection factor. The Government requires entities responding to their solicitation to identify clients and requests client participation in the evaluation process. You are hereby authorized to respond to those inquiries if the contracting office contacts you for information on work performed by our firm.

We have identified of your organization as the point of contact based on his/her knowledge of our work.

We appreciate your cooperation. You may direct any questions to:

4.6 Reference Data. The Government reserves the right to contact and use information provided by the references and any other sources. The Government will also obtain and consider information about other contracts not mentioned in the Offeror’s proposal, but which the Government believes to be similar to the proposed effort. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to ensure all reference data is current and correct so that the Government can properly evaluate PPI.

5.0. Factor 3 - Cost/Price, Volume III

5.1. General Instructions

5.1.1 Price Reasonableness, Completeness, Balance, Affordability, and Cost Realism. This section is to assist you in submitting information other than cost or pricing data that is required to evaluate the reasonableness, completeness, balance, affordability, and cost realism of the Offeror’s proposed price.

Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and failure to comply may result in rejection of the Offeror’s proposal. Additionally, unbalanced pricing poses an unacceptable risk to the Government and may be a reason to reject an Offeror’s proposal. Offers should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate their reasonableness, cost realism, completeness, balance, and affordability. The burden of proof for credibility of proposed prices rests with the Offeror at the time of proposal or during subsequent discussions (if any are held). Additionally, the Offerors proposed price shall be within the affordability cap listed in Section M.

5.1.2 Pricing Information Requirements

The price proposal shall not include information beyond that required by this instruction unless the Offeror considers it essential to document or support Offeror’s position. All information relating to the proposed price, including all required supporting documentation or assumptions of the proposal must be included in the section of the proposal designated as the Price Volume. Under no circumstances shall this information and documentation be included in the Technical or Past Performance volumes.

5.1.3 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.

5.1.4 SCA/CBA

It is the responsibility of the Offeror and the subsequent contract awardee to comply with the Services Contract Act (SCA) or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In Section 1 of the Cost/Price Volume, a table shall be provided conforming (linking) the Offeror’s proposed job categories/skill levels considered subject to the SCA or CBA with the job categories/skill levels of the Wage Determination (WD). This cross-reference provides a tie between the labor categories/skill levels proposed and the labor categories/skill levels listed in the SCA WD or CBA.

5.1.5 Adequate Price Competition

The Government has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. Upon examination of the initial offers, the Contracting Officer will review this determination and if, in the Contracting Officer’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 Contracting Officer determines that adequate price competition no longer exists; Offerors may be required to submit Certified Cost or Pricing Data information to the extent necessary to determine the reasonableness of the price.

5.1.6 Rounding

All dollar amounts (unit and extended prices and other price factors) provided shall be rounded to the nearest penny (two decimal places only). This includes base period and out-year (option) prices. Failure to round unit prices to no more than two decimals may result in rejection of proposal. Rounding errors caused by Government formulas will be corrected during evaluation to round to the nearest penny.

5.1.7 Professional Compensation

As part of the price proposal, Offerors shall provide a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under the contract IAW FAR 52.222-46 -- Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (Feb 1993).

5.1.7.1 Professional Employee Compensation

In accordance with FAR Subpart 22.11 and FAR Provision 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, the Offeror and subcontractors/teaming partners/joint venture partners shall submit a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefit package proposed for their respective professional employees. The prime Offeror shall instruct its subcontractors to submit their total compensation plan directly to the contracting officer. The prime Offeror shall also submit a list of the subcontractors to include points of contact and phone numbers who will be submitting professional employee compensation packages to the Government. The total compensation plan submitted in the proposal will not become a part of the awarded contract.

5.1.7.2 Total Compensation Plan

Provide the planned compensation for all professional employee labor categories proposed to perform the effort (Section L, Attachment 5). Describe the job skills and qualification requirements associated with each identified labor category. Identify the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for each labor category using the Bureau of Labor Statistics SOC system, https://www.bls.gov/soc/. The labor categories shall be identified by geographic location of contract performance. Provide the corresponding salary and quantified fringe benefits for each labor category and skill level. The fringe benefit data shall also include a description of the benefits offered, and to which professional employee category (ies) the fringe benefits would apply.

Provide recent surveys and studies from professional, public, and private organizations (e.g., Watson & Wyatt, Economic Research Institute, Bureau of Labor Statistics, etc.) used to support the proposed salaries and fringes. Identify the source with the provided surveys and studies. If not using one of the sources listed above, explain the credibility of the source providing the surveys and studies.

5.1.7.3 Pricing Table

To complete the Pricing Table, fill-in the tabs provided in Section J, Attachment 4, by inputting the labor hours and rates for each Period of Performance for both FFP and CPFF CLINs. The contractor may elect to add additional tabs for labor rates or other calculations but must tie them back to the CLIN and Summary tabs. The Offeror will need to include Direct Rates and Indirect Rates and build-out the bottom section of the CPFF Labor tab to reflect their cost structure. If the prime contractor has a teaming partner and elects to propose only one set of rates for the entire team, this must be stated in the Volume III narrative. If the Offeror’s labor category definitions do not directly correspond to the Government’s labor category definitions/qualifications, the Offeror may propose its alternative;

however, the Offeror also must provide a cross-reference and explain the changes as an exception.

a. The contract will require Fully Burdened Rates for the FFP Labor CLIN, as well as Direct Labor Rates and the Offeror’s Labor Rate Build-up for Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) CLINs.

These labor rates shall be submitted for each of the fiscal years. The Offerors may choose to add labor rate tabs in the Pricing Table to be consistent with the Labor Rate Tables that will be attached to the successful Offeror’s contract award.

The labor categories identified within the Pricing Table (Section J, Attachment 4) are anticipated to be all inclusive of the labor categories expected to be used throughout the life of the contract.

All labor categories identified in the Pricing Table shall be covered and proposed collectively by the prime and/or teaming partners for Fully Burdened FFP labor Government Site Rates. These rates may be proposed by the prime, teaming partner(s), or a blend. The Offeror shall ensure that all labor categories are covered but NOT all labor categories must be covered by any one business entity. If an Offeror’s labor category nomenclature differs from the Government’s, the Offeror must provide a cross-reference in support of meeting the Government’s minimum labor qualification for that specific category, i.e. describe qualification for the skill level applicable to the labor category in terms of education level, experience and typical skills/capabilities/job functions.

5.1.7.4 Labor Rates

Offerors shall propose Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and direct labor rates for CPFF. The Offeror shall complete and submit separate Labor Rate Tables for the Prime and all teaming partners for the entire contract periods. Failure to propose rates for all labor categories will render the proposal incomplete, http://www.bls.gov/soc/ and the entire proposal will be subject to rejection. The Labor Rate Tables may be in the Offeror’s existing format and a model is not provided. The rates as proposed in the Contractor’s Labor Rate Table shall be contractually binding rates should Offeror be awarded a contract. The rates shall be made part of the contract and can be used for future modifications or Operational Contingency Requirements

(OCR).

The following provides guidelines for the major cost/price elements normally associated with the buildup of fully burdened labor rates and required support documentation:

Base Labor Rates: Show base labor rates associated with each labor category. Base rates are the hourly rates that the employees will be paid for performance under the basic contract. The most common basis for a proposed base rate is the actual rate the employee is currently being paid. If an individual in a particular labor category is currently not employed, a verifiable method used to establish the reasonableness of proposed rate must be provided, e.g. Payrolls, Salary.com, quotes, etc.

Base Labor Rate Escalation: Current rates will require adjustment for annual cost of living increases.

Base rates for contract out-years will require escalation adjustments to reflect what employees will receive for those periods.

Indirect Rates: Common indirect rates are Labor Overhead, Fringe Benefits, and General & Administrative (G&A). To support reasonableness, describe the basis of estimate of the proposed direct and indirect rates and factors and provide narrative support for all elements.

In general, the rate build-ups should be consistent with the Offeror’s standard accounting and total compensation plan.

5.1 Volume III Organization.

The Cost/Price volume shall consist of the following sections:

SECTION 1 - Table of Contents; summary descriptions accounting systems and SCA/CBA table.

SECTION 2 - Pricing Notes/Methodology: pricing information and supporting data, to include estimating methodology. Provide the Professional Compensation Plan and all information and supporting data for the Professional Compensation Plan in this section. Offerors are expected to use their customary formats and calculations consistent with their normal accounting practices to develop the fully burdened labor rates. To support reasonableness, describe the basis of estimate for the proposed direct and indirect rates and factors and provide narrative support for all elements.

Provide the Professional Compensation Plan and all information and supporting data for the Professional Compensation Plan in this section. Provide basis of estimates for proposed labor hours for CLINs x001 and x002.

SECTION 3 - Pricing Assumptions/ Exceptions: Identify any assumptions and exceptions taken to the pricing requirements stated in this solicitation. Provide complete rationale for each assumption and exception. Annotate “none,” if no assumptions or exceptions apply.

SECTION 4 – Pricing Table: (included as Section J, Attachment 4 to the solicitation). The Offeror shall comply with the following requirements and instructions:

Price CLINs x001 and x002. Limit unit prices to two decimal places.

For evaluation purposes, Offerors are required to submit only FFP and CPFF Labor pricing. Cost Reimbursable CLINs will be established by the Government and will not be included in the Total Evaluated Price (TEP).

Government total contract estimate for Travel, Material, and OCR are listed below:

Travel- $350K Material- $52K OCR - $6.7M (funded as OCR requirement occurs)

Electronic Media Submission of the Pricing Table. The CLINs in the Pricing Table of this solicitation are an electronic file, presented as Excel for Microsoft Office spreadsheet/workbook format. Submit both a hard copy and an electronic copy using the exact file provided by the Government without changing the format of the files. Formulas flow from spreadsheet to spreadsheet. Do not include any “hard” numbers and do not password protect any Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Description of Files:

Summary Sheet: Contains cells for the entry of unit prices for CLINs x001 and x002, and calculates extended prices for the Option to Extend Services CLINs.

Option to Extend Services will be automatically calculated at the same prices as Option Year 4, IAW clause 52.217-8. While it is not the Government’s intent to utilize this option CLIN, it is included to facilitate the extension of services if it is deemed necessary at the end of the base or any option period.

6.0 Volume IV – Contract Documentation

6.1 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 SF 33 and SF 30 for any subsequent amendments issued. The Offeror shall complete and submit “ONLY” the contract document sections as follows:

Section A -- Solicitation/Contract Form. Completion of Blocks 12 through 18 (including original signature and date) of the SF 33. Signature by the Offeror on the SF 33 constitutes an offer, which the Government may accept. The "original" copy should be clearly marked and should contain Vol I-IV, as identified in the above Table 2 - BINDER ORGANIZATION. Original Copy and Copy 1 should each be clearly marked.

Section B -- Supplies or Services and Costs/Prices. Do not include. This section will be populated by the Government at contract award from data provided from Section J, Attachment 4, Pricing Table.

Section C, E, and F -- Do not include. These sections are not modifiable by the Offeror and are redundant to include with the proposal submission.

Section G -- Contract Administrative Data. Do not include. This section is not modifiable by the Offeror and is redundant to include with the proposal information.

Section I -- Contract Clauses. Submit RFP Section I pages for only clauses which require Offeror fill-ins.

Other pages in this section shall not be included with the submission.

Section J -- Attachments. Please include completed DD254 and Pricing Table.

The Offeror shall submit an OCI Mitigation Plan, if an OCI issue is identified. The Offeror shall include, in Volume IV, the OCI Mitigation Plan IAW AFFARS 5352.209- 9000 and AFFARS 5352.209-9001 which will become part of the contract upon award. The proposed OCI mitigation plan shall: 1) Describe in detail any actual or potential OCI of which the Offeror is aware of with the performance with its division, affiliates, and/or subcontractors under any contract the Offeror or any of its divisions/affiliates/subcontractors has been or may be awarded by any federal agency or any other entity whose performance may create an OCI if awarded this contract; 2) Describe in detail the methodology the Offeror used to identify those potential or actual OCI described in paragraph 1); and

3) Describe in detail the specific techniques the Offeror intends to use to mitigate each identified potential or actual OCI.

Section K --System for Award Management (SAM) (Representations, Certifications, and other Statements of Offerors). Completed SAM representations, certifications, acknowledgments and statements shall be included with submission. Ensure SAM is current, complete, and accurate at the time of proposal. SAM representations and certifications must include those specified within Section K of this RFP. SAM can be accessed at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/#1. Offeror shall be eligible for award under the specified NAICS code, 541512 and as a SBA 8 (a) at the time of their proposal submission and remain eligible when verified again prior to award of the contract.

Joint Venture Agreements. Per the Small Business Administration (SBA), Joint Ventures are allowable on competitive 8(a) set-asides; however, the joint venture agreement must be received by SBA prior to proposal due date and approved before award of any resulting contract. If you are contemplating a joint venture on this project, you must advise your assigned SBA Business Development Specialist (BDS) as soon as possible. It is also recommended that the agreement be submitted as soon as practicable to ensure compliance with established regulations. Any corrections and/or changes needed can be made only when the BDS has adequate time for a thorough review before the proposal due date. No corrections and/or changes are allowed after time of submissions of proposals.

Submit RFP Section K pages for clauses which require Offeror fill-ins.

Section L – Do not include. This section is not modifiable by the Offeror and is redundant to include with the proposal submission with exception of DFARS provision 252.237-7023, Notice of Continuation of Essential Contractor Services. Offeror shall include, in Part IV, documentation required by DFARS provision 252.237-7023. There is no page limitation for this document and it is not included in the overall page limitation. Additionally, the submitted document will be incorporated into the contract by reference IAW DFARS 252.237-7023.

Section M - Do not include. This section is not modifiable by the Offeror and is redundant to include with the proposal submission.

OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED. Offerors shall also provide a separate sheet at that end of Section M with the following information:

a. Authorized Offeror Personnel. Provide the name, title, e-mail address, telephone numbers, street and mailing address (if a PO Box is used) of the primary and alternate company/division POC 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.

b. Company/Division SCA address, Identifying Codes, and Applicable designations. Provide company/Division’s street address, county and facility code; CAGE code; DUNS code; TIN; size of business (large or small, 8(a)); and labor surplus area designation.

c. SAM. Offerors are required to maintain an active registration in the SAM database at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ (see FAR 52.204-7).

Attachments:

Attachment 1: Cross…