Amendment_2_-_Solicitation_FDA-17-223-SOL-00003_-_HR_Support_Services.pdf

SOLICITATION NO.: 17-223-SOL-00003

HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) SUPPORT SERVICES

SBA REQUIREMENT #: 0303-17700194-01

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) mission is “Protecting consumers and enhancing public health by maximizing compliance of FDA regulated products and minimizing risk associated with those products.” And our vision is: “All food is safe; all medical products are safe and effective; and the public health is advanced and protected”.

In an effort to support FDA’s mission and vision, as a scientific agency, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) recruits for mission critical positions such as: Chemists, Biologists, Toxicologists, and Medical Officers to list a few. We compete heavily with private sector and academia for scientific talent. Many of our positions are hard to fill and need to be filled in a timely manner. OHR established this office four years ago and has consistently experienced a high attrition rate. As a result, OHR heavily relies on contract support to supplement the staffing, recruitment, and classification workload that are needed to hire and onboard new employees. FDA requires the support services of contractors in the area of human resources (HR), to include, but not limited to:

Recruitment and staffing

Personnel action processing support

Classification support

Project management support

HR information systems infrastructure support

Human capital data analysis and reporting support

Strategic communications and logistics support

Employee and labor relations support

Worker’s compensation support

Administrative support

See attached Statement of Work (SOW).

It is the FDA’s intent to award approximately three (3) indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts, with a performance period of five (5) years and a ceiling of $49,000,000.00. The Government reserves the right to determine the optimum number of awards based on the proposals received and balanced against the Government’s required level of effort.

These services are currently provided by AEIO, LLC, under IDIQ Contract No. HHSF223201510021I, which has a $4,000,000.00 ceiling, with a performance start date of 07.15.2015. There are currently thirteen

(13) contractor staff members providing support under this contract vehicle.

NOTICE OF COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This is a request for proposals (RFP) for commercial items in accordance with (IAW) the procedures of FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation.

https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/html/Subpart%2012_6.html#wp1088488

NOTICE OF FAC

This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-94, 2005-95, effective January 19, 2017.

FAR provisions and clauses referenced in this RFP can be found on the following website:

www.acquisition.gov

HHSAR provisions and clauses referenced in this RFP can be found on the following website:

https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html

NOTICE OF NAICS/SET-ASIDE

This requirement is set-aside for firms certified with the socio-economic designation of 8(a) by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The associated NAICS code is 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), with a small business size standard of $15 Million. Offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov, with completed representations and certifications by the close date of the solicitation. The offeror’s SAM registration must include the offeror’s exit date from the 8(a) program. Proposals submitted by offerors not registered in SAM.gov, with the offeror’s exit date from the 8(a) program, will not be considered.

SECTION 8(A) AWARD - PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN SBA AND HHS

Although the Small Business Administration (SBA) will not be identified as the prime contractor in Block 17a (SF1449), the SBA is still the prime contractor on this contract.

The SBA is required to approve novation agreements submitted by the 8(a) Participant. Additionally the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide advance notice to the SBA prior to issuing a final notice terminating this contract in whole or in part.

The SBA District Office:

U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office Parkview Tower 1150 First Avenue Suite 1001 King of Prussia, PA 19406

(610) 382-3062

The 8(a) partnership agreement between SBA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) applies to this requirement.

Link:

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Human%20Servic es.pdf http://www.acquisition.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Human%20Services.pdf https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Human%20Services.pdf

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

See (Attachment A) for the Statement of Work for a full description of the supplies/services to be acquired.

CONTRACT TYPE

The Government anticipates awarding approximately three (3) IDIQ contracts with an anticipated ceiling of $49,000,000.00, and a guaranteed minimum of $3,000.00. The following contract types are authorized under the IDIQs: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Time-and-Materials, and Labor-Hour (LH) type task and/or delivery orders.

ORDERING PROCEDURES

A request for task order proposal (RFTOP) will be issued via email to the IDIQ holders IAW the procedures of FAR 16.505(b) “Orders under multiple award contracts.” The RFTOP will clearly describe the services required, the contract type and the basis for award. Task orders may be awarded on either a lowest priced technically acceptable (LPTA) basis or trade-offs. It is the responsibility of the contractors to ensure a valid email address and point of contact for receipt of RFTOPs is on file at the FDA contracting office.

The IDIQ holders will have five (5) – ten (10) calendar days to respond to any RFTOP. At a minimum the following required documents must be submitted with any proposal in response to a RFTOP:

Resume of key personnel identified in the RFTOP

Commitment letters for each key personnel position, signed by the recommended candidate and the point of contact at the company that has the authority to offer employment o Commitment letters must include the following information (Sample Provided – See

ATTACHMENT I):

Title of position Name of company Name of individual offered position

Price proposal

Failure to provide the required documents in response to a RFTOP, may render the IDIQ holder’s proposal non-responsive.

In addition, the Government reserves the right to request writing samples from key personnel in response to a RFTOP.

Labor rates proposed in response to each RFTOP issued must be in accordance with the proposed labor categories and fixed labor rates in effect for the performance start dates within the ordering period.

Offerors may propose lower labor rates in response to a RFTOP. During the performance period of the IDIQ awards, by mutual agreement of the parties, additional labor categories may be added to support the objectives in the SOW.

If a task order’s stated period of performance must be extended as a result of Government delay, the Contractor may request that the most current labor rates be used to price the work effort during the extended period for LH and/or T&M task orders.

Labor-Hour or Time-and-Materials task orders will include a ceiling price.

FDA is the only agency authorized to place task orders against the resultant IDIQ awards.

All task orders issued hereunder are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. This contract shall control in the event of conflict with any task order.

The resultant IDIQ contract will have an ordering period of five (5) years from the date of award. Each task/delivery order issued under this contract will specify:

(i) Date of order.

(ii) Contract number and order number.

(iii) For supplies and services, contract item number and description, quantity, and unit price.

(iv) Specific tasks to be performed

(v) Specific deliverables and deliverable due dates

(vi) Task Order Contracting Officer Representative (COR), if different from IDIQ COR

(vii) Delivery or performance schedule.

(viii) Place of delivery or performance (including consignee).

(ix) Any packaging, packing, and shipping instructions (if applicable).

(x) Accounting and appropriation data.

(xi) Method of payment and payment office, to include invoicing instructions, if not specified in the contract

Task Order Transmission

Task orders may be issued by any of the following means:

Email (Preferred)

Ground

The selected contractor is required to perform on any signed task order transmitted by any of the above authorized ways.

AGENCY TASK AND DELIVERY ORDER OMBUDSMAN

To be provided at contract award.

QUESTION SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

Offerors may submit questions/clarifications in reference to any areas of the RFP.

Questions/clarifications must be submitted via email to Food and Drug Administration/OAGS: Pierre

Smith, Contract Specialist, at Pierre.Smith@fda.hhs.gov, and Michelle Creenan, Contracting Officer, at

Michelle.Creenan@fda.hhs.gov. The subject line of the email must read: Contractor Questions HR

Support Services, RFP No. 17-223-SOL-00003.

Questions/clarifications submitted by any other means will not be accepted. Questions/clarifications must identify the applicable section of the RFP. Questions/clarifications will be answered in an amendment to the solicitation. Questions/clarifications will not be discussed over the phone.

All questions/clarifications must be submitted by 11:00 PM Eastern time on 2 February 2017. Questions submitted after the due date may not be answered.

Offerors will receive a confirmation email within two (2) business days that their questions were received. If an offeror does not receive a confirmation email within two (2) business days, it is their responsibility to follow up with the contract specialist to ensure their questions were received.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DUE DATE

Proposals are due no later than 11:00 PM Eastern time on 1 March 2017. Proposals must be submitted via email to Food and Drug Administration/OAGS: Pierre Smith, Contract Specialist, at

Pierre.Smith@fda.hhs.gov, and Michelle Creenan, Contracting Officer, at Michelle.Creenan@fda.hhs.gov.

The subject line of the email must read: HR Support Services; RFP No. 17-223-SOL-00003. If submitting multiple emails, the subject line must clearly identify the total number of emails and which sequence the submission is.

All emails/proposal must be received by the due date and time. The late submission instruction found in

FAR provision52.212-1(f) regarding electronic submissions, applies to this solicitation.

PROPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Each proposal shall consist of four (4) separate volumes (attachments).

Volumes:

Volume 1 – Executive Summary (No Page Limitations)

Volume 2 – Technical Proposal (Page Limitation – 40 pages)

Volume 3 – Past Performance (Page Limitation – 20 pages)

Volume 4 – Price (No Page Limitations)

Note: Attachments must be clearly labeled to which volume they correspond to.

mailto:Pierre.Smith@fda.hhs.gov mailto:Michelle.Creenan@fda.hhs.gov mailto:Pierre.Smith@fda.hhs.gov mailto:Michelle.Creenan@fda.hhs.gov

Volume 1 shall contain the Executive Summary, which includes the following information:

Cover Letter – Must be signed by an individual that has the authority to bind the company. The cover letter, must include the following, at a minimum:

o Name of Offeror and Address o DUNS o Point of Contact – Name, telephone number and email address o Acknowledgement of Latest Amendment – Offerors who fail to acknowledge the most recent amendment, may be considered non-responsive o Statement that the proposal is valid for 90 days o Identification of any teaming arrangements, joint ventures, mentor-protégé relationships, subcontracting relationships, etc.

Completed representations and certifications, not already completed in SAM.gov.

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) – The offeror shall identify any possible OCIs and plan to mitigate any OCI issues, if they exist. If there is no potential OCI, offerors must provide a written statement indicating this. If the OCI mitigation plan is deemed unacceptable, the offeror will not be eligible for award.

Note: Information contained in Volume 1 should not include information required under the evaluation factors.

Volume 2 shall contain the information requested under evaluation factor 1 (Corporate Experience) and evaluation factor 2 (Management Approach). See BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION FACTORS for details.

Volume 3 shall contain the information requested under evaluation factor 3 (Past Performance). See BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION FACTORS for details.

Volume 4 shall contain the information requested under evaluation factor 4 (Price). See BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION FACTORS for details.

Each volume shall include a cover sheet which clearly identifies each volume by number, solicitation name (HR Support Services, 17-223-SOL-00003), and date of submission. The pages of the Offeror’s proposal shall include page headers with the same information and page numbers. The Offeror shall submit each volume in its native format (e.g., Word, Excel) and PDF format.

The specific formatting instructions for each volume are as follows:

Note: The Offeror shall ensure that the non-price volumes are free of any pricing information.

General Formatting Instructions:

Offerors shall use the following page setup parameters:

Font Type - Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman or similar font style

Font Size – Minimum of 11 pt.

Margins – Top, Bottom, Left, Right – 1”

Gutter – 0”

From Edge – Header, Footer – 0.5”

Page Size, Width – 8.5”

Page Size, Height – 11”

Pages must be numbered

Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size not less than 10-point and may be landscape.

The following items are not included in the stated page limitations:

Cover Page

Table of Contents

Glossary

Resumes, no more than 3 pages in length o Resumes are not required to be submitted for the award of this base IDIQ, but would be required for all resulting RFTOPs

CPARS Evaluations

Past Performance Questionnaires

Compliance Matrix

FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Offerors are hereby notified that the Government intends to use support of a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) to assist in the evaluation process for this solicitation. The FFRDC will follow established standards of conduct during the source selection process and will maintain confidentiality of proprietary and source selection information.

The MITRE Corporation operates a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under sponsorship of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in accordance with the provisions and limitations defined in the Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) part 35.017. FFRDCs are formed by government agencies to operate as strategic partners that function as unique, independent, nonprofit entities to meet specific long-term business and technical needs that cannot be met by the typical contractor relationship. FFRDCs are prohibited from competing with industry or working for commercial companies (both industry and government). Therefore, they can operate in the public interest with objectivity and independence in support of their sponsoring agency. This work environment allows FFRDCs to support their government sponsors across a full spectrum of planning and concept development, research and development, and acquisition support.

BASIS FOR AWARD AND EVALUATION FACTORS

The Government will award to the responsible offeror(s) whose offer, conforming to this announcement, will be most advantageous to the Government based on best value using trade-offs.

The Government is not required to award to the lowest priced offeror or the offeror submitting the highest technically rated proposal. Award will be made to the offeror(s) whose corporate experience, management approach, past performance and price represent the best value to the Government.

Non-price evaluation factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price. However, as non-price evaluation factors are rated more equally among offerors, the importance of price increases.

The Government will evaluate technical proposals as Excellent, Highly Satisfactory, Satisfactory, or UnSatisfactory. Performance risk based on past performance information will be given an overall performance risk assessment rating of one of the following: Low Performance Risk, Neutral, or High Performance Risk.

Table 1: Presents the comment ratings of strengths, meets, weaknesses, significant weaknesses, and deficiencies.

Table 1. Definitions of Comment Ratings

Comment Ratings Definitions

Strength

A strength adds value to the requirement and it is worthy of being noted. That part of a Proposal that represents an added benefit to the Government or is expected to increase the quality of the Offeror’s performance. For example, strengths may be high-quality personnel; relevant expertise; facilities; organizational structures;

and/or technical approaches that allow the Offeror to perform the work at a higher level of quality.

Meets Reserved for identifying notable areas of a Offeror’s Proposal that are found to be representative of the norm, i.e., successful in meeting the requirements of the RFP and / or the SOW.

Weakness

A flaw in the Proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

That part of a Proposal that detracts from the Offeror’s ability to meet the Government’s requirements or results in inefficient or ineffective performance.

For example, below-average quality personnel; questionable relevant expertise;

facilities; organizational structures; and/or technical approaches that cause the Offeror to perform the work at a lower level of quality.

Significant Weakness

A flaw that appreciably increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

That part of a Proposal that detracts from the Offeror’s ability to meet the Government’s requirements or results in inefficient or ineffective performance. A significant weakness is difficult to correct and offers potential for significant negative impact on quality of products or services.

Deficiency A material failure of a proposal to meet a Government requirement, significant omissions, or a combination of significant weaknesses in a proposal that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level.

The FDA will assess the relative risks associated with each proposal and the Offeror’s demonstrated potential for performance. Risk is defined as the likelihood that the offeror’s proposal may negatively impact performance, result in increased costs, the need for increased Government oversight or the likelihood of unsuccessful contractor performance.

Table 2: Presents the definitions of the risk ratings used in the evaluation for the Risk Assignment. Risk represents the likelihood that the government will be negatively impacted by the Offeror’s failure to meet the negotiated performance related to business, technical, management, schedule, or cost.

Table 2. Definitions of Risk Ratings

Risk Ratings Definitions

High

The Offeror’s response contains multiple minor risks or one or more major risks that have high likelihood of occurring, that represent major negative impacts to the Program should the risks occur, or that can be mitigated only through substantial Proposal revisions or extensive Government assistance during performance.

Medium

The Offeror’s response contains multiple minor risks or one or more moderate risks that have medium likelihood of occurring, that represent moderate negative impacts to the Program should the risks occur, or that can be mitigated with moderate Proposal revisions or moderate Government assistance during performance.

Low

The Offeror’s response contains one or more minor risks that have low likelihood of occurring, that represent minor negative impacts to the Program should the risks occur, or that can be easily mitigated with only minor Proposal revisions or nominal Government oversight during performance.

Table 3: Presents the definitions of adjectival and Proposal ratings. The following definitions support the evaluation process for this proposal evaluation.

Table 3. Adjectival Proposal Ratings

Rating Description

Excellent

A comprehensive and thorough Proposal of exceptional merit that significantly exceeds requirements in a way that benefits the Government, and contains at least one exceptional enhancing feature that benefits the Government.

Exceptional in essentially all respects. Any weakness is minor. Represents the best that could be expected of any offeror. Exceeds “Highly Acceptable” rating.

Highly Satisfactory

Proposal demonstrates overall competence and exceeds requirements in a way that benefits the Government or meets requirements and contains enhancing feature(s) that benefit the Government. One or more important strengths have been found, and strengths outweigh any weaknesses that exist. Any significant weaknesses are correctable. Proposal is above the average expected from any qualified offeror. Exceeds “Satisfactory” rating.

Satisfactory

Proposal shows a reasonably sound response and meets requirements. There may be strengths or weaknesses, or both. Strengths and weaknesses offset one another. Weaknesses do not significantly detract from the Offeror’s response.

Any significant weaknesses appear to be correctable and will have little or no impact on contract performance.

Unsatisfactory

Proposal has one or more significant weaknesses and/or deficiencies that are expected to be difficult to correct or are not correctable. There is no degree of confidence in successful performance. Offeror would have to completely revise Proposal to make this rating other than “Unsatisfactory.”

The Government reserves the right to award on initial offers received. Therefore, Offerors are advised to prepare proposals as if they were a final submission.

Offerors must submit information sufficient to evaluate their proposals based on the detailed criteria listed below.

A proposal which merely paraphrases the requirements stated in the Statement of Work (SOW) will be ineligible for award. In addition, a proposal that addresses only a part of the requirements will be considered nonresponsive to the solicitation and unacceptable for award.

Note: Evaluation factors are listed in their order of importance, with the most important listed first.

1. Factor 1 - Corporate Experience

2. Factor 2 - Management Approach

3. Factor 3 – Past Performance

4. Factor 4 - Price

Factor 1 – Corporate Experience

The Offeror shall submit a narrative of their corporate experience that demonstrates their experience and ability working for the federal government performing end-to-end federal HR Services (such as recruitment and staffing, processing personnel actions, and classification/position management in public health, scientific and/or regulatory agencies/organizations); and experience in HR Project Management, HR Information Technology, and HR Infrastructure.

The experience examples provided must describe the level of complexity and demonstrate a technical understanding of federal HR Services. The information must include the number of years of experience in each area of expertise. The narrative must include work performing federal HR operational services, supporting federal HR recruitment and staffing processing personnel actions, demonstrating classification/position management experience, and the ability to perform and execute on the federal HR deliverables, projects, and initiatives identified and outlined in the SOW.

Experience may come from subcontractors, but shall be identified as such.

The Offeror shall provide the following information to demonstrate their qualifications for the work by describing the Offeror’s:

Experience in performing federal HR services outlined in the SOW requirements

Work for scientific/regulatory agencies/organizations; recruitment and staffing, processing personnel actions, and classification/position management, HR Project Management, HR Information

Technology and Infrastructure. Provide the names of clients for whom the work was done, the period of performance, and what specific outcomes resulted from the engagement.

Demonstrated understanding and technical knowledge of Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations, all

OPM Federal personnel regulations including the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, Classification Standards and Job Grading guidelines, policies set forth in the Delegated Examining

Operations Handbook (DEOH), authority granted under section 1104 of title 5, United States Code

(U.S.C.), procedures, and the impact these have on federal human resource operations.

Proven ability to perform work using USAStaffing to implement the following phases.

Pre-consult Phase

Draft Announcement Phase

Announcement Posting Phase

Qualifications Review Phase

Certificate Issuance Phase

Onboarding Phase

Knowledge and ability to utilize the FDA’s Accelerated Staffing Track (FAST) hiring process (80 Day Hiring model) that includes pre-consultation services in filling positions to expedite hiring. Fully trained staff in excepted and competitive service (e.g. merit promotion and delegated examining procedures).

Preparedness to support Requirements Development, Business Process Requirements Development, and Business Process Reengineering for implementation of HR IT systems and solutions at FDA.

A narrative that describes the Offeror’s approach to meet certifications, technical guidelines, standards and constraints (e.g. Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) certification), and to meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Classification and Job Grading guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures. Address how these impact human resource operations.

Factor 2: Management Approach

The Offeror’s management approach will be evaluated to determine if the offeror’s approach displays a thorough understanding of the requirement. Offerors shall provide a management approach that displays an understanding of the requirement and is capable of being successful in fulfilling and managing the work outlined in the SOW. The Offeror shall provide a proposed Management Plan, addressing the following:

a) The risk management approach which identifies the Offeror’s overall risk management strategy for threats and opportunities expected during Contract performance;

b) Performance measures and quality control measures (with an established internal quality program) that will be used to ensure a high level of quality for services/deliverables;

c) The Offeror’s approach to communication and collaboration with stakeholders;

d) The Offeror’s approach to status reporting and problem resolution;

e) Any relationships the Offeror has with other companies upon which they may depend for staffing personnel, the reason why that subcontractor or partner was chosen, the kind and duration of the relationship.

f) The offeror’s ability to staff requirements in a reasonable amount of time and the offeror’s capability to recruit and retain qualified candidates for the labor categories required by the SOW.

To meet this requirement, offerors shall detail Tthe methods they used by the Offeror to hire, retain, and train personnel, as well as their approach to filling gaps in staffing required via relationships with subcontractors, and maintaining a suitable pool of candidates in the their resume database.

The Offeror shall describe its use of industry standard project management principles as applied to HR projects and initiatives.

The Offeror’s response shall include any Exceptions or Assumptions upon which its proposal is based.

Factor 3 - Past Performance

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s present and past performance on similar tasks completed within the past three years. Offerors must provide a minimum of (3) customer references and three (3) completed past performance questionnaires and/or CPARS reports for similar work performed. The Government reserves the right to select which reference(s) to contact.

FDA may request additional information at any time.

Offerors will have an opportunity to address any adverse past performance history. Offerors who do not have any past performance history will not be rated favorably or unfavorably, but will instead receive a Neutral/Unknown rating for past performance. Offerors must clearly state in their proposal if they do not have at least three (3) past performance references. Failure to acknowledge this may render an Offeror’s proposal non-responsive and may not be considered for award.

A strong history of relevant past performance may be more advantageous to the Government than a less relevant record of favorable performance. Relevancy is defined as the extent of similarity between the scope of the services provided, complexity, dollar value, and contract type or other comparable attributes of past performance examples to this requirement. Offerors may provide past performance information for subcontractors and must provide the same level of detail as outlined below; however, past performance information for the prime will be considered more important to the Government. The Government reserves the right to use data provided by the Offeror and data provided by alternative sources in conducting its assessment of past performance history.

In addition to the narrative providing a clear description of the HR services, products and/ projects provided, for each project identified above, the Offeror shall submit the following information:

1. Name of contracting activity/client (Federal Government agency) and address;

2. Contract number;

3. Contract type;

4. Period of Performance;

5. Total contract value, and subcontract value (if applicable);

6. Contracting Officer contact information (name, phone number, email);

7. Project Officer/Contracting Officer’s Representative contact information (name, phone number, email);

8. Administrative Contracting Officer contact information – if different from item #6 (name, phone number, email);

9. Description of work;

10. Technological solution used on the project;

11. The list may include contracts/order on which the Offeror served as a subcontractor, provided that the subcontract was similar in scope, duration, and price to this effort; and

12. If a subcontract, contact information for the prime contractor, not the customer, should be included.

Instructions for Past Performance Questionnaire:

The Offeror shall send the Past Performance Questionnaire appended to the RFP (Attachment B) to the references for the three relevant contracts above. Each reference must complete the questionnaire and email an electronic copy to the primary and secondary contract specialist, no later than the proposal due date. The Offeror shall ensure that all the points of contact complete and return the questionnaires to the Government prior to the solicitation close date. Offerors will receive a confirming email within two

(2) business days, once a completed past performance questionnaire is received. CPARS reports may be submitted by the offeror in lieu of past performance questionnaires; however the CPARS reports must provide a detailed description of the services provided and provide ratings and detailed justifications for those ratings.

Offerors should be aware that, in addition to the data provided by each Offeror, the Government may use data obtained from other possible sources, such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or the Department of Defense’s Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRs), in the evaluation of past performance. Past Performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, and subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement may be provided as past performance submissions. The Government is not responsible for ensuring that a sufficient number of questionnaires are submitted.

The Government reserves the right to consider questionnaires received after the due date of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to contact references for verification or additional information, and the right to consider other relevant past performance information. The Government may call customers, whether or not listed on the provided list, to inquire about the Offeror’s past performance. The Government does not assume the duty to search for data to cure the problems it finds in the information provided by the Offeror. The burden of providing thorough and/or complete past performance information remains with the Offeror.

Factor 4 - Price

The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s total proposed costs for the duration of the IDIQ (including the 6-month option period, per FAR 52.217-8), based on the estimated hours and the Offeror’s loaded bill rate on the pricing worksheet (Attachment C). Please note that the pricing spreadsheet hours are only provided as a representative estimation of the government's need, and a tool by which to evaluate price.

The individual needs, as they arrise and allow, would determine the total FTEs for this IDIQ.

Offerors must include a fully loaded labor rate for each labor category for each 12-month ordering period, plus the 6-month option period. Offerors who fail to provide pricing for each labor category and each ordering period, may be considered non-responsive. The total direct labor costs for the duration of the IDIQ, including the 6-month option period,will be the evaluated price. Price analysis will be conducted to verify that the overall price is considered fair and reasonable.

The rates proposed shall serve as the ceiling rates for any given labor category in the resultant IDIQ award.

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Provisions

FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov.

FAR PROVISION # TITLE DATE

http://www.acquisition.gov/

FAR 52.203-11 CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING PAYMENTS (SEP 2007)

TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS

FAR 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE SIDED ON (MAY 2011)

RECYCLED PAPER

FAR 52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (JUL 2016)

FAR 52.204-17 OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF OFFEROR (JUL 2016)

FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

FAR 52.216-31 TIME-AND-MATERIALS/LABOR HOUR PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

COMMERCIAL ITEM ACQUISITION (FEB 2007)

FAR 52.222-24 PRE-AWARD ON SITE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

COMPLIANCE EVALUATION (FEB 1999)

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items. (Oct 2016)

Addendum to (k) – The prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database by the close date of the solicitation, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Offeror’s proposal will not be evaluated or considered for award. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items.

EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Factor 1 - Corporate Experience

Factor 2 - Management Approach

Factor 3 – Past Performance

Factor 4 - Price

Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is https://www.acquisition.gov/ unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the

Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.203-98 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality

Agreements—Representation (DEVIATION 2015-02)

PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS—REPRESENTATION (FEB 2015)

(a) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), Government agencies are not permitted to use funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act for contracts with an entity that requires employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contactors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

(b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this provision does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

(c) Representation. By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that it does not require employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items (DEC 2016)

This provision applies to this acquisition. Offerors are to provide required data as (Attachment D) with their proposals.

FAR 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (OCT 1995)

The Government intends to award multiple contracts for the same or similar advisory and assistance services to approximately three (3) sources under this solicitation unless the Government determines, after evaluation of offers, that only one offeror is capable of providing the services at the level of quality required.

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Clauses

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.acquisition.gov

FAR CLAUSE # TITLE DATE

FAR 52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE (JULY 2016)

FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY 2015)

FAR 52.212-4 Alt I CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAY 2014)

FAR 52.227-14 RIGHTS IN DATA – GENERAL (MAY 2014)

FAR 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS

CONTRACTORS (DEC 2013)

FAR 52.242-15 STOP - WORK ORDER (AUG 1989)

FAR 52.245-1 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (APR 2012)

FAR 52.247-34 F.O.B DESTINATION (NOV 1991)

FAR 52.247-35 F.O.B DESTINATION, WITHIN CONSIGNEE’S PREMISES (APR 1984)

http://www.acquisition.gov/

FAR 52.203-99 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (DEVIATION 2015-02)

PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (FEB 2015)

(a) The Contractor shall not require employees or contractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

(b) The contractor shall notify employees that the prohibitions and restrictions of any internal confidentiality agreements covered by this clause are no longer in effect.

(c) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this clause does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

(d)(1) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), use of funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act may be prohibited, if the Government determines that the Contractor is not in compliance with the provisions of this clause.

(2) The Government may seek any available remedies in the event the contractor fails to comply with the provisions of this clause.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Items (JAN 2017)

The additional FAR clauses cited in this clause that have a “check” or an “x” next to them are applicable to the acquisition. Full text of this clause is in (Attachment E).

FAR 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from Date of Base Contract Award through five (5) years, and with a 6-month extension if the option clause is exercised.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if authorized in the Schedule.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than _$3,000.00______, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the

Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor --

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $10,000,000.00.

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $49,000,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within _____15____ days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within __3___ days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the

Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the

“maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the

Schedule as the “minimum.”

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the

Contractor’s and Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 12 months from the stated period of performance end date of the contract.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor 30 days before the contract expires; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before contract expires.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(applicable to task orders issued under this contract)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the

Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five (5) years and six (6) months.

(END OF CLAUSE)

FAR 52.219-18 NOTIFICATION OF COMPETITION LIMITED TO ELIGIBLE 8(a) CONCERNS (JUN 2003)

(a) Offers are solicited only from small business concerns expressly certified by the Small Business

Administration (SBA) for participation in the SBA’s 8(a) Program and which meet the following criteria at the time of submission of offer --

(1) The Offeror is in conformance with the 8(a) support limitation set forth in its approved business plan; and

(2) The Offeror is in conformance with the Business Activity Targets set forth in its approved business plan or any remedial action directed by the SBA.

(b) By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that it meets all of the criteria set forth in paragraph

(a) of this clause.

(c) Any award resulting from this solicitation will be made to the Small Business Administration, which will subcontract performance to the successful 8(a) offeror selected through the evaluation criteria set forth in this solicitation.

(d)

(1) Agreement. A small business concern submitting an offer in its own name shall furnish, in performing the contract, only end items manufactured or produced by small business concerns in the

United States or its outlying areas. If this procurement is processed under simplified acquisition procedures and the total amount of this contract does not exceed $25,000, a small business concern may furnish the product of any domestic firm. This paragraph does not apply in connection with construction or service contracts.

(2) The [insert name of SBA’s contractor] will notify the Food and Drug Administration’s Contracting

Officer in writing immediately upon entering an agreement (either oral or written) to transfer all or part of its stock or other…