36_Section_L_05-19-15.doc

SECTION L, INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1.0 SOLICITATION 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 its full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that shall 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 these addresses: http://farsite.hill.af.mil; http://www.acquisition.gov/far, or http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html.

(End of Provision) FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (JUL 2013)

FAR 52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (NOV 2014)

FAR 52.211-14 NOTICE OF PRIORITY RATING FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND ENERGY PROGRAM USE (APR 2008)

Any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation with DO-C9 rated order certified for national defense, emergency preparedness, and energy program use under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) (15 CFR 700), and the offeror will be required to follow all of the requirements of this regulation.

(End of Provision)

FAR 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2004)

FAR 52.215-16 Facilities Capital Cost of Money (Jun 2003) FAR 52.215-20 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA AND DATA OTHER THAN CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA (OCT 2010)

Submission of certified cost or pricing data is not required.

Offerors shall provide the information described in paragraph 8, Volume IV, Price Proposal (Factor 3), below.

(End of Provision) FAR 52.215-22 LIMITATIONS ON PASS-THROUGH CHARGES–IDENTIFICATION OF SUBCONTRACT EFFORT (OCT 2009)

FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with fixed unit prices resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision)

FAR 52.222-24 PRE-AWARD ON-SITE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMPLIANCE EVALUATION (FEB 1999)

FAR 52.222-46 EVALUATION OF COMPENSATION FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (FEB 1993)

FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (CO) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from the CO, at the address in Block 7 of the Standard Form (SF) 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award.

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision) FAR 52.252-5 Authorized Deviations in Provisions (APR 1984)

The use in this solicitation of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the provision.

(End of Provision)

DFARS 252.203-7005, REPRESENTATION RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF FORMER DOD OFFICIALS (NOV 2011)

(a) Definition. “Covered DoD official” is defined in the clause at 252.203-7000, Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials.

(b) By submission of this offer, the offeror represents, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that all covered DoD officials employed by or otherwise receiving compensation from the offeror, and who are expected to undertake activities on behalf of the offeror for any resulting contract, are presently in compliance with all post-employment restrictions covered by 18 USC 207, 41 USC 2101-2107, and 5 CFR parts 2637 and 2641, including Federal Acquisition Regulation 3.104-2.

(End of provision) DFARS 252.204-7004 Alternate A, System for Award Management (FEB 2014)

DFARS 252.215-7008 ONLY ONE OFFER (OCT 2013)

DFARS 252.225-7003 REPORT OF INTENDED PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA—SUBMISSION WITH OFFER (OCT 2010) DFARS 252.226-7001 UTILIZATION OF INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS, INDIAN-OWNED ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES, AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS (SEP 2004) DHA Procedures Guidance and Information (PGI) 233.103-90, Agency Level Protests NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW (MAY 2012).

a. An interested party filing a protest with Defense Health Agency (DHA) has the option of requesting review by either the Contracting Officer (CO) or an independent review official (IRO), who is a DHA official at a level above the CO. Alternately, an interested party may request an IRO review as an appeal of the CO's protest decision.

b. Where applicable, an interested party shall clearly state in the protest that IRO review is requested, and shall specify the nature of the independent review sought whether as an alternative to CO review or as an appeal of the CO's decision. Regardless of which review is requested, all protests shall be complete and submitted to the CO within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.1.

Note: In accordance with 4 CFR 21.3(a)(3), any protest filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be considered by DHA to be timely if it is filed within 10 days of actual or constructive knowledge of DHA’s adverse action on the initial agency–level protest, provided the agency–level protest was filed in accordance with 4 CFR 21.3(a)(1) and (2). Any subsequent DHA appellate review of the initial agency–level protest shall not provide an extension of time to file a protest with the GAO. DHA’s Agency Level Protest process gives a higher level appellate review of the CO’s decision on the initial protest challenge; therefore, this independent review does not extend the GAO’s timeliness requirements for subsequent protest of the initial adverse agency action (FAR 33.103(d)(4) and 4 CFR 21.2(a)(3).

2.0 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

2.1 To assure timely and equitable evaluation of proposals, offerors shall follow the instructions contained herein. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications. Proposals shall be complete, self-sufficient, and respond directly to the requirements of this solicitation. The Government will not accept alternate proposals or corrections or changes after the deadline for proposal submission.

2.1.1 Each offeror shall comply with the solicitation requirements and submit a clear, concise proposal that includes sufficient detail for the Government’s effective evaluation and validation of offeror’s stated claims. The Government has provided Section L Exhibit L-5, Solicitation Cross-Reference Table, to assist offerors in proposal preparation. Exhibit L-5 provides a general cross-reference between solicitation sections and is not intended to be a substitute for the offeror’s reading and complying with the solicitation requirements. Offerors are not required to submit Exhibit L-5 as part of the proposal.

2.1.1.1 The offeror should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements in the proposal. The offeror shall provide convincing rationale that addresses how the offeror intends to meet the requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities, capabilities or experience. The Government will base its evaluation on the information presented, plus any additional past performance information the Government obtains from other sources. The Government will evaluate the proposal using the criteria in Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award.

2.1.2 Electronic Reference Documents: All solicitation documents for this requirement are available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at http://www.fbo.gov unless noted otherwise. Potential offerors are encouraged to register on FBO to receive e-mails regarding Government notifications on the FBO.gov website.

2.1.3 Discrepancies and Ambiguities: If an offeror believes the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, ambiguities, 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 related to the omission or error.

2.1.4 The CO will determine whether the apparent successful offeror is responsible in accordance with FAR 9.1. If the CO determines an offeror is not responsible under FAR 9.1, the offeror shall not be considered for award.

2.1.5 The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest price offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received. The Government cautions offerors not to leave solicitation items blank, including the Standard Form (SF) 33 blocks, Section K, Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors, or any item requiring the offeror’s response. If an item is not applicable to the offeror, the offeror shall state “not applicable” or “NA.” The CO may determine the offer to be non-responsive and ineligible for contract award if an offeror:

(1) fails or refuses to assent to any of the terms and conditions of the solicitation;

(2) proposes additional terms and conditions to this solicitation; or

(3) fails to submit any of the information required by this solicitation.

The offeror is reminded the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal received without discussions.

2.1.6 Award without Discussions: The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. If an offeror submits more than one proposal, the Government will not evaluate any proposal from that offeror.

2.1.6.1 If the Government determines that it is necessary to conduct discussions; the CO will establish the competitive range. If the CO decides that an offeror’s proposal should no longer be included in the competitive range, the proposal will be excluded from consideration for award; and written notice of this decision will be provided to unsuccessful offerors in accordance with FAR 15.503. If it is determined necessary, the CO will notify offerors remaining within the competitive range to schedule discussions.

2.1.7 Sections L and M apply to the solicitation phase only and will not be part of the resulting contract.

2.1.8 The contract will be updated to reflect the actual period of performance dates prior to award.

2.1.9 Competition: The CO has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. After receipt of the offers, if the CO determines adequate price competition exists, no additional cost information will be requested, and offerors will not be required to provide certification under FAR 15.406-2. However, if the CO determines adequate price competition no longer exists, the CO may require offerors to submit information to the extent necessary for the CO to determine the reasonableness of the proposed prices.

2.2 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI):

2.2.1 Offerors shall comply with FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest.

2.2.2 For the purpose of these provisions, the term "offeror" means the offeror, its subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, and marketing consultants (as defined by FAR 9.501) or any of its successors or assignees.

2.2.3 In accordance with FAR 9.505, Organization and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, DHA is indicating and advising awareness to all interested offerors that “actual” and “potential” organizational conflicts of interests (OCI) may exist. This is to assist prospective offerors in developing their own business strategies regarding DHA requirements; and in doing so: avoid, mitigate, and neutralize any “actual” and “potential” OCIs. The following paragraphs below are provided for the purpose of identifying, avoiding, and mitigating against OCIs of this solicitation/award process.

2.2.3.1 Due to the nature of their performance with DHA, DHA has determined the following companies have an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest, which must be avoided, neutralized, or mitigated: A-Team Solutions, LLC; Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Management (AECOM); Axiom Resource Management Inc.; Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH); Cherokee Information Services (CIS) Inc. and its subcontractor, ThinkQ; Ernst and Young; Kennell and Associates Inc.; Compliance Automation Inc.; Concept Plus, LLC; E.R. Williams Inc.; Information Technology Solutions & Consulting, LLC (ITSC); Intellidyne, LLC; Kforce Government Solutions, Inc. (KGS); Lockheed Martin Services, Inc.; National Government Services, Inc.; SofTec Solutions, Inc.; and Deloitte Consulting, LLP.

2.2.4 The offeror shall represent in writing in its proposal that, to the best of the offeror's knowledge, there are no relevant facts or circumstances concerning any past, present, or potential contracts or financial interest relating to the work to be performed, which could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as described in FAR 9.5. In the event an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest exist, the offeror shall submit a mitigation plan to the CO that effectively demonstrates how the offeror will mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflict of interest while supporting this contract and any other DHA contract. The offeror shall also provide the CO with information of previous or ongoing work that is in any way associated with this solicitation.

2.2.5 The CO will review all mitigation plans to determine whether award to the offeror is consistent with FAR 9.5. If the CO determines that no conflict would arise or that the mitigation plan adequately protects the interest of the Government, the offeror will be eligible for award. If the CO determines that the mitigation plan is inadequate, the CO will consider what remedial actions to take, including elimination from the solicitation process, termination of related contract efforts already awarded, or negotiation of the mitigation plan.

2.2.6 The above restrictions shall be included in all subcontracts, teaming arrangements, and other agreements calling for performance of work which is subject to the organizational conflict of interest restrictions identified in these provisions.

2.3 Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest:

2.3.1 Offeror shall comply with FAR 3, Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest, and DFARS 203.

2.3.2 Use of Former DOD/DHA Employees and Uniformed Service Members in Proposal Preparation. (See DFARS 252.203-7005 above for provision) The involvement of a former DOD/DHA employee/member in an offeror’s proposal preparation may give rise to an unfair competitive advantage or the appearance thereof, if the former DoD/DHA employee/ member acquired non-public, competitively-useful information in his or her former position. Such knowledge could include proprietary information of competitor’s performance on past or current contracts with similar requirements or source selection sensitive information pertaining to this procurement. Consequently, the Offeror shall notify the CO prior to the involvement in the proposal preparation by a former DOD/DHA employee/member reasonably expected to have had access to such information. Based on the notification, the CO will make a determination whether involvement of the former DOD/DHA employee/member in proposal preparation could create an unfair competitive advantage or appearance thereof. The CO will further determine whether any mitigation measures taken or proposed by the offeror are adequate to alleviate this concern or whether the offeror will be disqualified from the competition. Failure to comply with these procedures may result in the offeror’s disqualification for award.

2.4 Offeror shall use its legal name and not a shortened version that could be confused with a parent company or other corporation. After the first time the offeror states its full legal name in each proposal volume, the offeror may subsequently use an abbreviation or acronym . The offeror shall clearly distinguish information in its proposal that it attributes to itself (the offeror), its parent company, affiliate or subsidiary.

2.5 Offerors shall submit proposals to the CO at the address indicated below. The proposals shall be in electronic and hard copy format (see paragraph 4.0) in the quantities indicated in Table 1. Hardcopies and CDs shall be submitted to:

Ms. Margaret Zancanella, Contracting Officer

Reference: TQMC Solicitation HT9402-15-R-0005 Defense Health Agency/COD-A 16401 East Centretech Parkway Aurora, CO 80011-9066

2.5.1 Each CD and hardcopy volume shall be marked as follows:

OFFEROR’S COMPANY NAME, e.g., XYZ Corporation

TRICARE Quality Monitoring Contract (TQMC) Reference: TQMC Solicitation HT9402-15-R-0005

Volume Number

CD number (e.g., 1 of 3)

Date the CD was created

Software and version used (See paragraph 4.2. below)

2.5.2 Offerors shall apply all appropriate markings including those prescribed in accordance with FAR Clause 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. Offeror shall also identify any proprietary data that is to be protected in accordance with FAR 2.101.

2.6 If an offeror plans to have a representative deliver its proposal, the offeror shall coordinate the delivery with the Contract Specialist (See Block 10 of the SF 33) at least 2 business days prior to the proposal due date/time to ensure timely submission. Proposals shall be received no later than the date/time and at the address stated on the SF 33.

3.0 GENERAL INFORMATION:

3.1 The CO is the official DHA point of contact (POC) for this solicitation. The CO has assigned the Contract Specialist to coordinate with offerors for delivery of proposals and receive solicitation questions.

3.1.1 The CO encourages offerors to submit questions regarding the solicitation or other concerns via email to the CO and Contract Specialist identified in Block 10 of the SF 33 no later than 10 business days after issuance of solicitation. The CO will provide answers to questions to all prospective offerors via the Federal Business Opportunities website at https://www.fbo.gov.

3.2 Pre-proposal Conference: The Government anticipates holding a pre-proposal conference. The CO will provide the specifics about the pre-proposal conference on Federal Business Opportunities website at a later date.

3.3 The remarks, explanations, and answers provided by Government representatives whether orally, or in writing, shall not change any of the terms or conditions of the solicitation. The solicitation can only be changed by a formal written amendment issued by the CO.

4.0 PROPOSAL PREPARATION:

4.1 The offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) physically separated volumes, individually titled as indicated below. Each copy of each volume shall be in separate three-ring binders in the appropriate quantity. The total number of copies includes the original (e.g., 4 copies = original + 3 copies).

Table 1, Proposal Volumes

· Completed, signed SF 33, with Sections B, K and G,

· OCI Representation and Mitigation Plan if applicable

· Cost Accounting Standards Board (CASB) Disclosure Statement(s) Factor 4, Small Business Participation:

· Small Business Subcontracting Plan if applicable.

5.0 2.2 5.5 4/2

· Narrative for Subfactors 1-4

· Past Performance Narrative

· Past Performance Contract Descriptions Organizational Change Roadmap

· Completed client authorization letter for each client POC

· Each Subcontractor and Teaming Partner’s Consent

· Copy of Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

· Offeror’s Price Proposal Price (Section L Exhibit L-11)

· Proposal Price narrative including supporting spreadsheets and documents

· Service Contract Act Wage Determinations or Collective Bargaining Agreements

· Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Comprehensive Report(s),

· Audited Financial Statements

· DCMA Form 1620 04-04 Guaranty Agreement for Corporate Guarantor

· Professional Employees Compensation Plan

4.2 The electronic portion of the proposal shall be submitted on virus-free CD-ROMs that are compatible with Microsoft Office 2010 applications. For the original and copies listed above, the documents shall be either in Word or Excel format. If this is not possible, then a PDF document in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) format is acceptable for all volumes except for Volume IV, Price Proposal, which shall only be submitted in Word and Excel format (See paragraph 8, Volume IV, Price Proposal (Factor 3, Price), for additional requirements). Each CD shall be labeled as stated in paragraph 2.4. In addition, each CD shall be made “final.” “Final” is a recording option that renders the CD totally used so no other data tracks can be added. Do not use compressed file formats. Use separate files to permit rapid location of all portions, including exhibits, annexes, and attachments, if any. All portions of the electronic documents, including the body of text, tables, charts, and graphs shall be in a format that enables the Government to perform electronic searches of the documents. Electronic versions shall be exact duplicates of the paper copy proposals in both content and format.

4.3 Paper copy proposals shall be exact duplicates of the electronic versions in both content and format. Offerors shall submit each copy of each volume in a separate 3-ring binder with the offeror’s name, volume number, volume title, proposal date and solicitation number on the outside front cover and spine. Offerors shall also indicate which set of the volumes is the original and indicate the number of each set of copies (COPY 1 of 3). All paper proposal material shall be submitted on white paper with one-inch (1”) margins on all sides. The font for both CD ROM and paper submissions shall be Times New Roman, and at least 12 points with normal spacing and kerning. However, offerors may use 8-point Times New Roman for illustrations, organization charts, supporting data exhibits, report listings, or levels on process flows. Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed artwork, or other embellishments shall not be submitted. Proposal Volumes I-III shall be printed single-spaced, double-sided only with non-duplicative, sequential page numbers at the bottom of each page. Offerors shall include the offeror’s name and solicitation number at the bottom of each page. Volumes IV-V shall be printed single-sided. In instances where the paper copy differs from the electronic copy, the original paper volumes prevail.

4.4 Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the CO will exclude the excess pages from evaluation. The excess hard copy pages will be destroyed without review, and excess electronic pages will not be reviewed. Table 2 below shows the required documents with page limits and the corresponding paragraph in Section L. If a required document is not listed in Table 2, then it has no page limit.

4.4.1 The technical proposal shall not exceed 100 pages inclusive of the exhibits, illustrations, attachments, flow diagrams, data dictionaries, figures, charts, and any other non-narrative documents. The table of contents, index, and tabs separating sections of the volume will not be counted as long as they do not contain proposal content. The offeror may cross-reference information within a proposal volume rather than repeating the information, i.e., a cross-reference to another paragraph within the technical volume. However, the offeror shall not make a cross-reference to another volume.

Table 2, Proposal Page Limits

4.5 The proposal shall not reflect a marketing or sales presentation. Unnecessarily elaborate proposals beyond those sufficient to present a complete and effective response to this solicitation are not desired. The proposal shall illustrate the offeror’s capability and clearly demonstrate the organization and methodology that will satisfy the solicitation requirements.

4.6 The proposal may state information on the offeror’s experience (for this purpose, experience refers to what an offeror has done, not how well it was accomplished) in performing the proposed processes and procedures. This information may be considered in the evaluation of specific technical approaches and related technical proposal risk. However, any such information in the technical proposal will not be considered for the purposes of evaluating past performance as described in Section M, paragraph 5.0.

4.7 The price proposal, past performance information, and financial information shall not be addressed in the technical proposal volume, and no part of the technical proposal shall be incorporated by reference in any other proposal volume.

4.8 If the CO issues an Evaluation Notice (EN), the offeror shall follow the instructions in the EN.

4.9 If the CO requests final proposal revisions (FPR), the offeror shall follow the instructions in the request for FPR.

4.10 An offeror’s proposal will not be incorporated into the awarded contract as a whole. However, the Government may incorporate portions of the proposal into the resulting contract.

4.11 In accordance with FAR 4.803, Contents of Contract Files, DHA’s Contract Operations Division will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. DHA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) may retain its copies of proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise in writing, the contracting office will destroy the remaining copies of unsuccessful proposals.

4.12 The offeror shall submit its proposed organizational structure in an organizational chart and shall include the prime offeror, the parent entity, affiliates, subsidiaries, teaming partners, and first-tier subcontractors. A first-tier subcontractor is a company with a direct contractual relationship with the offeror to perform TQMC requirements, and whose contract price exceeds $1,750,000 or 5% of the total price (whichever is less) in the total price for the Base period and Option Years 1-5.

4.12.1 The offeror shall include addresses and telephone numbers in the organizational chart. The offeror shall disclose a clear description of the organizational relationships in the case of a joint venture or other business structure (e.g., subsidiary relying upon its parent corporation and/or relying on other corporate subsidiaries of its parent).. The offeror shall place a copy of the organization chart in the front of each volume. The organization chart shall not exceed 3 pages and will not count against any of the other page limitations indicated in paragraph Table 2, paragraph 4.4.1.

5.0 VOLUME I, EXECUTED OFFER:

5.1 Volume I shall contain the signed original of all documents requiring the offeror’s signature, including the SF 33 and the acknowledgement of any issued amendments to this solicitation. Use of reproduction of the signed original is authorized in the copies. The offeror shall complete and provide Section K, Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors, with all representations and certifications, including FAR Provision 52.204-8, Annual Representations and Certifications, in Volume I. An electronic Representations and Certifications Application is available at the System for Award Management (SAM) website (https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM).

5.2 Offerors shall submit a completed Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, in both Volumes I and IV. Offerors shall not include price information anywhere else in its proposal. Offerors are instructed to price the appropriate contract line item numbers (CLINs) and sub-CLINs (SLINs) in Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, as described in paragraph 8.0, Volume IV, Price Proposal, (Factor 3, Price).

5.3 Offerors shall complete, sign, and date Blocks 12 through 18 of the SF 33. Offerors shall provide at least 180 days in Block 12, Minimum Acceptance Period.

5.4 An offeror shall include a cover page in Volume I identifying the offeror’s POC(s) authorized to communicate throughout the solicitation process and who has full authority to bind the company. The offeror shall provide the following POC information: Full name, title, e-mail address, phone number, fax number, and level of authority.

5.5 Small Business Participation (FACTOR 4): Offerors shall include the Factor 4 requirements for Small Business Participation in Volume I.

5.5.1 Offerors designated as other than small businesses (large businesses) shall include in Volume I a subcontracting plan as required by FAR 19.702, FAR 19.704, FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns; FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan; and DFARS 252.219-7003, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts). Offerors may use the services and/or products of the AbilityOne program (National Industry for the Blind/National Industry for the Severely Handicapped) in meeting its small business subcontracting goals.

5.5.2 The offeror shall propose subcontracting goals to maximize small business participation and evidence of its commitment to implement the proposed small business participation goals below.

Small Business Subcontracting: 36.7%

Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB): 5%

Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB): 5%

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB): 3%

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB): 3%

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) SBs: 3%

5.5.3 Small Business Exception to Subcontracting Plan: In lieu of submitting a subcontracting plan, and in addition to its Section K representations and certifications, a small business offeror shall make an affirmative statement of their small business status, identify the specific small business category(ies), and describe any teaming arrangements the offeror intends to use in support of the offeror’s technical proposal.

5.6 Contract Administration Data: As required in paragraph Section G, Contract Administration Data, paragraph 1.1.1, the offeror shall provide the offeror’s POC’s name and contact information for contract administration in Volume I.

6.0 VOLUME II, TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (FACTOR 1, TECHNICAL APPROACH):

6.1 The offeror shall submit a written technical proposal that demonstrates the offeror’s understanding of the solicitation requirements and provides an effective and efficient technical approach for meeting the solicitation requirements consistent with healthcare best practices and standards.

6.1.1 The offeror shall clearly describe its approach and processes for performing the technical requirements of the solicitation. For example, if the contractor uses continuous process improvement, the offeror shall describe how it implements its continuous process improvement and steps it takes to monitor the effectiveness of such processes.

6.1.2 The offeror shall provide convincing rationale that addresses how the offeror intends to meet the requirements in sufficient detail so that evaluators can determine if the proposal meets or exceeds the solicitation requirements. If the offeror uses industry best practices or established standards, the offeror shall provide sufficient detail so that the evaluators can validate it as such. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of its facilities, capabilities or experience.

6.2 Subfactor 1, Management and Staffing:

6.2.1 The offeror shall describe its proposed management approach for establishing and maintaining experienced, qualified personnel (which includes all professionals providing services under the contract) with appropriate skill sets, and management positions (including consultants and subcontractors), facilities, systems, and infrastructure to meet the solicitation requirements, consistent with healthcare best practices and standards.

6.2.2 The offeror shall describe its ability to manage contract operations to meet the solicitation requirements and integrate all contractor activities. The description shall include flow integration, organizational structure, lines of authority, subcontractor management, and performance monitoring and reporting. The offeror shall also describe its reporting interfaces between the offeror and the Government for meeting the requirements of the contract. The offeror shall include a description of the reporting structure and any sharing of personnel between and among the business entities for any joint venture or other business structure. The offeror shall specify which contract requirements shall be accomplished by each specific subcontractor.

6.2.3 The offeror shall describe its processes and procedures for its Internal Quality Management Program (IQMP) and how it will integrate its IQMP to ensure accuracy and timeliness of services and products delivered. The offeror shall also describe its approach for quality management/quality improvement to ensure the solicitation requirements are met consistent with healthcare best practices and standards.

6.2.4 The offeror shall describe its approach for risk management program and process and how risks will be mitigated to ensure the solicitation requirements are met.

6.2.5 The offeror shall describe its management approach for conducting medical reviews, clinical quality improvement studies, onsite behavioral health facility reviews, and performance measurement and reporting consistent with the solicitation requirements and healthcare best practices and standards.

6.2.6 The offeror shall describe its plan and processes to ensure it can obtain an adequate number of licensed, board-certified, actively-practicing physician reviewers in all American Board of Medical Specialties (AMBS) or Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) specialties, dentist reviewers in all American Dental Association Recognized Dental Specialty Certifying Board specialties, and non-physician reviewers, to perform the required work. The offeror shall describe its plan to address the potential need for additional sub-specialty reviewers in response to specific Government requests.

6.2.7 The offeror shall describe its processes for ensuring all personnel are appropriately qualified by education, training, and experience. The offeror shall also describe its procedures for ensuring that its employees, consultants and subcontractors are appropriately credentialed, along with its approach for ensuring that they maintain their required qualifications and certifications while performing under this contract.

6.2.8 The offeror shall describe its transition-in approach to be fully operational at the start of Option Year 1.

6.2.9 In support of, and consistent with the information requested for Subfactor 1 above, offerors shall additionally submit its Program Management Plan (PMP) in the format and description required by CDRL AP030; and shall additionally submit the Transition-In Plan in the format and description required by CDRL OT010. Neither of these two CDRL documents submitted will be counted against the 100 page limit.

6.3 Subfactor 2, Performance Measurement and Reporting:

6.3.1 The offeror shall present its approach for ensuring timely and accurate abstraction, collection, analysis, display, reporting and benchmarking of the health plan clinical quality measures for direct and purchased care, and the posting of results.

6.3.2 The offeror shall present its approach for ensuring timely, accurate and cost effective abstraction, collection, analysis, display, reporting and benchmarking of the National Hospital Quality Measures and the posting of results.

6.3.3 The offeror shall present its approach for ensuring timely, accurate and cost effective abstraction, collection, analysis, display, reporting and benchmarking of the ORYX® hospital quality measures and the posting of results. The offeror shall also describe how it will meet the requirements for ORYX® data submission to the Joint Commission (JC).

6.3.4 The offeror shall present its approach for ensuring timely, cost effective, and accurate abstraction, collection, analysis, display, and reporting of the data utilizing the Global Trigger Tool as required.

6.3.5 The offeror shall describe its approach to meet the requirements for completion of the annual National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Compliance Audit.

6.4 Subfactor 3, Medical Reviews:

6.4.1 The offeror shall describe its approach for ensuring complete, timely, medical reviews by the appropriate qualified medical professional.

6.4.2 The offeror shall describe its approach for ensuring that each purchased care medical record reviewed for any reason is assessed for medical necessity and appropriateness of care.

6.5 Subfactor 4, Quality Improvement Studies and Evolving Practices:

6.5.1 The offeror shall describe its approach to identifying appropriate study topics and conducting clinical quality improvement studies which will provide specific and actionable recommendations for the Government to consider. See Section L, Exhibit L-10, Sample Quality Improvement Study.

6.5.2 The offeror shall describe its approach to the design, methodology development, and execution of quality improvement studies. The offeror shall also describe its approach for performing studies impacting both the direct and purchased care systems to evaluate the quality of care provided across the entire MHS as an integrated healthcare system.

6.5.3 The offeror shall describe its approach to conduct a study to assess the quality of Applied Behavior Analysis.

6.5.4 The offeror shall fully describe its approach to performing both long and short assessments of evolving practices, devices, medicines, treatments and procedures. See Section L, Exhibits L-8, Sample Short Assessment Evolving Practices, Devices, Medicines, Treatments and Procedures; and L-9, Sample Long Assessment, Evolving Practices, Devices, Medicines, Treatments and Procedures.

7.0 VOLUME III, PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (FACTOR 2, PAST PERFORMANCE)

7.1 Past performance information applies to the prime offeror and its first-tier subcontractors (as described in paragraph 4.12). As used in this paragraph, “offeror” is inclusive of the prime offeror, teaming partners, and first-tier subcontractors. For the purpose of submitting past performance information, the prime offeror may be an individual company or an entity that is a consortium of entities.

7.1.1 The Government may obtain past performance data from any source, including, but not limited to, the references listed in the proposal, other customers known to the Government, consumer protection organizations, business news sources, and persons inside or outside the Government who may have useful and relevant information.

7.1.2 Recency. The offeror will submit relevant past performance information for ongoing contracts and contracts that concluded within the last 3 years. The last 3 years is defined as 3 years prior to the date in Block 9 of the SF 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award. The Government may consider the entire period of performance of the contract to include the transition-in and transition-out periods.

7.2 The offeror’s Volume III past performance information consists of two sections: Past Performance Narrative and Past Performance Contract Descriptions. The table of contents and tabs separating sections of the volume will not be included in the page count as long as they do not contain proposal content.

7.2.1 Past Performance Narrative. The offeror shall provide a narrative summarizing the past performance that the prime offeror and each proposed first-tier subcontractor have in performing work that is relevant to this solicitation as defined in Section M, paragraph 5.3, Evaluation of Factor 2, Past Performance. The offeror shall clearly describe and explain what aspects of its past performance are deemed relevant to the TQMC solicitation requirements in terms of the scope of services, magnitude of effort, and complexities. Specifically, the offeror shall clearly demonstrate management actions employed to address the scope, magnitude, and complexity of its past performance to include:

(1) Management and staffing of the requirements of the Section C;

(2) Performance measurement and reporting;

(3) Medical reviews, and

(4) Quality improvement studies and evolving practices.

7.2.1.1 If an offeror provides past performance information that is not clearly related to the requirements of this solicitation, it shall explain why it believes the information is relevant to this solicitation. The Government shall not be bound by an offeror’s assertion that its past performance is relevant to the TQMC requirements.

7.2.1.2 The Past Performance Narrative shall not exceed 15 pages. Any pages in excess of 15 pages will not be considered.

7.2.2 Past Performance Contract Descriptions. In addition to the Past Performance Narrative, the offeror shall provide a maximum of three recent contracts for itself and for each of its first-tier subcontractors. The offeror shall provide a separate description not to exceed four pages for each contract. The offeror shall provide the following information regarding each contract:

a. Name of the client that will provide the past performance reference and relation to offeror. The offeror shall include a completed Client Authorization Letter (See Exhibit L-1, Sample Client Authorization Letter) for each contract.

b. Contract number, contract type, and offeror’s/first-tier subcontractor’s role (prime, subcontractor, other lower-tier participant).

c. A verified POC for the client who can discuss the offeror’s or first-tier subcontractor’s performance and contract standards/requirements and functions with the Government. The POC should be the same person who completes the Past Performance Questionnaire (See paragraph 7.7) for the offeror. The POC information shall include the POC’s name, title, role on contract, phone number, and mailing and email addresses.

d. Offeror’s role (prime or first-tier subcontractor). The Government will not consider past performance below first-tier subcontractor.

e. Start and end dates of the contract.

f. Total dollar value of the contract and the total dollar value exercised to date if offeror was the prime contractor. If the offeror performed as a first-tier subcontractor on the contract, the offeror shall state the total contract dollar value and identify the dollar value awarded to the offeror as subcontractor.

g. A clear explanation of the functions performed and what aspects of the contract the offeror deems relevant to the solicitation requirements and Section C.

h. A clear description of management actions employed in resolving problems, ability to promptly correct performance problems and the effects of those actions, in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified.

i. If any of the events listed below occurred during the contract period of performance, the offeror shall explain the circumstances and steps it took to mitigate:

(1) Failure to meet the minimum performance standards in the referenced contract and actions taken to restore performance to an acceptable level.

(2) Any data breaches or unauthorized disclosures of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI).

(3) Contract option period was not exercised.

(4) Assessment of liquidated damages, penalties, or other reduction against offeror.

(5) Any contract termination.

(6) Any descoping of work

(7) Withheld payments, liquidated damages, or other financial penalty incurred for offeror’s failure to meet contract requirements. .

(8) A notice to cure, claim or lien against the offeror, or suspension of work due to offeror’s quality issues.

(9) Any System for Award Management (SAM) exclusion (FAR 9.404) or suspension, including name of the agency or other authority taking the action; cause for the action or other statutory or regulatory authority; effect of the action; and termination date for each listing.

7.3 If the past performance contract had small business subcontracting participation goals, and the offeror was the prime contractor for the contract, the offeror shall include the participation percent and dollar targets as required by FAR 19.202-1. The offeror shall state the actual performance percent and dollars in reaching the contract’s Small Business participation targets. If the offeror did not meet the small business subcontracting goals, the offeror shall explain why and the actions the offeror took to meet the small business subcontracting goals.

7.4 If the offeror or any of its first-tier subcontractors and teaming partners has had any contract terminated for default or cause within the last 3 years preceding submission of the proposal, the offeror shall provide documentation detailing the reason for the termination. The documentation shall identify the client, its address, the cognizant contracting official, and his/her telephone number and e-mail address. For any contract terminated for default or cause, the offeror shall identify the actions it took to prevent similar failures from occurring.

7.5 If the offeror or its first-tier subcontractor(s) was formed or is being organized solely for the purpose of proposing on this solicitation, and the parent corporation or consortium has relevant past performance and will be involved in the management and/or operations of the offeror; then the offeror shall submit the three largest contracts for its parent organization or each member of the consortium and provide the same information that is required in paragraph 7.2 above.

7.6.1 The offeror shall document in the Past Performance Narrative (see paragraph 7.2.1) how the past performance of the parent corporation or consortium is relevant to this solicitation and the amount of involvement the parent or consortium member will have in the operations of the offeror. When describing a parent or consortium member’s involvement, the offeror shall describe in detail to what division/entity the contractor reported and what involvement and commitment of resources these divisions/entities will have in the operation of the offeror.

7.6.2 The offeror shall describe what if any resources from the parent entity or consortium members will be shared with the offeror (e.g., systems, personnel, facilities). The Government may downgrade past performance relevancy if the offeror does not provide clear evidence of the connection or commitment of resources from the entity with relevant past performance to the entity that will perform the solicitation requirements.

7.7 Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs): The offeror and each of its first-tier subcontractors shall provide the Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Section L, Exhibit L-2, Past Performance Questionnaire) to the contract POCs to complete for each of the contracts identified in accordance with paragraph 7.2.2. The offeror is solely responsible for adding adequate specifics to its cover letter and the PPQ, so the Government can easily identify to which offeror the past performance refers and the specific contract referenced. If the Government cannot determine whose past performance or the offeror team to which the past performance belongs, the past performance questionnaire will not be considered.

7.7.1 The Government will not accept or evaluate any PPQs sent directly to Government from a proposing offeror or its subcontractors. For expediency of evaluation, offerors shall instruct past performance POCs to email the completed PPQ to cynthia.d.turk.civ@mail.mil and margaret.a.zancanella.civ@mail.mil as soon as possible but not later than the date specified in Block 9 of the SF 33.

7.7.2 It is the offeror’s sole responsibility to ensure questionnaires are submitted to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer by the date specified in Block 9 of the SF 33. The Government encourages offerors to follow-up with POCs to ensure questionnaires are completed and forwarded to the by the date specified in the solicitation.

7.7.3 The questionnaire shall be completed by the client’s representative who is most cognizant of the contract. If it is a Government contract, the POC should be the procuring contracting officer, administrative contracting officer, or contracting officer’s representative. The submitted questionnaires shall include the name, title, and contact information of the person completing the questionnaire. The Government may contact the offeror’s references to discuss the offeror’s past performance. Client authorization letters are also required for each identified past performance effort (Section L Exhibit L-1, Sample Client Authorization Letter). This letter will authorize the POC to discuss the offeror's (or subcontractor or teaming partner) performance with the Government. The offeror is solely responsible for adding adequate specifics to the client authorization letter, so the Government can easily identify to which offeror the client authorization letter and the specific contract refers. Offeror shall ensure the contact information for designated POCs is accurate and up to date.

7.7.4 Once the Government receives the completed PPQ, the information in the PPQ shall be Source Selection Information and For Official Use…