IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75_Ammendment__1.pdf

IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75

This Enclosure is designed to assist the respective company provide HQ SACT with all necessary documents/information required. For clarification, please refer to Bidding instructions in part 1 of subject solicitation.

Ammendement #1: Changes in Red -Page 4 Partial Bidding

Description of Acquisition

Part 1 Bidding Instructions

IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75

Pilot Study: Improving

Strategic Foresight

Analysis (SFA) Using Data

Science Tools and

Techniques, Automation and Software Support to

Analyst

1. Duration of the Contract

2. Exemption of Taxes

3. Amendment or Cancellations

4. Bidder Clarifications

5. Bid Closing Date

6. Bid Validity

7. Contents of Proposal

8. Proposal Submission

9. Late Proposal

10. Bid Withdrawal

11. Bid Evaluation

12. Proposal Clarifications

13. Award

14. Communications and Contacts

15. Point of Contact

ENCLOSURES:

1. Proposal/Content Checklist

2. Address Label

3. Compliance Statement

4. Past Performance

5. Mandatory Price Proposal format

Annex A: Best Value Review and Scoring Table

PART 1 BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS

• General

This is a Firm Fixed Price, deliverables contract in accordance with the General a n d Terms and Conditions; Contract Award is contingent upon funding availability; Partial bidding on deliverables is not authorised.

• Classification

This IFIB is a NATO UNCLASSIFIED document.

• Definitions

• The “Prospective Bidder”, shall refer to the entity that has completed and returned the Enclosure of the transmittal letter of this IFIB, and has indicated thereon its intention without commitment, to participate in this IFIB.

• The term “Bidder”, shall refer to the bidding entity that has completed a bid in response to this IFIB.

• The term Contractor shall refer to the bidding entity to whom the contract is awarded.

• The term “Contracting Officer” designates the official who executes this IFIB on behalf of HQ SACT.

• “Contracting Officer`s Technical Representative” or “COTR” is the official who is appointed for the purpose of determining compliance of the successful bid, per the technical specifications.

• The term “HQ SACT” shall refer to Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Transformation.

• The term “ACT” shall refer to Allied Commander Transformation.

• The term “NATO”, shall refer to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

• The term “days” as used in this IFIB shall, unless otherwise stated, be interpreted as meaning calendar days.

• The term “Habitual Residence”, means HQ SACT, Norfolk, Virginia, VA 23511.

• Eligibility

This IFIB is open to companies:

• Established in a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Alliance member nation.

• Working in the required field of study and legally authorised to operate in the

United States of America, at the time of bidding.

• Has performed the desired past performance including size, cost and scope, as described in this IFIB.

• Duration of Contract

• The contract awarded shall be effective upon date of award.

• On or about 15 February 2019 – 31 December 2019 with the tasking deliverables target dates stated in the SOW.

• Partial Bidding and Teaming Arrangements

• Partial bidding is not allowed. All submissions must clearly state which position candidate(s) is (are) being proposed to fill. A candidate will not be considered for multiple positions in the same proposal, i.e. John Smith can't be submitted as a candidate to fill the requirements of both the SALT Data Scientist and the SALT Data Strategist.

• Exemption of Taxes

• In accordance with the agreements (Article VIII of the Paris Protocol dated, 25 August 1952) goods and services under this contract are exempt from taxes, duties and similar charges.

• Amendment or Cancellation

• HQ SACT reserves the right to amend or delete any one or more of the terms, conditions or provisions of the IFIB prior to the date set for bid closing. A solicitation amendment or amendments shall announce such action.

• HQ SACT reserves the right to cancel, at any time, this IFIB either partially of in its entirety. No legal liability on the part of HQ SACT shall be considered for recovery of costs in connection to bid preparation. All efforts undertaken by any bidder shall be done considering and accepting, that no costs shall be recovered from HQ SACT. If this IFIB is cancelled any/all received bids shall be returned unopened, per the bidder’s request.

• Bidder Clarifications

• Prospective Bidders should seek clarification at their earliest convenience.

Any explanation regarding the meaning or interpretation of this IFIB, terms, clause, provision or specifications, shall be requested in writing, from the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer must receive such requests for clarification no later than 3 calendar days prior to the bid closing date.

• In lieu of a bidder’s conference, HQ SACT invites bidders to submit initial technical questions not later than 19 January 2019. Note: The headquarters will be shut down for a holiday period from 22 December 2018-2 January 2019. No technical questions received during this period will be able to be answered until after 3 January 2019.

• Information in response to all inquiries / requests for clarification to a prospective bidder shall be furnished to all prospective bidders at the following link: http://www.act.nato.int/contracting as a Question and Answer addendum. All such addendums and any necessary solicitation amendments shall be incorporated into this IFIB. Oral Interpretations shall not be binding.

• Bid closing date

Bids shall be received at HQ SACT, Purchasing and Contracting Office, no later than 29 January 2019, 1500 hours, Eastern Standard Time, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. No bids shall be accepted after this time and date. NOTE: HQ SACT is located on a secure naval installation. Potential bidders are responsible for ensuring bids arrive before the due date. No bids will be accepted beyond the closing date. HQ SACT is not responsible for any late received proposals due to base access issues or mail courier issues/delays.

• Bid Validity

Bids shall be remain valid for a period of one hundred and twenty days (120) form the applicable closing date set forth within this IFIB. HQ SACT reserves the right to request an extension of validity. Bidder shall be entitled to either grant or deny this extension of validity; HQ SACT shall automatically consider a denial to extend the validity as a withdrawal of the bid.

• Content of Proposal

The proposal shall consist of 5 copies of the following minimum paper documents (Clipped - no binding or 3 prong folders please): Additionally electronic copies (e-mailed s i n g l e PDF version), excluding price proposals of the documents http://www.act.nato.int/contracting-procurements are required no later than 29 January 2019, 1500 hours, Eastern Standard Time, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

A table of contents for the entire proposal (Checklist provided as Enclosure #1)

• The bidder’s full name address, Point of Contacts, Telephone, Fax number and Internet site, (See Enclosure #2);

• Compliance statement (See Enclosure #3);

• Provision of administrative and technical volumes

• Compliance criteria, (See Annex D to Statement of Work).

• Past performance (See Enclosure #4)

• Company price proposal (Enclosure #5)

• Proposal Submission

• Proposals shall be submitted in a single package containing two volumes, Technical volume and Price volume, each separately sealed. The single package shall be clearly marked with the mailing label, citing the IFIB Solicitation reference number, (See Enclosure #3). Within the single package shall be the Technical and Price volumes, separately packaged and identified.

• An electronic copy of the proposal, not to include the Price volume is required to the assigned Contracting Officer, prior to the established bid closing date via E-mail PDF document.

• Proposal packages may be delivered by mail, courier or hand carried prior to the established deadline. Couriers must have access to military installation in order to deliver proposal.

• Proposal packages must be delivered to the HQ SACT via a verifiable method or be handed to a member of the BUDFIN/Purchasing staff, who shall endorse the package with a time date and delivery official shall counter sign, as to the accuracy of the recording.

• Price proposals shall be in U.S. Dollar currency. Contractor may request payment post award in alternate currency based on agreed conversion rate.

• Prices shall be on a Firm Fixed Price Basis and include any relevant discount schedule.

• It is the sole responsibility of the interested company to review any Q & A that may be issued in support of this solicitation, prior to bid submission.

• No oral bids or oral modifications or telephonic bids shall be considered.

• It is the ultimate responsibility prior to submission that all proposal submissions are reviewed to ensure they meet the technical and administrative specifications and that offers meet the limitations and expressed conditions.

• Late Proposals

• It is solely the bidder`s responsibility that every effort is made to ensure that the proposal reaches HQ SACT prior to the established closing date and time.

All late bids shall be returned to the offering company unopened. Only if it can be unequivocally demonstrated that the late arrival of the bid package was the result of NATO staff negligence (mishandling) shall the bid be considered.

• A delay in a commercial courier service does not constitute a delay by NATO or government channels.

• Bid Withdrawal

A bidder may withdraw their bid up to the date and time specified for bid closing.

Such a withdrawal must be completed in writing or facsimile, with attention to the HQ SACT Contracting Officer. The proposal shall be returned unopened, at the expense of the company.

• Bid Evaluation

• The evaluation of bids and determination as to the responsiveness and technical adequacy or technical compliance, of the products or services requested, shall be the responsibility of HQ SACT. Such determinations shall be consistent with the evaluation criteria specified in the IFIB. HQ SACT is not responsible for any content that is not clearly identified in any proposal package.

(a) Proposals shall be evaluated and awarded based on best overall value to NATO.

The following factors are considerations;

• Successful administrative submission of bid packages and requested

Enclosures 2-6, as listed in this RFP. (Pass/Fail)

• Technical factors/pricing factors rated the following:

Technical/Price=60/40.

• Acceptance of HQ SACT General Terms and Conditions

• Proposal Clarifications

During the entire evaluation process HQ SACT reserves the right to discuss any bid with the order to clarify what is offered and interpretation of language within the bid, to resolve in potential areas of non-compliance.

• Award

HQ SACT intends to award a firm fixed price contract to the Offeror whose proposal(s) represents best value to HQ SACT. HQ SACT will collect information from references provided by the Offeror in regard to its past performance.

Contractors must provide authorization to contact references.

HQ SACT reserves the right to negotiate minor deviations to the listed General and Special Terms and Conditions to this IFIB.

• Communications

All communication related to this IFIB, between a prospective bidder and HQ SACT shall only be through the nominated HQ SACT Contracting Officer.

Designated contracting staff shall assist the HQ SACT Contracting Officer in the administrative process. There shall be no contact with other HQ SACT personnel in regards to this IFIB. Such adherence shall ensure Fair and Open Competition with equal consideration and competitive footing leverage to all interested parties.

• Point of Contact is:

LCDR Mike DiProspero, ACT Contracting, 757-729-3612, michael.diprospero@act.nato.int

Secondary POC: LCDR Charmaine Yap, ACT Contracting, 757-747-4240, Charmaine.yap@act.nato.int

All correspondence shall be forward to:

HQ SACT, BUDFIN BRANCH

Purchasing & Contracting, Contracting Officer

IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75

ATTN: LCDR Mike DiProspero 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA, U.S.A.

mailto:michael.diprospero@act.nato.int mailto:Charmaine.yap@act.nato.int

Enclosure 1

PROPOSAL CONTENT / CHECKLIST

Table of Contents

Bidder`s name, address, POC, Contact numbers, email address.

Compliance Statement.

Past performance (including References).

List of Key personnel.

Technical Proposal.

Price Proposal.

Mailing label.

Enclosure 2

(The label below is to be completed by the bidder and affixed to the exterior envelope; parcel or package mailed or deliver to ACT)

SEALED BID TO IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75

(To be opened by Contract Awards Committee (CAC Only)

Sender:

HQ SACT

Attn: LCDR Mike DiProspero 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23551-2490 U.S.A

This Enclosure is designed to assist the respective company provide HQ SACT with all necessary documents/information required. For clarification, please refer to Bidding instructions in part 1 of subject solicitation.

Enclosure 3

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT TO SEALED BID IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75

It is hereby stated that our company has read and understands all documentation issued as part of IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75. Our company proposal submitted in response to the referenced solicitation is fully compliant with the provisions of IFIB-ACT-SACT-18- 75 and the intended contract with the following exception(s); such exemptions are considered non substantial to the HQ SACT solicitation provisions issued.

Clause Description of Minor Deviation.

(If applicable, add another page)

Company: Signature:

Name & Title: Date:

Company Bid Reference:

Bidder’s proposal must be based on full compliance with the terms, conditions and requirements of the IFIB and all future clarifications and/or amendments. The bidder may offer variations in specific implementation and operational details provided that the functional and performance requirements are fully satisfied. In case of conflict between the compliance statement and the detailed evidence or explanation furnished, the detailed evidence/comments shall take precedence/priority for the actual determination of compliance. Minor or non-substantial deviations may be accepted. Substantial changes shall be considered non responsive.

Enclosure 4

PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FORM

1. Contracting Agency:

2. Contract No:

3. Type of Contract (Firm Fixed Price, IDIQ, Requirements):

4. Title of Contract:

5. Description of Work Performance and Relevance to Current Acquisition (Type of facility, capacity, estimated patronage, summary of staff used):

6. Contract Dollar Amount:

7. Period of Performance:

8. Name, Address, Fax and Telephone No. of Reference:

9. Indicate Whether Reference Acted as Prime or Sub-contractor:

10. Comments regarding compliance with contract terms and conditions:

11. Complete Contact Information for client:

12. Permission to contact client for reference: Yes/ No

Name/Signature of Authorized Company Official

NATO UNCLASSIFIED

Enclosure 5

IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75 SEALED BID PRICE PROPOSAL

COMPANY NAME: ABC, Inc ADDRESS: Street, City, Post code

TO: Chairman of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, (HQ SACT) Contracts Award Committee.

ATTN: Kevin Mills 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100 Norfolk, VA 23551

Please verify and acknowledge propriety of above, by duly completing signatures below.

Authorizing Company Official:

Printed Name:

Position:

Title:

Authorizing Company (Signature): ---------------------------------, Date: -----------------.

Company name Witness Official:

Printed Name:

Position:

Title:

Witness Signature: ----------------------------------------------------------, Date -----------

Proposed rates will be used to support the Basis of Estimate to produce deliverables that meet or exceed the Quality Assurance Measures identified by HQ SACT. The categories below are “representative” of skills required to provide deliverables at each level. All deliverables will be firm fixed price and billed upon delivery or upon acceptance of agreed milestone events. Proposed rates must be fully “loaded” [G&A, O/H etc.], however they must not include per diem (meals & lodging) and travel. Travel (and related expenses) will not be covered under this contract, but handled separately in accordance with the ACT Financial Manual.

SUBJECT: IFIB-ACT-SACT-18-75 Sealed Bid Price Proposal

Please find on behalf of Insert: Company Name to provide HQ SACT with services (collectively referred as “ITEMS”), subject to the provisions, terms and conditions stated in IFIB ACT-SACT-18-75 and the “Insert : Company Name Technical proposal”, submitted in accordance with solicitation provisions.

Service Area Contract Award Period

15 Feb 2019 – 31 Dec 2019

Deliverables 1-5

Total Contract Value (Deliverables 1-5) $ _________________

Please verify and acknowledge propriety of above, by duly completing signatures below.

Authorizing Company Official:

Printed Name: Position: Title:

Authorizing Company (Signature): ---------------------------------, Date: -----------------.

Company name Witness Official:

Printed Name: Position: Title:

Witness Signature: ----------------------------------------------------------, Date -----------

0BNORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

ORGANISATION DU TRAITÉ DE L’ATLANTIQUE NORD

HEADQUARTERS, SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER TRANSFORMATION

7857 BLANDY ROAD, SUITE 100

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 23551-2490

www.nato.int | www.act.nato.int

Statement of Work (SoW) for Pilot Study: Improving Strategic Foresight Analysis (SFA) using data science tools and techniques, automation and software support to analyst.

1. Introduction:

a. The growing threats to Euro-Atlantic security over the past decade have reached unprecedented levels and are increasingly unpredictable, unconventional and asymmetric. To the East, Russia has become more assertive with the illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilization of eastern Ukraine, as well as its military build-up close to North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) borders. To the South, the security situation in the Middle East and Africa has deteriorated, causing considerable loss of life, fuelling large-scale migration flows and inspiring terrorist attacks.

b. NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is responsible for the Long-Term Military Transformation (LTMT) programme, anticipating and preparing for the increasingly ambiguous, complex and rapidly changing future security environment. The LTMT is comprised of SFA and the Framework for Future Alliance Operations (FFAO). This SoW addresses the application of data science tools and techniques, automation and software support to SFA.

2. Background and Scope:

a. Background: The output of the SFA is a report0F

1, describing the likely future security environment. The report is based on a literature review of national and international studies and Subject Matter Expert (SME) workshops to identify the prevailing trends in the political, social (human), technology, economics/resources and environmental domains.

b. Currently the process for producing the SFA report is labour intensive and conducted over an extended period of time (18-24 months), based on approximately 500 documents and largely based on subjective analysis.

c. The aim of this pilot study is to apply data science tools and techniques, automation and software support to improve the SFA by: increasing the

1 https://www.act.nato.int/images/stories/media/doclibrary/171004_sfa_2017_report_hr.pdf https://www.act.nato.int/images/stories/media/doclibrary/171004_sfa_2017_report_hr.pdf number of unique inputs1F

2, increasing the diversity of inputs2F

3, incorporating automated quantitative analytics and software tools in support of human analysts.

d. Scope: The output of the pilot study is to include: a tool, developed in collaboration between the contractor and ACT using agile methodology, provided via a contractor-sourced cloud solution and is to be made available via web-based User Interface (UI) to SPP’s Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR); demonstration of the tool with sample datasets;

copies of the input (with the exception of streamed data and other data which cannot be stored due to copyright/use restrictions), analytical (intermediate and output) datasets and data catalogue; and end-user training and associated materials.

3. Tasking and Deliverables.

a. Tasks. The project is divided into the following tasks and associated schedule.

Agile methodology will be applied in all tasks. Facilitated by weekly and ad-hoc interaction between COTR and contractor representative.

• March 2019. Select and agree on sources. Contractor is to work with COTR to coordinate and agree on sample dataset, including prioritisation.

The sample dataset will be a combination of ACT furnished materials and those accessed directly by the contractor.

• March – November 2019. Development. Development of Tool UI and backend analysis pipeline.

- June 2019. Minimal Viable Product. Mid-point evaluation regarding ability of data science tools, techniques, automation and software to support SFA. To include contractor provided mid-point report addressing illustrative analytical output of tool.

• December 2019. Demonstration and hand over. The tool is to be demonstrated with the sample dataset. Training to be delivered.

b. Deliverable 1, Tool. The tool is to be provided as a web-accessible, scalable and portable platform-as-a-service with UI. It is to apply data science tools and techniques, automation and software enabled collaboration in support of SFA.

The tool must include, but does not have to be limited to:

• Automated data ingest. The automatic incorporation of a variety of sources via the UI to include:

- Different data formats .pdf, .html, .rss data formats (with .txt, .csv, .json, .xml, .atom as nice to have)

2 A unique input is considered each individual citable source as defined by its nature and the way in which it is used.

It allows for consolidation. For example a single RSS feed would be considered a unique input as would a single pdf.

3 Diversity is considered along the following dimensions: format, frequency, authoring organization, category of authoring organization.

- Different types of source frequency to include web streams through to static documents

- English Natural language text

• Automated extract and transform. The individual sources are to be automatically parsed for text and meta-data, extracts to be stored in unified database in a format suitable for downstream processing with accompanying data catalogue.

• Automated trending topic detection. Trending topic detection is a well-known task in Natural Language Processing (NLP) addressing the detection and quantification of thematic topics over time in input texts3F

4.

Assume: English language text, date is contained within the source and/or its meta-data, a source may address multiple topics.

Must be able to conduct latent topic detection and classification of latent topic within taxonomy where depth 1 nodes correspond to political, social (human), technology, economics/resources and environment. Must be able to treat sources of varying frequency (e.g. from hourly through to annual).

Performance of algorithm to be provided by contractor.

• Automated Text Summarisation. Text summarisation is another well-known task in NLP, generating a natural language summary of a source text4F

5 of length appropriate to source. For instance 1 page summaries of 50+ page .pdf file and paragraph summary of 1 page .pdf file.

Assume: English language text, applied to text sources of 1 or more pages such as .pdf and .html only.

Performance of algorithm to be provided by contractor.

• UI and level of automation. Output of analysis tasks accessible by UI and appropriately visualised. Ability to filter by source properties and content which is to include source type, date, thematic area, nation, region.

The UI and automation is to be aimed at the non-technical SME user and equivalent to a score of 68 or above on the System Usability Scale5F

6.

The UI is to incorporate or facilitate the ability for the user to explore analysis results using visualisation techniques.

• Scalability, portability, accessibility. The system architecture must be inherently flexible, allowing for future scaling and porting.

4 Allan, J. (ed.) (2002). Topic Detection and Tracking, event-based information organization, The Kluwer International Series on Information Retrieval, Springer 5 Rachabathuni, P.K. (2017). A survey on abstractive summarization techniques. Inventive Computing and Informatics (ICICI), International Conference on, 762-765.

6 Brooke, J. (1996) SUS: A quick and dirty usability scale. Usability evaluation in Industry 189(194), p4-10; Klug, B. (2017). An Overview of the System Usability Scale in Library Website and System Usability Testing. Weave:

Journal of Library User Experience, 1(6), Weave: Journal of Library User Experience, 01 January 2017, Vol.1 (6).

• Scenario development is frequently employed by organisations as a form of strategic analysis for a variety of purposes including risk analysis6F

7. It includes the task of scenario development, generating a small set (~5) of future scenarios, and identification of associated impacts on NATO in the context of the LTMT, and conduct ‘what-if’ and associated sensitivity analysis. The contractor will develop a scenario tool to apply data science techniques and software to:

- Incorporate output of automated trending topic detection as part of a quantitative approach to this classically subjective method.

- Facilitate capture of distributed SME input as a knowledge base.

- The knowledge base is to form an input for the scenario generation, impact identification, ‘what-if’ and sensitivity analysis in order to formalise the methodology and provide an audit trail.

c. An example architecture is shown at Figure 1 for guidance.

Figure 1: Example tool architecture.

d. Deliverable 2, Mid-point analysis report. A short (5-10) page report illustrating the analytical output of the tool at its current level of development.

This report will serve as input to an ACT report addressing the potential of data science tools and techniques, automation and software support to analysts as part of the SFA.

e. Deliverable 3, Demonstration. The demonstration must include, but does not have to be limited to, the following: the execution of all tool features using sample dataset which will be a combination of ACT furnished and contractor accessed sources to include:

• ACT provided pdf documents

7 https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/scenario-planning-a-tool-for-strategic-thinking/

• At least five open source news web stream/feed in .rss

• At least 10 websites (in .html) to include government, think-tank, media sources.

• The dataset is to exceed 1000 unique inputs from 7 categories of organisation type.

f. Deliverable 4, Datasets. Copies of the input (with the exception of streamed data and other data which cannot be stored due to copyright/use restrictions), analytical (intermediate and output) datasets and data catalogue are to be provided. In addition the contractor is to work with the NATO Communications and Information Agency in order to package the data for archiving in line with NATO Policy on Archiving and Long Term Digital Preservation.

ACT will own all data generated in the course of extract, transform and analysis tasks7F

8. Data will not be shared with any third parties without COTR’s approval.

g. Deliverable 5, Training and user manual. The contractor is to provide one-to-one training of up to 10 selected ACT staff officers for up to 5 days. The contractor is to provide a comprehensive user manual for the software tool.

This manual is a technical communication document intended to give assistance to current users and enable newcomers to understand and use the tools. It is to provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the tools and should contain both a written guide and the associated images.

4. Place of Performance:

a. It is expected that most of the work will be completed at the Contractor’s facility. There might be meetings at HQ SACT. The Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) or designated representatives, may request that the contractor(s) provide services at other locations, e.g. to conduct interviews and analysis during regional perspective workshops. NATO travel regulations and reimbursements are covered in Chapter 10 of the currently approved version of the HQ SACT Financial Manual and relevant forms are available at: http://www.act.nato.int/contracting The COTR and Contracting Officer must approve trips and per diem in advance of all travel.

b. A separate ACT purchase order will be issued to the contractor by the contractor officer for all travel and per diem.

5. Maintenance Period:

a. A follow-on maintenance period of 12-months may be authorised to handle certain taskings such as CIS migration, training, minor software updates, and/or platform based support.

b. A follow-on maintenance contract will be addressed by the COTR and Contracting Officer after finalisation of deliverables to determine need. A separate Statement of Work will be submitted to the contractor to determine extent of work

8 Does not include sample data.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_communication https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Document http://www.act.nato.int/contracting that needs to be accomplished. Upon issuance of a Statement of Work, the contractor will be responsible for issuing pricing in support to the contracting officer for further evaluation and consideration.

6. Company Evaluation Criteria

Item Range Score 1 Examples of experience of parsing English natural language from multiple sources in diverse formats and frequencies to include pdf, rss, and html. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-13

2 Examples of applying emergent topic detection algorithms. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-11

3 Examples of applying topic trending algorithms.

Describe approach to overcoming challenges of quantifying topic trends. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-11

4 Examples of applying automated latent topic categorisation within a taxonomy. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-11

5 Examples of applying text summarisation algorithms. Description of methodology and techniques used and length(s) of resulting summary.

0-7

6 Examples of applying quantitative techniques to scenario development. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-9

7 Examples of delivering distributed SME collaboration software tools. Description of methodology and techniques used

0-5

8 Examples of delivering customer-driven platform-as-a-service solutions. Description of methodology and techniques used.

0-11

9 Examples of delivering distributed architecture solutions.

0-4

10 Examples of applying quantitative analytics, including NLP, to ‘soft’ science topics.

0-7

11 Experience of any additionally proposed analytics, analyst support tool.

0-2

12 As available, provide copies of peer reviewed documents (or equivalent) addressing algorithms.

0-2

13 Experience of delivering software solutions using agile methodology.

0-7

GENERAL CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS (01/07)

Index of Clauses

1. Definitions

2. Applicable Law

3. Assignment

4. Acceptance

5. Service and Parts Availability

6. Preferred Customer

7. Notice of Shipment

8. Security

9. Inspection

10. Title

11. Supply Warranty

12. Invoices

13. Payment

14. Taxes

15. Excusable Delays

16. Indemnity

17. Disputes

18. Termination for Convenience

19. Termination for Default

20. Limitation of Liability

21. Export Control

22. Risk of Loss

23. Authorization to Perform

24. Performance

25. Travel

26. Proposed Candidates

27. Partial Awards

28. Competition

29. Contractor Notice Regarding Delay

30. Notice of Assistance with respect to Patent and Copy Right Infringement

31. Health and Safety and Accident Prevention

32. Patent Indemnity

33. Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software

34. Software Releases and Updates

35. Inconsistency between English version and Translation of Contract

36. Contract Effective Date

37. Enforcement

38. Order of Precedence

39. Entire Agreement

1. Definitions. As used throughout this contract, the following terms shall have meanings as set forth below:

a. “HQ SACT” means the Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Transformation, located at 7857, Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America.

b. Contracting Officer means the person executing and managing this contract on behalf of HQ SACT.

c. Inspector means a person appointed by the Contracting Officer for the purpose of determining compliance with the technical requirements of the contract.

d. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is hereafter referred to as

“NATO”.

e. The term "days" shall be interpreted as meaning calendar days

2. Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in this contract, this contract shall be governed, interpreted and construed with the laws of the commonwealth of Virginia of the United States of America.

3. Assignment. This agreement is not assignable by the Contractor either in whole or in part unless agreed in writing by HQ SACT Contracting Officer in accordance with;

a. Any modifications, including changes, additions or deletions and instructions under this contract shall not be binding unless issued in writing by the Contracting Officer

b. Sub-contractors shall be limited to citizens or legal entities of member nations of NATO, unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer.

c. The Contractor shall determine that any sub-contractor proposed by him for the furnishing of supplies or services which shall involve access to classified information in the Contractor's custody has been granted an appropriate facility security clearance by the sub-contractor's national authorities, which is still in effect, prior to being given access to such classified information.

4. Acceptance

a. Acceptance or rejection of the supplies shall be made as promptly as practicable after delivery, except as otherwise provided in this contract.

b. Acceptance shall be conclusive, except for latent defects, fraud, gross mistakes amounting to fraud, or otherwise stated in the Contract. It is the action by which HQ SACT acknowledges that the Contractor has fully

SACT RM DOST Stone T OF-3 Look at the page numbers here… this one starts at page 9 demonstrated that the deliveries are complete and operational. The formal acceptance will take place when the following requirements have been met:

(1) Availability at final destination of all deliverables.

(2) Successful completion of acceptance testing.

(3) Verification of the inventory.

(4) Satisfactory completion of all training or other services, if any, required by that date.

(5) Agreement between the Contracting Officer and the Contractor on a discrepancy list (if necessary) and corresponding clearance dates.

c. When discrepancies exist and if these do not prevent satisfactory use or operation of the supplies, the Contracting Officer may declare the acceptance provisional. In this case he will withhold from payment an amount commensurate with the importance of the discrepancies but in any case not less than ten (10) percent of the total contract value and this until all discrepancies have been cleared; at that time the acceptance becomes final.

5. Service and Parts Availability. Unless specified otherwise in the Technical Specifications, the Contractor and his subcontractors will maintain and furnish a source of an adequate supply of services, components, spare parts and sub-assemblies to properly maintain the supplies for a period of minimum five (5) years from Contract Effective Date.

6. Preferred Customer

a. The Contractor warrants that the prices set forth in this contract are as favourable as those extended to any Government, Agency, Company, Organization or individual purchasing like quantities covered by the contract under similar conditions. In the event that prior to complete delivery under this contract the Contractor offers any of such items in substantially similar quantities to any customer at prices lower than those set forth herein, the Contractor shall so notify HQ SACT and the prices of such items shall be correspondingly reduced by a supplement to this contract.

b. Prices in this sense means "Base Price" prior to applying any bonuses.

Why is there a – rather than (1), (2) etc

7. Notice of Shipment

a. At the time of delivery of any supplies to a carrier for transportation, the Contractor shall give notice of shipment to the Contracting Officer and to such other persons or installations as are designated by the Contracting Officer.

(1) If such instructions have not been received by the Contractor at least one working day prior to such delivery to a carrier, the Contractor shall request instructions from the Contracting Officer concerning notice of shipment to be given.

b. The following information shall be included in such notification:

(1) Contract Number

(2) Shipping address

From: (Name and complete address of consignor)

To: (Name and complete address of consignee)

(3) Listing of supplies by Contract Items(s)

(4) Number of and marking on packages(s)

(5) Weight and dimensions of packages(s)

(6) Name and address of Carrier, mode and date of shipment with waybill number

(7) Customs documents required by Contractor (if applicable).

8. Security

a. The Contractor shall comply with all security requirements prescribed by HQ SACT and the National Security Authority or designated security agency of each NATO country in which the contract is performed.

b. The Contractor shall be responsible for the safeguarding of NATO classified information, material and equipment entrusted to him or generated by him in connection with the performance of the contract.

c. Any known or suspected breaches of security or other matters of security significance shall be reported by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer and to the National Security Authority or designated security agency.

d. The Contractor shall apply to the Contracting Officer for approval before sub-contracting any part of the work, if the sub-contract would involve the sub-contractor in access to classified information. The Contractor shall place the sub-contractor under security obligations no less stringent than those applied to his own contract

9. Inspection

a. Unless otherwise specifically provided for in the specifications, all equipment, materials and articles incorporated in the work covered by this contract are to be new and of the most suitable grade of their respective kinds for the purposes intended. All workmanship shall be first class.

b. All supplies (which terms throughout this clause includes without limitation raw materials, components, intermediate assemblies, and end products) shall be subject to inspection and test by HQ SACT, to the extent practicable at all times and places including the period of manufacture, and in any event prior to acceptance.

c. In case any supplies are defective in material or workmanship or otherwise not in conformity with the requirements of this contract, HQ SACT shall have the right either to reject them (with or without instructions as to their disposition) or to require their correction or to accept them against reduction in price which is equitable under the circumstances.

d. If any inspection or test is made by HQ SACT on the premises of the Contractor or sub-contractor, the Contractor without additional charge shall provide all reasonable facilities and assistance to inspectors in the performance of their duties.

e. If HQ SACT inspection or test is made at a point other than the premises of the Contractor or a sub-contractor, it shall be at the expense of HQ SACT except as otherwise provided in this contract. In case of rejection HQ SACT shall not be liable for any reduction in value of samples used in connection with such inspection or test. HQ SACT reserves the right to charge to the Contractor any additional cost of HQ SACT inspection and test when supplies are not ready at the time such inspection, when test is requested by Contractor or when re inspection or retest is necessitated by prior rejection.

f. Failure to inspect supplies shall neither relieve the Contractor from responsibility for such supplies as are not in accordance with the contract requirements nor impose liability on HQ SACT therefore.

g. The inspection and test by HQ SACT of any supplies does not relieve the Contractor from any responsibility regarding defects or other failures to meet the contract requirements which may be discovered prior to acceptance. Except as otherwise provided in the contract, acceptance shall be conclusive except as regards latent defects, hidden deficiencies, fraud, or such gross mistakes as amount to fraud.

10. Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to supplies furnished under this contract shall pass to HQ SACT upon acceptance, regardless of when or where HQ SACT takes physical possession.

11. Supply Warranty

a. Notwithstanding inspection and acceptance by HQ SACT of supplies furnished under the contract or any provision of this contract concerning the conclusiveness thereof, the Contractor warrants that for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of acceptance:

(1) All supplies furnished under this contract will be free from defects in material or workmanship and will conform with the specifications and all other requirements of this contract; and

(2) The preservation, packaging, packing and marking and the preparation for and method of shipment of such supplies will conform with the requirements of this contract.

b. The Contracting Officer shall give written notice to the Contractor of any breach of the warranties in paragraph a. of this clause within thirty

(1) (30) days after discovery of any defect.

c. Within a reasonable time after such notice, the Contracting Officer may either:

(1) By written notice require the prompt correction or replacement of any supplies or part thereof (including preservation, packaging, packing and marking) that do not conform with requirements of this contract within the meaning of Paragraph a. of this clause; or

(2) Retain such supplies, whereupon the contract price thereof shall be reduced by an amount equitable under the circumstances and the Contractor shall promptly make appropriate payment.

Should this be e, f, etc

d. When return, correction or replacement is required, the Contracting Officer shall return the supplies and transportation charges and responsibility for such supplies while in transit shall be borne by the Contractor. However, the Contractor's liability for such transportation charges shall not exceed an amount equal to the cost of transportation by the usual commercial method of shipment between the designated destination point under this contract and the Contractor's plant and return.

e. If the Contractor does not agree as to his responsibility to correct or replace the supplies delivered, he shall nevertheless proceed in accordance with the written request issued by the Contracting Officer per paragraph c to correct or replace the defective or nonconforming supplies. In the event it is later determined that such supplies were not defective or nonconforming within the provisions of this clause, the contract price will be equitably adjusted. Failure to agree to such an equitable adjustment of price shall be a dispute concerning a question of fact within the meaning of the clause of this contract entitled "Dispute".

f. Any supplies or parts thereof furnished in replacement pursuant to this clause shall also be subject to all the provisions of this clause to the same extent as supplies initially delivered. Corrected parts will be warranted for a period not less than six (6) months starting at the time the part is received back at the user’s location.

g. In case of a provisional acceptance the warranty period starts at the date of provisional acceptance and ends twelve (12) months after the date of provisional acceptance.

h. Failure to agree upon any determination to be made under this clause shall be a dispute concerning a question of fact within the meaning of the "Disputes" clause of this contract.

i. The word "supplies" as used herein includes related services.

j. The rights and remedies of HQ SACT provided in this clause are in addition to and do not limit any rights afforded to HQ SACT by any other clause of the contract.

12. Invoices

a. The contractor shall submit an original invoice and three (3) copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to received invoices. All invoices shall be submitted no later than 30 days upon completion of work or services performed. An invoice must include:

1) Name and address of the Contractor; 2) Invoice date; 3) Purchase Order number and Purchase Order or Contract line item number; 4) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered; 5) Shipping number and date of shipment including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on a bill of lading;

6) Terms of any prompt payment discount offered; 7) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent: and 8) Name, title, and phone number of person to be notified in event of defective invoice. All invoices shall be certified by the signature of a duly authorized company representative. Invoices for Contractor Travel shall include: 1) Contractor name; 2) Date of Travel; 3) Number of days; 4) Destinations. All invoices shall be submitted to:

Accounts Payable

7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, SR-82

Norfolk, VA 23551-2490

b. Electronic Fund Transfer is the prescribed method of payment for HQ SACT. Contractors are requested to submit copies of banking information available at (http://www.act.nato.int/contracting). Such information shall be submitted to HQ SACT 14 days prior to any contract award.

13. Payment. Payment shall be made for items accepted by HQ SACT that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract. Payments under this contract may be made by HQ SACT by electronic funds transfer payments or (check in exceptional cases) and shall submit this designation to the contracting officer as directed. In the event the Contractor, during the performance of this contract, elects to designate a different financial institution for receipt of any payment made using electronic funds transfer procedures, notification of such change and the required information must be obtained by HQ SACT thirty (30) days prior to the date such change is to become effective. The documents furnishing the information required in this clause must be dated and contain the signature, title, and telephone number of the Contractor official authorized to provide it, as well as the Contractor’s name and Purchase Order number. Contractor failure to properly designate a financial institution or to provide appropriate payee bank account information may delay payments of amounts otherwise properly due. Discount time will be computed from date of delivery at place of acceptance or from receipt of correct invoice at the office specified by HQ SACT, whichever is later. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made.

14. Taxes. The contract excludes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties. HQ SACT is a tax-exempt organization.

15. Excusable Delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless non-performance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of HQ SACT in its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the contracting Officer in writing as soon as is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence.

16. Indemnity. The contractor shall indemnify HQ SACT and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property right, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings.

17. Disputes. Except as otherwise provided, during the period of performance, any dispute between the parties arising out of the performance of this contract which is not disposed of by agreement shall be decided by the HQ SACT Contracting Officer, who shall reduce his decision to writing and mail or otherwise furnish a copy thereof to the Contractor. The decision of HQ SACT shall be final and conclusive unless, within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such copy, the Contractor mails or otherwise furnishes to HQ SACT a written appeal. In connection with any appeal of HQ SACT decision under this paragraph, the Contractor shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard and to offer evidence in support of its appeal. A decision shall be rendered within thirty (30) days of receipt of appeal. HQ SACT FC decision is final.

18. Termination for Convenience. HQ SACT reserves the right to terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work hereunder and shall immediately cause any and all of its suppliers and subcontractors to cease work.

Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of HQ SACT using its standard record keeping system have resulted from the termination.