Instructions to Offerors.pdf

Instructions to Offerors:

A. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of offers, offerors must follow the instructions contained herein. Offers must be complete, self-sufficient, and respond directly to the requirements of this Request for Proposal (RFP). Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror's proposal.

B. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS: In regards to all parts: ONLY ELECTRONIC PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED. All proposals must be received by the contracting office no later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time on February 19, 2021.

1. Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals and any revisions and modifications, so as to reach the Government office designated above by the time specified.

2. Any proposal, modification, or revision, that is received at the designated Government office after the exact time specified for receipt of proposals is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the contracting officer determines that accepting the late proposal would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(a) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of proposals; or

(b) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of proposals and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of proposals; or

(c) It was the only proposal received.

3. Electronic proposals shall be submitted via email to josh.dobereiner@usda.gov.

C. REQUIRED PROPOSAL FORMAT FROM OFFERORS:

1. PROPOSAL FORMAT

(a) Purpose. These instructions prescribe the format of proposals and describe the approach for the development and presentation of the proposed data. The proposal shall include all of the information requested in the specific instructions. Failure to include all information requested may adversely affect the evaluation. A proposal that merely reiterates or promises to accomplish the requirements of the RFP will be considered unacceptable. A proposal that is orderly and sufficiently documented will be easy for the Government to understand and will enable the Government to perform a thorough and fair evaluation.

(b) Offerors are cautioned to submit enough information to enable the Government to fully ascertain each offeror’s capability to perform all of the requirements contemplated by this RFP. All commitments made in the proposal may become a part of the resultant contract.

The data submitted with each proposal should be complete and concise, but not overly elaborate.

(c) Type Size. Type size for text documents will not be smaller than Microsoft Word, Times New Roman 10 point font, normal proportional spacing and page size shall be no larger than normal letter size paper (8 ½ x 11”). Type size for graphics, charts, diagrams, and tables shall be of an appropriate font and size for the application and must be clearly readable without magnification assistance to the normal eye. Text lines will be no less than single-space.

2. PRICE (Volume I):

(a) The Price Proposal must be submitted on the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) Price Schedule provided with the RFP. Be sure to complete each tab for the base year and all four option years. The total tab will calculate using the information submitted on the other five tabs.

(b) Acknowledgement of any RFP amendments.

3. TECHNICAL (VOLUME II):

(a) The technical proposal will be used to make an evaluation and arrive at a determination as to whether the proposal will meet the requirements of the Government; therefore, the technical proposal must present sufficient information to reflect a thorough understanding of the requirements. Proposals which merely paraphrase the requirements of the Government’s Statement of Work or use such phrases as “will comply” or standard techniques will be employed” will be considered unacceptable and will not be considered further. Technical ability will be assessed based on company experience and successful past performance of similar work.

(b) The Technical Proposal shall be a stand-alone document containing all information necessary for the Government to perform a complete technical evaluation. In evaluating the technical proposal, the Government will only consider information contained in the technical proposal itself. Information contained in any other part or proposal submitted under this solicitation or in other documents will not be considered.

(c) Company Experience. For work in which you have been a prime contractor, provide a list of at least five (5) projects within the last five (5) years of similar size (dollar value and/or duration), scope, function, and complexity to the subject project. Federal Government experience is preferred but not required. Provide the information specified below for each project listed:

• Title and brief description of contract;

• Location;

• Client;

• Dollar value of contract;

• Name and phone number of Contracting Officer/Client Representative.

(d) Past Performance. Provide information on up to five (5) prior contracts of similar size and scope utilizing the attached Past Performance Evaluation Sheet. These can be the same contracts provided for the Company Experience factor or different ones.