Instructions to Offerors.pdf

Supplement to FAR 52.212-1 - Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items

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 the 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: ONLY ELECTRONIC PROPOSALS WILL BE

ACCEPTED. Submit to josh.dobereiner@usda.gov. All proposals must be received by the contracting office no later than 4:00 PM Central Daylight Time on May 26, 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 PM 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.

C. REQUIRED PROPOSAL FORMAT FROM OFFERORS:

1. PROPOSAL FORMAT

(a) Purpose. These instruction 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) A Standard Form (SF) 1449, “Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items” completed and signed by the Offeror constitutes the Offeror’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the proposed contract; therefore, the form must be executed by a representative of the Offeror authorized to commit the Offeror to contractual obligations.

(b) Completed Schedule B spreadsheet 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 tabs.

(c) Acknowledgement of any RFP amendments.

3. TECHNICAL (VOLUME II):

(a) Technical information to show that the supplies offered meet and are in compliance with the technical specifications/descriptions in Technical Specifications document.

(b) Provide information on up to five (5) prior contracts of similar size and scope utilizing the attached Past Performance Evaluation Sheet.