N3220519R2015-Amendment0001.docx

N3220519R2015

N3220519R2015

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been modified:

PWS

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Visual Information (VI) Specialist Afloat

1. Introduction Military Sealift Command (MSC) exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. In order to provide that support, Commander, Military Sealift Command (COMSC) delivers on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, under any condition. The complex, dynamic and often contested operational environment in which MSC’s vessels routinely sail requires the ability to visually document events and operations. This provides the military chain of command the information it needs to better inform its stakeholders both inside and outside of government with rapid, factual information regarding military operations. Visual Information (VI) is defined as still photography and video products that are collected, transmitted and disseminated in a timely manner and contribute to the fleet commanders’ operational and strategic decision-making process, provide support for analysis, and enrich public comprehension.

MSC’s Fleet is manned by licensed and unlicensed civil service Mariners (CIVMARS) and Contract Mariners (CONMARS) who are trained in maritime deck and engineering functions. CIVMARS and CONMARS have no expertise or training in the procedures and equipment required to capture and quickly transmit VI to fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs). This PWS defines the requirements that would incorporate contract support personnel into MSC’s Adaptive Force Packages Program (hereafter referred to as PM9) to execute the VI mission on designated vessels.

2. Scope The Contractor shall provide one (1) contractor employee per designated MSC ship, typically deployed in 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of operation (AOR). This may include as many as eighty (80) ships at any given time. The contractor employee shall be capable of performing the tasks and activities necessary to execute the VI mission, including collection, transfer and dissemination of VI in accordance with specific Operational Commanders’ requirements. The task areas are identified below and detailed in paragraph 6 herein for performance under this requirement.

· Task Area 1 - Contract Program Management/Coordination

· Task Area 2 - Photography/Videography Services

· Task Area 3 - VI Management, Transfer and Dissemination Services

· Task Area 4 - Public Affairs Specialist Support Functions

· Task Area 5 – CIVMAR/CONMAR Training

For all requirements, the Contractor will provide support that complements and augments the Government workforce on a daily basis through verbal and written communications that convey subject matter expertise and supplies skills necessary to complete the tasks. Use of the term support throughout this document follows this definition.

Non-Personal Services. Non-personal VI services shall be provided under this contract. Personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control characteristic of and usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees.

3. Background The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Navy (USN) leadership has directed that all operational naval units possess the capability to collect VI on events that meet reporting requirement criteria and transmit that VI to numbered fleet MOCs within one hour, or less depending on specific operational directives, of the reportable event. In addition, a narrative and any amplifying information are required within 24-hours of the reportable event. The VI mission is characterized as “no-fail,” therefore trained personnel must be available 24/7 while a designated vessel is at sea.

MSC ship communications bandwidths do not allow for the transmission of large photo and video files. In order to meet VI mission requirements, MSC has procured proprietary technology that compresses and segments large files and transmits those files to the Cloud in a playlist format that is then reconstructed and made available to designated recipients. In addition, CIVMARs do not receive Intelligence Specialist (IS) or MC equivalent training, nor is there a surplus of off-watch personnel available to perform the VI mission. MSC must therefore, contract for personnel with the requisite skills, train them on the unique MSC VI system and VI requirements, and embark these personnel on deployed ships.

4. Acronyms Acronyms, as used in this PWS, are provided below:

5. References The Contractor shall comply with the most recent version of all applicable references as outlined in the table below:

8 November 2010 (As Amended Through 15 December 2013)

6. Performance Requirements

6.1. Task Area 1 – Contract Program Management

The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, administrative, and managerial resources necessary for the performance of this task. The Contractor shall designate a single point of contact (POC) as the Contract Manager (CM) who is responsible for fielding and responding to Government identified issues, concerns, or problems on this contract. The CM shall have the authority to direct the Contractor’s team and respond to the Government identified issues, concerns, or problems. The CM shall be readily available to field and respond to the Government’s inquiries regarding contract performance. The CM shall also be the designated POC to alert the Government to potential contractual/technical issues as soon as they become known. Although Government staff may coordinate with other Contractor staff, the CM shall serve as the single Contractor POC responsible for resolving all issues, concerns, and problems in the performance of this contract.

Effective Contract Program Management will ensure that all Contractor support assigned to this task are coordinating and leveraging MSC Quality Management Systems (QMS) processes. This effort will include the overall management of Contractor resources assigned to the resultant contract as well as submitting reports to and direct interaction with the COR. Contract Management support shall include the full range of project planning, resource management, risk assessment and mitigation, quality management, change control, and management of project deliverables consistent with industry best practices.

6.1.1. Program Kickoff Meeting

The Contractor, after coordination with the Government, shall schedule a contract kick-off meeting to be held within five (5) business days of contract award. The Contractor, with the assistance of the Government, shall develop an agenda for the meeting in accordance with CDRL 0001. The Contractor shall ensure that all identified participants are notified of the meeting in advance. At a minimum, kick-off attendees shall include key Contractor personnel and key MSC personnel. The Contractor shall develop and, after Government approval, distribute meeting minutes and action items within two (2) business days after the kick-off meeting in accordance with CDRL 0001.

6.1.2. Contract Management Plan

The Contractor shall develop, deliver, and maintain throughout the contract period of performance, a Contract Management Plan (CMP) that shall be used as a foundation for technical, resource, production, and management planning. The Contractor shall provide a draft Contract Management Plan (CMP) in accordance with CDRL 0002 to the MSC Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the Kick-Off Meeting and provide an updated CMP within 14 calendar days after the kick-off meeting. The Contractor shall keep the CMP up-to-date, and be prepared to brief any plan content to the Government at short notice (within 24 hours). The CMP shall include the following summary information as well as any additional information deemed relevant by the Contractor:

· Identification of Key Contract Management Team Members, Authorities and Limitations

· Key Contract Vulnerabilities or Performance Risk Areas

· Proposed Key Performance Metrics

· Required Deliverables

· Reporting Requirements

· Contract Change Control Process

· Invoice Review

· Communication Process The COR reserves the right to randomly request and review resumes of contractor employees to ensure compliance with minimum requirement.

6.1.3. Contract Management Reviews

The Contract Management Reviews (CMR) will occur 60 days from contract award. Subsequent reviews will occur monthly at intervals as determined by the COR and CM. The Contractor shall prepare and submit a CMR agenda to the COR five (5) business days prior to the CMR meeting and prepare minutes within 5 business days after the meeting in accordance with CDRL 0003. The Contractor shall prepare the actual CMR to be delivered the day of the review. The CMR shall address current task status to include current task performance in comparison with task performance metrics, mitigation plans for under- performing areas, and other issues and concerns. The CMR shall summarize the previous three months of performance by task and define the work planned and projected for the subsequent three months.

6.1.4. Performance Management

The Contractor shall monitor performance standards and report monthly via the Contract Status Report as required in accordance with CDRL 0004. Performance metrics shall include task area status updates including resources planned and used, risks managed, issues reported and status, deliverables required and submitted, and project status for each project supported (schedule, performance). Metrics shall be reported for both monthly and aggregate/cumulative totals.

6.1.5. Quality Assurance

The Contractor shall have at contract award, and shall maintain, an existing quality management system per the International Organization of Standards (ISO) 9001:2015 or equivalent as is standard for all work performed at the Contractor’s facilities and onsite in support of this effort. The Government reserves the right to require the Contractor to present its current ISO 9001 certificate of compliance at any time. The Contractor shall, in addition, support all MSC ISO 9001 assessments by adhering to MSC QMS processes for work performed under this effort.

The Contractor shall provide a quality assurance plan and approach for work performed in the PWS and recommend business process improvements to enhance the processes of MSC’s communications, computer systems, and information technology division (N6). The quality assurance plan shall be provided at the contract kick-off meeting and maintained in accordance with CDRL 0005.

The Contractor shall provide all correspondence and written products in accordance with CDRL 0005. Products typically contain information technology terminology and concepts and are directed to a variety of audiences (e.g. internal/external, senior leaders, technical/non-technical).

The Contractor shall:

· Organize material and complete writing assignments according to the Navy Correspondence Manual standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.

· Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or designated personnel.

· Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction, binding, and/or storage medium.

· Maintain records and files of work, revisions, and proper version control in data.

6.1.6. Phase-Out Plan

Phase-Out Plan: No later than 120 calendar days prior to the end of the contract, the Contractor shall develop, with input from the Government, a plan of action to facilitate the transition of services to the CIVMARS that have received on-the-job training with no degradation in services in accordance with CDRL 0006.

6.1.7. Contract Management Deliverables

All deliverables shall be provided electronically, in a Microsoft (MS) Office commercially available product format.

6.2. Task Area 2 - Photography/Videography Services

The Contractor shall provide one (1) contractor employee per each designated ship, generally located in or in transit to 5th, 6th, or 7th Fleet operating areas who is capable of providing 24-hour photographic and videography services while underway on a designated vessel using hand-held DSLR cameras, lenses, and a range of accessories (detailed in paragraph 8 below) provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). These camera systems have sophisticated firmware that allows for a wide range of exposure and light sensitivity settings as well as other features that allow VI Specialists to accurately and consistently capture images in all lighting and environmental conditions, especially when mated with light enhancement adapters (e.g., night vision). VI Specialists should also be familiar with, and capable of transferring still photos and Full-Motion Video (FMV) from personal cameras and devices (e.g. cellphones, tablets, GOPROS, etc.) to a laptop computer using a secure digital card. VI Specialists must complete a certification exercise at MSC Headquarters prior to assignment; the certification entails the ability to capture and transmit VI, using GFE, within 40 minutes and then create a story board using Microsoft PowerPoint.

6.2.1. Photography Skills

VI Specialists require knowledge of photography theory to include light theory, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, International Organization for Standardization, framing, camera familiarization and a working knowledge of camera settings to include the advantages and disadvantages of using automatic through manual settings and use of processed and raw digital photo outputs. Knowledge of lens types and selection how each affects the quality of the photos. Additionally, they should have a working knowledge of lighting effects on photo shooting and methods of countering low light level conditions and fast moving subjects.

6.2.2. Videography Skills

VI Specialists require knowledge of video camera settings to include frame rate, zoom controls and automatic lighting adjustments. They should know and understand the advantages and disadvantages of camera types (i.e., digital single lens reflex versus digital camera recorders) and the various outputs provided by each camera. They should also have knowledge of how video lenses affect the overall lighting and quality of the video product and the advantages and disadvantages of using a tripod.

6.3. Task Area 3 – VI Management, Transfer and Dissemination Services The Contractor shall provide VI Specialists who have expert knowledge of camera outputs, image size, formats and methods of image transfer. VI Specialists must know how to use processing software (photo and video) and how to protect imagery quality from corruption or destruction. VI Specialists require training, prior to assignment, that familiarizes them with preparing imagery for release to include captions, adding metadata, proper file naming protocols, and the proprietary compression, segmentation and transmission system used by MSC vessels to transfer VI to fleet MOCs. VI Specialists require knowledge of shipboard communications equipment, systems, networks, and must understand how to prioritize available bandwidth.

6.4. Task Area 4 - Public Affairs Specialist Support Functions The Contractor shall provide VI Specialists who are trained in intelligence collection and reporting, merchant/combatant recognition, briefing fundamentals, intelligence photography and SNOOPIE team procedures. They should be capable of producing reportable event narratives to include creating PowerPoint story boards and drafting media write-ups for public release.

6.5. Task Area 5 - CIVMAR/CONMAR Training

6.5.1 While assigned, VI Specialists shall train designated CIVMARS and CONMARS in VI techniques and procedures using GFE equipment. Further, the Contractor shall develop a training curriculum for VI that includes demonstration videos and “how-to” manuals for VI techniques and procedures. This training package will be delivered to MSC at the end of the contract period.

7. Place of Performance The place of performance shall be on designated MSC vessels generally operating within or in transit to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet AORs.

8. Government Furnished Equipment The following Government Furnished Equipment will be provided on each ship:

· Dell Inspiron 17 – 5570 Stand-alone Laptop

· Adobe Creative Cloud suite

· Insignia Microphone

· Nikon D3400 Camera Package

· Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm Lens

· AstroScope 9350-NIKS-3PRO (Night vision device)

· Transcend TS128GSDXC10U1 Card

· Pelican 1605 Protector Case

· AWS Elemental Cloud (Elemental Technologies)

9. Deliverables

6.2.1 6.2.2 6.3

10. Security The Contractor shall provide personnel who are U.S. citizens and who hold a current SECRET clearance at time of award, documented via DD254.

11. Common Access Cards VI Specialists shall be issued Common Access Cards prior to assignment.

12. Training Courses The Contractor shall ensure that personnel attend the mandatory two-day training conducted by Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE), that details the use of the GFE, and operational requirements. It is anticipated that classes will be held twice a month in Norfolk, VA and will accommodate 10-15 students in each class.

13. Personnel Requirements The Contractor shall provide the resume of individual responsible for the overall management of VI Specialist program (project manager). All contractor employees shall comply with qualifications and requirements detailed in sections 6, 10, and 11 herein. In addition, the project manager shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

i. Master’s degree in business.

ii. Certification as Project Management Professional

iii. Must have U.S. passport

iv. Familiarity with photography, videography, and transmitting photographic and video data.

v. Secret Clearance at time of award

OR

i. 2 Years of VI Program Management or VI Project Management Experience (Offeror shall provide details and dates of experience).

ii. Must have U.S. passport

iii. Familiarity with photography, videography, and transmitting photographic and video data.

iv. Secret Clearance at time of award

Additionally, the contractor shall ensure that all of their employees onboard an MSC ship under this contract meet the following minimum qualifications:

i. Graduate of Basic Mass Communications Specialist School or other service equivalents, or

ii. Graduate of any photojournalism/videography course hosted by the Defense Information School or service equivalent, or

iii. Graduate of the Advanced Visual Journalism Training Program, or

iv. Graduate from an accredited photojournalism/videography course, or

v. Degree in Mass Communications with some focus on photography/videography;

AND

vi. Familiarity with transmitting photographic and video data;

vii. Must have U.S. passport;

viii. Secret Clearance at time of award

14. Performance, Locations, Hours The period of performance of this contract shall be for a firm period of one year followed by one one-year option period. A summary of the periods of performance is below:

MSC anticipates award on or about 30 January 2019. The period of performance will commence 01 March 2019. This will allow 1 month for the contractor to be properly manned with qualified and trained employees and to complete all other actions necessary to start performance under the contract on the first day of the period of performance.

The above period of performance for the option year applies only if the Government exercises the options in accordance with FAR 52-217-9.

VI support services will be aboard designated MSC vessels primarily located in the 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet.

Contractor personnel shall not require lodging for a period longer than two weeks at any time. If lodging is required for longer than two weeks, travel shall be coordinated with the MSC COR.

15. Data Rights MSC maintains full and complete rights to all the images, still or video, and all associated information and products produced. The Contractor shall not be allowed to use anything produced or created in the course of the contract for any commercial or private purpose.

16. Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative Mr. John S. Andrews, Military Sealift Command PM9, will serve as the Contracting Officer’s Representative for this contract.

17. Travel

17.1 Contract Request and Authorization

Any travel under this contract must be either directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or specifically requested in writing by the contractor and approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), prior to incurring any travel expense. The contractor shall submit the written request to the COR three weeks in advance, when possible. The travel request shall include as a minimum, the following:

1. Contract number

2. Date, time, and place of proposed travel

3. Purpose of travel and how it relates to the contract

4. Contractor’s estimated cost of travel with a breakdown of the estimated costs of transportation, lodging, meals, and incidentals; and

5. Name(s) of individual(s) traveling.

The COR will review and approve/disapprove (as appropriate) all travel requests submitted giving written notice of such approval or disapproval to the contractor.

17.2 Reimbursement

17.2.1. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for the reasonable actual cost of transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses when required to travel for this contract. Actual costs shall be considered reasonable, allowable, and reimbursable only to the extent that they do not exceed on a daily basis the maximum per diem rate in effect at the time of travel as set forth in the DOD Joint Travel Regulations (JFTR) located at http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/. Actual cost does not include handling charges, general and administrative cost, overhead, profit or any other indirect cost.

17.2.2. The Contractor shall use the allowable Government personnel rates for transportation and lodging. Reimbursement for airfare shall not exceed the lowest customary standard, coach, or equivalent airfare quoted during normal business hours. The Contractor will not be reimbursed for travel expenses unless audited records for transportation contain evidence, such as original receipts, substantiating actual expenses incurred for travel. In no event will reimbursement exceed the published rates of common carriers.

17.2.3. Reimbursable travel costs include only that travel performed from the Contractor’s location to the worksite and from the worksite to the Contractor’s home base. Reimbursable travel costs do not include cost associated with moving employees overseas for long-term employment or travel costs incurred in replacement of personnel when such replacement is accomplished for the Contractor’s or employee’s convenience.

17.2.4 Contractor shall maintain receipts for all travel expenses greater than $75 throughout the life of the contract. At least five (5) random audits will be conducted by the COR within a 12-month period. All receipts shall be produced along with any other supporting documentation on each invoice submitted for review and approval for payment. All invoices must include appropriate documentation and support (receipts, cost breakout, explanations) of all charges identified on the invoice.

18. Performance Metrics

Refer to the performance metrics established in the performance metrics listed in Section 9 above for required documentation and deliverables.

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

Any inconsistency between FAR Provision 52.212-1 and the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 shall be solved by giving precedence to the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.

A. Paragraph (c) of FAR Provision 52.212-1 is amended to read: Period of acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 120 days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

B. Paragraph (b) of FAR Provision 52.212-1, Submission of Offers, is amended as follows:

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

Contractor will be required to fill out and return the following FAR and DFARs Provisions and Clauses:

The contractor shall provide the information requested in 252.237-7024 NOTICE OF CONTINUATION OF ESSENTIAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES (OCT 2010).

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Submittal and Inquiries.

1. Proposals shall be received prior to the closing date and time identified on the SF 1449, electronically at the following address:

jordan.castellat@Navy.mil

2. The subject line of the email submission shall read, “N3220519R2015 // [Offeror’s Name] // Part [X] of [Y],” (Part X of Y is utilized to indicate multiple emails as part of the submission where X is the email number and Y is the number of total emails to be received). NOTE: to ensure attachments are properly received, offerors are encouraged to limit the sum total size of a single email to 10 megabytes (MB).

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION — SEE FAR 2.101 & 3.104

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION — SEE FAR 2.101 & 3.104

3. Submissions shall not contain any classified material. It is the sole-responsibility of the offeror to ensure that the files submitted are virus free and can be opened and read by the Government.

4. The point of contact responsible for supplying additional information and answering all inquiries is the Contract Specialist. Address all questions or concerns the offeror may have to the Contract Specialist, Jordan Castellat. All questions concerning the solicitation shall be submitted in writing via email to:

jordan.castellat@Navy.mil

All questions will be answered by the Contracting Officer and submitted through FBO.

All questions shall be received no later than 20 calendar days after issuance of the solicitation. Offerors are cautioned that any question received after this deadline may not receive a response.

B. General Instructions.

1. The selection of a source for award purposes will be conducted utilizing source selection (negotiated) procedures as delineated in FAR Subpart 15.3. Offerors will be evaluated using the criteria under FAR Provision 52.212-2, “Evaluation – Commercial Items.” Noncompliance with the Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements may hamper the Government’s ability to properly evaluate the proposal and may result in elimination of the proposal from further consideration for contract award.

2. The submission of the documentation specified below will constitute the offeror’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the RFP and concurrence with the contract type.

3. It is the Government’s intention to award without discussions. Offerors are encouraged to submit their best technical proposal and prices in initial proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.306, should discussions become necessary, the Government reserves the right to hold them. If this occurs, a competitive range will be determined and offerors notified. The competitive range may be limited for purposes of efficiency in accordance with FAR 15.306(c)(2). Proposals containing unacceptable ratings may be included in the competitive range provided they can be made acceptable as a result of discussions.

4. Instructions outlined in paragraph C below, prescribe the format for the proposal and describe the approach for the development and presentation of proposal data. These instructions are designed to ensure the submission of information needed to allow for evaluation of proposals.

5. If an offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, an ambiguity, omission, or are otherwise deemed unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the Contract Specialist in writing with the supporting rationale. The offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposals, as received, without discussion.

6. All referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at https://www.fbo.gov. Potential offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time email notifications when information has been posted to the website for this solicitation. If any necessary documents are not available on FBO, please notify the Contract Specialist.

7. Debriefings. The Contracting Officer will promptly notify offerors if the decision to eliminate their proposals from the competitive range, whereupon an offeror can request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505. The Contracting Officer will notify unsuccessful offerors in the competitive range of the source selection decision in accordance with FAR 15.506. Upon such notification, unsuccessful offerors may request and receive a debriefing. Any offeror requesting a debriefing must make the request in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.506.

C. Proposal Preparation Instructions

1. Offeror’s proposal shall consist of five (5) separate volumes: General (Volume I), Technical (Volume II), Past Performance (Volume III), Price (Volume IV) and Small Business Sub-Contracting Plan (Volume V).

2. Exceptions. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, such as terms and conditions, representation and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors. Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offeror being ineligible for award. If the offeror finds it necessary to take exception to any of the requirements specified in this solicitation, the offeror shall clearly identify the applicable Volume and exceptions with a complete explanation of why the exception was taken, what benefit accrues to the Government (if any), and its impact, if any, on the performance, schedule, cost, and specific requirements of the solicitation. Each exception shall be specifically related to each paragraph and/or specific part of the solicitation to which the exception is taken. Offerors are cautioned that taking an exception may render the offer ineligible for award. It is recommended that the offeror contact the Contracting Officer immediately prior to solicitation closing, upon identifying an area that may result in an exception.

3. Proposal Format

a. The proposals shall be organized into five (5) separate volumes. Each file sent via email shall include the volume number in the document title. It is permissible to include multiple volumes within one (1) email submission, however a single file can contain no more than one (1) volume.

b. Files shall be submitted in one (1) or a combination of the following formats: Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and/or Excel. No file shall be locked. The file names shall consist of the volume number, factor, tab, company name, and state “initial” (for the first submission) and “Revision X” (for later submissions, if necessary) where X indicates the number of the revision.

c. The table below shows detailed page limits for submissions:

Table 1 – Volume Page Limits

d. Proposal Limitation. The proposal shall not exceed the limits stated above. If the page limits are exceeded, the pages in excess of the limit shall be removed and remain unread. The Government will not accept any changes to the contractor’s proposal after the closing date of the solicitation (See FAR 15.208 for further information regarding late proposals). If discussions become necessary, page limitations may be placed on responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs). The specified page limits for EN responses will be identified in the letters forwarding the ENs to the offerors.

e. Page limits include: all appendices, charts, graphs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, etc.

f. Page limits do not include: covers for volumes, tables of contents, glossary of abbreviations and acronyms, indices, title pages, cross reference indices, and section dividers/tables if they are inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating parts/sections of the proposal. Pages will be counted if they contain any other information, i.e., diagrams, extraneous data, etc. Pages marked, “This page intentionally left blank,” will not be counted.

g. In the event that the offeror creates ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

D. Proposal Content

1. Volume I – General. Offerors are required to submit: (TAB 1) a Cover Letter; (TAB 2) Completed Attachments, which will consist of a completed SF 1449 to include acknowledgement of amendments, if applicable; completed Representations and Certifications; and Technical Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Tab 1: The following information shall be provided in the cover letter:

a. Authorized Offeror Personnel: Provide the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of the individual who can obligate your company contractually. Also, identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government and who can answer questions regarding your quotation.

b. Company Information: The name, address, telephone number, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, and The Company’s Small Business Size Standard under the applicable NAICS code.

c. Service Contract Act (SCA) Certification; The Offeror shall certify that it will comply with the Service Contract Act and Department of Labor Wage Determination

c. Agreement with Terms: A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the RFP. Offerors are to clearly detail any exceptions taken and the rationale for the exceptions taken to the RFP. Exceptions taken to the RFP may render the proposal unacceptable to the Government.

Tab 2: The following information shall be provided:

a. Completed Representations and Certifications. Offerors shall complete all applicable Representations and Certifications, including FAR 52.212-3 and those provisions listed in the first table of this clause.

b. Signed acknowledgement of all RFP amendments. Offerors shall acknowledge all RFP amendments.

c. Completed Form DD254 (Solicitation Attachment 5) with applicable CAGE code

d. Technical Non-Disclosure Agreement. The offeror shall ensure that the required fields within the Technical Non-Disclosure Agreement (Solicitation Attachment 6) are completed.

2. Volume II – Technical. The technical proposal will be the basis for assessing the offeror’s ability to understand the scope of the VI support services described in the solicitation. FAR Provision 52.212-2 of the solicitation outlines the evaluation factors and defines the source selection evaluation criteria for evaluating the technical proposal. The technical volume shall be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims in the offeror’s proposal. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet the requirements. Statements that the offeror understands, can, or will comply with the requirements; statements paraphrasing the requirements or parts thereof; and phrases such as “standard procedures will be employed” or “well known techniques will be used,” etc., will be considered unacceptable. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of its facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the offeror’s proposal. Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed art work, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired. The technical volume shall be organized according to the following general outline.

1) The Offeror shall provide a brief and precise narrative that describes/explains their technical approach. This approach shall include proposed labor categories and estimated hours/FTE to complete the required support in accordance with the PWS.

2) The Offeror shall provide an organizational chart and brief narrative explaining the lines of authority amongst the corporate management, key personnel, non-key personnel, and any subcontractors proposed.

3) The Offeror shall provide its approach to obtaining and maintaining qualified staff throughout the duration of the contract, to include:

i. Hiring and retaining qualified personnel with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work described in the PWS;

ii. A labor market analysis of the place of performance and the surrounding area and how it impacts the staffing approach.

4) The offeror shall provide the resume of individuals responsible for the overall management of the VI Specialist program. Resumes are not included in the page limitation of the technical proposal. Individual resumes shall not exceed three (3) pages. but will include the following:

i. The structure of the resumes shall follow the format of Solicitation Attachment 1.

ii. For each resume, Offerors shall state whether the Key Personnel is currently employed by the Offeror or not. If not employed by the Offeror, the Offeror shall provide a signed Letter of Intent for each proposed Key Personnel. In order to qualify as Key Personnel, the individual proposed must be a full time employee with the Offeror at the time of quotation submission; or have a signed Letter of Intent to become a full time employee with the Offeror should that Offeror be awarded the contract.

iii. Each resume must demonstrate that the Key Personnel meets the minimum position requirements listed in the Table in Section 13 of the PWS.

5) The offeror shall explain how the key personnel will provide for the overall management of the contract and associated tasks required for successful performance for:

i. Tracking ship assignments, tasks and deliverables throughout the duration of the contract;

ii. Developing, completing, submitting, and revising CDRLs;

iii. Scheduling personnel and travel for support onboard MSC ships;

iv. Obtaining the appropriate security clearances or access requests required for performance.

ATTACHMENT 7 Page 6

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION — SEE FAR 2.101 & 3.104

3. Volume III – Past Performance. The past performance evaluation will be accomplished by reviewing aspects of an offeror’s recent and relevant past performance. Offerors may provide information for up to three (3) previous Government contracts whose effort is/was recent and relevant to the effort required by this solicitation.

a. “Recent” is defined as a contract in-progress or completed within the last three (3) years from the issuance date of this solicitation. If the offeror has not had three (3) Government contracts within the last three (3) years, information on recent and relevant subcontracts and/or commercial contracts may be submitted.

b. “Relevant” is defined as a contract or multiple simultaneous contracts cumulatively combined that is of similar scope, magnitude, and complexity to the requirements as set forth in this solicitation.

c. A Past Performance Data Sheet (Solicitation Attachment 2) shall be submitted for each contract to be considered as past performance. Offerors shall provide a detailed explanation demonstrating the similarity of the contracts to the requirements of this solicitation; a detailed description of the work performed for the contract; and the role performed, including whether the offeror acted as a prime contractor or a subcontractor. Offerors are responsible for the accuracy of all data provided. Past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience and subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement may be provided as past performance submissions.

d. For each of the contracts the offeror describes in a Past Performance Data Sheet (Solicitation Attachment 2), the offeror is requested to provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (Solicitation Attachment 3) to a reference at the organization that awarded the contract. The reference, not the offeror, shall email the completed Past Performance Questionnaire BEFORE THE DUE DATE FOR PROPOSALS directly to the Contract Specialist, Jordan Castellat, at jordan.castellat@Navy.mil. Fax submittals will not be considered. The offeror, NOT THE GOVERNMENT, is responsible for ensuring that the Government receives a sufficient number of questionnaires.

4. Volume IV – Price. Offerors shall provide a firm fixed price proposal using the provided Price Proposal Spreadsheet (Solicitation Attachment 4). Instructions for use:

a. The Price Proposal Spreadsheet includes three (3) tabs, a summary tab and a tab for the base and a tab for the one (1) option year. Both the Base and Option year tabs will include the optional quantity CLINs associated with each year;

b. Offerors shall fill in the cells highlighted in yellow on the base and option period tab;

c. Cells highlighted in green are pre-established formula’s that will automatically update upon data being entered in the highlighted yellow cells;

d. For the purposes of the total evaluated price, a number has been pre-filled for the travel CLIN price for the base and each option period and should not be changed by the offeror;

ATTACHMENT 7 Page 7

SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION — SEE FAR 2.101 & 3.104

5. Volume V – Small Business Sub-Contracting Plan. In accordance with FAR 52.219-9 and DFARS 252.219-7003, large business Offerors shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan with their proposal (See Attachment 6(g)). Offerors shall ensure that they submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan with all of the information required by FAR 52.219-9. A subcontracting plan is NOT REQUIRED from small business concerns and will not be evaluated. In preparing the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Offerors should note that historical compliance with FAR 52.219-9 and DFARS 252.219-7003 may be evaluated as part of Past Performance in future source selections.

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