16-R-0006_RFP_Amend.docx

N68936-16-R-0006

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION J - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

The Table of Contents has changed from:

Exhibit/Attachment Table of Contents

to:

Exhibit/Attachment Table of Contents

The following have been modified:

SECTION J -

Exhibit/Attachment Table of Contents

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

SECTION L-1, CONTENT OF PROPOSALS (Services) (April 2016)

PART A GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.0 GENERAL

The Government intends to award a single Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)/Fixed Fee type contract as a result of this solicitation. Each offeror shall submit a proposal that clearly and concisely describes and defines the offeror’s response to the requirements of this solicitation. Use of general or vague statements such as “standard procedures will be used” will not satisfy this requirement. Unnecessary elaboration or presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired.

Each offeror must submit an offer/proposal and other information in strict accordance with these instructions. Each offeror’s submission shall be screened by the Contracting Officer (KO) or a designee upon receipt to ensure compliance with the instructions contained in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

The Offeror is required to submit sufficient information to enable Government personnel to fully ascertain and evaluate the capabilities of the Offeror to perform the requirements of the solicitation. All proposals must clearly and convincingly demonstrate that the Offeror has a thorough understanding of the requirements and associated risks. The Offeror must respond to all requirements of the solicitation and not alter or rearrange the solicitation. The Offeror is advised that the Government may incorporate any portions of the Offeror’s proposal deemed beneficial to the Government.

In presenting material in the proposal, the Offeror is advised that quality of information is more important than quantity. Clarity, brevity, and logical organization shall be emphasized during proposal preparation. The Offeror shall present sufficient information to allow the Government to evaluate the proposed work effort, support, and approach, as well as the price/cost proposal without opening discussions. Statements that the prospective Offeror understands, can comply with, or will comply with, the specifications, and paraphrasing the requirements or parts thereof without supporting information are considered inadequate by the Government, and may result in a rating of unacceptable.

The Offeror must include any data that illustrates the adequacy of the various assumptions, approaches, and solutions to problems. Failure to address a specific factor clearly may be considered a deficiency. There is no need to repeat information in more than one volume if an overlap exists; the detailed information must be included in the most logical place and summarized and referenced in other areas. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or other presentation materials beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal is neither necessary nor desired.

The Offeror shall include any data necessary to illustrate the adequacy of the various assumptions, approaches, and solutions to problems. There is no need to repeat information in more than one volume. The detailed information must be included in the most logical place and summarized and referenced in other areas if an overlap exists. Do not provide elaborate brochures or other presentation materials beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal.

The Government advises the Offeror that taking exception or deviating from any term or condition of the RFP may make an offer unacceptable, and the proposal unawardable, unless the RFP expressly authorizes such. Alternate proposals are not acceptable

Throughout these instructions, a “principal subcontractor” is defined as a subcontractor who provides at least 20% of the proposed total price/cost (excluding the Offeror’s profit/fee), for the contract or provides one or more Key Personnel. “Team member” is defined as one of the entities that make up a joint venture (JV) or any other partnership or teaming arrangement formed for the purpose of responding to this solicitation.

Questions: Offerors may submit questions requesting clarification of solicitation requirements by emailing the contract specialist David.Channer@navy.mil. It is requested that all questions be received within 7 calendar days of the date this solicitation is issued.

Discussions: Though the Government reserves the right to hold discussions, award may be based upon initial offers. Therefore, do not submit an offer that takes exception to any term or condition of this RFP, propose any additional term or condition, or omit any required information. The offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.

2.0 PROPOSAL FORMAT

Written proposals must be formatted using a Times New Roman 12 pt. normal font (no reduction permitted), single-spaced with 1-inch margins all around, and formatted for standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper. All pages should be numbered with section and page numbers. When foldout pages are used they must not exceed 11 x 17 inches and will be counted as 1 page. Drawings may be provided separately and may be any size but should be folded to approximately 8.5 x 11 inch standard size and will count as 1 page. Graphs shall be presented in no smaller than a 10 pt. font and should contain a grid, which allows values to be read directly from the graph to the same accuracy that a 10 x 10 to the ½ inch grid provides. Graphic resolution, including such data as tables or charts, should be consistent with the purpose of the data presented.

The Offeror will provide one complete copy of the proposal to the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) as electronic files fully compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System and for information not supported by MS Office products, with the latest Adobe Acrobat reader on a CD-ROM. The Offeror will ensure that the Price/Cost Volume is provided on a separate CD-ROM. Each CD-ROM is to be labeled for content and the Offeror’s name. If a discrepancy exists between the original paper copy of the proposal and the disk copy, the paper copy will take precedence.

Hyperlinks: Offeror’s may use hyperlinks within and among proposal volumes that do not include cost/price information. However, there shall be no links from any other volume into the Cost/Price volume or any portion of the proposal that contains cost/price information.

Graphics: Large files require greater computer system resources and are discouraged. The offeror is encouraged to:

(a) Simplify the color palette used in creating figures;

(b) Minimize size of graphics files; and

(c) Avoid scanned images.

The Offeror must present proposal information in a manner that facilitates a one-to-one comparison between the information presented and this Proposal Instruction. Proposal information must be structured such that its paragraph number/letter is identical to the Proposal Instructions paragraph number to which it is responding, although the Offeror may add lower tier subparagraphs. The Offeror must provide reasons it will not provide information for a particular paragraph. The proposal information instructions are structured by paragraph numbers where first, second, third, and fourth parts correspond to the volume, book, section, and element, etc., in the Offeror’s proposal.

3.0 PROPOSAL CONTENT AND VOLUMES

Each proposal shall contain the following volumes/sections:

Volume 1 – Executive Summary Volume 2 – Technical Proposal Volume 3 – Past Performance Volume 4 – Cost/Price

Each volume of the proposal shall be submitted as one original and additional copies as specified in the table below. The table below supersedes the copies requested in Block 9 of the Standard Form (SF) 33. All volumes of the original proposal shall be delivered to the address provided in Section 4.0 prior to the closing date/time stated in this solicitation. Page limitations for each volume, if any, are also specified in the table below; title and table of contents pages do not count towards the page limit. Any pages submitted exceeding the page limit shall be disregarded and NOT evaluated.

Information submitted as an Annex to the proposal includes manuals, specifications, plans, procedures, and policies that exist as an official document of the company or facility, as well as other information requested in Part B Specific Instructions. Page limitations for Annexes, if any, are specified below. The authorized Annexes are summarized in the table below.

Volume Number

1 Original/2 copies

1 Original/2 copies

Other Cost Information (as required)

Each volume shall contain the following information:

The Offeror shall submit a Cross Reference Matrix (CRM) for the Technical Volume, similar to the example below, to help ensure that all solicitation requirements are addressed and to facilitate the evaluators’ review of the Offeror’s proposal. The CRM should be a single integrated matrix and cross-reference the proposal volumes and paragraphs to specific RFP requirements, as well as other parts of the proposal that contain relevant information. The Offeror’s CRM may be identical to the example below or revised such as to add columns to indicate the page number on which information may be found, identify where other relevant information in the proposal is located, or provide other comments. The CRM does not count against any of the proposal page limitations.

EXAMPLE OF A CROSS REFERENCE MATRIX (CRM)

Volume 2 Technical Example: Para 3.1 Note: This column shall address all paragraphs in Sections xx and xy of the SOW

Volume 2 Technical

Volume 2 Technical

4.0 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:

Clearly mark all packages with the solicitation number. The submission date for all Volumes shall be no later than the date and time specified in Block 9 of the SF 33 of the RFP.

Offeror shall submit proposals via United States Postal Service or through a commercial carrier using the address provided below. Offeror shall not submit proposals by facsimile or electronically via email.

Naval Air Systems Command Code: AIR-2.5.4.3. (David Channer) Address: 429 E. Bowen Road, Mail Stop 4015, China Lake, CA 93555-5049 Building 00982, Room 130-3 Solicitation Number: N68936-16-R-0006

Hand carried proposals may be delivered to the address above, attention Debra Zamarron/PCO and/or David Channer/CS.

5.0 PROPOSAL PACKAGING:

The Offeror shall package the proposal volumes in cartons or equivalent packaging containers in the most efficient manner possible grouping like volumes to the maximum extent possible. Each container shall be single person portable. One container shall include all Original Proposal volumes including the original/signed documents submitted as part of Volume 1 Executive Summary.

Each box should include a packing slip detailing the contents to include the volume number, title, and copy number. Also, each box should be stamped or marked “For Official Use Only” and “Source Selection Information – See FAR-2.101 and 3.104.”

6.0 CLASSIFIED DATA

All proposals must be UNCLASSIFIED.

7.0 SOLICITATION CHANGES

For notice of any changes and additional information provided by the Government for the solicitation, please go to www.FedBizOpps.gov.

8.0 TECHNICAL LIBRARY

A Technical Library of information directly related to the requirements of this contract is available to all Offerors. The library is located at

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) F/A-18 & EA-18G Fleet Support Team Code: AIR-4.3.3.1 (Attn: Brian Zark) Solicitation Number: N68936-16-R-0006 P.O. Box 357058 San Diego, CA 92135-7058 Fax: 619-767-1018 Email: Brian.Zark @navy.mil

Documents and software tools identified in Sections 2.1 and 3.1.4 of the SOW that are prefaced with an asterisk (*) contain proprietary information of another party and will not be provided to the Offeror. The Government response time is 2 days from email receipt.

PART B SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Cost or pricing information shall only appear in the Price/Cost volume.

1.0 VOLUME 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of the Executive Summary is to provide the evaluators with an overview of the Offeror’s proposal and strategy. The Offeror shall include the following in this volume:

Contractor Name (Indicate Prime, Team Member, or Sub)

vi. Written consent from principal subcontractors and/or team members that will allow the Government to coordinate potential past performance and/or cost/price issues with the Offeror.

vii. Offeror Representatives and Information: Provide the name, title, phone number and email address of the Offeror’s principal point of contact for the solicitation. Also identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government and contractually bind the Offeror. The Offeror shall provide its company/division’s street address, county and facility code; Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code; Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) code; size of business (large or small); and labor surplus area designation. This same information must be provided for any division, affiliate or subcontractor along with the percentage of work and role and responsibility to be performed by each entity.

viii. Government Agency Information: Provide the mailing address, telephone, fax numbers, email address and facility codes for the Offeror’s cognizant Contract Administration Office, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and Government Paying Office. In addition, please provide the name, telephone number, fax number and email address for the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)

ix. Terms and Conditions: This section must include a statement that all exceptions and deviations that the Offeror takes to the provisions of the RFP are identified in this section; or provide a statement that the Offeror has no exceptions or deviations from the RFP

2.0 VOLUME 2: TECHNICAL

The Offeror shall provide all information and data required to conduct a thorough and complete technical evaluation. The Offeror shall address the following in the proposal:

· Workforce

· Understanding of the Work

· Management Plan

2.1 Workforce

The offeror shall provide the following information:

2.1.1 Workforce Qualifications Spreadsheet. The offeror shall complete the attached Workforce Qualifications spreadsheet (Attachment P1) for each “key” employee proposed under this effort. Key personnel are those individuals who will be performing in Key Labor Categories, as designated by the Government in the Statement of Work. The information provided in Attachment P1 must demonstrate that the proposed key personnel meet or exceed the labor category requirements outlined in Section C. If the “key” employee is a contingent hire, the offeror shall submit a corresponding letter of intent submitted in Volume 2. The letter of intent is a separate written agreement signed by the potential employee(s) to work for the offeror effective at contract award. Key personnel employed by subcontractors and team members shall provide letters of intent either separately or included in the prime contractor’s submission of this document.

The following definitions apply to section 2.1.1: A “contingent hire” is an individual who has committed, under a signed letter of intent, to being employed by the offeror if the offeror is awarded the contract. A “prospective hire” is an individual that the offeror has committed to hiring if the offeror is awarded the task contract whose identity may not be known until after contract award.

Note: The offeror is forewarned that it may receive a weakness if it proposes the predominance of a labor category or SOW section tasking using prospective or contingent hire employees and the evaluation team deems this a risk to successful performance.

2.1.2 Labor category information. The offeror shall submit labor category titles, functional responsibilities and labor qualifications for all key and non-key labor categories proposed under the prospective contract and that meet the minimum qualifications stated in the Statement of Work, paragraph 5.0. The labor category title shall be consistent throughout the proposal. Functional responsibilities shall include the principal duties to be performed under that labor category on the prospective contract. Labor qualifications shall include experience and/or education requirements for all labor categories proposed. The labor qualification information proposed will be incorporated by reference into the resulting contract, thereby becoming the standard for use during performance of the effort.

2.1.2.1 Key Labor Categories. The Government has identified the following two (2) labor categories as “key” to the performance of this contract: Program Manager and Engineering/Scientist V. The offeror is required to submit resumes for individuals proposed to fill these key positions in accordance with 2.1.3.

2.1.3 Key Personnel Resumes.

2.1.3.1 For any proposed Key Personnel, provide a 2 page resume (contractor format acceptable) of the work assignments, training, etc., that demonstrates the experience and specialized qualifications of each key person proposed. Resumes shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

· Employee name

· Years of employment experience in chronological order including narrative description of duties and responsibilities

· Current position, title and employer

· Educational history

· Institution name, degree or certification earned, and year for all degrees or certifications earned

· Current level of security clearance and status (final, interim or pending)

· Highlight employee’s knowledge base and experience in Classical and Finite Element, including engineering stress analysis as well as Crack Initiation (CI) and Crack Growth (CG) analysis.

· Highlight any background in Finite Element Model (FEM) for linear and non-linear applications.

2.1.3.2 The Government may check educational background to verify degrees or certifications received.

2.1.3.3 If the qualification (i.e. education, experience) does not meet the minimum qualification stated in the SOW the offeror shall provide an explanation as to the equality of the proposed qualification to meet the minimum qualification.

2.1.4 Workforce Hour Matrix.

2.1.4.1 The offeror shall provide a breakdown of hours for each individual labor category proposed for each year of the period of performance. The offeror must submit a labor category breakdown that covers the completion of the tasks in the SOW in Section C of the solicitation in accordance with the format in the Workforce Hour Matrix (Attachment P2). Subcontractors’ and team members’ information shall be included under the prime contractor’s submission. The Workforce Hour Matrix should be directly traceable to and supported by the discussion provided by the Offeror in its responses to the “Understanding the Work” and “Workforce” sections of the offer. The matrix, in conjunction with the narrative discussion, shall demonstrate the offeror’s ability to provide the required SOW services with the labor mix and hours proposed.

2.2 Understanding of the Work

2.2.1 Statement of Work Approach:

2.2.1.1 Provide a written narrative of the offeror’s proposed understanding and capability to perform the requirements of the Statement of Work (SOW). The narrative shall include, but is not limited to, the elements set forth below:

2.2.1.1.1 Provide a detailed description of the approach, including a detailed step-by-step procedure and methodology which would be used in accomplishing each task in accordance with each section of the SOW.

2.2.1.1.2 Identify reference documents that would be utilized to perform the SOW tasking.

2.2.1.1.3 Provide a product outline describing what would be the expected deliverable(s) as a result of the tasking.

2.2.1.1.4 Identify any areas that may impact successful performance.

2.2.1.1.5 Provide a description of possible areas to be investigated in researching each task.

2.2.1.1.6 Implementation plan that includes:

2.2.1.1.6.1 Manpower utilization to maintain an optimum level of support.

2.2.1.1.6.2 Warranty of work, if applicable.

2.2.1.1.6.3 Quality control of work product.

2.2.1.1.6.4 Quality management plan to monitor the quality standards set forth in the contract.

2.3 Management Plan

The offeror’s management plan shall address the following:

2.3.1 Overall Management Approach: Offerors shall address in sufficient detail the following:

2.3.1.1 adequacy of corporate management and resources to support the technical requirements of the solicitation and ability to function as a viable and productive partner with the Government,

2.3.1.2 proposed lines of responsibility, authority, and communication through which the tasks will be managed, including an organization chart showing where the key personnel are located and their lines of authority and reporting.

2.3.1.3 processes for managing the requirement from start to finish, including the role of the offeror’s program manager in product/process quality and how these functions are accommodated in the acquisition and overhead structures.

2.3.1.4 plan for early identification and resolution of problems and identification of potential performance risks and proposed risk mitigation strategies.

2.3.1.5 describe the process and procedures for executing, managing and controlling assigned tasks and personnel who are working remotely from an off-site location.

2.3.1.6 discuss the construct of the Structural Analysis Tracker in SOW paragraph 3.1.11, including processes on how it is used by stakeholders, identify any automated features, traceability of tasks from inception to completion, any integrated sharing features with stakeholders, and any relevant metrics of successful performance of similar tasking.

2.3.1.7 Procedures to be taken to ensure quality and cost control.

2.3.2 Usage of Teaming, Personnel, and Subcontractors: Offerors shall present in sufficient detail the following:

2.3.2.1 Subcontract Management Plan. Prime Contractor shall detail how each subcontractor will be managed to ensure cohesive integration into the overall management approach, and how the offeror will leverage their strengths to increase value to the customer through technical leadership, quality assurance, and process improvement,

2.3.2.2 how and why selected subcontractor(s) were chosen, which knowledge and skills the offeror will be acquiring through each subcontract, the level of subcontract effort expected;

2.3.2.3 how the offeror will maintain control during the performance of work; and

2.3.2.4 what percentage of the total proposed contract value represents subcontract awards to small business concerns.

2.3.3 Qualification/Recruitment/Retention: Offerors shall present in sufficient detail the following:

2.3.3.1 qualification/recruitment/retention procedures that would provide workforce improvements and upgrade the skills of highly trained and motivated personnel;

2.3.3.2 Description of approach for maintaining qualified personnel to perform the SOW tasks.

3.0 VOLUME 3: PAST PERFORMANCE

3.1 The offeror shall identify on the Past Performance Matrix (Attachment P3) contracts whose performance is within five years of this proposal submission and contains efforts similar to those efforts, e.g., tasks, contract type, location, contract dollar value, etc., required by this solicitation for itself, primary subcontractors, and critical team members. A primary subcontractor is defined as any subcontractor who is providing at least 20% of the total labor cost proposed. Commercial contracts may be included. A critical team member is defined as a subcontractor providing less than 20% of the labor cost proposed who is deemed essential to the successful performance of the requirement by the offeror. When possible, these contracts should include at least five contracts for the prime contractor, and at least two contracts for each primary subcontractor.

3.2 Demonstrated Systemic Improvement Information - Identify those demonstrated systemic improvement actions taken to resolve past problems. Describe the techniques, elements, and tools used to correct problems and, if applicable, how these techniques, elements, and tools will be used during this contract.

3.3 FOR CONTRACTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CPARS), AND FOR WHICH ANNUAL REPORTING HAS BEEN PERFORMED, DO NOT SEND THE PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SERVICES TO THE CUSTOMER.

3.4 For contracts that have Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) that are more than 12 months old the offeror will complete items numbered 1 through 8 on page 1 of the Past Performance Questionnaire Package for Services (Attachment P4) and forward it to the contract customer’s Program Manager to address only the items numbered 9 to 15 on page 1. For all contracts identified which do not have CPARs, the offeror will complete items numbered 1 through 8 page 1 of the Past Performance Questionnaire Package for Services (Attachment P4) and forward the 2 pages to that contract customer’s Technical Point of Contact or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). All questionnaires shall be forwarded within two weeks from the RFP release date with enough lead-time so that responses can be received by the Government concurrent with the Government’s receipt of the offeror’s past performance information submitted as per paragraph 3.1 and 3.2. The offeror shall include past performance package instructions to the customers. This submittal information is provided at the top of the questionnaires to facilitate the offeror’s effort in meeting these instructions. The offeror shall not conduct follow-up actions with regard to this questionnaire. The Government will ensure that the customers have received and will respond to the questionnaires. The Government may send any other questionnaires as necessary.

3.5 Offerors shall provide written consent from their primary subcontractors that will allow the Government to coordinate their past performance issue(s) with the prime offeror. If offerors do not submit such written consent, then the Government will address any past performance issues directly with the primary subcontractor and the offeror will forfeit the opportunity to participate in any related discussions. Consequently, for any primary subcontractors and critical team members that do not provide such written consent, provide a point of contact (name, address, phone number, and email address) with which the Government may coordinate these issues and obtain any responses as needed.

3.6 Offerors are advised that the Government may use and evaluate independently obtained past performance data, such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS); Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs); Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS); Electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS); other databases; interviews with Program Managers, Contracting Officers, Fee Determining Officials, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), or other individuals; as well as, or in addition to, all recent and relevant past performance data provided by the Offeror. The Government reserves the right to contact, or elect not to contact, any or all of the sources provided by the offeror. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Offeror to explain the relevance of any past performance data provided. Furthermore, the Government does not assume the duty to search for data to explain or remedy any inconsistencies it finds in the information provided by the offeror. The burden of providing thorough and complete past performance information remains with the offeror.

3.7 If the offeror does not have any past performance, it shall provide an affirmative statement stating it has no past performance. This statement shall be provided in the submittal under Volume 3 Past Performance.

4.0 VOLUME 4: PRICE/COST PROPOSAL

If subcontractors are proposed, they shall provide the same information as required for the prime contractor.

4.1 Volume Content:

(a) This Volume shall contain the information requested below and shall include a copy of Section B with the Contract Line Item (CLIN) and Sub-CLIN Unit Prices and, for evaluation purposes, the Total Prices filled in using the estimated quantities value in the solicitation and the instructions below. Section B prices shall be provided separately in one digital data copy in MS Office 2003 Excel format on CD-ROM media. Within all Excel spreadsheets, the Offeror shall use formulas and functions to the maximum extent possible and avoid using output type “value only” cells. If links are utilized, supply those referenced files. Spreadsheets shall not be protected. Offerors shall submit their cost and/or pricing information utilizing the CLIN Breakout Spreadsheet (Attachment (P5)). The Offeror shall submit a fully completed CLIN Breakout Spreadsheet.

(b) All price/cost and price/cost supporting information shall be contained in Section B and the price/cost proposal. No price or pricing information shall be included in any other technical volume including cover letters. Offeror are responsible for submitting sufficient information to enable the Government to fully evaluate their price/cost proposal.

4.2 Ground Rules and Assumptions:

(a) As this is a competitive acquisition with adequate price competition anticipated, any price/cost documentation requested shall not be certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.403-1. However, in the event that adequate price competition does not exist after receipt of proposals, the Government reserves the right to request additional cost or pricing data as necessary from both the Offeror and subcontractors and may conduct negotiations with the Offeror, pursuant to FAR 15.403-4, in order to ensure a reasonable and realistic price/cost. Further, the Offeror may be required to provide a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data prior to award, pursuant to FAR 15.406-2. The Offeror acknowledges the requirement to provide additional cost or pricing information and certify the data prior to award if/when requested by the Government.

(b) The cost of general purpose items required to conduct normal business operations will not be considered allowable Other Direct Charges. The following types of general purpose costs required to conduct normal business operations are not directly reimbursable: the cost and associated costs for telephones and telephone charges (except for project-related telephone charges for performance of this contract which, per the Contractor's DCAA-approved accounting system, may be directly reimbursed under communication expenses), modems, typewriters, reproduction machines, word processing equipment, personal computers, computer software, Internet access charges, facsimile machines, commercial carrier charges, pagers, and other general purpose office equipment and office supplies.

(c) The Offeror shall provide sufficient information to support its price/cost as well as an explanation of all ground rules and assumptions that affect the price/cost estimates. Any apparent imbalances in the pricing, high or low proposed prices/costs as compared to historical data, or any other anomalies should be fully explained. Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to, investments, programmatic variables (e.g., inflation/escalation, location, make/buy decisions, prime/subcontractor relationships, and business base concerns), etc.

4.3 Price/Cost Information:

Offerors shall submit their fully completed cost/price proposal utilizing the Cost Summary Format (Attachment P-5). The spreadsheet shall be formatted on letter size (8.5 X 11) paper and shall be unprotected and unlocked, with formulae intact to show mathematical operations.

The offeror shall complete and submit Attachment P-5, detailing the fully burdened labor rates for all prime contractor and subcontractor personnel. For subcontractor labor, the fully burdened labor rates shall be inclusive of any pass-through charges (i.e., subcontractor handling, fixed fee on subcontractor labor, etc.) applied by the prime contractor.

(a) Reasonableness and Consistency between the Technical and Price/Cost Volumes. Demonstrate that the unit prices and the total proposed price/cost are reasonable, realistic, and commensurate with the work required by the solicitation and the technical and management approaches identified in the Technical Volume of the proposal. Show traceability with the CLINS, SubCLINs, the SOW, proposed effort, proposed manning levels, and the prices/costs. Refer to specific sections in the Technical Volume as needed to illustrate the consistency between the Price/Cost Volume and the Technical Volume. The Offeror shall explain any inconsistency between promised performance and price/cost, as well as any appearance of unbalanced pricing, in the proposal.

(b) Direct/Indirect Rates: The Offeror shall use and submit Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs), and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)as applicable for all proposed labor categories (key and non-key). The Offeror shall also state the number of hours used in determining an employee work year if it differs from 1920 hours. The Offeror shall identify whether the labor rates proposed are FPRAs, CBAs, ACO/DCAA recommended rates, or Offeror proposed rates. The Offeror shall propose in compliance with the current hourly rate set forth in the Department of Labor Wage Determination as applicable. The Offeror shall provide Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Information/Payroll Verification information as follows: A DCAA point of contact, with a current e-mail address, must be provided for the prime and each subcontractor. The Offeror and proposed subcontractors shall provide the most current DCAA Provisional Billing Rate Approval Letter, DCAA Final Billing Rate Approval Letter, and/or DCAA Forward Pricing Rate Agreement recommendation, payroll verification for currently employed proposed personnel, and any other information necessary to substantiate the rates proposed. Payroll verification shall consist of a form containing the title, direct labor rate, and a signed certification by an authorized representative of the company that the information contained in the form is correct. For contingent hires, the offeror shall provide contingent offer letters outlining salary information for contingent hire employees. For any prospective hires of non-key personnel, provide information to substantiate the rates proposed. All contingent hires shall have a letter of intent submitted under the Cost Volume. The letter of intent is a separate written agreement signed by the potential employee(s) to work for the Offeror effective at contract award. Subcontractors and team members shall provide this information either separately or included in the prime contractor’s submission of this document. The following definition applies for contingent hire: a “contingent hire” is an individual who has committed, under a signed letter of intent, to being employed by the Offeror if the Offeror is awarded the contract.

If any of the rates utilized by the Offeror or any subcontractors differ from the DCAA information and/or payroll verification, a justification shall be provided for the difference. If DCAA has not reviewed the rate information for an Offeror or one of its subcontractors, the Offeror must submit a detailed justification of the proposed direct and indirect rates, including actual payroll data if available. If this requirement contains cost type CLINs, the Offeror shall also provide documentation verifying that it has a DCAA approved Cost Accounting System or state that its Cost Accounting System has not been approved by DCAA. Offeror shall provide the last three (3) years of actual indirect information. The Government may review perspective Offeror’s labor category to the average labor rate from industry.

(c) Regardless of the type of CLINs (e.g., CPFF, CPIF, CPAF or FFP) under the solicitation, the Offeror shall fully disclose the buildup of cost/price of each CLIN.

(d) When completing the CLIN Breakout Spreadsheet (Attachment P5), the Offeror shall not utilize any fully burdened hourly rates when pricing the labor of its employees.

(e) If a subcontractor of the Offeror utilizes fully burdened rates in its proposal to the Offeror, the subcontractor shall provide its own CLIN Breakout Spreadsheet (Attachment (P5)) delineating the buildup of those rates to the Government.

(f) In preparing the cost/price proposal, the Offeror shall ensure the submittal is easy to understand and includes the following:

If the offeror’s proposed employees are under a collective bargaining agreement, the Offeror shall provide a copy of the agreement.

(g) Provide a narrative that addresses any assumptions made during the preparation of the cost/price proposal and discuss the basis for the cost elements listed below:

· Labor hours per labor category

· Direct labor rates by category. The offeror is required to submit labor rates for all proposed current, contingent, and prospective hire individuals. If composite or category averages are proposed, provide a breakdown of how rates are developed. If necessary provide a narrative to describe derivation of labor rates, use of uncompensated overtime, pools to which indirect rates are applied, historical /provisional billing rates for indirect rates for the last 3 years and description, and amount of proposed other direct costs. If the contractor requires the use of consultants in its proposal the consultant cost shall be captured under the appropriate labor CLIN not the ODCs CLIN.

· Escalation on labor. Offerors, including subcontractors, shall address escalation for all labor categories, and shall provide rationale for the specific escalation rate used. Offerors that do not include escalation, or an explanation as to why it is not included, may be considered unrealistically low and may have their proposals adjusted by the Government.

· Indirect costs (i.e. Overhead, Fringe Benefits, General & Administrative (G&A), etc.)

· Information needed to explain the offeror’s estimating practices

· Profit/Fee: Identify profit/fee rate and total amounts proposed and identify the various cost elements to which the profit/fee is being applied. Profit, Base, Award, and Incentive fee rates, as applicable in Section B, must be clearly distinguishable. Profit/Fee shall not be applied to ODCs.

· Other Direct Costs (ODCs) by specific cost element (e.g., Travel, Material, NMCI). Reimbursement for Travel will be in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation. If the offeror proposes burdens on the Government provided ODC estimates, the offeror shall provide a percentage breakdown of the offeror’s indirect costs and burdens added to the Government estimates for any and all Cost Reimbursable CLINs in Section B.

· When the offeror elects to claim Cost of Money (COM) as an allowable cost, the offeror must submit a COM form and show the calculations of the proposed amount.

· Professional employee compensation plan in accordance with FAR 22.1103.

4.4 Other Costs

The Offeror shall identify additional costs that would be incurred that have not been identified in the solicitation and describe in detail the performance that would cause these costs. Also, describe any assumptions with regard to Government actions (e.g., providing resources whether it be equipment or people) that enabled the proposed price/cost to be lower and identify the amount by which it is lower.

4.5 Small Business Utilization Strategy

(1) SB Subcontracting Plans: The Large Business Offeror shall provide its SB Subcontracting Plan conforming to the requirements of FAR 19.7 and DFARS 219.7 , unless there is an already approved comprehensive SB Plan. The Subcontracting Plan of the successful Offeror(s) will be reviewed and approved by the PCO prior to contract award. See FAR 19.702(a) (1) Statutory Requirements, regarding failure of the apparent successful Offeror to negotiate and submit a Subcontracting Plan acceptable to the Contracting Officer. The successful Offeror’s approved Subcontracting Plan will be incorporated into the resultant contract.

4.6 Government Furnished Information

4.7. Other Direct Costs. The Government's estimate for travel for the prime and all subcontract efforts, unburdened, is listed below:

Offerors shall utilize the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amounts provided by the Government for ODC CLINs. If an offeror chooses to increase one of these NTE CLIN values it must provide the justification for this variance. If it is the contractor’s accounting practice to apply (and invoice for) burdens with regards to ODCs, then the contractor shall propose the ODC amount plus the addition of the applicable burdens. If the contractor chooses not to burden ODCs, then the contractor shall propose an H-clause to identify this special term and condition.

Travel. Estimated travel required in support of this effort will generally be to locations listed in Section 6.0 of the SOW.

NMCI equipment will be provided to the contractor as GFE. NMCI charges are therefore not permitted under the contract contemplated by this solicitation.

4.8. Labor Hours/Categories

The Government historical estimate is 230,400 hours for the entire work effort. A work-year is defined as 1920 hours exclusive of holidays and leave. For evaluation purposes, the contractor shall propose the labor categories/hours as outlined below:

This estimate provides the number of hours the contractor will be required to propose in response to this solicitation; however, actual contract performance may vary from this estimate. Accordingly, the Government cannot guarantee that the contractor will perform either the estimated quantities of hours shown for individual labor categories or the total estimated hours.

CLIN 1 - Routine Structural Analysis

Labor Category

Year 1 hrs.

Engineer/Scientist III

Engineer/Scientist IV

Engineer/Scientist V *

Technical Writer II

Total Hours

* Key Labor Category

CLIN 2 - Man Hour (MH) Estimate / Analysis Plan (AP)

Labor Category

Engineer/Scientist III

Engineer/Scientist IV

Engineer/Scientist V *

Technical Writer II

Total Hours

* Key Labor Category

CLIN 3 - Major Structural Analysis

Labor Category

Engineer/Scientist III

Engineer/Scientist IV

Engineer/Scientist V *

Technical Writer II

Total Hours

* Key Labor Category

Total Hours By year

Yr. 1 46,080 Yr. 2 46,080 Yr. 3 46,080 Yr. 4 46,080 Yr. 5 46,080 230,400

4.8.1 Minimum Personnel Requirements

4.8.1.1 The contractor shall be responsible for employing personnel having the following levels of education, professional, and technical experience. These qualifications are only a baseline; contractors should strive for technical excellence in personnel by demonstrating experience and qualifications beyond these qualifications.

4.8.1.2 The specialized experience included as part of the required qualifications shall have been obtained in the field of endeavor indicated by the applicable labor categories listed in 4.7.2. The experience indicated in the following labor categories must have been performed during the past five years. In cases requiring experience of more than five years, at least five years of the total experience must be within the past five years. Key personnel are those who will be performing in Key Labor Categories listed above as noted with an asterisk. Note: All required experience for all labor categories may have been obtained concurrently, however specialized experience can count toward overall experience.

4.8.1.3 Proof of U.S. citizenship is required to be permitted access to Government installation, aircraft, and ships.

Note: All degrees shall be obtained from an accredited college or university.

4.8.1.4 DEFINITIONS

As used in the minimum personnel qualification descriptions for this contract, the terms indicated shall be defined or their meaning qualified as follows:

Academic year - a full or complete year of study at a junior college, college, university, or other academic institution toward which at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of undergraduate study, or 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of postgraduate study, were completed.

Accredited institution - a post-secondary educational institution (junior college, college, university, technical trade, or professional school) which was approved by an accrediting agency listed as nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Accredited program - an educational program or course of study offered by a post-secondary educational institution which was approved by an accrediting agency listed as nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Degree - an academic title conferred by an educational institution upon completion of a unified course of study; if not otherwise qualified, the term shall mean a degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral levels only.

Engineering or engineering discipline - when used in relation to educational or work experience requirements, “engineering” shall mean any of the following specific subjects, disciplines, or areas of work experience only: aerospace, civil, computer, electrical, electronics, industrial, mechanical or nuclear engineering.