Solicitation amendment.docx

N6893624R0017

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The required response date/time has changed from 10-Jan-2025 05:00 PM to 17-Jan-2025 05:00 PM.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The following have been modified:

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT FOR

JAPANESE DEFENSE FORCES TEST MANAGEMENT INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION SUPPORT SERVICES

14 JUNE 2024

Prepared by:

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake, CA 93555

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT B: Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies (Foreign Government Information), (06/11/2024). Other requests for this document shall be referred to the Japanese Defense Forces (JDF), Point Mugu Sea Range (PMSR) Test Management Branch (Code EB2330M).

CUI

)N6893624R0017

CUI

1.0 BACKGROUND AND GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

1.1 SCOPE:

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) defines the effort to provide interpretation and translation services, in addition to test management support services for the Point Mugu Sea Range (PMSR) Test Management Branch and the Japanese Defense Forces (JDF). These services shall facilitate communication, operational test support and reporting between the Government and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

1.2 BACKGROUND:

This contract provides support services to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Test Management Branch, which serves as the primary point of contact for tests and training events conducted on the PMSR. The Test Management Branch supports both United States and FMS customers and provides support through the design, planning, cost estimating, and scheduling of all test and evaluation operations.

2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 The 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 117, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, 24 Feb. 2021

2.2 SECNAVINST 5510.36B, Information Security Program, 12 Jul. 2019

2.3 DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), 6 Mar. 2020

2.4 OPNAVINST 3440.17A, Navy Installation Emergency Management Program, 9 Jul. 2018

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1.1 Compatibility - The Contractor shall prepare documents and software packages compatible with the Government IT environment through the security classification of CUI. The current operating environment required for this contract includes:

Microsoft Windows Microsoft Project Microsoft Office Adobe Acrobat Pro Internet access

The Contractor shall interface with and transfer data to and from test branch software applications using current Government versions and if necessary, upgraded versions used during the performance period of the contract. The Contractor shall maintain state-of the-art anti-virus software and ensure that all media are virus free when delivered. The Contractor, and Contractor personnel, shall be capable of Internet and LAN communications, real-time communications (both voice and data transfer capabilities) with the Contracts Department, the Contracting Officer Representatives (COR), and all designated Technical Points of Contact (TPOC), during working hours whether at the Contractor work site or on travel.

3.1.2 Work Location and Facilities

3.1.2.1 Work location: Approximately 90 percent of work will be performed at Government site and 10 percent of work to be performed at Contractor site. Government site(s) include Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA and Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island (SNI). Contractors performing on-site support will be provided workspaces that include desk units, phones, and the computing equipment necessary for performance. The contractor shall be responsible for providing qualified personnel and all other necessary equipment to accomplish PWS requirements.

3.1.2.2 Local Facilities

3.1.2.2.1 Radius: The contractor shall establish a facility located within fifty (50) miles of the NAWCWD main gate at Pt. Mugu, California. The Government would prefer the contractor have a facility located within fifty (50) miles of the NAWCWD main gate at Pt. Mugu, California to accomidate meetings for emergent needs. In the absense of a local facility, Contractors shall attend in person meetings requested by the Government within 72 hours of request.

3.1.3 Contract Status reporting. The contractor shall provide the following documentation.

3.1.3.1 Monthly Progress and Financial Status Report: The contractor shall prepare and submit a progress and status report The report shall include work accomplished since submittal of the last report. It shall identify work that is in process, along with any risks, challenges, or issues; the report shall also include both monthly and cumulative man-hours expended by labor category and personnel, labor costs expended by labor category and personnel, materials purchased and travel costs, overtime, and hazard pay incurred. All hours and costs shall be broken down by CLIN and ACRN. All travel costs must be itemized, by each employee, to show individual costs for lodging, per diem, fuel, etc. The monthly report shall also include the funding remaining on the order, estimate to completion (ETC) and estimate at completion (EAC) forecasts.(CDRL A001)

3.1.4 Work Schedule to include Government Installation Work Schedule (CWS), holidays, and installation closure.

3.1.4.1 Work schedule:

(a) The Holidays applicable to this contract are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

(b) In the event that any of the above holidays occur on a Saturday or Sunday, or alternate Friday, then such holiday shall be observed as they are by the assigned Government employees at the using activity.

(c) The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division works a 4/5/9, also referred to as a Compressed Work Schedule (CWS). Therefore, alternate Fridays are not a part of the normal workweek for work performed on-site at a Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division site. The majority of the Government offices are closed on alternate Fridays.

(d) No deviation in the normal workweek will be permitted without express advance approval by the designated Contracting Officer with coordination of the using departments.

The Contractor may allow its employees to work a CWS schedule provided the requirements of this PWS are met. If the contractor chooses to allow its employees to work a CWS schedule in support of this contract, any additional costs associated with the implementation of the CWS schedule vice the standard schedule are unallowable costs under this contract and will not be reimbursed by the Government. Additionally, the CWS schedule shall not prevent Contractor employees from providing necessary staffing and services coverage as required by the Government.

3.1.4.2 Installation closure: When Federal facilities are closed by the Government, or when Federal employees are officially excused from work due to a holiday or a special event, severe weather, a security threat, or any other Government facility related problem that prevents Federal personnel from working at the Government facility, contractor personnel assigned to work at that facility in support of such Federal employees shall follow their parent company’s policies.

In very limited circumstances, work being performed by contractor personnel may be deemed mission essential and performance of such mission essential work may be authorized to continue at the Government facility despite the facility being otherwise closed for normal operations. The circumstances permitting work being performed by contractor personnel to be deemed mission essential are extremely limited and generally only apply to performance of efforts related to public health, safety, or matters related to national security. The cognizant Contracting Officer must concur with any determination that work being performed by contractor personnel is mission essential.

3.1.4.3 Overtime: Overtime cannot be charged directly to the contract unless first approved in writing by the Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO).

3.1.4.4 Telework: The Contractor, upon notification to, and concurrence from, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) that the employees' work tasking is eligible for telework, may utilize alternate worksites/locations and telework to support continued performance of its contract in accordance with company policy. Contractor discretion is required when making alternate worksite and telework decisions based upon the nature of support provided by the employees. In the event telework is utilized, the Contractor remains responsible for performance and compliance with any applicable cost accounting standards and contract cost principles / procedures.

The contractor shall adhere to all applicable federal laws and regulations and individual Department of Defense (DoD) Service guidelines shall be adhered to as well.

3.1.5 Other Direct Costs:

3.1.5.1 Travel: Travel may include general and administrative expenses, but shall not include profit. Temporary travel to other locations in support of program tasking is required. The Contractor shall be responsible for all transportation, billeting, and messing for the Contractor personnel except in those cases where Government transportation, billeting, and messing are the only services available. All travel costs will be in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations.

Temporary travel locations may include Japan, Hawaii, Pt. Mugu, California, and San Nicolas Island, California. This list is not all-inclusive as locations may change over the life of the contract. Destinations will be defined based on individual task order requirements.

3.1.5.2 Material: Material costs may include general and administrative expenses but shall not include profit/fee. All materials not depleted during the performance of this contract shall become Government property upon completion of this contract. The contractor shall transfer all materials, not depleted during the performance of this contract, to the Government by way of Material Inspection and Receiving Report (DD Form 250).

3.1.5.3 Material Purchasing: All materials not depleted during the performance of this contract shall become Government property upon completion of this contract. The contractor shall transfer all materials not depleted to the COR by way of Material Inspection and Receiving Report (DD Form 250). Material costs may include general and administrative expenses but shall not include profit/fee..

3.1.6 Subcontractors and Consultants: Provisions stated herein shall be clearly and effectively communicated to all subcontractors providing support under this contract. All provisions of this PWS shall flow down to subcontractors providing support under this contract.

3.1.7 Management of Contractor Personnel: The Government will neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances will the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. The contractor shall manage its employees and guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services.

3.2 SECURITY

3.2.1 Citizenship Requirements: Only U.S. citizens may perform under this contract. If the Contractor cannot find qualified U.S. citizens to perform the work, the Contractor shall submit a citizenship waiver request with justification to the Government Security Office. The waiver request should include:

a. The individual's name, date and place of birth, position title, and current citizenship.

b. A statement that a qualified U.S. citizen cannot be hired in sufficient time to meet the contractual requirements.

c. A statement of the unusual expertise possessed by the applicant.

d. A statement that access will be limited to a specific government contract (specify contract number).

e. A statement that the Contractor has obtained an export license for the information required to perform the contract.

3.2.2 Personnel Security

Personnel Security. The contractor shall provide personnel with the appropriate personnel security clearance levels for the work to be performed. Access to SECRET information is required in the performance of this contract and shall be in accordance with the 32 CFR Part 117, Feb 2021, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), applicable DoD personnel security regulations, and DoD Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254). The contractor shall maintain sufficiently cleared personnel to perform the tasks required by this PWS IAW the DD Form 254 and the contract. All contractor personnel shall possess the requisite security clearance, accesses, and need-to-know commensurate with the requirements of their positions.

All contractor personnel with access to unclassified information systems, including e-mail, shall have at a minimum a favorable Tier 1 (T1) investigation.

At a minimum all personnel at NAWCWD shall possess a Secret Clearance. The Government will specify classification levels for each position at the task order level.

3.2.3 Communications Security (COMSEC). Communications Security (COMSEC). The contractor will require access to COMSEC at government/contractor locations. U.S. cryptographic equipment inventory information, as well as the systems and manner in which each particular equipment is used, is for official use only. Publication or release of any related COMSEC information by any means, by the contractor, without prior written approval of the contracting officer is prohibited. The contractor must be a U.S. citizen, have a final Government security clearance with the appropriate personnel security background investigation for the level of classification involved, have strict need- to-know, have the appropriate COMSEC briefing before access is granted, and granted access only in conformance with procedures established for the particular type of COMSEC information involved. The contractor shall adhere to the DD Form 254 COMSEC security requirements, facility COMSEC material control and operating procedures, and all applicable COMSEC regulations, instructions, and policies. Prior approval from the Government Contracting Activity is required in order for a prime contractor to grant COMSEC access to a subcontractor

3.2.4 Common Access Card (CAC)/Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), System Authorization Access Request (SAAR).

3.2.4.1 SAAR: All contractor personnel requiring access to Government Information Technology (IT) systems shall have an approved System Authorization Access Request (SAAR Form OPNAV 5239/14 (Rev Sep 2011) on file, and complete required Annual Information Awareness Training. New employees must submit their SAAR forms within thirty (30) days of their first day of work. Instructions for processing the SAAR forms are available at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2875.pdf.

SAAR forms shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or to the assigned government Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS) Trusted Associate.

3.2.4.2 Command Access Cards (CAC) / Local Badges: Contractor CACs and facility specific identification badges will be issued by the Government to on-site contractor personnel and shall be visible at all times while personnel are at the Government site. The contractor shall furnish all requested information required to facilitate issuance of identification badges and shall conform to all Department of Defense and NAWCWD instructions. All CACs and identification badges issued to Contractor employees shall be returned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative following completion of the contract, relocation or termination of an employee, or upon request from the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The Government will provide the contractor access to Government facilities, as required, for performance of tasks under this contract. Contractor personnel shall comply with local security and facility requirements.

In order to maintain access to Navy IT resources, the contractor shall ensure completion of the most current initial and annual DOD Cyber Awareness Challenge training. The contractor shall ensure completion of a Cyber Awareness Training Certificate or the latest version thereof, monitor expiration of requisite background investigations, and initiate re-investigations as required.

If requested, the contractor shall provide to the COR or designated SAAR Government Sponsor documentation sufficient to prove that it is monitoring/tracking the SAAR requirements for its employees who are accessing Navy IT resources. For those contractor personnel not in compliance with the requirements of this clause, access to Navy IT resources will be denied/revoked.

3.2.4.3 DD-254: The contractor shall comply with security requirements specified in the DD-254 attached to this contract. Information or data that the contractor accesses shall be handled at the appropriate classification level, unclassified information shall be handled as “Controlled Unclassified Information”. Distribution is authorized to the Requiring Office’s Organization and supported Activity only. Other requests for deliverables under this contract shall be referred to the TPOC/COR of this contract for approval.

3.2.5 Information Security. Information Security. Direct Support contractor personnel working under the purview of a DoN Commanding Officer/Commander shall comply with the local security provisions and the requirements of SECNAVISNT 5510.36B. The contractor shall implement and maintain security procedures and controls to prevent unauthorized disclosure of controlled unclassified information and to control distribution of controlled unclassified information in accordance with NISPOM 32 CFR Part 117, 24 Feb 2021, and SECNAVISNT 5510.36B CUI information generated and/or provided under this contract shall be marked and safeguarded as specified in DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Contractor shall not store or transmit CUI on personal information technology systems or via personal e-mail. Unclassified e- mail containing any DoD CUI shall be encrypted. Prior to sending CUI to any non-Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) addressees, the sender must first positively verify all recipients are authorized access to CUI and have need-to-know. Non-NMCI recipients must have a DoD compliant Private Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate that enables electronic transmission via unclassified networks while protecting the CUI with a digital signature and encryption.

3.2.5.1 Marking: All information generated by the Contractor shall be properly marked.

For Official Use Only information generated and/or provided under this contract shall be marked and safeguarded as specified in DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Contractor shall not store or transmit CUI on personal information technology systems or via personal e-mail. Unclassified e-mail containing any DoD CUI shall be encrypted. Prior to sending CUI to any non-Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) addressees, the sender must first positively verify all recipients are authorized access to CUI and have need-to-know. Non-NMCI recipients must have a DoD compliant Private Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate that enables electronic transmission via unclassified networks while protecting the CUI with a digital signature and encryption.

3.2.5.2 Loss, Compromise and/or Electronic Spillage of Classified or Controlled Unclassified Information: All instances of loss, compromise and electronic spillage of classified or controlled unclassified information shall be reported to the COR, TPOC and Government Security Office within 24 hours of the incident occurring.

3.2.6 Operations Security (OPSEC): The contractor shall comply with the OPSEC requirements outlined within the DD Form 254.

The Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain an OPSEC program to protect controlled unclassified activities, information, equipment, and material used or developed by the contractor and any subcontractor during performance of the contract. The contractor shall be responsible for the subcontractor implementation of the OPSEC requirements. The OPSEC program shall be in accordance with DoD and DON operations security (OPSEC) requirements, to include:

1) Assignment of responsibility for OPSEC direction and implementation

2) Planning guidance for the use of the OPSEC Process to identify vulnerabilities and apply applicable countermeasures (Contact NAWCWD Industrial Security Office for a current OPSEC Annex and CI Guide)

3) Establishment of OPSEC education and awareness training

4) Provisions for management, annual review, and evaluation of OPSEC programs

5) Oversight for accountability of OPSEC requirements to subcontractors

3.2.7 Public Release. Public Release. Disclosure of information is covered by DFARS 252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information, incorporated in Section I of the contract. Concerning subsection (a)(2), “information otherwise in the public domain” is information officially released into the public domain, e.g. via Distribution Statement A, and does not include information in the public domain that has not been officially released. For disclosure of unclassified information that has not been officially released, the contractor must seek specific approval from the Contracting Officer, with approval from the NAWCWD Public Affairs Office (PAO).

3.2.8 Anti-Terrorism Force Protection and Emergency Management: The work performed on this contract is not Emergency Essential in accordance with OPNAVINST 3440.17A and Government Emergency Management, Antiterrorism and/or Continuity of Operations Plans. Contractor personnel shall comply with all Government Emergency Management, Antiterrorism and/or Continuity of Operations Plans and directives. Contractor personnel shall not report for work at Government facilities upon declaration of Force Protection Condition CHARLIE or in any event or emergency where Government officials direct curtailment of operations to “Mission Essential Only”. All Contractor personnel assigned to a government facility shall complete annual Antiterrorism (Level One) and Active Shooter training.

3.3 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

3.3.1 Translation and Interpretation:

The Contractor shall work as part of an integrated team, consisting of both Government and Contractor personnel, to provide written translation and verbal interpretation in support of the PMSR Test Management Branch. (A002) (A003)

3.3.1.1 The Contractor shall interpret and translate from English to Japanese and from Japanese to English, between U.S. Government and Japanese FMS customers. The Contractor shall properly convey the substance of the words and information to be translated, conducting requisite research and with attention to detail and nuances. The Contractor shall bridge terminology gaps, different measurement systems, and similar disparities. The contractor shall also provide consultation to the Government regarding Japanese culture.

3.3.1.2 The Contractor shall be fluent with written command of English and Japanese covering a wide range of terminology and specialized vocabulary, as well as the cultural differences between the languages. The Contractor shall resolve linguistic problems as they arise and coordinate the work with others. The Contractor shall provide interpretation services using the following modes:

· Consecutive interpretation: Oral translation that takes place immediately after a speaker pauses between segments of speech.

· In-person Interpretation: Listening to communication in one language and orally interpreting into another language while retaining the meaning.

· Telephonic Interpretation: Interpreter, who is on the phone, listens to communication in one language and orally interprets it into another language while retaining the meaning.

· Video Remote Interpreting: Interpreter, connected in video by remote technology, listens to communication in one language and orally converts it into another language while retaining the meaning.

· Escort interpretation: Interpreter accompanies a person or delegation on a visit, tour, meeting, or interview.

· The Contractor shall adjust to the demands of diplomatic protocol, protective security requirements, and similar considerations. The Contractor may be required to take on a public relations or mediating role as part of the interpreting, so as not to jeopardize policies and program objectives and in order to obtain the desired results.

3.3.1.2 The contractor shall, when requested, perform work in Point Mugu Range Safety hazard pattern areas.

3.3.1.3 The contractor shall, when requested, perform work in the vicinity of live ordnance, including warheads.

3.3.2 Test Management Support

3.3.2.1 The contractor shall escort foreign military personnel and act as an Area Representative.

4.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall be responsible for employing personnel having at least the minimum levels of education, professional and technical experience, and security clearance as stated under each labor category and specified herein. The PWS shall be updated to reflect any Bureau of Labor Statistics

(BLS) Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) or Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) labor categories required for performance of the contract and not currently listed in the tables below.

Training for contractor personnel shall be at the contractor’s expense. In the event the Contractor must attend training, the contract must coordinate training dates with the COR to ensure continuity of operations.

4.1 Definitions

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

Academic year - a full or complete year of study at a post-secondary educational institution (i.e., junior college, college, university, technical trade, or professional school) 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 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 an accredited institution.

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

Degree majors – all labor categories requiring Degrees in the Professional Engineering functional area specified below shall have Majors in the following subjects: aerospace, aeronautical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, electronics, environmental, industrial, mechanical, or nuclear engineering.

Technical rating – some labor categories regulated by the SCLS may contain a technical vocation rating i.e. I, II, III etc. SCLS covered labor categories may substitute.

Key personnel – are those who will be performing Key Labor Categories as specified below.

Experience and years of experience – when used in relation to requirements for past participation in professional work or employment activities, “experience” shall mean full-time (on the basis of a standard forty hour work week) participation, at least one-half of which time was spent performing qualifying functions as practitioner or employee. When used in relation to requirements for a particular term or period of participation, “years of experience” shall mean full, productive years of participation. Productive years are work years of fifty-two weeks reduced by reasonable amounts of time for holiday, annual, and sick leave. If participation was part-time, or if less than one-half of the standard work week was spent performing qualifying functions, the actual time spent performing qualifying functions may be cumulated to arrive at full years (or years and months) of experience. For example, only the actual number of full days (or full-day equivalents) of duty or drills completed during a year of military reserve participation, or in other qualifying part-time employment or practice may be cumulated toward years of experience. Qualifying part-time experience performed in addition to other full-time qualifying employment during the same period of time may be cumulated on a full-time equivalent basis and added to the full-time experience to satisfy a total experience requirement.

Postgraduate degree - a master’s, Ph.D., or other professional degree from an accredited institution for which completion of an undergraduate curriculum for receipt of a bachelor’s degree was a prerequisite.

Technical discipline – when used in relation to educational or work experience requirements, “technical discipline” shall mean a degree in the field of Mathematics or Sciences.

4.1.1 Levels of Experience

Junior – A junior labor category has up to 3 years experience and a BA/BS degree. A junior labor category is responsible for assisting more senior positions and/or performing functional duties under the oversight of more senior positions.

Journeyman – A journeyman labor category has 3 or more years of experience and a BA/BS degree. A journeyman labor category typically performs all functional duties independently.

Senior – A senior labor category has over 10 years of experience and a MA/MS degree. A senior labor category typically works on high-visibility or mission critical aspects of a given program and performs all functional duties independently. A senior labor category may oversee the efforts of less senior staff and/or be responsible for the efforts of all staff assigned to a specific job.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – A SME is an individual whose qualifications and/or particular expertise are exceptional and/or highly unique. SMEs have a minimum of 15 years of experience working in their specific area of expertise.

4.1.2 Substitution for Levels of Education and Experience

4.1.3 Direct Labor Categories

4.1.4 Functional Descriptions: The below listed definitions are NOT definitive and are only meant to illustrate the kind of work that may occur within the specified labor category.

Interpreters and Translators (BLS/SOC 27-3091): Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Converts concepts, style, and tone in the source language to equivalent concepts, style, and tone of the target language. This includes the act of listening to a communication in one language and converting it to another language, both orally and written.

Program Manager (BLS/SOC 11-9199): Program managers oversee the fulfillment of larger organizational goals, coordinate activities between multiple projects and manage main program activities, program delegation and program implementation.

5.0 DATA DELIVERABLES

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

The following have been modified:

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L – [ 1] CONTENT OF PROPOSALS (SERVICES) (9/30/2024)

PART A GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.0 GENERAL

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 into the resulting contract.

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. 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 assessing weaknesses and/or deficiencies.

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 or subfactor clearly may be considered a deficiency. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or other presentation materials beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal is neither necessary nor desired.

The Government advises the Offeror that taking exception to or deviating from any term or condition of the RFP may result in the assessment of a deficiency to the proposal.

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. “JV Team member” is defined as one of the entities that make up a joint venture (JV) formed for the purpose of responding to this solicitation.

2.0 ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL FORMAT

This section is intended to provide information to the Offerors on the electronic format and application software to be used for submitting proposals. Use of the software and procedures described in this section will reduce the amount of time and effort needed to receive and upload proposals and will ensure the proposals received are suitable for reading electronically during evaluation.

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. Graphs and tables 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. Graphs and Tables that fit on an 8.5” X 14” printed page will be counted as one page. Drawing may be of any size and will count as one page. Graphic resolution, including such data as tables or charts, should be consistent with the purpose of the data presented. When using Government supplied templates (e.g. Attachment 2, Attachment 3, Attachment 5), no modifications to font or scaling required. All proposal documents must be compatible with Microsoft Office 2016 and/or the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader Portable Document Format (PDF), where applicable.

The Offeror is responsible for ensuring electronic proposals are virus free and shall run an anti-virus scan before submission. Offerors may use hyperlinks within and among proposal volumes that do not include price information. However, there shall be no links from any other volume into the Price Volume or into any other portion of the proposal that contains price information. In order to reduce file sizes, the Offeror shall not embed sound or video (e.g., MPEG) files within the proposal submission. The Offeror is encouraged to simplify the color palette used in creating figures; and minimize size of graphics files; and avoid scanned images.

3.0 PROPOSAL CONTENT AND VOLUMES

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 Volume/paragraph number matches the Proposal Instructions Volume/paragraph number provided in section “Part B Specific Instructions” 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, section, and element, etc., in the Offeror’s proposal.

Each volume of the proposal shall be submitted as specified in the table below. The table below supersedes the copies requested in Block 9 of the Standard Form (SF) 33. 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. Note: 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.

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 1 Technical Example: Para 3.1 Note: This column shall address all paragraphs in Sections xx and xy of the SOW/PWS.

Volume 1 Technical

Questions regarding the solicitation shall be submitted via email to the contract specialist at Tabitha.m.weaver3.civ@us.navy.mil. Each question or comment should reference the applicable document, page number, and paragraph number. Offerors shall not include any proprietary information in a question, because the Government will provide the question and answer to all potential offerors. All questions must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 5 December 2024 after the date that this solicitation is issued. Questions received after the deadline above may be answered at the Government’s sole discretion.

4.0 ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

All volumes of the proposal shall be submitted electronically through the Solicitation Module of the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) at https://piee.eb.mil. No other submissions, such as mail, hand-carried, or other electronic system (e.g., DOD SAFE) are authorized by the solicitation unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer pursuant to paragraph 4.1 below. For instructions on how to post an offer, please refer to the Posting Offer demo: https://pieetraining.eb.mil/wbt/sol/Posting_Offer.pdf.

It is the Offeror’s responsibility to follow the registration instructions found on the PIEE website. It is advised that all potential prime Offerors and their subcontractors ensure the proper company points of contact are registered in the site based on their CAGE codes and have the proper roles assigned well in advance of the solicitation closing date. Subcontractors are only required to register in PIEE if they want to submit their proprietary proposal information separate from the prime offer. Documents submitted by the subcontractor directly to the Government must have the prime contractor’s name, CAGE, and RFP number on the first page of the document.

It is also the Offeror’s responsibility to confirm receipt of proposals and all electronic communications. Screen shots of the submission should also be taken to validate a submission was accepted in the PIEE system against this solicitation. The Government is not obligated to search for incorrectly submitted proposals in PIEE.

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.

4.1 If there is an unanticipated PIEE System outage within 24 hours of the proposal due date and the outage has interrupted normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received by the exact time specified in the solicitation, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer. This notification shall occur prior to the proposal submission deadline and shall be made in writing. The notification may be in conjunction with verbal notification, but verbal notification alone shall not be sufficient. The Offeror shall obtain written approval from the Contracting Officer to submit the proposal via an alternate method as shown in paragraph 4.2 or the Contracting Officer may advise the Offeror that the Government will follow the procedures set forth in FAR 15.208(d) for amending the solicitation closing date.

5.0 CLASSIFIED DATA

All proposals must be UNCLASSIFIED.

6.0 SOLICITATION CHANGES

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

PART B SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

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

1.0 VOLUME 1: 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:

The Offeror shall provide all information and data required to conduct a thorough and complete technical evaluation. Throughout the Technical Volume the Offeror should identify any proposed capability, approach, or feature that reduces risk inherent in the program. The Offeror shall address the following in the proposal:

1.1 Understanding of the Work

1.2 Workforce/Personnel Qualifications

1.3 Management

1.1 Understanding of the Work

The Offeror shall address each requirement listed in the PWS and describe an understanding of the scope.

· The Offeror shall detail translation and interpretation capabilities, including:

· Ability to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations from live testing environments, as well as a variety of topics, including technical subject matter.

· Ability to interpret information spoken in natural speed.

· Ability to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials.

· Understanding of cultural differences between the English and Japanese languages

· The Offeror shall list the of various modes of interpretation and translations services provided.

1.2 Workforce/Personnel Qualifications

1.2.1 Resumes:

The Offeror shall provide resumes for all current, prospective, or contingent Ppersonnel identified in Section L-1, Part B, Volume 2, paragraph 3.6.3, to include the work assignments, training, etc., which demonstrates the experience and specialized qualifications of each position 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)

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

· Resumes will not count against page count limitations.

1.3 Management

1.3.1 Management: The Offeror shall address the following: (1)Management Approach – The Offeror shall describe the process, procedures, and approach to managing overtime (OT), travel, and materials purchasing. Additionally, the Offeror shall describe the methodology to allocate overhead functions, such as management, payroll, personnel, and finance etc. Additionally, the Offeror shall include the approach to ensuring that procedures and processes regarding OT, travel, and material purchases are adhered to.

1.3.2 Staffing: The Offeror shall address the following: (1)The Offeror shall describe the processes to be used in hiring, recruiting, retaining, and training personnel throughout the life of the contract.

2.0 VOLUME 2: PAST PERFORMANCE

2.1 General

Sources of past performance evaluation information include information provided by the Offeror in response to the solicitation, information obtained from questionnaires, and any other sources available to the Government, to include, but not limited to, the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information Systems, Electronic Subcontract Reporting System, or other databases; the Defense Contract Management Agency; and interviews with Program Managers, Contracting Officers, and Fee Determining Officials.

The Offeror shall complete the Past Performance Information Form, Attachment 2, for each past performance reference (contract or delivery/task order) performed within five years of the solicitation release date. The Offeror shall submit no more than 3 Past Performance Information Forms as the Prime Contractor, no more than two forms for each principal subcontractor, and/or no more than two forms for each JV team member. For contract references that contain delivery/task orders, additionally provide the work description(s) for each specific delivery/task order deemed relevant by the Offeror to this solicitation’s requirements. For contract references where the Offeror performed as a subcontractor, the Offeror shall clearly identify the applicable portion of the contract requirements that they performed. The Offeror shall submit written consent from its principal subcontractor(s) and JV team member(s) that will allow the Government to coordinate any past performance issues directly with the Offeror. If the Offeror does not submit the written consent, the Government will address any past performance issues directly with the principal subcontractor or JV Team member and the Offeror will forfeit the opportunity to participate in any related discussions. Consequently, for any principal subcontractor and JV team member that does not provide the written consent, the Offeror shall provide the name, address, phone number, and email address with whom the Government may address any past performance issues.

The Offeror shall provide a narrative on each Past Performance Information form in the “Contract Effort Description” area that clearly describes how each contract reference has relevant work effort that matches the relevancy definitions specified in Section M of the solicitation. Additionally, the Offeror shall provide one electronic copy of the Performance Work Statement for each contract reference as Annex 1 to this Past Performance Volume.

The primary source of past performance information will be PPIRS. If a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) exists for multiple years for the same contract/order, all periods of performance within the recency period specified above, for that contract/order, will be used for evaluation. In the event a CPAR does not exist for a past performance reference, the Offeror shall submit a Contractor Performance Assessment Questionnaire (CPAQ), Attachment 3, to the Program Manager who is the Assessing Official. The Offeror shall include instructions for the Program Manager to send completed questionnaires within two weeks of its receipt via e-mail to Tabitha Weaver Contract Specialist, at Email tabitha.m.weaver3.civ@us.navy.mil, thereby allowing the customer approximately two weeks to complete their response. All CPAQs should be received by the Government concurrently with the Offeror’s proposal submission.

3.0 VOLUME 3: PRICE/COST PROPOSAL

3.1 Volume Content:

(a) This Volume shall contain the Contract Compliance information specified below as follows:

i. Offeror Summary Table: The Offeror shall complete the table below. The Offeror shall include all subcontractors and JV team members who will be involved with the performance of the contract and list all sites where the work will be performed. If a JV teaming or subcontracting arrangement is proposed, identify the work share, distribution elements, and ratios that each contractor will perform using the table below. Also provide a definition of the legal relationship between the entities if it is other than a Prime/subcontractor relationship.

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

(b) This Volume shall also contain a copy of Section B with the…