Attachment_A_-_Solicitation_Addenda_Instructions_Evaluation_Criteria_and_Basis_for_Award.pdf

ATTACHMENT A – SOLICITATION ADDENDA, INSTRUCTIONS, EVALUATION

CRITERIA & BASIS FOR AWARD

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

Contents

1. GENERAL

2. 52.212-1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS,

SOLICITATION ADDENDA

3. CONTINUATION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

3.1. Questions and Inquiries

3.2. Pre-Quotation Conference and Site Visit

3.3. Submission of Quotations

3.3.1. Quotation Cover Letter

3.3.2. Submission Format

3.3.3. Text

3.3.4. Font Size

3.3.5. Page Limitation

3.3.6. Cross-referencing

3.4. Confidential Information

3.5. List of Attachments

4. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BASIS FOR AWARD

4.1. Factor 1 - Technical Approach

4.2. Factor 2 - Experience

4.3. Factor 3 - Past Performance

4.4. Factor 4 - Schedule

4.5. Factor 5 - Quality Control (QC) Approach

4.6. Price Quotation

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

1. GENERAL

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested. This combined synopsis/solicitation is being issued as a request for quotation (RFQ) # NB670000-19- 02399 utilizing simplified acquisition procedures authorized by FAR Subpart 13.5. The Contracting Officer will not use nor shall this solicitation be subject to the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-87-1.

2. 52.212-1 – INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS,

SOLICITATION ADDENDA

The word “Offer and Offeror” throughout this provision is hereby changed to read “Quotation and Quoter.” Additionally, the following paragraphs of 52.212-1 are changed to read as follows.

52.212-1(a) The associated NAICS code for this RFQ is 332311 and small business size standard is 750 employees.

52.212-1 (b)(8) Representations & Certifications. The contractor must have completed Online Representations and Certifications at FAR 52.212-3 for the NAICS code and small business size standard identified for this acquisition. If the offeror does not have online representations and certifications for the applicable NAICS code and size standard in the System for Award Management at www.sam.gov the offeror must submit a complete copy of the representations and certifications with its quotation.

52.212-1 (c) Period for Acceptance of Offers. is changed from 30 calendar days TO READ 90 calendar days.

52.212-1 (f)(2) Late Submissions. Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotations is late and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition.

52.212-1 (g) Contract award. The Government intends to evaluate quotations and issue a purchase order based on the initial quotations received. Therefore, the quoter’s initial quotation should contain the quoter’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to request revised quotations from, or negotiate final purchase order terms with, one or more, but not all, quoters if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.

However, the Contracting Officer will not establish a competitive range, conduct discussions, or otherwise use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15. The Government may reject any or all quotations if such action is in the public interest; and issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation.

52.212-1 (l) Requests for information. The contracting officer will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this solicitation. Quoters may request information on award(s) http://www.sam.gov/

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

resulting from this solicitation from the contracting officer. If requested, the following information will be provided by the contracting officer.

(1) The number of quoters solicited;

(2) The number of quotations received;

(3) The name and address of each quoter receiving an award;

(4) The items, quantities, and any stated unit prices of each award. If the number of items or other factors makes listing any stated unit prices impracticable at that time, only the total contract price need be furnished in the notice; and

(5) In general terms, the reason(s) the contractor’s quotation was not accepted, unless the price information in paragraph (4) of this section readily reveals the reason. In no event will a quoter’s cost breakdown, profit, overhead rates, trade secrets, manufacturing processes and techniques, or other confidential business information be disclosed to any other quoter.

3. CONTINUATION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

3.1. Questions and Inquiries

Questions and inquiries regarding this Request for Quotation (RFQ) shall be submitted electronically using the RFQ Question Submittal Form (Attachment E) provided in this solicitation no later than July 19, 2019. Questions not submitted using the required Attachment E – RFQ Question Submittal Form may not be answered. The Point of Contact (POC) for inquiries is Aron Krischel and e-mail address is aron.krischel@nist.gov.

The Government does not intend to respond to questions or inquiries submitted after the cutoff date identified above. The Government will collect all questions and inquiries, incorporate responses and distribute to all Contractors through an amendment to this solicitation in the FedBizOpps System.

3.2. Pre-Quotation Conference and Site Visit

The Government is planning a pre-quotation conference and site visit. Please reference the provision at 1352.270-71 Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Visit as well as Attachment F – Site Visit Instructions within this RFQ for information regarding the site visit.

3.3. Submission of Quotations

Quotations shall be submitted electronically via email to aron.krischel@nist.gov.

Quotations shall conform to the instructions contained in the clause at FAR 52.212-1, this addenda, the continuation of instructions and the evaluation factor submittal requirements.

Significant deviation may result in the possible exclusion of such quotations from further mailto:aron.krischel@nist.gov consideration or may be reflected in the overall evaluation of the quotation.

Quotations are due by 2:00pm Mountain Time on July 26, 2019. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to modify any quotation due dates as required.

Contractor’s quotations shall be organized, include page numbers and be clearly and concisely written. Clarity and organization is mandatory. No quotation information shall be incorporated by reference. Only the information contained within the submitted quotation itself and within the page limitations will be evaluated by the Government.

In addition to any information required by provisions of this RFQ, quotations shall directly respond to the submittal requirements for each evaluation factor and should provide more than superficial coverage of the information required by the evaluation factors identified herein.

The Government shall not be liable for any costs incurred by any contractor submitting a quotation in response to this solicitation.

Quotations shall consist of one attachment per part. Each part shall contain the following:

Part I – Technical Non-Price Factors:

Factor 1 (Technical Factor): Technical Approach

Factor 2 (Technical Factor): Experience

Factor 3 (Non-price Factor): Past Performance

Factor 4 (Technical Factor): Schedule

Factor 5 (Technical Factor): Quality Control Plan

Part II – Price Quotation

3.3.1. Quotation Cover Letter

The quotation shall include a stand alone cover letter which contains the following information:

• Solicitation number

• Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number

• Name, address, and telephone number of the contractor

• Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments

• A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotations that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

3.3.2. Submission Format

Quotations shall be submitted electronically via email in a format compatible with MS Office and Adobe Acrobat for PDF documents.

3.3.3. Text

Text shall be at least single spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” inch paper, with a minimum one-inch margin all around. Pages shall be numbered consecutively.

3.3.4. Font Size

Print shall be of a minimum 11-point font size or a maximum 11 characters per inch (11-pitch, pica) spacing. Bolding, underlining, and italics may be used to identify topic demarcations or points of emphasis. Graphic presentations, including tables, while not subject to the same font size and spacing requirements, shall have spacing and text that is easily readable.

3.3.5. Page Limitation

The cover letter shall be limited to two (2) pages. The cover letter, title pages, table of contents and glossary of abbreviations, acronyms and completed past performance questionnaires do not count against page count limitations. Quotations for the entirety of Part I, Technical Non-Price Factors 1 & 2 shall be limited to 50 pages total (including any charts, diagrams, or tables). Quotation contents that exceed the stated page limitations will be removed from the quotation by the Contracting Officer before the quotation is turned over to the Government evaluation team and will not be considered in the evaluation.

3.3.6. Cross-referencing

Responses to each factor, other than the cost/price volume, shall be written to the greatest extent possible on a standalone basis so that its content may be evaluated with a minimum of cross-referencing to other factors or parts of the quotation. Cross-referencing within a part or factor is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity. Hyperlinking of cross-references within documents is permissible. However, hyperlinking to information outside of the quotation itself (i.e.

internet link) is impermissible and shall not be evaluated. Information required for evaluation that is not found in its designated part or cross-referenced is assumed to have been omitted from the quotation.

3.4. Confidential Information

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its amendments have resulted in an increasing number of requests from outside the Government for copies of contractor qualifications and quotations submitted to Federal agencies. If an contractor’s submissions contain information that they believe should be withheld from such requestors under FOIA on the grounds that they contain “trade secrets and commercial or financial information” [5

USC§552(b)(4)], the offeror shall mark its submissions in the following manner:

• The following notice should be placed on the title page: “Some parts of this document, as identified on individual pages, are considered by the submitter to be privileged or confidential trade secrets or commercial or financial information not subject to mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Material considered privileged or confidential on such grounds is contained on page(s) _______”.

• Each individual item considered privileged or confidential under FOIA should be marked with the following notice: “The data or information is considered confidential or privileged, and is not subject to mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act”.

3.5. List of Attachments

• Attachment A – Solicitation Addenda, Instructions, Evaluation Criteria & Basis for

Award

• Attachment B – Performance Requirements with attachments

• Attachment C – Relevant Experience Project Data Sheet (Attached to this RFQ as both

PDF in the RFQ package and separately as an MS Word document for ease of responding to this RFQ)

• Attachment D – Past Performance Questionnaire_PPQ (Attached to this RFQ as both PDF in the RFQ package and separately as an MS Word document for ease of responding to this RFQ)

• Attachment E – RFQ Question Submittal Form (Attached to this RFQ as both PDF in the RFQ package and separately as an MS Word document for ease of responding to this RFQ)

• Attachment F – Site Visit Instructions

4. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BASIS FOR AWARD

The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible contractor whose quotation conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous and represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered, utilizing simplified acquisition proceedures of FAR Part 13. The Government will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15. The Government will evaluate quotations utilizing the proceedures of FAR 13.106-2 Evaluation of quotations or offers. The Government will consider price and other technical non-price factors described in this solicitation and will conduct a comparative evaluation of the benefits between price and the other technical non-price factors of each quotation as well as a comparative evaluation between quotations in order to determine the quotation that is most advantageous and represents the best value. Therefore, the Government may award to other than the lowest priced quoter or the highest technically rated quoter.

Per the provision 52.212-1 (g) Contract award contained within this solicitation,the Government intends to evaluate quotations and issue a purchase order based on the initial quotations received. Therefore, the quoter’s initial quotation should contain the quoter’s best terms from a

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to request revised quotations from, or negotiate final purchase order terms with, one or more, but not all, quoters if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. However, the Contracting Officer will not establish a competitive range, conduct discussions, or otherwise use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15. The Government may reject any or all quotations if such action is in the public interest; and issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation.

Technical / non-price factors, when combined, are significantly more important when compared to price. However, price will become more important as the degree of equality among technical non-price evaluations increase.

The factors identified below shall be used to evaluate offers.

The technical / non-price factors are as follows:

Factor 1 (Technical Factor): Technical Approach

Factor 2 (Technical Factor): Experience

Factor 3 (Non-price Factor): Past Performance

Factor 4 (Technical Factor): Schedule

Factor 5 (Technical Factor): Quality Control Plan

4.1. Factor 1 - Technical Approach

Submittal Requirements

Contractors shall submit a Technical Approach Narrative which may include charts, graphs, tables and drawings. The technical Approach is defined as the Quoter’s proposed solution(s) to successfully conduct the requirements of the contract. The technical approach narrative should clearly describe, in sufficient detail, the contractor’s technical approach to successfully fulfilling the technical requirements identified in this RFQ. At a minimum, the technical approach narrative shall address:

1) Specifications for the chamber’s exterior size are described in Section III. There is no strict minimum interior dimension requirement. However, the maximum permissible absorber size is specified. In conjunction with this requirement, a chamber design that maximizes the interior working volume is highly desired. An example of this would be minimizing the space between the exterior wall and the absorbing material.

2) Specifications for the absorber performance are shown in Section III SOW. Absorber performance that exceeds these values is highly desirable (i.e., the maximum typical reflectivity values are lower than what is shown in the table). Note that values shown are exceeded when the reflectivity is less than what is shown. For example, if at 1 GHz, the absorber has a reflectivity of -25 dB, it exceeds the performance requirement of -20 dB.

3) Specifications for the shielding of each chamber is given in Section III of the SOW. A chamber design that features, ensures, and guarantees shielding specifications that exceed our effectiveness or frequency requirements is highly desirable. For example, a high-frequency anechoic chamber design that features 65 dB of shielding at 60 GHz is more desirable than a chamber that only meets the minimum requirements.

4) Section III, clause 8 of the SOW describes the HVAC requirements for the chamber.

Designs that include the use of a blower (or similar device) that generates less than 65 dBA are highly desirable.

In addition to the above factors, the following items within the Technical Approach will also be considered:

• Project Management Plan – Including identification of key project tasks, their expected duration, portions of the project that will be subcontracted and coordination with the Government Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and any other Government personnel. Also, how the resources required to design, install, and verify the chambers will be managed

Basis of Evaluation

Evaluation of this factor is a subjective evaluation of the contractor’s understanding and approach to meeting the specification requirments. The Government will evaluate the technical approach narrative to determine the extent to which the technical approach demonstrates a clear understanding of the performance specification; the degree to which the technical approach is complete, realistic and technically sound; the risk associated with the technical approach; and the degree to which the technical approach meets the requirments of the specification. The technical specifications of the chambers will be evaluated to determine exterior size, interior working volume, and overall chamber performance.

4.2. Factor 2 - Experience

Submittal Requirement

Submit a maximum of five (5) projects that best demonstrate your firms’ or your proposed contracting team’s experience performing relevant projects. Each project shall be submitted utilizing Attachment C - Relevant Experience Project Data Sheet. If a contractor is submitting projects of the contract team (sub-contractor) members, a minimum of three (3) project relevant experience submittals shall be project submittals from the prime contractor.

If the prime contractor is a partnership or joint venture, a minimum of two projects shall be submitted for each entity. For all submitted projects, the description of the project shall clearly describe the scope of work performed and the relevancy to the project requirements of this RFQ (i.e.: unique features, technical capabilities).

Projects submitted for the Contractor must be completed within the past three (3) years of the date of issuance of this RFQ.

A relevant project is defined as a project that is similar in type of work and is consistent in size (5 meter semi-anechoic or fully anechoic chamber or smaller) and complexity with the requirements set forth in this RFP.

Each project submittal must be for a single task order or contract. For multiple award and indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type contracts, the contract as a whole should not be submitted as a project; rather, the contractor shall submit the work performed under a specific task order as a project.

The attached Experience Project Data Sheet (RFQ Attachment C) is MANDATORY and SHALL be used to submit project information. Individual blocks on this form may be expanded; however, total length for each project data sheet shall not exceed one (1) double-sided page (or two (2) single-sided pages).

Basis of Evaluation:

The assessment of the Contractor’s submittals will be used as a means of subjectively evaluating the Contractor’s demonstrated breadth and depth of experience in performing relevant projects as defined in the solicitation submittal requirements. Project relevancy will be assessed based on a graduated scale. The assessment of the Contractor’s relevant experience will be used as a means of evaluating the capability of the Contractor or the Contractor team to successfully meet the requirements of the RFQ. The Government will only review five (5) Relevant Experience projects. Any projects submitted in excess of the five (5) relevant projects will not be considered.

Projects demonstrating greater relevancy to the requirements of this RFQ may be considered more favorably. The more project submittals, up to the maximum allowable, demonstrating relevant projects, the better.

4.3. Factor 3 - Past Performance

Submittal Requirements

Contractors shall submit a Past Performance Questionnaire or Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Evaluation Report for each relevant project submitted for Factor 2. If a completed CPARS Evaluation Report is available for each project, it shall be submitted with the quotation. If there is not a completed CPARS evaluation report for the project, then the contractor shall submit a completed Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (RFQ Attachment D) for each project included in Factor 2. The Contractor should provide completed PPQs in the quotation. Contractors should follow-up with clients to help ensure timely submittal of the completed questionnaires with the RFQ. If the Contractor is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before the RFQ closing date, the Contractor should complete and submit with the quotation the first page of the PPQ, which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). The Government may make reasonable attempts to contact the client noted for that project(s) to obtain the PPQ information.

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

If requested by the client, questionnaires may be submitted directly to the Contracting Officer, Mr. Aron Krischel; aron.krischel@nist.gov; Telephone (303) 497-3032.

Contractor’s may provide any information on problems encountered and the corrective actions taken on projects submitted under Factor 2 – Experience. Contractor’s may also address any adverse past performance issues. Explanations shall not exceed two (2) double-sided pages (or four (4) single-sided pages) in total.

The Government reserves the right to contact references for verification or additional information. The Government’s inability to contact any of the Contractor’s clients / references or the references unwillingness to provide the information requested may affect the Government’s evaluation of this factor.

Basis of Evaluation

The assessment of the contractor’s past performance will be used as a means of evaluating the contractor’s probability of successfully meeting the requirements of the RFQ. This past performance evaluation considers each contractor’s demonstrated recent and relevant record of performance in regards to the RFQ requirement. This subjective evaluation focuses on how well the Contractor performed on relevant projects submitted under Factor 2 – Experience as well as Past Performance on other projects currently documented in known sources. More emphasis will be placed on more relevant projects. In addition to the five relevant projects submitted under Factor 2, the Government reserves the right to obtain more information for use in the Evaluation of the past performance factor. Evaluation of past performance is a subjective evaluation of how relevant a recent contract effort was in regards to the RFQ requirements and how well the contractor performed on relevant contracts.

In addition to the above, the Government may review any other sources of information for evaluating past performance. Other sources may include, but are not limited to, past performance information retrieved through the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) using all CAGE / DUNS numbers of team members (partnership, joint venture, teaming arrangement, or parent company / subsidiary / affiliate) identified in the contractor’s quotation, inquiries of owner representative(s), and any other known sources not provided by the contractor. The Government reserves the right to contact any other source of information that may have knowledge or information on a contractor’s relevant past performance history.

The Government will consider the currency and relevance of the information, the source of the information, context of the data, and general trends in the Contractor’s performance.

This evaluation is separate and distinct from the Contracting Officer’s responsibility determination.

A relevant project is defined as a project that is similar in type of work and is consistent in size (5 meter semi-anechoic or fully anechoic chamber or smaller) and complexity with the requirements set forth in this RFP. Project relevancy will be assessed based on a graduated scale.

Contractor’s lacking relevant past performance history will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably in past performance and will receive a Neutral rating.

4.4. Factor 4 - Schedule

Contractor’s shall submit a project schedule describing its official implementation plan, resources required to execute the plan and key milestones to include project deliverables.

The schedule should describe the proposed timeline and include a Gantt chart that illustrates the project schedule and shows the dependency relationships between activities.

Basis of Evaluation

The contractors proposed schedule will be subjectively evaluated to determine whether the proposed schedule is realistic, complete and meets the delivery requirements set forth in this RFQ. Additionally, the subjective evaluation will be used to determine the Contractor’s demonstrated understanding of the project requirements in terms of resources and tasks required as well as the project management schedule to include key milestones and deliverable requirements.

4.5. Factor 5 - Quality Control (QC) Approach

Contractor’s shall submit a narrative describing the Contractor’s approach to for ensuring quality in all aspects of work throughout performance including work completed by subcontractors. The approach should discuss how quality control and non-compliance issues will be mitigated, identified and resolved through corrective action and follow-up. The plan may include charts, diagrams and tables.

Basis of Evaluation

The QC approach will be subjectively evaluated to determine the degree to which the contractor’s approach to quality control identifies processes and procedures which mitigate risks associated with the project and are likely to result in a successful outcome.

4.6. Price Quotation

Contractor’s shall submit a firm fixed price (FFP) quotation as a separate Volume. The price quotation shall be a separate PDF attachment and shall include support documentation which adequately justifies how the quoter arrived at the total firm fixed price.

In addition, the contractor price quotation shall also identify any requested payment schedule terms. All payment schedule terms shall be directly tied to contract deliverables and/or

RFQ NB670000-19-02399

major contract milestones.

Basis of Evaluation

The Government will evaluate the price quotation using price analysis techniques to determine fairness, reasonableness and realism in relation to the technical solution. Price analysis will be conducted in accordance with the FAR, Commerce Acquisition Manual and any other provision within this RFQ. The analysis may include information from a Government auditing agency, Government technical personnel, or other sources. If a price is disproportionally lower than other competitive prices or significantly unbalanced, the price may be deemed unrealistic. Payment schedule terms more favorable to the Government may be evaluated more favorably. A determination will be made by the Contracting Officer based upon the information provided. The Government reserves the right to ask for any additional price related information from the Contractor in order to determine a price fair and reasonable.