NIH_PMI_IRB_Technical CriteriaInstructions01Jan22.docx

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL OF US RESEARCH PROGRAM

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

Technical Criteria Instructions

General

In accordance with FAR 15.302 Source selection objective; the objective of source selection is to select the proposal that represents the best value. The award decision shall be based on evaluation factors that are tailored to this acquisition.

The Government seeks to award to the offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government in meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Statement of Work Statement (SOW). The Government will make a best value determination utilizing a tradeoff source selection process utilizing technical, past performance and price factors. The factors in order of importance are technical, past performance and, cost. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, past performance and cost/price are also important to the overall contract award decision.

A determination was made that a Tradeoff Source Selection method was the best solution for this acquisition. Additionally, the factors detailed below will utilize subjective tradeoffs to select the offer providing the Government the best value. The source selection will be conducted in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.3, Source Selection. These regulations are available electronically at Acquisition.Gov: https://www.acquisition.gov.

This method may result in an award to an offeror(s) whose proposal was rated higher and whose price is higher where the decision is germane to the evaluation factors and the Source Selection Authority (SSA)/(Contract Officer) reasonably determines that the merits of the technical proposal and the past performance of the higher priced offeror outweighs the merits of the technical proposals and past performance of lower priced offerors. Although the source selection process in and of itself is a subjective, objectivity is paramount and will be implemented throughout the source selection process.

Proposals shall be evaluated based solely on the factors contained in the solicitation (10 U.S.C.2305(b)(4)(C) and 41 U.S.C.3703(c)). The evaluation will be based on the demonstrated capabilities of the prospective Contractors in relation to the needs of the project as set forth in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The merits of each proposal will be evaluated carefully. Each proposal must document the feasibility of successful implementation of requirements of the RFP. Contractors must submit information sufficient to evaluate their proposals based on the detailed criteria below. Selection shall be made to the offeror whose proposal is the best value to the Government (10 U.S.C.2305(b)(4)(C) and 41 U.S.C.3703(c)).

The technical proposal should clearly and fully demonstrate the offeror’s capabilities, knowledge, and experience regarding the technical requirements. Failure to respond explicitly to each of the categories listed below may result in the offeror’s proposal being deemed technically unacceptable. The Evaluation Criteria shall be applied in assessing proposals. The criteria are listed in descending order of importance.

The following evaluation factors shall be used to evaluate the prospective contractors and are listed in order of importance:

1. Comprehension of the Requirement (40%)

Technical Proposal Instructions The proposal must include a comprehensive plan for meeting the needs of the Government, addressing each of the requirements of the RFP and explaining the technical approach to be used. Offerors shall ensure that key technical proposal components are easily identified within their proposals. The offers shall describe in their proposal their understanding of the following criteria.

Technical Proposals may not exceed 25 pages, not including appendices. Submissions must be organized by tasks as listed in the SOW.

Business proposal and technical proposal should be submitted as two (2) separate files.

BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

The business proposal must contain sufficient information to allow the Government to perform a basic analysis of the proposed cost or price of the work. This information shall include the amounts of the basic elements of the proposed cost or price.

These elements will include, as applicable, direct labor, fringe benefits, travel, materials, subcontracts, purchased parts, shipping, indirect costs and rate, fee, and profit.

Business Proposals may not exceed 10 pages.

Interested parties shall submit a separate Business Proposal as a Firm Fixed Price for the estimated number of hours and stated labor categories. The price must display each year’s total amount as well as an overall total amount.

Proposal Cover Sheet Instructions The following information shall be provided on the first page of your pricing proposal:

1. Solicitation, contract, and/or modification number.

2. Name, address, TIN and DUNS of the Offeror

3. Name and telephone number of points of contact.

4. Name, address, and telephone number of Contract Administration Office, (if available).

5. Name, address, and telephone number of Audit Office.

6. Proposed cost and/or price; profit or fee (as applicable); and overall total amount.

7. A clearly defined total for the base year and subsequent option periods.

8. Date of submission.

9. Name, title, and signature of authorized representative.

This cover sheet information is for use by offerors to submit information to the Government when cost or pricing data are not required but information to help establish price reasonableness or cost realism is necessary. Such information is not considered cost or pricing data and shall not be certified in accordance with FAR 15.406-2.

Past Performance Past performance shall be reviewed but shall not be scored with the technical evaluation criteria. Offerors shall provide past performance from at least three contracts of similar scope of work. The Government may also consider information obtained through other sources. Past Performance information will be utilized to determine the quality of the contractor’s Past Performance as it relates to the probability of success of the required effort.

The Offeror shall identify three (3) contracts with the Federal Government, other State or Local Government, and/or commercial customers that demonstrate recent and relevant Past Performance. Recent is defined as within the last three (3) years. Relevant is defined as work similar in complexity and magnitude of the work described in this Statement of Work.

Include the following information:

· Project title

· Description of the Project

· Contract number

· Contract amount

· Government Agency/Organization

· COR’s name, address, and phone number

· Contracting Officer’s name, address, and phone number

· Contract and, if applicable, task order number

· Current status, e.g., completed and/or if in progress, start and estimated completion dates

· Dollar value and type of contract

· Name of company being referenced

· SOW paragraphs that the reference applies to

· Key personnel (please highlight those individuals who worked on the relevant project(s) and are also being proposed for this effort.)

· A brief narrative of why you deem the reference to be relevant to this effort

Evaluation Criteria Technical Factors

Comprehension of the Requirement (40%) The offeror’s response shall demonstrate their understanding of the SOW by clearly showing a grasp of the scope, range and complexity of the work. Offerors should demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the challenges specific to the Office of the Director for the tasks in this SOW and suggestions for overcoming these.

Management/Staffing (30%) Technical proposals should detail how the offeror will provide the necessary project administration, organization, and staff to ensure quality control, compliance with statement of work expectations, and necessary staffing adjustments. In addition, offerors must demonstrate the ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks within set time periods.

Key Personnel Experience (30%) Offerors shall demonstrate experience of key personnel supporting the planning and implementation of activities described in the SOW. Please provide resumes of key staff. Requirements of key personnel are included in the SOW. Resumes of Key Personnel must be submitted with technical proposals. Technical proposals shall contain sufficient information about the qualifications of the staff of the Offerors