TECHNICAL_INSTRUCTIONS.docx

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS

To facilitate proposal review and evaluation, the XRAD/TOC shall submit a proposal with the following components:

1) Technical Proposal in accordance with the format specified below

2) Business Proposal.

A. Technical Proposal Format

The three (3) chapters combined shall be no more than twenty (20 single-spaced (one-sided) pages. Type font should be no smaller than Times New Roman 12 point and all page margins must be at least one (1) inch. The substantive technical content must be included in the 20 page limit of the technical proposal and not in any Appendices. The 20 pages may be allocated across chapters 1 thru 3 as the offeror may determine. Detailed vitae and project summaries may be included in separate Appendices without page limitations.

B. Chapter 1- Technical Approach

1. The offeror shall make a clear and concise presentation of the technical approach chosen for the proposed Task Order. This approach should demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of the requirement. The offeror should provide sufficient detail in the proposal to indicate a technical understanding of, and capability for, performing all aspects of the SOW. The proposal must be responsive to the Request for Quote in all respects and demonstrate the ability to comply with any specific requirements stipulated in the Statement of Workand should provide sufficient detail in the proposal to indicate a technical understanding of, and capability for, performing all aspects of the SOW. The proposal should include specific sections that discuss potential problems that could arise during performance of the Purchase Order and describe data to be used and how it will be acquired and managed.

2. Topics to be addressed, as required:

1. A discussion of potential problems that could arise during performance of the Task Order

1. Description of the data to be used, how it will be accessed and managed

1. Creativity in addressing the specified tasks, including the selection, design, and prioritization of the various data analyses and their potential utilization

1. Existing research literature that is relevant

C. Chapter 2- Experience / Key Personnel

The offeror must demonstrate its experience based on past performance for clients of the same or similar stature as that of the federal government. Such experience shall include related projects completed or current within the last three (3) years. Three (3) to five (5) references should be submitted. If the offeror is proposing to subcontract or utilize consultants to perform major or critical aspects of the proposed Task Order, the proposal must demonstrate the subcontractor’s or consultant’s relevant experience to the instant acquisition.

The offeror should identify its proposed key personnel to be utilized under the proposed Task Order; to include educational background, professional experience, and special qualifications directly related to the Task Order. The information should also state if the key person is an employee of the prime, an employee of a proposed subcontractor, or a consultant; and how they will be integrated organizationally, their proposed responsibilities, and the percentage of time dedicated to the Task Order.

D. Chapter 3- Project Management Plan

This chapter shall describe how the offeror will organize and manage the project, how tasks will be sequenced, in what time frames, and what management control and coordination tools will be used to assure the timely and successful conduct of the proposed Task Order. The plan should also address the process to handle tasks that may occur simultaneously. It should include: resource allocations, milestone measures by task, hours committed to a “key” person by task; and a designation of what tasks will be performed by the prime, by a subcontractor, or by a consultant. The plan should also describe the lines of communication among all of the responsible partners.

E. Business Proposal

As stated above the Business Proposal shall be a separate submission from the Technical Proposal. The offeror must submit a Business Proposal adequate for the Government to allow for a complete cost/price analysis, and for a determination of cost reasonableness. It should include at a minimum:

1. Cost broken down by tasks, and

1. Budgets itemized by base task order period, optional tasks or phases, or optional periods to include:

1. Labor categories and direct labor rates

1. Indirect cost rates (fringe, G&A, etc.)

1. Subcontractor/ consultant cost factors/ rates

1. Other direct costs

1. Fee, if applicable

F. Task Order Type

The Government proposes awarding a firm fixed price (FFP). However, the Government reserves the right to negotiate a different Task Order pricing arrangement.

G. Period of Performance

The proposed period of performance is 12 months from the date of award with option years to be exercised at the discretion of CMS and subject to funds availability.

H. Level of Effort

The estimated level of effort is between 800 and 1000 hours.

I. Restriction on Dissemination, Publication and Distribution of Information – Policy Sensitive Information

In accordance with Section G.10 “Dissemination, Publication and Distribution of Information” of Task Order Contract Number HHSM-500-_____________, CMS is providing notification that the following deliverables or “other information” produced under this task order are subject to the restriction noted in paragraph B., “Reports to Congress and Other Policy Sensitive Information

TAB F

PROPOSAL REVIEW CRITERIA

Upon receipt of the proposals, the CMS Office of Acquisition and Grants Management, may request further supporting documentation or a meeting with key operating staff to clarify the specifics proposed. Proposals that do not comply with the minimum requirements outlined in the request for purchase order proposals (RFQ) will not be considered further. The following criteria and weights will be used in the technical evaluation of proposals that comply with the minimum requirements:

1. Statement of the Problem and Technical Approach

The proposal shall reflect a substantive understanding of the scope, complexity and requirements associated with the project described in the Scope of Work. The offeror shall make a clear and concise presentation of the technical approach chosen for the Purchase Order. The proposal must be responsive to the RFQ in all respects and demonstrate the ability to comply with any specific requirements stipulated in the Scope of Work and these review criteria and should provide sufficient detail in the proposal to indicate a technical understanding of, and capability for, performing all aspects of the SOW. The proposal should include specific sections that discuss potential problems that could arise during performance of the Purchase Order and describe of the data to be used and how it will be acquired and managed.

1. Personnel

The proposal shall identify and describe the relevant background, experience, and qualifications of key staff, including the project director, staff, subcontractors (if any), and consultants (if any) selected to work on the Purchase Order. When teams are involved, it is important that individuals be displayed, not just firms. The proposal will be evaluated based upon the extent to which the proposed personnel is competent and experienced in the skills required in the Statement of Work and their resumes reflect length and variety of experience in similar tasks and clearly demonstrate relevant training and experience.

Specific attention should be devoted in the proposal to:

1. Expertise of personnel in general equilibrium modeling techniques and economic forecasting methods and experience in building general equilibrium models that explicitly model the U.S. health sector

1. Expertise of personnel in health economics and health spending modeling issues

1. Expertise of personnel concerning Medicare Trustees Report projection methodology

1. Expertise of personnel in macroeconomic theory and applied macroeconomic analysis

1. Experience of personnel in designing research studies

1. Management Plan and Facilities

The offeror shall present a management plan for the Purchase Order which is comprehensive, specific, and feasible, and describes the ability of the offeror to meet the deadlines set forth in this Purchase Order. The plan shall clearly describe the offeror’s capacity to execute this project effectively, including access to requisite resources, staff, expert consultants, computer and technical equipment. The proposal will be evaluated based upon the extent to which it demonstrates an administrative framework satisfactory for maintaining quality control over the implementation and operation of the Purchase Order. CMS will review the project organization for the specificity and nature of the responsibility and authorities of the relevant personnel and/or organizations involved.

1. Past Performance and Experience

The proposal shall contain descriptions of related projects conducted by the offeror that demonstrate the capability to respond to this requirement and actual performance on these projects. There must be sufficient information to permit CMS to make the necessary reference checks. The proposal will be evaluated to determine the extent to which the offeror and key staff have the necessary experience and past performance record with work similar to that required under this Purchase Order. The offeror must demonstrate its experience based on past performance for clients of the same or similar stature as that of the federal government. Such experience shall include related projects completed or current within the last three (3) years. Three (3) to five (5) references should be submitted. If the offeror is proposing to subcontract or utilize consultants to perform major or critical aspects of the proposed Purchase Order, the proposal must demonstrate the subcontractor’s or consultant’s relevant experience to the instant acquisition.