Polaris HUBZone Pool RFP 47QTCB22R0006.pdf

POLARIS GWAC PROGRAM

HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS

ZONE (HUBZone) POOL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

47QTCB22R0006

GSA Polaris GWAC Program HUBZone Pool

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

SECTION A

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The SF33 must be completed as described in Section L.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 GENERAL

The Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Pool is a Multiple Award, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide customized Information Technology (IT) services and IT services-based solutions. The principal nature of any resulting task order procurement must be for IT services; however, ancillary support may be included when it is integral to and necessary for the IT services-based effort.

The Contractor must provide all management, supervision, labor, facilities, and materials necessary to perform on a task order basis.

Hereafter, the Polaris GWAC HUBZone Pool will also be referred to as the “Master Contract” while task orders issued under the Master Contract will be referred to as “task order(s)” or “order(s).”

B.2 AUTHORITY

The Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is specifically authorized to purchase supplies and nonpersonal services on behalf of other agencies under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 501.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has designated the GSA as an Executive Agent for Governmentwide IT acquisitions pursuant to Section 5112(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act, 40 U.S.C.

11302(e).

The scope of this designation includes the award and administration of the Master Contract and delegation of authority for the award and administration of the task orders as set forth in Section G.2 Authorized Agencies and Delegation of Procurement Authority. Through this GWAC, federal government agencies can award task orders to acquire IT services and IT services-based solutions.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 17.502-2(b), the Economy Act does not apply to GWACs.

B.3 MINIMUM CONTRACT GUARANTEE AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING

(a) Minimum. The minimum guaranteed award amount for this IDIQ contract is $2,500 dollars per Master Contract for the full term of the Master Contract. The exercise of the option period does not re-establish a minimum guaranteed award amount.

(b) The Government has no obligation to issue task orders to the Contractor beyond the amount specified in paragraph (a) of this section. Should the contract expire or be unilaterally terminated for convenience by the Government without the Contractor receiving the minimum guaranteed award amount, the Contractor may present a claim to the Contracting Officer (CO) for an amount not to exceed the minimum guaranteed award amount. The minimum guaranteed award amount is not applicable if the contract is terminated for default or is bilaterally canceled by the parties. Entitlement is waived if no claim is submitted to the CO within one year of contract termination or expiration.

(c) Maximum. There is no maximum dollar ceiling for the Master Contract or for each individual task order. An unlimited number of task orders may be placed for the term of Polaris, including the Option, if exercised. Ordering Contracting Officers (OCOs) will follow regulatory and agency requirements to establish maximum dollar ceilings at the task order level.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

B.4 PERFORMANCE-BASED PREFERENCE

Pursuant to FAR 37.102(a)(2), the OCO, defined in Section G, should use performance-based acquisition methods to the maximum extent practicable using the following order of precedence:

1. A Firm-Fixed Price Performance-Based Task Order

2. A Performance-Based Task Order that is not Firm-Fixed Price

3. A Task Order that is not Performance-Based

B.5 TASK ORDER CONTRACT TYPES

FAR Part 16 identifies types of contracts and agreements. For Polaris task orders, allowable contract types include:

● FAR Subpart 16.2 Fixed-price Contracts

● FAR Subpart 16.3 Cost-Reimbursement Contracts

● FAR Subpart 16.4 Incentive Contracts

● FAR 16.601 Time-and-Materials

● FAR 16.602 Labor-Hour Contracts

Task orders may also incorporate FAR Subpart 17.1, Multi-year Contracting, and FAR Subpart 17.2, Options. Polaris supports both commercial and non-commercial requirements. Polaris does not allow agreements identified in FAR Subpart 16.7.

These contract types can be used individually or in combination within a single task order comprising multiple Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs).

For cost-reimbursement type task orders, reference H.13, Accounting System.

B.6 TASK ORDER PRICING (ALL ORDER TYPES)

In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 3306(c) and associated GSA Class Deviation CD-2020-14, the Master Contract does not establish prices for any supply or service; therefore, the OCO will establish pricing for each order utilizing the policies and methods provided within FAR Subpart 15.4.

B.7 LABOR CATEGORIES

The Master Contract provides IT Service Labor Categories (see Attachment J-2, Labor Category Descriptions). Each of the defined IT Service Labor Categories includes four (4) skill levels. The Contractor must utilize the IT Service Labor Categories to the maximum extent possible. Additional labor categories may be utilized when necessary to provide an IT services-based solution. Additional labor categories must provide skill sets that are not explicitly defined in any labor category description in Attachment J-2 Labor Category Descriptions. If a Contractor identifies an additional labor category that is needed to perform an order, the Contractor should communicate with the OCO to identify any necessary supporting documentation.

B.8 LABOR SUBJECT TO THE WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS (CONSTRUCTION)

To the extent that construction, alteration, and repair are subject to the wage rate requirements and within scope of a task order and the Master Contract, the OCO may identify such work under a separate CLIN on the task order and incorporate the appropriate wage determinations in accordance with FAR Subpart 22.4, Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Construction.

Any construction must be integral to and necessary for the IT services-based effort—see Section C.4.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

The Master Contract does not include all applicable provisions and clauses for labor categories subject to the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction). Each task order must be tailored to include the appropriate provisions and clauses.

B.9 LABOR SUBJECT TO THE SERVICE CONTRACT LABOR STANDARDS (SCLS)

The preponderance of services performed through this contract are considered bona fide executive, administrative, professional labor, and are generally exempt from the SCLS.

To the extent that any labor is subject to the SCLS and within scope of a task order and the Master Contract, the OCO may identify such work under a separate CLIN on the task order and incorporate the appropriate wage determinations in accordance with FAR Subpart 22.10 Service Contract Labor Standards.

The Master Contract does not include all applicable provisions and clauses for labor categories subject to the SCLS. Each task order must be tailored to include the appropriate provisions and clauses.

B.10 TRAVEL PRICING (ALL ORDER TYPES)

Travel may be required to support the requirements of this contract and as stated in individual task orders. For those task orders requiring travel, the Contractor must include estimated travel requirements in the task order proposal as required by the OCO.

B.11 WORK OUTSIDE THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES (OCONUS)

It is anticipated there may be task orders under this contract with performance outside the contiguous United States. The Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) are the controlling regulations for allowances and benefits available to all U.S. Government civilians assigned to foreign areas. OCOs are authorized to select a foreign area pricing approach consistent with the DSSR tailored to their order requirements. If a task order request (TOR) includes foreign area work and the OCO has not identified a preferred foreign area pricing approach, contractors may include a foreign area pricing approach consistent with the DSSR in their response to a TOR. OCOs will determine if the approach results in a fair and reasonable price in accordance with the DSSR, FAR Subpart 15.4 Contract Pricing, and FAR Part 16 Types of Contracts as applicable. Upon request of the OCO, the Contractor must provide data other than certified cost or pricing data (FAR 15.403-3) to support its task order proposal(s).

B.12 GWAC CONTRACT ACCESS FEE (CAF)

GSA’s operating costs are reimbursed through a Contract Access Fee (CAF) charged on all orders placed against the Master Contract. The CAF is paid by the ordering agency but remitted to GSA by the Contractor. GSA maintains the unilateral right to establish and change the CAF rate. GSA will provide at least a 60-day notice prior to the effective date of any change to the CAF payment process. Changes to the CAF only apply to orders awarded after the change is announced.

The CAF rate, which is currently 0.75%, is applied to the total amount paid on each invoice (including ancillary support and travel).

Based on the established CAF rate, the Contractor must include the estimated CAF in each task order proposal based on the total estimated order value. The Contractor must include the CAF as a separate line item on all proposals and invoices to the Government, regardless of contract type. The CAF must never be treated as a negotiable element between the Contractor and the ordering agency.

GSA will provide notification to contractors for any customer organizations with a special CAF rate that is different from the established CAF rate.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

Contractors are responsible for collecting the CAF from ordering agencies and for remitting the CAF to GSA in accordance with Section G.14.

(End of Section B)

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE

The Master Contract scope in Section C provides Federal agencies with customized IT services and IT services-based solutions, as defined in the Clinger-Cohen Act and FAR 2.101. This may include both commercial and non-commercial services. Customized IT services-based solutions, which can be tailored to meet an agency’s particular mission needs, may include any one or combination of IT services identified in Section C, including new and emerging technologies that evolve over the life of the Master Contract.

The principal nature of any resulting task order procurement must be for IT services; however, ancillary support may be included when it is integral to and necessary for the IT services-based effort.

Performance may occur at Government and Contractor locations worldwide, as specified in each task order.

C.1.1 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Pursuant to FAR 19.102(b), the NAICS code selected for the Master Contract is designated as 541512, Computer Systems Design Services; GSA determined this is the NAICS code that best describes the types of IT services available under Polaris. However, the selection of this NAICS code does not delimit the scope of orders placed at the task order level. The principal nature of the resulting task order must be for IT services.

C.1.2 Definition of Information Technology

As referenced in Section C.1, definitions of IT are used to define the scope of the Master Contract and are provided below.

C.1.2.1 Clinger-Cohen Act

(a) The term “information technology”, with respect to an executive agency means any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by the executive agency. For purposes of the preceding sentence, equipment is used by an executive agency if the equipment is used by the executive agency directly or is used by a contractor under a contract with the executive agency which (i) requires the use of such equipment, or (ii) requires the use, to a significant extent, of such equipment in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product.

(b) The term “information technology” includes computers, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

(c) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a) and (b), the term “information technology” does not include any equipment that is acquired by a Federal contractor incidental to a Federal contract.

C.1.2.2 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

The FAR defines information technology in section 2.101(b): “Information technology” means any equipment, or interconnected system(s) or subsystem(s) of equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by the agency.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

(a) For purposes of this definition, equipment is used by an agency if the equipment is used by the agency directly or is used by a contractor under a contract with the agency that requires—(i) Its use; or (ii) To a significant extent, its use in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product.

(b) The term “information technology” includes computers, ancillary equipment (including imaging peripherals, input, output, and storage devices necessary for security and surveillance), peripheral equipment designed to be controlled by the central processing unit of a computer, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

(c) The term “information technology” does not include any equipment that— (i) Is acquired by a contractor incidental to a contract; or (ii) Contains imbedded information technology that is used as an integral part of the product, but the principal function of which is not the acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. For example, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment, such as thermostats or temperature control devices, and medical equipment where information technology is integral to its operation, are not information technology.

C.1.2.3 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST defines information technology as the art and applied sciences that deal with data and information.

Examples are capture, representation, processing, security, transfer, interchange, presentation, management, organization, storage, and retrieval of data and information (NISTIR 8074 Vol. 2, Supplemental Information for the Interagency Report on Strategic U.S. Government Engagement in International Standardization to Achieve U.S. Objectives for Cybersecurity).

C.2 TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (TBM)

The Master Contract provides IT services in support of the services performed in the Federal Government, as described by TBM. TBM is an IT management framework that provides a taxonomy categorizing IT and business solutions, services, technologies, and resources into discrete groups to better understand IT cost components and how they are used. TBM enables Federal agencies to disaggregate IT spending into smaller, consistent categories to provide a more accurate and detailed understanding of IT costs. This allows Federal agencies to identify duplicative, or unnecessary spending, determine where they may need additional investment, and make better informed decisions regarding future investments.

The TBM Framework provides a standard taxonomy with three different perspectives, each necessitating IT services supported by the scope of this contract:

● Finance View: The lowest layer of the model begins with the general ledger. It has cost pools such as hardware, software, and labor.

● IT View: The middle layer includes a set of IT towers and sub-towers, such as servers, storage, and applications.

● Business View: The taxonomy provides a standard set of application and service categories along with higher-layer business units and business capabilities.

The TBM taxonomy defines Products & Services as, “what IT delivers to end consumers: business leaders, end users and often external parties such as partners and customers. In more mature, service-oriented organizations, services are well defined, advertised in a service catalog, priced, or costed, and measured for consumption, among other practices. Service definitions should convey business value to business leaders, users or other stakeholders.” TBM Towers and Sub-Towers reflect the various components, or domains and functions, to provide the services above. The taxonomy can provide guidelines and definitions, established by industry and government IT Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), that can be leveraged in defining contract needs.

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The government must track such contract expenditures throughout their useful lifecycle to understand better how the expenditure/contract impacts or enables the agency's mission. The TBM taxonomy provides a structure to align all task orders under Polaris using standard services and components, as defined by industry best practices.

This provides the government with traceability throughout the contract lifecycle by tracking the award from the initial task order request through the actual spend on relevant IT services that are procured, then tracked through the specific technology domains and functions (Towers) used to deliver those services within each task order. This will ensure agencies are obtaining the highest value of understanding IT expenditures that support the agency’s mission. Depending on the complexity of the service procured, a single task order can include multiple TBM Services, in addition to multiple Towers. Additionally, the relationship between Towers and Services can be a one-to-many relationship. See Figure 1 and 2 below for the TBM Taxonomy categories.

Figure 1: TBM Taxonomy - Infrastructure Services

Figure 2: TBM Taxonomy - Towers

As an additional mechanism to follow the spend/contract throughout its lifecycle, the Federal Government has recently updated its Product Service Code (PSC) structure which uses the TBM Tower taxonomy as a foundation. The PSCs allow for 10 different Technology Resources (TBM Towers), and three different methods of acquisition (see acquisition.gov for the current list of IT PSCs).

https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

More information about TBM and the associated IT spend categories may be found at https://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/1.

C.3 INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

The Contractor should approach agency Task Order requirements with technical proposals offering innovative solutions that leverage the flexibility provided by the Master Contract. The choice to align the Master Contract scope with the TBM taxonomy and the definitions of IT allows for the adoption of modern technologies and innovative solution approaches as they evolve over the life of the contract.

C.3.1 Emerging Technologies

As referenced in C.3, contractors are encouraged to propose innovative solutions when responding to task order requests. This includes utilization of the emerging technologies referenced below, which can be provided as standalone concepts or applied to the performance areas addressed in C.4. Technologies that are currently developing, or developed in the future, are considered in scope.

Examples of Emerging Technology services include, but are not limited to the following:

C.3.1.1 Advanced and Quantum Computing

Advanced and quantum computing refers to technical capabilities that support compute and data intensive modeling and simulation. This includes the use of quantum mechanics and information theory to enable faster speeds, better precision, and optimum functionality.

Examples of Advanced and Quantum Computing services include, but are not limited to:

● Cryptography/Encryption

● Secure communications

● Design of high-performance computers, computer clusters, and networks

● Quantum Machine Learning

C.3.1.2 Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI, also known as machine intelligence, is a branch of computer science that aims to imbue software with the ability to analyze its environment using either predetermined rules and search algorithms, or pattern recognizing machine learning models, and then make decisions based on those analyses.

Examples of Artificial Intelligence services include, but are not limited to:

● Computer Vision

● Deep Learning

● Machine Learning

● Natural Language Processing (NLP)

● Spatial Computing

● Speech Recognition

● Biometrics

● Implementation and Management of AI Tools

● Assessment of AI Technologies

● Experience Reality/Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality/Mixed reality (XR)

1 https://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/, last accessed 12/14/2021 http://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/ http://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/ http://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/

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C.3.1.3 Automation Technology

Automation is the creation and application of technologies to produce and deliver goods and services with minimal human intervention. The implementation of automation technologies, techniques and processes improve the efficiency, reliability, and/or speed of many tasks that were previously performed by humans.

Examples of Automation Technology services include, but are not limited to:

● Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

● Automated Messaging Services

● Data Cleaning Scripts

● Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

● Smart Notification

C.3.1.4 Distributed Ledger Technology

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a type of ledger that is shared, replicated, and synchronized in a distributed and decentralized manner. DLT can be used to decentralize and automate processes in many sectors. The attributes of a distributed ledger technology allow for large numbers of entities or nodes, whether collaborators or competitors, to come to consensus on information and immutably store it.

Examples of DLT services include, but are not limited to:

● Blockchain Implementation Solutions

● DLT Network Design Services

● Smart Contract Programming Services

● Distributed computing in low trust environments

C.3.1.5 Edge Computing

Edge Computing brings computation and data storage closer to the devices where it’s being gathered, rather than relying on a central location that can be thousands of miles away. This is done so that data, especially real-time data, does not suffer latency issues that can affect an application’s performance.

Processing is done locally, reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed in a centralized or cloud-based location.

Examples of Edge Computing services include, but are not limited to:

● 5G Implementation Services

● Edge Analytics

● Edge Application Services

● Edge Computing Architecture Design Services

● Internet of Things (IoT) Services

C.3.1.6 Immersive Technology

Immersive technology refers to technology that attempts to emulate a physical world through the means of a digital or simulated world by creating a surrounding sensory feeling, thereby creating a sense of immersion.

Examples of Immersive Technology services include, but are not limited to:

● Virtual Reality

● Augmented Reality

● Synthetic Environment

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C.4 PERFORMANCE AREAS

Within each section below, an overview of the contract solution is provided, followed by examples of work to be performed relative to task order requirements. Examples are not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather general indications of the types of services within a given solution. Other services that adhere to the definitions referenced in Section C.1 are within scope and may be provided to meet an agency’s particular mission needs.

C.4.1 Cloud Services

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

Examples of Cloud services include, but are not limited to:

● Application Integration Services

● Cloud Backup Solutions

● Cloud Governance, Security and Compliance

● Cloud Migration Services

● Cloud Strategy and Planning

● Cloud Storage and Hosting

● Cloud Risk Management

● Cloud Assessment

● Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

● Platform as a Service (PaaS)

● Software as a Service (SaaS)

C.4.2 Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to identify, detect, protect, respond to and recover from attack, damage, or unauthorized access to networks, devices, programs, and data.

Examples of Cybersecurity services include, but are not limited to:

● Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM)

● Continuous Security Monitoring

● Identity Management and Access Management

● Information Assurance

● Intrusion Detection

● IT Disaster Recovery Services

● IT Security Incident Response

● Mobile Threat Protection

● Network Security Monitoring

● Security Assessment Services/Vulnerability Analysis Services

● Threat Hunting

● Zero Trust Architecture Services

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C.4.3 Data Management

Data Management is the development, execution and supervision of plans, policies, programs and practices that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of data and information assets.

Examples of Data Management services include, but are not limited to:

● Data Architecture, Analysis and Design

● Data Governance

● Data Migration

● Data Quality Management

● Data Science

● Data Security Management

● Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Management

● Document, Record and Content Management

● Geospatial Data Practices and Services

● Governance, Planning, and Strategy

● Network and Individual Storage Management

C.4.4 Information and Communications Technologies

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) refers to the technology used to manage telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building management systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems, and network-based control and monitoring functions.

Examples of ICT services include, but are not limited to:

● Collaboration Technology Services

● IPv6 Implementation and Support Services

● Network as a Service (NaaS)

● Software Defined Wide Area Networking Implementation (SD/WAN)

● Telepresence and Video Services

● Virtual Private Network (VPN) and other Remote Network Access Services

● Virtualization Services

● Voice over IP (VoIP) Services

● Wireless Services

● 5G services and applications

● Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

● Mobile Backend as a Service

C.4.5 IT Operations and Maintenance

IT Operations and Maintenance includes the operation and management of technology infrastructure.

Examples of IT Operations and Maintenance services include, but are not limited to:

● Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Support Services

● Data Center Management

● Email and File Server Management

● IT Help Desk / IT Support

● IT Training

● Mobile Device Management

● PC Provisioning

● Server and Device Management

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C.4.6 Software Development Software Development is the process of developing software through successive phases in an orderly way. This process includes not only the actual writing of code but also the preparation of requirements and objectives, the design of what is to be coded, and confirmation that what is developed has met objectives. All software development methodologies, including Agile and DevSecOps, are supported.

Examples of Software Development services include, but are not limited to:

● Mobile Application Development Services

● Software Design

● Software Maintenance

● Software Programming

● Software Testing

● Web Development

C.4.7 System Design

System Design includes the planning and designing of computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies. The hardware and software components of the system may be provided as part of a customized IT solution. These establishments often install the system and train and support users of the system.

Examples of Systems Design services include, but are not limited to:

● Computer Systems Integration Design Consulting Services

● Configuration Management Services

● Information Management Computer Systems Integration Design Services

● IT Specifications Development

● Network Infrastructure Design

● Office Automation Computer Systems Integration Design Services

● Smart Buildings Systems Integration

C.5 ANCILLARY SUPPORT: SERVICES, SUPPLIES AND CONSTRUCTION

The Contractor may provide ancillary support as necessary to offer an IT services-based solution. The ancillary support described here may only be included in a task order when it is integral to and necessary for the IT services-based effort.

Ancillary support may include, but is not limited to:

● Clerical support

● Data entry

● IT products

● Minor construction, alteration, and repair to real property

● Server racks

● Software licenses

● Subscriptions

● Records Management Operations

The Contractor must not accept or perform work for a task order having the principal purpose of:

● Ancillary support

● Personal Services as defined in FAR 2.101(b)

● A requirement that primarily uses employees not employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity as defined in 29 CFR Part 541 and/or employees primarily employed as labor or mechanics as defined in FAR 22.401

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C.6 IT MANAGED SERVICES

IT Managed Services can be provided through Polaris, where the contractor, as the managed service provider (MSP) delivers services, such as network, application, infrastructure and security, via ongoing and regular support and active administration on customers’ premises, in their MSP’s data center (hosting), or in a third-party data center. This allows for fully managed services throughout the service lifecycle based on the customer's need and specific solution required.

C.7 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

The Master Contract is a stand-alone performance-based Acquisition (PBA) independent from task order PBA requirements. The Master Contract PWS includes post-award contract administration requirements stated throughout Sections G and H.

Critical performance standards are established for the Master Contract in Attachment J-1, Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The PRS listings of Performance Objectives indicate the performance level required by the Government to meet the Master Contract performance requirements. For task orders issued under the Master Contract, OCO’s may develop and execute their own PWS and PBA methods independent of the Master Contract PWS requirements and PBA standards.

C.8 SCOPE REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

The following resources are offered in support of the overall concept and scope of the Master Contract:

(a) Definitions of Information Technology (IT)

● Clinger Cohen Act of 1996

● Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101(b)

(b) Technology Business Management (TBM) Resources

● TBM policies and priorities from www.cio.gov2

● Technology Business Management Playbook from https://tech.gsa.gov/playbooks/tbm/

(c) The IT Service Labor Categories and descriptions provided in the Master Contract can be found in

Attachment J-2, Labor Category Descriptions.

(End of Section C)

2 https://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/, last accessed 12/7/2021 http://www.cio/ https://tech.gsa.gov/playbooks/tbm/ https://www.cio.gov/policies-and-priorities/tbm/

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SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

Not applicable at the Master Contract level. FAR and/or agency provisions and clauses which are complementary to the Master Contract and applicable at the task order level must be identified by the

OCO.

(End of Section D)

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SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Inspection and acceptance at the Master Contract level involve contract administration duties and deliverables.

Specific task order inspection and acceptance requirements (clauses, provisions, and other terms and conditions) will be designated by the OCO at the task order level.

The following paragraph applies to Contractor obligations at the Master Contract level.

Inspection of the deliverables provided hereunder must be made by a GSA Polaris GWAC COR or any Inspectors designated by the GSA Procuring Contracting Officer (see Section G.4.1). The place of inspection for reports required under this contract must be at the addresses for deliverables set forth in Section F. Final acceptance of deliverables must be made by a GSA Polaris GWAC COR designated in the contract.

E.2 TASK ORDER CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The OCO may designate COR(s) for task orders issued under this contract. Designated COR(s) must participate in the administration of the task orders issued under this contract by evaluating Contractor performance, inspecting and accepting services for the Government, and providing a report of inspection as well as contractor performance assessments to the OCO. This designation does not include authority to direct and/or authorize the Contractor to make changes in the scope or terms and conditions of the task order without written approval of the OCO. The Contractor must be notified in writing by the OCO of the name, duties, and limitations of the COR(s) by means of the COR Designation Letter.

(End of Section E)

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SECTION F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: www.acquisition.gov/FAR

The following clauses apply to the Master Contract and may apply at the task order level, as applicable, depending upon the task order contract type, or as specifically referenced in the applicable task order for different line items:

FAR Clause Title Date

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order Aug 1989 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work Apr 1984

(End of clause)

F.2 MASTER CONTRACT ORDERING PERIOD

The ordering period of this contract is from (To Be Determined) through (To Be Determined), inclusive of all options, if exercised.

The contract ordering period for the Master Contract is from the date of the Notice-To-Proceed through five years thereafter, with one, five-year option that may extend the cumulative term of the contract to 10 years in accordance with FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contact, if exercised.

After the Master Contract ordering period expires, the Master Contract will remain an active contract, in accordance with FAR 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity, until the final task order performance is completed and will govern the terms and conditions with respect to active task orders to the same extent as if it were completed during the Master Contract ordering period.

F.3 TASK ORDER PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for each task order placed under the Master Contract must be specified in the individual task order. All the following conditions apply:

(a) Under no circumstances may a task order be placed under the Master Contract if the Master Contract has expired, or has been terminated or canceled;

(b) No task orders may extend more than five (5) years after the expiration of the Master Contract;

(c) Task order options, if included at initial issuance of the task order, may be exercised after the expiration date of the Master Contract; and

(d) Notwithstanding anything contrary to the above, a multi-year task order placed under the Master

Contract must be consistent with FAR Subpart 17.1 Multi-year Contracting along with any applicable agency policy and funding restrictions.

http://www.acquisition.gov/FAR

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

F.4 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Performance under the Master Contract must be accomplished at the locations identified in the task order and may include locations in the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and Outside the CONUS

(OCONUS).

The place of performance and/or delivery requirements will be specified in each individual task order.

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS UNDER THE POLARIS MASTER CONTRACT

Polaris is a performance-based contract with measurable standards in terms of quality and timeliness of deliverables in accordance with Section F.6, Deliverables and Attachment J-1 Performance Requirements Summary.

F.6 DELIVERABLES

The following table contains deliverables required under the Master Contract. Individual task orders may have additional deliverables specified in each task order by the issuing agency. The Government does not waive its right to request deliverables under the Master Contract, even if such requirements are not specifically listed in this table.

ID SECTION DELIVERABLE

TITLE

FREQUENCY DELIVER TO

1 G.5.1

Notification of Changes to Contractor Program Manager

Within five (5) business days of any change in the Program Manager or their contact information.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov and Government Designated Reporting System

(GDRS)

2 G.5.2 Notification of Changes to Contractor Contract Manager

Within five (5) business days of any change in the Contract Manager or their contact information.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov and GDRS

3 G.7 Contractor GWAC Webpage

Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Notice to Proceed and periodic updates.

Contractor Webpage, Confirm completion to PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov

4 G.8.1 Establish a shared company email address

Within ten (10) calendar days after the Notice to Proceed.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov

5 G.10.1 Attend Post-Award Orientation Conference

Once, following Notice to Proceed.

To be announced mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

ID SECTION DELIVERABLE

TITLE

FREQUENCY DELIVER TO

6 G.10.2 Attend Program Management Review Meetings

Up to two (2) meetings per year.

To be announced

7 G.13.1 Polaris Task Order Award Notification

Within three (3) business days of task order award.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov

G.13.2

Task Order Award and Modification Data

Due by the 30th calendar day after the month in which the contract action was signed by the OCO.

GDRS

Invoice Data Due by the 30th calendar day after the month in which the invoice(s) were paid by the client.

Zero Invoice Data Due by the 30th calendar day after the month in which no invoice(s) were paid by the client.

CAF Remittance Data CAF must be paid and reported within 30 calendar days after the end of each reporting quarter in which the invoice(s) were reported in the GDRS.

Quarters are based upon a calendar year.

12 Missing or Inaccurate Data

Data corrections are due within ten (10) calendar days of notification, or as directed by the GWAC Program.

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

ID SECTION DELIVERABLE

TITLE

FREQUENCY DELIVER TO

13 G.14 CAF Remittance CAF must be paid within 30 calendar days after the end of each reporting quarter in which the invoice(s) were reported in the GDRS.

Quarters are based upon a calendar year.

Pay.gov via the

GDRS

14 G.15 GWAC Data Calls

Within three (3) business days of request unless specified otherwise.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov

G.16.2 Subcontract Reporting

By the 30th calendar day after each contract year.

GDRS

Negative Reports By the 30th calendar day after each contract year.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov

16 G.17.1 Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C- SCRM) Plan Submission

Within 120 calendar days after notice to proceed and within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each contract year.

PolarisHUBZone@g sa.gov or GDRS

17 G.18.1 Task Order Closeout Verification/Validation

Within six (6) months after the task order period of performance ends.

GDRS

18 G.19 Master Contract Closeout

● Corrections requested to the GDRS data

Responses are due within ten (10) calendar days of the requested information.

GDRS

mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov mailto:PolarisWOSB@gsa.gov

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

F.7 NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DELAYS

In the event the Contractor encounters difficulty in meeting performance requirements for the Master Contract or any task order, the Contractor must immediately notify the cognizant CO in writing. The notification must provide pertinent details of the delay and must not be construed as a waiver by the Government of any delivery schedule or date or of any rights or remedies provided by law or under this contract or any task order.

(End of Section F)

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

SECTION G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

G.1 GENERAL

This section provides contract administration requirements for the Polaris GWAC, and where applicable, for each task order placed under this Master Contract. Costs associated with these administration requirements may not be billed as a direct cost to the Government.

Additional administration requirements, not specified by the Master Contract, may be established in each task order. Costs associated with these order-specific administration requirements must be described in the task order and if applicable, billed in accordance with terms of the task order.

G.2 AUTHORIZED AGENCIES AND DELEGATION OF PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY

G.2.1 Authorized Agencies

The Master Contract is available for use by executive agencies and other entities as listed in General Services Administration (GSA) Order OGP 4800.2I, Eligibility to Use GSA Sources of Supply and Services; and any future versions of that directive, e.g., OGP 4800.2J, OGP 4800.2K, etc. The GSA Order is publicly available and accessible for review on GSA’s website https://www.gsa.gov/directives-library.

G.2.2 Delegation of Procurement Authority

Warranted Federal COs who wish to issue and/or administer a Polaris task order must first receive a written Delegation of Procurement Authority (“DPA” or “delegation”) from GSA, whereupon they are authorized as Ordering Contracting Officers (OCOs).

To obtain a DPA, a warranted Federal CO must complete Polaris DPA training and then complete the DPA request form at www.gsa.gov/gwacs.

The DPA training and written delegation requirements provide a clearly structured understanding of roles and responsibilities between the GWAC COs and OCOs. The training and DPA requirements arise out of GSA’s obligations to the Office of Management and Budget, which has designated GSA as an Executive Agent for GWACs.

While delegation can only be granted to warranted Federal COs, all individuals (e.g., project managers, program officials) involved with a task order are encouraged to participate in the DPA training. No work may be performed; no debt or obligation accrued; and no payment made except as authorized by a bona fide written task order signed by an OCO having a written GSA-issued Polaris DPA.

G.3 FAR 52.216-32 TASK-ORDER AND DELIVERY-ORDER OMBUDSMAN (Alternate I) (Sept 2019)

(a) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4106(g), the Agency has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this contract. The Ombudsman must review complaints from the Contractor concerning all task-order and delivery-order actions for this contract and ensure the Contractor is afforded a fair opportunity for consideration in the award of orders, consistent with the procedures in the contract.

The GSA Procurement Ombudsman is located at the General Services Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy (OGP), Office of Acquisition Policy (MV). Contact information for the GSA Procurement Ombudsman can be found at: http://www.gsa.gov/ombudsman.

http://www.gsa.gov/gwacs http://www.gsa.gov/ombudsman

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

(b) Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timeline for any other process (e.g., protests).

(c) Before consulting with the Ombudsman, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the Ombudsman may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

(d) Contracts used by multiple agencies.

(1) This is a contract that is used by multiple agencies. Complaints from Contractors concerning orders placed under contracts used by multiple agencies are primarily reviewed by the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity.

(2) The ordering activity has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this order: [The ordering activity's contracting officer to insert the name, address, telephone number, and email address for the ordering activity's Ombudsman or provide the URL address where this information may be found.]

(3) Before consulting with the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the ordering activity's Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

(End of clause)

G.4 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This section describes the roles and responsibilities of Government personnel for the Master Contract.

The Government may modify the roles and responsibilities at any time during the period of performance of the Master Contract via contract modification.

G.4.1 Polaris GWAC HUBZone Pool Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO)

The PCO is the sole and exclusive government official with actual authority to award the Master Contract.

After award of the Master Contract, the PCO may delegate any or all of the contract administration functions, described in FAR 42.302, to an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO). The PCO may also designate one or more CORs to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

GSA reserves the right to assign multiple PCOs to this contract, each empowered with the same duties and authority.

G.4.2 Polaris GWAC HUBZone Pool Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO)

ACO authority is established in the delegation issued by the PCO. Responsibilities not specifically delegated to the ACO by the PCO are retained by the PCO.

G.4.3 Polaris GWAC Program Manager (PM)

The Government will appoint a Polaris PM who will perform program level functions, such as business development and industry engagement. The Polaris PM has no actual, apparent, or implied authority to contractually bind the Government or change the terms and conditions of the contract.

G.4.4 Polaris GWAC HUBZone Pool Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

The PCO may designate one or more representatives to perform specified surveillance functions such as quality assurance and technical review. CORs have no actual, apparent, or implied authority to contractually bind the Government or change the terms and conditions of the contract.

G.4.5 Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO)

As described in Section G.2, only OCOs having a written GSA-issued Polaris GWAC Program DPA may issue and/or administer a task order. Upon request, the OCO for any specific Order may provide a copy of the applicable DPA to a requesting contractor.

G.4.6 Task Order Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

As described in E.2, the OCO may designate in writing a COR to perform specific surveillance for their specific task order(s).

G.5 CONTRACTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

G.5.1 Contractor Program Manager

The Contractor’s management structure must guarantee senior, high-level, program management of the Polaris Program. The Contractor must appoint a Program Manager who is a direct employee of the company (or of a member company if a joint venture). The Program Manager represents the Contractor as a primary point-of-contact for any matters related to the Master Contract and associated task orders.

The Contractor Program Manager responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

● Representing the Contractor as the primary point-of-contact to help resolve issues and perform other functions that may arise relating to the contract and task orders under the contract;

● Advising and assisting Polaris customers regarding the features and benefits of Polaris;

● Promoting Polaris to the Federal Government through participation in trade shows, conferences, and other meetings where Federal Government personnel are present;

● Promoting Contractor identity as a Polaris contract holder by using the GSA logo in advertising, placing these identifiers in printed and in on-line communications; displaying Polaris promotional placards; and disseminating Polaris marketing materials;

● Educating and training Contractor staff to ensure that they are able to effectively communicate with existing and potential customers regarding the technical scope, the value, and the benefits of Polaris;

● Ensuring all information required under the contract is reported accurately and in a timely manner;

● Attending Polaris meetings and conferences, as required by G.10, and working with the GWAC PM and COR.

The Contractor must ensure that GSA has current contact information for the Contractor’s Program Manager. The Contractor must notify GSA of any change in the Program Manager or their contact information in accordance with F.6, Deliverables. All costs associated with the Contractor’s Program Manager must be at no direct cost to the Government.

G.5.2 Contractor Contract Manager

The contractor’s management structure must guarantee senior, high-level, contract management of the Polaris Program. The Contractor must appoint a Contract Manager who is a direct employee of the company (or of a member company if a joint venture).

The Contractor Contract Manager responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

RFP No. 47QTCB22R0006

● Representing the Contractor as the primary point-of-contact to help resolve contract related issues;

● Ensuring that all contract administration functions and reporting information required…