PPBE_BPA_Attachment_2_Instructions.pdf

Additional Instructions to Offerors

1. Purpose: This addendum to the solicitation tailors the terms and conditions contained in the provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, and provides additional instructions to offerors. Except as specified in this solicitation addendum, the offeror shall submit all data and information required by the provision at FAR 52.212-1 and this addendum.

Non-conformance with the instructions provided herein or in any other part of the solicitation may result in elimination of the offeror from consideration for award.

a. Tailoring of 52.212-1: FAR 52.212-1(e), Multiple Offers, is hereby deleted from this solicitation. That paragraph is marked as RESERVED.

b. Proposal Detail: The proposal shall be clear and concise, and it shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and substantiation of the validity of stated claims. The proposal shall not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of the offeror’s facilities and/or experience, and the Government will base its evaluation on the information presented in the submitted proposal.

c. Embellishments Not Desired: Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed artwork, or other embellishments are unnecessary and not desired.

d. Offer Acceptance and Validity Dates: Concerning FAR 52.212-1(c) of the provision regarding the period during which the offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm is hereby amended to read ‘120 days’ instead of ‘30 days.’ The offeror shall make a clear statement in the Price & Offer Documentation Volume (Volume II) that the offer is valid for 120 days after the date for receipt of offers specified in Block 8 of the solicitation cover sheet, Standard Form (SF) 1449.

e. Disposition of Offers: In accordance with (IAW) FAR 4.803(a)(10), Contents of BPA

Files, the Government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. Unless the offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals.

f. Systems: The Government will access any systems as required by law and/or regulation (e.g. System for Award Management (SAM), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), SPRS etc.) to aid in the determination of Responsibility.

2. Contacts, Correspondence, and Communications

a. Point of Contact: Questions or concerns should be addressed to the Contracting Officer (CO) through the point of contact (POC). The POC and CO for this acquisition is Ms.

Ashley Raymond , as identified in Block 9 of the SF 1449. Ms. Raymond may be contacted via email at ashley.raymond.2@us.af.mil. The Contract Specialist for this acquisition is Mr. Blakeley Powell may be contacted at blakeley.powell.1.ctr@us.af.mil.

mailto:blakeley.powell.1.ctr@us.af.mil

Please be advised that all correspondence sent via email shall contain a subject line that reads: “PPBE Blanket Purchase Agreement (PBA).” Note that email filters at Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) are designed to filter emails without subject lines or with suspicious subject lines or contents (i.e., .exe or .zip files). Therefore, if this subject line is not included, the email may not pass through the email filters. Also, be advised that .zip or .exe files are not allowable attachments and may be deleted by the email filters at AFDW. If sending attachments within emails, ensure only .pdf, .docx, or .xlsx documents are sent.

b. The government will not hold discussions as part of this award. Upon request, the contracting officer can furnish the information described below to unsuccessful offerors in solicitations using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in FAR Part 13. Please note that this is the establishment of Blanket Purchase Agreement and the prices provided are in relation to the ceiling not a contract and an obligation to award a purchase order for such amount.

• The number of offerors solicited;

• The number of proposals received;

• The name and address of each offeror receiving an award;

• 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 quote price need be furnished in the notice. Total quote for BPA will be listed at time of agreement since call order amounts are unknown and not guaranteed to be awarded.

c. Discrepancies: Proposals must conform to all of the requirements of the solicitation. If an offeror believes that any part of the solicitation, including (but not limited to) the requirements in these instructions, contains an error, omission, or is otherwise unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the CO in writing directly or through the POC identified herein, per paragraph 2(a) of these instructions.

3. Offer Format and Organization

a. The proposal shall consist of three (3) separate volumes as specified in the Offer Format and Organization Table below. The volume numbers, titles, and contents shall be as specified in this table. The offeror shall submit the specified number of copies of each volume, which shall be within the specified page limits per the table below. Pricing information shall be addressed ONLY in the Price & Offer Documentation Volume. The Government will remove and discard any pages from any other volume that contains pricing data, and the information on those pages will not be evaluated in any manner.

This will be rack and stacked by the lowest to highest price and evaluation of technical acceptability will be begin at the lowest price. If they are in adherence to all the contents contained within the solicitation and are technically acceptable, award will be made to them and no other offers will be evaluated.

Offer Format and Organization Table

Volume Volume Title ITO Para Reference

Page Limit

I

Administrative Submission Narrative of Offeror 2 BPA Documentation:

Signed 1449, and any Amendments

N/A Organizational Conflict of Interest Mitigation Plan (if applicable)

II

Technical Capability

Technical Approach 30 Pages Staffing/Management Approach 30 Pages

III

Price

Price Narrative and Disclosure Documents N/A Price Spreadsheet with Supporting Documentation

b. Electronic Copies:

Proposals shall be submitted electronically via e-mail to the contracting officer and contracting specialist listed in Paragraph 2(a).

c. Page Limitations: Page limitations shall be treated as maximums. If exceeded, the pages in excess of the above limitations will be removed and disregarded during the evaluation

d. Page Size and Format:

Margins on all four sides of each sheet will be at least one inch. Pages shall be single-spaced. Except for the reproduced sections of the solicitation document, the text size shall be no less than the equivalent of Times New Roman, font size 10. Use at least one (1) inch margins on all four (4) sides of the printed page. Pages in each volume shall be numbered sequentially by volume (i.e. I-1, I-2, etc.). Audio/Video or Digital recordings, or any other electronic media, to include responses to this solicitation (e.g. CD, tape, etc.)

will not be accepted.

Legible tables, charts, graphs, and figures shall be used wherever practical to depict organizations, systems, layouts, implementation schedules, plans, etc. These displays shall be uncomplicated and legible, and they shall not exceed 11 x 17 inches in size.

e. Cross-Referencing: To the greatest extent possible, each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis so that its contents may be evaluated with a minimum of cross-referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Information required for proposal evaluation which is not found in its designated volume will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal. Cross-referencing within a proposal volume is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity.

4. Evaluation Factors and Offer Volume Content

a. FACTOR II – Technical Acceptability:

i. Specificity and Completeness: The Technical Acceptability Volume (Volume I) shall be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. Offeror responses to the Technical Acceptability Factor and Sub-factors will be evaluated IAW the addendum to the solicitation titled ‘Evaluation Factors.’ All requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. Except as provided for in paragraph 2(c) and paragraph 4(b)(vi) of these instructions, by submission of a proposal, the offeror is representing that the offeror shall perform all requirements specified in the solicitation.

It is not necessary or desirable to repeat that fact within the proposal. The offeror shall NOT merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation.

ii. Organization: Volume I shall include a table of contents to include a list of tables, figures, and drawings, as applicable. The Technical Acceptability Volume shall also include a glossary if it will enhance the Government’s ability to understand the proposal and facilitate its evaluation.

iii. Content:

Sub-factor 1 – Technical Approach

The offeror shall submit a proposed technical approach/methodology for meeting, integrating, and accomplishing the objectives, conditions, and requirements of each task and subtasks of the PWS. The offerors technical approach shall:

The Technical Approach should be specific and complete. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. Offeror’s responses will be evaluated as defined in the Evaluation Criteria. The proposal should not merely reiterate or rephrase the objectives or reformulate the Government’s requirements specified in the RFQ but shall provide convincing rationale to address how the Offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume the Government has no prior knowledge of its capabilities, facilities and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror’s proposal.

The Offeror shall clearly describe its technical methodology in fulfilling the technical requirements. The Offeror shall tailor the Technical Approach to achieve the objectives and requirements identified in the PWS. The Offeror shall specifically address the following:

The Offeror’s approach/methodology for meeting, integrating, and accomplishing the objectives, conditions, and requirements of each task and subtasks of the PWS.

Sub-factor 2 – Staffing Approach

Staffing Approach. The Offeror shall clearly describe its Staffing Approach to fulfilling the technical and management requirements. The Offeror shall discuss its proposed staffing approach, describing the staffing strategy, rationale for the proposed labor mix, and the experience, skill, and qualifications of the proposed personnel. The Offeror shall specifically address its approach/methodology and rationale for the following:

Choosing Personnel. Describe how each Person would be involved in each task/subtask and how their qualifications and experience uniquely qualify them for the Personnel position(s) described in the PWS.

Projected staffing and approach to how each task and subtask is staffed to include estimated hours and labor mix of the personnel, their expected work location, clearance level, and functional knowledge. Each task in the PWS shall be mapped to the labor category or categories the Offeror deems applicable. The Offeror shall also designate the number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) needed to accomplish each task.

The Offeror’s methodology to hiring, retaining, and replacing appropriately qualified personnel throughout the life of the contract. Ability to provide expertise, experience and required security clearances needed to support the requirement.

Management Approach. The Offeror shall identify the Management Approach, techniques, and tools that the Offeror shall use to accomplish the requirements and objectives of the PWS. The Offeror shall tailor the Management Approach to achieve the requirements and objectives of the PWS. The Management Approach shall specifically address the following:

The Offeror’s approach/methodology for providing management support, process management and control, organizational structure, project status and cost (to include planned versus actual expenditures) reporting, program metrics, and corrective actions.

The Offeror’s management methodology for handling lines of authority and communication, and problem resolution. Discuss how contractor personnel will be held accountable for performance.

b. FACTOR III – Price and Offer Documentation: In the Price and Offer Documentation volume (Volume III), the offeror shall:

i. Provide a cover letter with offeror’s Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, and Tax Identification number (TIN). In the cover letter, the offeror shall provide the name(s), title(s), telephone number(s), email address(es), and fax number(s) of the individual(s) authorized to 1) make decisions on behalf of the offeror regarding the proposal submitted, 2) negotiate with the Government, and 3) obligate the offeror contractually. The offeror shall provide in the cover letter a statement that the proposal and prices therein will remain in effect for 120 days after the date in Block 8 of the SF 1449.

ii. Provide a completed copy of the SF 1449. The offeror shall complete blocks 17a, 26, 30a, 30b, and 30c of the SF 1449 cover sheet. For purposes of proposal submission, ignore the entry ‘(For Govt. Use Only)’ in block 26. Signature by the offeror on the SF 1449 constitutes an offer, which the Government may accept.

iii. The offeror shall submit the completed Pricing Matrix (Attachment 4 to the solicitation) as part of Volume II.

• Please ensure all tabs are completed and cell formulas are verified. CLIN Roll Up (tab 1) will be used as the Total Evaluated Price. Any missing areas may deem the proposal unawardable.

• Offerors are required to submit price info for the Base Period, and four (4) Option Periods. Offerors shall NOT submit pricing for six-month options IAW FAR 52.217-8 Extension of Services.

• The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) that the Government will use in its evaluation of the offer will be calculated based on the sum of the totals of the Base Year and all Option Years.

iv. Offerors shall provide a written narrative on their price proposal describing their calculation and basis of calculations. Pricing shall be completed by the Offeror IAW the following:

Proposed prices shall be provided reflecting the established CLINs and sample pricing sheet composed with each tasking per the PWS. Pricing shall be reflective of the specified contractor’s labor categories and hours stated in each CLIN in the RFP.

All prices contained in the pricing schedule reflect total compensation for the services detailed therein and are fully inclusive of all costs including labor (workers, management, aids, assistants, and operators), overhead, general and administrative (G&A) expenses, potential and profit. An estimated cost of 10,000 per year for travel for evaluation purposes should be included in your proposal. If travel is needed to teach an in-person class the travel will be derived estimated IAW the PWS when a trip is identified if a Purchase is to be awarded.

v. Professional Employee Compensation Plan (PECP)

The Professional Employee Compensation Plan (PECP) sets forth a contractor’s salaries and fringe benefits proposed for professional employees who will work under the Blanket Purchase Agreement. The PECP shall explain how the proposed rates comply with FAR 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, and shall provide unburdened rates, which includes supporting information such as salary and fringe benefits paid to the professional employee for the National Capital Region (NCR)(U.S.

Postal Codes 20762/20330). The prime and first-tier subcontractors shall further provide company policies and procedures that explain how employee salary is determined and the applicable fringe benefits such as holidays, healthcare, pension, 401K, etc. This BPA is expected to exceed $750,000 and the services to be provided will require meaningful numbers of professional employees.

The Offeror shall provide unburdened salaries/rates and fringe cost or percentages for the proposed labor categories as outlined in the table below:

Salary/Fringe Benefits Table (Example):

Task Area/Labor Category Unburdened Salary/Rate &

Fringe/Percentage Junior Task Manager $175,00.00 / $91.14/Hr. / 33% IT Senior Manager $210,000.00 / $109.37 /Hr. / 27%

Benefits Table (Example):

List of Benefits Description of Benefits Paid Time Off (PTO) 30 days per year Holidays 10 paid holidays per year Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability Life & Personal Accidental Insurance 401K/IRA Plan Medical and Pharmacy Dental Benefits Vision Benefits Flex Spending Account Health Care Spending Educational Assistance Pays 75% tuition Employee Referral Bonus

Direct Labor. The Offeror shall identify both Prime and Subcontractor direct labor rates.

Offeror’s shall provide a narrative describing direct labor and any escalation. Any escalation proposed shall be consistent with the average annual Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Economic Cost Index (ECI) for the previous three years. Any proposed escalation that deviates from the BLS ECI shall be supported with applicable data in the narrative. If any other indices are used to determine escalation, the index needs to be provided in the narrative.

Team Members/Subcontractors. Price information for each team member/subcontractor shall be furnished in the same format and level of detail as prescribed for the prime Offeror. Prime offeror shall ensure all proposed subcontractors pricing is provided by the proposal due date and time.

CLIN Structure. Price proposals must adhere to the pricing structure established in the attachment 4 of the Request for Quote. Each Offeror’s price proposal must be based on the Offeror’s own technical proposal, the Government’s specifications, and other contractual requirements.

Cell Formulas. The Offeror shall ensure all calculation formulas are included in order to effectively show the price build up in the Excel workbook. All cells shall remain unlocked to allow the Government to validate calculations.

Rounding Methodology. All dollar amounts provided shall be rounded to the nearest penny. All labor rates shall be rounded to the nearest penny.

Pricing Terms. The Offeror agrees to hold the price in its proposal firm for 120 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of proposals, unless another time period is specified in an amendment to the RFQ.

NOTE: It is the offeror’s responsibility to submit with its offer all required representations, certifications, acknowledgements, and statements required by the solicitation even if they are not reiterated in this paragraph. The Government’s preference is that representations and certifications required by the solicitation are completed online at https://sam.gov/.

vi. Submit any issues the offeror may have with the terms and conditions of the solicitation or exceptions thereto not previously brought to the attention of the CO per paragraph 2(c) of these instructions. Proposals must conform to all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements. Failure to meet a requirement may result in the offeror being ineligible for award. Offerors shall clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. Each exception shall be specifically related to each paragraph and/or specific part of the solicitation to which the exception is taken. The offeror shall provide rationale in support of the exception and fully explain its impact, if any, on the performance, schedule, price, and specific requirements of the solicitation. This information shall be provided in the format, as well as shall include the content, specified in the table below. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the solicitation may result in the offeror being ineligible for award.

5. Additional Instructions:

a. The following provisions and addendums will be physically removed from any resultant award and will be considered incorporated by reference:

• FAR 52.209-7, Information Regarding Responsibility Matters;

• FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items;

• FAR 52.212-3 (Alternate I), Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial

Items;

• Addendum 1 - Additional Instructions to Offerors; and

• Addendum 2 - Evaluation Factors.