Attachment_G_-_Afghanistan_RFP.doc

Attachment G

Afghanistan Request for Proposal Purpose: The U.S. Department of State (DoS), Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) requires Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA), Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) and Technical Assistance in Afghanistan Background: Afghanistan has endured conflict since 1979 and remains severely impacted by landmines, unexploded ordnance, and other loosely secured or illicit conventional weapons and munitions. The widespread indiscriminate use of mines, ordnance, and munitions over some 30 years of conflict has turned Afghanistan into the most heavily mined country in the world. Insurgent elements continue to use landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) as improvised devices to both target civilians and shape the battlefield movements. The static and dynamic threats remain extant: averages of 40 civilian casualties occur each month and mine action implementing partners are often attacked by insurgents in the South, West, and East. Although the Mine Action Program in Afghanistan (MAPA) has cleared almost two-thirds of all suspected hazard areas to date, vast amounts of usable land remain contaminated due to lack of capacity, ongoing conflict, and inaccessibility due to difficult terrain and deteriorating infrastructures.

Since 1993, PM/WRA has provided more than $165,449,555 in mine action and CWD assistance to Afghanistan. The coordinated effort of US Embassy Kabul and PM/WRA resulted in successfully establishing a robust program. The program has been very effective in achieving the primary goals of restoring access to land and infrastructure, developing host nation capacity, facilitating small arms/light weapons and MANPADS destruction efforts, and improving conventional weapons stockpile security and management practices.

Under this Task Order, the Contractor will be required to continue operations for HMA, CWD and Technical Assistance in Afghanistan. HMA is a set of programs that include activities leading to the removal of mines, unexploded ordnance and abandoned ordnance, mine risk education, mine victim assistance, training host nations and capacity building. For this task order, activities include grants management, logistics, and medical and technical assistance support for five Afghan Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development of host nation management and technical capacity. CWD is a set of programs that include HMA, battle area clearance, clearance of explosive remnants of war, small arms and light weapons destruction, MANPADS, stockpile and cache reduction and stockpile security and management. Current CWD services under this task order include the management, oversight and medical and technical assistance in support of the operation of eight Afghan CWD teams (composed of 12 Afghans Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EODs), 1 driver, and 1 (contractor supplied) technical advisor). Also included is the senior leadership required to enhance operations in the field, establish appropriate liaison and working relationships, appropriate verification, certification and destruction of MANPADS and services to provide for the overall supervision, development and maintenance of required professional security details.

An alarming trend that emerged in 2003 was the use of landmines, stockpiled munitions and loosely or unsecured munitions as the basis for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). IEDs are being used to target Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) officials; national and international aid workers, including mine action personnel; and international troops operating within the Coalition and the UN-sanctioned International Security Assistance Force (SAF). This trend highlights the need for immediate action to address the urgent issue of landmines, stockpiled ammunition and munitions and loosely or unsecured munitions in Afghanistan.

SECTION B – SUPPLIES, SERVICES AND PRICES

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The Government anticipates a period of performance of one base year and four option years.

CONTRACT TYPE

The contract type is cost-plus-fixed-fee (“completion” form), as defined in FAR 16.306.

PRICING INFORMATION

Offerors shall use, at a minimum for pricing purposes, the following period of performance:

Base Year:

July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012

Option Year 1:

July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013

Option Year 2:

July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014

Option Year 3:

July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015

Option Year 4:

July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

The Contract shall provide all services, equipment and supplies to accomplish the following:

1. Provide all personnel, resources, and supplies, required for successful operations associated with this task order for HMA, CWD Assistance and Technical Support for Afghanistan. Leadership focus shall include liaison with U.S. Embassy Kabul, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan GIRoA) officials, international organizations, national and international non-governmental organizations, and other organizations. Responsibilities include close working relations and communications with PM/WRA. Guidance and direction will be provided by PM/WRA as necessary.

2. Provide Humanitarian Mine Action, support which shall include but not be limited to the following:

a. Provide grants funds management support to render assistance, oversight and improve operations, reporting and transparency of U.S. DoS grant funds to the following five grantees: DAFA, MCPA, OMAR, MDD, and ATC. This shall include technical assistance with writing, negotiating, and administering grant proposals; monthly and/or quarterly progress, invoice or other required reports; accounting, managing, disbursing, and reporting of funds received and transparency of same.

b. Provide logistics support to oversee accountability of all U.S. Government-owned, contractor maintained supplies and equipment. This shall include the purchase (competitive, local or other), management, accountability and control of all supplies, equipment or other logistics efforts. Knowledge and experience in customs, import, export, and DoD regulations covering the use of defensive technologies and weapons to ensure all supplies and equipment are delivered timely. Establishment and/or update of Inventory reporting and other logistic elements as described and required under the contract.

c. Provide Senior Demining, Mine Detection Dog and Mechanical Demining Technical Advisors to the five Afghan grantee/NGOs mentioned above. This includes technical advisory, oversight and skills transfer services. Technical Advisors shall be expected to assist with management of demining operations, plus provide all necessary training and mentoring required to keep the NGOs functional and operational and to assist with capacity development. The technical advisors will be based in Kabul but will be expected to travel as required.

3. Provide support for the eight existing government furnished Afghan Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) teams currently positioned throughout Afghanistan. Services include providing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and other CWD capable trainers and technical advisors who will be responsible for the management, guidance and oversight of the CWD teams. Duties include sustaining, maintaining and continued development of these teams. The contractor is expected to ensure that all necessary training is provided to keep them operational. Teams will be held to International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) EOD Levels I, II, III and IV as appropriate, and will be based in (but not geographically constrained to) Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar, Herat, Kabul, Gazni, Helmand and Panjshir Province.

4. Provide medical specialist services to support both the HMA and CWD functions. Duties would include the development, training, monitoring and maintenance of field medical staff, ensuring adequate supplies and equipment are available to support operations, track inventory and audit equipment.

5. Provide qualified senior EOD technical advisor services, in the Kabul area, to identify, authenticate, and possibly render safe or destroy MANPADS. Alert PM/WRA immediately of any MANPADS found while conducting operations and coordinate with FSO, U.S. Embassy, Kabul and other appropriate in country officials. Requisite skills include knowledge and experience in providing forensic evidence, certification and verification, reporting and destruction of any MANPADS found.

6. Provide supervisory security detail services to manage, maintain and oversee existing Protective Security Details (PSD). Responsibilities include supervising, training, equipping and ensuring that an appropriate number of PSDs are available. That number would correspond to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan. PSDs are required to facilitate execution of the Task Order and assist PM/WRA and U.S. Embassy Kabul personnel as necessary. There are currently 48 Gurkha foreign nationals located throughout Afghanistan who provide PSD services. These established units will be made available under this task order.

7. All Contractor supplied personnel require SECRET level clearance.

8. All work and training shall be done in accordance with IMAS standards and quality, meet any specific host nation requirements and conform to international and industry best practices.

9. Take adequate measures designed to safeguard personnel, protect property and uphold against sabotage, damage and theft of all material, supplies, and equipment as further described and required under the contract.

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

(TBD)

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

Invoice Instructions: The Contractor shall submit three copies of his invoices in a timely manner to the Government Technical Monitor (GTM). Invoices shall be in sufficient detail to permit the Government to clearly understand the reasonableness of costs incurred against progress achieved. Timely submittal of invoices, in a format acceptable by the government is a material requirement of this contract. The GTM will review the invoices and if they concur, forward the invoice to the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) for review, signature and forwarding for payment.

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

Place of Performance: The Contractor shall provide the above CWD services in throughout Afghanistan as necessary.

Period of Performance: All work shall commence within 30 days of task order award.

The total period of performance is 60 months, consisting of the following:

Base Period (Identify number of months): __ 12__ _

Option(s) (Identify number of options and number of months in each option):

Option 1: __ 12__ _ Option 2: __ 12__ _ Option 3: __ 12__ _ Option 4: __ 12__ _ The period of performance shall commence with issuance of the task order and end upon delivery of the final report, which shall be submitted within 15 days of completion of the Task Order.

Deliverables: At a minimum the Contractor shall provide one paper or electronic copy of each report to the cognizant Government Technical Manager (GTM). A complete listing of required reports and due dates are identified under Section C of contract S-AQMMA-11-R-0085. Formats are generally left to the Contractor who should portray his data in a meaningful way. If that format is unacceptable, the Government reserves the right to mandate the format to be used.

Routine Reports and Invoices:

Quarterly: __X___

Invoices: __X___

Inventory Reports: __X___

Adverse Incident Reports: __X___

Lessons Learned Reports: __X___

Final Report: __X___

Close Out Plan including Disposition of Materials: __X___

Other (check all that apply):

Weekly: ______

Monthly: __X___

Transition Plans: __X___ Special Reports (Identify): _____________________

Exit Briefing (Identify): _______________________ Security Plan: __X___ (Upon Task Order Award, the Contractor shall submit his Security Plan to the GTM for review, vetting with the host nation or others, and approval prior to beginning requisite activities within country.)

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Government Technical Monitor (GTM):

Name: Rodney Robideau Title: Program Manager Conventional Weapons Destruction Program

Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

U.S. Department of State

2121 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 6100

Washington, DC 20522

(202) 663-0347 Email: RobideauRA@state.gov

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Special Requirements: None Security Requirements: Afghanistan is a non-permissive environment. The Contractor is required to provide all necessary security staff to ensure all personnel and equipment is safeguarded iaw Contract Requirements. The Contractor shall also be responsible for providing security details for the following personnel: PM/WRA while they are in country and Embassy staff when they are on a PM/WRA mission.

Assumptions, Conditions, or Other Information:

Assume the eight CWD teams (12 Afghans and 1 driver) are provided as GFE.

Assume that the existing PSD units are provided as GFE.

Assume the provided list of GFE is accurate for pricing out this task order.

Government Furnished Information/Equipment: See above Assumptions, Conditions or Other Information and attachment H – Afghanistan Property Inventory Report August 2010. This list will be updated upon Task Order award.

Funding: This task order may be incrementally funded and subject to the availability of funds. Options may be exercised unilaterally by the U.S. Government.

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

(See Contract)

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

See Attachment H - WRA Afghanistan Property Inventory Report August 2010

See Attachment I -TABLE 8, Afghanistan Task Order Proposed Prices

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO OFFERORS

(See Contract)

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRACTORS

Oral presentations are not required for this task order.

Contractors are required to prepare their proposals in two separate volumes as follows:

Volume 1 – Cost/Price Proposal: The only volume in which costs/price information may appear. See Section H – Special Contract Requirements, for any specific instructions with regard to specific pricing assumptions to be used, if applicable. There is no page limit associated with the price portion of your proposal.

PRICING INSTRUCTIONS

(1) The normal workweek for this task order is 48 hours. Offerors shall estimate costs based on a 48-hour normal workweek.

(2) Offerors shall not allocate as a direct cost to this task order any program management costs except the Program Manager’s labor costs.

(3) Offerors shall propose costs and prices by completing Pricing Table 8 (Afghanistan Task Order) and providing Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8).

(4) In Pricing Table 8, offerors shall not complete the Direct Cost and Indirect Cost cells on the Fixed Fee line (CLIN X005), as they are inapplicable.

(5) In Pricing Table 8, the Government provided formulas to calculate automatically the proposed Subtotal (except CLIN X005), Total, and Grand Total prices. However, offerors shall verify the arithmetic accuracy and shall make any necessary corrections.

(6) In Pricing Table 8, the proposed Subtotal, Total, and Grand Total prices shall be in whole numbers; they shall not contain decimals.

(7) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall submit for CLIN X001 (Labor) a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each performance year:

a. Labor category

b. Estimated number of positions

c. Estimated number of hours per position

d. Estimated unloaded hourly labor rate per position

e. Each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., Overhead, G&A)

f. Each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in Table 2)

g. Each applicable provisional billing cost

h. Subtotal

(8) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall submit for CLIN X002 (ODCs, excluding Travel and DBA Insurance) a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each performance year:

a. Cost element

b. Unit cost

c. Unit of measurement

d. Quantity

e. Each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., G&A)

f. Each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in

a. Table 2)

b. Each applicable provisional billing cost

c. Subtotal

(9) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), under CLIN X002 (ODCs, excluding Travel and DBA Insurance), offerors shall estimate any incentive compensation costs (e.g., Danger Pay, Post Hardship Differential Pay). Estimate and payment of incentive compensation shall be in accordance with the offeror’s established compensation plan or policy, or employer/employee agreement [see FAR 31.205-6(f)]. Offerors shall submit a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the same or similar following information for each performance year:

a. Labor category

b. Estimated number of positions

c. Estimated number of hours per position

d. Estimated unloaded hourly labor rate per position

e. Each incentive compensation description (e.g., Danger Pay, Post Hardship Differential Pay)

f. Each incentive compensation percentage, rate, or factor

g. Each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., Overhead, G&A)

h. Each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in Table 2)

i. Each applicable provisional billing cost

j. Subtotal

(10) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall submit for CLIN X003 (Travel) a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each performance year:

a. Labor category

b. Estimated number of positions

c. Origin

d. Destination

e. Estimated round-trip airfare per position

f. Estimated lodging per diem per position

g. Estimated meals and incidental expenses per diem per position

h. Estimated ground transportation (e.g., taxi, car rental) per position

i. Estimated mileage, parking, and tolls per position

j. Estimated number of round trips per position

k. Estimated number of days per round trip per position

l. Each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., G&A)

m. Each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in Table 2)

n. Each applicable provisional billing cost

o. Subtotal

(11) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall submit for CLIN X004 (DBA Insurance) a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each performance year:

a. Labor category

b. Estimated number of positions

c. Estimated number of hours per position

d. Estimated unloaded hourly labor rate per position

e. Each element of other taxable compensation (e.g., Danger Pay, Post Hardship Differential Pay, Bonus)

f. Estimated cost for each element of other taxable compensation

g. Prescribed DBA Insurance rate

h. Estimated DBA Insurance cost

i. Each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., G&A)

j. Each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in Table 2)

k. Each applicable provisional billing cost

l. Subtotal

(12) Offerors shall list and separately identify, by proposed subcontractor, any and all estimated subcontract costs under CLIN X002 in Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8).

(13) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8) (under CLIN X002), for estimated subcontract labor costs, offerors shall submit a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each proposed subcontractor for each performance year:

a. Labor category

b. Estimated number of positions

c. Estimated number of hours per position

d. Estimated proposed subcontractor fully-loaded hourly labor rate per position

e. Offeror’s each applicable provisional billing rate description (e.g., G&A)

f. Offeror’s each applicable provisional billing rate (which shall match respective rate in Table 2)

g. Offeror’s each applicable provisional billing cost

h. Subtotal

(14) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8) (under CLIN X002), for estimated subcontract non-labor costs, offerors shall submit a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the same or similar information in Instructions 8-11 above, as applicable, for each proposed subcontractor for each performance year.

(15) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8) (under CLINs X001 and X002, as applicable), offerors shall identify the hours in excess of an average of 40 hours per week, by labor category at the same level of detail as compensated hours, and the uncompensated overtime rate per hour, whether at the prime or subcontract level, for any proposed hours against which an uncompensated overtime rate is applied [see FAR 52.237-10 (“Identification of Uncompensated Overtime”)]. This includes uncompensated overtime hours that are in indirect cost pools for personnel whose regular hours are normally charged direct.

(16) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall submit for CLIN X005 (Fixed Fee) a cost breakdown that, at a minimum, contains the following information for each performance year:

a. Total estimated direct costs

b. Total estimated indirect costs

c. Proposed fixed fee percentage

d. Subtotal

(17) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), under CLIN X005 (Fixed Fee), offerors shall not propose a fixed fee percentage that exceeds 10%, pursuant to the statutory limitation identified in FAR 15.404-4(c)(4)(i)(C).

(18) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors’ proposed applicable provisional billing rates shall match the respective proposed provisional billing rates in Pricing Table 2.

(19) In Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall show with formulas the arithmetic process by which they calculated their proposed costs and prices.

(20) In Pricing Table 8 and in Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall ensure that the estimated Subtotal costs match.

(21) In Pricing Table 8 and in Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall complete all applicable data cells.

(22) In Pricing Table 8 and in Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall not hide or lock any rows, columns, or cells that contain proposed data.

(23) In Pricing Table 8 and in Detail Pricing Table (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall propose all rates, costs, and prices in United States currency.

(24) In Afghanistan Task Order Narrative, offerors shall identify their proposed subcontractors, total dollars estimated to be subcontracted to each proposed subcontractor, and percentage of work (based on estimated total dollars) to be performed by the offeror and each proposed subcontractor. Offerors should review FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) prior to preparing their price proposals.

(25) In Afghanistan Task Order Pricing Narrative, offeros shall address the items under FAR 52.215-22(c)(2) and (3) (Limitations of Pass-Through Charges.).

(26) In Supporting Information (for Pricing Table 8), offerors, in accordance with FAR 15.404-3(b) (“Subcontract Pricing Considerations”), shall conduct appropriate cost or price analyses to establish the reasonableness of proposed subcontract prices, and shall include the results of these analyses. Results shall be in the form of the cost/price analysis report(s), which shall include: cost/price analysis technique(s) used (e.g., comparison of proposed prices received in response to the solicitation), summary findings, detailed findings, and basis for the determination of fair and reasonable proposed subcontract prices.

(27) In Supporting Information (for Pricing Table 8), offerors shall include a completed DOSAR 652.228-70 (Defense Base Act – Covered Contractor Employees).

Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) DBA Insurance Provisions and Clause

Offerors are advised that “task order” replaces “contract” in DOSAR 652.228-70.

DOSAR 652.228-70 Defense Base Act — Covered Contractor Employees

(a) Bidders/offerors shall indicate below whether or not any of the following categories of employees will be employed on the resultant contract, and, if so, the number of such employees:

(1) United States citizens or residents

(2) Individuals hired in the United States, regardless of citizenship

(3) Local nationals or third country nationals where contract performance takes place in a country where there are no local workers’ compensation laws

Local nationals: ________

Third country nationals:___

(4) Local nationals or third country nationals where performance takes place in a country where there are local worker’s compensation laws

Local nationals: _______

Third country nationals:___

(b) The contracting officer has determined that for performance in the country of Afghanistan:

( ) Workers’ compensation laws exist that will cover local nationals and third country nationals.

(X) Workers’ compensation laws do not exist that will cover local nationals and third country nationals.

(c) If the bidder/offeror has indicated “yes” in block (a)(4) of this provision, the bidder/offeror shall not purchase Defense Base Act insurance for those employees. However, the bidder/offeror shall assume liability toward the employees and their beneficiaries for war-hazard injury, death, capture, or detention, in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.228-4.

(d) If the bidder/offeror has indicated “yes” in blocks (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this provision, the bidder/offeror shall compute Defense Base Act insurance costs covering those employees pursuant to the terms of the contract between the Department of State and the Department’s Defense Base Act insurance carrier at the rates specified in DOSAR 652.228-74, Defense Base Act Insurance Rates — Limitation. If DOSAR provision 652.228-74 is not included in this solicitation, the bidder/offeror shall notify the contracting officer before the closing date so that the solicitation can be amended accordingly.

(End of provision)

DOSAR 652.228-71 Worker’s Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act) - Services

(a) This clause supplements FAR 52.228-3. For the purposes of this clause, “covered contractor employees” includes the following individuals:

(1) United States citizens or residents;

(2) Individuals hired in the United States or its possessions, regardless of citizenship; and

(3) Local nationals and third country nationals where contract performance takes place in a country where there are no local workers’ compensation laws.

(b) The Contractor shall procure Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance pursuant to the terms of the contract between the Department of State and the Department’s DBA insurance carrier for covered contractor employees, unless the Contractor has a DBA self-insurance program approved by the Department of Labor. The Contractor shall submit a copy of the Department of Labor’s approval to the contracting officer upon contract award, if applicable.

(c) The current rate under the Department of State contract is $3.60 per $100 of compensation for services.

(d) The Contractor shall insert a clause substantially the same as this in all subcontracts. The Contractor shall require that subcontractors insert a similar clause in any of their subcontracts.

(e) Should the rates for DBA insurance coverage increase or decrease during the performance of this contract, the contracting officer shall modify this contract accordingly.

(f) The Contractor shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the contracting officer that the equitable adjustment as a result of the insurance increase or decrease does not include any reserve for such insurance. Adjustment shall not include any overhead, profit, general and administrative expenses, etc.

(g)(1) Section 16 of the State Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2680a), as amended, provides that the Defense Base Act shall not apply with respect to such contracts as the Secretary of State determines are contracts with persons employed to perform work for the Department of State on an intermittent basis for not more than 90 days in a calendar year. “Persons” includes individuals hired by companies under contract with the Department. The Procurement Executive has the authority to issue the waivers for Contractor employees who work on an intermittent or short-term basis.

(2) The Contractor shall submit waiver requests to the contracting officer. The request shall contain the following information:

(i) Contract number;

(ii) Name of Contractor;

(iii) Brief description of the services to be provided under the contract and country of performance;

(iv) Name and position title of individual(s);

(v) Nationality of individual(s) (must be U.S. citizen or U.S. resident);

(vi) Dates (or timeframe) of performance at the overseas location; and,

(vii) Evidence of alternative workers’ compensation coverage for these employees (e.g., evidence that the State workers’ compensation program covers workers on short-term foreign assignments).

(3) The contracting officer shall provide to the Contractor the original of the approved or disapproved document and maintain a copy in the contract file.

(End of clause)

DOSAR 652.228-74 Defense Base Act Insurance Rates - Limitation.

(a) The Department of State has entered into a contract with an insurance carrier to provide Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance to Department of State covered contractor employees at a contracted rate. For the purposes of this provision, “covered contractor employees” includes the following individuals:

(1) United States citizens or residents;

(2) Individuals hired in the United States or its possessions, regardless of citizenship; and

(3) Local nationals and third country nationals where contract performance takes place in a country where there are no local workers’ compensation laws.

(b) In preparing the cost proposal, the bidder/offeror shall use the following rates in computing the cost for DBA insurance:

Services @ $3.60 per $100 of compensation; or

Construction @ $4.95 per $100 of compensation.

(c) Bidders/Offerors shall compute the total compensation (direct salary plus differential, but excluding per diem, housing allowance and other miscellaneous allowances) to be paid to covered contractor employees and the cost of DBA insurance in their bid/proposal using the foregoing rate. Bidders/offerors shall include the estimated DBA insurance costs in their proposed fixed price or estimated cost. However, the DBA insurance costs shall be identified in a separate line item in the bid/proposal.

(End of provision)

DBA Insurance Rates

The following DBA Insurance rates are effective July 22, 2010 through July 21, 2011, and shall be used in the proposal for all periods of performance:

FAR 52.215-22 Limitations On Pass-Through Charges—Identification Of Subcontract Effort (Oct 2009)

(a) Definitions. Added value, excessive pass-through charge, subcontract, and subcontractor, as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Limitations on Pass-Through Charges” (FAR 52.215-23).

(b) General. The offeror’s proposal shall exclude excessive pass-through charges.

(c) Performance of work by the Contractor or a subcontractor.

(1) The offeror shall identify in its proposal the total cost of the work to be performed by the offeror, and the total cost of the work to be performed by each subcontractor, under the contract, task order, or delivery order.

(2) If the offeror intends to subcontract more than 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, task order, or delivery order, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—

(i) The amount of the offeror’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s); and

(ii) A description of the added value provided by the offeror as related to the work to be performed by the subcontractor(s).

(3) If any subcontractor proposed under the contract, task order, or delivery order intends to subcontract to a lower-tier subcontractor more than 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under its subcontract, the offeror shall identify in its proposal—

(i) The amount of the subcontractor’s indirect costs and profit/fee applicable to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s); and

(ii) A description of the added value provided by the subcontractor as related to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s).

(End of provision)

Instructions related to this provision are conveyed in Items 24 and 25 above.

FAR 52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges (Oct 2009)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

“Added value” means that the Contractor performs subcontract management functions that the Contracting Officer determines are a benefit to the Government (e.g., processing orders of parts or services, maintaining inventory, reducing delivery lead times, managing multiple sources for contract requirements, coordinating deliveries, performing quality assurance functions).

“Excessive pass-through charge”, with respect to a Contractor or subcontractor that adds no or negligible value to a contract or subcontract, means a charge to the Government by the Contractor or subcontractor that is for indirect costs or profit/fee on work performed by a subcontractor (other than charges for the costs of managing subcontracts and any applicable indirect costs and associated profit/fee based on such costs).

“No or negligible value” means the Contractor or subcontractor cannot demonstrate to the Contracting Officer that its effort added value to the contract or subcontract in accomplishing the work performed under the contract (including task or delivery orders).

“Subcontract” means any contract, as defined in FAR 2.101, entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of the contract or a subcontract. It includes but is not limited to purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchase orders.

“Subcontractor”, as defined in FAR 44.101, means any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime Contractor or another subcontractor.

(b) General. The Government will not pay excessive pass-through charges. The Contracting Officer shall determine if excessive pass-through charges exist.

(c) Reporting. Required reporting of performance of work by the Contractor or a subcontractor. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing if—

(1) The Contractor changes the amount of subcontract effort after award such that it exceeds 70 percent of the total cost of work to be performed under the contract, task order, or delivery order. The notification shall identify the revised cost of the subcontract effort and shall include verification that the Contractor will provide added value; or

(2) Any subcontractor changes the amount of lower-tier subcontractor effort after award such that it exceeds 70 percent of the total cost of the work to be performed under its subcontract. The notification shall identify the revised cost of the subcontract effort and shall include verification that the subcontractor will provide added value as related to the work to be performed by the lower-tier subcontractor(s).

(d) Recovery of excessive pass-through charges. If the Contracting Officer determines that excessive pass-through charges exist;

(1) For other than fixed-price contracts, the excessive pass-through charges are unallowable in accordance with the provisions in FAR subpart 31.2; and

(2) For applicable DoD fixed-price contracts, as identified in 15.408(n)(2)(i)(B), the Government shall be entitled to a price reduction for the amount of excessive pass-through charges included in the contract price.

(e) Access to records.

(1) The Contracting Officer, or authorized representative, shall have the right to examine and audit all the Contractor’s records (as defined at FAR 52.215-2(a)) necessary to determine whether the Contractor proposed, billed, or claimed excessive pass-through charges.

(2) For those subcontracts to which paragraph (f) of this clause applies, the Contracting Officer, or authorized representative, shall have the right to examine and audit all the subcontractor’s records (as defined at FAR 52.215-2(a)) necessary to determine whether the subcontractor proposed, billed, or claimed excessive pass-through charges.

(f) Flowdown. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in all cost-reimbursement subcontracts under this contract that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, except if the contract is with DoD, then insert in all cost-reimbursement subcontracts and fixed-price subcontracts, except those identified in 15.408(n)(2)(i)(B)(2), that exceed the threshold for obtaining cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.403-4.

(End of clause)

Volume 2 – Technical Proposal: The Contractor shall describe his unique approach for fulfilling the requirements of the statement of objectives. The response should clearly outline your time phased schedule and plan for achieving them. A detailed matrix shall be included showing proposed key personnel (with names if known), clearly defined lines of authority, and proposed team members, if any. The proposal shall be clear, concise and in sufficient detail to allow for effective evaluation and provide convincing rationale to address how you intends to satisfy the specific requirements. Provide rationale to support your proposed approach and any tradeoffs made. The page limit for the Technical portion of your proposal shall not exceed 5 pages. Resumes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), security plans or similar documents shall not be included in the page count. (Note: Resumes are required but SOPs, etc if already submitted need not be resubmitted unless significantly changed.) It is anticipated that the Contractors proposal shall be incorporated into any Task Order award.

Place for Proposal Delivery: Each volume shall be submitted in a separate file and sent to the Contracting Officer. (See Section L-2, Table I for further instructions.)

Due Date: 12:00 noon EDT on Same as Solicitation SAQMMA11R0085 due date for proposal volumes 1 through 4 All questions pertaining to this solicitation shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer in writing via email. To ensure enough time to respond to all inquiries received, please submit your questions no later than 12:00 noon EDT on April 15, 2011. Contract Specialist Reginald Smith, smithre4@state.gov and Contracting Officer Deborah Koplen, koplendj@state.gov will be the Department of State’s only points of contact for this solicitation. No other Department personnel may be contacted regarding this requirement unless specifically authorized by them. Engaging in communications with any other Department of State personnel regarding this requirement may result in disqualification of your proposal.

SECTION M - EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used in evaluating proposals

Volume 1 – Price Evaluation The principal basis for evaluating price as a factor for Afghanistan task order award under this Afghanistan task order solicitation will be an evaluation of the offerors’ respective proposed Grand Total prices submitted in Pricing Table 8.

The Government will conduct an evaluation to determine ultimately that the final agreed-to price is fair and reasonable. In doing so, the Government will examine the completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness of the offerors’ proposed prices in Pricing Table 8.

The Government will use one or more of the proposal analysis techniques stipulated in FAR 15.404 to conduct the price evaluation.

The Government will not evaluate the proposed prices in Pricing Tables 6 and 7 as part of its selection process for Afghanistan task order award; it will evaluate these proposed prices as part of its selection process for contract award.

Volume 2 – Technical Evaluation:

The Contractors ability to perform the requirements of the statement of objectives will be evaluated. This shall include his knowledge, experience and understanding of the effort required, the reasonableness and realism of his time phased schedule and approach, the quality and adequacy of personnel and resources, the competent management of same, and degree of risk associated with the probability of achieving success.

Relative Order of Importance:

Technical merit is significantly more important than cost. However, as technical merit of proposals becomes more equal, cost/price becomes a more important factor.