SOW.docx

SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION: RESEARCH ON The Impact of Credit Scoring on Small Firms

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested from this document and a written solicitation shall NOT be issued. The NAICS is 541720 and the small business size standard is $19.0 million. This is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation number is SBAHQ-12-Q-0044. FAR 15 is not applicable to this procurement. This solicitation shall be a small business set-aside. This document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-58 (May 18, 2012). Registration in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) http://www.ccr.gov/ and DUNS number shall be required for award, in addition to ORCA registration and certification.

Location of Work: To be completed by the contractor off-site (not at SBA headquarters)

Time to Complete the Work: Not more than one year from the date of award

Clearance Required: None

1. Introduction The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, including past research projects, see http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847.

2. Background Historically, small businesses have faced difficulties accessing funding when compared with their counterparts - larger firms. Previous research has shown that small firms are bank-dependent since they lack access to public capital markets. Because of their size, lenders have had difficulty determining the creditworthiness of small firms as these firms are informationally opaque. In order to alleviate this information problem, small firms have resorted to relationship lending. The advent of credit scoring threatened to eliminate or reduce relationship lending for small businesses. However, since small businesses are diverse, it is worth knowing whether credit scoring has created disparity among small and demographically-owned firms.

3. Scope

The Office of Advocacy is seeking proposals from researchers that will assess the effect of credit scoring on the ability of small businesses to borrow. More specifically, researchers shall address how women and minority-owned businesses’ ability to access capital is affected by credit scoring. The research shall review developments in small business credit markets, and address policy issues regarding small business borrowing. The Office of Advocacy encourages the researcher to use existing comprehensive databases to add to the knowledge base on financing to small businesses as well as disadvantaged firms. Empirical analysis that employs novel data sources or that utilizes data in an innovative way will be rated higher technically above other methodologies.

4. Applicable Directives

Other information of relevance when submitting your response:

· Research shall include a review of the literature, establish a set of hypotheses to be tested, describe the model, and describe the data to test the model, show the policy relevance of the research, list a timeline and provide cost information.

· Some data sources require special access due to privacy concerns. Quoters shall sufficiently show how they would gain access to such data if they were to be awarded a contract. If applicable, the cost of acquiring or using any databases or data lists shall be included.

· Quotes that include uses of additional survey(s) for information shall demonstrate familiarity with survey procedures, provide the source for respondents, provide collection details and provide realistic estimates of the response rates. Quotes suggesting surveys shall include the survey approval process in the timeline as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act’s clearance process within the Office of Management and Budget. Surveys are not preferred over using existing data, as they can place a burden on small businesses, but we recognize that on occasion they are necessary.

· Previously completed research funded by the Office of Advocacy can give researchers perspective when creating responses. See http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847.

· Responses shall be no longer than 25 pages, not including company credentials and references.

5. Performance Requirements

The methodology and hypotheses put forth in the technical response, which shall clearly show how the research will be conducted, are binding, and shall be an integral part of the final report. The analysis shall fully document the issues related to small business and innovation, job growth, and green entrepreneurship. Factors that will favorably impact the ratings of the response include: soundness of methodology, demonstrated knowledge of the covered literature, familiarity with small business research, novelty of the ideas put forth, and quality and use of data. See the “Background” and “Scope” sections above for further expectations for this research.

The final product shall contain a thorough review of the literature, discussion of the data and findings, and overall conclusions. While the report should have policy relevance, the authors are not expected to make specific policy recommendations. For other details on the final product, see the “Deliverables” and “Performance Requirement Summary” sections that follow.

6. Deliverables

7. Performance Requirement Summary

Contractors shall adhere to the following when submitting drafts and the final report, with the final version completed and accepted not more than one year from the date of award:

· Successful contractor shall work with the contracting officer’s representative (COR) to give periodic written updates. All preliminary drafts of the final report shall be clearly marked “draft.” In addition, a progress report covering the time frame of the invoice shall accompany each invoice.

· The final report shall be thoroughly edited and of high quality before submission to the COR. All research and data projects are subject to the Office of Management and Budget data quality and peer review guidelines. Feedback from this process shall be incorporated into subsequent drafts before the report can be finalized for release.

· The final report shall contain an executive summary and table of contents. It shall conform with the current version of one of the major style guides, such as the University of Chicago Manual of Style or the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual, in terms of grammar, style, and organization. In particular, each table and figure shall have a source specified on the page; references, footnotes and bibliographies shall be formatted consistent with a major style guide; and all pages shall have page numbers, including tables and figures.

· All government agency websites are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Section 508 of the ADA’s 1998 amendments requires the electronic documents posted by Federal agencies to be accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities to the extent that it does not pose an “undue burden.” To comply with this mandate, the final report shall be formatted according to the Office of Advocacy’s guidelines to achieve 508 compatibility, with these guidelines provided by the COR at the time of the award. Per the guidelines, written descriptions of all figures and charts in the final report shall be provided in a separate document.

· The contractor shall provide the Office of Advocacy with an electronic version of the study within twelve months from the contract start date. The final report shall be double-spaced. The format of the electronic version shall be a native word processing software format. An Acrobat (PDF) file is not acceptable. All tables, graphics, and charts shall be supplied in an editable software format. The type used in the document shall be no smaller than 12 point for manuscript text; 10 point for tables, graphics and charts; and 9 point for footnotes.

· The Office of Advocacy will prepare a cover page carrying the following disclaimer, "The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations found in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Advocacy, the United States Small Business Administration, or the United States Government.”

· Following approval and acceptance of the final report, the Office of Advocacy will assign a date for public release of the report. Upon release, an electronic final report, along with an Office of Advocacy-prepared research summary, will be posted on Advocacy's web site, http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847, and the report also will be available for sale at cost through the National Technical Information Service.

· The definition of small businesses shall be the same as used by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Size Standards.

· The Office of Advocacy encourages contractors to publish their findings in professional journals, if possible, but they can do so only after completing the contract. They shall also give appropriate citation to the Office of Advocacy for sponsoring the research and reference the SBA contract number.

8. Evaluation Factors

The contractor shall submit a technical response defining the scope of work, cost, and resources necessary to execute the work to be performed under this contract in accordance with FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, which follows:

52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Jan 1999)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation if the response is advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used in evaluation:

A. Quality of the technical response and turnaround time; its clarity and demonstrated ability to perform the research in a timely manner.

Evaluation shall assess the detailed technical description of how all the required work will be accomplished. This will include evaluation of the literature review, data sources, and methodologies proposed for analysis and their appropriateness to the overall research being conducted relevant to the Statement of Work. In addition, the project timeline will be assessed to assure that the research report is completed in a timely manner and consistent with the methodologies prescribed in the response. Researchers whose submissions include surveys shall be mindful of the Paperwork Reduction Act and OMB clearance. For a good or excellent evaluation, the quoter shall show the ability to accomplish the desired results and demonstrate the quality of work in providing services in a timely fashion.

The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information:

Excellent - Based on the technical approach, no doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a complete understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Good - Based on the technical approach, little doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows an acceptable understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Marginal - Based on the technical approach, some doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a marginal understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

Poor - Based on the technical approach, serious doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach demonstrates significant deficiencies in understanding and implementing performance of the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified.

B. Researcher qualifications, experience (including past performance), if applicable, and knowledge of literature in this field.

The evaluation will be based on the information obtained in the response and, when necessary, from other references provided by the quoter. It will also look at other relevant past performance information. The evaluation will consider: (1) the qualifications of the researcher(s) relevant to the analysis being performed in the quote and (2) knowledge and previous experience in researching the topic as stated in the Statement of Work.

The Government will assess the relevant risks associated with each quote to determine technical acceptance. Performance risks are those associated with the likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that quoter’s record of past performance and knowledge and experience of the research in the fields relevant to this Statement of Work.

For those quoters who have contractual prior experiences, the Government will focus on the past performance as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule and performance, including standards of good workmanship; adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the contractor’s reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and generally, the contractor’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The Government will consider the number or severity of problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the contractor’s overall work record, and the age and relevance of past performance information.

The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information:

Excellent - Based on the past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, no doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Good - Based on the past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, little doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Marginal - Based on the past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, some doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

Poor - Based on the past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, serious doubt exists that the quoter will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work.

C. Probability that this research will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood.

The evaluation will assess the quality of the response based on its overall potential contribution to the literature in terms of innovativeness or furthering the debate.

The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information:

Excellent - Based on the response, no doubt exists that the quoter will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood.

Good - Based on the response, little doubt exists that the quoter will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood.

Marginal - Based on the response, some doubt exists that the quoter will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood.

Poor - Based on the response, serious doubt exists that quoter will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood.

D. Cost/Price

AWARD DETERMINATION:

Award shall be based on best value, or the determination of whether the difference in the non-price factors is worth the difference in price. The “best value tradeoff process” permits tradeoffs among cost or price and non-cost (technical) factors and allows the Government to accept other than the lowest priced quote or other than the highest technically rated quote. The Government will select the quote that represents the best value based on the evaluation of both price and technical factors as specified. Award shall be made to that quoter whose technical/cost relationship is the most advantageous to the government. Award may be made without further information requested by the government. Quotes should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint, which the contractor can offer to the government.

A written notice of award or acceptance of a quote, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful quoter within the time for acceptance specified in the quote, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the quote’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept a quote (or part of a quote), whether or not there are clarifications after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

Depending on technical merit, policy relevance and costs, the government reserves the right to award more than one contract under this solicitation.

Please contact Barbara Hayden, barbara.hayden@sba.gov, 303-844-7218, with any questions concerning this solicitation.

All quotes shall be submitted by 2:00 PM Mountain Standard Time on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 to the following address: Small Business Administration, Attn: Barbara Hayden, Contracting—2nd Floor, Denver Finance Center, 721 19th Street, Denver CO 80202.

Quoters shall furnish the company name, DUNS number, TIN Number, address, phone and fax number, email address, and official point of contact with their response.

PROVISIONS/CLAUSES:

52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 2012) (By Reference) applies to this acquisition.

52.212-2, EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999). Quotes shall be evaluated in accordance with the criteria shown above.

52.212-3, OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2012)

An offeror shall complete only paragraphs (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certificates electronically via https://www.acquisition.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (o) of this provision. A COMPLETED COPY SHALL BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR RESPONSE.

52.212-4, CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (FEB 2012) (By Reference) applies to this acquisition.

52.212-5 – CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS (May 2012)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Feb 2012) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(2) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’ Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(3) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

(4) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

(5) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

(6) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

(7) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

(8) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(9) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(10) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(11) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011).

(12) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Dec 2010) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(iii) [Reserved]

(iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

(v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(vii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, (Nov 2007), (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009).

(xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

52.222-49 -- Service Contract Act -- Place of Performance Unknown (May 1989)

(a) This contract is subject to the Service Contract Act, and the place of performance was unknown when the solicitation was issued. In addition to places or areas identified in wage determinations, if any, attached to the solicitation, wage determinations have also been requested for the following: NOT APPLICABLE. The Contracting Officer will request wage determinations for additional places or areas of performance if asked to do so in writing no later than 5 days before due date of quote.

(b) Offerors who intend to perform in a place or area of performance for which a wage determination has not been attached or requested may nevertheless submit bids or proposals. However, a wage determination shall be requested and incorporated in the resultant contract retroactive to the date of contract award, and there shall be no adjustment in the contract price.

END OF COMBINED SYNOPSIS SOLICITATION.