Solicitation RFP.docx

COMBINED SYNOPSIS AND SOLICITATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) 47QACA26R0295:

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Offers are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 47QACA26R0295 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP), for The Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) is seeking the services of contractors to create new Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs). These clusters will involve public-private partnerships that align federal, state, and local resources with regional strengths to catalyze technology innovation and economic growth opportunities in communities both within the region and beyond. Federal resources include funding and support direct to small businesses and those that encourage the development of innovation and entrepreneur ecosystems.

This acquisition is not set-aside for small business concerns. This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

The solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect the date of posting and are provided in Attachment 1. Please note that GSA is using overhauled FAR parts from the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) in accordance with GSA deviations

The Product Service Code (PSC) R499 Other Professional Services and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code NAICS 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Size Standard: $19.5 Million are applicable to this requirement.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) contemplates multiple single-award, firm-fixed price awards. The applicable categorization for this procurement is under NAICS 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; PSC Code R499 Other Professional Services. FAR clauses and provisions enclosed within this RFP are those in effect and are available in full text through Internet access at https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide.

This is full and open competition for all non-profit and for-profit firms with an active SAM.gov registration eligible for federal contracts at the closing date and time listed in this RFP. If your firm is interested in this acquisition, you may participate by submitting your response in accordance with the requirements and instructions contained herein. The Government is not liable for any expenses incurred by the offeror in developing and submitting proposals for this RFP.

RFP QUESTIONS

Offerors shall submit all technical questions concerning this request for proposal in writing by e-mail to george.pollock@gsa.gov. All questions must be submitted via email and received no later than 9 am Eastern Standard Time on 8/7/2026. Answers will be provided in the form of an amendment and posted in SAM.gov for all vendors to view.

RFP DUE DATE

The due date for response to this RFP at the addresses specified below is on or before August 24, 2026 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Government reserves the right to not accept proposals received after the closing date and time. It is the responsibility of the offeror to provide a timely submission and ensure successful delivery to the Government. Required technical and price proposal volumes must be submitted via e-mail directly to george.pollock@gsa.gov.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRACTORS – SEE RFO FAR 52.212-1

In order to participate in this acquisition, each offeror must submit a proposal with the services and prices related to the requirements identified herein.

The proposal must also contain the following:

Your proposal may be considered non-responsive and will be rejected without further consideration for failure to submit all required information requested in this RFP.

Offerors shall have an active SAM registration at the closing date and time of this RFP, have a complete copy of their representations and certifications in SAM.gov, and shall indicate as such in their proposal.

ANTICIPATED AWARD TYPE

The SBA contemplates awarding up to 10 multiple, single-award, firm-fixed price contracts for regional innovation clusters as a result of this Request for Proposal (RFP). The number of the awards will depend upon SBA’s funding for this initiative. The estimated price range for each single award is $600,000.00 to $1,000,000.00.

BASIS FOR AWARD

Awards will be made based on the best value that meets the objectives requested in the Statement of Objectives (SOO) as it relates to this RFP and contained in Attachment 2. Vendors are required to choose only one Industry of Interest as listed in the SOO. Vendors shall define the single geographic area they will support with their proposal cluster. The Government intends to evaluate proposals and make awards without discussions. Therefore, each proposal should be submitted on the most favorable terms from a price and technical standpoint.

The Government expects that the proposal received in response to this solicitation will result and be formatted to represent the Performance Work Statement (PWS) that will guide performance, should an award be made to your firm. The format of your PWS should identify the selections of pages (not to exceed the limits provided herein) that represent the content to be reviewed as responsive to each evaluation step.

The Government will make awards based on best value to responsible vendors using a 3-Step evaluation process. This analysis will consider the relative importance of price and non-price factors. Best value means that the Government reserves the right to select other than the lowest-priced proposal, if a higher-priced proposal is deemed to provide superior overall value based on the evaluation criteria below.

Proposals will be evaluated and receive an adjectival rating based on the demonstration of the region’s competitive advantage, planned small business support in their designated industry, and capability to create and expand the cluster network in their designated industry as described in the SOO. Only those proposals receiving an overall Medium or High Confidence rating from Step 1 will move forward to Step 2 of the evaluation process. Only those receiving an overall Medium or High Confidence rating from Step 2 will move forward to Step 3 of the evaluation process. Only those receiving an overall Medium or High Confidence rating from Step 3 will move forward to price evaluation of the evaluation process. Those vendors receiving an overall low confidence rating for Step 1 will not be further evaluated. Those vendors receiving an overall low confidence rating for Step 2 will not be further evaluated. Those vendors receiving a low confidence rating for Step 3 will not be further evaluated.

Step 1 and 2 are equally weighted but more important than Step 3 past performance/prior experience. Past performance/prior experience is more important than price. All non-price factors, when combined, are more important than price.

No revisions or modifications to your quotation will be accepted after the due date for proposals.

Adjectival Rating Scale:

High Confidence:

The Government has high confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach that is responsive to all elements of the performance work statement with high level of detail and clarity, includes its proposed cluster qualifications and staffing plan, and will be successful in performing the contract with little or no Government intervention.

Medium Confidence:

The Government has medium confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach that is responsive to all or majority of elements of the performance work statement, includes its proposed cluster qualifications and staffing plan, and will be successful in performing the contract with medium Government intervention.

Low Confidence:

The Government has low confidence that the Offeror understands the requirement because the offeror is not responsive to all elements of the performance work statement and therefore does not propose a sound approach and would not be successful in performing the contract even with Government intervention.

Neutral Confidence:

(Only applicable for Past Performance/Prior Experience) No recent/relevant performance record is available, or the offeror’s performance record is so sparse that no meaningful confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned.

For the purpose of step 3 Past Performance/Prior Experience only, Neutral confidence ratings will also be allowed to move into the Price evaluation stage.

Step 1: Maintenance of Cluster Network in Specified Industry and Small Business Support Service Delivery:

In Step 1, Offerors shall respond to all sections and requirements listed under the Maintenance of Cluster Network in a Specific Industry and Small Business Support Service Delivery sections in the SOO.

Offerors shall identify their region of service, down to the county level, and industry supported by the proposed cluster. SBA is interested in proposals that: (a) demonstrate strong regional, bottom-up support to small businesses; (b) are market-driven; (c) comply with administration priorities; (d) can reshore critical industrial and manufacturing capabilities; and (e) demonstrate high potential for success and sustainability.

Offerors shall describe how their designated region is able to support the growth of the specific industry and to build, maintain, and represent a regional cluster. Offerors should describe the existing assets, resources, and capabilities of the region and qualitative and quantitative metrics of interest to describe why the designated region has the capacity to support growth in the specified industry. Offerors should identify any gaps in the existing assets, resources, and capabilities of the region and how the cluster will address and/ or fill those gaps.

Offerors shall demonstrate the cluster’s historical and existing partnerships, or ability to develop partnerships between business and industry groups, economic development organizations, federal and state resources, entrepreneurial development programs, and training initiatives reflecting an industry-specific focus and collaboration, and experience/ability to convene, coordinate, and represent the identified cluster participants. This includes partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to small businesses, other than small businesses, industry groups, local colleges and universities, government or independent research centers, capital providers – banks, private investors, angel investors – entrepreneur support organizations, non-profits, and local, state, and federal entities. While each regional cluster is unique in size and services, demonstration to have and maintain successful and continued partnerships within the designated region is an integral cluster qualification.

Offerors shall identify whether the proposed regional cluster is currently being supported as the prime awardee or sub awardee on any active federal awards.

Offerors will be evaluated based on the level of confidence the Government has on the Offerors ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be performed; how Offerors will meet the technical requirements of the SOO; and thoroughness of the PWS for these technical categories. Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence rated quotations from Step 1 will move forward to Step 2 of the evaluation process.

Table 1: The following Documents are Required to be submitted as Appendix A. The information can be consolidated into one document that is inclusive of all the requirements listed below.

Required Documents and Information of Offeror

1. List of cluster partners and stakeholders and any Memorandums of Understanding or formal agreements

Step 2 Cluster Management and Oversight & Report Development: Each Offeror who passed Step 1 will then be evaluated on their capability to manage the cluster and provide reports. In Step 2, Offerors shall respond to all sections and requirements listed under the Cluster Management and Oversight & Report/Metrics Development in the SOO.

Offerors shall describe how their organization and staffing plan are uniquely suited to deliver on the proposed small business support and creation of the cluster network proposed in Step 1. Offerors shall describe their organizational history, including year founded, organization’s structure, staffing plan, project management process, including staff and any specific project management tools utilized, CRM system used, and processes to address project delays and unanticipated risks.

The offeror shall describe how they will reach and onboard new members – both partner organizations and small businesses – into the cluster and provide ongoing engagement. Offeror shall describe current partnerships and work with small businesses, SBA resource partners, and economic development partners not funded by SBA.

Offerors shall also describe their ability to collect and maintain the required information related to cluster membership, quarterly reports, and annual reports. Offerors shall describe their ability to meet all required quarterly and annual reporting deadlines and provide quarterly and annual reports to SBA via excel, PDF, or online form completion.

Offerors will be evaluated based on the level of confidence the Government has on the Offerors’ ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be performed; how Offerors will meet the technical requirements of the SOO; and thoroughness of the PWS for these technical categories. The same adjectival ratings as listed above will be applied to this portion of evaluation.

Table 2: The following Documents are Required to be submitted as Appendix B. The information can be consolidated into one document that is inclusive of all the requirements listed below.

Required Documents and Information of Offeror

1.Outline of management and governance structure

2. Staffing Plan

3. Resumes of individuals included in staffing plan; if a position on the staffing plan is not currently filled, include proposed position description

Only those receiving Medium or High Confidence rated quotations from Step 2 will move forward to Step 3 of the evaluation process.

Step 3 Past Performance/Prior Experience:

Each offeror who passed Step 2 will then be evaluated on the offeror’s past performance and prior experience. Offerors shall identify at least three (3) contracts or projects for the same or similar services started or completed within two (2) years from the closing date of this solicitation. For each past performance/prior experience reference, Offerors shall complete Attachment 3 Past Performance-Prior Experience Information. The Offeror shall identify if it was the prime contractor or a subcontractor for each contract or project identified.

Offerors shall address the recency and relevancy of their demonstrated prior experience/past performance in contracts or projects for federal agencies and/or private organizations in terms of type, quality, and complexity of work performed, and compliance with performance schedules. The offeror may also include projects that were grants or cooperative agreements.

The Government reserves the right to contact customers identified in the proposal and solicit further information about performance in regard to quality, timeliness, cost, and business relationship. The accuracy of past performance data, including phone numbers of the points of contact are the full responsibility of the Offeror and inaccuracy may result in non-consideration of the reference. Other related past performance information may be sought and used for evaluating completeness and accuracy of the Offeror’s proposals. Past performance information may be obtained from a variety of sources including other government agencies as well as, but not limited to, CPARS.gov.

The Government reserves the right to administrative clarifications, if necessary, to finalize awards.

*Partial proposals will not be accepted, and all proposals submitted shall include all line items contained in this RFP to be considered for award. Please do not simply restate the SOO in your offer.

**All Offerors are responsible for submitting well written proposals, with adequate detailed information which clearly demonstrates compliance with the solicitation and allows meaningful review by GSA.

***It is imperative that offerors thoroughly read and understand the SOO when preparing and submitting proposals. Proposals that merely restate the Government’s requirements or offer to conduct a program in accordance with the Government’s requirements without going into further detail will not be considered acceptable and will not be further evaluated. Similarly, over-generalizations and phrases such as “standard procedures will be employed” or “well-known techniques will be used” are also not acceptable.

PRICE PROPOSAL

The offeror is expected to propose a reasonable price. The offeror’s price proposal will be evaluated to determine fair and reasonableness.

Offerors shall submit pricing in accordance with the pricing schedule template in Attachment 4. The resultant contract(s) will be firm-fixed for 2 years. Offerors shall identify all proposed costs for all years to include labor categories, labor rates, number of hours, other direct costs (i.e. travel, subcontractor costs), etc. Offerors are responsible for quoting Other Direct Costs (ODCs) that are applicable to their proposed approach. Offerors shall include anticipated number of hours of small business support for each period of performance. Offerors shall include any and all assumptions made in the development of its price quotation. These assumptions, while they will not be used for pricing evaluation, they will be used to determine fair and reasonableness.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 Provision/Clause Package Attachment 2 Statement of Objectives Attachment 3 Prior Experience Questionnaire (3 questionnaires must be completed and returned with your proposal) Attachment 4 Price Schedule (Must be completed and returned with your quotation) Attachment 5 QASP Attachment 6 Sample Format PWS