Solicitation - Section L Instructions to Offerors Draft.docx

Section L – INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

L.1 PROPSAL DUE DATE

THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL RFP

L.2 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Organization/Number of Copies/Page Limits

The Offeror shall prepare the proposal as set forth in Table 1: Proposal Organization Table below. The titles and contents of the volumes shall be defined in this table, all of which shall be within the required page limits as specified within the Proposal Organization table.

The Offeror shall submit two (2) digital copies of the proposal, per company (one (1) company shall be redacted). Do NOT submit more than one (1) proposal per company. Volume I responses shall be singled spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font.

L.2.1 PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION. The Offeror shall organize the proposal as set forth in the Proposal Organization table below. The titles, contents of the volumes, page limits and number of copies shall be as follows:

Table 1: Proposal Organization Table

N/A

N/A

L.2.2 PROPOSAL FORMAT. The following format restrictions shall apply to Offeror’s Initial Proposal:

a. All volumes shall be developed in Microsoft Word and Excel (version Office 2010 or higher – may be converted to PDF). No other file formats will be considered. Do not use file compression utilities (such as WinZIP, WinRAR, 7-Zip, or others) for submission.

b. Pages shall be 8.5 by 11 inches, not including tables, charts, graphs, and figures (see L.6.5.1).

c. Text size shall be no smaller than Microsoft Word, Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point, uncompressed font. Text size for any tables, charts, graphs, or figures shall be no smaller than 8-point font and may be landscape.

d. Line spacing shall be singled spaced, with a minimum of one (1) inch margins on all sides. Proprietary statements, security marking, and page numbers may fall within the defined margin area.

e. Pages shall be dated and numbered sequentially by volume.

f. A cover sheet should be included in each volume, clearly marked as to the volume number, title, solicitation identification, and the Offeror’s name.

g. Electronic copies must be provided via E-mail to the Government POC identified in L.4.1.14. IAW Block 9 of the SF33. Proposals must be received in the POC’s inbox by the date and time specified in Block 9 (NOTE: E-mail is not instantaneous. Allow sufficient time when submitting proposals to pass any potential firewalls. Waiting until the deadline increases the risk of late receipt of proposals). Any proposal received after the exact time specified for receipt of proposals is late and will not be considered.

Proposals may be submitted directly to the Government POC’s e-mail identified in L.4.1.14 or utilizing Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE): https://piee.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/home/login.xhtml.

h. Elaborate format and color representations are not desirable.

L.2.3 PAGE LIMITATIONS. Compliance with page count limits will be verified. If exceeded, pages above the limitations will not be read or evaluated, instead, such additional pages will be deleted/removed from the proposal.

L.2.4 PAGES COUNTED. Each page shall be counted except the following:

1) Organizational Structure/Change History;

2) Cover pages;

3) Title pages;

4) Table of contents;

5) Lists of tables and drawings;

6) Glossaries of all abbreviations and acronyms;

7) Cross-reference matrix; and

8) Blank pages

L.2.5 INDEXING. Each volume shall contain a table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume.

L.2.5.1 Legible tables, charts, graphs, and figures may be used wherever practical. These displays shall be uncomplicated. For tables, charts, graphs, and figures, the font shall be no smaller than 8 font size, may be landscaped, and Times New Roman or Arial.

L.2.6 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, and an explanation for each.

L.3 VOLUME I – GENERAL

L.3.1 SECTION I – COMPANY INFORMATION

Offerors shall complete the requested information in this section per the Government instructions.

L.3.2 SECTION II – NARRATIVE SUMMARY

Offerors shall include a narrative summary of the entire proposal that is concise, to include addressing significant risks and highlighting key or unique features, excluding cost/price. The narrative shall relate and identify, which evaluation factors are being addressed in the summary. Any material presented is considered a summary narrative and as a standalone section or subsection will not meet the requirements for any portions of other volumes of the proposal. All evaluation factors must be met independent of the narrative summary.

L.3.3 SECTION III – ENTRY GATE CRITERIA

L.3.3.1 Step One: Gate One: U.S. Owned Entity. Offerors shall provide a written statement explicitly stating they are wholly owned and controlled U.S. entity. If an Offeror is a foreign-owned or foreign-influenced company and has been granted a National Interest Determination (NID), the Offeror shall submit a copy of the NID. If NID submission is required, additional NID documentation will not count against the Section III page limit requirement.

L.3.3.2 Step Two: Gate Two: Facility Clearance Gate. Offerors shall provide a written statement demonstrating the Offeror is currently approved for a Facility Clearance (FCL) at the minimum of the Top-Secret Level. The Offeror must provide their company name and primary CAGE Code for the government to verify in the National Industrial Security System database (NISS) showing that they possess and active Top-Secret FCL and documentation safeguarding at the time of proposal submission. To be eligible as a Joint Venture (JV) Offeror, either (1) the JV Offeror must possess a Top-Secret FCL at the time of proposal submission or (2) each of the entities that make up the JV must individually possess the Top-Secret FCL at the time of proposal submission. JV itself must be processed for a FCL, even if all JV partners are cleared. The JV must be issued the requisite FCL prior to contract performance.

The Government will validate the FCL in the appropriate security system.

L.3.3.2.1 Entry Gates: Teaming. Offerors engaged in team/partner arrangements to meet the PWS requirement(s) are required to disclose those team/partner arrangements. All entities engaging in team/partner arrangements for this MAC IDIQ proposal response are required to pass Gate One and Gate Two.

Offerors will be able to update their team/partner arrangements, as appropriate for proposals at the Task Order level. All entities engaging in team/partner arrangements for Future Fair Opportunity Proposal Requests will be required to pass Gate One and Gate Two.

L.3.3.2.1.1 Step One: Gate One: U.S.-Owned Entity. Offerors (and any team members) shall provide a written statement explicitly stating they are a wholly owned and controlled U.S. entity. If an Offeror is a foreign-owned or foreign-influenced company and has been granted a National Interest Determination (NID), the Offeror shall submit a copy of the NID. If NID submission is required, additional NID documentation will not count against the Section III page limit requirement.

L.3.3.2.1.2 Step Two: Facility Clearance Gate. Offerors (and any team members) shall provide a written statement demonstrating the Offeror is currently approved for a FCL at the minimum of the Top-Secret Level. The Offeror must provide their company name and primary CAGE Code for the government to verify in the NISS showing that they possess an active Top-Secret FCL and documentation safeguarding at the time of proposal submission.

L.4 VOLUME II – TECHNICAL

L.4.1 GENERAL INFORMATION. The following information shall be provided in the written technical proposal narrative and will be evaluated by the Government’s Technical Evaluation Team to compute a technical rating expressed as an adjectival assessment of “Outstanding”, “Good”, “Acceptable”, “Marginal”, or “Unacceptable, reference Section M.3 Technical Evaluation. The written technical proposal narrative shall address each of the following subfactors, to describe the Offeror’s proposed approach to performing the requirements set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The Government reserves the right to incorporate all or parts of the Offeror’s proposal into the resulting contract.

L.4.1.1 In the technical volume, address your technical solution for meeting the Government’s minimum performance or capability requirements of each technical subfactor. PWS references provide are for reference and may not constitute every section of the PWS, or its appendices, in which a subfactor may be applicable.

L.4.1.1.1 The Offerors shall provide the following information in response to the Sample Task (See Section J Attachment 7).

a) Technical approach for the specific requirement

b) Subcontractor effort, if applicable

c) Time schedule for completing the work including start and completion dates and key intermediate milestone dates.

d) A matrix of staffing including numbers, types (classification), qualifications, and/or personnel.

e) Provide a description of all assumptions used to calculate costs for labor, subcontractor, travel, equipment, facilities, materials, and other.

f) Areas of risks and actions to mitigate.

L.4.1.2 Volume Organization. The technical volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

1) Table of Contents

2) Glossary/Acronym Abbreviations List

3) Cross Reference Matrix

4) Subfactor (a) – Understanding of Work to Be Accomplished

5) Subfactor (b) – Capability/Approach Methodology for Completion of Tasks

6) Subfactor (c) – Quality Assurance Procedures

7) Subfactor (d) – Management

8) Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (a) – Management Approach/Plan

9) Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (b) – Personnel Security Clearance

10) Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (c) – Key Personnel Qualifications/Experience

L.4.1.2.1 Table of Contents. The table of contents should provide a list of titles for contents of the technical volume organized in the order in which they appear.

L.4.1.2.2 Glossary/Acronym Abbreviation List. Provide a glossary for a list of terms or abbreviations with accompanying definitions, if necessary, to explain or define difficult or unusual words, terms, and expressions.

L.4.1.2.3 Cross Reference Matrix. Cross-referencing is permitted where its use would conserve space without impairing clarity (See Attachment 5 in Section J). The Offeror shall provide a Solicitation Cross Reference Matrix indicating by Section L, PWS, paragraph number, the corresponding proposal paragraph in that section which addresses the referenced item. The matrix shall be added to the Table of Contents. Information required for proposal evaluation is not found or referenced in its designated volume, and is not indicated on the cross-reference matrix, will be assumed to have been omitted from the proposal.

L.4.1.2.3.1 Technical Evaluation Subfactors (a), (b), (c), and (d) are weighted equally.

L.4.1.2.4 Subfactor (a) – Understanding of Work to Be Accomplished. This subfactor will describe an overall approach and methodology for accomplishing work requirements identified in the PWS with appropriate skills, equipment, and materials. The Offeror shall:

L.4.1.2.4.1 Provide a detailed, technically sound, logical, and efficient approach to completing the PWS requirements that include a description of the sequence of steps to be taken, the critical paths and milestones, realistic schedules, and plans for interface and integration among task(s).

L.4.1.2.4.2 Demonstrate their ability to have trained personnel in sufficient number at the right place and at the right time to meet the PWS requirements.

L.4.1.2.4.3 Provide a detailed approach to include sound innovations and efficiencies that enhance contract performance and achieve reduction in both contract and Government Operation and Maintenance costs.

L.4.1.2.4.4 Describe an approach for scheduling work so that sufficient skills are available to meet the Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness program and support requirements provided in the PWS.

L.4.1.2.5 Subfactor (b) – Capability/Approach Methodology for Completion of Tasks. This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s capability/approach methodology for completion of PWS task requirements. The Offeror shall:

L.4.1.2.5.1 Provide a narrative description of the technical approach for implementation each of the technical requirements defined in the Software Requirements Document (SRD)/PWS.

L.4.1.2.5.2 Describe an approach for the required integration into the Government owned software applications, as well as a detailed approach for the improvement of system level tests. The discussion should include a detailed approach for the improvement of the rigor and efficiency of system level testing.

L.4.1.2.5.3 Identify any technical uncertainty and assumptions within the requirements as well as specific approaches for the resolution of these uncertainties.

L.4.1.2.6 Subfactor (c) – Quality Assurance Procedures. This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) procedures to ensure proper oversight for personnel, training, facilities, equipment, supplies, services, and subcontractors. The Quality Control Plan (QCP) submitted in response to this subfactor shall address performance standards and control of information. In addition, the QCP shall define approaches and process to effectively measure, track, analyze, report, and implement corrective actions. The Offeror shall:

L.4.1.2.6.1 Describe a system for recording, computing/assessing performance measurement data, and monitoring corrective actions to ensure successful and timely problem resolution.

L.4.1.2.6.2 Describe the documents and records your company will develop, maintain, and utilize as part of the QCP.

L.4.1.2.6.3 Describe the method for gathering information, evaluating performance based on the requirements of the PWS, and reporting the results to the Government.

L.4.1.2.7 Subfactor (d) – Management. This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s program management procedures to ensure schedule (multiple tasks and deliverables) and performance goals of both prime and subcontractor (if applicable) are achievable.

L.4.1.2.8 Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (a) – Approach/Plan. This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s concept, management strategy, and organizational approach to achieve performance goals and performance attributes of the PWS. The Offeror shall:

L.4.1.2.8.1 Describe the project management tools and methods for monitoring and reporting of actual versus projected.

L.4.1.2.8.2 Describe their method of timely reaction to problems of cost and schedule control and techniques for controlling expenditure.

L.4.1.2.8.3 Present a graphical organizational structure and the rationale for proposed roles, responsibilities, and relationships for each organizational element. In addition, include an organizational chart illustrating the interface between various elements of the organization during contract performance that provides evidence of adequate program visibility at senior management level.

L.4.1.2.8.4 Describe their method for handling actual or potential conflicts of interest including its corporate structure, existing contracts and procedures for oversight, implementation, and update of the plan.

L.4.1.2.8.5 Describe their risk management procedures for addressing and mitigating risks.

L.4.1.2.8.6 Describe their mechanisms for dealing with a conflict or potential conflict, to include a mitigation plan, description of employee training, independent verification, disciplinary action for violation of the plan, and an example of the Offeror’s non-disclosure agreement(s).

L.4.1.2.8.7 Demonstrate a hiring/retention plan. Describe procedures for recruiting, vetting, preparing, hiring, replacement, and retention of all personnel to ensure the appropriate background, knowledge, and skills for the performance of this MAC IDIQ.

L.4.1.2.8.8 Provide a travel schedule of proposed trips and number of personnel (include mode of transportation, starting point, ending point, and number of days per trip).

L.4.1.2.9 Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (b) – Personnel Security Clearance (PCL). This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s ability to provide U.S. citizen employees who require access to classified information. The Offer shall:

L.4.1.2.9.1 Provide employees capable of working on this MAC IDIQ that have an active Top-Secret/SCI Level clearance.

L.4.1.2.10 Subfactor (d) – Management – Subfactor (c) – Key Personnel Qualifications/Experience. This subfactor assesses the Offeror’s qualifications and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully lead and manage a research, development, test, and evaluation organization commensurate with their proposed roles (labor basis of estimate). The Offer shall:

L.4.1.2.10.1 Include resumes for up to eight (8) key personnel (including subcontractors) which should validate education, skills, certifications, evidence of required current DoD clearance and experience in the PWS task requirements (e.g., personnel qualification standards and recentness of experience).

L.4.1.2.10.2 Provide a complete staffing/skill (job classification)/manpower matrix that is consistent with proposed methodology and provides Full or Part Time Equivalents sufficient to accomplish the workload provided in the PWS (e.g., engineering all disciplines, management, and technical writing).

L.4.1.2.10.3 Identification of any subcontractor labor used and a discussion of all work to be performed by the subcontractor in a particular PWS requirement task.

L.5. VOLUME III- PAST PERFORMANCE

L.5.1 GENERAL INFORMATION. Each Offeror shall submit a past performance volume with its proposal. The past performance volume shall be prepared IAW all instructions contained within this Section L. Each Offeror’s proposal will be evaluated IAW the evaluation criteria in Section M.4 Past Performance shall contain the following.

L.5.1.2 Volume Organization. The past performance volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

1) Table of Contents

2) Glossary/Acronym Abbreviations List

3) Summary Page

4) Past Performance Questionnaire

5) Specific Content

6) Subcontractor Letters of Consent

L.5.1.2.1 Table of Contents. The table of contents should provide a list of titles for content of the past performance volume in the order in which they appear.

L.5.1.2.2 Glossary/Acronym Abbreviation List. Provide a glossary for a list of terms or abbreviations with accompanying definitions, if necessary, to explain or define difficult or unusual words, terms, and expressions.

L.5.1.2.3 Summary Page. Describe the role of the Offeror and each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner. Past Performance Questionnaire is required for the Offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to the immediate acquisition. Offerors are cautioned that the Government will use data provided by each Offeror in this volume and data obtained from other sources in the evaluation of past performance. The Table of Contents and Summary Page(s) shall not exceed five (5) pages combined.

L.5.1.2.4 Past Performance Questionnaire. Each Offeror shall complete and submit, as part of their proposal, Past Performance Questionnaire (See Attachment 3 in Section J) on no more than four (4) contracts/efforts total that the Offeror considers most recent and relevant to this acquisition, demonstrating their ability to perform the proposed effort. At a minimum, one (1) of the submitted past performance questionnaire contracts/efforts referenced must be as the prime contractor. At a maximum, two (2) of the past performance questionnaire references may be for subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partners. Recency is defined as ongoing contracts or those completed within five (5) years of the date of issuance of the solicitation, to include at least one (1) year of documented performance during the five (5) year period. Include rationale supporting the Offeror’s assertion of relevance. For a description of the characteristics or aspects the Government will consider in determining relevancy, reference Section M.4.2.2 The following may be provided as part of the Past Performance Questionnaire: Quality and satisfaction rating for contracts completed in the past five (5) years, e.g., letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc., which demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and quality for relevant contracts. The Past Performance Questionnaire for each contract, including letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc., is limited to five (5) pages total. The Government may collect additional reference from other sources during evaluation of past performance.

L.5.1.2.4.1 The Offeror shall complete Part I of the Past Performance Questionnaire and e-mail the questionnaire to both the Government contracting activity and technical representative responsible for the past/current contract(s). The point of contacts shall be instructed to electronically complete Part II of the questionnaire and e-mail the entire questionnaire to the Contract Specialist (morgan.j.evans6.civ@army.mil) and the Contracting Officer (lee.e.troope.civ@army.mil), no later than the proposal due date. The Offeror shall e-mail the Contract Specialist a list of point of contacts who were sent a questionnaire. The Government must receive this list no later than 20-days after Final RFP release. The point of contact list shall be submitted in Word for Windows Table Format to include the following fields: Solicitation Number; Company Name; Contract Number; Government Agency; Point of Contact Last Name, First Name; Point of Contact Title; Point of Contact Telephone Number; Point of Contact E-mail Address; and Date E-Mail to Point of Contact (month/day). Once submitted, the information contained therein shall be considered source selection sensitive and shall not be released to the Offeror.

L.5.1.2.5 Specific Content. The Offeror is required to explain what aspects of the past/current contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort and to what aspects of the proposed effort they relate. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include within the past performance volume a “roadmap” describing any such changes in the organization of your company that may be relevant. The Offeror may include a discussion of efforts accomplished by the Offeror to resolve problems encountered on prior contracts as well as past efforts to identify and manage program risk. Merely having problems does not automatically equate to a “Unacceptable” rating, since the problems encountered may have been on a more complex program, or an Offeror may have subsequently demonstrated the ability to overcome the problems encountered. The Offeror is required to clearly demonstrate management actions employed in overcoming problems and effects of those actions in terms of improvements achieved or problems rectified. For example, submittal of quality performance indicators or other management indicators that clearly support that an Offeror has overcome past problems.

L.5.1.2.6 Subcontractor Letters of Consent. Past Performance Questionnaire pertaining to a subcontractor cannot be disclosed to the Prime Offeror without the subcontractor’s consent. Proposal most include a Subcontractor Consent Letter executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement, consenting to the release of their past performance information to the prime contractor.

L.6 VOLUME IV – SMALL BUSINESS PARTCIPATION PLAN

L.6.1 SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT DOCUMENT (SBPCD). All Offerors (both other than small businesses and small businesses) shall provide the following SBPCD requirements and substantiating documentation to demonstrate how you will meet these requirements. This required information will be used to evaluate the extent of your proposed participation/commitment to use U.S. small businesses in the performance of this acquisition (as small business subcontractors) relative to Section M, Factor 4, Small Business Participation.

L.6.1.1 The small business concerns (SBC) as defined in FAR Part 19 that are to be used in your proposed approach to satisfying the requirements of this solicitation for the entire performance period, including company name, business category(ies), description of products and services and NAICS Code to be provided by each SBC and the nature of the commitment with the SBC (i.e., letter of commitment, joint ventures, mentor protégé agreements, others). Binding commitments shall become enforceable, contractual requirements. Use the table/format below in proposing this required information (See Attachment 2 in Section J). (Note: Section M, Factor 4 elements 1, 2, 3)

Commitment

Hubzone, VOSB, SDVOSB)

L.6.1.2 The SBCs (Prime Offerors and small business subcontractors) proposed quantitative participation in terms of the value of the total acquisition (total contract value (TCV)). Offerors shall provide detailed explanations/documentation to support quantitative small business participation. For this acquisition, the minimum quantitative requirement (MQR) is 10% of the proposed total contract value. Binding commitments shall become enforceable, contractual requirements. Use the table format below in proposing this required information. (Note: Section M, Factor 4 elements 4 and 5) Planned Subcontracting Goals vs. SB Participation MQR Subcontracting Plan Goal% Denominator: Planned Subcontracted $

SBPCD MQR %

Denominator: Proposed $ TCV

Total Contract Value (TCV) $: $160,000,000

commitment based on TCV $

to small businesses

Do the Math:

SBs get $48,000,000 (60% planned subcontracted $: $80,000,00 Do the Math:

SBs get $48,000,000

(30% TCV $: $160,000,000)

Proposed Total Contract Value $99,000,000.00 Minimum Quantitative Requirement (MQR) - Small Business Participation (Including Small Business prime offeror’s participation)

All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count. Supporting documents will not be incorporated into any resulting contract.

L.6.1.3 Past performance information to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, including the extent to which small business performance objectives/requirements were met for the contracts that required submission of a Small Business Participation Plan or other small business participation/utilization document. Copies of contractual reports may be submitted to validate compliance with requirements of FAR 52.219-8. Explanation of efforts where minimum quantitative requirements and/or goals were not met should be provided. Supporting documentation shall be relevant to the requirements of this solicitation and shall be within the past five (5) years. All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count. (Note: Section M, Factor 4 element 6) L.6.1.4 Past performance information to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (when applicable), including extent to which applicable goals and other small business performance objectives/requirements were met for the contracts submitted to demonstrate compliance. Explanation of efforts where goals were not met should be provided. Supporting documentation shall be relevant to the requirements of this solicitation and shall be within the past five (5) years. All supporting documentation is excluded from the page count. (Note: Section M, Factor 4 element 7) L.6.1.5 The work to be performed directly by a small business Prime Offeror shall be evaluated as Small Business Participation. Small Business Prime Offerors shall include their information in the above requested subparagraphs L.10.1, 1-4 as required.

L.6.1.6 SBPCD enforceable, contractual requirements shall require periodic progress reporting to facilitate government monitoring in the event of an award. Offerors are to propose quarterly reporting for the requirements in L10.1, subparagraphs 1-3 above (contractor format acceptable) in accordance with Section J, Exhibit A, CDRL A0001, Small Business Utilization Report.

L.6.1.7 Prime Offeror’s Size. Identify the applicable size and applicable socioeconomic categories for the PRIME Offeror only when submitting your proposed SBPCD. Include this information within the initial section of the proposed SBPCD and check all applicable boxes.

Prime Offeror’s Size { } Other than Small Business or { } Small Business also categorized as a { } Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) { } Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) { } Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business { } Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

L.7 VOLUME V – COST

L.7.1 GENERAL INFORMATION. The cost volume shall be prepared IAW all instruction contained within this Section L. Each Offeror’s Cost proposal will be evaluated IAW the evaluation criteria in Section M.6. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and failure to comply may render the proposal non-responsive. Proposals shall include Microsoft Excel files with all cell formulas viewable.

L.7.1 The Cost volume shall consist of all information, required to support proposed costs and prices as defined in the cost/price proposal portion. A full cost/price proposal is required in response to the PWS document. The Offeror shall provide a full cost/price proposal based on a PWS Sample Task provided at the time of solicitation.

L.7.2 Certified cost and pricing data will not be required if adequate competition exists; however, the Government reserves the right to request such data prior to task order award if determined necessary by the Contracting Officer. The information submitted in this volume shall comply with FAR 15.408, Table 15-2, and the requirements set forth below. The data provided by the Offeror shall be sufficient for the Contracting Officer to complete a thorough analysis of the proposal as required by FAR 15.404. There are no page limitations for this volume. The Offerors shall ensure their cost documentation addresses the following (at a minimum):

L.7.2.1 In accordance with FAR 16.301-3(a)(3), the Contracting Officer shall determine that a contractor’s accounting system is adequate for determining costs under cost reimbursement contracts within their Volume V – Cost. To assist in this determination all offerors shall submit a “Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor’s Accounting System Checklist” (SF 1408), https://www.dcaa.mil/Home/Preaward?title-Preaward%20Accounting%20System%20Adequacy%20Checklist, within their Volume V – Cost or a copy of any letter(s) from a U.S. Government organization approving their accounting system (e.g., DCAA/DCMA) along with the offeror’s current Accounting Policies and Practice. The requirements set forth in this subsection of the FAR must be met before a cost type contract can be awarded.

L.7.2.2 In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.403-1(b), data other than certified cost or pricing data is required to support cost reasonableness and realism. Each Offeror's and subcontractor’s cost proposal shall be broken out by cost element as specified in FAR 15.408, Table 15-2 Section I, General Instructions, Part A. Offeror and its subcontractor(s) shall provide information necessary to allow the Government to perform accurate cost reasonableness and cost realism analyses.

L.7.2.3 Basis of estimate write-up in the cost proposal shall follow this structure:

a) Describe the base data used to estimate the labor hours, cost of a service, or hardware cost.

b) Describe why the Offeror chose to use this base data for the proposal.

c) Describe the adjustment, if any, to the base data and why the adjustment was appropriate.

L.8 DISCUSSIONS

L.8.1 GENERAL INFORMATION. As set forth in FAR 52.215-1(f)(4), the Government intend to evaluate proposals and make award(s) without discussions, except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a), clarifications and award without discussions. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. If discussions are held, a competitive range determination will be made. If the Contracting Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated proposals. After completion of discussions with each offeror in the competitive range (if conducted) and in accordance with FAR 15.307(b), all offerors in the competitive range will be allowed a specified period to submit Final Proposal Revisions.

L.8.2 DISCUSSION SCHEDULING. If discussions are conducted, the Contracting Officer will schedule the discussion sessions, and each offeror will be notified of the time and place at least three (3) business days prior to their discussion session.

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