ADaPTs 2.0 Overview Instructions Evaluation (12.04.2024).pdf

Architecture, Development, and Platform Technical Services (ADaPTS) 2.0

{December 2024}

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Procurement Operations (OPO)

ADaPTS 2.0

Page | 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I – OVERVIEW

SECTION II – INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS

SECTION III – EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR AWARD

Page | 3

I OVERVIEW

1.0 OVERVIEW SMALL BUSINESS APPROACH

This is a multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), Special Item Numbers (SIN) 54151S - IT Professional Services to perform Architecture, Development, and Platform Technical Services (ADaPTS) as specified in the Statement of Work (SOW) and in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-3.

(1) Competition: DHS anticipates establishing a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) BPA awards with quoters submitting an overall quotation that is determined to be most advantageous to the Government, price and non-price factors considered. The Government reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of BPA awards based on the results of the evaluation.

Competition will be promoted to the maximum extent practicable through an unrestricted competition. The Government reserves the right, however, to pursue a partial set-aside of up to three (3) of the six (6) BPA awards for small business concerns to small business(es) deemed capable of meeting the requirements, as identified at FAR 19.000(a)(3) for those firms eligible for participation. (Note: The Government in its sole discretion may increase or decrease the number of small business set-aside BPA awards based on the results of the evaluation). If the Government exercises this right for a partial small business set-aside, then the following guidelines will apply to establishing the small business reserve:

• The set-aside may consist of up to three (3) small business awardees. The selection official will establish the number of set-aside awards in their sole discretion. In exercising this discretion, the source selection authority may consider the best interests of the government to include the extent to which small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this Request for Quotation (RFQ).

• If three (3) or fewer small businesses submit Phase 1, 2 and 3 quotations in response to this

RFQ, then the selection official, in their sole discretion, may determine that a BPA award will be issued to one or more of these small businesses. In exercising this discretion, the selection official may consider the best interest of the Government to include the extent to which the small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this

RFQ.

• If four (4) or more small businesses submit Phase 1, 2 and 3 quotations in response to this

RFQ, these Quoters will compete for award of the small business set-aside BPAs with award being made to the Quoters who represent the best value to the Government. The selection official, in their sole discretion, may determine that less than three (3) small business BPA awards will be issued. In exercising this discretion, the selection official may consider the best interests of the government to include the extent to which small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this RFQ. Small businesses that do not receive a small business set-aside BPA will compete with other than small businesses for the remaining BPA award(s).

Page | 4

• The source selection authority will make the Small Business determination in Phase 3.

• Task Order Level Requirements:

o The Government may set aside orders for small business concerns when there are two or more small business BPA awardees.

o Small business BPA awardees may compete against all BPA awardees for an order that is not set aside.

• Partial Small Business Set-Aside Evaluation Process (Federal Supply Schedules)

1) Evaluation Team assesses all quotations.

2) Selection Authority (SA) then focuses on the small business quotations to determine whether any of the small business quotations should receive a small business set-aside award in accordance with the criteria in the solicitation.

3) If the number of small business quotations received by the government is greater than the size of the small business set-aside identified in the solicitation, then the small businesses receiving a set-aside award is determined using a best value determination.

4) At the conclusion of the small business set-aside determination by the SA, a best value determination is made for the remaining BPA awards among the remaining small business quotations (if any) and quotations from other than small businesses.

(2) BPA Volume: The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that the volume of purchases under the entire BPA’s program will be approximately $640 Million over the 5-year (60 months) BPA(s) lifecycle. This is not a ceiling amount and the accumulated value of orders issued under the BPA(s) may exceed this amount without modification to the BPA(s). The Department is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases to be made by authorized DHS Contracting Officers (COs) at the order level. There is no guaranteed minimum order quantity or dollar amount.

(3) Facilities/Security Clearance: DHS has determined that Contractor access to classified information may be required on specific order(s). Contractors shall possess and maintain a Top Secret (TS)/Facility Security Clearance (FCL).

(4) Commitment of Public Funds: This BPA does not obligate any funds. The individual orders placed against the BPAs will obligate funds.

(5) BPA Order Level: For new requirements, each multiple-award BPA holder will be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each BPA Order exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, unless an exception at FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i) applies. (See FAR 8.405-3(c)(2) and 8.405-6(a))

• The Government shall set aside orders for small business concerns when the estimated value of the award is $20 million or less.

Page | 5

• Small business BPA awardees may compete against all BPA awardees for an order that is not set aside.

(6) The terms Quoter, Contractor, and BPA Holder are used interchangeably in this agreement.

2.0 AGENCY POINTS OF CONTACT

Only the CO for the BPA is authorized to change the terms and conditions at the BPA level by issuing a modification bilaterally signed by the CO and the Contractor, which is also referred to as the BPA Holder.

The following describe the roles and responsibility of individuals who will be the primary points of contact for the Government on matters regarding contract administration. The Government reserves the right to unilaterally change any of these individual assignments at any time.

BPA Contracting Officer (CO): Stacey Macmillan

Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov BPA Contract Specialists (CS): Danielle Lachter

Danielle.Lachter@hq.dhs.gov

Elizabeth Wilfong Elizabeth.Wilfong@hq.dhs.gov

BPA Contracting Officers Representative

(COR):

TBD

3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES

The following products and services can be ordered under this BPA:

See Section 3 Statement of Work.

4.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/ORDERING PERIOD

4.1 Ordering Period

The multiple-award BPAs will each have an ordering period of five years from the date of award.

In accordance with FAR 8.405-3(d)(3), Contractors may be awarded a BPA that extends beyond the current term of their GSA Schedule contract, so long as there are option periods in their GSA MAS contract that, if exercised, will cover the BPA's period of performance.

Each BPA Holder is anticipated to possess a period of performance sufficient to provide the Government with a continuous 60-month period of performance for the BPA. If the BPA Holder’s GSA MAS contract does not provide a continuous 60-month period of performance, the BPA Holder shall describe how they intend to renew their GSA MAS contract to provide the Government with a mailto:Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Danielle.Lachter@hq.dhs.gov mailto:Elizabeth.Wilfong@hq.dhs.gov

Page | 6 continuous 60-month period of performance at the same terms, discounts and other provisions of the original BPA. The BPA Holder is required to immediately notify, in writing, the BPA Contracting Officer if at any time the GSA Contract, upon which the BPA is based, is no longer in force.

This BPA is not a contract. If the BPA Holder fails to perform in a manner satisfactory to the BPA Contracting Officer, this BPA may be canceled with ten (10) days written notice to the BPA Holder by the BPA Contracting Officer. BPA cancellation does not simultaneously cancel existing orders written against the BPA.

4.2 Order Period of Performance

BPA Orders may be issued at any time during the BPA period of performance and may extend for a period of twelve (12) months after the expiration date of the BPA. However, should the Contractor’s GSA Schedule contract end during the BPA ordering period, the BPA ordering period will end concurrently. Period of performance of each order will be specified at the order level.

4.3 Annual Review of the BPA

In accordance with FAR 8.405-3(e), the Department of Homeland Security Office of Procurement Operations Information Technology Acquisition Center, which has established this BPA, will conduct an annual review to determine:

(i) The schedule contract, upon which the BPA was established, is still in effect;

(ii) The BPA still represents the best value (see FAR 8.404(d)); and

(iii) Estimated quantities/amounts have been exceeded and additional price reductions can be obtained.

The results of this review will be documented in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE / HOURS OF OPERATION

The place of performance / hours of operation will be specified at the BPA Order level.

6.0 TYPE OF ORDERS

Orders placed against this BPA may use one or a combination of the following contract types:

• Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)

• Time-and-Materials (T&M)

• Labor-Hour (LH)

7.0 BPA PRICING – LABOR HOUR RATES AND DISCOUNT TERMS

BPA Labor Categories/Price List provides this BPA’s negotiated and fixed labor hour rates (on-site, off-site, and remote) and negotiated discount rate which will remain in effect until the BPA’s expiration. The BPA labor hour rates are fully burdened to include wage, overhead, general and administrative expenses, profit, and the GSA Industrial Funding Fee (IFF). These fixed labor hour rates are ceiling rates, the

Page | 7

Contractor is encouraged to provide additional discounts from their BPA established rates for BPA orders.

8.0 FLOW DOWN OF CLAUSES

All applicable GSA Schedule clauses will flow down to the BPA and its subsequent orders. If the Contractor’s current GSA Schedule contract is replaced with a follow-on Schedule contract, the applicable terms and conditions of the follow-on Schedule contract shall be incorporated into this agreement upon bilateral modification, as appropriate. The follow-on Schedule contract will not affect the maximum duration of the BPA and any orders that have been issued. Further, the BPA’s pricing (unless discounted at the order level) will only be changed as a result of a bilateral modification to the BPA and will only incorporate downward adjustments.

9.0 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The terms and conditions apply to all Orders pursuant to the BPA. In the event of any inconsistency in the terms and conditions between the BPA and the Contractor’s Schedule contract, the Schedule shall take precedence. Additionally, any inconsistency or incompatible with the terms and conditions in the BPA shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:

a. The BPA.

b. The BPA order, including the SOW, clauses, and Terms &Conditions

c. The Government’s documents, exhibits, and attachments to the BPA order.

d. The Contractor’s quotation, if the BPA order incorporates it by reference.

10.0 NO OBLIGATION OF FUNDS

This BPA does not obligate any funds. Each individual order placed against this BPA will obligate funds.

11.0 ON RAMP / OFF RAMP PROCEDURES

11.1 On Ramp Procedures

DHS reserves the right to “On Ramp” contractors to manage and maintain a sufficient number of BPA awardees. Consistent with FAR 8.405-3, DHS has determined that at all times during the term of the ADaPTS 2.0 BPA agreement, there must be an adequate number of ADaPTS 2.0 contractors eligible to compete for orders. Over time, the total number of ADaPTS 2.0 contractors may fluctuate due to various reasons outside DHS’ control. Recognizing this, DHS will review BPA performance and requirements on a regular basis (at least annually) and determine the necessity of on ramping and determine whether it would be in the Government’s best interest to initiate an open season to add new contractors to the BPA.

The review by DHS may include an assessment of the market and new innovations available.

This is a discretionary, unilateral authority of the Government, and may be used at any time during the BPA performance period. DHS may implement on-ramp procedures at any time by reopening the competition and utilizing the same basis of award established in the initial RFQ.

Any resulting BPAs awarded will include the same terms and conditions as the current basic

Page | 8 agreement. Implementing this procedure will not affect the overall period of performance for the basic agreement.

11.2 Off Ramp Procedures

If at any point during the 5-year period of performance the contractor decides that it no longer wishes to participate in the BPA and has no ongoing orders, then the contractor may submit a request to the CO to terminate their agreement. If the CO accepts the contractor’s request, the CO may “off ramp” the contractor using FAR 49.109-4, No-Cost Settlement. This provision is independent of any other action permitted under the BPA terms and conditions. If an “off ramped” contractor is currently under contract to perform under any order, the contractor will be required to continue to perform under the terms of the specific order. If implemented, off-ramp procedures will remove BPA holders by not exercising the next available ordering period or cancelling the BPA. DHS reserves the right to terminate BPAs (and orders) for cause or for convenience. DHS also reserves the right to not exercise options under the BPAs.

11.3 Minimum Quote Participation

BPA awardees are required to respond with a quote to at least 25% of all BPA Requests for Quotations annually.

12.0 BPA ORDERING PROCEDURES

12.1 BPA Orders and their administration will be performed by duly appointed COs assigned by DHS Headquarters within their warrant authority. The order-level CO shall award and administer orders in accordance with the ordering procedures described in this section, and an ordering guide that will be issued immediately after the BPA award, and the procedures outlined in FAR 8.405-3(c), Ordering from BPAs. BPA orders are subject to the terms and conditions of the contractor’s GSA Schedule Contract and those of the BPA.

12.2 All costs associated with the preparation of the Contractor’s order quotations will be at the Contractor’s expense.

12.3 BPA Orders will be within the scope, issued within the period of performance, and be within the estimated value of the BPA. Only the Contracting Officer for the BPA may modify the agreement to change the scope, period, or estimated value as allowed by law.

12.4 BPA orders may be issued at any time during the ordering period. The performance period will be specified in the order. The maximum period of performance for the order after the expiration date of the BPA shall be no longer than twelve (12) months.

12.5 Each Order issued under this BPA will include the following information, as applicable:

(1) BPA and Order number

(2) Date of the order

(3) Description of the service(s) to be acquired and/or work to be performed

Page | 9

(4) Period of Performance or required completion date

(5) Place of Performance

(6) Deliverables

(7) CLIN/SLIN number and description, quantity, unit price and extended price

(8) The security requirements

(9) The payment schedule; and

(10) Accounting and appropriation data.

12.6 Special Requirements for T&M and LH Orders

Each order against this BPA that is issued on a T&M or LH basis incorporates Alternate I to the contract clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items. T&M or LH orders require fill-ins for Alternate I. If a T&M or LH order does not provide fill-ins for Alternate I, they are understood to be "None." The fill-ins may be displayed in the order as shown below:

FAR 52.212-4, Alternate I fill-ins --para. (e)(1)(iii)(D): _____ para. (i)(1)(ii)(D)(1): _____ para. (i)(1)(ii)(D)(2): _____

12.7 Unauthorized Work

The Contractor is not authorized at any time to commence with BPA order performance prior to issuance of a signed BPA order or other written approval provided by the BPA Order CO to begin work.

13.0 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST NOTICE

Quoters should be aware that they may be deemed ineligible to participate in BPA orders by reason of an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) (see FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest). The Contractor’s eligibility or ineligibility related to the existing or potential OCI to participate in BPA orders is determined by the BPA order level CO.

14.0 TERMINATION

Notwithstanding any other provision relating to this BPA, DHS may terminate the BPA at any time in accordance with FAR 8.406-4, Termination for Cause, or FAR 8.406-5, Termination for the Government’s Convenience. Any disputes will be handled in accordance with FAR 8.406-6, Disputes.

15.0 INVOICING

Invoicing procedures will be specified in each individual Order. The “remit to” address to which payment must be sent is applicable at the Order level. At a minimum, each invoice may include the following information:

(i) BPA holder is required to include the order number on invoices at the order

Page | 10 level for internal DHS tracking purposes.

(ii) Name and address of the Contractor;

(iii) Invoice date and invoice number. (Contractors should date invoices as close as possible to the date of mailing or transmission.);

(iv) BPA and Order number and period of performance or other authorization for supplies delivered or services performed (including order number and contract line item number);

(v) Description of services;

(vi) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

16.0 OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODCS)

Open market ODCs are not allowed under this BPA. In accordance with GSA Schedule procedures, the use of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Order-Level Materials (OLMs) SIN may be utilized to fulfill orders under the scope of this BPA.

Other direct costs are intended to be incidental and necessary for the completion of awarded tasks. ODCs are not intended to bypass normal acquisition procedures. The Government may choose to provide Government furnished property, equipment, licenses, etc. in order to assist in task completion.

16.1 Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Order-Level Materials (OLMs) SIN

OLMs are supplies and/or services acquired in direct support of an individual task or delivery order placed against a FSS contract or FSS BPA. OLMs are not defined, priced, or awarded at the FSS contract level. They are unknown before a task or delivery order is placed against the FSS contract or FSS BPA. OLMs are only authorized for inclusion at the order level under a T&M or LH Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) and are subject to a Not To Exceed (NTE) ceiling price. OLMs include direct materials, subcontracts for supplies and incidental services for which there is not a labor category specified in the FSS contract, other direct costs (separate from those under ODC SINs), and indirect costs. OLMs are purchased under the authority of the FSS Program and are not "open market items."

17.0 TRAVEL

Any required travel will be specified at the BPA Order level.

18.0 ADVERTISEMENTS, PUBLICIZING AWARDS AND NEWS RELEASES

All press releases or announcements about agency programs, projects, and BPA awards need to be cleared by the Program Office and the Order Level CO. Under no circumstances shall the Contractor, or anyone acting on behalf of the contractor, refer to the supplies, services, or equipment furnished pursuant to the provisions of the BPA in any public news release or commercial advertising without first obtaining explicit written consent to do so from the Program Office and the Order Level CO.

The Contractor agrees not to refer to awards in commercial advertising in such a manner as to state or imply that the product or service provided is endorsed or preferred by the Federal Government or is considered by the Government to be superior to other products or services.

Page | 11

19.0 BPA POST-AWARD CONFERENCE

The Contractor shall attend a Post Award Conference with the BPA CO and the BPA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) no later than twenty (20) calendar days after the date of award. The purpose of the Post Award Conference, which will be chaired by the CO, is to discuss the technical and contracting objectives of the agreement. The Post Award Conference is at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor is responsible for and shall prepare the meeting minutes from the Post Award Conference and shall provide the meeting minutes to the CO and the COR within 7 calendar days of the Post Award Conference. The Post Award Conference will be held virtually.

Post award conferences at the Order level shall be held at the discretion of the Order Level CO.

20.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

20.1 Qualified Personnel

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all of the requirements specified in the SOW. See SOW, Appendix A for labor category descriptions.

The Contractor shall be responsible for employing technically qualified personnel to perform the work specified in the SOW. The Contractor shall maintain the personnel, organization, and administrative control necessary to ensure that the work delivered meets the government’s specifications and requirements. Each Contractor employee must possess knowledge and experience directly related to work they are required to perform under this BPA.

The Government reserves the right, during the life of this BPA, to request work histories on any contractor employee for the purposes of verifying compliance with the above requirements;

additionally, the Government reserves the right to review and approve resumes of contractor personnel proposed to be assigned to any order. In addition, the contractor shall have the demonstrated ability to reach out to a wide variety of subject matter experts in relevant fields, retain their services, and productively engage them in support of government requirements.

20.2 Continuity of Support

The Contractor shall ensure that the contractually required level of support is maintained at all times.

The Contractor shall ensure that all BPA order support personnel are present for scheduled hours of the workday. If for any reason the Contractor staffing levels are not maintained due to vacation, leave, appointments, etc., and replacement personnel will not be provided, the Contractor shall provide e-mail notification to the COR prior to the employee absence. Otherwise, the Contractor shall provide a fully qualified replacement.

Page | 12

20.3 Key Personnel

Contractor Key personnel shall not be assigned by the Contractor to more than one key position at any time during the period of performance of any awarded order.

Before replacing any individual designated as Key by the Government on the BPA, the Contractor shall notify the BPA CO no less than fifteen (15) calendar days in advance, submit written justification for the replacement, and provide a resume with the name and qualifications of any proposed substitute(s).

Before replacing any individual designated as Key by the Government on an Order, the Contractor shall notify the Order Level CO no less than fifteen (15) calendar days in advance, submit written justification for the replacement, and provide a resume with the name and qualifications of any proposed substitute(s). All proposed substitutes shall possess qualifications equal to or superior to those of the Key person being replaced, unless otherwise approved by the BPA Co or the Order Level CO, respectively. The Contractor shall not replace Key Contractor personnel without prior written approval from the BPA CO or the Order Level CO, respectively.

The following position is designated as Key at the BPA level.

(1) BPA Program Manager

21.3.1 BPA Program Manager

The Contractor shall provide a BPA Program Manager for the BPA who shall be responsible for all Contractor work performed under each BPA order. The BPA Program Manager shall be a single point of contact for the BPA Contracting Officer and the COR. During any absence of the BPA Program Manager, only one alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to work performed under any order. The BPA Program Manager and all designated alternates shall be able to clearly and concisely read, write, speak and understand English. Additionally, the Contractor shall not replace the BPA Program Manager without prior written approval from the BPA Contracting Officer. The BPA Program Manager is a non-billable position at the BPA level.

In the event there are any issues on the BPA or a BPA Order, the BPA Program Manager shall be available to the BPA COR via telephone. The BPA Program Manager shall respond to a request for discussion or resolution of systemic problems at the BPA and BPA order level.

20.4 Identification of Contractor Personnel

The Contractor shall ensure that its employees identify themselves as employees of their respective company while working on DHS contracts. For example, contractor personnel shall introduce themselves in person and in voicemail, and sign attendance logs as employees of their respective companies, and not as DHS employees. The contractor shall ensure that their personnel use the following format signature on all official e-mails generated by DHS computers:

• Name

• Position or Professional Title

• Company Name

• Supporting the unit and organization or Office of DHS

Page | 13

• Phone

• Email

• Other contact information as desired

20.5 Non-Personal Services

The Government and the Contractor understand and agree that the services delivered by the Contractor to the Government are non-personal services. The parties also recognize and agree that no employer-employee relationship exists or will exist between the Government and the Contractor. The Contractor and the Contractor’s employees are not employees of the Federal Government and are not eligible for entitlement and benefits given federal employees.

Contractor personnel under the BPA order shall not (i) be placed in a position where there is an appearance that they are employed by a Federal Official, or are under the supervision, direction, or evaluation of a Federal Official, or (ii) be placed in a position of command, supervision, administration, or control over Government personnel.

21.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall possess and maintain a Top Secret (TS)/Facility Security Clearance (FCL).

Contractor will have access to Top Secret Information under this SOW. Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination. Additional security requirements may be specified at the BPA Order level.

22.0 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CPARS)

DHS collects vendor performance data in CPARS. CPARS is a web-enabled application that collects and manages the library of automated Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs). CPARS is for UNCLASSIFIED use only. Classified information is not to be entered into this system. A CPAR assesses a contractor's performance and provides a record, both positive and negative, on a given contractor during a specific period of time. Each assessment is based on objective facts and supported by program and contract management data, such as cost performance reports, customer comments, quality reviews, technical interchange meetings, financial solvency assessments, construction/production management reviews, contractor operations reviews, functional performance evaluations, and earned contract incentives. The contractor shall participate in the DHS CPARS program via the CPARS website at:

https://www.cpars.gov.

23.0 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

The BPA Holder is reminded that information incorporated into the BPA or into an order may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). See paragraph (e) of FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to quoters – Competitive Acquisitions, for guidance on marking data submitted as part of a quotation for the BPA or for an order.

Page | 14

Any information made available to the BPA Holder by the Government must be used only for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this BPA and all subsequent orders and must not be divulged or made known in any manner to any person except as may be necessary in the performance of the order.

In performance of this BPA, the BPA Holder assumes responsibility for protection of the confidentiality of Government records and must ensure that all work performed by its subcontractors shall be under the supervision of the BPA Holder or the BPA Holder's responsible employees.

Each officer or employee of the BPA Holder or any of its subcontractors to whom any Government record may be made available or disclosed must be notified in writing by the BPA Holder that information disclosed to such officer or employee can be used only for a purpose and to the extent authorized herein.

24.0 CONTRACTOR TEAM ARRANGEMENT (CTA)

Contractors participating in MAS CTAs must abide by all terms and conditions of their respective Federal Supply Schedule contracts. All CTA members must have the required SINs at the time of quotation submission. If a teaming arrangement is quoted it must be with other schedule holders and a copy of their schedule and the teaming agreement must be provided with your quotation submission. A MAS CTA does not qualify as a FAR 9.601(1) or (2) CTA. Forming a new Joint Venture or Partnership Agreement (a FAR 9.601(1) CTA) specifically for an order is not allowed. If proposing the use of subcontractors (a FAR 9.601(2) CTA), all subcontractors of the CTA must be mapped through the Prime MAS contract holder’s contract prices (except in solicitations authorizing Order Level Materials (OLM) within the 33% limit). At the BPA level, the government cannot confirm that the awarded BPAs will include OLM SIN.

The determination for OLM SIN will be made at the Order level. Eligibility requirements for award are for the prime contractor and Contractor Team Arrangements (CTA) and not any proposed subcontractors.

Page | 15

SECTION II – INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS

(This section will be removed upon award)

1.0 Introduction

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) is issuing this Request for Quotation (RFQ) to procure Architecture, Development, and Platform Technical Services (ADaPTS) 2.0 on behalf of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW), dated December 2024.

The objective of this acquisition is to establish a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) BPA awards with quoters submitting an overall quotation that is determined to be most advantageous to the Government, price and non-price factors considered. The Government reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of BPA awards based on the results of the evaluation.

Competition will be promoted to the maximum extent practicable through an unrestricted competition.

The Government reserves the right, however, to pursue a partial set-aside of up to three (3) of the six (6) BPA awards for small business concerns to small business(es) deemed capable of meeting the requirements, as identified at FAR 19.000(a)(3) for those firms eligible for participation. (Note: The Government in its sole discretion may increase or decrease the number of small business set-aside BPA awards based on the results of the evaluation). If the Government exercises this right for a partial small business set-aside, then the following guidelines will apply to establishing the small business reserve:

• The set-aside may consist of up to three small business awardees. The selection official will establish the number of set-aside awards in their sole discretion. In exercising this discretion, the source selection authority may consider the best interests of the government to include the extent to which small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this Request for Quotation (RFQ).

• If three (3) or fewer small businesses submit Phase 1, 2 and 3 quotations in response to this RFQ, then the selection official, in their sole discretion, may determine that a BPA award will be issued to one or more of these small businesses. In exercising this discretion, the selection official may consider the best interest of the Government to include the extent to which the small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this RFQ.

• If four (4) or more small businesses submit Phase 1, 2 and 3 quotations in response to this RFQ, these Quoters will compete for award of the small business set-aside BPAs with award being made to the Quoters who represent the best value to the Government. The selection official, in their sole discretion, may determine that less than three (3) small business BPA awards will be issued. In exercising this discretion, the selection official may consider the best interests of the government to include the extent to which small business quotations received demonstrate the ability to satisfy the requirements of this RFQ. Small businesses that do not receive a small business set-aside BPA will compete with other than small businesses for the remaining BPA award(s).

In accordance with FAR 8.405-3, ordering activities may establish BPA(s) under any GSA schedule contract to fill recurring needs. One of the advantages of establishing schedule BPA(s) is the technical

Page | 16 qualifications of the available schedule contractor(s) within a SIN group. The team identified SIN 54151S IT Professional Services as having vendors with capabilities to meet the SOW requirements.

In order to be eligible for award, the quoter must possess a Top Secret (TS)/Facility Clearance (FCL).

2.0 Points of Contact

Quoters requesting information regarding this Request for Quotation (RFQ) shall only contact the points of contact listed below in Table 1. Contact with other Government personnel or non-Government advisors are prohibited. The points of contact listed in Table 1 are the only persons authorized to contact Quoters and the only persons authorized to release information regarding this procurement.

Table 1 – Points of Contact Contracting Officer Name: Stacey MacMillan

Email: Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov Contract Specialist(s) Name: Danielle Lachter

Email: Danielle.Lachter@hq.dhs.gov

Name: Elizabeth Wilfong Email: Elizabeth.Wilfong@hq.dhs.gov

3.0 Compliance with the RFQ Requirements

The Quoter shall examine and follow all RFQ instructions. Failure to comply with the instructions contained herein in any way may result in a determination that the quotation is non-compliant. Any quotation that is non-compliant with any requested submission instructions of this RFQ may immediately be removed from further consideration and evaluation by the Government. This RFQ does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of a quotation in response to this RFQ. The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only individual who can legally obligate the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this procurement.

Quoters will not be eligible for BPA award if their relevant GSA MAS contract (inclusive of option periods) will expire prior to the end of the BPA’s intended five-year ordering period, if no further option periods are available.

4.0 Questions and Amendments

Questions: All questions or concerns regarding any aspect of this RFQ shall be submitted electronically to the above email addresses no later than 4:00 PM ET on January xx, 2025. Questions received after this date and time may not be responded to by the Government.

Quoters shall submit all questions via email to all points of contact listed above. The subject line of the email shall contain the following: RFQ # 70RTAC25Q00000005 – Questions. Quoters shall clearly identify the specific section of the RFQ to which each question relates when submitting questions.

Reference should be made to the RFQ Section Heading, page number of the solicitation, and specific location on the page (e.g., third paragraph) in order to facilitate the Government’s response to each mailto:Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov

Page | 17 question. Questions shall be submitted in a Microsoft Excel file following a format similar to the table below.

Question Format:

Question No. Reference Question Category Question # RFQ, SOW, or

Attachments, and Section Contract or Technical Question

Responses to timely submitted questions will be provided to all contractors as an Amendment to this RFQ via email.

Amendments: If Amendments to the solicitation are issued, all Quoters must acknowledge the Amendments by signing the accompanying Standard Form (SF) 30 and returning the signed SF30 for all Amendments issued with the Quoters’ quotation submission. Failure to acknowledge all Amendments issued by the Government may result in the quotation submitted in response to the RFQ being found non-compliant by the Government.

5.0 Errors, Omissions or Ambiguities

If a Quoter believes the RFQ, including the quotation submission instructions, contains an error, omission, or ambiguity, or is otherwise unsound, the Quoter shall immediately notify the Contract Specialist(s) and Contracting Officer in writing with supporting rationale.

6.0 Phased Procurement

The Government intends to conduct this procurement through a phased quotation submission and phased evaluation.

A schedule is below:

Event Date Questions Due Phase 1 Quotations Due Notification of Mandatory Down-Select Phase 2 Quotations Due Notification of Advisory Down-Select Phase 3 Quotations Due Award

Please note the schedule is notional for those milestones marked as such and is provided for informational purposes. Notification of the Mandatory Down-Select and subsequent milestones will vary based on the number of Phase 1 Quotations received. The solicitation will be amended accordingly.

The schedule will be updated for “Phase 2 Quotations Due” and “Phase 3 Quotations Due” when the results of the Phase 1 Mandatory Down-Select are released to Quoters.

Page | 18

6.1 Quotation Due Date and Submission

The Quoter shall submit the Phase 1 response via email to Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov, Danielle.Lachter@hq.dhs.gov and Elizabeth.Wilfong@hq.dhs.gov no later than 4:00pm ET on January xx, 2025. Further instructions for Phase 2 and Phase 3 volume submission will be provided after the Government completes its evaluation of quotations received in response to the proceeding Phase. Phase 1 quotations submitted after the specified submission date and time will not be considered for award.

No other methods of submission will be accepted.

Failure to comply with RFQ requirements may result in the Quoter being removed from the competition as DHS reserves the right to eliminate quotations that do not conform.

6.2 Instructions for Quotation Preparation

The following instructions are for the preparation and submission of quotations. The purpose of this section is to establish requirements for the format and content of quotations so that quotations contain all essential information and can be evaluated equitably. Quoters are instructed to read the entire solicitation document, including all attachments, prior to submitting questions and/or preparing your quotation. Omission of any information from the quotation submission requirements may result in rejection of the quotation.

(1) Quoters are expected to follow the detailed quotation preparation instructions fully and carefully.

The Government will rely on the information provided by the Quoters to evaluate the quotations. It is therefore imperative that Quoters carefully follow the instructions set forth below and submit their quotations in the format and with the content specified below, providing all requested information.

(2) Quotations that fail to provide information in the format requested may be found unacceptable and may be rejected without further consideration if the Contracting Officer determines that a significant revision or addendum to the Quoters quotation would be required to permit further evaluation, and especially if the incompleteness of the quotation or errant formatting of the quotation appears to be due from a lack of diligence or competence of the Quoter.

(3) The instructions provided have been specifically tailored to the evaluation procedures to be applied for quotation evaluations. They are designed to ensure the submission of information essential to the understanding and comprehensive validation and evaluation of quotations. Clarity and completeness are of utmost importance to the quotation. The relevance and conciseness of the quotation is important. The Quoter is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of its quotation. The quotation shall be valid for one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days from the quotation due date.

(4) The Quoter shall submit a signed copy of the SF 1449 associated with all Amendments issued for the solicitation. The SF 30(s), if applicable, shall be included in the Price Volume (Volume V).

mailto:Stacey.MacMillan@hq.dhs.gov

Page | 19

(5) The Non-Price Volumes I, II, III, and IV shall be submitted in a searchable PDF document.

Documentation submitted in any other format shall not be considered by the Government.

(6) The Price Volume (Volume V) shall be submitted in searchable Microsoft Excel for the price tables and a searchable PDF format for the pricing assumptions. Electronic documentation submitted in any other format shall not be considered by the Government. All numerical data fields shall contain numbers that do not exceed two decimal places.

(7) Quoters shall ensure that the contents of the files print on a standard “8½” by 11” page. Quoters shall use Times New Roman 12-point font or larger for text, Times New Roman 8-point font or larger for headers and footers, Times New Roman or Arial 10-point font or larger for tables and text in headers/footers, and Arial 8-point font or larger for graphics. Quoters shall not use special characters (i.e. #, *, ?, {, }, %, >, <, /, \, $, | ) when naming quotation files.

(8) Quoters shall not exceed the specified page limitations specified in Section 7.0. Pages shall be numbered consecutively within each Volume (i.e., Volume #, Page ### of ###). For any segments of a Volume with a defined page limit, pages exceeding the specified page limit will be removed and not evaluated.

(9) Quoters shall submit a comprehensive quotation for evaluation and subsequent contract management by the Government. The information provided shall be concise, factual and complete and must demonstrate a clear understanding of and approach for performing all of the requirements of the SOW. It will be advantageous to the Quoter to present a quotation in a clear, concise manner and in terms understandable to those who may be unfamiliar with the Quoters detailed intentions and reasoning process. Quoters shall set forth full, accurate and complete information in the quotation submission as required by the RFQ. Quoters shall fully spell out any abbreviations and acronyms used before subsequent use of an abbreviation or acronym within a quotation Volume.

7.0 Quotation Content

Phase Quote Submission Page Limit Volume I – Facility Clearance

1 Factor 1 – Top Secret Facility Clearance (Pass/Fail)

• Cover Page

• Proof/validation of quoter’s DCSA approved Top Secret Facility Clearance.

1 Pages

NA

Volume II – Prior Experience 2 Factor 2 – Prior Experience (related to select tasks)

• Cover Page, Table of Contents, & Executive Summary

• 1 Completed Prior Experience example per Select Task for a total of six (6).

3 Pages

2 Pages per example

Volume III – Technical Scenario

Factor 3 – Technical Scenario (Attachment 3)

• Technical Scenario Response

10 Pages

Page | 20

Appendix: Technical Scenario Assumptions (if applicable) 3 pages Volume IV – Management Scenario

Factor 4 – Management Scenario (Attachment 4)

• Management Scenario Response

10 pages

Appendix: Management Scenario Assumptions (if applicable) 3 pages Volume V - Price

Factor 5 - Price

• Pricing Schedule (Attachment 2)

NA

Appendix 1: Price Assumptions (if applicable) 3 pages Appendix 2: Signed SF1449, SF30 (as applicable) NA Appendix 3: FAR Provisions Response NA Appendix 4: GSA Pricing Schedule NA

Information contained in each volume shall be complete to the extent that evaluation may be accomplished independently of, and concurrently with, evaluation of the other volumes. Your responses must demonstrate that both your firm and personnel can successfully complete this project. Quoters shall strictly adhere to the page limits. Any pages in excess of the page limits will not be evaluated.

No price information is to be included in Volumes I-IV.

7.1 Cover Page

All Volumes shall contain the following Cover Page Information:

(1) RFQ Number

(2) Date of Submission

(3) Quoter's Name

(4) Quoter's GSA MAS Contract Number

(5) Quoter's Unique Entity ID Number (UEI)

(6) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

(7) Business Size Status under NAICS code 541519

(8) Quoter's primary and alternate points-of-contact (name, title, phone number, and e-mail address)

(9) Expiration date of the quotation (at minimum 180 days from the quotation submission date)

(10) Corporate Signature

7.2 Assumptions

The Government understands that a Quoter must make certain assumptions in order to complete its quotation. Those assumptions are and forever remain the responsibility of the Quoter. The Quoter must indicate, in this section only, if it has made any assumptions, stipulations, or exceptions to the SOW which might affect its ability to successfully complete the contract during post-award performance. If not noted in the applicable section of the quotation, it will be assumed that the vendor’s quotation reflects no assumptions for award and the vendor promises to comply with all of the terms and conditions set forth herein. It is not the responsibility of the Government to seek out and identify

Page | 21 assumptions, conditions, or exceptions within the vendor’s quotation. Accordingly, any technical, management, or price related assumptions listed in any other volume or section shall be without effect.

The government may communicate with a Quoter over assumptions. These communications are not discussions.

Any exceptions taken to the terms and conditions of the RFQ shall be stated in the appropriate assumptions section. The Quoter is advised that any exception taken to the terms and conditions of the RFQ may adversely impact its evaluation rating. Any assumptions or exceptions that are considered unacceptable by the Government and cannot be resolved may result in the Quoter being removed from consideration.

Assumptions are not an independently evaluated component or factor and will not be assessed with its own confidence assessment; however, as these assumptions relate to or touch on another separately listed factor or information provided in a factor, they may inform the confidence assessment of those factor(s). The Government reserves the right and may consider an Quoter’s assumptions, stipulations, or exceptions in the best value award determination.

7.3 Provision Fill-In

Quoters shall submit the following completed provisions: FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (MAR 2023); FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment Provision (NOV 2021); FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT 2020); and, FAR 52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations – Representations (NOV 2015) and submit with Volume V: Price.

8.0 Instructions – Phase 1

8.1 Factor 1 – Top Secret Facility Clearance (PASS/FAIL)

The Quoter as the Prime Contractor, the Contractor Team Lead under a Contractor Team Arrangement, and the members of the proposed Joint Venture are required to demonstrate their current active Facility Clearance at the Top-Secret level. Quoters must provide official company name(s) and CAGE code(s) for the Prime Contractor, the Contractor Team Lead under a Contractor Team Arrangement, or one of the members of the proposed Joint Venture. Company name(s) and CAGE codes(s) must be complete and accurate. There is no recommended font size/style for this requirement.

9.0 Instructions – Phase 2

9.1 Factor 2 – Prior Experience (Targeted to Select Tasks)

The quote shall address the following:

(1) Prior Experience may cite federal, state, or local government sources and should highlight the company’s key role in the Prior Experience being documented. The Quoter shall submit one (1) example of prior experience for each of the following Select Tasks (for a total of six (6)):

Page | 22

a) Program and Project Management (SOW Task 1 – Section 3.1)

b) Application, Service and Cloud Architecture Support (SOW Task 3 – Section 3.3)

c) Application and Service Design, Implementation and Migration (SOW Task 4 – Section 3.4)

d) Platform Support and Disaster Recovery (SOW Task 8 – Section 3.8)

e) Security Engineering Services (SOW Task 12 – Section 3.12)

f) Management of an IDIQ contract/BPA and/or Task Order(s) with a Total Value of $40M or greater

Prior Experience must be submitted for work performed by the Prime Contractor.