Section L TIPSS-4 ITS A0003.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER TIRNO-09-R-00012

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

TABLE CONTENTS

L.1

52.252‑1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

…………………………………………………….L - 3 L.2

FAR PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES INCORPORATED

REFERENCE

…………………………………………………………………..L - 3 L.3

52.216‑1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

……………………………….L - 3 L.4

52.233‑2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEPT 2006)

……………………………L - 3 L.5

52.237‑10 IDENTIFICATION OF UNCOMPENSATED

OVERTIME (OCT 1997)

……………………………………………………...L - 4 L.6

DTAR 1052.219-73 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY MENTOR -

PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM (JAN 2000)

…………………………………………L - 5 L.7

MULTIPLE AWARDS

………………………………………………………..L - 5 L.8

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

…………L - 5 L.9

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

…….L - 6 L.10

PROPOSAL/AWARD RESTRICTIONS

…………………………………...L - 10 L.11

VOLUME I - TERMS AND CONDITIONS

………………………………L - 10 L.12

VOLUME II - TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

…………………………………L - 13 L.13

VOLUME III - SMALL BUSINESS DOCUMENTATION

……………….L - 19 L.14

VOLUME IV – COST AND PRICE PROPOSAL…………………….…... L-20

L.15

SMALL BUSINESS OFFERS

.……………………………………. ……….. L-22 L.16

ALTERNATE PROPOSALS

………………………………………………...L- 23 L.17

PROPOSAL PREPARARTION COSTS

…………………………………...L-23 L.18

DELETION OF CONFLICTING CONDITIONS

…………………...…….L-23 L.19

PROPOSALS NOT SELECTED……………………………………………L - 23

L.20

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARD…………………………………………L - 24

L.21

RETURN OF OFFERS………………………………………………………L - 24

L.1

52.252‑1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make that full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far.

L.2

FAR PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.3

52.216‑1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract resulting from this solicitation.

L.4

52.233‑2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEPT 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 31.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Internal Revenue Service

Tania B. Davis, Contracting Officer

Constellation Centre, 5th Floor (OS:A:P:I:G)

6009 Oxon Hill Road

Oxon Hill, MD 20745

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

L.5

52.237‑10 IDENTIFICATION OF UNCOMPENSATED OVERTIME (OCT 1997)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—“Uncompensated overtime” means the hours worked without additional compensation in excess of an average of 40 hours per week by direct charge employees who are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Compensated personal absences such as holidays, vacations, and sick leave shall be included in the normal work week for purposes of computing uncompensated overtime hours. “Uncompensated overtime rate” is the rate that results from multiplying the hourly rate for a 40-hour workweek by 40, and then dividing by the proposed hours per week. For example, 45 hours proposed on a 40-hour work week basis at $20 per hour would be converted to an uncompensated overtime rate of $17.78 per hour ($20.00 x 40 divided by 45 = $17.78).

(b) For any proposed hours against which an uncompensated overtime rate is applied, the offeror shall identify in its proposal the hours in excess of an average of 40 hours per week, by labor category at the same level of detail as compensated hours, and the uncompensated overtime rate per hour, whether at the prime or subcontract level. This includes uncompensated overtime hours that are in indirect cost pools for personnel whose regular hours are normally charged direct.

(c) The Offeror's accounting practices used to estimate uncompensated overtime must be consistent with its cost accounting practices used to accumulate and report uncompensated overtime hours.

(d) Proposals that include unrealistically low labor rates, or that do not otherwise demonstrate cost realism, will be considered in a risk assessment and will be evaluated for award in accordance with that assessment.

(e) The Offeror shall include a copy of its policy addressing uncompensated overtime with its proposal.

Note: Offerors without uncompensated overtime must provide a statement to that effect and provide it as part of their proposal.

L.6

DTAR 1052.219-73 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM (JAN 2000)

Large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in the Department of the Treasury Mentor-Protégé Program. Mentor firms provide small business protégés with developmental assistance to enhance their business capabilities and ability to obtain federal contracts.

Mentor firms are large prime contractors or eligible small businesses capable of providing developmental assistance. Protégé firms are small businesses, as defined in 13 CFR 121, 124, and 126.

Developmental assistance is technical, managerial, financial, and other mutually beneficial assistance to aid protégés. Contractors interested in participating in the Program are encouraged to contact the Department of the Treasury OSBD or the Bureau of the OSBD for further information.

L.7

MULTIPLE AWARDS

The Government intends to award multiple contracts. Awards shall be made to those offerors whose proposal is determined to best meet the needs of the Government after consideration of all factors. The Government will keep the number of awards to a reasonable amount, considering factors such as: maintaining enough vendors to ensure adequate competition and providing readily-available sources for task orders throughout the contract life. This will avoid burdensome contract administration and proposal/evaluation processes for both industry and the Government; thus, ensuring that successful contractors have the opportunity to receive a meaningful level of work.

L.8

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

As soon as an offeror is aware of any problems or ambiguities in interpreting the specifications, terms or conditions, instructions or evaluation criteria of this solicitation, the Contracting Officer identified in Section L, Service of Protest, shall be notified. Any objection to the RFP requirements must be communicated prior to delivery of a proposal. Only electronic submission of questions and comments will be accepted. They shall be submitted via email to awss.tipss-4@irs.gov. All questions and comments shall be submitted using Attachment J.15.

All questions/comments are due by 2 PM on July 20, 2009. Late questions/comments will not be considered.

The Government will not provide any information concerning questions in response to telephone calls from offerors. All requests will be answered electronically and provided to all offerors at the TIPSS-4 Internet site;

http://www.irs.gov/opportunities/procurement/article/0,,id=179240,00.html.

The official RFP and related documents will be available electronically 24 hours a day via FedBizOpps. The file can then be downloaded in Microsoft Word 2003 format.

L.9

FORMAT AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

L.9.1

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Proposals shall be prepared in accordance with these instructions; providing all required information in the format specified.

Each offeror shall submit a proposal in four separate volumes as follows:

VOLUME I – TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Volume I will be separated into two binders as outlined below. Offerors shall submit an original and one hard copy of Binder 1A and one original and five hard copies of Binder 1B of Volume I along with one electronic copy per binder on compact disc (CD).

Binder 1A: TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Binder 1B: CAPABILITY MATURITY MODEL INTEGRATION (CMMI)

VOLUME II – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Volume II will be separated into three binders as outlined below. Offerors shall submit one original hard copy and provide copies of each binder of Volume II as identified below, along with one electronic copy per binder on compact disc (CD).

BINDER 2A: PAST EXPERIENCE (Six Hard Copies)

COMPLETED PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRES shall be submitted in the originally sealed envelopes received from the offeror’s customer. These envelopes should be located in one of the boxes containing the offeror’s Binder 2A submission.

BINDER 2B: MANAGEMENT APPROACH (Five Hard Copies)

BINDER 2C: EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EVMS) (Five Hard Copies)

Volume III – SMALL BUSINESS DOCUMENTATION Offerors shall submit an original and one hard copy for Volume III, along with an electronic copy on compact disc (CD).

BINDER 3: SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION

VOLUME IV – COST AND PRICE PROPOSAL

Offerors shall submit an original and one hard copy of Volume IV along with two electronic copies on compact disc (CD). The data contained on the CD submission may not have any password protections or other means that would inhibit the Government from verifying formulas and manipulating data.

L.9.2 – FORMAT, ORGANIZATION, AND CONTENT OF FILES

Each volume shall be submitted in separate loose-leaf binder(s). For each proposal package, the following information must be cited on the outside of each box and on the spine and cover of each binder:

· Solicitation Number:

· Offeror's Name

· Box __ of __ boxes (Applicable only to the shipping boxes)

· Volume Number (Applicable only to the spine and cover of each binder.)

Each proposal volume shall include an index of that volume's contents that identifies major paragraphs and subparagraphs by number and descriptive title, as well as the corresponding page numbers. Each section’s title must correspond with the title given by the Government.

(a) Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall be formatted in accordance with the instructions provided in this section. Offerors shall furnish the proposal in separately bound volumes in the quantities specified. Each volume shall be complete in itself in order that evaluation of one volume may be accomplished independently of, and concurrently with, evaluation of the other.

(b) Each page within each volume and section shall be numbered using a consistent numbering scheme. This scheme shall also be used for all supporting documentation such as charts, figures, etc., included in each volume.

Each volume including all supporting documentation shall be submitted in standard three ring loose-leaf binders. All offerors must print on 8 1/2 by 11-inch, double sided (example: page 1 on the front side and page 2 on the back side of the same sheet), recycled paper (no less than 30% post consumer material). Blank sides and part/tab dividers do not count toward the page counts. The typewritten or printed letters shall be 12-point Times New Roman. No reduction is permitted except for organization charts or other graphic illustrations. In those instances where reduction is allowable, offerors shall ensure that the print is easily readable; no less than 8-point font on graphs and 10- point font on tables.

Offerors shall not use charts/tables/graphics to subvert page limits. Each page shall have adequate margins on each side (at least one inch) of the page. Header/footer information (which does not include any information to be evaluated) may be included in the 1” margin space. Fold outs for complete spreadsheets and/or organization charts are permissible up to 11” by 17”, with printing on only one side, if secured with the volume. Large sheets (i.e., greater than 8 1/2 by 11 inch) shall count as two pages.

The proposal shall, at a minimum, include the information identified in Section L, and comply with the cited page limitations for each section. Page limitations identified in Section L.9.1 refer to one side of a page. For example each key personnel résumé is limited to two pages, this would be submitted on one sheet of paper with information on each side of the paper. Offerors will only be evaluated on the information contained within the page limitations set forth for each section. Additional information that exceeds the prescribed page limitations shall not be evaluated.

In addition to the “paper” proposal, an electronic version is also required on a compact disk (CD). Offerors shall exercise extreme caution to assure that all disks submitted in response to this section shall be free of any computer viruses. If a disk is found to contain a virus, the entire offer may be rejected.

(c) Files shall be formatted as follows:

(1) Text files (including charts, diagrams, etc.): Microsoft Word 2003.

(2) Spreadsheet files: Microsoft Excel 2003.

(3) Adobe Acrobat Version 8.1 Any PDF submitted that is not readable will be deemed unacceptable. The following information will be accepted in a PDF format: CMMI documents; Financial back-up; and EVMS self validation supporting documentation.

Pre-printed materials such as company annual reports submitted with Volume IV, Cost/Price Proposal and Financial Information need not be submitted in electronic format.

Offerors submitting proposal revisions as a result of discussions must submit final proposal revisions on an updated electronic version to include all changes, revisions, and modifications made to the original proposal. This updated electronic proposal shall also be submitted on a CD using the same software as the initial electronic proposal.

A proposal that fails to show compliance with these instructions shall be removed from the competition.

L.10

PROPOSAL/AWARD RESTRICTIONS

Offerors may not submit more than one proposal as a prime contractor; however, offerors may submit as a prime contractor and participate as a subcontractor on one or more prime proposals.

Parent and subsidiary corporations may submit a proposal on this procurement, but it is each offeror's responsibility to ensure that there are no organizational conflicts of interest. Moreover, establish why potentially awarding to both a parent and subsidiary or fellow subsidiaries would not violate the competitive process. The offeror must establish how it is a separate entity, and how its corporate decisions are not influenced by a parent organization or fellow subsidiaries (reference Section H.16, Organizational Conflict of Interest and Limitation on Future Contracting).

L.11

VOLUME I: BINDER 1A - TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following paragraphs prescribe the format of Volume I to assure the submission of information essential to the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of each offeror's proposal.

Each offeror shall complete and submit requested data forms in accordance with Section I.3.1 – Qualifications Requirements, paragraphs (b).

L.11.1

TAB A – PROPOSAL TRANSMITTAL LETTER

The proposal transmittal letter shall include the name, address, email, telephone number, and title of the offeror’s primary and back-up points of contact for the TIPSS-4 ITS solicitation.

L.11.2

TAB B – SF 33 and SECTIONS B - K The offeror shall include a fully executed SF 33, as appropriate. The SF 33 shall be signed by an official authorized to bind the offeror’s organization. The SF 33 containing the original signature shall be included in the binder marked as the original.

The offeror shall indicate its acceptance of all requirements and terms and conditions of the solicitation. Section K shall be fully executed and a copy included in each copy of Volume I provided.

Upon contract award, the successful offeror’s completed representations, certifications, and other statements of the offeror will be incorporated into the contract by reference under Section H of the contract.

L.11.2.1 OFFER ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

The offeror’s acceptance period shall be no less than 240 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another date is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

L.11.3

TAB C – SIGNED AMENDMENTS

The offer shall include signed copies of all amendments to this solicitation. Each amendment shall be signed by an official authorized to bind the offeror’s organization. The amendments containing the original signature shall be included in the binder marked as the original.

L.11.4

BINDER 1B: (CMMI®) REQUIREMENTS

All offerors proposing are required to be CMMI-SW or CMMI-DEV Level 2 certified at time of proposal submission. Any offeror that does not demonstrate compliance with the CMMI standard as stated in the RFP will not be evaluated and will not be eligible for award.

L.11.4.1

PRE-AWARD CMMI® VALIDATION

The goal of the CMM IntegrationSM2 (CMMI) validation effort is to validate that contractors selected to perform IRS software development work are capable of practicing the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) CMMI Level 2 maturity.

The source selection practice as suggested by SEI recommends that the procuring agency field a Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) team to determine prospective software development contractors’ CMMI process maturity level. The objective of this approach is to provide a means of validating contractor process maturity within the time constraints of the acquisition.

All offerors shall provide evidence of process maturity in accordance with the IRS Policy and Procedure 39.1(B) Capability Maturity Model for software through the submission of SCAMPI results and voluntarily post the results of appraisals at http://sas.sei.cmu.edu/pars/pars.aspx in accordance with SEI guidance and procedures

L.11.4.2 IRSAP 1052.239-9004 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PREREQUISITE (Jan 2007)

In accordance with clause 1052.239-9005, the proposal shall include the evidence listed below to document the offeror’s CMMI-SW or CMMI-DEV Level:

a. Supporting data for at least one, but not more than three, Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI), ARC Class A, that demonstrate software development compliance with SEI’s CMMI–SW Version 1.1, CMMI-DEV Version 1.2 or later. The appraisal(s) submitted shall be dated within the 36 months from the first day of the period to the proposal due date;

b. The current CMMI-SW or CMMI-DEV Level of the organizational component that the offeror proposes to perform the work and a description of how the maturity level was determined;

c. The period of the appraisal on-site (from mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy) and interview schedule listing the name, role, and organizational affiliation of each individual interviewed;

d. The Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement – SCAMPI, ARC Class A, Appraisal Plan, SCAMPI Disclosure Statement, and Final Findings Briefing;

e. Organizational chart showing the relationship of the evaluated organization to the proposing organization and the number and type of staff associated with each component of the organization;

f. Project profile(s) for each project evaluated in the SCAMPI(s), ARC Class A, including the following attributes: project description, application domain, software size, life cycle, project schedule, current phase of the project, and staffing profile;

g. The name, organizational affiliation, SEI authorization identification number, address, and telephone number of the SCAMPI Lead AppraiserSM;

h. The name title, organizational affiliation, address, telephone number, experience, and a copy of “Introduction to CMMI” training certificate for each member of the appraisal team. An email from SEI stating the SCAMPI team members’ name, Intro to CMMI version number, and dates of training will be acceptable; and

i. The internet link to SEI where the offeror’s SCAMPI appraisal results are posted.

L.12

VOLUME II - TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

The following paragraphs prescribe the format of Volume II to assure the submission of information essential to the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of each offeror's proposal.

L.12.1

CONTENT

Each offeror shall submit its technical proposal in accordance with Section L.9.1. Each binder shall be able to stand on its own merit and be modular in nature. Page limitations, if any, exclude materials that do not contain information to be evaluated or assist evaluators in reviewing the proposal (e.g., table contents, glossary, etc.).

Offerors are cautioned that in conducting its evaluation, the Government may use data provided by the offeror from its proposal, as well as data obtained from other sources. While the Government may elect to consider data obtained from other sources, the burden of providing thorough and complete information rests with the offeror.

BINDER 2A: TECHNICAL RESPONSE

L.12.2

TAB A - Past experience (FACTOR 1) All offerors shall submit five past experience profiles for work performed within the past three years. Past experience profiles demonstrate an offeror’s corporate experience in performing work that is similar, size, scope, and complexity to that contemplated under the TIPSS-4 ITS contract. Of these five profiles at least one profile shall demonstrate Development of a Major IT System, at least one shall demonstrate Operations & Maintenance of a Major IT System and at least one shall demonstrate IT Security experience.

Each past experience profile shall include a description of the type of contract, dollar value/level of effort, the technical and operational approach, allocation of resources/labor categories, place(s) of performance, and general description of requirements of the project/task. Each offeror is required to identify the tasks, key management personnel, and technical labor categories that demonstrate the offeror’s corporate experience is relevant to the Principal Task Area as described in Section C.

Past Experience Profiles shall describe the software tools used in the performance of the project/task and the relevance to IRS, including but not limited to testing, processing, communication tools and equipment and user's skills.

A. GENERAL INFORMATION/FORMAT

Each past experience profile shall include:

(1) Contract/Task Order Title;

(2) Contract/Task Order Number;

(3) Contract/Task Order Period of Performance;

(4) Contract/Task Order Value;

(5) Contract/Task Order Type (e.g., FFP, CPFF, CPIF, etc.);

(6) If subcontracting support was utilized, state the type of support subcontracted and the percentage of the contract/task order subcontracted;

(7) Geographic distribution of services (i.e., Local, Nationwide, Worldwide);

(8) Name, address, telephone number, and electronic mail address of the customer (If Government experience, provide the name and telephone number of the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and the Contracting Officer (CO). If commercial experience, provide the name, telephone number and electronic mail address for the technical and contracting equivalent). Also, include the name, telephone number and electronic mail address for alternate parties;

(9) Description of any claims or litigation between the offeror and the client or customer concerning a particular contractual agreement or account, and the outcome of such claims or litigation if resolved; and

(10) Description of the Contract/Task Order requirements, work performed and the relevancy to this acquisition.

L.12.3 PAST PERFORMANCE (FACTOR 2)

L.12.3.1 TAB B - PAST PERFORMANCE REFERENCES

All offerors shall submit one reference for each past experience profile (FACTOR 1) for purposes of past performance evaluation or indicate that they do not have any relevant corporate past/present performance information. Past Performance references shall coincide with the submitted past experience profiles. For proposal preparation, see Section J.10.1, Past Performance References. The past performance reference information submitted shall include the following information:

Agency or Company name and address:

Point of Contact (POC), name, address, telephone number and email address:

Alternate Point of Contact (APOC) with name, address, telephone number and email address:

Contract/Award Number:

Title of Contract:

Period of Performance:

Description of Service:

All offerors are responsible for ensuring that POC’s and APOC’s are reachable and that all information listed above is current and valid. The Government reserves the right to contact any reference or use any other relative past performance information deemed appropriate by the Contracting Officer. Any past performance reference submitted that does not match the past experience profile will not be contacted and will be considered not to be relevant.

L.12.3.2 Past pERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRES Offerors shall send the past performance questionnaire located in Attachment J.10 to each reference listed in Tab B of Binder 2A of their proposal. The offeror will then have the reference return the completed past performance questionnaire to the offeror in a sealed envelope. The sealed envelope will be included with the offeror’s proposal when the proposal is submitted as indicated in Section L.9.1. It is the offeror’s responsibility to provide a completed past performance questionnaire for each past experience profile. In the event that the offeror is unable to obtain a completed past performance questionnaire, the Government reserves the right to contact the references provided in Tab B of Binder 2A or any other available resource to obtain the information.

l.12.4 BINDER 2b: MANAGEMENT APPROACH (facTOR 3)

L.12.4.1 TAB A – ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (sub-factor 1)

a. The offeror shall describe its organizational structure to include: levels of authority at corporate and task order level, approval process, roles and responsibilities, communication process, management of risk, and subcontractor management. Specifically, the offeror shall describe the management and administrative organization available for the management of the requirements under the proposed contract. The offeror shall include a functional organizational chart by job classification, which shall include corporate level personnel, management staff, technical staff, and other support staff. The offeror shall describe the levels of authority/approval process and reflect the degree of authority each position will exercise in managing the resources (including subcontractors). The narrative shall, at a minimum, explain the roles and responsibilities and communication flow of those identified in the organizational chart.

b. The offeror shall describe its quality assurance program, which illustrates a planned, systematic approach to checking the technical and contractual requirements against the resulting products or services produced during performance.

c. The offeror shall describe the strategy and methods to be employed to provide a fully qualified initial workforce at contract award. This section shall describe current staff and hiring procedures; methodology for maintaining current staff (i.e., incentives and award programs); acquiring required staffing levels and additional staffing on an ongoing basis, resource turnover, transitioning personnel (phase in/phase out), and utilization of subcontractors.

d. The offeror shall describe its current personnel base, including the number of personnel currently employed on a permanent basis by the offeror and those additionally available during peak load periods on a temporary basis. If subcontractor personnel or other outside resources are included in the current personnel base, the rationale and mechanism for inclusion, and the actual number of subcontractor personnel shall be addressed.

e. The offeror shall describe the methodologies utilized to replace employees lost through attrition during the term of performance. The offeror shall specifically address plans to employ sufficient qualified staff to support the base year projected in Section B, SERVICES AND PRICES.

f. The offeror's proposal shall demonstrate an understanding of the difficulties sometimes encountered in recruiting and retaining personnel for work in areas outside the Washington, DC metro area (e.g., Detroit, MI, Martinsburg, WV, and Memphis, TN). Recruitment of additional qualified personnel to handle an increasingly complex and diversified workload shall also be addressed. This section shall also address how the offeror plans to recruit for any additional skills not currently required by the solicitation but, which might be required due to technological advancements requiring the addition of new labor categories during the term of the contract.

g. The offeror shall describe the cost and schedule management procedures to be used for this contract. Cost Management and Schedule Management shall be described separately.

h. In this section of the proposal, the offeror shall identify the type and level of support that will be obtained from subcontractors. The offeror shall provide a rationale and a policy for subcontracting. The offeror shall reflect how the need for subcontracting is identified, and the process for coordination and integration of the subcontractors' efforts into those of the offeror. The offeror shall identify the methods to be used to oversee the subcontractors' performance, with specific attention to how the offeror will verify that the subcontractors' efforts satisfy the requirements of task order.

L.12.4.2 TAB B – KEY PERSONNEL (SUB -FACTOR 2)

Offerors shall provide key personnel based on their interpretation of the requirement. Corporate level key personnel résumés submitted shall describe roles, responsibilities, and relationships to the contract at the corporate and task order level.

At a minimum, résumés shall include the following:

· Name of person;

· Functional Responsibility;

· Education (including, in reverse chronological order, colleges and/or technical schools attended (with dates), degree(s)/certification(s) received, major field(s) of study, and approximate number of total class hours);

· Citizenship status;

· Certify the information contained in the résumés is correct and accurate (including signature of corporate level person and date signed and signature of higher authority and date signed).

These proposed solutions shall have the authority to negotiate and make binding decisions for the company. The proposed corporate level management functions shall include but not be limited to having a broad and progressive knowledge of the IT industry functions; business administration; contractual functions; human resources; and software development project management. This personnel solution shall also incorporate the coordination with any other contractors who may be under the direction of the Government Program/Project Manager.

The contractor shall institute and maintain a management structure to respond to and negotiate a Task Order SOW, SOO, and/or PWS. The contractor shall also maintain access to resources that can be called upon to fulfill task order requirements under this contract.

L.12.5 BINDER 2C – EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEm (FACTOR 4)

In accordance with FAR Subparts 34.2, 52.234-2, and 52.234-3, in addition with IRS Policy, Earned Value Management System P&P No. 34.2 and The Department Treasury Earned Value Management Guide. The prime and subcontractors shall provide information supporting the self-validation using the template in Appendix A (as a guide) of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Earned Value Management System Intent Guide. Each offeror determines which criteria it meets and submit either (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of the following:

(a) The offeror must submit documentation that their Cognizant Federal Agency’s (CFA) compliance determination of its Earned Value Management System fully meets the American National Standards Institute/Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standards. For offerors with multiple business units, the compliance determination must represent the offeror’s business unit that will perform under this contract. The offeror shall provide its CFA point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.

or;

(b) The offeror must submit documentation that their Cognizant Federal Agency’s (CFA) compliance determination of its Earned Value Management System plan meets the American National Standards Institute/Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standards. For offerors with multiple business units, the compliance determination must represent the offeror’s business unit that will perform under this contract. The offeror shall provide its CFA point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.

or;

(c) Pursuant to FAR 52.234-3, Earned Value Management System (JULY 2006), the offeror shall submit a comprehensive plan submitted to its CFA to become compliant with American National Standards Institute/Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standards. For offerors with multiple business units, the compliance determination must represent the offeror’s business unit that will perform under this contract. The offeror shall provide its CFA point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address. If a comprehensive plan is being submitted to the IRS, no CFA point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address are necessary.

or;

(d) The offeror shall submit self-validation documentation in accordance with the Section J.14 that their system meets EVM in full compliance in accordance with American National Standards Institute/Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standards in accordance with the Full Criteria in Section J.13.

or;

(e) The offeror shall submit self-validation documentation in accordance with the Section J.14 that their system meets EVM compliance in accordance with American National Standards Institute/Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standards in accordance with the Core Criteria in Section J.13.

L.13

VOLUME III: BINDER 3 – SMALL BUSINESS DOCUMENTATION

L.13.1

TAB A – SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

The Subcontracting Plan is to be completed by large business offerors only. (refer to Attachment J.4, Department of the Treasury - HUB Zone, Small Disadvantaged, Women-Owned, Veteran Owned, & Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns & HBCU/MI Subcontracting Plan Outline)

Prime contractors shall submit a subcontracting plan, which includes dollar percentage goals for subcontracting opportunities with HBCUs/MIs. The goal shall be at least three percent and shall include actual IT related work with the HBCU/MI and not represent recruiting/hiring efforts with an HBCU/MI. The subcontracting plans will be evaluated and plans that do not include dollar percentage goals for all of IRS subcontracting goals, including HBCUs/MIs, shall be determined to be ineligible for award.

L.13.2 TAB B – eSRS DOCUMENTATION (FACTOR 2, SUB-FACTOR 4) All large business offerors shall submit the firm’s paper copies of the Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) from the electronic Subcontract Reporting System (eSRS) for the last three fiscal years, (FY2008, 2007, and 2006). If the SSR forms are not available for the last three fiscal years, the contractor shall submit a detailed explanation as to why they are not available and shall submit as many SSR forms as possible – up to three.

L.13.3 TABS C & D SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION PARTICIPATION

This solicitation contains two relevant sample forms: one entitled “Identification List of Small Disadvantaged Business Firms in targeted NAICS Codes Projected to be used on this contract” and one entitled “Summary Sheet for Cumulative Target NAICS SDB Data by Category”. Each offeror is required to submit all of the information required on both of these forms, either using these specific forms, or developing an alternate format, which contains all the information requested on both sample forms provided.

L.13.4 TAB E – TREASURY MENTOR – PROTÉGÉ APPLICATIONS (FACTOR

5) This section applies only to large businesses submitting offers. This solicitation contains the DTAR Provision 1052.219-73, Department of the Treasury Mentor – Protégé Program and DTAR Clause 1052.219-75, Mentor Requirements and Evaluation.

All large business prime contractors shall submit its Mentor-Protégé applications on the templates found at: http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/management/dcfo/osdbu/mentor-protege/application.shtml. The application shall be completed and signed by both the mentor and the protégé. Applications will then be evaluated by the IRS Small Business Specialist. Prior to award, the Mentor-Protégé applications for those firms that are anticipated to be awarded TIPSS-4 ITS contracts will be forwarded to the Office of Small Business Development at the Department of the Treasury for review and approval. Standard approval time is less than 30 days. All applications must be approved and returned to the IRS. Awardees will be notified on the date of award of their award and the approval of the Mentor-Protégé applications.

For large business prime offerors that want to begin to engage their proposed “new to the IRS/new to the prime contractor” protégés in work under current or future contracts prior to the award of TIPSS-4, can begin to engage these firms beginning 30 days after the receipt of proposals for TIPSS-4 ITS.

L.14

VOLUME IV: BINDER 4 – COST AND PRICE PROPOSAL (FACTOR 6)

Offerors shall submit an organized cost proposal that clearly and separately identifies all costs pertaining to the principle task area detailed in Section B. The offeror must utilize the estimated hours listed in Section J Attachment J.5 of the solicitation. The estimates contained in Attachment J.5, Labor Categories and Hours, are for evaluation purposes only and should not be construed as limitations on types or quantities of labor that may be subsequently acquired under the TIPSS-4 ITS contract. The hours are for proposal evaluation purposes only and do not commit the Government.

TAB A - The offeror shall submit a completed Attachment J.1, General Financial and Organizational Information in Tab A of Volume IV.

TAB B - The offeror shall submit summary spreadsheets in Tab B of Volume IV that clearly identify all costs including:

A grand total summary schedule for each year of the contract period.;

A summary schedule and cost breakdown by contract year (base and option periods);

A schedule of fully burdened hourly labor rates for each contract year.

Offerors shall prepare the schedules in accordance with the sample pricing schedule in Attachment J.1.1. The offeror shall propose labor rates for all Government labor categories specified in Section B utilizing the estimated hours listed in Section J.5. Fully loaded hourly rates and total estimated cost/price should be proposed for the Government site and the Contractor site for each year of contract performance in accordance with each offeror’s normal accounting practices.

TAB C - The offeror shall also provide a written narrative in Tab C of Volume IV explaining the basis and methodology of the proposed cost estimates. If this information has been provided elsewhere in the cost proposal, the offeror may reference those sections in lieu of duplicating responses.

The offeror shall also provide the following information:

The methodology for determining labor category rates proposed in sufficient detail for the Government to determine cost realism. The offeror shall attach support schedules that include all proposed labor categories, indicating both proposed hours and rates in accordance with the sample schedule in Attachment J.1.1. All support (such as management, clerical or corporate) hours and costs proposed as a direct charge, in accordance with the offeror’s normal accounting practices, shall be shown separately from the technical effort. In addition, the offeror shall provide supporting documentation for pricing sources (such as, payroll records, market research, new hire agreements, etc.). The offeror shall include a mapping of its company labor category titles to the Government labor category titles.

Whether current rates or escalated rates are used. If escalation is included, the offeror shall state the degree (percent) and methodology. The methodology shall include the effective date of the base rates and the policy on salary reviews (e.g. anniversary date of employee or salary reviews for all employees on a specific date).

Whether its indirect costs have been recently approved, if so, the offeror shall provide a copy of the rate agreement. If not, the offeror shall submit supporting documentation for rates which have not been approved or audited. The offeror shall clearly identify the indirect rates utilized in its cost schedules. The offeror shall also clearly identify indirect rate ceilings and state the ceiling rates proposed (for cost reimbursement orders).

The names and cost proposed for each subcontractor. The offerors shall provide separate cost proposals for each subcontractor in the same format required for the prime. Subcontract cost must be clearly delineated in the prime contractor’s proposal. In addition, the offeror shall provide a separate matrix clearly identifying the allocation of the proposed hours and costs among the prime and subcontractors for each labor category in accordance with the sample matrix provided in Attachment J.1.1.

The methodology for computing proposed other direct costs.

TAB D – The offeror shall provide a completed Section B.2. Offerors do not need to complete Section B.2.1. Section B.2.1 and the resulting CLIN structure will be completed at time of award.

L.14.1 TAB E - Accounting System An adequate accounting system is required for the use of a cost reimbursement contract (FAR Subpart 16.301-3). The offeror shall identify the status of its accounting/estimating, billing and purchase system. If the offeror’s accounting system has not been reviewed or approved by a Government agency, then the offeror shall provide a description of its methodology for estimating and accumulating costs under Government contracts.

The offerors shall provide organization information in sufficient detail to assist with the overall cost/price evaluation (i.e. cognizant audit agency, Government/Commercial sales volume, etc.) in Tab E of Volume IV.

L.14.2 TAB F - Financial Capability

Offerors shall provide the following information in Tab F of Volume IV, concerning financial capability:

· Audited financial statements for the prime and major subcontractors, complete with notes for the last two completed fiscal years and the most recent year-to-date actual financial data; if audited financial statements are not available, then the offeror shall also provide tax returns from the two most recent fiscal years. Major subcontractors are contractors, subcontractors, or vendors to the prime contractor who are budgeted to receive at least $1,000,000.00 or 20% of the total contract funds (whichever is less).

· Financial resources available to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source. If sufficient resources are not available, then indicate in your proposal the amount required and the anticipated source (i.e., bank loans, letter or lines of credit, etc.). Offerors shall also provide a copy of the letter from the bank and names/phone numbers of bank representatives available to confirm the financing arrangement.

L.15

SMALL BUSINESS OFFERS

For the purpose of this contract, NAICS Code 541511 and the following standard applies: “a concern is small if its average annual receipts for its preceding three (3) fiscal years do not exceed $25 million dollars.”

Subcontracted work need not be classified as NAICS Code 541511. It should be classified under whatever NAICS Code is appropriate for the work. The size standard for that NAICS Code can be used to determine if subcontracting goals are met.

L.16

ALTERNATE PROPOSALS

OFFERORS ARE CAUTIONED AND WARNED THAT ALTERNATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR EVALUATED Each offeror may submit only one Technical and Cost/Price proposal.

Offerors should submit the proposal which sets forth their “best approach” to meet the requirements of the solicitation. The Government will not accept alternate proposals; submission of any alternate proposal will result in the offeror being eliminated from further award consideration.

L.17

PROPOSAL PREPARATION COSTS

The Government will not pay direct costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals.

Nor is the Government committed to contracting for the proposed services. The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this proposed procurement.

L.18

DELETIONS OF CONFLICTING CONDITIONS

In submitting a proposal it is necessary that the offeror delete, or by explicit language exclude, any conditions (preprinted or otherwise) appearing on the offeror's letterhead or on the reverse thereof which may be in conflict with any of the general or special conditions contained in this Request for Proposal. Failure to eliminate such conflicting conditions may result in the rejection of the proposal as non-responsive.

L.19

PROPOSALS NOT SELECTED

Non-selection of any proposal will mean that another acceptable proposal(s) was/were deemed to be more advantageous to the Government, or that no proposal was accepted. Offerors whose proposals are not accepted will be notified. Unsuccessful offerors may request a debriefing concerning the perceived strengths, weaknesses, and deficiencies of their proposal relative to the Government expectations.

After a selection and contract award(s), unsuccessful proposals will be disposed of as follows: the Contracting Officer will retain one copy of each proposal and the remainder will be destroyed. Destruction certification will not be furnished.

L.20

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARD

Announcement of contract awards will be made in accordance with FAR Part 15. Announcement will also be published in the Federal Business Opportunities (https://www.fbo.gov) in accordance with FAR 5.303, Announcement of Contract Award.

L.21

RETURN OF OFFERS

It is important that the offer is sealed and the outer envelope or wrapping of the offer is addressed as follows:

FROM: Offeror's Return Address

TO:

Internal Revenue Service

Tania B. Davis, Contracting Officer

Constellation Centre, Suite 500 (OS:A:P:I:G)

6009 Oxon Hill Road

Oxon Hill, MD 20745

SOLICITATION NO.: TIRNO-09-R-00012, TIPSS-4 ITS

DATE:

September 10, 2009

TIME:

2:00 PM (OXON HILL, MD - EASTERN STANDARD TIME)

(NOTE: Failure to mark the outer cover could be the cause of the offer being misdirected and received too late at the required destination.)

Offers sent through the U. S. Mail (including U. S. Postal Service Express Mail Next Day Service - Post Office to Addressee) must be addressed to the place specified in Standard Form 33, Block 7. All hand-carried offers including those made by private delivery services (e.g., Federal Express and Airborne Express) must be delivered to the office cited in Standard Form 33, Block 7. Hand-carried offers must be delivered to the above office by the time and date specified in SF 33, Block 9. IRS personnel are not available to receive hand-carried offers except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Offers received at destination after time and date specified for receipt will be considered LATE in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The burden of timely receipt is upon the offeror.

(End of Section)

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