VA119A-16-R-0349-066.docx

Attachment F

TASK ORDER PROCEDURES

1. Task Order Procedures

Contractors under VECTOR shall provide services as requirements are identified throughout the ordering period. Requirements may span the labor categories and tasks of one or more service groups. Each requirement will specify details as they relate to deliverables, performance, and other technical items.

1. VECTOR will follow ordering procedures as outlined in FAR 16.505. In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2), the CO will provide all awardees in the applicable service group(s) a fair opportunity to be considered for all awards under VECTOR, which exceed the micro-purchase threshold, unless one of the following exceptions applies:

0. The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays;

0. Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized;

0. The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order; or

0. It is necessary to plan an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

Should one of these exceptions exist, the CO will execute the TO as a sole-source TO, seeking proper justifications in accordance with the FAR and agency procedures.

1. As requirements for VECTOR are defined, the CO will determine the applicable services group(s). Contractors for that service group(s) will be given the fair opportunity to compete for the award, assuming one of the exceptions noted above does not exist. The CO will issue a Task Order Proposal Request (TOPR) in accordance with the procedures as outlined below. TOPRs may include services from multiple Service Groups. Contractors must have an award in all applicable Service Groups as defined in the Task Order Proposal Request in order to be eligible for award. The Service Groups are defined in such a way to minimize the occurrence of requirements from multiple Service Groups in a single TOPR and the Government will make all efforts to minimize the inclusion of multiple Service Groups in one TOPR. It should be noted that while VECTOR contractors are not required to respond to all TOPRs for which they are afforded the opportunity, they are expected to do so. Contractors unable to perform the requirements as stated in a TOPR must submit a “no-bid” to the CO with a brief, yet specific, explanation. Repeated failure to provide a proposal or adequate rationale for failure to propose may result in off-ramping at no cost to the Government.

1. Each TOPR will include, at a minimum:

2. The due date and instructions for proposal submission,

2. A Statement of Work (SOW), Statement of Objectives (SOO), or Performance Work Statement (PWS) with a description of the requirements, including deliverables, minimum qualifications, and applicable information,

2. The place and period of performance, and

2. Any additional information deemed necessary by the CO.

1. Each TO requirement will have a unique evaluation approach that will be developed by the TO CO and detailed in the TOPR. The following tiered evaluation approach will be mandatory for all TOs:

Tier 1 - SDVOSBs that team/subcontract exclusively with SDVOSBs and VOSBs Tier 2 - SDVOSBs that team/subcontract with Small Businesses (Other than SDVOSBs and VOSBs), Joint Ventures that include Small Businesses Tier 3 - SDVOSBs that team/subcontract with Large Businesses, Joint Ventures that include Large Businesses

All SDVOSB and VOSB subcontractors must be VetBiz Verified and certified in SAM under NAICS code 541611 in order to qualify for Tier 1. All Small Businesses must be certified in SAM under NAICS code 541611 in order to qualify for Tier 2. The CO at the task order level may offer some flexibility with the subcontractor NAICS codes based on the specific requirements and at the request of the prime contractor. Subcontractors with NAICS codes that the CO determines outside of the scope of the services will not be considered with regard to determining size status.

Tier 1 proposals will be evaluated first. After the review of Tier 1 proposals, if an award can be made in accordance with the evaluation criteria in the TO, no additional tiers will be reviewed.

If no award can be made in Tier 1, the Government will evaluate Tier 2 proposals for award. After the review of Tier 2 proposals (if needed), if an award can be made in accordance with the evaluation criteria in the TO, no additional tiers will be reviewed. If no award can be made in Tier 2, the Government will evaluate Tier 3 proposals for award.

In general, TOPRs will be evaluated by analysis of the following factors:

3. Technical Capability/Approach. The contractor will be asked to discuss their plan for accomplishing the work of the requirement. This factor may include sub-factors such as a management plan, staffing plan, and/or key personnel.

3. Performance Risk. The contractor will be asked to provide examples of relevant experience and to provide Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) which confirm a level of quality. The CO may consider relevant performance on TO awards under VECTOR and any other information available from Government sources. PPQs may not be required if CPARs are available.

3. Price. The Government will evaluate price reasonableness using price analysis techniques as prescribed in FAR 15.404-1(b). The Government reserves the right to evaluate price realism at the TO level. When competing for Labor Hour TO awards, contractors are permitted to propose labor rates that are equal to or lower than those as listed in its IDIQ contract. Contractors may be requested to identify labor categories, number of hours, and labor rates in its price proposal for performance of each task.

3. Any other factors as determined appropriate by the CO.

1. The TO proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria as set forth in each TOPR. The CO is not required to prepare formal evaluation plans, evaluate offers, post notice on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) webpage or hold discussions or negotiations with each offeror. The CO will, however, maintain an internal record of the award decision and supporting information.

1. In accordance with FAR 16.5, the CO has broad discretion in determining which contractor should receive a TO. The CO will issue a TO to the contractor whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government considering the evaluation factors specified in the TOPR. The CO reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the TOPR. In such event, the contractor will be notified, via email, of the CO’s decision. This decision shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to the Disputes Clause or the Contract Disputes Act.

1. Upon TO award, the TO will be sent via email to the contractor. The contractor is not authorized at any time to commence TO performance prior to issuance of a signed TO or other written approval provided by a CO. The contractor’s failure to begin performance within the time frame required may result in termination of the TO and reconsideration of the other TO proposals received in response to the TOPR.

1. In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(6), contractors may request a post-award debriefing for orders exceeding $5.5 million. The TO CO will conduct post-award debriefings in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(6)(ii) and FAR 15.506. Issues arising from the placement of TOs are not protestable to the Government Accountability Office unless the protest alleges that the order exceeded the value, scope or period of the contract or in the case where a single TO exceeds $10 million.

1. TOs may only be modified by written modification, executed by a warranted CO. The contractor shall not perform or provide services that are not expressly stated in the contract or TO. A COR does not have the authority to obligate the Government or change the terms and conditions of the contract or TO.