Section LM Change Document 07FEB2025.pdf

Draft RFP Changes

07 FEB 2025

SECTION L

L.1 General:

Changed: File chart from:

Document File Name* Notes

Cover Letter xxxxCOVERDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf 1 Page Max

Gate Criteria Attachment xxxxGATEDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf

Volume I – Systems, Rates, & Certifications xxxxSandRDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxCertsDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf

Volume II – Past Performance xxxxQP1DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxQP2DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxQP3DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf

3 Page Max

(1 Page per Qualifying Project (QP))

Volume III – Technical xxxxRECRUITMENTDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxRETENTIONDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxRISKDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf

6 Page Max

(2 Pages Each)

Small Business Subcontracting Plan xxxxSBSPLANDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf Required only for Large Businesses

TO:

Document File Name* Notes

Cover Letter xxxxCOVERDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf Attachment 0001 Gate Criteria xxxxGATEDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf Attachment 0002

Volume I – Systems, Agreements, & Certifications xxxxSandADDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxCertsDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf Attachment 0003

Volume II – Past Performance xxxxQP1DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxQP2DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf xxxxQP3DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf

Attachment 0004

Small Business Subcontracting Plan xxxxSBSPLANDDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf Required only for Large

Businesses

Changed: Paragraph 5. from: “In order to reduce proposal size, proposals shall be limited to the number of pages as 39 directed in the table above for each volume. All proposal information shall be confined to 40 the appropriate file. The page limit (identified in the table above) is viewed as total pages 41 within a file, excluding a table of contents, cover page, and glossary page(s). Pages 42 containing text shall be typewritten using the standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) in 43 Microsoft Word or Adobe, as applicable.

Text shall be a minimum of 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font and no less than one-inch margins/borders. Any table or graphic 45 shall use a minimum of 10-point Times New Roman or Arial font. Drawings or other 46 graphics shall be reduced only to the extent legibility is not lost.”

TO “In order to reduce proposal size, all proposal information shall be confined to the appropriate files identified in the table above. Pages containing text shall be typewritten using the standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) in Microsoft Word or Adobe, as applicable. Text shall be a minimum of 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font and no less than one-inch margins/borders. Any table or graphic shall use a minimum of 10-point Times New Roman or Arial font. Drawings or other graphics shall be reduced only to the extent legibility is not lost.”

L.2.2 Volume I – SYSTEMS, AGREEMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Changed L.2.2 title from “Volume I – Systems, Rates and Certifications” to L.2.2 Volume I – Systems, Agreements and Certifications

Added: The Offeror shall submit a fully complete Attachment 0003 “Systems, Agreements and Certifications” along with the required documentation to show proof of holding specific systems, rate agreements, or certifications.

L.2.2.2 Certifications

Added: TOP SECRECT FACILITY CLEARANCE

The Offeror shall provide verification of a current and active TOP SECRET facility clearance.

L.2.3.1 Qualifying Project (QP) Submission

Changed: from “QPs will be used to evaluate the Past Performance factor.

Offerors may submit a maximum of three (3) distinct QPs for each specific Domain they are proposing to.

The Offeror may not use QP’s of their teaming partners.

To be considered a QP, each submitted project must meet all the following minimum criteria:

• Be any of the following:

o A single contract – including prime contracts, subcontracts, and commercial contracts; or o A single Task Order awarded under an IDIQ contract, Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), or Basic Ordering Agreement, including single or multiple award; or o A Task Order under a Federal Supply Schedule contract (FAR 8.405-2) or BPA (FAR 8.405-3)

• Meet or exceed a minimum total contract value of $2M;

• Have at least one (1) year of performance, but not over four (4) years old. The period of performance end date shall be within the last four (4) years of the final proposal submission due date identified in this

RFP.

• The NAICS code of the QP must be the same as one (1) of the five (5) NAICS codes aligned to the Domains of this solicitation. Please note, while this is required, the QP does not have to match the exact NAICS code the Offeror is proposing to. For example, Offeror A may submit a proposal to the Technical Domain (NAICS code: 541330) and utilize a QP that has a NAICS Code: 541715 (the RDT&E Domain).

The Offeror shall provide the following information for each QP:

• The Specific Contract/Agreement number. If the Offeror was a subcontractor, they need to submit a copy of the signed agreement.

• Dollar value;

• NAICS code;

• A brief description of the work performed and a mapping to the PWS to demonstrate the work performed is relevant to the Offerors proposed Domain; and

• If the Offeror’s QP is not available in the CPARS or does not have a specific NAICS identified, then the Offeror shall provide a Past Performance Questionnaire, Attachment 0002, which will not be counted toward the QP page limitation.”

TO “QPs will be used to evaluate the Past Performance factor.

Offerors may submit a maximum of three (3) distinct QPs for each specific Domain they are proposing

to. The Offeror may not use QP’s of their teaming partners.

To be considered a QP, each submitted project must meet all the following minimum criteria:

• Be any of the following (includes Federal, State, and Local Government and/or Private) o A single contract – including prime and commercial; or o A single Task Order awarded under an IDIQ contract, Blanket Purchase Agreement

(BPA), or Basic Ordering Agreement, including single or multiple award; or o A Task Order under a Federal Supply Schedule contract (FAR 8.405-2) or BPA (FAR

8.405-3)

• Meet or exceed a minimum total contract value of $2M;

• Have at least one (1) year of performance, but not over four (4) years old. The period of performance end date shall be within the last four (4) years of the final proposal submission due date identified in this RFP.

• The NAICS code of the QP must be the same as the NAICS codes identified below for each Domain. Please note, while this is required, the QP does not have to match the exact NAICS code the Offeror is proposing to. For example, Offeror A may submit a proposal to the Technical Domain (NAICS code: 541330) and utilize a QP that has a NAICS Code: 541715 (the RDT&E Domain).

NAICS Codes must align as follows for each Domain:

o TECHNICAL DOMAIN: The QP must be one of the five (5) overarching NAICS Codes or 541614 or 541712.

o MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY DOMAIN: The QP must be one of the five (5) overarching NAICS Codes or 611430 or 541712.

o RDT&E DOMAIN: The QP must be one of the five (5) overarching NAICS Codes or 541614 or 541712.

o EMERGING IT DOMAIN: The QP must be one of the five (5) overarching NAICS Codes or 541511, 541712 or 518210.

o FOUNDATIONAL IT DOMAIN: The QP must be one of the five (5) overarching NAICS Codes 541513, 541712 or 611420.

Offerors shall fully complete Attachment 0004 “Qualifying Project Form” for all their QPs and submit as part of their proposal. The form shall be completed fully and accurately for all information and must be signed by a Government Official to ensure it is complete and accurate. Offerors can submit up to three (3) QPs for each proposed Domain.”

L.2.5 FINAL GATE CRITERIA:

Added: Offerors that are ranked within the top 20 of each domain, will move onto the next step of the evaluation phase. The Government will use the Determination of Responsibility Assistant (DORA) Contractor Responsibility bot to determine the responsibility of each prospective awardee. For Large Businesses, the Government will also review Small Business Subcontracting Plans for acceptability in accordance with FAR 19.704.

M.1 BASIS FOR AWARD:

Changed from “The Government intends to make 100 awards in total, 20 awards per Domain. Each Domain will have small business reserve requirements. The 100 awards will be made to qualified offerors, defined as “an offeror that is determined to be a responsible source, submits a technically acceptable proposal that conforms to the requirements of the solicitation, has one of the top 20 scores in the Domain”. The Government intends to award these contracts without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions at its discretion. Proposals must contain the best offer. The Government may conduct clarifications, as described in FAR 15.306.

In the event of a tie, the Government will look at the percentage of those tied Offeror’s CPARS element ratings over the last three (3) years, within the five (5) NAICS codes under this acquisition, that are rated as Exceptional. The date will be calculated by the final proposal submission due date identified in this RFP. The Offeror that has a higher percentage of Exceptional ratings will win the tie.

If this review does not resolve the tie, the Government will then invoke a second tie breaker. The Government will look at the percentage of those tied Offeror’s CPARS element ratings over the last three

(3) years, within the five (5) NAICS codes under this acquisition, that are rated as Very Good. The date will be calculated by the final proposal submission due date identified in this RFP. The Offeror that has a higher percentage of Very Good ratings will win the tie.”

To “The Government intends to make 100 awards in total, 20 awards per Domain. Each Domain will have small business reserve requirements to include Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, Small Disadvantaged Business, and 8a. The 100 awards will be made to qualified offerors, defined as “an offeror that is determined to be a responsible source, submits a technically acceptable proposal that conforms to the requirements of the solicitation, has one of the top

20 scores in the Domain”. The Government intends to award these contracts without discussions but reserves the right to conduct discussions at its discretion. Proposals must contain the best offer. The Government may conduct clarifications, as described in FAR 15.306.

The Government intends to make 100 awards in total, 20 per Domain, but reserves the right to award more than or less than that.

In the event there are not enough qualified offerors in a Small Business Socioeconomic award category to fill the spots desired, the remaining spots will be allocated to Small Businesses to fill until awardees are met. In the event there is not enough Small Businesses to fill the desired spots, the remaining spots will be allocated to Large Businesses.

In the event there is not enough interest in the Large Business award category to fill the spots desired, the remaining spots will be allocated to Small Business.

In the event of a tie, the Government will look at the percentage of those tied Offeror’s CPARS/PPQ element ratings over the last three (3) years, within the five (5) NAICS codes under this acquisition, that are rated as Exceptional. The date will be calculated by the final proposal submission due date identified in this RFP. The Offeror that has a higher percentage of Exceptional ratings will win the tie.

If this review does not resolve the tie, the Government will then invoke a second tie breaker. The Government will look at the percentage of those tied Offeror’s CPARS/PPQ element ratings over the last three (3) years, within the five (5) NAICS codes under this acquisition, that are rated as Very Good. The date will be calculated by the final proposal submission due date identified in this RFP. The Offeror that has a higher percentage of Very Good ratings will win the tie.

To be considered eligible for award, an Offeror’s proposal, at a minimum, shall follow all instructions in this RFP.”

M.2 OVERALL EVALUATION APPROACH

Changed from “ISO 9001:2015

Offerors are required to submit documentation that they hold an active ISO 9001:2015 Certification. The Government will evaluate 356 the documentation to ensure it is accurate and up to date.”

To “ISO 9001:2015

Offerors are required to submit documentation that they hold an active ISO 9001:2013 OR active ISO 9001:2015 Certification. The Government will evaluate the documentation to ensure it is accurate and up to date.”

Changed from “The evaluation process will then continue by the Government evaluating each proposal 403 against the scorecard rubric for each Domain, and determining the points earned. Each 404 Domain has a specific Rubric Criteria Scorecard. Once the points earned are calculated by 405 the evaluation team, the process will continue to rank each proposal in order from highest 406 total points to lowest total points, per Domain.”

To “The evaluation process will then continue by the Government evaluating each proposal against Attachment 0005 “Scorecard” rubric for each Domain, and determining the points earned. Once the points earned are calculated by the evaluation team, the process will continue to rank each proposal in order from highest total points to lowest total points, per Domain. Offerors that are ranked within the top 20 of each domain, will move onto the second Gate Criteria step of the evaluation phase. The Government will use the Determination of Responsibility Assistant (DORA) Contractor Responsibility bot to determine the responsibility of each prospective awardee. For Large Businesses, the Government will also review Small Business Subcontracting Plans for acceptability in accordance with FAR 19.704.”

M.4.5 Dollar Value:

Added: M.4.5 Dollar Value: The Government will evaluate each of the Offeror’s QPs to determine if the QP aligns with the required dollar value of $2M. If the QP is determined to exceed the requirement of $2M, the Offeror will receive additional points per QP with the maximum number of points being three (3). Each QP will be scored as follows:

• The Offeror will receive three (3) points if their average total contract value is greater than $50M.

• The Offeror will receive two (2) points if their average total contract value is between $25M and $50M.

• The Offeror will receive one (1) point if their average total contract value is less than or equal to $25M.

M.4.5 Retention:

Added: M.4.6 Retention: The Government will evaluate the QPs to determine the retention rate.

The retention rate shall be determined by the number of employees at the end of the contract minus the number of new hires made within the period of performance divided by the number of employees proposed at the start of that period multiplied by 100.

(# of employees at the end of the contract - # employees hired) / # of employees proposed * 100)

If the QP had a reduction of labor due to a descope of the requirements, and as a result the number of employees was reduced, the Offeror may update the total number of employees proposed to reflect this reduction in labor.

Each QP will be scored as follows:

• Offerors will receive 10 points per QP that meets 100% retention rate.

• Offerors will receive seven (7) points per QP that meets 90-99% retention rate.

• Offerors will receive four (4) points per QP that meets 80-89% retention rate.

• Offerors will receive two (2) points per QP that meets 70-79% retention rate.

• Offerors will receive one (1) point per QP that meets 60-69% retention rate.

• Offerors will receive zero (0) points per QP that meets 59% or below retention rate.

M.6 EVALUATION OF FINAL GATE CRITERIA

Added: M.6 EVALUATION OF FINAL GATE CRITERIA Offerors that are ranked within the top 20 of each domain, will move onto the final Gate Criteria step of the evaluation phase. The Government will make a responsibility determination for each prospective awardee by utilizing the Determination of Responsibility Assistant (DORA) Contractor Responsibility bot to determine the responsibility of each prospective awardee in accordance with AFARS Subpart 5109.1.

For a Large Business, if the Government determines that the potential Offeror is not responsible, then the Offeror will be excluded from award.

For a Small Business, if the Government determines that the potential offeror is not responsible, the Government shall refer the matter to the cognizant Small Business Administration Government Contracting Area Office in accordance with FAR 19.6.

For Large Businesses, the Government will also review Small Business Subcontracting Plans for acceptability in accordance with FAR 19.704.

M.6.1 Evaluation of Small Business Subcontracting Plan

The Small Business Subcontracting Plan will be evaluated in accordance with FAR Subpart 19.7, for the top 20 Offerors in each domain. It will be evaluated on an Acceptable/Unacceptable scale. If the Offerors Small Business Subcontracting Plan is unacceptable then they will not receive award, and the next highest Offeror will be evaluated.

Acceptable Proposal indicates an adequate approach and understanding of Small Business objectives.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet Small Business objectives.