B08_-_SOLICITATION_W81XWH-19-Q-0183_Amendment__0003.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

The Purpose of this Amendment is to:

1. Provide Answ ers to Questions.

2. Update Section L and Section M as a result of questions asked

3. All other Terms and Conditions of this Solicitation remain unchanged.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

S 1 18

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 28-Jun-2019

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X W81XWH19Q0183

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10-Jun-2019

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is extended, X is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

28-Jun-2019

CODE

USA MED RESEARCH ACQ ACTIVITY

820 CHANDLER ST

FORT DETRICK MD 21702-5014

W81XWH 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W81XWH19Q0183

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The following have been added by full text:

SOLICITATION AMENDMENT #0003

The Answers to Questions is as follows:

QUESTION #1: As of CLIN 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, 4002, I understand that the value of the contract is beyond $750,000 but I didn't find it in the FY19 procurement forecast < Caution-https://smallbusopps.amedd.army.mil/assets/docs/forecast/OSBP_FY19_Forecast.pdf > (threshold 250k) we are trying to evaluate if we are a good fit for the financial scope. Please provide the budget of this project or its purchase ceiling.

ANSWER #1: The FY’19 procurement forecast data is for planning purposes ONLY. All projected procurements are subject to revision or cancellation. The budget and purchase ceiling for this Project must be proposed by the Offeror.

QUESTION #2: The RFQ mention several times in the SOW "cohort of survivors" please provide your expected order of magnitude for the group size, we assume 10 survivors are at a different order of magnitude of effort to locate than a group of 100, 200, or 500 survivors.

ANSWER #2: The expected order of magnitude for the group sizes are as follows: 5-10 MARV survivors and 20- 30 VEEV survivors.

QUESTION #3: Is this a follow-on solicitation?

ANSWER #3: No. This is a new requirement.

QUESTION #4: Were there any sources sought notice or RFI published for this solicitation?

ANSWER #4: Yes. It was Sources Sought #W81XWH-19-S-0003.

QUESTION #5: Staffing Plan – Will a staffing plan be named or will a generic staffing plan be sufficient? Please elaborate in light of the PWS section 2.3.5 key staff.

ANSWER #5: A Staffing Plan will not be named by the Government. The Offeror is expected to propose personnel in order to fulfill this requirement.

QUESTION #6: Quality Control Plan - are there any specific and/or minimum procedures USAMRIID expects the contractor to have as part of its QCP?

ANSWER #6: There are no specific and/or minimum procedures expected for the Contractor to have. It is simply a document that describes how the contractor intends to manage the contract to achieve the established standards set forth in the Performance Standards Summary Matrix.

QUESTION #7: Integrated Control Document (the top of page 6 of the PWS) please elaborate further on “software interface structure utilized to program the software” please explain to which part of the RFQ you refer.

ANSWER #7: This requirement has been removed. Please see amended Attachment #1 – Performance Work Statement (PWS).

QUESTION #8: The solicitation document state "develop a database to assess the longitudinal responses of immunological memory in these individuals as described in the PWS" do you refer to any software that shall be developed to achieve this task or do you refer to basic excel/access based database with evaluation of the humoral and cellular immune responses in humans. Please be more specific when mentioning "develop a database".

ANSWER #8: The responder has latitude regarding the database. The purpose of the database as stated is to track the immunological memory of these individuals. The point is to have a system that allows for longitudinally tracking a single individual’s immune response over time with good documentation ensuring that patient X is the same person throughout the entire contract of sequential samplings. Therefore, the type of system and the format will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

QUESTION #9: Please provide a template of CMRA reports so we can evaluate the workload of this requirement further.

ANSWER #9: This is generally a contractor authored document, and therefore, the Government does not have an official format for this requirement. However, please see the CMRA Contractor Guide located at:

https://acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-nj/COR/Contractor%20CMRA.pdf.

QUESTION #10: Do our subcontractors have to fulfill the CMRA requirements or does this requirement apply only to prime contractors in this contract?

ANSWER #10: Only to Prime Contractors.

QUESTION #11: Is this a single or multiple order contract?

ANSWER #11: Single FFP Contract

QUESTION #12: Does the 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate apply to this contract?

ANSWER #12: Yes. This Clause has been added

QUESTION #13: Does the 52.225-4, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements apply to this contract?

ANSWER #13: Yes. This Clause has been added

QUESTION #14: Would USAMRIID consider including additional countries in Eastern Africa (for MVD) and Columbia (for VEE) to increase potential number of survivors?

ANSWER #14: Yes. However, the infrastructure for collections and the documentation confirming the survivor status of the patients would need to be provided.

QUESTION #15: Does USAMRIID have an expected target number of survivors for each indication, MVD and

VEE?

ANSWER #15: Yes. Please reference Question #2 above.

QUESTION #16: Does USAMRIID have a pre-existing database of MVD and VEE survivors in Uganda and Panama, respectively?

ANSWER #16: USAMRIID does have a list of survivors of MVD. USAMRIID does not have a list of survivors of VEE. The MVD list can/will be shared with the Successful Offeror after the award of the contract.

QUESTION #17: How is USAMRIID defining “survivor”; i.e. is there a set interval between initial infection and first collection, and would an asymptomatic seroconversion be considered a survivor (if any were identified)?

ANSWER #17: USAMRIID agrees that asymptomatic seroconversion is possible and occurs, however in order to be 100% sure that they are a “survivor” a record of the patient confirming a PCR positive result during the infection for the individual will be necessary.

QUESTION #18: Does USAMRIID have a specific age range or demographic profile to target?

ANSWER #18: The specific age range to target will be over twelve (12) years of age and under Seventy (70) years of age; both male and female survivors will be included.

QUESTION #19: We assume the offeror will be responsible for preparing regulatory documents and obtaining country ethics approval in Uganda and Panama. Please confirm.

ANSWER #19: Correct

QUESTION #20: How many annual sample shipments are anticipated from each country to USAMRIID designated laboratories?

https://acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-nj/COR/Contractor%20CMRA.pdf

ANSWER #20: The annual number of sample shipments are anticipated at two (2) shipments per year from each location

QUESTION #21: Will USAMRIID be providing collection kits, transport containers, and storage vials or will offeror be required to procure these materials?

ANSWER #21: No. In accordance with the Performance Work Statement, Paragraph 1.3.1., “The Contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision and other items necessary to identify and track survivors of Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreaks in Uganda and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) outbreaks in Panama, develop a database to assess the longitudinal responses of immunological memory in these individuals.”

QUESTION #22: Will the offeror be responsible for contracting with local labs/collaborating institutions to process and store samples prior to shipment to USAMRIID laboratories?

ANSWER #22: Yes.

QUESTION #23: Will the offeror be responsible for participant reimbursement and retention costs?

ANSWER #23: Yes.

QUESTON #24: Are there specific time constraints around collection, transport, processing, and testing of samples that USAMRIID wishes to impose (i.e. time between collection and PBMC separation, storage temp for PBMCs, specifics around FACS sorting, etc.)?

ANSWER #24: Yes. All PBMCs must be isolated and stored in -80 within twelve (12) hours of collection from the site. Samples can be stored for thirty (30) days at -80, and must be shipped to USAMRIID within fourteen (14) days of collection.

QUESTION #25: Should the offeror anticipate that USAMRIID scientists will participate in sample collections, and if so, will timing of sample collection expeditions need to be coordinated around USAMRIID scientists’ availability?

ANSWER #25: Yes, however USAMRIID scientists will be working very closely with the Contractor, and a mutually agreeable schedule will be reached.

QUESTION #26: In addition to the 30 pages specified for the Technical volume, are offerors also allowed to include Appendices such as CVs for Key Personnel? And, would these appendices count against the 30 page limit?

ANSWER #26: Yes. Offerors are allowed to include Appendices such as CV’s for Key Personnel. No. Appendices do not count against the 30 page limit. The page limitation for all volumes is 30 single-sided pages. This information has been updated in the Solicitation.

QUESTION #27: L.8.3.5 requires offerors to provide a detailed breakdown of the proposed rates in a supplemental pricing sheet. Detailed price breakdowns are generally required of cost type contracts. As CLIN X001 for this effort is Firm Fixed Price, CLIN X002 is NTE, and CLIN X003 is NSP, would the government consider removing the requirement for detailed cost information?

ANSWER #27: No. In order for the Government to determine fair and reasonableness, a detailed breakdown of proposed prices/costs must be provided.

QUESTION #28: L.8.3.7 requires offerors to provide the purpose, origin, destination and duration of any required travel. As this will be a requirement that will determined in performance and billed under CLIN X002 on a cost reimbursable basis as required, it is this offerors assumption that this information will be required in performance, and not within our proposal, as this information is not currently known. Please confirm or provide additional guidance.

ANSWER #28: Yes. This will be required in performance; however, in accordance with section L.8.3.7., “Offerors shall provide the purpose, origin, destination, and duration along with the pricing of any travel required under this effort. Offerors are encouraged to read FAR 31.205-46, Travel Costs, regarding permissibility of travel prices.”

QUESTION #29: Are offeror’s required to sign and return forms SF 30?

ANSWER #29: Yes.

QUESTION #30: Section L 52.212-1(c) requires a 30-day validity period. Section L.6.1 requires a 100-day validity period. Section M.1.3 requires a 60-day validity period. Will the government confirm the desired validity period?

ANSWER #30: This has been corrected to 100 days. This information has been updated in the Solicitation.

QUESTION #31: With regard to the L.9.1.4 limit to no more than thirty (30) single-sided pages, does the 30-page limit apply only to the Technical volume, or is that inclusive of all volumes and material therein?

ANSWER #31: No. The 30 single-sided page limitation is the total for all volumes. Appendices do not count in this total. This information has been updated in the Solicitation.

QUESTION #32: If the page limit applies only to the Technical Volume, are the DRAFT Project Management Plan and DRAFT Quality Control Plan excluded from the 30-page limit for the Technical section?

ANSWER #32: Yes. Since these are proposal/contract deliverables, they are excluded from the 30-page limit. This information has been updated in the Solicitation.

QUESTION #33: In Section L.8.3.2 it is stated that, “consent from subcontractors/consultants, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners to release past performance information to the Offeror in order for the Offeror to respond to such information, if required by the Government” and in Section L.8.3.2.3 it states that “Past performance shall include both prime and subcontractor experience.” Please clarify whether the government would like for subcontractor past performance to be included in the Past Performance Volume in addition to the three submissions from the offeror and if there is a certain number of submissions to include for each subcontractor?

ANSWER #33: The Past Performance information shall include Subcontractor information given that Subcontractor consents to the information provided. Do not include information without consent of another company. Yes, this is in addition to. It should be 3 from the contractor and 3 from each subcontractor.

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

The following have been added by reference:

52.225-2 Buy American Certificate MAY 2014 52.225-4 Buy American--Free Trade Agreement--Israeli Trade Act

Certificate

MAY 2014

The following have been deleted:

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance OCT 2018 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information

Systems

JUN 2016

SECTION J - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

The Table of Contents has changed from:

Exhibit/Attachment Table of Contents

DOCUMENT TYPE DESCRIPTION PAGES DATE

Attachment 1 ATTACHMENT #1 -

PWS

17 29-MAY-2019

Attachment 2 ATTACHMENT #2 -

QASP

8 29-MAY-2019

Attachment 3 EXHIBIT #A - PPQ 4 29-MAY-2019 to:

Exhibit/Attachment Table of Contents

DOCUMENT TYPE DESCRIPTION PAGES DATE

Attachment 1 PERFORMANCE

WORK STATEMENT

(PWS)

17 28-JUN-2019

Attachment 2 ATTACHMENT #2 -

QASP

8 29-MAY-2019

Attachment 3 EXHIBIT #A - PPQ 4 29-MAY-2019

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO BIDDERS

The following have been modified:

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show--

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 100 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with subpart 4.10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation), or alternative commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation.

Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers:

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and--

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers.

Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation. (1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to--GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section, Suite 8100, 470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20407, Telephone (202) 619-8925, Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision.

Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by--

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone

(215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/ http://quicksearch.dla.mil/ http://assistdocs.com/ https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers exceeding $3,500, and offers of $3,500 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation ``Unique Entity Identifier'' followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) Reserved.

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

ADDENDUM: 52.212.1

L. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS:

L.1. INTRODUCTION

L.1.1. The Government intends to make a Single Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award to a Single Offeror under an Unrestricted Full and Open Competition Best Value Environment. Offeror’s shall submit all quotation Sections as requested. Electronic/Digital delivery of quotations is required. No hard copies will be accepted. Failure to submit all documents concurrently and in accordance with these instructions may render a quotation Unacceptable.

L.1.2. Quotation packages must be uploaded using the website: https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/Welcome.aspx, no later than JULY 10th, 2019 at 11:00am Eastern Standard Time (EST).

L.1.3. The Point of Contract (POC) for this Solicitation is:

MS. JENNIFER S. BASSETT

Contract Specialist Branch 3 Services Team U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)

ATTN: MCMR-AAA-SC

820 Chandler Street http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702 Commercial Phone: #301-619-2268

FAX: 301-619-2680

Email: Jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil

L.2. GENERAL

L.2.1. In order for quotations to receive full consideration for award, the Offeror shall ensure that the information furnished in support of the quotation is factual, accurate, and complete. Failure to provide the information requested by this Request for Quotation (RFQ) may render the Offeror’s quotation incomplete and ineligible for further consideration for award. A BEST VALUE Source Selection Process will be utilized for this Requirement. The Offeror’s quotation will become part of the official contract file.

L.3. PRECONTRACT PRICES / COSTS

L.3.1. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY QUOTATION PRICES OR ANY

PRICES INCURRED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONTRACT.

L.4. QUESTIONS

L.4.1. Questions regarding this Request for Quotation (RFQ) must be made in writing within FIFTEEN (15) Calendar Days after issuance of the RFQ and directed to the sole point of contact for this acquisition, as listed above. It is encouraged that the Offeror request confirmation of receipt of any email correspondence due to Government firewall issues that may arise. The Government reserves the right to decline addressing questions received more than Ten (10) calendar days after final RFQ issuance. Telephonic questions will not be accepted, but email delivery issues can be addressed at 301-619-2268. Please note that only One (1) Set of Questions per Offeror will be accepted by the Government.

L.4.2. Answers to questions posed will be provided through an Amendment to the solicitation. Any answers given which are not included in an amendment shall not change or qualify any of the terms or conditions of the solicitation. The solicitation can only be changed by a formal written amendment issued by the United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) Contracting Office.

L.5. QUOTATION SUBMISSION

L.5.1. Electronic/Digital delivery of quotations is required. Quotation packages can be uploaded using the SAFE website at: https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/Welcome.aspx.

L.5.2. Select the Non-CAC Users option, complete the personal information section requiring Your Name, Your Email Address and Confirmation of Email Address. Then select Browse and select files for download individually, until all files have been selected and are listed in the File Information section of the page. Submit the email address jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil in the Recipient Information section and select the desired email settings. Upon completion select Upload. It is the contractor’s burden to ensure receipt of the files by the Contracting Office, and it is highly recommended that the contractor confirm receipt of all submitted files. Additional help and instructions can be found on the website, top of the page, in the Getting Starting Guide.

L.5.3. Offerors shall provide the number of electronic file copies as follows:

CONTENTS TITLE NUMBER OF

ELECTONIC COPIES

Volume I Technical Capability 1 – Via SAFE Volume II Past Performance 1 – Via SAFE Volume III Price 1 – Via SAFE mailto:Jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil mailto:jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil

L.5.4. The quotation shall be submitted via the SAFE Website to: jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil no later than 11:00

AM EST, 10 JULY 2019.

L.6. PERIOD FOR ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS

L.6.1. Written offers will remain valid for ONE HUNDRED (100) days after closing of solicitation.

L.7. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

EVENT DESCRIPTION DATE

RFQ RELEASE 10 JUNE 2019

CUT OFF TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS 25 JUNE 2019

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO OFFERORS QUESTIONS 28 JUNE 2019

WRITTEN QUOTATIONS DUE 10 JULY 2019

EVALUATION OF PROPSALS 10 JULY 2019 – 17 JULY 2019

CONTRACT AWARD 21 JULY 2019

L.8.3.1. SECTION #1 – FACTOR #1 – TECHNICAL CAPABILITY. The Offeror shall include it's technical approach for accomplishing requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), and other Sections of the RFQ. The Technical Section shall not contain any reference to price; however, information concerning labor hours and categories, consultant services, travel requirements, materials and equipment needed, and, if applicable, signed Subcontractor(s) agreements, shall be contained in the Technical Section in sufficient detail so that the Government may adequately evaluate Offeror’s understanding of the PWS.

L.8.3.1.1. Technical quotations shall also include a proposed Quality Control Plan (QCP) for the Government’s consideration in development of the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP will specify the services requiring surveillance and the method of surveillance to determine that the services conform to the contract requirements. The Offeror’s technical approach should specifically address:

L.8.3.1.1.1. A clear understanding of all tasks and how the approach is likely to yield the required results within the required timeframe.

L.8.3.1.1.2. The methodology and flexibility that will be used in accomplishing this contract.

L.8.3.1.1.3. The Offeror’s overall ability to perform.

L.8.3.1.1.4. How the technical approach is creative and reduces cost, technical, or schedule risk to the Government.

L.8.3.1.1.5. A DRAFT Project Management Plan (PMP) for timely and successful performance of the requirements of the PWS.

L.8.3.1.1.6. A DRAFT QCP for timely and successful performance of the requirements of the PWS. A FINAL QCP shall be provided thirty (30) days after contract award.

L.8.3.2. SECTION #2 – FACTOR #2 – PAST PERFORMANCE. The Offeror shall prepare and submit a Past Performance Section. Relevant efforts are defined as those serving as a prime contractor or major subcontractor filling multiple service orders with a scope of work that is the same or similar to the work the offeror or first-tier subcontractor is proposing to perform on this effort. Offerors shall provide three (3) submissions reflecting their past performance within the last three (3) years. If applicable to the Offeror, submission of past performance information at the delivery order level will count as separate submissions (i.e., Citation of multiple orders under a single IDIQ type contract does not constitute a single submission). By submission of past performance data, the Offeror: 1) authorizes the Government to seek and use information from commercial sources to verify performance on past commercial contracts, if applicable; and 2) constitutes consent from subcontractors/consultants, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners to release past performance information to the Offeror in order for the Offeror to respond to such information, if required by the Government.

mailto:jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil

L.8.3.2.1. The Government may choose to investigate contracts prior to the past three (3) years for the purpose of the evaluation. In addition, any and all contracts terminated for cause in whole or in part during the past five (5) years, to include those currently in the process of such termination are considered relevant and the Offeror shall provide past performance information for those contracts.

L.8.3.2.2. In addition, the Government reserves the right to use alternative resources to gather past performance information, to include, but not limited to Past Performance Information Reporting System (PPIRS), commercial contracts, Contracting Officer Information and other sources.

L.8.3.2.3. The Offeror shall have the referenced sources submit a Past Performance Questionnaire (Exhibit A) directly to the Contract Specialist, Ms. Jennifer Bassett at: jennifer.s.bassett.civ@mail.mil prior to the closing date of the solicitation. Past performance shall include both prime and subcontractor experience. Offerors shall describe problems encountered in the performance of similar services and describe how the problem(s) was/were resolved.

Past performance information obtained by the Government from other sources may also be used for evaluation.

L.8.3.2.3.1. The Sample Format for Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) is as follows:

Contract Number:

Contract Type:

Period of Performance:

Current Contract Value:

Contact Person:

L.8.3.3. SECTION #3 – FACTOR #1 – PRICE. The price quotation will be evaluated separately from the non-cost quotation and past performance, and will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. The total evaluated price will be evaluated for reasonableness in terms of:

L.8.3.3.1. Level of effort, in that the proposed labor mix and hours are based on reasonable assumptions.

L.8.3.3.2. Consistency with the labor categories proposed and open market rates for the proposed labor category.

L.8.3.3.3. Consistency with the technical approach, in that the prices are consistent with and reflect the proposed staffing requirement for all years.

L.8.3.4. In addition, the Price Quotation shall contain the following parts:

L.8.3.4.1. Offerors shall complete the Schedule B with pricing for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).

L.8.3.4.2. Fully burdened hourly labor rates for all suggested labor categories and any additional proposed labor categories or levels. The quotation shall include the rate for all Contract Line Items Numbers (CLIN’s), price/cost schedule of the Standard Form 1449, Solicitation, Offer and Award.

L.8.3.4.3. Representations and Certifications.

L.8.3.4.4. Signed SF 1449 and required acknowledged solicitation amendments.

L.8.3.5. The Offeror’s quotation shall include a supplemental pricing sheet, formatted in Microsoft Excel, that provides a detailed breakdown of proposed pricing, including labor, Overhead, G&A, and profit or fee including sub elements of each. The Supplemental Pricing Worksheet shall include all other direct and indirect costs including materials, equipment, travel, shipping, and any other costs associated with the performance of the resulting contract.

Contractor shall ensure mathematical computations are correct.

L.8.3.6. All quotations with separately priced line items shall be analyzed to determine if the prices are unbalanced.

Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more line items is significantly over or understated as indicated by the application of price analysis techniques.

L.8.3.7. Offerors shall provide the purpose, origin, destination, and duration along with the pricing of any travel required under this effort. Offerors are encouraged to read FAR 31.205-46, Travel Costs, regarding permissibility of travel prices.

L.9. FORMAT

L.9.1. The Government’s preferred format is as follows:

L.9.1.1. Each Volume shall be clearly identified and should begin at the top of the page. All pages of each section should be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date, and solicitation number in either the header or footer. The submission should be clearly indexed and logically assembled. The Quotation, and any attachments, shall be clear and legible, and shall conform to the following guidelines:

Type Font: 12 point, 10 pitch (Times New Roman) Spacing: Single Spacing between lines of text Margins: One (1) inch margins on all sides Acronyms: Spell out all acronyms the first time when they are used. One page following the quotation body is allocated to spell out acronyms, abbreviations and symbols.

Format: Microsoft Office Applications (i.e. Word, Excel…) Graphics and Tables: 8 point, 10 pitch (Times New Roman)

L.9.1.2. In addition, each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. A standard, twelve (12) point minimum font size applies. Times New Roman Font is preferred; however, tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size not less than 8-point, and may be landscape.

L.9.1.3. File Packaging. None of the quotation files shall be compressed (zipped). Zipped files cannot be opened by the Contracting Officer.

L.9.1.4. Page Limitations. Page Limitations shall be treated as maximum. No more than Thirty (30) single-sided pages total for all volumes, please. If exceeded, the excess pages will not be considered in the evaluation of the quotation and will be destroyed without review.

L.10. OTHER INFORMATION

L.10.1. Provide the Name, Title, and Telephone Number of the Company/Division Point of Contract regarding decisions made with respect to your quotation and who can obligate your company contractually. Also, please identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government.

L.10.2. The business quotation shall be specific and complete in every detail. The method of payment under the resulting contract is through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE – Formerly known as WAWF) located at: https://wawf.eb.mil/

L.10.3. Solicitation, Offer, and Award. The Offeror shall complete the SF 1449, fill-in and signatures section, of the Solicitation and submit with the Quotation. An authorized official of the firm shall sign the SF 1449 and shall acknowledge receipt of all amendments issued. An Acrobat PDF File shall be created to capture the signatures for submission.

L.10.4. Offeror Representations and Certifications. The Offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically through the System for Award Management (SAM) database located at:

https://sam.gov/SAM/ https://wawf.eb.mil/ https://sam.gov/SAM/

(End of provision)

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

The following have been modified:

52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(i) TECHNICAL

(ii) PAST PERFORMANCE

(iii) PRICE

Technical and past performance, when combined, are more important when compared to price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-2

M.1 BASIS FOR AWARD

M.1.1. The Government intends to award a Single Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) Contract under Full and Open Competition using the BEST VALUE TRADEOFF process. Award will be made based on the Offeror with the BEST VALUE Offer. Best Value means the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement. Incomplete or unreasonable offers shall not be considered. The Government will evaluate information based on the following evaluation criteria:

Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. All quotations received on or before the quotation due date will be evaluated by a Source Selection Team (SST). It is the Offeror’s burden to ensure that their quotation is submitted on or before the due date and time. Any quotations received after the due date and time will not be considered.

M.1.2. Failure to submit all documents concurrently and in accordance with these instructions may render a quotation Unacceptable.

M.1.3. Written quotations shall remain valid for a period of ONE HUNDRED (100) Calendar Days after the closing date of the Solicitation.

M.1.4. The Government intends to evaluate quotations and award a contract without discussions with the Offeror (except clarifications as described in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.306(a)). Therefore, the Offeror’s initial quotation should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions and request quotation revisions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. The Government intends to award one contract.

M.1.5. The Government reserves the right to award a contract based on initial quotation submission without exchanges or discussions.

M.1.6. The Government may reject any and/or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the BEST VALUE offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

M.1.7. Any quotation that is evaluated as Unacceptable in terms of any of the evaluation factors may be rejected for such reasons. Furthermore, any significant inconsistency between proposed Technical, Price, and Past Performance submitted, if unexplained, may be grounds for rejection of the quotation due to an Offeror’s misunderstanding of the work required or an inability to perform any resultant work under the contract. The Government will evaluate the quotation strictly in accordance with its content and will not assume that performance will include areas not specified in the Offeror’s quotation.

M.1.8. The Government will also utilize information contained within the Offeror’s quotation as well as external sources consulted during the past performance evaluation to determine contractor responsibility in accordance with the criteria in FAR 9.104-1. An award WILL NOT be made to any Offeror determined to be non-responsible regardless of the ratings given to any of the evaluation factors above.

M.1.9. Unacceptable Offers. The Government may render any quotation Unacceptable that includes as a minimum:

M.1.9.1. Merely offers to perform work according to the Request for Quotation (RFQ) terms or fails to present more than a statement indicating its capability to comply with the RFQ terms without support and elaboration as specified in Section L of this Solicitation.

M.1.9.2. Reflects an inherent lack of technical competence or a failure to comprehend the complexity and risks required to perform the RFQ requirements due to submission of a quotation that is unrealistically high or low in PRICE and/or unrealistic in terms of technical approach.

M.1.9.3. Contains any unexplained significant inconsistency between the proposed effort and PRICE, which implies the Offeror has (1) an inherent misunderstanding of the scope of work, or (2) an inability to perform the resultant contract.

M.1.9.4. Is unbalanced within the meaning of FAR Part 15, or is unbalanced as to PRICEs for the first ordering period and for subsequent ordering periods where PRICEs are significantly high or low for one given period versus another period.

M.1.9.5. Fails to meaningfully respond to the Quotation Preparation Instructions specified in the “Instructions to Offerors” section of this solicitation.

M.1.9.6. Cross references from one volume to another volume. All volumes shall be complete with no cross-referencing between volumes.

M.2. FACTORS TO BE EVALUATED

The Following Factors will be evaluated for this effort:

Factor I - Technical Factor II - Past Performance

Factor III - PRICE

M.2.1. FACTOR #1 – TECHNICAL CAPABILITY. The Technical Capability ratings are baserd on an assessment of the Offeror's ability to meet specifications as outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

M.2.1.1. The Offeror shall submit a written quotation which effectively demonstrates the Offeror’s Technical Capability. The Offeror’s technical capability should specifically address:

M.2.1.1.1. A clear understanding of all tasks and how the approach is likely to yield the required results within the required timeframe.

M.2.1.1.2. The methodology and flexibility that will be used in accomplishing this contract.

M.2.1.1.3. The Offeror’s ability to perform.

M.2.1.1.4. How the technical approach is creative and reduces PRICE, technical, or schedule risk to the Government.

M.2.1.1.5. A DRAFT Project Management Plan (PMP) for timely and successful performance of the requirements of the PWS.

M.2.1.1.6. A DRAFT QCP for timely and successful performance of the requirements of the PWS. A FINAL QCP shall be provided thirty (30) days after contract award.

M.2.1.2. Technical Capability Technical Rating. The Technical Capability technical rating provides an assessment of the Offeror’s capability to satisfy the Government’s requirements.Overall Technical Rating will be rated according to the chart below.

STRENGTH: An aspect of a quotation that, when judged against a stated evaluation criterion, enhances the merit of the quotation or increases the probability of successful performance of the contract. A “significant strength” appreciably enhances the merit of a quotation or appreciably increases the probability of successful contract performance.

WEAKNESS: A flaw in the quotation that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance. A “significant weakness” in the quotation is a flaw that appreciably increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

DEFICIENCY: A material failure of a quotation to meet a Government requirement or a combination of significant weaknesses in a quotation that increases the risk of unsuccessful contract performance to an unacceptable level.

Examples of deficiencies include a statement by the Offeror that it cannot…