A01_-_RFP_Attach_A_-_CTL_Instruction_to_Offerors_Addendum_to_52.212-1_Amendment.pdf

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

L.1 INTRODUCTION

L.1.1 The Government intends to make a single contract award. Offerors shall submit proposal volumes cited below (See TABLE 1 – Proposal Volumes) and address all evaluation factors set forth in Evaluation Factors for Award (Addendum to FAR 52.212-2, Attachment B) of this solicitation.

L.1.2 The Government anticipates an award date in 2Q FY19 for this requirement.

L.1.3 The POC for this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation is:

Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG)

Natick Contracting Division (NCD)

Ft. Detrick Branch

ATTN: Lee A. Hess

110 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 240

Frederick, MD 21702 lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil

L.2 SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

L.2.1 The Government will employ informal source selection techniques to evaluate proposals, conduct discussions, if necessary, and determine the successful Offeror in this acquisition. “Offer,” for the purposes of this solicitation, shall be defined as a response to the solicitation that, if accepted, would bind the Offeror to perform the resultant contract.

L.2.2 The following describes the sequence of events Offerors can expect during proposal evaluation and discussions:

a. Offerors shall submit any questions for clarifications regarding the RFP, citing the specific section and page number in the RFP, prior to the closing date and time. The Government will provide responses to all questions immediately and if necessary issue a solicitation amendment.

b. Proposals shall be delivered electronically no later than 11:59:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on 11 Jan 2019 via the web address below:

https://safe.arl.army.mil/

In order to use this site a request must be sent to the Contracting Officer (lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil) to receive an email with a link to submit your proposal. You will receive a system generated email from the website with a link and instructions for submitting your documents.

c. The Offeror’s proposal shall be submitted in accordance with the paragraph below entitled

“PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS.”

d. Upon receipt, the proposals will be reviewed for completeness and compliance with RFP requirements. The proposals will receive a detailed evaluation employing the process and criteria identified in Evaluation Factors for Award of this solicitation. The Government may conduct exchanges with Offerors after receipt of proposals. If required, the Government will request mailto:lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil clarifications prior to competitive range determinations.

e. The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussion and request proposal revisions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. If a competitive range is established, the Government may limit the number of proposals to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition amongst the most highly rated proposals. For those Offerors in the competitive range, the Government will issue Evaluation Notices, which shall be answered by the Offeror. In addition to reviewing proposals, the Government may perform pre-qualification site visits in order to verify information contained in an Offeror’s proposal, to include visits to proposed subcontractors.

f. If a competitive range is established, the Contracting Officer will request a Final Proposal Revision (FPR) from those Offerors within the competitive range. The Contracting Officer will establish a due date and time for the submission of FPRs.

g. The Government reserves the right to reject any proposal if data specified above is not submitted with a revision or, if submitted, is inadequate to establish the acceptability of the FPR. Any revision received after the closing time and date will be considered a late Offer in accordance with this provision.

L.3 GENERAL

In order for proposals to receive full consideration for award, the Offeror shall ensure that the information furnished in support of the proposal is factual, accurate, and complete. Failure to provide the information requested by this Request for Proposal (RFP) may render the Offeror’s proposal incomplete and ineligible for further consideration for award.

L.4 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

L.4.1 Please do not submit a transmittal letter with your proposal. Such a letter is unnecessary and statements therein frequently create conflicts or ambiguities, raising the possibility that your proposal takes exception to the terms and conditions of the solicitation.

L.4.2 Proposals shall be submitted in three (3) volumes - Volumes I, II, and III. Volumes I and II shall be VOID of any proposal price information. Each volume shall be a stand-alone document and shall clearly and completely provide the information being requested. The three (3) Areas, 1) Administrative, 2) Technical, Past Performance, Small Business Participation and 3) Price, corresponding to the required Volumes will be evaluated as part of the source selection evaluation process described in Evaluation Factors for Award of this solicitation.

L.5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Offerors shall provide sufficient information to enable the Government to determine the requirements of FAR Part

27.102 and DFAR Part 227.7102-1 are met.

L.6 ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Electronic Submission - Each volume shall be compatible with Microsoft Windows 2010, Microsoft Excel 2013 and Adobe Acrobat XI. The files shall be virus and malware free. All passwords shall be removed. Electronic submission shall be submitted in a non-compressed PC format.

L.7 DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

Each of the three (3) volumes shall be contained in separate files and submitted through ARL Secure File Exchange, web address shown in L.2.2 (b) above.

L.7.1 The Offeror’s proposal submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each volume shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page. All pages of each volume shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date and solicitation number in the header and/or footer.

L.7.2 The following additional restrictions apply:

a. Pages shall be single spaced and each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. The Offeror will use a standard, 12-point minimum font size in Times New Roman font. The Offeror may use a reduced font size, not less than 8-point, and landscape orientation for tables and illustrations.

Tables or figures may be printed on foldout sheets, not to exceed 11 x 17 inches. Each foldout sheet will count as 1 page towards the maximum page count for each volume. Align all text in “Align Left.” Do not “Justify” text. Use a single column (vice double column) text format.

b. All pages shall contain the phrase: “SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION” (in the document header or footer) in addition to the FAR 3.104 proprietary data notice.

c. All documents must have the submittal date in the headers.

L.8 PERIOD FOR ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS

Offers will remain valid for 90 days after closing of solicitation (this is the period of time over which the Offeror’s proposal should remain valid in order to give the Government sufficient time to conduct source selection).

L.9 PRE-AWARD SURVEY

A Pre-Award Survey may be conducted by the Government to examine the Offeror’s record of integrity and business ethics (which includes satisfactory compliance with the law including tax, labor and employment, environmental, antitrust, and consumer protection laws), technical ability, production capacity, management structure, financial capability, accounting systems, security controls/clearances, labor resources, performance record and ability to meet required schedules. This survey may include a facility audit.

L.10 RFP COSTS

The Offeror will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred prior to the effective date of the contract.

L.11 DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSAL

L.11.1 Information contained in the Offeror’s technical/management or price proposal may be released under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) upon request from the public except to the extent it contains trade secrets and privileged or confidential commercial or financial information. If the Offeror’s proposal contains material meeting this description which is customarily maintained in confidence in the course of the Offeror’s business and which is not otherwise publicly available, and if the Offeror does not want it disclosed to the public, he shall mark the title page with the legend that follows: See FAR 52.215.1 regarding restriction on disclosure and use of the data.

“This proposal, furnished in response to RFP W911QY18-R-0021 may contain trade secrets and/or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information. This information is maintained in confidence in the course of the Offeror’s business and is not otherwise publicly available. The Offeror submits this information to the Government in confidence and understands that it is received with that intent. This information shall not be released or disclosed outside the Government under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or under any other circumstances.”

L.11.2 Proposals so marked will be accepted by the Government in confidence and will not be released provided that the Offeror and/or the Government can show, upon request under the Freedom of Information Act, that disclosure would either (1) impair the Government’s ability to obtain necessary information in the future or (2) cause substantial harm to the competitive position of the Offeror.

L.12 PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

The Offeror shall prepare the proposal set forth as shown in the table provided below. Each volume shall be clearly labeled in the file name as well as on the first page.

VOLUME VOLUME TITLE PAGE LIMIT

I Administrative None

II Technical None

III Price None

a. Information shall be confined to the appropriate volume to facilitate independent evaluation. The proposals shall be clear and concise, logically assembled (with all pages appropriately numbered), as well as indexed and cross-indexed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) as appropriate.

b. Pages may be used for graphics.

c. The Offeror shall write each volume on a standalone basis so that the Government can evaluate its contents without cross-referencing to other volumes of the proposal. Information must be included in the designated volumes to be considered in the evaluation. Information cross- referenced to another volume will not be evaluated within that factor review.

d. The Offeror shall submit subcontractor proprietary or sensitive information in a separate file submission directly from the subcontractor.

e. Glossary of Abbreviations or Acronyms - Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used.

L.12 PROPOSAL CONTENTS

L.12.1 Volume I - ADMINISTRATIVE

Section 1 - Executive Summary:

a. Master Index. Identifies the location of all major topics provided in each volume.

b. Statement of Compliance. Each Offeror shall include a statement indicating complete compliance with the solicitation in the Administrative volume, or detailed analysis of any objections, exceptions, contingencies, or additions. Any objection, exception, contingency, or addition shall be cross-referenced to the applicable solicitation paragraph(s).

c. Format and Content. Each Offeror shall describe any deviations from the specified proposal format and content. If the Offeror’s proposal differs from these guidelines, state the differences, and explain the reason.

Section 2 - Solicitation Documents. An authorized official of the firm shall sign the proposal and complete/sign all provisions and certifications requiring original signature. A .pdf file shall be created to capture the signatures for submission in the Administrative volume electronic submission.

Section 3 - The Offeror shall provide cognizant Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Offices, Facilities Security Officer (FSO) POC, Defense Security Service (DSS) office information, as applicable.

Section 4 - Representations and the Offeror shall register in Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) for the NAICS code assigned to this effort 541380. Offerors must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) site at https://www.sam.gov. Offerors shall enter their Representation and Certification information once for the NAICS code applicable to this RFP, 541380, for use on all Federal Contracts.

Section 5 – Subcontracting Plan (Large Business only). If the offeror is other than a small business, the offeror shall submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 that also identifies and specifies the extent of offeror's commitment to the participation of small businesses (SB), historically black colleges or universities (HBCU) and minority institutions (MI), whether as joint venture members, teaming arrangement partners, or subcontractors. If applicable, submit a copy of your approved Master Plan. In the event the offeror has negotiated a comprehensive subcontracting plan pursuant to DFARS 219.702, the offeror must submit the information that identifies and specifies the extent of its commitment to the participation of SB, HBCU and MI.

L.12.2 Volume II - TECHNICAL

Offerors are encouraged to ensure their proposal includes all items/areas set forth in Section M as items/areas that will be evaluated. Technical documents cited in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Attachment 1 are available for review upon request from Contracting Officer (Lee Hess, via e-mail lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil). Requests must be accompanied by Non-Disclosure Agreement provided as an attachment to the RFP. (Attachment D)

L.12.2.1 General Requirements

• Description of the Offerors capability to provide conformance testing of DBPAO products in accordance with the PWS to include:

1. Provide a description of the proposed testing and storage facilities suitable for conformance testing of DBPAO products.

2. Provide the qualifications of the proposed technical personnel including the types of training on handling of BioSafety Level 2 (BSL-2) biological agents, and training on appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as applicable Federal, State, and local statutes and regulations. List the SOPs on handling of biological agents and other relevant procedures included in personnel training. A resume/cv of the proposed program manager shall be provided.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/af_afmc/far/FAR52.215.doc#b522199

• Conformance Testing Equipment and Material Management

Offerors shall describe their ability to manage provided GFE/GFM and to acquire or have components that are not GFE/GFM that are necessary for conformance testing of DBPAO products. (Attachment 3)

• General Incident Reports

Summary description of Offeror’s experience with handling incident reports involving biological agent accidents and other serious incidents that may cause conformance testing delays or stoppages, Subcontractor difficulties or slippage, loss of environmental control in the facility, and malfunction of required equipment throughout the life of this contract.

L.12.2.2 Conformance Testing

• Provide a description of the offerors proposed testing procedures in using the approved versions of the DBPAO Conformance Test Plans for HHAs, ECL immunoassay, and ECL Positive Control in accordance with the PWS, Attachment 1.

L.12.2.3 Quality Control

• Describe the proposed quality control procedures for the following:

1. Inspection of GFM/GFE - detailed SOP for inspection of GFM to assure that items were shipped in accordance with SOPs with regard to temperature, labeling, and packaging requirements

2. Handling of rejected materials, handling and disposal of excess materials, and return of excess materials to the Government if needed

3. Non-routine testing, procedures to determine lot acceptance or rejection, lot identification

4. Trend analysis of QA/QC data and special studies related to QA/QC analysis

L.12.2.4 Program Management

L.12.2.4.1 Program Management Plan (PMP)

Provide a description of the offerors proposed PMP that reflects the Offeror’s overarching approach to managing all aspects of the contract and includes plans for data management, configuration management, risk management and quality assurance in accordance with the PWS. These management plans may be incorporated into a Quality Management System (QMS) that meets ISO/IEC 17025 requirements (or equivalent standard) if no formal and separate plans for data management, configuration management, risk management, and quality assurance are available.

1. Describe what best commercial practices are being proposed that will be used to evaluate performance, schedule risks, and manage all aspects of the contract, including interactions with the Government and management of subcontractors.

2. Describe proposed procedures for preparation and submission of Requests for Deviation (RFD), Specification Change Notices (SCN) or Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) for proposed changes to Government-controlled documents.

L.12.2.4.2 Small Business Participation Plan

Small Business Participation Proposal

All offerors (both large and small businesses) are required to complete a Small Business Participation Proposal.

Offerors should propose the level of participation of small businesses (as a small business prime, joint venture, teaming arrangement, and/or small business subcontractors) in the performance of the acquisition relative to the objectives/goals set forth in the evaluation of this area.

(a) Check the applicable size and categories for the PRIME Offeror only -- Check all applicable boxes:

{ } Large Prime or

{ } Small Business Prime; also categorized as a

{ } Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

{ } Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

{ } Historically Underutilized Zone (HUB Zone) Small Business

{ } Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)

{ } Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

(b) Submit the total combined dollar value and percentage of work to be performed by both large and small businesses (include the percentage of work to be performed both by Prime, joint venture, teaming arrangement, and subcontractors):

Example: If the Prime proposes a price of $1,000,000 (including all options), and small business(es) will provide $250,000 in services/supplies as a prime, joint venture, teaming arrangement, or subcontractor, the % planned for small businesses is 25%; and 75% for large business, equaling 100%. Total Percentage planned for Large Business(es) 75_% = $ 750,000 Total Percentage planned for Small Business(es) 25_% = $ 250,000 100% = $1,000,000

(c) Please indicate the total percentage and dollar value of participation to be performed by each type of subcategory small business. The percentage of work performed by Small Businesses that qualify in multiple small business categories may be counted in each category:

Example: Victory Prop Mgt (WOSB and SDVOSB) performing 2%; and Williams Group (SDB, HubZ and WOSB) performing 3%. Results equate to: SB 5%; SDB 3%; HubZone 3%; WOSB 5%; SDVOSB 2%; VOSB 2%;). SDVOSBs are also

VOSBs automatically; however VOSBs are not automatically SDVOSBs.

Small Disadvantaged B % $

HUB Zone Small B % $

Woman Owned Small B % $

Service Disabled Veteran Own % $

Veteran Owned Small B % $

(d) Identify the Prime Offeror and type of service/supply that the Prime Offeror will provide. Then list each of the intended subcontractors and principal supplies/services to be provided by that subcontractor. Provide the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code for the Prime and each intended subcontractor. Also, provide the anticipated NAICS codes(s) that the Prime Offeror believes best describes the product or services being acquired by its subcontracts with each intended subcontractor. Small business Primes and small business subcontractors that qualify as small businesses in multiple small business categories should be listed in each applicable small business category.

Name of Company

(Include CAGE

Code)

Anticipated NAICS Code (for Each

Subcontractor) (1)

Type of Service/Service

Prime Offeror:

Large Business

Small Business

SDB:

WOSB:

HUBZone Small:

VOSB:

SDVOSB:

Example: If a Small Business qualifies as a WOSB and a SDVOSB, you can add them to each category below in which they qualify.

Notes:

(1) Pursuant to Sections 8(d) of the Small Business Act, a business is considered small for Government procurements if it does not exceed the size standard for the NAICS code that the prime contractor believes best describes the product or services being acquired. In other words, the size of the prime’s suppliers is determined by the applicable NAICS code of theirjoint venture, teaming partner, or subcontract, which may or may not be the same NAICS code as the one for your prime contract with the Government.

(e) Describe the extent of commitment to use small businesses (e.g., what types of commitments, if any, are in place for this specific acquisition either – small business prime, written contract, verbal, enforceable, non-enforceable, joint venturing, mentor- protégé, etc.) Provide documentation regarding commitments to small business for this effort.

L.12.2.5 Security

Offerors shall provide clear demonstration of possession of an active Facility Security Clearance with safeguarding at the SECRET level or higher at the time of proposal submission. Merely stating that the Offeror has the capability or willingness to obtain such clearance will not be acceptable proof.

L.12.3 Past Performance Information

Provide Past Performance Information summary reflecting Offeror’s relevant ongoing and past performance within the last three (3) years on similar Government contracts. If Offeror has limited government contract experience, provide descriptions of similar contracts with commercial entities, local and/or state governments.

Provide the information requested below for each contract/program being described. Provide frank, concise comments regarding your performance on the contracts you identify. Provide a separate completed list for each contract/program submitted. The number of past efforts shall be limited to six for the prime Contractor and three for each Subcontractor. Past performance shall demonstrate your ability to perform the proposed effort.

A. Contract Number and Title:

B. Period of Performance:

C. Original Contract Value:

D. Current Contract Value:

E. If amounts are different in C & D above, provide a brief description for the reason:

F. Was this effort as a Prime or Subcontractor:

G. Brief Description of Effort and highlight portions considered most relevant to the current acquisition:

H. Primary Customer Points of Contact (Name, email address, telephone number:

I. Address any technical (or other) area about this contract/program considered unique. Illustrate how your experience on this program applies for each of the applicable Factors, described in the “Evaluation Factors for Award” Section of this RFP.

Include information concerning your compliance with FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, on the contract you are submitting.

Identify whether a subcontracting plan was required by the contract you are submitting. If one was required, identify in percentage terms, the planned versus achieved goals during contract performance. If goals were not met, please explain.

Describe the nature or portion of the work on the proposed effort to be performed by the business entity being reported here. Also, estimate the percentage of the total proposed effort to be performed by this entity and whether this entity will be performing as the prime, subcontractor, or a corporate division or subsidiary related to the prime (define relationship).

L.12.4 Volume III –PRICE

Provide a price proposal for performing all requirements outlined in the PWS/CLINs. The Offeror’s total price will be equal to the unit price times the maximum quantity for each CLIN for the five year ordering period. The offeror can propose more than one (1) unit price for each CLIN and description of any quantity or volume discounts per Contract Line Item in a Task Order and/or per Contract Line Item for the life of the contract, if discounts are available. The total evaluated price will be based on the maximum quantity at the highest price offered for each CLIN.

L.13 QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS SOLICITATION

Offeror questions and requests for clarification shall be submitted via e-mail only to lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil.

mailto:lee.a.hess.civ@mail.mil