0002.pdf

0011189302

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

Amendment 0002 to Solicitation W9124D-19-R-0005 Claims and Benefits Processing (CBP) contained herein include:

1. Government responses to offeror submitted questions (see continuation page, Q&A);

2. Revisions to Addendums to 52.212-1 and 52.212-2. Any revisions are identif ied in Q&A section;

3. Revisions to the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and TE 8 addendum for clarity. Any revisions are identified in Q&A section;

4. Corrected FAR clause 52.212-5 to reflect 100% SDVOSB set-aside;

Proposal due date remains unchanged.

POC for this action is Monika Watkins, monika.w atkins2.civ@mail.mil

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 122

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

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 20-Feb-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 W9124D19R0005

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

30-Jan-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

20-Feb-2019

CODE

MISSION AND INSTALLATION CONTRACTING CMD

MICC FORT KNOX

BLDG 1109B STE 373

199 6TH AVE

FORT KNOX KY 40121-5720

W9124D 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W9124D19R0005

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

The following have been added by reference:

52.215-20 Alt IV Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data or

Information Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data (Oct 2010) - Alternate IV

OCT 2010

The following have been added by full text:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions and Answers for W9124D19R0005, Claims and Benefits Processing (CBP)

Q1. Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada)

Response: Yes, but the company must meet certain requirements. Please contact your local SBA, refer to SBA regulatory guidance and 13 CFR § 121.105 for information pertaining to those requirements.

Q2. Whether we need to come over there for meetings?

Response: Meetings will be held IAW PWS 1.6.6 and 1.8.1. PWS 1.8.1 has been updated for clarity.

Q3. Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside USA? (like, from India or Canada)

Response: No. See PWS 1.2.3 for places of performance.

Q4. Can we submit the proposals via email?

Response: Yes. See Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1 for details.

Q5. Under Instructions to Offerors, part iii, Part III: Past Performance: “Relevant past performance is defined as similar in size (annual value of $4 Million or greater), scope (processing claims and benefits, etc.) and complexity (multiple locations, similar FTEs) to the services identified herein. Recent past performance is past performance within the last three (3) years from the date of this announcement.”

Would the government consider reducing the criteria in regards to size and complexity to cumulative total of all three past performance references to better align with small businesses that have great scope coverage and past performance references?

Response: The Government has refined the proposal submission requirements (FAR 52.212-1) and evaluation method (FAR 52.212-2).

Q6. Would the government kindly sponsor our facility clearance?

Response: No. The Government will not be sponsoring facility clearances for any offeror.

Q7. Can the subcontractor hold all the clearance instead of the prime?

Response: Prime contractor shall hold the facility clearance. Individual employee clearances will be through their respective employer. However, the prime contractor remains responsible for all performance, be it rendered by either contract or subcontractor personnel, under this the contract.

Q8. Could the government please clarify the pricing information required? Requirements are listed in 52.212-1 (and addendum) and 52.215-20(b) adds additional requirements (such as a breakdown of G&A rate components). Is all information in both clauses required?

Response: Addendum 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items Part IV: Price has been revised as provided herein.

Q9. IAW para 5.1.8 will the government furnish the current SOPs?

Response: Yes, current SOPs will be shared with awardee upon contract award.

Q10. Will the government address any reduction in Contractor staffing or changes to policy as it applies to the increase in the CRSC Claims Backlog from 2013-2018 where the monthly avg for backlog went from 1200 to 6400 as reflected in TE3? Will the government provide the current monthly averages for each of the areas?

Response: TE 1 states “The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.” TE 3 has been revised to provide current monthly averages.

Q11. We understand that some of the PDA/PEB positions will be moving locations in the near future. Can the government please confirm when and which position that will be relocating?

Response: At this time, the Government cannot confirm when and which positions, if any, will be relocating.

Q12: There are many references within the optimum staffing plan (TE7) and the 2019 GS Salary Table provided to Accounting Clerks. Since there are no accounting duties within the PWS, can the government please confirm if this is an error and if should be General Clerk instead?

Response: Yes, TE - 7 Optimum Staffing Plan has been revised.

Q13. As price information is requested in Part 1. General, is it to be assumed that such information is CLIN, unit and extended pricing with no additional detail and the Part 4, Price section shall include all additional descriptors such as SCA or Exempt status?

Response: Offeror shall complete the pricing schedule which follows the SF1449, and as instructed under Part I: General. In addition, Addendum 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items Part IV: Price has been revised.

Q14. The Addendum to the DD-254 has provided clarification, but there is no corrected version removing the 11e.

safeguarding provision though it seems as that is the desire from the remainder. Will the government please definitively confirm that a SECRET Non-Possessing FCL is all that is required for this contract.

Response: Yes. TE 8 Addendum has been revised and is replaced in its entirety.

Q15. As the contract will be primarily staffed under the governance of the Service Contract Act (SCA), for purposes of fair and equitable competition, can the government provide a matrix for the anniversary information for incumbent personnel so all prospective offerors may remain in compliance with all wage determination requirements and that any incumbent contractors do not maintain an unfair competitive advantage by possessing such non-publicly available information.

Response: The following information is being provided for information only and the government makes no guarantees regarding the future or the continuing employment of current personnel. Any assumptions an offerors makes based on this information, it makes at its own risk. The following information is provided for time in service for staffing (further information of labor categories is proprietary to the incumbent):

<1 year = appx 35 % >1 and <5 years = appx 31% >5 and <10 years = appx 31% >10 years = appx 2%

Q16. “The consolidated contractor plan is a deliverable so becomes the property of the Government.” As the consolidated plan incorporates so many sub plans, if any of those is deemed to be proprietary and potentially damaging if released, and subject to disclosure restrictions, is the government able to provide such accommodation?

Response: None of the information requested should be proprietary. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure no proprietary information is included.

Q17. Is there an incumbent? If yes, could you please provide the name of the incumbent and total contract value for the current contract.

Response: Yes, there is an incumbent. Contract: W9124D-16-C-0018, National Sourcing, Inc., Tampa, Florida. Value: $10,204,499.58

Q18. Is it at the discretion of the contractor on how many FTEs can be used for this contract or is 65 FTEs required?

Response: It is at the offeror’s discretion on how many FTEs or the level of staffing required to perform the requirements outlined in the PWS; the instructions in Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (1)(e)(ii) Element 2: Optimum Staffing Plan must be followed. If an offeror proposes alternate staffing from that listed in Technical Exhibit (TE) 7, the offeror shall provide detailed information to support how their alternate staffing is capable of supporting this requirement.

Q19. How will the Government evaluate an offeror’s past performance that is less than the definition of relevancy and size (i.e. $4M annual value, multiple locations and similar FTE count) versus an offer with no past performance?

Response: Addendums FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (1)(e) Proposal Content and 52.212-2, (a) Non-price Evaluation Factors, Factor 2 – Past Performance have been revised.

Q20. Our team has somewhat relevant past performances but less than $4M annual value and about half of the FTE count. Will our offer be evaluated differently if we choose not to submit any past performance references?

Response: See response to question #19.

Q21. Is the Government considering Past Performance as part of the Factor 1 – Technical Evaluation, and not as a separate Factor? The RFP “Proposal Content” section differs from the 52.212.3 Evaluation Section.

Response: In Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-2, (a) Non-price Evaluation Factors, Past Performance is listed as a separate factor from Factor 1- Technical and will receive a separate rating.

Under Addendum 52.212-1, Proposal Content, describes the order in which information within an offeror’s proposal should be organized whereas 52.212.2 provides details pertaining to each factor, to include the elements of a factor and how each factor will be evaluated.

Q22. PWS 1.5.6.2, page 71: Requirements for PM and APM includes “familiarity with Government logistic procedures is also preferred.” Does this refer to general understanding of Government distribution/movement of material, knowledge of Government administrative policies, or another preferred attribute?

Response: Yes.

Q23. PWS 1.5.8.5, page 72 - The 4 estimated maximum trips should be understood to be estimated trips not maximum?

Response: PWS 1.5.8.5 has been revised to reflect a minimum of four trips per fiscal year.

Q24. PWS 1.5.9.1, page 74: Joint Ethics Regulation (DoD Regulation 5500.7-R) applies to DoD employees.

Which specific employment restrictions should contractor be aware of to prevent hiring personnel who might somehow influence DoD employees to violate ethics regulation.

Response: PWS 1.5.9.1 has been revised as provided herein.

Q25. PWS 1.6.2, page 77 – Hours of Operation: The core hours of operation are listed as between 7:30AM and 5:00PM (Local Time). Could these hours be expanded to 6:00AM through 6:00PM?

Response: No. Hours of operation remain as stated in PWS 1.6.2.

Q26. PWS 5.2.7, page 114: Paragraph specifies that contractor will “resubmit claims published with administrative errors or discrepancies NLT four workdays of notification from external agencies (i.e., DFAS).” Does this mean claims are to be resubmitted to Government CRSC Compensation Authority or directly to external agencies?

Response: Resubmission will be to the Government CRSC Compensation Authority.

Q27. TE #1, PRS #4, page 140: CRSC: Process a minimum of 3000 CRSC cases per quarter/12000 CRSC cases per year – If there is insufficient claim volume to sustain the monthly, quarterly and annual requirement, how does the contractor measure success of failure? How will this metric be evaluated by the government?

Response: Government will only rate contractor on available workload.

Q28. TE #1, PRS #5, page 140: TSGLI: Process a minimum of 549 cases per quarter/2196 cases per year – If there is insufficient claim volume to sustain the monthly, quarterly and annual requirement, how does the contractor measure success of failure? How will this metric be evaluated by the government?

Response: See response to Question #27.

Q29. TE #1, PRS #4 & #5, page 140: Acceptable quality level for cases accurate upon completion is 90 percent for TSGLI and 95 percent for CRSC. Is there a specific aspect of CRSC claim processing that necessitates a more stringent quality standard than that of the TSGLI program?

Response: Complexity of workload dictates the acceptable quality level.

Q30. TE #4, List of Primary Systems Used by Contractors, page 157: Estimated workdays to process access request for Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) is listed as seven to fourteen days. Since requests are processed through an external agency (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) is seven to fourteen days a viable estimate?

Response: This is an estimate based on the current processes.

Q31. TE #7, Optimum Staffing Plan, page 160: Staffing plan includes Accounting Clerk I, II, and III labor categories. According to SCA Directory of Occupations, Accounting Clerk responsibilities include “making debt and credit entries,” “maintaining journals or subsidiary ledgers of an accounting system,” and “ensuring sufficient funds have been obligated.” Are duties and responsibilities of claims and benefits contractor support staff consistent with those of Accounting Clerks?

Response: See response to question #12.

Q32. For SCA Employees, can seniority dates be provided for incumbent staff to make sure Offerors map applicable FTE Hours for the positions? For each state of performance, the Vacation Rates differ; e.g., in KY after 10 years 3 weeks of vacation is accrued but in DC after 5 years 3 weeks of vacation is accrued. (RFP pages 6, 7 instructions e.ii and e.iv; PWS 1.6.1.1 page 77)

Response: See response to question #15.

Q33. Does a subcontractor need to provide their costing detail separate from the prime? (Page 55, para 6)

Response: See Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (1)(e)(iv) Part IV: Price for information required to be submitted for all costs identified by prime/subcontractor.

Subcontractors may email detail to contracting office directly, however, prime contractor is responsible for timely and complete proposal submission.

Q34. The Other Direct Costs plug figures are not inclusive of any applicable administrative rate, and a rate cannot be added to actual travel costs—correct? (Page 7, e.iv; page 54, (b)2.

Response: Correct. Reimbursed for actual cost and in accordance with FAR Part 31. Overhead, general and administrative costs, or fee/profit will not be allowed on travel expenses.

Q35. Regarding Physician – Generalist (MD lvl) (referenced on pages 56 and 160), will the awardee need to carry medical liability coverage or will the part-time physician fall under the government policy?

Response: The government will not provide medical liability coverage. Physicians will be reviewing cases, not meeting with patients and shall be insured with the proper coverages, as mandated by law.

Q36. Could the Government provide the name of the Incumbent Contract Holder, the contract value, and the current staffing levels? What is the period of performance of the current incumbent and staffing levels over time?

Response: See response to question #17. The Revised Optimum Staffing Plan has been provided at Technical Exhibit (TE) 7.

Q37. Under CLIN 0001 Phase-In Support (page 10), will the awardee be responsible to hire all employees under CRSC Support, TSGLI Support, ADB Support and PDA Support for the first month, or all incumbent staff goes live month 2 of the base year?

Response: See PWS 1.9 Phase-in and Phase-out periods for details. Full performance is to begin immediately after end of phase-in period.

Q38. Per paragraph 1.5.7 and 5.6.9, as well as proposal preparation instructions for paragraph C Part II, it references Key Personnel as the PM and the APM. Please clarify submission requirements of key personnel as a part of the proposal.

Response: See Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (1)(e)(ii) Part II: Technical for details. There is no additional submission requirement of the key personnel with completed proposal. In addition, PWS paragraph 2.1.27 has been removed.

Q39. Per the non-price evaluation factors (beginning page 8), if all submissions for the optimum staffing plan is used, how will the government assess this section of the proposal? Or will a common score be used?

Response: As outlined in Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items (a) Non-Price Evaluation Factors, Factor 1 – Technical (a single rating shall be given for this factor - elements shall not be separately rated). Element 1- Management and Technical Approach, Element 2 – Staffing Approach, and Element 3 – Experience, will be considered when rendering a rating of record for Factor 1.

Q40. Per the non-price evaluation factors (beginning page 8), if an alternate plan is provided, how will that be compared to the optimum staffing plan?

Response: As stated in Solicitation, Addendum to 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items (a) Non-Price Evaluation Factors, Factor 1, Element 2 – Staffing Approach, “If the offeror proposes alternate staffing from that listed in TE 7, the Government will review the detailed information provided to ascertain if the alternative proposed staffing is sufficient in labor mix and labor hours per classification to meet the requirements of the PWS, based on Government’s assessment of the work requirement.” Thus consideration will be given to the contractor’s proposed staffing mix and approach.

Q41. In reference to addendum to 52.212-1 (pages 6-7) Proposal Content Part IV: Pricing requires submission of price via the schedule with required information as noted. FAR Clause 52.215-20 is also referenced for labor category–specific details. Please clarify which clause should be submitted and which will be used as evaluation criteria.

Response: See response to question #8.

Q42. Per PWS 5.1.7 and 5.6.15, can you provide any information as to how current the SOP's are being utilized today? For transition purposes, should we expect to do updates for anything other than contractor-specific items?

Response: SOPs are updated on a recurring basis as changes occur; they are living documents. Performance of contract will be IAW PWS.

Q43. Per PWS 5.3.2, is the requirement for the Medical Advisor/Staff Physician to conduct the necessary work remotely or is this required to be onsite at the Maude Center?

Response: The Physician is assigned to the TSGLI office at Fort Knox. Due to the intermittent schedule of this position may, with Government approval, work remotely within CONUS. PWS 5.3.2.1 has been revised accordingly.

Q44. Per PWS 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5, is there currently any known backlog that should be calculated into the transition plan?

Response: During transition there is no backlog requiring resolution. However, at time of full performance services shall be provided in accordance with the PWS and technical exhibits. Backlog is tracked by the Government.

Q45. Is a facilities clearance required? If so, will the Government sponsor the vendor to obtain a facilities clearance, or must the vendor have the clearance in place at time of award?

Response: Yes, facilities clearance is required. See DD-254. It must be in place at time of award. The Government will not be sponsoring facility clearances for any offeror.

Q46. Per the RFP, Section L, e., Element 2 If an offeror proposes alternate staffing from that listed in Technical Exhibit (TE) 7, Optimum Staffing Plan in the solicitation, the offeror shall provide detailed information to support how their alternate staffing is capable of supporting this requirement. However no TE 7 attachment has been provided, can the Government please provide?

Response: See Solicitation, PWS TE 7, Optimum Staffing Plan.

Q47. Per the RFP, Section L, iii. Part III: Past Performance; Relevant past performance is defined as similar in size (annual value of $4 Million or greater). However, the spend to date ratio does not exhibit this dollar amount for the current contract. Will the Government consider revising the dollar amount to match the current annual spending on the current contract, or can the Government clarify that they expect a surge requirement for this opportunity?

Response: No change made. Value is deemed appropriate and prudent for this acquisition. No surge requirement is anticipated.

The following have been modified:

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items.

The provision at 52.212-1 is hereby tailored to modify the following elements of the provision:

Submission of Offers. Proposals shall be submitted NOT LATER THAN the exact date and time identified on SF 1449 block eight (8), to the below identified Contract Specialist (CS) and Contracting Officer (KO) via email.

Offeror’s proposal shall include separate electronic documents for the general, technical, past performance, and price proposal sections. Maximum size limitation for e-mail receipt for the contracting office is 10 MB (including all attachments). If offeror’s proposal is larger than 10 MB, offeror may submit proposal via separate emails. When submitting proposal via separate emails, the offeror shall clearly state how many other emails will be submitted (i.e., 1 of 4, 2 of 4, etc.). Multiple emails may have to be sent in order to not exceed the size limit. It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure files are not too large and are Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel only, and that the Government receives all emails with appropriate attachments timely. A complete proposal received after the exact time stated on SF 1449 block eight (8) shall be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f). Electronic proposal submissions via facsimile will not be accepted.

Offerors shall review the solicitation and its amendments (if applicable) and submit only written questions and/or comments with the subject line: W9124D-19-R-0005, CBP, QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/ EXCEPTIONS. All questions shall be submitted to the attention of the assigned CS and KO as follows:

Contract Specialist: Monika Watkins; Monika.watkins2.civ@mail.mil

Contracting Officer: Barbara Mattingly; Barbara.j.mattingly2.civ@mail.mil

Written questions shall be submitted electronically NOT LATER THAN, 9:00 AM ET, 6 February 2019. Late submission may not be given consideration. Questions shall identify the PWS paragraph number or solicitation reference with each question. Responses to questions shall be provided to offerors simultaneously via amendment, if applicable. KO reserves the right to NOT respond to all questions received. Telephonic inquiries may not be entertained.

Offeror's SAM registration shall be active in order to be eligible for award. Proposals containing a name and address (Block 17a of SF1449) different from that registered in SAM may be deemed ineligible for award.

(1) Proposal shall include the following:

a. A cover letter containing the following information:

Company Name

Company Address

Point of Contact

Phone Number

Email Address

DUNS Number

CAGE Code

Tax Identification Number

i. Proposal Acceptance Period: Offeror’s proposal shall remain valid for a period of 60 calendar days after the closing date and time identified on SF 1449 block eight (8).

Proposals offering a shorter period of time than 60 calendar days may be rejected as non-responsive.

ii. Acknowledgement of all solicitation amendments (if applicable).

b. General Instructions:

i. The selection of a source for award purposes will be conducted utilizing FAR Part 12, “Acquisition of Commercial Items,” and procedures as delineated in FAR Part 15.3, “Source Selection” as authorized in FAR 12.203 and supplemented by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and the Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS). Offers will be evaluated using the criteria under Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-2, “Evaluation Factors for Award.”

ii. Award will be made to a single Offeror who is deemed responsible in accordance with the FAR, whose proposal is judged by an overall assessment of the evaluation criteria and other considerations specified in this solicitation, which will represent the Lowest Priced Technical Acceptable offer. Trade-offs between cost/price and non-cost/price factors are not permitted.

iii. Noncompliance with the RFP requirements may hamper the Government's ability to properly evaluate the proposal and may result in elimination of the proposal from further consideration for contract award.

iv. The submission of the documentation specified will constitute the Offeror's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the RFP and contract type.

v. Instructions outlined in paragraph C below, prescribe the format for the proposal, and describe the approach for the development and presentation of proposal data. These instructions are designed to ensure the submission of necessary information to provide for the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of proposals.

vi. If an Offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, an ambiguity, omission, or are otherwise deemed unsound, the Offeror shall immediately notify the KO in writing with supporting rationale. The Offeror is reminded that the Government reserves the right to award this effort based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussion.

vii. In accordance with FAR Subpart 4.8, Government Contract Files, the Government will retain one copy of all unsuccessful proposals. Unless the Offeror requests otherwise, the Government will destroy extra copies of such unsuccessful proposals.

viii. The KO will notify offerors who are not selected for award electronically. Upon such notification, unsuccessful offerors may request to receive debrief in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(l).

c. Proposal Preparation Instructions:

i. The Offeror’s proposal shall consist of four (4) separate electronic parts:

Part I: General Part II: Technical

Element 1-Management and Technical Approach Element 2-Staffing Approach Element 3-Experience

Part III: Past Performance Part IV: Price

d. Proposal Format

i. Offerors shall submit one (1) original electronic copy of Parts I, II, III, and IV of their entire proposal to the email addresses of the CS AND KO identified above.

ii. Exceptions: Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, such as terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in additional to those identified as evaluation factors found in Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-2. Failure to meet any requirement in this solicitation may result in an offer being ineligible for award. Any assumption, exceptions, or deviations must be addressed and communicated via email to the KO and CS at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation (Block 8 of SF1449).

iii. All text shall be single spaced. Times New Roman or Arial font required. Text shall be a minimum font size 10 and be easily readable. All text pages shall be oriented in portrait. Landscape orientation is acceptable for tables and/or charts if required to properly present the information. Margins shall be at least 1 inch on the top and bottom and ¾ inch on the sides. The Offeror shall number each page. In the event the Offeror creates an ambiguity in their numbering, the Government may exercise its own discretion on counting pages.

iv. Proposal Limitation. If the page limits are exceeded, the pages in excess of the limit shall not be evaluated. The proposal shall not exceed the following page limits:

(1) General: N/A

(2) Technical: 25 pages

(3) Past Performance: 5 pages

(4) Price: N/A

Note 1: Page limits includes all appendices, charts, graphs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, and other information provided in the proposal.

e. Proposal Content:

i. Part 1: General - Solicitation W9124D-19-R-0005 proposal submission shall be submitted fully completed and in accordance with FAR 52.212-1, “Instruction to Offerors

– Commercial Items”. Failure to follow the below contract proposal preparation instructions may cause proposal to be deemed non-responsive by the government. This document shall contain:

(1) The proposal submission shall contain an original signature in block 30a of the completed SF 1449 (including acknowledgment of Amendments). The Offeror shall provide the name, title and telephone number of the company/division point of contact regarding decisions made with respect to offeror’s proposal and who can obligate its company contractually, in addition to information requested above.

(2) Pricing Schedule (Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs) – Pricing Schedule shall be submitted fully completed and error free. It shall contain the offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items Numbers (CLINS). Prices shall be presented in whole dollars. Should a discrepancy exist between unit prices and extensions exist; unit prices shall govern.

(3) In the event the Offeror will be subcontracting with another or multiple businesses, the Offeror shall certify whom the Offeror intends to subcontract with, their cage code, the percentage of direct labor allocation to each firm and attest the proposal is in compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

(4) Complete FAR Provision 52.212-3, Alt 1-Offeror Representation and Certification-Commercial Items; 52.219-1- Small Business Program Representations with Alternate I. The Offeror shall ensure that these provisions are submitted thoroughly completed with all blocks in each certification/ representation completed truthfully and completely.

ii. Part II: Technical. The Technical portion shall be clear, concise and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims in the Offer’s proposal. Legibility, clarity and coherence are very important. Proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the approach defined in Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors for Award. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements, but rather shall provide convincing rationale to address how the Offeror intends to meet these requirements. Statements that the Offeror understands, can, or will comply with the PWS (including referenced publications, technical data, etc.), statements paraphrasing the PWS or parts thereof (including applicable publications, technical data, etc.), and phrases such as “standard procedures will be employed” or “well known techniques will be used” will be considered unacceptable. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities and experience, and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror’s proposal. The Offeror shall address as specifically as possible the actual methodology used for accomplishing the PWS tasks. Any assumptions, exceptions, or deviations shall be addressed and communicated to the KO and CS no later than instructed above.

The Technical portion shall be organized according to the following general outline:

--Factor 1: Technical Element 1: Management Approach and Technical Approach

Element 2: Staffing Approach Element 3: Experience

Element 1: Management Approach and Technical Approach – Offerors proposal shall demonstrate understanding of the technical and functional tasks outlined in the PWS and shall clearly demonstrate a feasible approach for controlling and managing the entire project across four (4) locations, and describe the offeror’s general management/ administration structure.

Element 2: Optimum Staffing Plan – The Offeror shall include the proposed staffing plan/chart that clearly depicts labor mixes and labor hours per classification per period of performance, to include PWS section reference and position location. The offeror shall ensure its proposed staffing clearly depicts the total number of Full Time Equivalents

(FTE)'s for each proposed labor category, including any subcontracted effort. If utilizing other than 1,920 productive hours per FTE (2,080 full man-year), the offeror shall provide its calculation of productive hours. If an offeror proposes alternate staffing from that listed in Technical Exhibit (TE) 7, Optimum Staffing Plan in the solicitation, the offeror shall provide detailed information to support how their alternate staffing is capable of supporting this requirement. Offerors shall complete the table below (table may be modified only to add columns and/or rows but not to delete basic required information) to provide a summary of proposed staff.

SCA/

Exempt

Labor Category

PWS

Section Reference

Position Location

Total Labor Hours per year (based on 1,920 per

FTE)

Full time Equivalent

(FTE)

Prime/ Subcontractor

Element 3: Experience – The offeror shall provide no more than a total of three citations of contracts and/or subcontracts that clearly demonstrate its knowledge, skills, and abilities in performing services similar in size, scope, and complexity to the effort required by PWS. The offeror’s citations shall include a brief description of its specific knowledge and expertise, accomplished mitigation of challenges, executed innovations (if applicable), and explain how the effort is similar in size, scope, and complexity to the effort required by PWS. Examples of efforts similar in size are those with annual value of $4 Million or greater. To better substantiate capability of firm, each submission should be individually versus cumulative value. Examples of efforts similar in scope include processing claims and benefits and other tasks identified in PWS. Examples of efforts similar in complexity are those that require performance and management of personnel at multiple geographical locations and similar FTEs.

Offeror shall demonstrate minimum expertise similar in size, scope and complexity. If the offeror proposes to use a subcontractor for more than 30 percent of the services under this contract, the offeror shall clearly cite the subcontractor’s expertise in its proposal.

Offeror shall not go back farther than three (3) years from the date of receipt of proposals. Non-Government contracts may be used if Government contracts are not available. The documentation shall be submitted in the following format:

Contract Number, award date, performance period, and contract type.

Denote whether public or private sector project (if public sector, what agency/department).

Project involvement (did company act in capacity as prime or subcontractor).

Price/Cost – original and final (or to date).

Project title with brief description of work performed (to include number of personnel managed by the company and place(s) of performance).

Narrative on how project is relevant to the current acquisition.

iii. Part III: Past Performance. The firm shall provide a maximum of three example projects performed by either the prime firm or key subcontractor (if utilized) demonstrating recent and relevant past performance. Relevant past performance is defined as similar in size (annual value of $4 Million or greater), scope (processing claims and benefits, etc.) and complexity (multiple locations, similar FTEs) to the services identified herein. Recent past performance is past performance within the last three (3) years from the date of this announcement. If non-government (i.e.

commercial), offeror shall provide point of contact, email address, title, contract number, narrative of work completed. For each identified effort for a commercial customer, the offeror shall also submit a client authorization letter, authorizing release of the government of requested information on the offeror’s performance.

iv. Part IV: Price. The Offeror shall submit prices for each Contract Line Item (CLIN), and in format, as identified in the CLIN schedule of this RFP. The offeror shall submit a price proposal for a one-month phase-in, 11 month base period and four one-year option periods.

In accordance with FAR 52.215-20, Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data (Alt IV), submission of certified cost or pricing data is not required. However, for each year, the offeror shall submit a price for all of the CLINs. Offerors shall provide SCA or Exempt status per labor category, labor category, total productive labor hours, equivalent FTE, hourly wage (IAW SCA wage determination, if applicable), and total burdened labor cost.

DIRECT LABOR TABLE (for CLINs 0002, 0003, 0004, 0005, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 4001, 4002, 4003, and 4004)

SCA/

Exempt

Labor Category

Total Labor Hours per year (based on 1,920 PH per FTE)

Equivalent

FTE

Base Hourly Rate

Total Burdened Labor Cost

Prime/ Subcontractor

Offerors shall enter the following Government plug values for travel CLINs. Offerors shall not deviate from the numbers provided; any deviation may render an offer non-responsive):

TRAVEL CLINs

CLIN Description NTE amount (Government plug number) 0006 PDA Travel $17,100.00 0007 ADB Travel $8,400.00 1005 PDA Travel $21,135.60 1006 ADB Travel $10,382.40 2005 PDA Travel $21,769.67 2006 ADB Travel $10,693.87 3005 PDA Travel $22,422.76 3006 ADB Travel $11,014.69 4005 PDA Travel $23,095.44 4006 ADB Travel $11,345.13

CMR: Offerors shall propose a price for CLINs 0008, 1007, 2007, 3007, and 4007 for Contractor Manpower Reporting (CMR). If the offeror proposes to provide this at no charge, it should indicate $0.00 or No Charge rather than leaving this line blank. If the line is left blank, the offeror agrees that this shall be provided at no charge and that $0.00 shall be used for evaluation purposes.

The price proposal shall include completion of Pricing Schedule within SF1449. In the event there is a discrepancy between sections of the price proposal and Pricing Schedule, Pricing Schedule pricing will take precedence.

(g) Contract award: It is the Government’s intent to award without discussions. 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 KO to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such as is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(End Provision)

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-2

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

The provision at 52.212-2 is hereby tailored to modify the following elements of the provision:

(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:

Factor 1: Technical Element 1: Management and Technical Approach Element 2: Staffing Plan Element 3: Experience

Factor 2: Past Performance

Factor 3: Price

Award will be made to a single Offeror who is deemed responsible in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), whose proposal judged by an overall assessment of the evaluation criteria and other considerations specified in this solicitation, represents the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) offer.

NON-PRICE EVALUATION FACTORS

Factor 1 - Technical (a single rating shall be given for this factor - elements shall not be separately rated): The Technical Factor evaluation provides an assessment of the Offeror’s capability to fully satisfy the Government’s minimum requirements.

Element 1 – Management and Technical Approach: The Government will evaluate the management and technical approach to assess feasibility, with consideration of the staffing mix and resource allocation (including any subcontractors). The consideration will be given to the proposed management and technical approach to determine effectiveness, responsiveness, completeness, and the overall capability to achieve each performance objective and standard that reflects the best industry and/or commercial practices, standards and procedures for all services identified in the PWS.

Element 2 - Staffing Approach: The Government will evaluate the proposed staffing, labor mixes and labor hours per classification per period of performance to validate the offer is in correlation to TE 7, Optimum Staffing Plan. If the offeror proposes alternate staffing from that listed in TE 7, the Government will review the detailed information provided to ascertain if the alternative proposed staffing is sufficient in labor mix and labor hours per classification per period of performance, to include PWS section reference and position location, to meet the requirements of the PWS, based on Government’s assessment of the work requirement.

Element 3 – Experience: The Government will evaluate the experience and/or expertise performed within the last three (3) years of the offeror and/or proposed subcontractor(s) (those performing over 30 percent of the effort) demonstrate its ability to support efforts similar in size (annual value of $4 Million or greater), scope (processing claims and benefits, and other tasks outlined in PWS) and complexity (geographically dispersed locations, similar FTEs) to the PWS requirements.

NOTE: The Offeror’s citations shall include a brief description of its specific knowledge and expertise, accomplished mitigation of challenges, executed innovations (if applicable), and explain how the effort is similar in scope and complexity to the effort required by PWS.

Technical Factor will receive one of the adjectival ratings defined below. The elements shall not be separately rated but considered in the rating for Technical. A rating of Acceptable must be achieved for an offer to be considered for award. Ratings of unacceptable shall not be given further consideration.

Technical Acceptable/Unacceptable Ratings Rating Description Acceptable Proposal clearly meets the minimum requirements of the solicitation.

Unacceptable Proposal does not clearly meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation.

Factor 2 - Past Performance: The Past Performance evaluation will assess the offeror’s probability of meeting the solicitation’s requirements as indicated by that offeror’s record of past performance. Past performance is assessed at the factor level after evaluating aspects of the offeror’s past performance that is recent and relevant to the services being procured under this solicitation. Offerors are advised the Government will utilize data in the offeror’s proposal and data obtained from other sources (i.e. Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS)) to determine the relevancy and recency of past performance.

In the case of an Offeror without a record of relevant past performance or from whom information on past performance is not available or so sparse that no meaningful past performance rating can be reasonably assigned, the Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably. In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, “unknown” shall be considered “acceptable” for the purposes of this evaluation.

The past performance factor will be assigned one of the rating defined below:

Past Performance Acceptable/Unacceptable Ratings Rating Description Acceptable Based upon the offeror’s performance record, the

Government has a reasonable expectation the offeror will successfully perform the required effort, or the offeror’s performance record is unknown.

Unacceptable Based upon the offeror’s performance record, the Government has no reasonable expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort.

Factor 3 - Price. Price will not be scored or rated. Evaluation of price will be performed using one or more of the price analysis techniques in FAR 15.404-1(b) and (g). Through these techniques, the Government will determine whether prices are fair, reasonable and balanced.

As part of price evaluation, the government will evaluate its option to extend services (see FAR Clause 52.217-8) by adding one half of the offeror's final option period price to the offeror's total price. Thus, the offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base period, all options, and the calculated value for the potential six-month extension period at the end of the contract. Offerors are required only to price the phase-in, base and option periods. Offerors shall not submit a price for the potential six month extension of services period.

In the event there is a discrepancy between sections of the contractor’s price proposal and Pricing Schedule, Pricing Schedule pricing will take precedence.

(b) Options. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the options.

(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)

PWS

CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PROCESSING

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Part 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

(as of 14 Feb 19)

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 The contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, and non-personal services necessary to support the Claims and Benefits Processing (CBP) program for the Office of the Adjutant General Directorate (TAGD) and its subordinate agencies. The contractor shall provide non-personal services in accordance with (IAW) the terms, conditions and specifications of this contract. The primary scope of this contract is to provide any function necessary to process military awards, and claims on benefits and entitlements. The contractor shall research and review required regulations, records and laws; develop recommendations on the disposition for Government approval; prepare responses for signature; release disposition to required Government agencies or claimant; and other related services as further defined herein. The requirements under this contract are spread between different branches within the TAGD and Army G1. The below section 1.1.2 (Background) describe the different sections within the CBP program. Significant impact to services provided under this contract may occur during transformation periods. Modifications to the contract for significant increase or decrease in workload will be negotiated between the Contracting Officer (KO), the Government and the contractor.

1.1.2 Background. The Army’s Human Resources Command (HRC) was formed on October 1, 2003 by merging the personnel assets of the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) and the United States Army Reserve Personnel Command (AR-PERSCOM). Establishing HRC as a Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1, enhanced the potential of every federal Soldier in the Army. TAGD is a large directorate under the Army Human Resources Command (AHRC) that is revolutionizing customer service across the military.