Amendment 0004 RFP W9124J25R0010 1.16.25.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 extend the due date for the submission of proposals from 21 January 2025, 12:00PM CDT to 23 January

2025, 12:00PM CDT.

No other changes w ere made to the solicitation.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

S 1 60

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

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 16-Jan-2025

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 W9124J25R0010

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

27-Nov-2024

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 X is extended, 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 1 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

16-Jan-2025

CODE

MICC-FORT SAM HOUSTON

2205 INFANTRY POST ROAD

FORT SAM HOUSTON TX 78234-1364

W9124J 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

W9124J25R0010

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The required response date/time has changed from 21-Jan-2025 12:00 PM to 23-Jan-2025 12:00 PM.

The following have been modified:

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1

AMENDMENT 0004

ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS COMMERCIAL ITEMS

A. Proposal Submittal and Inquiries

1. Proposals shall be submitted prior to the closing date and time stated in Block 9 of the SF1449.

2. All proposals shall be submitted electronically via email to the attention of both the following:

Contract Specialist: LaTasha Cardwell, latasha.s.cardwell2.civ@army.mil

Contracting Officer: Sylvia Farmer, sylvia.farmer.civ@army.mil

3. Offerors shall review the solicitation and its amendments (if applicable) and submit only written questions and/or comments with the Subject Line Reference: Questions/Comments/Exceptions for Communication Support Services, W9124J-25-R-0010. All inquiries, questions and or comments shall be directed to the attention of both the following:

Contract Specialist: LaTasha Cardwell, latasha.s.cardwell2.civ@army.mil

Contracting Officer: Sylvia Farmer, sylvia.farmer.civ@army.mil

The deadline for the submittal of all Questions/Comments/Exceptions is Friday, 4 December 2024 at

12:00 P.M. CDT. Questions shall be submitted on and in the format delineated in Attachment 02, Questions_Answers Matrix.

4. Time for Acceptance: Unless the offeror annotates a different period of time within the proposal, the proposal shall remain valid for 180 days after the receipt date of the solicitation.

5. Site Visit: N/A

6. Funding: Funds are not presently available for this acquisition. No contract award will be made until appropriated funds are made available

B. General Instructions:

1. The selection of a source for award purposes will be conducted utilizing Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection (negotiated) procedures accordance with FAR Part 12, “Acquisition of Commercial Items,” in conjunction with 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.” Noncompliance with the Request for Proposal (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.

2. This acquisition is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Only Firms not exceeding the revenue size standard of $24.5M are eligible to submit an offer.

3. The Offer. The submission of the documentation specified will constitute the offeror's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the RFP, the Performance Work Statement and contract type.

4. It is the Government's intention to award without discussions. Offerors are encouraged to present their best technical proposal and price in their initial proposal submission. However, in accordance with FAR 15.306, should discussions become necessary, the Government reserves the right to hold them. If this occurs, a competitive range will be determined and offerors notified. The competitive range may be limited for purposes of efficiency IAW FAR 15.306(c)(2).

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 Contracting Officer 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.

8. All referenced documents for this solicitation are available on the Contract Opportunities Website at http://sam.gov. Potential offerors are encouraged to subscribe for real-time e-mail notifications when information has been posted to the website for this solicitation.

9. Debriefings: The Contracting Officer will promptly notify offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range, whereupon they may request and receive a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.505. The Contracting Officer will notify offerors who were in the competitive range of the source but were not selected for award in accordance with FAR 15.503(b). The Contracting Officer will notify Offerors who are not selected for award in writing. Upon such notification, unsuccessful offerors may request to receive a debriefing in accordance with the requirements of FAR 15.505 (pre-award) and FAR 15.506 (post-award).

C. Proposal Preparation Instructions:

1. The offeror’s proposal shall consist of Four (4) volumes:

Volume I - General Volume II - Technical Capability Volume III – Past Performance Volume V – Cost/Price

2. Proposal Format

(a) Offerors shall submit one (1) electronic copy of their proposal via e-mail and one sanitized copy of the Technical Volume. The email capacity of the Government server is 10MB per attachment. Larger files can be sent through the DoD SAFE (Secure Access File Exchange) for files up to 8.0 GB that can't be sent through email:

https://safe.apps.mil/. A timely request for a DoD SAFE Password must be sent to the Contracting POCs. Once request is received, an email will be sent allowing access to upload documents to the DoD SAFE site.

Sanitized copy means that the entire volume content (except for the cover page) should be sanitized from company’s title, logo, and or any identifying markings. Only the Technical Volume shall be sanitized.

(b) 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, “Evaluation Factors for Award.”. Failure to meet any requirement in this solicitation may result in an offer being ineligible for award. If the offeror finds it necessary to take exception to any of the requirements specified in this solicitation, the offeror shall clearly identify the applicable exception(s) with a complete explanation of why the exception was taken, what benefit accrues to the Government (if any), and its impact, if any, on the performance, schedule, price, and specific requirements of the solicitation. Each exception shall be specifically related to each paragraph and/or specific part of the solicitation to which the exception is taken.

It is recommended that the offeror contact the Contracting Officer immediately upon identifying an area that may result in an exception. The offeror must contact the Contracting Officer prior to the date for receipt of offers. Upon notification of an exception the Contracting Officer will gather facts and if facts warrant solicitation revision an amendment will be issued. All exception(s) shall be submitted electronically in the format below.

Table 1 – Solicitation Exceptions Solicitation Document Page/ Paragraph Requirement/ Portion Rationale & Impact

Section B, PWS/SOO/SOW, Section L&M, etc.

Applicable Page and Paragraph Numbers

Identify the requirement or portion to which exception is taken.

Describe the rationale and impact of the exception.

(c) The proposals shall be organized into four (4) volumes. Volumes I – IV shall be submitted as separate files. All text shall be single spaced and black font on white background. Black and white requirement does not apply to graphics, photos, Company stationery and logos. Times New Roman or Arial font required. Text shall be a minimum font size of 12. Cross-references should be utilized to preclude unnecessary duplication of data between sections. Page numbers, headers and footers may be outside the page margins and are not bound by the 12 font size, but shall be no smaller than 8-point. Additionally, fonts as small as 8-point can also be used in tables, charts, graphs, and figures as well as used in callout boxes and figure captions. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. 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 in counting pages. Page limitations are as follows:

Table 2 Page Limitation

VOLUME TITLE PAGE LIMITS

I General N/A

II Technical Capability 30 pages (Excluding Resumes)

III Past Performance 15 pages IV Price or Cost N/A

(d) Proposal Limitation. The proposal shall not exceed the limits stated above. If the page limits are exceeded, the pages in excess of the limit shall not be read or evaluated. The Government will not accept any changes to the contractor’s proposal after the closing date of the solicitation (see FAR 15.208 for further information regarding late proposals). If discussions are necessary, page limitations may be placed on responses to Evaluation

Notices (ENs). The specified page limits for EN responses will be identified in the letters forwarding the ENs to offerors.

(e) Resume pages shall not be counted against the 30 pages allowed for Volume II. However, resumes shall be limited to no more than 5 pages per person.

(f) Page limits include all appendices, charts, graphs, diagrams, tables, photographs, drawings, and other information provided in the proposal.

(g) Page Limit does not include covers for volumes, table of contents, glossary of abbreviations and acronyms, indices, title pages, cross reference indices, and section dividers/tables if they are inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating parts/sections of the proposal. Pages will be counted if they contain any other information, i.e. diagrams, extraneous data, etc. Pages marked “This page intentionally left blank” will not be counted.

(h) What counts as a page? A page shall be an 8 ½ X 11” sheet of paper. When both sides of a sheet display printed material, it shall be counted as two pages. Letter size and spacing requirements for illustrations and tables can be at the discretion of the offeror but must be easily readable. Fold-outs will be counted as the appropriate number of pages based on an 8 ½” X 11” sheet of paper. Margins shall be at least 1 inch on the top and bottom and 3/4 inch on the side. The Contractor shall number each page in order to eliminate any confusion. In the event contractor creates an ambiguity in their numbering of pages, the Government may exercise its own discretion in counting pages.

(i) Indexing. Each volume shall contain a detailed table of contents to delineate the subparagraphs within that volume. Section dividers shall be used to identify sections

(j) Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms. Each volume shall contain a glossary of all abbreviations and acronyms used, with a definition for each.

D. Proposal Content:

(1) Volume I – General. Offerors are required to submit a completed solicitation (including acknowledgment of Amendments), and complete all Representation, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors. Failure to follow the below Contract Proposal preparation instructions may cause your proposal to be deemed unacceptable by the Government. The General Volume shall be organized as follows and contain the identified information.

TAB A, Exceptions/Assumptions (if required) - Identification and explanation of any Contracting Officer approved exceptions or deviations. Additionally, any assumptions used in the proposal preparation must be identified.

TAB B, Solicitation, Offer and Award - The offeror shall provide the name, title and telephone number of the company/division point of contact regarding decisions made with respect to your proposal and who can obligate your company contractually. Also, identify those individuals authorized to negotiate with the Government.

TAB C, (Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs) - Section B shall be submitted fully completed and error free. It shall contain the offeror’s prices for the established Contract Line Items Numbers (CLINS).

TAB D, – The offeror shall ensure each certification/representation is completed truthfully and completely.

Complete FAR Provisions 52.212- 3—Offeror Representations and Certification—Commercial Items and 52.222- 22—Previous Contract and Compliance Reports. The Offeror shall ensure that these provisions are submitted thoroughly completed with all blocks in each certification/representation completed truthfully and completely. A PDF version of the Offeror’s Representation/Certifications from SAM.gov is acceptable.

TAB E, In the event the Offeror is a joint venture, the Offeror shall provide a copy of the JVA signed by all partners. The JVA shall specify the rights and responsibilities of each partner and shall identify the managing partner. In addition, the Offeror shall provide a summary narrative that specifically delineates what each partner will do in regard to performing the contract. The responsibilities of the managing partner are significantly more important than the responsibilities of all other partners combined.

IAW 52.219-14(e)(1) Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) (DEVIATION 2021-O0008), the contractor, by submission of an offer and execution of a contract, agrees that in performance of a contract, it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding certain other direct costs and certain work performed outside the United States (see paragraph (e)(1)(i)), to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor’s 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract.

TAB F Organizational Conflicts of Interest (If Applicable). The offeror shall disclose all organizational and/or personal conflicts of interest of this solicitation to the Contracting Officer as soon as possible so that potential conflicts can be analyzed in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5.

(2) Volume II—Technical Volume (Factor 1)

(a) The Technical Volume shall be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims in the offeror’s proposal. Legibility, clarity and coherence are very important. Your responses will be evaluated against the technical factors 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,” etc., 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. Elaborate brochures or documentation, detailed art work, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired.

(b) The Technical Volume shall, at a minimum, be prepared in a form consistent with the Performance Work Statement and the evaluation criteria for award set forth in Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-2, “Evaluation Factors for Award of this solicitation. The section shall be prepared in an orderly format and in sufficient detail to enable the Government to make a thorough evaluation of the offeror’s technical competence and ability to comply with the contract task requirements specified in the PWS. The offeror shall address as specifically as possible the actual methodology used for accomplishing the PWS tasks. Any assumptions, exceptions or deviations must be addressed and communicated to the Contracting Officer no later than instructed above. The volume shall be organized according to the following general outline:

- Table of Contents

- List of Tables and Drawings

- Cross Reference Matrix (if any)

- Exceptions/Assumptions (Identification and explanation of any exceptions or deviations). Additionally, identify any assumptions used in preparing the proposal

a. Subfactor 1: Technical Approach. Responses to this subfactor must demonstrate understanding of the tasks outlined in the PWS. At a minimum, the proposal must demonstrate and address each of the following specified requirements:

i. Organizational Processes: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel, specifically to develop and establish common operating procedures, business rules and organizational processes

IAW PWS 5.2

ii. Communication Research, Analysis and Evaluation: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to support the proposal technical approach for communication research and the development and execution of strategies, specifically for operations research, analysis and analytical expertise. IAW PWS 5.3

iii. Communication Planning: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to support the proposal technical approach with respect to integration and coordination methods used in communication planning, specifically for public affairs and communication programs IAW PWS 5.4.

iv. Communication Product Development: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel, specifically to support the proposal technical approach with respect to development and production of communication products IAW PWS 5.5.

v. Army Outreach Support and Think Tank Support: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to support Army Outreach Support and Think Tank Support IAW PWS 5.6.

vi. Professional Development and Training: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to support professional development and training IAW PWS 5.7.

vii. Exhibit Management: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to manage the exhibits and to manage the requested updates to the existing exhibits IAW PWS 5.8.

viii. Executive Communication Support: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel to provide executive communication support IAW PWS 5.9.

b. Subfactor 2: - Staffing Plan/Key Personnel Qualifications and Experience. Responses to this subfactor must demonstrate Offeror’s understanding of the necessary qualifications required of personnel to adequately execute the requirements of the PWS 1.6.13.

i. Provide resumes for all Key Personnel. All resumes shall demonstrate the necessary background, skills, capabilities, education requirements and technical experience that meet the standards outlined in the PWS section 1.6.13.

ii. Provide a practical staffing approach that can be implemented and demonstrates the

Offeror 's ability to be fully staffed within 30-day phase-in period.

iii. Proposal shall identify the Contractor to Sub-Contractor arrangement (if one exists) proposed to accomplish the tasks in the PWS. If all work is completed by the Contractor, the proposal shall state it. The Offeror shall certify that at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the Small Business in accordance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

(3) Volume III - Past Performance (Factor 2). The Government will perform a Confidence Assessment of the offeror’s past performance to arrive at a confidence rating. The Confidence Assessment represents the evaluation of an offeror's past work record to assess the Government's confidence in the offeror's probability of successfully performing as proposed. The Past Performance evaluation will be accomplished by reviewing aspects of an offeror's recent and relevant Past Performance, focusing on and targeting performance which is relevant to the effort as it directly relates to the work being procured under this solicitation and as defined in Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-2, “Evaluation Factors for Award. The Government’s past performance evaluation shall also consider an offeror’s compliance with requirements under FAR 52.219-8 and 52.219-9 as required under FAR 15.304(c)(3)(i) and DFARS 215.305(a)(2). Past Performance information described herein is required on the offeror and all subcontractors, teaming partners, and/or joint venture partners proposed to perform a significant portion of the proposed effort based on the total proposed price. The offeror shall submit, along with the information required in this paragraph, a consent letter, executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing release of adverse past performance information to the offeror so the offeror can respond to such information. For each identified effort for a commercial customer, the offeror shall also submit a client authorization letter, authorizing release to the Government of requested information on the offeror's performance.

(1) The offeror shall include documentation regarding their relevant past performance as it directly relates to the work being procured under this solicitation. The offeror SHALL NOT go back any farther than five

(5) years from the date of the solicitation for services for the submitted data. The past performance data shall document a successful history of past contract performance.

(2) In conducting the Past Performance evaluation, the Government reserves the right to use both the information provided in the offeror’s Past Performance Volume and information obtained from other sources, such as the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or similar systems, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and commercial sources as long as the information is recent and relevant to this requirement.

(3) Offerors are reminded that both independent data and data provided by offerors in their proposals may be used by the Government to evaluate offeror past performance. However, the burden of providing thorough, complete, and current past performance information as requested in this paragraph remains with the offerors. Proposals that do not contain the information requested by this paragraph risk rejection or a less than acceptable performance rating by the Government.

(4) All past performance comments received will be taken into account and could affect the overall rating. The overall past performance evaluation is a subjective decision based on the whole of all data received. In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for 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 on past performance (see FAR 15.305 (a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown (or “neutral”) past performance. In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, a neutral rating shall be considered “acceptable.”

(5) Submission Requirements. The offeror shall submit a Past Performance Volume containing the following:

• Table of Contents

• Summary Page describing the role of the offeror and each subcontractor, teaming partner, and /or joint venture partner that the offeror is required to provide Past Performance Specific Relevant Contract Reference Sheets for the past performance experience in accordance with Attachment included in the Solicitation.

• Consent Letters executed by each subcontractor, teaming partner, and/or joint venture partner, authorizing the release of past performance information so the offeror can respond to such information. A sample consent letter is attached in the Solicitation.

• Client Authorization Letters for each identified effort for a commercial customer authorizing release to the Government of requested information on the offeror’s performance.

• Organization Structure Change History— Organizational Structure Change History. Many companies have acquired, been acquired by, or otherwise merged with other companies, and/or reorganized their divisions, business groups, subsidiary companies, etc. In many cases, these changes have taken place during the time of performance of relevant present or past efforts or between conclusion of recent past efforts and this source selection. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to determine what past performance is relevant to this acquisition. To facilitate this relevancy determination, include in this proposal volume a "roadmap" describing all such changes in the organization of your company. As part of this explanation, show how these changes impact the relevance of any efforts you identify for past performance evaluation/ performance confidence assessment. Since the Government intends to consider present and past performance information provided by other sources as well as that provided by the offeror(s), your "roadmap" should be both specifically applicable to the efforts you identify and general enough to apply to efforts on which the Government receives information from other sources.

• Specific Relevant Contracts Format - Sheets in accordance with Attachment D of the Solicitation and are limited to four (4) pages per reference. The offeror shall provide documentation outlining the offeror’s past performance with contracts, as a prime or major subcontractor, which is the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the services being procured under this Solicitation. The submittal shall include rationale supporting your assertion of relevance and how it was determined that the work performed previously was the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the work specified by this solicitation. Offerors are required to explain what aspects of the contracts are deemed relevant to the proposed effort, and to what aspects of the proposed effort they relate. A minimum of three (3) similar contracts and no more than five (5) contracts shall be provided as part of this submission.

Past Performance Questionnaire – See Attachment titled Past Performance Questionnaire. The offeror shall forward a copy of the Past Performance Questionnaire for each of the contracts identified on the specific relevant contract reference to the points of contact responsible for monitoring performance. The points of contact shall return the questionnaires directly via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist at the following email addresses: latasha.s.cardwell2.civ@army.mil, sylvia.farmer.civ@army.mil no later than the proposal due date. Questionnaires not submitted directly to the Contracting Officer or Contract Specialist will not be reviewed and evaluated. The information contained in the properly executed and returned questionnaires will be used to evaluate the offeror’s past performance. New entities that have no past customers shall annotate on the Summary Page that they have no previous clients.

(4) Volume IV – Cost/Price (Factor 3) The Offeror shall submit prices as per Solicitation the attached Pricing Matrix.

(1) All information relating to the proposed price must be included in electronic format. Electronic versions of the price proposal shall be submitted in a format compatible with Microsoft Office 365 and files should not be read only or password protected. All Excel formulas, lookup tables, and links should be intact, and no links should exist to files not included with the submission. Excel workbooks should not contain hidden spreadsheets. PDF or flat files will not be considered adequate for pricing. Failure to comply with these formatting requirements may result in rejection of your proposal.

(2) Certified Cost or Pricing data is not anticipated for the award of this contract due to expected competition; however, the Government reserves the right to request such information should it become necessary for the Offeror to submit. The Government also reserves the right to require the submission of Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data as is deemed necessary to arrive at a fair and reasonable price.

(3) FAR clause 52.217-8 will be included in the resulting contract. In order to evaluate this option price, the Government will include in the total evaluated price an amount equal to half, or six months, of the price proposed by offerors for the last ordering period. The actual price paid for performance of services and for supplies will be in accordance with FAR 52.217-8. Evaluation of this option to extend services will not obligate the Government to exercise the option.

(END OF ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-1)

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-2

AMENDMENT 0004

ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-2, EVALUATION-COMMERICAL ITEM

a. Basis for Award.

1. This is a best value Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12, “Acquisition of Commercial Items,” in conjunction with 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).

Award will be made to a single Offeror who is deemed responsible in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), whose proposal conforms to the solicitation requirements (to include all stated terms, conditions, and representations, certifications) and whose proposal, judged by an overall assessment of the evaluation criteria and other considerations specified in this solicitation, represents the Lowest Priced, Technically Acceptable Offer.

2. Trade-offs between cost/price and non-cost/price factors are not permitted. Unreasonably high, unbalanced, inaccurate or incomplete price proposals, may be the grounds for eliminating a proposal from competition. The Government will evaluate proposed prices for reasonableness using price analysis techniques.

3. Proposals will be evaluated for acceptability but not ranked using the non-cost/price factors.

b. Award for All of the Work: The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price contract as a result of this Request for Proposal. Offers received for less than the stated number of items listed in the CLIN Structure or in Attachment B will be considered ineligible for award.

c. Discussions/Competitive Range Information. As set forth in FAR 52.215-1(f)(4), the Government intends to evaluate proposals and award without discussions with offerors (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a), Clarifications and award without discussions). Therefore, the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. In the event that discussions are held, a competitive range will be established. If the Contracting Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated proposals.

D. Evaluation Criteria:

1. Evaluation criteria consist of factors and subfactors. The proposals will be evaluated under three (3) factors and three (3) subfactors:

Factor 1: Technical Capability:

Subfactor 1: Technical Approach Subfactor 2: Staffing Plan/Key Personnel Qualifications and Experience

Factor 2: Past Performance

Factor 3: Cost/Price

2. Factor 1 – Technical Factor. The proposal will be evaluated on the clarity and reasonableness of the technical approach to accomplish the complexity and magnitude of the Government’s requirement. The offeror shall demonstrate a technical approach that successfully accomplishes the PWS requirements.

a. Subfactor 1: Technical Approach. This subfactor will evaluate the Offeror’s ability to perform and satisfy all contractual requirements of this solicitation. The proposal must demonstrate a high level of understanding of the tasks outlined in the PWS. The Government will evaluate:

i. Organizational Processes: the proposal shall provide evidence and a detailed description of the Offeror’s knowledge, experience, capabilities and personnel, specifically to develop and establish common operating procedures, business rules and organizational processes IAW PWS 5.2

ii. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding of development and execution of strategies, specifically for operations research, analysis and analytical expertise required for analytical communication and assessment IAW PWS 5.3

iii. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding of the integration and coordination methods used in Communication Planning, specifically for public affairs and communication programs IAW PWS 5.4

iv. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding to develop and produce the communication products, specifically in support of communication strategies and plans IAW PWS 5.5.

v. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding to support Army Outreach Support and Think

Tank Support IAW PWS 5.6.

vi. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding to plan and conduct professional development and training IAW PWS 5.7.

vii. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding to manage the exhibits, and to manage the requested updates to the existing exhibits IAW PWS 5.8.

viii. the Offeror’s ability to demonstrate their understanding to provide executive communication support

IAW PWS 5.9.

b. Subfactor 2 - Staffing Plan/Key Personnel Qualifications and Experience. This subfactor will evaluate the Offeror’s understanding of the necessary qualifications required of personnel to adequately execute the requirements of the PWS 1.6.13. The Government will evaluate:

i. Submitted resumes for all key personnel will be evaluated for necessary background, skills, capabilities, education requirements and technical experience that meet the standards outlined in the PWS paragraph 1.6.13

ii. Practicality of the staffing approach that can be implemented and demonstrates the Offeror's ability to be fully staffed within 30-day phase-in period.

iii. Completeness in providing the Contractor to Sub-Contractor arrangement (if one exists) proposed to accomplish the tasks in the PWS. If there is no Sub-Contractor, the proposal will be evaluated for stating so.

Additionally, the proposal will be evaluated for certification that at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the Small Business in accordance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

The Technical Factor will receive one of the adjectival ratings defined below. The subfactor ratings will be used to determine an overall rating for the factor.

Table 2. Technical Acceptable/Unacceptable Ratings Rating Description Acceptable Proposal meets the requirements of the solicitation.

Unacceptable Proposal does not meet the requirements of the solicitation.

To receive a rating of Acceptable, all Subfactors must receive a rating of Acceptable.

3. 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 recent past performance and focusing on performance that is relevant to the services being procured under this solicitation. Offeror’s are cautioned that in conducting the performance risk assessment, the Government may use data provided in the offeror’s proposal and data obtained from other sources, such as the Contractor Performance Assessment System (CPARS) or similar systems.

(a) Each Offeror will receive a performance confidence assessment rating based on the offeror’s recent past performance, focusing on performance that is relevant to the contract requirements.

(b) Recency Assessment. An assessment of the past performance information will be made to determine if it is recent. To be recent, the effort must be ongoing or must have been performed during the past five (5) years from the date of issuance of this solicitation. Past performance information that fails this condition will not be evaluated.

(c) Relevancy Assessment. To be relevant, the effort must be similar in nature of work, size, and complexity. The Government will conduct an in-depth evaluation of all recent performance information obtained to determine if it is the same or similar in nature of work, size, and complexity to the services/products being procured under this solicitation. Recent past performance is defined as not more than five (5) years from the RFP release date; relevant in terms of similar nature of work, size and complexity.

A relevancy determination of the offeror’s (including joint venture partner(s) and major and critical subcontractor(s)) past performance will be made. In determining relevancy for individual contracts, consideration will be given to the effort, or portion of the effort, being proposed by the offeror, teaming partner, or subcontractor whose contract is being reviewed and evaluated. In establishing what is relevant for the acquisition, consideration should be given to what aspects of an offeror’s contract history would give the most confidence that the offeror will satisfy the current procurement. The past performance information provided in the proposal and obtained from other sources will be used to establish the relevancy of past performance.

(d) The Past Performance Evaluation Team will review this past performance information and determine the quality and usefulness as it applies to performance confidence assessment.

(e) Assigning Ratings. The Past Performance Factor will be assigned one of the ratings defined below.

Table 3 Past Performance Evaluation Ratings Rating Description Acceptable Based on the offeror’s performance record, the Government has a reasonable expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort, or the offeror’s performance record is unknown.

Unacceptable Based on the offeror’s performance record, the Government does not have a reasonable expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort.

(f) In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for 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 on past performance (see FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)). Therefore, the offeror shall be determined to have unknown (or “neutral”) past performance. In the context of acceptability/unacceptability, a neutral rating shall be considered “acceptable”).

4. Factor 3 – Cost/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). Through these techniques the Government will determine whether prices are reasonable, realistic, complete and balanced. The offeror’s total proposed price will be evaluated for reasonableness, realism, completeness and balance.

(a) Reasonableness – A price is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. The existence of adequate price competition is expected to support a determination of reasonableness. Other price analysis techniques in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b) may be used to further validate price reasonableness. If adequate price competition is not obtained or if price reasonableness cannot be determined using price analysis of Government obtained information, additional information in accordance with FAR 15.402(a) may be required from the offeror to support the proposed price. Unreasonably high proposed prices may be grounds for eliminating a proposal from competition.

(b) Realism: Price realism analysis will be performed on the base labor rates and fringe benefit rates for each labor category proposed to ensure the offeror is able to hire and retain qualified individuals for the work to be performed. Price realism will be performed in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(d)(3). Price Realism is the process of independently reviewing and evaluating specific elements of each offeror’s proposal to determine whether the proposed cost elements are realistic for the work to be performed; reflect a clear understanding of the requirements: and are consistent with the unique methods of performance and materials described in the offeror’s technical proposal. Results of the analysis will be used in performance risk assessments and responsibility determinations. The offered prices will not be adjusted as a result of the analysis. Unrealistically low prices may be Balanced Pricing – Offerors are cautioned against submitting an offer that contains unbalanced pricing. Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more contract line items (including all five (5) years that make up the ordering periods) is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the application of cost or price analysis techniques. Offers that are determined to be unbalanced may be rejected if the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk to the Government.

(c) Completeness/Accuracy. The offeror’s proposal is in compliance with the Price Volume instructions in the solicitation.

(d) Total Evaluated Price (TEP): The Total Evaluated Price should be the total price of the base year CLINs, total price of Option Year 1-4 CLINs.

(e) FAR clause 52.217-8 will be included in the resulting contract. In order to evaluate this option price, the Government will include in the total evaluated price an amount equal to half, or six months, of the price proposed by offerors for the last ordering period. The actual price paid for performance of services and for supplies will be in accordance with FAR 52.217-8. Evaluation of this option to extend services will not obligate the Government to exercise the option.

(End of provision)

ATTACHEMENTS BY REFERENCE

List of Attachments Incorporated by Reference Attachment C- Amendment 0004 - Question_Answer Matrix w/ Government Responses

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

AMENDMENT 0004

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

FOR

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS (OCPA)

COMMUNICATION PLANNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES

JANUARY 16, 2025

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide OCPA Operations Support, Communication Research, Analysis and Evaluation, Communication Planning, Communication Product Development, Army Outreach Support, Professional Development and Training, Exhibit Management, and Executive Communication Support. The government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation within the National Capital Region (NCR), tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to perform communication planning and support services for the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Army Public Affairs program as defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified in Part 3 as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) is responsible for fulfilling the Army's obligation to keep the American people and the Army informed and helps to establish the conditions that lead to confidence in America's Army and its readiness to conduct operations in peacetime, conflict and war. Army Public Affairs is comprised of Soldiers and Officers adept at planning and executing a commander’s communication strategy through corporate communication, media and stakeholder engagements, and community outreach activities directed toward external and internal publics with interest in the Department of Defense. The proactive release of accurate information puts U.S. Military operations in context, facilitates informed perceptions about Military operations, counters misinformation and disinformation, and helps achieve national, strategic, operational and tactical objectives. PA exists to maintain the trust and confidence of the American public and deter adversaries at home and abroad.

1.3 Objectives: This effort is for the procurement of support services which include:

management and technical expertise to provide operational support, development, coordination,…