American Ceremonial Stick Flags - Amendment 2

The purpose of Amendment 1 is to:

1) Provide a response to questions received in response to this solicitation by attaching the document titled "American Ceremonial Stick Flags QA".

2) Correct an administrative error under "Quote Submission Instructions:" for the point of contact email to change it from Jesse.L.Ballard@usic.dhs.gov to Jesse.L.Ballard@uscis.dhs.gov.

PART I - SCHEDULE

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the

format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and A WRITTEN

SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2022-06 and Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR), current as of 03/29/2021.

The small business size standard for the set-aside is: 500 Employees.

Per FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (NOV 2021) ADDENDA    

Quote Submission Instructions:

A complete quote shall be submitted by e-mail to Jesse.L.Ballard@uscis.dhs.gov and  Andrew.R.Fonda@uscis.dhs.gov to be received by the date and time listed in the solicitation. Quotes sent by other means WILL NOT be accepted.  Late quotes will be processed in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f) Late submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Offers.  All emails shall adhere to size limitations of the USCIS firewall which is 10 MB per email.

Questions shall be submitted by e-mail to Jesse.L.Ballard@uscis.dhs.gov and  Andrew.R.Fonda@uscis.dhs.gov to be received by the date and time listed in the solicitation.

Representations and Certifications - System for Award Management (SAM):

To be considered for award, prospective offerors shall have a current registration in SAM in

accordance with FAR Clause 52.204-7 -- System for Award Management and have completed all

applicable representations and certifications within SAM. Access to the system is available

online at https://sam.gov/SAM. Any representations and certifications required by this

solicitation and not addressed in SAM shall be provided with each contractors quote. Failure to

complete all representations and certifications required by this solicitation either through SAM

or with the offer may result in the contractor being determined non-responsive to this

solicitation and not considered for award.

Request for Quotation (RFQ) 70SBUR22Q00000188 is being issued as a small business set-aside in accordance with FAR 12.603.  USCIS anticipates awarding a single purchase order as a result of this solicitation. 

Amendments to this solicitation will be publicized in the same manner as the initial solicitation.

The Government is requesting maximum additional discounts beyond standard commercial pricing for this requirement.

A complete quote consists of:

• The solicitation # 70SBUR22Q00000188, and page numbers shall be clearly marked on all pages of the quote.
• Cover page including:
  • Solicitation number
  • Time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotes
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the company and best point of contact
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
  • Size Standard as it relates to NAICS code 314999

Volume I – Technical Acceptability / Past Performance Submission (8 page limit): 

1. Technical Volume (5 page limit) outlining the quoter’s technical approach and capability to meet the requirements outlined in Attachment A - Description of Requirements (DOR).  This shall include a detailed approach outlining in sufficient detail the ability to meet the specification requirements and delivery schedule.
2. Past Performance (3 page limit) information will be used as part of this solicitation in determining Contractor Responsibility in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.1. Offerors are to include a single typed sheet listing a minimum of 3 past performance references of previous prime contractor awards made

to the Offeror within the past 3 years with a Federal, State or local government, or other

commercial contract of similar scope to this solicitation.  The following information shall be included with the quoter’s submission:

1. 1. Contract Number;
   2. Contract Amount
   3. Contract Description     
   4. Delivery Schedule
   5. Contract Agency Name and Address; and
   6. Contract Agency Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email Address

In addition to customer references, the Government will utilize past performance information obtained from sources other than those identified by the Quoter, to include publicly available reports and Government wide databases. 

Volume II – Price Submission (No page limit):

1. Attachment B - Pricing Spreadsheet.  The quoter shall provide a complete copy of Attachment B - Pricing Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel format.  The pricing spreadsheet shall contain a firm-fixed price quote for each CLIN.
2. Solicitation Provisions. The quoter shall complete all applicable solicitation provision fill-ins and return them as a part of their price quote.

Per FAR 52.212-2     Evaluation – Commercial Items (NOV 2021)

(a) The Government will award a single purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Technical Acceptability / Past Performance
2. Price

USCIS intends to award a purchase order, on the basis of Lowest-Price Technically-Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process.  Best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price.  Technical acceptability is comprised of meeting the requirements as outlined in the description of requirements and adherence to requirements outlined in the solicitation.  Award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of quotes meeting the technical acceptability for non-price factors.  The government will assess the proposed prices for reasonableness in accordance with one or more price analysis techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2).  Prior to conducting the price analysis, each price quoted will be examined for arithmetic accuracy and consistency of the information presented in the pricing spreadsheet.  The government may adjust the contractor’s quoted price to account for minor arithmetic errors (i.e. rounding error).  In accordance with 52.217-5, the government will evaluate the total price by combining the base period and all option periods.  Past Performance will be evaluated to determine the extent to which their performance demonstrates the likelihood of successful performance in providing requirements similar in size (dollar amount), scope (work that is similar to the required products/services), and timeliness of deliveries.  The evaluation of Past Performance will include data obtained from the quoter as well as publicly available reports and governmentwide databases.  The currency and relevance of the past performance information, source of the information, context of the data, and general trends in contractor’s performance shall be considered.  As such, recent past performance is defined as within the past three years. A quoter without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available will be considered Neutral which will not provide an advantage or disadvantage to a quoter.

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

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

(End of provision)

List of attachments:

RFQ 70SBUR22Q00000188

Attachment A – Description of Requirements (DOR)

Attachment B – Pricing Spreadsheet

PART I - SCHEDULE

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the

format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and A WRITTEN

SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2022-06 and Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR), current as of 03/29/2021.

The small business size standard for the set-aside is: 500 Employees.

Per FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items (NOV 2021) ADDENDA    

Quote Submission Instructions:

A complete quote shall be submitted by e-mail to Jesse.L.Ballard@usic.dhs.gov and  Andrew.R.Fonda@uscis.dhs.gov to be received by the date and time listed in the solicitation. Quotes sent by other means WILL NOT be accepted.  Late quotes will be processed in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f) Late submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Offers.  All emails shall adhere to size limitations of the USCIS firewall which is 10 MB per email.

Questions shall be submitted by e-mail to Jesse.L.Ballard@usic.dhs.gov and  Andrew.R.Fonda@uscis.dhs.gov to be received by the date and time listed in the solicitation.

Representations and Certifications - System for Award Management (SAM):

To be considered for award, prospective offerors shall have a current registration in SAM in

accordance with FAR Clause 52.204-7 -- System for Award Management and have completed all

applicable representations and certifications within SAM. Access to the system is available

online at https://sam.gov/SAM. Any representations and certifications required by this

solicitation and not addressed in SAM shall be provided with each contractors quote. Failure to

complete all representations and certifications required by this solicitation either through SAM

or with the offer may result in the contractor being determined non-responsive to this

solicitation and not considered for award.

Request for Quotation (RFQ) 70SBUR22Q00000188 is being issued as a small business set-aside in accordance with FAR 12.603.  USCIS anticipates awarding a single purchase order as a result of this solicitation. 

Amendments to this solicitation will be publicized in the same manner as the initial solicitation.

The Government is requesting maximum additional discounts beyond standard commercial pricing for this requirement.

A complete quote consists of:

• The solicitation # 70SBUR22Q00000188, and page numbers shall be clearly marked on all pages of the quote.
• Cover page including:
  • Solicitation number
  • Time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotes
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the company and best point of contact
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
  • Size Standard as it relates to NAICS code 314999

Volume I – Technical Acceptability / Past Performance Submission (8 page limit): 

1. Technical Volume (5 page limit) outlining the quoter’s technical approach and capability to meet the requirements outlined in Attachment A - Description of Requirements (DOR).  This shall include a detailed approach outlining in sufficient detail the ability to meet the specification requirements and delivery schedule.
2. Past Performance (3 page limit) information will be used as part of this solicitation in determining Contractor Responsibility in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.1. Offerors are to include a single typed sheet listing a minimum of 3 past performance references of previous prime contractor awards made

to the Offeror within the past 3 years with a Federal, State or local government, or other

commercial contract of similar scope to this solicitation.  The following information shall be included with the quoter’s submission:

1. 1. Contract Number;
   2. Contract Amount
   3. Contract Description     
   4. Delivery Schedule
   5. Contract Agency Name and Address; and
   6. Contract Agency Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email Address

In addition to customer references, the Government will utilize past performance information obtained from sources other than those identified by the Quoter, to include publicly available reports and Government wide databases. 

Volume II – Price Submission (No page limit):

1. Attachment B - Pricing Spreadsheet.  The quoter shall provide a complete copy of Attachment B - Pricing Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel format.  The pricing spreadsheet shall contain a firm-fixed price quote for each CLIN.
2. Solicitation Provisions. The quoter shall complete all applicable solicitation provision fill-ins and return them as a part of their price quote.

Per FAR 52.212-2     Evaluation – Commercial Items (NOV 2021)

(a) The Government will award a single purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Technical Acceptability / Past Performance
2. Price

USCIS intends to award a purchase order, on the basis of Lowest-Price Technically-Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process.  Best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price.  Technical acceptability is comprised of meeting the requirements as outlined in the description of requirements and adherence to requirements outlined in the solicitation.  Award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of quotes meeting the technical acceptability for non-price factors.  The government will assess the proposed prices for reasonableness in accordance with one or more price analysis techniques identified in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2).  Prior to conducting the price analysis, each price quoted will be examined for arithmetic accuracy and consistency of the information presented in the pricing spreadsheet.  The government may adjust the contractor’s quoted price to account for minor arithmetic errors (i.e. rounding error).  In accordance with 52.217-5, the government will evaluate the total price by combining the base period and all option periods.  Past Performance will be evaluated to determine the extent to which their performance demonstrates the likelihood of successful performance in providing requirements similar in size (dollar amount), scope (work that is similar to the required products/services), and timeliness of deliveries.  The evaluation of Past Performance will include data obtained from the quoter as well as publicly available reports and governmentwide databases.  The currency and relevance of the past performance information, source of the information, context of the data, and general trends in contractor’s performance shall be considered.  As such, recent past performance is defined as within the past three years. A quoter without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available will be considered Neutral which will not provide an advantage or disadvantage to a quoter.

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

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

(End of provision)

List of attachments:

RFQ 70SBUR22Q00000188

Attachment A – Description of Requirements (DOR)

Attachment B – Pricing Spreadsheet