NAICS Code 541690 and 541330 Update to Request for Information/Sources Sought - Space and Missile Defense Advisory and Assistance Services (SMDA2S) - W92160-13-R-0003

The RFI states that for a 100% Small Business Set-aside offerors would have to comply with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, wherein the small business prime is required to perform with its own personnel at least 50 percent of the total direct labor. Please be aware that the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, Sections 1651 and 1652, contains significant changes to the Limitations on Subcontracting. These changes will become effective whenever SBA issues implementing guidance to the agencies. If these changes are implemented during the course of this acquisition, would any of the following impact your ability to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting requirement?

1. The prime will be prohibited from expending on subcontractors more than 50 percent of the amount paid under a contract to the prime contractor or quote mark similarly situated entities. quote mark The 50% is no longer based solely on labor costs, but will now include the cost of materials and other direct costs.

2. The small business prime will be able to include in its 50% calculation amounts paid to subcontractors who are considered quote mark similarly situated entities. quote mark A quote mark similarly situated entity quote mark is essentially defined as an entity in the same socio-economic category as the prime contractor.

3. A penalty for violation of the limitation on subcontracting shall be the greater of $500,000 or the dollar amount expended in excess of permitted levels on subcontractors. Indications are that this penalty could potentially be assessed on an annual basis.

For those companies that responded to the original RFI/Sources Sought, if you would like to provide the Government with additional information based upon this notice please email the three POC's listed in the original RFI no later than (NLT) July 3, 2013.

For companies that did not respond to the original RFI, if this announcement changes your decision you may provide a response in accordance with the information on the original posting. We request that new responses also be received NLT July 3, 2013.

The Government would like to announce to industry that we are also considering NAICS 541330 - Engineering Services citing the exception for Military Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons. The small business size standard for this code is $35.5M.

For those companies that responded to the original RFI/Sources Sought there is no need to respond to this announcement. However, if you would like to provide the Government with additional information based upon this notice please email the three POC's listed in the original RFI no later than (NLT) July 2, 2013.

For those companies that did not provide a response to the original RFI, if this announcement changes your decision you may provide a response in accordance with the information on the original posting. We request that new responses also be received NLT July 2, 2013.

General Information

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice
Solicitation Number: W91260-13-R-0003
Posted Date: June 13, 2013
Response Date: June 24, 2013
Classification Code: A&AS (Advisory and Assistance Services), Other Services
Set-Aside Code: N/A
NAICS Code: 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Size Standard: $14M
PSC: R425 - Support - Professional: Engineering/Technical
Subject: Space and Missile Defense Advisory and Assistance Services(SMDA2S)

Contracting Office Address

Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ATTN ACC-RSA-CCAM-CAC, 350 Vandenberg St. Bldg 3, Peterson AFB, CO 80914-4912

Description

This request for information (RFI)/sources sought is being published for market research purposes only, to identify potential sources capable of supporting the Space and Missile Defense Advisory and Assistance Services (SMDA2S). This is the follow-on acquisition for the contract known as Space and Missile Defense Initiatives Support III (SMDIS III), Contract Numbers W91260-09-D-0003, W91260-09-D-0004, W91260-09-D-0005, and W91260-09-D-0006. Responses to this announcement will be used to identify interested qualified sources available in the marketplace.

The contractor shall be required to provide non-personal advisory and assistance (A&AS) services for U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) / Army Forces Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) and agencies which collaborate with them on definition, planning, development, and execution of Space, Missile Defense, Global Strike, Information Operations (IO), Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA) missions, and related missions.

The resultant A&AS contract(s) shall support all functional areas of the contract Performance Work Statement (PWS). The primary areas are anticipated to include:

(1) Infrastructure, Organizational Analysis, and Evaluations
(2) Intelligence Requirements
(3) System Engineering and Systems Integration Analysis
(4) Software, Network Development, and Information System Support
(5) Integrated Logistic Support
(6) Emerging Technologies Analysis
(7) Meetings & Conference Organization Support
(8) Staff Support
(9) Operations Support
(10) Organizational Analysis
(11) SATCOM and Communications System Planning and Support

Other areas that are anticipated in a limited capacity include:

(1) Simulation and Modeling Development
(2) Rapid Prototyping, Limited Procurement, & Fielding

The resultant contract(s) shall provide A&AS services to include, but not limited to: vision statements and doctrine; development of architectures; program support e.g., planning, development, fielding documentation, modeling and simulation, system analysis and integration, integrated logistics support, development of strategy, support to the warfighter, contingency and mission support, program oversight, independent verification validation and test evaluation, prototype development, sustainment and operation, training, and analysis of emerging technologies. Other areas for support include C4ISR; Space; Missile Defense; IO; Global Strike; Infrastructure, Organization Analysis, and Evaluations; Intelligence Requirements; Systems Engineering and Systems Integration Analysis; Simulation and Modeling Development; Rapid Prototyping and Limited Development; Software Development, Network Development, and Information Systems Support; Integrated Logistics Support; Emerging Technologies Analysis; Meetings and Conference Organization Support; Staff Support; Space Operations Support, and Homeland Security. The effort detailed herein will evolve over the course of the contract. New technologies, capabilities and initiatives will be supported. As such, the contractor shall be responsive to new and revised efforts. However, it shall be clear that any effort that involves Space, Missile Defense, Global Strike, IO, C4ISR, TCA, and related missions for supported organizations are included in the scope of this effort.

To assist interested parties in understanding the requirement, the PWS for the current SMDIS III contract is provided at the following website(s): (Note: The PWS for the new acquisition will be similar to the current PWS but will incorporate some changes.)

Army Single Face to Industry (AFSI) Acquisition Business Website
https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/
quote mark Contracting Opportunities Search quote mark

Federal Business Opportunities
https://www.fbo.gov

This is only a RFI/Sources Sought synopsis. A solicitation is not being issued at this time and this notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

This RFI has two purposes: (1) to obtain expressions of interest from industry in support of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT and associated agencies requirement; and (2) to roughly gauge the capability of those interested small business firms or teams as viable contenders at the prime contractor level. Information will be utilized to make the final decision concerning the number of awards and type(s) of set-asides, if any. The responses to this notice are for Government planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a definitive intent to proceed with this acquisition.

For the purposes of market research, the Government is seeking to understand the capability and capacity of interested businesses, but especially small business firms. If you are a small business, and if the Government were to set this acquisition aside for small business, you would be required to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting and 13 CFR 125.6 (known as the 50% rule). Rules on affiliation and joint ventures are at FAR 19.101, 13 CFR 121.103, 13 CFR 124.513, and 13 CFR 125.6. Under the 50% rule where the preponderance of support is for services, at least 50% of the cost of the contractor performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the small business prime. The small business prime contractor must meet this requirement (1) individually, or (2) together with other small business members of a formal of a formal joint venture, or (3) together with a small number of small business subcontractors forming an informal joint venture, in which those subcontractors meet the definition of ostensible subcontractor as set forth in 13 CFR 121.103 (h)(4). Team members in such formal and informal joint ventures are exempt from affiliation rules under the conditions set forth in 13 CFR 121.103 (h)(3). There is no limit to the number of other team subcontractors or size status of subcontractors. The contemplated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services with a small business size standard of $14M.

The Government anticipates awarding multiple Cost-Plus Fixed-Fee Indefinite-Delivery-Indefinite-Quantity contracts to satisfy this requirement. It is anticipated the maximum ceiling amount will not exceed $496 million, with an expected minimum order amount of $100,000.00. Further, we are exploring the potential to maximize set-aside opportunities for the SMDA2S acquisition. As the Government is unsure of the extent of anticipated small and small-disadvantaged business participation, it is undecided as to the specific number and/or set-aside awards to target during the development of its acquisition strategy. Small businesses may team together (or even affiliate) and be eligible for award of a set-aside contract, PROVIDING THAT EACH TEAM MEMBER MEETS THE NAICS CODE SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD. However, cross teaming will not be allowed.

Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought is strictly voluntary. Responses will not be returned. No entitlements to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges to the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses or the Government's use of such information. The information obtained from industry responses to this notice may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future RFP.

The resultant contract may contain an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) clause. To the greatest extent possible, while still protecting the Government's interest, the OCI clause will be applied only for the supported technology areas of the contractor's actual SMDA2S performance.

Statement of Capability

Interested parties are requested to submit a statement of capability. The statement should include:

a. Vendor Information:
Name
Address
Point of Contact (POC), Phone Number, E-mail Address
CAGE Code
Brief Introduction of Company

b. Past work performed that is related to this requirement as stated in the Description and a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers. Along with a description of relevant contracts experience, identify if the company performed as a prime or subcontractor and include the contract number, magnitude (amount), place of performance, date(s) of performance, and points of contact for each experience provided (name of point of contact, address, email, and telephone number). If the contract was a set-aside, and your company was the prime, identify whether the 50% requirement was met.

c. A brief description of the company's business size, business status (i.e., large/small business, disadvantaged, HUBzone, women-owned), anticipated teaming arrangements and their business size.

d. If teaming arrangements are anticipated, identify the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by teaming partners. Demonstrate how the small business firm or small business team will perform at least 50% of the cost incurred for personnel.

e. A brief description of (1) the breadth and depth of technical and management expertise to successfully execute PWS requirements, (2) the capability to quickly ramp up qualified and trained personnel at the onset of the task order, (3) the capability to administer and manage an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, task order contract, and (4) capability to perform realistic cost and schedule projections for complex technical efforts.

f. A brief description of your company's property management system.

g. Indicate whether you currently have an established purchasing system and an adequate cost accounting system.

h. Specific functional areas/tasks identified in the Description above your company, anticipated subcontractors, or anticipated teaming partners have NOT performed.

i. Complete and return attached questionnaire (Attachment 1).

Again, any information submitted by the respondents to this sources sought synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will use this information in determining its small business set-aside decision. The company's standard format is acceptable; however, the limit for all responses is not to exceed twenty (20) single-sided, 12 font size, 8 x 11-inch pages. The statement of capability shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

Submission Requirement

Only electronic responses shall be accepted. Responses, including the questionnaire, shall be received no later than 1:00 P.M. (1300 hrs) local Colorado time, Monday, 24 June 2013.

Points of Contact (please include all three POC's on the submission):

Leslie A. Ryan
Contracting Officer
Phone: 719-554-8754
Email: Leslie.a.ryan6.civ@mail.mil

Jacqueline M. Greene
Contract Specialist
Phone: 719-554-1963
Email: Jacqueline.m.greene6.civ@mail.mil

Cindy K. Gama
Contract Specialist
Phone: 719-554-1989
Email: Cynthia.k.gama.civ@mail.mil

NOTE: Each submission should be virus scanned prior to being sent via email to the POC's listed. Email submissions are subject to size and type restrictions (typically limited to less than 2 Megabyte in size and only non-executable attachments such as .doc or .pdf files) as well as any other appropriate network security measures. It is the respondent's responsibility to verify that the email was delivered and can be viewed. All responses must address each of the above stated requirements. All potential offerors are reminded, in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) 252.204-7004 Alternate A, System for Award Management (SAM), is required. Lack of registration in SAM will make an offeror ineligible for contract award.

Additional information, as it becomes available, will be posted as well as amendments to this announcement on the following website(s):

Army Single Face to Industry (AFSI) Acquisition Business Website
https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/
quote mark Contracting Opportunities Search quote mark

Federal Business Opportunities
https://www.fbo.gov

It is the responsibility of the interested parties to review the site(s) frequently for any updates/amendments to any and all documents.

This acquisition is not open to participation by foreign firms at either the prime or subcontract level. In order to be considered for award, offerors must possess a TOP SECRET facility security clearance at the prime contractor level.

Capability Briefings

The Government, if deemed beneficial, may choose to hold limited capability briefings to better understand small business potential to perform the requirement. Dates TBD.