MAPS RFP Draft 6

Amendment / Modification

This document summarizes changes to Draft 6 of the solicitation, specifically affecting Sections C, G, H, I, L, and M.

Key changes include:

• Section C (Descriptions/Specifications/Work Statement): Removed "1.4.1 Quality Assurance" and "5.5 Performance Requirements Summary." Updated "5.0 Contract Deliverables" with Service Contract Reporting.
• Section G (Contract Administration Data): Updated language for "G.4.5 Adjustment of Baseline Rates."
• Section H (Special Contract Requirements): Updated definitions for Joint Ventures, Mentor-Protégé JV, Populated JV, and Emerging Large Business, and removed the definition of Highest Rated Technical Offeror. Updated language for "H.6 One Contract Per Entity."
• Section L (Instructions to Offerors): Added language for "L.1.1.2 Competition" and "L.1.1.3 Joint Ventures." Added Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to "L.2.1 Volume I – Cover Letter." Removed Government Determined Acceptable Purchasing System and Government Determined Acceptable Accounting System from Small Business scoring under "L.2.2.2.1 Systems and Certifications." Added language to "L.2.3.2 QP Submissions" to allow for submission of Technical Guidance Letters and the use of a QP where the prime performed as a subcontractor for Small Business, Emerging Large Business, and Commercial-Sector Vendor.
• Section M (Evaluation Factors): Updated language in "M.1 Basis for Award" regarding the Government's right to adjust award numbers and regarding awards to Commercial-Sector Vendors. Updated point allocations for Small Business in "M.4 Evaluation of Systems and Certifications." Updated thresholds in "M.5.5 Dollar Value." Updated the passthrough rate calculation in "M.5.6 Passthrough Rate." Updated Outcome based QP language in "M.5.7.3 Schedule."

Sections C, G, H, I, L, and M of the solicitation.

These changes may impact proposal preparation, particularly regarding definitions, competition, submission requirements for QP, and evaluation factors. Bidders should review the updated sections carefully.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 0002 Scorecard Small Business," serves as a screening and evaluation tool for potential bidders responding to a solicitation. It outlines the criteria and point system used to assess proposals, particularly focusing on small business qualifications and past performance.

Section 01 - Screening Questions:

• Requires bidders to confirm submission requirements are met.
• Asks if the company is a Small Business and requires certification.
• Verifies if the company has an active SECRET facility clearance.
• Requires confirmation of ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 9001:2013 certification.
• Requires confirmation of CMMC Final Level 2 (self) certification.
• Assesses if the company's CAGE Code meets thresholds for performance elements rated MARGINAL or below in CPARS.
• Crucially, if any of these screening questions are answered 'NO', the proposal will not be evaluated further.

Section 02 - Scorecard:

• Details the point allocation for various capabilities and qualifications.
• Government Approved Systems and Certifications: Points awarded for acceptable accounting systems, not proposing as a joint venture, TOP SECRET facility clearance, CMMC Level 2 certification, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification.
• Past Performance: Points awarded based on Recency (LOE QPs and Outcome-Based QPs), Relevance (meeting technical capabilities), NAICS Alignment, Performance Quality (CPARS/PPQ ratings), and Dollar Value of QPs.
• Passthrough Rate: Points awarded based on the percentage of work performed by subcontractors.
• Vacancy Rate, Time to Fill Rate, Schedule, and Completeness: Points awarded for specific performance metrics related to staffing and project completion, differentiated for LOE QPs and Outcome-Based QPs.

This scorecard is critical for bidders as it directly outlines the evaluation criteria and the maximum points achievable for each aspect of their proposal. Bidders must ensure they meet all screening requirements and understand how their qualifications, past performance, and proposed approach will be scored to maximize their chances of selection. It highlights specific certifications and performance metrics that are highly valued by the government.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a cover letter form (Attachment 0001) required for proposals submitted under the "Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services." It serves to collect essential information about the proposing company, its proposed domains, business size, and any joint venture or mentor-protégé relationships.

• Prime Company Information: Name, Point of Contact, CAGE Code, UEI.
• Proposed Domains: Bidders must indicate if they are proposing to specific domains (Engineering, Logistics and Operational Services; Management and Advisory Services; Research, Development, Test & Evaluation Services; Emerging IT Services; Foundational IT Services) and select their business size for each proposed domain (Large Business, Emerging Large Business, Small Business, Commercial-Sector Vendor).
• Affiliate/Subsidiary Information: Fields for CAGE Code and UEI if applicable.
• Joint Venture/Mentor Protégé Information: Details on JV structure, company names, CAGE Codes, UEIs, and whether the offeror is proposing as a mentor or protégé, including relevant agreements and systems/certifications.
• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): A section to disclose any known or potential OCI.
• Cost Submission Reference: Indicates Volume V is for Cost Submission and mentions Offerors FFP for Post Award Conference.

This form is critical for proposal submission. Bidders must accurately complete all relevant sections to provide the government with necessary details about their company's structure, capabilities, and business classifications for each domain they are proposing to. Failure to complete this form correctly may impact proposal evaluation and eligibility.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) Form, Attachment 0004, used to gather information on a contractor's past and current performance. This information is crucial for awarding federal contracts and assessing a vendor's suitability.

• Part I: General Information: Collects details about the contract, including Contractor name, Contract Number, and Point of Contact (POC) information.
• Part II: Contract Identification: To be completed by the Offeror, this section gathers specific contract details such as Contractor/Company Name, Address, Program Title, Contract Number, NAICS Code, Prime Contractor Name, Award Date, Completion Date, and the Nature of the Contractual Effort.
• Part III: Evaluation: To be completed by the Government/Customer POC, this section requires ratings and explanations for various performance aspects: Quality, Schedule, Cost Control, Management, Small Business Subcontracting, and Regulatory Compliance. Specific adjectival ratings (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) are to be selected, with explanations required for each.
• Part IV: Return Information: Collects the Government/Customer Respondent's identification details for return purposes.

This form is essential for entities that have previously contracted with the government or are being evaluated for past performance. Bidders should be aware that their past performance will be assessed using this questionnaire. The detailed evaluation criteria in Part III highlight the key areas the government will focus on when evaluating performance, including quality, schedule adherence, cost control, management effectiveness, small business subcontracting efforts, and regulatory compliance. Providing accurate and complete information in Part II is critical for the Offeror to ensure their past performance is correctly represented.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 0002 Scorecard Large Business," serves as a screening questionnaire and a detailed scoring rubric for potential bidders, specifically large businesses, responding to a solicitation. It outlines the mandatory requirements and evaluation criteria for the opportunity.

Section 01 - Screening Questions:

• Requires bidders to confirm adherence to all submission requirements (referencing RFP Section L.1).
• Asks for verification of the following:
  • Active SECRET facility clearance.
  • ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 9001:2013 certification.
  • CMMC Final Level 2 (self) certification.
  • Government Determined Acceptable Accounting System.
  • Government Determined Acceptable Purchasing System.
• Includes a critical question regarding CPARS ratings for large businesses, excluding those with 5% or more MARGINAL or below ratings across identified NAICS codes.
• Crucially, if any screening question is answered 'NO', the proposal will not be evaluated further.

Section 02 - Scorecard:

• Details the point allocation for various aspects of the proposal, including:
  • Government Approved Systems and Certifications: Points for Property Management System, TOP SECRET Facility Clearance, CMMC Level 2 (various stages), and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification.
  • Past Performance: Points awarded based on Recency, Relevance, NAICS Alignment, Performance Quality (CPARS ratings), Dollar Value, Passthrough Rate, Vacancy Rate, Time to Fill Rate, Schedule, and Completeness of Quality Projects (QPs). Different point structures apply for LOE (Level of Effort) QPs and Outcome-Based QPs.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the mandatory pre-qualification criteria and the detailed scoring methodology. Bidders must ensure they meet all screening requirements to be considered. The scorecard provides a clear breakdown of how points are awarded for past performance and certifications, allowing bidders to assess their strengths and weaknesses and tailor their proposals accordingly to maximize their score.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 0002 Scorecard Emerging Large Business," serves as a screening and evaluation tool for potential bidders responding to the MAPS - Emerging Large Business opportunity. It outlines the criteria and point system used to assess proposals.

Section 01 - Screening Questions:

• Requires bidders to confirm they have met all submission requirements (referencing RFP Section L.1).
• Defines "Emerging Large Business" (not a small business, became other-than-small within 5 years, average annual revenue not exceeding $250M over 5 years).
• Requires specific documentation for size standard changes and annual revenue verification.
• Requires confirmation of an active SECRET facility clearance.
• Requires confirmation of ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 9001:2013 certification.
• Requires confirmation of CMMC Final Level 2 (self) certification.
• Assesses if the CAGE Code meets thresholds for performance elements rated MARGINAL or below in CPARS.
• Crucially, a "NO" to any screening question disqualifies the proposal from further evaluation.

Section 02 - Scorecard:

• Details the point allocation for various capabilities, including:
  • Government Approved Systems and Certifications (Property Management, Purchasing, Accounting Systems).
  • Certifications (TOP SECRET Facility Clearance, CMMC Level 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022).
  • Past Performance (Recency, Relevance, NAICS Alignment, Performance Quality, Dollar Value, Passthrough Rate, Vacancy Rate, Time to Fill Rate).
  • Outcome-Based QPs (Schedule, Completeness).
• Specifies point values for different levels of achievement within each category.

This scorecard is critical for bidders as it directly outlines the minimum requirements for proposal eligibility (screening questions) and the detailed evaluation criteria and weighting (scorecard). Bidders must carefully review each section to ensure they meet all prerequisites and understand how their proposal will be scored to maximize their chances of selection. It highlights the importance of specific certifications, past performance metrics, and adherence to defined quality standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 0002 Scorecard Commercial Sector," serves as a scoring mechanism for vendors responding to a solicitation. It outlines the criteria and point system used to evaluate proposals, specifically for commercial-sector vendors. Bidders must use this document to understand how their qualifications and past performance will be assessed.

Section 01 - Screening Questions:

• Requires confirmation of meeting all submission requirements.
• Requires confirmation of being a "Commercial-Sector Vendor" (defined as not having performed government contracts in the last four years).
• Requires confirmation of CMMC Final Level 2 (self) certification, with documentation (SPRS certificate).
• Note: Answering "NO" to any of these questions will disqualify the proposal from further evaluation.

Section 02 - Scorecard: This section details the point allocation for various capabilities, broken down by Qualification (QP).

• Government Approved Systems and Certifications: Points awarded for Facility Clearance (SECRET/TOP SECRET), CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) Certification, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certifications.
• Past Performance (Recency, Relevance, NAICS Alignment, Performance Quality, Dollar Value, Passthrough Rate): Points awarded based on the recency and relevance of past projects, alignment with proposed NAICS codes, quality of past performance (CPARS/PPQ ratings), total contract value of past projects, and subcontractor passthrough rates.
• Staffing Metrics (Vacancy Rate, Time to Fill Rate): Points awarded based on the vendor's ability to maintain low vacancy rates and efficiently fill positions.
• Outcome-Based QPs (Schedule, Completeness): Points awarded based on meeting Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) and documented efficiencies.

Total Credits Available: 130,000

This scorecard is critical for bidders as it directly dictates how their proposal will be evaluated and scored. Understanding the point distribution for each criterion allows vendors to tailor their proposals to maximize their score. Bidders must ensure they meet the initial screening requirements and accurately self-score their capabilities against the detailed criteria to assess their competitiveness.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Qualifying Project Form" (Attachment 0003) used to document a vendor's past performance on a specific project. It is used to demonstrate how a vendor's prior work aligns with the requirements of a proposed opportunity, particularly for the "Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS)".

• Qualifying Project Number: Identifies the specific project.
• Contracting Party Point of Contact: Information for the government contact.
• Specific Contract/Agreement Number: Details of the prior contract.
• Proposed Domain(s): The area(s) in which the QP will be evaluated.
• Period of Performance: Requirements for the duration and age of the QP.
• NAICS Code: Identification of the relevant North American Industry Classification System code.
• Attachment 0004 PPQs: Indicates if Past Performance Questionnaires will be submitted.
• Dollar Value: The monetary value of the QP.
• Vacancy Rate & Time to Fill Rate: Metrics for government-sector vendors.
• Passthrough Rate: Subcontracting information.
• Schedule Rate & Completeness: Metrics for commercial-sector vendors.
• QP Type: Whether the QP is a "LOE QP" (Level of Effort) or "OUTCOME BASED QP".
• Certification: Signatures and attestations from government and offeror officials.

Bidders must complete this form accurately to document their relevant past performance. This documentation is crucial for the government's evaluation of the vendor's capability to perform the work described in the solicitation. It requires detailed information about previous contracts, performance metrics, and alignment with the proposed opportunity's domain and technical requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix A, provides portal instructions for the submission of MAPS Proposals. It details the registration process for offerors and the steps required to submit proposals through the designated portal.

• Registration: Offerors must register only one primary person and may register one alternate person for emergency purposes. Registration is done via a provided link: https://chess.army.mil/proposal/default/index.
• Proposal Submission: After profile creation, offerors must confirm contact information, enter company details (Name, CAGE Code, UEI, Business Size, Alternate Submitter Email, Domains), and upload all required documents as a full package. The last submitted package will be evaluated.
• Document Upload: Documents must adhere to naming conventions specified in RFP Section L.1 Paragraph 2. A "BROWSE" button is used to select and upload documents.

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the mandatory procedure for registering on the submission portal and submitting their proposals. Failure to follow these instructions, including document naming conventions, may result in a proposal not being accepted as full and complete.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Proposal (RFP) outlines the "Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services" (MAPS) IDIQ contract. The Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) intends to award a Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide uncommon knowledge-based professional services and IT support worldwide to Army and other federal agencies. The objective is to enhance flexibility, reduce redundancy, and improve cost-efficiency by combining existing contract vehicles (RS3 and ITES-3S).

The contract will cover five technical support areas:

• Engineering, Logistics and Operational Services
• Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Services
• Management and Advisory Services
• Emerging IT Services
• Foundational IT Services

Services explicitly out of scope include inherently governmental functions, personal services, Architect & Engineering (A&E) services, and construction services.

• Contract Type: Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (MA IDIQ). Task Orders (TOs) can be Fixed Price (FP), Time-and-Materials (T&M), or Cost Reimbursement (CR).

• Period of Performance: Maximum 10 years (5-year Base Ordering Period + 5-year Optional Ordering Period).

• Minimum Guarantee: $100.00, satisfied by the first order for a post-award meeting.

• Fee: For Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) TOs, the fee rate is capped at 5% for non-RDT&E work and 7% for RDT&E work.

• Proposals are submitted via the Digital Market Portal.

• Key proposal volumes include Cover Letter, Screening Questions and Scorecard, Past Performance, and for Large Businesses, a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

• Evaluation is based on a combination of technical merit (self-scored and verified) and price. The highest technically rated offerors with a fair and reasonable price will be selected.

• Specific requirements include active Secret Facility Clearance, ISO 9001:2015 certification, CMMC Level 2 or higher, and potentially Government Determined Acceptable Accounting/Purchasing Systems depending on business size.

• Proposal Deadline: Not specified in this document, but proposals must remain valid for 360 days.

• Awards will be made across different business categories: Large Businesses (including Emerging Large Businesses), Small Businesses, and Commercial-Sector Vendors.

• The government intends to make 70 awards per Domain, with specific allocations for each business type.

• There are restrictions on "One Contract Per Entity" and specific rules for Joint Ventures (JVs).

• The document details extensive requirements for Antiterrorism/OPSEC, cybersecurity training, and personnel security clearances.

• "On-Ramps" and "Off-Ramps" are provisions for adding or removing contract holders based on performance and government needs.

• Attachments include Cover Letter Form, Scorecard, Qualifying Project Form, and Past Performance Questionnaire.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) IDIQ contract. The Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) intends to award a Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The objective is to provide Army customers and other federal agencies with uncommon knowledge-based professional services and support for IT services worldwide, aiming to enhance flexibility, reduce redundancy, and improve cost-efficiency.

The Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines support services for various mission areas with knowledge-based service requirements. Key technical support areas include:

• Engineering, Logistics and Operational Services
• Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Services
• Management and Advisory Services
• Emerging IT Services
• Foundational IT Services

Services explicitly NOT within scope include: Inherently Governmental Functions, Personal Services, Architect & Engineering Services, and Construction Services.

• Contract Type: Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (MA IDIQ).

• Task Order Types: Fixed Price (FP), Time-and-Materials (T&M), and Cost Reimbursement (CR), or a hybrid.

• Period of Performance: Maximum ordering period of 10 years (5-year Base Ordering Period + 5-year Optional Ordering Period).

• Minimum Guarantee: $100.00.

• Fee: Negotiated at a rate equal to or less than half the regulatory limits (5% for Non-Experimental/Developmental/Research Work, 7% for Experimental/Developmental/Research Work).

• Proposals will be submitted through the Digital Market Portal.

• Evaluation will be based on a multi-phase approach including self-scores, verification review, and final gate criteria.

• Key evaluation factors include Screening Questions, Systems and Certifications, Past Performance (QP submissions), and Price.

• Specific evaluation criteria and scoring are detailed for various business categories (Large Businesses, Emerging Large Businesses, Small Businesses, Commercial-Sector Vendors).

• Tie-breakers will be used in case of ties, focusing on CPARS/PPQ ratings.

• The base contract will be utilized with full and open competition with reserved awards for small businesses.

• Individual task orders may be restricted to Small Businesses.

• Specific requirements for various business sizes (Large, Emerging Large, Small, Commercial-Sector) are detailed throughout the document.

• The document outlines extensive requirements for security, training (AT/OPSEC, Cybersecurity), and contractor personnel.

• Specific clauses related to Government Furnished Property (GFP), Contractor Acquired Property (CAP), travel, and contract administration are included.

• On-ramp and Off-ramp procedures are detailed, allowing for the addition or removal of contractors based on performance and government needs.

• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation is a key consideration.

• The document specifies requirements for proposal submission, including specific attachments and formats.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Combined Services Acquisition Strategy/Acquisition Plan (SAS/AP) for the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS). It details the government's strategy for consolidating existing contracts (RS3 and ITES-3S) into a single contract vehicle to streamline the acquisition of knowledge-based professional services. The consolidation is projected to yield lower overall prices, generate operational efficiencies, and improve mission performance.

This document does not detail specific service requirements but outlines the strategy for acquiring knowledge-based professional services through a consolidated contract vehicle.

The document discusses consolidating existing contracts (RS3 and ITES-3S) into a single contract vehicle. Specific contract types, periods of performance, and estimated values are not detailed in this SAS/AP.

This document is an acquisition strategy and plan, not a solicitation. Therefore, it does not contain proposal submission instructions or evaluation criteria.

Market research indicated that small businesses are capable of performing portions of the requirements. The procurement strategy aims to provide for maximum practicable participation by small businesses.

• The consolidation is justified based on market research and anticipated benefits.
• Benefits include quantifiable cost reductions and non-quantifiable improvements in readiness, agility, and transparency.
• Alternative contracting approaches were considered and rejected in favor of consolidation.