Polaris GWAC Women Owned Small Business Pool

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions raised during an industry training webinar for the Polaris Submission Portal (PSP). It clarifies various aspects of registration, proposal submission, data entry, and system functionality within the PSP.

• User Accounts & Registration: A single user email can only be linked to one company. For joint ventures (JVs), the prime offeror's UEI/Cage Code should be used for registration. Mentor/Protege entities should register under the company that will be the offeror, and can then be added as team members.
• Proposal Submission: Both "Open Market Proposal Manager" and users in the "Administrator Role" can submit proposals. Subcontractor information can be submitted by the prime offeror.
• Tagging and Documentation: Tags are used to mark where specific information is found within documents. "Sticky notes" are a form of tagging. While some fields have specific tags (e.g., NAICS, Cybersecurity), others may not have a predefined tag, requiring a custom tag. Tags can include page numbers, RFP references, or keywords. Documents must be tagged before uploading to Symphony.
• JV and Mentor/Protege Registration: For JVs, the prime JV entity must be registered with its own UEI. Mentor/Protege JV members need to register under the prime's UEI and be added as team members.
• System Functionality: There is no test environment. The "location in file" field in Symphony is used for tagging and looks for exact strings. Users can edit projects in the "My Company" section, but must add, start, or begin something before modifying.
• Specific Forms: J.P-6 forms should be uploaded to the Project Documents tab. J.P-7 forms should be uploaded to the submission documents tab. SF30 and SF33 are uploaded in the submission documents button.

This Q&A document clarifies critical procedural and technical aspects of using the Polaris Submission Portal, directly impacting how vendors prepare and submit their proposals. Understanding these clarifications is essential for accurate and compliant submissions.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Polaris GWAC solicitation, serving as the second Question & Response Document (Q&R #2), containing questions numbered 137 through 174. It supplements the first Q&R document (Q&R #1) and addresses inquiries on various topics including general requirements, relevant experience, organizational risk assessment, teaming, representations and certifications, responsibility, and the Polaris Submission Portal (PSP).

• GSA Contract/Schedule: No GSA contract/schedule is required to bid on the Polaris GWAC RFP.
• Attachments: Original versions of Attachments J.P-2, J.P-4, and J.P-6 from the initial solicitation release are acceptable for use.
• Eligibility: Eligibility for small business set-aside procurements is based on SBA regulations; GSA cannot waive these requirements.
• SDVOSB Pool Bidding: SDVOSB vendors may submit proposals for both the Small Business (SB) pool and the SDVOSB pool, with a limit of one contract per pool.
• Relevant Experience NAICS: Experience coded as NAICS 541330 may not be directly used unless the project also includes performance in a listed NAICS area.
• Contract Award Document: Contract award forms are required, but modifications can serve as additional verifiable documentation.
• Teaming: Joint venture offerors must detail work done by each partner and the joint venture itself. Specific contracts are not required, but referencing performance areas from Section C is advised.
• CMMI Appraisal: CMMI appraisal requirements can be satisfied using the MRCL (Section L.5.1.4).
• PSP Access: Registration for the Polaris Submission Portal (PSP) is open, and offerors must submit proposals through it.

This document clarifies several aspects of the solicitation, including submission requirements, eligibility criteria, and how to document relevant experience. Offerors are instructed to review all Q&R documents and the entire solicitation prior to submission. The Government plans to provide additional responses and may post further Q&R documents to SAM.gov.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by interested parties regarding the Polaris GWAC solicitation. It aims to clarify requirements and address potential ambiguities to ensure a fair and efficient procurement process.

• Data Restriction Markings: Optional cover pages can be used for markings related to data restriction (FAR 52.215-1).
• SCRM Plan Template: A C-SCRM Plan template will be provided post-award.
• Contracting Roles: The Contractor Program Manager and Contractor Contract Manager can be the same individual.
• Deliverables: Deliverable 13 pertains to the remittance of CAF, while Deliverable 11 is the reporting of this remittance.
• Amendments: Amendments must be acknowledged by referencing Block 14 of the SF33 or completing Blocks 8 and 15 of the SF30.
• Contract Ordering Period: The Master Contract ordering period is from Notice-To-Proceed through five years, with a potential five-year option.
• Award Basis: Awards will be made without discussions, based on the best offer received.
• Digital Signatures: Digital signatures are acceptable.
• Small Business Participation: Small businesses can participate in multiple proposals as offerors, subcontractors, or joint venture members, but each project can only be used once per proposal within a pool.
• File Format: All submitted files must be in PDF format, including RFP attachments originally in Word.
• Scoring: Offerors will calculate their own scores within the PSP; GSA does not provide a separate scoring matrix for self-scoring.
• Cost/Pricing Information: Cost and pricing information will not be considered at the Master Contract level.
• Past Performance: CPARS information is required for completed projects; if unavailable, Attachment J.P-4 should be used. Non-federal contracts and subcontractor performance can be used for past performance.
• Systems, Certifications, Clearances: These are not mandatory but provide additional points if demonstrated.
• Joint Ventures: Joint ventures must provide evidence of systems, certifications, and clearances in the name of the JV or a member. Points are awarded based on the highest FCL held.
• Organizational Risk Assessment: Contracts or orders, federal or non-federal, can be used for scoring.
• Teaming: Subcontractors' systems, certifications, and clearances will not be considered for scoring. Joint venture agreements must meet specific FAR and CFR requirements.

This document clarifies several aspects of the solicitation, including submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and eligibility for various business types. Offerors should review these clarifications carefully to ensure their proposals meet all stated requirements.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0002) to solicitation 47QTCB22R0003 makes several changes:

• Personnel Requirements: Clarifies that the Contractor Program Manager and Contractor Contract Manager must be direct employees of a member company in a joint venture.
• Contractual Clause Removal: GSAR 552.216-75 has been removed from section 1.2.1 and inserted in full text in section 1.12.
• New Attachments: Adds Attachments J.P-6 (Project Verification Form) and J.P-7 (Joint Venture Work and Qualifications) to Section J, List of Attachments.
• Proposal Due Date Extended: The proposal due date is extended to August 10, 2022.
• Questions Submission Deadline Extended: The deadline for submitting questions is extended to July 12, 2022.
• Proposal Submission Method: All proposals must be submitted exclusively via the PSP (Proposal Submission Portal) in .pdf format. Documents must be tagged to indicate specific references for verification. Submissions via other methods will not be considered. Electronic files must be virus-free and readable.
• Joint Venture (JV) Information:
  • Clarifies definitions for Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTA) and joint ventures.
  • States that Relevant Experience Projects can be from the JV or individual members. A minimum of one Primary Relevant Experience Project must be from a WOSB member of the JV or the offering WOSB JV. For Mentor-Protégé JVs, a minimum of one Primary Relevant Experience Project must be from the Protégé or the offering Mentor-Protégé JV.
  • Financial responsibility documents for JVs must be submitted for each member.
  • Submission of a complete JV agreement is mandatory for proposal acceptance.
  • Attachment J.P-7 must detail work and qualifications of each partner and the JV itself.
  • Experience performed as a member of a JV is permissible under specific conditions.
• Relevant Experience Project Definition: Updates the definition of a Relevant Experience Project, including various contract types and task orders. Clarifies that an IDIQ contract or BPA without performance does not satisfy the requirement.
• Timing and Performance: Specifies that Primary Relevant Experience Projects and Emerging Technology Relevant Experience Projects must be ongoing or completed on or after May 14, 2017, and must be complete or have at least six months of performance.
• Project Verification Form: Notes that the Project Verification Form (Attachment J.P-6) may be utilized.
• Tagging References: Replaces references to "index" with "tag" in several sections related to project verification.
• CPARS/Award Fee Determination: Updates to remove specific requirements for interim/final CPARS or Award Fee Determination if performance was not completed.
• Signature Verification: Allows signature verification from a government employee with cognizance over the submitted project.
• Cost-Reimbursement Projects: Clarifies that cost-reimbursement projects may be demonstrated by contract or specific CLIN.
• Cybersecurity Mapping: Removes a requirement to map services to Section C.4.2, Cybersecurity.
• Emerging Technologies: Specifies that only one Emerging Technology may be claimed per project.
• Past Performance Rating Form: Allows completion of the Past Performance Rating Form by a government employee with cognizance over the submitted project.
• Proposal Evaluation (Section M.4.2): Outlines evaluation criteria for proposal submission information, including SF33, JV information, subcontractor commitments, and relationship letters. Proposals not meeting acceptability review will be removed from consideration. Teaming arrangements without required documentation will result in removal of scoring elements or rejection.
• Attachment Updates: Updates titles and data fields for Attachments J.P-2, J.P-3, and J.P-4. Instructions for J.P-6 are also updated.
• WOSB Pool Applicability: Clarifies applicability to the WOSB pool in Sections L.3 and M.2.

Sections L (Proposal Submission Instructions) and M (Evaluation Factors for Award) are significantly updated, along with various attachments and specific clauses.

• The proposal due date has been extended to August 10, 2022.
• Offerors must now submit proposals exclusively through the PSP.
• Specific requirements for joint venture documentation and relevant experience have been detailed and updated.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for the Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Pool. This is a Multiple Award, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract designed to provide customized Information Technology (IT) services and IT services-based solutions to federal agencies. The primary focus is on IT services, with ancillary support allowed when integral to the IT effort. The contract aims to enable federal agencies to acquire IT services and solutions efficiently.

• The contract supports a wide range of IT services, including but not limited to:

  • Cloud Services (e.g., integration, backup, migration, strategy, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
  • Cybersecurity (e.g., monitoring, identity management, incident response, threat hunting)
  • Data Management (e.g., architecture, governance, quality, warehousing)
  • Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) (e.g., collaboration, networking, VoIP, wireless)
  • IT Operations and Maintenance (e.g., help desk, data center management, server management)
  • Software Development (e.g., design, programming, testing, web development)
  • System Design (e.g., integration, configuration management, network design)

• Emerging Technologies are also in scope, including Advanced and Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation Technology, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Edge Computing, and Immersive Technology.

• Performance may occur at Government and Contractor locations worldwide.

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

• Minimum Contract Guarantee: $2,500 per Master Contract for the full term.

• Maximum Contract Ceiling: No maximum dollar ceiling for the Master Contract or individual task orders.

• Ordering Period: To Be Determined (TBD) through TBD, with a potential one, five-year option, for a cumulative term of up to 10 years.

• Task Order Period of Performance: Specified in each individual task order, with limitations on extension beyond the Master Contract ordering period.

• Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. ET on August 10, 2022.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Polaris Submission Portal (PSP).

• Awards will be made based on the Highest Technically Rated Qualifying (HTRQ) Offerors.

• The Government intends to make up to 80 awards.

• Cost and pricing information will not be considered at the Master Contract level.

• Evaluation will include screening, acceptability review, technical evaluation (Relevant Experience, Past Performance, Systems/Certifications/Clearances, Risk Assessment), and responsibility determination.

• This RFP is specifically for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Pool.

• Offerors must meet WOSB eligibility requirements.

• NAICS Code: 541512, Computer Systems Design Services.

• Small Business Size Standard: $30 million.

• The contract includes a Contract Access Fee (CAF) of 0.75% applied to all orders.

• Various attachments are provided, including Performance Requirements Summary (PRS), Labor Category Descriptions, and Cybersecurity/SCRM References.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Project Verification Form (Attachment J.P-6), which is required for verifying submitted relevant experience as per Section L.5.2.2.1.1(2), L.5.2.2.1.2, and/or L.5.2.3.1.1 of the solicitation.

Part I: Project Identification - To be completed by the Offeror, this section requires details about the project being claimed as relevant experience, including:

• Contractor Name
• Contract Number
• Order Number (if applicable)
• Project Name
• Funding Agency ID or Customer
• Total Period of Performance
• Project Value
• Project NAICS
• Cost Reimbursement (Y/N)
• OCONUS (Y/N)
• Emerging Technology (if applicable)
• Cybersecurity Services (Y/N)

Part II: Project Contact Information - Requires contact details for the Contracting Officer or Corporate Officer/Employee of the customer, and optionally for the Contracting Officer's Representative or other Government employee.

Part III: Project Verification - This section is for the signature of a Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Representative, other Government Employee, or Corporate Official, verifying the accuracy of the project information provided in Part I.

Offerors must use this form to have their claimed relevant experience projects verified. After the Offeror completes Parts I and II, it must be sent to the appropriate government official or corporate officer for verification in Part III. The completed and signed form must then be submitted with the proposal as part of the claimed Relevant Experience Project documentation. This form is crucial for demonstrating past performance and meeting solicitation requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, ATTACHMENT J.P-7, provides a template for Joint Venture (JV) Work and Qualifications. It is intended to be used by potential bidders to detail their JV structure and the experience and qualifications of the JV entity and its members, as referenced in section L.5.1.3.1 of the Polaris RFP.

• Entity Name: The name of the JV entity or its members.
• Work Done: A description of past experience and performance, including services previously performed.
• Qualifications: A list of unique capabilities, business systems, certifications, and clearances held.

Bidders intending to propose as a Joint Venture must complete this form to demonstrate the capabilities and experience of their JV entity and its members. This information is crucial for meeting the requirements outlined in the Polaris RFP and will likely be a key factor in the evaluation of proposals. The document provides an example of how to complete the form, highlighting the expected level of detail for both the JV entity and its individual members.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment J.P-2, a Joint Venture Experience Template. It is to be used by Offerors in accordance with Section L.5.1.3.3 to document experience gained as a member of an existing or previous joint venture for the Polaris opportunity. This template is specifically for claiming relevant experience and should not be used for other purposes.

• Parts I, II, and IV: To be completed by the Offeror.
• Part III (Customer Certification): To be completed by a Government official or Corporate Officer/Official if FPDS verification is not available, certifying the joint venture performed the work.
• Part V (Joint Venture Member Certification): To be completed by another member of the joint venture, verifying the Offeror's claimed work performed.
• Sections include: Offeror and Joint Venture Information, Joint Venture Contract/Order Information, Customer Certification, Project Information (Work Performed by Offeror), and Joint Venture Member Certification.

Offerors intending to claim experience from a joint venture must complete and submit this template as part of their proposal. It requires verification from both a customer (government or corporate) and another joint venture member to substantiate the claimed experience. This document is crucial for demonstrating relevant past performance derived from joint venture activities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "ATTACHMENT J.P-3 FPDS-NG SAMPLE," serves as a guide for bidders on how to access and interpret Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) reports to verify relevant experience as required by Section L.5.2 of the Polaris RFP. It provides instructions for locating contract actions and understanding the data fields within FPDS that correspond to scoring elements.

• Accessing FPDS Reports: Instructions to visit www.fpds.gov and use the ezSearch function with contract number, task order number, contractor name, or UEI/DUNS number.
• Locating Contract Actions: Guidance on clicking the "(View)" link for the correct contract action.
• FPDS Data Fields: A crosswalk table (on page 2) detailing how specific FPDS data fields verify project identification elements within the PSP (e.g., Contractor Name, Contract Number, Project Value, Period of Performance).
• Verification Alternatives: If an FPDS report is unavailable or incomplete for verification, bidders may need to provide alternative verification documents as identified in section L.5.2.2.1.1(2).
• Sample FPDS Reports: Pages 3-7 provide sample FPDS reports (IDV and Contract/Order) to illustrate the expected format and data.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand how to substantiate their relevant experience claims. It outlines the specific data points within FPDS that the government will use for verification and provides a fallback method if FPDS data is insufficient. Bidders should carefully review the crosswalk and sample reports to ensure their submitted experience aligns with the government's verification requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment J.P-4, the Past Performance Rating Form. It is to be completed by a rater (Government employee or corporate official of the customer) to provide an assessment of an offeror's past performance on a specific project. Offerors are required to fill out the initial project identification section before submitting it to the rater.

• Offeror Information: Contractor Name, Contract Number, Order Number, Project Title, Project Value, and Total Period of Performance.
• Rater Information: Name, Title, Agency/Customer, Phone, Email, and Signature.
• Adjectival Ratings: For five criteria (Quality of Service, Schedule, Cost Control, Management, and Small Business Subcontracting), the rater must select one of the following ratings: Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, or Unsatisfactory. A 'Not Applicable' option is also available.
• Comments: Space is provided for additional comments to substantiate ratings, especially for Marginal or Unsatisfactory ratings, or to explain 'Not Applicable' ratings.

This form is crucial for bidders as it is the tool used by references to evaluate their past performance. Bidders must ensure they provide accurate project details and select appropriate references who can complete this form favorably. The ratings provided on this form will likely be a significant factor in the government's evaluation of the offeror's proposal.

Amendment / Modification

This document is a "Request for Feedback" regarding draft changes to Sections L.5.1.3.1 and L.5.2 of the Polaris GWAC Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Pool request for proposals (RFP). The General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking feedback from the small business IT community on this draft language, which is subject to change.

Key points include:

• The Polaris RFPs are currently paused, and the Submission Portal is on hold.

• A forthcoming amendment is anticipated in June 2022, which will incorporate final language and establish a new closing date.

• Offerors are advised to pause proposal activities until this amendment is issued.

• Specific draft changes related to Joint Ventures (Section L.5.1.3.1) and Relevant Experience (Section L.5.2) are highlighted in red and underlined within the document.

• Section L.5.1.3.1: Joint Venture requirements, including registration, definition, submission elements, relevant experience sourcing (with specific WOSB and Mentor-Protégé requirements), past performance, systems/certifications, risk assessment, and financial responsibility.

• Section L.5.2: Relevant Experience, detailing requirements for Primary and Emerging Technology experience submissions, with a minimum requirement for one project from a WOSB.

• Feedback on the draft changes is requested by May 23, 2022, to Polaris@gsa.gov.

• The forthcoming amendment in June 2022 will establish a new closing date.

• Offerors are encouraged to pause proposal activities until the amendment is issued.

• Failure to submit required joint venture or Mentor-Protégé documentation will be considered a material nonconformity, resulting in proposal rejection.

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment (0001) to solicitation 47QTCB22R0003 extends the proposal receipt date.

• GSA is temporarily pausing the RFPs to assess potential changes related to joint venture evaluations.

• A subsequent amendment will establish a new closing date.

• Offerors are encouraged to pause proposal activities during this assessment.

• The opening of the Polaris Submission Portal is also on hold.

• The proposal due date is affected and will be extended.

• The proposal due date will be extended. Offerors should pause proposal activities.

• The due date for questions remains April 18, 2022.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the J.P-6 Project Verification Form. It is used to verify submitted relevant experience as required by specific sections (L.5.2.2.1.1(2), L.5.2.2.1.2, and/or L.5.2.3.1.1) of the Polaris GWAC solicitation.

Part I: Project Identification - To be completed by the Offeror. Requires details such as Contractor Name, Contract Number, Project Name, Funding Agency, Period of Performance, Project Value, Project NAICS, Cost Reimbursement (Y/N), OCONUS (Y/N), Emerging Technology (Y/N, with identification if applicable), and Cybersecurity Services (Y/N).

Part II: Project Contact Information - To be completed by the Contracting Officer (or equivalent for non-Federal projects) and optionally the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

Part III: Project Verification - Requires signature from a Contracting Officer, COR, or Corporate Official to confirm the accuracy of the project information provided in Part I.

Offerors must use this form to have their claimed relevant experience projects verified. After the Offeror completes Parts I and II, it must be sent to the cognizant Contracting Officer or Corporate Official for verification in Part III. The completed and verified form must then be submitted with the proposal as part of the claimed Relevant Experience Project.

Instructions for Offerors:

1. Complete Parts I and II.
2. Send the form to the appropriate verifying official.
3. Ensure the verifying official completes Part III.
4. Submit the completed form with your proposal.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Solicitation, Offer, and Award form (Standard Form 33) for a contract. It outlines the terms and conditions for potential bidders to submit offers for supplies or services.

The Table of Contents indicates the following sections are included:

• Solicitation/Contract Form

• Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs

• Description/Specs/Work Statement

• Packaging and Marking

• Inspection and Acceptance

• Deliveries or Performance

• Contract Administration Data

• Special Contract Requirements

• Contract Clauses

• List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments

• List of Attachments

• Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors

• Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

• Evaluation Factors for Award

• The solicitation number is 47QTCB22R0003.

• The date issued is March 25, 2022.

• The offer is valid for 365 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• Offers must be fully completed by the offeror.

• Late submissions, modifications, and withdrawals are subject to specific provisions (Section L).

• Evaluation factors for award are detailed in sections M (pages 88-95).

• This solicitation is a Negotiated (RFP) type.

• It is a sealed bid (IFB).

• The document includes a note clarifying that in sealed bid solicitations, "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder."

• Item 12 regarding the minimum bid acceptance period does not apply if the solicitation includes provisions at 52.214-16.

• The document is part of a larger contract record, with this form being page 2 of 118.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Representations and Certifications from Section K," is an attachment to a solicitation. It requires offerors to complete and submit specific representations and certifications, either electronically via the SAM.gov website or by returning them with their proposal, as instructed.

• FAR 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (Jan 2022): Specifies the NAICS code (541512) and small business size standard ($30 million). It outlines how offerors should indicate their SAM.gov registration status and lists numerous applicable representations and certifications, detailing when each provision applies based on contract type, value, or specific requirements.
• FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021): Requires offerors to represent whether they will provide or use covered telecommunications equipment or services, and to provide disclosures if they respond affirmatively.
• FAR 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018): Requires offerors to disclose information regarding Federal contracts and grants exceeding $10,000,000 and any related administrative or legal proceedings within the last five years.
• FAR 52.209-13 Violation of Arms Control Treaties or Agreements-Certification (Nov 2021): Requires offerors to certify that they (and entities they control) have not engaged in activities that contributed to a foreign country's violation of arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament agreements.

Offerors must carefully review and complete these representations and certifications accurately. Failure to comply with these requirements, or providing false information, could impact their eligibility for award or lead to contract termination. The document guides bidders on how to address specific regulatory and compliance requirements pertinent to the solicitation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "J.P-2 Joint Venture Experience Template" and is required by Section L.5.1.3.3 of the solicitation. It is used by Offerors to document experience gained as a member of an existing or previous joint venture, which can then be claimed as relevant experience for the Polaris proposal.

• Parts I, II, and IV: To be completed by the Offeror.
• Part III (Customer Certification): To be completed by the cognizant Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, or Corporate Officer/Official if verification is not available via FPDS.
• Part V (Joint Venture Member Certification): To be completed by another member of the Joint Venture to verify the Offeror's claimed work.
• The template collects information on the Offeror, Joint Venture, contract/order details, work performed by the Offeror, and certifications from both the customer and the joint venture member.

Offerors intending to claim joint venture experience must complete and submit this template as part of their proposal. It requires verification from both the customer and other joint venture members, so bidders should initiate this process early. The template ensures that claimed joint venture experience is properly documented and verified according to the solicitation's requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "ATTACHMENT J.P-3 FPDS-NG TEMPLATE," provides instructions and a crosswalk for bidders to generate and verify relevant experience reports using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). It is referenced in Section L.5.2 of the Polaris RFP.

• Accessing FPDS Reports: Steps are provided to visit www.fpds.gov, use the ezSearch function with contract details, and locate contract actions.
• FPDS Data Fields: A table on page 2 maps "Project Identification Elements within PSP" (e.g., Contractor Name, Contract Number, Project Name, Period of Performance, Project Value, NAICS code) to corresponding "FPDS Data Fields."
• Verification Guidance: Instructions explain how FPDS reports can verify claimed scoring elements for relevant experience. It also outlines alternative verification methods if FPDS reports are unavailable or insufficient.
• Sample Reports: Pages 3-7 contain sample FPDS reports (Indefinite Delivery Vehicle and Contract/Order) illustrating the data fields and format.

This attachment is crucial for bidders responding to the Polaris RFP, as it details the specific method and data points required to document and verify their relevant experience, a key evaluation factor. Bidders must use this guide to ensure their submitted experience information aligns with the government's requirements and can be substantiated through FPDS data or alternative documentation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Past Performance Rating Form (Attachment J.P-4) required for offerors to submit as part of their proposal. It is used by the Government to evaluate the past performance of offerors on previous contracts.

• Offeror Information: Sections for the contractor name, contract number, project title, project value, and period of performance.
• Rater Information: Fields for the name, title, agency/customer, contact information, and signature of the individual providing the rating.
• Adjectival Ratings: A five-category rating system (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, Not Applicable) for the following criteria:
  1. Quality of Service
  2. Schedule
  3. Cost Control
  4. Management
  5. Small Business Subcontracting
• Additional Comments: Space for raters to provide substantiation for Marginal or Unsatisfactory ratings, or explanations for "Not Applicable" ratings.

Offerors must ensure this form is accurately completed by the appropriate Government representative for their past performance references. The ratings provided in this form will be a critical component of the proposal evaluation. Bidders should pay close attention to the definitions and requirements for each rating category, particularly for the Small Business Subcontracting section, to understand how their past performance will be assessed.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, GSA Form 527, "Contractor's Qualifications and Financial Information," is a standard form used by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to collect detailed financial and operational data from prospective contractors. It is used to assess a contractor's financial responsibility and capability to perform government contracts.

• Section I: General Information: Collects basic business details, ownership structure, trade style, and any history of bankruptcy or legal judgments.
• Section II: Government Financial Aid and Indebtedness: Inquires about any outstanding debts to the government or receipt of government financing.
• Section III: Financial Statements: Requires the submission of balance sheets and income statements, or a summary of financial data including assets, liabilities, net worth, and income.
• Section IV: Banking and Finance Company Information: Gathers details about the contractor's banking relationships, including loans, lines of credit, and any secured loans.
• Section V: Principal Merchandise or Raw Material Supplier Information: Lists key suppliers and details of past due accounts payable.
• Section VI: Construction/Service Contracts Information: Details past and current contracts, including location, owner, type of work, contract amount, and completion status.
• Section VII: Remarks: A section for providing additional explanations or clarifications.
• Section VIII: Surety Bonds: Information on surety bond providers and any history of bond application declines or failure to meet supplier claims.

Bidders will likely need to complete and submit this form as part of their proposal package for certain solicitations. It is crucial for demonstrating financial stability and operational capacity. Understanding the required information will help bidders prepare their submissions accurately and efficiently, ensuring they meet the government's requirements for assessing contractor responsibility.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for the Polaris Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Pool. This is a Multiple Award, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract designed to provide customized Information Technology (IT) services and IT services-based solutions to Federal agencies. The principal nature of any resulting task order must be for IT services, though ancillary support integral to the IT effort may be included. The contract is administered by the General Services Administration (GSA).

• The scope encompasses a broad range of IT services, including but not limited to:

  • Cloud Services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Management
  • Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)
  • IT Operations and Maintenance
  • Software Development
  • System Design

• Emerging Technologies such as Advanced and Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation Technology, Distributed Ledger Technology, Edge Computing, and Immersive Technology are also within scope.

• Ancillary support services (e.g., clerical, data entry, minor construction) may be provided if integral to the IT services-based solution.

• Contractors are expected to provide products that comply with federal sustainable acquisition policy, including EPEAT Bronze Level or higher for relevant products.

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

• Minimum Guaranteed Award: $2,500 per Master Contract.

• Maximum Contract Ceiling: No maximum dollar ceiling; unlimited task orders may be placed.

• Period of Performance: Ordering period is to be determined, with potential for a five-year option, extending the cumulative term to 10 years.

• Task Order Period of Performance: Specified in individual task orders, with limitations on extension beyond the Master Contract expiration.

• Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. ET on May 13, 2022, submitted electronically via the Polaris Submission Portal (PSP).

• Evaluation will be based on a "Highest Technically Rated Qualifying" (HTRQ) basis, with up to 80 awards anticipated.

• Cost and pricing information will not be considered at the Master Contract level.

• Key evaluation areas include Relevant Experience, Past Performance, Systems/Certifications/Clearances, and Risk Assessment.

• A minimum of three (3) Primary Relevant Experience Projects are required.

• This solicitation is specifically for the Polaris Small Business Pool, targeting Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns.

• Offerors must meet small business size standards for NAICS code 541512 ($30 million).

• Joint ventures and small business subcontractors are permitted under specific conditions.

• A Contract Access Fee (CAF) of 0.75% is charged on all orders.

• Contractors must maintain appropriate insurance coverage.

• Specific cybersecurity and SCRM requirements may be included in individual task orders.

• Facility and personnel security clearances may be required on individual task orders.