***A. ACQUISITION BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:***

***1. Statement of Need:***

Technical Summary of Requirement: The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) at Ames Research Center (ARC) has a requirement
for Research and Development Services. Activities include: Research and
Development Engineering Services, and Hardware Development Services.
Currently, these requirements are satisfied through two separate
contracts as noted below.

The Systems Engineering Division, Code FE, has Contract NAS2-98074 in
support of its mission. This contract is currently held by Sverdrup
Technology Inc. / Jacobs Engineering. This contract supplies a wide
range of research and development services for the Center. Functions
provided by the contractor include: project management, system
engineering, design and development, limited fabrication, fabrication
support, integration and testing, deployment and limited operations
support, technical writing, configuration management and all other
functions necessary to complete R&D projects. Projects typically range
from small design or analyses work, (on the order of \$2,000) to large
space flight projects (on the order of \$1M-\$2M). The contractor's
staffing levels have ranged between 40 and 95 employees. The current
staffing level is 49. Originally this contract was valued at
approximately \$95M, however, due to programmatic changes the current
estimated cost of contract completion is approximately \$53M. (Based on
a five-year period of performance).

The Aeronautics and Space Flight Hardware Development Division, Code FM,
has Contract NAS2-97066, in support of its mission. This contract is
currently held by MicroCraft Inc. / Allied Aerospace Industries, Inc.
The focus of this contract is the manufacture, machining, and
fabrication of the Center's research hardware including mechanical and
electronics systems. Projects range from simple hardware elements to
complex systems requiring test, assembly and integration. The current
contract also provides services for calibration & repair of the center's
inspection, measuring & test equipment. The contractor's staffing levels
have ranged between 17 and 65 employees. The current staffing level is
18. Originally this contract was valued at approximately \$26M, however,
due to programmatic changes the current estimated cost of contract
completion is approximately \$17M. (Based on a five-year period of
performance).

The Government's follow-on procurement strategy will result in a single
contract combining the above-mentioned R&D Engineering and Manufacturing
Services contracts to fulfill these requirements. The new contract will
exclude the calibration & repair work found under the Manufacturing
Services contract. The current staffing level for the calibration
portion of the contract is: 12 employees, with a total contract value of
approximately \$7M. (Based on a five-year period of performance).

By issuing this announcement, Ames is asking for industry comments in
order to develop a good business plan (acquisition strategy) for this
procurement.

Additional questions are introduced throughout the following sections.
Ames requests all contractor responses NLT March 31, 2002.

***2. Applicable Conditions:***

*a. State all significant conditions affecting the acquisition:*

> *(i) Requirements for compatibility with existing or future
> systems/programs:*

While there are no known major milestones that need to be satisfied
within three months of the planned award date of the follow-on contract
(August 2003), compatibility between current work and future work
remains critical. Current project requirements associated with
designing, developing, and fabrication must be transitioned to the
selected Contractor with minimal affect on performance. Current programs
and projects are expected to remain essentially at the same level of
activity as required under the existing contracts.

The follow-on contract work is expected to closely resemble the current
work. A 30 to 60 day Phase-In/Phase-Out period is anticipated and will
be critical to the success of the contract effort. Work in progress will
be carried over to the new contract.

The design, development, and fabrication areas will be advertised on the
NASA website (http://procurement.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/CCI/first.cgi) for the
Consolidated Contracting Initiative (CCI). This will allow other
Government Agencies to utilize these services under this
solicitation/contract. This new contract is a good candidate for the CCI
because it includes specialized engineering skills and manufacturing
services that other Government entities may utilize. Work will be
assigned by task orders making it administratively efficient and cost
effective for other Government agencies to add work that is within the
scope of this new contract.

> *(ii) Any known cost, schedule, and capability or performance
> constraints.*
>
> **Cost:** The work effort is baselined on guideline budgets, which are
> subject to changes in Agency funding profiles. Contract value
> increases from any potential Consolidated Contracting Initiative
> actions are unknown at this time.
>
> **Schedule:** For all projects, there are schedule constraints, which
> will be identified at the time of tasking.

**Capability:** There are no known capability constraints.

> **Performance:** Tasks under this contract will follow NASA-Ames ISO
> 9000 series procedures within the NASA-Ames quality system, where
> applicable.

Information on Ames quality system and ISO 9000 procedures can be found
at the following web site: http://dqa.arc.nasa.gov/iso9000/index.html

The balance of projects will utilize NASA Program/Project Guidance (NPG
7120.5a). Information on NPG 7120.5a can be found at the following web
site:

http://nodis.hq.nasa.gov/Library/Directives/NASA-WIDE/Procedures/Program_Formulation/N_PG_7120_5A.html

***3. Cost:***

> *(i)* The rationale used to estimate future costs considered
> functional requirement projections.

*(ii) Related cost concepts to be employed:*

*a. Life-cycle costs:* Not applicable at the overall contract level,
because the requirement(s) will be for services. Federal Acquisition
Regulations (FAR) 7.101 defines \"Life-Cycle Cost\" as the total cost to
the Government of acquiring, operating, supporting, and (if applicable)
disposing of the items being required. However, certain tasks within the
contract may require the use of life-cycle cost techniques.

*b. Design-to-Cost:* FAR 7.101 defines \"Design-to-cost\" as a concept
that establishes cost elements as management goals to achieve the best
balance between life-cycle cost, acceptable performance, and schedule.
Design-to-cost is by definition an integral part of life-cycle costs and
life-cycle costs are not applicable; therefore Design-to-cost is not
applicable. However, many of the design activities involve design
budgets, e.g. either keeping the design effort within a certain budget,
or designing the product to keep within a certain dollar value.
Fabrication tasks may also be governed by budget factors that are
critical to mission success.

*c. Should Cost:* Not applicable because this is not a major system
acquisition where initial production has already taken place; nor will
it be awarded on a sole source basis as described in FAR 15.407-4(b)(2).

***4. Capability or Performance:***

*a. Specify the required capabilities or performance characteristics of
the supplies/services being acquired.*

This contract will continue to provide Research & Development
Engineering Services, and Manufacture, Machining, & Fabrication Services
for the center. Use of performance-based statements of work to define
standards of performance and performance incentives are anticipated. It
is expected that this will reduce both the cost of these services and
the amount of Government oversight required.

> The following identify the key user organizations for this contract.
>
> **Research and Development Services Directorate (Code F)**.
>
> **Systems Engineering Division (Code FE):**
>
> http://syseng.arc.nasa.gov/
>
> **Aeronautics and Space Flight Hardware Development Division (Code
> FM):**
>
> http://fm.arc.nasa.gov/

a.  *State how they are related to the need.*

Code F has the responsibility to define the requirements and establish
the business relationship for work under the contract. Code FE has the
technical responsibility to oversee the Research and Development
Engineering services. Code FM has the technical responsibility to
oversee the Hardware Development services.

***5. Delivery or Performance Period Requirements:***

*a. Describe the basis for establishing delivery or performance-period
requirements (see FAR Subpart 11.4).*

The new period of performance will commence upon the expiration of the
current R & D Engineering Services contract, on or about September 30,
2003. Nominal performance period is five (5) years. This is usually
structured around a given base year period followed by a series of
option years totaling 5 years for these types of services. NASA-Ames is
considering approaches that will enable performance to be extended up to
ten (10) years, e.g. Award Term contract.

*b. Explain and provide reasons for any urgency if it results in
concurrency of development and production or constitutes justification
for not providing for full and open competition.*

Not Applicable. There are no concurrencies of development, or production
issues that warrant urgency considerations at this time. Therefore, we
foresee no reason to contract under urgency procedures.

***6. Trade-Offs:***

*a. Discuss the expected consequences of trade-offs among various cost,
capability or performance, and schedule goals.*

NASA anticipates possible economies of scale by sharing resources and
functions such as administration and management through consolidation of
multiple contracts.

Potential disadvantages: additional layers of management and contract
complexity may create higher risks and overall costs.

***7. Risks:***

a.  *Discuss technical, cost, and schedule risks and describe what
    efforts are planned or underway to reduce risk and the consequences
    of failure to achieve goals.*

The NASA technical community recently embedded the principles of Risk
Management into NPG 7120.5, which governs how projects and programs are
planned and managed. Risk-Based Acquisition Management (RBAM) seeks to

integrate risk principles (including safety, security, health, cost,
schedule, technical, unauthorized technology transfer, resource, and
need to involve foreign sources) through the entire acquisition process.
NASA Ames Research Center considered the implications of programmatic
risk when developing the acquisition strategy.

Because of the breadth of Programs/Projects supported by the resultant
contract, NASA is considering the use of more than one Risk Management
Plan; a document covered by NPG 7120.5a. Therefore, this Acquisition
Plan cannot specifically address this topic at this time. The Government
performs formal Risk Management activities on Programs and Projects
within the Research and Development Services Directorate in accordance
with the requirements of NPG 7120.5. The Contractor shall support this
effort and communicate technical, schedule, and cost risk data to the
cognizant Government organization. The Contractor will be required to
utilize the Government's forms, processes and database associated with
this activity.

The Contractor will support the Government in preparing and implementing
risk mitigation plans as appropriate. The Contractor may be required to
prepare and implement risk mitigation plans in support of the contract.
Each plan will include the specific activities to effectively reduce or
prevent the risk from occurring. For those risks identified as internal
to the Contractor, the Contractor will manage the risk resolution and
assign an internal risk owner.

The following are specific initiatives in the area of safety:

**Agency Safety Initiative (ASI) ---** The Agency Safety Initiative
emphasizes that "Mission Success Starts with Safety" and safety is our
highest core value. The ASI is NASA's program to become the nation's
leader in the safety and occupational health of our work force, and the
safety of the products and services we provide. The NASA Safety
Objective is to avoid loss of life, personal injury and illness,
property loss or damage, or environmental harm resulting from any of its
activities and ensure safe and healthful conditions for persons working
at or visiting NASA facilities. The Ames Director is committed to the
continual improvement of our Safety and Health Program through the
following elements: 1) Management, Leadership and Employee Involvement;
2) Worksite Analysis; 3) Hazard Prevention and Control; 4) Safety and
Health Training. NASA Safety Policy Directives, Standards and safety and
health compliance requirements can be accessed online at:
http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/library/main_lib.html

**Contractor Safety Initiative/Requirements ---** The Contractor Safety
Initiative is working to build a partnership that will create and
maintain an injury-free environment for civil servants and Contractors.
All Contractors performing work at ARC must comply with all applicable
safety and health regulations, including OSHA, NRC, Bay Area Air Quality
Management District (BAAQMD), DHS, NASA Agency and Center regulations as
described in the Ames Health and Safety Manual, ABH 1700.1. Contractors
are expected to meet on a regular basis with their Contracting Officers,
COTRs, contract managers and safety representatives to coordinate safety
and health issues.

> Any injury or illness must be reported to Safety, Health and Medical
> Services (QH) within 24 hours of occurrence. The Safety Office will
> continue to monitor compliance and ask for monthly reporting of
> Contractor injuries to track trends for cause. The Contractors must
> submit a monthly statistical summary (electronically) of all injuries
> and illnesses, as well as other pertinent data, including first aid
> cases, reportable injuries, lost time injuries and other key metrics.
> Each Contractor must also submit a Safety Plan before starting on-site
> work. The Prime Contractor shall ensure that the Safety requirements
> are flowed down to all subcontracts. Many times a subcontractor will
> be asked to provide its own unique safety plan that incorporates more
> stringent safety requirements for higher risk operations or
> installations. This plan must be approved by the Prime contractor and
> made part of their contract agreement prior to the start of on-site
> performance. It is the prime contractor's responsibility to enforce
> these safety plans for the protection of its workers.

**Ames Safety Principles ---** Contactors are expected to uphold the
following Ames Safety principles:

-   All injuries can be prevented.

-   Management is responsible for safety and for preventing all
    injuries.

-   Working safely is a condition of employment.

-   All hazards can be controlled.

-   Management has the responsibility to ensure that all employees are
    adequately trained.

-   Injury prevention is essential to mission success.

-   Whenever there is a conflict between our safety objectives and
    mission objectives, safety shall be our first consideration.

**Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) ---** The Center anticipates
certification by early 2002 under the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's Voluntary Protection Program for Federal Agency sites.
VPP is OSHA's premiere recognition for safety and health excellence that
goes beyond OSHA standards. Ames has begun a partnership with OSHA that
will lead to third party recognition (VPP Star certification) of an
effective occupational safety and health management system for the
prevention and control of workplace injuries and illnesses. Participants
are re-evaluated on-site by OSHA every 3 years and must perform
self-inspections routinely in order to remain Star Certified. Ames has
invested significant resources on this program in order to make safety a
high priority for all employees including contractors on the Center.
Contractors are expected to fully support and participate in the
Center's VPP activities.

**Training ---** Contractors shall comply with all legally required
training including environmental training requirements.

**Special Approval ---** Governmental approval is required for a variety
of activities, including, but not limited to the following: Working with
lasers, radioisotopes, x-ray producing equipment, human research, human
occupancy, forklift / manlift operations, biohazard containment
activity, equipment that discharges to air or sanitary sewer,
ozone-depleting substances, air pollution sources, purchases of any EPA
CPG item that does not meet CPG guidelines.

**Health Services ---** Contractors may use the Ames Health Unit for
emergency medical treatment. Contractors may use the Ames Fitness
Center, but are required to have a current medical clearance on file.
Cardkey access is required to use the facility.

**ISO Compliance ---** The successful offeror will be responsible for
complying with and supporting the ARC ISO Quality System. However, the
successful offeror is not required to be ISO certified. The Government
anticipates that the successful offeror will have a written quality
management plan for its organization. It is anticipated that the
solicitation will require interested parties to provided information
about their management policies and procedures. Each offeror will be
asked to demonstrate how its management structure encompasses Quality
Assurance and how the organization's management practices are consistent
with their written policies.

a.  *If concurrency of development and production is planned, discuss
    its effects on cost and schedule risks.*

There are no concurrencies of development and production plans
associated with these service contracts.

***8. Acquisition Streamlining:***

*a. If specifically designated by the requiring agency as a program
subject to acquisition streamlining, discuss plans and procedures to---*

*(i) Encourage industry participation by using draft solicitations,
pre-solicitation conferences:*

To facilitate the development of a logical and thorough acquisition
strategy, this draft acquisition plan is being posted to the www at
http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/Proc/home.tml.

Ames will conduct a pre-solicitation conference after the issuance of a
Draft Request For Proposal (DRFP). In addition, Ames will provide all
potential offerors an opportunity to obtain information about the
procurement via the Web. Ames will utilize the NASA Acquisition Internet
Service (NAIS) to post the draft acquisition plan, the draft RFP,
answers to industry / government questions, and the final RFP with
associated correspondence. This will provide potential offerors an
opportunity to obtain an overview of the requirements, view the
facilities and working environments and make inquiries pertaining to
potential contract tasks. Ames will utilize the full capability of the
NAIS system throughout the entire procurement process. Oral proposals
may also be used as an additional streamlining effort.

> *(ii) Select and tailor only the necessary and cost-effective
> requirements.*

The statements of work will include only necessary and cost-effective
requirements.

> *(iii) State the timeframe for identifying which of those
> specifications and standards, originally provided for guidance only,
> shall become mandatory.*

The specifications and standards will be included in the solicitation
for guidance. They will become mandatory when required by the contract
tasks.

***B. PLAN OF ACTION***

***Sources:*** The purpose of publishing this draft acquisition plan is
to identify, to the maximum extent practicable, potential sources for
this procurement. Sources may include but are not limited to: large
businesses, small businesses, HUBZone businesses, small disadvantaged
businesses including 8(a) firms, veteran owned firms and women-owned
small disadvantaged business concerns.

Taking into consideration the comments received from this announcement,
NASA will determine the most appropriate acquisition approach. NASA will
consider the impact of contract bundling (bundling is defined at FAR
2.101) during our assessment of the requirements as well as industry and
government responses to this draft acquisition plan.

***2. Competition:***

*a. Describe how competition will be sought, promoted, and sustained.*

The publication of this draft acquisition plan illustrates the
Government's intent to promote competition to the maximum extent
practicable. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
code for the procurement(s) is expected to be 541330 for Engineering
Services. The North American Industry Classification System is to be
used in all solicitations issued after October 1, 2000; more information
about NAICS is available at the following web site:
http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

a.  *If full and open competition is not contemplated:*

This solicitation may include one of the following competition
categories: Full and Open Competition, Competition after Exclusion of
Sources, Small Business Set-Aside, or Competitive 8(a).

> *(ii) Identify the major components or subsystems:*

Individual task orders comprise a wide variety of service requirements.
These range anywhere from computer maintenance, design and manufacture
of space flight hardware to design and construction of facilities.

> *(iii) Describe how competition will be sought, promoted, and
> sustained for spares and repair parts.*

Spares and repair parts, if required, will be defined by task order.

> *(iv) When effective subcontract competition is both feasible and
> desirable:*

Effective subcontract competition will be maintained throughout this
acquisition and in subsequent contract performance. To ensure
competition throughout the course of this acquisition, the contract will
include FAR 52.244-2, Subcontracts (Cost Reimbursement and Letter
Contracts); 52.244-5, Competition in Subcontracting; and 52.244-6,
Subcontracts for Commercial Items and Commercial Components. The RFP
evaluation criteria will require offerors to identify prospective
subcontractors, including competition and evaluation procedures used.
The RFP will also require offerors to identify if their purchasing
systems have been approved. No significant barriers are anticipated for
effective subcontract competition.

***3. Source-Selection Procedures:***

> *a. Discuss the source-selection procedures for the acquisition,
> including the timing for submission and evaluation of proposals and
> the relationship of evaluation factors to the attainment of the
> acquisition objectives (see FAR Subpart 15.3).*

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the procedures found in
FAR 15.3 and NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NFS)
1815.3. **No offers are being solicited at this time.** Any
communications between the Government and outside interests regarding
this draft acquisition plan will not be considered "Discussions" with
potential offerors.

NASA plans to have three evaluation factors - Mission Suitability, Past
Performance and Cost. It is anticipated that Mission Suitability will be
the most important, followed by Past Performance and Cost. All factors
will be evaluated, but we anticipate that only Mission Suitability will
be scored. Mission Suitability Subfactors are chosen to elicit specific
discriminators and thus, provide essential information to make a Source
Selection decision. Some typical Subfactors, which have been used on
NASA procurements in the past, are: Understanding the Requirement,
Technical Capability, Business Management, and Small/Small Disadvantaged
Business Utilization. Specific identification and weighting of the
relevant Subfactors for this procurement will be identified in the
solicitation. Section 20 of the draft acquisition plan contains the
anticipated timing for submission and evaluation of proposals.

NASA is considering the use of several Acquisition Streamlining
processes on this procurement. The first is to have electronic
submission of proposals and electronic award of the resultant contract.
NASA posts all synopsis and competitive solicitations on its Business
Opportunities page. If NASA intends to accept only electronic proposals
and make a resultant electronic award, the Synopsis would include a
paragraph substantially as follows:

> This procurement uses procedures for large procurements and is being
> conducted under the NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS)
> Electronic Procurement (EPRO) Pilot. This Pilot supports the
> electronic receipt of offers and electronic award of the resultant
> contract, utilizing forms and digital signature/security software.
> This system was developed in response to the National Performance
> Review\'s call for increased use of electronic commerce in exchanging
> procurement information. Vendors, wishing to view this procurement
> information or respond to the procurement, must install and utilize
> the designated software (provided free of charge). Complete
> instructions for installation and use of the software to view and
> respond to the procurement are available at
> http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/NAIS/NAISHome.taf?ptype=Type5

The solicitation would be slightly different from the usual posted
solicitation. Standard Form 33, the Solicitation, Offer, and Award form,
and Representations and Certifications would be prepared using Informed
Filler (software). Interested Offerors would have to download the
Informed and Entrust software in order to view and complete these
documents, apply their digital signature, and submit their proposal in a
secure medium. Other parts of the solicitation such as the model
contract (Sections B through J), Sections L and M, and any attachments
would be in the same formats as any posted NASA solicitation. Offerors
would need to obtain their free digital signature certificates in order
to complete their proposal. All information necessary to participate in
EPRO can be obtained via the Universal Resource Locator (URL) identified
in the paragraph noted above. Furthermore, specific instructions would
be posted along with the solicitation.

Another Acquisition Improvement process under consideration is award
without discussions with offerors. Discussions with offerors may be
eliminated if proposals are deemed suitable for evaluation as submitted.

a.  *Address how cost realism will be evaluated:*

To promote cost realism, the solicitation will require offerors to
discuss how their Mission Suitability proposals correlate to their cost
proposal. A probable cost assessment will be performed for comparison
with the offeror's proposed cost that will be based on historical
information as well as the day-to-day aspects, which concern repair,
replacement, and corrective maintenance. The probable cost analysis will
exclude phase-in/phase-out costs. Pursuant to NFS 1815.608, Mission
Suitability score will be adjusted downward for a specified number of
points depending upon the percentage difference between the Government
figure for probable cost and the offeror's proposed cost as listed in
NFS 1815.305(a)(3)(B).

***4. Contracting Considerations:***

*a. For each contract contemplated, discuss:*

> *(i) Contract type:* It is anticipated that the contract resulting
> from the final solicitation will be performance based cost plus award
> fee. Several incentive components are being considered such as: award
> term and, fixed-fee verses hybrid fee structure. An award term
> contract may extend the period of performance for up to 10 years.
> Comments by industry are welcomed regarding award term and fee
> structure possibilities for this procurement.
>
> Performance-based contracting methods are intended to ensure that
> required performance quality levels are achieved and that total
> payment is related to the degree that services performed meet contract
> standards. Comments are invited on the best way to incorporate PBC in
> the solicitation and subsequent contract. At such time when the
> specifics of the contracting requirements are defined, PBC will be
> addressed. NASA plans to have metrics within each task order. The
> metrics envisioned will most likely be in the areas of cost control,
> technical performance and schedule performance. The metrics will have
> defined economic consequences and incentives. The award fee evaluation
> will cumulate the results of the metrics on each task or series of
> tasks to determine the appropriate amount of fee.
>
> The definitions of PBC and Award Term are defined respectively, at the
> following web sites: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/hq/library/perfba.htm and
> http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/int.pdf
>
> *(ii) Special Clauses or FAR deviations:*
>
> No FAR deviations are anticipated.

The significant special clauses that will be in the solicitation and
subsequent contract are as follows:

NFS 1852.209-71 Limitation of Future Contracting (Full text of this
clause can be viewed at
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/5204-14.htm)

Under this contract there is a potential conflict in that the contractor
may be required to prepare complete specifications and/or prepare or
assist in preparing Statements of Work that will result in Government,
competitive solicitations and contract awards.

ARC 52.227-93 Management and Protection of Data (Full text of this
clause can be viewed at
http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Center_Clauses/Index.html)

ARC 52.227-96 Handling of Data (Full text of this clause can be viewed
at http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Center_Clauses/Index.html)

ARC 52.231-90 Severance Pay (Full text of this clause can be viewed at
http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Center_Clauses/Index.html)

> *(iii) Type of Solicitation*: A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be
> used for this acquisition. Sealed bidding will not be used because
> award will be based on other than price-related factors.
>
> *(iv) Equipment lease or purchases:* None.

a.  *Other contracting considerations:* NASA is considering the
    possibility of utilizing an award term incentive type contract. This
    effectively could produce a contract with a period of performance of
    up to ten years.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
a.  *Subcontracting Issues:* The successful offeror(s) will acquire
    services, materials, supplies, and training as required. Any
    successful offeror(s) is/are expected to be able to assemble and
    maintain a subcontracting team to meet the requirements. If the
    requirement is conducted under full and open competition, a
    subcontracting plan will be required should a large business be the
    successful offeror. The anticipated small business (SB), small
    disadvantaged business (SDB), and woman owned small business (WOSB)
    goals are as follows: SB = 25.0%, SDB = 10.0%, and WOSB = 5.0%.
    HUBZone and veteran-owned small business goals are also being
    considered. NASA requests industry comments regarding the
    above-stated goals.

***5. Budgeting and Funding:***

The dollar magnitude of the resultant contract will be between \$45
million to \$65 million, based on a nominal performance period of 5
years. These estimates were derived from projections of functional
requirements and historical performance cost data. The contract will
contain clauses FAR 52.232-20, Limitation of Costs, and FAR 52.232-22,
Limitation of Funds. The above-noted variance in expected or projected
costs takes into account funding uncertainties facing NASA's Code F
directorate.

***6. Product Descriptions:***

The Contractor will, in accordance with the performance-based
contractual terms and conditions, provide supplies and services as
necessary to perform tasks in the Research and Development Services
Directorate (Code F) at NASA Ames Research Center. The following
divisions under Code F support this new work. Systems Engineering
Division, Code FE -- Responsible for engineering services for the entire
Ames research community; and the Aeronautics and Space Flight Hardware
Development Division, Code FM -- Responsible for manufacturing,
machining, and fabrication services for the Center. These Divisions
often collaborate on projects in order to meet a research requirement.
These divisions have a total complement of civil service project
managers, engineers, technicians and administration support numbering
approximately 150 personnel. Additional information regarding Code F and
its divisions can be obtained from the internet at the web sites are
provided in Section A, paragraph 4 Capability and Performance.

***7. Priorities, Allocations, and Allotments:***

The products supplied will be a DO-C9 rated order. For more information,
please see the following web site:

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/1811.htm

***8. Contractor Versus Government Performance:***

OMB Circular No. A-76 states that it is the policy of the Government to
rely generally on private commercial sources for supplies and services
and give appropriate consideration to relative cost in deciding between
Government performance and Contractor performance under contract. Due to
various budget and Civil Service reductions, it would be impracticable
to require Civil Servants to perform all the services under this
acquisition(s). The prior and current acquisitions for these services
used identified market sources. The Statement of Work for this
acquisition will accurately reflect the actual Government requirements,
stating adequately what is to be done without prescribing how it is to
be done and performance standards, both positive and negative, will be
used for effective evaluation of performance. Pursuant to FAR 11.105,
"in drafting purchase descriptions for service contracts, agency
requiring activities shall ensure that inherently governmental functions
are not assigned to a contractor. These purchase descriptions shall \--
(a) reserve final determination for Government officials; (b) they shall
require proper identification of contractor personnel who 'work in
situations where their actions could be construed as acts of Government
officials' and, (c) they shall require suitable marking of all documents
or reports produced by contractors." The contract awarded under this
acquisition will be performance-based, with performance requirements in
the basic statement of work and in performance-based task orders.

***9. Inherently Governmental Functions:***

The services that will be required under this procurement are not
inherently governmental functions. FAR 7.501 defines inherently
governmental function \"as a matter of policy, a function that is so
intimately related to the public interest as to mandate performance by
Government employees\". These functions include, but are not limited to
such items as, policy making or management of Center operations, project
management, technical management of contracts, etc. None of the services
to be obtained through the contract are in this category.

***10. Management Information Requirements:***

The Contracting Officer(s) (CO) and the Contracting Officer\'s Technical
Representative(s) (COTR) will monitor Contractor performance. The CO and
COTR will monitor Contractor through the use of NF 533M, and the level
of cost reporting will be defined in the draft RFP. Monthly technical
reports submitted to both the CO and COTR will be required to report the
status and percent of completion of outstanding task orders. A
surveillance plan(s), created by the COTR(s) and approved by the CO,
will be made available as part of the draft RFP, and will provide
monitoring guidelines to assess the Contractor\'s performance. Audit
functions for vouchers will be delegated to the successful offeror'(s)
cognizant Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) office. Review of Cost
Accounting Standards and Small Business Programs will be delegated to
the cognizant Defense Contract Management Area Office. The contractor
will be required to notify the Contracting Officer in advance before
placing certain subcontracts based on contract type and dollar value as
required by FAR. NASA Policy Directive NPD 9501.3, Subject: Earned Value
Performance Management was reviewed for applicability to this
acquisition(s). As this procurement is for services, NPD 9501.3 does not
apply.

***11. Make Or Buy:***

The Prime Contractor is responsible for all of the requirements defined
in the contract. In the event the Contractor performs a Make or Buy
decision and subsequently authorizes a subcontract to deliver a product
to the Government as a result of the contract, then the Government will
still hold the Prime Contractor responsible for all schedule, cost and
performance requirements of those subcontracted items.

***12. Test and Evaluation:***

Some individual tasks in which hardware is to be built will have an
identified test program that will specify the test and evaluation
process to be performed. Where required, the Contractor shall establish
and implement a test program that shall encompass development,
qualification, acceptance, and other related testing. The Contractor
shall select test methods, environments, and parameters so as to permit
the collection of empirical design and performance data and the
correlation of such data throughout the complete test program. Design
suitability shall be demonstrated in a development test program, as
applicable, prior to the start of formal qualification and acceptance
testing.

***13. Logistics Considerations:***

*a. Describe\--*

*(i) The assumptions determining Contractor or agency support, both
initially and over the life of the acquisition, including consideration
of Contractor or agency maintenance and servicing and distribution of
commercial items:*

The Contractor is responsible for developing and producing hardware,
software and equipment systems (and documentation) that are in
compliance with the specified Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance
requirements.

Any Contractor developed and/or managed web sites utilized for
dissemination of technical and/or management information must conform to
the ARC AMI 2305.1 "Web-Based Information Collections\" policy directive
and must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding web
accessibility for those with disabilities. (NASA management is presently
developing guidance for use within the Agency in meeting the Section 508
requirements. Such guidance, when available, is applicable to the
contract.) In addition, any web-based information must meet the
requirements set forth by ARC regarding Export Control of Sensitive
Technologies. For more information on Section 508 see the following web
site http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/508/

*(ii) Reliability, Maintainability, and Quality Assurance Requirements:*

Systems Safety and Mission Assurance Requirements: Some of the Research
and Development Services activities involve complex or high-risk
systems. For these activities, the Ames System Safety and Mission
Assurance (SS&MA), Division will establish, implement, and maintain
safety, reliability, and quality assurance requirements. The SS&MA
Division is responsible to project management and the Center for the
Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance programs, leading to either
flight certification or the operational certification of high-risk
facilities. This process requires insight into all tasks and close
interface with Contractor disciplines to ensure that systems are
designed and tested for compliance.

The Contractor is responsible for developing and producing hardware,
software and equipment systems (and documentation) that are in
compliance with the specified Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance
requirements.

*(iii) Requirements for Contractor Data:*

All Contractor data to be provided to the Government will be identified
on a task-by-task basis and will have an associated data item
description.

*(iv) Standardization:*

All standardized parts or equipment will be identified in individual
tasks. Tasks that use NASA procedures under the proposed contract may be
subject to International Standards Organization (ISO) audit and will be
identified when the task is issued. The Contractor is not required to be
ISO certified.

*(v) Special Approval Items:*

Concurrence must be obtained from Safety, Health and Medical Services
(QH) and Environmental Services (QE) for Contractor purchases of
controlled substances (Chapter 23 of the Health & Safety Manual), as
well as hazardous materials and equipment that emit air contaminants or
waste water discharge, in order to assure compliance with Center policy
and state and local regulations and statutes.

***14. Government-Furnished Property:***

Office, Lab and Shop equipment necessary to perform these requirements
will be made available to the Contractor as installation provided
property. The successful Contractor will provide some desktop computer
systems (hardware and software) that are not provided by the government
under the Outsourcing Desktop Initiative for NASA (ODIN). For more
information about ODIN see website http://www.odinarc.com/.

***15. Government-Furnished Information:***

The Government will provide task related drawings and specifications to
the Contractor. The Contractor will have access to or be provided with
any Federal, State, local Government regulation and local ARC
regulations that are applicable to the contract.

***16. Environmental and Energy Conservation Objectives:***

The Contractor must comply with environmental and energy performance
objectives stated in Executive Orders and NASA procedures, including the
affirmative procurement and recycled content product requirements as
stated in Executive Order 13101 and the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act section 6002.

The Contractor must comply with ARC\'s environmental policy Ames Policy
Directive (APD 8800.4) and procedures Ames Procedures & Guidelines (APG
8800.3) and NASA environmental policy (NPD 8500.1) and procedures (NPG
8800.17, NPG 8820.3, NPG 8830.1, NPG 8850.1). The Contractor must also
comply with all applicable local, state and federal ordinances,
regulations and statutes including but not limited to:

> Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469);
>
> Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C.
> 470aa-470ll);
>
> Clean Air Act, as amended by the Clean Air Act of 1977, and the Clean
> Air Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.);
>
> Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1451 et
> seq.);
>
> Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
> of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), including the Superfund
> Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C.11001 et seq.);
>
> Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
>
> Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.);
>
> Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act
> of 1977 and the Water Quality Act of 1987 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
>
> Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-386);
>
> Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666c);
>
> Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended
> (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
>
> Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.);
>
> National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347);
>
> National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470
> et seq.);
>
> Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25
> U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);
>
> Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-106, dated
> December 31, 1974;
>
> Oil Pollution Act of 1990;
>
> Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq.);
>
> Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended by the
> Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
>
> The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.300f et seq.);
>
> Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C.2601 et seq.);
>
> Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands;
>
> Executive Order 12088, amended by Executive Order 12580, Federal
> Compliance with Pollution Control Standards;
>
> Executive Order 12843 of April 21, 1993, Procurement Requirements and
> Policies for Federal Agencies for Ozone-Depleting Substances;
>
> Executive Order 12845 of April 21, 1993 Requiring Agencies to Purchase
> Energy Efficient Computer Equipment;
>
> Executive Order 12856 of August 3, 1993, Federal Compliance with
> Right-to-Know Laws and Pollution Prevention Requirements;
>
> Executive Order 12873 of October 20, 1993, Federal Acquisition,
> Recycling, and Waste Prevention;
>
> Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994, Federal Actions to Address
> Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
> Populations;
>
> Executive Order 12902 of March 8, 1994, Energy Efficiency and Water
> Conservation at Federal Facilities;
>
> Executive Order 13031 of December 17, 1996, Federal Alternative Fueled
> Vehicle Leadership;
>
> Executive Order 13045 of April 21, 1997, Protection of Children from
> Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks;
>
> Executive Order 13101 of September 14, 1998, Greening the Government
> Through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition;
>
> Executive Order 13112 of February 3, 1999, Invasive Species;
>
> Executive Order 13123 of June 3, 1999, Greening the Government Through
> Efficient Energy Management;
>
> Executive Order 13148 of April 22, 2000, Greening the Government
> Through Leadership in Environmental Management;
>
> Executive Order 13149 of April 21, 2000, Greening the Government
> Through Federal Fleet and Transportation Efficiency;
>
> Executive Order 13150 of April 21, 2000, Federal Workforce
> Transportation;
>
> Executive Memorandum of April 26, 1994, Environmentally and
> Economically Beneficial Practices on Federal Landscaped Grounds;
>
> Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 7, FAR Part 23, and NASA FAR
> Supplement Part 18-23;
>
> California Code of Regulations, Title 26, Toxics;
>
> California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Waters;
>
> California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Environmental Health;
>
> California Code of Regulations, Title 13 Air Resources Board;
>
> California Health and Safety Code;
>
> Rules and Regulations of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
> and the San Joaquin Valley;
>
> Unified Air Pollution Control District**;**
>
> Santa Clara County Hazardous Material Storage Ordinance;
>
> Santa Clara County Toxic Gas Ordinance;
>
> Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, Waste Water Discharge
> Requirements;
>
> City of Sunnyvale, Waste Water Discharge Requirements;
>
> US Code: http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm
>
> Executive Orders: http://www.nara.gov/fedreg/eo.html.

***17. Security Considerations:***

In accordance with the cited NASA policies and guidelines, all personnel
that support NASA programs, whether Civil Servant, Contractor, or other
categories, are required to receive yearly training in the area of
export control, including foreign access to NASA technology transfer
materials. The purpose of this training is to ensure that all employees
are aware of the requirements of this program. Specific issues are the
NASA Document Availability Review, access of foreign national Contractor
employees to export controlled technologies, and the hiring of foreign
nationals.

**IT Security:** ARC has overall responsibility for management of the
Information Technology (IT) Security posture of the Center in accordance
with the requirements set forth in NASA Policy Directive NPD 2810.1 and
NASA Procedures and Guidelines NPG 2810.1, which define the Agency's IT
security requirements. Contractors are required to comply with these
requirements as implemented by contract clause 1852.204-76. In the
implementation of the NASA directives, ARC has identified requirements
including requirements for: IT Security Plans and Risk Assessments for
all IT systems, management of IT system user accounts and passwords,
training of general staff in IT Security Awareness, training of system
administrators in operating system (OS) Security, and annual refresher
training requirements to ensure that all employees are aware of their
role in IT security. Contractor systems using ARC IP addresses are
required to be managed in accordance to these requirements. The ARC IT
Security program also monitors network traffic for unusual or abnormal
conditions and conducts vulnerability scans and penetration tests of all
networked computer systems utilizing IP addresses assigned to the
Center. It is expected that Contractors will fully cooperate in
rectifying vulnerabilities detected in Contractor-managed systems. The
ARC network is comprised of "Private," "Public" and "Open" zones with
firewalls to partition access according to need. Contractor-managed
systems attached to the ARC network will comply with this partitioning
requirement. ARC's policy for management of its networked environment is
defined in Ames Policy Directive APD 2810.1 Special care must be taken
to provide foreign national employees access to only those system areas
authorized to them through application of export control procedures.

**Information Access:** Since the Contractor will require access to
export-controlled information to perform the mission, the Contractor is
responsible for meeting the requirements of US Export Control
legislation and regulations in the identification, marking, handling and
dissemination of any export controlled information in their possession,
whether provided by NASA or created by the Contractor. Foreign nationals
must be reviewed and cleared for access to controlled information prior
to allowing them access. This requirement pertains also to foreign
national employees of the Contractor. Export controlled items,
technology or software for NASA programs or projects (e.g. Space Station
Biological Research Project (SSBRP), Stratospheric Observatory for
Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)) will be export classified by the NASA export
control office in order to maintain consistency of classification among
NASA Centers. It is expected that occasional items may require an export
license prior to disclosure to a foreign national or shipment out of the
United States. The Contractor should plan a lead-time of 90 to 120 days
for this export licensing process.

# **Facility Access:** Access for Foreign National Visitors and Employees requires special approval. Foreign National passes/badges allow access between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Exceptions require prior written approval by the NASA Ames Protective Services Office. Allow a minimum of 30 days processing time for the approval of Foreign National Visitors. Foreign National Visitors must be escorted at all times while on the Center. Foreign National Employees must be escorted until completion of their background check. This process may take up to 90 days. See NPG 1371.2, Procedures and Guidelines for Processing Requests for Access to NASA Centers by Foreign Nationals or Representatives.

Background checks for all employees will be required to determine
suitability for access to the Center. The NASA Ames Protective Services
Office will conduct these checks. Permanent employees will be issued a
photo identification badge. The facility identification badge is
required for access to the Center.

## 

## Law Enforcement: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, is U.S. Government property under Federal Exclusive Legislative Jurisdiction. Law Enforcement for Ames Research Center is provided by the NASA Ames Protective Services Office Security Police. The NASA Ames Security Police have NASA Federal Law Enforcement authority pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 2456a.

Traffic rules, regulations and vehicle code applicable to NASA Ames
Research Center are contained in the ARC/Moffett Field Traffic
Management Plan (Ames Handbook - AHB 1600.5). Entry into, continued
presence on, or exit from, NASA Ames Research Center is contingent upon
consent to inspection of person or property. Unless specifically
authorized by NASA, you may not carry, transport, introduce, store, or
use firearms or other dangerous weapons, explosives or other incendiary
devices, or other dangerous instruments or material likely to produce
substantial injury or damage to persons or property. (14 CFR 1204,
\"Inspections of Persons and Personal Effects on NASA Property\").
Contractor personnel are subject to all ARC law enforcement procedures
and rules.

**Security References**

NPD 1620.2A, NASA Security Policy

NPG 1620.1, NASA Security Procedures and Guidelines

NPG 1620.2, NASA Badging System

NPG 1371.2, Procedures and Guidelines for Processing Requests for Access
to NASA Centers by Foreign Nationals or Representatives

APG 1620.1, Ames Research Center Security Procedures and Guidelines

APG 1600.5, Moffett Field Traffic Management Plan

APG 1600.6, Ames Research Center Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Plan

Additional information may be found at the Protective Services Web site
located at: http://ccf.arc.nasa.gov/codejp/JP_home.html

***18. Contract Administration:***

The contract will be administered over a length of time which is to be
determined. The resultant contract will consist of a base period and
options. NASA ARC will retain contract administration for the contract.

***19. Other Considerations:***

ARC will manage all radioisotopes under license with the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Government is responsible for signing
and maintaining Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests. The Government is
also responsible for obtaining site-wide and building-specific
environmental permits for operations in ARC buildings, including but not
limited to hazardous materials storage permits, air pollution source
permits, sanitary sewer discharge permits, and storm water discharge
permits. Contractors shall comply with all conditions associated with
such permits, included but not limited to record-keeping, training,
equipment operation and maintenance, storage, and discharge limitations.

ARC is responsible for center wide Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum
Management

for all RF communications equipment in compliance with NASA policies.
These requirements are from the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) and from NASA NPD 2570.5B and NHB
2570.6A**.**

Information on NPD 2570.5B can be found at the following web site:

(http://nodis.hq.nasa.gov/Library/Directives/NASA-WIDE/Policies/Legal_Policies/N_PD_2570_5B.html)

RF Spectrum Management requires that radio equipment within the confines
of ARC be properly licensed to the specific frequencies assigned to
NASA; radios used off the Center shall be coordinated for use in their
planned location to ensure that no interference takes place; and that
assigned RF power levels are not exceeded. This spans the range of radio
equipment including: Handheld radios, mobile vehicle communications,
aircraft communications, satellite/space communications, microwave
links, emergency communications systems, and wireless data network
systems.

***20. Milestones for the Acquisition Cycle:***

  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
  Draft Acquisition Plan Posted                     **March 2002**

  Industry Comments Due                             **March 2002**

  Responses to Draft Acquisition Plan Reviewed      **April 2002**

  Final Acquisition Plan Approval                   **June 2002**

  Statement of Work/Specifications                  **August 2002**

  Completion of Acquisition-Package Preparation     **September 2002**

  Issuance of Synopsis                              **November 2002**

  Draft RFP Released                                **November 2002**

  Industry Comments Due                             **December 2002**

  Pre-Solicitation Conference                       **January 2003**

  Final RFP Release                                 **March 2003**

  Submission of Proposal                            **April 2003**

  Initial Evaluation of Proposals                   **April / May 2003**

  Possible Discussions with Offerors                **May 2003**

  Beginning and Completion of Negotiations          **May 2003**

  Contract Preparation, Review, and Clearance       **June 2003**

  Contract Award                                    **June 2003**

  Contract Phase-In                                 **September 2003**
  ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------