SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

######### L.1 OVERVIEW OF PROCESS

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) will use a two-phased acquisition
process to acquire services under the COMMITS NexGen contract. The
phases of the selection process are:

-   Phase I -- Down-Select Process

-   Phase II- Final Selection and Task Award

Phase I will be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal
procurement laws and regulations. The specific process used in Phase I
is authorized by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 16.505.

The down-select process will select a maximum of five (5) vendors as the
Best Qualified Vendors (BQVs) from the interested vendors. Only the
selected BQVs will participate in Phase II.

Phase II will result in the final selection and award of the task order
using best value principles.

**L.2 ACQUISITION SCHEDULE**

+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| **D   | **WEEK    | **PHASE I**                                      |
| AYS** | 1**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 1     | July 25   | **Release 5 Down Select Questions, RFS Sections  |
|       |           | C, L, &M, Definitions, and Past Performance      |
|       |           | Questionnaire Forms by 3:30 PM EST**             |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 2     | July 26   | Vendors register for Pre-Proposal Conference     |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 3     | July 27   | Vendors continue to register for Pre-Proposal    |
|       |           | Conference by 3:00 PM EST                        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 4     | July 28   | Pre-Proposal Conference registrants listed       |
|       |           | posted                                           |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 5     | July 29   | **Pre- Proposal Conference 9:00 AM -- 11:00 AM   |
|       |           | EST**                                            |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 2**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 8     | August 1  | Vendors Prepare Phase I responses                |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 9     | August 2  | Vendors Prepare Phase I responses                |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 10    | August 3  | Vendors Prepare Phase I responses                |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 11    | August 4  | Vendors Prepare Phase I responses                |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 12    | August 5  | Vendors Prepare Phase I responses                |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 3**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 15    | August 8  | **Phase I submission due by 3:00 PM EST**/Phase  |
|       |           | I Evaluations (TET) begin                        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 16    | August 9  | Phase I Evaluations (TET)                        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 17    | August 10 | Phase I Evaluations (TET)                        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 18    | August 11 | Phase I Evaluations (TET)                        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 19    | August 12 | Phase I Evaluations (TET)/Consensus of TET       |
|       |           | Evaluations                                      |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 4**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 22    | August 15 | **DOWN-SELECT DECISION ANNOUNCED by 3:00 PM**    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | **Due Diligence& Oral Presentations Scheduled    |
|       |           | for BQVs**                                       |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 23    | August 16 | BQVs Prepare for Due Diligence Sessions          |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 24    | August 17 | 8:30 AM -- 9:30 AM EST -- Due Diligence          |
|       |           | --**Offeror A**                                  |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 10:00 AM -- 11:00 AM EST -- Due Diligence-       |
|       |           | **Offeror B**                                    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 11:30 AM -- 12:30PM EST -- Due Diligence-        |
|       |           | **Offeror C**                                    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 2:00 PM -- 3:00 PM EST -- Due Diligence-         |
|       |           | **Offeror D**                                    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 3:30 PM -- 4:30 PM EST -- Due Diligence --       |
|       |           | **Offeror E**                                    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 25    | August 18 | BQVs Prepare for Oral Presentations              |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 26    | August 19 | BQVs Prepare for Oral Presentations              |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 5**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 29    | August 22 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST -- Oral Presentation-     |
|       |           | **Offeror A**                                    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST- Oral Presentation --      |
|       |           | **Offeror B**                                    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 30    | August 23 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST -- Oral Presentation-     |
|       |           | **Offeror C**                                    |
|       |           |                                                  |
|       |           | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST- Oral Presentation --      |
|       |           | **Offeror D**                                    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 31    | August 24 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST -- Oral Presentation-     |
|       |           | **Offeror E**                                    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 32    | August 25 | Offerors Prepare Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs) |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 33    | August 26 | Offerors Prepare Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs) |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 6**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 36    | August 29 | **FPR Due from Offeror A & B by 3:00 PM EST**    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 37    | August 30 | **FPR Due from Offeror C & D by 3:00 PM EST**    |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 38    | August 31 | **FPR Due from Offeror E by 3:00 PM EST**        |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 39    | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 1         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 40    | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 2         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 7**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
| 41    | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 5         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 6         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 7         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 8         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 9         |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 8**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 12        |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 13        |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Phase II Evaluations (TET)                       |
|       | 14        |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | Consensus of TET -- Phase II Evaluations         |
|       | 15        | (technical ranking report)                       |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | September | **AWARD ANNOUNCED (Source Selection) by 3:00 PM  |
|       | 16        | EST**                                            |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | **WEEK    |                                                  |
|       | 9**       |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | TBD       | Debriefings scheduled for Non-selected vendors   |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       | TBD       | Kick-off Meeting                                 |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+
|       |           |                                                  |
+-------+-----------+--------------------------------------------------+

####### L.3. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

> The vendors will have the opportunity to attend the Census Bureau
> facilities to meet with the members of the Geography Division and the
> Technical Evaluation Team (TET) prior to submitting their Phase I
> responses. During the pre-proposal conference the Geography Division
> managers and members of the Acquisition
>
> Division (ACQ) staff will present more information about the Census
> Bureau environment and contract expectations, and respond mainly to
> questions in reference to the five (5) down-select questions.
>
> Participation in the Pre-Proposal Conference **will not** be a
> prerequisite for submitting Phase I responses. Requests to attend the
> Pre-Proposal conference must be received by e-mail to
> <acq.ccng@census.gov> no later than 3:00 PM EST, Wednesday, July 27,
> 2005. The subject line for these requests must be marked "\[Company
> Name\] **Request for Attendance -- Pre-Proposal Conference**
> --PC/Web-Based Software Application Support Task". The Census Bureau
> will conduct the Pre-Proposal conference in the Bureau's Morris H.
> Hansen Auditorium on Friday, July 29, 2005, in accordance with the
> acquisition schedule provided in Section L.2 of the RFS. The
> Pre-Proposal registrants will be posted to the Business Opportunity
> Page (BOP) via email at <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/> under
> COMMITS NexGen Task Order Request #T1-0004, Thursday, July 28, 2005.
> Due to the expedited nature of this task competition, requests from
> vendors to register for the Pre-Proposal conference after Wednesday,
> July 27, 2005, will not be considered.
>
> **Please Note**: Vendors should take into account that the Census
> Bureau is a secured facility, and time should be allotted for being
> cleared through Security. To obtain authorization to enter the
> building vendors must go to Gate #5 off of Silver Hill Road in
> Suitland, Maryland, and request that the security personnel call the
> Acquisition Division on Extension #3342 for Security to confirm access
> to the facility. Additionally, limited parking at the Census Bureau
> may also influence the time it takes to enter the facility. It should
> also be noted that equipment brought into the facility requires a
> property pass prior to being removed, and vendors are discouraged from
> bringing unnecessary equipment to the Pre-Proposal conference.

**L.4 PHASE I -- VENDORS RESPOND TO DOWN-SELECT QUESTIONS**

Phase I will be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal
procurement laws and regulations. The specific process being used in
Phase I is authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
16.505.

The down-select process will select a **maximum of five** (5) Best
Qualified Vendors (BQVs) from the interested vendors who submitted
responses to the down-select questions. Only those vendors selected as
BQVs will be invited to participate in Phase II.

####### L.4.1 DOWN-SELECT QUESTIONS

> The Government will evaluate the vendors' responses to the following
> five (5) questions below to select a maximum of five (5) Best
> Qualified Vendors (BQVs):
>
> **1.** Describe your experience and cite examples where your
> organization designed a personal computer (PC)-based Geographic
> Information System (GIS) application, intended for stand-alone use (no
> local network or internet connectivity), using a
> commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) GIS software application that resulted
> in a software application suitable for users of a limited skill level
> such that they could quickly learn and use the application.
>
> **2.** Describe your experience and cite examples where your
> organization designed or customized a web-based GIS or similar
> software application that displayed extensive amounts of geographic
> information and allowed selective update capabilities.
>
> **3.** Describe your experience in developing installation, training,
> and support materials for the deployment and use of a PC-based
> application with no Internet access.
>
> **4**. Describe your experience implementing security features for:
> a). A stand-alone, PC-based system that includes protection of the
> data, restricting access to the software application, and encrypting
> the data files for distribution on media or via the internet, and b).
> A web-based system that includes restricting access to the software
> application.
>
> **5.** Describe your experience and cite examples where your
> organization designed and/or customized a GIS software application
> using complex symbolization of features.
>
> Vendors shall consider the requirements of the full RFS when
> developing their responses to the above questions. Each of the
> questions is considered of equal merit.

####### L.4.2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHASE I SUBMISSION

> Electronic responses to Down-Select Questions for Phase I must be
> received by the Census Bureau via email to the Business Opportunity
> Page (BOP) via email at <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/> under
> COMMITS NexGen Task Order Request #T1-0004 than 3:00 PM EST, Monday,
> August 8, 2005. The subject line for the e-mails must be marked
> "\[Company Name\] - **Phase I Responses** --PC/Web-Based Software
> Application Support Task". Phase I submissions shall be limited to MS
> Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint formats. Text shall be presented in 8 ½
> x 11-inch page format in Arial or Times New Roman typeface, no smaller
> than 12-point pitch (smaller fonts are acceptable for graphics,
> figures, tables, footnotes and legends) with 1-inch margins. Although
> the vendors' responses to the five (5) requests for
> information/questions are
>
> limited to a total of ten (10) pages, there is no restriction on the
> length of a specific response so as long as the total page limit for
> all responses is not exceeded.

####### L.4.3 DOWN-SELECT DECISION 

> The Technical Evaluation Team (TET) will use their expertise and
> experience to identify the most highly rated vendors from the Phase I
> submissions in relation to the requirements set forth in Section C. In
> doing so, the TET will identify the discriminating strengths,
> weaknesses, and risks for each response. The TET will then rank the
> responses. Based on the evaluation and findings of the TET, the
> Contracting Officer will select a maximum of five (5) Best Qualified
> Vendors (BQVs) to participate in Phase II of the selection process.

####### L.4.4 DOWN-SELECT DECISION ANNOUNCEMENT -- REQUEST FOR DEBRIEFINGS

> The Census Bureau will advise each vendor in writing whether it has
> been selected to participate in Phase II no later than 3:00 PM EST,
> Monday, August 15, 2005.
>
> If a debriefing is desired, the unsuccessful vendor must request in
> writing a debriefing within five (5) workdays (Monday-Friday) after
> the non-select notice has been made. These requests shall be sent to
> the Business Opportunity Page (BOP) via email at
> <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/> under COMMITS NexGen Task Order
> Request #T1-0004 and marked "\[Company Name\] -- **Request for
> Debriefing** -- PC/Web-Based Software Application Support Task
> #T1-0004". The Government will provide written debriefings upon final
> task award.

**L.5 Phase II -- BEST QUALIFIED VENDORS (BQVs)**

In Phase II the Best Qualified Vendors (**BQVs**) will be referred to as
**Offerors**.

####### L.5.1 DUE DILIGENCE

> The Offerors will be given the opportunity to visit the Census Bureau
> facilities on an individual basis on Wednesday, August 17, 2005, in
> accordance with the schedule described in Section L.2 (Acquisition
> Schedule). These Due Diligence sessions will allow the Offerors to
> meet with the Government staff and ask questions in reference to the
> RFS Sections. A **maximum of five** (5) Offeror representatives may
> attend each Due Diligence session. It will be at the discretion of the
> Offerors as to which personnel will actively participate in the Due
> Diligence session.
>
> The Census Bureau will randomly schedule and notify the Offerors via
> e-mail of the times and places for their due diligence sessions no
> later than 3:00 PM EST, Monday, August 15, 2005.

####### L.5.2 ORAL PRESENTATIONS

The Offerors shall provide oral presentations to the Census Bureau in
accordance with the schedule described in Section L.2. The Government
reserves the right to reschedule these sessions at its discretion after
sufficient notice to the Offerors.

The Offerors shall use the oral presentations to present the information
that will be included in the technical volumes of the Offerors' written
Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs). The oral presentations will not be
scored. However, information obtained during the session, including the
presentation skills of the key personnel, will assist in the
Government's understanding of the Offerors' FPRs.

######## 

######## L.5.2.1 REQUIRED MATERIALS PRIOR TO ORAL PRESENTATIONS

The following documents shall be submitted through the Business
Opportunity Page (BOP) via email at <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/>
under COMMITS NexGen Task Order Request #T1-0004, no later than 1:00 PM
the day before the Offeror's scheduled oral presentation. The subject
line for these submissions should be clearly marked "\[Company Name\] --
Oral Presentation Materials". In case of technical problems, this
information should be sent via e-mail to <acq.ccng@census.gov> and
marked "\[Company Name\] -- Oral Presentation Materials -- Task
#T1-0004".

A.  Resumes of Key Personnel

B.  List of Offeror Representatives Attending the Oral Presentation

C.  Contents of the Presentation

The resumes of the Key Personnel will be evaluated in accordance with
the factors described in Section M. All resumes shall be resubmitted,
with additions or changes clearly marked, as Section I of the Offerors'
Written Final Proposal Revisions (FPRs) (described in L.4.4).

> **[A. Resumes of Key Personnel]{.underline}**
>
> The Offerors shall provide the resumes of all key personnel (in the
> employ of either the Prime Contractor or its subcontractor(s)) who
> have been committed to perform under this project. The key personnel
> will be subject to the key personnel provisions of Section H.1. Each
> resume shall be limited to three (3) pages.
>
> **[B. Presenter Information]{.underline}**
>
> The Offerors shall provide the names and positions of all participants
> taking part in the oral presentations.
>
> **[List of Attendees]{.underline}**
>
> The Offerors shall provide the names and positions of all participants
> taking part in the oral presentations. A **maximum of five** (5)
> offeror representatives may attend each oral presentation.

## **[Content of the Presentation]{.underline}**

> The Offerors shall include in their presentations the following:

-   A description of their solution, including the following topics:

[]{.mark}

> C.6 - Assumptions, Considerations, and Constraints
>
> C.6.1 - Technical Solution Considerations, and Constraints
>
> C.6.2 - Operation and Maintenance
>
> C.6.2.1 - System and User Documentation
>
> C.6.3 - QASP Solution Consideration and Constraints
>
> C.6.4 - Testing
>
> C.7 -- Management Solution Considerations and Constraints
>
> C.7.1 -- Project Management Plan
>
> C.7.2 - Status and Performance Reviews
>
> C.7.3 -- Risk Management
>
> C.7.4 -- Configuration Management
>
> C.7.5 - Change Management
>
> C.7.6 - Subcontract Management (if applicable)
>
> C.7.7 -- Interagency Reporting

-   Information about their Similar Experience and Past Performance (on
    a project of similar size, scope, and complexity to this task)

## **L.5.2.2 SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS**

> The anticipated schedule of events for the oral presentations is shown
> below:

+---------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| 5 Minutes     | > Introductions, Administrative Announcements        |
+---------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| > 1 Hour      | > Technical Solution Presentation                    |
+---------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| 15 Minutes    | Break                                                |
+---------------+------------------------------------------------------+
| 40 Minutes    | Technical Clarifications / Questions and Answers     |
|               | Session                                              |
+---------------+------------------------------------------------------+

Each Offeror will have a maximum of one (1) hour to make its
presentation to the Census Bureau panel.

#### L.5.2.3 ORAL SLIDE PRESENTATION FORM 

Offerors are limited to 8½ x 11-inch overhead slides or computer
generated slides to provide visual support for their presentations. (If
used, the presenters must provide computer projection equipment.)
Submission of videotapes or other forms of media containing the
presentation for Census Bureau evaluation is not authorized and will be
rejected. Offerors shall mark the slides in accordance with Restrictions
on Disclosure and Use of Data, as appropriate.

> It is suggested that the Offerors emphasize the content of their
> presentations rather than their appearance. Slides shall be
> sequentially numbered. There is no limit to the number of slides that
> may be presented during the oral presentations, however, only those
> slides presented will be considered as part of the presentation. The
> evaluation panel will ignore any slides not presented in the allotted
> time.
>
> The Offeror shall use the slides as a visual aid for its presentation.
> Paper copies of the presentation shall be provided to the Government
> at the beginning of the presentation. The Government will not accept
> any additional documentation (such as descriptive literature, etc.)
> for the evaluation that was not referenced during the presentation. No
> \"speaker\'s notes\" or other additional text shall be provided with
> the slides.

## **L.5.2.4 PRESENTERS**

> **Because of the importance of presentation skills for this particular
> task, the Offerors' key personnel shall actively participate in the
> presentation.** A maximum of five (5) Offeror representatives may
> attend each oral presentation. It will be at the discretion of the
> Offerors as to which personnel will actively participate in the
> presentation.
>
> The Offerors are required to present information that will be in
> accordance with the written final proposal revisions described below.
> The Offerors will be expected to perform in accordance with their
> presented solution should they ultimately be awarded the PC/Web-Based
> Software Application Support Task.

## **L.6 TECHNICAL CLARIFICATIONS**

After the oral presentations, the Government may request clarification
of any points presented which are unclear, or ask the Offeror to
elaborate on any information that was not adequately supported. These
exchanges are not "discussions" as defined in FAR 15.306(d), the Census
Bureau will not identify specific weaknesses found in the Offerors'

oral proposals. **In accordance with FAR 15.306(a), the Census Bureau
intends to award without conducting discussions.**

**L.7 WRITTEN FINAL PROPOSAL REVISIONS (FPRs)**

After completion of due diligence and oral presentations, the Census
Bureau will request that the Offerors submit their Written Final
Proposal Revisions (FPRs) for evaluation. The Offerors' proposals should
be based on their current understanding of the Government's
requirements.

The Offerors shall submit their Written FPRs through the Business
Opportunity Page (BOP) via email at <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/>
under COMMITS NexGen Task Order Request #T1-0004. The subject line for
each of the sections described in L.5 should be clearly marked
"\[Company Name\] -- **FPR** -- Task \# T1-0004. In case of technical
problems, the FPRs should be sent via e-mail to <acq.ccng@census.gov>
and marked "\[Company Name\] -- **FPR** -- Task #T1-0004." Once
technical difficulties are resolved, the FPR shall be submitted via the
BOP.

The Offerors shall submit the FPRs in accordance with the schedule
described in L.2, using the appropriate MS Word, Excel, and/or
PowerPoint format. Text shall be presented on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper in
Arial or Times New Roman typeface, no smaller than 12-point pitch
(smaller fonts are acceptable for graphics, figures, tables, footnotes,
and legends) with 1-inch margins.

> **L.7.1 FPR ORGANIZATION**
>
> The Offerors shall submit four (4) sections as separate attachments in
> the electronic FPR. Pricing information shall not be included anywhere
> other than in **Section IV** -- Business Proposal.

## **[Section I -- Resumes of Key Personnel]{.underline}** 

> The resumes of the proposed key personnel who have been committed to
> perform on this project should be resubmitted as Section I of the
> Offeror's FPR. Any changes to the Offeror's initial submissions
> (submitted with the Oral Presentation required materials) shall be
> clearly marked and explained.

## 

## **[Section II -- Technical/Management Solution and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)]{.underline}**

> Section II shall include the Offeror's proposed Technical/Management
> considerations and constraints, and the Quality Assurance Surveillance
> Plan (QASP) for meeting the PC/Web-Based Software Application Support
> Task requirements stated in Section C of the RFS. Section II shall not
> exceed twenty (20) total pages, and shall include the following
> information:
>
> **A. Technical/Management Solution**
>
> The Offeror shall discuss their understanding of the task objectives,
> technical/management considerations, and constraints as delineated in
> Section C of the RFS.
>
> This section should also describe the Offeror's proposed management
> structure, the position within the overall corporate organization of
> the division or group proposed to perform under this task order, the
> level of corporate project oversight planned in terms of authority to
> make programmatic decisions, and corporate capabilities. The Offeror
> shall also describe its solution, including the following topics:

-   Assumptions, Considerations, and Constraints

-   C.6.1 - Technical Solution Considerations, and Constraints

-   C.6.2 - Operation and Maintenance

-   C.6.2.1 - System and User Documentation

-   C.6.4 - Testing

-   C.7 -- Management Solution Considerations and Constraints

-   C.7.1 -- Project Management Plan

-   C.7.2 - Status and Performance Reviews

-   C.7.3 -- Risk Management

-   C.7.4 -- Configuration Management

-   C.7.5 - Change Management

-   C.7.6 - Subcontract Management (if applicable)

-   C.7.7 -- Interagency Reporting

> **B. Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP)**
>
> The intent of the Government is to include an incentive to encourage
> the Offerors to exceed task order requirements. Each Offeror shall
> propose a solution using a Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan
> (QASP) with performance goals, acceptable quality levels, incentives
> and disincentives that are envisioned to ensure quality for this
> project. The intent is to incentivize offerors to exceed task
>
> order performance expectations and disincentivize them when
> expectations are not met. The award will include the QASP as part of
> the contract.

The Offeror's QASP shall consist of the following information:

-   A description of the review/audit process, its documentation,
    methods of internal review, identification of staff position(s)
    performing the reviews, and the frequency of the reviews.

-   A description of the approach and procedures for communicating with
    the Government; handling corrective actions; and identifying and
    implementing potential improvements to the program services.

-   A process for project tracking in terms of the deliverables
    identified in the proposal.

-   A description of the performance requirements for each phase of the
    project and/or labor category.

-   A description of the performance objective for each Performance
    Standard.

-   A description of the quantifiable Acceptable Level of Performance
    for each Performance Standard.

-   A description of the method of surveillance including: who will
    perform the surveillance, the frequency, and the process for
    accomplishing the surveillance.

-   A description of the incentive metrics, granularity, scoring range
    and weighting factors that are proposed to Census Bureau
    performance.

The Offeror shall complete the QASP Summary Matrix below to include:

> **Column 1** - the specific VA objective from the SOO,
>
> **Column 2** - the applicable Performance Standard,
>
> **Column 3** - the applicable Acceptable Level of Performance,
>
> **Column 4** - the Surveillance Methodology used to evaluate the
> performance,
>
> **Column 5** - Incentives and Disincentives, and how they are applied
> to prices.

For each proposed performance indicator in its QASP, Offerors should
include an explanation of the benefits to the Government for the
incentives and disincentives included in the proposal. Also, provide
sample calculations to show specifically how the incentives and
disincentives proposed are to be applied.

+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
| **QUALITY  |            |               |           |              |
| ASSURANCE  |            |               |           |              |
| AND        |            |               |           |              |
| SU         |            |               |           |              |
| RVEILLANCE |            |               |           |              |
| PLAN**     |            |               |           |              |
|            |            |               |           |              |
| **SUMMARY  |            |               |           |              |
| MATRIX**   |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
| VBA        | P          | Acceptable    | Me        | Performance  |
| Ob         | erformance | Level of      | thodology | Incentive or |
| jective(s) | Standard   | Performance   | to        | Disincentive |
|            |            |               | Measure   |              |
|            |            |               | Pe        |              |
|            |            |               | rformance |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
|            |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
|            |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
|            |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
|            |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+
|            |            |               |           |              |
+------------+------------+---------------+-----------+--------------+

> **[Section III - Similar Experience and Past Performance
> Information]{.underline}**
>
> **A. Similar Experience Synopsis**
>
> The Offerors shall submit a synopsis of their similar experience for
> Census Bureau review. This document shall consist of evidence of the
> Offerors' experience on a maximum of three (3) contracts that have
> been performed or is currently being performed within the past three
> (3) years of similar size, scope and complexity to the work required
> by this RFS. Similar experience information shall be included for
> Offeror-selected federal, state, local governments, or commercial
> contracts. The Offerors may include contracts on which the Offerors
> have performed or are performing work as a prime or subcontractor.
>
> If the Offerors have no single project that encompasses all types of
> similar experience as defined, the Offerors may show similar
> experience through a combination of projects that altogether show that
> the work that has been accomplished is consistent in scope and
> complexity with this project.
>
> Any similar experience information provided by the Offerors is subject
> to verification/validation by the Government. The Government reserves
> the
>
> right to contact the government/commercial points of contact provided
> by the Offerors, and any project officials and/or other persons who
> have been involved in any of the contracts listed by the Offerors to
> verify information about similar experience and to obtain past
> performance information.
>
> The Offerors shall submit only the information requested as part of
> the "Similar Experience Form" described below. Marketing literature,
> marketing or product videos, catalogs, manuals, product literature, or
> other extraneous information, either electronic or hard copy, that are
> provided with the proposals will not be reviewed or utilized in the
> evaluation.

##### Similar Experience Form

> [Contract Identifier]{.underline}: Assign a sequential ID number to
> the contract, beginning with the number one (1).
>
> [Agency/Company]{.underline}: Agency or company for which the work was
> performed and contract name (and project name, if applicable).
>
> [Contract/Order Number]{.underline}: Enter the contract number and,
> for contracts such as IDIQs where projects are issued by order, the
> order number under which the project was performed.
>
> [Contract/Order Period of Performance]{.underline}: Indicate, by month
> and year, the start and completion (or "ongoing") dates for the
> project contract or order. State original planned completion date and
> any revised completion date.
>
> [Contract/Order Type and Total Dollar Value]{.underline}:
> Contracts/orders may be Cost Plus, Incentive, IDIQ, FFP, T&M, etc.
> Enter the original total dollar value of the contract and the current
> dollar value, if different. If an order, enter the dollar value
> received or to be received by the Offerors or their subcontractor(s).
>
> [Prime Contractor/Primary Performer]{.underline}: Enter the prime
> Contractors and the company names of either the Offerors or proposed
> Subcontractors who performed or is performing the major portion of
> work under this project. If same, enter only one name.
>
> [Brief (**1 Page or Less**) Description of the Project]{.underline}:
> Should give enough information to allow Census Bureau evaluators to
> consider how the cited project relates to the size, scope, and
> complexity or the RFS.
>
> [Information about the Contracting Officer]{.underline}: Enter the
> name, address, phone number, email address and fax number of the
> Contracting Officer if the contract was/is for the Government.
>
> [Information about the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative
> (COTR).]{.underline} Enter the name, address, phone number, email
> address and fax number of the COTR if the contract was/is for the
> Government.
>
> [End-User Point-of-Contact]{.underline}. Enter the name, address,
> phone number, email address and fax number of the End-User if the
> contract was/is for a commercial firm.
>
> **B. Past Performance Questionnaire From Client**
>
> In addition to submitting the synopsis described above, the Offerors
> shall request that their cited references submit written evaluations
> of their performance to the Census Bureau. These evaluations shall be
> sent as e-mail attachments by their references directly to the
> Business Opportunity Page (BOP) via email at
> <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/> under COMMITS NexGen Task Order
> Request #T1-0004. In case of technical problems, the Past Performance
> Questionnaires should be sent via e-mail to the Census Bureau at
> <acq.ccng@census.gov>. Offerors shall request their references mark
> the subject line of the e-mails as "\[**Offeror Name\] -- Past
> Performance Evaluation -- Task \#**T1-0004". The form for these
> evaluations is provided in **Attachment J-2** - Past Performance
> Questionnaire. The past performance questionnaires are due by the time
> offerors' submit their Written Final Proposal Revisions.
>
> The written evaluations provided by the Offerors' references are
> subject to verification/ validation by the Government. The Government
> reserves the right to contact the government/commercial points of
> contact provided by the Offerors.
>
> **[Section IV -- Business Proposal]{.underline}**
>
> Each Offerors shall submit a Firm-Fixed Price for the life of the
> contract, along with any information assumed in their Basis of
> Estimate (BOE). Enough detail shall be included in the BOE to allow
> the Census Bureau to understand the business factors the Offeror
> considered in developing their Firm-Fixed Price.
>
> As part of the explanation in the Business Proposal, the offeror is
> required to identify how the proposed incentives and disincentives in
> the QASP will be used, when and how they apply, and how much they can
> change quoted prices. This information may be used by the Government
> to make a best value determination.
>
> Section IV shall also include information about the Offerors' proposed
> teaming partners and/or subcontractors, and details about their
> qualifications, program responsibilities, and percentage of total
> program responsibilities, to include:

-   Proposed approaches, processes and responsibilities for teaming
    partner(s);

-   Subcontractor management defining the lines of authority, assignment
    and reporting procedures; and,

-   Subcontracting policies and practices.

**L.8 Award of Contract**

> **L.8.1 Notification of Contract Award**
>
> After the Government has selected the offeror that provided the best
> value to the Government, the selected and non-selected Offerors will
> be notified of the decision via e-mail.
>
> **L.8.2 Contractor Debriefing**
>
> If a debriefing is desired, the unsuccessful Offeror must request in
> writing a debriefing within five (5) workdays (Monday-Friday) after
> the award decision has
>
> been announced. These requests shall submitted through the Business
> Opportunity Page (BOP) via email at <https://commitsibop.ocs.doc.gov/>
> under COMMITS NexGen Task Order Request #T1-0004. The subject line for
> these requests should be clearly marked "\[Company Name\] - **Request
> for Debriefing**". In case of technical
>
> problems, these requests should be sent via e-mail to
> <acq.ccng@census.gov> and marked "\[Company Name\] -- **Request for
> Debriefing** -- Task #T1-0004".

**L.9 Prime Contractor Responsibilities**

The Prime Contractor shall be held responsible as the Prime Contractor
for the procurement of all services required under this contract. The
Prime Contractor alone shall be held responsible by the Government for
performance of all contractor obligations under any terms of the task
order resulting from the proposals. The Government, in-turn, shall
render all payments due for services performed solely to the Prime
Contractor.