AN12--PROJECT TITLE: GENOMIC SERVICES FOR THE MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

RFQ #: 36C24822Q1180 PROJECT TITLE: GENOMIC SERVICES for the Miami VA Healthcare System This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services/items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 in conjunction with FAR Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This combined synopsis/solicitation is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ) 36C24822Q1180. Submit written quotes in accordance with Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors. Oral quotes will not be accepted. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC-2022-04 / 01-26-2021. North American Industrial Classification Standard (NAICS) 621511, Medical Laboratories, with a Size Standard of $35.0M. Miami VA Healthcare Network intends to award a single firm fixed price contract for Genomic Services. This procurement is a 100% Total Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside and all eligible quoters are encouraged to submit quotes. To be eligible for award quoter must be Verified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) (https://www.vetbiz.va.gov) and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of the close of the RFQ and at the time of award. Quote shall be valid 90 days from the close of this solicitation. Questions are due No Later Than Tuesday June 28, 2022, at 4:00 PM ET. Only email questions will be excepted. Email questions to Contracting Officer Scott Frankel at Scott.Frankel@va.gov. Quotes are due no later than Wednesday July 6, 2022, at 4:00 PM ET. Quotes will only be accepted in Microsoft Word or .pdf format by email to: Contracting Officer Scott Frankel at Scott.Frankel@va.gov. Table of Contents SECTION B - 3 B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 3 B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE 5 ITEM INFORMATION 5 B.3 STATEMENT OF WORK 6 SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES 30 C.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 30 C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999) 30 C.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) 30 C.4 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2019) (DEVIATION) 31 C.5 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018) (DEVIATION) 33 SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS 34 SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS 35 E.1 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS COMMERCIAL ITEMS 35 E.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) 38 E.3 52.212-2 EVALUATION OF QUOTES 38 SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals: CONTRACTOR: (Company Name) (Address) (City-State-Zip) POINT OF CONTACT: PHONE NUMBER: E-MAIL ADDRESS: DUNS #: TAX ID (TIN) #: FSS #: GOVERNMENT: Scott Frankel, Contracting Officer (E): Scott.Frankel@va.gov Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8) Miami Services Team 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL 33125 2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with: [[X] 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (OCT 2018) 3. INVOICES/PAYMENT: Invoices shall be submitted electronically the following month services were performed in accordance with: 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018) Upon acceptance of services. Payments shall be made in arrears upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice. In order to comply with the Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act of 2012 (IPERA), the VA has mandated electronic invoice submission to the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC). VAFSC has partnered with Tungsten Corporation e-Invoicing network, for submissions of all electronic invoices to VA. Tungsten Network electronic invoicing is free to all VA vendors. In order to submit electronic invoices, all VA vendors must register with Tungsten Network by submitting an email to Tungsten Network VA.Registration@tungsten-network.com or calling 1-877-752-0900 option 2 for Enrollment. VA s Electronic Invoice (e-Invoice) system uses a third-party contractor (Tungsten Network) for submission of electronic invoices. Go to this website to begin submitting electronic invoices, free of charge: http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veteransaffairs-us/ For assistance setting up e-Invoice, the below information is provided: Tungsten Network e-Invoice Registration: VA.Registration@tungsten-network.com Tungsten Network e-Invoice Setup Information: (877)752-0900 (Option 2 - Enrollment) Tungsten Network Customer Service: (877)489-6135 OB10 Portal to submit electronic invoices: VA.Registration@ob10.com VAFSC for Invoice receipt or payment questions, call: (877)353-9791 or VAFSC Email: vafsccshd@va.gov FACSIMILE, E-MAIL, AND SCANNED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF SUBMISSION FOR PAYMENT REQUESTS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation numbered and dated as follows: AMENDMENT NO DATE ___________ __________ ___________ __________ ___________ __________ CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under this contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitment or issue changes that will affect price, quantity or quality of performance of this contract. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in cost incurred thereof. B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE ITEM INFORMATION CLIN Description of Supplies Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount 0001 10x Genomics SingleCell 3 prime GeneExp Preps (per sample) 9 EA 0002 Illumina NovaSeq S1-100 (per run) 3 MO Grand Total B.3 Statement of Work Genomic Services Background The Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service requires genomic services to support Merit Review Project: The Multiple Roles of Lysyl Oxidase in Arteriovenous Fistula Failure. These services are needed for Dr. Roberto Vazquez-Padron's laboratory. Cells must be isolated from fresh tissues and taken to sequence the same day. The research laboratory is requesting to complete this work at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Hussman Institute for Human Genomics where they have performed most of their genomic studies during the last five years. The Hussman Institute is one of the best genomic service companies in the US regarding turn-around time, accessibility, technical assistance, and quality. Description / Scope / Objective One of the main goals of the research laboratory is to apply high throughput genomic techniques to understand the relationship between LOX activity and molecular and cellular environment in human AVF. They aim to determine the cellular composition of human veins using the scRNA technique. The Hussman Institute for Human Genomics will perform single nucleus RNA sequencing to identify which cells produce LOX in human vein and AVF. To compare the new data with the existing data in the lab, all samples need to be processed in the same facility to avoid technical variability that may invalidate the study. Performance Requirements The Contractor shall deliver a database with information about the type of cells and the list of genes expressed in each cell for up to 10,000 cells per sample and 50,000 reads per cell. Quantity and Quality Confirmation 10xGenomics 3prime GeX Sample Prep Illumina NovaSeq S1-100 runs (~2 Billion pass-filter reads per run) Data delivery of fastq files The Contractor shall complete the services between 6-and 8 weeks after cells pass quality control. The Contractor shall use skilled professionals and must provide all labor, equipment, tools, material, supervision, and other services necessary to perform the job as defined in this Statement of Work. 4.0 Applicable Documents The following laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in effect on date of contract issuance and all subsequent changes or updates apply: FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation VAAR Veterans Administration Acquisition Regulation GLOSSARY: CAP College of American Pathologists CLIA Clinical Laboratory Improvement ACT CO Contracting Officer COR Contracting Officer s representative FDA Food and Drug Administration PM Preventive Maintenance FSS Federal Supply Schedule NAC National Acquisition Center VISTA Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture PWS Performance Work Statement P&LMS Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service SOW Statement of Work MVAHS Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES C.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): (End of Clause) FAR Number Title Date 52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS DEC 2014 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS COMMERCIAL ITEMS OCT 2018 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS DEC 2013 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING MAY 2018 852.270-1 REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS JAN 2008 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS NOV 2018 C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days of the expiration of this contract. Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. This includes options under FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which applies to this solicitation. Evaluation of options under FAR 52.217-8 will be accomplished by using the prices offered for the last option period to determine the price for a 6-month option period, which will be added to the base and other option years to arrive at the total price. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). NOTE: The specified rates under this clause will be those rates in effect under the contract each time an option is exercised under this clause. (End of Clause) C.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000) (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 5 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 7 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 4 years. (End of Clause) C.4 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2019) (DEVIATION) (a) Definition. For the Department of Veterans Affairs, Service-disabled veteran owned small business concern or SDVOSB : (1) Means a small business concern: (i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled Veterans or eligible surviving spouses (see VAAR 802.101, Surviving Spouse definition); (ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled Veterans (or eligible surviving spouses) or, in the case of a service-disabled Veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such Veteran; (iii) The business meets Federal small business size standards for the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code identified in the solicitation document; (iv) The business has been verified for ownership and control pursuant to 38 CFR part 74 and is so listed in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database (https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov); and (v) The business will comply with VAAR subpart 819.70 and Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations regarding small business size and government contracting programs at 13 CFR part 121 and 125, including the nonmanufacturer rule and limitations on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 121.406 and 125.6, provided that any reference therein to a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern (SDVO SBC), is to be construed to apply to a VA verified and VIP-listed SDVOSB. The nonmanufacturer rule and the limitations on subcontracting apply to all SDVOSB and VOSB set-asides and sole source contracts. (2) Service-disabled Veteran means a Veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16). (b) General. (1) Offers are solicited only from eligible service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. Only VIP-listed service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns (SDVOSBs) may submit offers in response to this solicitation. Offers received from concerns that are not VIP-listed service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns shall not be considered. (2) Any award resulting from this solicitation shall be made to a VIP-listed service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern that meets the size standard for the applicable NAICS code. (c) Representation. By submitting an offer, the prospective contractor represents that it is an eligible SDVOSB as defined in this clause, 38 CFR part 74, and VAAR subpart 819.70. Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(e), only VIP-listed SDVOSBs are considered eligible. Therefore, any reference in 13 CFR part 121 and 125 to a service disabled veteran-owned small business concern (SDVO SBC), is to be construed to apply to a VA verified and VIP-listed SDVOSB and only such concern(s) qualify as similarly situated. The offeror must also be eligible at the time of award. (d) Agreement. Agreement. When awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101, Definitions), including orders under multiple-award contracts, or a subcontract, an SDVOSB agrees that in the performance of the contract, the SDVOSB shall comply with requirements in VAAR subpart 819.70 and SBA regulations on small business size and government contracting programs at 13 CFR part 121 and 125, including the nonmanufacturer rule and limitations on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR part 121.406 and 125.6, provided that for purposes of the limitations on subcontracting, only VIP-listed SDVOSBs shall be considered eligible and/or similarly situated (i.e., a firm that has the same small business program status as the prime contractor). An independent contractor shall be considered a subcontractor. An otherwise eligible firm further agrees to the following: (1) Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs. (2) Supplies or products. (i) In the case of a contract for supplies or products (other than from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs. (ii) In the case of a contract for supplies from a nonmanufacturer, it will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless a waiver as described in 13 CFR 121.406(b)(5) is granted. (3) General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, it will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs. (4) Special trade contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, it will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs. (5) Subcontracting. Any work that a VIP-listed SDVOSB subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the percent of subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. For supply or construction contracts, cost of materials is excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. For mixed contracts and additional limitations, refer to 13 CFR 125.6. (e) Joint ventures. A joint venture may be considered an SDVOSB if the joint venture is listed in VIP and complies with the requirements in 13 CFR 125.18(b), provided that any reference therein to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern or SDVO SBC, is to be construed to mean a VIP-listed SDVOSB. A joint venture agrees that, in the performance of the contract, the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (d) of this clause will be performed by the aggregate of the joint venture participants. (f) Precedence. For any inconsistencies between the requirements of the SBA program for service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns and the VA Veterans First Contracting Program, as defined in VAAR subpart 819.70 and this clause, the VA Veterans First Contracting Program requirements have precedence. (End of Clause) C.5 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018) (DEVIATION) (a) This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2019) (DEVIATION) (b) Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6. The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to Contractor's offices where the Contractor's business records, or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor's compliance with this requirement. (c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. (d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement. (End of clause) SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS Left Blank 36C24822Q1180 Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of Page 26 of 26 Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS E.1 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS COMMERCIAL ITEMS Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation: Submit your company s quote in writing via email utilizing either PDF or Word format. You may not submit more than one quote. If a concern submits more than one quote all quotes will be rejected, and the company will be considered nonresponsive. Quotes received that do not include all information in accordance with this RFQ will be considered unacceptable and the company will be deemed nonresponsive. Information to be submitted: Provide the following information on the first page of your quote: Contractor s Cover Page Contractor: Address: (address line 1) (address line 2) (City, State Zip Code) Point of Contact: Phone Number: Email Address: DUNS: Second page, provide the following information: All quotes shall include at a minimum a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: The terms and conditions contained in the RFQ are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion or addition. Or The terms and conditions in the RFQ are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following: ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows: AMENDMENT NO DATE The above amendment section must be filled out if an Amendment(s) is sent to the offeror or posted on Contract Opportunities at https://beta.sam.gov and must be returned with the RFQ package. Failure to acknowledge amendment(s) may constitute rejection of the offer. The Government intends to award a contract as a result of this RFQ to the responsible quoter whose quote conforms to the RFQ requirements and is the lowest price. Quotes will be evaluated for acceptability only and shall not be rated. Quoters must be determined responsible per the standards of FAR Part 9 to be eligible for award. Quoter shall complete Section B.2 Price/ Cost Schedule. Quoter shall at a minimum provide a statement that the service meets all requirements of the Statement of Work. Quoter shall provide up to five (5) past performance references of a Federal, State, local government, or private contracts under which Quoter has provided similar services, of similar size and complexity required in this solicitation within the last five (5) years. Quoter shall provide a completed copy of the Limitation of Subcontracting Certification. Provide a narrative description of the service rendered and how it is like the services required by this solicitation. Facility/ Company Name: Address: Phone Number: Point of Contact: Start/End of contract: Narrative: Subject: Compliance with 13 C.F.R. 125.6 DATE: Contractor Point of Contact: Business Name: DUNS #: Solicitation Number: 36C24822Q1180 Offerors are required to comply with 13 C.F.R. 125.6. Offerors are to check which block applies: [ ] I certify that no subcontractors are anticipated in performing services under this contract. [ ] I certify that my company and those anticipated subcontractors that are similarly situated, are estimated to receive at least 50% of the value of this contract. I understand that a similarly situated subcontractor must meet the size standard for NAICS assigned by the prime and must be in certified in VIP. Please provide the following information to identify and calculate the cost of the work self-performed and what is subcontracted. Contractor DUNs Number Description of Work COST of work in % Total % of value of contract by Prime Contractor ____________ Total % of value of contract by similarly situated subcontractors ____________ WARNING: Severe Penalties for Contractors that violate the Limitations on Subcontracting Rule: If caught during the performance violating the FAR government subcontracting rules or limitations on subcontracting clause under the Code of Federal Regulations 13 C.F.R. 125.6(g), there can be stiff penalties: Whoever violates the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in 15 U.S.C. 645(d), except that the fine shall be treated as the greater of $500,000 or the dollar amount spent, in excess of permitted levels, by the entity on subcontractors. A party's failure to comply with the spirit and intent of a subcontract with a similarly situated entity may be considered a basis for debarment on the grounds, including but not limited to, that the parties have violated the terms of a Government contract or subcontract pursuant to FAR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i) (48 CFR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i)). Contracting Officers may require the contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during the performance of the contract by having the Contractor provide invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed. IAW 1001 of Title 18, I certify the above representations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. _________________________________________________ ____________ (Contractor) Date Return this certification via email to: Scott.Frankel@va.gov E.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/ (End of Provision) FAR Number Title Date 52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT OCT 2018 52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING AUG 2020 52.204-24 52.212-1 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS OCT 2020 JUN 2020 (End of Addendum to 52.212-1) E.3 52.212-2 EVALUATION OF QUOTES Basis for Award Commercial Items is applicable to this procurement. This requirement will be awarded to a responsible contractor whose proposal represents the best value to the Government, considering price and technical factors, with technical and past performance factors more important than price. The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that a quote is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). Evaluation factors will be considered in descending order of importance: Technical Capability: Provide technical performance plan and proof of applicable certifications, license, and insurance. Past Performance: Prospective contractors may provide a list of five business references for which the contractor performed the same or similar scope as required in the statement of work. The reference information shall include: name of business; name and title of point of contact; brief description of services performed; and date services performed. Contractor s Proposed Rate for: Providing One Year Base Period. Limitation of Subcontracting: Completed Form indicating that the Prime SDVOSB is performing at least 51% of the cost/work. Following receipt of quotes, the Government will perform a comparative evaluation of the services quoted. The Government will compare quotes to one another to select the service that best benefits the Government by fulfilling the requirement. The evaluation of Government requirements outlined in this request for quote will determine suitability. Once the Government determines there is/are a contractor(s) that can provide a service that meet(s) the requirements of this request for quote, the Government reserves the right to communicate with only those contractors quoting the best-suited service to address any remaining issues. The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that a quote is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). TECHNICAL APPROACH OUTLINE (TAO): The quoter shall provide its proposed solution to meeting the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). The TAO shall clearly demonstrate the quoter s understanding of the requirement and that the contractor is capable of meeting the specific tasks listed in the PWS. This document shall describe in detail the activities and measurable outcomes required to implement and perform its proposed solution. The government will evaluate the quoter s Technical Approach to determine the manner and extent to which the quoter s proposed technical approach will meet the government s objectives as described in the PWS and the requirements in the RFQ. The government will evaluate the quoter s TAO based on its feasibility and appropriateness in accomplishing the objectives of the PWS and this RFQ. Additionally, the government will evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness applied in the TAO, effectiveness of the schedule, and work approach. The government will also evaluate the quoters on the clarity of their approach and their ability to convey to the government their capability to perform the requirements of the PWS and this RFQ with minimal risk and cost-effective ideas. PAST PERFORMANCE: Past Performance Information and Retrieval System (PPIRS) information and Dun and Bradstreet will be utilized for the past performance evaluation. The Government shall review available past performance data in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System found in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System found at https://fapiis.ppirs.gov/. Quoters shall identify up to five (5) current or recently completed (within the last five [5] years) contracts that are the same or similar in volume, complexity and dollar value to the contract being solicited herein. Quoter shall provide the information as fully set forth in Paragraph E.1, page 19 of this solicitation. Additionally, the Government reserves the right to obtain past performance information from any available source and may contact customers other than those identified by the offeror when evaluating past performance. PRICE EVALUATION: The Quoter's Total Evaluated Price (TEP) will be determined by multiplying each price proposed in the schedule by the applicable estimated quantity and adding all of these together. The Quoter s TEP will be evaluated by the Contracting Officer for reasonableness. The individual prices proposed in the ...