R -- Litigation Support

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format of Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only written solicitation; Proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. All proposals must reference the RFP number S-LMAQM-02-R-0016 and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 97-23 and are provided in this synopsis/solicitation. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 541110. The size standard is $5.0M. The proposed contract is a time and material with fixed rates. The contract will have a base year with two (2) 1year option periods. Selection will be based on best value utilizing Technical/Past Performance, and Cost. Technical is weighted more than Cost. All offerors must comply with the following Statement of Work and CLINS in order to be considered. DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT PURPOSE: The purpose of this contract is to provide the Department of State (DOS) with litigation support to effectively defend the Department in litigation pending before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Under the direction of the Department?s Office of the Legal Adviser, the contractor shall represent the DOS in the litigation by dedicating a team of highly experienced litigation personnel and support services to the case. BACKGROUND A former employee has filed an action against the DOS with the Washington, D.C. Regional Office of the MSPB. The former employee alleges that various current and former high level officials at the DOS retaliated against her because she made numerous protected disclosures to Congress and the media regarding waste, fraud and abuse at the United Nations. Specifically, the former employee complains of a poor performance rating and other acts, which she claims ultimately, led to her removal from the DOS. The former employee?s allegations have been the subject of extensive media coverage and have garnered the attention of a significant number of members of Congress. The Department has been defending the litigation before the MSPB for approximately one-year. To date, the parties have completed two rounds of written discovery and filed the concomitant motions. The parties have produced more than 3200 pages of documents. The former employee has been deposed along with one Department official. Additional depositions can be expected along with various pre-hearing briefs. The DOS estimates that the hearing in this matter could involve as many as thirty-five witnesses and proceed for as many as 40 days. USER ORGANIZATION Within the Department, the Office of the Legal Adviser will direct and monitor the services provided under this contract. The headquarters of the Office of the Legal Adviser is located at U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520. STATEMENT OF WORK Technical Requirements Offerors shall describe their litigation department and its approach to large, complex cases involving senior level officials. The offeror shall provide clear demonstrated examples of their expertise in litigating such cases. In addition, a description of the firm?s practice in the areas of employment law, government relations, and litigation before administrative agencies or bodies shall be provided. To the extent the offeror has had experience dealing with the issues relating to whistleblowers, US Congressional appropriations and/or US funding of international organizations, it shall be described. All offerors shall also describe their past experience in representing government agencies and U.S., state or foreign governments. Demonstrated Experience of Litigation team An original and two copies of each resume shall be provided for all personnel proposed. DOS intends to include a key personnel clause. The Offeror understands that a partial basis for award of