RESEARCH ON Who Participates in Innovation Accelerators and Business

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 13.1 and the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number for this requirement is SBAHQ-14-Q-0035 and is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-74. This will be a fixed price contract; this is a total Small Business set-aside; NAICS code is 541720 with a small business size standard of $19.0. Contractors must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (https://www.sam.gov) at time award is issued and throughout performance unless an exemption exists. Verbal quotes will not be accepted. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quote whose offer is conforming to the solicitation, and will be most advantageous to the Government. This is not a request and/or classification for Research & Development services. The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, including past research projects, see http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847 and http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/ for archived reports. Contractors are invited to submit their quotations in response to this notice by 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), July 3, 2014. Only e-mailed requests for additional information will be accepted at contact@example.gov up to June 24, 2014. Quotations submitted in response to this notice shall include the solicitation number in the subject line and be submitted via email only to contact@example.gov . Communications with officials other than indicated above may compromise the competitiveness of this acquisition and result in cancellation of the solicitation and/or exclusion of your quotes from consideration. REQUIREMENTS: There is no incumbent. See attached Statement of Work for further information PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 12 months from date of award PLACE FO PERFORMANCE: All work shall be performed at the contractor facility in support of the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration. BASIS FOR AWARD: Evaluation Procedures found at FAR 13.106-2(b) shall be used in this procurement. The Government will award a firm fixed-price purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Contractor whose quote conforming to the solicitation; is most advantageous to the Government price and other factors considered. Evaluation Factors The following technical factors will be used in the evaluation of quotes. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA a. Quality of the technical quote and turnaround time; its clarity and demonstrated ability to perform the research in a timely manner. Evaluation shall assess the detailed technical description of how all the required work will be accomplished. This will include evaluation of the novelty of ideas put forth, literature review, demonstrated knowledge of covered literature and subject matter, familiarity with small business research, quality and use of data sources, and soundness of methodologies proposed for analysis and their appropriateness to the overall research being conducted relevant to the Statement of Work. In addition, the project timeline will be assessed to assure that the research report is completed in a timely manner and consistent with the methodologies prescribed in the quote. Researchers whose quotes include surveys should be mindful of the Paperwork Reduction Act and OMB clearance. For a good or excellent evaluation, the contractor must show the ability to accomplish the desired results and demonstrate the quality of work in providing services in a timely fashion. The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information: Excellent - Based on the contractor's technical approach, no doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a complete understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified. Good - Based on the contractor's technical approach, little doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows an acceptable understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified. Marginal - Based on the contractor's technical approach, some doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a marginal understanding and methodology for completing the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified. Poor - Based on the contractor's technical approach, serious doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach demonstrates significant deficiencies in understanding and implementing performance of the Statement of Work within the standards and workload specified. b. Researcher qualifications, experience (including past performance), if applicable and knowledge of literature in this field. The evaluation will be based on the information obtained in the quote and, when necessary, from other references provided by the contractor. It will also look at other relevant past performance information. The evaluation will consider: (1) the qualifications of the researcher(s) relevant to the analysis being performed in the quote and (2) knowledge and previous experience in researching the topic as stated in the Statement of Work. The Government will assess the relevant risks associated with each contractor to determine technical acceptance. Performance risks are those associated with a contractor's likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that contractor's record of past performance and knowledge and experience of the research in the fields relevant to this Statement of Work. For those Contractors who have contractual prior experiences, the Government will focus on the past performance as it relates to all acquisition requirements, such as cost, schedule and performance, including standards of good workmanship; the contractor's adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the contractor's reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and generally, the contractor's business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The Government will consider the number or severity of an contractor's problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the contractor's overall work record, and the age and relevance of past performance information. The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information: Excellent - Based on the contractor's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, no doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work. Good - Based on the contractor's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, little doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work. Marginal - Based on the contractor's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, some doubt exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work. Poor - Based on the contractor's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, serious doubts exists that the contractor will successfully perform the required effort of the Statement of Work. c. Likelihood that this research will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, offer policy relevant results, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood. The evaluation will assess the quality of the quote based on its overall potential contribution to the literature in terms of innovativeness, policy relevance, or furthering the debate. The following rating method shall be used in the evaluation of the technical approach information: Excellent - Based on the contractor's quote, no doubt exists that the contractor's quote will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood. Good - Based on the contractor's quote, little doubt exists that the contractor's quote will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood. Marginal - Based on the contractor's quote, some doubt exists that the contractor's quote will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood Poor - Based on the contractor's quote, serious doubt exist that the contractor's quote will make a fundamental contribution to the literature, produce an innovative concept or idea, or develop new ground that has previously not been fully mined or understood. Other information of relevance when submitting a quote: Research quotes should include a review of the literature, establish a set of hypotheses to be tested, describe the model, and describe the data to test the model, show the policy relevance of the research, list a timeline, include resumes for relevant subject matter and technical experts who will conduct and present the research. Some data sources require special access due to privacy concerns. Quotes must document the proposed process for acquiring access to such data if such data is proposed for use under this award. All costs associated with performing this service shall be inclusive of the offered fixed price for the service. Surveys are not preferred over using existing data, as they can place a burden on small businesses, but we recognize that on occasion they are necessary. Quotes that include uses of additional survey(s) for information should: demonstrate familiarity with the proposed survey procedures; provide the source for respondents; provide clarification of the collection process; and provide realistic estimates of the response rates. Quotes suggesting that surveys be conducted need to include the survey approval process in the timeline as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act's clearance process within the Office of Management and Budget (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg_infocoll). Previously completed research funded by the Office of Advocacy can give researchers perspective when creating quotes. See http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/7540 Quotes are strongly preferred to be no longer than 25 pages, not including company credentials and references Price - Each price quote will be evaluated for reasonableness. Price reasonableness is a comparison of the proposed price with the prices proposed by other Contractors, the Government's estimate, current prices for the same or similar services, current market conditions, as well as other relevant measures. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WITH SUBMITTED QUOTES 1. Contractor's shall submit a payment plan utilizing the deliverable schedule located in the SOW. Payment plan will be reviewed for acceptance by the COR during post award/kick-off meeting. 2. Completed copy of FAR provision 52.212-3 (attached) submitted with quote. 3. Completed copy of FAR provision 52.222-52 (attached) submitted with quote. 4. Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly known as the Service Contract Act of 1965): Applicable to this solicitation: Proposed labor rates shall be fully-burdened rates. The Contractor shall be responsible for determining the appropriate labor category and rate in this schedule for his/her personnel, and shall specify the appropriate labor category from this schedule for all personnel proposed. The provisions of 41 U.S.C. chapter 67, Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly known as the Service Contract Act of 1965) applies to all nonprofessional services to be provided under this requirement. The index of applicable wage determinations for this solicitation and resultant contract are shown in Attachment DOL Wage Determination (WD 05-2103 Rev.-13). Some of the proposed labor categories may be subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards (usually nonprofessional categories). As such, the Contractor should verify that its proposed base rates and fringe benefit rates for these labor categories meet or exceed the wage determination rates and fringe benefits for the areas included in the geographic scope of the contract (i.e., Contractor facility); the Contractor will be required to comply with applicable wage determination rates and fringe benefits regardless of the price proposed and awarded on any resultant contract. The Contractor may be required to submit supporting documentation for the proposed rates that will allow the contracting officer to conduct cost analysis to determine that offered prices are fair and reasonable. Contractors must comply with the base rate and fringe benefit rate requirements of the prevailing rate Wage Determination (WD) Revision Number incorporated into the award. In the quote, indicate which proposed labor categories are subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards by placing a double asterisk (**) next to the labor category name. The following paragraph is meant to be instructive and NOT to be copied as part of proposed pricing: Because the place of performance cannot be determined until after award, the WD attached to this solicitation will utilize Washington, D.C. as the place of performance. Interested parties will therefore have to follow the guidance provided in the next paragraph and adjust rates according their respective proposed facilities. Once awardee determination is made, the appropriate WD will be incorporated with Contractors' location. For all the Contractor's identified eligible labor categories, map them to the equivalent labor category title (titles/descriptions available at http://www.wdol.gov - click on the "library" link, then download the SCA Directory of Occupations, 5thEdition). Also identify the WD# that the labor categories in your offer are predicated on. Note that the applicable revision number for any Wage Determination number is the revision number identified in the solicitation index of wage determinations. There are two possible strategies for determining price adjustments under eligible labor categories. All price adjustments under eligible labor categories shall be in accordance with clause 52.222-43. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS/CLAUSES 52.212-3, Contractor Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following additional FAR clauses, as cited in 52.212-5, are included: 52.204-10, 52.209-6, 52.209-10, 52.219-6, 52.219-13, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-36, 52.223-18, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.239-1, 52.222-41. 52.204-7, System for Award Management 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference HTTP://FARSITE.HILL.AF.MIL https://acquisition.gov/far/index.html 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference HTTP://FARSITE.HILL.AF.MIL https://acquisition.gov/far/index.html 52.242-15, Stop Work Order 52.247-34, FOB Destination 52.246-4, Inspection of Services - Fixed Price 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons 52.232-16, Progress Payments 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management 52.233-3, Protest after Award 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin