Small Business Study - Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA)

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with 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-0011 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 2005-72. The Government contemplates the award of a single firm-fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation. 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. Submission of written quotes must be in accordance with FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Quoters, Commercial Items. Verbal offers 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. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT/SPECS/WORK STATEMENT See attached PWS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Period of performance shall be 12 months from date of award. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: All work shall be performed at the contractor facility in support of the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration. INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTES: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (Jul 2013), Addendum: Quotes submitted in response to this RFQ shall be formatted in accordance with the instructions provided. Vendors shall furnish quotes in electronic form. Quotes shall be submitted as its own document in MS Word or Adobe Acrobat format. The total page count for all volumes of the quote should not exceed 25 pages. Excess pages may not be evaluated. Cover pages, cover letters, tables of contents, and appendices are included in the page count. Submission of proprietary information is not desired. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. A standard Arial or Times New Roman 11 point minimum font applies. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font not to be less than 8 point font. Margins shall be set at 1". The submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. All pages shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name and date. Electronic versions only of the quote shall be submitted to Robert Atchison (contact@example.gov) by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 17 April 2014. The quote shall include a complete discussion of the factors identified below: Technical Approach Price EVALUATION OF QUOTE: 52.212-2: Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Contractor whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be the best value to the Government- price and other factors considered. Technical and Past Performance, when combined, are more important than Price. 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 literature review, data sources, and methodologies proposed for analysis and their appropriateness to the overall research being conducted relevant to the PWS. 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 quote 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 quote's technical approach, no doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a complete understanding and methodology for completing the PWS within the standards and workload specified. Good - Based on the quote's technical approach, little doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows an acceptable understanding and methodology for completing the PWS within the standards and workload specified. Marginal - Based on the quote's technical approach, some doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach shows a marginal understanding and methodology for completing the PWS within the standards and workload specified. Poor - Based on the quote's technical approach, serious doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort. The technical approach demonstrates significant deficiencies in understanding and implementing performance of the PWS 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 quote. 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 PWS. The Government will assess the relevant risks associated with each quote to determine technical acceptance. Performance risks are those associated with an quote's likelihood of success in performing the acquisition requirements as indicated by that quote's record of past performance and knowledge and experience of the research in the fields relevant to this PWS. For those quoters who have prior contractual experience, 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 quote's adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance; the quote's reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction; and generally, the quote's business-like concern for the interest of the customer. The Government will consider the number or severity of an quote's problems, the effectiveness of corrective actions taken, the quote'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 quote's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, no doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort of the PWS. Good- Based on the quote's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, little doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort of the PWS. Marginal- Based on the quote's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, some doubt exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort of the PWS. Poor- Based on the quote's past performance record and/or qualifications and knowledge of the field, serious doubts exists that the quote will successfully perform the required effort of the PWS. C. Probability 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 quote's quote, no doubt exists that the quote'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 quote's quote, little doubt exists that the quote'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 quote's quote, some doubt exists that the quote'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 quote's quote, serious doubt exist that the quote'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 PRICE: Reasonableness: The Government will evaluate price and determine price reasonableness based on comparative, competitive pricing among the quotes received as compared to the Government's own Independent Cost Estimate. The reasonableness of proposed price and shall also be assessed by the acceptability of the Contractor's methodology used in developing the price estimates. For the price to be reasonable, in its nature and amount, it should be commensurate with what would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of a competitive business. Only reasonable quotes will be considered for award. Unreasonably high or low quotes present a risk to the government in achieving a best-value solution and, therefore, will not be considered. Other relevant information to consider when submitting a quote: 1. Research quotes should include a review of the literature, establish a set of hypotheses to be tested, describe the model, describe the data to test the model, show the policy relevance of the research, list a time line and provide cost information. 2. Some data sources require special access due to privacy concerns. Quoters must sufficiently show how they would gain access to such data if they were to be awarded a contract. If applicable, quotes should include the cost of acquiring or using any databases or data lists. 3. Quotes that include uses of additional survey(s) for information should demonstrate familiarity with survey procedures, provide the source for respondents, provide collection details and provide realistic estimates of the response rates. Quotes suggesting surveys 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. 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. 4. Previously completed research funded by the Office of Advocacy can give researchers perspective when creating quotes. See http://www.sba.gov/advo/research. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (End of Provision) This requirement is exempt from the Service Contract Act under the authority of Title 29 C.F.R. - 541.300 (subpart D: Professional Employees). 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference HTTP://FARSITE.HILL.AF.MIL https://acquisition.gov/far/index.html 52.204-7 -- System for Award Management (Jul 2013) 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (Nov 2013) 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): FAR - https://www.acquisition.gov/FAR/ FAR - http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (JUL 2013) 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (Sept 2013) 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, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.223-18, 52.232-33, and 52.239-1. 52.242-15, Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-- System for Award Management (Jul. 2013) 52.233-3, Protest after Award 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Pub.L.108-77, 108-78). (Oct 2004) 52.246-4, Inspection of Services -- Fixed-Price (Aug. 1996)