S72(HFC-AM) May 16, 2007 The following are sample pages Request for Proposal Number N1180070001 Interpretive Planning Services Ladies and Gentlemen: The National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, is soliciting proposals for Interpretive Planning Services which will support the National Park Service. These contracts will be available for use by parks, regions, Harpers Ferry Center, and other entities as approved, for interpretive planning services. Contract administration for the basic contracts will be handled by Harpers Ferry Center. For proposal preparation purposes, it should be assumed that contracts will be awarded on or before August 1, 2007. It is our policy in the solicitation and negotiations of contracts of this type to secure the best qualified offeror to perform the work. We intend to review all proposals received in the most objective manner possible, employing the Technical Evaluation Criteria identified in Section M. Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the methodology described on Pages M-3 and M-4. Please follow the guidelines in Section L for the preparation of both your technical and business management/cost proposals. The National Park Service considers an offeror's past performance to be an important consideration in the evaluation of proposals for this contract award. Therefore, your proposal submission must include information relating to your firm's past performance on similar contracts. The National Park Service will collect evaluations from the clients or customers listed in your proposal during the evaluation phase of this procurement. A suggested letter to send to your clients or customers informing them of this is enclosed. Use of this letter will help us to speed up the evaluation and award process. Now, more than ever, in the face of increasingly limited resources, the National Park Service intends to make use of past performance information in deciding which offerors are most capable of delivering the greatest value to the American public. You should submit an original and four copies of your technical proposal and an original of your business management/cost proposal. Proposals should be mailed to: National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Office of Acquisition Management, Attention: Georgia Mason, Procurement Technician, P.O. Box 50, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0050 or handcarried and/or delivered via courier to: National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Office of Acquisition Management, Attention: Georgia Mason, 230 Zachary Taylor Street, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425. Proposals must be received on or before 4:00 p.m. local prevailing time on June 14, 2007. General and administrative questions concerning this request for proposal should be referred to Georgia Mason, Procurement Technician, whose telephone number is (304) 535-6496. All technical questions should be detailed and submitted either by fax or e-mail to the following: fax number (304) 535-6227 or e-mail address: georgia_mason@nps.gov with a copy to bob_cody@nps.gov. (Collect calls will not be accepted.) Sincerely, JoAnne Grove Contracting Officer Enclosures: (1) Sample Client or Customer Authorization Letter Sample Client or Customer Authorization Letter Dear “Client or Customer”: We are currently responding to a National Park Service Request for Proposal for Interpretive Planning Services. They are placing an increased emphasis in their procurements on past performance as a source selection factor. They are requiring that clients or customers of entities responding to their solicitations be identified and their participation in the evaluation process be requested. In the event you are contacted for information on work we have performed, you are hereby authorized to respond to those inquiries. Our proposal is due to the National Park Service on June 14, 2007, so they will most likely be contacting you in June 2007. They will need a prompt response in order to evaluate and award a contract for this work by their anticipated award date of August 1, 2007. We have identified Mr./Ms. of your organization as the point of contact based on their knowledge concerning our work. Mr./Ms. has been identified as an alternate. Your cooperation is appreciated. Any questions may be directed to . Sincerely, SECTION B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS The contractor shall provide services including labor, materials, equipment, facilities, and travel (except as otherwise specified in this contract) necessary to provide Interpretive Planning Services. 1. FIXED-PRICES -INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT The following hourly fixed rates shall apply for pricing and billing task orders placed under this contract: [TABLE: Left vertical column: (1) Interpretive Planner, (2) Writer/Editor, (3) Media Specialist, (4) blank; Top horizonal column: Year 1, Option Year 2, Option Year 3, Option Year 4, Option Year 5.] B. TRAVEL RATE The rate for actual time in travel shall be one half of the loaded negotiated rate set forth in this contract. 2. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS A. During the period specified in the “Ordering” clause, the contractor will be guaranteed a minimum workload of $5,000 and the maximum workload limit will be $300,000 during one year from the effective date of this contract. B. At the option of the government, this contract may be extended for an additional one year term. If this option is exercised, the government will guarantee a second year minimum workload of $5,000 with a maximum workload limit of $300,000 in the second contract year. The total guaranteed minimum cumulative workload will be $10,000 and the maximum cumulative workload will then become $600,000 for the two-year contract period. C. At the option of the government, this contract may be extended for an additional one year term. If this option is exercised, the government will guarantee a third year minimum workload of $5,000 with a maximum workload limit of $300,000 in the third contract year. The total guaranteed minimum cumulative workload will be $15,000 and the maximum cumulative workload will then become $900,000 for the three-year contract period. D. At the option of the government, this contract may be extended for an additional one year term. If this option is exercised, the government will guarantee a fourth year minimum workload of $5,000 with a maximum workload limit of $300,000 in the fourth contract year. The total guaranteed minimum cumulative workload will be $20,000 and the maximum cumulative workload will then become $1,200,000 for the four-year contract period. E. At the option of the government, this contract may be extended for an additional one year term. If this option is exercised, the government will guarantee a fifth year minimum workload of $5,000 with a maximum workload limit of $300,000 in the fifth contract year. The total guaranteed minimum cumulative workload will be $25,000 and the maximum cumulative workload will then become $1,500,000 for the five-year contract period. F. During the duration of the contract, if the minimum workload is not met in any option year, the contractor agrees to carry over the minimum amount to the following option year. The contractor will be guaranteed $25,000 during the duration of the contract. G. If a Contractor declines work offered by the National Park Service at any time during the contract period, the estimated amount of the project will be subtracted against the minimum guaranteed workload limit in this contract. SECTION C DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT This is a sample work statement 1. BACKGROUND Interpretive planning is a strategic process which, in its implementation, achieves management objectives for interpretation and education by facilitating meaningful connections between visitors and park resources. Interpretive planning comprehensively analyzes all interpretive needs and determines a wide array of interpretive services, facilities, and programs to effectively communicate the park’s purpose, significance, and themes. Interpretive planning is a goal-driven process that determines appropriate means to achieve desired visitor experiences and provides an opportunity for audiences to form their own intellectual and emotional connections with meaning and significance inherent in the resources while protecting and preserving those resources. Education plans generally follow the interpretive planning process and provide more detailed information about working with schools and other community learning organizations. 2. PURPOSE The purpose of these contracts is to provide nationwide interpretive planning services with the primary focus on long-range interpretive planning (LRIP). These services will provide overall vision and long-term interpretive goals. Long-term is defined as a period of five to 10 years. Project size will be determined by the needs of the individual park. 3. SCOPE OF WORK As specified in each individual task order, the contractor shall provide the services listed below which support the interpretive planning and/or education needs of individual parks. Individual task orders may not necessarily contain each element. The individual interpretive and/or education planning services shall be in accordance with Attachment B, Comprehensive Interpretive Planning, National Park Service Interpretation and Education Guideline, dated Fall 2000 or other documents as specified in the individual task order. As specified in the individual task order, these services may include, but are not limited to, working with park personnel to produce a project agreement, draft foundation document and final LRIP that includes all major elements identified in Attachment B, or as otherwise specified in the individual task order. A. Long-Range Interpretive Plans The contractor shall provide the necessary project scoping; workshop planning, note taking, and facilitation; at least four stages of review and incorporation of comments (project agreement, foundation, team draft, and final draft); writing; and production of a final document. All plan elements shall reflect general consensus of planning workshop participants. In all cases, the park has the final determination of plan content. (1) Project Agreement The agreement shall include a brief project background, outline of major plan sections, schedule for workshops, and document preparation and review, list of major team members and responsibilities, and budget. A sample template is provided as Attachment M. (2) Foundation This shall include: (a) Park purpose; (b) Park significance; (c) Primary interpretive themes; (d) Management goals that relate to interpretation and education; (e) Visitor experience goals; (f) Significant issues and influences that relate to interpretation and education; (g) A profile summary of park visitation, visitors, neighbors, and those who may be underrepresented in park visitation; and (h) A summary assessment of existing conditions (facilities, interpretive media, orientation, public programs, educational programs and other visitor services). (3) Team Draft This shall include recommendations for the Future Interpretive Program, which encompasses the Park Interpretation and Education Program. Recommendations shall include: (a) Personal services: Interpretation, education, information, and orientation programs and media; (b) Non-personal services: Interpretive media and facilities to provide interpretation, education, information, and orientation through orientation exhibits, museum exhibits, audiovisual programs, wayside exhibits, outdoor exhibits, and publications; (c) Partnership activities relating to interpretation, education, information, and/or orientation; (d) Evaluation and/or research needs; (e) Interpretive program costs; and (f) Implementation plan. Library and collection needs as well as staffing needs will be provided by the park and/or regional office of interpretation. Recommendations shall reflect current best practices of interpretation and education in achieving desired outcomes as described in Attachment B, Comprehensive Interpretive Planning, National Park Service Interpretation and Education Guideline, dated Fall 2000. (4) Final Draft As specified in the individual task order, the final draft may include written elements as described in previous sections, plus graphics, maps, tables, and photographs needed to adequately communicate essential messages. All images shall possess full rights for public domain. (5) Final Document The final document shall be in accordance with Attachment D, HFC Editorial Style Guide, dated January 2007 or as specified in the individual task order. The final document shall be provided as a hard copy and one CD unless otherwise specified in the task order. The CD shall contain two files, one in Microsoft Word and one in Adobe Acrobat 7.0 PDF. The number of copies of the final draft will be specified in each individual task order and shall be sent to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). B. Other Interpretive and Education Planning Services The contractor may also provide one or more other forms of interpretive planning services in accordance with Attachment A, Planning for Interpretation and Visitor Experience, dated 1998, and edited on April 25, 2007. This may include workshops and/or pre-design charettes and other interpretive educational programs, and shall include elements in common with those described above for a LRIP. Other Interpretive Planning Services include working with park personnel to: (1) Produce a full comprehensive interpretive plan (in accordance with Attachment B) (2) Apply interpretive planning principles, strategies, and methods; (3) Describe desired visitor experiences and techniques for facilitating them; (4) Identify and evaluate interpretive and/or education programming and resources and formulate recommendations for actions to achieve future desired conditions; (5) Create relevant interpretive themes that connect visitors with site significance and the meanings of park resources; (6) Evaluate the effectiveness of interpretation, education, and/or visitor experiences in parks; (7) Match park messages to appropriate interpretive and/or education methods in both media and personal services programming: (8) Develop specific park plans such as an interpretation and education plan, action plan or annual implementation plan; (9) Conduct and facilitate workshops including value analysis or interpretive pre-design charettes; (10) Develop specific interpretive and/or education projects in media and/or personal services programming; (11) Plan for the development of interpretive and/or education media; (12) Renewal of existing LRIP; (13) Travel to selected parks to conduct workshops with park staff and park partners; and (14) Produce a draft plan or report based on the outcomes of those workshops and according to pre-arranged deadlines, soliciting comments from the park, partners, and the regional office on up to three drafts and incorporating comments into subsequent drafts. The contractor may be asked to do all of a plan or various aspects of the planning processes above. (e.g., writing, facilitating, editing, etc.) In the performance of the services under Paragraphs A and B, when a pre-design charette, workshop, educational program or annual implementation plan is required, the following work and/or principals will apply: C. Pre-Design Charette and Workshop Conduct a pre-design charette to brainstorm and fully explore all possible conceptual and pre-design direction as follows: (1) Plan the charette or interpretive workshop. Communicate with the COR, park and client to set the date, time, and meeting locations. Coordinate travel and meeting locations and times. Submit agenda to the COR for review and approval prior to the charette or interpretive workshop. At a minimum, provide a description of the goals, an agenda, a list of materials to be provided by the contractor for use by the participants, and any special facilities or government-furnished equipment or materials needed. (2) Facilitate the charette or interpretive workshop. Ensure that the facility and materials are ready for the charette or interpretive workshop, facilitate the charette or interpretive workshop, record and collect all relevant information, comments, ideas, and products generated. (3) Participate in a charette or interpretive workshop. Attend charette or interpretive workshop set up by the COR. Coordinate travel, times, and locations with the COR. Discuss the role, and review the background information provided. Take notes during the charette or interpretive workshop and provide the COR with a copy of the notes for review and approval. (4) Prepare a report, using information and materials collected during the charette or interpretive workshop, which summarizes the proceedings and submit to the COR for review and approval. (5) Brainstorm ideas for plan content, design, and presentation. D. Interpretive and Educational Programs Effective interpretive and educational programs shall include a variety of services such as informational and orientation programs, interpretive programs, educational programs, and interpretive media. National Park Service (NPS) educational programs are designed to enrich lives and enhance learning, nurturing people's appreciation for parks and other special places, therefore helping to preserve America's heritage. Refer to the following attachments, Attachment L, National Park Service Director’s Order #6: Interpretation and Education, dated January 19, 2005, and Attachment M, National Park Service, Management Policies 2006. To accomplish this, the contractor shall develop interpretive and educational programs according to the following principles: (1) NPS programs are place-based. Programs use national parks and other places as dynamic classrooms where people interact with real places, landscapes, historic structures, and other tangible resources that help them understand meaning, concepts, stories, and relationships. (2) NPS programs are learner-centered. Programs honor personal freedom and interests through a menu of life-long learning opportunities that serve a wide variety of learning styles, encourage personal inquiry, and provoke thought. Programs will accept that visitors have their own individual points of view and will draw their own conclusions. (3) NPS programs are widely accessible. Programs provide learning opportunities, reflect and embrace different cultural backgrounds, ages, languages, abilities, and needs. Programs are delivered through a variety of means, including distance learning, to increase opportunities to connect with and learn from the resources. (4) NPS programs are based on sound scholarship, content methods and audience analysis. Programs are informed by the latest research related to natural and cultural heritage and incorporate contemporary education research and scholarship on effective interpretive and educational methods. Programs create opportunities for visitors to find personal meanings in park resources. (5) NPS programs help people understand and participate in our civil democratic society. Programs highlight the experiences, lessons, knowledge, and ideas embodied in America's national parks and other special places and provide life-long opportunities to engage in civic dialogue. (6) NPS programs incorporate ongoing evaluation for continual program improvement and effectiveness. Programs are regularly evaluated and improved to ensure that they meet program goals and audience needs. (7) NPS programs are collaborative. Where it furthers the NPS mission and is otherwise appropriate, programs are created in partnership with other agencies and institutions to achieve common goals. (8) NPS programs encourage visitors to form their own intellectual and emotional connections with the resource. They facilitate a connection between the interests of the visitor and the meanings of park resources. E. Annual Implementation or Action Plan The Annual Implementation or Action Plan is usually the responsibility of the individual park. However, a park may elect to include this element in a task order. This plan is a one to five year operating plan for the interpretive program. It is a working blueprint referencing and prioritizing actions described in the LRIP, a schedule for actions to be implemented and those responsible for implementation. As specified in the individual task order, it may also includes budget and staffing information, actions and challenges, and a comparison of last year’s program with this year’s program. Refer to Attachment B, Comprehensive Interpretive Planning, National Park Service, Interpretation and Education Guideline, dated Fall 2000 4. TASK ORDER ASSIGNMENTS All work performed under this contract shall be directed by the government through the issuance of individual task orders in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section G. In no event shall the government be responsible for any work performed by the contractor that is not undertaken pursuant to a fully executed task order signed by the Contracting Officer. The government shall furnish, as appropriate, required data, materials, and access to project information necessary to perform the planning and production of work as required. 5. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall produce a LRIP that shall define the overall vision and long-term interpretation and education goals of the park, and recommend practical, achievable ways to accomplish those goals. Alternatively, the contractor shall work to produce a variety of other interpretive planning products or facilitate processes. All of this work requires collaboration with the park, planning team and the COR. 6. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN The final LRIP shall contain the elements described in Attachment B, Comprehensive Interpretive Planning, National Park Service, Interpretation and Education Guideline dated Fall 2000, and all other items as identified in the scope of work. Materials from other interpretive planning activities may contain elements such as interpretive themes, park purpose and significance, from comprehensive interpretive planning, and may contain elements from other relevant guidelines such as the NPS Value Analysis Job Plan. Content for LRIPs and most other planning projects shall be derived from participatory workshops with park staff, regional office staff, subject matter experts, park partners, and stakeholders; participants will be chosen by the government. The contractor shall adhere to the basic principles of interpretive planning in accordance with Attachment B, Comprehensive Interpretive Planning, National Park Service Interpretation and Education Guideline, dated Fall 2000. The LRIP elements shall be reviewed at four stages by the park and the COR. Other planning projects shall be reviewed by the park and COR at appropriate stages as identified in the task order. All review comments developed by the park or planning team as approved by the COR shall be implemented. 7. OWNERSHIP OF PRODUCTS All original copies of documentation produced under this contract are the property of the NPS. The contractor shall not substitute diazo reproducibles for original deliverables. All original and back-up disks used in the development and production of LRIP are the property of the NPS. The NPS’s use of the materials contained on the disks shall not be restricted in any manner. 8. ACCESSIBILITY All work performed under this contract shall be in accordance with Attachment N, Draft Programmatic Accessibility Standards for National Park Service Interpretive Media, dated November 29, 2006. These standards are in the process of being finalized. Once finalized, the contract will be modified to add the final version. SECTION G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA This is a sample section 1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE The person named below is designated as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): To be announced at the time of award The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the contractor's technical progress including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the scope of work; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting the Contracting Officer in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IS RESPONSIBLE AND HAS THE SOLE AUTHORITY FOR DIRECTING AND/OR NEGOTIATING ANY CHANGES IN THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, OR AMOUNTS CITED IN THE CONTRACT. INCREASES IN THE SCOPE OF WORK SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. For guidance from the COR to the contractor to be valid, it must: (1) be consistent with the description of the work set forth in this contract; (2) not constitute new assignment of work or change the expressed terms, conditions, or specifications incorporated into this contract; (3) not constitute a basis for an extension to the period of performance or contract delivery schedule; (4) not constitute a basis for any increase in the total contract value. 2. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR ORDERING, SELECTION AND ISSUANCE OF TASK ORDERS Performance of this contract will be subject to the following ordering and selection procedures, in accordance with FAR 16.505. In the event of conflict between a task order and the contract, the contract shall control. A. SELECTION The government intends to consider for award all like contractors that received an award under Solicitation Number N1180070001, considering any or all of the following factors: (1) Comparable strengths of contractors; (2) Level of creativity and skill; (3) Style and specialized services; (4) Availability of personnel; (5) Past performance on earlier tasks; (6) Level of quality and timeliness of deliverables; (7) Continuity and/or continuation of a previous project; and (8) Price. B. PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING AND RECEIVING TECHNICAL AND/OR COST PROPOSALS After contractor selection occurs, the government may obtain either oral or written proposals from the selected contractor(s). To the extent possible, informal methods and streamlined electronic procedures will be used for obtaining this information. The request will designate (a) the task to be performed; (b) the time for completion or target date; (c) any other requirements specific or unique to the project; and (d) the e-mail address or addresses where responses must be submitted. The contractor shall electronically submit a technical and/or cost proposal using the latest version of Microsoft Word, within two to 10 working days after receipt of a request for proposal. The proposal shall include the following as appropriate to the task: (1) Start date and contract schedule; (2) Key Personnel, with resumes (resumes submitted and evaluated initially do not need to be resubmitted); (3) Person-hours by applicable labor category; (4) Travel; (5) Subcontracts and/or consultants, reflecting the person-hours of effort; (6) Equipment, material costs, postage, and shipping; (7) Other pertinent information, if any; and (8) Total firm-fixed-price. If specific evaluation criteria are not specified in the request for technical and/or cost proposal, the task order will be placed with the contractor providing the lowest price for the work which meets the requirements of the scope of work. However, a price and technical relationship may be specified in the request, which would then take precedence over a low price selection. C. TASK ORDER AWARD Once a task order is awarded, all unsuccessful contractors will be notified orally or thru e-mail of the task order award. Work shall not begin on any task order without the execution by the Contracting Officer of a task order authorizing the work. All task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a task order and the contract, the contract shall control. 3. TASK ORDER CONTRACT OMBUDSMAN The Task Order Contract Ombudsman is: Heidi Ernst, Chief of Contracting, National Park Service, Washington Contract and Procurement Office, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287. In accordance with FAR 16.505 (b)(4), the Task Order Contract Ombudsman will review complaints from contractors regarding issuance of task orders for contract awards under Solicitation Number N1180070001 for Interpretive Planning Services 4. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY The contractor shall be responsible for security and protection of government-furnished property or materials provided in connection with individual task orders (See FAR 52.2452). Following acceptance of all work by the government, the contractor shall return to the Contracting Officer all government-furnished property (reference material furnished or used). 5. TRAVEL In the event that the performance of a specific task order requires travel, the contractor shall be reimbursed for such travel in accordance with the current official standard government Travel Regulations. Only coach class for common carriers shall be reimbursed. While on travel status, the contractor will be compensated for travel time at one-half the negotiated hourly rate contained in Section B. General Services Administration per diem rates can be accessed via the Internet at: http://www.gsa.gov Specifically, travel to the Harpers Ferry Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, or to a Park site may be required. 6. ADDITIONAL WORK Any additional work not detailed in the task order shall be approved, in writing, by the Contracting Officer. 7. LOSS OR DAMAGE The contractor shall be liable for any loss or damage to any government property caused by negligence, theft, or willful misconduct of the contractor, his agents, servants, and employees, and shall indemnify and save the government harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, costs, damages, and expenses, including attorney’s fees, by reason of any suit or action brought for any actual or alleged injury to or resulting from the performance of this contract. The contractor shall submit a full written report to the Contracting Officer within 24 hours following the occurrence of such damage, loss, or injury. If due to fault, neglect, dishonesty of the contractor, his agency or employees, loss or damage to government property is incurred during the performance of this contract, the contractor shall be responsible for same. The government, at its option, may in lieu of repayment, require the contractor to replace at his own expense, all such property as directed by the Contracting Officer. Until the equipment is repaired or replaced, the contractor shall furnish similar, adequate replacement property and/or equipment at no charge to the government, within two working days of the date the equipment has been lost, stolen, or damaged. 8. RIGHT TO PROCURE FROM OTHER SOURCES The government, under the terms of this indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract, retains the right to procure similar services from other sources during the period of this contract and any option thereto. Additionally, the government reserves the right to secure competitive bids, or pricing from other sources for work proposed under this contract. 9. OVERTIME The contractor shall not perform overtime work under or in connection with task orders issued under this contract for which premium compensation is required to be paid, without specific written approval from the Contracting Officer. 10. AUTHORIZED USERS In addition to the National Park Service, all elements of the U.S. Department of the Interior may place task orders on a direct basis with the contractor. In order for another element of the U.S. Department of the Interior to use this contract, authorization, including a task order number, must be obtained from the Harpers Ferry Center Contracting Officer. 11. KEY PERSONNEL The individual(s) named below are considered "key personnel" for the performance of all requirements under this contract. The list of key personnel may not be amended during the course of the contract without the written approval of the Contracting Officer. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other projects, the contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the effect on the program. 12. RIGHTS IN DATA - SPECIAL WORKS (FAR 52.227-17) (JUN 1987) A. DEFINITIONS "Data," as used in this clause, means recorded information regardless of form or the medium on which it may be recorded. The term includes technical data and computer software. The term does not include information incidental to contract administration, such as financial, administrative, cost or pricing or management information. "Unlimited Rights," as used in this clause, means the right of the government to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly, in any manner and for any purpose whatsoever, and to have or permit others to do so. B. ALLOCATION OF RIGHTS (1) The government shall have-- (a) Unlimited rights in all data delivered under this contract, and in all data first produced in the performance of this contract, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause for copyright. (b)The right to limit exercise of claim to copyright in data first produced in the performance of this contract, and to obtain assignment of copyright in such data, in accordance with subparagraph (c)(1) of this clause. (c) The right to limit the release and use of certain data in accordance with paragraph (d) of this clause. (2) The contractor shall have, to the extent permission is granted in accordance with subparagraph (c)(1) of this clause, the right to establish claim to copyright subsisting in data first produced in the performance of this contract. C. COPYRIGHT (1) Data first produced in the performance of this contract. (a) The contractor agrees not to assert, establish, or authorize others to assert or establish, any claim to copyright subsisting in any data first produced in the performance of this contract without prior written permission of the Contracting Officer. When claim to copyright is made, the contractor shall affix the appropriate copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402 and acknowledgment of government sponsorship (including contract number) to such data when delivered to the government, as well as when the data are published or deposited for registration as a published work in the U.S. Copyright Office. The contractor grants to the government, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, world-wide license for all such data to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the government. (b) If the government desires to obtain copyright in data first produced in the performance of this contract and permission has not been granted as set forth in subdivision (c)(1)(i) of this clause, the Contracting Officer may direct the contractor to establish, or authorize the establishment of, claim to copyright in such data and to assign, or obtain the assignment of, such copyright to the government or its designated assignee. (2) Data not first produced in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall not, without prior written permission of the Contracting Officer, incorporate in data delivered under this contract any data not first produced in the performance of this contract and which contain the copyright notice of 17 U.S.C. 401 or 402, unless the contractor identifies such data and grants to the government, or acquires on its behalf, a license of the same scope as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1) of this clause. D. RELEASE AND RESTRICTIONS Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this contract, the contractor shall not use for purposes other than the performance of this contract, nor shall the contractor release, reproduce, distribute, or publish any data first produced in the performance of this contract, nor authorize others to do so, without written permission of the Contracting Officer. E. INDEMNITY The contractor shall indemnify the government and its officers, agents, and employees acting for the government against any liability, including costs and expenses, incurred as the result of the violation of trade secrets, copyrights, or right of privacy or publicity, arising out of the creation, delivery, publication, or use of any data furnished under this contract; or any libelous or other unlawful matter contain in such data. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply unless the government provides notice to the contractor as soon as practicable of any claim or suit, affords the contractor an opportunity under applicable laws, rules, or regulations to participate in the defense thereof, and obtains the contractor's consent to the settlement of any suit or claim other than as required by final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; nor do these provisions apply to material furnished to the contractor by the government and incorporated in data to which this clause applies. 13. PROMPT PAYMENT ACT A. The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-117 (96 Stat. 85, 31 USC 1801), amended by Public Law 100-496, is applicable to payments under this contract and is hereby incorporated by reference. The full text, FAR 52.232-25 (MAR 2001), is available upon request. NOTE: Paragraph a(6)(i) of the Prompt Payment Clause which states constructive acceptance will occur on the 7th day is hereby changed to read as follows: "For the sole purpose of computing an interest penalty that might be due the contractor, government acceptance shall be deemed to have occurred constructively on the 30th day after the contractor delivered the supplies or performed the services in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, unless there is a disagreement over quantity, quality, or contractor compliance with a contract provision. In the event that actual acceptance occurs within the constructive acceptance period, the determination of an interest penalty shall be based on the actual date of acceptance. The constructive acceptance requirement does not, however, compel government officials to accept supplies or services, perform contract administration functions, or make payment prior to fulfilling their responsibilities." B. Determination of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions therein. 14. PAYMENT DUE DATE Payments under this contract will be due on the 30th calendar day after the latter of: A. The date of actual receipt of a proper invoice in the office designated to receive the invoice NOTE: THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INVOICES MAILED OR HAND-CARRIED TO ANY OTHER ADDRESS; or, B. The date the supplies or services are accepted by the government. The date of the check shall be considered the date payment is made. 15. PAYMENT PROVISIONS FOR TASK ORDERS AWARDED UNDER THIS CONTRACT Upon delivery and acceptance of individual projects completed as part of this contract, the government will pay to the contractor the negotiated fixed-price for each task order. Each fixed-price shall be negotiated between the parties and a task order issued prior to commencement of work by the contractor. Payment will be made in the form of a lump sum for each completed task order upon acceptance of the work and submission of a proper invoice. Partial payments may be authorized based upon a completion, delivery and payment schedule stated in the task order. 16. SUBMISSION OF INVOICES Invoices shall be submitted in an original to the government office designated in this contract or the task order to receive invoices. To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice must include the following information: A. Name and address of the contractor; B. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); C. Invoice date; D. Contract number or other authorization for supplies delivered or services performed (including order number and contract line item number); E. Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed; F. Shipping and payment terms (e.g., shipment number and date of shipment, prompt payment discount terms). Bill of lading number and weight of shipment will be shown for shipments on government bills of lading; G. Name and address of contractor official to whom payment is to be sent (must be the same as that in the contract or in a proper notice of assignment); H. Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to be notified in event of a defective invoice; I. Any other information or documentation required by other requirements of the contract (such as evidence of shipment). 17. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION A. The National Park Service Contract Specialist is Robert Cody, whose address is: National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Office of Acquisition Management, P.O. Box 50, 230 Zachary Taylor Street, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0050. The contractor shall use the Contracting Officer as a point of contact on all business and administrative matters concerning this contract. All correspondence, other than that of a technical nature, shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer, with information copies of the basic correspondence to the COR. B. The National Park Service, COR address is: National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Attention: [Name of COR], P.O. Box 50, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0050. The contractor shall use the COR as the point of contact for all technical matters under the contract. Technical correspondence shall be addressed to the NPS COR, with an information copy of the basic correspondence to the Contracting Officer. 18. FACILITY SECURITY POLICY Contractors attending meetings or accomplishing work within the buildings or real property of the National Park Service shall adhere to the security policy of each office. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to contact the office before work begins for a briefing on security policies. 19. REPORTS The contractor shall prepare a status report every six months which shall contain a listing of all task orders and a summary of the work accomplished during the reporting period. Reports shall be in sufficient detail to disclose all work started and results achieved during the reporting period, an indication of any current problems that may impede performance, the proposed corrective action, and the completion date. Each status report shall be submitted to the COR of this basic contract with a copy to the Contracting Officer. Reports shall be submitted in CD format. Text shall be in the latest version of Microsoft Word. Tables shall be in Excel Spreadsheet format. Alternate formats may be used if approved, in writing, by the Contracting Officer. 20. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING Proposals and/or cost estimates prepared and submitted in response to any request under this contract shall be at no cost to the government. SECTION J LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS This is a sample section 1. Attachment A Planning for Interpretation and Visitor Experience Division of Interpretive Planning, Harpers Ferry Center Eastablished in 1998, Edited April 25, 2007, 54 pages 2. Attachment B Comprehensive Interpretive Planning National Park Service Interpretation and Education Guideline Dated Fall 2000 http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/ip.htm# 3. Attachment C NPS Interpretive Development Program home page, Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/idp/interp/index.htm 4. Attachment D HFC Editorial Style Guide, Dated January 2007, 21 Pages Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/pdf/hfc-style-guide-2007.pdf 5. Attachment E National Park Service Evaluation Guidelines, 1 Page. Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/evaluate-guidelines.htm 6. Attachment F NPS Exhibit Conservation Guidelines, Dated March 30, 2000, 370 Pages Ordering information can be accessed at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/products/cons/ex-con-guidelines.htm 7. Attachment G ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities Available via the Internet at: http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.htm 8. Attachment H National Park Service Standard Planning and Design Specifications, Dated December 2006, 106 Pages http://www.nps.gov/hfc/pdf/ex/ex-plan-design-dec2006.pdf 9. Attachment I National Park Service Standard Exhibit Fabrication Specifications, Dated December 2006, 80 Pages Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/pdf/ex/ex-fab-specs-2006.pdf 10. Attachment J National Park Service Wayside Exhibit Map Standards, Dated May 2005, 14 Pages Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/pdf/waysides/map-standards.pdf 11. Attachment K Digital Image Guide for Media Production, Dated December 2006, 9 Pages Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/hfc/pdf/digital-image-guide-dec06.pdf 12. Attachment L National Park Service, Director’s Order #6: Interpretation and Education Dated January 19, 2005 Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DOrder6.html 13. Attachment M National Park Service, Management Policies Dated 2006 Available via the Internet at: http://www.nps.gov/policy/mp2006.pdf 14. Attachment N National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Project Agreement Template 9 Pages 15. Attachment O Draft Programmatic Accessibility Standards for National Park Service Interpretive Media, Dated November 29, 2006, 29 pages 16. Attachment P SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, 4 Pages 17. Attachment Q DI-1963, Certification Regarding Lobbying, 2 Pages 18. Attachment R Proposal Summary and Data Sheet, 1 Page 19. Attachment S Past Performance Questionnaire, 7 Pages 20. Attachment T Sample of Work Form, 1 Page 20. Attachment U ACH Payment Enrollment Form, 1 Page SECTION L INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITION, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS This is a sample section 1. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FAR 52.252-1) (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 address: http://www.arnet.gov FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) NUMBER DATE TITLE 52.215-1 JAN 2004 INSTRUCTION TO OFFERORS- COMPETITIVE ACQUIISTION - 2. AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN PROVISIONS (FAR 52.252-5) (APR 1984) A. The use in this solicitation of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the provision. B. The use in this solicitation of any Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 14) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition. 3. TYPE OF CONTRACT (FAR 52.216-1) (APR 1984) The government contemplates award of up to eight firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts resulting from this solicitation. 4. INQUIRIES Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation document should be submitted via e-mail to georgia_mason@nps.gov with a copy to bob_cody@nps.gov. All questions must reference specific parts of the solicitation including page numbers. 5. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST NOTIFICATION A. The prospective Contractor certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it is not aware of any information bearing on the existence of any potential organizational conflict of interest. If the prospective Contractor cannot so certify, it should provide a disclosure statement in its proposal which describes all relevant information concerning any past, present, or planned interests bearing on whether it (including its chief executives and directors, or any proposed consultant or subcontractor) may have a potential organizational conflict of interest. B. Prospective Contractors should refer to FAR Subpart 9.5 for policies and procedures for avoiding, neutralizing, or mitigating organizational conflicts of interest. C. If the Contracting Officer determines that a potential conflict exists, the prospective Contractor should not receive an award unless the conflict can be avoided or otherwise resolved through the inclusion of a special contract clause or other appropriate means. The terms of any special clause are subject to negotiation. 6. SERVICE OF PROTEST (FAR 52.233-2) (AUG 1996) (DEVIATION) A. Protests, as defined in Section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the General Accounting Office (GAO), or the General Services Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA) should be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from: JoAnne Grove, Contracting Officer National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center Office of Acquisition Management PO Box 50, 230 Zachary Taylor Street Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425-0050 B. The copy of any protest should be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO. C. A copy of the protest served on the Contracting Officer should be simultaneously furnished by the protester to Department of the Interior, Assistant Solicitor for Procurement and Patents, WASO, 1849 C Street, N.W., Room 6511, Washington, DC 20240. 7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT COST PROPOSAL The technical portion of your proposal will be the most important single factor in the evaluation of offers, price and other factors are considered. Your proposal should be typewritten or reproduced on letter-sized paper and should be legible in all required copies. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures or other presentations beyond that sufficient to present a complete and effective proposal are not desired and may be construed as an indication of the offeror's lack of cost consciousness. Elaborate presentation aids are neither necessary nor wanted. YOUR PROPOSAL SHOULD BE IN TWO PARTS: A "TECHNICAL PROPOSAL" AND A "BUSINESS MANAGEMENT/COST PROPOSAL." BOTH OF THE PARTS SHOULD BE SEPARATE AND COMPLETE SO THAT EVALUATION OF ONE MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED INDEPENDENTLY OF, AND CONCURRENT WITH, EVALUATION OF THE OTHER. PRICING DETAILS SHOULD NOT APPEAR IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. 8. RECOMMENDED TECHNICAL PROPOSAL PRESENTATION The technical proposal should be prepared as a separate package. In order to assist in proposal evaluation, the Government desires that offerors respond in accordance with the following guidelines. The Technical Proposal should contain a cover page with RFP title, number, and name of your organization; five sections corresponding to the criteria below. The Technical Proposal should be indexed and tabbed in notebook form in a three ring binder. All pages should be numbered. Indicate on the cover page either: (a) original proposal; or (b) copy of proposal. THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN AN ORIGINAL AND FOUR COPIES. It is imperative that you submit a comprehensive and complete technical proposal to support those items you feel will best represent the capabilities and experience outlined and required by the work statement. The technical proposal must address past performance which is an important evaluation criteria. The Technical Evaluation Panel will be interested in the capabilities presented in your proposal which when evaluated in accordance with the criteria outlined in Section M will demonstrate your ability to perform the work that will be required by this contract. For ease of evaluation, your proposal should be divided into five parts as follows: Criteria A -Past Performance Criteria B -Comprehensive Plan Criteria C -Samples of Work Criteria D -Personnel Summary of Deviations and Exceptions (If Any) AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONTAINED IN YOUR TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: A. PAST PERFORMANCE Provide five references of contracts that are similar in size, complexity, and nature to this project. Submit the following information for the offeror and any proposed subcontractor. (1) The past performance information submitted for evaluation under this solicitation should first correspond to the Samples of Work. Samples should represent work which is either on-going or has been completed during the past three years. It should also represent the involvement of the proposed Project Manager and Key Personnel. When subcontractors will perform critical aspects of the work, past performance of subcontractors must also be submitted. Three references of contracts for each subcontractor are required. Again, references should involve the Key Personnel proposed for this project. Offerors that are newly formed individual entities, without prior Federal, State, or Local Government contracts, should list work contracts, subcontracts, or other related work experience with previous employers. Submit a completed Page 1 of Attachment S for each reference. (2) Offerors may provide information on problems encountered on the contracts and subcontracts identified, and corrective actions taken to resolve those problems. Offeror should not provide general information on their performance for the identified contracts. General performance information will be obtained from the references. (3) Each offeror will be evaluated on performance under existing and prior contracts for work similar in nature and complexity to that required by the solicitation. Performance information will be used for both responsibility determinations and as an evaluation factor against which offerors relative rankings will be compared to assure best value to the Government. The Government will focus on information that demonstrates quality of performance relative to the size and complexity of the procurement under consideration. The Past Performance Questionnaire Form, Attachment S, will be used to collect this information. References other than those identified by the offeror may be contacted by the Government with the information received in the evaluation of the offeror’s past performance. (4) Even if an offeror is new to the business area, it is probable that previous work experience may be relevant and submitted. If the offeror has previous performance history on non-relevant type work, i.e. a proven government or commercial performance record, but not specifically in the area of long range interpretive planning, this information may be used to demonstrate the potential to complete this work, and may reduce concerns in relation to performance risk. (5) In the case of an offeror without record of relevant past experience or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past experience. B. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN A Comprehensive Plan should be submitted. This plan should identify how the work will be performed under this contract and specifically address in detail, how all work as outlined in Section C, Page C-1, Item Number 3 will be accomplished. Identify the person responsible for project management and describe coordination and interaction between that person and your firm’s management, employees, and subcontractors. The Comprehensive Plan should detail how project management will accomplish quality control, track project work, and provide information about other duties and obligations that the assigned project manager may have which could impact the work of this contract. The accepted plan will become a part of any resultant contract. C. SAMPLES OF WORK The Offeror should provide samples of up to three completed Interpretive Planning Service projects to include long range interpretive planning projects produced within the last five years, which demonstrate the ability of proposed personnel and designated subcontractors. Samples provided should demonstrate the ability to produce interpretive plans. Samples that represent the work of the organization but not identified specifically as produced by proposed personnel and subcontractors will not be evaluated. All samples should include the following information: (1) Name of the person(s) who performed the work and the work they accomplished; (2) Client name, including the name, address, and telephone number of person to contact; (3) Name of the project; (4) Contract number; (5) Contract type; (6) Completion date, or stage of completion, if still in progress; (7) Cost – identify elements included in the cost broken-down by number of hours spent planning, writing, editing and plan specific pricing. Include subcontracting costs. To the extent possible, samples should tie back to the Past Performance references. Samples of work must demonstrate capabilities of personnel proposed for use under this contract. If no samples exist for the current employer, provide samples of work produced under previous employers. D. PERSONNEL The Offeror should identify the personnel below and designate those considered to be key in the performance of this contract. A list should be provided at the beginning of this section which identifies each person by name, title, organization, full or part-time, and either key or not. At a minimum, submit resumes for the following individuals: • Interpretive Planner; • Writer/Editor; and • Media Specialist. NPS recognizes that all personnel may not be necessary for each task order Each resume should include: (1) Name of person, title, and statement of their primary duties; (2) Person's proposed role(s) under this contract; (3) Person's list of projects, and description of role (not title) on each project; (4) Employment history; • Present and previous employers; • Beginning and ending dates of employment for each employer; • Job title(s) for each position; and, • Description of the specific duties for each position. (5) Education and training background, including names of educational institutions attended, dates, and degrees or certificates obtained. Exclude information that is not relevant to the person’s designated role in their project. E. SUMMARY OF DEVIATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS (IF ANY) In this Section, the Offeror should fully explain any deviations, exceptions, or conditional assumptions taken with respect to this Request for Proposal. Any exceptions taken to the scope of work should have amplification and justification in order to be evaluated. Such exceptions will not, of themselves, automatically cause a proposal to be termed unacceptable. A large number of exceptions not providing obvious benefit to the government, however, may result in rejection of your proposal as technically unacceptable. 9. RECOMMENDED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT/COST PROPOSAL PRESENTATION The Business Management/Cost Proposal should be prepared as a separate package. In order to assist in proposal evaluation, the government desires that offerors respond in accordance with the following guidelines. The Business Management/Cost Proposal should contain a cover page with RFP title, number, and name of your organization. The Business Management/Cost Proposal should be indexed and tabbed in notebook form and submitted in a three ring binder. All pages should be numbered. Indicate on cover page either: (a) original proposal, or (b) copy of proposal. THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT/COST PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN AN ORIGINAL AND ONE COPY. A. LOADED HOURLY LABOR RATES Provide a summary of the proposed loaded hourly rates by category for use under this contract. These rates should be proposed for the prime contractor as well as all subcontractors intended for use. Cost information for each subcontractor should be acquired and furnished in the same format and level of detail as the prime contract identified. These are the prices and hourly rates that will be negotiated for the term of the contract. For purposes of this solicitation, the “loaded” rates are the base average rates for each category determined necessary to perform the work. The “loaded” rate includes costs (overhead and G&A) as well as the profit required to perform the work. Provide “loaded” rates for each category of labor needed to provide the work for each 12-month period. B. REQUIRED FORMS AND CERTIFICATIONS (1) Four originally completed and signed Standard Form 26, Award/Contract form should be submitted. Complete blocks 7, 9, 17, 19a, 19b, 19c. (2) Original copies of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payment Enrollment Form, SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities or DI-1963, Certification Regarding Lobbying, should be attached to the original Business Proposal. (3) One copy of Section K, Representations, Certifications and Other Statements of Offerors should be completed and affixed to the original Business Proposal. Do not duplicate for each copy of the proposal. This Section should stipulate that it is predicated upon all terms and conditions of the Request for Proposal. C. SUBCONTRACTS D. In those cases where an Offeror does not have full in-house capability and anticipates significant use of subcontractors to provide the needed support, the Offeror should provide the same detail concerning the subcontractor as provided by the prime contractor. The terms of each subcontract should be fully explained. Subcontracts must include certain general provisions and contract articles from the prime contract. TRAVEL, MATERIALS, AND OTHER COSTS (1) The contractor is responsible for whatever travel is necessary for the performance of this contract. The contractor should be reimbursed for travel in accordance with current government travel regulations. Only coach class for common carriers is authorized. The Offeror should stipulate that its proposal is predicated upon this understanding and will abide by the standard government travel regulations under the terms of this contract. General Services Administration per diem rates can be accessed via the Internet at: E.http://www.gsa.gov (2) Offerors, proposed subcontractors, or consultants are to indicate if any costs other than actual cost of materials are to be charged to a project. The offeror should detail methods and sources for buying significant material that may be required under the terms of the contract. AUDIT F.Offerors are to indicate the cognizant government audit agency responsible for auditing and reviewing their accounts and records. If a review has taken place within the past twelve months in connection with any other government prime contract or subcontract, indicate the date of the review, the agency initiating the requirement and the cognizant agency personnel. If no audit has been performed, so state. The Contracting Officer may request audit of the cost proposals submitted. FINANCIAL CAPABILITY The offeror should indicate if they have the necessary financial capability, working capital, and other resources to perform the contract without assistance from outside sources. If assistance from an outside source will be necessary, please explain. G. AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT Describe any automated equipment such as computer hardware, software, peripherals and modems, currently in use by your firm and available for use in the preparation of work under this contract. H. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD Because of the time required by the government to evaluate proposals adequately, offerors are requested to specify a proposal acceptance period of not less than ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) DAYS. 10. PRE-AWARD SITE VISIT The government may conduct site visits during the evaluation and negotiation phases of this acquisition. 11. TECHNICAL DATA CONFIDENTIALITY The proposal submitted in response to this request for proposal may contain technical data that the offeror or his subcontractor(s) does not want used or disclosed for any purpose other than for evaluation of the proposal. The use and disclosure of any such technical data may be restricted, provided that the offeror marks the cover sheet of the proposal with the following legend: “Technical data contained in pages _______ of this proposal should not be used or disclosed, except for evaluation purposes.” If a contract is awarded as a result of or in connection with the submission of this proposal, the government will have the right to use or disclose this technical data to the extent provided in the contract. This restriction does not limit the government’s right to use or disclose technical data obtained from another source without restrictions. The government assumes no liability for disclosure or use of unmarked technical data and may use or disclose the data for any purpose and may consider that the proposal was not submitted in confidence and therefore releasable under the Freedom of Information Act (5 USC 552). SECTION M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD This is a sample section 1. SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FAR 52.252-1)(FEB 1998) NONE 2. SOURCE EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES -- NEGOTIATED PROCUREMENTS A. The government will select an offeror for negotiation and award in accordance with FAR Part 15. The significant features of this procedure are: (1) The government will evaluate cost or price in accordance with FAR Part 31. In addition, the government will evaluate proposals to determine cost realism. Cost realism relates to an offeror's demonstrating that the proposed cost or price provides an adequate reflection of its understanding of the requirements of this solicitation. (2) The Technical Evaluation Panel will evaluate and score technical proposals against the specified Technical Evaluation Criteria. B. In addition to evaluation of the previously discussed elements, the government will consider in any award decision the responsibility factors set forth in FAR Part 9. 2. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA All proposals submitted will be evaluated in accordance with the following evaluation criteria. Weights and relative order of importance are indicated. CRITERIA WEIGHT A. PAST PERFORMANCE 0-30 (1) Quality of Products and Services: Demonstrated ability to perform long range interpretive planning services in accordance with the proposed plan intent. Conformance to good standards of workmanship, quality control, and ability to understand and relates to target audiences. (0-10) (2) Cost Control: Ability to plan within contracted budget (at or below); reasonableness of price(s) change submitted for new items and/or requests for equitable adjustments. (0-05) (3) Business Relations: Effective management, ability to manage projects involving subcontracts, quality control, working relationship with the Contracting Officer and Technical Representatives, reasonable/ cooperative behavior, flexibility, effective contractor recommended solutions, businesslike concern for government interests, and provides current, accurate and complete billings. (0-05) (4) Customer Satisfaction: Satisfaction of end users with the completed plan. (0-05) (5) Timeliness of Performance: Compliance with delivery schedules; reliability; responsiveness to technical direction. (0-05) CRITERIA WEIGHT B. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0-25 Evaluation will be based on how well the technical and management approaches will ensure the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the finished products produced. C. SAMPLES OF WORK 0-25 Evaluation will be based on the sample’s conformance with current approaches and research in interpretation, use of goal-driven formats, and clarity of presentation of projects completed by personnel proposed for use under this contract. D. PERSONNEL 0-20 Evaluation will be based on the education, knowledge, and work experience of all personnel, including key personnel and subcontractors, proposed for use under this contract. TOTAL 0-100 ALL ORIGINAL SAMPLES SUBMITTED WILL BE RETURNED AFTER CONTRACT AWARD. ONE COPY OF EACH UNSUCCESSFUL PROPOSAL WILL BE RETAINED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR ITS PERMANENT RECORDS. ALL OTHER COPIES WILL BE DESTROYED. 4. METHODOLOGY FOR PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND DISCUSSIONS The government will evaluate all technical proposals received as follows: A. First, proposals will be evaluated by the Technical Evaluation Panel using Criteria B, Comprehensive Plan; Criteria C, Samples of Work; Criteria D, Personnel. Based on this evaluation, evaluators will unanimously vote on the acceptability or unacceptability of each proposal. At this stage, unacceptable proposals will be eliminated from the competition. B. Second, all acceptable proposals will then be evaluated using Criteria A, Past Performance. C. Third, upon completion of this evaluation, a Competitive Range will be determined by the Contracting Officer. The government reserves the right to award without any discussions in which case it is not necessary to set a Competitive Range. D. Fourth, if discussions are held, they will be conducted with all proposals included in the Competitive Range. At the conclusion of discussions, the Contracting Officer will request final proposal revisions from those offerors still in the Competitive Range. Those revised proposals will be re-evaluated with the same evaluation factors. 5. AWARD CRITERIA A. Up to eight awards are planned. Contracts will be made to those responsible offerors whose offer, conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the government, cost or price and other factors considered. Technical quality, including past performance, will be considered more important than cost or price. Labor rates and prices will be evaluated to establish the reasonableness of the proposed loaded labor rates in relation to the personnel proposed for both the basic contract year and all options. Prices proposed for supplies and equipment will also be examined to establish price reasonableness where possible and cost reasonableness, as appropriate. Rates and prices will be evaluated in conjunction with a pre-established evaluation plan to further assist in the price reasonableness determination. B. In the case of an offeror with respect to which there is no information on past contract performance, or with respect to which information on past contract performance is not available, the offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the factor of past contract performance. In other words, past performance will be treated as neutral. This will be accomplished by giving a new firm the average score of the other competing offeror's and evaluating the proposal in accordance with the other stated evaluation criteria, (FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv)). C. Price will be a factor in the award decision, although the award may not necessarily be made to that offeror submitting the lowest labor rates. Likewise, award will not necessarily be made for technical capabilities that would appear to exceed those needed for the successful performance of the work. A thorough examination will be made to determine an offeror's adequate understanding of the scope of work (See Section C) related to proposal presentation, cost and other factors considered. The question to be decided in making the final selection will be whether proposals scoring better are worth the dollar difference (if any). D. As proposals become more equal in their technical merit, the evaluated cost or price becomes more important. As the technical merit and the evaluated cost or price become essentially equal, other factors may become the determining factor. E. The government will consider other factors, as listed below in descending order of importance, secondary to both technical and cost or price; … HubZone Small Business Concerns; ... Small business concerns which are also minority owned and operated; and … Women owned firms. … Service-disabled veteran-owned small business firms. In addition to the evaluation of technical merit, the cost, or price, and other factors, the standards for determining an offeror's responsibility as set forth in FAR 9.1041, will be examined and considered. Additional factors which are not specifically set forth in this solicitation, but which are prerequisites for award as implied by law, regulation or public policy will be considered in the determination of an offeror's acceptability. 6. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (FAR 52.217-5) (JUL 1990) 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. Evaluation of options will not obligate the government to exercise the option(s). 7. DISCOUNTS FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (FAR 52.232-8) (MAY 1997) A. Discounts for prompt payment will not be considered in the evaluation of offers. However, any offered discount will form a part of the award, and will be taken if payment is made within the discount period indicated in the offer by the offeror. As an alternative to offering a prompt payment discount in conjunction with the offer, offerors awarded contracts may include prompt payment discounts on individual invoices. B. In connection with any discount offered for prompt payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. If the Contractor has not placed a date on the invoice, the due date shall be calculated from the date the designated billing office receives a proper invoice, provided the agency annotates such invoice with the date of receipt at the time of receipt. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date that appears on the payment check or, for an electronic funds transfer, the specified payment date. When the discount date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday when Federal Government offices are closed and government business is not expected to be conducted, payment may be made on the following business day.