Amended SOW

Question# 8 has been changed

Place of Performance: 99 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20006.

CONTRACTOR MUST BE ABLE TO COMMUTE DAILY TO THE PERSONNEL SECURITY DIVISION OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, DC

This requirement is being set-aside for small businesses. ATF is currently seeking at least one position, but no more than two.  Offerors must clearly identify for which position they wish to be considered for Blanket Ordering Agreements (BOA). As the needs of an In-House BOA Contract for Background Investigation Program change.

This solicitation may also change. Therefore, any interested offerors should ensure they are in receipt of and submit a proposal following the current requirements and guidelines found in the most recent posting/modification/amendment to this solicitation, which may remain open for the full potential period of performance (i.e., 60 months).  ATF reserves the right to amend this solicitation and include proposal submission periods to incorporate opening and closing dates.

Proposals will be accepted beginning from the date of this solicitation. All responses will be evaluated and a sufficient number of awards will be made to the most highly rated contractors. ATF's objective is to provide a sufficient number of contractors, to ensure prompt and efficient performance of personnel security services.

Due to the nature of the Federal Personnel Security Program, changes in policies, procedures and guidelines are subject to change without notice. Therefore, ATF and the Personnel Security Division(PSD) reserve the right to modify the terms of the contract and accompanied Statement of Work (SOW) at any time. All contractors agree to adhere to any new or updated requirements, policies and/or procedures after they are notified of the new terms.

This solicitation is issued to state that any BOA that is awarded will have a period of performance for 5 years from the time of award.

Offerors that are selected for an award, will be offered a BOA. The offeror's responsibilities thereunder are subject to changes in Federal law, regulation and policy, which may include, but are not limited to, procedural changes related to the use of government equipment, security procedures and investigative priorities. Modifications may be sent to vendors via electronic mail after review and approval of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or the Contracting Officer (CO). The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 561611 Investigation Services. Offeror oversight and performance monitoring shall be conducted by an ATF representative to include, but may not be limited to, the PSD representatives, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and the Contracting Officer (CO).

The following clauses are incorporated in full force into the solicitation and contract: FAR Part 52.212.1 Instructions to Offeror - Commercial Items (Oct. 00) and FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (incorporated by reference). If an offeror is awarded a contract, he/she must complete a copy of the provisions at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items and FAR 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. The offeror shall also provide a statement proving he/she has read and understands the terms and conditions set forth in the FAR 52.212-4.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA

ATF will consider awarding a BOA to offerors, as needed, based on past performance, qualifications and experience and capabilities. All interested individuals must submit a complete proposal package (resume and responses to all listed questions and/or statements). Offerors that submit incomplete proposals will be eliminated from further evaluation. Offerors will be screened based on an adjectival rating regarding their experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities. An interview may also be required.

Offerors shall demonstrate their experience, qualifications, past performance and capabilities. Offerors shall be rated on each response given to the below questions and/or statements. The adjectival rating scale is (from low to high): unsatisfactory, marginal, satisfactory, very good and exceptional. Offerors whose proposal responses receive an overall evaluation determination of satisfactory or higher (meeting the minimum qualifications) may be considered for issuance of an agreement, but are not guaranteed an award.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Anyone wishing to respond to this solicitation should thoroughly read the SOW and ensure all program requirements are met. By submitting a proposal, contractors agree to comply with all terms, conditions and requirements as documented in this solicitation, the SOW, and all subsequent modifications.

Each individual offeror/(person) must submit his/her own proposal. Offerors will be notified of their proposal evaluation results in writing. (No phone calls will be accepted).

ATF will review an offeror’s proposal package (resume and responses to the below listed questions and/or statements) and, if applicable, results of an interview to determine if the offeror meets the minimum qualifications for a position.  If the offeror’s written proposal meets the minimum qualifications, the offeror may be selected for an interview.  Upon the conclusion of the interview, the evaluation panel will determine if an offeror will be selected for an award, determine the position for which the offeror qualifies based on skills and past performance, and make a final selection decision. 

Contractors are hereby informed that if awarded an agreement, the position for which he/she is selected will remain in effect throughout the life of the agreement. 

FACTOR 1- PAST PERFORMANCE/EXPERIENCE

CRITERIA

Past Performance/Experience

For the following eleven (11) questions, respond in no more than 3-5 sentences for each question. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1. Do you have a four year college degree (bachelors)? If so, provide specifics (i.e. type of degree(s), when obtained, what school). 
2. Select the most appropriate response from the below list and provide specifics regarding your experience:
   1. I have at least one year of Federal background investigative experience.
   2. I have four years within the last five years of experience conducting investigations (i.e., criminal, law enforcement, etc.).
   3. I have at least four years of general experience with skills applicable to the investigative field.
3. Do you have experience in the administration of a personnel security program? If so, identify your experience in the administrative functions.
4. Have you ever attended training for Federal background investigations and/or suitability or security adjudication training? If so, provide brief details of the training (dates, vendor who provided training, etc.).
5. What purpose do you believe Federal background investigations serve?
6. What is your familiarity with Tiered Investigations?
7. Identify and describe at least four investigative coverage requirements for a Tier 5 background investigation.
8. List at least two differences in coverage requirements between a Tier 2 and a Tier 5. 
9. Briefly define personal identifiable information and identify the investigator’s responsibility for safeguarding this type of information.
10. Provide at least one example of your ability to promote a positive team work or team building environment.
11. Provide at least one example of a time that you researched Federal, state and/or local laws and regulations.  Describe the goals of your research and if those goals were met.

FACTOR 2 - TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Capabilities

For the following four (4) questions, describe your abilities for each category and provide at least one example. Failure to respond to any of the listed questions will result in an automatic failed evaluation.

1. Describe your ability to read and implement written directions pertaining to changes in policies and procedures.
2. Describe your ability to switch priorities while maintaining organization and steady flow of processing.
3. Describe how you would assess your written communication skills.
4. Describe your ability to effectively communicate with clear and concise thoughts.
   
   Resume
    

1. A current, professional resume. Resumes should not exceed three (3) pages to include no more than two (2) references. References should include the two (2) most recent and/or past employments. Resumes exceeding three (3) pages will not be evaluated; the offeror is to provide two (2) references for relevant and recent work performed for investigative services. Relevant is defined as work of similar type and magnitude as that in SOW. Recent is defined as work performed within the last three years; and
2. Resumes should highlight the contractor's experience and capabilities in performing personnel security services.
    

FACTOR 3 - PRICE (Non-Rated Factor)

ATF will pay contractors for their services based on the rates as outlined in the current SOW.

Any contractor submitting a proposal for more than the rate stated in the SOW will be eliminated from receiving an award.

Order of Importance:  (Factor 1) Past Performance/Experience is more important than (Factor 2) Technical Approach

QUESTIONS: If you have any contractual questions please send email to Simone Rittenhouse at [email protected] or Jeannine Beavers at [email protected]

If you have any technical questions please refer them to Personnel Security Division at [email protected].  Proposals are to be submitted via mail at 99 New York Avenue, NE, Suite 1.E-300, Washington, DC 20226, or via email to [email protected] and must contain all of the required information as stated in the solicitation.

Any questions please email Simone Rittenhouse at  [email protected].