Instructions for the Preparation of Proposals (AUG 1999)

(a) Other than cost proposal instructions.

(1) Submit proposal for than cost factors as a separate part of the total proposal package. Omit all cost or pricing details from this proposal.

(2) Special proposal instructions:

(b) Cost or pricing proposal instructions. The offeror shall prepare and submit cost or pricing information data and supporting attachments in accordance with Table 15-2 of FAR 15.408. In addition to a hard copy of the information, to expedite review of the proposal, submit an IBM-compatible software or storage device (e.g., USB flash drive or card reader) containing the financial data required, if this information is available using a commercial spreadsheet program on a personal computer. Submit this information using Microsoft Exchange 365, if available. Identify which version of Microsoft Exchange used. If the offeror used another spreadsheet program, indicate the software program used to create this information. Offerors should include the formulas and factors used in calculating the financial data. Although submission of a compatible software or device will expedite review, failure to submit a disk will not affect consideration of the proposal.

(1) General—Submit cost or pricing information prepared in accordance with FAR Table 15-2, Instructions for Submitting Cost/Price Proposals When Cost or Pricing Information Are Required and the following:

(i) Clearly identify separate cost or pricing information associated with any:

(A) Options to extend the term of the contract;

(B) Options for the Government to order incremental quantities; and/or

(C) Major tasks, if required by the special instructions.

(ii) If the contract schedule includes a “Fixed Rate for Services” clause, please provide in the cost proposal a schedule duplicating the format in the clause and include proposed fixed hourly rates per labor category for the base and any optional contract periods.

(iii) If the contract includes the clause at FAR 52.232-7, “Payments Under Time and Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts,” include in the cost proposal the estimated costs and burden rate to be applied to materials, other direct costs, or subcontracts. The Government will include these costs as part of its cost proposal evaluation.

(iv) If other divisions, subsidiaries, a parent or affiliated companies will perform work, provide the name and location of such affiliate and offeror's intercompany pricing policy. Separately identify costs and supporting data for each entity proposed.

(v) The realism of costs, including personnel compensation rates (including effective hourly rates due to uncompensated overtime) will be part of the proposal evaluation. Any reductions to proposed costs or differences between proposed and known EPA/DCAA recommended rates must be fully explained. If an offeror makes a reduction which makes its offer or portions of its offer below anticipated costs, the offeror shall identify where (i.e., which elements of costs) the proposed reductions will be made. Unsubstantiated rates may result in an upward or downward adjustment of the cost proposals to reflect more realistic costs. Based on this analysis, a projected cost for the offeror will be calculated to reflect the Government's estimate of the offeror's probable costs. Any inconsistency, whether real or apparent, between the promised performance and cost or price should be explained. The burden of proof for cost credibility rests with the offeror.

(2) Direct labor.

(i) The direct technical labor hours (level-of-effort) appearing in the solicitation are for professional and technical labor only. These hours do not include management at a level higher than project management, e.g., corporate and day-to-day management, nor do they include clerical and support staff at a level lower than technician. If it is the offeror's normal practice to charge these types of costs as direct costs, include these costs along with an estimate of the directly chargeable labor-hours for these personnel. These direct charges are to be shown separately from the technical (level-of-effort) effort. If this type of effort is normally included in the offeror's indirect cost allocations, no estimate is required. However, direct charging of these on any resulting contract will not be allowed. Additionally the direct technical labor hours are the workable hours required by the Government and do not include release time (i.e., holidays, vacation, etc.) Submit the proposal utilizing the labor categories and distribution of the level-of-effort specified in the solicitation. These are approximate distribution levels and do not necessarily represent the actual levels which may be experienced during contract performance.

(ii) Explain the basis of the proposed labor rates, including a complete justification for all judgmental factors used to develop weights applied to company's category or individual rates that comprise the rates for labor categories specified in the solicitation. This explanation should describe how technical approach coincides with the proposed costs. If the proposed direct labor rates are based on an average of the individuals proposed to work on the contract, provide a list of the individuals proposed and the hours associated with each individual in deriving the rates. If the proposed direct labor rates are based on an average of company category rates, identify and describe the labor categories and the percentages associated with each category in deriving the rates, explaining in detail the basis for the percentages assigned.

(iii) Describe for each labor category proposed, the company's qualifications and experience requirements. If individual rates are used, provide the employee's name. If specific individuals are identified in the technical proposal, correlate these individuals with the labor categories specified in the solicitation.

(iv) Provide a matrix summarizing the effort proposed, including the subcontracts, by professional and technical level specified in the solicitation.

(v) Indicate whether current rates or escalated rates are used. If escalation is included, state the degree (percent) and methodology. The methodology shall include the effective date of the base rates and the policy on salary reviews (e.g. anniversary date of employee or salary reviews for all employees on a specific date).

(vi) State whether any additional direct labor (new hire or temporary hires) will be required during the performance period of this acquisition. If so, state the number required, the professional or technical level and the methodology used to estimate proposed labor rates.

(vii) With respect to educational institutions, include the following information for those professional staff members whose salary is expected to be covered by a stipulated salary support agreement pursuant to OMB Circular A-21.

(A) Individual's name;

(B) Annual salary and the period for which the salary is applicable;

(C) List of other research Projects or proposals for which salaries are allocated, and the proportionate time charged to each; and

(D) Other duties, such as teaching assignments, administrative assignments, and other institutional activities. Show the proportionate time charged to each. (Show proportionate time charges as a percentage of 100% of time for the entire academic year, exclusive of vacation or sabbatical leave.)

(viii) Uncompensated overtime. The decision to propose uncompensated overtime is the offeror's decision. Should the offeror, however, elect to propose uncompensated overtime, the offeror must propose a methodology that is consistent with their cost accounting practices and company policy. If proposed, provide an estimate of any uncompensated overtime proposed for exempt personnel working at the offeror's facilities. This estimate should identify the number of uncompensated labor hours and the percentage of compensated labor. Uncompensated labor hours are defined as hours for exempt personnel in excess of regular hours for a pay period which are actually worked and recorded in accordance with company policy. Provide a copy of the company policy on uncompensated overtime. Provide historical percentages of uncompensated overtime for the past three years. If proposed for subcontractors, provide separately with subcontractor information.

(ix) For labor rate contracts, for each fixed labor rate, offerors shall identify the basis for the loaded fixed hourly rate for each contract period for example, the rate might consist of the following cost elements: raw wage or salary rate, plus fringe benefits (if applicable), plus overhead rate (if applicable), plus G&A expense rate (if applicable), plus profit.

When determining the composite raw wage for a labor category, the offeror shall:

(A) provide in narrative form the basis for the raw wage for each labor category. If actual wages of current employees are used, the basis for the projections should be explained.

(B) If employees are subject to the Service Contract Act or Davis Bacon Act, they must be compensated at least at the minimum wage rate required by the applicable Wage Determination.

(3) Indirect costs (fringe, overhead, general, and administrative expenses).

(i) If the rates have been recently approved, include a copy of the rate agreement. If the agreement does not cover the projected performance period of the proposed effort, provide the rationale and any estimated rate calculations for the proposed performance period.

(ii) Submit supporting documentation for rates which have not been approved or audited. Indicate whether computations are based upon historical or projected data.

(iii) Provide actual pool expenses, base dollars, or hours (as applicable for the past five years). Include the actual indirect rates for the past five years including the indirect rates proposed, the actual indirect rates experienced and, if available, the final negotiated rate. Indicate the amount of unallowable costs included in the historical data.

(iv) Offerors who propose indirect rates for new or substantially reorganized cost centers should consider offering to accept ceilings on the indirect rates at the proposed rates. Similarly, offerors whose subcontractors propose indirect rates for new or substantially reorganized cost centers should likewise consider offering to accept ceilings on the subcontractors' indirect rates at the proposed rates.

(v) If the employees are subject to the Service Contract Act or Davis Bacon Act, employees must receive the minimum level of benefits stated in the applicable Wage Determination.

(4) Travel expense.

(i) If the solicitation specifies the amount of travel costs, this amount is exclusive of any applicable indirect costs and fee.

(ii) If the solicitation does not specify the amount of travel costs, attach a schedule illustrating how travel was computed. Include a breakdown indicating number of trips, number of travelers, destinations from and to, purpose and cost, e.g., mileage, transportation costs, subsistence rates.

(5) Equipment, facilities and special equipment, including tooling.

(i) If direct charges for use of existing contractor equipment are proposed, provide a description of these items, including estimated usage hours, rates, and total costs.

(ii) If equipment purchases are proposed, provide a description of these items, and a justification as to why the Government should furnish the equipment or allow its purchase with contract funds. (Unless specified elsewhere in this solicitation, FAR 45.302-1 requires contractors to furnish all facilities in performance of contracts with certain limited exceptions.)

(iii) Identify Government-owned property in the possession of the offeror or proposed to be used in the performance of the contract, and the Government agency which has cognizance over the property.

(iv) Submit proposed rates or use charges for equipment, along with documentation to support those rates.

(v) If special purposes facilities or equipment are being proposed, provide a description of these items, details for the proposed costs including competitive prices, and justification as to why the Government should furnish the equipment or allow its purchase with contract funds.

(vi) If fabrication by the prime contractor is contemplated, include details of material, labor, and overhead.

(6) Other Direct Costs (ODC).

(i) If the solicitation specifies the amount of other direct costs, this amount is exclusive of any applicable indirect cost and fee.

(ii) If the amount is not specified in the solicitation, attach a schedule detailing how other direct costs were computed. Identify the major ODC items that under the accounting system would be a direct charge on any resulting contract.

(iii) If any of the cost elements identified as part of the specified other direct costs are recovered as an indirect cost, in accordance with the offeror's accounting system, those costs should not be included as a direct cost. Complete explanation of this adjustment and the contractor's practice should be provided.

(iv) Provide historical other direct costs dollars per level of effort hour on similar contracts or work assignments.

(7) Team subcontracts. When the cost of a subcontract is substantial (5 percent of the total estimated contract dollar value or $100,000, whichever is less), the offeror shall include the following subcontractor information:

(i) Provide details of subcontract costs in the same format as the prime contractor's costs. This detailed information may be provided separately to the EPA if the subcontractor does not wish to provide this data to the prime contractor. Cost data provided separately by a contractor must be received by the time, date and at the location specified for the receipt of proposals. The subcontractor's package should be clearly marked with the RFP number, the name of the prime offeror, and a statement that the package is subcontractor data relevant to the proposal from the prime offeror. If submitted with the prime contractor's proposal, identify the subcontractors. State the amount of service estimated to be required and the quoted daily or hourly rate. Offerors are encouraged to provide letters of intent, signed by subcontractors, agreeing to a specified rate for life of the contract. Include a cost or price analysis of the subcontractor cost showing the reasons why the costs are considered reasonable;

(ii) Describe how the prospective team subcontractors were chosen as part of the offeror's proposed team; and rationale for selection;

(iii) Describe the necessity for the subcontractor's effort as either a supplement or complement to the offeror's in-house expertise;

(iv) Identify the areas of the scope of work and the level of effort the subcontractors are anticipated to perform. Provide a reconciliation summary of the proposed hours and ODCs for the prime contractor and proposed subcontractor(s).

(v) Describe the prime contractor's management structure and internal controls to ensure efficient and quality performance of team subcontractors.

(8) Facilities Capital Cost of Money (FCCM). When an offeror elects to claim FCCM as an allowable cost, the offeror must submit Form CASB-CNF and show calculation of the proposed amount. FCCM will be an allowable cost under the contemplated contract, if the criteria for allowability at FAR 31.205-10(a)(2) are met.

(x) The level of effort for each position is to be proposed in work years. A work year is considered to consist of 2080 hours inclusive of direct and indirect time (40 hours per week × 52 weeks per year = 2080 hours). The proposal must identify proposed work years and clearly identify how many hours in each work year are direct (i.e., productive working hours) and how many are indirect (i.e., paid absences). If the company policy includes a different base work week, the total available hours would be different. For example, if the company's policy calls for a 37.5 hour work week, offeror would deduct paid absences from 1950 hour (37.5 hours/week × 52 weeks/year = 1950 hours). Offeror should clearly identify the paid absences as to how many hours are for holiday and how many hours are for vacation and sick leave. The amount of indirect time (paid absences) identified in the proposal must be consistent with company policy and must allow for the ten Federal government holidays.

(x) The level of effort for each position is to be proposed in work years. A work year is considered to consist of 2080 hours inclusive of direct and indirect time (40 hours per week × 52 weeks per year = 2080 hours). The proposal must identify proposed work years and clearly identify how many hours in each work year are direct (i.e., productive working hours) and how many are indirect (i.e., paid absences). If the company policy includes a different base work week, the total available hours would be different. For example, if the company's policy calls for a 37.5 hour work week, offeror would deduct paid absences from 1950 hour (37.5 hours/week × 52 weeks/year = 1950 hours). Offeror should clearly identify the paid absences as to how many hours are for holiday and how many hours are for vacation and sick leave.

(iv) Provide information as to how the proposed supplies or equipment meet the salient characteristics required by the contract line item;

(v) Provide published brochures, catalogs, or other technical literature by contract line item;

(vi) Meet any interface or compatibility requirements by contract line item;

(vii) Describe warranty services and how delivered by contract line item;

(viii) Assumptions, deviations and exceptions (as necessary); and

(ix) Additional information.

(b) Supplies—Provide unit pricing by contract line items for:

(i) each line item;

(ii) delivery;

(iii) installation;

(iv) sets of operating manuals;

(v) training;

(vi) warranty;

(vii) maintenance; and

(viii) volume discounts.