(UPDATED) OASIS Draft RFP Series, #2 Relevant Experience and Past Performance
UPDATE 5/17/13: GSA has posted the OASIS Industry Day presentations to the Interact site. Based on the contents, there have been some confirmed and proposed changes regarding relevant experience and past performance:
- Evaluation points will be awarded in some fashion for cost-reimbursement experience
- Evaluation points may be awarded for demonstrating IDIQ management experience
- Considering allowing state and local government contracts as relevant experience
- Considering adjusting past performance evaluation points to allow for further distinction between levels of performance (i.e. 4.8-5.0=600 points, 4.6-4.79=500 points, etc.)
Thank you for continuing to follow our special GSA OASIS blog series. Before discussing the requirements for relevant experience and past performance on OASIS and OASIS SB, a disclaimer – all posts are based on information from the OASIS draft RFP and the most current information available on the OASIS Industry Community on GSA Interact. Changes are certain to occur between the draft solicitation and the final RFP; Aronson will identify major changes as soon as we are aware of them.
Before making a final bid decision, interested companies must understand that simply meeting the minimum requirements of the solicitation will not be enough to guarantee an OASIS contract. GSA wants to award to the best of the best, so evaluation points are only awarded to those who exceed the minimum requirements, sometimes by a significant margin. This will be especially important in the evaluation criteria for the five relevant experience examples required from each bidder. Of the possible evaluation points an offeror can earn, more than 75% come from relevant experience and past performance (see Section M.5).
One of the most critical things for potential bidders to understand when selecting relevant experience is that TEAMING Continue reading »
UPDATED: GSA OASIS Draft RFP Series, #1 Size Standard NAICS Pools
UPDATE (5/3/13): One important point I failed to mention is that on OASIS SB, GSA intends to award at least three spots in every pool to the following socioeconomic groups-8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, and EDWOSB. This does not mean that only 25 of the 40 spots in a pool are available for other small businesses, though. The top 40 evaluation will proceed “blind” to socioeconomic status. If there are not at least three representatives from a particular socioeconomic group in the top 40 for a given pool, additional awards will be made to the next highest rated qualified bidder(s) in that group until there are three.
Welcome to the first post in a special series about the GSA OASIS draft RFP. First a disclaimer – all posts are based on information obtained from the OASIS draft RFP and the most current Q&A available on the OASIS Industry Community on GSA Interact. Changes are certain to occur between the draft solicitation and the final; Aronson will identify major known changes as soon as we are aware of them. Please subscribe to our RSS feed to follow this series and to make sure that you receive breaking information as it happens!
Today’s post will discuss the use of NAICS code ‘pools’ to determine a contractor’s size status and eligibility to bid on OASIS SB. Initially, GSA had intended to base the size standard for OASIS SB on a single NAICS code (541330 exception, $35.5M) based on market research concerning the preponderance of work likely to be awarded under the vehicle; however, a recent rule proposed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) caused them to change this approach. Due to the provisions of Section 1331 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and concerns about the improper allocation of small business credit under multiple-award contracts, the SBA plans to make significant changes to the FAR. Under the proposed rule, “the contracting officer may divide a multiple award contract for divergent goods and services into discrete categories, each of which is assigned a NAICS code with a corresponding size standard.”
In order to accommodate the probable rule change, GSA Continue reading »
Will Sequestration Affect My VA Schedule Contract?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reminded readers of a special sequestration exclusion in their March 2013 eNewsletter. A special rule exempts all programs administered by VA (including VA Medical Care) from sequestration (but not federal pay or “federal administrative expenses”). Due to this exemption, VA programs such as the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Service will not be impacted by budget cuts. Other government agencies are not so lucky. Unless exempt or subject to special rules, 2013 sequestration reductions are uniform by category for accounts and “programs, projects and activities” within accounts. In 2013, the budget sequester will enact $85.4 billion in cuts with a total of $109 billion in cuts through FY2021.
The VA FSS Program supports the healthcare requirements of the VA and other federal government agencies (OGA) under delegation from GSA. VA explains that the exemption is a direct result of the importance Continue reading »
eBuy Mobile: Access RFQ Opportunities on Your Mobile Device
GSA has taken the first step in its new eBuy mobile initiative. eBuy vendors can now login to eBuy on their mobile devices (iOS and Android platforms) by opening the browser and going to www.ebuy.gsa.gov/mobile/login to access active Request for Quote (RFQ) and Request for Information (RFI) associated with their contracts.
Once logged in with the contract number and password, contractors will see a list of RFQs and RFIs associated with their awarded Special Item Numbers (SIN). Contractors can click on each opportunity to see more details including buyer information, a description of the requirement, any line items, as well as shipping information. In order to view attachments associated with RFQs, or to submit a quote, contractors will still need to access eBuy from their desktop computer or laptop.
eBuy vendors are also now capable of Continue reading »
DOD ECA Digital Certificates Now Allow Access to GSA eOffer/eMod System
GSA’s eOffer/eMod application for online contract management has expanded the types of Digital Certificates accepted for system access and contract signature to include Department of Defense (DOD) External Certificate Authority (ECA) certificates. Previously only ACES Business Representative Certificates were acceptable. Digital certificates create an electronic identity that ties the certificate-holder to the company they work for. As noted on the GSA eOffer/eMod webpage: Continue reading »
Creating, Migrating, and Updating SAM Accounts – Free Webinar 2/26/2013
To help System for Award Management (SAM) users, the GSA/FAS Office of the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) is offering a series of free instructional webinars over the next few months. The first webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2013, is geared toward new federal contractors as well as those who were registered in the legacy Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system. This course will cover essential activities for getting started in and using SAM – including creating a SAM account, migrating permissions from CCR, and updating/renewing existing registrations.
Webinar Topic: SAM.gov – Creating, Migrating, and Updating SAM Accounts
Continue reading »
Keep Your GSA eBuy Quote Out of the Trash
GSA’s eBuy is a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Request for Information (RFI) system designed to allow government buyers to request information, find sources, and request and receive quotes from GSA contractors who have been awarded a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. eBuy is an increasingly important tool as it, when used correctly, meets all task order competition requirements and allows for streamlined acquisition.
It is important for GSA contractors Continue reading »
Tom Sharpe Announced as New Commissioner of GSA FAS
On January 22 2013, the General Services Administration (GSA) named Thomas Sharpe as the head of the Federal Acquisition Services (FAS). Sharp fills the role formerly held in an acting capacity by Mary Davie. Davie took over for Steve Kempf who left to take long-term medical leave in July 2012.
According to the press release: “As commissioner, Sharpe will oversee the acquisition and provision of more than $55 billion in best-value products, services, and solutions to federal agencies…. Sharpe has 30 years of experience in both the private sector and government, serving most recently as the Department of the Treasury’s Senior Procurement Executive. In that role, he was responsible for Continue reading »
Essential GSA Contract Documents and Where to Find Them
If you hold a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract with GSA, it is important to understand what contract documents you need and where you can find them. Maintaining complete documentation of your GSA contract is necessary to remain successful, especially when negotiating with the government and during Contractor Assistance Visits (CAV).
During your CAV, the Industrial Operations Analyst (IOA) will be looking for specific contract documents. It is best to have hard copies of these important documents on hand, as well as electronic copies for back up. You will have trouble achieving the highest grade of ‘Excellent’ on your CAV report card if you are not able to produce these documents. If you do not have a comprehensive contract file, start gathering documents now to ensure success with your contract going forward.
Documents You Need: Continue reading »
GSA Schedule Compliance Pitfalls – January 22, 2013
Join the National Contract Management Association Potomac Chapter to kick off the New Year by welcoming Jennifer Aubel, Managing Consultant, Government Contract Services Group of Aronson LLC as she presents on GSA Schedule Contracting Pitfalls.
Contractors cannot afford to be ignorant of GSA Schedule contract compliance requirements, especially in today’s audit-ridden environment. For companies that are unprepared, what might seem like an innocent mistake can result in financial settlements, delays in contract renewals, and even cancellation of contracts. Don’t let yourself become a cautionary tale! With some fine tuning of your compliance measures, you can help protect your company from these emerging risks. This presentation will discuss the growing number of compliance issues that must be addressed by GSA Schedule contractors, along with common mistakes to avoid.
In her presentation, Ms. Aubel will explore critical issues to include: Continue reading »
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- A Marriage of Inconvenience: GSA Schedule Contracts & The Contractor Code of Business Ethics & Conduct Clause
- Emerging Small Businesses: To Grow Your Business, You Must Plan For Growth
- Government Contracting: Look Before You Leap!
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- The GSA Schedule: Your Ticket to the Federal Market (May 2010)
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