March 17, 2014

NNSA RELEASES DRAFT RFP FOR PANTEX/Y-12/OAK RIDGE PROTECTIVE FORCE CONTRACT

By ExchangeMonitor

The National Nuclear Security Administration yesterday released a draft Request for Proposals for its combined protective force management contract at the Pantex Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge Reservation, but in contrast to the agency’s combined Y-12/Pantex management and operating contract, the draft security contract does not significantly link award fee to potential cost savings. According to the draft document, on which industry can comment through May 23, cost management will represent 10 percent of award fee evaluations, with duties and training (70 percent) and program management (20 percent) making up the bulk of the evaluation criteria. Cost management includes the evaluation of “existing processes” and the development of “innovative and creative proposals which lead to efficiencies, cost savings, improved performance, and more effective communication to ensure high quality work performance that supports the cost and quality goals of the contract in a budget constrained environment.”

Cost/Price is one of seven evaluation factors for proposals, according to the draft RFP. But the six other factors—technical approach and staffing plan, key personnel, corporate experience, transition approach, past performance, and small business participation plan—are “significantly more important than cost or price,” the agency said in the document. “The Government is more concerned with obtaining a superior Technical Proposal (first six criteria) than making an award based on the lowest total probable cost; however, the Government will not make an award at a cost premium it considers disproportionate to the benefits associated with the evaluated superiority of one Offeror’s Technical Proposal over another,” the agency said. “Thus, to the extent that two or more Offerors’ Technical Proposals are evaluated as close or similar in merit, the total probable cost is more likely to be a determining factor.” To view the draft RFP, click here.

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