SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Provide Mediation Services
- Notice Date
- 3/6/2008
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Acquisition Services Division, 1801 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC, 20507, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- RFQ0040-08
- Response Due
- 3/13/2008
- Archive Date
- 4/30/2008
- Point of Contact
- Caroline Fowler, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 663-4219, Fax (202) 663-4178, - Gregory Browne, Contract Specialist, Phone (202) 663-4292, Fax (202) 663-4178
- E-Mail Address
-
caroline.fowler@eeoc.gov, gregory.browne@eeoc.gov
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items/services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. This solicitation is being issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) No. 0040-08, and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12.6, Acquisition of Commercial Items. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-24, effective February 28, 2008. ALL INFORMATION NEEDED TO SUBMIT A QUOTATION IS CONTAINED HEREIN. NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE WILL BE ISSUED. This requirement is a 100% small business set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 541990.The small business size standard is $6.5 million. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Registration via the Internet Site at http://www.ccr.gov or by contacting the CCR Customer Support Center at 1-888-227-2423, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking mediators for its nationwide internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program (RESOLVE). The RESOLVE Program mediates workplace disputes filed with the program by EEOC employees located in 51 field offices. The Program is administered in Washington, D.C. by a Chief Mediation Officer. EEOC is seeking mediation service providers who can provide mediation on a nationwide basis. The EEOC contemplates awarding a Firm-Fixed-Price Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity Contract and is anticipated to be awarded in late March 2008. Multiple awards may be made. Individual task orders will be issued. The contract will include a fixed unit price of $800.00 per mediation case, for issuing individual task orders. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract duration will be for a maximum of 24 months (a one-year base period and will include an option to extend for 1 additional twelve- month period). The option period may be exercised at the discretion of the Government. CLIN 0001: Provide Mediation Services: Guaranteed minimum quantity is 20 mediations for the duration of the contract inclusive of the option year, if exercised, and the estimated maximum per year are 60 mediations (cumulative for all contract award(s), including option period, resulting from this solicitation). Mediators will use a facilitative model of dispute resolution, but will not have decision making authority. Mediators will assist the parties in settling their disputes. The disputes may involve numerous and interrelated issues and complex fact patterns. The disputes may also involve equal employment opportunity and labor management issues. PROFESSIONAL MEDIATOR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Mediators shall, at a minimum, meet the qualification standards described in Chapter 3 of the EEOC's Management Directive (MD)-110, Chapter 3, Alternative Dispute Resolution, ? IV. Neutrals, b Qualifications. That provision provides as follows: Training in ADR Theory and Techniques - Any person who serves as a neutral in an agency?s ADR program must have professional training in whatever dispute resolution techniques the agency utilizes in its program [Mediation, in the case of EEOC]. The EEOC will accept as sufficient such training as is generally recognized in the dispute resolution profession. For example, the Interagency Program on Sharing Neutrals administered by the Department of Health and Human Services requires the following: (1) at least 20 hours of basic mediation skills training; (2) at least 3 co-mediations with a qualified mediator or 5 independent mediations and positive evaluations from a qualified trainer/evaluator; and (3) at least two verifiable references from 2 qualified mediators or trainer/evaluators. Knowledge of EEO Law - Any person who serves as a neutral in an agency's ADR program must be familiar with the following EEO laws and areas: (1) The entire EEO process pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, including time frames; (2) The Civil Service Reform Act and the statutes that EEOC enforces(including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended); (3) The theories of discrimination (e.g. disparate treatment, adverse impact, harassment and reasonable accommodation); and (4) Remedies, including compensatory damages, costs and attorney's fees. In addition to the requirements listed in MD-110, mediators shall have a thorough working knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques associated with mediation. Mediators must describe the training and experience from which they obtained this knowledge. WORK TO BE PERFORMED: To obtain a mediator, the Contracting Officer, who is located in Washington, D.C., will issue a Task Order/Modification to the Contractor. The mediator shall ensure that a date and time for the mediation are established. Information regarding the date and time of the mediation shall be provided to the RESOLVE ADR Program Analyst by email within 5 business days of receipt of the Task Order/Modification. The mediation shall be completed within 45 calendar days of receipt of the Task Order/Modification. Within 2 business days of the conclusion of the mediation, the mediator shall provide to the RESOLVE ADR Program Analyst an outcome form describing the results of the mediation, a copy of the settlement agreement, if applicable, and the participant surveys. All mediator travel costs shall be assumed by the mediator. All information supplied to the contractor and all communications between the contractor and EEOC personnel are confidential and will not be disclosed by the contractor to anyone other than RESOLVE Program staff. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Font size is 12. Quotations shall not exceed 10 pages and contain the following information for the past 3 years: A description of quotor's firm, including information on how long it has been in existence, the type(s) of services provided, the location(s), number of employees, number of existing contract mediators, contract and other mediation experience and any other relevant information. 2. A brief description of the approach and methodology that the quoter is proposing to accomplish the work. 3. A list of a minimum of 3 mediation services or other relevant contracts and subcontracts completed during the past 3 years, and all such contracts and subcontracts currently in process for projects similar in size and complexity to the requirements stated in this RFQ. Contracts listed may include those entered into by other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, contracts with state and local governments, and contracts with commercial customers. Include the following information for each contract and subcontract: (a) Name and address of contracting activity; (b) Contract number; (c) Contract type; (d) Total contract value; (e) Name, title, and telephone number of Contracting Officer; (f) Name, title, telephone number, facsimile number of Program or Project Manager, if applicable; (g) Description of services provided; Administrative contracting officer, if different from (e) above, and telephone number; and (h) List of major subcontracts/teaming partners. Each quoter will be evaluated on experience under existing and prior contracts for similar services. Performance experience will be used as an evaluation factor as required in the FAR 15.304(c)(3). The Government will focus on information that demonstrates quality of performance relative to the size and complexity of the procurement under consideration. References other than those identified by the quoter may be contacted by the Government, with information received used in the evaluation of the quoter's past experience. 4. Provide a brief resume of each person who will specifically serve as the Project Manager, if applicable, as well as those individuals who will be providing the service to accomplish the work. Submission of Quotation - Interested mediation firms having the capabilities to perform this work are invited to submit a Quotation in response this RFQ on or before the closing date and time on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at 12:00 Noon (Washington, DC local time) to the following address: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Attn: Caroline A. Fowler, Contracting Officer, Acquisition Services Division, 1801 L. St. N.W., Room 6234, Washington, D.C. 20507. Each quotation submitted via FAX (202) 663-4178, must be addressed to the attention of Caroline A. Fowler. A quotation submitted electronically, via e-mail, addressed to Caroline A. Fowler, Contracting Officer will be accepted at: caroline.fowler@eeoc.gov., with a cc: to Gregory Browne, Alternate Contracting Officer at: gregory.browne@eeoc.gov. Quotations received after the closing date and time or which are incomplete, except for minor informalities, will not be considered for award. Inquiries/Questions concerning this RFQ must be submitted in writing via FAX (202)663-4178, or e-mail to the attention of Caroline A. Fowler, Contracting Officer at caroline.fowler@eeoc.gov, with a cc: to Gregory Browne, Alternate Contracting Officer at: gregory.browne@eeoc.gov. The deadline for submission of questions regarding RFQ0040-08, is Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at 10:00 a.m (Washington, DC local time). Telephone inquiries or responses are not acceptable. The Government will not consider questions received after that date. Quoters are cautioned against directing any questions concerning this RFQ to technical personnel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any cost associated with responding to this business opportunity. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the EEOC. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD: The Evaluation Factors to be applied by the Government in the evaluation process in Descending Order of Importance is described as follows: Technical and Past Experience as follows: Technical Experience - The Government will evaluate technical experience based on the quoter's demonstrated prior experience in performing these functions, the quoter must provide narrative statements, in as much detail as possible, demonstrating that their firm has the ability to provide national mediation services. Project Management - The Government will evaluate project management based on the quoter's demonstrated ability to conform to the contract requirements and standards of good workmanship, adhere to the contract schedules or other time frames, and Past Experience - The Government will evaluate past experience based on a minimum of three references for similar work in providing mediation services, awarded within the past three years. This factor will indicate the relevant aspects of the quoter's record of performing services similar in size, content and complexity to the requirements of this RFQ. Pricing: Since the unit price ($800.00) has been established for each mediation case requirement, EEOC will not request a price quote from quoters. The Government will not evaluate price under this solicitation. Therefore, pricing information will not be accepted or considered. EEOC technical evaluator(s) will rank the quoter (firm) considered to be the most highly qualified in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in this RFQ, in order of preference. Award will be made to the highest technically rated quotation(s). Multiple awards may be made. The Government reserves the right to make contract award(s) without discussions with quoters (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Therefore, quoters must submit their most favorable terms from a technical standpoint. The evaluation of the quotes shall be within the sole judgment and discretion of the EEOC. In addition to the above, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. All contact during the evaluation phase shall be through the EEOC Contracting Officer only. Quoters should bear in mind that any quotation that is unrealistic in terms of the technical or schedule commitments may be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical competence or indicative of a failure to comprehend the complexity and scope of the requirements as specified in this RFQ. Contract award(s) will be based on the evaluation factors listed in this RFQ. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The provisions at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial; 52.216-27, Single or Multiple Awards and 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representation apply to this solicitation. The quoter shall include a completed copy of the provisions at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items with his/her quotation. The following FAR clauses shall apply to this solicitation: Clause 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference; Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items and Clause 52.212.5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Order-Commercial Items are incorporated by reference: Clause 52.216-18 (Ordering), 52.216-19 (Order Limitations), 52.216-22 (Indefinite Quantity); Clause 52-217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract; Clause 52.219-06, Notice of Total Small Business Set-aside; Clause 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation; Clause 52.222-3, Convict Labor; Clause 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; Clause 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities;Clause 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, Clause 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons and 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases and Clause 52.232-22, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration are incorporated by reference. To obtain the above provisions/clauses in full text, please visit www.arnet.gov. METHOD OF PAYMENT: via Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Record
- SN01526242-W 20080308/080306225040 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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