With the release of the Draft RFPs for GSA’s Alliant 2 (A2)  and Alliant 2 Small Business (A2SB) contracts, we felt it would be important to provide our readers with a quick checklist of “things to consider” while making your bid/no-bid decisions.  The A2 and A2SB procurement process is designed to identify information technology (IT) firms with a history of exceptional past performance in priming government and commercial projects.  The process offers an evaluation process in which points are assigned for various requirements and the highest number of points determines the award outcomes.  These points are intended to demonstrate that your firm has a strong reputation and history of providing professional IT services and can successfully manage a large Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). Before considering a bid, it is important to perform an internal self-assessment using Attachment J.P-9 Document Verification and Self Scoring Worksheet (released with the Draft RFP). Based on our assessment of the current Draft RFPs, we have come up with the following Five “Things to Consider,” if wanting to bid on this GWAC:

• It is essential that the Offeror be a strong IT provider in the Government sector with solid prime contractor past performance. Any combination of U.S. Federal Government, State Government, International Public Sector, and Non-Government projects awarded from the private sector can be submitted. All project work must have been performed as the Prime Contractor. Note: A Subcontract under a U.S. Federal or State Government will not be considered a Non-Government project.
• Because of the points system, your company’s relevant experience must be able to cover a diverse range of the PSC Code descriptions within three distinct groups identified within the RFP. You will be allowed up to seven projects (four in Group I, two in Group II, and one in Group III).
• Because of the points system, your company’s experience must be able to cover a diverse range of 17 Leading Edge Technologies identified within the RFP. You are allowed to submit 3 projects per Leading Edge Technology.
• It is essential that your company provides verification from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), or any Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA) of an acceptable accounting system that has been audited and determined adequate for determining costs applicable to the contract or order in accordance with FAR 16.301-3(a)(3).
• Because of the points system, it is essential that the Offeror have a range of approvals and certifications such as Approved Purchasing System, Pricing Agreements, EVMS, Acceptable Estimating System, CMMI, ISO 9000, ISO 20000, ISO/IEC 27000, and/or Facility Clearance Level.

For the Unrestricted Contract, in addition to the requirements above, you should also be able to show that you have meet or exceeded your Small Business Goals in three separate projects/contracts. Information concerning this procurement can be found on the FBO website: Small Business (https://www.fbo.gov/notices/e33984056ca8aae05bdf810f4c8ac20c ), Unrestricted (https://www.fbo.gov/notices/caa7c98d4bfa096cf37f990c62d7d7ff ).

If you have any more questions about the Alliant contracts, send us an email at [email protected]