Defense Finance and Accounting Service (ICO), Crystal Mall 3, Room 416, 1931 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22240-5291

B -- BENCHMARK STUDY SOL MDA220-00-Q-0024 DUE 050900 POC Colette Dalton, Contract Specialist, 703-607-5708; James Richards, Contracting Officer, 703-607-5726 WEB: NA, NA. E-MAIL: NA, NA. (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested. PAPER COPIES OF THIS SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. (ii) This solicitation is issued as request for quotation (RFQ) MDA220-00-Q-0024. (iii) The solicitation is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) FAR Part 12. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-16. (iv) This procurement is being conducted on an unrestricted basis under SIC 8742 with a size standard of $5 million. (v) The following is a list of contract line item number(s): 0001 Benchmark Study, 1 LOT; 0002 Travel in accordance with the JTR, 1 LOT, Not to Exceed; 0003 (Optional) Benchmark Study in FY 02, 1 LOT; 0004 (Optional) Travel for FY02 Benchmark Study, 1 LOT NTE. (vi) Description of requirements for the items to be acquired: STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO): Background: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) was activated January 15, 1991, to reduce the cost and improve the overall quality of Department of Defense financial management through consolidation, standardization and integration of finance and accounting operations, procedures and systems. In FY 98, DFAS processed a monthly average of 9.8 million payments to Department of Defense personnel; 1.2 million commercial invoices; 450,000 travel vouchers/settlements; 500,000 savings bonds issuances; and 122,000 transportation bills of lading. The agency's monthly disbursements total approximately $24 billion. DFAS consists of a headquarters in Arlington, VA and five centers located in Cleveland, OH.; Columbus, OH.; Denver, CO.; Indianapolis, IN.; Kansas City, MO.; and 20 operating locations. Objective: DFAS is seeking to streamline the core processes of its finance and accounting functions for efficiency and effectiveness, while reducing costs and improving customer service. DFAS seeks a vendor to benchmark its accounting and finance functions, compare it with public and private sector organizations that are similar in business focus, size and organizational structure, and identify areas for improvement. The results will include analysis at the Center- and Agency-level and will reflect a significant level of granularity. A subsequent study may be conducted in approximately two years. A suggested methodology for review is a survey approach with the maximum reliance on government personnel for local data collection. Alternative approaches may be proposed. (vii) Date(s) of delivery shall be proposed by the offeror as described below. Place of delivery and acceptance shall be DFAS Arlington, VA. . (viii) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition and the following addenda apply: The Statement of Objectives (SOO), included in item (vi) above, provides the Government's overall objectives. The offeror shall use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of this RFQ, as the basis for preparing their proposal and shall ensure all aspects of the SOO are addressed. At a minimum, the vendor's proposal must clearly describe: a) The proposed methodology; b) Automation and collection tools to be used; c) Roles and responsibilities of contractor and government personnel; d) Lead-time to conduct each step and the overall study, including proposed completion date; e) Training of government personnel in use of collection tools (if necessary); f) Required travel; g) The source and magnitude of comparative and best practices data to be used; Additionally, the vendor's proposal shall: h) Include a Statement of Work that specifies in clear, understandable terms the work to be done in meeting the Government's objectives; i) Provide the government with ownership of the collected raw data; j) Provide perpetual use of any proposed data collection tools; k) Provide for a formal presentation of the benchmark results, analyses and recommendations to DFAS management in Arlington, VA; l) Include a firm-fixed price for the project and a firm-fixed price for a follow-up study to be conducted in two years (at the Government's option). Travel will be approved in advance by the government Project Manager on a cost-reimbursable basis in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR); m) Acknowledge that all data collected in the study shall remain confidential and shall not be divulged without prior written consent by the DFAS Project Manager; n) Provide five contract references for similar type services including point of contact and phone number. (ix) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, applies. The following evaluation criteria are included in paragraph (a) of the provision: Evaluation Criteria, in descending order of importance: a. Technical: 1) The extent to which the offeror demonstrates an ability to achieve the SOO objectives, demonstrates a sound approach, and ensures that all the requirements can be met; 2) Quality, availability, depth and magnitude of comparative and best practices database; b. Past Performance -- In addition to the references provided the Government may also obtain past performance information from other sources. Evaluation will be a subjective assessment based on consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances. It will not be based on absolute standards of acceptability. When assessing the quality of the Contractor's past performance, the Government will seek to determine whether the Contractor has consistently demonstrated a concern for customer satisfaction. The following elements of past performance will be evaluated and are of equal importance: 1) Quality of Supplies/Services: The quality of supplies/services provided was appropriated for the task to be performed and that the services met the overall project objectives including cost and end-user satisfaction. 2) Timeliness and Performance: The contractor's effort to meet delivery schedules on time and the methods of tracking and reporting as well as the problems encountered during performance, such as change order, revisions and the corrective action taken. 3) Contractor management of subcontractors, multiple orders, multiple locations, controls, availability of personnel, customer satisfaction. c. Price. Note: Technical (technical sub-factors are considered of equal importance) and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. (x) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items and 252,212-7000, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with its offer. (xi) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and resultant contract and is incorporated by reference. The following terms and conditions are added as an addendum to this clause: Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price; FAR 52.217-6, Option for Increased Quantity. (xii) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following additional clauses apply: FAR 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government; 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns; 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era, 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic funds Transfer-Other than Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards; 252.212-7001, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of Commercial Itemsand 252.204-7004, Required Central Contractor Registration, are hereby incorporated by reference. (xiii) N/A (xiv) N/A (xv) N/A (xvi) Offers are due by 2:00 P.M. EST, May 09, 2000, Quotes may be mailed to: Defense Finance & Accounting Services, Attn: ASO/CPI, CM3, ROOM 227, 1931 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22240-5291 or hand delivered to 2221 South Clark Street, Crystal Plaza 6, Room 500, Arlington, VA. or electronically submitted in MS Word or Excel to colette.dalton@dfas.mil and james.richards@dfas.mil. Note: There is no direct mail delivery to Crystal Plaza 6. (xvii) For information regarding this solicitation, contact Ms. Colette Dalton, DFAS-ASO/CPI, at e-mail: colette.dalton@dfas.mil. or (703) 607-5708. Collect calls will not be accepted. Posted 04/25/00 (W-SN448346). (0116)

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