Solicitation No'

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Pre-Proposal Conference May 8, 2008 Transportatio
n Operations Research Analysis (ORA) and
Communications Support Services 8(a) Set-Aside

• Solicitation No.
• DTRT57-08-R-20023

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Agenda
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Ground Rules

• Any statements or remarks made during this
  pre-proposal conference shall not alter the terms
  of the solicitation.
• The terms and conditions of the solicitation
  remain unchanged unless an amendment is issued
  that incorporates any changes discussed or
  alluded to during todays pre-proposal conference.

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Ground Rules

• No verbal or written questions will be answered
  relative to the solicitation at todays
  Pre-Proposal Conference.
• All questions must be submitted in writing to
  Alison Fecht by 400 pm Eastern Time on May
  12, 2008 and will be answered in the form of a
  written amendment to the solicitation.

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Overview

• Presented by
• Michael Dinning,
• Executive Director of Business Development

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Volpe in the U.S. DOT Organization
U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Administrator Research and Innovative
Technology Administration
Associate Administrator/ Director Volpe Center
Director Transportation Safety Institute
Associate Administrator Research, Development and
Technology
Associate Administrator Research, Development
and Technology
Associate Administrator Office of Administration
Associate Administrator/ Director Intelligent
Transportation Systems, Joint Program Office
Associate Administrator Office of Governmental,
International and Government Affairs
Associate Administrator/Director Bureau of
Transportation Statistics
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Vision and Mission

• Vision
• To be the leading Federal Center of Excellence
  for innovative transportation systems solutions.
• Mission
• To improve the Nations transportation systems.

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Brief History

• 1970 Established as DOT entity in OST through
  transfer from NASA
• 1978 Transferred from the Office of the
  Secretary to newly established Research and
  Special Programs Administration
• 1980 Working Capital Fund statute formalized
• 1985 Memorandum of Understanding signed between
  DoD and DOT concerning the Center
• 1990 Center renamed for former Governor of
  Massachusetts, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
  
• 2005 RITA established Volpe becomes part of
  RITA

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Role of the Volpe Center in the Innovation
Process
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Funding Approach Promotes Agility and
Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Budget-neutral, non-line-item operation, under a
  working capital fund (49 U.S.C. 328)
• Fee-for service
• No profit no retained earnings
• Entrepreneurial and self-sufficient
• Rapid and flexible response to client needs
  through direct funding transfer

• Volpe Funding is
• Derived from workingagreements with customers
• Earned by fulfilling critical technical
  requirements/needs
• Tied to specific objectives and deliverables

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Our Most Important AssetDedicated
Transportation Professionals

• 506 FTE Federal Employees
• 372 Professional Technical Staff
• 269 Advanced Degrees (69 with PhDs, 200 with
  Masters)
• About 600-800 Contract Employees
• Full Spectrum of Technical Disciplines

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Large and Diverse Project Portfolio

• Approximately 400 projects underway on behalf of
  our federal, state and local, and international
  clients/sponsors.
• Total FY 2007 obligations 220 million.

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Programs Aligned with DOT Priorities

• Safety
• Reduced Congestion
• Global Connectivity
  
• Environmental Stewardship
• Security, Preparedness, and Response
• Organizational Excellence

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Volpes DOT Work Supporting Departmental
Priorities
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Volpes Non-DOT Work Supporting Departmental
Priorities
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The Mix of Volpe Work FY 2007By YTD Obligations
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U.S. DOT Clients FY 2007By YTD Obligations
lt 1
lt 1
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U.S. Non-DOT Clients FY 2007By YTD Obligations
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Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU)

• Congress encourages the Department to use the
  Volpe Center as a source for transportation
  research and development and related activities.
  The Volpe Center is uniquely positioned to assist
  Executive Branch agencies in fulfilling
  transportation research and development
  initiatives, solving challenges related to
  integrating transportation and homeland security
  issues and achieving the letter and intent of
  legislative mandates associated with the
  continued authorization of Departmental
  activities.
• U.S. Congress Conference Report, July 2005

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The Volpe Organization
RITA Administrator
Associate Administrator and Director Volpe
Center
Office of Demonstration and Deployment Programs
Office of Administration/ Chief
Administrative Office
Office of Surface Transportation Programs
Office of Aviation Programs
Supports informed decision-making within the
transportation enterprise by providing data,
information, analysis, and knowledge necessary to
improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness
of passenger and freight transportation vehicles,
infrastructure, services, and systems.
Provides transportation system technology and
integration expertise with emphasis on ensuring
the efficient and effective performance of
aviation systems and other advanced
transportation systems.
Supports the on-going improvement of the
transportation and logistics enterprise by
designing, developing, and deploying system
capabilities for greater effectiveness and
security worldwide.
Provides a full range of administrative and
business management services for the Volpe Center.
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Technical Overview Transportation ORA and
Communications
Presented by Jeffrey Bryan, Project
Manager Doug Rickenback, Project Manager Sarah
May, Project Manager
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Section C Statement of Work
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Operations Research Analysis
Industry Analysis Analysis of the business and
economic aspects of transportation industry,
including issues of finance, business case and
market analysis, supply and demand forecasting,
regulatory and productivity analysis
System Operational Performance Application of
theoretical and practical analysis techniques to
existing and anticipated issues relating to large
scale transportation and logistics systems
Technological Advances Application of theoretical
and practical analysis techniques to the
assessment of transportation and logistics
related technology
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Operations Research Analysis
Strategic Framework Strategic transportation
system planning, organizational structures and
processes
Financial and Administrative Support General and
specialized program management, risk analysis,
project planning and scheduling, and strategic
and operational planning Engineering
Support Multiple engineering disciplines to
support variety of analytical engineering efforts
across broad range of activities
System Analysis and Policy Impacts Analysis of
the impacts of the flow of people and goods
and/or transportation and logistics systems and
operations on society and the environment
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Industry and Regulatory Analysis

• Benefit cost analysis, regulatory evaluations,
  new
• technologies, infrastructure investment
  decisions
• Econometrics statistics, ops tests, state
  highway funding,
• safety estimation
• Passenger demand forecasting
• Survey research
• Program evaluation

• Projects
• Amtrak cost accounting system development
• PHMSA Hazmat regulatory evaluations
• Support on CAFÉ
• Congestion pricing support

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System Operational Performance

• Evaluate transportation systems operations
• Develop alternatives that improve system
  performance
• Plan integrated multi-modal transportation
  networks

• Projects
• Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public
  Lands
• FEMA Louisiana Moves Transportation Project
• Long Island Five Town Rural Transit Study

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Technological Advances

• Application of ITS technologies
• to improve transportation systems
• operations
• Research and analysis of
• Alternative Fuel strategies for DOT

Projects RITA SAFETRIP21 FTA Electric Drive
Strategic Plan DOT Alternative Fuel Road Map
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Strategic Framework Planning and Organizational
Performance

• Building innovative, results-driven government
  organizations through
• Strategic planning,
• Organizational design
• Program design and performance
• Change Management

Projects DOT RDT Strategic Plan State DOT
business process redesign FTA Performance
Measures Evaluating Non-Motorized Transportation
Pilot Program
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Strategic Framework

• Professional Capacity Building (PCB)
• Designing innovative workforce development
• resources for transportation professionals
• Peer to Peer technical exchanges
• Strategic communications
• Disseminating technical assistance
• and best practices

Projects ITS, Security and Emergency
Management, Transportation Planning, Roadway
Safety, Environment, and Public-Private
Partnership PCB programs
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Financial and Administrative Support

• Project Management Support
• Workforce Development
• Financial Analysis
• Training and Curriculum Development

Projects FAA Air Tour Management Plan EPA Libby
Remediation Project Volpe Workforce Planning
Database DOT HQ Security Project Information
Management Support
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Engineering Support

• Multiple Engineering disciplines to support
  variety of activities
• Marine
• Human Factors
• Environmental
• Civil
• Mechanical
• Industrial
• Engineering Psychology

Projects Advanced Vehicle Driver
Identification Systems (AVIDS) FAA Airport
Surface Detection Project (ASDE-X)
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System Analysis and Policy Impacts

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  (FMCSA) Projects
• Program Evaluation and Measurement
• Program Effectiveness Models
• Information Resource Development (SafeStat)
• Data Quality Improvement
• Strategic Planning and Program Design
• Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010)

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Program Evaluation and Effectiveness

• Evaluate FMCSA Safety Programs designed to
  prevent crashes and reduce the number of related
  injuries and fatalities.
• Develop analytical models to estimate the
  effectiveness of the following FMCSA Safety
  Programs
• Compliance Review
• Roadside Inspection
• Hazardous Materials Permit
• Operation Safe Driver

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Develop Information Resources
Compliance Reviews
Moving Violations
Crashes
Roadside Inspections
Carrier Registration
Closed Enforcement Cases
Algorithm Calculates Safety Status of Carrier
Individual carrier results available on AI
Online
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Analyze and Improve Data Quality

• Develop measures to evaluate States data
  quality.
• Raise awareness of the importance of data
  quality.
• Develop improvement tools for data quality
  (DataQs).
• Review State reporting processes and recommend
  improvements.
• Provide Technical Assistance to individual States
  as they improve their processes.

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Program Design (CSA 2010)

• Develop a new measurement and rating system to
  improve FMCSAs focus on high risk carrier and
  driver behaviors
• Expand the range of interventions to increase the
  number of contacts with carriers to correct
  behaviors before they become chronic or habitual
• Develop IT systems to support the dissemination
  of the information
• Support Reauthorization and Rule Making

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Communications Coordination of communication
services is critical to successful performance

• Writing and Editing
• Technical reports, journal articles, newsletters,
  user guides, brochures, and marketing materials
• Majority of projects are based on technical work
• Examples of marketing collateral - Awards
  Ceremony Brochure, Points of Pride, Highlights

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Communications Coordination of communication
services is critical to successful performance

• Graphics
• Services - Electronic and desktop publishing,
  graphic design layout, technical
  illustrations, multimedia presentations, CADD
• Products - Exhibits and displays, logos, report
  graphics, brochures, posters, banners

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Communications Coordination of communication
services is critical to successful performance

• Web Design and Development
• Services include site design, text creation, web
  page coding for both public and password
  protected sites
• Utilization of industry and government best
  practices
• Guidelines include Section 508, DIRMM, OMB
  Policies for Federal Agency Websites and Research
  Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines

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Communications Coordination of communication
services is critical to successful performance

• Printing and Production
• Services include color printing, black and white
  reproduction, binding, and distribution
• Providing guidance and cost estimates for
  production, binding, printing
• Materials received in hard copy, electronic,
  removable media
• Liaison to GPO for printing services

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Conference Planning and Logistics

• Services include planning, organizing and
  recording conferences,
• meetings or webinars, processing of
  invitational travel, facility selection
• and reservation, and website registrations
• Conferences range from 20 to 400 attendees
• Average conference is 1 day for 50 attendees

Projects Professional Capacity Peer Exchanges
Drug and Alcohol 2nd Annual FTA Conference FHWA
Environmental Conference 3rd annual MCSAP
Leadership Conference NEPA Teambuilding Project
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Contract Management and Administration

• Contract Management and Administration functions
  necessary for effective contract performance
• Technical Leadership
• Project Management
• Staffing
• Cost Control
• Contracting Operations
• Administrative Support

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Solicitation Highlights
Presented by Alison Fecht, Contract
Specialist Elizabeth Segal, Contracting
Officer
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Solicitation Highlights

• Solicitation No. DTRT57-08-R-20023
• Transportation Operations Research Analysis (ORA)
  and Communications Support Services
• Solicitation is separate and distinct from the
  ORA Full and Open Solicitation No.
  DTRT57-08-R-20022.

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8(a) Set-Aside

• This procurement is being conducted as an 8(a)
  set-aside and is intended to be competed among
  eligible 8(a) firms, resulting in multiple
  awards.
• The 8(a) Program is an instrument for helping
  socially and economically disadvantaged
  businesses gain a foothold in government
  contracting.
• New regulations permit 8(a) companies to form
  teaming partnerships including mentor/protégé
  relationships.
• All eligible 8(a) firms, including Woman-owned
  and/or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small
  Businesses (SDVOSBs) may compete in this
  procurement.
• Eligible 8(a) firms must also qualify under the
  small business size standard of 6.5M.
• Offerors are urged to contact their local SBA
  representative for details and eligibility
  requirements for the 8(a) Program.

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Contract Objectives

• Provide ORA and Communications support services
  to meet the Volpe Centers transportation and
  logistics requirements.
• Qualified, highly and appropriately skilled
  professionals, to augment the Volpe Centers
  ability to respond to project requirements
• Seamless integration of ORA and Communications
  services
• Accessible and flexible workforce
• Ability to support evolving requirements and
  workloads
• High quality, on time and within budget
  deliverables

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Contract Awards

• Anticipated Award Date October 2008
• Anticipated Number of Awards Three to Five
• Anticipated that a majority of the work will be
  performed on site at the Volpe Center.
• Scope may include ORA and Communications support
  services, as well as a Contract Management and
  Administration function.

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Anticipated First Task Order

• Services to be provided in a manner and scope
  similar to the current Transportation Research
  Analysis and Communications Expertise (TRACX)
  contract, DTRS57-04-D-30043.
• Will include requirement for Contract Management
  and Administration services.
• Details and specific requirements will be
  provided in the Task Order RFP.

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Section B Contract Type

• The following types of task orders may be issued
• Firm Fixed Price (FFP)
• Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF)
• Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion
• Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) term
• Performance-based task orders will be used to the
  maximum extent practicable.

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Section I - Limitations on Subcontracting

• Reference FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on
  Subcontracting
• The 8(a) business concern must demonstrate the
  following in its proposal submission
• Services. At least 50 percent of the cost of
  contract performance incurred for personnel shall
  be expended for employees of the concern.
• Cost of contract performance incurred for
  personnel refers to direct labor cost and any
  applicable indirect burdens (i.e. Fringe,
  Overhead, and GA), excluding ODCs, profit, or
  fees.

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Section L - Exclusion from Bidding

• Section L.2.A.
• All Prime on-site service contractors at the
  Volpe Center are urged to read their contract for
  guidance as to whether they are precluded from
  award as a Prime contractor or subcontractor
  under this solicitation.
• The winner of the task order that will provide
  much of the work currently being provided by the
  TRACX on-site support services contract will be
  excluded from competing on all other task orders
  under this contract.

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Section L Proposal Presentation

• Please refer to Section L.3.D for proposal
  formatting and page limit instructions.

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Section L Proposal Due Date

• Proposals are due by 300 pm Eastern Time on
  June 10, 2008.
• Proposals shall be submitted to
• Alison Fecht, RTV-6D2
• U.S. DOT/RITA/Volpe Center
• 55 Broadway
• Cambridge, MA 02142-1001
• Please remember to complete the Notice to
  Potential Offerors cover sheet with your
  proposal.

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Section M - Basis for Award

• Section M.1.A.
• Award will be made to those responsive and
  responsible Offerors whose offers provide the
  best value to the Government.

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Section M Factors for Evaluation

• Technical Understanding is of the most
  importance.
• Management Approach and Staffing are of equal
  importance, but each is of lesser importance than
  Technical Understanding and more important than
  Past Performance.
• Past Performance is of the least importance.

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Section M Order of Importance

• The technical evaluation factors that are
  addressed in the Technical Proposal, when
  combined, are significantly more important than
  cost in the selection of a Contractor for award.
• The importance of the Cost Proposal should not be
  minimized because as the Technical rankings
  become closer, the importance of evaluated cost
  will increase.

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Section M Factors for Evaluation

• Only relevant past performance history will be
  considered.
• The Government will determine relevance of past
  performance information based on the similarity
  of the nature of the previous work to the current
  requirements identified in Section C, the dollar
  value of the previous efforts (i.e., equal to or
  greater than 100,000), and the currency of prior
  work (i.e., within the past three years).
• If an Offeror has no past performance history,
  the Offeror must affirmatively state this in its
  proposal.
• If the Offeror does not include past performance
  history and does not affirmatively state that no
  past performance history exists or can be
  obtained, the Offerors proposal may be rated
  Unacceptable for this factor.

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Section M Factors for Evaluation

• Offerors must address their ability to perform
  all Task Areas identified in Section C through
  the use of Prime or Subcontractor resources in
  their proposal or they will be eliminated from
  competition.

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Section M Factors for Evaluation

• Resumes must clearly show verifiable dates and
  years of experience.
• A signed Letter of Intent should be included in
  the proposal for Key Personnel if the Offeror is
  proposing a new employee.

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Cost and Business Proposal
Presented by Jerry Luke, Contract Price
Analyst
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Cost and Business Proposal

• Government intends to award on initial offers.
• Proposals must contain sufficient information so
  that evaluation can be completed without
  discussions.
• Supporting documentation must be clear and
  complete.

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Labor

• The Level of Effort provided in the solicitation
  is for evaluation purposes only.
• Note that hours are apportioned between
  Government site and Contractor site.
• Labor category rates must be consistent with
  rates of persons whose resumes are submitted with
  the Offerors proposal.

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Subcontracts

• Offerors are reminded that FAR 52.219-14 requires
  that the Prime Small Business perform at least 50
  percent of the cost of contract performance for
  personnel. A proposal that fails to meet that
  threshold may be eliminated from consideration.

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Labor

• Include information on Uncompensated Overtime in
  accordance with FAR 52.237-10.
• Include information for evaluation of
  Compensation for Professional Employees in
  accordance with FAR 52.222-46.

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Administrative Labor

• Must be proposed in accordance with your
  companys established accounting practices
• Must also be estimated in the Cost Proposal

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Offeror-Estimated Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

• Identify direct costs that the Offeror will
  charge to support this effort in accordance with
  its approved accounting system (i.e. copying,
  postage, etc.)
• The above ODCs are in addition to the
  RFP-stipulated ODCs.

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Accounting Systems

• Please provide a statement and evidence of
  approval by a Government agency such as the
  Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA).

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Cost and Business Proposal

• Provide current indirect rate recommendations
  from DCAA, including a field rate if available.
• Subcontracts should be CPFF for companies with a
  DCAA-approved accounting system.
• Small dollar value Time and Materials type
  subcontracts may be appropriate for Consultants.

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Cost and Business Proposal

• Schedule 5 (applies to Primes only) Factors for
  Fixed Fee, Award Fee, and Profit.
• Two-tiered approach
• One rate for Subcontracts, Equipment, and Travel
  costs.
• Another rate for All Other Costs.

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Reminders
Presented by Elizabeth Segal, Contracting
Officer
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Reminders

• Please read Sections C, L and M more than once.
• Written questions are due by 400 pm Eastern Time
  on May 12, 2008.
• Proposals are due by 300 pm Eastern Time on June
  10, 2008.

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Reminders

• Oral Presentations will begin approximately
  sixteen days after the proposal due date.
• Offerors selected to provide an oral presentation
  will be notified at least ten days in advance of
  their scheduled presentation date.

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• Thank you for your attendance at this
  Pre-Proposal Conference.
• Please return your badge to the Guard at the desk
  in the front lobby.