4.8.  SECTION L & M CONSIDERATIONS.

4.8.1.  Sections L & M form the "heart" of the RFP. If a problem is going to arise, it will generally stem from an error or misstatement in one of these sections. It is highly recommended that the evaluation factors be described first, and then the instructions written to ensure the appropriate information is requested in the technical proposal. See Sections L & M in the attached model RFPs for evaluation factors that have worked successfully (Attachments 4-4, 4-5, and 4-6).

4.8.2.  We recommend you consider identifying a valid requirement to serve as the seed project for the first award. This strategy accomplishes several objectives. If large enough, the project can increase competition. It satisfies the contract minimum under the first contract awarded and if using an evaluation strategy other than performance price tradeoff, it allows you to evaluate each offeror's design team as applied to the design of a real project. This is very important since smaller companies tend to team up with A-E firms for the MACC requirement with many of them representing new, or first time, relationships with no established performance record as a team. When using this approach it is recommended that the project selected require no more than a 15-25% level of design effort to keep proposal preparation costs down.

4.8.3.  The seed project will help ensure the award of the MACC is in accordance with AFFARS MP5316.504. MP5316.504 mandates that, upon execution of the contract, an obligation shall be recorded based upon the issuance of a delivery or task order for the cost/price of the minimum quantity specified. The Contracting Officer will need to work with the customer to develop the minimum quantity and ensure obligation upon award.