The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued updates to its Evolve contract, a multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) solicitation aimed at modernizing the department’s IT capabilities.
The Evolve acquisition will enable DOS to “acquire technology services from companies with proven track records and to advance modern U.S. diplomatic goals including the application of emerging technologies, cyber security, data analysis, innovations in climate and health, as well as workforce accessibility.”
A final Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected as soon as the first quarter of 2023, and draft documents were issued earlier this year. Evolve will still include two phases, with an advisory down-select for Phase 1. Phase 1 will now include a Self-Scoring Sheet and a Technical Challenge. In Phase 2, oral presentations are no longer required.
All functional five categories will still be solicited concurrently. The department also clarified that there is no Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) restriction on bidding or awards between functional categories at the IDIQ level. The agency noted that there is a high likelihood of OCI between Functional Category 1 (IT Management) and other functional category Task Orders.
Another notable revision: Corporate certifications (e.g., CMMI Level 3, ISO, etc.) are no longer a minimum requirement for bidders. However, bidders with these certifications will earn higher ratings in Phase 1.
Other DOS clarifications on Evolve include:
- Proposals will be submitted via the Symphony Procurement application, with instructions provided in the RFP.
- Bidders may submit up to three Past Experience examples per functional category (the minimum is one Past Experience per functional category).
- Sample Task Order proposal submissions for each functional category will be required and evaluated during Phase 2.
- The small business factor is no longer pass/fail, but an adjectivally rated evaluation factor.
Functional Categories
Evolve will involve five functional categories, and DOS intends to award up to 36 IDIQ Contracts, broken down as follows:
OST Global Solutions is a professional business development consulting firm. We have experience supporting large, strategic bids like Evolve. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning Evolve proposal. Or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services related to the Evolve proposal consist of capture management, team identification/negotiation, proposal management, pricing support, orals coaching, proposal writing, graphics support, editing, desktop publishing, and cost volume development.
Evolve will have a 5-7-year Period of Performance.
Reach out to us to discuss your Evolve bid, so we can discuss how to develop a winning proposal.
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