The Interior Department just released a draft request for proposals (RFP) for a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide cloud hosting services for the Department of the Interior (DOI): Foundation Cloud Hosting Services 2 (FCHS 2). The Department is seeking industry feedback on the draft RFP, and the deadline to respond is April 27.

FCHS 2 is a potential 10-year, $10 billion contract to provide cloud services that include provisioning, managing, and securing cloud environments to support a wide range of applications and workloads. The Government is looking for contractors who have expertise in cloud hosting services and a strong track record in information security and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the Government is putting a high priority on small business participation and is seeking bidders who have a substantive commitment to working with small businesses.

Interior plans to make between three and five awards using a two-phase advisory down-select process to determine the winners. For Phase 1, offerors must submit a 10-minute video speaking to four qualification questions. Conducting recorded video orals presentations is a specialized skill. OST can help with consulting, strategies, and training.

If you are planning to submit a proposal for the FCHS2 contract, it is important to start preparing now. Here are some tips on how to start preparing your proposal:

Understand the draft Evaluation Criteria: The Government will evaluate proposals based on six non-price factors (Cloud Experience, Organizational Capacity and Employee Knowledge, Information Security and Regulatory Compliance/Partnership in A&A Process Meeting Security Authorities, Modernization Initiatives/Adoption Barriers, Past Performance, and Small Business Participation) and Price. It is important to understand the evaluation criteria and ensure that your proposal addresses each factor.

Conduct Win Strategy workshops to emphasize innovation: document customer hot buttons and develop the benefits of your solution to highlight innovative approaches through automation, dashboard tools, and other modernization initiatives. You also want to demonstrate your commitment to information security and regulatory compliance.

Demonstrate your commitment to Small Business Participation: The Government is looking for bidders who have a substantive commitment to small business firms. Be sure to address how you plan to involve small business firms in your proposal, such as through Joint Ventures, mentor/protégé agreements, or other demonstrations of commitment.

OST Global Solutions has extensive experience in proposal development, capture management, and Government contracting. Our team of experienced professionals can help you craft a winning proposal that highlights your strengths, addresses evaluation criteria, and increases your chances of winning the FCHS 2 contract. We can provide capture and proposal teams to develop a complete, winning proposal. Or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services related to FCHS 2 consist of orals, capture management, cost volume development, price-to-win analysis, team identification/negotiation, proposal management, proposal writing, editing, graphics, and desktop publishing.

Contact us to discuss your bids, so we can help you develop a winning proposal for FCHS 2.

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