January 30, 2015

The Contracting Office released a Modification on January 2, 2015. The purpose of the Modification is to advise the industry that due to the volume of questions received from industry in response to the HITTSS-II Industry Awareness Conference, the Contracting Office is in the process of reviewing all inquiries and making any appropriate modification(s) to the acquisition strategy. A revised AMS qualifications will be issued when this activity is completed.

The contract will have a $700 M value because the IRM group will not be using a different vehicle. Further the program has changed name to HITTSS II – Hybrid Information Technology and Telecommunications II Contract.

The presenters provided guidelines as to how the small businesses can be successful in selling the contract. The contractors were advised to focus on target agencies, build relationships, consider teaming and joint ventures, to market aggressively and do networking.

The three tracks in this program include the following:

1. Tract 1 – 8(a) – Computer Related Services – NIACS 141519

2. Track 2 – (HUBzone, SDVOSB, and EDWOSB) – Computer Related Services – NIACS 141519

3. Track 3 – Small Business – Wired Communications Carriers – NIACS 517110

 

The work to come out of this program includes:

1. Computer related services except custom programming, system integration design and facilities management

2. Communications including wired telephone, VOIP, audio, video, broadband, and television

 

The qualifications to win a contract under this solicitation are stringent. They include:

1. Certified small business or SDB

2. Hold GSA schedule 70

3. Have a top secret facility clearance by start of contract

4. 508 compliant

5. Adequate financial infrastructure

As this article goes to press (Jan. 29), the exact procurement schedule is not know due to lack of a recent update.  The Contracting Office previously stated that issuance of AMS qualifications and response eforms would be delayed until review of the industry inquiries were completed and all appropriate modifications to the acquisition strategy were finalized. Responses to the AMS were previously due on January 15, 2015. AMS results were expected to be released by February 15, 2015. And the Solicitation was anticipated to be released on February 28, 2015.  Those companies scoring a grade of “pass” in the AMS process will be free to submit a proposal.

For questions, please contact John Cook at 703-689-9600 or jcook@ociwins.com.