Does the most recent CIO-SP4 amendments produce inequities? — Washington Technological know-how

COMMENTARY

Does the latest CIO-SP4 amendments produce inequities?

NITAAC’s sudden change might set smaller firms devoid of significant partners at a downside

The National Institutes of Well being Info Technological innovation Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC)’s hugely predicted Chief Information and facts Officer – Remedies and Associates 4 (CIO-SP4) RFP, introduced June 25, has by now observed 4 amendments and a proposal owing date extension to July 8. But the newest amendment, #4, has caught some bidders, especially little corporations, off-guard.

A Transform to Self-Scoring

In the unique solicitation, bidders with Contractor Teaming Preparations (CTAs) or Joint Ventures (JVs) could use only prime contractor Corporate Knowledge, Primary Edge Technology, Federal Several Award contracts, and Govt Get 13779 knowledge illustrations as documented on the self-scoring worksheet. With the exception of the latter, the bigger the dollar benefit of these encounters, the better the rating.

In Modification #4, NITAAC taken out the prohibition on utilizing initial-tier subcontractor knowledge illustrations. The rationale for the transform is that “it is not NITAACs intent to remove the skill of offerors to make use of first tier subcontractors that are component of a CTA as described in Much 9.601.” On the surface, the modification would seem to be to eliminate impediments to teaming and give the two little and big firms higher adaptability.

Who Added benefits?

NITAAC issued the draft RFP final calendar year, and for in excess of a 12 months, contractors have assumed that they could not use the activities of teaming companions in purchase to bolster their score. Therefore, many contractors almost certainly place minimum effort into building CTAs or JVs. Most large companies pursuing this bid likely have sufficient experience to attain a competitive rating without teaming associates.

With the Modification #4 adjustments, smaller corporations now benefit from CTAs with greater corporations that give high dollar value knowledge illustrations to make a bigger rating. What this suggests is that large companies can primary and then also act as a initial-tier subcontractor on a non-unique basis, offering them the means to be a part of multiple groups.

Tiny firms that were being setting up to bid without having CTA or JV preparations will probably be non-aggressive in this new taking part in subject. They will either risk a reasonably minimal score, or they will need to have to speedily obtain teaming partners to keep aggressive.

The unexpected change to self-scoring encounter requirements may well finish up placing little corporations at a downside, and definitely makes a much less than stage playing area.