The General Services Administration (GSA) recently released the final Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Alliant 3 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), designated as RFP 47QTCB24R0009. As an eagerly anticipated procurement, Alliant 3 aims to provide federal agencies with innovative and comprehensive IT services solutions. This blog will delve into the key sections of the Alliant 3 Final RFP , including its summary, scope, evaluation criteria, proposal structure, and submission guidelines. The objective is to offer an engaging, informative, and professional overview for prospective bidders.

Summary of Alliant 3 Final RFP

Alliant 3 GWAC is designed to meet the IT services needs of the federal government, offering a flexible, efficient, and comprehensive contract vehicle. It is aimed at supporting integrated IT services-based solutions on a global scale. This contract encompasses a wide range of IT services and emerging technologies, providing federal agencies with the necessary tools to achieve their mission-critical objectives.

The contract vehicle allows for a diverse range of IT services, supporting various methodologies including Agile, and covers both current and evolving needs. The goal is to ensure that federal agencies can procure IT services efficiently and effectively, while also promoting government savings through improved data integrity and reporting.

Scope of Work

Scope of Work Overview

The Alliant 3 GWAC offers unparalleled flexibility in acquiring IT services-based solutions. This contract supports an “Anything IT Anywhere” philosophy, covering all components of an integrated IT services solution. This includes the current leading-edge technologies and any new technologies that may emerge during the contract period. The contract is built on the most current Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) and Department of Defense Information Enterprise Architecture (DoD IEA) Reference Models.

Core Components of the Scope

The scope of the Alliant 3 contract is vast and inclusive of several critical IT areas (for a complete list of work areas, refer to Alliant 3 in a Nutshell):

  • 3-D Printing Integration
  • Agile Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biometrics/Identity Management
  • Cloud Computing
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Centers and Consolidation
  • Digital Government and Trust
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • IT Helpdesk, Operations, and Maintenance
  • Zero-trust Networks

These areas, among others, illustrate the contract’s comprehensive approach to meeting diverse IT requirements across various federal agencies.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria explained in Alliant 3 Final RFP are detailed and rigorous, designed to ensure that only the most qualified and capable contractors are selected. The evaluation process is broken down into several key components:

Technical Capability and Experience

Offerors must demonstrate significant experience and capability in delivering IT services. This includes showcasing relevant projects and the ability to handle complex, integrated IT solutions. The evaluation will focus on the breadth and depth of the offeror’s experience in various emerging technologies and primary NAICS code relevant experience.

Past Performance

Past performance is a critical aspect of the evaluation. Offerors are required to submit past performance information for relevant projects, which will be assessed based on the quality and relevance of previous work. The government will use this information to gauge the offeror’s reliability and effectiveness in delivering IT solutions.

Small Business Participation

Alliant 3 places a strong emphasis on small business participation. Offerors must submit a detailed small business subcontracting plan, outlining how they intend to engage small businesses in their projects. This criterion aims to ensure that small businesses play a significant role in the execution of IT services under the Alliant 3 contract.

Proposal Structure

Proposal Submission Instructions

The proposal submission process outlined in the Alliant 3 Final RFP is meticulously structured to ensure clarity and completeness. Offerors are instructed to carefully read the entire solicitation document, including all attachments, before preparing their proposals. The proposal must be comprehensive and adhere to the specified format and content requirements.

Self-Scoring Proposal

A unique aspect of the Alliant 3 Final RFP is the self-scoring mechanism. Offerors are required to complete a self-scoring worksheet, which quantifies their qualifications based on predefined criteria. This worksheet (Attachment J.P-16) must be submitted along with the proposal. The self-scoring process allows offerors to objectively assess their strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring a transparent and fair evaluation process.

Key Sections of the Proposal

  • Standard Forms and Certifications: Offerors must complete and submit the Standard Form (SF) 33 and SF-30 for amendments. These forms are fundamental to the proposal submission.
  • Self-Scoring Worksheet: This critical component requires offerors to evaluate themselves against the RFP criteria. The worksheet helps in identifying the areas where the offeror excels and where they might need improvement.
  • Relevant Experience and Past Performance: Detailed descriptions of relevant projects and past performance evaluations are crucial components of the proposal. This section should clearly illustrate the offeror’s capability and experience in delivering IT solutions.
  • Small Business Subcontracting Plan: For other-than-small business offerors, a comprehensive small business subcontracting plan must be included, demonstrating how small businesses will be utilized in project execution.

Professional Employee Compensation Plan

The offeror must submit a Professional Employee Compensation Plan to ensure the quality and stability of the workforce. This plan is particularly important as it impacts the offeror’s ability to attract and retain competent professionals.

Teaming and Subcontracting

The Alliant 3 Final RFP emphasizes the importance of teaming and subcontracting. Offerors are encouraged to form strategic partnerships and engage subcontractors to enhance their proposals. Effective teaming can provide additional capabilities and expertise, making the proposal more competitive.

Proposal Submission

Electronic Submission

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Symphony proposal intake system. Offerors must be familiar with this system, which may take some time to get a grip on. The submission must include all required documents, and offerors are advised to ensure that their proposals are complete and error-free. The government will not reimburse any costs associated with the preparation and submission of proposals.

Proposal Due Date

The proposal due date is October 28, 2024, and offerors must adhere to this deadline to ensure their proposals are considered. Late submissions may result in the rejection of the proposal.

Evaluation Process

The government will evaluate all proposals based on the specified criteria explained above, and the evaluation process will be thorough and fair. Offerors must ensure that all information provided in their proposals is verifiable and accurate. Any discrepancies or unverifiable information may lead to the rejection of the proposal.

Final Note on Alliant 3 Final RFP 

The Alliant 3 GWAC represents a significant opportunity for IT service providers to engage with the federal government in delivering cutting-edge IT solutions. By understanding the key sections of the RFP, including the summary, scope, evaluation criteria, proposal structure, and submission process, offerors can prepare comprehensive and competitive proposals. The Alliant 3 Final RFP not only demands technical expertise and past performance but also emphasizes the importance of small business participation, professional employee compensation, and effective teaming and subcontracting strategies. By adhering to the guidelines and providing detailed, accurate information, offerors can position themselves for success in this competitive procurement process.

Alliant 3 is set to shape the future of IT services within the federal government, and this comprehensive breakdown aims to equip potential offerors with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate this pivotal RFP effectively. ​​