NASA is keeping us on our toes! After releasing the final SEWP VI Request for Proposal on May 23, they paused it on Aug. 28 to paused it asses the RFP. On Sept. 20, NASA officially 'un-paused' SEWP VI and issued a new deadline – Dec. 18, 2024. We’re updating our blog so you can have the latest and greatest information all in one place! We’ve already seen a lot of misinformation circulating, and there are very different requirements depending on the size of your business and the Category you are applying for, so be sure to read the final RFP very closely. It’s also important to check back frequently for the latest news, amendments, and clarifications. For up-to-date information and additional resources, visit our Contract Vehicle page: https://www.tridentproposals.com/nasa-sewp-vi. 

Let's dive into the RFP!

Table of Contents

• NEW: NASA Releases First Round of Q&A following 'strategic pause' 
• NASA Releases SEWP VI Update; Includes New Deadline
• NASA Presses 'Pause' on SEWP VI
• Quick Recap: What is the NASA SEWP Program?
• What do I need to know about the Final RFP? 

**NEW**

NASA Releases First Round of Q&A Following Strategic Pause

On Oct. 15, 2024, NASA released the first batch of responses submitted after May 23, 2024. This includes 1,399 responses with more responses to be published in the future. According to the contracting team, all comments will be addressed. 

PAST UPDATES

NASA Releases SEWP VI Update; Includes New Deadline

On Sept. 20, 2024, NASA 'un-paused' SEWP VI and issued a tentative schedule of releases and events ahead of the new deadline. All proposals are now due Dec. 18, 2024. See the full notice below: 

NASA appreciates industry’s interest in the SEWP VI Request for Proposal and the submitted questions. NASA has undergone a 6-week strategic pause on the SEWP VI solicitation to address industry concerns.

As a result of the strategic pause, Industry shall expect to see the following from NASA in the upcoming weeks:

• Responses to ALL questions previously submitted to the SEWP VI Q&A Comment tool. 
  • Responses to these questions will be communicated in approximately three batches between October 01st and 22nd.
• The answers previously provided to Industry will remain as a resource to reference as a Frequently Asked Questions document.
• An additional two days to ask questions using the SEWP VI Q&A Tool.
• Subsequent Amendments addressing necessary edits to the solicitation.
• An Industry Day scheduled in November 2024,  to discuss any substantive changes to the solicitation prior to proposal receipt.  

Tentative Schedule:

• Provide Industry Answers to Current Questions (i.e. all ~6,800 questions received to date)- October 1- 22nd
• Additional Questions Period- October 22-24th
• All Amendments and Answers to any Additional Questions- NLT November 4th
• Industry Day-November 2024
• SEWP VI Proposal Submission Due Date- DECEMBER 18th, 2024

NASA values its partnership with Industry and urges continued monitoring of SAM.gov and the SEWP Website for ongoing communications and updates.  

NASA Presses 'Pause' on SEWP VI

On Aug. 28, 2024, NASA pressed 'pause' on SEWP VI. At this time, all responses are paused, and the original Aug. 28, 2024 response date is no longer valid. See the full notice below: 

NASA appreciates industry interest in the SEWP VI Request for Proposal and the submitted questions.  We value collaboration, and we strive to ensure a transparent process for our industry partners. 

In consideration of this, NASA is implementing a strategic pause on the SEWP VI Request for Proposals.

The due date for proposals will be extended at a future date. NASA anticipates completing the below activities and intends to communicate updates via SAM.gov and the SEWP website (sewp.nasa.gov). 

• A future amendment will be published after NASA completes a review of its RFP and Q&A received to determine if substantive clarifications or changes are required.  This activity is anticipated to take a few weeks.
• An Industry Day will be scheduled to discuss any substantive changes to the RFP prior to proposal receipt.
• The new proposal receipt date will be communicated after the above activities and will allow time for industry to submit proposals.  

Again, NASA appreciates the feedback received and values its partnership with Industry.  Please continue to check SAM.gov and the SEWP Website for ongoing communications and updates.

Thank you for the interest in SEWP VI.

What is the NASA SEWP Program?

NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) is a government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC) managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Used to purchase a wide range of information technology (IT) products (and limited services), it has been in operation for several decades and serves as a valuable procurement vehicle for NASA, all federal agencies, and approved federal agency support service contractors.

NASA SEWP provides a streamlined and cost-effective way for federal agencies to acquire IT products and services. It covers a broad spectrum of IT-related categories, including hardware, software, cloud computing, cybersecurity, telecommunications, audio-visual products, and related services. As the name suggests, the primary customer is NASA; however, other federal agencies can expedite IT purchases through the SEWP contract. 

FAST FACTS: SEWP VI will be an order level multiple contract type GWAC with the ability to issue Firm-Fixed-Price, Time and Material, Labor Hour, Fixed Price Award Fee, and Fixed Price Incentive Fee task orders. For administrative purposes only, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for Category A is 541519e- IT Value Added Reseller and for Categories B and C is 541512- Computer Systems Design Services. However, Offerors are not restricted to only NAICS Code 541512 and 541519e. This opportunity will also use the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) for classification. A complete list of in-scope UNSPSC codes for SEWP can be found in Attachment C, SEWP Contract Holder User Manual.

The current GWAC, SEWP V, consists of over 140 pre-competed Prime Contract Holders, including more than 110 Small Businesses (source). SEWP V is due to expire on April 30, 2025.

What Do I Need to Know About the Final RFP?

All information below is based on the final Request for Proposal (RFP) released on May 23, 2024.

Updated Opportunity Timeline (As of May 23)

How is this going to work?

Big picture, bidders need to pass four steps to obtain an award as a qualifying offeror:

• Step 1: Pass the mandatory REP requirement (see more below) with a current ISO 9001:2015 Certification of Conformity/Conformance. If you’re a SB, you must show that the necessary certification is in process; and
• Step 2: You must have an overall Neutral or Satisfactory Level of confidence past performance rating; and
• Step 3: You must have overall High confidence in Mission Suitability: High Confidence in both the Management Approach and Technical Approach; and
• Step 4: You must be classified as a responsible source in accordance with FAR 9.104.

SEWP VI Categories

One new advantage of SEWP VI is that it features expanded Categories that include IT Services beyond those traditionally bundled with IT parts/supplies. It’s important to understand what types of products/services align with which categories, so we’ve outlined them below.

• Category A Scope - Information Technology, Communications, and Audio-Visual (ITC/AV) Solutions: A broad suite of Information Technology, Communications, and Audio-Visual (ITC/AV) solutions: i.e., technology in which there is an intertwining of products, such as a laptop, and services, such as maintenance and installation. 

• Category B Scope - Enterprise-Wide ITC/AV Strategic Solutions: Provides Federal Agencies with customized Enterprise-Wide Strategic Solutions for the improvement and enhancement of Agency ITC/AV infrastructure.
• Category C Scope – ITC/AV Program-level Solutions: Provides Federal agencies with customized Solutions at a Mission/Program level for improvement and enhancement of Agency ITC/AV infrastructure.

Mandatory Experience/Offerings

Ok, here’s where things start to get a little trickier. Broadly speaking, Offerors must provide a certain number of relevant experience projects (REP) that cover a minimum number of mandatory sub-areas. But what’s required varies based on Category and Company Size. Let’s break it down. 

For Category A: You won’t have projects, per se, but you will need to propose technology solutions for any 4 of the 8 Category A Mandatory Technical Areas as well as Technical Area 9 (Product Based Services) within the Category A Solutions Spreadsheet. For quick reference, these are the Category A Mandatory Technical Areas:

1. IT Computer Systems / Compute Facilities
2. IT Storage Systems
3. Networking and Communication Equipment
4. Imaging Equipment and Supporting Technology
5. IT Power and Cabling Equipment
6. Audio/Video Equipment
7. Security and Sensor Equipment
8. Software and Cloud Technology
9. Product-based Services

There are a few sub-components to this that, for ease of explanation, we’re breaking down into numbered parts as follows:

Part 1: Information Tab: On the Category A Solutions Spreadsheet tab, Offerors will indicate which 4 areas (plus Area 9) the Offeror is, well, offering. One of those 4 areas will be designated the Primary Technical Area: this is important because it directly impacts how many distinct and relevant CLINs you will need to provide in Part 3.

Part 2: Point of Contact Tab: On this tab, Offerors must identify a Designated Provider for each of the 4 proposed Technical Areas (you don’t need one for Technical Area 9). This Designated Provider must be from the list of approved SEWP Providers listed in Enclosure 1 of the RFP. Companies can use the same designated provider in more than one Technical Area BUT the offerings provided in each must be distinct, relevant, and different. Additionally, Offerors must include at least one additional provider in each Technical Area (Note: these *don’t* have to be from the Enclosure 1 list).

Part 3: Technical Area Tabs: You’re going to list a MINIMUM of 1,502 CLINs. Here’s the breakdown.

• For the ONE Primary Technical Area: You need a minimum of 1,000 distinct and relevant CLINs from the designated provider and a minimum of 50 distinct and relevant CLINs from the secondary providers (Total Minimum Number of CLINs in the Primary Technical Area: 1,050).
• For the other THREE Technical Areas: You need a minimum of 100 distinct and relevant CLINs from the designated provider and 50 distinct and relevant CLINs from the secondary providers (Total Minimum Number of CLINs PER TECHNICAL AREA: 150 per area. Total Minimum Number of CLINs across three Technical Areas: 450).
• For Technical Area #9: Last but not least, you need a minimum of 2 service CLINs.

Let’s move on to Categories B and C! There are a couple of lanes within these categories, depending on your business size and socio-economic status. Let’s start with what constitutes a REP in these categories.

• A REP for mandatory experience is defined as a single contract or task order as either a Prime or Subcontractor. You cannot use the whole IDIQ – it must be a single contract or task order.
• Work should be from NASA, Government, and/or commercial contracts.
• If work was performed as a subcontractor, you can only claim the size and work actually defined in the subcontract.
• Work must be from projects that are complete or ongoing within three years of the solicitation release date.
• You may only submit projects with NAICS codes that are in scope for SEWP VI (See RFP Section A.1.34 for a complete listing).

What about Past Performance?

An important distinction is that Past Performance is not evaluated on your REPs. It is a separate subfactor and requires that you send a specific questionnaire to your clients/former clients for the projects you are citing. Prime Offerors must submit information for a minimum of 1 but no more than 3 of their most recent similar contracts that are complete or ongoing within three years of the solicitation release date. A couple of notes:

• You cannot use newly-awarded projects or those that do not have documented performance history (based on the RFP, we recommend using 6-months of performance as the minimum cutoff here).
• NASA is not requesting information for proposed subcontractors and if submitted, it will only be evaluated for SB prime offerors. And even then, there are a few caveats: check out RFP Section A.3.7.2(a) for more information on that.
• For Past Performance, Offerors MAY submit a single award IDIQ/BPA at the contract/agreement level as a single past performance reference (however, you cannot submit a multiple award or GWAC as an individual record).

The table below outlines how many content representative areas you need to cover to be rated “Pertinent” and how large each project needs to be to be rated “Relevant” based on the category you are proposing and your business size.

* Note: Category A does not include specific socio-economic set-aside thresholds for these categories; all SB bidders must comply with SB requirements. 

ISO / CMMI

For all categories, you must provide a third-party compliance verification with the ISO 9001 standard via an ISO 9001:2015 Certification that is active at the time of proposal submission. 

If you’re a Small Business, you must provide proof that the ISO 9001:2015 (or CMMI for Category B) certification is in process at the time of proposal submission. Certification must be obtained within 12 months of contract award. If it cannot be obtained within the 12-month time frame, NASA will off-ramp you from SEWP VI. If you’re in the certification process, you cannot compete on any requirements that require the certification. This can only be done after you are certified.

Another note about the certification: you cannot take credit for an ISO 9001 certification held by a manufacturer whom you represent.

Please tell me that’s all …

Almost. SEWP VI DOES include a narrative Mission Suitability Volume, which is made up of two subfactors. Subfactor A is a Technical Approach, and Subfactor B is a Management Approach. Each subfactor has a page limit of 15 pages.  These are fairly straightforward, but bidders should be prepared to talk about how their solutions will provide technological leadership, how they will handle Supply Chain Risk Management, their commitment to sustainability, as well as product and services diversity, and their program management approach.

So, am I ready to bid?  

SEWP VI won’t have a maximum number of awardees, meaning any bidder who qualifies can theoretically get an award. But that doesn’t mean everyone should throw their hat in the ring. Here are some factors to consider when framing your bid/no-bid decision.

Will you use the contract? This is always one of the first questions you should ask yourself – because getting a seat on any IDIQ isn’t just about the WIN (although we know that feels good). You need to make sure you’re spending time and resources bidding on the contracts that will give your clients the best access to your products and/or services and showcase you in your best light. You also need to consider how competitive the pool of awardees is for each contract. Is there a better GWAC out there for your products/services/clients/socioeconomic set-aside? (If you’re not sure, Contact Us, and we’ll put you in touch with our seasoned Business Intelligence Analysts and Capture Advisors).

Other considerations are the administrative and performance/participation requirements – if you haven’t read through Attachment B (Program Performance) and Attachment C (the SEWP Contract Holder User Guide) – you need to do that immediately. Those documents outline everything expected of you as a SEWP performer and include critical information on how you’ll be evaluated in execution. SEWP has a phenomenal reputation when it comes to Client Service and transparency, so make sure you’re prepared with the capacity, infrastructure, agility, and innovation to manage delivery throughout the life of the contract.

Bottom line – your goal should be winning and staying on the contract, so take a look at how you will win and manage task orders once you’re on the contract so that you can make the best hiring, teaming, or BD decisions to ensure your long-term success.

Are you qualified? This seems like an obvious question, but have you really looked at your experience to make sure it qualifies in terms of recency and relevance as defined by the solicitation? If you’re pursuing Category A, do you have the requisite number of CLINs and providers? And don’t forget those mandatory certifications. Every bidder must be ISO 9001 certified (or, if you are a SB, be able to show proof that the certification is in progress). And, if you are applying for Category B and/or Category C, you need a minimum CMMI (Development or Services) Level 2 certification.

We repeat this warning for every GWAC: Even the most organized, qualified companies can be surprised by the amount of time and effort it takes to prepare a proposal response like this. Give yourself the best advantage by thoughtfully evaluating your projects, teaming strategy (if needed), and familiarizing yourself with the administrative and performance requirements of the program now.

What’s next?

If you offer IT products and services, read the RFP to determine if this is the GWAC for you. If you are interested in pursuing SEWP or would like Trident to review your proposal before you submit, contact us today. Our GWAC experts can walk you through the most complex elements so that you can bid with confidence!    

Written by Rebecca Wayland

Rebecca Wayland    

Rebecca is our Chief of Staff. While Rebecca may primarily wear the HR hat, she offers comprehensive proposal management, capture support, market research and training. She is also our GWAC lead so if you’re exploring Polaris, OASIS+, or Alliant 3, she is definitely your SME. As a U.S. Navy veteran and military spouse based in Honolulu, she supports clients around the world as part of our globally dispersed team.