NASA SEWP VI RFP Amendment: Key Changes for Small Businesses

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued Amendment 5 to its signature government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC), Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) VI Request for Proposal (RFP). The updates in this amendment are particularly relevant for small businesses looking to leverage subcontractor and affiliate experience. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the changes and their implications for your proposals.

What’s Changed

1. Use of First-Tier Subcontractors (page 97)

Focus on Identified Subcontractors: NASA now requires first-tier subcontractors to be explicitly identified in the proposal for their experience to be considered.

Simplified Documentation: The requirement for a Meaningful Relationship Commitment Letter has been removed.

2. Relevant Experience Projects (REP) (page 101)

Specific Identification Required: NASA now places emphasis on the need for first-tier subcontractors to be explicitly identified in the proposal for their experience to be considered.

Separated Evaluation: There are distinct evaluation criteria for first-tier subcontractors, affiliates, and predecessor companies.

3. Mandatory Experience Evaluation (Page 113)

Clear Evaluation Criteria: The Government will now evaluate the capabilities, past performance, and experience of each first-tier subcontractor as part of the small business prime contractor’s submission if the prime does not independently demonstrate the necessary capabilities.

Joint Venture Considerations: The Government will conduct a detailed evaluation of the work and qualifications of each partner in a joint venture, as well as any work done by the joint venture itself.

4. Removing “Commercial” (multiple pages)

NASA also struck the word commercial from several sections on pages 23, 59, 87, and 96. Removing this word potentially broadening the scope of acceptable plans.

Implications for Your Proposals

• Clarification and Specificity: By issuing these clarifications, NASA is reducing ambiguity and streamlining the evaluation process. By requiring first-tier subcontractors to be explicitly identified in the proposal, NASA ensures that only clearly documented and relevant subcontractors are considered. Having distinct criteria for evaluating first-tier subcontractors, affiliates, and predecessor companies provides a clearer framework for assessment, reducing potential confusion for bidders.
• Improved Transparency: By specifying the documentation and evaluation criteria more clearly, NASA aims to improve the transparency and fairness of the selection process.

Leverage Our Expertise

Don’t let a small oversight derail your proposal! Let our experts guide you in compliance and submission!

OST Global Solutions is a professional business development and proposal consulting company, and our proposal professionals only develop content custom to our clients’ capabilities, ensuring compliance with SEWP VI requirements. We have extensive experience in winning large, strategic bids like SEWP VI. We provide proposal professionals to develop complete, winning proposals. Or we can provide consultants on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps on your business development team. Our services related to SEWP VI consist of proposal management, proposal writing, editing, graphics, and desktop publishing.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you in developing a winning proposal for the SEWP VI contract.

Schedule a Call

[email protected]

(301) 384-3350

Upcoming Bid & Proposal Academy Classes