NASA SEWP VI

As of November 8, 2024, NASA is reviewing the RFP and the feedback received to determine if further clarifications or changes are required. The agency plans to communicate any updates via SAM.gov and the SEWP website.

By October 28, 2024, NASA had addressed these concerns by publishing a second batch of Q&A, providing necessary clarifications to the SEWP VI Request for Proposal (RFP).

In August 2024, NASA paused the SEWP VI solicitation due to industry concerns over clarity and unanswered questions. This decision followed a significant number of vendor inquiries and a public letter-writing campaign highlighting ambiguities in the procurement process.

These developments underscore NASA’s commitment to a transparent and collaborative procurement process, ensuring that industry partners have the information needed to participate effectively in SEWP VI.

June 18 Update: Minor but Important Changes

NASA has made several essential updates to the SEWP VI solicitation, which contractors should note. We compared both categories’ Amendment 1 with the latest changes, and here’s what we found:

• Category B: Exhibit 2b has been revised to align more precisely with the technical areas specified in the solicitation. This ensures consistency and clarity in technical requirements. Key changes include modifications in:

  • 1b. Enterprise-Wide Network Services

  • 4b. IT Service Management

  • 7b. Enterprise-Wide Application Services/Software Development

• Category C: Exhibit 2c now features a selection box for technical areas, simplifying the process of identifying and selecting the relevant areas. Key modifications include updates in:

  • 1c. Innovation Services

  • 2c. Information and Data Analytics Services (IDAS)

  • 8c. Network Services

No need to resubmit your pre-proposal questionnaire if it was based on the earlier version—the changes don’t affect that submission. The proposal deadline remains unchanged: July 11, 2024.

June 13 Update: Key Clarifications

• NAICS Codes Expanded: Ten new NAICS codes have been added to Categories B and C. Notable inclusions are NAICS 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, found on pages 62-63 of the amended RFP.

• Certification Flexibility: Small businesses can now submit proposals with ISO 9001 or CMMI certifications “in progress,” providing added flexibility. This exception is extended to all offerors, irrespective of business size.

• WOSB and VOSB Requirements: Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) offerors under Category C are now required to cover only two content representative areas in their Volume II past performance matrix.

• Technical Approach Language Removed: NASA has also simplified Volume III by removing the requirement to describe proposed architectural features, which was previously needed to demonstrate technological leadership for next-gen solutions.

Why Does This Matter?

These amendments are designed to streamline the submission process and reduce barriers for small businesses, while ensuring technical requirements are clear and consistent. The updates emphasize SEWP VI’s commitment to flexibility, inclusivity, and promoting technological advancement.

Looking Ahead: July Deadlines & Exciting Features

• Proposal Deadline: Mark your calendars—the due date for SEWP VI proposals is still July 11, 2024. NASA plans to announce contract awards on October 24, 2024.

• Contract Flexibility: Unlike SEWP V, SEWP VI introduces multiple contract types, such as fixed-price, time and material, labor-hour, award-fee, and incentive-fee, providing greater adaptability to project needs.

• Increased Small Business Participation: Though concerns have been raised about the new small business standards, NASA continues to emphasize small business inclusion. Recent expansions in NAICS codes provide new opportunities, but contractors should be aware of potential impacts on competition due to the revenue-based size standard.

NASA SEWP VI—A Service-Centric Shift

SEWP VI’s focus has shifted towards IT services rather than just products. This move reflects broader government trends to prioritize existing contracts and leverage a more service-oriented approach to procurement. Deltek’s Vice President of Research, Carrie Webster, pointed out that this strategic shift aligns with a growing preference for leveraging existing procurement avenues.

NASA’s decision to allow an uncapped number of awards also brings new opportunities for prime contract positions—a big move towards inclusivity in government contracting.

Challenges for Small Businesses

While the opportunities expand, the revenue-based size standard is raising concerns. Lawmakers Roger Williams and Nick LaLota have highlighted that SEWP V successfully included small businesses, with 80% of contract dollars awarded to them. The shift in SEWP VI’s NAICS code to a revenue-based model could limit smaller firms’ participation, impacting the diversity of the contracting landscape. Industry experts like Stephanie Geiger from Geiger Consulting Group and Eric Crusius from Holland and Knight have voiced concerns about the challenges for small businesses in maintaining a competitive edge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Stay Updated with VisibleThread

VisibleThread is keeping track of all these developments to provide you with the latest and most relevant information. Stay tuned for more updates on SEWP VI, and make sure to check out our free compliance matrix to get a head start on preparing your proposal.

Ready to explore the latest SEWP VI requirements in more detail? [Download our free comparison report here] to ensure you’re ahead of the game in this rapidly changing environment.

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