Instructions to Prospective Offerors for Unsolicited Proposals

POLICY

It is the policy of the government to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas in response to Broad Agency Announcements, Small Business Innovation Research topics, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topics, Program Research and Development Announcements, or any other government-initiated solicitation or program.

When the new and innovative ideas do not fall under topic areas publicized under those programs or techniques, the ideas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals. [FAR 15.602]

"Unsolicited proposals allow unique and innovative ideas or approaches that have been developed outside the government to be made available to government agencies for use in accomplishment of their missions. Unsolicited proposals are offered with the intent that the government will enter into a contract with the offeror for research and development or other efforts supporting the government mission, and often represent a substantial investment and effort by the offeror.” [FAR 15.603]


DEFINITIONS

An unsolicited proposal is "a written proposal for a new or innovative idea that is submitted to an agency on the initiative of the offeror for the purpose of obtaining a contract with the government, and that is not in response to a request for proposals, Broad Agency Announcement, Small Business Innovation Research topic, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topic, Program Research and Development Announcement, or any other government-initiated solicitation or program.” [FAR 2.101]

A unique and innovative concept is

  1. In the opinion and to the knowledge of the government evaluator, the meritorious proposal

(i) Is the product of original thinking submitted confidentially by one source;

(ii) Contains new, novel, or changed concepts, approaches, or methods;

(iii) Was not submitted previously by another; and

(iv) Is not otherwise available within the federal government.

2. In this context, the term does not mean that the source has the sole capability of performing the research. [FAR 2.101]


REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE

Unsolicited proposals submitted to the FBI are subject to the following acquisition regulations and procedures:

  1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 15.6, Unsolicited Proposals
  2. Department of Justice Acquisition Regulation Subpart 2815.6, Unsolicited Proposals
  3. FBI Policy Directive 0339D, Handling of Unsolicited Proposals


PROCEDURES 

Preliminary Contacts

Prospective offerors are encouraged to make preliminary contacts with agency personnel prior to preparing detailed unsolicited proposals or submitting proprietary information to the government. This may save considerable time and effort for both parties. [See FAR 15.201 and 15.604(a)]


Information to Prospective Offerors

These instructions provide prospective offeror’s information on the preparation and submission of an unsolicited proposal and an agency’s receipt, evaluation and acceptance (or rejection) of an unsolicited offer [FAR 15.604]:

A. The definition of an unsolicited proposal acceptable for formal evaluation. [See FAR 2.101.]

B. Requirements concerning responsible prospective contractors and organizational conflicts of interest. [See FAR Subpart 9.1 and Subpart 9.5.]

C. Agency points of contact for information regarding advertising, contributions, and other types of transactions similar to unsolicited proposals shall be the Agency Competition Advocate.

D. Information sources on agency objectives and areas of potential interest. See the FedBizOpps opportunities.

E. Procedures for the submission and evaluation of unsolicited proposals. All unsolicited proposals are to be submitted to IndustryOutreach@fbi.gov.

F. Instructions on properly identifying and marking proprietary information and restrictive legends to conform to FAR 15.609. Note that only the agency’s Contracting Officer (CO) has the authority to bind the government regarding unsolicited proposals. [See FAR 15.604(b).]


A Valid Unsolicited Proposal Must (FAR 15.603): 

  1. Be innovative and unique;
  2. Be independently originated and developed by the offeror;
  3. Be prepared without government supervision, endorsement, direction, or direct government involvement;
  4. Include sufficient detail to permit a determination that government support could be worthwhile and the proposed work could benefit the agency's research and development or other mission responsibilities;
  5. Not be an advance proposal for a known agency requirement that can be acquired by competitive methods [See FAR 15.603(c).]; and
  6. Not address a previously published agency requirement


Content of an Unsolicited Proposal (FAR 15.605) 

An unsolicited proposal must contain the following to permit consideration in an objective and timely manner [See FAR 15.605]:

A. Basic information, including:

  1. Offeror's name and address and type of organization (e.g., profit, nonprofit, educational, small business);
  2. Point of contact information for technical and business personnel for evaluation or negotiation purposes
  3. Identification of proprietary data to be used only for evaluation purposes; 
  4. Names of other federal, state, or local agencies or parties receiving the proposal or funding the proposed effort;
  5. Date of submission; and
  6. Signature of a person authorized to represent and contractually obligate the offeror.

B. Technical information, including:

  1. Concise title and abstract (approximately 200 words) of the proposed effort;
  2. Reasonably complete discussion stating the objectives of the effort or activity, the method of approach and extent of effort to be employed, the nature and extent of the anticipated results, and the manner in which the work will help to support accomplishment of the agency's mission;
  3. Names and biographical information on the offeror's key personnel who would be involved, including alternates; and
  4. Type of support needed from the agency (e.g., facilities, equipment, materials, or personnel resources).

C. Supporting information, including:

  1. Proposed price or total estimated cost for the effort in sufficient detail for meaningful evaluation;
  2. Period of time for which the proposal is valid (a 6-month minimum is suggested);
  3. Type of contract preferred;
  4. Proposed duration of effort; 
  5. Brief description of the organization, previous experience, relevant past performance, and facilities to be used;
  6. Other statements, if applicable, about organizational conflicts of interest, security clearances, and environmental impacts; and
  7. Names and telephone numbers of agency technical or other personnel already contacted regarding the proposal.


Certification by Offeror

To ensure that an offeror’s contacts with agency employees do not exceed the limits of acceptable preliminary contacts and therefore result in an unfair advantage, its unsolicited proposal must include the following:

This is to certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that: (a) this proposal has not been prepared under government supervision. (b) The methods and approaches stated in the proposal were developed by this offeror. (c) Any contact with employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been within the limits of appropriate advance guidance set forth in FAR 15.604. (d) No prior commitments were received from departmental employees regarding acceptance of this proposal.

Date:

Organization:

Name:

Title:*

*A responsible official of the proposing organization or a person authorized to contractually obligate the organization shall sign this certification.


Receipt and Initial Review (FAR 15.606-1)

Before initiating a comprehensive evaluation of an unsolicited proposal, the FBI contact point will determine if the proposal (1) meets the requirements of a “valid unsolicited proposal” [See FAR15.603(c)]; (2) is suitable for submission in response to an existing agency requirement [See FAR 15.602]; (3) is related to the agency mission; (4) contains sufficient technical information and cost related information for evaluation; (5) has been approved by a responsible official or other representative authorized to obligate the offeror contractually; and (6) complies with the marking requirements of FAR 15.609. [See FAR 15.606-1.]

If the unsolicited proposal meets the above requirements, the FBI contact point will promptly acknowledge receipt in writing and process the proposal for evaluation. If the FBI rejects an unsolicited proposal because it does not meet the above requirements, the contact point shall promptly inform the offeror of the reasons for rejection in writing and of the proposed disposition of the unsolicited proposal.


Use and Disclosure of Data Marking Requirements (FAR 15.609)

An unsolicited proposal may include data that the offeror does not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the government except for evaluation purposes. If the offeror wishes to restrict the use of the data, the title page of the unsolicited proposal must be marked with the “Use and Disclosure of Data” legend contained at FAR 15.609(a).

The offeror must also mark each sheet of data it wishes to restrict with the Use and Disclosure of Data legend contained at FAR 15.609(b). For an unsolicited proposal that contains the Use and Disclosure of Data legends, the FBI contact point will place a cover sheet on the proposal or clearly mark it with the Unsolicited Proposal - Use of Data Limited legend at FAR 15.609(d), unless the offeror clearly states in writing that no restrictions are imposed on the disclosure or use of the data contained in the proposal.


Evaluation of an Unsolicited Proposal (FAR 15.606-2)

The FBI will consider all the factors identified in FAR 15.606-2 for Unsolicited Proposals. The principal elements considered in evaluating a proposal are its technical and programmatic relevance to agency objectives and intrinsic scientific or engineering merit, the qualifications of the investigator and the investigator's institution, and the overall cost.

Several evaluation techniques are regularly used within the agency. Regardless of the technique, proposals are reviewed by technical personnel knowledgeable in the proposed area of discipline. Technical proposals are reviewed entirely in-house. Cost proposals are reviewed using the combined efforts of in-house economic personnel. The final decisions are always made by collective determination. If, during proposal evaluation, additional information is requested, it should be forwarded through the coordinating office.


Acceptance and Negotiation of an Unsolicited Proposal (FAR 15.607)

A favorable comprehensive evaluation of an unsolicited proposal does not, in itself, justify awarding a contract without providing for full and open competition. An unsolicited proposal shall be returned to an offeror, citing reasons, when its substance: (1) is available to the government without restriction from another source; (2) closely resembles a pending competitive acquisition requirement; (3) does not relate to FBI activities/mission; or (4) does not demonstrate an innovative and unique method, approach, or concept, or is otherwise not deemed a meritorious proposal. [See FAR 15.607(a).]

The FBI does not allow a proposal or any of the unique ideas in it to be used as a basis of a solicitation or negotiation with other organizations. For purposes of clarity and to ensure a full and complete understanding of the requirement, the government may develop a statement of work to include any documentation requirements. The intent is not to change the proposal, buy rather to align it with a particular agency need.

The CO may commence negotiations on a sole source basis only when: (1) an unsolicited proposal has received a favorable comprehensive evaluation; (2) a justification and approval has been obtained; and (3) the agency technical office sponsoring the contract furnishes the necessary funds. [See FAR 15.607(b).]


Synopsis Requirements 

The CO need not issue a public synopsis of the proposed contract action if it results from the acceptance of an unsolicited research proposal that demonstrates a unique and innovative concept and publication of any notice would improperly disclose the originality of thought or innovativeness of the proposed research, or would disclose proprietary information associated with the proposal. [See FAR 5.202(a) (8).]

This exception does not apply if the proposed contract action results from an unsolicited research proposal and acceptance is based solely upon the unique capability of the source to perform the particular research services proposed. [See FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(i).]