Contracting with Military Sealift Fleet
Support Command (MSFSC)
29 June 2010
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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MSFSC Mission Statements
MSFSC – To execute Type Command functions of manning, training,
equipping, and maintaining MSC Government-Owned, Government
Operated (GOGO) ships, worldwide; and to support other MSC
assets, as directed by COMSC.
MSFSC N10 – To serve as the principal advisor and counsel to
COMSFSC on all matters related to acquisition, contracting and
business management process, policy and execution; and, the
advisor and focal point for contractor ethics and procurement
integrity.
Area of Responsibility – East/Gulf Coast, West Coast, Hawaii and
Guam
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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MSFSC Contracting Staff
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Director – Deidre Fisher
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Deputy Director – Diane Krueger
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N101 – AO Support Branch, Henry Bijak
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N102 – AE/AOE Support Branch, Vacant
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N103 – AKE Support Branch, Vacant
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N104 – ARS/ATF Support Branch, Elloise Hitshew
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N105 – AH/Special Missions Support Branch, Andy Shanks
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N106 – General Contracts/IT Support Branch, Corey Squires
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N107 – Simplified Acquisition Branch, Diane Krueger
Ship Support Units in San Diego, CA (Bob Link) and Santa Rita, Guam
(Patrick Dimla)
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Operations
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In addition to the support provided to the Class Managers, via execution of shiprepair contracts,
purchase of spare parts, supplies, and services for the ships, we actively support other directorates
within the command. Some of the other high visibility procurements and/or services provided include:
Recruiting and Advertising Services – Contracted services to promote and coordinate MSC’s
recruiting events; produce advertising towards recruitment of Civilian Mariners.
Lodging for Civilian Mariners – Contracted services for CIVMARS assigned to the “pool” and
lodging for shiprepair availabilities.
Establishment and Administration of Indefinite Delivery Type Contracts in Support of the
Fleet – fire system inspection, life rafts, MHE, SCBAs, Cargo Elevator/Dumbwaiter, General Ship
Repairs (Norfolk, Baltimore, Earle, San Diego).
Government Commercial Purchase Card (GCPC) Program – Responsible for management
of the GCPC, both ashore and afloat, for approximately 150 cardholders and approving officials.
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Basis for Award
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Lowest priced, Technically Acceptable (LPTA)
– Technical proposals are evaluated to determine their
acceptability
– Once proposals have been determined to be acceptable,
technical qualities are no longer considered
– Award is made to the technically acceptable offer with the
lowest price
– Award can be made on initial offers, without discussions or
following discussions and submission of Final Proposal
Revisions
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Basis for Award (continued)
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Best Value Source Selection
– A procurement policy or philosophy; not a specific procedure
– A number of evaluation procedures can be used to determine
best value
– “Best Value” is a contracting policy that reflects the
recognition that it is not always wise to make purchase
decisions on the basis of price alone
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Basis for Award (continued)
– Government is allowed to evaluate proposals and select the
source whose proposal offers the greatest total benefit, or
best value, to the government
– This approach is used when the lowest price/cost is not the
most important factor in selecting the contractor
– It is also used when a high level of technical quality is desired
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Synopsizing, and Soliciting
Requirements
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Requirements between $2500 and $10K do not have to be
synopsized. (Use and Acceptance of Government Purchase Card
is highly encouraged for requirements below $3000 for supplies;
$2500 for services)
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Requirements between $10K and $25K must be displayed in a
public place or by any appropriate electronic means.
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Requirements in excess of $25K are synopsized in a Government
Point of Entry (GPE). The Navy and MSFSC’s GPE is
FEDBIZOPPS.
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A solicitation must be prepared for requirements in excess of
$25K. Solicitation must also be posted to GPE.
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ALL REQUIREMENTS IN EXCESS OF $2500 SHOULD BE SETASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS IF THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO (2)
SMALL BUSINESSES THAT CAN PROVIDE THE
SERVICE/SUPPLY AT A FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE.
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Government Proposals – Top Blunders
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Using Complex Language – Keep your proposal simple and easy to
follow. Use easy-to-understand language and avoid long-winded
sentences and paragraphs.
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Submitting a proposal on contracts that will place your current
government projects at risk – When considering government
solicitations, make sure you possess the skills and resources required to
finish the project.
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Not accepting credit cards for payment – Many govt. agencies prefer to
use the GCPC to buy goods and services. If you don’t accept the GCPC
you may miss out on govt. contracting opportunities. There are benefits to
accepting the CGPC – no need to fill out detailed paperwork and receipt of
immediate payment.
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Pricing an item in incorrect units (Most Common Mistake) – A typical
example is submitting a bid on gallons when the govt. solicitation was for
quarts. It may seem like a simple error, but it could cost you a govt.
contract.
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Top Blunders (continued)
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Submitting messy govt. proposals – Before you seal the
envelope, double-check your document for typos, blank pages,
unnumbered or mis-numbered pages, smudges, rips and poor
grammar.
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Having preconceived notions about what specific govt.
agencies need – Don’t knock yourself out of consideration by
assuming a govt. agency doesn’t need your products. Contact the
govt. agency before you decide.
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Focusing on frills rather than fundamentals – Concentrate on
making your proposal rejection-proof. Begin by responding to each
and every requirement in the solicitation. Make sure your proposal
offers a clear and well thought-out solution that will solve the
problem at hand, while calling attention to the direct benefits of your
proposal. Make sure you firmly follow the rules of govt. proposals.
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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Top Blunders - continued
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Not allowing enough time – You will need time to check and recheck
your proposal, but you will also need time to ready any agency-specific
rules and regulations and other information that will help your
submission. You’ll want to begin calculating the time and materials
you will need to fulfill the govt. contract. You’ll need this information to
determine your proposal price. Finally, make sure you allow enough
time for your proposal to reach the agency office before the deadline.
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Ignoring or underestimating your competitors – A crucial goal of
your proposal is to differentiate yourself from your competitors. How
much more efficiently will you do the job? Why is your price better
than theirs? If you haven’t taken time to study and understand your
competitors, it’s unlikely that you’ll beat them to the contract.
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Inconsistency – Review your proposal for consistency before you
send it off. Is your work plan in agreement with your budget and
schedule: Do your figures add up? Are you consistent with
measurements and any other elements that are vital to your proposal?
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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How to Write a Proposal
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Include an Executive Summary which tells the evaluators why they should
choose your company for the contract. Explain to the govt. how your
company is going to accomplish the requested work.
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Provide a list of resumes and qualifications and responsibilities of the key
personnel and subcontractors named in the proposal.
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Ensure that the charts and graphs included in the proposal are relevant and
should b used as exhibits whenever possible.
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Provide a list of satisfactory completion of similar projects in size and
complexity or of providing similar services to companies of similar size
and/or characteristics.
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Provide a safety plan if you are preparing a proposal that requires the use of
machinery, chemicals, or equipment that could conceivably cause injury.
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Make sure that the proposal is well-written. Proofread the proposal to
eliminate last-minute mistakes.
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Complete and sign all paperwork correctly. Errors and incomplete paperwork
could result in your proposal being rejected by the govt. contracting office. 12
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
Getting Started……
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Register in Central Contractor Registration
(https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx)
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Search FEDBIZZOPS regularly (https://www.fbo.gov)
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Make contact with the Small Business Specialist (SBS)
at the activity(ies) you are interested in doing business
with.
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Visit the Military Sealift Command contracting
webpage (Contracts Tab) for contracting
opportunities within MSC/MSFSC
(http://www.msc.navy.mil)
Military Sealift Fleet Support Command
Man, Train, Maintain, Equip
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