GovCon Bid and Proposal Insights
GovCon Bid and Proposal Insights
Special Operations Forces Global Services Delivery
In this episode, we explore the Special Operations Forces Global Services Delivery contract, a $1 billion Multiple Award IDIQ from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). With up to 15 awards and a total small business set-aside, this contract presents a major opportunity for companies specializing in education and training, management support, program management, engineering, intelligence services, and more.
We break down the key requirements, NAICS 541611 scope, and strategies to help your business compete effectively before the anticipated July 2025 RFP release. Whether you’re a small business aiming to enter the defense sector or an experienced contractor looking to expand, this episode provides the insights you need to maximize your chances of success.
🎧 Listen now to get ahead of the competition!
Contact ProposalHelper at sales@proposalhelper.com to find similar opportunities and help you build a realistic and winning pipeline.
Welcome back to the Deep Dive, everybody. We've got a big one for you today. We're going to dive deep into a request for information RFI and RFI and a whole bunch of questions and answers, all surrounding a potential contract with US Special Operations Command SOCOM.
Speaker 2:That's right, and not just any contract. This one is for the upcoming Special Operations Forces, global Support Services, the SOFGSD, indfinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract and IDIQ.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm mouthful, right, but hey, it's SOCOM we're talking about, so buckle up.
Speaker 2:You got it.
Speaker 1:So you shared some documents with us, right.
Speaker 2:I did.
Speaker 1:And these were mainly responses from the government to questions about this whole contracting process right.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Think of it like the government providing a sneak peek, some early clarifications on what they're really looking for from companies who want to work with them.
Speaker 1:Okay, so what are some of the key things they're touching upon in these clarifications?
Speaker 2:Well, they cover a wide range of topics, from how they'll evaluate proposals, the scoring mechanism, to more specific details like security clearances, which are obviously crucial when dealing with SOCOM.
Speaker 1:Yeah, makes sense, and we also see references to some important attachments in these documents.
Speaker 2:Right, the HTRO self-score matrix. You'll want to get familiar with that. And of course there's the SOW statement of work. This basically outlines the specific services they're looking for.
Speaker 1:All right. So, in a nutshell, what's our mission today?
Speaker 2:Our mission is to sift through all of this information, all these dense government documents, and extract the most crucial insights, you know, the stuff that really matters.
Speaker 1:Right, cut through the jargon and help companies like yours understand what they need to know to be successful in this potential opportunity.
Speaker 2:Exactly. We'll be focusing on who can even compete, how the government will be judging the bids and what their main priorities seem to be at this stage.
Speaker 1:Okay, so let's dive into it, and I think a good place to start is with the scoring and evaluation, because that's how your efforts are ultimately going to be judged, right? We've got a ton of questions about this HTRO self-score matrix. One thing that stood out was that not every labor category, every LCAT in the statement of work, will be scored in the HTRO matrix.
Speaker 2:Right, right. So just because a certain skill set or role is mentioned in the SOW as potentially needed doesn't automatically mean it directly impacts your score in the HTRO. You have to be careful about assuming those are always in sync.
Speaker 1:Okay. So what's the takeaway for companies looking at this?
Speaker 2:Well, you need to be really strategic. Pay close attention to the specific LQCATs the government has actually included in the HTRO matrix, because those are the ones that directly contribute to your score.
Speaker 1:Makes sense, and this next part is well. I found it pretty interesting.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:They're saying that even within the training and education services, specifically when we get to exercise support, that's going to be evaluated under two separate specialty pools in the scoring matrix.
Speaker 2:Now, that's a really important detail.
Speaker 1:It is. So if you've got a strong background in exercise support, make sure you're looking at both of those pools when you're putting your proposal together.
Speaker 2:It tells us a lot about what they're looking for. I mean, they're clearly making a distinction between different types of expertise within exercise support.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's not a one size fits all approach, so companies really need to ask themselves do we have what it takes in both of these specific areas, or are we more focused on one over the other?
Speaker 2:Right. It could significantly influence your strategy, whether you team up with another company or how you present your capabilities to really stand out.
Speaker 1:Totally Now. There were a lot of questions about subcontractors and how they factor into all of this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, A lot of companies were curious about the specifics. How will subcontractors be scored? You know how many work samples do they need to provide?
Speaker 1:And the answer.
Speaker 2:Well, for now the government's saying those specific details will be laid out in the formal solicitation, the big document that comes later. So we get some insights from this Q&A, but the full picture, the nitty gritty on subcontractor scoring, that's still to come.
Speaker 1:Okay, so stay tuned for that.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Another thing we noticed there were some open questions regarding those tiering definitions. You know, in the work sample section of the HRO matrix. Oh right right. People want to know what those different tiers actually mean. What kind of experience or capabilities are we talking about here?
Speaker 2:Good news is they've stated that those tier definitions will be clearly defined in section L of the solicitation. Okay, so more information is on the way it is, and you'll want to understand those definitions thoroughly because they'll directly impact how you present your past work, how you make your work samples really stand out and look good to the evaluators.
Speaker 1:Right, Make your case and you know, speaking of the HGRO, only the specific LCATs that are actually listed in that matrix will be considered for scoring. Right, so you can't just throw in whatever job titles you think are relevant, doesn't matter how great you think they are, nope, what's in that HGRO matrix? That's what matters. That's what's going to count in the final evaluation.
Speaker 2:It means you've really got to be laser focused. Make sure you're hitting those key categories they've identified. Don't waste time and energy on things that aren't directly being scored.
Speaker 1:Absolutely and get this. The government has said they plan to select only the highest rated technical offerers.
Speaker 2:That's a very important point. It means it's not just about being the cheapest option. They're really looking for the best technical solutions.
Speaker 1:So companies need to demonstrate they can deliver the goods, so to speak.
Speaker 2:That's exactly it, and that might even mean forming strategic partnerships, you know, teaming up with other companies that have complementary expertise to create that winning combination.
Speaker 1:Right Filling in any gaps. Now there were also a few questions about how points in that HTRO matrix are actually assessed.
Speaker 2:Oh, right, the specifics, yeah.
Speaker 1:Will it be on a per individual basis for each person you propose for a specific role, or will it be based on the total number of people you have in that role?
Speaker 2:Right, right. If you're proposing, say, four logistics analysts, do you get points multiplied by four?
Speaker 1:Exactly, and the government has said that clarification on this detail will be provided in sections L and M of the solicitation.
Speaker 2:So another one to watch out for.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, because that level of detail can make a real difference in how you structure your pricing and allocate your resources.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, knowing how the scoring works at that granular level, per individual or based on quantity, it can completely change your strategy. You know how you present your capacity and capability.
Speaker 1:Right, you've got to get those details right. And about work samples Can a really good work sample be applied across multiple pools, like the general pool and then those specialty pools for education, training and exercise?
Speaker 2:Yeah, can you reuse a stellar example to demonstrate your strengths in different areas?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that'd be nice, wouldn't it?
Speaker 2:Save some time and effort.
Speaker 1:Well, we're still waiting for clarification on that one. They're saying those specifics will be defined in the solicitation for clarification on that one.
Speaker 2:They're saying those specifics will be defined in the solicitation. That makes sense. They want to be clear about what's allowed and what's not, and for companies betting you know it could make a big difference in terms of efficiency.
Speaker 1:It could. If you could leverage a single great work sample across multiple pools, that's less work you have to do.
Speaker 2:It is, it is.
Speaker 1:Now to kind of rewind for a moment Right Back to the overall evaluation criteria. The governments confirm that those specific criteria will be released with the draft RFP.
Speaker 2:Right the request for proposal.
Speaker 1:So, while this Q&A document gives us a good starting point, we'll have to wait for that draft RFP to see the complete picture of how they'll be judging all the proposals.
Speaker 2:And, trust me, you'll want to dissect that draft RFP when it comes out. That document is your roadmap. It's going to lay out all the rules of the game, the specific criteria they're using to make their selection.
Speaker 1:Right their playbook. And here's a big one for you Past performance. Your company's past performance will be evaluated as part of the H0 scoring process.
Speaker 2:That's important. It's not like they're looking at your technical capabilities and your past performance separately. They're weaving them together, integrating them into a single assessment.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So you've got to be able to demonstrate. You can walk the walk, not just talk the talk. You've got to have a track record of success.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. They want to see that you've actually delivered, that you've met those high standards in the past.
Speaker 1:And speaking of meeting standards, pay attention to this one. Only those companies that get a passing score in the general pool evaluation will be eligible to compete in those specialty pools. Education training exercise.
Speaker 2:Right, it's like a two-stage process. You've got to clear that. First hurdle the general pool before you can even move on to the more specialized areas.
Speaker 1:That makes sense, right? You need a strong foundation before you specialize.
Speaker 2:Exactly and the general pool likely represents those core competencies, those fundamental requirements that are broadly applicable across the entire scope of this SOF GSD contract.
Speaker 1:Right. You've got to prove you've got those baseline skills down pat before you can even think about specializing. Now they've also indicated they intend to award IDIQ contracts to well, they literally put XX in the document, xx number of offers who get the highest scores. So it's not like they've got a fixed number in mind, like the top 15 in each pool.
Speaker 2:Right, right, they're going to take the top performers, the cream of the crop, however many that turns out to be.
Speaker 1:It really underscores the importance of shooting for that high score. Don't just aim to be good enough. Aim to be the best.
Speaker 2:Exactly, push yourself, it's a competition. Exactly, push yourself, it's a competition. And finally, on the scoring front, they've said it's still to be determined whether there'll be a minimum score required for the general pool or the specialty pools. So, there's some uncertainty there. There is, but they have mentioned that they're thinking about implementing an onboarding process which would allow them to add other qualified vendors later on. So even if you don't make the initial cut, there might be a second chance down the road.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's interesting. What does that tell us?
Speaker 2:Well, to me it indicates that they're trying to build a really competitive vendor pool. They want the best of the best and they're willing to keep adding qualified companies as time goes on and their needs evolve.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Keep the competition strong. Now let's move on to those work samples and past performance. We got a lot of questions about what exactly the government considers to be an acceptable work sample.
Speaker 2:Right. Is it just a reference to a previous contract? Is it an actual report or deliverable? What are we talking about here?
Speaker 1:And what about those sensitive or classified samples? How do we handle those?
Speaker 2:Yeah, a lot of practical questions there A lot, a lot, and the government's response. They're saying all those details, the definition of an acceptable work sample, what they're looking for, how to handle sensitive information, all that will be clearly defined in the formal solicitation.
Speaker 1:Okay, so another one to wait for.
Speaker 2:It is, it is.
Speaker 1:We've also got questions about whether you can combine multiple task orders from a single IDIQ as one work sample.
Speaker 2:Right, bundle them together.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and the acceptable time frame for past performance. How far back can you go and how much will they consider the past performance of your subcontractors?
Speaker 2:Those are all big questions.
Speaker 1:They are and the answer to all of them.
Speaker 2:To be defined in the solicitation. We'll have to wait and see.
Speaker 1:OK, so there's some uncertainty there.
Speaker 2:There is, but it's not surprising. They're still working through the details, the methodology. They want to make sure they're evaluating experience and past success in a fair and consistent way.
Speaker 1:And they're not saying how many work samples they'll require.
Speaker 2:Right, how many the prime contractor has to provide or if there are separate requirements for subcontractor.
Speaker 1:And can you use performance on other IDIQs as a work sample for this SOF GSD proposal?
Speaker 2:Those are all still open questions.
Speaker 1:They are Okay, so we're waiting for the solicitation to clarify a lot of things.
Speaker 2:We are.
Speaker 1:Another interesting question that came up If a contract involved multiple temporary duty assignments TDYs to different locations outside the continental United States OCONUS can each of those be counted as a separate performance location?
Speaker 2:Ah, so companies that work all over the globe they want to know if they get extra credit for that, so to speak.
Speaker 1:Yeah, can they really showcase the breadth of their experience?
Speaker 2:Well, we'll have to wait for the draft solicitation to get the official answer.
Speaker 1:Okay, Now what about those smaller contracts, the ones under $250,000 that might not have those official CPARS reports?
Speaker 2:The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System.
Speaker 1:That's the one. Yeah, what's the process for those?
Speaker 2:Well, the government has said they'll define acceptable alternative ways to confirm your past performance on those smaller contracts. They've even mentioned they might include a past performance questionnaire, a PPQ template, in the solicitation. So don't panic if you don't have CPARs for every single project.
Speaker 1:Okay, so there are other ways to demonstrate your success.
Speaker 2:There are. They're not going to exclude smaller companies or companies that have done a lot of smaller value work.
Speaker 1:Good to know. Now let's talk about some of the contractual and administrative details that came up in this Q&A.
Speaker 2:All right, let's get into the nitty gritty.
Speaker 1:One thing that might be good news, especially for companies that rely on teaming arrangements. They're saying they will allow you to add subcontractors to your team after the contract is awarded.
Speaker 2:That's great. That provides some much-needed flexibility.
Speaker 1:It does and it makes sense right.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Because the specific needs of future task orders might require bringing in some specialized expertise that you didn't necessarily anticipate at the beginning.
Speaker 2:Right, right. You can adapt your team as those needs evolve. Bring in the right people for the job.
Speaker 1:Exactly. But there's a big caveat here, a really important restriction Cross-teaming or over-ender agreements, those are not allowed.
Speaker 2:Not allowed at all.
Speaker 1:What that means is you can't submit a proposal as a prime contractor on one team and then be a subcontractor on a completely separate team. That's also bidding.
Speaker 2:Right, and this also applies to individual members of any joint ventures that are formed.
Speaker 1:So choose your partners carefully, folks. You've got to commit no playing both sides.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They want clear lines of responsibility and accountability.
Speaker 1:And speaking of joint ventures, there are some pretty serious security requirements.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah, big time.
Speaker 1:Every member of a joint venture needs to have a final top secret facility clearance, a TSFCL, at the time the proposal is submitted.
Speaker 2:That's a high bar.
Speaker 1:It is, and they're anticipating that a lot of the task orders will involve controlled unclassified information CUI. So security is paramount.
Speaker 2:It is. They're taking it very seriously.
Speaker 1:They are, and for cybersecurity, specifically SPRS reporting and CMMC level one compliance. The entity within the joint venture that manages the CUI will lead the assessment and reporting, but information from all entities in the JV needs to be reported.
Speaker 2:So it's a shared responsibility. Even if one entity takes the lead, everyone's got to be on the same page, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Now there's also a financial requirement to consider. A line of credit LOC of $1 million is required.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, and they've said they don't expect to adjust that amount.
Speaker 1:So that could be a big hurdle for some smaller businesses.
Speaker 2:It could, it could. It shows that they're looking for companies that have a certain level of financial stability that they can handle the workload and the responsibilities that come with this IDIQ and the responsibilities that come with this IDIQ Right Now.
Speaker 1:Here's something interesting about small businesses and the five-year recertification mark. If a company grows beyond the small business size standard after five years, they can finish existing task orders, but they can't compete for new work.
Speaker 2:Right, so you can see those projects through, but you're essentially phased out of the competition for new task orders.
Speaker 1:They can't transfer their IDIQ award to another entity. Like a new JV just because they've grown?
Speaker 2:No, they can't. The award is tied to that initial size standard.
Speaker 1:So something for companies to think about right their long-term growth strategy.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, it's a factor to consider.
Speaker 1:And the governments said they don't anticipate changing the size standard itself. It's based on the NAIC's code for this type of work.
Speaker 2:So that provides some clarity. Companies can check the code, see if they qualify and make a decision based on that.
Speaker 1:Right, no surprises there. Now, how about those task orders? How will they be awarded?
Speaker 2:Well, they're saying they anticipate primarily using a best value tradeoff approach.
Speaker 1:Okay, so not necessarily the lowest bidder wins.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They'll be looking at a combination of factors technical capabilities, past performance and price.
Speaker 1:It's about finding the best overall value.
Speaker 2:Right, it's not just about being cheap, it's about being good.
Speaker 1:And each task order will be awarded to a single prime contractor from that IDIQ pool.
Speaker 2:Right. So even though multiple companies might hold the IDIQ contract, only one will win each specific task order.
Speaker 1:It's a competition within a competition. Now, companies can bid on multiple specialty pools.
Speaker 2:They can, but remember that hurdle we talked about earlier.
Speaker 1:The general pool.
Speaker 2:Yes, you have to pass that first. Get a good score there before you can even think about the specialty area, Right?
Speaker 1:It's a gateway.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Now, when it comes to those task orders, the government will decide at the task order level which contracting vehicle they'll use for the RFTOPs.
Speaker 2:The requests for task order proposals.
Speaker 1:Yep. So they have some flexibility there, depending on the specifics of the task.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, it's a case-by-case basis. Now let's talk about the accounting system requirement. The official term they're using is adequate accounting system. And they've said that means an approved system one that meets all the FAR requirements for cost type contracts Makes sense, since they're anticipating a lot of those cost type contracts Exactly.
Speaker 1:They've even given some examples of the kind of documentation they'll want to see Audit reports, statements from DCMA or DCAA. So companies need to be prepared to show they've got their financial house in order.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, it's a critical requirement. You've got to have a system that meets their standards.
Speaker 1:Now you don't have to bid on every single task order, but there will be off-ramp procedures for awardees who become inactive.
Speaker 2:Right, you have some flexibility, but if you're consistently not bidding, they might remove you from the IDIQ pool. So stay engaged. Exactly, show them you're consistently not bidding, they might remove you from the IDIQ pool, so stay engaged. Exactly. Show them you're interested and capable.
Speaker 1:Now they've given some details about the transition from the current services and commodity support contract, the SCS, to this new GSD IDIQ. They plan to run them concurrently for a while, between June 2026 and March 2028.
Speaker 2:Okay, so an overlap period. What's the reasoning behind that?
Speaker 1:Well, they want to ensure a smooth transition, avoid any disruption of services.
Speaker 2:Makes sense.
Speaker 1:And new work will be competed under the new XOF GSD contract once it's awarded.
Speaker 2:So a gradual shift.
Speaker 1:Exactly Now for those companies specializing in IT services, like enterprise IT, cybersecurity, DevSecOps.
Speaker 2:Right the tech heavy stuff.
Speaker 1:It sounds like those areas won't be a major focus of this SOF, GSD, IDIQ. They've indicated they have other contracting vehicles for those kinds of services.
Speaker 2:So a company should focus on the core capabilities outlined in the SOW.
Speaker 1:Right. Know your lane. Now the decision on whether specific tasks can be performed remotely or require on-location support.
Speaker 2:Yeah, will everyone be working from home or will they have to be on site?
Speaker 1:Well, that decision will be made at the task order level, so it really depends on the specifics of the task.
Speaker 2:OK, so flexibility there.
Speaker 1:There is, and regarding company capability statements, they're still figuring out how those will be handled, how they'll be disseminated.
Speaker 2:So stay tuned for more information on that.
Speaker 1:Right Now a heads up for everyone. Full proficiency in the assessed to OT system will be required before the contract starts.
Speaker 2:The SBOT system.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and they haven't defined exactly what that is. Yeah, but it's probably some kind of personnel tracking or accountability system.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And they're not providing training for it.
Speaker 2:So if you're bidding, make sure your team knows how to use the SPOT system.
Speaker 1:Absolutely yeah. Now, as far as other key personnel beyond the IDIQ program manager and task leads and any limitations on subcontractors, we'll have to wait for the draft solicitation for those specifics.
Speaker 2:Okay, so more details to come.
Speaker 1:They are coming Now. Here's some good news. The final RFP won't be classified and will be posted on SAMgov, so everyone will have access to the full details and instructions for submitting proposals.
Speaker 2:That's great. Transparency is always good.
Speaker 1:It is Now remember those cybersecurity standards, cmmc and SPRS. Right we talked about those earlier. The specific requirements for those will be defined in the solicitation, but they did mention that they anticipate about 90% of the statements of work will involve CUI.
Speaker 2:Wow, 90%, that's significant, it is.
Speaker 1:So cybersecurity is a big deal and some task orders might even require clearances higher than top secret things like SEI or SAP clearances, and they might need additional cybersecurity safeguards beyond CMMC level one. Again, those specifics will be in the task order.
Speaker 2:Okay, so be prepared for the possibility of those higher level security requirements.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And the requirements for proposal volume and the specific metrics they'll use to evaluate performance. Those will be in the draft RFP as well.
Speaker 2:Standard stuff Good to know.
Speaker 1:It is. Oh, and then one last thing A draft RFP will be released before the Industry Day event.
Speaker 2:Okay, so we'll get a sneak peek at the proposal requirements.
Speaker 1:We will. They haven't decided yet if Industry Day will be in-person or virtual, or if they'll have one-on-one discussions.
Speaker 2:So more details to come on that.
Speaker 1:There will be. And just a few quick points on the RFI process itself. Your RFI questionnaire and any capability statement should be separate documents. Stick to the format for the questionnaire, but you can add a tab for explanations. Don't submit the HTRO self-score matrix with your response. Any comments on that should go in the questionnaire document.
Speaker 2:Got it, keep it organized.
Speaker 1:Right and remember they're still in the early stages of planning, so the detailed timeline for submissions and evaluations will be in that draft RFP.
Speaker 2:Sounds good no-transcript.
Speaker 1:So keep your eyes peeled for those documents on SAMgov. Now here's a thought for you. With all this emphasis on security and the fact that the current SCS contract and this new GSD-IDIQ will be running at the same time for a while, how can your company strategically position itself to handle this transition?
Speaker 2:Right? Can you bridge any potential gaps in services? Can you leverage your existing contracts while preparing for this new landscape?
Speaker 1:Exactly what kind of partnerships or capabilities can you develop to give you an edge? This is the time to be proactive, to think ahead and plan strategically.
Speaker 2:Couldn't agree more. It's going to be a dynamic and exciting time for companies in this space.
Speaker 1:It is Well. Thanks for taking this deep dive with us everyone. No-transcript.