JSC Policy for Communications with Industry Charles Bell

JSC Policy for Communications with Industry Charles Bell, Deputy Manager NASA Office of Procurement - Source Selection and Analysis Office

JSC Policy for Communications with Industry JSC recently clarified its policy on communications with Industry about future business with JSC to both JSC personnel and industry The Policy: - It’s generally OK for NASA officials to meet with industry to discuss future business before a request for proposal (RFP) is issued. - We will be fair – treat firms consistently. Timing of Communications: Concurrent with RFP release we will issue a Limited Communication announcement or “Blackout” notice to all NASA personnel. Following this, subsequent communications with industry about that procurement are restricted to the Contracting Officer. 2

What is Appropriate to Discuss? � We can talk about the following: Ø Ø Ø Technical requirements, technical needs, and Industry’s ability to meet those needs. The general purpose of the announced procurement. Information about NASA or JSC that NASA accessible to the public or that is otherwise being made available to all prospective offerors. Historical information such as the general nature and scope of existing or prior contractual arrangements used to satisfy requirements that are now the subject of the upcoming procurement. Information about federal procurement as defined by the FAR, NASA FAR Supplement (NFS), or other published procurement policy documents. Procurement specific information already published such as information contained in the acquisition forecast, presolicitation synopses or draft RFPs. 3

Limitations on Communications with Industry We cannot talk about the following: Ø Specific technical approaches or solutions to meeting future requirements. Firms submitting proposals are responsible for proposing their own technical approaches or solutions. Ø Proprietary information or other confidential business information � � � Information contained in any bid or proposal. Cost or Pricing Data (e. g. rates, factors, etc. ). Any other information designated as proprietary Ø Source selection sensitive information as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2. 101. � Do not discuss or disclose any specifics of an acquisition strategy before it’s been published through the formal procurement process. � Government past performance ratings on current or existing contractors. Ø Privacy Act protected information such as incumbent contractor employees’ personal data. Ø Trade Secrets Act protected information. 4

Revised Competitive Procurement Timeline Charles Bell, Manager NASA Office of Procurement - Source Selection and Analysis Office

Refinement of Timeline for Sharing Information About Competitive Requirements Historically, JSC solicitation documents were released after approval of the procurement strategy. Based on industry feedback, we believe there is a better way: - Industry expressed interest in seeing as much procurement-specific information as possible as soon as possible in the process - Industry expressed interest in having more opportunities to offer suggestions before the Government’s procurement strategy is approved. To provide industry the best possible insight and opportunity to offer ideas for the Government’s consideration when developing its procurement strategy, JSC plans to use the requests for information (RFI) process to share sections of the draft solicitation documents prior to Industry Day Goal is to provide Industry more time to discuss specifics about the upcoming procurement prior to a blackout notice being issued concurrent with the final RFP This RFI should not be considered a Draft RFP – NASA’s acquisition plans are still being formulated at this point in the process 5

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