SECTION M

EVALUATION FACTOR FOR AWARD


M.1 EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.1.1 Contractor selection will be based on evaluation of proposals in accordance with the responses received to the criteria outlined in Section L, Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors and the Schedule of Prices. Award will be made to that offeror whose combination of technical and price proposals represents the best value to the Government and is most advantageous, price and other factors considered, and which is within the available Library of Congress resources.

M.1.2 The Library of Congress also reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received and/or request clarification or modification of proposals. The Library reserves the right to determine a competitive range for negotiation based upon the technical and cost acceptability of proposals. In addition, the Library reserves the right to award a contract without discussions.

M.1.3 Cost evaluation will include an analysis of the total cost and cost elements (if applicable) to perform the required work. The total costs supplied by the offeror shall be submitted on a copy of Section B in the spaces provided and shall constitute the total firm-fixed unit price for that service or deliverable.

M.1.4 Proposals that are unrealistic in terms of technical commitment or unreasonably low or high in cost or price will be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical competence or indicative of failure to comprehend the complexity and risk involved in the contract requirements and may be grounds for rejection of the proposal.

M.2 EVALUATION FACTORS

Technical proposals will be initially evaluated with respect to four (4) major factors for determination of the competitive range. Technical factors are listed in descending order of importance. The technical proposal is worth more than the cost proposal; when technical proposals are relatively equal in technical merit, cost will increase in importance.

M.2.1 Technical Factors

Factor 1 Overall technical approach; proposed methodology; demonstrated understanding of the scope of work and the requirements (L.3.1)

Factor 2 Previous demonstrated production experience and past performance; qualifications of key personnel, and managerial and corporate support capability (L.3.2, L.3.3, and L.3.4)

Factor 3 Quality Control Plan (L.3.5)

Factor 4 Adequacy of facilities, equipment, and work site (L.3.6)

M.2.2 Sample Digital Images and Benchmark Tests

Those offerors determined to be in the competitive range (technical, price, and other factors considered) shall be required to analyze, describe, and process four (4) sample digital images from each of three (3) sample film reels for a total of twelve (12) digital images.

The sample images will be evaluated on a pass-fail basis for the following:

Accuracy of filenames, using specifications sent with the sample films.

Files must open and decompress in two different IBM-compatible computers, using a variety of typical image software

TIFF header and tag elements must meet specifications

JPEG files must include JFIF file format indicator

JPEG files must be compressed so that the average for all JPEG files submitted by each offeror is between 20:1 and 30:1

Apparent spatial resolution as determined by examining smallest legible feature

Apparent tonal resolution and tonal quality for grayscale images, including study of histogram

Clarity and legibility of image; affected by resolution but also to include overall look of the image on a display screen and as printed out on paper

Corner to corner sharpness, judged to the degree possible given image content and quality of original film image

Cropping, in terms of the general guidelines outlined

Deskewing, (if applicable)

M.2.3 Cost

Reasonableness of cost.

M.3 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (JUL 1990)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the options(s).