DHA DevMAC RFP — upcoming opportunity estimated at $700 million.

Summer is the time when many people turn to thoughts of what may be. Folks are changing addresses, younger kids are going back to school, older ones are heading to college or seeking their first job, and other folks just like to daydream. The Program Executive Office for the Defense Health Management Systems (PEO/DHMS) seems to be taking the daydream approach to the Development Multiple Award Contract (DEVMAC) due to be released sometime this month.

DHA DevMAC RFP to be Released This Month

As just mentioned, the final RFP is expected to be released sometime this month for an estimated $700 million program centered on NAICS 541511. The duration of the resultant contracts is unknown at this time. Two draft RFPs have been released, and it’s assumed this will be a full and open/unrestricted competition, since the SBSA was lined thru in the most recent draft.

A Further Look Into the Draft RFP

There are a number of unique characteristics to the approach that PEO/DHMS is taking with this acquisition:

  • Both draft RFPs were released in PowerPoint format. While not unheard of, it’s unusual to say the least.
  • The “pools” that are identified are more pointed to development methods rather than a prescribed set of requirements.
  • Only one pool is to be competed with the final RFP release (DevSecOps).
  • Every awardee will be immediately issued a task order for an “incubator study” which will cover the minimum award amount for each contract.
  • The Evaluation Criteria is an unusual approach (more on that in a bit).

The original draft RFP was released in April and the second draft was released in mid-June. As previously stated, both drafts were released in PowerPoint format and don’t really conform to the standard RFP formats we normally see.

Multiple pools were identified and include:

  • DevSecOps (the first pool to be competed). This pool will be focused on providing DevSecOps concepts and approaches for traditional builds with well-defined requirements.
  • Incremental Business Change will provide “freelance and complementary solutions” and may include such things as UX/UI updates to bug fixes.
  • Product Teams as a Service is intended to allow vendors the opportunity to provide proofs of concept prototypes and capabilities to enhance execution and or “maturation” of turnkey systems.
  • Innovation at the Edge will basically allow vendors to present the Government with “candy stores” of new and innovative approaches for further validation.

The draft RFPs are somewhat loose in terms of what response requirements are, but a look at the Evaluation Criteria provides some context. Evaluation will be using a gated approach with the first gate using the following criteria:

  • Element 1 – Craftsmanship focuses on the Prime and involves the speed of development, release frequency, speed of break/fix, and change failure rate. There are three categories for your rating: High Performers, Medium Performers, and Low Performers. The following graphic from the RFP shows how the individual categories are defined:

The draft RFP states that “Well-crafted work should be beautiful work in conception and execution.”

  • Element 2 – Vision & Velocity focuses on how much completed product the Offeror’s delivers during a given period and will cover both the Prime and any subcontractors. It’s calculated by number of items processed ÷ number of items planned ÷ personnel) over 10-business days in the latest 6-month period. The goal is a calculation that yields a number greater than 80% and less than 26% rework.
  • Element 3 – Quality of Life focuses on the recruiting and retention process as well as compensation and investment in employee improvement.

All projects cited must be greater than $1 million and a duration of at least six months. The draft RFP is unclear as to the recency of the experience.

The RFP alludes to the requirement to provide approaches for Project Management, Quality Control, and in-house tools and encourages the use of “visual aids” in doing so but is quiet on exactly what that content must entail or be structured.

DHA DevMAC RFP Status

The final RFP is expected to be released in the next 30 days or so. The last set of feedback on the latest draft was due on June 8, and no Q&A has been released or projected to be released. Given the unique approach (and the resulting confusion) the likelihood of the final solicitation being slipped is fairly high.

Any organization considering bidding the work should give a significant review of the draft RFPs and be on the lookout for any released Q&A. While the actual requirements for written content are fuzzy, you should begin bringing together your source materials to make the writing exercise easier no matter what form it may take.

GovWin ID:  213896

SAM ID:  HT0038-22-R-0003

 

Would you like to discuss this upcoming proposal?