DRAFT: RFP MCRC Advertising Services   4

You are invited to review and comment on the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) Advertising Program draft request for proposals (DRFP). This requirement is responsible for the recruitment of approximately 40,000 personnel per year to fill vacancies in both enlisted and officer programs. There have been significant changes in the wants and needs of America?s youth over the history of the All-Volunteer force. The numbers and quality of personnel required for each of the Marine Corps? programs can vary in response to factors such as economic fluctuations, unemployment rates, world events, past shortfalls in recruiting, the internal reenlistment rate and personnel ceilings established by Congress. The Marine Corps Advertising Program spans a wide variety of channels and program elements, including an expanded online and social media presence, an array of awareness media options, an effective lead generation program, a nationwide support team providing advertising assistance through local event activation, and the development of recruiter sales support materials. By providing recruiters with sales support materials, generating leads, building relevant brand awareness, and weaving diversity into the fabric of the Marine Corps, MCRC is focused on delivering an integrated and consistent message to reinforce the brand?s positioning among all key prospects. The Marine Corps strives to reinforce its timeless and timely institutional relevance amid a changing climate for defense resourcing and an evolving global threat environment. MCRC advertising efforts assist the Marine Corps in its endeavors to meet recruitment goals by continually and consistently representing the epitome of military virtue. Potential offerors are encouraged to comment on all aspects of the draft solicitation, including the requirements, schedules, proposal instructions, and evaluation approaches. Potential offerors should identify any unnecessary or inefficient requirement; and are also encouraged to comment on the DRFP CLIN structure, any unique terms and conditions, clauses and provisions to include the Instructions to Offerors (52.212-1 Addendum) and the Evaluation Criteria (52.212-2 Addendum). MCICOM also seeks specific feedback on the reasonableness and achievability of the small business goals required for the Small Business Participation. This competitive acquisition will result in the award of one Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The contracts will have a ten (10) year ordering period/optional ordering period. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541810 ? Advertising Agencies, with the corresponding size standard of $25.5 million. Potential offerors should ensure its company is listed in the online database for the following: System for award management: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ The successful offerors must pass an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) clearance before contract award (See FAR 22.805). The current planned release date for the Final Request for Proposal (RFP) is mid April 2024, with proposals being due approximately 30 calendar days later. The anticipated contract award date is on or around November 1, 2024. The majority of the contracted services will be performed primarily at Contractor?s facility and various locations to be determined and formally agreed to and executed in writing by the Government and the Contractor. The following additional information is provided to assist in understanding this acquisition: A transition phase-in period (6 months) is contemplated. Electronic Proposal Delivery ? The Government intends to require proposals for this solicitation be submitted through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Capabilities (PIEE) Solicitation Module. Potential offerors, especially those that have not previously submitted a proposal utilizing the PIEE Solicitation Module, are encouraged to review the guidance for Contractors registering to use PIEE applications at the following URL: https://cac.piee.eb.mil/xhtml/unauth/web/homepage/vendorGettingStartedHelp.xhtml PIEE Solicitation Web Based Training: https://pieetraining.eb.mil/wbt/xhtml/wbt/sol/index.xhtml Documents related to this acquisition, including the solicitation, attachments, and any amendments will be attainable electronically from the World Wide Web through the Government-wide point of entry website at www.SAM.gov. Potential Offerors are requested to periodically monitor the websites for updates. Response Instructions; Any comments regarding the DRFP should be submitted electronically in writing, TO: Christina Neto, Contracting Officer at christina.e.neto.civ@usmc.mil and Carrie Yearian, Contract Specialist at carrie.e.yearian.civ@usmc.mil no later than February 16, 2024, 1800 p.m., EST. Telephone questions will not be accepted. All questions should be submitted on the comment resolution matrix provided as an attachment to this announcement. If a respondent believes their comments contain confidential, proprietary, competition sensitive, or business information, those questions/comments shall be marked appropriately. However, it is highly encouraged that potential offerors do not include confidential, proprietary, competition sensitive or business information within its comments. The Government will consider all comments received in preparation of the Final RFP. To the extent a comment leads the Government to revise the acquisition approach or requirements, the change will be reflected in the Final RFP. It is not the Government?s intent to post responses to the questions and comments received, however some may receive a posted response to the GPE if the Contracting Officer determines that a response would facilitate additional understanding of the solicitation.