Army MAPS Updates: What You Need to Know Now

On February 7, the Army released the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) third draft request for proposal (RFP), which included six amendments, updated Sections L and M, and an updated timeline. The new timeline provided the following milestones:

• February 14, 2025: Submit comments via the feedback form
• April 29, 2025: RFP release
• May 28, 2025: Proposals due
• September 28, 2025: Evaluations completed
• November 17, 2025: Awards made

This blog provides a summary of the major changes and suggestions on what MAPS offers can do to maximize their potential for a contract win.

Summary of Section L & M Updates

1. Past Performance (Qualifying Projects (QPs)) Adjustments

• Expanded Eligibility: Now includes federal, state, local government, and private-sector contracts.
• NAICS Code Alignment: QPs must match one of the five overarching NAICS codes for each domain.
• Higher Contract Value Scoring: Contracts exceeding $50M receive maximum points.
• Employee Retention Scoring: Offerors with higher employee retention rates in their QPs will be rewarded.

2. Award Criteria & Gate Reviews

• Competitive Ranking System: Only the top 20 ranked proposals in each domain will proceed to the next evaluation phase.
• Small Business Subcontracting Plan Review: Large businesses must submit Small Business Subcontracting Plans for review. The plan will get an Acceptable/Unacceptable rating (verifying they understand the Army’s small business objectives).
• Use of AI in Evaluations: The Government will employ the Determination of Responsibility Assistant (DORA) bot to assess contractor responsibility, as AFARS Subpart 5109.1.

3. Final Selection Process & Tiebreakers

• Socioeconomic Allocations: If there are not enough qualified small business offerors, the Government will redistribute slots among other socio-economic categories or large businesses.
• Tie-Breaker Process: Preference is given to offerors with the highest percentage of “Exceptional” and “Very Good” CPARS/PPQ ratings within the past three years.

4. Proposal Structure & Submission Formatting

• New File Naming Conventions: Offerors must use standardized file names with specific date formats for each document (e.g., xxxxQP1DDMMYYYY.doc or .pdf).
• Page Limit Adjustments: There are revised limits on past performance volumes and technical sections to streamline proposal review.
• Top Secret Clearance Requirement: Offerors must now submit proof of a current and active TOP SECRET facility clearance.

To increase proposal scores under these new criteria, offerors should:

• Obtain proof of a TOP SECRET facility clearance if applicable.
• Submit QPs that align with high-value contracts ($50M+ for maximum points) and provide strong substantiating documentation to prove relevance to MAPS domains.
• Maximize employee retention rates in QPs to earn additional points.
• Proactively develop robust small business engagement plans to receive an Acceptable rating (large business only).
• Verify that subcontracting plans align with FAR 19.704 requirements.
• Use CPAR/PPQs with “Exceptional” and “Very Good” ratings, as they impact tie-breaker decisions.

The Army reserves the right to award more or fewer than 20 contracts per domain, so offerors must put forward their best proposal from the start since discussions may not occur.

Key Differences Between the Old and New MAPS RFP

1. Scope and Integration

• Old RFP (December 2024): The scope was divided into five technical support areas: Technical Services, RDT&E Services, Management and Advisory Services, High-Level IT Services, and Low-Level IT Services. These areas were designed to support the Army’s enterprise infrastructure globally.

• New RFP (February 2025): The latest draft maintains these areas but introduces an integrated approach by combining the Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services (RS3) and Information Technology Enterprise Solutions – 3 Services (ITES-3S) IDIQ Vehicles. This integration aims to enhance flexibility, reduce redundancy, and optimize cost-efficiency.

2. Evaluation Criteria and Scoring

• Old RFP: Evaluation was based on systems, rate agreements, certifications, and past performance with a detailed scoring rubric for each domain.

• New RFP: The latest draft refines the evaluation process with stricter gate criteria for large businesses, including active Secret Facility Clearance and specific certifications like CMMC Level 2 or higher. It also introduces detailed retention rates and dollar value evaluations for past performance.

3. Contract Administration and Performance Reporting

• Old RFP: Basic guidelines for CPARS and order-level evaluations were included.

• New RFP: The draft specifies detailed procedures for CPARS evaluations, including cost overrun assessments and the introduction of a marginal rating for certain cost deviations. It also includes provisions for mergers, acquisitions, and innovations.

4. Small Business Participation

• Old RFP: Encouraged small business participation without a detailed structure.

• New RFP: Requires detailed small business participation reports and incorporates these goals into performance assessments. It also outlines specific procedures for orders restricted to small businesses.

5. Travel and Safety Regulations

• Old RFP: Mentioned travel arrangements and safety considerations but lacked detailed guidelines.

• New RFP: Provides comprehensive travel guidelines, including OCONUS travel requirements, and mandates compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Implications for Contractors

The revisions in the MAPS RFP reflect the Army’s commitment to streamlining processes, enhancing contractor performance, and fostering more competitiveness. Contractors must adapt to the updated evaluation criteria and ensure compliance with the new requirements. The emphasis on small business participation and detailed performance reporting underscores the importance of strategic planning and robust proposal development. These changes aim to align contractors more closely with the Army’s strategic objectives.

Summary of Attachments:

The new RFP released six attachments:

• Attachment 1 – Cover Letter Form: Requests that offerors declare their proposed domains, business size, etc.
• Attachment 2 – Gate Questions (for large and small businesses): Provides a process for down-selecting offerors who meet minimum requirements for the bid competition.
• Attachment 3 – Systems Agreements and Certifications: Requires verification of company systems, a TOP SECRET facility clearance, and industry certifications for businesses.
• Attachment 4 – Quality Project Form: Offerors will use this form to provide QP details.
• Attachment 5 – Scorecard (for large and small businesses): Lists the terms on which the Army rates offerors (approved systems, certifications, and past performance).
• Attachment 6 – Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) Form: Government officials can use this form to rate an offeror’s past performance if the offeror doesn’t have CPARS.

Recommendations for Offerors

Winning the MAPS bid requires a comprehensive understanding of the RFP, company, and QP assets that will advance the company’s scores to the highest levels possible on the Attachment 5 score sheet.  Offerors should meticulously analyze the RFP to ensure compliance and address every requirement, highlighting relevant experience and past performance to showcase their capability to deliver high-quality services. Emphasizing technical expertise, innovative solutions, and a competitive cost proposal can differentiate an offeror’s bid. Additionally, strengthening small business participation and ensuring compliance with security and certification requirements are essential.

If you need assistance managing, writing, editing, or reviewing your proposal, please don’t hesitate to contact Lohfeld Consulting for support.

Relevant Information

• Army MAPS Industry Day: What You Need to Know Now

• Master Capture Management for Ultimate Victory Now

• VIDEO: Continuous Improvement for Ongoing Success

By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).