00265_RFP QA Matrix_Final.pdf

Question # Section /Ref. Area of Discussion Comment/Question Response/Revision/Resolution/Follow-Up Questions

1 N/A Historical/Current Status of Requirement

Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services?

If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

This is a re‐compete of a current requirement; the incumbent contractor is Riva Solutions, Inc. via 1332KP18CNEED0008.

Sect. L.4 ‐ CAR

Clause 1352.215‐70 Technical

Volume format

"The technical proposal must be typed, 1.15‐spaced (e.g., as used on MS Word documents), with one inch margins, using Times New Roman size 12 font and PDF‐printed, unreduced in size, on 8 1/2″ by 11″ paper, not exceeding 15 pages, single sided; graphics, figures, charts, or tables may use size 9 font."

1.15 spacing is hard to set.

Can you consider single line spacing?

Yes, NOAA will consider single‐line spacing.

NOAA will update Section L.4 ‐ CAR Clause 1352.215‐70 (b)(2)(ii)(A) (see highlighted revisions).

Sect. C.7.2, pg. 15;

L.4 ‐ CAR Clause 1352.215‐70 Transition Plan +

Page Count

Section C.7.2 of the SOW requires the offeror to submit a transition plan with Volume 2.

Does the transition plan count towards the 15 page limit?

No, the Transition Plan does not count towards the 15 page limit.

NOAA will update Section L.4 ‐ CAR Clause 1352.215‐70 (b)(2)(ii)(A) (see highlighted revisions).

Sect. L.4 ‐ CAR Clause 1352.215‐70, pg. 82;

Evaluation Factor 2, pg. 83

Corporate experience Documentation +

Page Count

Section L.2.ii.A.1 states that corporate experience documentation is not included in the 15 page limit for the technical approach.

What substantiates as corporate experience documentation?

Is the corporate experience description included within the 15 page limit?

Clarifying: NOAA expects to see "related corporate experience information " provided IAW Evaluation Factor 2, not specific documentation per say.

No, the "related corporate experience information does not count towards the 15 page limit.

NOAA will update Section L.4 ‐ CAR Clause 1352.215‐70 (b)(2)(ii)(A) (see highlighted revisions).

5 §J Non‐Disclosure

Agreement Template Since the non‐disclosure agreement template was included as an attachment, does the Government require that a signed copy of this attachment be returned with the proposal?

No, NOAA does not require a signed copy of the NDA be returned with the proposal. NDA template was included for informational purposes only at this time.

6 §C.6 Expected Support Level

The support levels shown in Section C.6 ("high‐level," etc.) do not match the levels shown in the Price Schedule Summary spreadsheet and no position descriptions are provided for these positions.

Can the Government please provide full labor category descriptions, with skill‐levels included, so responders can provide the quality of personnel the Government requires?

Thank you for catching the discrepancy between the SOW and Price Schedule Summary; NOAA updated the LCATs listed on the Price Schedule Summary (see highlighted elements on Excel Spreadsheet).

NOAA requires CTR support with both the skills and the ability to engage in the CoastWatch mission as outlined in the SOW as well as IAW the requirements outlined in the SOW.

7 §C.6 and §L.4.b)2.iii

Section 6 says 6.5 FTE are required, and Evaluation Factor 3 in Section L says Letters of Commitment are required to be key.

Requiring 6.5 FTEs to be key provides the incumbent contractor with an advantage over other bidders, especially if the Government hopes to retain at least some incumbent staff.

Can the Government please change the requirement so only the PM is key?

No; NOAA's "Key Personnel" requirement remains as is.

8 §L.4.b)2.ii.A.1) and §L.4.b)2.iii

Page count, and "demonstrate their scientific and technical capability"

Considering the scientific and technical complexity of the requirements and the limitation of 15 pages for the Technical Approach, with 1.15 spacing, responses will reveal more about a responder's ability to condense text than it does about the responder's scientific and technical capabilities.

So the Government can evaluate scientific and technical ability fairly, can the Government please increase the page count to at least 25 pages?

No; NOAA's "page limit" requirement remains as is.