Scientific Computing Support IDIQ Q A_Amendment 3.pdf

Scientific Computing Support IDIQ Q&A

SOL# 12-223-SOL-00010

Amendment 3

4. Since this is single award IDIQ, can additional subcontractors be added after the award when necessary?

A: Yes.

5. Will Interested Vendor (list) be published?

A: No.

6. Do small business vendors (8a and Women Owned) have to fill out subcontracting plan for small business?

A: No. The RFP states that completion of the small business subcontracting plan is only required for large businesses.

7. After the award of main contract, and task orders can we add subcontractor(s) not initially listed in the proposal?

A: Yes (reference question #4)

8. Do we have to have all direct FDA past performance?

9. On Page 1, Attachment 3, it states that FDA scientific computing has an existing Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS) KiXtart script and Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) AV management infrastructure for lab workstations and scientific devices (different from that used for office PCs) on the administrative network that patches, configures, audits, and provides central AV management but does not arbitrarily reboot lab workstation computers. However, on Page 2, it states “Describe how the existing FDA WSUS/KiXtart script and SEPM AV infrastructure (also on the business network) could be used to apply patches to the workstation despite the small C: partition.”

Is Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS) KiXtart script on the

i. Administrative and scientific network?

ii. Scientific network only

A: It’s on the administrative network. There is no separate scientific network.

Is Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) AV management infrastructure on the:

iii. Administrative and scientific network

iv. Scientific network only

A: It’s on the administrative network. There is no separate scientific network.

10. Is the business network the same as the administrative network?

A: Yes. The business and administrative network are the same. The administrative network and business network are interchangeable terms.

11. Does FDA have some sense of how many task orders will be issued each year? If so, please provide.

12. Page 51, number 38. Supplemental Instructions for Completion of

Attachment 5, Summary section states “On the summary worksheet, offerors are additionally required to propose a ceiling on Material Handling on Other Direct Costs (ODCs) and Subcontracts.” May we please modify the “Summary” template and add other ceiling percentages since we use multiple pools for costs incurred in support of different activities?

13. Is there an incumbent for any of this work?

a. If so, what type of work?

b. If so, will that work fall under this IDIQ in the future?

A (a): Much of the work described in this IDIQ is not being performed by a contractor.

A (b): FDA anticipates that future requirements within the scope of this IDIQ (reference RFP Task Areas) will come under this IDIQ. However, FDA is only required to order services up to the value of the minimum guaranteed quantity of services in Section 3 of the RFP.

14. Based on Section IV. Instructions to Offerors, subsection 34. Organization or Proposals (RFP page 47), our understanding is that total page count limit is 84 pages. Is this correct?

a. 3 page executive summary

b. 50 pages for Sub factor 2: Technical Understanding and Approach to

IDIQ; Section 2 – Relevant Experience; Section 3 – Management Approach

c. 30 pages Sub factor 1: Technical Understanding and Approach to Technical Scenarios

d. 1 page organizational staffing chart.

A: Yes, that is correct. Please note that Subfactor 1 only allows 10 pages per technical scenario for a maximum of 30 pages for Subfactor 1.

15. Attachments 2, 3, and 4 (Technical Scenarios) each require “sample resumes demonstrating resource qualifications to perform the task proposed at the level proposed.” To meet the page count requirements listed in Section IV.34. Organization or Proposals (RFP page 47), is it acceptable to provide biographic summaries of proposed staff resources?

A: Per section #34 of the RFP, Organization of Proposals, resumes are not included in the page limitations. The requested sample resumes are in addition to the 10 pages permitted per scenario.

16. Section IV.34. Organization or Proposals (RFP page 47), excludes Letters of Commitment from the page count; however, we do not see a requirement for letters of commitment anywhere else in the solicitation.

Please confirm letters of commitment are not required with the proposal.

A: Letters of commitment are not required. The reference to letters of commitment has been deleted in Amendment #3 to the RFP.

17. Resumes and Letters of Commitment. RFP (page 47) states that resumes and letters of commitment are not included in the page limitations. Would you please clarify the number of sample resumes to be submitted per technical scenario, and for which roles?

A: The number of sample resumes to be submitted is at the discretion of the offeror.

Additionally, since the Government requests sample resumes for each of the 3 technical scenarios, we understand that there is no hard requirement for Letters of Commitment. Please confirm. (See question #24)

A: Please see the response to question #16.

18. Past Performance. RFP (page 49) Will the Government accept a past performance reference for a subcontractor or must all references be from the Prime?

A: Section 35 of the RFP, Instructions for Technical Proposal (Volume 1), Factor II – Relevant Experience states “For at least 2 out of the 3 projects the Offeror must be the prime.” It also states that “Relevant experience may include a mix of the Prime and proposed teammates information.”

Section 36 of the RFP, Past Performance Questionnare states “The Offeror shall send the Past Performance Questionnaire attached to this solicitation to the sources that it identifies in the Relevant Experience Section of Volume I.

Two out of the three references must account for work that the Offeror performed as the prime contractor.”

On this basis, one of the three relevant experiences and the associated past performance questionnaire may be from a proposed subcontractor/teammate.

19. Proposal Due Date. Would the government consider extending the due date beyond June 15, 2012?

20. Cloud Computing. RFP (page 75, Section 5.6, paragraph 1). To what extent is the FDA interested in a public, private, hybrid or community Cloud solution with or without cloud brokerage services?

A: The FDA is considering all Cloud solutions, in implementation type and functionality. This IDIQ will address scientific computing issues in migrating to or defining scientific computing cloud solutions. Cloud solutions require FISMA security controls and other security considerations. Service Level

Agreements (SLA) associated with Cloud solutions also will influence Government directions and migration to Cloud solutions.

21. Small Business Plan (page 22), 25.1 Contractor Individual Small Business

Subcontract Plan. The Contractor’s Individual Small Business Subcontracting Plan (FAR 52.219-9) dated TBD is incorporated by reference into the contract. Question: Is the TBD date of the SBP going to be provided by task order release or does the contract require an umbrella SBP under the IDIQ?

A: The Contractor Individual Small Business Subcontracting Plan is incorporated at the IDIQ level. It applies across all task orders.

22. Pg. 45 FAR 52.234-3 - Please confirm that that the EVMS supporting documentation is to be located in the Business Volume, therefore not included in the page count.

A: Yes, EVMS documentation shall be submitted in the Business Volume.

Section 37, Instructions for Business Proposal (Volume II) has been amended to clarify this requirement in Amendment 3 to the RFP.

23. Pg. 47 RFP Section 34 - The RFP states the minimum text size for graphics (9 point Times New Roman) and tables (9 point Arial), but does not mention text size for narrative text. Confirm that 9 point font is acceptable for narrative text?

A: The minimum font size for narrative text is 11 point. Section 34 Organization of Proposals has been amended to reflect the minimum narrative text front size in Amendment 3 to the RFP.

24. Pg. 47, 49. RFP Section 34 - The RFP states that there is an additional page allowed for “an accompanying organizational staffing chart”. Please confirm that the “accompanying organizational staffing chart” is the same as the requirement under Management Approach for an “Organization Chart”.

A: Yes. They are the same.

25. RFP Section 36; Attachment 7The Past Performance Questionnaire section (36) requires Offerors to send the questionnaire to the individual most knowledgeable about the Offeror’s performance. There are blanks on the first page of the questionnaire for “Contractor’s Name” and “Contract Number”, but we cannot fill in the blanks because the file is in a pdf format. Could the Government provide a Microsoft Word version of the questionnaire so that the Offeror may customize the top portion of the questionnaire?

A: Yes. A Microsoft Word Version is provided as an attachment in Amendment 3 to the RFP.

26. Page 50 of the RFP, Section 38: Supplemental Instructions for Completion of Attachment 5. The RFP states, “Where cost or pricing data was derived or estimated, the Offeror must show formulas that are clearly visible in the individual cells and verifiable. The Offeror may link cells between worksheets or workbooks on the condition that all linked reference files are submitted with the task order proposal. The workbooks must not contain any macros or hidden cells. The FDA will not accept pasted values where formulas must be shown.” Is it acceptable to modify the pricing sheet (e.g., add columns) to enable listing of all variables included in our cost calculations?

27. Page 50 of the RFP, Section 37: Instructions for Business Proposal

(Volume II), IX. The RFP requests the offeror provide a “Completed and signed small business subcontracting plan. A template has been provided in Attachment 9 to the solicitation.” Will the Government accept subcontracting plans in other standard templates (i.e., can we use our own subcontracting plan template)?

28. Page 5 of the RFP, Section I. Pricing Schedule, Pricing Terms. The RFP states, “The labor rates specified in a task order shall be derived from Attachment 5, Pricing Sheet. The labor rates shall be fixed for the task order period of performance and shall not be subject to adjustment;

except, as a result of a direct action or inaction by the Government which delays the contractor from completing the task order within the time specified in the task order.”

Will the Government please clarify if proposed labor rates can be adjusted for average wage increase (AWI) year over year (e.g., an AWI can be applied to the Base Period labor rates to arrive at Option Year 1 labor rates)?

A: Yes, IDIQ labor rates can be adjusted for average wage increases year over year. The cited text refers to how future task orders will be priced. The IDIQ labor rates in effect at the time of award of a task order will be constant over each period of performance for that task order.

29. Will the Government also confirm if task orders with a period of performance across options years will only use one labor rate?

A: If a task order has option periods, the rates would adjust to the IDIQ rates in effect at the time of the task order option exercise.

30. Page 5 of the RFP, Section I. Pricing Schedule, Pricing Terms. The RFP states, “Reimbursement for material handling fee shall not be in excess of _x_% on any subcontractor and material expenses on task orders under this contract. Will the Government please provide additional guidance as to a maximum material handling fee – how should “x%” be interpreted above?

Additionally, does the Government intend to negotiate indirect rate ceilings and/or profit ceilings as part of the IDIQ award? If so, please confirm that offerors should propose ceiling rates as part of their cost proposal submission.

A: Offerors shall propose a maximum material handling fee in terms of a ceiling percentage. Offerors must specify the basis of application of the material handling fee, for example, whether a material handling fee is charged only on the purchase of ODCs/materials? The X will be filled in with the ceiling rate at the time of award.

As cost reimbursement type task orders will not be permitted under this IDIQ, the Government does not intend to negotiate ceilings on indirect rates and/or profit. However, Offerors shall propose IDIQ pricing for the 5-year order period, which clearly shows the build-up of the fully burdened labor rates, including all applicable indirects and profit/fee. The Government reserves the right to negotiate the proposed IDIQ labor rates, including indirects and fee.

31. Technical Scenarios: Can the Government confirm that offerors should not submit formal cost proposals as part of their proposal and that rather, offerors should submit a Level-of-Effort (LOE) schedule aligning LOE to labor categories that would be required to perform the Technical Scenario without any reference to cost/price (including travel and other direct costs, indirects and/or profit)?

A: Yes. Do not submit pricing/cost proposals in response to the technical scenarios.

32. Section IV, #34, Organization of Pr - Is there any page limitation for

Section 1- Subfactor 1? No maximum page limit is listed.

A: Section 1- Subfactor 1 consists of the responses to the three technical scenarios, Sections 1.A, 1.B, and 1.C. Per Section 34, Organization of Proposals, a maximum of 10 pages is permitted per technical scenario.

33. Section IV, #34, Organization of Proposal - Are the 30 pages for the three scenarios included in the listed 50-page total OR are the 30 pages in addition to the 50-page total?

A: Please see the response to question #14.

34. Section IV, #34, Organization of Proposal FDA is requesting one electronic copy of each of the technical scenarios. Are these to be separate files on a single CD or one scenario per CD?

A: Please submit one scenario per CD.

35. Is it correct to assume that these are to be provided in both Microsoft

Word and PDF?

A: Yes. Microsoft Word and PDF. The Attachment 5 Pricing Worksheet shall be submitted in Excel.

36. Attachment 3, Scientific Computing Technical Scenario #2 General -

Please provide the instrument vendors warranty statement, so we can evaluate which activities are permitted.

A: There are hundreds of different vendor/scientific equipment combinations, each with different warranty statements. In general, FDA cannot reimage the workstations that are bundled with the scientific equipment or high-level scientific software.