RFQ STRATUS Pool 2 Amend 0002 Attachment E - Questions and Answers.xlsx
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- Solicitation number
- 12314423Q0143
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to solicitation number 12314423Q0143 for the USDA STRATUS Cloud Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) Pool 2: Integration and Development opportunity. The questions and answers provide clarification on submitting proposals under the restricted small business track versus the unrestricted track, with confirmation that a large business mentor in an SBA-approved mentor-protege joint venture can submit separately as a prime bidder under the unrestricted track while the small business protege submits under the restricted track. Clarification is also provided that a parent company can bid as a prime on the unrestricted track while one of its subsidiaries bids as a subcontractor on the restricted small business track. No other salient details are included regarding required products or services.
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Sheet1
| Solicitation #12314423Q0143 | Amendment 0002 |
| Questions and Answers |
| Question # | RFQ Document | Page Number | Section Number | Vendor Question | Government's Reponse |
| 273 | B02+RFQ+STRATUS+Pool+2+Solicitation+ | 17 | 3.4 | Question 198 - we believe the response remains unclear. Is the government suggesting that it will ignore SBA Ruling 13 C.F.R. § 125.3 and 125.11 which states that "A small business contractor may use a past performance rating for work performed as a member of a joint venture or for work performed as a first-tier subcontractor?" | The Government will not ignore 13 CFR 125 or any other regulations. Nothing in the response to question 198 or any other question suggests the Government will ignore any regulations. |
The first part of the answer to Question 198 provides guidance to small business offerors to provide the information required by the regulations in order to qualify that experience as a prime contract. The second part of the answer to Question 198 specifically states the offeror will be evaluated in accordance with all applicable regulations.
For example: A small business proposing as a prime and submitting experience where they performed as a first-tier subcontractor as prime contract experience would be compliant if that submission complies with the SBA regulatory requirements.
274 B02+RFQ+STRATUS+Pool+2+Solicitation+ General General Question 141 also does not clarify if a Large Business Mentor can submit under the Unrestricted pool and their SB Protégé can use their mentor’s past performance in their SB response. This is an entirely new question and is not what was submitted as question 141.
See amended RFQ sections 2.1.5, 2.3.2, 2.11.2 and 3.4 for specific guidance on submitting quotes against restricted and unrestricted tracks.
The SB Protégé must submit offers and experience in accordance with all applicable SBA regulations.
275 RFQ 17 3.4 The government’s answer to Question 150 does not provide sufficient clarity so industry can make appropriate bid decisions. The question was, "Are businesses allowed to bid as a Prime Offeror for both an Unrestricted award, and as a Joint Venture Prime for a Restricted award?” The government’s answer was, "See amended Section 3.4. Offerors may only be considered as a member of one team and are prohibited from submitting under multiple teaming arrangements.” SBA-approved Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures are distinct legal entities from those companies that create them. Will USDA accept a prime bid from a contractor who also operates as the Mentor in an SBA-approved Mentor-Protege Joint Venture that also submits a prime bid? Yes.
See amended RFQ sections 2.1.5, 2.3.2, 2.11.2 and 3.4 for specific guidance on submitting quotes against restricted and unrestricted tracks.
| 276 | Will the government please reconsider the restriction disallowing multiple teaming arrangement concerning the restricted and unrestricted portion? This restriction will prohibit many small businesses from participating in this solicitation and places small businesses at a competitive disadvantage where measures are in place in federal contracting that has consistently promoted contracting and subcontracting between small businesses and federal agencies? | See amended RFQ sections 2.1.5, 2.3.2, 2.11.2 and 3.4 for specific guidance on submitting quotes against restricted and unrestricted tracks. |
| 277 | Regarding RFQ STRATUS Pool 2 Amend 0001 Attachment E - Questions and Answers (solicitation no. 12314423Q0143), what is the government’s intent to limit a Parent Company from bidding on the unrestricted track and one of its subsidiaries from bidding as a subcontractor on the restricted small business track? | |
| See amended RFQ sections 2.1.5, 2.3.2, 2.11.2 and 3.4 for specific guidance on submitting quotes against restricted and unrestricted tracks. |
This specific scenario is not prohibited.
| 278 | Please confirm the limitation that is specified in amended Section 3.4, “Offerors may only submit as a member of one team and are prohibited from submitting under multiple teaming arrangements.”, does not apply in the event a large business submits a proposal as a prime, and as a minority venturer (mentor) on an SBA Joint Venture (JV). There are several benefits of the SBA JV Program, to include collective representation of past performance, shared costs and resources, and leveraging the other partner’s experience and market share. Preventing a large company that is a member of an SBA-approved Mentor-Protégé program from submitting its own proposal and as a minority venturer on an SBA JV disadvantages the protégé’s opportunity to participate and seems to contradict SBA guidance on the program. |
| See amended RFQ sections 2.1.5, 2.3.2, 2.11.2 and 3.4 for specific guidance on submitting quotes against restricted and unrestricted tracks. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .