1297023R0007 National Geospatial Services QA 10.docx

1297023R0007 National Geospatial Services Q&A #10

1. We recognize that questions pertaining to the Price Proposal have been asked and answered several times in the nine (9) Q&A documents that have been incorporated into the solicitation via the four (4) Amendments, with the most recent response shown in Q&A #6, Question #1.

We completely understand that the Price Proposal shall include 1) the completed, signed SF 1449 and 2) acknowledgement of any amendments to this solicitation by following the instructions that accompany the amendment(s).

However, there is still some confusion on what exactly are the Price Proposal submission requirements related to 3) the completed Schedule of Items contained in Attachment “D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions” submitted in Microsoft Excel.

It is our understanding that Offerors are to insert fully burdened labor rates (FBLRs) for each of the 14 labor categories for Years 1 through 5 plus the 6 Month Extension that are shown in the NGS Rates worksheet/tab of the D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions Excel Spreadsheet. If our understanding is correct, then all that is required to be compliant with number 3) Price Proposal submission requirements is to insert the FBLRs for each of the 14 labor categories for Years 1 through 5 plus the 6 Month Extension in the NGS Rates worksheet of the D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions Excel Spreadsheet.

Is our understanding correct?

A: Yes, that is correct fully burdened labor rates need to be inserted into the NGS Rates Worksheet for all 14 categories and for all time periods in order to be compliance.

2. We recognize that questions pertaining to the Price Proposal have been asked and answered several times in the nine (9) Q&A documents that have been incorporated into the solicitation via the four (4) Amendments, with the most recent response shown in Q&A #6, Question #1.

We completely understand that the Price Proposal shall include 1) the completed, signed SF 1449 and 2) acknowledgement of any amendments to this solicitation by following the instructions that accompany the amendment(s).

However, there is still some confusion on what exactly are the Price Proposal submission requirements related to 4) a total compensation plan in line with FAR 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, limited to five (5) pages.

Based on Q&A #1 Responses to #8 and #9; Q&A #2 Response to #7; and Q&A #3 Response to #2 and #3; it is our understanding that all that is required to be compliant with the Price Proposal submission requirements related to 4), is to show the math of how the FBLRs for each of the 14 labor categories were calculated in the NGS Rates worksheet/tab of the D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions Excel Spreadsheet by inserting one (1) worksheet/tab for each of the five (5) years showing how the FBLRs for each year were determined. If our understanding is correct, then all that is required to be compliant with number 4) Price Proposal submission requirements is to show the math of how the FBLRs for each of the 14 labor categories for Years 1 through 5 plus the 6 Month Extension were calculated by inserting one (1) worksheet/tab for each of the five (5) years into the D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions Excel Spreadsheet.

2a.Is our understanding correct?

A: Please reference amendment 0002, Q&A #6 Question #2; along With D.2 ITO (Amend 2 Version). This amendment and question reference the reincorporation of the requirement for FAR 52.222-46. Your understanding sounds like it aligns with this clause, make sure it aligns with the clause and make it fit the 5 page limit in order to be in compliance.

2b. If our understanding is correct, then the D.4 Schedule of Items and Labor Category Descriptions Excel Spreadsheet will have a total of seven (7) worksheets/tabs that will consist of the (1) Labor Categories and Description worksheet/tab, (2) the NGS Rates worksheet/tab, (3) Year 1 FBLR Build-Up worksheet/tab, (4) Year 2 FBLR Build-Up worksheet/tab, (5) Year 3 FBLR Build-Up worksheet/tab, (6) Year 4 FBLR Build-Up worksheet/tab, and (7) a Year 5 FBLR Build-Up worksheet tab. Thus, exceeding the 5-page/1 worksheet/tab per year of pricing limitation. Is this acceptable?

A: Please include completed NGS Rates tab in excel, you may include the labor categories and descriptions tab or remove it you will not be penalized for leaving or keeping the descriptions tab in your proposal. The 5-page limit pertains to 5 Microsoft Word pages, Contractor will need to fulfill the requirements found in FAR 52.222-46 within these 5 Microsoft Word Pages.

2c. It is our understanding that there is no requirement for a total compensation plan 5-page narrative. Is our understanding correct?

A: A narrative is not required. Contractor’s have a limit of 5 pages to fulfill requirements found in FAR 52.222-46 or anything else needed to clarify the price proposal.

The Government stated in Q&A #3, Response to Question #3, that a “Total Compensation Plan Verbiage is being removed from D.2 ITO and eval form. Pricing should be included on “NGS Rates” tab of D.4 Excel Spreadsheet.” However, in D.2 ITO Amendment 0002, the total compensation plan verbiage is still included and now reads “4) a total compensation plan in line with FAR 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, limited to five (5) pages.”

2d. Does the Government intend on removing this verbiage and release an updated D.2 ITO and eval form with the reference to total compensation requirement removed?

A: Please see Q&A #6, which addresses the reincorporation of FAR 52.222-46.

2e. Referencing Questions #2 and #3 above, if our understanding of the Price Proposal submission requirements related to 4) is correct, then there is no requirement to provide a total compensation plan narrative in line with FAR 52.222-46, correct?

A: No requirement for a narrative. See above responses.

3. We understand that FAR 52.212-1, Number 4 was updated in Q&A #8 to include four (4) separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal, completed D.4 Schedule of Items, and Representations and Certifications) in Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe PDF format, unless a format is required in Attachment D.2.

However, it is our understanding that D.4 Schedule of Items is one of four (4) components of the Price Proposal, and therefore, the complete Proposal submission would include three (3) separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal and Representations and Certifications) in Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe PDF format.

Is our understanding correct?

A: D.4 is part of price proposal, 3 separate attachments (Technical Proposal, Price Proposal and Representations and Certifications) are required. Attachments do not need to be provided in each file type.

4. It is our understanding that the only requirement associated with a staffing plan is to address staffing up or down as contract needs evolve. Is our understanding correct, i.e., all the staffing plan needs to address is staffing up or down as contract needs evolve?

A: That is correct.