ATTACHMENT 6 - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC)

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS)

RADAR OPERATIONS CENTER (ROC)

ROC MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES (RMSS)

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SOLICITATION #1305M319RNWWG0002

ATTACHMENT 6

1305M319RNWWG0002 RMSS – Q&A – ATTACHMENT 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACQUISITION QUESTIONS

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

ACQUISITION QUESTIONS

1. Who is the current incumbent on the ROC Mission Support Contract?

a. The current incumbent is Centuria Corporation.

2. Regarding NAICS 541330, the Request for Proposal (RFP) shows $15 million size standard, however there are 3 levels. Please clarify which one applies to this solicitation.

a. The RFP has been updated to reflect the size standard of $16.5M.

3. Are all of the required positions for the ROC currently filled?

a. No, not all of the positions required by this procurement are filled.

4. Does this requirement add new positions?

a. N/A. This requirement is not a direct follow-on from the current contract. Additionally, the need for services is expected to fluctuate and is why we are utilizing and IDIQ for this requirement.

5. If there are any vacant positions, how long have they been vacant?

a. N/A - This question is not relevant to the procurement.

6. Can the Government disclose the current wages range being paid for the existing positions?

a. No, the Government is not at liberty to disclose the current wage ranges because they are unknown to us.

7. RFP Section B.6 - This contract and its task orders may be subject to the Department of Labor (DOL) Service Contract Act (SCA).

Attachment 1 (Price Schedule) includes 14 labor categories considered by the Government to be SCA covered.

Once a contract has been determined to be “SCA covered” it restricts the mapping of all labor categories to either SCA or Exempt (i.e. no other Non-Exempt status allowed) based on matching or equivalent duties and responsibilities. Without the ability to map to other Non-Exempt labor categories, we have determined that 43 labor categories described on Attachment 2B (Labor Category Descriptions) would be considered “SCA covered”, which is triple the Government’s figure. Was this the Government’s intent or do we propose only the 14 labor categories listed on Attachment 1 (Price Schedule) as SCA?

a. The principal purpose of this contract is to furnish services through the use of “professional employees”.

In accordance with 41 U.S.C. Chapter 67, Section 6702, the Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly known as the Service Contract Act) applies to contracts whose principal purpose is to furnish services through the use of “service employees”. Therefore, the Service Contract Labor Standards does not apply to this requirement.

b. RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001 removes all references to the Service Contract Labor Standards/Service Contract Act.

8. RFP Section C.2(i)(1)(ii)(D)(2) - In the referenced sections, the Government is referring to indirect costs on a pro rata basis. Will the Government allow G&A and M&H rates to be applied to applicable cots?

a. In accordance with Section B.2, the hourly rates proposed shall be fully burdened rates, including but not limited to G&A expenses.

b. For indirect costs in accordance with Section C.2(i), offerors shall propose a fixed indirect cost percentage. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections C.2(i) and E.2.7(c).

9. RFP Section C.3.2 - It seems that either 52.245-1 or 52.245 Alternate I should apply, but not both. Recommend deleting the reference to 52.245-1 - Alternate I.

a. FAR 52.245-1 - Alternate I is removed. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section C.3.2.

10. RFP Section C.3.8(g) - Labor rates applicable to hours expended in performance of an order will be the ordering period rates that are in effect at the time the task order is issued.

This language seems to indicate that the offeror may only propose the current ordering period rates on a Task Order, even if the Task Order period of performance spans more than one ordering period. Will the Government confirm if this is the actual intent or if pricing will be based on the rates on contract that cover the actual period of performance of the Task Order?

a. Labor rates in effect during the ordering period shall be the rates utilized for the required period of performance. However, if option periods are included on task orders, the rates in effect when the option period begins shall be the rates utilized. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section C.3.8.

11. RFP Section C.3.13 - Please confirm that one Program Manager is required, as implied in RFP C.3.29, and clarify what the TBD signifies.

a. Only one Program Manager is required. TBD stands for “To be determined” - The program manager will be specifically identified by name in the contract at the time of IDIQ award. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section C.3.13.

12. RFP Section E.2.7(a)3 - Would the Government consider delivery of the electronic proposal as “on-time” followed by the hard copies? We have encountered last minute RFP changes in the past which makes it very difficult to ensure a hard copy delivery can make it on time.

a. No, proposals shall be submitted in accordance with Section E.2.7(a)3.

13. RFP Section E.2.7(a)4 - Please clarify where the Cover Letter should be provided (e.g., as a separate email attachment, included in Vol. I, included in Vol. II, or within both volumes).

a. Each volume shall contain a cover letter. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)5.

14. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.A - Is it acceptable to contain both proposal volumes in one three-ring binder, providing that each volume can be easily extracted for separate evaluation, or does the Government prefer another method of binding?

a. Each volume shall be bound separately. The method of binding is not specified. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)5.

15. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.C - Are each of the volumes I and II restricted to 40 pages or just volume I?

a. The 40 page restriction applies to volume I. There is no page restriction for volume II. See RFP -

1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)5.

16. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.C - Can tables and/or graphics use a font size smaller than 11 point and can they vary from the Times New Roman font?

a. No, tables and graphics are held to the same font and font size requirements identified in Section E.2.7(a)5.C.

17. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.C - Will the Government allow 11x17 in pages for oversized graphics, which will not be used for text to skirt the page limitations?

a. No, proposals shall conform to the page size requirements identified in Section E.2.7(a)5.C.

18. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.C - Would the Government please add acronym lists to the items excluded from the Volume I page count limitation?

a. Acronym List has been added to the excluded items. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)5.C.

19. RFP Section E.2.7(a)5.C - Pg. 45 of the RFP states the “Proposals shall be printed double-sided, unreduced in size, on 8½’’ by 11’’ paper, not exceeding 40 pages for Volume I, exclusive of cover pages, table of contents, and key personnel resumes.” Would the Government consider exceeding the Cover Letter, Commitment Letters, and the Total Compensation Plan from page count?

a. Cover letter and commitment letter have been added to the excluded items. The requirement for submission of a total compensation plan has been removed. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections E.2.7(a)5.C. and E.2.7(b)4.

20. RFP Section E.2.7(a)7 - Please clarify where conditional assumptions associated with the technical requirements are to be provided within the proposal.

a. The information required per Section E.2.7(a)7 shall be included in Volume I of proposal submissions.

See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)7.

21. RFP Section E.2.7(b)1.b. - In the section, the Government requests “A detailed discussion of the technical approach proposed identifying the offeror’s capabilities and available resources”. In reference to “available resources”, is it the Government’s intent for Offerors to propose named available personnel to support their technical approach? If yes, are these available resources considered key personnel?

a. It is not the Government’s intent that “available resources” be named available personnel.

22. RFP Section E.2.7(b)1g - What is meant by "if applicable" on Factor A (g) "Indication of a DCAA approved accounting system, if applicable."

a. Having a DCAA approved accounting system is not required for this type of contract. However, the Government is requesting those offerors that do have a DCAA approved accounting system to indicate this in their proposals.

23. RFP Section E.2.7(b)1g - Recommend offerors provide documentation to demonstrate they have a DCAA-approved accounting system and such documentation or certification image is excluded from the page limitation.

a. There are no parameters on how offerors demonstrate having a DCAA approved accounting system. Any such demonstration will not be excluded from the Volume I page limitation.

24. RFP Section E.2.7(b)3 and E.3(b)3a&b - The language associated with Factor 3, Key Personnel itemized in both the instructions to offerors and evaluation criteria sections, references key personnel in plural sense. For example, “Commitment letter(s) for proposed Key Personnel” and “Proposed Key Personnel resume(s)”. In addition, the evaluation criteria for key personnel states “The offeror’s proposal will be evaluated on the Key Personnel specifically identified for this effort.” There appears to be an implication that key personnel is a term not just exclusive to the Program Manager position. Will the Government clarify if there are other key personnel positions?

a. The only key personnel is the Program Manager. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections C.3.13, E.2.7, and E.3(b).

25. RFP Section E.2.7(b)3 - Will the Government exclude the Letters of Commitment for key personnel from the page limitation? The number of letters provided will vary among bidders based on the number of key personnel they identify.

a. The one key personnel commitment letter has been added to the list of page limitation exclusions. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(a)5.C.

26. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4 - In order to properly evaluate the compensation and benefits for professional employees, would the Government consider adding the official Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, FAR 52.222-46, requirement and except it from page count?

a. The requirement for submission of a total compensation plan has been removed. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections E.2.7(a)5.C. and E.2.7(b)4.

27. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4 - Pg. 47 of the RFP states “Discussion of the offeror’s overall Human Resources methodology...their abilities in recruitment and retention of sufficiently trained and qualified personnel through incentives and benefits programs.” This includes “Submission of the total compensation plan of salaries and fringe benefits for all professional employees. The compensation levels proposed shall reflect a clear understanding of work to be performed and indicates the capability to obtain and keep qualified personnel.”

Would the Government consider removing the TCP from the total page count?

28. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4.a - IAW Executive Order 13495 of January 30, 2009 Nondisplacement of Qualified

Workers Under Service Contracts, contractors are not allowed to “bring in replacement staff” without first offering the position to the incumbent staff. Please clarify.

a. Executive Order (EO) 13495 was revoked effective Oct. 31, 2019 by President Trump and is no longer in effect.

29. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4 - Will the Government indicate the length of the Transition period?

a. The transition period will be a minimum of 30 days. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections B.2.

30. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4b&c - The RFP sections C.3.5 and C.3.8 state that all work will be via task orders. What shall offerors assume regarding the number and scope of initial task orders when developing the transition plan?

Are initial task orders going to be issued upon award of the IDIQ that will then need to be proposed, awarded and ready to assume full operations by the end of the transition period?

a. Upon award of the IDIQ, the Government will issue an RFP for the first task order. The period of performance of the first Task order will be effective by the end of the transition period.

31. RFP Section E.2.7(b)4.d.iii - This paragraph states “Submission of the total compensation plan of salaries and fringe benefits for all professional employees. The compensation levels proposed shall reflect a clear understanding of work to be performed and indicates the capability to obtain and keep qualified personnel.” The related evaluation criteria paragraph is E.3.(b).4.d.iii. RFP E.2.7.(a)5.A states “…The technical proposal must not contain reference to price…”.

If proposed salaries are provided in the Technical Proposal, would that not be including pricing reference in the Technical volume? Please clarify the requirement for item E.2.7.(b).4.d.iii of the RFP.

32. RFP Section E.2.7(b)5 - Pg. 47 of the RFP states “Offerors shall submit a list of references as part of the technical proposal, which clearly address recently completed (within the past three years) Government and non- Government contracts, subcontracts, and grants, relevant to the type of services required under this solicitation.

Referenced contracts must be recent (within the past three years) and demonstrate relevance (similarity in size and scope) to the requirements stated in this solicitation. Would the Government clarify if these references including on-going projects as well as those completed within the last three years?

a. Yes, references for on-going projects can be submitted. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, section E.2.7(b)5.

33. RFP Section E.2.7(c) - Pg. 48 of the RFP states that “Price proposals shall adhere to the pricing structure established in Attachment 1 – Price Schedule. Offerors shall propose separate multipliers applicable to overtime rates and hazardous duty pay. Overtime is only applicable to Service Contract Act (SCA) covered labor categories.” There is only one space on attachment 1 which denotes “overtime multiplier”. Is this multiplier intended to apply to both overtime and hazardous duty pay? If not, where should the hazardous duty pay multiplier be proposed?

a. The requirement for proposal of overtime and hazardous duty pay multipliers has been removed. See RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001, sections E.2.7(c).

b. If situations arise that require hazardous pay differential, payment will be handled in accordance with 5 CFR Subpart I - Pay for Duty Involving Physical Hardship or Hazard.

34. RFP Section E.2.7(c) - Pg. 48 of the RFP states that “Price proposals shall adhere to the pricing structure established in Attachment 1 – Price Schedule. Offerors shall propose separate multipliers applicable to overtime rates and hazardous duty pay. Overtime is only applicable to Service Contract Act (SCA) covered labor categories.” Can the Government confirm if hazard duty will be of a “high degree” or “low degree” based on the WD schedule?

a. RFP - 1305M319RNWWG0002 - Amendment #0001 removes all references to the Service Contract Labor Standards/Service Contract Act. If situations arise that require hazardous pay differential, payment will be handled in accordance with 5 CFR Subpart I - Pay for Duty Involving Physical Hardship or Hazard.

35. RFP Section E.3(c)1.b - Please confirm prices provided in Att. 1: Price Schedule will become the contract prices for RMSS task orders.

a. Yes, Attachment 1- Price Schedule will be incorporated into the contract and reflect the ordering period prices.

36. RFP Section E.3(c)1.b - Will the Government include PWS Appendix B in its assessment of cost reasonableness?

a. Per section E.3.C, a price analysis will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(1).

37. RFP Section E.3(c)1.b&c - What part of the Price Proposal will be evaluated? Part c states Attachment 5 will be evaluated but not rated. Part b states Attachment 1 will be evaluated. What criteria will be used to evaluate Attachment 1 when no hours or cost are associated to the labor categories? Will the total dollars calculated in Attachment 5 be the evaluated price?

a. See section E.3.C - A price analysis will be conducted in accordance with FAR 15.305(a)(1). Attachment 1 - Price Schedule and Attachment 4 - Price Worksheet (previously Attachment 5) will both be evaluated as part of the price evaluation.

b. Yes, the total dollars of the proposed prices in the Price Worksheet (Attachment 4) will be evaluated.

RFP Attachment 3 - Performance Requirement Summary

38. Section WA5 - This entry states that the Test Bed must be available within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

There are factors where 15 minutes that may be out of our control, how will the Government accommodate extenuating circumstances that put us outside of the 15-minute requirement?

a. Situations will be dealt with on a case by case basis and shall be governed by FAR 52.212-4(f) Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items - Excusable Delays.

RFP Attachment 4 - Price Worksheet (previously Attachment 5)

39. Are there instructions for completing Attachment 5? Are the hours presented in Attachment 5 fixed?

a. In accordance with Section E.2.7(c)4.b., the rates used in Attachment 4 – Price Worksheet shall be the rates proposed in Attachment 1 – Price Schedule. The hours in Attachment 4 are fixed.

b. Instructions have been added to Attachment 4 - Price Worksheet. See Attachment 4 - Price Worksheet -

R1.

40. Please confirm the 1920 hours set in Att. 5: Price Worksheet cannot be proposed differently by each offeror.

a. The 1920 hours established in Attachment 4 are fixed; offerors cannot propose different hours.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

1. PWS Section 4.a.4/PWS Appendix C WA4 - Is our assumption “Microcomputer” is a carryover from an older document and should be replaced with “Computer” correct?

a. Correct. See Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement - R1, section 4.a.4 and Attachment 2C - PWS Appendix C - Typical Tasks - R1, section WA4.

2. PWS Section 4.a.5 - Please confirm the Applications Development System (ADS) is no longer in use.

a. ADS is still in use. ADS is comprised of Software Engineering Testbed; Systems Engineering Testbed;

and Special Projects Testbed.

3. PWS Section 4.b.6 - Should the work “lifestyle” read “lifecycle”?

a. Correct. See Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement - R1, section 4.b.6.

4. PWS Section 4.b.7 - The nature of this work is unclear. Does this include procuring and installing new generators, or monitoring the work of other contractors responsible for procurement and replacement of the same?

a. The requirement is for the RMSS contractor to be the project integrator. Per Section 4.b.7, replacement equipment will be Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) provided by the ROC.

5. PWS Section 4.b.7 - Will the Government provide Government storage space for the GFE equipment or is this a cost reimbursable requirement for the contractor to provide this storage?

a. The cost associated with providing storage will be considered an expense item to be handled in accordance with FAR 52.212-4(i)(1)(ii)(D)(i) Alternate I - Other Direct Costs.

6. PWS Section 4.b.8 - Will the contractor be tasked with this work under the support contract or will the contractor be required to help monitor work done by a separate contractor?

a. The requirement is for the RMSS contractor to be the project integrator.

7. PWS Section 6.a of the PWS identifies the Program Manager as key personnel. However, RFP Section, C.3.13 (a) states “The contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Program Manager(s) – TBD”.

Will the Government clarify if there are more than one program manager position and/or more than one designated key personnel position for this contract?

a. The only Key Personnel is the Project Manager position.

8. PWS Section 6.b - Would the Government please consider establishing a time limit where employee performance for a certain period of time after receiving training would relieve the contractor of the responsibility to provide the training at their expense? For example, consider saying "are removed from the contract for any reason within (1, 2, x) years of receiving the training, the contractor shall ..."

a. PWS revised to require refunding/crediting the Government, as per RFP Section C.3.32(e). See Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement - R1, section 6.b.

9. PWS Section 7.a - Would the Government please provide a reference document that outlines telecommuting requirements for Government personnel?

a. Yes, see Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement - R1, section 7.a.

10. PWS Section 7.a&b - Contractor personnel may be authorized by the COR to "telecommute" on a limited basis.

Contractor personnel shall not generally work on designated federal holidays or at any other time that Government employees are dismissed from working.

Would the Government allow employees to telecommute on days that they are dismissed from the worksite for reasons beyond their control?

a. If “telecommute”, also known as “telework”, is authorized for specific contractor employees under a task order, those applicable employees may be allowed to telework with COR authorization, per PWS section 7.b.

11. PWS Section 7.b - For on-site work hours that are approved by local site personnel, are they also required to be approved by the COR?

a. Yes, if outside the established core hours. See Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement - R1, section 7.b

12. PWS Section 7.c - It is understood that contractors are not eligible for Government airline travel and lodging rates. Since Government rates are not always available for contractors, is there a process for approval for reimbursements for rates that are above Government rates?

a. Yes, the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) anticipate that Government rate lodging may not always be available. The PM shall provide documentation/evidence as justification that the Government rate is not available in the area prior to approval of travel. Contractors are not authorized to receive the Government airline/airfare rates. Contractors should secure airfares that will result in the lowest cost to the Government. All travel requests, including the cost estimate for all transportation (air and ground) and Lodging, Meals and Incidental expenses (MI&E per the FTR) must be presented to and approved by the COR in advance of any contractor travel.

PWS - Appendix B

13. Labor categories 57-59 for the Network/Information Systems Engineer’s state a Bachelor degree is desired but also state In lieu of the desired degree, eight years of experience may be substituted. If a degree is not required, are additional years’ experience necessary to substitute?

a. Degrees are listed as “desired” because a substitution is possible (at the Government’s discretion)

b. Eight years of experience independently performing the functions described below may be substituted at the Government’s discretion.

14. Several Labor categories list the education requirements as a bachelor’s degree in a certain field is “desired” and state “a degree in another technical discipline may be substituted”. If a degree is desired and not required, why would a substitution of different field be necessary?

a. To allow maximum flexibility at the Task Order level.

15. Some of the GS levels denoted in Appendix B state 9/11 or 7/9. Is this intended to mean these positions could fall in any GS level between those values? i.e 9/11 would equate to 9, 10, & 11 and 7/9 would equate to 7,8, and 9?

a. Yes, this indicates the positions could fall within the stated GS equivalents.

16. Many of the labor category levels are separated by only two years of experience, with the highest levels have seven years’ experience. Does the Government feel these levels accurately reflect the seniority of the current workforce?

a. The labor category time intervals are notional. They are general data points where a given position might be expected to perform higher level tasks and duties. The periods are not hard set points where a position would automatically be moved to the next higher level. As an example: A given position will not automatically be upgraded to the highest position based solely upon a proposed candidate’s years of experience. The Government based the position description levels on the needs of the Radar Operations Center and are not intended to be reflective of the incumbent contractor’s staffing.

17. Position 1 identifies the Program Manager position assigned to Work Area 1. Will the Government confirm if the

Program Manager position will also be expected to support WA1 in addition to WA7?

a. The correct Work Area for position 1 is WA7. See Attachment 2B - PWS Appendix B - Labor Category

Descriptions - R1.