1305M321RNRMA0003 - Attachment 7 - Questions and Answers.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (SETSS)

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SOLICITATION #1305M321RNRMA0003

ATTACHMENT 7

1305M321RNRMA0003 ATTACHMENT 7 – SETSS Q&A

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Q.1: Typically the government accepts Department of Defense (DOD) Program Management Qualifications as a substitute for PMI’s PMP, can we substitute the DOD PM qualification for PMI PMP qualification.

R.1: Reference the Performance Work Statement (PWS) Appendix A - Labor Category Descriptions. The Government’s minimum qualifications will remain unchanged; a Project Management Certification (PMP) is required for the Project Manager labor categories. However, reference Section 4.3 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) which allows for COR discretion on education and experience substitutions on a case by case basis.

ACQUISITION QUESTIONS

Q.1: 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?

R.1: This requirement is a follow on to an existing contract with Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC and the contract number is WC133R17CQ0068.

Q.2: Can you please provide information about the incumbent: organization name and contact number?

R.2: The incumbent is Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC. The Government is not at liberty to provide contact information.

Q.3: How would the government evaluate the Past Performance section if the 8(a) Prime does not have relevant past performance but the Sub-contractor has multiple?

R.3: Reference Section E.3.1.(b).4 of the solicitation for evaluation of Past Performance.

Q.4: May Offeror’s subcontractors submit more than 1 past performance questionnaire?

R.4: Reference Section E.2.7.(b).4.d of the solicitation for instructions on past performance questionnaires (PPQ). No such restriction exists.

Q.5: Is the past performance section numerically scored or only evaluated as a risk assessment?

R.5: The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.3.

Q.6: Does DOC want the Contractor to provide a separate cost proposal for Transition-In?

R.6: Reference Section E.2.7.(c) for price proposal instructions.

Q.7: Does the pricing worksheet depict the expected level of effort for this contract?

R.7: Reference Section E.2.7.(c).4.b of the solicitation. The price worksheet is a mockup and will only be used for price evaluation purposes.

Q.8: Could you please confirm the Program Manager is the only position designated as Key Personnel?

R.8: As specified in PWS Section 4.2, the Program Manager is the only designated Key Personnel.

Q.9: Does the exclusion of the Key Personnel resume also apply to the Sample Resumes in Section E.2.7 (b) Volume 1 - Technical Proposal, 1 Factor A: Technical and Transition Approach on page 41?

R.9: Reference Section E.2.7.(a).5.D. The sample resumes are part of the Volume I page count.

Q.10: Is there a page limit for each sample resume?

R.10: No, there is no page limitation for the sample resumes.

Q.11: Are the sample resumes part of the page count for Volume I?

R.11: Yes, the sample resumes are part of the Volume I page count.

Q.12: Would the govt consider a direct award with enhanced dollar thresholds?

R.12: No, the Government will not consider a direct award, as a direct award option is not available on this requirement.

In accordance with FAR 19.808-1(a), “The SBA may not accept for negotiation a sole-source 8(a) contract that exceeds $25 million unless the requesting agency has completed a justification in accordance with the requirements of 6.303.”

There is no basis for a justification in accordance with the requirements of FAR 6.303; therefore, a direct award is not available on this requirement.

Q.13: Are there initial Programs and Laboratories that this IDIQ would support? If so, who are these Programs and Labs?

R.13: Support for programs and laboratories can only be determined based on task orders issued. There is no guarantee if or when anticipated task orders will be issued.

Q.14: NAICS CHANGE REQUEST: We request a change in NAICS Code for this requirement from 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services to NAICS Code: 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) as this opportunity is for ‘Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Support’ and as specified on 2.1 Section of the SOW under the ‘Potential tasks..’ ( 541715 U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary and other allied subjects.) Just to site, another Opportunity from NOAA, same sub-tier -Notice ID NEED30002100265 has been listed against the NAICS Code 541715.

R.14: The NAICS code will remain 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. NAICS code 541715 encompasses research and development (R&D) industries, which does not fit the SETSS requirement.

Q.15: INCUMBENT INFORMATION REQUEST: Also we will like to know if there is an incumbent on this Contract, and if yes, we request Government to please identify who it is?

R.15: The incumbent is Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC.

Q.16: TRANSITION EMPLOYEES INFORMATION REQUEST: How many transition employees is the government anticipating on the new Contract? Will the responders to this Solicitation get a chance to talk to existing employees who are anticipated to transition to the new Contract, before the response to the solicitation is due?

R.16: The Government is not able to provide an anticipated number of contractor employees to transition to the new contract, as the need for services is expected to fluctuate and is why the Government is utilizing an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) for this requirement. The Government will not be providing incumbent staff contact information prior to the proposal due date.

Q.17: We haven't completed a year of performance on...contracts with similar scope and complexity at NOAA. The Past Performance states that the past performance needs to be "1 year completed". Since XXXX is still a relatively younger 8a, would it be possible to relax the past performance requirements from the prime and use the past performance of our sub to bolster our response. Or would you allow an 8a JV to respond to the solicitation.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-6#FAR_6_303

R.17:

a. The Government assumes this question is referring to the Experience evaluation factor, not the Past Performance evaluation factor, as the “minimum of one (1) year completed on contract” requirement is only listed under the Experience evaluation factor. The requirement will not be relaxed as the Government has deemed one (1) year contract completion to be the minimum required experience necessary.

b. Please reference Sections E.2.7.(b).3.a and E.3.1.(b).3.a, which both discuss submission of proposed subcontractor experience.

c. Any entity deemed by the SBA to be eligible to participate in the 8(a) program will be eligible to submit a proposal for this requirement.

Q.18: If there is an incumbent contract # you are able to provide for the Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Support Services (SETSS) - NRMA00002001265 requirement?

R.18: The incumbent is Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC and the contract number is WC133R17CQ0068.

Q.19: Are 8a JV’s eligible to bid under the procurement

R.19: Any entity deemed by the SBA to be eligible to participate in the 8(a) program will be eligible to submit a proposal for this requirement.

Q.20: If yes, does the 8a JV have to qualify as $16.5 million or less to be eligible?

R.20: Reference 13 CFR 124.513 for guidance on JV small business qualifications for the associated NAICS code, which depends on the type of JV.

Q.21: If JV’s are eligible would Corporate Experience and Past Performance fall under the offeror?

R.21: Reference 13 CFR 125.8(e). In accordance with 13 CFR 125.8(e), evaluation of experience and past performance must consider work done and qualifications held for each partner to the JV, as well as for the JV itself.

Q.22: May offerors submit CPARS in lieu of the Past Performance Questionnaire?

R.22: No, CPARS may not be submitted in lieu of PPQs.