22R0016_Questions_0001.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 53 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 140D0422R0016
About this file
This document contains a government file related to the Department of State (DOS) Performance Management, Evaluation, and Learning Services (PMELS) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award contract solicitation. The solicitation seeks evaluation and learning support services across five functional areas: monitoring and evaluation; data collection and analysis; learning; evaluation capacity building; and knowledge management. Offerors are required to submit responses to Phase I and Phase II proposals by specified dates in order to be considered for one of five contracts to be awarded per functional area. Phase I proposals require responses to capability and experience questions, as well as past performance questionnaires. Phase II proposals require pricing details, staffing approaches, and small business participation plans. The total maximum contract value across all IDIQ contracts is $150 million over a five-year ordering period. Task orders will be issued on a firm-fixed-price or time-and-materials basis.
View the file
Other files
Show all 23
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| 140D0422R0016 |
| Performance Management, Evaluation, and Learning Services (PMELS) |
| Attachment 7 - Question Submission Sheet |
| Q# | Document | Page | Section | Question | Government Response |
| 1 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 6 | 1.8 | The government tates that the RFPs for Task Orders will include a task order type, including Labor Hour or Firm Fixed Price. Can the government define what they mean by Labor Hour? Is this the same as Time and Material? | Yes, Consistent with FAR 52.216-1, the task orders awarded under the IDIQ will be Firm Fixed Price or Time and Materials. Section 1.8 has been updated to reflect this. |
| 2 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 8 | 1.15 | The RFP states the “IDIQ Manager shall be the primary technical and managerial interface between the contractor and CO and the COR”. In order to carry out these responsibilities, is it expected the IDIQ Manager’s level of effort will be included at the task order level and therefore also included in the sample task order budgets? If so, to which IDIQ Labor Category does the IDIQ Manager align? | The contractor shall propose all required labor categories necessary to perform the required. The Labor Categories listed are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to suggest or dictate labor categories that will be proposed. |
| 3 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 13 | 1.28 | The solicitation mentions that travel receipts will be required for reimbursement of such expenses. Can the government please confirm that receipts will not be required for fixed price task orders per FAR 52.232. | Firm Fixed Price task orders where the Government does not issue a place holder for travel or travel is not separately priced will not require stated receipts. Where a placeholder is provided or travel is separately priced, receipts will be required. |
| 4 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 45 | DOSAR 652.219-70 | Can the government confirm that an offeror's subcontracting goals match or meet those of the Dept of States as outlined in DOSAR 652.219-70 for the goals to be deemed acceptable? | Phase 2 Question, will be address after Phase 1 submissions. |
| 5 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 45-46 | DOSAR 652.219-70 | Can the government confirm the Utilization of Small Business Concerns referenced on page 45-46 of the Request for Proposal document will be reviewed on an annual basis? | Phase 2 Question, will be address after Phase 1 submissions. |
| 6 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 50 | 1.8 | Page 50 states, “Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type).” Can the government confirm bidders may use 10-point font for charts, tables and graphics? | Solicitation has been revised to allow 10 point type for charts, tables and graphics. |
| 7 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 50 | 1.8 | Page 50 states, “Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type).” Can the government confirm this is any easily readable font? | Solicitation has been revised to specify Times New Roman. |
| 8 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 50 | 1.8 | Could the government please confirm if the volume covers, tables of contents, glossaries, indices, title pages, section dividers, or tables inserted solely to provide ease to the reader in locating parts/sections of the proposal (which will not be counted against the page count) should be marked in some specific way to ensure readers understand their function? | Solicitation has been revised to add: To ensure these documents are not counted towards the page limit, mark with a Header “title of document – does not count towards pages limit” (i.e. Tables of Contents – Does Not Count Towards Page Limit). |
| 9 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 50 | 1.8 | Could the government confirm that a table providing a consolidated set of information or check marks associated with RFP requirements and page numbers/sections inserted on a blank page in front of each section solely there to provide ease to the reader would not count against page limit? | Provided the information is provided solely for the ease to the reader, this would not count against the page limit. |
| 10 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 51 | Question Matrix | Question 1 states, “Offeror shall identify its three (3) previous or current contracts (within the last 5 years) that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to perform the tasks in the SOW that relate to the self-identified FA. If applying for more than one FA, state three (3) previous or current contracts PER Functional Area.” Will there be separate evaluation panels for each Functional Area or will the submission be reviewed as one package? | There are different evaluation panels for each Functional Area. There may be an instance when one individual will serve on more than one panel; however, the totality of panel members will vary from Functional Area to Functional Area. |
| 11 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 51 | Question Matrix | Question 1 states, “Offeror shall identify its three (3) previous or current contracts (within the last 5 years) that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to perform the tasks in the SOW that relate to the self-identified FA.” Can the government confirm that the referenced SOW is the IDIQ SOW rather than the Sample TO SOWs for FAs? | Correct, Phase I applies to Attachment I, IDIQ Statement of Work and not the individual Sample TO SOWs. |
| 12 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 51 | Question Matrix | Could the government confirm offerors may include past performance outside those mentioned in Question 1 as illustrative examples throughout the rest of the proposal? | The past performance evaluation will include only the PPQs submitted for the projects referenced under Factor 1 to show how well the projects presented to demonstrate experience and capability were performed. |
| 13 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 52 | Question Matrix | Question 4 states, “The Offeror shall provide at least one (1) recent (within the last 5 years) example of a project where your team was responsible for one or more of the following activities...” If the offeror is applying for multiple FAs, does the government intend for offerors to provide one example per FA? | Yes, one example per functional area for Factor 1 and a corresponding PPQ submitted for that project for Factor 2. |
| 14 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 52 | Phase I, Volume I, Factor 2, Past Performance | Could the government please confirm the Phase I, Volume I, Factor 2, Past Performance (Page 52) is evaluated for offeror’s capability for providing support generally to each FA—not specifically to the sample Task Orders included in Phase II of this proposal process? | Phase I, Factor 2 Past Performance will evaluate how well the offeror performed on the projects used to demonstrate capability under Factor 1. Factor 1 is specific to the IDIQ SOW. The Sample TO SOW's do not apply to Phase I submissions. |
| 15 | 140D0422R00016_Request_For_Proposal | 55 | Phase II - Volume II, Factor 4 - Price | The RFP instructions require offerors “to propose the appropriate labor categories and labor rates that will be necessary to perform the work required by the IDIQ”. Can the government please confirm that the proposed rates for the IDIQ Labor categories are for US National personnel (either US citizens or US residents only); and that labor rates for foreign-based personnel or foreign subcontractors will be negotiated at the Task Order level | This is confirmed and a note has been added to the submission instructions on page 55. |
| 16 | Attachment 2 FA 1 Sample Task Order; Attachment 5 FA 4 Sample Task Order; Attachment 6 FA5 Sample Task Order | 5 (Attachment 2); 11 (Attachment 5); 4 (Attachment 6) | Task Order Security Requirements | The sample Task Orders highlight the potential requirement for contractor personnel with security clearances which would necessitate the company to have a facility clearance. Will the government consider setting a minimum SECRET facility clearance requirement for entry onto the IDIQ? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 17 | Attachment 9 TO Pricing Sheet | N/A | N/A | Can offerors amend the the Task Order Pricing template to include applicable indirect costs applied to Travel/ODCs? | This is a question that applies to Phase 2 and will allow you to submit a clarifying question. If I understand the question correctly, you are requesting that the Government only provide a "plug" number for travel but require the contractors to provide ODC costs separately with a breakdown of ODCs? |
| 18 | General | General | General | Could the government please confirm if any of the illustrative Task Orders will be awarded as real Task Orders along with the award of the IDIQ? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 19 | General | General | General | Can the government confirm the projected number of awardees for each FA on this IDIQ? | The Government anticipates awarding five (5) contracts per FA. However, this number is not binding, and a greater or lesser number may be awarded at the Government’s discretion. |
| 20 | RFP and Attachment 10 and Attachment 11 | 16-17 | 1.31 | When do bidders need to complete and submit the NDA form (attachment 10) and the OICI (attachment 11)? Do these forms need to be submitted during Phase I? | No, NDA and OCI forms will be submitted during Phase 2. |
| 21 | RFP | 40 | 1.36 | Do bidders need to review and complete the provisions from page 40 to 47 to include in their Phase 1 response? | The provisions that require completion will be submitted in Phase 2. |
| 22 | RFP | 49 and 51 | 1.7 proposal submission instructions | For Factor 1, Question 1, do bidders need to include the same 3 projects in Factor 1 Question 1 that they include PPQs for in Factor 2? | Yes, the PPQs (or completed CPARS evaluations) should be submitted for those projects identified in Factor 1. |
| 23 | RFP | 49 | 1.7 proposal submission instructions | For Factor 2, do bidders need to submit only the five PPQ forms or can they include additional project information and descriptions in the Volume 1 under Factor 2 in addition to the PPQ forms? | Factor 2 is limited to PPQs or CPARS for projects identified in Factor 1. |
| 24 | RFP | 49 | 1.7 proposal submission instructions | For Factor 2, the RFP states that bidders can submit PPQs from subcontractors. That said, is that in addition to the 5 PPQs submitted by the prime or is it 5 PPQs in total (divided between prime and subcontractors)? | Factor 2 is limited to the PPQs or CPARS for the projects identified in Factor 1. Where a subcontractor's project was utilized to demonstrate experience and capability in Factor 1, a PPQ will be submitted to illustrate how well the subcontractor performed the work in Factor 2. |
| 25 | RFP | 49 | 1.7 proposal submission instructions | For Volume III, where can bidders find a copy of the Representation and Certification for completion? | Phase II requires submission of 52.212-3. The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision. |
| 26 | Attachment 9-TO pricing sheet | N/A | N/A | Can DOI clarify what is meant by "Covered Under the Service Contract Act? Yes or No" in the Excel document? | To be addressed for Phase 2 submissions. |
| 27 | RFP | 58 | 1.13.2 Proposal Submission Details | Given the short turnaround, would DOI consider extending the proposal submission deadline for Phase I so bidders have sufficient time to prepare responsive proposals? | DOI and DOS are currently considering and will have a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 28 | RFP | 54 | 1.11 Proposal Content – Phase II | What materials should be submitted in regards to illustrative staffing in response to the illustrative Task Orders for each Functional Area? Should illustrative CVs be included and if so, is there a page limit per CV? Please clarify if anything else related to staffing needs to be included in Phase II response. | The staffing submission will need to show how you will staff the TO SOW, with what personnel and what qualifications. It will be evaluated based on how well the project is staffed with relevant qualifications demonstrating an understanding the project and what it will take staff wise to successfully accomplish without added risk to the Government. |
| 29 | Attachment 1- IDIQ SOW | 15 | IDIQ Key Personnel | Please confirm that bidders do not need to submit materials related to the IDIQ Manager during Phase I or Phase II and that bidder's IDIQ Manager's CV will only be shared with DOS if selected for/awarded the IDIQ? | This is confirmed. There are no submission requirements and no evaluation criteria that include the IDIQ Manager. |
| 30 | Attachment 8- IDIQ pricing sheet | N/A | N/A | What is meant by Exempt or Non-Exempt on the Excel document? | To be addressed for Phase 2 submissions. |
| 31 | Sol_140D0422R0016 | N/A | N/A | Do bidders need to complete and sign this form to submit with their Phase I response? | Yes, Acknowledgements requirements in paragraph 1.3 on page 47-48 have been amended to add this requirement. |
| 32 | Attachment_1_-_IDIQ_Statement_of_Work | 15-Feb | Personnel Requirements, a) General Requirements | The Government states: "Contracting firms performing on classified Tos requiring personnel security clearances will require a Facility Security Clearance (FCL) awarded by DCSA at the required level." Can the Government clarify the required facility security level for the prime? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 33 | RFP | 51 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 1 - IDIQ Demonstrated Capabilities and Experience | As it relates to Question 1 and the previous / current contracts that demonstate ability to perform tasks in the SOW relating to the self-identified FA, will the government consider similarly scoped work performed in the private sector as past performance? | Yes |
| 34 | RFP | 48 | Proposal Preparation Instructions | To confirm, for Phase I, Offerors should only submit a response to Factors 1 and 2 and, outside of a cover page, table of contents, acknowledgement page and information regarding teaming arrangements, nothing else is required (i.e., Information Technology Security Plan and Accreditation)? | Correct. Phase I submission is limited to Cover Page, Acknowledgements, Teaming Arrangments (if applicable), Factor 1 and Factor 2. |
| 35 | RFP | 48 | Proposal Preparation Instructions | Will the government please advise on the page limit for the Teaming Arrangements Page? | The Listing Page is limited to one (1) page and the signed team arrangement agreements/binding letters of commitment are limited to three (3) pages per teaming arrangement. The Soliciation has been amended to reflect this. |
| 36 | RFP | 48 | Proposal Preparation Instructions | Can the government please confirm that there is not a teaming arrangements template that should be utilized, as referenced in earlier drafts of the RFP? | There is no template for teaming arrangements. No reference to such template was found in the Solicitation. |
| 37 | RFP | 54 | Proposal Preparation Instructions | In which volume, if any, are Key Personnel to be listed? From reading the Draft Solicitation, it appears that such personnel would be listed in Phase II, Factor 3 submissions as a response to Sample Task Order Technical and Management Approach. Can the government please confirm that our understanding is correct and that Key Personnel should not be listed as any part of a Phase 1 submission? | Correct, Key Personnel are not included in the Phase I submission. All staffing are applicable to Phase II, Factor 3. |
| 38 | RFP | 42 | FAR 52.204-24 | Will the government please advise in which Proposal Phase and Volume an offeror should incorporate appropriate FAR language (e.g., in reference to FAR 52.213-3 and paragraph (d) of FAR 52.204-24)? | Representation and Certification shall be submitted in Phase II volume II. Reference table on page 49. |
| 39 | RFP | 52 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 - Past Performance | Will the government please advise on whether or not the PPQs should be included in the same proposal document that include Phase I - Volume I, Factor 1? | One proposal document. Offerors shall submit one proposal document for Phase I with dividers to differientate between Factors and FAs. The solicitation has been updated to reflect this reference paragraph 1.8, page 50. |
| 40 | RFP / Attachment 12 - Past Performance Questionnaire | 52 / 5 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 - Past Performance | Will the government please confirm how PPQs should be submitted? The RFP states that: "Completed PPQ forms should be submitted with your proposal. The PPQ does not have to be sent directly from the client." However, at the end of Attachment 12 - PPQ, it asks that the completed questionnaire please be submitted to Mrs. Stephanie McCullough directly. | The Government confirms the PPQ or CPARS evaluation should be submitted with the proposal. |
| 41 | RFP | 52 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 - Past Performance | If clients are unable to complete the PPQs by the submission deadline, will the government please advise on whether or not it is sufficient to submit the first page of the PPQ with contract and client information provided? | This is confirmed. Reference page 53. "If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). |
| 42 | Attachment 1 - IDIQ Statement of Work | 2--15 | Personnel Requirements | Will the government please advise if there are any specific security clearance requirements that must be met in order to be awarded this IDIQ? And, would the government be willing to sponsor an awardee who does not currently hold a clearance post-award? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 43 | Attachment 1 - IDIQ Statement of Work | 2--15 | Personnel Requirements | Will the government accept security clearances that subcontractors possess in lieu of the prime not possessing any potential required security clearances directly? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 44 | RFP | 51 | Proposal Preparation Instructions | If an Offeror applies to multiple FAs will the government evaluate them separately, potentially only selecting an award for one FA or is it an all-or-nothing type evaluation where the offeror must receive an award across all the FAs to which it applied? | Where a proposal applies to more than one Functional Area, the different Functional Areas will be evaluated separately. The offeror could submit for all five (5), and receive no award, or an award covering one (1) to five (5) FAs. The offeror does not have to be selected for each Functional Area in which their proposal applies in order to receive an award. |
| 45 | RFP | 52 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 - Past Performance | If an Offeror references two separate contracts from the same client in Question 1 of Factor 1, should that client fill out a single PPQ or one for each referenced contract? | An individual and separate PPQ shall be submitted for each project identified in Factor 1. Note, solicitation has been amended to allow formal CPARS evaluations where they exist instead of the PPQ. |
| 46 | Attachment 8 - IDIQ Pricing Sheet | XLS | IDIQ Pricing Sheet | Can the government confirm that ALL the labor categories in Attachment 8 must be included in a pricing proposal and quoted at each level – senior, mid and junior? And that those are the specific categorizations that must be used? Many small businesses will not have each role at each level specified by the government, making this a potentially prohibitive requirement. | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. |
| 47 | RFP | 51 | 1.9 | Phase I, as part of Question 1, the solicitation states that “Offeror shall identify its three (3) previous or current contracts (within the last 5 years) that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to perform the tasks in the SOW that relate to the self identified FA.” Can DOI please confirm that the prime offeror versus subcontractor offeror examples are given equal consideration and evaluation? | It is intended that prime offeror vs subcontractor projects will be evaluated equally; however, where offerors rely heavily on subcontractors to illustrate capabilities this provides additional risk to the Government and will be evaluated accordingly. |
| 48 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | Should a client not be able to submit their PPQ response in time, can the government please confirm that the submitted PPQ documents need only include information in sections 1 and 2 of the attached form? | This is confirmed. Reference page 53. "If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). |
| 49 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | The RFP states "For the projects/contracts identified under Factor 1, the offeror shall provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment 12)"...Factor 1 states that we can identify up to 3 projects per FA. Factor 2 states that we can identify up to 5 projects per FA. Can the government please confirm that offerers may profile 3 projects in Factor 1 and 2? | Question 1 specifically requests up to 3 projects; however, the other questions present an opportunity for additional projects. For example, Question 4 states to provide at least one (1) recent example specific to the activites covered in Question 4. |
| 50 | Would DOS please consider adding the subject area and activities related to migration, internally displaced persons, and refugees to Functional Area 2 under bullet 1: civilian security, and bullet 2: conflict environments. | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. | |||
| 51 | Page 52-53 | 1.9 | Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 – Past performance states, “For the projects/contracts identified under Factor 1, the offeror shall provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment 12)….Completed PPQ forms should be submitted with your proposal. The PPQ does not have to be sent directly from the client. If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s)…. The offeror is responsible for ensuring that the completed questionnaires are submitted by the closing date.” |
The same page continues: the burden of providing detailed, current, accurate, and complete past performance information rests with the offeror.
In addition to the above, the Government may review any other sources of information for evaluating past performance for the offeror and any subcontractors the proposal relies on for experience/past performance. Past performance information may be obtained from any other sources available to the Government, to include, but not limited to, the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information system (FAPIIS), or other databases; interviews with Program Managers and Contracting Officers.
| In our experience USAID COs and CORs are not always available or willing to present past performance references directly to contractors as they require internal review processes, controls, and approvals, which can take weeks. Since this is outside of the control of offerors, would DOS please consider the following: | See responses to questions below in 51a, 51b, and 51c. | |||||
| 51.a | For Offerors with existing CPARs, would DOS please consider revising the requirements to include a copy of the most recent CPAR along with only Sections 1-3 of the PPQ completed so that DOS is able to locate those CPARs in the system? In our experience, USAID COs and CORs are not always available or willing to present past performance references directly to contractors as they require internal review processes, controls, and approvals, which can take weeks. | The Government will consider official CPARS evaluations in lieu of PPQs. The CPARS evaluation shall be printed and presented in the proposal in lieu of the PPQ. Page 53 of the solicitation has been amended to reflect this. | ||||
| 51.b | For IDIQs where there are no CPARs, would DOS please confirm the submission of Sections 1-3 of the PPQ to the IDIQ COs/CORs with a copy to the DOS representatives within the timeline will be in compliance with this requirement? | Reference page 53. "If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). | ||||
| 51.c | For PPQ please confirm offerors are expected to complete through Section 3. | For completed PPQs submitted, this information is required. Whether the offeror completes it and submits to the client to verify and complete with the remainder of the document or requests the client to complete all of the document is not being dictated by the Government. | ||||
| 52 | 61 | Phase I Factor 2 – Past Performance states, “The past performance evaluation will consider each offeror’s demonstrated recent and relevant record of performance on the five (5) similar projects submitted per FA in which the proposal applies, and any additional past performance information obtained by the Government from other sources.” However, Page 52-53, Section L. 1.9. Phase I - Volume I, Factor 2 – Past performance states, “For the projects/contracts identified under Factor 1, the offeror shall provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment 12) …” | See response to questions below in 52.a. | |||
| 52.a | Would DOS please confirm offerors should submit Past Performance Questionnaires for their three projects referenced in response to Factor 1 Question 1 only? | Question 1 specifically requests up to 3 projects; however, the other questions present an opportunity for additional projects. For example, Question 4 states to provide at least one (1) recent example specific to the activites covered in Question 4. The projects referenced in Factor 1 to demonstrate capability should have a PPQ or CPARS available to allow the Government to evaluate how well the work was performed. | ||||
| 53 | 7 | Section 1.11 | Maximum Contract Value states, “The total maximum quantity of all services under the awarded IDIQ contracts shall not exceed $150 Million. The ceiling will be shared amongst all IDIQ contracts across the five functional areas.” This indicates a total ceiling of $150 million for five functional areas with multiple awardees for each of the functional areas. Many PMES Task Orders were distinct studies, evaluations or provision of services for under $1M. | See specific Q&A in 53.a, 53.b, and 53.c below | ||
| 53.a | Would DOS please clarify the anticipated size and scope of task orders under this IDIQ | The size and scope of the individual task orders will vary based on DOS priorities each year. It is anticipated that the size and scope will be similar to those under the current PMES IDIQ. For reference, 18 of the task orders awarded since FY2019 are still open. Of those 18: seven (7) are under $500k; three (3) are between $500k - $1M; seven (7) are between $1M - $5M; and one (1) is over $5M. | ||||
| 53.b | The solicitation process for awards under the current mechanism has not been commensurate to the size of the task orders. The pre-competed contracts for all awardees have demonstrated capacity in MEL. Frequently, RFTOPs have been posted without forecasting in advance and with short turn-around times and substantive technical and personnel requirements for the RFTOP response. For the new PMELS mechanism, would DOS please consider limiting the requirements to a CV for the lead personnel and a short (two- to three-page) summary of RFTOP/country-specific opportunities and obstacles, and approaches to achieving results? This would enable more offerors to respond to RFTOPs. | DOI and DOS appreciate this feedback and will consider this for RFTOPs under the new IDIQ. | ||||
| 53.c | Given the relatively small size of awards, DOS may also want to consider the Phase II requirements for this solicitation or consider a single small business and a single large business award. | At this time, we will not be revising our acquisition strategy in regards to which FAs are set aside for small business and which are "Full and Open" nor our anticipated number of contract awards per FA. | ||||
| 54 | 52 | The offeror shall provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) (Attachment 12) included in the solicitation to a representative of the client that can provide the client’s opinion of the offeror’s past performance for the project. Completed PPQ forms should be submitted with your proposal.” Please confirm that PPQ forms are the same as Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 12). | Confirmed. Past Performance Questionnaire = PPQ. | |||
| 55 | 52 | “if the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). Ensure correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided for the client point of contact.” However, page 1 of the PPQ only requires Customer or Agency Name under Section 2. Could you please clarify where should we enter the other information required including the name of the point of contact, email, and phone number? | Reference page 53, If the offeror is unable to obtain a completed PPQ from a client for a project(s) before proposal closing date, the offeror should complete and submit with the proposal the first page of the PPQ which will provide contract and client information for the respective project(s). Ensure correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided for the client point of contact. It is important that the correct phone numbers and email addresses are provided to allow the Government to follow up with the client. Please note, the solicitation is amended to allow a formal CPARS evaluation to be submitted in lieu of a PPQ where a formal CPARS evaluation exists for the subject projects. | |||
| 56 | PPQ limits the space for providing a description of the services under a project to only three lines. Would it be possible to allow more space in order to include important services and details? | Offerors are allowed to exceed the 3 lines provided under Section 1. Paragraph I in order to provide a detailed but concise description. | ||||
| 57 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 52 | 1.9 | In Section 1.9, Proposal Content - Phase I, as part of Question 1, the solicitation states that “Offeror shall identify its three (3) previous or current contracts (within the last 5 years) that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to perform the tasks in the SOW that relate to the selfidentified FA.” Does “tasks in the SOW,” refer to the Task Order SOW per FA included as Attachments 2-6, or the IDIQ SOW included as Attachment 1? | Phase I is specific to the IDIQ SOW provided at Attachment 1. | |
| 58 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 51 | 1.9 | Under Section 1.8 Proposal Content – Phase I, as part of Question 2, the solicitation states that, “The Offeror shall demonstrate and describe prior experience with data collection methods including key informant interviews, group interviews, focus groups, observation, surveys, physical measurements, and participatory methods.” As part of this description, are offerors able to note contracts other than those provided under Question 1 that demonstrate the offeror's experience with data collection methods? | Yes. | |
| 59 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 54 | 1.11 | Under Section 1.11 Proposal Content – Phase II, the solicitation states that “The Offeror shall indicate their approach to staffing the proposed sample TO and demonstrate the qualifications of the team.” May Offerors present a recruitment strategy for staffing each sample TO and illustrative candidates for the proposed positions? | This can be submitted provided it is within the specified page limitation. | |
| 60 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 48 | 1.4 | Can the Government please share how the Teaming Arrangements Page and related teaming arrangment information will be evaluated? | Offerors are allowed to utilize subcontractor experience and past performance for Factors 1 and 2. Where offerors utilize subcontractor information in these areas, the Government wants to ensure there are agreements and/or binding commitments so that an offeror is not awarded a contract and then the subcontractor whose experience and past performance was utilized; is not available for actual performance where the offeror receives an award. The Teaming Arrangements are being evaluated to ensure these commitments exist for the stated reasons. | |
| 61 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 50 | 1.8 | Will the Government allow for graphics, text boxes, tables, and/or charts to be in a font size smaller than 12-point as long as the text is legible? | Solicitation has been amended to allow a 10 point font for charts, tables and graphics. | |
| 62 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 12 | 1.28 | Under the General Contract Terms and Conditions, Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Internet Payment Platform (IPP), the solicitation states that “Invoices shall be submitted no later than the 15th day of the month following the invoice billing period.” Given that many contractors may utilize subcontractors whose costs must first be submitted to the prime contractor before the prime contractor can invoice the Government, it may be difficult for the contractor to meet the invoice deadline specified. In addition, weekends and holidays may limit the number of working days before specified deadline. Would DOS consider removing this requirement or extending the deadline to the 25th day of the month? | Solicitation has been amended to state "The contractor shall make a reasonable attempt to submit invoices no later than the 15th day of the month following the billing period." | |
| 63 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 49 | 1.7 | Under Section 1.7 Proposal Submission Instructions, Phase II, Volume II, the proposal narrative for the IDIQ price is limited to two pages. Is there a page limit for the proposal narrative for the sample task order price? | The Price Summary Statements for the sample task order is limited to one page. Solicitation is amended to clarify this in the table on page 49. | |
| 64 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 37 | 1.34 | The IDIQ includes clause 652.239-71, the requirements of which we understand to apply only to the extent that the contractor will have physical or electronic access to Department information, and that in those cases the offeror must complete a security plan as part of their offer. Can the Government please confirm that this requirement will be applied only at a task order level, with the need for such a security plan specified in the RFTOP? | Correct. This will apply at the task order level. | |
| 65 | Attachment 3- FA2 Sample TO SOW | 10 | 6 | Are the positions typically full-time positions? If not, will the Government provide the historical labor hours billed by labor category or provide more information as to the magnitude of the work, for the Offeror to propose a level of effort that can meet the Government's expectations? | To be reviewed and addressed in Phase II. | |
| 66 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | "Prior experience performing and managing evaluations for USG entities working in foreign affairs is preferred though not required." - is there a list of these entities? | USG entities include any Federal Government agency. | |
| 67 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | Will PPQs from USG entities working in foreign affairs receive higher scores than more relevant PPQs from USG entities not working in foreign affairs? Will PPQs from USG entities working in foreign affairs receive higher scores than more relevant PPQs from non USG entities working in foreign affairs? | Factor 2 could receive a higher rating where the project includes evaluations for United States Government entities working in foreign affairs. | |
| 68 | RFP | 51 | 1.9 | Can the government provide examples of the types of physical measurements it anticipates could be expected under IDIQ task orders so that offerors can provide relevant examples? | All task orders issued will be within the scope of the IDIQ Statement of Work provided at Attachment 1. Offerors should use this as a basis (along with the targeted questions under Factor 1) to submit relevant examples. | |
| 69 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | For question 4, part (c), could "the stakeholders" in this case refer to the offeror itself if it served as an external evaluator charged with answering priority questions? Or does the offeror need to have drafted a document that outlines how other stakeholders, such as program implementers or the government, will address priority questions themselves? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. | |
| 70 | RFP | 51 | 1.9 | The RFP instructions in Section 1.9 (page 51, Question 1) request, “three (3) previous or current contracts (within the last 5 years) that demonstrates the offeror’s ability to perform the tasks in the SOW that relate to the self-identified FA. If applying for more than one FA, state three (3) previous or current contracts PER Functional Area.” However, the evaluation criteria (RFP page 61) refer to “demonstrated recent and relevant record of performance on the five (5) similar projects.” Kindly confirm whether offerors should provide three or five performance examples per FA in Question 1, and whether offerers should provide three or five performance examples per FA in Factor 2. | Question 1 specifically requests up to 3 projects; however, the other questions present an opportunity for additional projects. For example, Question 4 states to provide at least one (1) recent example specific to the activites covered in Question 4. The projects referenced in Factor 1 to demonstrate capability should have a PPQ or CPARS available to allow the Government to evaluate how well the work was performed. | |
| 71 | RFP | 50 | 1.9 | The RFP states that each question in factor 1 should have a response for each FA. For Questions 2,3,4 explaining the same capabilities for each FA would be repetitive. Is it possible to respond to Q2-4 more generally, and not per FA? "The Offeror shall submit a written response in PDF format that addresses the four (4) | ||
| questions/information requests below for each FA to which the proposal applies" | Where the offeror believes there is no benefit in differentiating Questions 2-4 for each of the FAs to which the proposal applies, Question 2 – 4 can be addressed only once. Where this is the case, offerors will need to ensure the divider clearly identifies that Questions are applicable to each of the FAs to which the proposal applies (i.e. Questions 2-4 included herein are applicable to FA X,X,X and X.). The portion of the proposal will be distributed to each FA evaluation team. Paragraph 1.9, pages 50-51 have been revised to allow this. | |||||
| 72 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | The RFP mentions capabilities such as "designing data | ||
| collection instruments, data collection, cleaning and analysis" as background to Question 4 which are not directly tied to the activities we are asked to describe in Question 4. May we include information on these capabilities as part of the response to Question 2 or as relevant throughout the proposal instead? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. | |||||
| 73 | RFP | 48 | 1.4 | The RFP states that a copy of each signed team arrangement should be included with "type and proportion of work to be performed." Since teaming agreements at this stage will be at the IDIQ level, can the requirement to include proportion of work to be performed please be removed? Determination of workshare among partners can be made at the task order level but it is not feasible to commit to workshare proportions at the IDIQ level. | Proportion has been removed; however, if offerors are relying on subcontractor experience and past performance requirements, the type of work the subcontractors will be utilized for should be reasonably known. | |
| 74 | RFP | Can the government clarify whether more than three projects can be discussed under Factor 1, Question 1 in order to demonstrate a full range of relevant capabilities? | Factor 1, Question 1 should only include up to 3 projects; however, the other questions present an opportunity for additional projects. For example, Question 4 states to provide at least one (1) recent example specific to the activites covered in Question 4. | |||
| 75 | Attachment 1 SOW | Page 9 | The attachment 1 IDIQ SOW mentions many capabilities such as trainings, capacity building and bureau evaluation plans and evaluation methodologies that are not explicitly addressed in Factor 1. Is there a preferred place offerors may address these additional capabilities in their Factor 1 response, or should offerors not address these? | There is no preferred place, offerors may include this information where deemed most appropriate provided it is within the established page limitations. | ||
| 76 | RFP | 52 | 1.9 | The RFP instructions in Section 1.9 (page 52, Question 4) request “at least one (1) recent (within the last 5 years) example of a project where your team was responsible for one or more of the following activities….” Please confirm that this example is one of the five requested examples in the Factor II of the evaluation criteria. | Confirmed. This example is one of the five requested examples in Factor 2 of the evaluation criteria. | |
| 77 | RFP | 4 | 1.3 | In General Contract Terms, Section 1.3 (Place of Performance, RFP page 4) states, “The Contractor is authorized to enable Contractor staff to telework when onsite presence is not required,” and “Contractors shall have formal telework policies in place by their employer if telework is employed.” However, Section 1.32 (RFP page 16), states that Contractors must request COTR approval for telework during government closures. Would DOS consider either revising this clause for consistency with the statements in Section 1.3 (e.g., removing the requirement for COTR approval)? | Paragraph 1.33 titled Continuity of Operations During a Government Closure is deleted and the following paragraphs (1.35 -1.36) have been re-numbered accordingly (1.33-1.35). | |
| 78 | Attachment 1 SOW | 2-8 | Under “Results dissemination” (page 2-8 of Attachment 1), offerors are instructed that public summaries “should be brief, not more than two pages.” Given the glut of information foreign assistance audiences receive daily (if not hourly), many of our audiences require a “hook” to encourage them to read and engage with the results (as required under “Results synthesis” on the next page of Attachment 1). This can be achieved efficiently using data visualizations or other more visual formats, but often benefits from a slightly longer page count. Would DOS consider revising this requirement from a page-count to a word-count limitation (e.g., 1,000 words—a typical length for a single-spaced, two-page narrative). This could give more flexibility to develop summaries that provide compelling data insights that inspire readers to engage more deeply with the findings (e.g., via visualizations) alongside the standard narrative. The readers’ time to engage with the content would remain the same, even if the page count were a bit longer. | Thank you for this feedback. We will review and consider, but do not expect to revise the IDIQ SOW at this time. | ||
| 79 | Attachment 1 SOW | 2-9 | Under “Training” (page 2-9 of Attachment 1), potential delivery methods include “CD and web-based instruction.” Given that many participants are unlikely to use CDs (or even have technology to play a CD), would DOS consider revising this to “mobile and web-based instruction”? | The Government is reviewing and will provide a response by COB Friday, August 5, 2022. | ||
| 80 | RFP | 50 | 1.8 | The RFP instructions state, “Printing shall be easily readable (12-pitch type).” Please confirm that a 12-point font will meet the requirement for “12-pitch type.” | Times New Roman. 12 point font. | |
| 81 | RFP | 50 | 1.4 and 1.9 | On page 50, DOS states that offerors are “authorized to utilize subcontractor’s experience provided a teaming arrangement exists and the agreement is included in the proposal”. On the same page it states that page limits include all appendices. Could DOS please confirm that teaming arrangements will not count against the page limit? | Separate page limits have been provided for the Teaming Arrangements. Reference Page 48. | |
| 82 | 140D0422R0016_Request_For_Proposal.pdf | 17 | 1.31 | Could the government please clarify if the NDA and OCI must be submitted with the proposal or signed at the time of award? | This is required as a part of Phase 2 submission and does not apply to Phase 1. DOI will review and determine if this can be revised to at time of award. | |
| 83 | Attachment_12_Past_Performance_Questionnaire_(2) | 5 | N/A | The PPQ indicates that the questionnaires should be returned to Stephanie McCullough via email, while the RFP (page 52) indicates that the PPQ should be submitted by the offeror with their proposal. Could the government please clarify in which format they would like the PPQs submitted? | The Government is requesting that PPQ's be submitted by the offeror with their proposal. NOTE amendment which allows submission of a formal CPARS evaluation where they exist for the stated projects in Factor 1 in lieu of PPQ. | |
| 84 | 140D0422R0016_RFP and Sol_140D0422R0016 | 1-2 | SF 1449 | Two SF 1449 forms came with the RFP, i.e. |
(1) SF 1449 pages 1 and 2 of 65 pages, and
(2) SF 1449 pages 1-2 of 2 pages.
| Please clarify which SF 1449 the Contractor should be refering to and use | The SF 1449 pages 1 and 2 of 65 pages. This is the official document. DOI is required to utilize our contract writing system in posting documents to sam.gov. The SF 1449 pages was a document generated and posted automatically when the solicitation was posted and is not the official document. DOI does not have the ability to prevent this document from posting; nor do we have the ability to delete from sam.gov | ||||
| 85 | 140D0422R0016_RFP and Sol_140D0422R0016 | 1-2 | SF 1449 / Block 10 | (1) SF 1449 in document 140D0422R0016_RFP shows size standard as $21.5m, and |
(2) SF 1449 in document Sol_140D0422R0016 shows size standard as $16.5m.
| Please clarify which is the correct size standard and correct SF 1449 to reference. | Please reference the official solicitation document which is 65 pages long. As stated in the answer above, the contract writing system generated the 2 page document and the system has not updated the size standards. | ||||
| 86 | 140D0422R0016_RFP | 8 | 1.15 Key Personnel Designation | 1st paragraph of the section makes reference to the Contractor's IDIQ manager. Last paragraph of the section makes reference to Project Manager. |
| Kindly clarify the title description the Contrator should be referring to. | Solicitation Amendment removes reference to Project Manager and replaces with IDIQ Manager for consistency. | ||||
| 87 | 140D0422R0016_RFP | 47 | 1.36 Provisions / DOSAR 652.225.70 Arab Leagua Boycott of Israel | Text Reference "(b) Certification. By submitting this offer, the offeor certifies that it is not:" |
Please advise where the certification stated at (b) should be placed in the proposal/s .
| Submission of the proposal in and of itself provides this certification. | ||||
| 88 | 140D0422R0016_RFP | 54 | Phase II - Volume II Factor 4 Price, a. IDIQ Price, (2) Pricing Sheet | Text reference "All hourly rates shall be fully burdened rates and shall include the maximum rate that will be charged per labor category for the duration of the five (5) year ordering period of the IDIQ." |
Besides the fully burdenend labor rates, please advise:
(1) how the Offeror can recover indirect cost G&A plus Fee on Travel / ODCs, which is the general practice by commercial companies, and
| (2) how the TO-Pricing Sheet can be adapted / modified to account for the G&A and Fee. | To be reviewed and addressed in Phase II. | ||||
| 89 | 140D0422R0016_RFP | 56-57 | Phase II - Volume IV, Factor 5 – Small Business Participation Plan and Subcontracting | Text reference: "Small businesss offerors self-certified in SAM.gov will receive the maximum credit for this evaluation factor and do not need to submit any documentation supporting this evaluation factor." |
A Small Business as the Prime Offeror, please advise/or confirm whether the Small Business is required to submit:
(1) Small Business Partipation Plan, and
| (2) Small Business Subontracting Plan | Small Business prime contractors are not required to submit Small Business Participation Plan or the Small Business Subcontracting Plan. | |||||
| 90 | Attachment 1 IDIQ Statement of Work | All pages | Header | Please take note that we noticed that the header of the document has Attachment 2 description, which is different to the filename Attachment 1 | The Filename is correct. The header for Attachment 1 has been corrected via Amendment 0001. | |
| 91 | Attachment 11 Conflict of Interest | 1 | Top right of document | Please take note that we noticed that the document has Attachment 1 description, which is different to the filename Attachment 11 | Unsure of what this is noting. If Attachment 1 is intended to say Attachment 11, the document is titled Conflict of Interest. The Government does not have concern that this document is titled Certificate for Conflict of Interest versus Conflict of Interest. |
This is the start of the file's text. The full file is on GovTribe.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .