Sol_140D0423R0001_Amd_0001.pdf

(x)

140D0423R0001 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

Herndon VA 20170

D52

Suite 4000 381 Elden Street Acquisition Services Directorate Interior Business Center, AQD

10/24/20220001

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

10/11/2022

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

LIST OF CHANGES Amendment 0001:

1. Responds to questions of a technical nature.

2. Adds clause "Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology¿

3. Issues rev. 1 to Attachment 8 - FAR 52.212-1 Addendum - Instructions to

Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Attachment 8 - FAR 52.212-1 Addendum

- Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services rev. 1 supersedes the previous attachment 7.

Continued ...

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

Alexandra Tsybulevsky

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001

4. Issues rev. 1 to Attachment 9 - FAR 52.212-5

Addendum. Attachment 9 - FAR 52.212-5 rev. 1 supersedes the previous attachment 9.

Section 2: Clause, SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

FACILITY ACCESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, is incorporated as follows:

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: FACILITY ACCESS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

FACILITY ACCESS and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (AUG

2016)

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: FACILITY ACCESS AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

FACILITY ACCESS and INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (AUG

2016)

(a) All Contractor employees must have an "Enter on Duty" (EOD) approval issued by the Bureau

Personnel Security Office (PSO) before they begin performing work on any Bureau contract. The

Contractor must ensure that all employees requesting an EOD are citizens of the United

States of America, or an alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence or employment (indicated by immigration status) as evidenced by Immigration and Naturalization

Service documentation and the employee must have resided in the United States for a minimum of 3 years. The EOD may be issued in advance of a completed Background Investigation and may be rescinded by the PSO at any time. However, all contractors who require network access are required to complete the identity proofing process, and must be able to obtain a successfully adjudicated National Criminal

History Check (NCHC) and National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or higher to stay on the contract.

(b) Starting Work - Contractor employees with an approved EOD may begin performing unsupervised work on Bureau contracts. To remain on the contract, the Contractor employees will need a completed favorable Background Investigation.

(c) Rescission of EOD - The PSO may rescind the

EOD at any time. This may occur as the result of additional information obtained or the final results of the background investigation.

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

3 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001

(d) Background Investigation - Contractor employees who will have unsupervised access to

Bureau facilities, access to the Department of the Interior (DOI) information technology (IT) systems or DOI data, or will develop custom applications, must have a favorably adjudicated background investigation from the Office of

Personnel Management (OPM). Existing clearances at the same or higher level are acceptable upon the PSO's review and approval. If the employee does not already have a complete investigation, they must apply for one. The employee may begin work with an EOD, but must receive a favorable background investigation to continue working on the contract. The background investigation includes obtaining fingerprints through a

USAccess Credentialing Center for an FBI criminal history and a credit report. Once the investigation has been scheduled by OPM, the

Bureau will receive advance reports. If those reports are favorable, the Bureau PSO will issue the EOD. The type of background investigation required is based on the risk/sensitivity level designation. Citizenship requirements and guidance for determining the appropriate type of background investigation required for the designated risk/sensitivity level are contained in DOI Departmental Manual (DM) Part 441. The DM is available on the Internet at http://elips.doi.gov/app_home/index.cfm?fuseaction

=home.

(e) Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP)'s The Bureau uses the e-QIP for all background investigations or reinvestigations. To initiate an investigation, the Contractor, in collaboration with the COR, will complete an e-QIP Request Form. This request form is available through the COR. The

COR will submit the completed request form to the

Bureau PSO. The PSO will enter the information into e-QIP to either establish a new applicant profile or determine if an existing investigation that meets Bureau requirements is on file. The

PSO will then contact the applicant to provide additional information and instructions.

Generally, the Contractor is required to complete the following forms:

e-QIP application (on-line)

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

4 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001

Fair Credit Release

OF-306

Fingerprints via USAccess Credentialing Centers

The Contractor shall complete the required background investigation forms and submit them to the PSO. The PSO shall determine if individuals meet the required background investigation standards and citizenship requirements, and then make a suitability determination. Minimum standards used in suitability determinations are contained in the DOI Departmental Manual Part

441. The Government will pay for any background investigations required for contractor employees.

If the Contractor employee's background investigation is returned as unfavorable, the

Government reserves the right to request reimbursement of the actual costs for the investigation from the Contractor.

(f) Reinvestigation - Contractor employees occupying high risk public trust positions must be reinvestigated every 5 years. A reinvestigation may be initiated prior to the normal periodic reinvestigation schedule when an individual's continued ability to meet the minimum background investigation standards is in question. The electronic fingerprints on file in the USAccess system will be electronically submitted to OPM for the reinvestigation. The PSO shall review the records and documentation and make the suitability determination.

(g) Disputes - In the event of a disagreement between the Contractor and the Government concerning the suitability of a particular employee to perform work under this contract, the

Government has the right of final determination.

Determinations under this requirement are subject to the Disputes Clause, FAR 52.233-1. Failure of the Contractor to comply with the requirements of this clause could constitute grounds for termination for default.

(h) Physical Security Requirements - DOI Access Cards.

(1) Contractor employees must have a DOI Access Card before being given unsupervised access to a

Government facility.

(2) To gain unsupervised

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

5 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001 access to Government facilities, Contractor employees must present their DOI Access Card for examination by the security guard or electronically authenticate their DOI Access

Card, as required. Contractor employees must keep their DOI Access Card in a shielded card holder, and visually display the card at all times while in the facility. Refusal or repeated neglect to display the DOI Access Card may result in limiting Contractor employee's access to

Government facilities or revoking of authorized access.

(3) When a Contractor employee is no longer working under this award, the Contractor is responsible for returning all DOI Access Cards, keys, and other Government property issued to that employee. The Contactor shall coordinate all returns with the COR. The COR is responsible for ensuring the Contractor complies with these requirements. However, failure by the Contractor to comply with these requirements may result in the Contractor's liability for all costs associated with correcting any resultant breech in building security.

(i) Issuance & Maintenance - DOI Access Cards

(1) Process: To obtain a DOI Access Card the COR will use the online DOIAccess

System to initiate the access request.

Contractor employees will receive email notifications to enroll at a USAccess

Credentialing Center with two forms of identification, and after adjudication, a second email notification to pick up and activate their

DOI Access Card. The Contractor employee shall schedule an enrollment appointment at a USAccess center at least two weeks prior to the targeted

EOD.

(2) Contractor Responsibilities:

Contractor employees must complete actions in a timely manner to prepare for on-boarding and access to DOI network resources. The Contractor shall allow their personnel sufficient time to schedule and attend an enrollment appointment at the USAccess center prior to the contract start date. If the Contractor employee's DOI Access

Card becomes lost or stolen, the contractor employee shall notify the COR immediately to request a new DOI Access Card.

(3) COR Responsibilities: The COR (or

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

6 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001 designated individual) and Contractor shall maintain a listing of all Contractor employees who received a DOI Access Card, the date the card was issued, the date the electronic certificates expire (3 years from issue date), and the date the DOI Access Card expires (5 years from issue date). If the Contractor employee's DOI Access

Card or certificates will expire before the contract is completed, the COR (or designated individual) and Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the Contractor employee visits a

USAccess center to update certificates on the existing card or obtain a new DOI Access Card.

No later than one week prior to the DOI Access

Card's certificate or card expiration, the COR

(or designated individual) shall notify the

Contractor that DOI Access Card actions are required. The COR (or designated individual) and the Contractor shall update their listing to reflect the new issue date, certificate expiration date and card expiration date.

(i) Information Technology Security Requirements.

(1) Training - If contractor employees require access to any DOI/IT systems, the Contractor shall ensure its employees complete all

Bureau/DOI required IT security training. The

Contractor's employees shall complete this training before being granted access to

Bureau/DOI data or being issued network access.

The current training requirements are: (i) annual end-user IT Security Awareness, (ii) annual IT

Resources Rules of Behavior, and (iii) annual

Role-Based Security training for IT professionals. The Contractor shall comply with all Bureau/DOI IT security training requirements in effect during contract performance. The COR will notify the Contractor of all Bureau mandatory IT training. The Contractor shall submit training completion certificates to the

COR for all required training. Failure to meet this training requirement may result in removal of the contractor employee from the contract.

The Bureau will determine if the contractor can later return to the contract.

(2) Access to Contractor's Facilities for IT audit purposes - The Contractor shall afford

Bureau and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General access to the Contractor's and subcontractor's facilities, installations, Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

7 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001 operations, documentation, databases, and personnel used in performance of the contract.

Access shall be provided to the extent required to carry out a program of IT inspection, investigation, and audit that will safeguard against threats and hazards to the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of Government data or to the function of computer systems operated on behalf of the Government and to preserve evidence of computer crime. If the

Contractor questions the Government employee's right to access its facilities, it should contact the CO for resolution.

(3) Contractor Location - Custom software development and outsourced operations shall be located in the United States to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad, the Contractor shall provide an acceptable security plan that addresses the mitigation of problems related to communication, control, and protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of

IT systems and information.

(4) Applicable Standards - The Contractor shall follow all applicable Federal, DOI, and Bureau

Bulletins, Directives, Guidelines, Manuals, Processing Standards, Memoranda, Policies and

Standards; applicable OMB Memoranda; and all current National Institute of Standards &

Technology (NIST) Special Publications. To comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation

Subpart 39.101(d), contractors shall use the common security configurations available from the

NIST website at http://checklists.nist.gov. NIST documents are available on the internet at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsSPs.html.

OMB memoranda are available on the internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/. The

Contractor shall request copies of DOI and Bureau documents by contacting the COR.

(5) Incident Reporting - The Contractor shall immediately report computer security incidents affecting Bureau/DOI data and systems in accordance with the Bureau Computer Incident

Response policy. The Contractor shall request copies of the Bureau Computer Incident Response policy by contacting the COR.

(6) Assessment and Authorization (A&A) and

Continuous Monitoring. - The Contractor shall comply with Bureau policy when developing, Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

8 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001 upgrading, modifying or supporting applications and/or systems that require A&A and Continuous

Monitoring. The Contractor shall request copies of Bureau A&A policy by contacting the COR. The

A&A requirement does not apply when the

Contractor's employees merely access data or have

"read only" access.

(j) Documentation - The Contractor shall document all work performed and ensure that the appropriate Certification & Accreditation documents are updated to reflect the work performed and the current state of Bureau systems and networks. The Documentation requirement does not apply when the Contractor's employees merely access data or have "read only" access.

(k) Personnel Changes, Contractor Request - The

Contractor shall immediately notify the COR and

PSO when an employee is reassigned or leaves the

Contractor's employment and prior to any termination. The Contractor must adhere to the

Bureau or Office's mandatory exit clearance procedure. Once the COR has been notified that a

Contractor employee is leaving the contract, the

COR will initiate the exit clearance process in the DOIAccess System and forward to the

Contractor the necessary instructions and form required to be completed prior to the contractor's employee's departure. This form must be completed by the Contractor's employee and signed by both the Contractor's employee and the COR and then forwarded to the bureau/office specific program responsible for employee, volunteer, and contractor departures.

(l) Personnel Removal, Government Request - The Government retains the right to direct the

Contractor to remove any prime or subcontractor personnel, regardless of prior clearance or background investigation adjudication status, whose actions, while assigned to this contract, clearly conflict with the security interests of the Government. The justification for the

Government's direction to remove Contractor personnel will be documented and provided to the

Contractor by the CO.

(m) Subcontract Inclusion - The requirements of this clause must be incorporated into any

Continued ...

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

9 14

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

140D0423R0001/0001 subcontract if the subcontractor's employee must have access to Bureau facilities.

(End of clause)

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Questions and Responses

1. Is this a new or a follow-on effort? If so, can you provide the contractor's name and contract number?

Response: This is a follow-on effort. Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link. https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

2. I just saw that this opportunity was dropped yesterday and I'm checking to see if it is the same as the one I've been tracking over the last year. The one I'm tracking has an incumbent (CRI-MARTEK JV, Contract number 140D0418D0002)). Is the one that dropped yesterday the same work or is it something new?

Response: This solicitation is for the follow-on to the referenced action.

3. Do we have an incumbent? If so, who is it?

Response: This is a follow-on effort. Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link. https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

4. Is this a recompete?

Response: Yes.

5. Is Key personnel resumes need to provide in separate volume? Is there any limit for resumes page count?

Response: Resumes for key personnel are not required for proposal submission per the instructions. If included as part of your proposal in volume II, they would count against the page count stated in the instructions.

6. In Solicitation it states that resumes of all key personnel need to be submitted but it isn't that much of clear about the locations, can we know the location information clearly?

Response: Resumes are not included for the proposal, only post award in accordance with the Statement of Work terms.

7. Is there an incumbent on this contract? If so, can you provide Contract# and Contract Value and Contractor Name?

Response: Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

8. Is the incumbent eligible to Prime?

Response: Eligibility cannot be determined until a proposal is received. Eligibility will be determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as of the time of submission of initiation offers which include price per FAR 19.805-2(b).

9. What is the estimated contract value?

Response: The not-to-exceed value is $25,000,000. As this is a time-and-materials contract and the requirements can fluctuate greatly, an estimate cannot be provided as stated in FAR 16.601(c).

10. Historically, is there any data for reference to determine the FTE count?

Response: The scope, detail, and frequency of these services changes drastically; thus, the current requirement cannot be reasonably defined based on historical data. This is the primary reason why the contemplated contracting action is a time-and-materials contract type.

11. Section 4.2.1 states, "Table 4.2.1 summarizes the key personnel required for this action". Table 4.2.1 indicates nine (9) SOW Labor categories. Request clarification regarding the nine (9) Labor categories.

Are there nine (9) key personnel positions, or, does Table 4.2.1 simply depict the key personnel labor categories and there can be one or more key personnel for each labor category?

Response: Table 4.2.1 are the labor classifications, more details about the labor classifications are in Appendix A.

12. The table in section 4.2.4 shows a total number of 26 personnel. Are offerors to assume all 26 positions are key personnel?

Response: The twenty-six personnel are the Government's estimate for day one. Resumes will eventually be required once the final mix of labor categories is declared as the tasks become known.

13. Section 4.2.4 indicates the government will provide a list of needed labor categories on day-one of the contract. The contractor is required to submit resumes within 14 days of notification. Please confirm no resumes are required for proposal submission.

Response: No resumes are required with proposal submission.

14. The government indicates in several areas that there is an incumbent. Can the government confirm there is an incumbent, provide the name of the prime contractor, and the number/location/labor category of the incumbent personnel?

Response: Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

15. Line item #10 indicates offerors are to include their subcontractor teaming arrangements. Can the government confirm it does not want the fully executed teaming agreement (TA) but instead identification of the rolls and responsibilities of the subcontractors? If copies of the full teaming agreements are required, recommend TAs be included in Volume 1 (no page limit) in conjunction with the signed consent forms required for each subcontractor/partner.

Response: A teaming arrangement is different than subcontracting with another firm. Please refer to applicable regulations for the differences. Submission requirements are contained within the solicitation.

16. What evaluation criteria will DOI be using to decide contract award? (i.e. best in price; or Technical and Price are of equal importance; etc.)

Response: Please refer to the solicitation, evaluation criteria is defined there.

17. Please provide the incumbent name, current contract number, duration, historical level of effort, and value of the contract.

Response: Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

18. Will the contract awardee be able to interview and hire any current contractors performing this work for the incumbent contractor?

Response: Refer to Executive Order 14055 for specifics regarding this question.

19. Once the award is made, will DOI share the Outgoing Transition Plan with the contract awardee to ensure that the incoming transition plan keeps complete continuity of the program?

Response: The COR will coordinate with both contractors on each transition plan.

20. What is the length of the transition period?

Response: The plan calls for 21 days; however. The Government has allowed a buffer from an April 1, 2023 start for this contract to a mid-May conclusion of the previous contract.

21. What is the clearance level needed for each Labor Category?

Response: There is no overall clearance requirement for a clearance, unless the specific task calls for it.

22. Must contractor candidates be U.S. Citizens?

Response: Candidates are not required to be U.S. Citizens. Candidates must meet the requirements in the clause Security Requirements: Facility Access and Information Technology, which has been added in amendment 0001.

23. Please confirm that "Volume III, Past Performance" does not have a page limit.

Volume III: Past Performance has no page limit.

24. What is the expected award date for this contract?

Response: The Government anticipates issuing an award prior to the performance start date of April 1, 2023.

25. What is the total number of FTEs, specified by Labor Category, required under this contract?

Response: The Government cannot provide a definitive answer to this question. As such, the Government is awarding a time-and-materials contract for this action.

26. SOW p. 7 under Section 4.2.4 "Incoming Transition Period of Key Personnel", the table shows the current needs for Key Personnel for the contract. The listed required taskings do not include any functions related to tasks noted under 4.3.2 "FOIA/Privacy Program Support" To better assist submitters in sourcing the necessary Key Personnel in preparation of contract award, please confirm that the SOL does not need any Key Personnel with the qualifications outlined in Section 4.3.2 at the present time.

Response: As of now, we don't project a need for personnel for the task in section 4.3.2. However, that may change and contractors should be prepared to execute the tasks in 4.3.2 should the requirement arise.

27. SOW p. 23 under Section 5.4.5 "Place of Performance", what are the specific Labor Categories and SOL locations that require contractors work onsite during their duty day?

Response: Labor categories are identified in section 4.2.1 and appendix A. Locations vary depending upon the requirements of the Office of the Solicitor.

28. SOW p. 23 under Section 5.4.5 "Place of Performance", which Labor Categories or SOL locations require contractors to be in-office full-time or part-time? If part-time, how many days/week are contractors required to be in-office?

Response: As this is time-and-materials contract, the hours required for each task are not known. Time required is dependent upon the task and is reimbursed according to contractual terms.

29. SOW p. 23 under Section 5.4.5 "Place of Performance", which are the specific Labor Categories or SOL locations that the COR has authorized for remote work? Are these remote positions approved for full-time work? If not, how many days/week must contractor be in-office?

Response: Authorization for remote work is task dependent and unknown until task is known..

30. Pricing Schedule - Attachment 4, please confirm the total number of FTEs, specified by each Labor Category and location, to use for each entry to provide pricing or are we to price out each entry using 1 FTE as the basis for each line item?

Response: These total number of FTEs are unknown. A projection has been made; however, since this is not firm, offerors should enter their wage rates. A common number of FTEs and weights for locations and regular/overtime will be applied for all offerors to calculate the price evaluation factor.

31. Are all positions expected to be Full Time?

Response: There is no full-time estimate, only billable number of hours as indicated by a time-and-materials contract type..

32. Can offerors propose a direct billable project management position?

Response: Offerors are required to propose in accordance with the instructions of the solicitation.

33. Reference Volume I General / Attachment 2 Compliance Matrix. Question - Can the Attachment 2 Compliance Matrix be submitted as a standalone document in excel format?

Response: Stand alone document in Excel format is acceptable.

34. For projects without a CPARs and require a Government Evaluator to sign, are the Evaluators to return the signed Attachment 3s directly to the Government, or back to the Offeror for inclusion in Volume III?

Response: The evaluator should return Attachment 3 back to the offeror for inclusion in Volume III.

35. Does a statement that the Offeror has completed is Annual Representations and Certifications and they are current in SAM satisfy the requirement for Volume I "All representations and certifications as required by the solicitation"?

Response: Yes, that satisfies the statement.

36. The Evaluation Factors states Offerors will be evaluated to determine that "Any proposed subcontractor or teaming arrangements comply with the applicable laws and regulations and demonstrate the greatest likelihood for successful performance." Is this to determine the 8(a) Prime Offeror is in compliance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting? If not, can the Government please specify the applicable laws and regulations in which Offerors are to be evaluated against?

Response: The teaming/subcontractor requirement is primarily for FAR 52.219-14 and 8(a) program eligibility but may be used as required to evaluate other clauses, provisions, or terms not mentioned specifically in this response to this question.

37. Chapter 4 Experience states "The offeror shall provide, for both the prime contractor and joint venture proposed, at least three examples of projects worked of a similar magnitude, scope, and complexity within the last five years." Are Offerors allowed to use subcontractor past performance?

Response: Past performance as a subcontractor is not allowed to be used.

38. Can the Government confirm an Officer of the company is supposed to sign the Certificates of Non- Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest form?

Response: An officer of the company should sign these documents. Individual employees may be required to sign and return these documents after award.

39. Under FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii) and GAO B-407917.2, agencies should take into account affiliate past performance unless restricting the use of such affiliate past performance reasonably relates to the agency's needs in choosing a contractor that will best serve the government's interest. Question: May an offeror rely on affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience and past performance?

Response: The solicitation requires experience and past performance for both the prime contractor and any joint venture.

40. Is this a New Contract?

Response: No.

41. What is the estimated total value allocated for this contract?

Response: The not-to-exceed value is $25,000,000. As this is a time-and-materials contract and the requirements can fluctuate greatly, an estimate cannot be provided as stated in FAR 16.601(c).3.

42. Is there an incumbent on the contract? If yes, could you please let us know the incumbent name and spending done on contract so far?

Response: Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

43. What is the Start date and Award date for this contract?

The effective start date is April 1, 2023. An award should be in place prior to the effective start date.

44. What are the clause for Joint Venture?

Response: There is no clause for Joint Ventures. Any Joint Venture must comply with the terms and conditions stated in the solicitation.

45. Will the Government accept the state & local or SLED past performance instead of CPARS?

Response: The Government will accept past performance as a result of state and local or SLED; however, section 12 would need to be completed for those projects.

46. Is there an incumbent contractor or Government workforce currently performing these services? If there is an incumbent contractor, can the Government provide the relevant contract number and contract value?

Response: Releasable information regarding the previous contract may be found at the following link.

https://sam.gov/opp/c44f8fd4a313fcc2b98ece863f1d417a/view

47. If there is an incumbent, that incumbent would be at a distinct advantage in relation to the first two evaluation factors - Please provide the average historical staffing breakout by labor categories, required locations, and the tasking requirements during the current contract.

Response: The Government is not going to provide this information as future requirements may be vastly different from historical requirements.

48. Please confirm that the 26 key personnel listed in the table in this section are the current gaps in staffing, and on day 1 of the effective date of the contract, the Government will provide a list of immediately needed labor categories at that time, the required locations, and the tasking requirements. The contractor will have 14-days after receipt of the Government's request to submit resumes for these required key personnel. If this is not correct, please provide the anticipated needed labor categories, required locations, and the tasking requirements.

Response: The 26 employees and locations are currently projected for planning purposes. However; these are subject to change.

49. Please provide average workload breakouts/statistics per task area and location.

50. Please confirm that Attachment 3 - Past Performance Information Sheet should be completed, signed, and submitted by the referenced customer/client and not the offeror. If so, to whom should they be submitted and is there a due date other than the proposal due date of November 16, 2022?

Response: Attachment 3 is required to be assigned by the customer/client if there is no supporting CPARS is on file. Attachment 3 should be returned to the offeror and submitted with proposal.

51. Please confirm that Attachment 3 - Past Performance Information Sheet should be included, as text, and submitted in the Volume III (pdf).

Response: The proposed submission format is fine.

52. If CPARS data exists, what should the offeror include in Volume III in place of the Attachment 3 - Past Performance Information Sheet?

Response: Attachment 3 needs to be completed for all proposed past performance action. If a CPARS evaluation has been performed, section 12 is not required to be completed. The contract should completed CPARS assessments for past performance references cited.

53. Please confirm key personnel (KP) resumes are not required to be submitted with technical proposals;

rather, all KP resumes must be submitted post-award.

Response: Resumes are not required to be submitted with the proposal.

54. Please confirm prime offeror does not require a Facility Security Clearance to qualify for contract award.

Response: There is no facility security clearance required to qualify for contract award.

55. Please advise if the past performance experience for a primary subcontractor may be submitted to satisfy the Past Performance requirement.

Response: Past performance as a primary subcontract may not be submitted.

56. We noticed that the following areas of support found in the predecessor RFP and incumbent contract are absent: Information Technology & Web Support, Surge Support, and Program/Project Manager. Please indicate if after the new contract is awarded, DOI will separately procure such support for its user community (i.e., nine DOI technical bureaus, including the Office of the Secretary and offices subsumed thereunder). If yes, please share relevant procurement information Response: There is no decision on those requirements at this time.

57. Since questions herein are time-sensitive and may impact offeror bidding viability (i.e., bid / no-bid decision), please indicate when answers to questions will be posted and available.

Response: Responses to questions will be posted in a timely manner. The Contracting Officer may determine to extend the deadline if necessary.

58. What are the clause for Joint Venture?

Response: There is no clause for Joint Venture.

59. Attachment 4 - Pricing Schedule does not include a labor category for a Program Manager. How is this function handled (unbilled, some hours allotted, etc.)?

Response: History on this contract has billed these functions as overhead in accordance with a company's cost accounting procedures.

60. Attachment 1 - Statement of Work Section 4.2 details the key personnel labor categories for the contract and Section 4.2.3 details the requirements for resumes. However, Attachment 8 - Instructions to Offerors does not include a resume submission requirement for the proposal. Given the uncertainty with staffing challenges in today's market, it is recommended that resumes be a submission requirement as part of Volume II: Technical. This will allow for the Government to have certainty between who is identified in the proposal and who is provided as part of contract execution. If required as part of the submission, please confirm resumes are not subject to page count and should be included as an appendix to Volume II.

Response: The Government has decided not to include the resumes as part of the submission requirements with this proposal.

61. The RFP shows "The Offeror shall provide a Cover Page in each Volume" and "The Offeror shall provide a Table of Contents in each Volume." Can you please confirm if the cover page and Table of Contents are excluded from the page count for each volume?

Response: Cover Pages and Table of Contents do not count in the page count for a volume. A note has been added to the solicitation explicitly stating this fact.

62. If the offeror is not proposing as a joint venture, but instead is using a Contractor Team Arrangement in accordance with FAR 9.601 paragraph (2), should the subcontractor also provide three example projects?

Response: The parties of the teaming arrangement should be included. This has been clarified in attachment 8.

63. If the offeror is not proposing as a joint venture, but instead is using a Contractor Team Arrangement in accordance with FAR 9.601 paragraph (2), should the offeror furnish Attachment 3 Past Performance Information Sheets for all references demonstrated in Volume II?

Response: Past Performance Information Sheets for teaming arrangement should be submitted with the proposal. The requirement for teaming arrangement submission has been updated in Volume II, Chapter 4.

64. The solicitation refers to Attachment 9 for additional information on clause 52.222-42 - Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. The information in Attachment 9 includes information for Service Contract Act labor. How do the rates in Attachment 9 relate to Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires?

Response: Attachment 9 has been revised as part of amendment 0001.

65. Would the government please consider allowing past performance from a team approach. And allowing allow major subcontractors (more than 25%) to furnish 1 of 3 required past performance references?

Response: The Government has updated the experience/past performance submission requirement and will evaluate them in accordance with solicitation parameters.

66. Would the government please consider requiring ISO9001 as requirement to ensure only contractors able to meet the government's complex needs propose?

Response: The Government is not requiring ISO 9001.