140P2121R0025_Questions_and_Answers_0001.docx

140P2121R0025 Questions and Answers.

Is the subject solicitation a small business set-aside for all three awards?

Yes.

Could you explain the process of an IDIQ being awarded: does a technical panel of 5 individuals review all proposals, score independently, gather to share comments, then vote whether or not to fund, and then those voted for funding get ranked, and the top ranked proposals are selected for funding. Any information you can share on this NPS office's process would be great for this and future requirements?

When all proposals are received following are the steps taken:

· Contracting reviews, them for assurance that they have followed submission requirements.

· The non-price factors are released to the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP).

· The TEP individually evaluates all proposals.

· The TEP will then come together and perform the consensus evaluation.

· After that the pricing is evaluated.

· Three of the most successful offerors shall be identified.

· These are IDIQs they are not funded, they allow task orders to be written against them and those task orders are funded.

Who manages COR programs within NPS? Is it centralized within one office or decentralized across several offices? Who will manage this IDIQ? In reading the solicitation it is hard to determine The NPS Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (COR) programs are managed out of the Washington Area Service Support office and provide national policy and guidance to National Park Service regional offices and units and. Work under this IDIQ will be located throughout the country, at any NPS area or community across the United States and managed by individual programs that may be located in Washington or regional offices. This IDIQ has not been assigned a Contracting Officer’s Representative as of yet.

1. Given the change in status from GSA eligible only (during forecast) to open competition, and the scope and size of this opportunity, we respectfully request the government extend the deadline to August 26th. This additional week would allow offerors to carefully to prepare stronger more responsive proposals giving the government stronger contractor options to choose from.

Given the time of year an additional week would run the risk of the IDIQ not getting awarded in time.

1. Page 7 under 1.6.1 Quality Control, the RFP mentions, " the Quality Control Plan (QCP) should be delivered with the contractor's proposal." However, Part D does not indicate a QCP is needed. Should contractors submit a QCP with their proposals? If so, can the government provide additional guidance on how to prepare the QCP and confirm that the QCP is outside the volume 1 page limit?

The QCP will be required by the successful offeror after contract award.

1. On page 51 Section 52.212-2 Evaluation: Under Past Experience the evaluation criteria references "individual performing actual work…." Please confirm "individual" refers to the firm submitting a proposal in response to the RFP.

The “individual performing the actual work” refers to either a member of the firm submitting a proposal in response to the RFP or a subcontractor.

Part D. Volume 1 principal description notes, "A program manager with five years of experience…" is required. However, in 52.212-2 Evaluation (pg. 51) Subfactor 1 Key Personnel indicates "The Principal must have a minimum of a MS degree with 10 years of experience." Please confirm the

a) requirement is 5 years of experience in an appropriate field commensurate with the duties performed in the this contract.

b) The masters requirement can be waved in lieu of 2 additional years of relevant work experience.

The Principal must have a minimum of a MS degree with 10 years of experience

5. In reviewing the sample task order, we noticed that the tasks and deliverables requested do not include any requests for 5.3 tasks. Additionally the 5.2 tasks included emphasize subject matter expertise.

a. Can we anticipate all task orders released will emphasize subject matter expertise at the same level the sample task order does?

Each individual task order will determine the level of subject matter expertise required to achieve the tasks and deliverables.

b. What is the anticipated percentage work estimate for 5.2 versus 5.3 tasks released under the IDIQ? For example, does the government anticipate 30% of all task orders will be for 5.3 tasks and 70% will for 5.2 tasks?

Individual program task orders will determine the required work.

· On p. 9, a description of a “contract manager” is included under “Principal/Program Manager”. Similarly, on p. 52 under “Subfactor 1: Key Personnel,” a “Principal” is identified. Can you please clarify whether or not all these roles are the same?

The contract manager should be a principal or project manager with experience to successfully execute and complete the required services. Depending on the offeror, a firm may have multiple principals with different performance roles.

· Per RFP 5.3.2 Leadership and Management (p. 17), are you referring to leadership members for each of the programs as listed within 1.2 Background (p. 6-7)?

The reference to Leadership and Management on page 17 may include the leadership members for the programs listed under 1.2 Background and/or non-governmental organizations and coalitions.

· Per RFP 5.3.1 Governance and Board Development (p. 17), are you referring to NPS’ Advisory Board Members? If not, is there a separate governance board or committee that we should be aware of?

No, the solicitation is not referring to NPS Advisory Board Members. The specific tasks outlined in 5.3 refer to the broad category of organizational development. As stated on page 6-7 under 1.2 Background, the NPS Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Programs provide technical assistance through partnerships which may include non-governmental organizations and coalitions. The qualified offeror will assist a variety of organizations as determined by individual task orders.

· Can you please confirm whether or not it is appropriate to team with subcontractors for this IDIQ?

Yes it is appropriate

· How many firms will be selected as part of the IDIQ?

Up to three qualified offerors.

1. Is this a new requirement or is (or was) there an incumbent contractor providing these or very similar requirements previously?

This is a new IDIQ for community engagement and organizational development services.

1. If there is or was an incumbent contractor, please provide the contract number.

This is a new IDIQ for community engagement and organizational development services.

1. Page 44 Resumes – Can you please clarify what other resumes are required? Is an individual resume required for each of the eight staff positions identified in the IDIQ Pricing Schedule?

As stated on page 44, Factor 2: Past Experience, the offeror shall identify the proposed team, including all subcontractors it may utilize under this IDIQ contract. Resumes are required for each proposed team member.

1. What are the minimum required education, experience and technical requirements for each of the eight positions identified in the IDIQ Pricing Schedule?

As stated on page 44 under Subfactor 1: Key Personnel, the proposed key personnel shall demonstrate relevant education, experience, the technical knowledge and expertise to fulfill the scope requirements, and possession of substantial, relevant knowledge within their respective subject areas. Information provided should include education, experience, and skills relevant to public land management and its application of socioeconomic information.

1. Would you please extend the deadline for proposal submissions by one week?

Given the time of year an additional week would run the risk of the IDIQ not getting awarded in time.

Is it the intention to have the two excel spreadsheet included in our submission?

Yes, the IDIQ Pricing Schedule and the Mock Pricing Schedule must be submitted by using the attached excel spreadsheets as part of the official submission.