Q A_-_PSC_IDIQ_Part_II.pdf

Questions and Answers Part II

14-233-SOL-00009

July 11, 2014

Section B - Pricing

1. Question: Pg. 2 B.2 Should the Unloaded Hourly Direct Labor Rates include Fringe Benefit Cost (which typically include, health, tax, insurance, and other compensation such as retirement and/or bonus) that are costs incurred by employers?

Answer: No.

2. Question: On page 4 of the RFP, Section B.2.2 Fee: Please confirm that we are to establish a fixed fee ceiling for each contract type (Cost Reimbursable, T&M/Labor Hour, and Firm Fixed Price)?

3. Question: On page 4, Section B.3 – Task Order Labor Rates (T&M, Labor Hour, FFP): Please confirm these fully loaded rates are exclusive of fee (rates through cost)?

Answer: Fully loaded rates for T&M/LH include fee.

4. Question: On page 3, Section B.2.1 Indirect Costs: “Pursuant to the General Provisions of this contract, and FAR Clause 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment (JUN 2011), the following provisional and ceiling rates are established”: In the third column, the title is “Base Used to Calculate.” Should that column read: “Ceiling Rate”? If this is not correct, what is the intent for the “Base Used to Calculate” column?

Answer: No, the correct term is “base used to calculate”. It is the base used to calculate your fringe, overhead, and G&A. This is N/A if you have a NICRA.

5. Question: On page 3, Section B.2.1 Indirect Costs: “For contractors that have an approved

NICRA: The Contractor shall use the organization’s current negotiated provisional indirect cost rates for billing purposes.” Will the Government reimburse the contractor with revised provisional rates that are in place at time of task order submissions in lieu of ceiling rates? Or are the current provisional rates required to confirm rates are not above the established ceiling rates? Can the Government clarify what is required in this section?

Answer: The indirect cost rates are not ceilings. Please note B.2 is for cost reimbursement task orders.

6. Question: In the Business Volume, PSC is requesting ceiling rates in two contract type categories: Unburdened for cost reimbursement, and Fully loaded for T&M, Labor hour, and FFP: Can bidders use different staff when building up the rates and providing salary back-up in those two categories?

Answer: Yes, but salary back-up is not being requested.

7. Question: Is it the Government’s intention to recertify rates after the 5-year base period?

Answer: No

8. Question: Attachment J.3 has two tabs. Tab One is called the unloaded rate scenario and Tab Two is called the loaded rate scenario. Page 63 of the RFP says: “The Offeror shall input the proposed labor and indirect cost ceiling rates proposed in Section B for both tabs of the excel spreadsheet. For the unloaded rate sheet the Offeror shall provide all indirect cost rates applicable to this proposal.” “The loaded rate spreadsheet shall be filled out with the loaded rate ceilings from Section B and any additional fees that the Offeror may normally bill on Time and Material contracts.” We find the instructions for completing these tabs to be confusing.

- For Tab One: While labeled the “unloaded rate sheet”, is it the government’s intent that we create fully loaded cost-plus rates by adding our fringe, indirect rate, and G&A onto the unloaded labor rate ceilings proposed in Section B.2?

- For Tab Two: Do we enter the fully loaded T&M rates from Section B.3? The instructions in yellow at the top of Tab Two suggest building up rates but instructions on page 63 say we should use T&M rates. Language on the top of Page 102 says:

“The Offeror shall insert their rates and fees from Section B.2 and B.3 into the Pricing Scenario in Attachment J.3.” As unloaded rates from B.2 go into Tab One, it would appear that we should use T&M rates from B.3 for Tab Two. Please confirm.

Answer: For tab one, no. This should reflect how you would submit a cost plus fixed fee proposal using your proposed direct labor rate ceilings (B.2) and all other applicable indirects and fee. If you need to add additional lines to add applicable indirects, you need to.

For tab two, yes. We are not requesting a buildup of your T&M rates. This tab should reflect how you would submit a T&M/LH proposal using your proposed loaded labor rate ceilings (B.3) and all other applicable indirects that are not incorporated into your loaded rates (e.g. Material Handling)

9. Question: As noted on page 63 of the RFP, the rates we enter into both B.2 and B.3 are supposed to be our ceiling rates for each labor category. In completing Attachment J.3, must we use our ceiling rates for each labor category or may we use lower rates? We have more than one job title/position in each labor category and would not generally use the highest level exclusively in a bid.

Answer: Use your ceiling rates.

10. Question: Please clarify if supporting document for the proposed labor rates is required. In the revised solicitation under L.2 Proposal, (A) Business Proposal, (2) Other Information on page 101 the paragraph about supporting documentation was removed.

Answer: Supporting document for the proposed labor rates is not required.

11. Question: Section B.2.1 – Indirect Costs - Please confirm that the provisional and ceiling indirect rates apply only to the Prime Contractor.

Answer: Confirmed

12. Question: Section B.2.1 – Indirect Costs - Please confirm that offerors can modify the provisional and ceiling indirect rate table to align to their disclosed indirect rate structure and indirect rate elements.

Answer: Confirmed

13. Question: Section B.2.1 implies indirect rate ceilings will be established using the provisional indirect rates as established in the offerors current NICRA or Forward Pricing Rate Proposal (FPRP). However, the Business Proposal instructions imply the maximum hourly labor rates and fixed fee ceilings are the only rates that are applicable over the life of the contract under the Cost Reimbursement component of the contract.

Will Indirect Cost rates be negotiated annually (under the Cost Reimbursement component of the contract) in line with the Offerors then current NICRA or FPRP submission to DCAA? In the event the Indirect Cost ceiling rates are established at a rate that is too low to be sustainable over a ten-year contract period, a company may be less likely to bid on Cost-Plus task orders, which would minimize competition and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the contract for the Government.

If the Indirect Cost rates will not be negotiated annually, will offerors be allowed to negotiate revised Indirect Costs rats after the first five year period of performance to bring their Indirect Cost rates in line with their then current NICRA or FPRP?

Answer: Ceiling rates will not be established for the indirect rates. See amendment. However ceilings may be negotiated when awarding a task order that apply solely to that task order.

14. Question: Section B.2.1 – Indirect Costs - The PSC Contract will span 10 years. This significant length of time increases the possibility that major organizational changes may occur during the contract period. This could particularly impact small businesses that can grow rapidly or acquire firms / be acquired. Given the inherent risk that results from a this length of contract period, Offeror requests the Government consider the following items: (a) Offerors permitted to propose separate indirect rate ceilings aligned to each contract year, or (b) one set of indirect rate ceilings for the 5-year base period and one set for the 5-year option period. This would permit offerors to bid lower ceiling rates for the near-term and mitigate risk for the long-term - both would benefit the Government. The Government gains additional value from more predictable costs that can be offered in the near-term and, in the long-term, this would reduce the risk of the vehicle becoming untenable to a company due to low ceiling rates. In the event that the ceiling rates are too low in the long-term, a company may be less likely to bid on Cost-Plus task orders which would minimize competition and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the contract for the Government. (c) Another option would be to establish a total indirect rate ceiling, combining all indirect costs into a single rate. This would offer the Government administrative convenience due to the monitoring of fewer rate elements per contractor while still offering the Government a predictable cost for the future.

Answer: There are no indirect ceilings. See Amendment.

15. Question: Section B.2.1 – Indirect Costs - "In the case the Option is exercised, task orders whose period of performance extends beyond the base contract period of five years and the option period of five years, the Contractor shall use the rates in Option 1 - Year 10 as adjusted by..." the BLS ECI, Table 4. Per the BLS ECI website, Table 4 includes "workers in the private nonfarm economy except those in private households, and workers in the public sector, except the federal government." Given that the contractors performing under any resulting contract are employed by private companies, would the Government consider the use of Table 9, for Private Industry workers?

Answer: This link has been amended. Please use the “Latest numbers” on the right hand side of the page: www.bls.gov/ncs/ect

16. Question: Section B.3 establishes ceiling rates for T&M, Labor Hour, and FFP contracts. The FAR recognizes that T&M/LH and Fixed Price contracts involve different levels of risk for both the Contractor and the Government. In deference to the level of risk that the FAR acknowledges, different levels of profit are reasonable. In order to accommodate the variances in risk, would the Government consider provisioning one set of rate ceilings applicable to T&M and Labor Hour task orders, and a separate set of rate ceilings applicable to Firm Fixed Price task orders?

Answer: No. See amendment section B.4.

17. Question: RFP states “In compliance with the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor (29 CFR Part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5341 or 5332.’ and provides an Employee Class table. How does this table coincide with the Labor Classes provided in Section C (if there is meant to be a relationship)?

Answer: See FAR 22.101-6(a)

18. Question: The tabs for the Unloaded Rate Scenario and Loaded Rate Scenario in Attachment J.3 each contain one set of hours and rates. Please clarify whether offerors should complete the tabs using the Base Period-Year 1 rates, or whether offerors should duplicate the existing columns for each contract year and populate the rates using the proposed rates for each contract year. On the Unloaded Rate Scenario tab, please confirm the labor-related indirect rates and costs should be inserted between rows 12 and 14, so that row 14 contains the Subtotal-Loaded Labor Cost

WITHOUT FIXED FEE.

Answer: See amendment. You should insert your labor-related rates and costs however you do your standard accounting practices. If that is between rows 12-14, then yes.

19. Question: Under Section B.2.1 (Indirect Costs), it states, “The contractor shall provide the IDIQ CO with a copy of the contractor’s current NICRA and continue to do so throughout the life of the IDIQ contract.” Will the Government issue a Modification to the Contract to incorporate the most current negotiated provisional indirect rates?

Answer: No. The table is not for NICRA rates. See the language associated with the asterisk in B.2.1.

20. Question: Reference: Sections B.2 and B.3 (p.2 & p. 4) The government states: “The rates specified above are ceiling rates for the prime contractor and shall not be exceeded (these ceilings do not apply to subcontractors or consultants)”. Can the government please confirm that by “consultants” it is referring to independent experts hired by a prime or subcontractor?

Answer: Yes, if they are proposed as an Other Direct Cost.

http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ect

21. Question: Reference, Section B.2.1 Would the Government please clarify if an Offeror can propose variable (escalated) ceiling rates for each 12-month period? If affirmative, please confirm Offerors are allowed to include additional columns to the table in the referred section.

22. Question: Reference: Attachment J.3 a: May offerors modify the “Unloaded Rate” and “Loaded Rate” pricing scenario templates to remove the “Subcontractor Cost” line item if their subcontractors’ rates are incorporated into their proposed labor rates?

b: May offerors modify the “Unloaded Rate” and “Loaded Rate” pricing scenario templates to present overhead costs, e.g. fringe, G&A, etc., in separate columns apart from the column containing the unloaded rates?

c: Can offerors incorporate their subcontractors’ rates into their proposed labor rates?

Attachment J.3 Pricing Scenario seems to account for subcontractors as an ODC. Please provide clarifications or update Attachment J.3 Pricing Scenario accordingly.

Answer: a) The rates in section B.2 and B.3 apply to prime contractors only. Therefore the pricing scenario must include the subcontractor line. b) For unloaded rates you may modify rows.

The loaded rates should be inclusive of applicable indirects in accordance with your standard accounting practices. c) See answer to a.

23. Question: B.3 at the bottom of page 4 says “The Contractor shall not exceed the maximum, fully loaded hourly rates for each category listed below.” There are no fully loaded rates listed. Please provide maximum rates.

Answer: The Offeror needs to provide their own rates.

24. Question: H.1.g on page 23 says “Offerors will be able to propose their own labor categories at the task order level and map them to the rates proposed in Section B. The rate ceilings in Section B cannot be exceeded. Please provide the rates in Section B.

25. Question: L.2.A.1.b “The Offeror must complete Section B of the RFP by inserting applicable labor categories and rates, the proposed indirect rates, and the fee ceilings.” Please clarify whether the government is providing the maximum rates in Section B or the Offeror provides the maximum rates in Section B.

26. Question: Section B.2.1 Requests Provisional and Ceiling Rates in the opening paragraph but the chart provided shows a column for “Provisional Rates” and a column for “Base Used to Calculate”. Would you like the chart completed showing the current approved Provisional Rate and a Ceiling for 5 base and 5 option years? Wouldn’t the Base Used to Calculate be our current Provisional Rate to which we would add an escalation for the 10 year period?

Answer: We are not establishing ceilings. The table is not for NICRA rates. See the language associated with the asterisk in B.2.1.

27. Question: Section B.2.1 states that, “the following provisional and ceiling rates are established”

The table shown includes a column for Provisional Rates but does not include a column for Ceiling Rates. Please confirm that ceiling rates will be negotiated at the time of award.

Answer: See amendment. We are not requiring ceiling rates.

28. Question: Must we submit rates from a current NICRA (if we have one), or can we submit un-negotiated rates instead?

Answer: We want your NICRA if you have one. See L.2 (A)(2)(a)

29. Question: Must we include a G&A rate, or can our indirect rates be limited to fringe and overhead?

Answer: You should submit whatever rates your normal accounting procedures would use.

30. Question: For loaded rate calculations, should we include a PSC fee? If so, can you please provide this fee?

Answer: No. PSC does not charge the contractors fee.

31. Question: Section B identifies Class I – VI for pricing purposes; however, there is no labor category description or qualification requirements included in the solicitation package. Will additional information be provided?

Answer: See Section C.5 Labor Class Definitions

32. Question: Section B.2.1 (Indirect Costs) and Section B.2.2. (Fee) suggests some cost and fee ceilings that were not revealed. Can you tell us what these ceilings are?

Answer: The Offeror needs to provide their own rate ceilings.

33. Question: Do proposed subcontractors need to have DCAA-compliant financial management systems?

Answer: Generally no. There is a small possibility that task orders may require it. Subcontractor rates are not being established as part of the IDIQ.

34. Question: Are MOBIS rate schedules considered Negotiated Indirect Cost Agreements?

35. Question: Will we have an opportunity to renegotiate the rates for each class at the end of the five year period if the five year option is implemented?

36. Question: Previously, PSC answered that “We [PSC] have no intention of renegotiating the loaded rates based on changes to the contractor’s indirect costs.” While we currently have forward pricing rates covering indirects, those rates can fluctuate up or down over time. Is it permissible for Contractors to estimate maximum not-to-exceed indirect rates over the 10-year life of the IDIQ (Base plus Option) and use those rates in calculating Fully Loaded Rates for inclusion in the rate tables under Section B.3? For Section B.2.1 Indirect Costs, is it permissible for Contractors to provide a maximum not-to-exceed rate over the 10-year life of the IDIQ?

Answer: The rates in B.2 are independent of the fully loaded rates in B.3 and you are not required to use those rates to establish a fully loaded rate.

37. Question: B.2 – Task Order Labor Rates – Cost Reimbursement indicates that the Offeror should provide maximum, unloaded hourly direct labor rates. However in B.1 it I indicated that there will be Cost Reimbursement, Time and Materials, Labor Hours or Firm Fixed Price orders, and this is to be recorded in B.3 Task Order Labor Rates (T&M, Labor Hour, FFP) How does the Government envision Offerors would provide for CPFF, T&M and FFP rates in the same table?

Answer: Section B.2 is for Cost Reimbursement, Section B.3 is for T&M/LH and Section B.4 is for FFP.

38. Question: B.2.1 – Indirect Costs - PSC states that ceiling rates are to be used for the life of the contract. Given the proposed ten year period, the contract should include the provision for review of the ceiling rates proposed at the mid-point of the contract, and the ability to renegotiate ceiling rates during Year 5. Additionally, since PSC has stated that task orders may be CPFF, T&M or FFP, how will ceiling rates be evaluated amongst Offerors?

Answer: There are no ceiling rates for indirect costs. See pricing scenario for how pricing will be evaluated.

39. Question: B.2.2 – Fee – In the case of a FFP Task Order how is the Government going to evaluate fee, and if the Task Order is competitive, why would the Government need to evaluate and limit the rate of fee?

Answer: Section B.2.2 deals with cost reimbursement contracts.

Section C - SOW

1. Question: Section C – Descriptions/Specifications/Work Statement: C.5 Labor Class Definitions:

For Class I-IV: is it possible for years of relevant and equivalent experience to be substituted for undergraduate and graduate degrees? If so, what are the required number of year equivalents?

Answer: Substitutions may be accepted at the task order level depending on the work to be performed. For the IDIQ we ask that your rates meet the labor class definitions. See amended Section C.5

2. Question: Policy Assessments and Policy Analysis often involves working with members of

Congress, OMB, or other Government-wide Policy management office and occasionally meeting with political action committees. Can you clarify if the request for "formal briefings for high level policy officials" includes all of these possible organizations to include Congress and OMB or simply policy officials within the Department?

Answer: That would be defined at the task order level.

3. Question: There are some specific translation software applications on the market. As part of the request for Translation and Interpretation Support, does the Department expect the Vendor(s) to use a specific software selected by the Department or can the Vendor(s) use one already in use by the Vendor(s)? If the Department already uses a specific software application for translation services, can the Department provide that information?

4. Question: Section C.5 - Offeror notes a gap in the experience levels of the Labor Class definitions between Class II (minimum 5 years of experience) and Class I (minimum 10 years of experience). Will the Government consider expanding the Labor Class Definitions in order to provide more gradations of Labor Classes?

Doing so may improve the rates offered for resources and provide a mechanism for the Government to more clearly understand the qualifications of resources who possess between 5 and 10 years of experience.

Answer: No. See amendment.

5. Question: On page 8, within the scope of work, are there specific “Minor Information Technology requirements” that will be needed within the task focused on evaluation and data collection?

Answer: If so, that would be defined at the task order level.

6. Question: Regarding Section C.4(b): When will the awarded Contractor be made aware of the OMB clearance required for data collection efforts? Are the OMB data collection security clearance needs expected to be identified during the proposals for task orders process?

7. Question: Regarding Section C.4(f ): Can you please clarify what are considered to be “short deadlines”? If specific OMB security clearance needs to be secured prior to accessing the data to be analyzed, what impact does the need for clearance have on the short deadline? Will the deadline be extended contingent on acquiring the OMB clearance?

Answer: If required, that would be defined at the task order level.

8. Question: Section C.4.g - Could the Government please provide a list of the major languages it anticipates requiring translation and interpretation support services?

Answer: Any major language could be needed. It would be defined at the task order level.

9. Question: Regarding the “Description of Services” listed on page 6 of the RFP, are offerors required to discuss what those services entail and what we expect the issues will be over the next 10 years as part of the Management & Staffing Plan (p. 103 of the RFP)?

Answer: See L.2 (B)(1) articulates what is expected for the management and staffing plan.

10. Question: When policy analysis studies are performed by research partners in academic institutions, can appropriate arrangements be made with the PSC to allow scholarly publications from the work performed?

Answer: That would be negotiated at the task order level.

11. Question: Section C.2 Background - Would PSC be more specific on the timelines related to “… enhance our ability to produce quick-turnaround and ‘real-time’ information”; for example, a simple query needs to be completed within a week, complex data requests need to be completed within three months, or otherwise a specific timeline?

12. Question: Section C.3 SOW - For a robust proposal, multiple subcontractors/consultant will be included. Does PSC have a limit on the number of proposed subcontractors/consultants?

13. Question: Section C.3 SOW - Will PSC be including a sample task order in a future amendment?

14. Question: Section C.4f - Though public data sources are available for certain analyses, direct and real-time access to data such as providers’ claims, providers’ submitted data, and surveys are necessary for analyzing impact and consequences of certain new policies or activities. Obtaining direct access to the data can take some time, which may affect the turn-around time for services requested. May the contractor be granted access to PSC data based on the contractor’s projected need so that the contractor may be familiar with the data sources and proactively prepared?

Answer: We are unclear on what is being requested.

15. Question: Section C.4f - The requested service may require getting data or program algorithms from other PSC contractors. Does PSC have a process for the contractor to obtain data or algorithms from other PSC contractors? What is the timeline for completing these requests?

16. Question: Section C.4a - What is the estimated number of assessments/analyses (for major policy issues) required each year?

Answer: We do not have that information available.

17. Question: Section C.4a - The final paragraph of this section references piloting new methods.

Can piloting new methods refer to external pilots? If yes, does the contractor, in collaboration with the PSC, select the pilot group? Do external pilot groups require OMB approval?

18. Question: Section C.4b - Which data sets will be made available for analysis?

19. Question: Section C.4b - The second paragraph of this section references data collection and that it may require OMB approval. Is this reference in relation to the Paperwork Reduction Act and appropriate clearance for all data collection, including surveys and participant needs assessments?

20. Question: Section C.4e - Paragraph one of this section references maintaining a network of professional consultants and/or the ability to identify qualified experts to provide services. Is this network of professionals or qualified experts considered “subcontractors/consultants” who may require financial compensation? If so, will the contractor be required to obtain PSC approval for members added to the registry of such a network?

21. Question: Section C.4g - Can the services of translation and interpretation, website support work, and production and distribution of publications be provided internally and/or outsourced as needed by the contractor?

Answer: At the IDIQ level there is no prohibition however work must comply with Section H.6.

22. Question: C.4 – Services to be Provided – Can the Government clarify which services, a.-g., that are anticipated to be commercial versus non-commercial?

Answer: That would be defined at the task order level. Potentially any of the services in Section C could be commercial or non-commercial.

23. Question: C.4.F - Data Analysis – The RFP explains that the contract will be required to provide detailed data analysis support over the life of the contract. However, the RFP does not include a section dedicated to purchasing commercially available data in order to complete the various research efforts required over the life of the contract. PSC should have the ability to procure commercially available data because numerous research efforts throughout HHS have shown that not all the required data is available within the government. Adding a Data section to the scope of work will provide PSC with the flexibility to procure the appropriate data from commercial vendors.

Answer: That would be an ODC proposed at the task order level.

24. Question: C.5 – Labor Class Definitions – We recommend that PSC expand the number of labor categories, and include minimum education and experience levels. With only Classes of labor categories it will make it very difficult to determine the appropriate labor category with personnel that may straddle between two Classes. Additionally, for Class I and II labor categories, PSC states those individuals that will fulfill these roles “normally” have advanced degrees. This will cause significant confusion to vendors when responding to the IDIQ and task orders because if someone definitely has the right experience but maybe does not have an advanced degree they will be very hesitant to propose that individual because they don’t want to be considered non-compliant. Adding additional labor categories so that PSC can delineate different roles with different educational and experience backgrounds will help to alleviate some of the confusion.

Answer: No additional labor categories will be added. See revised language in amendment.

25. Question: Page 10, C.5 Labor Class Definitions – Please clarify if the labor category, Class V: Other technical staff such as editors, etc., can include other positions such as graphics artists, layout designer, and writers

Answer: The labor categories were meant to be broad and include numerous positions.

26. Question: Page 7, b. Program Assessments – 2nd paragraph …Similarly, site visits may be used to obtain information on program performance, to corroborate or correct information from…. Is there an estimated number of possible site visits? And possible locations for the site visit?

Answer: No, that would be defined at the task order level.

27. Question: Page 8, e. Technical Assistance/Expertise also mentions site visits, is there an estimated number of possible site visits, and possible locations for the site visits?

Answer: No, that would be defined at the task order level.

Section L

1. Question: Section L – General Instructions: L.1: Delivery of the CD/DVD and (1) hard copy: Is it possible to hand-deliver these versions to the Ardennes Building in Rockville, MD

Answer: Yes. See revised solicitation

2. Question: In Section L.2.A.2.i, the RFP states that all proposed Subcontractors should provide a letter of intent containing information on their cognizant field audit offices. Given that PSC no longer requires an approved accounting system or a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) for subcontractors, we assume that letters of intent for our subcontractors that do not have a NICRA or a cognizant field audit office should indicate that the firm does not have a cognizant field audit office. Is this acceptable?

Answer: This is removed in the last amendment.

3. Question: Section L.2 (A) (1) (e), page 101 - Our main site is outside the DC Metro area for which the SCA Wage Determination has been provided; however, we will use our actual rates (supported by payroll documentation) to determine the proposed rates in Section B instead of using the SCA Wage Determination. Does this requirement still apply to us? Do we still need to contact the Contract Specialist to request the Wage Determination for our area and include it in our business proposal?

Answer: The SCA Wage Determinations are minimum amounts that should be paid to SCA covered employees therefore you should request a wage determination for your area. Questions regarding the SCA should be sent to the Department of Labor.

4. Question: Is it acceptable that the overall IDIQ POC be the sole key personnel or should the proposal identify several key personnel with specific expertise?

Answer: Key personnel has been removed in the previous amendment. We still require an IDIQ

POC.

5. Question: Do the business proposal requirements apply to subcontractors?

Answer: Subcontractors are not required to submit a business proposal.

6. Question: Are small businesses and commercial subcontractors exempt from the indirect rate requirement and the certified accounting system requirement?

Answer: No. Small businesses must propose indirect rates and to be considered for an award must have an adequate accounting system (See J.6). Subcontractors do not have a requirement to establish rates.

7. Question: Is there a maximum limit on the number of projects that the Offeror can describe in the “Organizational Experience” section?

8. Question: Regarding the statement “Organizational experience should also include a list of Government agencies […] and private industry companies that have done business with the Offeror” (p.103). Is there a timeframe/ time limit, such as business within the last five years?

Answer: There is no timeframe/limitation.

9. Question: Regarding the statement “Organizational experience should also include a list of Government agencies […] and private industry companies that have done business with the Offeror” (p.103). Should this list include only work done by the Prime contractor or should it include Subcontractor lists as well?

Answer: See section L.2(B)(2)

10. Question: Do letters of intent from subcontractors (p. 103) count toward the 70 page limit?

Answer: See amendment. No, it is part of the business proposal.

11. Question: Section L.1 states, “The technical proposal shall be limited to seventy (70) pages, containing twelve (12) point font, single spaced lines, and one (1) inch margins. Tables and graphics shall be no smaller then 9 point font and must be legible. Resumes, if provided, are excluded from the page limitation and shall be provided as a separate attachment in the appendix.

The cover letter, Table of Contents, list of exhibits, and past performance are not included in the page count. The Government will stop the evaluation of a proposal after the page limitation (70) has been reached.”

Can the government please exclude a compliance matrix and an acronym list from the page count?

Answer: Yes, a compliance matrix and acronym list will not be included in the 70 page limitation if an offeror chooses to include these.

12. Question: A letter of intent for subcontractors is referenced in the requirements for the business volume proposal in L.2.A 2(Other Information) paragraph h and in the requirements for the technical proposal in L.2.B.2.

Can you please clarify which volume the Letters of Intent should be provided in? Are they to go in the Technical Proposal or the Business Proposal?

Answer: Business proposal.

13. Question: Given rate the ceilings will not be applicable to subcontractors, should we assume that subcontractors are not required to provide any rate information (loaded rates etc.) to the prime contractor?

Answer: We are not requiring rate information from subcontractors.

14. Question: Section L.1 General Instructions, paragraph 4, states that The Offeror shall submit five

(5) separate CD/DVDs and one (1) hard copy of the proposal. If a subcontractor submits a sealed package, are the requirements the same for the subcontractor as they are for the Offeror?

Answer: The only information from a subcontractor that we expect to see is the past performance which should be included in the prime’s proposal.

15. Question: Is the portion of Section L.2 (2) part (d), found on page 102, which reads as follows, “Audited financial statement for each of the Offeror’s last three complete fiscal years, including balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes in financial position, MAY be submitted to substantiate an Offeror’s financial position. The Government reserves the right to ask for these records.” Is this required of subcontractors?

16. Question: Section L.2(A)(2)g, starting on page 101 of the solicitation, discusses Small

Disadvantaged Business Participation. Subparagraph (2) of this section states: “The NAICS Code and a description of the services to be performed by each SDB must be designated, and the SDB identified to provide such services must be certified as an SDB and meet the size standard for the NAICS code identified.” Section L.2(A)(2)h, on page 102 of the solicitation, discusses the Subcontracting Plan and references NAICS code 541611. Does the government anticipate that all IDIQ task orders will be issued under NAICS code 541611, or will other NAICS codes potentially be used (and if so, which NAICS code(s) does the government foresee using)? Must small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) be certified under NAICS code 541611 to be eligible for IDIQ SDB participation (either as a prime or subcontractor/teaming partner), or may they be certified under another NAICS code?

Answer: The government anticipates that task orders may be issued under NAICs codes other than 541611. To be eligible for IDIQ SDB participation SDBs must be certified under the NAICs code that the prime designates in the SDB participation plan.

17. Question: Section L.2(A)(2)h on page 102 of the solicitation, which is part of the business proposal section, discusses the inclusion of letters of intent for subcontractors. Section L.2(B)(2) on page 103 of the solicitation, which is part of the technical proposal section, states in part: “A letter of intent should be included for all subcontractors proposed.” Should subcontractor letters of intent be included in the business proposal, or the technical proposal, or both? If included in the technical proposal, may they be excluded from the page count?

Answer: Business Proposal.

18. Question: Reference: L1 – General Instructions (p.100) The instructions state that electronic submissions should be submitted in PDF format only. However, Attachment J3 – Pricing scenarios, were provided in MS. Excel format. Please confirm that the Pricing Scenarios can be submitted in MS Excel format.

Answer: The pricing scenarios can be submitted in MS Excel.

19. Question: Reference: Section L.1 (p.100) Similar to the Technical/Past Performance Proposal, can the government confirm that the Business Volume should contain twelve (12) point font, single spaced lines, and one (1) inch margins and that tables and graphics should be no smaller then 9 point font and must be legible?

Answer: Yes.

20. Question: Reference: Section L.2 (A) Business Proposal (1) Offer (b) (p.101) “The Offeror must complete Section B of the RFP by inserting applicable labor categories and rates, the proposed indirect cost rates, and the fee ceilings. The maximum hourly labor rates and fixed fee ceilings shall be applicable over the life of the contract. Rates for Time and Material Task Orders shall be fully loaded labor hours”

Can the government confirm that for the purpose of responding to the Government solicitation, offerors should not propose a price for any Other Direct Costs (ODCs) that it may incur performing under this contract?

Answer: You should propose in accordance with the pricing scenario. ODCs have been provided in the scenario.

21. Question: Reference: Section L.1 – General Instructions - Can the government specify if subcontractors’ proprietary information (“sealed packages”) should be submitted directly to the Government and provide specific instructions for submission (address, contact name, etc.).

Answer: Past performance information for subcontractors may be included in a single separate CD/DVD in a sealed package/envelope that is included with the prime’s proposal.

22. Question: Reference: Section L.2 – Proposal (p.101)

i) Can the government clarify that only the prime offeror should submit a Business Proposal volume to the Government, and the required subcontractor information should be incorporated in the prime offeror’ s business proposal?

ii) Can the Government specify which items of the Business Proposal volume instructions should be submitted by subcontractors?

Answer: i) The only information subcontractors need to include in the business proposal is the letter of intent. ii) The letters of intent.

23. Question: Reference: Section L.2 (A) Business Proposal (2) Other information (e) (p.102) The Offeror shall indicate if he/she has the necessary financial capacity, working capital and other resources to perform this contract without assistance from any outside sources. (If not, the Offeror is to indicate the amount required and the anticipated source, i.e. letters of credit, etc.)… the right to ask for these records.”

Can the government confirm that only the prime contractor must indicate whether it has the necessary financial capacity, working capital, and other resources to perform this contract without assistance from any outside sources?

Answer: Confirmed.

24. Question: Reference: Section L.2 (A) Business Proposal (2) Other information, (h) (4) (i) Subcontracting Plan, 4th paragraph (p.103) “If subcontractors are proposed, Offerors shall include a commitment letter from the subcontractor detailing:

(1) Willingness to perform as a subcontractor for specific duties (list duties).

(2) Information on their cognizant field audit offices.

(3) How rights to publications and patents are to be handled” Can the government specify what information it would like subcontractors to provide in their letters of commitment to meet the requirements listed above as 2 and 3?

Answer: Items 2 and 3 have been removed.

25. Question: Reference: L2.B Technical Proposal (1) Management & Staffing Plan (page 104) Highly qualified individuals may not necessarily hold an advanced degree. Will the Government accept BA/BS degrees with certifications (CISA, CGFM, CPA, PMP) and/or years of experience as equivalent qualifications for an advanced degree?

Answer: See revised language.

26. Question: Reference: L2.B Technical Proposal (1) Management & Staffing Plan (page 104) Does the Offeror need to propose specific individuals for each class (I-VI) in the Management & Staffing Plan?

Answer: See the previous amendment Q&A.

27. Question: Reference: L2.B Technical Proposal (1) Management & Staffing Plan (last paragraph of p.104) Referred paragraph requires that a copy of the subcontractor’s current negotiated rate agreement is included in the Technical volume. Since this information is proprietary to each subcontractor, can this information be submitted to the Government in a sealed package? If so, can the Government provided specific instructions for submission (address, contact name, etc.)?

28. Question: Could the Government please clarify if resumes are required for this submission? If so, could the Government please clarify if a resumes are required for each Labor Category (Class I, II, III, IV, V, VI)?

29. Question: Could the Government please clarify if a resume is required for the offeror’s proposed primary IDIQ Point of Contact?

30. Question: Page 105 item 2: “If the Offeror uses the experience of subcontractors they should have been under a Teaming Agreement/Subcontract Agreement and the work referenced was performed by the subcontractor and/or individuals employed by the subcontractor.” Does this mean relevant past performance completed by the subcontractor when not under subcontract to the prime contractor cannot be included in the organizational experience narrative?

Answer: See the previous amendment with the revised solicitation.

31. Question: Page 106 states “Past performance information shall be provided by predecessor companies…” Please define predecessor companies.

Answer: See the previous amendment with the revised solicitation.

32. Question: Page 105, Section 2. Organizational Experience, it states “Organizational experience is an Offeror's relevant organizational work history. For this procurement, the Government will credit the Offeror with organizational experience stemming from the work histories of its individual officers, employees and subcontractors.” Does this mean individual employees’ past experience will count as organizational experience? Is this true for subcontractors as well?

33. Question: The revised solicitation states that 5 CD/DVDs should be submitted along with a hard copy of the proposal. Can you please clarify the content of the 5 CD/DVDs. Should they all contain the same two PDFs (one technical and one business proposal)?

Answer: Each CD should contain your entire proposal unless there is subcontractor past performance information that needs to be submitted in a sealed package.

34. Question: In J.3., there remains a requirement that “The Offeror shall provide supporting documentation for indirect rates and unloaded labor rates. Some examples of supporting document include but are not limited to payroll documents, market surveys and indirect cost rate agreements.” This requirement was removed from section L.2.A.2. Please verify whether such documentation is still required.

35. Question: Is the Past Performance section included in the 70-page limit? Or can this section be submitted as an appendix?

Answer: As stated in Section L.1, past performance is not included in the 70-page limit.

36. Question: The RFP states, "The Offeror shall submit five (5) separate CD/DVDs and one (1) hard copy of the proposal." Please clarify:

a. Should offerors submit 5 CDs that include both the Technical Proposal and Business Proposal files on the same CD? Or

b. Should offerors submit 5 CDs with the Technical Proposal, and 5 CDs with the Business Proposal, totaling 10 CDs?

Answer: a.

37. Question: The “Letter of Intent” is referenced in the instructions for both the Business Proposal and the Technical Proposal. Will the government confirm that the “Letter of Intent” is only required in the Business Proposal?

Answer: Confirmed.

38. Question: If the government requires a Letter of Intent in the Technical Proposal, would the government please provide instruction for the content of the “Letter of Intent”?

Answer: It should be included in the business proposal.

39. Question: If the government requires “Letter of Intent” in the Technical Proposal, would the government please confirm that the “Letter of Intent” for all proposed subcontractors will be outside of page count.

40. Question: How does the requirement for the Letter of Intent in the Business Proposal (described in L.2.(A).2.h) differ from the Letter of Intent required in the Technical Proposal (described in L.2.(B).2)?

41. Question: If work performed in the private sector is used as a past performance, certain contract data required in the solicitation (ie. dollar amount, contract number, and past performance duration) may be covered by a Non-Disclosure Agreement and cannot be listed. If this is the case, will the government agree to contact the points of contact listed in the reference and on the past performance questionnaire to obtain this information?

Answer: Provide the information that you can disclose.

42. Question: On page 103, the government states, “All consultants and subcontractors shall be clearly identified as such in the written proposal. Refer to Section L.2(A)(2)(h) entitled Subcontracting Plan for further requirements.” Does the government want offerors to duplicate the all the information requested in the L.2(A)(2)(h)of the Business Proposal in the Technical Proposal as well? Or, does the government only want offerors to address the requirements of L.2(A)(2)(h) in the Business Proposal?

Answer: The language in Section L.2(B)(1) was intended to remind offerors that other areas of proposal have requirements that need to be addressed with respect to subcontractors. The requirements of L.2(A)(2)(h) should only be in the business proposal

43. Question: Section: L.1 - May we include sample work products in response to this solicitation?

If so, may we include them in the appendix and will they be excluded from the page count?

44. Question: Section: L.1 - May we include a list of acronyms in the appendix and will it be excluded from the page count?

Answer: Yes, and it will be excluded from the page count.

45. Question: Section: L.1 - What is encompassed in the list of exhibits and where are the exhibits to be included in the proposal? Will the exhibits themselves be excluded from the page count?

Answer: This has been deleted.

46. Question: Section: L.1, L.3 (e) GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS, 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO

OFFERORS – COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2004) – Restriction on disclosure and use of data

In addition to the cover sheet (for the binder), cover letter, and table of contents, may we include a title page that would be excluded from the page count? If so, may we include the “Restriction on disclosure and use of data” statements on the title page rather than on the cover sheet?

47. Question: Section: L.2 (A) (1) c - Will PSC verify that for this submission, offerers should use the six classes and not propose their own labor categories?

48. Question: Section: L.2 (A) (2) g - Will PSC provide or direct offerors to a template for the SDB participation plan?

Answer: No, we recommend contacting the SBA.

49. Question: Section: L.3 € 52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMPETITIVE

ACQUISITION (JAN 2004) – Restriction on disclosure and use of data

May the “Restriction on disclosure and use of data” statements that are to be marked on the cover sheet be in 8-point Arial font?

50. Question: The IDIQ solicitation states subcontractor letters of intent should be included in the business proposal on page 102, but on page 103 it states subcontractor letters of intent should be included in the technical proposal. Where should subcontractor letters of intent be included?

Answer: Business Proposal

51. Question: Page 103 of the solicitation states we should include a list of Government agencies and private industry companies that have done business with our organization. Can we limit this list to a recent time period (i.e. 5 years)?

Answer: We are not placing a limitation but you are free to limit if you want.

52. Question: Our organization has a long history of performing work related to the IDIQ for a wide range of Government agencies and private industry companies. Does the list of need to be comprehensive or can it be a representative subset of organizations?

Answer: Either would be acceptable.

53. Question: When we create our list of organizations with which we have done work, should we list the specific office or division within the Government agency for which work was performed?

Answer: That would be preferred.

54. Question: L.2 – Proposal, B (1), - What data should be provided if a subcontractor does not have current negotiated rate agreements?

Answer: We are not requesting subcontractor rates or rate agreements.

55. Question: L.2 – Proposal, (B) Technical Proposal, (1) – Proposed staff are to be identified and presented, but there is no indication of where in the proposal resumes – if applicable - are to be included. Further, resumes are identified as outside the page count on page 100, and as a separate attachment in the appendix. Are resumes required, and if so where are they to be included, as the evaluation factors do not mention resumes?

Answer: Resumes are not required.

56. Question: Amendment 2 RFP deleted the following from the previous version of the RFP Section L.2(A)(2)a. “Supporting documentation shall be provided for the maximum labor rates proposed in Section B.2 and B.3.