Questions and Answers_V2.pdf

Questions and Answers

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1. Do you require any secret facility clearances?

Answer: There is no requirement for a facility clearance.

2. As to the entire RFP, is there a requirement for respondents to have either a facility security clearance or for named individuals to have personal security clearances?

Answer: See Question 2. The security level for this action is Sensitive but unclassified.

3. Will telework be permitted for program manager and deputy PM?

Answer: As stated on page 3-30, Telework for contractors may be available to allow for flexibility in meeting DEA’s mission. Contractors may be allowed to telework on a situational / project basis or routine basis based upon their labor category and person suitability, as determined by the government and outlines in the DEA Telework Procedural Guide and DEA clause 2852.242-

80. Telework is not a right and is subject to final government and contractor approval. All contractors who telework must follow all applicable DEA Telework Procedural Guide requirements including the telework training. Telework agreements will be reviewed on an annual basis.

4. Pg.5-26 & 27- Is the Government going to issue a laptop to Contractor’s employee(s) while

Teleworking, or will the Contractor need to provide its employee(s) with a laptop?

Answer: See clause DEA-2852.245-70 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED RESOURCES (MAY 2012).

Contractors will be provided access to the Firebird network (typically through a Firebird laptop) when teleworking.

5. Reference: Paragraph 1.19. Question: Can you provide the DEA Telework Procedural Guide and DEA Clause 2852.242-80 document?

Answer: DEA-2852.242-80 CONTRACTOR TELEWORK (OCT 2018) is provided on page 5-25. As stated in the clause each program office will have a telework plan that works for their office.

6. Due to challenges and reluctancies of qualified personnel to work in traditional office environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic; how much of the work performed by this contract will the US DOJ DEA Office of Diversion Control approve for telework? Are there specific positions that will be approved for telework?

Answer: See Question #3

7. Will contractors authorized to telework receive government furnished equipment (GFE) such as a laptop and/or WiFi hotspot to perform their daily task to ensure compliance with US DOJ DEA system and data security requirements?

Answer: See question #4.

8. Will DEA provide a complete list of all Government Furnished Equipment (i.e. computers)?

Answer: See question #4. GFE will be provided as appropriate to meet requirements of the contract and varies on position and/or location.

9. If key personnel positions require ONSITE, which location will they serve since the place of performance vary depending on region?

Answer: DEA HQ. Travel to various offices may be required to perform on-site management tasks.

10. Do you require commitment letters if the proposed personnel is already an employee?

Answer: Yes, for all key personnel

11. If the same labor categories stated in the RFP are not currently on our Schedule, can we map to appropriate labor category on our schedule?

Answer: Yes

12. If we have schedules on both IT-70 and Professional Services Schedule which is not MAS after the consolidation, can we use labor categories from both schedules?

Answer: This is not a GSA procurement

13. Exhibit 2 shows SCA Wage determinations. Can you confirm that the Secretary III positions is the ONLY SCA applicable labor category?

Answer: See exhibit 2

14. The SOW states section 1.8 Staff needed as per Labor Categories, and then it states section 1.9

(3) Key personnel. Which section is the correct type of staff needed to submit for the RFP?

Answer: Please refer to Section 8, Instructions to Offerors.

15. Can the government confirm there are a total of 6 key personnel required including 4 on-site supervisors? (Section 4.0 – Contract Administration, Key Personnel) Answer: See Section J

16. Will the government provide a breakdown of positions and/or FTEs by nationwide locations to address the discussion requirement of the retention plan? Retention in the specific labor market requires understanding the distribution of the workforce. (Section 8.0 - Instructions to Offerors, Retention Plan)

17. Can the government confirm if all positions are full time? (Section 1.8 - Labor Categories)

18. Can the government please confirm if the Experience/Education Substitution Process explained in Section 1.10 applies to all labor categories in Section 1.8? Some labor categories such as the SME Level IV or the Outreach Specialist specifically permits substitution of minimum education with years of experience, while other labor categories such as the Program Analysts did not specify. (Section 1.1 - Experience/Education Substitution Process) Answer: The Experience/Education Substitution Process does not apply to all labor categories.

The Substitution card is in the RFP on page 3-25. Vendors can recommend substitutions and reference how it will meet the requirement.

19. Can the government please verify if each of the onsite supervisors are assigned to oversee personnel in a specific mix of labor categories or if they are assigned to oversee personnel in one of the three Diversion Control offices? (Section 1.9.3 - On-Site Supervisor) Answer: The Government asks Offerors to propose approach.

20. Can the government please confirm the reason why there is not a Data Analyst Level I or II?

(Section 1.8 - Labor Categories) Answer: The RFP includes the Government’s requirement for this labor category.

21. Can the government please confirm if we are to propose a rate for the Overtime CLINs?

(Section 2.4 - Schedule of Services) Answer: The government does not require Offerors to propose overtime rates.

22. The Government is asking for 334 FTEs. Does the current contract supply 334 FTEs?

Answer: See # 16

23. How many of the positions are currently filled and how many vacancies?

Answer: The fill rate varies. See #16

24. Will the Government provide FTEs by location as in previous solicitation?

Answer: See # 16

25. RFP 1.7 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE, page 3-11 - Can you provide a mapping of the labor categories in the RFP Cost-price Proposal Excel Spreadsheet to the Places of Performance?

(Which location will each labor category personnel be officed?)

26. RFP 1.7 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE, page 3-11 – if the government is not going to provide the locations where each labor category will be, then should the RFP Cost-price Proposal Excel Spreadsheet be completed using a single, location specific, and named market (e.g. National Capitol Region) for constant value and evaluation purposes?

27. Section 8 states that there is a contractor currently providing the services being sought through this solicitation. The table in EXHIBIT 2 identifies the locations or possible locations of positions covered under this RFP but no associated labor categories for the positions to be filled. Is there a table of the labor categories for the needed positions by location? Are all these positions in the 38 named locations currently filled? Are these positions currently occupied by individuals working under the existing contract with DEA?

28. Since this is an IDIQ/TM effort will all 334 positions be issued on a single task order or is 334

FTEs a cap which may or may not be ordered?

Answer: 334 is the cap across multiple task orders.

29. How many FTEs specified in the RFP are already in place? Can the Government specify which of the required labor categories the current staff fall under by location? Are the labor categories for the RFP the same as for the incumbent contract?

30. Since labor wages can differ significantly by region would the Government consider pricing by position on a regional basis instead of a national basis?

Answer: Pricing shall be submitted per labor category on a national basis.

31. Your wording that the pricing for SCA non-exempt positions is to incorporate the wage determinations for those positions. Is it the Governments intent that the base wage will be the wage determination rate even though local salaries may be higher than the wage determination rate?

Answer: The SCA wage rate is the minimum wage per the law. It is up to the vendor to pay the vendor at least the minimum.

32. The previous contract had several different labor categories such as Accounting Clerks, General Clerks, Administrative Assistants and Scientists, that are not being requested in this solicitation. Have those functions been absorbed by the current solicited labor categories? If so would the Government provide a cross reference to the new labor categories?

In order to provide our best pricing to the Government would the Government provide a list of locations where each position type and numbers will be working? This information is essential for us to provide our best pricing and make sure that neither the Government nor Contractor is at a disadvantage in providing the required services Answer: See # 16. The RFP is reflective of the government’s requirement.

33. 1.10- Experience/Education Substitution Process: “The request shall include a justification, a resume, and any applicable supporting documentation for the proposed substation.” Can the Government clarify on the type of applicable supporting documentation?

Answer: See # 18

34. Please confirm that a total of 4 resumes shall be included for the Key Personnel On-Site

Supervisor position which aligns to CLIN0029 in the RFP Cost-price proposal Excel file.

(Reference: Factor 2)

35. Page 134 of solicitation - what is the page limit for reach resume?

Answer: Four (4) pages

36. Will the offeror be required to provide resumes for all required positions at time of submission? Since this appears to be an incumbent capture, it is recommended that resumes only be required for new hires.

Answer: Resumes are required for all proposed key personnel at the time of proposal submission.

37. Please clarify if any specific information (e.g.: exclusivity to the offeror, position title, salary or labor rate, etc) that should be included in the signed commitment letters for Key Personnel.

(Reference: Factor 2) Answer: No specific information needs to be included, just a commitment letter.

38. Reference Paragraph 1.8.1, page 3-18. Question: Will you provide a listing of the types of

SMEs that were hired under this contract based on their use by the Diversion Office and their backgrounds and experience?

Answer: The SME labor categories are as described in the RFP. SME position requirements vary upon mission/operational need.

39. Licenses for SMEs are not defined, will you be able to list the types of licensed individuals that you will require under the contract?

Answer: See Question 38.

40. Will DEA be directing the awardee to hire specific incumbent employees?

Answer: No, but the employee has the first right of refusal.

41. Will any of the SMEs provide legal support (need a JD degree)?

Answer: It is possible.

42. Section: 2.4 Schedule of Services, & Sec. 8 – Instructions. Question: The RFP states that, "the

Contractor’s unit price shall be a single loaded rate per Contract Line Item Number (CLIN)", and that, "the single rate will apply to all locations nationwide." Given that significant rate differences exist for the same LCATs among different cities nationwide, and to assist in accurate pricing which would benefit DEA as well as help to ensure fair competition, please provide a list of the locations by LCAT (1) where the incumbent is currently providing support services, and (2) any significant changes to this list, by city and LCAT, that DEA expects in the near future.

Answer: A list of locations in included in Section J.

43. RFP 1.8.1 (B) The labor categories below are not subject to the SCLA: , page 3-12 - Given the responsibilities stated in RFP Section 1.6.2.1, page 3-10, should there not be some Scientific labor categories or are we to use the various SME levels?

Answer: Scientific labor categories will be included in the various SME levels.

44. Would the government provide current levels of staffing at each office, to include the headquarters office?

Answer: See Question 16

45. Would the government confirm the offices are available for the Program Manager, Deputy

Program Manager, and on-site supervisors at each government facility?

Answer: See Question 4 and Question 9.

46. Would the government please provide job description for the following labor categories listed on the pricing spreadsheet? Economist, Mathematician/Stat, and Outreach Specialist?

Answer: Job Descriptions are available on the following pages within the RFP: Economist (3-13), Mathematician/Stat (3-14), Outreach Specialist (3-15).

47. 1.9.3 On-Site Supervisor, Will the government please confirm that no On-Site Supervisors are required in the field offices.

Answer: See Question 9

48. 1.11 Training for Contractor Employees, “Upon request, the Contractor shall furnish the COR with formal documentation of the training provided to Contractor staff.” Will the government provide a list of training expected of the contractor?

Answer: All contract personnel must meet the requirements of the labor category for which they are hired. The government will work with the selected vendor to determine training required.

49. 1.15.1 Transition Phase-In, Can the government confirm that the employees will be receiving government furnished equipment, or will this need to be provided by the contractor?

Answer: Based on clause DEA-2852.245-70 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED RESOURCES (MAY 2012)

(a) For Contractor employees performing full-time at the Government’s facilities, the Government will provide resources, such as office space, utilities, furniture, computers, and access to Government network systems at no cost to the Contractor. Access to the World Wide Web may or may not be provided.

(b) Government-furnished property that is used exclusively at the Government’s facilities remains under the control of the Government. The Contractor is not required to maintain accountability or provide reporting on such property. However, the Contractor shall report damage, loss, or theft of such property in accordance with DEA procedures.

(c) The Contractor shall maintain accountability of Government-furnished property that is used away from Government facilities in accordance with the Property clause of this contract.

50. Page 25 of the solicitation discusses training that the contractor is responsible for, but it doesn’t specifically list what training needs to be given to contract employees.

Answer: See Question 48

51. Does government expect contractor staff coverage at all its 239 domestic offices?

52. Can government provide an estimate of contractor staff deployment at specific locations?

either by FTE count or % of overall staffing.

53. How many domestic offices currently have onsite contractor staff?

54. Can government please provide a list of anticipated permits and licenses that contractor may be required to obtain (DEA-2852.242-77)?

Answer: Anticipated permits and licenses would be required on a case by case basis.

55. Will the government provide historic staffing levels by position and by location to assist in price analysis since a single labor cost per category is required?

56. Page 64, Travel Invoice, the last sentence in the first paragraph states “Travel costs incurred by subcontractors may not be subsequently “marked up” by a prime Contractor’s G&A prior to submission to DEA.” Subcontractor travel costs are included in our G&A base in accordance with our standard accounting practices and are required to be burdened with our G&A.

Please delete or modify this sentence to allow for the proper billing of reasonable and customary G&A expense.

Answer: This section will not be updated.

57. Will the US DOJ DEA DC provide an estimation on the potential travel requirements or provide a plug fee representing the travel expense?

Answer: The estimated travel per contract year is up to $200,000.

58. RFP 1.7.1 Travel, page 3-12 – Can you provide a slug number for travel in the RFP Cost-price

Proposal Excel Spreadsheet? If not, can you disclose the number of trips, and for each such trip:

• the departing location,

• the arriving location and

• the number of days?

Answer: See # 57

59. Do you require a transition plan to be included in the technical volume?

Answer: Yes, please refer to Section 8, Instructions to Offerors for what to include in the proposal.

60. Reference: Page 3-28, Paragraph 1.16; Page 3-29, Paragraph 1.18; Section 8; Section 9. Issue:

Paragraph 3-28 states, “The transition plan of the successful Offeror will be incorporated into the contract after award.” The table at 1.18 indicates the Transition Plan is due within 30 days of contract award (and references 3.15). Section 8 does not address submission of a transition plan in the proposal. Section 9 does not provide evaluation criteria for a transition plan.

Question: Is the Transition Plan required as part of the proposal, or to be delivered after award? If delivered after award, is the table at 1.18 correct since the transition period specified in 1.15.1 is “…within 30 days of the effective date of the contract.”

Answer: See Question 59

61. For purposes of the phase in transition, would the government confirm candidates provided within 10 days of business days of award are deemed acceptable and will be processed upon receipt?

Answer: See Question 59

62. Will the government require a transition-in plan for all offers to evaluate risk and an offerors ability to on-board staff in a timely fashion?

Answer: See Question 59, please refer to Exhibit 6

63. RFP 1.16 TRANSITION, page 3-28 - Is this a deliverable with or in the proposal? If so, where does it go and is it included in the 35 page count of the Technical Proposal? If not, is it a deliverable After Contract Award (ACA) and when?

Answer: See Question 59 Please refer to Section 8, Instructions to Offerors for what to include in the proposal and sections 1.18 and 1.15.1

64. RFP 1.15.1 Transition Phase-In, pages 3-28, 3-29 - Is this a deliverable and where is the 'sample task order' referenced in the requirement? ["Initial Staffing Levels and Timeline to achieve Full Staffing Level per the sample task order"]

Answer: See Question 59

65. Will the government request reduced rates at the task order level from the proposed pricing in our price volume?

Answer: No, the government will not request reduced rates.

66. The cover letter asks to submit a Quote, but then goes onto to request full RFP, can you clarify if this is just a quote or full RFP?

Answer: This is a Request for Proposal

67. Can the government confirm the submission of invoices does not require the use of Kronos or any backup information (i.e. signed timesheets)? (Section 1.14.2 - Business Management, Financial Management)

Answer: The submission of invoices does not involved Chronus. Chronus may be used by the government to confirm invoicing hours as a separate Independent Timekeeping System.

68. Will contractors performing on this contract have the ability to access external timekeeping systems to track their time worked on a daily basis?

Answer: Yes

69. RFP 1.14 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, page 3-28 - Is this business strategy a deliverable with or in the proposal? If so, where does it go and is it included in the 35 page count of the Technical Proposal? If not, is it a deliverable After Contract Award (ACA) and when?

Answer: This is not a deliverable, it is part of the technical proposal.

70. Can the confirm if there is a requirement for Vendor Accounts Payable estimates due to the

Office of Finance? (Section 1.14.2 - Business Management, Financial Management) Answer: No. There is not a requirement for Vendor Accounts Payable estimates

71. The price proposal volume does not provide option to propose different price based on place of performance. Can you please advise if you want ONE mast price list to account for all potential work locations?

Answer: See question 30

72. On the price proposal, it states “LABOR CATEGORY EQUIVALENT”. Can you clarify what you require on this column since the labor categories that are required is stated already. Since this is an open market quote, I want to clarify if you are requesting a mapping to a gsa schedule?

Answer: We are not requesting a mapping to a GSA schedule since this is open market. If your labor categories have the same name, you need not specify an equivalent.

73. Is the CLIN 0002 - Data Analyst III for HOURS = 200,000, correct?

Answer: Data Analyst III will be about 160,000

74. Is the CLIN 0004 - Data Analyst IV for HOURS = 100,000, correct?

Answer: Data Analyst IV will be able 80,000

75. From Cost/Price Proposal Excel Spreadsheet:

o Confirm Data Analyst III is estimated at 200,00 billable hours per year?

o Confirm Data Analyst IV is estimated at 100,00 billable hours per year?

o Is one FTE considered 2,000 hours? Confirm the billable hours per FTE (1920, 1880, etc.).

Answer: See questions 73 and 74. One FTE is considered 2,000 hours

76. Section: 8 - lnstructions & Attachment 1 (Cost/Price Proposal). Question: Will the

Government please confirm that, for evaluation purposes, it is defining a standard FTE year as 2,000 hours, and that all Offerors must use this amount when submitting their cost/price proposals, consistent with the cost/price worksheet? We note that 2,000 hours per 1 FTE/year is different from our "standard year," per our company's estimating policies and procedures.

Answer: See question 75

77. We believe that the previous contract exhibited abnormalities in funding in the third year. Can you explain why a zero or negative funding number is posted for the existing contractor?

Answer: Without further details we can’t provide an answer to this question.

78. Reference: Page 4-6, DEA-2852.242-76, paragraph (h). Issue: Paragraph (h) indicates addition

Key Personnel positions may be added by modification to the contract. Question: Is there potential and additional Key Personnel positions would be identified at the task order level?

Answer: Yes

79. Reference: Page 9-3, PRICE paragraph. Question: Please explain how prices will be evaluated for “price realism (not cost realism).”

Answer: This section has been updated. The Government intends to use one or more of the following, but not limited to: comparing against the IGCE; comparing with historical prices;

evaluation of the technical approach with the price proposal; and/or evaluation of whether prices will attract and retain qualified individuals

80. Price, page 9-3. Is price reasonableness and price realism only going to be applied to the bottom line price or for at the CLIN level?

Answer: The Government intends to apply to both bottom line and CLIN.

81. Section: 8. Instructions. Question: Will the Government allow a Subcontractor - and not the Prime contractor - to fill any of the three Key Personnel positions?

Answer: A subcontractor can fill key personnel positions.

82. General: Is there any acceptable format for the cost proposal? There is not a standard template?

Answer: Please refer to the template provide in the RFP.

83. Can we provide commercial past performance information in additional to federal?

Answer: No

84. Will the government allow subcontractor, subsidiary, or joint venture owner past performance citations? (Section 8.0 - Instructions to Offerors, Retention Plan) Answer: The government will allow subcontractor, subsidiary, and joint venture past performance. It is preferred if you have past performance as a prime, but if you have not been a prime, provide past performance as a subcontractor.

85. Volume I-Factor 3: How many past performances references will suffice for evaluation?

Answer: Offeror’s shall provide a minimum of 3, maximum of 5 past performance references from the past 3 years. This has been updated on page 8-3

86. Volume I-Factor 3: How recent does the past performance need to be for evaluation?

Answer: Past Performance should be from the past 3 years. This has been updated on page 8-3

87. Reference: SECTION 8 – Instructions to Offerors, Technical Proposal (Volume I), FACTOR 3.

Company Experience/Past Performance. Question: Can the government provide the number of contract references, and will the government allow subcontractor contract references be included for evaluation in combination with the prime contractor's co0ntract references?

Answer: See question 85

88. Given that Government policies and procedures regarding personnel security have evolved, we recommend that “contract recency” be considered for the Past Performance cited.

Recommended “contract recency” be limited to contracts performed within the last 3 years from solicitation submission date. (Reference Factor 3) Answer: See question 86

89. To ensure the Government can verify that the offeror possesses the required relevant experience, and considering the magnitude of this effort, we recommend that past performance references be contracts performed as a prime and not as a subcontractor.

(Reference: Factor 3) Answer: see question 84

90. May a prime offeror use past performance of subcontractors and proposed Key Personnel to meet FACTOR 3 Company Experience/Past Performance?

Answer: Offers shall identify the company’s or proposed sub-contractor's proven experience in providing the same or� similar type of services defined by this solicitation for other federal agencies.

91. Will the government allow past performance to be submitted for the teaming subcontractor for this effort?

Answer: See question 90

92. Section: 8. Instructions. Question: Will the Government allow an Offeror to submit company experience/past performance for evaluation from any of its subcontractors?

93. Section: 8. Instructions. Question: Will the Government allow an Offeror to submit company experience/past performance references for evaluation from its parent company, or other affiliates (sister companies) of the parent company, as long as the Offeror describes in its proposal the meaningful contribution that the parent company or affiliate will make in performance of the contract?

94. Page 135 of solicitation - Can we include past performance from our major subcontractors or will only the past performance of the Prime be acceptable?

95. RFP FACTOR 3. Company Experience/Past Performance, page 9-2 - Is there a maximum number of Past Performances that we can use and a time limit within which they have been performed? Are they included in the 35 page limit? If an offer is being made by a team with a prime and subcontractors, how many of the past performance examples must be for the 8(a) prime? Will past performances of subcontractors be considered in the evaluation? If so, will the evaluation consideration be the same as for the prime contractor?

Answer: See questions 85 and 86

96. For evaluation Factor 3, Company Experience/Past Performance:

a. Is current (on-going) performance allowed to the used for evaluation under this factor?

b. What is the minimum number of current or past performances that may be listed?

c. Will current or past performances of subcontractor be evaluated under this factor?

Answer: See question 84 and 85

97. FACTOR 3: Company Experience/Past Performance: Can the government provide the number of past performance required?

Answer: See question 85

98. FACTOR 3: Company Experience/Past Performance. Are subcontractors allowed to submit past performances, and is that it is given equal weight as the prime submissions?

99. Will past performances of subcontractors be considered in the evaluation?

100. RFP Section 2.3, page 2-1. RE: Factor 4: Sample Task Order – This is referenced in Sec. 2.3, but there was nothing included in Secs. L or M. Please provide sample task order or clarify references.

Answer: The Sample Task Order is the Excel Document attached to the solicitation titled “RFP Cost-price proposal EXCEL Spreadsheet 6-11-20”

101. Could you please advise industry where we could locate the “Sample Task Order” that is mentioned in the solicitation?

Answer: See answer to question 100

102. Are you requiring vendors to respond and/or price the “Sample Task Order” referenced in the solicitation?

Answer: Yes, the sample task order should be answered with additional information.

103. The RFP states "The Sample Task incorporated into the solicitation represents the level of effort expected of the Contractor during performance but is not an actual task order under the contract. The Sample Task is for pricing evaluation purposes only." Is the sample task referencing the RFP Cost-Price Proposal worksheet? If not, can the Government identify where the sample task is located in the RFP? (Reference: Section 2.3 Sample Task)

Answer: See answer to question 100

104. Reference Page 2-1, paragraph 2.3. Question: Please provide the referenced sample task.

Answer: See answer to question 100

105. Section: 1.1.6 - Transition, & 2.3 Sample Task. Question: Sample Task Order: This is referenced in Section 1.16 (Transition) in Amendment 1, and 2.3 (Sample Task) in the original RFP, but the sample task is not mentioned in Secs. L or M. Please provide the sample task order or clarify that a sample task will not be used for the solicitation.

Answer: See answer to question 100

106. Can the incumbent contractor partner with us and satisfy the 8A set aside?

Answer: To satisfy the 8(a) set aside, the prime contractor must be a certified 8(a) company and complete 51% of the work.

107. Can the government confirm that a quality control plan will be provided post award? (Section

1.13 – Quality Control Plan) Answer: The Government confirms this statement.

108. Will the government clarify when a QC plan is to be submitted? (Section 1.13.2 - Quality

Control Plan Contract Inclusions) Answer: A QCP is a deliverable and must be provided IAW with RFP. The offeror’s Quality Control Approach must be addressed in the proposal as listed as an evaluation factor in the RFP.

109. Is there a preferred quality control system currently in place for this contract? If so, would the

US DOJ DEA DC please provide the name of the system currently in use?

Answer: The offeror is to propose a quality control system.

110. RFP 1.13 Quality Control Plan, page 3-27 - Is this Plan a deliverable with or in the proposal? If so, where does it go and is it included in the 35 page count of the Technical Proposal? If not, is it a deliverable After Contract Award (ACA) and when?

Answer: See # 108

111. Can the government confirm the inclusion of this clause? On October 31, 2019, President

Trump revoked E.O. 13495 no longer making this a requirement. (Section 5.1 - Contract Clauses, 52.222-17) Answer: This clause will be removed

112. The government notes 27 wage determinations for SCLS designated positions. However, the pricing spreadsheet only reflects the equivalent of 15 FTEs. Could the government clarify if 1) there are additional positions that are SCLS designated (i.e. SCA) or 2) the wage determinations that should be "optional locations"? (Exhibit 2 – Wage Determinations) Answer: See section J

113. General: If any of the contractor positions falls under the SCA, can the government please provide the SCA Wage Determination number? WD 15-4281 Answer: See exhibit 2

114. Can the government please confirm if we need to include a completed DEA Ethics

Questionnaire in our proposal for applicable Key Personnel candidates? (Section 5.2 - Clauses Incorporated by Full Text) Answer: Ethics questionnaire shall be submitted after key personnel are hired

115. Can the government please confirm if the the task issuance period of January 1, 2016 to

December 31, 2020, noted on FAR 52.216-18(a) ORDERING, page 5-10, is an error? (Section 5.2

- Clauses Incorporated by Full Text) Answer: Confirmed this is an error. Task issuance is TBD.

116. On Page 106 in the RFP, it says as below. Could you please clarify if we need to include resumes and commitment letters in Business as well in addition to technical volume?

(xi) Completion of DEA-2852.242-76 – Key Personnel and Resumes and Commitment Letters (Resumes and Commitment Letters will be duplicates of those submitted with the Technical Proposal)

117. Will the Government update the name of the Contracting Officer for receipt of protest?

(Section 6, Reference FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE PROTEST (SEPT 2006)) Answer: Contracting Officer Name is updated

118. Reference: DEA-2852.204-78 (page 4-1). Question: Compliance with HSPD-12 is cited in the

RFP, can you elaborate on the portion of that document with which we are to be compliant?

Answer: Additional information regarding HSPD-12 can be found on page 4-1 under Contractor Personnel Reporting Requirements.

119. Reference: FAR 52.204-26. Question: Will these types of services be required and are offerors required to discuss them in the proposal?

Answer: This is a required clause and should be addresses in the offeror’s representations.

120.

121. Reference: Page 5-5, 52.222-17. Issue: It is our understanding that EO 13495 was rescinded.

FAR 52.222-17 is marked “Reserved” in the FAR at https://www.acquisition.gov/. Question:

Please clarify if the referenced clause is applicable to this contract.

Answer: See question 111

122. Reference: Page 5-8, Alternate I and Alternate II. Issue: Both alternates to 52.212-5 are included, but contradict each other. Question: Please clarify which alternate is applicable to this contract or provide further direction to deconflict the instructions in each.

Answer: Remove Alternate I and Alternate II

123. Reference: Page 5-10, FAR 52.216-18. Issue: Clause states orders may be issued from January

1, 2016 through December 21, 2020. Question: Please provide updated ordering period information.

Answer: This information has been updated in the RFP

124. Reference: Page 5-10, FAR 52.216-18. Issue: Paragraph (a) indicates orders may be issued by individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. The Schedule does not designate authorized ordering individuals or activities. Question: Please provide information regarding authorized ordering individuals or activities.

Answer: Authorized ordering individuals are certified Contracting Officers. Change made to the

RFP.

125. Section: 5.2 (FAR 52.216-18 Ordering). Question: Section (a) of the specified paragraph states that task orders, "….may be issued from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2020." We request that the Government please update the time period for the current solicitation.

Answer: See question 123

126. FAR 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, requires that we retain incumbent contractor personnel with satisfactory performance that wish to remain with the contract. For this purpose, we would like to know how many of the current incumbent contractor personnel are qualified based on the Service Contract Labor Standards’ labor category wage determination and their years of experience on the contract.

Answer: All incumbent personnel on the contract are qualified.

127. Can the government clarify how it will apply the adjectival rating of outstanding? Will it be based of net number of strengths when accounting for weaknesses, no weaknesses, etc.?

(Section 9.0 - Evaluation Of Proposals, Paragraph a.2.)

Answer: Proposal significantly exceeds significant standards for each factor and provides added value to the government. Strengths significantly outweigh any minor weaknesses. Risk is low, and the proposal indicates a high probability of successful performance. There are no deficiencies.

https://www.acquisition.gov/

128. Consistent with government acquisitions using adjectival ratings, could the government provide a table defining how outstanding, acceptable and unacceptable standards be applied?

(Section 9.0 - Evaluation Of Proposals, Paragraph a.2.)

Answer:

129. The government states that non price factors are significantly more important that price.

Among the technical Factors, are they each weighted equally? As this is a complex, geographically dispersed contract, we recommend that greater weight be placed on company experience. (Reference: Evaluation of Proposals (6)) Answer: Each technical factor is weighted equally

130. The RFP references adjectival ratings of Outstanding, Acceptable, and Unacceptable. Please define each rating. (Reference: Evaluation of Proposals (2)) Answer: Please see question 128.

131. The RFP states “The technical evaluation (Factors 1-3) will result in adjectival ratings of

Outstanding, Acceptable or Unacceptable by factor and overall”. It is our recommendation that this be clarified to state that each factor must receive an individual score of at least acceptable in order for the offer to be considered for award, in addition to the overall score being at least acceptable. (Reference: Evaluation of Proposals (2)) Answer: This has been added to the RFP

132. Reference: Page 6-1 and 6-2, FAR 52.212-2, paragraph (a). Issue: 3 Factors are listed on page

6-1: Understanding of the Requirement, Staffing Approach, and Company Experience/Past Performance. The narrative at the top of page 6-2 lists evaluation items not listed on page 6-1.

Question: Please clarify the evaluation Factors.

Answer: RFP has been updated to remove the additional factors

133. Page 9-1, Evaluation of Proposals (a)(2) states that “A Risk rating will also be determined for each Technical Evaluation Factor resulting in a rating of Low Risk, Medium Risk, or High Risk.”

The RFP does not contain a definition of each risk or what circumstances would result in a Low, Med, or High risk rating. It also does not explain how this risk rating is going to be applied in the evaluation. Please describe how the risk rating will be applied to the evaluation.

Answer: Please see the answer to question 128.

134. Basis of Award, page 9-3 states “Prior to being evaluated in terms of the technical factors and past performance, the proposal must comply with instructions specified in the solicitation.”

(see also Compliance with Instructions on page 8-4) Will offerors have the opportunity to become compliant with the instructions prior to elimination from award?

Answer: No

135. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS (a) GENERAL Page 137: Is the price volume just the excel spreadsheet if not is there a page limit and where should the price volume be contained?

Answer: The excel spreadsheet is the Sample Task order referenced on page 2-1.

136. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS (a) GENERAL Page 137: Does the price volume take into consideration the location where services will be performed? If not is there a general region that should be used for price comparison?

Answer: See Section J

137. Retention plans for the specific labor market requires an understanding of how the workforce is distributed. The incumbent has a significant advantage by understanding where all the locations are assigned. Will the government provide a summary of the FTE and labor category distribution by locations? (Section 8.0 - Instructions to Offerors, Retention Plan)

138. Due to page count limitation and the ability to fairly evaluate offers, will the government define the past performance contract , Factor 3 to allow for "up to 3 contracts with up to 2 for a subcontractor, subsidiary, or joint venture owner? (Section 8.0 - Instructions to Offerors, Retention Plan) Answer: See Question 86

139. The Rentention Plan requirement states "The retention plan should include a discussion of this specific labor market and how the Offeror’s approach will promote employee retention in that market." Since there are over 23 CONUS And OCONUS locations mentioned in the RFP, it is difficult to intrepret this requirement. For example, we can interpret it as meaning the National Captial Region for the HQs location or the nation-wide labor market. Can the Government provide clarification on what it means by "this specific labor market"?

(Reference: Factor 2) Answer: “This specific labor market” means all labor markets mentioned in the RFP. See question 137.

140. Is there a possibility that any parts of this contract may be performed OCONUS? If so, will the successful bidder have a requirement to staff OCONUS locations?

Answer: As stated on page 1-1, the performance locations are CONUS

141. Can the government please confirm the reason for the priority release of the RFP? It is noted that this RFP has been released one-year prior of the current contract expiration date. We typically see the government releasing RFPs on average six months prior to contract expiration. (Section 1.2 - Statement of Need) Answer: The Government is allowing time for submission, review, and transition.

142. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) anticipates issuing a single Indefinite Delivery

Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract but reserves the right to issue more than one contract.

(Q). Has the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a final decision on whether or not they will breaking this opportunity out and awarding more than one contract under this solicitation?

Answer: As stated on page 8-1 “The Government intends to award a single contract, but the Government reserves the right to make more than one award or no award”

143. On Page 106 in the RFP, it says as below. Since the RFP response is an electronic submission via email, what is the meaning of three (3) copies submission of the form 1449. Could you please clarify?

(vii) The Standard Form 1449 fully executed. Include one (1) originally signed copy of the form and three (3) copies with blocks 17and 30 completed.

Answer: The RFP has been updated so that only 1 copy of the SF1449 has to be submitted

144. Pg.4-6 Is the Government going to issue a laptop to the Contractor’s employee(s) while traveling, or will the Contractor need to provide its employee(s) with a laptop?

Answer: See Question 4

145. Will all task orders be performed onsite in government facilities using government furnished equipment and workstations? if not, which labor categories and tasking are to be performed offsite?

Answer: As shown on page 1-1 the performance locations are CONUS and are performed on Government site.

146. Will the Government provide updated delivery order or task order dates? (Section 5, Reference FAR 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)) Answer: See question 115

147. Reference Section 8(e), Issue: As we understand, the current contract does not expire until

June 2021. Proposals are being submitted in July 2020, approximately 350 calendar days prior to potential award date. Paragraph 8(e) requires only 120 calendar day offer acceptance period.

Question: Is 120 calendar days sufficient time for offer acceptance? Will all prices submitted be subject to a reevaluation at the time of award?

Answer: Yes 120 days is sufficient. We intend to make award prior to the expiration of the current contract in order to allow ample time for evaluations and transition. Prices will not be re-evaluated.

148. The long period between proposal submission and contract award (based on expiration of current contract) is of concern, can you elaborate on why this long delay is expected to occur?

Answer: Please see answer to question 141 and 147.

149. Reference: Page 3-29 and 3-30. Issue: PWS references for deliverables 1-5 are incorrect.

Question: Please provide correct PWS references Answer: Referenced are updated on page 3-29

150. What is the current contract value?

Answer: $148,648,904.66

151. When do you anticipate making award?

Answer: Award is anticipated in calendar year 2020.

152. General: When do you anticipate awarding the Solicitation?

Answer: See answer to question 151.

153. General: Price/Cost: What type of contract is this it? Is it firm fixed price, Time and Material, etc. contract?

Answer: Please refer to page 6-22, FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

154. General: When do you anticipate awarding the IDIQ?

Answer: See question 151

155. When do you anticipate start date?

Answer: 6/21/2021

156. What is the anticipated start date of this contract?

Answer: See answer to question 155.

157. POP – the RFP did not give a start date for the base year. Please provide anticipated award date and contract start date.

Answer: See answer to question 155.

158. Page 8-4, Business Proposal, (v) Other Government Work requires the offeror to list every non-DEA prime contract and major subcontracts, and for every contract, identify its number, name and address of Government department/agency concerned, and percent of completion to date. This can be an extremely long list of data to collect and include. Recommend the Government limit this to a specific number of the offeror’s largest contracts/subcontracts (e.g., top 10).

Answer: This has been added to the RFP Page 8-4, Business Proposal (v)

159. Page 8-5, Business Proposal, (xiii) – please confirm that offerors are only required to complete and submit Exhibit 4 – DEA Contractor Ethics Questionnaire if they are proposing a current DEA employee or an individual that has been employed by DEA within the last five years.

Answer: See question 115

160. Section: Cost/Price Proposal. Answer: Please provide the estimated contract award/start date for pricing purposes.

Answer: Please Question 155.

161. Section: 2.0 -Schedule of Services. Question: Amendment 1 no longer contains original

Section 2.0 and its 4 sub-sections regarding (1) Contract Minimum/Maximum; (2) Ordering; (3) Sample Task; & (4) Schedule of Services. Please confirm/clarify is any, or all, of these sub-sections still apply to the solicitation Answer: Section 2 and all components begins on page 2-1

162. RFP Section 2.0 - In the Table of Contents, it lists Section 2.0 Schedule of Services, but there is no Section 2.0 Schedule of Services in the Amended RFP so will you be providing the Section 2.0?

Answer: Section 2 begins on page 2-1

163. Rates – In the original RFP Section, it provided that the Contractor’s unit price should be a single loaded rate including various things and that the single rate will apply to all locations nationwide - does this apply to the amended RFP? If not, what should the rate include? Also, do we include a rate for each POP?

Answer: Yes, the same applies to the amended RFP

164. Section 6.2 - Provisions Incorporated by Full Text. Question: In Amendment 0001, Sec. 6.2 changes the titles/language for all of the evaluation factors, but no corresponding changes are made in Sections 8 and 9. If the titles/language for the evaluation factors has changed, please make conforming changes to Sections 8 & 9 to make clear what Offerors need to submit, what information is required, in what order, and how each factor will be evaluated. For example:

(a) Sec. 6.2 changes Factor 3 to read, "Quality Control Approach and Security Plan - Past Performance.” Should we now address the Quality Plan in Factor 3 (vs. original Factor 1) and, if so, does the Government have any updated instructions on what Offerors should include in it; (b) please provide instructions for addressing the security plan, and information on how the security plan will be evaluated.

Answer: Section 6.2 has been updated to correct the evaluation factors.

165. Section: 7.0 - List of Exhibits & Attachments. Question: Amendment 0001 strikes Exhibit 1

(DEA Security Requirements), Exhibit 1.1 (On-Site Contractor Responsibilities), Exhibit 2 (U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE DETERMINATION), Exhibit 4 (DEA Security Ethics Questionnaire), & Exhibit 5 (Subcontractor Compliance Certificate) from the solicitation.

Given that references to each exhibit appear in other sections of the RFP, please clarify if any or all of these exhibits still apply to the solicitation.

Answer: All listed exhibits are available on the following pages: DEA Security Requirements (7-1) On-Site Contractor Responsibilities (7-2) , U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE DETERMINATION (7-3), DEA Security Ethics Questionnaire (7-5), and Subcontractor Compliance Certificate (7-6)

166. 1.6.1.2 Finance/Budget/Accounting, Will the government confirm that it is still using the

Unified Financial Management System (UFMS)?

Answer: Yes, DEA does still utilize UFMS

167. 1.6.1.3 Administrative Support, “Provide administrative support to Headquarters Program

Offices, Field, Offices (Diversion Groups and Tactical Diversion Squads), and Foreign Offices…” will the government confirm if the contractor’s staff will be working in foreign offices? If yes, which foreign countries will this be in?

Answer: No, See Question 16

168. Will contractor personnel performing financial, budgetary, and accounting activities have access to the Unified Financial Management – UFMS, to carry out daily financial activities? If so, are there any plans to change this system or replace it with another system?

Answer: Yes. UFMS is the current system in use.

169. Is this contract the only contracting vehicle providing administrative and professional/technical support services for the US DOJ DEA DC and other Diversion related functions within DEA HQ and other divisions?

Answer: No

170. Will the resources currently obtained through other contracts, expiring in June 2021, be added to this effort? If so, would the US DOJ DEA DC please provide the number of potential personnel/positions are there currently working on other contracts?

Answer: The government’s requirement is as stated in the RFP. Positions may be added to support future mission/operational need.

171. Does the 8(a) Contractor have to be still certified as a 8(a) firm for the life of the contract? For example, if the Contractor’s 8(a) status is set to expire during the first term of the contract, will that possibly disqualify the candidate?

Answer: If a firm is awarded an IDIQ or multiple award contract (for example, 8a STARS ll), then the vendors are generally considered to be 8a throughout the life of the contract and are not required to recertify their size for each order issued under the contract.

172. Is the incumbent eligible for follow on award?

Answer: All eligible vendors are eligible for the award.

173. Is the incumbent eligible to bid in this procurement?

Answer: See question 174

174. What is the total value of the contract from award date to present?

Answer: See answer to question 150

175. Who is the incumbent Contractor?

Answer: As shown on page 8-1, the incumbent is Bennett Aerospace is the incumbent contractor

176. How many Task Orders have been issued to date?

Answer: All task orders are available in FBO.

177. What's the value of each awarded TO with…