QA 1605JE-20-R-00010 Job Corps IDIQ final.pdf

RFP Section Question(s) Answer(s)

B.2

Pg. 3 states that the “Government anticipates that individual task orders will be awarded based on pricing within this schedule” but does reserve the right to negotiate price per the individual task order if a contingency requirement has a unique set of circumstances.

Would the Government also consider the contractor’s right to negotiate as given the unique circumstances per Task Order?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

B.2

Pg. 3 states that the “Government anticipates that individual task orders will be awarded based on pricing within this schedule” but does reserve the right to negotiate price per the individual task order if a contingency requirement has a unique set of circumstances.

Most Centers are unique in and of themselves due to difference in cost factors like local wages, CTT Trades, Res vs non‐res students, Center layout, etc.

In addition, the difference in potential OBS totals within the same pricing classification Centers (Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large) lead to material differences in costs as well.

Understanding that, why would the government award pricing based on this schedule?

Is there a standard the Government prefers in terms of wages for this proposal?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

B.2

Please clarify the Government’s reasoning for awarding contracts based on pricing provided in the IDIQ RFP. How can it be determined that pricing provided in the RFQ includes fair wages for the local area?

The Government does not clarify or discuss source selection processes.

RFP No. 1605JE‐20‐R‐00010 Job Corps Contingency IDIQ

B.4

Contract Years 1 & 2 as described in the table represent 2 years 11/17/21 – 11/16/23 (24 months). Should the pricing schedule be updated to reflect the 24 month period?

However, contract years 1 & 2 CLINs for operations is 6 and 12 months, respectively. Should the CLINs reflect a 24 month base period?

The table is correct. During the period of performance, individual Task Orders may be awarded with a period of performance of 6 or 12 months. .

B.4 The table for Contract Year 5 states that CLIN 5003 is for 50 days. Please clarify that the time period should be 30 days vs.

50, as presented in years 1‐4.

This is a typographical error. See Amendment 0002 for corrected Pricing Schedule.

C.1.C.2

The contractor is requested to provide basic health care, counseling, and other support services as required by the ePRH.

Are all these same services expected given the current Covid‐ 19 pandemic & remote learning environment or are these services going to be changing given the remote learning status of JCC students?

If there are changes, will the Government provide further details of those expectations per specific task orders?

The Government will determine, when the RFQ is issued, if unique circumstances apply to a particular task order requirement.

C.2.A

A primary driver in pricing OA services is the location of services and the amount of expected arrival goals. In this RFP, due to the IDIQ nature, there are no noted arrival goals provided for OA services.

Does the Government intend to provide arrival numbers per Center size in order to cost OA CLINs in the pricing schedule?

If no arrival numbers nor expectations are provided, how is a contractor to price OA services?

For CTS, oftentimes the placements are for the Center itself but for OA, the recruitment goals can be for multiple centers in the area.

Please provide clarity.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

C.2.B

With the ranges of OBS between the different sizes of job corps centers being so large, can contractors assume that the Government will allow all IDIQ to be negotiated upon award? Or at least allow center specific pricing per the task order?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

C.2.C

The types of trades on a job corps center can cause a wide range of pricing options. For example, a welding or culinary arts trade will include more costs than an office administration trade. OCT and ACT trade costs also can provide a large range.

Will the Government please amend the language In Section B.2 that states, “individual task orders will be awarded based on the pricing provided within this schedule.”

The Government determines if unique circumstances apply to a particular task order requirement. Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price. All task order RFQ's will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

C.2.H

Given that the contractor is generally taking over centers that are struggling, would the Government consider removing or at least increasing the 4% float rate?

Would the Government consider some leniency as well with 30 days to hire vacant positions?

The Government will determine if unique circumstances apply to a particular task order requirement. Offerors should assume that the Government intends to issue all task orders based on the terms and conditions set forth in this RFP.

F.6

The Government notes that “Generally, the Government will measure performance through the programs performance management system, which is comprised of four reports…”

With the current Pandemic crisis & remote learning occurring, will the Government consider a waiver to these specific report card metrics? Or adjust them considering the current atmosphere?

Are there differences/exceptions into how new awardee IDIQ operators are ranked when taking over a poor performing center?

The Government does not clarify or discuss source selection processes.

G.9

Are there differences/exceptions into how new awardee IDIQ operators could bill the Government after the 3‐month grace period? Would the Government consider extending that time period under the circumstances?

No differences/exceptions. The Government determines if unique circumstances apply to a particular task order requirement.

G.19.b

Can the Government provide examples of when the CO would require additional proposals from the contractor above and beyond the RFQ for IDIQ task orders?

Can the Government clarify in more detail what is entailed for contractors in Section G.19.b?

Section G.19.b has been deleted.

G.19.c

If the IDIQ task orders are fixed‐price contracts, which is the current format of this RFP, why then is the Government requesting labor accounting records when those requirements are not the norm of the current Fixed Price contracts?

How does this request differ from the language in section H.8 Wage Comparability?

G.19.c is not applicable and will be removed from the solicitation.

J‐9 Facility Survey

Since a facility survey has not been provided can it be assumed that any outstanding improvements to the center will be fixed through CRA funding, Equipment, and/or CTST funding rather than through Operational funding?

Without knowing the current state of a job corps center could you please clarify if the Government would allow contractors to negotiate upon award if there is not an adequate amount of dollars allocated for facility maintenance upon award?

Yes, this will be covered under the NTE CLINs.

J‐12, J‐23

Utilities is a significant portion of non‐labor costs.

Without knowing the current state of a job corps center could you please clarify if the Government would allow contractors to negotiate upon award if there is not an adequate amount of dollars allocated for utility costs upon award? This is assuming the Government is awarding a task order on the pricing provided in this RFP.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

J‐4

We understand the Staffing Chart (J‐4) will be required for each specific Task Order. Please clarify that we will submit the Organizational Chart and Schedules at that time, and not with this IDIQ Proposal.

Yes, offerors should submit proposals only in accordance with the requirements of this Solicitation.

J‐23, J‐24

Are attachments J‐23 and J‐24 to be provided? Or are they to be provided with Task Order RFQ’s?

The current RFP shows the image of an attachment, but no file is attached.

These attachments were unitentionally omitted. See Amendment 0002.

Factor 4, C.

Does the Government expect contractors to provide multiple J‐ 6’s for each center size?

Or would the Government consider an alternative J‐6 that certifies contractors will adhere to FAR 52.219‐9 requirements?

An overall Small Business Subcontracting Plan (% Goals) is required for the base contract. Offerors should submit the subcontracting plan in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation and FAR 52.219‐9.

N/A

The Technical response requires offerors to discuss activities, strategies, methods, and relationships to support placement of students. Offerors are required to detail these placement strategies in both Subfactor 1C and Subfactor 1E. Are there specific items the Government would like to see in each Subfactor?

The Government does not instruct offerors which specific activities, strategies, methods, and relationships should be proposed. Your technical proposal must meet all requirements of this solicitation.

N/A

What types of reevaluation will be considered the Government of the IDIQ contract holders bidding on the task orders to confirm a contractor’s qualifications?

A contractor’s capabilities may change over the 5‐year life of this IDIQ contract. Will a contractor be required to re‐represent its status/capabilities?

When the Government issues task order RFQs to contract holders, it will contain evaluation criteria for that particular task order.

B.4

The costs to operate Centers vary greatly within each size category (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large Centers). Please confirm that offerors should provide cost estimates for the highest OBS cited in each of the CLIN categories.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

B.4

Price Adjustments: The costs to operate same sized Centers varies greatly. Factors that impact Center operations costs include, but are not limited to, local area labor markets, collective bargaining agreements, prevailing (comparable) wages and benefits for like occupations and state and local minimum wage laws. Please confirm that the government will allow offerors to adjust their estimated Fixed Price when responding to IDIQ Task Orders based on specific Center OBS, local labor market comparability, wage and hour requirements, etc.?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

Pg 83

Please confirm that offerors can submit one subcontract plan for all CLIN categories that outlines the FAR requirements, processes and identifies potential small business vendors it will use to achieve small business subcontract goals.

An overall Small Business Subcontracting Plan (% Goals) is required for the base contract. Offerors should submit the subcontracting plan in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation and FAR 52.219‐9.

Pg 83 Please confirm dollar values are not required to be populated in Attachment J‐6.

Correct.

Section J J.20, J.23, J.24 are provided only as images. Please include them in the list of attachments that can be extracted from the document.

These attachments were unitentionally omitted. See Amendment 0002.

J‐25

Can bidders assume that the answers provided in Attachment J‐ 25 of recent FFP Job Corp RFPs titled 'Frequently Asked Questions' apply in principle to this IDIQ Solication and subsequent task orders issue thereafter?

Correct.

B.4

Will the government please consider inserting a column heading for OBS so that monthly unit pricing provided is based on an OBS unit basis for Operations and CTS, and a goal unit basis for Outreach & Admissions?

This will offer a more equitable means of pricing for both the bidder and the government given that that one size fits all pricing is not realistic for such wide OBS range categories as presented (0‐300,301‐499, 500‐799, and 800+). A center of 150 OBS is considerably less expensive to run than a center double the size at 300 OBS. As stated above, OA pricing is difficult to quote based on OBS as the NEAP is not always directly correlated to center size. This monthly unit pricing concept still preserves the government's objective of obtaining pricing upfront as part of this IDIQ proposal requirement. The total price for task orders issued therafter will be easily quantifiable by entering the respective center's OBS and OA goals into the pricing schedules.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

L.7 Should the bidder submit a small business subcontracting plan for each center size category (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large)?

An overall Small Business Subcontracting Plan (% Goals) is required for the base contract. Offerors should submit the subcontracting plan in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation and FAR 52.219‐9.

L.7 Can the bidder omit a vendor listing for the subcontracting plan(s) given that the specific center location is uknown until the task order issuance?

Yes.

L, G. "Organization of Proposal"

The RFP states that, "Offerors must tab each specific section, subsection, and provide a clear and consice response or the proposal will be considered “Unacceptable” for that specific factor or subfactor". Since there is no hard‐copy requirement and physical tabs are not needed, please confirm that a "tab" means that each factor and subfactor must be clearly stated in the proposal.

Correct.

N/A Will we be held firm to the bid submitted for each of the size categories as a not‐to‐exceed limitation?

Yes.

N/A

Once Contingency operators are selected via this process, will separate RFPs be posted for each Center including submission of a more tailored budget so that unique features of the Center can be addressed? This question is asked given the fact that costs are impacted by factors such as location, number of non‐ residential students, and trades offered? For example, a large center is defined as 500‐799 OBS. Treasure Island JCC, located in San Francisco, CA has an OBS of 532. Similarly, Guthrie JCC in Guthrie, OK has an OBS of 532. The cost to operate each Center is vastly different irrespective of the same OBS. As reflected in current labor market information, cost of living and staff salaries are vastly different. Given the fact that staff costs make up the majority of the budget, the overall cost to operate each Center would be significantly different. Will the government take this into account when making an award of a particular Center and will they negotiate adjustments to the initial bid accepted through this RFP process?

Offerors should assume that the Government intends to issue all task orders based on the Pricing Schedule in Section B.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

B.4 The ranges for each of the Center sizes for Year 5 on pages 10‐11 appear to be incorrect and in contrast to the previous CLINS for years 1‐4.

This is a typographical error. The Center sizes for CY 5 should align with the CLINS for CY 1‐4. See Amendment 0002 for corrected Pricing Schedule.

N/A Does the government intend to award the contract to a certain number of small business operators?

This is a full and open competitive requirement.

Section L

Please clarify whether “within 15 days of task order” in SUBFACTOR 1A – Center Operations Strategic Plan: Describe a strategic plan that you will follow in assuming all the functions of an active Job Corps Center within 15 days of task order award notification on page 79 means we should respond to this question as if we are receiving 15 days notice before the transition is to begin OR the transition period is 15 days before the actual contingency contract begins. If it is the former, is the clause on page 82 that says” It is the Government’s intent that the phase in period will begin no more than 30 days prior to that date:” incorrect?

This is correct. The factor/subfactor has been corrected to reflect that phase‐in could be as short as 15 days.

J‐6 Are offerors to submit an Attachment J‐6: Subcontracting Plan Summary Sheet for each category of center size (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large)?

An overall Small Business Subcontracting Plan (% Goals) is required for the base contract. Offerors should submit the subcontracting plan in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation and FAR 52.219‐9.

J‐6 Should a separate Attachment J‐6: Subcontracting Plan Summary Sheet also be submitted for 6‐Month and 12‐Month durations for each category of center size?

An overall Small Business Subcontracting Plan (% Goals) is required for the base contract. Offerors should submit the subcontracting plan in accordance with the requirements of this solicitation and FAR 52.219‐9.

J‐1

Please confirm that Phase In costs should indeed be included on the Evaluated Price tab of the J‐1. This is a change from J‐1s that are typically submitted on specific Job Corps Center proposals. If Phase In costs should not be included on the Evaluated Price tab of the J‐1, please provide an updated form.

Yes, Attachment J‐1 is correct. Please see revised J‐1 with Amendment 0002

N/A

Please describe DOL’s expectations for estimating Center‐ specific variabilities (e.g., CTT offerings and slots, wage rates that could vary significantly based on the location of the Center, etc.) in pricing.

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

Section B

Page 3 of the RFP, section B.2 Quick Response Ordering. Please define the process for pricing RFQ Task Orders vs. the pricing prepared for the IDIQ. Will awardees be given an opportunity to address items that will fluctuate based on the specific center awarded in the Task Order RFQ?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

Section C

Page 16 of the RFP. Please confirm child care programs will be negotiated from a pricing perspective during the Center‐ specific Task Order process and do not need to be included in the pricing for the Contingency Operations IDIQ.

The Government determines if unique circumstances apply to a particular task order requirement. Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price. All task order RFQ's will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

Section L Please advise on the differences in evaluation criteria between Placement activities requested in Technical Subfactor 1C and Career Transition Services requested in Subfactor Technical 1E.

The evaluation criteria is set forth in Section M of the solicitation.

J‐8 Page 65 of the RFP. Please confirm the J‐8 Standard Form 1413 is not required to be submitted with the offeror’s proposal response but should be returned upon Task Order award.

Attachment J‐8 is required for the base contract, and any resulting Task Orders, as applicable.

Section J Pages 66‐67 of RFP. Will the following attachments be provided? J‐20 Sample Invoice, J‐23 Utility Cost Trend, and J‐24 Career Transitions Services Workload Statistics

These attachments were unitentionally omitted. See Amendment 0002.

Section L Page 77 of the RFP requests a transmittal letter. Please confirm the transmittal letter is to be provided as a separate PDF file.

The transmittal letter may be submitted as a separate document, but it is not required to be a separate document.

The transmittal letter will not count against any page limitations.

Section L Page 78 of the RFP. In order to ensure successful email transmission, please advise of any file size limitations.

There are no email file size limitations.

Section L Page 78 of the RFP. Please confirm the J‐1 is to be submitted in Excel format.

Correct.

Section L

Page 77 of the RFP. Please confirm the intended submission format is a stand‐alone electronic file for each of the following sections: Technical Approach, Past Performance, Corporate Capabilities, and Business Management Proposal.

Correct.

Section L

Page 77 of the RFP. The proposal format section does not specify a file type. Is a PDF format acceptable for the following sections: Technical Approach, Past Performance, Corporate Capabilities, and Business Management Proposal?

Yes, PDF format is acceptable.

Section L Page 82 of the RFP. Please confirm the Pricing Schedule (RFP pages 4‐12) should be completed and returned as part of the Business Management Proposal.

Correct.

SF 33

Page 1 of the RFP. Please confirm the Code requested in Box 15 of the SF 33 form is the Offeror’s CAGE code.

Correct.

Section L

Page 79 of the RFP instructs “Cross‐referencing within and across proposal sections shall not be permitted.” Please confirm this does not apply to the five subsections/subfactors within the Technical Section.

This applies to all proposal sections.

B.4 While the OBS Size Range is specified, what geographic location should be utilized in developing the bid for each category as salaries and other factors vary significantly across the country?

Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price.

All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract.

B.2

Page 3, B.2, Quick Response Ordering states “The Government anticipates that individual task orders will be awarded based on the pricing provided within this schedule;” which includes CLINS for each of the OBS size ranges.

However, on Pages 65‐67 multiple items (J‐4, Staffing Chart; J‐5, Career Technical Skills Training Slots) necessary to determine pricing are labeled “To be provided with Task Order RFQs”. It appears that these two issues conflict. Please clarify this apparent conflict in terms of how prospective bidders should proceed completing CLINS without the critical information being provided.

Staff Resources will be submitted at the task order level.

N/A Is this RFP region specific or is it nationwide?

The solicitation is for Job Corps Center contingency operations nationwide.

B.2

2. Page 3, B2 indicates “The Government anticipates that individual task orders will be awarded based on the pricing provided within this schedule; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate price for individual task orders if a particular contingency requirement has a unique set of circumstances which requires an updated price proposal” Will geographical adjustments, ie labor, services, etc. be included as “unique set of circumstances which require an updated pricing proposal”?

Unique circumstances, if any, will be determined with the issuance of a Task Order RFQ. It is not possible to determine at this point what unique circumstances might exist. Please see changes to the solicitation regarding ceiling price. All task order RFQs will allow for the contractor to propose price up to the ceiling prices of the contract..