FINAL_Responses_to_Questions_Associated_with_RFP_1625DC19R00001.pdf

Responses to Questions Associated with RFP 1625DC-19-R-00001

# Reference RFP Page

Question BLS Response

1 SF 1449 and Attachment

1 PWS

1 SF 1449, Pg. 1, Box 20 and Attachment 1 PWS Pg. 1 SF 1449, Pg. 1, Box 20 and Attachment 1 PWS Pg. 1. The solicitation identifies the opportunity as an IDIQ and the PWS identifies the opportunity as a BPA. Section I indicates 52.204-15 applies, as well as 52.516-22 which are only applicable for an IDIQ. Can the Government please clarify whether this is an IDIQ or a BPA?

The Government will award a single-award IDIQ.

2 General NA Is a Joint Venture firm eligible to submit a proposal response?

As long as the joint venture is approved by the SBA and eligible for award under the 8(a) program by time of award.

3 General NA Please describe the work order system used to distribute the daily/weekly assignments to the Daily on‐site team.

Staff are expected to check help desk, acquisition and asset management databases on a daily basis for assignments.

The COR will distribute other assignments to the PM and Supervisor via email, weekly COR meetings, and through verbal requests.

There are operational duties that are performed daily and at other frequencies that are defined in our SOPs.

4 General NA How are the other members of the daily crew transported between warehouse sites and on campus?

Will there be any Government furnished transportation available to the team members (i.e. trucks, SUV, vans, etc.)?

The Warehouse location is on-site.

A gov’t vehicle is provided for mail runs and special deliveries and pick-ups. Mail Clerk II and substitute drivers are required to have a valid driver’s license.

Part VI 6.3 Equipment. The Contractor shall furnish and maintain a vehicle to perform the work required to accomplish transportation of non-mail property between locations as required by the contract in Section 1.5 Objective 5: Moving Services.

5 General NA Would the government specify how many employees by labor category that are at each location?

1.7 Labor Categories and

Qualifications Bureau of Labor Statistics * 2 Massachusetts Avenue

1 - Project Manager II/On-site Lead

1 - Warehouse Supervisor

2 - Warehouse Specialist

4 - Material Handling Laborer

1 - General Clerk II

1 – Mail Clerk II

1 – Furniture Installer/Assembler

1 – Truck Driver, Medium (On- Call)

All other locations are mail delivery and disposal sites.

6 General NA Is there an Incumbent Contractor currently performing this requirement. If yes, who is the contractor and what is the current contract number and total contract value?

If there is an incumbent, is the incumbent eligible to submit a response on the new procurement solicitation?

DOLJ142J16872 is the current 8(a) BLS IDIQ and is with the company AQuate.

The contract has a ceiling amount of $6,330,596.00.

This vendor is no longer in the 8(a) program.

7 General NA Would the government provide the length of service for each employee that is currently working on this contract?

In accordance with FAR 22.1020 & 22.1204, the incumbent will provide the list of current employees to the contracting officer no later than 10 days before expiration of the current contract. This list will be provided to the new awardee at time of award.

8 General NA When an employee is out is the contractor required to replace the employee for the day?

For certain labor categories, yes.

If the General Clerk (Front Desk) is out, the PM or Supervisor shall provide a replacement.

The Mail Clerk shall be replaced with personnel having the same qualifications as required.

Either the PM or Supervisor is required to be on-site daily. Both cannot be out on any given day.

9 Section 1.5 3 Where is the warehouse physically located

2.4 Place of Performance

Primary Location (BLS National Office) – Postal Square Building Room G225 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20212-0001

10 Section 1.5 Objective 1

4 Is there an automated system for helpdesk tickets? If so, please identify the system

Yes; BLS has an internal Help desk ticket system.

11 Section 1.6 5-6 Historically, how large has the surge been? What labor categories have been affected? What period of time does the surge tend to occur? How long does the surge last?

Historically, how large has the slowdown been? What labor categories have been affected?

What period of time does the slowdown tend to occur? How long does the slowdown last?

Attachment 6 TO Section 1.8 Type of Contract/Period of Performance provides examples and time frame of surges.

Labor categories affected:

Warehouse Specialists, Material Handling Laborers, and Furniture Installer/Assembler.

There is no consistent coverage and minimal requirements must be met.

12 Section 1.7 Attachment 6 TO- Staffing Table

9-10

Page 6 of 85 Section 1.7 states the maximum number of FTE’s whereas Pages 9 and 10 of Attachment 6 Task Order 1 states the minimum of FTE’s. Please provide historical workload data for the IDIQ and the Task Order requirements.

Attachment 6 TO lists historical workloads as it pertains to this specific TO.

IDIQ historical workloads will be provided for IDIQ objectives when a TO is generated.

13 1.7 Labor Categories and Qualification s

6-11 Will the government please clarify the qualifications of the key project manager/onsite lead? They are stated differently under the "Project Manager" requirements vs the "Project Manager/Onsite Lead" job descriptions. For example, in one location it states the PM requires a bachelors degree, while in another, it does not.

The TO will use Project Manager II/On-site Lead labor category as stated in Attachment 6 (1.7.1).

14 1.7 Labor Categories and Qualification s

6-11 Which, if any of the Key Positions fall under the Service Contract Act?

None.

It is up to the contractor to ensure that the appropriate determinations concerning SCA applicability are made.

Mail Clerk and Furniture Installer have been removed as Key Personnel

15 Section 1.7.1, 1.7.2

7 Will the government consider removing the education requirements from the Warehouse Supervisor or Warehouse Specialist?

No. The Supervisor and/or Specialist shall meet the minimal educational requirements as stated in Attachment 6 (1.7.1).

16 1.7 Labor Categories and Qualification s Project Manager I,II, and III

10-11 The IDIQ PM I/II/III description differs from the TO PM description in that the AA and years experience can be utilized as an equivalent for a BA. The TO description, however, requires a BA. Is that correct? And, where will this PM fit in the IDIQ Labor Category Structure as this slot is the only one out of the PMs which requires a BA with no equivalency for AA/experience.

The TO will use Project Manager II/on-site Lead labor category as stated in Attachment 6 (1.7.1).

The IDIQ Category Structure will be updated to reflect a BA requirement.

17 1.7.14 Move Coordinator Qualification

The Move Coordinator Qualifications wording references the Quality Assurance Specialist qualifications instead of those for the Move Coordinator. Would you please verify the Move Coordinator clarifications?

RFP provides the qualifications of the Move Coordinator but lists the qualifications for the Quality

Assurance Specialist.

Please clarify that the qualifications stated are for the Move

Coordinator.

Qualifications for the Move Coordinator have been updated in the

RFP.

18 Section 1.12 13 Will post-award meetings be required to be in person

Post-award meetings are not required to be in person.

19 F.2 Hours of Operation and Coverage

15 Evening and weekend support may be required in some instances. If support is required outside of the standard work day, will overtime be authorized or should the staff

The vendor is responsible for appropriately compensating staff per applicable employment law.

The initial TO does not require work on the weekends. Any schedule be adjusted to meet the need?

future TOs that require weekend work will be specified in the TO.

There is a possibility that future TOs require weekend work.

20 Section F.4 Place of Performance

16-17 Can Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) clarify the subcontracting percentage goals for a potential 8(a) Prime contractor who use UNICOR or AbilityOne agencies?

Subcontracting goals are not required for small business set-asides.

21 Section F.5 17 Can 8(a) Contractors use subcontractor Past Performance or CPARS ratings if contracting services to an AbilityOne affiliated agency performing SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE or Mailroom services by an agency assigned by the authorized AbilityOne enterprise - National Industries for the Blind (NIB) or SourceAmerica

Offerors shall comply with the instructions in Section L regarding Past Performance.

22 Section G.3;

Bullet (b)

20 Can BLS clarify if the ‘supplies’ in Section G.3 consumed during the performance of the contracted services will be furnished by the Government or the responsibility of the contractor?

If by the government, will the CO consider revising Section I- CONTRACT CLAUSES or specify at the Task Order Level include mandatory source items as defined in FAR 8.002 in Service-type contracts where AbilityOne® Office Supplies/Information Technology Media products can be used during the course and in execution of the contract such as Admin Support Services, Mailroom Operations, or Supply Chain Management?

If supplied by the contractor, will the COR be responsible for the 8(a) contractor’s compliance of the governments use of mandatory source items defined at the Task Order Level under FAR 8.005 / Clause 52.208-9 (Contractor Use of

Please refer to Attachment 6 TO H.3.5 and H.4.2

BLS adheres to required sourcing per FAR and Agency requirements. No adjustments to solicitation or contract are required.

Mandatory Sources of Supply or Services) in Service-type contracts where AbilityOne® Office Supplies/Information Technology Media products can be used during the course and in execution of the contract such as Admin Support Services, Mailroom Operations, or Supply Chain Management?

23 Section G.5 22 Will the Contracting Office consider setting aside performance of services outlined in G.5 SECTION 508 COMPLAINCE to the AbilityOne program under National Industries for the Blind (NIB)?

The Government intends to keep this requirement in the 8(a) program.

24 Section I.1 – Contract Clauses

33 52.217-9 (c) If the Government exercises this clause or 52.217-8 and extends the term of this contract, should this not be 66 months?

The total period of performance of the IDIQ is 60 months. If the 6 month extension is exercised, the period of performance is 66 months.

25 Section I.1 – Contract Clauses

33 The Contracting Officer has incorporated FAR 52.222-17, Non- Displacement of Qualified Workers, Executive Order 13495 into this procurement, which states in part, “The Contractor and its subcontractors shall, except as otherwise provided herein, in good faith offer those service employees employed under the predecessor contract whose employment will be terminated as a result of award of this contract or the expiration of the contract under which the service employees were hired, a right of first refusal of employment under this contract in positions for which the service employees are qualified.”

Paragraph 1.6 requires offerors to provide resumes for Key Personnel who most likely will not be hired to perform the work on this contract. Instead, providing Position Descriptions for Key Personnel, in lieu of resumes, gives the government assurances that if

The Mail Clerk and the Furniture Installer have been removed as Key Personnel. Resumes will be required for the Project Manager II/On-site Lead and the Warehouse Supervisor.

job offers are refused by incumbent employees, a standard has been created for their replacement that meets or exceeds the requirements of the RFP. As the successful contractor will be offering first rights of refusal to qualified predecessor contract employees, to meet the requirements of E.O.

13495, would the government please remove the requirement for resumes for Key Personnel and instead require Position Descriptions that incorporate minimum qualifications?

26 Section I.1 – Contract Clauses

33 Under FAR Clause 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, the incoming contractor must make bona fide employment offers to all qualified incumbent service workers. As such, without certain data, an offeror cannot provide informed and accurate pricing for the incumbent employees relative to costs of SCA-mandated vacation time based on employee longevity on the contract. This results in an unfair competitive advantage to the incumbent contractor over all other offerors. For example, the difference in vacation between 3 years’ experience and 10 years’ experience is 80 hours, which must be accounted for in pricing. As non-displacement of qualified workers is required under FAR Clause 52.222- 17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, can the government provide all potential offers with the list of incumbent personnel covered by SCA - by labor category and date of service (names are not necessary), so that all offerors have adequate and appropriate cost data to consider as part of their bid price, and so that all offerors are

See answer to Question 7.

In accordance with FAR 22.1020 & 22.1204, the incumbent will provide the list of current employees to the contracting officer no later than 10 days before expiration of the current contract. This list will be provided to the new awardee at time of award.

afforded a chance to compete on a level-playing field with the incumbent contractor?

27 Section I.1 – Contract Clauses

33 Under FAR Clause 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, the incoming contractor must make bona fide employment offers to all qualified incumbent service workers. Can the government verify that all incumbent service workers covered by Clause 52.222-17 currently meet the position qualifications as specified in the IDIQ and Task Order?

In accordance with FAR 22.1020 & 22.1204, the incumbent will provide the list of current employees to the contracting officer no later than 10 days before expiration of the current contract. This list will be provided to the new awardee at time of award.

The new contractor will be responsible for verifying the qualifications of those in covered positions.

28 L3 69 Will the government consider extending the due date for this solicitation one week to 5:00 pm

EST April 13, 2019.

Proposal submission extended to 4/12/19 at 5:00pm EST.

29 L.6.1 71 L.6.1 requires an introductory cover letter. Is the cover letter to be included in each volume? If not, in which volume is the cover letter to be included? If Volume 1, would the government please increase the number of pages allowed? If the answer is Volume 2, please see question 6, below.

Only one cover letter is required. It can be submitted with your Technical Capability, Volume 2.

30 L.6.2 Format and Content

71 Can the proposal volumes be submitted in PDF format?

Yes

31 L.6.2 Form at and Content

71 Will the government allow smaller font size for Tables and Graphics as long as it is legible?

Yes, no smaller than font size 10.

32 L.7 Volume Table

72 Volume Table lists Volume 1 as having only one page.

Does the government require the table of contents and summary section for Volume I? If yes, would the government please increase the number of pages allowed to allow for the added required pages for Volume I?

No table of contents or summary section required for Volume I.

33 L.7 Volume Table

72 Given the limit of 20 page for Volume 2, and the extensive

The page limit is increased to 25 for Volume 2.

amount of information required, would the government please exclude the cover letter (if to be included in Volume 2), table of contents and the summary from the required page count? Would the government please limit the summary to 1 page?

34 L.7 Volume Table

72 Is a cover needed for each volume?

If yes would the government please exclude the cover from the page count for each volume?

A cover letter is only required for Volume 2.

35 L.9 - Volume II- Factor 2 - Technical Capability Technical Capability, Approach, and Staffing

72-73 To clarify, the technical proposal must be written to propose the TO PWS. The positions for the IDIQ need to be priced, however, the resumes and work do not need to be technically addressed. The TO encompasses the Technical portion of the proposal?

Correct - technical proposal to address TO only.

36 L.9 Volume III Price

75-76 For the Summary of the Price Volume, does the government want the contractors to simply restate the totals of all of the price sheets?

What additional information is required in the Summary for the Price volume?

No summary needed for price volume.

37 Section L.10, Past Performance

74 RFP states that offers should provide three (3) past performance references and sub should provide one reference for the PWS requirements to be covered by the sub. Does the total of three (3) include the reference from the subcontractor or should that be a fourth (4) reference?

The Prime shall submit three (3) past performance references and each sub should provide one (1) past performance references.

38 Section L.10

(a) and L.10

(c) - Past Performance References

74 Can the Prime provide two (2) References and Subcontractor provides two (2) references for a total of four (4) that encompasses/covers all five (5) Objectives of the Task Order 1 and all eight (8) Objectives of the IDIQ?

The Prime shall submit three (3) past performance references and each sub should provide one (1) past performance references.

L. 10 - Volume III - Factor 3 - Past Performance, Paragraph e

74 Most CORs no longer fill-out Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs) as they defer to the CPARS. It was noted that the CPARS may be accepted in place of the PPQ. Does a declination email from the COR need to accompany a relevant CPARS, or will the CPARS itself suffice?

The Prime shall submit three (3) past performance references and each sub should provide one (1). BLS will be checking CPARS regardless.

40 Section L.9 Volume III Price

75 RFP States that that price will consist of the completion of

Attachment 7 for both the IDIQ level and for the Task Order and shall consist of fully burdened labor hours.

Please clarify that the projected overhead cost for the contractor provided 24-foot truck (Attachment 6, Section H.4.3) and required safety equipment (Attachment 6, Section H.4.2) is to be included in the labor hour billable rate.

A separate CLIN has been added to the pricing sheet for the cost of the truck. Any additional costs shall be factored into the proposed labor rates.

41 Section M.6 –

BASIS OF

AWARD

84 In Paragraph 2, “The Government reserves the right to award to a responsible 8(a) small business whose offer conforming to the solicitation is advantageous to the Government. Award will be based on a proposal that is determined to be the best value, with appropriate consideration given to the evaluation factors: Labor Category Certification, Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price.”

Will an evaluation advantage or ‘best value’ apply to 8(a) contractors subcontracting AbilityOne agency to perform the services requested if capabilities are provided at the Task Order level?

There will be no evaluation preference for those proposing Ability One as a sub-contractor.

42 Attachment

6 TO

NA The SOW is not consistent on the daily labor required. Please clarify the crew needed by labor category each day?

Section 1.7 Labor Categories and Qualifications of the TO lists the number of personnel required each day.

43 Attachment

6- TO

NA What type of background check or security clearance, if any, is required for personnel for Task Order 1?

National Agency Check with Inquiries

(NACI).

44 Attachment

6 TO-

NA There is mention of both a Project Manager/Onsite Lead as well as Program Manager/Onsite Lead; will the government please clarify if these are the same person in addition to the Project Managers I,II and III? Which term should be used, Project or Program Manager?

The contract will use Project Manager II/On-site Lead labor category.

45 Attachment

6 TO

Technical Capability, Approach, and Staffing

2-14 The Technical Volume addresses the work addressed in Attachment 6, Task Order 1 only. Do we, however, need to provide resumes for the IDIQ staff or just a staffing/retention plan?

Resumes for key personnel are a requirement of the TO only.

Staffing / retention plan is a requirement of the IDIQ.

46 Attachment 6 1.6.1

9 Does the government want the name of the Alternate included in our proposal? Or after award?

The alternate can be designated in writing after the award.

47 Attachment 6 TO- Section

1.5 Objective

4 Please define what mail equipment is used

Mail Meter (Connect+ 3000)

Folder / Stuffer (DS-90i)

Folder (MBM 3525)

48 Attachment 6- Section B

5 What is the driver’s license requirement to operate the vehicles referenced? Is a commercial driver license required?

Gov’t vehicle requires valid driver’s license

Trucks under 26,000 pounds requires valid driver’s license

49 RFP

Attachments

6 TO

6-7 9-10

There is quite an increase in FTEs from the TO the IDIQ - roughly 21.5 vs 11.5 (with PM). The new TOs would be let one at a time-- Is there a projected time frame for the follow-on TOs of the new work?

There is no known time-frame for additional orders at this time.

50 Attachment 6 TO- Section

C (PWS), 1.7

Labor Categories

9 TO SOW states that only 1 FTE is required for the Mail Clerk II to provide mail room coverage and back-up mail driver duties.

Will the mail room be allowed to be closed to provide coverage of the back-up mail driver duties?

Yes, the mail room can close for back-up mail runs.

51 Attachment

6 TO

5 A table is provided under the heading of “Information on Substitutions”. Volume for each item in the table is listed as “six

6-weeks covers Federal employee’s annual leave and sick leave for the calendar year.

weeks out of the calendar year”.

Can you clarify the meaning of “six weeks out of the calendar year”?

52 Attachment

6 TO

8 A table illustrates frequency of moving services.

a. For GSA Springfield, VA the frequency is listed as “annually” and the number of trips is “12”. Does that mean 12 trips at the same time or 12 trips over the course of the year? How long will the truck and trailer be in use for one trip ?

b. Are there any other locations where moving services are required?

a. 12 trips over the course of a year.

Only a truck is used. The time is dependent upon distance, traffic, and uploading time.

b. 2.4 Place of Performance lists additional locations where moving services are required.

53 Attachment 6, Section 1.6 Key Personnel

9 Labor Categories and Personnel refers to Project Manager/Onsite Lead.

a. Should the title be Project Manager or Program Manager?

b. If Program Manager, what are the required qualifications for the position?

c. Is this position one of the Project Manager positions?

a. Project Manager

b. N/A

c. Yes

54 Attachment

6 TO- H.3.4

21-22 The government requires that: “The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the existing GFE outside of the standard office equipment.”

Can the government detail the equipment and level of maintenance required to be performed by the contractor?

Can the government provide historical maintenance activities and cost – by piece of equipment – so that offerors have a baseline of the historical scope and magnitude of the maintenance responsibilities

Two (2) Electric Forklifts Two (2) Electric Pallet Jacks

2016 - $2,146 2017 - $1,635 (3 equip.)

2018 - $1,592 (3 equip.)

and costs upon which we can base our price proposal?

55 Attachment

6 TO- H.3.4

21-22 The government requires that: “The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the existing GFE outside of the standard office equipment.” (H.3.4); however, we cannot see where in Attachment 7 we are to account for the maintenance costs and associated OCDs in our pricing. Can the government provide guidance as to where/how we are to price – or account for - the maintenance costs and ODCs?

The government requires the contractor to provide a vehicle for the transportation of non-mail property; however, we cannot see where in Attachment 7 we are to account for the vehicle in our pricing. Can the government provide guidance as to where/how we are to price – or account for -the vehicle as an ODC?

Aside from the cost of the truck in the initial task order, all maintenance costs and ODCs shall be factored into the proposed wage rates.

56 Attachment

6 TO

H.4.2 Materials

22 In the Materials section, the contractor needs to furnish Permits and Insurance. What are these documents required to cover?

FAR clauses 52.228-5 & 52.247-21 have been included in the task order

RFP.

57 Attachment

6- TO H.4

22 Will the government provide a list of equipment and tools that the contractor must provide for this contract?

Please see TO section H.4.2 and H.3.5.

58 Attachment 7 - Pricing Sheet

TO Tab Please confirm that you are looking to the bidder to determine the total FTEs per Labor Category to perform the functions of the TO and that you are not requiring a set number of FTEs per category?

That is correct. The total hours at the task order level are to be proposed by the offeror.

59 Attachment 7 - Pricing Sheet

IDIQ Tab/ TO Tab

The IDIQ and the Task Order tabs do not include any line items for ODC’s such as vehicle cost for moving services, personal

All maintenance costs and ODCs shall be factored into the proposed wage rates.

protective gear for employees, etc..

Are the ODC’s to be configured into the hourly rate of each labor category that an ODC would be needed?

Truck cost will be broke out into own

CLIN.

Yes; consider personal protective equipment, etc with hourly rate per labor category.

60 Attachment 7 Pricing Table

NA There is a job description for mail driver, but it is not listed on the pricing sheet. Would the government clarify this category and the hours required?

The Mail Driver category has been removed and the driver duties have been included with the Clerk description. Any staff member can fill-in as the Mail Driver. This is a back-fill and covers Federal employee’s annual leave and sick leave.

61 Attachment 7 Pricing Table

NA The SOW mentions overtime hours, would the government verify where the contractor should list the cost for overtime?

The vendor is responsible for appropriately compensating staff per applicable employment law.

62 Past Performance

NA Under FAR 15.305(a)(2), agencies should take into account affiliate past performance unless restricting the use of such affiliate past performance reasonably relates to the agency’s needs in choosing a contractor that will best serve the government’s interest.

May an offeror rely on affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience?

If an offeror may use affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience, (i) what must an offeror submit with its proposal in order for that offeror to use affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience, and (ii) are there any limitations on the type of affiliate past performance that an offer may use to demonstrate prior experience?

If affiliate past performance is not permitted, what is the basis for the restriction?

Offerors who submit past performance information of a parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliated company must describe what involvement such company will have on the instant acquisition. The proposal should clearly indicate how the resources of the parent, sister, predecessor or other affiliate company – its workforce, management, facilities, or other resources – will be provided or relied upon for contract performance.

63 Wage Determinatio n

The SCA Wage Determination for this procurement incorporates Executive Order 13706, Establishing

1920 FTE hours will be used for the price evaluation of the IDIQ. Offerors

Sick Leave for Federal Contractors, into the RFP, which has the effect of reducing productive hours for a Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) from 1920 to 1864.

At paragraph M.5, will the Government please change the formula for the basis of evaluation of overall price, from 1920 hours to 1864 hours?

are to proposed actual hours at the task order level.

64 Wage Determinatio n

Wage Det #4282 was incorporated instead of 4281. Is this the correct WD as # 4281 is currently incorporated?

Wage Determination 4281 will replace 4282 as Attachment 1.

65 Wage Determinatio n

Is the government able to provide the SCA labor code designation for each position listed in the SOW? If unable to provide the current can the Government provide the historical information for the labor categories listed?

It’s up to the contractor to make the decision on which is the appropriate designation. For compliance information please visit www.dol.gov/whd

66 LABOR

CATEGORY

CERTIFICATIO

N

How should the Offeror certify that we are able to provide all labor categories identified in the IDIQ? Is the government looking for a statement of reassurance or financial records, etc?

BLS is requesting a statement of reassurance that the offeror can provide all necessary labor categories at the IDIQ level.