FA_2_Soliciation_Questions.docx

19AQMM18R0250 Questions and Answers

Answers

Yes, submitting less than 4 corporate experience submissions would make an offeror non-compliant

For example: An initial programming project that continued into a sustainment and maintenance phase under a follow-on contract with the same customer and supporting the same software No, however, the threshold has been reduced to 2 million.

D302, D305, D308, R410 and D309. The additional 3 projects may correspond with any of the PSCs listed below.

When developing the indirect cost rates proposed in Pricing Tables 1 and 2, offerors should refer to FAR 31.203(c), which reads in part, “The contractor shall accumulate indirect costs by logical cost groupings with due consideration of the reasons for incurring such costs. The contractor shall determine each grouping so as to permit use of an allocation base that is common to all cost objectives to which the grouping is to be allocated. The base selected shall allocate the grouping on the basis of the benefits accruing to intermediate and final cost objectives.” (bolding added for emphasis)

Offerors are further advised to refer to FAR 42.704(b), which reads in part, “In establishing billing rates, the contracting officer (or cognizant Federal agency official) or auditor should ensure that the billing rates are as close as possible to the final indirect cost rates anticipated for the contractor’s fiscal period, as adjusted for any unallowable costs.” (bolding added for emphasis)

Therefore, offerors shall rely on their own business forecast to derive the dollar amount that they anticipate to receive through the duration of this potential contract (and other potential contracts and existing contracts), and subsequently, their indirect cost rates proposed in Pricing Tables 1 and 2. See also Section L-8, Volume II Cost/Price (b)(29).

(FAR) 16.504 (Indefinite-Quantity Contracts), awarded on an unrestricted basis.

awarded under this contract to be performed outside the United States, mainly in Western Hemisphere countries.

Services specified in a task order may be performed at the contractor’s facilities, at host country government facilities, and/or USG facilities

awarded under this contract to be performed outside the United States, mainly in Western Hemisphere countries.

Services specified in a task order may be performed at the contractor’s facilities, at host country government facilities, and/or USG facilities

A maximum of seven (7) projects can be submitted. Offerors shall submit projects for at least 4 out of the following PSCs D302, D305, D308, R410 and D309. The additional 3 projects may correspond with any of the PSCs listed below. To be considered no project may be used more than once and no individual project value shall be less than $5 Million.

among those listed in the PSC Groups is appropriate. For example, if a PSC is cited as D399 in Federal Procurement Data System

- Next Generation (FPDS-NG) Report, the Offeror is not limited to citing their PSC Project to that PSC coded as D399 under the condition it meets another PSC definition. If the scope of work and deliverables of the proposed PSC relevant experience Project meets a differently coded defined PSC, follow the submission requirements of this solicitation to support any subjective determination

A maximum of seven projects can be submitted. Projects used to satisfy experience in Biometrics and Cloud Computing must have a value of at least $5 Million inclusive of Options. It is permissible to use the same projects sited in Part A. Projects shall be aligned with the following definitions of Biometrics and Cloud Computing:

A maximum of seven projects can be submitted. Projects used to satisfy experience in Biometrics and Cloud Computing must have a value of at least $5 Million inclusive of Options. It is permissible to use the same projects sited in Part A.

How does DOS propose the contactor provide products services that may be protected/covered by Import/Export regulations?

Any deployment that is requested will be for use by Host government with authorization by the Host government. The deployment of the software solution does not maintain import/export requirements as it relates to the statement in the solicitation. Import and export requirements for any orders of hardware will be subject to the regulations of the applicable country. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to work with DOS and the Host partner to ensure compliance to all requirements, laws and regulations.

What qualifies as a viable past performance (PP)?

If there is a specific language requirement that will be addressed at the Task Order level.

procurement of biographic and biometric information using the newly designed cradle technology.

When the Government refers to “the newly designed cradle technology” on Page 80 of the RFP, does the Government refer to a specific vendor proprietary technology?

This response is dependent on the proposal. If the contractor sees fit, the government is willing to review and work with the contractor on a new solution for cradle technologies. A design that meets the specifications of the government that can be owned by the government would be seen as advantageous in the long term. If the contractor determines to propose an existing solution for cradle technology, close attention should be paid to the overall design, usability, licensing, maintenance fees, and sustainability of the proposed solution.

No subcontractor experience or past performance can be used.

proposal under an existing CTA in the form of a Partnership or Joint Venture only if the existing Partnership or Joint Venture has a corresponding DUNS Number in https://www.sam.gov and all the proposal submission documents are in the name of the existing Partnership or Joint Venture, not the individual members of the Partnership or Joint Venture.

Could the Government please clarify whether a CTA is required for a partnership or joint venture or is a standard prime and subcontractor agreement acceptable?

A CTA is not required contractors can use other subcontractor agreements however subcontractor experience or past performance cannot be submitted.

proposal under an existing CTA in the form of a Partnership or Joint Venture only if the existing Partnership or Joint Venture has a corresponding DUNS Number in https://www.sam.gov and all the proposal submission documents are in the name of the existing Partnership or Joint Venture, not the individual members of the Partnership or Joint Venture.

Could the Government please confirm that the government is not limiting competition to only Partnerships or Joint Ventures as defined by FAR 9.601(1)? Does the Government require all bidders to have a CTA in order to qualify for this opportunity?

The government does not require all bidders to have a CTA.

proposal under an existing CTA in the form of a Partnership or Joint Venture only if the existing Partnership or Joint Venture has a corresponding DUNS Number in https://www.sam.gov and all the proposal submission documents are in the name of the existing Partnership or Joint Venture, not the individual members of the Partnership or Joint Venture.

Could the Government please confirm section “6. Contractor Teaming Arrangements” on page 88 of Solicitation No. 19AQMM18R0250 applies only to Partnerships or JV’s as defined in FAR 9.601(1)?

This is the only type of CTA that will allowed for the submissions of past performance and corporate experience and the only type of CTA that will be considered are those defined in FAR 9.601(1).

proposal under an existing CTA in the form of a Partnership or Joint Venture only if the existing Partnership or Joint Venture has a corresponding DUNS Number in https://www.sam.gov and all the proposal submission documents are in the name of the existing Partnership or Joint Venture, not the individual members of the Partnership or Joint Venture.

: Could the Government please confirm that a large for-profit business bidding as prime, which is not a Partnership or Joint Venture, will be able to utilize subcontractors, under this Solicitation No. 19AQMM18R0250?

Yes. Large Businesses/other than small businesses will be able to use subcontractors but they cannot site their past performance or experience in their proposal.

The principal purposes are to: 1) minimize the financial risk of each party regarding potential significant fluctuations in exchange rates during contract performance; 2) facilitate contractor’s agreements with and payments to local nationals because such agreements and payments likely will be in local currency; and 3) minimize the number of currency conversions, modifications, and problems during contract administration, which results in less time, cost, and dispute for all parties.

If pricing in Mexican pesos and Columbian pesos remains a requirement, could the Government please clarify how are these hourly rates to be determined? Are they a currency conversion? Should they be based on host country market rates and geographical salaries?

Offerors may derive their proposed NTE fully-loaded hourly labor rates, regardless of currency, in a manner of their choosing, as long as offerors comply with RFP Section L-8, Volume II Cost/Price (b)(14) through (21).

5% SDB

5% WOSB

3% SDVOSB

3% HUBZone

Could the Government please clarify if the Government has identified potential candidates for biometric scanners or peripherals that are compatible with Windows 10 Mobile to be integrated with the biometric capture software to be developed?

The government cannot provide any preference to specified hardware or a manufacturing company. The current design of the working piloted mobile device requires an Integrated Biometrics Five-O four-finger platen conduit scanner. The camera can be the camera from the tablet or cellular phone. Given the variance in iris collection technologies, the government maintains no preference in iris capture. The government prefers not to require the subject to contact the device with any part of their face to attain the proper iris capture.

Could the Government please clarify if the Government has identified potential candidates for biometric scanners or peripherals that are compatible with both Windows 10 Mobile and Android to be integrated with the biometric capture software to be developed?

See answer for question #46

Could the Government please clarify if in the absence of any acceptable biometric capture devices that are compatible with Windows 10 Mobile, would facial image capture using the Windows 10 Mobile device native camera sufficiently fulfill the requirement that the software “enables quick biometric procurement”?

The vendor can recommend any devices necessary to meet the requirements of biometric capture, including the integration of the application with any functions of the tablet or mobile phone.

6. Infrastructure components of an integrated IT solution can be categorized as follows:

Back Office Services

Attachment 9-Key Personnel Resume Format, & Page 84, Part F: IDIQ Level Key Personnel

and Page 81, Verification of Relevant Experience – Biometrics and Cloud Computing, Item 2

Attachment 1, & Attachment 2 Page 79, Part A, Paragraph 2.b. FPDS-NG Unavailable, Incomplete, Or Inaccurate and Last Page of Attachment 1, and Last Page of Attachment 2 Paragraph 2.b. The completed Attachment, Relevant Experience (PSC Group) Project Template must be signed by a Contracting Officer (CO) with cognizance over the submitted project.

Last Page of Attachment 1: Signature below by a Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative, or Corporate Official for the ordering activity constitutes acceptance of the above project information to be accurate as ordered and received by the listed entity.

Last Page of Attachment 2: Signature below by a Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Corporate Official for the ordering activity constitutes acceptance of the above project information to be accurate as ordered and received by the listed entity. Signature by COR must include copy of email notification to the cognizant Contracting Officer.

The Offeror shall instruct each rater to send a completed form directly back to the Offeror. The Offeror must follow up with each rater to ensure the Past Performance Rating Forms were received and completed prior to the proposal closing date. The Offeror must submit all Past Performance Rating Forms, as applicable, with their proposal submission.

Coverage of passenger liability bodily injury shall be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.

“19AQMM18R0250 – Offer – Company Name – Email 1 of X”

Part A, “Verification of PSC Group Relevant Experience” & Attachment 1 and Part B, “Verification of PSC Group Relevant Experience” & Attachment 2 Page 79, item 2.b

Page 81, item 2.b.

& Attachment 2 Part A, Item 2. FPDS-NG UNAVAILABLE, INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE:

b. The completed Attachment, Relevant Experience (PSC Group) Project Template must be signed by a Contracting Officer (CO) with cognizance over the submitted project. The citation must include the CO’s point-of-contact information (POC) that includes direct telephone number and direct email address.

and Part B, Item 2. FPDS-NG UNAVAILABLE, INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE:

b. The completed Attachment, Relevant Experience ((Biometrics and Cloud Projects)) Project Template must be signed by a Contracting Officer (CO) with cognizance over the submitted project. The citation must include the CO’s point-of-contact information (POC) that includes direct telephone number and direct email address.

Part A, “Verification of PSC Group Relevant Experience” & Attachment 1

Part B, “Verification of PSC…