19AQMM18R0323_Q&A.pdf

19AQMM18R0323

Solicitation Questions & Responses

October 1, 2018

# Questions Responses

If there are any amendments made (SF30s) for offerors to acknowledge, is it acceptable for them to be included in the Price Proposal?

Acknowledgement can be made via email or a returned signature copy of the SF30 cover page.

This would not affect the page limitation.

Please confirm the 7 Linguists in Erbil are the same as the Vetting Linguists noted in the Pricing Workbook.

Confirmed.

Do we need to itemize Other Direct Costs (ODCs) including DBA Insurance?

Yes. Even though a plug value is provided to standardize proposals, an itemize ODC would allow the Government to gauge Offerors efficiency.

Please clarify the estimated hours for positions in the U.S. in that 3,120 hours is not standard and would be accountable to overtime.

The domestic support positions are expected to work normal business hours with the occasional surge in hours. Based on the requirement history, the hours for these positions are estimated to be around 2,080 hours/year and revised to correct the error.

MEDICAL - Depending on assignment, if not being in-processed for this eCC via OIP and you were not issued a medical clearance through the State Department-approved medical clearance office, you must submit your medical clearance via email to appropriate post Health Unit.

What does the government accept as valid medical clearance if not clearance issued through the State Department? Are medical records from recent physicals acceptable to meet this requirement and if so, what is acceptable as recent?

The Government will accept a certified general physical from a certified health care specialist, along with a statement of suitability to serve in Iraq/Afghanistan from the physician. While at Post, health and medical suitability is subject to change based on the recommendation of the Regional Medical Officer (RMO).

IBCW Duty Work Schedule defines a regular workweek for hazardous and danger pay as a 40-hour week. However, under base year pricing, it advises that personnel typically work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Can the govt clarify what is considered normal work hours?

An oversee assignment for this Contract has a typical work week of 10-hours/day, 6 days/week.

However, for the purpose of calculating Danger Pay and Post Differential, by regulation the Government will pay up to a 40-hours work week.

Attachment 3 Past Performance Survey cites that the completed survey should be returned to Ms. Jackie Alston, but the RFP cites the survey should be returned to Mr. Khoa Tran.

Please confirm to whom our customer references should return the completed survey.

Please self-correct the error from Ms. Jackie Alston to Khoa Tran.

For Volume I Technical Proposal, can the government confirm the page count limitations? Is it 40 pages total for this volume, i.e. 20 double-sided pages? Or is it 80 pages total, i.e. 40 double-sided pages?

40 single-sided pages or 20 double-sided pages.

Should the past performance contract profile (Attachment 2) be included in the volume section of the Technical Proposal?

Yes.

The Past Performance instructions state we should submit Offeror past performance. Is subcontractor past performance allowed? If so, how will it be evaluated?

Past Performance of Subcontractor is allowed if the Sub will perform a significant portion of the work up to 50% and must demonstrate added value as proposed in the Management Plan. In essence, the Prime will not achieve a higher rating than Neutral on Factor 3 by leveraging the Sub knowledge and expertise without the Sub being a significant partner.

In Attachment I – PDs it states that the contractor shall provide personnel who have the necessary experience, education, training and skills to perform the work and manage the requirements included in the contract and in Section L – Compensation Plan it states that the Offeror shall provide a discussion by labor category of how the proposed salary rates or ranges have taken into account differences in skills, the complexity of various disciplines, professional job difficulty, and continuing educational requirements. In neither section does the RFP provide a specific educational requirement by labor category. In order to provide qualified personnel with the necessary educational level and a compensation plan that accounts for educational requirements, will the government identify minimum educational and degree requirements by labor category?

The qualification requirements are specified for each of the labor categories (Attachment 1). Factor 1 – Compensation Plan request that Offerors consider these qualifications when constructing the proposal and if it’s comparable to the market.

The proposal organization table states we should provide an original and three copies for the Technical proposal and an Original for the Price Proposal. However, the following paragraph states: The Offeror shall submit two electronic CD-ROMs, one in Original hardcopy and one in Copy 1 hardcopy. Is it the intent for the Offeror to submit 2 CDs each containing the Technical and the Price volume or just the Technical proposal?

Section L-011 of the Solicitation is revised to clarify the submission instructions. The Offerors shall submit four (4) CD-ROM (three copies each of Volume I and one copy of Volume II).

If each CD contains both the Technical and Price volumes, which Original hardcopy should the Offeror insert the CD?

Technical and Price shall be on separate CD-ROM, and mailed to the address in L-004 in/with Binders.

Please clarify, is the total page limit 40 physical pages (double sided) or is each page with content considered one page. In essence, if each page with content is considered a page then the physical page limit would be 20 pages numbered to 40. Does each printed side count as one page or two?

Please see the Government response to Question 8 above.

"Technical proposals are to be prepared in a manner that will facilitate the evaluation of the Offeror's ability to meet the requirements enumerated in Section C." There are no specific instructions as to where to include our approach for Section C nor is it part of the evaluation factors. Is it the intent for the Offeror to respond to Section C with our proposal? If so where should our approach appear?

Section C presents the requirement to prospective Offerors. Section L-012 provide instructions on how to approach the Technical Volume specifically the three Factors and L-013 provide instructions on how to approach the Price Volume. Evaluation will be in accordance with FAR 52.212-2.

The Offeror shall submit a clear and comprehensive description of its management approach and corporate resource capabilities in meeting the requirements enumerated in Section C. There are no specific instructions as to where to include our approach for Section C nor is it part of the evaluation factors. Is it the intent for the Offeror to respond to Section C with our proposal? If so where should our approach appear?

Please see the Government response to Question 15 above.

"In Attachment 2, Past Performance Contract Profile, the Offeror shall substantiate “how” its past performance directly correlates to the objectives and tasks identified in the Section C.

The Offeror can cite experiences that has occurred for US government or commercial customers." The information in Attachment 2 and the referenced RFP instructions do not contain the same requested information. Can the Offeror manipulate Attachment 2 to add the information listed in the RFP?

Absolutely, the Offeror may manipulate Attachment 2 to better present its Past Performance relevancy.

Is it the intent of the Offeror to provide rates inclusive of Hardship and Hazard pay premiums based on the labor categories and locations listed in the RFP or provide rates exclusive of hardship and hazard pay? If the intent is to include the hardship and hazard pay, should

The Hardship and Hazard pay premiums (Danger and Post Differential) shall be inclusive within the labor rates. Attachment 4 may be manipulated to add multiple tabs and calculation formulas to show how the final loaded rates were calculated. Please see the Government response to Question 6 above these be provided in addition to rates without the hazard and harship pay as a separate rate?

If so, will the Government provide an updated Attachment 4 where we can provide the separate rates?

and Section B-010 for qualifications and limitations of this premium pays.

In our organization pricing practices, Fringe is considered an indirect calculation. This Fringe is inclusive of items such as payroll taxes. If Fringe is not applied to hazardous pay, the Offeror is subject to absorbing these costs, which would be cost prohibitive. Will the Government allow Fringe to be applied to the Hazardous duty premium pay or specifically list out items (other than overhead and G&A stated) which they consider non-allowable indirect costs?

The Government do not expect a competitive and successful Offeror to be operating at a loss.

Regardless of how Offerors structure the Price Proposal, B-010 provides specific guideline for Post Differential and Danger Pay.

Is it the intent of the Offeror to submit the Recruitment Plan for third country nationals with our proposal? If so, where should this be included?

Yes, the recruitment plan for both U.S. Citizens and Local Nationals is part of Volume I – Factor 2.

Counterintelligence (CI) Support Specialist.

Please clarify that the requirement for the candidate to be both a U.S. Citizen with Top Secret/SCI clearance and a Local National is correct. (or is it one or the other?)

The person should be a US Citizen with Top Secret/SCI Clearance or a Local National. However, at this time the Local National is not a requirement.

Security Liaison/Culture Advisor. Please clarify that the requirement for the candidate to be both a U.S. Citizen with Top Secret/SCI clearance and a Local National is correct. (or is it one or the other?) If the candidate is required to be a Local National, Please clarify the requirements for Local National as C.4.1 is about travel.

The person should be a US Citizen with Top Secret/SCI Clearance or a Local National. Local National do not participate in travel.

Attachment 1 - Demonstrated language proficiency for English and the target language(s) of at least S4 (speaking) and R4 (reading), as classified by the U.S. Department of State’s School of Language Studies, or at the Superior level, as classified by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Other equivalent commercial proficiency and testing standards will be accepted if approved by the COR.

Question: the proficiency requirements in the LCAT description for the linguists does not reference an ILR level; what ILR level will be considered acceptable?

IRL levels are standardized across the State Department’s School of Language Studies and ACTFL. The current contract requires an IRL level of S4/R4.

Attachment 1 labor category descriptions Question: Two positions are titled as Linguist, with one being a U.S. citizen. Would the Government label the U.S. citizen one so it matches the labor category in the work book?

Attachment 1 is updated to clarify the difference.

C.5.5.3 The Contractor shall maintain discipline at the site and at all times take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unlawful, riotous or disorderly conduct by or amongst those employed at the site and for the preservation of peace and protection of persons and property in the neighborhood of the project against the same. The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor, at the Contractor’s expense, any employee that the Contracting Officer deems incompetent, careless, insubordinate or otherwise objectionable, or whose continued employment on the project is deemed by the Contracting Officer to be contrary to the Governments interests.

Question: A word appears to be missing in the last sentence in the above reference, would the Government please clarify this sentence?

Section C.5.5.3 is updated as follows: The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor, at the Contractor’s expense, remove any employee that the Contracting Officer deems incompetent, careless, insubordinate or otherwise objectionable, or whose continued employment on the project is deemed by the Contracting Officer to be contrary to the Governments interests.

Does the Kabul linguist need to speak 4 languages (Pashto, Dari, Nepali and English) or are the target language/English pairs all separate?

The Linguists should be fluent in at least one language other than English. The total support for any particular area should have coverage for all the required languages.

Would the Government confirm that this is the final solicitation and not a draft?

The posted Solicitation is not a draft version. This is marked in error by FBO.

Would the Government clarify what licenses the offeror is required to have at time of proposal submission?

Business licenses to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan at time of award.

F-005 says “overtime is not authorized”; Pricing Workbook computes 60 hour weeks for each

FTE.

Question: 60 hour weeks are allocated for personnel. Is that just to be computed at straight pay?

Yes, straight pay.

RFP page 42 states “work hours are not to exceed the bi-weekly cap of 72 hours, thus no Overtime is permitted.”

Question: Would the Government confirm that the bi-weekly cap is 72 hours? How does this reconcile with the 60 hour weeks detailed in the Pricing Workbook?

Bi-weekly cap is deleted from the Solicitation.

B-012 “Historically, supplemental hours are not utilize, but may be necessary should the

Supplemental Hours and “overtime” are used interchangeably. The Government use of

Government require a surge in service to support the mission.”

Question: Would the Government detail what the supplemental hours may be?

supplemental hours to signify that these additional support hours will be straight pay.

Is the Government expecting pricing for all labor categories or only those with annual personnel assigned?

The Government expect pricing for all labor categories even the ones with zero annual support as those will be incorporate into the Contract should the Government do decide to exercise those labor categories in the future.

The totals in the pricing workbook do not appear to be not correct. Would the Government confirm that the Intel support should be 49 total and the vetting should be 48, for a total of 97 (rather than the 47 for each group)?

Confirmed; 49 for Intel and 48 for Vetting. Cells B15 and B48 of the Pricing Workbook did not fully capture all applicable cells for computation, please self-correct the error.

The pricing workbook shows 17 Vetting Linguists but SOW C.2.1 shows 10 Vetting Linguists and 7 Linguists. Would the Government clarify what the number of each labor category should be?

Vetting Linguists and Linguist are used interchangeably. The number of Linguists for Vetting remains at a total of 17. Section B-012 and C.2.1 are updated to remove the word “Vetting” to address the confusion.

Can the government confirm that the number of positions required under this Scope of Work is 99? If “Yes” can the government correct the totals at the Pricing Workbook?

Confirmed. Please see the response to Question 33

With reference to B-002 (Page 13), Type of Contract, with IDIQ, T&M Labor Hours with Fixed Prices, will the government accept a year to year labor rate escalation?

Yes, escalation is allowed.

Referencing Section H IBWC 236-79 Work Schedule at Page 42 can the government confirm that the work week required in the solicitation is: 6 days per week, 10 hours per day and not to exceed 72 hours per FTE to include supplemental hours?

Please see the response to Question 30.

Supplemental hours may be required in addition to the oversea normal work schedule if mission necessary.

Referencing H-003 CONTRACTOR TRAINING, it states contractor shall be required to attend given at http://collaborate.state.sbu/sites/comp/Intern al/HR/OIP/Pages/Main.aspx:

1) OT-611 Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course,

2) HT-401 High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) Online Course),

3) RS-415 Afghanistan Familiarization Course

4) FT-610 Iraq Familiarization SECCUS required training

5) CECAS required training

Contractor employees are required to take these training courses prior to deployment pending availability. Personnel cannot register for the courses without a need/Contract.

Only deployed personnel are required to take these training courses.

a. What is the timeframe of taking the above courses, before award of contract, or within how many days of contract award?

b. Are both domestic and overseas contractor personnel involved in the contract implementation obligated to take the above courses?

Referencing H-005 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, clause (e), does the government require safeguarding of documents at prime and subcontractors facilities? If “Yes” at what level (secret or top-secret)?

H-005 is imposed on both the Prime and Sub at the Top Secret level if classified material is handled by both parties.

Referencing H-016 KEY PERSONNEL, does the government want to use a specific template for the resume of the key personnel and how many pages are acceptable?

There’s no specific template, but is included and subjected to the page limitation for Technical Proposal.

Referencing 52.216-18 Ordering and 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity, can the government correct the issuing and delivering dates?

Corrected the dates to “TBD”.

Referencing the table at page 93 can the government clarify the page count limitation?

Is it double or single spaced?

Single spaced. Please also see the response to Question 8

Referencing Section L Volume I, Factor 3 – Relevant Past Performance, page 95, please confirm that a subcontractor’s past performance would be acceptable and such past performance can be of a subcontractor’s affiliate entity.

Please see the response to Question 10.

Subcontractor affiliated entity’s past performance is not considered relevant.

Referencing several Job Descriptions at Attachment 1 can the government confirm that in order to satisfy the requirement of tested linguists it will accept testing scores on the ILR scale from third-party certified private testing companies? If yes how old would be an acceptable testing score?

IRL level would need to be on par or above the S4/R4 level as classified by the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Acceptable testing scores must not be more than six months old.

At Attachment 1 can the government differentiate between “Vetting Linguist” and “Linguist” and subsequently update the job description for Vetting Linguist?

Please see the response to Question 34

Referencing the Attachment 3 - Past Performance Survey there is the name of Ms.

Jackie Alston where the survey should be sent, but in Volume I, Factor 3 - Relevant Past Performance (page 95) it is stated that all the surveys should be return to Mr. Khoa Tran. Can

Please self-correct the error within Attachment 3 to have the Surveys sent to Khoa Tran.

the government clarify where the surveys should go?

Can the government provide Job Description for the Category Vetting Intelligence Analyst position?

Intelligence Analyst and Vetting Intelligence Analyst is used interchangeably.

Under job description Counterintelligence Support Specialist it states US Citizens or Local Nationals as specified in Section C .4.1 but there is no material related to Local nationals in C.4.1.

Please see the response to Question 22.

Section H-036, page 39, of the RFP references “Recruitment of Third Country Nationals…”.

However, all personnel working on this contract are required to have a security clearance. QUESTION: Please confirm that Section H-036 does not apply to this solicitation and subsequent contract.

H-036 applies to the Solicitation. Local Nationals do not hold security clearance, but are required to be vetted prior to employment.

Section L-011, page 93, of the RFP states the page limit for Volume I, Technical Proposal is “40 pages total, with double sided page printing”. QUESTION: Please confirm that a page is considered 1 side of a double-sided printed sheet.

Please see the response to Question 8.

Section L-012 Volume I, Factor 2 – Management Plan item number 3, page 94, states “Provide an Organization chart…flowing down to the DoS organizations to be supported.” QUESTION: Please provide a list of the DoS organizations referenced in this section with the labor categories identified in Section C.2.1 cross-referenced to the appropriate DoS organization.

For the purpose of this section, the “DoS organizations” is only the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Attachment 2, Past Performance Contract Profile, does not appear to include all of the required elements that are bullet listed in Section L-012 Volume I, Factor 3 – Relevant Past Performance, page 95. QUESTION: Please provide an updated Attachment 2 that includes all the requirements listed on page 95.

Attachment 2 is provided as a general template and can be edited by Offerors to better convey Past Performance.

Section L-011, page 93, of the RFP list Past Performance Surveys as being excluded from the Page Count for Volume I. However, Section L-012 Volume I, Factor 3 – Relevant Past Performance, page 95, states “Past Performance Surveys shall not be returned with the offeror’s proposal.” QUESTION: Please confirm the subject reference on page 93 is an

This is not an error. The surveys are not completed nor will received by the Offerors, thus are excluded from the page count. However, the contract profiles are completed by the Offerors thus is included in the page count.

error and that the Government meant to reference the Past Performance Contract Profiles (Attachment 2) as being excluded from the Page Count for Volume I.

Section H-016, Page 38 – Can the Government confirm that the only “Key” position is the Program Manager position?

Confirmed

C.3.3, Page 38 – C.3.3. states that “Daily meals shall not be a government reimbursed cost.”

H-035 (b), indicates that contractors are eligible for billeting and dining facilities in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Can you confirm that contractor personnel will be provided access to DOS dining and billeting facilities on a reimbursable basis? What is the current cost for dining and billeting at these locations?

The Awardee personnel will have access to dining facilities at the in-country compound. The meal cost varies depending on personal consumption and meal type, and the cost is not reimbursable.

Will incumbent personnel currently serving on this contract have a “first right of refusal” relative to the filling of their positions?

Yes

In light of the length of time needed to gain business licenses in both Iraq and Afghanistan, will the Government restrict the vendors to those companies that are currently in possession of these licenses?

No, but business licenses are required and active at the start of contract performance estimated 30 March 2019.

C.2.0 Staffing Support, Page 18. Can the Government clarify the language requirements for the 16 linguists assigned in Kabul?

Dari, Pashto, and Nepali in addition to English

Can the Government confirm if the candidates will be required to be on-boarded at a processing center prior to deployment; if so can the Government clarify the location and requirements?

Contractor Personnel must be met all requirements at Contractor’s facility prior to deployment. No interim clearance or waiver will be issued.

Various Position Descriptions, Attachment 1_PDs. Can the Government clarify the required testing modalities, minimum passing requirements, and authorized language testing vendors? Will the Government require annual re-testing and if not, how long are test certifications good for if we candidates currently have them?

Testing is the responsibility of the contractor, usually through a third party testing administrator – with documentation of a S4/R4 level. Annual re-testing may be required at the discretion of the RSO office, but maintaining proficiency levels are required.

Section L-013 Volume II, Part C – Section B, Pricing, page 96 states “The Attachment 4 – Pricing Workbook shall depict the development of the labor rates proposed….The Pricing Workbook contains several columns of data that shall be completed by the Offeror in order to support the labor rates proposed in Section

Since Offerors pricing approach varies, Attachment 4 may be edited to add tabs/sheets to illustrate Pricing build-up. One of these tabs shall be labeled “Price Proposal Notes” for narrative discussion.

B. The Offeror shall display all formulas used in calculating the Fully-Loaded Labor Rate in the appropriate data cells of the Pricing Workbook.” However, Attachment 4 contains no columns to allow Offerors to provide the buildup of Fully-Loaded Rates as described.

QUESTION: Is it the government’s intent that the required detail identified on page 96 be provided in the “Price Proposal Notes” document identified on page 96? If so, please provide another attachment called “Price Proposal Notes” in MS Excel format with the required fields the government would like Offerors to complete.

Section L-013 Volume II, Part E, page 98 states “Offeror shall complete the remaining representations and certifications listed in Section K.” QUESTION: Please confirm that Offerors who have completed the Online Representation and Certification Application (ORCA) on SAM only need to complete paragraph (b) per the instructions listed on RFP page 68, “52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications..”.

Confirmed

C.3.3 – Daily Meals, Page 20. In Section C.3.3.

The Government States “Daily meals shall not be a Government reimbursed cost. Contractor shall be responsible to pay for their own meals.” Will the Government furnish any meals for those who are in deployed locations? If so, please clarify which locations this occurs, and / or are there different accommodations for those working and living at U.S. Embassies?

Please see the response to Question 55.

There is a conflict in the total number of positions. Both RFP charts total 99 positions.

Pricing workbook for intelligence support and vetting support both currently reflect the total of 47 for each area. However if recalculated the actual total for intelligence support is 49 and actual total for vetting support is 48 bringing total to 99 as reflected in the two RFP charts.

Q. Can the government confirm the totals and correct the Pricing workbook.

Please see the response to Question 33.

RFP states: C.3.4 Contractor shall be responsible to provide transportation for fully qualified candidates selected for deployment to and from their declared Home of Record

Contractor is responsible for all cost of travel within the U.S. to airport for personnel deploying to OCONUS destinations.

(HOR) to the point where Government provided transport shall be provided.

Depending on assignment, R&R cost construct shall be necessary.

Q. Can the government clarify the point where government transportation is provided?

Q. Can the government clarify what is meant by the R&R cost construct and if it is required for this requirement/Task?

The Government may request a cost construct if the cost (flight) for R&R appears to be excessive as this is a reimbursable cost.

Can the government clarify that Passports, Visas, Travel Health and Insurance are all reimbursable ODC costs.

These are reimbursable costs.

C.3.2 Contractor shall be required to provide requisite DBA, health, medical, and dental insurance and care as detailed in Section 7.2.

Q. Can the government identify Section 7.2 as stated above?

Q. Can the government confirm that DBA is included in the ODC reimbursable cost?

Q. Can the government confirm that they have validated that the total cost for DBA for 99 personnel for DBA and all ODC will be less than allowable 4 million in the cost workbook.

*Based on our current DBA policy this cost is an estimated 1.5 million annually for the 99 positions.

C.3.2 is revised to delete “and care as detailed in Section 7.2.” DBA is a reimbursable cost. The Government estimated ODC cost per year is based on historical data.

The RFP states: Contractor shall be required to attend given at http://collaborate.state.sbu/sites/comp/Intern al/HR/OIP/Pages/Main.aspx Q. This website is on the DOS Intranet Opennet (SBU) and is not accessible to outside unauthorized users. Will the government confirm which training is required for this effort and the estimated timeline to get personnel in the course?

OT-611, HT-401, RS-415/FT-610, and any other Critical Environment Contracting Analytics Staff (CECAS) training required in the future.

The RFP States: Rest & Recuperation (R&R)

1) Depending on the assignment, should contractor staff desire to take R&R at the expense of the Contractor, staff shall adhere to US Embassy policy, by which contractor employees are eligible for two R&Rs and three RRBs, or three R&Rs and no RRBs, during a one-year tour.

Q. While the government indicates these are not required, but highly recommended. What is the current time allocated for each R and R and each RRB for each location?

R&R/RRB are dependent on Contractor personnel accrued leave.

http://collaborate.state.sbu/sites/comp/Internal/HR/OIP/Pages/Main.aspx http://collaborate.state.sbu/sites/comp/Internal/HR/OIP/Pages/Main.aspx

The pricing work book allocates 3120 hours per position regardless of location (Iraq, Afghanistan and the US).

Q. Will the government confirm that all positions are based on 12 hours days/6 days a week/10 holidays and 3 x 14 day R&R or a total of 260 days or 3120 hours per person.

Q. Can the government clarify the statement “therefore language in the proposal should address and include how the contractor shall comply with standard working hours” applies to this requirement and if so what does it mean exactly?

Q. Our interpretation is we have to be flexible, allowing for the full time (3120 hours) as defined if necessary, but having the flexibility to meet less of a hourly requirement if not needed. Will this create a compliance issue?

The Pricing Workbook is revised to reduce US support to 2080 hours and oversea hours remain at 3120 hours per person.

These hours are non-standard compounded with environmental stress, which can result in an unhealthy lifestyle and not great selling points for the job, thus Contracted employees tend to resign if not convey at interviews. Regardless of how Offerors propose as its approach to meeting this requirement in support hours, the ultimate result that the Government expect is low turnover.

There is not a compliance issue if the Government do not require support up to the 3120 hours per year, however leave for R&R are not automatic approval if the mission lack adequate support.

It is understood there is an incumbent contractor, who is not eligible to compete as an 8a. Since the incumbent has direct knowledge of current total incumbent positions, current filled positions, and current vacant positions, which will be an advantage to any teaming arrangement, will the government provide this information to allow all companies to be able to prepare for the actual vacancies and transition of actual incumbents.

The Government do not considered this to be a competitive advantage because the filled versus vacant positions are not fixed and any number provided with this amendment will differ at evaluation/award. Furthermore, this requirement is not unique to the Department of State (DoS) nor within DoS, thus these incumbent employees are constantly poached by Contractors performing similar requirement for other agencies and contracts within DoS.

Can the USG provide specifics regarding potential surge requirements, such as how quickly Contractors are expected to respond, any historical data regarding surge requirements, where surge personnel might be required and in what Labor Categories, etc.?

Immediate surge in Iraq and Afghanistan will be supported by the current level of support in applicable labor categories until the Government determine if continual long term need of additional support is required. If additional personnel is require, the Contractor is expected to provide support within 90 days of notice. Historical data in this instance is not a good indicator for future support.

Please confirm that the Contractor is responsible for covering the costs of all meals for Contractor personnel serving at U.S.

Embassies/Consulates in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is the process for Contractor personnel who wish to use the USG dining facilities – i.e., are they provided with a dining facility pass, or comparable card, that Contractor puts money on?

Contractor personnel is responsible for meals cost.

Dining facility passes will be provided for access.

Would the USG provide the cost of dining services (per diem) or provide a plug-in number

No, please see the response to question 73.

to ensure consistency and fairness among bidders?

The Contractor is responsible for providing transportation for personnel selected for deployment to/from their Home of Record (HOR) to the point where USG-provided transport is provided. Depending on assignment, R&R cost construct may be necessary.

Question 1: Can the USG please clarify the Contractor’s responsibilities with regard to travel and provide details as to what transportation the Contractor is responsible for providing for its personnel – i.e., at what point/location is USG-provided transport provided, at the airport when Contractor personnel arrive?

Question 2: Can the USG confirm that the USG will provide all transport needed for “temporary duties [performed] on an as-need[ed] basis” (reference Section F-04)?

Question 3: No “volume” guidance on travel costs is provided in the RFP. Can the USG provide a plug-in number to use to ensure consistency and fairness among bidders?

Question 4: Can the USG explain what is meant by “R&R cost construct may be necessary”?

Contractor is responsible for all cost of travel within the U.S. to airport for personnel deploying to OCONUS destinations.

Travel relating to OCONUS work is cost reimbursable in reference to F-004.

Volume of travel cannot be accurately estimated, thus a plug value is provided as ODC cost to account for the variable.

The Government may request a cost construct if the cost (flight) for R&R appears to be excessive as this is a reimbursable cost.

F-03, Task Order Performance and G-09, Task Orders Question 1: May the awardee propose labor rates in response to Task Orders that are different from what was provided in their original proposal (with justification)?

No, absolutely not. Certain labor categories do not have firm requirement but are asked that labor rates be provided for this reason. If the Awardee cannot perform to the proposed rates, the Government will terminate the Contract in accordance with FAR 52.212-4.

Section F-04 of the RFP states that “There are currently four primary overseas physical locations: the U.S. Embassies in Kabul and Baghdad and the U.S. Consulates in Erbil and Basra. Other USG facilities will be required for temporary duties on an as-need[ed] basis.

Transportation to high threats locations, as determined by the local embassies, will be provided by the Government.” Section F-04 also states that “place(s) of performance will be “determined at the Task Order level.”

Question 1: Can the USG confirm that the locations shown in the table provided in Section C.2.1 and in the Schedule of Supplies &

The locations of support specified in F-004 are known and required. Task Orders are issued for location specific to maintain proper Contract oversight.

Services of the RFP are not definite, but may change at the Task Order level?

Given the detailed content requirements for the Technical Proposal Volume, would the USG consider increasing the page count and/or allowing less-than-12-point font?

No

Question 1: The table listing the proposal volume contents and page limitations states that “Past Performance Surveys” are not to be included in the page count for the Technical Volume. However, Section L.12 (Volume I, Factor 3 – Relevant Past Performance) does not include a requirement to include Past Performance Surveys (Attachment 3). Is the correct reference in this table to Attachment 2, Past Performance Contract Profiles, instead of to Attachment 3?

Question 2: Section L-11 states that Offeror should submit two CD-ROMs into the front inside pocket. Does it matter which proposal volume the CDs are inserted into?

Please see the responses to Question 12, 13, 52, and 53.

Question 1: Volume I, Factor 1 - Compensation Plan, point #4), states that Offerors should include “a completed Summary of Employees Benefits for the Offeror and each proposed subcontractor.” Can the USG please provide the Summary of Employees Benefits document, or is this intended to be a Contractor-provided document? If the latter, are there any specific content or formatting requirements for the Summary of Benefits?

Question 2: Volume I, Factor 2 – Management Plan, point #7, states that Offerors should provide “a description of the Offeror’s ability to effectively manage and meet the requirements of the Department while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.” This requirement seems out of place, as it appears directly after the sections on recruitment and directly before the sections describing on the Offeror’s payroll and back office systems. Can the USG provide more insight as to what specifically is required in this section? The section would appear to fit more in the quality control section (point #12).

Question 3: In what format should Offerors submit their Technical and Cost/Price Proposal

The Compensation Plan will be in Offeror format as long as it conforms to L-011. Items within Volume 1, Factor 2 are loosely structured to allow for creativity between Offerors’ proposals.

Item 7 and 12 are necessary as they encourage Offerors to elaborate on specific areas within the Technical Proposal and allow the Government a better understanding of the management approach. The Government cannot provide additional insight as it would prohibit innovation.

Technical should be in PDF to lock in the format printing. Price shall be in Excel format.

Volumes – i.e., are both Word and PDF acceptable?

The instructions for this section require that Offerors “highlight exceptions in the margin of the proposal where they appear in the text.”

These instructions are unclear. Can the USG clarify exactly how Offerors should annotate exceptions in their Cost Proposals?

This statement is deleted from Volume II, Part B.

Exceptions should be notated in a separate tab within the Excel Pricing Workbook (attachment 4).

The instructions state that Offerors should provide their labor rates using the provided Excel Pricing Workbook (Attachment 4). The instructions further state that “the Offeror shall provide a separate sheet entitled “Price Proposal Notes” and include any narrative discussion or supporting documentation as indicated below. The Price Proposal Notes shall follow the same outline listed below.”

Question 1: Seeing as the Price Proposal Notes require detailed content, is the intent that Offerors include this information within the Attachment 4 Excel Pricing Worksheet, or may Offerors include their Price Proposal Notes in narrative form within their Cost/Price Proposal Volume? (i.e., in Word of PDF format).

Question 2: The instructions for Part C of the Cost/Price Proposal also state that “supporting documentation is needed” in order for the USG to conduct a meaningful review of the proposed prices. Can the USG please clarify what “supporting documentation” is acceptable?

Please see the response to Question 61.

The Government fully expect this requirement to be fiercely competed. Depending on Offeror experience or lack of experience, the Government want to see supporting documentation showing Offeror attempt to understand the market environment for these labor categories and how its Price Proposal is competitive is attracting and retaining talents. The Offerors may use data such as market research of pay rates within the last 6 months or actual labor cost on similar requirements/contracts. The Solicitation includes FAR 52.211-11 Liquidated Damages clause, which the Government fully intend to exercise should the Awardee fails to recruit and staff the Contract properly. The damages/day is equal to the fully burden cost to staff the particular labor category per day.

Does the Right-of-First Refusal apply to all incumbents, including Key Personnel, on the new contract?

Yes

The instructions included in 52.212-1 state that Offerors must show the “terms of any express warranty.” Can the USG please clarify what is meant by this requirement and confirm that it is applicable?

This is a standardized FAR clause which cannot be edited, thus “terms of any express warranty” is not applicable to this requirement.

Attachment 4 excludes the DPM and Database Manager from the totals in the Pricing Worksheet.

Question: Can the USG please provide a corrected Attachment 4, Pricing Worksheet?

Please see the response to Question 33.

1. GovWin lists two incumbent contracts (SAQMMA13C0112 and SAQMMA12D0199) for this program. Can the USG please confirm that both contracts are for the same effort, as they have different start dates and funding levels?

2. What is the typical turnaround time for visas?

3. Would the USG consider extending the proposal due date by 1-2 weeks to allow bidders sufficient time to conduct the research into labor rates, host nation labor laws and personnel qualifications, etc. that is necessary to properly price 100+ different Labor Categories and identify qualified personnel for this effort?

This requirement is a re-competition of

SAQMMA12D0199.

The average time to get a Visa is three to four weeks.

The Government have received a large volume of interests in the requirement to warrant not extending the Solicitation beyond the current due date.

C.3.2. references benefits described in “Section 7.2”. There is no 7.2 in the solicitation. Is this a typo or is there a missing section?

Please see the response to Question 67.

The solicitation offers “in-country transportation” on page 34 but the LOA does not authorize such services to be used on pages 38-39. Please clarify if Embassy and/or Milair will be authorized.

Should in-country transportation required, the Government will coordinate and fund such actions.

The solicitation references the need to receive special access badges, notably on page 34 of the solicitation (H-005), but he LOA does not authorize Local Access Badges on pages 38-39.

Please clarify if Local Access Badges will be authorized for the sake of job performance.

Revised LOA to include Local Access Badges.

Section B-008 of the solicitation, sub-section d (page 14) and again in Section B-010 (page 14), the solicitation references qualifying hazardous and dangerous duty pay. Are these payments allowable in addition to the fully burdened pay rate and chargeable to the government on behalf of the employees qualifying for such pay?

Please see the responses to Questions 6, 18, and 19.

The number of employees listed on pages 18 & 19 are a total of ninety-nine (99) staff; the spreadsheet indicates ninety-six (96). The discrepancy appears to be two less staff members from Intelligence support and one less staff member from vetting support. Please clarify which is the accurate list.

Please see the response to Question 33.

The Database Manager is listed as requiring only Secret clearance, but as the Database Manager, he or she will be privy to Top Secret

Secret Clearance information due to submissions of information by TS personnel. Please confirm that the Database Manager only requires Secret clearance.

There is no reference to CRC in this solicitation.

Is CRC required?

No, required training is referenced in H-003.

The PRICING_WORKBOOK attachment that will be used to populate the Labor Categories/Rates within the RFP is inaccurate.

Lines 15 and Lines 29 are understated. Please confirm the formulas are accurate in order to minimize pricing errors for potential respondents.

Please see the response to Question 33.

The Government indicates that Hazard pay and assumed Post pay shall not be burdened with any indirect costs or profit. The employer still has to pay its portion of payroll taxes on this amount which is part of the company’s fringe benefits. How do you propose the Offeror recoup these expenses? Are post and Hazard pay to be included as an ODC item?

Please see the responses to Questions 6, 18, and 19.

Post pay is not effective for the first 42 days on site. If an incumbent is hired does that person’s site history count toward the days at the place of performance.

Yes

RFP states a normal work week if defined as 40 hours and states “The number of hours included in an eligible employee’s basic compensation for a given workweek cannot exceed the number of hours in the employee's normal workweek.” yet page 16 B-012 states “contracted personnel typically work 60 hour per week” How does the Government reconcile these two statements?

Please see the response to Question 6.

RFP instructs us to propose the hourly rate that will be paid directly to the employees. This rate is then loaded by the fringe and other indirect rates. Where does post and danger pay allowance go? They do not get a full fringe allocation. Can we add another column for the identification of Post pay and Danger pay?

Please see the responses to Questions 6, 18, and 19.

The Counterintelligence (CI) Support Specialist Job description states in Qualifications “or Local National, as specified in Section C.4.1”. Is this a typo and the Counterintelligence (CI) Support Specialist requires a Top Secret security clearance?

The Counterintelligence (CI) Support Specialist holds a TS if US Citizen and fully vetted if Local National

The Intelligence Analyst (IA) Support Specialist Job description states in Qualifications “Local National”. Is this a typo and the Intelligence (IA) Support Specialist requires a Top Secret/SCI security clearance?

This PD is deleted from Attachment 1.

The Security Liaison/Cultural Advisor Job description states in Qualifications “Local National, as specified in Exhibit H”. Is this a typo and the Security Liaison/Cultural Advisor requires a Top Secret/SCI security clearance?

Security Liaison/Cultural Advisor holds a TS/SCI if US Citizen and fully vetted if Local National

On page 18, paragraph C.2.1 shows the Labor Categories. On page 3, CLIN 001, 101, 201, 301 and 401 show Linguist (Local National), Security Liaison/Cultural Advisor (Local National) and Vetting Linguist (Local National) with Estimated FTE – 0. Please clarify if any of the Local National Labor Categories are a requirement for this contract?

These Labor Categories will become a requirement if the need arises and approved within DoS.

RFP Page: 95, Volume I, Factor 3 – Relevant Past Performance Do Past Performance Contract Profiles count toward page count limitation?

Yes

Are subcontractors who are working within the Regional Security Offices, subject to Iraqi Labor Laws, taxes, etc.?

Yes

Additional Security Requirements states “ALL personnel performing under this contract shall be U.S. citizens with a security clearance at the SECRET or TOP SECRET level.” Thus, can we assume No Local Nationals will be on this contract?

Local Nationals do not hold clearance but are fully vetted and may become part of the Contract in the future.

RFP Page: 65, ‘652.242-73 Authorization and Performance’ Will the Government allow awarded vendor a 30-day window after contract award to have business license in place, given the cost?

Please see the response to Question 57.

For the technical proposal submission, is it required to include the following information cited in section C.2.2 of the RFP for the Program Manager (Key Personnel)?

No