QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2 with Response - POST.pdf

RFP QUESTION FORM

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SOLICITATION NUMBER: 19AQMM23R0140

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Is the pricing proposal volume number III?

Table shows Volume III as Price

Proposal.

General Instructions and Formatting

L.3

Please correct L.6 to read Volume III.

The price, small business plan, and representations and certifications (Volume III) shall also be separated by a divider page and corresponding tabs. There are no page restrictions for

Volume III; however, page submission shall be reasonable. 1 original 5 copies in pdf. Format.

Volume II shall consist of

Pricing Information and a complete Section K.

Pricing Proposal and

Section K (Volume II)

L.6

Does the pricing proposal volume have no page limit?

General instructions state there are no page restrictions for

Volume III.

Please correct L.6 to read this volume does not have any page restrictions.

There are no page restrictions for

Volume III; however, page submission shall be reasonable.

The proposal shall be provided on 8.5” x 11”-sized electronic format using 10-12 point font, with 1 inch margins, and pages shall be numbered consecutively.

Volume II shall consist of

Pricing Information and a complete Section K; this volume shall not exceed twenty-five (25) single-sided pages.

Pricing Proposal and

Are proposal submissions electronic or hard copy?

General Instructions and

Formatting Table shows Hard copies and soft copies for submission.

Delivery Addresses: Proposals delivered by email to Pete W.

Jones and Conelius Stevenson.

Proposal Submittal

Delivery Addresses

L.16.2

Please remove the references in section

L.3 to hard copies and soft copies (CD-

ROMs).

Please provide the proposal electronically.

4 Please provide Section B Offerors must include unit prices for each Firm Fixed Price CLINS listed in Section B for the Basic period and all option periods.

Cost reimbursable CLIN values as provided in Section B of the

Solicitation will be included in the

Total Evaluated Price.

Basis for Award

M.2.1.3 65 Please confirm that Supplies or Services

& Prices or Costs Attachment A is considered by the government to be

Section B CLIN structure for Sample

Task orders.

If cost reimbursable CLIN values are to be included in the Total Evaluated Price, please provide those CLINS.

Please confirm that all Post Differential and Danger Pay will be priced at the task order level and awarded as a Cost reimbursable CLIN.

Please confirm that upon award of

Sample Task Orders, the CLINs for cost-

This was corrected. Pricing Structure is in

Attachment A

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Response reimbursable amounts will be provided.

5 Are there Base IDIQ labor categories? If so, please provide.

Price evaluations will be based on the completeness, accuracy, and reasonableness of each offeror’s proposed price for labor categories on the base IDIQ and each of the sample task orders.

Price Evaluation M.7 72 If labor categories are not provided at the

IDIQ level, how can a price comparison be fairly reviewed? Please provide a list of labor categories for the IDIQ level.

Please refer to H.5 Labor Category

Description.

Please provide the pricing schedules that contain the valuation quantities.

The Government will review the proposed price schedules for completeness and accuracy. A determination will be made as to whether the Offeror has properly understood the price proposal instructions and properly completed the price schedules.

Changes to the evaluation quantities, blanks or zeros in the pricing columns, and/or mathematical mistakes are subject to clarification for confirmation of the Offerors’ intent

Price Completeness and

Accuracy

M.7.1 72 Please provide the pricing schedule and the valuation quantities.

Our quantity will be provided at each tasker.

As per Attachment A.

7 Attachment A has CLINs for FFP pricing and notes that Cost Reimbursable

CLINS for Travel and

Material will be available.

Please clarify the CLIN structure and evaluation amounts for Travel and

Material.

Please clarify that the hourly rates for all applicable labor categories apply to the IDIQ level.

The Pricing portion of the proposal shall consist of a completed Attachment A, “Schedule of Supplies/Services and Price/Cost” and the hourly rates for all applicable labor categories completed for the Base

Year plus all four Option Periods.

Pricing Proposal and

Section L (Volume II)

L.6(a) 63 Please provide Attachment A with Labor, Travel, and Material CLINS.

Please provide an IDIQ labor category list.

Please refer to Price Schedule Attachment

A.

8 What are the four parts of the technical proposal?

The technical proposal (Volume I) shall consist of four (4) parts

General Instructions L.3 60 As listed in L.4 of the TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL

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9 Attachments D, E and F are not included

Technical proposals in response to

Sample Task Order Requests for

Proposals (see Attachments D, E and F).

Technical Proposal L.4 61 Please provide Attachments D, E and F.

Attachment(s) D, E, and F Removed

10 Are the Technical Proposal responses for the Sample

Task Order Requests included in the 35 page limit for the Technical volume?

Technical proposals in response to

Sample Task Order Requests for

Proposals (see Attachments D, E and F).

Technical Proposal L.4 61 No. The entire technical proposal shall not exceed thirty five (35) pages. The Past

Performance (Volume II) shall not exceed fifteen

(15) pages per citations The price, small business plan, and representations and certifications (Volume III) shall also be separated by a divider page and corresponding tabs.

11 Blank.

12 Please confirm that all lodging, meals, and transportation will be provided by EXBS-Tbilisi at no cost to the contractor.

EXBS-Tbilisi will make all other local logistical arrangements necessary for conduct of the course.

Sample Task Order 1

II Requirements

7 (c.) 3

EXBS-Tbilisi will make all other local logistical arrangements necessary for the conduct of the course, including local transportation, lodging, and meals, at no cost to the Contractor.

YES, actual Cost will be reimbursable to the

Contractor. The Contractor shall solely be responsible for making arrangements for its instructors to travel to Tbilisi. EXBS-Tbilisi will make all other local logistical arrangements necessary for conduct of the course.

13 Once the course and completion certificate design have been approved for use, will the Contractor be responsible for the production of course materials?

Within five (5) months of task order award, the Contractor shall furnish ISN/ECC with Electronic and paper copies of course completion certificate design.

Sample Task Order 1

III Deliverables

1 (f) 3 g. After final approval of course material and course completion certificate, the

Contractor will be responsible for the production of all course materials. These costs will be cost-reimbursable and will not be subject to profit or fee.

YES

14 Will this task order have a

CLIN for FFP labor and cost reimbursable CLINs for travel and Material?

All invoices shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the base contract and task order award document.

Sample Task Order 1

X. Invoicing

7 The government will issue an FFP CLIN for labor and cost reimbursable CLINS for Travel and Material.

15 Please confirm that travel and per diem charges are authorized for travel required from time to time at the ISN/ECC

Washington, DC office.

Travel and per diem charges are authorized for CONUS travel beyond a 50-mile radius of the

Contractor employee's local place of performance whenever a task assignment requires work to be accomplished at a remote work site.

Sample Task Order 2

B. Parameters

2. Sanctions and Trade

Controls Experts

2.b,vii 4 Travel and per diem charges are authorized for CONUS travel beyond a

50-mile radius of the Contractor employee's local place of performance whenever a task assignment requires work to be accomplished at a remote work site and required meetings at

ISN/ECC Washington, DC office.

YES only if beyond a 50 miles radius.

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16 Please confirm that transportation, lodging, and meals are included in all the logistics arrangements associated with in-country consultations, course deliveries, mentoring, assessments, etc.

EXBS Field Staff will make all the logistics arrangements associated with in-country consultations, course deliveries, mentoring, assessments, etc.

Sample Task Order 2

C. Process

C. 5 5 EXBS Field Staff will make all the logistics arrangements (including local transportation, lodging, and meals) associated with in-country consultations, course deliveries, mentoring, assessments, etc.

YES.

17 Please provide Attachment

C

SMEs will administer a training survey provided by ISN/ECC

(Attachment C) at the end of each course delivery and contribute to

EXBS Impact Assessment Tool following each engagement.

Sample Task Order 2

C. Process

C. 6 5 Please provide Attachment C. Please see attachment C that is now provided.

18 Please provide Attachment

D

Once the training activity is completed, SMEs will accomplish an after action report in the format directed by ISN/ECC (template at

Attachment D.) and …

Sample Task Order 2

C. Process

C. 7 5 Please provide Attachment D

Attachment D deleted.

19 Please provide a period of performance

Base Year: TBD

Option Year 1: TBD

Option Year 2: TBD

Option Year 3: TBD

Option Year 4: TBD

Sample Task Order 2

5. Period of

Performance

5 8

Add the following: The dates for the period of performance (PoP) of this

Sample Task Order match the PoP dates in the IDIQ contract.

TBD.

20 Please provide a CLIN structure for this task order.

For each EXBS Trainer Request

Form that ISN/ECC submits, the

Contractor will provide a cost proposal

Sample Task Order 2

C. Process

C. 3 5 Suggested CLIN Structure:

Labor CLIN – T&M with hourly rate based on IDIQ rates

Travel – Cost reimbursable

ODC (including Post Differential, Danger Pay, materials) – Cost reimbursable

Please refer to attachment A.

21 Please provide a list of partner countries for estimating purposes

There will be approximately 30 events involving at least 15 partner countries

Sample Task Order 2

C. Process

C. 1 5 Please provide a list of partner countries for estimating purposes.

Please refer to attachment Sample Task

Order 2. This is a sample task order, not a real event. Please choose 15 countries at random.

22 Please provide Attachment

C – EXBS Travel and

Logistics Request Form

An example of this form is included as Attachment C – EXBS

Travel and Logistics Request

Form.

Sample Task Order 3

F 5 Please provide Attachment C – EXBS

Travel and Logistics Request Form

Please see Attachment C.

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23 For pricing purposes, will the government please provide the PoP dates for all sample task orders?

If a 5-year task order is awarded in the last year of the contract, will the IDIQ

PoP be extended to accommodate these dates?

Base Year: TBD

Option Year 1: TBD

Option Year 2: TBD

Option Year 3: TBD

Option Year 4: TBD

Sample Task Order 3a

5. Period of

Performance

5 8

Add the following: The dates for the period of performance (PoP) of this

Sample Task Order match the PoP dates in the IDIQ contract.

TBD

24 As the location of employees is unknown and will be determined by

EXBS programmatic needs and Contractor ability to support, please clarify that the value in Sample Task

Order 3b of $100,00 is an estimate and will be monitored and adjusted as needed.

The Contractor will provide full-time, EXBS-dedicated employees stationed overseas.

The Contractor will provide full-time, EXBS-dedicated employees stationed overseas.

$100,000 estimated labor over a

12 month period of performance

Sample Task Order 3a

C. Conference and

Logistics Support

Services

Sample Task Order 3b

II. Requirements

C. s

Sample Task Order 3b

19. The Contractor will provide full-time, EXBS-dedicated employees stationed overseas.

i. $100,000 estimated labor over a 12-month period of performance.

ii. This amount will be monitored and adjusted as needed.

iii. What is the anticipated location of these employees?

Yes, $100,000 is an estimate and will be monitored and adjusted as needed.

25 Please provide a complete

DPAS rating

RFP Amendment 0001 Rating shows as DO

Amendment 0001 Rating block 1 Please provide a complete DPAS rating. Please see M.6

26 Please clarify if a narrative is required to explain the build-up of costs?

Volume II shall consist of /Pricing information and a completed

Section K

Pricing Proposal and

Section K (Volume II)

L.6. a-d 63

YES

27 Will each Task Order require all sub-elements under each Activity? For example, does Sample Task

Order 1 - Curriculum

Development require

CONUS delivery, International delivery, Train-the trainer, and

Instructor Development

Course (IDC)?

While each task order will contain some task specific performance standards, this IDIQ contains a generic group of performance standards in each activity that shall be applied to all task orders.

C.3 Work Activities Paragraph 1 11 While each task order will contain some task-specific performance standards, this

IDIQ contains a generic group of performance standards in each activity that shall be applied to all task orders if the Performance Objective is required on the task order.

YES. Provide sub-elements under activity that shall be applied to all task orders.

28 Does “representative work tasks” refer to the Sample

Activities covered by this contract and representative work tasks

C.3 Work Activities Paragraph 1 11 Activities covered by this contract and representative Sample Task Orders are

YES. Please see Sample Task Orders

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Task Orders? follow. provided as attachments to this RFP. attachments.

29 Will the Contractor provide

SME personnel, not just the logistics support for SMEs?

Consultations: Arrange for subject matter experts (SMEs) to travel to partner country capitals….

Activity 1: Training

Delivery and Exchange

Support

Paragraph e 12 Add the following: SME labor is (or is not) to be provided by the Contractor as required by individual task orders.

YES, Contractor shall provide SME personnel.

30 Will the government provide the type of contract in accordance with FAR

52.216-1?

The Government contemplates award of a ________________

[Contracting Officer insert specific type of contract] contract resulting from this solicitation.

Section K 52.216-1 58

IDIQ

31 Please confirm Offerors required to price all Sample

Task Orders.

The Pricing portion of the proposal shall consist of a completed Attachment A….

L.6 (a) 63 The Pricing portion of the proposal shall consist of a completely priced

Attachment A….

YES, confirmed to provide price for all

Sample Task Orders.

32 Since Sample Task Order 1 must be completed within

12 months of award, would the government revise

Attachment A to remove

Items 1001, 2001, 3001, and

4001?

All course work on this task order, to include course development, proof of concept delivery and final refinement, shall be completed within twelve (12) months of award.

Sample Task Order 1 VI. 6 NO.

33 Are the estimated costs annual amounts?

Estimated costs: Sample Task Order 3B II (a), items 1-

1-3 Please add: All estimated costs are annual amounts.

NO.

34 Would the government please correct “Total

Estimated Logistics Costs:

$1,500,000.00?”

21. TOTAL ESTIMATED

LOGISTICS COSTS:

$1,500,000.00.

Sample Task Order 3B II (a), 21 3 21. TOTAL ESTIMATED LOGISTICS

COSTS: $3,893,408.17.

Figure has been corrected.

35 Are Contractors to add a worksheet to Attachment A to provide the hourly rates for all applicable labor categories for each year of the contract?

The Pricing portion of the proposal shall consist of a completed Attachment A, “Schedule of Supplies/Services and Price/Cost” and the hourly rates for all applicable labor categories completed for the Base

Year plus all four Option Periods.

Pricing Proposal and

Section K (Volume II)

L.6 (a) 63 Please provide a list of IDIQ labor categories.

Please confirm that Contractors can add a worksheet to Attachment A to provide

IDIQ hourly rates.

YES, Worksheet shall be provided with breakdown.

36 Are the IDIQ ceiling rates to be discounted at the Task

Order level?

Each Contractor shall be provided a fair opportunity to compete for each task order for requirements that are not satisfied by direct orders under paragraph (d) above.

Ordering Procedures

(11/96)

G.3 (e.) 25 Contractors will be able to discount IDIQ rates at the task order level.

37 Please clarify that

Section B.4 Cost

Reimbursable Travel and Section B.36

Travel are the same

Section B.4 Cost Reimbursable

Travel

Section B.6 Travel

RFP Section B B.4

B.6

9 and 10 Please remove Section B.6

YES, Travel Cost reimbursable.

38 What does the Proposal certification letter consist of?

L.3 General Instructions: Proposal

Certification Letter

L.3 60

Your information detailing your proposal submission

39 Does the entire Past

Performance volume have a 15-page limit or is it a 15 page limit for each past performance citation?

L.3 General Instructions: The Past

Performance (Volume II) shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages per citations

L.3 60

YES. 15 pages limit for each citation

40 Will each task order contain a requirement to perform all 5 activities? For

Example – Task 3A is for logistics support and requires no curriculum development. This seems to contradict the

PWS statement that each activity will be applied to all task orders.

The task orders will define specific work activities and tasks to be performed. While each task order will contain some task specific performance standards, this IDIQ contains a generic group of performance standards in each activity that shall be applied to all task orders.

C.3 Work Activities C.3 11 Will the Government clarify on each task order which activities apply to that task order?

No, each task order is separate.

41 Activity 1 Training

Delivery and Exchange

Support section e

Consultation appears to be logistical support.

Will each activity contain parts of other activities within the requirements?

Consultations: Arrange for subject matter experts (SMEs) to travel to partner country capitals and support the efforts of governments to develop comprehensive strategic trade control (STC) systems that meet international requirements.

C.3 Work Activities Activity 1 (e.) 11

Please clarify if arranging for SMEs to travel to partner country capitals and support the efforts of governments to develop comprehensive STC systems will be provided under Activity 3

Logistical Support

Question is unclear. Each activity is distinct.

42 Please confirm resumes are not included in the

35 page limit for the

Technical Volume

The entire technical proposal shall not exceed thirty-five (35) pages

L.3 General

Instructions and

Formatting

General

Instructions

60 The entire technical proposal shall not exceed thirty-five (35) pages. Proposal certification letter, table of contents, divider pages, resumes, and other standard forms will not count against the page limitations.

NO, they are not.

43 Will the Government provide a CR CLIN for

Post Differentials, Danger Pay, DBA for

This is a multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity

(IDIQ) contract, with at least one

Small Business. As defined in

B.2 TYPE OF

CONTRACT

B.2 8 CR CLIN will also be provided to cover Post Differentials, Danger Pay, DBA, etc., for work performed in

OCONUS locations.

DBA is reimbursable work performed in

OCONUS Locations?

FAR Part 16, Type of Contract.

Fixed Price with Cost

Reimbursable CLINs for Travel and Material.

44 Will the Contractor provide any hardware?

Provide IT services in support of implementing the EXBS program that include but are not limited to the following…

C.3 Activity 4:

(IT) Support

17 Confirm that any hardware to be provided may be billed as an ODC as a cost-reimbursable item with indirects applied to the cost.

Yes. Hardware may be billed as ODC.

45 Will the Contractor provide any licenses?

Assist partner governments in developing and implementing automated licensing review processes that enhance interagency coordination and promote transparency of decision making

C.3 Activity 4:

Information

Technology

(IT) Support d.

17 Confirm that any licenses provided by the Contractor may be billed as an

ODC as a cost-reimbursable item with indirects applied to the cost.

Yes. ODC Cost reimbursable.

46 Is the referenced “site” an internet site or a geographical location?

Establish temporary sites for training/conference registration, exchange of materials, and storing information

C.3 Activity 4:

Information

Technology

(IT) Support h.

17 The site referenced here is online only and does not require a physical location.

Yes, Geographical Locations

47 For which countries does the Contractor provide a discussion regarding VAT?

A discussion of the issues surrounding value added taxes

(VAT) and customs duties, and a strategy for mitigating VAT and customs duties impact on the costs of supplies and equipment ordered under this contract.

L.4 TECHNICAL

PROPOSAL (Volume I

Pass/Fail):

L.4 fourth bullet point

61 Please provide a list of most likely countries to consider for VAT.

Please refer to L.4.

48 Section M.4 is FAR

52.217-05 Evaluation of Options (July 1990).

Please confirm that the evaluation factors are in Section M.5.

See the “Past Performance” evaluation factor (TC4) contained in Section M4.

L.5 Last sentence of L.5

63 See the “Past Performance” evaluation factor (TC4) contained in Section M.5.

Yes, all evaluation criteria are in Section M.5

49 Section M.4 does not contain the evaluation factor TC4. Is there a

Page missing from the

RFP?

See the “Past Performance” evaluation factor (TC4) contained in Section M4.

L.5 Last sentence of L.5

63 Please provide evaluation factor TC4.

See section M.5 for details.

50 Please provide Section

B with Cost reimbursable CLINs and the values assigned to those CLINS.

Offerors must include unit prices for each Firm Fixed Price CLIN listed in Section B for the basic period and all option periods.

Failure to do so may be cause for rejection of the entire offer. Cost reimbursable CLIN values as provided in section B of the solicitation will be included in the Total Evaluated Price. All

Offerors will be evaluated equally for Cost CLINs.

M.2 Basis for Award M.2 1.3 65 Please provide Section B with Cost reimbursable CLINs and the values assigned to those CLINS.

See attachment A.

51 Does the evaluation of

Sample Task Order 3

Conference and

Logistics include both

Task order 3A and 3B?

Covers factors TC1, TC2, and

TC3

M.5 Evaluation Factors and Criteria

M.5.1.4

Sample Task

Order 3

68 Please clarify that M.5.1.4 Sample

Task Order 3: Conference and

Logistics (included Sample Task Order

3A and 3B).

YES.

52. There is no attached

Past Performance

Questionnaire.

Offerors will send out the attached

Past Performance

Questionnaire (excluded from page limitation) to each reference identified in the Past Performance

Volume.

L.5 Past Performance

Information

(2) Past

Performance

Questionnaires

61 and 62 Please provide Past Performance

Questionnaire attachment.

YES, please refer to attachment B.

53. Attachments B, H, and I were not provided in the solicitation package.

Will the Government provide missing

Attachments B, H and I?

Section A -

Solicitation/Contract Form

Table

See below:

Section A -

Solicitation/Contract

Form Table, Identifiers 1, 6 and 7.

N/A 3 Please provide missing Attachments.

Refer to Attachment B relabeled as

Attachment A

Attachment H & I deleted

54. Identifier Title Date Number of Pages

1 Attachment B- Past Performance 04/20/2023 5 6 Attachment H - Participant Course Evaluation Form 04/20/2023 7 Attachment I - Observer Evaluation Form 04/20/2023 10 Sample Task Order 1 (FY23 SMEs and Trainers).docx 04/20/2023 11 Sample Task Order 2.A (FY23 Conference and Logistics).docx 04/20/2023 12 Sample Task Order 2.B (Attachment B- Proposed Events List).docx 04/20/2023 13 Sample Task Order 3 (FY23 Curriculum Development).docx 04/20/2023

Attachment B provided

Attachment H & I removed

55. Section details proposal submittal items for Key

Personnel. The sentence that follows the English language

H.6 – Key Personnel

“All of the above are considered to be key personnel and are required to be able to

H.6 – Key Personnel

(Section 1 that follows the Key

Personnel Table)

N/A 28 Please confirm if proof is required for native English speakers.

If yes, what proof is required and acceptable?

Yes, all key personnel need to read, write, speak and understand English. Native speakers are NOT required.

requirement states:

“The Contractor shall provide proof with their submittal, to be submitted with original offer.”

Is EXBS requesting proof that all key personnel are able to read, write, speak and understand

English?

If yes, what kind of proof is expected and acceptable?

Is this a requirement if the Key Personnel is a native English speaker?

read, write, speak and understand English.

The Contractor shall provide proof with their submittal, to be submitted with original offer.”

56. Is the contract manager a Key

Personnel position?

If yes, are the minimum qualifications for this position to be offeror defined? If not, provide minimum qualifications for this position.

How does the

Government define

‘on-site’ in this RFP?

H.6 – Key Personnel

Other Key Personnel section

“The contractor shall assign and identify an on-site contract manager to provide management and administrative and technical interaction with

Government members in the day-to-day accomplishment of support services.”

H.6 Key Personnel H.6 Key

Personnel

Other Key sub-section

29 Confirm if the contract manager is a key personnel position.

Provide minimum qualifications for this position if yes.

Define ‘on-site’.

NO

57. Will the Government clarify the Security

Clearance requirements for this program?

RFP Section H.11(b)

“Since it may be necessary for

Contractor personnel to have access to classified material and/or to enter into areas requiring a security clearance, the Program Manager and all

Project Managers shall possess

RFP Section H.11(b), Security

Requirements

DD 254, Section 13

H.11.(b)

H.11(b) –

DD254 –

Attachment

Please confirm that SECRET clearance requirement applies only to Program Manager and Project

Manager(s).

Program Manager and Project Manager shall have SECRET clearances.

an active SECRET personnel security clearance prior to performance under this contract.”

DD 254, Section 13

“Contractor personnel assigned to this contract shall possess a

SECRET personnel security clearance issued by the Defense

Counterintelligence and

Security Agency (DCSA) prior to contract performance.”

58. Will the Government please confirm that proposal submission is only electronic submission via email and there are no hard copy or CD submission requirements?

Will the government remove the conflicting requirement in

L.10.1 that currently states “No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or electronic mail.”?

Section L.3 – General

Instructions and Formatting

Submission Requirements

“General Instructions:

(SEE TABLE BELOW)

Each paper volume shall be submitted in a separate three ring binder. Proposal certification letter, table of contents, divider pages and other standard forms will not count against page limitations. The technical proposal (Volume I) shall consist of four (4) parts and the four parts must be separated by a divider page with a corresponding divider tab; each of the four divider tabs shall be marked to identify what part is contained in that particular section.

Paper copies of the proposal shall be printed on white, 8.5” x 11” paper and printed using

10-12 point font, with 1 inch margins, and pages shall be numbered consecutively.

L.3 General

L.10 – Proposal

Submittal

L.10.1 Proposal Due

Date

L.16.2 Delivery

Addresses

Electronic submission via email only.

Electronic Submission is Accepted and preferred

Electronic versions (CD) of the proposal shall be prepared using Microsoft

Office 2000 or a compatible format, Adobe PDF formats are also acceptable.”

L.10 – Proposal Submittal

L.10.1 Proposal Due Date

“No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or electronic mail.”

L.16.2 Delivery Addresses

“Proposals delivered by email to Pete W. Jones

(jonespw@state.gov) and

Conelius Stevenson

(stevensonc@state.gov)”

Volume Title Hard Copies

Required

Soft Copies

(CD-ROMs) Required

Soft Copy File

Name(s) I Technical Proposal 1 Original

5 Copies

1 Original

5 Copies

Technical VolI_

Company.pdf

II Past Performance 1 Original 5

Copies

1 Original

5 Copies

Past Peformamce Vol II_

Company.pdf III Price Proposal 1 Original

5 Copies

1 Original

5 Copies

Price Vol III_

Company.pdf

59. Will the Government provide the PPQ form to be sent to references? It was not ‘attached’ as stated.

Absent the ‘attached

Past Performance

Questionnaire’, does the Government intend for offeror to create the PPQ form to send to references using the format provided in RFP section L.5 ?

L.5 Past Performance

Information

L.5.1 Past Performance

Questionnaires and Point of

Contact Listing

“Offerors will send out the attached Past Performance

Questionnaire (excluded from page limitation) to each reference identified in the Past

Performance Volume.”

Using the Past Performance

Questionnaire, the Offeror shall provide detailed

L.5 Past Performance

Information

L.5.1

L.5.2

55 Provide missing PPQ form.

Confirm PPQ requirements for prime and sub relative to inclusion in Relevancy Matrix.

refer to attachment B. Form has now been provided mailto:stevensonc@state.gov

Does ‘each reference identified in the Past

Performance

Volume’ refer to every program that is listed in the

Relevancy Matrix?

Are offerors required to submit a PPQ for every program listed in the Relevancy

Matrix?

Are offerors required to submit a PPQ from every subcontractor and/or teammate?

information on a minimum of two (2) (prime contracts or subcontracts with the

Federal Government, state or local governments, or private industry over the past five (5) years.

Required information shall be presented in the Past

Performance Questionnaire format as follows:

PAST PERFORMANCE

QUESTIONNAIRE

Company Name:

Program Manager Name:

Contract Number/Task Order

Number:

Period of Performance:

Name of Contracting Activity or Commercial Customer:

Prime or Subcontractor?

Total Contract Dollar Value:

Total Contract Dollar Value

Expended to date:

Contract Type:

Was this Contract

Performance Based?

Average Number of FTE

Assigned:

Maximum Number of FTE

Assigned:

REFERENCES

Provide the name, telephone number, and verified e-mail address of the following personnel:

Contracting Officer:

Administrative Contracting

Officer, if different from above:

Contracting Officer

Representative:

Government Technical

Monitor:

Describe the work performed:

How is the contract work similar in size and complexity to the services required by this solicitation? If relevant, provide additional details:”

60. Will the Government confirm the following:

1) Volume III is the

Pricing Volume.

2) Pricing Volume is not page limited.

3) L.6 should reference Volume III in the title and text (it currently states

Volume II)

4) Small Business

Subcontracting Plan should be submitted as part of Volume

III.

L.3 General Instructions

“There are no page restrictions for Volume III; however, page submission shall be reasonable.”

L.6 Pricing Proposal and

“Volume II shall consist of

Pricing information and a completed Section K –

Representations and

Certifications, this volume shall not exceed twenty-five

(25) single-side pages.”

Volume III , shall consist of the above small business goals and the corresponding subcontracting plan, if applicable. -This volume has no page limitations, but page submission should be reasonable.

L.3 – General

L.6 Pricing Proposal and Section K

N/A 57 Confirm the following:

1) Pricing Volume is Volume III

2) Volume III is unlimited page count

3) Small Business Subcontracting plan is part of Volume III.

Confirmed.

61. There appears to be requirement text missing in “Section

2. Sanctions and

Trade Control

Experts. a.”

Will the Government provide the missing text?

Sample Task Order 2:

Section B. Parameters

2.Strategic Trade Control

Experts a.

There is a heading but no text following.

Sample Task Order 2

Section B Parameters

Sample Task

Order 2:

Section B.

Parameters

2.Strategic

Trade

Control

Experts a.

STO2 –

Provide missing text.

Please see attachment Sample Task Order 2, Section 2. Requirement, B. Parameters, 1.

Subject Matter Expert.

62. Will the Government provide the training survey (Attachment

C) and after action report (Attachment

D) referenced in paragraph 2.C.6 and

2.C.7?

Section C. Process

6. SMEs will administer a training survey provided by

ISN/ECC (Attachment C) at the end of each course delivery and contribute to EXBS Impact

Assessment Tool following each engagement

7. Once the training activity is completed, SMEs will accomplish an after action report in the format directed by

ISN/ECC (template at

Attachment D.)

Sample Task

Order 2:

Section C.

Process

Sub paragraphs 6 and 7

STO2 -

Provide missing Attachments C and

D.

Office will supply after action report after contract is awarded.

Language of “template at Attachment D” has been removed.

63. Will the Government provide the

Attachment C -

EXBS Travel and

Logistics Form

Sample Task Order 3.

Subparagraph F.

“F. For each event, ISN/ECC will complete an “EXBS Travel and Logistics Request form” and provide it to the

Contractor for pricing. An example of this form is included as Attachment C –

EXBS Travel and Logistics

Request Form.”

Sample Task Order 3.

Sample Task

Order 3.

Subparagraph

F.

STO3-5 Provide missing Attachment C.

Yes, please refer to Attachment C.

64. There is inconsistent information about the price volume and page limits. Will the government please confirm that the Price

Volume III is not subject to page limits?

“The price, small business plan, and representations and certifications (Volume III) shall also be separated by a divider page and corresponding tabs.

There are no page restrictions for Volume III; however, page submission shall be reasonable.”; and “L.6

PRICING PROPOSAL AND

SECTION K (Volume II):

Volume II shall consist of

/Pricing information and a completed Section K –

Representations and

Certifications, this volume shall not exceed twenty-five (25) single-side pages.”

L.3 General Instructions and

Formatting;

L.6 Pricing Proposal and

Section K

54, 57 Suggest no page limits;

Section K is large and takes up much of the page limit.

Confirmed.

65. There are several references to hard copies. Can the

Government clarify if hard copies are required, and if so, how many?

SF-33: 1 original and 1 copy

L.3: 1 original and 5 copies

L.16.2: no reference to hard copies

SF-33, Block 9

Section L.3 General Instructions and Formatting

L.16.2 Delivery Address

1, 54, 58 Remove the requirement for hard copies.

No, hard copies required please submit electronically.

66. What are Offerors required to prove?

And what constitutes sufficient proof?

All of the above are considered to be key personnel and are required to be able to read, write, speak and understand

English. The Contractor shall provide proof with their submittal, to be submitted with original offer.

Section H.6 Key

Candidate’s Resume

67. This appears to be an extraneous requirement.

Other Key Personnel as proposed by the Contractor.

Unless otherwise noted all additional key personnel identified by the contractor shall have, at a minimum, a

Secret security clearance. The contractor shall assign and identify an on-site contract manager to provide management and administrative and technical interaction with

Government members in the

Section H.6 Other Key

Personnel

28 Remove or replace with language that suggests additional key personnel may be required at the task order level.

Additional key personnel maybe required.

See page 28 ‘key personnel positions’ day-to-day accomplishment of support services. The contractor shall designate and identify contractor employees who will be considered key to operations for efforts under this task order.

These key personnel must have an in-depth understanding of the requirements and their responsibilities as well as the ability, knowledge, experience, and skills to perform the requirements. They shall be fully committed to the success of the mission

68. The minimum qualifications for the

Key Personnel required at the IDIQ do not contain any security clearance references; however, the Other Key

Personnel and DD-

254 do. Can the

Government clarify security clearance requirements for the

IDIQ positions?

Contractor personnel assigned to this contract shall possess a

SECRET personnel security clearance issued by the Defense

Counterintelligence and

Security Agency (DCSA) prior to contract performance.

Section H.6

DD-254

Key

Personnel

Recommend removing the security clearance requirement for all positions other than the Program

Manager. Add language that suggests security clearances for other personnel may be required at the task order level and specify the requirement within the sample task orders.

Project Manager and Program Manager shall possess a Secret Personnel security clearance.

69. Are technical proposals in response to the sample Task

Order requests subject to the 35 page limit of the Volume I

Technical Proposal?

Or is the 35-page limit specifically for the Base Contract technical proposal and are the Sample

Task Order proposals separate?

L.3 - The entire technical proposal shall not exceed thirty five (35) pages.

L.4 Offerors' proposals must include, at a minimum, a description of the technical approach, methodology, technique, or plan to accomplish the requirements within the base contract and all three (3) sample task orders including:

Technical proposals in response to Sample Task Order Requests for Proposals (see Attachments

D, E and F).

L.3 General Instructions and

Formatting;

L.4 Technical Proposal

60, 61 Clarify whether the 35-page limit is inclusive of Offerors responses to both the “Base

Contract” and the three sample task orders. Add language If there is a separate page limitation for the sample task orders.

35 pages limit to Volume. Does not include Sample Task Orders.

70. Are key management and personnel resumes excluded from the Volume I

Technical Proposal

35-page limit?

Resumes of proposed key management staff and key personnel who will be performing support functions under this contract.

L.4 Technical Proposal 61 Exclude resumes from page limits.

No. Resumes are no included in page limit.

71. Can the government confirm that the

Sample Task Order 3 file labeled

“Sample+Task+Order

+3.B+(Attachment+B

+Proposed+Events+L ist).pdf” is a supplement to the

Sample Task Order 3 file labeled

“Sample+Task+Order

+3.A+

(FY23+Conference+a nd+Logistics)”?

Attachments:

1. Attachment B – Proposed

Events List

Sample Task Order 3: EXBS

Logistics and Conference

Support

Sample+Task+Order+3.A+(FY2

3+Conference+and+Logistics)

YES, Please refer to Attachment B. TLR form has been provided.

72. Can the government clarify what specific information is required for each citation in Volume II

Past Performance?

The five items under

L.5 do not explicitly state what information is required for the citations.

L.3 The Past Performance

(Volume II) shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages per citations;

L. 5 Past Performance

Information (Volume II)

(1) Relevancy Matrix. Provide a completed relevancy matrix for your company, including each subcontractor and/or teaming partner. Develop a matrix based on proposed team composition and number of citations provided for each.

L.3 General Instructions and

Formatting

L. 5 Past Performance

Information (Volume II)

60, 61

No, please refer to Attachment B.

73. Is there a total page limit for Volume II considering the L.5

Past Performance

Information instructions ask for five other items in addition to citations, including a

Relevancy Matrix, Points of Contact

L.3 The Past Performance

(Volume II) shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages per citations;

L.3 General Instructions and

Formatting

60 Exclude these other items from page limits.

Past Performance (Volume II) shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages per citations listing, and Consent

Letters?

74. Regarding the question in the Past

Performance

Questionnaire template asking to compare previous experience with the current solicitation requirements, are offerors expected to write a response to this question for previous clients? Or are the clients supposed to write a response using the current solicitation?

How is the contract work similar in size and complexity to the services required by this solicitation? If relevant, provide additional details:

Past

Performance

Questionnaire

63 Clarify the responsibilities of what the Offeror is expected to provide to their Customer

POCs and what questions the

Customer POCs are then required to provide to the

Contracting Officer and

Contract Specialist for this solicitation.

Please refer to Attachment B. Form has now been provided

75. Is there any additional way for previous clients to evaluate and/or rate our past performance using the Past Performance

Questionnaire template besides responses to these two items?

How is the contract work similar in size and complexity to the services required by this solicitation? If relevant, provide additional details:

Questionnaire

63 Clarify the responsibilities of what the Offeror is expected to provide to their Customer

POCs and what questions the

Customer POCs are then required to provide to the

Contracting Officer and

Please refer to Attachment B.

76. Activity 2 has two items labeled “a” and

Activity 3 similarly has two items labeled

“a”.

a. Assessment; a. Performance

Measurement; a. Exchange

Support; a.

Conference/seminars

C.3 Work Activities Activity 2:

Analysis and

Evaluations;

Activity 3:

Logistical

Support

13, 14, Relabel the mislabeled items as “c” and “b”, respectively.

Yes, Evaluation is similar to Activity 2 and 3.

77. Will the government provide instructions on completing

Attachment A?

Pricing - General breakdown on completing Attachment A

Pricing Attachment A

Yes, please refer to Attachment A.

78. Please clarify whether or not the Government would like hard and soft copies of the proposal.

Hard Copies

Required

1 Original

5 Copies

Soft Copies

(CD-ROMs) Required

Each paper volume shall be submitted in a separate three ring binder. Proposal certification letter, table of contents, divider pages and other standard forms will not count against page limitations. The technical proposal

(Volume I) shall consist of four (4) parts and the four parts must be separated by a divider page with a corresponding divider tab; each of the four divider tabs shall be marked to identify what part is contained in that particular section.

L.3 GENERAL

INSTRUCTIONS AND

FORMATTING

containing

Hard and Soft

Copy requirements.

General

Instructions:

60-61 Remove requirements for the following within the table:

Hard Copies Required

Soft Copies (CD-ROMs)

Required

Remove the following text from

General Instructions:

“Each paper volume shall be submitted in a separate three ring binder. Proposal certification letter, table of contents, divider pages and other standard forms will not count against page limitations. The technical proposal (Volume I) shall consist of four (4) parts and the four parts must be separated by a divider page with a corresponding divider tab; each of the four divider tabs shall be marked to identify what part is contained in that particular section.”

The price, small business plan, and representations and certifications (Volume III) shall also be separated by a divider page and corresponding tabs.

Paper copies of the proposal shall be printed on white, 8.5” x

11” paper and printed using 10-

12 point font, with 1-inch margins, and pages shall be numbered consecutively.

Electronic versions (CD) of the proposal shall be prepared using

Microsoft Office 2000 or a compatible format, Adobe PDF formats are also acceptable.

Electronic copy is accepted and preferred.

79. If the Government wants hard copies delivered, to what physical address should the contractor use?

Proposals shall be submitted to the location set forth below no later than 3:00 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time (EST), January 10, 2024. No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or electronic mail.

However, Delivery Addresses

Proposals delivered by email to

Pete W. Jones

(jonespw@state.gov) and Conelius

Stevenson (stevensonc@state.gov)

L.10 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL

L.10.1

Proposal Due

Date

L.16.2

Delivery

Addresses

64 Remove the requirement for hard and soft copies or provide instructions for how and where to deliver the printed copies and

CD ROMs.

If removing requirement for hard and soft copies, and keeping instructions to submit the proposal via email, please remove the following:

No proposals will be accepted via facsimile or electronic mail.

80. Does the Government intend for contractors to deliver hard and softcopies of their proposal?

If there are any discrepancies between the electronic version

(i.e., CD) and the hardcopy version of the Offeror’s proposal, the hardcopy shall take precedence.

M.3.ORDER OF

PRECEDENCE

M3 65 Remove requirement for hard and soft copies and remove the following text from the solicitation:

If there are any discrepancies between the electronic version

(i.e., CD) and the hardcopy version of the Offeror’s proposal, the hardcopy shall take precedence.

81. Will the Government please clarify if 10-point font may be used for

Tables and Graphics?

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

AND FORMATTING

L.3 60-61 Provide the following statement within the RFP:

A 10-point font may be used for

Tables and Graphics.

YES, 10-point font may be used and accepted.

82 Clarification on key personnel

Section H5 lists minimum employee qualifications for a

Program manager, Project manager, Senior IT Certified

Professional, Intermediate IT

Certified Professional, and

Systems Administrator. However, the key personnel identified in the table in section H6 includes only

Program Manager, Project

Manager, Strategic Controls

Subject Matter Expert, and Export

Control Enforcement Subject

Matter Expert. Should we consider the personnel mentioned in H5 as key also or is that information for

H5, H6 26-28 26-28

Please include H5 and H6 key personnel.

Only Program Manager and Project

Manager are Key Personnel.

reference only?

83. Is a Subcontracting Plan required if the bidder is a small business?

Section L.6 (d) Subcontracting

Goals

L.6 L.6 (d) 57 Because the bidder is already a small business, supply the following text within section L.6:

If the bidder is a small business, a small business subcontracting plan is not required.

Please refer to L.6.

84. Will the labor categories and descriptions referenced in Attachment

A be provided for the pricing volume?

L.6 (a) The Pricing portion of the proposal shall consist of a completed Attachment A, “Schedule of Supplies/Services and Price/Cost” and the hourly rates for all applicable labor categories completed for the Base

Year plus all four Option Periods.

Failure to complete the entirety of

Attachment A (Base, plus options) will mean that the prices proposed for the Base year applies to all of the option years.

L.6 L.6 (a) 57 Add Labor Categories and

Descriptions for the Base IDIQ so the bidder can provide fully burdened labor rates for evaluation purposes. These labor categories should be applied to the sample tasks.

Please see Attachment A.

85. What work at the Task

Order level would be set aside for the small business awardee(s)?

This is a multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, with at least one Small

Business. As defined in FAR Part

16, Type of Contract. Fixed Price with Cost Reimbursable CLINs for

Travel and Material.

B.2 8 Clarify if small business IDIQ awardee(s) would expect a percentage of the task orders to be set aside.

One of the awarded contract should be

100% small business

86. To provide a more equal competition field for small businesses, and to align with the type of work to be performed by a small business, would the Government please consider changing the

NAICS code for the one small business award from 541519 (500 employees or 150 employees for information technology) to:

541611 Administrative

Management and General

(3) The small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code

541519.

K.2. 52.204-8 -

Annual

Representation s and

Certifications

(Mar 2023)

49 Update the following text within the RFP:

(3) The small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or

150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519.

No.

Management Consulting

Services $24.5M

(or)

541990 All Other

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

$19.5M

87. Strategic Controls

Subject Matter Expert and Export Control

Enforcement Subject

Matter Expert are called out as key personnel in the key personnel table in section H.6. Why does

EXBS want us to identify specific personnel for these two positions when the requirement will potentially involve dozens of experts in a wide range of domains?

Are these positions full time equivalents?

Key Personnel

1. The Contractor shall assign the following key personnel to the identified position/function on this contract:

Key Personnel Position Name

Program Manager

Project Manager

Strategic Controls Subject Matter

Expert

Export Control Enforcement

Subject Matter Expert

[Additional Key Personnel

Positions and Name(s) may be inserted by Offeror at time of proposal submission.]

1. The Contractor shall provide a detailed resume and the experience of these individuals. If these individuals are not current employees provide a letter of intent. All of the above are considered to key personnel and are required to be able to read, write, speak and understand

English. The Contractor shall provide proof with their submittal, to be submitted with original offer.

2. During the entire performance period of this contract, the

Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel

H.6 Minimum Key Personnel

Qualifications

H.6 28 Eliminate SMEs as key personnel and stipulate only

Program Manager and Project

Manager as key personnel.

SMEs are not key personnel. They are not full-time equivalents.

unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment.