QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

TQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR RFP 19AQMM25R0016

1. The RFP (pg. 40) says “All volumes of the proposal shall be submitted via email… by

12:00PM on December 16, 2024”. However, SAM.gov says, "Date Offers Due: Dec 16, 2025." Are offers due on 16Dec2024 or 16Dec202 5

ANSWER: The correct due date for proposals is December 16, 2024

2. If possible, I would like to request a response to Question 1 (regarding annual audited financial statements) as soon as possible to ensure our eligibility to bid before we commit the resources necessary to prepare our proposal. Can you confirm whether or not there is flexibility on the requirement for audited annual financial statements?

ANSWER: ANSWER: Report can be audited or un-audited

3. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-4 , Page(s) 43- 44, L.4.2 states that “offer’s shall include its two most recently audited annual financial statements”. As audited financial statements are not required for privately held companies, will the government confirm if it will accept unaudited annual financial statements?

ANSWER: Yes, as per question #2 above

4. RFP Section L.3, Title: Instructions to Offerors, Paragraph(s): 3-4 , Page(s) 41 This paragraph states that, “The font shall be Times New Roman with one exception, Arial may be used for tables, figures, and graphics”. Will the government please confirm that offerors are able to use TNR for tables, figures, and graphics?

ANSWER: Either Arial or Times New Roman may be used for tables, figures, and graphics.

5. RFP Section L.3.1, Title: “Volume I: Technical Proposal”, Paragraph(s) 1-2 , Page(s) 41, It appears as if Factor 1 and Factor 2 each have their own 30-page limit, but also that there is an additional 3 pages per resume. Is this accurate or is the 30-page limit across both factors?

ANSWER: Factor 1 and Factor 2 each have a 30-page limit. For Factor 2, the CVs, which each have a 3-page limit, do not count towards the overall 30-page limit.

6. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-3 , Page(s) 43

The Volume II breakout does not list a Table of Contents as a requirement the way the technical volume does. Wil the government allow offerors to add a Table of Contents to Volume II in order to allow for easy identification of volume sections and requirements within our proposal?

ANSWER: YES

7. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-3 , Page(s) 43 The Volume II breakout lists a cover letter but there are no requirements listed for the cover letter. Does the government want offerors to utilize the cover letter from the technical proposal for the price proposal? If not, can the government please clarify what you would like to see in the price proposal cover letter?

ANSWER: COMPANY’S DISCRETION

8. RFP Section L.3.1, Title: “ Factor 3: Past Performance”, Paragraph(s): 2-4 , Page(s) 43 Given the tight time constraints for this proposal, would the government allow offerors to submit CPARS in lieu of PPQs for our past performance reference?

ANSWER: YES, CPARS MAY BE SUBMITTED

9. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-3 , Page(s) 43, An excel workbook was not included in the RFP package for the Cost Pricing Tables.

Will the government issue a standardized workbook or will Offeror’s format be sufficient?

ANSWER: Offeror’s format will be acceptable

10. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-3 , Page(s) 43 In regard to Corporate Responsibility Documentation, will the government provide a form to complete such as a GSA Form 527?

ANSWER: No, the GSA Form 527 isn’t required

11. RFP Section L.4.2, Title: “Volume II: Price Proposal”, Paragraph(s): 1-4 , Page(s) 43- 44, As the RFP requires sensitive information (i.e., company financial statements), will the government consider using a submission method other than email (i.e., DOD SAFE or similar portal)?

ANSWER: NO

12. RFP Section L.3.1, Title: “Factor 2: Technical Understanding and Management Approach”, Paragraph(s) 1-2 , Page(s) 42

This paragraph states that, “The Offeror must provide a draft Quality Control Plan that demonstrates how quality and communication requirements, as outlined in the performance requirements summary, will be met” however, no performance requirements summary was included with the solicitation. Could the government please release the performance requirements summary to offerors?

ANSWER: Please utilize Attachment A Statement of Work for this purpose

13. Set Aside Type We believe the scope of this requirement is well within the ability of small businesses. Would the government please consider setting this requirement aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, or at a minimum All Small Business?

ANSWER: The solicitation is issued for Full and Open Competition

14. Key Personnel , L.3.1 Volume I: Technical Proposal, Factor 1 – Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel, First paragraph under Factor 1, pages 41-42 The Government has indicated 22 of the required 28 FTEs (78.5%) for this requirement are Key Personnel. This severely limits competition and leads offerors to believe only the incumbent can successfully compete. Would the Government please consider requiring the senior position (defacto Program Manager/Lead) along with a reasonable 2-3 others as Key, and requesting some number of representative resumes to substantiate the staffing plan?

ANSWER: Resumes for only two of the three Principal Consultants will be required as key personnel.

15. Key Personnel, L.3.1 Volume I: Technical Proposal, Factor 1 – Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel, First paragraph under Factor 1 41-42 The requirements include 22 Key Personnel of the 28 required personnel total. How does the Government intend to foster competition where the incumbent provider is able to provide 80% of the Key Personnel? Are all of these roles truly Key Personnel or will the Government consider prioritizing program roles essential to the success of requirements, such as PM?

ANSWERS: PLEASE SEE #14 ABOVE

16. Transition In Related to the above, the Government has not provided a “transition in” requirement. Will the Government consider a “transition in” plan and approach as a requirement?

ANSWER: Yes, the Government will consider such a plan, and it is a requirement

17. Phased Response Approach-The complexity of the requirements in the solicitation may warrant providing offerors the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the Government to present their approaches to the requirements and showcase innovation and efficiencies. Will the Government consider revising the response requirements to include a phased approach with a demonstration or oral presentation requirement in the latter phase?

ANSWER: No.

18. Acquisition Support Tasks -As a result of the Request for Information, several offerors recommended the Government consider separating acquisition support from the other program delivery scope to mitigate potential OCIs and prioritize obtaining support from offerors best positioned to deliver on the respective scope areas. Will the Government consider revisiting the acquisition support task and separating it from the remaining mission support tasks, or at least separating that task onto a distinct CLIN?

19. ANSWER: No.

20. Small Business Plan Requirement-There is no clear small business plan for the requirement, and the solicitation references 2018 goals. Will the Government clarify its approach to fostering small business participation in this competition?

ANSWER: PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 44 OF RECENT ADMENTMENT 003 TITLED

DEPARTMENT OF STATE SUBCONTRACTING GOALS FOR UPDATED CLAUSE

652.219-70