J - Attach 12 Global Advisory Q_A Template IDIQ Evaluation Only Answers 2.pdf

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

196 RFP - Section B 28 B.10.8.1 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Paragraph states that Government payment for overtime must be authorized in advance of performance of overtime in writing. Paragraph B.10.9.3 states advanced government authorization for any contractor employee's performance of overtime is not required. In that labor law requires that staff are compensated for work performed, can USG clarify this discrepancy.

There is no discrepancy. B.10.8.1 pertains to Cost- Reimbursement arrangements, and the Materials portion of a Time-and-Materials arrangement. B.10.9.3 pertains to Labor- Hour arrangements and the Time portion of a Time-and-Materials arrangement.

197 RFP - Section H 84 H.8 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4) H.8 how are we to price life support Pricing for life support will be added at the Task Order Level.

198 RFP - Section H 78 H.5 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Section H.5 refers to insurances necessary for contractors to have at their own expense. It does not list Med Evac/Global Rescue. Are we correct in assuming that it is a reimbursable item at the task order level?

Med Evac/Global Rescue will be added at the Task Order Level.

199 RFP - Section H 82 H.7.5.4 Qualifications H.7.5.4 mentions work permits - are local business license requried for all places of performance?

The Contractor is responsible for identifying all required licenses and permits at the Task Order Level.

200 RFP - Section B 20 B.7.4.2.4 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

If travel time meets or exceeds the required daily hours of work, will the USG expect the employee to perform any work not done due to travel demands?

B.7.4.2.4 does not provide specific instructions regarding the contractor's schedule. The contractor is responsible for performing the work in accordance with the Task Order and the

IDIQ.

201 RFP - Section J Attach 1 - Labor Categories 1 NA Qualifications Is the offeror corect in assuming that all positions must be filled by American citizens?

No, not all positions must be filled by American citizens.

202 RFP - Section B 21 B.7.9.8. Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Can the USG clarify if exceptions must be authorized in advanced by CO means any daily work hours over 8 hours or 40 hrs per week will be considered and paid overtime when CO approves in advance since contractor has to abide by local labot laws when hiring LNs?

Refer to RFP B.10.2: "Overtime is defined as time worked in excess of the number of hours in a normal workweek." What constitutes a "normal workweek" will vary by position, by location, and will be specified in the Task Order.

203 RFP - Section B 25 8.1.17. Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Can the USG clarify if is correct to interpret that PD and danger pay won’t be retroactive to 30 days previously served unless contractor is in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria?

This is a correct interpretation. See RFP B.8.1.16 in conjunction with B.8.1.17. Countries listed in Footnote n of the DSSR shall have payments retroactive to day 1 served in the task order place of performance. This does not apply to countries not listed in Footnote n of the DSSR.

204 RFP - Section C 38 2.3.1.6.2 Qualifications

Will the Program Manger (IDIQ level) require an active clearance? If so, what level?

The government requires the contractor to hold the required clearances prior to contract performance.

Refer to RFP Section H.17.4, for additional individual security requirement details.

205 RFP - Section H 82 7.5.3. Contract Terms

Will the USG client create gov. accounts to the contractors before deployment so that contactors take CTAT on FSI as is the only site where contractos can take CTAT?

No, the Government will not create .gov accounts. Contractors can take CTAT at FSI and at the TO level, the COR will provide instructions on how to enroll.

206 RFP - Section H 82 7.7. Equipment/Vehicles

Will the USG client provide safety and security items such as ballistic, nuclear, biological or chemical protective cloting as directed per Chief of Mission? If not, will these be consided ODC and will be reimbursable to the contractor?

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

207 RFP - Section H 82 7.8. Personnel

Can the USG client clarify what is the standard for identifiable uniform? Contract shall wear a professional and identifiable uniform that distinguishes them as representatives of the Contractor.

Uniforms may feature the contractor's company name or logo, name tags, and, if applicable, role designations.

208 RFP - Section J Attach 1 - Labor Categories 1 Qualifications

Is it required that resumes for cybersecurity advisor (Exec Level) and Senior Logistics Advisor (Org level) list any specific foreign language proficiency and experience living overseas? This section lists this a requirement but not the scope of work on sample TO-attachment 10

At the TO level, there may be a requirement for the advisor to have foreign language proficiency and experience living overseas.

Attachment 10 is a hypothetical sample TO and the Contractor should adjust it based on the scenario and location (fictional if applicable).

J - Attachment 12 – Global Advisory Q&A Template – IDIQ Evaluation Only Answers Provided with Amendment 2

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

209 RFP - Section J Attach 1 - Labor Categories 1 Qualifications

As there are no requirements for any position to be an American citizen, but many positions require a rank/rate (O-5, E-6, etc…) are there any countries' militaries whose experience DOS will not accept?

This will be decided at the Task Order Level.

210 RFP - Section L 155 L.34.3.4 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Note 1 references paragraphs L.34.2.38 through L.34.2.40. There are no such paragraphs. Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.38 through L.34.3.40?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

211 RFP - Section L 156 L.34.3.8 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

The last sentence "Please see paragraph L.34.2.39 and L.34.2.40." There are no such paragraph. Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.39?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

212 RFP - Section L 156 L.34.3.13 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

The last sentence "Please see paragraphs L.34.2.39 and L.34.2.40." There are no such paragraphs. Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.39 and L.34.3.40?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

213 RFP - Section L 161 L.34.3.39.9 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Note 1 references paragraphs L.34.2.39.1 through L.34.2.39.8 and L.34.2.39.9. There are no such pargraphs. Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.39.1 through L.34.3.39.8 and L.34.3.39.9?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

214 RFP - Section L 162 L.34.3.40.3 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Note 1 references paragraphs L.34.2.40.3 and L.34.2.39 There are no such paragraphs Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.40.3 and L.34.3.39?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

215 RFP - Section L 162 L.34.3.40.3 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Note 2 references paragraphs L.34.2.39.1 through L.34.2.39.9. There are no such paragraphs Is the intent of the government to reference paragraphs L.34.3.39.1 through L.34.3.39.9?

The amended RFP contains the correct references.

216 RFP - Section L 156 L.34.3.10 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Last sentence: "A proposed joint venture shall propose only its own indirect cost rates, not those of any joint venture member." What if the JV is set up as an unpopulated JV that has no employees of its own and therefore doesn't incur its own indirect rates? Can the JV offeror use the indirect rates of one of the members of the JV?

L.34.3.10 has been changed to the following: In Pricing Tables 1 and 2, the offeror shall propose only its own indirect cost rates.

Indirect cost rates for subcontractors and/or other entities not proposed as the offeror shall not be included in part or in whole.

A proposed populated joint venture shall propose only its own indirect cost rates, not those of any joint venture member.

If a proposed unpopulated joint venture has its own indirect cost rates, the joint venture shall propose those rates. Otherwise, an unpopulated joint venture shall propose the indirect cost rates of its joint venture members if those rates will be used to bill the Government, or to bill the other joint venture member.

217 Attach 10 - Sample Task Order 8 8.5 Sample Task Order

Section requires that contractors "shall furnish to the COR proof of the candidate advisors’ medical clearance equivalent to Department of State Level 1 as determined by a licensed healthcare practitioner." Did the government mean to say "Department of State Class 1 - Worldwide Availability" Medical Clearance Classification IAW 16 FAM 211.2?

Per 16 FAM 211.2 it should be Class 1. The amended J-Attach 10 contains the correct reference.

218 Attach 10 - Sample Task Order 8 8.5 Sample Task Order

Will the governement please provide/detail what is included in a Department of State Class 1 Medical Clearance?

Per 16 FAM 211.2 the Contractor does not have identifiable medical conditions. Attach 10 includes the ability to lift 50 pounds and work in sub-Saharan climates without climate control.

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

219 Attach 10 - Sample Task Order 8 8.5 Sample Task Order

Can the USG client clarify if contractor must use the same medical form used by DoS (level 1) to examine physical and mental fitness? If so, can the USG client provide required form? Will the contractor be reimbursed for this expense?

The Contractor should use DS-1843 medical form that can be obtained online at the following link:

https://www.state.gov/forms-medical-clearances/

Attach 10 includes the ability to lift 50 pounds and work in sub- Saharan climates without climate control.

In addition, Sections C.4.2 and H.7.5.2 of the RFP provides additional details pertaining to physical and mental fitness.

This will be determined at the task order level.

220 Attach 10 - Sample Task Order 8 9.3.2.1 Sample Task Order

Will the USG client consider qualified a candidate for Senior Logistics with experiene as logistics advisor to partner nation militaries in another country that is not a Sub-Saharan Africa partner nation and meet all the other requirements?

Attach 10 is a hypothetical Sample Task Order and is for use by Offerors in creating a realistic technical response for the functional areas of the Global Advisory IDIQ scope.

221 RFP - Section C 38-40 C.2.3.1 Qualifications

Neither Section C.2.3.1 nor Section J - Attachment 1 state that the Program Manager must be an American citizen nor that they must have or must be able to have a Security Clearance at any level. As the government is requiring the awardees to have or will sponsor a Top Secret Facility Security Clearance and requires the key personnel in the Sample Task Order to have Top Secret Clearances, is the offeror corect in assuming that the Program Manager must be an American Citizen? Additionally what level of security clearance must they either have or be able to qualify for?

Key Personnel position requiring a Top Secret security clearance must be filled by an United States citizen, resident alien, or an individual with appropriate permits authorizing work in appropriate permits authorizing work in the United States.

Additionally, candidates must meet all other qualifications outlined in the solicitation, including security clearance and language proficiency requirements.

Refer to RFP Section H.17.3, for additional facility security clearance (FCL) details.

222 RFP - Section C 138 L.18. Contract Terms

Under the GLOBALCAP contract, the Department of State intends to award up to 7 unrestricted and 7 SDVOSB / WOSB awards. Since the government has tied the capacity of the GAS contract and availability of potential awardees to the GLOBALCAP Contract by stating that via Sections H.12 and H.13 (Organizational Conflict of Interest - GLOBALCAP and Global Advisory Programs), it seems counterproductive and appears to increase risk to the government by also limiting the number of GAS awardees to 3 Unrestricted and 5 SDVOSB / WOSB awards. Would the government reconsider and amend the wording in Section L.18 to mirror the number of GLOBALCAP awardees and reflect up to 7 Unrestricted and 7 SDVOSB / WOSB awardees, thereby increasing the chances that awardees on GAS will not also be GLOBALCAP Awardees (or subcontractors)?

No, these are two separate IDIQ's. The government does not intend to update Section L.18.

223 RFP - Section C 40 C.2.3.1.6.2.

7 Qualifications

Please confirm that Coursera certification course MS 365 Office and Power Platform Specialization will mee the qualification requirement "Provision of Certification in MS Office through industry recognized provider (e.g., Certiport, Coursera, etc.)is required."

Confirmed. Furthermore, the government will verify certifications legitimacy by checking if the issuing body is recognized within the industry.

224 RFP - Section C 40 C.2.3.1.6.2.

7 Qualifications

The RFP states that the offeror should provide examples of the Program Manager's MS Skills and then further states the offeror should provide a certificate verifying the Program Managers MS Office skills. Is this requirement either / or or does the offeror have to provide both?

The Contractor will have to provide both.

225 RFP - Section C 48 C.12 Contract Terms

Under the Occupied Positions row of the Contract Metrics Table (Table C.2), the government states that postions must be filled 100% of the time.

Is this really feasible given extenuating circumstances such as familiy emergency, no notice resignations, or advisor illness? Can this metric be modified to take into account situations beyond the offerors' control?

No, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure positions are filled 100% of the time. Refer to RFP Section H.6.2.3 for additional details.

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

226 RFP - Section H Attach 1 - Labor Categories 87 H.17.4.1 Security

"Specific individual clearance (or certification i.e., Moderate Risk Public Trust [MRPT] ) requirements for personnel will be specified at the TO level. Question: Since none of the Labor Categories in Attachment 1 require an individual security clearance will the government allow the Contractor to Propose new pricing for the positions requiring a clearance?

No, the contractor may not propose new pricing. The required security clearances will be specified at the Task Order level.

227 RFP - Section H 82 H.7.5.8 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4)

Will any required licenses to operate vehicles or equipment necessary to perform the contract in overseas locations be allowable as an Other Direct Cost (ODC) at the TO level?

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

228 RFP - Section H 83 H.7.12 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4) Will Medical Evacuation insurance be allowable as an Other Direct Cost (ODC) at the TO level?

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

229 RFP - Section H 82 H.7.5.2 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4) Will required physicals and vaccinations be allowed as Other Direct Costs (ODC) at the TO level?

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

230 RFP - Section L 155 L.34.3.4 Format/Structure Can the supporting information be included in one file or is a separate file required for each supporting information provided?

The supporting information should be submitted logically so as to facilitate Government review.

231 RFP - Section L 162 L.35.3.3 Vol IV - Price Proposal (Fctr 4) Our FY is Jan - Dec. Will audited financials be accepted for Jan-Dec 2023 if we do not have audited 2024 financials completed?

Yes, an audit for year ending 12/31/2023 is acceptable.

232 RFP - Section C 38 C.2.3.1 Personnel Will the key personnel (Program Manager) be billed at the IDIQ level or will a separate TO be issued for PM support?

The PM will be billed at the Task Order level

233 RFP - Section H 83 H.7.14 Contract Terms

"Subcontracts. The Contractor shall incorporate the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (m), in all subcontracts….."Can you government clarrify paragraph (m)?

Reference to paragraph (m) has been deleted. The amended RFP has been updated.

234 RFP - Section C 40 C.2.3.1.6.2.

7 Qualifications

Please confirm that Coursera certification course MS 365 Office and Power Platform Specialization will mee the qualification requirement "Provision of Certification in MS Office through industry recognized provider (e.g., Certiport, Coursera, etc.)is required."

See Question 223.

235 RFP - Section C 40 C.2.3.1.6.2.

7 Qualifications

The RFP states that the offeror should provide examples of the Program Manager's MS Skills and then further states the offeror should provide a certificate verifying the Program Managers MS Office skills. Is this requirement either / or or does the offeror have to provide both?

See Question 224.

236 RFP - Section C C Contract Terms

Does the government forsee any circumstance where the advisors assigned to assist host-nation military would accompany those units on combat operations?

Yes and this will be considered at the Task Order Level.

237 RFP - Section C Attach 10 - Sample Task Order NA Communications

Given the nature of this contract with submission of reports that will include readiness rating, deployment dates, equipment shipments, etc, will the goverment require all offerors to be CMMC Level III Certified given the obvious CUI communication requirements?

This is a hypothetical Sample Task Order is for use by Offerors in creating a realistic technical response for the functional areas of the Global Advisory IDIQ scope.

Additional requirements will be determined at the Task Order Level.

238 RFP - Section C C.2.3.1.1 Qualifications

Can the government confirm that no military experience is required for the program manager? Past contract iterations have required the PM to have extensive military leadership and training qualifications, whereas this job is more focused on USAID and DoS acquisition experience.

Confirmed, no military experience is required.

239 RFP - Section C C.6.5.1 Qualifications

"The Contractor shall provide housing and office space to support mission requirements. The Contractor shall be required to provide necessary housing and office space at various locations, as required at the TO level. " Can the government clarify if housing and offices must meet RSO certification standards, or be within the Embassy approved zones, or if CECAS compliance will be required at any level since SPOT is required in H.7.4.1.

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

240 RFP - Section C Contract Terms

C.8.1.4 states "Periodic conference call project updates and occasional in-person briefings." C.11.1 states "Reporting requirements will be defined at the TO level." Knowing DOS preference for bidders with offices within 51 miles of DOS HQ.

Can the government clarify the expected frequency and format of in-person meetings at the Department of State Headquarters for this program, particularly for post-award status updates, program management discussions or other required briefings. Additionally, would these meetings be scheduled at the IDIQ level, task order level, or both?"

As these are not specified in the documentation, is in-person program level meetings cost-reimbursable?

This will be determined at the Task Order Level.

241 Section M Evaluation Criteria

Please clarify the weighting of the non-price evaluation factors relative to one another and their cumulative impact compared to price. For instance, are there specific scoring percentages assigned to each factor or is the evaluation conducted qualitatively?

Refer to Section M.10.2 for details.

242 Attach 10 - Sample Task Order 9 9.4.2.9.3 Qualifications

Can the USG client confirm whether one of the certifications required for Cybersecurity Advisor is Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or CompTIA Advanced Security Practioner (CASP)? At the moment, the requirement reads Certified Information Systems Auditor (CASP)

J-Attach 10 Section 9.4.2.9.3 has been revised to CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP).

243 Attach 12 - Q&A Template Questions 24 Vol III - Past Perf (Fctr 3)

As many offerors have already requested and had PPQ completed with confirmed submissions to the POCs identified in the original solicitation, is there a requirement for us to reengage our contract POCs for resubmission of the PPQ based on the revised POCs and minor adjustments outlined in the answers provided in the Attachment 12 Global Advisory Q & A?

Offerors should ensure their PPQ are submitted in accordance with the latest guidance provided in latest amendment. If PPQs were previously submitted to the original POCs. Offerors are advised to confirm with their POCs whether resubmission is necessary based on the updated instructions. To avoid any potential issues with evaluating, the Government advise offerors follow the most recent submission guidance outlined in the latest version of the RFP.

244 Attach 12 - Q&A Template 20 Questions 19 Subcontracting/Teaming/JVs

The question submitted states "May a company be proposed as a subcontractor on more than one prime bidder's team within a single pool?" The government's response "Yes. The only restriction is the value of all subcontracts shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total contract value." is problematic when taken in the context of the requirements of section H.13 which precludes contractors from holding task orders - as a prime contractor or a subcontractor - under GLOBALCAP and the Global Advisory IDIQ in the same country. By allowing a subcontractor to be a team member on multiple prime teams, the government is allowing for the very potential conflict of interest (just at the subcontractor level) it is attempting to avoid with H.13. Would the Government reconsider this answer and limit the number of prime bid/teams a subcontractor can be on to just one (especially significant/critical subcontractors)? if not, would the Government consider removing the H.13 requirement OR having the H.13 requirement "flow down" to subcontractors also?

The Government allow subcontractors to be included on multiple prime teams within a Pool, as many provide specialized goods and services (e.g., equipment suppliers) that do not create conflicts of interest. However, H.13 remains in effect at the task order level, preventing contractors including subcontractors from performing under both GLOBALCAP and the Global Advisory IDIQ in the same country if a conflict arises.

While the Government will not impose a blanket restriction limiting subcontractors to one prime team it reserves the right to apply restrictions on a case-by-case basis if a subcontractor’s role presents an OCI risk under H.13.

245 Attach 12 - Q&A Template 3 and 18 Questions 21 Equipment/Vehicles

As the Government has clearly stated that it is not going to remove the NTE Rate for the vehicle from the IDIQ TEP, nor provide a "plug number" for the vehicle lease rate, would the government please provide the minimum requirement(s) for the vehicles for personnel transport? For example, are they required to hold/transport a minimum number of people? Are they to be SUVs, Trucks, or sedans? Are they to be factory armored (if so, to what level)? As this is a "Not to Exceed" price for evaluation purposes, it is critical that all contractors are bidding similar (if not the same) requirements.

The Vehicle (Personnel Transport) (Lease) are provided in Section J, Attach 3 (Equipment Specifications).

Q RFP Section J - Attachment Page # Paragraph Category Contractor Questions & Comments Government Responses

246 Attach 12 - Q&A Template 8 Question 68 Vol II - Mgmt Approach (Fctr 2)

The question states that "Sections L and M do not allign for Vol II - Management Approach. The Government is evaluatinng several requirements that were not included in Section L. Please advise" and the gevernment's response is (in question 9) "Confirmed. Changed in RFP L.32.5 to read "four" subfactors"> however there are many more examples of L and M not alligning within Volume II. For example, within "Sub-Factor 2: Resource Management Plan (IDIQ Level) Section L. 32.5.2 does not dictate we provide all of the items that the government says it is evaluating as part of the Resource Management Plan in Section M.12.1.2 Specifically the government states in M.12.1.2.1 that "Emphasis will be placed on the education, professional certifications, and security credentials obtained by the workforce in relation to the numnber of personnel in the business unit, the average length of service and the turnover rate experience of the business unit"

Question 9 from the J-Attach 12 Global Advisory Q_A Template IDIQ Evaluation Only Answers refers to Section M, para M.12. This has been updated and notes four subfactors in the Management Approach.

In response to your example for Sub-Factor 2: Resource Management Plan (IDIQ Level), Section L.32.5.2 requires Offerors to provide a detailed resource management approach, including recruitment and retention strategies, organizational structure, and subcontracting plans. Section M.12.1.2 evaluates these same components by assessing how well the Offeror’s approach meets the contract’s requirements. Factors such as workforce education, professional certifications, security credentials, and turnover rates are to an Offeror’s ability to effectively manage resources and retain qualified personnel, which directly supports the requirements outlined in Section L.

It is up to the Offeror to propose their own solution to meet the RFP requirements.

247 Attach 12 - Q&A Template question 11 Subcontracting/Teaming/JVs

The question states "The small business subcontracting plan is to be submitted as part of Volume II - Management Volume - but contains price information including total contract value and value of subcontracting.

Please confirm the plan should be submitted in Volume II". The government's response does not answer the question.

Confirmed.

248 Attach 12 - Q&A Template 2 Question 11 Subcontracting/Teaming/JVs

The government's response states "RFP section L.32.5.4 has been updated to include instructions for offerors to submit the SMall Business Subcontracting Plan in percentages of total contract value in accordance with the Department of State goals for fiscal year 2025. The amended RFP contains the correct references." However, the percentages provided in L.

32.5.4 and Section M. 12.1.4.1.2 do not match the percentages provided in L.11. Please confirm that the Small Business goal is supposed to be 38% as identified in L.11 and not 50.83% as identified in L.32.5.4 and M.

12.1.4.1.2

This has been updated.

249 Attach 12 - Q&A Template 15 Question 13 Vol III - Past Perf (Fctr 3)

The referenced section (M14.5.5) in the amended Solicitation still contains a reference to "paragraph M.13.6". This paragraph does not exist in the solicitation. Would the government please clarify /correct teh paragraph reference?

This has been updated.

SAM.gov Post Amend 2