Q and A Government responses CJEP 19INLE22I0001.docx

Questions from Industry and Government responses concerning the Request for Information on Criminal Justice Expertise Program 19INLE22I0001 released on May 10, 2022 response due date June 3, 2022.

the cadre of criminal justice experts required in Objective 3 be employed by the contractor or directly by the Department of State? If they are to be employed by the contractor is there an associated level of effort or specific labor categories to be used in developing the detailed budget?

The Department of State through the request for information hopes to embrace the current program entitled “Law Enforcement Expertise Program (LEEP)” and the intent of the RFI is to put together the most extensive resources to provide technical advisory capabilities to our INL partners globally and domestically. The expectation is that the Contractor will develop a network of experts available to meet the requirements in the objectives. The contractor will provide an administrative staff to develop and maintain this network needed fulfill the need for advanced Criminal justice expertise by the Department of State and their INL partners. The contractor is requested to provide their best estimate and basis of that estimate.

traveler days, insurance policy coverage requirements, expected amounts of per diem and honoraria? This information is necessary to provide a detailed budget.

If the assignment requires 6 months in host country or if the assignment requires weekly trips monthly is contingent on the specific INL partner’s needs and the Statement of Work that will detail the level of effort and duration requested. These Statements of Work will be sent to the contractor as a CLIN for specific budget estimates. Please provide recommendations based on the current and potential situations.

to be submitted annually?

Each activity will be provided on a separate CLIN and the contractor will have the opportunity to provide additional detailed report(s) in accordance with the specific request. The reporting for the primary order will be on a monthly basis with information for each CLIN broken out separately at a high level for technical and tracking of the funding expended versus funding remaining.

opportunity going to be released as a competitive acquisition or as a non-profit grant opportunity? If it is an acquisition, what type of contract does the department of state anticipate issuing for this opportunity? What is the anticipated Total Contract Value?

The RFI purpose is to allow industry to make recommendations for the type of contract, Industry is requested to suggest potential contracting types. Each CLIN potentially could be handled dependent on the tasking. Currently the Government is thinking the fixed price for the base contract and potentially for each CLIN or order awarded.

“include in their proposal a brief section outlining how additional funds could potentially be used to expand work into further activities or additional countries in future years.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their project might leverage funding through other organizations…” Will the Department of State clarify the countries where this work is currently or expected to be completed?

When referring to “leverage funding from other organizations” Is the Department of State referring to other internal organizations outside of INL, other governmental organizations outside of the State Department, or funding from non-governmental organizations?

The INL partners may vary depending on the needs of that specific partners from year to year. The number of requests is depending on the funding by each partner and the event in that location.

contract to industry companies. Specifically, the 92 NAICS family is intended to cover government establishments, not contractors operating in support of those establishments.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration does not provide a small business size standard for the 92 series of NAICS codes, including 922120. We request the Government please review the stated NAICS and select an appropriate code for the type of work required by the contractor, such as 541199 – Other Legal Services.

The Government is looking for industry to provide feedback, this is merely a recommendation at this point. Please submit a recommendation for the most appropriate NAICS code to maximize inclusiveness.

(PSC) as defined by FAR Part 37?

The Government does not intent this effort to be personal services contract, it is intended to be handled with support from the Contractor.

requirements of the ICITAP program. How will the Government deconflict competition for identical resources between these two programs?

The Government would deconflict competition at the requesting post and during consultations on a proposed SOW with the INL-HQ offices on to determine the best implementation mechanism.

(OCI) for companies who also intend to perform/support other DoS-related training/advisory/assistance contracts such as the DoJ ICITAP contract (funded by DoS interagency agreements), DoS GATA III, etc.?

If Contractor’s solutions presented raise concerns over proprietary or Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) the contractor should identify either concern clearly in their response. The intent of the RFI is to put together the most extensive resources to provide technical advisory capabilities to our INL partners, globally and domestically. The Government and Contractor should identify any concerns for OCI and work to mitigate the conflict.

USAID, etc.?

The funding will be provided under the contract CLIN and paid by the Dept. of State in concurrence with the terms of the contract.

resources (highly qualified, experienced individuals) will be impacted by the structure of the program. Does DoS anticipate a single-award or multiple-award contract? Does DoS intend this program to operate as a task order-based IDIQ contract? How will DoS moderate competition for identical resources amongst contractors if this is a multiple award IDIQ?

The RFI is requesting industries input to type and method of contracting to allow for flexibility thereby allowing industry to provide maximize the ability of industry to respond and provide the services in a timely manner to the INL partner.

“Applicants.” Additionally, the requirement to submit a “Detailed Budget” are indicative of a Grant Application or Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Please clarify whether DoS is seeking potential sources for a future competitive contract award or whether DoS is collecting input for a grant award.

Dept of State is looking for an overriding contract in lieu of grant awards. If industry has recommendations, please provide suggested methods.

Non-Profit Organization currently performing on a grant award. Is this Sources Sought open to all industry or does DoS only require a response from Strategic Capacity Group

(SCG)?

This RFI is open to all industry. As an RFI, the Government is interested in the feasibility of industry bids on the whole contract or on specific objectives, such as providing technical advisory services overseas.

would an Honorarium be paid? Specifically, since Honorarium payments are akin to a gratuity, are they considered billable to the government? Does the department of state consider Honorariums separate from a Per-Diem consulting wage? Would they be categorized as direct labor or an ODC? How should these be accounted for in our ROM?

We do not have this information at this time. They would not be included in the ROM. Typically an honorarium is paid by the USG and the travel and per-diem is paid by the vendor. For this purpose consider it an ODC.

program is the delivery of short-term technical assistance (i.e., limited duration – 1 week to 6 months) to support specific DoS requirements, instead of providing long-term embedded advisory assistance for Host Nation/Partner Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice institutions. Is our understanding correct?

The RFI is based on the current Government experience however the potential for future involvement may allow for extended durations, dependent on funding availability and INL partner requirements. There is expected to be an administrative annual level of support with specific CLIN or orders covering specific tasks.

AIDS AND DEVICES is included in the SAM.gov posting, however procurement of materials is not explicit in the scope of work objectives. Does DoS anticipate a procurement requirement on this program?

There is a potential for equipment and/or material to be needed under specific tasks. In some cases, the Contractor will provide Contractor owned equipment and other will be Government furnished potentially through the contractor.

response to this Sources Sought, we request an extension to the due date of responses to at least 10 days following the Government’s answers to questions.

The current due date for this RFI is June 3rd, the revised due date is June 7th. The Government wants to use industry inputs for an expeditious Request For Proposal.