Amendment 1 15 April.docx.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

1 16

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO.

00001

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

04/15/2011

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY CODE 2543 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE 2543 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(PGO)

Procurement and Grants Office 2920 Brandywine Rd, RM 3000 Atlanta, GA 30341-5539

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PGO) Procurement and Grants Office 2920 Brandywine Rd, RM 3000 Atlanta, GA 30341-5539

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

X

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

2010-N-12110

9B. DATED (See Item 11)

03/30/2011

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (See Item 13)

CODE FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers X is extended, Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

is not extended.

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEGMENT copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer

TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

copies to the issuing office.

See page 2 – 16.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16A. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

15C. DATE SIGNED

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY ___________________________________________

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

16C. DATE SIGNED

NSN 7540-01-152-8070 STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE 30-105 Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

ITEM 10A.

2010-N-12110 00001

The purpose of this amendment is as follows:

1. The due date for proposals is hereby extended to May 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm (Noon) Eastern Daylight Time.

2. Section C.5, Performance-based Matrix – Overall is hereby revised as follows:

a. The “NOTE” is changed

From “Line item #2 through #10 will not be applicable until receipt of the first task order” To read “Line item #2 through #6 will not be applicable until receipt of the first task order”

b. The line items 7 through 10 are hereby deleted.

3. Section F.4, deliverables # 6 through #9 are hereby deleted.

4. Section G.3, Subcontracting Program Reports, is hereby deleted. Section G.4 through Section G.9 are renumbered to Section G.3 through Section G.8.

5. Section I. the following clauses are hereby deleted:

FAR 52.215-12, Subcontractor Cot and Pricing Data FAR 52.215-13, Subcontractor Cot and Pricing Data - Modification FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Services Contract act

6. Section L.6(D)2 is revised as follows:

a. First paragraph (ii) is revised to read

(ii) provide lead-times (in days) stating the average lead-time required for the commencement of any service after receiving a task order award.

b. The last sentence of the “NOTE” is revised to read

Offerors are cautioned that these attachments do not represent a definitive set, may not be the most recent version, may have expired, or may no longer be valid.

7. Section M.5.4, Overall Previous Experience, is revised

From: This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror’s proposed personnel and subcontractors (if any) are in performing the activities described in Section C of this solicitation based on their work experience within the last 5 years (particularly as it relates to global health activities).

To read: This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror and subcontractors (if any) are in performing the activities described in Section C of this solicitation based on their work experience within the last 5 years (particularly as it relates to global health activities). In addition, offerors will be evaluated on how well the offeror demonstrates their experiences of team integration, resolving business management problems , issuance of multiple task orders (or contracts), and emergency situations. The offeror will also be evaluated on their prior experience in controlling costs while providing similar services in the international arena.

8. Attachment J.1, Sample Task Order 0001, is hereby revised as follows:

a. C2 Service Objective, OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT OVERVIEW, Note for information only – added “Ho chi Minh City, Vietnam” under the historical data.

b. C4 Place of Performance – added “CDC Office” in third column of the table.

c. L.2.A Previous Experience is revised to read:

The Contractor shall provide a clear and succinct demonstration of previous experience (within the past 5 years) in providing technical advice/assistance and medical advice/assistance in HIV support services, Management counsulting and program management, and laboratory support services for USG organizations in Vietnam. Ideally these activities will have dealt with HIV/AIDS and behavioral health interventions in resource constrained settings.

9. Attachment J.2, Sample Task Order 0002, is hereby revised as follows:

C2 Service Objective, added “in Maputo, Mozambique” under Note for information only in each objectives.

10. Attachment J.3, Sample Task Order 0003, is revised

a. C.3.1.A – removed “Caribbean countries” and replaced with “Haiti”

b. C.3.1.B second paragraph, last sentence is changed

From: Review the countries’ workplans and systems and assist them with setting and implementing their performance targets.

To read: Review the workplan and systems of the CDC office in Haiti and assist them with setting and implementing their performance targets.

c. C.4 Please of Performance third column of the table changed to read Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, CDC Office

d. L.2.A Previous Experience is revised to read:

The Contractor shall provide a clear and succinct demonstration of previous experience (within the past 5 years) in providing monitoring and evaluation in HIV support services for USG organizations in Haiti. Ideally these activities will have dealt with HIV/AIDS and behavioral health interventions in resource constrained settings.

e. M.4 first paragraph – revised to read:

This portion of the proposal will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror’s key personnel are in performing the activities described in this task order. The offeror will be evaluated on their plan to recruit, hire and retain qualified staff. The evaluation will also be based on the offeror’s management plan (e.g., supervisory responsibility, chain of command, assigned responsibilities) of critical events for this task order. Strong emphasis will be given to how well an offeror describes any applicable relationships with subcontractors, other contractors, and CDC service organizations. The offeror will also be evaluated on the stated location of the Offeror’s offices and staff in relation to the locations identified in Section C.4.”

11. Attachment J.5 is hereby revised as follows:

Column A – correct the word “Historical” Column E – remove “Request for” and is revised to read “Estimated Lead time for Commencement of After Receiving Task Order Award”.

12. All other terms and conditions remain the same.

Solicitation 2010-N-12110 (ITOPSS II)

Questions and Answers

Q1. Regarding Past Performance, exactly how many Past Performance Questionnaires does the CDC want? In Section L.7.(5) Past Performance Information, the government states that two (2) contracts that have been completed in the past five years and "all contracts currently in process for work similar in size and complexity to this acquisition." For each contract we are required to provide the required information as listed. Please advise if Questionnaires from each of those contracts should be sent out, or if the Questionnaires only apply to the two (2) contracts requested. Additionally, is the CDC requiring two (2) contract Past Performance examples from each subcontractor as well as the Prime?

Answer Q1. Please provide all that are in the same size and complexity as this solicitation. It is the offeror’s responsibility that the evaluation board receives enough past performance surveys to adequately demonstrate that the offeror has the quality and quantity of past performance to be acceptable to the board. For the subcontractor, if they are going to be listed as one of your prime subs, then yes.

Q2. Is the CDC requiring nationally specific examples of Past Performance for each Task Order response? In other words for each Task Order, how does the CDC define "previous experience?"

Answer Q2. Yes. Previous experience regarding the specific work identified in each task order.

Q3. For the Business Proposal, page 76 (Section L.7 (2) Contract Form, Supplies and Prices, etc.) of the RFP referes to a "Contract Form found in Part I, Section A...of this solicitation." Please advise where this form can be found in the solicitation, as we cannot seem to find it.

Answer Q3. Section A is the solicitation cover page SF 33.

Q4. The sample task orders require multiple positions in each individual task order. However, it is our understanding that the vast majority of task orders issued under the current ITOPSS contract are for specific tasks and are only for one individual contractor. Will CDC be moving to this type of task order in the future as opposed to one person per task order?

Answer Q4. Yes.

Q5. Under C.2 of each sample task order (Attachments J.1 through J.3), CDC provided “for information only” the number of contractors that have historically been provided for each service objective. Is it CDC’s intention that all offerors are required to use this information to prepare their technical and business proposals? If not, can CDC provide more information so that the offeror can assess actual work loads?

Answer Q5. CDC cannot tell you how to prepare the proposal – it is historical data and for information only. Each offeror must assess the work identified in the work statement.

Q6. Section B.5 - Award of Task Orders, b – Ordering Procedures, second paragraph indicates that “The proposal shall include a Person Loading chart. This chart will indicate for each proposal labor position, the number of man hours subdivided by the specific components of the task.” Will CDC be able to provide detailed information for the Awardee to make such an estimate? Specifically, will the CDC provide level of effort statistics for each task so that man hours can reasonably be estimated? It is our experience that the type of technical consulting work contemplated by this RFP is directly impacted by the level of expertise of the CDC FTE staff, host country partners and many other variables that cannot practically be factored into this equation.

Answer Q6. CDC believes the work statements included in the sample task orders and in the future task orders will provide sufficient information for the offerors/Awardees to propose in such manner in Section B.5.

Q7. Attachment J.5 – Column 3 indicates that the offeror can provide details ensuring that they will legally be able to perform services if they are not already able to legally provide services in a particular country. Will the CDC reimburse the Awardee under this cost plus contract for the costs of setting up in country (legal, accounting, filing fees, etc.)?

Answer Q7. You are required to include all costs in your proposal.

Q8. Section C.3.1.4 provides an historical / relative frequency of services requested most by CDC from most frequent to less frequent. Can CDC provide a percentage for each category to indicate the level of relative usage for each category? Otherwise, can CDC provide details or clarifications that would better help understand why this particular section is relevant? Does CDC expect the offeror to be able to respond in all areas?

Answer Q8.

A. CDC believes it has provided enough information in the RFP in this category.

B. This information was included in order to give all offerors an understanding of the current contract and what will probably be needed on the follow on contracts.

C. It is up to the offeror to state which areas they can perform in.

Q9. Section C.4.3.1 explains the use of Personal Service Task Orders whereby CDC will directly control the day-to-day activities and day-to-day supervision of the contractor employee. Yet, the last sentence of the second paragraph indicates that the contractor shall be the employer of record and will assume all liabilities associated with providing personal services in the location identified in the task order. Is CDC indicating that the contractor will be responsible for all acts of their employee even when implicit direction resulting in a liability claim was given by a CDC FTE? Doesn’t this type of activity give rise to an employer-employee relationship between CDC and the contract employee? If so, how can the contractor be considered liable for acts beyond their employment control and supervision? Along those same lines, is CDC responsible when contractor personnel are required by CDC in-country management to perform work assignments that are outside the scope of the statement of work?

Answer Q9. Any direction by a CDC FTE is required to be within the scope of work as stated in the task order. If the direction is believed by the contractor employee to be outside the scope of work as stated in the task order the contract employee should notify both the CDC FTE and his employer that he believes an assignment is outside the scope of work as stated in the task order.

No work on an assignment should be performed until a determination has been made that the assignment is, in fact, within the scope of work. At no time should work be performed that is outside the scope of work as stated in the task order by any contractor employee.

Q10. Section C.4.5 Training, last paragraph indicates that “The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for keeping Contractor employees abreast of advances in state-of-the-art technologies.” Historically, we understand that contractors providing services pursuant to the current ITOPSS contract have utilized CDC systems almost exclusively. Does CDC anticipate a significant amount of work being performed in contractor facilities on contractor owned server and operational systems? If yes, how much and what type of systems does CDC contemplate the Contractor company will need? Can CDC provide examples of the types of “state-of-the art” technologies that CDC contemplates the Contractor must keep their employees up to date on?

Answer Q10.

a. No. CDC does not anticipate a significant amount of work being performed in contractor facilities.

b. The “state-of the art” depends on nature of the services. The contractor shall provide skilled personnel to performance the services stated in each task order. CDC will not train the contractor’s employee to perform the services.

Q11. Section C.5 – Performance-based Matrix – Overall Contract, and as detailed further in Section F.4, a variety of deliverables are listed. Items 6 through 9 relate to IT Security Plans, Risk Assessments, FIPS 199 Assessment and IT Security Certification and Accreditation. Aren’t these requirements related to contractor systems that will interface with CDC systems? If so, does that indicate that much of the work contemplated by this RFP will be conducted in Contractor facilities on Contractor systems? How much of the current ITOPSS work (pursuant to the existing contract) is conducted off-site at Contractor facilities and how much is contemplated in the future under the new ITOPSS contract?

Answer Q11.

a. These requirements don’t apply to the overall contract; therefore, they are deleted from

Section C.5 and Section F.4 by Amendment #1. For future reference, these requirements will be identified in the individual task order, if the work involves the running and/or developing of a system,

b. None is conducted at the contractors’ facilities. All work is conducted at CDC’s facilities.

Q12. Section G.2 – Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates seems to indicate that Offerors must provide provisional rates for “Fringe Benefits”, “Overhead” and “G&A”. Payroll taxes generally fall under the fringe benefit category. Since social taxes and related employer paid taxes vary from country to country, how does CDC propose that it incorporate a widely fluctuating employer payroll tax burden in one provisional rate?

Answer Q12. CDC did not intend to imply that an offeror must utilize the three indirect rate pools identified in the clause. The indirect rate categories listed in the clause are simply examples of commonly utilized indirect cost pools. Offerors should develop indirect cost pools and allocation bases in a manner consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, company accounting practices, Government cost principles, and Government Cost Accounting Standards.

CDC will evaluate the proposed indirect rates, using Government audit agencies if needed, and establish provisional indirect rates unique to a given company. Not all companies will be subject to the coverage of Cost Accounting Standards.”

Q13. Can CDC provide an estimate of the number of contractor personnel that it expects to be provided for each of the 77 countries listed in the RFP?

Answer Q13. See Attachment J.5., Column #1, Historic # of Task Orders issued.

Q14. Section G.3 – Subcontracting Program Reports would seem to indicate that CDC requires a subcontracting plan including a plan to fulfill small business and small disadvantaged business subcontracting goals. However, Section L.6(D)3.e last sentence indicates that a formal subcontracting plan is not required. Should Section G.3 be deleted?

Answer Q14. Deleted by Amendment #1

Q15. Section H.8, Task Order Competition and several other areas in the RFP indicate that there will be multiple vendors submitting proposals to RFTOP’s. It is our understanding that a high percentage of contractors are “preferred” candidates, i.e., CDC identifies possible candidates when a task order is issued. How will those candidates be sent to all of the Awardees? Is it expected that each Awardee will separately negotiate salaries and benefits with these candidates? If so, won’t this potentially drive up the cost since the candidate will certainly go with the firm that offers the most attractive compensation package?

Answer Q15.

a. It is up to the vendor to supply qualified personnel to perform the services.

b. CDC will not be involved in how the Awardee conducts their business.

c. Same answer as above.

Q16. Section I – Contract Clauses includes FAR 52.222-41 “Service Contract Act of 1965” and FAR 52.222-43 “Fair Labor Standards Act and Services Contract Act”. The Service Contract Act provides for minimum wages and minimum benefits for non-exempt employees working in the United States. Is it CDC’s intention that the offeror apply the Service Contract Act Wage Determinations to establishing a minimum benefit package? How should these two FAR provisions be interpreted relevant to work conducted outside the United States?

Answer Q16. Deleted by Amendment #1

Q17. What is the current benefit plan offered by the incumbent(s) for health benefits, retirement benefits, etc.? Will CDC expect the follow on contractors to grandfather benefits for existing contractors? If so, how is that handled under a cost plus contract arrangement?

Answer Q17. Only the current contractor can provide that answer; therefore, the Government cannot respond.

Q18. Does CDC have benefit plan expectations for ITOPSS II? It is our understanding that many current contractors are treated as salaried employees as opposed to hourly. However, the RFP can be interpreted to require billing to be on an hourly basis for actual time worked? What are CDC’s expectations and requirements regarding treating contract workers as salary versus hourly paid employees?

Answer Q18.

a. Reference Section C.4.1.2, Section 4.2, and L.6(d)(3)(f).

b. CDC does not regulate how offeror(s) conduct their business

c. Same as above.

Q19. Section L.6(D)2 Overall Ability to Provide Services Overseas – Is the last sentence accurate or should the last sentence of the “Note” read: “…that these attachments do not represent a definitive set…”?

Answer Q19. Corrected by Amendment #1.

Q20. Section L.6(D)3 – Overall Management Approach, subsection c. – Can CDC clarify what this requirement actually means? Please provide an example, from CDC’s perspective, of “Management Schedule of critical events for this contract indicating expenditure of person hours.”

Answer Q20. CDC is looking for information on your key personnel’s management schedule (i.e., how many hours each key personnel will devote to this contract per month).

Q21. Section L.6(D)4(a) and (c) both include language as follows: “without extensive guidance from the procuring agency”. Can CDC please clarify what type of guidance should not be requested? Are there specific issues that should be avoided or considered outside the normal contracting procedures?

Answer Q21. The offeror should be able to conduct business on their own without assistance from the USG. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining work permits, visas, translation of bilateral agreements.

Q22. Section L.7 Business Proposal Instructions subparagraph (2)(1) requires a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates and cost by appropriate categories. It is our understanding that most of the current employees to be provided are exempt professionals and, as such, are most likely salaried. Is CDC indicating that they are requiring Awardees to pay their employees and bill CDC on an hourly rate basis instead? Further, this section requires the offeror to furnish bases for estimates in the labor hours, rates and cost by appropriate categories. How can the offeror provide a basis for hours to be segregated by category without a much greater in-depth look at the actual work to be performed as impacted by internal and external conditions?

Answer Q22.

a. No.

b. Salary can be divided by annual hours. The services were identified in each sample task order work statement.

Q23. Section L.7 Business Proposal instructions, subparagraph (2)(4) relates to Fringe Benefits. Is it CDC’s intent that employer payroll taxes, workers compensation insurance, paid time off, health insurance, retirement plans, etc. be included in this section? If so, how does the CDC propose that the offeror account for the wide variety of employer paid taxes that are required in the various countries?

Answer Q23. It is not CDC’s intent to direct an offeror on what they should include in their Fringe Benefits.

Q24. Section M.5 Evaluation of Technical Proposals subsection 1 states that “Proposals that merely discuss staffing ability versus demonstrated technical knowledge of the services will receive much less than the full credit available for this criteria.” This sounds more like a public health full life cycle project RFP than an RFP focused on the delivery and management of highly qualified public health professionals to provide technical expertise in their specific areas of knowledge. Does CDC intend that only public health project companies will be eligible for award (i.e., they will be the only ones capable of earning the maximum scoring available) versus well qualified public health staff augmentation concerns? Is it a requirement that successful offerors have public health technical management staff (non-billable as a direct cost) to oversee “projects”?

Answer Q24,

a. No.

b. No.

Q25. Reference: RFP Section L, Page 67. Question: Section L lists FAR 52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, which requires offerors to submit, as part of their proposals, a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under the contract. However, the instructions for the Business Proposal do not indicate that a Total Compensation Plan is required. Please clarify if a Total Compensation Plan is required with proposal submission and in which section of the Business Proposal if it should be included.

Answer Q25. This clause is for the overall contract. The compensation plan is required under the task orders.

Q26. Reference: RFP Section L.5, Proposal Format, Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), Page 71. Question:

The RFP provides instructions on the number of hard copies to submit, but does not mention electronic copies. Please confirm that electronic copies on CDs are not required.

Answer Q26. Confirmed

Q27. Reference: RFP Section L.6.2, Overall Ability to Provide Services Overseas, Page 72. Question:

The instructions require offerors to state the average lead-time required for the “commencement of any service after receiving a request for task order proposal.” We believe the intent is for offerors to state the average lead-time for commencement after receiving “task order award.”

a. Please confirm and amend the RFP to state “commencement of any service after receiving task order award.”

b. If the requirement is correct as currently stated in the RFP, please provide the anticipated timeline for the number of days between release of the request for task order proposal to the proposal due date and from proposal due date to award of the task order.

Answer Q27. Confirmed. The sentence is revised by Amendment #1

Q28. Reference: RFP Attachment J.5, Ability to Provide Services Overseas Spreadsheet. Question:

Column E states: “Estimated Lead Time for Commencement of Services After Receiving Request for Task Order Award.” Please confirm that the requirement is to provide the estimated lead time after receiving task order award.

Answer Q28. Confirmed. The statement is revised by Amendment #1

Q29. Reference: RFP Section L.6.3, Overall Management Approach/Experience of Key Personnel, Page

73. Question: Paragraph c stipulates a requirement to provide an overall Management Schedule of critical events for this contract including expenditure of person hours. However, with multiple award IDIQ contracts, the expenditure of person hours at the IDIQ contract level will depend on numerous factors, such as the number of task orders awarded to the contractor, and will vary over time.

a. Please confirm and amend the RFP to remove the requirement for providing the person hours on the Master Schedule for the overall contract, as this will vary over time and depend on the number of task orders the offeror has to manage and report on at any given time.

b. If our assumption is incorrect, please clarify what is meant by “indicating expenditure of person hours” on the overall Master Schedule for the IDIQ contract.

Answer Q29.

a. No changes will be made to the requirement on the Master Schedule for the overall contract.

b. The hours of your key personnel are required.

Q30. Reference: RFP Section L.6.3, Overall Management Approach/Experience of Key Personnel, Page

73. Question: Paragraph e stipulates a requirement to provide a letter from all proposed subcontractors.

Please confirm that these letters can be placed in the appendices and are excluded from the page limitation.

Answer Q30. Confirmed as stated in the Section L.6.B.

Q31. Reference: RFP Section L.7(5), Past Performance Information, Page 77. Question: The RFP stipulates a requirement to list the last two contracts completed during the past five years, and all contracts currently in process, for work similar in size and complexity.

a. Please confirm that the requirement for the list of two completed contracts and all current similar contracts is for the prime offeror.

b. Please confirm that offerors may also include examples of relevant past performance from proposed subcontractors.

Answer Q31.

a. Confirmed

b. See answer to Q1

Q32. Reference: RFP Section L.7(5), Past Performance Information, Page 77. Question: Paragraph II requires offerors to send out the Past Performance Survey Form to each of the offeror’s past performance references points of contact (POC) identified. Typically, the survey is sent to one POC per past performance reference. Please confirm that the requirement is for the government to receive one survey per past performance reference.

Answer Q32. Confirmed

Q33. Reference: RFP Section L.7(5), Past Performance Information, Page 78. Question: The RFP states that the survey forms should be sent to individual references no later than the day of proposal submission. When are the completed survey forms due to the government from the past performance reference POCs?

Answer Q33. As soon as possible. If the CDC does not receive adequate responses, CDC may contact the POCs directly.

Q34. Reference: RFP Section M.5.4, Overall Previous Experience, Page 82. Question: Section M states that the Overall Previous Experience will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror’s proposed personnel and subcontractors are in performing the activities described in Section C. This is inconsistent with Section L instructions for Overall Previous Experience, which requires offerors to address corporate experience in various areas stipulated, listing, to the maximum extent possible, the same references that are listed in Past Performance references. Please amend Section M.5.4 to make the evaluation of Overall Previous Experience consistent with what offerors must address in this section per L.6.4.

Answer Q34. Section M.5.4 is revised by Amendment #1

Q35. Reference: RFP Attachment J.1, Sample Task Order 0001. Question: Please clarify if the place of performance for Sample Task Order 0001 is onsite at government facilities.

Answer Q35. Confirmed

Q36. Reference: RFP Attachment J.2, Sample Task Order 0002, Page 16. Question: The Minimum Personnel Qualifications/Requirements table lists qualification requirements for six positions. Please confirm that these are the requirements for the personnel who will work on the task order and was not meant to indicate that all six positions are key personnel positions.

Answer Q36. Confirmed. See C2 for historical date on the # of personnel performed the work in the past.

Q37. Reference: RFP Attachment J.3, Sample Task Order 0003, Page 3. Question: Paragraph C.3.1.A specifies Caribbean countries. Please confirm that the geographic scope of Sample Task Order 0003 is limited to Haiti and not the Caribbean.

Answer Q37. Confirmed. Paragraph C.3.1.A is revised by Amendment #1

Q38. Reference: RFP Attachment J.3, Sample Task Order 0003, Page 4. Question: Please provide further detail in regard to the requirement to review “countries’ workplans and systems.” Please specify which countries and what workplans are being referenced.

A38. The statement is revised by Amendment #1

Q39. Reference: RFP Attachment J.3, Sample Task Order 0003, Page 11. Question: Section M.4 for Sample Task Order 0003 states that the Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach will be evaluated according to how well qualified and experienced the offeror’s key personnel are; the plan to recruit, hire, and retain qualified staff; the management plan; and various other factors that are related to management and not the technical approach. Please confirm that this evaluation paragraph is out of place and really belongs under Management Approach and Experience of Key Personnel and amend Attachment J.3 accordingly.

Answer Q39. M.4 revised by Amendment #1.

Q40. Reference: RFP Attachment J.1, Section L.2(b), Page 14; Attachment J.2, Section L.2(b), Page 15;

Attachment J.3, Section L.2(b), Page 9. Question: If the sample task orders are for evaluation purposes only and will not be awarded as actual task orders, are letters of commitment from key personnel candidates required?

Answer Q40. No.

Q41. Reference: RFP Section L.7, Business Proposal Instructions, Page 75. Question: The statement “Because cost competition is anticipated, offerors are not required to submit cost or pricing data (certified) for the proposed costs with their business proposal” seems to contradict the statement in Section L.7(2), page 76, which states “Include all supporting costs for each Sample Task Order for evaluation (fringe, overhead rate, G&A, profit, etc.). Supporting Documentation for each proposed cost must be included (payroll records, indirect rate agreement, vendor quotes, etc.).” Please clarify.

Answer Q41. Certified cost or pricing data is not the same as supporting cost identified in Section L.7(2), page 76.

Q42. Reference: RFP Section L.7, Business Proposal Instructions, Page 76; Attachment J.1, Section L.1.1(1), Page 13; Attachment J.2, Section L.1.1(1), Page 15; Attachment J.3, Section L.1.1(1), Page 8 .

Question: The instructions for Direct Labor state: “Provide a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates.” Please clarify the requirement to provide a weekly breakdown for the three sample task orders, which have a 5-year period of performance.

Answer Q42. All sample task orders consist of a base year and 4 option years.

Q43. Can the Government please identify those personnel and/or labor categories that are considered to be Key Personnel?

Answer Q43. No – Varies by companies. See H.1 HHSAR 352.242.70

Q44. Section I.1 includes FAR Clause 52.215-12 – Subcontractor Cost and pricing Data. However, no instructions are provided with regards to the sealed package requirements. Can the Government please clarify if sealed packages are required to be submitted by subcontractors? If so, what information needs to be provided?

Answer Q44. Deleted by Amendment #1

Q45. Section L.7 (5), p.78 states that “In an effort to assist the Government in assessing the offeror’s past performance, a consent letter shall be completed by the major subcontractors.” Can the Government please identify the criteria/definition for “major subcontractors”.

Answer Q45. This is only required if they are listed as subcontractor in your proposal.

Q46. Attachment J.2 – Sample Task order 0002 identifies a place of performance to be at CDC office in Mozambique. The place of performance for sample task orders 0001 and 0003 is identified as Ho chi Min City-Saigon and Hanoi in Vietnam, Haiti, and Mozambique. Is the offeror required to have facilities in Vietnam, Haiti, and Mozambique or will work be performed at CDC offices? Also for Viet Nam, does the CDC expect for one team to cover the entire country or two teams located in both cities?

Answer Q46.

a. All work on the sample task orders will be performed in the CDC office. The place of performance is revised by Amendment 0001.

b. Section C2 of Sample Task Order 0001 has amended by Amendment #1.

Q47. Does the CDC expect the Haiti TO will require a permanent Team in Haiti, or personnel on the ground temporarily to conduct work and return to the U.S.?

Answer Q47. This sample task order is base in Haiti for one year plus 4 options.

Q48. The Sample Task Orders require offerors to provide a price for Travel, Materials and Other Direct Costs, yet the PWS does not provide specific information as to the number of trips required, what materials (Equipment Density Listing) will be required, etc. This does not give the Offeror sufficient information to reasonably determine what costs may be involved. For the purposes of evaluation, will the government consider providing not to exceed amounts for Travel, Material and Other Direct Costs?

Answer Q48. Only Sample Task Order 0002 has a travel requirement. The travel schedule/information is contained in paragraph C.5 on page 8 of 18.

Q49. Sample Task Orders 0001, 0002 and 0003; Section L.1.1, (1) Direct Labor, requires the Business proposal to include an “a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates”. Please confirm that the Government would like the Business Proposal to include “a weekly breakdown” of this information for the entire 5-year Period of Performance.

Answer Q49. Yes.

Q50. Will the submitted pricing be for the 3 sample task orders, or are we to price each of the other 74 countries for Technical, Operational, and Professional Support Services?

Answer Q50. 3 sample task orders.

Q51. How many yearly hours should we base pricing on for each position? i.e. 2,000, 3,200, 2,080 hours.

Answer Q51. The offeror proposal should be based on their own business practice.

Q52. Is there an additional CLIN we are to use for pricing or can you send a clearer version you can send to offerors.

Answer Q52. CLIN structures for the task order are identified in the Section B, page 2 of 86.

Q53. The sample task orders state they may be “personal or non personal contracts.” What Qualifications specify a personal contact verses a non personal contract.

Answer Q53. See Section C.4.3 for explanation of a personal services and non personal services.

Q54. On the three task orders, which services are considered personal or non personal services?

Answer Q54. Please see paragraph C.10 of sample task order 0001, paragraph C.11 of the sample task order 0002, and paragraph C.10 of the sample task order 0003. They are all identified as non personal services.

Q55. Do we need to include, COLA, hazard pay and medical malpractice insurance costs?

Answer Q55. Yes, if applicable.

Q56. Are there incumbents in place? If so, at which locations and what positions? Will this information be provided once the task order is awarded? What will be required for transition from incumbents to new awardees? Will the CDC conduct this process and specify what equipment, data, and other materials that will convey in the transition.

Answer Q56.

A. Yes B. Historical data is provided in Attachment J.5 C. There will be a Kick-off meeting for each awardee(s) to discuss the transition plan D. Same answer as above

Q57. On the sample task order for Vietnam, on page two it references 140,000 new healthcare workers.

Are these Third Country Nationals?

Answer Q57. This is background information only for PEPFAR

Q58. Are resumes/Curriculum Vitaes required with submittal of the sample task orders?

Answer Q58. Provide for the key personnel of the IDIQ overall contract only. Resumes can be submitted and included in the appendices with no page limit. For the sample task orders, offerors may provide example resumes for each task order but it is not required.

Q59. While we understand the mission, are we also providing general medical support outside from what is described in Task Orders?

Answer Q59. No.

Q60. Can additional requirements be added to existing TOs, or will a new TO for that Country be created for additional work?

Answer Q60. When an additional/surge requirement is included in the request for Task Order, it can be added to existing TOs.

Q61. L.7.5. (II) Past Performance Survey – Does the government require past performance surveys for ALL the contractor’s contracts currently in process similar in size and complexity to the solicitation? This list of current contracts could be rather extensive.

Answer Q61. See answer for Q1

Q62. L.6 (B) Page Count – It is not clear if resumes are considered part of the page count. Would the Government consider excluding resumes from the stipulated page count?

Answer Q62. If REQUIRED, they are not considered part of the page count.

Q63. Attachment J.1, J.2, and J.3 Task Orders - Are there incumbent staff for the Task Orders who are already in-country and would be hired by the successful bidder/contractor for these tasks?

Answer Q63. These are sample task orders. Historical data is provided in each sample task order. The successful bidder will not be required to hire the incumbents.

Q64. Attachment J.1, J.2, and J.3 Task Orders - Are the positions for the Task Orders full time in-country positions?

Answer Q64. Yes.

Q65. Attachment J.2 Task Order 2, C.3.3 Information Technology (IT) Support:

a. Can the Government provide quantitative data for the LAN to allow offerors to understand scope of the requirement? How many users, numbers, type, and age of equipment, operating system(s), and types of software supported?

b. Does the contractor need to follow ITSO standards for inventory property management and/or enter the information into the CDC PMIS system?

Answer Q65.

a. Our IT equipment consists of industry standard equipment under control of the United States Health and Human Services Information Technology Office (USG HHS), hardware and software specifications are broken down into 3 hardware categories and 3 Software categories.

CDC GAP Mozambique Hardware specification and services :

8 servers providing file sharing and network services, to include security policy, audits and Anti-virus LAN protection and threat mitigation. The server(s) hardware comprises of the latest Intel processor technology no older than 2 years. IT refresh cycle for servers is 1.5 years.

Network hardware:

This consists of 9 Cisco Catalyst network switches having segregated VLAN's between servers, 2 routers, 2 firewalls and 68 workstations.

Internet connectivity is provided by a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) and piggy backing on this is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel to Atlanta providing the CDC office in Mozambique services in tandem to what CDC headquarter users have access to on a daily basis.

The VPN hardware consists of Juniper VPN concerntrators in addition to a Cisco ASA firewall device which is used to filter network traffic.

Workstations CDC GAP Mozambique has 68 networked Workstations consisting of the following hardware specs. Intel I5 or dual processor Intel Xeon processors (for scientific workstations) with minimum memory of 4GB and hard disk space of 200GB.

Software:

Operating Systems (OS). Server hardware is supported by Microsoft Windows 2003 Server software, Microsoft windows Server 2008 is currently being tested by Atlanta Information Technology Security Office (ITSO) and will be rolled out in the months to come.

Workstation hardware is supported by Windows XP professional, these come preinstalled as images, are bundled with Microsoft suite of applications, Atlanta CDC headquarter applications suites, Citrix client connectivity application and ITSO security policy templates.

Microsoft Windows 7 is also being reviewed and roll out should be in the months to come.

Software databases:

CDC GAP Mozambique supports the following database design application and database storage holders, these are Microsoft Access currently version 2007, SQL Server,My SQL. Program languages or database design applications are Visual Basic,MS Access, Front End, STATA, EPI and there statistical databases.

There are also other supported applications covering from end user to specific scientific applications as well, for full details please go to the CDC HQ Intranet site and query "CDC approved software list".

Please note that all applications and hardware have to be vetted by the ITSO/ OCISO security office which consists of 1. Approval to use request, 2. Justified need,3. Vendor approved list ( is the Vendor GSA approved), 4. Security of the requested application (will it contact foreign servers for updates), 5. Application testing and pre-approval certification 6. Final installation certification.

b. Yes

Q66. Sections C,L, and M make reference to key personnel. Can CDC identify what it considers are key positions for the overall contract and the criteria on which they will be evaluated?

Answer Q66. See H.1 for definition of Key Personnel and Section M.5.3 for the evaluation criteria.

Q67. As CDC is requesting proposals for “sample” Task Orders, please confirm that our proposals for these Task Orders should include illustrative candidates and not require letters of commitment?

Answer Q67. Confirmed.

Q68. Regarding the sample Task Orders, “Place of Performance” refers to cities. Should we assume that the individuals contracted to perform the scopes of work will be based in CDC’s country office or will they have workspace provided in facilities referenced in each respective Task Order?

Answer Q68. CDC facilities. See Amendment #1, Attachment J.1 and J.3 Q69. Section C.4.7 of the RFP states that “The highest level of security required under this contract is Secret.” Are we to assume that this will be a cleared contract and require submitting DD Form 254 with our proposal?

Answer Q69. No.

Q70. In Sample Task Order 0001, Section L.2 ”A. Previous Experience” (page 14), the criteria stated does not have direct relevance to the stated scope of work or place of performance described in Section C. Could CDC please clarify the criteria?

Answer Q70. Sample Task Order 0001, Section L.2 (A) is changed on Amendment #1

Q71. Are management and administrative support directly billable to individual Task Orders?

Answer Q71. This would depend on the offerors business practice.

Q72. In Section L.7 under section 5, does “provide a list of the last two (2) contracts completed during the past five years, and all contracts currently in process for work similar in size and complexity in this acquisition” refer to only the prime-contractor providing this information, or is this information required from all subcontractors?

Answer Q72. See answer to Q1

Q73. Of the existing task orders under ITOPSS I, how many have a security clearance requirement:

Answer Q73. All work under the current ITOPSS is conducted at the CDC facility. Please note that all personnel works on the government installation/access the government system will require a background check (National Agency Check Inquiry (NACI)). The level of sensitivity/public trust will be identified in the individual task orders (see Section H, HSPD-12 clause, in Sample Task Orders 0001, 0002, and 0003.)

Q74. In Section L.7 under section 5, the RFP states, “the survey forms should be emailed or mailed to the references no later than the day of the proposal submission.” It also states the POC will submit the questionnaire directly to the CO by mail or email, but there is no date provided. On the actual survey form (Attachment J.6), it says completed questionnaires are to be sent via fax no later that the closing day of the solicitation. Please clarify the due date and method of sending.

Answer Q74. See answer to Q33

Q75. Section L.7 (Business Proposal Instructions) states that adequate supporting documentation for each proposed cost element is required. In addition, Section L.1 of each of the Sample Task Order asks for supporting costs and all supporting documentation for each proposed cost. Can you confirm that you would like to receive this data multiple times?

Answer Q75. Supporting costs and all supporting documentation for each proposed cost are required for all of the Sample Task Orders

Q76. Due to the complexity of the proposal response requirements, extremely limited page allocation, the anticipated timeline for receiving the government’s response to offerors’ questions, and the need for additional time to finalize proposal content and structure upon receiving answers to questions, we request that the government extend the proposal due date by 15 additional Business days.

A76. The due date for proposals is extended to May 06, 2011 at 2:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time