DPAMSS_2ND_Q A.pdf

1) Reference(s): Q&A #54

Question: Should we include the required proposed dollar amount for contract liability in the Business Volume?

Answer: Yes

2) Reference(s): Q&A #5 and #335 (and others) indicate all Sample Tasks have been changed

(travel removed, sentence clarifications, etc.); however, the six Sample Tasks released on 3/23/15 only contain one changed Sample Task (Sample Task 6).

Question: Please provide the revised Sample Tasks for tasks 1-5 so Offerors can be certain of the changes for each.

Answer: They were provided previously. Please review last amendment and revised task order requests.

3) Reference(s): Q&A #159 (and others), RFP Section L.5(b)(iv) – Financial Capabilities, Page

103-104 Question: Due to the sensitivity of this data, will the Government consider relocating this requirement to L.6, Business Proposal?

Answer: No, provide as requested in last amendment.

4) Reference(s): Q&A #84 (and others), RFP Section C.2.(D)4 Statement of Work-Special

Requirements-Contractor Personnel. RFP states “The Contractor shall provide English-speaking and foreign language translators…” but no sample tasks nor RFP language calls out the need for translators.

Question: Please confirm if regular, full-time translators may be a requirement of a task.

Answer: This will be determined at task order level after the award of the IDIQs.

5) Reference(s): Sample Tasks 1-6. Most sample tasks include an International Travel bullet that indicates “XX days of TDY”. A few tasks state “work days” but the vast majority simply state days. We understand that travel costs are no longer required to be priced in the proposal, but would like to understand the amount of work to be performed CONUS which may impact staffing decisions and CONUS pricing for positions where the CONUS work hours are different from the travel status hours.

Question (in three parts):

A. Should the Contractor assume that all travel days are “work days” and assume the total TDY time includes weekends and/or holidays?

B. Should the Contractor assume for pricing purposes that task orders such as PBEMB SR1 in J.1 that state 30 hours per week in non-travel status and 40 hours per week in travel status should be priced as 30 hours for the entire POP for the purpose of the proposal?

C. For staffing planning purposes, should the Contractor assume that tasks such as Parasitic Diseases Branch SR1 in J.1 that do not contain an International Travel section will have no international travel?

Answer: Price what is listed on Sample Task Orders. Additional information will be answered at the task order level as needed.

6) Reference(s): Sample Task 1, HPB SR1, P 13, Minimum Experience. The final bullet states

“Demonstrated” Question: What is it that must be demonstrated?

Answer: Please review last revised solicitation and sample task orders.

7) Reference(s): Sample Task 2, Global Health Security Branch SR1, P 11 and P 12 Core Hours and Teleworking. The Task Order states 10 hours per week with no hours beyond core, and also that up to 5 days teleworking are permitted.

Question (in three parts):

A. Please confirm if this position is required to be on site at CDC on any regular basis, or can it be a 100% telework?

B. Will it be a fixed schedule or intermittent as needed?

C. Given the low number of hours, is dual employment allowed as long as there is no conflict of interest?

Answer: For the purpose of this solicitation the work can be 100% telework. Schedule will be fixed; and yes, as long as the CDC has priority for the required work.

8) Reference(s): Q&A #121 & 182 and RFP L.5.b Specific Instructions -- “121. Section L.5(b) Specific Instructions – page 105 The written technical proposal is limited to fifty (50) pages with 1.5 line spacing Question: Are the technical responses for Sample Task Request One and Sample Task Request Two to be included in the 50 page Technical Proposal outlined on pages 105 and 106 of the RFP?

Answer: Yes and page limit has been increased 60 pages.”

-- “182. Reference: RFP page 107, L.5 (b) (v) states “Please provide detailed and comprehensive Business and Technical (one each) proposals for each Sample Task Request (total of 2 Business and 2 Technical proposals)…” Question: Are these Sample Task Request “proposals” included in the page limitations of the relevant overall proposal?

Answer: Yes” -- L.5.b. Specific Instructions: “The written technical proposal is limited to sixty (60) pages with 1.5 line spacing, 12 point font, and 1” margin(excluding the cover page, table of contents and appendices). Graphics, tables, and call-out boxes may be single spaced and up 10 point font as long as they are legible. Resumes and sample task orders shall be placed in an appendix to the technical proposal and shall not be included in the 60 page limitation.

Each sample task order will have a pg. limit of 20 pgs.”

Question (in two parts):

A. Can the Government please clarify if the Sample Task Proposals (limited to a total of 20 pages per NAICS) are in fact separate from the 60 page limit for the business volume or included in the 60 page limit for the business volume (even though they are allowable as an appendix per the instructions)?

Answer: The sample task requests are not inclusive of the total 60 pages but have a 20 page maximum for each task request.

B. Also, can the Government please confirm that the total of 20 page limit is for inclusion of the 2 Sample Task Orders specific to each NAICS?

Answer: 20 pages per sample task request, 40 per NAICS

9) Reference(s): RFP L.5.a. General Instructions (2) (Note there are 2 item (2)s- this is in reference to the second item (2)) AND b. Specific Instructions -- General Instructions: “(2) Proposals which merely offer to conduct a program in accordance with the requirements of the Government’s statement of work will not be eligible for award. The technical proposal should be in as much detail as you consider necessary (within the 50 page limitation) to reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken.”

-- Specific Instructions: “The written technical proposal is limited to sixty (60) pages with 1.5 line spacing, 12 point font, and 1” margin(excluding the cover page, table of contents and appendices).”

Question: Will the Government please confirm the page count has been changed to 60 pages for this Volume?

Answer: 60

10) Reference(s): Q&A #186 and 320 -- “186. Reference: Page 106, L.5 (b) (iv) has requirements for answering to our organization’s financial capabilities.

Question: Is this requirement in reference to only the prime contractor’s financial capabilities, or do we submit financial information for subcontractors as well?

Answer: Prime Contractor and teaming agreement partners.”

-- “320. If Financial Statements are required to be submitted, are these only for the Prime (Offeror) to submit and not the subcontractors?

Answer: Yes.”

Question: These two questions appear to give conflicting guidance on whether subcontract partners and teaming agreement partners are required to submit financial information such as Financial Statements. Can the Government please clarify what financial information is required of subcontractors and teaming partners to satisfy the requirements for submission?

Answer: Please see the above 2 answers. Teaming Partners are different than proposed sub-contractors.

11) RFP Section L.5 (b)(vi), Past Performance, indicates that past performance questionnaires (PPQs) must be submitted by the proposal due date. Due to the format of the evaluation process, many proposals will not reach the technical evaluation stage. To limit the burden on other clients like yourselves, would CDC consider changing the RFP provision to require PPQs only from offerors with proposals that will undergo technical evaluation after those offerors are notified that they have reached that stage?

Answer: No, Provide as the solicitation states.

12) Amendment 1 included several questions about requirements for financial information from proposed subcontractors. The response to Question 186 requests Financial Capabilities information from the Prime Contractor and teaming agreement partners. Other questions (319, 320, 330, 331) clarify that financial statements are required only for the prime contractor. Must subcontractors provide all of the information required to demonstrate Financial Capabilities in the technical proposal?

Answer: Teaming Partners are different than proposed sub-contractors. Sub-contractors no…Teaming Partners yes.

13) If an offeror uses their provisional NICRA for pricing the sample task order, will they be able to later use their final NICRA for competing on future Task Orders should they be awarded the

IDIQ?

Answer: Yes

14) In question/answer #199 it states "For the purpose of this solicitation all sample task requests are for new services. After the IDIQs are awarded all task orders will be competed between the

IDIQ contract awardees for that NAICS. At that time Section H.27 will apply." However in RFP section L.7 it states, “Sample task order utilized in this solicitation may be awarded as the first task orders upon determination of final awardees and issuance of awards. As such, offerors should ensure that they provide their best and final offer for these task orders with the understanding that the task orders could, at a later date, be awarded at the price proposed within their Business proposal submission. Offerors may propose and be eligible for award of any, all or some of the service areas based on technical and price evaluation."

Question: There seems to be a discrepancy on whether the task orders will be recompeted between IDIQ awardees or issued. Can the CDC clarify if the sample task orders will be awarded?

Answer: They may or may not be awarded.

15) Does section H.24 NONDISPLACEMENT OF QUALIFIED WORKERS pertain only to those positions that are under the Service Contract Act? Would it be applicable to NAICS 541611 for professional services?

Answer: This applies to all labor categories that fall under the SCA.

16) Question/answer 188 asks for prime and teaming agreement partners' financial capabilities and information. However, questions/answers 320 and 331 say that financial statements are only required for the prime. Would CDC clarify what kind of financial information and capabilities it requires for subcontractors?

Answer: Prime Contractor and Teaming Partner

17) Would CDC please confirm that the reference to the technical proposal be within the 50 page limit referenced on Page 102 first line is an error since the page limit has been increased to 60 pages as per the following paragraph?

Answer: 60

18) On page 112 of the Amended RFP under (2) Personnel Expertise and Management Plan requires offers to meet the following evaluation criteria: "Did the offeror’s management plan identify the offeror’s organizational method for handling excess annual leave and other benefits that have been accrued? Did the offeror address how leave not taken will be addressed?" However, question/answer 143 clarified that the current IDIQ holders are responsible for settling leave balance issues. Would CDC please clarify what information, if any, is required at the proposal stage related to transition staff with excess annual leave and other benefits that have been accrued?

Answer: This was addressed in previous amendment and previous contractors are responsible for paying out anything owed to their employees.

19) In the Amended RFP Page 104, L.5 (b) (vi) the government states “Provide a list of the last five

(5) contracts, grants, and/or cooperative agreements completed during the past three years, and all contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements currently in process for work similar in size and complexity to this acquisition.” Can this list be included as an annex?

Answer: No

20) Answer to question 37 states that Past Performance Information Surveys should be conducted for all listed contracts. Does that mean the government will be reviewing more than five Past

Performance Information Surveys?

Answer: Yes, we may.

21) Q&A, page T15, #103, states – “Question: Should we provide the same business proposal information for our subcontractors as well? Answer: No.”

Question: Please confirm that this response is in reference to all components of the business proposal, i.e. fringe, overhead rate, G&A, profit, supporting documentation, travel policy, accounting system, etc.

Answer: Confirmed

22) Q&A, page T29, #186 states – “Question: Is this requirement in reference to only the prime contractor’s financial capabilities, or do we submit financial information for subcontractors as well? Answer: Prime Contractor and teaming agreement partners.”

Question: Please confirm that the only business related information required for subcontractors is documentation attesting to financial capabilities.

Answer: Please see previous answer.

23) Amended Solicitation, page 107 states – “IAW Section L.8 for Additional Information” The business proposal is not restricted to a page limitation. However, offerors are advised that any documentation that is not attributable…”

Question: Should the Offeror extract, complete and include section I.30 of the amended solicitation in the business proposal? Or is there a form that should be completed?

Answer: We cannot find what you are asking about because your references do not match the amended solicitation.

24) Amended Solicitation, page 107, states – “Contractor will be required to provide Labor, Overhead, G&A, and Fringe detail as appropriate to enable the government to determine price reasonableness.”

Question: Is citing the percentage for each of these pools sufficient or does the Government want an explanation of each pool?

Answer: No, Explanation of the pools is required.

25) Section L; (ii) Personnel Expertise and Management Plan state, “List the names, titles, and proposed duties of all personnel that will be assigned to this project. For all proposed personnel, provide a discussion on their education, background, recent experience, and specific experience in performing the type of work that is called for by the statement of work.”

Question—for non-key personnel, are vendors required to include a summary of education, skills and experience?

Answer: Yes, the minimum requirements should be provided for in detail (i.e. degree type, School attended, years’ experience, where that experience was acquired and what services were conducted specifically, etc.)

26) The response to question 297 states, “The vendor is expected to propose a service provider for each service position, but these will not require resumes. Resumes will only be required for the key personnel.”

Question 1: Please define the term service provider

Answer: Individual providing the service.

Question 2: Please define the term service position

Answer: The service to be provided.

27) There is a contradiction regarding page limits between the Q&A answer 176 and Section L.5 of the amended solicitation

Question 1: Please clarify the page limit for the IDIQ proposal

Answer: 60

Question 2: Please clarify the page limit for the task order proposals

Answer: 20 per sample task request; Maximum of 40 per NAICS

28) The answer to question 297 states, “The total number of personnel currently supporting the incumbent contracts is 90.” However, the positions described in the sample RTOPs do not reflect enough hours to support 90 positions.

Question 1: Please clarify whether there are positions currently staffed through the incumbent contract that are not covered by the sample task orders.

Answer: Positions will be awarded on individual task orders. Sample task orders are examples of services that may be or have been awarded but are not all inclusive.

Question2: If a vendor intends to submit past performance surveys to the same client for more than one service area, is it permissible to include multiple service areas on a single past performance survey?

Answer: Yes so long as they are for the same NAICS, same or similar service.

29) The Amended Solicitation section M.3 states, “Did the offeror’s plan adequately address the offeror’s organization’s plan or procedures on transition of current domestic contractors from expiring contracts?

Question 1: Is a transition plan required for the IDIQ proposal?

Answer: No

Question 2: If a transition plan is required, which section should it be included in?

Answer: Transition plan is not required.

Question 3: Is a transition plan required for the task order proposals?

Answer: Transition plan is not required.

Question 4: If a transition plan is required, which section should it be included in?

Answer: Transition plan is not required.

30) The amended solicitation (ii) Personnel Expertise and Management Plan states’ The proposal must be consistent with the stated goals and objectives.”

Question: Please clarify the goals and objectives associated with each task order.

Answer: The task order reflects the service description and what each offeror proposes must be consistent with the requirements of providing for the service as outlined inclusive of that services goals and objectives.

31) The amended solicitation page 99 states “(4)… The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. If the Contracting

Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting

Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated proposals.”

Question 1: Please explain the process for determining the number of proposals that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated proposals.

Answer: Please reference to the answers to questions on previous Q&A.

Question 2: Is there a FAR reference for this process?

Answer: FAR 15.101-1

32) Reference: Amended Solicitation Section L.5 (b) (1) (c) Discussion of Evaluation Criteria.

Question 1: What are the maximum number of points assigned to each component of the evaluation criteria?

Answer: Pass/Fail (Acceptable/Unacceptable).

Question 2: If points are not assigned to the evaluation criteria, please provide the relative importance or other explanation of how the IDIQ proposal will be scored.

Answer: Reference Section M of solicitation.

33) Reference: Amended Solicitation Section L.5 (b) (1)(v) Sample Task Requests.

Question 1: Please clarify the sections that should be included in sample task order proposals, i.e., technical approach, staffing plan, recruiting plan, etc.

Answer: Please provide the information requested under (v) Sample Task Request and the requirements that may be listed in each of the sample task request services. Include the pricing with breakdown of the sample task request in the Business proposal, not the Technical proposal.

Question 2: Please provide the evaluation criteria for the sample task orders.

Answer: Please review the solicitation for the evaluation criteria.

Question 3: What are the maximum number of points assigned to each component of the evaluation criteria?

Answer: Please review Section M for your answer

Question 4: If points are not assigned to the evaluation criteria, please provide the relative importance or other explanation of how the IDIQ proposal will be scored.

Answer: Please read section M.

34) Will any of the Sample Task Orders or anticipated future task orders under this IDIQ involve direct or indirect access to PHI or PII?

Answer: Do not understand the acronyms

35) Can only one sample task order be submitted under a NAICS code?

Answer: No.

36) M.3(C )(5) Financial Capabilities: most of these factors are required in the Business Proposal based on Section L.5. Will the Government consolidate all financial information in the business proposal to avoid duplication and to remove financial documentation from the Technical

Proposal?

Answer: No, provide information as requested in revised solicitation.

37) All references to Transition were removed from the RFP in Amendment 1 except in Section

M.3(C )(2). Should it also be removed from the evaluation criteria?

Answer: See previous revised amendment.

38) Does “Service Requirement 5” represent the need for one contractor?

Answer: This is contingent upon the offeror’s proposed approach for providing for the service.

39) Should we interpret “Service Requirements 1 and 2” are the same and represents a need for 2 contractors? If so, should a cost for 2 contractors for “Service Requirement 1-2” be reflected in our sample business proposal?

Answer: This identifies two of the same service and the number of individuals who provide for this service is dependent upon the offeror’s proposed approach for providing for the services.