Questions_&_Answers_RFP_2016-N-17769_022717.pdf

ITOPS 3 Questions & Answers

RFP-2016-N-17769

1. Page 77 Section L.9 6 Financial Capacity Does the government require a threshold amount validated by the companies bank account and/or lines of credit? If so what is the amount? Can the Prime use their subcontractor’s financial capacity to meet this requirement? If so, are subcontractor’s required to submit their financial statements, lines of credit, and letters from their banks?

Answer: A threshold amount is not required. The prime must use its own financial capacity.

2. Will CDC provide a pricing template or will the contractor’s standard pricing template be acceptable?

Answer: Please see section L.9 (Business Proposal Instructions). The resultant total amounts should be listed in section B of the RFP.

3. Does the reference on page 71 under L.8.c.6 Subcontracting Plan, mean the preparation of a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, if so, would CDC allow this to be included in the business volume?

Answer: A subcontracting plan is required which includes instructions for calculating small business participation. See amendment 0002 for additional information on the subcontracting plan requirements.

4. Does the CDC intend for the HHS salary cap to apply to this procurement? Based on some of the highly skilled positions required to perform the work described in the solicitation, such as a MD, it is anticipated that some of the salary levels may be well above the HHS cap.

Answer: See clause in section I (I.2.10 HHSAR 352.231-70 Salary Rate Limitation) on page 56.

5. The RFP pricing appears to be limited to the 3 Sample Task orders and does not require a Pricing Table for the overall IDIQ requirements and the labor categories required to meet the requirements specified in Section C.3.2 (Requirements). Are there specific labor categories and associated labor rates, giving a detailed cost breakdown of the cost or NTE amount by labor categories that should be proposed by all offerors for subsequent RFTOPS?

Answer: No. Future RFTOPS will provide applicable instructions.

6. Will CDC consider allowing the alternate I version of 52.215-23 Limitations on Pass-Through Charges for this solicitation, or alternatively include the alternate I for individual task order awards based on the offerors proposed subcontracting content?

Answer: No

7. Page 75, L.9 (1) The RFP states that “a table of contents listing the following shall precede the cover page.” Which should come first the table of contents or the cover sheet.?

Answer: Cover sheet

8. Page 71, L.8.(c).(6) - The RFP includes a section titled “(6) Sub-Contracting Plan” but there is no other reference to what is required or needed from offerors on this plan. Please advise on what is required and for offerors Sub-Contracting plans, and how Offerors will be evaluated on their Sub-Contracting plans.

Answer: See answer to question 3.

9. Page 81 M.5.1 - M.5.1 Understanding Requirements and Technical Approach references Section L.6 which instructions offerors to demonstrate the “…Offeror’s overall understanding of the requirement and technical approach addressed in Section L.6 and the listed Scope of Work Section C.3.” Section L.6 references “Proposal Preparation in Response to this Solicitation” Is the reference in M.5.1, pointing to Section L.6 correct? If this is incorrect, please provide the correct Section L Reference that Offerors will be evaluated on.

Answer: The correct reference is L.8

10. Page 69. L.6 - Does the prohibition contained in Section L.6 apply to consultants who are taking an Offeror’s outline and reducing it down to a written format while working in collaboration with the company?

Answer: Offerors are prohibited from using consultants, companies or firms to assist offerors in the preparation of their proposals in response to this solicitation that will not perform the actual requirements of the this contract.

11. Page 37, H.9 - Per page 37 H.9.a of the general solicitation, the government states that debriefs will not be provided for task order proposals less than $5 million. Given the significant importance of debriefs to the limited number of IDIQ holders with respect to the improvement and responsiveness of future task order proposals, and the likelihood that a significant number of task orders could potentially fall under the $5 million threshold, we respectfully request that the government consider reducing the threshold to $3.5 million.

Answer: The threshold will not be reduced. Reference FAR 16.505(b)(6)

12. Page 69, L.3 - The RFP states that “the offeror must specify fixed hourly rates” for… (2) each subcontractor. How is the subcontractor rate breakdown structure to be submitted?

Answer: This clause is listed to cover future task orders under the IDIQ that may be awarded using a Time and Materials type contract. The future task order that uses a Time and Material contract will list the appropriate subcontracting rate breakdown structure, if applicable.

13. Page 73, L.8 (4) The RFP states that “the technical proposals for the RFTOPs shall be included in the overall technical proposal under (5) RFTOPs…” Should the reference be “…under (4) RFTOPs…”?

Answer: Yes, the appropriate reference is “4”.

14. Page 46, H.28 (c) - The RFP list all contract security deliverables but they are not included in the

Page 16 F.4. Should we assume that the complete list of deliverables is the combination of those listed in both sections?

Answer: These are two different topics. F.4 are the deliverables for the IDIQ contract. H.28 are security requirements for federal information technology resources.

15. RFP page 70, Section L.7 states that proposals shall be submitted in hard copy and on CD. Will the CDC accept hand delivery of proposals to the address listed on page 70?

Answer: Yes

16. Page 73, Section L.8 Technical Proposal Instructions (4) RFTOPs 0001, 0002, and 0003

(Attachment J.1-J.3) - Section L.8 (4) states that “Provide a comprehensive Technical and

Business proposal for attachments J.1, RFTOP 0001, Papua, New Guinea: J.2, RFTOP #0002, Namibia: and J.3, RFTOP #0003, India. The Offeror shall provide one (1) technical and business proposal for each RFTOP.”

Please confirm whether the RFTOPs will be for SAMPLE purposes only and not intended for award.

Answer: The sample RFTOPS will not be awarded.

17. Page 6, C.3.2 Requirements - The Contractors must be capable of providing management, support and procurement services for their employees including, but not limited to travel assistance, airline tickets, immunizations, passports, long- term visas and work permits, background checks, housing, medical and evacuation insurance, foreign government taxation, filing income tax returns with country of origin, compliance with foreign country tax regulations and international and local laws, emergency medical care and other details necessary to successfully place and support personnel to perform the services required.

4.a Per the requirement of insurance, please confirm that Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance that provides workers compensation type insurance coverage for contractor employees performing under government contracts outside the United States is reimbursable. If so, can we invoice as “Other Direct Cost”?

Answer: Contractors need to consult with the Department of Labor (DOL) to determine the applicability of this insurance to federal contracts. Contractors will need to prove that the DBA cost is applicable. If is not, it will not be allowed. The DOL website has information on DBA insurance including a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section.

Other Direct Costs (ODC’s) are part of the total estimated costs.

4.b For each of the 3 sample orders, please confirm that CDC will provide the following services:

- ground transportation from/to residence

Answer – No; CDC is not responsible for contractor’s ground transportation from and to residence.

- ground transportation with appropriate security support, as needed, for site visits and business meetings

Answer - If task order stipulates, contractor can ride in government vehicles to and from site visits and business meetings and will be provided the same security support as government employees.

- access to any USG medical facilities (while Vendor provides medical care and insurance)

Answer – Contractor is not a CDC employee. CDC will not make this determination. The contractor will need to verify this through the employer’s insurance coverage.

- office space with relevant telecommunications and Internet access

Answer – Yes if working on site.

- physical security support at the office and residence (for example, in Papua New

Guinea)

Answer – No. CDC will not provide security support at the office or the residence. If the location of work is at an office within an embassy or other locations where security is required, the facility will have its own security. Security at the residence will be the responsibility of the offeror and the cost will have to be submitted in the proposal. The offeror will be responsible for providing evidence that security at the residence is needed in the proposal.

4.c Please confirm that CDC allows for standard State Department allowances or resident consultants at post.

Answer – CDC allows for standard state department allowance.

4.d For budgeting and planning purposes, are there any bi-lateral agreements in place in India, Namibia and Papua New Guinea between the U.S. Government and the host country government that would exempt expatriate staff working on these CDC funded projects from having to pay host country income and social security taxes. Has CDC negotiated an agreement with any of the governments in three countries that would exempt expatriate staff working there under this project from being required to pay income tax?

Answer – As stipulated in Section L of the RFTOPs, offeror should be able to provide evidence of being able to legally provide services overseas which includes addressing any tax issues.

18. Page 21, G.5 CDC42.0003 Billing Rates (May 2013) - Please confirm that offerors operating under the purview of a Government oversight agency other than CDC, and for whom Billing

Rates have already been established by this cognizant Government oversight agency in accordance with FAR 47.704 will adhere to these rates, and any future revisions issued by this oversight agency, for purposes of invoicing. Note that failing to provision for adjustments to

Billing Rates directed by a firm’s oversight agency might result in overbilling the Government, and necessitate large adjustments to final pricing when final rates are approved.

Answer: Yes, incorporate the rates with the cognizant agency you have an agreement with.

19. Page 68, L.3 52.216-30 Time-and-Materials/Labor-Hour Proposal Requirements—Non-

Commercial Item Acquisition Without Adequate Price Competition (Feb 2007) – (b) The offeror must specify separate fixed hourly rates in its offer that include wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit for each category of labor to be performed by—

(2) Each subcontractor; and

Please confirmed that the subcontractor may submit their cost and pricing data directly to the

POC, Tim Barnes.

Answer - The subcontractor may submit their cost and pricing data directly to me only if there is proprietary data they do not want to disclose to the prime contractor. If they do submit it to me, it must be submitted in accordance to the applicable instructions in sections L.7, L.8 and L.9 and clearly identify who is the prime.

Note that this clause is listed to cover future task orders under the IDIQ that may be awarded using a Time and Materials type contract. The future task order solicitation that uses a Time and

Material contract will provide instructions on submitting a proposal response.

20. Page 73, (5) Past Performance Information - Provide a list of the last three (3) contracts completed during the past five years, and all contracts currently in process for work similar in size and complexity to this acquisition.

Please confirm that the (3) Past Performances may come from either the Prime and/or subcontractors.

Answer: Yes if there was a relationship (subcontractor agreement) and it was relevant.

21. Page 76, L.9 (2) (a) Business Proposal Instructions (Apr 2000) – (a) Direct Labor. Provide a weekly breakdown of labor hours, rates, and cost by appropriate category, and furnish bases for estimates;

The breakout of costs into weekly increments adds a level of complexity to the proposal that is inconsistent with most estimating methodologies, and doesn’t appear to provide added value to the submission. Consider – the five year period of performance would require 260 individual breakouts. An analysis of the costs would be more easily accomplished with an annual view and the total evaluated price would be the same. There is not additional insight gained from the breakout of such small time units.

Can the Offeror provide staffing details in monthly increments (instead of weekly) with summary costs in an annual breakdown?

Answer: No.

22. Page 77, (4) Accounting System Information - In the event you do not have a Government approved accounting system and/or have never had a Government contract with cost task orders, the following is required (include major subcontracts) to be submitted with your proposal:

12.a Please state how CDC defines a major subcontractor.

Answer: Any subcontractor with a subcontract agreement with the Prime contractor.

12.b Can the Offer engage subcontractors that do not have an approved account system on a

T&M or FFP basis.

Answer: Yes. However, the information listed in L.9 (4) Accounting System Information also applies to the subcontractor.

23. Ref: L.7, Page 70. Given the considerable amount of overhead for the Government to transport, maintain, and dispose of hard-copy proposals and binders, would the Government consider allowing for electronic submission of the Technical and Business proposal volumes?

24. Ref: L.8 (d) (5) Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 73, Past Performance Information. The

Government states that ”Each offeror will be evaluated on their performance under existing and prior contracts for similar products or services.” Please confirm that by “Offeror” the

Government will accept previous experience from both the Prime contractor as well as any

Answer: See answer to question 20.

25. Ref: L.8 (d) (5) Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 73, Past Performance Information. For past performance, the Government requires the Offeror to list the “International location where work was performed”. Can the Government please confirm whether past performance from either the Prime or a subcontractor will be considered if it meets all other requirements for providing Technical, Operational, and Professional services but the work was not done

Internationally?

Answer: Each evaluation requirements will be evaluated separately according to M.5.

In accordance to FAR 15.305 (2)(iv) “In the case of an offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.”

26. Ref: Item (5.a) on page 73. The RFP requires the provision of information about past and current contracts (including last three contracts during the past five years).

a. Are subcontractors allowed to provide this information? If so, how many past and current contracts may subcontractors describe? Specifically, will each prime and subcontractors be required to list three contracts implemented over the past five years, or is that the combined number of PPI required from both prime and sub-contractors?

Answer: See answer to question 20. Reference item 5.a on page 73 for the number of contracts required. The number of contracts required is the combine number even if the prime falls under the example in question 20.

b. Is information on past and current cooperative agreements or grants an appropriate replacement for the contracts information?

Answer- Only contracts are allowed.

c. When citing past performance, can we cite overall IDIQ contracts, or are we restricted only to Task Orders that fall under those IDIQs?

Answer – The contracts must be currently in process for work similar in size and complexity to this acquisition.

27. Ref: L.9 (2) Business Proposal Instructions, Page 75. The Government requests that all Offerors

“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.).” Can the Government please address how this information should be provided by subcontractors as this information is considered proprietary for most companies?

Answer: The subcontractor may submit this information directly to me only if there is proprietary data they do not want to disclose to the prime contractor. If they do submit it to me, it must be submitted in accordance to the applicable instructions in sections L.7, L.8 and L.9 and clearly identify who is the prime.

28. Ref: Items (3), (4), (6) in pages 76-78. The RFP requests information on travel policy, accounting system information and financial capacity. May subcontractors provide this information in addition to information provided by the Prime, as part of the business proposal?

Answer: The subcontractor may provide this information in addition to information provided by the Prime, as part of the business proposal but not as a substitute.

29. page 3 B.6 Service Contract Labor Standards

Question: Is US-based performance prohibited, or just unanticipated?

Answer: These services are for internationally only. Therefore the Service Contract Labor

Standards are not applicable.

30. page 26 (9) Fixed Fee

“Ordinarily the fixed fee is stated in the contract as a lump sum and may be billed in the ratio of incurred costs to total estimated cost as set forth in the contract, with the final 15 percent to be billed on the final invoice or voucher. Contract terms govern the method of payments."

Question: Should 15% be deducted from the total fee before calculating the percentage of the remaining 85% to be billed incrementally?

Answer: Yes. Please reference FAR 52.216-8.

31. page 37 (3)

“Some orders may be exempt from competition in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2).”

Question: Please confirm that this means that per FAR 16.505(b)(2)(F) an IDIQ awardee with an

8(a) Small Business status can be issued directed task orders at the discretion of the

Government.

Answer: Yes, per the clause.

32. page 59 Section K – (b)

“(1) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies."

Question: Since 52.204-7 is included by reference in the table that begins Section L, please confirm that paragraph (d) applies.

Answer: Yes

Question: Also, please confirm that Section K's references to small business size standards do not indicate that this procurement is restricted to such business, and confirm that large businesses are eligible for award.

Answer: This is not a small business set aside. All business sizes are eligible for award.

33. page 69 L.4 Type of Contract

“The Government contemplates award of multiple (Up to 3) Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contracts resulting from this solicitation. It is projected that most, if not all, of the task orders solicited and awarded will be Cost Plus Fixed Fee task orders, Firm Fixed Price and

Time and Material."

Question: Is this intended to say that most, in not all, Task Orders will be CPFF?

Answer: Task orders solicited ITOPSS 3.0 will be either Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Firm Fixed

Price (FFP) or Time and Material.

34. page 69 L.6 Proposal Preparation in Response to this Solicitation

“Offerors are prohibited from using consultants, companies or firms to assist offerors in the preparation of their proposals in response to this solicitation that will not perform the actual requirements of this contract."

Question: Please confirm that any employee of the Prime offeror and its proposed subcontractors may assist in proposal preparation, even if that employee is not expected to perform actual requirements of the contract.

Answer: This restriction does not apply to employees of the offeror or the offerors’s subcontractor since both the offeror and the subcontractor will be completing the work. Any employee of the offeror or the offeror’s subcontractor can assist in the preparation of the proposal even if that specific employee is not engage in the actual work.

Question: Also, please confirm that offers proposals may be prepared with assistance of self-employed individuals whose compensation will be reported on an IRS 1099-misc form.

Answer: Offerors are prohibited from using consultants, companies or firms to assist offerors in the preparation of their proposals in response to this solicitation that will not perform the actual requirements of the this contract.

35. page 70

“Additionally, the contractor shall provide two (2) copies of the Technical (Word) Proposal on CD and compatible with Microsoft Professional Plus 2010 and two (2) copies of the Business (Excel)

Proposal on CD.”

Question: Please confirm that the total number of CD's is four (4).

Answer: Yes, the total number is 4.

36. page 13 C.4.10. Transition and Succession

“The “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts” Executive Order, dated 30

January 2009, does not apply to this requirement.”

Question: Please confirm that none of the incumbent contractor staff whose work will be continued under this IDIQ will be covered by this EO.

Answer: “The “Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts” Executive

Order, dated 30 January 2009, does not apply to this requirement.”

37. Question: Please provide an extension of the due date for proposals.

Answer: Please see the amendment for extension details.

38. Regarding p. 71 of 83, section L.8.(c)(6): Please clarify what the offeror should include in the section titled Sub-Contracting Plan.

Answer: See anwer to question 3.

39. Will CDC make awards based off task orders or total evaluation price when selecting the 3 vendors?

Answer: See section M.1 for bases of award.

40. Pg. 73, L.8 (d) (5) - Are past performance surveys required for contracts included in the

Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)?

Answer: If you have at least 3 different completed CPARS reports, they can be used in place of the past performance surveys. You will need to send a copy of the CPAR reports in place of the past performance surveys.

41. Pg 70, L.7 (e) - With respect to the Paperwork Reduction Act, is CDC amenable to electronic submissions only in lieu of hard copies?

Answer: No.

42. Pg. 71, L.8 (c) (6) - Section L.8 (c) (6) references a subcontracting plan. Is the Government requesting a subcontracting management plan or a small business subcontracting plan in accordance with 52.219-9?

Answer: See answer to question 3.

43. Are all of the sample tasks awardable?

Answer: See answer to question 16.

44. At Well Vigor Consulting, we are interested in partnering with a Prime to complement our deep value in our people. We have experts in information technology, in management and administration and in complex program management. Further, this engagement will require

Scale to add to our very specialized skills staff. Please advise on setting up appropriate arrangements for us to engage in conversations with a Prime. The Project Executive that we have targeted for this engagement is an experienced healthcare metrics specialist, an IT architect and designer and a program manager specializing in global settings and global projects.

Please advise and inform us on how to proceed in contacting the Prime Vendors for this

Contract.

Answer: The government will not provide assistance for this request.

45. We would like to request clarification related to the type of contract instruments that will be awarded under the ITOPPPs 3.0 contract. RFP page 3 of 83, Section B.2-Contract Type, states, “A majority, if not all task orders solicited and awarded under ITOPPS 3.0 will be Cost Plus Fixed Fee

(CPFF), however, if a requirement for services is defined well enough the Contracting Officer reserves the right to solicit and award those task orders as Firm Fixed Priced (FFP) or Time and

Material. Each Request for Task Order Proposal (RFTOP) issued under this contract will identify the Government’s determination of task order type” Section L.4.-Type of Contract further confirms that the majority of RFTOPS will be CPFF, but does leave open the possibility for FFP and T&M RFTOP’s should the scope. However, RFP page 68 of 83, Section L.3 – 52.216-30 Time and Material/Labor Hour Proposal Requirements, appears to imply that the entire contract will be Time and Materials, not Cost Plus Fixed Fee or Firm Fixed Priced.

Answer: This solicitation is not a Time and Material/Labor Hour type requirement. This clause, 52.216-30, is listed to cover future RFTOPS solicited under the IDIQ that may be use a Time and

Materials type contract. Any future task order solicitation that uses a Time and Material contract will provide instructions on submitting a proposal response. In addition future task orders solicited will specifically identify the specific type of contract.

Question #1: If T&M RFTOP’s are to be issued, would CDC please provide the following:

1. A list of the labor positions and qualifications for each of the labor categories that CDC wishes Offerors to propose in their cost proposals and would the amend Section B of the RFP to reflect the labor categories and criteria as well as Section L.9 to provide specific guidance related to the development, and presentation of, the T&M rates?

Answer – See answer above.

2. Would CDC also provide what costs can/should be provided in the fully-loaded labor rates (salary, fringe benefits, indirect, etc.)

Answer – Fully loaded rates typically include salary, fringe benefits, indirect, etc.

However, the offeror is responsible for ensuring that costs included in fully loaded rates are applicable.

3. Would the same T&M rates proposed by the Prime Contractor but applicable to their

Subcontractors, or do subcontractors have to compute their own T&M rates?

Answer: The Prime contractor will be responsible for establishing a teaming agreement with the subcontractor and applicable rates.

4. As RFTOP’s will be issued for various countries around the world, are we to assume that the labor rates proposed will be applied to all staff, international and local? If this assumption is incorrect, could you provide guidance on who organizations should price the fully-loaded labor T&M rates for local professionals when demand for RFTOPs by country is unknown.

Answer-No. Future RFTOPS will provide applicable instructions.

Or, would CDC consider not requiring T&M rates for the Basic IDIQ, but only within a specific RFTOP when issued, thus alleviating the issue of having to determine global rates for international and local at this time when the countries that wish to utilize T&M

RFTOPs is unknown?

Answer- See first answer under first paragraph statement.

46. RFP page 70 of 83, Section L. 7(b) “Proposal Format” states that “The technical proposal shall not contain reference to cost; however, resource information, such as data concerning labor hours and categories, material, subcontracts, etc., must be contained in the technical proposal so that your understanding of the Performance Work Statement can be evaluated”.

However, RFP page 71 of 83, Section L.8 “Technical Proposal Instructions”, sub-section(c), states that “The written technical proposal shall include, at a minimum, the following sections: …(6)

Sub-Contracting Plan”.

Question #2: As the Subcontracting Plan includes financial data related to the amount of money allocated to various small business classifications, including this information would violate the intent of keeping costs and technical separate as outlined in Section L.7. Would CDC consider changing the requirement to include the Sub-Contracting Plan in the Cost Proposal and not in the Technical Proposal as presently prescribed?

Answer – No. See answer to question 3 for more information on the subcontracting plan.

47. RFP page 71 of 83, Section L.8(c)(b) “Technical Proposal Instructions”, requires a Sub-

Contracting plan.

Question #4: As the forms for Sub-Contracting plans can vary, can CDC please provide the template Sub-Contracting Plan?

Answer – See answer to question 3 for more information on the subcontracting plan.

48. Question #5: In order to ensure comparable cost proposals, would CDC consider using a plug figure for all in-country travel in each of the three (3) sample Task Orders?

Answer: The estimated in country travel for each sample task order is $10,000 ($30,000 total for all 3 sample task orders)

49. Question #6: Would CDC please clarify if these are actual Live Task Orders which will be awarded at the same time the IDIQ, or are these illustrative and solely for evaluation purposes?

Answer – See answer to question 16.

50. Attachment J.6, Will the government allow CPARS in lieu of Past Performance Surveys?

Answer – See answer to question 40.

51. p3, B.7 - Will the Government make an IDIQ award to a small business prime which does not yet have a Federally approved cost accounting system, but is now in the process of having our system audited and approved?

Answer – Per L.9 (4 – Accounting System Information), the following applies:

In the event you do not have a Government approved accounting system and/or have never had a

Government contract with cost task orders, the following is required (include major subcontracts) to be submitted with your proposal:

Description of your present accounting system and any changes contemplated as a result of your proposal; Make-up or basis for the indirect cost rate(s) you propose to this RFP; Current financial statement (balance sheet and/or profit and loss statement for the last two years).

52. p6, C.3.1 - Does the government intend on using ITOPSS 3.0 solely as a staff augmentation contract?

Answer – No.

53. p71, L8 (c) - Are small businesses required to submit a Subcontracting Plan? If yes, please provide Section L instructions and requirements for the Subcontracting Plan and Section M

Evaluation Criteria for the Subcontracting Plan.

Answer: No. Reference clause FAR 52.219-9 added in the amendment.

54. J3, p 18 L.2.c and p 18-19 B General Instructions - These two sections provide conflicting information as to the structure the Government is directing us to use for the technical proposal for this RFTOP. Which one is correct?

Answer: See answer to question 69.

55. p74, L.8 (d) (5) b - The instructions indicate the suspense for the surveys is 10 days prior to the proposal submission due date. Is that 10 working or calendar days?

Answer: Calender days.

56. p69, L.6 - As part of what volume, Technical or Business should bidders include Attachment 7

Preparation Certification?

Answer: Technical

57. p75, L.9 (80) - The Government requires bidders to submit a Compliance Certification in accordance with Section H.30. However, Section H ends with H.28. Please clarify or provide

Section H.30.

Answer: See clause 52.222-56 in section I. You will need to access the full text version of this clause at the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) website by using the 2nd website address provided above the table matrix at the top of page 49 ( see below for convenience ) or by any other means. Follow the directions provided in 52.222-56 and submit your certification in the business proposal.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/52

58. p73, L.8 (d) (4) - Do bidders have to bid all 3 task orders

Answer: If you do not submit a technical and business proposal for all three sample RFTOPS as indicated in section L.8 (d) (4), your technical proposal rating will be impacted accordingly as stated per section M.4 of the RFP on page 81.

59. Page 13 of 83, Section C.4.10-Transition and Succession

Are the three identified task orders new projects or a continuation/re-compete of an ongoing project? If a re-compete can you please advise who the incumbent contractors are?

Answer: These are sample task orders which will not be award with this solicitation. When a future task order is solicited against this IDIQ, this question can be addressed. There are no incumbents for these sample task orders.

60. Page 37 of 83, Section H.9.c, Task Order Evaluation and Selection Procedures

Will the Government use the IDIQ contract award the three identified task orders or are they intended to be illustrative and used for proposal evaluation purposes only?

Answer: See answer to question 16.

61. Is there an anticipated award date for this contract?

Answer: The anticipate award time frame is May/June but is subject to change.

62. Is there an anticipated start date for the 60 month period of performance?

Answer – See answer to question 61.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=/browse/far/52

63. Ref. Attachment J1, J2 and J3, section B - Each RFTOP in Attachments J1-J3 contains a Section L with proposal preparation instructions. These instructions seem to contradict Section L of the

RFP (e.g. line spacing, number of pages, content of sections, organization of volumes, etc.).

Please clarify if Section L of the RFP is the guiding document for preparation of proposals in response to this solicitation, or if we are to follow the instructions of each RFTOP.

Answer – Follow Section L of the RFP as the guiding document for the overall RFP response. In the RFP section L.8 (d) (4) on page 73, you must provide a technical and business proposal for each sample RFTOP. Each sample RFTOP has a section L that provides instructions on how to respond to the sample RFTOP. All sample RFTOPs have the same evaluation criteria listed in section M of each sample RFTOP which are (1) The Ability to Legally Provide Services Overseas,

(2) Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach, and (3) Management

Approach.

The correct page count for All sample RFTOP’s will have a maximum page count of 25 pages each for total maximum of 75 for all three. This page count is exclusive of the RFP page count of

80. Each sample RFTOP should be tabbed and paginated separately (pages 1- 25) of the RFP. The entire technical proposal (including the sample RFTOP’s) should be double space.

64. RFP page 35, Section H.5 – this section states that only U.S. paid holidays can be provided under this contract. If the offeror is an employer of record, we are required to follow local labor statutes regarding paid holidays or risk penalty. Please consider that this requirement should only apply to U.S. personnel working in-country.

Answer: This requirement is for U.S. personnel working in country.

65. RFP pg. 76, section L.9 – the offeror is required to propose Fringe as a separate cost category, however, this may go against our disclosed accounting practices and would not agree with our audited indirect rates. Please consider that the offeror should follow their disclosed accounting practices in the documentation of rates contained in our proposal.

Answer - If the offeror has a negotiated indirect rate agreement with their cognizant government agency, provide a copy with their proposal. If not, follow the requirements of the

RFP. Reference FAR 52.216-7 for additional information.

66. Will the sample Task-Orders J1-J3 be awarded or are they for evaluation purposes only? If for evaluation only, are Letters of Commitment still required (See Understanding of Requirements

STO 1 pg. 18 and STO 2 pg. 15) and if so, may the applicant indicate within the letter that this is an illustrative letter?

Answer: Sample task order J1-J3 will not be awarded; they are for evaluation purposes only.

Therefore, only include a sample letter of commitment and say that it is illustrative only. DO

NOT get an actual letter of commitment.

67. Will 11"X17" paper size be allowed for figures/tables/graphics? Is the use of 10 pt. single spacing acceptable for figures/tables/graphics?

Answer: Paper size for figures/tables/graphics should be 8-1/2x11. Font size 12. Single space is allowed.

68. In ITOPSS II, Past Performance was in the Business Proposal and thus did not count toward page count. Will the past performance in this current version of ITOPSS (III) count toward the 80 page limit of pages?

Answer: Per page 73 of the solicitation, past performance is in the technical proposal and will count towards the 80 pages.

69. Attachment J-3 Section L.2.c states that STO 3 should contain the following Technical Evaluation

(L.2.c.iii) items:

1. Ability to Provide Services Overseas

2. Understanding of the Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach

3. Management Approach

Section L.B states the proposal should include:

1. Understanding of Requirements

2. Technical Approach

3. Management Plan and Staffing/Personnel Plan

Which is the correct instruction for this STO?

Answer: 1. Ability to Provide Services Overseas; 2. Understanding of the Requirements and proposed Technical Approach; 3. Management Approach

70. Attachment J-3 Section M.3.c states that STO 3 is evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis. The Solicitation Section M.4 for the overall IDIQ (in the *NOTE under the table) states that "STO's will have its own technical evaluation criteria and assigned points which total 100 points per task order."

Which is the correct evaluation criteria for STO 3?

Answer: See amendment 0002.

71. In Attachment J-3 Section L.2.a and b it states the STO is limited to 30 pages. In Section L.2.B on page 18 its states in the Technical Proposal Criteria for RFTOP that the page count is limited to

25. What is the correct requirement for STO 3?

Answer: All sample RFTOP’s will have a maximum page count of 25 pages each for total maximum of 75 for all three. This page count is exclusive of the RFP page count of 80. Each

RFTOP should be tabbed and paginated separately (pages 1- 25) of the RFP. The entire technical proposal (including the sample RFTOP’s) should be double space.

72. Page 71 of the RFP indicates an 80 page limit for the technical proposal. However, the RFP instructions specify that the sample tasks should be included in the technical proposal presumably as a part of the 80 page limit. This conflicts with the 30 page limit for each sample task as specified in Attachments J-1 thru J-3 of the RFP. Can we assume that the three (3) 30 page sample task orders are in addition to the 80 page limit?

Answer: See answer to question 71.

73. Would CDC confirm if there are bilateral agreements in place that provide tax exemption to the contractor (and subcontractors) and their employees for the performance of the international work contemplated under this IDIQ contract? If yes, what is the process to get the tax exemption?

Answer: Contractors will have to confirm this on their own.

74. Will the Executive Summary be included in the 80 page limit of the Technical Volume?

Answer: Yes.

75. The client requests three New Delhi based contractors (3 contractor service providers) for Data

Management Support that will support three highly affected areas (New Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana); (Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur ); (Mumbai Indore, and Bhopal). A.1.11 (J3) Requires Travel to Amritsar, Lucknow and Mumbai, India to analyze data from suspected Ebola cases. Should the offeror price in these trips? If so, how many trips should the offeror price, what is the length of stay, and how many people will travel to each site? i.e., one person, one week, New Delhi RT to Amritsar

Answer: Yes, the offeror should price in the trips. The number of trips and length of stay are listed under Section A.4 of the sample task order. One person will travel to each of the sites.

76. The Relevant Experience (2) section requires "...a minimum of three (3) examples of relevant experience (Within the past 5 years)..." Must these examples of previous experience be closed projects or can they include relevant ongoing projects?

Answer: Can be ongoing if length of time on current project is at least one year.

77. Sample Task Order 1specifies that it is for HIV and TB, so for TB will the technical assistance relate to TB microscopy, GeneXpert roll-out and strengthening and/or solid or liquid culture and

DST?

Answer: The technical assistance will relate to capacity building and strengthening laboratory, medical and surveillance programs for HIV and TB treatment and care. Technical assistance will also relate to providing HIV surveillance and field epidemiology training for the purpose of building epidemiological and surveillance capacity of health care professional in PNG to conduct surveillance for HIV and TB.

78. On page 2 for RFTOP # 0002, it is indicated that the individuals that meet or exceed the required qualifications for Service A and B will be relocating. Could CDC please clarify whether it is expected that the individuals put forth be expatriates or whether CDC would equally entertain candidates that are expatriates or local candidates?

Answer: Expatriates and local candidates can be considered.

79. Section 3.2.4.; P.10 of 83, references “Electronic Health Record Management Systems”. These systems are subject to stringent requirements and must be HIPAA-compliant. Will the E-HSMS’ in this context be CDC-owned/controlled systems or contractor systems or both?

Answer: CDC-owned/controlled systems.

80. For Attachment J-2, pg 16 states that the offeror should “attach any examples of assimilation, and/or any orientation materials that will be provided to service employee(s) for this assignment.” Could CDC please confirm that these attachments can be included as approved appendices as they are not among the appendices that are listed as allowed on page 14?

Answer: Attachments can be included as appendices.

81. Attachment J-2, pg 15 states: “Provide a detailed timeline illustrating the steps and process for establishing all work permits (to include the types, restrictions, and all other information) and visas (to include the types, restrictions, and all other information) so that performance may begin as stipulated. The Offeror shall identify any potential challenges of which would delay performance starting in PNG and identify solutions and/or alternatives for mitigating such challenges.” Could CDC please confirm that PNG was written in error and it should read as Namibia?

Answer: PNG was written in error; should read Namibia.

82. On the top of page 18 (L.2 b.), the government states: “The technical proposal is limited to

30 pages.” However, near the bottom of the same page (see B. c.) the solicitation states:

“The technical proposal is limited to 25 pages…” Our question is whether the 25- or 30-page limit applies.

83. Page 71, L.8.(a); RFOTP 001, Page 17 ; RFTOP 002, Page 14; RFTOP 003, Page 18; - The RFP states the “…technical proposal should be in as much detail as you consider necessary (within the 80 page limitation). In RFTOP 001 (ITOPSS Sample Task Order 001, pg. 002 and 003, the RFTOP places a cap on the technical response for each RFTOP at 30 pages. Is the 80 page technical proposal limit inclusive or exclusive of the RFTOP responses?

Can Offerors include the RFTOP Technical responses as an annex to the technical proposal for ease of numbering and reference or would CDC like to see RFTOPs tabbed and paginated separately from the remainder of the technical proposal?

Answer: See answer to quesiton 71.

84. RFTOP 003, Page 18, L.2 - For RFOTP 003, L.2 states that the technical proposal is limited to 30 pages. In part B. General Instructions on the same page, the technical proposal is limited to 25 pages. Please confirm if the page limitation for RFTOP 003 is 25 or 30 pages for the Technical Proposal.

85. RFTOP 003. Page 7 - Will Contractor be responsible for setting up any CoAgs?

86. RFTOP 003, Page 7, 9, and 13) - What are the Ebola guidelines referenced (p. 7, 9, and 13)?

Answer: Ebola guidance can be found on the cdc.gov website.

87. RFTOP 003, Page 11 - What are guidelines for travel to Lahore, Pakistan given current heightened security? Can an alternative site be suggested to reduce risk?

Answer: CDC does not provide travel guidance. Check the Dept. of State’s or another website.

No alternative site can be suggested.

88. RFTOP 003, Page 11 - How should the travel costs and ODCs be shown in the tables provided?

Answer: There is not a separate CLIN for travel and ODC’s. Travel costs and ODC’s must be included in the total estimated cost.

89. RFTOP 003, Page 17-19 - Can you clarify between TO and RFTOP instructions? The technical proposal is referenced twice: limited to 30 pages and limited to 25 pages?

TO3 format does not match up with TO1 and appears some L, M elements are missing in TO3.

Answer: See answer to question 70.

90. Page 14, L.2 and Page 18 M.2 - The RFP does not include assigned points/evaluation criteria for the HIV Strategic Program Consultant and the Technical Advisor for Surveillance and Epidemiology. Will the government please confirm the omission?

Answer: The evaluation criteria for the sample RFTOP’s apply to the whole RFTOP not individual services in the RFTOP. See section M of the RFP (starting on page 80) for details on points assigned for sample RFTOPS.

91. Page 14 L.2.b - The RFP states a 30 page limit proposal response for sample task order 2. Will the government please confirm that these 30 pages do not count towards the overall page limit restriction of 80 pages for the RFP.

92. Page 17 M.1 - The RFP states, the Government intends to award one task order, based upon an integrated assessment of Technical and Business Proposals; however the title page indicates this is a sample task order. Will the government please confirm that the sample task orders will not be awarded as part of the overall ITOPSS award?

93. Page 14 L.2.b - Will the government please confirm that text boxes, tables, and charts do not count towards the 30 page limitation?

94. Page 10 A.4 - A.4 lists the government furnished property. Will the contractor be required to provide office space for the two positions, or will the positions be seconded in local CDC offices and/or local government offices. If seconded, will the government provide a plug figure that contractors should use in the business proposal for the allocation of office space?

Answer: Positions will be in a CDC utilized space. No plug figure for office space is required.

95. Page 10, A.4 - Will the government please confirm that the government furnished property provided in A4 will be new? Similarly, please confirm that contractors should not budget for this equipment (Including for the provision of these materials in the option years should the initially provided equipment malfunction or need replacement.)

Answer: Government cannot guarantee that all government furnished property (GFP) will be new. Some could be previously used by other employees/contractors. Contractors should not budget for GFP.

96. RFP page 71, Section L.8.b states that the main technical proposal is required to be presented in double space, whereas RFTOP 0001 page 17 L.2.b, RFTOP 0002 page 14 L.2.b, and RFTOP 0003 page 18 L.2.b state that the task order responses are to be presented in single space. Can CDC please confirm that task order responses are to be presented in double space?

Answer: Responses to sample RFTOP’s should be double space.

97. RFP page 71, Section L.8.b states that the technical proposal shall be presented in 12-point font.

Can CDC please confirm that graphics, charts, matrices, and tables may be presented in a font smaller than 12-point as long as offerors ensure that materials are easily readable?

Answer: Graphics, charts, matrices, and tables should be presented in 12 point font.

98. RFP page 71, Section L.8.b states that the main technical proposal is required to be presented in double space. Can CDC please confirm that charts may be presented single space?

Answer: Charts can be single space, 12 point font.

99. RFTOP 0001 page 17 L.2.b, RFTOP 0002 page 14 L.2.b, RFTOP 0003 page 18 L.2.b state that the task order responses are not to exceed 30 pages each. Can CDC please confirm that task order responses are not included in the technical proposal’s 80-page limit (RFP page 71, Section L.8)?

100. RFTOP 0001 page 17, RFTOP 0002 page 14, RFTOP 0003 pages 18-19 state that a cover page and executive summary is required for each RFTOP response. Can CDC please confirm that it is permissible to omit cover pages and executive summaries for responses to the sample

RFTOPs?

Answer: Cover page and executive summary are required for each RTOP response.

101. RFTOP 0001 page 17, RFTOP 0002 page 14, RFTOP 0003 page 18-19 state that a cover page and executive summary is required for each RFTOP response. Can CDC please confirm that cover pages can be substituted for page dividers, as proposals will be submitted in binders?

Answer: Cover page can be substituted for page divider but must be clearly tabbed.

102. Can CDC please confirm if the three task orders are currently operational? If so, can CDC please indicate which contractor is implementing each task order?

Answer: See answer to question 16. There are no incumbents.

103. Can CDC please confirm that the three task orders will not be awarded with the IDIQ or any other time after IDIQ award?

104. RFP page 71, Section L.8.c states that the technical proposal must include section 3(d)

“Request of Task Order Proposals task requests”. Since the following section 4 will provide the

“Concise Presentation of each of the Technical Evaluation Criteria” for each of the three RFTOPs, can CDC please clarify what information should be included in section 3(d)?

Answer: The information requested in section 4 a-c should be included.

105. RFTOP 0003 page 18, Section L.2.c.iii states that the Technical Evaluation Criteria should be presented in the following sections:

1. Ability to Legally Provide Services Overseas

2. Understanding of Requirements and Proposed Technical Approach

3. Management Approach

Whereas RFTOP 0003 page 19 Section L.2.B.d.iii states that the Technical Evaluation…