Unplugged-QA_20 December 2024.pdf

Question Number

Question Answer

1 On the same thread of unselected bidders, at which phase of the bid for the IDIQ will you be placed in the unselected bidder pool? Do you have to make it past Phase 1 or does this apply to any phase?

The intention is for all awardees who have been deemed awardable at the end of phase 3, but not selected for the initial IDIQ award, will be placed into the awardable not selected pool.

2 How is the Bd of Directors staffed? What is the make up of the Bd?

Each MSD MAIDIQ Contract Holder will identify one (1) employee of the Prime concern, or in the case of a Joint Venture the lead concern, as its

MSD Director. (RFP Paragraph H.7) 3 For MSD, is participation on the board of directors chargeable to the program or task orders, or must that be at the expense of the prime contractor?

Participation of the board of directors will not be chargeable to the program or task orders. The MSD Team will be mindful of the cost it takes to participate.

4 Most companies now direct charge program management and contract administration. Putting the whole PMO on overhead is a large burden for large and small companies.

Participation of the board of directors will not be chargeable to the program or task orders. The MSD Team will be mindful of the cost it takes to participate.

5 Can you clarify if you are going to follow the rule of two for set-aside as determined by a Board of directors? What are those criteria.

The board of directors will respond to RFIs which the Government will use to determine if a order will be set aside for SB and other decisions on contract strategy.

6 Can you clarify the role of the Board of Directors vs individual task order Market Research efforts The board of directors will respond to RFIs which the Government will use to determine if a order will be set aside for SB and other decisions on contract strategy.

7 Involving the Board of Dir. in decisions to award only to SBs seems to be a conflict of interest.

The board of directors will respond to RFIs which the Government will use to determine if a order will be set aside for SB and other decisions on contract strategy.

8 Who Chairs the Board of Directors? The Government Program Team will chair the board of directors 9 Our experience with other Board of Director like entities is that contractors will remain largely silent in these group settings to avoid over exposing corporate information to competitors. It is not clear what the government intends to gain through vendor participation on this body that seems to govern the IDIQ contract.

The MSD Team welcomes feedback on methods and a structure that would allow for productive conversations.

10 For MSD, in terms of Technical Corporate Experience, does the Government place higher value on the Offer's experience being (a) as a prime contractor, or (b) a higher contract dollar value?

Contractor status and dollar value are both elements of the minimum requirements for each example. (RFP Paragraph L.3.2.2)

11 the 30% of TCV seems restrictive for Small Business. We are a sub on a multi billion dollar contract, we do the majority of the work in our core capabilities and NAICS, but it is no where near 30% of TCV.

The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience factor, please provide feedback in the RFP comment matrix.

12 Tech Corp Experience - Given the shorter time frame to respond - will the Government consider providing the Tech.

Corp Experience Worksheet (Attach. 0004) with the Slides from today?

The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience worksheet, and will share prior to the final RFP release.

13 When will the draft corporate experience checklist be released? That is critical for round 1

The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience worksheet, and will share prior to the final RFP release.

14 Will the Corp exp template be character limited? The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience worksheet, and will share prior to the final RFP release.

15 Do you anticipate releasing the Corp Experience attachment/template, BEFORE the final RFP?

The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience worksheet, and will share prior to the final RFP release.

16 When can we expect the updated corporate experience attachment?

The Government team is continuing to develop the corporate experience worksheet, and will share prior to the final RFP release.

17 How do you request one-on-one engagement sessions? For the DC3o#E- usarmy.apg.acc.mbx.dc3oe-mailbox@army.mil, For the MSD IDIQ- https://theforge.experience.crmforce.mil/peoeis/s/

18 Can any of the Udemy courses, DAU Workshops be made available to industry, or at least the course titles?

The DC3oE recommends Digital Transformation 2023 Masterclass, Agile Samurai Bootcamp, and Product Management for AI & Data Science.

These courses are available to the public with a fee.

19 When will the final UNO IDIQ RFP be released? The final UNO RFP is anticipated to be released in February 2025, https://sam.gov/opp/e53befa1681b4006a461d06b0bbf3707/view 20 What does UNO stand for / which contract? UNO - Unified Network Operations

21 Have you really reduced the management approach page constraint from 10 pages to 3?

The current draft RFP has reduced this page count. Please provide feedback as to how this may impact your response.

22 what is being done to deal with a potential overlap between the MAPS and MSD proposal processes? This could be a major burden for small businesses.

Please see respective draft RFP postings for more information on the scope for each vehicle.

23 Is MAPS only Services and MSD only Software? Please see respective draft RFP postings for more information.

24 MAPS have very restrictive entry requirements--many required certifications. Will MSD have similar requirements?

Please see respective draft RFP postings for more information.

25 Thank you for clarifying MSD vs MAPS. Can you delineate between intent(s) for MSD and PEO IEW&S upcoming AIS@P

MATOC expecting to focus on AI/ML?

Please see respective draft RFP postings for more information.

26 Were both MSD and MAPS update last week on SAM? Please see respective draft RFP postings for more information.

27 Related to MAPS - Can you explain what is meant by

Knowledge Based Systems Please see the MAPS draft RFP posting for more information.

28 Are MSD and MAPS different? Yes, please see the slide posted to sam.gov.

29 Do "off ramped" bidders return to the "awarded but not selected" pool or are they removed all together?

Off ramped IDIQ holders would not return to the awarded but not selected pool.

30 Will you have an on ramp option later on for MSD? On Ramp Solicitations may occur during the life of the RFP. See RFP paragraph H.10.2.

31 What is estimated timing to onboard companies from the awarded but not selected pool? 1 year in? 5 years in?

The Government will look to onboard companies when the need arises.

32 Will this IDIQ accept external (other agencies non-Army) funds?

At this time, the MSD IDIQ is an Army only vehicle.

33 Will SBA/Agency SB subcontracting goals apply at the TO level for MSD?

SB Participation goals will be unique to the requirements competed at the order level.

34 The draft ordering guide will be released prior to final RFP? The draft ordering guide is currently posted at sam.gov 35 Will the gov't employ industry experienced Agile coaches to guide their Agile practices during implementation?

The ordering guide includes information on what is expected of the Government requirement owners utilizing the IDIQ. Please provide additional feedback to this area that the MSD team should consider in the RFP comment matrix.

36 Will there be standard ARP templates at the order level for all required documents?

Yes, the MSD team will work to template and standardize ordering for the purposes of streamlining execution.

37 Section H.13 Small Business Participation will be addressed at the order level for MSD actions. Question: At the order level is the government going to mandate a % of work share at the order level?

SB Participation goals will be unique to the requirements competed at the order level.

38 What measures are being taken as part of the government's procurement strategy to balance the field and give mid-size large businesses a fair opportunity to compete with the very large system integrators?

All aspects of the RFP, have taken into consideration results from ongoing market research. The MSD team is open to any feedback on particular aspects of the RFP that should be reviewed to this point.

39 There could be more than 100 total awards? As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

40 To get the depth and breadth of support you will need for the Army, please consider 40 awards as Alliant 2 did. If you set aside 10 slots for SB, 15 for mid-tier innovators and the last 15 for the usual suspect large businesses which we all know will be awarded.

As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards. If 20 awards are made, there is a reserve for 10 SB awards. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards.

41 Has consideration been given to establishing a small pool of non-traditional awardees? These types of firms offer a tremendous differentiated value in this space.

MSD does not include a reserve for awards other than Small Businesses.

Please provide additional feedback to this area that the MSD should consider in the RFP comment matrix.

42 Have you considered relational contracts (research conducted by University of Tennessee to create contract agility?

Please provide additional feedback to this area that the MSD should consider in the RFP comment matrix.

43 In the event of an corporate acquisition during this time, can the company use the acquired/acquiring company's resources for the Phase 2 or 3 challenges?

Please provide additional feedback to this area that the MSD should consider in the RFP comment matrix.

44 Research funded by SAF/AQ(Have you considered relational contracts (research conducted by University of Tennessee to create contract agility?)

Please provide additional feedback to this area that the MSD should consider in the RFP comment matrix.

45 Will proposals be oral or written? Please see the proposal submission requirements in Section L of the draft

RFP.

46 Is there going to be another Industry Day or other such event scheduled in JAN before Solicitation release?

The MSD team does not anticipate another event prior to the final RFP release. A synopsis will be posted on Sam.gov with more information prior to the final RFP.

47 How many task orders are anticipated to release? The MSD team has held discussions with many program offices interested in utilizing the vehicle once awarded, but does not have an estimate to share at this time.

48 How do you take care of mid sized companies with govt award to potentially 10 smalls and 10 other than small?

seems like companies of 200-800 folks will get squeezed out.

The SB reserve, along with all aspects of the RFP, have taken into consideration results from ongoing market research. Please provide additional feedback that the MSD team should consider to this point in the RFP comment matrix.

49 Does the Government intend to hold Phase II? The Government does intend to hold phase 2, however the RFP has built in a mechanism to bypass depending on the results of the phase 1 evaluation.

50 Are there any special terms or areas of bypass for GSA contractors i.e. Pricing?

No there are not special terms or areas of bypass for GSA contractors.

51 How is price reasonableness determined? Please see RFP paragraph M.2.4 for information on how price will be evaluated.

52 The QSP language was removed from the DRFP3 - is the intent the QSP will still exist for the TO ordering/execution phase in the future? In addition to the small business reserve language in place

In response to industry comments, the QSP has been removed from the MSD IDIQ and ordering guide.

53 an earlier slide said 100 awardees, 20 for each domain. is it 20 total or 100?

100 awardees, 20 per domain is an aspect of MAPs. Not MSD

54 20% or 10 awards whichever is greater of 20 awards will always be 10

As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

55 Can you confirm your anticipated total number of awards As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

56 originally the number of awardees was 30, now it sounds like 20, can you elaborate as to why the reduction?

As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

57 Will the govt reconsider quantity of award target of 20 if Smalls are minimum of 10?

As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

58 With the SB reserve and 20% floor - does the government forecast getting to 50-60 vendors in the base period of this

IDIQ (5 years)?

As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards.

59 At only 20 awards, that's 50%. awarded to SB. As updated on 13 December, DRAFT RFP #3 does not list a maximum number of IDIQ awards. If 20 awards are made, there is a reserve for 10 SB awards. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards.

60 In the event at SB awardee sizes out of the SB pool are they removed from the contract or do they become members of the LB pool?

Graduating out of SB size status is not an Off-Ramping condition. RFP Paragraph H.11.

61 are you saying that of 20 awardees HALF will be small businesses?

If 20 awards are made, there is a reserve for 10 SB awards. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards.

62 Will small businesses need to re-certify their size standard at the task order level post award?

Recertification of size standard will occur on the IDIQ when and if a prime contractors option is exercised.

63 Will there be a recertification requirement for SBs at any point over the lifetime of the IDIQ?

Recertification of size standard will occur on the IDIQ when and if a prime contractors option is exercised.

64 Are the SB goals per area or for the whole MAC IDIQ? SB Participation goals will be unique to the requirements competed at the order level.

65 how many SB IDIQ awardees of the 20 awardees? The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD

MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

66 If 20 awards are made, is that 10 OTSB and 10 SB concerns? The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

67 Is there a specific number of SB awards for this opportunity? The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD

MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

68 On Slide 10, the 3rd bullet seems to provide 2 different SB award criteria -- please clarify.

The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

69 To clarify intent for MSD SB awards, there will be a minimum of 10 small business awards correct?

The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD

MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

70 with 20 total awards, that's 10 for Large and 10 for small businesses??

The Government anticipates a reserve with a minimum guarantee of ten

(10) small business base awards or 20% based on the total awarded MSD MAIDIQ base contract awards to be set aside for Small Businesses, whichever is greater. There is not a maximum number of Small Business awards. RFP paragraph H.12.

71 Are there any anticipated set asides for HUBZone for subcontracting or for SB prime vendors?

The only anticipated reserve is for Small Businesses at this time.

72 On MSD, with 10 small business awards, this limits the ability of mid-tier companies to receive an award. Was this taken into consideration when you increased that number?

The SB reserve, along with all aspects of the RFP, have taken into consideration results from ongoing market research. Please provide additional feedback that the MSD team should consider to this point in the RFP comment matrix.

73 Can a mentor protege JV bid as a small business, as well as the mentor as a large business?

A contractor should only be included in one proposal.

74 Can we bid as prime and also a sub on another team? A contractor should only be included in one proposal.

75 We would like to confirm whether a company may participate on multiple teams for MSD, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. In the previous draft, it sounded like you could only participate in one response.

A contractor should only be included in one proposal.

76 Is the restriction on bidding only as a JV or alone, not both, for MAPS, or just for MSD?

All information presented at the Unplugged event is specific to MSD.

77 For clarification: The evaluation and award would be based upon only the Prime contractor and not to the Prime and subcontractors (team). IE. Any teaming will occur post award.

Correct. The MSD Team anticipates flexible teaming at the order level, and the evaluation is focused on the prime contractors capability.

78 "You're either a prime or a joint venture" seems to suggest that you're not interested in teaming in the traditional sense for the base IDIQ bid if you're not part of a JV.

Correct. The MSD Team anticipates flexible teaming at the order level. The IDIQ evaluation is focused on the prime contractors capability.

79 are there any restrictions on Prime Contractors using the Corporate Experience of their Large Business Sub-contractors

/ Teaming Partners?

Each example shall be work performed by the offeror as the prime contractor, subcontractor, or as part of a Joint Venture. RFP Paragraph

L.3.2.2 80 Can a subcontractor's experience be used or does it have to be the prime offeror's experience?

Each example shall be work performed by the offeror as the prime contractor, subcontractor, or as part of a Joint Venture. RFP Paragraph L.3.2.2

81 Can Phase I - Corporate Experience come from separate companies as a team on CTA or just from the prime.

Each example shall be work performed by the offeror as the prime contractor, subcontractor, or as part of a Joint Venture. RFP Paragraph

L.3.2.2 82 How did the government address issue of awards to the same company across domains and its impact on reducing the number of total awards?

MSD does not include "pools". A contractor should only be included in one proposal.

83 Can a large business be a sub to a small business bid if that large business is also Priming a large business bid?

Not at the IDIQ level.

84 Are subcontractor employees allowed to be used on the tech challenge - or do they all need to be from the prime offeror?

Participants shall be Prime Contractor’s existing employee(s) with a minimum of one (1) year of continuous employment via a signed affirmative written statement. RFP L.3.4.2

85 Would employees of a merging company, who will soon become employees of the same company but have not yet completed one year of continuous employment under the

Prime organization, be eligible to serve as representatives?

Please provide additional feedback to this situation for consideration by the MSD team in the RFP feedback comment matrix.

86 How subcontractors engage in the TOs is still not clear. If stand-alone Primes (w/o sub teams) are the only entities considered at the IDIQ level, how do subs get onto TOs? Do we track down Primes and get on their team at the order level.

Do subs submit a separate proposal to the gov for a TO and then Primes pick them up?

Prime contractors are encouraged to team with companies that best respond to individual order request for proposals.

87 Post award ... At the TO level, can a prime who is placed on the second-team list be added by a Prime as a subcontractor?

Prime contractors are encouraged to team with companies that best respond to individual order request for proposals.

88 Post-Award, what does the government foresee as the process for a Prime to bring on additional subs?

Prime contractors are encouraged to team with companies that best respond to individual order request for proposals.

89 Subs and consultants will be integral parts of every team -why would you exclude them now?

The MSD Team anticipates flexible teaming at the order level. The IDIQ evaluation is focused on the prime contractors capability.

90 Is there a small business requirement that primes need to hit for the makeup of their team?

The MSD Team will not be evaluating subcontractor/teaming arrangements as part of the IDIQ evaluation, other than legally recognized

Joint Ventures 91 Will CTA's be allowed? The MSD Team will not be evaluating subcontractor/teaming arrangements as part of the IDIQ evaluation, other than legally recognized Joint Ventures

92 Are you looking for integrated teams (Prime SI with subcontractors) or individual company bids?

The MSD Team will not be evaluating subcontractor/teaming arrangements as part of the IDIQ evaluation, other than legally recognized

Joint Ventures. In response to requests for proposal at the order level, a prime contractor may serve as a subcontractor under another prime contract award.

93 Can a company participate on multiple teams for MSD, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor? In the previous draft, it sounded like you could only participate in one MSD response.

The MSD Team will not be evaluating subcontractor/teaming arrangements as part of the IDIQ evaluation, other than legally recognized

Joint Ventures. In response to requests for proposal at the order level, a prime contractor may serve as a subcontractor under another prime contract award.

94 Can you define what is a "subcontractor", is it a certain % of work?

The MSD Team will not be evaluating subcontractor/teaming arrangements as part of the IDIQ evaluation, other than legally recognized Joint Ventures. In response to requests for proposal at the order level, a prime contractor may serve as a subcontractor under another prime IDIQ contract holders proposal

95 At the IDIQ level for MSD, Subcontractors are not allowed to submit past performance or assist with the tech challenge correct?

This is correct

96 If a joint venture is bidding, can members from both entities participate in the code challenge?

Yes

97 If a SB is awarded at the IDIQ level, can they support as a subcontractor at the order level?

Yes

98 Where will these slides be posted? Please advise. Thanks... The slides will be posted at the sam.gov link for this event.

99 will the slides and the recording be available ? The slides will be posted at the sam.gov link for this event. The recording will not be available

100 Danielle/Jennifer mentioned an update on Friday to clarify that AI-generated code is not allowed. Was that posted on

SAM?

Yes, this was updated on 13 December.

101 Any estimated timeline between each phase of the MSD path to award?

The Government team is continuing to develop the timeline for each phase, please provide feedback in the RFP comment matrix to this point.

102 Can you talk through the timeline targets for the various RFP phases relative to the timeline slide? Will all tech challenges take place in February 2025 following Phase 1 down select?

The Government team is continuing to develop the timeline for each phase, please provide feedback in the RFP comment matrix to this point.

103 Could you layout a rough timeline of Ph2 and Ph3 submission/evaluation timeline - that tracks to the March award date?

The Government team is continuing to develop the timeline for each phase, please provide feedback in the RFP comment matrix to this point.

104 When will Phase 2 and 3 be if IDIQ is award March 2025? The Government team is continuing to develop the timeline for each phase, please provide feedback in the RFP comment matrix to this point.

105 Does the Government intend on answering the questions submitted to the Government after receipt of DRFP#2?

Reviewing DRFP#3, it doesn't seem all questions have been addressed.

The Government team received many comments in response to Draft RFP

2. The results of which can be found in the updated Draft RFP. If a comment was not addressed, please resubmit utilizing the comment matrix for RFP 3.

106 When will the Comment Matrix be released? Looking forward to providing comments and questions for DRFP #3

The Government team received many comments in response to Draft RFP

2. The results of which can be found in the updated Draft RFP. If a comment was not addressed, please resubmit utilizing the comment matrix for RFP 3.

107 Will the questions provided to DRFP #2 be answered? The Government team received many comments in response to Draft RFP

2. The results of which can be found in the updated Draft RFP. If a comment was not addressed, please resubmit utilizing the comment matrix for RFP 3.

108 What is the goal for milestone awards at the order level? The MSD team anticipates orders to be awarded between 15 and 60 days.

109 For small businesses, knowing the order of task orders is critical so we can prioritize both the work and partnering opportunities. When will you release this information?

The MSD team has held discussions with many program offices interested in utilizing the vehicle once awarded, but does not have an estimate to share at this time.

110 If the first task orders are planned for May can you take a

'best guess' on what these tasks orders could be related too?

The MSD team has held discussions with many program offices interested in utilizing the vehicle once awarded, but does not have an estimate to share at this time.

111 Will a forecast for potential task orders be shared with the vendors that are part of the IDIQ?

The MSD team has held discussions with many program offices interested in utilizing the vehicle once awarded, but does not have an estimate to share at this time.

112 Did I hear the RFP has dropped on SAM.gov? The third draft RFP has been posted to sam.gov. The final RFP is anticpated for release in January 2025 113 Will participants be notified if they are NOT selected to move forward to the next phase?

Yes, see RFP paragraphs L.3.2.3 and L.3.3.2

Unplugged-QA