Questions and Answers IETSS 36C10B25R0003.pdf

Department of Veterans Affairs

Independent Enterprise Testing Support Services

Questions and Answers

November 21, 2024

Note: The answers provided below are for informational purposes, to assist potential Offerors in preparing proposals, and such answers do not themselves constitute an amendment to the Request for Proposal

(RFP). Where questions and answers necessitated such an amendment, such changes have been or will be incorporated into a formal amendment to the RFP. To the extent that any answers provided below conflict in any way with the RFP and any Amendments, the final RFP takes precedence.

# Reference Question Answer

1. We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is

(was) an incumbent performing these services.

If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Planned Systems International, Inc. is the incumbent contractor (GS-

35F598GA / 36C10B20F0076)

2. Could you confirm whether a specific contract vehicle is required to submit an offer for the IETSS RFP?

No specific contract vehicle is required to submit an offer for this

RFP.

3. Q&A Question #2 The answer provided to the question references “...these IV&V testing services.” All other uses of the term

IV&V appear to reference the CRR

IV&V TC and or TMO operations.

The scope within PWS Paragraph 3.0 references what appears to be an organization, not the function of

“Independent Verification and

Validation (IV&V)?” Can the

Government clarify or define the use of the term IV&V and confirm if this

RFP seeks full IV&V support (if so, please define) or only the testing and testing services support indicated in the PWS?

IV&V is in reference to organizational naming. VA’s requirement is only for the tasks detailed within the PWS.

4. Attachment 001

(Pricing Template)

There are a series of errors in the template. Can the VA please correct the template, specifically addressing the following:

• Rate lookups in T&M Labor miss Business Analyst in

T&M Labor Rate Table

• Rate lookups in T&M Labor have inconsistent column lookups (ex I33 references

See revised Attachment 001 – IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

Base rate instead of option 1 rate)

• In worksheet T&M Labor, cell B37 misspells Principal

Systems Analyst and throws lookup error

• T&M Labor Cell Y20 is missing last two rows in sum formula

• T&M Labor Cell Y60 is missing first two rows in sum formula

• T&M Labor Cell V74 is missing 5.6 Transition Out total in sum formula

5. Please confirm whether the PWS requirements and CLIN structure of this Solicitation are entirely consistent with and supported by any

FITARA-based review that was conducted.

FITARA review has been completed and acquisition approved to proceed.

6. Kindly would the government grant a

2 week extension, moving the due date for this opportunity to December

11, 2024, to allow offerors to craft a more robust thorough solution based on the requirements? We appreciate your consideration.

No extension will be provided at this time.

7. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

148 of 153 and 152 of 153; E.15

Submission

Instructions; 2.b page limitations table and 2.b(v)

2.b(v) References "Attachment 001-

IETSS Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet.xlsx" however the

Volume V Price file name in the page limitations table has an .XLS file type extension. Can the government clarify whether the submitted file type for Volume V Price/Cost should be .XLSX or .XLS

RFP updated to .XLSX

8. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

148 of 153 and 151 of 153; E.15

Submission

Instructions; 2.b page limitations table and 2.b(iv)

Can the government confirm whether

.xlsx file type is acceptable for the

Small Business Participation portion of Volume IV?

Confirmed

9. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

147 of 153; E.15

Submission

Section 2.b Content requirements does not include a Summary Volume, is this a required volume, and if so what are the content requirements?

See Amendment 0001.

Instructions; 2.a

Format

10. Attachment 001- -

IETSS Price

Evaluation

Spreadsheet; T&M

Labor Tab

Total Labor Hours and Total Labor -

Total (cells X35 and Y35) excludes rows 34 & 35 from the sum. Per the

Instructions tab, "(1) Offeror shall not input any information in this tab.

T&M Labor tab automatically calculates the total T&M labor price."

May we update the formulas to pull the correct total amounts, or will a revised pricing sheet be posted?

See revised Attachment 001– IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

11. Attachment 001- -

IETSS Price

Evaluation

Spreadsheet;

Evaluated Price

Summary

Cell E9, Unit Price for Travel

(T&M), is missing the formula reference to cell F9, Total Price. To stay consistent with the other Travel

(T&M) Line Items for the option years, may we adjust the formula, or will a revised pricing sheet be posted?

See revised Attachment 001– IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

12. Attachment 001- -

IETSS Price

Evaluation

Spreadsheet;

Quality Assurance Specialist is listed in the Labor Category Description tab however not listed as a labor category on any other T&M labor tab.

Confirming this is not a labor category to bid.

See revised Attachment 001– IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

13. Attachment 001- -

IETSS Price

Evaluation

Spreadsheet; T&M

Labor Tab

T&M Labor Rate tab, cell B37 contains "Principle Systems Analyst, and the vlookup for the yearly hourly rates points to row 25, please confirm this is the same labor category as

Principal Systems Analyst and the vlookup formula should point to the corresponding LCAT.

See revised Attachment 001– IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

14. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

151; E.15

Submission

Instructions, (ii)

Volume 3 Past

Performance Files;

(3) Section 3 -

Subcontracts

Can the government clarify whether the outline of how the effort required by the solicitation will be assigned for performance within the Offeror’s corporate entity and among the proposed subcontractors is required to be provided for all subcontractors or only major subcontractors?

See Amendment 0001.

15. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

General

The RFP does not provide a proposal validity timeframe, request the government provide the proposal validity timeframe

The RFP at section E.15(2)(b)(v) states, “All Offerors should propose using an estimated award date of

February 14, 2025.” Please make proposal valid through February 2025 at a minimum.

16. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf; 27;

2.0 Applicable

Documents; 1

The list of applicable documents contains "69. EHRM-IO Joint Master

Test Plan (JMTP)"

Question: Will the government provide this document?

Not at this time. This Document will be provided the IETSS contractor post-award.

17. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 9 of 153;

CLIN 0003; CLIN

Description;

The period of performance (PoP) for

CLIN X003 is not defined within the

CLIN X003 written description. Will the Government please add "PoP shall be 12 months from date of award" within the CLIN 0003 written description?

See Amendment 0001.

18. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 10 of 153;

CLIN 1001; CLIN

Description

Is the referenced text intended to be

"12 months from expiration of the base period, if exercised"? If so, will the Government please revise the

CLIN 1001 written description to reflect this?

See Amendment 0001

19. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 10 of 153;

CLIN 1002; CLIN

Description

Is the referenced text intended to be

"PoP: 12 months from expiration of the Base Period, if exercised"? If so, will the Government please revise the

CLIN 1002 written description to reflect this?

See Amendment 0001

20. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 16 of 153;

CLIN 5001; CLIN

Description

The referenced text cites "…the follow-on ETSSS order." Please confirm that this reference is intended to be "...the follow-on ETSSS contract." If so, will the Government please revise the CLIN 5001 written description to reflect this?

See Amendment 0001.

21. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 16 of 153;

CLIN 5001; CLIN

Description

The referenced text cites "…a formal task order modification..." Please confirm that this reference is intended to be "...a formal contract modification..." If so, will the

Government please revise the CLIN

5001 written description to reflect this?

See Amendment 0001.

22. Attachment 001 -

IETSS Price

Evaluation

Spreadsheet; T&M

Labor worksheet;

General

The T&M Labor worksheet within

Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

Evaluation Spreadsheet does not include columns titled "Labor Hours

(For Evaluation Purposes Only), "Hourly Labor Rate," and "Total

Labor" for CLIN 5001, Optional Task

See revised Attachment 001– IETSS

Excel Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet_v1.

– Transition Support (T&M) IAW

PWS Paragraph 5.6.

Will the Government please add columns titled "Labor Hours (For

Evaluation Purposes Only), "Hourly

Labor Rate," and "Total Labor" for

CLIN 5001, Optional Task –

Transition Support (T&M) IAW PWS

Paragraph 5.6, within Attachment 001

- IETSS Price Evaluation

Spreadsheet, T&M Labor worksheet?

Otherwise, how are Offerors to compute a total not-to-exceed (NTE) price for Line Item (i.e., CLIN) 5001 that is to be entered within the

Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

Evaluation Spreadsheet worksheet titled "Evaluated Price Summary?

23. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 29 of 153;

Section 5.1.2;

Paragraph 1

Please confirm that each offeror must propose, at minimum, the Key

Personnel positions specified within the reference text, consisting of the following Key Personnel positions:

Contract Program Manager, Project

Manager, and Division Lead(s).

No. Key Personnel roles, knowledge, skills and abilities are a component of one or more LCAT.

24. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 29 of 153;

Section 5.1.2;

Paragraph 1

"The Contractor shall assign a single individual to serve as the Contract

Program Manager to support the contract, as well as any other key personnel deemed necessary for support of the contract. Any change of key personnel, defined as Contract

Program Manager, Project Manager, and Division Leads shall require the, CO, and COR and IETSS VA Senior

Management notification and a transition plan to ensure minimum disruption to services delivered via the IETSS contract."

The Key Personnel positions specified within the reference text, consisting of the Key Personnel positions Contract Program Manager and Division Lead(s) are not present within Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

Evaluation Spreadsheet. Will the

Government publish a revised

Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

No. Key Personnel roles, knowledge, skills and abilities are a component of one or more LCAT.

Evaluation Spreadsheet that includes these "RFP LCATs?"

25. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 29 of 153;

Section 5.1.2;

Paragraph 1

"The Contractor shall assign a single individual to serve as the Contract

Program Manager to support the contract, as well as any other key personnel deemed necessary for support of the contract. Any change of key personnel, defined as Contract

Program Manager, Project Manager, and Division Leads shall require the, CO, and COR and IETSS VA Senior

Management notification and a transition plan to ensure minimum disruption to services delivered via the IETSS contract."

The Key Personnel positions specified within the reference text, consisting of the Key Personnel positions Contract Program Manager, and Division Lead(s) are not present within Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

Evaluation Spreadsheet. Will the

Government publish a revised

Attachment 001 - IETSS Price

Evaluation Spreadsheet that includes the LCAT description for each of these positions?

No, the Government will not revise labor categories to incorporate key personnel.

26. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 36 of 153;

Section 5.2.5.4;

Subparagraph b.

Please confirm that the automation tools for development and execution of scripts as needed/appropriate are

Government-Furnished Equipment

(GFE).

Confirmed, the automation tools for development and execution of scripts as needed/appropriate will be provided as GFE.

27. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 36 of 153;

Section 5.2.5.4;

Subparagraph b.

If the automation tools for development and execution of scripts as needed/appropriate are not

Government-Furnished Equipment

(GFE), please confirm that the offeror is to include the price for any such tools within the firm-fixed-price

(FFP) within the x001 CLINs for

Project Management IAW PWS

Paragraph 5.1, inclusive of subparagraphs.

The automation tools for development and execution of scripts as needed/appropriate will be provided as

GFE. VA will provide the required hardware and software for the delivery of services and execution of this contract.

28. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 36 of 153;

Section 5.2.5.4;

Subparagraph b.

Please confirm that the automation tools for executing SCQC services are Government-Furnished

Equipment (GFE).

Confirmed, the automation tools for executing SCQC services will be provided as GFE.

29. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 36 of 153;

Section 5.2.5.4;

Subparagraph b.

If the automation tools for executing

SCQC service are not Government-

Furnished Equipment (GFE), please confirm that the offeror is to include the price for any such tools within the firm-fixed-price (FFP) within the x001 CLINs for Project Management

IAW PWS Paragraph 5.1, inclusive of subparagraphs.

The automation tools for executing

SCQC services will be provided as

GFE.

30. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 39 of 153;

Section 5.3;

Paragraph 1

The costs related to the creation & maintenance of tools to support data migration validation and service virtualization functionality are not able to be accurately estimated prior to contract award. Please confirm that the costs for the creation & maintenance of tools to support data migration validation and service virtualization functionality are billable to the Government as an

Other Direct Cost (ODC) during contract performance.

No. The costs for the creation & maintenance of tools to support data migration validation and service virtualization functionality are NOT billable to the Government as an Other

Direct Cost (ODC) during contract performance.

Execution and delivery of services and support is inclusive of creation, configuration, and maintenance of data migration validation and service virtualization services.

31. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 39 of 153;

Section 5.3;

Paragraph 1

If the costs for the creation & maintenance of tools to support data migration validation and service virtualization functionality are not billable to the Government as an

Other Direct Cost (ODC) during contract performance, please clarify how these costs are to be recovered by the contractor.

See Amendment 001. Execution and delivery of services and support is inclusive of creation, configuration, and maintenance of data migration validation and service virtualization services.

32. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 49 of 153;

Section 5.5.1;

Paragraph 3

REFERENCE TEXT: "Sting processes."

It appears that this sentence has been inadvertently truncated. Please provide the intended verbiage.

See Amendment 0001.

33. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 50 of 153;

Section 5.5.3;

Paragraph 1

Is the reference to "QA Artifact

Review process" intended to be the

QC Artifact Review process that is included within Attachment 002 b?

Yes, for these purposes, the use of QA and QC are interchangeable.

34. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 65 of 153;

Section 6.5;

Paragraph 4

The CLINs and related CLIN descriptions for Option Periods 1 - 4, as well as the Optional Task, are replicated at the end of PWS Section

6.5

Is this the intended incorporation of these CLINs and CLIN descriptions?

35. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(1)

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (1)

52.222-41, Service Contract Labor

Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67)."

QUESTION: The resultant contract does not require the delivery of

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-41 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS) (formally Service Contract

Act) is not applicable to professional services labor categories. However, the contractor shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with SCLS for any proposed applicable Labor

Categories. See Amendment 0001

36. 36C10B25R0003

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(1)

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (1)

52.222-41, Service Contract Labor

Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C.

QUESTION: If FAR 52.222-41 does apply to the resultant contract, please provide the applicable Wage

Determination(s).

If it does apply, Wage Determination is dependent on the location of the

Contractors facility.

37. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (2)

52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent

Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014)

(29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter

67)."

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Please see Amendment 0001.

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(2)

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-42 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

38. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(2)

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (2)

52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent

Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014)

(29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter

QUESTION: If FAR 52.222-42 does apply to the resultant contract, please provide the applicable data required in accordance with this contract clause.

Please see Amendment 0001.

39. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(3)

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (2)

52.222-43, [X] (3) 52.222-43, Fair

Labor Standards Act and Service

Contract Labor Standards—Price

Adjustment (Multiple Year and

Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) (29

U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C.chapter

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-43 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

Please see Amendment 0001.

40. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (4)

52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(4) and Service Contract Labor

Standards—Price Adjustment (MAY

2014) (29 U.S.C 206 and 41 U.S.C.

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-44 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

41. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(7)

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (7)

52.222-55, Minimum Wages for

Contractor Workers Under Executive

Order 14026 (JAN 2022)."

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-55 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

Please see Amendment 0001.

42. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 102 of 153;

Section C.3., CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS

REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

REFERENCE TEXT: "[X] (8)

52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under

Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022)

(E.O. 13706)."

"service employee" personnel as defined within the context of the

Service Contract Labor Standards

(SCLS). Please confirm that FAR

52.222-62 is not applicable to the resultant contract.

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (MAY

2024);

Subparagraph (c)

(8)

43. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

General

Are responses / representations required from the offeror for various solicitation provisions and contract clauses that are incorporated by reference (i.e., as opposed to incorporated by full text within the solicitation) to be included as an addendum to Volume VI?

Yes, please submit responses / representations required from the offeror for various solicitation provisions and contract clauses at

Volume VI.

44. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 141 of 153;

E.5 52.216-1 TYPE

OF CONTRACT

(APR 1984));

Paragraph 1;

The referenced text cites "…task order..." Please confirm that this reference is intended to be

"...contract..." If so, will the

Government please revise the referenced text to reflect this?

See Amendment 0001.

45. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 143 of 153;

E.10 VAAR

852.239-71

INFORMATION

SYSTEM

SECURITY PLAN

AND

ACCREDITATION

(FEB 2023);

Paragraph 1

Within which proposal Volume is the approach for completing the security plan and accreditation requirements in clause 852.239–70, Security

Requirements for Information

Technology Resources, to be provided?

Please address the approach for completing the security plan and accreditation requirements in clause

852.239-70, Security Requirements for Information Technology Resources at Volume VI. This approach will not be evaluated.

46. 36C10B25R0003

Page 143 of 153;

E.10 VAAR

852.239-71

INFORMATION

SYSTEM

SECURITY PLAN

AND

ACCREDITATION

(FEB 2023);

Paragraph 1

Are there any page limitations governing the offeror response to the security plan and accreditation requirements in clause 852.239–70, Security Requirements for

Information Technology Resources?

No.

47. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

& Page 144 of 153;

(ii) VOLUME III –

Past performance in the private (i,e., commercial) sector is not included within the Contractor Performance

Assessment Reporting System

(CPARS). As private (i.e., Please see RFP Section E.15.2(ii) –

“Offerors shall submit no more than six contracts (including Federal, State and local government and private)…”

PAST

PERFORMANCE

FILES & Section

E.14; Paragraph 1

& Paragraph 2 commercial) past performance will be considered by the Government in conducting the Past Performance evaluation, will the Government please amend the VA IETSS solicitation to add a written explanation of the procedures for evaluating private (i.e., commercial) past performance?

48. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

Page 153 of 153;

VOLUME VI -

SOLICITATION,

OFFER AND

AWARD

DOCUMENTS

AND

CERTIFICATIONS

/REPRESENTATIO

NS.; Paragraph b.

Please confirm that Adobe electronic signatures are acceptable for all authorized official signatures required within the SF 1449 and anywhere else within the solicitation that requires an authorized official signature, in accordance with the

FAR 2.101 definition of "Signature" which states "Signature or "signed' means the discrete, verifiable symbol of an individual that, when affixed to a writing with the knowledge and consent of the individual, indicates a present intention to authenticate the writing. This includes electronic symbols."

Confirmed, Adobe electronic signatures are acceptable for all authorized official signatures required within the SF 1449 and anywhere else within the solicitation that requires an authorized official signature.

49. Attachment 003 -

Small Business

Participation

Report; Page 115 of

153; Section C.15;

Paragraph 5

Please confirm that solicitation

Attachment 003, Small Business

Participation Report, is to be submitted to the Contracting Officer on a quarterly basis and is not the template to be utilized for proposal

Volume IV, Small Business

Participation Commitment.

Confirmed. There is no template for

Volume IV but a sample is provided at

RFP Section E.15(2)(b)(iv).

50. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

113; C.14

Organizational

Conflict of Interest;

b;

The Government states: "The

Contracting Officer has determined that significant organizational conflicts of interest exist in the performance of independent testing for Contractors currently participating as a prime or subcontractor on VA IT project management services contracts or software development services contracts for VA/GOTS/COTS software." FAR Section 9.6

Contractor Team Arrangements

(CTAs) means an arrangement in which -"

The Independence Requirement is applicable to all types

Prime/Subcontractor teaming arrangements including Joint Ventures.

(1) Two or more companies form a partnership or joint venture to act as a potential prime contractor; or

(2) A potential prime contractor agrees with one or more other companies to have them act as its subcontractors under a specified

Government contract or acquisition program has a history awarding contacts to entities comprised as a

CTA or SBA-approved Joint Venture entity."

Further, Section C.14 (b) states: "The

Contracting Officer has determined that significant organizational conflicts of interest exist in the performance of independent testing for Contractors currently participating as a prime or subcontractor on VA IT project management services contracts or software development services contracts for VA/GOTS/COTS software."

Since the VA has awarded numerous contracts for IT Project Management and services or software development services for VA/GOTS/COTS to CTA and Joint Venture entities, please confirm the VA includes all types

Prime/Subcontractor teaming arrangements including Joint

Ventures or personal investments in companies as applicable to this section?

51. 36C10B25R0003

IETSS RFP.pdf;

141; E.7 VAAR

852.209-70

ORGANIZATION

AL CONFLICTS

OF INTEREST

(OCT 2020); b

This Section conflicts with Section

C14 Organizational Conflicts of

Interest. Governments response to

Question # 4 in the Q&A states: "If an OCI exists as described by the independence requirement, it cannot be mitigated." Please clarify Section

E.7 as this section seems to be outdated or superseded by the

Government's recent Q&A response noted above.

52. 36C10B25R0003

145; 3.

VETERANS

INVOLVEMENT

EVALUATION

APPROACH;

Paragraph 2

Please confirm that solely those proposed subcontractors that are

VOSB and/or SDVOSB are required to be registered and verified in the

VETCert Program

(veterans.certify.sba.gov).

This requirement applies to prime vendors as well who are including their SDVOSB/VOSB status as credit for the Small business Participation

Commitment requirement.