OBO Oversight Question and Answer session_6-14-2023.docx

OBO Oversight Question and Answer session Question 3 has been updated to reflect 76 instead of 48.

1. (Solicitation, E.26.A (PP 79-81) (reference)). The table in subsection 6 indicates that Volume I should have two files: [Offeror Name] Tech.doc/pdf and [Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf. Volume IV only indicates one file: [Offeror Name] TO Tech.doc/pdf. The instructions for the IDIQ do not indicate that resumes are required. The instructions for the Task Order requires 2-page resumes for Task Order Key Personnel. Can the Government please clarify if resumes are required for Volume I, and if not, if the [Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf file is required? Can the Government please clarify if resumes for the Task Order should be included in Volume IV in the [Offeror Name] TOTech.doc/pdf file, which is page-limited to 10?

Resumes are required for both volumes and will not count toward the page limit.

Government Response: Résumés are required for the task order only. The résumé reference provided in the chart on page 80 has been revised to remove “[Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf” from Volume I and placed under Volume IV. Per the solicitation, résumés are limited to 2 pages each. The résumés do not count in the total page limit for the task order technical proposal. Page 81 has been updated to include résumés in the information excluded from the technical page count limit.

2. (D5-Task Order, 2.9, PG 5, Audit software) Will the software such as Teammate be made available to the contractor as GFE?

Government Response: No, the contractors will use Microsoft Office.

3. (D5-Task Order, 3.1, PG 2, Task order states there will be 152 field reviews) Could the Government clarify if all the 152 reviews are meant to be completed in the base year? What is the expectation on reviews to be completed monthly?

Government Response: Yes, the base year will require 152 reviews with up to 76 optional reviews in the same year. The subsequent option years will have the same requirements. The Government allows the contractors to create their own schedules within a reasonable time frame.

4. (D5-Task Order, 8, PG 8, travel) Is the travel included in the FFP portion of the contract or will this be based on the per diem rates as an ODC?

Government Response: The travel rates will be based on Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) at the task order level with a not to exceed amount. Travel is not FFP.

5. (SF 1449, Section B Continuation of 1449 blocks) Task Areas 3.5.3 - Can VA list possible Government Offices Task Orders may include?

Governments Response: VA GPD & SSVF homeless programs. All work will be completed within the continental United States (CONUS).

6. (6.1.1.2Personnel Security Requirements Contractor Responsibilities) Will it be the VA’s responsibility to establish office space at VA locations for the winning Task Order Contractor?

Government Response: If work is to be performed at the government location, the program office identified in the task order will be responsible for the coordination of the designated space. The Government will provide a list of non-VA field visits. The contractor will primarily work from their home office or non-VA facilities.

7. (Facility/Resources Provisions) Will the VA provide IT support for Contractor connection support to the VA system on VA/Government sites and remote Contractor site?

Government Response: This will be dependent on the task order. The program office will work with the contractor to manage equipment and connection per the security information identified in the solicitation. Yes, contractors will be provided a virtual desktop and id card. Contractors will be expected to use their own computers.

8. (Instructions to Offeror #6) Volume 1 Page Limitation. Are the required Resumes a part of the page count?

Government Response: Per the solicitation, résumés are limited to 2 pages each. The résumés do not count in the total page limit for the task order technical proposal. Page 81 has been updated to include résumés in the information excluded from the technical page count limit.

9. (Solicitation, E.2.6) The page count for Volume I is limited to 10 pages. Would the Government consider expanding this limitation considering the extent of technical areas to be covered?

Government Response: The government will allow two additional pages for a total of 12 pages.

10. (Solicitation, E.2.6.A) It appears that there may be duplicate information or sentences in the “Task Order” section. For example, it is stated “The specific methodologies must demonstrate feasibility of the following” which leads into another It appears that there may be duplicate information or sentences in the “Task Order” section. For example, it is stated “The specific methodologies must demonstrate feasibility of the following” which leads into another section which appears to be a repeat paragraph. Please clarify if there is any content that should be added/removed from this section.

Government Response: The sentence is not duplicative its re-iterating that the contractor will provide specific methodologies for understanding the requirement and accomplishing the task rather than providing general concepts. This applies at the IDIQ and Task Order Level.

11. (Solicitation, E.2.6.A) For the Task Order response, will the Government please confirm whether they expect multiple key personnel per labor category, or just 1 FTE per labor category.

Government Response: The government will expect multiple key personnel per labor category.

12. (Solicitation, E.2.6.B) We noticed that there is no mention of the requirements for SBA MPP Joint Venture Offerors. Please clarify whether Joint Venture offerors should include 1 past performance from the Protégé.

Government Response: Past performance is requested for all offerors/subcontractors/partners (including joint ventures).

13. (D.6 Attached F Task Order Price Schedule and D.7 Attachment G Task Order Price Schedule) Please clarify the intent behind both task order schedules, and whether offerors should submit both in our response.

Government Response: D.6 Attachment F is the Sample Task Order Price Schedule, D.7 Attachment G is the Task Order Procedures. The correct document for D.7 Attachment G - Task Order Procedures has been uploaded.

14. (D.5 Attachment E Task Order PWS, 3. Task Three - GPD & SSVF FOFA Review Reports) This section states the contractor shall provide the draft report within 5 business days of completing the fieldwork, and then provide the final report within 5 business days after incorporating the Government's feedback. What is the timeframe that the Government anticipates providing their feedback for the draft reports, e.g., 10 business days?

Government Response: The contractor shall provide the draft report within 10 business days of completing the fieldwork, and then provide the final report within 10 business days after incorporating the Government's feedback. The Government anticipates providing their feedback for the draft reports within 10 business days.

15. (Solicitation, E.2, PG. 79, reference 6) Within the Table on Page 79 the government mentions a resume document for Volume I (IDIQ Technical Capability), however on page 85 the government mentions resumes within the context of the Task Order Technical Document (Volume IV). Can the government confirm that the resumes are aligned with the Task Order response and ought to be included within Volume IV? If so, can the government confirm resumes do not count toward the 10-page limit of Volume IV?

Government Response: Résumés are required for the task order only. The résumé reference provided in the chart on page 80 has been revised to remove “[Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf” from Volume I and placed under Volume IV. Per the solicitation, résumés are limited to 2 pages each. The résumés do not count in the total page limit for the task order technical proposal. Page 81 has been updated to include résumés in the information excluded from the technical page count limit.

16. (Solicitation, E.2, PG81, A) Within the proposal instructions for the Sample Task Order Technical Capability Volume, the government lists three Key Personnel positions for the task order: Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant. Within the Sample Task Order PWS only two key personnel are listed: Senior Auditor and Staff Auditor. Can the government confirm the Senior Auditor and Staff Auditor align with specific labor categories listed in the Labor Categories table in Section 9 of the RFP? If not, can the government add the Senior Auditor and Staff Auditor labor categories to the table in Section 9?

Government Response: An updated D.5 Attachment E - Sample Task Order has been uploaded. Please use this for proposal development. Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant are the correct labor categories for the sample task order.

17. (Solicitation, B.3, PG 21) Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule of the RFP lists out a price schedule and states that Price Schedules will be included in Task Order Proposal Requests (TOPR). The Price Schedule shown has different sub-CLINs for each labor category and requires a quantity of hours and unit price for each labor category. Can the government please confirm that this format of Price Schedule will be required for T&M TOPRs only?

Government Response: This is not a T&M contract. The prices established in the IDIQ will be used to evaluate price reasonableness, realism and use to evaluate price at the task order level in accordance with the solicitation. The Sample Task Order Price Schedule is used for the pricing of FFP and Labor Hour task orders.

18. (Solicitation, E.2, PG 80, reference 6A) The proposal instructions for Volume I – Technical Capability – IDIQ state that the offeror shall provide an appropriate work breakdown structure (WBS). Since the IDIQ PWS lists all possible task areas that may be required by the government over the life of the IDIQ, but not specific groupings of tasks required on a specific Task Order, it is not possible to put together a WBS for the IDIQ PWS. Can the government please confirm that the WBS is required for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach (Volume IV) only and not for the IDIQ Technical Capability Approach (Volume I)? If so, can the government confirm the WBS does not count toward the 10-page limit of Volume IV?

Government Response: The WBS is required for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach (Volume IV) only and not for the IDIQ Technical Capability Approach (Volume I)? WBS does not count toward the page limit of Volume IV.

19. (Attachment D-Sample TO PWS, 3. PG7, Reference 4) The Delivery Schedule in the Sample TO PWS lists a quantity of 24 GPD Options and 24 SSVF Options for each of the deliverables. The Task Order Price Schedule (Attachment F) lists 76 as the quantity for each of the optional CLINs in the base period and all option periods. Can the government update the Sample TO PWS and the TO Price Schedule to be consistent? In addition, for the 6-month option period in the TO Price Schedule, can the government confirm whether the quantity should be 76, or 38 (half of the annualized quantity)?

Government Response: An updated D.5 Attachment E - Sample Task Order has been uploaded. Please use this for proposal development. The 6-month option period in solicitation Attachment D.6 Attachment F has been updated to reflect a quantity of 38 vs. 76 annualized quantities.

20. (Solicitation, E.2, PG.79, reference 6) Page 79 of the RFP states that the page limit for Volume 2 is 6 pages total, 2 pages per reference. Attachment B - Past Performance References is a formatted PDF document and when text is entered into the available fields the font size decreases as additional content is added and the document does not expand to 2 pages. In order for the government to confirm that each past performance reference is 2 pages and meets the font requirements, can the government confirm that the offeror may move the PDF template into a Word document in order to comply with the font and page count requirements?

Government Response: Yes, the offeror may convert the past performance reference to a word document, provided it complies with the requirements set forth in Volume II.

21. (Attachments F, G – TO Price Schedule) The government provided two attachments labeled TO Price Schedule, one of which includes the IDIQ PWS tasks and one of which includes the Sample TO PWS tasks. Can the government confirm whether the offeror is required to submit both versions of the price schedule and which will be used to evaluate the Sample Task?

Government Response: The contractor will submit D.4 Attachment D IDIQ Schedule and D.6 Attachment F - Sample Task Order Schedule and complete all tabs applicable within both schedules accordingly. The correct document for D.7 Attachment G - Task Order Procedures has been uploaded.

22. (Solicitation, Price, Attachment D, reference excel) The IDIQ Price schedule includes a sample TO task tab, despite their being sample TO files Attach F and G. should this tab be completed as well as Attach F and G?

Government Response: Attachment D & F should be completed in its entirety (All Tabs). See updated files for attachment D and F

23. (Solicitation 3.2, PG. 7) The RFP states that the Period of Performance is one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods. The Sample TO states the same Period of Performance. Both Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule and Attachments F, G – Task Order Price Schedule also include an additional 6-month option period. Can the government update the RFP Period of Performance to include the additional 6-month option period?

Government Response: The period of performance will remain the same for IDIQ and Task order. The 6-month option period to extend the service uses FAR Clause 52.217-8 and is not guaranteed. The pricing for this 6-month option is to determine pricing should the government have a need to extend services for 6 months after the end of the contract.

24. (Solicitation 9, PG 17) The table of Labor Categories beginning on Page 17 of the RFP and the labor categories listed in Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule include inconsistencies as follows:

The RFP includes a labor category, Project Manager that is not included in Attachment D The RFP includes one labor category called Director/Program Manager, and Attachment D lists Director and Program Manager as separate labor categories- Attachment D includes a labor category called Project Junior Accountant that is not included in the RFP. The RFP includes a labor category called Subject Matter Expert Regulations and Attachment D includes a labor category called Subject Matter Expert - The RFP includes a labor category called Management Analyst and Attachment D includes a labor category called Management Specialist Attachments F and G also have similar inconsistencies from the RFP. Can the government please update the RFP and attachments D, F, and G such that all labor categories align between the documents?

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule and D.6 Attachment F – Task Order Price Schedule have been uploaded.

25. C.16 VAAR 852.219-75 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION),

(d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed and returned with the offeror’s bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award. Does this certification go in the Title Page, and if so, does it require a separate signature as indicated, or does the signature on the Title Page suffice?

Government Response: The offeror must complete and sign the certification as stated in VAAR 852.219.75. The certification stays within this section and does not go on the title page, nor does the signature on the title page suffice for the certification.

26. (Solicitation 9.0, Labor Categories) Will VA consider adding a junior labor category or adjusting one of the existing categories to allow for individuals with no years of experience? These would be individuals with a relevant bachelor’s degree in the subject area where they would be providing support.

Government Response: The government will adjust the junior labor category (Jr. Business/Audit Consultant)to include individuals with zero years of experience. However, they must have a degree in business accounting. See updated categories highlighted in yellow in Section 9.

27. Please confirm that the VA is looking for three past performance references for the IDIQ and three past performance references for the sample task order.

Government Response: Three past performance references total for the IDIQ and the Sample Task Order (one or more for each).

28. Can the government clarify if the sample Task Order submission is for existing work that is going to be awarded as part of the new IDIQ? If so, can the government provide a timeline for when that work will be awarded?

Government Response: The sample task order may be awarded after IDIQ award but is not guaranteed.

29. (Reference Para 4.3.1 Statistical Reviews) Will the contractor be expected to use the SAS software on VA’s IT systems, or will the contractor be required to have its own license of SAS?

Government Response: If needed, the government will provide SAS software on VA’s IT systems.

30. (Reference para 4.3.2 Data Analytics) Will the government describe the ‘data analytic tools that are readily available at VA’?

Government Response: That is not something that will be readily available until the task orders are written.

31. (Reference para 9.0 Labor Categories) Can the contractor propose additional LCATS to provide a greater breadth of skills and levels of expertise to VA?

Government Response: No, the proposal of additional LCATS will not be accepted.

32. Reference para 9.0 Labor Categories: Can the contractor propose an alternative number of hours for the LCATS in the IDIQ table that are different from the pre-populated government estimates?

Government Response: No, alternative number for the LCATS will not be accepted.

33. (Reference para E2 Additional Instructions to Offerors, B- Vol II Past Performance) The scope of the IDIQ is much broader than the scope of the sample task order. So, when VA evaluates the relevance of contractors’ Past Performance Qualifications, will VA be evaluating their relevance to the IDIQ SOW or the Sample Task Order SOW?

Government Response: Three past performance references total for the IDIQ and the Sample Task Order (one or more for each).

34. (Reference E3 Basis for Award) How will VA evaluate the Tech Capabilities from the IDIQ response vs. the TO response? Assume both will be evaluated but will one be more significant in the government’s evaluation?

Government Response: The IDIQ proposal and Task Order proposal will be evaluated as one proposal for the IDIQ as stated in the solicitation. One is not weighted more than the other. The Task Order proposal evaluation will also serve as the Task Order proposal evaluation should the Sample Task Order be awarded.

35. (Reference Attachment D IDIQ Price Schedule) There seems to be errors with the tab descriptions. The 1st tab is entitled ‘Sample IDIQ…’ but there is no Sample IDIQ in this RFQ. Also, the 2nd tab is entitled ‘Sample TO Level of Effort’ but this appears to be a spreadsheet for the IDIQ Pricing. Please clarify.

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule has been uploaded.

36. (Reference Attachment D IDIQ Price Schedule) The government provided hours in the 1st tab are not equal to the hours in the 2nd tab but we believe they should unless we don’t understand the purpose of the 2nd tab. Please clarify the relationship between the two tabs and whether the government provided hours in each tab are correct.

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule has been uploaded.

37. (Reference: Solicitation Form, pg. 1, Block 10: Size standard $22M) The system-generated dollar threshold for NAICS code 541219 reflects an outdated threshold of $22M on the current solicitation document. As you are aware, the threshold changed to $25M in November 2022. Will the Government update this during the solicitation process or upon award?

Government Response: The size standard for NAICS 541219 is revised to reflect the new size standard of $25M. This will be reflected on the SF30.

38. (Reference: Solicitation, E.2.6, pg. 79) The instructions table in E.2.6 includes a resume file name for Vol I ([Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf). However, the IDIQ PWS does not identify key personnel, and the IDIQ Technical Capability instructions in E.2.6.A do not reference key personnel or resumes. Would the government please confirm that resumes are not desired as part of Volume I IDIQ Technical Capability?

Government Response: Résumés are required for the task order only. The résumé reference provided in the chart on page 80 has been revised to remove “[Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf” from Volume I and placed under Volume IV.

39. (Reference: Solicitation, E.2.6.A, pg. 80) The Volume I instructions state, “The offeror shall submit a Technical Capability volume which shall address in detail how the offeror proposes to accomplish the IDIQ Performance Work Statement (PWS) and provide an appropriate work breakdown structure.” Please confirm that a work breakdown structure (WBS) is required for both the IDIQ and TO? If yes, would the government please clarify what is desired for a work breakdown structure at the IDIQ level?

Government Response: The WBS is required for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach (Volume IV) only and not for the IDIQ Technical Capability Approach (Volume I)? WBS does not count toward the page limit of Volume IV.

40. (Reference: Attachment D - tab SAMPLE TO LEVEL OF EFFORT; Attachment F TASK ORDER PRICE SCHEDULE 5-5-2023; Attachment G TASK ORDER PRICE SCHEDULE) Please clarify which spreadsheet should be used to provide pricing for the Task Order.

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule, D.6 Attachment F – Task Order Price Schedule, and D.7 Attachment G – Task Order Procedures have been uploaded. The Task Order Price Schedule must be completed in D.6 Attachment F – Task Order Price Schedule.

41. (Reference: Solicitation, E.3, pg. 84; Solicitation, B.3, pg. 21, Attachment E and Section B.3 reference the “Sample Task Order” while the evaluation section refers to it as “Task Order" ("The Government will award up to three (3) IDIQ contracts and one (1) task order resulting from this solicitation."). Can the government confirm whether the included Task Order is a sample task order or an awardable task order?

Government Response: This is a sample task order that may be awarded after IDIQ award.

42. Can the Government state the expected ceiling value of the IDIQ?

Government Response: The IDIQ has a ceiling of $48,000,000.00. Section B.2 Performance Work Statement, Item 3.1 has been updated to reflect the ceiling and coincide with C.8 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995).

43. (Reference: Solicitation, B.2, Section 9.0; Attachment D IDIQ PRICE SCHEDULE LEVEL OF EFFORT) Includes 488, 539 hours across the 5-year POP. However, in the IDIQ PWS Section 9.0, the government estimate totals 406,597 hours. Totals also differ among labor categories. Should the price schedule be updated to reflect the hours listed in the solicitation?

Government Response: The solicitation and D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule have been revised to match.

44. (Reference: Attachment D IDIQ PRICE SCHEDULE LEVEL OF EFFORT) D.4 Attachment D IDIQ Price Schedule tabs indicate they are samples. Can government confirm that the IDIQ tab is not intended to be a sample and will be the basis for IDIQ-level pricing by labor category?

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule has been uploaded.

45. (Reference: Solicitation, B.2, Section 9.0) Section 9.0 states, "all resulting pricing for TO price schedules shall utilize the hourly rates in Attachment E, LCAT Price Sheet." However, the provided Attachment E is the Task Order PWS. Please confirm Attachment D should be used to establish IDIQ-level rates.

Government Response: Language was changed to reflect attachment D instead of Attachment E. See conformed solicitation changes are highlighted in yellow.

46. (Solicitation, E.2.A, pg. 81; D.5 Attachment E: TO PWS, pg. 9) The IDIQ instructions state, “The Offeror shall submit résumés for all proposed Task Order Key Personnel (Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant), page limit is 2 pages per résumé.” The Task Order PWS states, “The Senior Auditor shall have a minimum of three (3) years of experience implementing, managing, and supporting relevant projects. Minimum education includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business. The Staff Auditor shall have a minimum of two (2) years of experience implementing, managing, and supporting relevant projects. Minimum education includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business.” On pg. 81 of the solicitation, the government references resumes for three key personnel needed for the task order: Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant. The Task Order PWS only lists two key personnel: Senior Auditor and Staff Auditor.

Can the government confirm whether a project manager is a required key personnel position?

Government Response: A revised D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order has been uploaded. A Project Manager is a required key personnel position.

47. If Project Manager is a key personnel position, can the government provide a description similar to those for other key personnel in the Task Order PWS?

Government Response: A revised D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order has been uploaded. B.2. Performance Work Statement, Item 9 identifies all labor categories.

48. (Reference: Solicitation D.7, pg. 74) The attachments list indicates that Attachment G should be Task Order Procedures. However, the Attachment G provided is a Task Order Pricing Schedule. Can the government please provide Attachment G Task Order Procedures?

Government Response: D.7 Attachment G – Task Order Procedures has been replaced with the correct file.

49. (Reference: Solicitation, B.2, Section 9.0) Will Offerors be able to propose additional labor categories on future task orders, if needed?

Government Response: All labor categories must align with the IDIQ. If labor categories are not included in the IDIQ, they are not allowed on the Task Order.

50. (Reference: Solicitation, E.2 and E.3; Attachment G) Neither the instructions nor the evaluation criteria indicate that Attachment G Task Order Price Schedule will be reviewed, additionally, page 74 of the solicitation indicates that Attachment G is intended to be Task Order Procedures. Will the government please confirm that Attachment G should not be priced?

Government Response: D.7 Attachment G – Task Order Procedures has been replaced with the correct file.

51. (Reference: Solicitation B.2, Section 9.0, pg. 17; Attachment D IDIQ Price Schedule Level of Effort) The labor categories listed in the solicitation document are not identical to those listed in Attachment D Price Schedule. For instance, Attachment D includes a Program Manager, while the solicitation document has a Project Manager. Additionally, a Project Jr. Accountant is listed in Attachment D and does not appear in the solicitation document. Can the government please clarify which labor categories should be bid and their preferred naming?

Government Response: The labor categories have been updated and Project Junior accountant has been removed.

52. For the pricing schedules, is the Government assuming 2080 hours is equal to an annual Full Time Equivalent (FTE)?

Government Response: Yes, 2080 is what the Government uses a FTE.

53. (On page 82), it states that “The offeror shall complete Attachment C: Past Performance References in its entirety, listing a maximum total of three contracts/orders for work performed in the past three years or currently being performed, for accounting support services.” Should the past performances only be applicable to accounting support services, or can they demonstrate applicability to other areas of the Tasks such as auditing services, internal controls, and/or financial management?

Government Response: They can demonstrate applicability to other areas of the Tasks such as auditing services, internal controls, and/or financial management.

54. (On page 81) , it states, “The Offeror shall submit résumés for all proposed Task Order Key Personnel (Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant), page limit is 2 pages per résumé.” Are the only Key Personnel those listed in parenthesis on page 81, or are there additional Key Personnel such as those listed in the Sample Task Order i.e., Staff and Senior Auditors?

Government Response: A revised D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order has been uploaded. Key Personnel identified on page 81 match those identified in D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order.

55. Is a Senior Auditor the same LCAT as a Senior Business Audit Consultant and is a Junior Auditor the same as a Junior Business Audit Consultant?

Government Response: A revised D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order has been uploaded.

56. Is the expectation that a bidder would provide resumes for all Key Personnel for the TOPR which would be upwards of 20+ resumes for the TOPR?

Government Response: Résumés are required for the labor categories identified in the solicitation Section E.2.6.A. The government will review resumes for all key personnel.

57. (Solicitation IDIQ PWS – B.2 Performance Work Statement; Pg 5/108) The PWS explains, “The objective of this effort is to improve VA’s internal controls over financial reporting and to assist VA Administrations and staff agencies in meeting Department-wide financial accountability requirements. In providing such assistance, the Contractor shall provide the following services:

Can the government confirm the scope of this IDIQ is intended to only address the “financial” risks, controls, processes, reporting requirements of OMB A-123?

Government Response: Yes, the objective of this effort is to improve VA’s internal controls over financial reporting and to assist VA Administrations and staff agencies in meeting Department-wide financial accountability requirements.

58. Can the government confirm the scope of this IDIQ does not include the “enterprise risk,” “non-financial/operational,” related risk, controls, processes, reporting requirements of OMB A-123?

Government Responses: The Government cannot confirm this. There will be various task orders relating to all aspects of OMB A-123.

59. (Solicitation IDIQ PWS – B.2 Performance Work Statement; Pg 9/108, 4.1 Implementation and Compliance Assessment, Monitoring, Auditing, Testing, and Remediation Support for OMB Circular A-123 and Related Statutory, Regulatory, Policy, and Program Requirements) The PWS explains, “The task should include, but not be limited to, the following duties: The PWS explains, “The task should include, but not be limited to, the following duties:

9. Provide assistance with devising annual A-123 oversight.

10. Provide accounting services in support of VA compliance functions and activities”

Can the government confirm the scope of this IDIQ is intended to only address the “financial” risks, controls, processes, reporting requirements of OMB A-123?

Government Response: Yes, the objective of this effort is to improve VA’s internal controls over financial reporting and to assist VA Administrations and staff agencies in meeting Department-wide financial accountability requirements.

Can the government confirm the scope of this IDIQ does not include the “enterprise risk,” “non-financial/operational,” related risk, controls, processes, reporting requirements of OMB A-123?

Government Response: The Government cannot confirm this. There will be various task orders relating to all aspects of OMB A-123.

60. (IDIQ PWS – B.2 Performance Work Statement; Pg 10/108, 4.2.2 Analysis Support) The PWS explains, “The Contractor shall provide professional and technical services for analysis of a wide variety of internal- controls data, derived from multiple sources. The Contractor shall analyze, document and provide recommendations on a wide range of processes and/or systems, including financial processes and/or systems”.

Can the government clarify in what context will this type of support be needed? For example, in remediation of deficiencies? In identification of deficiencies? For ad hoc planning purposes? Etc?

Government Response: In accordance with A-123, deficiencies will be identified and remediated as defined by the task associated in the analysis.

61. (IDIQ PWS – B.2 Performance Work Statement; Pg 10/108, 4.2.3 Internal Controls Best Practices) The PWS explains, “The Contractor shall assist VA programs, projects, and offices with assessing business practices, processes, and tools used in order to promote effective internal controls over financial reporting and financial systems, to maximize efficiency, streamline business processes, and improve overall business operations. The Contractor shall provide assistance in analyzing organizational effectiveness and efficiency and assessing possible differences or changes in program content with recommended potential corrective actions. The Contractor shall perform independent analyses, provide independent status reports and assessments, and track and analyze program internal-controls status”

Can the government clarify if this functional requirement will focus on financial as well as non-financial risks, controls, processes?

Government Response: The functional requirements will focus on all facets to include non-financial risks, controls, and processes.

The PWS explains, “The Contractor shall assist VA by collecting, analyzing, and otherwise providing the underlying information which forms the basis of VA’s Annual Statement of Assurance on effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.” The title of Section 4.3 includes mention of “FMBT Support,” however the detailed duties listed in this section do not appear to include examples of “FMBT support.” The PWS requirements for “statistical reviews” and “data analytics” are separate requirements in the PWS but have the same section reference number, “4.3.1.” In order to help ensure bidder’s responses are clear when referencing PWS sections in their proposals, can the government renumber one of these two sections?

Government Response: The Government will remove the mention of “FMBT Support” and update the Data Analytics section to 4.3.2.

62. (IDIQ PWS – B.2 Performance Work Statement; Pg 12/108, 4.3.1 Data Analytics) The PWS explains, “The Contractor shall use data analytics tools that are readily available at VA and transferable to the Government. The Government will retain ownership of any business rules, scripts, coding and other outcomes from this project once accepted by the Government.”

Can the government confirm which data analytic tools are currently readily available to OBO and/or VA?

Government Response: The data analytic tools will be determined at the task order level. The offerors should demonstrate their strengths with known VA data analytic tools.

63. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 81/108, A – Volume I & IV Technical Capability; Task Order) The instructions to responding to the sample task order explain, “The Offeror shall submit a Technical Capability volume which shall address in detail how the Offeror proposes to accomplish each of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) tasks” The previous paragraph specified the “sample TO PWS” but this paragraph only refers to the “PWS.”

Can the government confirm the “PWS tasks” referred to in this paragraph are the tasks included in Attachment E Task Order PWS file and not the tasks included in the IDIQ file?

Government Response: E.2.6.A has been revised to specify the Sample TO PWS under the Task Order PWS section.

64. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 81/108, A – Volume I & IV Technical Capability; Task Order) The instructions to responding to the sample task order explain, “The detailed approach shall address the following:

The scope of the sample TO PWS (i.e., Fiscal Review and Oversight for Grant and Per Diem (GPD) & Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program(s)) appears to be a portion of an “annual A-123 oversight” effort.

In responding to item 1b of the sample TO PWS, can the government clarify if bidders should limit their response to 1b to “previous contracts with devising GPD & SSVF oversight” or “previous contracts with devising annual A-123 oversight”?

Government Response: Annual A-123 oversight is all encompassing to include GPD & SSVF. Please provide experience with devising GPD & SSVF oversight. This includes both devising A-123 and devising GPD & SSVF oversight.

65. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 81/108, A – Volume I & IV Technical Capability; Task Order) The instructions to responding to the sample task order explain, “The detailed approach shall address the following:

Can the government clarify the meaning of this acronym in this context?

Government Response: IGCE has been removed and replace with “PWS” (Performance Work Statement).

66. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 83/108, C – Volume III & V – Price; Task Order) The instructions explain three IDIQ awardees and one task order award will be made.

Can the government clarify if they intend to award this sample task to one of the successful IDIQ bidders or potentially another bidder?

Government Response: A task order may be awarded after IDIQ award for the work identified in D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order

67. (D.5 Attachment E Task Order PWS; Pg 7/11, 2. Scope or Purpose) The primary focus of the work is focused on GPD & SSVF internal control program guides, compliance with federal regulations to include 2 CFR 200, 38 CFR Part 61 & 62, IPERIA support and continuous monitoring. Can the government clarify what is meant by “IPERIA support”?

Government Response: The contractors findings will support the Governments efforts to identify, prevent, and recover payment error, waste, fraud, and abuse within Federal spending.

The President signed Public Law 112-248, the Improper Payments Elimination Recovery and Improvement Act (IPERIA) of 2012, on January 10, 2013. This law applies to all Federal departments and agencies and aims to further institutionalize efforts to identify, prevent, and recover payment error, waste, fraud, and abuse within Federal spending.

68. (D.5 Attachment E Task Order PWS; Pg 7/11, 2. Delivery Schedule) The quantity noted under Planning, Fieldwork and Review Report indicate “76 GPD; 76 SSVF; 24 GPD Options and 24 SSVF Options”. Can the government clarify if they intend to award a total of 47 GPD and SSFV Options during each period of performance? If yes, should the offeror assume the additional reviews in the price?

Government Response: A revised D.5 Attachment E – Sample Task Order has been uploaded. The option lines are not guaranteed, however, offerors should assume the options in the price.

69. (D.5 Attachment E Task Order PWS; Pg 8/11, 8. Travel) It is noted “the total estimated number of trips in support of this effort is 76 GPD & 76 SSVF grantee site visits during the base period plus option years.” Can the government clarify if they plan to provide total estimated travel reimbursement amount?

Government Response: The Governments NTE amount has been specified in the Sample Task Order.

70. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 79, B – Volume II – Past Performance) The instructions state “The offeror shall complete Attachment C: Past Performance References in its entirety, listing a maximum total of three contracts/orders for work performed in the past three years” Can the government confirm that Attachment C is only required if CPARS are not available as indicated on page 80?

Government Response: D.2 Attachment B – Past Performance References are required of all offerors. D.3 Attachment C – Past Performance Questionnaire is only required if CPARS is not available.

71. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 79, 6. Proposal Format for Volume II – Past Performance Page Limitations) The instructions state, “Attachment B: 6 pages (2 pages per reference as shown on the form)” Can the government provide a form that permits expansion to an additional page? Can the government confirm that the form provided in considered to be a table and thus text within the form is permitted to be smaller than Times New Roman 12?

Government Response: D.2 Attachment B – Past Performance References, if not modifiable, can be converted to a word document and completed, provided it complies with the requirements set forth in Volume II.

72. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 80, 6. Proposal Format for Volume III – IDIQ Price Page Limitations) The instructions state “None for Attachment E Form 0752”) Can the government confirm that offerors are required to submit VA Form 0752 (Confidentiality of Sensitive Information Non-Disclosure Agreement) as the form is not referenced in Attachment E?

Government Response: This has been removed from this section.

73. (E.2 Additional Instructions to Offerors; Pg 80, 6. Proposal Format for Volume III – IDIQ Price Page Limitations) The instructions refer to Attachment D which contains two (2) worksheets within the MS Excel file. Can the government confirm the LCAT hours for the base period within Attachment D as the hours do not match between the two (2) worksheets provided?

Government Response: A revised D.4 Attachment D – IDIQ Price Schedule has been uploaded.

74. (Attachment D & E, Section D & E) Can the government confirm the contents of attachment D and E? “Price Schedules will be included in Task Order Proposal Requests (TOPR). All resulting pricing for task order price schedules shall utilize the hourly rates in Attachment E, LCAT Price Sheet unless otherwise stated by the Government. All labor rates proposed at the task order level shall be at or below the prices listed in Attachment E.” Potentially it looks like Attachment D should be pricing and Attachment E is form 0752. Further, we don’t see Form 0752 included in the solicitation only referenced in section E.2.

Government Responses: The correct versions of D.6 Attachment F – Task Order Price Schedule and D.7 Attachment G – Task Order Procedures have been uploaded. VA Form 0752 is not required.

75. (Attachment F & G, Section D) Can the government confirm that the correct Attachment G was posted to Sam.gov? The solicitation indicates Attachment G is “TASK ORDER PROCEDURES” whoever the included attachment was titled “D7_ATTACHMENT G_TASK ORDER PRICE SCHEDULE” and appears to be potentially duplicative of Attachment F.

Government Response: The correct D.7 Attachment G – Task Order Procedures is uploaded with this amendment.

76. (Key Personnel, Section E.) Can the government confirm the Key Personnel for the Task Order? The TO PWS lists Key Personnel as Senior Auditor and Staff Auditor however the solicitation states “Project Manager, Sr. Business/Audit Consultant, Jr. Business/Audit Consultant”

Government Response: A revised D.6 Attachment F – Task Order Price Schedule is uploaded with this amendment reflecting the correct key personnel.

77. (Labor categories, Section B) Can the government please confirm the LCATs. The IDIQ PWS includes a “Director/Program Manager” However, in attachment D the LCAT is titled “Director” and a separate LCAT for “Program Manager”. Further, Attachment D includes a “Project Junior Accountant” not included in the IDIQ PWS. Further, the “SAMPLE IDIQ PRICE SCHEDULE” tab of Attachment does not include a Project Manager.

Government Response: All attachments have been updated to correct the labor category discrepancies.

78. (Labor hours, Section B) Can the government confirm the expected IDIQ labor hours for each LCAT? The quantities in IDIQ PWs do not appear to match the quantities in Attachment D. If the quantities are correct, could the government please confirm which quantity should be used when completing Attachment D?

Government Response: The numbers on the IDIQ PWS reflect the correct numbers.

79. (Resumes) Can the government confirm which resumes are required for the IDIQ Technical response and if resumes are required are they included in the page count?

Government Response: Résumés are required for the task order only. The résumé reference provided in the chart on page 80 has been revised to remove “[Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf” from Volume I and placed under Volume IV. Per the solicitation, résumés are limited to 2 pages each. The résumés do not count in the total page limit for the task order technical proposal. Page 81 has been updated to include résumés in the information excluded from the technical page count limit.

80. (Task order, Section D & E) Can the government confirm if resumes for the Should be provided as a separate document or included in the body of the Tech response? Additionally, should resumes be included in the 10 page count?

Government Responses: Résumés are required for the task order only. The résumé reference provided in the chart on page 80 has been revised to remove “[Offeror Name] Resume.doc/pdf” from Volume I and placed under Volume IV. Per the solicitation, résumés are limited to 2 pages each. The résumés do not count in the total page limit for the task order technical proposal. Page 81 has been updated to include résumés in the information excluded from the technical page count limit.

81. (Labor categories) Do vendors have the ability to suggest additional LCATs as needed?

Government Response: No, the proposal of additional LCATS will not be accepted.

82. (Solicitation, E.2, PG 80, reference 6A) The proposal instructions for Volume I – Technical Capability – IDIQ state that the offeror shall provide an appropriate work breakdown structure (WBS). Since the IDIQ PWS lists all possible task areas that may be required by the government over the life of the IDIQ, but not specific groupings of tasks required on a specific Task Order, it is not possible to put together a WBS for the IDIQ PWS. Can the government please confirm that the WBS is required for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach (Volume IV) only and not for the IDIQ Technical Capability Approach (Volume I)? If so, can the government confirm the WBS does not count toward the 10-page limit of Volume IV?

Government Response: The WBS is required for the Sample Task Order Technical Approach (Volume IV) only and not for the IDIQ Technical Capability Approach (Volume I)? WBS does not count toward the page limit of Volume IV.

The updated RFP file provided on June 8, 2023, still references “an appropriate work breakdown structure” under offeror instructions for both Volume I and Volume IV; therefore, does the government intend for offerors to only include a WBS in Volume IV?

Government Response: This has been updated in the solicitation.

83. Question 27. Please confirm that the VA is looking for three past performance references for the IDIQ and three past performance references for the sample task order.

Government Response: Three past performance references for the IDIQ proposal and three past performance references for the Sample Task Order proposal.

Question 33. (Reference para E2 Additional Instructions to Offerors, B- Vol II Past Performance) The scope of the IDIQ is much broader than the scope of the sample task order.