Amendment 36C10X24R0060 0001 - Final.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 14

F36C101-24-0000154

36C10X

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10X24R0060

06-25-2024

X

X X

July 1st 2024 / 15:00 EST

X 1

See Continuation Page for complete details.

Jacky Jean-Jacques Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE:

The purpose of this amendment to RFP 36C10X24R0060 is to provide responses to questions received regarding RFP 36C10X24R0060, and to provide updates for Section B, Section C, Section D - D.1 Attachment A: RFP 36C10X24R0060 PRICE BASIS SPREADSHEET, and Section E.

The response date for submission of proposals is extended till July 1st, 2024 @15:00 EST.

The following changes have been made to the RFP:

1. Updated Section 10.0 Travel.

All travel, even if agreed to in the contract, will require advance concurrence by the COR on specific Contractor personnel traveling,dates of travel, departure and destination loca tions, and estimated cost per traveler. Contractor travel shall be in accordance with Fede ral Travel Regulations. Each Contractor invoice shall include copies of all receipts that s upport the travel costs claimed in the invoice for each individual traveler.Receipts shall b e limited to each individual traveler, not bundled for multiple travelers. For purposes of calculating travel reimbursement, the Contractor shall use its provided facility as the duty station.

Local travel within a 50mile radius from the place of performance (Washington DC, or co ntractor facility) is considered the cost of doing business and will not be reimbursed.

Expenses for travel will be reimbursed based on actual expenses incurred up to the limits authorized by the current General Services Administration’s (GSA) per diem rates at https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates.

2. Updated FAR Clause 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items, Section 2 Factors to be evaluated, Sub-Section B.

“Past Performance and Experience) is significantly more important than the Technical Approach, which is significantly more important than the Key personnel. All non-Price Factors, when combined, are significantly more important than Price.”

Note : Performance Risk is replaced by Past Performance throughout the RFP.

3. Updated Section D - D.1 Attachment A: RFP 36C10X24R0060 PRICE BASIS SPREADSHEET by adding CLINs 0005AD and 1005AD to match the price/cost schedule.

4. Updated Section C.

Added Clause’s VAAR 852.208-70 and VAAR 852.219-74.

5. Removed * Attachment C -Background Investigation Request Worksheet.

6. Attachment D.4 “Questions and Government Responses” is amended to the solicitation to provide responses to questions received. (Figure 1)

Figure 1

RFQ

Section Refere nce Question Answer Contract or

Can you provide clarification on the Key Personnel Requirements, and specifically the quantify of Key Personnel? Section 13 of the RFP, Pages 18 and 19 specify 2 Key Personnel. Section E.2, Page 63 allots 6 pages for Key Personnel (2 pages for each resume). This leads us to believe there are 3 Key personnel, but only see 2 identified.

2 Key Personnel

If the prime contractor is SDVOSB, what are the requirements for subcontractors? To clarify the question, if the SDVOSB prime holds at least 51% of the work share, are there SB requirements for any subcontractors (major or minor)?

The requirements for subcontractors are governed by VAAR clauses 852.219-

73 and 852.219-75.

Specifically, VAAR 852.219-

73 ensures that the SDVOSB prime contractor is responsible for at least 51% of the work performed under the contract. This means the

SDVOSB prime must perform a significant portion of the contract work themselves, limiting the extent to which they can subcontract the work.

VAAR 852.219-75 further reinforces these requirements by ensuring compliance with the subcontracting limitations.

Therefore, while there are no specific small business (SB) requirements for subcontractors, the

SDVOSB prime must adhere to these clauses, ensuring they maintain the majority of the work share.

Do subcontractors need to be identified in the proposal, or can they be identified upon award?

In the proposal

Are there any clearance requirements for Key Personnel or other positions?

Suitability-meet the required qualifications within the RFP

Are any of these services being provided by an incumbent, as a part of any existing effort(s), or are these completely new requirements? If they are being provided, please provide incumbent information, including contract number?

Tasks 7 through 10 currently provided by Military Service

Alliance (MSA) 36C10X21P0119

RFP

Section

3.0 Scope pg 7

Please specify the TOTAL number of MODULES and SUB-MODULES for which training will need to be designed, developed, and delivered for the Base Period of Performance.

As referenced in the PWS,

p. 4, section 4.4, the

Contractor shall conduct Needs Analysis and Design sessions to understand specific functional skill-building requirements and to develop a design strategy to support the needs. Will include an assessment of current and proposed EPM skill building initiatives. The assessment will determine how many modules and sub-modules are needed. Each module and sub-module should be developed based on ALF and PM lifecycle principles.

RFP

Section

3.0 Scope pg 7

Please specify the TOTAL number of MODULES and SUB-MODULES for which training will need to be designed, developed, and delivered for Option Period 1.

As referenced in the PWS,

p. 4, section 4.4, the

Contractor shall conduct Needs Analysis and Design sessions to understand specific functional skill-building requirements and to develop a design strategy to support the needs. Will include an assessment of current and proposed EPM skill building initiatives. The assessment will determine how many modules and sub-modules in which training will need to be designed.

Section

4.3.1 - The

Contract or shall provide project updates

In this instance, is bi-weekly twice a week or every other week? Every other week at bi-weekly status meeting s which may also be used as design sessions . Pg 9

RFP

Section

4.7 -

SharePo int

(Acquisit ion

Knowled ge

Portal) User

Interface Develop ment Pg.

The

Contract or shall develop the Acquisiti on Knowled ge Portal

(AKP)

Interface based on technical web develop ment.

Is the contractor responsible for the development and maintenance of the

AKP in its entirety or just the associated Skill Building pages?

Skill building only

RFP -

Key

Personn el pg.

18-19

Please provide rationale for requiring PMP AND Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certifications for an Acquisition SME.

The Contractor will be supporting the Functional

Acquisition, Program/Project Management (PPM) department within Strategic Acquisition Management

Initiatives (SAMI). The focus of the work will be on PPM and integrating PPM within acquisitions.

RFP -

Key

Personn el pg.

18-19

Please confirm if the Acquisition SME must have experience with ALF at VA. Yes

RFP -

Key

Personn el pg.

18-19

Can the Acquisition SME Key Personnel requirement be filled with more than one resource given that restrictive nature of this Key Person requirement?

2 Key Personnel

RFP E.1

52.212-1

INSTRU

CTIONS

TO

OFFER

ORS—

COMME

RCIAL

PRODU

CTS

AND

COMME

RCIAL

SERVIC

ES (SEP

2023)

pg. 57

States that the NAICS code is 541519.

However, the 1449 states the NAICS code is 541611. Please confirm the correct NAICS code for this requirement.

541611

RFP -

Insturcti ons - Volume I pg 62

Please confirm that the content of Volume 1 should be entered into the Attachment B template, and not in a separate file.

Attachment B

RFP -

Instructi ons - Volume IV pg 63

Since there are 2 Key Personnel positions with a total page count of 6 pages, shouldn't the page count per resume be 3 pages each (not 2 pages each per the instructions for this volume)?

3 pages each

RFP -

Proposal Volume Table

(E.2) pg

The table, under Volume II Experience, indicates offerors should include resumes. However, Volume III Key Personnel has resumes as well.

Should offerors include resumes in both volumes?

Volume II - Experience pertains to the organization's ability in meeting the needs of the government and having the expertise to perform the services within the PWS

Volume III - Technical Approach

Volume IV - Key Personnel:

resumes needs to be submitted

RFP -

Instructi ons - Volume IV pg 67

Please confirm if the page limitation per key personnel resume is 3 pages or 2 pages.

3 pages

RFP - 2.

FACTO

RS TO

BE

EVALUA

TED pg

RFP states: "Relative importance between and among factors:

Performance Risk is significantly more important than the Technical

Approach, which is significantly more important than the Key personnel. All non-Price Factors, when combined, are significantly more important than

Price."

Please identify where "Experience" falls in the above relative importance of factors. Seems to be missing.

Contracting will Address

RFP - B.

Technic al Approac h Evaluati on Approac h (E.3) pg 70

This section references the inclusion of a management approach. Does this count toward the 10-page limit? If so, we recommend the Gov't provide additional page count to account for inclusion of this narrative as 10 pages will limit the extent offerors can provide an approach for 11 technical areas as well as a management approach.

Follow guidelines in solicitation

ATTACH

MENT A

- PRICE

SCHED

ULE

In the Price Schedule Tab of

ATTACHMENT A - PRICE

SCHEDULE, Deliverable 5AD (Module Pilot Deliver) is not included. Please update the workbook and reissue it.

Corrected

ATTACH

MENT A

- PRICE

SCHED

ULE

In the Labor Categories & Hours Tab of ATTACHMENT A - PRICE

SCHEDULE, Government includes specific labor categories to be priced.

Are those just examples? If not, please provide the Labor Category

Descriptions including level of education and years of experience for each.

Corrected

ATTACH

MENT A

- PRICE

SCHED

ULE

In the Labor Categories & Hours Tab of ATTACHMENT A - PRICE

SCHEDULE, Government includes specific labor categories. Are offerors allowed to replace and/or add new labor categories and columns to this Tab that better align to the staffing requirements for this RFP?

Yes, but do not delete any labor categories and hours provided by the government.

Attachm ent B Past

The gov't did not provide a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) that our clients can complete. Rather, Corrected

Perform ance

Question naire

Attachment B was Past Performance Narrative that the offerors complete.

Please provide a PPQ template that we can send to our clients.

Attachm ent B Past

Perform ance

Question naire

Given that we do not have a PPQ template to send to our clients and they in turn complete and submit to the CO of this requirement by the proposal due date of 6/21, would you please provide a one-week proposal due date extension from the date the

PPQ template is provided?

Corrected

Attachm ent B Past

Perform ance

Question naire

If offeror's project references have CPARS, will the gov't consider removing the requirement for PPQs?

Submit PPQs

Blue Water

Thinking

Attachm ent C Past

Perform ance

Referen ce

Are offerors required to use Attachment C or can it be replicated within Volume I Performance Risk as long as we include all the required fields?

Replicated within Volume I Past Performance but we expect the PPQs as well.

We will remove attachment C.

N/A

Given the complexity and importance of this requirement, would the government offer a one-week extension to proposal due date?

Yes

N/A

Is this an existing contract or a new requirement? If existing, can the Government provide the current contract number?

New

N/A Would the Government consider granting an extension to the due date?

Extension granted till July 1st

RFP

36C10X 24R006 0, Pg 63

In the Volume Table, Volume II (Experience) states "Resumes only required for Key Personnel". Volume IV - Key Personnel is also requesting resumes. Can the Government confirm Key Personnel resumes must be submitted in both volumes?

Volume II - Experience pertains to the organization's ability in meeting the needs of the government and having the expertise to perform the services within the PWS

Volume III - Technical Approach

Volume IV - Key Personnel:

resumes need to be submitted

Attachm ent B

The file name is 'Attachment B Past Performance References' and, after opening the file, the header says 'RFQ

36C10X24Q0220 - ATTACHMENT C:

PAST PERFORMANCE

REFERENCES'. This appears to be a different contract number and a reference listing only, not a questionnaire. Will the Government be providing/posting a questionnaire as well? If so, will the deadline for POCs to submit them be extended?

Corrected

Attachm ent C

An 'ATTACHMENT C-BACKGROUND

INVESTIGATION REQUEST

WORKSHEET' has been posted to SAM.gov however there appears to be no related instructions to the document. Will the Government require this document to be submitted with the proposal response?

Attachment C is removed.

RFP

36C10X 24R006

Pg 63 states Vol II should be a max of 7 pages, not including resumes or cover, however pg. 66 states relevant examples and narratives of work should not exceed 5 pgs. total. Can the Government confirm the max number of pages (excluding cover and/or resumes) for Volume II?

7 pages

RFP

36C10X 24R006

On pg. 63 in the volume table, Volume III lists Subfactor A - Management Approach, B - Understanding the

Work, and C - Completeness under Technical Approach however 'Basis for Award' on page 68 states "The best value determination will be made by evaluating the following factors:

Performance Risk (Sub Factor A understanding the work and Sub

Factor B-completeness) as previously noted, Experience, Technical

Approach (Subfactor A- Management Approach)...". There is no subfactor C mentioned on page 68. Can the Government confirm the correct subfactor identification is: Subfactor A = Management Approach, subfactor B

= Understanding the work, and subfactor C = Completeness?

Technical Approach is A - Management Approach, B

Understanding the Work and C- Completeness

36C10X 24R006

On pg. 63 in the volume table, Volume III lists Subfactor A - Management Approach, B - Understanding the

Work, and C - Completeness under Technical Approach however 'Basis for Award' on page 68 states "The best value determination will be made by evaluating the following factors:

Performance Risk (Sub Factor A-understanding the work and Sub

Factor B-completeness) as previously noted, Experience, Technical

Approach (Subfactor A- Management Approach)...". There is no subfactor C mentioned on page 68. Can the Government confirm whether all 3 subfactors are expected within Vol III (per the table on pg. 63) or if subfactors Understanding the Work and Completeness are expected in Vol I and subfactor Management

Approach is to be in Vol III (per pg.

68)?

Reference guidelines on page 63 - 65 regarding requirements for Volume 1 – Past Performance

24R006

For Key Personnel, the table on pgs.

18-19 list Project Manager and SME-

Acquisition Management however both a Program Manager and a Project Manager are listed in the pricing xls. Can the Government confirm the Key Personnel LCAT is Project Manager and not Program

Manager?

Project Manager

RFP

36C10X 24R006

For Key Personnel in the table on pg.

19, can the Government confirm the SME-Acquisition Management must have Master's Degree (or additional experience) and PMP and Lean Six

Sigma Black Belt certifications?

Master's Degree (or additional experience), PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

N/A Can the Government share an estimated start date for the contract? No later than September

RFP

36C10X 24R006 0, pg 9 / Pricing xls

Can the Government expand on what item 4.2.2. for the Semi-Annual

Strategic Review regarding contract effectiveness would entail? Typically we have seen Monthly Status Report

(MSR) reviews or COR meetings however we do not see mention of either an MSR review or COR meeting in the pricing.

May include a combination of the two

E.2 Addition al Instructi ons to Offeror

pg. 61

Paragraph 5 indicates "The Schedule Holder's proposal shall consist of Five volumes:" however, there are six volumes listed, as well as an additional bullet for PROPOSAL

FILES.

Would the government confirm there are six (6) volumes that offerors should submit.

6 volumes

E.2 Addition al Instructi ons to Offeror

Volume, title, and

Page Limitatio ns table

pg. 62 and 63

Would the government confirm the following:

What is the page maximum for the

KP resumes?

What is the page maximum for experience resumes, that are non-KP resumes?

Can all resumes be submitted as a single file, or should the KP resumes only be submitted in Volume IV.?

3 pages for each resume;

submit information as indicated by each volume number

Volume, Title, and

Page Limitatio ns Table and 2.

Volume

II -

Experien ce pg.

63 and

The Volume, Title, and Page Limitations Table on page 63 indicates the page limitation for Volume II is 7 pages, not including resumes or cover. However, in the 2. Volume II - Experience section on page 66 indicates "The Offeror, in demonstrating relevant experience may include recent examples and narratives of work (not to exceed 5 pages total) that relate to the tasks described in the PWS.".

Would the government please clarify the page limitation for Volume II.

7 pages, not including resumes or cover

The Volume, Title, and Page Limitations Table on page 63, Volume

II Experience indicates a "Limit of 3 pages per resume, not counted in page total above." However, in the same table, under Volume IV Key

Personnel (KP) directions indicate "6 pages (2 pages per KP).

Would the government clarify the maximum number of pages for the two Key Personnel.

3 pages

B.

Technic al approac h Evlauati on Approac h - Manage ment Approac h pg 70

What volume do you want the Staffing Plan narrative appendix.

Volume III - Technical Approach

10.

Travel pg 17

Can the government clarify the reason for not allowing DCAA-Approved G&A on travel costs? This prohibition is in contradiction with Offeror's usual and customary business practice and is not IAW Offeror's DCAA disclosure statement.

All travel, even if agreed to in the contract, will require advance concurrence by the COR on specific Contractor personnel traveling, dates of travel, departure and destination locations, and estimated cost per traveler.

Contractor travel shall be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations. Each Contractor invoice shall include copies of all receipts that support the travel costs claimed in the invoice for each individual traveler.

Receipts shall be limited to each individual traveler, not bundled for multiple travelers. For purposes of calculating travel reimbursement, the

Contractor shall use its providedfacility as the duty station. Local travel within a 50mile radius from the place of performance (Washington DC, or contractor facility) is considered the cost of doing business and will not be reimbursed. Expenses for travel will be reimbursed based on actual expenses incurred up to the limits authorized by the current General Service

Administration’s (GSA) per diem rates at https://www.gsa.gov/travel/pl an‐book/per‐diem‐rates.

D. Price Evaluati on Approac h pg 71

There is a discrepancy between the RFP and the Attachment “A” Pricing

Schedule. In the RFP under B.3 Price/Cost Schedule there is a Task

4.5.4 Module Pilot Delivery (SLINs

0005AD and 1005AD) for both Base period (pg. 30) and Option Period One

(1) page 32 that is missing from Attachment “A” Price Schedule worksheet. However, it is listed on the Labor Categories & Hours worksheet. Please confirm this Task should be included on Attachment “A”

Price Schedule worksheet.

Corrected - 0005AD and 1005AD are included on price schedule worksheet

The SME - Acquisition Management requires both a PMP and an LSS

Blackbelt. This is overly restrictive if an acquisition SME requires both these certifications and would greatly reduce competition. Recommend removing the minimum certification requirements from this KP and making them preferred but not required.

No change

Request the Government extend the due date by two weeks to give adequate time to submit PPQs and respond to Government answers to questions posed.

Extension granted till July 1st

KP Resumes are requested in both the Experience Vol II (3 pages ea) and

Key Personnel Vol IV (2 pages ea).

Please clarify which volume to include KP resumes and the page length per resume.

Volume IV, 3 pages each

Volume IV Key Personnel has a page limit of 6 pages (2 per KP), but there are only two KPs. Please clarify.

2 KPs, each resume at 3 pages

Complete PPQs: If CPARS exist for a referenced past performance, can we provide a printout of the CPARS in place of having our government client submit a PPQ?

Complete Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)

All other terms, conditions and provisions remain unchanged.