36C24420Q0225-0001002.docx

Questions and Answers 2-18-2020

1. Solicitation is marked as a “Small Business Set Aside.” VA memo March 22nd, 2018 raises SAT to $250,000 and micro-purchase to $10,000. IAW various legal interpretations received from PTAC and FAR clauses, Limitations of Subcontracting do not apply to contract awards with value less than $250,000. Does the VA agree applicability to this solicitation?

Response: For a Small Business Set-Aside that is over the Micro Purchase threshold and under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold the requirements found in 13 CFR 125.6 do not apply. For a Small Business Set-Aside that is over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold the requirements found in 13 CFR 125.6 do apply.

1. Why is a SDVOSB clause inserted in a SB Set Aside contract? (VAAR 852.215-70; VAAR 852.215-71; VAAR 852.219-75)? This is confusing.

Response: These clauses were incorrectly included and will be removed. See Revised Attachment 3

1. Do limitations of subcontracting (LoS) apply to this solicitation?

See #1 above.

1. If LoS applies, is the VA’s intent to ensure that no more than 50% of the contract value (minus cost of materials, equipment and associated costs) is subcontracted to an other than SB entity?

If LoS does apply, would it be helpful to the VA for the SDVOSB to provide chart showing proposal value and the values of subcontracting that are less than the 50% requirement.

Response: NAICS falls under 50% threshold and parameters are provided in 13 CFR 125.6(a)(1).

See the answer to #1 above regarding when this applies. The Government is unsure what type of chart is being referenced. Providing the estimated value of a requirement is not acceptable for this and most other requirements.

1. Does 13 CFR 125.6 not apply since this is a SB set aside?

Response: See the answer to #1 above.

1. As a VA certified SDVOSB contractor performing greater than 50% of the contract value, do I meet the intent of VAAR 852.215-70 and 852.215-71 evaluation factors? And, do I assist the VA with achieving socioeconomic small business goals?

Response: The clauses do not apply to this solicitation and will be removed. See Revised Attachment 3