36C77618Q0085-0002000.docx

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

BY

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) 06-05-2018 None 00776 Department of Veterans Affairs Program Contracting Activity Central 6150 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 300 Independence

OH

44131 00776 Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs 6150 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 300 Independence

OH

44131 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C77618Q0085 06-05-2018

X x X X The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions submitted by email concerning solicitation 36C77618Q0085.

The Answers to questions are below in the continuation pages.

A revised PWS is attached.

Andrea Fink Contracting Officer Contractor Questions/ Government Answers Solicitation 36C77618Q0085 FOIA Support Services

1. Reference: PWS Task 5.1.

What is the current average number of pages processed per day per FOIA analyst at VHA and VBA separately? Most processors are averaging between 450-700 pages per day. Some pages and stretches of pages are blanks or just have headers. In addition, because the documents are digital conversions of emails, the search and redact tool is very helpful in large swaths of productions.

2. Is a FOIA processing software required to perform these services, or is VPN/Citrix access into the VA’s system sufficient to perform the FOIA redaction process? No, Adobe Pro or DC will suffice.

3. Will the documents that require review/redaction be acquired in hard-copy format or electronically only? If hard-copy, how does the VA anticipate delivery? If electronic, are there any specific security/infrastructure considerations that need to be taken in order to retrieve them? (i.e. if access to the governments system is required, will the VA assist with the process to allow the contractor access to the VA’s system?)

A: Delivered via encrypted CD initially as it takes 2-3 months sometimes for onboarding. Once VA network access is obtained, send via encrypted email using VA PIV card for encryption. Once the volume of documents is too large we may need to go back to encrypted CD.

A: The VA COR/onboarding team will assist with the process (reference 6.2.2 of PWS).

4. Does the Price Schedule on page 3 of 8 of the Solicitation Notice correctly state under Quantity that six FTEs are required for each of the three CLINs, totaling 18 FTEs for the six month term OR does the Quantity column correspond to the initial six month term of the contract?

A: The quantity is 6 months of services, NOT FTE’s

5. If the Price Schedule does not indicate the number of FTEs, how many FTEs are expected to work on the contract? Depends on the processing ability of the FTE’s. There isn’t a hard and fast rule here. Some processors are very quick, others are not.

6. Is the contractor required to furnish not only work space but necessary equipment (computers, etc.)?

A: yes

7. Will access to secure government systems be required for completion of the desired work, e.g. SIPRNet, and if so, will the contractor be required to provide any associated specialized equipment and/or systems? No, just general dial in/VPN and redaction. Absent this ability, transferring documents via encrypted CD’s initially and then again once there are a large number of documents to return to VA.

8. Is a facility clearance required for the off-site work space? If so, at what level, e.g. Secret?

A: A specific facility clearance is not required for off-site work, but clearance/background investigation is required to perform on the contract.

9. What is the required security clearance requirement pursuant to the PWS Section 6.2.1 for Tier 2 A: A Tier 2 background investigation is considered Moderate risk for the Tasks on this contract. A position designated as Moderate-Risk requires a minimum background investigation (MBI).

10. Pursuant to PWS Section 4.3, we understand that travel to DC is considered commuting and not reimbursable, but for remote work, will travel to a VA facility in DC be required during this contract?

A: Other than for a kick off meeting, no.

11. If the term of the contract is for 6 months, i.e. a “hard deadline” of December 11, 2018, when does VA expect the contract period of performance to start recognizing that RFP submissions are only due on 6/12/18.

A: Expected award date is 7/2/18

12. -Section 6.5 of the PWS states under “Facility/Resource Provision” that the “Government will provide office space, telephone service and system access when authorized.” Is access expected to be “authorized” requiring or permitting work on a Government site?

A: No, It is not necessary nor is no space available to work at a Government site.

13. Under PWS Section 5.1 “Task 1 Document Review”, estimated pages to be reviewed for VHA Document Review under the POP to be 250,000 pages, but 75,000 pages monthly. However 75,000 pages per month for 6 months is 450,000 pages. Is the 75,000 pages the average or a maximum? Does the total estimated number of pages need to be restated? Average is 75,000. The total page count for the 6 month POP has increased to approximately 500,000. The PWS 5.1 deliverable A. is revised to reflect the page count change.

14. Under PWS Section 5.1, “VBA Document Review” the PWS states the estimated total for entire POP is 280,000 pages, but 75,000 pages monthly for 6 months is 450,000 pages. Is the 75,000 pages the average or a maximum? Does the total estimated number of pages need to be restated?

A: Average is 75,000, but could be less as long as all pages are completed by the POP end date. The page count for the 6 month POP for this deliverable is 280,000.

15. Are there approximately 60,000 documents (530,000 pages for both deliverables) that must be completely by December 11, 2018?

A: The page counts have increased for VHA, so the total for the 6 month POP for all deliverables combined is 780,000 pages.

16. Will a member of the VA FOIA Staff always be available to answer questions? During normal business hours, VHA and VBA staff will be available for consultation.

17. Can Citrix be used full time to work the project? Yes.

18. What is the minimum and/or preferred qualifications for key personnel? FOIA experience/knowledge sufficient to identify individuals to redact and to identify deliberative documents marked as such.

19. Section 5.0 states contractor will process certain documents. By processing, does VHA intend for the contractor receive documents, redact PHI/PII information, and provide VHA with redacted documents to provide FOIA requestors A: Yes

20. References security levels for personnel. Must the security levels be in place upon award of bid, or may the contractor seek such security levels for its personnel upon contract award.

A: Upon contract award

21. Section 6 references the work potentially being done by contractor's software, a COTS, and also at times working remotely through VHA equipment and software programs. Does VHA intend for the contractor to access VHA's systems/software through secure, remote log-ins (VPNs) and perform the work on VHA's own system. Yes VA Network access to transmit redacted documents using contractor owned equipment. Contractor can download the entire dataset and redact without being logged onto VA systems.

22. Are there any minimum qualifications necessary for proposed contractor personnel, not including the required security levels for personnel. See #18

23. Part D states that bidders will be judged on their "demonstrated ability to redact IAW FOIA exemptions B(6) and B(5)…..does VA anticipate the contractor redacting any other information from documents/pages outside of those two listed exemptions. There may also be a series of b(3) redactions.

24. Does the program office use FOIAXpress? Yes

25. If FOIAXpress is used, is the redaction feature used? No

26. If FOIAXpress is not used, what redaction tool is used by the office? Adobe DC

27. Reference: Price Schedule.

After the 6-month period of performance, is there any possibility that the VA would exercise extensions to the contract for continued FOIA support services for VHA and/or VBA?

A: No

28. Reference: The Table of Contents.

The Table of Contents lists Optional Tasks 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5, but these sections are not contained in the Document. What Is the likelihood that the Optional Tasks listed In the Table of Contents will be added to the contract?

A: There is no possibility of Optional Tasks, the Table of contents will be corrected to reflect the removal of Optional Tasks 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5

29. Is there an incumbent performing these services? If so, what is the current level of effort/number of FTE’s supporting the requirement?

A: There is not an incumbent, therefore no current FTE’s supporting the requirement.

30. If there isn’t an incumbent, what is the estimated level of effort required to support the services?

A: Estimated 75,000 documents per month for VBA and Estimated 75,000 documents per month for VHA.

31. Is there an incumbent for the services being requested in the Request for Quotation (RFQ)? If so, please identify the incumbent, provide the date of the incumbent’s contract and state whether the incumbent contractor is eligible to bid in this procurement. Additionally, if there is an incumbent, how many Full Time Employees (FTEs) were engaged in the project? What is the desired structure of the submission to the Solicitation Notice, i.e. 1. Technical, 2. Past Performance, 3. Pricing?

A: 1. Technical 2. Price (fill out price table) ** Past performance submittal is not required

32. Are there any page limits for technical and past performance?

A: No page limit for technical. No submittal is required for past performance. The Government will utilize internal documentation including Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for determining the Past Performance of quoters.

33. Is there a maximum number of past performance references?

A: No Past Performance references are required. The Government will utilize internal documentation including Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for determining the Past Performance of quoters.

34. Is there a maximum number of allowable references from subcontractors?

A: 0

35. Is there a maximum time period for past performance, i.e. must the work have been completed in the last ---- years?

A: The Government will utilize internal documentation including Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) and Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for determining the Past Performance of quoters.

36. If there was a previous contract, what was the total dollar value and for what length of performance?

A: No previous contract.

37. The synopsis outlines three criteria by which bidders will be evaluated. For purposes of answering, should bidders respond in a similar format along with pricing?

A: Bidders should complete the price table that is in the solicitation.

38. Does pricing need to be in a separate document the response due on June 7th or June 12th? On page 1 of the Solicitation Notice, it states that the response is due on June 7th. However, on page 2, it states that the response is due on June 12th.

A: Pricing does not need to be in a separate document. You can fill out the pricing table.

39. Is there an incumbent? If there is an incumbent, who is the incumbent?

A: There is not an incumbent.

See attached document: ATTACHMENT A - PWS - Performance Work Statement - revised for A0002.