36C77620R0002-0002001.docx

RFP 36C77620R0002 Questions & Answers

1. Treatment of Options. Attachment B: Technical Requirements and Features, ends with a section entitled Optional Features that Add Value. But the introductory paragraph of Attachment H states, “Lastly, the IDIQ 10-year ordering period will NOT contain any options.” We believe this to mean that if awarded, optional features from the proposal become mandatory items in the contract but we are not confident of this interpretation. Can you clarify?

Answer: Attachment B references options features to the technical portion of this contract. These features are not hard requirements but are feature that would add value to the proposal. Attachment H introduction paragraph reference option year for the contract period of performance.

Also, the IDIQ itself will not contain option years, however Task orders may be structured in the form of base plus 4 option years.

1. Question Section 5.3 Generic version without current working relationship referenced:

The PWS describes the contractor providing full support for on-site endpoint hardware parts replacement and infrastructure repairs. In order to meet the, 5.3 UPTIME, reliability requirement for software and hardware, contractor on-site staff is required. In order to minimize cost to the VA while maintaining the uptime requirements would the VA prefer that we leverage the VA local network staff to provide on-site repairs with Contractor remote support?

Answer: VA Local network staff would be utilized to provide on-site repairs to network infrastructure if the issues are determined to be VA network and infrastructure related. Contractor remote support is acceptable where the on-site staff could resolve the issue. If the vendor would like to propose multiple options, that is their discretion.

1. Clarification required for the QASP. Attachment C is only a sample QASP. Neither the words “Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan”, nor the acronym appear in either the RFP or the PWS. There are no direct instructions for us to include a separate QASP with our proposal. There is, however, a requirement to include in the Technical Section, a description of our Quality of Service and our approach to identifying, tracking, and mitigating potential problems and risks… (page 49 of RFP). Please clarify expectations and what we should submit with our proposal.

Answer: Attachment C is the Plan the VA will use to evaluate the contractor’s ability to meet the needs of the VA as per the contract. Volume 1 Section d refers to how the contractor will track internal issues with their platform, delivery, or performance to communicate them to the VA.

1. Contract clause language:

0. C.4 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY, paragraph (d) states that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 10 years from date of award. We believe this should say 15 years in accordance with the SF1449. Block 20 states, “The period of performance will be a 10 year ordering period with a 15 year effective period.”

Answer: This assumption is correct. The 10 year from date of award was for new deliveries meaning a new Task Order (with options) can be awarded before the 10 year ordering period concludes. These task orders may run past the 10 year mark with options but not to exceed the 15 year effective period.

0. E.4 BASIS FOR AWARD. This provision includes the sentence, “To receive consideration for award, a rating of no less than ‘Acceptable’ must be achieved for the Technical Factor and.” Please clarify whether an acceptable rating is required for more than the Technical Factor, or whether the word “and” should be deleted.

Answer: “and” should be deleted

0. Use of Alternate II of FAR clause 52.219-9 implies that subcontracting plans are required with initial proposals. With the expedited due date in effect, we request deletion of C.5, VAAR 852.219-9 VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements. Our company has a VA-approved company-wide subcontracting plan but its goals for SDVOSBs and VOSBs are below 5%. The requirement for a new subcontracting plan would impair our ability to propose by March 27. Please note that we are not taking exception to furnishing veteran-owned subcontractor information for the Evaluation of offers; we are only asking that our existing agency-approved plan be accepted.

Answer: We are unable to remove this required clause. You must still submit an individual, commercial, or master subcontracting plan as defined in FAR Section 19.701 and the clause at FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

1. Can the response date be changed back to 4/10?

Answer: No. Due to the national state of emergency for Covid-19, the Government cannot change the updated response date for proposals. The response date remains the same of 3/27/20.