Q and A-Standards Interoperability RFQ Questions and Answers.docx

Standards & Interoperability Support IDIQ RFQ 36C77621Q0387 – Questions & Answers

1. The instructions for IDIQ VOLUME III – PRICE FACTOR (page 49 of 81) appear to be requesting a description of LCATs (and their corresponding qualifications) to be used in pricing Task Orders on the IDIQ. Is the Labor Rate Matrix in Section B.4 (page 16 of 81) the way we should present this information in our response?

"Please utilize explanation on page 49: At a minimum, the Offeror shall address the labor category; description to include minimum skills, qualifications, and major areas of responsibilities as it relates to the work specific in the PWS; minimum education level; degree; minimum experience requirements; and information related to substitutions. The Offeror shall also provide an explanation for the designation of labor categories relative to the approach to the performance of the work identified in the PWS. It is up to the offeror to determine which labor categories to offer, and in what quantities are needed to support the prices provided. These labor categories and descriptions will be incorporated into the resulting contract and serve as the minimum requirements/standards throughout the life of the contract."

2. Can you please specify all information that is expected to be included in Part I, Volume III?

"All information included in Part 1, volume 3: At a minimum, the Offeror shall address the labor category; description to include minimum skills, qualifications, and major areas of responsibilities as it relates to the work specific in the PWS; minimum education level; degree; minimum experience requirements; and information related to substitutions. The Offeror shall also provide an explanation for the designation of labor categories relative to the approach to the performance of the work identified in the PWS. It is up to the offeror to determine which labor categories to offer, and in what quantities are needed to support the prices provided. These labor categories and descriptions will be incorporated into the resulting contract and serve as the minimum requirements/standards throughout the life of the contract."

3. Are there specific personnel that the Government is identifying as Key for the IDIQ response?

No. Please propose your labor categories based on work described in the PWS.

4. Are there specific personnel that the Government is identifying as Key for the Task Order 1 response?

No. Please propose your labor categories based on work described in the PWS.

5. Are we required to include a resume for the Contractor Project Manager (IDIQ PWS 4.8) in our response?

Yes, please include resumes for contractor project manager.

6. Can the Contractor Project Manager for the IDIQ also serve as Project Manager on Task Order 1?

At vendor discretion.

7. Under the Part I: IDIQ instructions table (page 45 of 81), it reads “The cover page, table of contents, one-page resume, and/or glossary of abbreviations…”. Can you clarify what the “one-page resume” refers to?

A resume detailing proposed staff experience

8. Is the required Sample Program/Project Management Plan (page 46 of 81) included in the 30 page limit for IDIQ Volume I?

Yes, please include sample program/project management plan in 30 page limit.

9. The list of factors in Evaluation of Offerors (pages 62-63 of 81) goes from #1 (Past Performance) to #4 (Price). Are there items missing from this list?

The numbering is incorrect it should read #1 Past performance and #2 Price.

10. The Basis For Award (Page 63 of 81) indicates that “The Government will evaluate technical, price, and past performance” and that “Task Order (TO) 1 shall be used for the technical and price evaluation at the IDIQ level”. Can the Government clarify the criteria that will be used for the Technical evaluation?

The Government will evaluate the value of an offereror's technical approach by reviewing the offeror's proposed mix of labor categories and level of effort (LOE).

Basis of Award: Comparative analysis

11. Section 6.1.2 (b) says “Within three (3) business days after award, the Contractor shall provide a roster of Contractor and Subcontractor employees to the COR to begin their background investigations in accordance with the PAL template artifact.” Three days to secure a final staffing roster can only be achieved if there is a minimum of 3 weeks between award and contract start date so that candidates can provide their existing employers with professional turnover and departure. Will the Government consider changing this to (5) business days in case award and start date fall within a 3-week cycle?

Yes; 5 business days is a reasonable request

12. The first page of the SF 1449 references a due date of 07-12-2021, (Pg. 43 of 81) of the RFP references a due date of Friday Aug 3, 2021. The first Friday in August is Aug 6th. Can the Government clarify the due date?

The due date should read Tuesday, August 3, 2021 @11:59AM EST.

13. Based on the likely changes that will be required in our response based on the answers to offeror questions, will the Government provide an extension of two weeks to the due date for this response?

No.

14. Rows 1 and 2 of the table show an approximate number of Contractor Personnel Required per Trip as 6 people. Rows 3 and 4 show an approximate number of Contractor Personnel Required per Trip as 2 people. Specifically in reference to the Security personnel, it appears the Level of Effort for Sub-Task Area 5.1.5 Task 5: Security Standards Framework does not support having 2 contractor personnel participate at HL7 WGM (Rows 1 and 2) or Connectathon (Rows 3 and 4), but rather just 1 contractor personnel. Can you please clarify if our pricing estimate should include 2 Security personnel or just 1?

One person

15. Box 8 of the SF 1449 shows a quotation due date of July 12, 2021; however, page 43 of the RFQ indicates a due date of August 3, 2021. Given this discrepancy, will the Government please extend the quotation due date beyond August 3, 2021?

The government will not extend the due date at this time. It will remain 8/3/2021 @ 11:59AM EST.

16. We understand that the pre-defined deliverables for the IDIQ are listed on page 14 of the IDIQ PWS (Attachment A), and we will address them in IDIQ Volume I - Technical Factor. We do not, however, see any Key Personnel requirements for the IDIQ. We are prepared to address our resourcing and staffing strategy for each of the specific IDIQ tasks and deliverables, but how shall offerors address Key Personnel for the IDIQ? Does the Government plan to add further Key Personnel requirements for the IDIQ?

Please present your appropriate mix of LCATs, LOE and hours

17. How many recent and relevant past performances are required/requested for this quotation?

3 is listed in the questionnaire.

18. The IDIQ and TO1 PWS respective tasks have duplicate requirements that may result in an overlap of proposed technical approach content between the TO Volume I response and the IDIQ Volume I response. Can government provide some guidance on how the content can be differentiated and evaluated in the IDIQ volume and in TO volume with regards to the evaluation criteria?

Your technical approach at the task order level will include priced deliverables. Your technical approach at the IDIQ level should reflect your overall understanding of the required work over the lifespan of the contract. Also specify TO1 vs IDIQ

19. Is there any limit to the total number of past performances that can be submitted by prime and their subcontractors?

3 to 5 is appropriate.

20. What specific standards has the VHA KBS S&I group being working on?

Please refer to S02 Attachment D - Task Order 1 under travel for some standards development organizations that S&I participates in

21. Can government confirm that the referenced attachment is S02-Attachment D and not Attachment B. Also, is government asking pricing on Deliverables Table between page #17-21 referenced in this attachment.

The referenced attachment is Attachment D.

Attachment B is the QASP.

There is a column listed actual unit cost please provide pricing in that column of this solicitation.

22. Government anticipate personnel travel as per Section 4.3. There is not line item for travel in the list of deliverable. Could government provide guidance on how travel cost be included in the price proposal? Does Travel price separately from the deliverables or included within the price of deliverables?

Travel will be separately priced from deliverables contractors may add a travel line to propose pricing.