Attachment 07 - Questions II RFP 382436.pdf

Questions II RFP 382436

1. Are offerors permitted to propose separate labor rates for each option year? Offers are permitted to propose labor escalation rates for each option year.

2. Is it acceptable to apply a fixed escalation for each additional option year? It is acceptable to apply fixed escalation for each additional option year.

3. Section B.1 of the Request for Proposal (RFP) states “Award may be made to the Offeror submitting the lowest evaluated price that is technically acceptable among offers that meet all requirements of the solicitation. Proposals will be screened using pass/fail evaluation factors based on the qualification demonstrated within the offer”.

Would the Government consider utilizing a Tradeoff Best Value approach rather than the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method for this procurement? The only consideration we will consider is in section B.1 Given the complexity and critical nature of these services, it is uncommon to see LPTA as the selection methodology.

Rationale/Risk to the Government:

While LPTA may initially appear to provide cost savings, it inherently prioritizes the lowest price over qualitative differentiators, which could present significant risks in the execution of these services:

Quality and Expertise Tradeoff: The LPTA approach does not allow the Government to assess the depth of experience, technical capabilities, and past performance beyond the minimum technical threshold. This can result in selecting a vendor that may struggle to meet mission-critical requirements effectively.

Risk of Increased Costs Over Time: Vendors selected under LPTA may offer the lowest price at award but lack the necessary expertise or scalability, leading to cost overruns, schedule delays, or contract modifications due to performance issues, ultimately negating the perceived cost savings.

Misalignment with Industry Best Practices: It is rare to see LPTA applied to audit government services, as industry norms and Government best practices generally favor a Best Value Tradeoff approach for services that require professional judgment and high-quality performance.

Impact on Mission Readiness: Selecting a vendor based solely on price, without considering technical superiority or past performance differentiators, could compromise mission-critical operations and security if the contractor is unable to meet the evolving needs of the Government.

4. Section C.2.1 of the RFP states, “Subcontractor personnel shall have: a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience, including GAGAS experience.” It also specifies “At minimum, the staffing requirements are: 2.

Auditors (1 minimum).”

Typically, auditors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, and possess between 0–2 years of experience, including GAGAS experience. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

5. Section C.2.1 of the RFP states “Subcontractor personnel shall have: An audit related certification such as CPA (preferred), Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information System Auditor and Certified Government Financial Manager, but not limited to the list.”

Typically, Supervisors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, possess between 5-7 years of experience, including GAGAS experience, and conducted DCAA Type engagements. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that supervisors have an audit related certification? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

6. Section C.2.1 of the RFP states, “Subcontractor personnel shall have: An audit related certification such as CPA (preferred), Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information System Auditor and Certified Government Financial Manager, but not limited to the list.”

Typically, auditors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, and possess between 0–2 years of experience, including GAGAS experience. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have an audit related certification? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

7. Section 7 of the SOW states, Subcontractor personnel shall have: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years auditing experience, including GAGAS experience.

Based on prior experience conducting Proposal Audits and Accounting System Audits, staffing for GAGAS engagements typically includes a Partner (10+ years of experience), a Quality Control Partner/Director (10+ years of experience), Managers (5+ years of experience), Seniors (2+ years of experience), and Staff Auditors (0–2 years of experience).

Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

8. Please confirm which Volume HMIS would like the Offeror to include Exhibits 002 through 011?

Yes – exhibit 01 is included as an attachment. Attachment 02 is included as needed, however offerors are able to submit their own price quote utilizing their own template.

9. Could HMIS please provide the Compensation Schedule – Labor Hour Proposal

Breakdown Excel file? The link provided in the PDF appears to be broken.

Included as attachment 02, please refer to list of attachments.

10. Section 7 of the SOW states, “Subcontractor personnel shall have: a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience, including GAGAS experience.” It also specifies, “At minimum, the staffing requirements are: 2.

Auditors (1 minimum).”

Typically, auditors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, and possess between 0–2 years of experience, including GAGAS experience. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience?

HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

11. Section 7 of the SOW states, “Subcontractor personnel shall have: An audit related certification such as CPA (preferred), Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information System Auditor and Certified Government Financial Manager, but not limited to the list.”

Typically, Supervisors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, possess between 5-7 years of experience, including GAGAS experience, and conducted DCAA Type engagements. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that supervisors have an audit related certification? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

12. Section 7 of the SOW states, “Subcontractor personnel shall have: An audit related certification such as CPA (preferred), Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information System Auditor and Certified Government Financial Manager, but not limited to the list.”

Typically, auditors within a CPA firm hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, qualify to sit for the CPA exam, and possess between 0–2 years of experience, including GAGAS experience. Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have an audit related certification? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

13. Section 7 of the SOW states, Subcontractor personnel shall have: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years auditing experience, including GAGAS experience.

Based on prior experience conducting Proposal Audits and Accounting System Audits, staffing for GAGAS engagements typically includes a Partner (10+ years of experience), a Quality Control Partner/Director (10+ years of experience), Managers (5+ years of experience), Seniors (2+ years of experience), and Staff Auditors (0–2 years of experience).

Would HMIS consider removing the requirement that auditors have a minimum of five (5) years of auditing experience? HMIS will not consider removing the requirement that is what is needed.

14. Section 7 of the SOW states, “The staffing may include a principal as well, however, all employees involved in the engagement must be directly related to the actual audit (i.e., no IT staff, clerks, etc. will be authorized and approved by HMIS)”.

In a CPA firm, a Partner, a Quality Control Partner/Director, Managers, and Seniors are involved in all GAGAS engagements. Please confirm that the Offeror can use other Labor Categories besides Principal, Supervisor, Auditor. I confirm that CPA firm Partner, Quality control Partner/ Director, Manager and Seniors can be used.

15. Is this a new proposal or a re-issue of a previous one? New Proposal

16. Who is the current incumbent providing the services outlined in these RFQ, If any?

HMIS cannot disclose incumbent.

17. How long was the incumbent’s previous contract term?

HMIS cannot disclose this information.

18. What was the awarded price of the previous proposal?

HMIS cannot disclose this information.

19. Do you have a budget in mind for both RFQ's

This procurement is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable.