QA 5.16.2022.pdf

1. The SAM.gov posting for Solicitation 47PC0822R0001 states that “the contractor must provide proposals for both the Administrative and Professional Services” (though the Professional Services are optional). Does this mean that GSA is looking for two separate proposals – one for the Administrative and one for the Professional Services? Or does this mean to say that we need to provide pricing for both types of services in one proposal?

The option for Professional Services is there for GSA to consider for award. GSA is looking for one set of Technical and Cost Proposals that includes the requirements for both Administrative and Professional Services.

Please review the technical proposal requirements in Section M, specifically, for Factor 4, you must submit a benefit package booklet for the professional services. Additionally, the price schedule includes line items for professional services.

2. It is stated that the Professional Services are optional, but there is not a lot of information about when and if the professional services would be required. Is there any further information GSA can provide regarding the need for these services? Are the professional services currently being provided by the incumbent contractor?

Please see attachment labeled “Professional Services Position Descriptions”

3. Who is the incumbent contractor for this requirement?

For GSA Region 2, this will be the first procurement for a combined Long Term Administrative and Professional Services contract.

4. Is there any collective bargaining agreement aspect to this RFP?

There are no Collective Bargaining Agreements applicable to this Solicitation or resulting award.

5. Is there an incumbent currently providing the services? If yes, can you provide the company’s name?

6. If there is a previous award, can you provide the award amount and prior contract number?

7. Must the vendor offer services to all locations?

The vendor must provide the required services through GSA PBS Region 2.

8. Is this open to all SDVOSBs or is this only for companies on the GSA schedule? Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide.

This procurement was advertised on SAM.gov and not off the GSA MAS. This procurement is a total set aside for all Service Disabled Veteran Owned firms.

9. RFP, Page 8, Para C.4: What personal protective equipment is being used on the current contract?

Current personal protective equipment includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc. When the award is made, the Contractor shall be responsible to provide a Pandemic Plan which includes the Contractors’ plan to address the pandemic at hand and personal protective equipment it intends to provide its contract employees.

10. RFP, Page 12, Para C.7.3: Would the Government specify the location/locations that require an on-site supervisor? As currently written, one could assume an on-site supervisor is required at every listed location in the PWS?

Currently the On-Site Supervisors are stationed at the World Trade Center.

11. RFP, Page 19, Para C.10. Supervisors: Would the Government specify location/locations that require an Administrative and Professional Services Supervisor? As currently written the location/locations are unclear.

Currently the On-Site Supervisors are stationed at the World Trade Center.

12. RFP, Page 43, Para H.15.5: What State Licensing and Certification requirements exist on the current contract and could be reasonably expected on this contract?

Please attachment from Question and Answer for No. 2

13. RFP, Page 162, Para L.4: Page 3 of the solicitation states “All proposals MUST be sent electronically to Emily Lindsey at Emily.lindsey@gsa.gov AND Laura Egli at laura.egli@gsa.gov …” This statement is repeated in para L.4. However, para L.7 states that proposals must be mailed to the GSA address provided. Would the Government clarify the delivery method for quotes?

All proposals must be electronically submitted to Emily Lindsey at Emily.lindsey@gsa.gov AND Laura Egli at laura.egli@gsa.gov before the due date and time.

14. RFP, Page 169, Para M.4: How does the Government intend to assign scoring values to the 4 non-price evaluation factors? Will the Government use Adjectival Ratings, Acceptable/Unacceptable Ratings, or some other scoring system?

The Government intends to use Adjectival Ratings and rate them against the evaluation factors.

15. RFP, Page 169, Para M.4: Is this an LPTA evaluation criteria or Best Value Tradeoff? If BVTO, how does the Government intend to score value against the evaluation factors?

The Government intends to use Adjectival Ratings and rate them against the evaluation factors.

16. RFP, Page 170, Para M.4: Factor 1-Experience and Factor 3-Past Performance appear to have duplicative requirements for each section in terms of addressing projects of similar size, scope, and complexity. Would the Government clarify/deconflict evaluation criteria for these factors?

For purposes of this evaluation, a facility is considered "similar" in size, scope, and complexity to the required services, each contract must have a minimum of one On-Site Supervisor and twenty (20) support staff, excluding 1099 contract employees

17. RFP, Page 170, Para M.4: Is the Government willing to accept CPARS for Factor 3-Past Performance in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires?

The Government is willing to accept CPARS printouts in PDF form for each contract/task order (government or commercial) for similar services contracts/orders performed within the past five years, in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires.

18. RFP, Page 170, Para M.4: The Factor 1 (Experience) and Factor 3 (Past Performance) requirement for having three (3) similar contracts of at least 1 PM and 20 support staff greatly restricts highly qualified SDVOSB firms from the competition. Would the Government consider relaxing this requirement to 3 similar contracts with only 1 having to reflect 20 support staff instead of all 3?

At the current time, the Government is not willing to relax the requirements in Factor 1 and Factor 3.

19. RFP, Page 173, Para M.4 (Benefits): Would the Government clarify the source for required Professional Employee benefits requirements for Booklet 2 because they appear to exceed norms within the Government contracting community and we are unaware of any federal or state mandates driving the required minimum benefits?

There is no source. The benefits are equivalent or similar to what is being provided in the private sector for similar positions.

20. The specific question and request is: Regarding Factor 1 – Experience and Factor 3 – Past Performance and the specific requirement that past performance references must have a minimum of one Project Manager and twenty (20) support staff, excluding 1099 contract employees. With all other factors being equal, will the government consider three (3) past performance references which are similar in scope and have ten (10) support staff?

It is requested that the government modify this requirement to a minimum of one Project Manager and ten (10) support staff, excluding 1099 contract employees. It is my belief that this amendment to the solicitation would allow a broader range of proposals from SDVOSB companies and teams which are growing and emerging in the federal marketplace.

At the current time, the Government is not willing to relax the requirements in Factor 1 and Factor 3.

21. The evaluation factors do not allow me to demonstrate the capabilities of my company in regards to recruitment ability, depth of manpower and overall operations of my company.

How can I present this information to the Government?

The Government, may at its discretion, request Contractors to provide oral presentations in accordance to FAR 15.102 Oral presentations. The oral presentation may assist the Government in evaluating Factor 1 Experience and Factor 4 Benefits.

22. Since there are a lot of WD documents for New York, can the Government list the counties for each location on the pricing spreadsheet?

Please see updated Solicitation Pricing Schedule.

23. What does the start date represent on the pricing spreadsheet?

The Start date is required to calculate the benefits due to the contract employee.

24. On the pricing spreadsheet, are those the actual pay rates the contractor is supposed to pay the employees?

Correct, those are actual pay rates for the contract employees.

25. Can subcontracts flow down 401k benefits to prime?

The Government does not get involved in prime/subcontractor relationships. The awarded contractor shall ensure that from the inception of the contract, the required benefits will be available to the contract employees.

26. Does prime have to have 401k benefits at the time of award?

The awarded contractor shall ensure that from the inception of the contract, the required benefits will be available to the contract employees.

27. Does the government want a GSA 527 form for subcontractors? Also can the government provide GSA Form 527.

GSA Form 527 Contractor's Qualifications and Financial Information can be downloaded via: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/contractors-qualifications-and-financial-information The form is only required for the Prime.

28. Where must the contractor have the stated NAICS?

Generally, the Government will be reviewing the Reps and Certs from SAM.gov to confirm the contractor has the stated NAICS codes.

29. Will the government accept monthly invoice amounts for FFP CLINS as annual amounts divided by 12?

No, this is a labor hour contract and the Government will ONLY pay for when the contract employee is working.

30. Under what conditions would a FFP monthly invoice be reduced by the CO?

Please see answer to Question No. 29.

31. Please remove reference to a labor-hour award which contradicts FFP referenced on page 2 and Section M.2 Basis for Award.

The contract will be awarded as a labor hour contract.

32. Please add Juneteenth to the list of federal holidays.

Juneteenth has been added to the list of Federal Holidays.

33. Prior to approval of situational telework, the government supervisor and the contractor will discuss tasks, conditions and standards that are expected to be accomplished while the contractor is teleworking. As a non-personal services contract, please remove reference to the government supervisor.

Government Supervisor has been replaced with On-Site Supervisor.

34. Is the On-site supervisor the same position as the administrative services manager?

Correct, the On-Site supervisor is the same position as the administrative services manager. “Administrative Services Manager” has been replaced with “On-Site Supervisor” in all instances.

35. If the training needed to do the job is commercially available, is it the responsibility of the contractor to provide the training?

Yes, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to provide the training.

36. Can timesheet reports be substituted for GSA Form 139 as ‘other designated form’ to record presence for each calendar week?

No, GSA Form 139 can not be replaced at this time.

37. Is Section B, Services and Price/Cost the same as the Excel Workbook titled “Pricing + Schedule + Administrative + and + Professional + Services+(1)?

Yes, it is the same. Note, there is an updated MS Excel Spreadsheet in Amendment No. 1

38. Submittal of quotes to a physical address in L.7 contradicts electronic, email submission requirement in L.4 Submission of Proposals. Please remove reference to sending packaged proposals to the address.

All proposals must be electronically submitted to Emily Lindsey at Emily.lindsey@gsa.gov AND Laura Egli at laura.egli@gsa.gov before the due date and time.

39. Para. 6 references Factor 5 – Past Performance. Please revise to Factor 3.

Reference corrected

40. The owner or the contracting officer / contracting officer's representative shall then forward the past performance questionnaire in a sealed envelope to the vendor so that it may be submitted as part of the vendor's Part 2 - Technical Response.Paper submission of PPQs is not realistic in hybrid work environments. Please revise to allow for electronic, email submission of PPQs.

Please note that it is your firm’s opinion that it is not realistic;

however, the Government has not encountered issues with Past Performance Questionnaire submissions. Since the request has been made, the Government will allow for electronic submissions of a completed Past Performance Questionnaire directly from the evaluator only. If the Past Performance Questionnaire is submitted from the Contractor along with its proposal, it will not be considered.

Alternatively, the Government is willing to accept CPARs printouts in PDF form for each contract/task order (government or commercial) for similar services contracts/orders performed within the past five years, in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires.

41. Vendors shall submit a benefit package booklet detailing all benefits. A booklet infers paper copies. Please revise to allow electronic benefits packages as part of the Technical submission.

The Government is looking for electronic copies to be submitted along with the Technical Proposal.

42. Pay rates for “Not Covered Under the Service Contract Act” show no escalation for Option year 1 through Option year 4. Will the government accept escalation to the Pay rates in Column F for positions “Not Covered Under Service Contract Act”?

The Government will accept escalation for rates in Column G. A revised spreadsheet will be attached to this Amendment to allow for such escalation.

43. Syracuse NY Onondaga County, Rochester NY Monroe County and Hato Rey PR San Juan County Wage Determinations are missing. Would the government please provide all related wage determinations?

The complete Wage Determinations are attached.

44. Various Service Contract Act labor categories are assigned to PR with no listing of the county. In order to select the correct Wage Determination would the government please provide the city for locations listed as PR?

A revised spreadsheet will be attached to this Amendment to identify the counties.

45. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Will the government be evaluating CLINS for out of pocket, travel, training, & other misc. amounts as part of the Unit Price FFP amounts provided on form 1449?

Note, this is a labor hour contract and the Government will ONLY pay for when the contract employee is working. For evaluation purposes, the Government will be including the other CLINS.

46. Long Island New York is potentially in three counties. Would the government please provide the address of the location in Long Island along with the correct Wage Determination for the proper county?

Long Island consists of two counties, Nassau and Suffolk. Both counties share the identical wage determination.

47. Is the Project Manager listed as Key Personnel the same position as the CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0101 On Site Supervisor listed on the Pricing Schedule Excel Workbook?

These are the same positions. The term “Project Manager” has been replaced with “On-Site Supervisor”

48. Administrative Assistant (26 Federal Plaza Room 1-100). The Excel Pricing Schedule provides a location of Syracuse NY for the Administrative Assistant. Would the government please clarify which location the Administrative Assistant sits?

Please use the locations listed in the Pricing Schedule.

49. CLIN 0001 On-Site Supervisor is listed under the section labeled “Covered Under the Service Contract Act.” This labor category is also listed under the section “Not Covered Under the Service Contract Act” as CLIN 0101. Does the government intend for CLIN 0001 to be aligned with a Service Contract Act labor category?

Supervisory positions are not covered under the Service Contract Act. The On Site Supervisor is listed in both sections as the Government is seeking one On Site Supervisor for each category of contract employees. To confirm , the Government is seeking two On Site Supervisors.

50. Pay rates have been provided in the Pricing Schedule workbook. Are the offerors required to use the rates provided?

For the Base Period of Performance, the offerors are required to use the rates provided.

51. Pay rates have been provided in the Pricing Schedule Workbook. If the offeror uses pay rates different than those provided, will the offeror’s proposal be disqualified for award?

They must meet the minimum requirement as stated in the pricing schedule.

52. Administrative Assistant (James M. Manley US Courthouse & Federal Building).

Research has provided a James M. Hanley US Courthouse and Federal Building located in Syracuse NY. Is James M Hanley the correct US Courthouse and Federal Building?

James M. Hanley Federal Building is the correct Federal Building.

53. On page 19 of the RFP, two On-site Supervisors are mentioned – one for administrative services and one for professional services. Are these roles different/separate from the one Key Personnel role of Onsite Project Manager?

These are the same roles. “Onsite Project Manager” is renamed “Onsite Supervisor” in all instances

54. In Attachment J.1, Key Personnel Resume, the template includes the following fill ins:

Current Position with Contract Firm Time in Current Position Annual Salary Responsible for the Work of ________ Persons Description and Scope of Current Job

If our proposed Project Manager is not a current employee of our company, but rather a contingent hire, should we complete the above fill-ins with information regarding his or her current position outside of our firm?

Yes, the template contains the required information that needs to be submitted along with the Technical proposal.

55. In the instructions for Attachment J.2 Past Performance Questionnaire, it is stated that questionnaires must be signed in ink and returned to offerors in sealed envelopes for inclusion in submission packages. However, if proposals are to be submitted electronically as stated on page 3 of the Solicitation document, how do we submit the Questionnaires?

Please submit your Questionnaires electronically. Section J.2 has been updated to reflect changes.

56. Page 3 of the Solicitation document states that proposals must be submitted electronically. However, Section L.7 on page 163 states “All quotes submitted shall be sent to the address below:

General Services Administration, Region 2 Public Buildings Service Acquisition Management Division Building Services Branch (2PQD) James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton St. Syracuse, NY 13261 Attn: Emily Lindsey

Can you confirm how proposals should be submitted?

Please submit your proposal electronically.

57. On page 19 of the RFP, there are “managers” and “supervisors” mentioned for administrative services and professional services. Are these roles different from the Key Personnel position of Onsite Project Manager?

The “managers” and “supervisors” are the same thing. The term “Project Manager” has been changed to “On-Site Supervisor”.

58. Section C.9 of the RFP, Situational Telework, states, “To that effect the contractor shall, when the government deems necessary and for mission support purposes, require that the employee is able to telework on a situational basis.” Can the government provide information on which labor categories in which locations are currently teleworking?

Situational telework is to be determined by the respective GSA point of contact for contract employees.

59. On the pricing sheet posted on 5/2/2022, on the Base Year pricing tab, the Start Date column is missing. Can the government issue a corrected copy of the pricing sheet?

Please see updated Price Schedule

60. Can you confirm that column F/Pay Rate on the pricing sheet represents the incumbent employee’s CURRENT pay rate?

Yes, column G/Pay Rate on the pricing sheet represents the incumbent employee’s CURRENT pay rate and the column label has been changed from F to G

61. On page 173 of the RFP, Factor 4 – Benefits, states that vendors shall submit benefits package booklets for SCA and professional employees. Can you give further information on what the booklets need to contain? What level of detail is required? For instance, is 2-3 pages with a bullet list of summarized benefits acceptable?

Benefits package booklets for SCA and professional employees need to provide a full summary addressing the benefits received by the employee. A bulleted summary is acceptable.

62. On page 20 of the RFP, it is stated, “The contractor will be responsible for maintaining satisfactory standards of employee competency and will provide all required training.” Please provide information regarding the training that is required.

Please see the SOW the Professional Services. The position description contains the required competencies.

63. The RFP states that past performance submissions should have at least 1 project manager and 20 positions not including 1099 personnel. For these contracts, would all positions need to be full-time? For instance, if several part-time w-2 staff are supporting a contract, would that count towards the 20 positions? Would GSA consider accepting past performance projects with 10 positions?

Past Performance submissions shall include full-time positions. Part time staff will be considered. At this time the Government does not intend to change the evaluation criteria.

64. RFP states that personnel must meet all security clearance requirements and mentions C.11. In reviewing C.11, it discusses pandemic policies not security clearances. What are the security clearance requirements for each staff member?

In reviewing the job descriptions, only position mentioning a clearance is the Proposed Contract Property Manager. Are there other positions requiring a clearance?

All positions require HSPD-12 clearance.

65. Should bidders submit only resumes for the project manager or for all the 72 Positions listed in the pricing schedule?

Resumes should be submitted for the On-Site Supervisor only..

66. Section C.4 “Minimum Contract Efforts”, Item 3. “Implement an effective

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)”. It is customary for the government to provide a QASP to a contract awardee to which the vendor will provide a Quality Control/Assurance Plan (QCP/QAP). Per Item 3, is the government expecting the awardee of this contract to provide a QASP, a QCP/QAP, or both?

The awardee is responsible for providing a QASP to the government.

67. Is the Government required travel anticipated for this effort? If so, would the government consider creating a CLIN to charge travel to and provide a Not To Exceed (NTE) dollar mount to remove potential pricing ambiguity?

Government required travel may be anticipated for some positions. A separate CLIN will not be generated to reflect a NTE amount.

68. There is a requirement for the government to approve all resumes before personnel are hired. The document clearly states that this is not a “Personal Services” Contract and not all staff are considered “Key Personnel”, how will the government handle this requirement?

It is assumed that when a new requirement arises, the Contractor will provide multiple resumes for review. The Government will hold meet and greet sessions to talk to each candidate. The Government will then inform the Contractor which candidate best meets the requirement.

69. SCA benefits are based on longevity, current salary, etc. As the salary and benefits for an existing contract staffer could be considerably higher than a new employee, can the government provide, or facilitate, a list to include the tenure, leave earned and pay of personnel that they consider qualified for the contract awardee to pick up from the existing contractor?

Start date for the applicable Service Contract Act contractor employee is on the price schedule. All benefits can be derived from the start date. The Government intends to pick up all existing contract employees.

70. Item H.1.4 “Suitability Determinations”. The Solicitation references a “suitability determination” requirement for the background and onboarding process. Could you please provide details and requirements of the “Suitability Determination”?

Please see Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12: Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors linked below:

https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12

71. The document references a “suitability determination” requirement for the background and onboarding process. Could you please provide details and requirements of the “Suitability Determination”?

Please see Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12: Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors linked below:

https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-presidential-directive-12

72. Can the government provide a more concise list of the actual requirements of this contract? For example, the roles and responsibilities of Construction Managers, Vertical Transportation managers, NCMMS, and smart building managers.

The position descriptions have been provided in the solicitation in Section J.

73. Section L.4 Submission of Proposals, page 162, indicates that “All proposals MUST be sent electronically to Emily Lindsey at emily.lindsey@gsa.gov AND Laura Egli at laura.egli@gsa.gov by June 1, 2022 by 4:30PM EST” However, L.7 Proposal Submittal on page 163, indicates a Syracuse, NY address to send in hard-copy proposals. Can the government confirm which method of proposal submission it is expecting?

Please submit your proposal electronically to Emily.Lindsey@gsa.gov and Laura.Egli@gsa.gov

74. Factor 1 - Experience 170 The government states “For purposes of this evaluation, a facility is considered "similar" in size, scope, and complexity to the required services, each contract must have a minimum of one Project Manager and twenty(20) support staff, excluding 1099 contract employees.Would the Government please consider reducing the requirement of twenty support staff to ten support staff?

At the current time, the Government is not willing to relax the twenty(20) support staff requirement.

75. In the Solicitation Pricing Schedule, Column F appears to have the incumbent employee’s pay rate. Our assumption is that we should make no changes to the amount in Column F, and fill in our burdens in Columns G-M. Is that assumption correct?

Correct, you should not make any changes to the employees pay rate in the pricing schedule

76. Please provide a breakdown of the anticipated hours for both SCA and

Professional employees – 1888 and 2000 – what holidays are included in each number?

Computation of those numbers are irrelevant and are for evaluation purposes only.

77. Are there any labor agreements associated with this contract?

There are no labor agreements associated with this contract.

78. There are extraordinary labor management costs associated with Puerto Rico. We are assuming that those anticipated costs need to be built into our G&A buildup. Is that a correct assumption, or would those costs be paid separately by

GSA?

That is a correct assumption, all management costs must be built into the fully loaded hourly rates. These costs should be included in the “other” column.

79. The first mention of a Key Person in the RFP is on page 12 of the RFP document. On page 170, this Key Person is referred to again as the “Project Manager.” It is not clear whether this Key Person/Onsite Project Manager is different from the On-Site Supervisors listed as CLINs in the pricing sheet. Please confirm whether the Key role of Project Manager is a separate, overhead role from the two On-Site Supervisors listed in the price sheet and described on page 19 of the RFP.

The term “Project Manager” has been replaced with “ On-Site Supervisor” in all instances.

80. Page 7 of the RFP does not mention Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Should that be included in the list of federal holidays?

Juneteenth has been added as a Federal holiday.

81. It is our understanding that Puerto Rico celebrates 19 holidays; do we need to account for all 19 holidays for our pricing for Puerto Rico-located positions?

Only Federal holidays listed on the U.S. Office Of Personnel Management website will be recognized. The link is below:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/#url=Overview

82. This factor will consider the extent of the vendor’s experience in providing long term support staff services. Vendors shall submit a narrative (not to exceed six typewritten 8 ½” x 11” pages) for three ongoing or completed contracts/task order (government or commercial) for services performed within the past five years.

The vendor must have been the prime contractor of these contracts. If a vendor provides more than three contracts/task orders, the TEB will only review the first three submitted based on chronology starting with the most recent contract completion date. For purposes of this evaluation, a facility is considered “similar” in size, scope, and complexity to the required services, each contract must have a minimum of one Project Manager and twenty (20) support staff, excluding 1099 contract employees. Each contract order description shall include the following customer reference information: Would the Government consider past performances from our team, Team SGI,, which satisfies the past performance require?

All past performance will be considered as stated in the requirements of the solicitation.

83. Are these all to be included as separate files in the proposal package? L.4 states that "All vendors shall submit their quotes in two (2) parts", so does this mean all of the listed items here must be combined under those parts? And if so, can the government provide further information on how that should be organized, i.e., which part each of these files should be found in? For example, according to instructions given in L.4, Part I - Price Proposal is said to include only the completed SF 1449 Sections A and B, so is the Price Schedule located in Section J supposed to be a separate file included in the submission?

Part I must include all pricing and financial information (SF1449 Sections A&B, the Price Schedule, Reps and Certs, and the SF 527). Part II must include the Contractor’s response to the four technical questions.

84. Here is states that the Proposal Package must include SF 527 Contractor's

Qualifications and Financial Information, but this form was not included in the solicitation documents; can the government provide this document or confirm that the one found here on the GSA website (https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/contractors-qualifications-and-financial-information) is the correct form?

And is this form to be included in one of the volumes or as it's own separate file?

GSA Form 527 Contractor's Qualifications and Financial Information can be downloaded via: https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/contractors-qualifications-and-financial-information The GSA Form 527 can be added to Part I of the Contractors proposal.

85. When submitting as a Joint Venture, where the joint venture is non-populated, does the contractor submit the GSA 527 as one of the venturers to show contractor qualification and financial information?

GSA Form 527 must be completed by all members of the Joint Venture

86. In Section L.4 it states that the "method of submission is electronic" but in section L.7 it states "All quotes submitted shall be sent to the address below." With the simplicity, efficiency, and reliability of electronic submissions will the government consider proposal submission to be emailed instead of physical mailing?

Please submit electronically. Solicitation amended to reflect this change.

87. If it is to be submitted physically, does the package need to arrive at the provided address by the submission due date, or simply be postmarked as sent by that date?

Not applicable, proposals must be submitted electronically.

88. If it is to be submitted via email, how are the PPQs to be submitted, as the only submission instructions available pertain to physical copies?

The Government is willing to accept CPARS printouts in PDF form for each contract/task order (government or commercial) for similar services contracts/orders performed within the past five years, in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires. The Past Performance Questionnaires must be sent to Emily Lindsey and Laura Egli directly from the person completing the questionnaire.

89. In defining the term "VENDOR" does the government consider this as the contractor team, to include its subcontractors, where subcontractor experience can be used? With this being a small business set aside, the likelihood of a small business having three (3) "PRIME" contractors of similar size and scope may be minimal. The benefit of teaming with qualified subcontractors brings success and value to the government in ensures fulfilment of all requirements and depth of experience.

The “Vendor” is the Prime Contractor. GSA does not consider the subcontractors experience.

90. With this being a small business set aside, the likelihood of a small business having three (3) "PRIME" contractors of similar size and scope may be minimal, but many small businesses have provided a major contribution to a contract as a subcontractor. Will the government consider revising prime contracts to include allowing contracts where the vendor was a major subcontractor?

At this time the Government will not be changing the evaluation criteria.

91. Does "SUPPORT STAFF" include the individuals on contract and internal employees who provide major support for the program and its success?

Support staff includes all contract employees that are billed to the customer.

92. Section L.4 and L.7 provide conflicting statements on how the proposal should be submitted. Section M.4 assumes the proposal is mailed in, with the simplicity, efficiency, and reliability of electronic submission will the government consider Past Performance Questionnaires to be emailed instead of via physical mailing?

The Government is willing to accept CPARS printouts in PDF form for each contract/task order (government or commercial) for similar services contracts/orders performed within the past five years, in lieu of Past Performance Questionnaires.

The Past Performance Questionnaires must be sent to Emily Lindsey and Laura Egli directly from the person completing the questionnaire.

93. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical or average 401K match nets out to 3.5%. Their National Compensation Survey found that of the 56% of employers who offer a 401K plan:

a. 49% of employers with 401K plans match 0%

b. 41% match a percentage of employee contributions between 0-6% of salary.

c. 10% match a percentage of employee contributions at 6% or more of salary.

d. The median is a 3% match.

Will the government consider changing the requirement of "50% match up to 10% of salary" to "50% match up to 4% of salary" which is more in line with the current standard/best practices and national average?

No, the Government will not consider changing the requirement of a 50% match.

94. The instructions given can only be carried out with a physical submission, will the government accept electronic versions? And if so, how are those to be submitted?

Not applicable, proposals must be submitted electronically.

95. Is the listed Section J5: Blank Pricing Schedule the provided excel file

"47PC0822R0001+Solicitation+Pricing+Schedule+- Administrative+and+Professional+Services+"?

Yes, the pricing schedule is an attachment to this solicitation.

Based on the provided pricing schedule spreadsheet for the Service Contract Act labor categories and pricing, are we to assume that the rates provided are the SCA rates for each of the particular locations listed and that these are the rates that must be used in calculating our fully burdened rate?

Yes, the rates provided are the SCA rates for each of the particular locations listed and that these are the rates that must be used in calculating our fully burdened rate.

96. Based on the provided pricing schedule spreadsheet for Option Year 1 through Option Year 4 no escalation is listed for each of the years. Can we add an escalation for each of the years?

Yes, you may add an escalation for each of the years.

97. Based on the provided pricing schedule spreadsheet for Option Year 1 through Option Year 4 no escalation is listed for each of the years. Will the contractor be able to submit for equitable adjustment for SCA labor categories?

Yes, you may submit for equitable adjustment for SCA labor categories.

98. Based on the provided pricing schedule spreadsheet for Option Year 1 through Option Year 4, the SCA positions pricing does not change; are we to assume that the new SCA rates will apply regardless of the pricing submitted?

Yes, the new SCA rates will apply regardless of the pricing submitted

99. The LCATS for On-Site Supervisor, Training Program Coordinator, Program Analyst, Acquistion Management, and Reality Specialist do not fall under any listed SCA catagory, is it the governments wishes for the vendor to treat these as if they were SCA LCAT's or should we treat them as non SCA LCATS for pricing/benifits purposes?

The Training Program Coordinator is a straight pay without benefits and will be moved to the Professional Category after award. The Program Analyst, Acquisition Management, and Realty Specialist positions shall be treated as SCA for pricing/benefits purposes.

100. Under Column Q, under the title of Overtime Pay, does the government want these rates put in as hourly rates or fully burdened hourly rates?

The Government is seeking fully loaded hourly rates.

101. The pricing schedule spreadsheet does not include a column for the Contractor to account for G&A, is it the government's intent to include G&A in the Overhead and Profit column or the Other column?

Please include in the “Other” column and provide a narrative of what it includes.

102. The pricing schedule spreadsheet for the Base Year appears to be missing a column and/or the column titles do not match the information. The Pay Rate column is aligned with the Start Date and the VAC column aligns with the Pay Rate. Will the government provide a new spreadsheet or will the government allow the contractor to fix the spreadsheet?

See revised Pricing Schedule

103. In column "L", "Other *" it references it as having some sort of note it associated with it. Can the government provide any reference or notes associated with this column?

No note is associated with column M (formerly column L).

Asterisk has been removed from the Pricing Schedule.

104. Do incumbent employees at any of the Region 2 locations work under a collective barganing agreement (CBA) and/or are they part of a union? If so, can the government provide the CBA and the union information?

There are no CPA or unions.

105. What licenses and permits are required today for the prosecution of the work?

Any licenses or permits are specific to position descriptions and noted in attached position descriptions in Section J.

106. What licenses and permits are anticipated in the future for the prosecution of the work?

See Section J for licenses and permit requirements.