47QFHA26Q0003 - QnA - Amendment 1.pdf

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Solicitation Number: 47QFHA26Q0003

Note to Offerors: Please provide the specific paragraph reference using the Section/Sub-Section numbers in the solicitation.

PART # PARAGRAPH # PARAGRAPH TITLE QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 10, paragraph 2 Technical Questions

The notice for the RFQ is 47QFHA26Q0003. This Q&A document's solicitation number is 47QFHA25K0010 as noted in cell C2 (which we believe is the RFI number). The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation states that "All correspondence shall reference the solicitation number." Can you please confirm the correct solicitation number?

The RFQ number is

47QFHA26Q0003

PWS Part 1 1.8.3 Program Structure

The document states the program will enroll "up to 24" students. Is the assumption correct that we are budgeting and setting aside active seats for 24 students each year as a guaranteed enrollment? If not, what is the minimum guaranteed annual enrollment?

The minimun number of students is

18. The maximum is 24 students. See

PWS 1.8.3.1

PWS Part 1 1.8.3.3 Program Structure

The paragraph references both war games (plural) and the war game (singular). Can you please confirm the frequency of the war game(s)?

Multiple war games are expected.

Only 1 opportunity for students to travel for staff ride.

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PWS Part 1 1.9.1 and 1.10.1.2 Program Management, Special

Requirements

The document references a "proprietary curriculum." Can you please confirm that we can abide by the university's intellectual property policy under this agreement? As per University policy on intellectual property, "The University owns all rights, title and interest in and to Intellectual Property developed as a result of support either directly from or channeled through the University."

In addition, copyright "Copyright to, and royalty from, literary or scholarly works in tangible or electronic form (e.g., textbooks and other curricular materials, reference works, journal articles, novels, music, photographs, etc.) produced by faculty members as a part of their usual teaching, service, and research activities, and which do not result directly as a specified deliverable from projects funded in whole or in part by the University or a sponsored research agency shall belong to the faculty who prepared such works and may be assigned or retained by them."

Data rights are in accordance with the contract terms and conditions, individual institutional policy does not take precedence. The awarded university is the host, or "venue" for the program. This program was not funded by the university or a sponsored research agency, it was funded (and will continue to be funded) by the Government.

PWS Part 1 1.10.1.2 Employment Terms Does the GSA require tenure for the STP Director?

GSA does not require tenure, tenure will be discussed between the STP Director and the university.

PWS Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3

Attachment 3:

"Estimated Workload Data", Page 16 of 16 Estimated Workload Data

Attachment 3, Technical Exhibit 3 lists the title "Base Year." Is this title correct? Per the estimated breakdown of labor, this looks like year 1 of 3 as there would be no activities associated to classes, staff rides, or assessments in a base year lasting from the award of the contract through July 2026.

The correct title should be Base Period and it lasts from the award of the contract through July 2026.

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Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 1 Line Items

The combined synopsis lists CLIN 0001 as "STP Enrollment and Administration, Quantity: 1, Unit:

EA, Period of Performance: Award to 31 July 2026" yet the price workbook excel sheet does not include CLIN 0001 in the summary tab and lists another CLIN, "CLIN 0003- Tuition & Fees (Fixed Unit Price per Student)" in the base period tab. Should the base period be CLIN 0001 - STP Enrollment and Administration?

The workbook will be updated to correct error.

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 8, paragraph 3 Program Capability Requirements

What is the maximum salary for the STP Director (Contractor) position allowed by the government?

There is no salary maximum, salary negotiations are between the quoter and the STP director.

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 8, paragraph 4 Program Capability Requirements

The solicitation states that the "Quoter shall acknowledge that specific employment terms (academic status, tenure, compensation, benefits, etc.) are solely between the STP Director (Contractor) and the Quoter and are not a requirement of the Government." This contradicts Exhibit C, Hiring Agreement which requires submission of "an itemized list of the Program Director listed under CLIN 0001" under number 8a.

Can you please clarify the requirement?

The overall rate needs to be put in CLIN 0001 of the offeror's pricing, but the breakdown of that rate into salary, benefits, etc is between the offeror and the STP director (barring a negotiation breakdown in which case The Government may ask for this information)

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 9, last paragraph Quoter Submission Instructions

Our assumption is that the quoter submission is due by January 28, 2026 at 11:59pm Central as noted in the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation on page 9 under "Quoter Submission Instructions." This contradicts the time posted on SAM.gov which lists "Date Offers Due Jan 28, 2026 01:59 PM EST." Can you please confirm that this is a typo on the website and the correct deadline for submission is 11:59pm Central as listed in the combined synopsis?

The correct time for submission is 11:

59pm Central. Will update in SAM.

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Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 10-Page 11 Volume I – Responsiveness

Requirements (Pass/Fail)

The section references Tabs ("Tab 1

– Program Capability Requirements," "Tab 2 – Facility Location," "Tab 3 – Institutional Accreditation and Program Capability," "Tab 4 – Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification."). What is the solicitation's definition of "Tab"? Are these sections of the document?

Each "tab" constitutes a different section of the proposal. When you propose, have them separated by tabs.

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 10, paragraph 3

Your response, including base and option year pricing, must be in full compliance with the instructions in this solicitation. The response (to include price/cost) shall be valid for 90 calendar days. Please ensure that you have read the attached documents, and then submit your response by the date and time indicated in this solicitation.

Where are the requirements and expectations for the base period listed?

The expectations for the base period are that the university will process the applications from the STP and set up the infrastructure necessary for the course. The actual instruction would begin in the first option period.

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 12, Volume III

General and Price Instructions, bullet point 3

In Volume III General and Price, instructions bullet 3 requires signed copies of all "documents requiring quoter signature." What/Where are those documents?

You have the option of signing for the entire package that includes all TABs or you can sign off on each TAB which then covers all documentation within that specific TAB

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 12, Volume III

General and Price Tab 4, bullet point 1

Tab 4 Contract Line Item Number states to complete CLIN structure/schedule." Can you please clarify what the CLIN structure/schedule is? Does it refer to the price workbook? Yes, it refers to the price workbook

Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation Page 13, Volume III

General and Price Tab 4, bullet point 2

Where can section B be found? Is it located in the Combined Synopsis, PWS, or Price Workbook?

We are referring to "exhibit A - price workbook"

Exhibit C: Hiring Agreement/Letter of Conditional Agreement Item 8

The tentative offer shall contain the following information: tenure offered (Y/N), benefits package, compensation itemized, etc.

Is the tentative offer referenced in item 8 the offer negotiated between the University and the Director (Contractor)? The assumption is that the details of that offer do not need to be directly included in the submission. Is this correct based on the fact that specific employment details are solely between the STP Director (Contractor) and the quoter?

While the overall cost of employment to the contractor including salary, benefits, etc must be listed in the price workbook, the detailed terms of the offer do not need to be included in the offer.

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Exhibit C: Hiring Agreement/Letter of Conditional Agreement Item 8A

Provide an itemized list of the Program Director listed under

CLIN 0001.

Can you please clarify what is meant by "itemized list of Program Director" and in which document and section that should be listed? As noted previously, the terms of the agreement "are solely between the STP Director (Contractor) and the Quoter."

Hiring agreement amended to remove mention of itemized list of program director

Price Workbook Summary Tab

The Price Workbook Summary tab is missing reference to a base year.

Should a base year be added prior to option period 1? If so, according to the solicitation page 1, there is CLIN 0001 with a "Period of Performance:

Award to 31 July 2026." Is this correct and should it be added to the workbook?

Pricing template will be amended to reflect inclusion of base period, which will last less than one year and be incorporated into the summary tab

Price Workbook Base Period Tab Price workbook base period tab

The CLIN is showing as 0003 - Tuition & Fees (Fixed Unit Price per Student). We assume this is incorrect and should be CLIN 0001 - STP Enrollment and Administration. Can you please confirm? Line 85 has prepopulated data including matriculation fees for 18 students at a rate of $562.43 and a total of $10,123.74. We assume these prepoulated numbers/categories are not relevant. Can you please confirm?

Those prepopulated numbers are an example/placeholder for the administrative costs. Please update with your own administrative costs should you have any

Price Workbook OY1, OY2, OY3 Price workbook OY1, OY2, OY3 tab

Option Year 1 (01 August 2025 to 31 July 2026), Option Year 2 (01 August 2026 to 31 July 2027), and Option Year 3 (01 August 2027 to 31 July 2028) listed at the top of the OY1, OY2, and OY3 tabs have incorrect dates posted. Can you please confirm the dates of each of the option years? We assume base year is separate (date of award -begins on July 2026; assumption is that Base Year would be from the time of the award until July 2026)

Price workbook will be amended to reflect accurate dates.

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47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Quoter Submission Instructions

Volume I - Responsiveness Requirements (Pass/Fail) --

Instructions -- Tab 1 -- Acknowledge that employment terms… (p. 11)

The solicitation requires Quoters to "acknowledge that employment terms" (including compensation) "are solely between the STP Director (Contractor) and the Quoter and are not a Government requirement."

However, the solicitation includes, as Attachment 3, a Department of Labor Register of Wage Determinations with minimum pay levels and benefits for each occupation code.

Since we need to specify the occupation code (and thus, minimum compensation rate) for the STP Director in our Excel budget, does the Government have a suggested occupation code that should be used for the STP Director?

The Government does not have a suggested occupation code

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Quoter Submission Instructions

Volume I - Responsiveness Requirements (Pass/Fail) --

Instructions -- Tab 2 -- Facility Location (p. 11)

Quoters are required to "confirm the facility meets graduate-level academic instruction standards."

What standards are being referenced by this requirement? If this is not a formal standard, what requirements does the Government have for the facilities (i.e., in terms of space needed, number of spaces needed, physical and cyber security, etc.)?

This is not a formalized requirement.

The contractor should provide a description of the quality, capacity, and capabilities provided in the classroom.

A. The STP classroom should be:

1) A quiet, professional atmosphere with good lighting, comfortable adjustable chairs, and that minimizes noise from outside of the classroom;

2) Of sufficient size to accommodate a seminar of up to 18 students, 3 to 5 faculty, and 3-5 class visitors and observers from the Department of War… a total capacity of 30 people;

3) Reconfigurable to accommodate class requirements;

4) Equipped with communication ports to accommodate lap top connectivity for all students and faculty;

B: A private office for each faculty member (2) to provide student feedback and counselling, prepare for classes and to conduct professional business with colleagues. These offices should in close proximity to the classroom if possible.

C: Access to all the college resources available to the student body writ large.

D: The facility should be secure, clean, fully functional and well maintained. Maintenance to remediate technical or other classroom issues should be resolved promptly and prior to start of the next class if possible.

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Applicable Clauses - 52.212-4 Terms and

Conditions– Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Alternate I (Nov 2025). When contemplating a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract… (p. 23)

The solicitation indicates that any resulting contract will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. This alternate clause suggests that the government contracting officer has the option to use a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract instead of a FFP contract and would need to update the applicable FAR clauses to be applicable for time-and-materials or labor-hour contracts. Could the government please confirm that the resulting contract will be a FFP contract and that the "Alternate I (Nov 2025)" clause language (paragraphs (a), (b), (i), (l), and (m)) would not apply to this solicitation?

This will be an FFP contract, but the travel CLINs will be direct cost no-fee. FAR overhaul 52.212-4 addresses travel.

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Exhibit_ C_Hiring_Agreement_2025-11-05

Exhibit C - Hiring Agreement

Exhibit C - Hiring Agreement -document header

The template for the hiring agreement/letter of conditional agreement is designated as CUI in the document's header. Since this file is accessible via the public-facing SAM.gov listing, could the government please confirm whether the letter template should actually be considered CUI (and handled accordingly)?

All documents identified as CUI and transmitted to GSA can either be sent via DoD SAFE, or encrypted via WinZip

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachm ent_1_PWS_2025-11-05 1.11.1 1.11 Security Classification:

Since all courses in the STP curriculum will be taught at the unclassified level and no security clearances are required, could the government please confirm whether work classified as CUI is expected to take place? What CUI will the government provide to the Quoter?

CUI includes personally identifiable information, sensitive building information, financial, legal, contractual, and other sensitive information that is not classified.

Anything containing CUI (documents, emails, faxes, IT systems, etc.) must carry the appropriate CUI banner marking.

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DFARS 252.204-7025

Notice of

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level Requirements (Nov 2025), (b)(1)

(b) (1) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) level

(p. 17)

The solicitation indicates that the "CMMC level required by this solicitation is CMMC Level 2 (Self)." Since self-certification results in a SPRS score/number and not a certificate provided by a third-party assessor, could the government please confirm that the SPRS score is sufficient documentation of "Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification" (Volume I, Tab 3, p.

13)?

Yes, the SPRS score will suffice, the self-certification is all that is needed

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Quoter Submission Instructions

Quoter Submission Instructions - "All documents provided by the

Quoter..." (p. 10)

The solicitation states that all documents submitted by the Quoter must be labeled as CUI by the quoter.

Could the government please explain the reasoning for the CUI label? Is the CUI label on a Quoter's own submitted documents necessary/required, especially if the Quoter does not anticipate producing any CUI under any potential contract?

CUI includes personally identifiable information, sensitive building information, financial, legal, contractual, and other sensitive information that is not classified.

Anything containing CUI (documents, emails, faxes, IT systems, etc.) must carry the appropriate CUI banner marking.

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Quoter Submission Instructions

Quoter Submission Instructions - "The response (to include price/cost) shall be valid for..." (p.

10)

Page 10 of the solicitation states that the submitted response must be valid for 90 days. Earlier, on p. 4, under 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Products and Commercial Services, the clause states that "The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 120 calendar days." Could the government please confirm the offer validity period?

Solicitation will be amended to reflect the 120-day period in the FAR clause

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p. 8-9 - 52.212-2 Evaluation -

Commercial Products and Commercial

Services - Facility Location - Quoter must demonstrate

Facility Location - Quoter must demonstrate - "Confirmation that the facility meets..." (p. 9)

The solicitation states that the Quoter must be an accredited institution of higher education and that we must provide "confirmation that the facility meets graduate-level academic instruction standards."

Could the government please confirm whether we should confirm that the Quoter meets those academic instruction standards? If standards are needed for the facility itself, could the government please clarify what standards it is referring to?

The quoter should be able to provide proof of accredication appropriate for an institution of higher education that provide-level or higher education, ( the accrediting agency, the standards required by the accreditation, etc.

The standards apply to the academic insitution. The university should also provide information about their facility standards to include security ( student/faculty access), custodial, safety, student amenities, student life, etc., that clearly demontstrate a safe and professional learning environment for the students.

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

DFARS 252.204-7025

Notice of

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level Requirements (Nov 2025), (b)(1)

(b) (1) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) level

(p. 17)

Does the Learning Management System (i.e., Canvas) used in course instruction need to be protected to the level of NIST 800-171 for performance of work under this contract? Does the proprietary course material require NIST 800-171 security? Standard Learning Management Systems such as Canvas are not NIST 800-171 compliant, and finding a suitable CUI-compliant system on the market will add significant cost to any proposed quote.

STP uses Canvas, but there's no need for a security level. The quoter will need to limit access to STP materials on Canvas to the STP Faculty and students.

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Quoter Submission Instructions

Volume I - Responsiveness Requirements (Pass/Fail) --

Instructions -- Tab 2 -- Facility Location (p. 11)

The solicitation requires Quoters to "provide proof or ownership or lease agreement" (p. 11). Because any property deed or lease agreement will likely exceed the 7-page limit on Volume I, is it acceptable for Offerors to include the property deed or lease agreement as a separate Exhibit (not subject to page limits)?

We are only requiring proof or ownership or lease agreement. We understand that these documents can be long. As long as you provide a signature agreement this will satisfy the requirement.

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Quoter Submission Instructions

Volume I - Responsiveness Requirements (Pass/Fail) --

Instructions -- Tab 2 -- Facility Location (p. 11)

The solicitation requires Quoters to "provide accreditation documentation" (p. 11). Because accreditation documentation may exceed the 7-page limit for Volume I, is it acceptable for Offerors to include the accreditation documentation as a separate Exhibit (not subject to page limits)?

Alternatively, if the proof of ownership/lease must be included in the page limits, would a letter from the property owner confirming ownership or existence of a lease agreement be sufficient documentation?

The page limit will stay where it is, and the applicable electives will be kept to the page limit. You are correct, a signed letter confirming ownership or existance of a lease is sufficient.

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Additional Information

(p. 38)

Additional Information - 1. General Information - Period of

Performance (p. 38)

Page 38 of the solicitation states that the period of performance is a base period plus three 12-month option periods. However, the PWS, Part 1 General Information - 1.0 General:

1.4 Period of Performance/Place of

Performance indicates that the period of performance is for 12 months, plus two option years (p. 1 of the PWS).

Could the government please confirm the period of performance?

Solicitation will be amended to reflect the accurate period of performance

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachm ent_1_PWS_2025-11-05

Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3 -

Estimated Workload Data (p. 16)

Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3 Estimated Workload Data - Base

Year - Table line 7 - Key Personnel and Subject Matter Experts (p. 16)

The workload data table indicates that 6 FTEs are needed as Key Personnel and Subject Matter Experts, but the total number of hours is only 32 hours. Could the government please confirm whether this is intended to be 6 individuals x 32 hours each? Or should this be 32 hours total divided by 6 individuals?

It should be understood as 32 hours divided by 6 individuals.

47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Combine d_Synopsis_2025-01-07

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Could the government please advise on margin, line spacing, and font type/size requirements for this opportunity? We want to ensure that our page-limited responses meet the government's definition of a "page."

Proposals should be limited to pages

8.5 x 11, font size 12. A font size of 10 is allowable for tables and graphics.

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Quoter Submission Instructions

Volume II - Technical (Factor 1) -- Formatting (p. 12)

The Technical Volume is limited to 10 pages (p. 12). Because curriculum components such as a full list of applicable electives may take up room in the proposal narrative, would the government accept appendices of supplementary materials that would not count against the page limit in the solicitation?

The page limit will stay where it is, and the applicable electives will be kept to the page limit.

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachm ent_1_PWS_2025-11-05

Performance work Statement 1.10.1.2

Special requirements Key Personnel

The PWC lists the Program Director and the Full-Time Administrative Assistant under Key personnel. Is there any requirement to identify a specific individual for the program Administrator in the proposal?

The Program Administrator must be fully qualified in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and able to: arrange all aspects of foreign travel for STP staff, guest lecturers, and STP students for the annual Staff Ride; prepare and staff administrative reports (Weekly Activity Report, Quarterly Report, Annual Report, etc.) in accordance with the Quality Assurance Sustainment Plan (QASP);

prepare and tabulate student assessments and grades; respond in a timely and professional manner to executive correspondence from Pentagon officials; manage the program budget and prepare and submit accurate and timely invoices and travel requests; access and learn the ASSIST program in submitting budget documents.

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachm ent_1_PWS_2025-11-05

Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Part 1 General Information - 1.0

General - 1.12 Travel - 1.12.3

Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) Part 1 General Information -

1.0 General - 1.12 Travel - 1.12.3

"All student travel..." (p. 6)

The PWS states that "[a]ll student travel will be scheduled using the Defense Travel System (DTS)," which implies that students will also be paid/reimbursed directly via paycheck from the government. If student travel costs will be paid to the students directly, then should any student travel be included in the Quoter's cost estimate?

All student travel will be executed via DTS. Hence, no quoter submission should include student travel as part of their quote

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Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Could the government please provide the total annual costs of the program since its inception? Can the government provide total annual costs of the program by CLIN?

The Government cannot provide any pricing information beyond that which is publicly available in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). To find this, search for the contract on FPDS.gov

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Exhibit_ A_Price_Workbook_2025-11-05

Price Workbook - Base Period Tab

Price Workbook - Base Period Tab, cell A83

In the Price Workbook template, the Base Period tab is set up to only depict costs for CLIN0003 (Tuition & Fees). The option year tabs are set up to reflect costs for multiple CLINs (e.g., CLIN1001 - STP Professional Services). Could the Government please confirm that Quoters are allowed to propose costs for all Base period CLINs? Are Quoters free to update the price workbook template to reflect multiple CLINs?

The base period is a low-cost period because it concerns admission and processing, with no teaching of any kind. The option periods have actual instruction, and as a result have more CLINs and higher prices attached.

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Exhibit_ A_Price_Workbook_2025-11-05

Price Workbook - Base Period Tab

Price Workbook - Base Period Tab, line 85

In the Price Workbook template, the Base Period tab is pre-populated with a line for matriculation fees ($562.43 per student for 18 students). Is this cost mandatory, or can Quoters consider it an illustrative example of costs to include?

Those prepopulated numbers are an example/placeholder for the administrative costs. Please update with your own administrative costs should you have any

47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Exhibit_ A_Price_Workbook_2025-11-05 Price Workbook Price Workbook, columns M & N

Columns M and N of the price workbook (for Base Period, OY1, etc.) have qualifiers - "for Oasis" and "Oasis only." Could the government please confirm whether awarded contracts will be considered OASIS contracts?

This is not an OASIS contract, that terminology has been removed

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47QFHA25K0010_Solicitation_Attachm ent 3_DOLWD_2025-10-29

Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract

Act, Wage Determination No.:

2015-4281, Revision No.: 34, Date of Last Revision: 07/08/2025

Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act, Wage Determination No.: 2015- 4281, Revision No.: 34, Date of

Last Revision: 07/08/2025

The Register of Wage Determinations provided with the solicitation is specific to Washington, D.C. The solicitation itself (on p. 8-

9) only stipulates that Quoters must provide an academic program facility for the students within 20 miles of the Pentagon, not that all program activities are required to take place within 20 miles of the Pentagon. If not all work is taking place in Washington, D.C., are Quoters required to conform to the DC rates listed in the Register of Wage Determinations?

The majority of work is anticipated to occur within the DC Metro area.

Therefore, rates must conform to that area.

PWS 4 4.1

Does the following mean that the university supply all textbooks for participating students as well as instructors? 4.0 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, books, equipment (including computers for the Instructor and Administrator), and facilities (including a classroom and office space for the Instructor and Administrator) required to perform work under this contract.

Correct. The school for all textbooks and any other resources required by the students to participate in the STP.

As a military academic program, there is no charge to the students. All fees or materials are funded by the contract.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Page 8 Program Capability Requirements Does the university select and hire the STP Director?

The university hires the STP director, but they are not permitted to select them. The STP curriculum is the intellectual property of the current director, therefore they must be hired.

PWS 1.8.3.1

Will the DoW provide the core curriculum?

The core curriculum is the intellectual property of the STP director. Once hired, he will teach the core curriculum to the STP cohort.

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PWS 1.8.3.2

Our degree is 36 credits, broken into 3 credit courses. The STP curriculum will be covered in 18 credits rather than 16, and will maintain the balance of half STP/half electives for students. Is this arrangement acceptable?

Currently STP is 50/50; STP is four courses and JHU-SAIS provides four electives-32 credits (two STP courses and two electives per term at 4 credits a piece). Changing the total credits to 36 while dividing them evenly between STP and host school electives wold be problematic, because if STP is 18 credits total, and the electives are 18 credits (3 credits a piece), then the total number of elective courses per year increases from 4 to 6. It's a critical requirement to maintain the present balance of 4 STP courses and 4 elective courses to avoid overworking the students. The STP curriculum is extremely demanding an well worth more than just 3 credits and adding and additional elective per semester could negatively impact future student applications. Two options for the quoter to consider are: 1) Recognize STP academic workload by increasing the credit for each of the four STP academic courses and add 3 credits for the STP War Game and 3 credits for the STP Staff Ride, as follows: STP Academics (4 courses, 1 per quarter) = 18 Credits (4.5 credits per course) STP War Game - 40 hours = 3 Credits , STP Staff Ride

- 10 Day event =3 Credits, Host University Electives (4 courses at 3 credits each) = 12 credits, Total Course Credits = 36 2) Assign 24 Credits to the STP program as a whole and the remaining 12 credits for electives.

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PWS 1.8.4.5

Can the Government confirm the official titles, descriptions, or designations (STP I–IV) of the four STP-specific courses that comprise the brand-name curriculum?

We cannot provide information on the proprietary STP curriculum beyond what is already in the solicitation

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PWS 1.8

Will the Government provide course descriptions, learning objectives, syllabi, or other instructional artifacts for the STP-specific courses to ensure integration?

We cannot provide information on the proprietary STP curriculum beyond what is already in the solicitation. The Brand Name Justification, which is posted along with the Amendment 1, speaks at a high level regarding the contents of the program which states, "It emphasizes the importance of economics, culture, geography, and more, by providing a blend of hands-on wargames, decision exercises, staff rides, research, and classroom briefs through the Socratic method.

The program is designed to create cross-service strategic thinkers who can operate in unknown environments, deal with unanticipated challenges, adapt non-military developments to security challenges, and seek innovative approaches. They will engage civilian and military leaders on the development and conduct of strategy/operations in the broader context of national policy objectives."

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PWS 1.8

Can the Government confirm whether the STP-specific courses are expected to be treated as individual credit-bearing graduate courses within the awarded master’s degree, or whether the Government allows flexibility in how those courses are transcripted and counted toward degree requirements?

Currently STP is 50/50; STP is four courses and JHU-SAIS provides four electives—32 credits (two STP courses and two electives per term at 4 credits a piece). Changing the total credits to 36 while dividing them evenly between STP and host school electives would be problematic, because if STP is 18 credits total, and the electives are 18 credits (3 credits a piece), then the total number of elective courses per year increases from 4 to 6.It's a critical requirement to maintain the present balance of 4 STP courses and 4 elective courses to avoid overworking the students. The STP curriculum is extremely demanding and well worth more than just 3 credits and adding an additional elective per semester could negatively impact future student applications.

Two options for the quoter to consider are:

1) Recognize STP academic workload by increasing the credit for each of the four STP academic courses and add 3 credits for the STP War Game and 3 credits for the STP Staff Ride, as follows: 1) Recognize STP academic workload by increasing the credit for each of the four STP academic courses and add 3 credits for the STP War Game and 3 credits for the STP Staff Ride, as follows:

STP Academics (4 courses, 1 per quarter) = 18 Credits (4.5 credits per course) STP WAR Game – 40 hours = 3 Credits STP Staff Ride – 10 Day event = 3 Credits Host University Electives (4 courses at 3 credits each) = 12 credits Total Course Credits = 36

2) Assign 24 Credits to the STP program as a whole and the remaining 12 credits for electives

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation 4 4.1

If the STP director is pre-determined, will the Government provide1) the CV for this individual and 2) guidance regarding salary requirements for this director?

The Government will not provide the director's CV, nor do we have any salary requirements for the director.

The Government will provide the director's email upon written request in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. The details of salary are between the quoter and the STP, all The Government needs is the overall number in the pricing

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

What specifically distinguishes between GOOD vs OUTSTANDING in Adjectival ratings?

Refer to page 15 of the solicitation (47QFHA26Q0003_Solicitation_Co mbined_Synopsis_2025-01-07) concerning the definitions of all ratings

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Combined Synopsis/Solicitation 14 Adjectival Ratings

For evaluation Options; elaborate on what is meant by "The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. The evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s)"

When GSA signs a contract, its duration is for the base period listed in the solicitation. We ask for further "option years" in case we wish to extend the contract beyond its base period. If the option years are determined to be wildly out of sync with one another as opposed to a slow but steady increase reflecting market conditions, we may reject the offer.

The fact that we evaluate the options at the time of award does not mean we are required to exercise them. The Government reserves the right to end the contract after the base period if we so choose.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation 9 Technical Approach

Within Technical Approach, how are evaluators weighing experiential elements (war games, staff ride) vs academic courses?

Currenlty the WarGame and Staff Ride are just part of the overall STP program but not given credit by SAIS. Students are assessed as part of STP III (3rd quarter) and STP IV (4th quarter) final marks and reports.

We think the -40 hour War Games and 10-day Staff Ride warrant credit in their own right.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation 9 Factor 2 - Price

What constitutes price reasonableness? Alignment with prior STP pricing, market comparables for executive master’s programs, internal government cost expectations, or other factors?

A fair and reasonable price is a price that a prudent businessperson would pay for an item or service under competitive market conditions, given a reasonable knowledge of the marketplace. The government has an estimate, but this estimate is not shared with the quoters. If quoters wish to find a basis for prices, comparable services as well as prior STP pricing (which can be found in FPDS) are recommended sources.

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