Polaris Question and Response 2.pdf

POLARIS GWAC

QUESTION AND RESPONSE DOCUMENT #2

Consistent with the first Question & Response Document, in addressing questions, it is the Government’s position that if the solicitation’s position is self-evident, the response to a question may simply be that the solicitation already addresses the matter in the manner the Government intended for it to be addressed.

While the Government may include one or more specific solicitation passages in a response to a question, interested parties are reminded that section L.3 of the solicitation states, “Offerors are instructed to read the entire solicitation document, including all attachments in Section J, prior to submitting questions and/or preparing a proposal. Omission of any information from the proposal submission requirements may result in rejection of the offer.”

Questions were not extensively edited for grammar, punctuation or spelling. Not every question is shown. Only those questions, or portions of questions, that were deemed frequently asked and/or those that were deemed to benefit the procurement process are shown.

Questions and responses are organized into topic areas shown below. Interested parties stand to benefit from reviewing all statements, questions, and responses.

● General

● Relevant Experience

● Organizational Risk Assessment

● Teaming

● Representations and Certifications

● Responsibility

● Polaris Submission Portal (PSP)

● Other

This is the second Question and Response Document (Q&R #2) starting with Q&R #137. Interested parties should also review the previously shared, first Question and Response Document (Q&R #1), containing Q&R #1-136. The Government is continuing to review questions received prior to the July 12th deadline and plans to provide additional responses. Any additional Question and Response Documents will be posted to SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the Offerors to periodically check the solicitation on SAM.gov for more information.

General

Q&R # Question Response

137 Is it necessary to establish a GSA contract/schedule prior to bidding on the subject Polaris GWAC RFP?

No, there's no requirement for an Offeror to have a GSA contract/schedule to submit a proposal for Polaris.

138 Can offerors use the original J.P attachments so that we do not have to go through the process of having our customers re-do the forms marked Amendment 2 all over again?

Yes, as noted within the SF30 for Amendment 0002, original versions of Attachments J.P-2, J.P-4, and J.P-6 from the initial solicitation release remain acceptable for use.

139 Based on the length of the pause, can GSA allow proposals from companies that were eligible as of the original proposal due date?

Eligibility to compete for small business set-aside procurements is based on SBA regulations including 13 CFR 121.404. GSA cannot waive these requirements or establish a different method for eligibility.

140 If a vendor is SDVOSB, are they able to submit a proposal for the SB Pool and the SDVOSB pool? Or can you only submit one proposal as prime across all pools?

An SDVOSB may submit a proposal to both the SB pool and the SDVOSB pool. Note the SDVOSB pool RFP has not yet been released. An offeror may propose to each pool for which it is eligible. An Offeror is limited to one contract per pool.

141 Where is the scorecard? Please refer to M.6, Polaris Scoring Table.

142 Can you please help me find the J-2 attachment and the other Master Contract Document attachments?

Attachments J-1 through J-4 are provided within the RFP file after Section M. See page 101 of 121 for Attachment J-2.

143 L.5.1.3.2 What is the file naming convention for each "Subcontractor Letter of Commitment"?

As noted in Q&R #12, no prescribed naming conventions or volume structure is required.

Documents will be associated with the claimed elements within the PSP.

Relevant Experience

Q&R # Question Response

144 Can Offerors utilize experience from a project that is coded as NAICS 541330 but was for the performance of IT services?

As NAICS 541330 is not one of the NAICS included in L.5.2.2.1, Primary Relevant Experience NAICS Areas, it may not be utilized for relevant experience. However, if the project includes performance in one of the NAICS listed in L.5.2.2.1, that experience may be claimed utilizing the verification process of L.5.2.2.1.1(2).

145 Section L.5.2.2.1.1 requires “original contract award document” (for Federal Government Contracts) and Section L.5.2.2.1.2(2) (Non-Federal Contracts and Federal Government Subcontracts) requires “Award Form.”

May Modifications be used as a means of verification?

The contract award form must be provided when required by L.5.2.2.1.1 or L.5.2.2.1.2;

however, as noted in Section L.3, while some sub-sections of Section L may indicate an Offeror must provide a particular form of documentation for validation purposes, Offerors may provide additional verifiable documentation to validate any claimed scoring elements. Contract modifications would be additional verifiable documentation that may be submitted in addition to the required documentation.

146 Can two contracts for a single program be submitted as a project?

No, two contracts may not be submitted as a single Relevant Experience Project. Refer to the definition of a Relevant Experience Project within L.5.2.1.

147 When we started performance on a contract there was just OCONUS travel. During the course of the contract, the Government decided to station some personnel directly in OCONUS locations. A subsequent contract mod has been issued for the same. However FPDS still shows the primary place of performance as DC.

Will the contract modification and a signed J.P-6 suffice to claim the OCONUS points?

As noted in L.5.2.2.6, if the FPDS-NG report indicates that the principal place of performance was a CONUS location, then the Offeror must provide a copy of the contract SOW or documents from the contract that detail the OCONUS location(s) at which work was performed, contract award form and an authorized signature as described in L.5.2.2.1.1(2). For the described situation, in addition to the J.P-6 and contract modification, Offeror must also submit the contract award form and SOW. See L.5.2.2.1.1(2).

148 What is the "Non-Government Award Form"?

A contract or award document from other than a federal government entity. Must explicitly identify the Contractor, Non-Government Customer, Contract Value, and the date the customer awarded/signed.

149 Can a contract be split into multiple projects based on CLIN?

No, CLINs within a single contract may not be split into multiple Relevant Experience Projects. Refer to the definition of a Relevant Experience Project within L.5.2.1.

150 L.5.2.2.1.1 Verification of Primary Relevant Experience Submission – related to the documents, if you use item 2, a-e. Are you only required to send one of the documents listed in item 2 or all the documents?

When providing verification in accordance with L.5.2.2.1.1(2), item (a) must be provided when available if it provides verification of any claimed scoring elements. Items (b), (c), and (d) must all be provided. Item (e) is optional and may be included if experience matching the claimed NAICS is specifically and clearly called out in a single or in multiple CLINs.

151 Related to Section L.5.1.3.3 and J.P-2, can the government clarify whether experience claimed from a Joint venture will be considered a Federal Government Contract for additional scoring?

If the work was awarded to the Joint Venture as a prime contractor to the Federal Government, the Offeror would be eligible for the additional points under Sections L.5.2.2.3, L.5.2.2.4, L.5.2.2.5 and L.5.2.2.6.

As noted in L.5.1.3.3(1)(d), any relevant experience elements claimed must be validated for both the Joint Venture contract/order and the Offeror’s project. Only the portion of work performed by the Offeror will be considered for the project meeting the requirements or scoring elements of L.5.2.

152 Our contract is federal but the end customer is a state and local government. Please advise if we will get points for either L.5.2.2.3 or L.5.2.2.5 or for both?

As stated in L.5.2.2.3, these points are only available for Relevant Experience Projects performed as a prime contractor to the Federal Government. Task orders with a state or local government are not eligible for this additional scoring.

153 Regarding L.5.2.2.3 Demonstrating Experience with Multiple Federal Government Customers (Federal Government Contracts Only), can GSA confirm the point value for demonstrating experience with two or more federal government customers?

Scoring available for L.5.2.2.3 is as follows:

● Two Funding IDs will receive 500 points

● Three Funding IDs will receive 1,000 points

● Four Funding IDs will receive 1,500 points

● Five Funding IDs will receive 2,000 points

Offerors providing one Funding ID would not meet the requirements for additional points.

Organizational Risk Assessment

Q&R # Question Response

154 Will the Government provide scoring in L.5.5.1 for a business arrangement where the offering prime contractor is performing as a subcontractor to the proposed subcontractor?

No, as provided in L.5.5.1 - A prime contractor and its proposed subcontractors are considered to have previously performed in the same business arrangement if each proposed subcontractor has previously performed on a contract or order as a subcontractor to the offering prime contractor.

155 If the Offeror is submitting a response as an individual company [not proposing as part of a joint venture or not proposing any subcontractor(s)], will the Offeror receive 5,000 points for L.5.5.1?

Yes, as noted in L.5.5.1, an individual company [not proposing as part of a joint venture or with proposed subcontractor(s)] will receive scoring for Organizational Risk Assessment. No additional verification is required for an individual company offering as itself.

156 If an offeror has an active subcontract with a teammate on an IDIQ contract responding to task order proposal requests, does that count as a previous business arrangement for L.5.5.1?

No, as noted in L.5.5.1, an IDIQ contract or BPA without performance does not satisfy the requirement of this element for previous performance.

Teaming

Q&R # Question Response

157 Within M.4.2, must anything additional be submitted for proposed subcontractor verification?

Proposed subcontractor verification will be in accordance with the requirements of L.5.1.3.2.

158 For CTA teaming partners who do not want to share their completed GSA 527 or other financial information, is there an ability for the teammate to email this proprietary information directly to the government?

No, all proposal documentation must be submitted via the PSP in accordance with L.3.4.

159 For the Attachment J.P-7, please clarify whether the Government wishes a description of work done by each party, or whether it is requiring an exhaustive list of contracts performed by each party.

Per L.5.1.3.1(5), joint venture offerors must detail the work done individually by each partner to the joint venture as well as any work done by the joint venture itself previously. This can be provided by listing services previously performed. Consider referencing performance areas from Section C of the RFP. Specific contracts are not required to be identified within the Attachment J.P-7.

160 Section L.5.1.4 (MRCL) states that offerors can "take credit for Relevant Experience Project(s), system(s), certification(s), or Clearance(s)." Will the Government please confirm that Offeror's may also leverage an MRCL to satisfy CMMI appraisal requirements included in L.5.4.3?

Yes, CMMI (L.5.4.3) may be claimed via MRCL following the requirements of L.5.1.4.

161 Paragraph L.5.1.3, including all its subparagraphs, is related to Teaming Arrangements. If the offeror does not have any type of Teaming Arrangement, can the offeror write a paragraph simply stating Paragraph L.5.1.3 and all its subparagraphs are not applicable or does the offeror need to have separate documents dedicated specifically to each of the subparagraphs?

No additional documentation needs to be submitted for L.5.1.3.1 or L.5.1.3.2 if not proposing with a contractor teaming arrangement.

162 If we have a subcontractor that is a mentor protege JV, can we utilize their experience?

If the subcontractor mentor protege joint venture is a small business for NAICS 541512 within SAM.gov, then its relevant experience may be utilized consistent with the requirements of L.5.1.3.2 and L.5.2.

Representations and Certifications

Q&R # Question Response

163 Attachment J.P-1 Representations and Certifications was not revised in Amendment 0002. Please confirm that offerors are to complete and submit the Attachment J.P-1 provided with the original RFP dated 3/25/2022 and not the Section K provided in Amendment 0002.

Yes, J.P-1 must be submitted with the proposal per L.5.1.2.

Responsibility

Q&R # Question Response

164 "Reference: L.5.6.3 Financial Resources Submission" To show additional sources of financial resources, we assume that for instance the bidder should show sources of credit in their “SECTION VIII - REMARKS” of GSA Form 527 and could attach items such as line(s) of credit showing their other financial resources."

Lines of credit should be identified within Section V. As noted in L.5.6.3 for Section V, if your company has a prepared list of bank and trade references, you may attach it to the GSA Form 527 instead of completing this section.

165 Attachment J.P-5 GSA 527 was not revised in Amendment 0002. Please confirm that offerors are to complete and submit the Attachment J.P-5 provided with the original RFP dated 3/25/2022.

Yes, J.P-5 must be submitted with the proposal per L.5.6.3.

Polaris Submission Portal (PSP)

Q&R # Question Response

166 Where can I find the website and register to allow my company to submit its proposal?

As provided in L.3.4, the Polaris Proposal Submission portal is accessible at https://polaris.app.cloud.gov. Once you click on "I Accept." Select "Need a new account?

Register Now" to register to PSP.

167 Can Offerors add additional employees or team members to have access to the PSP for proposal preparation?

Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of users that may be added for a proposal.

Please refer to How to Manage Users (https://gettingstarted.apexlogic.com/support/ solutions/articles/35000160891-how-to-mana ge-users) for more information.

168 Please provide instructions on how to tag in PSP.

Reference the Help link within the PSP for tagging instructions:

https://industrysupport.apexlogic.com/support /solutions/articles/35000192996-how-tags-wo rk-in-symphony-for-polaris

169 Step 3: Highlight and Tag your Evidence for Project Data in "How Tags work in Symphony for Polaris" lists six tags. May Offerors add other tags as necessary?

Yes, Offerors may add additional tags.

Reference the Help link within the PSP for tagging instructions.

170 Can GSA provide instructions on where they would like the SF-33 form to be uploaded with the PSP?

To submit SF-33 in PSP, (1) Click the submission “Continue” button, (2) Click on the “Submission” button on the left, (3) Select SF-33 from the select box and (4) Upload SF-33 document.

171 If there is a JV member of a WOSB bid and is also bidding as prime on the SB bid, can they have two separate login ids into PSP? One for uploading their financial documents into the WOSB bid and the other to be able to upload documents into their SB bid?

These are 2 separate submissions and would be created under different UEIs. Proposal documents would need to be added separately to the different submissions.

172 Is it too late to submit a bid on Polaris as a prime, if we don’t have Polaris Submission Portal (PSP) access?

Refer to L.3.4. The PSP registration is open.

Offerors desiring to compete on Polaris must submit their proposal via the Polaris Submission Portal at https://polaris.app.cloud.gov.

173 Is tagging required for the signed SF33 and SF30 forms by the offeror’s proposal submission?

No, tagging is not required for the signed SF33 and SF30.

https://gettingstarted.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000160891-how-to-manage-users https://gettingstarted.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000160891-how-to-manage-users https://gettingstarted.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000160891-how-to-manage-users https://gettingstarted.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000160891-how-to-manage-users https://industrysupport.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000192996-how-tags-work-in-symphony-for-polaris https://industrysupport.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000192996-how-tags-work-in-symphony-for-polaris https://industrysupport.apexlogic.com/support/solutions/articles/35000192996-how-tags-work-in-symphony-for-polaris https://polaris.app.cloud.gov

Other

Q&R # Question Response

174 Will GSA be releasing a Polaris competition specifically for SDVOSB and HUBZone businesses later this year?

Yes, GSA plans to issue the solicitations for the Polaris HUBZone and SDVOSB pools in September of 2022. We encourage interested small businesses to monitor the Small Business GWAC Community of Interest on Interact at https://buy.gsa.gov/interact/community/190 and SAM.gov for updates and additional information on upcoming Polaris solicitations.

https://buy.gsa.gov/interact/community/190