Alliant 3 Draft RFP QA Government Response Release 1 2022_12_01.pdf

(Page | 1) Alliant 3 Q&A Government Response, Release #1 – December 1, 2022

Alliant 3 Draft RFP, Question and Answer (Q&A), Government Response, Release # 1

Thank you for the comments and questions received on the Alliant 3 Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) publicized via SAM.gov on October 19, 2022. The responses provided hereafter represent the first release of Government responses to comments and questions provided by the public. The Alliant 3 Draft RFP will remain open for comments, questions, and feedback through January 6, 2023.

Please continue to use the Alliant 3 GWAC Draft RFP Response Template and submit all comments and questions to A3DraftRFP@gsa.gov

Question 1: Are there plans to award a portion of the 60 awards to small business or is it the top 60 scorers regardless of company size?

Answer 1: Alliant 3 is an unrestricted GWAC. Other Than Small and Small Businesses are eligible to participate in the solicitation. The top 60 scorers, regardless of size, will be awarded a contract. Please see section L.2.2 FAR 52.216- 27 Single or Multiple Awards (OCT 1995).

Question 2: I’m just confirming that the primary NAICS is 541512, but there are also other NAICS 518210, 541511, 541513, and 541519 on this draft solicitation.

Answer 2: Yes, the Primary NAICS code for Alliant 3 will be 541512. The other NAICS codes listed are available for offerors during the preaward to use as experience credit in their proposals, as we understand that there could be relevant IT services in those NAICS. Allowing the use of IT-related NAICs codes in the preaward for crediting relevant experience allows us to avoid overly prescribing and subsequently limiting the Government's ability to acknowledge certain IT services by offerors.

Question 3: Will there be a version of the Alliant 3 GWAC for small business? Do you have a sense for the timetable?

Answer 3: Alliant 3 is an unrestricted GWAC. Other Than Small and Small Business are eligible to participate in the solicitation. We also recommend vendors interested in a small business set-aside GWAC to view the Polaris GWAC, VETS II GWAC, and 8(a) STARS III GWAC websites:

• Polaris GWAC: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris

• VETS 2 GWAC: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac

• 8(a) STARS III: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii mailto:A3DraftRFP@gsa.gov https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii

(Page | 2) Alliant 3 Q&A Government Response, Release #1 – December 1, 2022

Question 4: I am a small business (SDVOSB) interested in bidding Alliant 3; however, I am not clear on if there will be a small business track for SDVOSB’s. Please advise.

Answer 4: Alliant 3 is an unrestricted GWAC. Other Than Small and Small Business are eligible to participate in the solicitation. We also recommend vendors interested in a small business set-aside GWAC to view the Polaris GWAC, VETS II GWAC, and 8(a) STARS III GWAC websites:

• Polaris GWAC: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris

• VETS 2 GWAC: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac

• 8(a) STARS III: https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii

Question 5: Referencing page 59, Section L.5.1.2 Document Verification and Self Scoring Worksheet: In #3, please clarify that the exception is row 155, not row 128.

Answer 5: Yes, the correct row on J.P-1 is row 155.

Question 6: Referencing page 77: Please clarify what, “"Exclusive to Teaming Small Business Offerors" refers to?

Answer 6: This Item will be deleted. Thank you for your question.

Question 7: Referencing page 78, Section L.5.2 Volume 2 - Relevant Experience, #3.:

Please clarify the intent of "3. Verification of Emerging Technology Relevant Experience Submission."

Answer 7: This Item will be deleted. Thank you for your question.

Question 8: Please confirm that the requirements for eligibility of NAICS Group category of relevant experience (e.g., prime contract) do not apply to the Emerging Technology Category.

Answer 8: This is confirmed. The Offeror must document and attach verification documents in accordance with L.5.2.3.1.1.

Question 9: Referencing Attachment J.P-1, E94-132: Please confirm the formulas should be additive. For example, if an offeror proposes 3 artificial intelligence emerging tech projects, its total score for that element is 600, not 300.

Answer 9: This is confirmed. For each L.5.2.3.1 Emerging Technology Listing, 100 points are scored for the first Emerging Technology Relevant Experience, 200 for the second and 300 for the third, for a potential maximum total of 600 points per listed emerging technology. There are eleven (11) Emerging Technologies listed in L.5.2.3.1, so the potential maximum score in this area is 6,600 points (600 points x 11 Emerging Technology Listings) J.P-1 calculates the points correctly as described.

https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/polaris https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/vets-2-governmentwide-acquisition-contract-gwac https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii https://www.gsa.gov/technology/technology-purchasing-programs/governmentwide-acquisition-contracts/8a-stars-iii

(Page | 3) Alliant 3 Q&A Government Response, Release #1 – December 1, 2022

Question 10: How many contracts were issued under the Alliant 2 vehicle?

Answer 10: There were 60 awardees on Alliant 2 at the Notice to Proceed on July 1, 2018.

Question 11: Is the Alliant 2 contracts list made public or can we request one?

Answer 11: The list of awardees was made public and can be viewed at https://sam.gov/opp/6a2c0fdf38d58e0712297cde9cf7615e/view. The list of current awardees is published on the A2 website: www.gsa.gov/alliant2

Question 12: What was the average value of each contract under Alliant 2?

Answer 12: The average competed award under Alliant 2 is $116M. Information regarding task orders is available at Governmentwide Acquisition Contract Dashboards: www.gsa.gov/gwacdashboards

Question 13: Who are the specific customers that utilize Alliant 2?

Answer 13: Alliant 2 is currently available for use by any federal agency.

Additionally, Alliant 3 will be available for use by any federal agency. Information regarding task orders is available at Governmentwide Acquisition Contract Dashboards: www.gsa.gov/gwacdashboards

Question 14: I was curious if GSA intends to move forward with an Alliant 3 Small Business GWAC? Thank you for any information / updates you can share.

Answer 14: Alliant 3 will be an unrestricted GWAC. GSA has multiple Small Business GWACs such as 8(a) STARS III, VETS II and Polaris.

Question 15: What is a draft Request for Proposal (RFP)?

Answer 15: The draft RFP is made available for informational purposes, public review, and comments. A draft request for proposal is NOT a formal RFP, and proposals are NOT being requested or evaluated at this time. There may be substantial changes made to the final RFP based upon changing circumstances, requirements, and public feedback. A final RFP will be released at a later date, in which interested parties may submit proposals.

Question 16: Is Alliant 3 a new GWAC?

Answer 16: Alliant 3 is a new unrestricted enterprise GWAC from GSA. Alliant and Alliant 2 were previously awarded unrestricted enterprise GWACs from GSA.

https://sam.gov/opp/6a2c0fdf38d58e0712297cde9cf7615e/view http://www.gsa.gov/alliant2 http://www.gsa.gov/gwacdashboards http://www.gsa.gov/gwacdashboards

(Page | 4) Alliant 3 Q&A Government Response, Release #1 – December 1, 2022

Question 17: What are the planned features for Alliant 3?

Answer 17: Features under Alliant 3 include:

• Providing an Unpriced Master Contract (subject to approval)

• Maintaining a Best-in-Class (BIC) solution designation

• Sustaining Standardized Labor Categories (LCATS) and the Prices Paid

Portal

• No Master Contract Ceiling (subject to approval)

• Implementing Innovative Environmental and Sustainability Plans

• Enhancing the Customer Experience

• Increased IT Modernization Capabilities

• Performance Standard Improvement

• Provisioning for Regular Open Seasons

• Streamlining Proposal Submissions and Evaluations

• Increased Focus on Small Business through Subcontracting Plans, Performance Standards, and Evaluation Factor

Question 18: How will Alliant 3 differ from Alliant 2?

Answer 18: Alliant 3 will build upon the successful Alliant and Alliant 2 GWACs but it is a new unrestricted enterprise GWAC which will have an increased focus on emerging technology, performance based contracting measures, small business subcontracting; open seasons and an environmental and sustainability plan.

Additional differentiating features in Alliant 3 will be:

• Providing an Unpriced Master Contract (subject to approval)

• Eliminating a Master Contract Ceiling (subject to approval)

• Provisioning for Open Seasons opportunities

Question 19: How many contract awards are expected on Alliant 3?

Answer 19: Based on market research, we are expecting sixty (60) awards.

Question 20: How many awardees are on the existing Alliant 2?

Answer 20: There are currently forty (40) awardees on Alliant 2.

Question 21: How can an interested party receive more information about Alliant 3?

Answer 21: An Interested party can receive more information pertinent to Alliant 3 by referencing the following websites: www.gsa.gov/alliant3 and https://interact.gsa.gov/node/467746 http://www.gsa.gov/alliant3 https://interact.gsa.gov/node/467746

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Question 22: For the existing Alliant 2 GWAC, how many awards has the GSA made?

Answer 22: Sixty (60) companies initially received Alliant 2 awards. This number has been reduced to forty (40) over the four years that Alliant 2 has been active.

These reductions are a result of the terms of Alliant 2 being enforced. This number is subject to change as Alliant 2 contract terms continue to be enforced.

Question 23: Does the government intend to conduct an open season on Alliant 2?

Answer 23: We are presently focused on Alliant 3, not an open season on Alliant 2.

It is in the best interest of both industry and government to focus on Alliant 3 vs. an open season on Alliant 2 (which will not run through its entire ordering period).

Question 24: After the Alliant 3 contract is awarded, will GSA consider adding additional companies to the contract at a later date?

Answer 24: Yes, subject to the Open Season terms of the Alliant 3 master contract.

Question 25: Has GSA previously conducted an Open Season on any GWACs?

Answer 25: Yes, on 8(a)STARS II

Question 26: Is there an estimated percentage of work that will occur outside the United States?

Answer 26: We do not have an estimate on the percentage of work which may occur outside the United States on Alliant 3. On Alliant 2 to date, approximately 5% of the value of awards, and 3% of the tasks have been to tasks with primary place of performance outside the United States. Other tasks may include work outside of the United States as secondary locations.

Question 27: Are Alliant 3 prime contract holders able to team with other companies at the task order level?

Answer 27: Subcontracting is available at the task order level.

Question 28: What is the anticipated period of performance as well as any option periods for Alliant 3?

Answer 28: A 10-year term. One 5-year base period with one five-year option period.

Question 29: What is the anticipated annual spend for the life of the proposed acquisition?

Answer 29: It is difficult to accurately anticipate annual spend as the majority of the tasks on the GWACs come from outside of GSA.

(Page | 6) Alliant 3 Q&A Government Response, Release #1 – December 1, 2022

Answer 29 (continued): Alliant averaged $4.6B awards over its ten (10) year ordering period, however it had over $10B in awards in FY18. Alliant 2 averaged over $11B a year in estimated value of awards for FY20, FY21, and FY22. Although year by year fluctuations are inevitable, we expect spend on Alliant 3 to remain steady or trend upwards.

Question 30: When does GSA anticipate issuing a final RFP?

Answer 30: It is anticipated that a final RFP will be released sometime in the calendar year 2023.

Question 31: When does GSA intend to award Alliant 3?

Answer 31: That has not yet been determined, however we are working as expeditiously as possible.

Question 32: Has GSA engaged with Industry on this new strategy?

Answer 32: This strategy was developed after extensive market research. This draft RFP is part of engagement with industry and industry feedback is welcomed. GSA also intends to engage with industry trade groups interested in the contract (CGP, ACT-IAC, PSC, AFCEA, etc.).

Question 33: How is the Alliant 3 contract likely to be (a) similar and (b) different from

OASIS+?

Answer 33 (a): Together with GSA’s existing services offerings, these two contracts are being designed to help agencies achieve their mission with the right services at the right time. The overall contracts goals are the same:

• Fulfill federal agencies' IT and non-IT services requirements through highly qualified contractors and a simpler buying experience.

• Expand access to best-in-class IT and non-IT service contracts for highly qualified contractors while providing for increased small business opportunities and an improved selling experience.

• Achieve significant burden reduction for both government and industry.

Answer 33 (b): Both Alliant 3 and OASIS+ are multiple award contract execution platforms, each with a separate target market, e.g., a key difference is that Alliant 3 is for information technology (IT) services-based solutions and OASIS+ is for various non-IT professional services-based solutions. And where Alliant 3 is one of several GWACs in GSA’s GWAC portfolio, OASIS+ is an umbrella program name with multiple scope areas (domains). Subject to change, structural contract similarities include: Ceiling, Pricing, and Period of Performance. The number of suppliers and on ramp frequency are also likely to vary, given the market research and precedents from prior generation contracts which have built marketplace goodwill.

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Answer 33 (b) (continued): Naturally with the target market being different the scope of the two contracts will be complementary, with some inevitable overlap as both support a solutions-based contracting approach tied to their focal areas, i.e., IT or professional services.

Question 34: Alliant 3 intends to make the same number of awards as Alliant 2, but you plan to work in open seasons. Why limit to 60 awardees and not just leave the contract continuously open to new offers?

Answer 34: Alliant 3 was designed after a significant amount of research and data analysis. Alliant 2 averages 68 competed task orders per year and maintains a bid average of more than three proposals per task. We expect that this volume of competed tasks will continue on Alliant 3 and a pool of 60 awardees is appropriate.

Question 35: Does the Alliant 2 or 3 contract have Environmental Sustainability considerations such as tracking greenhouse gas emission or emission reduction target?

Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/10/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-plan-to-protect-federal-supply-chain-from-climate-related-risks/ ?

Answer 35: The Alliant 2 GWAC is the First Governmentwide Multiple-Award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (MA-IDIQ) to require Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting and contain emission reduction targets. The Alliant 2 GWAC is a leader and a pioneer in the Environmental Sustainability space, and we will continue to innovate on Alliant 3.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/10/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-plan-to-protect-federal-supply-chain-from-climate-related-risks/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/10/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-plan-to-protect-federal-supply-chain-from-climate-related-risks/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/10/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-plan-to-protect-federal-supply-chain-from-climate-related-risks/