49100421Q0078 Questions and Answers 20210608.docx

49100421Q0078 Questions and Response 8 June 2021

1) How should the proposal be submitted? Is there a page limit?

Proposals should be submitted electronically via email to the contracting officer by the required date and time. There is a page limit, however the following documents do not count towards the page limit:

· Resumes or CV

· The returned solicitation document and amendment documents

· The returned evaluation sheet With that in mind, additional documentation must not exceed 20 pages. Multiple emails may be submitted.

2) Page 11, Section A.5, Provision 52.212-3 Offeror Reps and Certs – states in the first paragraph:

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

If I have kept my Representations and Certifications updated electronically in SAM, this means I do not have to complete anything in sections C through V (C begins at the bottom of page 14, with V ending at the top of page 27)?

Correct, if you have an up-to-date SAM registration with a complete representations and certifications this section does not require further input. Note that per the solicitation requirements, this is a 100% small business set aside under NAICS 621111. You must be registered as a small business in SAM under this NAICS to be eligible for award.

3) Page 27, Section A.6, Provision 52-212-5: This section does not require input or any fill-ins, merely acceptance, correct?

Correct, this section does not require any input from the offeror. Please note, however, that an offeror is agreeing to all the clauses included in this section if they are determined to be the awardee and accept the award. Offerors are required to read this section and understand the contractual terms they are agreeing to. Note, clauses that have [X] are included. Clauses that have an empty box (it looks like “[]”) are not included. If a clause does not have a box at all then it is included (typically because it is required for all contracts).

4) Page 33-34, Section A.7 thru A.8, 52.217-8 and A.8 52.217-9: Save for providing cost information for the option periods, these sections do not require any input, correct?

Correct, these sections do not require any input within the specific section, but please remember to provide the price information in Section A.2.

5) Page 34, Section A.9, 52.204-24: The only section requiring input is section (d), correct?

Correct. Note that subsection (1) does not need to be filled in if the offeror does not provide telecommunication equipment or services (IE, you are not involved in the relevant NAICS). Subsection (2) requires the offeror affirm that they do or do not use covered telecommunications equipment. For the definition of ‘covered telecommunications equipment’ please see the full-text of Clause 52.204-25. This clause is included in the contract by reference, meaning it is included on the contract but not in full-text. Its reference is in Section A.6.

6) Page 36, Section A.10: There are no fill-ins or responses required for these clauses, merely acknowledgement and acceptance, correct?

Correct. No fil-ins or response is required, but be mindful that if determined to be the awardee and accepting the award means you will adhere to these clauses.

7) Page 37, Section A.11: Electronic Invoicing – this section does not require any action for the solicitation at this time, correct?

Correct. This section describes the electronic payment process. The offeror must be willing to accept electronic payments, written checks or other means of payment are not possible.

8) Page 38, Section A.12: Does the offeror submit their key personnel, IE, does the offeror fill-in the name?

Yes, the offeror should submit who their key person is. The resumes and evaluation sheet should reflect the experience of this key person.

9) Page 39, Section A.13, Registering Research.Gov: If we are already registered in research.gov is any further action required for proposal submittal? Instructions will be provided by the contracting officer, correct?

Registering in research.gov is a requirement unique to NSF and a few fellow agencies to facilitate electronic invoicing. If you are not registered currently, you do not need to register. The potential awardee, if not registered at the time of award, will be provided instructions on how to register. Status of registration will not affect award determinations in any way. The CO will directly inform you when you need to register.

10) Are there estimated hours for the following duties?

The following are for estimation purposes and do not represent firm or guaranteed requirements.

0. Medical Waiver & Clearance related work hours:

5 hours per week (Note that this is subject to change, as there are periods (weeks) where waivers aren’t submitted).

0. Formal meeting attendance (in-person) hours?

3-5 hours per week.

0. On-call Consultations hours?

No on-call hours; however, approx. 2 hours per week reviewing policy or providing medical opinion.

0. NSF OPP Liaison Panel Participation hours? Is participation in-person or virtual?

Potential Panel participation once per quarter, estimated 2 hours. Participation is virtual.

0. Any other hours?

No

11) Would NF consider a CLIN to capture travel costs related to performance?

Yes, and said CLINs have now been added to the solicitation via amendment 0001. Note that these CLINs have price already filled in. Offerors are not to provide their own price for travel. As travel costs are reimbursable, they are not considered in the evaluation of offerors.

12) Is any travel other than that to the NSF HQ in Virginia required?

Yes, every 2-3 years travel may be required to McMurdo Station in Antarctica or Summit Station in Greenland. These are not guaranteed trips and subject to program needs and constraints, but the possibility does exist. Given the complexity of travel for these trips they are arranged in coordination with NSF and the contractor will be notified in advance. The statement of work has had information added to address this travel.

13) Would the Government consider 2 billing rates: Monthly Retainer Rate (for being on-Call) and a Hourly Labor Rate when working?

Only one rate is being considered at this time.