DRAFT_RFP_QA_Amendment_2.xlsx
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- Attached to
- RFP for Quantitative Research Analytical Data Support (QRADS) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 50310218R0002
- Issued by
- Securities and Exchange Commission
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UPDATED DRAFT SOLICITATION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2-1-2018
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Sheet1 Draft RFP Q&A
| ID | Question | RFP Section | Paragraph(s) | Page(s) | Response |
| 1 | The maximum value referenced for each Channel is very specific. Can the Government provide a detailed description of how the total value for the program and each Channel value was estimated? | Section B.2 | 3rd paragraph | 7/8 of 181 | As stated in Section B.2.b of the RFP, The maximum (total) dollar amount of all orders issued under each Channel identified is the Government’s best estimate of the total value of all work to be performed in the respective Channel for the base period and if all options are exercised. Further Section B.3 states - The collective program ceiling across all contracts awarded is $48,829,526 inclusive of each of the five (5) Channel CLINs for all ordering periods (if all options are exercised). The maximum ceiling amounts at the Channel CLIN levels for each of the five (5) channels for each ordering period is for estimating purposes only. Actual ceiling restrictions shall be applied at the total program level without limitation among these individual Channel CLIN estimates. The maximum value of $48,829,526 as stated above, is a collective ceiling that will be shared among all IDIQ awardees across all contracts and task orders awarded if all options are exercised. |
| 2 | EXTENDED HOURS/OVERTIME (AUG 2014) says, “All additional hours worked will be paid at the same rate agreed to in the contract unless otherwise determined by the Department of Labor in accordance with the Service Contract Act.” We understand the primary purpose of the proposed effort is to provide services not covered by the Service Contract Act (SCA) and therefore SCA does not apply. Can the Government confirm? | Section H.23.1 (SEC 6010.09) | 1st paragraph | 55 of 181 | Although the Government anticipates proposed labor categories may not be covered by the Service Contract Act (SCA), a prospective vendor may conclude a SCA labor category is required for a specific requirement in the RFP and therefore, SCA would be applicable. Also, the beginning of the clause which states "Contractor personnel assigned under this contract may be required to work additional hours during specific periods of time. The Program Manager will obtain pre approval by the Contracting Officer’s Representative or Contracting Officer in writing prior to the contractor personnel working any additional hours" is applicable to all Labor categories proposed for this effort. |
| 3 | SEC 508 REQUIREMENTS (MAR 2011) says, “The Contractor shall indicate for each line item in the schedule whether each product or service is compliant or non-compliant with the accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194 using a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). Further, the quote must indicate where full details of compliance can be found (e.g., vendor’s website or other exact location).” Respondents to this solicitation must provide any additional detailed information necessary for determining applicable Section 508 standards conformance, as well as for documenting EIT products and/or services that are incidental to the project, which would constitute an exception to Section 508 requirements. Is Section 508 conformance information required to be submitted in each Channel proposal? If yes, may competitors place Section 508 conformance information in Volume 1, Tab B "Contract Documents and Associated Information"? | Section H.12 (SEC 6012.02) | 4th paragraph | 45 of 181 | Yes, Section 508 conformance information is required to be submitted in each Channel proposal? Competitors shall place Section 508 conformance information in Volume 1, Tab B "Contract Documents and Associated Information" in accordance with the revised section L of the RFP. |
| 4 | Can the Government clarify if the example list of personal positions for Channel 3 should be considered as Key or Non-Key Personnel? If Key Personnel, can the Government reconcile between these roles and those listed as Key Personnel for Channel 3 on page 126 of the draft RFP, where Project Manager is the sole Key Personnel? | ATTACHMENT L-2 Description of Key Personnel Labor Categories by Channel | Recommendation for Channel 3 - Sample Key Personnel | 128 of 181 | They should be considered non-key personnel. However, the offeror needs to keep in mind that they are able to propose additional key personnel as they see fit and can therefore consider these example personnel as they make their determination as to whether or not to propose additional key personnel. |
| 5 | In multiple instances, the RFP states that an Offeror’s proposal acceptance period must be valid for 211 calendar days; however, this section specifies “through 180 calendar days”. Can the Government confirm if this should read as “211 calendar days?” | Section L.9.3, Tab A | 1st paragraph | 85/86 of 181 | Confirmed, this should be 211 days and we have updated it in this section. |
| 6 | What was the rationale which resulted in a departure from the procurement strategy articulated during Industry Day on November 2d? For example: |
1. QRADS would be a small business contract (to paraphrase: "You large businesses better go find a small business prime?" Further, the statements made regarding QRADS being a small business contract led to Question #30 in the original Q&A: Q -Why should a large business respond to the RFP? A-A large business should respond to the RFP if they determine they can provide the services requested by the SEC.)
2. Contract awardees would be able to bid on task orders in any channel. The DRFP only allows Channel awardees to bid on tasks within the awarded Channel.
| 1. As stated in the Federal Business Opportunities announcement the purpose of Industry Day is to exchange preliminary information about a potential Request for Proposals (RFP), to present the Quantitative Research Analytical Data Support (QRADS) requirement, and to solicit feedback on the Government's acquisition strategy for this potential solicitation. The Government made the determination to include other than small businesses to maximize competition. 2. If a vendor is awarded an IDIQ contract within a specific Channel, the vendor can bid on task orders for that specific channel. For example, if a vendor is awarded IDIQ contracts in Channels 1, 2 and 4, they are able to bid for task orders in those Channels. | |||||
| 7 | Given that small businesses are currently successfully performing the work described in all of the Channels, why wouldn't the Government consider making small business set aside awards in Channels 2-5? | Other than small businesses have also successfully performed QRADS requirements. After extensive market research, the Government made the determination to set aside Channel 1 for small businesses and include other than small businesses for Channels 2-5 to maximize competition. | |||
| 8 | Depending the Agile Methodology (i.e. Scrum, Kanban, Lean), which SEC stakeholder (e.g. COR, SEC PM, or another SEC resource) will be identified as the product owner to determine the priorities of the project backlog. | This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but it is likely that it will be either the SEC PM or another SEC resource/SME. | |||
| 9 | Will the SEC master plan/ project plan allow for sprint zero to establish the initial Agile project team culture and provide workflows feedback between the SEC and vendor project team? | Yes, the master plan/project plan can provide for a sprint zero to establish the Agile cadence/culture. | |||
| 10 | Will the SEC provide agile coaches to the project teams and for SEC stakeholders to be able to provide feedback and adjustment to agile workflows? | The SEC is beginning its roll-out of Agile as a methodology across the agency, and does not have extensive experience in-house. The vendor team should expect to provide some coaching in collaboration with existing SEC resources. | |||
| 11 | How much time will be allowed from Final RFP to proposal due date? | 30 days minimum; however, this may change so please review the RFP and any amendments. | |||
| 12 | Will the Government consider allowing subcontractor past performance to be submitted for evaluation? | Tab E – Corporate Experience and Past Performance | p. 89 The Offeror shall identify three (3) contracts/task orders with the Federal Government or Industry that demonstrate recent and relevant past performance. | p.89 | Please note: Sections L and M have been revised. Please review the revised sections. |
| 13 | What is a Work Category? | p. 114 Work Category | All references to "Work Category" have been removed. | ||
| 14 | The Labor Rates Table contains columns for Hourly Labor Rate |
(On-site) and Hourly Labor Rate (Off-site). However, the Sample Task Pricing Template, Tables 1 and 2, only contains columns for IDIQ and Discounted Hourly Rate.
| What rates does the Government want to see in the SAMPLE TASK PRICING TEMPLATE, on-site, off-site, or both? If the latter, will the table be updated to accommodate the additional information? | Labor Rate Tables, Sample Task Pricing Template | p. 114 LABOR RATES TABLE | ||||
| p. 120 SAMPLE TASK PRICING TEMPLATE | The Sample Task Pricing Template is relevant to the specific Sample Task for each Channel. Section F of the Sample Task specifically states the place of performance. The place of performance determines whether on-site or off-site rates should be proposed in the sample task pricing template. | |||||
| 15 | Tab B states: "Identify specific techniques and methods proposed to complete each requirement of the sample task order and demonstrate organizational knowledge and capabilities for the work." Is the term "requirement" in reference to the Statement of Work Tasks (e.g. C.4. Task 1 – Master Project Plan) or to the unnumbered bulleted tasks in the Sample Task SOW under C.3 Project Scope. | L | L.9.2 | 83 | Section L has been revised. See revised Section L. | |
| 16 | Is it the Government's intent for each offeror to address the requirements of Section I (Statement of Work) for each Channel only in the Sample Task Response Volume II or additionally in the IDIQ Response in Volume II. | L | L.9.3 | 85 | Section L has been revised. See revised Section L | |
| 17 | Tab B states: "Identify specific techniques and methods proposed to complete each requirement of the Channel and demonstrate your organizational knowledge and capabilities to perform the work." Is the term "requirement" in reference to, in the case for example of Channel 3, the C.4.3.2 Tasks on page 19? | L | L.9.3 | 85 | Section L has been revised. See revised Section L | |
| 18 | Subfactor 1.1 states that, "The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s experience in designing, developing and executing quantitative research and data analytics projects in the channels described in the statement of work. Relevant factors will include experience with the software development lifecycle, big data, database management tools, agile development, machine learning, and analytical tools, as appropriate. The Offeror may present specific experience against specific channels; an Offeror will not be penalized for not presenting experience in all channels." There is no corresponding Sect L instructions that require this experience to be described. | M | M.3.2 | 92 | Section M has been revised. See revised Section L | |
| 19 | The offeror’s "demonstrated ability to work as a team" is asked for in Section L under Subfactor 1.1 but in Section M it is evaluated under Subfactor 1.2 and also under Subfactor 3.2." Please clarify. | M | M.3.2 | 92 | Section M has been revised. See revised Section L | |
| 20 | M.3.5. states in part that, "The Government will evaluate the Offeror’s experience in designing, developing and executing quantitative research and data analytics projects in the channels described in the statement of work. Relevant factors will include experience with the software development lifecycle, big data, database management tools, agile development, machine learning, and analytical tools, as appropriate." Although this evaluation subfactor provides detailed technical criteria, the corresponding Sect L instructions of Tab E, including the questions provided in the Past Performance Questionnaires, only provide broad guidance. | M | M.3.5 | 94 | Section M has been revised. See revised Section L | |
| 21 | Proposal validity requirements call for 211 calendar days in several sections but in L.9.3 Tab A, 180 days is specified. | L | L.9.1 | 78 | It should be 211 days and has been updated. | |
| 22 | M.3 states that, "The Government will evaluate each prime Contractor and their Subcontractors, as applicable." Are subcontractor references permitted? | L | L.9.3 | 87 | Subcontractor references will be permitted. See the solicitation itself for updated sections L and M. | |
| 23 | H.19.1 states that "The Contractor shall designate specific senior level professional and managerial personnel as key personnel who are essential to the successful performance of work under this contract. Key personnel shall be available for full-time assignment as necessary to efficiently manage the work of the contract and shall be available on the effective date of award. Key personnel shall include the following in the table below and are TBD at the Task Order level." Can additional/proposed key personnel be identified at a later time, or is the key personnel identified the only resource that can support task order(s)? | H | H.19.1 | 50 | Additional/Proposed Key Personnel can be identified at a later time, however, the Government has the right to approve/disapprove any key personnel proposed or additions. | |
| 24 | H.19 states "The Contractor shall provide skilled personnel required for the effective and efficient performance of this contract. The Program Manager shall be an employee of the Prime Contractor." - 1) Does the Prime need to submit a Resume for the Program Manager position? - 2) Can the Program Manager be the same person as one of the Key Personnel listed in section H.19.1? (e.g. Project Manager in Channel 4). | H | H19 | 49-50 | The Project Manager is a designated Key Personnel Labor category at the Task Order Level and a resume is required. Section H.19 has been revised. See the revised Section H.19 | |
| 25 | Please advise is there are standard formats for recommendations? If so, please provide those standard formats for reference. | RFP Channel 2 | Section C.7 Task 4 Recommendation Packages, | Page 156 | There is no standard format for recommendations. These may be presented in an agreed upon format with the SEC COR and PM. | |
| 26 | Please clarify and/or provide a full itemization of the data sets that could be provided, including the type, and format, and origins of those data sets. | RFP Channel 2 | Section C.3 | Page 154 | Each project in Channel 2 is task-specific, so it is impractical to provide a list of potential data sets at this time. Each task order will be specific in its presentation of the work to be done. | |
| 27 | Are the models expected to be exposed as REST or similar services and integrated with other platforms, or are these models and applications only designed to preserve their output to the database in question? | RFP Channel 2 | Section C.3 | Page 154 | The nature of the models and applications to be developed are diverse and are specific to the proposed task order. Generally, the application rests on a single platform, but may use a variety of data sets as inputs. | |
| 28 | a) Will the government consider subcontractor past performance and respective questionnaires? | RFP Section L, Corporate References | Tab E– Corporate Experience and Past Performance | Page 89 | See revised sections L and M. | |
| 29 | b) Please clarify whether Offerors are being asked for 3 relevant past performances per channel | RFP Section L, Corporate References | Tab E– Corporate Experience and Past Performance | Page 89 | Three Relevant past performances are required for each Channel. | |
| 30 | Please clarify and define the PPQ parameters, especially when bidding multiple channels, e.g. can three PPQs cover all channels? | RFP Section L, Corporate References | Tab E– Corporate Experience and Past Performance | Page 89 | Up to three Past Performance Questionnaire's may be provided for each Channel | |
| 31 | Could the government please expand on what "other file systems" for which the Contractor is requested to perform data management functions? | RFP Channel 3 | Section C.4.3.2 | page 20 | As technology advances and changes, there may be a need to provide data management for file systems which cannot be projected at this point. The SEC needs to have the ability to change as technology changes and the Office of Information Technology adopts new platforms or file systems. | |
| 32 | Please provide a copy of the "SEC DERA DataStage Job_Design_Standards_Guide" as part of this procurement and Contractor Bidder’s Library? | Section C.4.3.2, | page 20 | The Design Standards Guide will be provided to the vendor as part of the project initiation phase. | ||
| 33 | Please provide the "SEC and OIT data retention policies/processes while maintaining data integrity" as part of this procurement and Contractor Bidder’s Library? | RFP Section I | Channel 3 | page 5 | Any relevant policies and procedures documentation will be provided to the vendor as part of the project initiation phase. | |
| 34 | a) Is selection of the tools in-scope of this engagement? | RFP | Section C 4.5.2 | page 22 | The selection of tools will be done in consultation with the SEC SME. | |
| 35 | b) Are there any analytic tools currently in-place that we will be expected to use? | RFP | Section C 4.5.2 | page 22 | Please see the Key Personnel Description (pages 126-127) for Channel 5, Text Analytical Programming Analyst, for expected skillsets with respect to tools. | |
| 36 | If yes, please provide details and/or those comprehensive lists. | RFP | Section C 4.5.2 | page 22 | Please see the Key Personnel Description (pages 126-127) for Channel 5, Text Analytical Programming Analyst, for expected skillsets with respect to tools. | |
| 37 | a) Will the data for this project be made available to the contractor for processing remotely or will the data need to be processed on-site? | RFP | Section C 4.4.2, General/Place of Performance, | pages 20-21 | All data processing is done in-house at the SEC. | |
| 38 | b) Please confirm Place of Performance and or classify whether there are remote positions, e.g. sought-after Capital Markets Expert SMEs working out of other SEC offices | RFP | Section C 4.4.2, General/Place of Performance, | pages 20-21 | Generally, place of performance is at SEC HQ. The government is open to negotiating the work location of Capital Markets SMEs, potentially in other SEC regional offices. | |
| 39 | a) Does SEC have an estimate of the number of reports required for this? | RFP Channel 4 | Section C 4.4.2 | pages 20-21 | No, this is a broad description of the types of projects that may fall under this channel. | |
| 40 | b) How many “internal” reports does SEC currently have? | RFP Channel 4 | Section C 4.4.2 | pages 20-21 | The SEC has multitudinous internal reports; this Section refers to reports that may designed with respect to a specific project. | |
| 41 | What are the possible data sources that will feed into reporting? | RFP Channel 4 | Section C.4.4.2 | pages 20-21 | Potential data sources include commercial data sets, EDGAR XBRL data, and internally generated data sets. | |
| 42 | Is there a plan for user adoption of the reporting and analytics solutions? | RFP Channel 4 | Section C.4.4.2 | pages 20-21 | The user adoption should be addressed through the communication plan associated with the project, designed in conjunction with the government. | |
| 43 | There is reference that the contractor must demonstrate compliance with NIST 800-61 as related to protection of PII. This includes a quarterly attestation. Does this apply even if we work completely on their equipment? | RFP | H.15 (SEC 6012.05) | Page 45 | Yes. | |
| 44 | In the description for Channel 4, SEC has asked for technical expertise in econometric and statistical methods, graphical visualization, producing & maintaining models and reports, etc. However, the sample task order outlines a task to create and update help files and documentation for reports. We feel that based on the task order, you may not receive the appropriate level of technical expertise from a vendor to meet your overall objectives for the channel. Would you consider replacing the sample task order, with something more in line with those objectives? | Section C.4.4 | Section C.4.4 | page 20 | Noted, although at this point the final RFP has been released. Any task order in this Channel will look for specific expertise to support the project. | |
| 45 | To demonstrate recent and relevant past performance, the SEC asks for examples from work with the Federal Government or Industry. Would the SEC consider past work with state and local governments under the “industry” category? Or would you be amenable to replacing the language with “Federal Government, State and Local Government, or Industry”? | Reference Tab E | page 87 | The language has been replaced to include Federal, State and Local Government or Industry. Please note Sections L and M have been revised. See revised Sections L and M. | ||
| 46 | Contract Pricing, of the draft RFP states that all Task Orders will be subject to the pricing set for in Attachment B-1, Labor Rate Tables. Some firms work exclusively on a firm fixed-price basis, and do not have individual labor categories and associated hourly rates available. Similar to GSA Schedules which permit a “team bundle”, weekly fixed rate price structure, will the SEC permit Offerors to modify Attachment B-1, Labor Rate Tables to accommodate offerors to propose a team bundle, weekly fixed rate price structure in accordance with approved firm-fixed-pricing, which focus on deliverable-based pricing? | Reference Section B.4 | page 6 | No. Attachment B-1 Labor Rate Tables should not be modified. This attachment will only be applicable to offerors receiving IDIQ awards and will be created at the time of contract award by the government and included in each awardees individual IDIQ contract award. | ||
| 47 | Can the government please clarify how many of the 3 past performances requested have to be attributed to the prime contractors, vs. a sub-contractor(s) for those vendor that plan to team up for this response? | Tab E – | Corporate Experience and Past Performance | Page 89 | Please note: Sections L and M have been revised. Please review the revised sections. | |
| 48 | During the industry day, the Government mentioned that it is interested in more competition amongst vendors when pursuing task orders. In light of this statement, we would ask the government to consider increasing the minimum number of awards per channel to a minimum of 3 or 4 in order to stimulate competition not just for the IDIQ vehicle itself, but also for individual task orders. | Draft RFP Overview | Second to last paragraph | Page 1 | Noted. | |
| 49 | During the Industry Day meeting, the Government mentioned that Channel 4 has been historically under-utilized in terms of spend, and that you expect this to continue in the next iteration of the procurement. However, the table in Section B.2 shows the estimated maximums to be high relative to other channels, especially channel 2 that was described as a primary channel for this type of work. Can the government please confirm its intent to begin utilizing channel 4 more robustly in the future? | Section B.2 | Estimated Channel Maximums | Page 6 | Section B-2 has been revised. See revised Section B.2. |
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