SCOAR_RFP_6913G619R200032_A0003_May_7,2019.pdf

(x)

6913G619R200032 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

6913G6

Cambridge MA 02142-1001 55 Broadway

VOLPE NAT'L TRANSPORTATION SYS CNTR

05/08/20190003

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

04/19/2019

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Include responses the questions received via Attachment 1- SCOAR Request for Request For

Proposal (RFP) Questions and Government Responses.

Please acknowledge receipt of this amendment with the submission of your proposal.

All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged

IT Related Pur: YES

Period of Performance: 08/01/2019 to 07/31/2023

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Mary E. Doherty

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

Solicitation 6913G619R200032 SCOAR Amendment 3 May 8, 2019

Attachment 1

SCOAR Request for Proposal (RFP) Questions Received and Government Responses

Solicitation 6913G619R200032 Amendment A0003

May 8, 2019

RFP Section Question Government Response

1. General A form that appears to be for an

8(a) directed award, is it a competitive 8(a)?

Yes. This is a competitive 8(a) set-aside solicitation.

The intent of the form titled “NOTICE TO POTENTIAL OFFERORS” is to notify Offerors that the DOT has a partnership agreement in place with the SBA. The SBA will not be a signatory on the SCOAR contracts. The other purpose of the form is to obtain the contact information for each Offeror’s

SBA

District Office point of contact. Offerors shall complete and submit the form with their proposal.

2. RFP pg. 59, Clause H.15 Accounting System

(MAY 2013)

Would this section impact 8(a) firm that do not have a need to do this system adequacy thus far?

Is there an alternative approach to this requirement?

Yes. Section H.15 Accounting System (May 2013) applies to all Offerors. There is no alternative approach. The Contracting Officer will request information from the cognizant DCAA and/or DCMA office as necessary and evaluate the Offeror’s proposal using the information obtained.

No, there is not an alternative approach to this requirement.

3. Does the prime contractor need to have an accounting system that has been audited by the DCMA to support this contract? For firms that have not

See Section H.15 Accounting System (May 2013).

The Contracting Officer will request information from the cognizant DCAA and/or DCMA office as necessary and evaluate the Offeror’s proposal using the information obtained.

had the audit, can we complete this after award?

4. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) sect. 15.305(a)(2)(iii) states that a “past performance evaluation should take into account past performance from predecessor companies…”. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently ruled a RFP for the United States Army Corps of Engineers was “unduly restrictive of competition” because the agency refused to consider past performance of affiliates that would participate.

Consistent with recent GAO decisions and the above FAR provisions, will experience and past performance of predecessor companies, and affiliates be evaluated? If this experience will be evaluated, will this experience be evaluated using the same criteria as experience from the prime offeror if meaningful involvement is demonstrated for contract performance?

Yes, if the past performance information from predecessor companies or affiliates is relevant to this acquisition then it will be evaluated using the same criteria as experience from the prime Offeror.

5. For JV arrangements, please confirm that only one version of attachment J.7 is required for the JV entity, as opposed to requiring a separate version for each partner firm.

Yes, one attachment J.7 can be submitted by the joint venture entity. However, the submission should accurately reflect each partner firm’s direct and indirect allowable costs.

6. Attachment J.2, PDF

States that the Transition Manager and Program Manager need a “Master’s degree (or equivalent*).” Please clarify what is meant by “or equivalent*”?

The Equivalency Table Qualification in attachment J.2 was updated in SCOAR Amendment 0002, to provide the requirements for “or equivalent”.

7. L.7.2

VOLUME III

Oral Presentation Slides, Volume III shall consist of slides the Offeror intends to present during its structured oral presentation.

(page 106)

Please elaborate on the following regarding logistics for the oral presentations:

a) What period of time does the Government expect for the oral presentations to take place?

b) Where will the presentations take place?

c) When bidding both CLINS 0100 & 0200, can the offeror anticipate both presentations take place on the same day?

a) It is anticipated that the oral presentations will be conducted during the weeks of June 10, 2019 and June 17, 2019.

b) The oral presentations will held be at the John A Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. Please see the Volpe Center’s website for directions detailed in our visitor’s guide:

https://www.volpe.dot.gov/about-us/volpe-visitors-guide

c) No. However, the Government will make a best effort to have the presentations for CLIN 0100 and 0200 on the same day for each Offeror proposing on both CLINs.

d) In approximately how large of a room or auditorium will the presentations be conducted?

e) What equipment (projector, screen, whiteboard, etc.) will be provided?

f) Will the offeror have time to caucus prior to answering each of the questions posed during the oral presentations? If so, for how long?

d) The room provided is a standard conference room, with presenters at the front of the room

e) The Government will not be providing presentation equipment. If such equipment is needed then it will be the responsibility of the offeror to bring with them for their scheduled oral presentation.

f) The offerors will have 5 minutes after each question to caucus prior to answering the question.

8. L.7.2

VOLUME 3

Oral Presentation Slides, MANAGEMENT

APPROACH

The Offeror shall describe its organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, and anticipated level of effort; describe its management and administration team and the capabilities and experience resident within the team to successfully accomplish the requirements of

Factor 2 and 4 indicate there will be one (1) structured question.

Per the Oral Presentation Schedule for CLIN 0100 (page

107) and CLIN 0200 (page 109) we assume Factor 1 will also have one (1) structured question.

Is this a correct assumption?

Yes, the oral presentation schedule in section L.7.2 list “Contract Technical Understanding Question” under factor 1.

CLIN 0100; and its response to the one (1) oral question presented to the Offeror’s team during the oral presentation. (page 107)

9. Can you confirm that you only require (1) resume for PM role?

Yes, a PM resume is required for offers under CLIN 0100. Offers under CLIN 0200 do not require a resume for the PM.

10. Can we submit commercial past performance references to satisfy the past performance volume if it aligns with the functional requirements of this contract?

Yes, relevant commercial past performances references will be considered.

11. Section 5, Page 102 The Offeror is responsible for making all reasonable efforts to ensure that a completed evaluation report is provided for each of the five cited contracts by no later than the due date for receipt of proposals. If the contracting activity has completed a contractor evaluation report and provided a copy to the Offeror, particularly those completed in accordance with Subpart 42.15 of the FAR, a copy of this report is sufficient.

Please confirm that it is sufficient for us to submit a copy of CPAR along with our submission to meet this requirement.

Yes, it is sufficient to submit a complete copy of a relevant CPARS evaluation to meet this requirement.

12. Section 5, Page 102 The Volpe Center uses the

Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) as its primary method for entering past performance information. The Volpe Center can obtain completed past performance evaluations via the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS).

However, the Offeror is responsible for making all reasonable efforts to ensure that copies of the performance evaluation reports (including those found in PPIRS) are provided directly to the Volpe Center CO by the appropriate contracting activity's responding official by no later than the due date for receipt of proposals.

Please let us if the contracting activity’s official is required to send this directly to Volpe.

If applicable, a copy of the CPARS evaluation should be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal. If the evaluation exists in Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) the Offeror can submit a copy of the evaluation themselves. It does not have to come directly from the appropriate contracting activity. If the evaluation does not exist in PPIRS a copy of the evaluation shall be provided directly to the Volpe Center CO by the appropriate contracting activity.

Please note, CPARS.gov is now the official source for past performance information. Effective on January 15, 2019, the PPIRS name is no longer to be used except in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

13. Compensation for Professional Employees states FAR 52.222-46 is incorporated by reference

Would the government consider providing Direct Labor Rates, as done in the past RFPs, to ensure compliance with this FAR Clause?

No, the Government will not be providing direct labor rates.

14. L.7.2 -

VOLUME III

For planning purposes, we presume only the offeror’s proposed Program Manager, Please see the list of presenters located in the Oral Presentation schedule under section L.7.2. Each Offeror is restricted to 6 oral presentation attendees.

Oral Presentation Slides, All presentations shall begin with the introduction of presenters and other members of the Offeror’s team by name, proposed position, and company affiliation.

(page 106)

Transition Manager and Member of the Management Team will be participating in the orals session.

Is that a correct presumption?

15. L.7.2, 1. Volume II, Section 5 – Factor 5, The Offeror must provide a list of the five most relevant contracts that it and/or its major proposed subcontractors that represent over 20 percent of the hours in the Cost and Business Proposal are currently performing or have completed for the Federal Government within the past 3 years with a value over $1,000,000. The list must include those applicable contracts reflecting the involvement of the proposed Task Order Program Manager

We presume all five past performances will be deemed relevant as they are determined to be related to the PWS elements. We further presume the Government is asking for us to clearly indicate in the Past Performance volume those past performances in which our proposed Key Personnel were involved. Are our presumptions correct?

The Offeror shall provide past performance information for their five most relevant contracts.

The following sentence has been removed from L.7.2.1: “The list must include those applicable contracts reflecting the involvement of the proposed Task Order Program Manager and/or Department Managers” and replaced with: “The list should include the involvement of the proposed Key Personnel”.

and/or Department Managers. (page 105)

16. Can we submit commercial past performance references to satisfy the past performance volume if it aligns with the functional requirements of this contract?

Yes, relevant commercial past performances references will be considered.

17. Can the same past performance reference be used for the 2 different CLIN items if it applies to both functional areas?

Yes.

18. Attachment J.2 -- Labor Category Qualifications, Transition Manager (CLIN 0100 and CLIN 0200)

We recommend removing the requirement for 15 years of experience, leaving just the requirement for a "demonstrated ability to successfully lead transition efforts...".

The requirement remains unchanged.

19. Are we required to include all levels of each labor category, or just junior and senior level?

All levels are required.

20. Page 87, L.5.5 Proposal Format

This section describes the required format specifically for Volume II, the Technical Proposal. Do the same requirements apply to Volume I, the Cost and Business Proposal?

Volume I does not contain a page limit.

21. Do Offerors need to prepare a separate Volume 1, Cost and Business Proposal, per CLIN?

Yes, each CLIN shall have a separate Volume I.

22. Section K If the Offeror is registered in SAM, including filling out the

No. Section K shall be completed and submitted with the proposal.

Representations and Certifications, does this satisfy all requirements of Section K?

23. [V III P 106-109]

VOLUME III - ORAL

PRESENTATION

SLIDES

Can the government provide more details surrounding the timing, sequence and venue of oral presentations? Will the government require on-site presentations, or will virtual delivery be allowed?

The oral presentation will be on-site and in person;

virtual delivery is not allowed. The Government anticipates that orals will take place during the period beginning June 10, 2019 and ending June 21, 2019.

24. Will the Offeror be responsible for bringing a projector for the Oral presentation?

Yes, Offerors are responsible for providing their own equipment for oral presentations.

25. Volume III—Oral Presentation Slides, pg

The RFP says, “All presentations shall begin with the introduction of presenters and other members of the Offeror’s team.” How many nonpresenting staff may attend the Oral presentation?

The oral presentation attendees are limited to six people including presenters.

26. Oral Presentation Schedule, pg 107

The labor category “Contract Program Manager” is only referenced in the Oral Presentation Schedule. Is this labor category meant to be “Program Manager”?

Yes, this is the Program Manager. Amendment 0002, updated Section L of the RFP to clarify this requirement.

27. Oral Presentation Schedule, pg 107

The presentation schedule refers to a “management team.” Are Offerors to propose the composition of this team, or does the Government have specific requirements?

Yes, the Offers shall proposal the composition of its team. The Government does not have specific requirements for the management team.

28. L.7.2, Volume III – Oral

Presentation Slides, pg 106-109

Will all offerors participate in oral presentations, or will there be an eligibility determination/down-select based on initial proposal responses?

Yes, all responsive Offerors will participate in oral presentations.

29. Oral Presentation Schedule Volume 3 Oral Presentation – for CLIN 001 and 002, pg 107-

Is the Contract Program Manager the same as the Program Manager identified by the Government throughout sections L and M?

Yes, this is the Program Manager. Amendment 0002, updated Section L of the RFP to clarify this requirement.

30. Oral Presentation Schedule Volume 3 Oral Presentation – for CLIN 001 and 002, pg 107-

Can more than one member of an Offeror’s management team also present in a single evaluation area (excluding transition)?

May the personnel for whom we provide resumes in our proposal also participate in oral presentations?

Presenters are limited to program manager, one member from the management team, and transition managers. The oral presentation attendees are limited to six people including the presenters.

31. Oral Presentation Schedule Volume 3 Oral Presentation – for CLIN 001 and 002, pg 107-

Can management team personnel who assisted in the presentation of an evaluation area assist in providing responses to Government-provided questions?

Yes, however presenters are limited to program manager, one member from the management team, and transition managers.

32. Volume III Oral Presentation Slides, Pg.

In the table under "Presenters" column, the RFP specifies "Proposed Contract Program Manager and one member from management team". Can the Government please clarify " one member from management team" - does it mean one member from the corporate

The member from the management team may be either from the corporate team or the SCOAR management team.

The member of the management team requested in each of the four areas does not have to be the same person.

management team or one member of the proposed SCOAR program management team?

Another question is: this "one member from management team" is requested in 4 areas ("Technical Understanding Presentation", "Contract Technical Understanding question", "Management Approach", "Management Approach Question"); does the Government request the same person in all 4 area, or can it be different people.

33. L.7.2, Volume III - Oral Presentation Schedule,

pg. 107

Please confirm "one member from management team" does not limit to one of positions/labor categories listed in the CLIN 0100 Labor Hours table (RFP pages 93-94) but may be an offeror's management personnel.

No, one member from the management team is not limited to one of the positions/labor categories listed.