Amendment No. A0005.pdf

RFP No. 6913G621R200003 Amendment No. A00005

OMB Approval 2700-0042

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1 14

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

A0005 2/23/2021 N/A

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

CODE

U.S. DOT/OST-R/Volpe Center 55 Broadway, RVP-31 Cambridge, MA 02142-1001

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No. Street, county, State and ZIP: Code) () 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

6913G621R200003

TO ALL POTENTIAL OFFERORS

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

12/23/2020

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, X is not extended.

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 Items 8 and 15, and returning one (1) copy 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATA 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 data specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

N/A

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

() A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET

FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ x ] is not, [ ] is required to sign this document and return ____ copies to the issuing office.

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

This amendment provides the Government’s response to additional Offerors’ submitted clarifications after the original clarification due date of February 15, 2021.

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

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

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print) 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

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

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

BY _____________________________________________

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Question 1

Page 85 of the solicitation indicates in bold: "For pricing proposal purposes, only the contractor-site overhead rate shall be used." However, the footnote on both Schedule 2 and 3 indicate: "*Contractor shall propose using Government-site overhead rate only." Please clarify if the Offeror should use contractor-site or Government-site rates.

Answer 1

The footnotes in Schedules 2 and 3 are incorrect.

The footnotes for Schedules 2 and 3 are corrected to state, “*Contractor shall propose using contractor-site overhead rate only.” (Please see attached corrected schedules)

Question 2

Schedule 8 requests a Government Site Overhead rate. Since page 85 of the solicitation indicates: "The Government expects that the preponderance of work will take place at various Offerors’ facilities." is a Government Site Overhead rate required on Schedule 8?

Answer 2

The Government-site overhead rate is not required (Please see attached corrected schedule).

Question 3

Please confirm that the total hours in the 'Per RFP' row at the bottom of Schedule 7 on page 108 of the RFP are erroneous.

Answer 3

The hours at the bottom of Schedule 7 are incorrect (Please see attached schedule).

The correct hours are as follows:

Senior Staff 1,680 Middle Staff 14,000 Junior Staff 2,100 Senior Technician 1,540 Total 19,320

Question 4

The number of resumes requested by the Government is larger than expected for the estimated number of annual labor hours for the contract, especially considering the DOT's intention to make multiple awards. Will the pricing of requested labor hours establish a contract ceiling amount? If so, would the Government consider increasing the number of labor hours to be priced to ensure that there is adequate ceiling for the important work to be conducted under this IDIQ contract?

Answer 4

The number of requested resumes by the Government is for evaluation purposes and does not correlate to the estimated annual labor hours. The estimated labor hours will not be increased.

Question 5

For document signatures, both for documents to be signed by us as the prime and for documents to be signed by proposed subcontractors and submitted to the Government, are electronic signatures (e.g., DocuSign) acceptable?

Answer 5

Electronic/digital signatures are acceptable.

Question 6

We request clarification of the requirements for past performance evaluations. The Client Authorization Letter on page 96 of the RFP references an "attached Questionnaire" that does not appear to be included in the RFP.

The Client Authorization Letter also references the ORA RFP, which we assume is an error. Previous RFPs from the Volpe Center have included a Sample Past Performance Questionnaire. Was it the intention of the Volpe Center to include a Past Performance Questionnaire with the THFRAT RFP? If so, please provide the appropriate Questionnaire.

Answer 6

The Client Authorization Letter is corrected as follows (Please see attached letter):

Remove:

Operations Research and Analysis (ORA)

Replace with:

Transportation Human Factors Research, Development and Program Evaluation: Advanced Technologies (THFRAT).

Please see attached Questionnaire.

Question 7

If the answer to the previous question is 'No', please clarify the approach that Offerors should use to obtain the required past performance evaluation report for the 3-5 cited contracts if one or more of the contracts is from a non-Government entity. We have reviewed the answer to question 21 in Amendment 0003 of the RFP, but we do not find the answer provided to be sufficient for past performance evaluations from non-Government entities. For the case in which a CPARS report is not available, the RFP states the following on page 94: "If not, the Offeror is responsible for making all reasonable efforts to ensure that a copy of the performance evaluation report is provided directly to the Volpe Center CO or designee by the appropriate contracting activity's responding official by no later than the due date for receipt of proposals." The RFP references cpars.gov for contracting activities that don't have their own past performance evaluation report, but a non- Government entity is not able to get access to CPARS to generate a report or even to obtain a template from the CPARS system. Please clarify what form of Questionnaire or past performance evaluation report should be https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcpars.gov%2F&data=04%7C01%7CCarl.Chin%40dot.gov%7C8ca0763e29cb4bc7bd1908d8d41e5863%7Cc4cd245b44f04395a1aa3848d258f78b%7C0%7C0%7C637492574087047336%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ONroF6TA75ROcAUIZljYXr9pj%2F0NLyUbTAh7K73GZEE%3D&reserved=0 provided to the Government if the contracting activity for one of the 3-5 cited contracts is a non-Government entity.

Answer 7

Please see answer 6.

Question 8

On page 93, the RFP states: "The Offeror must also identify 3-5 current or completed contracts and the information below in 1-12." but the 'information below' only identifies 10 items to be included. It also seems that the information that is identified in the items 1-10 are required for all contracts greater than $100,000 within the last 3 years, not just for the 3-5 current or completed contracts. Please clarify.

Answer 8

The following sentence on page 93 is corrected as follows:

Remove:

“The Offeror must also identify 3-5 current or completed contracts and the information below in 1-12."

Replace with:

“The Offeror must also identify 3-5 current or completed contracts and the information below in 1-10."

Items 1-10 identified in Part C-Past Performance, page 93, are required for all contracts greater than $100,000 within the last three years.

Question 9

If a new questionnaire is provided as a result of these questions, we request that the due date for the questionnaires to be provided to the Government be at least three weeks from the date on which the new questionnaire is provided. We are not asking for an extension of the proposal deadline. We are only asking for sufficient time to allow our non-Government clients to complete the Questionnaire once we have sufficient information to be able to submit the Questionnaire to them.

Answer 9

Past performance evaluations/Client Authorization Letters shall be included with the submission of proposals on March 12, 2021, 12pm ET.

Question 10

Reference: Page 96 Exhibit B (Attachment J.15) Client Authorization Letter

The letter references an “attached Questionnaire”, which I was unable to find in the RFP. Are you able to provide?

“therefore, respectfully request and hereby authorize you to complete the attached Questionnaire”

Answer 10

Please see answer 6

SCHEDULE 2 (ATTACHMENT J.2)

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COSTS AND FIXED FEE

Offeror or Subcontractor Name:

COST ELEMENT RATE % AMOUNT

Direct Labor (from Schedule 5) (20%) $ Fringe Benefits (if separate from overhead) % $ Overhead % $

Subcontract Burden (if separate) % $

Other Direct Costs (ODC):

RFP-Participants $20,550

Offeror-Estimated ODC

ODC Burden (if separate) % $

SUBTOTAL

G & A % $ Cost of Money (COM) $ Total Costs and COM $

Fixed Fee (from Schedule 5) $

TOTAL PROPOSED COST AND FIXED FEE $

*Contractor shall propose using Contractor-site overhead rate only

SCHEDULE 3 (ATTACHMENT J.3)

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COSTS AND PROFIT

Offeror Name:

COST ELEMENT RATE % AMOUNT

Direct Labor (from Schedule 5) (80%) $ Fringe Benefits (if separate from Overhead)

Overhead % $

Subcontracts:

1. $

2. $

3. $

4. $

Subcontract Burden (if separate) % $

Other Direct Costs (ODC):

RFP-Participants $82,200

Offeror-Estimated ODC $ ODC Burden (if separate) % $

SUBTOTAL $

G&A % $ Cost of Money (COM) $ Total Costs and COM $

Profit (from Schedule 5) $

TOTAL PROPOSED COST AND PROFIT $

*Contractor shall propose using Contractor-site overhead rate only *Contractor shall include 100% of subcontract value in Schedule 3

SCHEDULE 7 (ATTACHMENT J.7)

ALLOCATION OF LABOR HOURS

Prime Name: ____________________________

Senior Staff

Middle Staff

Junior Staff

Senior Technician

TOTAL

Prime

Subcontractor A

Subcontractor B

Subcontractor C

Subcontractor D

Subcontractor E

Subcontractor F

TOTAL

Per RFP 1,680 14,000 2,100 1,540 19,320

SCHEDULE 8 (ATTACHMENT J.8)

INDIRECT RATES AND FACTORS

Prime or Subcontractor Name: ______________________________________________

Cost Element Proposed Rate/Factor Allocation Base Labor Escalation Not applicable Fringe Benefits (if separate from Overhead)

Material Overhead Contractor Site Overhead Government Site Overhead (not required)

Subcontract Burden (if separate) ODC Burden (if separate) Other (specify) G & A Cost of Money

Offeror or Subcontractor Fiscal Year Ends: __________________________

Exhibit B (Attachment J.15)

Client Authorization Letter

NOTE TO OFFERORS: To assist the Government’s assessment of past performance for relevant State, Local, or Commercial contracts, the following letter must be sent to the Offeror’s points of contact (POCs) for those non-Federal Government efforts that you identify to the Government as your relevant Past Performance.

Should the Offeror propose to use major subcontractors, teaming contractors, and/or joint venture partners, the Offeror must obtain a similar client authorization letter from each entity. However, it is the Offeror’s sole responsibility to then send out these authorization letters with the Past Performance Questionnaire to its own POCs and to its teaming contractors and include a copy in its Past Performance volume.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Client Authorization Letter

(TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY OFFEROR)

Dear (Client):

We are currently responding to the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), Volpe National Transportation Systems Center’s Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 6913G621R200003 for the procurement of Transportation Human Factors Research, Development aAnd Program Evaluation: Advanced Technologies (THFRAT).

As you know, an Offeror’s Past Performance has become an element of increased emphasis in Federal Government acquisitions. The Government is requesting that clients of companies who submit proposals in response to its RFP for THFRAT be contacted and that their participation in the validation process be requested. We, therefore, respectfully request and hereby authorize you to complete the attached Questionnaire with regard to work we have performed for your company and forward it directly to the Government Point of Contact at the following e-mail address:

Carl.chin@dot.gov

We have identified Mr./Ms. (Name) of your organization as the point of contact based on their knowledge concerning our work. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated. Any questions may be directed to:

[NAME, PHONE NUMBER, AND E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR THE OFFEROR’S POINT OF CONTACT].

Sincerely, [OFFEROR'S POINT OF CONTACT]

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

ATTACHMENT J.15 - SAMPLE PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONAIRRE

SECTION 1: CONTRACTOR INFORMATION (to be completed by the contractor requesting evaluation prior to emailing)

A. Contractor’s name and address:

B. Point of Contact: __________________________________________

C. Phone Number: __________________________________________

D. Contract Number: __________________________________________

E. Project Title or Description of Work performed under this project:

F. Contract Type: ___Firm Fixed Price ___Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Task Order

___Cost Reimbursement

G. Project Award Date: Schedule Completion Date:

Current/Final Completion Date:

H. Project Award Amount: Current/Final Project Amount:

I. Contractor being evaluated performed as the __Prime Contractor __Subcontractor __Supplier

J. Authorization is hereby granted to provide the information requested in this Questionnaire.

(Signature)

(Name and Title of Authorized Official) (Date)

Solicitation DTRT5716R20004

ATTACHMENT J.15 - SAMPLE PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONAIRRE (CONTINUED)

SECTION 2: RESPONDENT INFORMATION (to be completed by respondent)

EVALUATED BY:

(Signature) (Date)

(Typed or Printed Name)

(Title)

(Phone Number)

(Address)

SECTION 3: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: Choose the number on the scale of 1 to 6 that most accurately describes the contractor’s performance or situation.

CODE PERFORMANCE LEVEL

1 EXCEPTIONAL - The contractor’s performance meets contractual requirements and exceeds many (requirements) to the Government’s benefit. The contractual performance was accomplished with few minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were highly effective.

2 VERY GOOD- The contractor’s performance meets contractual requirements and exceeds some (requirements) to the Government’s benefit. The contractual performance was accomplished with some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were effective.

3 SATISFACTORY – The contractor’s performance meets contractual requirements. The contractual performance contained some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor appear or were satisfactory.

4 MARGINAL – Performance does not meet some contractual requirements. The contractual performance reflects a serious problem for which the contractor has not yet identified corrective actions or the contractor’s proposed actions appear only marginally effective or were not fully implemented.

5 UNSATISFACTORY – Performance does not meet most contractual requirements and recovery is not likely in a timely manner. The contractual performance contains serious problem(s) for which the contractor’s corrective actions appear or were ineffective.

6 NOT APPLICABLE - Unable to provide a score.

1. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Customer would have no reservations in awarding another contract to the contractor.

1 2 3 4 5 6

2. QUALITY

a. Contractor provided effective quality control and/or inspection procedures to meet contract requirements.

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. Contractor provided well researched and clearly identified submittals that matched contract requirements.

1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Contractor completed all work with good workmanship and in conformance with the specifications.

1 2 3 4 5 6

d. Contractor corrected deficiencies in a timely manner and pursuant to their quality control plan.

1 2 3 4 5 6

3. TIMELINESS

a. Contractor met established project schedules to complete the project on time.

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. Contractor provided timely cost/design proposals. 1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Contractor submitted the progress schedule and progress reports as required.

1 2 3 4 5 6

d. Contractor provided on-time submittals as required. 1 2 3 4 5 6

e. Contractor provided payrolls for both their employees and their subcontractor employees as required.

1 2 3 4 5 6

f. Contractor provided timely resolution of all punch list items. 1 2 3 4 5 6

4. RESPONSIVENESS

a. Contractor acted promptly to resolve problems, ensuring compliance with contract requirements and safety regulations.

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. Contractor was reasonable and cooperated to resolve problems, attended meetings as needed, and maintained communication with the government to keep the project on schedule or minimize the delay.

1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Contractor identified problems as they occurred, suggested approaches to the problems; displayed initiative to solve problems and performed as a Team Member.

1 2 3 4 5 6

d. Contractor responded to warranty issues within the time frames specified in the contract.

1 2 3 4 5 6

5. SUBCONTRACTS AND MANAGEMENT

a. Contractor provided experience/qualified managers and supervisors with the technical and administrative abilities needed to meet contract requirements.

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. Contractor hired quality subcontractors and effectively managed and coordinated their work.

1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Contractor hired, maintained and replaced as necessary qualified personnel and subcontractors/suppliers.

1 2 3 4 5 6

d. Contractor ensured the project manager had sufficient authority to make decisions and take actions during project performance to keep the project on schedule.

1 2 3 4 5 6

e. Contractor ensured site superintendent and quality control representative were consistently present on site when work was performed.

1 2 3 4 5 6

f. Contractor paid employees/subcontractor/suppliers as required. 1 2 3 4 5 6

6. CHANGE/COST CONTROL

a. Contractor responsive to contract changes and provided accurate, reasonable and supportable cost proposals.

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. Contractor demonstrated the ability to control costs and/or design projects or modifications within the magnitude specified.

1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Contractor validated subcontractor cost proposals prior to submission to the Government.

1 2 3 4 5 6

REMARKS:

SECTION 4: NARRATIVE SUMMARY:

1. What were the contractor’s greatest strengths in the performance of the contract?

2. What were the contractor’s greatest weaknesses in the performance of the contract?

3. Please provide any additional comment concerning the contractor’s performance.

4. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ONLY: Has or was this contract partially or completely terminated for default or convenience or are there any pending terminations?

__Yes __No __Default __Convenience __Pending Termination

RFP No. 6913G621FR200003

ATTACHMENT J.15 - SAMPLE PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONAIRRE (CONTINUED)

If yes, please explain.

5. Were there any performance issues regarding the contractor’s work? If yes, please explain.

Please return this completed questionnaire to:

E-Mail address: carl.chin@dot.gov mailto:carl.chin@dot.gov