Questions and Answers Round 2 FINAL 10-31-22.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 50 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 692M15-21-R-00001
View the file
Other files
Show all 21
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| Question Number | Reference Contract Section | Reference Contract Subsection and Paragraph Number | |||
| (if applicable) | Quote specific contract language in question | Question | Suggested resolution (if applicable) | Government Response | |
| 1 | SIR Section C | C.2.1.2.d | d. Infrastructure & Software Implementation | The illustrative examples listed for the Infrastructure & Software Implementation subject matter solution area are almost exclusively focused on software solutions. Please clarify if “infrastructure” implementation support under ITIPSS includes enterprise-wide infrastructure elements (e.g., data center, wide area network, routers, cable) and enterprise system implementations (e.g., email services, unified communications) as well, or is it limited to specific infrastructures components related to specific software | |
| applications (e.g., servers, SAN, database). | Please confirm that the infrastructure referred to is limited to specific software applications. | The illustrative examples of specific task areas that fall under this subject matter solution area do not encompass all task areas that might fit within the scope of this subsection. In this case, any tasks that could reasonably be considered "infrastructure implementation" would be considered within the scope of this subsection. | |||
| 2 | SIR – Section L Attachment+L-1 | L.10.2, L.11.1.4 | L.10.2 Tables, charts, graphics (including callout boxes or similar), captions, headers, footers, and figures must be formatted using Times New Roman or Calibri and should not use fonts smaller than an 8-point font. |
L.11.1.4 Volume 1, Tab 4 submission must include past performance surveys (Attachment L-1, PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SURVEY, Section A, Part I and Part II) submitted in accordance with Attachment L-1 (Past
| Performance Survey). | Attachment L-1, Section A for each past performance example will be imported into Tab 4. Which font is compliant with Section L.10.2? | |||
| The Government provided Attachment L-1 template uses 10 Times New Roman font. Can the offerors adjust font to no smaller than an 8-point font, as allowed for tables per Section L.10.2? | Allow offerors to adjust font per Section L.10.2 instructions for tables. | For these purposes Attachment L-1 is not considered a table, the Offeror must complete the template using Times New Roman, 12-point font. | ||
| 3 | SIR – Section M | M.3.4.1 Description | ||
| – Scope (and Q&A #420) | Type-For the purposes of the Past Performance evaluation, a reference is relevant in terms of type if it is for work performed as a prime contract holder on an IDIQ contract, BPA, BOA or similar ordering vehicle under which the Offeror, or its first tier subcontractor, as the case may be, has performed or is performing three (3) or more concurrent orders or calls. | Please confirm that multiple concurrent projects or programs funded and tracked by discrete CLINs on a single task order under a multi-award IDIQ contract meets the definition of “concurrent orders or calls.” Rationale: Some agency-specific IDIQs award only a few very large, master task orders to a handful of prime contractors. | ||
| Each prime contractor manages more than 60 individual projects and/or programs simultaneously on a given master task order. Project/program performance is monitored and tracked by discrete CLINS; and, evaluated and documented as separate projects/programs by CORs and reported in annual CPARS. If the subset of unique projects/programs are legitimately considered concurrent orders or calls, such multi-award IDIQ contracts meet the FAA ITIPSS requirement of performing three or more concurrent orders or calls. Otherwise, please clarify how such contracts should be classified under Type. | Yes, an IDIQ managing 3 or more concurrent programs/projects funded by discrete CLINs may be used for both Past Performance and Corporate Experience. | No. One Task Order with multiple project/programs funded and tracked by discrete CLINs does not meet the definition of concurrent orders or calls. | ||
| 4 | Section J | Attachment L-3, Questions and Answers Amendment 0003, #207 | Question 207: Will the FAA consider the inclusion of corporate experience and past performance of affiliated companies within the same corporate structure as long as the Offeror clearly demonstrates how that experience and meaningful relationship will enhance Contract/Task Order performance? | |
| Answer: The FAA will consider the corporate experience and past performance of the Offeror as defined in the SIR. | Note that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) permits Alaska Native corporations to claim all experience and work history of affiliated corporations for the purposes of establishing performance capability in the context of a competitive acquisition. [Reference: Ecompex, Inc., B-292865.4, B-292865.5, B-292865.6, |
June 18, 2004 (see page 5); Serco, Inc., B 406683, B-406683.2, Aug. 3, 2012; AMI-ACEPEX, Joint Venture, B-401560, Sept. 30, 2009.] Specifically, GAO has ruled that an ANC bidding on a government contract may rely on the past performance of an affiliated company when the proposal makes it clear that the resources associated with the affiliated company will have meaningful involvement in the execution of the present contract.
| QUESTION: Can the Government please clarify if they will allow an Alaska Native Corporation to use the corporate experience and/or past performance from an affiliated (sister) company? | Alaska Native corporations are allowed to use corporate experience and past performance from affiliated companies per GAO rulings. | See SIR amendment. Small Business offerors may use corporate experience and past performance from an affiliate provided that the offeror clearly demonstrates and makes a commitment that the affiliate will actually and meaningfully participate in the performance of the contract in the past performance and corporate experience narratatives. The narratives must include an explanation as to how the affiliate will contribute to the performance of specific task areas in which the affiliate will participate. | ||
| 5 | Section L | L.11.2.8 Volume 2, Tab 7 | L.11.2.8 Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Documentation contains the following requirement: "Offerors must submit the following information as part of their proposal Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Determination. |
(1) Sufficient information to demonstrate the financial capability to fund and perform a contract of this size and duration. This includes:
(i) Proof of any existing Line(s) of Credit by a U.S.
Banking Institution; and
(ii) Certified Balance Sheet and Income Statements that demonstrate the firm’s results for the last three
| (3) completed company fiscal years 2) A description of all current or pending legal action(s) under Federal Government contracts within the past three (3) years in excess of $5M, claims, equitable adjustments, pending or ongoing cure notices, Terminations for Convenience, and/or Terminations for Default.” | Please confirm that the documentation sought is only for the Offeror and not for the Offeror and its subcontractors. | N/A | Yes, the documentation sought per L.11.2.8 is only for the Prime Offeror. |
| 6 | Section L | L.11.2.8(1) Volume 2, | |
| Tab 7 | L.11.2.8(1) Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Documentation contains the following requirement: "Offerors must submit the following information as part of their proposal Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Determination. |
(1) Sufficient information to demonstrate the financial capability to fund and perform a contract of this size and duration. This includes:
(i) Proof of any existing Line(s) of Credit by a U.S.
Banking Institution; and
(ii) Certified Balance Sheet and Income Statements that demonstrate the firm’s results for the last three
| (3) completed company fiscal years.” | Would the FAA consider the acceptance of a Contractor’s Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for the last three (3) completed fiscal years in place of the documentation requested under (1)(i) and (1)(ii)? | N/A | No. The Government will not accept the Contractor's Form 10-K Annual report in place of the documentation requested. |
| 7 | Section L | L.11.2.8(2) Volume 2, | |
| Tab 7 | L.11.2.8(2) Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Documentation term "claims, equitable adjustments, and Terminations for Convenience" | Would the Government consider removing the term "claims, equitable adjustments, and Terminations for Convenience" from L.11.2.8(2) Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Documentation? |
The documentation sought above rarely result in legal action and the pursuit of a claim or equitable adjustment by a Contractor is not necessarily indicative of a Contractor’s performance against a contract’s terms.
| Further, evaluating the responsibility of a Contractor based on the Government’s use of a Termination for Convenience is not necessarily representative of a Contractor as the Government’s utilization can be caused many reasons unrelated to a Contractor’s performance. | N/A | See amended SIR. | ||
| 8 | Section I - | Section I - Contract Clauses | 3.1-1 CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (JUL 2019) |
This screening information request (SIR) or contract, as applicable, incorporates by reference the provisions or clauses listed below with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make the full text available, or offerors and contractors may obtain
| the full text via Internet at: https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm. | Do we have to include the clauses under Section I with fillable space in our response? | Yes, please refer to SIR Section L.11.2.1, Number 4. | ||
| 9 | Section K | 3.2.3-1 | Any offeror submitting an offer which, if accepted, will result in a contract subject to the requirements |
of CAS rules must, as a condition of contracting, submit a Disclosure Statement as required by CAS rules. The Disclosure Statement must be submitted as a part of the offer under this SIR unless the offeror has already submitted a Disclosure Statement disclosing the practices used in connection with the pricing
| of this offer. | Is it mandatory to submit the disclosure statement with this response? | Disclosure statements are not required to be submitted at the IDIQ level. Disclosure statements may be required at the Task Order level. Information about CAS and Disclosure Statements can be found in Code of Federal Regulations Part 99 and AMS Clause 3.2.3-1. CAS may apply to individual task orders and, to the extent that it does, such requirements will be specified in the TORFP. | ||
| 10 | Section K | 3.2.3-1 | Any offeror submitting an offer which, if accepted, will result in a contract subject to the requirements |
of CAS rules must, as a condition of contracting, submit a Disclosure Statement as required by CAS rules. The Disclosure Statement must be submitted as a part of the offer under this SIR unless the offeror has already submitted a Disclosure Statement disclosing the practices used in connection with the pricing
| of this offer. | What do we have to include in the Disclosure statement? | See Response to Number 9. | ||
| 11 | Section K | 3.2.3-1 | Any offeror submitting an offer which, if accepted, will result in a contract subject to the requirements |
of CAS rules must, as a condition of contracting, submit a Disclosure Statement as required by CAS rules. The Disclosure Statement must be submitted as a part of the offer under this SIR unless the offeror has already submitted a Disclosure Statement disclosing the practices used in connection with the pricing
| of this offer. | What is the criteria for a business to submit the Disclosure statement? | See Response to Number 9. | |||||
| 12 | Section L | L.13 | Do we have to include the clauses of Section L.13 with our response? If yes, in which volume | ||||
| do we have to put them? | The offeror does not need to include the clauses of Section L.13 with proposal. | ||||||
| 13 | Attachment L1 | Please complete Section B (Part I and Part II) of the survey as thoroughly as possible and submit to stefanie.m.applegate@faa.gov no later than 2PM EST, on the due date of proposal submission. | Do the references have to submit the Attachment L1 on the due date or they can send it before the due date as well? | Attachment L-1 may be sumbitted prior to the due date. | |||
| 14 | 1 | L.10.1 | Proposal Volumes and Page Limits | Attachment+B-1+and+L- 2+Combined+Locked+(Amendm ent+3)+6-10-2022.xlsx | Will the Government confirm that offerors should change the name of Attachment+B-1+and+L- 2+Combined+Locked+(Amendment+3)+6-10-2022.xlsx to: Offeror Name_Volume Number_Tab | ||
| Number_MMDDYYYY.xlsx for submission. | Yes. | ||||||
| 15 | 2 | L.10.1 | Factor 4, Past Performance | 4 pages per | |||
| Attachment L-1, Section A Past Performance Example (excludes the surveys Attachment L-1 Section B) | Will the Government consider providing offerors with 1/2 page to introduce the three past performance examples and indicate the response category under which the Offeror is submitting its proposal in addition to the four pages per Attachment L-1, Section A Past Performance Example? | The Government does not intend to change this requirement at this time. | |||||
| 16 | Section L | L.11.1.2 Volume 1, Tab 2, Factor 2- Management Plan | f. Subcontract management requirements as set forth in SECTION C.3.2.6, including a description of the Offeror’s solution delivery team and a description (narrative and graphic) of the solution delivery team’s organizational | ||||
| structure; | Can the government define “solution delivery team’s organizational structure”? | ||||||
| How is this definition different from an offeror's organizational structure? | As per SECTION L.1, "For purposes of SECTION L and M, the term 'Offeror' refers to the entity submitting the proposal and that would serve as prime contractor if awarded the contract. The term 'team' refers to the solution delivery team proposed by the Offeror and includes the Offeror and its proposed subcontractors." The organizational structure of the solution delivery team refers to the structure of the team as a whole, and how it will operate together to perform the requirements under the contract. | ||||||
| 17 | Section L | L.11.1.4 Volume 1, Tab 4, Factor 4- Past Performance Narrative and Surveys, | |||||
| Attachment L-1 Past Performance Evaluation Survey, Attachment L-3 Questions and Answers. | For Government contracts, send to the Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Project Manager | Ref. Question 412. Will the Government provide clarification on the POC responsible for completing Attachment L-1 for a IDIQ-type contract? The majority of |
multiple-award IDIQs, similar in relevancy to ITIPSS, are unable to assess the performance criteria currently listed in Attachment L-1.
Existing FAA multiple award IDIQs/MOAs/BPA
| Contracting Officers will not complete a Performance Assessment at the IDIQ level. | Recommend the Offeror be permitted to provide up to 3 PPQs for a single IDIQ-type reference to demonstrate concurrent performance across multiple TOs. | The Government does not intend to change this requirement. In accordance with Attachment L-1 instructions "For Government contracts, send to the Contracting Officer (CO) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Project Manager. | ||||
| 18 | Total Evaluated Price Attachment L-2 | Formula in Spreadsheet | Can the Government confirm that the ""VLOOKUP" formulae in the locked cells in the Excel spreadsheet" only applies to the file labelled "Attachment B-1 and L-2 Combined Locked (Amendment 3) 6-10-2022?" If this is the case, can the Government confirm that only deliverable for Volume 2, Tab 2 is the filled out and completed "Attachment B-1 and L-2 Combined Locked (Amendment 3) 6-10-2022" file? | Yes. The requirements for Volume 2, Tab 2 are provided in L.11.2.2 and L.11.2.3. | ||
| 19 | Section H | H.27 Small Business Status | Original Question: "If the Government determines that the Contractor is no longer a small business in accordance with the NAICS code for the contract …" | |||
| Government Answer: "It is intended for a prime contractor to remain in the Small Business category in which they qualify at the time of contract offer, until 60 to 120 days prior to the date specified in the contract for exercising any option thereafter, or if required to re-represent sooner in accordance with AMS clause 3.6.1-15. If the prime contractor re-represents in a different category from the category in which they were originally awarded a contract , it is intended for such prime contractor to move into the category they qualify for at the time of required re-representation, in accordance with AMS clause 3.6.1-15." | New Question: Since recertification will be required in the small business categories 60-120 days prior to any exercised option, does the Government intend to onramp new companies at that time as well? | As stated in G.11, the Government may consider, at its sole and absolute discretion, conducting an open-season/on-ramp at |
any option periods or any time during the life of the program to admit new companies (and/or Award Categories) into the contract, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Government. If the Government conducts an open season / on-ramp, the criteria and timeframe for such open season/on-ramp will be specified at that time.
| 20 | Section L | Section L.10.2 | cvii) Foldouts are not permitted, except for the information required by Table L.3 - | |||
| Relevant Experience Matrix. | Will the Government allow an 11x17 size foldout for the Corporate | |||||
| Experience Matrix? | See amended SIR. | |||||
| 21 | C.2 SCOPE | C.2.1.1 IT a-f | For illustrative purposes, some examples of specific task areas that fall under this subject matter solution | |||
| area include, without limitation, the following: | In saying "For illustrative purposes, some examples ... | |||||
| area include, without limitation" is the FAA saying that the Offeror does not need to address each listed example in their response? | This would allow for the Offeror the ability to better utilize the limited page count in their response. | Correct, it is not required. Offeror's approach and plan must address the overall subject matter solution areas listed in SECTION L.11.1.1. The “sub-areas” listed in Section C.2.1.1 and C.2.1.2 are meant as non-exclusive examples of the types of work that may be done in those subject matter solution areas. | ||||
| 22 | C.2 SCOPE | C.2.1.2 a-g | For illustrative purposes, some examples of specific task areas that fall under this subject matter solution | |||
| area include, without limitation, the following: | In saying "For illustrative purposes, some examples ... | |||||
| area include, without limitation" is the FAA saying that the Offeror does not need to address each listed example in their response? | This would allow for the Offeror the ability to better utilize the limited page count in their response. | SECTION L.11.1.1 provides a list of the subject matter solution areas and states that “Offeror must demonstrate a comprehensive and credible approach and plan to provide support in the following subject matter solution areas” Offeror's approach and plan must address the overall subject matter solution areas listed in SECTION L.11.1.1. The “sub-areas” listed in Section C.2.1.1 and C.2.1.2 are meant as non-exclusive examples of the types of work that may be done in those subject matter solution areas. | ||||
| 23 | SIR Section L | L.11.2.1 Volume 2, Tab 1, Contract Documents and Associated Information | Requirement No. 4 requests “Any clauses and/or provisions to be filled in by the Offeror.” | All SIR fill-ins related to clauses and/or provisions are already requested in various other Tabs within the Volumes (i.e., Reps & Certs, Disclosure of Certain Employee Relationships, SF30 & SF33s, Attachments, etc.). Will the FAA please provide more specifics on what additional “clauses or provisions” should be submitted in Vol 2/Tab 1? | It is incumbant on the offeror to read through the required clauses and fill in any information required. If information has been provided elsewhere in the SIR, the Offeror can reference this in Volume 2, Tab 1. | |
| 24 | SIR C | C.3.2.8 b. TORP Processes and Labor Categories | The Labor ID Numbers listed in SECTION B- SUPPLIES OR SERVICE AND PRICES/COSTSPRICING |
TABLES ITIPSS corresponds to the General Schedule (GS) pay equivalents for 11 grades, GS- 5 (lowest) to GS-15 (highest), including all steps and the Executive Service (ES) ES-5 through ES-1 pay scale. Those GS/ES equivalents are being used as baselines on which the offerors will add their proposed wrap rates and escalation rates, which would then become the fixed, fully burdened ITIPSS IDIQ ceiling labor rates for the duration of any resulting contract. The ceiling labor rates will be applicable for Time and Material/Labor Hour type Task Orders. The Labor ID Numbers with GS/ES equivalents off of which offerors must base their rates will not attract subject matter expertise (SME) required to support “state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary IT-related service solutions” and “innovative solutions” requested in
| L.11.1.1. GS/ES direct labor rates are lower than industry rates due to the other benefits such as pension and job security that GS/ES positions entail. Using these rates as the basis for rates under this contract would create artificially low ceiling rates that would impair the ability of all bidders to capture specialized talent in their task order responses. Even though “Offerors are free to add whatever wrap rates they choose to establish ceilings for each GS/ES equivalent”, per Q&A 48, Offerors would need to propose wrap rates that significantly higher than their DCAA approved indirect rates in order to construct a labor category ceiling that allows them to attract appropriate talent for technical solution areas such as zero trust architecture, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. | We advise FAA to allow market rates as a basis for IDIQ ceiling labor rates. | See amended SIR. Contractors are allowed to bid any adjustment factors in their wrap rates as they deem necessary. The Government will do a price evaluation for reasonableness as described in the SIR. The rates will remain fixed through the life of the contract. Also, SIR Section C3.2.8b further provides that "....the Contractor may recommend alternative Labor ID Numbers, if necessary, and submit the revision in its Task Order proposal." Please reference response to question 32 in Attachment L-3 Questions and Answers Amendment 0003. | ||
| 25 | Q&A # 27 | Q&A # 27 | The Government has placed a contract ceiling rate for G&A of 10% (or less). Offerors may have higher G&A rates currently. But for this contract, | |
| no more than 10% will be allowable and billable. | May the Government confirm if the cap on G&A of 10% is only applicable to ODCs? | Confirmed. | ||
| 26 | SIR | |||
| Section B | B.4 CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBER (CLIN) STRUCTURE AND | |||
| SCHEDULE | Table B.4. 2 Contract Line Item Number Categories | Does FAA anticipate a majority of TOs will be either FFP, Labor Hour, or roughly even mix? | Contract Type will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Individual Task Orders can use any contract type, or a combination of the types of contract vehicles present in the Acquisition Management System (AMS) to meet the specific requirements being supplied under the Task Order. | |
| 27 | SIR | |||
| Section M | Table M. 3 Relevant Experience Criteria, Category 4 | At least one (1) of the contracts cited has an annual awarded value of $2,500,000 or more AND the Offeror or a member of the Offeror's proposed team was the prime contractor on that contract. | Recommend requiring a minimum of one (1) Corporate Experience be required from all prime offerors, regardless of category response. This will ensure that small business Prime offerors competing on Categories 2, 3 and 4 remain at the forefront of these categories for ITIPSS. As currently written, large businesses teammates have undue advantage over small businesses, and large businesses have significant opportunity to capitalize on ITIPSS and take awards away from mature, qualified small businesses that do not intend to team with large businesses. |
This is a risk to FAA as the Prime should have a credible ability to manage up to 20 concurrent task order per year
| on this IDIQ. | The Government does not intend to change the requirement at this time. Please note the relevency criteria listed in M.3 does require that the Offeror is the prime contractor on two (2) contracts cited in Category 1 and at least one contract cited for Categories 2-4. | |
| 28 | SIR | |
| Section L | L.11.1.4 |
Volume 1, Tab
| 4, Factor 4-Past Performance Narrative and Surveys | Volume 1, Tab 4 requires submission of three (3) past performance examples for work performed by the |
| prime Offeror and/or first tier subcontractor(s). | Recommend requiring a minimum of one (1) Past performance reference be required from all prime offerors, regardless of category response. This will ensure that small business Prime offerors competing on Categories 2, 3 and 4 remain at the forefront of these categories for ITIPSS. As currently written, large businesses teammates have undue advantage over small businesses, and large businesses have significant opportunity to capitalize on ITIPSS and take awards away from mature, qualified small businesses that do not intend to team with large businesses. |
This is a risk to FAA as the Prime should have a credible
| ability to manage up to 20 concurrent task order per year on this IDIQ. | See revised SIR. At least one Past Performance example must be from work performed by the Prime Offeror. | |
| 29 | Q&A 194 |
And L.11.1.4 Q&A 194 And L.11.1.4 – first tier subcontractor term definition Q&A 194:
Why is the FAA mandating past performance from the Prime Offeror only for the small business set- aside categories as this requirement appears to violate SBA regulation 13 CFR 125.2 (g) in light of the FAA’s Acquisition Management Policy?
13 CFR 125.2 (g) states: “Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When an offer of a small business prime contractor includes a proposed team of small business subcontractors and specifically identifies the first-tier subcontractor(s) in the proposal, the head of the agency must consider the capabilities, past performance, and experience of each first tier subcontractor that is part of the team as the capabilities, past performance, and experience of the small business prime contractor if the capabilities, past performance, and experience of the small business prime does not independently demonstrate capabilities and past performance necessary for award.”
Acquisition Management Policy, Section 3.6.1.2, Page 119 (Policy Revised 7/2020) states: “The FAA must comply with Presidential directives, constitutional standards, public laws, and DOT Secretary Policy Statements to promote, expand, aggressively provide procurement opportunities as prime contractors and as subcontractors for small businesses, small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women- owned small businesses and service-disabled
| veteran owned small businesses.” | The SBA language referenced states “small business subcontractors.” May the FAA define first tier subcontractors to be small businesses, not inclusive of large businesses, specifically for vendors in response categories 2, 3 and 4? | The definition of "first-tier subconatractor remains unchanged. The term “first-tier subcontractor” means a subcontractor who has a subcontract directly with the prime contractor for the purpose of acquiring services for performance under ITIPSS. Please see revised SIR which requires at least one example be from the prime contractor for all categories. | |
| 30 | AMS | AMS 3.6.1-7 | |
| (a) (Limitations on Subcontracting) | AMS 3.6.1-7 (a) (Limitations on Subcontracting) provides: (a) Definition - “Similarly situated |
entity”, as used in the clause, means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award; and is considered small for the NAICS code
| the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform. | Does the Amendment 3 SIR definition of a first-tier subcontractor referenced include the requirement that the first tier subcontractor be a “similarly situated entity” for purposes of submitting past performance examples? | No, it is not a requirement that first tier subcontractors be a "similarly situated entity" for purposes of a past performance submission. | |
| 31 | Q&A 194 |
And L.11.1.4 Q&A 194 And
| L.11.1.4 – first tier subcontractor term definition | 13 CFR 121.103(h)(ii)(2): A contractor and its ostensible subcontractor are treated as joint venturers for size determination purposes. An ostensible subcontractor is a subcontractor that is not a similarly situated entity, as that term is defined in § 125.1 of this chapter, and performs primary and vital requirements of a contract, or of an order, or is a subcontractor upon which the prime contractor is unusually reliant. All aspects of the relationship between the prime and subcontractor are considered, including, but not limited to, the terms of the proposal (such as contract management, technical responsibilities, and the percentage of subcontracted work), agreements between the prime and subcontractor (such as bonding assistance or the teaming agreement), and whether the subcontractor is the incumbent contractor and is ineligible to submit a proposal because it exceeds the applicable size | |||
| standard for that solicitation. | Allowing the prime small business to rely on its large subcontractor's past performance does not align with 13 CFR 121.103(h)(ii)(2). Allowing a SDVOSB to overly rely on the past performance of a non-SDVOSB is contrary to the public policy supporting set asides. | |||
| Suggest the FAA define first tier subcontractors to be small businesses, not inclusive of large businesses, specifically for vendors in response categories 2, 3 and 4. | See revised SIR. At least one Past Performance example must be from work performed by the Prime Offeror. | |||
| 32 | SIR C | C.3.2.8 b. TORP Processes and Labor Categories | The Labor ID Numbers listed in SECTION B- SUPPLIES OR SERVICE AND PRICES/COSTSPRICING |
TABLES ITIPSS corresponds to the General Schedule (GS) pay equivalents for 11 grades, GS- 5 (lowest) to GS-15 (highest), including all steps and the Executive Service (ES) ES-5 through ES-1 pay scale. Those GS/ES equivalents are being used as baselines on which the offerors will add their proposed wrap rates and escalation rates, which would then become the fixed, fully burdened ITIPSS IDIQ ceiling labor rates for the duration of any resulting contract. The ceiling labor rates will be applicable for Time
| and Material/Labor Hour type Task Orders. | Given the increased difficulty in finding qualified labor does the Government see any risk in pricing to be based off the GS/ES schedule? | The Government has considered a number of different options and considers this proven successful methodology the best suited to meet the ITIPSS requirement. This method gives the Government and offerors a full range of specific equivalents for any position it requires without having to define labor categories at the IDIQ level, which provides the Government with flexibility and pin-point precision in its Task Order-level requirement definition | ||||
| 33 | Section B | B.4.1 Time and Material (T&M Services), paragraph 4 | The Contractor’s hourly pay rates for all Ordering Years must be in accordance with the Government-provided rates in Table B-1, Price Schedule, which are based on the United States (U.S.) Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) and Locality Pay Tables for GS (Grade 5 through Grade 15 (Step 1-10)) and the Executive Schedule (ES) (Level 5 through Level 1) found at | |||
| http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries- wages/. Hyperlinks to OPM’s pay scales by locality appropriate to this contract are listed in Table B.4.4 (Labor ID Number Structure). At the Task Order level, the Contractor must determine the positions that are and are not subject to the Service Contract Act and Service Contract Act Wage Determination. | Would the FAA consider utilization of the FAA pay system instead of the GS Pay system? The FAA’s own website (https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits/) clearly states that “the FAA is not governed by the General Schedule (GS) pay system. Instead, salaries for FAA employees are categorized into six different pay plans | |||||
| determined by your job category and experience level” (FV, AT, EV, FG, FW pay plans). | Recommend using the FAA pay system as the ceiling rate. | The Government has considered a number of different options and considers this proven successful methodology the best suited to meet the ITIPSS requirement. This method gives the Government and offerors a full range of specific equivalents for any position it requires without having to define labor categories at the IDIQ level, which provides the Government with flexibility and pin-point precision in its Task Order-level requirement definition | ||||
| 34 | Section C | C.10 Telework | The Contractor must bill on-site rates for approved full-time telework employees who are Contractor site located (off- | |||
| site). | If the company incurs additional cost for government-site contractors required to telework by the FAA, would the | |||||
| FAA consider reimbursing these associated costs? | Any associated charges such as internet access or equipment costs would be reimbursable as | |||||
| an ODC as required. | Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) will be provided for contractor telework employees, as applicable and as specified on the Task Order, and may include FAA-provided laptops. Any other cost associated with a teleworking employee (e.g., internet access, additional equipment or peripheral equipment costs, etc.) will not be reimbursed by the FAA as an ODC. | |||||
| 35 | Section L | L.11.1.3 Volume 1, Tab 3, Factor 3-Corporate Experience, Matrix and Narrative, paragraph 3 | The Offeror must use the matrix format provided (Table L.3, below) to present background information about the relevant experiences cited. | The final row of the table is titled "ITIPSS Work Areas Encompassed (List section/title of the ITIPSS scope that is closely related to the work performed)". Including the titles along with the section number absorbs a significant amount of page space. Could the titles be omitted from the row's | ||
| requirements to save space? | Remove titles from the row requirements. | The Government does not intend to change this requirement at this time. | ||||
| 36 | Section L | L.2.2 Method of Submission, paragraph 1/"a)" | All Offeror submissions to this SIR must be made via the Huddle electronic portal. | Does the Huddle electronic portal have a file size limit for individual document uploads? | If Huddle does have a file size limit, please provide instructions on how files exceeding the | |
| limit should be split and named. | The maximum file upload size in Huddle is 20 GB, which is anticipated to be more than enough space for each file. Files exceeding that limit can be compressed in a zip file not exceeding 10 GB and must be compatible with SecureZIP for MS Windows. Each electronic Zip file can be numbered sequentially adhering to the naming conventions listed in L.10.1 PROPOSAL VOLUMES AND PAGE LIMITS. | |||||
| 37 | L | L.11.2.8 | (ii) Certified Balance Sheet and Income Statements that |
demonstrate the firm’s results for the last three
(3) completed company fiscal years. Please confirm an offeror is allowed to use annual report of its public parent company. See amended SIR which states. "Offerors must submit the following information as part of their proposal Volume 2, Tab 7 Contractor Responsibility Determination.
(1) Sufficient information to demonstrate the financial capability to fund and perform a contract of this size and duration. This may include, without limitations...." To the extent the documentation from the parent company demonstrates the offeror's financial capability to fund and perform a contract of this size and duration, the Contracting Officer will consider it. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to ask for additional information as set forth in SIR M.3.6.
| 38 | L | L.11.2.8 | i) Proof of any existing Line(s) of Credit by a U.S. Banking Institution; | Please confirm that proof of any line(s) of credit for an offeror's public parent company is permissible to meet the requirement. | See response to question 37. | |
| 39 | Section C | Section C.2.1.1.d, Office Administration Requirements | "Day to day activities related to office logistics, financial planning and execution, record keeping, and physical distribution." | Can more specific detail be provided as to what activities make up "office logistics" and "physical distribution"? | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. | |
| 40 | Section C | Section C.2.1.2.a, Enterprise Architecture, Strategy, and Planning Requirements | "Solution Strategy (including virtualization strategy, cloud computing strategy, big data strategy; citizen development service strategy; platform strategy; microservices strategy; mobile app strategy; business process modeling; data management strategy, analytics strategy, and more)" | The Solutions Strategies listed in the requirements cover a broad range of topics that don't all correlate with one another. Can FAA provide more detail as to which solutions are needed and how they connect? | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. Furthermore, the solutions strategies listed in the requirements are illustrative examples. | |
| 41 | Section C | Section C.2.1.2.d, Infrastructure & Software Implementation Requirements | "For illustrative purposes, some examples of specific task areas that fall under this subject matter solution area include, without limitation, the following: Initial Operational Capability (IOC) development and Full Operational Capability (FOC) completion; Solution development; Services Oriented Architecture (SOA); Software code; Application Programming Interface (API); Microservices; User manuals and technical documentation; Systems/software engineering; Test Driven Development (TDD); Development, demonstration, and transition; Web application design and development; Enterprise application development and support; Debugging; Mobile application design and development; Graphical User Interface (GUI) development and documentation; Modeling and simulation; Section 508 technical requirements compliance; Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG compliance); Natural Language Processing (NLP); Data protection procedures; Multi-datacenter aware solutions; Platform- based development; Development of artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithm. " | Can FAA provide more specific detail regarding what solutions are needed and how they tie to one another? The requirements listed in this section of the SIR seem to cover a large span of IT solutions and services and some of them don't seem to relate to one another. For instance, SOA, Mobile Application design and development, Multi-datacenter aware solutions, and AI/machine-learning are all very distinct services and solutions. | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. | |
| 42 | Section C | Section C.2.1.2.d, Infrastructure & Software Implementation Requirements | "Web Application design and development,...Mobile Application design and development..." | Can FAA provide more specific detail as to what type of web and mobile application development is needed? Both of these items can cover a plethora of solutions | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. | |
| 43 | Section C | Section C.2.1.2.f, Solutions Support and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Requirements | "For illustrative purposes, some examples of specific task areas that fall under this subject matter solution area include, without limitation, the following: Initial Operational Capability (IOC) development and Full Operational Capability (FOC) completion; Solution development; Services Oriented Architecture (SOA); Software code; Application Programming Interface (API); Microservices; User manuals and technical documentation; Systems/software engineering; Test Driven Development (TDD); Development, demonstration, and transition; Web application design and development; Enterprise application development and support; Debugging; Mobile application design and development; Graphical User Interface (GUI) development and documentation; Modeling and simulation; Section 508 technical requirements compliance; Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG compliance); Natural Language Processing (NLP); Data protection procedures; Multi-datacenter aware solutions; Platform- based development; Development of artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithm. " | Can FAA provide more specific detail regarding what solutions are needed and how they tie to one another? The requirements listed in this section of the SIR seem to cover a large span of IT solutions and services and some of them don't seem to relate to one another. For instance, SOA, Mobile Application design and development, Multi-datacenter aware solutions, and AI/machine-learning are all very distinct services and solutions. | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. | |
| 44 | Section C | Section C.2.1.2.g, Security Management & Support Requirements | "Cyber security and information assurance" | Can the FAA provide more specific detail as to what the cyber security needs are for AIT? For example, is the need more for threat detection, threat response, or something else? Is the need for better authentication? | Details regarding specific required services will be provided at the Task Order level, as applicable. | |
| 45 | Section L | Section L.11.1.1, Volume 1, Tab 1, Factor 1 - Technical Approach and Plan | "FAA’s overall strategic initiatives" | What are examples of the FAA overall strategic initiatives that AIT is hoping to address? | See attachment provided with Q&A response. Intranet link: https://my.faa.gov/content/dam/myfaa/org/staffoffices/afn/information/AIT-Strategy-FY20-25.pdf | |
| 46 | Section C | C.3.2, Contract Execution | The Contractor must develop a Program Management Plan (PMP) to address the requirements of this section and deliverables in Section F-Deliveries or Performance | Is it the Government's intent that we are to provide a PMP schedule/Gantt chart of the Section F deliverables with the proposal? | The requirements for the PMP are laid out in Section L.11.1.2 and C.4.1.2 Program Management Plan (PMP). | |
| 47 | Section C | C.4.1.2, Program Management Plan (PMP) | The Contractor must develop and deliver as part of its IDIQ proposal a Program Management Plan (PMP) to be revised upon receipt of Government feedbac post-award, and updated and submitted semiannualy thereafter (after a Contractor is awarded its first Task Order). The PMP | |||
| must indicate a plan of action and milestones where Government information/activity is required and timeline dependencies for subsequent Contractor activities. | Is it the Government's intent that we are to provide a PMP schedule/Gantt chart separate from the Volume 1, Tab 2, Management Plan? | A Gantt chart isn't specifically a requirement as per the SIR. The SIR requires that a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) must be included in the PMP in Volume 1, Tab 2, Factor 2-Management Plan. See SIR amendment which changed "indicate" to "include" in the following sentence "The PMP must include a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) where Government information/activity is required and timeline dependencies for subsequent Contractor activities." The PMP is required to be submitted as part of Volume 1, Tab 2 Factor 2 Managment plan. | ||||
| 48 | Section C, Section F, Section L | Q&A #112,195,364, C.3.2.1, C.4.1.2, L.11.1.2 | Question 112 states a PMP, even a draft, is often more than 10 pages. This is not possible within the 20-page limit for Management. The govt's response: The Government does not intend to modify this requirement at this time. |
Question 195 states: Please confirm there is no requirement for a separate PMP artifact outside of what is requested in L.11.1.2 Volume 1, Tab 2, Factor 2- Management Plan. The govt's response says: Confirmed. For the purposes of proposal submission, the PMP requirements are detailed in SIR SECTION L.11.1.2 Volume 1, Tab 2, Factor 2- Management Plan. Can the government provide clarity, is a PMP schedule/Gantt chart required as described in the following sections, C.3.2.1 "The Contractor must perform contract management tasks to include….develop work breakdown structures (WBSs), draft management plans, draft and report Basic Contract Deliverables required in Section F- Deliverables Or Perforamnce" and C.4.1.2 "The Contractor must develop as part of its IDIQ proposal a PMP The PMP must indicate a plan of actions and milestones where Government information/activity is required and timeline dependencies for subsequent Contractor activities" and F.7.1 "Program Management Plan Due with proposal and revised upon receipt of Government feedback post- award, and updated semi-annuall thereafter"
| or does the Government just want the Management Plan as described in Section L.11.1.2? | Allow just the narrative described in the Management Plan which does not include a schedule or Gantt chart | See response to question number 47 | ||||
| 49 | Section C | C.4.1.2, Program Management Plan (PMP) | The Contractor must develop and deliver as part of its IDIQ proposal a Program Management Plan (PMP) to be revised upon receipt of Government feedbac post-award, and updated and submitted semiannualy thereafter (after a Contractor is awarded its first Task Order). The PMP | |||
| must indicate a plan of action and milestones where Government information/activity is required and timeline dependencies for subsequent Contractor activities. | Can the Gantt chart be provided as an appendix to the Volume 1, Tab 2, Management Plan and not count towards the page count? | All information required to be included in the PMP will count against the page count. | ||||
| 50 | Section L | L.11.1.3, Volume 1, Tab 3, Factor 3-Corporate Experience, Matrix and Narrative | The Offeror must use the matris format provided (Table L.3, below) to present background information about relevant experiences cited. The Offeror may modify the table to apply landscape orientation (11" x 8.5") and add additional columns to encompass up to five (5) relevant corporate experiences. | Using portrait or landscape orientation, Table L.3, does not fit on the page. Would the governement permit 11 x 17 portrait or landscape orientation for this Table? | See response to question number 20 | |
| 51 | Section L | Page 129, L.11.2.1(5), | ||||
| Volume 2, Tab 1, Contract Documents and Associated Information | This section must include 5. Copies of any | |||||
| subcontracts and/or teaming agreements. | In response to Question #219, which sought confirmation whether offerors were required to submit copies of subcontractor teaming agreements and Joint Venture Agreements, the Government clarified that "Joint Venture Offerors must submit a complete copy of the joint venture agreement that established the CTA relationship," and then continued, "[f]or subcontracting requirements not related to Joint Ventures please see SIR L.11.2.6." However, L.11.2.6 (and in particular, | |||||
| L.11.2.6.2 regarding Small Business Offerors) does not address the requirement in L.11.2.1(5) to submit copies of proposed subcontracts or teaming agreements. Are Small Business Offererors required to submit copies teaming agreements and/or subcontracts for all proposed subcontractors, or are they exempt from the requirement in L.11.2.1(5)? | Clarify whether the requirement in L.11.2.1(5) to include "Copies of any subcontracts and/or teaming arrangements" applies to Small Business Offerors | Small businesses are not exempt from the requirement in L.11.2.1(5). In accordance with AMS Clause 3.2.2.7-8, Disclosure of Team Arrangements, all arrangements and company relationships are to be disclosed. The requirements listed in L.11.2.6 is in addition to the requirements listed elsewhere in the SIR. | ||||
| 52 | Section C | C.2 Scope | The scope of work is complex in nature. Complexities include, but are not limited to, the potential transition of over 70 existing contracts and task orders, operations in disparate geographical locations, interdependent systems, support for any of AIT’s 800 critical applications, of which over 400 are managed internally; applications include both commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products with customization and fully customized applications. | Can the government clarify if the transition of existing contracts will be phased or will occur all at once? | At this time, the Government does not anticipate transitioning all contracts at the time of ITIPSS's award. The FAA anticipates transitioning existing contracts in a manner that suits the best interests of the Government. | |
| 53 | Section C | C.2 Scope | The scope of work is complex in nature. Complexities include, but are not limited to, the potential transition of over 70 existing contracts and task orders, operations in disparate geographical locations, interdependent systems, support for any of AIT’s 800 critical applications, of which over 400 are managed internally; applications include both commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products with customization and fully customized applications. | Can the government clarify if there are any existing contracts that will be ending and need to be transistion within the first 30 days of ITIPSS contract award? | ||
| How many contracts are expected to be transitioned within the first 12 months of contract award? | The Government does not have this information to provide at this time. | |||||
| 54 | Section L | L.11.1.4 | Would the government confirm “Volume 1, Tab 4, Factor 4-Past Performance Narrative and Surveys” is meant only to contain Attachment L-1, Section A, Parts I and II, for each of the three references, totaling 12 pages |
This is the start of the file's text. The full file is on GovTribe.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .