FMCSA responses to Questions.docx

R&T IDIQ Questions from Vendors

1. We have reviewed the RFP and are wondering if University based transportation research groups are eligible to apply for these contracts as the Prime or would we need to apply as a subcontract with one of the technology businesses that we work with?

University based transportation research groups are eligible to respond as the Prime.

2. Can FMCSA confirm if Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) of interest will be allowed to participate as a primary applicant and/or sub-recipient?

R&T IDIQ work requirements are available from non-FFRDC entities (for example, private sector and academia). Therefore, FFRDCs are prohibited from competing on the R&T IDIQ procurement as a prime contractor and/or a subcontractor.

3. Do you folks plan to offer any information sessions or is a FAQ available?

There are no plans for an information session or FAQs.

4. What are the next steps?

Please refer to the solicitation on www.sam.gov. Proposals are due on October 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. EDT.

5. What steps do we need to take to become a qualified vendor?

To become a qualified vendor you must be legal business registered in SAM. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is required to contract with the federal government. This must be obtained through the SAM registration process.

6. For this research should any applying team have expertise in all Task Orders 1-4? Or can we focus only on cybersecurity of CMV?

The Offeror’s proposal may include a single or up to all eight (8) Research Areas. As set forth in Section L. 21, an Offeror’s proposal may include one or more of the Research Areas (up to all eight) listed in Section C.4 in the solicitation. Yes, you may focus only on cybersecurity.

7. Please provide clarification of the participation criteria and/or visibility rules for this contracting opportunity.

See response to question 5.

8. Please confirm that subcontractors are not required to be registered in SAM.

That is correct.

9. Please confirm that the requirement for a Small Business Subcontracting Plan will not be required from entities that qualify as a small business under the applicable NAICS code. If that is correct, is there anything required from a small business Offeror with respect to Factor 5 on page 78?

That is correct. The description of the factor states “Except for small business entities”. Factor 5 does not apply.

10. With respect to the labor categories in Section C.8, please confirm that an Offeror does not need to submit rates for each and every category listed, but can instead select which labor categories are applicable to its proposal.

Labor rates are required for all labor categories.

11. Attachment J.2 contains detailed requirements regarding “Critical Infrastructure Protection and Information Assurance.” Can FMCSA please clarify the applicability of this Attachment? The Attachment states it is applicable “to all or any part of the task order that includes information technology resources or services in which the Offeror has physical or electronic access to FMCSA information that supports the mission of FMCSA.” Some of these requirements may be difficult for smaller or mid-sized businesses to meet, and could limit the pool of qualified proposers. Subfactor 3B on page 78 requires a “Plan to meet the Security-Privacy Requirements for Unclassified Information Technology Resources described in Section J.2.” Because it is uncertain which task orders an Offeror may bid on or be selected for, it may be difficult for an Offeror to develop a such a plan at this stage. Are there research areas or types of work where Attachment J.2 may not apply? If so, would it be acceptable for an Offeror to instead submit a plan at the time of an applicable task order?

While it is true that research areas or task orders may have different requirements, Attachment J.2 will still apply.

12. Offerors shall propose a general plan on how they plan to meet the requirements Section C.7.1 and C.7.2 contain a list of “baseline requirements”, which include a few requirements such as “Select, test and recruit subjects for testing”; “Prepare Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and gain IRB approval”; and “If required, the contractor shall submit the proposed research to an IRB that has been formally designated to approve, monitor, and review biomedical and behavioral research involving humans.” Please confirm that certain requirements such as those listed above do not apply to Offerors who will not bid on human testing/research areas.

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) review is required when a research project involves human subjects and meets the definition of research, as defined by the relevant regulations. The IRB process is based on rules and regulations for Federally funded research, primarily the provisions of Protection of Human Subject in the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46). An IRB review will not be conducted if it is not required.

13. Attachment J.4 includes an NDA that applies to contractors, subcontractors, and their employees. Paragraph 9 on page 71 requires the Offeror to submit a completed NDA with its submittal. We have the following questions:

· Please confirm that one signature on the NDA will be acceptable on behalf of the Offeror, and that signatures from each individual employee are not needed.

NDA’s are required at the task order level once an award is made

· Please confirm that subcontractors do not need to sign the NDA at this time.

Correct

14. If the NDA requires signatures of each individual employee of Offeror and/or subcontractors, we have two additional questions:

· Will FMCSA consider allowing each company/organization to sign a Nondisclosure Agreement on behalf of all of its contract staff, so long as it notifies relevant staff of the nondisclosure obligations, rather than requiring each individual staff person to sign, which would require a significant amount of paperwork and could lead to delays in getting staff started working?

No, an NDA will be required for all staff working on the task order

· Does the Nondisclosure Agreement need to be signed by parties upon execution of the IDIQ, or only once work is set to begin on individual task orders involving the relevant parties?

At the task order level

15. There are two rate schedule templates provided in Attachment J.1 one for FFP task orders and one for CPFF task orders. However, both templates appear to be set up to use fully burdened rates. CPFF tasks typically require salary, overhead, fee, escalation, and direct expenses to be broken out separately, and the instructions for cost type contracts on page 71 seem to seem to require a similar detailed CPFF breakdown like this. Can FMCSA provide clarification as to how/if it would like Offerors to show the individual cost elements on the CPFF template provided in Attachment J.1?

The CPFF template is for direct labor, not fully burdened. In addition, a line was added to require the proposed fixed fee. Offerors shall also provide a copy of their Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

16. Please confirm that the detailed requirements for CPFF and FFP work on pages 71-72 would only need to be submitted at the task order level, and do not need to be submitted at this time for Offerors who are not proposing on any of the initial 4 task orders.

Offerors are required to complete the detailed requirements for CPFF and FFP at this time as described in the solicitation at the top of page 70 Section (B) Format and Content.

17. Pages 72-74 contain detailed cost and pricing terms labeled as “Alternative Clause.” It doesn’t appear to be checked with an X next to it – can FMCSA confirm that the Section titled “Instructions for Preparation of Pricing Proposals [Alternative Clause]” on pages 72-74 is not applicable to this submittal?

This is not applicable. FMCSA anticipates adequate price competition.

18. The “Alternate Clause” specifies that markup on subcontractors is allowable; however, the main set of instructions for CPFF or FFP task orders on pages 71-72 do not address this topic. Can FMCSA confirm that markup on subcontractors is allowable on task orders under this IDIQ?

This is not applicable.

19. If a specific individual is proposed under a certain labor category, but later during the term of the contract qualifies for a more senior labor category based on education/years of experience, can that individual be placed into and invoice at the more senior labor category if they meet those requirements? If so, could an individual be placed in a different labor category during the course of an ongoing task order?

No.

20. University subcontractors may have difficulty complying with the requirements of the Dissemination of Contract Information clause in TAR 1252.242-72. Could language be added stating that educational institution subcontractors will be subject to the TAR clause 1252.242-70 Dissemination of Information—Educational Institutions (NOV 2022) in lieu of 1252.242-72?

No. All information will require approval by the contracting officer.

21. In the event that certain FAR clauses are required to flow down to universities, research institutes, and nonprofits, could additional alternate FAR clauses applicable to universities, research institutes, and nonprofit subcontractors be added to the contract? Alternatively, could certain FAR clauses that are not applicable to universities, research institutes, and nonprofit subcontractors be waived upon request?

If the offeror takes exception to any of the FAR clauses, they must state so in their price proposal. No additional clauses will be added.

22. Factor 4 on page 78 states that “Resumes of all proposed personnel shall be included in the offer. This includes education, qualifications (advanced degrees in relevant area of study), and experience.” Will FMCSA consider limiting the required resumes to “key personnel” rather than “all proposed personnel.”

No, FMCSA will not consider limiting the required resumes to key personnel. We suggest submitting the resumes of 7-8 people who will be doing the work. It must adhere to the page limit: Not to exceed 15 pages, except each resume not to exceed 2 pages.

23. Can FMCSA confirm that there are no specific categories designated as “key personnel” and that the Offeror may select which categories it considers to be “key” for purposes of this submittal?

At the Overall IDIQ level, the key personnel should be either the Senior Technical Program Manager or the Senior Technical Director. Key Personnel will also be designated at the Task Order level.

24. Some small businesses, sole proprietors, and individual consultants may not have government-approved or cognizant agency reviewed overhead rates, and may not be able to provide “detailed background data indicating the cost elements included in the applicable pool and a statement that such treatment is in accordance with the company's established accounting practice.” Would FMCSA consider waiving such requirements for small businesses, sole proprietors, and individual consultants serving as subcontractors?

Offerors must have an established accounting practice. The Prime is responsible for conducting appropriate cost or price analyses to establish the reasonableness of the proposed subcontract prices and including the results of the analysis in the price proposal.

25. Please provide the Phase 1 Research Resign document. It is required to respond effectively to Task Order 3.

The research design will be sent as an attachment.

26. Will HUBZone-certified firms receive any preference in the pricing or evaluation of proposals under this IDIQ?

No.

27. Can FMCSA confirm whether subcontractors not identified in the initial IDIQ proposal may be added for future task orders?

Yes, at the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

28. If proposing only on Task Order 2, how should the Volumes be labeled? Should the response still be labeled as Volumes 5 and 6, even though we are not submitting a response to Task Order 1?

Yes, they should be labeled Volumes 5 and 6.

29. Can an organization submit a proposal as a prime contractor while also participating as a subcontractor on another offeror’s submission?

Yes.

30. Page 69 of 92 states, “Except for small business entities, the Business/Cost Proposal shall include a Subcontracting Plan which strives to meet or exceed FMCSA’s FY2025 Subcontracting Goals”.

· Our understanding is that businesses with fewer than 1000 employees do not need to meet the subcontracting goals. Please confirm.

Businesses that qualify as a small business under the NAICS code are not required to meet the subcontracting goals.

· Our understanding is that businesses with fewer than 1000 employees do not need to include a Subcontracting Plan in the Technical Proposal if subcontractors are not being used on the contract. Please confirm.

Other than Small Businesses are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

31. We were a subcontractor on a federal contract which was terminated for convenience. As we were the subcontractor and not the prime, are we required to list this information under “Terminated Contracts”?

Yes, you’re required.

32. In order assist companies with meeting the Subcontractor Goals set by FMCSA, would FMCSA be willing to disseminate the contact information of interested subcontractors?

No.

33. For Task Order 2: Are SAP obligated to cooperate with the contractor’s verification attempts?

Per the Work Statement (WS), “the contractor will not act in an enforcement capacity.” The contractor should simply request the information and document the particulars of any failed verification attempt in accordance with the WS (see each Task’s language for details on, e.g., how to perform the verification, the minimum number and type of contact attempts, documenting the inability to verify information including in the case of refusal to comply, etc.). When contacting the SAP for Task 9 and Task 10, the contractor should not make any statements or speculations regarding any potential consequences of failure to comply with a verification attempt.

Notwithstanding the above, the contractor will be authorized to request and collect information on FMCSA’s behalf as part of this research and may confirm such. SAPs who inquire regarding regulatory requirements to provide qualification documentation may be directed to 49 CFR 40.281(e) (as referenced in the WS) and to 49 CFR Part 382 Subpart G to learn more about the requirement for SAPs to provide accurate contact information to FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

34. In Section L.21 of the RFP, the instructions for Part D of Volume 1 state that the section is limited to 15 pages, “except each resume not to exceed 2 pages” (page 67). Are resumes included in Part D’s 15-page limit?

Yes.

35. For the individual task order responses, should offerors provide a specific number of past performance project descriptions?

There is no specific number.

36. For the individual task order responses, should offerors provide resumes? If so, would the resumes count within the 25-page limit?

The approach to staffing (including key personnel) that will lead to the successful accomplishment of the requirements should be included. The Offeror should submit resume(s) of staff which reflect the experience and qualifications relevant to the technical requirements. The resumes would count toward the 25-page limit. The page limit is not to exceed 25 pages for Part A and Part B combined.

37. For the individual task order responses, do the cover pages, tables of contents, or references count towards the 25-page limit?

Yes.

38. For budgeting purposes, can FMCSA provide approximate start dates for the task orders?

No.

39. For budgeting purposes, can FMCSA provide an expected award timeline for the IDIQ contract?

No.

40. Can FMCSA provide budget ceilings or NTE amounts for the task orders?

No.

41. Would FMCSA consider adding a section before Part A in Volume 1 to allow for brief introductory content or an executive summary?

No.

42. The description for Task 16 of Task Order 3 (Intelligent Tires Phase 2) refers to a "recruiting website" and materials that are not previously mentioned in the Task Order description (Attachment J.3.3). Does this task description correspond to this Task Order? If so, could FMCSA please clarify what these items refer to?

Please disregard. The recruiting will be completed during the phase 1 task order. The requirement to develop materials for a recruiting website has been removed from Task Order. (Will be addressed in revised work statement)

43. For Task Order 4 (Engaging Fleet Operators), does FMCSA expect the contractor to perform any back-end development to launch the website in Task 4?

No backend work is expected for this task order. This will have to be handled by FMCSA, if required.

44. For Task Order 4 (Engaging Fleet Operators), does FMCSA expect the contractor to update the site directly with any new content, or will contractors submit site content updates to FMCSA, and FMCSA will upload the new content?

Content will be submitted to FMCSA and then FMCSA will upload the content to their externally facing sites.

45. In Volume 1, can offerors add an appendix for references? Would this count against the page limit for any section(s)?

Yes. Offerors can add an appendix with references no longer than 3 pages.

46. Attachment J.1: Several of the labor categories in both the FFP and CPFF worksheets of attachment J.1 are highlighted (e.g., “Senior Experimental Psychologist” is yellow and “Experimental Psychologist” is green). Can you please confirm the meaning, if any, of these highlights?

There is no meaning.

47. Attachments J.3.1: Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 1?

No.

48. Attachments J.3.2: Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 2?

No.

49. Attachments J.3.3: Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 3?

No.

50. Attachments J.3.4: Is there an estimate of the budget or the level of effort expected on Task Order 4?

No.

51. Can the Government extend the proposal due date by a week?

Yes. Proposals are due on October 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. EDT.

52. Page 18 Section C.8 Contractor Staff Qualifications (Labor Categories): The section introduction states that the descriptions “define the duties each labor category may be responsible for performing.” However, the individual labor category descriptions contain a mix of duty descriptions and qualification requirements (e.g., education, experience levels, demonstrated capabilities).

Are the education, experience, and other qualification requirements listed within each labor category description mandatory minimum requirements that proposed staff must meet to be assigned to that category?

Yes.

53. Pgs 68 and 78 Sections L.21. and M.5: On page 68, (1) Technical Requirements refers to resumes of key personnel. However, on page 78, Factor 4 Qualifications of Proposed Personnel says resumes for all proposed personnel should be included. Can the Government please clarify if resumes should only be included for key personnel or for all proposed personnel?

Resumes should be included for key personnel as well as other personnel who will be completing the work. We suggest submitting the resumes of 7-8 people. It must adhere to the page limit: Not to exceed 15 pages, except each resume not to exceed 2 pages.

54. Section C.8 (page 18): Could the Government provide education and experience qualifications for all the Labor Categories listed in Section C.8. This allows us to identify representative staff/resumes and market survey data to propose a ceiling rate that aligns better to the Government Labor Categories and Work Statement.

The following has been added to Section C.8:

A senior labor category has over 10 years of experience and a MA/MS and a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of a subject area (e.g., a history of publications, speaking on the topics, and presenting to peers).

55. Section C.8 (page 18): Could the Government align the Labor Category titles between Section C.8 of the solicitation and Attachment J1, specifically:

· Electrical Engineer in J1 which is listed as Electrical/Electronics Engineer in Section C.8 of the solicitation.

· Computer Programmer in J1 which is listed as Computer Programmer/Software Engineer in Section C.8 of the solicitation.

Attachment J1 has been changed.

56. Section L.21.I (page 67): May offerors included a non-page counting cover page to their technical proposals?

Yes, one page.

57. Section L.21.I (page 67): The instructions note that the Qualifications and Experience of Personnel section is “not to exceed 15 pages, except each resume not to exceed 2 pages.” Please confirm the resumes count toward the 15-page maximum for this section.

Resumes count toward the 15-page maximum for this section.

58. Section L.21.I (page 68): This section notes that resumes for “the key personnel should be included” in the proposal. Please clarify how the government is defining key personnel at the IDIQ level.

In the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), key personnel are individuals identified as essential to contract performance due to their specific skills or roles, whose availability requires the Contracting Officer's written consent for any substitution or diversion to other projects.

At the Overall IDIQ level, Key Personnel are either a Senior Technical Program Manager or Senior Technical Director.

Key Personnel will also be designated at the Task Order level.

59. Section L.21.I (page 69): the subcontracting/consultants and subcontracting plan section references the subcontracting plan (attachment J.7). Given that this plan is meant to be included in the business/cost proposal, please clarify what is meant to go into this section of the technical proposal.

As stated “(2) Subcontracting/Consultants and Subcontracting Plan. If subcontractors and/or individual consultants will be used in carrying out the requirements of this project, the following minimum information concerning the subcontractor shall be furnished:

(i) Name and address of the subcontractor or consultant.

(ii) Names and positions of personnel who will work on the project.”

60. Attachment J.1: There are yellow and green highlights in attachment J.1. Please clarify the significance of the highlights.

There is no significance.

61. Attachment J.1: The CPFF tab refers to “cost plus firm fixed price.” Please clarify if the government is referring to cost-plus-fixed-fee in this tab.

The CPFF tab refers to Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee.

62. Attachment J.5: Please clarify if offerors who are submitting a proposal for the IDIQ only, are meant to utilize this form.

Offerors who are submitting a proposal for the Overall IDIQ only are not required to utilize this form.

63. What is FMCSA’s target price for each TOPR (1-4)?

No target price will be provided.

64. The tables provided in Attachment J.1 do not include the negotiated labor rates. Will the rates be provided prior to award?

No. Offerors shall propose labor rates.

65. The definitions below are essentially the same, except for the highlighted terms/phrases. Please provide an example of design, construction, and testing of a hardware device vs. an electronic system and device which would require a mechanical engineer vs. an electrical/electronics engineer.

Mechanical Engineer: Experience in mechanical engineering, and experience in developing and testing of hardware and software. Experience interpreting systems specifications and coding software using a variety of languages and software tools. Demonstrated experience assisting with the design, construction, and testing of hardware devices.

Electrical/Electronics Engineer: Experience in electrical/electronics engineering, and experience in developing and testing of hardware and software. Experience interpreting systems specifications and coding software using a variety of languages and software tools. Demonstrated experience assisting with the design, construction, and testing of electronics systems and devices.

Section C.8 has been changed to add the following: Electrical/Electronics Engineer

Electrical/Electronics Engineer

This labor category covers the research, design, development and testing of electronic equipment and systems. Their work focuses on the generation, transmission and utilization of electrical energy. Their areas of work may include, but are not limited to, power systems, control systems, embedded systems, telecommunications and renewable energy.

Mechanical Engineer

This labor category covers the research, design, development and testing of mechanical and thermal sensors, devices and machines. Their work focuses on the principles of physics, materials science and thermodynamics to create solutions involving motion, energy and force. Their areas of work may include, but are not limited to, automotive and aerospace, robotics, manufacturing, biomechanics and energy systems.

66. Can the offeror propose additional labor categories?

Yes.

67. The schedule for providing a briefing as part of a Kick-off Meeting is within 20 “working days” after award unless otherwise specified in a task order PWS (Paragraph C.9.3). Section C.9.4 and C.9.5 reference delivery dates as “X days prior,” and “within twenty-one (21) days.” Are these days working or calendar days?

These are working days.

68. When does the research or technology brief need to be submitted?

The research or technology brief are due at the same time as the final report unless the task order PWS specifies otherwise.

69. Section G.4 Technical Direction: Paragraph (d) of this sections states, “However, if in the opinion of the Contractor, the direction issued by the COR or TOCOR is within one of the prescribed categories in (i) through (vi) above, the Contractor shall not proceed, but shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing, within 3 working days after receipt of any such direction.” Paragraph’s (i) through (vi) are not in this section of the RFP, please clarify.

It should state:

All Technical Direction must be within the general scope of work stated in the contract and Task Order. The COR and TOCOR do not have the authority to and may not issue any Technical Direction that:

(i) constitutes an assignment of additional work outside the general scope of the base contract;

(ii) constitutes a change as defined in the base contract clause entitled “Changes”;

(iii) in any manner causes an increase or decrease in prices set forth in Section B; or

(iv) changes any of the expressed terms, conditions or specifications of the contract.

All Technical Direction must be issued in writing, or shall be confirmed in writing by the COR or TOCOR (as applicable) within 3 working days after issuance. The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of duly issued Technical Directions. However, if in the opinion of the Contractor, the direction issued by the COR or TOCOR is within one of the prescribed categories in (i) through (iv) above, the Contractor shall not proceed, but shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing, within 3 working days after receipt of any such direction. The Contracting Officer will determine if the Technical Direction is proper, or if a contract modification would be required to properly implement the direction. Failure of the parties to agree upon the nature of the direction or upon the contract action to be taken with respect thereto shall be subject to the clause included in Section I entitled “Disputes.”

The solicitation document has been amended to reflect the change.

70. Section H.6 FEDERAL HOLIDAYS AND CLOSURES OF FMCSA FACILITIES: If FMCSA employees are granted unplanned administrative leave on a day(s) and that leave results in the need for extension of government review time for a deliverable, will the contractor automatically receive an extension of their subsequent delivery date for the final deliverable?

No.

71. I.43 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020) For this paragraph, “(c) A delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when— (1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;”, will the period of performance start on the date it is “issued,” and will the contractor be informed in writing on the day it is deposited in the mail?

Task orders will not be issued through the mail.

72. I.120 1252.237-73 KEY PERSONNEL (NOV 2022) Are Key Personnel required? None are listed in the task orders. Key personnel are referenced several times, but not specifically identified in terms of the Labor Categories (C.8) or elsewhere in the RFP?

Yes, Key Personnel are required. At the Overall IDIQ level, Key Personnel are either a Senior Technical Program Manager or Senior Technical Director. Key Personnel will also be designated at the Task Order level.

All necessary documents have been revised to reflect the designated Key Personnel.

73. L.12 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006) Elizabeth Johnson is listed as the main point of contact, should she be the main point of contact for protests?

All protests filed directly with the agency will be addressed to the Contracting Officer, Deila Johnson.

74. I. INDEFINITE-DELIVERY-INDEFINITE-QUANTITY (IDIQ) OVERALL CONTRACT Volume 1 – Technical Proposal. Subs/Consultants/PP

· The technical requirements of this section (Paragraph (1)) reference resumes for Key Personnel, but section I.120 says Key Personnel will be identified by Task Order. Paragraph (3) also references key personnel. Do Key Personnel have to be identified in this volume, and if so what labor categories?

Yes, Key Personnel are required. At the Overall IDIQ level, Key Personnel are either a Senior Technical Program Manager or Senior Technical Director. Key Personnel will also be designated at the Task Order level.

All necessary documents have been revised to reflect the designated Key Personnel.

· Can the Offeror provide past performance information of subs/consultants in this section of the proposal? Factor 6 (separate paragraph) says, “The Government reserves the right to assess the past performance of proposed subcontractors.”

Yes, past performance information of subcontractors or consultants may be listed here.

· “Should key personnel be identified in this section considering the wording in Section I.120?

This section has been updated.

· If it determined that Key Personnel have to be proposed, can Key Personnel be personnel from subs/consultants?

Yes.

75. Subcontracting Plan: Can a small funding to a small business categorized in multiple categories be applied to each of the categories equally? For example, a small business that is both a SDB and WOSB who receives 10% of the contract would satisfy 10% of the 23% SDB category and 10% of the WOSB category.

Yes, it can be counted toward multiple socioeconomic small business categories, provided the business is certified in all applicable programs.

76. Attachment J.5 is only referenced in the instruction for Volume 2 in FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS section and not in the COST TYPE CONTRACTS section. Should J.5 be completed for both with the hours equaling each other?

Attachment J.5 is not required to be submitted at the overall IDIQ level. This is a sample pricing sheet for task orders.

77. For the overall IDIQ award determination is, “Based upon the results of the integrated assessment of the Technical and Cost/Price Proposals, the Government may make an award to other than the lowest-priced Offeror or the Offeror with the highest technical rating if the source selection official determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government.” Will this same determination be used for award of individual task orders?

Yes, as described in Section M.6 Best Value Evaluation.

78. Should Task Order Business/Cost Proposals follow the instructions provided for Business/Cost Proposals provided for the overall IDIQ (L.21)?

Yes.

79. Task Order No. 3: Can we have access to the approach details in order to address how our team might accomplish this task in phase 2?

This will be sent as an attachment.

80. Task Order No. 3: Phase 2 will be expected to use the supplier of smart tires identified in phase 1. Can we know who the vendor is in order to estimate pricing for the endeavor and address whether we already have an established relationship with the vendor?

The identification of the vendors for the phase 2 effort will be determined in the phase 1 effort. Please use assumptions in the Additional information section of the attached research design. It should be noted that these are candidate vendors.

81. Task Order No. 3: Phase 2 will be expected to use the same fleet as identified in phase 1. Can we know what fleet was utilized is in order to address whether we already have an established relationship with the fleet?

The fleets have not been identified at this point in time. This is an upcoming deliverable.

82. Task Order No. 3: Phase 1 will establish the initial quantities of trucks in the study. Will we get access to the number that was established?

Please assume 66 tractor-trailer combination units for this effort.

83. Task Order No. 3: Can the data collected from the tires be captured post-processing or do we need to ensure the research design is capturing real-time data?

Post-processing should be fine.

84. Task Order No. 4: In section 4.0 Scope it says, “With this understanding, FMCSA has developed a high-level project management plan (PMP) for consideration by Offerors that describes key tasks.” Will this PMP be provided as GFI as an addendum to the solicitation?

Please disregard this. The Contractors should be developing the initial PMP. Refer to the next question for the minimum. (Will be addressed in the revised work statement)

85. Task Order No. 4: In section 4.0 Scope it says, “The draft PMP must include the following details, at a minimum:” There is not text following this statement describing the details that must be provided.

· Roles and responsibilities for the task order

· Risk management plan

· Task order schedule (detailing deliverables and milestones)

· Other information proposed by the Contractor

86. Task Order No. 4: In Section 4.1 it states, “The Contractor will deliver subsequent edits of the PMP to FMCSA for review throughout the period of performance.” For this FFP contract, how many edits of the PMP should be assumed?

For this task order, assume that there will be 1 revision to the PMP. This revision will occur after the engagement plan is developed.

87. Task Order No. 4: In Section 4.1, including “In addition to the draft PMP” in the Monthly Reports section is ambiguous as it makes it sound like the PMP will be due monthly on the 10th. Will the PMP be delivered once in draft, once final, and at a given number of times?

There will be a draft PMP and a final PMP delivery. The PMP does not need to be included in the monthly reports.

88. Task Order No. 4: Throughout the TO references are made to the COR. Should these references be to the TO COR to be in line with the overall RFP language?

Yes. In reference to Task Order No. 4, “COR” and “TO COR” refer to the same individual.

89. Task Order No. 4: In Section 4.1, Bi-weekly Status Meetings, it states, “The meeting occurrences can become more frequent if agreed upon between the Contractor and the COR.” Will a contract modification be required for more frequent meetings than Bi-weekly?

Please assume that the meetings will only occur on a bi-weekly cadence. All other issues will be addressed “offline”.

90. Task Order No. 4: Is the preliminary PMP listed in deliverables the same as the draft PMP listed in the PMP section?

There will be no preliminary PMP developed by FMCSA. The Contractor should develop the preliminary PMP as this is a deliverable under Task 1.

91. Task Order No. 4: Task 1 Deliverables include “draft quarterly briefing slides.” Since this deliverable is labeled as “draft.” Will there be a review and a “final” deliverable? What is the expectation for the deliverable, for example, content, number of pages?

Please provide the slides 2 weeks prior to the scheduled quarterly briefings. Based on feedback from the COR, the Contractor shall modify and deliver the final quarterly briefing slides a minimum of 2 business days before the scheduled quarterly briefing.

92. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.2 – The PWS says the kickoff meeting must happen within two months but the deliverable table says 3 weeks, please clarify.

Please use 3 weeks for the deliverable.

93. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.2 – The briefing required for the kick-off meeting is not identified as a deliverable under Task 2 in the deliverable table, nor in the deliverable summary of this section. Please clarify.

This is referring to the slide deck for the kickoff meeting. The Contractor shall be prepared to present this at the kickoff meeting.

94. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3 – Does public engagement in various forms, such as social media, or other products for carriers, have to be reviewed and approved by FMCSA Public Affairs? DOT Public Affairs?

All public engagements will need to be approved by FMCSA.

95. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3 – For estimating purposes, how many social media platforms in addition to the three listed should be assumed?

Please assume Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin at a minimum. It should also be noted that the Contractor cannot post anything without prior FMCSA approval.

96. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3 – For estimating purposes, how many conferences and industry events will require materials? Will these materials be reviewed and approved before being finalized by the contractor for use at the events?

Please assume that there will be 3 conferences for the Task Order. One per calendar year (Subject to approval). The materials will need to be reviewed and approved prior to being finalized by the Contractor.

97. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3 – What is the upper bound of engagement activity? How many Cybersecurity conference representations should be assumed?

Please assume that there will be 3 conferences for the Task Order. One per calendar year. The Contractors should feel free to propose an initial engagement plan which can be refined after the market research phase.

98. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3 – How many revisions to the engagement plan should be expected?

For this task order, assume that there will be 1 revision to the PMP. Revision 1 will occur after the engagement plan is developed.

99. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3.1 (Section 3.1: Tabletop Exercise) Section 4.3.1 states that the Contractor shall not develop the exercise from scratch and is encouraged to work with an organization that has previously conducted tabletop exercises.

· If the Contractor may not develop the tabletop exercise from scratch, is FMCSA looking for delivery of a canned, template-based exercise?

· The intent of that statement was to encourage the Contractor to utilize past resources and developments for this exercise. The tabletop exercise can start from a baseline and be refined based on requirements specified during the project’s period of performance.

· This statement was also more so in reference to the virtual environment development aspect, which would require some coding. The intent is for the Contractor to have a baseline for this already and not have to develop everything from scratch.

· Does FMCSA have a particular tabletop exercise vendor in mind that contractors should partner with?

· FMCSA does not have a vendor preference. However, the vendor selected by the Contractor should have experience with tabletop exercise development and execution. The SOO has recommended some potential industry partners that have experience in this space. However, the Contractor is free to be creative and utilize their own internal or external entities.

· If a multi-disciplinary Contractor has in-house staff with experience developing tabletop exercises, is working with another organization necessary?

· If the Contractor has in-house capabilities to develop the tabletop exercise, this is sufficient and there is no need to work with another entity.

· Who are the intended participants in the tabletop exercise? Will they be carrier organization leadership, cybersecurity staff in particular, etc.?

· The initial audience is intended to be carriers as well as cybersecurity staff within a carrier’s organization. We also want to engage owner operators under this effort as well. It is understood that these entities may not have the resources to implement all recommended cybersecurity mitigations but there are still things that can be learned.

100. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3.1 states, “The COR will determine if the event will be virtual or in person within 6 months of the task order being awarded.” Should the contractor submit a cost for travel, as well as other travel, as an optional line item in the cost/business proposal?

For quoting purposes, please assume travel for this.

101. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.3.2 states the Virtual Webinar will be developed as part of the Engagement Plan. For estimating purposes, do you have more specifics about how many contractor/other participants, length, webinar participants all virtual, application (Teams/Zoom), invites? invite list?

· Duration: 2.5 hours.

· Application: Zoom or Teams (There is no preference here)

· Location: The event shall be virtual only

· The invitees will be determined during the project’s period of performance. The primary audience is carriers. We can consider other researchers and cybersecurity professionals. We will scope this out in the engagement plan phase.

102. Task Order No. 4: Section 4.5, Task 5 Deliverables. Please clarify what is meant by, “the Contractor might present the examined variables in terms of the proportion of variance accounted for in any analyzed relationships or in terms of the size of the effects?”

This is boilerplate language that will not apply to this task order. Please disregard.

103. Page 70 Section L.21, Business and Cost/Price Proposal, Part B – Other Financial / Organization Information, Para(B)(5) – Terminated Contracts: For contracts Terminated for Convenience – is this across an Offeror’s entire federal portfolio or only DOT-issued contracts? Given the large number of contract terminations over the last six months resulting from the Government’s changing priorities (actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency), it’s not clear how this information is valuable for the proposal evaluation team since a Termination for Convenience is not a good indicator of an Offeror’s past performance.

This is for the offeror’s entire federal portfolio.

104. Attachment J.7 - Subcontracting Plan Template: The current template consolidates subcontracting goals across all periods, including the Base and Option Years. Please confirm that FMSCA wants Prime contractors to complete the included template which does not reflect subcontracting goals by each individual Option Year?

That is correct. Complete the form as is.

105. Page 70 Volume 2 – Business and Cost/Price Proposal, Part B- Other Financial/ Organizational Information, Item B(9): The RFP includes a requirement that states “The Offeror shall complete the FMSCA Non-Disclosure Agreement (Attachment J.4).” The NDA seems to address the need for all subcontractors to sign a copy of the NDA (Attachment J.4); however, on Page 25, Section C.18 - Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements: The first sentence states, “Any confidentiality or nondisclosure agreement signed between the motor carrier, driver and study agent shall contain a statement that the sponsor, FMCSA, requested the data collected in the study be de-identified and made available to the public (using a legend and anonymous reference to the carriers and drivers in the data set).”

Please confirm if all proposed subcontractors need to submit a signed copy of the NDA with the proposal or if the requirement in Section C.18 to include the statement in any confidentiality or NDA signed between the Prime and the Subcontractor will suffice.

All individuals working on the specific task orders will be required to complete an NDA.

106. Attachment J.3.2 - Task Order No.2 section, 4.0 Scope: Task Order No.2 section, 4.0 Scope, describes that FMCSA will provide a sampled list of 10% of registered SAPs. Will the contractor's access be limited to the initial 10% of the sample, or will a reserve sample be provided to ensure a 10% response rate is achieved if the initial response rate is lower?

The Government intends for the contractor to attempt to verify information using the procedures described in the WS for a sample representing 10% of registered SAPs. In cases in which one or more elements of a SAP’s information cannot be verified (see Tasks 8, 9, and 10), the results should be recorded as such. The Government does not intend to draw or provide replacement samples in cases of no contact, refusal to comply, etc. As such, a “10% response rate” as referenced in your question is not required for successful task completion and the sample will be limited to the initial 10% of registered SAPs as described.

Note however that if a SAP cannot be contacted or refuses to provide the requested information when contacted, this does not necessarily preclude the checking/verification of certain information, especially as it pertains to Task 8 and Task 9. For example, per the language in the WS for Task 8, the SAP’s credentials/licensure might be verifiable via checking a state licensing database or contacting the authority that issued a credential. Similarly, as stated in the WS for Task 9, it may be possible to reasonably verify or not verify some information indirectly (e.g., if a phone number is disconnected, the contractor has verified that the phone number is not accurate). Your proposal should demonstrate your plan and capabilities regarding checks/verifications.