AMENDMENT 0001 Question_and_Answer_Worksheet.xlsx
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Sheet1
| No. | RFP Section/Reference | Comment/Question | Government Response |
| 1 | Section B.3.2: Labor Categories and Descriptions; pg 4 | Does the government intend to require fewer educational qualifications of the National expert designation (BA/BS degree) than the lower-level Senior designation (MA/MS degree)? Is it acceptable for Senior-level staff to have BA/BS degree? Can additional years of experience equate a higher degree designation? | Change as follows - For the National Expert a MA/MS is preferred, but can substitute 5 years of service at the national expert level and a BA/BS degree. |
For Senior level staff a MA/MS is preferred, but can substitute 3 years of service at the senior level and a BA/BS degree.
| 2 | Section C.6: Potential Task Orders; pg 7 | There seems to be missing language from the first sentence following the heading (i.e., “Orders, they will be based on the six task areas stated in C.2 and detailed below.”). Can you please clarify this? | Please note that there is no missing language from the statement. Another way to rephrase the statement, "Orders will be based on the six task areas…". |
| 3 | Section F.8: Editorial Requirements for All Deliverables; pg 24 | Section F.8 indicates that all draft and final submissions must be reviewed by an editor on the contractor’s staff before delivery to the COR for review. Per page 80 (within Section L.10: Technical Proposal Instructions), which lists all project personnel, Editor is not listed. To meet this requirement, are we allowed to recommend the inclusion of this labor category to cover the work within the six task areas? | All deliverables shall be submitted free of error. This is a direct expense to the Contract. Section F.8 has been revised. |
| 4 | Section J: List of Attachments; pg 57 | Section J lists seven attachments to this SOW; however, in the package, attachment J.6 (Scenarios) is missing. Instead, the Subcontractor Checklist (J.5) is repeated as J.6 in Word format. Would you please provide the J.6 Scenarios attachment? | Please note that Attachment J.6, Scenarios was uploaded and replaced the duplicated Attachment J.5 in Beta.sam on August 20th. The Final RFP and all attachments have been resubmitted. |
| 5 | Section L.9: Proposal Format; pg 76 | Page 76 indicates that “The technical volume shall not exceed 50 pages.” However, page 78 (within Section L.10: Technical Proposal Instructions) indicates that “This technical proposal shall not be more than 60-pages in length.” Which is the correct page limit for the technical volume? If the limit is 60 pages, how does it affect the page limitation breakdown by part (I through III) and task area (1 through 6)? | RFP Page 78, L.10 has been edited and shall read 54 pages. |
| 6 | Section L.10: Technical Proposal Instructions; pg 82 | The first paragraph on 82 mentions that offerors should provide a Master Staffing Matrix, which denotes key personnel and staffing levels proposed as well as capabilities/credentials for all labor categories. Below resume requirements, the SOW also mentions inclusion of a matrix listing names, years of experience, level of education, labor category, task area assignment, and contract relationship. Is this considered the Master Staffing Matrix, or in addition to it? | Both paragraphs refer to the the Master Staffing Matrix. |
Master Staffing Matrix: Should be an all inclusive list of Key Personnel and other proposed staffing based on labor categories listed in attachment J.1. The Government suggests completing the Table J.8.B – Master Staffing Matrix as identified in Attachment J.8.
| 7 | Section L.8, Item a., Page 75 | states one completed copy unbound with original signature must be submitted. Question: Please clarify since this is an electronic submittal if a hard copy of the Standard Form 33 should be mailed to Sheronda Jones? | Offerors shall submit an electronic version of SF 33; electronically signed and emailed to Sheronda.Jones@dot.gov. The form can be found attached to the Final RFP submitted with the Questions and Anwsers. |
| 8 | Section L.8, Item b., Page 75 | Question: Does only the prime only need to submit a Section K, or must prime and all subcontractors submit a Section K? | Only the prime Contractor shall submit Section K. |
| 9 | Section L.9. Volume I – Technical Proposal, Page Limit, Page 76 | States the technical proposal shall not exceed 50 pages. Section L.10, Item b., Page 78 states the technical proposal shall not be more than 60-pages in length. Question: Can the page limitation for the technical proposal be clarified? | See response to question #5. |
| 10 | Section M.5 Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan, Page 93 | Question: Since this is a total small business set aside, is a Small Disadvantaged Business Plan required? | Section M.5 is hereby deleted. |
| 11 | Section L.9, Page 76 | states: “The Offeror shall submit/present the Technical and Business Proposals as two (2) separate volumes, not to include the Task Order (Attachment J.8)” There is not an Attachment J.8. Question: Is this statement meant to refer to J.7 IDIQ RFQ TO? | Yes, the statement is meant to refer to J.7, Task Order eCommerce. Additionally, Attachment J.8 Sample Staffing Tables and Mix is hereby added to Section L.10, Part II, pages 80, 81, and 82. |
| 12 | Section L.11, Part I – Cost/Price Information, A. Cost/Price Information Assumptions, Page 85 | References Attachment J.8. Question: Is this statement meant to refer to J.7 IDIQ RFQ TO? | See response to question #11. |
| 13 | Section L.9 Volume I – Technical Proposal, Page Limit, Page 76 | The technical proposal shall not exceed 50 pages, as follows: Scenario responses, not to exceed 4 pages, per task area (scenarios 1-5 maximum 20 pages) inferring Scenario responses count toward the technical proposal page limit. IDIQ - Page 77, First Bullet: indicates the scenario responses are not counted toward the technical proposal page limit: Scenario Response shall be limited to 4 pages, per scenario, per Task Area. Scenario response is not counted in the technical proposal page limit. Question: Is the scenario response is included in the technical proposal page limitation? | Correction, scenario responses are included in the technical proposal page limitation. |
| 14 | Attachment J.7, page 9 | BTS appears to want a stand-alone task proposal, as would be submitted in the normal course of an awarded contract. Question: Does BTS expect resumes and supporting material to be submitted with task order responses to J7, even though that may duplicate material provided for the proposal as a whole? | Yes, resumes and supporting matertials shall be submitted with the Task Order request. |
| 15 | Attachment J.7, page 2 | makes reference to both “electronic shopping” and “virtual shopping” Question: What is the distinction between electronic shopping and virtual shopping, as BTS uses those terms? | Virtual shopping is conducted via the internet on-line. There is no physical store front. |
Electronic shopping could include phone order, placing order in a physical store, or other electronic transactions than virtural store. There maybe a physical store front.
| 16 | Attachment J.7, page 5 | The Task 1 Technical Memo appears to be an internal document, whereas the Task 2 (optional) Report could be made public. Question: Does BTS expect the technical content in Task 2 to be based on findings from Task 1, or should the budget and approach allow for additional research? | Yes. Findings from Task 1 would be included in Task 2. Task 1 is annotated outline and basic research. Task 2 writes report from outline developed in and answers research questions from Task 1. There maybe a small amount of addition research needed to answer any questions brought up in Task 1. |
| 17 | Attachment J.7, page 5 | There is no Task 4 in the main body of the scope and in the list of deliverables wholly contained on page 5. However, the table of required performance that begins on page 5 and ends on page 6 includes a Task 4. This additional task seems to be a portion of Task 3 that does not have a fixed time frame. Question: Can BTS clarify this break out of tasks and its intentions for doing so? | On page 6 - Task 4 should be a deliverable under Task 3. The correction has been made in the final RFP. |
| 18 | Attachment J.7: General | US DOT sometimes provides its own estimate of level of effort (labor hours) required for task orders. Question: Is there a labor / hours estimate for the J7 Task Order that BTS wishes to share? | Attachment J.7 eCommerce Task Order, Page 1, Price/Cost states that a Firm Fixed Price Task Order is anticipated. |
| 19 | Section L.10 - page 80 Section L.10 - page 82 | A staffing matrix of labor categories for each task area is provided. States that resumes are required for Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff. |
There do not appear to be any Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff listed in the labor category matrix (they are all either Program Manager, National Expert, or Sr. Professional/Technical Staff). Questions: Do contractors have any flexibility to modify the staffing matrix to include Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff? Can the government clarify how Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff are to be proposed / included in the response?
| Labor categories as specified in Attachment J.1 include mid-level professional/technical. Key staff are different than labor categories in Attachment J.1. | |||
| 20 | General | The overall RFP is marked as “draft” - is an updated RFP expected? | The Final RFP is hereby submitted with the Questions and Answers. |
| 21 | General | Who are incumbents under the current IDIQ? | This is a new contract. |
| 22 | General | What is the total expected upper bound for the IDIQ? | The ceiling for the IDIQ will be determined upon award. |
| 23 | General | How many contractors does BTS expect to select for this contract? | Section L.4 states one or multiple contracts may be award. A determination will be made after the evaluation process is completed. |
| 24 | General | Through tasks 1-5, the RFP calls for work with administrative records. Will this work be required to be conducted within DOT premises or can it also be done at contractor facilities with appropriate safeguards? | Section F.2 states performances shall be performed at DOT facility or the Contractor's facility. Each Task Order will specify the performance location. |
| 25 | Sections L10 and L12 | Refer to an oral portion of the technical proposal. Given COVID-19, our assumption is that it will be virtual, but there is no language indicating the same in the RFP. Can you please clarify? | Section L.12 states oral presentations will be presented at DOT, other general vicinity or via teleconference/video conference (virtual). BTS plans to hold oral presentations virtually. |
| 26 | Attachment J.7 | Will the government please confirm that that the two-volume response requested for the eCommerce TO in Attachment J.7 is separate from the IDIQ response and does not count against the page limitations for the IDIQ response? | Yes, Attachment J.4 eCommerce Task Order response for two volumes and page limitations are separate from the IDIQ two volumes and page limitations. |
| 27 | General | We respectfully request extending the submission due date to October 20, 2020 to ensure there is adequate time for offerors to incorporate Government's responses to questions. | Extend submisstion date to 10/20/2020 at 11:59PM. |
| 28 | General | What is the anticipated number of awards for the IDIQ? | See response to question number #23 |
| 29 | Section I.2.3 Page 54 | Please confirm that the ceiling value for any task order under this IDIQ is $500K. | The RFP Section I.2.3 has been updated. The minimum order will be no less than $1,000. The maximum order will be no more tha $2,000,000. |
| 30 | Attachment J.7 General | Please confirm that the ceiling value for the "eCommerce: Trends, Changes, and Impacts on the Future of U.S. Transportation Activities" task order is 500K. | The ceiling value for the Task Order will be detemined by Offerors to be evaluated in accordorance with the Task Order Statement of Work. |
| 31 | Attachment J.6 Scenario, pg 1 | Given that there is not a scenario for Task Area 6 and offerors are not required to respond to Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce, how will the Government award IDIQ contracts for Task Area 6? | A scenario has been added for Task 6 Quick Response and will be awarded to all deemed technically acceptable after the technical evaluation. Offerors should explain how they would perform work. |
| 32 | Section L.9 Pg 76 | Page 76 of the Draft IDIQ states that "The Offeror shall submit/present the Technical and Business Proposals as two (2) separate volumes, not to include the Task Order (Attachment J.8)." Please confirm that the reference to Attachment J.8 is an error and the reference should instead be Attachment J.7? | See response to question #11. |
| 33 | Page 76 & Attachment J.7 pg 10-11 | Does the Government expect offerors to submit the Technical and Business proposals for Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce as separate volumes from the IDIQ Technical proposal and IDIQ Business proposal? | See response to question #26. |
| 34 | Page 76 | Please confirm that the cover page, cover letter, and table of content are excluded from the Technical Proposal page-limit. | Cover page, cover letter, and table of content are execluded from the Technical Proposal page limitation. |
| 35 | Attachment J.6 Scenarios, Page 1; Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce, Page 11 | Please confirm that tables, charts, and graphics allowed to have smaller but legible fonts? | Tables, charts and graphics may use a font no smaller than 8 pt. |
| 36 | Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce, Page 11 | Will the Government consider increasing the page limit for responses to Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce from 10 pages to 15 pages? | Page limit is not increased. 10 pages is sufficient length for response. |
| 37 | Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce, Page 11 | Page 11 of Attachment J.7 states that "Volume I shall be presented in 10- point font or larger. The dimensions of each page in Volume I shall be no greater than 8 ½ inches by 11 inches. Footnotes, legends, or labels associated with tables or diagrams, and other information that is ancillary to the main text, may be presented in a font size smaller than twelve- point font - provided that any such smaller font is fully legible." Please clarify the required text font this Task Order. | See response to question #7. |
| 38 | Page 76 & 78 | Page 76 of the Draft IDIQ states that "the technical proposal shall not exceed 50 pages" while Page 78 states that "this technical proposal shall not be more than 60-pages in length." Please clarify the page limit for the IDIQ technical proposal. | See response to #5. |
| 39 | Page 75 | Page 75 of the Draft IDIQ states that “standard Form 33 – One (1) completed copy unbound; with original signature." Please clarify this requirement. | See response to #7 |
| 40 | Page 76 | Will the Government consider increasing the page limit for responses to each Task Area scenario from NTE 4 pages to NTE 5 pages? | Page limit is not increased. 4 pages is sufficient length for scenario response. |
| Page 76 | Will the Government consider increasing the page limit for responses to Executive summary Background, Technical Evaluation factors from NTE 30 pages to NTE 40 pages? | Page limit is not increased. 30 pages is sufficient length for response. | |
| 41 | Page 82 | Page 82 of the Draft IDIQ states that offerors are to "Provide a copy of the proposed PM’s Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional or equivalent certification which demonstrates that they are currently certified." Is this required for all staff proposed for the role of Project Manager (PM)? Can offerors substitute PMI certification with project management experience? For example, if we have a staff member with experience managing similar projects/contracts but don't have PMI certification, can we proposal that individual for the PM role? | A PMI certificate is preferred, but can substitute 5 years experience successfully managing a contract of similar size and scope. |
| 42 | Page 83 | Page 83 of the Draft IDIQ states that "the offeror shall provide Past Performance for three projects performed within the last five years. Two of the Past Performance references shall be the offeror’s direct experience as the prime contractor." Are proposed subcontractors required to submit past performance references? | No, proposed subcontractors are not required to submit past performance reference. |
| 43 | Page 83 | Can offerors submit CPARS in lieu of past performance references? | Yes, CPARS can be submitted. However, past performance references are perferred. |
| 44 | Page 86 | Is the cost/price analysis report required for proposed consultants? | Yes, L.11.B states, "A cost/price analysis report must accompany each named subcontractora/consultant…" |
| 45 | Page 86 | Can proposed subcontractors submit sealed bids directly to the Government? | Proposed subcontractors may submit detailed pricing separately from the proposed prime contractor. However, the proposed prime offer's cost must include the proposed subcontractor's bottom line cost/price. Additionally, the proposed subcontractor's submission must follow the guidelines in the RFP for submission. |
| 46 | Section L.1; Proposal Delivery | Question: Can a second round of Q&A be provided? | A second round of Q&As is not anticipated. |
| 47 | Section L.1; Proposal Delivery | Question: Is the Government willing to extend the submittal deadline for proposals? | See response to question #27. |
| 48 | Section B.1; Contract Summary, Subsection C | Question: What is the maximum potential dollar amount for the IDIQ over its period of performance? | The maximum potential dollar amount for the IDIQ will be determined upon award. |
| 49 | Section L. 3; FAR 52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr. 1984) | Question: What information can the Government provide on the likely use of fixed price versus cost reimbursement versus time and materials for task orders; which type will be a majority? | Majority of the Task Orders will be Firm Fixed Price. |
| 50 | Section L.4; FAR 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards (Oct. 1995) | Question: How many awards does the government intend to make under this IDIQ? | See response to number #23. |
| 51 | Section L.9; Proposal Format | Question: Can the Government clarify the page length for the Technical Proposal; in section L.9, a 50pp limit is described, but in section L.10 a 60pp limit is described. Does the page limit include cover pages and tables of contents? | See response to question #5. |
| 52 | Attachment J.1; Labor Category Descriptions; Program Manager | Question: Will the government accept project management experience in place of a formal PMP qualification for the project manager; is PMP a requirement? | See response to question #41. |
| 53 | Section L.9; Proposal Format | Question: In what software should the Technical Proposal be submitted? Is PDF acceptable? | Technical proposal may be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF. |
| 54 | Section L.9; Proposal Format | Question: Please confirm that the Cost Proposal may be submitted in a combination of Microsoft Word and Excel files. | Yes, Cost proposals shall be submitted using the Excel Cost Template along with the cost narrative in PDF or Microsoft Word. |
| 55 | Attachment J.5; Subcontractor Checklist | Question: Does Attachment J.5 need to be included in the IDIQ proposal, or with a Task Order Proposal that includes the subcontractor? | Attachment J.5 shall be included with the IDIQ proposal. |
| 56 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section A | Question: Please provide Attachment J.8 or confirm that references to Attachment J.8 are meant to refer to Attachment J7. | See response to question #11. |
| 57 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions | Question: Please provide Standard Form 33 for the solicitation. | See reponse to question #39. |
| 58 | L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section A | Question: Please clarify what is included in the 10 page limit of the Cost Proposal Volume that is referenced in this sentence: “A technical proposal is a required component of the attached Task order evaluations not to exceed 10 pages”. Please clarify what is not included in the 10 pages and therefore not subject to a page limit (as stated in L.9 Proposal Format on page 77) under Volume II – Cost Proposal. This section states Volume II does not have a page limit. | In this statement the page limitation is in reference to the Task Order's technical response, which should include responses to Technical Approach and Management Approached/Personnel Qualifications. Cost proposal for Task order is not part of technical page limit; there is not page limit on cost proposal. Cost proposal is Volume II. |
| 59 | L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section B | Question: Is a completed Attachment J.5 required for each proposed subcontractor on the consultant’s IDIQ team or only the subcontractors that are proposed to be included in the sample SOW (attachment J.7) used for the Cost Proposal? | See response to question #44. |
| 60 | L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section B | Question: Is a cost reasonableness analysis (in a Negotiation Memorandum Format /FAR 15.404-3) required for each proposed subcontractor on the consultant’s IDIQ team or only the subcontractors that are proposed to be included in the sample SOW (Attachment J.7) used for the Cost Proposal? | It is required for both subcontractors and consultants. |
| 61 | L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions and Attachment J1 | Question: Are Loaded Hourly Rates required to be submitted for all labor categories in Attachment J.1? | Unloaded hourly rates are required for Firm Fixed Price requirements (i.e. Task Order for eCommerce. Loaded hourly rate would only be required for Labor Hour contract types. Offeror's shall submit an approved audit of their rates (such as DCAA). |
| 62 | L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions | Question: Are loaded Hourly Rates only required for the staff/labor categories that are proposed in the Cost Proposal for the sample SOW (Attachment J.7) and not for all labor categories in Attachment J.1? | See response to question number #61, which applies to the IDIQ and the Task Order request. |
| 63 | Attachment J.7 and Draft RFP Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section C | Question: In the sample SOW (Attachment J.7) travel is not anticipated. Please clarify what ODCs should be included in the Cost Proposal. | No ODCs are anticipated for Attachment J.7 eCommerce Task Order. |
| 64 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Section C | Question: This section states that a separate schedule shall be provided to breakdown ODCs. It also states that the schedule shall provide a detailed itemization of each ODC proposed. Are Cost Proposals required to include an itemized list of all possible ODCs for future potential Task Orders? Travel ODCs will be based on Federal per diem rates. Is this request for non-travel ODCs such as shipping, printing, publications? How should contractors estimate ODCs without known Task orders and deliverables? | General itemization will be sufficient. |
| 65 | Section M.5; Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan | Question: Is a plan for subcontracting to SDBs required given the procurement is a small business set aside? | No, Section M.5 is hereby deleted |
| 66 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Cost Proposal Volume, Part II – Other Financial and Organizational Information | Question: It is requested that Proposers indicate whether the proposed indirect cost rate has been audited and accepted by any Federal audit agency. Our Company’s indirect cost rate has not been audited by a Federal audit agency. It has been audited and approved by several state DOT clients. It is prepared by an independent auditor and is in compliance with the FAR. Would our Company be eligible for award? | Offerors that has not seeked Federal audits must provide by a Government Agency or independent audit report and will be eligible for an award. |
| 67 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Cost Proposal Volume, Part II – Other Financial and Organizational Information | Question: It is requested that Proposers indicate whether the company’s system of control of Government property has been approved by a Government agency. The services provided by our Company has not required the Company to have in its possession of Government property. Therefore, our Company does not have a system of control that has been approved by a Government agency. Is such a system required for this engagement? Would we be eligible for award without such a system in place? | No. The reference made to "Indicate whether the company system of control of Government property has been approved by a Government agency. If so, provide the name, location and telephone number of the Government agency, and date of approval" is hereby removed due to no equipment identified at the IDIQ level. |
| 68 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Cost Proposal Volume, Part II – Other Financial and Organizational Information | Question: It is requested that Proposers indicate whether written purchasing procedures exist, and whether the company purchasing system has been approved by a Government agency. Our Company has not had a need for purchasing procedures on prior engagements and do not have them. Are such procedures required for this engagement? Would we be eligible for award without approved purchasing procedures in place? | Yes, these procedures should be developed and approved by a Government agecny or an independent agency and are required for an award. Companies will not be eligible for award without approved purchasing procedures. |
| 69 | Section L.11; Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Cost Proposal Volume, Part II – Other Financial and Organizational Information | Question: It is requested that Proposers indicate whether the company accounting system has been approved by any Government agency. Our Company’s accounting system is Unanet which is a leading provider of ERP solutions for Government Contractors. Can you clarify what is entailed in having the system approved by a Government agency so we can determine if that has happened or what would be involved in obtaining that approval? If our system is not approved by a Government agency, would our Company be eligible for award? | Accounting systems may be approved by a Government agency or an independent agency. Companies can be eligible by an independent agency. Some things entailed to have a system approved are: divide direct costs from indirect costs; demonstrate costs are accumlated by cost and by projects; cost contolled by general ledger, maintaining adequate time keeping, etc. |
| 70 | Section B.3.2 Labor Categories and Descriptions | For the Senior level, can years of experience be substituted for a MA/MS degree? If so, suggest 15 years of experience. Please clarify why National Expert requires only BA/BS degree while Senior requires MA/MS degree. |
| See response to Question 6. | |||
| 71 | Section F.4 The paragraph under the table | The first sentence says that “The monthly or quarterly progress reports required under Task C in Section C…..”. There is no Task C in Section C. Please clarify it. | The statements under Section F.4 table is hereby deleted. Section F.6 covers monthly and quarterly progress reports language. |
| 72 | Page 32, Section G10 | Please clarify if the Program Manager at the contract level can be also a Program Manager for certain task areas? Can the Program Manager at the contract level be also a Senior Specialist or National Expert for certain task areas? Please clarify if the lead persons for individual task areas shall be Project Manager ((Labor ID 13.1) instead of Program Manager? | Yes |
| 73 | Page 76, Section L.9 | Please provide instructions on font size for text, tables, and graphic, and page size. | See response to question #35. |
| 74 | Page 76, Section L.9, VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL | VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL, confirm that the acronym list is excluded from the page count. | An acronym list is not required, but if submitted, then it would be excluded from the page count. |
| 75 | Page 76, Section L.9, VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL | Please confirm that the cover sheet and table of contents are excluded from the page count. | See response to question #34. |
| 76 | Page 76, Section L.9, VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL | Please clarify which part of the Technical Proposal (Part I, II, or III) the 50-page limit apply to. | Section L.9, VOLUME I – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL parts I, II, III and all scenarios (task areas 1-5) are included in the 50 page limitatation. |
| 77 | Page 77, 1st bullet under the 1st paragraph | Please clarify the statement “Scenario response is not counted in the technical proposal page”. Page 76 states that the 50-page limit includes scenario response. | See response to question #13. |
| 78 | Page 76, item (b) | It states that “This technical proposal shall not be more than 60-pages in length,…”. Please clarify which part of the Technical Proposal (Part I, II, or III) the 60-page limit apply to. How is this different from the 50-page limit on Page 76? | See responses to questions #5 and #77. |
| 79 | Page 77, VOLUME II – COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL | Please clarify if “Part III: Small Business Subcontracting Plan” is required for this small-business set-aside IDIQ contract. Section L.11 does not include specific instruction on Part III. | Small Business Subcontracting Plans are not required by small businesses and is hereby deleted. |
| 80 | Page 82, 3rd Paragraph, “Resumes are required…” | Please clarify that if resumes are required for all the Key Personnel as listed in the table on Page 80-81 | Section L.10, page 82 states resumes are required as specified for Program Manager, National Expert Professional/Technical Staff, Sr. Professional/Technical Support, and Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff. |
Resumes are required except for junior level technical and support staff. See Response to Question 6.
| 81 | Page 82, 3rd Paragraph, “Resumes are required…” | Please clarify the resume requirements for the Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff, i.e. how many, which labor categories? | See response to question 80. |
| 82 | Page 85, Item A | There is no Attachment J.8. Does this refer to J.7? | See response to question #11. |
| 83 | Attachment J.1 – Labor Category Description | Program Manager (PM) is not included in the Individual Labor Category table. It does not have its own Labor ID#. Please clarify it. | Attachment J.1 Labor Category, the PM is assigned Labor ID# 23.0. |
| 84 | Page 1, Attachment J.6 SCENARIOS | Please confirm that the font size for graphics, exhibits and table can be less than 12 point font (9 or 10 point) as long as readable? | See response to Question 35. |
| 85 | Attachment J.8 | Please clarify where we shall include the response to this task order in Technical and Cost/Price Proposals? | Responses to the Attachment J.7 eCommerce Task Order is a seprate items to include its own two volumes. |
| 86 | Section L: L.8 Proposal Content – Pg No 75 of the RFP By no later than the due date for receipt of proposals (as stated in block 9 of this Solicitation Standard Form 33), the Offeror shall submit the following documents: |
a. Standard Form 33 – One (1) completed copy unbound; with original signature. b. Section K – Representations, and Instructions - must be completed and submitted as a part of the Offeror’s proposal.
d. Conflict of Interest – One (1) disclosure of conflict of interest statement submitted in accordance with Section H.11. Question 1.Where can we find Form 33, can you please share any link or the Form? Question 2. Section K – Can you please provide a separate word or pdf file for section k. Question 3. Conflict of Interest, should be this included in the proposal or we need to submit a separate 1page word or pdf document. Question 4. Attachment J.2 Past Performance Questionnaire Section 1 and 2 should be filled by the Contractor and sent to the reference to answer the questionnaire and then the reference emails the completed questionnaire to the Contract Specialist via email. Question 5. There are several attachment like Attachment J.5 Subcontractor Checklist, J.4 Disclosure of lobbying activities, doesn’t not include any subcontractor or if we don’t have any lobbying activities registered still do we need to fill these forms and submit along with the proposal, also Attachment J.7 IDIQ TO for eCommerce if a contractor/offeror is this just for the information or do we need to fill in this attachment too and submit along with the proposal.
A1. See response to question #7.
A2. Yes, Section K is here by attached as a separate document. See Attachment J.9 A3. Conflict should be submitted with the Cost Proposal package or as a separate 1 page PDF.
A4. Yes, this is the procedure for Past Performance Questionnaires.
A5. Yes, these documents should be submitted even if it is not applicable and state why. See response to question #31 regarding thr Tasl Order request.
87 L.9 Proposal Format – Pg No 76 of the RFP Individual CVs are not included in the 50-page limit, but should be limited as follows: • Program Manager – 3-page maximum • National Expert Professional/Technical Staff – 3-page maximum each • Sr. Professional/Technical Staff – 2-page maximum each • Mid-level Professional/Technical Staff – 1-page maximum each Question 6. How many resumes do you require as part of the proposal and do you require contractor to provide sample resume and can the resume be from any of the task area category can you please provide more clarity/details on above 4 listed. (For Example National Expert Professional in what? Either it is National Expert Transportation Specialist, Finance, National Expert Transportation Specialist, Airline) or the contractor can choose any. Pg No 78 of the RFP indicates. The technical proposal shall be separate from the business proposal. The Technical Proposal, Volume I, will be evaluated in accordance with Section M.2. Volume I: Technical Proposal shall be submitted in three (3) parts: Part I: Technical and Management Approach and Understanding Part II: Qualifications of Project Personnel Part III: Corporate Experience and Past Performance Question 7. By this do you mean 3 separate word documents? See response to Question 6 and 80.
There is no number of resumes required.
An individual may be proposed to fill multiple labor categories on multiple tasks, as long as the individual is qualified.
88 L.11 COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS Pg No 85 of the RFP An Offeror shall support its total cost for the task(s) outlined in the attached Task Order’s Statement of Work (SOW) (Attachment J.8), if applicable, incorporated in Section C, Descriptions/Specifications/Work Statement and, shall contain the Offeror’s best terms from a cost standpoint with applicable discounts for consideration of the total effort in accordance with the Fixed Price. The cost proposal shall be prepared in accordance with the Offeror’s accounting system and practices and the format of the Business Proposal template provided as attachment J.3. The Business Proposal shall illustrate cost data by cost element (material, labor, indirect costs, etc.), if applicable and fixed fee.
Question 8. Can you please provide attachment J.8.
Question 9. Attachment J.3 The business proposal do the contractor need to fill all the tabs i.e Total Budget, Budget by Task, ODC Breakdown, and Travel Breakdown. PART II - OTHER FINANCIAL AND ORGANIZATION INFORMATION Pg No 87 of the RFP Question 10. Do we need to provide any financial statements Question 11. Any chances of extending the RFP submission deadline. or audit statements?
Question 12. Can you please provide more details on small business set aside and if there are particular % goals for small business for teaming opportunities? Question 13. Is there a way we get alerts if an amendment is posted on www.beta.sam.gov? A8. See response to question #11.
A9. Yes, the tabs shall be completed, if applicable.
A10. Yes, financial statements shall be submitted.
A11. See response to question 27. The RFP has been updated.
A12. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation at least 50 percent of the prime's cost should be incurred for personnel with its own employees.
A.13 Beta.sam alerts are sent via www.Beta.sam.
| 89 | Attachment J.8 | The listing on bet.SAM.gov does not have an Attachment J.8. There is an Attachment J.7 which is a task order. Can you confirm that Attachment J.8 is actually Attachment J.7? (L.11 COST/BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, p. 85) | See reponse to question #11. |
| 90 | B1 Contract Summary, Page 1 | What is the estimated dollar value of this contract? | See response to question #48. |
| 91 | B1 Contract Summary, Page 1 | How many awards do you intend to make for the IDIQ? | See response to question #23. |
| 92 | C.7 Quality Control Plan, Page 18 | Is a QCP required as part of a response to this proposal? | Yes |
| 93 | L first para, Page 72 | If a vendor does not bid a Task Area when responding to the IDIQ, but wins a position on the IDIQ, are they precluded from responding to Task Orders under Task Areas they did not bid? | Yes, offerors are precluded from Task Orders under task areas that an offeror was not awarded. An awarded contract will specify which task areas an awardee may respond to. |
| 94 | L.8 Proposal Content, Page 75 | Should items a through d in this Section be submitted in the Volume II Cost/Business Proposal? Please confirm these items do not count against the page count. | Yes, these items shall accompany Volume II Cost/Business Proposal. Volume II does not have page limits. |
| 95 | L9. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, Page 76 | This section states that the page limit is 50 pages. If a vendor responds to the Task Order in Attachment J-7, are they allotted 10 for page for the task order for a total of 60 pages? | The IDIQ Technical response has a 50 page limitation. The Task Order response is separate from the IDIQ Technical response |
| 96 | L9. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, Page 76 | If a vendor responds to the Task Order in Attachment J.7, should we submit this as Part IV of the Technical Proposal or should we submit it as a separate document? | Please submit as a separate document . |
| 97 | L9. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, Page 76 | On page 76, 4 resumes are listed as required but that is different from the table in G10 Key Personnel which lists a large table. Please confirm how many key personnel resumes are required and must be submitted with the proposal. | The IDIQ Technical response has a 50 page limitation. The Task Order response has a 10 page limitation and is separate for the IDIQ Technical response. |
| 98 | L9. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, Page 76 | At the top of the page there is a reference to Attachment J 8, is this an incorrect reference as the Task Order is previously referred to as Attachment J-7? | See reponse to question #11. |
| 99 | L9. Volume 1 – Technical Proposal, Page 76 | DOT states: “The distribution of pages within the proposal is left to the Offeror’s discretion.” Does this apply to the Technical volume AND Scenarios? For example, if we respond to 2 scenarios can one scenario be 2 pages and another be 6 six pages? | This applies to the Technical Volume. The RFP states scenario page limitation to 4 pages each. |
| 100 | L10 Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 79 | We understand that we do not have to respond to all of the Scenarios, but when responding to the Technical Approach, do we need to address all 6 Task Areas? Page 79 lists all of the Task Areas under the Technical Approach, so if we chose not to submit a Scenario for Task Area 4, do we still have to address Task Area 4 it in the technical approach? Do we have to submit pricing for all Task Areas even if we are not responding to the corresponding Scenario? In general, this is confusing, will BTS please clarify what is optional in both the technical response and pricing sections? | Offerors shall only submit technical and cost information for task areas of interest. |
| 101 | L10 Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 79/80 | An Organization structure is asked for in bullets 2 AND 3. Will BTS explain how these items are different or remove this reference from one of the bullets to remove the redundancy? | Bullet 2 is in the context of program/process support. |
Bullet 3 is in the context of management methodology.
102 L10 Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 79/80 Bullet 1 asks us to address how we address reporting structures and bullet 3 asks our methodology for handling lines of authority. Will BTS explain how these items are different or remove this reference from one of the bullets to remove the redundancy? Bullet 1 is in the context of personnel.
Bullet 3 in the context of management methodology.
103 L10 Technical Proposal Instructions, Page 79/80 Bullet 1 asks us to address how we address poor performance and bullet 3 asks how we will hold staff accountable for performance. Will BTS explain how these items are different or remove this reference from one of the bullets to remove the redundancy? Bullet 1 is specific to non-performance and subpar poor performance.
Bullet 3 is addressing general management methodology.
| 104 | Part II Qualifications of Project Personnel, Page 81 | The requirements for the Junior Level staff matrix are: Provide a matrix listing names, years of experience, level of education, labor category, task area assignment and contract relationship. For the Master Staffing Matrix are the same fields required? The Master Staffing Matrix references “capabilities/credentials for all labor categories in Attachment J.1.” we assume that means years of experience, level of education, labor category. Please explain if our assumption is not correct. | See response to question #6. |
| 105 | Part II Qualifications of Project Personnel, Page 82 | The RFP states: The master staffing matrix shall also include the offerors organizational structure, hierarchies, roles, responsibilities, and lines of communication between team members. These items do not really fit into a matrix or table. Could this sentence be moved to the first bullet on page 81? | See response to question #6. |
| 106 | Part II Qualifications of Project Personnel, Page 82 | Will BTS allow the PMP Certificate to be included with the PM’s resume and not be counted against the resume page count or the technical approach page count? | A copy of the PMP Certificate does not count against the page limit. |
| 107 | Part III Corporate Experience and Past Performance, Page 83 | Can the Offeror use a past performance of a subcontractor? | Yes, but at least two past performances shall be of the prime. |
| 108 | Part III Corporate Experience and Past Performance, Page 83 | Some of our customers are prohibited from submitting PPQ, will DOT allow us to submit CPARS instead of a PPQ? | See response to question #43. |
| 109 | Part III Corporate Experience and Past Performance, Page 83 | This page says the past performance must be within a 5 year window and on page 84 it states that “Completed questionnaires must be submitted by current (within the last three years) Customers.” Please confirm that the PPQ reference should also be for within 5 years to match the past performance requirement. | The RFP has been updated. Past Performance Questionnaires has a 5-year window. Now with the inclusion of CPARS, CPARS has a 3-year window IAW regulation. |
| 110 | Part III Corporate Experience and Past Performance, Page 83 | Will BTS allow vendors to use Task Orders under a IDIQ/BPA as separate past performances? | Yes. |
| 111 | L.11 Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Page 85 | This page refers to Attachment J-8 as the Task Orders SOW, did DOT mean this as Attachment J-7. There is no attachment Attachment J-8. | See reponse to question #11. |
| 112 | L.11 Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Page 85 | Are vendors required to respond to the Task Order in Attachment J-7? | No. |
| 113 | L.11 Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Page 85 | B1 states the contract has a 60-month POP. Are we to price the Task Area in Section C for 5 years and only price the Task Order at 24 months? | Yes. Section B.1 should for the task areas for a 60-month performance period. However, the Task Order bottom line price should be included in the 60-month cost. The separate Task Order, Attachment J.7 eCommerce price shall be for a 24-month period. Note, the proposed IDIQ contracts will not have any funding. All funding will be at the Task Order level. |
| 114 | L.11 Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Page 85 | Does BTS want us to submit two Attachment J3’s…one for the IDIQ cost estimate for Task Areas 1-6 and one for the Task Order response or should we add the Task Order response as it’s own Task Area in Attachment J3 and only submit one Attachment J3? | The task order has a separate Technical and Cost volume. Therefore, a separate J3 shall be submitted and properly labeled i.e. Attachment J.3 eCommerce Cost Proposal). The IDIQ shall have a separate cost proposal for J3 attachment. Note, the IDIQ cost proposal shall include the cost of the Task Order and any future cost for task area 6 to be included in the IDIQ's total cost. |
| 115 | L.11 Cost/Business Proposal Instructions, Page 85 | “Offerors shall submit separate cost proposals in response to the attached Task Order (Attachment J.8 if applicable) and Scenarios for cost estimates and evaluation purposes only.” Does this mean that we need to also submit cost estimates for each scenario we respond to in addition to the Task Areas in Section C? | Cost Proposals applies to the IDIQ (including the Scenarios) and a separate Cost Proposal for the Task Order. |
| 116 | M5 Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting Plan, Page 93 | Is this a cut and paste error? This contract is a Small Business set-aside. | See response to question #10. |
| 117 | Section L.9 and L.10 | L.9 states that the proposal shall not exceed 50 pages (if all Task Areas are bid). L.10 b. says the proposal shall not be more than 60-pages in length. Question: Can the government please confirm the page limits for the proposal? | See response to question #5. |
| Sections K2 and L.6. | Given that the primary nature of the six (6) task areas specified in Section C.6 is related to data processing, NAICS codes 541513 or 518210 would seem to be a better fit to the type of work requested. The ones listed in Section K.2 do not include data processing, which is the underlying primary requirement for the work to be performed for every task area specified in Section K.2. Will the Government consider changing the NAICS as suggested? | No, the Government will not consider changing the NAICS. This RFP is for an analytical support services contract to support the mission of BTS in developing and analyzing data and statistics for transportation statistical programs. The primary nature of the six (6) task areas specified in Section C.6 are not related to data processing and this is not an IT contract. BTS is not seeking Computer Facilities Management Services (541513) that provide on-site management and operation of clients' computer systems and/or data processing facilities or Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (518210) providing infrastructure for hosting or data processing services. | |
| Reference Section L.10, Part III | Will the government please confirm that the corporate experience and past performance requirements can be satisfied by one or more members of an SBA-approved Mentor/Protege joint venture? | See response to question #109. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .