Questions Resulting from SIR-RFP dated 5 Jun 2018.pdf

Questions Resulting from SIR/RFP Announcement 6973GH-18-R-00128

Our 8(a) SBA Joint Venture has already been approved by SBA, however, our Joint Venture cannot provide a letter from SBA recognizing our Joint Venture as a participant in the 8(a) business development program, as the Joint Ventures cannot be participants in the SBA 8(a) business development program. We can however, provide a letter from SBA recognizing the managing partner in the Joint Venture as a participant in the 8(a) business development program. Will this letter from the Joint Venture managing partner meet your SIR requirement? 2. Are there any special requirements that Joint Ventures must meet in order to be eligible in order to propose on this SIR regarding composition, FAA approval, mentor-protégé program participation, etc? The prime must be an 8(a) approved small business completing at least 51 percent of the work with a letter regarding 8(a) eligibility. As long as the joint venture can establish that one party (able to complete 51% of the work) is an eligible 8(a) small business then I believe a Joint Venture is acceptable.

Regarding RFP Section B, are offerors allowed to add rows to Section B if a job title needs to be split between Prime Vendor and its Subcontractors? No, the technical volume should detail how the effort will be supported.

Paragraph L.2 states “All written requests, correspondence and submittals must be sent to the contract specialist via email …”, which implies an email submittal. All written requests, correspondence, and submittals must be sent to the contract specialist via email at kevin.gramling@faa.gov or to the address specified on Page 1, Item 8, of the Cover Page (Solicitation, Offer, and Award). Reference to Page 1, Item 8, should read Page 1, Block 7. Table L.3-1 has a column for Number of Copies but the only information included says “Original”. Paragraph L.4 #6 implies that multiple copies are required and #11 implies that hard copies are required based on the Tab requirements, however nowhere within Section L does it state how many copies are required. The preferred method of proposal delivery is electronically, each element needs to be identified separately, but if a vendor proposes by official mail using hard copy, then each element will still need to be identified separately. Only one copy of each volume is required, I will remove the reference of original and the reference to number of copies from the SIR/RFP. Will the government please clarify whether the proposal submittal is email or hard copy? If hard copies are required, please advise how many copies, if one “original” copy is required, and if any electronic copies (CDs) are required. If you are submitting a hard copy proposal, the price documentation excel spreadsheets will need to be placed on a compact disk, flash drives are not permitted.

Table L.3-1 shows the organization for the four volumes. Volume II lists three parts but it is not clear what makes up factors 2 and 3 and what, if any, page limits there are for those two factors.

a. Is there a page limit for Factor 2 response? Factor 2 is part of the Technical Approach Volume II, the total page count for Volume II is 60 pages, excluding Resumes and Exhibits.

b. What exhibits are referred to in the Page Limit column under the note? Exhibits that a vendor may attach to their Technical Volume that supplements language provided in the Technical Volume.

c. Is there a page limit for resumes? no

d. Is there a page limit for Factor 3 response? Factor 3 is part of the Technical Approach Volume II, the total page count for Volume II is 60 pages, excluding Resumes and Exhibits.

There is no mention of a table of contents, list of tables and figures, and an Acronyms and Abbreviations list be provided within each volume? If provided, will they be outside of the page count limit identified for Volume II? I consider tables, figures, Acronyms, and Abbreviations to be part of the page count.

Are 11x17 pages allowed? If they are, will they count as 1 page or 2 pages? no

The RFP states that “…to evaluate the submitted resumes of the Technical Manager, along with a sampling of other resumes for the Industrial Engineer, Electrical/Electronics Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Civil/Structural Engineer.” Can the government please clarify whether the “sampling of other resumes” should be named resources or examples of resources who would be available to support this project? Examples of resources who would be available to support this project.

Paragraph L.6 Factor 3 Organizational Experience states that “The offeror shall submit the above information for a minimum of three (3) but no more than five (5) past and current contracts/subcontracts in response to this factor.” Paragraph L.7 Past Performance – Volume III states, “The Offeror must provide the following information for a minimum of three (3) contracts that are taking place at the current time…” Can the government please clarify whether L.7 Past Performance – Volume III has the same “no more than five (5) past…” limitation placed on the Factor 3 Organizational Experience requirement? L.7 does not limit on how many just a minimum of three.

#1 states that no smaller than one-inch margins around the perimeter of each sheet of paper. #7 requires certain information to be provided in a footer on each page of the proposal. Can the government please confirm that the footer information may be outside of the 1-inch margin (for example a footer is usually ½ inch from the bottom of the page). This footer will also be used to accommodate the information required in #9 (marking a page Procurement Sensitive). Also may the offeror include a header also outside the 1-inch top margin (again, usually ½ inch from the bottom of the page). Headers and Footers can be outside the one-inch margins.

Factor 3 Organizational Experience states that the information provided in response to this section be the same information provided to evaluate past performance. Will the government allow the offeror (prime contractor) to include organizational experience and past performance for their subcontractors?

Organizational Experience and Past Performance is for the Prime contractor proposing, the vendor proposing can include work the vendor proposing accomplished as a subcontractor.

In Section L, Instructions, Factor 2 is called “Understanding the Management Plan” while in Section M, Evaluation, Factor 2 is called Understanding Management and Key Personnel Requirements. Please clarify which title the offerors should be using in our proposal response. Understanding the Management Plan

Table L-3.1 under Volume IV, Cost/Price there are requirements for Section B and an Excel Spreadsheet Cost/Price Proposal. In Section L.8 (f) a cover letter is requested and in (i) assumptions are requested. Is the Offeror to submit a cost narrative in MS Word in addition to Section B and the Cost/Price Data File in Excel? The cost volume will need to have explanation where explanation is applicable, how that is presented is up to the vendor but will need to be clearly identified.

Regarding Volume IV Cost/Price - Tab I of the Price Volume will contain Schedule B. Tab II of the Price Volume contains an Excel Spreadsheet and a Cost /Price Proposal. Is the Government expecting that the Excel Spreadsheet would contain the build-up of rates used in Schedule B? The excel spreadsheets shall be in accordance with L.8(h).

Does the SCA WD apply to this solicitation? If so, please provide. Wage Determination does not apply to this acquisition.

Attachment 4 – Past Performance Questionnaire. Can the government please provide an editable version of the Past Performance Questionnaire so our customers can fill the information in electrically (either a MS Word document or PDF with editable fields that can be filled in using Adobe Reader). I will post word version.

Question 1 Reference: SIR Section K, page 53, contains clause 3.6.4-18 Certification Regarding Steel and Manufactured Products (APR 2009).

Please clarify under what requirements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) that this clause would be applicable. PWS, 1.2 Scope of Work states that support to the Groups/Products Divisions and that they in turn provide “technical support and supply support to the FAA National Airspace System (NAS) field facilities…” The paragraph continues to state “The work to be performed is primarily in support of aircraft guidance systems, surveillance equipment, automation and communications systems and technical data”. We are unable to determine in what circumstance the offeror would be required to provide steel and/or manufactured goods, or utilize components or subcomponents without Government direction and approval of their use.

Clause will be removed.

Question 2 Reference: SIR Section L, page 58, Table L.3-1 and page 59, paragraph L.5 indicate that Section B is to be included with Volume I, Contract/SIR of the offeror’s response.

Please provide guidance on how to include Section B in that volume. Should it:

1) Be placed ‘between’ pages 3 and 4 of the SIR; or

2) Included as an attachment to the volume, presumably following Section M; or

3) Included in some other fashion – if so please provide detailed guidance. Attachment 2 –

Pricing Schedule B of Section J is to be completed and included in Volume I.

Question 3 Reference: SIR Section L, pages 58-59, table L.3-1 and page 63, paragraph L.8 Table L.3-1 only specifies that an “Original” copy of each volume will be submitted by the offerors. Paragraph L.8(g) adds a requirement to submit the Cost/Price data file in Excel format on Compact Disk (CD). Please clarify and verify that only a single “Original” printed copy of each volume is to be submitted. Only one copy of each volume is required, I will remove the reference of original and the reference to number of copies from the SIR/RFP. If you are submitting a hard copy proposal, the price documentation will need to be placed on a compact disk, no flash is permitted.

Question 4 Reference: SIR Section L, pages 58-59, table L.3-1, paragraph L.4(9) and paragraph L.5 Table L.3-1 refers to Volume I as Contract/SIR while the other two paragraphs refer to it as Contract/SIR Documentation. Please clarify which is the preferred title. Either is acceptable as long as Volume I is noted.

Question 5 Reference: SIR Section L, page 60, paragraph L.6, Understanding The Requirements Factor 1 on page 59 and “1: UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS” under Factor 2 on page 60 seem redundant. Please clarify. The statement will be removed.

Question 6 Reference: SIR Section L, page 67, Clause 3.6.1-17 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code (Jan 2017) The Market Survey for the current procurement (6937GH-18-R-00128, Engineering Support Services for the Federal Aviation Administration Logistics Center, dated 4/26/2017) identified NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services with no size standard. We request that the applicable NAICS code and size standard be changed to 541330, Engineering Services (Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons) having a current size standard of $38.5M. NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services (Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons) having a current size standard $38.5M is an authorized exception to the basic NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services having a current size standard of $15.0M. The 'Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons' exception and higher size standard amount has historically been assigned to all current and predecessor contracts for provision to the FAA Logistics Center of the same-type NAS aerospace equipment and systems engineering and technical support services as are now being procured for a new period of performance. The current size standard of $15M is appropriate for this acquisition.

Question 7 Reference: SIR Section L, page 69, paragraph AC4561 Proposal Organization, Format and Submission Requirements (June 2014) This paragraph conflicts with Table L.3-1 on page 58 as it refers to Past Performance as Volume II vice Volume III and Technical Approach as Volume III Technical Proposal vice Volume II. In addition, it suggests a requirement for 4 copies of the Technical Approach vice 1 original. Please clarify. Clause AC4561 will be removed.

Question 8

Reference: SIR Section M, page 74, paragraph M.11, Factor 1: Understanding the Requirements.

In the ‘Purpose’ description, the 4th sentence of the 2nd paragraph requires the offeror to “Fully describe the process which will accomplish contract administration and invoicing”. The last sentence of that same paragraph states “This factor shall be evaluated using the above four measurements.” Which would include the contract administration and invoicing process. Under the Evaluation Scoring paragraphs for this Factor, no mention is made of how the contract administration and invoicing process will be evaluated. Please clarify. In Factor 1, the vendor is tasked with describing their process for providing qualified candidates and their understanding of the full requirement to provide them. In the purpose the process includes their understanding of project management, administrative responsibilities, and capability of their process to provide qualified personnel. Under the umbrella of administrative responsibilities is the process for accomplishing contract administration and invoicing.

Question 9 Reference: PWS Page 35, paragraph 5.7 Transitions-In Plan Are we required to submit a Transition-In Plan with this proposal? If so, will it count in the Technical Approach page limitation? A separate plan is not required, the technical approach should address the SIR and all applicable requirements.

Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement – Engineering Services Support, Section 1.3APPLICABLE REFERENCE DOCUMENTS indicate the following references:a.“FAA Order 6000.15G - General Maintenance Handbook for National AirspaceSystem (NAS) Facilities b.FAA Order 6000.30F - National Airspace System Maintenance Policy c.FAA Order 1320.1E - FAA Directives System d.FAA-G-2100G – Application Handbook for Electronic Equipment, GeneralRequirements e.FAA-STD-0I0C - Graphic Symbols for Digital Logic Diagrams.

f.FAA-STD-013D - Quality Control Program Requirements.

g.FAA-STD-018A - Computer Program Quality Program Requirements.

h.FAA Order 3900.19B - Occupational Safety and Health Program i.FAA Order 1320.58C - Instructions for Writing Notices, Maintenance TechnicalHandbooks, and System Support Directives j.Applicable manufacturer's instruction material.

k.FAALC Division(s)/Group(s) Operating Procedures and work instructions.

l.FAA-STD-005E - Standard Practice Preparation of Standards m.FAA-STD-1343D – Quality Control Program Requirements n.MIL-STD-804C – Formats and Coding of Aperture, Camera, Copy and TabulatingCards o.FAA Order 1350.14B – Records Management p.AC Order 1350.24C – Aeronautical Center Records Management Program q.Logistics Center ISO-9001:2015 Quality Management System r.FAA-STD-002G – Standard Engineering Drawing Preparation & Support

s. FAA Order 1370.121 - FAA Information Security and Privacy Program & Policy

t. IPC 7711/7721 Rework, Modification and Repair of Electronic Assemblies

u. 29 CFR 1910 OSHA Standards (General Industry) with special emphasis on 1910.6 Incorporation by reference, 1910.1025 Lead and 1910.1026 Chromium.

v. 29 CFR 1926 OSHA Standards (Construction).

w. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Fire Code and code updates.

x. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Safety Standards (latest versions) as applicable.

y. FAA Order 3900.19B (and updates) Occupational Safety and Health.

z. AC Order 3900.21G (and updates) Occupational Safety.

aa. FAA Order 1900.1G (and updates) FAA Emergency Operations Plan.

bb. AC Order 1900.12C (and updates) Aeronautical Center Emergency Operations Plan.

cc. FAA Order 1050.10D (and updates) Protection Control and Abatement of Environmental Pollution at FAA facilities.

dd. 40 CFR Parts 1-1400 EPA Regulations.

ee. U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) administrative, physical, technical, and information security controls to ensure compliance to the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and DHS security requirements for Classified and Unclassified

DHS/CBP.

ff. FAA Order 1370.106,ISS Awareness and Training

gg. SAVI (Security Awareness Virtual Initiative) training online and offline.

hh. Customs Directive NO 51715-006, Separation Procedures for Contractor Employees” Those references can only be seen in the FAA network. Would it be possible for FAA to provide that documentation? Some of the orders and specifications are available through internal FAA websites, some are on the internet, and some are hardcopies. This would be a significant amount of effort, resources and material to provide this documentation, this information will have to be complied with when performance occurs here at the center. The information will be made available to the vendor who receives the award.