Questions Resulting from SIR.pdf

Questions Resulting from SIR/RFP Announcement 6973GH-18-R-00148

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.

I'd like to inquire whether a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past. If so, could you provide the incumbent contract number? SJ Innovations dba Computer System Designers (CSD), contract number DTFAAC-13-D-00037

Can this requirement be facilitated as an SBA 8 (A) Set-Aside? Yes

Can this requirement be facilitated on the GSA PSS (MOBIS) 874-1 SIN Schedule as a Small Business 8(a) Set-Aside? If so, will the Government add this contract vehicle to allow small businesses an adequate opportunity to compete and support this requirement? This requirement is being solicited on faaco.faa.gov as an SBA 8(a) set aside.

Does the Department of Transportation | Federal Aviation Administration have the requisition in-house for this solicitation (6973GH-18-R-00148)? This requirement will be placed on contract via the acquisition services division here at the Aeronautical Center.

Is this the first issue of this solicitation - Is this a re-compete of an existing Department of Transportation | Federal Aviation Administration requirement or a new requirement? Follow on effort.

Can you advise on if there were/are an incumbent provider(s) for these services? If Yes – Who is/are the incumbent(s) and can you provide previous contract number? The incumbent is SJ Innovations dba Computer System Designers (CSD), contract DTFAAC-13-D-00037.

If there is an incumbent, is there a reason the known incumbent may be precluded from bidding on this new or existing requirement? The incumbent is eligible for this award.

Is this requirement part of a Multiple Award Schedule/Contract or is it a Single Award Schedule/Contract? Single Award - Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity

Has Department of Transportation | Federal Aviation Administration held preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation? A few vendors have provided a company overview through our Small Business Office.

Is it estimated that full funding exists for this solicitation? If so, is there an intended funding threshold and what is the minimum for this threshold? Funding will be obligated against delivery orders, the minimum is stated in Section B - Supplies or Services/Prices page 3 of SIR/RFP 6973GH-18-R-00148.

Is this requirement on schedule to execute a contract with the selected vendor doing the current fiscal period? Yes

Is there a prescribed procedure for technical evaluation of this solicitation? If so, can you describe procedures? Please review sections L and M of SIR/RFP.

We are on the GSA MOBIS Schedule - 00CORP with a SIN 874-1. Does this exclude our company from bidding, or are we eligible to submit a proposal? Proposal will need to be provided based on the criteria set for the in SIR/RFP.

Is the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination in force with this RFQ? If so, can you advise a) What SCA/Wage numbers are applicable? and b) What City and State SCA Wage Determination takes precedence? Wage Determination is part of the SIR/RFP, reference attachment 5.

Does this requirement stipulate that the proposed bidder must hold an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance "PRIOR TO BEING AWARDED” this contract? No, please see provisions 3.14-2 and 3.14-4.

If an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance is required will arrangements be made to assist and provide adequate time to process the required paperwork or are bidders without DD254 Facility Clearance not advised to participate? Please see provisions 3.14-2 and 3.14-4.

For areas where strict requirements exist related to this 6973GH-18-R-00148 Logistics Center Logistics And Professional Support Services Solicitation that an active Secret Facility Clearance in the Industrial Security Facilities Database (ISFD) is needed to meet Secret Facility Clearance Requirements stated throughout the solicitation and Performance Work Statement (PWS); would the government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Past Performance requirements? The awardee will need background investigations in accordance with the provisions of the SIR/RFP and resulting award; and Performance Work Statement.

For areas where strict requirements exist for the number and types of past performance as a PRIME Vendor; would the government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Past Performance requirements? 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.

Can you assist us by sending a copy of the solicitation, as we have had difficulty downloading the documents? Yes

When does the contract expire? 9/11/2018 What is the current contract value? The current effort has three major areas and this solicitation is for one of those areas. The other two areas are being solicited independently under announcements 6973GH-18-R-00128 and 6973GH-18-R-00157.

SIR F.1 8 Paragraph (b) describes the requirements for a written phase-in plan. Is this plan required at proposal submittal? A separate plan is not required, the technical approach should address the SIR and all applicable requirements.

SIR H.2 13 The only key personnel listed is the Business Manager. Is the Contract Technical Manager listed in PWS Section 1.4.4 and the Technical Manager listed in PWS Sections 1.4.7.1, 1.4.7.3, 2.2.1, and 2.3 the same as the Business Manager? They are one in the same.

SIR L.1 55 Does the term "offeror" refer to just the Prime offeror, or does it include teammates (subcontractors) as well? Prime. 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.

SIR L.2 55 Will the Government please confirm that submittal is via email only and that no hard copies are required? Section L.2 states all submittals must be sent to the contract specialist via email or to the address on the Cover Page. Section L.4, paragraph 6) states that "Each proposal must be submitted in bound volumes." The preferred method is electronic, but hard copy of proposal is acceptable.

SIR L.3 56 Table L.3.1 states that resumes and exhibits do not count in the page limitation. Can the Government please clarify the definition of an exhibit? For example, would an offerors ISO 9001 Quality Manual be considered an exhibit? Can we include the Glossary of Acronyms as an Exhibit? I consider tables, figures, Acronyms, and Abbreviations to be part of the page count. Exhibits that a vendor may attach to their Technical Volume that supplements language provided in the Technical Volume.

SIR L.4 57 Paragraphs 8) and 11) state that tab indexing will be used to identify all proposal sections. Is this requirement not applicable to electronic submittals? each element needs to be identified separately

SIR L.6 58 States that Factor 1 "shall be evaluated using the above four measurements." Can the Government please clarify the four measurements? 1) Identify the anticipated staff; 2) their responsibilities or delegated authority; 3) and describe the rationale for this structure; and 4) Fully describe the process which will accomplish contract administration and invoicing.

SIR L.6 58 In Factor 2, Understanding the Management Plan there is a statement “At a minimum resumes should be provided for the Business Manager and a sampling of resumes for the Drafter, Lean Six Sigma Quality Improvement Specialist, Logistics Specialist, Management and Program Analyst, Project Management Specialist, and Technical Librarian."

Can the Government please clarify “sampling of resumes?” Examples of resources who would be available to support this project.

SIR L.7 61 Are offerors allowed to include past performance for teammates/subcontractors in addition to their own? Organizational Experience and Past Performance is for the Prime contractor proposing, the vendor proposing can include work the vendor proposing accomplished as a subcontractor.

SIR L.7 61 Will offerors be penalized if customers do not submit the Past Performance Questionnaires? Past Performance will be evaluated per M.11 Factor 4.

SIR L.8 63 Can the Government please confirm that if an offeror submits a response via email, they are not required to submit Volume IV - Cost/Price on a CD? CD requirement is for proposal submitted by hard copy, but Volume IV is still required electronically.

SIR M.11 74-75 The evaluation criteria for Subfactor 2.2 and Subfactor 2.3 appear to be identical. Can the Government please confirm this is the correct evaluation criteria for these subfactors?

Subfactor 2.3 will be revised, should state Purpose: To evaluate offeror’s plan for processing, control, and documentation of work applicable to the services to be performed to ensure work is completed timely and in accordance with the PWS Section 2. Specifically the submittal shall demonstrate the offeror’s approach and methodology to processing, control, and documentation of work as required in PWS 2.1 Management and Administration, PWS 2.2 Drafting Support, PWS Section 2.3 Maintain FAALC Technical Library, PWS Section 2.4 Lean Six Sigma Quality Improvement Specialist, PWS Section 2.5 Logistics Specialist Support, PWS Section 2.6 Management and Program Analyst Support, PWS Section

2.7 Project Management Support, and PWS Section 2.8 Special Projects.

PWS 1.4.12 8 First sentence refers to section 3.3 (Position requirements and qualifications). Is the correct reference Section 3.4? Yes, 3.4 is the correct Section reference.

PWS 1.4.12 8 Can the Government provide a list of the requisite in service training referenced in paragraph 2? This training is position dependent and will be provided by the Government as needed. This is training that is unique to the FAA and is not expected for Contractor knowledge in advance.

PWS 1.4.14 11 Is the requirement in paragraph (c) to provide "Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist services" still a requirement of this effort? No. It was considered early on but removed from the current requirement.

Attachment 2, Section B N/A Can the Government please provide a cross-walk of the Wage Determination Occupation Codes to the required Section B labor categories? Will attach to FAACO announcement.

Section L, L.8 Cost/Price Proposal

– Volume IV, subparagraph (h)

63 VOLUME IV, subparagraph (h) requires offerors to submit their pricing files to include all proposed formulas and calculations rounded to two (2) decimal places with a separate tab of the worksheet should be provide for each option year. Will the Government please clarify if Subcontractors are required to provide a Cost/Price proposal with the same level of detail as the Offeror? Proposal should detail how the prices were developed.

Attachment 5 - Wage Determination 2015-5315 Rev 5

The SIR incorporates the Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended (APR 2017) and the Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act – Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (OCT 2014) as well as the DOL Wage Determination Schedule WD 15-5315 (Rev.-5). Will the Government please provide a crosswalk of contract labor categories to the applicable WD categories? Yes, will attach to FAACO announcement.

Section L, L.10 Submission OF Offers

64 Offerors are required to submit one copy of the sealed offer in original format at the depository located in Room 313, Multi-Purpose Building, until 3:00 p.m. local time, as specified on Page 1, Item 8, of the Cover Page (Solicitation, Offer and Award). Only one copy is required (Original). But this section also indicates that electronic submissions are acceptable. Will the Government please advise if electronic proposal submissions will be accepted in lieu of printed submissions as long as the proposal is submitted on the date/time specified on Page 1, Item 8 of the Cover Page?

The preferred method is electronic, but hard copy of proposal is acceptable.

Attachment 1 - PWS 11 In section 1.4.14(g) there is a sentence that begins with 1.4.17.

Should this requirement be moved to 1.4.17? No, reference to 1.4.17 will be removed from 1.4.14(g) prior to award.

Section L, L.6 Technical Proposal- Volume II

60 The SIR says b. Three contracts valued at over $5,000,000 where the offeror is the prime contractor or the offeror’s subcontracting efforts represented $5,000,000 or more of the entire contract.

Given this contract is set-aside for 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Businesses with a 541611, will the government allow for just one of the organizational experience references be valued at least $5M annually? The factor will rated based upon provision M.11 Factor 4.

SIR/RFP On pages 64, 66 and 69, there is reference to hard copy submissions but in SIR Section AC4561 PROPOSAL

ORGANIZATION, FORMAT AND SUBMISSION

REQUIREMENTS subsection (a), the instructions include Table X which identifies the requirement for 1 copy of each volume to be submitted without defining the format. Then in SIR Section AC4561 PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION, FORMAT AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS subsection (b), the instructions detail page size and format with subsection (c) being the only section to define the proposal format to be CD/DVD.

Based on the above, it appears the government is asking for an electronic proposal submission via CD/DVD. But on page 66 the instructions say the proposal should be emailed or mailed, and on page 64 it says electronic submissions are acceptable.

Will the government please confirm if the proposal requires a hard copy, soft copy via CD/DVD or electronically via email? AC4561 will be removed. The preferred method is electronic, but hard copy of proposal is acceptable. If a hard copy of the proposal is provided, then a CD of the Cost Volume is required.

Section M: FACTOR 4: PAST

PERFORMANCE – VOLUME III

77 The government references engineering services in the following evaluation factors:

Highly Acceptable, offeror’s performance exceeded the requirements of the contract significantly and showed all levels of engineering services experience as described in the

PWS.

Acceptable, offerors performance met and/or surpassed the minimum requirements, but did not show similar engineering services experience for all levels of engineering as described in the PWS.

Will the government please correct the references to engineering services since this is a logistics and professional support services contract? Yes, this factor will be amended.

L.8 COST/PRICE PROPOSAL –

VOLUME IV

Will the government provide a pricing template to ensure all offerors are submitting the same level of detail for the pricing evaluation? The detail required is provided in L.8.

Section M Evaluatio n

Subfact or 2.3:

Processi ng, Control and Docume ntation of Work

The evaluation criteria listed for Subfactor 2.3 appears to have been replaced with the evaluation criteria for Subfactor 2.2 Quality Control. Please provide the correct evaluation criteria for Subfactor 2.3. Subfactor 2.3 will be revised, should state Purpose: To evaluate offeror’s plan for processing, control, and documentation of work applicable to the services to be performed to ensure work is completed timely and in accordance with the PWS Section 2. Specifically the submittal shall demonstrate the offeror’s approach and methodology to processing, control, and documentation of work as required in PWS 2.1 Management and Administration, PWS 2.2 Drafting Support, PWS Section 2.3 Maintain FAALC Technical Library, PWS Section 2.4 Lean Six Sigma Quality Improvement Specialist, PWS Section 2.5 Logistics Specialist Support, PWS Section 2.6 Management and Program Analyst Support, PWS Section 2.7 Project Management Support, and PWS Section 2.8 Special Projects.

M Evaluatio n

Factor 4 Past Perform ance

At the bottom of page 77, two of the three criteria listed (highly acceptable and acceptable) all reference “engineering services as described in the PWS”. Please confirm whether these should be “logistics and professional services as described in the PWS” and not “engineering services”. Yes, this factor will be amended.

Section L, Instructio ns

L.4 #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.

Section L, Instructio ns

L.3 (Table L.3-1) and L.8

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.

Section L and Schedule B

Table L.8

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? Yes, in accordance with L.8.

L, Instructio ns

L.4 #3 Are 11x17 pages allowed? If they are, will they count as 1 page or 2 pages? No

Attachme nt 2, 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

Attachme nt 1, PWS

Section 2.3.1

The government mentions a few computer databases. Can the government provide a list of the databases and type (SQL, Oracle…)? Most database support is either MS Excel, MS Access or KSN SharePoint capabilities.

Attachme nt 1, PWS

Section 2.3.2

Can the government share the where specifications are stored, media and access technology?

SharePoint on an AML owned server accessed via the internet browser.

Attachme nt 1, PWS

Section 2.3.3

Can the government share where Electronic Equipment Modifications are stored, the media and access technology? SharePoint on an AML owned server accessed via the internet browser.

Attachme nt 1, PWS

Section 2.3.4

Is the government electronic filing system using SharePoint? If not, what is the government’s electronic filing system? Yes primarily SharePoint. The vendor may require scanning documents to pdf for posting to the site.

Attachme nt 1, PWS

Section 2.3.8

Are searches conducted using a search engine? What is the search engine or technology solution implemented to support library searches? Whatever capability exists in the MS Office products or share point accessed via the internet browser.

Question 1 Reference: SIR Section L, page 56, Table L.3-1 and page 57, paragraph L.5 indicate and pages 68-69, paragraph AC4561 Proposal Organization, Format and Submission Requirements (June 2014) that Section B is to be included with Volume I, Contract/SIR of the offeror’s response.

Table L.3-1 states “All Pages Sections A through M while paragraph L.5 and AC4561 state A through K (no L and M). Please clarify and 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 2 Reference: SIR Section L, page 56, table L.3-1 and pages 68-69, paragraph AC4561 Proposal Organization, Format and Submission Requirements (June 2014) Table L.3-1 does not specifies how many hard copies of each volume will be submitted by the offerors. Paragraph AC4561 indicates offerors will provide one (1) copy of each volume. Please clarify.

The preferred method is electronic, but one hard copy of proposal is acceptable. AC4561 will be removed.

Question 3 Reference: SIR Section L, page 56, 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 4 Reference: SIR Section L, pages 68-69, paragraph AC4561 Proposal Organization, Format and Submission Requirements (June 2014) This paragraph conflicts with Table L.3-1 on page 56 as it refers to Past Performance as Volume II vice Volume III and Technical Approach as Volume III Technical Proposal vice Volume II, please clarify.

AC4561 will be removed.

Question 5 Reference: SIR Section I, Clause 3.2.4-5, Allowable Costs and Payments (Jan 2017) Clause 3.2.4-5, Allowable Costs and Payments (Jan 2017) appears to require Contractor reporting (annual fiscal period and at End-of-Contract) of a significant amount of company information related to both overall company and allocable contract-specific financial data. It appears that the financial data will be used by the Government to determine the differential between the actual versus the proposed indirect cost rates (percentages) as reimbursed by the Government during the reporting period.

a. Will differentials between the proposed versus the actual indirect rates experienced (Fringe, Overhead, G&A, Materials Handling Fee, etc.) result in Government-Contractor negotiated payments to the Government (if over-collected) or to the Contractor (if under-collected)?

b. Does this clause only provide for repayment to the Government of indirect amounts over-collected (‘claw-back’) or does it also permit Contractor collection after-the-fact of indirect amounts under-collected (under-estimated but experienced amounts)?

c. What is the relation to the already required DCAA annual “Incurred Cost’ report to the reporting required under this clause? It appears to be a duplication of the same type company and contract-specific financial data already required to be reported.

The information required by AMS 3.2.4-5 is the Incurred Cost Claim that is required also by FAR 52.216-

7. We do not require any other information. The claim is audited and final indirect rates are determined, either audit-determined or negotiated by the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO). A final indirect rate agreement is then executed between the Contractor and the Government by the Cognizant Federal Agency (Official), who is a Contracting Officer – DCMA does the bulk of it, but only if DOD is cognizant. If FAA is cognizant, then an FAA individual will be assigned the AAP-500. As the rate agreement covers all flexibly-priced contracts, adjustments then need to be made to all contracts. Adjustments go both ways, so if we are due money, the contractor pays us, if we owe the contractor, it submits a bill.

Question 6 Reference: PWS paragraphs 3.4.5 and Section B – Schedule PWS paragraph 3.4.5, Management and Program Analyst, details the requirements for a Management and Program Analyst labor category. The Section B- Schedule CLINs X016-X021 listed a Program Analyst labor category. Please advise if the labor category is Management and Program Analyst or Program Analyst. Management and Program Analyst, Attachment 2 will be amended.

Question 7 Reference: PWS paragraphs 3.4.6 and Section B – Schedule PWS paragraph 3.4.6, Project Management Specialist, details the requirements for a Project Management Specialist labor category. The Section B- Schedule CLINs X022-X027 list a Project Specialist labor category. Please advise if the labor category is Project Management Specialist or Project Specialist.

Project Management Specialist, Attachment 2 will be amended.