CERC RFP 70FA6021R00000001 Vendor Questions-Government Responses 2-13-2021.xlsx

XLSX spreadsheet 92 KB Posted Feb 13, 2021

Attached to: FEMA/FIMA Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) Services
Solicitation number: 70FA6021R00000001
Issued by: Federal Emergency Management Agency

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Other files

File	Type	Posted
RFP - Attachment 3 Amended CERC Price Worksheet 1-27-2021.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Feb 13, 2021
RFP Attachment-1 Amended PWS Dated 1-27-21.docx	DOCX document	Feb 13, 2021
RFP 70FA6021R00000001 FEMA-FIMA CERC Support Services Conformed Copy 2-13-21.docx	DOCX document	Feb 13, 2021
70FA6021R00000001 Amendment 0002.pdf	PDF	Feb 13, 2021
70FA6021R00000001 Amendment 0001.pdf	PDF	Feb 8, 2021
RFP 70FA6021R00000001 FEMA-FIMA CERC Support Services.pdf	PDF	Feb 5, 2021
RFP Attachment-1 PWS dated 1-27-2021.docx	DOCX document	Feb 5, 2021
RFP - Attachment 2 QASP dated 1-27-2021.docx	DOCX document	Feb 5, 2021
RFP - Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet 1-27-2021.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Feb 5, 2021
RFP Attachment 4 Past Performance Questionnaire 1-15-2021.doc	DOC document	Feb 5, 2021

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CERC Questions & Answers

	Item #	Draft RFP - CERC Questions/Comments	Solicitation/PWS Reference	Gov't Response
	1	Can the government please confirm if the Offeror is to select the Federal Travel Regulations (e.g., 1998 or 1999) that they intend to use prior to or post contract award?	Solicitation 9, Section B.8	The Contractor shall use the most current FTR rates. Section B.8 of the solicitation has been revised accordingly.
	2	Please confirm that travel costs (if allowable subject to FAR 31.205-46) will be cost reimbursable for FFP contract types?	RFP - Page 9 out of 92
B.8 Travel	This determination will be made at the task order level.
	3	In reference to (2) Indirect Costs (Material Handling, Subcontract Administration, etc.) on page 25:

Will the Government confirm that indirect costs on non-labor ODCs and travel are allowable under this IDIQ?

	RFP - Page 25 of 92
Sec C Contract Clauses, C.2 52.212-4 Alternate I (Jan 2017)	The only allowable indirect costs to be billed under task orders is the fixed material handling fee established under Section B.4, Price Schedule. This material handling fee may be only applied to other direct costs set forth in Section C.2, FAR 52.212-4 Alternate 1 (Jan 2017).
	4	Can the government please confirm that the Overall Small Business Subcontracting requirement of 42% applies to the value of subcontracts awarded by the prime contractor and not the total value of the task orders awarded by the government to the prime contractor?	Solicitation 64, Section E.5	The overall small business subcontracting goals apply to 42% of total amount of subcontracts awarded by the prime contractor based on the accumulative amount of all task orders.
	5	Please confirm the selected contractor may later add small business subcontractors for specific scope/task orders to meet small business requirements.	Small Business Commitment:	Please see FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
	6	The RFP states, “These goals apply to the IDIQ Contract level for the accumulative subcontracting results for all task orders issued.”

Please confirm the small business subcontracting goals listed apply to the total amount of subcontracted expenditures on the IDIQ, not to the value of the entire contract.	RFP - Page 64 of 92
Section E.5 Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Program	See response to question 4.
	7	On page 64 of the RFP, in the table, it refers to a "SDB Prime Sub." Can the Government please confirm that "Prime" was a typo and that the small business percentage goal applies to any SDB subcontractor?	RFP - Page 64	The word "Prime" was a typographical error which has been corrected.
	8	Can the government please confirm if the Offeror can include impact statements from a predecessor contract that started before February 2016 when submitting a follow-on contract that started after February 2016?	Solicitation 66, Section ©	No, only the corporate experience of the Offeror and proposed subcontractors (which have submitted a signed letter of commitment) for projects/work that started within 5-years of the RFP release date will be considered.
	9	Can the government please confirm that the cover page, cover letter, and table of contents are excluded from the 12 single-sided page limit?	Solicitation 66, Section ©	Offerors shall include a 1-page cover sheet and a 1-page table of contents for each of the Phase-1 and Phase-2 proposals. These two pages do not count towards any specified page limitation. The cover page shall include the Company name and DUNS number for the prime Offeror and all proposed subcontractors and the Solicitation number.
	10	Please confirm that we may use a coversheet to provide the information required “Prime Offeror’s and subcontractors’ company name, DUNS number, and solicitation number” and that the coversheet will not count against the 12-page limit for Phase I Technical Proposal.	Phase-1 Offeror Instructions Phase-1	See response to question 9.
	11	Can the government please confirm when OCI disclosures need to be submitted?	PP 44, 3052.209-72 Organizational Conflicts of Interest.	The OCI disclosures and certifications required under Section C.4, HSAR 3052.209-72 shall be provided with the Phase-2 Business Proposal. See revised Phase-2 Business Proposals instruction set forth in Section E.6, Proposal Instructions.
	12	For pricing and planning purposes, can the Government provide an anticipated POP start date for the Base Period?	RFP - Page 9 of 92
B.5 Period of Performance	The Government anticipates an award date on or about 5/22/21. The Government reserves the right to amend the anticipated award date.
	13	Please confirm that projects/task orders that were performed within the 5 year timeframe, but under a contract that began more than 5 years from RFP release date, are considered compliant.	RFP - Page 66	The project’s period of performance must have started within 5-years from the release of the RFP to be considered. The burden is on the Contractor to demonstrate that the project's period of performance started within this timeframe.
	14	For the purpose of defining “endeavors which have started within the past 5-years,” can the contractor use projects/endeavors within contract Option Periods that started within the last 5-years but is part of an overall contract that was initiated more than 5 years ago?		See response to question 13.
	15	Please clarify that the requirement for project start date being within the last five years means that experience from contracts beginning outside of the five-year window may be included (e.g., task orders or bridge contracts).	PP 66, (C) Phase-1 Offeror Instructions Phase-1
Evaluation Factor-1 Corporate Experience	See response to question 13.
	16	Can the government please confirm that the only required submission for Phase 1 is Factor-1 Corporate Experience?	Solicitation 66, Section ©	This is correct. Offerors shall provide all submit all Corporate Experience information required by the Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions. See Section E.6, Proposal Instructions.
	17	Can the government please confirm that the Phase 1 due date and time of February 16, 2021 at 10:00AM (local time) is referring to 10:00AM Eastern Standard Time?	Solicitation 76, Section E.8	The Phase-1 Technical Proposal due date has been extended to February 18, 2021 by 10:00 AM local time of the issuing office stated in block 9 of the solicitation.
	18	Are the offerors’ self-assessments included as part of Technical Volume submission?	PP 74, Phase 2 Technical Volume Instructions	Yes, the self-assessment shall be included in the Phase-2 Technical Proposal. Please note the wording of "Technical Volume" and "Technical Proposal" are used interchangeably.
	19	The RFP states that for projects used to answer Phase 1 questions, “The project’s period of performance must have started within the past 5-years to be considered.”

Can the government confirm that the work performed during option periods or task orders that began in the past five years are compliant with this requirement?	RFP - Page 66 of 92
Section E.6 (C) Phase-1 Offeror Instructions Phase-1	See response to question 13.
	20	The RFP states, “Disclosure of any contract(s) or orders(s) terminated for cause or default or in which a cure notice was received in the past three years. Offerors shall provide a narrative describing the circumstances of the termination or cure notice. Such narrative shall include a summary of any corrective action taken to resolve or correct the situation or describe any extenuating circumstances.”

Does this bullet apply to the specific referenced project only, or is it intended to apply more broadly? If it applies more broadly, may the offeror provide this information as an appendix to the Phase 1 submission, not part of the page count limit?	RFP - Page 68 of 92
Section E.6 (C) Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions	In accordance with Section E.6, Proposal Instructions, Offerors are required to make full disclosure of all Federal contract(s) and/or orders(s) terminated for cause or default or in which a "cure notice" was received in the past three years. This applies to all contracts and/or orders of the prime Offeror and all proposed subcontractors within the past 3 years. This is not limited to only the projects used in reference to the six (6) Corporate Experience Questions under Factor-1. This information shall be provided as an appendix to the Phase-1 submission and does not count towards the page limit.
	21	Please clarify whether FEMA is requiring an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation plan, and if so, whether it is to be submitted during the Phase-1 or Phase-2 process. If submitted with Phase-1, please confirm it will be excluded from the 12-page limit. If submitted for Phase-2, please confirm it will be excluded from the 10-page limit.	RFP - Page 44	The OCI disclosures and certifications required by HSAR 3052.72 (with any applicable OCI Mitigation Plan) shall be provided with the Phase-2 Business Proposal. See revised Phase-2 Business Proposal instructions. No page limit applies to the Business Proposal.
	22	(C) Phase-1 Offeror Instructions, Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions, indicates letters of commitment are required from all proposed subcontractors. Please confirm this is only for the proposed subcontractors represented in the projects we provide to demonstrate our response to one of the six Corporate Experience Questions (found on page 68-69).	RFP - Page 66-67	Letters of commitment are only required for proposed subcontractors used to demonstrate experience under Factor-1.
	23		Is non-evaluated content, including cover page, cover letter, divider tabs, and table of contents, permitted in the Phase 1 and 2 submittals? If yes, will this be excluded from 12-page count for Phase 1 listed on page 66 and the 10-page count for Phase 2 listed on page 74 of the RFP?	RFP - Page 74	See response to question 9.
	24	Requirements related to Organizational Conflicts (OCI) are listed on pages 44-45 of the RFP. Can the Government please clarify in which Phase they would like to receive the disclosure statement and/or mitigation plan, if applicable? Please confirm if this will count against page limitations.	RFP - Pages 44-45	See response to question 11.
	25	Please confirm whether FEMA will allow a transmittal letter to accompany the contractor’s Phase-1 response. Please clarify it would not be included in the 12-page count restriction; we understand the information provided in the cover letter would not be scored.		See response to question 9.
	26	On page 65, the RFP states, “All proposal submissions must include the solicitation number and the legal name and DUNs number of prime Offeror.” On page 66 it states, “The proposal shall include the following information for the prime Offeror and each proposed subcontractor: Prime Offeror’s and subcontractors’ company name, DUNS number, and solicitation number.”
1.	Please confirm the statement “each proposed subcontractor” is only for those subcontractors conducting work represented in the project descriptions we provide to demonstrate our response to one of the six Corporate Experience Questions found on page 68-69.
2.	Please confirm we are able to include a cover page for the list of subcontractor names and DUNS number, which will be excluded from the page count. We respectfully request your consideration of this request due to the varying number of proposed subcontractors a contractor may use.	RFP - Page 65-66	See response to question 9. In addition, the vendor's assumptions 1 and 2 are correct.
	27	Can the government please confirm that the “current status” requirement can be removed since the Offeror is providing the Period of Performance for the project in the preceding
requirement?	Solicitation 68, Bullet #8, Section E.6 ©	For the project to be considered all supporting data set forth in Section E.6 (C) of the solicitation shall be provided.
	28	Can the government please confirm that the requirement
considering contract or order terminations is only applicable to the project being submitted?	Solicitation 68, Bullet #13, Section E.6 ©	See response to question 20.
	29	Can the government please confirm that the Offeror can use
the Zoom screen share feature to share visual aids developed on a presenter’s computer?	Solicitation 70, Bullet #12, Section E.6 €	Confirmed.
	30	The government notes the following on page 70 0f 92, “12) Visual aids may be used during the Oral Presentation but are limited to Zoom functions and physical whiteboards and flips charts than can be viewed by the Government on the Zoom screen” and on page 71 of 92, “Visual aids are permitted but will not be evaluated. The extent and use of visual aids is at the Offeror’s discretion.”

Since visual aids are allowed and at the Offeror’s discretion, can the Offeror bring visual aids in PowerPoint format that can be displayed on Zoom?	RFP - Page 70 of 92 Rules of Engagement for Orals Presentation and page 71 of 92
Section E.6 Phase-2 Evaluation Factors and Instructions. Factor -2 Orals Presentation	Offerors are responsible for screen sharing any content required for their presentation. Any visual aids may be used but will not be evaluated or scored.

	31	In the Rules of Engagement for Oral Presentation (RFP page 70), Item 12 states that “Visual aids may be used during the Oral Presentation but are limited to Zoom functions and physical whiteboards and flips charts than can be viewed by the Government on the Zoom screen.”
Can the Government please clarify if Offerors are permitted to share a prepared PowerPoint presentation as a visual aid during the Oral Presentation, which would be part of the Zoom screen-sharing function?	Phase II Oral Presentation	See response to question 30.
	32	Under Rules of Engagement for Oral Presentations, item number 12 states that “visual aids may be used during the Oral Presentation but are limited to Zoom functions and physical whiteboards and flip charts that can be viewed by the Government on the Zoom screen.” Please clarify if it is allowable to show a video and/or PowerPoint slides (using screen sharing).	RFP - Page 70	See response to question 30.
	33		On page 70 of the RFP under the Rules of Engagement for Oral Presentation states that, "at least two must be employees of the prime Offeror." Can the Government please confirm that employees of JV member firms meet this requirement?	RFP - Page 70	Confirmed.
	34	Are offerors allowed to use PowerPoint slides as a visual aid?	PP 70, Rules of Engagement for Oral Presentation
	See response to question 30.
	35	Please confirm that the government does not require prior submission of any visual aids, e.g., a slide deck, that an offeror intends to use during their oral presentation.	PP 71, Evaluation Factor-2 Oral Presentation	Visual aids shall not be submitted to the Government.
	36		Page 71 of the RFP states that “Visual aids are permitted but will not be evaluated.” Can the government confirm that the PowerPoint (or whatever the offeror uses for the presentation) will not be considered a visual aid and therefore evaluated/factor into the government’s determination of confidence rating scores? While the visual aids will not be evaluated, can the Government confirm that the use of visual aids will factor into determination of confidence rating scores?	RFP - Page 71	Visual aids are permitted but will not be evaluated nor will they be factored into the confidence ratings.
	37	Can the government please provide the referenced Oral Presentations Questions document in advance of the Phase 2 Down Select Notice?	Solicitation 72, Section

Element 1

Technical Approach	The Contracting Officer will provide the Oral Presentation questions to all Offerors who elect to participate in Phase-2.
	38	On page 71 the RFP states, "All Offerors will be given the same questions in advance. The questions will be provided to the Offerors on the same date." On page 69 the RFP states the Contracting Officer will provide "An assigned date and time for the Oral Presentation." Can the government please confirm that all offerors will receive the equivalent amount of time to prepare for the oral presentation from the date that questions are provided to the date of the presentation?	RFP - Page 71	The Government will ensure the questions are provided to Offerors proceeding to Phase-2 in a fair and even manner.
	39	The Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet has hours by Labor Category and does not specify location of staff. Can the government please provide the associated distribution of hours by FEMA Headquarters and Regional Offices for Offerors to provide an accurate Price Worksheet?	Attachment 1 PWS 29, Section VI.	The proposed fully burdened labor rates shall apply to any required place of performance within the United States and its territories. The ratio of work to be done at FEMA HQ and Regions is unknown. Please note the hours in the worksheet are for evaluation purposes only.
	40	The Projects and Budget Manager Key Personnel Position is currently not listed in Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet. Can the government please confirm if it should be added and if it replaces any of the existing positions?	Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet All tabs	This typographical error has been corrected to include the Projects and Budget Manager position in the Price Worksheet.
	41	All key personnel positions are assigned hours greater than 1,880 in Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet. Can the government please confirm that the Offeror should submit only one resume to fulfill the position requirements?	Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet All tabs, Lines 9, 15, 23, 24, and 26	Confirmed, one individual shall be proposed for each position designated as key personnel and the resume and letter of commitment for this person.
	42	The Program Director role is allotted 2,359 hours in Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet. Can the government please confirm that only one individual should be participating in the Orals Presentation as the Program Director?	Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet All tabs, Line 24	See response to question 41. In addition, only the one individual proposed as the Program Director shall participate in the Oral Presentation. Please note that up to four other individuals may participate.
	43	Can the government please identify the types of costs that will be included in the Fixed Material Handling Fee of $11.5 million? Specifically, would this capture overall ODCs?	Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet All tabs, Line 34	See response to question 3. Please note the $11.5 million is for evaluation purposes only.
	44	Can the government please confirm that the Offeror can round total values in Attachment 3 CERC Price Worksheet to two decimal places?	Attachment 3 CERC Price
Worksheet	The Price Worksheet is already formatted for currency.
	45	RFP Sec C.15 states key Personnel as Projects and Budget Manager

Does that LCAT align to the Project Manager LCAT in Attachment 3 Price worksheet?

There is no Projects and Budget Manager LCAT in Attachment 3 Price Worksheet	RFP and Section 3 Page 46 of 92
Sec C.15 HSAR 3052.215-70 KEY PERSONNEL OR FACILITIES (DEC 2003), and Attachment 3 Price worksheet	See response to question 40.
	46	“Offerors shall complete this Price Schedule using the same (exact) fully burdened labor rates proposed under the Price Worksheet provided as Attachment 3. Offerors who fail to follow this instruction may be excluded from award consideration.” However, Section B4 of the RFP includes a list of labor categories. Attachment 3 also includes a list of labor categories, not identical to B4, but close. For example, is Project Manager in Attachment 3 the same as Projects and Budget Manager (Key Personnel) in B4? Also, is Program Director in Attachment 3 the same as Managing Director in B4? Can the Government please clarify if there is a preferred list? Or provide a consolidated list?	RFP Section B4	The Price Worksheet has been corrected to exactly match the labor categories set forth in Section B.4, Price Schedule.
	47	In Attachment 3 Price Worksheet, the evaluated hours for the Labor Categories that align with the Key Personnel positions are greater than 1 Full Time Equivalent (1880 hours). Can the Government please confirm that it is their expectation that more than one resource can bill to these labor categories but those persons must meet the minimum qualifications for Key Personnel set forth in the PWS, as stated on page 3 of the RFP?	Attachment 3 Price Worksheet	See response to question 41.
	48		In Attachment 3 Price Worksheet, can the Government please confirm that the Labor Category of Project Manager aligns with the Project and Budgets Manager Key Personnel position?	Attachment 3 Price Worksheet	See response to question 40.
	49	In Attachment 3 Price Worksheet/Section B.4: Should the contractor provide its Fixed Material Handling fee into Table B.4 as the percentage used in the Pricing Worksheet (Cell B34) or the calculated value of Fixed Material Handling Fee (Cell D34)?	Attachment 3 Price Worksheet	Offerors shall complete Section B.4 by including the proposed fixed material handling fee as the same percentage used in the Price Worksheet.
	50	In section B.4, the RFP states: “The rates apply to both onsite and offsite labor.”

Please confirm that Offerors can propose both a Contractor-site rate and a Government-site rate for each labor category in Attachment 3.

If so, please provide a revised Attachment 3 that allows for both rates per each labor category. Providing both rates allows the government to realize cost savings.	RFP - Page 4 of 92
B.4 Price Schedule	No, the proposed rates shall apply to both onsite and offsite labor.
	51	Paragraph 2 of this section states that “Offerors may propose and add up to three (3) additional labor categories to the Pricing Worksheet . . . .” Are offerors required to add three additional labor categories or is this completely optional?	PP 74, Evaluation Factor-4: Price	The three additional labor categories are optional.
	52		Is the government stating that all contractors currently performing on one of the Risk MAP contracts have a perceived or actual OCI?	Provisions Organizational Conflict of Interest; page 44, first paragraph.	No see revised OCI provision.
	53	With regard to collaborating with any Risk MAP contractor, does the government mean there is a conflict in collaborating on this solicitation or future solicitations if the offeror receives an award?	Provisions Organizational Conflict of Interest; page 44, first paragraph.	See revised OCI provision.
	54		Can the government elaborate as to how collaborating with the CERC contractor (i.e. the incumbent) potentially creates a conflict for this current CERC solicitation?	Provisions Organizational Conflict of Interest; page 44, first paragraph.	See revised OCI provision.
	55	Can the Government please provide additional detail or representative examples of non-public information available to PTS contractors that the Government believes provides an unfair competitive advantage to current PTS contractors as it relates to this requirement?
	PP 44, 3052.209-72 Organizational Conflicts of Interest.	See revised OCI provision.
	56	Given the extensive access to FIMA SharePoint sites, that also contain publicly available content, can the government elaborate on the specific sites and non-public information housed on those sites that create a potential unfair competitive advantage?	PP 44, 3052.209-72 Organizational Conflicts of Interest.	This information is not available. Offerors shall self-certify if they have any potential or actual OCI.
	57	The language asserting the appearance of a Conflict of Interest for “participation in any collaborative or joint effort”’ with existing Risk MAP contractors appears contradictory to the expectations outlined under FEMA’s PWS > P.4 > Risk Map Contractor Roles in Flood Hazard Mapping Projects. It is understandable that the Risk MAP Program Management contractor’s access to Risk MAP provider financial information presents a clear OCI. We do not believe the other cited contractors have similar conflicts. Most data and information generated by your providers are restricted from public access. Would the government provide additional clarification on the specific information or activity that introduces an apparent or actual OCI? This definition is vital to allow contractors to develop a mitigation plan that properly addresses any potential OCIs.	Page 44 of 92, Sec C.14	See response to question 56.
	58	The language states, “The nature of this conflict of interest also includes the appearance of/or an actual OCI of bias of both supporting the development of grant applications in support of CERC mitigation initiatives and supporting the review of the same grant application packages (at the Federal, Tribal, State, and local level). To mitigate this potential OCI the resultant contract will include a limitation on future contracting on providing any grant application review support for applications in which the contractor grant development support.”

Can the Government please define what the limitation on future contracting will entail? RFP & Attachment 3 Page 44 of 92 Sec C Contract Clauses, C.14 HSAR 3052.212-70 Contract Terms And Conditions Applicable to DHS Acquisition of Commercial

Items (Sept 2012)	The Limitation of Future Contracting has been removed.
	59	Subparagraph (c) of Clause 3052.209-72 requires a disclosure by the offeror regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest. When (and where, if in the proposal) does the Government expect offerors to make this disclosure? If the intent is to address any potential conflict of interest in the proposal, confirm the Government will not require such discussion to occur within the page limitations established for the submission.	RFP - Page 44	See response to question 11.
	60	Can the government please confirm that the Organizational Conflict of Interest statement that reads

“Access to any non- public FIMA/RMD Systems and/or SharePoint Sites” refers only to access to SharePoint sites that resulted in unequal access to sensitive procurement information related to

CERC?	Solicitation - Page 44 Provisions	See revised OCI provision.
	61	Can the government please confirm that the requirement "The nature of this conflict of interest also includes the appearance of/or an actual OCI of bias by providing any support in the development of RMD Risk MAP strategic planning, portfolio management, business case development, and/or review of policy that contributed to the requirements of this solicitation” relates specifically to contributions made to the CERC procurement?	Solicitation - Page 44 Provisions	See revised OCI provision.
	62	The RFP states, “The Technical Proposal shall address the six (6) Corporate Experience questions provided below based on projects completed by the prime Offeror and/or all proposed subcontractor(s) with a signed letter of commitment.”

Does the government mean the following?

The Technical Proposal shall address the six (6) Corporate Experience questions provided below based on projects completed by the prime Offeror or any proposed subcontractor(s) with a signed letter of commitment.”	RFP - Page 67 of 92
Section E.6 (C) Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions	This language has been corrected to read as follows: The Technical Proposal shall address the six (6) Corporate Experience questions provided below based on projects completed by the prime Offeror or any proposed subcontractor(s) with a signed letter of commitment.
	63	The RFP states, “Greater consideration will be given to the prime Offeror compared to that of proposed subcontractors.”

Will the government clarify how they will weight or score the difference between prime offeror experience compared to the subcontractors’ experience?	RFP - Page 67 of 92
Section E.6 (C) Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions	As stated in the solicitation greater consideration will be given to the prime Offeror compared to proposed subcontractors. No weight or mathematical formula applies.
	64	Please clarify the definition for change management.

Does Change Management refer to refer to change control (Program Management) or increasing stakeholder awareness, buy-in, and support for transformation efforts (Organizational Change)? RFP - Page 69 of 92 Section E.6 (C) Phase-1 Technical Proposal Instructions

Corporate Experience Questions	Change management in this instance refers to organizational change in support of the stated performance requirements.
	65	The Price instructions state that “Offerors may propose and add up to three (3) additional labor categories to the Pricing Worksheet.”

Please confirm the three additional labor categories are optional and offerors may elect to price only the government-provided labor categories.	RFP - Page 74 of 92
Section E.6 Phase-2 Evaluation Factors and Instructions. Evaluation Factor-4: Price	Confirmed.
	66	Please confirm that Offerors can provide Evidence of Responsibility pursuant to the requirements of FAR Subsection 9.104-1 as part of the Offeror’s Cover Letter.
	RFP - Page 75 of 92
Phase 2 – Business Proposal Instructions	The cover is limited to the company name and DUNS numbers of the prime Offeror and proposed subcontractors and the RFP number. Evidence of responsibility shall be provided within the content of the Phase-2 Business Proposal.
	67	The Draft Standard Ops PWS is included as a document in the library.

What is the purpose of Draft Standard Ops PWS in terms of the offeror’s Phase 2 response or Business Volume/pricing?	Draft Standard Ops PWS	This document reflects draft work that may be required under task orders.
	68	Given the current COVID-19 situation, please confirm that teleworking is permitted as an alternative to working at contractor facilities upon Government approval.	RFP - General	Yes
	69		Can you confirm that Resilience Action Partners is the incumbent vendor on this scope of work?		Yes, this is the legal name of this JV contractor.
	70	When do you anticipate making a decision on the contract award and when do you expect the selected vendor(s) will begin work?		The Government expects any Offeror to be prepared to start work the day of award, which is anticipated to be on or about 5/22/21.
	71	Have you a mechanism for small businesses to connect with larger primes to jointly submit proposals to this opportunity?		The Government does not have a mechanism to connect large or small businesses together to create a joint venture or other teaming arrangements. This is a matter left to private industry.
	72	Corporate Experience Question 5 references change management. Is the Government referring to project management principles consistent with Program Management Institute requirements (e.g., the change request process)?	RFP - Page 69	Change management in this instance refers to organizational change in support of the stated performance requirements.
	73	Under Evaluation Factor-4: Price, it states "The proposed rates for these labor categories must be mapped to labor categories in the GSA CALC+ Tool."
1.	Will the GSA CALC+ Tool be the sole basis for determining the price reasonableness for ALL labor categories listed in Attachment 3?
2.	Do the rates in this tool represent the government’s ceiling rates? If yes, can the Offeror propose higher rates with supporting documentation to justify the reasonableness per FAR Part 31?	RFP - Page 74	The GSA CALC Tool will not be the sole basis for determining price reasonableness. Offerors that exceed the range of labor rates for the category used in the CALC Tool are cautioned that the proposed rates may be deemed unreasonable and/or contribute to a determination that the proposal is unbalanced. In addition Section B.4 has been amended to require all proposed labor categories added to the price schedule after contract award must to be mapped to labor categories and rates in the GSA CALC+ Tool. Proposed labor categories and rates that fail to comply with this requirement will not be accepted.
	74	Please describe what a contractor needs to do if the labor categories needed to perform the work on this contract are not included in the GSA CALC+ Tool.	RFP - Page 74	The Offeror must select the labor category and rate in the GSA CALC+ Tool that is most relevant and the best fit for the required services.
	75	Will the Government consider changing “subsidiary” to “affiliate” (page 78) or otherwise permit the use of corporate experience of an entity’s wholly owned subsidiaries?	RFP - Page 78	No. Parent company and subsidiary experience will not be considered in order for the Government to make an accurate assessment of an Offeror’s corporate experience as it relates to this procurement. Only the experience of the prime Offeror and proposed subcontractors (that submitted letters of commitment) for projects that started within 5-years of the RFP release date will be considered. No other experience will be considered.
	76	When an unpopulated joint venture is the prime Offeror, will the Government evaluate each of the constituent members of a joint venture as a “prime Offeror” in the evaluation of corporate experience and past performance?	RFP - Page 78	Yes
	77	Please confirm the process by which FEMA will respond to questions on all Phases of the Final RFP, including the manner in which questions will be addressed and the timing. Please address whether the magnitude of questions received may result in an extension of the due date and time of the Phase-1 submittal (currently February 16 at 10 am EST).		Additional questions may be submitted but may not be answered. The Contracting Officer reserves the right to only answer late questions that are in the best interest of the Government. Any additional questions submitted will be considered to be late.
	78	Can the government please confirm that the current Risk MAP prime contractors (Program Management Contractor, CDS Contractor, PTS Contractors, CERC Contractor, and/or the MT-1 Contractor) have unmitigable OCI and are prohibited from serving in a prime role on CERC?	Solicitation - Page 44 Provisions	See revised OCI clause.
	79		On page 55, the RFP states that contractors performing on this contract must be United States Citizens. Does this citizenship requirement apply to all proposed staff or only for positions requiring a security background investigation? Does the U.S. citizenship requirement prohibit non-US citizens with U.S. work authorization to perform work under the contract?	RFP - Page 55	As stated on page 55 of the solicitation, contractor employees/staff performing work under the resultant contract must be United States Citizens.
	80	Can relevant years of experience be substituted for education or training requirements?		Relevant years of experience cannot be substituted for education and training requirements.
	81		On page 64 of the RFP, the table refers to "FY2021 Goal Percent of Total Expenditures." Can the Government please confirm that total expenditures means total subcontracted dollars?	RFP - Page 64	The contractor is responsible for meeting the small business goals as defined in the solicitation.
	82	Can the government please clarify the difference between Subtasks 1.1.1 and Subtask 1.1.8 on pages 5 and 6 of the PWS? Both seem to be covering the same work product - the National Outreach Strategy.	PWS - Page 5-6	Removed Subtask 1.1.8 from the PWS.
	83		On page 31 of the PWS, the education requirements for the Projects and Budget Manger Key Personnel is a B.A. or B.S. degree in business related field. Master's Degree preferred. Would the Government consider a B.S. in engineering with experience in projects and budget management on projects of similar size and complexity as a substitution for the B.A. or B.S. degree in business related field?	PWS - Page 31	There is no substitution for Key Personnel requirements. The Offeror shall provide an overview of the credentials, relevant experience, and qualifications of the proposed Key Personnel and how they meet or exceed the minimum qualifications set forth in solicitation.
	84	Page 73 of the RFP states that the Offeror’s self-assessment shall address the following for each project, and the ninth bullet lists a "Self-assessment of its past performance and why/how it is relevant to this effort." Is there a specific format that the government desires for the past performance self-assessment?	RFP - Page 73	Offerors shall provide all required information for this factor. There is no required format.
	85	Page 73 of the RFP states that, "To be considered, the questionnaire must be submitted directly from the project’s client POC to the Government via email by the due date to be established by the Contracting Officer." What is the due date for the submittal of Past Performance Questionnaires? Will this be provided with the instructions/questions that follows the advisory down select notification?	RFP - Page 73	The Contracting Officer will include this information in the notification of Phase-2 Oral Presentation logistics.
	86		On page 7 of the PWS, Task 1.2.5 states, “RAD.RM.CERC.MS/RMD.CERC.MS – Identify, capture, and adapt best practices and lessons learned from other RMD projects to find program efficiencies and build upon existing work. Ensure there is no duplication of work within the CERC contract and that opportunities to identify and create templates or standard processes are executed to provide standardized materials and approaches across programs and geographies.” Tasks 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 replicate this sub-task but without the language that specifies that there is no duplication of work within the CERC contract. Can the government confirm that the expectation for all the identical sub-tasks is also only preventing duplication within the CERC contract?	PWS - Page 7	Confirmed.
	End of Document

Draft RFP - CERC Questions/Comments

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File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated Sep 14, 2021.