70LART25RPFB00005 Questions and Answers.docx

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES QUESTIONS

1. Section L explicitly states that Factor 1: Written Submission of Experience is only to include a narrative concerning the Offeror’s experience, further emphasizing this with the statement “ONLY EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE WRITTEN SUBMISSION” (p144). However, Section L later states that “The Government will also evaluate its confidence in the offeror’s ability based on at least one (1) individual who will manage the contract performance from company headquarters or the company’s centralized office has been met” (p 145). The instructions further state that “should the offeror provide information for other technical factors during the written submission, the Government will assume the offeror does not understand the requirement…” (p 145). Can the Government please clarify their expectations for including an “individual who will manage the contract performance from company headquarters” (which would be part of a technical solution) in a section limited exclusively to prior experience?

Refer to Sections L and M.

2. Section L 1.1.a Submission Requirements (p. 143) state that Volume 1 is limited to seven pages, front and back. Can the Government clarify whether this means each physical sheet (front and back) counts as a single page toward the limit, or if each side of a sheet is counted separately (i.e., front = 1 page, back = 1 page) for a total of up to 14 sides? Answer: 1 page, when submitting written experience there is no front or back just one page; seven pages is seven pages.

3. Section L 1.2.a indicates that during the second hour of oral presentations, the contractor should “provide its prepared presentation to address its technical approach, key personnel qualifications, and past performance” (p146). However, the contractor also “shall not bring, present, or distribute any written or electronic materials” (p 146). Section C.1.7.1 Key Personnel states that “Key Personnel are those persons whose resumes were submitted for evaluation of the proposal” (p 27). If Factor 1 is strictly limited to experience, and the contractor shall not provide any supporting written or electronic materials during Factor 2, can the Government please clarify when Key Personnel resumes are to be submitted?

Answer: After Phase 1; Advisory down-select, if offeror wishes to proceed notify CO. Phase II instructions would have that information on key personnel, pricing and submittals.

4. Section L 1.2.b indicates that during the Oral Presentation, the offeror’s Past Performance will be evaluated for “relevancy, currency, size, scope, and performance feedback from points-of-contact listed for the past performance references…” (p 147). Can the Government please clarify whether during Oral Presentations Offerors are able to discuss past performance and experience outside of the reference and present contracts provided during Factor 1: Written Submission of Experience? Answer: Follow directions as specified in Sections L and M.

5. Section L 1.4 Factor 3: Cost/Price provides instructions for preparing a price proposal. However, there is no guidance on when the price proposal must be submitted. Can the Government please specify a due date for Factor 3: Cost/Price? In particular, will price be required prior to or after the site visit and / or oral presentations? Answer: See question 3, anticipated of two weeks from phase 2 instructions. Mentioned in milestones.

6. Offerors are in possession of the Wage Determination attachment. However, the labor categories in the PWS and Historical Data attachment are not directly correlated to Occupation Codes within the Wage Determinations. In order to ensure offerors’ price volumes accurately incorporate Wage Determination rates, can the Government provide a cross-walk of relevant LCATs and their correlating Occupation Codes? Answer: Each offeror must come up with own bid. See Historical information on positions (one must keep in mind these requirement are off HSFLAR-17-D-00002.

7. Section M (Evaluation Factors for Award) appears to be copy paste of Section L (Instructions, Conditions, and Notice to Bidders). Can the Government confirm that this was intentional, or will a forthcoming amendment provide additional details/clarity in either or both of these sections? Answer: See amendments.

8. The PWS requires that the on-site PM has one year of experience as a PM on federal contracts of similar size. When measuring similar size, what does the Government “similar” for number of personnel on the contract, dollar value of the contract, or other measurables?

Answer: Similar would refer to similar requirements, magnitude, size/complexity.

9. The PWS requires that the on-site PM has one year of experience as a PM on federal contracts of similar size. Will the Government consider a PM’s one year of experience on a commercial contract of similar size as equivalent or substitute for federal contracting experience?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.2

10. The PWS requires that the on-site PM has one year of experience as a PM on federal contracts of similar size. Will the Government consider a PM’s one year of experience as a senior Government official running a training or law enforcement program/project of similar size as equivalent or substitute for federal contracting experience?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.2

11. The PWS requires that the on-site APM has one year of experience as an APM on federal contracts of similar size. When measuring similar size, what does the Government “similar” for number of personnel on the contract, dollar value of the contract, or other measurables?

Answer: Similar would refer to similar requirements, magnitude, size/complexity.

12. The PWS requires that the on-site APM has one year of experience as an APM on federal contracts of similar size. Will the Government consider an APM’s one year of experience on a commercial contract of similar size as equivalent or substitute for federal contracting experience?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.2

13. The PWS requires that the on-site APM has one year of experience as an APM on federal contracts of similar size. Will the Government consider an APM’s one year of experience as a senior Government official running a training or law enforcement program/project of similar size as equivalent or substitute for federal contracting experience?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.2

14. The RFP states that the Government anticipates providing a two weeks from the date that Phase 2 instructions are provided for the due date of Phase 2 responses. This short period of time requires offerors to develop their Phase 2 proposals before being notified of Phase 1 results which is antithetical to the stated intent to “minimize proposal development costs.” Will the Government consider a Phase 2 proposal due date that is 4-6 weeks after notification of Phase 1 competitive range determination? Answer: An offeror is to focus on phase 1. Working on phase 2 while in phase 1 does not utilize offeror’s maximum resolve, as advisory down-select has not occurred. The time frame shall remain as is. See page 170 Multi Phased Procurement.

15. During Phase 2, the Government will assess the qualifications of key personnel. What is the format for offerors to present this information for evaluation (e.g., staff bio, resume, commitment letter, all of the above)? Answer: Resume of key personnel adhering to Performance Work Statement. This would be provided for Phase 2 Instructions, upon completion of Phase one submittal, Advisory Down-select, CO Notification to offeror, and offeror responding interest.

16. During orals, the Government will evaluate the qualifications of key personnel. Is this evaluation limited to the PM and APM, or will the evaluation cover other key personnel (e.g., Quality Control Technician, Firearms Range, Armorer, and Driver Training Range Lead/Supervisor?

Answer: Key Personnel are identified in C.1.7.2, expectation is at minimum, PM, APM and QC. See 1.7.1 Key Personnel. Phase 2 instructions will have this covered.

17. Would you consider a split bid for this assignment? For example, Company X bids on everything besides the firearms portion. Another organization would bid on the firearms portion separate.

Answer: Split bid would not be allowed.

18. RFP Document Section B states "The price for each performance period has been split into Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) CLINs and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) CLINs. The quantities shown for IDIQ CLINs are considered maximum quantities. The minimum quantity requirement will be fulfilled through the FFP CLINs." However, the current Section B only lists FFP CLINs and lacks any IDIQ CLINs or maximum quantities. To resolve this discrepancy, please clarify which services will be compensated under IDIQ CLINs and which are included in the FFP CLINs. Answer: See Section B. 0007AA, 0007AB Driver Training, and 0007AC Firearms IDIQ Clins and associated in option years (xxx7AA, AB, and AC). 0007AA, AB and AC are coverage for hours outside of noted SASS schedules or unscheduled training events that arise.

19. FACTOR 3: COST/PRICE states "If audited company financial statements are not available, the Chief Financial Officer shall provide a formal statement attesting to the accuracy of the financial information provided." If an Offeror does not currently have a CFO, can an executive with equivalent financial oversight and authority provide this statement? For example, would a Chief Executive Officer or a Chief Revenue Officer be acceptable?

Audited Company Financial Statements or Chief Financial Officer needed.

20. The DOL Wage Determination provided by the Government does not have a wage category for Firearms Rangemaster.

a. Is this position conformed?

Answer: Yes.

b. If yes, please provide a copy of the conformed DOL Wage Determination."

Answer: See Amendment

21. RFP Document states that "Offeror’s Representations and Certifications [FAR 52.212-3 clause shall be filled in or statement that all representations and certifications are listed in System for Award Management (SAM)] are to be submitted with Phase 1." Is the 'Offeror's Representations and Certifications' (FAR 52.212-3) required in the Phase 1 submission, and is it excluded from the 7-page limit? Excluded.

22. Factor 1: Written Submission of Experience states the following "Submission is limited to seven (7) pages" and "All tables, exhibits, etc., are to be included in the six-count page limit" Please clarify whether the correct page limit for Phase 1 is six or seven pages. Answer: Seven pages.

23. C.1.7.4 Firearms Range refers to paragraph C.3.5, which does not exist in the document. Should this reference instead be to paragraph C.5 (FIREARMS)?

Answer: Yes

24. Section C.5.4 Sports Drink of the Student Support Services RFP (70LART25RPFB00005) states "Sports drinks are contractor provided. Cups are Government reimbursed." Section C.3.4 Sports Drink of the Training Support Services RFP states that "Sports drinks and cups are contractor-provided." Why are cups for sports drinks government-reimbursed in one RFP, but contractor-provided in the other RFP? Please clarify the discrepancy See revision to C.5.4, page 52

25. Regarding the Key Personnel Requirements, please clarify the following:

a. Incumbent Personnel Qualifications:

Do the incumbent's personnel currently possess the listed minimum qualifications (skill level, training, certifications, and/or experience)?

If not, are personnel who are rebadged by the winning offeror exempt from these minimum requirements? Specifically, are they "grandfathered" based on their tenure?

If the qualifications previously required under the prior contract and negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) differ from the current requirements, are personnel who met the prior qualifications exempt from the new requirements?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7; currently there is no CBA in place.

26. Section C.1.2 Projected Workload states ""The Contractor is responsible for supporting any Government changes to the class schedule at no additional cost."" Please clarify the scope of ""no additional cost."" Specifically, does this apply only to changes made with at least five days' notice, as per the Contractor's required advance notice?

Answer: Refer to C.1.2

27. Section C.1.7.2 Project Management states "Project Management staff shall not serve multiples positions and be compensated for all positions." Please clarify how the Government will adjust the contractors FFP Project Management CLINS?

Refer to 1.7.1

28. Section C.1.7.1 Key Personnel states "NOTE: The contractor shall structure his workforce to the level of work stated in these specifications." Section C.1.8 Specifications states that "Furthermore, as this is a performance specification, and the Government will measure the result and not the effort or level of effort."" Sections C.1.7.1 and C.1.8 appear to present conflicting guidance. Please provide clarification on whether the contract is intended to be level-of-effort or performance-based.

Answer: This is a Performance Based Contract. Refer to C.1.7.1 and C.1.8.

29. Section C.1.8 Specifications states that "Performance specifications describe the service and provide the Contractor with the service's quantities, limits, or areas. The Contractor shall be responsible for achieving the results described in the specification. Furthermore, as this is a performance specification, the Government will measure the result. No effort or level of effort; there is no required answer or preferred approach as to staffing levels. Offerors are free to propose staffing levels as they see fit to take advantage of efficiencies and different approaches."

If the Prime, during contract performance, determines to merge the Quality Control (QC) and Alternate Project Manager (APM) roles into a single position, leading to increased efficiency without any detriment to the contracted services, would the Government then reduce compensation (see questions above) based on the reduced staffing? This seems to conflict with the stated intent of a performance-based contract, where the Government should not dictate or penalize efficient staffing decisions that achieve the required results. where staffing levels are left to the Contractor's discretion to achieve the required performance.

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.1 and C.1.7.3

30. Section C.1.4 Government Furnished Facilities, Equipment, and Property (GFE and GFP) states that "Training vehicles required for training support services shall be hand receipted to the Training Support Contractor. These vehicles will still require routine maintenance and repairs covered under this contract. Coordination of hand receipted GFP will be conducted through COR(s). Damage to Government property resulting from the Contractor’s work or negligence shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor at no cost to the Government." Can the Government clarify if the 'Training Support Contractor' or 'Student Support Services' contractor is responsible for damage to these vehicles while in their (Training Support Contractor) possession?

Answer: Training Support would be responsible for repair costs if damage is due to their neglect, damages that are due to training incidences would be coordinated with Student Support.

31. Attachment 22-HISTORICAL DATA refers to 'Government Furnished Equipment See Inventory Listings in Section J.' Please provide the Section J attachment or specify the correct section containing the Government Furnished Equipment inventory listings. Attachment 22 has no inventory, all GFP are Attachment(s) 23 in Section J.

32. Please confirm whether the workforce supporting the Student Support Services contract has voted to unionize. Additionally, is a Union or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) currently in effect for this contract? If a CBA is not currently in effect, please provide the current status of CBA negotiations or implementation.

Currently there is no official Collective Bargaining Agreement in place, hence wage determinations (service contract act Eddy County provided). While there are talks between incumbent and union (IUOE LOCAL953). The Government does not involve itself in contractor and union matters (a vote has occurred in the past). If a CBA takes place the offerors will be notified and amended. It is up to each offeror on their proposal and due diligence.

33. Will the Government consider allowing an additional round of questions after offerors have received the documents/attachments and reviewed the initial Q&A response. The Solicitation has been out in the public for quite some time. Questions deadlines have already passed. It is up to the Government if this is allowed or denied as stated in the Request for Proposal.

34. Request that the due date for submission of proposals be extended until such time as all questions can be asked and answered allowing bidders at least 30 days from the government’s response to finalize and submit their proposals.

Refer to due dates.

35. Please confirm whether this is a Performance Based contract.

Answer: Yes

36. Section C.1.4, Will the ink and paper used in the Gov printer that is used to print documents required by the contract be provided by the government?

Answer: Refer to C.1.5

37. Section C.1.7.1 #2, b, v., Will the government determine how many armorers must be on staff? Will the contractor be subject to penalties or contract default if they decide they require less armorers to fulfill the needs of the contract?

Answer: Refer to C.1

38. Section C.1.7.5, If the Range Lead and the Armorers must possess the same qualifications, can any of them serve as a Lead to suffice the Key Personnel requirement?

Answer: Refer to C.1.7.1 and C.1.7.4

39. Section C.2.1.2, B., Is this a misprint or are (e), (f), (g) what the Customer Complaint System shall contain? See Amendments.

40. Section C.3, If training vehicles should need these supplies on a basis outside of the manufacture's maintenance schedule due to the mis-use that may occur during training, will the contractor be allowed to seek reimbursement from the government? For example, training vehicles used on the driving courses routinely consume brake pads at a rate of 3000% faster than recommended by the manufacture service intervals.

Answer: Government estimates two replacement sets per year, beyond that, the Contractor may seek reimbursement via SCWR/Materials CLIN. Refer to C.2.3.2 and C.6

41. Section C.3, Does the government currently have an inventory of these parts with bar-codes that can be scanned into VMIS? Does the government currently have an inventory code in SAMS where these bar-coded parts are inventoried?

Answer: No.

42. Section C.3, How many bays are present in the facility? Does the government currently, or will at contract start, have the permanent equipment needed to perform such repairs?

Answer: 11 bays, current equipment listed in attachments 23, additional procurements are in process.

43. Section C.3.1, #1, Will the government provide disposal containers for all spills that may occur at the auto shop?

Answer: Yes

44. Section C.3.1, Does FLETC currently, or will at contract start, own the software required to program new transmissions, for all makes, when installed? If not, will the contractor be required to source the equipment and software needed?

Answer: FLETC does not currently possess software for programming. Yes Contractor shall provide all diagnostic/programming equipment, software/subscriptions required for all vehicle repairs

45. Section C.3.1, concerning the vehicles with high performance rotors, How many of these vehicles that have such systems and will require specialized brake pads not recommended by the manufacturer exist on the inventory?

Answer: High performance rotors are on all law enforcement vehicles, refer to attachments 23

46. Section C.3.1, in reference to requirement for engine replacement, or rebuilds, Does the government currently, or will at contract start, have the major shop equipment that will be required to make such repairs?

Answer: current equipment listed in attachments 23, additional procurements are in process.

47. Section 3.1, Are there any specialized transport vehicles that may require abnormal tow vehicles or tow procedures?

Answer: Refer to attachments 23.

48. Section 3.1, concerning the cleaning of Staff Vehicles, What is the expected extent of this requirement? What types of vehicles does this include? How many occurrences per month are expected?

Answer: Refer to attachments 23 for types of vehicles, C.3.1 (after maintenance), as requested. Estimated at 3 requests per month.

49. Section 3.1, concerning the utilization of VMIS, Does the government currently have an inventory of these parts with bar-codes that can be scanned into VMIS? Does the government currently have an inventory code in SAMS where these bar-coded parts are inventoried?

Answer: No

50. Section C.3.4.1, Is this a Vehicle Maintenance Garage Building 80 a different auto shop run by a different P.O. or contractor?

Answer: Should read Building 85

51. Section C.4.2, concerning vacuuming training vehicles, Are there currently wash bays with automotive vacuums present to fulfill this requirement? If not will the contractor be responsible for installing such equipment?

Answer: No wash bays with automotive vacuums exist. Refer to C.1 and C.1.4

52. Section C.5.1, Will the government supply all of these materials, to include all cleaning supplies used to clean weapons?

Answer: Yes

53. Section 5.1, concerning the government-owned NLTA weapons, Are all of these weapons listed here on the Student Support weapons inventory attachment 23, or does the Training Support contract have a weapons inventory attachment were these would be listed?

Answer: All weapons should be on Student Support and hand receipted to training support

54. Section C.5.3, concerning utility vehicles, Are these vehicles provided by the government?

Answer: Yes

55. Section C.5.3, Note 2, What is a Target Tool Answer: Refer to Attachment 52, Target Tool

56. 1.1, Factor 1: Written Submission, Does a "front and back" page count as one page or two pages? When submitting via email there are page numbers there are no front and back. Example 7-page submittal is 7 pages. See question 2.

57. 1.2, Factor 2: Oral Presentations, Does the government have a tentative timeframe between Phase 1 and Phase 2 - how long will the contractor have to prepare for the Oral presentation? Please read Sections L and M.

58. Section C.1.7 Key Personnel, For Contractors responding to multiple solicitations [Student Support, Training Support, Transportation], can we put the same Key Personnel/Resumes in each solicitation? Each offeror would need to read the PWS and requirements for each requirement.

59. Scope of Services: Can the Government clarify if there are any modifications to the scope of services compared to the current contract? Previous contract has been in use for base and option years HSFLAR-17-D-00002. It is up to each offeror to read the requirement and performance work statement.

60. Service Level Expectations: Are there any new service-level expectations (KPIs, SLAs, reporting requirements, penalties for non-compliance, etc.) that differ from the incumbent contract?

Answer: Offeror would need to read the requirement and Performance Work Statement.

61. Labor Categories and Staffing Levels: Does the Government anticipate modifications to labor categories, staffing levels, or specific personnel requirements from the previous contract?

Answer: It would be up to the offeror to determine staffing levels are needed for the Request for Proposal.

62. Past Performance: How will the Government weigh incumbent past performance compared to new offerors?

Please see Section L and M (evaluation methodology).

63. Key Personnel Requirements: Will key personnel resumes be required as part of the proposal submission? If so, could the Government clarify specific qualifications or certifications that will be prioritized?

This would be required under phase II instructions, please read Performance Work Statement (PWS).

64. Reporting and Compliance Requirements: Are there specific reporting or compliance requirements that differ significantly from those under the incumbent contract?

Answer: Offeror would need to read the requirement and Performance Work Statement.

65. Please name the incumbent.

Incumber is Oak Grove Technologies under HSFLAR-17-D-00002 Current contract obligated is at $34,955,309.30