6. 70RCSJ24R00000015 QA Template Attachment 4 Government Responses.pdf

Government Responses Request for Proposal 70RCSJ23R00000015 Planning Office Support

Question # Quotation Document Page / Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

1 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

(SOW)

Page 13 Would the Government consider requiring the Program Manager (Key) to have an active CISA EOD in order to begin work more quickly?

No.

2 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

(SOW)

Page 16 "Contractor personnel must obtain and retain a Top-Secret clearance and obtain and retain SCI eligibility/access during the performance of the contract."

Would the Government please clarify if personnel must already possess a Top Secret clearance before being considered for a position on this contract or if the personnel can begin work with no clearance or a lower-clearance, then obtain a Top Secret clearance at a later date?

All contractor personnel will require a TS/SCI prior to EOD. If the subject only has TS, CISA is able to review for SCI Eligibility

3 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

(SOW)

Page 17 A favorable EOD decision allows a contractor employee to commence work temporarily prior to the completion of the full background investigation.

Would the Government please confirm if an existing DHS EOD will receive reciprocity so that personnel may begin working while waiting for fitness determination for TS/SCI access?

If a subject requires TS/SCI and only has TS, as stated above, they will not EOD until approved for SCI. For any public trust positions, barring any issues or concerns, the subject would be able to begin work while undergoing any required background investigation. CISA will not EOD personnel needing TS/SCO at a lower level.

4 Attachment 2 Pricing Template Proposed Price Tab

Proposed Price Tab, Column E indicates 1673 hrs for the Based Period.

Would the Government please clarify why the base period (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) only allows for 1673 billable hours per position?

1673 hrs is to account for onboarding process during the base year as the Government anticipated that the Contractor will need time to identify personnel and clear them through the DHS suitability/EOD process.

5 SF1449 (FAR) Page 3 Submission of Proposals: Proposals are due no later than 10:00 A.M. EST, May 10, 2024.

Would the Government please consider extending the deadline for proposal submissions until Friday, May 17 in order to allow ample time to respond to questions?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP to extend the submission date to May 22, 2024.

6 SF1449 (FAR) Page 6 (document page

12)

The offeror shall provide three past performance examples to demonstrate its ability to deliver high quality service and solutions.

Would the Government consider requiring at least 1 Past Performance to come from the prime, performing as a prime on the selected contract? This would show the prime's ability to lead work of similar scope and complexity.

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

7 SF1449 (FAR) Page 8 (document page

14)

Maximum Page Count: 15 pages Would the Government consider increasing the Technical Approach response to be 20 pages total? This would allow the Offerors to explain their technical approach and respond to the scenario in detail.

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

8 1.7.1.1. Instructions for Volume 1 Factor 1: Past Performance

(document page

12)

"The offeror will contact their references and request that Attachment - 3 Past Performance Questionnaire be completed and returned via email to the Contract Specialist identified in the introductory page on or before the date proposals are due to the Government."

Would the Government please consider allowing the submission of a CPARS or a Past Performance Questionnaire? This would reduce the burden to the Government POC who may have already completed a detailed CPARS form.

No. Offerors shall provide the questionnaire as per the RFP instructions.

9 4.+70RCSJ24R00000015+Attachment+ 2+Pricing+Template

Proposed Price Tab - Column E: Estimated

Hours (ref: Col.

H, K)

Estimated Hours for Base, OY1, and OY2 The estimated hours in Column E appear to reflect a period of time less than a full year.

Can the government provide clarification for the anticipated length of the base year?

The instruction list the period of performance as a 12-month base year and two (2) 12-month option periods.

1673 hrs is to account for onboarding process during the base year as the Government anticipated that the Contractor will need time to identify personnel and clear them through the DHS suitability/EOD process.

Attachment RFP Questions

Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

10 4.+70RCSJ24R00000015+Attachment+ 2+Pricing+Template

Proposed Rates Tab -

Ref: Column C "Proposed Mapped Labor Categories" and Column F, "Discount"

Can the government provide clarification of the Proposed Mapped Labor Categories and Discount? The instructions do not provide a requirement for the contractor to have a GSA MAS schedule (for example) and therefore has no reference for which to map or to provide discounts against.

The "mapped LCAT" reference is to support Government's instructions that states, " the offeror shall align its own categories with the government labor category descriptions, education, and experience levels, which are relevant to this requirement." For better clarity, the Government has revised the Pricing Template to state, "Alternate Labor Categories."

Offerors can use their judgement as they see fit.

11 2.+70RCSJ24R00000015+SF1449+Ad dendum+to+FAR+52-212-1.pdf

Page 10, 1.

EVALUATION

GENERAL

PROCEDURES

1.1. Evaluation Factors for Award Can the government provide a definition of "Offeror" and/or provide additional guidance regarding proposed teaming with respect to subcontractors (PPQs, LOCs for Key Personnel, etc.)..

While the offeror may rely on capacities of proposed subcontractors to perform the work, ultimately the prime contractor is responsible for performance and is the entity in privity of contract with the Government. The decision as to which aspects of the requirements to perform directly versus to perform through subcontractors (e.g. providing key personnel) is a business decision to be made by each offeror. The offeror is the entity that will be entering into a contractual relationship with the government, regardless of whether it intends to make use of subcontractors in performing the contract requirements.

It is the offeror's responsibility to make clear which entity is the offeror (i.e. the entity that is submitting the proposal and that will receive award and enter into the contractual relationship with the government if successful) and which entities are subcontractors, affiliates, etc. whose resources the offeror intends to rely on in performing the contract.

12 2.+70RCSJ24R00000015+SF1449+Ad dendum+to+FAR+52-212-1

Page 9, Submission of

Proposals

Proposals are due no later than 10:00 A.M. EST, May 10, 2024.

Would the Government consider a 2 week extension to allow for sufficient response time for offerors to reassess offers based on answers to questions?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP to extend the submission date to May 22, 2024.

13 Attachment 2 Pricing Template "Proposed Price"

Worksheet

Estimated hours for each position are only 1,673 hours for the full year base period.

The Base period runs a full year from 07/01/2024 to 06/30/2025 but the hours are prorated to less than full time over the base period. Can the Government provide any additional insight into the basis for 1,673 hours for each FTE in the base period?

1673 hrs is to account for onboarding process during the base year as the Government anticipated that the Contractor will need time to identify personnel and clear them through the DHS suitability/EOD process.

14 Attachment 1 Statement of Work

(SOW)

Page 22 / 7.0

CONTRACTO

R FURNISHED

PROPERTY

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities, materials, equipment, and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contracts, except for the Government Furnished Resources specified in SOW 7.0.

The text references Government Furnished Resources specified in SOW 7.0, but Section 7.0 does not contain this information. Should this be referencing Section 6.0?

Yes. The Government has revised the SOW accordingly.

15 SF1449 Addendum Page 17 / 1.7.1.4.

Instructions for Volume 4

Factor 4: Price

"Section 2 - Rates" requires offerors to describe the labor category and explain how it will fulfill the requirement.

Please confirm that any narrative to meet this Section 2 requirement falls outside of the 3-page limitation for "Section 1 - Overview".

The Government has revised the RFP to remove the page count limit for "Section 1 - Overview" to allow Offerors to respond to the Government's instructions as stated in this RFP Section.

Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

16 Attachment 2 Pricing Template "Proposed Price"

Worksheet

LCATs have designations for Level "II" or Level "III". What is the difference between a Level II and a Level III with regard to knowledge, skills, abilities, education, experience, and any other pertinent qualifications?

The Government has revised the following tabs in Attachment 2 Pricing Template: (1) "Proposed Rate" Tab to remove the discounts; and (2) "Labor Categories" tab to add descriptions and minimum years of experience for each LCAT.

17 SF 1449 Page 11/ Section 1.5

Instructions for the Preparation of Proposals Will the Government allow a Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms outside of volume limits?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

18 SF 1449 Page 11/ Section 1.5

Instructions for the Preparation of Proposals Item D states, "All narrative will be Times New Roman with 12-point minimum font size, and text will be single-spaced and double-spaced between paragraphs." Will the Government considering removing the requirement to have double spacing between paragraphs? If the requirement remains, can the Government clarify if double spacing between paragraphs is 12 points?

The requirement will remain, and double spacing between paragraphs is 12 points.

19 SF 1449 Page 14/Section 1.7.1.2

Instructions for Volume 2 Factor 2: Technical Approach Will the Government please consider a page count increase of 5 pages so that the Technical Approach is limited to 20 pages?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

20 RFP 70RCSJ24R00000015 Pages 14-15, Para 1.7.1.2

Maximum 15 pages for both Volumes 2A (Solution Description) and 2B (Responses to Scenario Questions)

The maximum of 15 pages limits the offeror’s ability to provide a thorough Volume 2A technical approach response that encompasses all task/subtask requirements of the tasks in SOW Section 2.0 and adequately respond to the Volume 2B Scenario Questions.

Will the Government please consider excluding the Volume 2B response from page count?

No. The Government has revised the RFP to increase the page count to 20 pages.

21 Attachment 2, Pricing Template and

RFP 70RCSJ24R00000015

Proposed Price Tab and RFP

Price Template - Base Period estimated hours 1,637 per FTE and RFP Period of Performance

The RFP Period of Performance indicates a 12 month base but the Price Template Base Period estimated of 1,637 implies a Base Period of 10 months.

Will the Government please clarify if the Base Period hours are 1,637 per FTE equaling a 10 month base or should the Base Period be 12 months and the Price Template hours per FTE should be 1,912?

1673 hrs is to account for onboarding process during the base year as the Government anticipated that the Contractor will need time to identify personnel and clear them through the DHS suitability/EOD process.

22 SF1449 Addendum 1.7.1.1. The offeror shall provide three past performance examples to demonstrate its ability to deliver high quality service and solutions. The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years which were similar in scope and complexity to the requirement.

Should Offerors provide the Attachment 3 Questionaire for all relevant contracts in their portfolio or just the 3 most relevant?

Offerors should provide Attachment 3 Questionnaire for 3 relevant contracts from their portfolio. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

23 SF1449 Addendum 1.7.1.1. The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years which were similar in scope and complexity to the requirement.

Will the Governmemnt allow Offerors to provide CPARs in lieu of the PPQs? No. Offerors shall provide the questionnaire as per the RFP instructions.

24 Solicitation page 13 1.7.1.1 Instruction for Volume 1 Factor 1: Past Performance Solicitation states: "Note that the Government retains the right to further investigate offeror's past performance beyond the evaluation forms submitted by references by reviewing publicly available sources such as CPARS system" Question: All past performances need to have Attachment 3 - Past Performance questionnaire completed and submitted, even if CPARS exist? Yes or No

Yes.

Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

25 Solicitation page 12 1.7.1.1 Instruction for Volume 1 Factor 1: Past Performance Solicitation states: " For each contact listed, the offeror shall include a narrative of the work performance, the client's name, and performance timeframe. Question: Can the offeror include Attachment 3 - Past Performance questionnaire for the 3 projects as an attachment to the Past Performance volume that is outside the page count of 9 pages?

The Government has revised the RFQ to exclude Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire as part of the proposal submission. Offeror references shall send the questionnaire directly to the named Contract Specialist. Questionnaires are excluded from the page count. Offerors are still required to submit 3 relevant past performance examples that are limited to 9 pages.

26 Pricing template Labor categories The pricing template provides the labor categories descriptions for all key and non-key personnel. Question: Please provide the minimum years experience and qualifications for the non-key labor categories listed on the pricing spreadsheet

The Government has revised the following tabs in Attachment 2 Pricing Template: (1) "Proposed Rate" Tab to remove the discounts; and (2) "Labor Categories" tab to add descriptions and minimum years of experience for each position.

27 SF1449 page 6, para 1.6.1

Submit Representations and Certifications Does the gov't want all reps and certs in the Volume or is it acceptable to state offeror reps and certs are up to date in SAM?

The Government wants all reps and certs in Volume 0.

28 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 page 6, para 1.6.1

Submit Representations and Certifications Does the gov't want offers to complete SF 1449 reps and certs/fill-ins and paste into the Volume or is it acceptable for the offeror to validate/state that offeror reps and certs are up to date in SAM? If the gov't wants reps and certs completed, can the gov't specify which it wants?

The Government wants offerors to complete SF1449 reps and certs/fill-in and paste into the Volume 0.

29 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 page 6, para 1.6.2

Acknowledge and submit signed amendments Where do offers submiit the SF 1449 soliciation itself? In Volume 0 before the Amendments?

The Government does not require offerors to submit the SF1449, only Section 4 and insert in Volume 0 before the amendments.

30 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 page 6, para 1.7.1.1

Submit 3 past performance examples Can offerors use a one past performance example from a proposed subcontractor for this effort or do all examples have to come from the offeror?

The Government has revised to RFP to state it requires at least one past performance example from the offeror.

31 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 page 8, para 17.1.2

Technical Approach Will the Government increase the page limitations to 20-pages for the technical approach to give offerors the space needed to describe each senario lisited?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

32 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 page 11, Para 1.7.1.4

Submit price on Attachment 2 Pricing Template Can the gov't validate it does not require offerors to submit the SF 1449 Section B, Schedule of Supplies nd Serives?

The Government does not require offerors to submit the SF1449. Offerors shall complete Section 4 of the RFP.

33 Attachment 5 DD254 Can the Government provide the DD254 with the applicable facility clearance required?

Yes. It is attached to this Amendment.

34 70RCSJ24R00000015 SF1449

Addendum to FAR 52-212-1.pdf

Page 12, Paragraph

1.7.1.1

The solicitation states "The offeror shall provide three past performance examples to demonstrate its ability to deliver high quality service and solutions. The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years which were similar in scope and complexity to the requirement."

Please resolve contradictory direction regarding the Past Performance Questionnaires.

Confirm that Past Performance Questionnaires must be provided for "all" relevant contract/subcontracts and not just for the "three past performance" examples referenced.

Offerors should provide Past Performance Questionnaires for 3 relevant contracts. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

35 70RCSJ24R00000015 SF1449

Addendum to FAR 52-212-1.pdf

Page 12, Paragraph

1.7.1.1

The solicitation states "The offeror shall provide three past performance examples to demonstrate its ability to deliver high quality service and solutions. The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years..."

AND

The solicitation states "The offeror will contact their references and request that Attachment - 3 Past Performance Questionnaire be completed and returned via email to the Contract Specialist identified in the introductory page on or before the date proposals are due to the Government."

Please resolve contradictory direction regarding the submission of Past Performance Questionnaires.

a) Confirm whether the Offeror is to provide completed Past Performance Questionnaires as part of its proposal submission , whether references are to provide Past Performance Questionnaires directly to the Government via email , or both.

b)If Past Performance Questionnaires are required to be included as part of an Offeror's proposal submission, will the Government consider excluding the Past Performance Questionnaires from page count?

Offerors should submit past performance examples and references should submit the questionnaire to the Government.

Yes, the Government will exclude the questionnaire from the page count. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

36 70RCSJ24R00000015 SF1449

Addendum to FAR 52-212-1.pdf

Page 12, Paragraph

1.7.1.1

The solicitation states "The offeror shall provide three past performance examples to demonstrate its ability to deliver high quality service and solutions. The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years which were similar in scope and complexity to the requirement. For each contract listed, the offeror shall include a narrative of the work performed, the client's name, and performance timeframe. For each contract listed, offerors shall provide points of contacts (name, telephone number, address, and email address)."

Please resolve contradictory direction regarding narratives for work performed.

a) Are narratives for work performed required for "all relevant contract and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror within the last five years" or just for "three past performance examples"?

b) If narratives are required for all relevant contracts/subcontracts performed within the last 5 years, will the Government consider increasing the page count for the Past Performance Volume? An Offeror's team may have an extensive list of relevant contracts/subcontracts.

Narratives are required for 3 relevant past performance examples. The Government has revised the RFPQ accordingly.

37 70RCSJ24R00000015 SF1449

Addendum to FAR 52-212-1.pdf

Page 13, Paragraph

1.7.1.2.

Within the 15 pages allotted for the Technical Approach, Volume 2A: Solution Description and Volume 2B: Response to Scenario Questions are required.

Considering that the Technical Volume requires that we address each of the eight tasks within the SOW and answer the scenario questions, will the Government consider increasing the page count for the Technical Approach Volume to at least 20 pages?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

38 Attachment 2 Pricing Template Proposed Price tab

Column E, Base Period Estimated Hours Please clarify the number of Base Year labor hours. POP is listed as a full 12 months (7/1/24 - 6/30/25), but the listed hours are 1,673, not 1,912.

The Government clarifies that the FTE hours in the base period are 1673 not 1912.

39 Attachment 1 Statement of Work Page 18 / 5.3 The period of performance is one 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods.

Does the period of performance include a transition period between the current contract and the new contract?

No.

40 Attachment 2 Pricing Template Proposed Price tab

In column E, the Base Year includes 1673 estimated hours whereas columns H and K show 1,912. The SF1449 Addendum noted that the Base and Option Years (1 and 2) included 12 months.

Can the government clarify the difference in hours for the Base Years? 1673 hrs is to account for onboarding process during the base year as the Government anticipated that the Contractor will need time to identify personnel and clear them through the DHS suitability/EOD process.

41 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52-212-1 Page 5 / Para 1.5

Will the government exclude a cover sheet, table of contents, and acronym list from the page limitation of each volume?

Yes. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.

42 SF1449 Addendum to FAR 52-212-2 Page 6 / 1.7.1.1 "The offeror shall provide Attachment 3 Past Performance Questionnaire for all relevant contracts and/or subcontracts performed by the offeror…"

In lieu of Attachment 3, would the government please consider CPARS? No.

Paragraph Requirement / Portion Questions/Concerns/Comments Government Response

43 We are interested in pursuing 70RCSJ24R00000015 and were wondering if we could use our subcontractor/teaming partner's facility clearance with the expectation that we would sponsor our own should we win the bid? Would that be acceptable?

Yes. The offeror may rely on a FCL operated by a teaming partner or subcontractor to satisfy the FCL requirement, but the relationship of the entity that has the facility to the offeror and its role in task order performance should be made clear in the proposal. The Government has revised the RFP accordingly.