9. 70RFP324REH000001_A0001 - Q&A.pdf

Question No. RFP Reference Question Contracting Officer Response

1 L.6.2.2 Factor 4 - Price

Section L.6.2.2 states that "The Attachment J-1 Pricing Schedule to this solicitation includes a column of estimated level of effort (labor hours) associated with the NTE ESS." However the only columns regarding ESS in Attachment J-1 are for the ESS Hourly Premium and the ESS Fixed Hourly

Rate. Would the Government confirm that it is not looking for a total of ESS pricing based on 50 labor hours per labor category?

Solicitation Section L.6.2.2, Factor 4 - Price has been updated within Amendment 0001 to appropriately remove in full its reference to a column of estimated level of effort (labor hours) associated with the NTE ESS.

Additionally, Solicitation Section L.6.2.2, Factor 4 - Price has been updated within Amendment 0001 to remove all references to Indirect Costs applied to Travel, which was inconsistent with Attachment J-1 Pricing Schedule.

L.6.2.2 Factor 4 - Price and M.3

Basis for Award - Best Value Source Selection

Section M.3 defines the Total Evaluated Price (TEP) as the sum of all CLIN prices, inclusive of the base ordering period, all optional ordering periods, and FAR 52.217-8 pricing developed by the Government. Would the Government confirm how ESS and Travel pricing is incorporated into the

TEP? Will only the ESS and Travel NTEs of $100,000 each ($20,000 per ordering period) be used in proposal price evaluations?

Yes. ESS and Travel NTE amounts of $100,000 each ($200,000 in total) will be included within each responding vendors Total Evaluated Price (TEP) and shall be considered in price evaluations.

L.6.2.2 Factor 4 - Price and M.3

Basis for Award - Best Value Source Selection

Section L.6.2.2 states that "The Government may use price proposal information to conduct a price realism evaluation for the purpose of measuring the Contractor’s understanding of the solicitation requirements and for assessing the performance risk inherent in the Contractor’s price."

However Section M.3 Price Evaluation Factor 4 only discusses evaluations for price reasonableness, accuracy, and completeness. Will the Government confirm if it intends to perform a price realism evaluation?

As represented within Section L.6.2.2, Factor 4 - Price the Government may use price proposal information to conduct a price realism evaluation for the purpose of measuring the Contractor’s understanding of the solicitation requirements and for assessing the performance risk inherent in the Contractor’s price.

To ensure consistency between Sections L and M, solicitation Section M.3 Price Evaluation Factor 4 has been updated within Amendment 0001 to approriately include the above price realism language.

L.6.1.2 Factor 1 - Relevant Past Performance and M.1 FAR 52.212- 2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commerical Services (Nov 2021)

Under FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii) and GAO B-407917.2, agencies should take into account affiliate past performance performed by a corporate affiliate whereby the affiliate demonstrates meaningful involvement in contract performance.

Question: May an offeror rely on affiliate past performance to demonstrate prior experience?

Yes, offerors may rely on affiliate past performance. In the event an offeror includes affiliate past performance it is providing affirmation that said affiliate will have a meaningful role in the performance of in-scope requirements reflected in the solicitation and anticipated award. DHS reserves the right to further clarify, as necessary, affiliate role in the performance of in-scope requirements.

Solicitation Section L.6.1.2, Factor 1 - Relevant Past Performance and M.1 FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) have been updated within Amendment 0001 to appropriately include affiliate past performance applicable revisions. Included FAR 52.212-2 clause title has been appropriately updated.

L.6.1.2 Factor 1 - Relevant Past

Performance

The past performance Complexity requirement to provide a reference that has "All Attachment J-2 SOW requirements across All performance locations established within Section F. above" is unduly restrictive. Only the current incumbent and previous incumbent contractor can meet this narrow requirement and state they have performed all requirements in these very specific locations.

To increase competition, can the Government please revise this requirement to include language such as "Complexity: contracts requiring similar SOW scope areas, as well as managing a dispersed workforce in a minimum of 5 distinct locations."?

Referenced relevant scope, magnitude, and complexity information within Factor 1 - Relevant Past Performance has been removed in full.

Solicitation Section L.6.1.2, Factor 1 - Relevant Past Performance has been updated within Amendment 0001 to remove relevant scope magnitude, and complexity established .

L.6.1.2 Factor 1 - Relevant Past

Performance If the Offeror provides CPARS as part of its submission in lieu of PPQs, can the Government confirm CPARS are exluded from the page limitations?

Solicitation section L.6.2.1, Factor 1 - Relevant Past Performance has been updated within Amendment 0001 to appropriately note that CPARS submitted in lieu of the Past Performance Questionnaire shall be excluded from the Factor 1 page limitations.

M.3 Basis for Award - Best Value

Source Selection

Reference Section M evaluation. Can the Government provide the confidence level definitions? We are seeking to understand how to achieve a high confidence rating.

No, confidence ratings and their definitions will not be provided within solicitation

70RFP324REH000001.

M.3 Basis for Award - Best Value

Source Selection Reference Section M evaluation. Will each Factor receive an individual confidence rating?

Yes, each technical evaluation factor will receive an individual confidence rating, solicitation section M.3 Basis for Award - Best Value Source Selection has been appropriately updated to represent this response.

Industry Question & Contracting Officer Response Attachment 70RFP324REH000001 - Amendment 0001

70RFP324REH000001