CMWD_AAS_Additional_SSD_Draft_RFQ_Responses_to_Industry.pdf

Number Section / Attachment

Paragraph Page Number

Comment OPO Response

1 General Comment In order to increase competition from industry, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Systems Support Directorate (SSD) Advisory and Assistant Services could consider offering more industry engagements to allow end users to communicate the various requirements with potential offerors. The more information the Government can share with industry concerning program goals, challenges, and emergent needs, the more encouraged industry will be to compete.

Pre-Solicitation Conference will be held on November 8.

2 General Comment Would the Government consider establishing a funded, internship requirements to allow contractors the ability to establish a “talent” pipeline to support growth in core capabilities?

By adding two or three FTE’s for the intern program, contractors and CWMD could establish relationships with relevant universities to allow for professional development of personnel for both contractor and government staffing needs. This requirement could be added to the evaluation criteria to award “bonus points” for offerors presenting an approved intern agreement with credible, relevant universities at the time of RFP submission.

The contractor is required to provide qualified personnel to support this task order.

3 CLIN 0006 Base Period - Front Office Support (T&M) / Attachment 3 Draft SSD Pricing Table

Row 59 NA

Can the Government please provide the expected level of effort for CLIN X006 - Front Office Support for all years?

Yes, the Government will provide the expected level. This was an error on the draft

RFQ.

4 Draft SOW 1 34 Requests the Government clarify: (1) the term “hold;” (2) the term “first-tier” subcontractors;

(3) whether the paragraph uniformly applies to both small and large companies; and (4) whether “hold or perform any of the requirements” prevents a contractor from also bidding on any of the requirements under the OSD contract or PPA contract.

Rationale: CWMD’s mission requires specialized knowledge from contractors with unique and rare technical abilities. Those same technical abilities are necessary to perform CWMD’s mission under the SSD, OSD, and PPA contracts. Preventing small businesses from offering and performing those services as a subcontractor negates the purpose of small business requirements/set asides.

Refer to Question 1.

5 Draft SOW 2.2.5 9 Is it acceptable to propose using CWMD's existing DCS to meet the DCS requirements in the

SOW?

Rationale: Based on our team having developed and operated the current CWMD DCS and the fact that the Government owns the rights to the software and the hardware its current DCS system this should be a viable approach. If so, can the government please provide additional guidance on how the incubment contractor will support the transition of this support in order to execute a DCS Technology Demonstration within 45 days of award.

Yes it is acceptable. The SOW language has been clarified.

6 Draft SOW 6 22 Can Contractor equipment/property/supplies etc be used to for the performance of work at the off-site locations? The first paragraph in section 6.0 indicates yes, but the second contradicts it. We understand on-site work would require the use of Government furnished equipment/supplies/etc.

There was an error in section 7.0. Section 7.0 has been changed in order to clarify. The Government will provide equipment/property/supplies to be used in the performance of on-site work. The Contractor will provide equipment/property/supplies to be used in the performance of off-site work. In special cases if Government computers are required for off-site work, the Government will provide those computers.

7 Draft SOW N/A 4 There is conflicting use of the term "508" between SOW Task 2.1.1 and Task 4.15 regarding 508 Compliance. Task 2.1.1 requires contractors to conduct a 508 analysis for systems, but

4.15 states that 508 does not apply to this SOW. Please deconflict.

Paragraph 2.1.1 refers to the contractor assisting the Government to perform a 508 analysis for the acquisition of a detection system. Task 4.15 refers to the application of 508 to the execution of the work in this SOW.

A 508 analysis is not needed for the execution of tasks for this SOW.

8 Draft SOW 2 22 There is a conflict between SOW Task 4.1 and Task 4.3 regarding classified work. Task 4.3 states all classified work shall take place at DHS offices. However, Task 4.1 levies a requirement for contractors to store up to SECRET at Contractor facilities. Please clarify why there is a requirement for SECRET storage at contractor facilities when all classified work is to be conducted at DHS offices.

For contractor personnel to be cleared for suitability, the contractor facility has to be cleared to SECRET.

9 3.2/Attachment 1 1 15 Is it the government's intest for the prime to provide the COR notification of every vacation, leave, appointment (including medical appointment) if a replacement personnel will not be provided, even if for an hour or two? If not recommend clarification of the level of detail to which this notification is to be applied.

Clarification has been provided to paragraph

3.2 to say that if staffing levels are not maintained for a full eight hour workday and replacements are not identified, then the COR shall be notified.

10 4.1/ Att 1 1 16 Can the government please provide an estimate of the number of SCI billets in the staffing matrix?

The estimated number of FTEs requiring a Secret and Top Secret clearance will be identified by labor category in the pricing template.

11 4.1/ Att 2 1 16 Can the government please provide an estimate of the number of SCI billets? The estimated number of FTEs requiring a Secret and Top Secret clearance will be identified by labor category in the pricing template.

12 Attach 1 Draft

SOW

7.0 22 Section 7.0 Contractor Furnished Property - This section references "…Government Furnished Resources specified in SOW 2.0 and SOW 5.0."

Comment: Should the reference read "…specified in SOW 2.0 and 6.0"?

Yes, you are correct. Change has been made to the SOW.

13 Attach 1 Draft

SOW

3.4 15 States that "the Project Manager shall be one of the senior level employees provided by the Contractor for this work effort." All senior level employees are full time according to the pricing matrix provided with the draft RFP. How many hours does the government anticipate it will require for the Project Manager, given that this is a 125-FTE effort (not including surge support)? Will the government authorize extended work weeks for the Project Manager to perform the management tasks, or is the government expecting that the management tasks will be performing using uncompensated overtime?

The Government has allocated 5,760 hours for the program manager. No, the Government will not authorize extended work weeks and does not expect using uncompensated overtime.

14 Attach 1 Draft

SOW

3.1 14 Would the Government please clarify if there are any SSD-specific qualifications in addition to the SOC qualifications?

Please see final RFQ for labor category descriptions.

151 Attach 1 Draft

SOW

2.2.5 9 There is no Commerical Off the Shelf product that will satisfy the requirements of 2.2.5 within 45 days of contract award. Would the Government provide the Data Collection System as

GFE?

Yes, that is an alternative. DCATS will be provided in the GFI section of the SOW.

16 General Comment Would the Government consider establishing a funded, internship requirements to allow contractors the ability to establish a “talent” pipeline to support growth in core capabilities?

By adding two or three FTE’s for the intern program, contractors and CWMD could establish relationships with relevant universities to allow for professional development of personnel for both contractor and government staffing needs. This requirement could be added to the evaluation criteria to award “bonus points” for offerors presenting an approved intern agreement with credible, relevant universities at the time of RFP submission.

No. The contractor is required to provide fully qualified personnel to support the task order.

17 1 (SOW) 11 Can CWMD share what tools and cloud platform form the working environment? Government is working on response to this question.

18 SOW 2.2.1 8 One of the tasks in Section 2.2.1 states "Assist in the T&E Data Management" and appears to be an incomplete sentence. Please clarify whether this requirement is missing any words or phrases.

Change has been made to the SOW.

19 SOW 2.2.5 9 The SOW mentions both a current Government data collection system (DCS) as well as a contractor-supplied DCS. Is the Government seeking to replace this current system with a new contractor-supplied DCS?

Clarification to the SOW has been made.

20 SOW 3.3 15 Given the technical nature of this program, the specialized skills required, and the detrimental effect of turnover, would the Government consider making some senior positions key?

Yes, the Government will make the Contract PM a key personnel.

21 2.1.2 4 Recommend para 2.1.2 be replaced with the following: The Contractor shall:

• Implement a comprehensive Product Support Analysis process in accordance with TA STD 0017. The Contractor shall record the results of the PSA process in a Logistics Product Data, GEIA STD 0007. The results of the PSA process shall form the basis for all ILS activities in the following paragraphs.

• Analyze systems and determine appropriate levels of maintenance strategies required to meet operational goals for a developed system to include workload, level of repair analysis and cost basis for performance-based service agreements. The Contractor shall document this in a maintenance plan (e.g., ILSP) for the system being acquired.

• Conduct a supportability analysis to determine all physical logistics support resources are needed for the system being acquired to meet operational goals.

• Analyze and document all Product Handling Storage and Transport (PHS&T) needs to meet operational goals for a system being acquired

• Analyze and document tools, test equipment and support equipment needed to implement the preferred maintenance solution to meet operational goals for a system being acquired

• Identify and document the range and scale of all materials required to implement the preferred sustainment solution for each system being acquired.

• Identify and document the number and skill qualifications of all personnel required to operate and maintain each system being acquired. Additionally, all training and certification requirements shall be identified.

• Conduct a sustainment analysis to quantify resources needed to maintain performance level, operational availability and duration of operation to meet operational goals for a system being acquired

• Analyze supply chains for a system being acquired and determine risks and response plans and document in a risk management plan

• Perform a reliability prediction, a maintainability prediction and a top-level, functional FMECA for each system being acquired.

I l t b l t /DMSMS t id tif d iti t i k

The Government appreciates the suggestion, however the Government has reviewed and determined that the Government's SOW language in paragraph 2.1.2 is adequate for our scope of work.

22 Overall, General Comment

Given the new organization, we assume there will be a strategic planning effort to focus and align the organization both internally and across strategic partners. Is this assumption correct and is that effort a part of the upcoming RFQ?

Yes, the assumption is correct but it is not planned to be part of the RFQ.

23 CLINs / DRAFT RFQ 0007-0012 and respective Option Periods

4 to 12 How was the travle and ODCs predetermined? Estimated based on historical information.

24 CLINs / DRAFT RFQ 0013, 1013, 2013, 3013, 4013, 5013

4, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 13

How was the Surge Support predetermined? Estimated based on historical information.

25 1.4.1 / 1 1 3 Confirming the 2 compliance documents listed: CWMD Solution Development Process Guide... and CWMD Technical Review Guide... will be included in the RFQ because of their critical nature.

Yes

26 1.4.2 / 1 1 3 Confirming the 3 reference documents listed: CWMD Risk Issue and Opportunity Management Guide..., CWMD Configuration Management Guide..., and CWMD Interface Management Guide...will be included in the RFQ.

Yes

27 2.1.3 / 1 1 5 Are site surveys CONUS only? No 28 2.2.4 / 1 8 - (last bullet) 9 Confirming M&S V&V stands for Modeling & Simulation and Verfication & Validation? Yes, correction made in SOW to spell out in paragraph 1.2.

29 3.1 / 1 1 14 Suggestion: Please define CUST for this is the first usage. Update will be made to SOW.

30 3.1 / 1 3 14 There seems to be specialized acquisition tasks but no labor category identified as such. Will some GS1102 equivalent position and labor hours be added here and to Attachment 3?

That is not planned.

31 3.1 / 1 3 14 The labor categories appear to be technical in nature, but will the final RFQ include more senior/executive level labor categories (equivalent to SES) for strategic organizational work as well as senior advisory work (e.g., strategic planning, partner integration, strategic communications planning and execution)? Also consider more explicit project management expertise. This capability can be the reason projects succeed or fail. General comment: In our experience, highly technical organizations and efforts require effective organizational performance expertise to ensure that all technical needs are executed successfully.

No, the Government has allocated 5700 hours to management. Based on historical information, that amount is deemed adequate.

32 3.1 / 1 3 14 Same for the front office labor categories. There does not appear to be any office and administrative Support type labor categories.

yes, that was a mistake. The Front Office has 15,360 hours for the Management Analyst 13- 111 journeyman category. This will be corrected in the RFQ.

33 3.5.1 / 1 1 15 Is it possible to identify the level of clearance required for each labor category? The estimated number of FTEs requiring a Secret and Top Secret clearance will be identified by labor category in the pricing template.

34 3.3 / 1 1 15 Suggestion: Given that this is a WMD CBRN requirement with congressional justifications should there be Key Management personnel?

Yes, the contract program manager will be designated as key personnel.

35 4.7 / 1 1 18 Given the importance of this meeting, may this be done in person? Yes, the meeting may be conducted in person.

SOW paragraph 4.7 has been updated to reflect.

36 All tabs / 3 all tabs Is travel CONUS only? No, travel is CONUS and OCONUS 37 All tabs / 3 all tabs Suggestion: Include more senior/executive level labor categories for strategic organizational work as well as senior advisory work (e.g., strategic planning, partner integration, strategic communications planning and execution). Also consider more explicit project management expertise. This capability can be the reason projects succeed or fail. General comment: In our experience, highly technical organizations and efforts require effective organizational performance expertise to ensure that all technical needs are executed successfully.

The Government has allocated 5700 hours to management. Based on historical information, that amount is deemed adequate.

38 All tabs / 3 all tabs Suggestion: Include labor categories for acquisition tasks. All labor categories for acquisition have been included.

39 All tabs / 3 all tabs Suggestion: Include labor categories for Front Office type staff. yes, that was a mistake. The Front Office has 15,360 hours for the Management Analyst 13- 111 journeyman category

40 Attachment 2 - Quotation Submission Instructions

Factor 2:

Manage- ment Approach / Staffing Plan, Fourth Paragraph

4 Referenced paragraph states: "The Management Approach shall include a Transition Plan that demonstrates the vendors ability to minimize the transition impact, such that continuity of services will be maintained without disruption." Question: Since Attachment 1 (Draft SOW) Section 2.6 (Transition In and Transition Out), Pages 13-14, does not include any specific information regarding the transtion-in period, can the Government provide the time period (length and dates) that will be provided to perform transition in activities?

The Government usually allows 90 days for transition.

41 Attachment 1 - Draft SOW

4.8 and 9.0 19 and 23 Draft SOW 4.8 (Project Plan) states: "A draft of the [Project Management Plan] will be included in the proposal." However Draft SOW 9.0 (Deliverables) specifies Item 4, Draft Contractor Project Plan, is due at the Post Award Conference. Questions: (a) Can the Government clarify that the "Project Management Plan" specified in Draft SOW 4.8 is equivalent to the "Contractor Project Plan" specified in Draft SOW 9.0? (b) Assuming these references are for a single draft plan, can the Government clarify if this draft plan is due with proposal submission or at the post award conference? (c) If the draft plan is due with proposal submission, can the Government specify that the draft plan is excluded from Volume 1 - Technical Quotation 25 page limitation?

Project Management Plan and Contractor Management Plan are the same document.

Paragraph 4.8 has been modified to correct.

This plan is not due with proposal submission.

A draft is due at post award conference.

42 Attachment 1 - Draft SOW

4.1 and 3.1 16 and 14-

Draft SOW 4.1 (Security), third paragraph, states: "This task order will have varying security requirements. The Contractor shall be required to have personnel with various levels of access including: Suitability, SECRET and TOP SECRET security clearance." Draft SOW 3.1 lists the required Government labor categories. Question: Can the Government provide the anticipated clearance levels required for each labor category?

The estimated number of FTEs requiring a Secret and Top Secret clearance will be identified by labor category in the pricing template.

43 Attachment 1 - Draft SOW

4.3 and 4.9 17 and 19 Draft SOW 4.3 (Place of Performance), third paragraph, states: "the Contractor shall establish a contingency plan to accomplish efficient relocation of critical elements of its performance" and "The plan shall be provided to the COR sixty (60) days after award of the task order or delivery of the DHS planning document by the Government, whichever is later." However, a contingency plan deliverable is not included in Draft SOW Section 9.0. Further, Draft SOW 4.9 (Business Continuity Plan) states: "The Business Continuity Plan (BCP) shall document Contractor plans and procedures to maintain support during an emergency, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism" and "The BCP Plan shall be due 30 business days after the date of award."

Questions: (a) Can the Government clarify that the "contingency plan" specified in Draft SOW

4.3 is equivalent to the BCP specified in Draft SOW 4.9? (b) Assuming these references are for a single plan, can the Government clarify the due date for this plan (30 or 60 days after award or delivery of the DHS planning document by the Government)?

"Contingency Plan" is the same thing as the Business Continuity Plan. The Business Continuity Plan is due 60 days after award.

Paragraph 4.3 and 4.9 have been modified to reflect this.

44 RFQ 1 3 Consider expanding the applicable NAICS codes to the below. This is affords the Government a more competitive pool of candidates with experience in aligned service areas.

In accordance with FAR 19.303(a) the Contracting Office can only assign one NAICS code. The NAICS code should be the one that reflects a majority of the work. NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services, is the most applicable NAICS code.

45 Attachment 2 2 1 Consider expanding the applicable NAICS codes to the below. This is affords the Government a more competitive pool of candidates with experience in aligned service areas.

In accordance with FAR 19.303(a) the Contracting Office can only assign one NAICS code. The NAICS code should be the one that reflects a majority of the work. NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services, is the most applicable NAICS code.

46 Attachment 3 N/A All Ensure that other labor categories can be added, and not all labor categories listed must be used.

Contractors may suggest additional labor categories and proposed rates for each suggested labor category. This shall be provided in their pricing volume. The pricing template hours and labor categories can NOT be changed. All labor categories on the pricing template must be proposed.

47 Attachment 1 N/A 3 to 14 Consider combining these into a separate opportunity 2.1.1, 2.1.6, 2.3.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.3.1. These paragraphs are for Acquisition Program Management, Program Integration, Expert Advisory Support Services - Offsite SME Support, Front Office, Transition In and Transition Out, Program/Project Management Support Services. The Government held extensive reviews of the SOW paragraphs and is satisfied with the breakdown of work. The Government does not plan to pull out sections of the SOW to create another separate RFQ.

48 Att. 1 - Draft SOW, Section 3

3.1 14 We recommend explicitly stating the education and experience requirements for labor category types (junior, journeyman, senior, SME) and allowing experience as a substitute for education.

Please see final RFQ for labor category descriptions.

49 Att. 1 - Draft SOW, Section 4

4.3 -paragraph 1

17 Paragraph 1 states: "The contractor's facility must be located within fifty (50) miles of the Washington, DC metropolitan area." Does this apply to all contractor facilities or do contractors need just one facility within 50 miles of Washington, DC?

Contractors just need one facility where the majority of offsite contractor personnel will sit. The Government envisions that contractor personnel may need to travel to the Government's facility and the Government does not want excessive travel time to get to the Government's facility.

50 Attachment 1 - SOW, Sections 1.2, and 2.0, Attachment 5 - Pricing Table

All 1, 3 - 13 The scope of this SOW combines highly disparate work that may be better seperated into two separate RFQs or SOWs that could be awared to two sepearte companies instead of a single award. The work specified in Tasks 2.1 and 2.4 and corresponding CLINS 0004, 0005, 0006 are related to program and administrative support that are more operational in nature and require a less/non-technical skill set. The work specified in Tasks 2.2 and 2.3 and corresponding CLINS 0001, 0002, and 0003 are very technical in nature and are project oriented that require a very technical/engineering skill set. Due to the disparity of the type of work it is recommended that this procurement be structured accordingly. By trying to blend the scope and evaluation factors the government may not receive the best possible responses, even with the government allowing CTAs and subcontracting arrangements.

The Government respectfully disagrees partially with your assessment. Task 2.1 while not as technically difficult as task 2.2 and 2.3 is still very technical in nature. While task 2.4 is more managerial in its nature, the amount of work in task 2.4 is very small in comparison to the amount of work in task 2.1,

2.2 and 2.3 and therefore does not warrant being separated.

51 Attachment 1 - SOW, Section 4.8

All 19 Tasks 2.1 and 2.4 are more operational in nature and do not lend themselves well to project plans. Recommend that the government only require project plans for project related work only.

The Government respectfully disagrees partially with your assessment. Task 2.1 which is acquisition support, while not as technically difficult as task 2.2 T&E and 2.3 R&D is still very technical in nature. While task 2.4 Front Office, is more managerial in its nature, the amount of work in task 2.4 is very small in comparison to the amount of work in task 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. Therefore the Government has deemed that project plans can be created for all task sections of the

SOW.

52 Attachment 2 - Instructions

2 1 Recommend that the government make two awards one for Program Support Services under NAICS 541611 and one for Engineering Services under NAICS 541330.

The Government is satisfied with it's procurement stategy. NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services, is the most applicable NAICS code for this requirement.

53 Attachment 2 - Instructions

Factor 1:

Technical Capability

3 - 4 The bullets listed do not appear to reflect the full scope of work. Recommend that the technical evaluation factor better coorelate to the Tasks in 2.1 and 2.4 for the Program Support Services and Tasks 2.2 and 2.3 for the Technical/Engineering Support Servcies. This is another reason it is recommended that the government consider splitting this work into two seperate SOWs.

The bullets listed intentionally list specific areas for evaluation. The Government does not intend to separate requirements.

54 Att 1: Section 3.3 and 3.4

N/A 15 Can the Government please confirm the Project Manager is not a key position and that offerors are not required to submit resumes with their proposal submission?

The SOW has been revised. The Project Manager will be key personnel. A resume will be required for the key personnel position only.

55 Att 1: Section 4.8 and Section 9.0

N/A 19 and 23 According to Section 4.8 Project Plan, offerors are to submit a Draft Project Management Plan with their proposal submission; however, in accordance with the Section 9.0 Deliverables, Draft Contractor Project Plans are not due until the post award conference. Can the Government please clarify when the Draft Project Plan is to be submitted?

Project Management Plan and Contractor Management Plan are the same document.

This plan is not due with quotation submission. A draft is due at post award conference. SOW paragraph 4.8 has been updated to clarify.

56 Att 1: Sections 4.8 and 9.0/ Att 2

N/A N/A If offerors are required to submit the Draft Project Management Plan at proposal submission, can the Government please include the instructions on providing the draft plan within Attachment 2 - Instructions?

Paragraph 4.8 shows all the areas required in the Project Management Plan. A draft is not to be submitted at quotation submission.

57 Attachment 2 - Draft Quotation Submission Instructions

2 1 From Soliciation "The government anticipates awarding a single Time and Materials Task Order under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) 00CORP Professional Services Schedule (PSS) Special Item Numbers (SIN) 871-1 through 871-6 under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 – Engineering Services as a total small business set-aside."

We respectfully request the Government to include additional SIN's such as those listed below, and not make it mandatory for the vendor to have all of them. This will ensure increased competition resulting in stronger proposal responses from qualified vendors.

874-1 Integrated Consulting Services 874-4 Training Services 874-6 Acquisition Management Support 874-7 Integrated Business Program Support Service

After a review of the Special Item Number (SIN) 871-1 through 871-6 on the GSA website it was determined that the 871 series is most applicable to our SOW. The 871 series covers strategic planning, concept development and requirements analysis, system design, test and evaluation, integrated logistics support and acquisition life cycle management. The 874 series is more geared to business management.

Additional Systems Support Directorate (SSD) Comments and Answers

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