RFP_70Z02318RMDW00100_QA_Amendment_0006.docx

RFP 70Z02318RMDW00100 Q&A

1. Can you confirm that this solicitation is an SDVOSB set-aside? This is stated on the Fed Biz Opps website, but is not stated in the actual RFP.

Answer: Yes. It is a SDVOSB.

2. Ref: L.6.1, Video and Resume Submissions. “The Government will evaluate up to 5 charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides (visual information) shown within the video submission. The Offeror shall submit one paper copy of all charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides used in the video. These items must be legible for the viewer of the video.”

Given the number of PWS requirements, and that as a standard practice, a slide is used as a background reference when making this type of presentation, would the government considering updating the number of slides to be evaluated to 30?

Rationale: This approach would much better support a video/slide package that is simple and integrated which would not only support a more effective evaluation, but also be in line with standards set forth in USCG COMDTINST M5216.4C.

Answer: No. 5 is the maximum number of charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides allowed in the video.

3. If the government is unable to update the number of slides which will be evaluated, will the government consider allowing industry to provide a video which incorporates more than 5 slides, and allow industry to designate which of their 5 slides should be evaluated?

Rationale: Majority of small businesses responding to this RFP have already expended considerable time and expense on the video requirement. To introduce a constraint of only 5 slides would cause small business to reshoot their entire video, but also in the end produce overly detailed/complicated set of slides that would make the presentation harder to understand.

Answer: No. 5 is the maximum number of charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides allowed in the video.

4. Ref: M.4.1.3 Factor #: Management Approach (Summary). “During Phase 1, the Government will evaluate any charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides (visual information) shown within the video submission.” Can the government please clarify why this section states that the evaluation will be based on “any charts” while the requirement in Section L.6.1. refers to only evaluating up to 5 charts?” Per earlier comments, we would respectfully recommend increasing the number of slides or charts if at all possible.

Answer: See revised M.4.1.3. “During Phase 1, the Government will evaluate up to 5 charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides (visual information) shown within the video submission.”

5. L.6.1.5 Phase 1: Down Selection Notification. “After the Government completes evaluation of Phase 1, all Offerors will receive a down select notice. Up to 10 Offerors who are rated most will be notified to proceed to Phase 2.” Can the government please explain whether the terminology of “rated the most” is the same as the vendors whose overall rating in the competitive range is in the top 10 companies?

Answer: L.6.1.5 has been revised to state “who are rated the most highly will…”.

6. Can the government please provide any information on whether vendors not selected will be able to protest and if so, will protests potentially impact the overall procurement and submission of Phase II within 20 days?

Answer: Vendors not selected to compete in Phase 2 may challenge the Coast Guard's determination in accordance with the procedures set forth in the FAR. Also, we encourage you to review the Coast Guard's agency protest procedures set forth on the first page of the RFP.

7. Ref: L5 Proposal Preparation. “Each proposal volume shall be summited ….on Compact Disc (CD” or Digital Video Disc (DVD). Can the government please provide additional details as to the exact format and standard required for the CD and/or DVD similar to what is used by GSA FEDSIM?

Rationale: This will ensure vendor’s submissions will be viewable on USCG hardware/software.

Answer: The video needs to be compatible with Windows 10 standard software.

8. In the response to question 26, referencing section L.6.1 in the paragraph at the top of page 47, it states that, “The Government will evaluate up to five (5) charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides (visual information) shown within the video submission.” Is 5 the maximum number of charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides allowed in the video or is this just a maximum number of hard copy slides that will be evaluated? Could the government please offer clarification?

Answer: 5 is the maximum number of charts, diagrams, or PowerPoint slides allowed in the video.

9. Will the government consider the addition of Business or Management degrees as acceptable degrees for the Management Analyst and Cost Analyst labor categories?

Answer: See revised Att 1. The addition of business or management degrees are acceptable for the Management Analyst. Business, finance, or accounting degrees are acceptable for the Cost Analyst.

10. RFP Section L.5 The answer to question nine states that personnel and price should appear on the same DVD/CD as the video submission. In some cases, after burning content to a disk, the DVD becomes locked and no further content can be added. Will the government accept a second disk containing both pricing and personnel?

Answer: Yes. A second DVD/CD will be accepted if necessary.

11. With reference to Section M, M 4.2.3 Factor 6: Past Performance Section M 4.2.3 states, in part: " The evaluation of past performance will assess the level of confidence in the Offeror's ability to successfully perform this contract based on information from recent and relevant contracts" Recent and relevant is further described in Section M 4.2.3 as performed within the last three years and of comparable scope to the work described in the statement of work.

Can the government confirm that to be assessed as relevant, past performance should also be of similar size, in terms of dollar value, to the proposed contract to be awarded under this solicitation?

Answer: We are focused on comparable scope as stated in M 4.2.3 to perform individual analysis as described in the Statement of Work.

12. With reference to Section F, F-3 Place of Performance; RFP page 13 Section F-3 states "The places of performance will be specified on each Task Order issued under this IDIQ contract." Attachment 4 - Pricing Worksheet shows, with the exception of the Key Personnel position Senior Program Manager, that labor category pricing is to be for Contractor Site.

Can government please confirm that all non-key personnel labor category work will be carried out on Contractor site?

Answer: Yes. Per question 7 of QA amendment 0005 most of the work performed on the Task Orders is envisioned to be primarily at the Contractor’s facilities. The PM will be the only personnel on site at the Government facility on a day to day basis.