PSTSS 2.0 RFP Amendment 002 11.27.2024.pdf

Amendment Issue Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Kristel Turansky Contracting Officer

OA/DEA/NIAID/NIH/DHHS

5601 Fishers Lane Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9821

Rosemary Gomes, Contracting Officer Email Address: Rosemary.Gomes@nih.gov

Kristel Turansky, Contracting Officer Email Address: Kristel.Turansky@nih.gov

Proposal Due Date/Time: 3:00pm ET on Monday, December 16, 2024

RFP Reference Question Answer

Attachment 11 Attachment 11. Please provide details on where Attachment 11 should be incorporated into the Business Proposal.

Please include Attachment 11 as an Attachment to your Business Proposal.

Attachment 12 Attachment 12. Should the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities be submitted with the Business Proposal or is it required after award?

Please submit Attachment 12 as an Attachment to your Business Proposal.

Attachment 4, Additional Proposal Instructions, Section 7, Financial Capacity

Could the government please specify what representations and/or documentation would ‘adequately’ establish our financial capability?

Financial capability should be addressed in the Business Proposal. Please refer to the Financial Capacity section on Page 132.

Attachment 5 Attachment 5 Section 1 requests the use of form NIH 2043 and Business Proposal Instructions page 119 requests a Proposal Cover Sheet as the first page. Please clarify.

Please use NIH 2043 as your Cover Page per Attachment 5. Additional requirements as defined on Page 119 of the RFP should be included on a second page as needed.

Attachment 5 Attachment 5. Please confirm that a Table of Contents should be included in the Business Proposal. Yes, please include a Table of Contents in the Business Proposal.

Attachment 5 Attachment 5 Page 2 Item C. Please confirm that Offerors SHOULD NOT include the cost of Work Visa sponsorship in the fully burdened base labor rates and will be considered as an Other Direct Cost at the task order level.

Correct.

RFP Page 100 paragraph m references Past Performance Information which shall be included in the Business Proposal. Attachment 5 Additional Business Proposal Instructions requests using the Attachment as a guide for formatting; however, Past Performance is not referenced. Please clarify in which volume and where Past Performance Information should be included.

Please include Past Performance references in your Business Proposal. Per the instructions in Attachment 5, the information requested in these instructions should be used as a guide for the development and formatting of your Business Proposal.

Is there a limit to the past performance references an Offeror may provide? If so, please provide the maximum number.

No.

The RFP states, “A list of the last five (5) contracts completed during the past three (3) years and all contracts currently being performed that are similar in nature to the solicitation workscope.”

Considering FAR 52.219-31, would the government consider revising the solicitation to state, “A list of up to five (5) contracts completed during the past three (3) years and all contracts currently being performed that are similar in nature to the solicitation workscope.”

No, this section will not be revised.

Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment by identifying this amendment number and date of the amendment on each copy of the proposal submitted. Failure to receive your acknowledgement may result in the rejection of your proposal. Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Amendment Number 002 RFP Number 75N93024R00013

Title: NIAID PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (PSTSS)

Issued By:

Points of Contact:

The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions from potential offerors regarding the solicitation. Please note that we do NOT intend to extend the due date for submission of proposals as a result of this Amendment. The date specified for receipt of proposals remains unchanged.

RFP Number 75N93024R00013, Amendment Number 002 1

Page 100: Past Performance information

Offerors shall submit the following information as part of their Business proposal. A list of the last five

(5) contracts completed during the past three (3) years and all contracts currently being performed that are similar in nature to the solicitation work scope. Question: Can the government clarify the requirements: a list of the last five contracts completed during the last 3 years as well as all contracts currently being performed that are similar to the solicitation work scope. Does the government require both?

Per the RFP, offerors shall submit a list of the last five (5) contracts completed during the past three

(3) years AND all contracts currently being performed that are similar in nature to the solicitation workscope.

Page 100: Attachment 4, Additional Technical Proposal Instructions, Format for Technical Proposal, and Table of Contents; m. Past Performance Information; Att. 4, Section 6 Corporate Experience

On page 100 there is a requirement for Past Performance information (item m) but the instructions under Attachment 4, Technical Proposal Instructions- Corporate Experience do not align with this requirement. Please confirm that the requested Past Performance information on page performance on page 100 is to be included as part of the business volume and indicate how it will be evaluated

Please include Past Performance references in your Business Proposal. Please refer to Page 134 of the RFP for additional information.

Page 100: Past Performace Information

For the purposes of this solicitation, a "major subcontract" is defined as any subcontract with a total value of $750,000.00 or greater. We assume this requirement for $750K for a major subcontract is not a limiting factor.

We assume the offeror can include any subcontract's (teaming partner's) past performance whose prime or subcontract could be less than $750K or greater than $750K. Please confirm if our understanding is correct

Per Page 100 of the RFP, "For the purposes of this solicitation, a 'major subcontract' is defined as any subcontract with a total value of $750,000.00 or greater." Past Performance should address contracts/subcontracts with a total value of $750,000.00 or greater.

Page 100: Past Performance How will past performance be measured? Can you please provide guidelines for size / scope?

Please include Past Performance references in your Business Proposal. Please refer to Page 134 of the RFP for additional information.

Page 100: Section M

The RFP states that the offeror is to provide 5 contracts for Past Performance Information. The same section also states that offerors can submit past performances for “predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience or subcontractors”. Do the past performances for predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors count within the 5 contracts that the offeror is required to submit? Or are the past performances for predecessor companies, key personnel, or subcontractors in addition to the 5 contracts submitted by the prime?

Past performace references and Corporate Experience are not the same thing. Please include Corporate Experience in your Technical Proposal and provide relevant Past Performance information in your Business Proposal.

Item 7 Program Manager. Please confirm the information being requested refers to the Government Program Manager and not the Contractor's Program Manager.

Correct, this is referring to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or equivalent.

Page 101: Section L 1.n The RFP states “The following information shall be addressed in a separate section of the Business Proposal entitled “Information Security”. Can the Government clarify what information or material is required to comply with this requirement?

Offerors are not required to include a response to this section in their proposals.

Page 120: BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, 4. Raw Materials/ Attachment 10

The Government states" Consists of material in a form or state that requires further processing. Provide priced quantities of items required for the proposal." However Attachment 10 does not provide any such lines to provide these details, please clarify?

The government does not anticipate any materials being required for this contract. Please disregard. If any materials/Other Direct Costs are required, this will be addressed on a Task Order basis.

Page 120: BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, 5. Purchased Parts / Attachment 10

The Government states" Includes material items not covered above. Provide priced quantities of items required for the proposal." However Attachment 10 does not provide any such lines to provide these details, please clarify?

The government does not anticipate any materials being required for this contract. Please disregard. If any materials/Other Direct Costs are required, this will be addressed on a Task Order basis.

If a Contractor is actively working with DCAA or DFAS regarding approved rates, would the government consider accepting the financials provided to DCAA and DFAS for indirect rate approval to meet the requirement of Certified Cost or Pricing Data?

Certified Cost/Pricing Data is not being requested at this time. Please refer to Page 160 of the RFP (c. Profit Margins and indirect Cost Rates for Other Direct Costs) for proposal requirements regarding inclusion of a forwrad price rate agreement or indirect cost rate agreement.

Page 121: BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS, 9. Travel / Attachment

The Government states" Provide the cost of travel including destination, duration, purpose, per diem, transportation, and the basis for pricing." However Attachment 10 does not provide any such lines to provide these details, please clarify?

Travel will be addressed on a Task Order basis and does not need to be addressed in your proposal for the

IDIQ.

Page 132 and FAR 16.301-3 Consider the invoicing requirements referenced in Section 5. Advance Understanding, please confirm that a third-party accounting firm review and attestation of the adequacy of a contractor’s accounting system is acceptable for the award of a cost-reimbursement contract.

Please refer to Pages 132 - 133 of the RFP for requirements.

Page 132: Financial Capacity Can the Government please clarify if there is a defined amount of working capital needed at any given point in time to demonstrate complete financial capacity?

The Government has not defined a specific required amount of working capital for this requirement.

Page 132: Financial Capacity RFP Page 132 Item C and Attachment 4 Section 7 Financial Capacity. Please confirm a Bank Reference letter will suffice to establish financial capacity.

No, a bank letter by itself is not sufficient. Per page 158 of the RFP, the offeror should provide representations and documentation necessary to adequately establish its financial capability.

Page 134: g. Qualifications of the Offeror On page 134 item g. there is a requirement to provide "Qualifications of the Offeror" but in reviewing the Evaluation Factors for Award the qualifications section is not discussed. Will this information be evaluated as part of the "experience and past performance factors"?

Qualifications of the Offeror as described on Page 134 of the RFP is a required component of the Business Proposal.

RFP Number 75N93024R00013, Amendment Number 002 2

Page 134: Section L, 3 Business Proposal Instructions, g Qualifications of Offeror

Section g of the Business Volume requires Qualifications of the Offeror including General Experience, Organizational Experience Related to the RFP Performance History, Pertinent Contracts, and Pertinent Grants. These requirements seem duplicative of the Corporate Experience (Technical Volume) and Past Performance (Business Volume) instructions already provided. Is this where the Past Performance requirements outlined in the Technical Proposal Instructions, m Past Performance should be included?

Past performace references and Corporate Experience are not the same thing. Please include Corporate Experience in your Technical Proposal and provide relevant Past Performance information in your Business Proposal.

Page 134: Section L, 3 Business Proposal Instructions, g Qualifications of Offeror

The Past Performance information required for Technical Proposal Instructions, m is similar to but not the same as the information requested in the Business Volume, d. Pertinent Contracts requirements.

Would the Government please provide a single, consolidated list of required information on contracts submitted for Past Performance/Pertinent Contracts?

Past performace references and Corporate Experience are not the same thing. Please include Corporate Experience in your Technical Proposal and provide relevant Past Performance information in your Business Proposal.

Page 135: Subcontractors Clarification regarding the Government's requirement for this proposal regarding subcontractors:

Page 135 of the RFP required a committment letter from the subcontractor that included a complete cost proposal in the same format as the offeror's cost proposal. The Government is removing the requirement for the separate cost proposal from the subcontractor. During negotiations, if additional information is needed, subcontractors may send proprietary information directly to the Government. The following is required with all offeror's proposals: Detailed commitment letter and/or teaming agreement that includes items a. through e. per Page 135 Section h. of the RFP. A copy of the draft/proposed subcontractor agreement with the prime is recommended at the time of proposal.

RFP Page 136 Item 11. FAR 52.215-20 Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data other Than Cost or Pricing Data (Nov 2021)- Alternate IV (Oct 2010) (a) Submission of Certified cost or pricing data is not required. This section states it is not required; however, pages 120-123 includes requirements. Please clarify what Cost and Pricing Data is required with the submission.

Certified Cost/Pricing Data is not being requested at this time.

Page 136, item 11, FAR 52.25-20 Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other than Cost or Pricing Data

The RFP states under item 11(a) that “Submission of certified cost or pricing is not required.” Item 11(b) states, “Provide data described below: [Insert description of the data and the format that are required, including access to records necessary to permit an adequate evaluation of the proposed price in accordance with 15.403-3.].” However, there is no description of the data required provided. Would NIAID kindly advise what data the offeror must provide

Certified Cost/Pricing Data is not being requested at this time.

RFP Page 139 Section M Evaluation Factors for Award. Please provide details on what criteria will be used to determine financial capacity.

Financial capability should be addressed in the Business Proposal. Please refer to the Financial Capacity section on Page 132.

Page 139: M.1.a General

"a. GENERAL The major evaluation factors for this solicitation include technical (which encompasses experience and past performance factors), and cost/price factors" This contradicts p. 100 Past performance and experience information to be placed in the business proposal? Can the government please clarify where the past performance and experience are being evaluated?

Past Performace references and Corporate Experience are not the same thing. Please include Corporate Experience in your Technical Proposal and provide relevant Past Performance information in your Business Proposal.

Page 140: Item 18 RFP Page 140 Item 18 references that past performance information will be evaluated prior to establishment of the competitive range. Please provide details as to how past performance will be evaluated.

Per Page 139 of the RFP, "The major evaluation factors for this solicitation include technical (which encompasses experience and past performance factors), and cost/price factors. Although technical factors are of paramount consideration in the award of the contract, cost/price is also important to the overall contract award decision. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more important than cost. The Government intends to make an award(s) to that offeror whose proposal provides the best overall value to the Government."

Page 140: M.18

18. PAST PERFORMANCE FACTOR

Offerors' past performance information will be evaluated prior to establishment of the competitive range. However, this evaluation will not be conducted on any offeror whose proposal is determined to be technically unacceptable. Will the government please explain the criteria for evaluation of past performance?

Please include Past Performance references in your Business Proposal. Please refer to Page 134 of the RFP for additional information.

Will the government please provide guidance on what specific documents will suffice to prove "financial capability"?

Please refer to the Financial Capacity section on Page 132.

Page 159: RFP Attachment 5: Additional Business Proposal Instructions and Uniform Cost Assumptions

Attachment 5 instruction strongly suggest following the outline of Attachment 5. Page 119 provides different instructions and order of requirements. Will the government please clarify the outline required?

Section L requirements must be addressed as specified in the RFP. Attachment 5 is in addition to the requirements listed in Section L. Per the instructions in Attachment 5, the information requested in these instructions should be used as a guide for the development and formatting of your Business Proposal.

Page 160: Attachment 5: Additional Business Proposal Instructions

For clarification, is it correct to interpret that travel, training, in addition to occupational health testing, immunizations, and sponsoring work visas will be a covered Other Direct Cost (ODC)?

Other Direct Costs will be addressed on a Task Order Basis.

RFP Number 75N93024R00013, Amendment Number 002 3

Pages 127 - 136; and RFP Attachment 5: RFP Section L, 1.

General Instructions, 3. Business Proposal Instructions; and RFP Attachment 5

Section L requires the Business Proposal contain a completed Section K, an HHS OSDBU Mentor- Protégé agreements (if applicable), property information (if applicable), total compensation plan, information security information, EFT information, accounting system information, Facilities Capital Cost of Money information, organizational experience/performance history information, subcontractor commitment letters, and travel policy information, however, RFP Attachment 5 does not. Are these items required in the Business Proposal, and if so, where in the Business Proposal must Offerors include them?

Section L requirements must be addressed as specified in the RFP. Attachment 5 is in addition to the requirements listed in Section L. Per the instructions in Attachment 5, the information requested in these instructions should be used as a guide for the development and formatting of your Business Proposal.

Pages 100 - 101; and RFP Attachment 5: RFP Section L, 1.

General Instructions, m. Past Performance Information; and RFP Attachment 5

Section L Requires past performance information; however, Attachment 5 does not. Is past performance information required, and if so, where in the Business Proposal should Offerors include it?

Please include Past Performance references in your Business Proposal. Per the instructions in Attachment 5, the information requested in these instructions should be used as a guide for the development and formatting of your Business Proposal.

SECTION L - Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Bidders: Business Proposal Instructions, h.

Subcontractors, f.

The instructions state that subcontractors must submit: A complete cost proposal in the same format as the offeror's cost proposal. Does this instruction apply only to the submission of the Attachment 10 document or the entirety of the business proposal?

Only the prime contractor is required to submit a complete cost proposal. Subcontractors do not need to submit a complete cost proposal.

SOW: N. Government Provided Space It is unclear to what extent work will be performed onsite or offsite. Does the government want vendors to provide both on and off site pricing?

The Quantity/Number of Hours listed on Attachment 10 is for evaluation purposes only. The proposed fully loaded hourly rate should be valid for any possible location as described in the Statement of Work.

Travel Since the amount of travel is unknown, would the government provide a "filler" CLIN dollar amount to keep responses consistent?

Travel will be addressed on a Task Order basis and does not need to be addressed in your proposal for the IDIQ.

Clarification regarding the Offeror's submission in response to this Request for Proposals:

This is a request for proposals. Many questions were received referencing "bids" and "quotes."

Please note that the Government is not requesting bids or quotes. We are requesting a complete proposal.

Can the Government provide an exemption to the hyperlink restriction for the annual report in the Business Vol?

No.

RFP Number 75N93024R00013, Amendment Number 002 4

Amendment Number 002 RFP Number 75N93024R00013 Title: NIAID PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (PSTSS)

1. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS, paragraph g. Evaluation of Proposals is hereby revised and shall read as follows:

The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the factors set forth in PART IV, SECTION M of this RFP.

Please note that since proposals submitted in response to this request are for a multi-award IDIQ, offerors may not propose both as a prime and as a subcontractor.

End of changes to paragraph g.

RFP Number 75N93024R00013, Amendment Number 002 5