HBG_RFP_AMEND_03_80GSFC18R0078_3rd_SET_OF_Q__A.pdf

RFP 80GSFC18R0078 3rd SET OF RFP QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

JULY 17, 2019

RFP Reference:

RFP, Section L. 11 (a), Page 64

Comment or Question:

The table (L. 11 (a) (1)) notes 1 electronic copy, but Paragraph L.11 (a) (4) notes 2 electronic copies are needed with one marked as “backup”. Can the Government confirm if 1 or 2 electronic copies are required?

Response: See revised Table L.11 (a), Page 64 included in this amendment.

Exhibits

Comment or Question:

Exhibit 2D - NON-SIGNIFICANT SUBCONTRACTOR, OFFEROR MANAGEMENT AND

ADMINISTRATIVE LABOR – is missing from the Final RFP. Also, the Exhibit 2D, which was included in the DRFP, noted a section for ONSITE Management and OFFSITE

Administration, while Exhibit 2B Offeror Management and Administrative Labor for the

Significant Subcontractor indicates OFFSITE Management and/or Administrative Categories only. Will the Government provide Exhibit 2D and confirm that Management and

Administrative Labor should be OFFSITE only?

Response: Exhibit 2D was inadvertently excluded in the final RFP. Exhibit 2D is hereby attached.

Attachment B, Section 4, Prime Fixed Fee Rate Matrix, Page 4

Comment or Question:

The notes state “**** The Offeror shall complete the fixed fee rate that shall be used to calculate the fixed fee dollars for all task orders issued under the resultant contract. Other

Direct Costs (ODCs) for SOW Section 4.2 (d) only (i.e. Hardware, software, maintenance, or supporting material) are excluded from the application of Fixed Fee for delivery orders and task orders issued under this contract as specified in Attachment (B), Direct labor Rates, Indirect Rates and Fixed Fee Matrices.”

There is no section 4.2(d) in the SOW. Can the Government confirm if fee can be applied to

ODCs?

Response: See revised Page 4 of Attachment B included in the amendment which states that

“The Offeror shall complete the fixed fee rate that shall be used to calculate the fixed fee dollars for all task orders issued under the resultant contract.”

Enclosure 1- Historical Labor Rate Data

Comment: The direct labor rate for a Software Engineer 1 is $52.10. Whereas, the rate for a

Software Engineer II is $41.90, more than $10 lower. Please clarify the rates.

Response: The rates are correct as shown.

Enclosure 2 – Government Pricing Model (GPM) – Specified Non-Management Direct

Labor Categories, Direct Labor Hours, and Position Descriptions

Comment or Question:

The Government did not provide Position Descriptions for Technical/Research Assistant or

Technical/Research Assistant II in Enclosure 2. Will the Government provide Position

Descriptions for these categories?

Response: Position Descriptions for the labor categories Technical/Research Assistant and

Technical/ Research Assistant II are now included in the updated Enclosure 2.

Enclosure 2 – Government Pricing Model (GPM) – Specified Non-Management Direct Labor

Categories, Direct Labor Hours, and Position Descriptions

Comment or Question:

Please confirm if the years of experience and education level should be the same for both the

Support Scientist IV and Support Scientist V labor categories.

Response: While the years of experience and education are similar there are other attributes in the Support Scientist V labor category (i.e. publication in scientific journals, serve on government advisory panels, and selection as investigator on NASA awards).

B-M page 89 Section L.15 (b) (12)

Comment: Section L.15 (b) (12) states Phase-In “…Section L.15 (b) (12) states Phase-In

“…is expected to commence on or about October 15.” This is less than three months from the submission of proposals and seemingly not in alignment with Sect L.12 (a) (1) requesting “…a proposal validity period of 210 days”. Based on historical time to award and the request for proposal validity, it seems unlikely Phase-In could start on or about October 15. The timing of

Phase-In and thus, contract start affects pricing for DL rates used for labor categories where the Government did not provide a historical DL rate. (i.e., DL rates are surveyed and escalated to the start of contract performance)

Additionally, there are several other factors and potential issues with Phase-In starting near

October 15 which present risk to GSFC, including

Presence of multiple holidays during this period

First day of the HBG contract falling during the week of Thanksgiving. In fact, on the Friday after Thanksgiving should Phase start on October 15.

Availability of appropriations and potential shutdown

Will the Government confirm offerors should use October 15th as the start of Phase-In?

Response: For proposal submission purposes Offerors shall use an October 15 phase in start date and a December 1 contract start date as the evaluation process may contain numerous uncertainties, (i.e. government shut down, the possible need for discussions, etc.). However, the Government does recognize that a later phase-in start date is plausible.

B-M page 85 Section L.15. (b) (6)

Comment or Question:

Please clarify if Significant Subcontractors are required to complete Exhibit 3, GPM by

Elements of Cost.

Response: Per Section L.15 (b) (6) of the RFP, only Prime Offerors shall complete Exhibit 3.