FRFP Industry Questions and Responses 120419.pdf

Reponses to Industry Questions to Final Request for Proposal (FRFP)

Q #

Area

Page

Draft RFP Reference

Question/Comment

Response

33 Sec L L-39 Attachment L-1 Past Performance Information Form (Format) L.16.2.1 JSC 52.215-113 Proposal Formatting Instructions (Nov 2018) (JSC Procurement Instruction) (L-12)

(2) The following requirements apply to the sections of the proposal which are page limited: Sections of the proposal which are page limited shall be prepared and submitted using non-compressed Times New Roman font with single-spaced 12 point text with a one-inch margin on all sides in accordance with Microsoft Word default settings.

Is the PPIF subject to the formatting requirements in L.16.2.1, specifically, the one-inch margin requirements?

Yes. The Attachment L-1 Past Performance Information Form (PPIF) is subject to a 5 page limit per PPIF as stated on page L-39 and therefore, subject to L.16.2.1 (a)(2) JSC 52.215-113 Proposal Formatting Instructions (Nov 2018) (JSC Procurement Instructions).

34 Sec L L-24

L25

L.16.5 Vol. III, Cost & Price (Factor 3)

(c) Pricing Methodology; 1. Core Pricing; (a) “Offerors shall provide their basis of estimate for these resources in the cost/price narrative.”

The proposed labor and non-labor resources are for the Prime Offeror’s entire team (i.e., the Prime and all Subcontractors) and shall be identified per the level of detail specified on the Technical Resources Template (TRT) contained in Section L, Attachment L-

6. Subsequently, in Volume III, Cost/Price Proposal, the Offeror’s proposed Core WYEs and Non-Labor Resources (NLRs) for the entire team must be provided in the TRT and

HSFTIC has continually stressed the emphasis on streamlined procurements and reducing page counts. The RFP states to provide Basis of Estimates (BOE) as part of the cost narrative which is not page limited. The Basis of Estimate has a potential to be 500+ pages if required to provide the level of detail for all SOW areas for all 5 years, which is what was communicated at the Pre- Proposal Conference.

To complicate this further, the TRST- CORE is a direct link to the TRT data. The TRST-CORE instructions state for the “Prime Offeror to include source data (Productive Hours per

Thank you for this recommendation. In keeping in-line with our pilot program streamlined approach, Offerors should provide a basis of estimate for CY1 only. However, Offerors are to estimate WYEs and NLRs for all 5-contract years. This is done at the contract level as part of the TRST. Should the resource estimates change between contract years, the cost/price narrative shall explain the rationale, and the formulas in the TRST changed to match the Offeror’s approach.

Reference “FRFP Industry Questions and Responses 111919.docx” (question #19), posted as part of Modification 6 to Beta.SAM.Gov.

L-53

TRST-

CORE

summarized in the Technical Resource Summary Template (TRST) located in the “EPM Template.xlsx” workbook, at Section L, Attachment L- 6.”

Attachment L-6, This template is required from the Prime Offeror only. It is used to summarize all proposed resources for CYs 1 -

5. The format is automated and only requires the Prime Offeror to include source data (Productive Hours per WYE and the Incumbent Retention %) for the areas shaded blue. ***Note: The TRST-CORE template functions as a link between Volume I, Mission Suitability, and Volume III, Cost/Price***

WYE and the Incumbent Retention %) for the areas shaded blue. The other cells on the TRST-CORE tab are automated to link to the TRT Tabs that contains detailed WYE by SOW sublevel for CY1 only. To make CY2- 5 WYE adjustments, contractors will be editing grey cells (automated cells) in Columns, F, I, L, and O on the TRST Tab. Making these manual adjustments will potentially eliminate Government insight into the WYE changes by SOW for out years and require the need for contractors to submit extensive detailed BOE to ensure each offerors proposed technical resources for all SOW areas are evaluated correctly. We recommend to limit the BOE to CY1, consistent with the TRT and TRST and eliminate the guessing game for out-year requirements fluctuations.

35 Sec L

Sec J

L-53

N/A

Attachment L-6, EPM Workbook

Attachment J-5, Standard Labor Categories

The FBR template in Attachment L-6 includes a Labor Category titled Transition Interface that is not included in the Standard Labor Categories (SLCs) in Attachment J- 5 or other worksheets within Attachment L-6. We request the Government to supply a Labor Category description for this position?

Thank you for identifying this inadvertent error. The standard labor category “Transition Interface” is not a labor category for HSFTIC and its use should be disregarded.

Updated Attachments L-6 EPM Workbook and L-7 Cost Estimating Workbook will be posted.

36 Sec L L-10

Ref. doc.

L.16.2 Proposal Arrangement, Page Limitations, and Due Dates

Incumbency Assumptions Template - Current Incumbent Rates.pdf

“NOTE: Information pertaining to incumbent direct labor rates and seniority levels will be available in the Technical Library prior to Final RFP.”

The Government was provided the Historical Direct Labor Rates and Seniority Levels by the incumbent contractor on 7/18/19. In consideration of the delay in providing critical data necessary for all Offerors to prepare the EPM, we respectfully request the Government modify the proposal due date to December 20, 2019. This will avoid work over the holiday period and somewhat mitigate the advantage enjoyed by the incumbent who has had access to this data for the past four months.

Please reference the updates made to Section L, L.16.2 Proposal Arrangement, Page Limitations and Due Dates.

37 Sec L L-52

L-24

Attachment L-6 & L-7, TRT Tab:”This template is required from the Prime Offeror only. It is used to identify and summarize all proposed labor resources, by SLC, and all non-labor resources (NLRs) for all SOW sections for Contract Year (CY) 1”

c) Pricing Methodology

Please explain the difference in the government’s mind between a BOE and cost/price narrative, in the light of the statement that the BOEs are required for CY1 only. Please clarify the government’s expectation of supporting rationale for any changes in resource estimates after CY1.

The Basis of Estimate (BOE) should include a detailed explanation of how the rates, resources, etc. were derived for the creation of the skill mix and the proposed rates. This level of detail is only required for Contract Year (CY) 1. For any changes in resource estimates for CYs 2-5, the Offeror is not required to provide the same level of detail; instead, only the rationale explaining the change(s) between contract years is required.

The cost/price narrative provides the overall explanation of how the entire cost/price proposal is assembled, including background supporting rate date, assumptions, etc. for the cost/price proposal. The BOE discussion is a part of the cost/price narrative, but will also be used, as explained in Section M, as part of evaluation of Volume I, Mission Suitability, as the BOEs, along with the TRT/TRST templates, serve as a link between Volume I and Volume

III.

38 Sec L L-52 Attachment L-6 & L-7, TRT Tab:”This template is required from the Prime Offeror only. It is used to identify and summarize all proposed labor

This seems to directly contradict the instructions on the TRST, which clearly indicates that the prime offeror should only input information for the

The TRST has been updated to be in-line with the response given to Question #19. Offerors will now have to input their proposed WYE data for CYs 2-5, and formulas for these columns that were previously provided have been resources, by SLC, and all non-labor resources (NLRs) for all SOW sections for Contract Year (CY) 1” areas shaded blue (which includes CY1 only). Please address this apparent conflict in direction.

removed. Updated EPM and Cost Estimating workbooks will be provided.

39 Sec H H-1 Clause H.2 NFS 1852.209-71 Limitation of Future Contracting (DEC 1988)

The reference clause specifically lists Contracts NAS15-10000, ISS Vehicle Sustaining Engineering Contract and 80JSC017C0015, Cargo Mission Contract. Is the correct interpretation of the clause that the prime contractor and first-tier subcontractors for the HSFTIC contract are ineligible to compete as a prime or first-tier subcontractor for Contracts NAS15- 10000 and 80JSC017C0015? Provide clarification.

If the awardee is contracted through HSFTIC to develop specifications or statements of work that are to be incorporated into a solicitation, the awardee is ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime or first-tier subcontractor under an ensuing NASA contract.

Reference Clause H.2 NFS 1852.209-71 Limitation of Future Contracting: “…If the contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of tasks pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work that are to be incorporated into a solicitation, the contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime or first-tier subcontractor under an ensuing NASA contract.”

This clause is applicable and shall be applied after contract award.

40 J-17

J-A17-1 Security Requirements (Plan Due 30 Days after Phase-In Start)

Can you please clarify the location of the requirements for Attachment J-17, Security Requirements?

Thank you for identifying this inadvertent error. The J-17 Attachment will be updated to state “as required upon request from the Contracting Officer”. As a result, nothing is required as part of the proposal, any request would be after contract start, if required.

41 L-6 Column E: Fee Rate in FBR Is Column E referring to the fee that is included in the Minor Sub FBR or the fee that the prime is applying to the Minor Sub FBR?

Column E of the Minor Subcontract Template (MST) refers to the fee rate that is in the Minor Subcontractor’s FBR, not a fee that the prime is applying on top of the Minor Sub

FBR.

42 L.9 L-5 (b)Proposal must be in electronic format

Offerors will submit the proposal using CD-ROMs. The Government

Would the Government allow delivery on a USB Flash drive?

No, the proposals shall be submitted using CD-ROMs.

requests an original and 1 copy of each CD-ROM to be provided.

43 Sec H H-16 Clause H-13 Underlimit Changes – Special Provision for Contract Changes Topic: Section H.13 clause provides that the Underlimit Pool is $10,000,000.

1) In order for Offerors to provide an accurate, realistic proposed estimated cost, will the Government clarify if the $10M pool value is the sum of all individual changes, both increases and decreases of less than $700,000 in estimated cost, over the 5-year contract performance period? 2) Will the Government clarify if changes made pursuant to the “Changes” clause after reaching the Underlimit pool of $10M will be subject to negotiation between the parties regardless of the dollar impact to the estimated cost? Please clarify.

1. Yes, the $10M Underlimit Pool is the sum of all individual changes, both increase and decreases of $700,000 or less in estimated cost and fee over the 5-year period of performance.

2. Yes, once the Underlimit Pool has been reached, any and all changes thereafter, valued at $700,000 or less, including both increase and decrease of $700,000 or less in estimated cost and fee will be negotiated per FAR 52.243-2, Changes-Cost Reimbursement Clause of the contract.

44 J-11 J-A11-7 Award Fee and Incentive Fee Evaluation Plan

Section 3.0 Incentive Fee Provisions provides, in part, that if the contractor does not receive an AF score of 88 or higher for all AF periods completed during the IF period, “no incentive fee will be awarded”.

If a contractor scores below an 88 in an AF period, is both the target fee and underrun IF both forfeited, i.e. a 0% minimum incentive fee? Please clarify.

Yes. Per Section 3.0 Incentive Fee Provisions in the Award Fee and Incentive Fee Evaluation Plan, no incentive fee (target Incentive fee and the potential Incentive Fee underrun) will be awarded during the applicable evaluation period

45 J-1, L.16.6 J-16 &

DRD

HSFTI

C-PM-

DRD HSFTIC-PM-03 requirement for first submission date of 30 days after contract award is inconsistent with the Section L Instruction and J- 16 title page, which both states that the plan is due 5 days after Phase- In start.

Please confirm due date for Phase- In Plan.

Recommendation: Revise DRD HSFTIC-PM-03 first submission date to “5 days after Phase-In start”.

This inadvertent error was corrected as part of the MOD, 6, FRFP-1, update that was posted to Beta.SAM.Gov on 11/20/19.

46 J-1, J-14 &

DRD

HSFTIC

-SA-02

As with several DRD and Section J Attachment title pages, DRD HSFTIC- SA-02 provides that the first submission date is 30 days after contract award, whereas the J-14 title page states that the plan is due 30 days after Phase-In start

For proposal purposes, are “contract award” and “Phase-In start” to be considered the same occurrence and, therefore, interchangeable throughout the FRFP? Please clarify.

This inadvertent error was corrected as part of the MOD, 6, FRFP-1, update that was posted to Beta.SAM.Gov on 11/20/19.

Contract Award and Phase-in start are two separate milestones and not interchangeable.

47 J-17 &

DRD

HSFTIC

-IT-02

The J-17 title page for Security Requirements states that the plan is due 30 days after Phase-In start.

However, there is no obvious Section L instruction or DRD that provides content requirements. DRD HSFTIC- IT-02 has a first submission date of “30 calendar days after contract award.”

Will the Government advise as to whether DRD HSFTIC-IT-02 is the plan intended for Attachment J-17, or refer Offerors to location in RFP for information for the content requirements? Please provide requested information.

HSFTIC-IT-02 is not intended to be attachment J-17.

HSFTIC-IT-02 is its own separate deliverable.

The J-17 Attachment will be updated to state “as required upon request from the Contracting Officer”. As a result, nothing is required as part of the proposal, any request would be after contract start, if required.

Reference response to question # 40.

48 J-1 &

DRD

HSFTIC

-PC-03

The first submission date in the DRD is “at contract start,” but there is currently no placeholder in Section J.

Does the Government intend for the WBS and Dictionary to be included in the contract has a Section J attachment? Please clarify.

Contract start (10/01/20) is 2 months after Phase-in start (08/02/20). Placeholders are for DRDs that are either due with the proposal or during phase-in. No placeholder is required for HSFTIC PC-03. It is delivered as part of normal work in performance of the contract.

49 L-6 EPM

Template Workbook

– TOPT-

SR

The TOPT-SR template instructions reference Table L-yyyy and Table L-zzzz.

Please confirm that Table L-yyyy is Table L-6 and Table L-zzzz is Table L- 7 from Section L.16.5 in the RFP.

Yes, Table L-yyy is Table L-6 and Table L-zzz is Table L-7.

50 L-6 EPM

Template Workbook

– TOPT-

SR

The TOPT-SR template is populated with 1000 hours for each SLC per year.

Please clarify that this template should be populated with the GRE information in Table L-6 and Table L-7 from Section L.16.5 in the RFP.

Yes, this template should be populated with the information in Table L-6 and Table L-7.

51 L.16.4.1 (a)

Page count limitation for Past Performance

Past Performance response provides consideration for three contract citations for each teammate at 5-page

Your recommendation is acknowledged and thank you for this feedback, however, the Government has determined limitation. Will the Government consider a 2-page Introduction in the Past Performance to provide a top-level summary of the team past performance offering?

Recommendation: Given the length of the RFP and the page count limitation of citation, an introduction would provide the Government a synopsis of the team past performance.

that the requested data in L.16.4.1 is reasonable and sufficient.

Please reference the response to question #10.

52 RFP

Cover Letter & L.9

Cover Letter & L-

Proposal Marking and Delivery The RFP Cover Letter - Electronic Access and Section L.9 JSC 52.215-

108 PROPOSAL MARKING AND

DELIVERY THROUGH FEDERAL

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (FBO)

(AUG 2018) (JSC PROCUREMENT

INSTRUCTION) requires proposal submittal through FBO.gov. FBO.gov has been migrated to Beta.SAM.gov.

Beta.SAM.gov is now the authoritative source for FBO. There is not currently a mechanism in Beta.SAM.gov to submit proposals. What other mechanism should we use to submit the proposal by the due date?

Recommendation: Please clarify and revise.

Please refer to updated Section L.9 that was part of MOD 7, FRFP-2, posted to Beta.SAM.Gov 11/22/19.

53 Sec B, J-11, L-6, L-7

EPM

Template Workbook and Cost Estimating Workbook

References 1 and 2 have Offeror Fill-in (OFI) requirements for proposed Target Incentive Fee. References 3 and 4 contain templates for providing “Fee Base” and “Fee Rate”.

Does the Government intend Offerors to combine proposed award fee and target incentive fee in the same “Fee Rate” cell, or provide proposed award fee and target incentive rates in separate cells?

Recommendation: Provide clarification.

Offers are to propose a separate Award Fee and Incentive Fee. The EPM and Cost Estimating and Assessments workbooks have been revised to provide clarification.

54 L-6 & L-7

EPM

Template Workbook and Cost Estimating Workbook

MSCST and PCST Tabs

Will updated cost models be released?

Updated attachments L-6 & L-7 were released as part MOD 7 on Beta.SAM.Gov.