REMIS2 RFP Questions and Answers.pdf

Question # Page #

Clause / Provision /

Attachment Reference Question/Comment Response

1 B-3 B.8

The language states that the rates provided in the FFP Rate Table "are fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors); these composite labor rates include wages, overhead, and General and Administrative (G&A) but exclude prime profit "

Please confirm/clarify that the FFP IDIQ rates to be incorporated in Section B.8 EXCLUDE profit

Correct, in accordance with clause B.8, FFP IDIQ rates to be incorporated in Section B.8 exclude profit Not-to-exceed profit is a separate line item in clause B.8.

2 B.8

Due to difficulty in predicting rates in the out years of the Base Contract and Option, please provide guidance on parameters or triggers that would allow the contractor to update NTE rates in B.8 and B.9 (eg :

frequency (once every 2 years), decrease/increase in indirect rates, changes in contractor business base, unforeseen labor market fluctuations) .

These are Not-To-Exceed Ceiling Rates. In accordance with Clause B.8 and Clause B.9, "The parties agree that the fully burdened labor rates established below shall not be subject to any equitable adjustment (upwards or downwards), regardless of actual rates incurred during contract performance with exception of those required by statute ".

3 B-3 & B-6 B.8 & B.9

Sections B 8 & B 9 indicate that the proposed rates should be fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors)

Attachment L-5 only shows the rate development for the prime contractor and does not include any worksheets to calculate a composite team rate. How should Offerors show the development of composite team rates?

In accordance with clause B.8 "The labor rates are fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors) " In accordance with clause B.9; "The labor rates are fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors)".

4 I Please confirm NASA FAR Supplement clauses 1852 209-71 Limitation of Future Contracting is not applicable to this contract.

Correct, 1852 209-71 Limitation of Future Contracting is not applicable to REMIS2 at the contract level.

5 J-1-7 J

Describe the requirements, responsibilities, and procedures for meeting Configuration Management (CM) requirements per SSP 41170, Configuration Management Requirements, as applied to this contract.

To support the requirements, will the Government consider providing SSP 50200-10-Baseline-DCN009 Station Program Implementation Plan, Volume 10, Sustaining Engineering?

This has been added to the technical library.

6 J-1-40 J The table for the Fringe Benefits in the TCP lists "Health Insurance Plan A" and "Health Insurance Plan B"

Please clarify exactly what the government is looking for. Is the government looking for separate plans? Different tiers or levels within a plan?

Separate Plans, if applicable.

7 J-1-7 J, REMIS2-

PM-01

Paragraph 3 of the Technical Implementation and Understanding section of DRD No REMIS2-PM-01 (Program Management Plan) states: “Describe the quality processes that will be used for ISS systems flight hardware development and the processes used to implement payload hardware/software development and MI&O tasks ".

Is this statement requesting description of Quality Processes for ISS Systems Flight Hardware development ONLY, and also further requesting description of Implementation Processes for both Payload Hardware/Software development and MI&O Tasks? OR is the statement requesting description of Quality Processes for all three topics: ISS Systems Flight Hardware, Payload Hardware/Software development, and MI&O Tasks? If the latter case is true, perhaps the statement should be modified to read: “Describe the quality processes that will be used for ISS systems flight hardware development and the quality processes used to implement payload hardware/software development and MI&O tasks ".

DRD No.REMIS2-PM-01 has been updated to state "Describe the quality processes that will be used for ISS systems flight hardware development and the quality processes used to implement payload hardware/software development and MI&O tasks ".

J, REMIS2-

PM-05

The Use of the DRD states "4 Use (Define need for, intended use of, and/or anticipated results of data) To ensure that conflict of interest mitigation exists, and to ensure that the contractor provides unbiased impartial advice and adequately protects sensitive, proprietary data belonging to other contractors ". This statement seems aligned to DRD-REMIS2-PR-03 OCI Plan. Please clarify intent of Use.

The "Use of the DRD" language in DRD REMIS2-PM-05 has been updated to state, "To describe the method of administering and controlling Government personal property and submitting proposed property manager qualifications".

9 J-1-41 J, REMIS2-PR-

The page limit for the TCP is 15 pages for the Prime and 15 pages for each subcontractor [subcontractors are defined in JPI 1852 231-71(d)] For joint ventures, the page limit is 15 pages per team member The prime, subcontractors, and team members are permitted to combine data into one TCP, and the page limit for the combined TCP will be 15 pages

Current page count limits prevent us from fully listing/providing a minimal level of detail for all benefits provided to staff Recommend that the government consider not including the Benefits Table in the overall page limit of 15, or alternatively increasing the page count to 20 pages.

The language has been updated to exclude the Benefits Table from the TCP 15 page limitation.

10 J-1-44 J, REMIS2-PR-

"Provide a list of all the prime’s and subcontractor’s NASA contracts and subcontracts, which would provide the CO a better understanding of other NASA work performed by the Offeror that may give rise to an actual or potential conflict".

Is the Government intent to receive a list of all active NASA contracts or to include both active and expired NASA contracts?

The Government intent is to receive a list of all active NASA contracts to aid in the OCI determination.

11 J-5

The content provided in Volume I – Mission Suitability to address DRD Content Items A and B is at a summary level because of page constraints Does the Government expect us to provide a more comprehensive version of the Program Management Plan – not subject to page constraints – as the draft to be submitted with the proposal (in Volume V – Model Contract, Attachment J-5)? If the answer to Question 1 is yes, how would the Government evaluate this document?

Would the Government evaluate the more comprehensive version of the plan as part of the REMIS2 proposal evaluation?

Initial Project Management Plans are due with proposal as described in Provision L.22 and Provision L.19. Resubmittals are described in the DRD. The first update is 45 days after award, as required.

12 J-5

Are offerors expected to submit only the combined content from Volume I – Mission Suitability, Sections MA1 and TA1, as our Draft Program Management Plan in Attachment J-5 in Volume V – Model Contract?

No, Attachment J-5 Program Management Plan will only be incorporated once approved.

13 L-13 L.19 The proposal due date is May 16, 2023 We respectfully request an extension in the proposal due date to May 31, 2023.

RFP Amendment 2 has extended the proposal due date to May 23, 2023.

14 L.19 Table L-2, page L-14

Table L-2 states, “MA1: Management – submit Program Management Plan (DRD REMIS2-PM-01) Content Item A, Management, in full” and the same for Content Item B for TA1 The PMP DRD states, “First Submission Date: Plan shall be submitted in draft form with the proposal” Does the response to MA1 and TA1 suffice as a draft PMP, or should the offerors also submit a separate PMP DRD document with the proposal?

In accordance with provision L.19(b), the Program Management Plan shall be submitted in full with Volume I of the proposal.

Research, Engineering, and Mission Integration Services 2 (REMIS2) Request for Proposal (RFP) Questions and Answers

The questions in this document are reproduced as submitted in response to the RFP posted from April 14, 2023

15 L.20 Please confirm that Offerors can prepare diagrams, charts, tables, artwork, and photographs using any font provided it’s no smaller than 12-point text size.

Provision L.20(a)(2), regarding page-limited section of the proposal, states, "(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 Character spacing shall be “Normal” per Microsoft Word settings Text in diagrams, charts, tables, artwork, and photographs shall be no smaller than 12-point text size Diagrams, charts, tables, artwork, and photographs shall not be used to circumvent the text size limitations of the proposal The margins may contain headers and footers but shall not contain any proposal content to be evaluated ".

Provision L.20(b)(1) states, in part, "Sections of the proposal which are not page limited do not need to abide by the font type or size, page size, or margin requirements of the page limited sections, though offerors should ensure readability "

16 L.20 Would you consider supporting use of 10-point font for graphics and tables? See answer 16.

17 L.20 Is it acceptable to use smaller than 12-point text size in the margins?

Font size in margins may be less than 12-point font, because it is not page limited and does not include proposal content to be evaluated.

18 L.20 Is it acceptable to use other than TNR font for Diagrams, charts, tables, artwork, photographs, and text in the headers and footers?

No, font size must be Times New Roman for page limited sections, in accordance with provision L.20.

19 L .20(3) Because REMIS2 is an electronic submittal, “each side” does not appear to be applicable, so will the Government please confirm this is the case?

Confirmed.

20 L-18 L.21 The proposal instructions include examples of filenames for subcontractor submissions

Please clarify what information is required from subcontractor. Are there any requirements for subcontractors beyond the submission of a Total Compensation Plan for those subcontractors meeting the criteria set forth in Section L.15?

Please review Provision L.24 for additional information required from subcontractors.

21 L-20 L.22

The offerors are required to demonstrate their understanding of the Technical Approach requirements, and risks needed to successfully perform the requirements of this Contract The offeror’s response to this section should be consistent with the proposed Management Approach

To support the risk response, will the Government consider providing SSP 50175-Rev F ISS Risk Management Plan? This has been added to the technical library.

22 L.22.3 (SBU1)

Are there any certifications required for categorizing a company as a Small Disadvantaged Business Concern (SDB)? If not, what definition should be used to specify a small business as an SDB for the REMIS2 contract?

Clause 52 219-8 contains the definition of Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) concerns.

23 L.23

(j) The prime offeror shall provide a statement of small business participation (targets, record, and type of work subcontracted) over the last three years on work that is relevant to this effort, with special emphasis on the division of the company which will perform the proposed contract

Does this provision apply to small business submissions? If so, guidance is required to explain how to answer the question that goes from identifying small business participation to providing special emphasis on the division of the company which will perform the proposed contract. It seems as if two requirements are being addressed but not fully explained

Yes, this provision applies to SB Primes.

24 L-28 L.24

Section L, Cost Volume Section 2 includes instructions for Subcontract Cost Analysis Attachment L-5 does not appear to include any worksheets relative to subcontractor labor rates

Would it be permissible for a prime contractor to establish the proposed maximum CPFF and FFP rates based solely on the prime contractor rate buildup? If so, is a subcontract cost analysis required?

The labor rates are to be blended with the Prime and Subcontractor's rates The Prime should perform a cost analysis on their proposed subcontractors in accordance with provision L.24.

In accordance with clause B.8 "The labor rates are fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors)" In accordance with clause B.9; "The labor rates are fully burdened composite team rates (prime and all subcontractors)".

25 L-28 L.24

Attachment L-5 does not include any worksheets to propose subcontract labor rates How will the government evaluate proposed subcontractor labor rates?

How will the government evaluate proposed subcontractor labor rates? The proposed rates will be evaluated in accordance with Provision M.5.

26 L-30 L.24

The instructions for Template 4: FFP IDIQ Labor Rates indicate that (emphasis added) "The total price will consist of one hour of labor for each standard labor category that was provided with profit applied " Under Template 5: FFP IDIQ Rate Development, the language reads "Column H shall correspond to Section B 9 " Column H is the fully burdened labor rate BEFORE profit is applied

When completing the "4 FFP IDIQ Labor Rates" worksheet in Attachment L-5, should Offerors link to the rates in worksheet "5 FFP IDIQ Rate Development" worksheet prior to adding profit (Column H for Contract Year 1) or after adding profit (Column J for Contract Year 1)?

The Offerors shall add fee/profit in Template 4.

27 L.24

The instruction for Template 4: FFP IDIQ Labor Rates states, "The total price of all standard labor categories will be used for evaluation purposes Any additional labor categories proposed will be evaluated for reasonableness " No similar statement is provided in the instructions for Template 2: CPFF IDIQ Labor Rates Please clarify whether the statement regarding evaluation of additional labor categories applies to the instructions for both Template 2 and Template 4

Refer to provision M.5(d). Yes, the evaluation of additional labor categories for reasonableness applies to both Templates 2 and 4.

28 L-28 L.24.1 Section 3 requires offerors to include the “sources of projections” for the proposed escalation

To assist Offerors in proposing a reasonable escalation rate, would the Government consider providing all Offerors with the most recent NASA HQ escalation projections?

The Government does not intend to provide escalation rates. Contractors shall propose their own escalation rates.

29 L-27 L.24.1 The instructions require Offerors to provide "The total proposed amount, stated in Cost, Fee, and Total "

Given the IDIQ nature of the effort, how should Offerors calculate these amounts?

Please refer to solicitation provision L.24.1, Section 4 WORKBOOKS, which states under Template 2, "The total cost will consist of one hour of labor for each standard labor category that was provided with fee applied," and states under Template 4, "The total price will consist of one hour of labor for each standard labor category that was provided with profit applied".

30 L-32 L.25

L 25(a)(1)(b) states, in part: "Acceptable information includes letters from certified United States banks indicating the available amount of credit for the business and the company’s annual report If a teaming arrangement, joint venture, or other business combination is contemplated, disclose each participant’s responsibility for financial management of the venture, funding requirements, limitation of liabilities, and any other information which describes the financial arrangement "

If an Offeror submits a traditional prime contractor proposal with proposed subcontractors, are letters of credit, etc , required from each proposed subcontractor?

Only the Prime Offeror is required to submit financial capability information.

31 L-32 - L-33 L.25

L 25(a)(1)(c) states, in part: (1) "Offerors and their proposed subcontractors shall provide evidence of an adequate accounting system as determined by the cognizant administrative office for accumulating and reporting incurred costs " and

(2) "Offerors are to provide for their respective companies: (1) the current status of, (2) date of last review, and (3) name, address, and phone number of the governmental agency that performed the review for the business systems, and (4) the audit report number "

Please clarify whether or not the information in the second statement (i e , items (1) through (4)) is required for each subcontractor, or is the "evidence" identified in the first statement all that's required.

The information is required for Cost Reimbursable subcontracts. As stated in Provision L 25, "Offerors and their proposed subcontractors shall provide evidence of an adequate accounting system as determined by the cognizant administrative office for accumulating and reporting incurred costs ".

32 L-33 L.25

L 25(a)(1)(e) states, in part: "The offeror shall provide a summary listing (by name and address) of all subcontractors (regardless of dollar value) that have been identified throughout the offeror’s proposal, the subcontract value associated with each entity "

Given the IDIQ nature of the proposal, there are no dollar values associated with each entity Please clarify the requirement to provide subcontract values.

Provision L.25 has been updated to remove the subcontract value from the Attachment L-8 requirements.

33 L-33 L.25

L 25(a)(1)(e) states, in part: "The offeror shall provide a summary listing (by name and address) of all subcontractors that have been identified throughout the offeror’s proposal, the subcontract value associated with each entity, and the SOW sections that each subcontractor proposes to support by filling out Attachment L-8 This listing shall also include the subcontractors size classification (i e , Small Business (SB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), etc ) and cage code "

1 Attachment L8 does not include an area to enter the company address and CAGE Code Should Offerors modify the Excel spreadsheet to capture this information or should Offerors include this information in the Volume IV narrative?

2 Please confirm that Column E in the Excel spreadsheet (i e , "Contractor Type) is where Offerors identify the subcontractor size classification.

Offerors shall add the CAGE Code and company address in the "Subcontractor (NAME Fill-in)" cells. Offerors shall enter the size classification in Column E.

34 L-34 L.25

L 25(a)(1)(g) states, in part: "Provide the following information for the prime/joint venture partner, and each subcontractor with a value of $10 million and over:"

Given the IDIQ nature of the proposal, there are no dollar values associated with each entity Please clarify the requirement to provide the requested information for those subcontractors with a value of $10 million and over.

There is no requirement to provide the information for subcontractors with a value of less than $10 million.

35 L.25(a)1 d L.25 has the offeror submitting the OCI plan per DRD- REMIS2-PR-03 requirements May the offeror submit the OCI Plan in their format with a cross reference matrix to the DRD requirements?

The Offeror must comply with the requirements in provision L.20 and the OCI Plan DRD.

36 L.25(a)1 d Please clarify if the government will recognize a letter of adequacy by their ACO of their Disclosure Statement represented in FAR 52 230-1 for approval requirement.

A letter of adequacy from an ACO is acceptable.

37 L.25(a)1 d

Is the government requesting the offeror to submit their current Disclosure Statement, if they are representing the use of a previously submitted Disclosure Statement or was this requirement for an offeror whom would be submitting a concurrent Disclosure Statement per

FAR 52 230-1?

The submittal shall include Offeror's current disclosure statement.

38 L.25(a)1 d

The Disclosure statement addresses an offeror's direct and indirect cost accounting practices, (requirements for cost tracking and accounting) not contractor purchasing or business systems specifically Please advise if the offeror's approved business systems letters can be submitted to support the requirement to "identify where in the disclosure statement the following are addressed: Contractor Purchasing, and associated Business Systems".

Offerors may submit approved business systems letters in their proposal.

39 L.26 Will the Government please verify which J Attachments are required to be completed and included in Volume V with proposal submittal?

If additional labor categories are proposed, they shall be included in Attachment J-4 in accordance with Provision L 24 1 Offeror may submit a copy of their Total Compensation Plan as attachment J-8 in addition to the copy in Volume I. The other items due with proposals that will be incorporated as J-attachments are type 1 DRDs that require government approval before incorporation into the contract.

40 L.26 Will the Government please clarify whether additional copies of the SF 33 are required since this is an electronic submittal? Also, will the Government accept a digitally signed and date stamped SF33?

No, additional copies are not required Digital signatures are acceptable.

41 L.26 Will the Government please verify that signed SF 30 Forms are not required with the proposal submittal, and that a signed SF 33 with amendment acknowledgements is adequate?

Signed copies of SF-30s or acknowledgement of every amendment on the SF-33 is required.

42 L-4 By what date should the Present/Past Performance Questionnaires be submitted to Audrey Montgomery at JSC-REMIS2@mail nasa gov

Past Performance Questionnaires are requested by May 2, 2023, however they are not due until the proposal submission due date of May 23, 2023, at 1:30pm CST.

43 L-28 L-5 The specific instructions state, "All formulas used in the electronic spreadsheets must be clearly visible "

For offerors with an FPRA or FPRR that are not required to complete tabs 6x, where should indirect rates be entered to provide formulas within the workbook?

Rate Development Template 3 and Template 5.

44 N/A L-5 Tab 8 FBACP Health and Welfare Please confirm that offerors should add a new tab for each class of labor and/or fringe benefit pool proposed.

The FBACP template is required of the Prime Offeror, each Major Subcontractor, and all Minor Subcontractor(s) as defined in NFS 1852 231-71(d) A separate template is required per labor category type (exempt, non-exempt non-union, and non-exempt union) Separate Templates shall be added as additional tabs to this Attachment It should be noted that the minimum hourly fringe benefits rate cannot be less than the DOL specified minimum rate listed in the RFP under Section J for non-exempt employees.

45 N/A L-5

The worksheet entitled “8 FBACP” includes “Number of Proposed Personnel (WYE)” in Cell D11 and “Number of Direct Labor Hours” in Cell D12

What data is desired in the referenced cells? Fringe Benefit Analysis Compensation Plan has been updated to reflect these cells as N/A.

46 N/A L-5

Reference Attachment L-5, Cost Price Summary Template – On Tabs 6a, 6b, and 6c (Indirect Rate), the area for “Cost Elements within Indirect Rate Pool” is grayed out for Prior Years 1 through 3 Should offerors only provide the total rate for the three prior years, or does the Government want us to provide detail regarding the makeup of prior year rates? If so, where should the detailed information be provided?

The Offerors should provide detail regarding the makeup of the prior years rates in the grayed areas.

47 N/A L-8

The filename for the 'Prime and Subcontractor Identification and SOW Division of Work Listing' says Attachment L- 8, but Cell A1 identifies Attachment L-7

Should Offerors change Cell A1 to reference Attachment L-8 instead of L-7?

Cell A1 of the Prime and Subcontractor Identification Attachment numbering has been corrected.

48 N/A L-8 Cell A12 in the Excel spreadsheet says "Overall Team Assessment " Please clarify what is required to be entered in Row 12 Row 12 is for Government Use Only.

49 M

Given there are no Task Orders to write BOEs against, are offerors able to justify rates through reference to Forward Pricing Rate Proposal (FPRP), since those FPRP BOEs have been submitted to

DCMA/DCAA?

The Offeror may use their FPRP, however, if there is no FPRR/FPRA in place, all required data must be submitted.

50 M M.6

With regard to Section M, Responsibility Determination Disclosures is the Government expecting additional evidence in addition to line of credit information consistent with FAR 9 104 (a) The FAR is a bit ambiguous with regard to what is required for this section, so examples of required documentation would be helpful

Please review the Financial Capability information in Provision L.25(a)(1)(b).

51 J-1-38 J, DRD No

REMIS2-PM-

In the DRD REMIS2-PR-02, Total Compensation Plan, the requirement reads:

"The Total Compensation Plan and Fringe Benefits Analysis of Compensation Plan (FBACP) template shall be required for the prime team members when the total potential value is expected to exceed the certified cost or pricing data threshold set forth in FAR 15 403-4 and for all subcontractors that meet the criteria in JPI 1852 231-71(d) The FBACP template shall be provided as part of the Cost/Price Volume of the proposal and will be evaluated as part of the Total Compensation Plan The TCP should be consistent with this template "

Due to the IDIQ nature of the REMIS2 contracts, the total contract value of subcontractors is unknown at the time of proposal submission Therefore, can Offerors submit a single Prime contractor TCP with its proposal and submit subcontractor TCPs at al later date once a subcontractor meets the criteria in NFS 1852 231-71(d)?

There is no limitation on subcontracting post award.