80NSSC22R0001 NSTEM FRFP QA.pdf

Question # Question Submitted Document Section / Title Page Number Government Response (Example) Could we extend the Employee listing to 60 days rather than the 10 days after contract award (Examples)Attachment I-3 (Examples)DRD MA-04

1 Table (III-1) indicates that the page limit for the Phase-In Plan is 10. Please confirm that these 10 pages are in addition to the core 50 pages for the Mission Suitability Volume. Section III (Instructions to Offerors) : 7.0 (b), : Page 6 See Instructions to Offerors Ref Table III-1

2 The instructions ask offerors to “submit resumes for all proposed key personnel”. Please confirm that Key Personnel résumés are excluded from the core 50 pages for the Mission Suitability Volume. Section III (Instructions to Offerors): 7.1.1.2.b., p. 9 Page 9

See Instructions to Offerors Ref Table III-1 which has been revised to reflect Key Personnel resumes are excluding from the page limitation for Mission Suitability.

3 Is there an expectation that solicitations issued under NSTEM are always submitted through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES)? Please confirm. PWS V.B. Awards and Grant Support Grants and Cooperative Agreement Soliciations will be released through

(NSPIRES).

The PWS states that the contractor shall submit a detailed safety and occupational health plan “as part of its proposal.” However, the DRD SA-01 stipulates that the initial submission of the Safety and Health Plan is 30 days after contract start date. We ask that the Government deconflict these stipulations. If this Safety and Occupational Health Plan is indeed required to be submitted with the proposal, please confirm that the Plan is excluded from the core 50 pages for the Mission Suitability Volume. Data Requirements Deliverables (DRD) - SA-01 and PWS, E.4), Page 12

PWS section E 4a has been revised. The initial submission of the Contractor's Safety and Health Plan should be in alignment with DRD SA-01 .

This section is entitled “Risk Management,” however the section body text refers exclusively to Government Furnished Property (GFP) and contract-specified facilities. Please confirm that this section should be entitled “Government Furnished Property (GFP)”. PWS V.G. Risk Management Page 13

PWS section E 9 has been retitled Management of Government Furnished Property .

The PWS states, “The Contractor shall utilize a Government-provided system for processing task orders.” Please specify the name and provide a description of the Government-provided system that the Contractor will be required to use for processing task orders in the performance of this contract. PWS V.I. Work Authorization, Page 14

PWS Section E 11A has been revised to remove the requirement for the Contractor to utilize the Government provided system for processing Task Orders.

The RFP states “Past performance information regarding predecessor companies and teaming arrangement partners that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement may be provided as past performance submissions.” The definition as stated in FAR Subpart 9.601 of a “Contractor team arrangement, as used in this subpart, means an arrangement in which - (1) Two or more companies form a partnership or joint venture to act as a potential prime contractor; or (2) A potential prime contractor agrees with one or more other companies to have them act as its subcontractors under a specified Government contract or acquisition program.” The answers to Questions 31 and 45 contradict the RFP instructions concerning teaming arrangement partners by stating “Past Performance applies only to the prime contractor.” Please confirm that RFP Instructions supersede Answers to Questions and therefore, both the Prime and subcontractors as defined in FAR Subpart 9.601 (2) may provide Past Performance references as “teaming arrangement partners”. 7.2 Volume II Past Performance (Instructions to Offerors) Page 13

Instructions to Offeror's Section 7.2 has been revised to remove Past performance information regarding predecessor companies and teaming arrangement partners that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement may be provided as past performance submissions.

8 Will the Government allow 10 point font for headers and footers? Yes. The Instructions to Offerors has been revised to include this information.

Will the Government provide a notice to proceed based on offerors past performance submissions prior to the final submission due date?

No.

Will the Government accept CPARS in place of Past Performance Questionnaires?

No.

Are Key Personnel resumes included within the 50 page count for Volume I – Mission Suitability?

Section III Instructions to Offerors Page 9

See Instructions to Offerors Ref Table III-1 which has been revised to reflect Key Personnel resumes are excluding from the page limitation for Mission Suitability.

Will the Government confirm that offerors are not required to submit a Conflict of Interest Plan if offerors are able to confirm and provide a statement that no conflict of interest exists between to the offeror (teaming partners) and the contract award

7.4 VOLUME IV: MODEL CONTRACT INSTRUCTIONS, g) Notice of

Potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest Any organizational conflict of interest plan is a mandatory submission.

13 For Joint Venture companies, can the audited financial statements be provided directly to the Government via email? If not, can the Government provide a method for securely submitting financial statements independently for each JV member Section III Instructions to Offerors, Volume IV Financial Capability Joint ventures must submit secure proposal materials through Box as directed in Section III.

The Government states “The Offerors shall provide a backup plan that describes the approach the Offeror would take if its Program and key personnel staffing approach was not successful.” Would the Government consider moving this to the Staffing plan in section MS-3? Section III, Instructions to Offerors, Page 9, 2c Page 9, 2c

THERE WAS A CLARIFICATION MADE (ADDITION OF MANAGER)

TO MS-1 FOR INSTructions. TO OFFERORS BUT THE CONTENT

REMAINS SEPARATE; EVALUATION PLAN WAS AMENDED TO

ADD BACK-UP PLAN FOR PROGRAM MANAGER/KEY PERSONNEL

15 Will the Government consider allowing tables and graphics to be less than 12-point font? Section III, Instructions to Offeror Page 7 No.

The Government states “ Past performance information regarding predecessor companies and teaming arrangement partners that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement may be provided as past performance submissions.”

Would the Government define “major or crital aspects” Section III, Instructions to Offerors 7.2 Past Performance Page 13

Section III Instructions to Offerors has been updated. The sentence has been removed.

17 The Government had answered that “Past Performance applies only to the Prime Contractor.” Would the Government please clarify if Subcontractor or Teaming Partner past performance is allowed in response to this solicitation? Previous Q&A #31 Instructions to Offerors 7.2 No. Past performance applies only to the prime contractor.

18 Will the Government state what Labor Categories they consider to be key personnel? Section III, Instructions to Offerors

The Instructions to Offerors have been updated. The Program Manager is identified as key personnel. Designation of additional key personnel positions are to be identified by the offeror.

The Program Manager has different minimum requirements listed in Attachment 01 PWS and Attachment 4 Labor Category Description. Attachment 01 requires 5 years of management experience and supervision in a STEM discipline.

Attachment 4 requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years’ experience in management position managing 50 or more employees preferred. Will the Government please confirm the minimum years of management experience and education required for the Program Manager? Attachment 01 PWS and Attachment 04

The PWS Section X and Attachment 4, Labor Catergories Positions Descriptions, have been updated.

Page 7 of Section IV Evaluation Criteria states, “Note: NASA strongly encourages small business concerns to propose participation with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Such participation will enable NASA to further the intent of the President’s E.O. 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government dated January 20, 2021. A proposal offering MSI and/or HBCU participation will be evaluated more favorably under this subfactor than a proposal not offering such participation. Also, a proposal offering higher levels of participation by MSIs and/or HBCUs will be evaluated more favorably under this subfactor than a proposal offering lower levels of such participation.” Will the Government confirm that an 8(a) Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) offerors will be more favorably evaluated as ANCs are serving to advance racial equity and support the underserved communities of the Alaskan region and tribes? Section IV Evaluation Criteria Page 7

8(a) Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) offerors will not be evaluated more favorably. As set forth in the RFP, NASA strongly encourages small business concerns to propose participation with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Such participation will enable NASA to further the intent of the President’s Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. Since this E.O. pertains only to MSIs and HBCUs, participation by these entities will be evaluated more favorably.

21 Page 4 of Section III Instructions to Offerors states, All electronic submissions should be searchable. Will the Government allow graphics to be incorporated that are not searchable? Section III Instructions to Offerors Page 4 The Instructions to Offerors has been updated. Graphics incorporated into the proposal are not required to be searchable.

Page 4 of Section III Instructions to Offerors states “Electronic submissions shall not contain…. tables". However, page 7 seemingly allows tables. “All graphics, tables, charts, diagrams, figures, images, inserts, etc. shall be 12-point Times New Roman font.Can the Government confirm whether tables are allowable. Section III Instructions to Offerors Page 4 and Page 7

Section III paragraph 6 a has been revised to read "Electronic submissions shall not contain hidden formulas, hidden tables, be locked, be protected, or contain links to data not included in the electronic copy."

In regards to travel, would NASA be able to give historical travel as a basis for our estimating cost, and for us to price into the Base requirement; or could you provide a plug number for travel. We believe a travel plug number would make sure that competition in regards to core requirement pricing is fair. Reference: Section III, 7.3 Travel

Attachment 2 Pricing Template has been revised to include a plug number for core services travel and materials. Travel and materials for task orders will be included in task order request for proposal.

The PWS states: “Vacancies of existing permanent positions shall be filled within 15 workdays from when the Contractor receives notice of a Contractor employee resignation.” Given the realities of COVID-19, supply chain issues for laptops, and safeguarding of Personal Identity Verification (PIV), as well as professional notice to prior employers typically being 2 weeks, this leaves only 1 week to identify, recruit, and receive an offer of acceptance from a replacement. Also, in many instances, an existing employee may give notice well in advance of 15 workdays, leaving the position double-staffed on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) effort. Please confirm that this requirement will be modified to “30 workdays from when the vacancy occurs.” Attachment 1 PWS, Section V.E.2, Staffing, Page 11

The PWS Section V.E.2 has been modified to read that positions must be filled within 15 days of contractor employee separation.

25 The table states that the Contracts Manager requires a ‘minimum of years of related experience;’ however, the number of years is not provided. Please confirm that 5 years of experience in acceptable? Attachment 4 – Labor Category Position Descriptions, Page 3 Attachment 4 has been modified to clarify years of experience.

26 Please confirm that the 30-page limit for Volume III: Price Proposal does not include Attachment 2 – Price Schedule. Instructions to Offerors, Section 7.0, Table III-1, Page 6 Section III Table III-1 has been modified to clarify exclusion of attachment 2 from page limitation.

27 This section states that a narrative explanation should be given. Please confirm that this narrative is part of the core 30 pages of Volume III: Price. Instructions to Offerors, Section 7.3 a) Page 14 Per Section III, Instructions to Offerors, the Narrative is included in the 30 page limitation.

Can you please list or describe the specific management and administrative activities associated with requirement 1) a) “The Contractor shall provide management and administrative support for the four OSTEM programs’ grants and cooperative agreements in accordance with the NASA Proposers Guide, and the NASA Grants and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM).” Attachment 01 – PWSV. B. Awards and Grant Support Page 8

The specific management and administrative requirements are described in parts B.1b and B.1c of the PWS

29 Can you please identify all systems, databases, and other information collection tools that the contractor will have access to in order to support the pre-award processes? Attachment 01 – PWSV. B. Awards and Grant Support Page 8 INSPIRES and Gateway are the systems utilized by the Government for Awards and Grant Support.

30 Can you please identify all systems, databases, and other information collection tools that the contractor will have access to in order to support the post-award processes Attachment 01 – PWSV. B. Awards and Grant Support Page 9 INSPIRES and Gateway are the systems utilized by the Government for Awards and Grant Support.

31 Specifically with regard to grantee reporting requirements listed under 1) c) (1) – do all grantees submit quarterly performance and financial reports? Are they standardized or program specific? How are the reports submitted? Attachment 01 – PWSV. B. Awards and Grant Support Page 9

Reporting requirments are unique to each individual grant or award.

INSPIRES and Gateway are the systems utilized by the Government for Awards and Grant Support.

32 Can you please identify all existing “Agency data performance assessment and evaluation collections”? Attachment 01 – PWSV. B. Awards and Grant Support Page 9 The Government will utilize Gateway for OSTEM evaluation and data collections.

CLIN II-C includes requirements to design challenges and competitions, although challenges and comps are singled out in a different CLIN (CLIN VI-E). Are the challenge and competition requirements the same and can they be cross-referenced? Or should the offeror distinguish the difference between these CLINs in terms of service delivery? Attachment 01 – PWS Page 15

PWS Section C.1c has been modified for clarification. Requirements for NASA K-12 and Collegiate Competitions and Challenges are contained in PWS Section E.

34 CLIN II-C has the title “K-12 STEM Engagement” but subsection 2a refers to universities and MSIs. Should the offeror look at this CLIN as broadly as possible? I.e., include higher education as well as K-12? Attachment 01 – PWS Page 16

Subsection 2a refers to leveraging and networking those insitutions (including higher education) and organizations that support specifically K-12 STEM Engagement.

To what extent will the contractor’s IT systems interface with NASA STEM Gateway? What assumptions can the offerors make in terms of availability to transmit and receive data from the Gateway incumbent contractor? Will the winning contractor be expected to develop any additional software? Attachment 01 – PWS Page 21

Contractor IT systems will not directly interface with government systems.

There is no requirement for data collection software development in the PWS.

We understand that the anticipated contract award date is September 19, 2022 and that the anticipated contract effective date is October 12, 2022. Does the 45-day phase-in period start at contract award (September) or contract effective date (October)? Likewise, is the contract kick-off to be held 10 days after contract award or contract effective date? Attachment 01 – PWS Page 24 PWS Section XII A has been modified for clarification.

37 What documents, systems, data, SOPs, etc. should offerors anticipate being provided by NASA / OSTEM? What documents, systems, data, SOPs, etc. should offerors anticipate being provided by existing NASA / OSTEM contractors? XII. PHASE-IN AND PHASE-OUT PLAN Page 24

Awardee will have access to all internal NASA OSTEM systems and governement data on the contract effective date. NASA will facilitate between awardee and incumbents for additional internal data.

There are non-exempt labor categories listed on tab 02-11. These same categories are listed as exempt labor categories on the rest of the pricing worksheets. Can you please clarify if the clerk, payroll clerk, administrative assistant, and secretary are exempt or non-exempt labor categories? Attachment 02-NSTEM Price Schedule Rev3/ 02-11 N/A The four labor categories in question are non-exempt.

39 Can these tasks be performed anywhere / remotely? If not, can NASA please provide the location / place of performance of these services? Attachment 02-NSTEM Price Schedule Rev3/ 02-1102-2 Core Serv SummaryN/A

Per PWS Section III, SCOPE, The Contractor shall deliver these enterprise functions virtually, in a physical location, or a combination of both across OSTEM, the NASA Mission Directorates, and the NASA Centers and facilities.

The offeror should propose a plan for supporting all identified locations and tasks whether remotely or on-site to meet the requirments of the PWS.

The Evaluation Specialist requires a doctoral degree and 6-10 years of experience; however, the Senior Evaluation Specialist only requires an advanced degree and 6 years of experience. Were these positions inadvertently switched? Is the Senior Evaluation Specialist or the Evaluation Specialist a more senior labor category? Attachment 04 - Labor Categories Position Descriptions Page 6, 7

Attachment 4, Labor Category Position Descriptions, has been revised.

{Switch Senior and Evaluation req}

41 For those positions that require an advanced degree, does that mean a master’s or doctoral degree? Attachment 04 - Labor Categories Position Descriptions N/A

Attachment 4, Labor Category Position Descriptions, has been revised. {add (masters or doctoral) after advanced degree for ed proj mgr and (masters) for evaluation specialist}

42 Are any requirements being removed from the incumbent contract efforts or is the $69M in cost savings from consolidation alone? NSTEM D and F for Consolidation of Requirements 11_17_2021/Section II Page 3 The savings identified in the D & F are from consolidation of multiple contracts and cooperative agreements to a single, enterprise contract.

We understand that NASA is currently requesting that “All graphics, tables, charts, diagrams, figures, images, inserts, etc. shall be 12-point Times New Roman font (excluding financial statements and their accompanying notes).” However, we strongly encourage NASA to allow smaller font sizes for graphics. With a procurement of this size, an organizational chart using 12 pt. Times New Roman font will easily take up a legal / ledger size paper. We recommend size 10 pt. for tables and graphics Section III Instructions to Offerors(c) Page Limitations and Formatting Page 3

The requirement remains the same. Please see Paragraph 8.0 Proposal Preparation Instructions in the Instructions to Offerors for details.

There is reference to “other Enterprise Service Contractors” – does this refer to the offerors’ subcontractors? Or collaboration with other existing NASA contract teams? If other existing contractors, can you please describe a few scenarios where such collaboration will be needed?

Section III Instructions to Offerors

Other enterprise service contractors refers to NASA contractors supporting other NASA offices and Directorates such as the Office of Communications, Science Mission Directorate, Human Exploration Operations Mission Directorate, etc.

NASA states that “a proposal offering higher levels of participation by MSIs and/or HBCUs will be evaluated more favorably under this subfactor than a proposal offering lower levels of such participation.” How does NASA define and intend to evaluate “higher levels”? For instance, is more participation from one institution in terms of dollars more desirable than participation from a diverse array of MSIs/HBCUs? Section IV Evaluation Criteria Page 7

Section IV, Evaluation Criteria, has been updated to define level of participation.

46 Can you please confirm that for an MSI / HBCU to be evaluated as a participant in an offerors proposal that a signed agreement must be presented with the offerors proposal? Section IV Evaluation Criteria Page 7

Section III, Instructions to Offerors, Section MS1 1 has been revised to add a requirement for a letter of commitment for all teaming partners. Commitment letters will be excluded from the page limitations.

Offerors who propose additional minimum essential positions have an additional evaluation factor (MS-3, #2). Whereas if an offeror does not propose additional positions, they are only evaluated on subfactor MS-3 items 1 a-f. All other factors equal, will offerors who do not propose additional labor categories be evaluated less favorable because of their inability to collect points on MS-3 #2? Section IV Evaluation Criteria / MS-3 Page 8

Proposal of additional critical positions is for the offeror to decide. NASA will evaluate in accordance with evaluation criteria.

48 We encourage NASA to allow up two (2) past performance references to be from major subcontractors. This will allow NASA to better evaluate the demonstrated capability of the full team 80NSSC22R0001 DRFP and Industry Day QA Q31 Page 4 This question is not relevant to the RPF. The answer to Industry Day QA Q31 remains the same.

Q 33 in the DRFP and Industry Day QA document states that “Work hours are auto-filled in the pricing schedule”; however, we do not see any auto-filled work hours in Attachment 2 for the Core Tasks. Given that the CLINI Core Tasks are being procured on an annual firm-fixed price level of effort (LOE) basis, can you please provide the LOE for each labor category?

80NSSC22R0001 DRFP and Industry Day QA & Attachment 02-NSTEM Price Schedule Rev3

Q33 & 02-2 Core Serv Summary

The offeror should propose necessary labor categories and labor hours for Phase in and Core Requirements in tabs 02-3 through 02-8 of Attachment 02 - NSTEM Price Schedule. NASA provided plug labor hours for tab 02-10 IDIQ pricing schedule only.