Attachment 5__FINAL CNSSD RFP Q-A RESPONSES.pdf

CNSSD RFP RESPONSES to Questions/Clarifications

Item

Number RFP Document Section ‐ Title

Page

Number Paragraph Question/Clarification Response

Sol_89233123RNA000175 L.5, NNS-L-1001 b.2, General Instructions

L.5, NNS-L-1002

85 and 87 respectively

Paragraph 2 and all of

NNS-L-1002

Paragraph 2 states that "except for pricing information requested in Volume I regarding Part I, Section B, "Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs", all contractual cost and pricing information shall be addressed only in the Cost Volume III…".

The Volume I instructions provided in NNS-L-1002 do not contain instructions for providing pricing information.

Please clarify if pricing information is to be included in Volume I. If yes, please specify where is the information to be provided.

Paragraph 2 references Part I, Section B of the SF 33 where offerors would generally submit unit prices/amounts.

However, this is an IDIQ so no cost/price information will be completed on the SF 33. All cost/price information should be provided on the attached pricing templates provided (Attachments L-6a thru L-6c).

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NNS-L-1003, 4. (i) A) 91 First Bullet

First bullet states "Project Schedule that includes all of the activities in the statement of work;". Please confirm if only the SOW items as described though Attachment L-4b WA 001 for the Africa I Regional SOW and Africa I, Niger Group 1 SOW are to be scheduled and costed?

WA001 and NEG1 SOW have all the elements that are to be scheduled. For cost, the intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non- POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NNS-L-1003, Tab 4 91

There appears to be inconsistencies in the instructions in Section L and Section M for Criterion 4. The instructions call for a technical approach to the Africa Task Order, to include a Project Plan on how work will be organized to accomplish the Regional SOW (L-4(a)) and WA-001 (L-4(b)). However, NNS-M-1003, Tab 4 states the offer’s understanding of NEG1, SRD and PEL will be evaluated.

Please clarify Criterion 4 requirements and Section M evaluation criteria. Section L has been revised to match Section M and remove inconsistencies.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NSS-L-1003, Tab 4 91

There appears to be inconsistencies in the instructions in Section L and Section M evaluation criteria for Criterion 4. The instructions call for personnel identified by labor category, methods for performing the work, and level of effort. Section M states that it will evaluate a Staffing Plan Summary. No Staffing Plan Summary is identified in Section L. How is the staffing plan related to the cost volume instructions?

The Staffing Plan Summary is identified in Section L, NNS- L-1004(b)(3)x.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NSS-L-1003, Tab 4 91 Do the bullets on page 91 apply to the Africa task order, the NEG1 task order, or both?

The Technical Approach should address how the Africa I Regional Task Order will be approached as a whole. The project plan included within the Technical approach should detail how the WA 001 and NEG1 project, specifically, will be performed within that Approach. The bullets apply to the Task Order, Africa I SOW, WA 001, and NEG1 Deployment Requirements.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NSS-L-1003, Tab 4 91 Please clarify if a Project Plan is required for the Entire Africa Regional SOW.

Is there a requirement for a project plan for NEG1?

The Technical Approach should address how the Africa I Regional Task Order will be approached as a whole. The project plan included within the Technical approach should detail how the WA 001 and NEG1 project, specifically, will be performed within that Approach.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 L6c n/a Is there a requirement for a project plan for NEG1?

The Technical Approach should address how the Africa I Regional Task Order will be approached as a whole. The project plan included within the Technical approach should detail how the WA 001 and NEG1 project, specifically, will be performed within that Approach.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 L6b n/a

The instructions do not include general program management and prohibit including these in the Program Managers Task. The cost templates do not include program management activities. Where are these costs to be captured? Attachment L-6a is the PM cost template.

Attachment L4-c SOW 1.2 n/a The SOW says to comply with the Niger Security Policy. Is this available to offerors to incorporate into their technical proposal?

The Niger Security Policy will be developed following award, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Niamey, NSDD, and the Awardee. The offer shall assume that U.S.

citizens travel will be limited in Niger. Travel outside of the capital will require a security detail arranged by the embassy and/or at the expense of the Contractor.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 and Attachment 2 1002 Reporting Requirements 100 First Paragraph

The government states they intend to award a Program Management Task for the total proposed price, however there is no task for Program Management, only a Program Managers Task. No other direct labor is allowed to charge to the Program Managers Task.

Also, the Reporting Requirements Checklist identifies multiple Program Level reports; these would logically fall within the Program Management task, however, per the pricing instructions, the cost are limited to the Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager labor and baseline travel cost.

Please clarify how to charge the direct labor for the other key personnel and PMO staff needed to execute program management?

Will there be a separate PMO task covering this scope?

Where should the contractor capture the cost associated with the preparation of weekly, monthly, semi-annually, and annual program level reports?

The title of the Task Order will be "Program Managers" task instead of "Program Management. This has been corrected throughout. The other costs should be captured as indirect costs. There will be no PMO Task.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NNS-M-1002 100 Second Paragraph

Is it the government’s intention to award multiple contracts to high scorers in the technical evaluation and award the Africa 1 regional task order to the lowest cost regardless of the technical scores?

This seems to change the procurement from best value to low price, technically acceptable and seems contrary to the statement that Evaluation criteria 1-5 when combined are significantly more important than price.

Is this a best value or a LPTA contract?

The competition for the IDIQ will be based on a best value determination. Only offerors who are selected for award will be competing for task order award. With the awardees determined to offer best value to the government (which includes technical acceptability), the lowest cost would be the determining factor for task order competition.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

In Attachment 4__Draft RFP Questions and Responses, it states “L- 1a and L-1b are forms and cannot be changed.” Because these forms are designed as a table, may we complete the forms using a font that is allowed (per the RFP) when presenting tables, as in “…except for spreadsheets, charts, tables, diagrams or drawings, graphs, and illustrations throughout the proposal, shall be 8 points (or larger)”? Text inserted in L-1a should be no less than 12 point font, no preference on L-1b, they are just inserting Xs

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a Indicators B: communications assessments, design, and integration activities are similar for new and expanded systems. Could these be combined to avoid repetition? No, these are different indicators.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

Indicators D1 and D8 both include equipment storage and transport OCONUS. Could these be combined to avoid repetition? No, these are different indicators.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

Indicators D3 and D4 both include travel planning. Could these be combined to avoid repetition? No, these are different indicators.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

Indicators D3 and D7 both include interpretation and translation.

Could these be combined to avoid repetition? No, these are different indicators.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a Indicators D3 and D5 both include training support. Could these be combined to avoid repetition?

No, these are different indicators.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

Indicator D6 asks for project management and logistics while all other logistics scope (except maintenance and lifecycle services) is addressed in other indicators. Could D6 be limited to project management to avoid duplication? No, PM and logistics are both involved in this indicator.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-1a and L-1b n/a

There are 24 separate indicators in the Experience Indicator Summary Matrix (L-1b) and only about two pages in the Relevant Corporate Experience Form (L-1a) to describe the work performed and state how it relates to these indicators. This is not sufficient space to respond to all 24 indicators. Will you consider a different format or increased page limit to allow contractors to present complete responses to each indicator?

No, two pages is sufficient for a concise description of the work.

Attachment 2 Appendix C 7

DOE Budget and Cost Report; Specific Requirements; item c. states that “the contractor shall use the format and column order displayed below for the budget and cost report”. The sample file and format and column order was not provided with the RFP. Will you please provide Appendix C Excel file sample?

The Budget and Cost Report is available on the CNSSD Website titled "Appendix C - Example Budget and Cost Report (Excel format)"

Attachment 2 Appendix G 11 Task Order WBS Index and WBS Dictionary - Item 5a. states that the contractor shall base its WBS structure provided by the Government; and that the contractor shall report at least to level 3.

Can you provide WBS structure at level 3?

Will the WBS be different for WA and Task orders?

Appendix G is for the RPM Shipping Report. The question doesn't align with the document cited. Possible error.

The WBS Index, Dictionary at Appendix I has been corrected to read that the contractor shall report at least to level 5. The WBS Appendix I has been updated. WAs are to be issued by the COR under Task Orders. The WBS format will be the same.

Attachment 2 Appendix I 13 Task Order WBS Index and WBS Dictionary - Item 5a. states that the contractor shall base its WBS structure provided by the Government; and that the contractor shall report at least to level 3.

Can you provide WBS structure at level 3?

Will the WBS be different for WA and Task orders?

Appendix G is for the RPM Shipping Report. The question doesn't align with the document cited. Possible error.

The WBS Index, Dictionary at Appendix I has been corrected to read that the contractor shall report at least to level 5. The WBS Appendix I has been updated. WAs are to be issued by the COR under Task Orders. The WBS format will be the same.

Attachment 2 Appendix R 24

Cost Performance Report (CPR), Item 3 Format states that a “Report Template will be provided”.

Can you provide this template?

Additionally, the Regional Task Order and Group task call for Cost Variance Report (CVR).

Is this the same as the CPR?

The Budget and Cost Report is available on the CNSSD Website titled "Appendix R - Example Cost Report (Excel format)"

Sol_89233123RNA000175 I.4 69

DEAR 970.5209-1 REQUIREMENT FOR GUARANTEE OF

PERFORMANCE. (DEC 2000) states that the contracting officer shall insert the following provision in solicitations for management and operating contracts: additionally, successful offeror is required by other provisions of this solicitation to organize a dedicated corporate entity to carry out the work under the contract to be awarded as a result of this solicitation.

Is this a Management and Operating Contract?

Are only business that have organized a dedicated corporate entity authorized to propose on this effort?

This is not an M&O contract. The clause was included by mistake and has been removed in execution of Amendment 0002.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 L.5.b.1 85 Sometimes files are too large for FedConnect (25mb per file) and may be difficult to transfer in Word. Will pdf files be acceptable to accommodate large files? Changed RFP to allow pdf.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 L.5.b.7 The RFP states “…Times New Roman preferred, but Courier, Geneva, Arial, or Universal font type is allowable.” Does “Arial” include Arial Narrow? No.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 NNS-1004 b.3.i 94 Requires the contractor to estimate the cost for Africa Regional Summary, Attachment L-6c identifies the quantities for both POE and Non-POE site - Year 1 indicates 1 POE and 2 Non-POE, there after the quantities change with each option year. WA001 Niger provides an SRD and PEL for the Non-POE scope, however the RFP does not provide any basis for the contractor estimate cost for POE sites. Does the Government have a basis for the contractor to estimate the base period for POE quantities?

What are the assumptions we should use for estimating the costs for a POE?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Attachment L-4b 1.2 1

WA001 states that “this task assignment includes the following elements of Africa I Regional Statement of Work and identifies Sections items 2.2 through 2.8 and 3.2 all items.” Please clarify whether these costs should be associated with L-4a Africa I Regional cost estimate (L-6c) or Niger L-4c cost estimate (L-6b). These costs are not to be estimated separately.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-4c NEG1 Deployment

Requirements FINAL 1 Paragraph 1.2 Please provide a copy of the Niger Security Policy.

The Niger Security Policy will be developed following award, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Niamey, NSDD, and the Awardee. The offer shall assume that U.S.

citizens travel will be limited in Niger. Travel outside of the capital will require a security detail arranged by the embassy and/or at the expense of the Contractor.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment �L 6b__CNSSD_Niger Grp1_Template_DB n/a Table 7 & Table 8

In Niger Group 1 Staffing Plan - Table 7, column WBS 1.1 Labor Hours is identified in "Total Effort" field, however it is not defined in the Monthly Spend Plan - Table 8.

Should WBS 1.1 be deleted from Staffing Plan - Table 7? L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Attachment �L 6c__CNSSD_Africa

I Regional_Template

_DB and Attachment

�L 6b__CNSSD_Niger Grp1_Template_DB and FINAL CNSSD

RFP__89233123RN

A000175__01 May 2023 104

Africa I Table 7a & 7b; NigerGrp1 Table 8; RFP M.4.2.b.i

After review of the WBS, in Africa 1 Table 7a & 7b and in NigerGrp1 Table 8, is the Contractor to include project execution staff in the NigerGrp1 Staffing Plan - Table 7 and the project support staff (Niger daily/weekly reports, Niger accounts payable, Niger-related meetings, etc.) in the Africa 1 Staffing Plan Table 7? Please also provide clarification on the Solicitation M.4.2.b.i, Page 104, as it states "Africa I Work Authorization 001 will be issued by the COR shortly after award to the awardee of the Africa I Regional Task Order. It is not to be priced separately from the Poe and non-POE pricing included in the instructions." Is this statement intent not to price the WA? Or is this statement in reference to not pricing Niger Group 1 project execution staff and project support staff in the POE and non-POE pricing?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Attachment L4a Africa Regional SOW 3.2.3 4 n/a

The SOW states the requirements for the CNS assessment will be included in the WA. There are no Assessment requirements in the WA. Will you update the WA to include the Assessment Requirements?

The WA states, 'The work described in this task assignment includes the following elements of the Africa I Regional Statement of Work (SOW)… 1.2.2 SOW Section 3.2 All Items,' which is inclusive of the CNS assessment. Therefore, it is not clear what is being asked.

Attachment L4a Africa Regional SOW Reporting Requirements 5.13 6 n/a

An Assessment Report is due within 10 Calendar Days of the Assessment. If no Assessment is required, will this deliverable be removed?

Deliverables in the SOW Section 5.Deliverables/Reporting Requirements are identified by SOW Section Number.

Deliverables will only be required for work under WA when those SOW Sections are included in the WA direction.

Attachment L4a Africa Regional SOW Reporting Requirements 5.14 6 n/a

Market Research Report is due 35 days after the Site Survey. There is no Site Survey contained in the requirements. Will you clarify the due date for the market survey report?

This has been corrected to "Within 35 calendar days of the CNS Assessment".

Attachment L4a Africa Regional SOW Reporting Requirements 5.15 6 n/a

Interim SDS packages are due within 10 days of the conclusion of the engineering survey. There is no engineering survey contained in the requirements. Will you clarify the due date for the initial Interim SDS package?

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Attachment L- 6b_CNSSD_Niger1_Template and

Attachment L-6c_CNSSD_ Africa I Regional Template

Travel - Table 4 Staffing Plan n/a n/a

There is a single FROM location. Are we to assume all travel originates from the same location? L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Attachment L- 6b_CNSSD_Niger1_Template and

Attachment L-6c_CNSSD_ Africa I Regional Template

Travel - Table 4 n/a n/a

The Solicitation states that table 4 should include the purpose of the trip, however there is no specified location for this information. Can we add columns or modify the table to include this information? L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Attachment L-6c_CNSSD_ Africa I Regional Template

Staffing Plan -Table 7a POE

Staffing Plan - Table 7b Non- POE n/a n/a

Both Staffing Plan tables identify identical WBS items to be priced.

The listed WBS items do not align with, nor encompass the SOW scope items provided under the Africa I Regional Statement of Work Attachment L-4a.

Can the Government provide clarification regarding the work breakdown structure to be priced for the Africa I Regional Task Order?

If not, are we to price only those items identified in the provided WBS? L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Attachment L- 6b_NigerGrp1_Template_DB

; Attachment L- 6c_CNSSD_Africa 1

Regional_Template_DB

NA

What scope for pricing in L-6(b) for Niger is NOT included in the scope for pricing in L-6(c) Africa Region 1?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4..

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Attachment L-6c – Africa I Regional Template

NA

Please clarify if pricing for 8 POEs and 23 non-POEs should be provided for each of the 16 countries in the Africa I Regional Statement of Work.

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as informaiton in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under section 4.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 94 item b)2)

Regarding the Program Management Task Order, the RFP advises the hours of availability and that these two positions have historically been full-time. To ensure an equitable evaluation, is it the Government’s expectation that the Program Manager and DPM are full-time positions on Day One and for the full period of performance?

Historically, these persons have worked full-time throughout the Period of Performance. The expectation is that these individuals will be available during regular business hours throughout the Period of Performance.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 94 item b)2)

As an alternate approach to the previous question (i.e., assuming full time Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager for the full period of performance), can any basis/programmatic information (e.g., notional deployment schedule) be furnished so that Offerors can provide the most cost-effective approach to the Government relative to the Program Management Task?

Historically, these persons have worked full-time throughout the Period of Performance. The expectation is that these individuals will be available during regular business hours throughout the Period of Performance.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Africa I Regional SOW 1 n/a

We note the requirement in the beginning of the Africa 1 SOW, specifically that the TO scope lists 16 countries including Niger.

Does pricing for Africa 1 Region include Niger pricing?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under section 4.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section M M-4 2b(i) n/a

In 2b(i) of M-4 states, “Africa I Work Authorization 001 will be issued by the COR shortly after award to the awardee of the Africa I Regional Task Order. It is not to be priced separately from the POE and non-POE pricing included in the instructions.” Please clarify the last sentence: what is to be priced and not priced, and which instructions are being referred to? (We do not see any reference to POE or non-POE pricing in Section L.)

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Africa I Regional SOW and Attachment L-

6c_CNSSD_Africa I Regional_Template_DC n/a n/a

We respectfully note there is a lack of pricing assumptions provided for the Africa Region I SOW. In order to provide a quotation for the Africa Region, we request either a single set of pricing assumptions (eg, a region-wide representative pair of SRDs including POE and non-POE), or 16 different sets of SRDs (POE and non-POE) for the 16 different countries. Otherwise, there is a wide potential range of assumptions that can be priced for a POE (eg, a fixed installation ranging 1 to 20 RPMs) or for a non-POE (border surveillance systems of varying scale or complexity).

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed.

Offerors should use the information contained in the Africa I Regional SOW and their knowledge of the region to develop assumptions for estimating the costs. These assumptions should be included in the offeror's Cost Proposal Narrative Support.

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

Africa I Regional SOW and Attachment L-

6c_CNSSD_Africa I Regional_Template_DC n/a n/a

If further pricing assumptions for the Africa Region I SOW are not available, it would be impracticable for an Offeror to provide binding POE and non-POE quotations for the Africa Region, for which an SRD has not been provided. Therefore, should Offerors assume that any pricing info for the 16 countries in the region are budgetary ROMs versus binding quotations?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Offerors should use the information contained in the Africa I Regional SOW and their knowledge of the region to develop assumptions for estimating the costs. These assumptions should be included in the offeror's Cost Proposal Narrative Support.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Africa I Regional SOW and Attachment L-

6c_CNSSD_Africa I Regional_Template_DC n/a Subcontracts, Material, Travel & ODCs worksheets

In the Africa I Regional SOW it lists 16 different countries where support may be required. In the Attachment L-6c it requires that Subcontracts, Material, Travel, and ODCs be broken down by location. The costs for each country will vary due to differing circumstances within each.

What should the pricing be based on for each of the countries? For example, how would we propose specific cost elements for each country?

The intent is for the offeror to propose cost for a generic POE and non-POE based on the activities described in the Africa I Regional SOW for POE and non-POE. This cost will then be applied against the estimated quantities of POE and non-POE Work Authorizations contained in the spreadsheet to establish total cost and fee proposed. (L-6c)

WA001 is only to be used as information in developing criterion 4 technical proposal.

The Niger pricing is for the work described in NEG1 Deployment Requirements (L-4c) that is to be issued under the Africa I Regional TO per Africa I Regional SOW (L-4a) section 4.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-

6b_NigerGrp1_Template_DB n/a

Staffing Plan Table 7 and Monthly Spend

Plan Table 8

In the Staffing tab, the WBS categories relate to all phases spanning an entire site Work Authorization (POE or non-POE). However, the Africa Region SOW Work Authorization areas (3.1.x and 3.2.x) only address design phase scope of activities. Please clarify if these should align?

L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L4-a Africa 1

Regional SOW

Section 2.7 Logistics

The SOW states “2.7. Logistics Services: The Contractor shall provide logistics services in support of this WA including, but not limited to: in-country coordination; in-country air/land travel arrangements; training efforts; translation/interpretation; permitting;

procurement; and subcontracting.” Please clarify what training is to be provided, for example system training, maintenance training, etc.

or just the training specified in the PEL for the cameras. The offerer shall assume that logistics for one training effort for each POE and non-POE will be required.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-4a Africa 1

Regional SOW FINAL

Section 2.4 Schedule

The SOW requires the Contractor to maintain schedule projections in MS Project format according to the standard NSDD Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Please provide the standard NSDD WBS, or confirm that the Contractor can develop their own WBS.

RRC Appendix I, that contains the WBS Index. The WBS Index, Dictionary at Appendix I. The WBS Appendix I has been updated.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Attachment L-4b Africa 1 WA001 FINAL and

Attachment L-4c Neg1 Deployment Requirements

FINAL

1 & 2

Milestone End Date Section 1.10

Evaluation Period and Post-Project

Assessment Visit

WA001 references a start and end date equating to a 6-month period of performance. Attachment L-4c Neg1 Deployment Requirement Section 1.10 Evaluation Period and Post-Project Assessment Visit states the Contractor shall provide maintenance support for 6 months after the transfer of equipment to the partner government organization. At the end of the evaluation period, the Contractor shall assist with facilitating and participating in a Post-Project Assessment Visit, which shall be led by the government. Please clarify how the maintenance support for 6 months and Project Assessment Visit will be accomplished considering the period of performance is only 6 months.

The performance for the Work Authorization (L-4b) and NEG1 (L-4c) are not coterminous.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-4c Neg1

Deployment Requirements

FINAL

Section 1.2 Niger Security Policy

The Contractor shall adhere to the NSDD Niger Security Policy during all relevant project activities. Please provide the referenced Niger Security Policy.

The Niger Security Policy will be developed following award, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Niamey, NSDD, and the Awardee. The offer shall assume that U.S.

citizens travel will be limited in Niger. Travel outside of the capital will require a security detail arranged by the embassy and/or at the expense of the Contractor.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-5 - CNSSD

Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) n/a n/a

Section B of the Past Performance Questionnaire appears to be written for another procurement (e.g., references to classification and declassification of information and materials, ability to perform work on major weapons systems, hazardous material processing, weapons assembly and disassembly). Please revise the PPQ to reflect relevance to the scope of the CNSSD procurement. (For awareness, we are holding off on sending PPQs to avoid potential rework by our customers.)

Incorrect attachment #5 was uploaded. The correct version of Attachment #5 will be provided with Amendment 0002.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Attachment L-

6b_NigerGrp1_Template_DB n/a

Staffing Plan Table 7 and Monthly Spend

Plan Table 8

A WBS has been identified, however all WBS elements are titled “Labor Hours”. Please clarify what the specific work element is that the labor hours are being allocated to. Also, please clarify how the WBS in Table 7 correlates to the WBS in Table 8. L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Attachment L- 6c_CNSSD_Africa 1

Regional_Template_DB n/a

Staffing Plan Tables 7a and 7b

WBS elements 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, and 4.14 are all titled Labor Hours.

Please clarify what the specific work elements are that the labor hours are being allocated to. L-6b and L-6c have been updated for clarification.

56 Sol_89233123RNA000175 NA n/a n/a Will the Government provide Offerors with the MOU between NSDD and Niger?

This document will be made available to those companies that request the CUI documents.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Niger Group 1- PEL n/a n/a What type of training is required for GFE?

The offeror shall assume that training for GFP will be provided by others. The offeror shall assume that training logistics support will be required.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Niger Group 1- PEL n/a n/a What testing is required for GFE?

The offeror shall confirm that nothing was damaged nor stolen during shipment.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section I 37-38 Section I.3 Far Clauses in Full Text - 52.204-

The instructions above paragraph (a) of 52.204-24 state the offeror shall not complete the representations in (d)(1) and (d)(2) if it has already represented that it "does not provide…" in 52.204-26. Please confirm if the offeror may skip (d)(1) and (d)(2) fill-ins if it has already represented "does not" in 52.204-26 in its SAM registration.

Please complete all fill-ins pertaining to the requirement as instructed by the provisions/clauses.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 85

Section L General Instructions b.2

Is the reference for Section B in these instructions intended to be for OPTIONAL FORM 336? Please confirm whether the optional form needs to be completed given that this is an IDIQ proposal. Would it be acceptable for pricing information to only be contained in Volume III and not in Volume I?

Paragraph 2 references Part I, Section B of the SF 33 where offerors would generally submit unit prices/amounts.

However, this is an IDIQ so no cost/price information will be completed on the SF 33. All cost/price information should be provided on the attached pricing templates provided (Attachments L-6a thru L-6c).

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 86 Section L General Instructions b.6.

Would the offeror be permitted to also include its logo, the Vol #, Vol Name in addition to offeror name, solicitation number, date, page number, and the legend at FAR 52.215-1(e) outside of the margins?

Additional information is permitted as long as the submission is IAW the instructions for Page Description.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 86

Section L General Instructions b.6

Does the Government consider proposal documents CUI? In addition to the legend at FAR 52.215-1(e), are offerors required to also mark any sections that reference the controlled solicitation documents as CUI//SP-SSEL?

Controlled solicitation documents should be marked as CUI in accordance with https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2018-title32-vol6/pdf/CFR-2018-title32-vol6-part2002.pdf Additional guidance can be found at https://www.archives.gov/cui/about

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 84 Section L General Instructions b.2

If the Government considers proposal documents CUI, does submitting proposal files through FedConnect automatically safeguard the file? If further safeguarding is necessary, please specify how the Government would like the files to be encrypted.

The FedConnect system supports uploading CUI documents for proposal submission.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 88 Section L, NNS-L- 1002 (b)(2)

Please clarify if the only reps and certs required of the proposal are from Section K and that the FAR/DFARS report from SAM is not needed to be included as the offeror's reps and certs.

All offerors are required to have a completed SAM registration which includes reps and certs. All reps and certs required in the RFP must be completed.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 88 Section L, NNS-L- 1002 (b)(2)

Is it correct to assume that the signed SF30(s) must also be included in Volume I? Yes. All proposals must include signed SF 33 and any amendments (SF 30).

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L

DOE-H-2035

Organizational

Conflict of Interest

Management Plan (Oct 2014), page 19 & Section K.3

DEAR 952.209-

8 page 79 &

Section L, NNS- L-1002 (b)(2)

DOE-H-2035

Organizational Conflict of Interest Management Plan (Oct

2014), page 19 & Section K.3 DEAR

952.209-8 page 79 & Section L, NNS-L-

1002 (b)(2)

DOE-H-2035 requires the offeror to submit an OCI Management Plan at the time of proposal submission; however, Section L only provides instructions to the requirements under DEAR 952.209-8.

Please clarify where the OCI Management Plan referenced in Section H is to be included in the proposal.

Amendment 0002 updates NNS-L-1002 b(2) to include instructions for submission of OCI Management Plan required by DOE-H-2035 under Volume I.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 92

L Tab 5 Instructions

The RFP states the following: “At a minimum, the Offeror should provide a completed “copy” of the Past Performance Questionnaires to each of the Project Owner POCs identified in Blocks 12a and 12b of the Relevant Corporate Experience Form, Attachment L-1a…” Block 12a is the Project Owner Technical POC; Block 12b is the Project Owner Contracting POC.

Please update the RFP, based on the Government's response to the previous Q&As (#80), to clarify this linkage between PPQs and Corporate Experience projects no longer exists (ie, Offeror can enter "NA" if the project in the PPQ is not one of the projects submitted in Corporate Experience).

RFP instructions are clear, which provides requirements for Criterions #1 and #5. PPQs should be provided to any POCs that have been identified in the offerors past performance and corporate experience listings.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 92

L Tab 5 Instructions

Responses to DRFP questions state the following: Tab 1 Corporate Experience is separate from Tab 5 Past Performance. There are different requirements for each.

However, the PPQ instructions in Section L page 91 state the following: At a minimum, the Offeror should provide a completed “copy” of the Past Performance Questionnaires to each of the Project Owner POCs identified in Blocks 12a and 12b of the Relevant Corporate Experience Form, Attachment L-1a…

If the PPQs are required to be sent to the Corporate Experience POCs, then in reality the Corporate Experience recency is within 3 years, not 6 years.

RFP instructions are clear, which provides requirements for Criterions #1 and #5. PPQs should be provided to any POCs that have been identified in the offerors past performance and corporate experience listings.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Section L 91

NNS-L-1003 b.4; 4.

TAB 4 - Criterion 4:

Technical Approach to Africa Task Order

The instructions state “(i) The Offeror shall provide a Technical Approach for the Africa Task Order, to include a Project Plan that addresses how the work will be organized to accomplish the Africa I Regional Statement of Work (SOW), Attachment L-4(a), and the Africa I Work Authorization 001, Attachment L-4(b). Is the 30-page technical approach to address all 16 countries in the Africa 1 Regional SOW, or just the Niger Work Authorization? If we are to address the 15 additional countries, please provide the scope required to be addressed

The Technical Approach should address how the Africa I Regional Task Order will be approached as a whole. The project plan included within the Technical approach should detail how the WA 001 and NEG1 project, specifically, will be performed within that Approach.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Sol_89233123RNA000175.p df, Attachment 4 Draft RFP Questions and Responses

102 Section L Tab 5, Criterion 5: Past

Performance; Draft Q&A #51

We understand from the answer to DRFP question #51 that we can include CPARs in lieu of PPQs as long as they meet the recency and relevancy requirements.

Please confirm whether the Government will allow for the inclusion of CPARs as an Appendix to Tab 5, in addition to PPQs.

Yes, CPARS are to be included as an appendix.

Sol_89233123RNA000175 Niger Group 1 - SRD 2

Project Assumptions

Project Assumptions state that “U.S. citizens will be limited to Niger. Travel outside the capital will require a security detail arranged by the embassy and/or at the expense of the Contractor.”

Given that it is “and/or”, please confirm if Government expects Contractor to quote security support in this proposal? Would the embassy charge the contractor if it provides this support?

Yes the contractor should quote security support. If the embassy provides security support it will be charged to the contractor.

Section B.2 (c) 8 n/a

Based on the preponderance of subcontracting required for this CNSSD opportunity, and that this subcontracting is largely with foreign contractors in developing countries, we believe that the risk associated with subcontracting should be differentiated from the other transactional ODC cost elements such as travel and equipment that are capped at 2%. Question: Would the Government consider revising the fee ceiling for managing subcontracts to 6%?

No. The cost of the subcontract itself is included in the ODC Fee ceiling, the cost of managing and overseeing those subcontractors (labor hours, etc.) would be included in the services Fee ceiling.

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Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Are shipping containers required to be tracked by GPS when shipping via sea? No

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a Are shipping containers or cargo required extra shipping insurance?

No, see FAR 45.104(a)(1) and FAR 28.303

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Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Are shipping containers or air cargo tax exempt to locations of (developing nations)? If so, does DOE provide any guidance.

This is unknown. Contractor shall responsible for confirming and meeting all shipping requirements.

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Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Can shipping containers of any size be left behind or sold to the loca community ?

This is unknown. Contractor shall be responsible for confirming and meeting any requirements for shipping containers.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Are there any special requirements for shipping cargo via ship or aircraft to host nations that includes special custom taxes, freight and storing equipment at piers or warehouses?

Offeror should use their knowledge of international shipping to confirm if there are any special requirements.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Is it required to obtain an attorney from the country that DOE assigns a project too? For examples it can support companies with obtaining country visas, setting up local logistics (fuel, machinery equipment) paying taxes for local labor, establishing bank accounts to (draw petty cash, payroll)

Offeror should use their knowledge of local requirements to determine whether a local attorney is necessary.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Is DOE providing any type of local or U.S Security for U.S personnel/ or local expats in developing nations that are considered hostile or have U.S/European-N.A.T.O aggression? No.

Sol_89233123RNA000175

Logistics for Shipping n/a n/a

Is the U.S State Department requiring, or providing any country clearance, or SOFA status while working in developing nations?

The offeror shall assume that all travel will be under a country clearance.