Attachment 8 - QA Financial Advisor.pdf

89503020QAWA000054

Questions and Answers

89503020QWA000054 Financial Advisor

26 March 2020

1. Can this requirement be facilitated as an SBA 8 (A) Set-Aside?

a. Based upon the results of the market research conducted and a thorough review of this requirement, we believe that this requirement should remain a small business set-aside in accordance with FAR 19.502-2(a).

2. Can this requirement be facilitated as a HUBZone Small Business Set Aside?

a. Based upon the results of the market research conducted and a thorough review of this requirement, we believe that this requirement should remain a small business set-aside in accordance with FAR 19.502-2(a).

3. Can this requirement be facilitated on the GSA PSS (00CORP PSS) 874-1 SIN Schedule as a Small Business 8(a) Set-Aside? If so, will the government add this contract vehicle to allow small businesses an adequate opportunity to compete and support this requirement?

a. 874 1 Integrated Consulting Services is not applicable to this requirement.

4. Can you guide the level of effort expected (Total Labor Hours, Labor Hours by Key Team Members, etc.) to complete the Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

a. Please see Attachment 2 - Labor Rate Pricing Sheet - TIP PROGRAM FINANCIAL AND DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT for estimated hours.

5. Does the WAPA anticipate that required personnel (Key & Non-Key) supporting 89503020QWA000054 work remotely or on client site at WAPA offices in Lakewood Colorado.

a. Remotely. Travel is not a material part of work. Vendor may be required to travel to Denver, CO in-frequently or other WAPA locations in the Western states as directed. This is typically once per year. Travel for project finance support may be required depending upon nature of transaction. Travel expenses will follow Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and determination for authorization will be as needed based upon needs of individual task orders if required.

6. In trying to calculate annual work hours for this project (89503020QWA000054), does WAPA use 2,080 (i.e., 40 hours/week * 52 weeks) for employees/contractors according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Standard? If NO, Please advise on how many hours per year are established for a full time under this contract? Does the WAPA calculate annual work hours based on 2,080, 1920, 1860, or “other” please state?

a. Please see Attachment 2 - Labor Rate Pricing Sheet - TIP PROGRAM FINANCIAL AND DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT for estimated hours.

7. Is this the first issue of this solicitation (is this a re-compete of an existing WAPA requirement or a new requirement?

a. This is a re-compete of an existing WAPA requirement. This is not a new requirement.

8. Can you advise on if there were/are an incumbent provider(s) for these services? If Yes – Who is/are the incumbent(s) and can you provide a previous contract number?

a. Yes there was an incumbent Vendor, Vair Companies Inc. The contract number was DE-

WA0000374.

9. If there is an incumbent, is there a reason the known incumbent may be precluded from bidding on this new or existing requirement?

a. No this vendor will not be precluded from bidding on this requirement.

10. Is this requirement part of a Multiple Award Schedule/Contract or a Single Award Schedule/Contract?

a. The intended result is a Standalone Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

11. Has Western Area Power Administration held preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation?

a. No.

12. Is it estimated that full funding exists for this solicitation? If so, is there an intended Maximum/Minimum funding threshold?

a. No. This is going out as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). There is no minimum/maximum funding threshold.

13. Is the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination in force with this RFQ? If so, can you advise a) What SCA/Wage numbers are applicable? And b) What City and State SCA Wage Determination takes precedence?

a. No, the labor categories for this requirement fall under the professional services exemption and thus are not subject to SCA coverage.

14. Does this requirement stipulate that the proposed bidder must hold an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance "Before BEING AWARDED” this contract?

a. This is a not DoD requirement and no clearance is required.

15. If an active Form DD254 Facility Clearance is required will arrangements be made to assist and provide adequate time to process the required paperwork or are bidders without DD254 Facility Clearance not advised to participate?

a. This is a not DoD requirement and no clearance is required.

16. For areas where strict requirements exist for an active Secret/Top-Secret Facility Clearance would government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Facility Clearance requirement?

a. This does not apply.

17. For areas where strict requirements exist for the number and types of past performance as a PRIME Vendor; would the government accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements (CTA) under The GSA Construct that fulfills Past Performance requirements?

a. Past performance for work performed under CTAs may be provided given the type past performance meets the criteria found in RFQ Section 11.4(d).

18. What is the location of the task

a. The vendor can perform work remotely at its facility.

19. What does it mean "Travel - Not-to-Exceed (NTE)"

a. The travel budget (if necessary) cannot exceed the amount provided.

20. Can I get a sample quote for similar task performed in the past?

a. WAPA does not have anything directly associated with this requirement to provide.

21. WAPA's current business systems/ applications to perform financial analysis other than MS Excel, any COTS item?

a. There is no other software.

22. Can you provide examples and insight into the features of deliverables, which will exceed DOE/WAPA contract expectations?

a. No, each loan transaction will require a tailored approach. The Vendor performance linked to financial modeling and data and credit analytics will be linked to the ability to contribute to successful loan analysis and execution. Mitigating risks would be as a service from the Vendor rather than deliverable.

23. Please estimate the number of DOE personnel, who will receive said deliverables.

a. The number is not fixed but may range from ten to thirty personnel depending on each loan transaction.

24. The SF 1449 states that this is "Unrestricted"; the continuation page states that it is "100% small Business Set-aside"

a. Our print outs sometimes have errors. This is 100% set aside for small business as described.

25. Section 11.2 - (b) Questions: There is no question and answer period. We are teaming with another company and need time to present questions for clarification. Will you give amend to include questions and answers.

a. That is correct, WAPA did not specify a question and answer period as WAPA did not deem it necessary due to the short turnaround time for quotes. I will issue an amendment today with all questions and answers.

26. Is this BPA five (5) years or is it one (1) base period and 4 option periods?

a. As described, this requirement is for one base period and four one year option periods.

27. Is there a format the vendor should use to demonstrate past performance? How many years of relevant performance is required?

a. WAPA is leaving this up to the vendor. WAPA will evaluate as per the terms and conditions specified in the solicitation.

28. Will the DOE consider extending the response due date?

a. This solicitation is being extended to 02 April 2020 at 2:00 PM Mountain Time.

29. The total value of this contract is $150,000.00 for one year and optional 4 additional years, correct?

a. Correct. Funding will be placed against BPA calls.