AMENDMENT_01.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICAITON NO. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicble)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICIATION NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended, is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a)By completing items 8 and 15, and returning copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment your desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPIRATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS / RESPONSES

RFP NO: A16108 – AMENDMENT 01 / FOIA SUPPORT SERVICES

Q1. We do not see Subject RFP proposal sections L & M (Proposal Instructions and Evaluation Criteria) in the Solicitation Package – can you please provide via amendment? Also, would you consider a

30-day response time vice current due date (21 July 2016)?

A1. The notice is a Combined Synopsis Solicitation. We are not using the Uniform Contract

Format. Sections C, D, E, etc. do not apply to this type of notice. The evaluation criteria are contained in the notice in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1

(Instructions to the Offerors). An amendment will not be issued. It is imperative that all of the documents are read. Unfortunately, the response time will not be extended.

Q2. Who is the incumbent, and what is the contract award number? What is the current level of effort performing the requirement?

A2. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc. The contract number is TOS10-F-019. There are multiple

FTEs.

Q3. We understand that this effort is a re-compete, who is the incumbent?

A3. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q4. Is the incumbent eligible to bid?

A4. Yes, the incumbent is eligible to bid.

Q5. Guidance on the level of effort, can you please provide current staffing level?

A5. There are currently 5 FTE FOIA Analysts s at various levels.

Q6. Is the anticipated outcome of the contract type Fixed Price or T&M?

A6. As stated in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation, the contract type will be a Firm Fixed Priced (FFP)

Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

Q7. What are the qualification requirements of the personnel mix? FOIA Attorneys, FoIA Analysts and

Admin Assistant.

A7. Offerors are allowed the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work

Statement (PWS)

Q8. On the pricing tables, we will need additional information to adequately provide a price quote, such as level of efforts and employee mix.

A8. This will not be a level of effort type contract; therefore the mix is discretionary.

Q9. Regarding page limitation, the Technical and Management Plan is limited to 10 pages while Past

Performance is 20 pages, should this page limitation be in reverse, that is, Technical/Management

Plan is 20 pages and PP be 10 pages.

A9. Yes, that is correct. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q10. Is this a follow-on requirement? If so, could you please provide the incumbent contract number for this opportunity? If not, is this a new requirement?

A10. Yes, this is a follow-on requirement. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q11. Can you advise on the specific evaluation criteria for this specific Department of the Treasury requirement (A16108)?

A11. The evaluation criteria are contained in the notice in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1 (Instructions to the Offerors).

Q12. Please provide the specific Department of the Treasury submission requirements for this solicitation as it was not clearly detailed in the documents received.

A12. This information is found in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1

(Instructions to the Offerors). Please read all of the documents posted in FBO under A16108.

Q13. Can this requirement be facilitated as a SBA 8 (A) Set-Aside?

A13. As stated in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation, this requirement is set-aside for 8(a) small business concerns. Please read all of the documents posted in FBO under A16108.

Q14. Does the Department of the Treasury have the requisition in-house for this particular solicitation

(Number A16108)?

A14. Requisitions are always required before soliciting for bids, proposals or quotes and are processed in-house.

Q15. Is this the first issue of this solicitation - Is this a re-compete of an existing Department of the

Treasury requirement or a new requirement?

A15. This is a re-compete of an existing requirement.

Q16. Can you advise on whether or not there were/are incumbent provider(s) for these services? If Yes

– Who is/are the incumbent(s)?

A16. Yes, there is an incumbent. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q17. If there is an incumbent, is there a reason the known incumbent may be precluded from bidding on this new or existing requirement?

A17. The incumbent is not precluded from bidding on this requirement.

Q18. Is this requirement part of a Multiple Award Schedule/Contract or is it a Single Award

Schedule/Contract?

A18. It is undetermined if this will be part of a Multiple Award Schedule or a Single (Definitized) Award Contract since the proposals have not been received.

Q19. Has Department of the Treasury held preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation?

A19. No, the Department of the Treasury has not and will not hold preliminary meetings with specific contractors interested in responding to this solicitation.

Q20. Is it estimated that full funding exists for this solicitation? If so, is there an intended funding threshold and what is the minimum for this threshold?

A20. This will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, therefore funding will not be provided on the contract but on the impending task orders. Full funding exists for any impending Task Orders. The minimum and maximum thresholds will be based on the proposed priced CLINs of the successful offeror. Please see FAR Clause 52.216-19 Order Limitations in Attachment 2.

Q21. Is this requirement on schedule to execute a contract with the selected vendor doing the current fiscal period?

A21. Currently, this requirement is on schedule to execute a contract with the successful offeror;

however the Effective Date and Period of Performance will be changed to begin on 01 October 2016. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q22. Is there a prescribed procedure for technical evaluation on this solicitation? If so, can you describe procedures?

A22. This information is found in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1

(Instructions to the Offerors). Please read all of the documents posted in FBO under A16108.

Q23. 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 fulfils Past Performance requirements?

A23. Yes. The government will accept a Contractor Teaming Agreements as past performance.

Q24. Can you assist us by sending a copy of the solicitation, as we have had difficulty downloading the documents?

A24. Yes.

Q25. Does this requirement stipulate that the proposed bidder most hold an active Form DD254 Facility

Clearance "PRIOR TO BEING AWARDED” this contract?

A25. An active DD254 is not required for this requirement.

Q26. 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.

A26. An active DD254 is not required.

Q27. How many FTEs are required by the procurement? Is our assumption correct that a total of 31

FTEs are required among the five CLINs? What is the differentiation between each of the CLINs?

A27. This will be a Firm Fixed Price contract; therefore offerors have the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work Statement (PWS). No, your assumption is not correct. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts s at various levels. The differentiation between each of the CLINs is the quantities. CLIN 0001 (Base Year) is for 1 Month; therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 1 month of FOIA Service. CLIN 0002 (Base Year) is for 3 months;

therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 3 months; etc.

Q28. What are the labor categories and/or job descriptions for the five CLINs?

A28. This will be a Firm Fixed Price contract; therefore offerors have the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Q29. What are the labor rates currently being paid by the government and/or what labor rates would be acceptable to the government for the various labor categories in the CLINs?

A29. This information cannot be disclosed. A request should be made via Freedom of Information Act channels.

Q30. Where is the work required under this procurement currently or to be located? Is it to be performed in a single or multiple locations?

A30. The work is currently being performed in Washington, DC. The location of the work for the impending contract can be found in the Attachment 1.

Q31. There is some indication that the incumbent contract may have expired. Has it been extended, and if so for how long? Is the incumbent eligible to bid on this procurement?

A31. The current contract has not expired and has not been extended. Yes, the incumbent is eligible to bid on this procurement.

Q32. Please clarify the security clearance requirement for the FTEs? If a contractor has a current security clearance from a US Government agency, can the security forms set forth in Section H.2 of the Performance Work Statement be deemed satisfied?

A32. A security clearance is not required for this requirement. No, a current security clearance from another US Government agency will not suffice. All contractors performing on Treasury contracts will be subject to a background check as specified in Section H of the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1).

Q33. Is performance expected to begin on July 28, 2016?

A33. The Effective Date and Period of Performance will be changed to begin on 01 October 2016. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q34. How many incumbent personnel are currently in place? Please identify by CLIN. Is the successful bidder required to offer continued employment to every incumbent FTE?

A34. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels. Information regarding the current contract’s CLIN structure can be obtained by submitting a request via Freedom of Information Act channels. No, the successful offeror is not required to offer continued employment to every incumbent FTE.

Q35. PPQs are required to be back by 21 July. How many PPQs are required? May PPQs be submitted on behalf of prime contractor and subcontractor[s]?

A35. Yes, Past Performance Questionnaires are required to be submitted by the closing date.

Additional information can be found in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1 (Instructions to the Offerors).

Q36. Is there a required time frame for contracts subject to PPQs?

A36. This information is found in Attachment 2 which contains the Addendum to FAR Clause 52.212-1

(Instructions to the Offerors).

Q37. In the instructions for completion of proposals Vol II, Past/Present Performance is limited to 20 pages, including Past Performance Questionnaires.

A37. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance Questionnaires.

An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q38. Elsewhere the solicitation requests a list of at least three (3) of the most relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies and commercial customers within the last 5 years of this solicitation closing date that demonstrate your ability to perform the proposed effort. If Past performance summaries and the required PPQs are submitted for 3 contracts, the page total for Volume II will exceed the 20 page limit by 7 to 10 pages. Please define what constitutes the page limitation for Vol II.

A38. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance Questionnaires.

An amendment will be issued to reflect this change. Past Performance Questionnaires will be completed by the offerors references and forwarded directly to email address in Attachment (See 52.212-4(m)(10)(ii)). Offerors should provide a list of at least 3 of the most relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies and commercial customers within the last 5 years. The 10 page limit should suffice.

Q39. Does CLIN 0004 for the Base Period mean that we are to price one FTE for 9 months; or 3 FTEs for 9 months or something else? Does it mean that the number of FTEs fluctuate between 1-3 every year? Shall we assume that some resources are part-time? Or, for the purposes of pricing should we assume 3 FTEs throughout the base (2016-2017) period and each option year (beyond 2017) there-after?

A39. CLIN 0004 specifies 9 months. The number of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed

Priced amount is at their discretion. A firm-fixed-price contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor's cost experience in performing the contract. This contract type places upon the contractor maximum risk and full responsibility for all costs and resulting profit or loss.

Q40. Whether all three FTEs will be FOIA analysts; or some administrative personnel or lower grade clerical personnel?

A40. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion.

Q41. Are there any key personnel requirements?

A41. No, there are no key personnel requirements.

Q42. For each CLIN (0001 through 0005) listed on page 1 of the COMBINED_SYNOPSIS-SOLICITATION_-

_8a.pdf document, does the “Quantity” column possibly represent quantities of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) proposed (per CLIN)? If not, then what is each CLIN comprised of?

A42. The Performance Work Statement represents work that will be fulfilled on a full-time basis, however, the number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion.

Q43. Is an onsite Program or Project Manager required? If so, full-time or part-time?

A43. No, a Program or Project Manager is not required.

Q44. For clarification purposes, what is the level of security clearance required for this project?

A44. A security clearance is not required for this requirement; however all contractors performing on

Treasury contracts will be subject to a background check as specified in Section H of the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1).

Q45. Is "Quantity" defined as the total of FTE's; for example, CLIN 0002 being defined as three (3), FTE's for the twelve (12) month period 28 July 2016 through 27 July 2017? Or, again using CLIN 0002 as an example, is "Quantity" defined as one (1) FTE for a three (3) month period during the 28 July 2016 through 27 July 2017 period?

A45. No; the quantity represents the number of months. CLIN 0001 (Base Year) is for 1 Month;

therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 1 month of FOIA Service. CLIN 0002 (Base Year) is for 3 months; therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 3 months; etc.

during the 28 July 2016 through 27 July 2017 period. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion.

Q46. Place of Performance – Can you provide the city or cities where the services will be performed at government locations?

A46. The location of the work for the impending contract can be found on the 1st page of the

FedBizOpps Posting and in Attachment 1 of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Q47. Scope of Work – Can you provide additional detail on how we can scope the workforce required for a month of FIOA Services? Is the SOW able to be completed by a single FOIA Analyst each month? Or can you provide monthly FIOA caseloads numbers so we can more accurately estimate the workforce required?

A47. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) represents work that will be fulfilled on a full-time basis.

The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion. This will be a Firm Fixed Price contract; therefore offerors have the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Additionally, the contract will be an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity which means that there will be an indefinite quantity of services (Task Orders) for a fixed period of time. More than one Task Order may be issued for the same period of time for two separate offices; therefore, it is not feasible that one individual would be able to provide the services on multiple Task Orders. There are nine Bureaus that may issue Task Orders under the impending contract.

Q48. Is it possible to receive the following data: (i) the average number of FOIA requests received per month, (ii) the average number of FOIA requests responded by month and (iii) the average number of pages reviewed and/or redacted for at least the last year?

A48. This information is readily available to the public and is published in the Department of the

Treasury 2015 FOIA Annual Report at:

https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.

2.2016.pdf

Q49. We assume that the CLINS 1-5 may run concurrently in any given year - right?

A49. Yes, because more than one Task Order can be issued.

Q50. I understand the number and types of FTEs proposed is at the offer’s discretion. How many proposed FTE hours does the Government expect to see respectively within:

a. 1 month

b. 3 months

c. 6 months

d. 9 months

e. 12 months https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.2.2016.pdf

A50. The government doesn’t have an expectation other than the successful offeror must provide individual that can perform the work specified in the PWS successfully. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q51. Is this a single award or MA-IDIQ?

A51. Only one contract will be awarded; however It is undetermined if this will be part of a Multiple

Award Schedule or a Single (Definitized) Award Contract since the proposals have not been received.

Q52. Is the Offeror required to create the WBS?

A52. No, the offeror is not required to create a WBS.

Q53. How many FTEs, historically, are on this contract?

A53. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q54. Are there any incumbent? If so, can the Government provide an incumbent contract number?

A54. Yes, there is an incumbent. The contract number is TOS10-F-019.

Q55. What is the total value of the incumbent contract?

A55. The incumbent contract has a maximum ceiling limitation of $6,000,000.00.

Q56. How many total hours are on this contract?

A56. This question is irrelevant to this contract.

Q57. What are the different Labor Categories?

A57. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q58. Does a ‘neutral’ past performance rating equate to meeting the acceptability standards for the

Past Performance section?

A58. Please refer to Attachment 2, Paragraph m.10.ii. It will be neither acceptable nor unacceptable.

Q59. What is the anticipated date of award?

A59. The anticipated award date will be a date between 28 July 2016 and 01 September 2016.

Q60. Who is the incumbent contractor for this work?

A60. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q61. What is the contract number?

A61. The contract number is TOS10-F-019.

Q62. How many contractor personnel are assigned to the current work?

A62. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q63. For the Base and Option periods we are required to submit a FFP amount for qty 1,3,6,9 and 12

MO. It is not clear to us what a MO is. Does that mean "month?"

A63. Yes, MO means month.

Q64. The RFP does not identify the required staffing level, nor does it identify the # of FOIA cases managed by the contractor for us to be able to estimate the staffing level. Can you clarify?

A64. There is currently a backlog of FOIA cases for the agency and requests are continuously coming in.

The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels. Additional information can be found in the Department of the Treasury 2015 FOIA Annual Report at:

https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.

2.2016.pdf.

Q65. 9. v. on Page 11 of Addendum Attachment 2 states that, “No subcontracting possibilities exist for this requirement.” Are 8(a) bidders are permitted to utilize subcontractor teaming partners for this opportunity so long as the 8(a) concern performs the majority (over 50%) of the work?

A65. No, that is a subcontracting arrangement. Offerors can however form teaming arrangements.

Percentage of work does not apply to these types of arrangements.

Q66. Can you please provide CLIN descriptions?

A66. The CLIN descriptions can be found in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Q67. Can you please define the CLIN quantities?

A67. The CLIN quantities can be found in the Combined Synopsis Solicitation. MO represents Month.

Q68. Are there key positions or can the contractor propose them?

A68. No, there are no key personnel requirements. The offeror can propose the number and types of

FTEs.

Q69. Can you provide historical data about volumes or types of requests by locations?

A69. This information can be found in the Department of the Treasury 2015 FOIA Annual Report at:

https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.

2.2016.pdf.

Q70. What are the possible work locations?

https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.2.2016.pdf https://www.treasury.gov/FOIA/Documents/Treasury%20FY15%20Annual%20Report_FINAL%203.2.2016.pdf

A70. The location of the work for the impending contract can be found on the 1st page of the FedBizOpps Posting and in Attachment 1 of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Q71. Is this Service Contract Act (SCA)-covered contract? If so, what are the labor categories?

A71. No, this will not be an SCA covered contract.

Q72. Is this a follow-on requirement? If so, could you please provide the incumbent contract number, name, and total amount of the award? If not, is this a new requirement?

A72. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc. The contract number is TOS10-F-019.

Q73. If this is a follow-on requirement, what is the total number of contractor employees performing on the current award?

A73. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q74. What is the anticipated number of FOIA cases to be processed on a monthly basis?

A74. That is unknown, hence the decision to award an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract.

Q75. What is the government grade equivalent and classification titles for positions assigned to the project?

A75. There are no classification equivalents; however the government grade equivalent begins at a GS-

10.

Q76. What is the anticipated award date of the contract?

A76. The anticipated award date will be a date between 28 July 2016 and 01 September 2016.

Q77. What is the required timeframe for a transition period for services?

A77. There is no transition period. Current Task Orders will be completed prior to the end of the performance period.

Q78. In respect to Government work schedules, how will past performance reference submissions be rated for contractors who submit questionnaires to their government point of contracts but are not submitted by the required deadlines? Can past performance references with contact information and description of services rendered be included in the proposal as a back-up method for late or no submissions from government contracting personnel?

A78. Offerors are required to submit references as a part of their proposal. See Attachment 2, paragraph m.10.ii-iv.

Q79. The solicitation indicates that this is a recompete, who is the current incumbent?

A79. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q80. The Line Item table, establishing the Firm Fixed Price, references Quantity and Unit. Could you please provide clarification as to what is the Quantity (e.g. Full Time Employee? FOIA request?)

and what is the Unit (MO?)

A80. The quantity represents the number of months. CLIN 0001 (Base Year) is for 1 Month; therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 1 month of FOIA Service. CLIN 0002 (Base Year) is for 3 months; therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 3 months; etc.

Q81. How many federal employees are part of the PTR’s FOIA and Transparency team?

A81. There are currently 7 federal employees in the Office of Privacy, Transparency and Records (PTR);

however this requirement will support other offices as stated in the PWS.

Q82. How many contractors currently support the PTR’s FOIA and Transparency team?

A82. One contract was awarded to support PTR; however this requirement will support other offices as stated in the PWS.

Q83. The solicitation references a FOIA Tracking System. Would the contractor be responsible for operating, maintaining, or updates/improvements to the technology/platform?

A83. No.

Q84. Are there any specific clearances or credentials required by the contractor to perform this work?

A84. A security clearance is not required for this requirement; however all contractors performing on

Treasury contracts will be subject to a background check as specified in Section H of the

Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1).

Q85. Would the government be open to a short extension of the deadline for submission to enable a small 8(a) firm to digest the answers to these and any other questions enabling a more thorough and appropriate response?

A85. Unfortunately, the response time will not be extended; however, if the decision changes, all interested parties will be notified immediately via email and an amendment to this solicitation will be issued via FedBizOpps.

Q86. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury 2015 Freedom of Information Act Annual

Report, the Number of FOIA Requests (Departmental Offices) Pending as of End of Fiscal Year

2015 was 442, which represents a ~52% increase over the previous fiscal year numbers. How is this increase in outstanding FOIA requests being addressed? More importantly, does the government anticipate any contractor surge requirements during performance?

A86. The increase in outstanding FOIA requests is being addressed by outsourcing the service to contractors. The government does not anticipate a contractor surge requirements during the performance period. Since FOIA requests are generated by the public, there is no way of determining who and when a FOIA request will be submitted.

Q87. We understand this is a re-compete of an existing contract, who is the current incumbent service provider?

A87. The incumbent is Central Research, Inc.

Q88. In order to ensure industry is able to propose a solution that effectively meets DO's ongoing requirements; can the government clarify the number and skill level of all full-time equivalent contract positions?

A88. Industry contractors who have the capability to perform FOIA services will be able to propose a solution with the information provided in the solicitation and the responses to the clarification questions provided in the amendment. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels. The government grade equivalent begins at a GS-10.

Q89. How many FOIA requests does the government anticipate assigning to the new contractor on a daily/weekly basis?

A89. That is unknown, hence the decision to award an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract.

Q90. How many staff are required on a monthly basis to meet the requirements of Task 1, Prepare Documents for public release in response to FOIA requests?

A90. The impending contract will be an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract. The tasks outlined in the PWS encompass all of the work associated with the contract; however the actual funded task will be issued as a Task Order under the IDIQ contract. This means that a Task Order will contain only a portion of the work identified in the Task or Tasks under the IDIQ for any given time, ranging from 1 – 12 months (see the CLIN structure). For this reason, offerors are given the flexibility to use any mix they desire to propose a Firm Fixed Price. FTEs on the impending contract will work M-F on any Task Order issued for the period of performance specified in the Task Order.

Q91. How many staff are required on a monthly basis to meet the requirements of Task 2, Scan

Documents and Create Electronic Document Images?

A91. See A90.

Q92. What are the labor categories required for this effort?

A92. See A90.

Q93. What is the historic or projected number of 1-month Task Orders awarded or will be awarded?

A93. That is unknown, hence the decision to award an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract. Additionally, this requirement will support more offices than the current contract.

Q94. What is the historic or projected number of 3-month Task Orders awarded or will be awarded?

A94. See A93.

Q95. What is the historic or projected number of 6-month Task Orders awarded or will be awarded?

A95. See A93.

Q96. What is the historic or projected number of 9-month Task Orders awarded or will be awarded?

A96. See A93.

Q97. What is the historic or projected number of 12-month Task Orders awarded or will be awarded?

A97. See A93.

Q98. Regarding Task 1, approximately how many pages per month will the contractor be required to prepare for release in response to FOIA requests?

A98. FOIA requests are generated by the public, hence there is no way of determining who and when a

FOIA request will be submitted or how many pages per month will be required to be released in response to FOIA requests.

Q99. Regarding Task 1, what is the FOIA tracking system? Is this a SharePoint system?

A99. DO and several bureaus use goFOIA which is a system that was built for Treasury and is SharePoint based.

Q100. Regarding Task 2, approximately how many pages per month will the contractor be required to scan and create electronic images for?

A100. See A98.

Q101. Regarding Task 2, “Other duties, as assigned, relating to the efficient transfer of FOIA from paper form to electronic form,” can the Government clarify what these other duties are?

A101. Other duties as assigned are any duties directly related to FOIA services that are not captured in the PWS because they are unknown at this time.

Q102. Will a “neutral” rating for the past performance evaluation be considered “acceptable?”

A102. Please refer to Attachment 2, Paragraph m.10.ii. It will be neither acceptable nor unacceptable.

Q103. Regarding the Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) identified in paragraph d. of the Combined

Synopsis Solicitation, how many man-hours are required for a 1-month CLIN?

A103. FTEs on the impending contract will work M-F on any Task Order issued for the period of performance specified in the Task Order. Therefore, if a Task Order is issued with a period of performance of 1 month then the number of man hours would be approximately 160 hours (less if the month has a government holiday). The hours would be used to calculate the Firm Fixed

Price for 1 month.

Q104. Does DO currently utilize FOIA Processing Software? If so, what system is currently being utilized?

A104. DO and several bureaus use goFOIA which is a system that was built for Treasury and is

SharePoint based.

Q105. 1. Evaluation of award: Is the evaluation of offerors based upon LPTA or on Best Value? Will the government please clarify in light of the following passages from the solicitation – Attachment 2?

a. On page 12, the solicitation reads: “Basis for Award. Award will be made on the basis of lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors.”

b. On page 12, the paragraph following the above referenced paragraph reads: “In selecting the best overall value, the following factors will be evaluated…”

c. On page 6, the solicitation reads: The Government may … accept other than the lowest offer”

A105. The award will be made to the offeror who provides the best value to the government resulting from the selection of the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price. All government contracts are awarded by obtaining the best value using either the Trade-off process or the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable process (See FAR 15.101, 15,101-1 and

15.101-2). The evaluation factors on page 12 will be used to establish acceptability.

Additionally, the statement on page 6 is correct as written. It is possible to accept other than the lowest offer if a lower offer is technically unacceptable and a higher offer is technically acceptable. This would fit the “Lowest Price Technically Acceptable” process being used in the solicitation.

Q106. Table on page 10 of Attachment 2 states in the Solicitation’s Page Limitation Table that Past

Performance is limited to 20 pages including Questionnaires. However, questionnaires are being submitted directly by the office or agency preparing the questionnaire. Three Past Performances are required, and each questionnaire is 8 pages long. Please clarify.

A106. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance

Questionnaires. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q107. The tables and the PWS do not provide the quantification of FOIA Support Services to permit price determinations. Specifically, the quantification needs to reflect the level of effort required for each of the two tasks for all quantities shown in the five (5) CLINs. Please provide the needed information. Ex: How many cases are to be processed per month? Or if that information is not known, how many FTE’s is the Government expecting?

A107. That is unknown, hence the decision to award an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) represents work that will be fulfilled on a full-time basis. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed

Priced amount is at their discretion. This will be a Firm Fixed Price contract; therefore offerors have the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Additionally, this requirement will support nine Treasury Bureaus and Departmental Offices

(DO). The current contract supports DO and provides 5 FTEs. FOIA requests are generated by the public; hence there is no way to ascertain when a FOIA request will be submitted or how many cases will be processed per month.

Q108. What is the expected number of FOIA analyst on the first day of the awarded contract?

A108. The number of FOIA Analysts expected is driven by the Task Order(s) issued under the awarded

IDIQ contract. A Task Order may or may not be issued the same day as the contract award date.

Q109. What was the total number of FOIA Analyst on the contract during the previous fiscal year?

A109. There were 5 FOIA Analysts on the contract during the previous fiscal year.

Q110. Will an onsite Program/Project Manager/Supervisor be required?

A110. No, an onsite Program or Project Manager is not required.

Q111. Is this contract subject to SCA/SCLS?

A111. No.

Q112. Is the existing contract subject to SCA?

A112. No.

Q113. What is the average number of years each employee has been on the contract?

A113. Four years.

Q114. How many FTEs are currently supporting the contract?

A114. The current contract provides 5 FTE FOIA Analysts at various levels.

Q115. What labor categories/levels have been required in the last 5 years?

A115. See A114.

Q116. Up to how many separate Treasury locations do you anticipate the work being performed?

A116. The location of the work for the impending contract can be found on the 1st page of the

FedBizOpps Posting and in Attachment 1 of the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Q117. Volume II Past/Present Performance is limited to 20 pages including Questionnaires. If questionnaires are to be sent directly to the government, what questionnaires are to be included in Volume II?

A117. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance

Questionnaires. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q118. Please confirm the following are excluded from the page count, Transmittal Letter, Title Page, Table of Content?

A118. Yes, they are excluded from the page count.

Q119. Your Unit price is per month – does the QTY equate to p/FTE? If not, will you be providing the number of FTEs/LOE required per month(s)?

A119. No, the quantity represents the number of months. CLIN 0001 (Base Year) is for 1 Month;

therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 1 month of FOIA Service. CLIN 0002

(Base Year) is for 3 months; therefore the Firm Fixed Price should reflect pricing for 3 months;

etc. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion.

Q120. Please provide the parameters to adequately scope the number of FTES to perform the work – how many requests are anticipated p/month/year, complexity of the requests, etc?

A120. FOIA requests are generated by the public; hence there is no way to ascertain when or how many FOIA requests will be submitted; nor the complexity of the requests per month/year.

Q121. Are we to provide pricing for 1 – 12 FTEs p/month? p/year?

A121. See A119.

Q122. There are 5 CLINS for FOIA support, each for a different quantity of months. Does the government require the cost for one FOIA Specialist for each of those quantity of months (i.e. 1

FOIA Specialist for 1 month, 1 FOIA Specialist for 3 months, 1 FOIA Specialist for 6 months…etc.)?

A122. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) represents work that will be fulfilled on a full-time basis. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion. The quantities represent the possible period of performance for an impending Task Order under the IDIQ contract; therefore the number of FTEs used to calculate the Firm Fixed Price amount for each CLIN should consider that a Task Order may have more than one of the tasks specified in the PWS.

Q123. Section 10, Page 11 of the Attachment 2 indicates that Offerors are to submit information on relevant experiences in the questionnaires over the last 3 periods. Please clarify what a “period” constitutes and please advise on the minimum number of past performance references we are to submit with our responses and in our past performance questionnaires.

A123. “Period” means Performance Period. Information that is currently available that demonstrates customer satisfaction such as surveys, letters, etc. during the last 3 performance periods should be submitted with the proposal. In addition, a list of the 3 most relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies or commercial customers within the last 5 years. The Past Performance

Questionnaires (Attachment 3) are separate because they are sent directly to my attention from the individuals that complete them.

Q124. Do the contractor/contractors need to know a specific exemption for this contract?

A124. No.

Q125. Is an active TS Facility Clearance required to begin performance immediately upon award?

A125. No.

Q126. Does the Government intend to issue a day one Task Order?

A126. No.

Q127. Should responses to the solicitation include pricing for various levels of labor categories (i.e.

FOIA Analyst I, FOIA Analyst II, etc.)? If so, can the Government please specify the quantity as well as skill-set/experience it desires for each level?

A127. That would be acceptable but the impending contract will be Firm Fixed Price. Firm Fixed Priced contracts do not have labor categories or labor rates. The number and types of FTEs the offeror uses to calculate their Firm Fixed Priced amount is at their discretion. The quantities represent the possible period of performance for an impending Task Order under the IDIQ contract;

therefore the number of FTEs used to calculate the Firm Fixed Price amount for each CLIN should consider that a Task Order may have more than one of the tasks specified in the PWS.

Q128. How many total labor hours or FTEs does the Government expect to require under the initial task order and/or IDIQ contract?

A128. This will be a Firm Fixed Price contract; therefore offerors have the flexibility to bid the mix they want based on the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Under a Firm Fixed Price contract the number of FTEs is not a consideration. The contractor provides the necessary individuals with the skill set to perform the tasks. A Task Order will contain only a portion of the work identified in the Task or Tasks under the IDIQ for any given time, ranging from 1 – 12 months (see the CLIN structure). It is unknown what tasks from the IDIQ contract will be required under a Task Order until the work needed by a specific Bureau or Office until it has been identified by that entity.

Q129. Does the Government intend to specify labor categories at the task order level?

A129. Firm Fixed Price contracts do not specify labor categories.

Q130. If candidate resumes are required, will the resumes be attributed to the total page count of

Volume I: Technical/Management Approach?

A130. Yes, however resumes are not required but may be submitted if the offeror elects to do so.

Q131. Can the Government please clarify how many Past Performance Questionnaires are required?

A131. There is no set number required.

Q132. Can the Government please confirm that the Past Performance Questionnaires, which are 8 pages per questionnaire, count against the 20-page limit set for Volume II: Relevant

Past/Present Performance?

A132. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance

Questionnaires. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change.

Q133. Will the Government please confirm that only one (1) electronic copy of each volume need be submitted via email to Ms. Pamela Robinson?

A133. Yes, only 1 electronic copy of each volume should be emailed to Ms. Pamela Robinson.

Q134. To be in compliance with FAR 52.212-3, do we need to include our representations & certification in the proposal, or is it sufficient to only include a statement in Volume I indicating that we have completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the

System for Award Management (SAM) website?

A134. Yes, it is sufficient to include a statement in Volume 1 indicating that the annual representations and certifications have been completed via SAM.

Q135. If representations and certification documents are required to be included in the proposal, please confirm 1.) if they should be included in Volume I and 2.) will the documents be attributed to the total page count of the Volume?

A135. See A134.

Q136. On page 10 of 26 of the Addendum, “iv. Number of Copies/Page Limits” states that Volume II

Relevant Past/Present Performance lists the Maximum Page Limit at “20/Including

Questionnaires”. Please clarify if you intend for the questionnaires to be included in the proposal or sent separately from the points of contact to you.

A136. The Past/Present Performance is limited to 10 pages, excluding Past Performance

Questionnaires. An amendment will be issued to reflect this change. Questionnaires should be sent separately from the points of contact.

Q137. On page 11 of 26 of the Addendum, the last sentence in section “v.” states “No Subcontracting possibilities exist for this requirement.” Please clarify if this a typo or if the government truly intends on not allowing subcontracting on this contract.

A137. This is not a typo. No subcontracting possibilities exist for this requirement ; however, offerors can form teaming arrangements

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