AB-133E-16-RP-0019_A001.pdf

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 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.

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

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

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

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 SOLICITATION

NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

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.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

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)

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

A001

AJ630031

Sarah McKim, Contracting Officer

See Continuation Page

NOAA/WESTERN ACQUISITION DIVISION

7600 SAND POINT WAY. NE SOU6, SEATTLE WA

98115-6349

NEEB1000-15-00571

AB-133E-16-RP-0019

N/A

1 7

02/02/2016

01/22/2016

02/02/2016

AB-133E-16-RP-0019, Amendment 001

Continuation Page, Standard Form 30

The purpose of this amendment A001 to Solicitation #AB-133E-16-RP-0019, Engineering and

Mission Operations Support Services V (EMOSS V), is to (1) provide answers to questions received; and (2) amend the RFP as described below.

(1) Answers to Questions Received:

a. Is this a follow-on requirement? If so, could you please provide the incumbent contract number for this opportunity?

Answer: This is a follow-on requirement. The incumbent contract number is

AB-133E-15-CN-0011.

b. Section L.4(b)(2)(i)(C) of Solicitation AB-133E-16-RP-0019 states, in part, "The technical proposal must be typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins, using

Times New Roman 12 point font ... inclusive of charts and graphics ..." Times

New Roman 12 is optimized for general text, rather than for exhibits such as figures and tables, through its serif design and relatively large size.

May we use a font optimized for exhibits, such as Arial 8 point or Arial Narrow

10 point, to improve the visual interest and readability of any tables or graphics included in our proposal?

Answer: A 10 point font may be used for charts, tables, and graphics. This has been clarified in the revised solicitation document, Section L.4(b)(2)(i)(C).

c. I have a question concerning the two solicitations AB-133E-16-RP-0019 and AB-

133E-16-RP-EMOSSV. Are the two the same?

Answer: These are the same requirement. AB-133E-16-RP-EMOSSV was our pre-solicitation notice, created when we did not yet have the full solicitation number. AB-133E-16-RP-0019 is the full solicitation for EMOSS V

Services. The pre-solicitation notice was amended on 1/22/16 with a link to the full solicitation documents, to ensure that all interested vendors were notified when the solicitation documents were released.

d. RFP Section B.3(b) provides the Government’s estimated level of effort for the

EMOSS-V contract. We request that the Government provide whatever historical data that exists for EMOSS-III and EMOSS-IV including distribution across

Labor Categories that shows on what these estimates are based.

Answer: The Government will not be providing this information.

e. The table that begins RFP Section B shows that the Base Period is from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017. Please verify that the contract transition takes place during the Base Period.

Answer: This is correct. The contract transition will take place during the base period. Estimated level of effort for the base period is provided in Section B of the solicitation.

f. SF-33 item 12 is blank and we have been unable to find any reference to a proposal validity period elsewhere in the RFP. Please verify that a validity period of 60 days is acceptable.

Answer: A proposal validity period of 60 days is acceptable. If discussions are held, however, then it is anticipated that final revised proposals will include a validity period of an additional 60 days after submission of the final revised proposal.

g. RFP Section C.1.4.16.2 calls for the incumbent contractor to support a successor contractor with a Phase-Out Plan. Does a Phase-Out Plan now exist? If yes, please provide us with a copy.

Answer: The current Phase-Out Plan has been incorporated into this solicitation as Attachment 4: EMOSS IV Phase-Out Plan.

h. In accordance with L.4(3)(E)(3) Volume III – Cost Proposal (Page 72), the Prime

Contractor is required to submit the proposed subcontract cost and cost detail.

However, this information is considered proprietary to subcontractors, please confirm Subcontractors may submit their proprietary data directly to the

Government on or before the due date/time of submission.

Answer: It is acceptable for subcontractors to submit any proprietary data directly to the Government in accordance with the same proposal delivery instructions that apply to the prime contractor’s proposal.

i. Section M.1(a)(1)(i) bullet 2 says “Demonstration of a sound and logical approach for meeting the technical requirements of the PWS;” Is it the Government’s intent that this is specific only to PWS elements C.1.4.1 through C.1.4.15?

Answer: No. This evaluation factor will encompass all elements of the PWS.

j. RFP Section L.4(b)(2)(C) states, in part: “This page limit applies to all of Sections

(ii)(C) through (ii)(D) of this provision, listed below. It is inclusive of charts and graphics, but excludes the table of contents, list of tables and figures, exceptions and deviations, resumes and past performance references.” Is it the Government’s intention that reference information such as an acronym list also be outside the page count?

Answer: With the exception of the five items listed, all other information in the technical proposal is included in the page limitation. I.e. the only portions of the proposal that are excluded from the page count are: (1) table of contents;

(2) list of tables and figures; (3) exceptions and deviations; (4) resumes; and (5) past performance references.

k. RFP Section L.4(b)(2)(C) states, in part: “…on 8.5” X 11” paper …” Will the

Government allow foldout, i.e., 11x17, pages and count them as 2 proposal pages?

Answer: Foldouts are acceptable. A foldout such as the question describes would count as two pages.

l. Section L.4.b.2.i.C, Volume II – Technical Proposal. Will the Government allow the submission of a Compliance Matrix that is excluded from page count?

Answer: A compliance matrix may be included at the offeror’s discretion.

However, reference the answer to question “j” above. The only portions of the proposal that are excluded from the page count are: (1) table of contents; (2) list of tables and figures; (3) exceptions and deviations; (4) resumes; and (5) past performance references.

m. L.1: Provision, FAR 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional

Employees. Within this clause, it states offerors will submit a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under the contract. Since cost/pricing/salary information cannot be included in the Technical Volume, where do we include this plan?

Answer: The solicitation Section L.4 requires submission of a personnel plan, which, among other things, demonstrates the offeror’s “ability to attract and retain qualified staff, including incumbent personnel, if applicable. The personnel plan must describe the offeror’s compensation of employees, incentives for performance, and demonstrate how its fringe benefits program contributes to retention of qualified staff. Additionally, the offeror’s personnel plan shall demonstrate how the company intends to staff administrative and human resource functions.”

The personnel plan of the technical proposal shall include the information required by the solicitation provision 52.222-46. However, any cost information, such as proposed salaries and fringe benefit rates, must be included in Volume III: Cost Proposal. No cost information shall be included in Volume II: Technical Proposal.

n. L.1: Provision, FAR 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional

Employees. If a total compensation plan must be included, will you allow it to be excluded from page count?

Answer: The information required by provision 52.222-46 shall be included in the personnel plan, which is required by Section L.4(b)(2)(iii)(A)(3), Personnel

Plan. The total compensation plan is included in the page count. The only exception is cost information, which is to be included in Volume III: Cost

Proposal, and not in Volume II: Technical Proposal.

(2) The following changes have been made to the solicitation, which are reflected in the revised solicitation document.

a. SF33 Form

i. Block 8 has been amended to reflect the changes made to Section L.9.

Delivery information for electronic proposals is included in Section L.8.

Delivery information for hard copy technical proposals is included in

Section L.9.

ii. Block 9 has been amended to reference Sections L.8 and L.9 of the solicitation.

iii. Block 9 has been amended to reflect a closing time of 2:00PM Eastern

Time on February 22, 2016.

iv. Block 11 has been updated with the current page numbers.

b. Section J is hereby amended to add Attachment 4: EMOSS IV Phase-Out Plan

c. Section L.4(b)(2)(i)(C), Volume II – Technical Proposal (No more than 50 pages), is hereby amended as follows.

The technical proposal must be typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins, using

Times New Roman 12 point f o n t and printed, unreduced in size, on 8.5” X 11” paper, not exceeding 50 pages, single-sided. A 10 point font may be used for charts, tables, and graphics. The page limit applies to all of Sections (ii)(C) through (ii)(D) of this provision, listed below. It is inclusive of charts, tables, and graphics, but excludes the table of contents, list of tables and figures, exceptions and deviations, resumes and past performance references. Any pages in excess of 50 pages will be disregarded, and will not be included in the proposal evaluation. Failure of the offeror to comply with the page limitations, resulting in the excess pages not being evaluated, shall not constitute grounds for a protest.

d. L.4(b)(2)(iii)(A)(3), Personnel Plan, is hereby amended as follows:

Personnel Plan: The offeror’s proposal shall include a personnel plan, demonstrating its ability to attract and retain qualified staff, including incumbent personnel, if applicable. The personnel plan must describe the offeror’s compensation of employees, incentives for performance, and demonstrate how its fringe benefits program contributes to retention of qualified staff. Additionally, the offeror’s personnel plan shall demonstrate how the company intends to staff administrative and human resource functions.

The personnel plan shall include at a minimum labor categories and hours to meet the PWS requirements; and resumes for each key personnel proposed (reference Sections C.2 and H.12 for key personnel positions and minimum education/experience).

Offerors are allowed and encouraged to propose labor categories other than those included in

Section B to meet the requirements of this solicitation. If an offeror chooses to do so, the proposal shall include a proposed table of labor category descriptions and minimum qualifications, reference Section C.2. This table, if included, does not count against the page limitations for this volume.

e. L.4(b)(3) VOLUME III—COST PROPOSAL (Excel spreadsheet plus no more than 10 pages of supporting narrative)

f. L.4(b)(3)(E)(3) Volume III – Cost Proposal is hereby amended as follows.

E. Subcontracts: If subcontracts are proposed, cost information for each subcontractor shall be furnished in the same format and level of detail as prescribed for the prime offeror. Any proprietary subcontractor cost information may be submitted directly from the subcontractor to the Government, provided that the submission meets the requirements of Section L.8, Section L.9, and all other relevant requirements of this solicitation. Additionally, in relation to such subcontracts, the following information shall be provided:

1. description of the services to be furnished by the subcontractor;

2. Identification of the proposed subcontractor and an explanation of why and how the proposed subcontractor was selected, including the extent of competition;

3. The proposed subcontract cost and cost detail and performance/delivery schedule;

and

4. Identification of the type of subcontract to be used.

g. Section L.8, Electronic Proposals, is hereby amended as follows:

Electronic (e-mailed) proposals are required. This is notwithstanding the additional requirement for five (5) hard copies of Volume II: Technical Proposals, as detailed in

Section L.9 of this solicitation. Electronic proposals must contain all requested information to meet the minimum criteria for a complete response and must be in a software format compatible with those used at NOAA’s Western Acquisition Division (see Submission of

Proposals in Section L.9 below). The email address to which proposals must be sent is:

angelica.torres@noaa.gov, with a carbon copy to: sarah.mckim@noaa.gov.

The Government will not be responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the email, including the failure to meet stated deadlines. It is the Offeror’s responsibility to confirm the Government’s receipt of all transmitted information.

The personnel plan shall include the information required by solicitation provision FAR

52.222-46, Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees, with the exception of any cost information, which shall be included in Volume III: Cost Proposal.

mailto:angelica.torres@noaa.gov mailto:sarah.mckim@noaa.gov

h. Section L.9 Submission of Proposals is hereby amended as follows.

Proposal information shall be submitted in the formats and quantities specified below, prior to the deadline of 2:00PM Eastern Time on February 22, 2016.

(a) Business Proposal: One (1) electronic copy, Microsoft Office 2010 or Adobe

Acrobat X standard.

(b) Technical Proposal: One (1) electronic copy, Microsoft Office 2010 or Adobe

Acrobat X standard, in addition to five (5) hard copies, each in a separate ringed binder.

Technical Proposals may be mailed or hand-delivered. Hand-delivered proposals are encouraged.

All technical proposals delivered by mail must be delivered to Jason Zick, Contract

Specialist (CTR) at:

All hand-delivered technical proposals must be scheduled ahead of time with Jason Zick, Contract Specialist (CTR) at jason.zick@noaa.gov or (301) 628-1410. To schedule a delivery time, you must contact Jason Zick no later than 2:00 pm Eastern Time on the day prior to delivery. All hand-delivered technical proposals must be delivered to Jason Zick at the following address: 1325 East-West Highway SOU6, Silver Spring Metro Center, Building 2 (SSMC2), 1st Floor Lobby, Silver Spring, MD

20910. Directions to Building 2 can be found at http://www.ago.noaa.gov/docs/noaa_directions.pdf.

(c) Cost Proposal: One (1) electronic copy, Microsoft Excel 2010. A .PDF may also be provided at offeror’s discretion.

Offerors are responsible for submitting all proposals, including both electronic and hard copies, as well as any revisions, so as to reach the designated Government office by the date and time specified in the solicitation. Any package not marked or incorrectly marked for identification as a proposal and consequently delivered late will not be considered for award.

1325 East-West Highway SOU6, Silver Spring Metro Center, Building 2 (SSMC2)

Rm 11322

Silver Spring, MD 20910 mailto:jason.zick@noaa.gov http://www.ago.noaa.gov/docs/noaa_directions.pdf