Attachment 1 - 2024 PMO RFP Response to Questions.pdf

Attachment 1 - 2024 PMO RFP Response to Questions

Question Number RFP Section Paragraph Number or Identifier Page Number Question Response

F.2 Paragraph 1 52 Question: If a Task Order is issued in the fifth year of the contracts, what is the maximum period of performance allowed by the CO for the Task Order?

The Contracting Officer will make a final determination on the period of performance if a task order is issued during year 5 of the base contract.

G.11 Paragraph 2 65 Question: Is the 51% of the services for a small business prime over the life of the contract or on each individual

Task Order? It is for the life of the contract.

L.22 Volume II Table, Tab 2 152 Question: Are resumes of Non-Key / Non-Mission Critical Personnel required? Per the RFP the Government is requesting resumes for Key and Mission Critical Personnel at this time.

L.23

Section 2, Small Business Certification Process, 2nd bullet

157 Question: For VOSB and SDVOSB should the certification be from the U.S. Small Business Administration? Please refer to page 157 in the RFP.

L.23 Section 5, Sub-section 2, 3rd paragraph 160 Question: Are copies of the Total Professional Employee Compensation Plans excluded from the page limitations?

No

L.23 Volume II, Tab 2, Section 2, 6th paragraph, Key Personnel 162 Question: Please advise if the offerors should identify 2 personnel for each key position in the proposal?

Per the RFP, the offeror is limited to submitting no more than two resumes for each key personnel labor category and one resume for each Mission Critical

Labor Category.

L.23 Volume II, Tab 6, Section 2, 1st paragraph, and Volume II, Tab 6, Section 1, 2nd paragraph

RFP states: “A completed Past Performance Questionnaire shall be submitted …. For…the Prime Offeror and each major subcontractor/team member proposed to perform under this effort” yet Volume II, Tab 6, Section 1, 2nd paragraph only allows “one (1) experience from proposed Subcontractor”. There seems to be a discrepancy between PPQs required, and the Corporate Experience to be submitted. Clarification request: Please clarify the number of PPQs that are to be submitted if more than one major subcontractor is identified.

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

L.23 Volume II, Tab 6, Section 2, 3rd paragraph 183

RFP States: The completed Questionnaire shall be submitted directly via email from the customer reference to:

fta2024projectmanagementoversight @dot.gov, no later than, 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, December 27, 2023.

Question: In light of the holidays and due to our knowledge that some Federal agency COs and CORs are taking leave from 12/15/2023 to 01/05/2024, would FTA consider moving the PPQ due date to January 11, 2024?

Please refer to the RFP.

L.29 Page Description, 1st paragraph 198 Question: Please advise if the font for charts, graphs, figures and tables be smaller than size 12 point font if it is clearly legible? Please refer to the RFP.

L.29 Page Description, 3rd paragraph 198 Question: Please advise if the footers can be less than 12 point font if legible?

Please refer to the RFP.

M.8 Factor 3, Sub- factor A, 1st paragraph, and Volume II, Tab 6, Section 1, 2nd paragraph

RFP states: “The technical proposal shall include at least three (3) specific reference contracts of past performance. This seems to conflict with Volume II, Tab 6, Section 1, 2nd paragraph which states “The Offeror shall provide three (3) different examples of corporate experience…”. Question: Are Offerors to submit at least three or exactly 3 reference contracts?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Section J - Attachment J-12; File Names; List of Attachments 128

Attachment J-12 is identified as Appendix A through Appendix F, and 2024 PMOC Billing files. The attachment files don’t match the Section J List of Attachments. Question: Which is correct, the file names in the List of Attachments or the files names of the Attachments presented in SAM.gov?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Attachment J-1 #12 RFP Section FAR 52.227-15 REPRESENTATION OF LIMITED RIGHTS DATA AND RESTRICTED COMPUTER. SOFTWARE has no place for signature. Recommend: Checklist #12 be changed to indicate on that FAR 52.227-15 has been completed.

Offerors are required to check the applicable box and include it in Volume I - Tab 2 of their proposal.

Attachment J-1 #19 4

RFP Section B.8, 3rd paragraph states: “Contractors without audited rates shall propose indirect rates in accordance with FAR Part 31. See Section H.16. ” RFP Volume III, Tab3, 3rd paragraph states: “Audit Information: The Offeror, JV, and Partnering/Teaming shall submit for themselves and for each proposed subcontractor (team member) statements certifying the most recent year for which final audited indirect rates have been determined by the Offeror’s, JV, Partnering/Teaming and subcontractor’s independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Firm, Federal Government cognizant audit agency. (e.g., Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and/or Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

Include name and address of respective Field Office Audit (FOA) office.” Question: Can Checklist item #19 be modified to allow offerors and major subcontractors to indicate that statements certifying the most recent year have been submitted?

All Prime and Subcontractors must provide a complete audit certifying their audited rates. In addition, Attachment J-1 has been updated to reflect all subcontractors instead of major subcontractors.

L.22 Table - Volume III – Cost Proposal, Page 153, Tab 1;

L.27, Volume III – Tab 1,page 188

Tab 1 is currently identified as “Cost Proposal”. Question: Should Tab 1 just be identified as “Cost” to be consistent with L.27 Volume III – Tab 1 – Cost on page 188?

Page 188 - Volume III has been updated from "Cost" to "Cost Proposal"

L.23 Volume II, Tab 6, Section 2, 1st paragraph

RFP states: “A completed Past Performance Questionnaire shall be submitted …. For…the Prime Offeror and each major subcontractor/team member proposed to perform under this effort”. Question: Will FTA please define what constitutes a “major” subcontractor?

Please see page 193 for a definition for a major subcontractor.

L.27 Volume III, Tab 2, 4th paragraph; and, Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 2

RFP states: The compensation levels proposed should reflect a clear understanding of work to be performed and should indicate the capability of the proposed compensation structure to obtain and keep suitable qualified personnel to meet mission objectives. Question: Is this the start of instructions for Section 2: Fill in Sections B.24, B.25, B.28, B.29 Tables as identified in Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 2?

Yes, Volume III discusses the Cost Proposal Instructions.

L.27 Volume III, Tab 3, 1st paragraph; and, Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 3

RFP states: The Offeror, JV, Partnering/Teaming, and all major subcontractors shall provide the current (within the last year) audit report/findings/letter and point of contact with phone number or email address from the Offeror’s Federal Government Cognizant Audit Agency that the Offeror’s accounting system has been approved and is adequate for firm fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts. Escalation rates must also be provided and supported in accordance with audit regulations. Question: Are these the instructions for Section 1:

Accounting System as identified in Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 3?

Yes, Volume III discusses the Cost Proposal Instructions.

L.27 Volume III, Tab 3, 3rd paragraph; and, Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 3

RFP states: Audit Information: The Offeror, JV, and Partnering/Teaming shall submit for themselves and for each proposed subcontractor (team member) statements certifying the most recent year for which final audited indirect rates have been determined by the Offeror’s, JV, Partnering/Teaming and subcontractor’s independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Firm, Federal Government cognizant audit agency. (e.g., Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and/or Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Include name and address of respective Field Office Audit (FOA) office. To locate your DCAA Field Audit Office go to http://www.dcaa.mil/.

Question: Are these the instructions for Section 2: Audit Information as identified in Section L.22, Volume III – Cost Proposal, Tab 3?

Yes, Volume III discusses the Cost Proposal Instructions.

Attachment J-3 Section II - 4 of 9

If the contract was performed by a Major Subcontractor to the Offeror of the FTA PMO, there is no place in Attachment J-3 that identifies the Offeror. Question: Can Attachment J-3 be modified such that when FTA receives it, they will know who the FTA PMO Offeror is for which this Major Subcontractor is a teammate?

Attachment J-3 has been updated and included in this amendment.

Attachment J-4 1st paragraph 1 of 18

Attachment J-4 states: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 19.7 requires any contractor who receives a contract for more than the simplified acquisition threshold to agree in the contract that small businesses, small businesses, HUB-Zone small businesses, small-disadvantaged businesses, and women-owned small business concerns will have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contract performance consistent with its efficient performance. Question: Does FTA want to include service-disabled veteran-owned small business in this sentence?

Attachment J-4 has been updated and included in this amendment.

Attachment J-6 #7 2 Attachment J-6, #7 asks when the audit was performed, however there is no way to indicate the correct answer in the Yes, No, N/A columns. Question: Should the Offeror/Major Subcontractor indicate an X in the Note column then state when the audit was performed in the narrative notes on page 3?

The applicable Yes, No, N/A columns should be selected. You can include a note on page 3 pertaining to the referenced section.

Attachment J-7 Two pdf files in SAM.gov are identified as Attachment J-7: · Attachment J-7 - 2024 PMO J- 7 Cost Proposal (Fee Profit) – Final Attachment J-7 - 2024 PMO Contract Pricing Summary Workbook – Final Question: Which of this file is correctly named Attachment J-7? The correct title is: "2024 PMO Contract Pricing

Summary Workbook".

Attachment J-7 2024 PMO Contract Pricing Summary Workbook – Final, Total Effort tab, Column C

Question: Are names required for Non-Key/Non-Mission Critical labor categories?

Per the RFP the Government is requesting resumes for Key and Mission Critical Personnel at this time.

Attachment J-7 2024 PMO Contract Pricing Summary

Workbook – Final, Sub 1 -7 tabs Question: Are names required for Non-Key/Non-Mission Critical labor categories? Per the RFP the Government is requesting resumes for Key and Mission Critical Personnel at this time.

H.25 and Attachment J-11 1st paragraph 108 Section H.25 does not provide instructions on how to fill in Attachment J-11. Question: Where is the field that

“X = Indicates Conflict” get indicated in Attachment J-11 if there is a conflict of interest, or not, and whether the offeror is interested in the project assignment?

Attachment J-11 has been updated and included in this amendment.

L.23 Volume II, Tab 1, Section 4, 1st paragraph

RFP Section 4: Technical Approach states: The Offeror shall provide in detail the technical approach and procedures to be followed to manage and perform services identified in Section C including a mapping of the task to staff positions. Question: Is it sufficient to provide our technical approach to manage and perform services identified in only C.7?

Please comply with Section C in the RFP.

28 C.6b 31

In accordance with Subsection C.6.b on page 31 of RFP No. 69319524R000001, I am requesting Contracting Officer approval of my waiver:

• Program (PgMP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification is required.

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

29 General Question I am interested in applying for the solicitation number FTA 2024 PMO 004 with the U.S. Department of Transportation. I am specifically interested in the Technical Writer position. May I solely apply for this position?

Please review the proposal instructions.

30 B.24 Provisions Applicable to Indirect Costs

(Prime), Ceiling Rate 18 With regard to establishing a ceiling indirect cost rate, please confirm that it can be based on the maximum rate from the past 5 audited years. Please refer to page 196 in the RFP.

31 B.25 Provision Applicable to Indirect Costs

(Subcontractor Team) 19

Is an audited indirect cost rate required for small businesses in the role of subcontractor? If not, will a compilation from a CPA be acceptable for indirect cost rate? Shall the Prime treat sole proprietors as a subcontractor or a consultant with an un-escalated flat rate (over the 5 years)?

The Prime and all Subcontractors are required to submit an audit certifying their indirect rates.

For the second question, that will be a business decision that the Prime will have to make.

32 C.6b Waivers of Minimum Personnel 31 Are waivers due at the time of proposal submission or prior?

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

33 H.41 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

(QASP) 117

Since the QASP is required to be submitted with the proposal, does it affect the overall page count?

Which Volume of the proposal is the QASP to be included?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

34 L.22 Proposal Organization and Preparation, Attachment J-2 Resume 152

Tunneling Engineer and Technical Writer not available on drop-down list.

Above the drop-down list for Labor Categories, it reflects “2019 PMO Contract.”

Will FTA permit additional projects to be added to the J-2 resume in addition to the 4 included for Relevant Projects in the document?

Attachment J-2 has been updated and included in this amendment.

Projects examples are limited to four and this part of the J-2 document will not be revised.

35 L.24 Task Order Manager I (TOM I) 170 Will the government accept a B.S. degree in Construction Management and an M.S. degree in Engineering Management for the TOM I position with a CCM certificate? E42

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

36 L.24 Project Scheduling Manager 174 Will the government consider a PMP certification with 29 years of scheduling experience in lieu of a PSP certification?

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

37 L.21

JOINT VENTURES AND TEAM

ARRANGEMENTS 150

It does not provide any information regarding an Offeror’s ability to pursue this contract as a prime consultant as well as a subconsultant. Is it acceptable for Offeror’s to submit a proposal in response to this RFP as a prime consultant (as a Joint Venture or as a sole prime consultant) and also submit as a subconsultant to another prime consultant?

Offerors can submit as a Prime Contractor and subcontractor to a Prime Contractor.

38 Attachment J-1 #5 page 1 of 5

Attachment States: Does your offer include a Professional Employee Compensation Plan?

Question #1: Does FTA want confirmation of Professional Employee Compensation Plans for the Prime Offeror and all major subcontractors/team members?

Question #2: Do we need to include the Professional Employee Compensation Plans for the Prime offeror and each major subcontractor / team member?

Please comply with Section L in the RFP.

39 Attachment J-1 #6 page 2 of 5

Attachment States: Offeror has distributed Past Performance Questionnaire (s) and requested a timely response, i.e., prior to proposal due date.

Question: Are Past Performance Questionnaires now due prior to the proposal due date?

Yes, per the RFP Past Performance Questionnaires are due no later than, 5:00 PM Eastern Standard

Time, December 27, 2023

40 Attachment J-1 #7 page 2 of 5

Attachment States: The Offeror certify, in its Business Proposal, the adequacy of its accounting system to include all major subcontractors.

Question: Is this item in reference to Volume III - Cost Proposal?

Please review section L.26, "ADEQUATE

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM – PREAWARD"

41 Attachment J-1 All All Recommendation: We recommend FTA expand the Proposal Checklist to include all items listed in RFP Section L.22 tables for Volumes I, II and III. No response is required.

42 Attachment J-10 Section 6.1.1.1 Pages 2 – 4 of 11

Attachment J-10 states: OVERSIGHT PROCEDURE BY CLIN LIST with Ops by CLIN.

Question: The CLIN List Tables in J-10 do not match the 2023 Pre-Proposal Consolidated Presentation slide #53.

Which is correct, Attachment J-10 or the Presentation slide?

The Attachment J-10 that was included in the official solicitation is the correct document.

43 Attachment J-10 All

Comment: The 2023 Pre-Proposal Consolidated Presentation slide #53 shows OP40B-C for CLIN 0003, but OP 40B-C cannot be located in Attachment J-10.

Clarification Request: Please clarify if OP 40B-C has been incorporated in OP 40.

Attachment J-10 in the RFP includes the revised OP40, which incorporates information formerly found in OP40B and OP40C.

44 Attachment J-10 All

Comment: The 2023 Pre-Proposal Consolidated Presentation slide #53 shows OP27 for CLIN 0004, but OP 27 cannot be located in Attachment J-10.

Clarification Request: Please clarify if OP 27 has been replaced by another OP. There is no OP27 in this RFP.

45 Attachment J-10 All

Comment: The 2023 Pre-Proposal Consolidated Presentation slide #53 shows OP56 for CLIN 0004, but OP 56 cannot be located in Attachment J-10.

Clarification Request: Please clarify if OP 56 has been replaced by another OP. There is no OP56 in this RFP.

46 Section L.24 Volume II - Tab 6, Section 3, 5th and

10th bullets 184 RFP 5th bullet states: Contract Value. The 10th bullet states: Award contract price and final or projected final price. Question: What’s the difference between contract value and award contract price? Please review section B.5 in the RFP.

47 Section L.24 Volume II - Tab 6, Section 3, 6th and

11th bullets 184

RFP 6th bullet states: Performance Period. The 11th bullet states: Original delivery schedule including dates of start and completion of work final or projected final delivery schedule including dates of start and completion of work.

Question: What’s the difference between the performance period and the final delivery dates? Please review the deliverable section in the RFP.

48 Section L.23 Volume I, Section 2, 1st bullet 157

RFP states: For Small and Small Disadvantaged Businesses - There is no formal certification process. You are able to self-certify as a small or small disadvantaged business when you register on SAM.gov.

Question: A Small Business without a specific disadvantaged classification does not have to submit Attachment J- 14 if it is self-certified in SAM.gov. Is that correct?

Attachment J-14 is only required if you have submitted the appropriate documents for certification and it has not been approved prior to the proposal submission due date.

49 Required Font 198 Is it acceptable to use a font size smaller than 12 point font for the Organization Chart, Tables, and Graphics as long as they are clearly legible? Please refer to the RFP.

50 Utilizing CPARS 184 Regarding the past performance examples, if we use one FTA project and one non-FTA project for the two Prime examples, should we submit a J-13 Form for the FTA project or is the CPARS sufficient for the FTA project? Please refer to the RFP.

51 Volume II Tab 6 Past Performance 181

Regarding the requirement to provide two experiences from the Prime and one experience from proposed Subcontractor - We have multiple subcontractors on our team, please confirm we should only include one subcontractor’s past performance project, so there will be 3 experiences total.

Offerors shall submit a maximum of three (3) different examples of corporate experience.

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

52 Minimum Personnel Requirements 32

Regarding the requirement that Key Personnel will be employed by only one prime contractor: Is Contracting Officer approval required for a Prime Contractor’s Risk Manager II to also serve as Risk Manager II as a subconsultant to another Prime Contractor? Yes, the C.O. approval is required.

Attachment J-8, 2024 PMO Firm Fixed

Price Form

Volume III – Tab 2 – Cost Proposal:

Section 1: Attachment J-8, 2024 PMO

Firm Fixed Price Form 189-190 The protected formulas in columns M to P (Years 2 – 5) reflects 3% escalation. However, the form itself reflects an assumption of 3.7% escalation. E57

Attachment J-8 has been updated and included in this amendment.

L.28 Oral Presentation and

M.10 Oral Presentations 197 and 212

The Government does not specify a time in the future for the oral presentations. Three key positions are required to be in attendance and the Government does not allow rescheduling of the oral presentations. It is in the interest of the government and consistent with fair and equitable competition for the government to specify the two-week time frame in a month in which oral presentations are to be conducted. This will allow staff from all competitors to block time and be available, rendering the Government the highest competition and best value. What time frame will the Government provide for the oral interviews, and will the Government provide this timeline before the holidays so logistics can be arranged while staff are available to coordinate schedules?

This information will be communicated to the offerors within the competitive range.

A.1 Solicitation Summary and L.8

Communication and Questions 8 and 144

The Government indicates response to questions will be issued as an amendment to the RFP but does not indicate when this will occur. It is to the Government’s benefit to allow enough time between when the amendment is issued and when the proposals are due. Considering the holidays, we request a minimum of 15 working days between any RFP amendments and the proposal submission deadline. How long will the Government give Offerors to submit after any amendments are issued? No response is required.

L.23, Volume II, Tab 2, Section 2: Resumes of Key Personnel… and Attachment J-2

162-163 and Attachment J-2

How does the Government require the J-2 resumes to be signed? Will the Government accept J-2 resumes signed via the "Sign" tool or electronic signatures inserted as images or does the Government have another preferred method for signing?

The offeror can electronically sign the J-2 resume form.

L.23, Volume I, Tab 3, Section 2: Small

Business Certification/Letter of

Intent 157

Section L.23 Proposal Preparation Instructions, RFP Page 157/PDF Page 158 states:

Offerors that identify as a small business shall be required to certify in accordance with the certification process identified below:

• Small and Small Disadvantaged Businesses There is no formal certification process. You are able to self-certify as a small or small disadvantaged business when you register on SAM.gov.

• Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses You must apply for certification through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vets First Verification Program.

• Woman-Owned, HUBZone, or 8(a) Small Businesses You must apply for your certification through the U.S. Small Business Administration at certify.sba.gov.

We understand this criteria applies to the Offeror. However, regarding the subcontractors, does the Government use the same criteria to verify an Offeror's subcontractors' small business certifications or is there other criteria used, such as allowing all subcontractors to self-certify on sam.gov for any applicable SB, SDB, SDVOSB, WOSB, and/or HUBZone certifications?

The same criteria is required from subcontractors who is considered a small business.

Section L.5 Treatment of Data in

Proposal (FOIA) 143 What does Government mean by “The Government reserves the right to reject any proposal submitted with a nonconforming legend”? Please refer to the RFP.

L.23, Volume III, Tab 3 - Accounting System Audit

Information (last paragraph on Page

196) 196

This section applies to companies who have established accounting systems with enough history to submit to an audit in order to establish their OH rate. In the past, the Government allowed individual consultants who personally fill a labor category to provide documentation from another cognizant public agency establishing their fully burdened rate to justify market rate for the proposed rate. What does the Government require as documentation to establish a fully burdened rate from an individual consultant who is filling a labor category?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

C.6b Minimum Personnel

Requirements (3rd paragraph on Page

31) 31

The RFP states, "Waivers of minimum personnel requirements as defined within this Subsection shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government." What form of documentation does the Government require for personnel who have the experience but may lack the certification required?

The offeror shall submit a written waiver request in sufficient detail to justify the request.

L.23, Volume I, Tab 3 - Small Business

Subcontracting Plan 156

How does the Government calculate the small business subcontracting percentages? For example, does 46% SB include the other categories (SDB, WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone) and is the 46% of all work given to subconsultants based on cost?

The overall SB goal is negotiated every year with the SBA. The WOSB, SDVOSB and other social economic categories are statutory goals already set by the SBA and that goal doesn't change.

L.23, Volume I, Tab 3 - Small Business

Subcontracting Plan 156 Can a small business firm certified in more than one category (for example WOSB and SDVOSB) be counted for more than one small business subcontracting category to fulfill the subcontracting goals?

Yes, you can be certified and counted in more than one it's the same as the SB Prime goals.

L.27 Labor Categories and Hours

Information 187

In order for the Government to be able to have the same basis for evaluation of the cost proposals, all proposers must price the proposal based on the 91,500 hours shown in this section. Can a proposer reduce or increase these hours to calculate their costs?

Please refer to the RFP.

L.27, Volume III, Tab

2 - Cost Proposal 189 The issued Attachment J-7 only has tabs for up to 7 subcontractors. Since we are not allowed to alter Attachment J-7, can the Government please provide an updated Attachment J-7 to include tabs for up to 10 subcontractors?

Attachment J-7 has been updated and included in this amendment.

L.23, Volume II, Tab 1, Sub-Section 3: Key

Personnel and

L.23 Volume II, Tab 2, Section 1: Key

Personnel Letter of Commitment 160 and 161-162

Vol II, Tab 1, Sub-Section 3: Key Personnel (RFP Page 160) states, Identify the Prime Offeror key personnel as identified in the solicitation proposed for this effort. Provide a cross-walk between the Government specified labor categories for which the key personnel are proposed and the offeror’s internal labor categories in which the personnel are/will be classified. The cross-walk shall describe their qualifications (education and experience) as it relates to the functional area requirements of the SOW and demonstrates how these qualifications meet or exceed the applicable minimum qualifications established elsewhere in this solicitation."

And Vol II, Tab 2, Section 1: Key Personnel Letter of Commitment (RFP Page 161) states, "The Offeror shall identify key personnel as proposed for this effort. The key personnel positions for this requirement are identified as the Program Manager and Task Order Manager I, II. The key personnel positions shall be filled by employees of the Prime Offeror.

"The Offeror shall provide a matrix table between the Government specific labor categories for which the key personnel are identified, describe their qualifications (education and experience) as it relates to the SOW in Section C, and demonstrate how these qualifications meet or exceed the applicable minimum qualifications established in the solicitation. The Offeror shall provide letters of commitment certifying that the Government shall have full access to the key personnel as required by the Government. A Corporate Official and each key personnel shall sign the commitment letters. The letters shall be completed and incorporated into this section of the proposal. The commitment letter is limited to 1) page each."

Both RFP sections ask for very similar proof of qualifications for Key Personnel. To avoid duplicative information, may we provide the requested proof of qualifications in Vol II, Tab 1, Sub-Section 3: Key Personnel and then provide only the Letters of Commitment in Vol II, Tab 2, Section 1: Key Personnel Letter of Commitment instead of repeating qualifications in the latter section? If not, please clarify the difference between the two sections and what the Government prefers we provide in each.

Please review the RFP.

L.23 Volume II, Tab 2, Section 2 Resumes of Key Personnel, Mission Critical

Personnel and Non- Key/Non-Mission Critical Personnel 162

The RFP states, "Resumes for others (non-Key/non-Mission Critical) personnel as proposed for individual Task Orders shall be submitted at the time of award of the respective Task Order." and "For evaluation purposes, the Government has identified the following labor categories as key personnel and/or mission critical personnel that all offerors must provide a resume as a result of this solicitation. The below labor categories with a * are deemed key personnel and ** are deemed mission critical personnel under this requirement and resumes must be included in the Offeror’s Technical Proposal." Please confirm that resumes for non-Key/non-Mission Critical personnel will not be reviewed, evaluated, or considered as part of this proposal submission and therefore should not be included in our submission.

Per the RFP the Government is requesting resumes for Key and Mission Critical Personnel at this time.

Note: Question 65 is restating what is in the proposal.

67 Attachment J-2

Please consider adding a section to the resume template to allow for a professional summary to address the minimum technical requirements for each position. The limit of 4 projects may be insufficient to highlight staff experience and address all requirements.

The Government has made a decision to not change Attachment J-2.

68 H.25 108 Please confirm the designation of any conflicts on Attachment J-11 are for the prime only.

The conflict of interest matrix includes the Prime and their subcontractors

Volume III – COST PROPOSAL / Section

3: Financial Statements 189

RFP states “Any interim financial statements such as quarterly reports shall also be provided if the annual statements are more than six (6) months old. Interim financial reports may be unaudited.”

Please confirm if interim financial statements are required for subcontractors.

Please confirm the minimum information that is required to be included on interim financial statements if the date of the audit report is more than 6 months old.

Please review the RFP.

L.9 DELIVERY OF

PROPOSAL 145

Delivery of Proposal - given that this appears to be a new proposal submittal platform for FTA, we ask for a demonstration of the process so that users will be familiar with user interface, etc. and if this could be recorded, that would be appreciated.

Please review the guidelines set forth in the RFP regarding the delivery of proposals.

Section C - Statement of Work C.6b Waivers 31 The RFP states waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Clarify the process if such waiver request should be included prior to proposal submission or with the proposal.

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

Section E - Inspection and Acceptance E.5 Review of Deliverables 50

This section references a Regional Implementation Plan and a Programmatic Implementation Plan. These documents are not referenced anywhere in the solicitation. Confirm that these the same as an Implementation Plan but are germane to a regional/programmatic Task Order?

Yes, these are Implementation Plans associated with either a Regional or Programmatic Task Order.

Section F - Deliveries of Performance F.3 Deliverables 54

Section F.3 provides a table of deliverables. One such is "Cost Report". Is this document the same as the PMOC Status Report at Task Order Level referenced in OP2 (page 29 of 924) as well as the Monthly Cost status Report referenced in OP2, Appendix C (page 44 of 924)? Yes, this is the same deliverable.

Section F - Deliveries of Performance F.3 Deliverables 54 Section F.3 provides a table of deliverables. One such is "PMOC Monthly/Quarterly Report". Confirm that this is the same document referenced as the Quarterly Review Meeting Notes in OP25, (page 270 of 924)?

The PMOC Monthly/Quarterly Report cited here refers to the Project Monitoring Report cited in

OP25.

Section G - Contract Administration Data G.31 Travel and Per Diem 79

RECEIPTS: Except for per diem expenses, valid original receipts are required for all expenditures regardless of cost. If a receipt is not normally provided for the expense (metro, bus token, etc.), the certification signed by the traveler on the travel form must justify the expense. Receipts submitted with the travel reimbursement form should indicate the name of the traveler, date, amount, and the service rendered. However, page 80, INVOICES, item 3 states “All Other Modes of Transportation (Taxi receipts are not required if less than $75.00)”. Please confirm if taxi receipts are required if less than $75.00.

Please review the RFP.

Section G – Contract Administration Data G.31 Travel and Per Diem 80

Will the FTA issue a standard Travel Authorization Request template, or will existing form be used in the new contract?

An existing Travel Authorization Form will be used.

This document will be provided after contract award.

Section H - Special Contracting

Requirements

H.5.c and Attachment J-10 Combined 2024 FINAL Ops - Level of Effort Task

Orders 89

The Base Contract requires that the Contractor notify the CO and COR/ACOR in writing, whenever it has reason to believe that the level of effort will exceed 75% of the level of effort obligated for that task order. OP2 (page 29 of 924) requires that the Contractor report the 75% expenditure at the CLIN level. Should the Base Contract also require notification in writing whenever the CLIN funds are expected to exceed 75% of the level of effort obligated for that CLIN?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Section H - Special Contracting

Requirements H.29 Selected Travel 111

Third paragraph - Charges associated with itinerary changes and cancellation under nonrefundable airline tickets will be deemed unallowable. Please confirm that this applies in the event the FTA or the Project Sponsor cancels or reschedules a previously planned and approved trip.

This does not apply if FTA or the Project Sponsor cancels.

Section H - Special Contracting

Requirements H.41 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan 117 The QASP shall be included in the proposal. Please clarify where in Section L.22, Proposal Organization and Preparation, it should be included?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Attachment J-10 – Combined 2024 Final

Ops OP25 – Recurring Oversight and Related

Reports/Deliverables 270 of 924 There is no mention of 4-Square Reports as a deliverable. Will these reports be considered an official deliverable, and will their due date be established in OP25 or Section F.3, Deliverables of the Task Order SOW? Required reports are defined in OP25.

Attachment J-10 Combined 2024

FINAL Ops Section J - 2024 FINAL OPs It appears some of the OPs do not have Acceptable Quality Limit tables (OP2, OP20, OP21,OP25, OP32B, OP33, OP34, OP35, OP40). Please advise if these will be provided by amendment or after contract award.

Any further revisions to the specifically cited OPs will be done after contract award.

Attachment J-12, Appendix A

Declaration of Completion Form for

2024 Declaration of Completion

Is there a reason for disseminating the stand-alone document that also appears in the invoice template? Please clarify. No response is required.

83 Section L.24 Volume II, Tab 4, Section 1, 2nd 3rd paragraphs 180

The RFP contains conflicting direction regarding how the Offeror is to propose regarding Organizational and Individual Conflicts of Interests:

• The 2nd paragraph states in part: “The Offeror shall clearly state in the proposal that no actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest exists for the Prime Offeror and all subcontractors/team members.”

• The 3rd paragraph states in part: “The Offeror shall complete and submit the Government-provided Conflict of Interest (COI) matrix spreadsheet, Attachment J-11…” Since the base IDIQ contract is for nationwide services, it is a given that an Offeror will have an OCI with some project sponsors. It is not possible for an Offeror to truthfully include the statement required in the 2nd paragraph that it has no OCIs as part of its proposal. Conversely, if this were a task order proposal for oversight of a specific sponsor, the Offeror could make said statement truthfully. The 3rd paragraph recognizes that Offerors will have some OCIs and requires submission of the COI matrix form J-11.

Please clarify the FTA’s intent regarding how the Offeror is to propose regarding OCIs.

Offerors are directed to FAR 9.5 for detailed information concerning Organizational Conflicts of

Interests (OCIs).

Section L.9

Section L.27

L.9 – 1st paragraph L.27 - Volume III, Tab 2, Section 1, 1st paragraph

L.9 – pg 145

L.27 – pg. 189

Question:

L.9 – 1st paragraph states in part: “Offerors shall be required to submit their proposal electronically” L.27 Tab 2 - The Cost Proposal 1st paragraph states in part: “Detailed JV, Partnering/Teaming subcontractor cost information containing proprietary rates and factors for individual cost elements shall be submitted sealed included with the Prime Offeror’s cost proposal.”

Please clarify how the Offeror is to submit subcontractor proprietary information “sealed” when the submissions are to be electronic files rather than paper copies?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Section H.15 Section L.27

H.15 – 4th & 5th paragraphs L.27 - Volume III, Tab 2, Section 1, 5th bullet under “Indirect Rates” paragraph

H.15 – pg 98 L. 27 – pg. 191

Question:

H.15, 4th paragraph states in part: “Prior to using the subcontractor, the Contractor must propose the subcontractor on a specific task order and identify a cost ceiling for approval.”

5th bullet under “Indirect Rates” paragraph states in part: “In addition, the Prime Offeror and each major subcontractor/team member and JV shall propose indirect rate ceilings,…”

Please clarify, do “Ceiling” indirect rates need to be provided for only the Major Subcontractors, or for All Subcontractors with the proposal?

Please refer to amendment 0001 for a description of this change.

Section H.15 Section L.24

H.15 – 4th & 5th paragraphs L.24 - Volume II, Tab 5, Section 1, 3rd and 4th Paragraphs L.27 - Volume III, Tab 3,

H.15 – pg 98 L. 24 – pg. 189 L.27 pgs 195 &

Question:

Section H.15 and the referenced paragraphs in Section L.24 explain the requirement for Contracting Officer (CO) “Consent” prior to an Offeror entering a subcontract. The required documents to be submitted for the CO to consider include (in part) indirect rate audits.

In Section L.27 the last paragraph on page 195 requires (in part) that the Offeror to provide “…statements certifying the most recent year for which final audited indirect rates have been determined…” for itself and all subcontractors with their proposal, without submitting associated audit reports for the non-major subcontractors.

The 4th paragraph on page 196 requires that the Offeror include audit reports only for each “major subcontractor.”

Please clarify if additional information regarding non-major subcontractors needs to be submitted with the Offeror’s proposal for the CO to “consent” to the Offeror executing subcontracts associated with the non-major subcontractors with FTA’s award of the contract. If yes, please clarify what additional information needs to provided.

Per the RFP certified audit reports are required for the Prime and all subcontractors.

87 Attachment J-2 Labor Category

Pulldown 1

Question:

The Labor category pulldown list is missing the “Tunneling Engineer” and “Technical Writer” categories. Also, both of the “Systems Integration Engineer” categories are labeled as “System Intgr. Manager” on the J-2.

There is no blank line in the pulldown list, so it is not possible to leave the first labor category box empty and just enter the missing labor categories in the “other labor category not listed” box.

Please update the J-2 to include the correct labor categories and a blank line to allow the Offeror to just use the other category box if needed.

Attachment J-2 has been updated and included in this amendment.

88 Section L.23

Proposal Preparation Instructions, Paragraph – Section 8: Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities 155 Do we need to include Attachment J-9 forms for all subconsultant team members as well as the prime?

Yes, the offeror must provide the attachment J-9 for all Prime and proposed Subcontractors.

89 Section L.24 Labor Categories and Minimum

Personnel Requirements 164

Reference: “Waivers of minimum personnel requirements as defined in Subsection C.6b. MINIMUM PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer to be reviewed on a case by case basis if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government.”

Question: If a waiver of minimum personnel requirements is required for a key or mission critical team member should the waiver request be placed with the resume in Vol II, Tab 1, Section 2? If no, where in the proposal submission should waivers be included?

If waivers are sought for Key or Mission Critical Personnel, please submit the request(s) with your proposal.

90 Section L.24 Labor Categories and Minimum

Personnel Requirements 163 Will FTA consider grandfathering Project Managers and Task Order Managers now working on the 2019 and earlier PMOC contract, versus requiring new certifications (I.E., PMP or CCM)?

Offerors shall submit requirements as stated in the final RFP.

91 Section J , List of Attachments 128

FTA's response in the Question_Responses_2024... to Question No 5 regarding the number of projects to be included in resumes was "The resume template in Attachment J-2 is a template only. The number of project entries to be included on each resume is to be determined by the contractor and the person for whom the resume is written." Please provide a resume template that allows additional projects/experience to be added.

The Government has made a decision to not change Attachment J-2.

92 Section L.24 Labor Categories and Minimum

Personnel Requirements 163 Can a Program Manager be proposed to also perform another labor category?

No, a Program Manager cannot be proposed under another labor category.

93 Section L.27 Labor Categories and Hours Information 187

FTA's response in the Question_Responses_2024... to Question No 26 regarding whether proposers can change the number of hours to be proposed on was "The hours are subject to change. Yes, the proposer may change the number of hours." Please clarify if all proposals should be at the hours identified for each labor category and the total proposal hours of 91,500 or if PMOC's are allowed to modify the hours to be proposed.

Please refer to the RFP.

94 Section J , List of Attachments 128 On the first page of the resume template it reads, "For which 2019 PMO Contract Labor Category are you being proposed for?" Will FTA correct the 2019 to 2024 and reissue the J-2 template?

Attachment J-2 has been updated and included in this amendment.

95 Section J , List of Attachments 128

Please clarify the difference between the Attachments J-13 +Tables+B.24,+B.25,+B.28,+B.29+ +Final and Final

(1) that were provided. The documents appear to be the same. Also, will FTA please provide the documents in Word or Excel for ease of completion?

The documents are the same. In addition, the Government has provided the PDF and Excel version in this amendment.

96 B.20 Indirect Cost Rates 16 Some small firms don’t have indirect rate reports. Will they be eligible to participate in the PMO contract?

Per the RFP all Prime and subcontractors must include an certified audit report in their proposal submission.

97 General Question Are there any restrictions in terms of a JV? Please review the RFP.

98 Section 3 SF-33 and Solicitation Document 154

Please provide the SF-33 form to be submitted with this proposal.

Please confirm that only the Joint-Venture entity (Offeror) is required to submit an SF-33 That will be a business decision on who will be responsible for signing the proposal.

99 Section 3 SF-33 and Solicitation Document 154 Please identify “all RFP sections requiring “fill-ins” by the Offeror”. Please review the RFP.

100 Section 8 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 155 Please clarify if subcontractors and subconsultants need to also complete the J-9 form.

The offeror must provide the attachment J-9 for all Prime, subcontractors and consultants.

Please refer to amendment 0001 for description of this change.

101 Section C4 Definitions k. Implementation Plans 28 Please confirm if the Risk Evaluation Tool (RET) will continue to be used as a basis for generating Implementation Plans or clarify if other government estimating means and methods will be used.

The Implementation Plans will be created as detailed in Oversight Procedure (OP2).

102 L.27 Labor Categories and Hours Information, Volume III, Tab 3. 187

Within the third paragraph of the subheading Joint Ventures, LLCs or Other Teaming Arrangements, it states:

“The Offeror shall provide evidence of an adequate accounting system for all Prime, JV, and major subcontractors. Offerors shall identify the cognizant government audit agency, any other government agency, or Certified CPA that has formally approved the accounting system in Volume III Tab 3.”

What documentation would be acceptable as evidence of an adequate accounting system?

What, if any, evidence is required for non-major subcontractors?

The Offeror shall provide evidence of an adequate accounting system for all Prime, JV, and major subcontractors. Please review Section H.16 for more information.

103 Section L.29 Page Count Exceptions, page(s) 197 If the proposer includes a title page in each of the proposal volumes, will the title page count towards the page count? Please refer to the RFP.

104 Section L.23

Volume I - The Offer and Other Documents, Section 1: Small Business

Participation, Page(s) 156 In the case of a joint venture which includes a certified small business partner, can the small business partner’s participation be counted towards the small business goal? Yes

105 Section L.23

Volume 2, Tab 2-Staffing and Recruiting, Section 1: Key Personnel

Letter of Commitment, Page(s) 163

On page 163 of the RFP states: "The Offeror is limited to submitting two resumes for each Key Personnel labor category…” Does the Government wish for the offeror to submit a Letter of Commitment for each proposed candidate in the Key Personnel positions?

The Offeror shall provide letters of commitment certifying that the Government shall have full access to the key personnel as required by the Government.

A Corporate Official and each key personnel shall sign the commitment letters.

106 Section L.24

Labor Categories and Minimum Personnel Requirements, a. Minimum

Technical Requirements 172

Regarding the Civil/Environment Engineer I and II labor categories, is the Government requiring the proposed candidate for this position to have a bachelor’s degree in either civil engineering or environment engineering or degrees in both engineering disciplines?

The Bachelor's degree in either Civil or Environmental Engineering.

107 Section L.23

Volume II – Technical/Management, Tab 6 –Past Performance, Performance

History 185 In the case of a joint venture prime, is each member of the joint venture required to submit five (5) contracts / task orders for the Performance History section? Please refer to the RFP.

108 Section C.6b Minimum Personnel Requirements 31-32

The RFP indicates that the Offer is limited to submitting two resumes for each Key Personnel labor category. The Key Personnel position descriptions on pages 31 and 32 of the RFP indicate that in the case of a joint venture, the Key Personnel must be an employee of the managing joint venture participant. Since up to two resumes can be proposed for each Key Personnel labor category, is it permissible for each of the Key Personnel positions, for one resume to be from the managing joint venture partner and one to be from the non-managing joint venture partner?

Please refer to the requirements stated in the RFP.

109 Section L.23

Volume II – Technical/Management, Section 5: Organizational Control Plan:

Sub-Section 4: Task Order Management

Plan 160-161 Are there any specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) requirements for implementing Tasks Orders that are procedures within the Triennial Review program, which need to be incorporated into the management plan?

All Operating Procedures are included within Attachment J.

110 Section L.23

Volume II – Technical/Management, Section 5: Organizational Control Plan:

Sub-Section 4: Task Order Management

Plan 160-161 Does COTR and or ACOR have any updated PMOC requirements for 2024, that should be acknowledge for the Task Order Management Plan? Please refer to the requirements stated in the RFP.

111 Section L.23

Vol…