Attachment V - Questions and Answers from Draft Solicitation.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 22 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Research and Development and Developmental Test and Evaluation (RDDT&E) Technical Support Services Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 70RSAT23R00000009
About this file
This document contains questions and answers from a draft solicitation for research and development technical support services for the Transportation Security Laboratory. The services include applied research and development in support of test and evaluation, developmental test and evaluation, and applied research and development for detection, vulnerability, and mitigation assessment. The number of personnel required per task order ranges from 1.5 to 15, and task order amounts vary with previous orders ranging from one to five years. The solicitation requests responses in three phases, with phase three including an oral presentation and response to pre-set questions. Pricing is to be provided using fixed hourly rates in a master rate table for evaluation.
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Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Attachment IV - TSL RDDTE Reading Room Registration Form _ Rev 10 09Feb23.pdf | ||
| Attachment II Recommended Labor Category Descriptions and Basic Qualifications.pdf | ||
| Attachment I Statement of Work.pdf | ||
| RFP 70RSAT23R00000009 RDDTE 09Feb2023_Final.pdf | ||
| Attachment III - Master Fixed Rate Table.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet |
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Draft RFP Q&A
| # | Reference | Questions from Draft RFP | Government Response | |
| 1 | L.4 Format and Instructions for Proposal Submission. | |||
| Page 103, paragraph C. | Does Phase 3 submission entail a written and oral presentation or just an oral presentation? | Factor 4 is the written portion of Phase 3. | ||
| 2 | L.4.1 Factor 1: Facility Security Clearance Instructions. | |||
| Page 104, Paragraph B. | Can the Government provide additional information on what other supporting documentation acceptable to demonstrate a secret Facility Security Clearance as of date of Phase 1? | The offeror can provide their company's name and CAGE code, updated in Section L.4.1 (b). | ||
| 3 | L.4.2 Factor 2: Prior Corporate Experience Content and Preparation Instructions. |
Page 105, paragraph 2.
| Can the offeror use examples from CPAR when addressing the responses to Corporate Experience questions? | Offeror should comply with the instructions as they deem appropriate. | |||
| 4 | L.4.3 Factor 3: Technical Capability and Staffing Approach Oral Presentation Content Preparation Instructions | |||
| Page 107, paragraph 5. | What is the page count or slide count and format for the response to the “On the Spot Question”? How is the response to be delivered to the Government within the 45 minutes allotted preparation time? | It is possible that PowerPoint will be necessary to conduct the oral presentation. Full instructions will be provided in the final RFP, Section L.4.3 (a) (4). | ||
| 5 | RFP-H. 28 Organizational Conflict of Interest Notice. Pages 29-30, 79-80 | Shouldn’t a bidder be ineligible for an award on this contract if it or its subsidiaries manufacture and sell explosives detection systems that are tested and evaluated at the Transportation Security Laboratory? This type of OCI does not generally lend themselves to successful mitigation (see FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest). | Awardee(s) do not provide RDT&E services on their own company manufactured equipment under the current contract. DHS has organizational conflicts of interest practices in place to mitigate these concerns. | |
| 6 | 1.1 BACKGROUND | |||
| page 2, paragraph 1 | Are other facilities/locations at Tyndall, FL and Huntsville, AL planned for use to support this contract tasking? | No, the awardee(s) will not be conducting the work at either location and may need to only travel (if determined in a task order) to provide oversight/support of a data collection. | ||
| 7 | 1.2 SCOPE, 1.2.2 | |||
| page 2 | Will the contractor be to asked to fabricate a given HME? | Yes, the contractor may be tasked to fabricate a given homemade explosive (HME). | ||
| 8 | 1.2 SCOPE, 1.2.2 | |||
| page 2 | Some of the HMEs are very hazardous, who will be required to determine the proper handling of the HMEs? | Various safety tests will be performed at a small scale prior to scale up. If safety testing indicates that it can be scaled, the TSL HME Working Group along with the TSL Safety Officer and the Energetic Materials Research Laboratory (EMRL) Lead will work together to determine the proper handling. | ||
| 9 | 1.2 SCOPE, 1.2.2 | |||
| page 2 | 3. | If this is a new HME, will the contractor be required to generate the SOP? | The contractor may be required to generate the SOP and it will be stated in the task order. | |
| 10 | 1.2 SCOPE, 1.2.4 | |||
| page 3, paragraph 5 | The statement “This scope of work specifically excludes test planning and test execution for the TSL Independent Test and Evaluation (IT&E) Division; enterprise IT support; publication and library services; facilities, building and grounds maintenance, repair, and upgrade services” | |||
| Could the Government please clarify whether work supporting Trace Standards Production Support Services, Simulant Production Support Services, and Laboratory Accreditation Support Services is excluded from the scope of work in this draft RFP? | Yes, the Trace Standards Production Support Services, Simulant Production Support Services, and Laboratory Accreditation Support Service work is excluded from this RFP. | |||
| 11 | 1.3.OBJECTIVE | |||
| page 3 | Paragraph 1.3 seems to contradict paragraph 1.2.4. Paragraph 1.2.4 states do not generate test planning or the like while paragraph 1.3 this is the main objective. The remainder of the document states the contractor shall generate test plans, | It is not a contradiction as T&E and test planning and execution is in support of DT&E and CAVM programs. Section 1.2.4. states that this scope of work excludes test planning and test execution for the TSL Independent Test and Evaluation Division (IT&E). | ||
| 12 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/ |
TASKS, 2.0.1
| page 5, paragraph c | What level of fabrication (TRL) is being discussed here? This is a broad statement and cover a large range of fabrication. | This is generally lower technology readiness level (TRL); TSL does not develop high-TRL level instrumentation. Performers are not required to have in-house capability to develop and fabricate prototype instruments, however, they must be capable of supporting these activities. |
| 13 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/ |
TASKS, 2.0.10
| page 7, paragraph Section 2.0.10 | Can the Government provide additional information on the approximate number of personnel that would be required to support a typical task order? | The number of personnel ranges per task order. Task orders may have as few as 1.5 personnel and a many as 15. This does not include the awardee's Project Manager. |
| 14 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/ |
TASKS, 2.0.10
| page 8, paragraph 1 | Can the Government provide additional information on the approximate amount of dollars for labor, travel and materials that would be required to support a typical task order? | The ranges varies per task order. |
| 15 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/ |
TASKS, 2.0.11
page 7 Can the Government provide additional information on the process for task order awards (i.e., will the responses require cost proposal only or will a technical proposal also be required)?
| What is the typical schedule for task order awards, such as how long to respond and how long before awards are made following responses to task orders? | The awardee (s) will receive request for task order proposal with a performance work statement. Responses must include a cost and technical proposal. The amount of time to respond varies from a few weeks to a month depending on the complexity and other factors. The timeframe from receipt of proposal to award is generally within a few months. | |
| 16 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/ |
TASKS, 2.0.11
| page 8, paragraph 2 | Can the Government provide additional information on the number of approximate number of task orders planned, and the duration of the task orders? | The previous contract had 53 task orders over the 5 year period of the contract and the duration varies (i.e. one to five years) based on the requirements of the task order. The current contract todate has 30 task orders. |
| 17 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS, 2.2.2 | |
| page 8, paragraph b) | Regarding the statement “Test article fabrication, preparation, optimization, maintenance, and inventory control” | |
| Could the Government please clarify this production work and confirm whether preparation of test articles will be supported under a separate RFP? | DT&E produces their own material. This particular reference in the SOW is bulk specifically. | |
| 18 | 2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS, 2.1.2 |
page 8, paragraph l)
| Regarding the statement “Production of test articles, standards, and substrates” | ||||
| Could the Government please clarify this production work and confirm whether production tasking will be supported under a separate RFP? | Production of test articles, standards, and substrates that are not part of another contract's catalogue/Quality Management Systems (QMS)-published SOPs may potentially be produced by task orders covered in this RFP. | |||
| 19 | 3.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL, 3.2 | Could the Government provide an estimate on the level of effort (FTE) for the IDIQ Program/Project Manager in terms of total hours per planned task order? | An average of 10% or 15% per task order, however, this may vary. | |
| 20 | RFP, Section B.4, Paragraph - Overall Question | Is it possible for the Government to add language to the IDIQ to allow contractor use of and access to GSA Advantage pricing for purchases within this contract? | DHS will address this after award with the awardee (as needed). | |
| 21 | RFP, Section L.8.7., Page 114 Paragraph - Entire Section | Has the anticipated milestone schedule shifted from the dates listed here? | The new dates have been updated in the RFP, Section L.8.7. | |
| 22 | SOW, General Question | Will the Government release the title, value, and duration of all Task Orders issued under the current contract? | This information is not available with the RFP. | |
| 23 | SOW, Section 1.4, Page 3, Paragraph - Both 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 | Would the Government be willing to release all documentation to allow for equal access to all offerors? This would eliminate the current incumbent(s) access advantage or the offerors, currently not supporting the customer, disadvantage. | See additonal documents added to Paragraph 1.4.2. | |
| 24 | SOW, Section 4.6, Page 20, First Paragraph | Regarding post IDIQ award conferences and associated activities, does the Government, at a minimum, plan to issue a management support task order with an IDIQ selection to support this transition? | No, the government will not be releasing a management support task order to support the transition. | |
| 25 | RFP, Page 14, Section F.8.3. | The Government makes reference to Section H.37, which does not exist in the document. Request clarification/correction | Corrected to Section L.9 Subcontracting Plan | |
| 26 | Section M.P. 118 Phase 3 - Factor 3: Technical Capability and Staffing Oral Presentation, Section L.4.3. | The RFP references a "question and answer" period during oral presentations; the Table in Section L.4.3(a) (5) Does not include a Q&A period, only referencing the "on the spot" question. Can the Government clarify the Q&A period reference and when it occurs during the oral presentation? | Referencing the table on the draft RFP page 107, paragraph L.4.3 (a) (4) this was omitted but will be addressed in the final RFP. | |
| 27 | Section M.P. 118 Phase 3 - Factor 3: Technical Capability and Staffing Oral Presentation, Section L.4.3. | If a Q&A period is going to occur, will the Government clarify that the nature of the Q&A, i.e., will be limited to clarifications of only the material presented? | The Government intends for the oral presentation to be the offerors opportunity to present their proposal in a oral manner. The Government reserves the right to ask questions for clarification after the completion of the oral presentation. Questions may pertain to the entire oral presentation. | |
| 28 | RFP, Page 107 , L.4.3., Factor 3, Sub-bullet 4 | The Government provides three questions in the RFP as part of the Orals Presentation response (reference L.4.3.1 – L.4.3.3); however, sub-bullet 4 references three questions which will be provided one (1) week prior to the scheduled oral presentation date. Are these three questions in addition to the questions outlined in L.4.3.1 – L.4.3.3? In addition, the schedule provided in L.4.3 (5) does not allocate time for these three additional questions. Request the Government clarify the number of questions requiring response and the timeframes for each [i.e. are there 6 (3 currently provide and 3 new) total questions with an "on-the-spot" question, or is it 3 total questions which the Government has already provided those three questions in the RFP]. | This section has been updated to clarify the factor. Therer are three (3) questions plus one (1) on the spot question. | |
| 29 | RFP, Page 107 & 109, Section L.4.3.(a) (7) and L.4.3. Question 4, last sentence | The Government makes reference to a “problem statement response” as part of our “on-the-spot” response. Please clarify what the “problem statement response” includes as there is no other reference in the RFP. | This section has been updated to clarify the factor. The correct terminology is On the Spot not Problem Statement. | |
| 30 | RFP, Page 110, Section L.5., Sub-bullet 3 | Government references CAF which is a GSA reference, but this doesn't appear to be a GSA contract. Is it the Government's intent to list this as GSA? | This is not a GSA contract and that reference has been deleted. | |
| 31 | RFP, Page 111, Section L7, Rates | Instructions for L.7.Rates does not properly reference Attach III Excel. They state to “Enter proposed ceiling rates for Year 1, in yellow highlighted Column D, on both the Government Site and Contractor Site tabs. Enter escalation for each year, in the yellow highlighted cells in column 3 on both the Government Site and Contractor Site tabs. Ceiling rates for Years 2 through 5 will automatically populate.” Rates are not in Column D, highlighted, entered on separate tabs, or use an escalation factor to calculate out years automatically in Attach III. We request that the Government provide a spreadsheet that is unlocked so that Offerors can provide pricing in alignment with their approved forward rate pricing structure. | Proposed, fully burdened ceiling rates for Years 1 through 5, in the “Fixed Hourly Rate” column for each year. The fixed ceiling rates entered should include any annual escalations. Most labor categories in column A include both onsite and offsite rates, please enter both as applicable. For those labor categories in column A that do not have an onsite rate, please leave that blank. Manually enter Subcontractor labor categories, fully burdened rates, and hours for each year if applicable. ODC’s (Materials and Travel) values are plug in values and should not be changed. Once all rates are entered, totals for each year and a final total for all 5 years will be calculated in the “Grand Total” row at the bottom of the sheet.” | |
| 32 | RFP, Page 112, FP Labor Rates | B.4 The types of Task Orders (TOs) issued against this contract will be Time-and-Materials (T&M) and Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and/or a hybrid combination in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 16.5, Indefinite-Delivery Contracts and FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. Sections B and L refer to the T&M Rates as ceiling rates and fixed prices within the Master Fixed Labor Rate Table Attach III. We request the Government to be clear that the labor rates are ceiling rates and that Offerors can bid reduced rates for individual task orders. Please confirm that a BOE is required for the IDIQ pricing submission. What is Government requiring for the BOE as it relates to the IDIQ pricing submission? | Attachment III - Master Fixed Rate Table shall be used to by the offerors. Offerors may use best business practices and offer discounted rates, however, the Government will evaluate for price reasonableness and realism. | |
| 33 | RFP, Section L.9., Page 114 | Request the Government clarify that a subcontracting plan is only required at the IDIQ level and is not a requirement for every task order submission under the IDIQ. This would be consistent with Section F.8.3, (c), where no separate ISR submission is required at the task order level (unless requested by the CO). | See F.8.2 for annual requirements for large business. While L.9 refers to task orders that exceed $750,000. | |
| 34 | Statement of Work, Section 4.12, RFP Section H.16 and H.17 | In the Statement of Work, Section 4.12 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY states that, “Unless otherwise specified in a task order or other addendum to this contract, all intellectual property resulting from activities undertaken as part of this contract will be the property of the U.S. Government.” This clause conflicts with FAR Clauses 52.227-11 & 52.227-14 as well as the rights afforded by the Bayh-Dole Act. Will the Government consider removal of the SOW clause to allow the standard FAR clauses to determine IP rights? | Section 4.12 and the RFP Section H.16 and H.17 have been updated with correct clauses. | |
| 35 | Statement of Work, Section 1.4.1, d, Compliance Documents | Can the Government confirm that the “Master Test Plan for Certification Readiness of Checked Baggage Explosives Detection Systems – S11D Collection and Analysis” reference was intended? Would it be more appropriate to reference the “Master Test Plan for Certification Readiness of Checked Baggage Explosives Detection Systems”. | The correct title is Master Test Plan for Certification Readiness of Checked Baggage Explosives Detection Systems, and has been updated in the SOW, Section 1.4.1 | |
| 36 | General | Request the Government consider the addition of a sample task order to better evaluate potential offeror’s ability to respond to task order requirements under this procurement. The sample task order could include the preparation of a BOE ensuring Offeror’s understanding of technical, staffing, and pricing requirements that are highly relevant to this IDIQ. | A sample task order will be provided at the reading room. See paragraph 1.4.2. | |
| 37 | RFP, Section F, F.8.2 Subcontracting Plan Reports, Page 14 and Section L.9, Page 114 Section M.3., Page 119 | Section F.8.2 states that, “Large Businesses shall submit periodic reports which show compliance with their TSL RDT&E III subcontracting plan”. This suggests that the subcontracting plan is required at the IDIQ level. However, Section L.9 states, “Task Order awards that exceed $750,000.00, submitted by all but small business concerns, will be required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9". Request the Government clarify that a subcontracting plan is only required at the IDIQ level and is not a requirement for every task order submission under the IDIQ. Section M.3 Small Business Considerations states, “The small business subcontracting plan will be assessed a rating of Acceptable or Not Acceptable.” Can the Government confirm that a Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required at the IDIQ level and is required to be submitted with the proposal? | Correct F.8.2 is required for large business. Correct L.9 refers to task orders that exceed $750,000. | |
| 38 | RFP, Section H.24, Subcontractor Team, Page 29 | This section requires a letter of commitment from each subcontractor requiring, “(1) signatures of the principals and/or owners of the respective parties; 2) statements on the division of tasks, relationship of the parties, and responsibilities of parties; and 3) statements on the handling of disputes.” This section also states that, “DHS will not allow substitutions of subcontractor". Given that this is an IDIQ contract with unknown scope of work, the prime contractor cannot envision division of tasks and responsibilities of parties at this time. Any emergent requirements during the period of performance of this potential IDIQ may also require a prime contractor to seek specialty subcontractors for discrete tasks as they emerge. Would the Government consider removing these requirements at the IDIQ level? | No Change |
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