CALL_0012_Questions_ _Answers_(3).docx

BAA 10-RD-01 CALL 0012 THERMAL SSA

Doc #1 = Call_Announcement_(Thermal SSA)_(Rev_2).pdf

Doc #2 = BAASuperNovachanges.doc (which I think is the relevant version of the 'Baseline BAA,' but it would be nice if the most current version were identified explicitly by date or filename)

Doc #3 = Attchment_4_-_Cost_Proposal_Instructions_NON-APC.pdf (BTW, what does 'APC' mean?)

Doc #4 = Attchment_5_-_BAA_Proposal_Content_Checklist.pdf

Doc #5 = Baseline_atch_2_cost_proposal_instructions.pdf

Doc #6 = Amended_Reps_and_Certs.docx

Doc #7 = DFARS 252.215-7009, Proposal Adequacy Checklist

Question 1: Doc #1, Sec. 12b seems pretty clear that two proposal volumes, Technical and Cost/Business, are to be provided with two hardcopies and one electronic copy of each. But then Sec. 12c and 12d provide instructions, respectively, for the "Cost/Business Section" and "Cost Proposal" as if they were separate entities. Please clarify if they are actually different items, and if so, how they differ, and how they relate to the requirements in Sec.

12b.

Answer: As outlined in Attachment 5, BAA Proposal Content Checklist, there are three sections to be submitted:

1. A business section, which includes Representations and Certifications and, if applicable, a subcontracting plan, as well as any other documents pertinent to business considerations for the proposal.

2. A Cost proposal, which includes cost/price elements and support and, if applicable, a copy of the current Forward Pricing Rate Agreement or Forward Pricing Rate Request.

3. A Technical Proposal, which includes a non-proprietary Contractor Statement of Work consistent with the costs proposed, a Program Plan and other documents as outlined in section 12f of the solicitation/

These sections are to be delivered in two volumes, one with the Technical Proposal and the other with both the Business Section and the Cost Proposal. The directions at 12c and 12d are complementary. The directions at 12c provide instruction for both the cost and business sections of the proposal and the directions at 12d provide instructions for the cost section.

Question 2: Assuming "Cost/Business Section" and "Cost Proposal" are actually the same thing, here's the potentially contradictory part. Doc #1, Sec. 12c requires submission of Completed Representations and Certifications (Doc #6), but says that only ONE copy should be provided for the 'entire submission.' (This makes sense given that it's 16 pages long.) So are the Reps & Certs supposed to be provided as a standalone document, or as part of the Cost/Business proposal. If the latter, the ONE copy only requirement is inconsistent with the 'two hardcopies requirement' of Sec. 12b. If the former, are both hardcopy and electronic copy required of Doc #6?

Answer: Only one paper copy of the Representations and Certifications should be submitted. The directions at section 12c are supplementary to the directions at 12b. An original and a paper copy of all other documents are requested. Please include the Representations and Certifications with the Original copy of the business proposal, with a page referencing it in the other hard copy and an electronic copy.

Question 3: Similar to the previous question, the very first paragraph of Doc #3 states that Doc #7 must be included in the proposal submission. Should this 11-page checklist be a section of the Cost/Business proposal (and in both copies), or be provided as a separate document? (And in either case, is there by chance a Word version of Doc #7 available?)

Answer: Please include the AFPAC in the Cost/Business Volume. A word document of this checklist can be obtained from Far Site.

Question 4: Doc #1, Sec 10b. says a certified DD Form 2345 must be submitted with the proposal. Should it be included in one of the proposal volumes, or as a separate document? If the latter, are both hardcopy and electronic copy required?

Answer: Please include the DD form 2345 in the business section of both the hard and electronic copies.

Question 5: Is it correct that the both the checklist of Doc #4 (as required by Doc #1, Sec. 12a) *and* the Cost Proposal Checklist in page 5 of Doc #5 should be submitted as the first two pages of the Cost/Business proposal?

Answer: The “Cost Instructions” document attached to the baseline BAA was replaced in Modification 10 with “Cost Proposal Instructions (non-APC).” This document is identical to Attachment 4 of the Call, therefore, only the checklist in Attachment 4, “Cost Proposal Instructions (non-APC)” is necessary.

Question 6: What does APC mean?

Answer: “APC” means Adequate Price Competition. In accordance with FAR 15.403-1(c)(1), a contract price is based on adequate price competition if, among other factors not immediately relevant to this discussion, Price analysis clearly demonstrates that the proposed price is reasonable in comparison with current or recent prices for the same or similar items, adjusted to reflect changes in market conditions, economic conditions, quantities, or terms and conditions under contracts that resulted from adequate price competition. Given that responses to this solicitation are necessarily novel and revolutionary, it is not anticipated that the type of comparability described above would be possible between proposals received.

Question 7: I have to wonder why my attempts to simply understand and comply with the proposal instructions would give me an unfair advantage over other offerors?

Answer: If there are areas of the solicitation that are unclear, it behooves the Government to provide clarification where possible to ensure that all offerors are able to deliver a proposal that meets the requirements of the requesting agency.

Question 8: Why do [other offerors] get a free ride off the hours I've spent compiling these questions?

Answer: All offerors have the opportunity to obtain clarification for proposal submission from responses to questions posed by all other offerors.