Q A_for_Call_0001.docx
DOCX document 34 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Laser Simulation, Analysis and Research (LSAR) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- BAA-RVKD-2014-0001
About this file
Question and Answers dated 7 May 2014. The Government's response to Question 3 was updated to provide the correct response.
View the file
Other files for this federal contract opportunity
Show all 25
On GovTribe
Work with this file on GovTribe
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Response to Questions
BAA-RVKD-2014-0001
Call 0001
*The Government’s Response to question #3 was updated to provide a correct response
| Question |
| Government Response |
1.
Please provide the following details:
· List of Items, Schedule of Requirements, Scope of Work, Terms of Reference, Bill of Materials required.
· Soft Copy of the Tender Document through email.
· Names of countries that will be eligible to participate in this tender.
· Information about the Tendering Procedure and Guidelines
· Estimated Budget for this Purchase
· Any Extension of Bidding Deadline?
· Any Addendum or Pre Bid meeting Minutes?
Please refer to the BAA-RVKD-2014-0001 (LSAR) and Call 0001 (LEAMR).
| 2. |
| Are the electronic files for the Cost/Business Proposal and the Technical Proposal to be submitted on the same CD? |
Cost/Business and Technical Proposals may be submitted on the same or separate CD’s.
| 3.* |
| Reference: Proposal Call Announcement 0001, Proposal Submission, Sections 4 & 5. |
Scenario: If the Contractor wishes to bid on two Task Orders [TA 13 and 14] with two Special Topics related to TA 13 and three Special Topics related to TA 14, for a total of 5 special topics.
Question 2a: How many full technical proposals per the instructions in Section VI of the Baseline BAA (BAA-RVKD-2014-0001) are required to be submitted?
Question 2b: How many cost proposals are required to be submitted?
Answer 2a: For this scenario 7 technical proposals will be submitted. The technical proposals would be as follows:
1 for the Technical Area 13 (Core) 1 for the Technical Area 13 Special Topic 1 for Technical Area 13 Special Topic
1 for the Technical Area 14 (Core) 1 for the Technical Area 14 Special Topic 1 for Technical Area 14 Special Topic
Answer 2b: For this scenario 7 cost proposals will be submitted. The cost proposals would be as follows:
1 for the Technical Area 13 (Core) 1 for Technical Area 13 Special Topic 1 for Technical Area 13 Special Topic
1 for the Technical Area 14 (Core) 1 for Technical Area 14 Special Topic
| 4. |
| Reference: Proposal Call Announcement 0001, Proposal Submission, Section 5. |
Question: If the Contractor wishes to bid on Task Order TA 13 with a Contractor Suggested TO, is there still a requirement to submit a CSOW for at least one Special Topic TO required?
Yes. At a minimum the offeror is required to submit a proposal to address a core Task Order (TA12-14) and at least one related item under the Special Topic associated with the core Task Order.
| 5. |
| Reference: Proposal Call Announcement 0001, Proposal Submission, Sections 4.a.i. “Submit one for each Core/Special Topic/Contractor-suggested TO proposed.” |
Question: Specifically, what constitutes a cost proposal for a Special Topic or Contractor-Suggested CSOW? Does Cost Proposal for a Special Topic or Contractor-suggested CSOW mean pricing tables (Excel spreadsheets) only? Or is a BOE narrative required, as well?
The cost proposal shall include excel spreadsheets, BOE and the additional items listed in the Cost Proposal Instructions. Each cost proposal submittal shall be IAW with Attachment 11, Cost Proposal Instructions.
| 6. |
| Can you confirm the submission date for this BAA? |
| Proposals are due no later than 12:00pm Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 18 June 2014 for Call 0001, LEAMR. |
| 7. |
| Is the contractor bidding on doing the work at their site or at AFRL’s facility? |
| Special topics and Contractor Suggested Topics can be developed off site but final acceptance testing must be conducted on site. All core specific functions must be performed on site. This is because of the critical need to interface with the experimental work occurring in our laboratories and in the field. There are also OPSEC reasons to work on-site in terms of For Official Use Only (FOUO). The Government is not planning to allow classified processing or communication at any off-base facility. |
| 8. |
| Could you clarify the bid process? There is a discussion and listing of Task Orders and Data Calls and it’s not clear what an offeror should or could bid to …. does an offeror have to bid against all Task Orders or may they bid against one Task Order? Will there be a single overarching award at the BAA level or one per each Task Order? How does a Data Call relate to a Task Order? |
| The offeror is not required to bid against all the Task Orders. At a minimum, the offeror is required to submit a core technical proposal and an associated special topic technical proposal for either Technical Area 12, 13 or 14. There will not be an overarching award at the BAA level. The Government anticipates awarding at one task order per Technical Area. The total number of initial awards depends on the number of proposals received, the offeror’s ability to meet the requirements in Call 0001 and funds availability. |
| 9. |
| Will a Special Topic be a stand-alone proposal? |
| Yes, each special topic will require a separate technical and cost proposal. |
| 10. |
| Does a Special Topic require a complete technical proposal with all the page limitations as stated in Call 0001? Can an offeror duplicate information in the Core technical proposal for a special topic proposal? |
| Yes, a special topic will require a complete separate technical proposal and follow the page limitations as stated in Call 0001. The offeror can duplicate applicable information from the core proposal, i.e. executive summary, facility & equipment, etc. It is expected other items, such as program plan, resumes, etc. could vary based on the special topic chosen. |
| 11. |
| How many awards will be made for Call 0001? |
| The Government anticipates awarding at least one task order per Technical Area but it depends on the number of proposals received, the offeror’s ability to meet the requirements in Call 0001 and funds availability. |
| 12. |
| Within a technical area there are several technical requirements. For example Technical Area 12 has several technical requirements. Does an offeror have to be competent in all those technical requirements? |
| The submitted proposal must prove competency in a Technical Area’s technical requirements. At a minimum, the Government must gauge the offeror’s comprehension of the core task order. When an offeror, particularly a small niche offeror, may not have the expertise on-hand, a plan must be provided for filling in gaps demonstrating an understanding of the entire process. Offerors with specialized knowledge are encouraged to propose, particularly if they are exceptional in any innovative areas. But, at a minimum, and because of the overarching needs, the Government must see some evidence of understanding the core process as well. |
| 13. |
| How many technical and cost proposals per technical area are required at minimum to submit? |
| If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 12, the following proposals are required at a minimum: |
1 Technical Proposal for the Core 1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 12 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic
If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 13, the following proposals are required at a minimum:
1 Technical Proposal for the Core 1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 13 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic
If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 14, the following proposals are required at a minimum:
1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 14 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic
| 14. |
| What is the bidding process if the offeror is interesting in submitting a Contractor’s Suggested Topic? |
| If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 12 (for example) with a Contractor’s Suggested Topic, the following proposals are required at a minimum: |
1 Technical Proposal for the Core 1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 12 1 Technical Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic related to Technical Area 12 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic 1 Cost Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic Note: After the initial submittal of the above items, each Contractor Suggested Topic submitted would only include a technical and cost proposal for that topic.
If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 13 with a Contractor’s Suggested Topic, the following proposals are required at a minimum:
1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 13 1 Technical Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic related to Technical Area 13 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic 1 Cost Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic Note: After the initial submittal of the above items, each Contractor Suggested Topic submitted would only include a technical and cost proposal for that topic.
If the offeror is interested in submitting a response to Technical Area 14 with a Contractor’s Suggested Topic, the following proposals are required at a minimum:
1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 14 1 Technical Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic related to Technical Area 14 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic 1 Cost Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic Note: After the initial submittal of the above items, each Contractor Suggested Topic submitted would only include a technical and cost proposal for that topic.
| 15. |
| Is a Top Secret clearance required at award for the offeror’s organization and the individuals proposed for the effort? |
| The offeror’s organization must already possess a Top Secret at proposal submission and maintain a Top Secret clearance through the entire contract period of performance. Key personnel must possess a Top Secret at contract award and maintain it through contract period of performance. |
| 16. |
| Is a contractor’s Suggested Topic a stand-alone proposal? |
| Yes, a Contractor’s Suggested Topic will require a separate technical and cost proposal. For example, if an offeror is interested in responding to a Contractor’s Suggested Topic, below are the minimum requirements per technical area: |
1 Technical Proposal for the Core 1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 1 Technical Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic related to Technical Area 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic 1 Cost Proposal for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic
| 17. |
| Please explain why three Contractor’s Statement of Works (CSOW) are listed in the technical proposal organizational chart. |
| The table was supposed to explain that one CSOW is required per technical proposal, and it will be either a CSOW for the core task order provided in the Call, a CSOW for a special topic or a CSOW for the Contractor’s Suggested Topic. |
| 18. |
| When is the deadline to submit Contracting and Technical questions? |
| The deadline for technical & contractual questions is 2 May 2014. However, if clarification is needed in response to a question and answer, those will still be addressed on FedBizOpps. |
| 19. |
| We expect to provide a proposal that responds to Technical Area # 14. Based on review of the BAA and discussions that took place at the site visit on 4/30/14, it is our intention to prepare one (1) proposal which will include our response to the core objectives listed under Technical Area # 14 and at least one Special Topic Area listed under Technical Area # 14. Please confirm that one (1) proposal including these two elements is acceptable. In addition, if we decide to respond to more than one Special Topic Area, should this response be included in our one (1) proposal? |
| One proposal including the two elements is not acceptable. Each technical (and associated cost proposal) must be submitted as “stand-alone”, separate proposals. Based on this scenario, the following proposals will be required at a minimum: |
1 Technical Proposal for the Core 1 Technical Proposal for the Special Topic related to Technical Area 14 1 Cost Proposal for the Core 1 Cost Proposal for the Special Topic
If the offeror is interested in responding to more than one Special Topic for Technical Area 14, the initial submittal of the above items are required, and each Special Topic submitted would only include a technical and cost proposal for that topic.
| 20. |
| The BAA states that 60 month IDIQ contracts will be awarded as a result of this BAA call. Based on this statement, am I correct in understanding that if my company is selected for award, we will be awarded a 5-year IDIQ contract and the first Task Order awarded will be for our proposal on Technical Area #14? |
| Each successful offeror will be awarded a 5-year “basic” IDIQ contract. They will also be awarded an initial Task Order corresponding to the Technical Area they were successful in. As new Government requirements are known. Task Order proposals will be requested of each contractor awarded a basic contract in that technical area of interest. For example, if three offerors are awarded contracts under Technical Area 12, all three will receive request for proposals. All responding contractors will in turn submit a technical and cost proposal (see paragraph 9 on Call 0001 page 10). |
| 21. |
| A DD254 is provided in DRAFT format. Does this DRAFT document reflect the expected security requirement for ALL contracts or will these requirements vary based on each contract award? |
| The draft DD 254 does reflect the expected security requirements for ALL contracts. The DD 254 issued will be specific to each contractor receiving an award. |
| 22. |
| During the LEAMR Site Visit, discussions regarding the quantity of full technical/cost volumes were raised. Our interpretation was to provide one full proposal for each Technical Area and a separate full proposal for each Special Topic or Contractor-Suggested Topic. |
Question a, Is this interpretation correct?
Question b, Does each separate Technical proposal follow the instructions and page count outlined on Page 12 of the LEAMR Proposal CALL 0001?
Answer a: That is a correct interpretation.
Answer b: Yes, the core, special topic or contractor’s suggested topic must follow the instructions and page limitations stated in Call 0001. The offeror can duplicate applicable information from the core proposal, i.e. executive summary, facility & equipment, etc. It is expected other items, such as program plan, resumes, etc. could vary based on the special topic chosen.
| 23. |
| In the sectioned titled Anticipated Funding in the LEAMR CALL 0001 (Page 6), the Government indicates that the anticipated funding for TA 12, 13 and 14 are $28, $8 and 13 million respectively. |
Question a: Should the offeror use these estimates as the cost objectives in their Cost Proposals associated with their corresponding submitted Technical Area proposals?
Question b: Shall the offeror assume that the sum of the cost proposals submitted for a given Technical Area and corresponding Special Topic shall not exceed the anticipated funding estimates provided on Page 6 of the LEAMR CALL 0001 or shall the offeror assume that the cost proposals for the Special Topics will be subsumed in the cost proposal for the corresponding Technical Area?
Answer a: No the anticipated “funding” for the Technical Areas is the total ceiling expected for the five-year ordering period for LEAMR. Total “funding” should reach the Technical Area ceiling amounts and at the end of the five years period. The core Task Order period of performance are 12 months each; costing for the Task Orders will indicate the offeror’s understanding of the requirements and efforts involved for the 12 month period.
Answer b: The funding estimates per year, are only estimates. We don’t know how much funding we may actually receive in a given fiscal year. The Technical Area ceilings ($28M, $8M,$13M) are the key numbers. All Task Order awards to all successful offerors over the 5 year period cannot exceed the ceiling amounts for each Technical Area. Initial awards and additional Task Orders issued over the five years to support evolving efforts in support of the LEAMR Call cannot exceed the ceiling.
| 24. |
| The Government states “…the offeror is highly encouraged to provide Contractor Statements of Work (CSOW) for contractor-suggested topics related to the Technical Areas (12-14)” |
Question a: Does the Government want only contractor-suggested topics within a single Technical Area or can the offeror submit a Technical and Cost proposal with a contractor-suggested topic that spans more than one individual Technical Area?
Answer a: The offeror can submit multiple proposals within a Technical Area or spanning Technical Areas.
| 25. |
| During the LEAMR Site Visit, discussion regarding the awarding process of Task Orders 1, 2 and 3 (corresponding to Technical Areas 12, 13 and 14) were outlined. Our interpretation is that the award of Task Orders 1, 2 and 3 will establish one or more LEAMR contract ceiling value(s). |
Question a: Will the Government award Task Orders 1, 2 and 3 for the purpose of commencing research or are these Technical Area task orders only for evaluation purposes?
Question b: If Task Orders 1, 2 and 3 are only for establishing qualified contractor that can bid on subsequent topics, does the Government anticipate awarding Special Topic or Contractor-Suggested Topics with the award of the LEAMR contract?
Answer a: They are not for evaluation purposes only. At least one Task Order 1 will be awarded in Technical Area 12, at least one Task Order 2 will be awarded in Technical Area 13, and one Task Order 3 will be awarded in Technical Area 14.
Answer b: Proposals against Task Order 1, 2, and 3 will be used for evaluation purposes to reflect the offeror’s understanding of RDL/LEAMR requirements. Special Topic and/or Contractor Suggested Topics may be awarded as an initial Task Order for a contractor (without an award of a core Task Order to that Contractor).
| 26. |
| Number of Technical Proposals |
Reference: The LEAMR Proposal Call Announcement states under Proposal Submission section 5.a. “… the offeror is required to submit a proposal to address a core Task Order (TA 12-14) and at least one related item under the Special Topic associated with that core Task Order (for example TO-12 and Special Topic 12-1 - 1.1.3, Thermal Conductivity).” It goes on to say “But each Special Topic response requires a separate proposal. “
This guidance appears to conflict with instructions in Q&A for Call_0001 Answer 2a. that state “5 technical proposals will be submitted” for the seven subjects identified in Question 3.
Question: Does the Government expect a separate Executive Summary, Program Description, Program Plan, etc. for the compulsory Special Topic submitted in addition to the Executive Summary, Program Description, Program Plan, etc. submitted for the core proposal?
Answer to Reference: The response to #3 was corrected. See the updated response.
Answer to Question: Please refer to question #10.
| 27. |
| Technical Proposal line spacing |
Reference 1: LSAR Baseline BAA, p. 19, section VI (“Proposal/Application and Submission Information”), subsection 3 (“Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions”), subparagraph b. (Technical Proposal”), subparagraph 1 (“Page Limitation”) requires “pages shall be double-spaced, single-sided. . . “
Reference 2: LEAMR Call Announcement, p. 11, section titled “Proposal Submission,” subsection 5 (“Technical Proposal) requires the offeror to submit his technical proposal in accordance with the BAA requirements of Section VI, but subsequently changes the page spacing to “single-spaced, single-sided . . .” in subsection 6, “Technical Proposal Page Limitations.”
Question: Please clarify whether the technical proposal is to be single-spaced or double-spaced?
Technical proposal shall be double spaced.
| 28. |
| Technical Proposal Sections and Page Count |
Reference: LEAMR Call Announcement, pp. 12-13, table titled, “Technical Proposal Organization and Page Limitations per each TO Proposal” says that the Milestone Chart is part of the CSOW and is given a page allocation of 2 pages.
Implication: This reference seems to say that the Milestone Chart is limited to 2 pages and consumes part of the 8-page allocation to each CSOW. In addition, it seems to imply there are separate Milestone Charts related to the core TO and the Special Topic and/or Contractor-Suggested TO.
Questions:
a. Please clarify whether the Milestone Chart is part of the CSOW, is limited to two pages per Milestone Chart, is allocated to the page count for each CSOW, and is not included in the overall technical proposal page count?
b. If the Milestone chart is not part of each CSOW, does the Government require separate Milestone Charts for the core TO and included Special Topic, each being allocated 2 pages?
c. If the Government desires only one Milestone Chart, would they accept a single chart with two separate schedules on it, one for the core TO offering and a separate line for the Special Topic, assuming that each separate schedule showed the required elements from the Baseline BAA requirements listed in the LSAR Baseline BAA, p. 20, section VI (“Proposal/Application and Submission Information”), subsection 3 (“Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions”), subparagraph b. (Technical Proposal”), subparagraph 2 (“Content”), subparagraph v. (“Milestone Chart”) Answer a: The milestone chart is part of the CSOW, is limited to two pages, is part of the CSOW total page count and is not included in the overall technical proposal page count.
Answer b: Since the milestone chart is part of the CSOW, separate milestone charts are required for each Task Order submittal.
Answer c: Based on the answers to questions a and b, question c doesn’t apply.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .