BIO_Assistance_Q A_as_of_21_Oct_2013.xlsx

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DOI Business Integration Office (BIO) Assistance Federal contract opportunity
Solicitation number
D13PS00314
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Department of the Interior Departmental Offices Interior Business Center

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RFP Q A as of 21 Oct 2013

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ATCH_23_-_Instructions_to_Offerors_A5.docx DOCX document
SF_30_Amendment_000005.pdf PDF
SF_30_Amendment_000004.pdf PDF
ATCH_26_-_Cost_Price_Template_BIO_TO_A4.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_10_-_BIO_IDIQ_PWS_A4.docx DOCX document
ATCH_28_-_Cost_Price_Template_AQD_TO_A4.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_13_-_BIO_TO_PWS_A4.docx DOCX document
ATCH_30_-_Cost_Price_Template_EXAMPLE_A4.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
SF_30_Amendment_000003.pdf PDF
ATCH_23_-_Instructions_to_Offerors_A3.docx DOCX document
ATCH_18_-_AQD_Support_TO_PWS_A3.docx DOCX document
ATCH_13_-_BIO_TO_PWS_A2.docx DOCX document
SF_30_Amendment_000002.pdf PDF
ATCH_23_-_Instructions_to_Offerors_A2.docx DOCX document
ATCH_24_-_Eval_Criteria_A2.docx DOCX document
ATCH_34_-_FBMS_D9_Application_Dev_Obj.pdf PDF
D13PS00314_Terms_and_Conditions_A2.docx DOCX document
ATCH_33_-_FY14_BIO_Workload_Est_-_Fed_and_Ktr_A2.pdf PDF
ATCH_32_-_FY14_BIO_Workload_Est_-_Ktr_A2.pdf PDF
ATCH_16_-__BSEE_Support_TO_PWS_A2.docx DOCX document
BIO_Assistance_Q A_as_of_7_Oct_2013.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
D13PS00314_Amendment_000001.pdf PDF
ATCH_1_-_FBMS_SAP_Modules.docx DOCX document
ATCH_9_-_FBMS_Backups_Schedule.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_10_-_BIO_IDIQ_PWS.docx DOCX document
ATCH_20_-_AQD_Support_Travel_Auth_Form.docx DOCX document
ATCH_27_-_Cost_Price_Template_BSEE_TO.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_14_-_BIO_TO_Schedule.docx DOCX document
ATCH_31_-_Question_Answer_Template.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_11_-_IDIQ_Ordering_Procedures.docx DOCX document
ATCH_21_-_Wage_Det_05-2103_(DC_and_North_VA).docx DOCX document
ATCH_2_-_FBMS_Dev_Obj.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_17_-_BSEE_TO_Schedule.docx DOCX document
D13PS00314_Terms_and_Conditions.docx DOCX document
ATCH_25_-_Past_Perf_Questionnaire.docx DOCX document
ATCH_18_-_AQD_Support_TO_PWS.docx DOCX document
ATCH_29_-_Cost_Price_Template_SUMMARY.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_24_-_Eval_Criteria.docx DOCX document
ATCH_12_-_BIO_IDIQ_Schedule.doc DOC document
ATCH_15_-_BIO_Travel_Auth_Form.docx DOCX document
ATCH_19_-_AQD_TO_Schedule.docx DOCX document
SF_1449.pdf PDF
ATCH_7_-_FBMS_Architecture_Diagram.pptx PPTX presentation
ATCH_13_-_BIO_TO_PWS.docx DOCX document
ATCH_6_-_FBMS_Interfaces_Diagram.docx DOCX document
ATCH_16_-__BSEE_Support_TO_PWS.docx DOCX document
ATCH_28_-_Cost_Price_Template_AQD_TO.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_23_-_Instructions_to_Offerors.docx DOCX document
ATCH_8_-FBMS_SW_Matrix_by_Deployment.xlsx XLSX spreadsheet
ATCH_3_-_BIO_Organization_Chart.pdf PDF
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BIO Assistance Q&A 21 Oct 2013

RFP Reference
Question #Attachment #SectionPage
NumberQuestionAnswerAmend #
1N/AN/AN/ADo any incumbents exist for this requirement and if so, could you please provide the incumbent vendors and the corresponding contract numbers?Delta Solutions and Technologies under Blanket Purchase Agreement N08PA10457 and D13PA00016000001
2N/AN/AN/AAre questions still due on 10/7, or is there going to be a change in schedule due to the government shutdown?Questions are still due @ 3PM Eastern on 10/7/13000001
3234.7.211The Government requires that all subs provide a minimum of 2 past performance references. Given the number of potential subcontractors to satisfy known requirements within the PWS as well as future requirements, request the Government consider limiting the number of PP citations requirements, for example, to subcontractors with greater than 5% of the workshare.As stipulated in the RFP "The offeror shall identify four (4) recent contracts/orders for the prime contractor and two (2) recent contracts/orders for each proposed subcontractor on previous or current projects/tasks that are of a similar size, scope, and complexity of work identified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS)."000001
4234.6.1.510Does the Government require Teaming Agreements and Past Performance references for all subcontractors or just subcontractors with greater than 5% of the workshare?Yes, the Government requires Teaming Agreements and Past Performance for all subcontractors000001
5234.7.3, e16Does the Government require subcontractors who submit past performance references to also have PP questionnaires completed or is only the Prime Contractor required to have questionnaires completed?Yes, subcontractors are asked to provide past performance questionaires as well.000001
6234.817Given the RFP is silent on the requirement for subcontractor sealed packages, please confirm that sealed packages from subs are not requiredSealed packages are not required.000001
7234.817, para 3"The Offeror is cautioned to submit other than cost/pricing information that is fully responsive to the contract requirements” Please clarify that this information, if applicable, is required only from the Prime.Other than Cost or Pricing Data is required from the prime contractor.000001
8234.7.17, para 4Given that this is a FAR Part 15 procurement as referenced in the RFP, please clarify the level of pricing back up that the Government expects to see in the cost/price volume. Is the Government looking to see the direct labor, indirect rate, and profit detail for each proposed labor category? Will sealed packages from the subcontractors be required?This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with the procedures of FAR Parts 12, 15, AND 16. The level of pricing back up that the Government expects to see is as follows: Any type of information required to determine price reasonableness or cost realism that does not require offeror certification as accurate, complete, and current in accordance with FAR 15.406-2;

May include pricing, sales, or cost information;

Includes cost or pricing data for which certification is determined inapplicable after submission. Direct labor, indirect rate, and profit detail are not required for each proposed labor category. Sealed packages from subcontractors are not required.000001
9132.657Is this the full scope of the requirement. Do the Business Process Division Staffing requirements contain all of the functional areas?The following staffing requirements were added to section 2.6.2 Business Process Division Staffing Requirements: Labor Expert; Travel/Permanent Change of Station Expert; Charge card Expert; Vendor/Master Data Management; SAP Consultant for Inventory Management. IPP is referenced in section 2.6.2.5.000002
10102.2.2.652Information Systems Auditing Support is described in the Technical Support Requirements section but not included in the BIO Task Order or identified as a contractor position on the BIO organizaton chart under the Quality Branch. Please confirm this position is within the scope of this contract.Information Systems Auditing Support is within scope of the the ID/IQ contract, as it is possible that this support may be needed during the course of the contract. However, Information Systems Auditing Support is not currently required for the BIO Task Order.000002
11132.656-57For staffing requirements where a bachelor’s degree is required in a relevant field, would the Government accept a bachelor’s degree in any field, as long as the experience is in a relevant field and meets minimum requirements?Where required, the bachelor's degree must be in a related field. Staffing requirements that require a bachelor’s degree may be substituted with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience. NOTE: This substitution requirement does not apply to staffing requirements that state within the position description that less than five years of relevant experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.000002
12132.656-57For staffing requirements which require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, would the Government consider 5 years of professional experience as a substitute for a Bachelor’s degree?Staffing requirements that require a bachelor’s degree may be substituted with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience. NOTE: This substitution requirement does not apply to staffing requirements that state within the position description that less than five years of relevant experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.000002
13233.4., 3.5, 3.6 and 4.9, 4.10, 4.11pages 3 - 5 and pages 22, 27, and 31.There appears to be an error in Volume names for Volume 4 - 6. Please confirm the following: Volume 4: BIO Support Task Order, Volume 5: AQD Support Task Order, Volume 6: BSEE Support Task Order.The title of paragraph 4.10 is revised from stating "Volume 4" to 4.10. VOLUME 5: AQD Support Task Order. The title of paragraph 4.11 is revised from stating "Volume 4" to 4.11. VOLUME 6: BSEE Support Task Order. All changes in RED Font.000002
14234.7.2, Para 211Reference Text: "Each Offeror shall submit a past and present performance volume with its proposal, containing past performance information in accordance with the format contained in paragraph 4.7.1.1. " Question: Paragraph 4.7.1.1 does not exist. Please clarify where this information is referenced.The RFP inadvertantly referenced the wrong paragraph. The sentences is revised to state: Each Offeror shall submit a past and present performance volume with its proposal, containing past performance information in accordance with the format contained in paragraph 4.7.2.1. All changes in RED Font.000002
15161.21Please clarify the place of performance for the BSEE Task Order.The place of performance is hereby revised from Washington, DC to Herndon, Virginia. Please reference Attachment #16 to review revision in RED font.000002
16161.31Please clarify the specific work requirements for the BSEE task order.The work requirements for the BSEE task order are revised in their entirety to remove the project management tasks (paragraph 1.3) and training requirements (paragraph 1.4). Please reference Attachment #16 to review revision in RED font.000002
17182.1.1.13Due to the specific nature of the requirements for the Acquisition Functional Expert, would the Government consider revising the experience requirement from “Five years minimum of relevant experience required” to “Five years minimum of relevant experience preferred”?Amendment 2 has included an additional requirement for an Acquisition Functional Analyst. This labor category requires "One to Three years minimum of relevant experience required." All changes in RED font.000002
18234.27Each transition plan has been given a 20 page count limitation. Please confirm that this is OVER the minium page count of 15 pages for the ID/IQ and Task Order responses (Volumes 4 and 5).The page count for the volumes 4 and 5 do not include the transition plan. There is a separate page limit of 20 pages for each transition plan. Attachment #23 is revised as follows: Volume 4 – BIO Support Task Order is limited to 40 pages (page limit does not include the transition plan). Volume 5 – AQD Support Task Order is limited to 30 pages (page limit does not include the transition plan). All changes in RED Font.000002
19234.6.1.410Section 4.6.1.4 Item vi states-- “ Identify the participation of business concerns (e.g. small business, small disadvantaged, etc.) in terms of the value of the ID/IQ contracting (using a percentage %). Please do not include actual dollar amounts in this volume.”

This statement is contrary to FAR 52.219-9 which states that an offeror’s subcontracting plan should have the goals expressed in terms of percentages of total planned subcontracting dollars and include a statement of total dollars planned to be subcontracted for an individual contract plan. Please clarify.

The requirement for submission of a small business subcontracting plan is moved from VOLUME 1: Management and Technical (ID/IQ Contract) to Volume 3. The requirement for submission of Subcontracting and Teaming Agreements is moved from Volume 1 to Volume 3. All changes in RED Font.000002
20234.7.5, Chapter 5N/APlease confirm that the requirement to provide notification of any efforts that were terminated for default or cause, is limited to the Prime contractor only.The requirement to provide notification of efforts that were terminated for default or by cause is limited to the Prime contractor. The Instructions to Offerers are revised to state, The offeror (prime contractor) shall notify the Government of any efforts in which it was terminated for default or terminated for cause. All changes are in RED font.000002
21102.6N/ACurrently, Attachment 10 BIO_IDIQ_PWS states in Section 2.6 states that “Staffing Requirements shall be specified at the task order level.” Attachment 13 BIO_TO_PWS specifies labor categories for that task order, and those labor categories also appear in Attachment 26 Cost_Price_Template_BIO_TO. Similarly Attachment 18 AQD_Support_TO_PWS specifies two (2 ) labor categories for the task order. Question: May the offeror propose additional labor categories beyond those contained in Attachment 13 for the BIO Task order and Attachment 18 for the AQD task order in order to provide the Government our Best Value solution?Yes, the offeror may propose labor categories beyond those contained in Attachment 13 for the BIO Task order and Attachment 18 for the AQD task order in order to provide the Government a best value solution.000002
2216BSEE Support Task OrderN/AAttachment 16 BSEE_Support_TO_PWS does not specify labor categories to be used for the task order. Question: May the offeror utilize the labor categories from Attachment 13 BIO_TO_PWS and also propose additional labor categories in order to provide the Government our Best Value solution?Yes, the offeror may utilize the labor categories from Attachment 13 BIO_TO_PWS and/or propose additional labor categories in order to provide the Government a best value solution.000002
2326, 27, 28N/AThere are 4 pricing templates at the task order level – one for each TO (Attach 26, 27 and 28) and Attach 30 Cost Price Template Example. However there is no submission page for the IDIQ rates by labor category. Please clarify that this is the Government intent?Correct. There is no pricing template for the ID/IQ labor rates by labor category. Contractor format is acceptable. A requirement to provide the rates in an MS Excel spreadsheet has been added to the Instructions to Offerors. All changes are in RED font.000002
2426, 27, 28N/AIf subcontractor prices will be reflected in the IDIQ rates by labor category, will the Government require listing each subcontractor company in the pricing templates or just those subcontractors with greater than 5% of the workshare?All subontractors shall by identified. The offeror shall list the name of the company the offeror is proposing resource(s) from in column E – Company performing.000002
253ALLUnderstanding that the offeror is required to make a recommendation, do you have a preference on where the resources are physically located between Herndon and Denver?The BIO is split approximately 50/50 between the Denver and Herndon offices. The government prefers a similar split for the BIO Assistance contractor resources.000002
2661Could DOI please provide an updated copy of this diagram that is legible?All of the detail in this diagram can be seen in the electronic version of this attachment at a high enough zoom. Recommend zooming into no less than 450%.000002
27131.1.17How many Business Process Division staff are Currently assigned to Herndon and/or Denver?Numbers provided are for federal staff.

35 total plus 1 vacant Budget Lead with location TBD.

Herndon - 11

Denver - 25000002
28131.1.17How many Application Management Division staff are currently assigned to Herndon and/or Denver?Numbers provided are for federal staff.

10 total Herndon - 7

Remote - 3 (Phx, NC, NY)000002
29131.1.17How many Technical Infrastructure, Security, and Quality Management Division staff are currently assigned to Herndon and/or Denver?Numbers provided are for federal staff.

14 total Herndon - 10

Denver - 4000002
30131.1.18How many Production Management Division staff are currently assigned to Herndon and/or Denver?Numbers provided are for federal staff.

4 total

Denver - 4000002
311811How many resources are currently assigned to Herndon, Denver, and Sierra Vista?The contractor resources currently assigned to Herndon, Denver, and Sierra Vista are as follows:

2 - Herndon

1.5 - Denver

0 - Sierra Vista000002
32234.7.2.113Past Performance Information Required "Contract task areas to which the Past or Present Performance reference applies" Please clarify how the government wants us to map Past Performance activities to the Contract Task areas defined in each TO PWS ?The requirement to provide: 6. Contract task areas to which the Past or Present Performance reference applies; is hereby removed from 4.7.2.1. All changes in RED font.000002
33234.7.3 d16"The Offeror shall request that the Raters return the completed questionnaires directly to the Government email address or fax number cited on the questionnaire on or before the due date". Is this due date the same as the due date for the proposal, i.e., 3:00 P.M. eastern time, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 ?The RFP due date (to include past performance questionnaires) has been extended to Friday, 3:00 P.M. eastern time, November 8, 2013.000002
34234.7.3 f16"It is the responsibility of the Offeror to assure that the Raters return the questionnaires by the due date." During the Government shut down it may be difficult or impossible to contact the Raters for Past Performance References, to ensure their willingness to act as a reference, to explain the process and to ensure their completion and return of the questionnaire by the due date. Will DOI extended the due date for completed questionnaires?The RFP due date (to include past performance questionnaires) has been extended to Friday, 3:00 P.M. eastern time, November 8, 2013.000002
35234.7.517Is this notification required only for the prime contractor? If not, we assume the period of time is in line with the 5 year past performance window.Reference response to Question #20.000002
36234.9.1.4What is your expectation of how we will provide verification that key personnel shall have completed background investigations and be able to start immediately at the beginning of the transition period ?The requirement to provide verification that Key Personnel shall have completed background investigations and be able to start immediately at the beginning of the Transition Period has been removed from the solicitation for both the BIO Task Order and the AQD Task Order.000002
37234.9.2.326In section i, the second sentence requires information related to "who the contract is currently with". Wouldn't that be assumed to be the incumbent?The Government is referring to the incumbent Contractor. See revised instruction, with changes highlighted in RED font.000002
38234.9.1.5 & 4.9.1.625By providing functional and technical resource resumes does that mean we need to commit these resources to be delivered at time of award?Resumes are no longer required for the functional and technical resources. Please reference revised Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 - Evaluation Criteria.000002
39234.9.1.5 & 4.9.1.625Does your current approach preclude utilizing an incumbent capture process to retain incumbent personnel? If no, how can we submit resumes for these incumbent resources?Yes, our current approach includes utilizing an incumbent capture process to retain incumbent personnel. Please reference FAR Clause 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers in the Terms and Conditions of the solicitation.
Offerors are not required to submit resumes for the incumbent resources with their proposal submission in response to the solicitation. Where resumes are required to be submitted, offerors are required to provide resumes that validate proposed personnel meet or exceed the required work experience, training, and education requirements for each position.000002
405AllAllDuring Deployment 8, the PMO estimated their planning capacity for the government and contracting resources in order to validate the amount of scope that could be accomplished for the Deployment while balancing O&M needs. This approach was used again for the FY14. If the current contractor participated in this effort, what is the planned capacity in hours and FTEs for all FY14 and O&M activities?The incumbent's participation was limited. The workload planning was primarily a government management effort. Still, these workload estimates may be useful in explaining the anticipated work and the total amount of effort anticipated, along with the amount anticipated to be provided by the contractor. PLEASE NOTE: These are working estimates only and have not been updated based on Deployment 9 blueprinting. Reference RFP Attachments #10 BIO ID/IQ PWS paragraph 1.1.6.2, #13 BIO Task Order PWS paragraph 1.1.6.2, # 32 (Contractor Resources Only) and #33 (Federal and Contractor Resources).000002

and 000004

41234.8.1.218Since the ID/IQ references Firm Fixed Price for future work, should the ID/IQ rate card (in Chapter 2 of the Cost/Price Volume) include both Firmed Fixed Price and T&M rates?The purpose of this instruction is to provide the T&M/LH rates for the ID/IQ contract.000002
42234.8.1.218What is the format for the ID/IQ Rate Card in Chapter 2 of the Cost/Price Volume?Contractor format is acceptable. A requirement to provide the rates in an MS Excel spreadsheet has been added to the Instructions to Offerors. All changes are in RED font.000002
432AllAllThe Deployment 8 development object list has been attached to the RFP. Can the Deployment 9 development object list be provided?FBMS Deployment 9 is currently in the blueprint phase, although most work has been placed on hold during the Government shutdown. The latest D9 object listing is included in Attachment #34 titled FBMS Deployment 9 (D9) Application Development Object000002
44234.8.1.2Is the Service Contract Act applicable to the current contract? If yes, approximately how many FTE's are subject to the Act? If no, why does the DOI feel this type of work would be subject to the Act?The Service Contract Act is applicable to the incumbent contract. FAR Clause 52.222-41 SERVICE CONTRACT ACT OF 1965 (NOV 2007) clause is included in the GSA contract for the incumbent. The wage rates and fringe benefits required are specified in the SCA wage determination included in the contract. If no wage determination has been made applicable to the contract, employees performing work under the contract must be paid not less than the federal minimum wage provided in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. A wage determination is not applicable to the incumbent Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

Offerors are asked to identify if they have proposed any occupations (e.g. Technical Writer, etc.) that have applicable wage determinations (Reference RFP Attachments 21 and 22). 000002 and '000004

45132.6.x56-57BIO Task Order PWS Section 2.6.2.x labor categories all require a bachelor’s degree plus years of experience. However, PWS Section 2.6.3.x is less consistent. Some positions require a degree and years of experience, others state that a bachelor’s degree is “preferred” while others state that a degree “and/or” years of experience is required. Further, all labor categories in 2.6.4.x state a degree is “preferred.” Due to the complex nature of the work to be performed , will the Government consider requiring a bachelor’s degree and years of experience for the LC descriptions in 2.6.3.x and 2.6.4.x”The Government has reviewed the staffing requirements and made revisions to the bachelor's degree and minimum year requirements for several labor categories. Please review the revised staffing requirements with revisions noted in RED font.000002
46132.6AllThe minimum years of relevant experience required in each of the labor categories are overly restrictive. The minimum year requirements are in excess of the Government’s minimum needs. We believe the following change to be reasonable and consistent with the Government’s minimum needs:

• Labor categories requiring a minimum of 8 years be changed to 5-8 years

• Labor categories requiring a minimum of 7 years be changed to 4-7 years

• Labor categories requiring a minimum of 5 years be changed to 3-5 years

• Labor categories requiring a minimum of 3 years be changed to 1-3 years

We request that the RFP be changed to reflect the proposed labor categories above.The Government has reviewed the staffing requirements and made revisions to the minimum year requirements for several labor categories. Please review the revised staffing requirements with revisions noted in RED font.000002
4723Volume 4; Chapters 5 and 6The requirement to submit named resumes for all Functional and Technical positions is excessive. We agree it is critical for named resumes to be provided for Key Personnel. However, a requirement for all resumes is unduly restrictive. We request that resumes only be required for Key Personnel and that only representative resumes be required for Functional and Technical positions.Resumes are no longer required for the functional and technical resources. Please reference revised Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 - Evaluation Criteria.000002
48N/AN/AnaRequest the Government provide the capacity model analysis reflecting the level of effort to continue supporting the entire FBMS FY14 effort.Reference response to Question #40.000002
49241.1.2.11Past performance is not included in the criteria for award in the three (3) Day One Task Orders and is only relevant to the IDIQ rate card. We believe this is inexplicable, appears to be oversight, and, if not corrected, would lead to a lack of meaningful evaluations in the award of the three (3) Day One Task Orders. We request that past performance criteria be included in at least the BIO Task Order.The Government plans to award the ID/IQ contract to one vendor. Each offeror shall provide sufficient past performance information (as instructed in Attachment #23) to allow the Government to determine that it can support any and all task orders awarded against the ID/IQ contract. Therefore, it is redundant to request past performance references for each of the three initial task orders being awarded as a result of this solicitation.000002
50231136Request that DOI extend the due date for proposals to November 15, 2013Reference response to question #33.000002
5110 and 133.7The current RFP prohibits the ability to perform work remotely. We ask that DOI reconsider the restriction.The current RFP does not prohibit the ability to perform work remotely. Section 3.7 - Place of Performance states "It is expected that the contractor staff be physically located at these two locations. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis." In addition, up to 2 days per week of telework may be granted to contractor employees as explained in Section 3.8 - Hours of Operation.000002 and '000004
5223Chapter 2 - Section 4.11.1.2, Amendment 00000231In the amendment to the instructions to the offerors, an updated outline was provided for Volume 6. Can the government confirm the detailed information requested for Volume 6 Chapter 2, as described in section 4.11.1.2, is the content expected? Specifically, the direction in iii refer to 2 locations when the place of performance for that task order only specifies Herndon, VA. Also, the requirements in viii and ix seem extensive for a task order requesting 20 hours of service per week.The requirement to discuss "managing virtual teams located in 2 geographic locations. This section should include a proposed organization chart. " in iii has been removed. Please review revised instruction in Attachment #23.
The other requirements of this section are structured to provide offerors the flexibility to propose a recommended corporate management structure and/or subcontract/teaming arrangements. If no subcontract/teaming arrangements are proposed, then the Government assumes that the offeror will indicate this information in their proposal and that this section/instruction would not be applicable.000003
5318Chapter 2 - Section 2.1.1,3, Amendment 0000024In Section 2.1, Staffing Requirements, the government asks offerors to include a SAP or PRISM trainer as key personnel. Yet in Section 2.0, Requirements, there is no mention of specific training requirements; e.g., number of Instructor Led Courses, types of courses, materials to be developed, etc. Please clarify.The requirement for a SAP or PRISM trainer as key personnel is hereby removed from the solicitation (paragraph 2.1.1.3). AQD requires the Acquisition Functional Expert and/or Acquisition Functional Analyst to perform training requirements. Training is expected to be required when it is not being offered by the BIO for a specific time period, but is still required by AQD personnel.
Section 2.0.6 Training has been added to the PWS to detail the training task requirements. Please review all changes to the revised PWS in RED font.000003
54103.11 Travel58Prior approved travel will be reimbursed in accordance with FAR 31.205-46. Travel may be required in the performance of this contract. General and Administrative (G&A) costs will not be authorized on travel. Per FAR 31, G&A is cost and an allowable expense. Please consider allowing G&A to be invoiced as approved by DCAA provided the total travel ceiling is not exceeded.The Government is in agreement that G&A is an allowable expense. However, General and Administrative (G&A) costs will not be authorized on travel on the BIO Task Order and the AQD Task Order000003
5523N/AN/AWe did not see in the Instructions to Offerors how to specify which company they are submitting before (i.e. Subcontract X on behalf of Prime Contractor Y). Should we just put that in the email, or in our Past Performance Submission, should we include headers for all of our past performance questionnaires?Offerors do not need to specify which company they are submitting a questionnaire for (i.e. Subcontract X on behalf of Prime Contractor Y). The Government will make the determination based on the prime's proposal submission and match the questionnaires received with the appropriate proposal.000003
5623Chapter 2 - Section 4.9.1.2 - ii Amendment 00000222As a result of Amendment 000002, Attachment 23, Paragraph 4.9.1.2, Chapter 2, Management Solution and Technical Solution, now states that “as part of the staffing plan, all proposed staffing labor categories and staff names (if available) should be identified and mapped to the government labor category in a Resource Roster in MS Word or MS Excel format.…#157; To ensure consistency within the RFP, will the Government similarly revise the evaluation criteria for Functional and Technical Personnel (Amendment 000002, Attachment 24, p. 6, Factors 3 and 4) Factors to be consistent with these instructions, so that resumes and letters of commitment, or contingent hire letters, furnished with identified staff names, will also be evaluated? The evaluation criteria for Functional and Technical Personnel currently states that only functional and technical personnel labor categories will be evaluated.As currently stated, the evaluation criteria do not preclude resumes, letters of commitment, or contingent hire letters, furnished with identified staff names from being evaluated for Factors 3 and 4. Offerors may provide supporting documentation for functional and technical personnel (e.g. resumes, letters of commitment, contingent hire letters, staff names, etc.), but it is not mandatory. Reference revised Attachment #23, Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria.
000004
57Terms and ConditionsFAR Clause 52.222-1718The Government Answer to Questions in Amendment 000002 indicates that offerors should refer to FAR 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, with regard to an incumbent capture process. However, that clause, based on the prescriptive language in FAR 22.1207, should only be invoked for service contracts as defined in FAR 22.001. Service contract is defined in 22.001 “as any Government contract, or subcontract thereunder, the principal purpose of which is to furnish services in the United States through the use of service employees, except as exempted by the Service Contract Act.…#157; As stated in Government Answer to Question 44, DOI is not assuming that this work is subject to the Service Contract Act. While offerors could conceivably propose one or more non-exempt labor categories, that does not constitute a basis for the Government to invoke the Service Contact Act or FAR 52.222-17 because the principal purpose of this effort is not to furnish services through the use of service employees. For these reasons, will the Government delete the references in the solicitation to 52.222-17 and confirm that it does not apply to this effort?See revised response to RFP Questions #44.
FAR Clause 52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (Jan 2013) is applicable to the solicitation and applies to this effort.000004
58RFP Questions and Answers as of Amendment 000002Question #39The Government Answer to Question 39, addressing incumbent capture, states that “our current approach includes utilizing an incumbent capture process to retain incumbent personnel.…#157; Such an approach poses a risk to the Government. Personnel who are proposed, but are not currently part of an offeror’s team, may not be available upon an award to that offeror. How does the Government plan to account for this risk in its evaluation of proposals? Will the Government require that only personnel who are part of an offeror’s team with signed commitment letters, or who have provided signed contingent offer letters, can be proposed by an offeror?The Government does NOT require that signed commitment letters or signed contingent offer letters be proposed by an offeror for proposed non-key personnel.000004
59241.1.2.32Attachment 24, p.2, 1.1.2.3 – AQD Task Order – Indicates that Factor 1: Management Solution is a part of the evaluation criteria for this volume. Moving to page 4 of the same attachment, it lists: 1.3 Production Support and Development Approach; and 1.4 Technical Support approach as evaluated criteria under “Factor 1: Management Solution” ; although these two items only relate to Volume 4; BIO Task Order. This same question applies for the BSEE Task Order (Volume 6). Please confirm the relevant items to be evaluated under Factor 1: Management Solution for Volume 5 and Volume 6.Please review the revised Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria, as of Amendment 000004 for clarification on the relevant elements to be evaluated for Volumes 5 and 6.000004
60241.1.2.11The ITO for Volume I does not require a Transition Plan, but Evaluation Factor 5: Transition Plan is used to evaluate it. Should offerors include or exclude a transition plan in Volume 1?A transition plan is not required to be provided for the ID/IQ contract. The evaluation criteria has been revised to exclude this factor for the evaluation of the ID/IQ contract.000004
61234.6.1.2.vii9Contract Management Approach for the IDIQ Volume 1 is unlike the task order Contract Management Approach requirements. It does not require status reporting deliverables, performance measures, or incentives and disincentives (other task order tasks do), but Evaluation Factor 1.6 includes these. Does the Government want Volume 1 to include or exclude descriptions of status reporting deliverables, performance measures, and incentives and disincentives?The Government wants to exclude descriptions of status reporting deliverables, performance measures, and incentives and disincentives for Volume 1. Please reference the revised Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria for clarification.000004
62241.85The ITO does not require offerors to address "Quality of Teaming Arrangements/Subcontracts", but Factor 1.8 is part of the Management Factor 1 used to evaluate the Volume. Does the Government want offerors to include or exclude Quality of Teaming Arrangements/Subcontracts in Volume 1?The Government wants to include Quality of Teaming Arrangements/Subcontracts in Volume 1. Please reference the revised Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors for clarification.000004
63233.19The ITO requires Labor Category descriptions in Chapter 3. Is there an evaluation Factor for these?An evaluation of the labor categories is included in the Factor 7: Cost/Price. The labor categories will be evaluated as follows:

" An evaluation of the Cost/Price Volume will be made to determine if it is both realistic and reasonable for the work to be performed, reflects a clear understanding of the requirements, and is consistent with the Management and Technical volume and the Task Order Volumes." (Reference: Attachment 24, Evaluation Criteria, section 2.2.1)

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64234.10.1.227The AQD Volume 5 Task Order ITO requires a "support services" description, but does not specify if it is Project Management, Production and Development, or Technical Support. Please clarify which types of services are required or are being evaluated.In this instance, the term "support services" was used as a generic term to describe all required tasks in the Performance Work Statement for the AQD and BSEE task orders. The ITO has been edited for clarity. Please review the updated Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria for revisions.000004
65182.13 & 4The AQD Task Order PWS requires Functional Analysts. Should the Evaluation Factors for Volume 5 include Evaluation Factor 3?No. The Acquisition Functional Analyst is considered "Key Personnel" and will be evaluated using Factor 2: Key Personnel.000004
66234.11.1.2.vi32The October 11 Q&As state that Project Management support was removed from the Task Order. But the ITO still requires an approach to providing Project Management services. Does the Government want offerors to include or exclude Project Management Services from the Volume 6 proposal?The requirement to describe "Approach to providing project management services…" has been removed from the solicitation requirements for Volume 6. Please review the updated Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria for revisions.000004
67234.11.1.231 & 32The ITO requires production support and development services (paragraph iv) and technical support services (paragraph v) descriptions. However, the Task Order PWS does not identify which services are production, development, or technical in nature. Please clarify.The requirement to describe "Approach for providing production support and development… (paragraph iv)" and "Approach for providing technical support services …(paragraph v) " have been removed from the solicitation requirements for Volume 6. Please review the updated Attachment #23 Instructions to Offerors and Attachment #24 Evaluation Criteria for revisions.000004

Solicitation No. D13PS00314 – U.S. Department of the Interior, Business Integration Office (BIO) Assistance Response to Additional RFP Questions as of 21 October 2013

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104 &P Amendment 000004 http://4.11.1.2.vi/

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .