RFP_DACS15P1041_Clarifications_to_Govt_Responses.docx

DACS15P1048

Request for Clarifications

Request for Clarification 1 Contractor Question: Reference B.3: Can Subcontractor labor be considered an ODC?

Government Answer: See FAR 52.216-29 Request for Clarification: In review of FAR 52.216-29, it indicates the contractor can propose rates based on any of three methods of calculating the labor rate [(1) a separate rate for each labor category to be performed by each subcontractor and for each labor category to be performed by the offeror, (2) a blended rate to include the offeror and all subcontractors or (3) any combination of separate and blended rates for each labor category]. However, answers to some of the submitted questions seem to indicate that NSF is only allowing one rate for each labor category to be submitted.

A. Are the rates to be entered in Section B supposed to be a blended rate composed of the offeror and all subcontractors proposing labor in a labor category?

Vendor determined – See FAR 52.216-29(c)(1-3) B. If the answer to question A above is yes, should only subcontractors with approved accounting systems be included in the blended rate calculation?

Yes C. If the answer to question A above is yes, when pricing the hypothetical tasks, should the blended rates be used to price subcontractor labor or should subcontractor’s be priced as a standard ODC using the subcontractor’s own proposed labor rates?

Vendor determined – consistent with method determined for Section B D. If the answer to question A above is no, how should the offeror present the separate rates for the offeror and each subcontractor?

Separate rate packages from the subcontractors

Request for Clarification 2 Contractor Question: Page 15, Section G.6 states that travel will be reimbursed at actual cost. However, Section I.5 includes FAR 52.216-7 which allows indirect costs to be applied to travel. Can you please clarify?

Government Answer: All travel will be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

Request for Clarification: The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) enumerates the travel and relocation policy for all Title 5 Executive Agency employees which would not apply to Contractors. The limits established in the FTR are utilized in FAR 31.205-46, but not the FTR in its entirety. As the FAR also allows properly allocable and allowable indirect costs to be applied (FAR 52.216-7), please confirm that indirect costs applied to travel will be allowable.

Yes allocable and allowable indirect costs may be applied travel costs

Request for Clarification 3 Contractor Question: If composite rates are required, should subcontractors without approved accounting systems be included in the composite rates since they would not be eligible for T&M awards?

Government Answer: No Request for Clarification: In instances in which an offeror has an approved accounting system but its subcontractor does not, please confirm that the subcontractor could be issued a FFP subcontract under the offeror’s T&M task order.

Yes

Request for Clarification 4 Contractor Question: Under Section L – Volume I – Past Performance, there are references to Attachments 1, 2, and 3. Is the DACS15P1048-Performance Evaluation form Attachment in reference to Past Performance Attachment 1? Will NSF please provide Attachments 2, and 3?

Government Answer: Yes, yes Request for Clarification: When will attachments 2 and 3 be uploaded into the FedBizOps site?

Attachment 2 Transmittal letter will not be uploaded – vendor to use own transmittal letter, Attachment 3 - Contract Listing will be uploaded by the government

• Will NSF be posting the “standard transmittal letter (Attachment 2 ) to request that POC’s complete a Performance Questionnaire” per RFP section L.14 Volume I – Past Performance (d)? Or is the Past Performance Questionnaire without the standard transmittal letter sufficient for POC’s to submit to NSF?

Yes, the Past Performance Questionnaire without the standard transmittal is sufficient for POC’s to submit to NSF