06062022_AllQuestions_15A00021R00000101_v20220824.docx

Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Solicitation No. 155A00021R00000101

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L.3.1.4 Volume I – Exceptions/Alternatives (Terms and Conditions)

L.3.1.5

Requirements table Volume I Contractor must show proof that they are registered under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number 518210 in Systems Award Management (SAM)

L.4.1 Technical/Managerial Approach Volume I Contractor must show proof that they are registered under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number 518210 in Systems Award Management (SAM)

(5) Must be registered within the Systems Award Management (SAM) database under the appropriate NAICS 51820, as an 8(a) Certified company and active, the date the proposals are due.

The contractor MUST provide proof that they have no lower than a Ten (10) Million Dollar Line of Credit to ensure payment to their employees will always be provided promptly and the government will accept this proof/certificate from both the mentor and protégé.

Att. C

2.6 Federal Government Holidays

ATF-25

Wage Determination 11 Holidays listed in the PWS

10 Holidays listed – Juneteenth is not listed

11 holidays listed

Clause ATF-25 has been updated to include Juneteenth.

Section M Qualifications for Task Managers

(2) Key Personnel Qualifications

3.1-11

The PWS is being updated to change language were listed as Contract(or) Program Manager to read Contract Project Manager.

Ref Attach D

(a) Are the Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager assigned solely to Task 1, National Tracing Center (NTC) Division, or do they oversee all contract activities?

(b) If overseeing all contract activities, should these costs be included on Attachment D, Estimated Personnel (i.e., the pricing spreadsheet) for Task 1 or allocated as an indirect cost to all Tasks and labor category rates?

(a) Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager are assigned solely to Task 1. However, (b) they oversee all other task areas.

These costs should be included on Attachment D. Therefore, these costs should be allocated in Task One’s labor category rate within Attachment D.

The Project Manager will be assigned to Task One but will oversee all other task areas.

The contractor MUST provide proof that they have no lower than a Ten (10) Million Dollar Line of Credit

See answer to question 19. .

PWS page 39;

QASP page 9

4. Task 1 NTC

4.39 Firearm Tracing

4.1 Firearm Tracing

The NTC Division is forecasting more than 630,000 incoming trace requests in FY-22. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and ATF Headquarters (HQ) monitor the NTC through performance measures. (1) Percentage of Routine firearms trace requests completed within 7 days, with a target of 75%; (2) Percentage of Urgent firearms traces completed within 48 hours, with a target of 95%.

The contractor shall accurately complete 75 percent of Routine Trace Requests within a monthly average of 7 calendar days and 95 percent completed within a monthly average of 20 calendar days at a volume of up to 45,000 traces per month for the contract base year… The contractor shall accurately complete 85 percent of Urgent Trace Requests within a monthly average of 8 hours and 95 percent completed within a monthly average of 24 hours at a volume of up to 750 per month.

The total trace request forecasts are different. The PWS forecasts 630,000 trace requests, while the QASP forecasts 549,000. Would the government please confirm the projected number of trace requests?

The performance measures in the PWS do not align with the performance measures in the QASP. Would the government please clarify?

The information listed on page 20 in Section 4 Task One: National Tracing Center Division (NTC) is background information of what was currently being done in FY21 and how ATF monitored statistics during that time.

Please note as well that the QASP did not forecast any tracing numbers from prior fiscal year(s) nor forecast any future tracing numbers for fiscal year(s). Section 4.1 of the PWS did list the number of firearms traced requests that NTC did process in FY21 which was over 548,000, not 549,000.

Please note that Section 4.39 of the PWS and Section 4.1 of the QASP are identical language.

The information listed in Section 4.39 of the PWS and then in Section 4.1 of the QASP is what will be required for the new contract award.

Therefore, the “estimated” number of trace requests is 630,000.

Please note Section 4.4 of the QASP is the performance measure associated with Section 4.20 of the PWS.

QASP page 14

PERFORMANCE STANDARD: All mail received will be delivered within 24 business hours from the time it was received.

98% of mail must be delivered within the 24 business hours from the time it was received.

QASP page 14

REQUIREMENT: FESD CSR Production: Average Handle Time: Contractor shall track the average time, starting from when an agent spends time picking up the phone until the call is disconnected.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Quarterly Average of up to 3 negative quality customer surveys received for the group

Requirement: Customer Service agents shall promote the FESD customer service survey so that FESD can track the quality of the customer service provided.

Performance Standard: Quarterly average of not more than 3 negative quality customer surveys received for the FESD group.

REQUIREMENT: This measure is being applied to 100% of items scanned and agreement to the 10% IQC standard in place.

Updated performance measures for NFA Division Volume of Imaging of Final Applications (Ref. 8.5; 8.8) on PWS (pg. 83) and QASP (pg.18) to read IQC agreed upon random sample of final disposition forms within 10 business days and take corrective action, if necessary, within 2 business days of the completion of the initial IQC.

NFA Division CSR Production: Fax Queues PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT: Quarterly however; however…

Section M (1)

The following six (6) criteria must also be addressed:

It appears that both Section L and Section list 7 additional criteria.

Could the Government please clarify if the second reference to six (6) criteria, should be seven (7) as referenced in in section L.

Updated Section M to read (7).

Please confirm the Offerors are not required to mail hard copies of proposals.

Removed “to the mailing address provided within the solicitation.”

Vendors do not need to mail hard copies of proposals.

Only electronic submission is required, and proposals will only be accepted electronically.

Will the Government please provide these requirements?

Information on margins, font size, or font size for tables and/or graphics will be left up to each proposer; but be aware of the page limitations and all documentation must be legible and readable.

Please provide additional information on this requirement.

Removed Corporate Qualifications.

Confirmed.

As per Section 3.1.2: Provide a letter with the proposal. Identify the name, address, e-mail address, telephone, and facsimile transmission number of the person(s) whom has the contractual authority and can be contacted concerning any questions about this proposal. Also, include the following as attachments to the letter:

(a) A document containing the following information: Name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, and cage code of the contractor and of any corporate affiliate at which work is to be performed.

Updated sentence to remove DUNS and replaced with Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number.

Yes, a screenshot will be acceptable as long as it shows the entity registration/core data information, and it shows active registration.

As per Section L, 1. Technical/Managerial Approach (3), proof will be as it states: Evidence the submitting Contractor will be able to set up a Local Office within the Local County that the National Services Center is located which is Berkeley County within 30 days of award.

An example of potential evidence that an offeror will be able to set up a local office is a “potential” letter of intent.

Please confirm that Offerors should address their retention program within the staffing plan.

These sections are different.

The retention plan per Section L, under EVALUATION PROTOCOL AND INSTRUCTION is to provide “information demonstrating the Offeror’s performance history as it pertains to historical retention rates on projects similar in size, scope, and complexity to the subject requirements (e.g., % of contractor employees hired to perform under the project remained on the project at its completion).

The Staffing plan is to “ensure a stable and qualified workforce over the life of the contract by review of the Offeror’s ability and approach to recruiting and retaining qualified personnel.”

Please confirm that CPARS are acceptable in place of the Attachment F Past and Present Performance Survey.

CPARS can replace the survey, but please note that Per Section M, 3) Past Performance, “the Offeror shall provide references for a maximum of five (5) contracts/Orders with the Federal Government and/or commercial customers that demonstrate recent and relevant past performance of similar scope, size, and complexity of services identified.”

If CPARS does not have contracts that demonstrate recent and relevant past performance of similar scope, size, and complexity of services identified, then the contractor can submit the survey to equal up to the 5 past performance references.

Yes, if CPARS can be submitted, it can be submitted in lieu of the Past Performance Survey and attached in the Past Performance Volume. Past Performance for a subcontractor is not required; however, per Section M, 3) Past Performance, that “if a contractor is using a subcontractor as a past performance referral, you must detail what role that subcontractor will be performing in this requirement and the anticipated percentage of work that subcontractor will be doing.”

Please clarify this discrepancy.

Removed sentence that read: “The government may consider the past performance of subcontractors, joint ventures, or teaming arrangements/who will perform 50% or more of the required work as outlined in the PWS.”

Since this an IDIQ, specific workshare percentages are typically determined at the task order level. Will the government accept an estimated percentage?

The government will accept an estimated percentage for subcontractors. As per Section L and Section M under Subcontractor Consent: “If a contractor is using a subcontractor as a past performance referral, you must detail what role that subcontractor will be performing in this requirement and the anticipated percentage of work that subcontractor will be doing. “

Please note any Full Time Equivalent listed per Performance Work Statement, these are “workload estimates of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) contractor employees. They do not constitute guaranteed work minimums or to establish a required contractor estimate. They are only for information as to the Government estimate of work requirements from historical information.”

Offerors are not allowed to modify any attachments Vendor can edit Attachment D as needed or use own pricing format - documentation must be legible and readable including hours, hourly rates, and formulas..

Please note hours have been updated for all cost break out tabs on Attachment D.

All comments have been removed from FESD cost break out; FATD cost break out; OSII cost break out; NFA cost break out.

And Attachment_A_EPS_OSII_PWS_v20220526

And Section 2.6 of Attachment A Juneteenth is not listed as an observed holiday. This conflicts with Attachment A which does list Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Will Juneteenth be observed?

Solicitation clauses have been updated.

Please see updated solicitation in Amendment One with ATF-25 updated to include Juneteenth.

Per Section 2.9 of the PWS, “the contractor must be able to be physically present at the Place of Performance outlined above; however, telework protocols may be approved by the COR for certain contractor roles and shifts.”

And Attachment+C_WDOL_v20220527.pdf and ATF-40 Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors Cover Page ATF-40 states that “This clause implements Executive Order 13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors, dated February 12, 2014, and OMB Policy Memorandum M-14-09, Implementation of the President's Executive Order Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors, dated June 12, 2014.”

The Cover Page of Attachment C states, “With certain exceptions Executive Order after January 30, 2022, or the 14026 applies to the contract”

Does Executive order 14026 supersede Executive Order 13658? $15/hr is the minimum wage?

Solicitation clauses have been updated.

Please see updated solicitation in Amendment Two with the removal of ATF-40 and 52.222-55 updated which reflects Executive Order 14026.

What does the government consider acceptable proof that a company is certified as an 8(a) under the SBA guidelines under NAICS 518210?

Proof is a copy of SBA certification letter and SBA Profile from the Dynamic Small Business Search of their firm.

(5) Price States, “Totals for all Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINS) to include unit prices MUST be written in Section 2 in the solicitation.”

Please confirm that Offerors should use Section 2 - Commodity or Services Schedule pages 6 – 13 of B.1.2 15A00021R00000101 v20220527.pdf.

Confirmed, Totals for all Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINS) to include unit prices MUST be written in Section 2 in the solicitation, which are listed on pages 6-13 of the Standard Form 1449, titled Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Products and Commercial Services

15A00021R00000101_v20220526

See Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 of the PWS.

Section 2.28 reads: “ATF may charge a contractor $1,509 per failure for each monthly invoice where a contractor knew or should have known that an employee submitted for ATF personnel security processing would be favorably adjudicated for access to ATF information, information technology systems, or unescorted access ATF facilities.”

The language states that contractors “should know that personnel submitted should be favorably adjudicated.”

See also Sections 2.10, 2.11, and 2.20 of the PWS.

Please also see clause ATF-04.

Are there conditions in which the Contractor is required to reduce the number of employees?

See Section 2.36 and 3.1 of the PWS.

Please also see Section 2.29 of the PWS.

See Section 2.38.

How and when is indexing data or metadata associated to the digital images?

See Sections 2.20, 4.12, and 4.40 of the PWS.

What are the SCA labor categories for the Imaging, OC, and ECM Loading positions?

See answer to Question 44.

How many FTEs are assigned to Records Search Requests?

See answer to Question 44.

How many FTEs perform OBR Warehouse Tracing?

See answer to Question 44.

What is the SCA labor category for the Media Conversion staff?

See answer to Question 44.

How does the data/metadata get into Power BI?

Data that is displayed in Power BI reports, is pulled from the source transactional databases.

See Section National Tracing Center Division Performance Measures of the PWS.

See Section 2.20 of the PWS.

What high-speed scanning systems are used for the digital image scanning/capture?

How many scanning systems will be provided as GFE?

See Section 2.38 of the PWS.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Can you confirm that the duties listed are not required and describe the performance duties for the 182 FTEs?

See answer to Question 65.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Can you confirm that the duties listed are not required and describe the performance duties for the 2 Media Specialist FTEs?

See answer to Question 65.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Are these FTEs performing similar duties to the 4.13 and 4.40 staff?

What are the SCA labor categories for the Imaging, OC and Document Retrieval System Loading positions?

See answer to Question 65.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Are the positions SCA? If so, what SCA labor category is used?

See answer to Question 65.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Please also see all tasks associated in the PWS and the QASP.

Are we to use the same annual hours for the Base and four option years?

See Sections 2.13 and Section 2.21 of the PWS.

Please also see updated Attachment D.

No updated Attachment D and please review PWS PD.

See updated Attachment D and please see answer to question 65.

Are we to use the same annual hours for the Base and four option years?

See Sections 2.13 and Section 2.21 of the PWS and answer to question 65.

Please also see updated Attachment D.

Are we to use the same annual hours for the Base and four option years?

See answer to question 88.

The Not to Exceed amount is for the government. The contractor will not need to price those out.

See answers to question 14 and 91.

Does this sentence mean that if Performance Measures for any Task Order are missed due to staffing shortages caused through no fault of the contractor, disincentives will not be applied?

See answer to question 64.

Because each Task Area CLIN is bid as a monthly unit of measurement, the price will only reflect the quantities proposed. If volumes begin to increase more than 20% of the estimated quantity, how will the government plan to compensate contractors for workload volumes which begin to exceed 20% and would require additional funding?

See answer to question 64.

If a candidate has financial investments such as mutual funds whereby stocks are bought in mass and may include these types of entities, is it permissible to hire these people?

See clause ATF-04 and Sections 2.10 and 2.11 of the PWS.

Please specify whether this is Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret (Sensitive Compartmented information) contract.

See Sections 2.10 and 2.11 of the PWS.

Would the government consider removing this clause from the contract?

Clause removed.

Does this mean that employees cannot be cross trained across different performance areas and resourced according to daily work activities and work levels?

See Sections 2.25, 2.36. and 2.37

This seems contradictory to paragraph 2.35 which states that we cannot allocate personnel between performance work areas without approval from the COR.” Please clarify.

Section 2.36 allows for the reassigning of personnel based on performance measures (See Section 2.35) but per Section 2.36, no reassigning of personnel can be done without approval from the COR.

Will the contractor have access to the data contained within this system? If the contractor does have access, will the contractor be able to run reports from this system?

See Section 2.20 of the PWS.

Are “all members’ defined as federal employees, or does it refer to both federal and contractor employees?

See Section 2.29 of the PWS.

We did not see a section which contained anything pertaining to incentives or disincentives in the associated AQL tables.

Is there a document about what incentive is awarded if a contractor exceeds the performance metric or a section describing the specific disincentive if a contractor fails to meet the AQL?

Removed all language pertaining to incentive(s) from Section 1.3, 2.6, and 2.9 of the QASP. There will be no incentives on this contract.

If a change does occur which requires a change of standard operating procedures, will the ATF allow the contractor time to implement them by waiving AQLs for a specified period of time?

See Section 2.35 of the PWS.

Section L

Section L

The office space must be able to accommodate the size, scope and complexity of the requirement as per the per the scope, size, and complexity of the PWS and reviewed by ATF

Attachment D