QA_-_DOL131RP21617_-_Financial_Services_-_1-28-2013.pdf

RFP DOL131RP216517 – Financial Services for DOL Agencies

Questions and Answers

Q1: Is work has to be performed at the DOL site?

A1: Please check the Statement of Work for place of performance.

Majority of the services will be performed in Washington, DC. There are however other places of performance on other DOL Regional offices:

1. Boston, Massachusetts

2. Philadelphia

3. Atlanta, Georgia

4. Dallas, Texas

5. Chicago, Illinois

6. San Francisco, California

End of Q&A 1

Q2:

(1) Could you confirm the due date for proposals is January 24th and not the 14th? The RFP list conflicting dates.

A2(1) February 14, 2013.

(2) Is there a deadline for questions for clarification?

A2(2) Q&A closing date was January 8, 2013

End of Q&A 2

Q3:

(1) Is this a new or follow on requirement? If it is a follow on, please let us know the current contract number, contract value and incumbent name?

A3: (1) This is a new requirement. There is no current contract number, value, or incumbent contractor.

(2) Please let us how many FTEs are required for this requirement?

A3(2) Unknown. Each task order will determine the number of FTEs required in accordance with the

SOW.

End of Q&A3

Q4: “The company is a registered as an Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Business. We are a fairly new business, but have substantial experience in the corporate, tribal, government environment in auditing and accounting. I would be very interested in subcontracting with a prime on this opportunity. Is there an incumbent or is this a new solicitation?

A4: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent contractor.

End of Q&A 4

Q5:

(1) The volumes to be submitted and subfactors found at L.3 are different from the evaluation factors and layout stated in Section M “Basis of Award” required. Please confirm that offerors are to follow the instructions found at Section M, and that Section L will be conformed to Section M.

A5(1) See Amendment 0003.

(2) To help streamline the evaluation and writing of proposals would the government also consider providing page limits by volume? (Volumes being found at Section M).

A5(2) See Amendment 0003. Amendment 0004 will be posted to provide page limits on Volumes I, II, and III

Volume I Technical 30 pages, excluding Resumes and required certificates

Volume II Past Performance - Past Performance POC list --NTE 5 pages.

The Past Performance information in response to the questionnaire will be separately submitted by the POCs or

Contractor’s customers.

Volume III Subcontracting Plan 5 pages

Volume IV Price Offeror’s determination

(3) The instructions for Subcontracting Plan do not contain percentages for small business types. Are offerors to use DOL’s department wide goals? Or are there other goals in mind for this procurement?

A5(3) See Amendment 0003.

Attachment III - Small Business Subcontracting Goals

DOL Subcontracting Goals

SB 60%

SDB 11%

WOSB 7%

HZSB 3%

VOSB 3%

SDVOSB 3%

(4) Section M evaluation factors for Volume IV states in part “An Offeror's proposed unit price and total proposed cumulative price will be evaluated by using the above price analysis techniques to ensure that prices remain reasonable throughout the life of the contract.” As this is a IDIQ, and labor rates are being offered, but there is not task order to price with a “cumulative price”, please advise what criteria will be used to arrive at a “cumulative price”?

A5(4) The resultant contracts will be multiple award FFP/ IDIQ contracts vehicle. Task Orders will be competed among the multiple awardees and awardee Contractors will propose the labor categories, number of hours, and labor rates in accordance with the SOW of the Task Order.

The word “cumulative price” was deleted. Price proposals will be evaluated based on the proposed pool of labor categories and its labor hour rates.

All Offeror's proposed worksheets, tables, prices, rates, categories, basis of estimates (BOEs), and descriptions will be evaluated for reasonableness using one or more of the following techniques:

(1) Comparison of proposed prices/rates received in response to the solicitation.

(2) Comparison of previously proposed prices/rates and previous Government and commercial contract prices with current proposed prices for the same or similar items, if both the validity of the comparison and the reasonableness of the previous price(s) can be established.

(3) Comparison of proposed prices to prices in the market.

(4) Analysis of pricing information provided by the Offeror.

(5) Comparison of proposed prices with independent Government cost estimates.

(6) Review for responsiveness and accuracy in providing all price information outlined in

Section L

(5) Please confirm that notwithstanding the “$8.5 million” size standard listed in block 10, that the correct size standard for NAICS 541219 – Other Accounting Services is $19 million.

A5(5) NAICS 541219 – Other Accounting services size standard at $19 million was corrected under amendment 0002

(6) Section 1.4 of the solicitation designates the Project Manager as the key Personnel for the IDIQ.

Can DOL provide further guidance on what other resumes that it would like to see for non key staff? For example, should offerors provide one (1) representative resume for each labor category identified in section 1.7?

A5(6) Section 1.4 of the solicitation designates the Project Manager as the key Personnel for this requirement. Offerors can propose key personnel to represent their firm.

Yes, for each labor category proposed, Offerors shall provide resume and certification for proof of education or certification, if required.

(7) Section M evaluation criteria for Volume III Subcontracting plan states in part that “The minimum subcontracting goals for this procurement are a percentage of the total acquisition value listed below and must also be included in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan for any large business who submits a proposal IAW FAR 52.219-9.” As this is an IDIQ type contract, please confirm that only percentages are to be provided, as the total amount cannot be known as Task Orders will be competed under the resultant contracts.

A5(7) This assumption is correct that only percentages for the Subcontracting Plan are to be provided in the proposal.

(8) Section L.3 of the Solicitation states that Past Performance information shall be submitted on 9 Jan

2013, 2:00 PM EST, while Section M, Volume II - Past Performance, (4) Past Performance Questionnaire appears to indicate that the PPQs should be submitted by the proposal due date of January 24. Are we correct in assuming that the Past Performance information due on Jan. 9 is the Past Performance

Questionnaire (PPQ)? Is it acceptable for PPQs to be submitted by the proposal due date of January 24, to provide our clients additional lead time after the holiday to complete and submit the questionnaire?

A5(8) Past Performance information will be submitted by 14 Feb 2013, per amendment 0003. Section M was revised under Amendment 0003. Past Performance questionnaire was included in the proposal.

End of Q&A5

Q6: May offerors submit a proposal response (s) for particular work elments in the Statement of Work vs submitting a response for all work elements?

A6: Offeror may submit for particular work elements in the SOW.

End of Q&A6

Q7:

(1) Under a Contractor Team Arrangement (CTA), two or more contractors work together to meet the needs of the procurement agency. By complementing each other's capabilities, the team offers a total solution to the ordering activity’s requirement, providing a "win-win" situation for all parties. Would the

DOL allow CTAs to be proposed for this program? In the CTA scenario, each team member has privity of contract with the government and can interact directly with the government. However, our proposal would communicate a lead firm as a part of the CTA and we would also clearly identify the individual roles of each member of the CTA.

A7(1) Yes.

(2) Volume IV – Price: Can the Government elaborate on the instructions for the cost volume? In the

Section B.1 (Price/Cost Schedule) the following language indicates the existence of a spreadsheet attachment: “The Offeror shall propose Labor categories, using the attached template spreadsheet, to provide services in accordance with the Statement of work for delivery of required deliverables in the

SOW.” The Section J: Attachment 1 file has a spreadsheet appearance while contained within the word document solicitation. Should offerors convert this sample format to a spreadsheet file for proposal delivery purposes? If so, what format requirements would apply to the submitted file? If not, would the

Government consider providing a spreadsheet file template for offerors to use or removing the ‘attached template spreadsheet’ language from Section B?

A7(2) The attached spreadsheet is a recommended template that Offerors may use. Offerors may use their own template.

(3) Volume IV – Price / Factor 4: Price: Can the Government elaborate on the requirements for the evaluated prices? In Section L (Factor 4: Price) the following language indicates a requirement for detailed information: “All price proposals will be evaluated to ensure the Offeror provides a detailed basis of estimate with appropriate cost element descriptions, supporting data and rationale, and methodology.”

Would the requirements for the ID/IQ proposal be limited to the fully loaded labor rates for all of the labor categories for all of the period of performance of the program? And in the absence of a proposed number of hours, how would offerors complete the Schedule of Supplies/Services pages(s) of the

Standard Form (SF) 1449? Or would an estimate of extended prices (i.e., hours and rates) be required?

A7(3)Yes, the Government requires fully loaded labor hour rates for labor categories proposed. Offerors are not required to propose number of labor hours for this FFP/IDIQ vehicle contracts.

(4) Section L.4 General Instructions and Section M. Basis of Award: General instructions require proposal responses to be submitted in two (2) volumes – 25 page technical proposal and price proposal.

Section M Basis of Award references four (4) different volumes: Volume I – Technical Approach, Volume II – Past Performance, Volume III – Subcontracting Plan, Volume IV – Price. Does DOL expect to receive 4 separate proposal response volumes, as referenced in Section M, or only the 2 volumes referenced in Section L? If only the Technical Volume and Price Volume is required for submission (as stated in Section L), please advise if DOL will allow additional pages, to include the subcontracting plan and past performance section, as a part of the Technical Volume.

A7(4) Yes. See response in A5(2)

(5) Section 1.7 Labor Categories, Skills, and Qualifications: Would DOL allow the substitution of the

CPA requirement, for Project Manager and/or Deputy Project Manager labor categories, to be substituted with the CFGM certification and equivalent years of experience?

A7(5) No.

End of Q&A 7

Q8:

(1) Page 1, SF 1449 10. Acquisition Size Standard: Will the Government be correcting the size standard from $8.5M to $19M for NAICS code 541219?

A8(1) See Amendment 0002

(2) Page 24, Section C.1.4 Key Personnel: Will the Government clarify whether a Project Manager or a Project Director is considered key personnel at this IDIQ level? Does the Government expect this key position to be on-site (billable) to DOL full-time?

A8(2) The Project Manager is the only labor category designated as key personnel. A determination will be made at the time the task order is issued whether the Project Manager will be billable and on-site full time.

(3) Page 24, Section C.1.4 Key Personnel: Does DOL envision on-site Project Managers for major task orders, with the Project Director overseeing all task orders allocated to a company?

A8(3) It will be determined when Task Orders will be issued.

(4) Page 27, Section C.1.7.9 Project Manager: Will the Government consider allowing a CGFM certification and Federal experience in place of a CPA requirement for the Project Manager labor category, assuming this is a key personnel position at the IDIQ level versus at the task order level?

A8(4) No substitution is allowed. The proposed key personnel qualifications for the IDIQ level will be the same qualifications for the task order level.

(5) Section J - Attachment 1 – Sample of Proposed Labor Categories: The attachment only includes two labor categories per option year. Is it the Government’s intent to have the Offeror list all labor categories in Section 1.7 Labor Categories, Skills, and Qualifications?

A8(5) See Amendment 0002 and Amendment 0003.

(6) Section J - Attachment 1 – Sample of Proposed Labor Categories: Is it the Government’s intent to evaluate only the hourly rate or will the Government be providing estimated hours by labor category for each option year?

A8(6) Yes, the Government will only evaluate the hourly rates at the base level. At the task order level, the proposed level of effort will be evaluated.

(7) Page 69, Section L.3: States “a copy of the proposal both volumes shall be provided on a Zip

Drive.” Page 72, Section L.4: States that one CD-ROM with an electronic copy of the technical proposal, and a second CD-ROM with an electronic copy of the price proposal are required for submission. Will the government please clarify how it intends Offerors to submit proposals?

A8(7) See Amendment 0003.

(8) Page 69, Section L.3: States “a copy of the proposal both volumes shall be provided on a Zip

Drive.” A Zip drive is a proprietary removable disk storage system originally manufactured by Iomega that is no longer in production. Does the government intend for offerors to submit RFP responses using the Zip drive specifically or may they use any removable disk storage system?

A8(8) See Amendment 0003.

(9) Page 69, Section L.3: States “Proposals shall be submitted in two (2) volumes; one marked

“Technical” and one marked “Price”.” Page 73, Section L.4 describes four volumes, Technical Approach, Past Performance, Subcontracting Plan, and Price. Will the government please clarify how many volumes the proposal should contain?

A8(9) See Amendment 0003.

(10) Page 69, Section L.3: States “Submissions of Past Performance information shall be submitted on

9 Jan 2013, 2:00 PM EST.” Will the government please clarify exactly what is to be submitted on January

9?

A8(10) See Amendment 0003.

(11) Page 71, Section L.3, Factor 4 – Price: The instructions state that the Offeror is to fill out SF 1449

Schedule of Supplies. What values does the Government expect to see in the amount and unit price fields for each CLIN? Will the Government be providing the amount for travel?

A8(11) Offerors shall not put any amount or unit price in the CLINs in SF 1449. The Offeror may utilize its own template.

Travel Expenses/Cost. The Contractor may be required to travel under this contract. Travel expenses shall be kept to a minimum and shall be performed only as agreed to by the COR. Receipts for expenses, e.g., tickets, hotel lodging, etc. shall be attached to the invoice. Unsuported reimbursement requests will not be honored. Travel cost shall be reimbursed for actual cost, not exceeding the limitations set forth in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). The FTR is available at www.gsa.gov/federaltravelregulation.

Lodging and per diem will be reimbursed at actual cost, in accordance with FTR. Mileage will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal mileage rate. Local travel (within 50 mile radius of Contractor’s office) will not be reimbursed. No handling charges, indirect costs, profit or fee shall be billed for travel costs. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed unless authorized in writing by the CO prior to travel. The

Contractor’s requests for travel shall be in writing and contain the dates, locations, and estimated costs of the travel.

Travel amounts will be designated in each task order.

(12) Page 72, Section L.4: States “…the technical proposal, which is limited to 25 pages (Times New

Roman, 12 Font).” Will the government please clarify the number of pages each Volume and major section should contain?

A8(12) See Amendment 0003 and response to A5(2).

(13) Page 72, Section L.4: States “…the technical proposal, which is limited to 25 pages (Times New

Roman, 12 Font).”

a. Will the Government consider excluding the Past Performance submission from the Technical

Volume page limit?

A8(13)a Past Performance information is excluded in the Technical Volume page limit.

b. Will the Government consider excluding the Subcontracting Plan submission from the

Technical Volume page limit, as not all offerors are required to submit this?

A8(13)b The Subcontracting Plan submission is excluded from the Technical Volume page limit.

(14) Page 72, Section L.4: Specifies a font size and type of 12 point Times New Roman. Is it acceptable for offerors to use a smaller font size for graphics, charts, and tables?

http://www.gsa.gov/federaltravelregulation

A8(14) Please follow the instructions stated in the RFP. It is acceptable to use smaller font size for graphics, charts, and tables if they are legible.

(15) Page 72, Section L.4: States “The price proposal shall be submitted as a FFP proposal.” Will the

Government be providing estimated hours by specified labor category to enable offerors to price an FFP bid at this IDIQ level since there is no current specified work to be able to price?

A8(15) No.

(16) Page 73, Section M. Vol.1 Technical Approach: States “…shall submit… with resumes of the proposed labor categories/staff”. Page 24, Section C.1.6 Submittal Data on Personnel: States “Resume are required documents for proposed key personnel.” Will the government please clarify the specific resume(s) that are to be submitted for the IDIQ response versus the individual task orders?

A8(16) Resumes are required documents when submitting the technical proposal since most of the labor categories are professional in nature. Required documents are the same for IDIQ response and individual task orders.

(17) Page 75-76, Section M. Vol. II Past Performance: States “The POCs shall be instructed to electronically complete Part II of the questionnaire and e-mail the entire questionnaire to the Contract

Specialist, at lariba.carmelita.c@dol.gov no later than 234 January 2013 at 2:00 pm, EST.” Will the government please clarify the specific date the questionnaires are to be submitted?

A8(17) See Amendment 0003.

(18) Page 77, Section M, Vol. III Subcontracting Plan: Will the government please specify the Small

Business goals?

A8(18) See Amendment 0003.

(19) Page 10, Section C.1.6.3 (many other references in Section C): The “deliverables” are mentioned numerous times in Section C. What are the overall deliverables for the IDIQ? Will specific deliverables be included in each task order?

A8(19) Required deliverables will be specifically stated in the Task Order.

(20) Page 77, Section C 1.6.19: States “The Contractor shall assist in meeting compliance requirements of …..Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA).” What is the

Government’s expectation regarding the extent of FISMA assistance? Specifically, will the FISMA assistance involve the full range of tasks required by the Department’s CIO organization or will the assistance be limited to tasks required by organizations responsible for managing/using DOL’s financial systems?

A8(20) The requirement for FISMA assistance may come up. Each task order will specifically defined per Agency requirement. The Government will clearly define the level of support for each

Agency requirement.

End of Q&A 8

Q9:

(1) The POCs shall be instructed to electronically complete Part II of the questionnaire and e-mail the entire questionnaire to the Contract Specialist, at Lariba.carmelita.c@dol.gov no later than 234 January

2013 at 2:00 pm, EST. Please confirm the due date, email address, and fax number for past performance questionnaire submission.

A9(1) See Amendment 0003.

(2) Can we combine the staffing and project management sections (1.5 pages total)?

A9(2) Yes.

(3) In order to explain the depth of our staff we feel it would require a significant amount of space (in addition to the staffing plan & organizational chart), would you consider allowing appendices for those additional requirements?

A9(3) Yes.

(4) Are resumes included in the 25 page requirement?

A9(4) No. See Amendment 0003.

(5) Please provide clarification on what is meant by "readiness of staff". Can the personnel be representative staff as availability depends on when the task order is issued?

A9(5) Qualified staff, in accordance with the SOW should be available within 24 hours after a task order is awarded.

(6) The minimum experience for the Audit Manager position is not listed in the RFP. Please provide.

A9(6) Minimum of four (4) years specialized experience and one (1) year of management experience.

End of Q&A 9

Q10

(1) Will the Government allow for a 2 page Executive Summary to be excluded from page count?

A10(1) Yes.

(2) pg 1 SF 1449, Block 10 Considering the nature of the work, will the Government consider changing the NAICS code from 541219, Other Accounting Services, to 541211, Offices of

Certified Public Accountants?

A10(2) No.

(3) pg 1 SF 1449, Block 20 Please confirm A.1 Price/Cost Schedule (Amendment 2) replaced Section J: Attachment 1. If so, would the Government confirm that Offerors shall NOT price any tasks and that the only information to be included in the table will be proposed labor categories and applicable contract year rates?

A10(3) Yes, Offerors shall only propose labor categories and labor hour rates for base year period and applicable option year periods.

(4) pg 1 SF 1449, Block 20 The contract type is identified as FFP/ID/IQ, which we understand to mean that the award will be an ID/IQ with FFP Task Orders. If so, will the Government consider allowing additional Task Order types (T&M, Labor Hour) to be utilized under the ID/IQ, depending on the nature of the task solicited?

A10(4) Yes. FFP Labor Hours and FF level of effort.

(5) pg 1 SF 1449, Block 20 How many Prime vendors does the Government intend to award to under this Multiple Award ID/IQ?

A10(5) Estimated 3-5 prime Contractors.

(6) pg 21 1.9 (a) References are made to a Schedule in order to support price evaluation. The solicitation did not identify which GSA Schedule this procurement is being solicited under. Would the

Government consider utilizing FABS to procure this vehicle? If so, will the Government consider limiting the procurement to SINs 520-11, Accounting Services, or 520-13, Complementary Financial

Management Services?

A10(6) GSA schedule prices are acceptable but not required. This requirement is processed as unrestricted, open market prices are welcome.

(7) pg 24 1.7 Is offeror permitted to propose additional labor categories outside of those identified in Section 1.7 of the RFP to ensure that a well-rounded and comprehensive service offering is provided to the Government?

A10(7) Yes, Offerors can propose additional labor categories to meet the requirements in the

SOW.

(8) pgs 24 and 27 1.7.1 and 1.7.8 For the labor categories (1.7.1 Senior Accountant and 1.7.8

Senior Subject Matter Expert) requiring experience in a Cabinet-level agency, is the Government willing to consider experience in the broader category of Federal executive agencies, since they follow generally the same reporting requirements?

A10(8) Offerors may submit proposed labor categories with the required qualifications or comparable or qualifications exceeding what is stated in the RFP. The Government will evaluate all proposals, in accordance with the factors and subfactors stated in the RFP.

(9) pgs 28-29 1.7.17 The labor category of Audit Manager (1.7.17) does not provide an

Experience, please update. Also, the requirement for the Audit Manager to hold a Master’s Degree may be limiting. Will the Government consider requiring a minimum of four years’ experience with CPA or subject matter expertise, otherwise five years’ experience?

A10(9) The Government’s minimum requirement Audit Manager is for four (4) years specialized experience and one (1) year of management experience.

(10) pgs 28-29 1.7.18 The labor category of Senior Audit Manager (1.7.18) does not provide a

Description, please update. Also, would the Government consider revising the requirements from

Master’s Degree + five years, to Bachelor’s Degree + six years with CPA, or advanced degree, or subject matter expertise, otherwise eight years’ experience?

A10(10) Description of Senior Audit Manager: Directs the work of other managers. Performs preliminary quality assurance over project deliverables. Performs financial statement audits, financial related audits and performance audits.

(11) pg 69 L.3 No past performance submission instructions were provided in Section L. Does the Government intend for Past Performance to be a separate volume from Technical? If not, will the

Government allow past performance to be provided as an attachment to Technical volume beyond the 25 page limit?

A10(11) See Amendment 0003.

(12) pg 69 L.3, Volume I, Factor 1, Sub Factor 2 The RFP provides the following regarding

Staffing and Key Personnel:

1. Subfactor 2 states, “Proposed Staffing of Key Personnel, Organizational Chart”.

2. Per page 24, 1.4 Key Personnel, “The Government has designated the Project Manager position as the Key Personnel position for the overall effort unless otherwise noted on the task order.”

3. Pages 73-74, Section M. Volume 1 – Technical Volume:

“Subfactor (b) Staffing. The Offeror shall submit the Staffing Plan delineating the immediate availability of proposed staff with subject matter expertise, and proposed key personnel required to meet the

Government’s requirements in the SOW. Offeror shall submit a staffing plan, organizational chart that demonstrates its ability to provide qualified personnel, the depth of the Offeror’s staff, approach to reassignment of personnel, and if needed, plans for recruitment.

Project Manager. The Offeror’s proposed key personnel, Project Manager should demonstrate through their resume that the personnel has managed similar projects in the past three years as defined in the

SOW.

Proposed staff will be evaluated based on the clarity and rigor of the quoted plan regarding the overall management and integration of all activities required by the SOW. Qualifications, depth, experience, staffing level, and readiness of staff identified in the proposed staffing plan will be evaluated as well as project management and technical expertise of the key personnel proposed.

Demonstrate staffing experience, ability, and capacity to handle challenging and heavy workload demands of a potentially high level of effort necessary for this requirement and its resultant individual task orders will also be evaluated.”

Questions related to these portions of the RFP, include:

(1) In reading the above, along with the Government furnished Labor Category Descriptions, it appears that the Project Managers would serve as Task Order leads while the Project Director would manage the ID/IQ at the overall contract level. Would the Government consider requiring additional Key

Personnel to include at a minimum, the Project Director and a Deputy Project Director at the ID/IQ level?

A10-12(1) See Amendment 0002.

(2) Is it the Government’s intent that Offerors should only submit one resume for a Project

Manager to support proposed Key Personnel staffing? Would the Government consider requiring 2-3 representative Project Managers’ resumes to lead potential Task Orders related to the requirements of the

SOW? This would allow the Government to assess the quality and immediate availability of personnel able to lead future Task Orders and delivery of the requirements per this SOW.

A10-12(2) Yes.

(3) Please confirm that the Offeror should submit an Organizational Chart to address the overall structure of our delivery of Project Management of the ID/IQ and potential Task Orders. Without specific Task Orders the latter would be difficult to accomplish.

A10-(12)3(3) See Amendment 0003.

(13) 69 L.3 Subfactor 3: Quality Control Plan

In reviewing the QCP submission requirements, the references appear to be related to the QC monitoring of a system development or implementation (e.g., references to Risk Management Plan, testing procedures to meet to ensure delivered configuration meets functional requirements, etc.).

Based on the current SOW, would the Government consider updating their submission instructions, to include:

1. Removal of discussion or reference to a Risk Management Plan, rather allowing offerors to determine within their program management methodology their methods for identifying and monitoring/mitigating risk?

A10(13)1 Risk Management Plan shall be incorporated in the Offeror’s Quality Control Plan as required in Factor (Volume) 1 – Technical, subfactor (c) Quality Control Plan, which is part of the

Offeror’s determination within their program management methodology of their methods to identify and mitigate risks.

2. Removal of system development, implementation, or maintenance type QC language. As an example, Subfactor 3 could be revised to read: “(1) The Quality Control Plan should describe the contractor’s quality control program, procedures, methods, and tools to monitor the quality of delivered work products and their compliance with the requirements laid out in the SOW. (2) Describe the

Offeror’s process for monitoring, identifying, and mitigating risks to the successful execution of the SOW requirements. (3) Discuss the roles and responsibilities of personnel, including subcontractor personnel, in the execution of the QCP.” If not, would the Government consider allowing the submission of the

QCP to be included as an Appendix to the Technical Volume, and not included within the 25 page limit?

A10(13)2 The required pages for Factor (Volume) I is revised from 25 pages to 30 pages, which includes the subfactor (c ) Quality Control Plan.

(14) 69 & 73 L.3; Section M L.3 states that “Proposals shall be submitted in two (2) volumes;

one marked “Technical” and one marked “Price”, however the instructions for Price show as Factor 4 to

Volume I.

Additionally, Section M instructions state that “Volume I – Technical Approach”, “Volume II – Past

Performance”, “Volume III – Subcontracting Plan” and “Volume IV – Price”

Please confirm the number of Volumes requested and the content (factors and sub-factors) to be included in each Volume.

A10(14) See Amendment 0003

(15) 70 L.3, Factor 3 The RFP states that there is a requirement for large business offerors to provide a small business subcontracting plan.

If the Government decides to utilize FABS to procure this requirement, can the Government confirm that offerors will be permitted to use their GSA-approved Subcontracting Plan and will NOT have to submit an individual subcontracting plan for this effort?

Would the Government confirm it is acceptable to fill in our estimated subcontracting percentages and leave the dollar values “TBD”, due to the ID/IQ nature of this vehicle, and because the dollar amounts to be subcontracted will be directly reflective of Task Orders won under the ID/IQ (unknown at this time)?

A10(15) No, the Government will not use FABS.

(16) 71 L.3

Factor 4: Price Submission instructions for Factor 4, Price, appear to be a replica of the Evaluation

Criteria. Please verify the Government’s Proposal Instructions for Factor 4, Price.

A10(16) Yes. See Amendment 0003.

(17) 73 Section M. (a) Section M states “Subfactor (a) Relevant Corporate Experience.

Experience should demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding of DOL practices and procedures. Offeror shall demonstrate experience with risk management; identify risks that may arise in the SOW, and how to mitigate risks to avoid issues.”

However, Section L refers to Subfactor (a) as “Management and Technical Capability Plan” and makes no mention of a requirement to provide Relevant Corporate Experience.

Please clarify the subfactors in M and L to include both Relevant Corporate Experience and Management and Technical Capability Plan.

A10(17) See Amendment 0003.

(18) 74 Section M Section M mentions an evaluation for Past Performance. However, Section L makes no mention of this as a proposal requirement.

Please clarify whether this is indeed a requirement and, if so, the preferred location within the submission?

Please confirm whether this Past Performance is excluded from the Technical Volume’s 25 page limit (if it remains in the Technical Volume). If it is its own Volume, please provide page count requirements.

A10(18) See Amendment 0003.

(19) 75 Section M

Volume II The RFP references Attachment 1 as the PPQ. Attachment 1 is the Sample of Proposed

Labor Categories. Would the Government please provide the PPQ for review prior to the industry question due date?

A10(19) See Amendment 0001.

(20) 75 Section M

Volume II, (2) (a) Under Factor II – Past Performance, the RFP states: “The Offerors shall list each time the delivery schedule was revised and provide an explanation of why the revision was necessary.”

This requirement will require the Offerors to identify each and every schedule change and SOW update, including those that were administrative decisions of the Contracting Officer. We assume that it is the

Government’s intent to identify issues or schedule delays caused by the Offeror, but the verbiage above is all-inclusive and could result in a large volume of extraneous/inapplicable material being included in the

Offeror’s past performance volume. As such, will the Government consider revising this request to read:

“The Offerors shall identify problems encountered and solutions offered” or clarify that requirement to apply only to contractor-caused failures or delays?

A10(20) Will apply only to contractor-caused failures or delays.

(21) 75 Performance Questionnaire, Attachment 1 The Government requests point of contact information for the following two individuals:

1. “Government contract administration activity and the Administrative Contracting Officer's name”

2. “Government contract administration activity's Pre-Award Monitor”

Please confirm that an Administrative Contracting Officer and a Program Contracting Officer would satisfy this requirement?

A10(21) The Offerors can provide their point of contacts in their past performance contracts.

(22) 76 Section M

Volume II, Past Performance Rating Scheme. In reviewing the Past Performance Rating Scheme, the paragraph starting with “For each performance element identified below…” appears to be instructions to recipients of PPQs and does not provide the listing of performance elements that will be evaluated. Will the

Government please provide the performance elements that will be evaluated by the Government?

A10(22) See Amendment 0003.

(23) 80 First paragraph and table. Evaluation of overall proposal’s Risk section describes the basis by which the Government will consider risk in the evaluation of the proposals. In reading the rating definitions it discusses the level of risk the Government may experience based on a proposed solution. Currently, the proposal submission requirements do not require the discussion of solutions, but rather “an understanding and demonstrated knowledge or the Government requirements”, description of

“its project management methodologies,” Quality Control Plan, and Subcontracting Plan. Given the nature of the procurement, would the assessment of solution risk be more appropriately applied at the

Task Order level?

A10(23) The assessment of solution risk will still apply at he IDIQ level since the Government will evaluate how Offerors will identify and assess future risks. Please refer to Section L and M.

End of Q&A 10

Q11

(1) In section L.3, proposal Instructions it states: “In addition to the email a copy of the proposal both volumes shall be provided on a Zip Drive”. Yet, further along in Section L.4, it states,” One (1) email electronic copy and One (1) CD-Rom electronic copy”. Please confirm if you would like our electronic submission on a Zip Drive or a CD.

A11(1) See Amendment 003 for all questions in Q11 Items 1-9.

(2) In Section L.3, it outlines the subcomponents of Volume I: Technical Proposal. However, they seem to be mis-numbered. Currently they are:

Volume I – Technical Proposal

Factor 1: Technical Approach

Subfactor (a) Management and Technical Capability Plan

Subfactor 2: Proposed Staffing of Key Personnel, Organizational Chart

Subfactor 3: Quality Control Plan

Factor 3: Subcontracting Plan. Discussion of Small Business Participation/ Teaming by

Subcontractors.

Factor 4: Price

Please confirm the correct components of Volume I: Technical. Currently it jumps from Factor 1 to

Factor 3.

(3) In Section L.3, is Factor 4 Price a Separate Volume (Volume II)?

(4) In Section L.3, Subfactor 3: Quality Control Plan (QCP), it states that the “Quality Control Plan should delineate the contractor’s quality control program/testing program to monitor and control the development/configuration and support of the delivered system to meet the requirements of this PWS”.

And further along it states “Testing procedures to ensure delivered configuration meets functional requirements as agreed to in FRD and SME meetings”. This seems to reflect more of a QCP for a systems development (IT) versus an accounting support engagement. Please confirm what is required within the

QCP for this solicitation.

(5) In Section L.3, Subcontracting Plan. Is a small business who intends to prime the opportunity required to submit a subcontracting plan, if they themselves are a small business?

(6) In Section M: Basis for Award, under the Heading for Technical Approach, it states we will be evaluated on Subfactor (a)Relevant Corporate Experience. Experience should demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding of DOL practices and procedures. Offeror shall demonstrate experience with risk management, identify risks that may arise in the SOW and how to mitigate risks to avoid issues.

However, this component was not outlined in the Section L.3 Instructions. Please clarify the layout and requirements for Factors and Subfactors within the instructions as well as for the evaluation purposes.

(7) In the Section M, Basis for Award, it discusses Volume II, Past Performance. Yet, that was not mentioned in Section L.3. Please confirm if Past Performance is a Separate Volume (and therefore there would be three (3), technical, Past Performance and Price?)

(8) In Section M, Basis for Award, it discusses Volume III, Subcontract Plan. In Section L.3, Subcontract Plan seemed to be included in Volume I, technical Approach. Please Clarify if

Subcontracting Plan is within Volume I or a new Volume (Therefore now four (4) volumes (Technical, Past Performance, Subcontracting Plan and Price)?

(9) Section L.4 states that the Technical Proposal is 25 pages, excluding resumes. Please clarify the correct page count for each of the sections and subfactors for each possible volume. Also, if resumes are excluded from page count, is the proof of certifications also excluded?

(10) Is proof of certification required with the proposal submission or at the time of award based on the expected level of effort awarded?

A11(10) Proof of certification such as proof of education, etc., is required for proposal submission at the time of IDIQ base award for evaluation.

(11) It seems unrealistic to limit the technical volume to 25 pages, when there are 40+ subsections of the SOW in which the government is asking about our skills and abilities. Can the technical volume page count be increased?

A11(11) See Amendment 0003.

(12) Work elements 1.6.4 and 1.6.9 appear to be the same thing except that 1.6.4 is expanded to include specific requirements concerning the Single Audit, Federal Clearinghouse, FFMIA, FMFIA, FISMA, IPIA and OMB Circular A-123. Please clarify the difference between these two elements.

A11(12) Both elements are the same.

(13) Work element 1.6.37 requires bi-weekly progress reports. Under work element 1.6.40(5)(d), the requirement is for weekly status reports and briefings related to A-123 internal controls work. Is it correct to assume that these are separate and distinct work status reporting requirements?

A11(13) The weekly status report and the briefings related to A-123 internal controls work are separate and distinct reporting requirements.

(14) Will the government pay for travel expenses?

A11(14) Yes, if travel is authorized by the CO.

(15) How many awards does the government intend to make?

A11(15) Estimated 3 to 4 multiples awards.

End of Q&A 11

Q12

(1) Is there an incumbent for the work described in the solicitation? If so, can you provide the name and current level of effort?

A12(1) There is no incumbent Contractor for this requirement.

(2) Section B.1 PRICE/COST Schedule, Page 5: DOL is asking for a FFP along with ODCs for the base and option year periods. Will DOL consider providing the level of effort per labor category to provide for a quality comparison of rates and prices?

A12(2) No, Offerors will submit proposals for labor categories and its labor hour rates only.

When task orders are issued for competition among the awardees, the Offerors will propose the level of effort for that specific task order.

(3) Section 1.3 Place of performance, Page 9, provides the areas outside of DC, indicating that travel will be required to these locations. For pricing purposes, will DOL provide the estimated number of trips to each location?

A12(3) No.

(4) Section 1.4 Key Personnel, Page 24, lists the Project Manager position as the only key position.

Is DOL looking for a resume only for the project manager? Are resumes and/or names required for all other labor categories in Section 1.7, page 24?

A12(4) There is only one key position to represent the Contractor. Yes, resumes are required for all proposed labor categories.

(5) Section L.3, Proposal Submission, Page 69, says that proposals shall be submitted in two volumes. This section goes on to describe a Volume 1, Factor 1, Subfactor (a), Subfactor 2, Subfactor 3, Factor 3 and a Factor 4. There is no Factor 2. Under Section L.4, General Instructions, the solicitation describes what the government expects to see in a total of FOUR volumes. Please clarify the correct number of volumes and what factors and subfactors are expected in each volume.

A12(5) See Amendment 0003.

(6) Also under L.4 General Instructions, the government requests one email copy of the technical with a CD-Rom electronic copy. The same is requested for the price proposal. On page 69 of the solicitation, the government asks for a “Zip Drive” of the proposal. Please clarify as to the submission expectations.

A12(6) See Amendment 0003.

(7) The technical is limited to 25 pages, not including resumes. Do the cover page, TOC and cover letter count towards the page limit?

A12(7) See Amendment 0003.

End of Q&A 12

Q13

(1) Page 21, Section 1.9(a): States “The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.” Section 1.9(b) states “The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.” ” Will the

Government please clarify the minimum and maximum ordering quantities since the Schedule lists only one quantity per CLIN and that quantity is “1.” Is the minimum order the FFP amount proposed for each

CLIN?

A13(1) Please see page 50, FAR Clause 52.216-19 Order Limitation.

(2) Page 21, Section 1.9(a): States that this is an FFP IDIQ service contract. Does the Government intend to issue only FFP task orders under this contract?

A13(2) See Amendment 0003.

(3) Pages 24-28, Section 1.7: The following labor categories are listed in the RFP but are not included in Amendment 0002, Section A.1 Price/Cost Schedule. Will the Government please clarify if they should be added?

1.7.3 Associate

Minimum Education: BA/BS Accounting.

Experience: Minimum 1 year of directly relevant industry experience.

Description: Provides analytical and program support, and is focused on high performance work.

Completes assigned tasks within the project scope and budget, while meeting deliverable requirements.

Serves as a key analytical resource on team. Assumes responsibility for conducting relevant research, distilling data, and creating reports. Actively engages consulting tools and methodologies to meet project objectives and complete program management activities. Maintains responsibility for quality assurance practices and fostering completion and accuracy of system documentation. May participate in organizational assessments, performance measures and indicators.

1.7.4 Accounting Specialist

Minimum Education: BA/BS Accounting.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of directly relevant industry experience.

Description: Serves as analytical resource on team by helping to formulate and define systems scope and objectives through research and fact-finding combined with a basic understanding of business systems and industry requirements. Assume responsibility for preparing, analyzing and processing data and reports for cost comparison and cost estimates. Perform financial and data modeling, evaluate current processes an prepare appropriate documentation. Maintain accountability for process deliverables and business presentations.

Support the successful completion of all planned work under the direct supervision of more experienced staff.

1.7.8 Subject Matter Expert

Minimum Education: Master’s Degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, business, education, management sciences, human resources or other related discipline; or Ph.D., 7 years of general experience, 4 years specialized or Bachelor’s Degree 12 years general 8 must be specialized.

Description: Performs as a consultant in a highly specialized functional or technical area. Provides specific guidance reflecting detailed, expert knowledge of a specific area or function. Develops benchmarks, performs analyses and studies. Develops reports and makes presentations to management.

1.7.12 Senior Consultant

Minimum Education: Levels I – VI Bachelor’s Degree

Experience: Level I, 2 years, Level II, 4 years, Level III, 6 years, Level IV, 8 years, Level V, 10 years, Level VI, 12 years.

Description: Plans, organizes, directs and conducts tasks in problem areas. The problems are difficult to define and may require novel approaches and the use of sophisticated techniques. Keeps abreast of new methodologies, databases and tools. Requires technical capability to assess the cost and schedule implications of existing and projected technological advances, as well as the ability to evaluate the impact of new and innovative acquisition strategies.

1.7.16 Project Director

Minimum Education: Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree with specialized technical and management training.

Experience: Minimum 10 years or more directly related technical experience with a minimum of 6 years of project/program management. Appropriate professional certifications (PMP, CPCM, etc.) are equivalent to 2 years of experience.

Description: Manages all aspects of one or more contracts to provide technical services. Directs program or project managers.

A13(3) Yes. Those labor categories have to be added and are Government’s recommended labor categories based on historical data for similar services. The Offeror may use their own creativity, understanding, and discretion on proposing different types of labor categories to meet the Government’s requirement in accordance with the SOW of the RFP.

(4) Page 69, L.3: Will the Government consider giving a one-week extension to the submission date to allow the Prime adequate time to negotiate team member pricing based on the final and complete set of labor categories and corresponding descriptions?

A13(4) See amendment 0003.

(5) Page 70, L.3 Factor 1 Subfactor 3.(5): Will the Government please clarify what is meant by the requirement, “Testing procedures to ensure delivered configuration meets functional requirements as agreed to in the FRD and SME meetings”? This requirement seems to apply to systems implementation/development work, which appears to be out of scope for this IDIQ.

A13(5) The sentence “Testing procedures to ensure delivered configurations……..” was deleted. See

Amendment 0003.

(6) Page 71, Section L3, Factor 4: States “The Government will evaluate each Offeror’s proposed labor rates.”

(1) Comparison of proposed prices/rates received in response to the solicitation.

(2) Comparison of previously proposed prices/rates and previous Government and commercial contract prices with current proposed prices for the same or similar items, if both the validity of the comparison and the reasonableness of the previous price(s) can be established.

(3) Comparison of proposed prices to prices in the market.

(4) Analysis of pricing information provided by the Offeror.

(5) Comparison of proposed prices with independent Government cost estimates.

(6) Review for responsiveness and accuracy in providing all price information outlined in

Section L.”

“An Offeror’s proposed unit price will be evaluated by using the above price analysis…to ensure

[reasonableness].”

In order to effectively evaluate the Offeror’s labor rates for reasonableness, will the Government consider providing estimated hours for each labor category, thereby eliminating price differences between Offerors due to variances in level of effort?

A13(6) Unknown at this time.

(7) Page 72, L.4: Will the Government consider increasing the page count for the Technical proposal to 30 pages, and excluding the Subcontracting Plan and Past Performance from that page count?

A13(7) See Amendment 0003.

(8) Page 72, L.4: Will the government allow a Technical Section Work Element Compliance Matrix table to be added outside page count?

A13(8) Yes.

(9) Page 81, RFP Section J, Attachment 1: Labor categories are included for Accountant and Auditor but there are no corresponding labor category descriptions in Section 1.7.