Q_and_A_128_-_235.pdf

128. Will the Government please provide what software and hardware are used for OSHA's financial management system?

A: Please refer to Answer 13.

129. Will the Government please provide names of any/all contractors currently providing the services outlined in the PWS to prospective offerors?

A: Please refer to Answer 6.

130. Will the Government please provide what software and hardware are used for OSHA's document management system?

A: Currently none.

131. Will the Government please identify key personnel positions?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

132. What contractor(s) currently support these tasks now and under what legacy contracts?

A: Please refer to Answer 6.

133. What will be the workload for the Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist listed in Technical Exhibit 1 under Section 6.0 Key Personnel.

A: Please refer to Answer 37.

134. In terms of redaction on the Resumes, what information should be redacted? Does this include prior company information as well?

A: No.

135. How many Volumes will be included in the Proposal Submission; 5 Volumes are requested but only 4 Labels are provided?

A: Please refer to Answer 2.

136. What are OSHA’s current Records Management tools managed by OMSO?

A: Currently none.

137. Does DAP anticipate implementation of any new Record Management tools other than those currently in use? If so, which tool vendors are being considered?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

138. What is the existing data capture technology mentioned on page B-6 paragraph C?

Please provide the name of COTS vendor or list the technology used.

A: Routine COTS products

139. Are vendors currently supporting OIS Operations & Maintenance precluded from bidding this contract given conflict of interest?

A: No

140. Based on the Task Orders of this contract, will the Government approve the submission of Project Manager as Key Personnel , and subsequently, on a Task Order basis, approve qualified key personnel for the specific task?

A: Key personnel must be submitted with the proposal.

141. E.3 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS –

COMMERICAL ITEMS (DEC 2012): ORCA no longer exists. It is my understanding that both ORCA & CCR have been replaced with SAM.gov. Please clarify the expectations as it relates to the first paragraph in this section.

A: Offerors complete the annual representations and certifications on SAM.gov.

142. Is the intent to award the BPA to a single contractor? If so, would the government consider awarding the contract to several vendors?

A: Please refer to Answer 115.

143. Would the government consider breaking up the proposal and allowing vendors to bid on specific tasks (i.e. HR Services only)? If so, would the government also consider allowing vendors to submit multiple proposals?

A: No.

144. Page B-6 – Should the Performance Work Statement (PWS) be priced as an individual Task Order against the impending IDIQ Contract?

A: No.

145. Page B-7 – Technical Exhibit 1 – Is the Estimated Workload Data associated with the PWS that should be did as an individual Task Order against the impending IDIQ Contract?

A: No.

146. Page B-7 – What labor category positions listed are to be consider Key Personnel?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

147. Page B-8 thru B-11 – It appears that the minimum qualification do not match the position titles. Will the Government provide education requirements for these positions?

A: No.

148. Page B-11 – Will a COR be assigned to each Task Order.

A: A COR will be assigned to the entire contract.

149. Page C-22 – Will the Government provide the Risk Level for each position for the contract or will that be done at the issuance of each Task Order.

A: It is the Contractor’s responsibility to submit the Risk Level to the COR.

150. Page E-1 – Should the pricing for the option years be based on the Estimated Workload provided at 6.0 of the PWS?

A: Yes. Please refer to Answer 81.

151. Page E-22 - Please clarify what is meant by submitting a Cover Letter with your company information as part of your redacted proposal. Also, should the Cover be submitted with all copies?

A: The cover letter is first chance to connect with the Offeror’s proposal

152. Page E-23 (d) – Is a Table of Contents, Summary Section, and Narrative required for Volume IV, Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents, Certification/Representations?

A: Each volume should contain them.

153. Page E-23 – Is there anything excluded from the page count for Volume IV?

A: Please refer to Page E-23, Section c. Page Count.

154. Page E-24 – If proposal include a teaming partner/subcontractor, can their past performance count towards the three (3) that is required?

A. Yes.

155. Section B.3 Performance Work Statement, subparagraph 8.c.(4) - “The charge, in dollars, of each of the reimbursable costs identified in the contract cost schedule, during the reporting period and cumulatively…” Are there any reimbursable costs anticipated other than the ODC travel expenses listed in Section B.1?

A: It is the responsibility of the Offeror to submit anticipated reimbursable costs.

156. Section B.3 Performance Work Statement, Paragraph 13.0 Security - “The sue of any information that is subject to the Privacy Act will be in full accordance with all rules of conduct as applicable to Public Law 93-579, Privacy Act of 1974.” [emphasis added] Is this intended to read, “The issue of any information…”?

A: Yes.

157. Section C.10 Required Insurance, Builder’s Risk – is this provision intended to be included in the contract?

A: No.

158. Section C.1 15 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984) – “Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond .” Is this sentence to be completed with a specified date in the contract?

A: No. The Government completes this clause.

159. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Proposal Submission – “The offeror’s proposal shall consist of five separate volumes with one original and four redacted copies of each volume. The Volumes are I-Technical, II-Past Performance, III-Price and IV- Solicitation, Offer and Award Documents, Certifications/Representations.” Are there to be four separate volumes, or is there to be a fifth volume consisting of the Representations/Certifications?

Also, is the original to be redacted and encoded with the offeror number, or does that requirement apply only to the copies?

A: Please refer to Answer 2. The original is not redacted.

160. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Subparagraph b. File Packaging – “In addition to the written proposals, the offeror is required to provide a copy of the proposal files on CD.” Is the CD copy of the proposal also to be redacted? Is the cover letter to be included on the

CD?

A: Please refer to Answer 122. No cover letter on CD.

161. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Subparagraph d. Content Requirements – The requirements for Volume I Technical, Sub-factor 1 include “knowledge of OSHA’s Records Management.” Is it sufficient for the offeror to have knowledge of records management principles and practices in general, or must the offeror have specific knowledge of OSHA’s Records Management ?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

162. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Subparagraph d. Content Requirements – The requirements for Volume I Technical, Sub-factor 2 state that “The offeror’s proposal shall include resumes for key personnel and also provide a matrix to include the background/experience of the company’s proposed key and non-key personnel mapped to the appropriate PWS tasking that supports the proposed labor category.” Of the labor categories listed in Section 6 Key Personnel, which are considered key personnel and which are considered non-key personnel?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

163. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Subparagraph d. Content Requirements – The requirements for Volume II Past Performance, Section 1 Contract Descriptions, include “Government contract administration activity's Pre-Award Monitor's name, and current e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers.” We are not familiar with the title Pre-Award Monitor. Can you provide a role description for this person?

A: Some agency’s provide a pre-award monitor. If your contract did not have a pre-award monitor, state none.

164. Section E.11, Paragraph F, Subparagraph d. Content Requirements – From the requirements for Volume III Price – “The offeror shall complete section B.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE of the Standard Form (SF) 1449, Continuation Sheet of the solicitation with pricing for the base and each option year. The offeror shall submit a detailed fixed price cost proposal with pricing for the base year and each option year, listing the proposed labor categories and labor rates.” Is the detailed fixed price cost proposal also to include proposed labor hours for each labor category as a basis for computing the pricing to be entered on the SF1449 Continuation Sheet? Absent the specific work requirements that would be included in task orders under the contract, how is the offeror expected to determine the hours and labor mix required?

A: This Performance Work Statement (PWS) states requirements in general terms of What (result) is to be done, rather than how (method) it is done. The PWS gives the contractor maximum flexibility to devise the best method to accomplish the required result. Please dazzle the Government with your best method. Please refer to Answer 81.

165. Can you provide the Exhibit B Past Performance Questionnaire in a format that we can copy and forward to our clients?

A: No.

166. Page B-7,6.0: The PWS states “the contractor may be requested…”-to perform duties X, Y, etc. The work and deliverables are determined at the task order level. Since this will be an IDIQ, how can we, the Offeror determine the number of hours required at the IDIQ level? Wouldn’t that depend upon the task order?

A:Yes.

167. Section C.3(c), page C-15. Please provide the applicable wage determination.

A: Please refer to Exhibit C in the RFP.

168. The second sentence under the heading Technical Exhibit 1, Estimated Workload Data (page B-7) states “The contractor is responsible for proposing the appropriate hours and labor mix to perform the requirements of this PWS”. If multiple proposals are submitted with significantly different labor mixes the lump sum prices submitted in section B.1 Price/Cost Schedule could be wildly divergent and not indicative of the true value of the proposal. How would you like pricing to be presented if offerors wish to submit a different labor mix other than what is outlined in Technical Exhibit 1 A: Please refer to Answer 7 and 74

169. In Technical Exhibit 1 each labor category is estimated at 2080 hours per labor category.

Does 2080 represent direct labor or direct labor plus holiday, vacation, sick, etc… A: Yes. However, it is the Offeror’s responsibility to pay for holiday, vacation, sick, etc.

170. Regarding the requirement to submit “four redacted copies without the names (i.e.

company, key personnel, etc)” (page E-22): Do you want all previous employment company names redacted from Key Personnel resumes?

A: No

171. Are there particular programs for which accounting records and financial resources analysis is required in addition to general financial management for OSHA? If so, how many programs are in place now and planned for FY14?

A: No

172. What types of and how frequently are special reports produced?

A: Dependent on individual Task orders

173. Will historical data be part of regular or special reporting to the Treasury Department? If so, how is the data currently stored?

A: No

174. Page B-6 (PWS Section E) states “Perform staffing duties, to include dealing with understaffing.” Please clarify what is meant by understaffing (i.e., does understaffing refer to accomplishing more work with less resources than typically required/available, or does it refer to resolving/filling a large numbers of vacant positions?)

A: Filling positions

175. Additionally, please confirm that blank lines are not included in the line count.

A: Blank are not included in the line count.

176. Do the 2080 hours estimated for each position account for holidays, vacation, and other forms of leave?

A: No.

177. Question: Technical Exhibit 1, Estimated Workload Data indicates that hours do not project actual requirements for the new contract. In order for the contractor to propose appropriate hours and labor mix to perform the requirements of this PWS we will need additional “function specific” metrics for each proposed service area to include Technical writing and support, Management Systems and Organization, Program Budgeting, Planning and Financial Management and Human Resources. Please provide volume estimates using the following as a guide:

A: We are requesting labor categories

178. Question: Performance Work Statement Section 4.0, Subsection A:

Typically how many special projects are assigned during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

179. How many writing assignments are assigned during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

180. How many projects are assigned by others that will need to be edited or revised during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

181. How many pieces of official correspondence are generally responded to during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

182. How many FOIA requests are processed during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

183. What is the nature of the other departmental requests that occur during a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

184. What type of data is typically collected and analyzed in a 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

185. Performance Work Statement Section 4.0, Subsection B:

Please define the current software products that are used to prepare high level briefing materials?

A: Industry Standard Software

186. How many high-level briefings were prepared during the last 12 month period?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

187. What was the average timeframe that was needed to prepare each high level briefing?

A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

188. Please describe a typical complex spreadsheet that will need to be maintained?

A: All spreadsheets are Microsoft products

189. Performance Work Statement Section 4.0, Subsection C:

How many meetings, workshops, exhibits, conferences and special events were held during the last 12 month period?

A: Defined in the Task Order

190. How many training materials, multimedia, visual aids and other training materials were developed an organized during last 12 month period A: Dependent on individual Task Orders

191. How many training activities were conducted during the last 12 month period that required evaluation?

A: None

192. Please provide the average number of hours that were used in the last 12 months to implement or administer directorate or agency wide document management systems and related procedures?

A: Unknown

193. How many documents were imported into the document management system in the last 12 month period?

A: Unknown

194. How many hours were used to determine document management policies over the last 12 month period?

A: Unknown

195. How many hours were used to review OIS programs, develop documents and conduct surveys as well as perform studies over the last 12 month period?

A: Unknown

196. Question: Performance Work Statement Section 4.0, Subsection D:

How many monthly reports were prepared and analyzed over the last 12 month period?

A: Unknown

197. How many hours over the last 12 month period were used to compile and analyze accounting records and other data?

A: Unknown

198. Question: Performance Work Statement Section 4.0, Subsection E:

How many position descriptions were evaluated in the last 12 month period?

A: None.

199. How many position classifications were conducted in the last 12 month period?

A: None

200. How many staffing requests were processed in the last 12 month period?

A: Unknown

201. How many hours were spent over the last 12 month period to prepare and analyze reports?

A: Unknown

202. Question: Section 6.0, Key Personnel indicates that for the following labor categories the minimum number of years of experience is as follows:

Project/program manager - three years Human resources - two years Training and development - two years Particularly for these positions it seems that the minimum years of experience based on industry norms is very low. Please describe your thinking on how individuals can perform at the level that is expected in Section 4.0 with this minimum number of years of experience?

A: It is the Offeror’s responsibility to submit the best method for the minimum requirements.

203. Question: The PWS requests, “The contractor may be requested to create, develop, facilitate and execute presentations for meetings, workshops, exhibits, conferences and special events.” In what capacities does the agency anticipate that vendors would represent the agency at meetings, workshops, exhibits, conferences and special events?

A: Vendor will not represent the agency

204. Is the agency looking for and specific blends in qualifications and/or experience in personnel submitted for section of the PWS? (E.g. Instructional design skills plus SPHR or, presentation skills plus workplace safety training.)

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

205. Will the agency provide a liaison to ensure that vendors are provided with current, accurate content in order to create presentations, workshops, conference materials, etc.?

A: Yes.

206. Question: The PWS requests, the contractor to develop and organize training manuals, multimedia, visual aids and other education materials.’

Will the agency provide a liaison to ensure that vendors are provided with current, accurate content to develop and organize training manuals, multimedia, visual aids and other education materials?

A: Yes.

207. What would the intended audiences be for this type of work?

A: Dependent on the Task Order

208. Does the agency have specific projects in mind for this type of work?

A: Defined via individual task order.

209. Can the agency provide insight as to what might be included within the range of training and materials development required, e.g. Leadership training, manager and supervisor training, technical training, software training?

A: All of the above

210. Is the agency looking to pass on responsibility for this type of work entirely on to vendors or to increase its own capacity to complete such work?

A: Majority of work will be contractor responsibility if assigned

211. Does the agency also seek assessment services with regards to training and training materials developed? If so, to which Kirkpatrick levels?

A: No

212. Can the agency provide a range for the length of trainings vendors will be asked to create and/or deliver?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

213. Does the agency anticipate that training materials will be done solely for in-person training?

A: Yes

214. Does the agency anticipate asking vendors to design blended learning packages?

If so, can the agency provide a sample of a project that would represent the size, scope and quality of what the agency seeks?

A: No

215. Does the agency anticipate asking vendors to create online training?

If so, what form will this training take? Synchronous, asynchronous, or both?

A: No

216. Does the agency favor any particular software package for online learning delivery?

A: No

217. Can the agency provide a sample of a project that would represent the size, scope and quality of what the agency seeks?

A: Dependent on the Task Order

218. Will the agency require vendors to work with their LMS to deliver and administer learning objects?

A: No

219. Is the agency moving away from instructor-led training to online and/or blended learning?

A: Yes

220. Will the agency require vendors to create and maintain learning objects within its LMS?

If so, Which LMS does the agency currently use?

A: No

221. How important is LMS management skills to the agency in vendor selection?

A: minimal

222. Does the agency use a content management system (CMS) for training materials?

If so, which one?

A: No

223. Would the agency require vendors to be able to demonstrate experience working with its

CMS?

A: No

224. Question: Prepare high level briefing materials using various software packages.

Beyond the MS Office suite, which software packages does the agency specifically have in mind?

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

225. What would be a typical target audience for this type of work?

A: Federal Employees

226. Question: Page B9 identifies the minimum qualifications for Human Resources support outlined in the PWS to be “A minimum of 2 years work experience in the performance of the type of work is required under this PWS.” The type of work DOL requires is describes as: “(a) Perform wide range of staffing duties. (b) Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements. (c) Provide advice on the resolution of classification and salary complaints. (d) Prepare reports, such as organizational and flow charts, and career path reports, to summarize job analysis and evaluation and compensation analysis information. (e) Perform multifactor data and cost analyses that may be used in areas such as support of collective bargaining agreements.

(f) Assess need for and develop job analysis instruments and materials.” The (a) through

(e) duties are typically performed at a Human Resources Specialist level requiring much higher skilled duties than typically someone who has “a minimum of 2 years of work experience”. It is our experience that someone with a minimum of 2 years of work experience is qualified at the HR Assistant or Administrative Assistant or Clerk level.

A: Left to the discretion of the offeror.

227. Question: On page E-23, DOL states that vendors must “3) Demonstrate the knowledge of Human Resources policies, procedures, laws, standards and regulations. How the firms evaluate and prep job positions, determine occupational classifications, exempt and non-exempt status, salary, implement recruitment strategies.” Considering the extensive amount of Human Resources policies, procedures, laws, standards and regulations that exist across all Human Resources disciplines, could the government confirm that for this solicitation, the demonstration “of knowledge of Human Resources policies, procedures, laws, standards and regulations” will only be applicable for the duties and Human Resources functions described on page B9, 6-5? Those duties and functions as we see it are related to only position management, position classification and recruitment and staffing.

A: These are only minimum requirements. The best method is left to the discretion of the offeror.

228. Question: Could the government be more definitive of what is being sought when it asks for “Perform multifactor data and cost analyses that may be used in areas such as support of collective bargaining agreements.”?

A: Any Task issued will be defined

229. Statement: Section E, page E – 22, “F. Proposal Submission.” The RFP states that “The offeror’s proposal shall consist of five separate volumes with one original and four redacted copies of each volume. The volumes are I – Technical, II – Past Performance, III – Price and IV – Solicitation Offer, and Award Documents, Certifications/Representations.” Question (s): Does each volume require a separate binder? Or, are you requiring all five volumes be placed into one binder for a total of five binders?

A: Please refer to Answer 2. Creativity is permitted.

230. We do not see the requirement to exercise the Right of First Refusal and yet some indicated positions are bound by the Wage Determination Act based on employee class.

Is the Right of First Refusal required for indicated positions and if so which positions?

A: FAR 52.207-3 Right of Refusal of Employment. This clause is not applicable to this requirement.

231. Resumes are required for "Key Personnel", if we practice the right of first refusal and extend that right to managerial positions as well, do we need to provide resumes' with our response to the solicitation, and if so, will the points of contact be provided for those individuals that are currently filling those positions be provided so that they can be contacted and be provided the opportunity to provide their resumes?

A: FAR 52.207-3 Right of Refusal of Employment. This clause is not applicable to this requirement

232. On page C-21, can you complete the following sentence for the vendors: “c. Payment for Background Investigation. If the DOL Agency bears the cost for background investigations on contractor employees, the designated DOL Agency official will forward the required documents to OPM. If the Contractor bears the cost of the investigations, A: Please refer to Answer 41.

233. p. B-7: Do we use these levels of effort or some other numbers on this proposal? Not enough information to assign more specific numbers to each CLIN.

A: Please refer to Answer 81.

234. Who do you want designated as Key Personnel? Do you want the vendor to choose who they propose as Key?

A: Yes.

235. Page B-3 prompts us for an overall price per year and then over five years. Page E-26 asks for “detailed fixed price cost proposal with pricing for the base year and each option year, listing the proposed labor categories and labor rates.” Can you please clarify what pricing information, exactly, you’ll be evaluating to determine reasonableness and competitiveness?

A: Please refer to Answers 4,7, 54, 64, 81, 88, 74, 118 and 165.