Response_to_Request_for_Clarifications.pdf

Response to Request for Clarifications

Solicitation No. DOL141RP20749

1. What would be the submission criteria? E-mail or Hardcopy?

Answer: As outlined in the Amendment of March 26, 2014, proposal submission is via e-mail.

The e-mail address is as follows: JC.lockbox@dol.gov

2. Please verify that resumes should be provided in an appendix.

Answer: Yes

3. Please confirm that the transmittal letter, table of contents, cover pages, section dividers and appendices are not included in the total 15 page proposal limit.

Answer: Confirmed.

4. Please clarify whether tables and charts are included in the 15 page proposal limit.

Answer: Yes. Tables and charts are included in the 15 page proposal limit.

5. Please clarify the weighting of the two technical factors, Factor A – Technical Approach and

Experience, and Factor B – Staff Experience and Qualifications.

Answer: Factors A and B are equal in importance.

6. With regard to the evaluation of price for award purposes, item (b) under Section E.2, please explain the statement “The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced.” How will you determine what is or is not

“significantly unbalanced”?

Answer: The Government will evaluate the fair and reasonableness of the offered prices using price analysis techniques prescribed by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

7. Please confirm that the official proposal submission shall be via email (only).

Answer: Confirmed.

8. Please confirm the G&A restrictions and fee restrictions with regard to Other Direct Costs, Consultants, and Travel.

Answer: G&A, if applicable, can only be applied to ODCs on material and supplies. G&A shall not be applied to travel or ODC’s on Technical Expert Consultants.

9. Please clarify the contents for the pricing volume. Is DOL seeking only labor hour rates for each of the outlined positions in section B2 or complete budgets for the base year and each option year based on these rates and other direct costs?

Answer: It is required that complete budgets for the base year and each option year based on these rates and other direct costs.

10. Please clarify whether it is the Government’s intention that all offerors use the amounts listed in

CLINS 007,008 and 009 for the base year and each option year.

Answer: Yes. These are Not-to-Exceed (NTE) amounts.

11. How many past performance submissions should be provided?

Answer: The Government will use the PPIRS-SR system to retrieve qualitative assessments for the prime offeror, or partners in the case of a formal teaming arrangement. Each offeror’s past performance shall be evaluated in accordance with FAR 15.305(a) (2). For purposes of this solicitation, contractor past performance will be based on data from PPIRS-SR, or if an offeror has fewer than five in PPIRS-SR, the offeror may solicit past performance references from current Government clients using the form attached (Attachment A). The Government will primarily rely upon references from similar contracts for the same or similar services, and/or similar in value. However, the Government may rely upon any other PPIRS-SR report for the offeror/team. Offerors with no history in PPIRS-SR, or surveys, will receive a neutral rating.

12. B.2 – Schedule of Direct Labor Hour Costs “The Government will not pay Fee on ODCs or G&A on Travel.”

1) Does this mean G&A can be applied to ODCs?

2) Or does this mean G&A is not permitted on ODCs and Travel?

3) Does this mean Fee can be applied to Travel?

4) Or does this mean Fee is not permitted on ODCs and Travel?

Answer: G&A, if applicable, can only be applied to ODC’s on materials and supplies. G&A shall not be applied to travel or ODC’s on Technical Expert Consultants.

13. B.2 – Schedule of Direct Labor Hour Costs

(1) Should hours and rates be shown for Subs/Consultants (CLINs 0009, 1009, 2009, 3009m and 4009)?

Answer: Yes.

14. D-2, Part (D) The following subcontracts for services which are specifically excluded from the hourly rate; and (E) Indirect Costs specifically provided for in this clause.

1) Can Sub Admin expense be added to subcontractor loaded rates?

Answer: Same as Item 12 above. However, what the offeror decides to include in the loaded rate is their business decision.

2) Can fee be applied to subcontractor loaded rates?

Answer: All Direct Labor Rates shall be loaded.

15. Page Count: Section E.1.A, Format, establishes the page count for Factor B, Staff Experience and

Qualifications at 5 pages. Section E.2, Factor B: Staff Experience and Qualifications, 2) states, “Each Resume must not exceed five pages each.”

Question: Please confirm our understanding that the Staff Experience and Qualifications section is to be 5 pages in length, and that the four resumes, which must not exceed five pages each, are not included in the Factor B: Staff Experience and Qualifications page count, and may be placed in the document as an attachment.

Answer: Correct.

16. Attachment A: Section E.2, Factor C – Past Performance, 1 states, “For purposes of this solicitation contractor past performance will be based on data from PPIRS-SR, or if an offer has fewer than five in PPIRS-SR, the offeror may solicit past performance references from current Government clients using the form attached (Attachment A).

Question: Where can we find Attachment A? It does not appear to be attached to the solicitation package.

Answer: Attachment A is attached to this amendment.

17. I am assisting with a submission in response to DOL141RP20749. Could you please tell me where to find the hourly rates for the positions that are a part of that solicitation? For example, what is the hourly pay rate for the Project Director, Project Manager, Curriculum Developer, etc.?

Answer: The Government does not provide hourly rates in our solicitations. That is the responsibility of the offeror to propose their rates.