Q A-__DOL141RQ21946-FBO.pdf

DOL141RQ21946 – Administrative Management Support Services, for DOL OSHA Questions & Responses

(Questions are directly copied from the questions received from the Offerors, with no revisions)

Question 1

(1) Your Description of the RFQ stipulates Special Item No. 736-1 and 736-3. This is an indication it is proposed to be purchased under GSA TAPS Schedule. The TAPS Schedule has a requirement to limit order to 120 Days of Support w/1 Option for an additional 120 Days of Support (Maximum of 240

Days). Your RFQ proposes a multi-year award. This procurement approach does not conform to the

TAPS Schedule requirement.

RFQ DOL141RQ21946 was cancelled in GSA Advantage, www.gsaadvantage.gov on April 22, 2014, which was initially set aside among 8(a) small business concerns with GSA schedule contract, using the

NAICS 561110 with a size standard of $7.0M.

RFQ DOL141RQ21946 was posted in www.fbo.gov as open market acquisition, using the NAICS

561110 with a size standard of $7.0M and set aside among the 8(a) small business concerns.

(2) Your Description is suggesting a NAICS code of 561110 with an associated size standard of $7.0 million dollars. The NAICS code already assigned to the GSA TAPS Schedule is 561320 with an associated size standard of $25.5 Million. Please clarify.

See response 1, #1.

(3) The Maximum Order Limitation for GSA TAPS (because of its Temporary Nature) is $100,000.00.

(4) Would the Government consider opening this requirement up for GSA MOBIS and/or LogWorld

GSA Contractors?

Question 2.

(1) Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing work for this requirement?

Yes.

(2) If so, could you please provide their company name, contract number and value of the contract and over what period of time? Is the current contractor eligible to submit a Quote?

Contract number is DOLJ099F29211, Wilson Technologies. For additional information, please contact the DOL FOIA office, foiarequest@dol.gov.

(3) Are we required to submit resumes for Key Personnel, i.e. Program Manager and Alternate, only?

Yes, as stated in the RFQ DOL141RQ21946. Please read the RFQ Sections L and M.

Question 3.

(1) Is the Program Manager is the only position for which a resume is required?

Yes, as stated in the RFQ. However, under page 42, Section M – Basis of Award, 7 th paragraph, last sentence, “The Contractor may submit resumes of the proposed other labor categories…”.

http://www.gsaadvantage.gov/ http://www.fbo.gov/ mailto:foiarequest@dol.gov

On page 35, Evaluation Factors for Award – Volume 1. Technical Approach, Subfactor (b) Staffing Plan, states on the 3rd sentence, and page 42, subfactor (b) Staffing Plan, “The Offeror shall define the proposed staff’s experience with descriptions of analytical skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, research skills, speaking skills, and writing skills.”

(2) The solicitation requires 3 past performances. Can some of the past performances come from a subcontractor?

Question 4.

(1) 1 Who is the Incumbent?

See response on Question 2, 1 and 2.

(2) What is the value of the Incumbent contract?

Please contact foia request@dol.gov

(3) Are all FTE’s operating out of the single Place Of Performance stated in the Combined

Synopsis/Solicitation notice (Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20210)?

(4) Does the government provide all systems, programs and IT support necessary for completing the requirements stated in Task Two – Debt Collection Services?

Yes

(5) Does the government provide all systems, programs and IT support necessary for completing the requirements stated in Task Three - Publication Request Services?

(6) Are publication design services required to be provided by the contractor under Task Three?

No

(7) Does the government provide the support to pack and ship publication orders?

The Government provides the necessary packing supplies for shipping orders.

The Contractor pulls and prepares the shipments.

(8) Does the government pay for shipping publication orders e.g. USPS, UPS, FedEx, others?

(9) Does the contractor provide the support to pack and ship the publication orders?

See response #7.

(10) Does the contractor pay for shipping publication orders e.g. USPS, UPS, FedEx, others?

(11) Does the government provide Common Access Cards (CAC)?

DOL/OSHA supplies all necessary access cards for entry to the building and computers.

(12) Can incumbent employees carry forward to a new contractor?

That is an agreement between the Contractor to Contractor and its staff mailto:request@dol.gov

(13) What is the required security clearance the Program Manager?

NACI

(14) What is the required security clearance level for Administrative Assistants?

(15) What is the required security clearance level for Publication Order Clerks?

(16) What is the required security clearance level for Debt/Account Bill Collector?

(17) Are funds available for the this solicitation? Quoting 52.232-19 Availability of Funds – “Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond July 31, 2015”. “Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond.”

(18) What is the labor fee schedule for the Program Manager? (Not included in the provided solicitation fee schedule)?

This is a FFP with LH unit of issue, open market, posted in www.fbo.gov, open market acquisition.

Disregard GSA schedule contract number language.

(19) What is the labor fee schedule for the Administrative Assistant? (Not included in the provided solicitation fee schedule)

See response on question 4, #18.

(20) What is the labor fee schedule for the Publication Order Clerks? (Not included in the provided solicitation fee schedule)?

See response on question 4, #18.

(21) Is a resume required for the Program Manager?

Please refer page 42, Volume I. Technical Approach, subfactor (b) Staffing Plan.

(22) How many publication orders are processed daily?

Approximately 150

(23) How many bill collections are processed daily?

Approximately 50

(24) What is the meaning of the following statement quoted from subfactor (a) “Corporate Experience and Technical Capability Plan.

(25) The Offeror shall define its technical capability in meeting the Government’s requirements, providing examples of current experience performing similar experience in a similar environment or in a civilian environment, its accolades, certificates, or awards received for its performance. The Offeror shall describe its management tools and methodologies used in resource allocation across activities”. “Similar experience in a similar” would not be weighted equally with the following quote in a subsequent discussion of subfactor (a) “same services of the same magnitude, of the same complexity” , Bold Italics added for emphasis.

Please read the RFQ and provide what the documents stated in the RFQ, under page 42, Volume 1-

Technical Approach, Subfactor (a).

Question 5.

(1) Is this a re-compete?

See response responses on Question 2, 1 & 2.

(2) If so, please provide name of incumbent and amount of contract to include option years.

See response above.

(3) Our 8(a) status expires 15 Jul 2014. Do you anticipate awarding the contract prior to July 15, 2014?

Only active and current 8(a) small business concerns may submit a proposal.

Question 6.

(1) An Alternate Program Manager requirement is stated is stated in Section 1 but the APM is not included in the FTE schedules. Which is correct?

APM requirement is the same as the PM. The APM is effective only in the absence of the PM.

(2) What is the wage schedule for the APM?

The Offerors will propose on their price proposal. This is open market acquisition and not on a GSA schedule. An amendment will follow.

(3) What are the education requirements for the APM?

Same as the PM.

(4) Quoting the Pricing Volume 4 “Price…must be in the GSA schedule of the contract offeror? What is the intent of the GSA Schedule?

Question 7.

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

See response on Question 2, #1 and 2.

(2) Who is the incumbent? Is it still eligible to bid as a prime for this contract?

See response on Question 2, #1 and 2.

Question 8.

(1) "Prices will be evaluated for completeness, accuracy, reasonableness, and balance and must be in the

GSA schedule contract of the Offeror."

Please disregard the language GSA schedule contract. See response to Question 1, #1.

Question 9.

(1) HOJ Industries, Inc. is responding to your sources sought for solicitation number DOL141RQ21946, Administrative Management Support Services. HOJ Industries, Inc. has the capabilities to fulfill such contract and is classified Women-Owned Small Business.

(2) HOJ Industries, Inc. is a small business for NAICS code 561110 within the size standard specified.

HOJ Industries, Inc is a U.S. owned company and is certified .

Please see RFQ DOL141RQ21946 which is set aside as 8(a) small business concerns, SBA certified

Question 10.

(1) Does the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation under solicitation number DOL141RQ21946 contain requirements similar to a current contract?

(2) If possible, please provide the current contract number.

Please see response Question 2, #2.

(3) Or, is this a new requirement for the government?

Question 11

(1) Is there currently staff in place that fill all the roles described in Section C, 1.4?

(2) If staff is in place, will selected vendor have the opportunity to transition current employees?

That is an agreement between the Contractor to Contractor and its staff.

Question 12.

(1) In addition to Wage Determination 98-0642 (Rev-25 dtd 6/19/2013), we believe that Wage

Determination No. 05-2103 (Rev – 13 dtd 6/19/2013) should be included with the Solicitation.

WD 98-0642 (Rev-25 dated 6/19/2013)is replaced with Wage Determination 2005-2103 (Rev 13).

Please refer to the web site: http://www.wdol.gov/

(2) Section J. Technical Exhibit 4 suggests that the following classes of employees are required in support of the Performance Work Statement:

Program Manager – (SCA Exempt) 1,880 Hours

Administrative Assistants – (DOL Occupation Code 01020 Administrative Assistant) – 37,600 Hours

Publications Order Clerk – (DOL Occupation Code 01191/01192 Clerk I & II) -3,760 Hours

Debt/Account Bill Collector – (DOL Occupation Code 01030 Collection Specialist) – 5,640 Hours

(3) Are the above labor categories what the DOL intends to purchase by this contract?

(4) Are these the labor categories and hours that DOL wants priced in the Section J Technical Exhibit 3 format?

Yes. Please read the solicitation in its entirety.

(5) i.e. the Wage Determination for Administrative Assistants is $31.41 per hour, plus fringe as opposed to General Clerk II at $16.24 per hour, plus fringe. The PWS suggests at paragraph 4, Task One, (page 9) that Administrative Assistants are needed, yet the work detailed appears to be at the level of a General

Clerk II (DOL Occupation Code 01112).

http://www.wdol.gov/

Please refer to web site address: http://www.wdol.gov/faqs.aspx and Amendment 0001 which revised the

Wage Determination to WD 2005-210e (Rev 13).

(6) Paragraph 1.6.1 suggests that a Draft QCP should be submitted with the Contractor’s proposal. Is this QCP draft within the page count required by the Volume 1 Technical Approach Instructions shown on page 37 of the Request for Proposal? Can the Draft Quality Control Plan be an Appendix to the

Technical Volume in order to maintain sufficient page count to address the requirements of the RFP?

The Draft QCP submitted with the Offeror’s proposal is not included in the page count required by the

Volume 1 Technical Approach.

(7) It is not clear in paragraph 1.6.12 Key Personnel, whether the government intends to evaluate Key

Personnel resumes?

All required Documents stated in the RFQ will be evaluated by the Government for award using the factors stated in the RFQ.

(8) Is a resume for the Project Manager required? Paragraph 2.1.6. defines “Key Personnel” as

“contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal”

A Project Manager is considered a Key Personnel, therefore a firm commitment from the Offeror that the proposed person that are listed in the proposal has the firm commitment to the Offeror, to perform services the Offeror is proposing to the Government, which is critical for continuity of service and to avoid lapse in service.

(9) Paragraph F.2 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES – subparagraph (a) does NOT stipulate the amount of

Liquidated Damages that the government intends to levy in the event of contractor delay.

The number of non-performance hours for that date of the required Contractor Staff, if there is no valid justification.

(10) Page 18 of the RFP requires contractor employees to review and sign a “Non-Disclosure Agreement” described as an Attachment. We cannot find the attachment document.

The “Non-Disclosure Agreement” will be attached when the contract is awarded. The Contractor staff will sign and submit to the Contracting Officer.

(11) Paragraph L.1 requires the submission of proof of SBA 8(a) certification. How is this proof of submission to be delivered to the Government?

As stated in the RFQ, a signed Letter of Acceptance from the SBA stating that the Offeror is an 8(a) certified 8(a) small business concern to be submitted with the technical and price proposal, see Section L

& M. There is an application checklist and steps to applying to the 8(a) program. The web site address is www.sba.gov.

(12) Paragraph L.4 indicates that Volume I and II are of equal importance , and the Technical subfactors

(a), (b), and (c) are of equal importance. Subfactor (a) Corporate Experience and Technical Capability

Plan. (b) Staffing Plan. “The Offeror shall define the proposed staff’s experience with descriptions of analytical skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, research skills, speaking skills, and writing skills.” How is the offeror to do that in light of the fact that the RFP has a requirement at “FAR

Clause 52.222-17 NONDISPLACEMENT OF QUALIFIED WORKERS” for the retention of the http://www.wdol.gov/faqs.aspx http://www.sba.gov/ existing workforce to the extent possible. Only the incumbent contractor is in a position to warrant the experience of the proposed staff. Subfactor (c). QCP. In the page count?

Submit the required documents with the technical proposal and the Government will evaluate the submission in accordance with the factors and processes stated in the RFQ.

NO.

(13) Past Performance. 3 Projects, if the 8(a) contractor is teaming, may one of the past performances be from the teaming partner? Paragraph (i) on page 37 seems to limit past performance and experience discussion to the “firm submitting the quotes”.

Yes. The “firm submitting the quote” is the primary Offeror.

(14) In the Volume 4., Price., paragraph on page 40 of the RFQ, the requirement states… “Prices will be evaluated for completeness, accuracy, reasonableness, and balance and must be in the GSA schedule contract of the offeror. What GSA Schedule are you referring too in this paragraph?

Disregard the GSA schedule contract. This acquisition is an open market now since it is posted in www.fbo.gov. The GSA Advantage posting was cancelled.

(15) In the Volume 1 Technical Approach paragraph there is a “Minimum Requirement:

The Offeror/organization must have at least five years-experience managing the same services of the same magnitude, of the same complexity in a similar environment or in a civilian environment.” In as much as the RFP is restricted to 8(a) eligible firms, with a 3 year rolling average of less than $7M… how many of these firms would be able to meet the above minimum requirement restriction?

The RFQ does not close until May 21, 2014 so the Government does not have the specific answer to your question above. In accordance with FAR Part 15.503, the information you requested is available after award of the contract.

Please visit www.sba.gov or you can request for training to provide small business concern Offerors a comprehensive understanding of small business set-aside using the NAICS and its corresponding size standards in dollars or number of employees, for specific requirements.

http://www.sba.gov/content/guide-size-standards

(16) Is it acceptable for the 8(a) firm to team with a subcontractor partner who can demonstrate the required experience?

Yes, however, please understand the SBA regulations established small business size standards by industry, based on a particular industry’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code with its designated size standard based on (1) a concern’s average annual receipts (total income or gross income) or (2) a concern’s number of employees and the SBA Size Standards and Affiliation Rules found at 13 C.F.R. § 121.103.

For a comprehensive understanding, please visit www.sba.gov 13 C.F.R. § 121.103 “ HOW DOES SBA

DETERMINE AFFILIATION?”

http://www.sba.gov/content/guide-size-standards

(17) Under the Subfactor (b) Staffing Plan requirement, how is the Offeror to demonstrate the proposed staff’s experience when the Offeror is not the Incumbent?

Please refer to Sections L and M of the RFQ.

Question 13.

(1) The solicitation contains Volume 1 Technical Approach and Volume 4 Price. However, there is no

Volume 2 or Volume 3. Please clarify.

The word “Volume” is missing; however, it reflected “2. Past Performance” on page 35. On page 38, it is an oversight and the number “4” instead of the number “3” Price is reflected. On page 40 and 41, the factors are clearly reflected: Volume 1:Technical; Volume II: Past Performance and Volume III: Price.

Please read the entire RFQ.

(2) Will an inventory or government furnished office equipment be completed with the contract awardee prior to the start of the contract performance date?

This is a service contract for Administrative Management Support services.

(3) Will the government furnish a list of office equipment service contracts prior to the start of the contract performance date?

No, this is a service contract, not a maintenance contract.

Question 14.

(1) Who is the incumbent, contract number and are they eligible to compete as an 8(a) or a sub-contractor?

See response on Question 2.

(2) Should we address the proposal to you or Dennis Sprouse (page 4) or Rita Hurd (page 13)

These statements do not state about submission of proposal. The statements under pages 4 and 13 is to ship the Deliverables.

Please read the RFQ in its entirety, especially instructions Section L and Section M.

Page 4 is SHIP TO: Dennis Sprouse (system generated)

Page 13 is SHIP TO: Rita Hurd (system generated)

This will be amended for consistency. Please read the entire RFQ.

(3) Page 26 - Can you provide us with a detail labor description for each of the required labor categories listed in technical exhibit 3.

Please read the RFQ and the PWS.

(4) Page 27 - technical exhibit 4, what is the difference between the quantity and proposed labor hours columns? Should there be a difference?

The unit of issue is for invoicing purposes, the hours actually worked by the Contractor staff. The proposed labor hours are the hours the Offerors estimated to perform the services stated in the PWS.

(5) Page 38, 41 & 45: References were made to GSA Schedule. Can you specify which schedule and

SIN # to use for pricing this? Was this a typo?

See response on Question 1, #1 and Amendment 0001 to the RFQ.

(6) Page 40, Technical Quote limited to 25 pages, does this include the cover page and transmittal letter?

No.

(7) Page 43 - Related to the Administrative Assistant minimum requirement, it states that " A 4-year

Bachelor' degree satisfies the two years’ experience? Do you mean three-years?

This should read as, “two-years.”

Question 15 .

(1) Volume II: Past Performance. The submittal requirements do not mention this volume, outside of the PPQs (which are to be submitted directly to the government; Sections L.3 & L.6). However, upon reviewing the Evaluation Factors for Award (Section L.4), there is a list of items describing how the volume should be organized. Please clarify the submission requirements for this Volume.

Please refer to 35, 36, 37, 43, 44, and 45 2. Section L, Past Performance, paragraph 4-Past Performance on page 37 and Section M, 2. Past Performance, paragraph 4, on page 45.

Question 16.

(1) Sentence #4 – “Prices will be evaluated for completeness, accuracy, reasonableness, and balance and must be in the GSA schedule contract of the Offeror.” Is the 8(a) contractor required to be on a GSA contract in order to win this award?

See response on Question 1, #1. This will be amended.

Question 17.

(1) The question we have with this solicitation is in regards to GSA. The solicitation is identified as an

8(a) set-aside, however page 41 of the solicitation states that a GSA Schedule number must be submitted with the response. Can you clarify on weather this effort will be purchased through GSA Schedule or if it will be awarded through standard 8(a) process.

See response on Question 1, #1. This is an open market acquisition set aside among 8(a) small business process concerns.

Question 18.

(1) The minimum requirement for Administrative Assistant is three-years’ experience performing similar services in a government or civilian organization, Bachelor’s degree preferred, and possess strong time-management skills and be able to handle multiple assignments in an efficient manner within a busy administrative office. A 4-year Bachelor’s degree satisfies the two years’ experience.

Should the requirement read “A 4-year Bachelor’s degree satisfies the three years’ experience.”?

This should read as, “satisfies the two-year experience.”

Question 19.

(1) The solicitation mentions requirements for redacted and unredacted copies of vendor proposals, but does not state the material that vendors are to redact from their proposals. Is the purpose of the redacted version of the proposal to remove the Vendor’s name and/or identifying information from the proposal or to remove the Vendor’s proporietary information or some other purpose?

See page 40, L.6 General Instructions. The purpose of the redaction of the technical proposal is to remove the Offeror’s name and other identifying information from the proposal, for integrity purposes during the technical evaluation.

Question 20.

(1) Is there an incumbent currently performing this work?

If so, please provide the name of the incumbent company.

Please provide the contract number and value of the incumbent contract.

Please see response on Question 2 #1 and 2.

(2) Is there a first right of refusal requirement for any existing contract staff?

This is commercial service requirement and the “first right of refusal” does not apply.

(3) Will the Project Manager be permanently located on site at DOL?

(4) What are the security clearance level requirements for contractor staff on this requirement?

(5) Please provide the appropriate wage determination occupation code for the Publication Order Clerk and the Debt/Account Bill Collector listed in Exhibit 4 of the RFP if this has been established by DOL.

WD 2005-2013 (Rev 13)was revised to in Amendment 0001 to the RFQ..

(6) The DOL Area Wage Determination WD 98-0642 (Rev. 25) provided appears to only list the nationwide rates for Occupation Code 01030 – Collection Specialist. Is this the correct Wage

Determination and if so is the requirement to provide Collection Specialist only?

See response above and RFQ Amendment 0001.

(7) An estimated number of labor hours per category are provided by DOL in exhibit 4. Exhibit 4 includes a statement that “The COR will manage and work with the Contractor Program Manager on the required number of labor categories for OSHA’s nine (9) directorates”. As this is a firm fixed price contract please provide the maximum expected labor hours per category that the successful contractor will be required to provide.

Under page 26, Technical Exhibit 3 demonstrates the Government’s REQUIRED number of labor hours for the REQUIRED Labor Categories which will be used for Technical Exhibit 4. This is a Firm Fixed price contract with Labor Hour unit of issue for invoicing purposes so the Contractor can only invoice for services rendered and accepted by the Government.

The number of Labor Categories may be increased, thus, the Estimated maximum number of Labor

Categories under Technical Exhibit 3, under page 26.

Question 21

(1) Is this a new solicitation?

(2) If there is an incumbent, what is their name and are they eligible to prime this 8(a) set aside procurement?

(3) What is the current value of that contract?

(4) On page 17, there is a breakout about the 3 different forms required based on the risk or sensitivity level of work that such employee is performing: SF-85, SF-85P or SF-86. Is it possible to receive a matrix, which will show which positions will require each form?

SF-85 for all positions in this contract.

(5) On page 17, Non-Disclosure Agreement, it states “The Contractor shall require each contractor employee to review and sign the attached non-disclosure agreement (Attachment) when he or she begins work on the DOL contract. The Contractor must send the signed copy to .” Who should the contractor send the signed copy to? It was cut off.

When the contract is awarded, the Contracting Officer will provide the required documents stated in the

RFQ DOL141RQ21946.

(6) Page 22, 52.232-19 -- Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year. (Apr 1984) states “Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond July 31, 205.” Is this date supposed to be July 31, 2015? How much notice time will the contractor be given if the contract will not be exercised beyond this date?

Yes, you are correct, it should read “July 31, 2015.” Please read FAR Clause 52.217-9 “Option to

Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000) on page 21 and 22.

(7) On page 42, Section M. - Basis of Award - Subfactor (b) Staffing Plan, under minimum requirements it states that “The Contractor may submit resumes of the proposed other labor categories stated under Technical Exhibit 3.” Will additional resumes count toward the 25-page level for the technical proposal?

Please read the RFQ on page 40.

(8) On page 43 - Regarding the qualifications for the Administrative Assistant category the solicitation reads “the minimum requirement for Administrative Assistant is three-years’ experience performing similar services…” and goes on to say that “A 4-year Bachelor’s degree satisfies the two years’ experience.” Please clarify whether the minimum experience requirement is two or three years.

Please see response on Question VII.

(9) On page 27, the pricing tables (p.27) are a little confusing. They give you the maximum estimated number of hours per category, but then they have another column asking for proposed hours. If you are asking for estimated hours other than the maximum number of hours given, can additional detail be provided about the current workload (i.e. actual hours billed over the past year and is it possible to share information about expected level of support going forward)?

Please refer to Technical Exhibit 3 and Technical Exhibit 4. Technical Exhibit 3 stated “Required Labor

Hours per 12 months, 4 th column and “Estimated Maximum number of Labor Categories” under 3 rd column. This should be the Offeror’s guide.

Please see response on Question II, #2.

(10) Can you provide additional detail around the debt collection caseload and publications support?

What is the current level of support and expected level of support going forward?

See response to Question IV, #22,23

(11) In regards to the nature of the debt collection does this relates to OSHA penalties for violations of the occupational health and safety act? Is it possible to confirm whether this is the only type of collection activity performed by the debt collection support staff?

Yes. It is the only type of collection

(12) Is there a tentative award date set for this RFQ/Solicitation?

On or around end of July 2014.

Question 22

(1) How many Admin Assistant FTE’s are currently supporting this effort?

Please see response on Question 2, #2.

Question 23

(1) The solicitation mentions requirements for redacted and unredacted copies of vendor proposals, but does not state the material that vendors are to redact from their proposals. Is the purpose of the redacted version of the proposal to remove the Vendor’s name and/or identifying information from the proposal or to remove the Vendor’s proporietary information or some other purpose?

Please refer to page 40 of the RFQ DOL141RQ21946, on the table L.6-General Instructions, Volume I.

Question 24

(1) Is there an incumbent with this effort, if so who is the incumbent?

Question 25

(1) Section L is unclear as to the organization of the required volumes for submission. On page 35 of the

RFP, Volume 1 contains a Technical Approach with three subfactors. It is followed by Past Performance, which isn’t defined as a standalone volume; however, Past Performance isn’t defined as a subfactor either. On page 41, Past Performance is defined as its own volume; however, the RFP only references the

Past Performance Questionnaire and not the narratives. Can DOL please define the Past Performance

Volume requirements and page count?

Please refer to page 40 and 41.

(2) Page 38 (section L) and 45 (Section M) of the RFP defines Price as “Volume 4.” Should this be

Volume 3?

Yes, Volume 3-Price.

(3) The RFP includes WD 98-0642 (Rev.-25) for Labor Category “Collection Specialist.” Is

“Administrative Assistant” also subject to the minimums defined by the SCA clause?

Are any positions for temporary or season support?

Please refer to response on Question XXII. The required positions are Full Time Equivalent.

(4) What level of security clearance is required for the positions listed in the SOW?

Question 26

(1) The submission process is not clear with how each volume should be structured as well as the amount of volumes and what should be included in each volumes. Can this be clarified?

Page 34 explains volumes to be 1 and 2 but page 45 mentions volume and page 40 has volume 3.

Refer to pages 40 and 41.

Question 27

(1) In reference to the solicitation Section L.4, para 2, “the Government will take into consideration the relevance of experience and past performance quality”, will proposed subcontractor past performance be evaluated as applicable to the prime contractor if both business entities (separate CAGE codes) fall under the same corporate umbrella?

(2) In reference to the solicitation Section L.4, para 2, “The absence of past performance data will be rated neither favorably or unfavorably”. Based on this statement, does this imply that evaluators will apply a Past Performance Rating of “N” (Not Applicable) per Section L.4, Table 2, and that Past

Performance Evaluation of Risk will not be considered for contractors without relevant past performance?

Yes. The overall risk will be evaluated for the entirety of the proposal submitted.

Question 28

Section and

Page:

Part I – Section C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK– Page 5 of 53

(1) Question

Can you please let us know if Contractor is responsible for supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, and other items and non-personal services, if so, can you please provide the details of the requirements? Also, please indicate how do we incorporate this in the pricing table?

This is a service contract requirement.

Subject: Key Personnel: “The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer.”

Section and

Page:

Part I – Section C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK– Page 7 of 53

(2) Question

Can you please let us know if we need to submit resume for alternate key personnel with the proposal?

Subject: Specific Task - Task One: “1. Maintain Directorate Management and/or Agency Staff appointments by scheduling meetings, conferences and teleconferences, to include office events/leave calendar. Schedule travel via the electronic system and prepare vouchers as needed.”

Section and

Page:

PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS– Page 9 of 53

(3) Question

Can you please let us know in which system should we schedule appointments?

Microsoft Outlook events/leave calendar. Schedule travel via the electronic system and prepare vouchers as needed.”

Section and

Page:

PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS– Page 9 of 53

(4) Question

Is electronic system provided by Government?

events/leave calendar. Schedule travel via the electronic system and prepare vouchers as needed.”

Section and

Page:

PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS– Page 9 of 53

(5) Question

Where is office events/leave calendar located?

Microsoft Outlook

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task One: “2. Process and set up accounts payable invoices in the electronic accounting system”.

Section and

Page:

PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 9 of 53

(6) Question

Does the Government have accounts payable system that we can access for completing the responsibilities in Task One?

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task One: “3. Create, review and update OSHA Directives in the database and update Record Management for disposition or transmittal to National Archives Records

Administration. Create, route and maintain training registrations and completion of course records.”

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 9 of 53

(7) Question

Is database already available?

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task One: “3. Create, review and update OSHA Directives in the database and update Record Management for disposition or transmittal to National Archives Records

Administration. Create, route and maintain training registrations and completion of course records.”

Section and

Page:

PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 9 of 53

(8) Question

Where do we create training registrations and completion of course records & to whom we should route these records?

All is done via OSHA systems. Training registrations/completed courses are routed to various training institutions and OSHA personnel

Subject: Specific Task - Task One: “4. Manage incoming/outgoing telephone calls, relay information to callers, take messages or transfer calls to appropriate individuals. Welcome customers, give directions, answer inquiries.”

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS– Page 9 of 53

(9) Question

Can you please let us know the nature of inquiries and what is “give directions” mean?

General program office information. Direct callers/visitors to proper personnel, time and location of meetings.

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task One: “6. Maintain equipment inventory, proficient in operating office equipment and ensure equipment is functional. Completes preventive maintenance requirements according to manufacturer’s instructions; call for repairs when necessary.

Orders and maintains office supplies.”

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 10 of 53

(10) Question

Does the Government have inventory system for us to maintain equipment inventory?

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task Two: “1. Requires data input, information processing and systems management in the area of account collections.”

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 10 of 53

(11) Question

In which system do we input data for account collection and what does “information processing” include?

Manage data already entered in OSHA’s host/main frame by Regional Offices. Enter debt totals, correspondence letters, payment plans.

Subject: Specific Task - Task Two: “5. Process payments, enter and update debt status, process refunds.”

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS– Page 10 of 53

(12) Question

In which system do we process payments, enter & update debt status and process refunds?

IMIS/OIS OSHA systems that interface with Treasury.

Subject: Specific Tasks - Task Three: “1. Support data input and customer service functions of

OSHA publications requests received via internet, fax, telephone and regular mail”.

Section and

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PART 4 - SPECIFIC TASKS – Page 10 of 53

(13) Question

In which system do we input data and create request for publications received via internet, fax, telephone and regular mail?

OSHA Online Publications Systems.

Subject: H.1 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE SUITABILITY AND SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS: “2. The Investigation Process. - The Contractor shall submit written procedures to the designated DOL Agency official describing the method by which the following investigation requirements will be satisfied.”

Section and

Page:

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS – Page 16 of 53

(14) Question

Is investigation process initiated by OSHA?

REQUIREMENTS - 1. Background Investigations: “a. Background Investigation

Requirements. The investigation requirements for contractor employees are based on the risk or sensitivity level designation of the position.”

Section and

Page:

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS – Page 16 of 53

(15) Question

Are there any security requirements for contractor employees? If so, please identify the

Position Risk/Sensitivity Level and also Minimum Investigation Requirement?

All contractors must meet the NACI requirements.

REQUIREMENTS - 4. Non-disclosure Agreement: “The Contractor shall require each contractor employee to review and sign the attached non-disclosure agreement (Attachment) when he or she begins work on the DOL contract.”

Section and

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SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS – Page 17 of 53

(16) Question

Can you please provide the Non-disclosure Agreement as mentioned?

When the Contract is awarded.

Subject: K.1 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2014)

Page:

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS – SECTION K -

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

- Page 29 of 53

(17) Question

Do we need to include Representations and Certifications in Price Volume?

No. Offerors must be registered in www.sam.gov .

Subject: L.3 Quotes Submission: “In addition to the electronic copy, unredacted, of the Technical quote, One CD copy-unredacted, 2-hard copies-Redacted, and 1-hard copy, Unredacted of the

Technical Quote must be to submitted”.

Section and SECTION L. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, NOTICE, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES http://www.sam.gov/

Page: TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS – Page 34 of 53

(18) Question

Can you please let us know what information should be redacted and is redaction mandatory?

Please refer to pages 40 and 41 of the RFQ.

Subject: L.3 Quotes Submission: “Price Quote: 1-electronic copy, unredacted, 1-CD copy, unredacted, and one hard copy, unredacted must be submitted to Carmelita C. Lariba, United States Department of Labor, Room S4306, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room

Washington, DC 20210.”

Section and

Page:

SECTION L. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, NOTICE, CONDITIONS, AND

NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS– Page 34 of 53

(19) Question

Is this mean we should submit 1-electronic copy, 1-CD copy and 1-hard copy of price quote?

Question 29

(1) Are the debit collection positions the only ones regulated by WDR?

(2) Will this contract be governed by the Service Contract Act?

Yes, except for the Labor Category under exemption. Please refer to the web site:

(3) Under Part 4, Specific Tasks, Task One, number 6 - Please list the equipment the contractor is responsible for performing preventive maintenance. Are there any special skills, education and/or certifications required to maintain such equipment to ensure warranties and/or service agreements are not voided? Is the staff expected to be able to interpret and understand the manufacturer's instructions and language regarding such equipment?

Copiers, fax machines, scanners.

Yes – only to complete general care and upkeep.

Question 30

(1) On page 16, H.1 Contractor Employee Suitability and Security Requirements, 1. Background Investigations – c

Payment for Background Investigation. It appears the paragraph is not complete. There are no instructions given if the contractor bears the cost.

Q: Could you please provide the full paragraph by clarifying what should occur if the contractor bears the cost?

See response below.

(2) Who will bear the cost for the background investigations?

Government

(3) Who is the incumbent contractor?

(4) On page 18, It states each contractor employee will sign the attached non-disclosure agreement. It appears that paragraph is not complete. No address to send the signed copies was given. In addition, the agreement attachment was not provided.

Q: Will you post a non-disclosure agreement or will the contractor use their own company non-disclosure agreement?

No. This is a Government requirement for a Government contract that will use Government processed documents such as the Non-Disclosure document, which will be provided when the contract is awarded.

(5) In paragraph 1.6.6, this is identified as a Firm Fixed Price Contract. On FFP contracts, billing is normally based on the total amount divided by the number of invoice periods. In section G 1), It states that “The contractor shall invoice the Government only for services rendered and accepted.” Does this mean billing should be by the number of hours worked in a period, rather than the FFP amount?

Billing may be on a monthly basis but only for hours performed by the Contractor staff under the unit of issue per hour, for invoicing purposes. The contract is Firm Fixed Price for the hours proposed.

Labor categories and hours will be identified in each issued task order.

(6) On page 22, 52.232-19 availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year. There is one date which the year is 205, and other place where it is completely left off.

Yes, it should be 2015

Q: Could you please verify the funds available dates.

Question 31

Subject: Description of Services/Introduction: “The technical exhibit 4 shows 4 labor categories”.

Page:

Part III – LIST of DOCUMENTS , EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS – Page 27

(1) Question

1. Please provide us the occupational codes for the following 4 labor categories:

Program Manager

Administrative Assistant

Publications Order Clerk

Debt/Account Bill Collector (please confirm if we should be using the information provided on Page 49)

This is open market acquisition and there are no occupational codes in the RFQ

DOL141RQ21946. If you are looking for standard occupational codes please go to:

http://www.bls.gov/soc/

Question 32

Solicitation Reference Question

General

(1) Is the incumbent eligible to bid on the SOW/PWS as a Prime?

Technical Exhibit 3 states the

Estimated Maximum Number of FTE’s are 26.

(2) How many FTE’s are currently performing this work?

http://www.bls.gov/soc/

1.6.12 Key Personnel (3) Are resumes required to be submitted with our proposal for the PM and Alternate PM or only the names?

C.4.2 The Contractor shall provide OSHA with Debt

Collection Services.

(4) Are the Debt Collection Services a new or an existing requirement? If existing, is the incumbent currently providing these services or another contractor? If another contractor who is that contractor?

Existing. Services currently provided by incumbent and federal staff.

M.1.a Paragraph 3 states:

"Minimum Requirement: The

Offeror/organization must have at least five years-experience managing the same services of the same magnitude, of the same complexity in a similar environment or in a civilian environment."

(5) Please explain what is meant by “Offerror/organization”? Does this include the offerror and its team member(s)? Can the five year requirement be met by using the experience of subcontractors if the 8a prime does not have five years’ experience?

As stated in the RFQ, the requirement is 5-year experience for the Offeror.

The Offeror is the prime contractor.

M.2 Paragraph 2 - Past

Performance

(6) Will DOL allow the Offeror to utilize the Past Performance of their subcontractors/teammates to meet this requirement? Of the 3 required Past

Performances, how many must be from the Prime Offerror?

L.4 Vol. 1 Subfactor (b)

Staffing Plan - The Offeror shall define the proposed staff’s experience with descriptions of analytical skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, research skills, speaking skills, and writing skills.

(7) 1. Is it DOL’s expectation that Offerors would have resumes for proposed staff members to fill the “Estimated Maximum Number of Labor

Categories” shown in Technical Exhibit 3 on page 26? Or is it DOL’s desire to retain incumbent staff?

See Sections L and M of the RFQ.

The Government will award a contract based on the ESTABLISHED

CRITERIA in the RFQ, DOL141RQ21946. Please refer to page 43 under paragraph M. BASIS OF AWARD for the Government’s

Minimum Requirement.

(7) 2. Will there be a designated transition period for onboarding of new staff members?

Question 33

(1) Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent in place?

Please see response on Question 2.

(2) If there is an incumbent can you indicate who they are and if they are eligible to bid?

Please see response on Question 2.

(3) The RFP appears to indicate a level of effort involving 26 people. Other than the Project Manager are you expecting resumes for all of the support positions, and if not can you specify which positions you would like to see resumes for?

Please refer to page 42 of the RFQ DOL141RQ21946, paragraph M. BASIS OF AWARD.

Question 34

(1) Reference page 45, first para: "The minimum requirement for Administrative Assistant is three-years’ experience performing similar services in a government or civilian organization, Bachelor’s degree preferred, and possess strong time-management skills and be able to handle multiple assignments in an efficient manner within a busy administrative office. A 4-year Bachelor’s degree satisfies the two years’ experience."

Question: Administrative assistant requirement is three-year’ experience, and a Bachelor's degree satisfies the two years’ experience. These statements are conflicting, please clarify.

It should read “satisfies the two-year experience.

(2) Does the Government have any projected workload or enforcement trends, i.e. has there been an increase in audits over the last three years?

(3). For each of the 9 OSHA directorates, what is the work breakdown structure for contractor personnel?

Please refer to the PWS, Technical Exhibit 3 and 4.

(4) Which OSHA directorate does Debt Collection Services fall under?

Directorate is not determined at this time.

(5) Which OSHA directorate does Publications Request Services fall under?

The Directorate is not defined at this time.

(6) How many contractor personnel support the Administrative Programs Directorate?

See Technical Exhibit 3 and 4.

(7) Currently, is the incumbent providing administrative support to each of the 9 directors?

See response to Question 2, #1,#2

(8) Is the incumbent providing administrative support to all the subordinate elements in each directorate?

See response to Question 2, #1,#2

(9) Reference page 34, L.3 Quotes Submission: “Quotes shall be submitted: one marked “Technical” and one marked “Price” not later than the closing date stated in the RFQ.” In addition, page 38 lists the

Price Volume as Volume 4. Will the government please clarify the number of volumes and requite titles?

Volume 3-Price. Please refer to pages 40 and 41.

(10) As a result of decreasing budgets and constrained resources, Government offices may no longer exist. Offerors are responsible for having each of their customer POCs complete a Past Performance

Questionnaire for each project before the response date. Will the government consider FINAL CPARS evaluations obtained by the government as equal or same as the Past Performance Questionnaire’s, in the event organizations no longer exist and customer POCs are not available to complete Past Performance

Questionnaires?

Yes, active and current POCs must be provided.

Question 35

(1) The wage determination provided is only for the debt collection labor category. Can DOL kindly provide the wage determination for the other labor categories and the mix of levels for the admin assistance?

Please read the RFQ and the attached Wage Determination.

(2) On page 42, the RFQ states that the minimum requirement is at least five years. Considering this is an 8(a) set aside, will DOL consider removing or lowering the required number of years of experience?

(3) On page 38 and 41 there is reference to GSA schedule. Please confirm this is an error.

This is an error and was amended under RFQ DOL141RQ21946. This is an open market acquisition.

(4) Please confirm that the Quality Control Plan is within the 25 technical pages or if it may be included as an attachment.

The Quality Control Plan is separate from the Technical proposal and not counted towards the required

25 pages.

(5) Please provide further guidance on how DOL prefers to see "redacted" technical proposal documents?

Please refer to page 40 of the RFQ.

(6) Does this mean all names including offeror’s name should be redacted?

Yes. Refer to page 40 of the RFQ.

(7) Please clarify the calendar date the monthly reports are due.

Monthly progress reports submitted with the invoice.

(8) Please confirm that there are three (not four) volumes to be submitted: Technical Approach, Past

Performance, and Price.

Three.

(9) Please confirm that the offeror’s three past performance references be accompanied by an additional three past performance references of its major subcontractor. Shall past performance questionnaires also be submitted for subs’ references?

Please refer to the RFQ pages 35 to 47.

(10) On page 40 under Volume I General Instructions, instruction #2 reads: “One (1) CD-Rom copy mailed to DOL - UNREDACTED. Does DOL prefer that this CD be mailed (and if so, please provide mailing address)? Or that it be included with the unredacted technical quote?

See Section L.4, under page 34.

Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave NW

Washington, DC 20210

(11) Will DOL provide the amount of FTEs in each Directorate providing support on the contract?

See Technical Exhibit 3 and 4. Not at this time, it will be defined when the requirement comes up.

(12) Will DOL allow subcontractor past performance to count as part of the “Offeror” Past

Performance?

(13) Will DOL provide the labor categories from the wage determination specifically mapped to the

Administrative labor categories?

The…