Amendment_0002_-_Responses_to_Questions.pdf

DTFH6117R00001

Questions and Answers 2-21

Question Number

RFP Section Question Answer

1 General Please consider a two week extension due to the original solicitation not containing labor category descriptions or minimum qualifications for those positions? Pricing cannot be formulated without these key components.

The proposal deadline will be extended from 1:00PM ET on February 27, 2017 until 1:00PM ET on March 3, 2017.

2 General To ensure we are submitting the proposal to the correct address, can you please clarify which address should be used?

From the SF33:

Federal Highway Administration Office of the Chief Financial Officer Office of Acquisition & Grants Mgmt

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

Room E62-204

WASHINGTON DC 20590

From Section D.3 Federal Highway Administration Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590

From Section G.2 Contracting Officer’s Address:

Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Room E62-204 – Mail Code: HCFA-21 Washington, DC 20590

The address for proposal drop off is correctly listed on the SF33 and in Section G.2. However, please note the important delivery instructions are provided in Section L.8 Important Delivery Information. Only certain uniformed couriers may deliver directly to this address. All other couriers and individuals must deliver their material to the USDOT mail room/visitor’s center.

3 General Please confirm that the partial small business set-aside will require that the small business prime conduct at least 50% of the work, consistent with FAR 52.219-14.

Per Section M.1(b) Partial Small Business Set-Aside, it is anticipated that one contract will be set aside for a small business in accordance with FAR 19.502-3.

For a small business set-aside, the small business prime must conduct at least 50% of the work. Please refer to the information provided under Section L.5, Proposal Content and Configuration (IDIQ) for the requirements and applicability for Subcontracting Plans.

RFP Section Question Answer

4 General Is there an incumbent and, if so, can you tell us who it is? There are 12 incumbent contractors. They are as follows:

DTFH61-11-D-00028 Resource Systems Group, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00029 PB Americas, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00030 Cambridge Systematics, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00031 The Cadmus Group, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00032 The Louis Berger Group, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00033 ICF Incorporated LLC DTFH61-11-D-00034 Battelle Memorial Institute DTFH61-11-D-00035 University of North Carolina DTFH61-11-D-00036 Systems Research and

Applications Corp.

DTFH61-11-D-00037 O.R. Colan Associates, LLC DTFH61-11-D-00038 Center for Watershed

Protection, Inc.

DTFH61-11-D-00039 Dye Management Group, Inc.

5 Section C Task Area (1): The bullets describing the topics areas under TASK

AREA 11 - OUTDOOR ADVERTISING CONTROL AND

LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ANALYSIS (Page 18 of 80 of the solicitation) make specific reference to a comparison between FHWA regulations and State legislation relating to the Uniform Act and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and also describe a survey of Federal agencies regarding implementation of the Uniform Act. We note that TASK AREA 10 REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION UNDER THE UNIFORM ACT (Page 17 of 80 of the solicitation) is dedicated to real property acquisition under the Uniform Act. Does the FHWA require us to discuss our understanding, expertise and qualifications regarding the Uniform Act for both Task Areas 10 & 11, or is it sufficient to address our understanding, expertise and qualifications in Task Area 10 and make a reference to that in Task Area 11?

Please discuss the Uniform Act qualifications in Task 10 and make reference to it in Task 11.

6 Section C Task Area 10 (Real Property Acquisition under the Uniform Act) in the RFP (page 18) includes within the scope “Developing, updating, and delivering instructor-led training (ILT), web-based training (WBT) or other innovative delivery methods in the subject areas of transportation planning and environment.” Please clarify, should this topic be listed

It should not be listed under another task area; rather, the bullet should read: Developing, updating, and delivering instructor-led training (ILT), web-based training (WBT) or other innovative delivery methods in the subject area of Transportation Realty.

RFP Section Question Answer under another task area or should the topic area be developing, updating and delivering ILT, WBT or other innovative delivery methods in the subject area of transportation realty?

7 Section C Section C.4, first paragraph, states, “the contractor shall be able to perform the task order requirements in all of the following areas”. This is a change from the current IDIQ where contractors may be qualified in selected task areas. Will a team be disqualified or downgraded if it does not submit qualifications in all 12 task areas?

Contractor shall be able to perform task order requirements for all areas. Proposals that do not demonstrate the offeror’s capability to perform in all task areas will be considered non-responsive.

8 Section C Under Task Area 11, does “Legislative and Policy Analysis” refer specifically to outdoor advertising control, or could it refer to any transportation topic?

It refers specifically to outdoor advertising control and transportation realty topics.

9 Section C.4 For RFP DTFH6117R00001 there are 12 Task Areas, from 1. Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat, and Other Ecological Resources to 12. Marketing and Outreach. Can a contractor only submit proposal for just ONE Task Area?

See response to Question 7.

10 Section G.16 Sections G.16 and G.17 require general public liability and vehicular liability insurance. Will FHWA allow Contractors to have discretion over the types and amounts of insurance to require of its subcontractors, in the event a particular subcontractor cannot comply?

The contractor is responsible for their subcontractors, for their actions, claims, losses, damage, etc.

See G.17 (a) – The contractor shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Government against all actions or claims for loss of or damage to property or the injury or death of persons, resulting from the fault, negligence, or wrongful act or omission of the contractor, its agents, or its employees.

The Government does not require insurance from subcontractors, as we do not have contracts with subs and therefore have no discretion over the types and amounts of insurance subs maintain.

11 Section G.17 Section G.17(e) requires the Contractor to furnish a copy of the insurance policies to the CO. Due to the voluminous nature of such policies, please confirm that an insurance certificate evidencing the required coverage will be acceptable in lieu of full copies of the policies.

A copy of the insurance certificate is acceptable.

12 Section H.7 Section H.7, Organizational Conflict of Interest and Limitation on Future Contracting, prohibits the prime from competing on “all related

As H.7 states, “as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5.

Therefore, the contractor is expressly prohibited from

RFP Section Question Answer work during the performance of the order and for a period of 3 years after the end date of this order….” In past IDIQs, the limitation on future contracting language applied in situations where the prime has access to confidential information and/or would have a competitive advantage due to its work under the applicable IDIQ. Is FHWA willing to consider adding language to this section to limit the restriction on future contracting to situations when the information is not publicly available and could give a competitive advantage to the Contractor?

competing on all related work during the performance of the order and for a period of three (3) years from the end date of this order as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or consultant.”

This remains as stated.

13 Section H.7 Can FHWA clarify whether the Organizational Conflict of Interest and Limitation on Future Contracting clause in H.7 applies to subcontractors as well? If so, would FHWA consider waiving this requirement for certain subcontractors who may have more limited roles and may not have access to confidential or proprietary information which would give them a competitive advantage, or granting an exception for educational institutions and nonprofits?

No change or exception will be made at this time.

14 Section H.7 Section H.7 Organizational Conflict of Interest and Limitation on Future Contracting: After reviewing the detailed task requirements, we do not anticipate that we would receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g.

cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements etc.) or perform evaluation services in support of this contract. Will FHWA consider revising this clause to read similar to FHWA IDIQ solicitation number DTFH6116R00007, which amended this clause? The clause from solicitation number DTFH6116R00007 has been reproduced below for reference.

H.15 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

AND LIMITATION ON

FUTURE CONTRACTING

It is anticipated that Contractor personnel performing work under this contract will receive, have access to, or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.), or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests

No change or exception will be made at this time.

RFP Section Question Answer

(OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5.

Therefore, the parties to this contract agree that the Contractor shall be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below.

(a) The Contractor is expressly prohibited from competing on any statements of work developed in whole or in part by the Contractor during the performance of the contract and for a period of 3 years from the end date of this contract as a prime Contractor, Subcontractor or Consultant.

(b) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant Contracting Officer, the Contractor is prohibited from competing on any work related to the development of policy recommendations provided to FHWA under this contract. This prohibition applies to the period of performance of the contract and for a period of 3 years from the end date of this contract as a prime Contractor, Subcontractor or Consultant.

(c) The Contractor agrees to insert this clause in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services.

(d) The Contractor may submit a request to the Contracting Officer in writing seeking an exemption from these restrictions for a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.

(e) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its exemption request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level above the

RFP Section Question Answer

Contracting Officer.

Therefore, the parties to this contract agree that the Contractor shall be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below.

(f) The Contractor is expressly prohibited from competing on any statements of work developed in whole or in part by the Contractor during the performance of the contract and for a period of 3 years from the end date of this contract as a prime Contractor, Subcontractor or Consultant.

(g) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant Contracting Officer, the Contractor is prohibited from competing on any work related to the development of policy recommendations provided to FHWA under this contract. This prohibition applies to the period of performance of the contract and for a period of 3 years from the end date of this contract as a prime Contractor, Subcontractor or Consultant.

(h) The Contractor agrees to insert this clause in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services.

(i) The Contractor may submit a request to the Contracting Officer in writing seeking an exemption from these restrictions for a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.

(j) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its exemption request, the Contractor may submit

RFP Section Question Answer its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level above the Contracting Officer.

15 Section H.21 Per section H.21 Non-Disclosure Agreement Task Order Bid

Preparation Costs, please clarify, will non-disclosure agreements be required to be completed by all proposed staff at the time of submitting individual task order proposals, or upon award of task orders? Also, please clarify whether any non-disclosure agreements are required to be included in this IDIQ proposal submission.

The non-disclosure agreements shall be completed prior to personnel beginning work.

The non-disclosure agreements are not required to be included in the IDIQ submission.

16 Section J.1 Can the government provide minimum labor category requirements for each of the labor categories provided, such as degrees and years of experience required? Specifically, would FHWA define what is meant by the “Administrative Professional” labor categories?

Labor category descriptions were intentionally not included in the solicitation as personnel required for each individual task order will vary. It is intended that offerors will use industry standards when considering how to define and price the labor categories.

17 Section J.1 Would FHWA provide estimated hours per year associated with each labor category for purposes of evaluating the price component?

See M.2, Page 80, which states “to evaluate prices for award purposes, the Government will apply the Offeror’s proposed fully burdened fixed-price/rates to the Government’s estimated quantities of use over the life of the contract as estimated in the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). The IGCE will not be disclosed to the public.”

18 Section J.1 The Attachment J.1 labor categories do not have any defined minimum qualifications for each category. Can you please provide minimum qualifications for each of the positions?

See response to Question 16.

19 Section J.5 Attachment J.5, Non-Disclosure Contractor Personnel: Is this form to be filled out and submitted with the proposal for all key personnel we are proposing on our team, or was this form included for reference only?

See response to Question 15.

20 Section J.5 Attachment J-5. Please confirm that J-5 has been provided for reference and does not need to be included in contractors’ proposal responses.

Correct, J.5 has been provided for reference and does not need to be included in the contractors’ responses.

21 Section J.5 Labor Categories:

(1) Can we list multiple principal investigators?

(2) Can the principal investigators span multiple disciplines?

(3) Can the principal investigators be subcontractor’s

Yes, multiple principal investigators may be listed and they may span multiple disciplines.

Subcontractor employees may be listed as principal investigators.

RFP Section Question Answer employees or are the principal investigators to be prime employees only?

22 Section L.2 Can the items required to be presented on the first page of the proposal as listed on page 65 of 80 be included on a page following the cover, such as a transmittal letter, or must that information appear on the proposal’s cover?

This information may be included on a page following the cover. However, page limits include all documents, tables, lists, etc.

23 Section L.2 L.2, 52.215-1.c.2 (RFP pg. 65). Please confirm that the title page is omitted from the page count for Volume I.

Page limits include the title page.

24 Section L.2 L.2, 1252.239-71 IT Security Plan (RFP pg. 69). Where should the IT security plan be located in the proposal? If Volume I, please confirm it is omitted from the page count.

The IT Security Plan should be included in Volume II

– Business and Price.

25 Section L.4 Would you allow an organization chart to be put on 11x17? If so, would one side of the 11x17 count as one or two pages?

Any pages sized above 8½ x 11 inch are not acceptable and may not be evaluated. Please see section L.4.

26 Section L.5 On page 72 of 80, the RFP states: “Schedule of Rates – Complete the pricing structure established in Attachment J.5.” As J.5 seems to be the non-disclosure agreement, are we correct to assume that the contractor should follow the pricing structure in Attachment J.1?

Correct, the contractor shall follow the pricing structure provided in Attachment J.1 Billing Schedule.

27 Section L.5 On page 72 of 80, the RFP states: “Travel and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) are pre-filled for estimating purposes only.” However, the Attachment J.1 does not appear to include travel and ODCs. Please confirm that travel and ODCs are not to be proposed in this bid but will be proposed at the task order level.

Travel and ODCs are not to be proposed in this bid but will be proposed at the task order level.

28 Section L.5 On page 72 of 80, the RFP indicates that “Offerors shall provide a Master Staffing Matrix, which denotes those key personnel and the staffing levels proposed, and capabilities/credentials.” Please clarify what is meant by “staffing levels proposed”.

Staffing levels proposed should equate to the proposed personnel’s level of experience (i.e. Junior, Mid-Level, Senior).

29 Section L.5 May we provide resumes in addition to those for key personnel, per page 72 of 80?

There is no specific limit for resumes. However, resumes and qualifications are only required for Key Personnel.

For all other staff, it is only required that each individual proposed demonstrates relevant experience education and expertise. See page 79, Part 2 Staffing.

30 Section L.5 L.4 Proposal Format (RFP pg. 72). Please confirm that the contingency plan to replace key personnel will be evaluated in the staffing plan, as directed in Section L, and not in the management plan, as outlined in

Correct. The contingency plan to replace key personnel will be evaluated in the staffing plan, as directed in Section L.

RFP Section Question Answer

Section M (RFP pg. 79).

31 Section L.5 It is our disclosed practice to recoup the costs of administering travel and other direct costs through the application of our government-approved G&A rate to such items. So that we may bid the most competitive labor rates we can, please confirm if this is permissible on this procurement.

G&A on travel and Other Direct Costs is not permissible on this procurement.

32 Section L.5 Would a cover letter and table of contents count towards the 35-page limit indicated for Volume I, Part I?

Page limits include all documents, tables, lists, etc.

33 Section L.6 The disclosure language provided to add to the proposal on page 67 of 80 differs from the disclosure language provided on page 74 of 80 in the “L.6 PROCUREMENT INTEGRITY ACT REQUIREMENTS.”

Which language would FHWA prefer we use?

The FHWA prefers for the language provided in Section L.6 to be used.