Att. 1 Q A to Solicitation DTMC75-11-R-00017.docx

ATTACHMENT 1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO

SOLICITATION NO. DTMC75-R-00017

Question 1: p. 121 Item C.4.5 says “The Draft Implementation Plan shall be submitted with the Contractor’s technical proposal for evaluation.” This is not called out in the description of Volume II on pgs. 48-50. Please clarify what is intended.

Answer 2: Page 47 is correct – one original and three copies must be submitted.

Attachment A1, to this amendment is a pricing table which incorporates CLINs 01015 through 01019 for paragraphs “(c) through (g)” into the Solicitation. This table is a supplement to the OF 336 Pricing Schedule in the Solicitation.

If the FMSCA elects to exercise Option 1 of the contract there will be two truck parking areas that are to be networked together so the project implementation plan, concept of operations paper, performance requirements document, field operations test, evaluation plan, and final report would be for two sites operating at the same time.

The procurement of equipment and installation shall be priced for only the one additional site. The first site will already exist under the Base Year, Phase I.

Note that four sets of portable or temporary variable message signs will be required when the first two truck parking areas are networked.

Answer 7: The Table of Content and List of Figures will not count against the 25 page limit. No, they may be single spaced.

Question 8: The list of items provides for only 1 monthly report but there will be a total of 12. Should thebe price all 12 under this item?

Answer 8: The pricing reflected under CLIN 0004, for the Monthly Progress Report should priced for 12 reports. Change the Quantity from 1 to 12 and “each” to “month”.

Question 9: Volume I: Business Proposal will contain a Firm Fixed Price for each CLIN, except Travel CLINS will be NTE. This is the only section to contain pricing information. Our company will roll-up all subcontractor proposed prices into our final proposed price. We will provide justification for noncompetitive proposed subcontracts, but we will not provide a breakdown of Prime versus Subcontractor pricing within each CLIN price.

Answer 9: The price proposal must generally adhere to the pricing structure established in Section B, Schedule of Prices. There is no requirement to provide a breakdown of subcontracting cost. However, Offerors should refer to FAR Clause 52.244-2.

Question 11: Based on our discussions with the vendor of the TDS Model 110 light curtain system, it appears that it will not work effectively in any location with a guard rail, which is a typical arrangement at many truck parking areas. Due to the manufacturer’s requirements and existing site conditions at our identified truck site, the guard rail will obstruct viewing the lower portion of a vehicle and any trailer hitch. Viewing the lower portion is of interest for identification of vehicles, other than trucks, that are pulling a trailer. Our test site has guard rails and the highway agency will not allow us to cut or remove them. During the winter months, snow plows push the snow to the side of the roadway. If the light curtain were present, it would likely be damaged from the weight of the snow. In addition, because the light curtain sensors will be exposed to weather and roadway dirt, they will require cleaning perhaps as frequently as every 2 weeks. We wish to call this to FMCSA’s attention in the event that the agency may chose to modify the requirements of the RFP.

Answer 11: The TDS Model 110 (light curtain sensor) should not be installed at a position where there is a guard rail. If the guard rail cannot be removed and there is no better position for installation of a truck parking lot occupancy counting sensor, then the TDS Model 230 (laser scanner) or equivalent must be used instead of the TDS Model 110. If the TDS Model 230 or equivalent has to be installed at both the entry and exit because of guard rails at both locations of a truck parking area, then the requirement in the last paragraph of Section C.2 on p. 11 to install and compare the TDS Model 110 and TDS Model 230 is waived.

Question 12: What is the due date for the response to this solicitation? The “Notice Details” on the FedBizOpps website lists the response date as May 9, but the solicitation identifies a due date of May 6.

Answer 12: See page 1 of the amendment.

Question 13: Is the Doppler radar combination technology (TDS Model 230 and TDS Model 110) identified in the solicitation recommended or required?

Answer 13: Please reference Page 11, 2nd paragraph, This Statement of Work calls for a field operations test of these models (or comparable models with the same or better accuracy and reliability) for determining truck parking space occupancy.

Question 14: Has the Government estimated level-of-effort for this project?

Answer 14: Offerors shall propose based on their experience with performing this type of work or similar.

Question 15: What type (e.g., cost plus, fixed price, time-and-materials) of contract is anticipated?

Answer 15: Firm Fixed Price

Question 16: Does the Government expect offerors to cost the optional Phase II effort? This will be difficult to do because the activities and scope of the Phase II effort cannot be precisely defined at present. Costing these items on a fixed-price basis may be impossible.

Answer 16: Yes. The Offeror must propose pricing for the Option Year to be considered responsive to the solicitation.

Question 17: The instructions for preparing the Price Proposal (p. 50) state that “price proposals must generally adhere to the pricing structure established in Section B, Schedule of Prices.” Where is Schedule B in the solicitation package?

Answer 17: See Standard Form 33

Question 18: The RFP text states that the proposal should be “double-spaced” using a 12-point font. Will single-spaced typing be acceptable?

Answer 18: Yes

Question 19: The “Notice Details” on the FedBizOpps website states that “this opportunity allows for electronic responses.” No such statement, however, appears in the solicitation. Can the bid materials be delivered electronically?

Answer 19: Yes. One original must be electronically submitted to ann.holmes@dot.gov. and three hard copies delivered to the address stated in Block #7 of the SF33 to the attention of Ann Holmes.

Question 20: The format and structure of the response specify three volumes. Are you expecting one document containing all three volumes, or are you expecting three separate documents?

Answer 20: Three separate volumes

Question 21: Are all volumes, except Volume I, to be elite 12 with 1” margins or just Volume II?

Answer 21: Times New Roman instead of “elite” is the preferred font; however a comparable font will be accepted.

Question 22: Volume I contains the first page of the RFP plus Offeror Representations and Certifications. Am I to look through all the referenced provisions and print, mark up and include all those that require certifying, or are there a select few that need to be included in Volume I?

Answer 22: You must read and review the entire solicitation package and respond accordingly.

Question 23: Elite is a preferred type face, but we don’t have it. As it is a fixed width type face is it acceptable to use Courier NEW?

Answer 23: Yes. See the answer to Question 21 of the Q&A.

Question 24: We are a Foreign Corporation based in Canada. Are we allowed to respond as a Prime Contractor?

Answer 24: Yes

Question 25: As we are a foreign Corporation do we need to register with anyone before we can partake in the RFP response and contract?

Answer 25: Yes. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) website.

Question 26: One of the included clauses states: "(b) In accordance with Section 101 of Executive Order 13101 of September 14, 1998, Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition, the Contractor is encouraged to submit paper documents, such as offers, letters, or reports, that are printed or copied double-sided on recycled paper that meet minimum content standards specified in Section 505 of Executive Order 13101, when not using electronic commerce methods to submit information or data to the Government."

However, the RFP states that the response must be single sided and double spaced.

According to additional included clauses:

52.215-8 Order of Precedence—Uniform Contract Format.

As prescribed in 15.209(h), insert the following clause:

Order of Precedence—uniform Contract Format (Oct 1997)

Any inconsistency in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:

(a) The Schedule (excluding the specifications).

(b) Representations and other instructions.

(c) Contract clauses.

(d) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.

(e) The specifications."

Does the federal clause supercede the RFP, or does the RFP take precedence?

Answer 26: With the exception of the DOT clauses, which begins with 12, all clauses and provisions cited in this solicitation are in accordance with the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR).

Question 27: Page 11 of the Solicitation states: “This Statement of Work calls for a field operations test of these models (or comparable models with the same or better accuracy and reliability) for determining truck parking space occupancy.” Does “comparable models” imply that an alternative technology can be proposed for demonstration in the project in lieu of the TDS Model 230 and Model 110? We have an alternative technology in mind that has better accuracy that we would like to propose if possible.

Answer 27: Yes. Please reference Page 11, 2nd paragraph, This Statement of Work calls for a field operations test of these models (or comparable models with the same or better accuracy and reliability) for determining truck parking space occupancy.

Question 28: On page 17 under Section C.5 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE/SPECIFIC TASK REQUIREMENTS FOR PHASE II, it is stated that “FMCSA may exercise one or more of the following additional options,” described as Options a) through g). In completing the Price Schedule for Option Year 1 - Phase II, should our price include all options inclusive (i.e., Options a) through g)) on the price schedule sheet, or should separate price schedule sheets be provided for each Phase II option separately? Also, should it be assumed that all of the Options will be completed in Option Year 1?

Answer 28: See the answer to Question 5 of the Q&A

Question 29: On page 21, Section F.6 SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES, do those deliverables refer only to Phase I? If there are only Phase I deliverables, should the base period of performance in Section F.5 reflect a seventeen month period to be coincident with the seventeen month timeframe required for the Final Report? Also, if these are only Phase I deliverables, is there an additional schedule for Phase II deliverables?

Answer 29: The Schedule of Deliverables refers to Phase I and Phase II. A Schedule of Deliverables for Phase II depends on the availability of funds, and the options that FMCSA will exercise. If the Government chooses not to exercise Option I, the Phase II deliverables will not be required.

Question 30: Is an extension of the proposal deadline possible?

Answer 29: Yes. The deadline date will be extended and an Amendment posted in FedBizOps.

Question 31: On Standard Form 33, Section B “Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs” refers to pages 6-9. Do you mean all items listed on Optional Form 336 (4-86), or pages 2-5?

Answer 31: Pages 2-5

Question 32: On Optional Form 336 (4-86) Item No. 00013 and 01013 indicate travel expenses not to exceed $7,0000.00. Do you mean $70,000.00?

Answer 32: The not-to-exceed amount for CLINS 00013 and 01013 is $7,000.00.

Question 33: Please confirm that the due date and time is Monday, May 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm Eastern as indicated on FedBizOpps.gov.

Answer 33: Date noted on SF30 – Amendment One

Question 34: The RFP indicates that the proposal should be submitted in hard copy, but the FedBizOpps.gov page indicates that it can be uploaded electronically. Is it necessary to use both means of submittal? If so, are both the hard copy and electronic upload due at the same time?

Answer 34: Yes. One original shall be electronically submitted to ann.holmes@dot.gov. and three hard copies delivered to the address stated in Block #7 of the SF33 to the attention of Ann Holmes.

Question 35: Is it possible to provide a Word version of the solicitation to make it easier for vendors to complete SF33 and the Section K Reps and Certs?

Answer 35: No

Question 36: Is Times Roman 12-point font acceptable in lieu of Prestige Elite, as Elite is not a standard Word font?

Answer 36: Yes. See the answer to Question 21 of the Q&A.

Question 37: Are the table of contents, list of tables and figures, and tabs included in the 25-page limit for Volume II?

Answer 37: No. Refer to Question 7 of the Q&A.

Question 38: Page 50 of the solicitation, paragraph (3)(b), lists supporting price information that may be requested from the Government. Is it correct that we do not have to submit this detailed information with the proposal, but only if requested later by the Government?

Answer 38: While detailed cost price information is not required to be submitted with the offerors proposal, all offerors are strongly encouraged to submit sufficient details that will allow the Government the ability to make a price reasonableness determination.

Question 39: Can you clarify what you mean on page 48 of the solicitation by “justification for noncompetitive proposed subcontracts” and “identification of technical data to be withheld?

Answer 39: “Justification for noncompetitive proposed subcontracts” – means that you must explain why you did not compete any subcontracting opportunities.

“Identification of technical data to be withheld” – means any technical information offeror will not be supplying in their proposal.