DTPH5616Q00032_Amendment__000001_Attachment_1_of_2.pdf

RFQ DTPH5616Q00032 Amendment # 000001 Title: Field Investigations Job Safety Assessment

The purpose of this Amendment # 0001 to RFQ DTPH5616Q00032 is to do the following:

a) Update the page limitation of the quote to be no more than twenty(20) pages in length including all 3 sections, as well as resumes and past performance information. Please see page three of the attached RFQ for the updated language.

b) Extend the submission deadline to 11:00 AM ET on 02 September 2016, and

c) Answer the following questions received from the vendors by the question submission deadline.

Questions and answers:

1. The requirements state that the proposal is to be presented in 3 sections, with no mention of pricing in Sections 1 and 2. Does the government prefer that we submit pricing in a completely separate volume?

Answer: Pricing is to be submitted separately in Section III per the RFQ, Pg 3.

2. Under Section III price, the requirements state that the quote can be no more than 15 pages. Is this for the price section only or for the entire proposal?

Answer: The total length of the quote, including all 3 sections, as well as resumes and past performance information should be no more than twenty(20) pages in length including cover page; and 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper using font size no smaller than twelve (12) pitch.

3. If the 15-page requirement is for the entire proposal, please confirm that the front matter

(i.e., cover letter, cover sheet, SF18, SF30, table of contents), management approach, and resumes are exempt from the page limitation. If not exempt, please consider allowing additional pages for the front matter, management approach, resumes, and past performance.

Please see the answer to question #2 above.

4. Are travel costs to and from the five sites considered reimbursable travel or should they be included in the Firm Fixed Price?

Answer: The five (5) sites have not yet been finalized by the Government. Thus, travel costs shall NOT be included in the price proposal and will not be evaluated.

5. Is the firm fixed price to be based on the 6-month base period or the base plus 6-month option period?

Answer: PHMSA anticipates the base period of performance to be six (6) months after award of contract with a six month option to complete tasks assigned but not finished during the base period.

6. What are the different types of facilities that PHMSA would like to include in the site visits?

How complex are these facilities?

Answer: There are Five (5) different types: general shipper, cylinder re-qualifier, explosives, cargo tank, and special agent.

RFQ DTPH5616Q00032 Amendment # 000001 Title: Field Investigations Job Safety Assessment

7. What is the complexity of the different types of inspection activities in which our team would accompany and observe OHMS investigators?

Answer: The vendor will be “accompanying the investigator and observing.” The complexity depends on what the investigator finds once on site.

8. Task C in Section III, Tasks of the Statement of Work states, “Assist in improving existing health and safety programs.” What type of support is expected with this task? What is the estimated level of effort needed for this task? What is the expected deliverable for this task?

Answer: Reviewing PHMSAs current safety manual, and protocols and offering SME report as to any areas that could use improvement as well as any gaps that should be filled. Expected deliverable is a list of recommended actions PHMSA should take with respect to improving our safety protocols for PHMSA’s field investigators. This would include any suggested changes/improvements to Chapter 17 (Safety) in our Field Operations Manual, to include procedural changes and any additional Personal Protective Equipment that PHMSA should consider to further protect our staff.

9. What is the estimated level of effort of the entire project in terms of hours and total cost?

Answer: Not available. It is at the discretion of the contractor to prepare their most competitive quote/proposal for submission to the government.

10. On page 3 of the solicitation, it mentions 940 hours. Where did that figure come from? In reading the SOW, it does not seem to mandate a particular level of effort, but instead list tasks and milestones. If we feel the work can be performed for less than 940 hours, can we bid the work in that manner as long as we list out our assumptions? I could not find any other references to the 940-hour figure.

Answer: Yes, you can bid on less or more than 940 hours. The 940 hours figure listed in the RFQ was used only as an example (This section must include the proposed fully-loaded labor rate and extended price (i.e. 940 hours x proposed labor rate). The proposed fully-loaded labor rate must include wages, overhead, G&A expenses, and profit).

11. I have one question regarding the subject solicitation. One of the deliverables is to make a presentation at PHMSA Headquarters in DC. Section VI of the SOW mentions that travel expenses are the expectation of the contractor. Just to confirm, the contractor cannot price in travel costs to its quote in order to meet this deliverable, correct?

Please see the answer to question #4 above. Additionally, proposed travel costs to make a presentation at PHMSA Headquarters in Washington, DC should NOT be included in the proposal and will NOT be evaluated if included.