Questions_for_RFP_(3).docx

Solicitation Questions and Answers

1. Question: How often does the government anticipate assigning task orders? The timing will vary; however, there will be an initial task order for the minimums on CLINs 0001 and 0002 as well as to add funds to the travel CLIN. Other orders may take place semi-annually, quarterly or every other month, depending on the need.

2. Question: Once a Task is identified on an awarded Task Order, is it considered to be approved by the AFRC/A9R COR? Or does the approval requirement require approval post Task Order award and prior to scheduling travel for the event? All events will be scheduled and coordinated through the COR/POC, currently Donna Watson listed in the inspection, acceptance, and delivery sections of the Solicitation. Events associated with the task orders will be scheduled with the award or post award, depending on the need.

3. In Section L Item I the Table lists the name of proposal Volume II as Technical Capabilities. In the text of the outline that follows, the name of Volume II is Technical Proposal.

Question: Does the government have a preference, or is either term acceptable? The preferred term is Technical Proposal; however, both terms are acceptable.

4. In Section L, Volume II – Price Proposal, Item 6 the government stipulates “Under no circumstances shall this data and documentation be included elsewhere in the proposal.”

It seems reasonable to assume that some information in Volume II – Technical Proposal Staffing Plan that is not financial in nature might be used in the price volume to support the reasonableness and balance of prices submitted.

Question: Is it safe to assume this stipulation applies to financial price data and info and not details such as content from Volume II – Technical Proposal – Staffing Plan? Yes, this assumption is correct.

5. Question: Are the min/max ranges of events simply the best estimate and subject to change, or are they in any way binding? Or, asked another way – Is it possible that the government may order fewer than the minimum and more than the maximum numbers of events identified in the CLINs? The first order is the only obligation for a minimum; however, should the government exercise the optional ordering periods the expectation would be at least the minimums stated would be ordered for that period of performance. The maximum range is based on our best estimate at this time. It is possible additional events above the maximum would be ordered pending mutual agreement between contractor and the government.

6. Section C: Does the Government anticipate having the required funds by the anticipated base year start date? Yes, funds are in the process of being acquired.

7. Section M Measure of Merit: Does the years of experience referenced here (5) have to be in the form of company past performance or can the capability be proven through contractor experience? Both company past performance and contractor experience are acceptable.

8. PWS: Could the Government specify the anticipated number of students who attend each event? The target number of students for the Green Belt academics is typically 25, but is not a requirement. The number of team members in a Strategy Alignment or Certifying Event is typically between 6 and 25, but is not limited to a maximum of 25.

9. PWS 1.1.1: Could the Government provide the appropriate Air Force CPI Certification requirements as a separate attachment? The AF CPI Certification requirements are contained in AFI38-401. The documents required for certification application are attached to the PWS.

10. PWS 1.3: “Telework is authorized for pre-and post-event activities after receiving written approval from the Government.” Is telework expected to be necessary at some point? What CLIN are the telework hours to be billed against and does the Government want them to be included in the TEP? The hours associated with pre- and post-event activities are to be included in the price for the 5-day events (Certifying Event or Green Belt Academics) and 3-day events (Strategy Alignment or Site Visit). It is generally understood that this work (prep and follow-on activity) may be accomplished via telework versus additional travel for face-to-face visits. Any additional travel must be coordinated with the COR and pre-approved by the CO.

11. Attachment 6: Should all required hours for preparation and post-event follow up be included in the per event pricing? Yes, all preparation and post-event follow up should be included in the per event pricing.

12. PWS 1.4.2.1: Will the Government require pre-event communications with the event facilitator or will preparation duties remain at the contractor’s discretion? All events will be scheduled and coordinated through the COR/POC, currently Donna Watson listed in the inspection, acceptance, and delivery sections of the Solicitation. Event locations and dates will be based on mission need. Pre-event communications are required in accordance with the PWS, and are generally accomplished virtually.

13. PWS 4.6: Does the Government require a full-time on-site contractor or are the specified hours outlining the potential hours of the events? A full-time on-site contractor is not required. The offeror should include pre- and post-event activities associated with the activity in their pricing for the 5-day and 3-day event.

14. PWS: How much advanced notice can the contractor expect to have before training events begin? Events are typically scheduled a month in advance, and a minimum of two weeks advanced notice is given before each event. Any requests with less than two weeks advanced notice will be pending mutual agreement between contractor and the government.

15. In RFP Section B, CLINs X001 and X002, the quantity is “1.0”, yet the Section L Price Proposal says to assume 5 units, which is pre-entered in the TEP Calculator. Do we change quantity of “1.0” to be “5.0”, or will you amend the SF33 Section B? No, do not change the unit 1.0 to 5.0 in the RFP Section B of CLINs X001 and X002. The SF33 will set the price for each single unit on the contract. Orders will be placed against the contract where the number of units will change. For the purpose of proposal evaluation the TEP Calculator will be used. The single unit price is filled into the TEP Calculator as well as the SF33. I do not plan to amend the SF33 Section B.

16. Do we submit RFP Section B or the TEP Calculator, or both? Submit both. See more details in answer to question 15.

17. In RFP Section B, CLINs X003 address travel expenses. Do we assume that travel and living expenses to/from Robins AFB are included in event costs, and this line item addresses travel to sites other than Robins AFB? If not, how do you suggest we address the travel and living costs of the consultants? Offerors are not required to propose this CLIN. The government will fund it to pay for approved travel and per diem costs to events at locations other than Robins AFB, GA. Reference PWS paragraph 1.3 Place of Performance.

18. In RFP Section B, CLINs X004 state “NOT SEPARATELY PRICED.” Are we to place a zero value on this line? Yes, the assumed value here is zero or NSP. Our new contract writing system does not place a value of zero or NSP in the price blank of Section B CLINs X004.

19. The RFP mentions “ramp up time” and CDRL preparation time, each of which incurs time and cost on our part. Is this cost to be spread out over the events (CLINs X001 and X002), or will you add an additional CLIN to cover these costs? The cost is to be spread out over the events. A CLIN will NOT be added to cover these costs.

20. How many 3-day and 5-day events have happened concurrently in the past, and what is the largest number of events to have been conducted concurrently? Typically, the maximum number of events occurring at one time is two to three. There is some flexibility in scheduling between the contractor and supported unit. Any requests for more than three concurrent events will be pending mutual agreement between contractor and the government.

21. How many site visits do you anticipate during each year of the contract? How many of these site visits do you estimate will be concurrent? The 3-day events may be Strategy Alignment or CPI Site Visits as described in the PWS. The minimums and maximums are stated. Concerning how many site visits we estimate will be concurrent, see more details in answer to question 20.

22. What is the range and the average of number of attendees that you anticipate for each of the different types of 3-day and 5-day events? The target number of students for the Green Belt academics is typically 25, but is not a requirement. The number of team members in a Strategy Alignment or Certifying Event is typically between 6 and 25, but is not limited to a maximum of 25.

23. This link does not work. Can we get a PDF or other means to review the Air Force CPI certification requirements? 1.1.1 The Contractor shall adhere to the Air Force CPI certification requirements as defined in AFI 38-401 and AF standardized/AFRC approved CPI training (found on the AF CPI Portal @ https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/10944/cpi/sitepages/home.aspx). The link is an internal AF network link. Yes, the pdf versions will be available upon award.

24. This link does not work. Can we get a PDF or other means to review the approved SAF/MGM-approved curriculum? 1.4.2.2 Just-In-Time Training. The Contractor shall provide training and materials for each event, for example: introductory training materials on CPI methodologies and principles found on the CPI Portal at https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/10944/cpi/sitepages/home.aspx, as well as instruction to trainees for familiarization with other associated tools and techniques. The Contractor shall recommend just-in-time training modules for event team participants. The CPI Portal Link is also not accessible. Please advise of so we can view these training materials. The link is an internal AF network link. The AF GB Curriculum is a 40-hour course broken up into 15 modules and is restricted to Installation and MAJCOM_DRU-FOA_MPOs. The training curriculum will be provided upon award.

25. Attachment 6 is the pricing calculator. Can you provide the Mentor Grade Sheet? There are 6 attachments embedded within the PWS on pages 17 and 18. The Mentor Grade Sheet is one of those attachments. The attachment should open up upon double clicking it. The mentor grade sheet is an Excel type file.

26. The PWS is unclear on whether the Offeror will use its own LSS BB and GB Course materials or whether it will use USAF materials. Please clarify. Use of USAF materials is mandatory. The contractor may supplement academics with additional training modules and/or exercises if desired.

27. How many students will participate in each course? Or what limit will be placed on the number of attendees? The target number of students for the Green Belt academics is typically 25, but is not a requirement. The number of team members in a Strategy Alignment or Certifying Event is typically between 6 and 25, but is not limited to a maximum of 25.

28. Will the Offeror be issuing a Certificate of Completion of courses and/or a LSS GB or BB Certification? Or will the USAF handle this process based upon contractor reporting? The contractor will be provided a certificate for the USAF CPI Green Belt course, and should give the certificate to students who complete the 40-hour course and provide the roster to AFRC/A9R IAW the Monthly Status Report requirements. Applications for GB and BB certification should be forwarded to AFRC/A9R for review and approval. The contractor will not certify on behalf of the government.

29. Can the Offeror provide a financial statement in Volume 1 rather than a statement from a bank? No bank will provide a statement that an offeror is financially viable. Yes, a financial statement is acceptable; however, a bank will provide a letter if an offeror has a line of credit available to support company expenditure. Bank statements showing evidence of financial resources would also be sufficient to support this requirement.

30. It is unclear from the PWS what durations for classes the USAF is using for its students. Industry norms for LSS GB Courses are 10 days and for LSS BB 20 days. Please clarify. The USAF Green Belt course is a 5-day, 40-hour curriculum. The USAF Black Belt course is not taught or supported by the contractor.