Q A 29 Sep 09.docx

Q&A 29 Sep 09 Questions and Answers

1. Question: Please confirm that the intent of the OCI Clause contained in Section H-7 and as specifically delineated in H-7 B2 is for the offeror to submit with this proposal all required OCI disclosure sheets required for the MILSATCOM and Missile Warning/Missile Defense task orders and to submit the equivalent OCI disclosure sheets for future Task Orders as those Task Orders are separately solicited.

Answer: Yes. However, if offerors are aware of an OCI at the contract level, it must also be disclosed.

2. Question: Please confirm that Paragraph L-6 C4 requires the offeror to submit a detailed description of his OCI Prevention/Mitigation Process, while Paragraphs L-7 D.4 and L-7 E.4 require the offeror to submit a detailed OCI Mitigation Plan for MILSATCOM or Missile Warning/Missile Defense, respectively, should an unavoidable OCI issue be identified as described in Section H-7.

Answer: Yes

3. Question: MW/MD Task Order PWS Paragraph 1.3.1.9.2 requires the offeror to “Provide technical and administrative support” for approximately six meetings per quarter for up to 125 people at up to and including the TS/SCI level. MW/MD Task Order PWS Paragraph 5.2 requires the offeror to “host monthly project working groups at up to and including the TS/SCI level. Please specifically differentiate your intent with regard the phrases “Provide technical and administrative support” versus “host”.

Answer: The offeror shall host these meetings and provide technical and administrative support

4. Question: If the offeror is required to provide a SCIF with occupancy for 125 personnel, please confirm that the use of team member facilities to meet this requirement is allowed under IDIQ PWS paragraph 4.9.4.

Answer: Access to a team mate/joint venture partner/subcontractor provided SCIF is acceptable if there is an agreement between the contractor parties for such use.

5. Question: Please also clarify if the monthly meetings addressed in Paragraph 5.2 are already included in the workload defined in Paragraph 1.3.1.9.2.

Answer: Yes.

6. Question: Would the government consider a lower occupancy, or the use of multiple smaller SCIF facilities to meet a 125 person size requirement?

Answer: No, a SCIF to accommodate 125 people is the requirement.

No, a distributed meeting will not meet the face-to-face requirements of having such meetings.

7. Question: Amendment 2 to the RFP included a contingency plan. Are the personnel on the MILSATCOM and MW/MD task orders being deemed mission essential personnel? If so, do we need to provide the contingency plan with the proposed task orders at proposal submission or after contract award. If it is with proposal submission is the contingency plan to be considered as an attachment to the two volumes?

Answer: Please refer to page 17 of the MILSATCOM PWS and page 25 of the MW/MD PWS. Both state, “Services During Crisis: The performance of these services may not be considered to be mission essential during times of crisis. Should a crisis be declared, the Contracting Officer or their representative will verbally advise the contractor if service is required or if temporary suspension of these activities is necessary, followed by a written notification.” Because neither states, “performance of services is considered mission essential,“ a contingency plan is not required. However, if during task order performance, the Government identifies those services as mission essential, the task order would be modified and a contingency plan would then be required.

8. Question: We understand that for contract management, subcontracting, and cost our past performance citation must be at the task order level. For technical relevancy, however, are we permitted to submit a single past performance citation for an IDIQ contract provided that the citation encompasses all the task orders under that contract which served as the basis for the CPARS?

Answer: A citation for a TO issued under General Services Administration (GSA) or any other IDIQ contracts shall cite the GSA/IDIQ contract number and the individual TO number with associated information on that TO versus the main GSA/IDIQ contract. Offerors should comprehensively address relevancy at the task order level.

9. Question: MILSATCOM PWS, paragraph 1.3.2.1.1, page 6. The last sentence states, “Estimated number of documents to support MILSATCOM is: 4-AoAs; 5-ICDs; 6-CDDs; 7-CPDs; and 7-CONOPS.” Please provide the frequency and/or timeframe for delivery of these documents.

Answer: Annually.

10. Question: It is our understanding that the staffing approach, to include the organizational chart were excluded from the 30 pages that will be counted. That the staffing approach, organizational chart, and staffing table could be an appendix to the technical portion. Based on the answers to questions dated September 25 that no longer seems to be the understanding. Can you please confirm that the staffing information can be included as an appendix and is not counted in the 30 pages?

Answer: Reference L-7D.1.a., the staffing table and organizational chart are exempt from page count. Individual position descriptions are exempt from page count but shall not exceed one page.

11. Question: Page 16, Section H-9 - "the contractor shall submit the registration or evidence that an application is pending with the State Department with task order proposals." In the clarification for "evidence", the Government responded, “Provide a copy of the acknowledgement of submission from the State Department.” We contacted DDTC (Directorate of Defense Trade Controls) today, and they confirmed that they do not send out acknowledgements of any kind for registration applications; rather, they only send a letter stating the approval of the registration or identifying deficiencies within the application. Given this information, what other evidence should be provided for pending ITAR registration applications with the State Department? The courier receipt, if available? Furthermore, the cost is now $2,250 to apply. We realize this will be a necessary cost for companies to work on TOs, but for some small businesses, it is a large fee. Are there any alternatives you would consider to having to apply in advance?

Answer: The Government will accept a statement from a corporate officer with that firm stating that an ITAR registration has been filed and is in process. The Government is not aware of any alternatives that would allow a company to support work with International Partners without having completed the ITAR process. The Government is also aware that the ITAR process takes time to accomplish. However, if offerors are aware of any such alternatives that would not degrade from the ability of the offeror to fulfill the task order requirements, the Government may consider it. However, not providing evidence of ITAR registration or application is done so at the offeror’s risk.