POSTED_FINAL_QA_Industry_Day_15_Aug_2013.doc

Industry Day 15 Aug 2013

Question and Answers

OPEN FLOOR QUESTIONS

1. How often is the handbook updated?

Answer:

As required, but typically when there is a major change that impacts the program it is updated usually no more than every two years.

2. Is there union labor on the contract?

Answer:

No 3.

Does the program work with the RCC?

Answer:

Many of IRSP’s participating ranges are members of the RCC. Feedback from the RCC is typically provided at the semi-annual IRSP Technical Interchange Meetings.

4. When is the pre-proposal conference and will you add this information to the Industry Day slides?

Answer:

May-June timeframe 2014 and yes the information will be added to the Industry Day slides.

5. How does the IRSP work with range contractors?

Answer:

IRSP only augments ranges’ sustainment efforts and only when requested by the range, which requires good relationships with all range agencies.

6. Will 45 CONS still allow companies to submit capability statements?

Answer:

Yes – additional time will be allowed for businesses to submit capability statements until 3 Sep.

QUESTIONS

1. Will the solicitation be LPTA?

Answer:

This has not been determined at this time.

2. Who will be on the Selection Evaluation Board?

Answer:

The final source selection team has not been finalized at this time.

3. Is it a Small Business set aside?

Answer:

Not at this time, but there will be an appropriate percentage included as a small business goal.

4. What are the primary items of emphasis, i.e. Risk, etc.?

Answer:

One of the greatest risks is the transition of the 1.4 million government owed parts to ensure they are properly accounted for and no damage is incurred.

5. What is the past performance criteria?

Answer:

This has not been determined at this time.

6. Is Key Management required to be at PAFB?

Answer:

No

4. What is the solicitation schedule?

Answer:

Refer to slides from today’s industry briefing

5. Will we be allowed to brief you on our Company?

Answer:

Yes

6. Will IRSP II essentially be that same as the current IRSP?

Answer:

Yes the requirements haven’t changed. There may be a change in contract type but this hasn’t been determined yet.

7. Is it expected that the current IRSP will be in place until September 30 2017?

Answer:

As briefed during today’s industry brief the projected new contract award date is July 2015.

8. Will there be any new systems on this contract?

Answer:

No New types of systems projected – but number of systems supported will fluctuate throughout the contract duration

9. Can new systems be purchased through this program?

Answer:

No

10. Would we have to maintain the website?

Answer:

No, the requirement is to have an interactive tool that all ranges and the program office would have access to excluding classified data

11. Where is the current warehouse?

Answer:

Ft. Walton Beach

12. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, however research and let us know

QUESTIONS

1. What is the impact of sequestration on the procurement?

Answer:

Sequestration for FY 13 is over and there has been no impact to our schedule, however it is unknown for FY 14.

2. What is the intended Procurement type – Full and Open/Set Aside?

Answer:

This has not yet been determined

3. Are there any anticipated changes in scope from the current procurement?

Answer:

The scope of work is essentially unchanged, but there may be a change in contract type but this hasn’t been determined.

4. What NACIS code is anticipated?

Answer:

The applicable NAICS code and size standard is 334511/750 employees.

5. It is recognized that the incumbent has been in place since 1985 – will the SOW, Proposal Requirements and Evaluation Criteria remain the same for this procurement?

Answer:

Actually, the incumbent has only been awarded the past two contracts. The contract was originally a sole source to the OEM. The first two competitive contracts were awarded to Vitro Services Corporation and the third competitive contract was awarded to Tracor.

The scope of work is essentially unchanged, but the final SOW, proposal requirements and evaluation criteria have not yet been determined.

6. Our research indicates that there are still some option years remaining on the current contract - is there a specific reason for seeking an earlier new procurement?

Answer:

Due to the growth of the program it was determined to do an early acquisition

7. Will there be any Reverse Engineering?

Answer:

Possibly

8. Do you have to bid on all material?

Answer:

Material has historically been a government plug number

9. Is there a plug number for travel costs?

Answer:

No - travel is bid on workload indicators

10. What will the percentage for the subcontracting plan be Answer:

Not yet determined for the new acquisition; the current contract does have a required percentage of 15 %, but is subject to change

11. Is the Government looking for innovation and ways to save costs?

Answer:

Yes, always.

12. What is the past performance dollar value?

Answer:

To Be Determined (TBD)

13. What is the CLIN structure?

Answer:

Not yet determined

14. Does the company have to manufacture the systems for all 25 ranges?

Answer:

No - complete systems are not manufactured, but parts for all systems supported may need to be manufactured

15. Are transition costs being evaluated?

Answer:

TBD on if or how it will be evaluated

16. Can LJT come back if they have more questions?

Answer:

Yes, please call to see if schedule can be accommodated. We encourage additional questions via e-mail

17. Is there an award fee?

Answer:

No it is a supply contract

18. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, however Wallops has an IDIQ section

Questions

1. How does the government plan to meet its small business goals on this program?

Answer:

The appropriate percentage will be included as a small business goal

2. Would the government consider relocating the depot from Oskaloosa Co. to Brevard Co?

Answer:

The depot repair facility will remain with whoever is awarded the contract

3. Has the government considered hosting the Depot at the Port Canaveral or Melbourne Airport Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 136) where goods may be landed, handled, manufactured or reconfigured, and re-exported without the intervention of the customs authorities?

Answer:

All foreign customers are handled through Foreign Military Sales and all program shipping is to and from their designated freight forwarded.

4. What are the greatest program risks to transitioning IRSP to a new contractor?

Answer:

One of the greatest risks is the transition of the 1.4 million government owed parts to ensure they are properly accounted for and no damage is incurred.

5. Since the current contractor (BAE SYSTEMS) has performed on the IRSP contract for nearly 38 years, they have essentially formed a “sole-source” position on this contract. We contend that competition has decreased since the incumbent has successfully injected “perceived program risk” within the government.

Answer:

Actually, the incumbent has only been awarded the past two contracts (2001 and 2007). The contract was originally a sole source to the OEM, with the first two competitive contracts awarded to Vitro Services Corporation (1985 and 1991) and the third competitive contract was awarded to Tracor in 1996.

Historically there has been adequate competition for past contracts and based on responses to the government’s sources sought synopsis and industry day turn-out, the government believes there will be adequate competition for this solicitation as well. The government has taken every precaution to ensure the potential is equal for every bidder such as the phase-in/transition is not an evaluation fact.

6. What legacy radar systems represent to the greatest sustainment challenge--Mobile Object Tracking Radar-MOTR?

Answer:

The Mobile Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) does have its share of sustainment challenges, but with over 500 tracking systems supported within the program and most of these systems being legacy systems, they all have their share of obsolescence issues especially with the growing diminishing sources of supply issues.

7. How many radar specialists are typically on travel to remote radar sites in a given year to support depot-level maintenance?

Answer:

This will vary each year based on the number of requirements; age of systems supported, and range funding constraints. We historically have 10-14 overhauls and between130-225 field support weeks each year. There are times requirements must be meet simultaneously such as two overhauls and field support at multiple locations going on at the same time.

8. Who owns the IRSP portal (https://irsp.com/PublicSite/Start.aspx) and would this site be provided to the new contractor?

Answer:

Although WWW.IRSP.com domain name is owned by BAE systems. The requirement is to provide an interactive tool available to all ranges and the program office to provide a host of information such as, requisitions ordering and status, obtain CDRLs and other program information as needed.

9. Does the government own rights to all IRSP historical records and data files? Would the incumbent contractor be required to provide all data sources to the new contractor to ensure uninterrupted IRSP support?

Answer:

No – when the contract was first transitioned from the OEM all documentation was retained by the OEM as proprietary. However the incumbent would be required to provide all government owned data.

10. Will the contract be released as a Supply Contract or a Services Contract? We would recommend it be a supply because we understand that the majority of the value is in the materials.

Answer:

It currently is and has been for the life of the program a Supply contract, and no change is anticipated

11. Is the contract incrementally funded or fully funded?

Answer:

Historically it is incrementally funded

12. Will you be posting the list of companies and the sign in sheet from today?

Answer:

Yes

13. Why are you recompeting this contract early?

Answer:

Due to the growth of the program it was determined to do an early acquisition

14. Do you see this being a 10 year contract?

Answer:

No, but contract length has not yet been determined

15. Will the government be paying to relocate the depot from Fort Beach to a new location if the contract is not awarded to the incumbent?

Answer:

This cost would be included in the contractor’s proposed phase in cost, but will not be an evaluated cost.

16. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, but they will research and reply back Questions

1. Will this be a 5 year Period of Performance?

Answer:

We do not know yet it is too early in the process

2. Do you know if it is going to be LPTA or PPT?

Answer:

This has not been determined at this time

3. Would you be open to bringing in more customers?

Answer:

Yes, however we have to be mindful of the contract ceiling

4. Has your customers fluctuated?

Answer:

Customers has and will fluctuate throughout the duration of a contract

5. Would there be any OCI?

Answer:

More information will be provided via a Request for Information

6. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

Yes, mostly services, but did have supply. Recommended contact Mr. Randy Smith, AFTAC for more information on the Mobile Sensors IDIQ contract.

Questions

1. What evaluation approach does 45CONS intend to use for the upcoming IRSP solicitation? The previous solicitation used a Past Performance Price Trade-Off (PPT) format. We would encourage 45CONS to use an approach that allows full trade-off among all criteria, as we believe this will maximize competition for this opportunity.

Answer:

This has not yet been determined

2. The J&A for raising the ceiling of the current IRSP contract mentions the possibility that other programs/systems/requirements may be added to the upcoming contract. Can 45CONS provide insight on the potential requirements to be added? What is the anticipated timeframe for confirming the systems to be included in the upcoming contract?

Answer:

It has been determined the type of systems will remain unchanged and will include instrumentation tracking systems (radars, telemetry, and optical). The number of ranges and supported systems will fluctuate throughout the duration of the contract

3. We understand that the current main depot site for IRSP is provided and operated by the current contractor BAE Systems, and therefore a full site visit is unlikely due to BAE’s proprietary information concerns. How does 45CONS plan to address this competitive disparity?

Answer:

A video of the depot was shown during industry day.

4. What will be the Small Business participation requirements for the upcoming solicitation? What are they on the current contract?

Answer:

Not yet determined for the new acquisition; the current contract does have a required percentage of 15 %

5. Will there be any PPP requirements in the upcoming contract? Are there any on the current contract?

Answer:

We currently do not have any and none are anticipated for the new acquisition

6. What are the requirements for personnel?

Answer:

This will be in the acquisition strategy. You will be provided the PWS where you will tell us how you will meet the requirements.

7. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

Company will research and reply

8. Request government clarify statement made in general session, “starting this effort early as to not have what happened last time?

Answer:

The government doesn’t want to get into another J&A situation. The government wants a well thought out contract to support growth potential.

9. Will there be a transition plan in the proposal?

Answer:

This is required, but the cost of transition will not be evaluated

10. What are the government’s thoughts on evaluating risk?

Answer:

This will be determined once the acquisition strategy is completed

11. Are there any associate agreements?

Answer:

Not on IRSP. There is no need as IRSP is an augmentation program. It’s up to the range to know what they have.

12. Will we have access to the current web site?

Answer:

No. Contractor needs to provide an interactive tool that all ranges can submit requisitions, get status of parts, etc. and that all ranges and the program office can have access to view.

13. Does all ordering happen through web site?

Answer:

No, however it is the preferred method. Requests can also come through email or by phone.

14. If the range calls in a request, does it come to the government or contractor?

Answer:

Direct to the Contractor if it is a requisition or part of co-op requirements put on contract at the beginning of FY otherwise to the government

15. How confident are we in the schedule?

Answer:

We have enough room to execute and stay on schedule.

16. Is the government open to additional meetings?

Answer:

Yes, however after end of year.

Questions

1. Do you foresee any structural changes to the contract?

Answer:

There may be a change in contract type but this hasn’t been determined yet

2. Do you envision any changes to the location or structure of the Program Office?

Answer:

No

3. What are the most significant challenges of the current contract?

Answer:

Funding constraints, obsolescence issues, and communications between all parties, government, contractor, and ranges

4. What are your biggest concerns going forward?

Answer:

Funding uncertainty

5. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, but they would research and get back to Questions

1. Since IRSP is funded by the participating agencies, what is the funding forecast for the next IRSP period of performance?

Answer:

Unknown

2. With the higher unemployment of skilled labor and excess warehouse space in the Cape Canaveral area due to the NASA cuts, is movement of operations from Ft Walton Beach to Cape Canaveral still viewed as high risk as it was during the previous re-complete?

Answer:

After a review of risk from the previous re-compete, location of the warehouse was not a risk it was the custody care and movement of the property to prevent damage or loss of government equipment. As mentioned during Industry day the warehouse location will be in a facility provided by the contractor that successfully gets the award.

3. How do you see sequestration affecting IRSP?

Answer:

Sequestration for FY 13 is over and there has been no impact to our schedule, however it is unknown for FY 14.

4. We have seen evidence of poor inventory management in the past. How has this affected IRSP response during the current contract?

Answer:

We have no evidence of poor inventory management

5. Based on the component repair facility composition (type and quantity of equipment), we can see that component repair is not staying current with the equipment in use, probably resulting in increased vendor repairs, higher costs, and longer turn-around times. How high does this problem rank with the IRSP government PM and is the PM open to investing in organic repair growth if the ROI shows quick recovery of investment?

Answer:

We have not seen deterioration in component repair; however the government is always interested in innovative ways to control costs. Any investment would have to be approved and cost-shared by the program stakeholders, since the only funding this program receives is from the stakeholders participating in the program.

6. What do you see as the highest risks on this program? Are they still the same as what they were during the last competition?

Answer:

One of the greatest risks is the transition of the 1.4 million government owed parts to ensure they are properly accounted for and no damage is incurred.

7. We asked what Mr Mehu meant at the beginning of the Industry Day when he stated that the Govt is starting this competition early “so that what happened last doesn’t happen again.”

Answer:

The government doesn’t want to get into another J&A situation. The government wants a well thought out contract to support growth potential.

8. Is there any software to manage on this program?

Answer:

No. There will be software that ranges will need assistance with, but configuration management is not part of this contract that is the ranges responsibility. There is a requirement is to provide an interactive tool available to all ranges and the program office to provide a host of information such as, requisitions ordering and status, obtain CDRLs and other program information as needed.

9. How does this program address configuration management? Does IRSP manage the configuration or is that an individual Range requirement?

Answer:

No. That is an Individual Range requirement

10. Are there any requirements to manage IA (Information Assurance) on this program or is that an individual Range responsibility?

Answer:

No. That is an Individual Range requirement

11. Is there a long range refresh/overhaul schedule for the various components which fall under this program already in place?

Answer:

No overhaul frequency varies according each agency’s determination as well as their funding constraints

12. Why is this program being competed early? Stated award date is Oct 2015, but existing contract has options for an additional 2 years.

Answer:

Due to the growth of the program it was determined to do an early acquisition

13. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, but we’ll look into it and get back to you Questions

1. Would consideration be given to moving the warehouse?

Answer:

The warehouse goes with the contractor it will be a contractor furnished facility

2. Would you be open to an Automated Warehouse i.e. Automated forklifts etc.

Answer: Yes, government is always interested in innovative ways to control costs. Any investment would have to be approved and cost-shared by the program stakeholders, since the only funding this program receives is from customers’ participating in the program.

3. Are there mixed contract types?

Answer:

Yes it currently is a hybrid, there could be some changes to CLINs but it is still expected to be a hybrid

4. Will there be reparable and disposable type of items?

Answer:

Yes

5. Is on this contract PPP?

Answer:

We currently do not have any PPP requirements

6. Will the types of systems be posted?

Answer:

Yes in the RFP

7. Do you have Government item managers?

Answer:

Contractor is responsible to manage the stock

8. How long is the phase in period?

Answer:

Typically it has been three months, but this will be posted in the RFP.

9. Will there be maintenance and supply scenarios posted in the RFP?

Answer:

No, but there will be a sample modification.

10. Do you require onsite maintenance on each site?

Answer:

Most engineering support is typically performed on-site. However the program does not require the contractor to maintain personnel on-site with the exception of the one we currently require at White Sands Missile Range.

11. 45 CONS asked if they knew of any IDIQ contracts of this magnitude that were a supply IDIQ type

Answer:

No, but they will ask and let the government know