FA3002-14-R-0012_RFP_QA_12_Nov_14_Final.pdf

12 November 2014

SUBJECT: Questions for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) and Evasion and Conduct After Capture (ECAC) Instruction and Support, Solicitation Number: FA3002-14-R-

1. RFP, P75, Para L.3.2.5.1. states: “Demonstrate an approach that ensures instructors assigned to this contact complete a recognized academic instructor course listed in the AETCI 36-2604 Section 2.2, IAW PWS 5.7.” The AETCI reference, listed in Appendix E, refers exclusively to USAF instructor courses as well as Lear Siegler and SERE Solutions Inc., Instructor Development Program. The latter of, of course, is the incumbent’s course.

Questions:

a. May other military services’ Instructor Training Courses be used in lieu of those listed in Appendix E such as: The Army Basic Instructor Course, The Navy Instructor Training Course, the Joint Resistance Training Instructor Course, or other DoD approved Instructor Training Courses?

Ans: Yes, if these courses meet AETC instructional requirements and are approved by AETC/A3V (AETCI36-2604, Para 2.2.2).

b. Must all personnel have completed one of the approved instructor training courses (including one of the suggested other service school courses mentioned above) prior to the mobilization period, or will there be time during the mobilization period to complete the instructor training?

Ans: The proposed solutions will be evaluated IAW section M.4.1.2.2 The offeror clearly identified and demonstrated that employees will have the relevant training, experience and qualifications to effectively instruct and/or manage the services for which they will be responsible.

c. If there is time to complete a government Instructor Training Course during the mobilization period, is it available at FAFB and at LAFB, what is the cost to the new contractor for the course and who are the POCs to coordinate scheduling?

Ans: No – see 1. b.

d. We noticed the “Continuity of Services Clause”, FAR 52.237-3, exists for this solicitation.

Does it also apply to the incumbent contract? If so, will the incumbent make its Instructor Development Course available during the mobilization period for new instructors, and if so, how long is it and how much is the cost to the new contractor?

Ans: Yes. This clause applies to the current contract. No. The incumbent will not be required to provide a successor contractor access to their Instructor Development Course.

2. PWS, Para 6.6 states: “Contractors will use the same Academic Instructor Course, Academic Instructor School, or Instructor Methodology Course, as applicable, in conjunction with the contractor’s Training and Certification Plan to achieve the proficiency specified by this contract.”

Question: Please explain this statement. If Appendix E is a list of approved instructor courses why must contractors pick only one and have all instructors attend it?

Ans: AETC establishes the standards for instruction. Requirement is verbatim out of AETCI 36-2604 1.6. It does not mean that all instructors must attend the same course, but must attend an approved course.

3. RFP, P 75, Para 3.2.3.5. states: “Describe how the offeror plans to successfully locate and hire a minimum of two female instructors for the Resistance Training Lab throughout the life of the contract.” PWS, para 2.2.1 only discusses 2 female instructors under the S-V80-A course.

Question: Are we correct in assuming that the requirement for 2 female instructors for the Resistance Training Lab applies to just the S-V80-A course at Fairchild and not the S-V88-A course (ECAC) at Lackland?

Ans: Yes. The requirement for two female instructors is for S-V80-A course only.

4. RFP, Section L refers to Subfactors, but omitted any references to Factors.

Question: Shall we assume the Factors listed in Section M should be the same for Section L?

Ans: Yes. The factors and subfactors listed in Section M correspond to Section L (Price, Technical and Past Performance).

5. RFP, P46, Para 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity, states” This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.”

Question: Please help us understand why this contract is listed as an IDIQ contract, while it also is listed as a contract with a Base period and 4 Option periods. Does the IDIQ designation have any practical effect different from a contract with a Base and Option periods?

Ans: The contract will be for a base year (including mobilization) and four option periods.

The IDIQ contract allows the government the flexibility to order varying quantities based on the needs of the Government as identified in the solicitation.

6. PWS, Para 5.10. “The contractor shall provide appropriate role-playing costumes for each of the three captivity environments.”

Questions:

a. Understand the 3 environments are hostage detention, peacetime government detention and wartime detention. However, can the Government clarify what country or scenario for each of these detention situations it desires so that our personnel wear the correct costume?

Ans: The costumes are not country specific.

b. Also, the Government answer to this question during the sources sought indicated the Government would change the scenarios infrequently. Could you please clarify “infrequently?”

Does that mean twice/year, every other year, etc? Clearly this is important for contractor costing purposes.

Ans: There is no specific timeline when changes occur.

7. There appears to be a conflict between the PWS and the RFP regarding who needs security clearances. PWS, Para 7.2. is unclear on how many personnel require clearances. It states: “The contractor shall request personnel security clearances, at the company’s expense, for employees requiring access to classified information within 15 days after receiving a facility clearance or, if the contractor is already cleared, within 15 days after service award. Due to costs involved with security investigations, requests for personnel security clearances shall be kept to the minimum amount employees required to perform contract requirements.” However, RFP page 75, paragraph L.3.2.3.3 states, “all employees performing services on this contract possess a current SECRET clearance prior to performing services and the contractor possesses a current facility clearance IAW PWS 6.4 and 7.1.”

Question: Which contractor personnel require secret clearances?

Ans: All Contractor employees require a secret clearance.

8. PWS, Para 5.1.4 states in part: “Contractor personnel will be expected to work 40 hour weeks when in garrison and 80 hour work weeks when in support of field operations.”

Question: Given this is a Service Contract Act contract and the instructor positions are non-exempt (from the 40 hour work week), can you explain how we can comply with the Department of Labor law that requires these non-exempt personnel not exceed 40 hours of work in a 7 days period without overtime, or do you have convincing determination that these personnel are exempt? If so, could you provide it? If not, and given only 200 hours max annual overtime currently listed in the CLIN structure, how can we abide by the requirement that personnel work 80 hours/week?

Ans: They are not exempt. This is not considered Government directed overtime, and is therefore not covered under the overtime CLIN. Any overtime that is not Government directed that a contractor feels necessary to include in a proposal should be priced accordingly and built into the firm fixed-price CLIN covering that position.

9. The very short Mobilization period will require most new personnel to be available on 1 Sep

15. Some will have to provide two weeks’ notice to current employers. Some will have to relocate. Some will have to do both.

Question: How soon will the contract be awarded prior to mobilization?

Ans: The contract will be awarded at the conclusion of evaluations and after an award decision has been made by the SSA.

10. PWS, Para 2 states: “The contractor shall provide personnel to conduct and support S-V80- A SERE training at FAFB and associated SERE School Remote Training Sites located in Washington, Idaho and Texas.”

Question: Where is the Remote Training Site in Texas and how does relate to the S-V80-A Course?

Ans: The remote site is at Camp Bullis, and refers only to course S-V88-A.

11. PWS, Para 2.2.1 states: “The contractor shall provide appropriate role-playing costumes for each of the three captivity environments.” PWS Appendix D states, “The table below represents the equipment the contractor personnel must be equipped with prior to duty.”

Question: Will the government provide storage capability for contractor-furnished costumes and equipment?

Ans: A very minimum amount of storage is necessary. Typically, instructors bring the equipment in a gym bag or similar fashion.

12. PWS, Para 7.18.1 uses the term “RAPper.”

Question: What is a RAPper?

Ans: Recruiter Assistance Program participants

13. PWS, Appendix C provides the following link for accessing electronic publications:

http://afpubs.hq.af.mil/. The link does not work.

Question: What is the correct link to access the publications listed in the chart?

Ans: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/

14. PWS, Appendix C. AFI 33-204 is superseded and unavailable. A search by title does not produce the new AFI.

Question: What AFI replaced AFI 33-204?

http://afpubs.hq.af.mil/

Ans: AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 33-200

15. RFP, p 70, Table 1.2 asterisked comment states in part: “The page count does not include the transmittal letter … position qualifications or staffing/manpower matrix...” Additionally, RFP, P 75, Para L.3.2.4.2. states: “Identify and demonstrate that employees shall have the training, experience and qualifications to instruct and/or manage the services for which they will be responsible, IAW PWS 2.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6 and 6.7.” These two references imply that the Government expects a staffing matrix ostensibly listing proposed personnel with their qualifications and experience related to the PWS paragraphs indicated.

Questions:

a. Does the Government expect a staffing matrix with the names of all proposed personnel we have recruited as of proposal submission with their qualifications and experience?

Ans: No. The Government does not expect the names of proposed personnel to be included in the staffing matrix.

b. Given the significant time frame between the proposal due date and contract start date, does the Government expect all of the same proposed personnel to be available at contract start or will suitable replacements suffice?

Ans: N/A – see answer to 15. a.

16. RFP, P 71, Para L.1.2.2., states in part: “Binding and Labeling: All hard copies (other than the Original) proposal volumes shall be submitted in separate three-ring binders. The Original unbound proposal shall also include a standard (3 inch spaced) two-hole punch applied to the top center of each page when viewed in portrait orientation (for Government filing).

Question: Just to be clear, does the Government want the Original to be packaged the same as the “Copies” with the addition of adding a 3 inch spaced, two-hole punch applied to the center of the top of the page?

Ans: No. The original unbound proposal is not required to be in a three ring binder.

17. PWS, Para 6.7. states: “Vehicle Operations: DoD contractor employees assigned to operate either Government owned/leased equipment in the performance of their contract shall be certified, by the contractor and at the contractor’s expense, as being fully qualified to operate the vehicles/equipment to which they are assigned. The prime contractor shall document all operator qualifications.”

Questions:

a. Can you clarify which vehicles and items of equipment require contractor operators?

Ans: All vehicles require a license and Government Vehicle Operator Identification Card.

The Tucker Sno-Cat and All-Terrain Vehicles require specialized training that will have to be completed by the Contractor.

b. Also, please indicate the elements (e.g., Field Training, RTL, etc.) within the contractor SERE team at FAFB and at LAFB that need to operate each vehicle type and piece of equipment and how many people in each element must be trained on each?

Ans: Any contractor who is going to need to operate a vehicle will need the Identification Card. Most if not all Field Trainers will need to be certified for special use vehicles (Tucker and ATVs).

18. PWS, 10, Para 5.11 deals with Travel.

Question: For S-V80-A, are contractor Field Training instructors entitled to TDY/per Diem while in the field? If so, must the contractor submit estimated TDY costs to the Government for approval prior to each field trip?

Ans: No. Any TDY/per diem deemed appropriate for the Field Trainers should be priced accordingly and built into the firm fixed-price CLIN covering that position.

19. RFP, P71, Para states in part: “Each page shall be counted except the following: transmittal letter, cover pages, tab-divider pages, title pages, table of contents, lists of tables and drawings, glossary of acronyms, cross reference matrix, position qualifications or staffing/manpower matrix, blank pages and exceptions listed in L.1.2.6.3.” P71, Para L1.2.6.3. states” The page limit for the required Quality Control Plan and the Training and Certification Plan, Volume 2 – Technical Proposal (Factor 2), is unlimited and will not count against the limit expressed in paragraph L.1.2. table for Volume 2, Technical Proposal (which states 50 pages).” P75, Para L.3.2.4., Subfactor 2-Staffing Strategy, states in part: “This Subfactor assesses the offeror’s approach for structuring and staffing personnel to effectively accomplish the services under this contract. The Training Certification and Management Plan submitted in response to this Subfactor shall address management of instructional services. This plan shall become part of the awarded contract.”

Question: Given that the Training and Certification Plan makes up most of Subfactor 2, and the Quality Control Plan makes up Subfactor3, are we correct in assuming that the 50 page Technical Volume limit applies to Subfactor 1 and perhaps some of Subfactor 2, if at all, and nothing else?

Ans: Proposal must be submitted IAW section L requirements.

20. RFP, P73, Para L.2.3.1. Responsibility Determination, states in part: “The offeror must provide complete financial statements for one fiscal year and year-to-date financial information through the last quarter available.” It also states: “If the offeror intends to rely on internally available working/operation capital, documentation of availability must be submitted.”

Questions:

a. Just to be clear, will “Profit and Loss” and “Balance Sheet” statements satisfy the required financial statements the Government needs?

Ans: Yes

b. Will the company’s latest monthly “Balance Sheet” suffice to meet the requirement for availability of working/operational capital, along with any required explanation?

Ans: Yes

21. Attachment 7, Past Performance Information Sheet (PPIS): Para 2 L asks for: a brief description of the past performance; , provide three lines for completion; and highlight portions most relevant. Para 5 provides detailed instructions on what to include in the past performance description.

Question: Is the offeror expected to provide a brief summary under Para 2L to include the most relevant portions and provide a more exhaustive explanation under para 5, or may the offeror simply state see Para 5 below for detailed explanation.

Ans: Yes. Provide the brief summary in Para 2L.

22. Attachment 7, Past Performance Information Sheet (PPIS): Para 6. Asks the offeror to describe the nature and portion of the work it will do on the proposed effort and whether it will be doing so as the prime or sub.

Questions:

a. Do you really want us to discuss in the PPIS what we will be doing on the proposed effort?

Ans: No. Disregard Para 6 of the PPIS – Amendment 1 will remove this from the PPIS.

b. Also, since it’s possible to have at least two PPISs each for the prime and subs, doesn’t it get confusing to have the same information spread out on different PPIS sheets. Unless the intent is different than what we are reading, may we suggest discussing work share between prime and subs in the pricing volume?

Ans: N/A – see 22. a.

23. RFP, P76, Para L.4.2.1. specifies how the Past Performance Volume should be organized into 8 sections. Section (3) is entitled “Specific Content” and it precedes section (4) “PPIS”.

However, in the detailed explanation of what is to be contained in each of these sections, the “Specific Content” paragraph, L.4.2.3.1, is a subparagraph of the PPIS paragraph, L.4.2.3. The implication is that the Specific Content is part of the PPIS, and thus the “Specific Content” section (3) should be eliminated as a stand-alone section in the Past Performance Volume organization and be made a part of the PPIS section instead. Further, the detailed directions in the “Specific Content” subparagraph require some of the same information as in the PPIS paragraph.

Question: Please clarify the Past Performance Volume Organization and just where the “Specific Content” discussion should be; i.e., included in the PPIS or in a separate section.

Ans: Specific content should be in a separate section IAW L.4.2.1.

24. For the S-V70-A Training Manager/Admin Support workload estimate provided in Appendix A: will government directed overtime be required? Will the government provide a separate CLIN line for the S-V70-A Training Manager/Admin Support or will this position be included in the ECAC Training Managers CLIN 0009 (for the base year)?

Ans: Government directed overtime does not apply to exempt employees.

CONS – S-V70-A Training Manger/Admin Support is included in the ECAC Training Manger CLIN 0009.

25. For CLIN 0012 Government Directed Overtime: does this apply to all employees or just certain CLINs? Can the government clarify?

Ans: Government directed overtime does not apply to exempt employees.

26. L.3.2.2: What information should be included in the Technical Volume (Volume II) Summary Page?

Ans: What is included in the summary page is a business decision for the offeror to decide.

27. L.3.2.4: In some parts of the RFP the term “Training and Certification Plan” are used while in other parts it references the “Training Certification and Management Plan.” Which is correct?

Ans: Training and Certification Plan – Amendment 1 should correct this.

28. Appendix A Workload Estimate for S-V80-A: the last weekly summary table states that the “Student Load BEQ/Per Class” is 70-90 students per class. This correlates to an annual BEQ of 3,728-4,320 students as indicated in the daily summary tables above it. However, Attachment 2 to the RFP (ELIN matrix) states that an annual BEQ of 3327-3727 students equates to 70-78 students per class and an annual BEQ of 3728-4320 students equates to 78-90 students per class.

Can you please clarify exactly what an annual BEQ of 3728-4320 students equates to in range of students per class?

Ans: The students per class for a BEQ range of 3728 – 4320 is 78-90 students. Amendment 1 will revise Appendix A.

29. Is there a certain student: instructor ratio the contractor must maintain at FAFB and LAFB? If this ratio is different for each section of the course (RT Lab, RT Academics, Field Training, Evasion Lab) please clarify.

Ans: Proposed manning will be evaluated IAW section M.

30. Please clarify the requirement & intended purpose for bidding to the “Lot” of Travel CLIN(s) (0011, 1011, 2011, 3011 & 4011) as listed under Section B – Supplies or Services and Prices.

Ans: The term “lot” is replacing what was formerly classified as “lump sum.” Contractors will not be required to bid to NTE cost CLINs.

31. Is the incumbent workforce subject to Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (WD)? If so, in which labor or service categories? If so, to which occupation code are they indexed?

Ans: See RFP Section I 52.222-42 and attachments 3 & 4 to the RFP.

32. Will personnel be able to start work with an interim Secret clearance pending a Secret clearance?

Ans: PWS 6.4 states “Interim clearances may be granted through DSS-OCC.”