RFP_FA3002-17-R-0001_QUESTIONS__ANSWERS.pdf

FA3002-17-R-0001, Questions & Answers

15 November 2016

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PWS/RFP

REFERENCE

Answered &

Posted

1 Q: 3.2.2 of Section M and 3.4.2 of Section L state a staffing requirement for at least one of each AFSC (PJ, CRO, CCT, STO, SOWT, TACP, 13L, EOD, SERE). However in the

Background of the PWS it states “..the purpose of this contract is for the contractor to provide at least one subject matter expert in each of the

SO/CS career fields to deliver the necessary professional and technical level of experience to effectively develop candidates physically and mentally to meet increased AF SO/CS requirements. Special Operations is considered the Pararescue (PJ)/Combat Rescue Officer

(CRO), Combat Control (CCT)/Special Tactics

Officer (STO), Special Operations Weather

(SOWT), and Tactical Air Control Party

(TACP)/Air Liaison Officer (13L) career fields.

Combat Support is considered the Explosive

Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD) and

Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape

(SERE) career fields”. Sections L and M clearly indicate that one of each of the career fields is required, while the PWS version of this requirement indicates that CCT or STO, PJ or

CRO, and TACP or 13L, would meet the requirement. Which is the valid requirement for this effort?

A: Per Amendment 01, PWS Para 5.7, Section L

Para 3.4.2, and Section M Para 3.2.2. have been revised to reflect the requirement for at least one experienced SO/CS personnel in either CCT or

STO, PJ or CRO, and TACP or 13L.

PWS Para. 5.7, RFP Section L

Para. 3.4.2, and

RFP Section M

Para. 3.2.2

15 Nov 16

2 Q: 1.2.3.3 of Section L provides a list of material that will not count against the page limit count for the Technical Volume. However the required list of ‘Testing Locations’ does not appear on this list. Will the Government allow for this list to be placed in an appendix and not count against page limit totals?

RFP Section L

Para. 1.2.3.3

15 Nov 16

A: Per Amendment 01, Section L Para 1.2.3.3.

has been revised to exclude the list of testing locations from the page limit.

3 Q: Section 5.1.2 of the PWS states American

Heart Association (AHA) CPR/First Aid

Certification is a personnel qualification requirement for all CDSS Developers. Will

American Red Cross Certification also satisfy this requirement?

A: Yes. PWS Para. 5.1.2. has been revised per

Amendment 01.

PWS Para.

5.1.2

15 Nov 16

4 Q: 2.5.1.4.1: Includes discussion of "basic water survival skills". Would it be possible to define that requirement? Does that include underwaters, knot tying, drown-proofing, mask, tank treading, and snorkel recovery, etc.

A: It can include the tasks listed above except for tank treading. Instead of just snorkel recovery, it could also includes all (available) equipment recovery, inspection, and re-donning.

PWS Para

2.5.1.4.1

5 Is this a new requirement?

This is a follow on to

Contract No. FA3002-15-C-0015.

6 Who is the incumbent contractor?

T3I, Inc.

7 What is the incumbent contract Period of

Performance?

29 Sep 15 – 28 Mar 17

8 What is the incumbent contract annual and total value?

While this is a follow on to an existing contract, the requirements have changed.

22 November 2016

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PWS/RFP

REFERENCE

Answered

& Posted

9 Q: Is the creation or sustainment of an “on-line web-based tool” government funded? If YES, where is the cost recorded in the pricing table for this capability?

A: The use of an “on-line web-based tool” is not a requirement. Whether or not an offeror intends to use one, the requirements of Service Summary

Objective 1 at PWS Paragraph 3 must be met.

Q: If the creation or sustainment of an “on-line web-based tool” is NOT government funded, what delivery method is to be used for tracking, and reporting the status of a candidate’s progress? (i.e.

email, spreadsheets, etc.)

A: There is no specific format directed, but the expectation is a format that is easy to understand and gives AFRS and HQ 2 AF a quick understanding of the status of the candidate

(PAST scores, comments from developer, and recommended EAD timeframe).

Q: If the creation or sustainment of an “on-line web-based tool” is NOT government funded, what method is to be used to store, share and protect documents critical to the success of the program?

A: The contractor will be responsible for storing, sharing and protecting documents, while also ensuring Service Summary objectives are met.

PWS Para. 1.1.5 30 Nov 16

10 Q: We request the Government change PWS 1.2 and PWS 1.2.1 to remove the word

“approximately” and replace it with “a maximum of” since this is a firm fixed price contract. If unable to change “approximately”, we request the

Government change the contract type to a Cost

Plus Fixed Fee for the undefined “approximately” requirement “.

A: This estimate is based on historical workload.

The contractor should propose enough manpower

PWS Para. 1.2, PWS Para. 1.2.1, & RFP Page 23

30 Nov 16 to adequately meet the requirements of the contract.

11 Q: Reference PWS 1.2, 1.2.1 and 4.4. Please provide the historical work load information

(numbers of students monthly/annually and the number of PAST test performed monthly/annually at each performance location noted in PWS 4.4.

What is the failure rate by location?

A: Data was not maintained by location;

however, from 1 Jan 16 to 14 Nov 16, a total of

6,117 PASTs were completed, of those PASTs completed, 3,241 were failures.

PWS Para. 1.2, PWS Para. 1.2.1, & PWS Para. 4.4

30 Nov 16

12 Q: In order to properly bid mobilization training and certification cost, it is necessary to know the number of incumbent personnel. How many qualified personnel currently support this task and the status of their certifications?

A: The Contractor should propose to the requirements of the contract. The follow on has multiple changes from the current contract.

PWS Para. 2.1 30 Nov 16

13 Q: To avoid duplicating the Government costs for the labor force and allow for a clean transition of personnel, can the Government amend PWS 2.2.3 to state, “at the end of the Mobilization period” instead of, “within 30 calendar days after contract award.”

A: The requirement will remain within 30 calendar days after contract award to ensure that performance begins on the designated start date.

PWS Para. 2.2.3 30 Nov 16

14 Q: Is travel to JBSA for training on administration of the PAST and the proper guidance, procedures, and techniques expected from Field and Wing

Developers funded under the travel CLIN or is it funded by the contractor?

A: Travel to JBSA for training will be funded by the Government under the Travel CLIN.

PWS Para. 2.2.4 30 Nov 16

15 Q: In order to effectively develop physical training plans for use by wing developers, will the

Government provide the course design and curriculum for each career field? If not, contractor’s plans may not be synchronized with the foundational elements and therefore counterproductive to the fitness and/or recovery of each candidate.

A: Course training plans and curriculum and timelines between courses (also broken down by

AFSC) will be provided to the Wing Developers to synchronize foundational elements and develop lesson plans IAW PWS Para. 2.2.5.4.

PWS Para. 2.2.5 30 Nov 16

16 Q: In order to synchronize lesson plans with the foundational elements of the fitness and/or recovery requirements of each candidate; will the government provide the course design and curriculum for each career field?

A: Course training plans and curriculum and timelines between courses (also broken down by

AFSC) will be provided to the wing developers to synchronize foundational elements and develop lesson plans IAW PWS Para. 2.2.5.4.

PWS Para. 2.2.5 30 Nov 16

17 In order to accurately assess costs required to build lesson plans it is important to understand how much time is available in the current training schedule at each location. In the PWS it states

“the order and the amount of training on each subject area must adhere to the Government provided guidance, procedures, and techniques.”

Q: Will this information be provided prior to proposal submittal?

A: Further guidance, procedures, and techniques will not be provided prior to proposal submittal, this data will be provided after contract award.

Q: Can you be more specific identifying each lesson areas required?

A: Lesson areas will include, but are not limited to, physical training and mentoring to contain water confidence development, cardiovascular development, strength and conditioning

PWS Para. 2.2.5.4 30 Nov 16 development. As well as safety and proper techniques for physical training, SO/CS career field knowledge for each Air Force Specialty

Code (AFSC) and guidance on proper diet/nutrition, flexibility, and recovery.

Q: How much time will be allotted for each lesson area?

A: Times will be correlated with each level of training/course completed by current student population, flexible enough to support the multi-faceted training requirements, while also insuring a level of consistency throughout the training enterprise. To include but not limited to students awaiting training into any one of the 15 SO/CS major courses (multiple courses have the same entry and exit standards) and students out of training for medical reasons.

Q: If times allotted are different at the three Wing

Developer locations can you provide time allotted for each location?

A: See PWS Para 2.5.1.4.1, 2.5.1.4.2, and

2.5.1.4.3 for availability times. All times are subject to change.

Q: Will the Government provide the courseware for each career field?

A: Upon award of contact, courseware for each

AFSC will be provided by the Government.

18 Q: Who will be responsible for additional training costs and/or equipment required?

A: The Government will fund any additional training costs and provide any required equipment that results from Government directed changes through a modification. See PWS Para. 2.4.2.4.

Q: Given that the scope and frequency of these potential changes are undefined, will the

Government provide funding for these potential costs as a reimbursement?

A: See answer above.

Q: If the vendor is responsible for the cost of any

PWS Para. 2.4.2.3 30 Nov 16 additional training and/or equipment due to changes in PAST requirements, will the

Government provide guidance or historical data on the potential scope and frequency of changes that could affect bid pricing?

A: See answer above.

19 Q: Is the number provided based on a daily, monthly or annual basis?

A: Number provided is based on an average daily student number.

Q: What is the average daily student number?

A: Average daily student number per location:

Lackland AFB TX: ~ 150 to 200

Sheppard AFB TX: ~ 28-35

Keesler AFB MS: ~ 8-10

Q: Will military personnel be available to help meet instructor to student ratio requirements?

A: Military personnel will not be available.

Q: Can you provide the generally accepted AETC

MIR (student to instructor ratio) for water confidence, cardio training and strength and development training?

A: Per Amendment 02, PWS Para 2.5.1.4.1.1, 2.5.1.4.2.1, and 2.5.1.4.3.1 have been revised to reflect the generally accepted AETC MIR for each of the following events:

Water Confidence: Minimum instructor ratio for water skills training is 1 instructor per 8 students with a minimum of two instructors per event. One instructor will remain in an observer/safety status over-watching the events.

Surface Water Swimming Training: Minimum instructor ratio for water skills training is 1 instructor per 8 students with a minimum of two instructors per event.

Cardio Training: Minimum instructor ratio for

PWS 2.5.1.4.1,

PWS 2.5.1.4.2, &

PWS 2.5.1.4.3

cardio training is one instructor per 32 students.

Strength and Development Training: Minimum instructor ratio for strength training is two instructors per 16 students.

These ratios are subject to change as lesson plans are created and ORM (Operational Risk

Management) matrixes established.

20 Q: Please provide, by location, what facilities are currently being used to execute the PAST test.

A: Offeror is expected to propose an acceptable approach for securing locations in accordance with Section L Para. 3.3.1.

PWS Para. 4.4 30 Nov 16

21 Q: Does the Govt need to include the clause FAR

52.228-5, “Insurance – Work on a Government

Installation” in the RFP?

A: IAW FAR 28.310(a)(1), clause is not applicable due to only a small amount of work being performed on a Government installation.

PWS Para 6.18 30 Nov 16

22 Q: Request the removal of the reference to

“signed letters of agreement from suppliers/vendors/agencies summarizing buy/use/lease agreements” since it is not a requirement of the proposal for submission.

A: Per Amendment 02, Section L Para. 3.3.1 and

Section M Para. 3.1.1 have been revised to include the signed letters of agreement requirement.

Section L Para.

3.3.1, & Section L

Para. 1.2.3.3

23 The previous solicitation stated “Proposed prices must be based on applicable Service Contract Act

Labor Standard Wage Determination(s) (WDs)

IAW FAR 52.222-49. The offeror shall use www.wdol.gov to identify the WDs used in the

Price Volume. The Government will use this information as part of the Offeror’s proposal to evaluate price reasonableness, balance, and completeness”.

Q: If the previous awardee used a wage determination for price reasonableness, will the government provide this information to vendors http://www.wdol.gov/ for the purpose continuity with the incumbent work force?

A: Wage Determination was not used for price reasonableness.

Q: If the previous awarded contract was subject to the SCA, please provide a list of employees and their date of hire for developing vacation accrual / fringe rate.

A: This was a one-year contract with a start date of 29 Sep 15. Fringe rate is set based on Wage

Determination.

Q: The Government has provided neither a labor category or location to be used in establishing

Wage Determinations. The reference provided

(FAR 52.222-49) in the instructions to offerors, leaves the vendors at risk of under bidding based on the location selected without a means for price adjustment. Given the lowest price nature of this solicitation, will the Government provide a WD or location to be utilized for the purpose of this bid?

A: Per Amendment 02, Section L Para 4.1 has been revised to direct the offeror to the Wage

Determination (WD) list in RFP Attachment 4 for all locations of this requirement. The FAR reference has been revised to FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards. The offeror is responsible for providing labor classifications from the WD, if any, that will be used to perform the requirements of the PWS. If a labor classification considered necessary by the contractor for performance of the work is not listed on the applicable area wage determination, and after evaluation of proposals the offeror is considered the apparent awardee, the offeror must initiate a request for approval of an additional classification along with the proposed wage and benefit rates for that classification IAW the guidelines identified at http://www.wdol.gov/sca_confrmnce.aspx

Q: Are the Wage Determinations intended to be based on recruiting squadron locations provided in the PWS?

http://www.wdol.gov/sca_confrmnce.aspx

A: Yes.

24 Q: Will the Government pay for this initial expense (travel/lodging/etc.) as a set-aside from the contract and the contractor assumes financial responsibility for all follow-on or rehires? Or, do these TDY expenses come out of the contractor’s awarded costs?

A: These expenses will be funded by the

Government under the Travel CLIN.

PWS Para. 2.2.4 30 Nov 16

25 Q: Is the recruiter going to travel with the contractor to all PAST events within their

Recruiting Zone? If so, will the contractor be allowed to travel with the recruiter in their vehicle? With the breadth and depth of AF

Recruiter's responsibilities, will the Government be able to ensure recruiters will be available for all

PAST events? If not, is there a waiver process for this requirement or will the PAST be required to be rescheduled?

A: The recruiter and the contractor will not be allowed to travel in the same vehicle. A recruiter must be present for all PASTs. If a recruiter can not be present, the PAST will need to be rescheduled.

PWS Para. 2.4.2.2 30 Nov 16

26 Q: Will this training be part of the (3) day field and wing developer initial training provided by the Government? If not, will the contractor be bound to obtaining AT Level-1 training through

ADLS, or can the contractor obtain this training through other means such as the JKO website?

A: This training will be provided by the

Government.

PWS Para. 6.13 30 Nov 16

27 Q: Please confirm if IDMTs or civilian equivalents are required to be present at all PAST assessments as identified in the Example Risk

Assessment Worksheet in Attachment 8 of the

PWS?

PWS Attachment 8 30 Nov 16

A: Attachment 8 is a sample; only a recruiter must be present at the PAST.

28 Q: Please confirm whether the QCP pages, encompassed within Volume II (Subfactor 3), are counted in the (25 page) page count limitation?

A: The Quality Control Plan is not a part of the page count limitation.

Section L Para. 1.2

Section L Para.

1.2.3.3

30 Nov 16

29 The solicitation requires that vendors present a plan for certifying all employees as Personal

Trainers, with additional requirements for lifeguard and CPR certifications. The cost of these types of certifications vary, as does the cost of continuing education credit requirements, re-certification costs, and the amount of time that they take to accomplish.

Q: Will the Government provide the type of

Personal Training, Lifeguard, and CPR certifications that incumbent employees have obtained, along with their date of certification for the purpose of calculating Continuing Education requirements and recertification costs?

A: The Government will not provide a list of employees’ certifications. Contractors are responsible for securing and maintaining the manpower needed to perform the requirements of the PWS.

Section L Para.

1.1.5

30 Nov 16

8 December 2016

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PWS/RFP

REFERENCE

Answered

& Posted

Q: Since this language clearly gives the incumbent contractor an unfair advantage, will the

Government reconsider removing the requirement to have third party vendors sign agreements as a condition of the proposal? If not, will the

Government change the requirement to accept pricing brochures or other material that summarizes facilities costs?

Section L Para.

3.3.1 & Section M

Para. 3.1.1

8 Dec 16

A: Per Amendment 03, Section L Para 3.3.1 and

Section M Para 3.1.1 have been revised to remove the requirement for signed letters of agreement from suppliers/vendors/agencies summarizing buy/use/lease agreements.

12 December 2016

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PWS/RFP

REFERENCE

Answered

& Posted

Q: The offerer is expected to propose an acceptable approach for securing PAST locations and IAW CLIN 0005, the offerer is expected to provide costing estimates for training facilities to administer PAST Evaluations. Given this is an

FFP and LPTA acquisition, the incumbent is given an unfair pricing advantage. Please provide actual prices based on historical training facility use to administer PAST evaluations.

A: Each offeror’s approach for providing training locations may vary along with the cost for those facilities. Historical pricing for training facilities does not match the current requirement as the opportunity to use military training facilities as alternate locations was not available on the previous acquisition.

Section L 3.3.1

CLIN 0005

Q: Please clarify the required submittal products identified in Section-L, paragraph

1.2. Paragraph 1.2 states "One proposal shall

be marked "Original" and all others shall be marked "Copy". Please define all others?

A: Per the table in Section L 1.2 any hard copies other than the original shall be marked

“Copy”.

Section L 1.2 12 Dec 16