RFP_Q&A_-_18_Aug_17.pdf

FA3002-17-R-0003, Questions & Answers

If you do not see your question answered here, please contact the POCs identified in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

12 Jun 17

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SON/RFQ

REFERENCE

Answered

& Posted

1 Q: Is the entire Past Performance volume due at this time or is the intent to have ALL applicable subcontractors/partners submit the PPI questionnaire

(L.4.3.5. attachment 4) to the Contracting Officer by this date?

A: Yes, the entire Past Performance Volume II is due and the due date has been extended to 6 Jul 17. See

Amendment 01

Section L, paragraph L.2.1.

15 Jun 17

2 Q: Please confirm that either the actual Past Performance

Volume II containing all other information, to be submitted with Volumes I, II, and IV by July 27th at 3:00 PM as an entire package or it is submitted only once in its entirety by the due date of 22 June 2017 as indicated within the chart at L.2.1.

A: The Past Performance Volume II due date is 6 Jul 17, see Amendment 01.

Volumes I, III, IV are due 27 Jul 17.

3 Q: Would all space purchasing for any advertising on transit be done through the selected marketing agency or does AFICA do any direct buys with sole source vendors?

A: All advertising as it relates to the recruitment of personnel interested in joining the Air Force would be done through this contract.

paragraph L.1. and

Section M paragraph M.2.

13 Jun 17

4 Q: Will the government consider extending the date for receiving past performance?

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: The Due Date for the Past Performance Volume has been extended to 6 Jul 17. See Amendment 01

5 Q: We noticed that there is not a due date for questions indicated in the solicitation documents. Does the government have a cutoff date for when you will accept questions?

A: Section L paragraph L.1.5. has been revised to read as the following: “Questions and requests for clarification shall be done in writing via email only no later than 18 July

2017.”

See Amendment 01

Section L paragraph

L.1.5.

6 Q: Please clarify the verbiage and reference to DOL in

Section L paragraph L.1.

A: The Department of Labor verbiage will apply if the

Offeror chooses to utilize a Labor category that falls under the Service Contract Act. If the Offeror choose not to utilize such Labor then all option periods will suffice to be the Government's evaluation of prices under the extension of services.

L.1.

7 Q: Is the following an administrative error on Section L, Attachment 8:

Summary tab, row 5 verbiage across top shows through

Base year 5, but Base period is 4-years, per verbiage in

Exhibit L.

Summary tab, row 5 verbiage across top shows Options as being 2 then 3, whereas verbiage in Exhibit L, shows 4-year base, 3-year option, then 2.5 year option.

Note, tabs within the excel other than “summary” appear to show all correct identifications

Attachment 8 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: The contract period of performance will include a base ordering period of 4-years. Two option ordering periods, if executed, will consist of a 3-year ordering period and a 2.5-year ordering period. The clerical error in Section L

Attachment 8 has been corrected.

See Amendment 01.

14 Jun 17

8 Q: We assume that in order to award Subfactor 3, Subfactor 1, or key components of Subfactor 1 would have had to already be awarded. Please confirm that Subfactor 3 cannot be awarded without Subfactor 1.

A: Subfactors are utilized to evaluate proposals and will not be awarded.

M.3.3. and M.3.4.

9 Q: Is it correct to assume that the sample task “Using

Technology and “Big Data” to Target Specific Market

Segments” (Subfactor 3) would be a separately functioning task order and should only contain “added support costs” that would be over and above any existing proposed

“operations support” already identified within Subfactor 1, Strategic Plans? Or should the sample task stand fully on its own in both technical and cost aspects, thus contain costs for any associated high level support as well? Our clarification is to ensure we do not double up any labor associated with normal contract operations and only propose labor needed in addition to related high level support.

A: Each subfactor will be evaluated separately.

M.3.3. and M.3.4.

10 Q: With respect to the Big Data Sample TO, is the

Government expecting a $10M cost proposal from all offerors (e.g. a Design-to-Cost approach) or is it the intent that each offeror develops a cost commensurate with its proposed solution even if that's less than $10M?

21 Jun 17 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: It is the Government’s expectation that each offeror will develop an approach and cost commensurate with its solution that will maximize the $10M budget.

11 Q: Are the $75M and $40M strategic plan campaigns representative of a one-time campaign value or an annual campaign value? In other words in Section L Attachment 6 would the TEP be $40M total or $380M total ($40M * 9.5 years). Section L, Attachment 1 5.0 Cost Estimate describes these as "annual budget" figures, but Section L, Attachment 8 Instructions identify the strategic plan as

"separate from the reoccurring task orders" on the contract.

A: The $75M and $40M budgets are for evaluation purposes only. It is not the Government’s intent that these task orders become automatic reoccurring task orders after contract award.

Attachment 1 paragraph 5.0. and

Instructions Tab

12 Q: Are offerors to provide cost proposals for both a $75M and $40M campaign, or only a $40M campaign? Section L

Attachment 1 indicates that a cost estimate is required for both, but there's only one cost model provided for the strategic plan and Section L Attachment 8 Instructions reference only providing a model for the $40M campaign.

A: Offerors are to provide cost proposals for both the

$75M and $40M campaigns. The cost model is to be replicated for both amounts. Section L paragraph L.5.8.

and Section L, Attachment 8 have been revised to reflect the requirement for both.

See Solicitation Amendment 02 paragraph L.5.8.

13 Q: Per Note 4 in Attachment 7 there is no exclusion listed for the application of a fixed fee on non-equipment purchases. Can the Government please confirm that Fixed

Fee is allowed on top of other ODCs and materials

(excluding equipment)?

Attachment 7

Note 4 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: Fixed Fee is excluded only on the items in Note 4 of

Attachment 7. All other allowable costs shall be proposed in accordance with each Offeror’s cost accounting system and standard business practices.

14 Q: Column E, Historical Total Hours Per Year, sums up the hours by labor category included in all years of the contract excluding the 'Opt 2 (6) Month' period. Can the

Government please confirm this is a formula error and the hours from that tab should roll up into the Summary, and if so will a new template be provided?

A: Formula has been corrected, see Solicitation

Amendment 01.

15 Q: Can the Government please confirm that adherence to the Service Contract Act is a contract clause applicable to this solicitation?

A: The Service Contract Act will be applicable if the

Offeror chooses to utilize any Labor category that falls under the Service Contract Act.

16 Q: Can the Government please clarify the "Conformed to:" column of the 'Summary' tab as it relates to the title of

"Housing Referral Assistant"? We fail to see the relevance of that SCA category to any of the Contract Labor

Categories.

A: The error has been corrected. See Solicitation

Amendment 02.

17 Q: Please provide the Department of Labor Wage

Determination schedule for the location(s) applicable to this solicitation.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: It is the Government's expectation that advertising as a part of this effort will be a nation-wide campaign and locations may vary. The Offeror will select the locations that are applicable to the Offeror’s cost proposal.

18 Q: Is Section B required to be completed and submitted as part of the Volume III Cost/Price Proposal?

A: No.

19 Q: For CLIN 0003, Travel, since it isn't explicitly listed as an exclusion is G&A an allowable cost that can be applied against direct Travel costs proposed?

A: Yes.

20 Q: Can the Government please confirm that the 38,982 annual hours identified in Section L Attachment 8 are completely independent of and unusable to support any labor required within the Strategic Plan and/or the Big Data

Sample TO?

A: The total hours in Section L Attachment 8 are 389,820 and have been provided based on historical data. Each

Offeror shall populate the cost models with the labor categories of their choice and in accordance with their technical approach.

21 Q: Can the Government please confirm that the reference to a Pre-award Survey in Section M.5.7 implies the SF-

1408 audit process from FAR 16.301-3 will be invoked?

A: Yes, see Section M paragraphs M.5.7. and M.5.8.

paragraphs M.5.7.

and M.5.8.

22 Q: The term "Financial Capability" implies a DCMA

"surveillance" review (not "audit") that can have up to 11 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

types of data reviewed (e.g. sales backlog, forecast breakout between Government and Commercial programs, etc.). Can the Government please provide more detail as to what the pre-award survey will be focused on; is it a

"surveillance" review or an "audit"?

A: If a pre-award survey is performed, it will be utilized to determine each Offeror’s financial capability to meet the requirements of this solicitation.

paragraph M.5.8.

23 Q: Is there a cutoff date for when the Government will no longer accept questions regarding the solicitation?

A: Section L paragraph L.1.5. has been revised to read as the following: “Questions and requests for clarification shall be done in writing via email only no later than 18 July

2017.”

See Amendment 01

24 Q: Does the Government have an expected date when it intends to have questions answered? Will questions be answered with responses posted all at once or as they come in?

A: After the Government has ensured that the questions have been answered completely the questions and answers will be posted to FedBizOpps promptly. In conjunction with Section L paragraph L.1.5., the questions and answers will be posted as they are received.

25 Q: Given that both the Strategic Plan and the Big Data

Sample TO pricing is dictated by the solicitation (e.g.

$75M or $40M and $10M respectively) can the

Government clarify how a Most Probable Cost assessment will impact the TEP of the offerors? In other words, since the TEP for all offerors will be the same in Attachments 6 and 7 are we to assume that the MPC is simply assessing the realism of the individual components that make of the paragraphs

M.5.5.2., M.5.5.3., and M.5.5.4.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

total price and that the end result for all bidders would still be an adjustment up to the prescribed dollar amount.

A: The MPC analysis will be performed as stated in

Section M, paragraphs M.5.5.2., M.5.5.3., and M.5.5.4.

15 Jun 17

26 Q: Section L paragraph L.5.22.1. $25,000,000 “anticipated costs”: We are assuming that this cost would be assessed to anticipated use of vendors for no more than the 4-year base period, as all other years are “options” and not guaranteed. Please clarify the time period covered by the

$25,000,000.

A: The $25M is for the 9.5 years of the contract, including option periods.

paragraph 5.22.1

27 Q: Section L paragraph L.5.22.1. $25,000,000 “anticipated costs”: In addition, we would assume that if we have any

“key” vendor service that we have already anticipated

“recompeting services” within that base period, we would annotate that in the proposal and not put them into the automatic assumption of use or “anticipated costs” as they would potentially be replaced. This is specifically key in many of our technology related areas, as new technology can often cause a shift in vendor alignment. Please clarify that this methodology is in accordance and thus some vendors may be exempt from this paragraph L.5.22.1.

A: “Anticipated costs” can only be based on what the

Offeror knows at the time the proposals are prepared. All

Offerors will need to comply with paragraph L.5.22.1.

Paragraph 5.22.1

28 Q: Section L paragraph L.5.22.1. $25,000,000 “anticipated costs”: We are also assuming that all costs related to purchase of “National Broadcast Media” would be exempt from this calculation as those potential vendors are in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

unknown and not selected until the actual time when a

“Client” approved campaign is authorized and media competition can occur, or not occur if directed to use specific channels/networks (NBC, CBS, History, ESPN, etc.). Please clarify that media vendors and cost are exempt from this paragraph L.5.22.1.

A: No, media vendors and costs are not exempt if the

Offeror anticipates joint venture partners, individual companies which comprise the proposed organization, and/or critical and key subcontractors as it pertains to

“National Broadcast Media”. “Anticipated costs” can only be based on what the Offeror knows at the time the proposals are prepared. All Offerors will need to comply with paragraph L.5.22.1.

Paragraph 5.22.1.

29 Q: Section L paragraph L.5.22.1. “for each company that makes up the Offeror”: We assume this sentence goes with the second sentence “If the Offeror is a combination” and is as such specific to an Offeror who is entering into either a Joint Venture or Partnership agreement, not an Offeror that is submitting a proposal with full responsibility to perform with “key” subcontractors. Please clarify if our assumption is correct, if it is not, please define Offeror in detail.

A: This information applies to the situation where the

Offeror is a combination of firms (including joint venture partners, individual companies which comprise the proposed organization, and/or critical and key subcontractors).

paragraph 5.22.1

16 Jun 17 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

30 Q: Are the power point slides required with the initial July

27th submission without notes pages? Or are they required in notes detail with the July 27th submission as well as a copy with notes pages NLT than the 4th of August with any updates for the oral presentation? Or do we only submit the power point slides on their own by the 4th of

August?

A: PowerPoint slides for the oral presentation will be printed using the PowerPoint notes page format and seven

(7) copies provided no later than 4 Aug 17.

paragraph L.3.6.

31 Q: Please confirm that all “media” to be presented must arrive with initial submission on July 27th.

A: If the Offeror chooses to present media (i.e. video), these files must also be provided with Technical/Risk

Volume I and on a separate CD/DVD in electronic format only. Volume I is due 27 Jul 17.

paragraphs L.2.1.

and L.3.6.

32 Q: May we re-confirm please the due date of the Past

Performance Requirement?

A: The entire Past Performance Volume II is due 6 Jul 17

(See Amendment 01).

33 Q: Does the verbiage found in L.4.3.3 “IAW the format contained in Attachment 3” mean that we can re-create

Attachment 3 and email to our clients so long as it adheres to the stipulations found in L.2.?

A: Each Offeror shall utilize Past Performance

Information Attachment 3 to complete and submit as part of their proposal (See Solicitation Amendment 02). Each contract or effort submitted must be limited to five (5) pages.

paragraph L.4.3.3.

20 Jun 17

34 Q: If these documents are sent to the five (5) references with the clear instructions to send these items via email directly to the Contracting Officer’s identified, what would we put in this section as we assume we are not to receive a copy of the completed questionnaire from our reference, correct? Please clarify what information is anticipated in paragraph L.4.3.5.

and Section L in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

the PPQ section (Cover letters to the references requesting they fill out and send questionnaire?) or if it should be deleted.

A: Completed PPQs shall be sent by the reference directly to the Government POC identified in the PPQ form (See

Section L paragraph L.4.3.5.). In addition, the completed questionnaire is not to be sent to the contractor (See

Section L Attachment 4 paragraph 2).

Attachment 4 paragraph 2.

35 Q: Please clarify what information is anticipated in the

PPQ section (Cover letters to the references requesting they fill out and send questionnaire?) or if it should be deleted.

A: The PPQ is a questionnaire that provides information regarding the Offeror’s past Performance. Specific information that is requested can be found in Section L

Attachment 4.

Section L paragraph L.4.3.5 and Attachment 4 paragraph 1; and

Section M paragraph M.4.1.

21 Jun 17

36 Q: Please clarify that this is a total of two (2) copies/per volume, thus a total of eight (8) CD’s to be submitted, two

(2) of which will come with the Volume II submission on

July 6, 2017.

A: That is correct. See Section L, Table L.2.1.

Section L, Table

L.2.1.

37 Q: Does the USAF prefer to have those copies boxed separately, or included with the original copy submission?

A: Please follow the instructions provided in Section L paragraphs L.2.2. and L.2.3.

paragraphs L.2.2.

and L.2.3.

38 Q: Knowing one original copy will be provided for each volume and subsection, please confirm that our assessment below agrees with your calculation of Total Binders to be provided:

Volume I - Technical Risk (7):

1. Subfactor 1 – Strategic Plan (7)

2. Subfactor 2 - Management Plan (7)

3. Subfactor 3 -- Sample Task (7)

4. Subfactor 4 – Business Practices/processes (7)

Volume II - Past Performance (5)

Volume III – Cost/Price (3)

Solicitation

Amendment 01

Section L, Table

L.2.1. and paragraph L.2.3.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

Volume IV – Small Business Participation (2)

Total Binders = 45

A: The number of hard copies for each volume can be found in Solicitation Amendment 01 Section L Table L.2.1.

and paragraph L.2.3.

39 Q: Can companies from Outside the USA apply for this?

A: Yes, as long as the company adequately addresses their technical solution for meeting or exceeding the

Government’s minimum performance or capability requirements for each technical subfactor and the mitigation of risk associated with their proposed technical solution.

Additionally, the proposal shall include details on specific locations, departments, and disciplines for both the Offeror and the proposed subcontractors/ teaming partners; the personnel positions to be staffed within those departments/disciplines (identify number of personnel and titles for each); and the estimated time dedicated to the Air

Force contract for each position.

Section L, paragraph L.3.3., L.3.5.

paragraph L.3.8.2.

40 Q: Does a company need to come over there (USA) for meetings?

A: Yes, travel in the US is probable for regular meetings with USAF, producing content on US Air Force facilities, overseeing weekly events, meeting with subcontractors, evaluating potential partnership properties, etc.

41 Q: Can we perform the tasks (related to RFP) outside the

USA? (like from India or Canada)

A: Yes, as long as the company adequately addresses their technical solution for meeting or exceeding the

Government’s minimum performance or capability requirements for each technical subfactor and the mitigation of risk associated with their proposed technical solution.

paragraph L.3.3., L.3.5.

paragraph L.3.8.2.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

Additionally, the proposal shall include details on specific locations, departments, and disciplines for both the Offeror and the proposed subcontractors/ teaming partners; the personnel positions to be staffed within those departments/disciplines (identify number of personnel and titles for each); and the estimated time dedicated to the Air

Force contract for each position.

42 Q: Can we submit the proposals via email?

A: No. Submit signed and dated offers to the office identified in paragraph L.2.2. at or before the exact date and time specified in this solicitation.

Section L, paragraphs L.1.4.

and L.2.2.

43 Q: Understanding that a contractor on its own cannot request a Cognizant Federal Agency Official (CFAO) to review its Disclosure Statement for adequacy and assuming said contractor does not already have a CAS-covered contract that requires a Disclosure Statement, can the

Government please confirm that a contractor in this position should submit its Disclosure Statement with its proposal and that the Government will trigger the adequacy review with the CFAO prior to awarding the contract?

A: Yes, all Offeror’s shall submit their Disclosure

Statements with their proposal and the Government will initiate the adequacy review. See Section L paragraph

L.5.21.

paragraph L.5.21.

44 Q: I'd like to inquire whether a contractor performed similar work to this for the government in the past. If so, could you provide the incumbent contract number?

A: FA3002-08-D-0019

29 Jun 17

45 Q: If you are unable to provide a contract number, is it safe to assume this is a new requirement for the government?

A: Please see answer to question 44.

46 Q: 52.216-11 Cost Contract – No Fee: The RFP clearly states the Government intends on awarding a Cost Plus

Clauses in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

Fixed Fee contract, we assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed.

Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its intended use as the FAR would appear to state it is not applicable.

A: Clause has been removed. See Solicitation Amendment

03.

47 Q: 52.243-1 Alt II Changes – Fixed-Price: The RFP clearly states the Government intends on awarding a Cost

Plus Fixed Fee contract, and this clause applies for fixed price contracts for supplies, we assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its intended use as the FAR would appear to state it is not applicable.

A: IAW FAR 43.205 (a)(1), If the requirement is for services, other than architect-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.

Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

48 Q: 52.245-2 Government Property Installation Operation

Services: This contract is not for a firm-fixed services contract, nor does not call for services to be supplied on the customers installation, we assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and

A: IAW FAR 45.107(b), Government Property

(Installation Operation Services), 52.245-2 is applicable in fixed-price service contracts to be performed on a

Government installation when Government furnished property will be provided for initial provisioning only and the Government is not responsible for repair or replacement. Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

49 Q: 52.245-5 (DEV) Government Property (Cost-

Reimbursement, Time-and-material, and Labor-Hour

Contracts) Deviation: The online FAR at both in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

acquisition.gov and farsite.hill.af.mil both show “reserved” and we find no verbiage in any section of the documents posted that show related deviation language. Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its use.

50 Q: 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies – Fixed Price: This contract is not for a fixed price supplies as described within

46.302 Fixed Price supply contracts, nor does it fit any of

the alternate options shown in the FAR for use. We assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its intended use as the

FAR would appear to state it is not applicable.

51 Q: 52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price: This contract is not for a fixed price supplies as described within

46.304 Fixed Price service contracts, nor does it fit any of

the alternate options shown in the FAR for use. We assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the

A: As prescribed in FAR 46.304, The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-4, Inspection of Services --

Fixed-Price, in solicitations and contracts for services, or supplies that involve the furnishing of services, when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The contracting officer may insert the clause in such solicitations and contracts when the contract amount is expected to be at or below the simplified acquisition threshold and inclusion is in the Government’s interest.

Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

52 Q: 52.246-16 Responsibility for Supplies: This contract is not for supplies or furnishing supplies as described within

46.316 Responsibility for Supplies, as a Cost Contract

environment will exist, not fixed price. We assume this in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its intended use as the FAR would appear to state it is not applicable.

A: As prescribed in FAR 46.316 (b), The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-16, Responsibility for Supplies, in solicitations and contracts for services involving the furnishing of supplies when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

53 Q: 52.249-1 Termination For Convenience Of The

Government (Fixed Price) (Short Form): This contract is not for a fixed price supplies as described within 49.502

(a)(1). We assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and confirm its intended use as the FAR would appear to state it is not applicable.

54 Q: 52.249-4 Termination For Convenience Of The

Government (Services) (Short Form): This contract is not for a fixed price services as described within 49.502 (c).

We assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the

A: As prescribed in FAR 49.502 (c), The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-4, Termination for

Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form), in solicitations and contracts for services, regardless of value, when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the

Contracting Officer determines that because of the kind of services required, the successful offeror will not incur substantial charges in preparation for and in carrying out the contract, and would, if terminated for the convenience of the Government, limit termination settlement charges to services rendered before the date of termination. Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

55 Q: 52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply & Service):

This contract is not for a fixed price supply & services as described within 49.504(a)(1). We assume this clause is an oversight with the automated clause logic and should be removed. Please clarify the intent of this clause and

A: As prescribed in FAR 49.504(a)(1), The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-8, Default (Fixed-

Price Supply and Service), in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. Contract may result in the issuance of task orders that fall within this definition.

23 Jun 17

56 Q: I did not see that it was a Total Small Business solicitation but it did mention a small business size standard in the verbiage. Is this a sole source for Total

Small Business award only?

A: This is a full and open competition. The business size standard is associated with NAICS code 541810.

57 Q: Question #12 addresses the need for Section L, Attachment 8, and multiple cost models. Please clarify/confirm whether this will need to be done for

Section L, Attachment 6 as well since there will be different costs associated with subcontracts and ODC’s in the two scenarios.

A: Attachment 6 shall be replicated for both Strategic

Plans IAW Section L paragraph L.5.8.

Attachment 6 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

58 Q: Question #36 addresses the need for Section L, Quantity of CD/DVD’s. Can the two CD/DVD’s contain different information, or are they to be exact copies of each other.

We ask as media can take up quite a bit of storage space due to needed resolution. Although it states two (2)

CD/DVD’s per volume – is it permissible to include

2CD/DVD’s per binder as they will contain information needed to be viewed by all evaluators.

A: 2 duplicate CD/DVD’s per Volume must be submitted

IAW Section L, Table L.2.1.

59 Q: Are storyboards to be submitted as single, full size 24 x

36 inch board or folded into 8.5 x 11?

L.2.1, L.3.7.2, L.3.9.6

A: Offeror shall present 24 X 36 inch storyboards IAW

Section L, paragraphs L.3.7.2. and L.3.9.6.

Section L, paragraphs L.3.7.2, L.3.9.6

60 Q: Will the government consider allowing Offerors to submit storyboards and PowerPoint slides at the conclusion of the oral presentation? Much of the impact of the proposed solution will be in the actual presentation of the content. Providing a limited view of the approach through storyboards and slides without the context provided by the live presentation will diminish its impact.

A: Storyboards and PowerPoint slides will be due IAW

Section L, paragraph L.3.6. See Solicitation Amendment

03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03

Section L, paragraphs L.2.1.

and L.3.6.

61 Q: If base period in the Excel attachments is in fact defined as the same 4 year period identified in L.1, should the worksheet Total Amount in Attachments 6 and 7 be expanded to include columns that summarize each of the optional periods? Additionally, if expanded to show optional periods is it correct to say that the current Column

G in the Total Amount tab shouldn’t be asking for number of months in base period but rather total number of months on the contract?

L.1, Attachment 6 and Attachment 7

A: The dollar amounts identified for the Strategic Plans and Sample Task reflect one-year budgets and should not be expanded. Section L, Attachments 6 & 7 have been

Solicitation

Amendment 03, Attachments 6, 7 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

corrected accordingly to reflect a one-year performance period. See Solicitation Amendment 03.

62 Q: There is no mention of a requirement for Transition or

Phase-In nor is there a CLIN identified for it. Can the

Government please confirm its expectation is that incumbent contractor will turn over the contract to the awardee of this solicitation without any overlap period for

Transition?

A: Yes, contract will be turned over without any overlap period for Transition.

63 Q: If there is a Transition or Phase-In period expected can the Government please confirm the period of performance for that effort and identify what

CLIN it is part of?

A: There is no Transition or Phase-In period.

64 Q: The RFP does not mention transition of existing material, capabilities and services to an incoming contractor. Please clarify the Air Force's plan to transition existing creative, web sites, relevant data bases, event assets, social media platform access and control, etc.

to an incoming contractor.

A: The transition of existing Government Furnished

Property/Equipment will be addressed at the Task Order level.

65 Q: "However, the proposed strategy for the Sample Task may or may not be adopted by the Government." As this statement references the Sample Task strategy and not the pricing or specifics of delivery, does this mean the Sample

Task will not be awarded based on what is presented in orals and pricing? And how does this correspond with

M.5.5.3 "The sample task may be awarded, all or in part, at the time of award of the basic contract."

A: If the proposed strategy for the Sample Task is adopted by the Government, the Sample Task may be awarded all or in part at the time of award of the basic contract.

paragraph L.1.2, paragraph M.5.5.3

66 L.2.1 states Volume I, including Oral Presentations, are due IAW Block 9 of SF33. Block 9 of SF33 states

Amendment 03, in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

proposals are due July 27, 2017. L.3.6 states copies of

PowerPoint slides for the oral presentation are to be provided no later than August 4, 2017. Please clarify.

A: Section L, Table L.2.1. has been revised. See

Solicitation Amendment 03.

Section L, paragraphs L.2.1, and L.3.6

67 Q: M.3.6 states "The Offeror provides an adequate technical approach and understanding to attract, recruit, hire, and retain qualified personnel for a minimum of one year and demonstrates the ability to ensure coverage of instructors when on leave, illness, or due to a no notice departure from the company." Please clarify who are the instructors being referenced in this citation?

A: Paragraph has been corrected. See Solicitation

Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, paragraph M.3.6.

68 Q: L.4.3.g) Creative. There is no additional description for what, if anything, is to be included for this element or its impact on page count. Please clarify.

A: Section L, paragraph L.4.3. (g) has been deleted. See

Solicitation Amendment 03.

paragraph L.4.3.g)

69 Q: "There will be two 10-minute breaks that will count towards the three-hour presentation time allowed." Does the offeror determine when the 10 minute breaks are inserted in the oral presentation or is that driven by a pre-set schedule?

A: It is the responsibility of the Offeror to identify when

10-minute breaks will be taken. See Solicitation

Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, paragraph L.3.6.2

70 Q: "The Table of Contents and Summary Page(s) shall not exceed five (5) pages combined." Please clarify whether the Summary Page and Table of Contents are included in the 25 pages for Past Performance.

L.2.1, L.4.3.b), L.4.3.1.

A: Table of contents and summary page(s) are not included in the 25 page limit for Past Performance. See

Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, Section L, paragraphs L.2.4.3.

and L.4.3.1.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

71 Q: Please clarify the answer to Q&A #11 released 21 June with respect to whether or not offerors should be pricing the $40M and $75M annually for 9.5 years or if it’s a one year only price? We understand that the figures are for evaluation purposes only, but want to be clear on whether the TEP for the $40M strategic plan is

$40M or $380M ($40M * 9.5 years).

Q&A #11 released 21 June

A: The dollar amounts identified for the Strategic Plans and Sample Task reflect one-year budgets and should not be expanded. Section L, Attachments 6 & 7 have been corrected accordingly to reflect a one-year performance period. See Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Attachments 6 & 7

72 Q: In the revised Section L.5.8 released 21 June the

Government tells the offerors to replicate Attachment 8 for providing pricing on both Strategic Plans. The Strategic

Plan price model is actually Attachment 6.

Can the Government please confirm that offerors should be replicating Attachment 6 and not Attachment 8?

A: Yes, Attachment 6 should be replicated and not

Attachment 8. See Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, paragraph L.5.8

73 Q: Can the Government please clarify if the 38,982 annual hours included in Attachment 8, and referenced as based on historical data in the Government’s response to Q&A #20, are representative of all labor performed in a given year

(historically) or if those hours represent labor above and beyond the labor needed to execute the strategic plan and sample task order?

A: The 38,982 hours are historical hours that represents all labor performed in a given year and does not include hours to perform the strategic plan and sample task orders. See

Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, Section L, Instructions

74 Q: Not knowing the exact timeframe used by the

Government in capturing the historical data, is it fair to say that the Government’s response to Q&A #20, that says the

38,982 annual hours are based on historical data, considers those hours to be roughly what it takes to execute this contract when spending about $50M year? Or, are those

38,982 annual hours based on historical data for a specific

Solicitation

Amendment 03, Section L, Instructions in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

task order(s) unrelated to some kind of annual campaign budget primarily driving the $50M per year? Q&A #20

A: 38,982 is historical data only. The Offeror shall propose the labor category mix and labor hours needed to support their proposed technical approach.

75 Q: Per M.5.2 the TEP is calculated for evaluation purposes only and based on the summation of all 4 pricing attachments (Labor Rate, Big Data TO, $40M Plan, $75M

Plan). Can the Government confirm that it understands and expects costs will be double counted in the TEP since each

Strategic Plan stands alone and will therefore contain many of the same costs in both?

A: The TEP has been reestablished as the sum of Section

L, Attachment 6 (Travel Only of the $75M budget) and

Section L, Attachment 8. Section M, paragraph M.5.2. has been revised accordingly. See Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03, Section M, paragraph M.5.2

76 Q: If the 38,982 annual hours represented in Attachment 8 are meant to capture historically all labor on the contract, can the Government confirm that it understands labor will be triple counted in the TEP if the expectation is for offerors to also include labor costs within their Strategic

Plan models? If that’s not the expectation, can the

Government please revise the solicitation to explain that offerors should only include labor in the Strategic Plan models if they require more than the 38,982 annual hours to accomplish their plan?

A: The TEP has been reestablished as the sum of Section

L, Attachment 6 (Travel Only of the $75M budget) and

Section L, Attachment 8. Section M, paragraph M.5.2. has been revised accordingly. See Solicitation Amendment 03.

Solicitation

Amendment 03

Section M, paragraph M.5.2

77 Q: Please clarify whether or not table of contents and summary pages are exempt from the page count for past performance?

A: See answer to question #72.

Amendment 03, Section L, paragraphs L.2.4.3.

and L.4.3.1.

78 Q: If table of contents and summary pages aren't exempt, can page limit be changed to unrestricted or at least doubled to 50?

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

A: Table of contents and summary page(s) are not included in the 25 page limit for Past Performance. See Solicitation

Amendment 03.

Section L, paragraphs L.2.4.3.

and L.4.3.1.

79 Q: Will the Government consider extending the due date for Past Performance from 6 Jul 17 to 8 Jul 17?

A: Unfortunately, the due date will not be extended.

80 Q: Can you confirm that access to hand deliver Volume II will be available on July 5th at the address given within

Exhibit L.2.2 ?

A: Yes, POCs will be available for delivery on 5 Jul 17.

81 Q: Can the Government please clarify the definition of base period as it relates to all of the references in the

Attachment L cost models (e.g. Attachments 6, 7)? For example, Section L.1 simply defines the base period as a 4 year ordering period, but numerous comments inserted in the Excel attachments ask offerors to identify total number of months in the base period. There’s also no reference in the Excel attachments to identifying number of months in an option period.

A: The periods of performance for these tasks are 1 year each and references to total number of months will be removed from Section L, Attachments 6 & 7.

See Solicitation Amendment 04.

Amendment 04, 7 Jul 17

82 Q: PWS 1.4 requires the offeror to provide inbound and outbound call center software. However, the DRFP Q&A indicated on-line advisor and call center operations are outside the scope of this effort and they are not listed in the final RFP PWS. Please confirm the offeror is to provide the call center software only for use by a third party call center operation.

A: Yes, the Offeror shall provide inbound and outbound call center software only for use by a third party call center operation.

PWS paragraph

1.4.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

83 Q: Currently the solicitation does not provide for a transition period between the incumbent and an incoming contractor. In assessing the transition requirements we are currently assuming the Government will require an incoming contractor to support and maintain current IT systems so there is no gap between the Air Force's online recruiting presence, lead generation, lead data, etc. and instantiation of any new or different systems implemented by the incoming contractor.

A: Yes, IT systems are to be maintained with no gap in service.

84 Q: What is the current monthly estimated network(s) traffic volume?

A: Historically the monthly estimate traffic volume has been the following:

Airforce.Com - 1.2M average visitors/monthly

AFROTC.Com - 124K average visitors/monthly

Academyadmissions.Com -150K average visitors/monthly

Airforceads.Com - 4K average visitors/monthly

85 Q: What are the minimum security requirement for all devices that process or store Personally Identifiable

Information (PII) and that do not process or store PII?

A: See PWS paragraph 7.

PWS paragraph 7

86 Q: Will the Government please provide a full list of URLs that the contractor would be responsible for maintaining and the respective technology specifications for their underlying platforms?

A: See PWS paragraphs 3.4. thru 3.4.3.

PWS paragraphs

3.4. thru 3.4.3.

87 Q: Does the Air Force currently use third-party software, SaaS products, etc. to manage its lead data? If so, could the

Government please identify these products and their use within the architecture?

A: Historically the Air Force has utilized third-party software to process lead data. Offeror shall utilize Industry best practices IAW PWS paragraph 3.8.

PWS paragraph

3.8.

in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

88 Q: How do you currently accept lead data from all your vendors and third-party sources? sFTP, API, etc.?

A: Historically the lead data has been accepted via sFTP.

89 Q: Please provide a logical and physical architecture of the current lead processing ecosystem and associated data and process flows.

A: Offeror shall utilize Industry best practices IAW PWS

3.8.

PWS 3.8.

90 Q: Please identify the storage requirements per device

(drive space)?

A: The bandwidth and drive space requirements vary and depend on maintenance, updates, and enhancements and should be at the professional level of Industry standards.

91 Q: PWS 3.11. Will the Government make MMM data available as part of the solicitation or as part of the transition to a new contractor?

A: Yes, the Government will provide the MMM data as part of the transition.

92 Q: Section L Attachment 8 provides 38,982 hours to be priced on tab ‘Opt 2 (6) Month’. That same number of hours is priced in all previous periods where the period of performance is a full 12 months. Can the Government please confirm that the 6 month period should include the same number of hours as a 12 month period, or modify the

Attachment accordingly?

A: Section L, Attachment 8 has been modified to provide the number of hours historically provided during a 6 month period.

Amendment 04, 93 Q: Section L states that offerors may not delete columns, rows or worksheets from Attachments 6, 7 or 8.

Attachment 8 has three hidden worksheets that appear to be unrelated to this contract. May offerors delete those worksheets to ensure submissions only contain info pertinent to this contract?

Solicitation

Amendment 04, A: The hidden rows have been removed and Section L, Attachment 8 has been modified accordingly.

6 Jul 17

94 Q: Does the Government expect a Volume 1, Technical/Risk (separate from the four sub-factor volumes) solely with the identified Index (a -i) above?

A: See Solicitation Amendment 04, Section L, paragraph

L.3.4.

Solicitation

Amendment 04, paragraph L.3.4.

95 Q: Is the intent of the Executive Summary to address not only the Offerors high level strategic view, but to articulate the needs of paragraphs L.3.1., L.3.3., and L.3.5. ?

A: Executive Summary should summarize how the elements of the Offeror's submitted proposal will satisfy the requirements as described in Sections L and M.

96 Q: Are the PowerPoint slides required with the initial July

27th submission without notes pages? Or are they required in notes detail with the July 27th submission as well as a copy with notes pages NLT than the 4th of August with any updates for the oral presentation?

A: PowerPoint Slides are not required to be submitted on

27 Jul 17. PowerPoint slides for the oral presentation are to be printed using the PowerPoint notes page format and seven (7) copies provided no later than 4 Aug 17. T Font on the notes pages shall be single space, 10 font size, and

Times New Roman font style. Double-sided printed sheets will be counted as 2 pages. See Solicitation Amendment

04, Section L paragraph L.3.6.

Solicitation

Amendment 04, 97 Q: Do we only submit the PowerPoint slides on their own by the 4th of August?

A: PowerPoint slides for the oral presentation are to be printed using the PowerPoint notes page format and seven

(7) copies provided no later than 4 Aug 17.

See Section L paragraph L.3.6.

Section L, Table

L.2.1. and in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

98 Q: If slides are only required by the 4th of August, then what would the Government expect in Subfactor Volumes

1 and 3, as there is not a written requirement for Oral

Presentations?

A: See Solicitation Amendment 04, Section L, paragraph

L.3.4.

Solicitation

Amendment 04, 99 Q: Does the Government expect a fully written/narrative response for either/both the Sub-factor 1 – Strategic Plan and/or Sub-factor 3 – Sample Task within the submission?

Or does the Government expect each plan to be delivered solely within the PowerPoint presentation requirement?

A: No, the Government does not require a fully written narrative response for Subfactors 1 & 3.

Subfactors 1 & 3 are to be presented IAW Section L, paragraphs L.3.6, L.3.7., and L.3.9.

Section L, paragraphs L.3.6., L.3.7., and L.3.9.

100 Q: What are the expectations of the “notes” pages to be provided?

Can the notes be bullet points/talking points?

Is it expected to fully detail the full descriptive plan?

A: The note section in the PowerPoint slides may be used by the Offeror to support information presented on the slide. The Government has no preference on how the notes are constructed.

101 Q: When must the Oral Presentation Team be identified?

A: See Section L paragraph L.3.6.

10 Jul 17

102 Q: Would you please clarify if the of hours for our proposed technical approach as shown on Section L, Attachment 8, should be based on; the Strategic Plan at $75 million, or the Strategic Plan at $40 million, or the historical hours, or another basis?

If historical hours, please advise on what services are to be covered using those historical hours as the services to be paragraph L.5.7.2.

19 Jul 17 in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

provided will be the key to the mix of labor/hours to be identified and used. In addition, even with services identified, a budget for such services would need to be set, in order to properly align labor to deliverables.

A: Given the description in PWS paragraph 1; Section L, Attachment 8 is based upon the Offeror’s proposed labor to meet all requirements in the PWS across 9.5 years. See

Section L, paragraph L.5.7.2.

Section L, Attachment 8 does provide historical data, however, each Offeror shall populate the cost model with the labor mix and labor hours needed to support their proposed technical approach.

103 Q: Is the intent of Section L, Attachment 8, really to show all potential Labor Categories and Labor Costs?

A: Yes.

104 Q: The dedicated CLIN 0003 Travel CR Tabs appear to be an exact copy of CLIN 0001 Labor CPFF, is this an error?

A: CLIN 003 Travel CR tab has been corrected to capture the cost breakout by trip to include the purpose and number of trips, number of travelers per trip, origin and destination, duration, and a breakout of per diem, car rental, airfare, and other travel costs. See Solicitation Amendment 05, Section

L, Attachments 6 & 7.

Solicitation

Amendment 05, 105 Q: Is it the intent of the Travel CLIN/Tab for the

Government to receive an estimated, but fully detailed/exploded travel assessment (e.g. per estimated trip, number of staff, location, hotel, airfare, rental car, etc.) per

Federal Travel Regulations, within the CLIN 00003 Tab for both Strategic Plans and Sample Task?

A: Yes, CLIN 003 Travel CR tab has been corrected to capture the cost breakout by trip to include the purpose and number of trips, number of travelers per trip, origin and destination, duration, and a breakout of per diem, car rental, airfare, and other travel costs. See Solicitation

Amendment 05, Section L, Attachments 6 & 7.

Solicitation

Amendment 05, 106 Q: Are 2-CD/DVD’s to be submitted with both the 26 July submission of Volumes I, III & IV and an additional 2-

Amendment 05, in Section L, paragraph L.1.5.

copies for the Power-Point & Storyboard submission on 4

August? Or Only 2-CD/DVD’s are required with the original submission on 26 July, electronic copies of the

Power-Point and Story boards are not required.

A: IAW with Section L, Paragraph L.3.6. In addition to the PowerPoint slides, if the Offeror chooses to present media (i.e. video), these files shall be provided with the

Technical/Risk Volume I and on a separate CD/DVD in an electronic format only. See Solicitation Amendment 05, Section L, Paragraph L.3.6.

Section L, paragraph L.3.6.

107 Q: We anticipate there is an overarching Volume I, Technical/Risk which contains the Table of Contents identified in L.3.4. with items a – e, please confirm that our understanding is correct.

A: Volume I, Technical/Risk Volume shall be organized

IAW with Section L, Paragraph L.3.4.

108 Q: If that is correct, there is not an identified page count to cover those items a – e for that overarching volume.

Please clarify if there is a page count or if it is unlimited.

A: Items b), g) and i) each have a page limit of 25 pages.

See Solicitation Amendment 05, Section L, paragraph

L.3.4.

Solicitation

Amendment 05, Section L,…