Amendment_1_-_FA301618R0016_11_Dec_17.pdf

FA301618R0016

F2MTME7234AW01

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

See Summary of Changes

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 58

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 11-Dec-2017

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X FA301618R0016

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

21-Nov-2017

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is extended, X is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN

REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

11-Dec-2017

CODE

502D CONTRACTING SQUADRON

2250 ENGINEER ST STE 1

JBSA FT SAM HOUSTON TX 78234-7740

FA3016 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION SF 30 - BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

The following have been added by full text:

Solicitation # FA3016-18-R-0016

Amendment #1

11 December 2017

TITLE: Solicitation FA3016-18-R-0016 - Data Analysis Support for the Medical Education Training Campus

(METC) – at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas

1. The purpose of this amendment is to:

a. Update/Revise the following solicitation FAR Clauses and Addendums:

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items (Jan 2017)

FAR 52.212-3 -Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (Nov 2017)

Alternate I (Oct 2014) to FAR 52.212-3 -Offeror Representations and Certifications --

Commercial Items (Nov 2017)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders--Commercial Items (DEVIATION 2013-O0019) (Nov 2017)

b. Revise the solicitation Performance Work Statement (PWS) dated 15 November 2017 with a revised

PWS dated 11 December 2017.

c. Provide the Government's response to questions submitted by contractors relating to the above solicitation # FA3016-18-R-0016. Government responses to Contractor Questions are below:

Contractor Questions and Government responses are below.

Contractor Question 1: Section 1.2 of the PWS (General Information) has no text associated with it. Is this intentional? If not, can the Government provide this text?

Government Response: Added Section 1.2.1 Conduct.

Contractor Question 2: Does the Government have an anticipated date for award?

Government Response: On/About 16 January 2018.

Contractor Question 3: Can the Government confirm if this a new requirement or if there is an

Incumbent? If there is an Incumbent, can the Government provide the name of the company and the contract number? Is the position currently filled? When does the current contract expire? What are the longevity dates of employees?

Government Response:

Question a: This is not a new requirement.

Question b: The incumbent contractor is:

Technology, Automation & Management, Inc.

The current contract number is against one of the Air Force Consultant, Advisory &

Technical Services (CATS) Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award

Contracts (MACs) # FA8053-12-D-0006-Task Order: SM02

Value: $81,638.40 for the 2 positions identified in this requirement.

Question c: Yes.

Question d: 31-January-2017.

Question e: December-2014 and October-2015.

Contractor Question 4: Will the Government accept 10pt font for tables and graphics and 12pt for everything else?

Government Response: Except for reproduced sections of the solicitation document and tables, charts, graphs and figures, typing shall be not less than 12-point Times New Roman font -- with no less than one inch in margin. Proposals will be 8-1/2” x 11” paper. All pages shall be numbered.

Contractor Question 5: Will the Government provide the occupational mapping and wage determination code to provide price reasonableness?

Government Response: 03042 – Data Analysis Support (GS-5)

Contractor Question 6: If this is an existing contract, what company currently has the contract and is that company illegible to compete on this new contract?

Question a: See Question 3.

Question b: No.

Contractor Question 7: Will you provide the contact information for the current person(s) holding the position.

Government Response: Contact information will be provided to awardee subject to consent of incumbent employees.

Contractor Question 8: I understand this is currently not funded. If funding is received, will funding cover the base AND option years?

Government Response: The government only provides funding for the “Base Year”. Option Year funding is not provided until the Option Year is exercised.

Contractor Question 9: Based on your detailed PWS, will you use any measurement of price reasonableness to insure that the LPTA candidate meets you minimum standards?

Government Response: See FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items for evaluation procedures.

Contractor Question 10: Would you consider changing this to best value evaluation based on recent DoD guidance to allow you evaluate and weight risks associated with supplier experience, specific candidate selection and successful past performance.

Government Response: No- See FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items for evaluation procedures.

Contractor Question 11: Will the Government provide GFE and will FTE/contractors have exclusive use of GFE to process data?

Government Response: Yes, the Government shall provide GFE for on site use only and FTE/contractors shall have exclusive use of GFE to process data (see PWS 3.1).

Contractor Question 12: How are these services currently being performed? Under contract? In-house?

Government Response: See Question 3.

Contractor Question 13: DOL Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (WD) as included in the solicitation, WD 2015-5253, Revision 3, Dated 8-3-2017, does not include Occupation Code/Job Title of

Administrative Assistant, Junior as noted in the CLINS. Please confirm which Occupation Code/Job Title prospective bidders are to utilize for this position. This information is necessary to establish a baseline for all prospective bidders.

Government Response: See Question 5.

Contractor Question 14: Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706)

The above WD indicates Executive Order 13706 is effective with any contract awarded after Jan. 1, 2017;

contractor is to provide up to 56 hours of paid sick leave each year.

Please confirm the EO is applicable on this contract.

Government Response: Yes.

Contractor Question 15: Do the FTEs require any type of clearance?

Government Response: See section 1.3.4 of PWS for security requirements.

Contractor Question 16: I had a question in reference to page 75, under performance objective number 4, is this regarding unsatisfactory or satisfactory valid complaints.

Also, on page 76 you it states the estimated hours for the Data Analysis Support shows 3,840, is this for overtime, if not why is the total hours 2050 for a year?

Government Response: No, this requirement is for two (2) Full-time Equivalent employees; 1,920 hours per person per year, 3,840 total hours.

Contractor Question 17: Are there any experience or resume requirements for the data technicians? Is a

Past Performance submission required?

Question a: 3 years.

Question b: No.

Question c: No.

Contractor Question 18: Page 56 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires

What does the Employee Class Number listed in the table map to? Can the government provide the corresponding

SCA Labor Category?

Contractor Question 19: Page 71 Performance Work Statement Section 1 Description of Services includes tools, supplies and equipment – Can the government provide a list and quantities of the tools, supplies, and equipment that the Offeror will need to supply?

Government Response: The government shall provide tools, supplies and equipment required at the government site; contractor shall provide labor only on the government site.

Contractor Question 20: Page 6 Clauses Incorporated by Reference – Per Executive Order 13706 Sec 2, “Executive departments and agencies shall ensure that new contracts, contract-like instruments, and solicitations include a clause [for paid sick leave]…” Can the government add clause 52.222-62 Paid Sick

Leave under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017).

Government Response: Contractor will comply with the included wage determination and Executive

Order 13706.

Contractor Question 21: Page 9 Section 4.1 Contracting/Pricing Proposal (Volume 1) Solicitation

Section states “The "original" shall be clearly marked under separate cover.”

One copy of the proposals are to be submitted by email, can the government clarify what needs to be marked “original” and submitted under separate cover. And what is meant by “separate cover.”

Government Response: Sentence has been revised—See FAR 52-212-1.

Contractor Question 22: Page 78 Appendix A Estimated Workload Data – After adding clause 52.222-62

Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017), can the government update the task schedule to reduce the estimated quantity of hours per task to total 1,864?

Government Response: No, this requirement is for two (2) Full-time Equivalent employees; 1,920 hours per person per year, 3,840 total hours; actual hours may vary.

Contractor Question 24: Are there any other requirements for this solicitation?

Government Response: In addition, please provide a Table with the following informational items with your proposal. Submitted information will assist in accountability of proposals:

CONTRACTOR INFORMATIONAL TABLE

Solicitation # FA3016-18-R-0016

Name of Business Entity

Full Address

CAGE CODE

DUNS No. #

Federal Tax ID #

Name of Point of Contact (POC)

POC Phone No. #

POC Phone No. #

Contractor Question 25: Wage Determination 15-5253, p61

Please confirm this contract does or does not fall under the Service Contract Act?

Government Response: Yes—this requirement falls under the SCA.

Contractor Question 26: If this contract does fall under the SCA, what occupation code/tile is the correct labor category for the two Data Technicians?

Contractor Question 27: 4.1, p9 RFP section 4.1 instructions for Volume I asks for the solicitation to be submitted including the completed SF1449/30, Schedule of Supplies/Services, and Representations and

Certifications.

Please clarify whether we need to submit the entire 78-page solicitation or just the specific sections called for?

Government Response: Page limitations for contractor proposals have been removed. See Amendment 1-under FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors. Submit proposal documents in accordance with FAR

52.212-1.

Contractor Question 28: Reference: 1.3.4 Security Requirements.

The government states: Contractor personnel shall complete, as a minimum, a Tier 1 (T1) investigation, before operating government furnished workstations.

Question: If contract personnel already have a current Tier 2 or higher clearance, will personnel be required to complete any of the Tier 1 (TI) investigation process.

Government Response: No.

Contractor Question 29: Will remote or telework be allowed and if so will computers (laptops) be the responsibility of the contractor?

Contractor Question 30: In the PWS (page 71) under Description of services/General Information it states that the “Contractor shall provide all management, tools, supplies, equipment, and labor necessary to provide non-personal services in data analysis support…” yet section 3.1 states that “The Government shall provide the contractor the Information Technology resources (e.g., computer workstations, software applications, printers, scanner, etc.) as well as other normal office equipment (e.g., telephones, faxes, etc.)

required to perform the specific tasks of this requirement.” What software, tools, etc. specifically will the contractor have to supply?

Government Response: The contractor shall provide labor only on the government site. The government shall provide software, tools, etc.

Contractor Question 31: What is the size of the METC staff?

Government Response: Approximately 1,200 faculty and staff members.

Contractor Question 32: Section 1.1.1.1. of the PWS states that the contractors will “Develop various types of databases to store and retrieve accreditation, affiliation and quality assurance data.” What is the current database environment? Will the contractors be interacting with and existing database server

(Oracle, MS SQL Server, etc.) or are the databases to be designed in desktop applications such as MS

Access?

Question a: Microsoft (MS) Suite environment.

Question b: Databases shall be designed using MS Access and Excel.

Contractor Question 33: The PWS mentions software to develop reports on trends, goals, charts, etc. Is this primarily a Microsoft Office type of environment or will it be Apple or other platforms?

Government Response: See Question 32.

Contractor Question 34: IAW the Technical proposal requirements, contractors shall submit a

Management Plan and a Quality Control Plan. What is the government’s expectation regarding the man-hours required for the contractor to perform the task associated with the Management Plan and the Quality

Control Plan? Will the government consider allocating additional hours for the performance of the tasks, when necessary, by the contractor that are established with the Management Plan and the Quality Control

Plan?

Government Response: No. All costs associated with managing these plans should be included in the contractor’s proposal.

Contractor Question 35: Can you please clarify "Supply costs" to be included in unit price?

Government Response: See FAR 52.212-1 Instructions To Offerors--Commercial Items. Supply costs and associated General and Administrative (G&A) costs plus profit or fees, should be included in the unit price

Contractor Question 36: The solicitation presents SCA Wage Determination 15-5253; however, no SCA

Labor Categories exactly match the solicitation’s proposed labor category. Please specify which SCA

Wage Determination Labor Category is required.

Contractor Question 37: Are there other platforms outside of Microsoft Suite and Adobe professional such as Statistical/Analytics processing platform/Application(s) currently being used? If so, what are the names of those applications?

Contractor Question 38: Is accreditation an annual process? If not, what is the cycle for recertification of accreditation?

Government Response: Normally accreditation is granted on an annual basis, but may be granted for multiple years depending on the specific medical program.

Contractor Question 39: Labor laws require time and a half pay for any overtime hours. Will overtime be required of these employees?

Contractor Question 40: Please confirm if all work is to be completed on site at the Medical Education and Training Campus. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Contractor Question 41: Historically, is there difference in the work performed by the current incumbent employees? If so, please provide the responsibilities of each employee.

Government Response: No, responsibilities are the same for both.

Contractor Question 42: Will the employees be subject to 'Wage Determination' or considered exempt employees?

Government Response: Subject to Wage Determination.

Contractor Question 43: The PWS references the creation and use of multiple databases. How many databases does the Government foresee the awarded contractor creating and using?

Are there existing databases, or is it the Governments expectation that the awarded contractor will create all new databases?

If there are existing databases, what type of databases are currently being used?

Question a: No more than 10-15.

Question b: Some existing databases and may be required to create new databases.

Question c. Microsoft (MS) Excel and Access.

Contractor Question 44: Please provide the platforms by which the contractor will use to create new databases, i.e. MS Access, Oracle, etc.

Contractor Question 45: The PWS references the need to prepare graphic exhibits. Please provide the average number of graphic exhibits the awarded contractor will need to prepare annually.

Please provide the average number of data entry actions performed daily, monthly or annually.

Question a: Twelve to fifteen graphic exhibits, annually.

Question b: 1,440 data entry actions, annually

Contractor Question 46: Will the Government accept proposals submitted in PDF format?

Contractor Question 47: Is there a collective bargaining agreement in place?

Government Response: No collective bargaining agreement is in place.

Contractor Question 48: Will any incumbent employees be required to receive the right of first refusal?

Government Response: Yes, right of first refusal of employment should be provided to incumbents.

Contractor Question 49: Are specific uniforms required by work site for any positions on this contract

(e.g. scrubs), that would trigger the uniform allowance provisions in the Wage Determination?

Government Response: Uniforms are not required. Contractor employees shall be neatly groomed and wear appropriate attire while serving in official capacity.

NOTE: See Revised PWS, paragraph 1.2.1 Conduct. Which has been added to expand on employee appearance and conduct.

Contractor Question 50: The Wage Determination spells out requirements for increased annual paid vacation (3 weeks or 4 weeks) for incumbent employees above the Health and Welfare payment, based on years of continuous service. Since this is a 5-year contract, can the Gov’t provide a listing of incumbent staff with the number of years’ continuous service to help contractors understand paid vacation amounts?

Government Response: Number of years’ continuous service are three (3) years and two (2) years.

Contractor Question 51: The PWS provides a list of federal holidays, but does the METC JBSA recognize certain family and/or energy days where contractor personnel will be prohibited from accessing their work stations due to facility closings? If so, please provide a list of those days and confirm that contractor personnel will be allowed to account for their duty hours as if they were able to access their work stations.

Similarly, for base closures due to inclement weather please confirm that contractor personnel will be allowed to account for their duty hours as if they were able to access their work stations.

Government Response: The contractor is responsible for conducting business except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government facility closings. METC has no list of anticipated family/training days where the facilities are officially closed.

Contractor Question 52: Are any CDRLs required to be submitted after contract award?

Government Response: No CDRLs are required for this requirement.

Contractor Question 53: Does 52.212-1 (APR 2014) [pg. 28] or 52.212-1 (JAN 2017) [pg. 26] apply to this contract?

Government Response: See Amendment 1.

Contractor Question 54: Please confirm the proposal due date (block 8 of SF 1449) is stated in Central

Standard Time (CST)?

Government Response: Yes-- Central Standard Time (CST).

Contractor Question 55: PWS paragraph 1.3.4 includes several requirements that an offeror may not be able to accomplish prior to award: 1. Provide a list of personnel 14 days prior to award (assumes the award is guaranteed to be awarded at least 14 days before contract start and that the Government has provide a list of incumbent personnel); 2. Personnel email accounts—contractor personnel will be located on base and the Government will not create contractor email accounts prior to award; and 3. Schedule an appointment with the Unit Security Manager, where contractor personnel may not be allowed to request appointments until they have a contract award.

Can the Government provide guidance on how to accomplish these prior to contract award?

Government Response: The government anticipates award on/about 16 Jan 2018; therefore, this should allow ample time to meet this requirement.

Contractor Question 56: In accordance FAR 52.222‐42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires

(dated May, 2014) an informational table is presented on page 56 of the solicitation. It appears the occupational code provided is not listed in the included wage determination 2015‐5253 rev. 3 (dated

August, 2017). Occupational code 03042 (used to map job title Data Analysis Support (GS‐5)), is not listed on WD 2015‐5253. It also appears the monetary wages and fringe benefits listed are not in compliance with

WD 2015‐5253. Understanding this table is simply informational, please confirm the intention is to price employee salaries and classify positions in accordance with the PWS at the discretion of the contractor, provided they remain in compliance with WD 2015‐5253.

Government Response: Correct, the pricing of employee salaries and classifying of positions in accordance with the PWS is at the discretion of the contractor provided they remain in compliance with

WD 2015-5253.

Contractor Question 57: Will the government identify the minimum level of experience required for these positions? In addition will the government identify the minimum educational requirement for these positions?

Question a: A minimum 3 years of experience.

Question b: A high school diploma; Associate’s degree desirable.

Contractor Question 58: Please confirm the Government will be conducting a cost realism analysis to ensure small business offerors have incorporated all required costs to comply with the Service Contract

Act.

Government Response: The government will evaluate proposals IAW FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--

Commercial Items.

Contractor Question 59: How much time (minimum) will be available to complete a phase-in or transition plan? For example, from the time of award to the start of performance.

Government Response: No phase-in or transition period included in this requirement.

Contractor Question 60: Is there any travel and an associated Travel CLINs anticipated for this effort?

Contractor Question 61: Are there any ODCs and associated ODC CLINs anticipated for this effort?

Contractor Question 62: The Government indicates that funds are not currently available for this effort.

When does the Government anticipate funds being available for this effort?

Government Response: The requested positions are necessary for the METC mission; therefore, we are confident funds will be available.

Contractor Question 63: The Government indicates no award will be made under this solicitation until funds are made available. When does the Government anticipate an award for this effort?

Government Response: The government anticipates award on/about 16 Jan 2018.

Contractor Question 64: The Government has incorporated Wage Determination 15-5253 into the solicitation. Are either or both of the Data Technician positions Service Contract Act (SCA)/Wage

Determination (WD) positions?

Contractor Question 65: The Government estimated quantity is 3,840 hours. Is the Government setting

1,920 hours per FTE as the minimum hours per year an FTE must perform?

Government Response: 1,920 hours per FTE is the maximum hours per year.

Contractor Question 66: Will the Government allow for an additional round of questions to respond and react to the answers provided for the first round of questions?

Government Response: No.--See FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items for evaluation procedures.

Contractor Question 67: Will the Government allot time between contract award and contract start for the Contractor to complete all items necessary to meet the established security requirements for Contractor personnel?

Contractor Question 68: Does the Government anticipate a transition period with the legacy contract’s incumbent personnel?

Government Response: See Question 59.

Contractor Question 69: Does the Government anticipate a transition period to enable knowledge transfer with the appropriate Government managers and stakeholders?

Government Response: See Question 59.

Contractor Question 70: The solicitation states, “The contractor shall provide management and professional services, to include accomplish data analysis and lessons learned development, draft reports, and supplement METC Faculty and Staff’s knowledge and expertise in the area of institutional and programmatic accreditations.” This description of services is not typical of Service Contract Act covered labor categories. Will the Government remove its incorporation of the Service Contract Act and Wage

Determination Schedule from the solicitation?

Government Response: No

Contractor Question 71: The security requirements 1.3.4 stating that the individuals must complete a T1 investigation require the use of e-QIP and JPAS to properly conduct or facilitate the entire T1 investigation.

As a contracted employee this must be completed through the contracted companies Facility Security

Clearance and can be assisted by but not done by a government office. This would mean that the awardee must possess a facility clearance even though the work is not done at a classified level and there is no

DD254 required. The ability to facilitate the 1.3.4 clearance requirements even at the T1 level must be done by a company with a current clearance. The current processing time from DSS to process a new facility clearance is 6-8 months. If this remains a requirement for a T1 investigation of the employees, the use of e-QIP and JPAS please add the requirement for the awardee to possess a current Facility Clearance.

Government Response: Review Performance Work Statement for Security Requirements.

Contractor Question 72: Referencing 4.1 Contracting/Pricing Proposal (Volume 1), could the

Government clarify how ‘the "original" shall be clearly marked under separate cover’. We anticipate submitting only one SF1449 (the ‘original’) and any SF30 Amendments to it that may follow. Are we correct in this or are two signed copies of the SF1449, with one marked Original, required?

Government Response: Sentence has been revised—See FAR 52-212-1.

Contractor Question 73: In 4.2 Technical Proposal (Volume II), it states that “hard and compelling evidence of capabilities is required to receive credit for evaluation factors”. Considering there is no page limitation for this volume, could the Government clarify what it will allow as hard and compelling evidence? Will the Government allow any additional hard copy evidence/documentation as attachments to the volume?

a) Document in proposal your capabilities and how you will meet the requirement outlined in the solicitation.

b) Page limitations for contractor proposals have been removed. See Amendment 1- under FAR 52.212-

1, Instructions to Offerors.

Contractor Question 74: In 5.0 Evaluation of Factors, it states the Government holds the rights to hold interchanges, which may include asking for change pages, revisions or other documentation. Please confirm that the Government intends to reserve and/or apply these rights only to the Technical evaluation and not the Contracting/Pricing evaluation.

Government Response: See FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation--Commercial Items for evaluation procedures.

Contractor Question 75: Referencing 5.0 Evaluation of Factors, Sub-Factor #2 calls out the QCP as a criterion for technical evaluation, and states how the standard is to be met in the offeror's proposal.

Additionally, PWS 1.3 (Quality Control), refers to the QCP stating that "as a minimum, the contractor shall develop quality control procedures that address the areas identified in section 2, Service Summary"

(paragraphs 1.1.1.1 and 1.1.1.2. of the PWS). Are we correct in assuming that as long as our QCP addresses the listed Sub-Factor 2 contract requirements and the above-mentioned PWS sub-paragraphs, our QCP will satisfy the evaluation requirement?

Contractor Question 76: PWS 1.3.1 (Quality Assurance) references a Quality Assurance Surveillance

Plan (QASP) for this requirement, to be used in future evaluation of contractor’s performance. Since

QASP’s and QCP’s are not mutually exclusive, and offerors’ QCP’s are to be considered in evaluating proposals, will the Government make the QASP for this requirement available to offerors at this time prior to any award?

Government Response: Yes—See attached

Contractor Question 77: Is there any intentions on building or utilizing an existing platform to standardize the data being recorded and reported?

Contractor Question 78: What are the various types of data that the technicians will analyze?

Government Response: Technicians analyze quantitative data: Likert scales, student averages, grades, pass rates, various types of attrition. Technicians analyze qualitative data: interview data, narrative responses on surveys, written field notes.

Contractor Question 79: Will the needed databases store personal identifiable information?

Contractor Question 80: How many departments within METC will the technician be working with?

Government Response: Contractors interact with all METC academic and non-academic departments

(e.g., Department Chairs, Program Directors, Instructors, Information Management Dept., Safety and

Security Dept.)

Contractor Question 81: Is there a software system in place which stores digital files in a central location that can be accessed by Stan/Evaluation staff?

Government Response: Yes, Microsoft (MS) SharePoint.

Contractor Question 82: Are there any metrics currently being tracked, if so what is the current process?

Government Response: Yes, metrics currently being tracked via MS SharePoint.

Contractor Question 83: Will the databases be hosted locally on METC faculty servers?

Contractor Question 84: Will there be a hierarchy to set who can create, read, update or delete metrics, if yes has that hierarchy been identified?

Government Response: There is no hierarchy

Contractor Question 85: Will the information being collected within the databases need to be formatted to communicate with other Information Management Systems and databases outside of METC departments?

Contractor Question 86: Is there a preference to the type of database that must be used to collect the data?

2. Due to acquisition time constraints and the need to award this contract by early January 2018, NO

FURTHER QUESTIONS regarding this solicitation will be entertained.

3. In accordance with FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, paragraph 4.1, Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of this amendment and submit with their proposal.

ADDENDA TO FAR 52.212-1

THIS SECTION IS FOR SOLICITATION PURPOSE ONLY. THIS SECTION WILL BE PHYSICALLY

REMOVED FROM ANY RESULTANT AWARD, BUT WILL BE DEEMED INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE.

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation in part or in whole, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (Jan 2017)

Addendum to 52.212-1(b), Submission of Offers. The paragraph is tailored as follows:

1.0 General Instructions. The subject acquisition is being competed under FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for

Certain Commercial Items, utilizing the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procedures. This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals, as well as specific instructions on the format and content of the proposal. Throughout this solicitation, the term “Offeror” includes subcontractors, teammates and/or joint venture partners. The Offeror’s proposal must include all data and information requested, and must be submitted in accordance with (IAW) these instructions. The Offeror shall be compliant with the requirements as stated in the solicitation. A proposal that is sufficiently documented to support technical capability and price in a complete, orderly, and specific detailed manner will enable the Government to perform a thorough and fair evaluation.

Compliance with the instructions and solicitation is mandatory. Failure to comply may result in an unfavorable proposal evaluation and render the proposal ineligible for award.

2.0 Information Regarding Submission Requirements. Documents submitted in response to this solicitation must comply with requirements of the solicitation and Performance Work Statement (PWS).

To be considered, Proposals are to be received by Contract Specialist, Ms. Jacqueline Acosta, Email:

jacqueline.acosta@us.af.mil and Contracting Officer, Mr. Gary Beck, Email: gary.beck@us.af.mil no later than the date and time established in Block 8 of the SF 1449. For this acquisition—ONLY EMAIL PROPOSALS WILL

BE ACCEPTED.

NOTE: CONTRACTOR WILL CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNMENT POC, AS NOTED ABOVE,

HAVE RECEIVED THE SUBMITTED PROPOSAL.

Electronic (EMAIL) proposals will be processed in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(f): “Late submission, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.” All proposals must be in English. All questions must be submitted via email no later than 7 December 2017 at 10:00 am CST via email to Jacqueline Acosta, Jacqueline.acosta@us.af.mil and Gary Beck, gary.beck@us.af.mil. Questions submitted after this date will not be considered.

3.0 Proposal Preparation and Format Instructions. This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals in regards to the format and content of the proposal. Each volume shall be complete in itself. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of proposals, offerors must follow the instructions contained herein; all the requirements specified in this solicitation are mandatory. Offerors are representing that your firm will perform all the requirements specified in the solicitation by submitting your proposal. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, and representations and certifications, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors or sub factors. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale.

3.1 Proposal Clarity. The proposal shall be clear, concise, and shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation of the Offeror’s capabilities and for substantiating the validity of stated claims. The Offeror’s proposal shall not simply rephrase, reiterate, or restate the Government’s own language, but rather shall provide convincing rationale describing how it intends to fulfill the requirement. Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. Provide as specifically as possible the actual methodology you would use for accomplishing and satisfying the requirements.

The Offeror shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of its capabilities, facilities and experience, and will base the evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror’s proposal.

3.2 Page Limitations. There is no page limitation for submission. You are required to submit the following volumes with your proposal submission:

Volume I - Contracting/Pricing Information to include a Cover Sheet

Volume II –Technical Proposal to include a Cover Sheet

Except for reproduced sections of the solicitation document and tables, charts, graphs and figures, typing shall be not less than 12-point Times New Roman font-- with no less than one inch in margin. Proposals will be on 8-1/2” x

11” paper. All pages shall be numbered.

4.0 Specific Proposal Instructions. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of the proposal, the Offeror must follow the instructions contained herein. The proposal must be complete, stand-alone, and respond directly to the requirements of this solicitation. The response shall consist of: Contracting/Pricing Proposal (Volume I) and a

Technical Proposal (Volume II).

4.1 Contracting/Pricing Proposal (Volume 1)

Each Offeror shall submit, by email, a Contracting/Pricing Volume with its proposal.

Instructions: The Contracting Officer (CO) has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. Upon examination of the initial offers, the CO will review the offers and if, in the CO’s opinion, adequate price competition exists no additional cost information will be requested. However, if at any time during this competition the CO determines that adequate price competition no longer exists, offerors may be required to mailto:jacqueline.acosta@us.af.mil mailto:gary.beck@us.af.mil submit other than certified cost or pricing data to the extent necessary for the CO to determine the reasonableness of the price.

Solicitation: A signed copy of the SF 1449 from an individual legally authorized to bind the offeror. Offeror shall complete blocks 12, 17, and 30 and in doing so, the Offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the solicitation with attachments. In the event that any amendments (SF 30) to the solicitation are issued, a signed copy of each amendment shall be placed before the solicitation in order starting with the most recent amendment issued. Complete all contract clause fill-ins if applicable.

A complete copy of the solicitation shall be submitted to include:

Schedule of Supplies/Services: The Offeror shall complete the Schedule of Supplies/Services of the RFP. A unit price shall be proposed and inserted for the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), and shall be rounded up to two decimal places. The total amount must equal the sum of all unit prices (CLINs). The proposed prices shall be based on the Offeror’s own approach and the Government’s PWS requirements as set forth herein.

Offerors who change the quantities stated in the solicitation will render the proposal ineligible for award.

The Offeror shall submit only pricing information that will be evaluated for award or become part of the resulting contract. Supply costs and associated General and Administrative (G&A) costs plus profit or fees, should be included in the unit price.

Representations and Certifications: Contractor shall complete the necessary fill-ins, certifications, and provisions.

The offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of the provision FAR 52.212-3 if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Web site. If the offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (p) of the provision FAR 52.212-3 and return it along with the proposal.

4.2 Technical Proposal (Volume II)

Each Offeror shall submit a Technical Volume with its proposal. Offerors are cautioned that the Government will only use data provided by each Offeror in this volume in the technical evaluation. By your proposal submission, you are representing that you will perform all the requirements specified in the solicitation. It is not necessary or desirable for you to tell us so in your proposal. Do not merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the solicitation.

All the requirements specified in the solicitation are mandatory. The contractor shall address the proposed approach to meeting the minimum performance or capability requirements of each technical factor. The responses will be evaluated against FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors. Marketing presentations are not wanted and will not be evaluated. Hard and compelling evidence of capabilities is required to receive credit for evaluation factors.

Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. Offerors are strongly encouraged to provide as specifically as possible, the actual methodology to be used for accomplishing and satisfying the requirements.

Addendum to 52.212-1(c), Period for Acceptance of Offers: The paragraph is tailored as follows: “The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 Calendar Days from the date specified for receipt of offers.”

Addendum to 52.212-1(d), Product Samples, is deleted in its entirety.

Addendum to 52.212-1(e), Multiple Offers, is deleted in its entirety.

Addendum to 52.212-1(g), Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids): The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

Addendum to 52.212-1(h), Multiple Awards, is deleted in its entirety.

(End of Addendum)

52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (NOV 2017)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Web site located at https://www.sam.gov/portal. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (u) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision --

“Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) Concern” means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR part 127. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

"Forced or indentured child labor" means all work or service-

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

“Highest-level owner” means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

“Immediate owner” means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror. Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

“Inverted domestic corporation” means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

“Manufactured end product” means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000-9999, except--

(1) PSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

(5) PSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

https://www.sam.gov/portal

(6) PSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) PSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

(9) PSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) PSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

“Place of manufacture” means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

“Predecessor” means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.

“Restricted business operations” means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate--

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

“Sensitive technology”--

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically--

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act

(50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

“Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern”--

(1) Means a small business concern--

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

“Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

“Small disadvantaged business concern”, consistent with 13 CFR 124.1002, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that--

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by--

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

“Subsidiary” means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned--

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

“Successor” means an entity that has replaced a…