Attachment 1- Amendment 2-Question and Answers -RFQ FA301623Q0004.pdf

Attachment 1

Solicitation: FA301623Q0004

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

Contractors Questions and Government Responses

1 December 2022

TITLE: Government Responses to Questions submitted for solicitation # FA301623Q0004–

Advisory and Program Management Support Services. All changes due to question and answers listed below will be updated on appropriate documents and posted as an Amendment to the solicitation.

1. Contractor Question:

Government Response:

This is a new Medical Education Training Campus (METC) requirement, which changed the Small Business set-aside category and combines several contracts into this new requirement. Incumbents are available and information will be provided to the incoming contractor awardee. Since duties and responsibilities have changed previous contract numbers will not be provided.

2. Contractor Question:

Question Part 1- Yes.

Question Part 2- Employee hiring is contractors’ responsibility.

3. Contractor Question: Can the Government confirm if this is new work? If not, can the

Government please provide the incumbent contractors name, period of performance, value of contract and contract number?

(Reference – General)

This is a new Medical Education Training Campus (METC) requirement, which changed the Small Business set-aside category and combines several contracts into this new requirement. Incumbents are available and information will be provided to the incoming contractor awardee. Since duties and responsibilities have changed previous contract numbers will not be provided.

Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent? If there is an incumbent, can you please provide the contract number?

am I clear in the understanding that the incumbent info for all positions will be provided to the awarded company?

Also, can you share whether the government is satisfied with the current employees or is there a preference for new individuals to be staffed?

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

4. Contractor Question: Will the Government allow Time New Roman 10pt for graphics and tables and 12pt for proposal text?

(Reference – RFQ Instructions to Offerors)

Yes. Time New Roman is the required RFQ font. In addition, there is no volume page limitations.

5. Contractor Question: Can offerors submit all 3 Volumes in PDF format?

(Reference –RFQ Instructions to Offerors)

Yes

6. Contractor Question:

(Reference –Instructions to Offerors, 3.3 solicitation)

Completed Representations and Certifications shall be provided with SF 1449 in

Volume I (Administrative).

7. Contractor Question:

(Reference –Instructions to Offerors, 3.7 solicitation)

Volume 1 (Administrative) shall include the signed SF 1449 (and any amendments issued). In addition, it shall also include completed Representations and Certifications as required in RFQ paragraph 3.3.

The Government states to provide Representations and Certifications.

Can the Government verify these are provided in Volume I Administrative?

The Government states to provide a signed copy of the SF1449 and any SF30s from amendments.

Can the Government verify these are provided in Volume I Administrative??

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

8. Contractor Question: Can the Government confirm that for pricing offerors are only to provide 5 pages of the Schedule of Supplies/Services CLINs in Volume II?

(Reference –RFQ-Instructions to Offerors, 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions, Volume II

Price)

Volume II shall include the Schedule of Supplies and Services RFQ pages 3 through 7

(Total of 5 pages).

9. Contractor Question: Can offerors provide a short narrative regarding their pricing methodology within Volume II?

(Reference –RFQ- Instructions to Offerors, 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions, Volume II

Price.)

Yes, provided pricing is provided in the Schedule of Supplies and Services RFQ pages 3 through 7

10. Contractor Question: Will the Government allow 50 pages for the Volume III Technical since there is a substantial amount of information being requested?

(Reference –RFQ- Instructions to Offerors 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions, volume III

Technical)

11. Contractor Question:

The Government states offerors would be unable to invoice for a position that is vacant more than 30 days. Will the Government allow offerors to continue invoicing if the offeror has provided a qualified candidate within the 30 days and the Government is in the process of reviewing their credentials?

(Reference – RFQ- Instructions to Offerors, 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions, volume

III Technical, Staffing Plan)

Yes, if candidates are provided for Government consideration in a timely manner.

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

12. Contractor Question

The Government states in Volume III, QCP, paragraph d to provide a “Plan to manage work fluctuations (employee absences) as described in the PWS…” The PWS does not contain requirements for handling fluctuations, vacancies or absences. Can the

Government provide the PWS requirement so offerors can provide the information within its Volume III, QCP.

(Reference –RFQ Instructions to Offerors 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions, Volume III

Technical, QCP)

PWS (Paragraph 1.3 Quality Control) modified to include the following statement:

Contractor shall define in their Quality Control Plan (QCP), internal procedures to cover fluctuations in staffing, vacancies and/or employee absences.

13. Contractor Question

The Government states in the PWS that offerors are to provide a phase-in/phase-out within the Management Plan but there is nothing in the RFQ under Volume III

Management Plan that states to include a phase-in/phase-out plan.

Can the Government confirm offerors are to provide phase-in/phase-out plans in the

Management Plan section of Volume III?

(Reference –RFQ Instructions to Offerors, 3.8 Specific Quote Instructions Volume III

Technical)

Phase-in/Phase- out Plan requirement has been removed from PWS.

14. Contractor Question

Are there formatting requirements for Volumes I, II, or III such as font and size, borders, page numbering, etc.?

(Reference RFQ- Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters)

See Government Response to question #4 above.

15. Contractor Question

Are there page limits for the Volume III – Technical Quote?

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

See Government Response to question #4 above.

16. Contractor Question

Is there a prior predecessor contract(s) to this contract? If so, what is/are the contract number(s) and what company(ies) is/are the incumbent contractor(s)?

See Government Response to question #1 above.

17. Contractor Question

If there is/are prior predecessor contract(s) to this contract, which positions are currently vacant?

Currently, there are no vacant positions.

18. Contractor Question

If there is/are prior predecessor contract(s) to this contract that are SCA/Service Contract

Labor Standards contract(s), in order to accurately price this contract what are the contract start dates for the current employees performing on the current contract?

Preceding contracts were SCA/Service contracts with start dates of 1 February 2018.

19. Contractor Question

In Appendix A the Estimated Annual Workload is based on 1872 hours a year. With

2080 as a basis for hours in a year, will the Government identify the components and associated hours that resulted in 1872 hours?

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

(Reference PWS- Appendix A)

2080 minus 208 (120 leave hours and 88 holiday hours) equals 1872.

20. Contractor Question

In Appendix A the Estimated Annual Workload is based on 1872 hours a year. Is 1872 hours the Government’s minimally, acceptable, billable hours for an individual FTE per year on this effort?

(Reference PWS- Appendix A)

21. Contractor Question

Is there an incumbent currently providing services? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the current contract number?

22. Contractor Question

Are the same services currently being performed with the same number of FTEs?

23. Contractor Question

When is the contract being awarded?

Award and start date will be on/about 1 February 2023.

24. Contractor Question

Are masks or PPE required?

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

Contractors shall comply with current installation health protection plan requirements at time of award.

25. Contractor Question

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

Question: As this is an electronic submission, will the USG please remove this requirement, or confirm how to comply?

(Reference: Solicitation 1.3.7 -Admin, Page 74 of 81)

The requirement for "original shall be clearly marked under separate cover” has been removed from RFQ.

26. Contractor Question

PWS notes that the USG will “furnish or make available to the contractor any documentation/material deemed necessary to accomplish the specific tasks of this requirement.” Question: Does this include course curriculum and other such materials, or will offeror be required to develop curriculum?

(Reference: PWS (Section 3.2) Technical- Page 12 of 19)

Course curriculum and other such materials will be available to the contractor – the offeror will NOT be required to develop curriculum.

27. Contractor Question

How did the government arrive at the requirement for 7 FTEs for this effort? Is the government open to solutions including different manning levels?

(Reference: PWS Page 1-Paragraph 1.1)

The estimated annual workload data provided in Appendix A is equivalent to 7

FTEs. The government is NOT open to solutions including different manning levels.

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

28. Contractor Question

Have these positions been traditionally performed by government employees or contractor personnel?

Contractor personnel.

29. Contractor Question

How did the government arrive at the requirement for 2 FTEs for this task? Is the

(Reference: PWS Page 1-Paragraph 1.1.1)

The estimated annual workload data provided in Appendix A is equivalent to 2

30. Contractor Question

How did the government arrive at the requirement for 1 FTE for this task? Is the

(Reference: PWS Page 3-Paragraph 1.1.2)

The estimated annual workload data provided in Appendix A is equivalent to 1

FTE. The government is NOT open to solutions including different manning levels.

31. Contractor Question

How did the government arrive at the requirement for 4 FTEs for this task? Is the

The estimated annual workload data provided in Appendix A is equivalent to 4

32. Contractor Question

What is the quantity of hours considered to be an FTE on this program?

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

(Reference: PWS)

1872 hours.

33. Contractor Question

Will the government reconsider the Master's Degree Requirement for the Instructor

Trainer position? This is not a requirement across AETC for the GS and Military

Instructor Supervisor (IS) positions at the various schoolhouses and it presents challenges to staffing. Requiring a Master's Degree would eliminate 90% of the individuals that have held an IS position previously if they chose to transition to a contractor role.

(Reference: PWS Page 15-Appendix B)

The education requirement for Instructor Trainer remains Firm – Master’s Degree.

34. Contractor Question

Will the government reconsider the Master's Degree Requirement for the Lead Faculty position? This is not a requirement across AETC for the GS and Military Instructor

Supervisor (IS) positions at the various schoolhouses and it presents challenges to staffing. Requiring a Master's Degree would eliminate 90% of the individuals that have held an AETC IS position previously if they chose to transition to a contractor role.

(Reference: PWS Page 15-Appendix B)

The education requirement for Lead Faculty Manager remains firm – Master’s

Degree.

35. Contractor Question

IAW the PWS, Appendix B, the Lead Faculty Manager and the Instructor Trainer require a Master’s Degree and 10 years’ experience. These positions appear to meet the requirement of “29 CFR § 541.301 - Learned Professionals”. Will the Government please consider these positions as exempt and non-service contract positions?

(Reference: PWS-Page 15 of 19, Appendix B)

No

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

36. Contractor Question

This is a low price technical acceptable and a service contract wage determination applicable contact. At the same time the contractor staff is required to have college degrees from Associates to Master level with up to 10 years of experience. With the current labor market conditions does the Government consider hourly rates as low as

$17.53 to $22.95 as reasonable?

(Reference: Solicitation Page 36 of 81)

This is a competitive acquisition and contractors should determine the requirements of the PWS and quote accordingly.

37. Contractor Question

IAW the PWS, Appendix B, the Lead Faculty Manager and Healthcare Administrator

(Faculty Manager) positions are identified as "management level" positions. These positions appear to meet the requirement of “29 CFR § 541.301 - Learned

Professionals”. Will the Government please consider these positions as exempt and non-service contract positions?

(Reference: PWS Page 15 of 19- Appendix B)

38. Contractor Question

The Description of Services and follow on task areas identify positions roles and responsibilities to include providing reviews, evaluations, and recommendations;

conducting coordination with program sponsors, providing management, and technical personnel with both internal and external agencies; providing supplemental knowledge and expertise for the METC faculty and staff; creating reports and making sound recommendations; applying mathematical and statistical skills, developing processes;

facilitating standards and compliance with Division level managers and Program

Directors to include developing goals, objectives, and strategic plans; resolving complaints; serving as lead program trainer; developing internal policies, methods, and procedures; coordinating and conducting meetings; conduct studies, analysis, develop, and implement methods of improvement; serve in lead and management positions as Lead

Faculty Managers and Faculty Managers; and establish priorities, plans, and schedules as well as develop and implement efficient processes; to mention just a few. These roles can be attributed to a more senior level executive or management position. Will the

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

Government please consider removal of all SCA related references in the RFP and consider these positions as exempt Analyst or Senior Analyst positions to allow us to hire the level of professional with the experience and education expected by the Government?

(Reference: PWS Page 1 of 19- Paragraph 1.1)

39. Contractor Question

Are we required to use the SCA categories / rates listed in Amendment 0001 or are they listed for informational purposes only?

SCA categories are for information only. It is not a Wage Determination. This is a competitive acquisition and contractors should determine the requirements of the

PWS and quote accordingly.

40. Contractor Question

Contractor personnel shall complete, as a minimum, a Tier 1 (T1) investigation, before operating government furnished workstations. The contractor shall comply with the

Department of Defense (DOD) 5200.2-R, Personnel Security Program, Air Force Manual

(AFMAN) 33-152, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems, and Air

Force Instruction (AFI) 33-200, Information Assurance (IA) Management, requirements.

T1 investigation requests are initiated using the Standard Form (SF) 85 and are submitted to the installation Information Protection Office through the using agency's Unit Security

Manager. T1 investigations are different from the Wants and Warrants checks and are provided by the government at no additional cost to the contractor.

Our understanding is that Tiers 1, 2 and 4 are for CAC/PIV Credentialing and Suitability

& Fitness positions - these are not for Security Clearances. Since Tier 1 is an agency access/trustworthy determination it would not require an FCL to bid. As stated above Tier

1 is not a security clearance it is agency approval to access facilities and IT systems. We wanted clarity on if prime vendor is required to hold FCL to bid this opportunity?

Does the prime vendor have to hold FCL to bid this opportunity?

(Reference: PWS section 1.3.4. 1.3.4. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS)

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

41. Contractor Question

Are any positions allowed to work remotely and if so, what percentage of this work will be allowed to work remotely.

All work is to be done at the government facilities for all positions. However, the government reserves the right to deny and/or authorize routine or situational telework on a case-by-case basis.

42. Contractor Question

“The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance…” Can remote work be substituted for in-person workforce to meet staffing levels if required? If so, will the government provide computers and CAC cards for this remote workforce?

All work is to be done at the government facilities for all positions. However, the government reserves the right to deny and/or authorize routine or situational telework on a case-by-case basis. If authorized, a government laptop will be provided.

(Reference: PWS statement in paragraph 1.3.2)

43. Contractor Question

How much interaction will the COR or Government Task Lead have with the assigned

Program Manager for this effort?

Normal Contractual interaction between COR/Government Task Lead with their assigned Program Manager.

44. Contractor Question

Will an opportunity be provided for a kick-off meeting with the KO and/or COR prior to the start of the work? If so, will this be an in person or remote meeting?

Upon award Government is open to holding a teleconference with the awardee as necessary

Advisory and Program Management Support Services

45. Contractor Question

With consideration to the idea that unexpected employee changes can occur, is the government aware of any projected vacancies with respect to the incumbent's positions?

Government is currently not aware of any projected vacancies with respect to the incumbents.

46. Contractor Question

Are resume required for key personnel.

Resumes are required for key personnel as listed in RFQ.

47. Contractor Question

Will the Government consider substituting 1.5 years of experience for each year of required degree?

Degree requirements are firm. No substituting of experience for education will be considered.

NOTE: No further questions will be accepted for this solicitation.