Questions_ _Answers_for_FA3047-14-R-0010.pdf

502 CONS/JBKAC FA3047-14-R-0010

Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, TX Medical Administration Support Services

Question 1: Page 59 of the RFP indicated that this solicitation is limited to firms that have an approved business plan on file and serviced by the SBA District Offices listed within the state of

Texas. Is it the government’s intention to limit competition to 8(a) firms located within the state of Texas?

Government Response: This limitation will be removed and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Amendment 1.

Question 2: In the modification to the pre-solicitation on February 3, 2014, the requirement that only

Texas companies may bid was deleted. However, page 76 of the RFP includes the requirement that “For the purpose of efficiency, the government will only accept offers from those vendors located in the state of Texas”. Please clarify. If the Government is limiting competition, please provide the basis for doing so.

Government Response: This limitation will be removed and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a

Question 3: Is this still limited to only Texas-based 8(a) companies?

Government Response: This limitation will be removed and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a

Question 4: How many personnel are supporting the current task?

Government Response: Current contract and this contract are based on total number of hours and not number of personnel.

Question 5: Are any positions currently being supported Service Contract Act designated?

Government Response: Yes. All positions will fall under the Service Contract Act.

Question 6: What are the labor designations of positions being supported under the Service Contract

Act?

Government Response: Determining the appropriate labor categories/designations is the responsibility of the contractor.

Question 7: Will the Air Force consider removing the geographic representation restriction (Section

52.219-18) for the 1010c (business plan) to allow more offerors to respond so a better value proposition can be offered to the Air Force?

Government Response: Yes. This limitation will be removed and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 8: Have all options been exercised and/or exhausted on the present task?

Government Response: Yes

Question 9: Can the government provide a list of the current level of effort and the position titles/designations please.

Government Response: TBD and will be posted next week.

Question 10: For submission, it states that double sided pages are highly encouraged. Does the 15-page limit for the technical approach apply to single sided or double sided pages? So would this mean 15 single sided pages are the same as 7.5 double sided pages? Or if double sided, are 30 pages allowed? Can the Air

Force please clarify the response instructions?

Government Response: Per paragraph 1.0 of provision Addenda to 52.212-1 Volumes I and III have no page limitations. The limit on Vol II – Technical, is 15 total pages front and back. Any additional pages may not be reviewed.

Question 11: For clarification, can the individual labor categories be mapped to the appropriate W/D

SCA position?

Government Response: Determining the appropriate labor categories/designations is the responsibility of

Question 12: Given the tight suspense from March 20 th , can an extension from the April 3 response date be given?

Government Response: Yes. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April

2014. See Amendment 1.

Question 13: PWS para 1.3.6.2.1 refers to a Service Contract Coordinator Lead and FAR Clause

252.232-7 (f) (3) refers to Service Contract Coordinators but the SF 1449 does not identify any Service

Contract Coordinators. Additionally PWS Para 1.1.10 refers to TRICARE Beneficiary Counselor and

Debt Collection Assistance Officer. Please and the SF 1449 refers to a Tricare Benefits

Coordinator. Please clarify these discrepancies.

Government Response: Service Contract Coordinator and Lead have been removed entirely. The

TRICARE Benefits Coordinator is an abbreviated name for the TRICARE Beneficiary Counselor and

Debt Collection Assistance Officer. See Amendment 1.

Question 14: PWS para 1.3.6.2.1 states a Service Contract Coordinator Lead shall have a minimum of thirty (15) business college hours. Please clarify if this person needs to have 15 or 30 college hours.

Government Response: Service Contract Coordinator and Lead have been removed entirely. See

Question 15: PWS para 1.3.6.2.1 refers to a Service Contract Coordinator Lead; however, the position is not listed in PWS Para 1.1 or 1.1.10 or in the SF 1449. Is this an additional requirement? If so, please specify additional responsibilities above those in PWS Para 1.1.10 and provide additional CLINs on the

SF 1449 for each year to capture the cost associated with the increased educational requirement and responsibilities for that position.

Question 16: A change to the pre-solicitation notice removed the restriction regarding 8(a) companies with business plans on file at a Texas SBA office, but the restriction is still in the RFP. That restriction would prevent us from bidding even though our company’s medical staffing operations are conducted primarily in San Antonio. Will the Government consider removing the restriction?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 17: Which of the required positions are currently filled by incumbent employees?

Question 18: RFP 4.2 (c) reads, "Demonstrate a low-risk transition approach that supports becoming fully capable of accomplishing the mission within 10 business days of contract award." Are all positions identified in the CLINS to be filled within 10 business days after contract award?

Government Response: All positions need to be filled on first day of performance, 1 May 2014.

Question 19: RFP section 5.2 refers to a discrepancy between the electronic version and the hard copy.

Is there a requirement for an electronic version? If so, is it to be submitted on a CD or sent by email?

Government Response: No electronic proposals will be accepted at this time. This has been removed. See

Question 20: Reference Section 5.0 Volume III – Factor 2: Price, 5.2 Section B (Bid Schedule). This section references a Bid Schedule that is listed as Section B in the RFP. However, there is no Section B or separate “Bid Schedule” listed in the RFP. Is this referring to the pricing on the SF 1449 or is there a separate spreadsheet that the Government would prefer offerors to use?

Government Response: “Section B (Bid Schedule)” has been removed. All pricing shall be entered onto the SF 1449. See amendment 1.

Question 21: Reference Page 76, **NOTICE OF COMPETITION** which states that For the purpose of efficiency, the government will only accept offers from those vendors located in the state of Texas and whose approved business plan is on file and serviced by the SBA District Offices listed below. We were under the understanding that this requirement had been removed. Can the Government confirm if 8(a) outside of the state of Texas can bid on this opportunity?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 22: Page 59 Notification of competition limited to eligible 8(a) concerns item #3 – In previous correspondence it was noted that this requirement would be removed. Will the solicitation be amended to remove this requirement?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 23: CLINs for this solicitation describe the job titles of the positions to be performed; however, these do not correspond with the attached wage determination. Can the government clarify or conform the job titles to the wage determination?

Government Response: The job titles describe the positions. Determining the appropriate labor categories/designations is the responsibility of the contractor.

Question 24: In PWS, page 92 section 1.1.5 Graduated Medical Education (GME) Medical

Administrative Technician. Under CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, and 3001 it lists General Medical Education

Admin Tech. Are these positions one and the same?

Government Response: Yes. Changed from “General” to Graduated”. See Amendment 1.

Question 25: Section 52.219-8 Notification of competition limited to eligible 8a concerns #3 & addenda to 52.212-1; #3 Indicates that to be an eligible 8a concern the offerers business plan must be on file at one of the 6 SBA locations listed. With this opportunity not being a construction, emergency, or major disaster contract, are offerors permitted to have an offering letter submitted by their local SBA office to one of the 6 SBA offices listed in order to be considered for the contract opportunity?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 26: Page 79, Section 5.2 – Page 93 Muse Computer System Editor & Page 95 Risk Mgmt

Admin Tech Travel CLINs 0013, 0014, & option years - please provide locations and durations that the travel CLIN amounts would service for these two positions. 1,500 is listed as the Max Quantity, is that dollars or hours?

Government Response: Travel will be determined as the need arises. These CLINs will not be billed against unless travel has occurred. 1,500 is the max quantity in dollars.

Question 27: Page 80-82, Evaluation Section – Is past performance to be placed and considered within the 15 page limitation of the technical proposal?

Government Response: Past performance will not be considered as part of the evaluation.

Question 28: PWS 1.3 calls for a Quality Control Plan to be submitted with the proposal. Is that a requirement?

Government Response: Submission of a Quality Control Plan is not required and has been removed from the solicitation. See Amendment 1.

Question 29: PWS 1.3.6 refers to a Service Contract Coordinator Lead. Is that a required position?

Question 30: If the Service Contract Coordinator Lead is a required position, is it one of the FTEs listed in the CLINs?

Question 31: Does the Service Contract Coordinator Lead have to be onsite?

Question 32: Is the Service Contract Coordinator Lead in addition to the Contractor Point of

Contact/Contractor Representative referred to in PWS 1.2.1?

Question 33: RFP Page 76: Using track changes in the February 3 rd

FBO notice, the Notice of

Competition clause was stricken, along with the requirement for contractors to be resident in the State of

Texas and registered at an SBA office located in Texas. However, on page 77 of the final RFP, these restrictions reappear. We believe this will severely and unfairly restrict competition. Will the government please consider removing the Notice of Competition clause, the requirement for companies to reside in the State of Texas, and the restriction that companies be registered with a State of Texas SBA district office?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 34: RFP Page 77, Section 1.0: Will the government please confirm that there no page limitations for Volumes I and III?

Government Response: This is correct. The only page limitation is for Vol II – Technical

Question 35: RFP Pages 78-79, Sections 4.1-4.2: Will the government please confirm that there is no requirement for past performance?

Government Response: This is correct. Past performance is not part of the evaluation process of this requirement.

Question 36: RFP Page 83, Wage Determination: Utilizing WD 05-2521 (Rev.-14), can you please advise as to which occupational codes are associated with the listed CP positions since the provided education / experience requirements are the same / limited and CP job titles are not listed on the WD?

Government Response: Determining the appropriate labor categories/designations is the responsibility of

Question 37: RFP Page 103, Section 1.3.6.2.1: Section states, “The Service Contract Coordinator Lead shall have a minimum of thirty (15) business college hours.” Will the government please clarify if this position requires 15 or 30 business college hours?

Question 38: RFP Page 104, Section 2: The job title “Service Contract Coordinator” is not listed under the PWS as a requested CP nor in the Service Delivery Summary or CLIN Pricing. Will the government please clarify this job title?

Question 39: Reference INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, PROPOSAL PREPARATION

INSTRUCTIONS; Section 5.0 Volume III – Factor 2: Price, 5.2 Section B (Bid Schedule). This section states that “in the event of a discrepancy between the electronic version and the hard copy submission of the Section B Bid Schedule, the hard copy shall take precedence.” There is no other reference to submission of electronic version of any volumes. Can the Government confirm that there is no requirement to submit an electronic version of any Volumes for this solicitation? Can the Government confirm that there is no requirement to submit an electronic version of Schedule B?

Government Response: Electronic submission of proposals will not be accepted. This language has been removed from the solicitation. See Amendment 1.

Question 40: In PWS, page 92 section 1.1.5 Graduated Medical Education (GME) Medical

Administrative Technician. Under CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, and 3001 it lists General Medical Education

Admin Tech. Are these positions one and the same?

Government Response: Yes. Changed from “General” to Graduated”. See Amendment 1.

Question 41: Do Subcontractors of the Prime have to be a Texas Corporation? It is indicated that the

Prime 8a must be a Texas Corporation but does not state if this policy extends to subcontractors.

Government Response: This limitation will be removed and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a

Question 42: Is past performance information going to be reviewed within the solicitation/evaluation process or will offerors be reviewed based on available government information such as CPARs?

Government Response: Past performance will not be reviewed as part of this solicitation. FAPIIS will be reviewed to determine contractor responsibility. But this will only be done for the apparent successful offeror.

Question 44: The previous contract had overtime CLINs. Will the government add overtime CLIN, or is overtime not required?

Government Response: Overtime is not required on this contract.

Question 45: Is the current contract operating under a Collective Bargaining Agreement? If so, please provide a copy to offerors.

Government Response: No.

Question 46: Reference 52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999), A. Factor 1 -

Technical, Sub factor 1.1.(a) : "Describe any efficiency that will be applied toward meeting the PWS objectives to include existing business relationships."

Question a: Please clarify "existing business relationships."

Question b: Are these business relationships specific to the people, policies, and/or processes at Wilford

Hall?

Government Response:

a. Any relationships that the contractor may have within their organization or outside their organization to include any teaming arrangements or subcontractors.

b. The relationship is not specific to any people, policy or process.

Question 47: Reference 52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 1999), A. Factor 1 -

Technical, Sub factor 1.1.(a) : "critical personnel". The solicitation does not define which personnel shall be designated as "critical personnel." Does the government intend to designate one or more contract personnel as "critical," and if so, could the government identify these by position in the solicitation?

Government Response: No, the government will not define critical personnel. Critical personnel are the ones that your company deems to be so.

Question 48: The base year number of hours are listed as 1928 however this period of performance does not include a leap year. The option year’s period of performance includes a leap year so should these

CLINS reflect a 1928 estimate of hours as well?

Government Response: No. The hours are correct as written.

Question 49: If an offeror has completed the annual reps and certifications within SAM should only pages 38 through 44 section (b2) be completed and returned?

Government Response: Yes.

Question 50: Is a response required to FAR Clause 52.219-28? This section of the RFP states

(Contractor to sign and date and insert authorized signer’s name and title).

Government Response: This requirement is for the contractor that will be receiving the award.

Question 51: The Government has included a Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires. Would the Government please list which CLINS fall under each of the 4 Employee Classes listed?

Question 52: The Government has included a Wage Determination for this solicitation. Which CLINS have historically been SCA?

Government Response: All CLINs on this requirement fall under the Service Contract Act.

Question 53: Which CLINS have been covered under the SCA for the duration of the project (not just this contract but the previous contracts).

Government Response: All CLINs on this requirement fall under the Service Contract Act.

Question 54: The Security Requirements state that in the event of denial the individual will no longer be allowed to perform duties requiring computer access. Does this mean that the Government will allow the individual to work under a waiver until final adjuctication is returned?

Question 55: The Government has stated that a quality control plan is required. What are the page limitations? What Volume should this be submitted with as part of the response?

Government Response: A quality control plan will not be required as part of the proposal. This has been removed from the PWS. See Amendment 1.

Question 56: Section 1.3.6.2.1 states that thirty (15) business college hours are required for the Contract

Service Coordinator. Are thirty or 15 hours required?

Question 57: What is the protest period after award has been given?

Government Response: In accordance with FAR 33.103(e), Protest to the Agency shall be filed no later than 10 days after the basis of protest is known or should have been known, whichever is earlier. In accordance with FAR 33.104(c)(1) Protest to the GAO when the agency receives notice of a protest from the GAO within 10 days after contract award or within 5 days after a debriefing date offered to the protester for any debriefing that is required by 15.505 or 15.506, whichever is later.

Question 58: In regards to the 10 day transition period would the Government allow for a 20 day transition period? This request is made on the basis that new employees would require 10 days notice to their current employers before starting on this contract.

Government Response: At this time, a 10 day transition period is the required time frame.

Question 59: To be in compliance with the Wage Determination, by CLIN what are the percentages of employees that have worked less than 1 year, between 5 and 14 years, and those that have worked greater than 15 years on the project (note this is not by contract but by project as specified by Department of

Labor)?

Question 60: The “Service Contract Coordinator Lead” identified in Section 1.3.6.2.1, SPECIAL

QUALIFICATIONS, is not mentioned in anywhere else in the PWS or the individual CLINs. Please clarify if such a position exists and/or is required?

Question 61: Most all of the labor categories have no stated personal qualification requirements. Is it the government’s intention not to require any experience, training, or certification requirements for the labor categories other than those few outlined in Section 1.3.6., SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS?

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/15.htm#P976_183714 http://farsite.hill.af.mil/reghtml/regs/far2afmcfars/fardfars/far/15.htm#P997_186371

Government Response: Correct. The only qualifications are the ones outlined in Section 1.3.6 of the

Performance Work Statement.

Question 62: Would the Government identify the appropriate Wage Determination Occupation Code for each CLIN that they deem subject to Service Contract Act (SCA)?

Government Response: Determining the appropriate labor categories/designations is the responsibility of

Question 63: In the pre-solicitation dated January 29, 2014, the Notice of Competition limited the requirement to the SBA District offices. (FAR 19.804-2; FAR Clause 52.219-18 Alternate I Notice of

Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Concerns). On February 23, 2014, this requirement was removed in the pre-solicitation. However, it appears in the current solicitation. Will the government consider removing the Notice of Competition Requirement?

provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 64: Should the Government not wish to remove the FAR 19.804-2; FAR Clause 52.219-18

Alternate I requirement, will the Government consider expansion of competition only to Texas’ immediate surrounding states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to allow a great many disadvantaged minority businesses, including Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native, and most Native

American owned small businesses to compete, and which are currently excluded under the current RFP restriction?

Government Response: This limitation will be removed entirely and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 65: Should the Government not wish to remove the FAR 19.804-2; FAR Clause 52.219-18

Alternate I requirement, will the government allow bids from 8(a) companies (Prime Offerors) that maintain a legally documented operational office and program management representation located in San

Antonio?

Government Response: This limitation will be removed entirely and all 8(a) contractors will be able to provide a proposal. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014. See

Question 66: Will the government allow an extension to give Offerors more time to respond?

Government Response: Yes. The solicitation closing date will be extended from 3 April 2014 to 8 April

2014. See Amendment 1.

Question 67: RFP states “Pricing on the reimbursable ‘not to exceed’ Travel CLINs for each performance period are provided by the Government in the Quantity Cell.” Will the Government please provide unit prices (or plug numbers) for the reimbursable not to exceed travel CLINs for proposal submission purposes? If not, will the Government please identify what one unit of travel is equivalent to?

Government Response: The maximum travel allowed on this contract is $1,500 per year as outlined in the corresponding CLIN. This will only be reimbursed based on the travel that has happened.

Question 68: The Government requires the offeror to “demonstrate a low-risk transition approach that supports becoming fully capable of accomplishing the mission with 10 business days of contract award”.

To ensure technical compliance and price realism, would the Government consider defining these transition requirements and/or tasks that must be completed within the 10 days? In addition, would the

Government please clarify if all items detailed in Appendix B (pg. 110) must be completed and documented by BOTH incumbent and new staff by the end of the 10 day transition period?

Government Response: Regarding the transition approach, contractor should describe their plan to be fully operational by the end of the 10 day transition period. The document in Appendix B shall be filled out for each employee at the start of performance.

Question 69: The Government states that “Background investigations will be conducted by the government at no additional cost to the contractor on all contractor personnel prior to issuance of any base pass”. Will the Government please confirm that the offeror is not responsible for the pricing and execution of any staff supporting this program?

Government Response: The contractor should conduct background investigation to hire their employees.

The Government will conduct their own investigations to allow the employee access to the installation and the network. This secondary investigation is the one that the government will conduct at no cost to

Question 70: The Government states that “The Service Contract Coordinator Lead shall have a minimum of thirty (15) business college hours”. Can the Government please clarify if the Service

Contract Coordinator Lead shall have 30 OR 15 business college hours?

Question 71: What is the fill rate on the incumbent contract?

Question 72: What is the incumbent contract number?

Government Response: FA3047-09-D-0001

SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT 1 CHANGES:

- Remove Service Contract Coordinator and Lead from the PWS 1.3.6.2.1 and clause 252.232-7 (f) (3)

- Add language for Tricare Benefits Coordinator.

- Change General Medical Education Admin Tech to Graduated Medical Eduaction Admin Tech

- Update Addenda to 52.212-1 Section 5.2 Volume III – Factor 2: Price to replace “Section B (Bid

Schedule) to SF 1449 (Bid Schedule)

- Update 52.212-2 to remove the Texas limitation in Paragraph d,

- Update PWS 1.3 to remove the submission of a Quality Control Plan.

- Remove the 8(a) limitation from clause 52.219-18 and Addenda to 52.212-1 and 52.212-2

Paragraph d,

- Remove language on the electronic submission of proposals in Addenda to 52.212-1 Section 5.2

Volume III – Factor 2

- Extend the closing date from 3 April 2014 to 8 April 2014.