Altus AFB SABER 2020 Questions and Answers.pdf

Seed Project Questions/Answers:

1) Where the location of the sewer pipe and what is the linear feet for the sewer lateral pipe? As stated in the SOW for the Seed Project SOW on page 3, “The 6" PVC gravity sanitary sewer laterals will meet the 8" Sanitary Sewer Main at the parking lot between Manhole 93D and Manhole 93C with a continuous slope of 1/8 “ per feet (1.04%) for gravity flow in accordance with the International Plumbing Code. Install approximately 300 L.F. of 6” PVC sanitary sewer lateral pipes, sewer service connection, a clean-out every 100 L.F., rock support for the new pipes, bed the new pipe and then refill the excavation and reestablish grass over the grassy area.” Please refer to the SOW and the drawings for additional information regarding this project.

2) For those offerers that are not currently subscribers to E4Clicks, can their price estimates utilize another software program with the RF Means-based pricing? Note:

This software is costly to purchase without having a contract to justify its purchase.

We will allow use of another estimating program for pricing the seed project only. The successful offeror must have and be able to utilize e4clicks software within 30 days of the contract award. The estimating product for the seed project must utilize RSMeans data and provide the same information as e4clicks would provide such as breakout by divisions and line items for the individual elements under each division (for example: 09- 74-16-10-0100 Veneer, flexible wood flexible veneer, 1/32” thick, plain woods along with unit of issue, quantity, unit cost, total and book used with applicable abbreviations).

Solicitation Questions/Answers:

1) This SABER IDIQ contract is for how many years? This SABER IDIQ 2020 project has a $9 million dollar maximum capacity, for a 3-year ordering period. There are no options.

2) When is the last day to submit the proposals for this contract? 29 May 2020 is the deadline to submit the proposals for SABER IDIQ 2020 contract. This date was corrected for the solicitation. Please follow the rules and regulations listed in the solicitation dated 30 Apr 2020.

3) It is allowable for an 8a prime offerer to team with another company, that is not 8a, but is considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code? Two companies can form a teaming agreement as long as the actual 8a firm is doing at least 15% of the work, and for the Limitations on Subcontracting clause 52.219-14, a teaming agreement is allowable. The signed teaming agreement must be submitted with the proposal package as stated in the solicitation. The SBA normally reviews these agreements annually.

4) What was the historical workload off this project under the current/last contract? How many task orders were issued over the life of the current/past contract? Our historical workload for SABER projects on Altus AFB is no more than $3 million per year with an average of 15 projects per year. We have seen a decline recently due to budgeting constraints, so the average may be closer to 10 projects per year going forward. Since the SABER contract is used for minor maintenance, it’s hard to predict when something breaks, there is storm damage or when the defense budget will change, so an accurate future estimate cannot be made.

5) Can you please confirm that the cover, title page and table of contents are EXCLUDED from the page limitations? Yes, they are excluded. The Cover, Title Page and table of contents for each actual volume will not count toward the page limitation.

6) Page 48 of 66 states, Paragraph 4.1 states, "...Offerors shall ensure that all clauses and provisions that require "fill in" information are appropriately completed, including the proposed coefficients associated with the contract line items in the Schedule of the RFP." Is it acceptable to include required fill ins at the end of Volume I - Completed RFP? Fill-ins need to be in their designated location and not moved to the end.

7) Page 48 of 66, Paragraph 5.1 states, "For each subfactor, address Technical Risk...". Is it acceptable to include a separate tab for "Technical Risk" before (a) Subfactor 1: Program Management? No, technical risk cannot be addressed separately.

Technical risk needs to be addressed within each sub-factor so all proposals can be viewed equally and fairly.

8) Given the current situation, would the government consider allowing electronic submission of our proposals? Due to issues with our email/servers, we will not be doing e-mail or other-internet based submissions.

9) When is the last day to ask questions regarding the solicitation?

As stated in the solicitation, questions were due 5 days after the preproposal conference (site visit).

10) In Section L, Subsection 6.1.1, it states that “If in a teaming agreement or joint venture with no combined past performance, projects from either/both team members can be submitted not to exceed five (5) total projects with at least two (2) projects from each team member.” Many federal government RFPs for construction/repair IDIQ contracts (especially those that are set aside for small businesses) allow offerors to use contracts from predecessor companies (e.g., acquired companies) or sister companies (e.g., subsidiary firms that share a parent and that are managed by the same president) to demonstrate their relevant experience and past performance. Although there is no language in this RFP that prohibits 8(a) offerors from using experience from predecessor and sister companies, we would like clarification on this point to differentiate these entities from an outside teaming partner that would join the offeror through use of a formal teaming or JV agreement.

Please confirm that recent and relevant contracts that are/were performed by predecessor and sister companies (companies sharing management personnel, business systems, lessons learned, etc. with the offeror) can be used by the 8(a) offeror in Volume III (a) without the use of a teaming agreement or JV agreement.

The number two (2) is to ensure that not just one part of a team submits. If an offeror only has one relevant example, then they only have one and would not be able to score highly in past performance. The offeror should note this in their proposal. Even if an offeror has no past performance is does not disqualify them, see 6.1.1.4.

11) Due to the current situation and to save costs, would the government consider eliminating the need for a hard copy and allowing offerors to upload directly to the DoD SAFE website?

No, there will be no change to the submission process. Shipping companies have taken measures that allow safe shipping of packages, please see their websites for the safe shipping procedures.

12) In Section 4.1 Volume I, the “Completed RFP shall consist of the completed and signed RFP, to include all amendments issued…”. Is the government looking for offerors to submit the signed SF1442, all amendments signed, and all pages originally included in the RFP?

Yes. Since there are fill-in portions on the solicitation, this will make it easier to review.

13) In Section 6.1.1 Volume III (a) Past Performance Information “Offerors shall provide adequate past performance information on five (5) recent and relevant completed Federal Government contracts. Are you looking for IDIQ contracts with multiple task orders or individual projects?

The past performance submissions do not necessarily have to be from an IDIQ, they could be projects awarded separately but done concurrently. i.e. five individual contracts in progress at the same time.

14) In Section 7.1.2 Relevancy Assessment, a very relevant past performance is involving all work elements (E1 through E6) listed in M, paragraph 7.1.2.1; demonstrates projects/task orders done simultaneously with costs totaling a minimum of $700K. Is it acceptable to include five (5) projects that were executed at the same time or do we need to include IDIQ contracts that have multiple task orders?

Projects do not have to be task orders from an IDIQ, they can be individually awarded projects done at the same time.

15) For the purposes of formatting, the type font shall not be less than 12 pitch. Would a

10 point font Courier suffice?

Font size must not be less than 12 pitch/point. The Courier font is acceptable (if in 12 pitch/point size).

16) Paragraph 6.1.1 Volume III (a)- Past Performance requires “If in a teaming agreement or joint venture with no combined past performance, projects from either/both team members can be submitted not to exceed five (5) total projects with at least two (2) projects from each team member.” This may cause exclusion of small business participation for companies that have Past Performance in other sectors and have at least one Federal Project recently completed. Will the government consider allowing team members to provide at least one (1) past performance from each team member, OR will the government place the two (2) project restriction only on Joint Ventures? (Referring to Page 50, Section L-6.1.1 of the Solicitation)

The number two (2) is to ensure that not just one part of a team submits. If part of a team or joint venture only has one relevant example, then they should submit the one. It will not be excluded, but the team or JV would not be able to score as highly in past performance.

The offeror should note this in their proposal. Even if an offeror has no past performance is does not disqualify them, see 6.1.1.4

17) If the Government does not respond to questions from Offerors by May 19, 2020, will the Government provide an extension to ensure at least 10 working days from the date of the Government’s responses to ensure delivery of PPQ responses from our customers for this opportunity? (Referring to Page 50, Section L-6.1.1 of the Solicitation)

In order to prevent a lapse in service, as our current SABER ends in mid-June, we do not intend on extending the response period. We will have all questions answered.

18) Paragraph 3.5.2.1 allows a maximum page limit for Volume III (a) - Past Performance of thirty (30) pages. Paragraph 6.1.1.1 limits each of the five (5) projects to two (2) pages per reference, providing a total of ten (10) pages allowed for the content of Volume III (a). Does the government have further guidance for the additional twenty

(20) pages of Volume III (a) - Past Performance content allowed by Paragraph 3.5.2.1? (Referring to Pages 47 and 50, Section L-3.5.2.1 and 6.1.1 of the Solicitation)

The solicitation has been amended to allow four (4) pages per reference and a maximum of twenty (20) pages total. The volume maximum does not include title page or table of contents.

19) There is a contradiction in requirements vs. evaluation Criteria. Section L, paragraph 6.1.1 requires the citations be COMPLETED Federal Contracts. Section M, paragraph 7.1.1 says the effort must be ONGOING OR have been completed.

Additionally, Section M, 7.1.6 states: More recent performance will have a greater impact on the Performance Confidence Assessment than less recent or relevant efforts. (Referring to Pages 50,62, and 63, Sections L-6.1.1, Section M-7.1.1 and Section M 7.1.6 of the Solicitation)

The solicitation 7.1.1 has been changed to say must have been completed during the past five (5) years form the issuance of this solicitation.

20) Does the Government wish Volumes III – (a) Past Performance and Volume III – (b)

Signed Teaming Agreement to be submitted as Separate Electronic Files? Does the Government wish the Hard Copy of these Volumes Bound separately or in one binder? (Referring to Page 50 of the Solicitation, Section L-6 and L-6.1 of the Solicitation)

The digital version of Volume III (a) and (b) may be separate or together, but the Government would prefer separate. The hard copy of the same may be in the same binder.

21) Will the government provide the PPQ in Word Format for ease of use by our customers OR Will the Government allow the Offeror to convert the document to MS Word and accept a MS Word version of the PPQ from our Customers? (Referring to all pages of Solicitation Attachment 6)

Yes. A word version has been added in betaSAM with the fax information removed.

22) The PPQ requires the customer to Fax the completed form but does not provide a fax number. Paragraph 6.1.1.3.1 requires the PPQ to be emailed to Mrs. Marina

Papayanki and Mr. Brian Ames. Will the government allow the offeror to alter the PPQ attachment 6 to instruct the customer to email the PPQ as directed in the Solicitation? (Referring to Page 3 of Solicitation Attachment 6 of Section C and Page 50 of Solicitation, Section L-6.1.1.3.1)

The customer must email the PPQ. There is a Microsoft Word version uploaded to BetaSAM with fax language removed.

23) Reference Page 47/66: “3.2. The response shall consist of one (1) labeled CD/disc submission and one (1) hard copy.” Question: Please confirm that the proposal can be provided as separate volumes on one single CD.

Yes, you can put all the volumes on one single CD.

24) Reference Page 47/66. “We will not accept e-mail or faxed proposals.” Question: In light of the COVID-19 health concerns, will the Government allow electronic submission via DoD SAFE or email in lieu of a hard copy and CD?

We are still requesting a hard copy and CD.

25) Page 48/66: “3.5.3. Cost or Pricing Related Data. All cost and/or pricing data shall ONLY be addressed in Volume I.” Question: Please confirm that Volume IV can contain cost and pricing related data for the Seed Project.

Cost and pricing data is only relative to the coefficient and your business in general. We don’t need specific certified cost and pricing data on the seed project specifically as the project itself is below the threshold. The RSMeans data, application of the city cost index for Lawton, OK and application of your coefficient are expected on the seed project submission.

26) Reference Page 50/66, Paragraph 6.1.1.3.1: “In lieu of a Past Performance Questionnaire, if a project is currently available in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) the contractor should attach the evaluation to the questionnaire with the relevant solicitation number and submit directly to the 97th Contracting Flight office…” Question: Please confirm that the questionnaire does not need to be completed if the project’s CPARS evaluation is emailed to the 97th Contracting Flight office.

Yes, if your project is listed in CPARS and included in your package, a PPQ is not required for that project.

27) Reference Page 47/66, Paragraph 3.5.2.1: The “type font shall not be less than 12 pitch.” Question: Will the Government allow font size used in graphics be less than 12 pitch as long as the text is legible?

If the text is in a graphic and legible with normal vision, it can be less than 12 pitch/point.

This would also apply to the brief title under a photo or table.

28) Reference Page 48/66, Paragraph 3.5.2.2: “All pages of each part shall be appropriately numbered and identified with the RFP number. Each page containing proprietary information should be marked as such… Additionally, each page should contain the following legend at the bottom of each page: SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION--SEE FAR 2.101 and 3.104 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY.” This information is typically contained in the headers and footers. Question: Will the Government allow the font size used in headers and footers to be 8 pitch or 9 pitch?

We will accept header and footer information such as that described at 9 pitch/point.

29) PAGE 48 OF 66, Paragraph 3.5.4: “Tab indexing is not included in the page limitations.” Question: Please confirm each volume’s cover and table of contents are also not included in the page limitations.

The cover and table of contents are not included in the page count.

30) The SF 1442 (Solicitation, Offer and Award) lists the Government acceptance period as 90 Calendar Days. Instructions Conditions, and Notices to Offerors or Respondents, 1. General Instructions, paragraph 1.1 lists the Government acceptance period as 180 Calendar Days. Question: Please clarify the Government acceptance period.

The solicitation has been changed to 180 days as stated in section L.

General Notes: The amendment is finishing legal review and will be uploaded ASAP. We also want to remind you that Altus is somewhat remote and isolated and does not have a good sub-contractor base. Many prime contractors have to bring in subs from Lawton, Wichita Falls, Oklahoma City which increases costs. Please remember this when calculating your coefficient.