24R0011 QnAs.docx

FA452824R0011 - SABER 2024 - Questions and Answers

Q1 - Please confirm the number of projects required for submission for Past Performance (PP).

A1 – There is not a designated minimum number of contracts/projects required for PP. See Section L, Part II and Section M, Factor 2 PP. The Government may use multiple sources to attain PP on an offeror, including any submitted PPIFs. The maximum number of PP efforts the Government will evaluate will be limited to the 10 most current that are deemed recent and relevant.

Q2 - Does the Government anticipate larger task orders, or can the dollar value for relevancy be reduced to an amount that represents the actual task orders?

A2 - The Government will award SABER Task Orders that will range from $2K to $750K, see the solicitation FAR Clause 52.216-19. See Section M, Factor 2 PP regarding PP relevancy - “a total contract value of at least $500,000.00”.

Q3 - Should the offeror designate on the PPIFs who the key personnel are for evaluation purposes?

A3 - The PPIF does not require key personnel to be identified by name. The PPIFs are completed and submitted by the offeror’s reference, see Section L, Part II.

Q4 - How many task orders were awarded under the previous SABER?

A4 - 91 task orders were awarded under previous Saber Q5 - Can you provide the average dollar amount of the task orders?

A5 - $138,000 was the average dollar amount of the task orders on the previous SABER contract. However, as stated in the RFP, Task Orders will range from $2,000 to $750,000.

Q6 - Depending on the average task order size, can the contract value relevancy of $500,000.00 be reduced to reflect the actual task order sizes? For example, if the average SABER task order is $125,000, can we provide similar projects for past performance in that price range?

A6 - The designated value for “Relevancy” as defined in Section M of the RFP will remain at $500,000 total contract value. However, past performance projects that meet the “Recency” criteria will be evaluated by the Government and assigned a “Relevancy” rating.

Q7 - Could you kindly confirm if a past performance write-up or citation is not required under PART II – FACTOR 2: PAST PERFORMANCE? I did not see this specified in Attachment 6, particularly in sections L or M. Additionally, would submitting only Attachment 4 be sufficient, or is it advisable to include more detailed past performance information?

A7 – Referenced in Part II – Factor 2: PAST PERFORMANCE part (a), attachment 4 - PPIF is the document to be used for past performance. This attachment is meant to be sent to references of the project and past performance information will be provided to the government at their volition. As stated in this section, “Please note that the PPIF will only be accepted if it is received directly from the reference”.

Q8 - Could you also clarify the bond requirement for this solicitation? Is a bond mandatory, and if so, what is the required amount? Furthermore, where should the bond be submitted? I noticed these details were not addressed in sections L or M.

A8 – Bonding is required on this project and all task orders associated. Please see the referenced clause FAR 52.228-1 Bid Guarantee in the solicitation for further instructions.

Q9 - Does this clause apply to the IDIQ or to the task orders issued under the IDIQ? Do offerors need to submit a bid bond with our response to this solicitation? If a bid bond is required at this time, what section of our proposal should we submit the bid bond?

A9 – The clause 52.228-1 pertains to all the task orders issued under the IDIQ including the seed project for B445. This bid bond will be based and intended for use for the seed project. Regarding any subsequent task orders held under the IDIQ however, they will have their own bond for each. Offerors are required to submit a bid bond with their proposal as a standalone document.

Q10 - Attachment 7 Price Schedule Coefficients.xlsx does not match a maximum ceiling of $9,900,000. The coefficient tabs in the Excel spreadsheet factor to $1,000,000 per year for the Base and x 4 options, for a maximum of $5,000,000. The coefficient will significantly differ from a possible average of $1.0M p/y to $1.9M p/y. Please clarify.

A10 - To clarify, attachment 7 is not meant to match the maximum ceiling of $9,900,000. This number is an established maximum ceiling cap for the entire SABER IDIQ. The Government has established and will not/cannot exceed that established ceiling on the subsequent IDIQ contract to be awarded. In light of this, attachment 7 identifies the 5 specific CLIN items that must be priced using a coefficient. Using the estimated dollar value for each priced CLIN item allows a total dollar amount to be calculated for price comparison. The proposed coefficient values for each CLIN item will be awarded in the contract to the winning contractor and applied to each actual task order, including the seed project.

Q11 - Can 4Clicks be used for estimating software instead of eGordian Online?

A11 - eGordian is the required software per the Statement of work. Although 4clicks is owned by the same company, the software is since being phased out of used. Thus, 4Clicks cannot be used.

Q12 - Can you please clarify the required KEY Personnel for the SABER?

A12 – Please refer to the Section M Subfactor 1: Organizational Structure under Measure of Merit in attachment 6 to identify the KEY Personnel needed for the SABER IDIQ.

Q13 - Due to the size of this SABER, it is recommended that personnel be combined and handle multiple task orders simultaneously to reduce personnel costs, which will directly affect the contractor’s coefficient, including the SSHO.

A13 – It is contractor discretion to combine and designate key personnel to be combined. This plan as specified in attachment 6 Section L&M will be evaluated under technical factors for the proposal.

Q14 - Can the QCM role and SSHO role be combined?

A14 – Please see the answer to question 13.

Q15 - Can you please clarify how many task orders 1 (one) superintendent can handle simultaneously?

A15 – The amount of task orders one designated person can manage is contractor discretion.

Q16 - Can you please clarify how many task orders 1 (one) QCM can handle simultaneously?

A16 – Please see the answer to question 15 Q17 - Can you please clarify how many task orders 1 (one) SSHO can handle simultaneously?

A17 – Please see the answer to question 15.

Q18 - This contract contains DFARS 252.204-7012 JAN 2023. This clause looks like it was updated MAY 2024. Is the MAY 2024 revision of DFARS 252.204-7012 required for this contract?

A18 Yes, the May clause was intended to be included in the original version of the contract.

Q19 - DFARS 252.204-7012 defines covered defense information as described in the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) registry. Will this contract contain CUI?

A19 - Bldg 445 seed project will not include CUI. The clause was included as a catch-all for any task orders that may include sensitive information.

Q20 - DFARS 252.204-7012 calls for adequate security on all covered contractor information systems. Is this required of the contractor if the contractor does not handle CUI?

A20 - No, DFARS 252.204-7012 refers to task orders or contract that include cloud computing services or IT related services. If they do not, adequate security for the contractor information systems is not necessary nor are the other requirements in the clause.

Q21 - DFARS 252.204-7012 calls for adequate security on all covered contractor information systems and states the contractor shall implement NIST SP 800-171, as soon as practical, but not later than December 31, 2017. Is the contractor required to have implemented NIST 800-171 for this contract?

A21 - Please see answer to previous question Q22 - Is the contractor required to include DFARS 252.204-7012 in our subcontracts?

A22 - According to DFARS 252.204-7012(m)(1), it will purely depend on if subcontractor information can be identified as covered defense information and will require protection. In this case, this seed project does not need this protection. Future task orders on the contract may, however.

Q23 - Is an emailed copy of the bid bond for this project sufficient or is a hard copy sent prior to the proposal due date of October 15th?

A23 – A bid bond is required by the time of close of solicitation. Please send the bid bond attachment along with the proposal if possible.

Q24 – Is the bidder is required to supply the other 35% drawings/ design package?

A24 - As per attachment 9 B445 Seed SoW and Drawings, the Government is furnishing the 35% design package and drawings to the contractor. This design package is to be utilized to produce As-Builts for the seed project that shall be complete by project completion.

Q25 - If the contract is based on task orders how would you fill out the price sheet if you don't know what tasks needs to be done?

A25 – Attachment 7 Offeror Price Schedule is to be used when estimating the pricing for a task order on the IDIQ. On the document, use the 5 CLIN items as a structure and price using a coefficient. Using this coefficient will present a total estimated dollar value for a generalized task order under the IDIQ to calculate price comparison. The proposed coefficient value will be awarded in the contract to the winning contractor.