Miscellaneous.pdf

Miscellaneous

Posting/Publishing:

Q: Do you plan to post the Industry Day agenda slides on FBO prior to the Industry Day?

If so, any time frame in mind?

A: They have been posted.

Q: Will all questions from one-on-ones be posted?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you intend to publish the companies that you talked to that are interested in prime or subbing.

A: We will only post a list of companies that attended the Industry Day General Briefing.

Q: When will the Government publish the answers to the Industry Day questions? These answers have an impact to the teaming agreements of current Primes and subcontractors.

A: The Government will post answers as soon as possible.

Q: Will you publish the winning team list that includes subs?

A: We will publish the list of winning Primes for USAMS III, but that list will not include the subs.

Q: In the Draft RFP documents, it mentioned that the IDIQ ordering period is anticipated to commence on March 13, 2014. Is this indeed the current anticipated start date? If possible, is there an anticipated start date? If possible, is there an anticipated time frame available for when RFP might be released?

A: Anticipate RFP release 25 April 2013 and estimate performance to start Mar-May 2014.

Performance is performed under each task order so specific start dates will be task order specific.

Library/USAMS II TO reference:

Q: Will the Government consider creating a bidder’s library? Would you be willing to make all of the complete task orders from USAMS II available?

A: The majority of USAMS task orders have been undergone a FOIA process and documents can be found at https://131.6.12.49/palMain.aspx. The Government has posted sample task orders covering the USSTRATCOM mission areas. The Government will not create a bidder’s library in addition what has been already posted.

https://131.6.12.49/palMain.aspx

Q: Will USAMS 2 Task order RFPs be available in the USAMS 3 read library?

Q: Will the government maintain a library for USAMS III awardees with appropriate reference information to allow and encourage competitiveness among task orders? To ensure objectivity, will redacted proposals also be required?

A: The Government does not intend to maintain a library for USAMS III awardees.

Q: How will we obtain prior PWS statements from USAMS?

Q. With regard to task orders out there, are they just listed on FBO?

A. USAMS II task order process is not done through FBO. The majority of USAMS task orders have been undergone a FOIA process and documents can be found at https://131.6.12.49/palMain.aspx. The Government has posted sample task orders covering the

USSTRATCOM mission areas. The Government will not create a bidder’s library in addition what has been already posted.

Q: Are you going to forecast upcoming TOs?

A: Most task orders are sent out under draft status prior to official solicitation period. For the latest round of task order recompetes the Government sent a forecast to the prime contractors. If proven successful this practice will continue.

Q: Are the one-on-one meetings limited only to the prime attending or can we have some of our subs attend with us?

A: Subs may attend one-on-one meetings with the prime. Due to room size, we ask that not more than 20 people attend.

Q: When you start putting together your evaluation team, are all of the J’s going to be represented?

A: Not every J designation in USSTRATCOM will be represented by a member specifically assigned to that office.

Q: Does this requirement get routed through ACC?

A: Yes, the Contracting Authority is ACC/A7K.

Q: Will this work be a lot like the TASC program?

A: Each contract/program contains unique details. The TASC program and other Multiple

Award IDIQ contract vehicles were included in the Government’s market research. Best practices have been identified and if possible have been incorporated in the USAMS III RFP.

Q: How does the government view incumbency?

A: Question is not clear, no response is provided.

Q: Some of the primes have indicated that some of the work they are doing on USAMS, the

Government has approached them about using a different vehicle.

A: USAMS III is not a requirements contract. There is not a mandatory policy forcing customers of USSTRATCOM to use the USAMS III IDIQ. USAMS III will always be an option however it is not mandatory.

Each requirement will have to go through a process that determines what contract vehicle is appropriate for the requirement and if set-aside procedures are appropriate. This is a critical step in the market research requirement outlined in FAR part 10.

Q: Is there any situation where a contractor may be allowed to add labor categories to the contract that were not previously provided? With the propensity that USSTRATCOM may expand their mission areas, there may be a need for added skill sets.

A: It is not anticipated that any categories will be added to the USAMS III labor category list.

Q: Will the contractor be allowed to add additional team mates post-award?

A: Section H, Special Contract Requirements, outlines the contract’s requirements on

Subcontractor/Cross Teaming. Cross teaming is allowed, review H-34 to comply with the specific guidelines related to cross teaming.

Q: All COCOMs and Commands are changing. How do we address the future changes to

STRATCOM? How important is that?

A: Review sections L, M for instructions and evaluation guidance. Factor and sub factor importance is outlined throughout those documents.

Q: In the 9 mission areas, are you able to estimate where the work load will land in each area, or will it be spread equally across them?

A: The 9 are of equal importance to STRATCOM so that it can meet its mission. The

Government does not have an estimated work load per mission area. Each task order will address specific mission requirements and may target a single mission area or cover multiple mission areas. For the USAMS III prime contract evaluation all mission areas are equally weighted.

General

Q: Will USAMS III continue to include CYBERCOM Task Orders?

A: USCYBERCOM is supported by USAMS II and USAMS III anticipates continuing support to USSCYBERCOM. USAMS III is not a requirements contract. There is not a mandatory policy forcing customers of USSTRATCOM to use the USAMS III IDIQ. USAMS III will always be an option however it is not a mandatory option.

appropriate for the requirement and if set-aside procedures are appropriate. This is a critical step

Q: Regarding Non-A&AS Support, would the 55 CONS provide an example or two of the types of services anticipated?

A: The Non-A&AS Support is not part of the technical evaluation criteria. Examples of types of services are listed in the PWS. IT support at remote locations. For example, for DC2N, there are different areas where we could dispatch people out to perform maintenance. A very small amount, but wanted to make sure that it was within scope.

Q: We wanted to put a team together of more strategic gray beards rather than a general team.

A: Not a question.

Q: Incumbent staff will want to stay, but they may face pay cuts, etc. Have you thought of that? Is it a concern?

A: All programs and task orders not just USAMS are undergoing modifications which include cuts. This topic is considered with each of our requirements and corresponding contract actions.

Q: Subcontractors in the J7, how will that apply? Their current work entails “Some nuggets of nuclear deterrence, global strike…” The company thinks these can be drawn out more to be applicable to the mission areas.

A: All Offerors will need to communicate the recency and relevance of all past performance documents submitted. For example, each Past Performance submission shall include a questionnaire that allows the submitter to identify what mission areas that submission is supporting.

Q: Intrigued by the non-A&AS. Do you have a concrete example?

A: IT support at remote locations. For example, for DC2N, there are different areas where we could dispatch people out to perform maintenance. A very small amount, but wanted to make sure that it was within scope.

Q: IDIQ level: Will you down select and then provide EN’s to those who were down selected?

A: If the Government enters into discussions Evaluation Notices (EN) will be sent to the offerors still in the competitive range.

Q: What % of qualified companies responded to your RFI?

A: Many companies that responded were qualified. Over 30 companies submitted capabilities packages and over 50 companies identified themselves as interested. Each company that provided a capability package received information regarding the Governments analysis of that package.

Q: Will you have to fall under an AFMC blanket?

A: The 55 th

Contracting Squadron is assigned to the Air Command Combat (ACC). The

Contracting Authority is ACC/A7K.

Q: Any plans for this work to fall under ESG?

A: No, USSTRATCOM has very unique requirements that are currently not anticipated to be supported through ESG contract vehicles.

Q: Defense Base Act Insurance to attend meeting for one day. And that is based on their annual salary. Rather than addressing it in the rates, address it as an ODC.

A: Insurance coverage shall be included in the rates proposed.

Q: We had trouble trying to do a compliance matrix between PWS and L&M.

A: The technical evaluation criteria in section L are the key areas the evaluation team will review to distinguish between offerors. Not all PWS elements are included in the technical criteria, only those the government desires to review are to be included in the technical criteria.

Q: I’m used to seeing 1423 and cdrls and things like that. Will there be something like that?

A: CDRLs will be posted with the full draft RFP.

Q: Are you going to forecast upcoming task orders for those that have won?

A: Most task orders are sent out under draft status prior to official solicitation period. For the latest round of task order recompetes the Government sent a forecast to the prime contractors. If proven successful this practice will continue.

Q: You mentioned at industry that an analysis would have to go through for cost plus.

A: If we issue a CPFF, we would perform cost analysis at the task order level. FAR part 15.404 details proposal analysis techniques and a cost analysis is identified in that section.

Q: Will you be evaluating the proposal rate of the primes after award?

A: The Government will include a mandatory proposal rate of 50%. Currently under USAMS II proposal rates are tracked and will be tracked at a minimum under USAMS III.

Q: What are the government’s identified USAMS III acquisition strategy risk factors?

A: Technical risks within the USAMS III acquisition can be identified as failure to develop and submit all required deliverables, failure to meet requirements of the TOs, and failure to meet and maintain all security requirements of the DD Form 254s for each TO.

Q: What % do you see ISR as being on the 150 task orders?

A: The task orders are not tracked by mission area. A percentage for ISR support is not available and neither are there percentages available identifying the other mission areas. Task order can support multiple mission areas.

Q. What do you mean by agile team/workforce?

A. Ability to respond quickly.

Q. Any plans to offer Change Management Documentation?

A. The majority of requirements solicited under USAMS III focus on supporting the 9 mission areas for USSTRATCOM. Mission support could include Change Management Documentation but none of the existing task orders under USAMS II are specifically for Change Management

Documentation.

Q: Organization of Proposals Recommendation: Volume I Security – Pass/Fail; Volume II

Technical – Change from Pass/Fail to graded (Most Important); Volume III Small Business

Participation – Graded (important); Volume IV Past Performance – Graded (Very

Important); Volume V Price – Graded (Very Important); and Volume VI Contract

Documentation.

A: The USAMS III RFP Section L table 2.0 outlines the proposal volumes.

Q: Has the Gov’t considered a 2-tier award system for Larger Smalls (over $25M) and for those smalls less than $14M?

A: The Government has considered many tiered systems for evaluation criteria and has settled on the single pool of small businesses as defined under the NAICS code 541330 (Engineering

Services), with the exception for Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons

Q: Why is LH an unallowed contract type?

A: Over the last several years DoD has restricted the use of LH contract types. The Labor Hour contract type is the least preferred contract type for the Government and should be applied when it is not possible at the time of placing the contract to estimate accurately the extent or duration of the work or to anticipate costs with any reasonable degree of confidence. USAMS III is the third generation of an Advisory and Assistance Services contract and the level of uncertainty required to justify a LH contract type should no longer exist. In the event uncertainty is apparent

CPFF may be considered.

Q: What is the purpose of LCATS if it is only FFP, CFFF, and CPAF?

A: Firm Fixed Price contract type is not a predominate contract type under USAMS. Many of the existing task orders are awarded under FFP-LOE. CFFF is not a contract type and CPAF is not allowed under USAMS. Labor Categories under USAMS provide a common definition that contractors and customer can use.

Q: The incumbent has a terrific advantage by understanding the current workload and costs. Will the government provide the costs associated with the current task orders to all offerors?

A: The Government has already posted the historical task orders including the total awarded price.

Q: What is considered the biggest risk areas under USAMS III?

A: Technical risks within the USAMS III acquisition can be identified as failure to develop and submit all required deliverables, failure to meet requirements of the TOs, and failure to meet and maintain all security requirements of the DD Form 254s for each TO.

Q: In the 9 mission areas are you able to estimate the level of USAMS III work in each?

A: The task orders are not tracked by mission area. Task order can support multiple mission areas.

Q: Do you anticipate significant CYBER TO’s?

A: USCYBERCOM is supported by USAMS II and USAMS III anticipates continuing support to USSCYBERCOM. USAMS III is not a requirements contract. There is not a mandatory policy forcing customers of USSTRATCOM to use the USAMS III IDIQ. USAMS III will always be an option however it is not a mandatory option.

appropriate for the requirement and if set-aside procedures are appropriate. This is a critical step

Q: Companies that have a history of working together successfully, especially on USAMS, are more likely to work together successfully in the future. Recommendation: Evaluate this type of teaming as a Risk Mitigation factor.

A: Successful performance shall be included in past performance document submissions.

Section M 3.2, Factor 2: Past Performance Evaluation Procedures describes how the Government will evaluate past performance.

Q: Firms who work together currently, or have worked together in the past are more likely to work together successfully in the future. How will government evaluate this potential success and risk reduction factor?

A: Successful performance shall be included in past performance document submissions.

Section M 3.2, Factor 2: Past Performance Evaluation Procedures describes how the Government will evaluate past performance.

Q: Will on/off ramps exist? Would you bring on another prime?

A: Yes on/off ramps will exist. Section H requirements H-22 & H-23 detail the on/off ramp procedures.

Q: To help ensure that small businesses with the appropriate resources to manage USAMS

III workflow apply, will the government include an off-ramping clause?

A: Yes an off ramp will exist. Section H requirement H-23 details the off ramp procedure.

Q: Have you given any thought to an off-ramping clause and including proposal rate language.

A: Yes an off ramp will exist. Section H requirement H-23 details the off ramp procedure. The

Government is considering a minimum task order proposal rate.

Q: Will there be an on-ramp provision?

A: Yes an on ramp will exist. Section H requirement H-22 details the on ramp procedure.

Q: Are there any restrictions for a USAMS Prime proposing on other work coming out of

STRATCOM? If STRATCOM goes out with a proposal for other work that is related to

USAMS, are there any restrictions having teamed under USAMS?

A: USAMS III is an ordering vehicle that procures Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS).

Any contractor that provides A&AS services runs the possibility of potential Organizational

Conflicts of Interest (OCI). It is the responsibility of the contractor to report real or perceived

OCIs to the Contracting Officer of an acquisition the contractor is pursuing. The Contracting

Officer will make the decision on whether or not there is a real or potential OCI and determine if a specific company can propose or not.

Q: In most IDIQs, OCI is applicable at both the contract and task order level. Will this be the case with USAMS III?

A: Yes, it always will be the case.

Q: What steps has the government put in place to eliminate OCI (actual or perceived) during proposal preparation for competing teams where a company is on more than one team?

A: Prior to submitting proposals offerors shall be responsible for protecting proprietary information. Once proposals are received in response to the USAMS III RFP the Government will safeguard the source selection documents appropriately.

The Government will recognize the integrity and validity of contractor team arrangements;

provided, the arrangements are identified and company relationships are fully disclosed in an offer or, for arrangements entered into after submission of an offer, before the arrangement becomes effective. The Government will not normally require or encourage the dissolution of contractor team arrangements.

The USAMS III acquisition is not receiving assistance from contractors in Providing Systems

Engineering and Technical Direction, Preparing Specifications or Work Statements, Providing

Evaluation Services while preparing the acquisition or evaluating the acquisition.

Q: Will the sub-unified command and the component commands be represented on the

Source Selection Evaluation Board?

A: The Source Selection process includes many reviews that include members from many organizations and many functional disciplines, however not every single sub-unified command or component command has a personal representative.

Q: Do you see any potential OCI issues with the USAMS III A&AS contract and the upcoming USSTRATCOM IT Capabilities Contract II.

A: USAMS III is an ordering vehicle that procures Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS).

Any contractor that provides A&AS services runs the possibility of potential Organizational

Conflicts of Interest (OCI). It is the responsibility of the contractor to report real or perceived

OCIs to the Contracting Officer of an acquisition the contractor is pursuing. The Contracting

Officer will make the decision on whether or not there is a real or potential OCI and determine if a specific company can propose or not.

Q: As this a new or follow on requirement, could you please let us know the current contract number and contract value?

A: USAMS III is a replacement ordering Multiple Award IDIQ vehicle. The USAMS II maximum program value is $900M. USAMS II has six prime contracts: FA4600-08-D-9000, FA4600-08-D-9001, FA4600-08-D-9002, FA4600-08-D-9003, FA4600-08-D-9004, and

FA4600-08-D-9005.

Q: Who is the incumbent? Is it still eligible to bid as a prime for this contract?

USAMS II has six prime contracts: FA4600-08-D-9000, FA4600-08-D-9001, FA4600-08-D-

9002, FA4600-08-D-9003, FA4600-08-D-9004, and FA4600-08-D-9005.

Incumbents include:

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

MacAulay-Brown, Inc.

Client/Server Software Solutions, Inc. (Small Business)

Exelis, Inc.

Science Applications International Corporation

CACI Technologies, Inc.

USAMS III is a 100% small business set-aside, only small businesses are eligible to propose as a prime contractor.

Q: Let us know that how many total FTE’s (Key Personnel) are required under this requirement? Do we need resumes?

A: Section M 3.1.3.1.1 has been updated to require key personnel resumes. Provide resumes for key leaders to include Program Manager (PM), Deputy Program Manager and Facility Security

Officer (FSO).

FTE count is not available for the prime contracts and will be indentified at the task order level.