Atch_8_FA469019QA035_Questions_and_Answers.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

28TH CONTRACTING SQUADRON (AFGSC)

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE SOUTH DAKOTA

3 October 2019

MEMORANDUM FOR SOLICITATION VENDORS

FROM: 28 CONS/PKA

1000 Ellsworth Street, Suite 1200 Ellsworth AFB SD 57706

SUBJECT: Amendment 1 to Request for Quote – 89th Administrative Support Services, FA469019QA035

A. Amendment 1 is hereby issued for subject requirement to provide answers to questions asked.

B. The following questions were asked and answers are provided:

1. Would the government be willing to sponsor for the Facility Clearance?

A: No. Refer to Solicitation Standard Form (SF) 1449 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Paragraph 2.c.

2. Can my teaming Subcontractor with TS Facility Clearance sponsor my company for the

Facility Clearance?

A: Refer to Defense Security Services (DSS) Knowledge Center for all Facility Clearance questions and information; https://www.dss.mil/ma/ctp/io/fcb/ or 888-282- 7682, select Option #3. The primary, partnership, joint ventures, subcontractors all must hold Top Secret Facility Clearances (TS/FCL) at the time the quote is submitted to meet the Responsiveness requirement identified in Paragraph 2.1 of the Solicitation Addendum to FAR 52.212-2—Evaluation for Basis of Award.

3. Will the Top Secret FCL be required to receive an award? or can the Top Secret FCL be received following award?

A: The TS/FCL is required at the time the quote is submitted. Refer to Paragraph 2.1 of the Solicitation Addendum to FAR 52.212-2—Evaluation for Basis of Award for further details.

4. Can you please remove TS as mandatory requirement at time of proposal? Without government requesting TS facility clearance we cannot get it.

A: The TS/FCL will remain as a requirement.

https://www.dss.mil/ma/ctp/io/fcb/

5. It states the offeror must hold a current and active Top Secret Facility clearance to be eligible for this solicitation. If the HUBZone company doesn't hold the clearance but its teaming partner does will that meet the eligiblity as the offeror?

A: No. Teaming partners, joint venture members, and subcontractors need to hold TSF/CL at time of quote submittals. Refer to information provided in Questions #2 above for DSS information to obtain exact TS/FCL requirements for teaming partners, joint ventures, and subcontractors.

6. Pg. 63. Para. 2.c. “To be considered responsive, the completed RFQ shall consist of the following: C. Copy of the current and active DSS approval letter granting a DoD TS FCL.” DSS did not provide my company with a DSS Approval Letter. I spoke with my DSS Security Representative and she relayed that DSS no longer provides a DSS Approval Letter. In lieu of this requirement, what does your office require to verify that my company has a TS/FCL?

A: To be considered responsive, provide either a copy of the DoD DSS TS/FCL letter or a PDF verification of TS/FCL from the the quoters account with National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Central Access Information Security System (NCAISS), https://ncaiss.dss.mil/. Refer to DSS Knowledge Center if assistance is required on how to obtain the PDF verification from the NCAISS.

7. Will the past performance be a combination of the team or just the HUBZone company?

A: Past performance will be verified by the Government for HUBZone company and teaming partners or joint venture organizations.

8. Presolicitation notice FA4690-19-Q-A035 for 89th Administrative Support Services published on 9/6/2019 as a HUBZone Set Aside – is this requirement associated with a sources sought notice FA4690-20-R-000X that was published on 3/21/?

A: Yes. Solicitation FA4690-19-Q-A035, 89th Administrative Support Services, has replaced the source sought posting of FA4690-20-R-000X.

9. Section L - 2. e) Any other fill-in clauses and provisions - Page 63 of 68 - What specific fill-in clauses and provisions need to be provided in this volume to remove any ambiguity?

A:

--52.209-11, Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. Feb 2016 --52.209-7, Information Regarding Responsibility Matters. 2018-10 --52.212-3, Alternate I Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items – (Alternate I) 2018-10.

--52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. 1999-02 --52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance. 1984-04 https://ncaiss.dss.mil/niss

--52.223-22 Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals- Representation. 2016-12

10. f) Cover Letter - Page 63 of 68 - This requires a submission of Cover Letter delineating any exceptions taken. However should the bidder not take any exception, is a cover letter still required?

A: No.

11. If a cover letter, is still required, who should it be addressed to, the page limit, the contents - information sought etc.?

A: Cover letter is only required if quoter takes any exceptions to the RFQ terms and conditions with accompanying rationale. Limit number of pages to no more than 5 pages.

Address letter to Contracting Officer, Mark Salyer. It should include what exceptions are being taken to the RFQ terms and conditions and why.

12. Section M - 2.2 - Price Evaluation Standard - Page 67 of 68 - The Govt. has outlined that for a price to be determined realistic, the quoter's total evaluated price will not be less than 25% of the average of all responsive quotes. However, since prices shall be provided independently, we have no way of knowing nor would we ever attempt to find out what others may be pricing at to make it a true independent price competition in the best interest of the Govt. Hence putting a requirement to not quote for not less than 25 % of the average of all responsive quotes to be determined a realistic price, may make it a difficult proposition as we are not in a position to know other's prices. This requirement to be within 25 % also discourages a bidder to provide their most competitive prices that they can execute at since if their prices are less than 25 %, then the prices shall be determined unrealistic and the bid would be thrown out potentially depriving the Govt.

of the ability to have the cheapest price that it can be executed. Hence will the Govt.

kindly remove this requirement to be within 25 % and be in a position to get the maximum value through price competition without hindering the contractor's ability to provide the service at the cheapest possible price?

A: This requirement will not be removed.

13. Is this work being currently done by an incumbent contractor? If so, who is the incumbent contractor, the contract number, the contract value and Period of performance of the incumbent contract?

A: This acquisition is a follow-on contract. However, the scope of the effort has changed.

Incumbent: Sonoran Technology and Professional Services LLC Contract Number: FA4690-15-D-0005 Contract Value: $4,475,988.00 Period of Performance: 1 Sep 2015 – 31 Aug 2020

14. (Vendor name redacted) submitted a sources sought as we are an SBA certified 8a company and this was an 8a sole source contract. Shouldn’t this stay in the 8a competitive pool? Does the rule of two come in to play regarding this procurement?

A: The acquisition strategy has been approved by the Small Business Administration and in accordance with FAR Part 19 requirements, including the rule of two.

15. Is this work subject to SCA WD? If so, what are the SCA WD Labor Categories for this work? Are they SCA WD 01020 - Administrative Assistant & SCA WD 14160 - Personal Computer Support Technician?

A: Yes, this work is subject to DoL WD 2015-5367 (Rev. 11). FAR Clause 52.222-42 -- Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract. This statement is for information only and is not a wage determination.

16. This is a 4 FTE effort. Correct? If so, what SCA WD Labor Categories SCA WD 01020

- Administrative Assistant & SCA WD 14160 - Personal Computer Support Technician map to the 4 FTE Labor Categories - Standardization/Evaluation Program, Security Administration Manager (SAM), Personnel Security Support and Physical Security Support? In other words what role(s) does the SCA WD 01020 - Administrative Assistant function and what does the SCA WD 14160 - Personal Computer Support Technician function to provide the 4 labor categories Standardization/Evaluation Program, Security Administration Manager (SAM), Personnel Security Support and Physical Security Support?

A: All four FTE positions have a predominately administrative burden, please reference the PWS. The skill sets required for all four positions rely heavily on the administrative side with minor specialization of each position. Incumbent personnel are performing on the current contract and have the right of first refusal in accordance with FAR 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers. It is incumbent on the quoter to determine appropriate labor categories selected based on the requirements of the PWS.

17. In order for us to provide an accurate FFP quote, we request that the length of Service for each of these 4 individuals be provided since vacation that must be paid in accordance with SCA WD regulations is contingent upon continuous service at a Federal Facility - which is 2 weeks for < Five Years, 3 Weeks after 10 years and 4 weeks after 15 years.

A: Wage Determination 2015-5367 (Rev. 11) requires 2 weeks paid vacation for service after 1 year with contractor or successor, 3 weeks after 10 years, and 4 weeks after 15 years. Length of service for incumbent contractor personnel is as follows:

18. Atch_5_Historical_Data - Lists each of the 4 employees working @ 2080 Hours (52 Weeks x 40 Hours / Week) in a year. Will the govt. remove the 2080 Hours required and instead ask for 12 months of FFP per year with the clear understanding that the employees shall not be working for 2080 Hours but will only work all the hours in year minus all the paid time off like Holiday, Sick and Vacation that is required to be given in compliance with SCA WD regulations?

A: The 2080 annual hours will remain unchanged as the estimated workload. Odd numbered Wage Determinations require benefits to be paid for up to 2080 hours per year or 52 x 40 Hours per week. Benefits are to be paid for all hours compensated (including vacation and holiday hours). Historical data is submitted to assist with pricing.

However, vendor pricing should be submitted in accordance with the Attachment 2 Price Schedule and Solicitation SF 1449, Page 3 with a unit of issue “months”.

19. Section L 3.0 Past Performance - Page 63 of 68 - Past Performance Questionnaire -should CPARS be available for relevant contracts - Administrative Services with an annual value of $250,000 or more, will the govt. allow us to submit them in lieu of PPQ submission / responses to the Govt. customers without the need to impose this additional burden on them? Is it possible to use CPARS in lieu of PPQ should there be CPARS available? Will the govt. kindly remove the PPQ requirement and instead use CPARs?

A: The Government does not intend to modify the instructions found in provision 52.212-1 Addendum. In accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Addendum to FAR 52.212- 1—Instruction to Offerors, Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ) are one means used by the Government to obtain past performance information. In accordance with Paragraph 2.3.3. of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-2—Evaluation for Basis of Award, the Government may obtain and evaluate Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) (formerly PPIRS) reports. If quoter has no CPARS qualifying contracts then submit PPQs.

20. What happens should a Govt. reference not respond beyond a contractor's control thereby hurting the contractor with no recourse that using CPARs would eliminate?

A: In accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)(ii), the Government will consider the performance quality of recent, relevant efforts related in the past performance questionnaire responses, Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), Contracting Officer's knowledge of and previous experiences, and any other reasonable basis when assessing a past performance rating. Contractors will be given an opportunity to respond to address adverse past performance information on all CPARS reports at the time CPARS are forwarded to the contractor representative for comments.

Hire Date Project Title 10/16/2017 89th Stan/Eval 1/4/2016 89th Security Administration Manager 6/17/2019 89th Physical Security Support 11/13/2018 89th Personnel Security Support

21. Can Past Performance be provided using CPARS Printout showing evaluation ratings if available in lieu of submitting reference letters due to reasons outlined in previous questions?

A: In accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)(ii), the Government will consider the performance quality of recent, relevant efforts related in the past performance questionnaire responses, CPARS, Contracting Officer's knowledge of and previous experiences, and any other reasonable basis when assessing a past performance rating.

22. Can Past Performance be submitted as a separate volume with Table of Contents - Volume II to the Contracting Officer along with CPARS printouts if available for ease of consolidating all information in one place rather than sending them as 10 separate attachments (2 for each) Via E-Mail as instructed?

A: No. Multiple volumes are not requested. See previous questions addressing submittal of CPARS reports. See Paragraph 2 of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1—Instructions to Offerors, for submittal instructions. Include Table of Content and page numbers for quote and documents submitted.

23. This procurement is being conducted based on only 2 factors - 1. Price and 2 Past Performance. The lowest priced acceptable Past Performance shall get the award for this Best Value Procurement with no Trade-Off in terms of Price for any bidder that may have a superior Past Performance like Very Good / Exceptional instead of Satisfactory the minimum for an "Acceptable" Past Performance. This makes it almost akin to a LPTA procurement where the lowest priced offeror gets the award for an "Acceptable" PP with only one difference - No PP is considered "Unknown" and Unknown is Acceptable where as in this case the bidder does need to have the "Acceptable" PP.

Given this emphasis on this criteria of lowest price, to streamline and simplify the process with injecting objectivity and eliminating subjectivity, will the Govt. consider making it a LPTA instead of Best Value?

A: The Government does not intend to change the acquisition strategy. IAW FAR 13.106-1(a)(2), contracting officers are encouraged to use best value.

24. Will the govt. either make it a true LPTA with stringent Corporate Experience -

Administrative Support Services having an annual contract value of $250,000 per year within last 5 years to ensure that the winning contractor has the background to be able to undertake this work or make it a true Base Value Trade-off where PP is graded and then Price is evaluated for a True Best Value Trade-Off?

A: The Government does not intend to change the acquisition strategy.

25. Can the government provide a word version of the past performance questionnaire?

A: Yes. The word document for Attachment 4_FA469019QA035_89th Admin PPQ and the Excel spreadsheet for Attachment 2_Price Schedule are attached in FBO with Amendment 1 to the Solicitation.

26. As per section 3.2.6 of PWS, the contractor is required to submit a Quality Control Plan and 3.2.7 Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan with the Technical Proposal. Please clarify if the contractor is required to submit these 2 plans only or a contractor needs to provide a technical approach for all the PWS tasks that are there in section 3.0 of the

PWS?

A: The solicitation for FA469019QA035 does not require quoters to submit a technical proposal with their quote. Refer to Paragraph 2 of Addendum to FAR 52.212-1— Instruction to Offerors, for content required with the quote. Once an award has been made, the Quality Control Plan and Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan will be required for submittal at time of pre-performance conference. “With the Technical Proposal” in PWS Paragraph 3.2.6 has been revised to read “at the time of the pre-performance conference”. Attachment 1_PWS dated 4 Sep 2019 has been replaced with Attachment 1_PWS dated 1 Oct 2019,

27. As per section 1.1 of PWS, line 4 states that The Contractor shall provide a qualified, experienced subject matter expert (SME) for each requirement. Does this include all the 5 positions listed in 3.1.6 table of PWS? If yes, do we need to provide resumes for all the 5 personnel?

A: The Team Lead does not need to be a stand-alone position. As identified in the PWS, Paragraph 3.1.6—Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA), Team Lead responsibilities are additional requirements to be worked in addition to one of the positions throughout the KSA table. The “Favorable” security clearance requirement has been removed from the Team Lead function in the KSA Table. The candidate in the team lead position will need to meet the level of security clearance requirement for the additional position requirement he/she will be performing in. Resumes are not required at the time of quote submittal.

28. Do we need to send the Price Schedule separately or include it in the technical volume?

A: Multiple volumes are not requested. See Paragraph 2 of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1—Instructions to Offerors, for submittal instructions. Include Table of Content and page numbers for quote and documents submitted.

29. Please clarify if all the amendments, reps and certs and DSS approval letter are to be sent separately or we need to include these in the Technical Proposal?

A: Multiple volumes are not requested. See Paragraph 2 of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1—Instructions to Offerors, for submittal instructions. Include Table of Content and page numbers for quote and documents submitted.

30. Is there any page limit, font type & size requirements for the Technical proposal?

A: Technical proposal is not required. See Paragraph 2 of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1—Instructions to Offerors, for submittal instructions

31. Page 61 - 52.212-1 (b4): Will the PPQs submitted cover the “technical description of items being offered”?

A: Completing the SF 1449 price schedule is sufficient to meet the requirements of FAR 52.212-1(b)(4).

32. Page 63 – 1.2: What e-mail address should quotes be submitted to?

A: Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Refer to Page 63, Paragraph 3.1.1. for instructions and email addresses for quote submittals.

33. Performance Work Statement: 3.1.6: Are there any education requirements?

A: There are no education requirements. Candidates must meet required years of experience indicated in the KSA Table under PWS, Paragraph 3.1.6.

C. The response date for receipt of quotes and questionnaires of 31 October 2019, 5:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) remains unchanged.

D. Per request for quote requirements, please e-mail your quotes to kathleen.green@us.af.mil and mark.salyer@us.af.mil no later than 5:00 p.m. MDT on 31 October 2019.

MARK A. SALYER

Contracting Officer mailto:kathleen.green@us.af.mil mailto:mark.salyer@us.af.mil