Attachment 7a_Vendor Questions II v2.pdf

31 July 2024

Offeror Questions FA4690-24-R-0005; Part II

Answers to questions submitted 26-31 July are below. Duplicate questions have been consolidated (see Q&A 1 for previous answers). If additional questions are received prior to the deadline on 2 August, the answers will be sent out as soon as practicable.

Q1. Per the RFP, the following clause is incorporated; [X] (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022). This FAR clause requires a minimum wage of $17.20 per hour to be applied to the SCA positions - as defined by DOL at this link:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/eo14026. Would the government kindly advise how it will ensure the lowest price vendor has incorporated this requirement into their pricing?

Would the government kindly incorporate a pricing breakout to ensure that LPTA award is consistent with federal regulations and as well as SCA parameter for execution?

A1. The Government will not require or evaluate a pricing breakdown for this effort. Responsibility for compliance with SCLS Wage Determinations and Executive Orders falls upon the Contractor. Any violations of the SCLS or minimum wage Executive Orders during contract performance will be addressed in accordance with 29 CFR 23 Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors.

Q2. Per the QA response the vendor actively staffs 37 FTE, is that inclusive of the PM position or exclusive?

A2. CLIN 0001 effectively calls for 37 FTE. CLIN 0002 calls for 1 Project Manager. Total is 38 personnel.

Q3. Would the government advise how many of the required FTE positions are vacant as of recent, this will assist market to prepare its recruitment department for internal planning A3. Over the past few years, turnover averages roughly 1-2 positions per month. Some months have seen as many as 4 positions turnover. At other times, there have been stretches of a few months without any turnover.

Q4. In Volume I, do you want the pricing to be on the "Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs box" located on page 3 of 42 of the solicitation and/or on the Attachment 5- Bid Schedule? If on the Bid Schedule, should we include the spreadsheet as a stand alone document or should we cut/paste into the Volume?

A4. Pricing must be submitted in Attachment 5 Bid Schedule and on page 3 of the SF1449. For Attachment 5, fill out the orange cells (E5-E7) on the “Year 1 FY24” and “6-MO Ext” tabs. Round excel entries to the nearest whole cent. Fill out the Unit Price and Amount (total amount) columns on page 3 of the SF1449. The unit price and total amounts must be consistent between Attachment 5 and the SF1449. If they are not consistent, please ensure the entered amounts on the excel spreadsheet are rounded to the nearest whole cent (e.g, enter $1500.50 vice $1500.458).

Q5. Please confirm you want 1.5 spacing on the entire document as it essentially reduces the Technical Volume to 12.5 pages of content instead of 25?

A5. 1.5 spacing for the entire document is correct.

Q6. If 1.5 spacing is correct, does that pertain to any charts, figures, exhibits and/or tables within the volumes?

A6. The 1.5 spacing applies to charts, figures, exhibits, and tables.

Q7. Can you please verify if contractors need to possess a Facility Clearance for the required interim clearances (Tier III investigation) for the financial technicians?

A7. An interim tier 2 clearance is granted while the tier 3 is processed.